Endothelial Cell News Volume 2.27 | Aug 14 2017

TOP STORY

Reck and Gpr124 Are Essential Receptor Cofactors for Wnt7a/Wnt7b-Specific Signaling in Mammalian CNS Angiogenesis and Blood-Brain Barrier Regulation

The authors showed that vascular endothelial cell (EC)-specific reduction in Reck impairs CNS angiogenesis and that EC-specific postnatal loss of Reck, combined with loss of Norrin, impairs blood-brain barrier maintenance. [Neuron] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Neutrophil Activation of Endothelial Cell-Expressed TRPM2 Mediates Transendothelial Neutrophil Migration and Vascular Injury

Investigators addressed the possible role of transient receptor potential melastatin-2 (TRPM2) expressed in endothelial cells (ECs) in the mechanism of transendothelial migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). They observed defective PMN transmigration in response to LPS challenge in adult mice in which the EC expressed TRPM2 was conditionally deleted. [Circ Res] Abstract

Ex Vivo Pretreatment of Human Vessels with siRNA Nanoparticles Provides Protein Silencing in Endothelial Cells

The authors report the development of small interfering RNA-releasing poly(amine-co-ester) nanoparticles, distinguished by their high content of a hydrophobic lactone. They showed that a single transfection of small interfering RNA targeting class II transactivator attenuates major histocompatibility complex class II expression on endothelial cells for at least four to six weeks after transplantation into immunodeficient mouse hosts. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Melatonin Ameliorates Hypoglycemic Stress-Induced Brain Endothelial Tight Junction Injury by Inhibiting Protein Nitration of TP53-Induced Glycolysis and Apoptosis Regulator (TIGAR)

Researchers report that the microvessel integrity was dramatically compromised in TIGAR transgenic mice stressed by hypoglycemia. Melatonin, a potent antioxidant, protected against hypoglycemic stress-induced brain endothelial tight junction injury. [J Pineal Res] Abstract

DACH1 Stimulates Shear Stress-Guided Endothelial Cell Migration and Coronary Artery Growth through the CXCL12-CXCR4 Signaling Axis

The authors showed that mice lacking endothelial Dach1 had small coronary arteries, decreased endothelial cell polarization, and reduced expression of the chemokine Cxcl12. Under shear stress in culture, Dach1 overexpression stimulated endothelial cell polarization and migration against flow, which was reversed upon CXCL12/CXCR4 inhibition. [Genes Dev] Abstract

Three-Dimensional Biomimetic Vascular Model Reveals a RhoA, Rac1, and N-Cadherin Balance in Mural Cell-Endothelial Cell-Regulated Barrier Function

Scientists developed a vessel-on-a-chip with perfused endothelialized channels lined with human bone marrow stromal cells, which adopted a mural cell-like phenotype that recapitulated barrier function of the vasculature. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Full Article

Contribution of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 Sialylation to the Process of Angiogenesis

Investigators demonstrated that vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2) bears both α,1-fucose and α(2,6)-linked sialic acid. However, only the latter was required for VEGF binding to VEGFR2 and consequent VEGF-dependent VEGFR2 activation and motogenic response in endothelial cells. [Oncogene] Abstract

High Glucose–Induced ROS Activates TRPM2 to Trigger Lysosomal Membrane Permeabilization and Zn²⁺-Mediated Mitochondrial Fission

Scientists found that chemical inhibitors, RNAi silencing, and genetic knockout of TRPM2 channels abolished the ability of high glucose to cause mitochondrial fission in endothelial cells, a cell type that is particularly vulnerable to diabetic stress. [Sci Signal] Full Article

The Role of PGE₂ in Alveolar Epithelial and Lung Microvascular Endothelial Crosstalk

It was shown that alveolar epithelial cells release an unidentified soluble factor that enhances the barrier function of lung microvascular endothelial cells. Scientists revealed that primarily prostaglandin (PG) E₂ accounts for this endothelial barrier-promoting activity. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Combinatorial Extracellular Matrix Microenvironments for Probing Endothelial Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Investigators examined the role of combinatorial extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins on endothelial differentiation systematically using an arrayed microscale platform. Human pluripotent stem cells were differentiated on the arrayed ECM microenvironments for five days. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Alginate-Gelatin Encapsulation of Human Endothelial Cells Promoted Angiogenesis in In Vivo and In Vitro Milieu

Researchers investigated the effect of alginate-gelatin encapsulation on angiogenic behavior of human endothelial cells over a period of five days. They demonstrated that encapsulation promoted HUVEC survival and proliferation. [Biotechnol Bioeng] Abstract

Organotypic Vasculature: From Descriptive Heterogeneity to Functional Pathophysiology

Distinct organotypic functional attributes as well as the molecular mechanisms controlling endothelial cell differentiation and vascular bed-specific functions have only emerged in recent years. The authors summarize recent progress in the understanding of organotypic vascular differentiation and function. [Science] Abstract

Molecular Sensors of Blood Flow in Endothelial Cells

Researchers describe different blood flow patterns and summarize current knowledge on mechanosensory molecules regulating endothelial vasoregulatory functions, with clinical implications. [Trends Mol Med] Abstract

A Review of the Evidence for In Vivo Corneal Endothelial Regeneration

Pathologies that damage endothelial function result in corneal decompensation and, if untreated, blindness. The authors summarize the case reports describing complications post-operatively in the form of (sub)total graft detachment and those resulting in post-operative bare stroma. [Surv Ophthalmol] Full Article

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

Stanford and Takeda Pharmaceuticals to Collaborate on Medicines of the Future

A new partnership between Stanford and one of the world’s oldest and largest drug makers, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd., could help speed up the process of bringing drugs from discovery to market. [Stanford University] Press Release

Ophthotech Announces Results from Third Phase III Trial of Fovista^® in Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Ophthotech Corporation announced that the pre-specified primary endpoint of mean change in visual acuity at 12 months was not achieved in its Phase III clinical trial investigating the superiority of Fovista^® anti-PDGF therapy in combination with Eylea^® or Avastin^® anti-VEGF therapy compared to Eylea^® or Avastin^® monotherapy for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration. [Ophthotech Corporation] Press Release

Researchers Rally around Science Advocate Convicted in Egypt

Scientists, engineers, and others are hoping an Egyptian court will reconsider a prison sentence given to one of the nation’s most prominent science advocates. In a surprising outcome, an Egyptian judge sentenced Ismail Serageldin, founding director of Egypt’s Library of Alexandria, to three and a half years in prison for financial misdemeanors. [Science Insider] Editorial

Americans Are Becoming More Open to Human Genome Editing, Survey Finds, but Concerns Remain

Earlier surveys of Americans found a reluctance to support human genome editing, with many respondents expressing ethical and other concerns about such intentional tinkering. A new survey found that two-thirds of the 1600 respondents thought genome editing was generally “acceptable.” But that acceptance was qualified, and colored by religious beliefs and scientific knowledge. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Thousands across India March in Support of Science

Thousands of scientists, university students and science enthusiasts gathered in dozens of Indian cities to march in support of science — lamenting their country’s low levels of funding for research, and complaining about government promotion of ‘unscientific ideas’. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Regenerative Biology and Applications: Cell Differentiation, Tissue Organization and Biomedical Engineering (T3)
October 15-19, 2017
Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong

NEW International Vascular Biology Meeting (IVBM) 2018
June 3-7, 2018
Amsterdam, Netherlands

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Childhood Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Disease (University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus)

NEW Research Associate – Developmental Cell Biology (The University of Manchester)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Structural Biology (Karolinska Institutet)

Tenure-Track Faculty Scientist (Temple University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Mechanobiology of Tissue Repair (St. Michael’s Hospital)

Assistant Professor – Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (Harvard University)

Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Tissue Repair (The University of Alabama)

Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Drug Discovery and Cell Therapy (Inserm)

Assistant Professor – Vascular and Microvascular Biophysics (Western University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Endocrinology (The University of Tennessee Health Science Center)

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

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.