scholarly journals Endothelium as a Source and Target of H2S to Improve Its Trophism and Function

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 486
Author(s):  
Valerio Ciccone ◽  
Shirley Genah ◽  
Lucia Morbidelli

The vascular endothelium consists of a single layer of squamous endothelial cells (ECs) lining the inner surface of blood vessels. Nowadays, it is no longer considered as a simple barrier between the blood and vessel wall, but a central hub to control blood flow homeostasis and fulfill tissue metabolic demands by furnishing oxygen and nutrients. The endothelium regulates the proper functioning of vessels and microcirculation, in terms of tone control, blood fluidity, and fine tuning of inflammatory and redox reactions within the vessel wall and in surrounding tissues. This multiplicity of effects is due to the ability of ECs to produce, process, and release key modulators. Among these, gasotransmitters such as nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are very active molecules constitutively produced by endotheliocytes for the maintenance and control of vascular physiological functions, while their impairment is responsible for endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular disorders such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, and impaired wound healing and vascularization due to diabetes, infections, and ischemia. Upregulation of H2S producing enzymes and administration of H2S donors can be considered as innovative therapeutic approaches to improve EC biology and function, to revert endothelial dysfunction or to prevent cardiovascular disease progression. This review will focus on the beneficial autocrine/paracrine properties of H2S on ECs and the state of the art on H2S potentiating drugs and tools.

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1756
Author(s):  
Jakub Kornacki ◽  
Paweł Gutaj ◽  
Anastasia Kalantarova ◽  
Rafał Sibiak ◽  
Maurycy Jankowski ◽  
...  

The endothelium, which constitutes the inner layer of blood vessels and lymphatic structures, plays an important role in various physiological functions. Alterations in structure, integrity and function of the endothelial layer during pregnancy have been associated with numerous gestational complications, including clinically significant disorders, such as preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and diabetes. While numerous experimental studies have focused on establishing the role of endothelial dysfunction in pathophysiology of these gestational complications, their mechanisms remain unknown. Numerous biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction have been proposed, together with the mechanisms by which they relate to individual gestational complications. However, more studies are required to determine clinically relevant markers specific to a gestational complication of interest, as currently most of them present a significant overlap. Although the independent diagnostic value of such markers remains to be insufficient for implementation in standard clinical practice at the moment, inclusion of certain markers in predictive multifactorial models can improve their prognostic value. The future of the research in this field lies in the fine tuning of the clinical markers to be used, as well as identifying possible therapeutic techniques to prevent or reverse endothelial damage.


1999 ◽  
Vol 82 (S 01) ◽  
pp. 32-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karlheinz Peter ◽  
Wolfgang Kübler ◽  
Johannes Ruef ◽  
Thomas K. Nordt ◽  
Marschall S. Runge ◽  
...  

SummaryThe initiating event of atherogenesis is thought to be an injury to the vessel wall resulting in endothelial dysfunction. This is followed by key features of atherosclerotic plaque formation such as inflammatory responses, cell proliferation and remodeling of the vasculature, finally leading to vascular lesion formation, plaque rupture, thrombosis and tissue infarction. A causative relationship exists between these events and oxidative stress in the vessel wall. Besides leukocytes, vascular cells are a potent source of oxygen-derived free radicals. Oxidants exert mitogenic effects that are partially mediated through generation of growth factors. Mitogens, on the other hand, are potent stimulators of oxidant generation, indicating a putative self-perpetuating mechanism of atherogenesis. Oxidants influence the balance of the coagulation system towards platelet aggregation and thrombus formation. Therapeutic approaches by means of antioxidants are promising in both experimental and clinical designs. However, additional clinical trials are necessary to assess the role of antioxidants in cardiovascular disease.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (7) ◽  
pp. 1052-1080 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evangelos Oikonomou ◽  
Gerasimos Siasos ◽  
Vasiliki Tsigkou ◽  
Evanthia Bletsa ◽  
Maria-Evi Panoilia ◽  
...  

Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The most common pathophysiologic substrate is atherosclerosis which is an inflammatory procedure that starts at childhood and develops throughout life. Endothelial dysfunction is associated with the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis and is characterized by the impaired production of nitric oxide. In general, endothelial dysfunction is linked to poor cardiovascular prognosis and different methods, both invasive and non-invasive, have been developed for its evaluation. Ultrasound evaluation of flow mediated dilatation of the branchial artery is the most commonly used method to assessed endothelial function while intracoronary administration of vasoactive agents may be also be used to test directly endothelial properties of the coronary vasculature. Endothelial dysfunction has also been the subject of therapeutic interventions. This review article summarizes the knowledge about evaluation of endothelial function in acute coronary syndromes and stable coronary artery disease and demonstrates the current therapeutic approaches against endothelial dysfunction.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1825
Author(s):  
Mohamed Zeineldin ◽  
Ameer Megahed ◽  
Benjamin Blair ◽  
Brian Aldridge ◽  
James Lowe

The gastrointestinal microbiome plays an important role in swine health and wellbeing, but the gut archaeome structure and function in swine remain largely unexplored. To date, no metagenomics-based analysis has been done to assess the impact of an early life antimicrobials intervention on the gut archaeome. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of perinatal tulathromycin (TUL) administration on the fecal archaeome composition and diversity in suckling piglets using metagenomic sequencing analysis. Sixteen litters were administered one of two treatments (TUL; 2.5 mg/kg IM and control (CONT); saline 1cc IM) soon after birth. Deep fecal swabs were collected from all piglets on days 0 (prior to treatment), 5, and 20 post intervention. Each piglet’s fecal archaeome was composed of rich and diverse communities that showed significant changes over time during the suckling period. At the phylum level, 98.24% of the fecal archaeome across all samples belonged to Euryarchaeota. At the genus level, the predominant archaeal genera across all samples were Methanobrevibacter (43.31%), Methanosarcina (10.84%), Methanococcus (6.51%), and Methanocorpusculum (6.01%). The composition and diversity of the fecal archaeome between the TUL and CONT groups at the same time points were statistically insignificant. Our findings indicate that perinatal TUL metaphylaxis seems to have a minimal effect on the gut archaeome composition and diversity in sucking piglets. This study improves our current understanding of the fecal archaeome structure in sucking piglets and provides a rationale for future studies to decipher its role in and impact on host robustness during this critical phase of production.


2017 ◽  
Vol 204 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 293-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masatoshi Fujita ◽  
Tadasu Sato ◽  
Takehiro Yajima ◽  
Eiji Masaki ◽  
Hiroyuki Ichikawa

TRPC (transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily C) members are nonselective monovalent cation channels and control Ca2+ inflow. In this study, immunohistochemistry for TRPC1, TRPC3, and TRPC4 was performed on rat oral and craniofacial structures to elucidate their distribution and function in the peripheries. In the trigeminal ganglion (TG), 56.1, 84.1, and 68.3% of sensory neurons were immunoreactive (IR) for TRPC1, TRPC3, and TRPC4, respectively. A double immunofluorescence method revealed that small to medium-sized TG neurons co-expressed TRPCs and calcitonin gene-related peptide. In the superior cervical ganglion, all sympathetic neurons showed TRPC1 and TRPC3 immunoreactivity. Parasympathetic neurons in the submandibular ganglion, tongue, and parotid gland were TRPC1, TRPC3, and TRPC4 IR. Gustatory and olfactory cells were also IR for TRPC1, TRPC3, and/or TRPC4. In the musculature, motor endplates expressed TRPC1 and TRPC4 immunoreactivity. It is likely that TRPCs are associated with sensory, autonomic, and motor functions in oral and craniofacial structures.


Micromachines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 884
Author(s):  
Marta Cherubini ◽  
Scott Erickson ◽  
Kristina Haase

Acting as the primary link between mother and fetus, the placenta is involved in regulating nutrient, oxygen, and waste exchange; thus, healthy placental development is crucial for a successful pregnancy. In line with the increasing demands of the fetus, the placenta evolves throughout pregnancy, making it a particularly difficult organ to study. Research into placental development and dysfunction poses a unique scientific challenge due to ethical constraints and the differences in morphology and function that exist between species. Recently, there have been increased efforts towards generating in vitro models of the human placenta. Advancements in the differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), microfluidics, and bioprinting have each contributed to the development of new models, which can be designed to closely match physiological in vivo conditions. By including relevant placental cell types and control over the microenvironment, these new in vitro models promise to reveal clues to the pathogenesis of placental dysfunction and facilitate drug testing across the maternal–fetal interface. In this minireview, we aim to highlight current in vitro placental models and their applications in the study of disease and discuss future avenues for these in vitro models.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 823
Author(s):  
Jian Tan ◽  
Duan Ni ◽  
Rosilene V. Ribeiro ◽  
Gabriela V. Pinget ◽  
Laurence Macia

Cell survival, proliferation and function are energy-demanding processes, fuelled by different metabolic pathways. Immune cells like any other cells will adapt their energy production to their function with specific metabolic pathways characteristic of resting, inflammatory or anti-inflammatory cells. This concept of immunometabolism is revolutionising the field of immunology, opening the gates for novel therapeutic approaches aimed at altering immune responses through immune metabolic manipulations. The first part of this review will give an extensive overview on the metabolic pathways used by immune cells. Diet is a major source of energy, providing substrates to fuel these different metabolic pathways. Protein, lipid and carbohydrate composition as well as food additives can thus shape the immune response particularly in the gut, the first immune point of contact with food antigens and gastrointestinal tract pathogens. How diet composition might affect gut immunometabolism and its impact on diseases will also be discussed. Finally, the food ingested by the host is also a source of energy for the micro-organisms inhabiting the gut lumen particularly in the colon. The by-products released through the processing of specific nutrients by gut bacteria also influence immune cell activity and differentiation. How bacterial metabolites influence gut immunometabolism will be covered in the third part of this review. This notion of immunometabolism and immune function is recent and a deeper understanding of how lifestyle might influence gut immunometabolism is key to prevent or treat diseases.


Oncogene ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rósula García-Navas ◽  
Pilar Liceras-Boillos ◽  
Carmela Gómez ◽  
Fernando C. Baltanás ◽  
Nuria Calzada ◽  
...  

AbstractSOS1 ablation causes specific defective phenotypes in MEFs including increased levels of intracellular ROS. We showed that the mitochondria-targeted antioxidant MitoTEMPO restores normal endogenous ROS levels, suggesting predominant involvement of mitochondria in generation of this defective SOS1-dependent phenotype. The absence of SOS1 caused specific alterations of mitochondrial shape, mass, and dynamics accompanied by higher percentage of dysfunctional mitochondria and lower rates of electron transport in comparison to WT or SOS2-KO counterparts. SOS1-deficient MEFs also exhibited specific alterations of respiratory complexes and their assembly into mitochondrial supercomplexes and consistently reduced rates of respiration, glycolysis, and ATP production, together with distinctive patterns of substrate preference for oxidative energy metabolism and dependence on glucose for survival. RASless cells showed defective respiratory/metabolic phenotypes reminiscent of those of SOS1-deficient MEFs, suggesting that the mitochondrial defects of these cells are mechanistically linked to the absence of SOS1-GEF activity on cellular RAS targets. Our observations provide a direct mechanistic link between SOS1 and control of cellular oxidative stress and suggest that SOS1-mediated RAS activation is required for correct mitochondrial dynamics and function.


2015 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 300-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Swati Omanwar ◽  
M. Fahim

Vascular endothelium plays a vital role in the organization and function of the blood vessel and maintains homeostasis of the circulatory system and normal arterial function. Functional disruption of the endothelium is recognized as the beginning event that triggers the development of consequent cardiovascular disease (CVD) including atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. There is a growing data associating mercury exposure with endothelial dysfunction and higher risk of CVD. This review explores and evaluates the impact of mercury exposure on CVD and endothelial function, highlighting the interplay of nitric oxide and oxidative stress.


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