Increased circulating concentrations of the counteradhesive proteins SPARC and thrombospondin-1 in systemic sclerosis (scleroderma). Relationship to platelet and endothelial cell activation

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether circulating concentrations of the counteradhesive proteins SPARC (secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine) and thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) are elevated in scleroderma (systemic sclerosis, SSc). The relationship of these counteradhesive proteins to measures of platelet and endothelial cell activation was examined. METHODS: Plasma from 45 patients with SSc (26 limited form, 19 diffuse) and 22 age and sex matched controls was assayed for SPARC, TSP-1, beta-thromboglobulin (betaTG), and platelet factor 4 (PF4), 2 distinct platelet a-granule products, and soluble E-selectin, a marker of endothelial cell activation. RESULTS: The mean (+/- SE) SPARC concentration was greater in patients with limited SSc (124.0 +/- 9.6 ng/ml) compared to controls (66.8 +/- 8.0 ng/ml) (p = 0.0005), whereas in patients with diffuse SSc (74.1 +/- 7.9 ng/ml) it was not. Elevated SPARC concentrations in the limited SSc group could not be ascribed to either platelet or endothelial cell activation. TSP-1 concentrations were also increased in SSc patients (n = 29) compared to controls (n = 11) (2.98 +/- 0.12 vs 2.4 +/- 0.21 log transformed ng/ml; p < 0.02). Unlike SPARC, TSP-1 concentrations correlated with both betaTG (r = 0.57, p = 0.0014) and PF4 (r = 0.41, p = 0.026) levels, indicating that increased TSP-1 could, in part, be explained through elevated platelet a-granule release in SSc patients. Plasma levels of betaTG, PF4, and E-selectin were each similarly elevated (p < 0.003) in patients with both limited and diffuse SSc compared to controls. CONCLUSION: That circulating SPARC and TSP-1 are elevated in patients with SSc raises the possibility that counteradhesive proteins, which regulate vascular organization and remodeling, might contribute to the pathogenesis of SSc vasculopathy.     

Priming of the vascular endothelial growth factor signaling pathway by thrombospondin-1, CD36, and spleen tyrosine kinase

CD36 plays a critical role in the inhibition of angiogenesis through binding to the type 1 repeats of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) and activating Fyn tyrosine kinase and MAPK pathways. Here, we reveal a novel association of CD36 with VEGFR-2 and spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk). We also address the correlation between the expression of CD36 and Syk by demonstrating that overexpression of CD36 in HUVECs up-regulates endogenous Syk expression. We also define a new role for TSP-1 and CD36 in the activation of the VEGFR-2 signaling pathway that requires Syk. Our findings also identify a role for Syk as a stimulator of VEGF-A-induced angiogenesis by increasing phosphorylation of Y1175 in VEGFR-2, which is a major tyrosine for promoting VEGF-A-induced endothelial cell migration. Together, these studies introduce a new signaling pathway for TSP-1, CD36, and Syk, and address the role of these proteins in regulating the angiogenic switch.     

Role of tyrosine phosphatase in the modulation of pulmonary vascular tone.

In the vascular system, synthesis of the potent vasodilator nitric oxide (NO) is tightly regulated by the constitutively expressed endothelial NO synthase (eNOS). Activity of eNOS is controlled by Ca2+/calmodulin and various seryl/threonyl protein kinases. Less is known about the importance of phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of tyrosyl residues. Therefore the role of tyrosine phosphatase on the modulation of isolated rat pulmonary artery tone has been assessed. Inhibition of tyrosine phosphatase by sodium orthovanadate (SOV, 1x10(-6) M) significantly: 1) increased phenylephrine-induced vasoconstriction and 2) decreased endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine, but had no effect on endothelium-independent relaxation to the NO donor, sodium nitroprusside. In phenylephrine-precontracted pulmonary arterial rings, SOV (1x10(-7)-1x10(-5) M) had no effect on vascular tone but significantly relaxed rings which were pretreated with the NO-synthase inhibitor, N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME). SOV-induced relaxation in the presence of L-NAME was, however, abolished by glibenclamide. In conclusion, inhibition of tyrosine phosphatase altered pulmonary vascular tone by increasing vasoconstrictor response to phenylephrine and decreasing endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine. Furthermore, the tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, sodium orthovanadate, exhibited original vasodilator properties which were only observed when nitric oxide synthesis was inhibited. Thus a new pathway involving the inhibitory effect of nitric oxide on a glibenclamide-sensitive diffusible relaxing factor, that might play an important role in the control of pulmonary vascular tone is described.     

Role of NO pathway, calcium and potassium channels in the peripheral pulmonary vascular tone in dogs.

Because hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction occurs mainly in the small pulmonary arteries, the authors investigated the effects of drugs acting on the nitric oxide (NO) pathway and the calcium and potassium channels in the peripheral pulmonary circulation, without interference with the overall pulmonary or systemic circulation. Mixed venous blood was infused in wedged areas to study the pressure/flow relationship and to compute peripheral pulmonary vascular resistance (PPVR). The authors studied the effects of Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), an NO synthase inhibitor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP, an NO donor), the calcium channel blockers verapamil, nifedipine and nicardipine, and the potassium channel opener levcromakalim, during normoxia and acute mild normocapnic hypoxia. In the peripheral pulmonary circulation, L-NAME caused an increase in PPVR during normoxia (+95%; p<0.001) and hypoxia (+60%; p<0.01). Following the increase by L-NAME, SNP decreased PPVR during normoxia (-24%; p<0.05) and hypoxia (-23%; p<0.05). Verapamil, nifedipine and nicardipine did not modify PPVR during normoxia but during hypoxia they decreased PPVR (-28%, nonsignificant; -27%, p<0.01 and -33%, p<0.05, respectively). Levcromakalim did not modify PPVR during normoxia or hypoxia. In conclusion, the nitric oxide pathway and voltage-dependent calcium channels, and not adenosine triphosphate sensitive potassium channels, play an important role in the control of peripheral pulmonary circulation in dogs.     

FrzA/sFRP-1, a secreted antagonist of the Wnt-Frizzled pathway, controls vascular cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo

OBJECTIVE: FrzA, a member of the group of secreted frizzled related proteins (sFRP) that is expressed in the cardiovascular system, has been shown to antagonize the Wnt/frizzled signaling pathway. We have recently demonstrated its role in vascular cell growth control in vitro. In this study, we aimed to examine the mechanisms by which FrzA exerts its antiproliferative effect on vascular cells in vitro and its potential effect in vivo. METHODS AND RESULTS: On synchronized, growth-arrested endothelial cells (EC) and smooth muscle cells (SMC) treated with the recombinant purified FrzA protein, flow cytometry analysis showed that the recombinant FrzA protein delayed G1 phase and entry into S-phase. Western blot experiments demonstrated that the treatment of EC or SMC with FrzA was associated with a decrease in the level of the cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases and an increase in cytosolic phospho-beta-catenin levels. The FrzA-induced cell cycle delay was resolved by 24 h. C57BL/6J mice underwent surgery to produce unilateral hindlimb ischemia and empty adenoviruses (AdE) or adenoviruses coding for FrzA (AdFrzA) were injected at the time of the surgery. In AdFrzA-treated mice in the 7 days following surgery, we showed a decrease in cell proliferation, capillary density, and blood flow recovery and a reduced expression of cyclin and cdk activity in the ischemic muscle compared to that in the AdE-treated ischemic muscle. To gain insight into the pathway activated by FrzA overexpression, we showed an increase in the level of cytosolic phospho-beta-catenin, a marker of beta-catenin degradation, in AdFrzA-treated ischemic muscle compared to that in control AdE-treated ischemic muscle. CONCLUSION: We provided the first evidence that an impairment of the Wnt-Frizzled pathway, via FrzA overexpression, controlled proliferation and neovascularization after muscle ischemia.     

The nitric oxide/cGMP signaling pathway in pulmonary hypertension

This article briefly reviews the background of endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation, describes the nitric oxide/cGMP/protein kinase pathway and its role in modulating pulmonary vascular tone and remodeling, and describes three approaches that target the nitric oxide/cGMP pathway in the treatment of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.     

血管内皮生长因子和内皮素在低氧性肺血管重建中的作用

目的探讨血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)和内皮素(ET)-1在低氧性肺动脉高压(HPH)及其肺血管重建中的作用,并观察钾通道开放剂(pinacidil)对HPH的防治作用及对VEGF和ET-1的影响.方法Wister大鼠46只,随机分为3组,对照组15只,低氧组16只,治疗组15只.缺氧组和治疗组大鼠缺氧[氧浓度为(10.0±0.5)%]4周,每天缺氧8h,其中治疗组大鼠于每天缺氧前腹腔注射pinacidil3mg/kg.缺氧4周后测定各组大鼠血清VEGF和血浆ET-1水平、平均肺动脉压(mPAP)、右心室(RV)/[左心室(LV)+室间隔(S)]比值及肺小动脉病理及其形态计量学.结果(1)缺氧组大鼠血清VEGF[(118.73±55.40)ng/L]和血浆ET-1[(221.2±56.2)ng/L]水平明显高于对照组(P＜0.01);缺氧组较对照组mPAP升高,RV/(LV+S)比值增高,肺小动脉血管壁显著增厚,管腔明显狭窄.(2)治疗组大鼠血清VEGF[(78.20±16.45)ng/L]和血浆ET-1[(181.6±30.5)ng/L]水平明显低于缺氧组(P＜0.01);治疗组较缺氧组mPAP下降(P＜0.01),肺小动脉血管壁增厚、管腔狭窄等明显减轻,但治疗组上述各指标仍未完全恢复到对照组水平.结论VEGF和ET-1在HPH及其肺血管重建中发挥重要作用,钾通道开放剂对HPH及其肺血管重建具有一定的逆转作用.     

Vesicular trafficking of tyrosine kinase receptors and associated proteins in the regulation of signaling and vascular function

Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) play a pivotal role in the development and function of the cardiovascular system. Ligand-activated RTKs promote numerous downstream signal transduction pathways that lead to vascular permeability, as well as proliferation, migration, and differentiation of vascular endothelia and smooth muscle cells. Ligand binding also promotes internalization of the activated receptors either to downregulate the signaling via degradation of the ligand/receptor complex or to signal from endosomes. However, the outcomes of receptor internalization via clathrin-dependent or caveolar pathways and trafficking mechanisms are incompletely clarified in vascular systems. Activity modulation through endocytosis and vesicular trafficking significantly impacts downstream targets of RTKs such as endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and VE-cadherin. RTKs and their associated targets are also transported to the nucleus, where they may directly impact nuclear signaling. Although the nuclear transport pathways are just beginning to be unraveled, it appears that endocytosis and vesicular trafficking are involved. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms by which activated RTKs and the downstream targets eNOS and VE-cadherin may be internalized and transported to various intracellular compartments. How localization and interacting proteins impact protein function and influence signaling is an important theme, as is the potential for modulating signaling through therapeutic targeting of activated receptors and components of the endocytic machinery.     

The molecular biologic study of the expression of thrombospondin in vascular smooth muscle cells and mesangial cells

Thrombospondin (TS) is a high-molecular-weight glycoprotein (MW 450,000) that is stored in alpha-granules of platelets and secreted by a wide variety of mesenchymal cells, including vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and mesangial cells. TS binds to cell surfaces and to matrix macromolecules such as collagen, fibronectin, and heparin (heparan sulfate). We have isolated one of the complementary DNA (cDNA) clones of TS from human endothelial cell cDNA libraries. With the TS cDNA as a probe, we used Northern blot analysis to look at TS messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of rat aortic SMCs in a quiescent state and cultured under different stimuli. Treatment with platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) caused a rapid increase of TS mRNA at 2 to 4 hours. This induction was enhanced by the addition of cycloheximide, suggesting that the induction of TS by PDGF does not require the synthesis of new protein species. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) also induced mRNA of TS at 8 hours after stimulation and the induction was blocked by cycloheximide, suggesting that TGF-β requires the mediation of new protein synthesis to induce a TS gene. In measangial cells, we observed the same type of gene expression of TS using an in-situ hybridization study. We conclude that during SMC and mesangial cell proliferation, the induction of TS mRNA is regulated in a specific manner by PDGF and TGF-β.     

慢性低氧对肺动脉高压大鼠肺血管ERK 1/2、p38MAPK表达的影响

目的：通过建立慢性低氧性肺动脉高压大鼠模型,研究慢性低氧对大鼠肺血管细胞外信号调节蛋白激酶(ERK1/2)、p38MAPK蛋白表达的影响。方法建立慢性常压低氧肺动脉高压大鼠模型,将雄性SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组、低氧1d、3d、7d、14d和21d组,应用免疫组织化学技术检测肺动脉高压形成过程中大鼠肺血管 ERK1/2、p38MAPK 蛋白表达水平。结果①RVSP 和 RV/(LV+S)比值较正常对照组明显增加(P<0.05),低氧后3 d、7 d、14 d和21 d后大鼠肺血管明显增厚;②ERK1/2、p38MAPK蛋白广泛分布于肺血管内皮细胞、平滑肌细胞和成纤维细胞中,且随着低氧时间的延长,ERK1/2、p38MAPK蛋白表达量增加。结论 ERK1/2、p38MAPK 蛋白表达量的上调可能参与了慢性低氧诱导的大鼠肺动脉高压肺血管重塑的发生、发展过程。     

细胞外信号调节激酶1/2在血管内皮细胞衰老中的表达变化及作用

目的观察细胞外信号调节激酶1/2(ERK1/2)在血管紧张素Ⅱ(AngⅡ)诱导的内皮细胞中不同时点的表达变化。方法制备AngⅡRPMI1640培养液(10-6 mol/L)培养人脐静脉内皮细胞,采用MTT测定内皮细胞存活率,β-gal染色、细胞周期分析鉴定细胞衰老,透射电子显微镜观察衰老细胞超微结构。细胞免疫化学染色法分析Bcl-2、Bax蛋白表达变化,Western印迹测定磷酸化ERK1/2水平。结果 AngⅡ诱导组存活的细胞数为对照组的〔(81.9±0.04)%,P<0.01)〕;约80%的细胞呈现β-gal阳性染色,流式细胞仪检测细胞周期停滞于G0～G1,证实细胞衰老;透射电子显微镜可见AngⅡ诱导组衰老的细胞体积较大,核形不规则,细胞核染色质浓缩和凝聚。与对照组相比,Bcl-2 mRNA表达呈持续性降低,Bcl-2/Bax比值下降,ERK1/2磷酸化水平于12 h明显增加,24 h达到高峰(P<0.01),36 h下降至稳定,总ERK1/2蛋白水平无明显变化。结论ERK1/2信号转导途径参与AngⅡ诱导内皮细胞衰老的发生、发展过程,并可能通过调控内皮细胞Bcl-2/Bax比值来实现。     

Ligustilide ameliorates cognitive impairment via AMPK/SIRT1 pathway in vascular dementia rat

Metabolic Brain Disease - Vascular dementia (VaD) is the second cause of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease. Ligustilide (LIG) is one of the main active ingredients of traditional Chinese...     

Altered AP-1/Ref-1 redox pathway and reduced proliferative response in iNOS-deficient vascular smooth muscle cells

We previously reported that injury-induced medial vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and neointima formation in carotid arteries of inducible nitric oxide synthase knockout (iNOS KO) mice were significantly reduced compared with wild type (WT). However, the molecular pathway underlying such differences is not known. In this in vitro study, we discovered that the AP-1/Ref-1/thioredoxin signaling pathway is altered in aortic VSMC from iNOS KO mice, which leads to reduced growth response when compared with aortic VSMC from WT mice. After equal initial seeding, the cell number after 7 days in serum medium was less in iNOS KO cells compared with WT VSMC (1.2 +/- 0.6 x 10(5) vs 3.2 +/- 1.1 x 10(5); p < 0.05). Significantly more iNOS KO cells remained in the G0/G1 phase compared with WT cells after 24-h serum treatment (82.6 +/- 13.7% vs 62.3 +/- 14.6%; p < 0.05) by cell-cycle analysis. Nuclear PCNA expression was also less in the iNOS KO cells, which was not affected by exogenous NO or superoxide. Superoxide generation after 24-h serum stimulation was less in the iNOS KO cells compared with WT cells. After 30-min serum stimulation, AP-1 DNA binding was reduced and a lack of increase in nuclear c-Jun protein was observed in iNOS KO VSMC. RT-PCR analysis confirmed a lack of inducible c-Jun mRNA after serum stimulation in the KO cells. In addition, KO cells had less nuclear reducing factor-1 (Ref-1) and serum-inducible thioredoxin protein expression. Reduced proliferative response of iNOS KO VSMC to serum treatment is associated with altered AP-1 /Ref-1 /thioredoxin pathway activation.     

8Hz、90dB次声对一氧化氮分泌和血管内皮生长因子表达的影响

目的 :测定 8Hz、90 d B次声多次暴露后大鼠血浆一氧化氮 （NO）的含量变化及内皮生长因子 （VEGF）表达的改变。方法 :用 8Hz、90 d B的次声连续作用大鼠 1、7、14、2 1、2 8d,每天 2 h,测定大鼠血浆 NO含量和 VEGF表达的变化。结果 :次声暴露 1、7d,大鼠血浆 NO含量无变化 ,14、2 1d时降低 （P<0 .0 5） ,2 8d时恢复正常 （P>0 .0 5） ;在次声暴露期与对照组比较 ,VEGF表达增强 （P<0 .0 1）。结论 :次声可引起大鼠血浆 NO分泌的变化及 VEGF表达改变 ,其与次声暴露的时间和量有关     

推动肺循环领域学科建设 提高我国肺血管和右心疾病诊治水平

肺循环系统不仅包括肺血管（肺动脉、肺静脉等）,还包括右心（右心房、室和肺动脉瓣、三尖瓣及其附属结构等）。肺血管和右心疾病不仅影响肺循环功能,还可严重影响呼吸系统和左心系统而危及生命。近年来我国学者在肺循环领域取得了重要进展。本期重点号刊发的内容涉及如何建设我国急性肺栓塞多学科救治团队、高海拔地区肺栓塞患者的临床特征、纤...     

转化生长因子β1与一氧化氮合酶及成肌纤维细胞参与大鼠缺氧性肺血管重塑

目的观察转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)与诱导型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)基因动态表达变化及成肌纤维细胞形成在大鼠缺氧性肺血管重塑中的作用.方法40只成年雄性Wistar大鼠分成常氧组、缺氧3、7、14 d和21 d组,每组8只,测各组大鼠平均肺动脉压(mPAP)、血管形态学指标、右室肥大指数(RVHI);原位杂交和免疫组化检测TGF-β1、iNOS基因表达,透射电镜观察腺泡内血管壁细胞表型. 结果缺氧7 d后大鼠mPAP升高[(18.41±0.37)mm Hg,P<0.05].缺氧性肺血管重塑、右心室肥大于缺氧14 d后出现.透射电镜证实成肌纤维细胞含有特异性的微丝和丰富的粗面内质网.TGF-β1mRNA于缺氧3 d、7 d表达增高不明显,缺氧14d增高(0.385±0.028,P<0.01);TGF-β1蛋白在常氧组呈弱阳性,缺氧3 d表达增强(0.198±0.031,P<0.01),缺氧7 d组达高峰(0.267±0.035,P<0.01).对照组大鼠肺动脉壁iNOS mRNA弱阳性,缺氧3 d后表达增强(0.245±0.036,P<0.01),缺氧7 d达高峰水平(0.318±0.034,P<0.01),以后维持于高峰水平;iNOS蛋白在常氧组大鼠肺动脉中膜iNOS弱阳性,缺氧3 d始增高(0.225±0.030,P<0.01),缺氧7 d起稳定于高水平.结论缺氧诱导TGF-β1和iNOS动态表达变化及肺血管成肌纤维细胞的形成参与大鼠缺氧性肺血管重塑.