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Nock S, Karim E, Unsworth AJ. Pim Kinases: Important Regulators of Cardiovascular Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11582. [PMID: 37511341 PMCID: PMC10380471 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Pim Kinases; Pim-1, Pim-2, and Pim-3, are a family of constitutively active serine/threonine kinases, widely associated with cell survival, proliferation, and migration. Historically considered to be functionally redundant, independent roles for the individual isoforms have been described. Whilst most established for their role in cancer progression, there is increasing evidence for wider pathological roles of Pim kinases within the context of cardiovascular disease, including inflammation, thrombosis, and cardiac injury. The Pim kinase isoforms have widespread expression in cardiovascular tissues, including the heart, coronary artery, aorta, and blood, and have been demonstrated to be upregulated in several co-morbidities/risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Pim kinase inhibition may thus be a desirable therapeutic for a multi-targeted approach to treat cardiovascular disease and some of the associated risk factors. In this review, we discuss what is known about Pim kinase expression and activity in cells of the cardiovascular system, identify areas where the role of Pim kinase has yet to be fully explored and characterised and review the suitability of targeting Pim kinase for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular events in high-risk individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Amanda J. Unsworth
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M1 5GD, UK
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Li H, Xie L, Zhu L, Li Z, Wang R, Liu X, Huang Z, Chen B, Gao Y, Wei L, He C, Ju R, Liu Y, Liu X, Zheng Y, Su W. Multicellular immune dynamics implicate PIM1 as a potential therapeutic target for uveitis. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5866. [PMID: 36195600 PMCID: PMC9532430 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33502-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Uveitis is a severe autoimmune disease, and a common cause of blindness; however, its individual cellular dynamics and pathogenic mechanism remain poorly understood. Herein, by performing single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) on experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU), we identify disease-associated alterations in cell composition and transcriptional regulation as the disease progressed, as well as a disease-related molecule, PIM1. Inhibiting PIM1 reduces the Th17 cell proportion and increases the Treg cell proportion, likely due to regulation of PIM1 to the protein kinase B (AKT)/Forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) pathway. Moreover, inhibiting PIM1 reduces Th17 cell pathogenicity and reduces plasma cell differentiation. Importantly, the upregulation of PIM1 in CD4+ T cells and plasma cells is conserved in a human uveitis, Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease (VKH), and inhibition of PIM1 reduces CD4+ T and B cell expansion. Collectively, a dynamic immune cellular atlas during uveitis is developed and implicate that PIM1 may be a potential therapeutic target for VKH. Uveitis is a complex autoimmune inflammatory disease of the eye and defining molecules involved is a priority. Here the authors use scRNA sequencing in mouse experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) and show PIM1 promotes the imbalance of Th17 and Treg cells, and find elevated PIM-1 in human uveitis disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Lihui Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Lei Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Zhaohuai Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Rong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Xiuxing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Zhaohao Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Binyao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Yuehan Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Lai Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Chang He
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Rong Ju
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Yizhi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China.,Research Unit of Ocular Development and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Xialin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
| | - Yingfeng Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China. .,Research Unit of Ocular Development and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China.
| | - Wenru Su
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
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Zhong T, Li Y, He X, Liu Y, Dong Y, Ma H, Zheng Z, Zhang Y. Adaptation of endothelial cells to shear stress under atheroprone conditions by modulating internalization of vascular endothelial cadherin and vinculin. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2020; 8:1423. [PMID: 33313168 PMCID: PMC7723531 DOI: 10.21037/atm-20-3426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Background Endothelial cells play a pivotal role in cardiovascular physiology and pathology by providing a barrier to the bloodstream. In the current study, we investigated the phenotype and barrier function of endothelial cells in response to shear stress under pro-atherogenic conditions. Methods Endothelial cells were exposed to laminar shear stress (LSS) in a parallel-plate flow chamber containing oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) in the perfusion solution, or remained static. We quantified the response of endothelial monolayers to LSS and oxLDL in terms of cell viability, barrier integrity, vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin) availability, focal adhesion (FA) remodeling, and monocyte-endothelial interactions. Results Our results showed that oxLDL stimulation and static conditions synergized to enhance endothelial barrier disruption. Under the same oxLDL challenge, the application of 25 dynes/cm2 LSS on the endothelial monolayer decreased the passage of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran by 37.79%, increased transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) by 24.97% compared with static cells (P<0.05), which was accompanied by reduced intercellular gap formation, relatively solid cell-substrate adhesion. Compared with static cells, endothelial cells exposed to both laminar flow and oxLDL had less small FAs, less monocyte adhesion and transmigration, and alleviated overexpression of VCAM-1 and MCP-1. Meanwhile, the oxLDL-induced internalization of VE-cadherin and vinculin were also attenuated by laminar flow, and this change was more pronounced at LSS of 25 dynes/cm2 than 5 dynes/cm2. Conclusions Static conditions favor, whereas physiologically higher levels of LSS ameliorate endothelial barrier disruption under pro-atherogenic stress, which is related to the improved availability of VE-cadherin and vinculin on the cell surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Zhong
- Department of Cardiology, NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Cardiology, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yanling Li
- Department of Cardiology, NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Emergency, Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaohong He
- Department of Cardiology, NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongdong Liu
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yugang Dong
- Department of Cardiology, NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hong Ma
- Department of Cardiology, NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhensheng Zheng
- Department of Cardiology, NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Zou Y, Wu F, Liu Q, Deng X, Hai R, He X, Zhou X. Downregulation of miRNA‑328 promotes the angiogenesis of HUVECs by regulating the PIM1 and AKT/mTOR signaling pathway under high glucose and low serum condition. Mol Med Rep 2020; 22:895-905. [PMID: 32626978 PMCID: PMC7339821 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2020.11141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular complications are the primary reason for disability and mortality associated with diabetes mellitus (DM), and numerous microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) are involved in the process, such as miR‑122, miR‑24 and miR‑423. It has been reported that miR‑328 regulates DM and cardiovascular disease; however, the role and mechanism of action underlying miR‑328 in HUVECs is not completely understood. The present study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of action underlying the effects of miR‑328 on the functions of HUVECs. To simulate hyperglycemia combined with ischemia‑induced tissue starvation, HUVECs were cultured in endothelial cell medium with 25 mmol/l D‑glucose and 2% FBS for 24 h [high glucose (HG) + 2% FBS group]. HUVEC miR‑328 expression levels were detected by reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR. Cell migration, cytotoxicity and tube‑like structure formation were analyzed using wound healing, Cell Counting Kit‑8 and tube formation assays, respectively. Following transfection with miR‑328 inhibitor, miR‑328 expression was downregulated in HUVECs. Protein expression levels were determined by western blotting. Compared with the control group, the migration and tube‑like structure formation of HUVECs were decreased, and cell cytotoxicity was increased in the HG + 2% FBS group. The protein expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor were also decreased, and the expression levels of miRNA‑328 in the HG + 2% FBS group were increased compared with the control group. However, miRNA‑328 downregulation reversed the aforementioned effects. Further experiments indicated that the AKT signaling pathway was inhibited in the HG + 2% FBS group; however, miR‑328 downregulation activated the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, which was blocked by the AKT signaling pathway inhibitor, perifosine. Gene prediction and western blotting demonstrated that miR‑328 displayed a regulatory role via Pim‑1 proto‑oncogene, serine/threonine kinase (PIM1). In conclusion, miR‑328 expression was upregulated and angiogenesis was inhibited when HUVECs were subjected to high glucose and low serum conditions. miR‑328 downregulation enhanced angiogenesis by increasing PIM1 expression and activating the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in HUVECs under high glucose and low serum conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zou
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China
| | - Fei Wu
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China
| | - Qi Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Nanchong Central Hospital, Nanchong, Sichuan 637000, P.R. China
| | - Xian Deng
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China
| | - Rui Hai
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China
| | - Xuemei He
- Medical Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China
| | - Xiangyu Zhou
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China
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Lampron MC, Vitry G, Nadeau V, Grobs Y, Paradis R, Samson N, Tremblay È, Boucherat O, Meloche J, Bonnet S, Provencher S, Potus F, Paulin R. PIM1 (Moloney Murine Leukemia Provirus Integration Site) Inhibition Decreases the Nonhomologous End-Joining DNA Damage Repair Signaling Pathway in Pulmonary Hypertension. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2020; 40:783-801. [PMID: 31969012 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.119.313763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a fatal disease characterized by the narrowing of pulmonary arteries (PAs). It is now established that this phenotype is associated with enhanced PA smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) proliferation and suppressed apoptosis. This phenotype is sustained in part by the activation of several DNA repair pathways allowing PASMCs to survive despite the unfavorable environmental conditions. PIM1 (Moloney murine leukemia provirus integration site) is an oncoprotein upregulated in PAH and involved in many prosurvival pathways, including DNA repair. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the implication of PIM1 in the DNA damage response and the beneficial effect of its inhibition by pharmacological inhibitors in human PAH-PASMCs and in rat PAH models. Approach and Results: We found in vitro that PIM1 inhibition by either SGI-1776, TP-3654, siRNA (silencer RNA) decreased the phosphorylation of its newly identified direct target KU70 (lupus Ku autoantigen protein p70) resulting in the inhibition of double-strand break repair (Comet Assay) by the nonhomologous end-joining as well as reduction of PAH-PASMCs proliferation (Ki67-positive cells) and resistance to apoptosis (Annexin V positive cells) of PAH-PASMCs. In vivo, SGI-1776 and TP-3654 given 3× a week, improved significantly pulmonary hemodynamics (right heart catheterization) and vascular remodeling (Elastica van Gieson) in monocrotaline and Fawn-Hooded rat models of PAH. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated that PIM1 phosphorylates KU70 and initiates DNA repair signaling in PAH-PASMCs and that PIM1 inhibitors represent a therapeutic option for patients with PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Claude Lampron
- From the Department of Medicine, Pulmonary Hypertension and Vascular Biology Research Group, Heart and Lung Institute of Quebec, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada (M.-C.L., G.V., V.N., Y.G., R.P., N.S., E.T., O.B., S.B., S.P., F.P., R.P.)
| | - Géraldine Vitry
- From the Department of Medicine, Pulmonary Hypertension and Vascular Biology Research Group, Heart and Lung Institute of Quebec, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada (M.-C.L., G.V., V.N., Y.G., R.P., N.S., E.T., O.B., S.B., S.P., F.P., R.P.)
| | - Valérie Nadeau
- From the Department of Medicine, Pulmonary Hypertension and Vascular Biology Research Group, Heart and Lung Institute of Quebec, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada (M.-C.L., G.V., V.N., Y.G., R.P., N.S., E.T., O.B., S.B., S.P., F.P., R.P.)
| | - Yann Grobs
- From the Department of Medicine, Pulmonary Hypertension and Vascular Biology Research Group, Heart and Lung Institute of Quebec, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada (M.-C.L., G.V., V.N., Y.G., R.P., N.S., E.T., O.B., S.B., S.P., F.P., R.P.)
| | - Renée Paradis
- From the Department of Medicine, Pulmonary Hypertension and Vascular Biology Research Group, Heart and Lung Institute of Quebec, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada (M.-C.L., G.V., V.N., Y.G., R.P., N.S., E.T., O.B., S.B., S.P., F.P., R.P.)
| | - Nolwenn Samson
- From the Department of Medicine, Pulmonary Hypertension and Vascular Biology Research Group, Heart and Lung Institute of Quebec, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada (M.-C.L., G.V., V.N., Y.G., R.P., N.S., E.T., O.B., S.B., S.P., F.P., R.P.)
| | - Ève Tremblay
- From the Department of Medicine, Pulmonary Hypertension and Vascular Biology Research Group, Heart and Lung Institute of Quebec, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada (M.-C.L., G.V., V.N., Y.G., R.P., N.S., E.T., O.B., S.B., S.P., F.P., R.P.)
| | - Olivier Boucherat
- From the Department of Medicine, Pulmonary Hypertension and Vascular Biology Research Group, Heart and Lung Institute of Quebec, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada (M.-C.L., G.V., V.N., Y.G., R.P., N.S., E.T., O.B., S.B., S.P., F.P., R.P.)
| | - Jolyane Meloche
- Department of Fundamental Sciences, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Saguenay, Quebec, Canada (J.M.)
| | - Sébastien Bonnet
- From the Department of Medicine, Pulmonary Hypertension and Vascular Biology Research Group, Heart and Lung Institute of Quebec, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada (M.-C.L., G.V., V.N., Y.G., R.P., N.S., E.T., O.B., S.B., S.P., F.P., R.P.)
| | - Steeve Provencher
- From the Department of Medicine, Pulmonary Hypertension and Vascular Biology Research Group, Heart and Lung Institute of Quebec, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada (M.-C.L., G.V., V.N., Y.G., R.P., N.S., E.T., O.B., S.B., S.P., F.P., R.P.)
| | - François Potus
- From the Department of Medicine, Pulmonary Hypertension and Vascular Biology Research Group, Heart and Lung Institute of Quebec, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada (M.-C.L., G.V., V.N., Y.G., R.P., N.S., E.T., O.B., S.B., S.P., F.P., R.P.)
| | - Roxane Paulin
- From the Department of Medicine, Pulmonary Hypertension and Vascular Biology Research Group, Heart and Lung Institute of Quebec, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada (M.-C.L., G.V., V.N., Y.G., R.P., N.S., E.T., O.B., S.B., S.P., F.P., R.P.)
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Santio NM, Koskinen PJ. PIM kinases: From survival factors to regulators of cell motility. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2017; 93:74-85. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2017.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Revised: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Chen M, Yi B, Zhu N, Wei X, Zhang GX, Huang S, Sun J. Pim1 kinase promotes angiogenesis through phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase at Ser-633. Cardiovasc Res 2016; 109:141-50. [PMID: 26598507 PMCID: PMC4692291 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvv250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2015] [Revised: 10/28/2015] [Accepted: 11/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Posttranslational modification, such as phosphorylation, plays an essential role in regulating activation of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS). In the present study, we aim to determine whether eNOS could be phosphorylated and regulated by a novel serine/threonine-protein kinase Pim1 in vascular endothelial cells (ECs). METHODS AND RESULTS Using immunoprecipitation and protein kinase assays, we demonstrated that Pim1 specifically interacts with eNOS, which leads to a marked phosphorylation of eNOS at Ser-633 and increased production of nitric oxide (NO). Intriguingly, in response to VEGF stimulation, eNOS phosphorylation at Ser-633 exhibits two distinct phases: transient phosphorylation occurring between 0 and 60 min and sustained phosphorylation occurring between 2 and 24 h, which are mediated by the protein kinase A (PKA) and Pim1, respectively. Inhibiting Pim1 by either pharmacological inhibitor SMI-4a or the dominant-negative form of Pim1 markedly attenuates VEGF-induced tube formation, while Pim1 overexpression significantly increases EC tube formation and migration in an NO-dependent manner. Importantly, Pim1 expression and eNOS phosphorylation at Ser-633 were substantially decreased in high glucose-treated ECs and in the aorta of db/db diabetic mice. Increased Pim1 expression ameliorates impaired vascular angiogenesis in diabetic mice, as determined by an ex vivo aortic ring assay. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate Pim1 as a novel kinase that is responsible for the phosphorylation of eNOS at Ser-633 and enhances EC sprouting of aortic rings from diabetic mice, suggesting that Pim1 could potentially serve as a novel therapeutic target for revascularization strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Chen
- Center for Translational Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust Street, Room 286G, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Bing Yi
- Center for Translational Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust Street, Room 286G, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Ni Zhu
- Center for Translational Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust Street, Room 286G, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Xin Wei
- Center for Translational Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust Street, Room 286G, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Guan-Xin Zhang
- Center for Translational Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust Street, Room 286G, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA The Institute of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Shengdong Huang
- The Institute of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Jianxin Sun
- Center for Translational Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust Street, Room 286G, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA The Institute of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
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Endothelial Rictor is crucial for midgestational development and sustained and extensive FGF2-induced neovascularization in the adult. Sci Rep 2015; 5:17705. [PMID: 26635098 PMCID: PMC4669526 DOI: 10.1038/srep17705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Accepted: 11/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
To explore the general requirement of endothelial mTORC2 during embryonic and
adolescent development, we knocked out the essential mTORC2 component Rictor
in the mouse endothelium in the embryo, during adolescence and in endothelial cells
in vitro. During embryonic development, Rictor knockout resulted
in growth retardation and lethality around embryonic day 12. We detected reduced
peripheral vascularization and delayed ossification of developing fingers, toes and
vertebrae during this confined midgestational period. Rictor knockout did not
affect viability, weight gain, and vascular development during further adolescence.
However during this period, Rictor knockout prevented skin capillaries to
gain larger and heterogeneously sized diameters and remodeling into tortuous vessels
in response to FGF2. Rictor knockout strongly reduced extensive FGF2-induced
neovascularization and prevented hemorrhage in FGF2-loaded matrigel plugs.
Rictor knockout also disabled the formation of capillary-like networks by
FGF2-stimulated mouse aortic endothelial cells in vitro. Low RICTOR
expression was detected in quiescent, confluent mouse aortic endothelial cells,
whereas high doses of FGF2 induced high RICTOR expression that was associated with
strong mTORC2-specific protein kinase Cα and AKT phosphorylation. We
demonstrate that the endothelial FGF-RICTOR axis is not required during endothelial
quiescence, but crucial for midgestational development and sustained and extensive
neovascularization in the adult.
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Walpen T, Kalus I, Schwaller J, Peier MA, Battegay EJ, Humar R. Nuclear PIM1 confers resistance to rapamycin-impaired endothelial proliferation. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2012; 429:24-30. [PMID: 23131564 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2012.10.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2012] [Accepted: 10/24/2012] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The PIM serine/threonine kinases and the mTOR/AKT pathway integrate growth factor signaling and promote cell proliferation and survival. They both share phosphorylation targets and have overlapping functions, which can partially substitute for each other. In cancer cells PIM kinases have been reported to produce resistance to mTOR inhibition by rapamycin. Tumor growth depends highly on blood vessel infiltration into the malignant tissue and therefore on endothelial cell proliferation. We therefore investigated how the PIM1 kinase modulates growth inhibitory effects of rapamycin in mouse aortic endothelial cells (MAEC). We found that proliferation of MAEC lacking Pim1 was significantly more sensitive to rapamycin inhibition, compared to wildtype cells. Inhibition of mTOR and AKT in normal MAEC resulted in significantly elevated PIM1 protein levels in the cytosol and in the nucleus. We observed that truncation of the C-terminal part of Pim1 beyond Ser 276 resulted in almost exclusive nuclear localization of the protein. Re-expression of this Pim1 deletion mutant significantly increased the proliferation of Pim1(-/-) cells when compared to expression of the wildtype Pim1 cDNA. Finally, overexpression of the nuclear localization mutant and the wildtype Pim1 resulted in complete resistance to growth inhibition by rapamycin. Thus, mTOR inhibition-induced nuclear accumulation of PIM1 or expression of a nuclear C-terminal PIM1 truncation mutant is sufficient to increase endothelial cell proliferation, suggesting that nuclear localization of PIM1 is important for resistance of MAEC to rapamycin-mediated inhibition of proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Walpen
- Research Unit, Division Internal Medicine, University Hospital Zürich, 8091 Zürich, Switzerland
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