Vascular effects of adiponectin: molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic intervention

2008 ◽  
Vol 114 (5) ◽  
pp. 361-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weidong Zhu ◽  
Kenneth K. Y. Cheng ◽  
Paul M. Vanhoutte ◽  
Karen S. L. Lam ◽  
Aimin Xu
Keyword(s):  
Cell Activation ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Vascular System ◽  
Cell Transformation ◽  
Foam Cell ◽  
Vascular Diseases ◽  
No Production ◽  
Endothelial Cell Activation ◽  
Vascular Effects ◽  
Insulin Sensitizer

Adiponectin is a major adipocyte-secreted adipokine abundantly present in the circulation as three distinct oligomeric complexes. In addition to its role as an insulin sensitizer, mounting evidence suggests that adiponectin is an important player in maintaining vascular homoeostasis. Numerous epidemiological studies based on different ethnic groups have identified adiponectin deficiency (hypoadiponectinaemia) as an independent risk factor for endothelial dysfunction, hypertension, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction and other cardiovascular complications. Conversely, elevation of circulating adiponectin concentrations by either genetic or pharmacological approaches can alleviate various vascular dysfunctions in animal models. Adiponectin exerts its vasculoprotective effects through its direct actions in the vascular system, such as increasing endothelial NO production, inhibiting endothelial cell activation and endothelium–leucocyte interaction, enhancing phagocytosis, and suppressing macrophage activation, macrophage-to-foam cell transformation and platelet aggregation. In addition, adiponectin reduces neointima formation through an oligomerization-dependent inhibition of smooth muscle proliferation. The present review highlights recent research advances in unveiling the molecular mechanisms that underpin the vascular actions of adiponectin and discusses the potential strategies of using adiponectin or its signalling pathways as therapeutic targets to combat obesity-related metabolic and vascular diseases.

scholarly journals Modeling early stage atherosclerosis in a primary human vascular microphysiological system

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xu Zhang ◽  
Muath Bishawi ◽  
Ge Zhang ◽  
Varun Prasad ◽  
Ellen Salmon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Activation ◽  
Foam Cell ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Cell Formation ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Foam Cell Formation ◽  
No Production ◽  
Endothelial Cell Activation

Abstract Novel atherosclerosis models are needed to guide clinical therapy. Here, we report an in vitro model of early atherosclerosis by fabricating and perfusing multi-layer arteriole-scale human tissue-engineered blood vessels (TEBVs) by plastic compression. TEBVs maintain mechanical strength, vasoactivity, and nitric oxide (NO) production for at least 4 weeks. Perfusion of TEBVs at a physiological shear stress with enzyme-modified low-density-lipoprotein (eLDL) with or without TNFα promotes monocyte accumulation, reduces vasoactivity, alters NO production, which leads to endothelial cell activation, monocyte accumulation, foam cell formation and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Removing eLDL leads to recovery of vasoactivity, but not loss of foam cells or recovery of permeability, while pretreatment with lovastatin or the P2Y11 inhibitor NF157 reduces monocyte accumulation and blocks foam cell formation. Perfusion with blood leads to increased monocyte adhesion. This atherosclerosis model can identify the role of drugs on specific vascular functions that cannot be assessed in vivo.

scholarly journals Role of NFAT in the Progression of Diabetic Atherosclerosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaoyao Cai ◽  
Haipeng Yao ◽  
Zhen Sun ◽  
Ying Wang ◽  
Yunyun Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Cardiovascular System ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Vascular System ◽  
Foam Cell ◽  
Vascular Diseases ◽  
Regulatory Function ◽  
Foam Cell Formation

Nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) is a transcription factor with a multidirectional regulatory function, that is widely expressed in immune cells, including cells in the cardiovascular system, and non-immune cells. A large number of studies have confirmed that calcineurin/NFAT signal transduction is very important in the development of vascular system and cardiovascular system during embryonic development, and plays some role in the occurrence of vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, vascular calcification, and hypertension. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that NFAT proteins and their activation in the nucleus and binding to DNA-related sites can easily ɨnduce the expression of downstream target genes that participate in the proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, and vascular inflammation of vascular wall related cells in various pathophysiological states. NFAT expression is regulated by various signaling pathways, including CD137-CD137L, and OX40-OX40L pathways. As a functionally diverse transcription factor, NFAT interacts with a large number of signaling molecules to modulate intracellular and extracellular signaling pathways. These NFAT-centered signaling pathways play important regulatory roles in the progression of atherosclerosis, such as in vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic transition and migration, endothelial cell injury, macrophage-derived foam cell formation, and plaque calcification. NFAT and related signaling pathways provide new therapeutic targets for vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. Hence, further studies of the mechanism of NFAT in the occurrence and evolution of atherosclerosis remain crucial.

scholarly journals Emerging Role of Vitamin D and its Associated Molecules in Pathways Related to Pathogenesis of Thrombosis

Biomolecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 649 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad ◽  
Mishra ◽  
Ashraf
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cellular Proliferation ◽  
Blood Clot ◽  
Endothelial Cell Activation ◽  
Vitamin D Receptors ◽  
Natural Ligand ◽  
Biological Responses

Vitamin D, besides having an essential role in calcium and bone metabolism, also acts as a mediator of many non-calcemic effects through modulations of several biological responses. Vitamin D exists in its two major forms, vitamin D2, or commonly known as ergocalciferol, and vitamin D3, or commonly known as cholecalciferol. Both of these forms bind to vitamin D-binding protein to get transported to all vital target organs, where it serves as a natural ligand to vitamin D receptors for enabling their biological actions. Clinical reports corroborating vitamin D deficiency with an increase in thrombotic episodes implicate the role of vitamin D and its associated molecule in the regulation of thrombosis-related pathways. Thrombosis is the formation and propagation of a blood clot, known as thrombus. It can occur either in the arterial or the venous system resulting in many severe complications, including myocardial infarction, stroke, ischemia, and venous thromboembolism. Vitamin D, directly or indirectly, controls the expression of several genes responsible for the regulation of cellular proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis. All of these are the processes of potential relevance to thrombotic disorders. This review, thus, discussed the effects of vitamin D on pathways involved in thrombosis, such as hemostatic process, inflammatory pathway, and endothelial cell activation, with a focus on the molecular mechanisms associated with them.

Vascular toxicity associated with anti-angiogenic drugs

2020 ◽  
Vol 134 (18) ◽  
pp. 2503-2520
Author(s):  
Karla B. Neves ◽  
Augusto C. Montezano ◽  
Ninian N. Lang ◽  
Rhian M. Touyz
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Kinase Inhibitors ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Adenosine Diphosphate ◽  
No Production ◽  
Vascular Effects ◽  
Vegf Inhibitors ◽  
Vascular Toxicity ◽  
Endothelin System ◽  
Anti Cancer

Abstract Over the past two decades, the treatment of cancer has been revolutionised by the highly successful introduction of novel molecular targeted therapies and immunotherapies, including small-molecule kinase inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies that target angiogenesis by inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathways. Despite their anti-angiogenic and anti-cancer benefits, the use of VEGF inhibitors (VEGFi) and other tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has been hampered by potent vascular toxicities especially hypertension and thromboembolism. Molecular processes underlying VEGFi-induced vascular toxicities still remain unclear but inhibition of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), reduced nitric oxide (NO) production, oxidative stress, activation of the endothelin system, and rarefaction have been implicated. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms still remain elusive and there is an urgent need to better understand exactly how anti-angiogenic drugs cause hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This is especially important because VEGFi are increasingly being used in combination with other anti-cancer dugs, such as immunotherapies (immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs)), other TKIs, drugs that inhibit epigenetic processes (histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor) and poly (adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, which may themselves induce cardiovascular injury. Here, we discuss vascular toxicities associated with TKIs, especially VEGFi, and provide an up-to-date overview on molecular mechanisms underlying VEGFi-induced vascular toxicity and cardiovascular sequelae. We also review the vascular effects of VEGFi when used in combination with other modern anti-cancer drugs.

scholarly journals Interleukin-17 Stimulates STAT3-Mediated Endothelial Cell Activation for Neutrophil Recruitment

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 2340-2356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaopeng Yuan ◽  
Shimeng Zhang ◽  
Yuanyuan Zhuang ◽  
He Zhang ◽  
Jinye Bai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Endothelial Cell ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Neutrophil Recruitment ◽  
Interleukin 17 ◽  
Endothelial Cell Activation ◽  
Gm Csf ◽  
Stat3 Phosphorylation ◽  
Specific Inhibitors

Background/Aims: Interleukin-17 (IL-17) is a major pro-inflammatory cytokine that initiates and maintains inflammation. However, the molecular mechanisms as to how IL-17 influences endothelial cells to promote neutrophil recruitment are not fully understood. Methods: Human endothelial cells (HMECs) were stimulated with IL-17, and investigated for proliferation, migration, and tubule formation activities. Transwell chemotaxis and adhesion assays were performed to assess neutrophil recruitment. Cytokine production was measured by Cytokine Array Chip and ELISA. Western blotting and immunofluorescent analysis were used to detect the phosphorylation and translocation of STAT3. Specific inhibitors, small interfering RNA, and phosphorylation mutants were used to confirm that IL-17 induced STAT3 activation via IL-17RA signaling. Results: Activation of HMECs with IL-17 induced STAT3 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation, which were associated with induction of GRO-α, GM-CSF and IL-8, and neutrophil recruitment. Phosphorylation of STAT3 was identified mainly at the tyrosine in position 705 (Y705), and the Y705F mutants attenuated IL-17-mediated STAT3 activation. Moreover, specific inhibitors, FLLL31, or siRNA silencing of STAT3 attenuated HMECs activation, resulting in inhibition of GRO-α, GM-CSF, IL-8 production, and neutrophil recruitment. Furthermore, phosphorylation of STAT3 was identified as downstream of IL-17RA signaling. Conclusions: IL-17 induced STAT3 activation as a necessary step in endothelial cell activation and neutrophil recruitment.

Endothelial cell activation by myeloblasts: molecular mechanisms of leukostasis and leukemic cell dissemination

Blood ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 97 (7) ◽  
pp. 2121-2129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Stucki ◽  
Anne-Sophie Rivier ◽  
Milica Gikic ◽  
Natacha Monai ◽  
Marc Schapira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cell ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Leukemic Cell ◽  
Leukemic Cells ◽  
Adhesion Assay ◽  
Endothelial Cell Activation ◽  
Adhesion Receptors ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Blast Cells

Abstract Leukostasis and tissue infiltration by leukemic cells are poorly understood life-threatening complications of acute leukemia. This study has tested the hypothesis that adhesion receptors and cytokines secreted by blast cells play central roles in these reactions. Immunophenotypic studies showed that acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells (n = 78) of the M0 to M5 subtypes of the French-American-British Cooperative Group expressed various amounts of adhesion receptors, including CD11a, b, c/CD18, CD49d, e, f/CD29, CD54, sCD15, and L-selectin. The presence of functional adhesion receptors was evaluated using a nonstatic adhesion assay. The number of blast cells attached to unactivated endothelium increased by 7 to 31 times after a 6-hour exposure of endothelium to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Inhibition studies showed that multiple adhesion receptors—including L-selectin, E-selectin, VCAM-1, and CD11/CD18—were involved in blast cell adhesion to TNF-α–activated endothelium. Leukemic cells were then cocultured at 37°C on unactivated endothelial cell monolayers for time periods up to 24 hours. A time-dependent increase in the number of blasts attached to the endothelium and a concomitant induction of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin were observed. Additional experiments revealed that endothelial cell activation by leukemic myeloblasts was caused by cytokine secretion by blast cells, in particular TNF-α and IL-1β, and direct contacts between adhesion receptors expressed by blast cells and endothelial cells. Thus, leukemic cells have the ability to generate conditions that promote their own adhesion to vascular endothelium, a property that may have important implications for the pathophysiology of leukostasis and tissue infiltration by leukemic blast cells.

scholarly journals Emerging roles for hemostatic dysfunction in malaria pathogenesis

Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 127 (19) ◽  
pp. 2281-2288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie M. O’Sullivan ◽  
Roger J. S. Preston ◽  
Niamh O’Regan ◽  
James S. O’Donnell
Keyword(s):  
Falciparum Malaria ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria ◽  
Convincing Evidence ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Coagulation Cascade ◽  
Endothelial Cell Activation ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity

Abstract Severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria remains a leading cause of mortality, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where it accounts for up to 1 million deaths per annum. In spite of the significant mortality and morbidity associated with cerebral malaria (CM), the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of severe malaria remain surprisingly poorly understood. Previous studies have demonstrated that sequestration of P falciparum–infected erythrocytes within the microvasculature of the brain plays a key role in the development of CM. In addition, there is convincing evidence that both endothelial cell activation and platelets play critical roles in the modulating the pathogenesis of severe P falciparum malaria. In this review, we provide an overview of recent studies that have identified novel roles through which hemostatic dysfunction may directly influence malaria pathogenesis. In particular, we focus on emerging data suggesting that von Willebrand factor, coagulation cascade activation, and dysfunction of the protein C pathway may be of specific importance in this context. These collective insights underscore a growing appreciation of the important, but poorly understood, role of hemostatic dysfunction in malaria progression and, importantly, illuminate potential approaches for novel therapeutic strategies. Given that the mortality rate associated with CM remains on the order of 20% despite the availability of effective antimalarial therapy, development of adjunctive therapies that can attenuate CM progression clearly represents a major unmet need. These emerging data are thus not only of basic scientific interest, but also of direct clinical significance.

scholarly journals Phosphorylation inactivation of endothelial nitric oxide synthesis in pulmonary arterial hypertension

2016 ◽  
Vol 310 (11) ◽  
pp. L1199-L1205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sudakshina Ghosh ◽  
Manveen Gupta ◽  
Weiling Xu ◽  
Deloris A. Mavrakis ◽  
Allison J. Janocha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Vascular Endothelial Cells ◽  
Vascular Diseases ◽  
No Production ◽  
Pulmonary Arterial

The impairment of vasodilator nitric oxide (NO) production is well accepted as a typical marker of endothelial dysfunction in vascular diseases, including in the pathophysiology of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), but the molecular mechanisms accounting for loss of NO production are unknown. We hypothesized that low NO production by pulmonary arterial endothelial cells in PAH is due to inactivation of NO synthase (eNOS) by aberrant phosphorylation of the protein. To test the hypothesis, we evaluated eNOS levels, dimerization, and phosphorylation in the vascular endothelial cells and lungs of patients with PAH compared with controls. In mechanistic studies, eNOS activity in endothelial cells in PAH lungs was found to be inhibited due to phosphorylation at T495. Evidence pointed to greater phosphorylation/activation of protein kinase C (PKC) α and its greater association with eNOS as the source of greater phosphorylation at T495. The presence of greater amounts of pT495-eNOS in plexiform lesions in lungs of patients with PAH confirmed the pathobiological mechanism in vivo. Transfection of the activating mutation of eNOS (T495A/S1177D) restored NO production in PAH cells. Pharmacological blockade of PKC activity by β-blocker also restored NO formation by PAH cells, identifying one mechanism by which β-blockers may benefit PAH and cardiovascular diseases through recovery of endothelial functions.

scholarly journals LOX-1, OxLDL, and Atherosclerosis

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Pirillo ◽  
Giuseppe Danilo Norata ◽  
Alberico Luigi Catapano
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Foam Cell ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Atherosclerotic Lesion ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Foam Cell Formation ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Oxidized Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Endothelial Cell Activation

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL) contributes to the atherosclerotic plaque formation and progression by several mechanisms, including the induction of endothelial cell activation and dysfunction, macrophage foam cell formation, and smooth muscle cell migration and proliferation. Vascular wall cells express on their surface several scavenger receptors that mediate the cellular effects of OxLDL. The lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) is the main OxLDL receptor of endothelial cells, and it is expressed also in macrophages and smooth muscle cells. LOX-1 is almost undetectable under physiological conditions, but it is upregulated following the exposure to several proinflammatory and proatherogenic stimuli and can be detected in animal and human atherosclerotic lesions. The key contribution of LOX-1 to the atherogenic process has been confirmed in animal models; LOX-1 knockout mice exhibit reduced intima thickness and inflammation and increased expression of protective factors; on the contrary, LOX-1 overexpressing mice present an accelerated atherosclerotic lesion formation which is associated with increased inflammation. In humans, LOX-1 gene polymorphisms were associated with increased susceptibility to myocardial infarction. Inhibition of the LOX-1 receptor with chemicals or antisense nucleotides is currently being investigated and represents an emerging approach for controlling OxLDL-LOX-1 mediated proatherogenic effects.

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