The β-catenin C terminus links Wnt and sphingosine-1-phosphate signaling pathways to promote vascular remodeling and atherosclerosis

Canonical Wnt and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) signaling pathways are highly conserved systems that contribute to normal vertebrate development, with key consequences for immune, nervous, and cardiovascular system function; despite these functional overlaps, little is known about Wnt/β-catenin-S1P cross-talk. In the vascular system, both Wnt/β-catenin and S1P signals affect vessel maturation, stability, and barrier function, but information regarding their potential coordination is scant. We report an instance of functional interaction between the two pathways, including evidence that S1P receptor 1 (S1PR1) is a transcriptional target of β-catenin. By studying vascular smooth muscle cells and arterial injury response, we find a specific requirement for the β-catenin carboxyl terminus, which acts to induce S1PR1, and show that this interaction is essential for vascular remodeling. We also report that pharmacological inhibition of the β-catenin carboxyl terminus reduces S1PR1 expression, neointima formation, and atherosclerosis. These findings provide mechanistic understanding of how Wnt/β-catenin and S1P systems collaborate during vascular remodeling and inform strategies for therapeutic manipulation.

Prostate immunology: A challenging puzzle

Mucosal immunity defines the relationship of surfaces in contact with the environment and integrates diverse tissues such as epidermis, gum, nose, gut, uterus and prostate with the immune system. Although considered part of a system, each mucosa presents specific immune features beyond the barrier and secretory functions. Information regarding the mucosal immunology of the male reproductive tract and the prostate gland in particular is scarce. In this review, we approach the prostate as an epithelial barrier and as part of the mucosal immune system. Finally, we also raise a series of questions that will improve the understanding of this gland, its role in reproduction and its sensitivity/resistance to disease.

Endothelial Protective Monocyte Patrolling in Large Arteries Intensified by Western Diet and Atherosclerosis

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Rationale:

Nonclassical mouse monocyte (CX3CR1^high, Ly-6C^low) patrolling along the vessels of the microcirculation is critical for endothelial homeostasis and inflammation. Because of technical challenges, it is currently not established how patrolling occurs in large arteries.

Objective:

This study was undertaken to elucidate the molecular, migratory, and functional phenotypes of patrolling monocytes in the high shear and pulsatile environment of large arteries in healthy, hyperlipidemic, and atherosclerotic conditions.

Methods and Results:

Applying a new method for stable, long-term 2-photon intravital microscopy of unrestrained large arteries in live CX3CR1-GFP (green fluorescent protein) mice, we show that nonclassical monocytes patrol inside healthy carotid arteries at a velocity of 36 μm/min, 3× faster than in microvessels. The tracks are less straight but lead preferentially downstream. The number of patrolling monocytes is increased 9-fold by feeding wild-type mice a Western diet or by applying topical TLR7/8 (Toll-like receptor) agonists. A similar increase is seen in CX3CR1^+/GFP/apoE^−/− mice on chow diet, with a further 2- to 3-fold increase on Western diet (22-fold over healthy). In plaque conditions, monocytes are readily captured onto the endothelium from free flow. Stable patrolling is unaffected in CX3CR1-deficient mice and involves the contribution of LFA-1 (lymphocyte-associated antigen 1) and α₄ integrins. The endothelial damage in atherosclerotic carotid arteries was assessed by electron microscopy and correlates with the number of intraluminal patrollers. Abolishing patrolling monocytes in Nr4a1^−/− apoE^−/− mice leads to pronounced endothelial apoptosis.

Conclusions:

Arterial patrolling is a prominent new feature of nonclassical monocytes with unique molecular and kinetic properties. It is highly upregulated in hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis in a CX3CR1-independent fashion and plays a potential role in endothelial protection.

[The induced sputum allows guide a therapeutic strategy to control bronchial asthma]

In spite of physiopathogenic and therapeutic advances, asthma remains uncontrolled. The purpose of this test is to assess whether the instruments commonly used in the management of asthma are sufficient tools to control asthma, comparing the information provided by clinical evidence with cellular inflammatory parameters obtained through the analysis of induced sputum. We studied 15 asthmatics under treatment, which were evaluated the asthma control status (ACS) by clinical and spirometrical criteria, according to GINA recommendations. Then each patient underwent to obtain a sample of induced sputum (IE) and it was further analysed as a previously validated technique. From the total number of patients, 7 were total controlled patients according to ACS; only 2 of them had a normal IE cellular pattern while the other 5 presented an inflammatory profile in the differential cells count of the IE, forced to make adjustments in the anti-inflammatory treatment. One partially controlled patient by ACS, revealed inflammatory parameters in IE allowing modify the therapeutic schema. In 7 not controlled patients by ACS, the cellular inflammatory characteristics in IE, allowed modify therapeutic strategy which achieved control of the disease. We concluded that inflamommetry by IE cellular analysis is the tool that contributes to optimize the treatment and achieve true control of the disease. We suggest including this procedure in clinical practice and proposing a strategy for the management of asthma.