MICAL2 is expressed in cancer associated neo-angiogenic capillary endothelia and it is required for endothelial cell viability,motility and VEGF response

The capacity of inducing angiogenesis is a recognized hallmark of cancer cells. The cancer microenvironment, characterized by hypoxia and inflammatory signals, promotes proliferation, migration and activation of quiescent endothelial cells (EC) from surrounding vascular network. Current anti-angiogenic drugs present side effects, temporary efficacy, and issues of primary resistance, thereby calling for the identification of new therapeutic targets.MICALs are a unique family of redox enzymes that destabilize F-actin in cytoskeletal dynamics. MICAL2 mediates Semaphorin3A-NRP2 response to VEGFR1 in rat ECs. MICAL2 also enters the p130Cas interactome in response to VEGF in HUVEC. Previously, we showed that MICAL2 is overexpressed in metastatic cancer. A small-molecule inhibitor of MICAL2 exists (CCG-1423).Here we report that 1) MICAL2 is expressed in neo-angiogenic ECs in human solid tumors (kidney and breast carcinoma, glioblastoma and cardiac myxoma, n = 67, were analyzed with immunohistochemistry) and in animal models of ischemia/inflammation neo-angiogenesis, but not in normal capillary bed; 2) MICAL2 protein pharmacological inhibition (CCG-1423) or gene KD reduce EC viability and functional performance; 3) MICAL2 KD disables ECs response to VEGF in vitro. Whole-genome gene expression profiling reveals MICAL2 involvement in angiogenesis and vascular development pathways.Based on these results, we propose that MICAL2 expression in ECs participates to inflammation-induced neo-angiogenesis and that MICAL2 inhibition should be tested in cancer- and noncancer-associated neo-angiogenesis, where chronic inflammation represents a relevant pathophysiological mechanism.     

全生物化组织工程血管SMA、PDGF-AA及MMP-2的表达

目的探讨血管平滑肌细胞的α-actin(SMA)、血小板源性生长因子-AA(PDGF-AA)及金属蛋白酶-2(MMP-2)的表达情况。方法采用以酶消化为主的方法制备猪颈总动脉脱细胞支架,再种植犬胸主动脉的平滑肌细胞,培养4周,分别于2周和4周取材作形态学观察和SMA、MMP-2及PDGF-AA的免疫组化染色及图象分析,并以幼年犬和成年犬的胸主动脉作对照。结果组织工程血管培养2周和4周,α-actin的表达高于幼年犬,但明显低于成年犬;PDGF-AA表达低于幼年犬,但明显高于成年犬;MMP-2高于成年犬,培养4周时MMP-2的表达接近幼年犬。结论全生物化组织工程血管体外构建中VSMC的PDGF-AA和ECM的表达逐渐增多,SMA的表达逐渐减少,VSMC由收缩表型逐渐转变为合成表型,VSMC大量增殖,伴有新的细胞外基质产生,同时MMP-2分泌增加,促进种植细胞的迁移,重建了组织工程血管的管壁结构。     

下肢动脉硬化闭塞症患者血清胆红素含量的分析

目的：分析血清胆红素与动脉硬化闭塞症的相关性及临床意义。方法：1）回顾性分析我院2011年1月至2012年11月,318例符合下肢动脉硬化闭塞症诊断者的血清胆红素含量。并依照Fontaine分类法将患者分成临床四期。2）回顾性分析我院体检中心2012年100例体检者的血清胆红素含量。3）将上述1、2组的数据做两样本t检验,并将1组数据根据临床的分级进行内部小组t检验。以P〈0．05为有差异,P〈0．01为有显著差异。结果：动脉硬化闭塞症的患者血清总胆红素、直接胆红素、间接胆红素的含量均明显低于正常对照组,且动脉硬化闭塞症患者随着临床分级的进展而进一步降低。结论：动脉硬化闭塞症患者的血清胆红素水平与其发生成负性相关,低浓度血清胆红素是独立的动脉硬化闭塞症的危险因素。     

基底膜拉伸应变对培养的大鼠血管平滑肌细胞形态的影响

目的：探索拉伸应变与血管平滑肌细胞（ＶＳＭＣ）形态变化的关系,了解ＶＳＭＣ在血管壁对应力适应性改建中的响应。方法：运用自行研制的基底膜伸张装置实验系统,通过液压工作对培养于硅胶膜上的ＶＳＭＣ施以不同强度或不同时间的应变影响,模拟生理应力微环境中ＶＳＭＣ受到的二维伸应变,结合显微形态观察,计算机图像处理,了解拉伸应变与ＶＳＭＣ形态变化的定量关系。结果：（１）加载３ｍｉｎ－６ｈ内ＶＳＭＣ铺展进行性增加     

Vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation as a therapeutic target. Part 1: molecular targets and pathways

Cardiovascular diseases are a major cause of human death worldwide. Excessive proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells contributes to the etiology of such diseases, including atherosclerosis, restenosis, and pulmonary hypertension. The control of vascular cell proliferation is complex and encompasses interactions of many regulatory molecules and signaling pathways. Herein, we recapitulated the importance of signaling cascades relevant for the regulation of vascular cell proliferation. Detailed understanding of the mechanism underlying this process is essential for the identification of new lead compounds (e.g., natural products) for vascular therapies.     

Static pressure accelerates ox-LDL-induced cholesterol accumulation via SREBP-1-mediated caveolin-1 downregulation in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells

Objective

To investigate the effect of static pressure on cholesterol accumulation in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and its mechanism.

Methods

Rat-derived VSMC cell line A10 treated with 50 mg/L ox-LDL and different static pressures (0, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180 mm Hg) in a custom-made pressure incubator for 48 h. Intracellular lipid droplets and lipid levels were assayed by oil red O staining and HPLC; The mRNA levels of caveolin-1 and ABCA1, the protein levels of caveolin-1 SREBP-1 and mature SREBP-1 were respectively detected by RT-PCR or western blot. ALLN, an inhibitor of SREBP metabolism, was used to elevate SREBP-1 protein level in VSMCs treated with static pressure.

Results

Static pressures significantly not only increase intracellular lipid droplets in VSMCs, but also elevate cellular lipid content in a pressure-dependent manner. Intracellular free cholesterol (FC), cholesterol ester (CE), total cholesterol (TC) were respectively increased from 60.5 ± 2.8 mg/g, 31.8 ± 0.7 mg/g, 92.3 ± 2.1 mg/g at atmosphere pressure (ATM, 0 mm Hg) to 150.8 ± 9.4 mg/g, 235.9 ± 3.0 mg/g, 386.7 ± 6.4 mg/g at 180 mm Hg. At the same time, static pressures decrease the mRNA and protein levels of caveolin-1, and induce the activation and nuclear translocation of SREBP-1. ALLN increases the protein level of mature SREBP-1 and decreases caveolin-1 expression, so that cellular lipid levels were upregulated.

Conclusion

Static pressures stimulate ox-LDL-induced cholesterol accumulation in cultured VSMCs through decreasing caveolin-1 expression via inducing the maturation and nuclear translocation of SREBP-1.     

Identification of a cAMP-response element in the regulator of G-protein signaling-2 (RGS2) promoter as a key cis-regulatory element for RGS2 transcriptional regulation by angiotensin II in cultured vascular smooth muscles

Mice deficient in regulator of G-protein signaling-2 (RGS2) have severe hypertension, and RGS2 genetic variations occur in hypertensive humans. A potentially important negative feedback loop in blood pressure homeostasis is that angiotensin II (Ang II) increases vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) RGS2 expression. We reported that Group VIA phospholipase A(2) (iPLA(2)β) is required for this response (Xie, Z., Gong, M. C., Su, W., Turk, J., and Guo, Z. (2007) J. Biol. Chem. 282, 25278-25289), but the specific molecular causes and consequences of iPLA(2)β activation are not known. Here we demonstrate that both protein kinases C (PKC) and A (PKA) participate in Ang II-induced VSMC RGS2 mRNA up-regulation, and that actions of PKC and PKA precede and follow iPLA(2)β activation, respectively. Moreover, we identified a conserved cAMP-response element (CRE) in the murine RGS2 promoter that is critical for cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) binding and RGS2 promoter activation. Forskolin-stimulated RGS2 mRNA up-regulation is inhibited by CREB sequestration or specific disruption of the CREB-RGS2 promoter interaction, and Ang II-induced CREB phosphorylation and nuclear localization are blocked by iPLA(2)β pharmacologic inhibition or genetic ablation. Ang II-induced intracellular cyclic AMP accumulation precedes CREB phosphorylation and is diminished by inhibiting iPLA(2), cyclooxygenase, or lipoxygenase. Moreover, three single nucleotide polymorphisms identified in hypertensive patients are located in the human RGS2 promoter CREB binding site. Point mutations corresponding to these single nucleotide polymorphisms interfere with stimulation of human RGS2 promoter activity by forskolin. Our studies thus delineate a negative feedback loop to attenuate Ang II signaling in VSMC with potential importance in blood pressure homeostasis and the pathogenesis of human essential hypertension.