PDGF-CC underlies resistance to VEGF-A inhibition and combinatorial targeting of both suppresses pathological angiogenesis more efficiently

Targeting PDGF-CC as a promising therapeutic strategy to inhibit cholangiocarcinoma progression

BACKGROUND

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an aggressive malignancy with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. Platelet-Derived Growth Factor CC (PDGF-CC) has been implicated in the progression of various tumors, but its specific role in CCA is not well understood. This study aims to investigate the expression and function of PDGF-CC in CCA and evaluate its potential as a therapeutic target.

METHODS

We conducted gene expression analysis using the GEPIA database to compare PDGF-CC mRNA levels in CCA tissues and normal tissues. Serum samples from CCA patients were analyzed for PDGF-CC protein levels, and immunohistochemistry was used to assess PDGF-CC expression in tissue samples. The impact of PDGF-CC on CCA cell behavior was examined by knocking out PDGF-CC in HuCCT1 and QBC939 cell lines, followed by assessments of cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and colony formation in vitro. Additionally, the effects of PDGF-CC knockout were evaluated in xenograft models. The therapeutic potential of PDGF-CC inhibition was further explored using pharmacological inhibitors and antibodies.

RESULTS

PDGF-CC mRNA and protein levels were significantly elevated in CCA tissues and patient sera compared to normal controls. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed increased PDGF-CC expression in CCA tissues. High PDGF-CC expression correlated with poor overall survival in CCA patients, as shown by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Functional assays revealed that PDGF-CC knockout significantly reduced proliferation, migration, invasion, and colony formation in HuCCT1 and QBC939 cells, the lines with the highest PDGF-CC levels. In vivo, PDGF-CC knockout markedly decreased tumor growth in xenograft models. Pharmacological inhibition of PDGF-CC mirrored the effects of genetic knockout, suggesting it as a viable therapeutic strategy.

CONCLUSIONS

This study underscores the critical role of PDGF-CC in CCA progression and supports the potential of PDGF-CC inhibitors as a therapeutic approach. Given the association between high PDGF-CC expression and poor prognosis, targeting PDGF-CC may improve outcomes for CCA patients. Further clinical investigations are warranted to develop PDGF-CC-targeted therapies for CCA.

Targeting PDGF/PDGFR Signaling Pathway by microRNA, lncRNA, and circRNA for Therapy of Vascular Diseases: A Narrow Review

Despite the significant progress in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, vascular diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and respiratory diseases, still cannot be successfully eliminated. Vascular cells play a key role in maintaining vascular homeostasis. Notably, a variety of cells produce and secrete platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs), which promote mitosis and induce the division, proliferation, and migration of vascular cells including vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs), aortic SMCs, endothelial cells, and airway SMCs. Therefore, PDGF/PDGR receptor signaling pathways play vital roles in regulating the homeostasis of blood vessels and the onset and development of CVDs, such as atherosclerosis, and respiratory diseases including asthma and pulmonary arterial hypertension. Recently, accumulating evidence has demonstrated that microRNA, long-chain non-coding RNA, and circular RNA are involved in the regulation of PDGF/PDGFR signaling pathways through competitive interactions with target mRNAs, contributing to the occurrence and development of the above-mentioned diseases. These novel findings are useful for laboratory research and clinical studies. The aim of this article is to conclude the recent progresses in this field, particular the mechanisms of action of these non-coding RNAs in regulating vascular remodeling, providing potential strategies for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of vascular-dysfunction-related diseases, particularly CVDs and respiratory diseases.

Transplantation of autologous bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells into cerebrospinal fluid in a canine model of spinal cord injury

Introduction

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with severe dysfunction of nervous tissue, and repair via the transplantation of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells (BM-MNCs) into cerebrospinal fluid yields promising results. It is essential to understand the underlying mechanisms; therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the regenerative potential of autologous BM-MNC transplantation in a canine model of acute SCI.

Methods

Six dogs were included in this study, and SCI was induced using an epidural balloon catheter between L2 and L3, particularly in the area of the anterior longitudinal ligament. BM-MNC transplantation was performed, and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was conducted at specific time points (i.e., immediately after inducing SCI and at 1, 2, and 4 weeks after inducing SCI); moreover, the expression of growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43) was evaluated.

Results

MRI revealed that the signal intensity reduced over time in both BM-MNC-treated and control groups. However, the BM-MNC-treated group exhibited a significantly faster reduction than the control group during the early stages of SCI induction (BM-MNC-treated group: 4.82 ± 0.135 cm [day 0], 1.71 ± 0.134 cm [1 week], 1.37 ± 0.036 cm [2 weeks], 1.21 cm [4 weeks]; control group: 4.96 ± 0.211 cm [day 0], 2.49 ± 0.570 cm [1 week], 1.56 ± 0.045 cm [2 weeks], 1.32 cm [4 weeks]). During the early stages of treatment, GAP-43 was significantly expressed at the proximal end of the injured spinal cord in the BM-MSC-treated group, whereas it was scarcely expressed in the control group.

Conclusions

In SCI, transplanted BM-MNCs can activate the expression of GAP-43, which is involved in axonal elongation (an important process in spinal cord regeneration). Thus, cell therapy with BM-MNCs can provide favorable outcomes in terms of better regenerative capabilities compared with other therapies.

Comparative analysis of canine mesenchymal stem cells and bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells

Background and aim:

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which have multi-lineage differentiation potentials, are a promising source for regenerative medicine. However, the focus of study of MSCs is shifting from the characterization of the differentiation potential to their secretion potential for cell transplantation. Tissue regeneration and the attenuation of immune responses are thought to be affected by the secretion of multiple growth factors and cytokines by MSCs. However, the secretion potential of MSCs profiling remains incompletely characterized. In this study, we focused on the secretion ability related and protein mRNA expression of dog adipose tissue-derived MSCs (AT-MSC), bone marrow (BM)-derived MSCs, and BM-derived mononuclear cells (BM-MNC).

Materials and Methods:

Real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses revealed mRNA expression of nine growth factors and seven interleukins in these types of cells and three growth factors protein expression were determined using Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results:

For the BM-MNC growth factors, the mRNA expression of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) was the highest. For the BM-derived MSC (BM-MSC) and AT-MSC growth factors, the mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was highest. BM-MSCs and AT-MSCs showed similar expression profiles. In contrast, BM-MNCs showed unique expression profiles for hepatocyte growth factor and epidermal growth factor. The three types of cells showed a similar expression of TGF-β.

Conclusion:

We conclude that expression of cytokine proteins and mRNAs suggests involvement in tissue repair and protection.

Anti-VEGF-Resistant Retinal Diseases: A Review of the Latest Treatment Options

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy currently plays a central role in the treatment of numerous retinal diseases, most notably exudative age-related macular degeneration (eAMD), diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusions. While offering significant functional and anatomic benefits in most patients, there exists a subset of 15–40% of eyes that fail to respond or only partially respond. For these cases, various treatment options have been explored with a range of outcomes. These options include steroid injections, laser treatment (both thermal therapy for retinal vascular diseases and photodynamic therapy for eAMD), abbreviated anti-VEGF treatment intervals, switching anti-VEGF agents and topical medications. In this article, we review the effectiveness of these treatment options along with a discussion of the current research into future directions for anti-VEGF-resistant eyes.

Novel multi-targeted inhibitors suppress ocular neovascularization by regulating unique gene sets

Neovascular diseases, such as many cancers and ocular disorders, are life threatening and devastating. Although anti-vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) therapy is available, many patients are not responsive and drug resistance can develop. To try to overcome these problems, combination therapy targeting VEGF-A and platelet-derived growth factor B (PDGF-B) was tested. However, one obvious drawback was that the other VEGF and PDGF family members were not inhibited and therefore could compensate. Indeed, this was, at least to some extent, demonstrated by the disappointing outcomes. To this end, we designed novel multi-targeted inhibitors that can block most of the VEGF and PDGF family members simultaneously by making a fusion protein containing the ligand-binding domains of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRβ), which can therefore act as a decoy blocker for most of the VEGF and PDGF family members. Indeed, in cultured cells, the novel inhibitors suppressed the migration and proliferation of both vascular endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells, and abolished VEGFR2 and PDGFRβ activation. Importantly, in a choroidal neovascularization model in vivo, the novel inhibitor inhibited ocular neovascularization more efficiently than the mono-inhibitors against VEGFR or PDGFR alone respectively. Mechanistically, a genome-wide microarray analysis unveiled that the novel inhibitor regulated unique sets of genes that were not regulated by the mono-inhibitors, further demonstrating the functional uniqueness and superiority of the novel inhibitor. Together, we show that the multi-targeted inhibitors that can block VEGFR1, VEGFR2 and PDGFRβ simultaneously suppress pathological angiogenesis more efficiently than monotherapy, and may therefore have promising therapeutic value for the treatment of neovascular diseases.

Potential biomarkers for predicting hemorrhagic transformation of ischemic stroke

Reperfusion therapy contributes to better clinical outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke but carries a more significant risk of hemorrhagic transformation (HT) compared to supportive care. Once HT occurs, the outcome is usually poor and this causes a dilemma in the treatment of ischemic stroke. Consequently, early prediction of HT would be extremely helpful for guiding precise treatment of ischemic stroke. In this review, we focus on summarizing biomarkers of HT and elucidating possible mechanisms so as to identify potential biomarkers for predicting HT.