160. THE ROLE OF PHAGOCYTOSIS OF APOPTOTIC SYNCYTIAL KNOTS IN THE PREVENTION OF ENDOTHELIAL CELL ACTIVATION: AN IMPORTANT ADAPTATION FOR NORMAL PREGNANCY

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 78
Author(s):  
Q. Chen ◽  
H. Jin ◽  
P. Stone ◽  
L. Chamley

Preeclampsia is characterised by an exaggerated inflammatory response and maternal endothelial cell activation. Syncytial knots, dead multinucleated fetal cells shed from the placenta in large numbers during all pregnancies, may be phagocytosed by maternal endothelial cells. Our previous studies showed that phagocytosis of necrotic but not apoptotic syncytial knots led to endothelial cell activation. It is known that phagocytosis of apoptotic cells leads to active tolerance of immune responses and in this study we questioned whether phagocytosis of apoptotic syncytial knots leads to suppression of the endothelial cells ability to be activated. Syncytial knots were harvested from 1st trimester placental explants. Monolayers of endothelial cells were pre-treated with apoptotic syncytial knots for 24 h. After washing, the endothelial cells were treated with the endothelial cell activators LPS, PMA, IL-6, or necrotic syncytial knots for 24 h. In some experiments the inhibitor of phagocytosis, cytochalasin D, was added into the cultures along with apoptotic syncytial knots. Endothelial cell-surface ICAM-1 was measured using cell based ELISAs. Expression of ICAM-1 by endothelial cells that had phagocytosed apoptotic syncytial knots prior to treatment with LPS, PMA, IL-6, or necrotic syncytial knots was significantly (P =/<0.003) reduced, compared to control endothelial cells that had not phagocytosed apoptotic syncytial knots. Inhibiting phagocytosis of apoptotic syncytial knots with cytochalasin D abolished this protective effect. Our data suggest phagocytosis of apoptotic syncytial knots results in the suppression of the ability of endothelial cells to be activated by a number of potent chemical activators, as well as by the physiologically relevant activator, necrotic syncytial knots. This work suggests that the release of apoptotic syncytial knots from the placenta during normal pregnancy may be a mechanism by which the fetus attempts to protect the maternal vasculature against activation.

Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 3272-3272
Author(s):  
Kristi L Allen ◽  
Mukesh K Jain ◽  
Keith R. McCrae

Abstract Abstract 3272 Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is characterized by thrombosis and/or recurrent pregnancy loss in the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (APLA). The majority of APLA are directed against phospholipid binding proteins, particularly β2GPI. Anti-ß2GPI antibodies activate endothelial cells and monocytes in a β2GPI-dependent manner through a pathway that involves NF-κB and leads to increased expression of adhesion molecules, tissue factor and proinflammatory cytokines. Krüppel-like factors (KLFs) regulate endothelial cell and monocyte responses to inflammatory stimuli; increased expression of these transcription factors inhibits proinflammatory and procoagulant gene expression, and maintains vascular homeostasis. We recently reported that anti-ß2GPI antibodies decrease the expression of KLF2 and KLF4 in endothelial cells (Allen et al, Blood 2011), promoting endothelial cell activation. Subsequent studies demonstrate that these antibodies decrease expression of KLF2 in monocytes as well. Statins have been proposed as a potential alternative to anticoagulation for APS patients, and stimulate the expression of KLFs. We hypothesized that the ability of statins to block endothelial cell activation in response to anti-β2GPI antibodies was mediated by KLFs. Treatment of endothelial cells and monocytes with 100 nM fluvastatin, lovastatin, or simvastatin upregulated KLF2 and KLF4 mRNA, even in the presence of anti-ß2GPI antibodies. In parallel, statin treatment inhibited the anti-β2GPI antibody-mediated induction of E-selectin, VCAM-1, and TF mRNA in endothelial cells, and ICAM-1 and TF mRNA in human monocytes. To assess the dependence of these effects on KLF expression, endothelial cells were pretreated with KLF2 or KLF4 siRNA prior to treatment with statins. siRNA-mediated inhibition of KLF expression completely blocked the ability of statins to prevent anti-β2GPI antibody-induced endothelial cell activation, as measured by adhesion molecule and TF mRNA levels and expression of E-selectin on the endothelial cell surface. Taken together, these data demonstrate that KLFs are critical modulators of the effects of statins on endothelial cells, and that increased expression of KLFs may represent a mechanism by which these drugs inhibit the activation of endothelial cells and monocytes by APLA/anti-β2GPI antibodies. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (8) ◽  
pp. 1940-1945 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Shen ◽  
Zhenyu Diao ◽  
Hai-Xiang Sun ◽  
Gui-Jun Yan ◽  
Zhiqun Wang ◽  
...  

Preeclampsia (PE) is initiated by abnormal placentation in the early stages of pregnancy, followed by systemic activation of endothelial cells of the maternal small arterioles in the late second or third trimester (TM) of pregnancy. During normal pregnancy, placental cytotrophoblasts (CTBs) invade the maternal uterine wall and spiral arteries, whereas this process is interrupted in PE. However, it is not known how the malformed placenta triggers maternal endothelial crisis and the associated manifestations. Here, we have focused on the association of CD81 with PE. CD81, a member of the tetraspanin superfamily, plays significant roles in cell growth, adhesion, and motility. The function of CD81 in human placentation and its association with pregnancy complications are currently unknown. In the present study, we have demonstrated that CD81 was preferentially expressed in normal first TM placentas and progressively down-regulated with gestation advance. In patients with early-onset severe PE (sPE), CD81 expression was significantly up-regulated in syncytiotrophoblasts (STBs), CTBs and the cells in the villous core. In addition, high levels of CD81 were observed in the maternal sera of patients with sPE. Overexpressing CD81 in CTBs significantly decreased CTB invasion, and culturing primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in the presence of a high dose of exogenous CD81 resulted in interrupted angiogenesis and endothelial cell activation in vitro. Importantly, the phenotype of human PE was mimicked in the CD81-induced rat model.


2013 ◽  
Vol 33 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven D Funk ◽  
Arif Yurdagul ◽  
Jonette Green ◽  
Patrick Albert ◽  
Marshall McInnis ◽  
...  

Neuronal guidance molecules are increasingly implicated in inflammatory responses. Recently, our group demonstrated enhanced expression of the neuronal guidance molecule EphA2 and its ephrinA1 ligand in mouse and human atherosclerotic plaques, and elucidated a novel proinflammatory function for EphA2 perpetuating proinflammatory gene expression during endothelial cell activation. However, a direct role for Eph/ephrins in atherosclerosis has never been demonstrated. We now show that knocking out the EphA2 gene in Western diet-fed ApoE mice blunts atherosclerotic plaque location at multiple sites. This reduction in atherosclerosis is associated with decreased monocyte infiltration and diminished expression of proinflammatory genes. EphA2 reduction may affect monocyte homing through multiple mechanisms, since reducing EphA2 expression in cytokine-activated endothelial cells does not affect endothelial adhesion molecule expression or monocyte rolling but significantly decreases firm adhesion in primary human monocytes. Like endothelial cells, plaque macrophages also express EphA2, and macrophages derived from EphA2 deficient mice show diminished expression of M1 marker genes and enhanced expression of M2 marker genes compared to their ApoE counterparts. Surprisingly, EphA2 deficient mice show significantly elevated plasma cholesterol. However, this elevation does not involve increased LDL levels but instead occurs due to elevations in plasma HDL levels. Taken together, the current data suggest EphA2 inhibition results in a multifaceted protective effect on experimental atherosclerosis characterized by reduced endothelial cell activation, monocyte recruitment, and M1/M2 polarization and enhanced circulating HDL levels.


2014 ◽  
Vol 115 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David M Krzywanski ◽  
Bing Cheng ◽  
Xinggui Shen ◽  
Christopher Kevil

Vascular oxidant stress contributes to endothelial dysfunction and plays a critical role in early stage cardiovascular disease (CVD) development. Changes in endothelial function due to oxidant stress may contribute to CVD initiation and progression through the development of a pro-inflammatory environment. Differences in mitochondrial function may contribute to this process and provide insight into why age of onset and clinical outcomes differ amongst individuals form distinct ethnic groups; but no reports demonstrate distinct mitochondrial functional parameters between normal cells. Consequently, we hypothesized that significant variations in normal mitochondrial function and oxidant production exist between endothelial cells from donors representing different ethnic groups. Aspects of mitochondrial oxygen utilization and oxidant production were assessed under basal and inflammatory conditions in human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) isolated from African Americans (AA) and Caucasians (CA). Bioenergetic analysis indicates that compared to CA, AA HAEC utilized significantly less oxygen for ATP production, possess a lower maximal respiratory capacity, and have reduced electron leak. Significant differences in mitochondrial membrane potential, decreased expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, and increased levels of superoxide were also observed and AA HAEC supporting a pro-inflammatory phenotype. As a marker of endothelial cell activation, AA HAEC expressed increased levels of intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 under both basal and inflammatory conditions that could be partially mitigated but treatment with the mitochondrially targeted antioxidant MitoTEMPO. These data demonstrate that fundamental differences exist in mitochondrial oxygen utilization and oxidant production between CA and AA HAEC and that these changes may affect endothelial cell activation. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that differences in “normal” mitochondrial function amongst ethnic groups could influence individual susceptibility by contributing to vascular inflammation, providing important insights into the mechanisms that contribute human CVD development.


2012 ◽  
Vol 111 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ting Wang

With the prevalence of antiviral therapy in the developed world, many HIV-1-infected people die of diseases other than AIDS. One of the emerging major causes is cardiovascular disease, leading to the prediction that the majority of HIV-1 patients are expected to develop cardiovascular complications. Endothelial dysfunction is thought to be a key event in the development of cardiovascular diseases, particularly atherosclerosis. Assays testing the effect of HIV-1 on endothelial activation shows that direct contact with HIV-1 infected T cells enhance endothelial cell activation to a greater extent than HIV-1 alone, suggesting an intracellular HIV-1 protein is responsible for endothelial activation. The HIV-1 viral protein Nef, which is responsible for T cell activation and maintenance of high viral loads in vivo , has been shown to mediate its own transfer to bystander cells. We demonstrate here for the first time that Nef induces nanotube-like conduits connecting T cells and endothelial cells. We also show that Nef is transferred from T cells to endothelial cells via these nanotubes, and is necessary and sufficient for endothelial cell activation. Moreover, we show that SIV-infected macaques exhibit endothelial Nef expression in coronary arteries. Nef expression in endothelial cells causes endothelial apoptosis, ROS and MCP-1 production. Interestingly, a Nef SH3 binding site mutant abolishes Nef-induced apoptosis and ROS formation and reduces MCP-1 production in endothelial cells, suggesting that the Nef SH3 binding site is critical for Nef effects on endothelial cells. Nef induces apoptosis of endothelial cells through an NADPH oxidase- and ROS-dependent mechanism, while Nef-induced MCP-1 production is NF-kB dependent. Taken together, these data suggest that Nef can mediate its transfer from T cells to endothelial cells through nanotubes to enhance endothelial dysfunction.Thus, Nef is a promising new therapeutic target for reducing the risk for cardiovascular disease in the HIV-1 positive population.


2012 ◽  
Vol 32 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Chen ◽  
Andrew P Mazar ◽  
Wayne Orr

The frictional shear stress generated by blood flow activates integrins on the endothelial cell surface, and signaling downstream of newly activated integrins regulates several flow-induced responses including inflammation and permeability. The extracellular matrix ligands for these integrins are altered early during atherosclerosis, as transitional matrix proteins such as fibronectin and fibrinogen accumulate in the subendothelial matrix. Signaling through transitional matrix binding integrins (α5β1, αvβ3 and αvβ5) drives shear stress-induced NF-κB activation and proinflammatory gene expression (ICAM-1, VCAM-1); however the specific contribution of each of these integrins remains unclear. We now show that α5 and αv expression occurs concomitant with early endothelial cell activation during atherosclerotic plaque formation in both mice and humans. Preventing αv integrin signaling (small molecule inhibitor S247, siRNA) abolished shear stress-induced proinflammatory signaling (p21-activated kinase (PAK), NF-κB), whereas preventing α5 integrin signaling (ATN-161, siRNA) did not. Furthermore, αv knockdown inhibited flow-induced ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression (both mRNA and protein) following either short term (5 hr) laminar and long term oscillatory (24 hr) shear stress. In contrast, αv knockdown did not affect TNFα-induced ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression, suggesting the anti-inflammatory effect of αv inhibition is specific to shear stress. Integrin inhibition did not affect all shear stress responses, as neither α5 nor αv siRNA affected shear stress-induced extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK1/2) activation. Taken together, these studies suggest that αv integrins (αvβ3, αvβ5) mediate shear stress-induced proinflammatory responses associated with the transitional matrix.


Hypertension ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 76 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin P Van Beusecum ◽  
Natalia R Barbaro ◽  
Charles D Smart ◽  
David M Patrick ◽  
Cyndya A Shibao ◽  
...  

We have shown that dendritic cells (DCs) from hypertensive mice convey hypertension when adoptively transferred to recipients. Recently a novel subset of DCs in humans that express Axl and Sigelc-6 + (AS DCs) have been identified which drive T cell proliferation and produce IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-23, consistent with DCs we have observed in hypertension. We hypothesized that AS cells are increased in hypertension and contribute to immune activation in this disease. We quantified circulating AS DCs by flow cytometry in normotensive (n=23) and hypertensive (n=11) subjects and found a more than 2-fold increase in circulating AS DCs in hypertensive compared to normotensive subjects (297 ± 73 vs. 108 ± 26/ml; p =0.0304). To investigate the mechanism by which AS DCs are formed in hypertension, we co-cultured human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) undergoing either normotensive (5%) or hypertensive (10%) cyclical stretch for 48 hours with CD14 + monocytes from normotensive donors. Co-culture of monocytes with HAECs exposed to 10% stretch significantly increased AS DCs and AS DC IL-1β production when compared to 5% stretch alone as assessed by flow cytometry (21 ± 5 vs. 131 ± 32 IL-1β + AS DCs). Moreover, inhibition of Axl signaling with R248, completely abolished the production of IL-1β in AS DCs (34 ± 8 IL-1β + AS DCs). In additional experiments we found that 10% stretch caused a 50% increase in release of growth arrest 6 (GAS6), the ligand for Axl, from HAECs compared to 5% stretch. Treatment of human monocytes with GAS6 mimicked the effect of 10% stretch in promoting AS cell formation and IL-1β production. Based on the increased secretion of GAS6 from HAECs, we used a J-wire to harvest human endothelial cells from 23 additional volunteers to assess endothelial cell activation and GAS6 secretion in vivo. We found a positive association between pulse pressure and plasma GAS6 (R 2 =0.25, p =0.0079) and a striking positive association between GAS6 and ICAM-1 (R 2 =0.39, p =0.0012). These data show that secretion of GAS6 by an activated endothelial seems to promote the formation and activation of AS DCs. Thus, the interplay between endothelial-derived GAS6 and AS DCs seem to be an important mechanism in human hypertension and might be a novel therapeutic target for this disease.


2004 ◽  
Vol 279 (45) ◽  
pp. 46678-46685 ◽  
Author(s):  
Unni M. Chandrasekharan ◽  
Lin Yang ◽  
Alicia Walters ◽  
Philip Howe ◽  
Paul E. DiCorleto

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