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 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 Autophagy attenuates endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition by promoting Snail degradation in human cardiac microvascular endothelial cells

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin Zou ◽  
Yanhua Liu ◽  
Bingong Li ◽  
Zeqi Zheng ◽  
Xuan Ke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Molecular Mechanism ◽  
Cardiac Fibrosis ◽  
Microvascular Endothelial Cells ◽  
Cardiovascular Development ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Microvascular Endothelial ◽  
Endothelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Cardiac Microvascular Endothelial Cells

Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) mainly exists in cardiovascular development and disease progression, and is well known to contribute to cardiac fibrosis. Recent studies indicated that autophagy also participates in the regulation of cardiac fibrosis. However, the precise role of autophagy in cardiac fibrosis and the underlying molecular mechanism remain unclear. The present study aimed to explore the role of autophagy in EndMT, reveal the underlying molecular mechanism, and seek new therapy for cardiac fibrosis. In the present study, we found that EndMT and autophagy were induced simultaneously by hypoxia in human cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (HCMECs). Rapamycin, an autophagy enhancer, attenuated EndMT with promoting angiogenesis, while 3-methyladenine (3-MA) and chloroquine (CQ), agents that inhibit autophagy, accelerated the progression accompanied by the decrease in counts of tube formation under hypoxia conditions. Interestingly, intervening autophagy by rapamycin, 3-MA, or CQ did not affect hypoxia-induced autocrine TGFβ signaling, but changed the expression of Snail protein without alterations in the expression of Snail mRNA. Furthermore, the colocalization of LC3 and Snail indicated that autophagy might mediate Snail degradation under hypoxia conditions in HCMECs. Interaction of p62, the substrate of autophagy, with Snail by co-immunoprecipitation especially in hypoxia-incubated cells confirmed the hypothesis. In conclusion, autophagy serves as a cytoprotective mechanism against EndMT to promote angiogenesis by degrading Snail under hypoxia conditions, suggesting that autophagy targetted therapeutic strategies may be applicable for cardiac fibrosis by EndMT.

scholarly journals A tumor-promoting role for soluble TβRIII in glioblastoma

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabel Burghardt ◽  
Judith Johanna Schroeder ◽  
Tobias Weiss ◽  
Dorothee Gramatzki ◽  
Michael Weller
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Microvascular Endothelial Cells ◽  
Smad2 Phosphorylation ◽  
Cell Gene Expression ◽  
Microvascular Endothelial ◽  
Cell Gene ◽  
Mouse Glioma

Abstract Purpose Members of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β superfamily play a key role in the regulation of the malignant phenotype of glioblastoma by promoting invasiveness, angiogenesis, immunosuppression, and maintaining stem cell-like properties. Betaglycan, a TGF-β coreceptor also known as TGF-β receptor III (TβRIII), interacts with members of the TGF-β superfamily and acts as membrane-associated or shed molecule. Shed, soluble TβRIII (sTβRIII) is produced upon ectodomain cleavage of the membrane-bound form. Elucidating the role of TβRIII may improve our understanding of TGF-β pathway activity in glioblastoma Methods Protein levels of TβRIII were determined by immunohistochemical analyses and ex vivo single-cell gene expression profiling of glioblastoma tissue respectively. In vitro, TβRIII levels were assessed investigating long-term glioma cell lines (LTCs), cultured human brain-derived microvascular endothelial cells (hCMECs), glioblastoma-derived microvascular endothelial cells, and glioma-initiating cell lines (GICs). The impact of TβRIII on TGF-β signaling was investigated, and results were validated in a xenograft mouse glioma model Results Immunohistochemistry and ex vivo single-cell gene expression profiling of glioblastoma tissue showed that TβRIII was expressed in the tumor tissue, predominantly in the vascular compartment. We confirmed this pattern of TβRIII expression in vitro. Specifically, we detected sTβRIII in glioblastoma-derived microvascular endothelial cells. STβRIII facilitated TGF-β-induced Smad2 phosphorylation in vitro and overexpression of sTβRIII in a xenograft mouse glioma model led to increased levels of Smad2 phosphorylation, increased tumor volume, and decreased survival Conclusions These data shed light on the potential tumor-promoting role of extracellular shed TβRIII which may be released by glioblastoma endothelium with high sTβRIII levels.

scholarly journals Pulmonary endothelial cells exhibit sexual dimorphism in their response to hyperoxia

2018 ◽  
Vol 315 (5) ◽  
pp. H1287-H1292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuhao Zhang ◽  
Xiaoyu Dong ◽  
Jasmine Shirazi ◽  
Jason P. Gleghorn ◽  
Krithika Lingappan
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Cell Migration ◽  
Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Microvascular Endothelial Cells ◽  
Muscle Actin ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Pulmonary Microvascular Endothelial Cells ◽  
Hyperoxia Exposure ◽  
Microvascular Endothelial

Abnormal pulmonary vascular development is a critical factor in the pathogenesis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Despite the well-established sex-specific differences in the incidence of BPD, the molecular mechanism(s) behind these are not completely understood. Exposure to a high concentration of oxygen (hyperoxia) contributes to BPD and creates a profibrotic environment in the lung. Our objective was to elucidate the sex-specific differences in neonatal human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMECs) in normoxic and hyperoxic conditions, including the propensity for endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. HPMECs (18- to 24-wk gestation donors, 6 male donors and 5 female donors) were subjected to hyperoxia (95% O2 and 5% CO2) or normoxia (air and 5% CO2) up to 72 h. We assessed cell migration and angiogenesis at baseline. Cell proliferation, viability, and expression of endothelial (CD31) and fibroblast markers (α-smooth muscle actin) were measured upon exposure to hyperoxia. Female HPMECs had significantly higher cell migration when assessed by the wound healing assay (40.99 ± 4.4%) compared with male HPMECs (14.76 ± 3.7%) and showed greater sprouting (1710 ± 962 μm in female cells vs. 789 ± 324 in male cells) compared with male endothelial cells in normoxia. Hyperoxia exposure decreased cell viability (by 9.8% at 48 h and 11.7% at 72 h) and proliferation (by 26.7% at 72 h) markedly in male HPMECs, whereas viability was sustained in female endothelial cells. There was greater expression of α-smooth muscle actin (2.5-fold) and decreased expression (5-fold) of CD31 in male HPMECs upon exposure to hyperoxia. The results indicate that cellular sex affects response in HPMECs in normoxia and hyperoxia. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Cellular sex affects response in human neonatal pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells in normoxia and hyperoxia. Under normoxic conditions, female human neonatal pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells display greater migration and angiogenic sprouting compared with male endothelial cells. Compared with female endothelial cells, hyperoxia exposure decreased cell viability and proliferation and increased α-smooth muscle actin and decreased CD31 expression in male endothelial cells, indicating an increased endothelial-mesenchymal transition.

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