Endothelial Cell News Volume 1.26 | Sep 26 2016

TOP STORY

Evidence for Pro-Angiogenic Functions of VEGF-Ax

Investigators showed that VEGF-Ax stimulates endothelial cell mitogenesis, angiogenesis, as well as vascular permeability. [Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Endothelial Cell-Derived Pentraxin 3 Limits the Vasoreparative Therapeutic Potential of Circulating Angiogenic Cells

This study investigates molecular mechanisms underpinning circulating angiogenic cells (CAC) modulation of blood vessel formation. CACs at low and mid cellular densities significantly enhanced endothelial cell tube formation in vitro, while high density CACs significantly inhibited this angiogenic process. [Cardiovasc Res] Abstract

Endothelial Antioxidant-1: A Key Mediator of Copper-Dependent Wound Healing In Vivo

Researchers showed that copper (Cu) content and nuclear antioxidant-1 (Atox1) are increased after wounding, and that wound healing with and without Cu treatment is impaired in Atox1^−/− mice. Endothelial cell (EC)-specific Atox1^−/− mice and gene transfer of nuclear-target Atox1 in Atox1^−/− mice reveal that Atox1 in ECs as well as transcription factor function of Atox1 are required for wound healing. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Lack of Adrenomedullin in Mouse Endothelial Cells Results in Defective Angiogenesis, Enhanced Vascular Permeability, Less Metastasis, and More Brain Damage

To elucidate the autocrine/paracrine function of adrenomedullin (AM) in endothelial cells (EC) in vivo, a conditional knockout of AM in EC (AM^EC-KO) was used. The amount of vascularization of the matrigel implants was lower in AM^EC-KO mice indicating a defective angiogenesis. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Pharmacological Inhibition of Arginine and Lysine Methyltransferases Induces Nuclear Abnormalities and Suppresses Angiogenesis in Human Endothelial Cells

Scientists showed that global inhibition of arginine and lysine histone methyltransferases by AMI-5 induced an angiostatic profile in human microvascular endothelial cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. [Biochem Pharmacol] Abstract

Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinase B Regulates Angiogenic Responses in the Endothelium via Caveolae Formation and c-Src-Mediated Caveolin-1 Phosphorylation

Researchers investigated whether an interaction of nucleoside diphosphate kinase B (NDPK-B) with caveolin-1 (Cav-1) in endothelial cells is required for regulation and the involvement of VEGF signaling. They report that simultaneous depletion of NDPK-B/Cav-1 in HUVECs synergistically impaired sprouting angiogenesis. [J Cereb Blood Flow Metab] Abstract

Tenascin-C Secreted by Transdifferentiated Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells Promotes Choroidal Neovascularization via Integrin αV

Scientists investigated the role of tenascin-C in choroidal neovascular formation. Tenascin-C promoted proliferation, adhesion, migration, and tube formation in human microvascular endothelial cells; these functions were, however, blocked by cilengitide, an integrin αV inhibitor. [Lab Invest] Abstract

Notch Hyper-Activation Drives Trans-Differentiation of hESC-Derived Endothelium

The authors elucidated a novel Notch-dependent mechanism that induces endothelial to mesenchymal transition in confluent monolayer cultures of human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived endothelial cells. [Stem Cell Res] Full Article

Norepinephrine Inhibits Mesenchymal Stem Cell Chemotaxis Migration by Increasing Stromal Cell-Derived Factor-1 Secretion by Vascular Endothelial Cells via NE/abrd3/JNK Pathway

In vitro studies showed that norepinephrine (NE) treatment markedly upregulated p-JNK and therefore stimulated higher stromal cell-derived factor-1 expression in vascular endothelial cells than control groups, and siRNA knockdown of the abrd3 gene abolished the NE-induced p-JNK activation. [Exp Cell Res] Abstract

Inhibition of Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 4E Phosphorylation by Cercosporamide Selectively Suppresses Angiogenesis, Growth and Survival of Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma

The authors showed that cercosporamide significantly inhibited growth and induced caspase-dependent apoptosis on numerous hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines, while sparing normal liver cells. In addition, cercosporamide impaired HCC angiogenesis via inhibiting HCC-endothelial cells capillary network formation, migration, proliferation and survival. [Biomed Pharmacother] Abstract

Transplantation of EPCs Overexpressing PDGFR-β Promotes Vascular Repair in the Early Phase after Vascular Injury

Researchers investigated effects of transplantation of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) overexpressing platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)-β on vascular regeneration. They transplanted genetically modified EPCs overexpressing PDGFR-β into a mouse model with carotid artery injury. [BMC Cardiovasc Disord] Full Article

Natural Products against Cancer Angiogenesis

The authors present the current state of knowledge concerning the molecular targets of tumor angiogenesis and the active substances (polyphenols, alkaloids, phytohormones, carbohydrates, and terpenes) derived from natural sources, whose activity against cancer angiogenesis has been confirmed. [Tumor Biol] Abstract

Vasculogenesis and Its Cellular Therapeutic Applications

The authors present the current knowledge about the origin, differentiation and significance of endothelial progenitor cells that have been observed in various diseases, tumors, and reparative processes. They also summarize the knowledge of how to activate these cells for therapeutic purposes and the outcomes of the therapies. [Cells Tissues Organs] Full Article

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the endothelial cell research field.

BioLineRx Announces Initiation of Phase IIa Trial of BL-8040 in Combination with KEYTRUDA^® (Pembrolizumab) for Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer

BioLineRx Ltd. announced the initiation of a Phase IIa trial investigating BL-8040 in combination with KEYTRUDA^®, MSD’s anti-PD-1 therapy, in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. [BioLineRx Ltd.] Press Release

Cellular Dynamics Announces Launch of iCell^® Hepatoblasts to Enable Research into Therapies that Stimulate Liver Regeneration

Cellular Dynamics International, Inc. announced the launch of iCell^® Hepatoblasts, liver progenitor cells generated from human induced pluripotent stem cells. [Cellular Dynamics International, Inc.] Press Release

Four Men and Two Women are Running for the Top Slot at the World Health Organization

The World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland, unveiled the names of the six candidates who are vying to succeed Margaret Chan as director-general. [Science Insider] Editorial

Worldwide Brain-Mapping Project Sparks Excitement — and Concern

In recent years, brain-mapping initiatives have been popping up around the world. They have different goals and areas of expertise, but now researchers will attempt to apply their collective knowledge in a global push to more fully understand the brain. [Nature News] Editorial

Titanic Clash over CRISPR Patents Turns Ugly

Much of the focus is on the teams centred at Berkeley and the Broad Institute, whose ‘foundational’ patents cover a wide swathe of CRISPR–Cas9 applications. Although Berkeley’s team filed for a patent first, the Broad opted for an expedited review process, and its patents were granted earlier. [Nature News] Editorial

Spain Joins Bandwagon for ‘Openness’ About Animal Research

The Spanish scientific community has pledged to become more transparent about animal research. Ninety research centers, universities, scientific societies, and companies around Spain have adopted a set of standards, launched by the Confederation of Spanish Scientific Societies, on how research organizations should open up communication channels about their use of laboratory animals. [Science Insider] Editorial

New Fellowship Aims to Increase Diversity in the Life Sciences

A new program aims to launch the careers of life scientists from underrepresented groups by providing up to 8 years of support, covering both the postdoctoral training and junior faculty stages. The Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Hanna H. Gray Fellows Program will award up to 15 recipients with $60,000 of salary support and $20,000 in flexible funds paid to their institutions for each of up to 4 years of postdoc training. [Science Insider] Editorial

NEW Global Forum on Transplantation Research and Technologies
November 28-30, 2016
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

NEW Challenges, Solutions and Progress in Stem Cell Medicine
February 18-21, 2017
Carlsbad, United States

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.

NEW Postdoctoral Research Fellow (University of Leeds)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Extracellular Vesicle (Exosome) Research in Cancer (McGill University)

PhD Position – Blood-Saliva Barrier (Austrian Institute of Technology)

Chair – Medical Biology (Masaryk University)

PhD Student – Cell Biology, Chemistry, Material Science (Max-Planck-Institute for Molecular Biomedicine)

Research Fellow – MicroRNAs in Vascular Regeneration and Angiogenesis (University of Edinburgh)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Innate Immunity and Inflammation (University of Illinois)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Mechanisms that Regulate Vascular Functions in Physiological and Pathological Conditions (Uppsala University)

PhD Research Project – The Role of Tetraspanin Microdomains in Angiogenesis (University of Birmingham)

PhD Thesis – In Vitro Models of the Blood-Saliva Barrier (Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH)

Postdoctoral Position – Endothelial Cells (KULeuven)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.

Have we missed an important article or publication in Endothelial Cell News? Click here to submit!

Comments or suggestions? Submit your feedback here.