Endothelial Cell News Volume 2.36 | Oct 30 2017

TOP STORY

Researchers Identify Protein that Plays Key Role in Diabetic Blindness

Researchers identified a protein that when inhibited reduces diabetic retinopathy, a condition that results when blood vessels at the back of the eye leak fluid into the eye, impairing vision. [Press release from University of Utah Health discussing online prepublication in The Journal of Clinical Investigation] Press Release | Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Hyperlipidemia-Induced Cholesterol Crystal Production by Endothelial Cells Promotes Atherogenesis

The authors showed that endothelial cells take up and metabolize low density lipoproteins, and when overburdened with intracellular cholesterol, generate cholesterol crystals (CC). The CC were deposited on the basolateral side, and compromised endothelial function. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Necroptosis Controls NET Generation and Mediates Complement Activation, Endothelial Damage, and Autoimmune Vasculitis

Scientists report that antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) induces neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) via receptor-interacting protein kinase receptor-interacting protein kinase 1/3- and mixed-lineage kinase domain-like-dependent necroptosis. NETs from ANCA-stimulated neutrophils caused endothelial cell damage in vitro. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Induction of Anti-VEGF Therapy Resistance by Upregulated Expression of Microseminoprotein (MSMP)

To identify microenvironmental factors underlying the resistance of cancer to antiangiogenesis therapy, investigators conducted genomic analyses of intraperitoneal ovarian tumors in which adaptive resistance to anti-VEGF therapy developed. MSMP secretion from cancer cells was induced by hypoxia, triggering MAPK signaling in endothelial cells to promote tube formation in vitro. [Oncogene] Abstract

Catheter-Directed Intraportal Delivery of Endothelial Cell Therapy for Liver Regeneration: A Feasibility Study in a Large-Animal Model of Cirrhosis

Scientists demonstrated the feasibility of imaging-guided catheter-directed delivery of endothelial cell therapy in a porcine model of cirrhosis for liver regeneration. Swine treated with endothelial cell therapy showed mean levels of surrogate markers of hepatobiliary injury that were consistent with decreases in hepatic fibrosis and biliary ductal damage relative to the control animals, although statistical significance was not met in this pilot study. [Radiology] Abstract | Press Release

20(S)-Protopanaxadiol Enhances Angiogenesis via HIF-1α-Mediated VEGF Secretion by Activating p70S6 Kinase and Benefits Wound Healing in Genetically Diabetic Mice

Researchers found that 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (PPD), an aglycone of ginsenosides in Panax notoginseng, stimulated angiogenesis and benefited wound healing in genetically diabetic mice. In HUVECs, PPD promoted cell proliferation, tube formation and VEGF secretion accompanied by increased nuclear translocalization of HIF-1α, which led to elevated VEGF mRNA expression. [Exp Mol Med] Full Article

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-C Ameliorates Renal Interstitial Fibrosis through Lymphangiogenesis in Mouse Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction

The authors investigated the effect of VEGF-C on lymphangiogenesis, inflammation, and fibrosis in the mouse kidney using the unilateral ureteral obstruction model. In cultured lymphatic endothelial cells, administration of VEGF-C increased the activity and proliferation of lymphatic endothelial cells and expression of adhesion molecules such as vascular cell adhesion molecule-1. [Lab Invest] Abstract

Regulatory Compliant Tissue-Engineered Human Corneal Endothelial Grafts Restore Corneal Function of Rabbits with Bullous Keratopathy

Isolated primary human corneal endothelial cells propagated using a dual media approach refined towards regulatory compliance showed expression of markers indicative of the human corneal endothelium, and could be tissue-engineered onto thin corneal stromal carriers. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Ethanol Induces Enhanced Vascularization Bioactivity of Endothelial Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles via Regulation of MicroRNAs and Long Non-Coding RNAs

Scientists assessed whether ethanol, which induces angiogenic phenotypes in endothelial cells, could be employed to enhance endothelial-derived extracellular vesicle (EV) vascularization bioactivity. The results indicated that ethanol conditioning of endothelial cells increases the ability of endothelial EVs to induce a pro-vascularization response. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Rapamycin Inhibits ox-LDL-Induced Inflammation in Human Endothelial Cells In Vitro by Inhibiting the mTORC2/PKC/c-Fos Pathway

The authors explored the effects of rapamycin on ox-LDL-induced adhesion molecule expression and macrophage adhesion to endothelial cells in vitro and the underlying mechanisms. [Acta Pharmacol Sin] Abstract

Dimethyloxalylglycine Preserves the Intestinal Microvasculature and Protects against Intestinal Injury in a Neonatal Mouse NEC Model: Role of VEGF Signaling

Investigators hypothesized that prolyl hydroxylase inhibition, which stabilizes hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, protects against necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) by promoting intestinal endothelial cell proliferation and improving intestinal microvascular integrity via VEGF signaling. [Pediatr Res] Abstract

Effects of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors and Their Receptors on Megakaryocytes and Platelets and Related Diseases

VEGFs and their receptors are abnormally expressed in megakaryocyte-related diseases, including myeloproliferative neoplasms, myelodysplastic syndromes and acute megakaryocytic leukemia, and they lead to the disordered proliferation/differentiation of bone marrow cells and angiogenesis, indicating that they are closely related to these diseases. [Br J Haematol] Abstract

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

FDA Accepts Genentech’s Supplemental Biologics License Application for Avastin as a Front-Line Treatment for Women with Advanced Ovarian Cancer

Genentech announced that the FDA has accepted the company’s supplemental Biologics License Application for Avastin^® in combination with chemotherapy, followed by Avastin alone, for the front-line treatment of women with advanced ovarian cancer. [Genentech] Press Release

Allergan Receives Approval for Ozurdex^® (Dexamethasone Intravitreal Implant 0.7 mg) in China for the Treatment of Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO)

Allergan plc announced that it received an Imported Drugs License from the Chinese Food and Drug Administration to market Ozurdex^® for the treatment of adult patients with macular edema following either branch RVO or central RVO. [Allergan plc] Press Release

US March for Science Group Faces Growing Pains

The US group that sparked the global March for Science movement is facing complaints about its management practices as it files for non-profit status and signals its intent to continue as “a movement to advance science and its role in public life”. [Nature News] Editorial

Bitter CRISPR Patent War Intensifies

The long-running battle over US patents for CRISPR–Cas9 gene editing continues. The Broad Institute of Cambridge, Massachusetts, filed a fresh set of arguments with the US government to defend a key patent. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW The 2018 World Stem Cell Summit (WSCS)
January 22-26, 2018
Miami, Florida, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Positions – Molecular Neurobiology (San Raffaele Institute)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow or Research Assistant Professor – Lung and Vascular Biology (Northwestern University)

NEW Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Lung and Vascular Biology (University of Illinois at Chicago)

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

PhD Studentship – Cardiovascular Research (Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research)

Postdoctoral Position – Basic Neuroscience (McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School)

Scientist – Angiogenesis (University of East Anglia)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Pulmonary Vascular Biology (Stanford University)

Postdoctoral Position – Cardiovascular Development and Congenital Heart Disease (Thomas Jefferson University)

Postdoctoral Position – Biology of Blood Platelets (INSERM)

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