scholarly journals Live tracking of inter-organ communication by endogenous exosomes in vivo

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederik J Verweij ◽  
Celine Revenu ◽  
Guillaume Arras ◽  
Florent Dingli ◽  
Damarys Loew ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Scavenger Receptor ◽  
Model Organisms ◽  
Zebrafish Embryos ◽  
List Type ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Fluorescent Reporter

SUMMARYExtracellular vesicles (EVs) are released by most cell types but the definitive demonstration of their functional relevance remains challenging due to the lack of appropriate model organisms. Here we developed anin vivomodel to study EV physiology by expressing CD63-pHluorin in zebrafish embryos. A combination of microscopy techniques and proteomic analysis allowed us to study the biogenesis, composition, transfer, uptake and fate of individual endogenous EVsin vivo. We identified an exosome population released in a syntenin-dependent manner from the Yolk Syncytial Layer into the blood circulation. These exosomes were specifically captured, endocytosed and degraded by patrolling macrophages and endothelial cells in the Caudal Vein Plexus (CVP) in a scavenger receptor and dynamin-dependent manner. Interference with exosome secretion affected CVP growth, supporting their trophic role. Altogether, our work provides a unique model to track in vivo inter-organ communication by endogenous exosomes at individual vesicle level and high spatio-temporal accuracy.Highlights- Single endogenous EVs can be live-visualized in the whole embryo with CD63-pHluorin- In the YSL, syntenin regulates exosome release into the blood for their propagation- YSL exosomes reach the tail to be taken up by macrophages and endothelial cells- Uptake is scavenger receptor and dynamin-dependent and provides trophic supportBlurbWe propose zebrafish embryos expressing a fluorescent reporter for exosomes as a relevant model organism to live-track production, journey and fate of individual extracellular vesicles in vivo. Our model allows investigation of the composition of EVs and the molecular mechanisms controlling their biogenesis and fate and functions in receiving cells.

scholarly journals Exosomal miR-1290 promotes angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma via targeting SMEK1

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiong Wang ◽  
Guanwen Wang ◽  
Lianjie Niu ◽  
Shaorong Zhao ◽  
Jianjun Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Tumor Angiogenesis ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Primary Liver Cancer ◽  
Tumor Model ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Dependent Manner

Abstract Abstract Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common primary liver cancer, rely on the formation of new blood vessel for growth and frequent intrahepatic and extrahepatic metastasis. Therefore, it is important to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms of tumor angiogenesis of HCC. Recently, microRNAs have been shown to modulate angiogenic processes by modulating the expression of critical angiogenic factors. However, the potential roles of tumor-derived exosomal microRNAs in regulating tumor angiogenesis remain to be elucidated. Methods: MiRNome sequencing was performed to uncover the miRNAs that are dysregulated in HCC patient serum-derived exosomes. Expression levels of miR-1290 in tissues and cells were determined by quantitative real-time PCR. The effect of mir-1290 on proliferation was evaluated by CCK-8 assay. The angiogenic ability of cells were determined by transwell, wound-healing, tube formation and matrigel plug assays. SMMC-7721 xenograft tumor model was established in NOD-SCID nude mice using miR-1290 and NC antagomirs to determin the angiogenic effect of mir-1290 in vivo. Target protein expression was determined by western blotting. Dual luciferase reporter assay was performed to confirm the action of miR-1290 on downstream target genes including SMEK1. Results are reported as means ± S.D. and differences were tested for significance using 2-sided Student’s t-test. Results: In this study, our miRNome sequencing demonstrated that miR-1290 was overexpressed in HCC patient serum-derived exosomes, and we found that delivery of miR-1290 into human endothelial cells enhanced their angiogenic ability. Our results further revealed that SMEK1 is a direct target of miR-1290 in endothelial cells. MiR-1290 exerted its pro-angiogenic function, at least in part, by inhibiting the VEGFR2 signaling pathway in a SMEK1-dependent manner. Conclusions: Collectively, our findings provide evidence that miR-1290 is overexpressed in HCC and promotes tumor angiogenesis via exosomal secretion, implicating its potential role as a therapeutic target for HCC.

scholarly journals Small Molecule Screening in Zebrafish Embryos Identifies Signaling Pathways Regulating Early Thyroid Development

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benoit Haerlingen ◽  
Robert Opitz ◽  
Isabelle Vandernoot ◽  
Achim Trubiroha ◽  
Pierre Gillotay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Small Molecule ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Model Organisms ◽  
Thyroid Cell ◽  
Zebrafish Embryos ◽  
Cardiovascular Development ◽  
Drug Induced ◽  
Thyroid Development

AbstractBackgroundDefects in embryonic development of the thyroid gland are a major cause for congenital hypothyroidism in human newborns but the underlying molecular mechanisms are still poorly understood. Organ development relies on a tightly regulated interplay between extrinsic signaling cues and cell intrinsic factors. At present, however, there is limited knowledge about the specific extrinsic signaling cues that regulate foregut endoderm patterning, thyroid cell specification and subsequent morphogenetic processes in thyroid development.MethodsTo begin to address this problem in a systematic way, we used zebrafish embryos to perform a series of in vivo phenotype-driven chemical genetic screens to identify signaling cues regulating early thyroid development. For this purpose, we treated zebrafish embryos during different developmental periods with a panel of small molecule compounds known to manipulate the activity of major signaling pathways and scored phenotypic deviations in thyroid, endoderm and cardiovascular development using whole mount in situ hybridization and transgenic fluorescent reporter models.ResultsSystematic assessment of drugged embryos recovered a range of thyroid phenotypes including expansion, reduction or lack of the early thyroid anlage, defective thyroid budding as well as hypoplastic, enlarged or overtly disorganized presentation of the thyroid primordium after budding. Our pharmacological screening identified BMP and FGF signaling as key factors for thyroid specification and early thyroid organogenesis, highlight the importance of low Wnt activities during early development for thyroid specification and implicate drug-induced cardiac and vascular anomalies as likely indirect mechanisms causing various forms of thyroid dysgenesis.ConclusionsBy integrating the outcome of our screening efforts with previously available information from other model organisms including Xenopus, chicken and mouse, we conclude that signaling cues regulating thyroid development appear broadly conserved across vertebrates. We therefore expect that observations made in zebrafish can inform mammalian models of thyroid organogenesis to further our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of congenital thyroid diseases.

scholarly journals Studying the fate of tumor extracellular vesicles at high spatio-temporal resolution using the zebrafish embryo

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent Hyenne ◽  
Shima Ghoroghi ◽  
Mayeul Collot ◽  
Sébastien Harlepp ◽  
Jack Bauer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Animal Model ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Tumor Progression ◽  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Zebrafish Embryo ◽  
Living Organism ◽  
List Type ◽  
Membrane Probes

SummaryTumor extracellular vesicles (tumor EVs) mediate the communication between tumor and stromal cells mostly to the benefit of tumor progression. Notably, tumor EVs have been reported to travel in the blood circulation, reach specific distant organs and locally modify the microenvironment. However, visualizing these eventsin vivostill faces major hurdles. Here, we show a new method for tracking individual circulating tumor EVs in a living organism: we combine novel, bright and specific fluorescent membrane probes, MemBright, with the transparent zebrafish embryo as an animal model. We provide the first description of tumor EVs’ hemodynamic behavior and document their arrest before internalization. Using transgenic lines, we show that circulating tumor EVs are uptaken by endothelial cells and blood patrolling macrophages, but not by leukocytes, and subsequently stored in acidic degradative compartments. Finally, we prove that the MemBright can be used to follow naturally released tumor EVsin vivo. Overall, our study demonstrates the usefulness and prospects of zebrafish embryo to track tumor EVsin vivo.HighlightsMemBright, a new family of membrane probes, allows for bright and specific staining of EVsZebrafish melanoma EVs are very similar to human and mouse melanoma EVs in morphology and protein contentThe zebrafish embryo is an adapted model to precisely track tumor EVs dynamics and fate in a living organism from light to electron microscopyCirculating tumor EVs are rapidly uptaken by endothelial cells and patrolling macrophagesCorrelated light and electron microscopy can be used in zebrafish to identify cells and compartments uptaking tumor EVsBlurbDispersion of tumor extracellular vesicles (EVs) throughout the body promotes tumor progression. However the behavior of tumor EVs in body fluids remains mysterious due to their small size and the absence of adapted animal model. Here we show that the zebrafish embryo can be used to track circulating tumor EVsin vivoand provide the first high-resolution description of their dissemination and uptake.

scholarly journals Decoding the temporal nature of brain GR activity in the NFκB signal transition leading to depressive-like behavior

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young-Min Han ◽  
Min Sun Kim ◽  
Juyeong Jo ◽  
Daiha Shin ◽  
Seung-Hae Kwon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inhibitory Action ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Late Phase ◽  
Fine Tuning ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Middle Phase ◽  
Temporal Shift

AbstractThe fine-tuning of neuroinflammation is crucial for brain homeostasis as well as its immune response. The transcription factor, nuclear factor-κ-B (NFκB) is a key inflammatory player that is antagonized via anti-inflammatory actions exerted by the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). However, technical limitations have restricted our understanding of how GR is involved in the dynamics of NFκB in vivo. In this study, we used an improved lentiviral-based reporter to elucidate the time course of NFκB and GR activities during behavioral changes from sickness to depression induced by a systemic lipopolysaccharide challenge. The trajectory of NFκB activity established a behavioral basis for the NFκB signal transition involved in three phases, sickness-early-phase, normal-middle-phase, and depressive-like-late-phase. The temporal shift in brain GR activity was differentially involved in the transition of NFκB signals during the normal and depressive-like phases. The middle-phase GR effectively inhibited NFκB in a glucocorticoid-dependent manner, but the late-phase GR had no inhibitory action. Furthermore, we revealed the cryptic role of basal GR activity in the early NFκB signal transition, as evidenced by the fact that blocking GR activity with RU486 led to early depressive-like episodes through the emergence of the brain NFκB activity. These results highlight the inhibitory action of GR on NFκB by the basal and activated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis during body-to-brain inflammatory spread, providing clues about molecular mechanisms underlying systemic inflammation caused by such as COVID-19 infection, leading to depression.

734 A novel NQO1 specific anti-tumor agent, SBSC-S3001, selectively regresses the growth of tumors with high NQO1 expression

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. A778-A778
Author(s):  
Minhyuk Yun ◽  
Goo-Young Kim ◽  
Sang Woo Jo ◽  
Changhoon In ◽  
Gyu-Young Moon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Metabolism ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Poor Prognosis ◽  
High Expression ◽  
List Type ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Breast Cancers ◽  
Quinone Oxidoreductase ◽  
Key Enzymes

BackgroundNAD(P)H-quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) is a cytosolic two-electron oxidoreductase overexpressed in many types of cancers, including breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, uterine cervical cancer, melanoma, and lung cancer.1Up-regulation of NQO1 protects cells from oxidative stress and various cytotoxic quinones and is associated with late clinical stage, poor prognosis and lymph node metastasis.2 3 NQO1 increases stability of HIF-1α protein, which has been implicated in survival, proliferation, and malignance of cancer.1 Therefore, accumulating evidences suggest NQO1 as a promising therapeutic target for cancer. Accordingly, we have characterized the effect of a novel synthetic NQO1 substrate SBSC-S3001, and demonstrated its selective cytotoxic effects in cancer cells with high expression of NQO1.MethodsIn vitro cytotoxicity was determined by sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay in cancer cells with high NQO1 expression and CRISPR-mediated NQO1 knockout cells. The effect of SBSC-S3001 on the energy metabolism pathway was evaluated by western blot analysis of metabolism associated proteins from NQO1-overexpressed cancer cells treated with the compound for 24 hours. In vivo anti-tumor activity was evaluated in MC38 syngeneic and DLD-1 orthotopic mice models.ResultsSBSC-S3001 exhibited selective cytotoxicity in cancer cells with high expression of NQO1 in a dose-dependent manner. The cytotoxicity was observed in both normoxia and hypoxia conditions, correlating with the energy metabolism, mitochondrial biogenesis, and cancer proliferative pathways. Also, stronger cytotoxicity was observed in NQO1-overexpressed cancer cells treated with SBSC-S3001 compared to beta-lapachone and analogue treatment.4 When evaluated in vivo, SBSC-S3001 effectively inhibited the growth of syngeneic and orthotopic tumors when administered as a monotherapy. SBSC-S3001 treatment associated with reduction in key enzymes of the glycolytic pathway (LDHa and GAPDH) and HIF-1α and increase in levels of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) complex.ConclusionsTreatment of SBSC-S3001, a novel, NQO1-specific substrate reduces HIF-1α and key enzymes associated with glycolysis and suppresses the growth of tumors overexpressing NQO1. Further characterization of SBSC-S3001 as a novel metabolic anti-cancer agent for cancers with NQO1 overexpression is warranted.Ethics ApprovalThe study was approved by Samyang Biopharmaceuticals Institution’s Ethics Board, approval number SYAU2031.ReferencesOh ET, Kim JW, Kim JMet. al., NQO1 inhibits proteasome-mediated degradation of HIF-1α. Nat Commun 2016; 14:13593.Ma, Y. et al. NQO1 overexpression is associated with poor prognosis in squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. BMC Cancer 2014;14: 414Yang, Y. et al. Clinical implications of high NQO1 expression in breast cancers. J. Exp. Clin. Cancer Res 2014;33:144.Yang Y, Zhou X, Xu M, et al., β-lapachone suppresses tumour progression by inhibiting epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in NQO1-positive breast cancers. Sci Rep 2017;7:2681.

scholarly journals Uptake and Distribution of Administered Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Extracellular Vesicles in Retina

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 730
Author(s):  
Biji Mathew ◽  
Leianne A. Torres ◽  
Lorea Gamboa Gamboa Acha ◽  
Sophie Tran ◽  
Alice Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cell ◽  
Mesenchymal Stem Cell ◽  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Ganglion Cells ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Paracrine Effects

Cell replacement therapy using mesenchymal (MSC) and other stem cells has been evaluated for diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. This approach has significant limitations, including few cells integrated, aberrant growth, and surgical complications. Mesenchymal Stem Cell Exosomes/Extracellular Vesicles (MSC EVs), which include exosomes and microvesicles, are an emerging alternative, promoting immunomodulation, repair, and regeneration by mediating MSC’s paracrine effects. For the clinical translation of EV therapy, it is important to determine the cellular destination and time course of EV uptake in the retina following administration. Here, we tested the cellular fate of EVs using in vivo rat retinas, ex vivo retinal explant, and primary retinal cells. Intravitreally administered fluorescent EVs were rapidly cleared from the vitreous. Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) had maximal EV fluorescence at 14 days post administration, and microglia at 7 days. Both in vivo and in the explant model, most EVs were no deeper than the inner nuclear layer. Retinal astrocytes, microglia, and mixed neurons in vitro endocytosed EVs in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, our results indicate that intravitreal EVs are suited for the treatment of retinal diseases affecting the inner retina. Modification of the EV surface should be considered for maintaining EVs in the vitreous for prolonged delivery.

Abstract 116: Arterial Endothelial Cell Has Stronger Angiogenic Potential Compared To Venous Endothelial Cell Through Up-regulation Of Endogenous FGF2 And FGF5 Expression In 3D Microfluidic System

2014 ◽  
Vol 115 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ha-Rim Seo ◽  
Hyo Eun Jeong ◽  
Hyung Joon Joo ◽  
Seung-Cheol Choi ◽  
Jong-Ho Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Endothelial Cell ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Umbilical Vein ◽  
Assay System ◽  
Vascular Density ◽  
Angiogenic Potential ◽  
Angiogenesis Assay

Background: Human body contains many kinds of different type of endothelial cells (EC). However, cellular difference of their angiogenic potential has been hardly understood. We compared in vitro angiogenic potential between arterial EC and venous EC and investigated its underlying molecular mechanisms. Method: Used human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) which was indicated from arterial EC and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) indicated from venous EC. To explore angiogenic potential in detail, we adopted a novel 3D microfluidic angiogenesis assay system, which closely mimic in vivo angiogenesis. Results: In 3D microfluidic angiogenesis assay system, HAEC demonstrated stronger angiogenic potential compared to HUVEC. HAEC maintained its profound angiogenic property under different biophysical conditions. In mRNA microarray sorted on up- regulated or down-regulated genes, HAEC demonstrated significantly higher expression of gastrulation brain homeobox 2 (GBX2), fibroblast grow factor 2 (FGF2), FGF5 and collagen 8a1. Angiogenesis-related protein assay revealed that HAEC has higher secretion of endogenous FGF2 than HUVEC. HAEC has only up-regulated FGF2 and FGF5 in this part of FGF family. Furthermore, FGF5 expression under vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) stimulation was higher in HAEC compared to HUVEC although VEGF-A augmented FGF5 expression in both HAEC and HUVEC. Those data suggested that FGF5 expression in both HAEC and HUVEC is partially dependent to VEGF-A stimulate. HUVEC and HAEC reduced vascular density after FGF2 and FGF5 siRNA treat. Conclusion: HAEC has stronger angiogenic potential than HUVEC through up-regulation of endogenous FGF2 and FGF5 expression

Abstract 3380: Acetylation-dependent Regulation Of Notch1 Signaling In Endothelial Cells

Circulation ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginia Guarani ◽  
Franck Dequiedt ◽  
Andreas M Zeiher ◽  
Stefanie Dimmeler ◽  
Michael Potente
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Notch Signaling ◽  
Cell Fate ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Trichostatin A ◽  
Notch Pathway ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Class Iii ◽  
Cell Fate Decisions ◽  
Knock Down

The Notch signaling pathway is a versatile regulator of cell fate decisions and plays an essential role for embryonic and postnatal vascular development. As only modest differences in Notch pathway activity suffice to determine dramatic differences in blood vessel development, this pathway is tightly regulated by a variety of molecular mechanisms. Reversible acetylation has emerged as an important post-translational modification of several non-histone proteins, which are targeted by histone deacetylases (HDACs). Here, we report that specifically the Notch1 intracellular domain (NICD) is itself an acetylated protein and that its acetylation level is tightly regulated by the SIRT1 deacetylase, which we have previously identified as a key regulator of endothelial angiogenic functions during vascular growth. Coexpression of NICD with histone acetyltransferases such as p300 or PCAF induced a dose- and time-dependent acetylation of NICD. Blocking HDAC activity using the class III HDAC inhibitor nicotinamid (NAM), but not the class I/II HDAC inhibior trichostatin A, resulted in a significant increase of NICD acetylation suggesting that NICD is targetd by class III HDACs for deacetylation. Among the class III HDACs with deacetylase activity (SIRT1, 2, 3, 5), knock down of specifically SIRT1 resulted in enhanced acetylation of NICD. Moreover, wild type SIRT1, but not a catalytically inactive mutant catalyzed the deacetylation of NICD in a nicotinamid-dependent manner. SIRT1, but SIRT2, SIRT3 or SIRT5, associated with NICD through its catalytic domain demonstrating that SIRT1 is a direct NICD deacetylase. Enhancing NICD acetylation by either overexpression of p300 or inhibition of SIRT1 activity using NAM or RNAi-mediated knock down resulted in enhanced NICD protein stability by blocking its ubiquitin-mediated degradation. Consistent with these results, loss of SIRT1 amplified Notch target gene expression in endothelial cells in response to NICD overexpression or treatment with the Notch ligand Dll4. In summary, our results identify reversible acetylation of NICD as a novel molecular mechanism to control Notch signaling and suggest that deacetylation of NICD by SIRT1 plays a key role in the dynamic regulation of Notch signaling in endothelial cells.

scholarly journals ADP-ribosylation factor–like 4A interacts with Robo1 to promote cell migration by regulating Cdc42 activation

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsai-Shin Chiang ◽  
Ming-Chieh Lin ◽  
Meng-Chen Tsai ◽  
Chieh-Hsin Chen ◽  
Li-Ting Jang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Migration ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Amino Acid Residues ◽  
Adp Ribosylation ◽  
Promote Cell Migration ◽  
Cytoskeleton Remodeling ◽  
Adp Ribosylation Factor

Cell migration is a highly regulated event that is initiated by cell membrane protrusion and actin reorganization. Robo1, a single-pass transmembrane receptor, is crucial for neuronal guidance and cell migration. ADP-ribosylation factor (Arf)–like 4A (Arl4A), an Arf small GTPase, functions in cell morphology, cell migration, and actin cytoskeleton remodeling; however, the molecular mechanisms of Arl4A in cell migration are unclear. Here, we report that the binding of Arl4A to Robo1 modulates cell migration by promoting Cdc42 activation. We found that Arl4A interacts with Robo1 in a GTP-dependent manner and that the Robo1 amino acid residues 1394–1398 are required for this interaction. The Arl4A-Robo1 interaction is essential for Arl4A-induced cell migration and Cdc42 activation but not for the plasma membrane localization of Robo1. In addition, we show that the binding of Arl4A to Robo1 decreases the association of Robo1 with the Cdc42 GTPase-activating protein srGAP1. Furthermore, Slit2/Robo1 binding down-regulates the Arl4A-Robo1 interaction in vivo, thus attenuating Cdc42-mediated cell migration. Therefore, our study reveals a novel mechanism by which Arl4A participates in Slit2/Robo1 signaling to modulate cell motility by regulating Cdc42 activity.

scholarly journals Electro-Metabolic Sensing Through Capillary ATP-Sensitive K+ Channels and Adenosine to Control Cerebral Blood Flow

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Sancho ◽  
Nicholas R. Klug ◽  
Amreen Mughal ◽  
Thomas J. Heppner ◽  
David Hill-Eubanks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Blood Flow ◽  
Cerebral Blood Flow ◽  
Vascular Function ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
List Type ◽  
Capillary Endothelial Cells ◽  
Metabolic Sensing ◽  
Cellular Components

SUMMARYThe dense network of capillaries composed of capillary endothelial cells (cECs) and pericytes lies in close proximity to all neurons, ideally positioning it to sense neuro/glial-derived compounds that regulate regional and global cerebral perfusion. The membrane potential (VM) of vascular cells serves as the essential output in this scenario, linking brain activity to vascular function. The ATP-sensitive K+ channel (KATP) is a key regulator of vascular VM in other beds, but whether brain capillaries possess functional KATP channels remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that brain capillary ECs and pericytes express KATP channels that robustly control VM. We further show that the endogenous mediator adenosine acts through A2A receptors and the Gs/cAMP/PKA pathway to activate capillary KATP channels. Moreover, KATP channel stimulation in vivo causes vasodilation and increases cerebral blood flow (CBF). These findings establish the presence of KATP channels in cECs and pericytes and suggest their significant influence on CBF.HIGHLIGHTSCapillary network cellular components—endothelial cells and pericytes—possess functional KATP channels.Activation of KATP channels causes profound hyperpolarization of capillary cell membranes.Capillary KATP channels are activated by exogenous adenosine via A2A receptors and cAMP-dependent protein kinase.KATP channel activation by adenosine or synthetic openers increases cerebral blood flow.

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