Angiogeneses
Abstract
We previously showed that ablation of tumor hypoxia can sensitize tumors to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). Here, we used a Kras+/G12DTP53+/R172HPdx1-Cre (KPC) derived model of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) to examine the tumor response and adaptive resistance mechanisms involved in response to two established methods of hypoxia-reducing therapy: the hypoxia-activated prodrug TH-302 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) blockade. The combination of both modalities normalized tumor vasculature, increased DNA damage and cell death, and delayed tumor growth. In contrast to prior cancer models, the combination did not alleviate overall tissue hypoxia or sensitize these KPC tumors to ICB therapy despite qualitative improvements to the CD8 T cell response. Bulk-tumor RNA sequencing, flow cytometry, and adoptive myeloid cell transfer suggested that treated tumor cells increased their capacity to recruit granulocytic myeloid derived suppressor cells (G-MDSC) through CCL9 secretion. Blockade of the CCL9-CCR1 axis could limit G-MDSC migration, and depletion of Ly6G-positive cells could sensitize tumors to the combination of TH-302 and anti-VEGFR-2 with ICB. Together, these data suggest that pancreatic tumors modulate G-MDSC migration as an adaptive response to vascular normalization, and that these immunosuppressive myeloid cells act in a setting of persistent hypoxia to maintain adaptive immune resistance.
Authors
Arthur Liu, Seth T. Gammon, Federica Pisaneschi, Akash Boda, Casey R. Ager, David Piwnica-Worms, David S. Hong, Michael A. Curran
Abstract
BACKGROUND Slow-flow vascular malformations frequently harbor activating mutations in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR cascade. Phase II trials pinpointed sirolimus effectiveness as a drug therapy. Efficacy and safety of sirolimus thus need to be evaluated in large prospective phase III trials.METHODS The Vascular Anomaly-Sirolimus-Europe (VASE) trial, initiated in 2016, is a large multicentric prospective phase III trial (EudraCT 2015-001703-32), which evaluates efficacy and safety of sirolimus for 2 years in pediatric and adult patients with symptomatic slow-flow vascular malformations. In this interim analysis, we studied all patients enrolled up to October 2021 who received sirolimus for 12 or more months or who prematurely stopped the treatment.RESULTS Thirty-one pediatric and 101 adult patients were included in this analysis; 107 completed 12 or more months of sirolimus, including 61 who were treated for the whole 2-year period. Sirolimus resulted in a clinical improvement in 85% of patients. The efficacy appeared within the first month for the majority of them. Grade 3–4 adverse events were observed in 24 (18%) patients; all resolved after treatment interruption/arrest. Sirolimus increased feasibility of surgery or sclerotherapy in 20 (15%) patients initially deemed unsuitable for intervention. Among the 61 patients who completed the 2-year treatment, 33 (54%) reported a recurrence of symptoms after a median follow-up of 13 months after sirolimus arrest. While there was no difference in efficacy, clinical improvement was faster but subsided more rapidly in PIK3CA-mutated (n = 24) compared with TIE2-mutated (n = 19) patients.CONCLUSION Sirolimus has a high efficacy and good tolerance in treatment of slow-flow vascular malformations in children and adults.TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02638389 and EudraCT 2015-001703-32.FUNDING The Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique (FNRS grants T.0247.19, P.C005.22, T.0146.16, and P.C013.20), the Fund Generet managed by the King Baudouin Foundation (grant 2018-J1810250-211305), the Walloon Region through the FRFS-WELBIO strategic research programme (WELBIO-CR-2019C-06), the MSCA-ITN network V.A. Cure no. 814316, the Leducq Foundation Networks of Excellence Program grant “ReVAMP” (LFCR grant 21CVD03), the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no. 874708 (Theralymph), the Swiss National Science Foundation under the Sinergia project no. CRSII5_193694, and a Pierre M. fellowship.
Authors
Emmanuel Seront, An Van Damme, Catherine Legrand, Annouk Bisdorff-Bresson, Philippe Orcel, Thomas Funck-Brentano, Marie-Antoinette Sevestre, Anne Dompmartin, Isabelle Quere, Pascal Brouillard, Nicole Revencu, Martina De Bortoli, Frank Hammer, Philippe Clapuyt, Dana Dumitriu, Miikka Vikkula, Laurence M. Boon
Abstract
The management of preretinal fibrovascular membranes, a devastating complication of advanced diabetic retinopathy (DR), remains challenging. We characterized the molecular profile of cell populations in these fibrovascular membranes to identify new therapeutic targets. Preretinal fibrovascular membranes were surgically removed from patients and submitted for single cell RNA (scRNA) sequencing. Differential gene expression was implemented to define the transcriptomic profile of these cells and revealed the presence of endothelial, inflammatory, and stromal cells. Endothelial cell re-clustering identified subclusters characterized by non-canonical trascriptomic profile, and active angiogenesis. Deeper investigation of the inflammatory cells showed a subcluster of macrophages expressing pro-angiogenic cytokines, presumably contributing to angiogenesis. The stromal cell cluster included a pericyte-myofibroblast transdifferentiating subcluster, indicating the involvement of pericytes in fibrogenesis. Differentially expressed gene analysis showed that Adipocyte Enhancer-binding Protein 1, AEBP1, was significantly upregulated in myofibroblast clusters, suggesting that this molecule may have a potential role in transformation. Cell culture experiments with human retinal pericytes (HRP) in high glucose condition confirmed the molecular transformation of pericytes towards myofibroblastic lineage. siAEBP1 transfection in HRP reduced the expression of profibrotic markers in high glucose. In conclusion, AEBP1 signaling modulates pericyte-myofibroblast transformation, suggesting that targeting AEBP1 could prevent scar tissue formation in advanced DR.
Authors
Katia Corano-Scheri, Jeremy A. Lavine, Thomas R. Tedeschi, Benjamin R. Thomson, Amani A. Fawzi
Abstract
Use of autologous cells isolated from elderly patients with multiple co-morbidities may account for the modest efficacy of cell therapy in patients with chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI). We aimed to determine whether pro-arteriogenic monocyte/macrophages (Mo/MΦs) from CLTI patients were functionally impaired and to demonstrate the mechanisms related to any impairment. Pro-arteriogenic Mo/MΦs isolated from CLTI patients were found to have an impaired capacity to promote neovascularization in vitro and in vivo compared with those isolated from healthy controls. This was associated with increased expression of human HIV-1 TAT interactive protein-2 (HTATIP2), a transcription factor known to suppress angiogenesis/arteriogenesis. Silencing HTATIP2 restored the functional capacity of CLTI Mo/MΦs which was associated with increased expression of arteriogenic regulators neuropilin-1 and angiopoietin-1, and their ability to enhance angiogenic (endothelial tubule formation) and arteriogenic (smooth muscle proliferation) processes in vitro. In support of the translational relevance of our findings, silencing HTATIP2 in pro-arteriogenic Mo/MΦs isolated from CLTI patients rescued their capacity to enhance limb perfusion in the ischemic hindlimb by effecting greater angiogenesis and arteriogenesis. Ex-vivo modulation of HTATIP2 may offer a strategy for rescuing the functional impairment of pro-angio/arteriogenic Mo/MΦs prior to autologous delivery and increase the likelihood of clinical efficacy.
Authors
Ashish S. Patel, Francesca E. Ludwinski, Angeles Mondragon, Katherine Nuthall, Prakash Saha, Oliver Lyons, Mario Leonardo Squadrito, Richard C. Siow, Michele De Palma, Alberto Smith, Bijan Modarai
Abstract
Superficial erythematous cutaneous vascular malformations are assumed to be blood vascular in origin, but cutaneous lymphatic malformations can contain blood and appear red. Management may be different and so an accurate diagnosis is important. Cutaneous malformations were investigated through 2D-histology and 3D-whole-mount-histology. Two lesions were clinically considered as port-wine birthmark, and another three lesions as erythematous telangiectasias. The aims were: i) to prove that cutaneous erythematous malformations including telangiectasia can represent a lymphatic phenotype, ii) to determine if lesions represent expanded but otherwise normal or malformed lymphatics, and iii) to determine if the presence of erythrocytes explained the red colour. Microscopy revealed all lesions as lymphatic structures. Port-wine birthmarks proved to be cystic lesions, with non-uniform lymphatic marker expression, and a disconnected lymphatic network suggesting a lymphatic malformation. Erythematous telangiectasias represented expanded but non-malformed lymphatics. Blood within lymphatics appeared to explain the colour. Blood-lymphatic-shunts could be detected in the erythematous telangiectasia. In conclusion, erythematous cutaneous capillary lesions may be lymphatic in origin but clinically indistinguishable from blood vascular malformations. Biopsy is advised for correct phenotyping and management. Erythrocytes are the likely explanation for colour accessing lymphatics through lympho-venous-shunts.
Authors
René Hägerling, Malou Van Zanten, Rose Yinghan Behncke, Sascha Ulferts, Nils R. Hansmeier, Bruno Märkl, Christian Witzel, Bernard Ho, Vaughan Keeley, Katie Riches, Sahar Mansour, Kristiana Gordon, Pia Ostergaard, Peter S. Mortimer
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a life-threatening disease characterized by a progressive narrowing of pulmonary arterioles. Although VEGF is highly expressed in lung of patients with PH and in animal PH models, the involvement of angiogenesis remains elusive. To clarify the pathophysiological function of angiogenesis in PH, we compared the angiogenic response in hypoxia (Hx) and SU5416 (a VEGFR2 inhibitor) plus Hx (SuHx) mouse PH models using 3D imaging. The 3D imaging analysis revealed an angiogenic response in the lung of the Hx-PH, but not of the severer SuHx-PH model. Selective VEGFR2 inhibition with cabozantinib plus Hx in mice also suppressed angiogenic response and exacerbated Hx-PH to the same extent as SuHx. Expression of endothelial proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) increased along with angiogenesis in lung of Hx-PH but not SuHx mice. In pulmonary endothelial cell–specific Ppargc1a-KO mice, the Hx-induced angiogenesis was suppressed, and PH was exacerbated along with increased oxidative stress, cellular senescence, and DNA damage. By contrast, treatment with baicalin, a flavonoid enhancing PGC-1α activity in endothelial cells, ameliorated Hx-PH with increased Vegfa expression and angiogenesis. Pulmonary endothelial PGC-1α–mediated angiogenesis is essential for adaptive responses to Hx and might represent a potential therapeutic target for PH.
Authors
Takayuki Fujiwara, Norifumi Takeda, Hironori Hara, Satoshi Ishii, Genri Numata, Hiroyuki Tokiwa, Manami Katoh, Sonoko Maemura, Takaaki Suzuki, Hiroshi Takiguchi, Tomonobu Yanase, Yoshiaki Kubota, Seitaro Nomura, Masaru Hatano, Kazutaka Ueda, Mutsuo Harada, Haruhiro Toko, Eiki Takimoto, Hiroshi Akazawa, Hiroyuki Morita, Satoshi Nishimura, Issei Komuro
Generating endogenous Myh11-driven Cre mice for sex-independent gene deletion in smooth muscle cells
Abstract
Specific and efficient smooth muscle cell (SMC)-targeted gene deletion is typically achieved by pairing SMMHC-CreERT2-Tg mice with mice carrying the loxP-flanked gene. However, the transgene, CreERT2, is not controlled by the endogenous Myh11 gene promoter, and the codon-modified iCreERT2 exhibits significant tamoxifen-independent leakage. Furthermore, because the Cre-bearing Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC) is inserted onto the Y chromosome, the SMMHC-CreERT2-Tg mice strain can only exhibit gene deletions in male mice. Additionally, there is a lack of Myh11-driven constitutive Cre mice when tamoxifen usage is a concern. We used CRISPR/Cas9-mediated homologous recombination between a donor vector carrying the 1) CreNLSP2A or 2) CreERT2-P2A sequence and homologous arm surrounding the translation start site of the Myh11 gene to generate Cre knock-in mice. The P2A sequence enables the simultaneous translation of Cre and endogenous proteins. Using reporter mice, we assessed Cre-mediated recombination efficiency, specificity, tamoxifen-dependent controllability, and functionality in both sexes. Both constitutive (Myh11-CreNLSP2A) and inducible (Myh11-CreERT2-P2A) Cre mice demonstrated efficient, SMC-specific, sex-independent Cre recombinase activity without confounding endogenous gene expression. Combined with recently generated BAC transgenic Myh11-CreERT2-RAD mice and the Itga8-CreERT2 mouse models, our new models will help expand the research toolbox, facilitating unbiased and comprehensive research in SMCs and SMC-dependent cardiovascular diseases.
Authors
Yang Zhao, Guizhen Zhao, Ziyi Chang, Tianqing Zhu, Ying Zhao, Haocheng Lu, Chao Xue, Thomas L. Saunders, Yanhong Guo, Lin Chang, Y. Eugene Chen, Jifeng Zhang
Abstract
Tumor vascular normalization prevents tumor cells from breaking through the basement membrane and entering the vasculature, and then inhibiting metastasis initiation. In this study, we reported that the anti-tumor peptide JP1 regulates the mitochondria metabolic reprogramming through AMPK/FOXO3a/UQCRC2 signaling, which improves the tumor microenvironment hypoxia. The oxygen-rich tumor microenvironment inhibits the secretion of interleukin-8 (IL8) by tumor cells, thereby promoting tumor vascular normalization. The normalized vasculature results in mature and regular blood vessels, which makes the tumor microenvironment form benign feedback of vascular normalization, sufficient perfusion, and oxygen-rich microenvironment, prevents tumor cells from entering the vasculature and inhibits metastasis initiation. Moreover, the combined therapy of JP1 and paclitaxel (PTX) maintain a certain vascular density in the tumor, as well as promoting tumor vascular normalization, increasing the delivery of oxygen and drugs, and enhancing the anti-tumor effect. Collectively, our work highlighted a novel anti-tumor peptide JP1 to inhibit metastasis initiation and its mechanism of action.
Authors
Jiahua Cui, Zhen Che, Lu Zou, Dongyin Chen, Zhan Xie, Kun Ding, Huning Jiang, Aiping Li, Jianwei Zhou, Yongqian Shu
Abstract
Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and diabetes constitute a high risk population for development of critical limb ischemia (CLI) and amputation, although the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Comparison of dysregulated microRNAs from diabetic human subjects with PAD and diabetic mice with limb ischemia revealed the conserved microRNA, miR-130b-3p. In vitro angiogenic assays demonstrated miR-130b rapidly promoted proliferation, migration, and sprouting in endothelial cells (ECs), whereas miR-130b inhibition exerted anti-angiogenic effects. Local delivery of miR-130b mimics into ischemic muscles of diabetic mice (db/db) following femoral artery ligation (FAL) promoted revascularization by increasing angiogenesis and markedly improved limb necrosis and amputation. RNA-sequencing, and gene set enrichment analysis from miR-130b overexpressing ECs revealed the BMP / TGF-b signaling pathway as one of the top dysregulated pathways. Accordingly, overlapping downregulated transcripts from RNA-seq and miRNA prediction algorithms identified that miR-130b directly targeted and repressed the TGF-b superfamily member inhibin-b-A (INHBA). miR-130b overexpression or siRNA-mediated knockdown of INHBA induced IL-8 expression, a potent angiogenic chemokine. Lastly, ectopic delivery of silencer RNAs (siRNA) targeting Inhba in db/db ischemic muscles following FAL improved revascularization and limb necrosis, recapitulating the phenotype of miR-130b delivery. Taken together, a miR-130b-INHBA signaling axis may provide therapeutic targets for patients with PAD and diabetes at risk of developing CLI.
Authors
Henry S. Cheng, Daniel Pérez-Cremades, Rulin Zhuang, Anurag Jamaiyar, Winona W. Wu, Jingshu Chen, Aspasia Tzani, Lauren Stone, Jorge Plutzky, Terence E. Ryan, Philip P. Goodney, Mark A. Creager, Marc S. Sabatine, Marc P. Bonaca, Mark W. Feinberg
Abstract
Glioblastoma is amongst the deadliest human cancers and is highly vascularized. Angiogenesis is very dynamic during brain development, almost quiescent in the adult brain but reactivated in vascular-dependent CNS pathologies including brain tumors. The onco-fetal axis describes the reactivation of fetal programs in tumors, but its relevance in endothelial- and perivascular cells of the human brain vasculature in glial brain tumors is unexplored. Nucleolin is a regulator of cell proliferation and angiogenesis, but its roles in the brain vasculature remain unknown. Here, we studied the expression of Nucleolin in the neurovascular unit in human fetal brains, adult brains and human gliomas in vivo and its effects on sprouting angiogenesis and endothelial metabolism in vitro. Nucleolin is highly expressed in endothelial- and perivascular cells during brain development, downregulated in the adult brain, and upregulated in glioma. Moreover, Nucleolin expression correlated with glioma malignancy in vivo. In culture, siRNA-mediated Nucleolin knock-down reduced human brain endothelial cell (HCMEC) and human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) sprouting angiogenesis, proliferation, filopodia extension, and glucose metabolism. Furthermore, inhibition of Nucleolin with the aptamer AS1411 decreased brain endothelial cell proliferation in vitro. Mechanistically, Nucleolin knock-down in HCMECs and HUVECs uncovered regulation of angiogenesis involving VEGFR2 and of endothelial glycolysis. These findings identify Nucleolin as a neurodevelopmental factor reactivated in glioma that promotes sprouting angiogenesis and endothelial metabolism, characterizing Nucleolin as an onco-fetal protein. Our findings have potential implications in the therapeutic targeting of glioma.
Authors
Marc Schwab, Ignazio de Trizio, Moheb Ghobrial, Jau-Ye Shiu, Oguzkan Sürücü, Francesco Girolamo, Mariella Errede, Murat Yilmaz, Johannes Haybaeck, Alessandro Moiraghi, Philippe P. Monnier, Sean E. Lawler, Jeffrey P. Greenfield, Ivan Radovanovic, Karl Frei, Ralph Schlapbach, Viola Vogel, Daniela Virgintino, Katrien De Bock, Thomas Wälchli
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