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Breslin JW, Motawe ZY. Imaging and Analysis of the Dynamics of Filamentous Actin Structures in Live Endothelial Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2711:129-146. [PMID: 37776454 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3429-5_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
The ability to view and record the movements of subcellular structures is a powerful tool that has accelerated the discovery and understanding of signaling mechanisms that control microvascular functions such as the control of endothelial permeability. Advances in molecular biology over the past few decades have facilitated the generation of fusion proteins in which fluorescent reporters based upon the structure of green fluorescent protein can be linked to proteins found in human endothelial cells, such as VE-cadherin or β-actin. These fusion proteins have been found to incorporate into structures alongside their native protein counterparts, allowing the dynamic visualization of how these subcellular structures are modified when cells are challenged with stimuli such as inflammatory mediators. The result of such studies has been a much more advanced view of the complex mechanisms by which endothelial cells maintain barrier properties than previously obtained by only viewing fixed cells labeled by immunofluorescence. Here, we describe our protocols that we have used to view the dynamics of actin filaments using time-lapse microscopy to record endothelial cells expressing GFP-actin and the analysis tools available to quantify dynamics of subcellular structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerome W Breslin
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
| | - Zeinab Y Motawe
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
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2
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Wu Z, Liu Q, Zhao Y, Fang C, Zheng W, Zhao Z, Zhang N, Yang X. Rhogef17: A novel target for endothelial barrier function. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 170:115983. [PMID: 38134633 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
ARHGEF17 encodes the protein RhoGEF17, which is highly expressed in vascular endothelial cells. It is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) that accelerates the exchange of GDP with GTP on many small GTPases through its Dbl homology (DH) domain, enabling the activation of Rho-GTPases such as RhoA, RhoB, and RhoC. Rho GTPase-regulated changes in the actin cytoskeleton and cell adhesion kinetics are the main mechanisms mediating many endothelial cell (EC) alterations, including cell morphology, migration, and division changes, which profoundly affect EC barrier function. This review focuses on ARHGEF17 expression, activation and biological functions in ECs, linking its regulation of cellular morphology, migration, mitosis and other cellular behaviors to disease onset and progression. Understanding ARHGEF17 mechanisms of action will contribute to the design of therapeutic approaches targeting RhoGEF17, a potential drug target for the treatment of various endothelium-related diseases, Such as vascular inflammation, carcinogenesis and transendothelial metastasis of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuolin Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China; Tianjin Neurological Institute, Key Laboratory of Post-Neuroinjury Neuro-Repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education and Tianjin City, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Quanlei Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Capital Medical University, Xuanwu Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China; Tianjin Neurological Institute, Key Laboratory of Post-Neuroinjury Neuro-Repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education and Tianjin City, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | | | - Wen Zheng
- Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zilin Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China; Tianjin Neurological Institute, Key Laboratory of Post-Neuroinjury Neuro-Repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education and Tianjin City, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Nai Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xinyu Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China; Tianjin Neurological Institute, Key Laboratory of Post-Neuroinjury Neuro-Repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education and Tianjin City, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.
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3
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Liu P, Sun Y, Qiao S, Ma W, Xu L, Liu Y, Gai X, Liu Q, Cai J, Zhang Z. Txnrd3 knockout enhancement of lung injury induced by Ni exposure via the VEGF-VEGFR-2 axis and alleviation of this effect by melatonin. Food Chem Toxicol 2023; 180:114032. [PMID: 37716496 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2023.114032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
Ni exposure leads to respiratory diseases in mice. Txnrd3 has been shown to have a protective effect on the body, but there is a paucity of empirical research focusing specifically on lung tissue. Melatonin possesses potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic effects. By regulating inflammation-related factors, melatonin can activate the VEGF signaling pathway, ultimately alleviating lung injuries caused by Ni exposure. One hundred and sixty 8-week-old C57BL/6N mice, that were wild-type or Txnrd3-/- mice and 25-30 g in weight, were randomly divided into eight groups, including the NC group, Ni group, melatonin-treated group, and Ni plus melatonin group. Ni (10 mg/kg) was gavaged, and melatonin (2 mg/kg) was administered for 21 days. Inflammatory cells were found in the bronchioles of Txnrd3-/- mice under Ni exposure. Ultrastructural examination revealed that the homozygous-Ni group had a high amount of collagen fibers. The antioxidant capacity studies also revealed that mice lungs underwent oxidative stress. The results of qRT-PCR and WB showed that Ni induced an inflammatory response, which was also aggravated in Txnrd3-/- mice. Melatonin can effectively reduce the above symptoms. In conclusion, Ni causes lung injury by activating the VEGF-VEGFR-2 pathway and Txnrd3 knockout aggravates injury after Ni exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinnan Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, PR China
| | - Yue Sun
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, PR China
| | - Senqiu Qiao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, PR China
| | - Wenxue Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, PR China
| | - Lihua Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, PR China
| | - Yue Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, PR China
| | - Xiaoxue Gai
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, PR China
| | - Qiaohan Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, PR China
| | - Jingzeng Cai
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, PR China; Key Laboratory of the Provincial Education Department of Heilongjiang for Common Animal Disease Prevention and Treatment, PR China.
| | - Ziwei Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, PR China; Key Laboratory of the Provincial Education Department of Heilongjiang for Common Animal Disease Prevention and Treatment, PR China.
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4
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Wang L, Gan C, Sun H, Feng L. Magnetic nanoparticle swarm with upstream motility and peritumor blood vessel crossing ability. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:14227-14237. [PMID: 37599587 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr02610h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Micro-nano-robots show great potential and value for applications in targeted drug delivery; however, very few current studies have enabled micro-nano-robots to move against blood flow, and in addition, how micro-nano-robots can penetrate endothelial cells and enter tissues via vascular permeation remains unclear. Inspired by the bionics of dynamic aggregation in wild herring schools and transvascular permeation of leukocytes, we propose a novel drug delivery strategy where thousands of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) can be assembled into swarms under the guidance of a specially designed electromagnetic field. The vortex-like swarms of magnetic nanoparticles exhibit excellent stability, allowing them to withstand the impact of high-speed flow and move upstream along the vessel wall, stopping at the target location. When the vortex-like swarms encounter a tumor periphery without a continuous vessel wall, their rheological properties actively adhere them to the edges of the vascular endothelial gap, using their deformability to crawl through narrow intercellular gaps, enabling large-scale targeted drug delivery. This cluster of miniature nanorobots can be reshaped and reconfigured to perform a variety of tasks according to the environmental demands of the circulatory system, providing new solutions for a variety of biomedical field applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luyao Wang
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Chunyuan Gan
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Hongyan Sun
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Lin Feng
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China.
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
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5
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Tokarz VL, Pereira RVS, Jaldin-Fincati JR, Mylvaganam S, Klip A. Junctional integrity and directional mobility of lymphatic endothelial cell monolayers are disrupted by saturated fatty acids. Mol Biol Cell 2023; 34:ar28. [PMID: 36735487 PMCID: PMC10092641 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e22-08-0367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The lymphatic circulation regulates transfer of tissue fluid and immune cells toward the venous circulation. While obesity impairs lymphatic vessel function, the contribution of lymphatic endothelial cells (LEC) to metabolic disease phenotypes is poorly understood. LEC of lymphatic microvessels are in direct contact with the interstitial fluid, whose composition changes during the development of obesity, markedly by increases in saturated fatty acids. Palmitate, the most prevalent saturated fatty acid in lymph and blood, is detrimental to metabolism and function of diverse tissues, but its impact on LEC function is relatively unknown. Here, palmitate (but not its unsaturated counterpart palmitoleate) destabilized adherens junctions in human microvascular LEC in culture, visualized as changes in VE-cadherin, α-catenin, and β-catenin localization. Detachment of these proteins from cortical actin filaments was associated with abundant actomyosin stress fibers. The effects were Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK)- and myosin-dependent, as inhibition with Y27632 or blebbistatin, respectively, prevented stress fiber accumulation and preserved junctions. Without functional junctions, palmitate-treated LEC failed to directionally migrate to close wounds in two dimensions and failed to form endothelial tubes in three dimensions. A reorganization of the lymphatic endothelial actin cytoskeleton may contribute to lymphatic dysfunction in obesity and could be considered as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria L Tokarz
- Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada.,Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
| | - Rafaela V S Pereira
- Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | | | - Sivakami Mylvaganam
- Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
| | - Amira Klip
- Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada.,Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
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6
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A current overview of RhoA, RhoB, and RhoC functions in vascular biology and pathology. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 206:115321. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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7
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Gwisai T, Mirkhani N, Christiansen MG, Nguyen TT, Ling V, Schuerle S. Magnetic torque–driven living microrobots for increased tumor infiltration. Sci Robot 2022; 7:eabo0665. [DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.abo0665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Biohybrid bacteria–based microrobots are increasingly recognized as promising externally controllable vehicles for targeted cancer therapy. Magnetic fields in particular have been used as a safe means to transfer energy and direct their motion. Thus far, the magnetic control strategies used in this context rely on poorly scalable magnetic field gradients, require active position feedback, or are ill-suited to diffuse distributions within the body. Here, we present a magnetic torque–driven control scheme for enhanced transport through biological barriers that complements the innate taxis toward tumor cores exhibited by a range of bacteria, shown for
Magnetospirillum magneticum
as a magnetically responsive model organism. This hybrid control strategy is readily scalable, independent of position feedback, and applicable to bacterial microrobots dispersed by the circulatory system. We observed a fourfold increase in translocation of magnetically responsive bacteria across a model of the vascular endothelium and found that the primary mechanism driving increased transport is torque-driven surface exploration at the cell interface. Using spheroids as a three-dimensional tumor model, fluorescently labeled bacteria colonized their core regions with up to 21-fold higher signal in samples exposed to rotating magnetic fields. In addition to enhanced transport, we demonstrated that our control scheme offers further advantages, including the possibility for closed-loop optimization based on inductive detection, as well as spatially selective actuation to reduce off-target effects. Last, after systemic intravenous injection in mice, we showed significantly increased bacterial tumor accumulation, supporting the feasibility of deploying this control scheme clinically for magnetically responsive biohybrid microrobots.
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Affiliation(s)
- T. Gwisai
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Translational Medicine, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - N. Mirkhani
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Translational Medicine, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - M. G. Christiansen
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Translational Medicine, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - T. T. Nguyen
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Translational Medicine, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - V. Ling
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals, 40 Landsdowne St., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - S. Schuerle
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Translational Medicine, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
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8
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TWEAK and TNFα, Both TNF Ligand Family Members and Multiple Sclerosis-Related Cytokines, Induce Distinct Gene Response in Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13101714. [PMID: 36292599 PMCID: PMC9601571 DOI: 10.3390/genes13101714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) is a member of the TNF ligand family involved in various diseases including brain inflammatory pathologies such as multiple sclerosis. It has been demonstrated that TWEAK can induce cerebrovascular permeability in an in vitro model of the blood-brain barrier. The molecular mechanisms playing a role in TWEAK versus TNFα signaling on cerebral microvascular endothelial cells are not well defined. Therefore, we aimed to identify gene expression changes in cultures of human brain microvascular endothelial cells (hCMEC/D3) to address changes initiated by TWEAK exposure. Taken together, our studies highlighted that gene involved in leukocyte extravasation, notably claudin-5, were differentially modulated by TWEAK and TNFα. We identified differential gene expression of hCMEC/D3 cells at three timepoints following TWEAK versus TNFα stimulation and also found distinct modulations of several canonical pathways including the actin cytoskeleton, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Rho family GTPases, and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) pathways. To our knowledge, this is the first study to interrogate and compare the effects of TWEAK versus TNFα on gene expression in brain microvascular endothelial cells.
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9
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Hollósi A, Pászty K, Bunta BL, Bozó T, Kellermayer M, Debreczeni ML, Cervenak L, Baccarini M, Varga A. BRAF increases endothelial cell stiffness through reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton. FASEB J 2022; 36:e22478. [PMID: 35916021 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202200344r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton and its connection to endothelial cell-cell junctions determine the barrier function of endothelial cells. The proper regulation of barrier opening/closing is necessary for the normal function of vessels, and its dysregulation can result in chronic and acute inflammation leading to edema formation. By using atomic force microscopy, we show here that thrombin-induced permeability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells, associated with actin stress fiber formation, stiffens the cell center. The depletion of the MEK/ERK kinase BRAF reduces thrombin-induced permeability prevents stress fiber formation and cell stiffening. The peripheral actin ring becomes stabilized by phosphorylated myosin light chain, while cofilin is excluded from the cell periphery. All these changes can be reverted by the inhibition of ROCK, but not of the MEK/ERK module. We propose that the balance between the binding of cofilin and myosin to F-actin in the cell periphery, which is regulated by the activity of ROCK, determines the local dynamics of actin reorganization, ultimately driving or preventing stress fiber formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Hollósi
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Katalin Pászty
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Bálint Levente Bunta
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tamás Bozó
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Miklós Kellermayer
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Márta Lídia Debreczeni
- Department of Internal Medicine and Haematology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - László Cervenak
- Department of Internal Medicine and Haematology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Manuela Baccarini
- Department of Microbiology, Immunobiology and Genetics, Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Andrea Varga
- Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
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10
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Pillay LM, Yano JJ, Davis AE, Butler MG, Ezeude MO, Park JS, Barnes KA, Reyes VL, Castranova D, Gore AV, Swift MR, Iben JR, Kenton MI, Stratman AN, Weinstein BM. In vivo dissection of Rhoa function in vascular development using zebrafish. Angiogenesis 2022; 25:411-434. [PMID: 35320450 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-022-09834-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The small monomeric GTPase RHOA acts as a master regulator of signal transduction cascades by activating effectors of cellular signaling, including the Rho-associated protein kinases ROCK1/2. Previous in vitro cell culture studies suggest that RHOA can regulate many critical aspects of vascular endothelial cell (EC) biology, including focal adhesion, stress fiber formation, and angiogenesis. However, the specific in vivo roles of RHOA during vascular development and homeostasis are still not well understood. In this study, we examine the in vivo functions of RHOA in regulating vascular development and integrity in zebrafish. We use zebrafish RHOA-ortholog (rhoaa) mutants, transgenic embryos expressing wild type, dominant negative, or constitutively active forms of rhoaa in ECs, pharmacological inhibitors of RHOA and ROCK1/2, and Rock1 and Rock2a/b dgRNP-injected zebrafish embryos to study the in vivo consequences of RHOA gain- and loss-of-function in the vascular endothelium. Our findings document roles for RHOA in vascular integrity, developmental angiogenesis, and vascular morphogenesis in vivo, showing that either too much or too little RHOA activity leads to vascular dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M Pillay
- Division of Developmental Biology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, 6 Center Dr. Bethesda, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Joseph J Yano
- Division of Developmental Biology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, 6 Center Dr. Bethesda, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Pennsylvania, 440 Curie Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Andrew E Davis
- Division of Developmental Biology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, 6 Center Dr. Bethesda, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Matthew G Butler
- Division of Developmental Biology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, 6 Center Dr. Bethesda, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Megan O Ezeude
- Division of Developmental Biology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, 6 Center Dr. Bethesda, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Jong S Park
- Division of Developmental Biology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, 6 Center Dr. Bethesda, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Keith A Barnes
- Division of Developmental Biology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, 6 Center Dr. Bethesda, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Vanessa L Reyes
- Division of Developmental Biology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, 6 Center Dr. Bethesda, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Daniel Castranova
- Division of Developmental Biology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, 6 Center Dr. Bethesda, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Aniket V Gore
- Division of Developmental Biology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, 6 Center Dr. Bethesda, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Matthew R Swift
- Division of Developmental Biology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, 6 Center Dr. Bethesda, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - James R Iben
- Division of Developmental Biology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, 6 Center Dr. Bethesda, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Madeleine I Kenton
- Division of Developmental Biology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, 6 Center Dr. Bethesda, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Amber N Stratman
- Division of Developmental Biology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, 6 Center Dr. Bethesda, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Brant M Weinstein
- Division of Developmental Biology, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, 6 Center Dr. Bethesda, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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11
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Ni N, Wang W, Sun Y, Sun X, Leong DT. Inducible endothelial leakiness in nanotherapeutic applications. Biomaterials 2022; 287:121640. [PMID: 35772348 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
All intravenous delivered nanomedicine needs to escape from the blood vessel to exert their therapeutic efficacy at their designated site of action. Failure to do so increases the possibility of detrimental side effects and negates their therapeutic intent. Many powerful anticancer nanomedicine strategies rely solely on the tumor derived enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect for the only mode of escaping from the tumor vasculature. However, not all tumors have the EPR effect nor can the EPR effect be induced or controlled for its location and timeliness. In recent years, there have been exciting developments along the lines of inducing endothelial leakiness at the tumor to decrease the dependence of EPR. Physical disruption of the endothelial-endothelial cell junctions with coordinated biological intrinsic pathways have been proposed that includes various modalities like ultrasound, radiotherapy, heat and even nanoparticles, appear to show good progress towards the goal of inducing endothelial leakiness. This review explains the intricate and complex biological background behind the endothelial cells with linkages on how updated reported nanomedicine strategies managed to induce endothelial leakiness. This review will also end off with fresh insights on where the future of inducible endothelial leakiness holds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nengyi Ni
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, Singapore, 117585, Singapore
| | - Weiyi Wang
- School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250000, China
| | - Yu Sun
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, Singapore, 117585, Singapore; Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No.88 Jiefang Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, 310009, PR China
| | - Xiao Sun
- School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250000, China.
| | - David Tai Leong
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, Singapore, 117585, Singapore.
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12
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Hauke M, Eckenstaler R, Ripperger A, Ender A, Braun H, Benndorf RA. Active RhoA Exerts an Inhibitory Effect on the Homeostasis and Angiogenic Capacity of Human Endothelial Cells. J Am Heart Assoc 2022; 11:e025119. [PMID: 35699166 PMCID: PMC9238636 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.121.025119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Background The small GTPase RhoA (Ras homolog gene family, member A) regulates a variety of cellular processes, including cell motility, proliferation, survival, and permeability. In addition, there are reports indicating that RhoA‐ROCK (rho associated coiled‐coil containing protein kinase) activation is essential for VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor)‐mediated angiogenesis, whereas other work suggests VEGF‐antagonistic effects of the RhoA‐ROCK axis. Methods and Results To elucidate this issue, we examined human umbilical vein endothelial cells and human coronary artery endothelial cells after stable overexpression (lentiviral transduction) of constitutively active (G14V/Q63L), dominant‐negative (T19N), or wild‐type RhoA using a series of in vitro angiogenesis assays (proliferation, migration, tube formation, angiogenic sprouting, endothelial cell viability) and a human umbilical vein endothelial cells xenograft assay in immune‐incompetent NOD scid gamma mice in vivo. Here, we report that expression of active and wild‐type RhoA but not dominant‐negative RhoA significantly inhibited endothelial cell proliferation, migration, tube formation, and angiogenic sprouting in vitro. Moreover, active RhoA increased endothelial cell death in vitro and decreased human umbilical vein endothelial cell‐related angiogenesis in vivo. Inhibition of RhoA by C3 transferase antagonized the inhibitory effects of RhoA and strongly enhanced VEGF‐induced angiogenic sprouting in control‐treated cells. In contrast, inhibition of RhoA effectors ROCK1/2 and LIMK1/2 (LIM domain kinase 1/2) did not significantly affect RhoA‐related effects, but increased angiogenic sprouting and migration of control‐treated cells. In agreement with these data, VEGF did not activate RhoA in human umbilical vein endothelial cells as measured by a Förster resonance energy transfer–based biosensor. Furthermore, global transcriptome and subsequent bioinformatic gene ontology enrichment analyses revealed that constitutively active RhoA induced a differentially expressed gene pattern that was enriched for gene ontology biological process terms associated with mitotic nuclear division, cell proliferation, cell motility, and cell adhesion, which included a significant decrease in VEGFR‐2 (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2) and NOS3 (nitric oxide synthase 3) expression. Conclusions Our data demonstrate that increased RhoA activity has the potential to trigger endothelial dysfunction and antiangiogenic effects independently of its well‐characterized downstream effectors ROCK and LIMK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hauke
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and PharmacotherapyInstitute of PharmacyMartin‐Luther‐University Halle‐WittenbergHalle (Saale)Germany
| | - Robert Eckenstaler
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and PharmacotherapyInstitute of PharmacyMartin‐Luther‐University Halle‐WittenbergHalle (Saale)Germany
| | - Anne Ripperger
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and PharmacotherapyInstitute of PharmacyMartin‐Luther‐University Halle‐WittenbergHalle (Saale)Germany
| | - Anna Ender
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and PharmacotherapyInstitute of PharmacyMartin‐Luther‐University Halle‐WittenbergHalle (Saale)Germany
| | - Heike Braun
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and PharmacotherapyInstitute of PharmacyMartin‐Luther‐University Halle‐WittenbergHalle (Saale)Germany
| | - Ralf A. Benndorf
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and PharmacotherapyInstitute of PharmacyMartin‐Luther‐University Halle‐WittenbergHalle (Saale)Germany
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Small Vessel Disease: Ancient Description, Novel Biomarkers. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073508. [PMID: 35408867 PMCID: PMC8998274 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Small vessel disease (SVD) is one of the most frequent pathological conditions which lead to dementia. Biochemical and neuroimaging might help correctly identify the clinical diagnosis of this relevant brain disease. The microvascular alterations which underlie SVD have common origins, similar cognitive outcomes, and common vascular risk factors. Nevertheless, the arteriolosclerosis process, which underlines SVD development, is based on different mechanisms, not all completely understood, which start from a chronic hypoperfusion state and pass through a chronic brain inflammatory condition, inducing a significant endothelium activation and a consequent tissue remodeling action. In a recent review, we focused on the pathophysiology of SVD, which is complex, involving genetic conditions and different co-morbidities (i.e., diabetes, chronic hypoxia condition, and obesity). Currently, many points still remain unclear and discordant. In this paper, we wanted to focus on new biomarkers, which can be the expression of the endothelial dysfunction, or of the oxidative damage, which could be employed as markers of disease progression or for future targets of therapies. Therefore, we described the altered response to the endothelium-derived nitric oxide-vasodilators (ENOV), prostacyclin, C-reactive proteins, and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factors (EDHF). At the same time, due to the concomitant endothelial activation and chronic neuroinflammatory status, we described hypoxia-endothelial-related markers, such as HIF 1 alpha, VEGFR2, and neuroglobin, and MMPs. We also described blood–brain barrier disruption biomarkers and imaging techniques, which can also describe perivascular spaces enlargement and dysfunction. More studies should be necessary, in order to implement these results and give them a clinical benefit.
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Binding of the Andes Virus Nucleocapsid Protein to RhoGDI Induces the Release and Activation of the Permeability Factor RhoA. J Virol 2021; 95:e0039621. [PMID: 34133221 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00396-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Andes virus (ANDV) nonlytically infects pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMECs), causing acute pulmonary edema termed hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). In HPS patients, virtually every PMEC is infected; however, the mechanism by which ANDV induces vascular permeability and edema remains to be resolved. The ANDV nucleocapsid (N) protein activates the GTPase RhoA in primary human PMECs, causing VE-cadherin internalization from adherens junctions and PMEC permeability. We found that ANDV N protein failed to bind RhoA but coprecipitates RhoGDI (Rho GDP dissociation inhibitor), the primary RhoA repressor that normally sequesters RhoA in an inactive state. ANDV N protein selectively binds the RhoGDI C terminus (residues 69 to 204) but fails to form ternary complexes with RhoA or inhibit RhoA binding to the RhoGDI N terminus (residues 1 to 69). However, we found that ANDV N protein uniquely inhibits RhoA binding to an S34D phosphomimetic RhoGDI mutant. Hypoxia and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) increase RhoA-induced PMEC permeability by directing protein kinase Cα (PKCα) phosphorylation of S34 on RhoGDI. Collectively, ANDV N protein alone activates RhoA by sequestering and reducing RhoGDI available to suppress RhoA. In response to hypoxia and VEGF-activated PKCα, ANDV N protein additionally directs the release of RhoA from S34-phosphorylated RhoGDI, synergistically activating RhoA and PMEC permeability. These findings reveal a fundamental edemagenic mechanism that permits ANDV to amplify PMEC permeability in hypoxic HPS patients. Our results rationalize therapeutically targeting PKCα and opposing protein kinase A (PKA) pathways that control RhoGDI phosphorylation as a means of resolving ANDV-induced capillary permeability, edema, and HPS. IMPORTANCE HPS-causing hantaviruses infect pulmonary endothelial cells (ECs), causing vascular leakage, pulmonary edema, and a 35% fatal acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Hantaviruses do not lyse or disrupt the endothelium but dysregulate normal EC barrier functions and increase hypoxia-directed permeability. Our findings reveal a novel underlying mechanism of EC permeability resulting from ANDV N protein binding to RhoGDI, a regulatory protein that normally maintains edemagenic RhoA in an inactive state and inhibits EC permeability. ANDV N sequesters RhoGDI and enhances the release of RhoA from S34-phosphorylated RhoGDI. These findings indicate that ANDV N induces the release of RhoA from PKC-phosphorylated RhoGDI, synergistically enhancing hypoxia-directed RhoA activation and PMEC permeability. Our data suggest inhibiting PKC and activating PKA phosphorylation of RhoGDI as mechanisms of inhibiting ANDV-directed EC permeability and therapeutically restricting edema in HPS patients. These findings may be broadly applicable to other causes of ARDS.
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Zhou Q, Jiang J, Chen G, Qian C, Sun G. Inflammatory Immune Cytokine TNF-α Modulates Ezrin Protein Activation via FAK/RhoA Signaling Pathway in PMVECs Hyperpermeability. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:676817. [PMID: 34054551 PMCID: PMC8152434 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.676817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: One of the important pathogenesis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is the dysfunction of pulmonary microvascular endothelial barrier induced by a hyperinflammatory immune response. However, the potential mechanisms of such an imbalance in pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs) are not yet understood. Purpose: Explore the molecular mechanism of endothelial barrier dysfunction induced by inflammatory immune cytokines in ARDS, and find a therapeutic target for this syndrome. Methods: Rat PMVECs were cultured to form a monolayer. Immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and Western blotting were selected to detect the distribution and the expression level of phosphorylated Ezrin protein and Ezrin protein. Transendothelial electrical resistance (TER) and transendothelial fluxes of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled bovine serum albumin (BSA) were utilized to measure the permeability of the cell monolayer. Ezrin short hairpin RNA (shRNA) and Ezrin 567-site threonine mutant (EzrinT567A) were used to examine the role of Ezrin protein and phosphorylated Ezrin protein in endothelial response induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), respectively. The function of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and Ras homolog gene family, member A (RhoA) signaling pathways were estimated by inhibitors and RhoA/FAK shRNA in TNF-α-stimulated rat PMVECs. The activation of FAK and RhoA was assessed by Western blotting or pull-down assay plus Western blotting. Results: The TER was decreased after TNF-α treatment, while the Ezrin protein phosphorylation was increased in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The phosphorylated Ezrin protein was localized primarily at the cell periphery, resulting in filamentous actin (F-actin) rearrangement, followed by a significant decrease in TER and increase in fluxes of FITC-BSA. Moreover, FAK and RhoA signaling pathways were required in the phosphorylation of Ezrin protein, and the former positively regulated the latter. Conclusion: The phosphorylated Ezrin protein was induced by TNF-α via the FAK/RhoA signaling pathway leading to endothelial hyperpermeability in PMVECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qun Zhou
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Department of Geriatric Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Jianjun Jiang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Guanjun Chen
- The Center for Scientific Research of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Cheng Qian
- The Center for Scientific Research of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Gengyun Sun
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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16
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Moretti R, Giuffré M, Caruso P, Gazzin S, Tiribelli C. Homocysteine in Neurology: A Possible Contributing Factor to Small Vessel Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22042051. [PMID: 33669577 PMCID: PMC7922986 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22042051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Homocysteine (Hcy) is a sulfur-containing amino acid generated during methionine metabolism, accumulation of which may be caused by genetic defects or the deficit of vitamin B12 and folate. A serum level greater than 15 micro-mols/L is defined as hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy). Hcy has many roles, the most important being the active participation in the transmethylation reactions, fundamental for the brain. Many studies focused on the role of homocysteine accumulation in vascular or degenerative neurological diseases, but the results are still undefined. More is known in cardiovascular disease. HHcy is a determinant for the development and progression of inflammation, atherosclerotic plaque formation, endothelium, arteriolar damage, smooth muscle cell proliferation, and altered-oxidative stress response. Conversely, few studies focused on the relationship between HHcy and small vessel disease (SVD), despite the evidence that mice with HHcy showed a significant end-feet disruption of astrocytes with a diffuse SVD. A severe reduction of vascular aquaporin-4-water channels, lower levels of high-functioning potassium channels, and higher metalloproteinases are also observed. HHcy modulates the N-homocysteinylation process, promoting a pro-coagulative state and damage of the cellular protein integrity. This altered process could be directly involved in the altered endothelium activation, typical of SVD and protein quality, inhibiting the ubiquitin-proteasome system control. HHcy also promotes a constant enhancement of microglia activation, inducing the sustained pro-inflammatory status observed in SVD. This review article addresses the possible role of HHcy in small-vessel disease and understands its pathogenic impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Moretti
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (M.G.); (P.C.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Mauro Giuffré
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (M.G.); (P.C.)
| | - Paola Caruso
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (M.G.); (P.C.)
| | - Silvia Gazzin
- Italian Liver Foundation, AREA SCIENCE PARK, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (S.G.); (C.T.)
| | - Claudio Tiribelli
- Italian Liver Foundation, AREA SCIENCE PARK, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (S.G.); (C.T.)
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Seebach J, Klusmeier N, Schnittler H. Autoregulatory "Multitasking" at Endothelial Cell Junctions by Junction-Associated Intermittent Lamellipodia Controls Barrier Properties. Front Physiol 2021; 11:586921. [PMID: 33488392 PMCID: PMC7815704 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.586921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial cell (EC) junctions are key structures controlling tissue homeostasis in physiology. In the last three decades, excellent studies have addressed many aspects of this complex and highly dynamic regulation, including cell signaling, remodeling processes of the proteins of tight junctions, adherens junctions, and gap junctions, the cytoskeleton, and post-transcriptional modifications, transcriptional activation, and gene silencing. In this dynamic process, vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin) provides the core structure of EC junctions mediating the physical adhesion of cells as well as the control of barrier function and monolayer integrity via remodeling processes, regulation of protein expression and post-translational modifications. In recent years, research teams have documented locally restricted dynamics of EC junctions in which actin-driven protrusions in plasma membranes play a central role. In this regard, our research group showed that the dynamics of VE-cadherin is driven by small (1-5 μm) actin-mediated protrusions in plasma membranes that, due to this specific function, were named "junction-associated intermittent lamellipodia" (JAIL). JAIL form at overlapping, adjacent cells, and exactly at this site new VE-cadherin interactions occur, leading to new VE-cadherin adhesion sites, a process that restores weak or lost VE-cadherin adhesion. Mechanistically, JAIL formation occurs locally restricted (1-5 μm) and underlies autoregulation in which the local VE-cadherin concentration is an important parameter. A decrease in the local concentration of VE-cadherin stimulates JAIL formation, whereas an increase in the concentration of VE-cadherin blocks it. JAIL mediated VE-cadherin remodeling at the subjunctional level have been shown to be of crucial importance in angiogenesis, wound healing, and changes in permeability during inflammation. The concept of subjunctional regulation of EC junctions is strongly supported by permeability assays, which can be employed to quantify actin-driven subjunctional changes. In this brief review, we summarize and discuss the current knowledge and concepts of subjunctional regulation in the endothelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jochen Seebach
- Institute of Anatomy and Vascular Biology, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Nadine Klusmeier
- Institute of Anatomy and Vascular Biology, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Hans Schnittler
- Institute of Anatomy and Vascular Biology, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
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An Iatrogenic Model of Brain Small-Vessel Disease: Post-Radiation Encephalopathy. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21186506. [PMID: 32899565 PMCID: PMC7555594 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We studied 114 primitive cerebral neoplasia, that were surgically treated, and underwent radiotherapy (RT), and compared their results to those obtained by 190 patients diagnosed with subcortical vascular dementia (sVAD). Patients with any form of primitive cerebral neoplasia underwent whole-brain radiotherapy. All the tumor patients had regional field partial brain RT, which encompassed each tumor, with an average margin of 2.6 cm from the initial target tumor volume. We observed in our patients who have been exposed to a higher dose of RT (30–65 Gy) a cognitive and behavior decline similar to that observed in sVAD, with the frontal dysexecutive syndrome, apathy, and gait alterations, but with a more rapid onset and with an overwhelming effect. Multiple mechanisms are likely to be involved in radiation-induced cognitive impairment. The active site of RT brain damage is the white matter areas, particularly the internal capsule, basal ganglia, caudate, hippocampus, and subventricular zone. In all cases, radiation damage inside the brain mainly focuses on the cortical–subcortical frontal loops, which integrate and process the flow of information from the cortical areas, where executive functions are “elaborated” and prepared, towards the thalamus, subthalamus, and cerebellum, where they are continuously refined and executed. The active mechanisms that RT drives are similar to those observed in cerebral small vessel disease (SVD), leading to sVAD. The RT’s primary targets, outside the tumor mass, are the blood–brain barrier (BBB), the small vessels, and putative mechanisms that can be taken into account are oxidative stress and neuro-inflammation, strongly associated with the alteration of NMDA receptor subunit composition.
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Tung TH, Wang SH, Huang CC, Su TY, Lo CM. Use of Discrete Wavelet Transform to Assess Impedance Fluctuations Obtained from Cellular Micromotion. SENSORS 2020; 20:s20113250. [PMID: 32517325 PMCID: PMC7309086 DOI: 10.3390/s20113250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Electric cell–substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) is an attractive method for monitoring cell behaviors in tissue culture in real time. The time series impedance fluctuations of the cell-covered electrodes measured by ECIS are the phenomena accompanying cellular micromotion as cells continually rearrange their cell–cell and cell–substrate adhesion sites. Accurate assessment of these fluctuations to extract useful information from raw data is important for both scientific and practical purposes. In this study, we apply discrete wavelet transform (DWT) to analyze the concentration-dependent effect of cytochalasin B on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The sampling rate of the impedance time series is 1 Hz and each data set consists of 2048 points. Our results demonstrate that, in the Daubechies (db) wavelet family, db1 is the optimal mother wavelet function for DWT-based analysis to assess the effect of cytochalasin B on HUVEC micromotion. By calculating the energy, standard deviation, variance, and signal magnitude area of DWT detail coefficients at level 1, we are able to significantly distinguish cytotoxic concentrations of cytochalasin B as low as 0.1 μM, and in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, DWT-based analysis indicates the possibility to decrease the sampling rate of the micromotion measurement from 1 Hz to 1/16 Hz without decreasing the discerning power. The statistical measures of DWT detail coefficients are effective methods for determining both the sampling rate and the number of individual samples for ECIS-based micromotion assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tse-Hua Tung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan; (T.-H.T.); (S.-H.W.); (C.-C.H.)
| | - Si-Han Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan; (T.-H.T.); (S.-H.W.); (C.-C.H.)
| | - Chun-Chung Huang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan; (T.-H.T.); (S.-H.W.); (C.-C.H.)
| | - Tai-Yuan Su
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Yuan-Ze University, Chung-Li 32003, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (T.-Y.S.); (C.-M.L.)
| | - Chun-Min Lo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan; (T.-H.T.); (S.-H.W.); (C.-C.H.)
- Correspondence: (T.-Y.S.); (C.-M.L.)
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20
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Guo X, Eitnier RA, Beard RS, Meegan JE, Yang X, Aponte AM, Wang F, Nelson PR, Wu MH. Focal adhesion kinase and Src mediate microvascular hyperpermeability caused by fibrinogen- γC- terminal fragments. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0231739. [PMID: 32352989 PMCID: PMC7192500 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives We previously reported microvascular leakage resulting from fibrinogen-γ chain C-terminal products (γC) occurred via a RhoA-dependent mechanism. The objective of this study was to further elucidate the signaling mechanism by which γC induces endothelial hyperpermeability. Since it is known that γC binds and activates endothelial αvβ3, a transmembrane integrin receptor involved in intracellular signaling mediated by the tyrosine kinases FAK and Src, we hypothesized that γC alters endothelial barrier function by activating the FAK-Src pathway leading to junction dissociation and RhoA driven cytoskeletal stress-fiber formation. Methods and results Using intravital microscopy of rat mesenteric microvessels, we show increased extravasation of plasma protein (albumin) resulting from γC administration. In addition, capillary fluid filtration coefficient (Kfc) indicated γC-induced elevated lung vascular permeability. Furthermore, γC decreased transendothelial barrier resistance in a time-dependent and dose-related fashion in cultured rat lung microvascular endothelial cells (RLMVECs), accompanied by increased FAK/Src phosphorylation detection by western blot. Experiments with pharmacological inhibition or gene silencing of FAK showed significantly reduced γC-induced albumin and fluid leakage across microvessels, stress-fiber formation, VE-cadherin tyrosine phosphorylation, and improved γC-induced endothelial barrier dysfunction, indicating the involvement of FAK in γC mediated hyperpermeability. Comparable results were found when Src was targeted in a similar manner, however inhibition of FAK prevented Src activation, suggesting that FAK is upstream of Src in γC-mediated hyperpermeability. In addition, γC-induced cytoskeletal stress-fiber formation was attenuated during inhibition or silencing of these tyrosine kinases, concomitantly with RhoA inhibition. Conclusion The FAK-Src pathway contributes to γC-induced microvascular barrier dysfunction, junction protein phosphorylation and disorganization in a manner that involves RhoA and stress-fiber formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohua Guo
- Department of Surgery, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, United States of America
| | - Rebecca A. Eitnier
- Department of Surgery, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, United States of America
| | - Richard S. Beard
- Department of Biomolecular Research, Boise State University, Boise, ID, United States of America
| | - Jamie E. Meegan
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, United States of America
| | - Xiaoyuan Yang
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, United States of America
| | - Alexandra M. Aponte
- Department of Surgery, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, United States of America
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Surgery, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, United States of America
| | - Peter R. Nelson
- Department of Surgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States of America
| | - Mack H. Wu
- Department of Surgery, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Moretti R, Caruso P. Small Vessel Disease-Related Dementia: An Invalid Neurovascular Coupling? Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E1095. [PMID: 32046035 PMCID: PMC7036993 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21031095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The arteriosclerosis-dependent alteration of brain perfusion is one of the major determinants in small vessel disease, since small vessels have a pivotal role in the brain's autoregulation. Nevertheless, as far as we know, endothelium distress can potentiate the flow dysregulation and lead to subcortical vascular dementia that is related to small vessel disease (SVD), also being defined as subcortical vascular dementia (sVAD), as well as microglia activation, chronic hypoxia and hypoperfusion, vessel-tone dysregulation, altered astrocytes, and pericytes functioning blood-brain barrier disruption. The molecular basis of this pathology remains controversial. The apparent consequence (or a first event, too) is the macroscopic alteration of the neurovascular coupling. Here, we examined the possible mechanisms that lead a healthy aging process towards subcortical dementia. We remarked that SVD and white matter abnormalities related to age could be accelerated and potentiated by different vascular risk factors. Vascular function changes can be heavily influenced by genetic and epigenetic factors, which are, to the best of our knowledge, mostly unknown. Metabolic demands, active neurovascular coupling, correct glymphatic process, and adequate oxidative and inflammatory responses could be bulwarks in defense of the correct aging process; their impairments lead to a potentially catastrophic and non-reversible condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Moretti
- Neurology Clinic, Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy;
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22
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Yang Y, Dong X, Zheng S, Sun J, Ye J, Chen J, Fang Y, Zhao B, Yin Z, Cao P, Luo L. GSTpi regulates VE-cadherin stabilization through promoting S-glutathionylation of Src. Redox Biol 2019; 30:101416. [PMID: 31927409 PMCID: PMC6957793 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2019.101416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
GSTpi is a Phase II metabolic enzyme which is originally considered as an important facilitator of cellular detoxification. Here, we found that GSTpi stabilized VE-cadherin in endothelial cell membrane through inhibiting VE-cadherin phosphorylation and VE-cadherin/catenin complex dissociation, and consequently maintained endothelial barrier function. Our findings demonstrated a novel mechanism that GSTpi inhibited VE-cadherin phosphorylation through suppressing the activation of Src/VE-cadherin pathway. Mass spectrometry analysis and molecular docking showed that GSTpi enhanced Src S-glutathionylation at Cys185, Cys245, and Cys400 of Src. More important, we found that GSTpi promoted S-glutathionylation of Src was essential for GSTpi to inhibit Src phosphorylation and activation. Furthermore, in vivo experiments indicated that AAV-GSTpi exerted the protective effect on pulmonary vessel permeability in the animal model of acute lung injury. This study revealed a novel regulatory effect of GSTpi on vascular endothelial barrier function and the importance of S-glutathionylation of Src induced by GSTpi in the activation of Src/VE-cadherin pathway. GSTpi regulates endothelial barrier function in response to pro-inflammatory stress. GSTpi inhibits the destabilization of membrane VE-cadherin through suppressing the activation of Src/VE-cadherin pathway. GSTpi selectively inhibits Src phosphorylation by S-glutathionylating novel cysteines of Src. GSTpi exerts the protective effect on pulmonary vessel permeability in the animal model of acute lung injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, Jiangsu, China; Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210028, Jiangsu, China; Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210028, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaoliang Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shuangning Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jinbing Sun
- Changshu No.1 People's Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Changshu, 215500, China
| | - Juan Ye
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210028, Jiangsu, China; Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210028, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiao Chen
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210028, Jiangsu, China; Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210028, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuan Fang
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210028, Jiangsu, China; Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210028, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bing Zhao
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210028, Jiangsu, China; Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210028, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhimin Yin
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Peng Cao
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210028, Jiangsu, China; Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210028, Jiangsu, China; Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Lan Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, Jiangsu, China.
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López R, Pérez-Araos R, Salazar Á, Ulloa AL, Vial C, Vial PA, Graf J. Hemodynamic and Pulmonary Permeability Characterization of Hantavirus Cardiopulmonary Syndrome by Transpulmonary Thermodilution. Viruses 2019; 11:v11100900. [PMID: 31569646 PMCID: PMC6832621 DOI: 10.3390/v11100900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 09/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) is characterized by capillary leak, pulmonary edema (PE), and shock, which leads to death in up to 40% of patients. Treatment is supportive, including mechanical ventilation (MV) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Hemodynamic monitoring is critical to titrate therapy and to decide ECMO support. Transpulmonary thermodilution (TPTD) provides hemodynamic and PE data that have not been systematically used to understand HCPS pathophysiology. We identified 11 HCPS patients monitored with TPTD: eight on MV, three required ECMO. We analyzed 133 measurements to describe the hemodynamic pattern and its association with PE. The main findings were reduced stroke volume, global ejection fraction (GEF), and preload parameters associated with increased extravascular lung water and pulmonary vascular permeability compatible with hypovolemia, myocardial dysfunction, and increased permeability PE. Lung water correlated positively with heart rate (HR, r = 0.20) and negatively with mean arterial pressure (r = −0.27) and GEF (r = −0.36), suggesting that PE is linked to hemodynamic impairment. Pulmonary vascular permeability correlated positively with HR (r = 0.31) and negatively with cardiac index (r = −0.49), end-diastolic volume (r = −0.48), and GEF (r = −0.40), suggesting that capillary leak contributes to hypovolemia and systolic dysfunction. In conclusion, TPTD data suggest that in HCPS patients, increased permeability leads to PE, hypovolemia, and circulatory impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- René López
- Departamento de Paciente Crítico, Clínica Alemana de Santiago, Santiago 7650567, Chile.
- Escuela de Medicina. Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago 7710162, Chile.
| | - Rodrigo Pérez-Araos
- Departamento de Paciente Crítico, Clínica Alemana de Santiago, Santiago 7650567, Chile.
- Escuela de Kinesiología. Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago 7710162, Chile.
| | - Álvaro Salazar
- Departamento de Paciente Crítico, Clínica Alemana de Santiago, Santiago 7650567, Chile.
| | - Ana L Ulloa
- Departamento de Paciente Crítico, Clínica Alemana de Santiago, Santiago 7650567, Chile.
| | - Cecilia Vial
- Programa Hantavirus, Instituto de Ciencias e Innovación en Medicina (ICIM), Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago 7590943, Chile.
| | - Pablo A Vial
- Escuela de Medicina. Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago 7710162, Chile.
- Programa Hantavirus, Instituto de Ciencias e Innovación en Medicina (ICIM), Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago 7590943, Chile.
- Departamento de Pediatría, Clínica Alemana de Santiago, Santiago 7650567, Chile.
| | - Jerónimo Graf
- Departamento de Paciente Crítico, Clínica Alemana de Santiago, Santiago 7650567, Chile.
- Escuela de Medicina. Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago 7710162, Chile.
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24
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Wettschureck N, Strilic B, Offermanns S. Passing the Vascular Barrier: Endothelial Signaling Processes Controlling Extravasation. Physiol Rev 2019; 99:1467-1525. [PMID: 31140373 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00037.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
A central function of the vascular endothelium is to serve as a barrier between the blood and the surrounding tissue of the body. At the same time, solutes and cells have to pass the endothelium to leave or to enter the bloodstream to maintain homeostasis. Under pathological conditions, for example, inflammation, permeability for fluid and cells is largely increased in the affected area, thereby facilitating host defense. To appropriately function as a regulated permeability filter, the endothelium uses various mechanisms to allow solutes and cells to pass the endothelial layer. These include transcellular and paracellular pathways of which the latter requires remodeling of intercellular junctions for its regulation. This review provides an overview on endothelial barrier regulation and focuses on the endothelial signaling mechanisms controlling the opening and closing of paracellular pathways for solutes and cells such as leukocytes and metastasizing tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Wettschureck
- Department of Pharmacology, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research , Bad Nauheim , Germany ; and Centre for Molecular Medicine, Medical Faculty, J.W. Goethe University Frankfurt , Frankfurt , Germany
| | - Boris Strilic
- Department of Pharmacology, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research , Bad Nauheim , Germany ; and Centre for Molecular Medicine, Medical Faculty, J.W. Goethe University Frankfurt , Frankfurt , Germany
| | - Stefan Offermanns
- Department of Pharmacology, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research , Bad Nauheim , Germany ; and Centre for Molecular Medicine, Medical Faculty, J.W. Goethe University Frankfurt , Frankfurt , Germany
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25
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Dan Q, Shi Y, Rabani R, Venugopal S, Xiao J, Anwer S, Ding M, Speight P, Pan W, Alexander RT, Kapus A, Szászi K. Claudin-2 suppresses GEF-H1, RHOA, and MRTF, thereby impacting proliferation and profibrotic phenotype of tubular cells. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:15446-15465. [PMID: 31481470 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.006484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2018] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The tight junctional pore-forming protein claudin-2 (CLDN-2) mediates paracellular Na+ and water transport in leaky epithelia and alters cancer cell proliferation. Previously, we reported that tumor necrosis factor-α time-dependently alters CLDN-2 expression in tubular epithelial cells. Here, we found a similar expression pattern in a mouse kidney injury model (unilateral ureteral obstruction), consisting of an initial increase followed by a drop in CLDN-2 protein expression. CLDN-2 silencing in LLC-PK1 tubular cells induced activation and phosphorylation of guanine nucleotide exchange factor H1 (GEF-H1), leading to Ras homolog family member A (RHOA) activation. Silencing of other claudins had no such effects, and re-expression of an siRNA-resistant CLDN-2 prevented RHOA activation, indicating specific effects of CLDN-2 on RHOA. Moreover, kidneys from CLDN-2 knockout mice had elevated levels of active RHOA. Of note, CLDN-2 silencing reduced LLC-PK1 cell proliferation and elevated expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor P27 (P27KIP1) in a GEF-H1/RHOA-dependent manner. P27KIP1 silencing abrogated the effects of CLDN-2 depletion on proliferation. CLDN-2 loss also activated myocardin-related transcription factor (MRTF), a fibrogenic RHOA effector, and elevated expression of connective tissue growth factor and smooth muscle actin. Finally, CLDN-2 down-regulation contributed to RHOA activation and smooth muscle actin expression induced by prolonged tumor necrosis factor-α treatment, because they were mitigated by re-expression of CLDN-2. Our results indicate that CLDN-2 suppresses GEF-H1/RHOA. CLDN-2 down-regulation, for example, by inflammation, can reduce proliferation and promote MRTF activation through RHOA. These findings suggest that the initial CLDN-2 elevation might aid epithelial regeneration, and CLDN-2 loss could contribute to fibrotic reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghong Dan
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science at St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Ontario M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Yixuan Shi
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science at St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Ontario M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Razieh Rabani
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science at St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Ontario M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Shruthi Venugopal
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science at St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Ontario M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Jenny Xiao
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science at St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Ontario M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Shaista Anwer
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science at St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Ontario M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Mei Ding
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science at St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Ontario M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Pam Speight
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science at St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Ontario M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Wanling Pan
- Departments of Pediatrics and Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - R Todd Alexander
- Departments of Pediatrics and Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - András Kapus
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science at St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Ontario M5B 1T8, Canada.,Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Ontario M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Katalin Szászi
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science at St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Ontario M5B 1T8, Canada .,Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Ontario M5B 1T8, Canada
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26
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Dorard C, Cseh B, Ehrenreiter K, Wimmer R, Varga A, Hirschmugl T, Maier B, Kramer K, Fürlinger S, Doma E, Baccarini M. RAF dimers control vascular permeability and cytoskeletal rearrangements at endothelial cell-cell junctions. FEBS J 2019; 286:2277-2294. [PMID: 30828992 PMCID: PMC6617973 DOI: 10.1111/febs.14802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Revised: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The endothelium functions as a semipermeable barrier regulating fluid homeostasis, nutrient, and gas supply to the tissue. Endothelial permeability is increased in several pathological conditions including inflammation and tumors; despite its clinical relevance, however, there are no specific therapies preventing vascular leakage. Here, we show that endothelial cell‐restricted ablation of BRAF, a kinase frequently activated in cancer, prevents vascular leaking as well metastatic spread. BRAF regulates endothelial permeability by promoting the cytoskeletal rearrangements necessary for the remodeling of VE‐Cadherin‐containing endothelial cell–cell junctions and the formation of intercellular gaps. BRAF kinase activity and the ability to form complexes with RAS/RAP1 and dimers with its paralog RAF1 are required for proper permeability control, achieved mechanistically by modulating the interaction between RAF1 and the RHO effector ROKα. Thus, RAF dimerization impinges on RHO pathways to regulate cytoskeletal rearrangements, junctional plasticity, and endothelial permeability. The data advocate the development of RAF dimerization inhibitors, which would combine tumor cell autonomous effect with stabilization of the vasculature and antimetastatic spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coralie Dorard
- Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Botond Cseh
- Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Reiner Wimmer
- Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Andrea Varga
- Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Barbara Maier
- Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Karina Kramer
- Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Eszter Doma
- Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Austria
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27
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Klusmeier N, Schnittler HJ, Seebach J. A Novel Microscopic Assay Reveals Heterogeneous Regulation of Local Endothelial Barrier Function. Biophys J 2019; 116:1547-1559. [PMID: 30878197 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2019.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Blood vessels are covered with endothelial cells on their inner surfaces, forming a selective and semipermeable barrier between the blood and the underlying tissue. Many pathological processes, such as inflammation or cancer metastasis, are accompanied by an increased vascular permeability. Progress in live cell imaging techniques has recently revealed that the structure of endothelial cell contacts is constantly reorganized and that endothelial junctions display high heterogeneities at a subcellular level even within one cell. Although it is assumed that this dynamic remodeling is associated with a local change in endothelial barrier function, a direct proof is missing mainly because of a lack of appropriate experimental techniques. Here, we describe a new assay to dynamically measure local endothelial barrier function with a lateral resolution of ∼15 μm and a temporal resolution of 1 min. In this setup, fluorescence-labeled molecules are added to the apical compartment of an endothelial monolayer, and the penetration of molecules from the apical to the basal compartment is recorded by total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy utilizing the generated evanescent field. With this technique, we found a remarkable heterogeneity in the local permeability for albumin within confluent endothelial cell layers. In regions with low permeability, stimulation with the proinflammatory agent histamine results in a transient increase in paracellular permeability. The effect showed a high variability along the contact of one individual cell, indicating a local regulation of endothelial barrier function. In regions with high basal permeability, histamine had no obvious effect. In contrast, the barrier-enhancing drug forskolin reduces the permeability for albumin and dextran uniformly along the cell junctions. Because this new approach can be readily combined with other live cell imaging techniques, it will contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying subcellular junctional reorganization during wound healing, inflammation, and angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Klusmeier
- Institute of Anatomy and Vascular Biology, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Hans-Joachim Schnittler
- Institute of Anatomy and Vascular Biology, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Jochen Seebach
- Institute of Anatomy and Vascular Biology, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany.
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28
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Flentje A, Kalsi R, Monahan TS. Small GTPases and Their Role in Vascular Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20040917. [PMID: 30791562 PMCID: PMC6413073 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20040917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Over eighty million people in the United States have cardiovascular disease that can affect the heart causing myocardial infarction; the carotid arteries causing stroke; and the lower extremities leading to amputation. The treatment for end-stage cardiovascular disease is surgical—either endovascular therapy with balloons and stents—or open reconstruction to reestablish blood flow. All interventions damage or destroy the protective inner lining of the blood vessel—the endothelium. An intact endothelium is essential to provide a protective; antithrombotic lining of a blood vessel. Currently; there are no agents used in the clinical setting that promote reendothelialization. This process requires migration of endothelial cells to the denuded vessel; proliferation of endothelial cells on the denuded vessel surface; and the reconstitution of the tight adherence junctions responsible for the formation of an impermeable surface. These processes are all regulated in part and are dependent on small GTPases. As important as the small GTPases are for reendothelialization, dysregulation of these molecules can result in various vascular pathologies including aneurysm formation, atherosclerosis, diabetes, angiogenesis, and hypertension. A better understanding of the role of small GTPases in endothelial cell migration is essential to the development for novel agents to treat vascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Flentje
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 22 South Greene Street, Suite S10B00, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
| | - Richa Kalsi
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 22 South Greene Street, Suite S10B00, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
| | - Thomas S Monahan
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 22 South Greene Street, Suite S10B00, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
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29
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Histamine causes endothelial barrier disruption via Ca 2+-mediated RhoA activation and tension at adherens junctions. Sci Rep 2018; 8:13229. [PMID: 30185878 PMCID: PMC6125323 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-31408-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
During inflammation, the disruption of the endothelial barrier leads to increased microvascular permeability. Whether tension along cell junctions contributes to histamine-induced endothelial barrier disruption remains unknown. Rapid Ca2+ influx induced by both histamine and thrombin was accompanied by endothelial barrier breakdown revealed as drop of transendothelial electric resistance in primary human microvascular endothelial cells. Interestingly, GLISA measurements revealed activation of RhoA but not inactivation of Rac1 at the time-point of barrier breakdown. FRET measurements showed activation of RhoA at intercellular junctions after both thrombin and histamine exposure. Breakdown coincided with increased stress fiber formation but not with translocation of vinculin, which was located along junctions in the resting state similar to postcapillary venules ex vivo. Moreover, increased tension at AJs was indicated by immunostaining with a conformation-sensitive antibody targeting the α18-subunit of α-catenin. Ca2+ chelation by BAPTA-AM and ROCK1 inhibition by Y27632 abolished both increase of tension along AJs as well as barrier dysfunction. Moreover, BAPTA-AM decreased RhoA activation following histamine stimulation, indicating a key role of Ca2+ signaling in barrier breakdown. Taken together, in response to histamine, Ca2+ via RhoA/ROCK activation along endothelial adherens junctions (AJs) appears to be critical for barrier disruption and presumably correlated with enhanced tension. However, vinculin appears not to be critical in this process.
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30
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Amado-Azevedo J, de Menezes RX, van Nieuw Amerongen GP, van Hinsbergh VWM, Hordijk PL. A functional siRNA screen identifies RhoGTPase-associated genes involved in thrombin-induced endothelial permeability. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0201231. [PMID: 30048510 PMCID: PMC6062096 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Thrombin and other inflammatory mediators may induce vascular permeability through the disruption of adherens junctions between adjacent endothelial cells. If uncontrolled, hyperpermeability leads to an impaired barrier, fluid leakage and edema, which can contribute to multi-organ failure and death. RhoGTPases control cytoskeletal dynamics, adhesion and migration and are known regulators of endothelial integrity. Knowledge of the precise role of each RhoGTPase, and their associated regulatory and effector genes, in endothelial integrity is incomplete. Using a combination of a RNAi screen with electrical impedance measurements, we quantified the effect of individually silencing 270 Rho-associated genes on the barrier function of thrombin-activated, primary endothelial cells. Known and novel RhoGTPase-associated regulators that modulate the response to thrombin were identified (RTKN, TIAM2, MLC1, ARPC1B, SEPT2, SLC9A3R1, RACGAP1, RAPGEF2, RHOD, PREX1, ARHGEF7, PLXNB2, ARHGAP45, SRGAP2, ARHGEF5). In conclusion, with this siRNA screen, we confirmed the roles of known regulators of endothelial integrity but also identified new, potential key players in thrombin-induced endothelial signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Amado-Azevedo
- Department of Physiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Renee X. de Menezes
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Victor W. M. van Hinsbergh
- Department of Physiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Peter L. Hordijk
- Department of Physiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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31
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Li Y, Li Q, Pan CS, Yan L, Hu BH, Liu YY, Yang L, Huang P, Zhao SY, Wang CS, Fan JY, Wang XM, Han JY. Bushen Huoxue Attenuates Diabetes-Induced Cognitive Impairment by Improvement of Cerebral Microcirculation: Involvement of RhoA/ROCK/moesin and Src Signaling Pathways. Front Physiol 2018; 9:527. [PMID: 29867568 PMCID: PMC5962779 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is closely correlated with cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative disease. Bushen Huoxue (BSHX) is a compound Chinese medicine used clinically to treat diabetes-induced cognitive impairment. However, its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, KKAy mice, a genetic model of type 2 diabetes with obesity and insulin resistant hyperglycemia, received a daily administration of BSHX for 12 weeks. Blood glucose was measured every 4 weeks. After 12 weeks, BSHX treatment significantly ameliorated the T2DM related insults, including the increased blood glucose, the impaired spatial memory, decreased cerebral blood flow (CBF), occurrence of albumin leakage, leukocyte adhesion and opening capillary rarefaction. Meanwhile, the downregulation of the tight junction proteins (TJ) claudin-5, occludin, zonula occluden-1 (ZO-1) and JAM-1 between endothelial cells, amyloid-β (Aβ) accumulation in hippocampus, increased AGEs and RAGE, and expression of RhoA/ROCK/moesin signaling pathway and phosphorylation of Src kinase in KKAy mice were significantly protected by BSHX treatment. These results indicate that the protective effect of BSHX on T2DM-induced cognitive impairment involves regulation of RhoA/ROCK1/moesin signaling pathway and phosphorylation of Src kinase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Li
- Integrated Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Quan Li
- Tasly Microcirculation Research Center, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Microcirculation, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Stasis and Phlegm, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Chun-Shui Pan
- Tasly Microcirculation Research Center, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Microcirculation, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Stasis and Phlegm, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Li Yan
- Tasly Microcirculation Research Center, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Microcirculation, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Stasis and Phlegm, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Bai-He Hu
- Tasly Microcirculation Research Center, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Microcirculation, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Stasis and Phlegm, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yu-Ying Liu
- Tasly Microcirculation Research Center, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Microcirculation, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Stasis and Phlegm, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Yang
- Department of Anatomy, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Ping Huang
- Tasly Microcirculation Research Center, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Microcirculation, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Stasis and Phlegm, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Shao-Yang Zhao
- Integrated Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chuan-She Wang
- Tasly Microcirculation Research Center, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Microcirculation, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Stasis and Phlegm, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Department of Integration of Chinese and Western Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jing-Yu Fan
- Tasly Microcirculation Research Center, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Microcirculation, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Stasis and Phlegm, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xue-Mei Wang
- Integrated Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jing-Yan Han
- Tasly Microcirculation Research Center, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Microcirculation, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Stasis and Phlegm, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Department of Integration of Chinese and Western Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
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32
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Llah ST, Mir S, Sharif S, Khan S, Mir MA. Hantavirus induced cardiopulmonary syndrome: A public health concern. J Med Virol 2018; 90:1003-1009. [PMID: 29446472 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.25054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome is characterized by pulmonary capillary leakage and alveolar flooding, resulting in 50% mortality due to fulminant hypoxic respiratory failure. In addition, depression of cardiac function ensues, which complicates the picture with cardiogenic shock. Early diagnosis and appropriate use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are amongst the lifesaving interventions in this fatal illness. However, a recent case report demonstrates that implementation of high volume continuous hemofilteration along with protective ventilation reverses the cardiogenic shock within few hours in hantavirus infected patients. This review article is focused on the recent advances in clinical features, diagnosis, management, epidemiology, and pathogenesis of hantavirus induced cardiopulmonary syndrome. It provides information for clinicians to help in correct diagnosis during the early stages of viral infection that could improve the prognosis of this viral illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sibghat T Llah
- Saint Joseph's Hospital Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Sheema Mir
- Applied BioCode, Santa Fe Springs, Calofornia
| | | | - Salman Khan
- University of Arkansas For Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arizona
| | - Mohammed A Mir
- Saint Joseph's Hospital Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona
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33
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Radeva MY, Waschke J. Mind the gap: mechanisms regulating the endothelial barrier. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2018; 222. [PMID: 28231640 DOI: 10.1111/apha.12860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2016] [Revised: 11/21/2016] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The endothelial barrier consists of intercellular contacts localized in the cleft between endothelial cells, which is covered by the glycocalyx in a sievelike manner. Both types of barrier-forming junctions, i.e. the adherens junction (AJ) serving mechanical anchorage and mechanotransduction and the tight junction (TJ) sealing the intercellular space to limit paracellular permeability, are tethered to the actin cytoskeleton. Under resting conditions, the endothelium thereby builds a selective layer controlling the exchange of fluid and solutes with the surrounding tissue. However, in the situation of an inflammatory response such as in anaphylaxis or sepsis intercellular contacts disintegrate in post-capillary venules leading to intercellular gap formation. The resulting oedema can cause shock and multi-organ failure. Therefore, maintenance as well as coordinated opening and closure of interendothelial junctions is tightly regulated. The two principle underlying mechanisms comprise spatiotemporal activity control of the small GTPases Rac1 and RhoA and the balance of the phosphorylation state of AJ proteins. In the resting state, junctional Rac1 and RhoA activity is enhanced by junctional components, actin-binding proteins, cAMP signalling and extracellular cues such as sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1). In addition, phosphorylation of AJ components is prevented by junction-associated phosphatases including vascular endothelial protein tyrosine phosphatase (VE-PTP). In contrast, inflammatory mediators inhibiting cAMP/Rac1 signalling cause strong activation of RhoA and induce AJ phosphorylation finally leading to endocytosis and cleavage of VE-cadherin. This results in dissolution of TJs the outcome of which is endothelial barrier breakdown.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Y. Radeva
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology; Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München; Munich Germany
| | - J. Waschke
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology; Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München; Munich Germany
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The minor histocompatibility antigen 1 (HMHA1)/ArhGAP45 is a RacGAP and a novel regulator of endothelial integrity. Vascul Pharmacol 2017; 101:38-47. [PMID: 29174013 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2017.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Revised: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 11/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Endothelial cells line the vasculature and act as gatekeepers that control the passage of plasma, macromolecules and cells from the circulation to the interstitial space. Dysfunction of the endothelial barrier can lead to uncontrolled leak or edema. Vascular leakage is a hallmark of a range of diseases and despite its large impact no specialized therapies are available to prevent or reduce it. RhoGTPases are known key regulators of cellular behavior that are directly involved in the regulation of the endothelial barrier. We recently performed a comprehensive analysis of the effect of all RhoGTPases and their regulators on basal endothelial integrity. In addition to novel positive regulators of endothelial barrier function, we also identified novel negative regulators, of which the ArhGAP45 (also known as HMHA1) was the most significant. We now demonstrate that ArhGAP45 acts as a Rac-GAP (GTPase-Activating Protein) in endothelial cells, which explains its negative effect on endothelial barrier function. Silencing ArhGAP45 not only promotes basal endothelial barrier function, but also increases cellular surface area and induces sprout formation in a 3D-fibrin matrix. Our data further shows that loss of ArhGAP45 promotes migration and shear stress adaptation. In conclusion, we identify ArhGAP45 (HMHA1) as a novel regulator, which contributes to the fine-tuning of the regulation of basal endothelial integrity.
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Pronk MCA, van Bezu JSM, van Nieuw Amerongen GP, van Hinsbergh VWM, Hordijk PL. RhoA, RhoB and RhoC differentially regulate endothelial barrier function. Small GTPases 2017; 10:466-484. [PMID: 28949796 PMCID: PMC6748378 DOI: 10.1080/21541248.2017.1339767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
RhoGTPases are known regulators of intracellular actin dynamics that are important for maintaining endothelial barrier function. RhoA is most extensively studied as a key regulator of endothelial barrier function, however the function of the 2 highly homologous family-members (> 88%) RhoB and RhoC in endothelial barrier function is still poorly understood. This study aimed to determine whether RhoA, RhoB and RhoC have overlapping or distinct roles in barrier function and permeability in resting and activated endothelium. By using primary endothelial cells in combination with siRNA transfection to establish individual, double or triple knockdown of the RhoA/B/C RhoGTPases, we found that RhoB, but not RhoA or RhoC, is in resting endothelium a negative regulator of permeability. Loss of RhoB accounted for an accumulation of VE-cadherin at cell-cell contacts. Thrombin-induced loss of endothelial integrity is mediated primarily by RhoA and RhoB. Combined loss of RhoA/B showed decreased phosphorylation of Myosin Light Chain and increased expression of VE-cadherin at cell-cell contacts after thrombin stimulation. RhoC contributes to the Rac1-dependent restoration of endothelial barrier function. In summary, this study shows that these highly homologous RhoGTPases differentially control the dynamics of endothelial barrier function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon C A Pronk
- Department of Physiology, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam , Amsterdam , The Netherlands
| | - Jan S M van Bezu
- Department of Physiology, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam , Amsterdam , The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Peter L Hordijk
- Department of Physiology, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam , Amsterdam , The Netherlands
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A CDC42-centered signaling unit is a dominant positive regulator of endothelial integrity. Sci Rep 2017; 7:10132. [PMID: 28860633 PMCID: PMC5579287 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-10392-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial barrier function is carefully controlled to protect tissues from edema and damage inflicted by extravasated leukocytes. RhoGTPases, in conjunction with myriad regulatory proteins, exert both positive and negative effects on the endothelial barrier integrity. Precise knowledge about the relevant mechanisms is currently fragmented and we therefore performed a comprehensive analysis of endothelial barrier regulation by RhoGTPases and their regulators. Combining RNAi with electrical impedance measurements we quantified the relevance of 270 Rho-associated genes for endothelial barrier function. Statistical analysis identified 10 targets of which six promoted- and four reduced endothelial barrier function upon downregulation. We analyzed in more detail two of these which were not previously identified as regulators of endothelial integrity. We found that the Rac1-GEF (Guanine nucleotide Exchange Factor) TIAM2 is a positive regulator and the Cdc42(Rac1)-GAP (GTPase-Activating Protein) SYDE1 is a negative regulator of the endothelial barrier function. Finally, we found that the GAP SYDE1 is part of a Cdc42-centered signaling unit, also comprising the Cdc42-GEF FARP1 and the Cdc42 effector PAK7 which controls the integrity of the endothelial barrier. In conclusion, using a siRNA-based screen, we identified new regulators of barrier function and found that Cdc42 is a dominant positive regulator of endothelial integrity.
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Komarova YA, Kruse K, Mehta D, Malik AB. Protein Interactions at Endothelial Junctions and Signaling Mechanisms Regulating Endothelial Permeability. Circ Res 2017; 120:179-206. [PMID: 28057793 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.116.306534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 288] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2016] [Revised: 10/04/2016] [Accepted: 10/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The monolayer of endothelial cells lining the vessel wall forms a semipermeable barrier (in all tissue except the relatively impermeable blood-brain and inner retinal barriers) that regulates tissue-fluid homeostasis, transport of nutrients, and migration of blood cells across the barrier. Permeability of the endothelial barrier is primarily regulated by a protein complex called adherens junctions. Adherens junctions are not static structures; they are continuously remodeled in response to mechanical and chemical cues in both physiological and pathological settings. Here, we discuss recent insights into the post-translational modifications of junctional proteins and signaling pathways regulating plasticity of adherens junctions and endothelial permeability. We also discuss in the context of what is already known and newly defined signaling pathways that mediate endothelial barrier leakiness (hyperpermeability) that are important in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular and lung diseases and vascular inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulia A Komarova
- From the Department of Pharmacology and the Center for Lung and Vascular Biology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago
| | - Kevin Kruse
- From the Department of Pharmacology and the Center for Lung and Vascular Biology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago
| | - Dolly Mehta
- From the Department of Pharmacology and the Center for Lung and Vascular Biology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago
| | - Asrar B Malik
- From the Department of Pharmacology and the Center for Lung and Vascular Biology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago.
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Abstract
Rho family GTPase signaling regulates the actin cytoskeleton and is critical for behaviors that range from the cell to tissue-scale. A theme in Rho GTPase biology is that there are many more regulators, such as guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) and GTPase activating proteins (GAPs), than GTPases themselves. Here, we review different, modular cases where GEFs and GAPs function together to elicit precise spatial and temporal control of signaling. We focus on examples from metazoan development, where precise regulation of Rho GTPases is critical for proper tissue form and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlis Denk-Lobnig
- a Department of Biology , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge , MA , USA
| | - Adam C Martin
- a Department of Biology , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge , MA , USA
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Escue R, Kandasamy K, Parthasarathi K. Thrombin Induces Inositol Trisphosphate-Mediated Spatially Extensive Responses in Lung Microvessels. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2017; 187:921-935. [PMID: 28188112 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2016.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2016] [Revised: 12/09/2016] [Accepted: 12/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Activation of plasma membrane receptors initiates compartmentalized second messenger signaling. Whether this compartmentalization facilitates the preferential intercellular diffusion of specific second messengers is unclear. Toward this, the receptor-mediated agonist, thrombin, was instilled into microvessels in a restricted region of isolated blood-perfused mouse lungs. Subsequently, the thrombin-induced increase in endothelial F-actin was determined using confocal fluorescence microscopy. Increased F-actin was evident in microvessels directly treated with thrombin and in those located in adjoining thrombin-free regions. This increase was abrogated by inhibiting inositol trisphosphate-mediated calcium release with Xestospongin C (XeC). XeC also inhibited the thrombin-induced increase in the amplitude of endothelial cytosolic Ca2+ oscillations. Instillation of thrombin and XeC into adjacent restricted regions increased F-actin in microvessels in the thrombin-treated and adjacent regions but not in those in the XeC-treated region. Thus, inositol trisphosphate, and not calcium, diffused interendothelially to the spatially remote thrombin-free microvessels. Thus, activation of plasma membrane receptors increased the ambit of inflammatory responses via a second messenger different from that used by stimuli that induce cell-wide increases in second messengers. Thrombin however failed to induce the spatially extensive response in microvessels of mice lacking endothelial connexin43, suggesting a role for connexin43 gap junctions. Compartmental second messenger signaling and interendothelial communication define the specific second messenger involved in exacerbating proinflammatory responses to receptor-mediated agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Escue
- Department of Physiology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Kathirvel Kandasamy
- Department of Physiology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Kaushik Parthasarathi
- Department of Physiology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee.
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Chang H, Zhang H, Hu M, Chen JY, Li BC, Ren KF, Martins ML, Barbosa MA, Ji J. Stiffness of polyelectrolyte multilayer film influences endothelial function of endothelial cell monolayer. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2017; 149:379-387. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2016.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Revised: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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The Andes Virus Nucleocapsid Protein Directs Basal Endothelial Cell Permeability by Activating RhoA. mBio 2016; 7:mBio.01747-16. [PMID: 27795403 PMCID: PMC5080385 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01747-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Andes virus (ANDV) predominantly infects microvascular endothelial cells (MECs) and nonlytically causes an acute pulmonary edema termed hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). In HPS patients, virtually every pulmonary MEC is infected, MECs are enlarged, and infection results in vascular leakage and highly lethal pulmonary edema. We observed that MECs infected with the ANDV hantavirus or expressing the ANDV nucleocapsid (N) protein showed increased size and permeability by activating the Rheb and RhoA GTPases. Expression of ANDV N in MECs increased cell size by preventing tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) repression of Rheb-mTOR-pS6K. N selectively bound the TSC2 N terminus (1 to 1403) within a complex containing TSC2/TSC1/TBC1D7, and endogenous TSC2 reciprocally coprecipitated N protein from ANDV-infected MECs. TSCs normally restrict RhoA-induced MEC permeability, and we found that ANDV infection or N protein expression constitutively activated RhoA. This suggests that the ANDV N protein alone is sufficient to activate signaling pathways that control MEC size and permeability. Further, RhoA small interfering RNA, dominant-negative RhoA(N19), and the RhoA/Rho kinase inhibitors fasudil and Y27632 dramatically reduced the permeability of ANDV-infected MECs by 80 to 90%. Fasudil also reduced the bradykinin-directed permeability of ANDV and Hantaan virus-infected MECs to control levels. These findings demonstrate that ANDV activation of RhoA causes MEC permeability and reveal a potential edemagenic mechanism for ANDV to constitutively inhibit the basal barrier integrity of infected MECs. The central importance of RhoA activation in MEC permeability further suggests therapeutically targeting RhoA, TSCs, and Rac1 as potential means of resolving capillary leakage during hantavirus infections. HPS is hallmarked by acute pulmonary edema, hypoxia, respiratory distress, and the ubiquitous infection of pulmonary MECs that occurs without disrupting the endothelium. Mechanisms of MEC permeability and targets for resolving lethal pulmonary edema during HPS remain enigmatic. Our findings suggest a novel underlying mechanism of MEC dysfunction resulting from ANDV activation of the Rheb and RhoA GTPases that, respectively, control MEC size and permeability. Our studies show that inhibition of RhoA blocks ANDV-directed permeability and implicate RhoA as a potential therapeutic target for restoring capillary barrier function to the ANDV-infected endothelium. Since RhoA activation forms a downstream nexus for factors that cause capillary leakage, blocking RhoA activation is liable to restore basal capillary integrity and prevent edema amplified by tissue hypoxia and respiratory distress. Targeting the endothelium has the potential to resolve disease during symptomatic stages, when replication inhibitors lack efficacy, and to be broadly applicable to other hemorrhagic and edematous viral diseases.
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Aman J, Weijers EM, van Nieuw Amerongen GP, Malik AB, van Hinsbergh VWM. Using cultured endothelial cells to study endothelial barrier dysfunction: Challenges and opportunities. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2016; 311:L453-66. [PMID: 27343194 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00393.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2015] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite considerable progress in the understanding of endothelial barrier regulation and the identification of approaches that have the potential to improve endothelial barrier function, no drug- or stem cell-based therapy is presently available to reverse the widespread vascular leak that is observed in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and sepsis. The translational gap suggests a need to develop experimental approaches and tools that better mimic the complex environment of the microcirculation in which the vascular leak develops. Recent studies have identified several elements of this microenvironment. Among these are composition and stiffness of the extracellular matrix, fluid shear stress, interaction of endothelial cells (ECs) with pericytes, oxygen tension, and the combination of toxic and mechanic injurious stimuli. Development of novel cell culture techniques that integrate these elements would allow in-depth analysis of EC biology that closely approaches the (patho)physiological conditions in situ. In parallel, techniques to isolate organ-specific ECs, to define EC heterogeneity in its full complexity, and to culture patient-derived ECs from inducible pluripotent stem cells or endothelial progenitor cells are likely to advance the understanding of ARDS and lead to development of therapeutics. This review 1) summarizes the advantages and pitfalls of EC cultures to study vascular leak in ARDS, 2) provides an overview of elements of the microvascular environment that can directly affect endothelial barrier function, and 3) discusses alternative methods to bridge the gap between basic research and clinical application with the intent of improving the translational value of present EC culture approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jurjan Aman
- Department of Physiology, Institute for Cardiovascular Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Institute for Cardiovascular Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Ester M Weijers
- Department of Physiology, Institute for Cardiovascular Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Geerten P van Nieuw Amerongen
- Department of Physiology, Institute for Cardiovascular Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Asrar B Malik
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Victor W M van Hinsbergh
- Department of Physiology, Institute for Cardiovascular Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Zhang XE, Adderley SP, Breslin JW. Activation of RhoA, but Not Rac1, Mediates Early Stages of S1P-Induced Endothelial Barrier Enhancement. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0155490. [PMID: 27187066 PMCID: PMC4871357 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2016] [Accepted: 04/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Compromised endothelial barrier function is a hallmark of inflammation. Rho family GTPases are critical in regulating endothelial barrier function, yet their precise roles, particularly in sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P)-induced endothelial barrier enhancement, remain elusive. Confluent cultures of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) or human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMEC) were used to model the endothelial barrier. Barrier function was assessed by determining the transendothelial electrical resistance (TER) using an electrical cell-substrate impedance sensor (ECIS). The roles of Rac1 and RhoA were tested in S1P-induced barrier enhancement. The results show that pharmacologic inhibition of Rac1 with Z62954982 failed to block S1P-induced barrier enhancement. Likewise, expression of a dominant negative form of Rac1, or knockdown of native Rac1 with siRNA, failed to block S1P-induced elevations in TER. In contrast, blockade of RhoA with the combination of the inhibitors Rhosin and Y16 significantly reduced S1P-induced increases in TER. Assessment of RhoA activation in real time using a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) biosensor showed that S1P increased RhoA activation primarily at the edges of cells, near junctions. This was complemented by myosin light chain-2 phosphorylation at cell edges, and increased F-actin and vinculin near intercellular junctions, which could all be blocked with pharmacologic inhibition of RhoA. The results suggest that S1P causes activation of RhoA at the cell periphery, stimulating local activation of the actin cytoskeleton and focal adhesions, and resulting in endothelial barrier enhancement. S1P-induced Rac1 activation, however, does not appear to have a significant role in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xun E. Zhang
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Shaquria P. Adderley
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Jerome W. Breslin
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Breslin JW, Daines DA, Doggett TM, Kurtz KH, Souza-Smith FM, Zhang XE, Wu MH, Yuan SY. Rnd3 as a Novel Target to Ameliorate Microvascular Leakage. J Am Heart Assoc 2016; 5:e003336. [PMID: 27048969 PMCID: PMC4859298 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.116.003336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background Microvascular leakage of plasma proteins is a hallmark of inflammation that leads to tissue dysfunction. There are no current therapeutic strategies to reduce microvascular permeability. The purpose of this study was to identify the role of Rnd3, an atypical Rho family GTPase, in the control of endothelial barrier integrity. The potential therapeutic benefit of Rnd3 protein delivery to ameliorate microvascular leakage was also investigated. Methods and Results Using immunofluorescence microscopy, Rnd3 was observed primarily in cytoplasmic areas around the nuclei of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Permeability to fluorescein isothiocyanate–albumin and transendothelial electrical resistance of human umbilical vein endothelial cell monolayers served as indices of barrier function, and RhoA, Rac1, and Cdc42 activities were determined using G‐LISA assays. Overexpression of Rnd3 significantly reduced the magnitude of thrombin‐induced barrier dysfunction, and abolished thrombin‐induced Rac1 inactivation. Depleting Rnd3 expression with siRNA significantly extended the time course of thrombin‐induced barrier dysfunction and Rac1 inactivation. Time‐lapse microscopy of human umbilical vein endothelial cells expressing GFP‐actin showed that co‐expression of mCherry‐Rnd3 attenuated thrombin‐induced reductions in local lamellipodia that accompany endothelial barrier dysfunction. Lastly, a novel Rnd3 protein delivery method reduced microvascular leakage in a rat model of hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation, assessed by both intravital microscopic observation of extravasation of fluorescein isothiocyanate–albumin from the mesenteric microcirculation, and direct determination of solute permeability in intact isolated venules. Conclusions The data suggest that Rnd3 can shift the balance of RhoA and Rac1 signaling in endothelial cells. In addition, our findings suggest the therapeutic, anti‐inflammatory potential of delivering Rnd3 to promote endothelial barrier recovery during inflammatory challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerome W Breslin
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
| | - Dayle A Daines
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA
| | - Travis M Doggett
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
| | - Kristine H Kurtz
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA
| | - Flavia M Souza-Smith
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA
| | - Xun E Zhang
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
| | - Mack H Wu
- Department of Surgery, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
| | - Sarah Y Yuan
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
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Kohn JC, Chen A, Cheng S, Kowal DR, King MR, Reinhart-King CA. Mechanical heterogeneities in the subendothelial matrix develop with age and decrease with exercise. J Biomech 2016; 49:1447-1453. [PMID: 27020750 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2016.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2015] [Revised: 03/03/2016] [Accepted: 03/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Arterial stiffening occurs with age and is associated with lack of exercise. Notably both age and lack of exercise are major cardiovascular risk factors. While it is well established that bulk arterial stiffness increases with age, more recent data suggest that the intima, the innermost arterial layer, also stiffens during aging. Micro-scale mechanical characterization of individual layers is important because cells primarily sense the matrix that they are in contact with and not necessarily the bulk stiffness of the vessel wall. To investigate the relationship between age, exercise, and subendothelial matrix stiffening, atomic force microscopy was utilized here to indent the subendothelial matrix of the thoracic aorta from young, aged-sedentary, and aged-exercised mice, and elastic modulus values were compared to conventional pulse wave velocity measurements. The subendothelial matrix elastic modulus was elevated in aged-sedentary mice compared to young or aged-exercised mice, and the macro-scale stiffness of the artery was found to linearly correlate with the subendothelial matrix elastic modulus. Notably, we also found that with age, there exists an increase in the point-to-point variations in modulus across the subendothelial matrix, indicating non-uniform stiffening. Importantly, this heterogeneity is reversible with exercise. Given that vessel stiffening is known to cause aberrant endothelial cell behavior, and the spatial heterogeneities we find exist on a length scale much smaller than the size of a cell, these data suggest that further investigation in the heterogeneity of the subendothelial matrix elastic modulus is necessary to fully understand the effects of physiological matrix stiffening on cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie C Kohn
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States
| | - Adeline Chen
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States
| | - Stephanie Cheng
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States
| | - Daniel R Kowal
- Department of Statistical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States
| | - Michael R King
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States
| | - Cynthia A Reinhart-King
- Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States.
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Lampi MC, Faber CJ, Huynh J, Bordeleau F, Zanotelli MR, Reinhart-King CA. Simvastatin Ameliorates Matrix Stiffness-Mediated Endothelial Monolayer Disruption. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0147033. [PMID: 26761203 PMCID: PMC4712048 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0147033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2015] [Accepted: 12/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Arterial stiffening accompanies both aging and atherosclerosis, and age-related stiffening of the arterial intima increases RhoA activity and cell contractility contributing to increased endothelium permeability. Notably, statins are 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors whose pleiotropic effects include disrupting small GTPase activity; therefore, we hypothesized the statin simvastatin could be used to attenuate RhoA activity and inhibit the deleterious effects of increased age-related matrix stiffness on endothelial barrier function. Using polyacrylamide gels with stiffnesses of 2.5, 5, and 10 kPa to mimic the physiological stiffness of young and aged arteries, endothelial cells were grown to confluence and treated with simvastatin. Our data indicate that RhoA and phosphorylated myosin light chain activity increase with matrix stiffness but are attenuated when treated with the statin. Increases in cell contractility, cell-cell junction size, and indirect measurements of intercellular tension that increase with matrix stiffness, and are correlated with matrix stiffness-dependent increases in monolayer permeability, also decrease with statin treatment. Furthermore, we report that simvastatin increases activated Rac1 levels that contribute to endothelial barrier enhancing cytoskeletal reorganization. Simvastatin, which is prescribed clinically due to its ability to lower cholesterol, alters the endothelial cell response to increased matrix stiffness to restore endothelial monolayer barrier function, and therefore, presents a possible therapeutic intervention to prevent atherogenesis initiated by age-related arterial stiffening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marsha C. Lampi
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
| | - Courtney J. Faber
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
| | - John Huynh
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
| | - Francois Bordeleau
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
| | - Matthew R. Zanotelli
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
| | - Cynthia A. Reinhart-King
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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47
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Szulcek R, van Bezu J, Boonstra J, van Loon JJWA, van Nieuw Amerongen GP. Transient Intervals of Hyper-Gravity Enhance Endothelial Barrier Integrity: Impact of Mechanical and Gravitational Forces Measured Electrically. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0144269. [PMID: 26637177 PMCID: PMC4670102 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Endothelial cells (EC) guard vascular functions by forming a dynamic barrier throughout the vascular system that sensitively adapts to ‘classical’ biomechanical forces, such as fluid shear stress and hydrostatic pressure. Alterations in gravitational forces might similarly affect EC integrity, but remain insufficiently studied. Methods In an unique approach, we utilized Electric Cell-substrate Impedance Sensing (ECIS) in the gravity-simulators at the European Space Agency (ESA) to study dynamic responses of human EC to simulated micro- and hyper-gravity as well as to classical forces. Results Short intervals of micro- or hyper-gravity evoked distinct endothelial responses. Stimulated micro-gravity led to decreased endothelial barrier integrity, whereas hyper-gravity caused sustained barrier enhancement by rapid improvement of cell-cell integrity, evidenced by a significant junctional accumulation of VE-cadherin (p = 0.011), significant enforcement of peripheral F-actin (p = 0.008) and accompanied by a slower enhancement of cell-matrix interactions. The hyper-gravity triggered EC responses were force dependent and nitric-oxide (NO) mediated showing a maximal resistance increase of 29.2±4.8 ohms at 2g and 60.9±6.2 ohms at 4g vs. baseline values that was significantly suppressed by NO blockage (p = 0.011). Conclusion In conclusion, short-term application of hyper-gravity caused a sustained improvement of endothelial barrier integrity, whereas simulated micro-gravity weakened the endothelium. In clear contrast, classical forces of shear stress and hydrostatic pressure induced either short-lived or no changes to the EC barrier. Here, ECIS has proven a powerful tool to characterize subtle and distinct EC gravity-responses due to its high temporal resolution, wherefore ECIS has a great potential for the study of gravity-responses such as in real space flights providing quantitative assessment of a variety of cell biological characteristics of any adherent growing cell type in an automated and continuous fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Szulcek
- Department of Physiology, Institute for Cardiovascular Research (ICaR-VU), VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Pulmonology, Institute for Cardiovascular Research (ICaR-VU), VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| | - Jan van Bezu
- Department of Physiology, Institute for Cardiovascular Research (ICaR-VU), VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Johannes Boonstra
- Deptartment of Cellular Architecture and Dynamics, Science Faculty, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jack J. W. A. van Loon
- Dutch Experiment Support Center (DESC), ESTEC, TEC-MMG-Lab, European Space Agency (ESA), Noordwijk, The Netherlands
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Oral Pathology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Oral Cell Biology, Academic Centre for Dentistry (ACTA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Geerten P. van Nieuw Amerongen
- Department of Physiology, Institute for Cardiovascular Research (ICaR-VU), VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Wu L, Ramirez SH, Andrews AM, Leung W, Itoh K, Wu J, Arai K, Lo EH, Lok J. Neuregulin1-β decreases interleukin-1β-induced RhoA activation, myosin light chain phosphorylation, and endothelial hyperpermeability. J Neurochem 2015; 136:250-7. [PMID: 26438054 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2015] [Revised: 08/17/2015] [Accepted: 09/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Neuregulin-1 (NRG1) is an endogenous growth factor with multiple functions in the embryonic and postnatal brain. The NRG1 gene is large and complex, transcribing more than twenty transmembrane proteins and generating a large number of isoforms in tissue and cell type-specific patterns. Within the brain, NRG1 functions have been studied most extensively in neurons and glia, as well as in the peripheral vasculature. Recently, NRG1 signaling has been found to be important in the function of brain microvascular endothelial cells, decreasing IL-1β-induced increases in endothelial permeability. In the current experiments, we have investigated the pathways through which the NRG1-β isoform acts on IL-1β-induced endothelial permeability. Our data show that NRG1-β increases barrier function, measured by transendothelial electrical resistance, and decreases IL-1β-induced hyperpermeability, measured by dextran-40 extravasation through a monolayer of brain microvascular endothelial cells plated on transwells. An investigation of key signaling proteins suggests that the effect of NRG1-β on endothelial permeability is mediated through RhoA activation and myosin light chain phosphorylation, events which affect filamentous actin morphology. In addition, AG825, an inhibitor of the erbB2-associated tyrosine kinase, reduces the effect of NRG1-β on IL-1β-induced RhoA activation and myosin light chain phosphorylation. These data add to the evidence that NRG1-β signaling affects changes in the brain microvasculature in the setting of neuroinflammation. We propose the following events for neuregulin-1-mediated effects on Interleukin-1 β (IL-1β)-induced endothelial hyperpermeability: IL-1β leads to RhoA activation, resulting in an increase in phosphorylation of myosin light chain (MLC). Phosphorylation of MLC is known to result in actin contraction and alterations in the f-actin cytoskeletal structure. These changes are associated with increased endothelial permeability. Neuregulin-1β acts through its transmembrane receptors to activate intracellular signaling pathways which inhibit IL-1β-induced RhoA activation and MLC phosphorylation, thereby preserving the f-actin cytoskeletal structure and endothelial barrier function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Limin Wu
- Neuroprotection Research Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Neurology, the First Bethune Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Servio H Ramirez
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.,The Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Allison M Andrews
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Wendy Leung
- Neuroprotection Research Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kanako Itoh
- Neuroprotection Research Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jiang Wu
- Department of Neurology, the First Bethune Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Ken Arai
- Neuroprotection Research Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Eng H Lo
- Neuroprotection Research Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Josephine Lok
- Neuroprotection Research Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Corcoran JA, McCormick C. Viral activation of stress-regulated Rho-GTPase signaling pathway disrupts sites of mRNA degradation to influence cellular gene expression. Small GTPases 2015; 6:178-85. [PMID: 26480288 PMCID: PMC4905259 DOI: 10.1080/21541248.2015.1093068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Revised: 09/07/2015] [Accepted: 09/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Viruses are useful tools that often reveal previously unrecognized levels of control within a cell. By studying the oncogenic Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), we discovered a new signaling axis in endothelial cells (ECs) that links actin cytoskeleton dynamics to post-transcriptional control of gene expression. Translational repression and rapid decay of mRNAs containing AU-rich elements (AREs) occurs in cytoplasmic RNA granules known as processing bodies (PBs). Rho-GTPase activity influences PB dynamics but mechanistic details remain obscure. We have previously shown that the KSHV Kaposin B protein blocks the degradation of ARE-mRNAs that encode potent cytokines and angiogenic factors, at least in part by preventing PB formation. Moreover, Kaposin B is sufficient to cause marked alterations in endothelial cell physiology including the formation of long parallel actin stress fibers and accelerated migration and angiogenic phenotypes. All of these phenotypes depend on Kaposin B-mediated activation of a non-canonical signaling pathway comprising the stress-inducible kinase MK2, hsp27, p115RhoGEF and RhoA. Accelerated endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis depends on the subsequent activation of the RhoA-dependent kinase ROCK, but PB disruption is ROCK-independent. In this Commentary, we discuss implications of the activation of this signaling axis, and propose mechanistic links between RhoA activation and PB dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A Corcoran
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology; Dalhousie University; Halifax NS, Canada
| | - Craig McCormick
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology; Dalhousie University; Halifax NS, Canada
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50
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Seebach J, Taha AA, Lenk J, Lindemann N, Jiang X, Brinkmann K, Bogdan S, Schnittler HJ. The CellBorderTracker, a novel tool to quantitatively analyze spatiotemporal endothelial junction dynamics at the subcellular level. Histochem Cell Biol 2015; 144:517-32. [PMID: 26275669 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-015-1357-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Endothelial junctions are dynamic structures organized by multi-protein complexes that control monolayer integrity, homeostasis, inflammation, cell migration and angiogenesis. Newly developed methods for both the genetic manipulation of endothelium and microscopy permit time-lapse recordings of fluorescent proteins over long periods of time. Quantitative data analyses require automated methods. We developed a software package, the CellBorderTracker, allowing quantitative analysis of fluorescent-tagged cell junction protein dynamics in time-lapse sequences. The CellBorderTracker consists of the CellBorderExtractor that segments cells and identifies cell boundaries and mapping tools for data extraction. The tool is illustrated by analyzing fluorescent-tagged VE-cadherin the backbone of adherence junctions in endothelium. VE-cadherin displays high dynamics that is forced by junction-associated intermittent lamellipodia (JAIL) that are actin driven and WASP/ARP2/3 complex controlled. The manual segmentation and the automatic one agree to 90 %, a value that indicates high reliability. Based on segmentations, different maps were generated allowing more detailed data extraction. This includes the quantification of protein distribution pattern, the generation of regions of interest, junction displacements, cell shape changes, migration velocities and the visualization of junction dynamics over many hours. Furthermore, we demonstrate an advanced kymograph, the J-kymograph that steadily follows irregular cell junction dynamics in time-lapse sequences for individual junctions at the subcellular level. By using the CellBorderTracker, we demonstrate that VE-cadherin dynamics is quickly arrested upon thrombin stimulation, a phenomenon that was largely due to transient inhibition of JAIL and display a very heterogeneous subcellular and divers VE-cadherin dynamics during intercellular gap formation and resealing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jochen Seebach
- Institute of Anatomy and Vascular Biology, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Vesaliusweg 2-4, 48149, Münster, Germany.
| | - Abdallah Abu Taha
- Institute of Anatomy and Vascular Biology, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Vesaliusweg 2-4, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Janine Lenk
- Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Fetscherstrasse 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Nico Lindemann
- Institute of Anatomy and Vascular Biology, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Vesaliusweg 2-4, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Xiaoyi Jiang
- Department of Computer Science, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Klaus Brinkmann
- Institute for Neurobiology, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Sven Bogdan
- Institute for Neurobiology, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Hans-Joachim Schnittler
- Institute of Anatomy and Vascular Biology, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Vesaliusweg 2-4, 48149, Münster, Germany.
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