Endothelial Cell News Volume 1.09 | May 9 2016

Flt-1 (VEGFR-1) Coordinates Discrete Stages of Blood Vessel Formation
Researchers examined the hypothesis that defects in the discrete stages of angiogenesis can uniquely contribute to vessel branching outcomes. [Cardiovasc Res] Abstract

Platelet Lysate Gel and Endothelial Progenitors Stimulate Microvascular Network Formation In Vitro: Tissue Engineering Implications
Researchers describe the generation of human platelet lysate gel, an extracellular matrix preparation from human platelets able to support the proliferation of endothelial colony forming cells in 2D cultures and the formation of a complete microvascular network in vitro in 3D cultures. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Tissue Factor Is Induced by Interleukin-33 in Human Endothelial Cells: A New Link between Coagulation and Inflammation
Scientists investigated the impact of interleukin (IL)-33 on tissue factor (TF) in human endothelial cells (ECs), as a possible new link between inflammation and coagulation. IL-33 induced TF mRNA and protein in human umbilical vein ECs and coronary artery ECs. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator (uPA) Promotes Angiogenesis by Attenuating Proline-Rich Homeodomain Protein (PRH) Transcription Factor Activity and De-Repressing Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Receptor Expression
The authors describe a mechanism by which uPA regulates angiogenesis. Ex vivo VEGF-induced vascular sprouting from Matrigel-embedded aortic rings isolated from uPA knockout mice was impaired compared with vessels emanating from wild-type mice. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

Cord Blood-Derived Endothelial Colony-Forming Cell Function is Disrupted in Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
The authors hypothesized that the function of endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs), a type of endothelial progenitor cell, is impaired in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Compared with controls, cord blood ECFCs were decreased in CDH. CDH ECFCs had reduced potential for self-renewal, clonogenicity, proliferation and migration. [Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol] Abstract

Up-Regulation of CREG Expression by the Transcription Factor GATA1 Inhibits High Glucose- and High Palmitate-Induced Apoptosis in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
Researchers investigated the role of cellular repressor of E1A-stimulated genes (CREG) in high glucose/high palmitate-induced endothelial cell apoptosis and to decipher the upstream regulatory mechanism underlying the transcriptional regulation of CREG. [PLOS One] Full Article

Lymphatic Endothelial Cells Actively Regulate Prostate Cancer Cell Invasion
Scientists observed a significant increase in the invasion of extracellular matrix (ECM) by invasive PC-3 cells, but not poorly invasive DU-145 cells when human dermal lymphatic microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC-dlys) were present. Enhanced degradation of ECM by PC-3 cells in the presence of HMVEC-dlys identified interactions between HMVEC-dlys and prostate cancer cells influencing cancer cell invasion. [NMR Biomed] Abstract

Identifying Behavioral Phenotypes and Heterogeneity in Heart Valve Surface Endothelium
Porcine valvular endothelial cells and porcine aortic endothelial cells (ECs) were isolated from pig hearts and characterized to assess known EC and lymphatic EC markers. A transwell migration assay determined their propensity to migrate toward vascular endothelial growth factor, an angiogenic stimulus, over 24 hours. [Cells Tissues Organs] Abstract

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Processed Fat Cells Show Potential as Treatment for Refractory Ischemia Patients
Patients treated with processed autologous adipose-derived regenerative cells injected into the heart muscle demonstrated symptomatic improvement and a trend towards lower rates of heart failure hospitalizations and angina, despite no improvement in left ventricle ejection fraction or ventricular volumes. [Press release from the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) discussing research presented at the SCAI 2016 Scientific Sessions, Orlando] Press Release

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NIH Funds Pitt Study of Culture-Free Fat Cell-Based Vascular Grafts in Cardiovascular Disease Patients
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) have awarded David Vorp with a two-year, $417,838 R21 grant for research into the use of cells from a patient’s own adipose as vascular grafts in arterial bypass surgery. [University of Pittsburgh] Press Release

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NEW Research Associate – Cell Biology in Breast Cancer (University of South Australia)

PhD Position – Physiology (Uppsala University)

Fellow/Senior Fellow – Cancer Research (Australian National University)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Critical Care Medicine (The University of Illinois at Chicago)

PhD Position – Atherosclerosis (Sahlgrenska Academy)

PhD Position – Bioinformatics (VIB)

Postdoctoral Position – Angiogenesis, Proteases and Extracellular Matrix (GENYO)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Mechanoregulation of Fibrosis and Vascular Injury (St. Michael’s Hospital)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Angiogenesis and Metabolic Microenvironment Contributing to Carcinogenesis (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center – Harvard Medical School)

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