Ang2、Tie2基因的RNA干扰及其在体外抑制血管生成的作用

目的：探讨应用RNA干扰（RNA interference,RNAi）技术沉默Ang2、Tie2基因及其在体外抑制血管生成的研究,为将来进一步进行抑制肿瘤血管生成的动物实验研究奠定基础,为肿瘤的基因治疗提供实验依据。方法：用pSilencer 1.0-U6-Ang2/Tie2-siRNA重组质粒转染人脐静脉内皮细胞(HUVECs),采用RT PCR检测各组HUVECs Ang2、Tie2的mRNA表达状况。应用体外血管生成的三维培养模型研究转染后的HUVECs在体外形成血管样结构的情况。结果：pSilencer 1.0-U6-Ang2/Tie2-siRNA重组质粒转染HUVECs后,RT-PCR检测结果显示: Ang2、Tie2基因mRNA的表达水平均受到明显抑制（P<0.05）,并且siRNA的2条重组质粒之间均无明显差别（P>0.05）。转染后的HUVECs在体外三维培养模型中血管样结构形成的数量和长度均明显减少（P<0.05）,表明血管生成受到明显抑制。结论：Ang2-siRNA、Tie2-siRNA能够抑制HUVECs中Ang2和Tie2的mRNA表达,从而在体外抑制血管生成。     

KLF2与血管静止

血管生成素-1（Ang1）根据细胞中其受体Tie2的状况,既可调节血管静止状态,也可调节血管的生成。与细胞互作的Tie2可以启动静止状态,而与细胞外介质（ECM）互作的Tie 2则可刺激血管的生成,与细胞互作的Ang1-Tie2复合体可以诱导转录因子KLF2（Krvppel-like factor 2）的表达。     

血管内皮细胞特异表达Cre重组酶转基因小鼠的建立

血管内皮细胞参与血管形成、血管稳态维持、血栓形成、炎症和血管重建等生理和病理过程。为了便于通过Cre-LoxP系统研究相关基因在血管内皮细胞中的功能,创建了Tie2-Cre转基因小鼠,利用Tie2基因的启动子驱动Cre重组酶基因在血管内皮细胞中表达。经基因组PCR和Southern Blot鉴定有6只小鼠在基因组上整合有Cre基因,整合率为11％。为了验证Cre重组酶的剪切活性和表达组织分布,我们将Tie2-Cre转基因小鼠分别与Smad4条件基因打靶小鼠和报告小鼠ROSA26交配。Tie2-Cre;Smad4^co/＋小鼠的多个组织的基因组DNA的PCR结果显示,Cre重组酶在所有包含血管内皮细胞的组织中表达并能介导LoxP间的重组。Tie2-Cre;ROSA26双转基因胚胎LacZ染色结果显示,Cre重组酶在所有被检测组织的血管内皮细胞中特异性表达。因此．Tie2-Cre转基因小鼠可作血管内皮细胞谱系分析和在血管内皮细胞进行条件基因打靶的理想工具小鼠。     

Ang2-siRNA慢病毒干预裸鼠移植性恶性黑色素瘤的研究

目的研究血管生成素2小干扰RNA（Ang2-siRNA）对裸鼠移植性恶性黑色素瘤血管形成及其生长的影响。方法建立人恶性黑色素肿瘤裸鼠异种移植瘤模型。在体内使用pNL-EGFP—Ang2-siRNA慢病毒干扰裸鼠移植性恶性黑色素瘤Ang2基因的表达,观察统计各组肿瘤（空白组、空载组、实验组）生长情况。应用实时荧光定量RT—PCR检测肿瘤组织中Ang2基因的mRNA表达水平;CD34单克隆抗体作为血管内皮标志物,免疫组织化学法检测其表达,以评价肿瘤微血管密度。结果成功建立了恶性黑色素瘤裸鼠异种移植瘤模型,实验组肿瘤Ang2基因mRNA水平、微血管密度、肿瘤体积显著小于空白组和空载组（P〈0．01）,空白组和空载组之间无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论pNL—EGFP—Ang2-siRNA慢病毒能沉默Ang2的表达,显著抑制恶性黑色素瘤血管的形成和肿瘤的生长,可能为临床恶性黑色素肿瘤的基因治疗开辟新的途径。     

Ang-Tie轴在血管和淋巴系统相关疾病中作用的研究进展

形成血管和淋巴管内层的内皮细胞是脉管系统的重要组成部分,并参与血管和淋巴系统疾病的发病机制。内皮细胞上的血管生成素(Angiopoietin,Ang)-具有免疫球蛋白和表皮生长因子同源性结构域的酪氨酸蛋白激酶(Tyrosine kinase receptors with immunoglobulin and EGF homology domains,Tie)轴是除了血管内皮生长因子受体途径外胚胎心血管和淋巴发育所必需的第二种内皮细胞特异性配体-受体信号传导系统。Ang-Tie轴参与调节产后血管生成与重塑、血管通透性和炎症,以维持血管平衡,因此,该系统在许多血管和淋巴系统疾病中发挥重要的作用。针对近年来Ang-Tie轴在血管和淋巴系统相关疾病中作用的研究进展,文中系统论述了Ang-Tie轴在炎症诱导的血管通透性、血管重塑、眼部新生脉管、剪切应力反应、动脉粥样硬化和肿瘤血管生成和转移中的作用,并总结了涉及Ang-Tie轴的相关治疗性抗体、重组蛋白和小分子药物。     

血管生成素样蛋白1的研究进展

血管生成素样蛋白1(ANGPTL1)是血管生成素样蛋白(angiopoietin like protein)家族的成员。ANGPTL家族目前已发现八个成员,ANGPTL与血管生成素的结构相似,共享两个基本结构基序。但是ANGPTL1不能与血管紧张素家族的受体(Tie1和Tie2)结合,所以不属于血管紧张素。尽管已发现ANGPTL1影响内皮细胞生长或凋亡,但ANGPTL1的特异性功能和潜在机制大多尚未确定。目前已知研究表明,ANGPTL1不仅靶向血管内皮细胞,还影响肿瘤的行为。ANGPTL1可能作为抑制癌转移的新靶点而受到关注,本文对ANGPTL1的结构特性及其已知的生物学作用作一总结,以期对ANGPTL1体内的功能有更全面和深入的理解。     

促血管生成素的生物学特点和应用前景

促血管生成素（Ang）家族是调节血管生成的一类细胞因子,包括Ang-1、Ang-2、Ang-3和Ang-4等4个成员,Ang-1和Ang-2是其中最重要的成员。Tie-2是Ang家族的共同受体。Ang-1与Tie-2结合后激活下游信号通路,起到抑制内皮凋亡、促进内皮存活和迁移、维持血管完整性的作用;Ang-2则是Ang-1天然的抑制剂,其拮抗的效应与局部血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）的水平有关,VEGF存在时促进新生血管形成,VEGF缺乏时则有利于血管的消退。Ang参与生理和病理性的血管新生,与肿瘤和其他疾病有密切的关系,有广泛的应用前景。     

子宫自然杀伤细胞在人类早孕蜕膜血管 生成中的作用研究

子宫内膜蜕膜化过程伴随着活跃的血管生成是妊娠时新血管形成的关键步骤. 本研究旨在明确子宫自然杀伤细胞(uNK, CD56⁺细胞)在人类早期妊娠蜕膜组织中的分布, 并观察这类细胞是否表达血管内皮生长因子(VEGF-A)和促血管生成素2(Ang2). 免疫组化研究发现, uNK细胞(CD56⁺)大量存在于子宫蜕膜间质中, 主要集中在血管和腺体周围的间质组织, 蛋白水平的VEGF-A和Ang2表达于蜕膜间质细胞、微血管内皮细胞和腺上皮细胞中, uNK细胞在子宫蜕膜间质中的阳性率与平均微血管密度(MVD)、uNK细胞的阳性率与VEGF-A蛋白阳性表达率呈正相关关系, 而与Ang2无相关性. 另外, 在激光微切获得的单个uNK细胞进行巢式PCR的研究结果显示, 人类蜕膜的uNK细胞能够表达VEGF mRNA, 未测得Ang2 mRNA在单个uNK细胞表达. 表明人类早孕子宫蜕膜中的uNK细胞通过表达VEGF-A, 在蜕膜化过程和胎盘早期形成时的血管生成中发挥重要作用.     

子宫自然杀伤细胞在人类早孕蜕膜血管 生成中的作用研究

子宫内膜蜕膜化过程伴随着活跃的血管生成是妊娠时新血管形成的关键步骤. 本研究旨在明确子宫自然杀伤细胞(uNK, CD56⁺细胞)在人类早期妊娠蜕膜组织中的分布, 并观察这类细胞是否表达血管内皮生长因子(VEGF-A)和促血管生成素2(Ang2). 免疫组化研究发现, uNK细胞(CD56⁺)大量存在于子宫蜕膜间质中, 主要集中在血管和腺体周围的间质组织, 蛋白水平的VEGF-A和Ang2表达于蜕膜间质细胞、微血管内皮细胞和腺上皮细胞中, uNK细胞在子宫蜕膜间质中的阳性率与平均微血管密度(MVD)、uNK细胞的阳性率与VEGF-A蛋白阳性表达率呈正相关关系, 而与Ang2无相关性. 另外, 在激光微切获得的单个uNK细胞进行巢式PCR的研究结果显示, 人类蜕膜的uNK细胞能够表达VEGF mRNA, 未测得Ang2 mRNA在单个uNK细胞表达. 表明人类早孕子宫蜕膜中的uNK细胞通过表达VEGF-A, 在蜕膜化过程和胎盘早期形成时的血管生成中发挥重要作用.     

肿瘤新生血管相关内皮细胞受体研究进展

血管生成对肿瘤的生长,存留和转移是至关重要的,增殖的肿瘤血管内皮细胞不同于静止期内皮细胞,增生血管内皮细胞上特异或高表达的许多受体目前已被鉴定,它们是肿瘤抗血管生成疗法的理想靶点,简要综述了其中主要的几种受体,如血管内皮细胞生长因子（VEGF）受体家族,Tie受体族,整合素受体αvβ3,ATP合成酶等。     

Tie1 regulates the Tie2 agonistic role of angiopoietin-2 in human lymphatic endothelial cells

Although Angiopoietin (Ang) 2 has been shown to function as a Tie2 antagonist in vascular endothelial cells, several recent studies on Ang2-deficient mice have reported that, like Ang1, Ang2 acts as a Tie2 agonist during in vivo lymphangiogenesis. However, the mechanism governing the Tie2 agonistic activity of Ang2 in lymphatic endothelial cells has not been investigated. We found that both Ang1 and Ang2 enhanced the in vitro angiogenic and anti-apoptotic activities of human lymphatic endothelial cells (HLECs) through the Tie2/Akt signaling pathway, while only Ang1 elicited such effects in human umbilical vein vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs). This Tie2-agonistic effect of Ang2 in HLECs resulted from low levels of physical association between Tie2 and Tie1 receptors due to a reduced level of Tie1 expression in HLECs compared to HUVECs. Overexpression of Tie1 and the resulting increase in formation of Tie1/Tie2 heterocomplexes in HLECs completely abolished Ang2-mediated Tie2 activation and the subsequent cellular responses, but did not alter the Ang1 function. This inhibitory role of Tie1 in Ang2-induced Tie2 activation was also confirmed in non-endothelial cells with adenovirus-mediated ectopic expression of Tie1 and/or Tie2. To our knowledge, this study is the first to describe how Ang2 acts as a Tie2 agonist in HLECs. Our results suggest that the expression level of Tie1 and its physical interaction with Tie2 defines whether Ang2 functions as a Tie2 agonist or antagonist, thereby determining the context-dependent differential endothelial sensitivity to Ang2.     

Molecular control of angiopoietin signalling

The angiopoietins act through the endothelial receptor tyrosine kinase Tie2 to regulate vessel maturation in angiogenesis and control quiescence and stability of established vessels. The activating ligand, Ang1 (angiopoietin-1), is constitutively expressed by perivascular cells, and the ability of endothelial cells to respond to the ligand is controlled at the level of the Ang1 receptor. This receptor interacts with the related protein Tie1 on the cell surface, and Tie1 inhibits Ang1 signalling through Tie2. The responsiveness of endothelium to Ang1 is determined by the relative levels of Tie2 and the inhibitory co-receptor Tie1 in the cells. Tie1 undergoes regulated ectodomain cleavage which is stimulated by a range of factors including VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), inflammatory cytokines and changes in shear stress. Ectodomain cleavage of Tie1 relieves inhibition of Tie2 and enhances Ang1 signalling. This mechanism regulates Ang1 signalling without requiring changes in the level of the ligand and allows Ang1 signalling to be co-ordinated with other signals in the cellular environment. Regulation of signalling at the level of receptor responsiveness may be an important adaptation in systems in which an activating ligand is normally present in excess or where the ligand provides a constitutive maintenance signal.     

Expression of the receptor tyrosine kinase Tie2 in neoplastic glial cells is associated with integrin beta1-dependent adhesion to the extracellular matrix

The abnormal function of tyrosine kinase receptors is a hallmark of malignant gliomas. Tie2 receptor tyrosine kinase is a specific endothelial cell receptor whose function is positively regulated by angiopoietin 1 (Ang1). Recently, Tie2 has also been found in the nonvascular compartment of several tumors, including leukemia as well as breast, gastric, and thyroid cancers. There is, however, little information on the function of the Ang1/Tie2 pathway in the non-stromal cells within human tumors. We found that surgical glioblastoma specimens contained a subpopulation of Tie2+/CD31- and Tie2+/GFAP+ cells, suggesting that Tie2 is indeed expressed outside the vascular compartment of gliomas. Furthermore, analysis of a tissue array consisting of 116 human glioma samples showed that Tie2 expression in the neoplastic glial cells was significantly associated with progression from a lower to higher grade. Importantly, Ang1 stimulation of Tie2+ glioma cells resulted in increased adherence of the cells to collagen I and IV, suggesting that Tie2 regulates glioma cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix. Conversely, the down-regulation of Tie2 levels by small interference RNA or the addition of soluble Tie2 abrogated the Ang1-mediated effect on cell adhesion. In studying the expression of cell adhesion molecules, we found that Tie2 activation was related to the up-regulation of integrin beta1 levels and the formation of focal adhesions. These results, together with the reported fact that malignant gliomas express high levels of Ang1, suggest the existence of an autocrine loop in malignant gliomas and that a Tie2-dependent pathway modulates cell-to-extracellular matrix adhesion, providing new insights into the highly infiltrative phenotype of human gliomas.     

Characterization and expression of a novel alternatively spliced human angiopoietin-2

Angiopoietin-2 (Ang2) is a naturally occurring antagonist of angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) that competes for binding to the Tie2 receptor and blocks Ang1-induced Tie2 autophosphorylation during vasculogenesis. Using the polymerase chain reaction, we isolated a cDNA encoding a novel shorter form of Ang2 from human umbilical vein endothelial cell cDNA and have designated it angiopoietin-2(443) (Ang2(443)), because it contains 443 amino acids. Part of the coiled-coil domain (amino acids 96-148) is absent in Ang2(443) because of alternative splicing of the gene. Like Ang2, recombinant Ang2(443) expressed in COS-7 cells is secreted as a glycosylated homodimeric protein. Recombinant Ang2(443) binds to the Tie2 receptor but does not induce Tie2 phosphorylation. Pre-occupation of Ang2(443) on Tie2 inhibits Ang1 or Ang2 binding and inhibits Ang1-induced phosphorylation. Expression of Ang2(443) mRNA is detectable in primary endothelial cells, several nonendothelial tumor cell lines, and primary tumor tissues. Interestingly, two cervical carcinoma cell lines express relatively moderate levels of Ang2(443) mRNA and protein. Macrophages express mainly Ang2 mRNA, but the expression of Ang2(443) mRNA is temporarily up-regulated during macrophage differentiation. These results suggest that Ang2(443) is a functional antagonist of Ang1 and could be an important regulator of angiogenesis during some tumorigenic and inflammatory processes.     

Effects of angiopoietins-1 and -2 on the receptor tyrosine kinase Tie2 are differentially regulated at the endothelial cell surface

Angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) and Ang2 are ligands for the receptor tyrosine kinase Tie2. Structural data suggest that the two ligands bind Tie2 similarly. However, in endothelial cells Ang1 activates Tie2 whereas Ang2 can act as an apparent antagonist. In addition, each ligand exhibits distinct kinetics of release following binding. These observations suggest that additional factors influence function and binding of angiopoietins with receptors in the cellular context. Previous work has shown that Ang1 binding and activation of Tie2 are inhibited by Tie1, a related receptor that complexes with Tie2 in cells. In this study we have investigated binding of Ang1 and Ang2 to Tie2 in endothelial cells. In contrast to Ang1, binding of Ang2 to Tie2 was found to be not affected by Tie1. Neither PMA-induced Tie1 ectodomain cleavage nor suppression of Tie1 expression by siRNA affected the ability of Ang2 to bind Tie2. Analysis of the level of Tie1 co-immunoprecipitating with angiopoietin-bound Tie2 demonstrated that Ang2 can bind Tie2 in Tie2:Tie1 complexes whereas Ang1 preferentially binds non-complexed Tie2. Stimulation of Tie1 ectodomain cleavage did not increase the agonist activity of Ang2 for Tie2. Similarly, the Tie2-agonist activity of Ang2 was not affected by siRNA suppression of Tie1 expression. Consistent with previous reports, loss of Tie1 ectodomain enhanced the agonist activity of Ang1 for Tie2. Importantly, Ang2 was still able to antagonize the elevated Ang1-activation of Tie2 that occurs on Tie1 ectodomain loss. Together these data demonstrate that Ang1 and Ang2 bind differently to Tie2 at the cell surface and this is controlled by Tie1. This differential regulation of angiopoietin binding allows control of Tie2 activation response to Ang1 without affecting Ang2 agonist activity and maintains the ability of Ang2 to antagonize even the enhanced Ang1 activation of Tie2 that occurs on loss of Tie1 ectodomain. This provides a mechanism by which signalling through Tie2 can be modified by stimuli in the cellular microenvironment.     

Enhanced expression of angiopoietin-2 and the Tie2 receptor but not angiopoietin-1 or the Tie1 receptor in a rat model of myocardial infarction

Modulation of Tie2 receptor activity by angiopoietin ligands is crucial for angiogenesis, blood vessel maturation, and vascular endothelium integrity. The role of the angiopoietin (Ang) and Tie system in myocardial infarction is not well understood. To investigate the participation of the Ang/Tie in myocardial infarction, adult Sprague-Dawley rats with ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery to induce myocardial infarction were studied. Ang1, Ang2, Tie1, and Tie2 were measured immediately after ligation of the coronary artery, and at 6 h, 1 and 3 days, and 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks after ligation by Northern blotting, Western blotting, and immunohistochemical staining. Ang2 mRNA significantly increased from 2 weeks (2.1-fold) to 4 weeks (2.9-fold) after the infarction in the left ventricular free wall. Tie2 mRNA increased significantly from 1 week (2.1-fold) to 4 weeks (3.8-fold) after the infarction. Ang2 protein also significantly increased from 3 days (1.9-fold) to 4 weeks (3-fold) after the infarction in the left ventricular free wall. Tie2 protein increased 2.4-fold at 3 weeks and 2.8-fold at 4 weeks after the infarction. Neither Ang1 nor Tie1 mRNA or protein showed any significant change at any time point after the infarction. The ratio of Ang2/Ang1 mRNA and protein in the study group was higher than that in the control group. Ang2 and Tie2 expression in nonischemic myocardium showed no significant change. Immunohistochemical study also showed increased immunoreactivity of Ang2 and Tie2 at the infarct border. In conclusion, Ang2 and Tie2 expressions significantly increased both spatial and temporal patterns after myocardial infarction in the rat ventricular myocardium, while Ang1 and Tie1 receptor expression did not.     

Tie2 Signaling Cooperates with TNF to Promote the Pro-Inflammatory Activation of Human Macrophages Independently of Macrophage Functional Phenotype

Angiopoietin (Ang) -1 and -2 and their receptor Tie2 play critical roles in regulating angiogenic processes during development, homeostasis, tumorigenesis, inflammation and tissue repair. Tie2 signaling is best characterized in endothelial cells, but a subset of human and murine circulating monocytes/macrophages essential to solid tumor formation express Tie2 and display immunosuppressive properties consistent with M2 macrophage polarization. However, we have recently shown that Tie2 is strongly activated in pro-inflammatory macrophages present in rheumatoid arthritis patient synovial tissue. Here we examined the relationship between Tie2 expression and function during human macrophage polarization. Tie2 expression was observed under all polarization conditions, but was highest in IFN-γ and IL-10 –differentiated macrophages. While TNF enhanced expression of a common restricted set of genes involved in angiogenesis and inflammation in GM-CSF, IFN-γ and IL-10 –differentiated macrophages, expression of multiple chemokines and cytokines, including CXCL3, CXCL5, CXCL8, IL6, and IL12B was further augmented in the presence of Ang-1 and Ang-2, via Tie2 activation of JAK/STAT signaling. Conditioned medium from macrophages stimulated with Ang-1 or Ang-2 in combination with TNF, sustained monocyte recruitment. Our findings suggest a general role for Tie2 in cooperatively promoting the inflammatory activation of macrophages, independently of polarization conditions.     

Notoginsenoside R1 activates the Ang2/Tie2 pathway to promote angiogenesis

BackgroundTherapeutic angiogenesis is a novel strategy for the treatment of ischemic diseases that involves promotion of angiogenesis in ischemic tissues via the use of proangiogenic agents. However, effective proangiogenic drugs that activate the Ang2/Tie2 signaling pathway remain scarce.PurposeWe aimed to investigate the proangiogenic activity of notoginsenoside R1 (NR1) isolated from total saponins of Panax notoginseng with regard to activation of the Ang2/Tie2 signaling pathway.MethodsWe examined the proangiogenic effects of NR1 by assessing the effects of NR1 on the proliferation, migration, invasion and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The aortic ring assay and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibitor (VRI)-induced vascular regression in the zebrafish model were used to confirm the proangiogenic effects of NR1 ex vivo and in vivo. Furthermore, the molecular mechanism was investigated by Western blot analysis.ResultsWe found that NR1 promoted the proliferation, mobility and tube formation of HUVECs in vitro. NR1 also increased the number of sprouting vessels in rat aortic rings and rescued VRI-induced vascular regression in zebrafish. NR1-induced angiogenesis was dependent on Tie2 receptor activation mediated by increased autocrine Ang2 in HUVECs, and inhibition of the Ang2/Tie2 pathway abrogated the proangiogenic effects of NR1.ConclusionsOur results suggest that NR1 promotes angiogenesis by activating the Ang2/Tie2 signaling pathway. Thus, NR1-induced activation of the Ang2/Tie2 pathway is an effective proangiogenic approach. NR1 may be useful agent for the treatment of ischemic diseases.