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Chi Y, Yu S, Yin J, Liu D, Zhuo M, Li X. Role of Angiopoietin/Tie2 System in Sepsis: A Potential Therapeutic Target. Clin Appl Thromb Hemost 2024; 30:10760296241238010. [PMID: 38449088 PMCID: PMC10921858 DOI: 10.1177/10760296241238010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Sepsis is a disorder of host response caused by severe infection that can lead to life-threatening organ dysfunction. There is no specific treatment for sepsis. Although there are many different pathogens that can cause sepsis, endothelial dysfunction is a frequent mechanism resulting in vascular leakage and coagulation problem. Recent studies on the regulatory pathways of vascular endothelium have shown that the disturbance of angiopoietin (Ang) /Tie2 axis can induce endothelial cell activation, which is the core pathogenesis of sepsis. In this review, we aim to discuss the regulation of Ang/Tie2 axis and the biomarkers involved in the context of sepsis. Also, we attempt to explore the prospective and feasibility of Ang/Tie2 axis as a potential target for sepsis intervention to improve clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yawen Chi
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Sihan Yu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Jia Yin
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Danyan Liu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Mengke Zhuo
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Xu Li
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
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Conning-Rowland M, Cubbon RM. Molecular mechanisms of diabetic heart disease: Insights from transcriptomic technologies. Diab Vasc Dis Res 2023; 20:14791641231205428. [PMID: 38116627 PMCID: PMC10734343 DOI: 10.1177/14791641231205428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Over half a billion adults across the world have diabetes mellitus (DM). This has a wide-ranging impact on their health, including more than doubling their risk of major cardiovascular events, in comparison to age-sex matched individuals without DM. Notably, the risk of heart failure is particularly increased, even when coronary artery disease and hypertension are not present. Macro- and micro-vascular complications related to endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction are a systemic feature of DM and can affect the heart. However, it remains unclear to what extent these and other factors underpin myocardial dysfunction and heart failure linked with DM. Use of unbiased 'omics approaches to profile the molecular environment of the heart offers an opportunity to identify novel drivers of cardiac dysfunction in DM. Multiple transcriptomics studies have characterised the whole myocardium or isolated cardiac ECs. We present a systematic summary of relevant studies, which identifies common themes including alterations in both myocardial fatty acid metabolism and inflammation. These findings prompt further research focussed on these processes to validate potentially causal factors for prioritisation into therapeutic development pipelines.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Richard M Cubbon
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
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Cash A, de Jager C, Brickler T, Soliman E, Ladner L, Kaloss AM, Zhu Y, Pridham KJ, Mills J, Ju J, Basso EKG, Chen M, Johnson Z, Sotiropoulos Y, Wang X, Xie H, Matson JB, Marvin EA, Theus MH. Endothelial deletion of EPH receptor A4 alters single-cell profile and Tie2/Akap12 signaling to preserve blood-brain barrier integrity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2204700120. [PMID: 37796990 PMCID: PMC10576133 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2204700120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurobiological consequences of traumatic brain injury (TBI) result from a complex interplay of secondary injury responses and sequela that mediates chronic disability. Endothelial cells are important regulators of the cerebrovascular response to TBI. Our work demonstrates that genetic deletion of endothelial cell (EC)-specific EPH receptor A4 (EphA4) using conditional EphA4f/f/Tie2-Cre and EphA4f/f/VE-Cadherin-CreERT2 knockout (KO) mice promotes blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity and tissue protection, which correlates with improved motor function and cerebral blood flow recovery following controlled cortical impact (CCI) injury. scRNAseq of capillary-derived KO ECs showed increased differential gene expression of BBB-related junctional and actin cytoskeletal regulators, namely, A-kinase anchor protein 12, Akap12, whose presence at Tie2 clustering domains is enhanced in KO microvessels. Transcript and protein analysis of CCI-injured whole cortical tissue or cortical-derived ECs suggests that EphA4 limits the expression of Cldn5, Akt, and Akap12 and promotes Ang2. Blocking Tie2 using sTie2-Fc attenuated protection and reversed Akap12 mRNA and protein levels cortical-derived ECs. Direct stimulation of Tie2 using Vasculotide, angiopoietin-1 memetic peptide, phenocopied the neuroprotection. Finally, we report a noteworthy rise in soluble Ang2 in the sera of individuals with acute TBI, highlighting its promising role as a vascular biomarker for early detection of BBB disruption. These findings describe a contribution of the axon guidance molecule, EphA4, in mediating TBI microvascular dysfunction through negative regulation of Tie2/Akap12 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Cash
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
| | - Caroline de Jager
- Translational Biology Medicine and Health Graduate Program, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
| | - Thomas Brickler
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
| | - Eman Soliman
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
| | - Liliana Ladner
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA24016
| | - Alexandra M. Kaloss
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
| | - Yumeng Zhu
- Department of Chemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
| | - Kevin J. Pridham
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
| | - Jatia Mills
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
| | - Jing Ju
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
| | | | - Michael Chen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
| | - Zachary Johnson
- Genetics, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
- Epigenomics and Computational Biology Lab, Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
| | - Yianni Sotiropoulos
- Summer Veterinary Student Research Program, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
| | - Xia Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
| | - Hehuang Xie
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
- Genetics, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
- Epigenomics and Computational Biology Lab, Fralin Life Sciences Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
- Center for Engineered Health, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
| | - John B. Matson
- Department of Chemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
| | - Eric A. Marvin
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, VA24016
| | - Michelle H. Theus
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
- Summer Veterinary Student Research Program, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA24061
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Zhang Y, Popel AS, Bazzazi H. Combining Multikinase Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Targeting the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Cluster of Differentiation 47 Signaling Pathways Is Predicted to Increase the Efficacy of Antiangiogenic Combination Therapies. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2023; 6:710-726. [PMID: 37200806 PMCID: PMC10186363 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.3c00008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a critical step in tumor growth, development, and invasion. Nascent tumor cells secrete vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) that significantly remodels the tumor microenvironment through interaction with multiple receptors on vascular endothelial cells, including type 2 VEGF receptor (VEGFR2). The complex pathways initiated by VEGF binding to VEGFR2 lead to enhanced proliferation, survival, and motility of vascular endothelial cells and formation of a new vascular network, enabling tumor growth. Antiangiogenic therapies that inhibit VEGF signaling pathways were among the first drugs that targeted stroma rather than tumor cells. Despite improvements in progression-free survival and higher response rates relative to chemotherapy in some types of solid tumors, the impact on overall survival (OS) has been limited, with the majority of tumors eventually relapsing due to resistance or activation of alternate angiogenic pathways. Here, we developed a molecularly detailed computational model of endothelial cell signaling and angiogenesis-driven tumor growth to investigate combination therapies targeting different nodes of the endothelial VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling pathway. Simulations predicted a strong threshold-like behavior in extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) activation relative to phosphorylated VEGFR2 levels, as continuous inhibition of at least 95% of receptors was necessary to abrogate phosphorylated ERK1/2 (pERK1/2). Combinations with mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK kinase (MEK) and spingosine-1-phosphate inhibitors were found to be effective in overcoming the ERK1/2 activation threshold and abolishing activation of the pathway. Modeling results also identified a mechanism of resistance whereby tumor cells could reduce pERK1/2 sensitivity to inhibitors of VEGFR2 by upregulation of Raf, MEK, and sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1), thus highlighting the need for deeper investigation of the dynamics of the crosstalk between VEGFR2 and SphK1 pathways. Inhibition of VEGFR2 phosphorylation was found to be more effective at blocking protein kinase B, also known as AKT, activation; however, to effectively abolish AKT activation, simulations identified Axl autophosphorylation or the Src kinase domain as potent targets. Simulations also supported activating cluster of differentiation 47 (CD47) on endothelial cells as an effective combination partner with tyrosine kinase inhibitors to inhibit angiogenesis signaling and tumor growth. Virtual patient simulations supported the effectiveness of CD47 agonism in combination with inhibitors of VEGFR2 and SphK1 pathways. Overall, the rule-based system model developed here provides new insights, generates novel hypothesis, and makes predictions regarding combinations that may enhance the OS with currently approved antiangiogenic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Aleksander S. Popel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Hojjat Bazzazi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
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Wang R, Yang M, Jiang L, Huang M. Role of Angiopoietin-Tie axis in vascular and lymphatic systems and therapeutic interventions. Pharmacol Res 2022; 182:106331. [PMID: 35772646 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The Angiopoietin (Ang)-Tyrosine kinase with immunoglobulin-like and EGF-like domains (Tie) axis is an endothelial cell-specific ligand-receptor signaling pathway necessary for vascular and lymphatic development. The Ang-Tie axis is involved in regulating angiogenesis, vascular remodeling, vascular permeability, and inflammation to maintain vascular quiescence. Disruptions in the Ang-Tie axis are involved in many vascular and lymphatic system diseases and play an important role in physiological and pathological vascular conditions. Given recent advances in the Ang-Tie axis in the vascular and lymphatic systems, this review focuses on the multiple functions of the Ang-Tie axis in inflammation-induced vascular permeability, vascular remodeling, atherosclerosis, ocular angiogenesis, tumor angiogenesis, and metastasis. A summary of relevant therapeutic approaches to the Ang-Tie axis, including therapeutic antibodies, recombinant proteins and small molecule drugs are also discussed. The purpose of this review is to provide new hypotheses and identify potential therapeutic strategies based on the Ang-Tie signaling axis for the treatment of vascular and lymphatic-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Wang
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, Fujian, China
| | - Moua Yang
- Division of Hemostasis & Thrombosis, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA02215, United States
| | - Longguang Jiang
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, Fujian, China.
| | - Mingdong Huang
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, Fujian, China.
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Zhang Y, Wang H, Oliveira RHM, Zhao C, Popel AS. Systems biology of angiogenesis signaling: Computational models and omics. WIREs Mech Dis 2021; 14:e1550. [PMID: 34970866 PMCID: PMC9243197 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a highly regulated multiscale process that involves a plethora of cells, their cellular signal transduction, activation, proliferation, differentiation, as well as their intercellular communication. The coordinated execution and integration of such complex signaling programs is critical for physiological angiogenesis to take place in normal growth, development, exercise, and wound healing, while its dysregulation is critically linked to many major human diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and ocular disorders; it is also crucial in regenerative medicine. Although huge efforts have been devoted to drug development for these diseases by investigation of angiogenesis‐targeted therapies, only a few therapeutics and targets have proved effective in humans due to the innate multiscale complexity and nonlinearity in the process of angiogenic signaling. As a promising approach that can help better address this challenge, systems biology modeling allows the integration of knowledge across studies and scales and provides a powerful means to mechanistically elucidate and connect the individual molecular and cellular signaling components that function in concert to regulate angiogenesis. In this review, we summarize and discuss how systems biology modeling studies, at the pathway‐, cell‐, tissue‐, and whole body‐levels, have advanced our understanding of signaling in angiogenesis and thereby delivered new translational insights for human diseases. This article is categorized under:Cardiovascular Diseases > Computational Models Cancer > Computational Models
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Hanwen Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Rebeca Hannah M Oliveira
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Chen Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Aleksander S Popel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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