Whole-cell and nuclear NADPH oxidases levels and distribution in human endocardial endothelial, vascular smooth muscle, and vascular endothelial cells

2013 ◽  
Vol 91 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lena Ahmarani ◽  
Levon Avedanian ◽  
Johny Al-Khoury ◽  
Claudine Perreault ◽  
Danielle Jacques ◽  
...  

The results of our study show that whole-cell and nuclear levels of NADPH oxidase-1 (NOX1) are similar in human vascular endothelial cells (hVECs) and smooth muscle cells (hVSMCs), but lower in human endocardial endothelial cells (hEECs). NOX2 levels were higher in hVECs and lower in hVSMCs. NOX3 levels were the same in hVECs and hVSMCs, but lower in hEECs. NOX4 levels were similar in all of the cell types. NOX4 levels were higher in hVECs than in hVSMCs. NOX5 was also present throughout the 3 cell types, including their nuclei, in the following order: hEECs > hVSMCs > hVECs. The level of basal reactive oxygen species (ROS) was highest in hVECs and lowest in hVSMCs. However, the Ca2+ level was highest in hVSMCs and lowest in hVECs. These findings suggest that all types of NOXs exist in hEECs, hVECs, and hVSMCs, although their density and distribution are cell-type dependent. The density of the different NOXs correlated with the ROS level, but not with the Ca2+ level. In conclusion, NOXs, including NOX3, exist in cardiovascular cells and their nuclei. The nucleus is a major source of ROS generation. The nuclear NOXs may contribute to ROS and Ca2+ homeostasis, which may affect cell remodeling, including the formation of nuclear T-tubules in vascular diseases and aging.

Oncotarget ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (44) ◽  
pp. 76165-76173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongping Xu ◽  
Liwei Zhang ◽  
Wei Chen ◽  
Jiazhou Xu ◽  
Ruting Zhang ◽  
...  

2011 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhi Zhang ◽  
Guang Chu ◽  
Hong-Xian Wu ◽  
Ni Zou ◽  
Bao-Gui Sun ◽  
...  

Objective: The goal of this study was to investigate the crosstalk between vascular endothelial cells (ECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) using a three-dimensional (3-D) co-culture model. In addition, the role of IL-8 in this crosstalk was investigated. Methods: A 3-D co-culture model was constructed using a Transwell chamber system and type I collagen gel. Human umbilical artery smooth muscle cells (HUASMCs) were suspended in the gel and added to the upper compartment of the Transwell. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were then grown on the surface of the gel. The growth of HUASMCs was tested with a CFDA SE cell proliferation kit. IL-8 and other bioactive substances were investigated by ELISA and real-time PCR. The alteration of p-ERK expression related to the change in IL-8 levels was also examined by Western blot analysis. Results: The proliferation rate of HUASMCs in the 3-D co-culture model was 0.679 ± 0.057. Secretion and transcription of VEGF, t-PA, NO and VCAM-1 in the 3-D co-culture model were different than in single (2-D) culture. When 3-D co-cultured, IL-8 released by HUVECs was significantly increased (2.35 ± 0.16 fold) (P﹤0.05) and the expression of VCAM-1 from HUASMCs was reduced accordingly (0.55±0.09 fold). In addition, increasing or decreasing the level of IL-8 changed the level of p-ERK and VCAM-1 expression. The reduction of VCAM-1, resulting from increased IL-8, could be blocked by the MEK inhibitor, PD98059. Conclusion: Crosstalk between HUVECs and HUASMCs occurred and was probably mediated by IL-8 in this 3-D co-culture model.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenyi Wu ◽  
Huizuo Xu ◽  
Zhishang Meng ◽  
Jianxi Zhu ◽  
Siqi Xiong ◽  
...  

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), characterized mainly with abnormal epiretinal angiogenesis forming fibrovascular membranes (FVMs), threatens vision of people with diabetes; FVMs consist of extracellular matrix and a variety of cell types including vascular endothelial cells. Axl, one of receptor tyrosine kinases, can be activated indirectly by vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) via an intracellular route for promoting angiogenesis. In this study, we revealed that growth arrest-specific protein 6 (Gas6), a specific ligand of Axl, was elevated in vitreous from patients with PDR and that Axl was activated in FVMs from patients with PDR. In addition, we demonstrated that in cultured human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRECs), Axl inhibition via suppression of Axl expression with Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/ CRISPR-associated protein 9 or through inactivation with its specific inhibitor R428 blocked PDR vitreous-induced Akt activation and proliferation of HRECs. Furthermore, PDR vitreous-heightened migration and tube formation of HRECs were also blunted by restraining Axl. These results indicate that in the pathogenesis of PDR, Axl can be activated by Gas6 binding directly and by VEGF-A via an intracellular route indirectly, suggesting that Axl plays a pivotal role in the development of PDR and that Axl inhibition shows a bright promise for PDR therapy.


Author(s):  
LeShana SaintJean ◽  
H.S. Baldwin

The endocardium represents a distinct population of endothelial cells that arises during the initiation of heart development. Endocardial cells can easily be distinguished from most of the other cardiac cell types. However, endocardial and vascular endothelial cells contain a similar genetic profile that limits the ability to study each group independently. Despite these limitations, tremendous progress has been made in identifying the different roles of endocardial cells throughout heart development. Initial studies focused on the origin of endocardial cells and their role in valvulogenesis, trabeculation, and formation of the ventricular and atrial septum. With the advancement of microscopy and the availability of endocardial specific reporter models (in vitro and in vivo) we have obtained more insight into the molecular, structural, and functional complexity of the endocardium. Additional studies have demonstrated how the endocardium is also involved in the development of coronary vessels within the compact myocardium and in heart regeneration.


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