RESUMO
Metastasis has a major part in the severity of disease and lethality of cancer. Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) represent a reservoir of metastatic precursors in circulation, most of which cannot survive due to hostile conditions in the bloodstream. Surviving cells colonise a secondary site based on a combination of physical, metabolic, and oxidative stress protection states required for that environment. Recent advances in CTC isolation methods and high-resolution 'omics technologies are revealing specific metabolic pathways that support this selection of CTCs. In this review, we discuss recent advances in our understanding of CTC biology and discoveries of adaptations in metabolic pathways during their selection. Understanding these traits and delineating mechanisms by which they confer acquired resistance or vulnerability in CTCs is crucial for developing successful prognostic and therapeutic strategies in cancer.
Assuntos
Neoplasias , Células Neoplásicas Circulantes , Células Neoplásicas Circulantes/metabolismo , Células Neoplásicas Circulantes/patologia , Humanos , Neoplasias/patologia , Neoplasias/metabolismo , Neoplasias/genética , Redes e Vias Metabólicas , Estresse Oxidativo , Metástase Neoplásica , PrognósticoRESUMO
The metabolic mechanisms supporting the process of endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) remain largely unknown. Here, Zhu et al. describe a novel role for acetate and ACC2 in regulating EndMT and atherosclerosis via modulation of the TGF-ß signaling. This study sheds light on the role of glucose-derived metabolites that drive endothelial pathophysiology.
Assuntos
Acetatos , Aterosclerose , Glucose , Fator de Crescimento Transformador beta , Humanos , Acetatos/metabolismo , Fator de Crescimento Transformador beta/metabolismoRESUMO
AIMS: The circadian clock is an internal biological timer that co-ordinates physiology and gene expression with the 24-h solar day. Circadian clock perturbations have been associated to vascular dysfunctions in mammals, and a function of the circadian clock in angiogenesis has been suggested. However, the functional role of the circadian clock in endothelial cells (ECs) and in the regulation of angiogenesis is widely unexplored. METHODS AND RESULTS: Here, we used both in vivo and in vitro approaches to demonstrate that ECs possess an endogenous molecular clock and show robust circadian oscillations of core clock genes. By impairing the EC-specific function of the circadian clock transcriptional activator basic helix-loop-helix ARNT like 1 (BMAL1) in vivo, we detect angiogenesis defects in mouse neonatal vascular tissues, as well as in adult tumour angiogenic settings. We then investigate the function of circadian clock machinery in cultured EC and show evidence that BMAL and circadian locomotor output cycles protein kaput knock-down impair EC cell cycle progression. By using an RNA- and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing genome-wide approaches, we identified that BMAL1 binds the promoters of CCNA1 and CDK1 genes and controls their expression in ECs. CONCLUSION(S): Our findings show that EC display a robust circadian clock and that BMAL1 regulates EC physiology in both developmental and pathological contexts. Genetic alteration of BMAL1 can affect angiogenesis in vivo and in vitro settings.
Assuntos
Fatores de Transcrição ARNTL , Ritmo Circadiano , Animais , Camundongos , Fatores de Transcrição ARNTL/genética , Fatores de Transcrição ARNTL/metabolismo , Ritmo Circadiano/genética , Células Endoteliais/metabolismo , Regiões Promotoras Genéticas , Ciclo Celular , Mamíferos/genética , Mamíferos/metabolismoRESUMO
The use of transgenic animals carrying exogenous DNA integrated in their genome is a routine in modern-day laboratories. Nowadays, the zebrafish system represents the most useful tool for transgenesis studies mainly due to easy accessibility and manipulation of the eggs, which are produced in high numbers and over a relatively short generation time. The zebrafish transgenic technology is very straightforward when coupled with angiogenesis studies allowing easy in vivo observation of the vertebrate embryonic vasculature. Here, we describe the most common technique to generate vascular-labelled transgenic zebrafish embryos and their applications to study tumor angiogenesis and visualize tumor extravasation.
Assuntos
Neoplasias , Peixe-Zebra , Animais , Animais Geneticamente Modificados , DNA , Neoplasias/irrigação sanguínea , Neoplasias/genética , Neovascularização Patológica/genética , Peixe-Zebra/genéticaRESUMO
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. If left untreated, tumors tend to grow and spread uncontrolled until the patient dies. To support this growth, cancer cells need large amounts of nutrients and growth factors that are supplied and distributed to the tumor tissue by the vascular system. The aberrant tumor vasculature shows deep morphological, molecular, and metabolic differences compared to the blood vessels belonging to the non-malignant tissues (also referred as normal). A better understanding of the metabolic mechanisms driving the differences between normal and tumor vasculature will allow the designing of new drugs with a higher specificity of action and fewer side effects to target tumors and improve a patient's life expectancy. In this review, we aim to summarize the main features of tumor endothelial cells (TECs) and shed light on the critical metabolic pathways that characterize these cells. A better understanding of such mechanisms will help to design innovative therapeutic strategies in healthy and diseased angiogenesis.
RESUMO
Angiogenesis, the active formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones, is a complex and demanding biological process that plays an important role in physiological as well as pathological settings. Recent evidence supports cell metabolism as a critical regulator of angiogenesis. However, whether and how cell metabolism regulates endothelial growth factor receptor levels and nucleotide synthesis remains elusive. We here shown in both human cell lines and mouse models that during developmental and pathological angiogenesis, endothelial cells (ECs) use glutaminolysis-derived glutamate to produce aspartate (Asp) via aspartate aminotransferase (AST/GOT). Asp leads to mTORC1 activation which, in turn, regulates endothelial translation machinery for VEGFR2 and FGFR1 synthesis. Asp-dependent mTORC1 pathway activation also regulates de novo pyrimidine synthesis in angiogenic ECs. These findings identify glutaminolysis-derived Asp as a regulator of mTORC1-dependent endothelial translation and pyrimidine synthesis. Our studies may help overcome anti-VEGF therapy resistance by targeting endothelial growth factor receptor translation.
Assuntos
Ácido Aspártico , Células Endoteliais , Alvo Mecanístico do Complexo 1 de Rapamicina , Neovascularização Patológica , Neovascularização Fisiológica , Animais , Ácido Aspártico/metabolismo , Linhagem Celular , Células Endoteliais/metabolismo , Humanos , Alvo Mecanístico do Complexo 1 de Rapamicina/metabolismo , Camundongos , Neovascularização Patológica/metabolismo , Neovascularização Fisiológica/fisiologia , Biossíntese de Proteínas/fisiologia , Pirimidinas , Receptores de Fatores de Crescimento do Endotélio Vascular/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais , Fator A de Crescimento do Endotélio Vascular/metabolismo , Receptor 2 de Fatores de Crescimento do Endotélio Vascular/metabolismoRESUMO
Cutaneous melanoma is the deadliest type of skin cancer, although it accounts for a minority of all skin cancers. Oxidative stress is involved in all stages of melanomagenesis and cutaneous melanoma can sustain a much higher load of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) than normal tissues. Melanoma cells exploit specific antioxidant machinery to support redox homeostasis. The enzyme UBIA prenyltransferase domain-containing protein 1 (UBIAD1) is responsible for the biosynthesis of non-mitochondrial CoQ10 and plays an important role as antioxidant enzyme. Whether UBIAD1 is involved in melanoma progression has not been addressed, yet. Here, we provide evidence that UBIAD1 expression is associated with poor overall survival (OS) in human melanoma patients. Furthermore, UBIAD1 and CoQ10 levels are upregulated in melanoma cells with respect to melanocytes. We show that UBIAD1 and plasma membrane CoQ10 sustain melanoma cell survival and proliferation by preventing lipid peroxidation and cell death. Additionally, we show that the NAD(P)H Quinone Dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1), responsible for the 2-electron reduction of CoQ10 on plasma membranes, acts downstream of UBIAD1 to support melanoma survival. By showing that the CoQ10-producing enzyme UBIAD1 counteracts oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation events in cutaneous melanoma, this work may open to new therapeutic investigations based on UBIAD1/CoQ10 loss to cure melanoma.
Assuntos
Dimetilaliltranstransferase/metabolismo , Melanoma , Neoplasias Cutâneas , Antioxidantes/metabolismo , Morte Celular , Humanos , Peroxidação de Lipídeos , Melanoma/genética , Ubiquinona/análogos & derivados , Ubiquinona/metabolismo , Ubiquinona/farmacologia , Melanoma Maligno CutâneoRESUMO
Vascular mural cells (vMCs) play an essential role in the development and maturation of the vasculature by promoting vessel stabilization through their interactions with endothelial cells. Whether endothelial metabolism influences mural cell recruitment and differentiation is unknown. Here, we show that the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway (oxPPP) in endothelial cells is required for establishing vMC coverage of the dorsal aorta during early vertebrate development in zebrafish and mice. We demonstrate that laminar shear stress and blood flow maintain oxPPP activity, which in turn, promotes elastin expression in blood vessels through production of ribose-5-phosphate. Elastin is both necessary and sufficient to drive vMC recruitment and maintenance when the oxPPP is active. In summary, our work demonstrates that endothelial cell metabolism regulates blood vessel maturation by controlling vascular matrix composition and vMC recruitment.
Assuntos
Vasos Sanguíneos/citologia , Vasos Sanguíneos/metabolismo , Matriz Extracelular/metabolismo , Fosforilação Oxidativa , Via de Pentose Fosfato , Animais , Biomarcadores , Elastina/biossíntese , Elastina/genética , Células Endoteliais/metabolismo , Células Endoteliais/ultraestrutura , Expressão Gênica , Genes Reporter , Glucose/metabolismo , Hemodinâmica , Camundongos , Camundongos Knockout , Modelos Biológicos , Estresse Oxidativo , Pentosefosfatos/metabolismo , Peixe-ZebraRESUMO
Dynamic modulation of endothelial cell-to-cell and cell-to-extracellular matrix (ECM) adhesion is essential for blood vessel patterning and functioning. Yet the molecular mechanisms involved in this process have not been completely deciphered. We identify the adhesion G protein-coupled receptor (ADGR) Latrophilin 2 (LPHN2) as a novel determinant of endothelial cell (EC) adhesion and barrier function. In cultured ECs, endogenous LPHN2 localizes at ECM contacts, signals through cAMP/Rap1, and inhibits focal adhesion (FA) formation and nuclear localization of YAP/TAZ transcriptional regulators, while promoting tight junction (TJ) assembly. ECs also express an endogenous LPHN2 ligand, fibronectin leucine-rich transmembrane 2 (FLRT2), that prevents ECM-elicited EC behaviors in an LPHN2-dependent manner. Vascular ECs of lphn2a knock-out zebrafish embryos become abnormally stretched, display a hyperactive YAP/TAZ pathway, and lack proper intercellular TJs. Consistently, blood vessels are hyperpermeable, and intravascularly injected cancer cells extravasate more easily in lphn2a null animals. Thus, LPHN2 ligands, such as FLRT2, may be therapeutically exploited to interfere with cancer metastatic dissemination.
Assuntos
Permeabilidade Capilar/fisiologia , Adesão Celular/fisiologia , Endotélio Vascular/metabolismo , Células Endoteliais da Veia Umbilical Humana/metabolismo , Receptores Acoplados a Proteínas G/metabolismo , Proteínas Adaptadoras de Transdução de Sinal/metabolismo , Animais , Animais Geneticamente Modificados , Células COS , Linhagem Celular , Núcleo Celular/metabolismo , Chlorocebus aethiops , Matriz Extracelular/metabolismo , Células HEK293 , Humanos , Transdução de Sinais/fisiologia , Transativadores/metabolismo , Peixe-ZebraRESUMO
Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) represent a major structural and functional component of many organs during embryonic development and adulthood. These cells are a crucial component of vertebrate structure and physiology, and an updated overview of the developmental and functional process of smooth muscle during organogenesis is desirable. Here, we describe the developmental origin of SMCs within different tissues by comparing their specification and differentiation with other organs, including the cardiovascular, respiratory and intestinal systems. We then discuss the instructive roles of smooth muscle in the development of such organs through signaling and mechanical feedback mechanisms. By understanding SMC development, we hope to advance therapeutic approaches related to tissue regeneration and other smooth muscle-related diseases.
Assuntos
Desenvolvimento Embrionário , Músculo Liso/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Miócitos de Músculo Liso/fisiologia , Vertebrados/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Animais , Animais Geneticamente Modificados , Sistema Cardiovascular , Diferenciação Celular/fisiologia , Trato Gastrointestinal , Pulmão , Mesoderma , Músculo Liso/citologia , Músculo Liso/embriologia , Músculo Liso Vascular/embriologia , Músculo Liso Vascular/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Miócitos de Músculo Liso/citologia , Organogênese/fisiologia , Sistema Respiratório , Vertebrados/embriologiaRESUMO
The circadian clock regulates a wide range of molecular pathways and biological processes. The expression of clock genes is often altered in cancer, fostering tumor initiation and progression. Inhibition and activation of core circadian clock genes, as well as treatments that restore circadian rhythmicity, have been successful in counteracting tumor growth in different experimental models. Here, we provide an up-to-date overview of studies that show the therapeutic effects of targeting the clock molecular machinery in cancer, both genetically and pharmacologically. We also highlight future areas for progress that offer a promising path towards innovative anticancer strategies. Substantial limitations in the current understanding of the complex interplay between the circadian clock and cancer in vivo need to be addressed in order to allow clock-targeting therapies in cancer.
Assuntos
Relógios Circadianos/genética , Terapia de Alvo Molecular , Neoplasias/terapia , Animais , Ritmo Circadiano/genética , Progressão da Doença , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica , Humanos , Neoplasias/genética , Neoplasias/patologiaRESUMO
Cutaneous melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer. Although cutaneous melanoma accounts for a minority of all types of skin cancer, it causes the greatest number of skin cancer related deaths worldwide. Oxidative stress and redox homeostasis have been shown to be involved at each stage of a malignant melanocyte transformation, called melanomagenesis, as well as during drug resistance. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important and diverse role that regulate many aspects of skin cell behaviors ranging from proliferation and stemness, to oxidative damage and cell death. On the other hand, antioxidants are associated with melanoma spread and metastasis. Overall, the contribution of redox homeostasis to melanoma development and progression is controversial and highly complex. The aim of this study is to examine the association between redox homeostasis and the melanomagenic process. To this purpose we are presenting what is currently known about the role of ROS in melanoma initiation and progression. In addition, we are discussing the role of antioxidant mechanisms during the spread of the disease and in cases of melanoma drug resistance. Although challenging, targeting redox homeostasis in melanoma progression remains to be a promising therapeutic approach, especially valid during melanoma drug resistance.
Assuntos
Melanoma , Neoplasias Cutâneas , Antioxidantes , Homeostase , Humanos , Melanoma/tratamento farmacológico , Melanoma/genética , Oxirredução , Estresse Oxidativo , Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio , Neoplasias Cutâneas/genéticaRESUMO
Although confirmed as the primary lipophilic antioxidant molecule endogenously produced by cells, the non-mitochondrial pool of CoQ10's functional role is still well debated. Recently, both Bersuker et al. (2019) and Doll et al. (2019) have identified FSP1 as a novel CoQ10 plasma membrane oxidoreductase, protecting cells from glutathione-independent ferroptosis.
Assuntos
Antioxidantes , Glutationa , Ferroptose , Ubiquinona/análogos & derivadosRESUMO
Since its introduction, the zebrafish has provided an important reference system to model and study cardiovascular development as well as lymphangiogenesis in vertebrates. A scientific workshop, held at the 2018 European Zebrafish Principal Investigators Meeting in Trento (Italy) and chaired by Massimo Santoro, focused on the most recent methods and studies on cardiac, vascular and lymphatic development. Daniela Panáková and Natascia Tiso described new molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways involved in cardiac differentiation and disease. Arndt Siekmann and Wiebke Herzog discussed novel roles for Wnt and VEGF signaling in brain angiogenesis. In addition, Brant Weinstein's lab presented data concerning the discovery of endothelium-derived macrophage-like perivascular cells in the zebrafish brain, while Monica Beltrame's studies refined the role of Sox transcription factors in vascular and lymphatic development. In this article, we will summarize the details of these recent discoveries in support of the overall value of the zebrafish model system not only to study normal development, but also associated disease states.
RESUMO
The role of endothelial metabolism represents a crucial element governing the formation and the differentiation of blood vessels, termed angiogenesis. Besides glycolysis and fatty acid oxidation, endothelial cells rely on specific amino acids to proliferate, migrate, and survive. In this review we focus on the metabolism of those amino acids and the intermediates that hold an established function within angiogenesis and endothelial pathophysiology. We also discuss recent work which provides a rationale for specific amino acid-restricted diets and its beneficial effects on vascular tissues, including extending the life span and preventing the development of a variety of diseases.
Assuntos
Aminoácidos/metabolismo , Células Endoteliais/metabolismo , Endotélio Vascular/metabolismo , Neovascularização Fisiológica , Animais , Dieta com Restrição de Proteínas , Endotélio Vascular/fisiopatologia , Humanos , Transdução de Sinais , Doenças Vasculares/dietoterapia , Doenças Vasculares/metabolismo , Doenças Vasculares/fisiopatologiaRESUMO
Despite their inherent proximity to circulating oxygen and nutrients, endothelial cells (ECs) oxidize only a minor fraction of glucose in mitochondria, a metabolic specialization that is poorly understood. Here we show that the glycolytic enzyme pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) limits glucose oxidation, and maintains the growth and epigenetic state of ECs. We find that loss of PKM2 alters mitochondrial substrate utilization and impairs EC proliferation and migration in vivo. Mechanistically, we show that the NF-κB transcription factor RELB is responsive to PKM2 loss, limiting EC growth through the regulation of P53. Furthermore, S-adenosylmethionine synthesis is impaired in the absence of PKM2, resulting in DNA hypomethylation, de-repression of endogenous retroviral elements (ERVs) and activation of antiviral innate immune signalling. This work reveals the metabolic and functional consequences of glucose oxidation in the endothelium, highlights the importance of PKM2 for endothelial growth and links metabolic dysfunction with autoimmune activation in ECs.
Assuntos
Proteínas de Transporte/metabolismo , Células Endoteliais/citologia , Células Endoteliais/metabolismo , Proteínas de Membrana/metabolismo , Piruvato Quinase/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais , Hormônios Tireóideos/metabolismo , Animais , Proliferação de Células , Metilação de DNA , Retrovirus Endógenos/metabolismo , Deleção de Genes , Células Endoteliais da Veia Umbilical Humana/citologia , Células Endoteliais da Veia Umbilical Humana/metabolismo , Humanos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Mitocôndrias/metabolismo , Neovascularização Fisiológica , Fator de Transcrição RelB/metabolismo , Proteína Supressora de Tumor p53/metabolismo , Proteínas de Ligação a Hormônio da TireoideRESUMO
Congenital or neonatal cardiomyopathies are commonly associated with a poor prognosis and have multiple etiologies. In two siblings, a male and female, we identified an undescribed type of lethal congenital restrictive cardiomyopathy affecting the right ventricle. We hypothesized a novel autosomal recessive condition. To identify the cause, we performed genetic, in vitro and in vivo studies. Genome-wide SNP typing and parametric linkage analysis was done in a recessive model to identify candidate regions. Exome sequencing analysis was done in unaffected and affected siblings. In the linkage regions, we selected candidate genes that harbor two rare variants with predicted functional effects in the patients and for which the unaffected sibling is either heterozygous or homozygous reference. We identified two compound heterozygous variants in KIF20A; a maternal missense variant (c.544C>T: p.R182W) and a paternal frameshift mutation (c.1905delT: p.S635Tfs*15). Functional studies confirmed that the R182W mutation creates an ATPase defective form of KIF20A which is not able to support efficient transport of Aurora B as part of the chromosomal passenger complex. Due to this, Aurora B remains trapped on chromatin in dividing cells and fails to translocate to the spindle midzone during cytokinesis. Translational blocking of KIF20A in a zebrafish model resulted in a cardiomyopathy phenotype. We identified a novel autosomal recessive congenital restrictive cardiomyopathy, caused by a near complete loss-of-function of KIF20A. This finding further illustrates the relationship of cytokinesis and congenital cardiomyopathy.