Endothelial Cell News Volume 2.01 | Jan 16 2017

TOP STORY

Neuronal sFlt1 and Vegfaa Determine Venous Sprouting and Spinal Cord Vascularization

Formation of organ-specific vasculatures requires cross-talk between developing tissue and specialized endothelial cells. Scientists showed how developing zebrafish spinal cord neurons coordinate vessel growth through balancing of neuron-derived Vegfaa, with neuronal sFlt1 restricting Vegfaa-Kdrl mediated angiogenesis at the neurovascular interface. [Nat Commun] Full Article | Press Release

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Dual Role of ALCAM in Neuroinflammation and Blood–Brain Barrier Homeostasis

The specific role of the adhesion molecule activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) present on blood–brain barrier (BBB) endothelial cells was assessed. Researchers demonstrated that ALCAM knockout mice developed a more severe experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, the mouse model of multiple sclerosis, due to an increased permeability of the BBB. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Deficient Retinoid-Driven Angiogenesis May Contribute to Failure of Adult Human Lung Regeneration in Emphysema

The authors examined regulation of human alveolar epithelial and endothelial repair by retinoic acid (RA), and characterized RA signaling in human emphysema. [Thorax] Abstract

Human Pericardial Fluid Contains Exosomes Enriched with Cardiovascular-Expressed MicroRNAs and Promotes Therapeutic Angiogenesis

The authors investigated the hypotheses that the pericardial fluid is enriched with microRNAs (miRNAs) secreted by the heart and that it mediates vascular responses through exosome exchange of miRNAs. [Mol Ther] Full Article

Mitochondrial Redox Plays a Critical Role in the Paradoxical Effects of NAPDH Oxidase-Derived ROS on Coronary Endothelium

Researchers examined whether duration of exposure to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and/or subcellular ROS levels are responsible for the apparently paradoxical effects of oxidants on endothelium. [Cardiovasc Res] Abstract

Enhancement of Outflow Facility in the Murine Eye by Targeting Selected Tight-Junctions of Schlemm’s Canal Endothelia

Endothelial cells lining Schlemm’s canal (SC) elaborate tight junctions (TJs), down-regulation of which may widen paracellular spaces between cells, allowing greater fluid outflow. Investigators observed significant increase in paracellular permeability following siRNA-mediated suppression of TJ transcripts, claudin-11, zonula-occludens-1 and tricellulin in human SC endothelial monolayers. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Extracellular Vesicle Mediated Intercellular Communication at the Porcine Maternal-Fetal Interface: A New Paradigm for Conceptus-Endometrial Cross-Talk

The authors report a novel role of conceptus-derived exosomes/microvesicles (EVs) in embryo-endometrial cross-talk. They also demonstrate the stimulatory effects of EVs derived from porcine trophectoderm-cells on various biological processes including the proliferation of maternal endothelial cells, potentially promoting angiogenesis. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Up-Regulation of the Active Form of Small GTPase Rab13 Promotes Macroautophagy in Vascular Endothelial Cells

Scientists used pterostilbene as a tool to induce vascular endothelial cell (VEC) autophagy and identified the differentially expressed genes using high-throughput DAN microarray. The small GTPase Ras-related protein in brain 13 (Rab13) was found to be the most significantly up-regulated gene in pterostilbene-treated human umbilical VECs. [Biochim Biophys Acta] Abstract

The Role of Endothelial HIF-1 α in the Response to Sublethal Hypoxia in C57BL/6 Mouse Pups

To ascertain the roles of endothelial HIF-1 α in the responses of brain microvascular endothelial cells and neuronal precursors to hypoxia, investigators examined the effects of the presence and absence of endothelial HIF-1 α expression in culture and in cells comprising the subventricular zone and dentate gyrus under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. [Lab Invest] Abstract

Mechanical Compression Effects on the Secretion of vWF and IL-8 by Cultured Human Vein Endothelium

Researchers developed and studied an in-vitro model of cultured endothelial cells subjected to mechanical compression of modular self-designed weights, and explored their inflammatory response by quantification of two key biomarkers- von Willebrand factor (vWF) and interleukin-8 (IL-8). [PLoS One] Full Article

A Journey into the Brain: Insight into How Bacterial Pathogens Cross Blood–Brain Barriers

The authors focus on invasive extracellular pathogens, such as Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, group B Streptococcus and Escherichia coli, to review the obstacles that bacteria have to overcome in order to invade the meninges from the bloodstream, and the specific skills they have developed to bypass the blood–brain barrier. [Nat Rev Microbiol] Abstract

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

Chi-Med Presents Phase I/II Clinical Data for Selective VEGFR Inhibitor Fruquintinib

Hutchison China MediTech Limited announced that data from the ongoing Phase I/II clinical trial of fruquintinib in combination with paclitaxel in second-line patients with advanced gastric cancer will be presented. [Press release from Hutchison China MediTech Limited discussing research to be presented at 2017 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium, San Francisco] Press Release

ForSight VISION4, Inc. Announces Acquisition by Roche

ForSight VISION4 announced that it has been acquired by Roche Holdings Inc. The acquisition expands Roche’s exclusive access to the ForSight VISION4 PDS technology for long acting delivery of therapeutics to the eye. [ForSight VISION4, Inc. (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

Chi-Med Initiates a Phase II Combination Study of Fruquintinib with Iressa^® (Gefitinib) in First-Line Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Hutchison China MediTech Limited announced that it has initiated a Phase II study of a combination therapy using fruquintinib and Iressa^® in the first-line setting for patients with advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in China. Fruquintinib is a highly selective and potent oral inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors. [Hutchison China MediTech Limited] Press Release

Chi-Med Initiates a Phase II Study of Sulfatinib in Second-Line Biliary Tract Cancer in China

Hutchison China MediTech Limited announced that it has initiated a Phase II study of sulfatinib in second-line biliary tract cancer patients in China. Sulfatinib is an oral, novel angio-immunokinase inhibitor that selectively targets vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, fibroblast growth factor receptor and colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor, three key tyrosine kinase receptors involved in tumor angiogenesis and immune evasion. [Hutchison China MediTech Limited] Press Release

Surprising Contenders Emerge for Trump’s NIH Chief

Could US president-elect Donald Trump be close to choosing a leader for the National Institutes of Health (NIH)? Current NIH chief Francis Collins and Representative Andy Harris (Republican, Maryland), both front-runners for job, met separately with Trump, as did billionaire surgeon Patrick Soon-Shiong. Several people familiar with the Collins and Harris meetings described them as job interviews. [Nature Breaking News] Editorial

European Commission Clears Up Questions on Orphan Drug Regulation

Following a public consultation in November 2015, the European Commission has released a new communication intended to clarify some lingering questions about the EU’s Orphan Regulation. The consultation sought to address five issues that have arisen since the Orphan Regulation came into effect in January 2000. [Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society] Editorial

Gates Foundation Research Can’t Be Published in Top Journals

One of the world’s most influential global health charities says that the research it funds cannot currently be published in several leading journals, because the journals do not comply with its open-access policy. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Gordon Research Conferences – Tissue Repair & Regeneration
June 4-9, 2017
New London, United States

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

NEW PhD Position – Genome Engineering (KU Leuven, Stem Cell Institute)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Cardiovascular Research (Thomas Jefferson University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Vascular Control of Immune Cell Infiltration and Metastasis (German Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Tumor Angiogenesis (Thomas Jefferson University)

Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Role of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Invasion/Metastasis (The Beatson Institute for Cancer Research)

Postdoctoral Position – Endothelial/Macrophage Interactions in Vascular Disease (University of Pittsburgh)

Postdoctoral Associate – Molecular Biology (Virginia Commonwealth University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Endothelial Cell Dysfunction and GPCR Signaling in Vascular Diseases (The University of Tennessee Health Science Center)

Assistant Professor – Regenerative Medicine (University of Cincinnati)

Postdoctoral Position – Endothelial Interactions in Vascular Disease (University of Pittsburgh)

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