Endothelial Cell News 3.05 February 19, 2018 | |
| |
TOP STORYAtlas of Brain Blood Vessels Provides Fresh Clues to Brain Diseases Researchers presented a detailed molecular atlas of the cells that form the brain’s blood vessels and the life-essential blood-brain barrier. The atlas provided new knowledge regarding the functions of the cells and the barrier, and clues to which cell types are involved in different diseases. [Press release from Karolinska Institutet discussing online prepublication in Nature] Press Release | Abstract | |
| |
PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)CD157 Marks Tissue-Resident Endothelial Stem Cells with Homeostatic and Regenerative Properties Scientists identified CD157 (bst1, bone marrow stromal antigen 1) as a marker of tissue-resident vascular endothelial stem cells (VESCs) in large arteries and veins of numerous mouse organs. Single CD157+ VESCs formed colonies in vitro and generated donor-derived portal vein, sinusoids, and central vein endothelial cells upon transplantation in the liver. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Press Release | Graphical Abstract In cultured HUVECs, nitric oxide donors induced miR-199a/b endogenous expression of and downregulated prostaglandin I2 synthase gene expression, both of which were reversed by carboxyl-PTIO or silence of serum response factor. [Circulation] Abstract Vascular Niche IL-6 Induces Alternative Macrophage Activation in Glioblastoma through HIF-2α The authors identified a vascular niche that controls alternative macrophage activation in glioblastoma (GBM). They showed that tumor-promoting macrophages are spatially proximate to GBM-associated endothelial cells, permissive for angiocrine-induced macrophage polarization. [Nat Commun] Full Article A Microengineered Vascularized Bleeding Model that Integrates the Principal Components of Hemostasis Investigators developed a comprehensive in vitro mechanical injury bleeding model comprising an “endothelialized” microfluidic system coupled with a microengineered pneumatic valve that induces a vascular “injury”. [Nat Commun] Full Article | Press Release Sox7 Promotes High-Grade Glioma by Increasing VEGFR2-Mediated Vascular Abnormality Researchers found up-regulation of Sox7 and down-regulation of Sox17 in tumor endothelial cells (tECs) in mouse high-grade glioma. Sox7 deletion suppressed VEGFR2 expression, vascular abnormality, hypoxia-driven invasion, regulatory T cell infiltration, and tumor growth. [J Exp Med] Abstract Pericyte ALK5/TIMP3 Axis Contributes to Endothelial Morphogenesis in the Developing Brain Although pericytes (PCs) are critical for inducing vascular stability, signaling pathways in PCs that regulate endothelial cell morphogenesis during blood-brain barrier development remain unexplored. Investigators found that murine embryos lacking the transforming growth factor β receptor activin receptor-like kinase 5 (Alk5) in brain PCs develop gross germinal matrix hemorrhage-intraventricular hemorrhage. [Dev Cell] Full Article | Graphical Abstract The Unfolded Protein Response Regulator ATF6 Promotes Mesodermal Differentiation Scientists artificially activated activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6) in stem cells with a small-molecule ATF6 agonist and, conversely, inhibited ATF6 using induced pluripotent stem cells from patients with ATF6 mutations. They found that ATF6 suppressed pluripotency, enhanced differentiation, and unexpectedly directed mesodermal cell fate. [Sci Signal] Full Article | Press Release HOXB4 Promotes Hemogenic Endothelium Formation without Perturbing Endothelial Cell Development Through the use of Runx1(−/−) embryonic stem cells containing a doxycycline-inducible Runx1 coding sequence, investigators uncovered that HOXB4 promoted the formation of hemogenic endothelium cells without altering endothelial cell development. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article Dual-Targeted Theranostic Delivery of miRs Arrests Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Development MicroRNA-126 was used as a therapeutic agent, based on its capability to downregulate vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression in endothelial cells and thereby reduce leukocyte adhesion and exert anti-inflammatory effects. [Mol Ther] Abstract | Graphical Abstract Nicotine Promotes Atherosclerosis via ROS-NLRP3-Mediated Endothelial Cell Pyroptosis Treatment of human aortic endothelial cells with nicotine resulted in NLRP3-ASC inflammasome activation and pyroptosis, as evidenced by cleavage of caspase-1, production of downstream interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18, and elevation of LDH activity and increase of propidium iodide positive cells, which were all inhibited by caspase-1 inhibitor [Cell Death Dis] Full Article Investigators assessed whether a potentially autologous endothelial cell (EC) source derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells can form the same robust, stable microvasculature as previously documented for other sources of ECs. [Sci Rep] Full Article Researchers demonstrated the improved acute viability of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cells following syringe injection delivery in Shear-thinning Hydrogel for Injectable Encapsulation and Long-term Delivery, compared to saline. [Biomater Sci] Abstract | |
| |
REVIEWSNew Insights into the Regulatory Role of MicroRNA in Tumor Angiogenesis and Clinical Implications Investigators summarize the regulatory role of miRNA in tumor angiogenesis, with a highlight on clinical implications of miRNAs as biomarkers for anti-angiogenic therapy response, and as therapeutic interventions against tumor angiogenesis in vivo. [Mol Cancer] Full Article Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the endothelial cell research field. | |
| |
SCIENCE NEWSSanten Inc. announced that the topline results from the Phase I/II study of DE-122 for refractory wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) were presented. The open-label, dose-escalation, sequential-cohort Phase I/II study assessed the safety, tolerability, and bioactivity of a single intravitreal injection of DE-122 at four dose levels in 12 subjects with wet AMD refractory to vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors. [Press release from Santen Inc. (PR Newswire Association LLC) discussing research presented at the 15th Annual Angiogenesis, Exudation, and Degeneration Symposium, Miami] Press Release | |
| |
INDUSTRY NEWSHutchison China MediTech Limited has completed patient enrollment of FALUCA, its Phase III pivotal trial of fruquintinib in advanced, third-line, non-small cell lung cancer patients in China. Fruquintinib is a highly selective and potent oral inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 1, 2 and 3, that has met its primary endpoint in several Phase II and III clinical trials in China for the treatment of lung, colorectal and gastric cancers. [Hutchison China MediTech Limited] Press Release MEI Pharma, Inc. announced that a planned interim review of data supports continuation of its multicenter, investigator sponsored, study evaluating ME-344, a novel mitochondrial inhibitor, in patients with HER2-negative breast cancer. The study is a multicenter, investigator sponsored, randomized, open label, clinical trial evaluating ME-344 in a total of 40 patients with HER2-negative breast cancer in combination with the VEGF inhibitor bevacizumab. [MEI Pharma, Inc.] Press Release Aerpio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced the completion of patient enrollment in the company’s TIME-IIb study, a Phase IIb clinical trial designed to assess the efficacy and safety of Aerpio’s lead candidate AKB-9778 for patients with moderate to severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy. [Aerpio Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release AVEO Oncology announced that the United Kingdom’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published a Final Appraisal Determination recommending FOTIVDA® for the first line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma. [AVEO Oncology] Press Release | |
| |
POLICY NEWSBiden Blasts Science Denialists, Calls to Dramatically Speed Up Fight against Cancer Fresh off a plane from the NATO meeting in Munich, where he’d conferred with world leaders on global defense, former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden issued a forceful call here last night to build on the “Cancer Moonshot” he started while in the White House and transform the way the world fights cancer. [ScienceInsider] Editorial Trump’s Science Advisor, Age 31, Has a Political Science Degree A job that’s been held by some of the nation’s top scientists is now occupied by a 31-year-old politics major from Princeton University. And it’s unlikely to change soon, observers say, leaving President Trump without a science advisor as the administration wrestles with a severe outbreak of the flu, lead-poisoned drinking water and record-breaking disasters that many scientists say are sharpened by rising temperatures. [Scientific American] Editorial Researchers Debate Whether Journals Should Publish Signed Peer Reviews Scientific journals should start routinely publishing the text of peer reviews for each paper they accept, said attendees at a meeting last week of scientists, academic publishers, and funding organizations. But there was little consensus on whether reviewers should have to publicly sign their critiques, which traditionally are accessible only to editors and authors. [ScienceInsider] Editorial
| |
EVENTSNEW The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) Conference 2018 Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
| |
JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Research Fellow – Endothelial Cell Programming (Birmingham University) NEW Postdoctoral Associate – Bioengineering (University of Pittsburgh) NEW Postdoctoral Research Associate – Vascular Inflammation (University of Illinois) PhD Studentship – Tumor Biology (University College London) Postdoctoral Fellow – Vascular Biology (Weill Cornell Medicine) Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Therapeutic Angiogenesis (University of Michigan) Postdoctoral Fellow – Vascular Biology (City of Hope) 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. | |
|