Endothelial Cell News Volume 4.12 | Apr 8 2019

TOP STORY

Microfabricated Blood Vessels for Modeling the Vascular Transport Barrier

Scientists describe how to design and fabricate the silicon human engineered microvessel (hEMV) device master molds and elastomeric substrates; how to seed, culture, and apply calibrated fluid shear stress to hEMVs; and how to assess vascular barrier function and perform immunofluorescence imaging. [Nat Protoc] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Sec14l3 Potentiates VEGFR2 Signaling to Regulate Zebrafish Vasculogenesis

Researchers showed that zebrafish sec14l3 specifically participated in artery and vein formation via regulating angioblasts and subsequent venous progenitors’ migration during vasculogenesis. Vascular defects caused by sec14l3 depletion were partially rescued by restoration of VEGFR2 signaling at the receptor or downstream effector level. [Nat Commun] Full Article

N-Terminal Syndecan-2 Domain Selectively Enhances 6-O Heparan Sulfate Chains Sulfation and Promotes VEGFA₁₆₅-Dependent Neovascularization

Scientists report that mice with global and inducible endothelial-specific deletion of syndecan (Sdc)-2 displayed marked angiogenic and arteriogenic defects and impaired VEGFA165 signaling. No such abnormalities were observed in mice with deletion of the closely related Sdc4 gene. [Nat Commun] Full Article

VE-PTP Stabilizes VE-Cadherin Junctions and the Endothelial Barrier via a Phosphatase-Independent Mechanism

Vascular endothelial (VE) protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) served as an adaptor protein that through binding and inhibiting the RhoGEF GEF-H1 modulated RhoA activity and tension across VE-cadherin junctions. Overexpression of the VE-PTP cytosolic domain mutant interacting with GEF-H1 in VE-PTP-depleted endothelial cells reduced GEF-H1 activity and restored VE-cadherin dynamics at adherens junstions. [J Cell Biol] Abstract

NOX4 Is a Major Regulator of Cord Blood-Derived Endothelial Colony-Forming Cells Which Promotes Postischemic Revascularization

In vitro cord blood-derived endothelial colony-forming cell (CB-ECFC) migration and tubulogenesis was enhanced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced superoxide in a NOX-dependent manner. CB-ECFCs highly-expressed NOX4 which was further induced by PMA, whilst NOX4 siRNA and plasmid overexpression reduced and potentiated in vitro function, respectively. [Cardiovasc Res] Abstract

Uric Acid Treatment after Stroke Modulates the Krüppel-Like Factor 2-VEGF-A Axis to Protect Brain Endothelial Cell Functions: Impact of Hypertension

The authors investigated whether uric acid treatment after ischemic stroke protects brain endothelial cell function and modulates the Krüppel-like factor 2-VEGF-A axis. Blood-brain barrier permeability was evaluated by Evans blue extravasation to the brain and in human cerebral endothelial hCMEC/D3 cells under oxygen-glucose deprivation/re-oxygenation. [Biochem Pharmacol] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

NIK-IKK Complex Interaction Controls NF-κB-Dependent Inflammatory Activation of Endothelium in Response to LTβR Ligation

Engagement of lymphotoxin-β receptor (LTβR)-triggered canonical and non-canonical NF-κB signaling promoted expression of inflammatory mediators and adhesion molecules, and increased immune cell adhesion to endothelial cells (ECs). Sustained LTβR-induced inflammatory activation of ECs was NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK) dependent, but independent of p100, indicating that the non-canonical arm of NF-κB was not involved. [J Cell Sci] Abstract

TMEM30A Deficiency in Endothelial Cells Impairs Cell Proliferation and Angiogenesis

Investigators showed that TMEM30A played critical roles in retinal vascular angiogenesis, which is a fundamental process in vascular development. They indicated that knockdown of TMEM30A in primary human retinal endothelial cells led to reduced tube formation. Deletion of Tmem30a also impaired vessel barrier integrity. [J Cell Sci] Abstract

Activation of the STAT3/MicroRNA-21 Pathway Participates in Angiotensin II-Induced Angiogenesis

Scientists found that angiotensin II (AngII) exerted a proangiogenic role, indicated by the promotion of proliferation, migration, and tube formation in human microvascular endothelial cells (HMECs). miR-21 was found to be upregulated in AngII-treated HMECs, and its specific inhibitor potently blocked the proangiogenic effects of AngII. [J Cell Physiol] Full Article

Irisin Attenuates Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein Impaired Angiogenesis through AKT/mTOR/S6K1/Nrf2 Pathway

Researchers investigated the effect of irisin on angiogenesis in vitro by evaluating cell viability, cell migration, and the capacity to form capillary-like tubes using HUVECs and human microvascular endothelial cells that were treated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract

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Insight into the Role of Chondroitin Sulfate E in Angiogenesis

The authors focus on the emerging area of chondroitin sulfate (CS)-mediated angiogenesis and particularly on the critical assessment of data related to a potential role of CS-E in controlling endothelial cell functions, focusing on angiogenesis regulation and vascular homeostasis in health and disease. [FEBS J] Abstract | Full Article

Endothelial Cell Barriers: Transport of Molecules between Blood and Tissues

An endothelial cell monolayer separates interstitia from blood and lymph and determines the bidirectional transfer of solutes and macromolecules across these biological spaces. Investigators review advances in transport modalities across these endothelial barriers. [Traffic] Abstract

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Allergan and Molecular Partners Announce Topline Safety Results from MAPLE Study of Abicipar Pegol

Allergan plc announced topline safety results from MAPLE, a 28 week open-label study which enrolled 123 age-related Neovascular Macular Degeneration patients and evaluated the safety of abicipar produced via a modified manufacturing process. [Allergan plc] Press Release

Oxurion NV Announces Full Enrollment of Its Phase II Trial Evaluating Efficacy and Safety of the Combination of Anti-PlGF (THR-317) and Anti-VEGF (Ranibizumab) for the Treatment of DME, Ahead of Schedule

Oxurion NV announced that all patients have been enrolled in its Phase II trial evaluating its THR-317, a humanized antibody against placental growth factor (PlGF), in combination with anti-VEGF, an anti-VEGF antibody, for the treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema (DME). [Oxurion NV] Press Release

SANUWAVE Launches Two Studies: Perfusion and Dosing; Results Expected in 2019

SANUWAVE Health, Inc. announced initial enrollment beginning this week in two company-sponsored studies. SANUWAVE is sponsoring an initial case series to quantify the level of increased perfusion and oxygenation during and after treatment of Diabetic foot ulcers with the dermaPACE^® System. [SANUWAVE Health, Inc.] Press Release

Humacyte Awarded ‘Large Project Prototype of the Year’ from the Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium

Humacyte received the Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium (MTEC) Large Project Prototype of the Year Award, in recognition of the development of its human acellular vessel. The US Department of Defense and MTEC have highlighted a critical need to harness the potential of regenerative medicine to treat traumatic vascular injuries of war. [Humacyte, Inc.] Press Release

SANUWAVE Receives US and European Patents for Intracorporeal Shockwave Systems for Treating Blood Vessels in Cardiology and Endovascular Fields

SANUWAVE Health, Inc. received United States Patent US 10,238,405 on March 26, 2019 entitled “Blood Vessel Treatment with Intracorporeal Pressure Shock Waves” which has a patent life up to January 2032 from the US Patent and Trademark Office. [SANUWAVE Health, Inc.] Press Release

Brazil’s Government Freezes Nearly Half of Its Science Spending

Researchers in Brazil are up in arms after President Jair Bolsonaro’s government announced late March that it had frozen 42% of the budget for the country’s science and communications ministry. [Nature News] Editorial

Academic Researchers at the University of California Form a Union

Leaders at the University of California issued a letter stating that they have reached an agreement to recognize a union of academic researchers at their campuses. They have agreed on which categories of employees would qualify for the union, including professional researchers who do not hold academic appointments. [The Scientist] Editorial

NIH Tightens Security, Blocking Iranian Scientists from Campus

In an apparent security crackdown, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is requiring visitors to reveal their citizenship and has recently blocked two Iranian scientists who came to give presentations from entering its campus, The Washington Post reports. [The Scientist] Editorial

NEW Gordon Research Seminar: Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering
July 28-August 2, 2019
Barcelona, Spain

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NEW Postdoctoral Scientists – Metabolic Regulation of Vascular Formation (Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation)

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Vascular Tissue Engineering (BioTis)

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Vascular Development (University of Massachusetts Medical School)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Endothelial Permeability & Vascular Inflammation (University of Illinois at Chicago)

PhD Position – Vascular Biology (Uppsala University)

Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Regulatory Pathways During Development (Oxford University)

Postdoctoral Position – Vascular Biology (Albert Einstein College of Medicine)

Faculty Position – Bioengineering (University of Pittsburgh)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Vascular Biology (Stanford School of Medicine)

Assistant/Associate Adjunct Professor – Cardiovascular Medicine (UC Davis)

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