LRP1 protects against excessive superior mesenteric artery remodeling by modulating angiotensin II-mediated signaling.

Vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) exert a critical role in sensing and maintaining vascular integrity. These cells abundantly express the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1), a large endocytic signaling receptor that recognizes numerous ligands, including apolipoprotein E-rich lipoproteins, proteases, and protease-inhibitor complexes. We observed the spontaneous formation of aneurysms in the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) of both male and female mice in which LRP1 was genetically deleted in vSMCs (smLRP1-/- mice). Quantitative proteomics revealed elevated abundance of several proteins in smLRP1-/- mice that are known to be induced by angiotensin II-mediated (AngII-mediated) signaling, suggesting that this pathway was dysregulated. Administration of losartan, an AngII type I receptor antagonist, or an angiotensinogen antisense oligonucleotide to reduce plasma angiotensinogen concentrations restored the normal SMA phenotype in smLRP1-/- mice and prevented aneurysm formation. Additionally, using a vascular injury model, we noted excessive vascular remodeling and neointima formation in smLRP1-/- mice that was restored by losartan administration. Together, these findings reveal that LRP1 regulates vascular integrity and remodeling of the SMA by attenuating excessive AngII-mediated signaling.

Electronic Cigarette Liquid Constituents Induce Nasal and Tracheal Sensory Irritation in Mice in Regionally Dependent Fashion.

INTRODUCTION: Electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) are currently used by millions of adults and adolescents worldwide. Major respiratory symptoms, such as coughing reported by e-cig users, including patients with e-cig, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI), indicate e-cig constituent-induced sensory irritation. However, e-cig constituent-induced nociceptive activity in nasal and tracheal respiratory epithelia (RE) and neuronal activation in the trigeminal ganglia and brainstem nuclei, which receive airway chemosensory inputs have not been examined and compared. Comparisons of physiological responses between freebase nicotine and nicotine salts are also missing. AIMS AND METHODS: Event-related potential (ERP) was recorded electrophysiologically to assess mouse nasal and tracheal RE chemosensory responses to various flavorings, nicotine, including freebase and nicotine salts, e-liquid mixtures, and tussigenic stimuli. Also, mice were subjected to inhalation exposure to aerosol of a vanilla-flavored e-liquid or air (control), and the activated-trigeminal nociceptive neurons and brainstem neurons were examined using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Individual constituents and mixtures of e-liquids, capsaicin, and citric and acetic acids evoked significantly larger ERP in the nose than in the trachea with the exception of menthol. ERP responses to freebase nicotine were significantly larger than protonated nicotine. Four nicotine salts (benzoate, lactate, levulinate, and salicylate) induced similar responses. Compared with air-exposed mice, e-liquid aerosol-exposed mice showed a significant increase in numbers of activated trigeminal nociceptive neurons and brainstem neurons in the spinal trigeminal nucleus, paratrigeminal nucleus, and nucleus tractus solitarius. CONCLUSIONS: E-liquid constituents region-dependently stimulate airway nociceptive chemosensory systems, and freebase nicotine is more potent than protonated nicotine. IMPLICATIONS: Neural abnormalities have been implicated in the development of nasal and respiratory illnesses. The higher sensitivity of the nasal nociceptive chemosensory system to nicotine and flavorings may indicate a health risk for e-liquid aerosol-induced upper airway illnesses via neurogenic alteration and warrants further investigation.

Monitoring of bystander effect of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase/acyclovir system using fluorescence resonance energy transfer technique.

Cytotoxic gene therapy mediated by gene transfer of the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-tk) gene followed by acyclovir (ACV) treatment has been reported to inhibit malignant tumor growth in a variety of studies. The magnitude of "bystander effect" is an essential factor for this anti-tumor approach in vivo. However, the mechanism by which HSV-tk/ACV brings "bystander effect" is poorly understood. In this report, the plasmid CD3 (ECFP-CRS-DsRed) and TK-GFP were transferred to the human adenoid cystic carcinoma line ACC-M cell line. The CD3-expressing cells apoptosis was monitored using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) technique. First, CD3 and TK-GFP co-expressing ACC-M cells apoptosis was monitored using FRET technique. The apoptosis was induced by ACV and initiated by caspase3. The FRET efficient was remarkably decreased and then disappeared during cellular apoptosis, which indicated that the TK-GFP expressing ACC-M cells apoptosis, induced by ACV, was via a caspase3-dependent pathway. Secondly, CD3 and TK-GFP mixed expressing ACC-M cells apoptosis, induced by ACV, were monitored using FRET technique. The apoptotic phenomena appeared in the CD3-expressing ACC-M cells. The results show that HSV-tk/ACV system killed ACC-M cells using its bystander effect. These results confirm that HSV-tk/ACV system is potential for cancer gene therapy.