scholarly journals Intravital 2-photon imaging reveals distinct morphology and infiltrative properties of glioblastoma-associated macrophages

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (28) ◽  
pp. 14254-14259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhihong Chen ◽  
James L. Ross ◽  
Dolores Hambardzumyan

Characterized by a dismal survival rate and limited response to therapy, glioblastoma (GBM) remains one of the most aggressive human malignancies. Recent studies of the role of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in the progression of GBMs have demonstrated that TAMs are significant contributors to tumor growth, invasion, and therapeutic resistance. TAMs, which include brain-resident microglia and circulating bone marrow derived-monocytes (BMDMs), are typically grouped together in histopathological and molecular analyses due to the lack of reliable markers of distinction. To develop more effective therapies aimed at specific TAM populations, we must first understand how these cells differ both morphologically and behaviorally. Furthermore, we must develop a deeper understanding of the mechanisms encouraging their infiltration and how these mechanisms can be therapeutically exploited. In this study, we combined immunocompetent lineage tracing mouse models of GBM with high-resolution open-skull 2-photon microscopy to investigate the phenotypical and functional characteristics of TAMs. We demonstrate that TAMs are composed of 2 morphologically distinct cell types that have differential migratory propensities. We show that BMDMs are smaller, minimally branched cells that are highly migratory compared with microglia, which are larger, highly branched stationary cells. In addition, 2 populations of monocytic macrophages were observed that differed in terms of CX3CR1 expression and migratory capacity. Finally, we demonstrate the efficacy of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor A blockade for prohibiting TAM infiltration, especially against BMDMs. Taken together, our data clearly define characteristics of individual TAM populations and suggest that combination therapy with antivascular and antichemotaxis therapy may be an attractive option for treating these tumors.

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lingyan Zhu ◽  
Jieqi Qian ◽  
Yinan Jiang ◽  
Tianlun Yang ◽  
Qiong Duan ◽  
...  

Diabetic foot disease (DFD) is a common and serious complication for diabetes and is characterized with impaired angiogenesis. In addition to the well-defined role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) -A and its defect in the pathogenesis of DFD, another VEGF family member, placental growth factor (PlGF), was also recently found to alter expression pattern in the DFD patients with undetermined mechanisms. This question was thus addressed in the current study. We detected attenuated PlGF upregulation in a mouse DFD model. In addition, the major cell types at the wound to express the unique PlGF receptor, VEGF receptor 1 (VEGFR1), were macrophages and endothelial cells. To assess how PlGF regulates DFD-associated angiogenesis, we injected recombinant PlGF and depleted VEGF1R specifically in macrophages by local injection of an adeno-associated virus (AAV) carrying siRNA for VEGFR1 under a macrophage-specific CD68 promoter. We found that the angiogenesis and recovery of the DFD were both improved by PlGF injection. The PlGF-induced improvement in angiogenesis and the recovery of skin injury were largely attenuated by macrophage-specific depletion of VEGF1R, likely resulting from reduced macrophage number and reduced M2 polarization. Together, our data suggest that reduced PlGF compromises angiogenesis in DFD at least partially through macrophages.


2015 ◽  
Vol 88 (3) ◽  
pp. 247-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mihaela Elena Marina ◽  
Iulia Ioana Roman ◽  
Anne-Marie Constantin ◽  
Carmen Mihaela Mihu ◽  
Alexandru Dumitru Tătaru

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key growth factor, regulating the neovascularization, during embryogenesis, skeletal growth, reproductive functions and pathological processes. The VEGF receptors (VEGFR) are present in endothelial cells and other cell types, such as vascular smooth muscle cells, hematopoietic stem cells, monocytes, neurons, macrophages, and platelets.Angiogenesis is initiated by the activation of vascular endothelial cells through several factors. The excess dermal vascularity and VEGF production are markers of psoriasis.The pathological role of VEGF/VEGFR signaling during the psoriasis onset and evolution makes it a promising target for the treatment of psoriasis. Antibodies and other types of molecules targeting the VEGF pathway are currently evaluated in arresting the evolution of psoriasis.


Dose-Response ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 155932582094979
Author(s):  
Aliah R. Alshanwani ◽  
Sameerah Shaheen ◽  
Laila M. Faddah ◽  
Ahlam M. Alhusaini ◽  
Hanaa M. Ali ◽  
...  

Hypoxia may lead to inflammatory responses by numerous signaling pathways. This investigation intended to inspect the defensive role of Quercetin (Quer) and/ or Melatonin (Mel) against reno toxicity induced by Sodium nitrite (Sod ntr). Sod ntr injection significantly decreased blood hemoglobin concentration (Hb) with a concurrent increase in serum tumor necrosis factor- α, interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, creatinine, and urea levels. Over protein-expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and heat shock, protein-70 and mRNA of HIF-1α were also observed. Pretreatment of the Sod ntr- injected rats with the aforementioned antioxidants; either alone or together significantly improved such parameters. Histopathological examination reinforced the previous results. It was concluded that the combined administration of Quer and Mel may be useful as a potential therapy against renal injury induced by Sod ntr. HIF-1α and HSP-70 are implicated in the induction of hypoxia and its treatment.


JHEP Reports ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 100251
Author(s):  
Valeria Mariotti ◽  
Romina Fiorotto ◽  
Massimiliano Cadamuro ◽  
Luca Fabris ◽  
Mario Strazzabosco

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 253
Author(s):  
Xi Guo ◽  
Hong Yi ◽  
Tin Chiu Li ◽  
Yu Wang ◽  
Huilin Wang ◽  
...  

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a well-known angiogenic factor that plays a critical role in various physiological and pathological processes. VEGF also contributes to the process of embryo implantation by enhancing embryo development, improving endometrial receptivity, and facilitating the interactions between the developing embryo and the endometrium. There is a correlation between the alteration of VEGF expression and reproductive failure, including recurrent implantation failure (RIF) and recurrent miscarriage (RM). In order to clarify the role of VEGF in embryo implantation, we reviewed recent literature concerning the expression and function of VEGF in the reproductive system around the time of embryo implantation and we provide a summary of the findings reported so far. We also explored the effects and the possible underlying mechanisms of action of VEGF in embryo implantation.


Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 128
Author(s):  
Sophie Wiszniak ◽  
Quenten Schwarz

Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A or VEGF) is a highly conserved secreted signalling protein best known for its roles in vascular development and angiogenesis. Many non-endothelial roles for VEGF are now established, with the discovery that VEGF and its receptors VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 are expressed in many non-vascular cell-types, as well as various cancers. In addition to secreted VEGF binding to its receptors in the extracellular space at the cell membrane (i.e., in a paracrine or autocrine mode), intracellularly localised VEGF is emerging as an important signalling molecule regulating cell growth, survival, and metabolism. This intracellular mode of signalling has been termed “intracrine”, and refers to the direct action of a signalling molecule within the cell without being secreted. In this review, we describe examples of intracrine VEGF signalling in regulating cell growth, differentiation and survival, both in normal cell homeostasis and development, as well as in cancer. We further discuss emerging evidence for the molecular mechanisms underpinning VEGF intracrine function, as well as the implications this intracellular mode of VEGF signalling may have for use and design of anti-VEGF cancer therapeutics.


2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 326-329
Author(s):  
Piotr Barć ◽  
Tomasz Płonek ◽  
Dagmara Baczyńska ◽  
Artur Pupka ◽  
Wojciech Witkiewicz ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Ye Zeng ◽  
Bingmei M. Fu

Anti-angiogenic therapies (AATs) have been widely used for cancer treatment. But the beneficial effects of AATs are short, because AAT-induced tumor revascularization facilitates the tumor relapse. In this mini-review, we described different forms of tumor neovascularization and revascularization including sprouting angiogenesis, vessel co-option, intussusceptive angiogenesis, and vasculogenic mimicry, all of which are closely mediated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietins, matrix metalloproteinases, and exosomes. We also summarized the current findings for the resistance mechanisms of AATs including enhancement in pro-angiogenic cytokines, heterogeneity in tumor-associated endothelial cells (ECs), crosstalk between tumor cells and ECs, masking of extracellular vesicles, matrix stiffness and contributions from fibroblasts, macrophages and adipocytes in the tumor microenvironment. We highlighted the revascularization following AATs, particularly the role of exosome stimulating factors such as hypoxia and miRNA, and that of exosomal cargos such as cytokines, miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs from the tumor ECs in angiogenesis and revascularization. Finally, we proposed that renormalization of tumor ECs would be a more efficient cancer therapy than the current AATs.


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