Endothelial Cell News Volume 2.02 | Jan 23 2017

TOP STORY

Initiation of Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease by Angiogenesis

Researchers showed that angiogenesis precedes leukocyte infiltration in experimental models of inflammatory bowel disease and acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). They found that angiogenesis occurred as early as day +two after allogeneic transplantation mainly in GVHD typical target organs skin, liver and intestines whereas no angiogenic changes appeared due to conditioning or syngeneic transplantation. [Blood] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Leukocytes Breach Endothelial Barriers by Insertion of Nuclear Lobes and Disassembly of Endothelial Actin Filaments

The endothelial cytoskeleton is a barrier for leukocyte transendothelial migration. Mononuclear and polymorphonuclear leukocytes generate gaps of similar micron-scale size when squeezing through inflamed endothelial barriers in vitro and in vivo. To elucidate how leukocytes squeeze through these barriers, the authors co-tracked the endothelial actin filaments and leukocyte nuclei in real time. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Press Release

Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Improves Endothelialization with Reduction of Thrombosis in Recellularized Human Umbilical Vein Graft by Inhibiting Syndecan-1 Shedding In Vitro

Scientists investigated the effect of sphingosine-1-phosphate in the construction of a functional tissue-engineered blood vessel by using human endothelial cells and decellularized human umbilical vein scaffolds. [Acta Biomater] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

A Novel Role for Endothelial Tetrahydrobiopterin in Mitochondrial Redox Balance

Researchers aimed to elucidate the effects of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH₄) deficiency on mitochondrial function and bioenergetics using targeted knockdown of the BH₄ synthetic enzyme, GTP Cyclohydrolase I (GTPCH). Knockdown of GTPCH by >90% led to marked loss of cellular BH₄ and a striking induction of O₂^– generation in the mitochondria of murine endothelial cells. [Free Radic Biol Med] Full Article

Unsaturated Lipid Bodies as a Hallmark of Inflammation Studied by Raman 2D and 3D Microscopy

Endothelial HMEC-1 cells incubated with pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α for 6 and 24 hours were studied as a model of inflammation using Raman imaging. Striking changes in distribution, composition and concentration of cellular lipids were observed after exposure to TNF-α compared to the control. In particular, 3D Raman imaging revealed a significant increase in the amount of lipid entities formed under inflammation. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Up-Regulation of Syncytin-1 Contributes to TNF-α-Enhanced Fusion between OSCC and HUVECs Partly via Wnt/β-Catenin-Dependent Pathway

Researchers confirmed that inflammatory factor TNF-α could enhance fusion between squamous cell carcinoma cells 9 (SCC-9) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Further study revealed that TNF-α could promote up-regulation of syncytin-1 in SCC-9 and its receptor neutral amino acid transporter type 2 in HUVEC. [Sci Rep] Full Article

JunB Regulates Angiogenesis and Neurovascular Parallel Alignment in Mouse Embryonic Skin

Scientists investigated the genes that are activated in endothelial cells (ECs) following interactions with neurons during vascular development. Microarray analyses of human primary microvascular ECs co-cultured with mouse primary dorsal root ganglion cells showed that JunB is strongly upregulated in ECs by neurovascular interactions. [J Cell Sci] Abstract

The NOX2-Derived Reactive Oxygen Species Damaged Endothelial Nitric Oxide System via Suppressed BKCa/SKCa in Preeclampsia

Investigators used primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells to evaluate the endothelial nitric oxide system in preeclampsia and to determine the underlying mechanisms that are involved. [Hypertens Res] Abstract

In Situ Electrical Monitoring of Cancer Cells Invading Vascular Endothelial Cells with Semiconductor-Based Biosensor

Investigators monitored the invasion process of cancer cells into the vascular endothelial layer in real time by a label-free method using a field-effect transistor (FET) biosensor. Endothelial cells were cultured on the sensing surface of the FET gate, to form a basement membrane between the endothelial cells and the sensing surface. When invasive cancer cells approached the endothelial cell-coated gate FET biosensor, a change in the surface potential was clearly detected using the FET biosensor. [Genes Cells] Abstract

Advancing Age Decreases Pressure-Sensitive Modulation of Calcium Signaling in the Endothelium of Intact and Pressurized Arteries

The authors studied the pressure- and agonist-sensitive endothelial calcium signaling in pressurized carotid arteries from young (3-month-old) and aged (18-month-old) rats by imaging from within the artery using gradient index fluorescence microendoscopy. [J Vasc Res] Full Article

The Role of the Endothelium in Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

The authors review the evidence of the involvement of pulmonary endothelium in COPD and asthma and potential treatment options for this. [Respir Res] Full Article

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

Immune Pharmaceuticals Enters a Research Partnership to Develop Mono- and Bispecific Antibodies against Novel Targets in the Tumor Microenvironment

Immune Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced that it has entered an exclusive sub-license agreement with SATT Sud-Est to develop, use, manufacture and commercialize mono- and bispecific antibodies targeting components of the tumor microenvironment and angiogenic factors. [Immune Pharmaceuticals Inc.] Press Release

Statement From FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, M.D. Announcing FDA Oncology Center of Excellence Launch

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) established the Oncology Center of Excellence and appointed Dr. Richard Pazdur as its director. This will make oncology the first disease area to have a coordinated clinical review of drugs, biologics and devices across the agency’s three medical product centers. [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] Press Release

Biotech Firm Backs Controversial CRISPR Challenger

A major enzyme manufacturer has signed an agreement with a Chinese university to explore uses for a protein claimed to be a powerful alternative to the popular genome-editing tool CRISPR–Cas9. Several scientists have failed to reproduce the results of the paper that first made the claim and doubt that the protein, NgAgo, works as a gene editor. [Nature News] Editorial

Scientists Join Massive Protest against Trump

The women in white lab coats didn’t expect to be treated like celebrities. The group of scientists, dozens strong, came to Washington DC to join the Women’s March, a massive protest against the brand-new US President, Donald Trump. But as they navigated the dense crowd near the National Air and Space Museum, the researchers were greeted by shouts of “We love science!” Eager strangers asked the scientists to pose for photographs with the signs they carried, which bore slogans such as “Stand up 4 Science” and “Science does not discriminate.” [Nature News] Editorial

Wanted: A Leader for the Toughest Job in Global Health

Global health watchers will pay close attention to Geneva, Switzerland when the World Health Organization (WHO) will announce the final three candidates to take the agency’s top job. The decision by WHO’s Executive Board, made up of representatives of 34 member states, follows months of behind-the-scenes jockeying, campaigning by the candidates, and intense speculation. It will be followed in May by a final vote by WHO’s 194 member states. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) Annual Meeting 2017
June 14-17, 2017
Boston, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Small Molecule-Driven Stem and Stem-Like Cell Reprogramming (University of Oxford)

NEW Assistant/Associate Professor – Angiogenesis in Urology (Northwestern University)

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

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 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)

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

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