scholarly journals Rapid Shear Stress-dependent ENaC Membrane Insertion is Mediated by the Endothelial Glycocalyx and the Mineralocorticoid Receptor

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zülfü C. Cosgun ◽  
Magdalena Sternak ◽  
Benedikt Fels ◽  
Anna Bar ◽  
Grzegorz Kwiatkowski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Shear Stress ◽  
Mineralocorticoid Receptor ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Endothelial Glycocalyx ◽  
Membrane Insertion ◽  
Physiological Conditions

Abstract The contribution of the shear-stress sensitive epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) to the mechanical properties of the endothelial cell surface under (patho)physiological conditions is unclear. This issue was addressed in in vivo and in vitro models for endothelial dysfunction. Cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were exposed to laminar (LSS) or non-laminar shear stress (NLSS). ENaC membrane insertion was quantified using Quantum-dot-based immunofluorescence staining and the mechanical properties of the cell surface were probed with the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) in vitro and ex vivo in isolated aortae of C57BL/6 and ApoE/LDLR-/- mice. Flow- and acetylcholine-mediated vasodilation were measured in vivo using magnetic resonance imaging. Acute LSS led to a rapid mineralocorticoid receptor (MR)-dependent membrane insertion of ENaC and subsequent stiffening of the endothelial cortex caused by actin polymerization. Of note, NLSS stress further augmented the cortical stiffness of the cells. These effects strongly depend on the presence of the endothelial glycocalyx (eGC) and could be prevented by functional inhibition of ENaC and MR in vitro and ex vivo endothelial cells derived from C57BL/6 and ApoE/LDLR-/- vessel. As expected, in vivo in C57BL/6 vessels ENaC- and MR-inhibtion blunted flow- and acetylcholine-mediated vasodilation, while in the dysfunctional ApoE/LDLR-/- vessels this effect was absent. In conclusion, under physiological conditions, endothelial ENaC, together with the glycocalyx, was identified as an important shear stress sensor and mediator of endothelium-dependent vasodilation. In contrast, in pathophysiological conditions, ENaC-mediated mechanotransduction and endothelium-dependent vasodilation were lost, contributing to sustained endothelial stiffening and dysfunction.

scholarly journals Direct Current Stimulation Disrupts Endothelial Glycocalyx and Tight Junctions of the Blood-Brain Barrier in vitro

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yifan Xia ◽  
Yunfei Li ◽  
Wasem Khalid ◽  
Marom Bikson ◽  
Bingmei M. Fu
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Tight Junction ◽  
Tight Junctions ◽  
Blood Brain Barrier ◽  
Direct Current ◽  
Endothelial Glycocalyx ◽  
Microvascular Endothelial Cells ◽  
Bbb Permeability

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive physical therapy to treat many psychiatric disorders and to enhance memory and cognition in healthy individuals. Our recent studies showed that tDCS with the proper dosage and duration can transiently enhance the permeability (P) of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in rat brain to various sized solutes. Based on the in vivo permeability data, a transport model for the paracellular pathway of the BBB also predicted that tDCS can transiently disrupt the endothelial glycocalyx (EG) and the tight junction between endothelial cells. To confirm these predictions and to investigate the structural mechanisms by which tDCS modulates P of the BBB, we directly quantified the EG and tight junctions of in vitro BBB models after DCS treatment. Human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (hCMECs) and mouse brain microvascular endothelial cells (bEnd3) were cultured on the Transwell filter with 3 μm pores to generate in vitro BBBs. After confluence, 0.1–1 mA/cm2 DCS was applied for 5 and 10 min. TEER and P to dextran-70k of the in vitro BBB were measured, HS (heparan sulfate) and hyaluronic acid (HA) of EG was immuno-stained and quantified, as well as the tight junction ZO-1. We found disrupted EG and ZO-1 when P to dextran-70k was increased and TEER was decreased by the DCS. To further investigate the cellular signaling mechanism of DCS on the BBB permeability, we pretreated the in vitro BBB with a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, L-NMMA. L-NMMA diminished the effect of DCS on the BBB permeability by protecting the EG and reinforcing tight junctions. These in vitro results conform to the in vivo observations and confirm the model prediction that DCS can disrupt the EG and tight junction of the BBB. Nevertheless, the in vivo effects of DCS are transient which backup its safety in the clinical application. In conclusion, our current study directly elucidates the structural and signaling mechanisms by which DCS modulates the BBB permeability.

scholarly journals Metformin-stimulated AMPK-α1 promotes microvascular repair in acute lung injury

2013 ◽  
Vol 305 (11) ◽  
pp. L844-L855 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming-Yuan Jian ◽  
Mikhail F. Alexeyev ◽  
Paul E. Wolkowicz ◽  
Jaroslaw W. Zmijewski ◽  
Judy R. Creighton
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Acute Lung Injury ◽  
Lung Injury ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Endothelial Permeability ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Isolated Lung

Acute lung injury secondary to sepsis is a leading cause of mortality in sepsis-related death. Present therapies are not effective in reversing endothelial cell dysfunction, which plays a key role in increased vascular permeability and compromised lung function. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a molecular sensor important for detection and mediation of cellular adaptations to vascular disruptive stimuli. In this study, we sought to determine the role of AMPK in resolving increased endothelial permeability in the sepsis-injured lung. AMPK function was determined in vivo using a rat model of endotoxin-induced lung injury, ex vivo using the isolated lung, and in vitro using cultured rat pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs). AMPK stimulation using N1-(α-d-ribofuranosyl)-5-aminoimidizole-4-carboxamide or metformin decreased the LPS-induced increase in permeability, as determined by filtration coefficient ( Kf) measurements, and resolved edema as indicated by decreased wet-to-dry ratios. The role of AMPK in the endothelial response to LPS was determined by shRNA designed to decrease expression of the AMPK-α1 isoform in capillary endothelial cells. Permeability, wounding, and barrier resistance assays using PMVECs identified AMPK-α1 as the molecule responsible for the beneficial effects of AMPK in the lung. Our findings provide novel evidence for AMPK-α1 as a vascular repair mechanism important in the pulmonary response to sepsis and identify a role for metformin treatment in the management of capillary injury.

Shear Stress Modulates the Expression of Thrombospondin-1 and CD36 in Endothelial Cells in vitro and during Shear Stress-Induced Angiogenesis in vivo

2006 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 205873920601900 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Bongrazio ◽  
L. DA Silva-Azevedo ◽  
E.C. Bergmann ◽  
O. Baum ◽  
B. Hinz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Shear Stress ◽  
Western Blot ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Vascular Networks ◽  
Thrombospondin 1 ◽  
Matrix Bound ◽  
Stress Dependent

Binding of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) to the CD36 receptor inhibits angiogenesis and induces apoptosis in endothelial cells (EC). Conversely, matrix-bound TSP-1 supports vessel formation. In this study we analyzed the shear stress-dependent expression of TSP-1 and CD36 in endothelial cells in vitro and in vivo to reveal its putative role in the blood flow-induced remodelling of vascular networks. Shear stress was applied to EC using a cone-and-plate apparatus and gene expression was analyzed by RT-PCR, Northern and Western blot. Angiogenesis in skeletal muscles of prazosin-fed (50 mg/1 drinking water; 4 d) mice was assessed by measuring capillary-to-fiber (C/F) ratios. Protein expression in whole muscle homogenates (WMH) or BS-1 lectin-enriched EC fractions (ECF) was analyzed by Western blot. Shear stress down-regulated TSP-1 and CD36 expression in vitro in a force- and time-dependent manner sustained for at least 72 h and reversible by restoration of no-flow conditions. In vivo, shear stress-driven increase of C/F in prazosin-fed mice was associated with reduced expression of TSP-1 and CD36 in ECF, while TSP-1 expression in WMH was increased. Down-regulation of endothelial TSP-1/CD36 by shear stress suggests a mechanism for inhibition of apoptosis in perfused vessels and pruning in the absence of flow. The increase of extra-endothelial (e.g. matrix-bound) TSP-1 could support a splitting type of vessel growth.

Abstract 23: Microrna302-367 Sphingosine 1 Phosphate Receptor 1 Pathway Prevents Tumor Growth via Restricting Angiogenesis and Enhancing Vascular Stability

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinjiang Pi ◽  
Ting Tao ◽  
Tao Zhuang ◽  
Huimin Sun ◽  
Xiaoli Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Downstream Target ◽  
Sprouting Angiogenesis ◽  
Pathological Angiogenesis ◽  
Vascular Stability ◽  
Sphingosine 1 Phosphate

Angiogenic hypersprouting and leaky immature vessels of pathological angiogenesis are essential for tumor growth. MicroRNAs have unique therapeutic advantages by targeting multiple pathways of tumor-associated angiogenesis, but the function of individual miRNAs in angiogenesis and tumors has not yet been fully evaluated. Here, we show that miR302-367 elevation in endothelial cells reduces retina sprouting angiogenesis and promotes vascular stability in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro. Erk1/2 are identified as direct targets of miR302-367, and down-regulation of Erk1/2 upon miR302-367 elevation in endothelial cells increases the expression of Klf2 and in turn S1pr1 and its downstream target VE-cadherin, suppressing angiogenesis and improving vascular stability. Conversely, both pharmacological blockade and genetic deletion of S1pr1 in endothelial cells reverse the anti-angiogenic and vascular stabilizing effect of miR302-367 in mice. Pathological angiogenesis in tumors shares features of developmental angiogenesis, and endothelial specific elevation of miR302-367 reduces tumor growth by restricting sprout angiogenesis and decreasing vascular permeability via the same Erk1/2-Klf2-S1pr1 pathways. In conclusion, miR302-367 regulation of an Erk1/2-Klf2-S1pr1 pathway in the endothelium advances our understanding of angiogenesis, meanwhile also provides opportunities for therapeutic intervention of tumor growth.

scholarly journals An Ex Vivo Vessel Injury Model to Study Remodeling

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (9) ◽  
pp. 1375-1389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehmet H. Kural ◽  
Guohao Dai ◽  
Laura E. Niklason ◽  
Liqiong Gui
Keyword(s):  
Shear Stress ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Intimal Hyperplasia ◽  
Vascular Remodeling ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Vessel Injury ◽  
Injury Model ◽  
Human Arteries

Objective: Invasive coronary interventions can fail due to intimal hyperplasia and restenosis. Endothelial cell (EC) seeding to the vessel lumen, accelerating re-endothelialization, or local release of mTOR pathway inhibitors have helped reduce intimal hyperplasia after vessel injury. While animal models are powerful tools, they are complex and expensive, and not always reflective of human physiology. Therefore, we developed an in vitro 3D vascular model validating previous in vivo animal models and utilizing isolated human arteries to study vascular remodeling after injury. Approach: We utilized a bioreactor that enables the control of intramural pressure and shear stress in vessel conduits to investigate the vascular response in both rat and human arteries to intraluminal injury. Results: Culturing rat aorta segments in vitro, we show that vigorous removal of luminal ECs results in vessel injury, causing medial proliferation by Day-4 and neointima formation, with the observation of SCA1+ cells (stem cell antigen-1) in the intima by Day-7, in the absence of flow. Conversely, when endothelial-denuded rat aortae and human umbilical arteries were subjected to arterial shear stress, pre-seeding with human umbilical ECs decreased the number and proliferation of smooth muscle cell (SMC) significantly in the media of both rat and human vessels. Conclusion: Our bioreactor system provides a novel platform for correlating ex vivo findings with vascular outcomes in vivo. The present in vitro human arterial injury model can be helpful in the study of EC-SMC interactions and vascular remodeling, by allowing for the separation of mechanical, cellular, and soluble factors.

An Innovative Ex Vivo Vascular Bioreactor as Comprehensive Tool to Study the Behavior of Native Blood Vessels Under Physiologically Relevant Conditions

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Noemi Vanerio ◽  
Marco Stijnen ◽  
Bas A. J. M. de Mol ◽  
Linda M. Kock
Keyword(s):  
Shear Stress ◽  
Blood Vessels ◽  
Ultrasound Imaging ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Biological Response ◽  
Vessel Diameter ◽  
Tissue Growth ◽  
In Vivo Models

Abstract Ex vivo systems represent important models to study vascular biology and to test medical devices, combining the advantages of in vitro and in vivo models such as controllability of parameters and the presence of biological response, respectively. The aim of this study was to develop a comprehensive ex vivo vascular bioreactor to long-term culture and study the behavior of native blood vessels under physiologically relevant conditions. The system was designed to allow for physiological mechanical loading in terms of pulsatile hemodynamics, shear stress, and longitudinal prestretch and ultrasound imaging for vessel diameter and morphology evaluation. In this first experience, porcine carotid arteries (n = 4) from slaughterhouse animals were cultured in the platform for 10 days at physiological temperature, CO2 and humidity using medium with blood-mimicking viscosity, components, and stability of composition. As expected, a significant increase in vessel diameter was observed during culture. Flow rate was adjusted according to diameter values to reproduce and maintain physiological shear stress, while pressure was kept physiological. Ultrasound imaging showed that the morphology and structure of cultured arteries were comparable to in vivo. Histological analyses showed preserved endothelium and extracellular matrix and neointimal tissue growth over 10 days of culture. In conclusion, we have developed a comprehensive pulsatile system in which a native blood vessel can be cultured under physiological conditions. The present model represents a significant step toward ex vivo testing of vascular therapies, devices, drug interaction, and as basis for further model developments.

Inflammatory Response of Endothelial Cells to Wall Shear Stress in Three Dimensional Stenotic Models

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonie Rouleau ◽  
Joanna Rossi ◽  
Jean-Claude Tardif ◽  
Rosaire Mongrain ◽  
Richard L. Leask
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Shear Stress ◽  
Wall Shear Stress ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Realistic Model ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
Steady Flows ◽  
Wall Shear

Endothelial cells (ECs) are believed to respond differentially to hemodynamic forces in the vascular tree. Once atherosclerotic plaque has formed in a vessel, the obstruction creates complex spatial gradients in wall shear stress (WSS). In vitro models have used mostly unrealistic and simplified geometries, which cannot reproduce accurately physiological conditions. The objective of this study was to expose ECs to the complex WSS pattern created by an asymmetric stenosis. Endothelial cells were grown and exposed for different times to physiological steady flows in straight dynamic controls and in idealized asymmetric stenosis models. Cell morphology was noticeably different in the regions with spatial WSS gradients, being more randomly oriented and of cobblestone shape. Inflammatory molecule expression was also altered by exposure to shear and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was upregulated by its presence. A regional response in terms of inflammation was observed through confocal microscopy. This work provides a more realistic model to study endothelial cell response to spatial and temporal WSS gradients that are present in vivo and is an important advancement towards a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in coronary artery disease.

scholarly journals Exosomes derived from induced vascular progenitor cells promote angiogenesis in vitro and in an in vivo rat hindlimb ischemia model

2019 ◽  
Vol 317 (4) ◽  
pp. H765-H776 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takerra K. Johnson ◽  
Lina Zhao ◽  
Dihan Zhu ◽  
Yang Wang ◽  
Yan Xiao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Aortic Ring ◽  
Size Exclusion ◽  
Hindlimb Ischemia ◽  
Vascular Progenitor Cells ◽  
Angiogenic Effect

Induced vascular progenitor cells (iVPCs) were created as an ideal cell type for regenerative medicine and have been reported to positively promote collateral blood flow and improve cardiac function in a rat model of myocardial ischemia. Exosomes have emerged as a novel biomedicine that mimics the function of the donor cells. We investigated the angiogenic activity of exosomes from iPVCs (iVPC-Exo) as a cell-free therapeutic approach for ischemia. Exosomes from iVPCs and rat aortic endothelial cells (RAECs) were isolated using a combination of ultrafiltration and size-exclusion chromatography. Nanoparticle tracking analysis revealed that exosome isolates fell within the exosomal diameter (<150 nm). These exosomes contained known markers Alix and TSG101, and their morphology was validated using transmission electron microscopy. When compared with RAECs, iVPCs significantly increased the secretion of exosomes. Cardiac microvascular endothelial cells and aortic ring explants were pretreated with RAEC-Exo or iVPC-Exo, and basal medium was used as a control. iVPC-Exo exerted an in vitro angiogenic effect on the proliferation, tube formation, and migration of endothelial cells and stimulated microvessel sprouting in an ex vivo aortic ring assay. Additionally, iVPC-Exo increased blood perfusion in a hindlimb ischemia model. Proangiogenic proteins (pentraxin-3 and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3) and microRNAs (-143-3p, -291b, and -20b-5p) were found to be enriched in iVPC-Exo, which may mediate iVPC-Exo induced vascular growth. Our findings demonstrate that treatment with iVPC-Exo promotes angiogenesis in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo. Collectively, these findings indicate a novel cell-free approach for therapeutic angiogenesis. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The results of this work demonstrate exosomes as a novel physiological mechanism by which induced vascular progenitor cells exert their angiogenic effect. Moreover, angiogenic cargo of proteins and microRNAs may define the biological contributors in activating endothelial cells to form a new capillary plexus for ischemic vascular diseases. Listen to this article's corresponding podcast at https://ajpheart.podbean.com/e/angiogenic-exosomes-from-vascular-progenitor-cells/ .

Bidirectional Oscillatory Shear Stress Increases Pro-Atherogenic Gene Expressions (I-CAM1, E-Selectin and IL-6) in Endothelial Cells

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amlan Chakraborty ◽  
Venkatakrishna R. Jala ◽  
Sutirtha Chakraborty ◽  
R. Eric Berson ◽  
M. Keith Sharp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Shear Stress ◽  
Atherosclerotic Plaque ◽  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
Leukotriene B4 ◽  
Oscillatory Shear ◽  
Gene Expressions

Wall shear stress (WSS) plays a key role in altering intracellular pathways and gene expression of endothelial cells, and has significant impacts on atherosclerotic plaque development (1–3). Further, the atherogenic regulators Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) have significant impacts on the pathophysiology of many inflammatory diseases. This study investigates the effects of oscillatory shear directionality on pro-atherogenic gene expression (I-CAM, E-Selectin, and IL-6) in the presence of LTB4 and LPS. An orbital shaker was used to expose the endothelial cells to oscillatory shear in culture dishes, and Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was applied to quantify the shear stress on the bottom of the orbiting dish. Directionality of oscillatory shear was characterized by a newly developed hemodynamic parameter — Directional oscillatory shear index (DOSI), which was demonstrated in a previous study to significantly impact cell morphology (4). Results showed that DOSI significantly altered gene expression. Therefore, directionality of shear modulates atherosclerotic gene expression in vitro and thus, may influence the formation of atherosclerotic plaque in vivo.

scholarly journals Anti-Tumoral and Anti-Angiogenic Effects of Low-Diluted Phenacetinum on Melanoma

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camille Fuselier ◽  
Sandrine Quemener ◽  
Eleonore Dufay ◽  
Camille Bour ◽  
Camille Boulagnon-Rombi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Tumor Model ◽  
Primary Cutaneous Melanoma ◽  
Relieve Pain ◽  
Melanoma Treatment ◽  
Vertical Growth Phase

Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer and the most rapidly expanding cancer in terms of worldwide incidence. If primary cutaneous melanoma is mostly treated with a curative wide local excision, malignant melanoma has a poor prognosis and needs other therapeutic approaches. Angiogenesis is a normal physiological process essential in growth and development, but it also plays a crucial role in crossing from benign to advanced state in cancer. In melanoma progression, angiogenesis is widely involved during the vertical growth phase. Currently, no anti-angiogenic agents are efficient on their own, and combination of treatments will probably be the key to success. In the past, phenacetin was used as an analgesic to relieve pain, causing side effects at large dose and tumor-inducing in humans and animals. By contrast, Phenacetinum low-dilution is often used in skin febrile exanthema, patches profusely scattered on limbs, headache, or flushed face without side effects. Herein are described the in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo anti-angiogenic and anti-tumoral potentials of Phenacetinum low-dilution in a B16F1 tumor model and endothelial cells. We demonstrate that low-diluted Phenacetinum inhibits in vivo tumor growth and tumor vascularization and thus increases the survival time of B16F1 melanoma induced-C57BL/6 mice. Moreover, Phenacetinum modulates the lung metastasis in a B16F10 induced model. Ex vivo and in vitro, we evidence that low-diluted Phenacetinum inhibits the migration and the recruitment of endothelial cells and leads to an imbalance in the pro-tumoral macrophages and to a structural malformation of the vascular network. All together these results demonstrate highly hopeful anti-tumoral, anti-metastatic, and anti-angiogenic effects of Phenacetinum low-dilution on melanoma. Continued studies are needed to preclinically validate Phenacetinum low-dilution as a complementary or therapeutic strategy for melanoma treatment.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document