Human iPSC-derived mesodermal progenitor cells preserve their vasculogenesis potential after extrusion and form hierarchically organized blood vessels

Post-fabrication formation of a proper vasculature remains an unresolved challenge in bioprinting. Established strategies focus on the supply of the fabricated structure with nutrients and oxygen and either rely on the mere formation of a channel system using fugitive inks, or additionally use mature endothelial cells and/or peri-endothelial cells such as smooth muscle cells for the formation of blood vessels in vitro. Functional vessels, however, exhibit a hierarchical organization and multilayered wall structure that is important for their function. Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived mesodermal progenitor cells (hiMPCs) have been shown to possess the capacity to form blood vessels in vitro, but have so far not been assessed for their applicability in bioprinting processes. Here, we demonstrate that hiMPCs, after formulation into an alginate/collagen type 1 bioink and subsequent extrusion, retain their ability to give rise to the formation of complex vessels that display a hierarchical network in a process that mimicks the embryonic steps of vessel formation by vasculogenesis. Histological evaluations at different time points of extrusion revealed initial formation of spheres, followed by lumen formation and further structural maturation as evidenced by building a multilayered vessel wall and a vascular network. These findings are supported by immunostainings for endothelial and peri-endothelial cell markers as well as electron microscopic analyses at the ultrastructural level. Moreover, capillary-like vessel structures deposited a basement membrane-like matrix structure at the basal side between the vessel wall and the alginate-collagen matrix. These results evidence the applicability and great potential of hiMPCs for the bioprinting of vascular structures mimicking the basic morphogenetic steps of de novo vessel formation during embryogenesis.

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Endothelial struts, a mechanism to generate large lumenized blood vessels de novo

10.1101/685180 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Bart Weijts ◽

Iftach Shaked ◽

Wenqing Li ◽

Mark Ginsberg ◽

David Kleinfeld ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Endothelial Cells ◽

Blood Vessels ◽

Alternative Model ◽

Vessel Wall ◽

De Novo ◽

Large Diameter ◽

Lumen Diameter ◽

The Future

Lumenization of de novo formed blood vessels occurs either through cell hollowing (intracellular lumen)1–3 or cord hollowing (extracellular lumen)4–6 and restricts thereby the initial lumen diameter to one or two endothelial cells (ECs) respectively. However, vasculogenesis can result in large diameter blood vessels, raising the question how these vessels are formed. Here, we describe an alternative model of vasculogenesis that results in the formation of large diameter vessels. In this model, ECs coalesce into a branched network of EC struts within the future lumen of the vessel. These struts maintain the patency of the vessel and serve as a scaffold for the ECs forming the vessel wall, which initially consists out of a few patches of ECs. Together, we show that endothelial struts facilitate the formation of large blood vessels without being bound by the prerequisite of a cord-like structure, nor are they restricted in size.

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P5384Postnatal mouse aorta contains yolk sac-derived haemangioblasts with myeloid and endothelial plasticity and vasculogenic capacity

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/eurheartj/ehz746.0344 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

A Williamson ◽

D F Toledo ◽

N Schwarz ◽

S Fernando ◽

C Dimasi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Endothelial Cells ◽

Progenitor Cells ◽

De Novo ◽

Cell Types ◽

Yolk Sac ◽

Vasa Vasorum ◽

Clonal Level ◽

Endothelial Plasticity ◽

Lineage Mapping

Abstract Background Macrophages and endothelial cells share an intimate relationship during neovessel formation in different pathophysiological conditions. Recent studies have determined that in some tissues, both cell types are derived embryonically from yolk sac (YS) progenitor cells and are maintained postnatally without contribution from circulating sources. The mechanism by which this local “self-maintenance” occurs is unknown. Purpose We previously identified that mouse arteries contain macrophage and endothelial progenitor cells in their adventitial Sca-1+CD45+ compartment. Here we investigated at a clonal level for the existence of postnatal adventitial haemangioblasts and studied their developmental origins. Methods and results Single cell digests were prepared from murine aortas to perform colony-forming unit (CFU) assays in methylcellulose. Aortic cells from C57BL/6J mice selectively generated macrophage colonies (CFU-M) which contained progenitor cells that displayed >95% positive for expression of CD45, Sca-1, c-Kit, CX3CR1 and CSF1R, but negative for Lineage markers, as well as mature monocyte/macrophage (CD11b, F4/80) and endothelial (CD144) markers. Secondary replating of CFU-M progenitors from adult aortas revealed their self-renewal capacity, with 1 in 10 cells forming new CFU-M. Lineage mapping using Flt3CrexRosamT/mG mice demonstrated that aortic CFU-M progenitors were FLT3-ve, indicating that they were not derived from definitive bone marrow haematopoiesis. CFU-M prevalence in C57BL/6J aortas was highest in neonatal mice and diminished progressively with increasing age (∼100 per 105 cells at P1, ∼15 at 12w, ∼5 at 52w, P<0.01, n>4/gp), consistent with prenatal seeding. Embryonic profiling determined that CFU-M progenitors first appeared in extra-embryonic yolk sac around E9.5 and in aorta-gonad-mesonephros at E10.5, before the emergence of definitive haematopoietic stem cells. Inducible fate-mapping then confirmed that aortic CFU-M progenitors originated from CX3CR1+ and CSF1R+ cells in E9.5 yolk sac. Both yolk sac and postnatal aortic CFU-M progenitors generated vascular-like networks when cultured in Matrigel in vitro, containing M2-like macrophages (CD11b+F4/80+CD206+) and endothelial cells (CD31+CD144+). They produced similar progeny and rescued adventitial vascular sprouting when seeded around aortic rings whose adventitia had been stripped. Finally, adoptive transfer of CFU-M progenitors into a mouse model of hindlimb ischaemia resulted in 80% augmentation in hindlimb perfusion compared to cell-free control, with de novo transformation of donor cells into macrophages, endothelial cells and perfused neovessels (n=6). Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this is the first ever definitive proof at a clonal level for the existence of haemangioblasts in postnatal tissue. Adventitial haemangioblasts originate from extra-embryonic YS and are a source of vasculogenesis in the arterial wall, relevant to vasa vasorum formation. Acknowledgement/Funding NHMRC of Australia (GNT1086796, CDF1161506), NHFA (FLF100412, FLF102056) Royal Australasian College of Physicians

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Mesenchymal glioblastoma-induced mature de-novo vessel formation of vascular endothelial cells in a microfluidic device

Molecular Biology Reports ◽

10.1007/s11033-020-06061-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Takeo Amemiya ◽

Nobuhiro Hata ◽

Masahiro Mizoguchi ◽

Ryuji Yokokawa ◽

Yoichiro Kawamura ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Endothelial Cells ◽

Cell Lines ◽

Microfluidic Device ◽

Fluorescent Protein ◽

De Novo ◽

Morphological Changes ◽

Physiological Role ◽

Lung Fibroblasts ◽

Vessel Formation

AbstractHigh vascularization is a biological characteristic of glioblastoma (GBM); however, an in-vitro experimental model to verify the mechanism and physiological role of vasculogenesis in GBM is not well-established. Recently, we established a self-organizing vasculogenic model using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) co-cultivated with human lung fibroblasts (hLFs). Here, we exploited this system to establish a realistic model of vasculogenesis in GBM. We developed two polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) devices, a doughnut-hole dish and a 5-lane microfluidic device to observe the contact-independent effects of glioblastoma cells on HUVECs. We tested five patient-derived and five widely used GBM cell lines. Confocal fluorescence microscopy was used to observe the morphological changes in Red Fluorescent Protein (RFP)-HUVECs and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran perfusion. The genetic and expression properties of GBM cell lines were analyzed. The doughnut-hole dish assay revealed KNS1451 as the only cells to induce HUVEC transformation to vessel-like structures, similar to hLFs. The 5-lane device assay demonstrated that KNS1451 promoted the formation of a vascular network that was fully perfused, revealing the functioning luminal construction. Microarray analysis revealed that KNS1451 is a mesenchymal subtype of GBM. Using a patient-derived mesenchymal GBM cell line, mature de-novo vessel formation could be induced in HUVECs by contact-independent co-culture with GBM in a microfluidic device. These results support the development of a novel in vitro research model and provide novel insights in the neovasculogenic mechanism of GBM and may potentially facilitate the future detection of unknown molecular targets.

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An Electron Microscopic Study of Platelet Thrombus Formation in the Rabbit with Particular Regard to 5-Hydroxytryptamine Release

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1655068 ◽

1967 ◽

Vol 18 (03/04) ◽

pp. 592-604 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

H. R Baumgartner ◽

J. P Tranzer ◽

A Studer

Keyword(s):

Endothelial Cells ◽

Endothelial Cell ◽

Vessel Wall ◽

Thrombus Formation ◽

Endothelial Damage ◽

Electron Microscopic ◽

Rabbit Ear ◽

Basement Lamina ◽

Platelet Thrombus

SummaryElectron microscopic and histologic examination of rabbit ear vein segments 4 and 30 min after slight endothelial damage have yielded the following findings :1. Platelets do not adhere to damaged endothelial cells.2. If the vessel wall is denuded of the whole endothelial cell, platelets adhere to the intimai basement lamina as do endothelial cells.3. The distance between adherent platelets as well as endothelial cells and intimai basement lamina measures 10 to 20 mµ, whereas the distance between aggregated platelets is 30 to 60 mµ.4. 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is released from platelets during viscous metamorphosis at least in part as 5-HT organelles.It should be noted that the presence of collagen fibers is not necessary for platelet thrombus formation in vivo.

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Analysis of rat hemopoietic cells on the fluorescence-activated cell sorter. I. Isolation of pluripotent hemopoietic stem cells and granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells

Journal of Experimental Medicine ◽

10.1084/jem.152.2.419 ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 152 (2) ◽

pp. 419-437 ◽

Cited By ~ 64

Author(s):

I Goldschneider ◽

D Metcalf ◽

F Battye ◽

T Mandel

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Bone Marrow ◽

Progenitor Cells ◽

Relative Concentration ◽

Hemopoietic Stem Cells ◽

Electron Microscopic ◽

Cell Sorter ◽

Cell Series ◽

Rat Bone

A scheme is presented whereby pluripotent hemopoietic stem cells (PHSC) from rat bone marrow can be enriched 320-fold with the aid of the fluorescence- activated cell sorter. This scheme is based on the observations that PHSC are strongly positive for Thy-1 antigen (upper 10th percentile); have light- scattering properties (size distribution) between those of bone marrow lymphocytes and myeloid progenitor cells; and are relatively resistant to cortisone. It is estimated that PHSC may constitute 80 percent of the cells isolated according to these parameters. Candidate PHSC are described at the light and electron microscopic levels. At least two populations of accessory cells appear to influence the number and/or the nature of the hemopoietic colonies that form in the in vivo spleen colony-forming unit assay. Putative amplifier cells are strongly Thy-1(+) and cortisone sensitive; putative suppressor cells are weakly Thy-1(+) and cortisone resistant. Three subsets of granulocyte (G) -macrophage (M) progenitor cells (in vitro colony-forming cells [CFC]) are identified on the basis of relative fluorescence intensity for Thy-1 antigen: G-CFC are strongly Thy-l(+); M-CFC are weakly Thy-l(+); and cells that produce mixed G and M CFC have intermediate levels of Thy-1. GM-cluster-forming cells and mature G and M are Thy-1(-). The results suggest that G-CFC are bipotential cells that give rise to G and M-CFC; and that the latter produce mature M through a cluster- forming cell intermediate. Thy-1 antigen is also demonstrated on members of the eosinophil, megakaryocyte, erythrocyte, and lymphocyte cell series in rat bone marrow. In each instance, the relative concentration of Thy-1 antigen is inversely related to the state of cellular differentiation.

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Abstract WMP31: Dedifferentiation of Smooth Muscle Cells and its Potential Contribution to Pathogenesis of Intracranial Aneurysms

Stroke ◽

10.1161/str.51.suppl_1.wmp31 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Mieko Oka ◽

Nobuhiko Ohno ◽

Takakazu Kawamata ◽

Tomohiro Aoki

Keyword(s):

Endothelial Cells ◽

Smooth Muscle ◽

Smooth Muscle Cells ◽

Inflammatory Responses ◽

Muscle Cells ◽

Inflammatory Factors ◽

Potential Contribution ◽

Electron Microscopic

Introduction: Intracranial aneurysm (IA) affects 1 to 5 % in general public and becomes the primary cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage, the most severe form of stroke. However, currently, no drug therapy is available for IAs to prevent progression and rupture of lesions. Elucidation of mechanisms underlying the disease is thus mandatory. Considering the important role of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in the maintenance of stiffness of arterial walls and also in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis via mediating inflammatory responses, we in the present study analyzed morphological or phenotypical changes of SMCs during the disease development in the lesions. Methods: We subjected rats to an IA model in which lesions are induced by increase of hemodynamic force loading on intracranial arterial bifurcations and performed histopathological analyses of induced lesions including the electron microscopic examination. We then immunostained specimens from induced lesions to explore factors responsible for dedifferentiation or migration of SMCs. In vitro study was also done to examine effect of some candidate factors on dedifferentiation or migration of cultured SMCs. Results: We first found the accumulation of SMCs underneath the endothelial cell layer mainly at the neck portion of the lesion. These cells was positive for the embryonic form of myosin heavy chain, a marker for the dedifferentiated SMCs, and the expression of pro-inflammatory factors like TNF-α. In immunostaining to explore the potential factor regulating the dedifferentiation of SMCs, we found that Platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) was expressed in endothelial cells at the neck portion of IA walls. Consistently, recombinant PDGF-BB could promote the dedifferentiate of SMCs and chemo-attracted them in in vitro. Finally, in the stenosis model of the carotid artery, PDGF-BB expression was induced in endothelial cells in which high wall shear stress was loaded and the dedifferentiation of SMCs occurred there. Conclusions: The findings from the present study imply the role of dedifferentiated SMCs partially recruited by PDGF-BB from endothelial cells in the formation of inflammatory microenvironment at the neck portion of IA walls, leading to the progression of the disease.

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Abstract 558: Microchanneled Polysaccharide Hydrogel Laden With Endothelial Cells and Mesenchymal Stem Cells With VEGF Facilitate Formation of Vascular Structures and Are Effective for Repairing Tissue Ischemia

Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology ◽

10.1161/atvb.34.suppl_1.558 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 34 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Sangho Lee ◽

Min Kyung Lee ◽

Hyunjoon Kong ◽

Young-sup Yoon

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Endothelial Cells ◽

Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽

Cell Survival ◽

Vascular Structure ◽

Hindlimb Ischemia ◽

Alginate Hydrogel ◽

Vessel Formation

Various hydrogels are used to create vascular structure in vitro or to improve cell engraftment to overcome low cell survival in vivo, a main hurdle for bare cell therapy Recently we developed a modified alginate hydrogel within which microchannels are aligned to guide the direction and spatial organization of loaded cells. We investigated whether these cell constructs in which HUVECs and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are co-loaded in this novel microchanneled hydrogel facilitate formation of vessels in vitro and in vivo, and enhance recovery of hindlimb ischemia. We crafted a modified alginate hydrogel which has microchannels, incorporates a cell adhesion peptide RGD, and was encapsulated with VEGF. We then compared vascular structure formation between the HUVEC only (2 x 105 cells) group and the HUVEC plus hMSC group. In the HUVEC+hMSC group, we mixed HUVECs and hMSCs at the ratio of 3:1. For cell tracking, we labeled HUVECs with DiO, a green fluorescence dye. After loading cells into the microchannels of the hydrogel, these constructs were cultured for seven days and were examined by confocal microscopy. In the HUVEC only group, HUVECs stands as round shaped cells without forming tubular structures within the hydrogel. However, in the HUVEC+hMSC group, HUVECs were stretched out and connected with each other, and formed vessel-like structure following pre-designed microchannels. These results suggested that hMSCs play a critical role for vessel formation by HUVECs. We next determined their in vivo effects using a mouse hindlimb ischemia model. We found that engineered HUVEC+hMSC group showed significantly higher perfusion over 4 weeks compared to the engineered HUVEC only group or bare cell (HUVEC) group. Confocal microscopic analysis of harvested tissues showed more robust vessel formation within and outside of the cell constructs and longer term cell survival in HUVEC+hMSC group compared to the other groups. In conclusion, this novel microchanneled alginate hydrogel facilitates aligned vessel formation of endothelial cells when combined with MSCs. This vessel-embedded hydrogel constructs consisting of HUVECs and MSCs contribute to perfusable vessel formation, prolong cell survival in vivo, and are effective for recovering limb ischemia.

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Phospholipase Cγ Activation Drives Increased Production of Autotaxin in Endothelial Cells and Lysophosphatidic Acid-Dependent Regression

Molecular and Cellular Biology ◽

10.1128/mcb.01275-09 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 30 (10) ◽

pp. 2401-2410 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Eunok Im ◽

Ruta Motiejunaite ◽

Jorge Aranda ◽

Eun Young Park ◽

Lorenzo Federico ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Endothelial Cells ◽

Blood Vessels ◽

Lysophosphatidic Acid ◽

Vascular Endothelial ◽

Additional Mechanism ◽

Phospholipase Cγ1 ◽

Common Substrate ◽

Phosphoinositide 3 Kinase ◽

Endothelial Growth Factor

ABSTRACT We previously reported that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-dependent activation of phospholipase Cγ1 (PLCγ) regulated tube stability by competing with phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) for their common substrate. Here we describe an additional mechanism by which PLCγ promoted regression of tubes and blood vessels. Namely, it increased the level of autotaxin (ATX), which is a secreted form of lysophospholipase D that produces lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). LPA promoted motility of endothelial cells, leading to disorganization/regression of tubes in vitro. Furthermore, mice that under- or overexpressed members of this intrinsic destabilization pathway showed either delayed or accelerated, respectively, regression of blood vessels. We conclude that endothelial cells can be instructed to engage a PLCγ-dependent intrinsic destabilization pathway that results in the production of soluble regression factors such as ATX and LPA. These findings are likely to potentiate ongoing efforts to prevent, manage, and eradicate numerous angiogenesis-based diseases such as proliferative diabetic retinopathy and solid tumors.

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Circulating stem and progenitor cells as markers of inflammation, endothelial regeneration, and prediction of vascular complications in metabolic syndrome and type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus

Nauchno-prakticheskii zhurnal «Patogenez» ◽

10.25557/2310-0435.2018.01.58-67 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 58-67

Author(s):

О.В. Першина ◽

А.В. Пахомова ◽

Н.Н. Ермакова ◽

О.Ю. Рыбалкина ◽

В.А. Крупин ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Stem Cells ◽

Bone Marrow ◽

Endothelial Cells ◽

Progenitor Cells ◽

Vascular Complications ◽

Endothelial Regeneration

Цель исследования состояла в выявлении информативных клеточных маркеров сосудистых осложнений, регенерации микрососудистой сети и воспаления в венозной крови здоровых волонтеров, больных с метаболическим синдромом, сахарным диабетом 1 и 2 типа. Методы. Обследованы больные с метаболическим синдромом (МС), диабетом 2 типа без осложнений, диабетом 1 типа средней степени тяжести и здоровые волонтеры. Диагноз пациентов подтвержден общеклиническими, биохимическими, коагулометрическими и иммуноферментными методами исследования, для оценки экспрессии антигенов использовался многопараметрический цитометрический анализ. Результаты. При анализе экспрессии маркеров показано изменение числа эндотелиальных клеток, мезенхимальных стволовых клеток (МСК) и гемопоэтических стволовых клеток (ГСК) в крови в зависимости от патологии. Эндотелиальные клетки миелоидного (CD45CD14CD34CD309CD144CD31) и немиелоидного (CD45CD14CD34CD309CD144CD31) происхождения, CD309-эндотелиальные клетки и МСК (CD44CD73CD90CD105) предлагаются в качестве маркеров повреждения эндотелия при диабетической симптоматике. При этом ГСК (CD45CD34) могут выступать ценным диагностическим и прогностическим маркером воспаления. Заключение. Для подтверждения сосудистых повреждений и прогноза развития осложнений при диабете 1 и 2 типа в венозной крови пациентов целесообразно оценивать эндотелиальные прогениторные клетки (ЭПК) не костномозговой локализации (CD31CD309CD144) и костномозговой локализации (CD34CD309), и ЭПК c высоким регенеративным потенциалом (CD45CD34CD31CD144). Циркулирующие ЭПК, формирующие колонии in vitro (CD45CD34CD31), рекомендуется использовать в качестве дифференциального маркера состояния регенерации эндотелия при диабете 2 типа. The aim of this study was to identify mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), mature endothelial cells, and endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) in the blood of healthy volunteers, patients with metabolic syndrome, and type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus as new, informative cellular markers of vascular complications, endothelial regeneration, and inflammation. Methods. The diagnosis was confirmed by general clinical, biochemical, coagulometeric and ELISA studies; multi-parameter cytometric assay was used for evaluation of antigen expression. Results. Changes in the count of MSC, HSC, mature endothelial cells, and endothelial progenitor cells in blood of patients with metabolic syndrome and type 1 and 2 diabetes depended on the type of pathology. We propose using endothelial cells of myeloid (CD45CD14CD34CD309CD144CD31) and non-myeloid origin (CD45CD14CD34CD309CD144CD31), CD309-endothelial cells, and MSCs with the CD44CD73CD90CD105 phenotype as nonspecific markers of endothelial damage in presence of diabetic symptoms. Furthermore, HSCs (CD45CD34) can be used as a valuable diagnostic and prognostic marker of inflammation. Conclusions. It is relevant to evaluate EPCs of non-bone marrow localization (CD31CD309CD144) and bone marrow localization (CD34CD309) and EPCs with a high regenerative potential (CD45CD34CD31CD144) in the blood of patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes to confirm the presence of vascular damage and predict development of complications. Circulating, in vitro colony-forming EPCs (CD45CD34CD31) are recommended as a differential marker for inhibition of endothelial regeneration in type 2 diabetes.

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Kisspeptin-10 Inhibits Angiogenesis in Human Placental Vessels ex Vivo and Endothelial Cells in Vitro

Endocrinology ◽

10.1210/en.2010-0565 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 151 (12) ◽

pp. 5927-5934 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Thayalini Ramaesh ◽

James J. Logie ◽

Antonia K. Roseweir ◽

Robert P. Millar ◽

Brian R. Walker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Endothelial Cells ◽

Blood Vessels ◽

Ex Vivo ◽

Umbilical Vein ◽

Biologically Active ◽

Trophoblast Invasion ◽

In Vitro Assays ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Inhibition Of Proliferation

Recent studies suggest that kisspeptin (a neuropeptide central to the regulation of gonadotrophin secretion) has diverse roles in human physiology, including a putative role in implantation and placental function. Kisspeptin and its receptor are present in human blood vessels, where they mediate vasoconstriction, and kisspeptin is known to inhibit tumor metastasis and trophoblast invasion, both processes involving angiogenesis. We hypothesized that kisspeptin contributes to the regulation of angiogenesis in the reproductive system. The presence of the kisspeptin receptor was confirmed in human placental blood vessels and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) using immunochemistry. The ability of kisspeptin-10 (KP-10) (a shorter biologically active processed peptide) to inhibit angiogenesis was tested in explanted human placental arteries and HUVEC using complementary ex vivo and in vitro assays. KP-10 inhibited new vessel sprouting from placental arteries embedded in Matrigel and tube-like structure formation by HUVEC, in a concentration-dependent manner. KP-10 had no effect on HUVEC viability or apoptosis but induced concentration-dependent inhibition of proliferation and migration. In conclusion, KP-10 has antiangiogenic effects and, given its high expression in the placenta, may contribute to the regulation of angiogenesis in this tissue.

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