Aortic Valve Interstitial Cell Activation Does Not Occur at Low Tissue Stiffness During Embryogenesis

Author(s):  
Young Wook Chun ◽  
Joey Barnett ◽  
W. David Merryman

An estimated 2.5 percent of the American population has heart valve (HV) disease and more than 100,000 US patients require a prosthetic valve replacement each year [1]. However, prosthetic valves can cause accelerated calcification leading to recurrence of HV disease in patients [2]. Thus, the development of a suitable tissue-engineered heart valve (TEHV) would greatly benefit patients with HV disease. Aortic valve interstitial cells (AVICs) play a crucial role in the progression of aortic valve disease as well as the maintenance of normal valve. Therefore, in order to design a suitable TEHV, these specialized cells need to be better understood. AVICs are known to synthesize ECM and express matrix degrading enzymes and their inhibitors that mediate and regulate remodeling of ECM components [3]. Interestingly, it was recently established that AVICs sense the stiffness of their surrounding ECM in vivo and are phenotypically responsive to mechanical cues with AVICs differentiating into myofibroblasts or osteoblasts, which are pathologic markers. Specifically, soft collagen gels (∼34kPa) caused less differentiation of AVICs than stiffer collagen gel (∼100kPa) [4]. However, for these experiments the AVICs were cultured on tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) for at least one passage, and it is likely that AVICs cultured on TCPS might retain modified characteristics of AVICs in tissue prior to seed them on soft gels because of the memory to rigid substrate stiffness. Therefore, in this study, we examined the phenotype and function of AVICs on substrates that mimic ECM stiffness of adult leaflet as well as of developing embryo. In addition, we examine the effects of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) which has been the most extensively studied cytokine initiator of fibrotic response of AVICs.

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin-Yi Xu ◽  
Yan Du ◽  
Xue Liu ◽  
Yilin Ren ◽  
Yingying Dong ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Hepatic fibrosis is a pathological response of the liver to a variety of chronic stimuli. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the major source of myofibroblasts in the liver. Follistatin like 1 (Fstl1) is a secreted glycoprotein induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). However, the precise functions and regulation mechanisms of Fstl1 in liver fibrogenesis remains unclear. Methods Hepatic stellate cell (HSC) line LX-2 stimulated by TGF-β1, primary culture of mouse HSCs and a model of liver fibrosis induced by CCl4 in mice was used to assess the effect of Fstl1 in vitro and in vivo. Results Here, we found that Fstl1 was significantly up regulated in human and mouse fibrotic livers, as well as activated HSCs. Haplodeficiency of Fstl1 or blockage of Fstl1 with a neutralizing antibody 22B6 attenuated CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in vivo. Fstl1 modulates TGF-β1 classic Samd2 and non-classic JNK signaling pathways. Knockdown of Fstl1 in HSCs significantly ameliorated cell activation, cell migration, chemokines C-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 2 (CCL2) and C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 8 (CXCL8) secretion and extracellular matrix (ECM) production, and also modulated microRNA-29a (miR29a) expression. Furthermore, we identified that Fstl1 was a target gene of miR29a. And TGF-β1 induction of Fstl1 expression was partially through down regulation of miR29a in HSCs. Conclusions Our data suggests TGF-β1-miR29a-Fstl1 regulatory circuit plays a key role in regulation the HSC activation and ECM production, and targeting Fstl1 may be a strategy for the treatment of liver fibrosis. Graphical abstract


2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (12) ◽  
pp. 2157-2171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anaïck Moisan ◽  
Isabelle Favre ◽  
Claire Rome ◽  
Florence De Fraipont ◽  
Emmanuelle Grillon ◽  
...  

Stroke is the leading cause of disability in adults. Many current clinical trials use intravenous (IV) administration of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs). This autologous graft requires a delay for ex vivo expansion of cells. We followed microvascular effects and mechanisms of action involved after an IV injection of human BM-MSCs (hBM-MSCs) at a subacute phase of stroke. Rats underwent a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) or a surgery without occlusion (sham) at day 0 (D0). At D8, rats received an IV injection of 3 million hBM-MSCs or PBS-glutamine. In a longitudinal behavioral follow-up, we showed delayed somatosensory and cognitive benefits 4 to 7 weeks after hBM-MSC injection. In a separate longitudinal in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study, we observed an enhanced vascular density in the ischemic area 2 and 3 weeks after hBM-MSC injection. Histology and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) revealed an overexpression of angiogenic factors such as Ang1 and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) at D16 in hBM-MSC-treated MCAo rats compared to PBS-treated MCAo rats. Altogether, delayed IV injection of hBM-MSCs provides functional benefits and increases cerebral angiogenesis in the stroke lesion via a release of endogenous angiogenic factors enhancing the stabilization of newborn vessels. Enhanced angiogenesis could therefore be a means of improving functional recovery after stroke.


2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (9) ◽  
pp. 961-968 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Steven Beck ◽  
Arthur J. Ammann ◽  
Thomas B. Aufdemorte ◽  
Leo Deguzman ◽  
Yvette Xu ◽  
...  

1988 ◽  
Vol 168 (5) ◽  
pp. 1865-1882 ◽  
Author(s):  
N A Pawlowski ◽  
G Kaplan ◽  
E Abraham ◽  
Z A Cohn

Human monocytes show a high affinity for vascular endothelium both in vitro and in vivo. To explore monocyte-endothelial interaction in greater detail, we have developed a new in vitro model for growth of human endothelial cells (EC). Human umbilical vein EC (HUVEC) cultured upon collagen gels form confluent monolayers of EC that bind silver at their intercellular border similar to cells in situ. Intercellular junctional structures, both adherens and tight junctions, were identified. In contrast, HUVEC grown on plastic surfaces did not stain with silver. The silver-staining characteristic of EC-collagen monolayers was reversible and related to their in vitro maturation and senescence. Silver staining of EC borders provided a grid by which the location of monocyte binding to the luminal surface of individual EC could be assessed. Using this technique, we found that monocytes preferentially bound to the margins of EC, in approximation to the silver-staining junctions. These results suggest that EC determinants recognized by monocytes occur in a unique topographical distribution on the apical face of EC. After binding, monocytes migrated through the EC monolayers at high basal rates. The lack of penetration of collagen gels in the absence of an EC monolayer suggested the generation of EC-specific chemotactic signal(s). Monocytes were observed to pass between EC without evidence of disruption of the monolayer. Silver stain remained present during all phases of migration, and under transmission electron microscopy, junctional complexes were found proximal to monocytes that had just completed their passage through the monolayer. After orientation to the basal surface of the EC monolayer, monocytes migrated randomly into the underlying collagen gel. Monocyte adherence, penetration, migration, and long term survival can be studied under these conditions.


2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (27) ◽  
pp. E6135-E6144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melika Sarem ◽  
Miriam Heizmann ◽  
Andrea Barbero ◽  
Ivan Martin ◽  
V. Prasad Shastri

In adult bone injuries, periosteum-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) form bone via endochondral ossification (EO), whereas those from bone marrow (BM)/endosteum form bone primarily through intramembranous ossification (IMO). We hypothesized that this phenomenon is influenced by the proximity of MSCs residing in the BM to the trabecular bone microenvironment. Herein, we investigated the impact of the bone mineral phase on human BM-derived MSCs’ choice of ossification pathway, using a biomimetic bone-like hydroxyapatite (BBHAp) interface. BBHAp induced hyperstimulation of extracellular calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) and temporal down-regulation of parathyroid hormone 1 receptor (PTH1R), leading to inhibition of chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs even in the presence of chondroinductive factors, such as transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Interestingly rescuing PTH1R expression using human PTH fragment (1–34) partially restored chondrogenesis in the BBHAp environment. In vivo studies in an ectopic site revealed that the BBHAp interface inhibits EO and strictly promotes IMO. Furthermore, CaSR knockdown (CaSR KD) disrupted the bone-forming potential of MSCs irrespective of the absence or presence of the BBHAp interface. Our findings confirm the expression of CaSR in human BM-derived MSCs and unravel a prominent role for the interplay between CaSR and PTH1R in regulating MSC fate and the choice of pathway for bone formation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_6) ◽  
pp. vi94-vi94
Author(s):  
Daniela Lorizio ◽  
Michael Weller ◽  
Manuela Silginer ◽  
Alan Epstein ◽  
Patrick Roth

Abstract The profound local immunosuppressive microenvironment is one hallmark of glioblastoma, which results in resistance to most immunotherapeutic strategies that have been explored so far. Reverting this condition in order to reinvigorate anti-glioma immunity might be a promising therapeutic approach. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling is deregulated in different cancer types and contributes to the malignant phenotype of glioma cells. Glioma-derived TGF-β is also a major immunosuppressive factor in the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, intratumoral regulatory T (Treg) cells and activated T effector cells express high levels of the co-stimulatory immune checkpoint glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor (GITR). Agonistic anti-GITR antibodies have been explored in preclinical tumor models and are under investigation in clinical trials for the treatment of solid tumors. We evaluated the effect of TGF-β and GITR targeting on anti-tumor immune responses in syngeneic mouse glioma models. In co-culture settings, GITR modulation with a GITR ligand (GITRL)-Fc fusion protein, given alone or in combination with a pharmacological TGF-β receptor inhibitor, led to increased T cell activation. Furthermore, the combined targeting of the two pathways resulted in significantly higher immune cell-mediated tumor cell killing than either treatment alone. In vivo, TGF-β inhibition and GITR signaling modulation resulted in a higher fraction of long-term surviving glioma-bearing mice than single-agent treatment. Surviving mice were resistant to tumor re-challenge, suggesting adaptive immunity as an underlying mechanism. These data support the assumption that combined immunotherapeutic strategies may represent a promising approach for the treatment of glioma.


1981 ◽  
Vol 240 (3) ◽  
pp. C110-C115 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Bisbee

Prolactin is a known osmoregulatory hormone in lower vertebrates, and recent evidence indicates that this hormone modulates ionic concentrations in milk. In an ultrastructurally and biochemically differentiated primary cell culture system in which mouse mammary epithelium is maintained on floating collagen gels, prolactin causes an increase in short-circuit current (Isc) of monolayers of cells derived from midpregnant (24.6 to 48.0 microA . cm-2) and lactating (10.4 to 16.1 microA . cm-2) glands. Transepithelial potential differences (basal side ground) average about -12 mV and are similar to those seen in vivo. Prelactating mammary epithelial cell cultures have transepithelial resistances ranging from 374 omega . cm2 (prolactin present) to 507 omega . cm2 (prolactin absent), and lactating cell cultures have resistances averaging almost 1,000 omega . cm2. Prolactin effects require at most one day of culture maintenance in prolactin-containing medium, and the effects are not due to known contamination of prolactin preparations with arginine vasopressin or growth hormone. Medium concentrations of prolactin as low as 1 ng/ml can elicit these effects. In prelactating cell cultures not treated with prolactin, the Isc is equal to the rate of sodium absorption. Prolactin increases sodium absorption fourfold but increases Isc only twofold. Clearly, prolactin induces other active transport; neither potassium nor chloride movements can account for this additional transport. Resistance values, current-voltage plots, and permeability coefficients indicate that in vitro mammary epithelium is a moderately “tight” tissue. Comparisons with intact glands indicate that in vitro mammary epithelium closely resembles its in vivo counterpart. Floating collagen gel cultures appear suitable for elucidating transport properties in cellularly heterogeneous and structurally complex mammalian tissues.


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