Identification of BMP9 and BMP10 as functional activators of the orphan activin receptor-like kinase 1 (ALK1) in endothelial cells

Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 109 (5) ◽  
pp. 1953-1961 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurent David ◽  
Christine Mallet ◽  
Sabine Mazerbourg ◽  
Jean-Jacques Feige ◽  
Sabine Bailly

Abstract ALK1 is an endothelial-specific type I receptor of the TGFβ receptor family whose heterozygous mutations cause hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia type 2. Although TGFβ1 and TGFβ3 have been shown to bind ALK1 under specific experimental conditions, they may not represent the physiological ligands for this receptor. In the present study, we demonstrate that BMP9 induces the phosphorylation of Smad1/5/8 in microvascular endothelial cells, and this phosphorylation lasts over a period of 24 hours. BMP9 also activates the ID1 promoter–derived BMP response element (BRE) in a dose-dependent manner (EC50 = 45 ± 27 pg/mL), and this activation is abolished by silencing ALK1 expression or addition of ALK1 extracellular domain. Overexpression of endoglin increases the BMP9 response, whereas silencing of both BMPRII and ActRIIA expressions completely abolishes it. BMP10, which is structurally close to BMP9, is also a potent ALK1 ligand. Finally, we demonstrate that BMP9 and BMP10 potently inhibit endothelial cell migration and growth, and stimulate endothelial expression of a panel of genes that was previously reported to be activated by the constitutively active form of ALK1. Taken together, our results suggest that BMP9 and BMP10 are two specific ALK1 ligands that may physiologically trigger the effects of ALK1 on angiogenesis.

1991 ◽  
Vol 99 (4) ◽  
pp. 777-787
Author(s):  
A.B. Sutton ◽  
A.E. Canfield ◽  
S.L. Schor ◽  
M.E. Grant ◽  
A.M. Schor

Endothelial cells plated on two-dimensional (2-D) substrata proliferate until they form a tightly apposed confluent monolayer of quiescent cells that display a typical ‘cobblestone’ morphology. When added to proliferating cultures TGF beta-1 (transforming growth factor beta-1) inhibited cell growth and caused marked morphological changes, with the cells becoming enlarged and ragged. These effects were dose-dependent and reversible. TGF beta-1 also reduced the cloning efficiency and colony size of these cells, indicating that TGF beta-1 is cytotoxic and cytostatic for endothelial cells. By contrast, TGF beta-1 added to quiescent cobblestone cultures did not affect cell morphology or cell numbers. In the presence of 20% serum, the level of total protein synthesis per cell was significantly increased by TGF beta-1 in a dose-dependent manner when the cells were cultured on a 2-D substratum, regardless of whether the cells were proliferating or cobblestone quiescent. The level of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 was specifically increased in these cultures, as demonstrated by reverse fibrin zymography and immunoprecipitation. Endothelial cells embedded within a 3-D collagen gel display an elongated ‘sprouting’ morphology. Such cells self-associate to form three-dimensional cellular networks within the gel, but do not proliferate. The addition of TGF beta-1 to these quiescent sprouting cells initially induced rounding-up without altering protein synthesis, and cell death occurred later. The effects of TGF beta-1 on sprouting endothelial cells were also examined using two culture systems where both the cobblestone and the sprouting phenotypes were present. TGF beta-1 reduced the number of cells present and the extent of migration of sprouting cells embedded within a type I collagen gel, but had no effect upon sprouting cells embedded within a complex endothelial-produced extracellular matrix. Large vessel (aortic) and microvessel (retinal) endothelial cells responded in a similar way to TGF beta-1; the only difference being that an increased synthesis of PAI-1 was not observed with sub-confluent BREC cultures. Our results suggest that the effects of TGF beta-1 upon endothelial cells depend on the shape (cobblestone or sprouting), on the proliferative state of the cells, and on the nature of the matrix surrounding the cells. The response of these cells to TGF beta-1 in vivo may be similarly modulated during angiogenesis by changes in the cell phenotype and the composition of the surrounding matrix.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuewen Wu ◽  
Li Zhang ◽  
Yihui Li ◽  
Wenjuan Zhang ◽  
Jianjun Wang ◽  
...  

AbstractMutations in voltage-gated potassium channel KCNE1 cause Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome type 2 (JLNS2), resulting in congenital deafness and vestibular dysfunction. We conducted gene therapy by injecting viral vectors using the canalostomy approach in Kcne1−/− mice to treat both the hearing and vestibular symptoms. Results showed early treatment prevented collapse of the Reissner’s membrane and vestibular wall, retained the normal size of the semicircular canals, and prevented the degeneration of inner ear cells. In a dose-dependent manner, the treatment preserved auditory (16 out of 20 mice) and vestibular (20/20) functions in mice treated with the high-dosage for at least five months. In the low-dosage group, a subgroup of mice (13/20) showed improvements only in the vestibular functions. Results supported that highly efficient transduction is one of the key factors for achieving the efficacy and maintaining the long-term therapeutic effect. Secondary outcomes of treatment included improved birth and litter survival rates. Our results demonstrated that gene therapy via the canalostomy approach, which has been considered to be one of the more feasible delivery methods for human inner ear gene therapy, preserved auditory and vestibular functions in a dose-dependent manner in a mouse model of JLNS2.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ganiyu Oboh ◽  
Ayokunle O. Ademosun ◽  
Adedayo O. Ademiluyi ◽  
Olasunkanmi S. Omojokun ◽  
Esther E. Nwanna ◽  
...  

Background. This study sought to investigate the antidiabetic and antihypertensive mechanisms of cocoa (Theobroma cacao) bean through inhibition of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, angiotensin-1 converting enzyme, and oxidative stress. Methodology. The total phenol and flavonoid contents of the water extractable phytochemicals from the powdered cocoa bean were determined and the effects of the extract on α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and angiotensin-1 converting enzyme activities were investigated in vitro. Furthermore, the radicals [1,1-diphenyl-2 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2..-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), hydroxyl (OH), and nitric oxide (NO)] scavenging ability and ferric reducing antioxidant property of the extract were assessed. Results. The results revealed that the extract inhibited α-amylase (1.81 ± 0.22 mg/mL), α-glucosidase (1.84 ± 0.17 mg/mL), and angiotensin-1 converting enzyme (0.674 ± 0.06 mg/mL [lungs], 1.006 ± 0.08 mg/mL [heart]) activities in a dose-dependent manner and also showed dose-dependent radicals [DPPH (16.94 ± 1.34 mg/mL), NO (6.98 ± 0.886 mg/mL), OH (3.72 ± 0.26 mg/mL), and ABTS (15.7 ± 1.06 mmol/TEAC·g] scavenging ability. Conclusion. The inhibition of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and angiotensin-1 converting enzyme activities by the cocoa bean extract could be part of the possible mechanism by which the extract could manage and/or prevent type-2 diabetes and hypertension.


2016 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleonora A. Starikova ◽  
Alexey V. Sokolov ◽  
Anna Yu. Vlasenko ◽  
Larisa A. Burova ◽  
Irina S. Freidlin ◽  
...  

Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus; GAS) is an important gram-positive extracellular bacterial pathogen responsible for a number of suppurative infections. This micro-organism has developed complex virulence mechanisms to avoid the host’s defenses. We have previously reported that SDSC from GAS type M22 causes endothelial-cell dysfunction, and inhibits cell adhesion, migration, metabolism, and proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, without affecting cell viability. This work aimed to isolate and characterize a component from GAS type M22 supernatant that suppresses the proliferation of endothelial cells (EA.hy926). In the process of isolating a protein possessing antiproliferative activity we identified arginine deiminase (AD). Further study showed that this enzyme is most active at pH 6.8. Calculating Km and Vmax gave the values of 0.67 mmol·L–1 and 42 s−1, respectively. A distinctive feature of AD purified from GAS type M22 is that its optimum activity and the maximal rate of the catalytic process is close to neutral pH by comparison with enzymes from other micro-organisms. AD from GAS type M22 suppressed the proliferative activity of endothelial cells in a dose-dependent mode. At the same time, in the presence of AD, the proportion of cells in G0/G1 phase increased. When l-Arg was added at increasing concentrations to the culture medium containing AD (3 μg·mL–1), the enzyme’s capacity to inhibit cell proliferation became partially depressed. The proportion of cells in phases S/G2 increased concomitantly, although the cells did not fully recover their proliferation activity. This suggests that AD from GAS type M22 has potential for the suppression of excessive cell proliferation.


2008 ◽  
Vol 2008 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serban Iren Andreea ◽  
Costache Marieta ◽  
Dinischiotu Anca

In the dermis, fibroblasts play an important role in the turnover of the dermal extracellular matrix. Collagen I and III, the most important dermal proteins of the extracellular matrix, are progressively altered during ageing and diabetes. For mimicking diabetic conditions, the cultured human dermal fibroblasts were incubated with increasing amounts of AGE-modified BSA andD-glucose for 24 hours. The expression of procollagenα2(I) and procollagenα1(III) mRNA was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR. Our data revealed that the treatment of fibroblasts with AGE-modified BSA upregulated the expression of procollagenα2(I) and procollagenα1(III) mRNA in a dose-dependent manner. High glucose levels mildly induced a profibrogenic pattern, increasing the procollagenα2(I) mRNA expression whereas there was a downregulation tendency of procollagenα1(III) mRNA.


2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anastasia Sacharidou ◽  
Wan-Ru Lee ◽  
Philip E Shaul ◽  
Chieko Mineo

High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) has direct atheroprotective actions on endothelium. These are mediated by scavenger receptor class B, type I (SR-BI) and its adaptor protein PDZK1, and they entail the activation of Akt kinase, which phosphorylates and thereby stimulates endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). In the present work we sought to determine how PDZK1 couples HDL/SR-BI to Akt and eNOS to modulate endothelial function. Using tandem affinity purification (TAP) following the infection of the human endothelial cell line EAhy926 with adenovirus expressing TAP-tagged PDZK1, we identified Breakpoint Cluster Region (Bcr) kinase as a PDZK1 interacting protein in endothelium. Whereas Bcr is well-known as a component of the Bcr-Abl fusion protein that results from translocation of the Philadelphia chromosome in chronic myelogenous leukemia, little is known of its function in endothelial cells. Bcr contains several distinctive domains including a C-terminal PDZ binding motif and a serine/threonine protein kinase domain. In primary human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC), we determined that endogenous Bcr interacts with PDZK1 in an HDL-dependent manner, and that Bcr is required for HDL-induced activation of eNOS and HDL stimulation of endothelial cell migration, which underlies the ability of the lipoprotein to promote endothelial monolayer integrity. Studies of mutant forms of Bcr with disruption of PDZK1 binding or kinase activity introduced into endothelial cells further revealed that Bcr-PDZK1 interaction and its kinase function are required for HDL activation of Akt and eNOS. Using a novel kinase assay that we recently developed that employs time-resolved Forster resonance energy transfer, we found that via SR-BI and PDZK1, HDL stimulates Bcr kinase activity in endothelial cells more than 20-fold. In addition, using Akt-based peptides in studies of the two known kinases for Akt, mTOR and PDK1, we determined that HDL activates Bcr kinase to directly phosphorylate Akt-Ser473 in an mTOR independent manner, and that Akt-Thr308 is a direct substrate of PDK1. These collective findings have identified Bcr to be a novel kinase for Akt, and they have revealed that Bcr is critically involved in HDL modulation of endothelial cell phenotype.


1989 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 1471-1476 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Lum ◽  
P. J. Del Vecchio ◽  
A. S. Schneider ◽  
M. S. Goligorsky ◽  
A. B. Malik

We examined whether the increase in endothelial albumin permeability induced by alpha-thrombin is dependent on extracellular Ca2+ influx. Permeability of 125I-albumin across confluent monolayers of cultured bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells was measured before and after the addition of 0.1 microM alpha-thrombin. In the presence of normal extracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]o, 1000 microM), alpha-thrombin produced a 175 +/- 10% increase in 125I-albumin permeability. At lower [Ca2+]o (100, 10, 1, or less than 1 microM), alpha-thrombin caused a 140% increase in permeability (P less than 0.005). LaCl3 (1 mM), which competes for Ca2+ entry, blunted 38% of the increase in permeability. Preloading endothelial monolayers with quin2 to buffer cytosolic Ca2+ (Cai2+) produced a dose-dependent inhibition of the increase in 125I-albumin permeability. Preincubation with nifedipine or verapamil was ineffective in reducing the thrombin-induced permeability increase. A 60 mM K+ isosmotic solution did not alter base-line endothelial permeability. alpha-Thrombin increased [Ca2+]i in a dose-dependent manner and the 45Ca2+ influx rate. Extracellular medium containing 60 mM K+ did not increase 45Ca2+ influx, and nifedipine did not block the rise in 45Ca2+ influx caused by alpha-thrombin. Ca2+ flux into endothelial cells induced by alpha-thrombin does not occur through voltage-sensitive channels but may involve receptor-operated channels. In conclusion, the increase in endothelial albumin permeability caused by alpha-thrombin is dependent on Ca2+ influx and intracellular Ca2+ mobilization.


1992 ◽  
Vol 263 (6) ◽  
pp. L657-L663
Author(s):  
X. Chen ◽  
M. Tzanela ◽  
M. K. Baumgartner ◽  
J. R. McCormick ◽  
J. D. Catravas

We have studied the effects of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-activated neutrophils [polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN)] on endothelial ectoenzyme [angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and 5'-nucleotidase (NCT)] activities in cultured rabbit aortic endothelial cells (EC) with the use of [3H]benzoyl-Phe-Ala-Pro and 14C-labeled AMP as substrates, respectively, under first-order reaction conditions. PMA (1–1,000 ng/ml) or PMN alone had no effect on ACE activity. When PMA was incubated together with PMN (PMN/EC = 1.25:1 or 2.5 x 10(5) neutrophils/ml) for 4 h in Earle's salts, a PMA dose-dependent decrease in ACE activity was observed. Threshold PMA concentration was 2 ng/ml. At 8 ng PMA/ml, ACE activity was totally abolished, without any evidence of cytotoxicity, as inferred from release of 51Cr from prelabeled EC. The decrease in ACE activity was also dependent on PMN concentration and was detectable at PMN/EC values as low as 1.25:10 (0.25 x 10(5) PMN/ml). Inhibition of ACE occurred as early as 1 h after incubation (PMA 10 ng/ml, PMN/EC = 1.25:1). PMA alone caused a small but significant increase in NCT activity, whereas PMA coincubation with PMN produced a significant decrease in NCT activity (20–29%), which was PMA and PMN concentration independent. PMA increased PMN adherence to endothelial monolayers in a concentration-dependent manner. Pretreating PMN with monoclonal antibody 60.3 (raised against the adhesion glycoprotein CD18) or placing a 2-microns filter between PMN and EC, protected the decrease in ACE activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 1205
Author(s):  
Tianhong Chen ◽  
Wenjuan Zhang ◽  
Bo Huang ◽  
Xuan Chen ◽  
Cao Huang

Mutations of Ubiquilin 2 (UBQLN2) or TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) are associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal degeneration (ALS/FTD). However, the mechanisms whereby UBQLN2 or TBK1 mutations lead to ALS and FTD remain unclear. Here, we explored the effect of UBQLN2 on TBK1 in HEK-293T cells or in CRISPR–Cas9-mediated IRF3 and IRF7 knockout (KO) cells. We found an interaction between TBK1 and UBQLN2, which was affected by ALS/FTD-linked mutations in TBK1 or UBQLN2. Co-expression of UBQLN2 with TBK1 elevated the protein level of TBK1 as well as the phosphorylation of TBK1 and IRF3 in a UBQLN2 dose-dependent manner, and this phosphorylation was reduced by mutant UBQLN2. In addition, the cellular production of IFN1 and related pro-inflammatory cytokines was substantially elevated when UBQLN2 and TBK1 were co-expressed, which was also decreased by mutant UBQLN2. Functional assay revealed that mutant UBQLN2 significantly reduced the binding affinity of TBK1 for its partners, including IRF3, (SQSTM1)/p62 and optineurin (OPTN). Moreover, complete loss of IRF3 abolished the induction of IFN1 and related pro-inflammatory cytokines enhanced by UBQLN2 in HEK-293T cells, whereas no significant change in IRF7 knockout cells was observed. Thus, our findings suggest that UBQLN2 promotes IRF3 phosphorylation via TBK1, leading to enhanced IFN1 induction, and also imply that the dysregulated TBK1-IRF3 pathway may play a role in UBQLN2-related neurodegeneration.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document