Endothelial Cell News Volume 2.13 | Apr 17 2017

TOP STORY

Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability Is Regulated by Lipid Transport-Dependent Suppression of Caveolae-Mediated Transcytosis

Scientists provide a mechanism whereby the regulation of central nervous system (CNS) endothelial cell lipid composition specifically inhibits the caveolae-mediated transcytotic route readily used in the periphery. An unbiased lipidomic analysis revealed significant differences in endothelial cell lipid signatures from the CNS and periphery, which underlie a suppression of caveolae vesicle formation and trafficking in brain endothelial cells. [Neuron] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Identification of RUNX1 as a Mediator of Aberrant Retinal Angiogenesis

Investigators identified Runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) as a gene upregulated in CD31⁺ vascular endothelial cells obtained from human proliferative diabetic retinopathy fibrovascular membranes via transcriptomic analysis. In vitro studies using human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs) showed increased RUNX1 RNA and protein expression in response to high glucose whereas RUNX1 inhibition reduced HRMEC migration, proliferation, and tube formation. [Diabetes] Abstract | Press Release

O-GlcNAc on NOTCH1 EGF Repeats Regulates Ligand-Induced Notch Signaling and Vascular Development in Mammals

EOGT functions were investigated in retinal angiogenesis that depends on Notch signaling. Global or endothelial cell-specific deletion of Eogt resulted in defective retinal angiogenesis, with a mild phenotype similar to that caused by reduced Notch signaling in retina. [Elife] Full Article

Expression of Biglycan in First Trimester Chorionic Villous Sampling Placental Samples and Altered Function in Telomerase-Immortalized Microvascular Endothelial Cells

Biglycan (BGN) has reduced expression in placentae from pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction (FGR). Investigators used first trimester placental samples from pregnancies with later small for gestational age infants as a surrogate for FGR. BGN reduction decreased network formation of telomerase-immortalized microvascular endothelial cells but did not affect thrombin generation or cellular proliferation. [Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol] Abstract

WISP-1 Positively Regulates Angiogenesis by Controlling VEGF-A Expression in Human Osteosarcoma

Researchers demonstrated a positive correlation between WNT1-inducible signaling pathway protein-1 (WISP-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) expression in human osteosarcoma. They showed that WISP-1 promotes VEGF-A expression in human osteosarcoma cells, subsequently inducing human endothelial progenitor cell migration and tube formation. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

An S1P₁ Agonist, ASP4058, Suppresses Intracranial Aneurysm through Promoting Endothelial Integrity and Blocking Macrophage Transmigration

The authors tested the potential of a sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor type 1 (S1P₁) agonist, ASP4058, in prevention of intracranial aneurysm (IA) in an animal model. S1P₁ receptor was expressed in endothelial cells of human IA lesions and control arterial walls. ASP4058 significantly reduced FITC-dextran leakage through endothelial monolayer and suppressed migration of macrophages across the monolayer in vitro. [Br J Pharmacol] Abstract

Dietary Salt Blunts Vasodilation by Stimulating Epithelial Sodium Channels in Endothelial Cells from Salt-Sensitive Rats

Scientists examined if enhanced epithelial sodium channels (ENaC) activity mediates the loss of vasorelaxation in Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) rats. High-salt (HS) diet significantly increased plasma aldosterone and ENaC activity in the endothelial cells of Dahl SS rats. The endothelium-dependent artery relaxation was blunted by HS challenge in these rats. [Br J Pharmacol] Abstract

Endothelial Colony Forming Cells and Mesenchymal Progenitor Cells Form Blood Vessels and Increase Blood Flow in Ischemic Muscle

The authors investigated whether endothelial colony forming cells (ECFC) and mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPC) form vascular networks and restore blood flow in ischemic skeletal muscle, and whether host myeloid cells play a role. Hind limbs injected with ECFC + MPC showed greater blood flow recovery compared with ECFC, MPC, or vehicle. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Nanomechanics of the Endothelial Glycocalyx Contribute to Na⁺-Induced Vascular Inflammation

High plasma Na⁺ concentrations (high Na⁺) have been shown to stiffen the endothelial cortex and decrease nitric oxide release, a hallmark of endothelial dysfunction. Researchers report that chronic high Na⁺ damaged the endothelial glycocalyx, induced release of inflammatory cytokines from the endothelium and promoted monocyte adhesion. [Sci Rep] Full Article

LY333531, a PKCβ Inhibitor, Attenuates Glomerular Endothelial Cell Apoptosis in the Early Stage of Mouse Diabetic Nephropathy via Down-Regulating Swiprosin-1

Scientists explored the effects and molecular mechanisms of PKCβ inhibitors on glomerular endothelial cell (GEC) apoptosis in diabetic nephropathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice in vivo and high glucose- or PMA-treated human renal glomerular endothelial cells in vitro. In the diabetic mice, hyperglycemia caused aggravated nephropathy and GEC apoptosis, accompanied by significantly increased expression of swiprosin-1, a potent, pro-apoptotic protein. [Acta Pharmacol Sin] Abstract

The Lack of Increases in Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cell as a Negative Predictor for Pathological Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer Patients

Little is known about the alteration of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (CEP) counts during neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Investigators’ goal was to reveal the alteration in CEP counts in association with response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer. CEP cell counts increased after the initiation of chemotherapy. [npj Precis Oncol] Full Article

The Islet Endothelial Cell: A Novel Contributor to Beta Cell Secretory Dysfunction in Diabetes

The authors examine potential candidate molecules that may mediate the positive effects of islet endothelial cells on beta cell survival and function under normal conditions. They explore possible mechanisms underlying the development of islet endothelial dysfunction in diabetes and review therapeutic options for ameliorating this aspect of the islet lesion in type 2 diabetes. [Diabetologia] Abstract

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FDA Approves Genentech’s Lucentis (Ranibizumab Injection) for Diabetic Retinopathy, the Leading Cause of Blindness among Working Age Adults in the United States

Genentech announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Lucentis^® for the monthly treatment of all forms of diabetic retinopathy. With this approval, Lucentis becomes the first and only FDA-approved medicine to treat diabetic retinopathy in people who have been diagnosed either with or without diabetic macular edema, a complication of diabetic retinopathy that causes swelling in the back of the eye. [Genentech, Inc.] Press Release

UNM Named Cavernous Angioma Center of Excellence

The University of New Mexico (UNM) is being recognized by the Angioma Alliance as a Clinical Center of Excellence in treating cavernous angioma – only the second such designation in the country. [The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center] Press Release

With This New System, Scientists Never Have to Write a Grant Application Again

Almost every scientist agrees: Applying for research funding is a drag. Writing a good proposal can take months, and the chances of getting funded are often slim. Funding agencies, meanwhile, spend more and more time and money reviewing growing stacks of applications. That’s why two researchers are proposing a radically different system that would do away with applications and reviews; instead scientists would just give each other money. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Joining the European Union Leads to Less Cross-Border Collaboration

When the European Union expanded in the 2000s, it had a negative impact on scientific collaborations between researchers in new member countries and elsewhere, a study has found. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Gordon Research Conferences: Cell Growth & Proliferation
July 9-14, 2017
Mount Snow, United States

NEW 11^th World Congress for Microcirculation
September 9-13, 2018
Vancouver, Canada

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NEW Postdoctoral Research – Endothelial Biology (University of South Florida)

Postdoctoral Position – Bioinformatics (National Center for Scientific Research)

Postdoctoral Position – Intersectional Genetics (VIB)

Research Assistant Professor – Endothelial and Epithelial Barrier Function (University of Chicago)

Postdoctoral Follow – Endothelial Cell Ion Channels (The University of Tennessee Health Science Center)

Doctoral Research Position – Infection Biology (The Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research)

Postdoctoral Position – Bioinformatics (The National Center for Scientific Research)

PhD Student – Brain Vascular Biology (ETH Zurich)

Postdoctoral Research Position – Retinal Cell Biology (University of California, Davis)

Postdoctoral Fellows – Endothelial Cell Dysfunction (The University of Tennessee Health Science Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cardiopulmonary Molecular Biology (Hannover Medical School)

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