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OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the correlation of inducible co-stimulatory molecules (ICOS) with mesenteric vascular endothelial- mesenchymal transition (EndMT) and sclerosis in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).@*METHODS@#Twenty 4-week-old WKY rats and 20 SHRs of the same strain were both randomly divided into 4 groups for observation at 4, 6, 10 and 30 weeks of age. ICOS expression frequency in rat spleen CD4+T cells was analyzed using flow cytometry, and the expressions of ICOS, VE-cad, α-SMA and Col3 mRNA in rat mesentery were detected by RT-PCR. The distributions of ICOS, IL-17A and TGF-β in rat mesentery were detected by immunohistochemistry. The levels of IL-17A and TGF-β in rat plasma were measured using ELISA. The morphological changes of rat mesenteric vessels were observed with Masson staining. Spearman or Pearson correlation analyses were used to evaluate the correlation between ICOS expression and the expressions of the markers of vascular EndMT and sclerosis.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the control WKY rats, the SHRs began to show significantly increased systolic blood pressure and ICOS expression frequency on CD4+T cells at 6 weeks of age (P < 0.05). In the SHRs, the mRNA and protein expressions of ICOS, α-SMA, Col3, IL-17A and TGF-β in the mesentery were significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.05), while the mRNA and protein expressions of VE-cad started to reduce significantly at 10 weeks of age (P < 0.05). The plasma levels of IL-17A and TGF-β were significantly increased in SHRs since 6 weeks of age (P < 0.05) with progressive worsening of mesenteric vascular sclerosis (P < 0.05). ICOS mRNA and protein expression levels in the mesenteric tissues of SHRs began to show positive correlations with α-SMA and Col3 expression levels and the severity of vascular sclerosis at 6 weeks of age (P < 0.05) and a negative correlation with VE-cad expression level at 10 weeks (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#ICOS play an important pathogenic role in EndMT and sclerosis of mesenteric vessels in essential hypertension by mediating related immune responses.
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Rats , Animals , Rats, Inbred SHR , Rats, Inbred WKY , Hypertension , Interleukin-17 , Sclerosis/pathology , Transforming Growth Factor beta , Mesentery/pathology , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Blood PressureABSTRACT
The present study analyzed the correlations between curcumin(Cur), nuclear factor E2 related factor 2(NRF2)-dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase(DDAH)-asymmetric dimethylarginine(ADMA)-nitric oxide(NO) pathway, and endothelial-mesenchymal transition(EndMT) based on SD rats with cardiac fibrosis, and explored the effect and mechanism of Cur in resisting cardiac fibrosis to provide an in-depth theoretical basis for its clinical application in the treatment of heart failure. The cardiac fibrosis model was induced by subcutaneous injection of isoprenaline(Iso) in rats. Thirty-two rats were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, a low-dose Cur group(100 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and a high-dose Cur group(200 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), with eight in each group. After 21 days of treatment, cardiac function was detected by echocardiography, degree of cardiac fibrosis by Masson staining, expression of CD31 and α-SMA by pathological staining, expression of VE-cadherin, vimentin, NRF2, and DDAH by Western blot, and ADMA level by HPLC. Compared with the model group, the Cur groups showed alleviated cardiac fibrosis, accompanied by increased CD31 and VE-cadherin expression and decreased α-SMA and vimentin expression, indicating relieved EndMT. Additionally, DDAH and NRF2 levels were elevated and ADMA and NO expression declined. Cur improves cardiac fibrosis by inhibiting EndMT presumedly through the NRF2-DDAH-ADMA-NO pathway.
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Animals , Rats , Amidohydrolases/metabolism , Curcumin , Fibrosis , NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics , Nitric Oxide/metabolism , Rats, Sprague-DawleyABSTRACT
@#Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition(EndoMT)is a change in the transformation or differentiation of endothelial cells into mesenchymal cells under physiological or pathological conditions, accompanied by changes in phenotype and function, and is an important part of fiber repair. It is widely involved in the pathophysiological process of embryonic development, tumor invasion and a variety of fibrotic diseases. Research on the role of EndoMT in ocular diseases has also made some progress. This article will review the basic biological characteristics, mechanism and research results of EndoMT in ophthalmological diseases, intending to theoretically reveal its possibility as a treatment target and a key point of regenerative medicine technology in related diseases, provide a reference for clinical practice and scientific research.
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@#AIM:To establish the hypoxia induced endothelial-mesenchymal transition(EndoMT)model of endothelial cells, and to investigate the effect and mechanism of Pirfenidone(PFD)on inhibiting the subretinal fibrosis progression.<p>METHODS: Primary cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVEC), 4-7 passages were used for experiments after cell identification. CoCl<sub>2</sub> induced hypoxia to establish the transformation model of endothelial cells into fibroblasts. CCK-8 was performed to detect cell proliferation rate and chose the optimal drug concentration. All cells were divided into 4 groups: control group(FBS-free), CoCl<sub>2</sub>(200μmol/L)group, CoCl<sub>2</sub>+0.3mg/mL PFD group, CoCl<sub>2</sub>+0.6mg/mL PFD group. The protein expression of CD31, VE-cadherin, α-SMA, FSP1, p-p38 and p38 were detected by Western blot. Double immunofluorescence labeling method was used to observe the CD31/α-SMA expression. Wound healing assay detected the cell migration. The q-PCR was applied to detect the mRNA levels of TGF-β1 and SNAI1.<p>RESULTS: Compared with CoCl<sub>2</sub> group, PFD increased cell proliferation rate and inhibited cell migration significantly under hypoxia(<i>P</i><0.05). PFD decreased the protein expression of the mesenchymal markers α-SMA and FSP1, and increased the protein level of the endothelial markers CD31 and VE-cadherin(<i>P</i><0.05). Double immunofluorescence results showed that PFD could reduce the expression of α-SMA and increase the level of CD31(<i>P</i><0.05). In the process of EndoMT, the p38 protein expression level was stable(<i>P</i>>0.05). PFD down-regulated significantly the high protein expression of p-p38, and high mRNA expression of TGF-β1 and SNAI1 compared with control group(<i>P</i><0.05). There was no significant difference between the 0.3 and 0.6mg/mL PFD groups in all results above.<p>CONCLUSION: PFD can inhibit the formation of fibrosis in endothelial cells. TGF-β/p38MAPK signaling pathway might be one of the mechanisms that PFD regulates EndoMT progression. PFD will be expected to become a potential new sight on the treatment of subretinal fibrosis.
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Endothelial-mesenchymal transition(EndoMT)is a pathophysiological progress that endothelial cells lose their specific phenotype,function and morphology and gradually transform to mesenchymal cells under the effect of certain stimulating factors. More and more researches have shown that EndoMT plays a key role in the occurrence and development as well as the invasion and metastasis of glioma. This paper reviews the EndoMT-related signaling pathways and their important effect on the angiogenesis,invasion,metastasis,immunosuppression and the drug resistance of glioma. Meanwhile, strategies for the EndoMT-targeted therapy are also summarized, so as to provide a reference for related studies and clinical treatment of glioma.
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OBJECTIVE： To investigate the effects of Buyang huanwu decoction on endothelial-mesenchymal transformation （EndMT） of lung tissue in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis （IPF） model rats， and to explore its potential mechanism. METHODS： Male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group， model gorup， dexamethasone group [0.405 mg/（kg·d）]， Buyang huanwu decoction low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose groups [6.435， 12.87， 25.74 g/（kg·d）， by raw material]， with 8 rats in each group. Except for normal group， other groups were given endotracheal injection of bleomycin to induce IPF model. On the second day after modeling， normal group and model group were given water intrgastrically [10 mL/（kg·d）]； administration groups were given relevant medicine intragastrically， once a day， for consecutive 28 days. 24 h after last medication， the expression of endothelial cell markers [platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1， vascular endothelial cell cadherin] and interstitial cell markers [α-smooth muscle actin， fibroblast specific protein 1] were detected by immunohistochemistry method. The expression of Notch4 and DLL4 in lung tissue of rats were detected by Western blotting assay. RESULTS： Compared with normal group， the expression of endothelial cell markers were decreased significantly in lung tissue of model group， while the expressipon of interstitial cell markers， Notch4 and DLL4 were increased significantly （P＜0.01）. Compared with model group， the expression of endothelial cell markers in lung tissue of rats were increased significantly in administration groups， while Buyang huanwu decoction low-dose group was significantly lower than dexamethasone group； the expression of interstitial cell markers， Notch4 and DLL4 were decreased significantly， while Buyang huanwu decoction low-dose group was significantly higher than dexamethasone group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS： Buyang huanwu decoction can relieve IPF of model rats by intervening in EndMT， the mechanism of which may be associated with inhibiting DLL4/Notch4 singaling pathway.
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Endothelial mesenchymal transition ( EndMT) , a biological process in which endothelial cells under specific environmental stimuli, gradually lose close connection and expression of specific markers, and obtain stromal cells or muscle fiber cell plienolypic expression and characteristics of movement and shrinkage. EndMT not only plays a crucial role in the development of heart and vascular, but lias been widely studied in the process of organ fibrosis such as heart, lung and kidney. It may be the key step in the prevention and treatment of myocardial fibrosis. We review the research progress of EndMT in myocardial fibrosis.
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Objective To investigate the molecular mechanism of endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) induced by uremic toxin,parathyroid hormone (PTH),in vascular endothelial cells.Methods PTH (1 × 10-8 mol/L) was used to induce EndMT in human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs).TGF-β signaling inhibitor,including SB431542 and pirfenidone (PFD),and integrin-linked kinase (ILK) inhibitor Cpd22 were used to investigate the potential mechanism of EndMT induced by PTH in HAECs.Then the vascular endothelial cell markers VE-cadherin and CD31,and the mesenchymal marker α-SMA were detected by western blot.Results PTH reduced the expression levels of vascular endothelial cell marker CD31 and VE-cadherin (P＜0.05),while significantly increased the expression level of fiber cell marker α-SMA(P＜0.05).Furthermore,the TGF-βsignaling inhibitors (SB431542 and PFD) and ILK inhibitor (Cpd22) were able to partially reverse the EndMT induced by PTH in HAECs,which reversed the effect of PTH on reducing vascular endothelial cell marker expression and increasing fiber cell marker expression.Conclusion PTH could induce EndMT in HAECs via TGF-β/ILK pathway.
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AIM:To investigate the relationship between transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)/Smads signa-ling pathway and pulmonary arterial endothelial-mesenchymal transition(EndoMT)in hypoxia-hypercapnia pulmonary hy-pertension(HHPH)process and the regulatory effect of Yiqi-Wenyang-Huoxue-Huatan formula(YWHHF).METHODS:Healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups:normal control(N)group,hypoxia-hypercapnia(HH)group, high-dose YWHHF(YH)group,middle-dose YWHHF(YM)group and low-dose YWHHF(YL)group.The rats in N group was housed in normoxic environment,and the rats in the other 4 groups were housed in hypoxia-hypercapnia environ-ment(9%~11%O2and 5%~6%CO2)for 4 weeks,8 h/d,6 d/week.The excess water vapor was absorbed by anhy-drous CaCl2,and CO2was absorbed by sodium hydroxide.The rats in YWHHF groups were put into the oxygen chamber before the same volume of YWHHF at different concentrations were given(200 g/L for YH group,100 g/L for YM group and 50 g/L for YL group).The average pulmonary artery pressure and the average carotid artery pressure were measured during the operation.After operation,the right ventricular free wall and left ventricle plus interventricular septum were col -lected for determining the right ventricular hypertrophy index.Moreover,the morphological changes of the lung tissues were observed under light microscope.The mRNA and protein levels of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),CD31,TGF-β1 and Smad2/3,and the protein level of p-Smad2/3 were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot.RESULTS:Compared with N group,the pulmonary artery mean pressure,the mRNA and protein expression of α-SMA,TGF-β1 and Smad2/3,and the protein level of p-Smad2/3 were increased, the levels of CD31 were decreased(P<0.05), and the lung tissue damage was observed in the other 4 groups.Compared with HH group,the pulmonary artery mean pressure,the mRNA and protein expression of α-SMA,TGF-β1 and Smad2/3,and the protein level of p-Smad2/3 were decreased, while the mRNA and protein levels of CD31 were increased.Moreover,the lung tissue damage was reduced in YH,YM and YL groups.CON-CLUSION:TGF-β/Smads pathway may be involved in the process of EndoMT under hypoxia and hypercapnia condition, and YWHHF may reduce EndoMT by inhibiting the expression of TGF-β/Smads pathway-related molecules.
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Objective The study is to investigate the role of miR-328 in endothelial mesenchymal transition (EMT)induced by high glucose in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs)and its signaling mechanism.Methods HUVECs were cultured in high glucose environment to induce EMT;The recombinant lentiviruses were created by miR-328 and antagomiR- 328 transfection of HUVECs.The experiment was divided into seven groups: normal glucose;mannitol group;high glucose;miR-328;miR-328 virus negative control;high glucose + U0126;miR-328 + U0126.Double immunofluorescent staining was used to determine expression of EMT markers;Changes in miR-328 expression is examined by RT-qPCR;The expressions of type Ⅰ/Ⅲ collagen,p-MEK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 are examined by Western blot.Results 1)HUVECs showed positive staining for CD31 and α-SMA in high glucose group.2)The expression of miR-328 was up-regulated(P<0.05)in HUVECs treated by high glucose or miR-328.Compared with high glucose group or miR-328 group,miR-328 expression was less pronounced aftertreatment with U0126.3)The expressions of type Ⅰ/Ⅲ collagen increased in HUVECs treated by high glucose or miR-328(P<0.05) Compared with high glucose group or miR-328 group,typeⅠ/Ⅲ collagen expressions were less pronounced after treatment with U0126.4)The expressions of p-MEK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 were increased in HUVECs treated by high glucose or miR-328 in comparison to the control group (P<0.05);a lower expression of p-MEK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 were observed in U0126 group than in high glucose group or miR-328 group.Conclusions The phenomenon of EMT in HUVECs is induced by high glucose with increased expression of miR-328;overexpression of miR-328 induced EMT in HUVECs;miR-328 induced EMT is related with MEK1/2-ERK1/2 signaling pathway.
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The endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) in endothelial cells contributes to the development of cardiac fibrosis,ultimately leading to cardiac remodeling.In this study,the effects and molecular mechanisms of celastrol (CEL) on transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced EndMT in human umbilical vein endothelial (HUVEC-12) cells were investigated.The presented data demonstrated.that CEL significantly blocked the morphology change of HUVEC-12 cells induced by TGF-β1 without cell cytotoxicity.In accordance with these findings,CEL blocked TGF-β1-induced EndMT as evidenced by the inhibition of the mesenchymal markers,including collagen Ⅰ,Ⅲ,α-SMA,fibronectin mRNA expression,and the increase in the mRNA expression of endothelial cell marker CD31.These changes were also confirmed by double immunofluorescence staining of CD31 and vimentin.The in vitro scratch assay showed that CEL inhibited the migration capacity of the transitioned endothelial cells induced by TGF-β1.Further experiments showed that the beneficial effect of CEL on blocking the EndMT in HUVEC-12 cells was associated with the suppression of the TGF-β1/Smads signalling pathway,which was also confirmed by the inhibition of its downstream transcription factor snail1,twistl,twist2,ZEB1 and ZEB2.These results indicate that CEL blocks TGF-β1-induced EndMT through TGF-β1/Smads signalling pathway and suggest that it may be a feasible therapy for cardiac fibrosis diseases.
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The endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is known to be involved in the transformation of vascular endothelial cells to mesenchymal cells. EndMT has been confirmed that occur in various pathologic conditions. Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) is a potent stimulator of the vascular endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Aspirin-triggered resolvin D1 (ATRvD1) has been known to be involved in the resolution of inflammation, but whether it has effects on TGF-β1-induced EndMT is not yet clear. Therefore, we investigated the effects of AT-RvD1 on the EndMT of human umbilical vein vascular endothelial cells line (HUVECs). Treatment with TGF-β1 reduced the expression of Nrf2 and enhanced the level of F-actin, which is associated with paracellular permeability. The expression of endothelial marker VE-cadherin in HUVEC cells was reduced, and the expression of mesenchymal marker vimentin was enhanced. AT-RvD1 restored the expression of Nrf2 and vimentin and enhanced the expression of VE-cadherin. AT-RvD1 did also affect the migration of HUVEC cells. Inhibitory κB kinase 16 (IKK 16), which is known to inhibit the NF-κB pathway, had an ability to increase the expression of Nrf2 and was associated with the inhibition effect of AT-RvD1 on TGF-β1-induced EndMT, but it had no effect on TGF-β1-induced EndMT alone. Smad7, which is a key regulator of TGF-β/Smads signaling by negative feedback loops, was significantly increased with the treatment of AT-RvD1. These results suggest the possibility that AT-RvD1 suppresses the TGF-β1-induced EndMT through increasing the expression of Smad7 and is closely related to oxidative stress.
Subject(s)
Humans , Actins , Endothelial Cells , Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells , Inflammation , Oxidative Stress , Permeability , Phosphotransferases , Transforming Growth Factors , Umbilical Veins , VimentinABSTRACT
Objective To observe the effect of TGF‐β1 in the endothelial‐mesenchymal transition EndM T of glomeruli ,and to explore the effect of TGF‐β/Smad signaling pathway mediated by integrin linked kinase(ILK ) in the progress of renal fibrosis . Methods Human glomerular endothelial cells (HGEnC) incubated in vitro were divided into blank control group ,TGF‐β1 (12 .5 , 25 .0 ,50 .0 ng/mL) group .TGF‐β1 50 .0 ng/mL receptor type one antagonist (LY364749)5 .0 μmol/L group ,ILK (QLT‐0267)5 .0μmol/L antagonist group .The mRNA level of P‐Smad 2/3 and ILK was determined by RT‐PCR ,and the protein level of P‐Smad 2/3 ,ILK ,E‐cadherin ,CD31 ,α‐SMA and FSP‐1 was determined by Western blot after 48 h and 72 h after incubation in each group un‐der the above‐mentioned condition .Results (1)TGF‐β1 could significantly increased the mRNA level of P‐Smad2/3 and ILK (P0 .05) .Conclusion TGF‐β1 as the effector molecule in downstream can promote endothelial‐mesenchymal transition of HGEnC ,and TGF‐β/Smad signaling pathway mediated integrin linked kinase participate in this process ,which probably play important role in the progress of renal fibrosis .
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Objective To investigate whether high glucose can induce endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) in glomerular endothelial cells and the role of TGF-β in the process.Methods Rat glomerular endothelial cells were divided into five groups:normal glucose (NG,5.5mmol/L),high glucose (HG,15,30 mmol/L),TGF-β inhibition (HG+ LY36,30 mmol/L glucose + 10 μmol/L LY364947),hyperosmotic control (M,5.5 mmol/L glucose+25.5 mmol/L mannitol) and solvent control (D,5.5 mmol/L glucose + 1 ml/L DMSO).Western blotting was performed to detect relative protein quantities of endothelial marker claudin 5 and mesenchymal marker α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA).TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 mRNA levels were measured by real-time PCR.Vascular endothelial marker VE-cadherin and mesenchymal marker α-SMA were detected by immunofluorescent stain and observed by confocal microscopy.Results Compared with NG,the expression of claudin5 protein in HG (15 or 30 mmol/L) was up-regulated while expression of α-SMA protein was down-regulated (P ＜0.05).Both TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 mRNA levels increased as well (P ＜ 0.05).However,when compared with HG,the claudin 5 levels increased while α-SMA decreased in TGF-β inhibition group.No significant changes were observed in hyperosmotic or solvent control group.Confocal microscopy showed the transformation of cells from a cobblestone-liked shape to a spindle one,and a decreasing expression of VE-cadherin while an increasing α-SMA in HG group (P ＜ 0.05),whereas TGF-β inhibition partly attenuated those changes in both morphological and protein levels.Conclusions High glucose treatment of glomerular endothelial cells results in an increase in the level of TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 mRNA and leads to endothelial-mesenchymal transiton.Inhibition of TGF-β partly prevents this process,indicating that TGF-β plays a crucial role in high-glucose-induced glomerular endothelial-mesenchymal transiton.