mESC衍生内皮祖细胞定向分化为血管内皮细胞促伤口愈合

缺血性功能障碍是重要的全球健康问题。血管内皮细胞 (vascular endothelial cell, VEC) 在血管生成和创面修复中发挥关键作用,血管重建不足可导致慢性不愈合伤口。因此,了解有效的血管内皮细胞生成策略有助于受损组织中的血管再生。胚胎干细胞 (embryonic stem cell, ESC) 在组织的内皮化研究中应用广泛。内皮祖细胞 (endothelial progenitor cell, EPC) 是血管内皮细胞发育中不可或缺的部分。本研究目的在于找到一种小鼠胚胎干细胞 (mouse embryonic stem cell, mESC) 衍生为内皮祖细胞的快速、易筛选且高重复性的方法,并从内皮祖细胞定向分化中获得存活率高和功能性好的血管内皮细胞。结果表明,胚胎干细胞通过10 ng/mL VEGF和5 ng/mL bFGF定向诱导分化为增殖能力强的“铺路石”样祖细胞。同时,差异贴壁法有助于EPC的筛选。而EPC可诱导3 d的祖细胞高表达CD133和CD34(相对表达量分别为0.88 ± 0.04和2.12 ± 0.02);采用acctuse酶消化祖细胞,并在50 ng/mL VEGF和25 ng/mL bFGF的条件下诱导7 d分化为血管内皮样细胞,该细胞不仅高表达内皮细胞标志基因CD31、CD144、LAMA5、Tek、KDR和vWF,高表达标志蛋白CD31、CD144、LAMA5(相对表达量分别为1.07 ± 0.03、0.60 ± 0.02和0.70 ± 0.02),而且具有良好的迁移、成管和Weibel Palade (W-P) 小体形成能力。随后,将PBS、EPC和VEC分别应用于大小相同的创面治疗,EPC和VEC均能加快组织愈合程度(相对愈合率分别为78.93 ± 75.35%、95.57 ± 83.73%和100.00 ± 0.00%),VEC明显增强了伤口的血管生成能力和炎症反应。该研究初步证实,mESC衍生的EPC定向诱导7 d后可分化为血管内皮细胞。此内皮细胞具有较好的组织修复功能,干细胞促进血管生成的生理途径有望成为组织重塑的新靶点。     

Over-expression of PDGFR-β promotes PDGF-induced proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of EPCs through PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

The proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play critical roles in postnatal neovascularization and re-endothelialization following vascular injury. Here we evaluated whether the over-expression of platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGFR-β) can enhance the PDGF-BB-stimulated biological functions of EPCs through the PDGFR-β/phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway. We first confirmed the expression of endogenous PDGFR-β and its plasma membrane localization in spleen-derived EPCs. We then demonstrated that the PDGFR-β over-expression in EPCs enhanced the PDGF-BB-induced proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of EPCs. Using AG1295 (a PDGFR kinase inhibitor), LY294002 (a PI3K inhibitor), and sc-221226 (an Akt inhibitor), we further showed that the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway participates in the PDGF-BB-induced proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of EPCs. In addition, the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is required for PDGFR-β over-expression to enhance these PDGF-BB-induced phenotypes.     

Angiogenesis by transplantation of HIF-1 alpha modified EPCs into ischemic limbs

Hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) is a key determinant of oxygen-dependent gene regulation in angiogenesis. HIF-1 alpha overexpression may be beneficial in cell therapy of hypoxia-induced pathophysiological processes, such as ischemic heart disease. To address this issue, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) were induced to differentiate into endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), and then were transfected with either an HIF-1 alpha-expressing or a control vector and cultured under normoxia or hypoxia. Hypoxia-induced HIF-1 alpha mRNA and protein expression was increased after HIF-1 alpha transfection. This was accompanied by VEGF mRNA induction and increased VEGF secretion. Hypoxia-stimulated VEGF mRNA induction was significantly abrogated by HIF-1 alpha-specific siRNA. Functional studies showed that HIF-1 alpha overexpression further promoted hypoxia-induced EPC differentiation, proliferation and migration. The expressions of endothelial cell markers CD31, VEGFR2 (Flk-1) and eNOS as well as VEGF and NO secretions were also increased. Furthermore, in an in vivo model of hindlimb ischemia, HIF-1 alpha-transfected EPCs homed to the site of ischemia. A higher revascularization potential was also demonstrated by increased capillary density at the injury site. Our results revealed that endothelial progenitor cells ex vivo modification by hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha gene transfection is feasible and may offer significant advantages in terms of EPC expansion and treatment efficacy.     

Hypoxia-Induced Endothelial Progenitor Cell Function Is Blunted in Angiotensinogen Knockout Mice

Angiotensinogen (AGT), the precursor of angiotensin I, is known to be involved in tumor angiogenesis and associated with the pathogenesis of coronary atherosclerosis. This study was undertaken to determine the role played by AGT in endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in tumor progression and metastasis. It was found that the number of EPC colonies formed by AGT heterozygous knockout (AGT^+/−) cells was less than that formed by wild-type (WT) cells, and that the migration and tube formation abilities of AGT^+/− EPCs were significantly lower than those of WT EPCs. In addition, the gene expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Flk1, angiopoietin (Ang)-1, Ang-2, Tie-2, stromal derived factor (SDF)-1, C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4), and of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were suppressed in AGT^+/− EPCs. Furthermore, the expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α and -2α were downregulated in AGT^+/− early EPCs under hypoxic conditions, suggesting a blunting of response to hypoxia. Moreover, the activation of Akt/eNOS signaling pathways induced by VEGF, epithelial growth factor (EGF), or SDF-1α were suppressed in AGT^+/− EPCs. In AGT^+/− mice, the incorporation of EPCs into the tumor vasculature was significantly reduced, and lung tumor growth and melanoma metastasis were attenuated. In conclusion, AGT is required for hypoxia-induced vasculogenesis.     

Gene modification with integrin-linked kinase improves function of endothelial progenitor cells in pre-eclampsia in vitro

Integrin-linked kinase (ILK), a multifunctional serine-threonine protein kinase, has been shown to have implications for the treatment of ischemia vascular diseases by promoting angiogenesis in various tissues. However, whether this kinase has therapeutic potential in pre-eclampsia is not well studied. In this report, we determined the changes in the production and action of ILK on endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) isolated from patients with pre-eclampsia. The effects of ILK transfection on proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of EPCs were investigated. We showed that EPCs transfected with the ILK gene expressed high levels of ILK protein and mRNA. Transfection with ILK also enhanced the proliferative, migratory, and angiogenic capabilities of EPCs, and promoted the production of VEGF. These results suggest that ILK gene transfection is an effective approach to augment angiogenic properties of EPCs in vitro and providing basis for clinical cell-based gene therapy in patients with pre-eclampsia.     

Silencing of PTGS2 exerts promoting effects on angiogenesis endothelial progenitor cells in mice with ischemic stroke via repression of the NF-κB signaling pathway

The objective of the current study is to investigate the effect of PTGS2 on proliferation, migration, angiogenesis and apoptosis of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in mice with ischemic stroke through the NF-κB signaling pathway. Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was established in mice. EPCs were identified, in which ectopic expression and depletion experiments were conducted. The mRNA and protein expression of related factors in tissues and cells were measured. Besides, proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, and apoptosis, as well as cell cycle distribution, of cells were determined. MCAO mice showed overexpression of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-17, and IL-23, and increased positive protein expression of PTGS2, as well as expression of PTGS2, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), tumor suppressor region 1 (TSP-1) and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), but underexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), S-phase kinase associated protein 2 (Skp2), and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2). Moreover, ectopic expression of tumor necrosis factor-α significantly elevated the expression of PTGS2, NF-κB, TSP-1, and Bax, as well as cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, but decreased the expression of VEGF, Skp2, and Bcl-2, as well as proliferation, migration and angiogenesis of EPCs, and the PTGS2-siRNA group showed an opposite trend. Taken together, we conclude that the specific knockdown of PTGS2 expression could repress the NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby inhibits apoptosis and promotes proliferation, migration and angiogenesis of EPCs, providing protective effect on mice with ischemic stroke.     

VEGF 家族及其在肿瘤生长中作用的研究

血管内皮生长因子(Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor,VEGF)家族是一类多功能的细胞因子,在血管生成和淋巴管生成中具有直接和间接的调控作用,可促进内皮细胞增殖、促进血管生成以及增加血管的通透性。VEGF/VEGFR轴由多重配基和受体质量叠加交错组成,并且受体与配基结合具有专一性,在不同的细胞中具有不同的细胞类型表达和功能.启动VEGF信号通路,触发了一个网状的信号过程,从而促进血管内皮细胞生长、转移和存活。进来研究发现,VEGF的一个重要作用表现为可动员内皮祖细胞从骨髓向远处转移从而形成新生血管,因而有必要设计和发展针对这一途径的抑制因子。随着研究的深入,VEGF促进肿瘤血管生成的作用和与人类癌症的发病机制的关系是确定的,因此,抑制VEGF途径被确认为是一种重要的有效的抗癌模式     

VEGF和SDF-1 的协同作用对内皮祖细胞增殖与迁移的影响

目的:研究血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)和基质衍生因子-1(SDF-1)的协同作用对高血压脑出血患者内皮祖细胞(EPCs)增殖迁移能力的影响。方法:采集急性期高血压脑出血患者与健康对照的外周静脉血,分离培养外周血中的EPCs。用分别含有不同VEGF与SDF-1的培养基处理患者外周血分离的EPCs,Western blot检测各组细胞以及患者和对照中VEGF和SDF-1的蛋白表达。MTT法检测细胞增值能力,Transwell法检测细胞迁移能力,分别转染VEGF-si RNA与SDF-1-si RNA至各组细胞观察抑制VEGF和SDF-1对EPCs增殖迁移能力的影响。结果:VEGF和SDF-1在患者中的表达显著高于健康对照组。VEGF和SDF-1对EPCs的增殖和迁移能力有促进作用,且在其协同作用下效果显著。抑制VEGF或SDF-1显著降低VEGF和SDF-1对EPCs增殖迁移能力的促进作用。结论:VEGF和SDF-1的协同作可促进急性期高血压脑出血患者EPCs的细胞增殖能力和迁移能力,对患者血管修复提供新的治疗方向。     

Angiogenic activity of endothelial progenitor cells through angiopoietin-1 and angiopoietin-2

Angiogenesis is a regulated process involving the proliferation, migration, and remodeling of different cell types particularly mature endothelial cells and recently discovered progenitor cells, named as endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Up to now, many attempts have been made to understand the dynamic balance of pro- and anti-angiogenic factors on EPCs on different milieu. It has been accepted that Ang-1, -2 and Tie-1, -2 signaling play a key role on angiogenesis pathways in endothelial lineage cells. In the current experiment, the angiogenic/angio-modulatory potency of Ang-1 and -2 was investigated on isolated EPCs. Freshly isolated EPCs were exposed to different concentrations of Ang-1 and -2 (25 and 50?ng/ml) over a course of 7 and 14 days. Corroborating to our results, a superior effect of Ang-1 on angiogenic properties, including an increased concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor, in vitro tubulogenesis, EPC migratory, Tie-2 expression and clonogenicity, was determined. A large amount of positive mature endothelium markers was achieved in EPCs being-exposed to Ang-1 peptide. Nonetheless, the number of CD133 positive cells increased in the presence of Ang-2. Collectively, we conclude that Ang-1 potentially induces functional and mature vascular-like behavior in EPCs more than Ang-2.     

Neutrophil Elastase-Generated Fragment of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A Stimulates Macrophage and Endothelial Progenitor Cell Migration

Elastase released from neutrophils as part of the innate immune system has been implicated in chronic diseases such as emphysema and cardiovascular disease. We have previously shown that neutrophil elastase targets vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF) for partial degradation to generate a fragment of VEGF (VEGFf) that has distinct activities. Namely, VEGFf binds to VEGF receptor 1 but not to VEGF receptor 2 and shows altered signaling compared to intact VEGF. In the present study we investigated the chemotactic function of VEGF and VEGFf released from cells by neutrophil elastase. We found that endothelial cells migrated in response to intact VEGF but not VEGFf whereas RAW 264.7 macrophages/monocytes and embryonic endothelial progenitor cells were stimulated to migrate by either VEGF or VEGFf. To investigate the role of elastase-mediated release of VEGF from cells/extracellular matrices, a co-culture system was established. High or low VEGF producing cells were co-cultured with macrophages, endothelial or endothelial progenitor cells and treated with neutrophil elastase. Elastase treatment stimulated macrophage and endothelial progenitor cell migration with the response being greater with the high VEGF expressing cells. However, elastase treatment led to decreased endothelial cell migration due to VEGF cleavage to VEGF fragment. These findings suggest that the tissue response to NE-mediated injury might involve the generation of diffusible VEGF fragments that stimulate inflammatory cell recruitment.     

Overexpression of osteopontin induces angiogenesis of endothelial progenitor cells via the avβ3/PI3K/AKT/eNOS/NO signaling pathway in glioma cells

Angiogenesis, a hallmark of tumor growth, is regulated by various angiogenic factors. Recent studies have shown that osteopontin (OPN) is a secreted, integrin-binding protein that contributes to glioma progression. However, its effect on the angiogenesis of gliomas is not fully understood. To elucidate the role of OPN in the process of glioma angiogenesis, endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) were treated with conditioned media of human glioma SHG44 cells overexpressing OPN. Here, we identified that OPN secreted by glioma cells accelerated EPCs angiogenesis in vitro, including proliferation, migration, and tube formation. OPN also induced the activation of AKT and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and increased NO production without affecting the expression of VEGF, VEGFR-1, or VEGFR-2. Moreover, the avβ3 antibody, the PI3-K inhibitor LY294002 and the eNOS inhibitor NMA suppressed the OPN-mediated increase in NO production and angiogenesis in EPCs. Taken together, these results demonstrate that OPN directly stimulates angiogenesis via the avβ3/PI3-K/AKT/eNOS/NO signaling pathway and may play an important role in tumorigenesis by enhancing angiogenesis in gliomas.     

Physical exercise attenuates age-associated reduction in endothelium-reparative capacity of endothelial progenitor cells by increasing CXCR4/JAK-2 signaling in healthy men

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play an important role in repairing endothelial injury. Aging is associated with EPC dysfunction. Physical exercise has a beneficial impact on EPC activity. However, whether physical exercise can enhance the endothelial repair capacity of EPCs in healthy men with aging is not clear. Here, we investigated the effects of physical exercise on reendothelialization capacity and CXC chemokine receptor four (CXCR4) signaling in human EPCs. Before and after 12-week exercise, EPCs were isolated from elderly and young men. In vitro function and in vivo reendothelialization capacity of EPCs in a mouse model of carotid artery injury were measured. The expression of CXCR4 and its downstream signaling target Janus kinase-2 (JAK-2) were determined. Before exercise, in vitro function and in vivo reendothelialization capacity of EPCs were significantly reduced in elderly men compared with young men. After exercise intervention, in vitro function and in vivo reendothelialization capacity of EPCs from elderly men were markedly enhanced. Physical exercise increased a higher CXCR4 protein expression and higher JAK-2 phosphorylation levels of EPCs. The augmentation in reendothelialization capacity of EPCs was closely correlated with the upregulation of CXCR4/JAK-2 signaling and improvement of endothelial function. This study demonstrates for the first time that physical exercise attenuates age-associated reduction in endothelium-reparative capacity of EPCs by increasing CXCR4/JAK-2 signaling. Our findings provide insight into the novel mechanisms of physical exercise as a lifestyle intervention strategy to promote vascular health in aging population.     

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Bioavailability Regulates Angiogenesis and Intestinal Stem and Progenitor Cell Proliferation during Postnatal Small Intestinal Development

Background

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a highly conserved, master regulatory molecule required for endothelial cell proliferation, organization, migration and branching morphogenesis. Podocoryne carnea and drosophila, which lack endothelial cells and a vascular system, express VEGF homologs, indicating potential roles beyond angiogenesis and vasculogenesis. The role of VEGF in the development and homeostasis of the postnatal small intestine is unknown. We hypothesized regulating VEGF bioavailability in the postnatal small intestine would exhibit effects beyond the vasculature and influence epithelial cell stem/progenitor populations.

Methods

VEGF mutant mice were created that overexpressed VEGF in the brush border of epithelium via the villin promotor following doxycycline treatment. To decrease VEGF bioavailability, sFlt-1 mutant mice were generated that overexpressed the soluble VEGF receptor sFlt-1 upon doxycycline administration in the intestinal epithelium. Mice were analyzed after 21 days of doxycycline administration.

Results

Increased VEGF expression was confirmed by RT-qPCR and ELISA in the intestine of the VEGF mutants compared to littermates. The VEGF mutant duodenum demonstrated increased angiogenesis and vascular leak as compared to littermate controls. The VEGF mutant duodenum revealed taller villi and increased Ki-67-positive cells in the transit-amplifying zone with reduced Lgr5 expression. The duodenum of sFlt-1 mutants revealed shorter villi and longer crypts with reduced proliferation in the transit-amplifying zone, reduced expression of Dll1, Bmp4 and VE-cadherin, and increased expression of Sox9 and EphB2.

Conclusions

Manipulating VEGF bioavailability leads to profound effects on not only the intestinal vasculature, but epithelial stem and progenitor cells in the intestinal crypt. Elucidation of the crosstalk between VEGF signaling in the vasculature, mesenchyme and epithelial stem/progenitor cell populations may direct future cell therapies for intestinal dysfunction or disease.     

Keratinocyte galvanotaxis in combined DC and AC electric fields supports an electromechanical transduction sensing mechanism

Sedentary keratinocytes at the edge of a skin wound migrate into the wound, guided by the generation of an endogenous electric field (EF) generated by the collapse of the transepithelial potential. The center of the wound quickly becomes more negative than the surrounding tissue and remains the cathode of the endogenous EF until the wound is completely re‐epithelialized. This endogenous guidance cue can be studied in vitro. When placed in a direct current (DC) EF of physiological strength, 100 V/m, keratinocytes migrate directionally toward the cathode in a process known as galvanotaxis. Although a number of membrane‐bound (e.g., epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), integrins) and cytosolic proteins (cAMP, ERK, PI3K) are known to play a role in the downstream signaling mechanisms underpinning galvanotaxis, the initial sensing mechanism for this response is not understood. To investigate the EF sensor, we studied the migration of keratinocytes in a DC EF of 100 V/m, alternating current (AC) EFs of 40 V/m at either 1.6 or 160 Hz, and combinations of DC and AC EFs. In the AC EFs alone, keratinocytes migrated randomly. The 1.6 Hz AC EF combined with the DC EF suppressed the direction of migration but had no effect on speed. In contrast, the 160 Hz AC EF combined with the DC EF did not affect the direction of migration but increased the migration speed compared to the DC EF alone. These results can be understood in terms of an electromechanical transduction model, but not an electrodiffusion/osmosis or a voltage‐gated channel model. Bioelectromagnetics 34:85–94, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

VEGF contributes to postnatal neovascularization by mobilizing bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been shown to promote neovascularization in animal models and, more recently, in human subjects. This feature has been assumed to result exclusively from its direct effects on fully differentiated endothelial cells, i.e. angiogenesis. Given its regulatory role in both angiogenesis and vasculogenesis during fetal development, we investigated the hypothesis that VEGF may modulate endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) kinetics for postnatal neovascularization. Indeed, we observed an increase in circulating EPCs following VEGF administration in vivo. VEGF-induced mobilization of bone marrow-derived EPCs resulted in increased differentiated EPCs in vitro and augmented corneal neovascularization in vivo. These findings thus establish a novel role for VEGF in postnatal neovascularization which complements its known impact on angiogenesis.     

The role of electrical signals in murine corneal wound re-epithelialization

Ion flow from intact tissue into epithelial wound sites results in lateral electric currents that may represent a major driver of wound healing cell migration. Use of applied electric fields (EF) to promote wound healing is the basis of Medicare-approved electric stimulation therapy. This study investigated the roles for EFs in wound re-epithelialization, using the Pax6(+/-) mouse model of the human ocular surface abnormality aniridic keratopathy (in which wound healing and corneal epithelial cell migration are disrupted). Both wild-type (WT) and Pax6(+/-) corneal epithelial cells showed increased migration speeds in response to applied EFs in vitro. However, only Pax6(+/+) cells demonstrated consistent directional galvanotaxis towards the cathode, with activation of pSrc signaling, polarized to the leading edges of cells. In vivo, the epithelial wound site normally represents a cathode, but 43% of Pax6(+/-) corneas exhibited reversed endogenous wound-induced currents (the wound was an anode). These corneas healed at the same rate as WT. Surprisingly, epithelial migration did not correlate with direction or magnitude of endogenous currents for WT or mutant corneas. Furthermore, during healing in vivo, no polarization of pSrc was observed. We found little evidence that Src-dependent mechanisms of cell migration, observed in response to applied EFs in vitro, normally exist in vivo. It is concluded that endogenous EFs do not drive long-term directionality of sustained healing migration in this mouse corneal epithelial model. Ion flow from wounds may nevertheless represent an important component of wound signaling initiation.