scholarly journals Cardiac endothelial cells maintain open chromatin and expression of cardiomyocyte myofibrillar genes

eLife ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nora Yucel ◽  
Jessie Axsom ◽  
Yifan Yang ◽  
Li Li ◽  
Joshua H Rhoades ◽  
...  

Endothelial cells (ECs) are widely heterogenous depending on tissue and vascular localization. Jambusaria et al. recently demonstrated that ECs in various tissues surprisingly possess mRNA signatures of their underlying parenchyma. The mechanism underlying this observation remains unexplained, and could include mRNA contamination during cell isolation, in vivo mRNA paracrine transfer from parenchymal cells to ECs, or cell-autonomous expression of these mRNAs in ECs. Here, we use a combination of bulk RNASeq, single-cell RNASeq datasets, in situ mRNA hybridization, and most importantly ATAC-Seq of FACS-isolated nuclei, to show that cardiac ECs actively express cardiomyocyte myofibril (CMF) genes and have open chromatin at CMF gene promoters. These open chromatin sites are enriched for sites targeted by cardiac transcription factors, and closed upon expansion of ECs in culture. Together, these data demonstrate unambiguously that the expression of CMF genes in ECs is cell-autonomous, and not simply a result of technical contamination or paracrine transfers of mRNAs, and indicate that local cues in the heart in vivo unexpectedly maintain fully open chromatin in ECs at genes previously thought limited to cardiomyocytes.

1995 ◽  
Vol 268 (5) ◽  
pp. H2084-H2091 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Arai ◽  
A. Yoguchi ◽  
T. Iso ◽  
T. Takahashi ◽  
S. Imai ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study was to determine whether endothelin and endothelin receptors play an important role in the development of cardiac hypertrophy due to pressure overload in vivo. Cardiac hypertrophy was produced by placing a constricting clip around the suprarenal abdominal aorta of rats. Hemodynamic parameters and plasma and ventricular concentrations of endothelin-1 (ET-1) were measured in control unoperated rats, and 30 min, 2 and 6 h, and 1 and 8 days after operation in pressure overload rats and sham-operated rats. The density and dissociation constant of ET-1 binding sites were also measured in control rats and 1 and 8 days after pressure overload and sham operation. Additionally, in situ mRNA hybridization for preproendothelin-1 (preproET-1) mRNA was performed to determine which cells were responsible for increased ET-1 levels. Ventricular ET-1 levels increased markedly on day 8 of pressure overload, whereas plasma ET-1 levels increased transiently only 30 min after operation, quickly returning to control level. In addition, ventricular ET-1 levels on day 8 showed a significant positive correlation with the degree of cardiac hypertrophy. In situ mRNA hybridization revealed that cardiac myocytes expressed preproET-1 mRNA in hypertrophied hearts in vivo. In accord with the elevation of ventricular ET-1 levels, the density of ET-1 binding sites was increased significantly, without affecting their binding affinity, on day 8 of pressure overload. These data are compatible with the hypothesis that increases in locally produced ET-1 and the density of ET-1 binding sites have an important relationship with the development of cardiac hypertrophy in vivo.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


1992 ◽  
Vol 284 (2) ◽  
pp. 545-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Otter ◽  
J Kuiper ◽  
R Bos ◽  
D C Rijken ◽  
T J van Berkel

The interaction of 125I-labelled tissue-type plasminogen activator (125I-t-PA) with freshly isolated rat parenchymal and endothelial liver cells was studied. Binding experiments at 4 degrees C with parenchymal cells and endothelial liver cells indicated the presence of 68,000 and 44,000 high-affinity t-PA-binding sites, with an apparent Kd of 3.5 and 4 nM respectively. Association of 125I-t-PA with parenchymal cells was Ca(2+)-dependent and was not influenced by asialofetuin, a known ligand for the galactose receptor. Association of 125I-t-PA with liver endothelial cells was Ca(2+)-dependent and mannose-specific, since ovalbumin (a mannose-terminated glycoprotein) inhibited the cell association of t-PA. Association of 125I-t-PA with liver endothelial cells was inhibited by anti-(human mannose receptor) antiserum. Anti-(galactose receptor) IgG had no effect on 125I-t-PA association with either cell type. Degradation of 125I-t-PA at 37 degrees C by both cell types was inhibited by chloroquine or NH4Cl, indicating that t-PA is degraded lysosomally. in vitro experiments with three monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) demonstrated that anti-t-PA MAb 1-3-1 specifically decreased association of 125I-t-PA with the endothelial cells, and anti-t-PA Mab 7-8-4 inhibited association with the parenchymal cells. Results of competition experiments in rats in vivo with these antibodies were in agreement with findings in vitro. Both antibodies decreased the liver uptake of 125I-t-PA, while a combination of the two antibodies was even more effective in reducing the liver association of 125I-t-PA and increasing its plasma half-life. We conclude from these data that clearance of t-PA by the liver is regulated by at least two pathways, one on parenchymal cells (not galactose/mannose-mediated) and another on liver endothelial cells (mediated by a mannose receptor). Results with the MAbs imply that two distinct sites on the t-PA molecule are involved in binding to parenchymal cells and liver endothelial cells.


2016 ◽  
Vol 119 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivekkumar Patel ◽  
Austin Cooney ◽  
Elsa Flores ◽  
Vivek Singh ◽  
Megumi Mathison ◽  
...  

Objective: In situ cellular reprogramming of cardiac fibroblasts into (induced) cardiomyocytes (iCMs) represents a promising new potential intervention for the treatment of heart failure. Despite encouraging in vivo data in rodent myocardial infarction models, the relative resistance of human cells to reprogramming may be a significant barrier to the clinical application of this new therapy. We hypothesized that knockdown of the anti-plasticity gene p63 could therefore be used to enhance cellular reprogramming efficiency. Methods: p63 knockout (KO) murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and MEFs treated with p63 silencing shRNA were assessed for expression of the cardiomyocyte marker Cardiac Troponin T (cTnT) and pro-cardiogenic genes, with or without the treatment with known cardiac transcription factors Hand2 and Myocardin (HM). Results: After 3 wks in culture, expression of the cardiomyocyte marker cTnT (FACS) was significantly greater in p63 KO MEFs than in wild-type (WT) MEFs or WT MEFs treated with transcription factors Hand2 and Myocardin (39% ± 8%, 2.0% ± 1% and 2.7 ± 0.3%, respectively, p < 0.05). Treatment of p63 KO MEFs with Hand2 and Myocardin further increased cTnT expression up to 74% ± 3%. Treatment of WT MEFs with p63 shRNA likewise yielded a 20-fold increase in cTnT expression (qPCR) without HM and a 600-fold increase with HM when compared to non-silencing shRNA treated MEFs. Consistent with these findings, p63 KO or p63 shRNA-treated MEFs demonstrated increased expression (qPCR) of pro-cardiogenic genes Gata4, Mef2c and Tbx5 compared to naïve or non-silencing shRNA treated MEFs. After treatment with p63 shRNA, adult human epidermal cells also demonstrated increased expression of cTnT, myosin heavy chain and pro-cardiogenic genes when analyzed by qPCR. Conclusions: Downregulation of the anti-plasticity gene p63 enhances cellular reprogramming efficiency and iCM generation, as reflected in the increased expression of the cardiomyocyte marker cTnT and pro-cardiogenic genes Gata4, Mef2c and Tbx5. Use of such cellular plasticity enhancing strategies may be a useful strategy to overcome barriers to cellular reprogramming in the clinical arena.


1990 ◽  
Vol 268 (3) ◽  
pp. 685-691 ◽  
Author(s):  
H F Bakkeren ◽  
F Kuipers ◽  
R J Vonk ◽  
T J C Van Berkel

Acetylated low-density lipoprotein (acetyl-LDL), biologically labelled in the cholesterol moiety of cholesteryl oleate, was injected into control and oestrogen-treated rats. The serum clearance, the distribution among the various lipoproteins, the hepatic localization and the biliary secretion of the [3H]cholesterol moiety were determined at various times after injection. In order to monitor the intrahepatic metabolism of the cholesterol esters of acetyl-LDL in vivo, the liver was subdivided into parenchymal, endothelial and Kupffer cells by a low-temperature cell-isolation procedure. In both control and oestrogen-treated rats, acetyl-LDL is rapidly cleared from the circulation, mainly by the liver endothelial cells. Subsequently, the cholesterol esters are hydrolysed, and within 1 h after injection, about 60% of the cell- associated cholesterol is released. The [3H]cholesterol is mainly recovered in the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) range of the serum of control rats, while low levels of radioactivity are detected in serum of oestrogen-treated rats. In control rats cholesterol is transported from endothelial cells to parenchymal cells (reverse cholesterol transport), where it is converted into bile acids and secreted into bile. The data thus provide evidence that HDL can serve as acceptors for cholesterol from endothelial cells in vivo, whereby efficient delivery to the parenchymal cells and bile is assured. In oestrogen-treated rats the radioactivity from the endothelial cells is released with similar kinetics as in control rats. However, only a small percentage of radioactivity is found in the HDL fraction and an increased uptake of radioactivity in Kupffer cells is observed. The secretion of radioactivity into bile is greatly delayed in oestrogen-treated rats. It is concluded that, in the absence of extracellular lipoproteins, endothelial cells can still release cholesterol, although for efficient transport to liver parenchymal cells and bile, HDL is indispensable.


2000 ◽  
Vol 68 (10) ◽  
pp. 5953-5959 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dana Davis ◽  
John E. Edwards ◽  
Aaron P. Mitchell ◽  
Ashraf S. Ibrahim

ABSTRACT The ability of Candida albicans to respond to diverse environments is critical for its success as a pathogen. TheRIM101 pathway controls gene expression and the yeast-to-hyphal transition in C. albicans in response to changes in environmental pH in vitro. In this study, we found that theRIM101 pathway is necessary in vivo for pathogenesis. First, we show thatrim101−/rim101− andrim8−/rim8− mutants have a significant reduction in virulence using the mouse model of hematogenously disseminated systemic candidiasis. Second, these mutants show a marked reduction in kidney pathology. Third, therim101−/rim101− andrim8−/rim8− mutants show defects in the ability to damage endothelial cells in situ. Finally, we show that an activated allele of RIM101, RIM101-405, is a suppressor of the rim8− mutation in vivo as it rescues the virulence, histological, and endothelial damage defects of the rim8−/rim8− mutant. These results demonstrate that the RIM101 pathway is required for C. albicans virulence in vivo and that the function of Rim8p in pathogenesis is to activate Rim101p.


2003 ◽  
Vol 285 (2) ◽  
pp. H507-H515 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. P. Nase ◽  
J. Tuttle ◽  
H. G. Bohlen

Many studies have suggested that endothelial cells can act as “oxygen sensors” to large reductions in oxygen availability by increasing nitric oxide (NO) production. This study determined whether small reductions in oxygen availability enhanced NO production from in vivo intestinal arterioles, venules, and parenchymal cells. In vivo measurements of perivascular NO concentration ([NO]) were made with NO-sensitive microelectrodes during normoxic and reduced oxygen availability. During normoxia, intestinal first-order arteriolar [NO] was 397 ± 26 nM ( n = 5), paired venular [NO] was 298 ± 34 nM ( n = 5), and parenchymal cell [NO] was 138 ± 36 nM ( n = 3). During reduced oxygen availability, arteriolar and venular [NO] significantly increased to 695 ± 79 nM ( n = 5) and 534 ± 66 nM ( n = 5), respectively, whereas parenchymal [NO] remained unchanged at 144 ± 34 nM ( n = 4). During reduced oxygenation, arteriolar and venular diameters increased by 15 ± 3% and 14 ± 5%, respectively: NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester strongly suppressed the dilation to lower periarteriolar Po2. Micropipette injection of a CO2 embolus into arterioles significantly attenuated arteriolar dilation and suppressed NO release in response to reduced oxygen availability. These results indicated that in rat intestine, reduced oxygen availability increased both arteriolar and venular NO and that the main site of NO release under these conditions was from endothelial cells.


1993 ◽  
Vol 291 (3) ◽  
pp. 749-755 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Magnússon ◽  
T Berg

Upon intravenous injection into rats, the plant toxin ricin was rapidly cleared from the circulation by the liver. Among the different liver cell populations, most of the injected ricin associated with the sinusoidal endothelial cells (EC), whereas the liver parenchymal cells (PC) and Kupffer cells (KC) yielded minor contributions to the total liver uptake in vivo. Co-injection of mannan strongly inhibited ricin uptake by the EC, showing that it was mediated by mannose receptors. On the other hand, co-injection of lactose, which inhibits the galactose-specific association of ricin with cells, enhanced ricin uptake by the EC. The carbohydrate-dependency of the EC contribution to the uptake of ricin in vivo was reflected in the carbohydrate-dependency of the uptake in vivo by whole liver. In vitro, the EC also endocytosed ricin more efficiently than did the PC or KC. Whereas uptake in vitro in the EC was mainly mannose-specific, uptake in the two other cell types was mainly galactose-specific. Western blotting showed that the mannose receptors of liver non-parenchymal cells are identical with the mannose receptor previously isolated from alveolar macrophages. The mannose receptors are expressed at a higher level in EC than in KC. Ligand blotting showed that, in the presence of lactose, the mannose receptor is the only protein in the EC that binds ricin, and the binding is mannose-specific and Ca(2+)-dependent.


2001 ◽  
Vol 280 (1) ◽  
pp. C12-C21 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Paul Herring ◽  
Gary E. Lyons ◽  
April M. Hoggatt ◽  
Patricia J. Gallagher

Telokin is a 17-kDa protein with an amino acid sequence that is identical to the COOH terminus of the 130-kDa myosin light chain kinase (MLCK). Telokin mRNA is transcribed from a second promoter, located within an intron, in the 3′ region of the MLCK gene. In the current study, we show by in situ mRNA hybridization that telokin mRNA is restricted to the smooth muscle cell layers within adult smooth muscle tissues. In situ mRNA analysis of mouse embryos also revealed that telokin expression is restricted to smooth muscle tissues during embryonic development. Telokin mRNA expression was first detected in mouse gut at embryonic day 11.5; no telokin expression was detected in embryonic cardiac or skeletal muscle. Expression of telokin was also found to be regulated during postnatal development of the male and female reproductive tracts. In both uterus and vas deferens, telokin protein expression greatly increased between days 7 and 14 of postnatal development. The increase in telokin expression correlated with an increase in the expression of several other smooth muscle-restricted proteins, including smooth muscle myosin and α-actin.


1999 ◽  
Vol 80 (9) ◽  
pp. 2393-2397 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Lindsay Oaks ◽  
Catherine Ulibarri ◽  
Timothy B. Crawford

Equine infectious anaemia virus (EIAV) infection of horses is characterized clinically by recurrent episodes of fever, thrombocytopenia and anaemia. In vivo, the only site of virus replication that has been previously demonstrated for EIAV is the tissue macrophage. In this study, in situ hybridization for EIAV was combined with immunohistochemistry for cell-type-specific markers to identify infected endothelial cells. EIAV-infected endothelial cells and macrophages were detected in horses infected with either virulent wild-type or with weakly virulent tissue culture-adapted strains of EIAV. The role of endothelial cell infection in the pathogenesis of EIAV remains undefined, but could contribute to the development of thrombocytopenia. However, endothelial cell infection does not appear to be a determinant of virulence for EIAV.


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