Endothelial Cell News Volume 2.22 | Jun 26 2017

TOP STORY

Homing of Cultured Endothelial Progenitor Cells and Their Effect on Traumatic Brain Injury in Rat Model

Researchers tested the homing of ex vivo cultured peripheral blood-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and their effect on injured brain tissue after intravenous administration. EPCs were transplanted into the host animal through peripheral administration through the femoral vein, and homing of EPCs was evaluated. [Sci Rep] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

SLC4A11 Depletion Impairs NRF2 Mediated Antioxidant Signaling and Increases Reactive Oxygen Species in Human Corneal Endothelial Cells during Oxidative Stress

Mutations in SLC4A11, a Na⁺ dependent OH⁻ transporter, cause congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy and Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy, the two most common forms of endothelial degeneration. Investigators looked into the role of SLC4A11 in antioxidant stress response in human corneal endothelial cells. They found increased expression of SLC4A11 in presence of oxidative stress. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Exosomes from Plasmodium-Infected Hosts Inhibit Tumor Angiogenesis in a Murine Lewis Lung Cancer Model

The authors designed an animal model to generate and isolate exosomes from mice which were subsequently used to treat the tumor. Intra-tumor injection of exosomes derived from the plasma of Plasmodium-infected mice provided significantly reduced Lewis lung cancer growth in mice. They further co-cultured the isolated exosomes with endothelial cells and observed significantly reduced expression of VEGFR2 and migration in the endothelial cells. [Oncogenesis] Full Article

MicroRNA-Containing Extracellular Vesicles Released from Endothelial Colony-Forming Cells Modulate Angiogenesis during Ischemic Retinopathy

To evaluate the potential of isolated extracellular vesicles (EVs) to provide an alternative to cell-based therapies, researchers performed a physical and molecular characterization of those released by endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs). Their effects upon endothelial cells in vitro and angiogenesis in vivo in a model of proliferative retinopathy were assessed. ECFC EVs were taken up by endothelial cells and increased cell migration. [J Cell Mol Med] Full Article

Influence of Rabbit Notochordal Cells on Symptomatic Intervertebral Disc Degeneration: Anti-Angiogenic Capacity on Human Endothelial Cell Proliferation under Hypoxia

Scientists hypothesized that notochordal cells may inhibit neovascularization by interacting with endothelial cells (ECs) under hypoxia. Human intervertebral discs were isolated and cultured to produce nucleus pulposus cell conditioned medium (NPCM). The VEGF level of ECs cultured in NPCM was significantly higher under hypoxia compared to normoxia. [Osteoarthritis Cartilage] Abstract

MiR21 Sensitized B-Lymphoma Cells to ABT-199 via ICOS/ICOSL-Mediated Interaction of Treg Cells with Endothelial Cells

MiR21 was assessed by quantitative RT-PCR in patients with newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. When co-cultured with immune cells and endothelial cells, miR21-overexpressing B-lymphoma cells were resistant to chemotherapeutic agents, but sensitive to Bcl-2 inhibitor ABT-199, irrespective of Bcl-2 expression on lymphoma cells. [J Exp Clin Cancer Res] Abstract

Pharmacological Intervention of MKL/SRF Signaling by CCG-1423 Impedes Endothelial Cell Migration and Angiogenesis

Researchers explored whether pharmacological intervention of megakaryoblastic leukemia (MKL)/serum response factor (SRF) signaling axis by CCG-1423 is able to suppress angiogenesis. They showed that CCG-1423 inhibits migration and cord morphogenesis of endothelial cells in vitro and sprouting angiogenesis ex vivo and in vivo, suggesting CCG-1423 could be a novel anti-angiogenic agent. [Angiogenesis] Abstract

Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) 9 and BMP10 Enhance Tumor Necrosis Factor-α-Induced Monocyte Recruitment to the Vascular Endothelium Mainly via Activin Receptor-Like Kinase 2

The authors investigated the roles of BMP9 and BMP10 in mediating monocyte-endothelial interactions using an in vitro flow adhesion assay. The BMP9/BMP10-mediated increase in monocyte recruitment in the presence of tumor necrosis factor-α was associated with upregulated expression levels of E-selectin, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 on endothelial cells. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

Endothelial Damage Is Aggravated in Acute GvHD and Could Predict Its Development

Scientists explored whether there is enhanced endothelial dysfunction in patients developing acute GvHD (aGvHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation and to identify biomarkers with predictive and/or diagnostic value. In in vitro experiments, endothelial cells were exposed to serum from patients with and without aGvHD, to evaluate changes in surface adhesion receptors, the reactivity of the extracellular matrix by measuring the presence of Von Willebrand factor and platelet adhesion, and the activation of intracellular signaling proteins. [Bone Marrow Transplant] Abstract

Tubulogenesis of Co-Cultured Human iPS-Derived Endothelial Cells and Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Fibrin and Gelatin Methacrylate Gels

Researchers investigated the tubulogenic potential of commercially-sourced iPS-ECs with and without supporting commercially-sourced hMSCs within 3D natural fibrin or semi-synthetic gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) hydrogels. They found that iPS-ECs alone have a muted tubulogenic response within GelMA, but that their tubulogenic response is enhanced when they are co-cultured with a small fraction of hMSCs. [Biomater Sci] Abstract

Human iPS-Derived Endothelial Cells for 3D Microphysiological Systems

Investigators report the use of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cells (iPS-EC) in developing 3D microvascular networks. The iPS-ECs demonstrated physiological functions characteristic of primary ECs in a series of in vitro assays including permeability, response to shear stress, and the expression of endothelial markers. [Tissue Eng Part C Methods] Abstract

Endothelial Cell Apoptosis in Angiogenesis and Vessel Regression

The authors summarize recent findings on the role that endothelial cell apoptosis plays in vascular remodeling during angiogenesis and in vessel regression more generally. [Cell Mol Life Sci] Abstract

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

Emulate, Inc. Awarded Grant to Fund Use of Human Emulation System aboard the International Space Station

Emulate, Inc. announced that it has received a research grant to use the company’s human Brain-Chip system and develop a fully automated research platform, to conduct experiments on the International Space Station. Studies will analyze the Brain-Chip, which consists of neuronal and vascular endothelial cells in a living micro-engineered environment. [Emulate, Inc.] Press Release

AVEO Oncology Announces Pivotal Phase III TIVO-3 Study of Tivozanib in Renal Cell Carcinoma Reaches Enrollment Target

AVEO Oncology announced that the company’s pivotal TIVO-3 trial, a randomized, controlled, multi-center, open-label study to compare tivozanib to sorafenib in subjects with refractory advanced renal cell carcinoma has reached its enrollment target of 322 patients, more than two months ahead of the company’s initial guidance. Tivozanib, the company’s lead program, is a potent, selective, long half-life inhibitor of all three vascular endothelial growth factor receptors. [AVEO Oncology] Press Release

US Court Grants Elsevier Millions in Damages from Sci-Hub

One of the world’s largest science publishers, Elsevier, won a default legal judgement against websites that provide illicit access to tens of millions of research papers and books. A New York district court awarded Elsevier US$15 million in damages for copyright infringement by Sci-Hub, the Library of Genesis project and related sites. [Nature News] Editorial

University of Tokyo Scientist Hit by Anonymous Allegations Fights Back

Last September, anonymous allegations of questionable data and images in 22 papers by six prominent groups at the prestigious University of Tokyo prompted the school to set up an investigating committee. Now, even before the panel completes its investigation, one of the accused researchers has mounted a staunch defense of his work, with a point-by-point rebuttal of the allegations and an apology for mistakes confirmed in several of the questioned papers. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Keystone Symposia: Vascular Biology and Human Diseases: From Molecular Pathways to Novel Therapeutics
February 25-March 1, 2018
Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States

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NEW Postdoctoral Position – Angiogenesis and Tumor Biology (University of Illinois)

Faculty Position – Endothelial Cell Biology (Northwestern University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Vascular Cell Signaling (Louisiana State University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Tumor and Immune Angiogenesis (Stanford University)

PhD Positions – Tight Junction Research (Charite, University Medicine Berlin)

Postdoctoral Position – Biomaterials (Linnaeus University)

Postdoctoral Research Assistant – Cancer and Vascular Biology (University of Oxford)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Immunity (University of Illinois)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Cardiopulmonary Molecular Biology (Hannover Medical School)

Postdoctoral Positions – Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism (VIB)

PhD Positions – Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism (VIB)

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