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Yin Z, Wang L. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in tumour progression and its potential roles in tumour therapy. Ann Med 2023; 55:1058-1069. [PMID: 36908260 PMCID: PMC10795639 DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2023.2180155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumour-associated endothelial cells (TECs) are a critical stromal cell type in the tumour microenvironment and play central roles in tumour angiogenesis. Notably, TECs have phenotypic plasticity, as they have the potential to transdifferentiate into cells with a mesenchymal phenotype through a process termed endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT). Many studies have reported that EndoMT influences multiple malignant biological properties of tumours, such as abnormal angiogenesis and tumour metabolism, growth, metastasis and therapeutic resistance. Thus, the value of targeting EndoMT in tumour treatment has received increased attention. In this review, we comprehensively explore the phenomenon of EndoMT in the tumour microenvironment and identify influencing factors and molecular mechanisms responsible for EndoMT induction. Furthermore, the pathological functions of EndoMT in tumour progression and potential therapeutic strategies for targeting EndoMT in tumour treatment are also discussed to highlight the pivotal roles of EndoMT in tumour progression and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeli Yin
- Engineering Research Center for New Materials and Precision Treatment Technology of Malignant Tumors Therapy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center for Translational Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Liming Wang
- Engineering Research Center for New Materials and Precision Treatment Technology of Malignant Tumors Therapy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
- Engineering Technology Research Center for Translational Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
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2
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Dudley AC, Griffioen AW. Pathological angiogenesis: mechanisms and therapeutic strategies. Angiogenesis 2023; 26:313-347. [PMID: 37060495 PMCID: PMC10105163 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-023-09876-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 63.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
In multicellular organisms, angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones, is an essential process for growth and development. Different mechanisms such as vasculogenesis, sprouting, intussusceptive, and coalescent angiogenesis, as well as vessel co-option, vasculogenic mimicry and lymphangiogenesis, underlie the formation of new vasculature. In many pathological conditions, such as cancer, atherosclerosis, arthritis, psoriasis, endometriosis, obesity and SARS-CoV-2(COVID-19), developmental angiogenic processes are recapitulated, but are often done so without the normal feedback mechanisms that regulate the ordinary spatial and temporal patterns of blood vessel formation. Thus, pathological angiogenesis presents new challenges yet new opportunities for the design of vascular-directed therapies. Here, we provide an overview of recent insights into blood vessel development and highlight novel therapeutic strategies that promote or inhibit the process of angiogenesis to stabilize, reverse, or even halt disease progression. In our review, we will also explore several additional aspects (the angiogenic switch, hypoxia, angiocrine signals, endothelial plasticity, vessel normalization, and endothelial cell anergy) that operate in parallel to canonical angiogenesis mechanisms and speculate how these processes may also be targeted with anti-angiogenic or vascular-directed therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew C Dudley
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, The University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
| | - Arjan W Griffioen
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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3
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Null JL, Kim DJ, McCann JV, Pramoonjago P, Fox JW, Zeng J, Kumar P, Edatt L, Pecot CV, Dudley AC. Periostin+ Stromal Cells Guide Lymphovascular Invasion by Cancer Cells. Cancer Res 2023; 83:2105-2122. [PMID: 37205636 PMCID: PMC10330490 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-2412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cell dissemination to sentinel lymph nodes is associated with poor patient outcomes, particularly in breast cancer. The process by which cancer cells egress from the primary tumor upon interfacing with the lymphatic vasculature is complex and driven by dynamic interactions between cancer cells and stromal cells, including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF). The matricellular protein periostin can distinguish CAF subtypes in breast cancer and is associated with increased desmoplasia and disease recurrence in patients. However, as periostin is secreted, periostin-expressing CAFs are difficult to characterize in situ, limiting our understanding of their specific contribution to cancer progression. Here, we used in vivo genetic labeling and ablation to lineage trace periostin+ cells and characterize their functions during tumor growth and metastasis. Periostin-expressing CAFs were spatially found at periductal and perivascular margins, were enriched at lymphatic vessel peripheries, and were differentially activated by highly metastatic cancer cells versus poorly metastatic counterparts. Surprisingly, genetically depleting periostin+ CAFs slightly accelerated primary tumor growth but impaired intratumoral collagen organization and inhibited lymphatic, but not lung, metastases. Periostin ablation in CAFs impaired their ability to deposit aligned collagen matrices and inhibited cancer cell invasion through collagen and across lymphatic endothelial cell monolayers. Thus, highly metastatic cancer cells mobilize periostin-expressing CAFs in the primary tumor site that promote collagen remodeling and collective cell invasion within lymphatic vessels and ultimately to sentinel lymph nodes. SIGNIFICANCE Highly metastatic breast cancer cells activate a population of periostin-expressing CAFs that remodel the extracellular matrix to promote escape of cancer cells into lymphatic vessels and drive colonization of proximal lymph nodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie L. Null
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, The University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Dae Joong Kim
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, The University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - James V. McCann
- Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Patcharin Pramoonjago
- Department of Pathology, The University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
- UVA Biorepository and Tissue Research Facility
| | - Jay W. Fox
- Emily Couric Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Virginia
| | - Jianhao Zeng
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, The University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Pankaj Kumar
- UVA Bioinformatics Core
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, The University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | | | - Chad V. Pecot
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- UNC RNA Discovery Center
- Department of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Andrew C. Dudley
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, The University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
- Emily Couric Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Virginia
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4
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Watabe T, Takahashi K, Pietras K, Yoshimatsu Y. Roles of TGF-β signals in tumor microenvironment via regulation of the formation and plasticity of vascular system. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 92:130-138. [PMID: 37068553 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
Tumor cells evolve in tumor microenvironment composed of multiple cell types. Among these, endothelial cells (ECs) are the major players in tumor angiogenesis, which is a driver of tumor progression and metastasis. Increasing evidence suggests that ECs also contribute to tumor progression and metastasis as they modify their phenotypes to differentiate into mesenchymal cells through a process known as endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT). This plasticity of ECs is mediated by various cytokines, including transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and modulated by other stimuli depending on the cellular contexts. Recent lines of evidence have shown that EndoMT is involved in various steps of tumor progression, including tumor angiogenesis, intravasation and extravasation of cancer cells, formation of cancer-associated fibroblasts, and cancer therapy resistance. In this review, we summarize current updates on EndoMT, highlight the roles of EndoMT in tumor progression and metastasis, and underline targeting EndoMT as a potential therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuro Watabe
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Kazuki Takahashi
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan; Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Kristian Pietras
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Translational Cancer Research, Lund University Cancer Centre, Medicon Village, Lund University, 223 81 Lund, Sweden.
| | - Yasuhiro Yoshimatsu
- Division of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan.
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5
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Kim DJ, Anandh S, Null JL, Przanowski P, Bhatnagar S, Kumar P, Shelton SE, Grundy EE, Chiappinelli KB, Kamm RD, Barbie DA, Dudley AC. Priming a vascular-selective cytokine response permits CD8 + T-cell entry into tumors. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2122. [PMID: 37055433 PMCID: PMC10101959 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37807-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeting DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) has immunomodulatory and anti-neoplastic activity, especially when paired with cancer immunotherapies. Here we explore the immunoregulatory functions of DNMT1 in the tumor vasculature of female mice. Dnmt1 deletion in endothelial cells (ECs) impairs tumor growth while priming expression of cytokine-driven cell adhesion molecules and chemokines important for CD8+ T-cell trafficking across the vasculature; consequently, the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) is enhanced. We find that the proangiogenic factor FGF2 promotes ERK-mediated DNMT1 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation to repress transcription of the chemokines Cxcl9/Cxcl10 in ECs. Targeting Dnmt1 in ECs reduces proliferation but augments Th1 chemokine production and extravasation of CD8+ T-cells, suggesting DNMT1 programs immunologically anergic tumor vasculature. Our study is in good accord with preclinical observations that pharmacologically disrupting DNMT1 enhances the activity of ICB but suggests an epigenetic pathway presumed to be targeted in cancer cells is also operative in the tumor vasculature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dae Joong Kim
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, The University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Swetha Anandh
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, The University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Jamie L Null
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, The University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Piotr Przanowski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, The University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Sanchita Bhatnagar
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology, The University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Pankaj Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, The University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Sarah E Shelton
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Erin E Grundy
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University Cancer Center, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Katherine B Chiappinelli
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University Cancer Center, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Roger D Kamm
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - David A Barbie
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Andrew C Dudley
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, The University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
- UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
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Alsabbagh R, Ahmed M, Alqudah MAY, Hamoudi R, Harati R. Insights into the Molecular Mechanisms Mediating Extravasation in Brain Metastasis of Breast Cancer, Melanoma, and Lung Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15082258. [PMID: 37190188 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15082258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain metastasis is an incurable end-stage of systemic cancer associated with poor prognosis, and its incidence is increasing. Brain metastasis occurs through a multi-step cascade where cancer cells spread from the primary tumor site to the brain. The extravasation of tumor cells through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a critical step in brain metastasis. During extravasation, circulating cancer cells roll along the brain endothelium (BE), adhere to it, then induce alterations in the endothelial barrier to transmigrate through the BBB and enter the brain. Rolling and adhesion are generally mediated by selectins and adhesion molecules induced by inflammatory mediators, while alterations in the endothelial barrier are mediated by proteolytic enzymes, including matrix metalloproteinase, and the transmigration step mediated by factors, including chemokines. However, the molecular mechanisms mediating extravasation are not yet fully understood. A better understanding of these mechanisms is essential as it may serve as the basis for the development of therapeutic strategies for the prevention or treatment of brain metastases. In this review, we summarize the molecular events that occur during the extravasation of cancer cells through the blood-brain barrier in three types of cancer most likely to develop brain metastasis: breast cancer, melanoma, and lung cancer. Common molecular mechanisms driving extravasation in these different tumors are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rama Alsabbagh
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Munazza Ahmed
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohammad A Y Alqudah
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan
| | - Rifat Hamoudi
- Clinical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College London, London W1W 7EJ, UK
| | - Rania Harati
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
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7
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Weber CM, Harris MN, Zic SM, Sangha GS, Arnold NS, Dluzen DF, Clyne AM. Angiotensin II Increases Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Female, But Not Male, Endothelial Cells. Cell Mol Bioeng 2023; 16:127-141. [PMID: 37096068 PMCID: PMC10121986 DOI: 10.1007/s12195-023-00762-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Women are at elevated risk for certain cardiovascular diseases, including pulmonary arterial hypertension, Alzheimer's disease, and vascular complications of diabetes. Angiotensin II (AngII), a circulating stress hormone, is elevated in cardiovascular disease; however, our knowledge of sex differences in the vascular effects of AngII are limited. We therefore analyzed sex differences in human endothelial cell response to AngII treatment. Methods Male and female endothelial cells were treated with AngII for 24 h and analyzed by RNA sequencing. We then used endothelial and mesenchymal markers, inflammation assays, and oxidative stress indicators to measure female and male endothelial cell functional changes in response to AngII. Results Our data show that female and male endothelial cells are transcriptomically distinct. Female endothelial cells treated with AngII had widespread gene expression changes related to inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways, while male endothelial cells had few gene expression changes. While both female and male endothelial cells maintained their endothelial phenotype with AngII treatment, female endothelial cells showed increased release of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 and increased white blood cell adhesion following AngII treatment concurrent with a second inflammatory cytokine. Additionally, female endothelial cells had elevated reactive oxygen species production compared to male endothelial cells after AngII treatment, which may be partially due to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase-2 (NOX2) escape from X-chromosome inactivation. Conclusions These data suggest that endothelial cells have sexually dimorphic responses to AngII, which could contribute to increased prevalence of some cardiovascular diseases in women. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12195-023-00762-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Callie M. Weber
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, 8278 Paint Branch Dr., College Park, MD 20742 USA
| | - Mikayla N. Harris
- Department of Biology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251 USA
| | - Sophia M. Zic
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, 8278 Paint Branch Dr., College Park, MD 20742 USA
| | - Gurneet S. Sangha
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, 8278 Paint Branch Dr., College Park, MD 20742 USA
| | - Nicole S. Arnold
- Department of Biology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251 USA
| | - Douglas F. Dluzen
- Department of Biology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251 USA
| | - Alisa Morss Clyne
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, 8278 Paint Branch Dr., College Park, MD 20742 USA
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8
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Yoshimatsu Y, Watabe T. Emerging roles of inflammation-mediated endothelial–mesenchymal transition in health and disease. Inflamm Regen 2022; 42:9. [PMID: 35130955 PMCID: PMC8818500 DOI: 10.1186/s41232-021-00186-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial–mesenchymal transition (EndoMT), a cellular differentiation process in which endothelial cells (ECs) lose their properties and differentiate into mesenchymal cells, has been observed not only during development but also in various pathological states in adults, including cancer progression and organ/tissue fibrosis. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), an inflammation-related cytokine, has been shown to play central roles in the induction of EndoMT. TGF-β induces EndoMT by regulating the expression of various transcription factors, signaling molecules, and cellular components that confer ECs with mesenchymal characteristics. However, TGF-β by itself is not necessarily sufficient to induce EndoMT to promote the progression of EndoMT-related diseases to a refractory extent. In addition to TGF-β, additional activation by other inflammatory factors is often required to stabilize the progression of EndoMT. Since recent lines of evidence indicate that inflammatory signaling molecules act as enhancers of EndoMT, we summarize the roles of inflammatory factors in the induction of EndoMT and related diseases. We hope that this review will help to develop therapeutic strategies for EndoMT-related diseases by targeting inflammation-mediated EndoMT.
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9
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Transcriptomic profiling and pathway analysis of cultured human lung microvascular endothelial cells following ionizing radiation exposure. Sci Rep 2021; 11:24214. [PMID: 34930946 PMCID: PMC8688546 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03636-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The vascular system is sensitive to radiation injury, and vascular damage is believed to play a key role in delayed tissue injury such as pulmonary fibrosis. However, the response of endothelial cells to radiation is not completely understood. We examined the response of primary human lung microvascular endothelial cells (HLMVEC) to 10 Gy (1.15 Gy/min) X-irradiation. HLMVEC underwent senescence (80-85%) with no significant necrosis or apoptosis. Targeted RT-qPCR showed increased expression of genes CDKN1A and MDM2 (10-120 min). Western blotting showed upregulation of p2/waf1, MDM2, ATM, and Akt phosphorylation (15 min-72 h). Low levels of apoptosis at 24-72 h were identified using nuclear morphology. To identify novel pathway regulation, RNA-seq was performed on mRNA using time points from 2 to 24 h post-irradiation. Gene ontology and pathway analysis revealed increased cell cycle inhibition, DNA damage response, pro- and anti- apoptosis, and pro-senescence gene expression. Based on published literature on inflammation and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) pathway genes, we identified increased expression of pro-inflammatory genes and EndMT-associated genes by 24 h. Together our data reveal a time course of integrated gene expression and protein activation leading from early DNA damage response and cell cycle arrest to senescence, pro-inflammatory gene expression, and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition.
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10
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Fang JS, Hultgren NW, Hughes CCW. Regulation of Partial and Reversible Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Angiogenesis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:702021. [PMID: 34692672 PMCID: PMC8529039 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.702021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
During development and in several diseases, endothelial cells (EC) can undergo complete endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT or EndMT) to generate endothelial-derived mesenchymal cells. Emerging evidence suggests that ECs can also undergo a partial EndoMT to generate cells with intermediate endothelial- and mesenchymal-character. This partial EndoMT event is transient, reversible, and supports both developmental and pathological angiogenesis. Here, we discuss possible regulatory mechanisms that may control the EndoMT program to dictate whether cells undergo complete or partial mesenchymal transition, and we further consider how these pathways might be targeted therapeutically in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer S. Fang
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Nan W. Hultgren
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Christopher C. W. Hughes
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
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11
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Jiao K, Zhen J, Wu M, Teng M, Yang K, Zhou Q, Hu C, Zhou M, Li Y, Li Z. 27-Hydroxycholesterol-induced EndMT acts via STAT3 signaling to promote breast cancer cell migration by altering the tumor microenvironment. Cancer Biol Med 2021; 17:88-100. [PMID: 32296578 PMCID: PMC7142833 DOI: 10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2019.0262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: The endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) plays a major role in cancer metastasis by regulating the complexity of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, we investigated whether 27-hydroxycholesterol (27HC) induces EndMT in endothelial cells (ECs). Methods: EndMT markers in the human microvascular endothelial cell-1 (HMEC-1) cell line and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) stimulated with 27HC were evaluated with Western blot. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in breast cancer (BC) cells cultured in conditioned medium were investigated with quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA expression and activity were detected with qRT-PCR and gelatin zymography assays, respectively. The effect of activated STAT3 on 27HC-induced EndMT was validated by Western blot, immunofluorescence staining, and cell transfection assays. The migration ability of BC cells was evaluated with Transwell assays. Results: We found that 27HC induced EndMT in HMEC-1 and HUVECs, and 27HC-induced EndMT facilitated EMT and BC cell migration. The 27HC-induced EMT of BC cells also promoted EndMT and HUVEC migration. Investigation of the underlying molecular mechanisms revealed that STAT3 knockdown repressed EndMT in HUVECs as well as migration in BC cells induced with 27HC. In addition, C646 and resveratrol, inhibitors of STAT3 acetylation, repressed the expression of Ac-STAT3, p-STAT3, and EndMT markers in HUVECs exposed to 27HC; these HUVECs in turn attenuated the migration ability of BC cells in 27HC-induced EndMT. Conclusions: Cross-talk between 27HC-induced EndMT and EMT was observed in the TME. Moreover, activation of STAT3 signaling was found to be involved in 27HC-induced EndMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kailin Jiao
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Jing Zhen
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Maoxuan Wu
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Mengying Teng
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Keke Yang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Qian Zhou
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Chunyan Hu
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Ming Zhou
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Yuan Li
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Zhong Li
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
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12
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Woo KV, Shen IY, Weinheimer CJ, Kovacs A, Nigro J, Lin CY, Chakinala M, Byers DE, Ornitz DM. Endothelial FGF signaling is protective in hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:141467. [PMID: 34623323 DOI: 10.1172/jci141467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension (PH) is one of the most common and deadliest forms of PH. Fibroblast growth factor receptors 1 and 2 (FGFR1/2) are elevated in patients with PH and in mice exposed to chronic hypoxia. Endothelial FGFR1/2 signaling is important for the adaptive response to several injury types and we hypothesized that endothelial FGFR1/2 signaling would protect against hypoxia-induced PH. Mice lacking endothelial FGFR1/2, mice with activated endothelial FGFR signaling, and human pulmonary artery endothelial cells (HPAECs) were challenged with hypoxia. We assessed the effect of FGFR activation and inhibition on right ventricular pressure, vascular remodeling, and endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), a known pathologic change seen in patients with PH. Hypoxia-exposed mice lacking endothelial FGFRs developed increased PH, while mice overexpressing a constitutively active FGFR in endothelial cells did not develop PH. Mechanistically, lack of endothelial FGFRs or inhibition of FGFRs in HPAECs led to increased TGF-β signaling and increased EndMT in response to hypoxia. These phenotypes were reversed in mice with activated endothelial FGFR signaling, suggesting that FGFR signaling inhibits TGF-β pathway-mediated EndMT during chronic hypoxia. Consistent with these observations, lung tissue from patients with PH showed activation of FGFR and TGF-β signaling. Collectively, these data suggest that activation of endothelial FGFR signaling could be therapeutic for hypoxia-induced PH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kel Vin Woo
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics.,Department of Developmental Biology
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Murali Chakinala
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Derek E Byers
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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13
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Wu D, Deng S, Li L, Liu T, Zhang T, Li J, Yu Y, Xu Y. TGF-β1-mediated exosomal lnc-MMP2-2 increases blood-brain barrier permeability via the miRNA-1207-5p/EPB41L5 axis to promote non-small cell lung cancer brain metastasis. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:721. [PMID: 34285192 PMCID: PMC8292445 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04004-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Brain metastases remain a major problem in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is highly increased during lung cancer brain metastasis; however, the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. We previously found that lnc-MMP2-2 is highly enriched in tumor growth factor (TGF)-β1-mediated exosomes and regulates the migration of lung cancer cells. This study aimed to explore the role of exosomal lnc-MMP2-2 in the regulation of BBB and NSCLC brain metastasis. Here, using endothelial monolayers and mouse models, we found that TGF-β1-mediated NSCLC-derived exosomes efficiently destroyed tight junctions and the integrity of these natural barriers. Overexpression of lnc-MMP2-2 in human brain microvascular endothelial cells increased vascular permeability in endothelial monolayers, whereas inhibition of lnc-MMP2-2 alleviated these effects. Furthermore, lnc-MMP2-2 knockdown markedly reduced NSCLC brain metastasis in vivo. Mechanistically, through luciferase reporter assays, RNA pull-down assay, and Ago2 RNA immunoprecipitation assay, we showed that lnc-MMP2-2 served as a microRNA sponge or a competing endogenous RNA for miR-1207-5p and consequently modulated the derepression of EPB41L5. In conclusion, TGF-β1-mediated exosomal lnc-MMP2-2 increases BBB permeability to promote NSCLC brain metastasis. Thus, exosomal lnc-MMP2-2 may be a potential biomarker and therapeutic target against lung cancer brain metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongming Wu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Shihua Deng
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Li Li
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Teng Liu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Ting Zhang
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Jing Li
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Ye Yu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Ying Xu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China.
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China.
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14
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Clark AM, Allbritton NL, Wells A. Integrative microphysiological tissue systems of cancer metastasis to the liver. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 71:157-169. [PMID: 32580025 PMCID: PMC7750290 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The liver is the most commonly involved organ in metastases from a wide variety of solid tumors. The use of biologically and cellularly complex liver tissue systems have shown that tumor cell behavior and therapeutic responses are modulated within the liver microenvironment and in ways distinct from the behaviors in the primary locations. These microphysiological systems have provided unexpected and powerful insights into the tumor cell biology of metastasis. However, neither the tumor nor the liver exist in an isolated tissue situation, having to function within a complete body and respond to systemic events as well as those in other organs. To examine the influence of one organ on the function of other tissues, microphysiological systems are being linked. Herein, we discuss extending this concept to tumor metastases by integrating complex models of the primary tumor with the liver metastatic environment. In addition, inflammatory organs and the immune system can be incorporated into these multi-organ systems to probe the effects on tumor behavior and cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda M Clark
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
| | - Nancy L Allbritton
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Alan Wells
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA; Department of Computational & Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
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15
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Anbara T, Sharifi M, Aboutaleb N. Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition in the Cardiogenesis and Cardiovascular Diseases. Curr Cardiol Rev 2021; 16:306-314. [PMID: 31393254 PMCID: PMC7903503 DOI: 10.2174/1573403x15666190808100336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Today, cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) does not only play a major role in the course of development but also contributes to several cardiovascular diseases in adulthood. EndMT is characterized by down-regulation of the endothelial proteins and highly up-regulated fibrotic specific genes and extracellular matrix-forming proteins. EndMT is also a transforming growth factor-β-driven (TGF-β) process in which endothelial cells lose their endothelial characteristics and acquire a mesenchymal phenotype with expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), fibroblast-specific protein 1, etc. EndMT is a vital process during cardiac development, thus disrupted EndMT gives rise to the congenital heart diseases, namely septal defects and valve abnormalities. In this review, we have discussed the main signaling pathways and mechanisms participating in the process of EndMT such as TGF-β and Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), Wnt#, and Notch signaling pathway and also studied the role of EndMT in physiological cardiovascular development and pathological conditions including myocardial infarction, pulmonary arterial hypertension, congenital heart defects, cardiac fibrosis, and atherosclerosis. As a perspective view, having a clear understanding of involving cellular and molecular mechanisms in EndMT and conducting Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with a large number of samples for involving pharmacological agents may guide us into novel therapeutic approaches of congenital disorders and heart diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taha Anbara
- Department of Surgery, Erfan Specialty Hospital, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masuomeh Sharifi
- Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nahid Aboutaleb
- Physiology Research Center, Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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16
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Park S, Jung WH, Pittman M, Chen J, Chen Y. The Effects of Stiffness, Fluid Viscosity, and Geometry of Microenvironment in Homeostasis, Aging, and Diseases: A Brief Review. J Biomech Eng 2020; 142:1086203. [PMID: 32803227 DOI: 10.1115/1.4048110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cells sense biophysical cues in the micro-environment and respond to the cues biochemically and biophysically. Proper responses from cells are critical to maintain the homeostasis in the body. Abnormal biophysical cues will cause pathological development in the cells; pathological or aging cells, on the other hand, can alter their micro-environment to become abnormal. In this minireview, we discuss four important biophysical cues of the micro-environment-stiffness, curvature, extracellular matrix (ECM) architecture and viscosity-in terms of their roles in health, aging, and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungman Park
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218; Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218; Institute for NanoBio Technology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218
| | - Wei-Hung Jung
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218; Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute for NanoBio Technology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218
| | - Matthew Pittman
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218; Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute for NanoBio Technology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218
| | - Junjie Chen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218; Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute for NanoBio Technology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218
| | - Yun Chen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218; Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute for NanoBio Technology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218
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17
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Clere N, Renault S, Corre I. Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:747. [PMID: 32923440 PMCID: PMC7456955 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Tumor cells grow in a complex microenvironment constituted of immune, stromal, and vascular cells that supports growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Endothelial cells (ECs) are major components of the vascular microenvironment. These cells have been described for their plasticity and potential to transdifferentiate into mesenchymal cells through a process known as endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT). This complex process is controlled by various factors, by which ECs convert into a phenotype characterized by mesenchymal protein expression and motile, contractile morphology. Initially described in normal heart development, EndMT is now identified in several pathologies, and especially in cancer. In this review, we highlight the process of EndMT in the context of cancer and we discuss it as an important adaptive process of the tumor microenvironment that favors tumor growth and dissemination but also resistance to treatment. Thus, we underline targeting of EndMT as a potential therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Clere
- Micro and Nanomédecines Translationnelles, Université d'Angers, INSERM UMR U1066, CNRS 6021, Angers, France
| | - Sarah Renault
- Sarcomes Osseux et Remodelage des Tissus Calcifiés, Université de Nantes, INSERM UMR U1238, Nantes, France
| | - Isabelle Corre
- Sarcomes Osseux et Remodelage des Tissus Calcifiés, Université de Nantes, INSERM UMR U1238, Nantes, France
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18
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Chen X, Chen X, Shi X, Gao Z, Guo Z. Curcumin attenuates endothelial cell fibrosis through inhibiting endothelial-interstitial transformation. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2020; 47:1182-1192. [PMID: 32020664 PMCID: PMC7318201 DOI: 10.1111/1440-1681.13271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Curcumin (Cur) has various pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic and anticancer effects. However, there is no report on the effect of Cur on endothelial cell fibrosis. This study was designed to investigate the effect and mechanism of Cur on endothelial cell fibrosis. An endothelial cell fibrosis model was established by using transforming growth factor (TGF) induction. Proliferation assays, qRT-PCR, western blotting and immunostaining were performed to investigate the effects and mechanism of Cur on endothelial cell fibrosis. We found that in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), TGF-β1 treatment significantly decreased the expression of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (NRF-2), dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase-1 (DDAH1), and VE-cadherin, the secretion of cellular nitric oxide (NO) and the activity of nitrous oxide synthase (NOS), while asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and the release of inflammatory factors were elevated. Immunofluorescence showed decreased CD31 and increased α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Overexpression of NRF-2 significantly attenuated the effects of TGF-β1, while downregulation of DDAH1 potently counteracted the effect of NRF-2. In addition, ADMA treatment resulted in similar results to those of TGF-β1, and Cur significantly attenuated the effect of TGF-β1, accompanied by increased VE-cadherin, DDAH1 and NRF-2 and decreased matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation. The NRF-2 inhibitor ML385 had the opposite effect as that of Cur. These results demonstrated that Cur inhibits TGF-β1-induced endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) by stimulating DDAH1 expression via the NRF-2 pathway, thus attenuating endothelial cell fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Chen
- Nanfang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Xuliang Chen
- Department of CardiologyThe Sencond Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
| | - Xiangxiang Shi
- Department of CardiologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
| | - Zhan Gao
- Department of CardiologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
| | - Zhigang Guo
- Department of CardiologyHuiqiao Medical CenterNanfang HospitalSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
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19
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Ma J, Sanchez-Duffhues G, Goumans MJ, ten Dijke P. TGF-β-Induced Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Disease and Tissue Engineering. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:260. [PMID: 32373613 PMCID: PMC7187792 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a complex biological process that gives rise to cells with multipotent potential. EndMT is essential for the formation of the cardiovascular system during embryonic development. Emerging results link EndMT to the postnatal onset and progression of fibrotic diseases and cancer. Moreover, recent reports have emphasized the potential for EndMT in tissue engineering and regenerative applications by regulating the differentiation status of cells. Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) engages in many important physiological processes and is a potent inducer of EndMT. In this review, we first summarize the mechanisms of the TGF-β signaling pathway as it relates to EndMT. Thereafter, we discuss the pivotal role of TGF-β-induced EndMT in the development of cardiovascular diseases, fibrosis, and cancer, as well as the potential application of TGF-β-induced EndMT in tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Ma
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Marie-José Goumans
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Peter ten Dijke
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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20
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Ciesielski O, Biesiekierska M, Panthu B, Vialichka V, Pirola L, Balcerczyk A. The Epigenetic Profile of Tumor Endothelial Cells. Effects of Combined Therapy with Antiangiogenic and Epigenetic Drugs on Cancer Progression. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21072606. [PMID: 32283668 PMCID: PMC7177242 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21072606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Revised: 04/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumors require a constant supply of nutrients to grow which are provided through tumor blood vessels. To metastasize, tumors need a route to enter circulation, that route is also provided by tumor blood vessels. Thus, angiogenesis is necessary for both tumor progression and metastasis. Angiogenesis is tightly regulated by a balance of angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors. Angiogenic factors of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family lead to the activation of endothelial cells, proliferation, and neovascularization. Significant VEGF-A upregulation is commonly observed in cancer cells, also due to hypoxic conditions, and activates endothelial cells (ECs) by paracrine signaling stimulating cell migration and proliferation, resulting in tumor-dependent angiogenesis. Conversely, antiangiogenic factors inhibit angiogenesis by suppressing ECs activation. One of the best-known anti-angiogenic factors is thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1). In pathological angiogenesis, the balance shifts towards the proangiogenic factors and an angiogenic switch that promotes tumor angiogenesis. Here, we review the current literature supporting the notion of the existence of two different endothelial lineages: normal endothelial cells (NECs), representing the physiological form of vascular endothelium, and tumor endothelial cells (TECs), which are strongly promoted by the tumor microenvironment and are biologically different from NECs. The angiogenic switch would be also important for the explanation of the differences between NECs and TECs, as angiogenic factors, cytokines and growth factors secreted into the tumor microenvironment may cause genetic instability. In this review, we focus on the epigenetic differences between the two endothelial lineages, which provide a possible window for pharmacological targeting of TECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oskar Ciesielski
- Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland; (O.C.); (M.B.); (V.V.)
- The Bio-Med-Chem Doctoral School of the University of Lodz and Lodz Institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland
| | - Marta Biesiekierska
- Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland; (O.C.); (M.B.); (V.V.)
| | - Baptiste Panthu
- INSERM Unit 1060, CarMeN Laboratory, Lyon 1 University, 165 Chemin du Grand Revoyet—BP12, F-69495 Pierre Bénite CEDEX, France; (B.P.); (L.P.)
| | - Varvara Vialichka
- Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland; (O.C.); (M.B.); (V.V.)
| | - Luciano Pirola
- INSERM Unit 1060, CarMeN Laboratory, Lyon 1 University, 165 Chemin du Grand Revoyet—BP12, F-69495 Pierre Bénite CEDEX, France; (B.P.); (L.P.)
| | - Aneta Balcerczyk
- Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland; (O.C.); (M.B.); (V.V.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-42-635-45-10
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21
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A miRNA signature in endothelial cell-derived extracellular vesicles in tumor-bearing mice. Sci Rep 2019; 9:16743. [PMID: 31727903 PMCID: PMC6856062 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52466-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play important roles in tumor progression by altering immune surveillance, promoting vascular dysfunction, and priming distant sites for organotropic metastases. The miRNA expression patterns in circulating EVs are important diagnostic tools in cancer. However, multiple cell types within the tumor microenvironment (TME) including cancer cells and stromal cells (e.g. immune cells, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells, ECs) contribute to the pool of circulating EVs. Because EVs of different cellular origins have different functional properties, auditing the cargo derived from cell type-specific EVs in the TME is essential. Here, we demonstrate that a murine EC lineage-tracing model (Cdh5-CreERT2:ZSGreenl/s/l mice) can be used to isolate EC-derived extracellular vesicles (EC-EVs). We further show that purified ZSGreen+ EVs express expected EV markers, they are transferable to multiple recipient cells, and circulating EC-EVs from tumor-bearing mice harbor elevated levels of specific miRNAs (e.g. miR-30c, miR-126, miR-146a, and miR-125b) compared to non tumor-bearing counterparts. These results suggest that, in the tumor setting, ECs may systemically direct the function of heterotypic cell types either in the circulation or in different organ micro-environments via the cargo contained within their EVs.
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22
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Wu D, Deng S, Zhou J, Han R, Liu T, Zhang T, Li J, Chen J, Xu Y. PLEK2 mediates metastasis and vascular invasion via the ubiquitin‐dependent degradation of SHIP2 in non‐small cell lung cancer. Int J Cancer 2019; 146:2563-2575. [PMID: 31498891 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.32675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dong‐Ming Wu
- Clinical Laboratory The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College Chengdu Sichuan China
| | - Shi‐Hua Deng
- Clinical Laboratory The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College Chengdu Sichuan China
| | - Jin Zhou
- School of Medicine, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center University of Electronic Science and Technology of China Chengdu Sichuan China
| | - Rong Han
- Clinical Laboratory The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College Chengdu Sichuan China
| | - Teng Liu
- Clinical Laboratory The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College Chengdu Sichuan China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Clinical Laboratory The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College Chengdu Sichuan China
| | - Jing Li
- Clinical Laboratory The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College Chengdu Sichuan China
| | - Jian‐Ping Chen
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine Sichuan University Chengdu Sichuan China
| | - Ying Xu
- Clinical Laboratory The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College Chengdu Sichuan China
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23
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Qin W, Zhang L, Li Z, Xiao D, Zhang Y, Yang H, Liu X, Zhang H, Chen X, Xu C, Yang B, Zhang Y. SIRT6-mediated transcriptional suppression of MALAT1 is a key mechanism for endothelial to mesenchymal transition. Int J Cardiol 2019; 295:7-13. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2019.07.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2019] [Revised: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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24
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Hsu T, Nguyen-Tran HH, Trojanowska M. Active roles of dysfunctional vascular endothelium in fibrosis and cancer. J Biomed Sci 2019; 26:86. [PMID: 31656195 PMCID: PMC6816223 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-019-0580-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammation is the underlying pathological condition that results in fibrotic diseases. More recently, many forms of cancer have also been linked to chronic tissue inflammation. While stromal immune cells and myofibroblasts have been recognized as major contributors of cytokines and growth factors that foster the formation of fibrotic tissue, the endothelium has traditionally been regarded as a passive player in the pathogenic process, or even as a barrier since it provides a physical divide between the circulating immune cells and the inflamed tissues. Recent findings, however, have indicated that endothelial cells in fact play a crucial role in the inflammatory response. Endothelial cells can be activated by cytokine signaling and express inflammatory markers, which can sustain or exacerbate the inflammatory process. For example, the activated endothelium can recruit and activate leukocytes, thus perpetuating tissue inflammation, while sustained stimulation of endothelial cells may lead to endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition that contributes to fibrosis. Since chronic inflammation has now been recognized as a significant contributing factor to tumorigenesis, it has also emerged that activation of endothelium also occurs in the tumor microenvironment. This review summarizes recent findings characterizing the molecular and cellular changes in the vascular endothelium that contribute to tissue fibrosis, and potentially to cancer formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tien Hsu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, National Central University, 300 Jhongda Rd, Taoyuan City, Taiwan, Republic of China. .,Center for Chronic Disease Research, National Central University, 300 Jhongda Rd, Taoyuan City, Taiwan, Republic of China.
| | - Hieu-Huy Nguyen-Tran
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, National Central University, 300 Jhongda Rd, Taoyuan City, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Maria Trojanowska
- Arthritis Center, Boston University School of Medicine, 75 E. Newton St. Evans Building, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
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25
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Haynes BA, Yang LF, Huyck RW, Lehrer EJ, Turner JM, Barabutis N, Correll VL, Mathiesen A, McPheat W, Semmes OJ, Dobrian AD. Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Human Adipose Tissue Vasculature Alters the Particulate Secretome and Induces Endothelial Dysfunction. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2019; 39:2168-2191. [PMID: 31434495 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.119.312826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Endothelial cells (EC) in obese adipose tissue (AT) are exposed to a chronic proinflammatory environment that may induce a mesenchymal-like phenotype and altered function. The objective of this study was to establish whether endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) is present in human AT in obesity and to investigate the effect of such transition on endothelial function and the endothelial particulate secretome represented by extracellular vesicles (EV). Approach and Results: We identified EndoMT in obese human AT depots by immunohistochemical co-localization of CD31 or vWF and α-SMA (alpha-smooth muscle actin). We showed that AT EC exposed in vitro to TGF-β (tumor growth factor-β), TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-α), and IFN-γ (interferon-γ) undergo EndoMT with progressive loss of endothelial markers. The phenotypic change results in failure to maintain a tight barrier in culture, increased migration, and reduced angiogenesis. EndoMT also reduced mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and glycolytic capacity of EC. EVs produced by EC that underwent EndoMT dramatically reduced angiogenic capacity of the recipient naïve ECs without affecting their migration or proliferation. Proteomic analysis of EV produced by EC in the proinflammatory conditions showed presence of several pro-inflammatory and immune proteins along with an enrichment in angiogenic receptors. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated the presence of EndoMT in human AT in obesity. EndoMT in vitro resulted in production of EV that transferred some of the functional and metabolic features to recipient naïve EC. This result suggests that functional and molecular features of EC that underwent EndoMT in vivo can be disseminated in a paracrine or endocrine fashion and may induce endothelial dysfunction in distant vascular beds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bronson A Haynes
- the Department of Physiological Sciences (B.A.H., R.W.H., E.J.L., J.M.T., A.M., W.M., A.D.D.), Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk
| | - Li Fang Yang
- Department of Microbiology and Cell and Molecular Biology and Leroy T. Canoles Cancer Center (L.F.Y., V.L.C., O.J.S.), Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk
| | - Ryan W Huyck
- the Department of Physiological Sciences (B.A.H., R.W.H., E.J.L., J.M.T., A.M., W.M., A.D.D.), Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk
| | - Eric J Lehrer
- the Department of Physiological Sciences (B.A.H., R.W.H., E.J.L., J.M.T., A.M., W.M., A.D.D.), Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk
| | - Joshua M Turner
- the Department of Physiological Sciences (B.A.H., R.W.H., E.J.L., J.M.T., A.M., W.M., A.D.D.), Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk
| | - Nektarios Barabutis
- Basic Pharmaceutical and Toxicological Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Louisiana Monroe (N.B.)
| | - Vanessa L Correll
- Department of Microbiology and Cell and Molecular Biology and Leroy T. Canoles Cancer Center (L.F.Y., V.L.C., O.J.S.), Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk
| | - Allison Mathiesen
- the Department of Physiological Sciences (B.A.H., R.W.H., E.J.L., J.M.T., A.M., W.M., A.D.D.), Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk
| | - William McPheat
- the Department of Physiological Sciences (B.A.H., R.W.H., E.J.L., J.M.T., A.M., W.M., A.D.D.), Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk
| | - O John Semmes
- Department of Microbiology and Cell and Molecular Biology and Leroy T. Canoles Cancer Center (L.F.Y., V.L.C., O.J.S.), Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk
| | - Anca D Dobrian
- the Department of Physiological Sciences (B.A.H., R.W.H., E.J.L., J.M.T., A.M., W.M., A.D.D.), Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk
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26
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Akatsu Y, Takahashi N, Yoshimatsu Y, Kimuro S, Muramatsu T, Katsura A, Maishi N, Suzuki HI, Inazawa J, Hida K, Miyazono K, Watabe T. Fibroblast growth factor signals regulate transforming growth factor-β-induced endothelial-to-myofibroblast transition of tumor endothelial cells via Elk1. Mol Oncol 2019; 13:1706-1724. [PMID: 31094056 PMCID: PMC6670013 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2019] [Revised: 03/31/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment contains various components, including cancer cells, tumor vessels, and cancer-associated fibroblasts, the latter of which are comprised of tumor-promoting myofibroblasts and tumor-suppressing fibroblasts. Multiple lines of evidence indicate that transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) induces the formation of myofibroblasts and other types of mesenchymal (non-myofibroblastic) cells from endothelial cells. Recent reports show that fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) modulates TGF-β-induced mesenchymal transition of endothelial cells, but the molecular mechanisms behind the signals that control transcriptional networks during the formation of different groups of fibroblasts remain largely unclear. Here, we studied the roles of FGF2 during the regulation of TGF-β-induced mesenchymal transition of tumor endothelial cells (TECs). We demonstrated that auto/paracrine FGF signals in TECs inhibit TGF-β-induced endothelial-to-myofibroblast transition (End-MyoT), leading to suppressed formation of contractile myofibroblast cells, but on the other hand can also collaborate with TGF-β in promoting the formation of active fibroblastic cells which have migratory and proliferative properties. FGF2 modulated TGF-β-induced formation of myofibroblastic and non-myofibroblastic cells from TECs via transcriptional regulation of various mesenchymal markers and growth factors. Furthermore, we observed that TECs treated with TGF-β were more competent in promoting in vivo tumor growth than TECs treated with TGF-β and FGF2. Mechanistically, we showed that Elk1 mediated FGF2-induced inhibition of End-MyoT via inhibition of TGF-β-induced transcriptional activation of α-smooth muscle actin promoter by myocardin-related transcription factor-A. Our data suggest that TGF-β and FGF2 oppose and cooperate with each other during the formation of myofibroblastic and non-myofibroblastic cells from TECs, which in turn determines the characteristics of mesenchymal cells in the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuichi Akatsu
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan.,Biomedicine Group, Pharmaceutical Research Laboratories, Pharmaceutical Group, Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoya Takahashi
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Yoshimatsu
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Japan
| | - Shiori Kimuro
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Japan
| | - Tomoki Muramatsu
- Department of Molecular Cytogenetics, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Japan
| | - Akihiro Katsura
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nako Maishi
- Department of Vascular Biology and Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi I Suzuki
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan.,David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Johji Inazawa
- Department of Molecular Cytogenetics, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Japan
| | - Kyoko Hida
- Department of Vascular Biology and Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kohei Miyazono
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuro Watabe
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Japan
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27
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Tongxinluo Attenuates Myocardiac Fibrosis after Acute Myocardial Infarction in Rats via Inhibition of Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 2019:6595437. [PMID: 31317035 PMCID: PMC6601481 DOI: 10.1155/2019/6595437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is an essential mechanism in myocardial fibrosis (MF). Tongxinluo (TXL) has been confirmed to protect the endothelium against reperfusion injury after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, whether TXL can inhibit MF after AMI via inhibiting EndMT remained unknown. This study aims to identify the role of EndMT in MF after AMI as well as the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of TXL on MF. The AMI model was established in rats by ligating left anterior descending coronary artery. Then, rats were administered with high- (0.8 g·kg−1·d−1), mid- (0.4 g·kg−1·d−1), and low- (0.2 g·kg−1·d−1) dose Tongxinluo and benazepril for 4 weeks, respectively. Cardiac function, infarct size, MF, and related indicators of EndMT were measured. In vitro, human cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (HCMECs) were pretreated with TXL for 4 h and then incubated in hypoxia conditions for 3 days to induce EndMT. Under this hypoxic condition, neuregulin-1 (NRG-1) siRNA were further applied to silence NRG-1 expression. Immunofluorescence microscopy was used to assess expression of endothelial marker of vWF and fibrotic marker of Vimentin. Related factors of EndMT were determined by Western blot analysis. TXL treatment significantly improved cardiac function, ameliorated MF, reduced collagen of fibrosis area (types I and III collagen) and limited excessive extracellular matrix deposition (mmp2 and mmp9). In addition, TXL inhibited EndMT in cardiac tissue and hypoxia-induced HCMECs. In hypoxia-induced HCMECs, TXL increased the expression of endothelial markers, whereas decreasing the expression of fibrotic markers, partially through enhanced expressions of NRG-1, phosphorylation of ErbB2, ErbB4, AKT, and downregulated expressions of hypoxia inducible factor-1a and transcription factor snail. After NRG-1 knockdown, the protective effect of TXL on HCMEC was partially abolished. In conclusion, TXL attenuates MF after AMI by inhibiting EndMT and through activating the NRG-1/ErbB- PI3K/AKT signalling cascade.
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28
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Piera-Velazquez S, Jimenez SA. Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition: Role in Physiology and in the Pathogenesis of Human Diseases. Physiol Rev 2019; 99:1281-1324. [PMID: 30864875 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00021.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 297] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies have demonstrated that endothelial cells are capable of undergoing endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT), a newly recognized type of cellular transdifferentiation. EndMT is a complex biological process in which endothelial cells adopt a mesenchymal phenotype displaying typical mesenchymal cell morphology and functions, including the acquisition of cellular motility and contractile properties. Endothelial cells undergoing EndMT lose the expression of endothelial cell-specific proteins such as CD31/platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule, von Willebrand factor, and vascular-endothelial cadherin and initiate the expression of mesenchymal cell-specific genes and the production of their encoded proteins including α-smooth muscle actin, extra domain A fibronectin, N-cadherin, vimentin, fibroblast specific protein-1, also known as S100A4 protein, and fibrillar type I and type III collagens. Transforming growth factor-β1 is considered the main EndMT inducer. However, EndMT involves numerous molecular and signaling pathways that are triggered and modulated by multiple and often redundant mechanisms depending on the specific cellular context and on the physiological or pathological status of the cells. EndMT participates in highly important embryonic development processes, as well as in the pathogenesis of numerous genetically determined and acquired human diseases including malignant, vascular, inflammatory, and fibrotic disorders. Despite intensive investigation, many aspects of EndMT remain to be elucidated. The identification of molecules and regulatory pathways involved in EndMT and the discovery of specific EndMT inhibitors should provide novel therapeutic approaches for various human disorders mediated by EndMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonsoles Piera-Velazquez
- Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sergio A Jimenez
- Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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29
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McCann JV, Xiao L, Kim DJ, Khan OF, Kowalski PS, Anderson DG, Pecot CV, Azam SH, Parker JS, Tsai YS, Wolberg AS, Turner SD, Tatsumi K, Mackman N, Dudley AC. Endothelial miR-30c suppresses tumor growth via inhibition of TGF-β-induced Serpine1. J Clin Invest 2019; 129:1654-1670. [PMID: 30855280 DOI: 10.1172/jci123106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In tumors, extravascular fibrin forms provisional scaffolds for endothelial cell (EC) growth and motility during angiogenesis. We report that fibrin-mediated angiogenesis was inhibited and tumor growth delayed following postnatal deletion of Tgfbr2 in the endothelium of Cdh5-CreERT2 Tgfbr2fl/fl mice (Tgfbr2iECKO mice). ECs from Tgfbr2iECKO mice failed to upregulate the fibrinolysis inhibitor plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (Serpine1, also known as PAI-1), due in part to uncoupled TGF-β-mediated suppression of miR-30c. Bypassing TGF-β signaling with vascular tropic nanoparticles that deliver miR-30c antagomiRs promoted PAI-1-dependent tumor growth and increased fibrin abundance, whereas miR-30c mimics inhibited tumor growth and promoted vascular-directed fibrinolysis in vivo. Using single-cell RNA-Seq and a NanoString miRNA array, we also found that subtypes of ECs in tumors showed spectrums of Serpine1 and miR-30c expression levels, suggesting functional diversity in ECs at the level of individual cells; indeed, fresh EC isolates from lung and mammary tumor models had differential abilities to degrade fibrin and launch new vessel sprouts, a finding that was linked to their inverse expression patterns of miR-30c and Serpine1 (i.e., miR-30chi Serpine1lo ECs were poorly angiogenic and miR-30clo Serpine1hi ECs were highly angiogenic). Thus, by balancing Serpine1 expression in ECs downstream of TGF-β, miR-30c functions as a tumor suppressor in the tumor microenvironment through its ability to promote fibrin degradation and inhibit blood vessel formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- James V McCann
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Lin Xiao
- Children's Cancer Institute, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Dae Joong Kim
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, The University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Omar F Khan
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).,Department of Chemical Engineering
| | - Piotr S Kowalski
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
| | - Daniel G Anderson
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).,Department of Chemical Engineering.,Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, and.,Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Chad V Pecot
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.,School of Medicine
| | | | - Joel S Parker
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.,School of Medicine.,Department of Genetics, and
| | | | - Alisa S Wolberg
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UNC McAllister Heart Institute, UNC at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Stephen D Turner
- Department of Public Health Sciences, and.,Bioinformatics Core, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Kohei Tatsumi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, UNC McAllister Heart Institute, UNC at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Nigel Mackman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, UNC McAllister Heart Institute, UNC at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Andrew C Dudley
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, The University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.,Emily Couric Cancer Center, The University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
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30
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Derada Troletti C, Fontijn RD, Gowing E, Charabati M, van Het Hof B, Didouh I, van der Pol SMA, Geerts D, Prat A, van Horssen J, Kooij G, de Vries HE. Inflammation-induced endothelial to mesenchymal transition promotes brain endothelial cell dysfunction and occurs during multiple sclerosis pathophysiology. Cell Death Dis 2019; 10:45. [PMID: 30718504 PMCID: PMC6361981 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-018-1294-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Revised: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) has a major role in maintaining brain homeostasis through the specialized function of brain endothelial cells (BECs). Inflammation of the BECs and loss of their neuroprotective properties is associated with several neurological disorders, including the chronic neuro-inflammatory disorder multiple sclerosis (MS). Yet, the underlying mechanisms of a defective BBB in MS remain largely unknown. Endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) is a pathophysiological process in which endothelial cells lose their specialized function and de-differentiate into mesenchymal cells. This transition is characterized by an increase in EndoMT-related transcription factors (TFs), a downregulation of brain endothelial markers, and an upregulation of mesenchymal markers accompanied by morphological changes associated with cytoskeleton reorganization. Here, we postulate that EndoMT drives BEC de-differentiation, mediates inflammation-induced human BECs dysfunction, and may play a role in MS pathophysiology. We provide evidence that stimulation of human BECs with transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and interleukin (IL)-1β promotes EndoMT, a process in which the TF SNAI1, a master regulator of EndoMT, plays a crucial role. We demonstrate the involvement of TGF-β activated kinase 1 (TAK1) in EndoMT induction in BECs. Finally, immunohistochemical analysis revealed EndoMT-associated alterations in the brain vasculature of human post-mortem MS brain tissues. Taken together, our novel findings provide a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying BECs dysfunction during MS pathology and can be used to develop new potential therapeutic strategies to restore BBB function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Derada Troletti
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, MS Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, de Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ruud D Fontijn
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, MS Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, de Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Elizabeth Gowing
- Neuroimmunology Research Laboratory, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, Canada
| | - Marc Charabati
- Neuroimmunology Research Laboratory, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, Canada
| | - Bert van Het Hof
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, MS Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, de Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Imad Didouh
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, MS Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, de Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Susanne M A van der Pol
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, MS Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, de Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dirk Geerts
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alexandre Prat
- Neuroimmunology Research Laboratory, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, Canada
| | - Jack van Horssen
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, MS Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, de Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gijs Kooij
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, MS Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, de Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Helga E de Vries
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, MS Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, de Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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31
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Marín-Ramos NI, Jhaveri N, Thein TZ, Fayngor RA, Chen TC, Hofman FM. NEO212, a conjugate of temozolomide and perillyl alcohol, blocks the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in tumor-associated brain endothelial cells in glioblastoma. Cancer Lett 2018; 442:170-180. [PMID: 30392789 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2018.10.034] [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: 05/18/2018] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
As the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) supports the pro-angiogenic and invasive characteristics of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), blocking this process would be a promising approach to inhibit tumor progression and recurrence. Here, we demonstrate that glioma stem cells (GSC) induce EndMT in brain endothelial cells (BEC). TGF-β signaling is necessary, but not sufficient to induce this EndMT process. Cell-to-cell contact and the contribution of Notch signaling are also required. NEO212, a conjugate of temozolomide and perillyl alcohol, blocks EndMT induction and reverts the mesenchymal phenotype of tumor-associated BEC (TuBEC) by blocking TGF-β and Notch pathways. Consequently, NEO212 reduces the invasiveness and pro-angiogenic properties associated with TuBEC, without affecting control BEC. Intracranial co-implantation of BEC and GSC in athymic mice showed that EndMT occurs in vivo, and can be blocked by NEO212, supporting the potential clinical value of NEO212 for the treatment of GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nagore I Marín-Ramos
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2011 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Niyati Jhaveri
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2011 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Thu Zan Thein
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2011 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Rochelle A Fayngor
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2011 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Thomas C Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2011 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2011 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Florence M Hofman
- Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2011 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2011 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
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32
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He Y, Xu H, Xiang Z, Yu H, Xu L, Guo Y, Tian Y, Shu R, Yang X, Xue C, Zhao M, He Y, Han X, Bai D. YAP regulates periodontal ligament cell differentiation into myofibroblast interacted with RhoA/ROCK pathway. J Cell Physiol 2018; 234:5086-5096. [PMID: 30341888 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.27312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
During orthodontic tooth movement (OTM), periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) receive the mechanical stimuli and transform it into myofibroblasts (Mfbs). Indeed, previous studies have demonstrated that mechanical stimuli can promote the expression of Mfb marker α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in PDLCs. Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), as the target gene of yes-associated protein (YAP), has been proven to be involved in this process. Here, we sought to assess the role of YAP in Mfbs differentiation from PDLCs. The time-course expression of YAP and α-SMA was manifested in OTM model in vivo as well as under tensional stimuli in vitro. Inhibition of RhoA/Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) pathway using Y27632 significantly reduced tension-induced Mfb differentiation and YAP expression. Moreover, overexpression of YAP with lentiviral transfection in PDLCs rescued the repression effect of Mfb differentiation induced by Y27632. These data together suggest a crucial role of YAP in regulating tension-induced Mfb differentiation from PDLC interacted with RhoA/ROCK pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao He
- Department of Orthodontics, Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hui Xu
- Orthodontic Centre, West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zichao Xiang
- Orthodontic Centre, West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongyou Yu
- Department of Orthodontics, College of Medicine, Dalian University, Dalian, China
| | - Li Xu
- Department of Orthodontics, School of Stomatology affiliated to Medical College, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yongwen Guo
- Orthodontic Centre, West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ye Tian
- Orthodontic Centre, West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Rui Shu
- Orthodontic Centre, West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xianrui Yang
- Orthodontic Centre, West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chaoran Xue
- Orthodontic Centre, West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Mengyuan Zhao
- Orthodontic Centre, West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yiruo He
- Orthodontic Centre, West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xianglong Han
- Orthodontic Centre, West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ding Bai
- Orthodontic Centre, West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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33
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Suzuki HI, Horie M, Mihira H, Saito A. Molecular Analysis of Endothelial-mesenchymal Transition Induced by Transforming Growth Factor-β Signaling. J Vis Exp 2018:57577. [PMID: 30124659 PMCID: PMC6126611 DOI: 10.3791/57577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Phenotypic plasticity of endothelial cells underlies cardiovascular system development, cardiovascular diseases, and various conditions associated with organ fibrosis. In these conditions, differentiated endothelial cells acquire mesenchymal-like phenotypes. This process is called endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) and is characterized by downregulation of endothelial markers, upregulation of mesenchymal markers, and morphological changes. EndMT is induced by several signaling pathways, including transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, Wnt, and Notch, and regulated by molecular mechanisms similar to those of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) important for gastrulation, tissue fibrosis, and cancer metastasis. Understanding the mechanisms of EndMT is important to develop diagnostic and therapeutic approaches targeting EndMT. Robust induction of EndMT in vitro is useful to characterize common gene expression signatures, identify druggable molecular mechanisms, and screen for modulators of EndMT. Here, we describe an in vitro method for induction of EndMT. MS-1 mouse pancreatic microvascular endothelial cells undergo EndMT after prolonged exposure to TGF-β and show upregulation of mesenchymal markers and morphological changes as well as induction of multiple inflammatory chemokines and cytokines. Methods for the analysis of microRNA (miRNA) modulation are also included. These methods provide a platform to investigate mechanisms underlying EndMT and the contribution of miRNAs to EndMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi I Suzuki
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology;
| | - Masafumi Horie
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo; Hastings Center for Pulmonary Research, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California
| | - Hajime Mihira
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo
| | - Akira Saito
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo
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Sha M, Jeong S, Qiu BJ, Tong Y, Xia L, Xu N, Zhang JJ, Xia Q. Isolation of cancer-associated fibroblasts and its promotion to the progression of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Cancer Med 2018; 7:4665-4677. [PMID: 30062820 PMCID: PMC6144256 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.1704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Revised: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is a highly fatal tumor characterized by an abundant stromal environment. Cancer‐associated fibroblasts play key roles in tumor growth and invasiveness and have been regarded as a potential therapeutic target. This study was designed to isolate human primary cancer‐associated fibroblasts of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma to study tumor‐stroma interactions and to analyze the clinical relevance of alpha‐smooth muscle actin ‐positive cancer‐associated fibroblasts in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. The isolated cancer‐associated fibroblasts were positive for alpha‐smooth actin, fibroblast‐specific protein‐1, fibroblast activation protein, and PDGFR‐β. In addition, cancer‐associated fibroblasts were found to increase proliferation, migration, and invasion of cholangiocarcinoma cells in vitro and promote tumor growth of mice in vivo. Moreover, alpha‐smooth muscle actin‐positive expression of cancer‐associated fibroblasts predicted unfavorable prognosis in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and showed correlation with presence of lymph node metastasis. This study may provide a useful tool to investigate further effect of cancer‐associated fibroblasts on the molecular mechanism of cholangiocarcinoma cells as well as contribution of cancer‐associated fibroblasts in lymphangiogenesis and lymph node metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Sha
- Department of Liver Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Seogsong Jeong
- Department of Liver Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bi-Jun Qiu
- Department of Liver Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Tong
- Department of Liver Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Xia
- Department of Liver Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ning Xu
- Department of Liver Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian-Jun Zhang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiang Xia
- Department of Liver Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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Hong L, Du X, Li W, Mao Y, Sun L, Li X. EndMT: A promising and controversial field. Eur J Cell Biol 2018; 97:493-500. [PMID: 30082099 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2018.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Revised: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is the process by which endothelial cells lose a portion of their cellular features and obtain certain characteristics of mesenchymal cells, including loss of tight junctions, increased motility, and increased secretion of extracellular matrix proteins. EndMT is involved in cardiac development and a variety of diseases processes, such as vascular or tissue fibrosis and tumor. However, its role in specific diseases remains under debate. This review summarizes EndMT-related diseases, existing controversies, different types of EndMT, and molecules and signaling pathways associated with the process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Hong
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Sanxiang Road, Suzhou 215000, JiangSu, China.
| | - Xiaolong Du
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Sanxiang Road, Suzhou 215000, JiangSu, China.
| | - Wendong Li
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Sanxiang Road, Suzhou 215000, JiangSu, China
| | - Youjun Mao
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Sanxiang Road, Suzhou 215000, JiangSu, China
| | - Lili Sun
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Sanxiang Road, Suzhou 215000, JiangSu, China
| | - Xiaoqiang Li
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Sanxiang Road, Suzhou 215000, JiangSu, China.
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Li Z, Wang F, Zha S, Cao Q, Sheng J, Chen S. SIRT1 inhibits TGF‐β‐induced endothelial‐mesenchymal transition in human endothelial cells with Smad4 deacetylation. J Cell Physiol 2018; 233:9007-9014. [PMID: 29856490 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.26846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Li
- Department of Geriatrics, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai China
| | - Fei Wang
- Department of Geriatrics, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai China
| | - Siyuan Zha
- Department of Geriatrics, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai China
| | - Qing Cao
- Department of Geriatrics, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai China
| | - Jing Sheng
- Department of Geriatrics Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai China
| | - Shuyan Chen
- Department of Geriatrics, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai China
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Tang H, Zhu M, Zhao G, Fu W, Shi Z, Ding Y, Tang X, Guo D. Loss of CLOCK under high glucose upregulates ROCK1-mediated endothelial to mesenchymal transition and aggravates plaque vulnerability. Atherosclerosis 2018; 275:58-67. [PMID: 29860109 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2018.05.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Revised: 05/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Carotid atherosclerotic plaque is one of the main sources of ischemic stroke, and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a major feature of atherosclerosis. Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK1) activation, stimulated by high glucose, plays an important role in EndMT, and circadian locomotor output cycles protein kaput (Clock) deficiency leads to hyperglycemia and enhanced atherosclerosis in ClockΔ19/Δ19apolipoprotein E (ApoE)-/- mice. These findings point to a mechanism whereby CLOCK exerts a protective effect against EndMT and atherosclerotic plaque accumulation. METHODS Cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were stimulated with 66 mM glucose for 120 h to induce EndMT. The expression of CLOCK and ROCK1 was assayed, as were their effects on EndMT. We also conducted molecular and morphometric examination of carotid artery plaques from patients with carotid artery stenosis to assess the clinical relevance of these findings. RESULTS Upon EndMT, HUVECs exhibited decreased CLOCK expression and increased ROCK1 expression. Notably, CLOCK silencing increased high glucose-induced EndMT, migration ability, and ROCK1 activation, while overexpressing CLOCK attenuated these characteristics. Moreover, inhibition of ROCK1 largely blocked EndMT induced by high-glucose or transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 but failed to rescue the reduced CLOCK expression. The vulnerability of human carotid artery plaque was strongly correlated with loss of CLOCK expression, activation of TGF-β/ROCK1 signaling, and the extent of EndMT. CONCLUSIONS The data indicate that loss of protective endothelial CLOCK expression aggravates TGF-β/ROCK1-modulated EndMT progression, which contributes to the vulnerability of human carotid plaque.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanfei Tang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Institute of Vascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengjiao Zhu
- Department of Orthodontics, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Tongji University, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Tooth Restoration and Regeneration, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Gefei Zhao
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Institute of Vascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiguo Fu
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Institute of Vascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenyu Shi
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Institute of Vascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong Ding
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Institute of Vascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao Tang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Institute of Vascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Daqiao Guo
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Institute of Vascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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Suppression of TGFβ-mediated conversion of endothelial cells and fibroblasts into cancer associated (myo)fibroblasts via HDAC inhibition. Br J Cancer 2018; 118:1359-1368. [PMID: 29695769 PMCID: PMC5959903 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-018-0072-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Revised: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) support tumour progression and invasion, and they secrete abundant extracellular matrix (ECM) that may shield tumour cells from immune checkpoint or kinase inhibitors. Targeting CAFs using drugs that revert their differentiation, or inhibit their tumour-supportive functions, has been considered as an anti-cancer strategy. Methods We have used human and murine cell culture models, atomic force microscopy (AFM), microarray analyses, CAF/tumour cell spheroid co-cultures and transgenic fibroblast reporter mice to study how targeting HDACs using small molecule inhibitors or siRNAs re-directs CAF differentiation and function in vitro and in vivo. Results From a small molecule screen, we identified Scriptaid, a selective inhibitor of HDACs 1/3/8, as a repressor of TGFβ-mediated CAF differentiation. Scriptaid inhibits ECM secretion, reduces cellular contraction and stiffness, and impairs collective cell invasion in CAF/tumour cell spheroid co-cultures. Scriptaid also reduces CAF abundance and delays tumour growth in vivo. Conclusions Scriptaid is a well-tolerated and effective HDACi that reverses many of the functional and phenotypic properties of CAFs. Impeding or reversing CAF activation/function by altering the cellular epigenetic regulatory machinery could control tumour growth and invasion, and be beneficial in combination with additional therapies that target cancer cells or immune cells directly.
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Cho JG, Lee A, Chang W, Lee MS, Kim J. Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition Represents a Key Link in the Interaction between Inflammation and Endothelial Dysfunction. Front Immunol 2018. [PMID: 29515588 PMCID: PMC5826197 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cells that line the inner walls of blood vessels are in direct contact with blood and display remarkable heterogeneity in their response to exogenous stimuli. These ECs have unique location-dependent properties determined by the corresponding vascular beds and play an important role in regulating the homeostasis of the vascular system. Evidence suggests that vascular endothelial cells exposed to various environments undergo dynamic phenotypic switching, a key biological program in the context of endothelial heterogeneity, but that might result in EC dysfunction and, in turn, cause a variety of human diseases. Emerging studies show the importance of endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) in endothelial dysfunction during inflammation. EndMT is a complex biological process in which ECs lose their endothelial characteristics, acquire mesenchymal phenotypes, and express mesenchymal cell markers, such as alpha smooth muscle actin and fibroblast-specific protein 1. EndMT is induced by inflammatory responses, leading to pathological states, including tissue fibrosis, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and atherosclerosis, via dysfunction of the vascular system. Although the mechanisms associated with inflammation-induced EndMT have been identified, unraveling the specific role of this phenotypic switching in vascular dysfunction remains a challenge. Here, we review the current understanding on the interactions between inflammatory processes, EndMT, and endothelial dysfunction, with a focus on the mechanisms that regulate essential signaling pathways. Identification of such mechanisms will guide future research and could provide novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of vascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Gu Cho
- Division of Biological Sciences, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Aram Lee
- Division of Biological Sciences, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Woochul Chang
- Department of Biology Education, College of Education, Pusan National University, Busan, South Korea
| | - Myeong-Sok Lee
- Division of Biological Sciences, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jongmin Kim
- Division of Biological Sciences, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, South Korea
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40
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Liu L, Chen J, Sun L, Xu Y. RhoJ promotes hypoxia induced endothelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition by activating WDR5 expression. J Cell Biochem 2018; 119:3384-3393. [DOI: 10.1002/jcb.26505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Li Liu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Invention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine,Department of PathophysiologyNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Junliang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Invention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine,Department of PathophysiologyNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
- Department of Pathophysiology, Wuxi College of MedicineJiangnan UniversityJiangsuChina
| | - Lina Sun
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Invention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine,Department of PathophysiologyNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
- Department of Pathology and PathophysiologySoochow UniversityJiangsuChina
| | - Yong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Invention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine,Department of PathophysiologyNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
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Abstract
Tumor endothelial cells (TEC) play an indispensible role in tumor growth and metastasis although much of the detailed mechanism still remains elusive. In this study we characterized and compared the global gene expression profiles of TECs and control ECs isolated from human breast cancerous tissues and reduction mammoplasty tissues respectively by single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). Based on the qualified scRNA-seq libraries that we made, we found that 1302 genes were differentially expressed between these two EC phenotypes. Both principal component analysis (PCA) and heat map-based hierarchical clustering separated the cancerous versus control ECs as two distinctive clusters, and MetaCore disease biomarker analysis indicated that these differentially expressed genes are highly correlated with breast neoplasm diseases. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis software (GSEA) enriched these genes to extracellular matrix (ECM) signal pathways and highlighted 127 ECM-associated genes. External validation verified some of these ECM-associated genes are not only generally overexpressed in various cancer tissues but also specifically overexpressed in colorectal cancer ECs and lymphoma ECs. In conclusion, our data demonstrated that ECM-associated genes play pivotal roles in breast cancer EC biology and some of them could serve as potential TEC biomarkers for various cancers.
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Sánchez-Duffhues G, García de Vinuesa A, Ten Dijke P. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in cardiovascular diseases: Developmental signaling pathways gone awry. Dev Dyn 2017; 247:492-508. [PMID: 28891150 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Revised: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The process named endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) was observed for the first time during the development of the chicken embryo several decades ago. Of interest, accumulating evidence suggests that EndMT plays a critical role in the onset and progression of multiple postnatal cardiovascular diseases. EndMT is controlled by a set of developmental signaling pathways, very similar to the process of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, which determine the activity of several EndMT transcriptional effectors. Once activated, these EndMT effectors regulate the expression of endothelial- and mesenchymal-specific genes, in part by interacting with specific motifs in promoter regions, eventually leading to the down-regulation of endothelial-specific features and acquisition of a fibroblast-like phenotype. Important technical advances in lineage tracing methods combined with experimental mouse models demonstrated the pathophysiological importance of EndMT for human diseases. In this review, we discuss the major signal transduction pathways involved in the activation and regulation of the EndMT program. Furthermore, we will review the latest discoveries on EndMT, focusing on cardiovascular diseases, and in particular on its role in vascular calcification, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and organ fibrosis. Developmental Dynamics 247:492-508, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Sánchez-Duffhues
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Cancer Genomics Centre Netherlands, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - Amaya García de Vinuesa
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Cancer Genomics Centre Netherlands, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Ten Dijke
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Cancer Genomics Centre Netherlands, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
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Dynamic regulation of canonical TGFβ signalling by endothelial transcription factor ERG protects from liver fibrogenesis. Nat Commun 2017; 8:895. [PMID: 29026072 PMCID: PMC5638819 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01169-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of the endothelium in protecting from chronic liver disease and TGFβ-mediated fibrosis remains unclear. Here we describe how the endothelial transcription factor ETS-related gene (ERG) promotes liver homoeostasis by controlling canonical TGFβ-SMAD signalling, driving the SMAD1 pathway while repressing SMAD3 activity. Molecular analysis shows that ERG binds to SMAD3, restricting its access to DNA. Ablation of ERG expression results in endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) and spontaneous liver fibrogenesis in EC-specific constitutive hemi-deficient (Erg cEC-Het ) and inducible homozygous deficient mice (Erg iEC-KO ), in a SMAD3-dependent manner. Acute administration of the TNF-α inhibitor etanercept inhibits carbon tetrachloride (CCL4)-induced fibrogenesis in an ERG-dependent manner in mice. Decreased ERG expression also correlates with EndMT in tissues from patients with end-stage liver fibrosis. These studies identify a pathogenic mechanism where loss of ERG causes endothelial-dependent liver fibrogenesis via regulation of SMAD2/3. Moreover, ERG represents a promising candidate biomarker for assessing EndMT in liver disease.The transcription factor ERG is key to endothelial lineage specification and vascular homeostasis. Here the authors show that ERG balances TGFβ signalling through the SMAD1 and SMAD3 pathways, protecting the endothelium from endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition and consequent liver fibrosis in mice via a SMAD3-dependent mechanism.
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44
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Endothelial to mesenchymal transition in the cardiovascular system. Life Sci 2017; 184:95-102. [PMID: 28716564 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2017.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Revised: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a special type of epithelial to mesenchymal transition. It is a process that is characterized by the loss of features of endothelial cells and acquisition of specific markers of mesenchymal cells. A variety of stimuli, such as inflammation, growth factors, and hypoxia, regulate EndMT through various signaling pathways and intracellular transcription factors. It has been demonstrated that epigenetic modifications are also involved in this process. Recent studies have identified the essential role of EndMT in the cardiovascular system. EndMT contributes to steps in cardiovascular development, such as cardiac valve formation and septation, as well as the pathogenesis of various cardiovascular disorders, such as congenital heart disease, myocardial fibrosis, myocardial infarction and pulmonary arterial hypertension. Thus, comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms of EndMT will provide novel therapeutic strategies to overcome congenital heart disease due to abnormal development and other cardiovascular diseases. This review will focus on summarizing the currently understood signaling pathways and epigenetic modifications involved in the regulation of EndMT and the role of EndMT in pathophysiological conditions of the cardiovascular system.
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Dejana E, Hirschi KK, Simons M. The molecular basis of endothelial cell plasticity. Nat Commun 2017; 8:14361. [PMID: 28181491 PMCID: PMC5309780 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 287] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2016] [Accepted: 12/14/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The endothelium is capable of remarkable plasticity. In the embryo, primitive endothelial cells differentiate to acquire arterial, venous or lymphatic fates. Certain endothelial cells also undergo hematopoietic transition giving rise to multi-lineage hematopoietic stem and progenitors while others acquire mesenchymal properties necessary for heart development. In the adult, maintenance of differentiated endothelial state is an active process requiring constant signalling input. The failure to do so leads to the development of endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition that plays an important role in pathogenesis of a number of diseases. A better understanding of these phenotypic changes may lead to development of new therapeutic interventions. Vascular endothelium possesses remarkable plasticity in response to cues from its surroundings, leading to great heterogeneity of endothelial cells in different vascular beds. Here the authors explain the molecular basis of endothelial plasticity during embryogenesis and in various diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Dejana
- Vascular Biology Unit, FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan 20129, Italy
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala 751 85, Sweden
| | - Karen K. Hirschi
- Yale Cardiovasc. Res. Center, Departments of Internal Medicine, Genetics and Biomedical Engineering New Haven, Connecticut CT06511, USA
| | - Michael Simons
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Department of Internal Medicine and Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut CT06511, USA
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Abstract
The SV40 viral oncogene has been used since the 1970s as a reliable and reproducible method to generate transgenic mouse models. This seminal discovery has taught us an immense amount about how tumorigenesis occurs, and its success has led to the evolution of many mouse models of cancer. Despite the development of more modern and targeted approaches for developing genetically engineered mouse models of cancer, SV40-induced mouse models still remain frequently used today. This review discusses a number of cancer types in which SV40 mouse models of cancer have been developed and highlights their relevance and importance to preclinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda L Hudson
- Amanda L. Hudson, PhD, is a Sydney Neuro-Oncology Group postdoctoral fellow at the Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney Medical School Northern, University of Sydney, St. Leonards, NSW, Australia. Emily K. Colvin is a Cancer Institute NSW postdoctoral fellow at the Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney Medical School Northern, University of Sydney, St. Leonards, NSW, Australia
| | - Emily K Colvin
- Amanda L. Hudson, PhD, is a Sydney Neuro-Oncology Group postdoctoral fellow at the Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney Medical School Northern, University of Sydney, St. Leonards, NSW, Australia. Emily K. Colvin is a Cancer Institute NSW postdoctoral fellow at the Bill Walsh Translational Cancer Research Laboratory, Kolling Institute, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney Medical School Northern, University of Sydney, St. Leonards, NSW, Australia
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47
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Xiao L, Dudley AC. Fine-tuning vascular fate during endothelial-mesenchymal transition. J Pathol 2017; 241:25-35. [PMID: 27701751 PMCID: PMC5164846 DOI: 10.1002/path.4814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Revised: 09/09/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In the heart and other organs, endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) has emerged as an important developmental process that involves coordinated migration, differentiation, and proliferation of the endothelium. In multiple disease states including cancer angiogenesis and cardiovascular disease, the processes that regulate EndMT are recapitulated, albeit in an uncoordinated and dysregulated manner. Members of the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) superfamily are well known to impart cellular plasticity during EndMT by the timely activation (or repression) of transcription factors and miRNAs in addition to epigenetic regulation of gene expression. On the other hand, fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are reported to augment or oppose TGFβ-driven EndMT in specific contexts. Here, we have synthesized the currently understood roles of TGFβ and FGF signalling during EndMT and have provided a new, comprehensive paradigm that delineates how an autocrine and paracrine TGFβ/FGF axis coordinates endothelial cell specification and plasticity. We also provide new guidelines and nomenclature that considers factors such as endothelial cell heterogeneity to better define EndMT across different vascular beds. This perspective should therefore help to clarify why TGFβ and FGF can both cooperate with or oppose one another during the complex process of EndMT in both health and disease. Copyright © 2016 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Xiao
- Department of Cell Biology & Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Andrew C. Dudley
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, The University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
- Emily Couric Cancer Center, The University of Virginia
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Pérez L, Muñoz-Durango N, Riedel CA, Echeverría C, Kalergis AM, Cabello-Verrugio C, Simon F. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition: Cytokine-mediated pathways that determine endothelial fibrosis under inflammatory conditions. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2016; 33:41-54. [PMID: 27692608 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2016.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2016] [Revised: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
During the last decade, the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) process has attracted considerable attention due to associations with the onset of certain diseases, such as organ fibrosis and cancer. Several studies have assessed the mechanisms and signaling pathways that regulate endothelial fibrosis in the context of human pathologies. A number of inflammatory mediators, including pro-inflammatory cytokines, growth factors, oxidative stress, and toxins, induce the conversion of endothelial cells into mesenchymal fibroblast-like cells that promote disease progression. This review is separated into five chapters that critically present current knowledge on EndMT in the context of pathology. First, the main characteristics of EndMT are summarized, with a focus on the endothelial protein pattern changes that modulate the expressions of endothelial/fibrotic markers and extracellular matrix proteins. These expressions could serve as mechanisms for explaining potential EndMT contributions to human pathologies in adults. Second, the main findings supporting a connection between EndMT-mediated endothelial fibrosis and inflammatory conditions are presented. These connections could be linked to the onset and progression of pathological conditions. Third, EndMT inducers are described in detail. This includes considerations on the actions of the first and most well-known EndMT inducer, TGF-β; of the most prominent pro-inflammatory cytokines released during inflammation, such as IL 1-β and TNF-α; and of the NF-κB transcription factor, a common player during inflammation-induced EndMT. Furthermore, thorough attention is given to EndMT induction by endotoxins in the context of bacterial infectious diseases. Additionally, the participation of the inflammatory oxidative stress environment in the EndMT induction was also reviewed. Fourth, the pathophysiological findings of inflammation-induced EndMT are presented, and, fifth, special focus is placed on associations with cancer onset and development. Altogether, this review highlights the important role of EndMT-mediated endothelial fibrosis during inflammation in human pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Pérez
- Departamento de Ciencias Biologicas, Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas and Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Andres Bello, Ave. Republica 239, 8370134, Santiago, Chile; Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Ave. Alameda 340, 8331150, Santiago, Chile
| | - Natalia Muñoz-Durango
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Ave. Alameda 340, 8331150, Santiago, Chile
| | - Claudia A Riedel
- Departamento de Ciencias Biologicas, Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas and Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Andres Bello, Ave. Republica 239, 8370134, Santiago, Chile; Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Ave. Alameda 340, 8331150, Santiago, Chile
| | - Cesar Echeverría
- Laboratorio de Bionanotecnologia, Universidad Bernardo O Higgins, General Gana 1780, 8370854, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alexis M Kalergis
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Ave. Alameda 340, 8331150, Santiago, Chile; Departamento de Reumatología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Ave. Alameda 340, 8331150, Santiago, Chile; Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Ave. Alameda 340, 8331150, Santiago, Chile
| | - Claudio Cabello-Verrugio
- Departamento de Ciencias Biologicas, Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas and Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Andres Bello, Ave. Republica 239, 8370134, Santiago, Chile; Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Ave. Alameda 340, 8331150, Santiago, Chile
| | - Felipe Simon
- Departamento de Ciencias Biologicas, Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas and Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Andres Bello, Ave. Republica 239, 8370134, Santiago, Chile; Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Ave. Alameda 340, 8331150, Santiago, Chile.
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Pantsulaia I, Ciszewski WM, Niewiarowska J. Senescent endothelial cells: Potential modulators of immunosenescence and ageing. Ageing Res Rev 2016; 29:13-25. [PMID: 27235855 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2016.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2016] [Revised: 05/24/2016] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated that the accumulation of senescent endothelial cells may be the primary cause of cardiovascular diseases. Because of their multifunctional properties, endothelial cells actively take part in stimulating the immune system and inflammation. In addition, ageing is characterized by the progressive deterioration of immune cells and a decline in the activation of the immune response. This results in a loss of the primary function of the immune system, which is eliminating damaged/senescent cells and neutralizing potential sources of harmful inflammatory reactions. In this review, we discuss cellular senescence and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) of endothelial cells and summarize the link between endothelial cells and immunosenescence. We describe the possibility that age-related changes in Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and microRNAs can affect the phenotypes of senescent endothelial cells and immune cells via a negative feedback loop aimed at restraining the excessive pro-inflammatory response. This review also addresses the following questions: how do senescent endothelial cells influence ageing or age-related changes in the inflammatory burden; what is the connection between ECs and immunosenescence, and what are the crucial hypothetical pathways linking endothelial cells and the immune system during ageing.
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Shu Y, Liu Y, Li X, Cao L, Yuan X, Li W, Cao Q. Aspirin-Triggered Resolvin D1 Inhibits TGF-β1-Induced EndMT through Increasing the Expression of Smad7 and Is Closely Related to Oxidative Stress. Biomol Ther (Seoul) 2016; 24:132-9. [PMID: 26869523 PMCID: PMC4774493 DOI: 10.4062/biomolther.2015.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2015] [Revised: 10/04/2015] [Accepted: 11/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is known to be involved in the transformation of vascular endothelial cells to mesenchymal cells. EndMT has been confirmedthat occur in various pathologic conditions. Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) is a potent stimulator of the vascular endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Aspirin-triggered resolvin D1 (ATRvD1) has been known to be involved in the resolution of inflammation,but whether it has effects on TGF-β1-induced EndMT is not yet clear. Therefore, we investigated the effects of AT-RvD1 on the EndMT of human umbilical vein vascular endothelial cells line (HUVECs). Treatment with TGF-β1 reduced the expression of Nrf2 and enhanced the level of F-actin, which is associated with paracellular permeability. The expression of endothelial marker VE-cadherin in HUVEC cells was reduced, and the expression of mesenchymal marker vimentin was enhanced. AT-RvD1 restored the expression of Nrf2 and vimentin and enhanced the expression of VE-cadherin. AT-RvD1 did also affect the migration of HUVEC cells. Inhibitory κB kinase 16 (IKK 16), which is known to inhibit the NF-kB pathway, had an ability to increase the expression of Nrf2 and was associated with the inhibition effect of AT-RvD1 on TGF-β1-induced EndMT, but it had no effect on TGF-β1-induced EndMT alone. Smad7, which is a key regulator of TGF-β/Smads signaling by negative feedback loops, was significantlyincreased with the treatment of AT-RvD1. These results suggest the possibility that AT-RvD1 suppresses the TGF-β1-induced EndMT through increasing the expression of Smad7 and is closely related to oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusheng Shu
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Clinical Medicine College of Yangzhou University, Subei People's Hospital, Yangzhou 225001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Clinical Medicine College of Yangzhou University, Subei People's Hospital, Yangzhou 225001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xinxin Li
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Subei People's Hospital, Yangzhou 225001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ling Cao
- Department of Endocrinology, Clinical Medicine College of Yangzhou University, Subei People's Hospital, Yangzhou 225001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaolong Yuan
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Clinical Medicine College of Yangzhou University, Subei People's Hospital, Yangzhou 225001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wenhui Li
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Clinical Medicine College of Yangzhou University, Subei People's Hospital, Yangzhou 225001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qianqian Cao
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Subei People's Hospital, Yangzhou 225001, Jiangsu, China
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