Project description:Accumulation of cellular stress induced mutations has a potential risk for oncogenic transformation. Once the damage is sensed by checkpoint pathway, such as p53, the aberrant cells are immediately eliminated from regular cell cycle system in order to protect life-threatening events. Here, we show endothelial cell (EC)-specific p53 deletion causes spontaneous endothelial tumors with severe hemolytic phenotypes in mice as is the case with hemangioma thrombocytopenia syndrome in human. As a result of the lack of genomic protection by p53, aggravated by oxidative and aging stress induces additional mutation in ECs especially in adipose tissue. This vascular-specific genomic unstability dysregulates the expression of critical genes such as cell cycle signaling leading to aggressive angiosarcomas.
Project description:Cardiovascular disorders, like atherosclerosis and hypertension, are increasingly known to be associated with vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). In particular, intracranial atherosclerosis is one of the main causes of VCI, although plaque development occurs later in time and is structurally different compared to atherosclerosis in extracranial arteries. Recent data suggest that endothelial cells (ECs) that line the intracranial arteries may exert anti-atherosclerotic effects due to yet unidentified pathways. To gain insights into underlying mechanisms, we isolated post-mortem endothelial cells from both the intracranial basilar artery (BA) and the extracranial common carotid artery (CCA) from the same individual (total of 15 individuals) with laser capture microdissection. RNA sequencing revealed a distinct molecular signature of the two endothelial cell populations of which the most prominent ones were validated by means of qPCR. Our data reveal for the first time that intracranial artery ECs exert an immune quiescent phenotype. Secondly, genes known to be involved in the response of ECs to damage (inflammation, differentiation, adhesion, proliferation, permeability and oxidative stress) are differentially expressed in intracranial ECs compared to extracranial ECs. Finally, Desmoplakin (DSP) and Hop Homeobox (HOPX), two genes expressed at a higher level in intracranial ECs, and Sodium Voltage-Gated Channel Beta Subunit 3 (SCN3B), a gene expressed at a lower level in intracranial ECs compared to extracranial ECs, were shown to be responsive to shear stress and/or hypoxia. With our data we present a set of intracranial-specific endothelial genes that may contribute to its protective phenotype, thereby supporting proper perfusion and consequently may preserve cognitive function. Deciphering the molecular regulation of the vascular bed in the brain may lead to the identification of novel potential intervention strategies to halt vascular associated disorders, such as atherosclerosis and vascular cognitive dysfunction.
Project description:Analysis of p53-deficient (E6-expressing) human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) that express progerin, a mutated form of lamin A resposible for Hutchinson- Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS). p53 pathway is associated with HGPS. Results provide insight into molecular mechanisms underlying vascular dysfunction of HGPS caused by other than p53 pathway. The gene expression of VSMCs induced to express E6 and either lamin A or progerin by retroviral vectors.
Project description:Analysis of p53-deficient (E6-expressing) human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) that express progerin, a mutated form of lamin A resposible for Hutchinson- Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS). p53 pathway is associated with HGPS. Results provide insight into molecular mechanisms underlying vascular dysfunction of HGPS caused by other than p53 pathway.
Project description:Dysfunction of vascular endothelium is characteristic of many aging-related diseases, including Alzheimers disease (AD) and AD-related dementias (ADRD). While it is widely posited that endothelial cell dysfunction contributes to the pathogenesis and/or progression of AD/ADRD, it is not clear how. A plausible hypothesis is that intercellular trafficking of extracellular vesicles (EVs) from senescent vascular endothelial cells promotes vascular endothelial cell dysfunction. To test this hypothesis, we compared the expression of proteins and miRNAs in EVs isolated from early passage (EP) vs. senescent (SEN) primary human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs) from the same donor. Proteomics and miRNA libraries constructed from these EV isolates were evaluated using FunRich gene ontology analysis to compare functional enrichment between EP and SEN endothelial cell EVs (ECEVs). Replicative senescence was associated with altered EV abundance and contents independent of changes in EV size. Unique sets of miRNAs and proteins were differentially expressed in SEN-ECEVs, including molecules related to cell adhesion, barrier integrity, receptor signaling, endothelial-mesenchymal transition and cell senescence. miR-181a-5p was the most upregulated miRNA in SEN-ECEVs, increasing >5-fold. SEN-ECEV proteomes supported involvement in several pro-inflammatory pathways consistent with senescence and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). These data indicate that SEN-ECEVs are enriched in bioactive molecules implicated in senescence-associated vascular dysfunction, blood-brain barrier impairment, and AD/ADRD pathology. These observations suggest involvement of SEN-ECEVs in the pathogenesis of vascular dysfunction associated with AD/ADRD.
Project description:Previous studies showed that S100A8 and S100A9 are involved in neovascularization as well as in tumor development. At high concentrations, S100A8 and S100A9 cause inflammatory response or apoptosis mediated damage in vascular endothelial cells. But the effect of low concentrations of such proteins on endothelial cells remains unknown. This assay was performed to screen for genes that are involved in the response of Human Unbilican Vascular Endothelial Cells to low concentrations of S100A8. Human Umblical Vascular Endothelial Cells (HUVEC) were cultuered and treated with 10ug/mL S100A8 proteins for 4 or 24 hours. Gene profiling was carried out using two-color microarray. Two-condition experiment, S100A8 treatment vs. non-treatment. Two time points: 4 hours and 24 hours. Biological replicates at each time point: 3 control replicates, 3 treatment replicates.
Project description:The aim was to study immediate changes in gene expression of lung and heart endothelial cells after single or compound deletions of vascular endothelial growth factors.
Project description:Despite its high prevalence and economic burden, the etiology of human hypertension remains incompletely understood. Here we identify the transcription factor Gata5, as a new gene involved in regulation of blood pressure (BP). GATA5 is expressed in microvascular endothelial cells (mEC) and its genetic inactivation in mice leads to hypertension, vascular endothelial dysfunction and renal inflammation. Aged Gata5-Null mice develop salt-sensitivity and target-organ damage reminiscent of the progression of human hypertension. Endothelial-specific inactivation of Gata5 increases BP and leads to vascular endothelial dysfunction, confirming the endothelial component of Gata5 inactivation-related hypertension. To directly assess the effect of loss of GATA5 on endothelial cells, we generated a stable GATA5 knockdown cell line (HDMEC-Gata5KO) by infecting human dermal microvascular endothelial cells with a lentiviral vector containing an anti-Gata5 shRNA followed by a transcriptomic analysis. The control cells were infected with a lentivirus containing an empty vector pLKO2.
Project description:We applied single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) of vascular endothelial cells isolated from zebrafish embryos at the 24 hours post fertilization (hpf) stage. Six distinct clusters or subclusters related to vascular endothelial cells were identified which include arterial, two venous, cranial, endocardial and endothelial progenitor cell subtypes