Endothelial cells from umbilical cord of women affected by gestational diabetes: A suitable in vitro model to study mechanisms of early vascular senescence in diabetes

Recent progress in metabolic reprogramming in gestational diabetes mellitus: a review

Gestational diabetes mellitus is a prevalent metabolic disease that can impact the normal course of pregnancy and delivery, leading to adverse outcomes for both mother and child. Its pathogenesis is complex and involves various factors, such as insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction. Metabolic reprogramming, which involves mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis, is crucial for maintaining human metabolic balance and is involved in the pathogenesis and progression of gestational diabetes mellitus. However, research on the link and metabolic pathways between metabolic reprogramming and gestational diabetes mellitus is limited. Therefore, we reviewed the relationship between metabolic reprogramming and gestational diabetes mellitus to provide new therapeutic strategies for maternal health during pregnancy and reduce the risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus.

Oleanolic acid rescues critical features of umbilical vein endothelial cells permanently affected by hyperglycemia

Skin wound healing is a physiological process that involves several cell types. Among them, endothelial cells are required for inflammation resolution and neo-angiogenesis, both necessary for tissue restoration after injury. Primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (C-HUVECs) are derived from the umbilical cord. When women develop gestational diabetes, chronic exposure to hyperglycemia induces epigenetic modifications in these cells (GD-HUVECs), leading to a permanent pro-inflammatory phenotype and impaired angiogenesis in contrast to control cells. Oleanolic acid (OA) is a bioactive triterpenoid known for its epithelial cell migration promotion stimulation and higher tensile strength of wounds. However, the potentially anti-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic properties of OA are still under investigation. We tested OA on C- and GD-HUVECs under inflammatory conditions induced by low levels of the inflammatory cytokine TNF-α. Reduced expression of adhesion molecules VCAM1, ICAM1, and SELE was obtained in OA-pre-treated C- and GD-HUVECs. Additionally, protein VCAM1 levels were also decreased by OA. Coherently, monocyte adhesion assays showed that a lower number of monocytes adhered to GD-HUVEC endothelium under OA pre-treatment when compared to untreated ones. It is noteworthy that OA improved angiogenesis parameters in both phenotypes, being especially remarkable in the case of GD-HUVECs, since OA strongly rescued their poor tube formation behavior. Moreover, endothelial cell migration was improved in C- and GD-HUVECs in scratch assays, an effect that was further confirmed by focal adhesion (FA) remodeling, revealed by paxillin staining on immunocytochemistry assays. Altogether, these results suggest that OA could be an emergent wound healing agent due to its capacity to rescue endothelial malfunction caused by hyperglycemia.

Fetoplacental endothelial dysfunction in gestational diabetes mellitus and maternal obesity: A potential threat for programming cardiovascular disease

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and maternal obesity (MO) increase the risk of adverse fetal outcomes, and the incidence of cardiovascular disease later in life. Extensive research has been conducted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms by which GDM and MO program the offspring to disease. This review focuses on the role of fetoplacental endothelial dysfunction in programming the offspring for cardiovascular disease in GDM and MO pregnancies. We discuss how pre-existing maternal health conditions can lead to vascular dysfunction in the fetoplacental unit and the fetus. We also examine the role of fetoplacental endothelial dysfunction in impairing fetal cardiovascular system development and the involvement of nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide in mediating fetoplacental vascular dysfunction. Furthermore, we suggest that the L-Arginine-Nitric Oxide and the Adenosine-L-Arginine-Nitric Oxide (ALANO) signaling pathways are pertinent targets for research. Despite significant progress in this area, there are still knowledge gaps that need to be addressed in future research.

Blockade of interleukin-6 trans-signaling prevents mitochondrial dysfunction and cellular senescence in retinal endothelial cells

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multifaceted cytokine implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Its activity extends through cis- and trans-signaling (TS) pathways, with cis-signaling limited to specific cell types possessing the membrane-bound IL-6 receptor, while trans-signaling broadly activates various cells without the membrane bound IL-6 receptor, including retinal endothelial cells. In this study, we determined the effects of interleukin-6 trans-signaling on mitochondrial dysfunction and cellular senescence in human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs). HRECs were cultured and treated with IL-6 + soluble IL-6R or Hyper IL-6 to activate trans-signaling, along with sgp130Fc for inhibition. RT-PCR was used to analyze gene expression changes associated with inflammation and senescence. Cellular senescence was assessed using SA β-gal staining. Mitochondrial function was evaluated using Seahorse XFe24 Bioanalyzer. IL-6 trans-signaling induced inflammatory gene expression as indicated by the upregulation of ICAM1, MCP1, and SERPINA3 levels. Additionally, it reduced mitochondrial respiration and oxidative phosphorylation, and these effects were counteracted by sgp130Fc. Moreover, IL-6 trans-signaling led to altered expression of apoptosis-associated genes, including downregulation of FIS1, BCL2, and MCL1, while promoting cellular senescence, a phenomenon mitigated by sgp130Fc. These results not only deepen our understanding of IL-6 in DR but also carry broader implications for age-related diseases and the aging process itself. This study underscores the potential therapeutic value of targeting IL-6 trans-signaling with sgp130Fc as a promising anti-inflammatory approach for DR and potentially other inflammatory conditions. Further in-vivo investigations are warranted to elucidate the function of IL-6 trans-signaling in aging-related pathologies and overall organismal health.

Recommendations from the COST action CA17116 (SPRINT) for the standardization of perinatal derivative preparation and in vitro testing

Many preclinical studies have shown that birth-associated tissues, cells and their secreted factors, otherwise known as perinatal derivatives (PnD), possess various biological properties that make them suitable therapeutic candidates for the treatment of numerous pathological conditions. Nevertheless, in the field of PnD research, there is a lack of critical evaluation of the PnD standardization process: from preparation to in vitro testing, an issue that may ultimately delay clinical translation. In this paper, we present the PnD e-questionnaire developed to assess the current state of the art of methods used in the published literature for the procurement, isolation, culturing preservation and characterization of PnD in vitro. Furthermore, we also propose a consensus for the scientific community on the minimal criteria that should be reported to facilitate standardization, reproducibility and transparency of data in PnD research. Lastly, based on the data from the PnD e-questionnaire, we recommend to provide adequate information on the characterization of the PnD. The PnD e-questionnaire is now freely available to the scientific community in order to guide researchers on the minimal criteria that should be clearly reported in their manuscripts. This review is a collaborative effort from the COST SPRINT action (CA17116), which aims to guide future research to facilitate the translation of basic research findings on PnD into clinical practice.

Roles of mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy in diabetic myocardial microvascular injury

Myocardial microvessels are composed of a monolayer of endothelial cells, which play a crucial role in maintaining vascular barrier function, luminal latency, vascular tone, and myocardial perfusion. Endothelial dysfunction is a key factor in the development of cardiac microvascular injury and diabetic cardiomyopathy. In addition to their role in glucose oxidation and energy metabolism, mitochondria also participate in non-metabolic processes such as apoptosis, intracellular ion handling, and redox balancing. Mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy are responsible for regulating the quality and quantity of mitochondria in response to hyperglycemia. However, these endogenous homeostatic mechanisms can both preserve and/or disrupt non-metabolic mitochondrial functions during diabetic endothelial damage and cardiac microvascular injury. This review provides an overview of the molecular features and regulatory mechanisms of mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy. Furthermore, we summarize findings from various investigations that suggest abnormal mitochondrial dynamics and defective mitophagy contribute to the development of diabetic endothelial dysfunction and myocardial microvascular injury. Finally, we discuss different therapeutic strategies aimed at improving endothelial homeostasis and cardiac microvascular function through the enhancement of mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy.

Role of Epigenetics and Metabolomics in Predicting Endothelial Dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a worldwide health problem and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in T2D patients, making the prevention of CVD onset a major priority. It is therefore crucial to optimize diagnosis and treatment to reduce this burden. Endothelial dysfunction is one of the most important prognostic factors for CVD progression, thus novel approaches to identify the early phase of endothelial dysfunction may lead to specific preventive measures to reduce the occurrence of CVD. Nowadays, multiomics approaches have provided unprecedented opportunities to stratify T2D patients into endotypes, improve therapeutic treatment and outcome and amend the survival prediction. Among omics strategies, epigenetics and metabolomics are gaining increasing interest. Recently, a dynamic correlation between metabolic pathways and gene expression through chromatin remodeling, such as DNA methylation, has emerged, indicating new perspectives on the regulatory networks impacting cellular processes. Thus, a better understanding of epigenetic-metabolite relationships can provide insight into the physiological processes altered early in the endothelium that ultimately head to disease development. Here, recent studies on epigenetics and metabolomics related to CVD prevention potentially useful to identify disease biomarkers, as well as new therapies hopefully targeting the early phase of endothelial dysfunction are highlighted.

Total flavone of flowers of Abelmoschus manihot (L.) Medic inhibits the expression of adhesion molecules in primary mesenteric arterial endothelial cells and ameliorates dextran sodium sulphate-induced ulcerative colitis in mice

BACKGROUND

Flowers of Abelmoschus manihot (L.) medic (AM) is a traditional Chinese medicine used to treat chronic nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, diabetic nephropathy, and colonic inflammation.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to explore the influence of the total flavone of AM flowers (TFA) on acute ulcerative colitis (UC) and the potential underlying mechanism.

METHODS

Efficacy of TFA (30, 60, 120 mg/kg) on UC was evaluated in a dextran sodium sulphate (DSS)-induced colonic inflammatory mouse model by analyzing disease activity index (DAI), histopathological score, colon length, and cytokine expression. Expression levels of critical adhesion molecules and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) were examined by qRT-PCR, Western blotting, or immunofluorescence labeling. Myeloperoxidase activity was examined using ELISA. In vitro THP-1 adhesion assay was used to evaluate monocyte adhesion.

RESULTS

TFA significantly reduced DAI score, prevented colon shortening, and ameliorated histological injuries of colons in DSS-treated mice. TFA inhibited the expression of cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α) and adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and MAdCAM-1) in colon tissues of DSS mice. In vitro studies on mesenteric arterial endothelial cells (MAECs) showed that TFA attenuated TNF-α-induced upregulation of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and MAdCAM-1, as well as THP-1 cell adhesion to MAECs. TFA also suppressed the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of NF-κB in MAECs.

CONCLUSION

TFA efficaciously ameliorates UC possibly by inhibiting monocyte adhesion through blocking TNF-α-induced NF-κB activation, which in turn suppresses the upregulation of adhesive molecules in colon endothelial cells. Inhibiting the expression of adhesion molecule in MAECs may represent a useful strategy for therapeutic development to treat UC, with TFA being a safe and efficacious therapeutic agent.

Effect of the Human Amniotic Membrane on the Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells of Gestational Diabetic Mothers: New Insight on Inflammation and Angiogenesis

One of the most relevant diabetes complications is impaired wound healing, mainly characterized by reduced peripheral blood flow and diminished neovascularization together with increased inflammation and oxidative stress. Unfortunately, effective therapies are currently lacking. Recently, the amniotic membrane (AM) has shown promising results in wound management. Here, the potential role of AM on endothelial cells isolated from the umbilical cord vein of gestational diabetes-affected women (GD-HUVECs), has been investigated. Indeed, GD-HUVECs in vivo exposed to chronic hyperglycemia during pregnancy compared to control cells (C-HUVECs) have shown molecular modifications of cellular homeostasis ultimately impacting oxidative and nitro-oxidative stress, inflammatory phenotype, nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, and bioavailability, thus representing a useful model for studying the mechanisms potentially supporting the role of AM in chronic non-healing wounds. In this study, the anti-inflammatory properties of AM have been assessed using a monocyte–endothelium interaction assay in cells pre-stimulated with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and through vascular adhesion molecule expression and membrane exposure, together with the AM impact on the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cell (NF-kB) pathway and NO bioavailability. Moreover, GD-HUVEC migration and tube formation ability were evaluated in the presence of AM. The results showed that AM significantly reduced TNF-α-stimulated monocyte–endothelium interaction and the membrane exposure of the endothelial vascular and intracellular adhesion molecules (VCAM-1 and ICAM-1, respectively) in both C- and GD-HUVECs. Strikingly, AM treatment significantly improved vessel formation in GD-HUVECs and cell migration in both C- and GD-HUVECs. These collective results suggest that AM positively affects various critical pathways in inflammation and angiogenesis, thus providing further validation for ongoing clinical trials in diabetic foot ulcers.

Cigarette smoke extract mediates cell premature senescence in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients by up-regulating USP7 to activate p300-p53/p21 pathway

OBJECTIVES

Tobacco hazard is one of the most severe public health issues in the world. It is believed that smoking is the most important factor leading to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) originate from the bone marrow and can effectively repair vascular endothelial damage and improve vascular endothelial function. Current studies suggest that EPCs senescence and EPCs depletion exist in smoking-related COPD, but the molecular mechanism remains unclear.

METHODS

Co-immunoprecipitation was used to detect the interaction between USP7 and p300. EPCs from smoking COPD patients were isolated, and the expressions of USP7 and p300 were detected by RT-PCR and Western Blot. Different concentrations of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) and USP7 or p300 inhibitors were used to treat EPCs, then the expression of p53, p53 target genes and aging-related genes were detected. Cell Counting Kit - 8 (CCK8) was used to detect cell proliferation, flow cytometry was used to detect cell cycle distribution, β-galactosidase (β-gal) staining and Lamp1 immunofluorescence was used to detect the proportion of aging cells. COPD mouse models were used to confirm the molecular mechanism.

RESULTS

USP7 and p300 interacted with each other, and USP7 affected the protein stability of p300 by regulating the ubiquitination of p300. There existed high expressions of USP7 and p300 proteins in EPCs of smoking COPD patients and COPD mouse model. CSE promoted the high expressions of USP7 and p300 in EPCs. Further studies showed that CSE mediated the USP7/p300-dependent high expression of p53 and activated the expression of p53 target genes especially p21. Activation of p53 - p21 pathway finally inhibited cell activity, led to cell cycle arrest and premature senescence of EPCs.

CONCLUSION

CSE mediated up-regulation of USP7 and p300 activated p53 - p21 pathway was a molecular mechanism that might lead to COPD.

Molecular mechanisms of coronary microvascular endothelial dysfunction in diabetes mellitus: focus on mitochondrial quality surveillance

Coronary microvascular endothelial dysfunction is both a culprit and a victim of diabetes, and can accelerate diabetes-related microvascular and macrovascular complications by promoting vasoconstrictive, pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic responses. Perturbed mitochondrial function induces oxidative stress, disrupts metabolism and activates apoptosis in endothelial cells, thus exacerbating the progression of coronary microvascular complications in diabetes. The mitochondrial quality surveillance (MQS) system responds to stress by altering mitochondrial metabolism, dynamics (fission and fusion), mitophagy and biogenesis. Dysfunctional mitochondria are prone to fission, which generates two distinct types of mitochondria: one with a normal and the other with a depolarized mitochondrial membrane potential. Mitochondrial fusion and mitophagy can restore the membrane potential and homeostasis of defective mitochondrial fragments. Mitophagy-induced decreases in the mitochondrial population can be reversed by mitochondrial biogenesis. MQS abnormalities induce pathological mitochondrial fission, delayed mitophagy, impaired metabolism and defective biogenesis, thus promoting the accumulation of unhealthy mitochondria and the activation of mitochondria-dependent apoptosis. In this review, we examine the effects of MQS on mitochondrial fitness and explore the association of MQS disorders with coronary microvascular endothelial dysfunction in diabetes. We also discuss the potential to treat diabetes-related coronary microvascular endothelial dysfunction using novel MQS-altering drugs.

Vascular hyperacetylation is associated with vascular smooth muscle dysfunction in a rat model of non-obese type 2 diabetes

Background

Advanced type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) accelerates vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) dysfunction which contributes to the development of vasculopathy, associated with the highest degree of morbidity of T2DM. Lysine acetylation, a post-translational modification (PTM), has been associated with metabolic diseases and its complications. Whether levels of global lysine acetylation are altered in vasculature from advanced T2DM remains undetermined. We hypothesized that VSMC undergoes dysregulation in advanced T2DM which is associated with vascular hyperacetylation.

Methods

Aged male Goto Kakizaki (GK) rats, a non-obese murine model of T2DM, and age-matched male Wistar rats (control group) were used in this study. Thoracic aortas were isolated and examined for measurement of global levels of lysine acetylation, and vascular reactivity studies were conducted using a wire myograph. Direct arterial blood pressure was assessed by carotid catheterization. Cultured human VSMCs were used to investigate whether lysine acetylation participates in high glucose-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS), a crucial factor triggering diabetic vascular dysfunction.

Results

The GK rats exhibited marked glucose intolerance as well as insulin resistance. Cardiovascular complications in GK rats were confirmed by elevated arterial blood pressure and reduced VSMC-dependent vasorelaxation. These complications were correlated with high levels of vascular global lysine acetylation. Human VSMC cultures incubated under high glucose conditions displayed elevated ROS levels and increased global lysine acetylation. Inhibition of hyperacetylation by garcinol, a lysine acetyltransferase and p300/CBP association factor (PCAF) inhibitor, reduced high glucose-induced ROS production in VSMC.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence that vascular hyperacetylation is associated with VSMC dysfunction in advanced T2DM. Understanding lysine acetylation regulation in blood vessels from diabetics may provide insight into the mechanisms of diabetic vascular dysfunction, and opportunities for novel therapeutic approaches to treat diabetic vascular complications.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s10020-022-00441-4.

Endothelial Dysfunction in Pregnancy Complications

The endothelium, which constitutes the inner layer of blood vessels and lymphatic structures, plays an important role in various physiological functions. Alterations in structure, integrity and function of the endothelial layer during pregnancy have been associated with numerous gestational complications, including clinically significant disorders, such as preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and diabetes. While numerous experimental studies have focused on establishing the role of endothelial dysfunction in pathophysiology of these gestational complications, their mechanisms remain unknown. Numerous biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction have been proposed, together with the mechanisms by which they relate to individual gestational complications. However, more studies are required to determine clinically relevant markers specific to a gestational complication of interest, as currently most of them present a significant overlap. Although the independent diagnostic value of such markers remains to be insufficient for implementation in standard clinical practice at the moment, inclusion of certain markers in predictive multifactorial models can improve their prognostic value. The future of the research in this field lies in the fine tuning of the clinical markers to be used, as well as identifying possible therapeutic techniques to prevent or reverse endothelial damage.

Acetyltransferase p300 Is a Putative Epidrug Target for Amelioration of Cellular Aging-Related Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of accelerated as well as chronological aging-related human morbidity and mortality worldwide. Genetic, immunologic, unhealthy lifestyles including daily consumption of high-carb/high-fat fast food, lack of exercise, drug addiction, cigarette smoke, alcoholism, and exposure to environmental pollutants like particulate matter (PM)-induced stresses contribute profoundly to accelerated and chronological cardiovascular aging and associated life threatening diseases. All these stressors alter gene expression epigenetically either through activation or repression of gene transcription via alteration of chromatin remodeling enzymes and chromatin landscape by DNA methylation or histone methylation or histone acetylation. Acetyltransferase p300, a major epigenetic writer of acetylation on histones and transcription factors, contributes significantly to modifications of chromatin landscape of genes involved in cellular aging and cardiovascular diseases. In this review, the key findings those implicate acetyltransferase p300 as a major contributor to cellular senescence or aging related cardiovascular pathologies including vascular dysfunction, cardiac hypertrophy, myocardial infarction, cardiac fibrosis, systolic/diastolic dysfunction, and aortic valve calcification are discussed. The efficacy of natural or synthetic small molecule inhibitor targeting acetyltransferase p300 in amelioration of stress-induced dysregulated gene expression, cellular aging, and cardiovascular disease in preclinical study is also discussed.