scholarly journals Role of Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition in the Pathogenesis of the Vascular Alterations in Systemic Sclerosis

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio A. Jimenez
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Systemic Sclerosis ◽  
Endothelial Cell ◽  
Mesenchymal Cell ◽  
Microvascular Endothelial Cell ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Fibrotic Process ◽  
Endothelial To Mesenchymal Transition

The pathogenesis of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is extremely complex, and despite extensive studies, the exact mechanisms involved are not well understood. Numerous recent studies of early events in SSc pathogenesis have suggested that unknown etiologic factors in a genetically receptive host trigger structural and functional microvascular endothelial cell abnormalities. These alterations result in the attraction, transmigration, and accumulation of immune and inflammatory cells in the perivascular tissues, which in turn induce the phenotypic conversion of endothelial cells and quiescent fibroblasts into activated myofibroblasts, a process known as endothelial to mesenchymal transition or EndoMT. The activated myofibroblasts are the effector cells responsible for the severe and frequently progressive fibrotic process and the fibroproliferative vasculopathy that are the hallmarks of SSc. Thus, according to this hypothesis the endothelial and vascular alterations, which include the phenotypic conversion of endothelial cells into activated myofibroblasts, play a crucial role in the development of the progressive fibrotic process affecting skin and multiple internal organs. The role of endothelial cell and vascular alterations, the potential contribution of endothelial to mesenchymal cell transition in the pathogenesis of the tissue fibrosis, and fibroproliferative vasculopathy in SSc will be reviewed here.

scholarly journals Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition: Role in Physiology and in the Pathogenesis of Human Diseases

2019 ◽  
Vol 99 (2) ◽  
pp. 1281-1324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonsoles Piera-Velazquez ◽  
Sergio A. Jimenez
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Endothelial Cell ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Mesenchymal Cell ◽  
Human Diseases ◽  
Type I ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Regulatory Pathways ◽  
Complex Biological Process ◽  
Endothelial To Mesenchymal Transition

Numerous studies have demonstrated that endothelial cells are capable of undergoing endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT), a newly recognized type of cellular transdifferentiation. EndMT is a complex biological process in which endothelial cells adopt a mesenchymal phenotype displaying typical mesenchymal cell morphology and functions, including the acquisition of cellular motility and contractile properties. Endothelial cells undergoing EndMT lose the expression of endothelial cell-specific proteins such as CD31/platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule, von Willebrand factor, and vascular-endothelial cadherin and initiate the expression of mesenchymal cell-specific genes and the production of their encoded proteins including α-smooth muscle actin, extra domain A fibronectin, N-cadherin, vimentin, fibroblast specific protein-1, also known as S100A4 protein, and fibrillar type I and type III collagens. Transforming growth factor-β1 is considered the main EndMT inducer. However, EndMT involves numerous molecular and signaling pathways that are triggered and modulated by multiple and often redundant mechanisms depending on the specific cellular context and on the physiological or pathological status of the cells. EndMT participates in highly important embryonic development processes, as well as in the pathogenesis of numerous genetically determined and acquired human diseases including malignant, vascular, inflammatory, and fibrotic disorders. Despite intensive investigation, many aspects of EndMT remain to be elucidated. The identification of molecules and regulatory pathways involved in EndMT and the discovery of specific EndMT inhibitors should provide novel therapeutic approaches for various human disorders mediated by EndMT.

scholarly journals Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EndoMT): Roles in Tumorigenesis, Metastatic Extravasation and Therapy Resistance

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentin Platel ◽  
Sébastien Faure ◽  
Isabelle Corre ◽  
Nicolas Clere
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Therapy Resistance ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Potential Implication ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Endothelial To Mesenchymal Transition

Cancer cells evolve in a very complex tumor microenvironment, composed of several cell types, among which the endothelial cells are the major actors of the tumor angiogenesis. Today, these cells are also characterized for their plasticity, as endothelial cells have demonstrated their potential to modify their phenotype to differentiate into mesenchymal cells through the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT). This cellular plasticity is mediated by various stimuli including transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and is modulated dependently of experimental conditions. Recently, emerging evidences have shown that EndoMT is involved in the development and dissemination of cancer and also in cancer cell to escape from therapeutic treatment. In this review, we summarize current updates on EndoMT and its main induction pathways. In addition, we discuss the role of EndoMT in tumorigenesis, metastasis, and its potential implication in cancer therapy resistance.

Transcriptional regulation of endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in cardiac fibrosis: role of myocardin-related transcription factor A and activating transcription factor 3

2017 ◽  
Vol 95 (10) ◽  
pp. 1263-1270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vibhuti Sharma ◽  
Nilambra Dogra ◽  
Uma Nahar Saikia ◽  
Madhu Khullar
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Cardiac Fibrosis ◽  
Activating Transcription Factor 3 ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Related Transcription Factor ◽  
Endothelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Activating Transcription Factor ◽  
Transcription Factor 3

The etiology of cardiac fibrogenesis is quite diverse, but a common feature is the presence of activated fibroblasts. Experimental evidence suggests that a subset of cardiac fibroblasts is derived via transition of vascular endothelial cells into fibroblasts by endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT). During EndMT, endothelial cells lose their endothelial characteristics and acquire a mesenchymal phenotype. Molecular mechanisms and the transcriptional mediators controlling EndMT in heart during development or disease remain relatively undefined. Myocardin-related transcription factor A facilitates the transcription of cytoskeletal genes by serum response factor during fibrosis; therefore, its specific role in cardiac EndMT might be of importance. Activation of activating transcription factor 3 (ATF-3) during cardiac EndMT is speculative, since ATF-3 responds to a transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) stimulus and controls the expression of the primary epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition markers Snail, Slug, and Twist. Although the role of TGF-β in EndMT-mediated cardiac fibrosis has been established, targeting of the TGF-β ligand has not proven to be a viable anti-fibrotic strategy owing to the broad functional importance of this ligand. Thus, targeting of downstream transcriptional mediators may be a useful therapeutic approach in attenuating cardiac fibrosis. Here, we discuss some of the transcription factors that may regulate EndMT-mediated cardiac fibrosis and their involvement in type 2 diabetes.

scholarly journals MIR503HG Loss Promotes Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Vascular Disease

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
João P. Monteiro ◽  
Julie Rodor ◽  
Axelle Caudrillier ◽  
Jessica P Scanlon ◽  
Ana-Mishel Spiroski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Pulmonary Hypertension ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Vascular Remodelling ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Polypyrimidine Tract Binding Protein ◽  
Endothelial To Mesenchymal Transition

Rationale: Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a dynamic biological process involved in pathological vascular remodelling. However, the molecular mechanisms that govern this transition remain largely unknown, including the contribution of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Objective: To investigate the role of lncRNAs in EndMT and their relevance to vascular remodelling. Methods and Results: To study EndMT in vitro, primary endothelial cells (EC) were treated with transforming growth factor-β2 and interleukin-1β. Single-cell and bulk RNA-sequencing were performed to investigate the transcriptional architecture of EndMT and identify regulated lncRNAs. The functional contribution of seven lncRNAs during EndMT was investigated based on a DsiRNA screening assay. The loss of lncRNA MIR503HG was identified as a common signature across multiple human EC types undergoing EndMT in vitro. MIR503HG depletion induced a spontaneous EndMT phenotype, while its overexpression repressed hallmark EndMT changes, regulating 29% of its transcriptome signature. Importantly, the phenotypic changes induced by MIR503HG were independent of miR-424 and miR-503, which overlap the lncRNA locus. The pathological relevance of MIR503HG down-regulation was confirmed in vivo using Sugen/Hypoxia (SuHx)-induced pulmonary hypertension (PH) in mouse, as well as in human clinical samples, in lung sections and blood outgrowth endothelial cells (BOECs) from pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients. Overexpression of human MIR503HG in SuHx mice led to reduced mesenchymal marker expression, suggesting MIR503HG therapeutic potential. We also revealed that MIR503HG interacts with the Polypyrimidine Tract Binding Protein 1 (PTB1) and regulates its protein level. PTBP1 regulation of EndMT markers suggests that the role of MIR503HG in EndMT might be mediated in part by PTBP1. Conclusions: This study reports a novel lncRNA transcriptional profile associated with EndMT and reveals the crucial role of the loss of MIR503HG in EndMT and its relevance to pulmonary hypertension.

scholarly journals The role of the Oncostatin M/ OSM receptor β axis in activating dermal microvascular endothelial cells in Systemic Sclerosis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grace Marden ◽  
Qianqian Wan ◽  
James Wilks ◽  
Katherine Nevin ◽  
Maria Feeney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Cell Migration ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Oncostatin M ◽  
Microvascular Endothelial Cells ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Microvascular Endothelial ◽  
Endothelial To Mesenchymal Transition

Abstract Background Scleroderma (SSc) is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by vascular impairment and progressive fibrosis of the skin and other organs. Oncostatin M, a member of the IL-6 family, is elevated in SSc serum and was recognized as a significant player in various stages of fibrosis. The goal of this study was to assess the contribution of the OSM/OSMRβ pathway to endothelial cell (EC) injury and activation in SSc. Methods IHC and IF were used to assess the distribution of OSM and OSMRβ in SSc (n = 14) and healthy control (n = 7) skin biopsies. Cell culture experiments were performed in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMECs) and included mRNA and protein analysis, and cell migration and proliferation assays. Ex vivo skin organoid culture was used to evaluate the effect of OSM on perivascular fibrosis. Results OSMRβ protein was elevated in dermal ECs and in fibroblasts of SSc patients. Treatments of HDMECs with OSM or IL-6 + sIL-6R have demonstrated that both cytokines similarly stimulated proinflammatory genes and genes related to endothelial-to mesenchymal transition ((EndMT). OSM was more effective than IL-6 + sIL-6R in inducing cell migration, while both treatments similarly induced cell proliferation. The effects of OSM were mediated via OSMRβ and STAT3, while the LIFR did not contribute to these responses. Both, OSM and IL-6 + sIL-6R induced profibrotic gene expression in HDMECs, as well as expansion of the perivascular PDGFRβ+ cells in the ex vivo human skin culture system. Additional studies in HDMECs showed that siRNA-mediated downregulation of FLI1 and its close homolog ERG resulted in increased expression of OSMRβ in HDMECs. Conclusions This work provides new insights into the role of the OSM/OSMRβ axis in activation/injury of dermal ECs and supports the involvement of this pathway in SSc vascular disease.

scholarly journals New Insights into Profibrotic Myofibroblast Formation in Systemic Sclerosis: When the Vascular Wall Becomes the Enemy

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 610
Author(s):  
Eloisa Romano ◽  
Irene Rosa ◽  
Bianca Saveria Fioretto ◽  
Marco Matucci-Cerinic ◽  
Mirko Manetti
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Systemic Sclerosis ◽  
Vessel Wall ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Vascular Dysfunction ◽  
Vascular Wall ◽  
Vascular Lesions ◽  
Tissue Fibrosis ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Endothelial To Mesenchymal Transition

In systemic sclerosis (SSc), abnormalities in microvessel morphology occur early and evolve into a distinctive vasculopathy that relentlessly advances in parallel with the development of tissue fibrosis orchestrated by myofibroblasts in nearly all affected organs. Our knowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying such a unique relationship between SSc-related vasculopathy and fibrosis has profoundly changed over the last few years. Indeed, increasing evidence has suggested that endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT), a process in which profibrotic myofibroblasts originate from endothelial cells, may take center stage in SSc pathogenesis. While in arterioles and small arteries EndoMT may lead to the accumulation of myofibroblasts within the vessel wall and development of fibroproliferative vascular lesions, in capillary vessels it may instead result in vascular destruction and formation of myofibroblasts that migrate into the perivascular space with consequent tissue fibrosis and microvessel rarefaction, which are hallmarks of SSc. Besides endothelial cells, other vascular wall-resident cells, such as pericytes and vascular smooth muscle cells, may acquire a myofibroblast-like synthetic phenotype contributing to both SSc-related vascular dysfunction and fibrosis. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying the differentiation of myofibroblasts inside the vessel wall provides the rationale for novel targeted therapeutic strategies for the treatment of SSc.

scholarly journals Curcumin Blunts IL-6 Dependent Endothelial‐to‐Mesenchymal Transition to Alleviate Renal Allograft Fibrosis Through Autophagy Activation

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiajun Zhou ◽  
Mengtian Yao ◽  
Minghui Zhu ◽  
Mengchao Li ◽  
Qiwei Ke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Kidney Transplantation ◽  
Renal Allograft ◽  
Umbilical Vein ◽  
Rat Kidney ◽  
Graft Loss ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Endothelial To Mesenchymal Transition

Fibrosis contributes to graft loss in chronic renal allograft injury. Endothelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EndMT) plays an important role in the development of fibrosis following kidney transplantation. Autophagy plays an important role in the homeostasis of diverse cell types including endothelial cells. Here we demonstrate that inhibition of autophagy by treatment with 3-methyladenine (3-MA) or by silencing autophagy-related (ATG)5 promoted interleukin (IL)-6–dependent EndMT in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human renal glomerular endothelial cells (HRGECs), and autophagy inactivation was associated with EndMT in patients with chronic allograft dysfunction. IL-6 level was significantly higher in the culture medium of HUVECs transfected with ATG5 siRNA or treated with 3-MA compared to the respective control groups. IL-6 application induced EndMT in HUVECs and HRGECs, whereas antibody-mediated neutralization of IL-6 suppressed EndMT induced by ATG5 silencing. The protective role of curcumin (Cur) against allograft fibrosis was confirmed in a rat kidney transplantation model of F344 donors to Lewis recipients. Curcumin—a natural polyphenol compound with known antifibrotic effects in various tissues—alleviated IL-6–induced EndMT and promoted autophagy in the allografted organ and in HUVECs. This is the first demonstration of the role of autophagy in renal allograft fibrosis; our findings indicate that curcumin can alleviate chronic renal allograft injury by suppressing IL-6–dependent EndMT via activation of autophagy.

scholarly journals The Mechanobiology of Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Cardiovascular Disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahrin Islam ◽  
Kristina I. Boström ◽  
Dino Di Carlo ◽  
Craig A. Simmons ◽  
Yin Tintut ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Cardiovascular System ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Cell Phenotype ◽  
Cardiovascular Development ◽  
Mechanical Stimuli ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Pulsatile Pressure ◽  
Endothelial To Mesenchymal Transition

Endothelial cells (ECs) lining the cardiovascular system are subjected to a highly dynamic microenvironment resulting from pulsatile pressure and circulating blood flow. Endothelial cells are remarkably sensitive to these forces, which are transduced to activate signaling pathways to maintain endothelial homeostasis and respond to changes in the environment. Aberrations in these biomechanical stresses, however, can trigger changes in endothelial cell phenotype and function. One process involved in this cellular plasticity is endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT). As a result of EndMT, ECs lose cell-cell adhesion, alter their cytoskeletal organization, and gain increased migratory and invasive capabilities. EndMT has long been known to occur during cardiovascular development, but there is now a growing body of evidence also implicating it in many cardiovascular diseases (CVD), often associated with alterations in the cellular mechanical environment. In this review, we highlight the emerging role of shear stress, cyclic strain, matrix stiffness, and composition associated with EndMT in CVD. We first provide an overview of EndMT and context for how ECs sense, transduce, and respond to certain mechanical stimuli. We then describe the biomechanical features of EndMT and the role of mechanically driven EndMT in CVD. Finally, we indicate areas of open investigation to further elucidate the complexity of EndMT in the cardiovascular system. Understanding the mechanistic underpinnings of the mechanobiology of EndMT in CVD can provide insight into new opportunities for identification of novel diagnostic markers and therapeutic interventions.

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