Up-regulation of p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) is associated with apoptosis in chronic pancreatitis

Activation of apoptosis in chronic pancreatitis has been demonstrated. The low-affinity neurotrophin receptor p75 (p75NTR) mediates apoptosis in many cell types in vivo and in vitro. The aim of this study was to examine whether p75NTR is involved in the apoptotic process in chronic pancreatitis. The quantity and localization of the receptor was evaluated using northern blot analysis, in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and western blot analysis. Apoptosis was determined by TUNEL assay. By northern blot analysis, p75NTR mRNA levels were increased 40-fold in chronic pancreatitis compared with normal pancreas (P < 0.01). in situ hybridization revealed weak p75NTR mRNA expression in some ductal cells in the normal pancreas. In contrast in chronic pancreatitis moderate p75NTR expression was present in acinar cells next to fibrosis, ductal cells, and cells of ductular structures as well as in some islet cells. Immunostaining of p75NTR in normal pancreas and chronic pancreatitis tissue samples showed a similar intensity and distribution pattern as found by in situ hybridization. Higher p75NTR protein levels could be confirmed by western blot analysis, which revealed an 8.6-fold increase of p75NTR in chronic pancreatitis. TUNEL staining showed, in chronic pancreatitis samples, positivity in some acinar cells next to fibrosis, some ductal cells, and cells of ductular structures. Also some islet cells were positive by TUNEL staining. The presence of p75NTR immunoreactivity was positively correlated (P < 0.05) with the apoptotic index in the exocrine and endocrine pancreas. In conclusion, p75NTR, the low-affinity receptor of neurotrophins which mediates apoptosis, is up-regulated in CP and is involved in the apoptotic process of the exocrine and endocrine pancreas.     

Reduced apoptosis and increased lesion development in the flow-restricted carotid artery of p75(NTR)-null mutant mice

Apoptosis of neointimal smooth muscle cells is a well-recognized component of the pathogenesis of vascular lesions. In recent studies, we have identified the neurotrophin receptor, p75(NTR), as a mediator of apoptosis of neointimal smooth muscle cells. Neurotrophin ligands and p75(NTR) are selectively expressed in areas of atherosclerotic lesions with increased smooth muscle cell apoptosis and the neurotrophins are potent apoptotic agents for p75(NTR)-expressing smooth muscle cells in vitro. In the present study, we directly assess the role of p75(NTR) in lesion development in the flow-restricted carotid artery, a model of murine vascular injury. Ligation of the left carotid artery resulted in a 3- to 4-fold increase in lesion development in p75(NTR)-null mutant mice as compared with wild-type mice. The increase in lesion size was associated with a 70% decrease in apoptosis of neointimal smooth muscle cells, as assessed by in situ TUNEL analysis. These data suggest that under conditions of flow restriction, p75(NTR) activation impairs lesion formation by promoting smooth muscle cell apoptosis. These results further implicate p75(NTR) as an important regulator of smooth muscle cell apoptosis and lesion development after vascular injury.     

High nerve growth factor receptor (p75NTR) expression is a favourable prognostic factor in paediatric B cell precursor-acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Nerve growth factor (NGF) plays a pivotal role in cellular survival/death decisions with the low affinity receptor p75NTR predominately transmitting anti-proliferative signals. In spite of its established role in B-cell function and identification as a prognostically favourable marker in a number of malignancies, little is known about the expression pattern and prognostic significance of p75NTR in B cell precursor-acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (BCP-ALL). p75NTR expression was prospectively studied on primary ALL-blasts in a cohort of paediatric patients with common ALL (n = 86) and preB-ALL (n = 34) treated within the Co-operative study group for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (CoALL) protocol, CoALL06-97. Flow cytometric analysis showed that almost half of the patients expressed no or negligible amounts of p75NTR (<10%). The median expression in patients expressing p75NTR beyond that threshold was 49% (range 11-100%). In patients classified as low-risk at diagnosis, p75NTR expression was significantly higher than in high-risk patients (P = 0.001). Of note, p75NTR expression was lower in the 21 patients who subsequently developed relapse compared with those remaining in remission (P = 0.038). Accordingly, relapse-free survival was significantly better in patients expressing high surface p75NTR (P = 0.041). Thus, in this prospective analysis, high p75NTR expression was a strong prognostic marker that identified a group of paediatric ALL patients with favourable outcome.     

Nerve growth factor promotes reparative angiogenesis and inhibits endothelial apoptosis in cutaneous wounds of Type 1 diabetic mice

Aims/hypothesis The neurotrophin nerve growth factor (NGF) is pro-angiogenic and facilitates wound repair. The present study was conducted to (i) assess the statement of NGF system components in diabetic wounds and (ii) evaluate whether NGF supplementation could prevent impairment of wound neoangiogenesis by diabetes.Methods Skin wounds were produced in the interscapular region of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. NGF (1 µg per day in PBS) or vehicle was applied onto the ulcers for 3 days after punching. Non-diabetic mice were used as controls.Results In wounds of untreated diabetic mice, endogenous levels of immunoreactive NGF were lower than those in wounds of non-diabetic mice (p<0.01). Immunohistochemical analysis showed down-regulation of tyrosine kinase receptor-A (TrkA) and up-regulation of p75 receptor in granulation tissue microvasculature. Local NFG administration prevented diabetes-induced expressional alterations, enhanced reparative capillarisation (p<0.01), and accelerated wound closure (p<0.01). This was associated with a three-fold increase in endothelial cell proliferation (p<0.01), while apoptosis was reduced by 50% (p<0.05). Quantitative RT-PCR documented a 5.5-fold increase in the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) by exogenous NGF in diabetic tissues (p<0.01). In in vitro preparations of human endothelial cells from derma, NGF increased the release of immunoreactive VEGF-A, and reduced high-glucose-induced apoptosis (p<0.05), the latter effect being inhibited by a VEGF-A receptor-2 antagonist.Conclusions/interpretation Diabetic ulcers display distinct alterations in reparative angiogenesis and in the expression of NGF and its receptors. NGF supplementation corrects endogenous liabilities, facilitates vascular regeneration, and suppresses endothelial apoptosis seemingly via VEGF-A. Our findings unravel new mechanisms responsible for NGF reparative action.Abbreviations EC endothelial cell - NGF nerve growth factor - TUNEL terminal-deoxynucleotidyl-mediated deoxyuridine-5-triphosphate nick-end labelling - TrkA tyrosine kinase receptor-A - VEGF-A vascular endothelial growth factor-A     

Bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) inhibits angiogenesis via induction of apoptosis in vascular endothelial cells

Bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) has been known for some time to function in killing bacteria and in neutralizing the effects of bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide. In the present study, BPI is found to be a novel endogenous inhibitor of angiogenesis. Within the sub-muM range, BPI shows a concentration-dependent inhibition of endothelial cell (EC) proliferation that is mediated by cell detachment and subsequent induction of apoptosis. As measured by flow cytometric analysis of the percentage of subdiploid cells, apoptosis induction was half-maximal at about 250 nmol/L BPI. Apoptosis was confirmed by quantification of cells with nuclear fragmentation. Apoptosis was found to be EC specific. In an in vitro collagen gel-based angiogenesis assay, BPI at 1.8 micromol/L inhibited tube formation by 81% after only 24 hours. Evidence for in vivo inhibition of angiogenesis was obtained, using the chorioallantoic membrane assay in which BPI was seen to be significantly effective at concentrations as low as 180 nmol/L. This newly discovered function of BPI might provide a possible therapeutic modality for the treatment of various pathologic disorders that depend on angiogenesis.     

The simple truth is seldom true and never simple: dual role for p75(NTR) in transdifferentation and cell death of hepatic stellate cells

Differentiation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) to extracellular matrix- and growth factor-producing cells supports liver regeneration through promotion of hepatocyte proliferation. We show that the neurotrophin receptor p75(NTR), a tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member expressed in HSCs after fibrotic and cirrhotic liver injury in humans, is a regulator of liver repair. In mice, depletion of p75(NTR) exacerbated liver pathology and inhibited hepatocyte proliferation in vivo. p75 (NTR-/-) HSCs failed to differentiate to myofibroblasts and did not support hepatocyte proliferation. Moreover, inhibition of p75(NTR) signaling to the small guanosine triphosphatase Rho resulted in impaired HSC differentiation. Our results identify signaling from p75(NTR) to Rho as a mechanism for the regulation of HSC differentiation to regeneration-promoting cells that support hepatocyte proliferation in the diseased liver.     

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) and its soluble receptor p75 (sTNF-R p75) in familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL)

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL) is a genetic disorder of lipid metabolism associated with insulin resistance and abnormalities in fatty acid metabolism whose underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Perturbations in the TNFalpha/TNF-R pathway may play a role in these abnormalities. METHODS AND RESULTS: We determined plasma levels of TNFalpha and sTNF-R p75 in 85 FCHL patients (TC 245+/-45 mg/dl; TG 260+/-148 mg/dl; apoB 148+/-37 mg/dl) and in 29 age- and sex-matched normolipemic relatives (NL) (TC 187+/-22.8 mg/dl; TG 115+/-37 mg/dl; apoB 106+/-16 mg/dl). Thirty-four normolipemic subjects (TC 180+/-34 mg/dl; TG 107+/-42 mg/dl; apoB 95+/-22 mg/dl) were also included as unrelated controls (NC). Plasma free fatty acids (NEFA) were also measured and insulin sensitivity was evaluated by HOMA. Levels of sTNF-R p75 were significantly reduced in FCHL compared to NL (2.30+/-0.55 ng/ml vs. 2.64+/-0.88 ng/ml, p<0.05) but not compared to NC (2.35+/-0.68 ng/ml). HOMA values were comparable in all groups and did not show any relation with plasma levels of sTNF-R p75. Logistic analysis demonstrated that a low concentration of sTNF-R p75 was an independent predictor of the affected status within FCHL families, but this role was no longer evident when FCHL patients were compared to NC. In FCHL, age (p<0.001) was positively, and TG (p=0.029) and HDL-C (p=0.025) were negatively correlated with plasma concentrations of sTNF-R p75. In the other groups, age (in NL) and non-HDL-C (in NC) were significantly correlated with sTNF-R p75. CONCLUSIONS: Although our data do not support a causative role of TNFalpha/TNF-R alterations in FCHL, they confirm that variation in TNF-R shedding may influence lipid phenotypic expression in FCHL families.     

Domain 5 of high molecular weight kininogen (kininostatin) down-regulates endothelial cell proliferation and migration and inhibits angiogenesis

We have demonstrated that high molecular weight kininogen (HK) binds specifically on endothelial cells to domain 2/3 of the urokinase receptor (uPAR). Inhibition by vitronectin suggests that kallikrein-cleaved HK (HKa) is antiadhesive. Plasma kallikrein bound to HK cleaves prourokinase to urokinase, initiating cell-associated fibrinolysis. We postulated that HK cell binding domains would inhibit angiogenesis. We found that recombinant domain 5 (D5) inhibited endothelial cell migration toward vitronectin 85% at 0.27 microM with an IC(50) (concentration to yield 50% inhibition) = 0.12 microM. A D5 peptide, G486-K502, showed an IC(50) = 0.2 microM, but a 25-mer peptide from a D3 cell binding domain only inhibited migration 10% at 139 microM (IC(50) > 50 microM). D6 exhibited weaker inhibitory activity (IC(50) = 0.50 microM). D5 also potently inhibited endothelial cell proliferation with an IC(50) = 30 nM, while D3 and D6 were inactive. Using deletion mutants of D5, we localized the smallest region for full activity to H441-D474. To further map the active region, we created a molecular homology model of D5 and designed a series of peptides displaying surface loops. Peptide 440-455 was the most potent (IC(50) = 100 nM) in inhibiting proliferation but did not inhibit migration. D5 inhibited angiogenesis stimulated by fibroblast growth factor FGF2 (97%) in a chicken chorioallantoic membrane assay at 270 nM, and peptide 400-455 was also inhibitory (79%). HK D5 (for which we suggest the designation, "kininostatin") is a potent inhibitor of endothelial cell migration and proliferation in vitro and of angiogenesis in vivo. (Blood. 2000;95:543-550)     

Complications impaired endothelial progenitor cell function in Type 2 diabetic patients with or without critical leg ischaemia: implication for impaired neovascularization in diabetes

Aims This study tested the hypothesis that migratory function of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) is impaired in Type 2 diabetic patients with or without critical leg ischaemia. Methods Seventy‐four patients were classified into four groups: Type 2 diabetic (n = 21) and non‐diabetic patients (n = 10) with critical leg ischaemia and Type 2 diabetic patients without lower extremity vascular disease (n = 30) and healthy subjects (n = 13). The number and functional activity of circulating and cultured EPCs were determined. Results The migratory function of cultured EPCs was significantly impaired in diabetic patients without (median, 48, interquartile range, 46, 49 count/view/well) and with (median, 51, interquartile range, 46, 60 count/view/well) critical leg ischaemia and non‐diabetic patients with critical leg ischaemia (median, 49, interquartile range, 47, 55 count/view/well) compared with healthy subjects (median, 63, interquartile range, 57, 65 count/view/well) (P < 0.0001). The number of circulating EPCs was lower in Type 2 diabetic patients without lower extremity vascular disease (median, 3500, interquartile range, 1600, 6600/10⁶ cytometric events) than Type 2 diabetic patients with critical leg ischaemia (median, 5300, interquartile range, 2400, 11 100/10⁶ cytometric events), non‐diabetic patients with critical leg ischaemia (median, 5550, interquartile range, 2000, 32 100/10⁶ cytometric events) and healthy subjects (median, 5400, interquartile range, 2700, 8700/10⁶ cytometric events) (P = 0.413). Conclusions The migratory function of EPCs is impaired in patients with Type 2 diabetes, even in those without critical leg ischaemia. These findings present an important new insight into the pathogenesis of impaired neovascularization and critical limb ischaemia in diabetic patients and provide avenues of future clinical study.     

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha directly inhibits human erythropoiesis in vitro: role of p55 and p75 TNF receptors

Two tumor necrosis factor receptors (TNFRs) with molecular weights of 55 kD (TNFR-p55) and 75 kD (TNFR-p75) have recently been identified and cloned. In previous studies, TNFR-p55 has been shown to exclusively mediate bidirectional effects of TNF-alpha on committed bone marrow granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells, whereas both TNFR-p55 and TNFR- p75 can mediate inhibition of primitive progenitors requiring multiple cytokines to proliferate. We show here that TNF-alpha potently and directly inhibits the in vitro growth of committed erythroid progenitor cells in response to multiple cytokine combinations, and that TNF-alpha- induced inhibition of burst-forming unit-erythroid colony formation is mainly mediated through TNFR-p55, although TNFR-p75-mediated inhibition could be observed on progenitors responsive to erythropoietin alone. Moreover, at low TNF-alpha concentrations (2 ng/mL), TNF-alpha stimulates interleukin-3-dependent in vitro growth of committed granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells, whereas it potently inhibits erythroid progenitor cell proliferation, showing that one concentration of TNF-alpha can simultaneously and bidirectionally modulate interleukin-3-dependent growth of committed granulocyte-macrophage (stimulation) and erythroid progenitor cells (inhibition).     

Isoprostanes inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor-induced endothelial cell migration, tube formation, and cardiac vessel sprouting in vitro, as well as angiogenesis in vivo via activation of the thromboxane A(2) receptor: a potential link between oxidative stress and impaired angiogenesis

Isoprostanes are endogenously formed end products of lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, they are markers of oxidative stress and independent risk markers of coronary heart disease. In patients experiencing coronary heart disease, impaired angiogenesis may exacerbate insufficient blood supply of ischemic myocardium. We therefore hypothesized that isoprostanes may exert detrimental cardiovascular effects by inhibiting angiogenesis. We studied the effect of isoprostanes on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced migration and tube formation of human endothelial cells (ECs), and cardiac angiogenesis in vitro as well as on VEGF-induced angiogenesis in the chorioallantoic membrane assay in vivo. The isoprostanes 8-iso-PGF(2alpha), 8-iso-PGE(2), and 8-iso-PGA(2) inhibited VEGF-induced migration, tube formation of ECs, and cardiac angiogenesis in vitro, as well as VEGF-induced angiogenesis in vivo via activation of the thromboxane A(2) receptor (TBXA2R): the specific TBXA2R antagonists SQ-29548, BM 567, and ICI 192,605 but not the thromboxane A(2) synthase inhibitor ozagrel blocked the effect of isoprostanes. The isoprostane 8-iso-PGA(2) degraded into 2 biologically active derivatives in vitro, which also inhibited EC tube formation via the TBXA2R. Moreover, short hairpin RNA-mediated knockdown of the TBXA2R antagonized isoprostane-induced effects. In addition, Rho kinase inhibitor Y-27632 reversed the inhibitory effect of isoprostanes and the thromboxane A(2) mimetic U-46619 on EC migration and tube formation. Finally, the various isoprostanes exerted a synergistic inhibitory effect on EC tube formation. We demonstrate for the first time that isoprostanes inhibit angiogenesis via activation of the TBXA2R. By this mechanism, isoprostanes may contribute directly to exacerbation of coronary heart disease and to capillary rarefaction in disease states of increased oxidative stress.     

9-cis-retinoic acid inhibits activation-driven T-cell apoptosis: implications for retinoid X receptor involvement in thymocyte development.

Retinoic acid is a morphogenetic signaling molecule derived from vitamin A and involved in vertebrate development. Two groups of receptors, retinoic acid receptors and retinoid X receptors (RXRs), have been identified. All-trans-retinoic acid is the high-affinity ligand for retinoic acid receptors, and 9-cis-retinoic acid additionally binds RXRs with high affinity. Here we report that although retinoic acid has little inhibitory effect on activation-induced T-cell proliferation, it specifically prevents activation-induced apoptosis of T-cell hybridomas and antigen-specific deletion of immature CD4+CD8+ thymocytes from alpha beta T-cell receptor transgenic mice. 9-cis-Retinoic acid was approximately 10-fold more potent than all-trans-retinoic acid, suggesting that RXRs participate in this process. Thus, although 9-cis-retinoic acid has little immuno-suppressive activity, it is a potent negative regulator of activation-induced T-cell apoptosis, raising the possibility that RXRs may take part in regulating T-cell development.     

Duffy antigen/receptor for chemokines (DARC) attenuates angiogenesis by causing senescence in endothelial cells

Duffy antigen/receptor for chemokines (DARC), expressed on erythrocytes and post-capillary venular endothelial cells, selectively binds both CXC and CC chemokines. DARC binds ELR + angiogenic chemokines such as IL-8 (CXCL8). We show that the DARC on endothelial cells plays a direct role in regulating angiogenesis. Matrigel^TM in vivo plug assay showed that there was more capillary formation in DARC knockout mice compared to wild type mice indicating that DARC attenuated angiogenic activity. In vitro angiogenic assay on Matrigel^TM coated plates using DARC expressing stable human cerebro-microvascular endothelial cells (HCEC) showed that, although capillary formation in transfected cells started early within 4–8 h; capillary formation was attenuated within 12–24 h. Contrarily, mock transfected cells continued to show vascular capillary formation during that time without demonstrating any attenuation. Preincubation of DARC-expressing HCEC with monoclonal antibody (mAb-Fy6) against the N-terminal chemokine-binding domain of DARC increased capillary formation in vitro. Moreover, addition of excess IL-8 during incubation had the similar effect. DARC-expressing transfected endothelial cells underwent senescence in conditioned medium, whereas DARC non-expressing cells remained healthy. Interestingly, after several days in the conditioned medium, DARC expressing senescent cells started to initiate capillary formation; whereas capillary formed with DARC non-expressing cells remained the same. Our data evidently demonstrated that DARC on endothelial cells attenuated the angiogenic activity by causing senescence.     

p15INK4B和p21WAF1基因联合转染对人食管鳞癌细胞系EC109的协同抑制作用

目的:探讨p15INK4B和p21WAF1基因联合转染对人食管鳞癌细胞系EC109细胞增殖和凋亡的影响.方法:脂质体介导PcDNA3.1(+)-p15和pcDNA3.1(+)-p21转染EC109细胞,稳定筛选后用RT-PCR检测转染细胞p15与p21基因mRNA表达,Western blot检测转染细胞P15和P21蛋白的表达.用MTT法和透射电镜检测p15和p21基因分别及联合转染对EC109细胞增殖与凋亡的影响,流式细胞仪检测EC109细胞周期分布与凋亡率.结果:p15和p21转染组EC109细胞生长速度低于空载体组与未转染组,联合转染组与二者单独转染组相比.亦明显抑制EC109细胞体外生长速度.p15和p21转染组EC109细胞发生G1/S阻滞,G1期细胞比例显著高于空载体组和未转染组,S期则显著降低(G1期:60.52%±3.75%,63.12%±2.89% vs 42.17%±5.30%.41.38%±6.54%;S期:22.67%±1.25%,17.96%±2.03% vs 30.96%±3.33%,36.05%±1.78%,均P<0.01),并出现凋亡峰,透射电镜亦发现p15和p21转染组发生细胞凋亡,联合转染组发生更为明显的G1/S阻滞,G1期比例显著升高、S期比例明显降低(G1期:72.83%±2.31% vs60.52%±3.75%,63.12%±2.89%:S期:13.59%±2.59% vs 22.67%±1.25%,17.96%±2.03%.均P<0.05),凋亡率明显升高(21.21%±1.78%vs 4.32±1.74%,10.83%±2.40%,均P<0.01).结论:p15和p21基因联合转染在体外可以进一步增强对人食管鳞癌EC109细胞的抑制与诱导凋亡作用.     

Angiotensin-(1-7) inhibits in vitro endothelial cell tube formation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells through the AT(1-7) receptor

Angiotensin-(1–7) is increased in the circulation during human pregnancy, but its functional role is unknown. Recent studies suggested that it opposes angiotensin II mediated vascular growth. Because angiogenesis is critical to normal embryonic development during human pregnancy, this study assessed the in vitro effects of angiotensin-(1–7) on human umbilical vein endothelial cell tube formation. The blocking effects of the angiotensin-(1–7) receptor antagonist, D-[Alanine⁷]-Ang-(1–7), and angiotensin II receptor AT₁ and AT₂ antagonists, losartan and PD123319, on tube formation were measured by counting tube branch points. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were cultured in EGM-2 medium and treated with angiotensin-(1–7) (0.17 nM–17 μM) for 18 h. Angiotensin-(1–7) inhibited tube formation by 24% (P < 0.01) at all doses tested. Treatment with 1.7 μM angiotensin-(1–7) plus 17 μM D-[Alanine⁷]-Ang-(1–7) resulted in the reversal of angiotensin-(1–7) mediated inhibition of tube formation (P < 0.05). Losartan (17 μM) also reversed the angiotensin-(1–7) mediated inhibition of tube formation (P < 0.05). Tube formation was unaffected by PD123319. These results suggest that angiotensin-(1–7) has an anti-angiogenic effect on human umbilical vein endothelial cells through a unique AT_1–7 receptor that is sensitive to losartan, indicating that angiotensin-(1–7) may play an important role in the regulation of vascular growth in the placenta during pregnancy.