Angiogenesis

Differential effects of jaboticaba peel extract administration on PCa progression in TRAMP mice depend on the androgenic status of the prostatic milieu and are driven by angiogenesis regulation

Jaboticaba peel extract (JPE) has demonstrated chemopreventive effects on the development of prostatic lesions in experimental systems, including the Transgenic Adenocarcinoma of Mouse Prostate (TRAMP). However, its influence over castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and the androgenic dependence of its actions in this model remain unknown. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate JPE effects on TRAMP mice tumorigenesis under different androgen reliance settings. Mice were submitted to short- or long-term JPE administration, associated or not with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) by surgical and chemical castration. Prostate, periaortic lymph nodes and lung samples were harvested to determine the incidence of primary and metastatic lesions. Protein expression of proliferative, hormonal and angiogenesis markers was evaluated. Results showed that JPE administration in a hormone naive setting restricted poorly-differentiated tumors to the ventral prostate. Additionally, treatment extension improved the proportion of tumor-free individuals and the timeline for the development of palpable tumors. These results were paralleled by significant increment on VE-Cadherin expression. Furthermore, JPE-treated groups demonstrated significantly lower incidences of lymphatic metastasis. Conversely, JPE plus ADT resulted in poor outcomes, especially upon the extension of this association. In this setting, decreased survival, lower tumor-free mice proportion and increment of proliferative epithelial areas were registered. Altogether, such effects were attributed to a time-dependent up- (VEGF, latent TGF-β2 and TGFβ-RI) or downregulation (VEGFR-2 and VE-Cadherin) of angiogenic mediators expression. Therefore, we conclude that long-term ADT in TRAMP mice drives the prostatic microenvironment dynamics towards a proangiogenic state, which negatively impacts or even abolishes the otherwise beneficial effects of JPE.

Advancements in Gene-Based Therapeutic Angiogenesis for Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia

The objective of this article is to summarize the research progress and discuss the current difficulties of gene-based therapeutic angiogenesis in lower limb ischemic diseases, so as to provide new research directions for the non-invasive treatment of lower limb ischemia. The basic and clinical trials of gene-based therapeutic angiogenesis in lower limb ischemia in recent years were read and reviewed. Growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor, and fibroblast growth factor have been extensively studied for their application in lower limb ischemic diseases. However, clinical studies across various phases have shown inconsistent efficacy endpoints. The efficacy of gene therapy remains questionable. Before exploring efficient methods of delivering pro-angiogenic genes to ischemic tissues, clarification is needed regarding whether the goal of gene therapy is to simply promote collateral circulation or create a conducive tissue microenvironment for angiogenesis. In conclusion, pre-clinical and clinical studies have demonstrated the potential of therapeutic angiogenesis, but more systematic and comprehensive research is needed to explore safer, more effective, and cost-effective treatment methods.

NOX Family: Regulators of Reactive Oxygen Species Balance in Tumor Cells

Cancer cells are capable of surviving, proliferating, and invading or migrating within hypoxic environments by regulating various adaptive mechanisms. Due to the activation of oncogenes and the inactivation of tumor suppressor genes, and relative deficiencies in oxygen and nutrients, cancer cells demonstrate elevated production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), primarily sourced from NADPH oxidases (NOX family). A key aspect of the reorientation of tumor cell metabolism is the combating of cellular oxidative stress through the promotion of antioxidant molecule synthesis to counteract ROS production. Given that most cancers experience hypoxia and that NOX is closely linked to numerous redox-dependent signaling pathways, the expression and function of NOX are altered in various malignancies. Therefore, this review summarizes the characteristics of NOX family members, their influence on tumor proliferation, invasion, and migration, the role of NOX in promoting tumor angiogenesis, the impact of NOX on the function of immune cells within the tumor microenvironment, and the potential of targeting NOX in tumor therapy. This aims to offer a fresh viewpoint on a comprehensive understanding of the functions of NOX family members.

Alternative medicines in oncology: a focus on natural products against gastric cancer

There is justification for optimism about the potential contribution of alternative medicines to cancer management, which now ranks as the second leading cause of death globally. Primary carcinogens arise from several sources, including agriculture, industry, and dietary intake. Gastric cancer (GC) significantly affects an individual's health due to its classification as a malignant tumor associated with elevated mortality and morbidity rates. Chemotherapy is now widely regarded as the gold standard for treating GC. Chemotherapy, however, exerts significant detrimental effects on human health, including irreversible damage to multiple organs. Consequently, it is essential to employ innovative strategies for cancer prevention. Natural products are now the focus of intensive study due to their efficacy against cancer and low toxicity levels. Natural compounds have shown a diverse range of anti-cancer properties. This review aims to emphasize studies on natural compounds that inhibit metastasis, induce apoptosis in GC, and decrease cellular proliferation. All the natural compounds from different sources were incorporated in this review not only medicinal plants derived compounds. This review aims to examine a comprehensive array of natural therapies that may enhance human health and facilitate GC prevention without inducing discernible negative effects. Moreover, this review aims to discuss the toxic side effects of phytochemicals and shed light on mechanisms underlying the action of potential natural products against GC. This review offers a novel perspective by integrating a broad spectrum of natural compounds from diverse sources, not limited to medicinal plants, to explore their anti-cancer properties against gastric cancer.

Angiogenesis: Biological Mechanisms and In Vitro Models

The translation of biomedical devices and drug research is an expensive and long process with a low probability of receiving FDA approval. Developing physiologically relevant in vitro models with human cells offers a solution to not only improving the odds of FDA approval but also to expand our ability to study complex in vivo systems in a simpler fashion. Animal models remain the standard for pre-clinical testing; however, the data from animal models is an unreliable extrapolation when anticipating a human response in clinical trials, thus contributing to the low rates of translation. In this review, we focus on in vitro vascular or angiogenic models because of the incremental role that the vascular system plays in the translation of biomedical research. The first section of this review discusses the most common angiogenic cytokines that are used in vitro to initiate angiogenesis, followed by angiogenic inhibitors where both initiators and inhibitors work to maintain vascular homeostasis. Next, we evaluate previously published in vitro models, where we evaluate capturing the physical environment for biomimetic in vitro modeling. These topics provide a foundation of parameters that must be considered to improve and achieve vascular biomimicry. Finally, we summarize these topics to suggest a path forward with the goal of engineering human in vitro models that emulate the in vivo environment and provide a platform for biomedical device and drug screening that produces data to support clinical translation.

Circular RNAs: Emerging regulators of signaling pathways in epithelial-mesenchymal transition and angiogenesis during breast cancer progression

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have emerged as important regulators of gene expression and cellular activities, and abnormalities in circRNAs in breast cancer have been linked to important biological processes like epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and angiogenesis, both essential for tumor metastasis. EMT facilitates the transition of epithelial cancer cells into a mesenchymal phenotype, enhancing their invasive and migratory capabilities, while angiogenesis promotes tumor progression by forming new blood vessels. CircRNAs also interact with microRNAs to regulate signaling pathways such as TGF-β, Wnt/-catenin, and VEGF. Besides EMT and angiogenesis, studies have identified that circRNAs affect metabolic reprogramming, chemoresistance, tumor microenvironment remodeling, and immunological evasion. Thus, circRNAs play a multifaceted role in the development of breast cancer. They hold potential as non-invasive biomarkers and therapeutic targets due to their high stability, resistance to exonuclease degradation, abundance in body fluids, and diverse expression patterns across different tissues. This review summarizes and critically assesses existing understanding of the functional roles and molecular processes of circRNAs in controlling EMT and angiogenesis during breast cancer progression.

Integrative multi-Omics and network pharmacology reveal angiogenesis promotion by Quan-Du-Zhong Capsule via VEGFA/PI3K-Akt pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Quan-du-zhong capsule (QDZ), derived from the whole plant extract of Eucommiaulmoides Oliv., is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine used in treating vascular-related diseases, including hypertension and osteoporosis. Despite its established uses, its pro-angiogenic effects and underlying mechanisms require further investigation.

AIM OF THIS STUDY

This study aims to investigate the pro-angiogenic effects of QDZ and explore the underlying mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The chemical compositions of QDZ, including its absorbed prototypes in rats, were analyzed using UHPLC-Q Exactive-Orbitrap-MS. The pro-angiogenic activities of QDZ were evaluated in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) through various assays, including CCK-8, migration, scratch, tubule formation, and 3D sprouting assays. Additionally, the pro-angiogenic effects of QDZ were further assessed invivo through the matrigel plug assay and a hindlimb ischemia-reperfusion model, with three-dimensional blood flow visualized via micro-CT. A comprehensive approach involving network pharmacology, molecular docking, transcriptomics, and proteomics was utilized to explore the pro-angiogenic mechanism of QDZ, with validation by Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

QDZ significantly promoted the proliferation, migration, and tubule formation of HUVECs. The matrigel plug assay further confirmed its pro-angiogenic potential. Invivo, QDZ-treated mice displayed enhanced vascular distribution and faster blood flow recovery post-ischemia-reperfusion. Chemical analysis identified 49 compounds in QDZ, with 16 absorbed prototypes detected in rat plasma. Mechanistic investigations through network pharmacology, transcriptomics, and proteomics suggested that QDZ's pro-angiogenic effects were mediated through the VEGFA/PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, with increased phosphorylation of angiogenesis-related proteins such as PI3K, Akt, FAK, and Src.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that QDZ promotes angiogenesis via activating the VEGFA and its downstream PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, shedding light on the mechanisms that underpin its traditional medicinal use in vascular health.

Ultrasound localization microscopy in the diagnosis of breast tumors and prediction of relevant histologic biomarkers associated with prognosis in humans: the protocol for a prospective, multicenter study

BACKGROUND

Benign and malignant breast tumors differ in their microvasculature morphology and distribution. Histologic biomarkers of malignant breast tumors are also correlated with the microvasculature. There is a lack of imaging technology for evaluating the microvasculature. Ultrasound localization microscopy (ULM) can provide detailed microvascular architecture at super-resolution. The objective of this trial is to explore the role of ULM in distinguishing benign from malignant breast tumors and to explore the correlations between ULM qualitative and quantitative parameters and histologic biomarkers in malignant breast tumors.

METHODS/DESIGN

This prospective and multicenter study will include 83 patients with breast tumors that will undergo ULM. 55 patients will be assigned to the malignant group, and 28 patients will be assigned to the benign group. The primary outcome is the differences in the qualitative parameters (microvasculature morphology, distribution, and flow direction) between benign and malignant breast tumors on ULM. Secondary outcomes include (1) differences in the quantitative parameters (microvasculature density, tortuosity, diameter, and flow velocity) between benign and malignant breast tumors based on ULM; (2) diagnostic performance of the qualitative parameters in distinguishing benign and malignant breast tumors; (3) diagnostic performance of the quantitative parameters in distinguishing benign and malignant breast tumors; (4) relationships between the qualitative parameters and histologic biomarkers in malignant breast tumors; (5) relationships between the quantitative parameters and histologic biomarkers in malignant breast tumors; and (6) the evaluation of inter-reader and intra-reader reproducibility.

DISCUSSION

Detecting vascularity in breast tumors is of great significance to differentiate benign from malignant tumors and to predict histologic biomarkers. These histologic biomarkers, such as ER, PR, HER2 and Ki67, are closely related to prognosis evaluation. This trial will provide maximum information about the microvasculature of breast tumors and thereby will help with the formulation of subsequent differential diagnosis and the prediction of histologic biomarkers.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER/DATE

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2100048361/6th/July/2021. This study is a part of that clinical trial.

Microbubble tracking based on partial smoothing-based adaptive generalized labelled Multi-Bernoulli filter for super-resolution imaging

Super-resolution ultrasound (SRUS) can image the vasculature at microscopic resolution according to microbubble (MB) localization, with velocity vector maps obtained based on MB tracking information. High MB concentrations can reduce the acquisition time of SRUS imaging, however adjacent and intersecting vessels are difficult to distinguish, thus decreasing resolution. Low acquisition frame rates affect the precision of flow velocity estimation. This study proposes a partial smoothing-based adaptive generalized labeled multi-Bernoulli filter (SAGLMB) to precisely track the MB motion at different flow velocities. SAGLMB employs a generalized labelled multi-Bernoulli filter (GLMB) for MB trajectory allocation to separate adjacent and intersecting vessels. Furthermore, the nonlinear motion of MB was predicted by an unscented Kalman filter, and a cardinalized probability hypothesis density filter was applied to suppress clutter interference. Finally, the trajectories were smoothed by unscented Rauch-Tung-Striebel to improve the resolution of the SRUS image. The simulation results demonstrate that SAGLMB outperforms the conventional bipartite graph-based tracking at high MB concentrations, achieving at least an 8.55 % improvement in the correctly paired precision, with 3 times increase in the structural similarity index measure. Moreover, SAGLMB can obtain more precise flow velocity estimations with a 4 times improvement than the conventional method. The SRUS results of rabbit kidney show that the proposed method significantly improves resolution of adjacent and intersecting vessels at higher MB concentrations and maintains this performance as the acquisition frame rate decreases. Furthermore, the rat brain microvascular network was reconstructed with 9.21 μm (λ/11.1) resolution. Therefore, SAGLMB can achieve robust SRUS imaging at high concentrations and low acquisition frame rates.

Müller cells and retinal angiogenesis: critical regulators in health and disease

Müller cells are the most abundant glial cells in the mammalian retina. Their morphology and metabolism enable them to be in close contact and interact biochemically and physically with almost all retinal cell types, including neurons, pericytes, endothelial cells, and other glial cells, influencing their physiology by releasing bioactive molecules. Studies indicate that Müller glial cells are the primary source of angiogenic growth factor secretion in the neuroretina. Because of this, over the past decade, it has been postulated that Müller glial cells play a significant role in maintaining retinal vascular homeostasis, with potential implications in vasoproliferative retinopathies. This review aims to summarize the current understanding of the mechanisms by which Müller glial cells influence retinal angiogenesis in health and disease, with a particular emphasis on three of the retinopathies with the most significant impact on visual health worldwide: diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity, and age-related macular degeneration.

Transcutaneous Imaging of Rabbit Kidney Using 3-D Acoustic Wave Sparsely Activated Localization Microscopy With a Row-Column-Addressed Array

OBJECTIVE

Super-resolution ultrasound (SRUS) imaging through localizing and tracking microbubbles, also known as ultrasound localization microscopy (ULM), can produce sub-diffraction resolution images of micro-vessels. We have recently demonstrated 3-D selective SRUS with a matrix array and phase change contrast agents (PCCAs). However, this method is limited to a small field of view (FOV) and by the complex hardware required.

METHOD

This study proposed 3-D acoustic wave sparsely activated localization microscopy (AWSALM) using PCCAs and a 128+128 row-column-addressed (RCA) array, which offers ultrafast acquisition with over 6 times larger FOV and 4 times reduction in hardware complexity than a 1024-element matrix array. We first validated this method on an in-vitro microflow phantom and subsequently demonstrated non-invasively on a rabbit kidney in-vivo.

RESULTS

Our results show that 3-D AWSALM images of the phantom covering a mm volume can be generated under 5 seconds with an 8 times resolution improvement over the system point spread function. The full volume of the rabbit kidney can be covered to generate 3-D microvascular structure, flow speed and direction super-resolution maps under 15 seconds, combining the large FOV of RCA with the high resolution of SRUS. Additionally, 3-D AWSALM is selective and can visualize the microvasculature within the activation volume and downstream vessels in isolation. Sub-sets of the kidney microvasculature can be imaged through selective activation of PCCAs.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrates large FOV 3-D AWSALM using an RCA probe.

SIGNIFICANCE

3-D AWSALM offers an unique in-vivo imaging tool for fast, selective and large FOV vascular flow mapping.

Vascular endothelial growth factor A inhibition remodels the transcriptional signature of lipid metabolism in psoriasis non-lesional skin in 12 h ex vivo culture

BACKGROUND

Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A)-mediated angiogenesis is involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. VEGF-A inhibitors are widely used to treat oncological and ophthalmological diseases but have not been used in psoriasis management. The molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of VEGF-A inhibition in psoriatic skin remain unknown.

OBJECTIVES

To identify the genes and canonical pathways affected by VEGF-A inhibition in non-lesional and plaque skin ex vivo.

METHODS

Total RNA sequencing was performed on skin biopsies from patients with psoriasis (n = 6; plaque and non-lesional skin) and healthy controls (n = 6) incubated with anti-VEGF-A monoclonal antibody (bevacizumab, Avastin®) or human IgG1 isotype control for 12 h in serum-free organ culture. Differentially expressed genes between paired control and treated samples with adjusted p-values <0.1 were considered significant. Gene ontology and ingenuity pathway analysis was used to identify enriched biological processes, canonical pathways and upstream regulators.

RESULTS

VEGF-A inhibition upregulated the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism. Pathway enrichment analysis identified the activation of pathways involved in fatty acids and lipid biosynthesis and degradation in non-lesional skin and ferroptosis in plaque skin. VEGF-A inhibition downregulated endothelial cell apoptosis in non-lesional psoriasis skin and members of the interferon family were identified as potential regulators of the effects of VEGF-A inhibition in non-lesional skin.

CONCLUSION

Early response to VEGF-A inhibition is associated with changes in lipid metabolism in non-lesional psoriasis skin and cellular stress in psoriasis plaque. More investigation is needed to validate these findings.

Anti-proliferative 2,3-dihydro-1,3,4-thiadiazoles targeting VEGFR-2: Design, synthesis, in vitro, and in silico studies

In this study, we present the design, synthesis, and evaluation of six new thiadiazole derivatives designed as VEGFR-2 inhibitors. The most promising compound, 18b, demonstrated promising inhibitory activity against VEGFR-2, with an IC50 value of 0.165 µg/mL. The in vitro assessments on MCF-7 and HepG2 cell lines revealed the superior anti-proliferative effects of compound 18b, exhibiting IC50 values of 0.06 and 0.17 µM, respectively. Further investigations into the cell cycle distribution of compound 18b on MCF-7 cells exhibited a cell cycle arrest at the S phase (52.96 %) and significantly reducing the percentage of cells in the G0-G1 and G2/M phases. Additionally, compound 18b demonstrated a remarkable pro-apoptotic effect, with 45.29 % total apoptosis, characterized by both early and late apoptosis, and minimal necrosis. These findings were corroborated by RT-PCR analysis, revealing a significant downregulation of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl2 and upregulation of the pro-apoptotic gene BAX in compound 18b-treated cells compared to control MCF-7 cells. Moreover, in silico studies involving molecular docking, Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations, Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations, MM-GBSA, Principle Component Analysis of Trajectories (PCAT), in addition to Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, and Toxicity (ADMET) predictions underscored the molecular interactions, energetics, and pharmacokinetic properties of compound 18b and the other derivatives further supporting its potential. Our integrated approach, combining in vitro experimens with in silico predictions provides valuable insights into the therapeutic potential of compound 18b as a robust VEGFR-2 inhibitor and lays the groundwork for future optimization.

Extracellular vesicles derived from endothelial progenitor cells modified by Houshiheisan promote angiogenesis and attenuate cerebral ischemic injury via miR-126/PIK3R2

Angiogenesis following cerebral ischemia is crucial for restoring blood supply to the ischemic region. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) offer potential therapeutic benefits in the treatment of cerebral ischemia. Houshiheisan (HSHS) has been shown to improve clinical outcomes in ischemic stroke patients, reduce cerebral ischemic damage in rats, and protect endothelial cells. However, the potential effects of HSHS-modified EPC-derived EVs (EVsHSHS) for cerebral ischemia remain unexplored. This study investigated the impact of EVsHSHS on angiogenesis using rats with permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) and brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD). Results demonstrated that EVsHSHS promoted the proliferation, migration, and tube formation of BMECs in vitro. In vivo, high doses of EVsHSHS exhibited better performance than equivalent doses of unmodified EPC-derived EVs in reducing cerebral infarction volume, improving cortical blood perfusion, decreasing neurological deficit scores, and increasing cortical microvessel density at day 7 post-modeling. The pro-angiogenic effects of EVsHSHS following cerebral ischemia were associated with the regulation of miR-126 and the PIK3R2/PI3K/AKT pathway.

Targeting esophageal carcinoma: molecular mechanisms and clinical studies

Esophageal cancer (EC) is identified as a predominant health threat worldwide, with its highest incidence and mortality rates reported in China. The complex molecular mechanisms underlying EC, coupled with the differential incidence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) across various regions, highlight the necessity for in-depth research targeting molecular pathogenesis and innovative treatment strategies. Despite recent progress in targeted therapy and immunotherapy, challenges such as drug resistance and the lack of effective biomarkers for patient selection persist, impeding the optimization of therapeutic outcomes. Our review delves into the molecular pathology of EC, emphasizing genetic and epigenetic alterations, aberrant signaling pathways, tumor microenvironment factors, and the mechanisms of metastasis and immune evasion. We further scrutinize the current landscape of targeted therapies, including the roles of EGFR, HER2, and VEGFR, alongside the transformative impact of ICIs. The discussion extends to evaluating combination therapies, spotlighting the synergy between targeted and immune-mediated treatments, and introduces the burgeoning domain of antibody-drug conjugates, bispecific antibodies, and multitarget-directed ligands. This review lies in its holistic synthesis of EC's molecular underpinnings and therapeutic interventions, fused with an outlook on future directions including overcoming resistance mechanisms, biomarker discovery, and the potential of novel drug formulations.

The loach haplotype-resolved genome and the identification of Mex3a involved in fish air breathing

Fish air breathing is crucial for the transition of vertebrates from water to land. So far, the genes involved in fish air breathing have not been well identified. Here, we performed gene enrichment analysis of positively selected genes (PSGs) in loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus, an air-breathing fish) in comparison to Triplophysa tibetana (a non-air-breathing fish), haplotype-resolved genome assembly of the loach, and gene evolutionary analysis of air-breathing and non-air-breathing fishes and found that the PSG mex3a originated from ancient air-breathing fish species. Deletion of Mex3a impaired loach air-breathing capacity by inhibiting angiogenesis through its interaction with T-box transcription factor 20. Mex3a overexpression significantly promoted angiogenesis. Structural analysis and point mutation revealed the critical role of the 201st amino acid in loach Mex3a for angiogenesis. Our findings innovatively indicate that the ancient mex3a is a fish air-breathing gene, which holds significance for understanding fish air breathing and provides a valuable resource for cultivating hypoxia-tolerant fish varieties.

Sulfide oxidation promotes hypoxic angiogenesis and neovascularization

Angiogenic programming in the vascular endothelium is a tightly regulated process for maintaining tissue homeostasis and is activated in tissue injury and the tumor microenvironment. The metabolic basis of how gas signaling molecules regulate angiogenesis is elusive. Here, we report that hypoxic upregulation of ·NO in endothelial cells reprograms the transsulfuration pathway to increase biogenesis of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a proangiogenic metabolite. However, decreased H2S oxidation due to sulfide quinone oxidoreductase (SQOR) deficiency synergizes with hypoxia, inducing a reductive shift and limiting endothelial proliferation that is attenuated by dissipation of the mitochondrial NADH pool. Tumor xenografts in whole-body (WBCreSqorfl/fl) and endothelial-specific (VE-cadherinCre-ERT2Sqorfl/fl) Sqor-knockout mice exhibit lower mass and angiogenesis than control mice. WBCreSqorfl/fl mice also exhibit decreased muscle angiogenesis following femoral artery ligation compared to control mice. Collectively, our data reveal the molecular intersections between H2S, O2 and ·NO metabolism and identify SQOR inhibition as a metabolic vulnerability for endothelial cell proliferation and neovascularization.

The role of MDM2 in angiogenesis: implications for endothelial tip cell formation

In the present study, we examined the role of MDM2 in the angiogenesis process and its potential association with the sprouting of endothelial tip cells. To address this, we performed hypoxia-treated gastric cancer cells (HGC-27) to quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot analysis to measure the levels of MDM2 and VEGF-A mRNA and protein expression. Subsequently, we employed siRNA to disrupt MDM2 expression, followed by hypoxia treatment. The expression levels of MDM2 and VEGF-A mRNA and protein were subsequently reassessed. Additionally, ELISA was utilized to quantify the secretion levels of VEGF-A in each experimental group. A conditioned medium derived from HGC-27 cells treated with different agents was employed to assess its influence on the formation of EA.hy926 endothelial tip cells, using various techniques including Transwell plates migration assays, wound healing experiments, vascular formation assays, scanning electron microscopy, and immunofluorescence staining. These findings demonstrated that the in vitro knockdown of MDM2 in the conditioned medium exhibited significant inhibitory effects on endothelial cell migration, wound healing, and vascular formation. Additionally, the intervention led to a reduction in the presence of CD34+ tip cells and the formation of filopodia in endothelial cells, while partially restoring the integrity of tight junctions. Subsequent examination utilizing RNA-seq revealed that the suppression of MDM2 in HGC-27 cells resulted in the downregulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Consequently, this downregulation led to an elevation in angiogenic effects induced by hypoxia.

Isolation-protocol, characterization, and in-vitro performance of equine umbilical vein endothelial cells

Angiogenesis plays a crucial role in various physiological and pathological conditions. However, research in equine angiogenesis is relative limited, necessitating the development of suitable in-vitro models. To effectively analyze angiogenesis in-vitro, it is essential to target the specific cells responsible for this process, namely endothelial cells. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) are one of the most used in vitro models for studying angiogenesis in humans. Serving as an equivalent to HUVECs, we present a comprehensive isolation protocol for equine umbilical vein endothelial cells (EqUVECs) with relatively minimal requirements, thereby enhancing accessibility for researchers. Umbilical cords obtained from five foals were used to isolate endothelial cells, followed by morphological and immunohistochemical identification. Performance of the cells in various assays commonly used in angiogenesis research was studied. Additionally, EqUVEC expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was assessed using ELISA. EqUVECs exhibited endothelial characteristics, forming a homogeneous monolayer with distinctive morphology. Immunohistochemical staining confirmed positive expression of key endothelial markers including von Willebrand factor (vWF), CD31, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2). Furthermore, performance assessments in in-vitro assays demonstrated the viability, proliferation, migration, tube formation and VEGF-expression capabilities of EqUVECs. The findings suggest that EqUVECs are a promising in-vitro model for studying equine angiogenesis, offering a foundation for further investigations into equine-specific vascular processes and therapeutic interventions.

Integrating Vascular Phenotypic and Proteomic Analysis in an Open Microfluidic Platform

This research introduces a vascular phenotypic and proteomic analysis (VPT) platform designed to perform high-throughput experiments on vascular development. The VPT platform utilizes an open-channel configuration that facilitates angiogenesis by precise alignment of endothelial cells, allowing for a 3D morphological examination and protein analysis. We study the effects of antiangiogenic agents─bevacizumab, ramucirumab, cabozantinib, regorafenib, wortmannin, chloroquine, and paclitaxel─on cytoskeletal integrity and angiogenic sprouting, observing an approximately 50% reduction in sprouting at higher drug concentrations. Precise LC-MS/MS analyses reveal global protein expression changes in response to four of these drugs, providing insights into the signaling pathways related to the cell cycle, cytoskeleton, cellular senescence, and angiogenesis. Our findings emphasize the intricate relationship between cytoskeletal alterations and angiogenic responses, underlining the significance of integrating morphological and proteomic data for a comprehensive understanding of angiogenesis. The VPT platform not only advances our understanding of drug impacts on vascular biology but also offers a versatile tool for analyzing proteome and morphological features across various models beyond blood vessels.

Targeted anti-angiogenesis therapy for advanced osteosarcoma

To date, despite extensive research, the prognosis of advanced osteosarcoma has not improved significantly. Thus, patients experience a reduced survival rate, suggesting that a reevaluation of current treatment strategies is required. Recently, in addition to routine surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, researchers have explored more effective and safer treatments, including targeted therapy, immunotherapy, anti-angiogenesis therapy, metabolic targets therapy, and nanomedicine therapy. The tumorigenesis and development of osteosarcoma is closely related to angiogenesis. Thus, anti-angiogenesis therapy is crucial to treat osteosarcoma; however, recent clinical trials found that it has insufficient efficacy. To solve this problem, the causes of treatment failure and improve treatment strategies should be investigated. This review focuses on summarizing the pathophysiological mechanisms of angiogenesis in osteosarcoma and recent advances in anti-angiogenesis treatment of osteosarcoma. We also discuss some clinical studies, with the aim of providing new ideas to improve treatment strategies for osteosarcoma and the prognosis of patients.

PI-YOLO: dynamic sparse attention and lightweight convolutional based YOLO for vessel detection in pathological images

Vessel density within tumor tissues strongly correlates with tumor proliferation and serves as a critical marker for tumor grading. Recognition of vessel density by pathologists is subject to a strong inter-rater bias, thus limiting its prognostic value. There are many challenges in the task of object detection in pathological images, including complex image backgrounds, dense distribution of small targets, and insignificant differences between the features of the target to be detected and the image background. To address these problems and thus help physicians quantify blood vessels in pathology images, we propose Pathological Images-YOLO (PI-YOLO), an enhanced detection network based on YOLOv7. PI-YOLO incorporates the BiFormer attention mechanism, enhancing global feature extraction and accelerating processing for regions with subtle differences. Additionally, it introduces the CARAFE upsampling module, which optimizes feature utilization and information retention for small targets. Furthermore, the GSConv module improves the ELAN module, reducing model parameters and enhancing inference speed while preserving detection accuracy. Experimental results show that our proposed PI-YOLO network has higher detection accuracy compared to Faster-RCNN, SSD, RetinaNet, YOLOv5 network, and the latest YOLOv7 network, with a mAP value of 87.48%, which is 2.83% higher than the original model. We also validated the performance of this network on the ICPR 2012 mitotic dataset with an F1 value of 0.8678, outperforming other methods, demonstrating the advantages of our network in the task of target detection in complex pathology images.

Exploring treatment options in cancer: Tumor treatment strategies

Traditional therapeutic approaches such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy have burdened cancer patients with onerous physical and psychological challenges. Encouragingly, the landscape of tumor treatment has undergone a comprehensive and remarkable transformation. Emerging as fervently pursued modalities are small molecule targeted agents, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), cell-based therapies, and gene therapy. These cutting-edge treatment modalities not only afford personalized and precise tumor targeting, but also provide patients with enhanced therapeutic comfort and the potential to impede disease progression. Nonetheless, it is acknowledged that these therapeutic strategies still harbour untapped potential for further advancement. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of the merits and limitations of these treatment modalities holds the promise of offering novel perspectives for clinical practice and foundational research endeavours. In this review, we discussed the different treatment modalities, including small molecule targeted drugs, peptide drugs, antibody drugs, cell therapy, and gene therapy. It will provide a detailed explanation of each method, addressing their status of development, clinical challenges, and potential solutions. The aim is to assist clinicians and researchers in gaining a deeper understanding of these diverse treatment options, enabling them to carry out effective treatment and advance their research more efficiently.

Large extracellular vesicles from induced pluripotent stem cell-marrow stem cells enhance limb angiogenesis via ERK/MAPK

Aim: This study aims to investigate the effects of large extracellular vesicles (EVs) induced by pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells on lower limb ischemic disease and explore its potential mechanisms. Materials & methods: The pathology of muscles was accessed by H&E staining and immunofluorescence staining. In vitro, we conducted wound-healing assay, tube formation assay, RT qPCR, ELISA, RNA sequencing and proteomic analysis. Results: iMSCs-lEVs alleviated the injury of ischemic lower limb and promoted the recovery of lower limb function. In vitro, iMSCs-lEVs promoted the proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of HMEC-1 cells by regulating the ERK/MAPK signing pathway. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that iMSCs-lEVs promoted endothelial cell angiogenesis via the ERK/MAPK signaling pathway, thereby improving function after lower limb ischemic injury.

Augmentation of the EPR effect by mild hyperthermia to improve nanoparticle delivery to the tumor

The clinical translation of the nanoparticle (NP)-based anticancer therapies is still unsatisfactory due to the heterogeneity of the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. Despite the promising preclinical outcome of the pharmacological EPR enhancers, their systemic toxicity can limit their clinical application. Hyperthermia (HT) presents an efficient tool to augment the EPR by improving tumor blood flow (TBF) and vascular permeability, lowering interstitial fluid pressure (IFP), and disrupting the structure of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Furthermore, the HT-triggered intravascular release approach can overcome the EPR effect. In contrast to pharmacological approaches, HT is safe and can be focused to cancer tissues. Moreover, HT conveys direct anti-cancer effects, which improve the efficacy of the anti-cancer agents encapsulated in NPs. However, the clinical application of HT is challenging due to the heterogeneous distribution of temperature within the tumor, the length of the treatment and the complexity of monitoring.

Amiloride reduces fructosamine-3-kinase expression to restore sunitinib sensitivity in renal cell carcinoma

The kidney is a vital organ responsible for water and sodium metabolism, while the primary function of amiloride is to promote the excretion of water and sodium. We investigated amiloride enhanced the sunitinib sensitivity in RCC. We found both sunitinib and amiloride displayed cytotoxicity and exerted the synergy effect in RCC cells in vivo and in vitro arrays. Protein expression profiles were screened via MS/TMT, revealing that FN3K was upregulated in the sunitinib group, and rescued in amiloride and the combination administration. Exogenous FN3K could promote proliferation, invasion and metastasis and decrease the sensitivity of Caki-1 cells to sunitinib, also, exogenous FN3K up-regulated VEGFR2 expression and activated AKT/mTOR signal pathway. More FN3K and VEGFR2 accumulated in R-Caki-1 cells and rescued by amiloride treatment. Co-IP and IF confirmed the interaction between FN3K and VEGFR2. In conclusion, FN3K depletion mediated VEGFR2 disruption promotes amiloride synergized the anti-RCC activity of sunitinib.

Vascular regional analysis unveils differential responses to anti-angiogenic therapy in pancreatic xenografts through macroscopic photoacoustic imaging

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly lethal malignancy and the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. Despite major innovations in imaging technologies, there are limited surrogate radiographic indicators to aid in therapy planning and monitoring. Amongst the various imaging techniques Ultrasound-guided photoacoustic imaging (US-PAI) is a promising modality based on endogenous blood (hemoglobin) and blood oxygen saturation (StO 2 ) contrast to monitor response to anti-angiogenic therapies. Adaptation of US-PAI to the clinical realm requires macroscopic configurations for adequate depth visualization, illuminating the need for surrogate radiographic markers, including the tumoral microvessel density (MVD). In this work, subcutaneous xenografts with PC cell lines AsPC-1 and MIA-PaCa-2 were used to investigate the effects of receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (sunitinib) treatment on MVD and StO 2 . Through histological correlation, we have shown that regions of high and low vascular density (HVD and LVD) can be identified through frequency domain filtering of macroscopic PA images which could not be garnered from purely global analysis. We utilized vascular regional analysis (VRA) of treatment-induced StO 2 and total hemoglobin (HbT) changes. VRA as a tool to monitor treatment response allowed us to identify potential timepoints of vascular remodeling, highlighting its ability to provide insights into the TME not only for sunitinib treatment but also other anti-angiogenic therapies.

The protective effect of natural medicines in rheumatoid arthritis via inhibit angiogenesis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic immunological disease leading to the progressive bone and joint destruction. Angiogenesis, accompanied by synovial hyperplasia and inflammation underlies joint destruction. Delaying or even blocking synovial angiogenesis has emerged as an important target of RA treatment. Natural medicines has a long history of treating RA, and numerous reports have suggested that natural medicines have a strong inhibitory activity on synovial angiogenesis, thereby improving the progression of RA. Natural medicines could regulate the following signaling pathways: HIF/VEGF/ANG, PI3K/Akt pathway, MAPKs pathway, NF-κB pathway, PPARγ pathway, JAK2/STAT3 pathway, etc., thereby inhibiting angiogenesis. Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. (TwHF), sinomenine, and total glucoside of Paeonia lactiflora Pall. Are currently the most representative of all natural products worthy of development and utilization. In this paper, the main factors affecting angiogenesis were discussed and different types of natural medicines that inhibit angiogenesis were systematically summarized. Their specific anti-angiogenesis mechanisms are also reviewed which aiming to provide new perspective and options for the management of RA by targeting angiogenesis.

20(S)-Ginsenoside Rh2 inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma by suppressing angiogenesis and the GPC3-mediated Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway

20(S)-Ginsenoside Rh2 has significant anti-tumor effects in various types of cancers, including human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, its molecular targets and mechanisms of action remain largely unknown. Here, we aim to elucidate the potential mechanisms by which Rh2 suppresses HCC growth. We first demonstrate the role of Rh2 in inhibiting angiogenesis. We observe that Rh2 effectively suppresses cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in HUVECs. Furthermore, Rh2 significantly inhibits HepG2-stimulated HUVEC proliferation, migration and tube formation, accompanied by the downregulation of VEGF and MMP-2 expressions. We also reveal that Rh2 inhibits HCC growth through the downregulation of glypican-3-mediated activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. We observe a dose-dependent inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis in HepG2 cells upon Rh2 treatment, which is mediated by the inhibition of glypican-3/Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Moreover, downregulation of glypican-3 expression enhances the effects of Rh2 on the glypican-3/Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, resulting in greater suppression of tumor growth in HepG2 cells. Collectively, our findings shed light on the molecular mechanisms through which Rh2 modulates HCC growth, which involve the regulation of angiogenesis and the glypican-3/Wnt/β-catenin pathway. These insights may pave the way for the development of novel therapeutic strategies targeting these pathways for the treatment of HCC.

rESWT promoted angiogenesis via Bach1/Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

Previous reports have established that rESWT fosters angiogenesis, yet the mechanism by which rESWT promotes cerebral angiogenesis remains elusive. rESWT stimulated HUVECs proliferation as evidenced by the CCK-8 test, with an optimal dosage of 2.0 Bar, 200 impulses, and 2 Hz. The tube formation assay of HUVECs revealed that tube formation peaked at 36 h post-rESWT treatment, concurrent with the lowest expression level of Bach1, as detected by both Western blot and immunofluorescence. The expression level of Wnt3a, β-catenin, and VEGF also peaked at 36 h. A Bach1 overexpression plasmid was transfected into HUVECs, resulting in a decreased expression level of Wnt3a, β-catenin, and VEGF. Upon treatment with rESWT, the down-regulation of Wnt3a, β-catenin, and VEGF expression in the transfected cells was reversed. The Wnt/β-catenin inhibitor DKK-1 was utilized to suppress Wnt3a and β-catenin expression, which led to a concurrent decrease in VEGF expression. However, rESWT treatment could restore the expression of these three proteins, even in the presence of DKK-1. Moreover, in the established OGD model, it was observed that rESWT could inhibit the overexpression of Bach1 and enhance VEGF and VEGFR-2 expression under the OGD environment.

CX3CL1 (Fractalkine)-CX3CR1 Axis in Inflammation-Induced Angiogenesis and Tumorigenesis

The chemotactic cytokine fractalkine (FKN, chemokine CX3CL1) has unique properties resulting from the combination of chemoattractants and adhesion molecules. The soluble form (sFKN) has chemotactic properties and strongly attracts T cells and monocytes. The membrane-bound form (mFKN) facilitates diapedesis and is responsible for cell-to-cell adhesion, especially by promoting the strong adhesion of leukocytes (monocytes) to activated endothelial cells with the subsequent formation of an extracellular matrix and angiogenesis. FKN signaling occurs via CX3CR1, which is the only known member of the CX3C chemokine receptor subfamily. Signaling within the FKN-CX3CR1 axis plays an important role in many processes related to inflammation and the immune response, which often occur simultaneously and overlap. FKN is strongly upregulated by hypoxia and/or inflammation-induced inflammatory cytokine release, and it may act locally as a key angiogenic factor in the highly hypoxic tumor microenvironment. The importance of the FKN/CX3CR1 signaling pathway in tumorigenesis and cancer metastasis results from its influence on cell adhesion, apoptosis, and cell migration. This review presents the role of the FKN signaling pathway in the context of angiogenesis in inflammation and cancer. The mechanisms determining the pro- or anti-tumor effects are presented, which are the cause of the seemingly contradictory results that create confusion regarding the therapeutic goals.

Accelerated wound healing with resveratrol-loaded decellularized pericardium in mice model

One of the key objectives of regenerative medicine is the design of skin tissue engineering scaffolds to promote wound healing. These scaffolds provide a fresh viewpoint on skin injury repair by emulating body tissues in their structure. A suitable platform for cellular processes can be provided by natural scaffolds made from decellularized tissues while retaining the primary components. Resveratrol (RES), which has qualities like angiogenesis, antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory, is also useful in the healing of wounds. In this investigation, RES-loaded decellularized sheep pericardium scaffolds were created and tested on full-thickness wounds in a mouse model. According to the in vivo findings, the groups in which the wound was treated with decellularized pericardium (DP) had better wound healing than the control group and showed more production of angiogenic and anti-inflammatory substances. The secretion of these factors was greater in RES-loaded decellularized pericardium (DP-RES) than in the scaffold without RES, and the macroscopic and histological data supported this. Therefore, the use of decellularization scaffolds with substances like RES for the regeneration of skin wounds can be further researched and evaluated in the preclinical stages.

Modeling the extracellular matrix in cell migration and morphogenesis: a guide for the curious biologist

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a highly complex structure through which biochemical and mechanical signals are transmitted. In processes of cell migration, the ECM also acts as a scaffold, providing structural support to cells as well as points of potential attachment. Although the ECM is a well-studied structure, its role in many biological processes remains difficult to investigate comprehensively due to its complexity and structural variation within an organism. In tandem with experiments, mathematical models are helpful in refining and testing hypotheses, generating predictions, and exploring conditions outside the scope of experiments. Such models can be combined and calibrated with in vivo and in vitro data to identify critical cell-ECM interactions that drive developmental and homeostatic processes, or the progression of diseases. In this review, we focus on mathematical and computational models of the ECM in processes such as cell migration including cancer metastasis, and in tissue structure and morphogenesis. By highlighting the predictive power of these models, we aim to help bridge the gap between experimental and computational approaches to studying the ECM and to provide guidance on selecting an appropriate model framework to complement corresponding experimental studies.

A review on the traditional uses, nutritive importance, pharmacognostic features, phytochemicals, and pharmacology of Momordica cymbalaria Hook F

Momordica cymbalaria Hook F. (MC), belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae, is a plant with several biological activities. This detailed, comprehensive review gathers and presents all the information related to the geographical distribution, morphology, therapeutic uses, nutritional values, pharmacognostic characters, phytochemicals, and pharmacological activities of MC. The available literature showed that MC fruits are utilized as a stimulant, tonic, laxative, stomachic, and to combat inflammatory disorders. The fruits are used to treat spleen and liver diseases and are applied in folk medicine to induce abortion and treat diabetes mellitus. The phytochemical screening studies report that MC fruits contain tannins, alkaloids, phenols, proteins, amino acids, vitamin C, carbohydrates, β-carotenes, palmitic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid, α-eleostearic acid, and γ-linolenic acid. The fruits also contain calcium, sodium, iron, potassium, copper, manganese, zinc, and phosphorus. Notably, momordicosides are cucurbitacin triterpenoids reported in the fruits of MC. Diverse pharmacological activities of MC, such as analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, antidiabetic, cardioprotective, antidepressant, anticonvulsant, anticancer, antiangiogenic, antifertility, antiulcer, antimicrobial, antidiarrheal and anthelmintic, have been reported by many investigators. M. cymbalaria methanolic extract is safe up to 2,000 mg/kg. Furthermore, no symptoms of toxicity were found. These pharmacological activities are mechanistically interpreted and described in this review. Additionally, the microscopic, powder and physiochemical characteristics of MC tubers are also highlighted. In summary, possesses remarkable medicinal values, which warrant further detailed studies to exploit its potential benefits therapeutically.

The pathogenicity of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis to colon cancer cells

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the pathogenicity of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VREs) to human colon cells in vitro.

METHODS

Three E. faecalis isolates (2 VREs and E. faecalis ATCC 29212) were cocultured with NCM460, HT-29 and HCT116 cells. Changes in cell morphology and bacterial adhesion were assessed at different time points. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) expression were measured via RT-qPCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Cell migration and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) tube formation assays were used for angiogenesis studies. The activity of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway was measured by Western blotting.

RESULTS

The growth and adhesion of E. faecalis at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 1:1 were greater than those at a MOI of 100:1(p < 0.05). Compared to E. faecalis ATCC 29212, VREs showed less invasive effect on NCM460 and HT-29 cells. E. faecalis promoted angiogenesis by secreting IL-8 and VEGFA in colon cells, and the cells infected with VREs produced more than those infected with the standard strain (p < 0.05). Additionally, the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway was activated in E. faecalis infected cells, with VREs demonstrating a greater activation compared to E. faecalis ATCC 29212 (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

VREs contribute to the occurrence and development of CRC by promoting angiogenesis and activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

Study on the mechanism of MDSC-platelets and their role in the breast cancer microenvironment

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are key immunosuppressive cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) that play critical roles in promoting tumor growth and metastasis. Tumor-associated platelets (TAPs) help cancer cells evade the immune system and promote metastasis. In this paper, we describe the interaction between MDSCs and TAPs, including their generation, secretion, activation, and recruitment, as well as the effects of MDSCs and platelets on the generation and changes in the immune, metabolic, and angiogenic breast cancer (BC) microenvironments. In addition, we summarize preclinical and clinical studies, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapeutic approaches, and new technologies related to targeting and preventing MDSCs from interacting with TAPs to modulate the BC TME, discuss the potential mechanisms, and provide perspectives for future development. The therapeutic strategies discussed in this review may have implications in promoting the normalization of the BC TME, reducing primary tumor growth and distant lung metastasis, and improving the efficiency of anti-tumor therapy, thereby improving the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of patients. However, despite the significant advances in understanding these mechanisms and therapeutic strategies, the complexity and heterogeneity of MDSCs and side effects of antiplatelet agents remain challenging. This requires further investigation in future prospective cohort studies.

Identification of angiogenesis-related subtypes, the development of a prognosis model, and features of tumor microenvironment in colon cancer

Angiogenesis is associated with tumor progression, prognosis, and treatment effect. However, the angiogenesis' underlying mechanisms in the tumor microenvironment (TME) still remain unclear. Understanding the dynamic interactions between angiogenesis and TME in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) is necessary. We downloaded the transcriptome data and corresponding clinical data of colon cancer patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases, respectively. We identified two distinct angiogenesis-related molecular subtypes (subtype A and subtype B) and assessed the clinical features, prognosis, and infiltrating immune cells of patients in the two subtypes. According to the prognostic differential genes, we defined two different gene clusters to further explore the correlation between angiogenesis and tumor heterogeneity. Then, we construct the prognostic risk scoring model angiogenesis-related gene (ARG-score) including seven genes (ARMCX2, latent transforming growth factor β binding protein 1, ADAM8, FABP4, CCL11, CXCL11, ITLN1) using Lasso-multivariate cox method. We analyzed the correlation between ARG-score and prognosis, clinicopathological features, TME, molecular feature, cancer stem cells (CSCs), and microsatellite instability (MSI) status. To assess the application value of ARG-score in clinical treatment, immunophenotype score was used to predict patients' immunotherapy response in colon cancer. We found the mutations of ARGs in TCGA-COAD dataset from genetic levels and discussed their expression patterns based on TCGA and GEO datasets. We observed important differences in clinicopathological features, prognosis, immune feature, molecular feature between the two molecular subgroups. Then, we established an ARG-score for predicting OS and validated its predictive capability. A high ARG-score characterized by higher transcription level of ARGs, suggested lower MSI-high (MSI-H), lower immune score, and worse clinical stage and survival outcome. Additionally, the ARG-score was remarkably related to the CSCs index and immunotherapy sensitivity. We found two new molecular subtypes and two gene clusters based on ARGs and established an ARG-score. Multilayered analysis revealed that ARGs were remarkably correlated to the heterogeneity of colon cancer patients and explained the process of tumorigenesis and progression better. The ARG-score can help us better assess patients' survival outcomes and provide guidance for individualized treatment.

Pancreatic cancer tumor microenvironment is a major therapeutic barrier and target

Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is projected to become the 2nd leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Limitations in early detection and treatment barriers contribute to the lack of substantial success in the treatment of this challenging-to-treat malignancy. Desmoplasia is the hallmark of PDAC microenvironment that creates a physical and immunologic barrier. Stromal support cells and immunomodulatory cells face aberrant signaling by pancreatic cancer cells that shifts the complex balance of proper repair mechanisms into a state of dysregulation. The product of this dysregulation is the desmoplastic environment that encases the malignant cells leading to a dense, hypoxic environment that promotes further tumorigenesis, provides innate systemic resistance, and suppresses anti-tumor immune invasion. This desmoplastic environment combined with the immunoregulatory events that allow it to persist serve as the primary focus of this review. The physical barrier and immune counterbalance in the tumor microenvironment (TME) make PDAC an immunologically cold tumor. To convert PDAC into an immunologically hot tumor, tumor microenvironment could be considered alongside the tumor cells. We discuss the complex network of microenvironment molecular and cellular composition and explore how they can be targeted to overcome immuno-therapeutic challenges.

Recent advances and perspectives on natural latex serum and its fractions for biomedical applications

Advances and the discovery of new biomaterials have opened new frontiers in regenerative medicine. These biomaterials play a key role in current medicine by improving the life quality or even saving the lives of millions of people. Since the 2000s, Natural Rubber Latex (NRL) has been employed as wound dressings, mechanical barrier for Guided Bone Regeneration (GBR), matrix for drug delivery, and grafting. NRL is a natural polymer that can stimulate cell proliferation, neoangiogenesis, and extracellular matrix (ECM) formation. Furthermore, it is well established that proteins and other biologically active molecules present in the Natural Latex Serum (NLS) are responsible for the biological properties of NRL. NLS can be obtained from NRL by three main methods, namely (i) Centrifugation (fractionation of NRL in distinct fractions), (ii) Coagulation and sedimentation (coagulating NRL to separate the NLS from rubber particles), and (iii) Alternative extraction process (elution from NRL membrane). In this review, the chemical composition, physicochemical properties, toxicity, and other biological information such as osteogenesis, vasculogenesis, adhesion, proliferation, antimicrobial behavior, and antitumoral activity of NLS, as well as some of its medical instruments and devices are discussed. The progress in NLS applications in the biomedical field, more specifically in cell cultures, alternative animals, regular animals, and clinical trials are also discussed. An overview of the challenges and future directions of the applications of NLS and its derivatives in tissue engineering for hard and soft tissue regeneration is also given.

Deep learning-based automated pipeline for blood vessel detection and distribution analysis in multiplexed prostate cancer images

Introduction: Prostate cancer is a highly heterogeneous disease, presenting varying levels of aggressiveness and response to treatment. Angiogenesis is one of the hallmarks of cancer, providing oxygen and nutrient supply to tumors. Micro vessel density has previously been correlated with higher Gleason score and poor prognosis. Manual segmentation of blood vessels (BVs) In microscopy images is challenging, time consuming and may be prone to inter-rater variabilities. In this study, an automated pipeline is presented for BV detection and distribution analysis in multiplexed prostate cancer images. Methods: A deep learning model was trained to segment BVs by combining CD31, CD34 and collagen IV images. In addition, the trained model was used to analyze the size and distribution patterns of BVs in relation to disease progression in a cohort of prostate cancer patients (N = 215). Results: The model was capable of accurately detecting and segmenting BVs, as compared to ground truth annotations provided by two reviewers. The precision (P), recall (R) and dice similarity coefficient (DSC) were equal to 0.93 (SD 0.04), 0.97 (SD 0.02) and 0.71 (SD 0.07) with respect to reviewer 1, and 0.95 (SD 0.05), 0.94 (SD 0.07) and 0.70 (SD 0.08) with respect to reviewer 2, respectively. BV count was significantly associated with 5-year recurrence (adjusted p = 0.0042), while both count and area of blood vessel were significantly associated with Gleason grade (adjusted p = 0.032 and 0.003 respectively). Discussion: The proposed methodology is anticipated to streamline and standardize BV analysis, offering additional insights into the biology of prostate cancer, with broad applicability to other cancers.

Crosstalk between inflammasomes, inflammation, and Nrf2: Implications for gestational diabetes mellitus pathogenesis and therapeutics

The role of inflammasomes in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has emerged as a critical area of research in recent years. Inflammasomes, key components of the innate immune system, are now recognized for their involvement in the pathogenesis of GDM. Activation of inflammasomes in response to various triggers during pregnancy can produce pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-18 (IL-18), contributing to systemic inflammation and insulin resistance. This dysregulation not only impacts maternal health but also poses significant risks to fetal development and long-term health outcomes. Understanding the intricate interplay between inflammasomes and GDM holds promise for developing novel therapeutic strategies and interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of this condition on both mothers and their offspring. Researchers have elucidated that targeting inflammasomes using anti-inflammatory drugs and compounds can effectively reduce inflammation in GDM. Furthermore, the addition of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) to this complex mechanism opens novel avenues for therapeutics. The antioxidant properties of Nrf2 may potentially suppress inflammasome activation in GDM. This comprehensive review investigates the intricate relationship between inflammasomes and GDM, emphasizing the pivotal role of inflammation in its pathogenesis. It also sheds light on potential therapeutic strategies targeting inflammasome activation and explores the role of Nrf2 in mitigating inflammation in GDM.

Specific Circular RNA Signature of Endothelial Cells: Potential Implications in Vascular Pathophysiology

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a recently characterized family of gene transcripts forming a covalently closed loop of single-stranded RNA. The extent of their potential for fine-tuning gene expression is still being discovered. Several studies have implicated certain circular RNAs in pathophysiological processes within vascular endothelial cells and cancer cells independently. However, to date, no comparative study of circular RNA expression in different types of endothelial cells has been performed and analysed through the lens of their central role in vascular physiology and pathology. In this work, we analysed publicly available and original RNA sequencing datasets from arterial, veinous, and lymphatic endothelial cells to identify common and distinct circRNA expression profiles. We identified 4713 distinct circRNAs in the compared endothelial cell types, 95% of which originated from exons. Interestingly, the results show that the expression profile of circular RNAs is much more specific to each cell type than linear RNAs, and therefore appears to be more suitable for distinguishing between them. As a result, we have discovered a specific circRNA signature for each given endothelial cell type. Furthermore, we identified a specific endothelial cell circRNA signature that is composed four circRNAs: circCARD6, circPLXNA2, circCASC15 and circEPHB4. These circular RNAs are produced by genes that are related to endothelial cell migration pathways and cancer progression. More detailed studies of their functions could lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in physiological and pathological (lymph)angiogenesis and might open new ways to tackle tumour spread through the vascular system.

Harnessing natural product polysaccharides against lung cancer and revisit its novel mechanism

The incidence and mortality of lung cancer are on the rise worldwide. However, the benefit of clinical treatment in lung cancer is limited. Owning to important sources of drug development, natural products have received constant attention around the world. Main ingredient polysaccharides in natural products have been found to have various activities in pharmacological research. In recent years, more and more scientists are looking for the effects and mechanisms of different natural product polysaccharides on lung cancer. In this review, we focus on the following aspects: First, natural product polysaccharides have been discovered to directly suppress the growth of lung cancer cells, which can be effective in limiting tumor progression. Additionally, polysaccharides have been considered to enhance immune function, which can play a pivotal role in fighting lung cancer. Lastly, polysaccharides can improve the efficacy of drugs in lung cancer treatment by regulating the gut microbiota. Overall, the research of natural product polysaccharides in the treatment of lung cancer is a promising area that has the potential to lead to new clinical treatments. With better understanding, natural product polysaccharides have the potential to become important components of future lung cancer treatments.

Angiogenesis Assay for Live and Fixed Zebrafish Embryos/Larvae

Angiogenesis is the process of new blood vessel formation from preexisting vasculature. It is an integral component in normal embryonic development and tissue repair. Dysregulation of angiogenesis might lead to tissue ischemia (resulting from reduced blood vessel formation) or major diseases such as cancer (abnormal vascular growth). This makes angiogenesis an excellent area of research for cancer therapeutics, and various animal models including zebrafish are used to study blood vessel development. As most of the techniques used to study angiogenesis are complex and cumbersome, in this chapter, we provide two simple assays to study angiogenesis with live and fixed zebrafish embryos/larvae.

Erythropoietin improves pulmonary hypertension by promoting the homing and differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in lung tissue

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a chronic disease thatultimately progresses to right-sided heart failure and death. Erythropoietin (EPO) has been shown to have therapeutic potential in cardiovascular diseases, including PAH. In this study, we aimed to investigate the improvement effect of EPO pretreated bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on PAH. BMSCs were obtained from the bone marrow of male SD rats. Female rats were randomly divided into six groups, including control group, monocrotaline (MCT)-induced group, and four groups with different doses of EPO pretreated BMSCs. Lung tissue was taken for testing at 2 weeks of treatment. Our results showed EPO promoted homing and endothelial cell differentiation of BMSCs in the lung tissues of PAH rats. EPO and BMSCs treatment attenuated pulmonary arterial pressure, polycythemia, and pulmonary artery structural remodeling. Furthermore, BMSCs inhibited pulmonary vascular endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) in PAH rats, which was further suppressed by EPO in a concentration-dependent manner. Meanwhile, EPO and BMSC treatment elevated pulmonary angiogenesis in PAH rats. BMSCs inhibited TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and MCP-1 in lung tissues of PAH rats, which was further decreased by EPO in a concentration-dependent manner. Thus, EPO improved pulmonary hypertension (PH) by promoting the homing and differentiation of BMSCs in lung tissue.

ESM1 Interacts with c-Met to Promote Gastric Cancer Peritoneal Metastasis by Inducing Angiogenesis

The peritoneum is the most common metastatic site of advanced gastric cancer and is associated with extremely poor prognosis. Endothelial-specific molecule 1 (ESM1) was found to be significantly associated with gastric cancer peritoneal metastasis (GCPM); however, the biological functions and molecular mechanisms of ESM1 in regulating GCPM remain unclear. Herein, we demonstrated that ESM1 expression was significantly upregulated in gastric cancer tissues and positively correlated with platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD31) levels. Moreover, clinical validation, in in vitro and in vivo experiments, confirmed that ESM1 promoted gastric cancer angiogenesis, eventually promoting gastric cancer peritoneal metastasis. Mechanistically, ESM1 promoted tumor angiogenesis by binding to c-Met on the vascular endothelial cell membrane. In addition, our results confirmed that ESM1 upregulated VEGFA, HIF1α, and MMP9 expression and induced angiogenesis by activating the MAPK/ERK pathway. In conclusion, our findings identified the role of ESM1 in gastric cancer angiogenesis and GCPM, thus providing insights into the diagnosis and treatment of advanced gastric cancer.

The recent development of carbon-based nanoparticles as a novel approach to skin tissue care and management - A review

Since the skin is the first barrier of the body's defense against pathogens, delays in the healing process are affected by infections. Therefore, applying advanced substitute assistance improves the patient's quality of life. Carbon-based nanomaterials show better capabilities than conventional methods for managing skin wound infections. Due to their physicochemical properties such as small size, large surface area, great surface-to-volume ratio, and excellent ability to communicate with the cells and tissue, carbon-based nanoparticles have been considered in regenerative medicine. moreover, the carbon nano family offers attractive potential in wound healing via the improvement of angiogenesis and antibacterial compared to traditional approaches become one of the particular research interests in the field of skin tissue engineering. This review emphasizes the wound-healing process and the role of carbon-based nanoparticles in wound care management interaction with tissue engineering technology.

Histidine Triad Nucleotide-Binding Protein 1 Improves Critical Limb Ischemia by Regulating Mitochondrial Homeostasis

Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is a common complication of diabetes mellitus that typically occurs in the later stages of the disease. Vascularization is indeed an important physiological process involving the formation of new blood vessels from existing ones. It occurs in response to various normal and pathophysiological conditions, and one of its critical roles is to compensate for inadequate oxygen supply, which is often seen in situations like chronic limb ischemia (CLI). Histidine triad nucleotide-binding protein 1 (Hint1) is a member of the Hint family that has been shown to attenuate cardiac hypertrophy, but its role in vascularization still needs to be clarified. In this study, we investigated the role of Hint1 in CLI. We found that Hint1 is significantly reduced in the muscle tissue of STZ-induced diabetic mice and high-glucose (HG)-treated endothelial cells (ECs). Hint1 deletion impaired blood flow recovery and vascularization, whereas Hint1 overexpression promoted these processes. In addition, our in vitro study showed that Hint1 deficiency aggravated mitochondrial dysfunction in ECs, as evidenced by impaired mitochondrial respiration, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, and increased reactive oxygen species. Our findings suggest that Hint1 deficiency impairs blood perfusion by damaging mitochondrial function and that Hint1 may represent a potential therapeutic target for treating CLI.

Scars

Wound healing occurs as a response to disruption of the epidermis and dermis. It is an intricate and well-orchestrated response with the goal to restore skin integrity and function. However, in hundreds of millions of patients, skin wound healing results in abnormal scarring, including keloid lesions or hypertrophic scarring. Although the underlying mechanisms of hypertrophic scars and keloid lesions are not well defined, evidence suggests that the changes in the extracellular matrix are perpetuated by ongoing inflammation in susceptible individuals, resulting in a fibrotic phenotype. The lesions then become established, with ongoing deposition of excess disordered collagen. Not only can abnormal scarring be debilitating and painful, it can also cause functional impairment and profound changes in appearance, thereby substantially affecting patients' lives. Despite the vast demand on patient health and the medical society, very little progress has been made in the care of patients with abnormal scarring. To improve the outcome of pathological scarring, standardized and innovative approaches are required.

Magnetically-assisted viral transduction (magnetofection) medical applications: An update

Gene therapy involves replacing a faulty gene or adding a new gene inside the body's cells to cure disease or improve the body's ability to fight disease. Its popularity is evident from emerging concepts such as CRISPR-based genome editing and epigenetic studies and has been moved to a clinical setting. The strategy for therapeutic gene design includes; suppressing the expression of pathogenic genes, enhancing necessary protein production, and stimulating the immune system, which can be incorporated into both viral and non-viral gene vectors. Although non-viral gene delivery provides a safer platform, it suffers from an inefficient rate of gene transfection, which means a few genes could be successfully transfected and expressed within the cells. Incorporating nucleic acids into the viruses and using these viral vectors to infect cells increases gene transfection efficiency. Consequently, more cells will respond, more genes will be expressed, and sustained and successful gene therapy can be achieved. Combining nanoparticles (NPs) and nucleic acids protects genetic materials from enzymatic degradation. Furthermore, the vectors can be transferred faster, facilitating cell attachment and cellular uptake. Magnetically assisted viral transduction (magnetofection) enhances gene therapy efficiency by mixing magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with gene vectors and exerting a magnetic field to guide a significant number of vectors directly onto the cells. This research critically reviews the MNPs and the physiochemical properties needed to assemble an appropriate magnetic viral vector, discussing cellular hurdles and attitudes toward overcoming these barriers to reach clinical gene therapy perspectives. We focus on the studies conducted on the various applications of magnetic viral vectors in cancer therapies, regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, cell sorting, and virus isolation.