抗血管内皮生长因子受体2双价单链抗体的构建表达及其活性研究

为了竞争性抑制血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)与其受体(VEGFR-2)的结合,构建表达了能够与VEGFR-2胞外3区(KDR3)特异结合的双价单链抗体(bivalent single-chain Fv,BsFv),并鉴定其生物活性。以KDR3特异结合单链抗体AK404(scFv AK404)基因为模板,设计引物引入中间连接肽(G₄S)₃连接两个scFv片段,将其克隆入原核表达载体pET22b,并转化至大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中诱导表达,表达产物依次经过镍柱亲和层析纯化和透析复性;基于生物膜层表面干涉技术(Bio-Layer Interferometry,BLI)技术的体外亲和力监测实验和VEGF诱导的人脐静脉内皮细胞(HUVEC)增殖实验鉴定表达产物与KDR结合的活性。酶切鉴定和DNA测序结果表明BsFv构建成功;SDS-PAGE显示37 ℃下1 mmol/L IPTG诱导细菌6 h获得包涵体,经镍柱亲和层析纯化和透析复性得到纯度为90%的BsFv;经Western blotting鉴定为目的蛋白;体外结合实验表明:BsFv特异性结合KDR胞外3区的亲合力约为单价抗体AK404的2倍;内皮细胞增殖抑制实验表明:BsFv可剂量依赖性地抑制HUVEC细胞增殖,且其抑制效果强于AK404。上述结果表明:BsFv在抗血管生成活性方面比其scFv具有明显优势,为进一步用于抗血管生成抗肿瘤治疗和肿瘤诊断奠定了基础。     

On-resin cyclization of peptide ligands of the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 1 by copper(I)-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar azide-alkyne cycloaddition

Cyclic peptides were obtained, on-resin, by the copper (I) catalysed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azides and alkynes. The reaction led exclusively to the formation of the expected cyclomonomeric products which acted as ligands of the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor receptor 1.     

The pharmacophore of a peptoid VEGF receptor 2 antagonist includes both side chain and main chain residues

Here we identify the pharmacophore in a peptoid that antagonizes Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 (VEGFR2) in vitro and in vivo. Only three of the side chains in the peptoid are required for activity. Surprisingly, however, main chain atoms also form critical interactions with the receptor.     

Current biology of VEGF-B and VEGF-C

Endothelial growth factors and their receptors may provide important therapeutic tools for the treatment of pathological conditions characterised by defective or aberrant angiogenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is pivotal for vasculogenesis and for angiogenesis in normal and pathological conditions. VEGF-B and VEGF-C provide this gene family with additional functions, for example, VEGF-C also regulates lymphangiogenesis.     

Depletion of the novel protein PHACTR-1 from human endothelial cells abolishes tube formation and induces cell death receptor apoptosis

Using suppression subtractive hybridisation (SSH), we identified a hitherto unreported gene PHACTR-1 (Phosphatase Actin Regulating Protein-1) in Human Umbilical Vascular Endothelial Cells (HUVECs). PHACTR-1 is an actin and protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) binding protein which is reported to be highly expressed in brain and which controls PP1 activity and F-actin remodelling. We have also reported that its expression is dependent of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF-A₁₆₅). To study its function in endothelial cells, we used a siRNA strategy against PHACTR-1. PHACTR-1 siRNA-treated HUVECs showed a major impairment of tube formation and stabilisation. PHACTR-1 depletion triggered apoptosis through death receptors DR4, DR5 and FAS, which was reversed using death receptor siRNAs or with death receptor-dependent caspase-8 siRNA. Our findings suggest that PHACTR-1 is likely to be a key regulator of endothelial cell function properties. Because of its central role in the control of tube formation and endothelial cell survival, PHACTR-1 may represent a new target for the development of anti-angiogenic therapy.     

大鼠主动脉内皮细胞和平滑肌细胞的原代培养及生物学特性比较

目的培养大鼠主动脉平滑肌细胞和内皮细胞,细胞纯化与鉴定,比较生物学特性的差异。方法采用血管环贴壁法培养动脉内皮细胞,组织块贴壁法培养动脉平滑肌细胞,并采用有限稀释法挑选内皮细胞单克隆,免疫细胞荧光鉴定二者的特异性标志,相差显微镜观察二者单个细胞及细胞群体在形态上的差异性,CCK-8试剂盒检测细胞的增殖,比较二者对胰酶消化,粘附,冻存后复苏的情况。结果血管环贴壁法成功培养血管内皮细胞,组织块培养法成功培养出血管平滑肌细胞,内皮细胞能够形成单克隆集落,培养的细胞均表达相应的特异性标志,内皮细胞增殖速度和平滑肌细胞有差异,内皮细胞对胰酶的耐受性较差,内皮细胞粘附所需时间短,对冻存后的耐受性较好。结论组织块贴壁法适合内皮细胞和平滑肌细胞的培养,有限稀释法能够纯化原代培养的内皮细胞,大鼠主动脉平滑肌细胞和内皮细胞在细胞形态、增殖、粘附、对胰酶的反应、冻存后复苏均存在差异。     

Endothelial dysfunction as a cellular mechanism for vascular failure

The regulation of vascular tone, vascular permeability, and thromboresistance is essential to maintain blood circulation and therefore tissue environments under physiological conditions. Atherogenic stimuli, including diabetes, dyslipidemia, and oxidative stress, induce vascular dysfunction, leading to atherosclerosis, which is a key pathological basis for cardiovascular diseases such as ischemic heart disease and stroke. We have proposed a novel concept termed "vascular failure" to comprehensively recognize the vascular dysfunction that contributes to the development of cardiovascular diseases. Vascular endothelial cells form the vascular endothelium as a monolayer that covers the vascular lumen and serves as an interface between circulating blood and immune cells. Endothelial cells regulate vascular function in collaboration with smooth muscle cells. Endothelial dysfunction under pathophysiological conditions contributes to the development of vascular dysfunction. Here, we address the barrier function and microtubule function of endothelial cells. Endothelial barrier function, mediated by cell-to-cell junctions between endothelial cells, is regulated by small GTPases and kinases. Microtubule function, regulated by the acetylation of tubulin, a component of the microtubules, is a target of atherogenic stimuli. The elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction as a cellular mechanism for vascular failure could provide novel therapeutic targets of cardiovascular diseases.     

Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV Inhibition Activates CREB and Improves Islet Vascularization through VEGF-A/VEGFR-2 Signaling Pathway

Substitution of pancreatic islets is a potential therapy to treat diabetes and it depends on reconstitution of islet’s capillary network. In this study, we addressed the question whether stabilization of Glucagon-Like-Peptide-1 (GLP-1) by inhibiting Dipeptidyl Peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) increases β-cell mass by modulating vascularization. Mouse or porcine donor islets were implanted under kidney capsule of diabetic mice treated with DPP-IV inhibitor sitagliptin. Grafts were analyzed for insulin production, β-cell proliferation and vascularization. In addition, the effect of sitagliptin on sprouting and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)-A expression was examined ex vivo. The cAMP response element-binding (CREB) and VEGF-A/ Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor (VEGFR)-2 signaling pathway leading to islet vascularization was explored. Sitagliptin increased mean insulin content of islet grafts and area of insulin-positive tissue as well as β-cell proliferation. Interestingly, sitagliptin treatment also markedly increased endothelial cell proliferation, microvessel density and blood flow. Finally, GLP-1 (7-36) stimulated sprouting and VEGF expression, which was significantly enhanced by sitagliptin- mediated inhibition of DPP-IV. Our in vivo data demonstrate that sitagliptin treatment phosphorylated CREB and induced islet vascularization through VEGF-A/VEGFR-2 signaling pathway. This study paves a new pathway for improvement of islet transplantation in treating diabetes mellitus.     

Upregulation of specific mRNA levels in rat brain after cell phone exposure

Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to regular cell phones for 6 h per day for 126 days (18 weeks). RT-PCR was used to investigate the changes in levels of mRNA synthesis of several injury-associated proteins. Calcium ATPase, Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule, Neural Growth Factor, and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor were evaluated. The results showed statistically significant mRNA up-regulation of these proteins in the brains of rats exposed to cell phone radiation. These results indicate that relative chronic exposure to cell phone microwave radiation may result in cumulative injuries that could eventually lead to clinically significant neurological damage.     

皂苷类成分对血管内皮细胞功能的调节作用研究进展

血管内皮细胞在维持血管生理稳态中发挥了重要的作用,其功能障碍是动脉粥样硬化、冠心病、脑卒中、肿瘤等多种重大疾病发生发展的病理基础,调节血管内皮细胞功能是防治上述疾病的主要途径之一。大量研究表明,皂苷类成分可通过改善血管内皮功能达到治疗疾病的目的。综述了近年来报道的皂苷类成分调节血管内皮功能的研究进展,旨在为皂苷类成分作用机制的阐明和相关重大疾病的防治提供一定参考。     

Sustained VEGF blockade results in microenvironmental sequestration of VEGF by tumors and persistent VEGF receptor-2 activation

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) blockade has been validated clinically as a treatment for human cancers, yet virtually all patients eventually develop progressive disease during therapy. In order to dissect this phenomenon, we examined the effect of sustained VEGF blockade in a model of advanced pediatric cancer. Treatment of late-stage hepatoblastoma xenografts resulted in the initial collapse of the vasculature and significant tumor regression. However, during sustained treatment, vessels recovered, concurrent with a striking increase in tumor expression of perlecan, a heparan sulfate proteoglycan. Whereas VEGF mRNA was expressed at the periphery of surviving clusters of tumor cells, both secreted VEGF and perlecan accumulated circumferential to central vessels. Vascular expression of heparanase, VEGF receptor-2 ligand binding, and receptor activation were concurrently maintained despite circulating unbound VEGF Trap. Endothelial survival signaling via Akt persisted. These findings provide a novel mechanism for vascular survival during sustained VEGF blockade and indicate a role for extracellular matrix molecules that sequester and release biologically active VEGF.     

C-terminal truncation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor mimetic helical peptide preserves structural and receptor binding properties

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor mimetic peptides have interesting applications in therapeutic angiogenesis. Recently, we described the proangiogenic properties of a 15 mer peptide designed on the N-terminal helix 17-25 of VEGF. The peptide was stabilized introducing well known peptide chemical tools among which N- and C-terminal capping sequence. Here, we show that the C-terminal sequence does not affect the structural and biological properties of the full-length peptide. In fact, a C-terminal truncated analog peptide resulted in a well folded and stable helix retaining the ability to bind to VEGF receptors. This study will allow to develop smaller peptidomimetic analogs able to modulate the VEGF-dependent angiogenesis.     

A new model of human aortic endothelial cells in vitro

Vascular endothelial cells play an important role in coagulation regulation of vascular tone and in a variety of synthetic and metabolic functions. Endothelial cells also have a pivotal role in immunological diseases atherogenesis and tumor angiogenesis. Endothelial cells are often used as system to study the pathophysiology of late complications in diabetes mellitus atherosclerotic damages and leukocyte adhesion in inflammatory diseases. Most of the studies have been performed on primary arterial and venous endothelial cell cultures with problems such as availability of autoptic material and reproducibility of cell cultures. We have isolated and characterized a novel system of proliferating long-term cultures of human aortic endothelial cells that maintain their differentiated characteristics for many generations in vitro. They produce antithrombotic and thrombotic factors such as t-PA and PAI-1 and respond to TNFalpha, an important factor correlated with the inflammatory process by modifying growth characteristics by producing cytokines such as GM-CSF by expressing ICAM-1 on the surface and by producing large amounts of nitric oxide and endothelin. This new system may be very useful to understand and study the molecular mechanisms involved in many vascular alteration pathologies and in the aging process.     

Blocking Fibroblast Growth Factor receptor signaling inhibits tumor growth, lymphangiogenesis, and metastasis

Fibroblast Growth Factor receptor (FGFR) activity plays crucial roles in tumor growth and patient survival. However, FGF (Fibroblast Growth Factor) signaling as a target for cancer therapy has been under-investigated compared to other receptor tyrosine kinases. Here, we studied the effect of FGFR signaling inhibition on tumor growth, metastasis and lymphangiogenesis by expressing a dominant negative FGFR (FGFR-2DN) in an orthotopic mouse mammary 66c14 carcinoma model. We show that FGFR-2DN-expressing 66c14 cells proliferate in vitro slower than controls. 66c14 tumor outgrowth and lung metastatic foci are reduced in mice implanted with FGFR-2DN-expressing cells, which also exhibited better overall survival. We found 66c14 cells in the lumen of tumor lymphatic vessels and in lymph nodes. FGFR-2DN-expressing tumors exhibited a decrease in VEGFR-3 (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3) or podoplanin-positive lymphatic vessels, an increase in isolated intratumoral lymphatic endothelial cells and a reduction in VEGF-C (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-C) mRNA expression. FGFs may act in an autocrine manner as the inhibition of FGFR signaling in tumor cells suppresses VEGF-C expression in a COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2) or HIF1-α (hypoxia-inducible factor-1 α) independent manner. FGFs may also act in a paracrine manner on tumor lymphatics by inducing expression of pro-lymphangiogenic molecules such as VEGFR-3, integrin α9, prox1 and netrin-1. Finally, in vitro lymphangiogenesis is impeded in the presence of FGFR-2DN 66c14 cells. These data confirm that both FGF and VEGF signaling are necessary for the maintenance of vascular morphogenesis and provide evidence that targeting FGFR signaling may be an interesting approach to inhibit tumor lymphangiogenesis and metastatic spread.     

Dengue virus infection of mast cells triggers endothelial cell activation

Vascular perturbation is a hallmark of severe forms of dengue disease. We show here that antibody-enhanced dengue virus infection of primary human cord blood-derived mast cells (CBMCs) and the human mast cell-like line HMC-1 results in the release of factor(s) which activate human endothelial cells, as evidenced by increased expression of the adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. Endothelial cell activation was prevented by pretreatment of mast cell-derived supernatants with a tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-specific blocking antibody, thus identifying TNF as the endothelial cell-activating factor. Our findings suggest that mast cells may represent an important source of TNF, promoting vascular endothelial perturbation following antibody-enhanced dengue virus infection.     

Variations in inflammatory genes are associated with periodontitis

Background

Periodontitis is a multi-factorial disease and several risk-factors such as infections, inflammatory responses, oral hygiene, smoke, aging and individual predisposition are involved in the disease. Pathogens trigger chronic inflammation with cytokines release which in turn leads to the destruction of the connective and the teeth supporting bone. The identification of genetic factors controlling oral inflammation may increase our understanding of genetic predisposition to periodontitis.Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the promoter region of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Alpha-1-Antichymotripsin, hydroxy-methyl-glutaryl CoA reductase, Interferon alpha, Interleukin-1 Beta, Interleukin 10, Interleukin 6 and Tumor Necrosis Factor- alpha genes from a case/control study were investigated.

Results

The C allele of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, A allele of Interleukin 10 and GG genotype of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α were individually associated with chronic periodontitis. However, the concomitant presence of the three genetic markers in the same subjects appeared to play a synergistic role and increased several folds the risk of the disease.

Conclusions

Our findings offer new tools to implement the screening of unaffected subjects with an increased susceptibility of periodontitis and increase our understanding regarding the genetic inflammatory background related to familiarity of the disease.

     

Pleiotrophin induces angiogenesis: involvement of the phosphoinositide-3 kinase but not the nitric oxide synthase pathways

Pleiotrophin (PTN) is a developmentally regulated protein that has been shown to be involved in tumor growth and metastasis presumably by activating tumor angiogenesis. To clarify the potential angiogenic activity of PTN and to analyze the signaling pathways involved in this process, we used an in vitro model of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC). We show that PTN was mitogenic toward a variety of endothelial cells including HUVEC, stimulated HUVEC migration across a reconstituted basement membrane and induced the formation of capillary-like structures by HUVEC grown as 3D-cultures in Matrigel or collagen. The signaling pathways triggered following endothelial cell stimulation by PTN were studied by using pharmacological inhibitors of the Phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) and endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (eNOS), two enzymes that have been shown to be crucial in the angiogenic response to Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF). Whereas wortmannin (a PI3K inhibitor) and L-NAME (an eNOS inhibitor) dramatically reduced HUVEC growth induced by VEGF, only the former inhibitor reduced the growth induced by PTN and to a lesser extent that stimulated by basic Fibroblast Growth Factor. Thus, our results indicate that PTN induces angiogenesis and utilizes PI3K- but not eNOS-dependent pathways for its angiogenic activity.     

Internally calibrated quantification of VEGF in human plasma by fluorescence immunoassays in disposable elastomeric microfluidic devices

Herein we report on a proof of principle for the reproducible quantification of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in human plasma by fluorescence sandwich immunoassays using disposable polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic chips. The system requires 100 times less sample than typical clinical blood tests, while its current quantification limit is established at 4 pM. The in-built calibration method of spiking the plasma with known concentrations of commercially available antigen avoids common sources of error and improves the reliability of the test results. The demonstrated technique is important for immunoassay applications in fundamental scientific research and “point-of-care” (POC) biomedical diagnostics. In particular, the system is immediately applicable to microfluidic quantification of VEGF in human plasma in cancer studies.     

Increased production of functional small extracellular vesicles in senescent endothelial cells

Small extracellular vesicles (EVs) are novel players in vascular biology. However, a thorough understanding of their production and function remains elusive. Endothelial senescence is a key feature of vascular ageing and thus, is an attractive therapeutic target for the treatment of vascular disease. In this study, we sought to characterize the EV production of senescent endothelial cells. To achieve this, Human Umbilical Vascular Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) were replicated until they reached senescence, as determined by measurement of Senescence‐Associated β‐Galactosidase activity via microscopy and flow cytometry. Expression of the endosomal marker Rab7 and the EV marker CD63 was determined by immunofluorescence. Small EVs were isolated by ultracentrifugation and characterized using electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis and immunoassays to assess morphology, size, concentration and expression of exosome markers CD9 and CD81. Migration of HUVECs in response to EVs was studied using a transwell assay. The results showed that senescent endothelial cells express higher levels of Rab7 and CD63. Moreover, senescent endothelial cells produced higher levels of CD9‐ and CD81‐positive EVs. Additionally, small EVs from both young and senescent endothelial cells promoted HUVEC migration. Overall, senescent endothelial cells produce an increased number of functional small EVs, which may have a role in vascular physiology and disease.