Expression of TGF-ß/Smad pathway-related indices in patients with isolated iliac artery aneurysms complicated with iliac arteriovenous fistula and their relationship with prognosis.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the expression of TGF-ß/Smad pathway-related indices in patients with isolated iliac artery aneurysms (IIAA) complicated with iliac arteriovenous fistula (IAVF) and their relationship with prognosis. METHODS: From January 2016 to June 2022, 83 patients with IIAA complicated with IAVF (Study group) and 54 patients with IIAA not complicated with IAVF (control group) were studied. The related indices of TGF-ß/Smad pathway were evaluated, and the effects of each index on the formation of IAVF were analyzed. The patients were divided into the survival group (64 cases) and death group (19 cases), and the prognostic value of indices in combination was analyzed. RESULTS: TGF-ß, p-Smad2, p-Smad3, p-JNK, and p-ERK in the study group were higher than those in the control group. Abnormal increase of pSmad3 expression was a risk factor for IAVF formation in patients with IIAA. TGF-ß level in the death group was higher than that in the survival group, and p-Smad3 and p-JNK proteins were higher than those in the survival group. The AUC value of indices in the TGF-ß/Smad pathway in combination was greater than that of each index alone. Abnormal increased expression of pSmad3 was a risk factor for prognosis of patients with IIAA complicated with IAVF. CONCLUSION: The abnormal increase of TGF-ß/Smad pathway-related indices is related to poor prognosis of patients with IIAA complicated with IAVF, and the combined detection of all indices has a predictive value for patients' prognosis.

Heterogeneous gene expression during early arteriovenous fistula remodeling suggests that downregulation of metabolism predicts adaptive venous remodeling.

Clinical outcomes of arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) for hemodialysis remain inadequate since biological mechanisms of AVF maturation and failure are still poorly understood. Aortocaval fistula creation (AVF group) or a sham operation (sham group) was performed in C57BL/6 mice. Venous limbs were collected on postoperative day 7 and total RNA was extracted for high throughput RNA sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. Genes in metabolic pathways were significantly downregulated in the AVF, whereas significant sex differences were not detected. Since gene expression patterns among the AVF group were heterogenous, the AVF group was divided into a 'normal' AVF (nAVF) group and an 'outliers' (OUT) group. The gene expression patterns of the nAVF and OUT groups were consistent with previously published data showing venous adaptive remodeling, whereas enrichment analyses showed significant upregulation of metabolism, inflammation and coagulation in the OUT group compared to the nAVF group, suggesting the heterogeneity during venous remodeling reflects early gene expression changes that may correlate with AVF maturation or failure. Early detection of these processes may be a translational strategy to predict fistula failure and reduce patient morbidity.

LncRNA-LncDACH1 mediated phenotypic switching of smooth muscle cells during neointimal hyperplasia in male arteriovenous fistulas.

Arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are the most common vascular access points for hemodialysis (HD), but they have a high incidence of postoperative dysfunction, mainly due to excessive neointimal hyperplasia (NIH). Our previous studies have revealed a highly conserved LncRNA-LncDACH1 as an important regulator of cardiomyocyte and fibroblast proliferation. Herein, we find that LncDACH1 regulates NIH in AVF in male mice with conditional knockout of smooth muscle cell-specific LncDACH1 and in male mice model of AVF with LncDACH1 overexpression by adeno-associated virus. Mechanistically, silence of LncDACH1 activates p-AKT through promoting the expression of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) and serine/arginine-rich splicing factor protein kinase 1 (SRPK1). Moreover, LncDACH1 is transcriptionally activated by transcription factor KLF9 that binds directly to the promoter region of the LncDACH1 gene. In this work, during AVF NIH, LncDACH1 is downregulated by KLF9 and promotes NIH through the HSP90/ SRPK1/ AKT signaling axis.

VDR alleviates endothelial cell injury in arteriovenous fistula through inhibition of P66Shc-mediated mitochondrial ROS.

To investigate the effects and mechanism of Vitamin D receptor (VDR) signaling on arteriovenous fistula (AVF) endothelial cell injury. Venous tissues of AVF stenosis patients were collected and analyzed, vascular morphology, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the expression of VDR, P66Shc, fibronectin (FN), collagen-1 (Col-1) were detected. In addition, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was used in in vitro studies. HUVECs was incubated with transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß, 50 ng/ml). Aditionally, paricalcitol, VDR overexpression plasmid and Pin1 inhibitor Juglone were used to investigate the regulatory mechanism of VDR in mitochondrial ROS. The parameters of ROS (e.g. MitoSox) and the expression of FN, Col-1 were tested. Moreover, the mitochondrial translocation of P66Shc was analyzed. The expression of VDR was obviously decreased in the venous tissues of AVF stenosis patients. On the contrary, the expression of P66Shc, P-P66Shc, FN, Col-1 and 8-OHdG were increased significantly in the venous tissues of AVF stenosis patients (P < 0.05). In line with this, the level of mitochondrial ROS and the expression of P66Shc, P-P66Shc, FN, Col-1 increased obviously in HUVECs cells under TGF-ß condition. Both VDR over-expression plasmid and Pin1 inhibitor Juglone could alleviate TGF-ß induced endothelial injury. Mechanistically, VDR overexpression plasmid and Juglone could inhibit the expression of Pin1, and then restrain P66Shc mitochondrial translocation, eventually reduce the level of mitochondrial ROS. Our research indicated that activation of VDR could alleviate venous endothelial cell dysfunction through inhibiting Pin1-mediated mitochondrial translocation of P66Shc and consequently reducing mitochondrial ROS. It suggested that VDR signaling might be an effective target for AVF stenosis treatment.

Osteopontin is a key regulator of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation in the outflow vein of arteriovenous fistulas.

OBJECTIVES: Despite advances in the maintenance of arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs), the patency rates remain suboptimal. Most AVFs fail due to outflow vein stenosis; however, the underlying mechanism of AVF stenosis remains unclear. The present study aimed to identify key factors associated with AVF outflow stenosis. METHODS: We obtained gene expression profiling data for the outflow vein of AVF from three Gene Expression Omnibus database datasets (GSE39488, GSE97377, and GSE116268) and analyzed the common differentially expressed genes (DEGs). We evaluated a common DEG in an aortocaval mouse model and the stenotic outflow veins of AVFs collected from patients. Furthermore, we isolated vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from the inferior vena cava (IVC) of wild-type (WT) and osteopontin (Opn)-knockout (KO) mice and assessed the proliferation of VSMCs following stimulation with platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs). RESULTS: OPN was the only common upregulated DEG among all datasets. OPN was expressed in the medial layer of the outflow vein of AVF in aortocaval mouse models and co-stained with the VSMC marker (α-smooth muscle actin). OPN expression was markedly increased in the VSMCs of stenotic outflow veins of AVF collected from patients undergoing hemodialysis compared to presurgical veins acquired during AVF formation surgery. PDGF-induced VSMC proliferation was significantly increased in the VSMCs isolated from the IVC of WT mice but not in those isolated from the IVC of Opn-KO mice. CONCLUSIONS: OPN may be a key gene involved in VSMC proliferation in the AVF outflow veins and a therapeutic target to improve the AVF patency rate.

The PPAR-γ Agonist Pioglitazone Modulates Proliferation and Migration in HUVEC, HAOSMC and Human Arteriovenous Fistula-Derived Cells.

The failure of arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) following intimal hyperplasia (IH) increases morbidity and mortality rates in patients undergoing hemodialysis for chronic kidney disease. The peroxisome-proliferator associated receptor (PPAR-γ) may be a therapeutic target in IH regulation. In the present study, we investigated PPAR-γ expression and tested the effect of pioglitazone, a PPAR-γ agonist, in different cell types involved in IH. As cell models, we used Human Endothelial Umbilical Vein Cells (HUVEC), Human Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells (HAOSMC), and AVF cells (AVFCs) isolated from (i) normal veins collected at the first AVF establishment (T0), and (ii) failed AVF with IH (T1). PPAR-γ was downregulated in AVF T1 tissues and cells, in comparison to T0 group. HUVEC, HAOSMC, and AVFC (T0 and T1) proliferation and migration were analyzed after pioglitazone administration, alone or in combination with the PPAR-γ inhibitor, GW9662. Pioglitazone negatively regulated HUVEC and HAOSMC proliferation and migration. The effect was antagonized by GW9662. These data were confirmed in AVFCs T1, where pioglitazone induced PPAR-γ expression and downregulated the invasive genes SLUG, MMP-9, and VIMENTIN. In summary, PPAR-γ modulation may represent a promising strategy to reduce the AVF failure risk by modulating cell proliferation and migration.

Targeting the Crosstalk of Immune Response and Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Phenotype Switch for Arteriovenous Fistula Maturation.

Plaque formation, thrombosis, and embolism are the underlying causes of acute cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction and stroke while early thrombosis and stenosis are common pathologies for the maturation failure of arteriovenous fistula (AVF). Chronic inflammation is a common underlying pathogenesis mediated by innate and adaptive immune response involving infiltration of immune cells and secretion of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Impaired immune cell infiltration and change in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotype play a crucial role in the underlying pathophysiology. However, the change in the phenotype of VSMCs in a microenvironment of immune cell infiltration and increased secretion of cytokines have not been investigated. Since change in VSMC phenotype regulates vessel remodeling after intimal injury, in this study, we investigated the effect of macrophages and pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-6, IL-1ß, and TNF-α, on the change in VSMC phenotype under in vitro conditions. We also investigated the expression of the markers of VSMC phenotypes in arteries with atherosclerotic plaques and VSMCs isolated from control arteries. We found that the inhibition of cytokine downstream signaling may mitigate the effect of cytokines on the change in VSMCs phenotype. The results of this study support that regulating or targeting immune cell infiltration and function might be a therapeutic strategy to mitigate the effects of chronic inflammation to attenuate plaque formation, early thrombosis, and stenosis, and thus enhance AVF maturation.

Inhibition of ß-catenin signaling attenuates arteriovenous fistula thickening in mice by suppressing myofibroblasts.

BACKGROUND: Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the most important vascular access for hemodialysis; however, preventive treatment to maintain the patency of AVFs has not been developed. In endothelium, ß-catenin functions in both the intercellular adherens complex and signaling pathways that induce the transition of endothelial cells to myofibroblasts in response to mechanical stimuli. We hypothesize that mechanical disturbances in the AVF activate ß-catenin signaling leading to the transition of endothelial cells to myofibroblasts, which cause AVF thickening. The present study aimed to test this hypothesis. METHODS: Chronic kidney disease in mice was induced by a 0.2% adenine diet. AVFs were created by aortocaval puncture. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were used in the cell experiments. A pressure-culture system was used to simulate mechanical disturbances of the AVF. RESULTS: Co-expression of CD31 and smooth muscle alpha-actin (αSMA), loss of cell-cell adhesions, and the expression of the myofibroblast marker, integrin subunit ß6 (ITGB6), indicated transition to myofibroblasts in mouse AVF. Nuclear translocation of ß-catenin, decreased axin2, and increased c-myc expression were also observed in the AVF, indicating activated ß-catenin signaling. To confirm that ß-catenin signaling contributes to AVF lesions, ß-catenin signaling was inhibited with pyrvinium pamoate; ß-catenin inhibition significantly attenuated AVF thickening and decreased myofibroblasts. In HUVECs, barometric pressure-induced nuclear localization of ß-catenin and increased expression of the myofibroblast markers, αSMA and ITGB6. These changes were attenuated via pretreatment with ß-catenin inhibition. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that mechanical disturbance in AVF activates ß-catenin signaling to induce the transition of endothelial cells to myofibroblasts. This signaling cascade can be targeted to maintain AVF patency.

Involvement of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral arteriovenous malformations (cAVMs) represent tangles of abnormal vasculature without intervening capillaries. High-pressure vascular channels due to abnormal arterial and venous shunts can lead to rupture. Multiple pathways are involved in the pathobiology of cAVMs including inflammation and genetic factors such as KRAS mutations. Neutrophil release of nuclear chromatin, known as neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), plays a multifunctional role in infection, inflammation, thrombosis, intracranial aneurysms, and tumor progression. However, the relationship between NETs and the pathobiology of cAVMs remains unknown. We tested whether NETs play a role in the pathobiology of cAVMs. METHODS: We analyzed samples from patients who had undergone surgery for cAVM and immunohistochemically investigated expression of citrullinated histone H3 (CitH3) as a marker of NETs. CitH3 expression was compared among samples from cAVM patients, epilepsy patients, and normal human brain tissue. Expressions of thrombotic and inflammatory markers were also examined immunohistochemically in samples from cAVM patients. RESULTS: Expression of CitH3 derived from neutrophils was observed intravascularly in all cAVM samples but not other samples. Nidi of AVMs showed migration of many Iba-I-positive cells adjacent to the endothelium and endothelial COX2 expression, accompanied by expression of IL-6 and IL-8 in the endothelium and intravascular neutrophils. Unexpectedly, expression of CitH3 was not necessarily localized to the vascular wall and thrombus. CONCLUSIONS: Our results offer the first evidence of intravascular expression of NETs, which might be associated with vascular inflammation in cAVMs.

Effect of galectin-3 in the pathogenesis of arteriovenous fistula stenosis formation.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to investigate the effect of local expression of galectin-3 in the development of stenotic arteriovenous fistula (AVF). METHODS: We collected stenotic venous tissues, adjacent nonstenotic venous tissues, and blood samples from end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with AVF stenosis, while normal venous tissues and blood samples were collected from ESRD patients before AVF creation as controls. Also blood samples were collected from ESRD patients with nonstenosis functional AVF. Galectin-3, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and α-SMA expression in the venous tissues were examined by immunohistochemistry, and the ERK1/2 pathway activity in the intima was accessed by western blot. Serum galectin-3 level was measured by ELISA. Thereafter, human pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (HPASMCs) were cultured in vitro, and the interaction between Galectin-3 and ERK1/2 pathway in HPASMCs was estimated by western blot. RESULTS: ESRD patients with stenotic AVF had a significant higher serum galectin-3 level than normal controls, and patients with non-stenotic functional AVF. The expression levels of galectin-3, phosphorylated ERK1/2, PCNA, MMP-9, and α-SMA in the stenotic venous tissues were higher than that in the normal venous tissues or the adjacent nonstenotic AVF venous tissues. Correlation analysis showed that the expression of galectin-3 of the neointima was positively correlated with PCNA and α-SMA in the stenotic AVF venous tissues. In HPASMCs, galectin-3 can increase the activity of phosphorylated ERK1/2 and promote the expression of α-SMA. CONCLUSION: In the stenotic AVF of ESRD patients, expression of the galectin-3 was significantly increased, showing a positive relation with neointima development.

Aberrant regulation of retinoic acid signaling genes in cerebral arterio venous malformation nidus and neighboring astrocytes.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral arterio venous malformations (AVM) are a major causal factor for intracranial hemorrhage, which result in permanent disability or death. The molecular mechanisms of AVM are complex, and their pathogenesis remains an enigma. Current research on cerebral AVM is focused on characterizing the molecular features of AVM nidus to elucidate the aberrant signaling pathways. The initial stimuli that lead to the development of AVM nidus structures between a dilated artery and a vein are however not known. METHODS: In order to understand the molecular basis of development of cerebral AVM, we used in-depth RNA sequencing with the total RNA isolated from cerebral AVM nidus. Immunoblot and qRT-PCR assays were used to study the differential gene expression in AVM nidus, and immunofluorescence staining was used to study the expression pattern of aberrant proteins in AVM nidus and control tissues. Immunohistochemistry was used to study the expression pattern of aberrant proteins in AVM nidus and control tissues. RESULTS: The transcriptome study has identified 38 differentially expressed genes in cerebral AVM nidus, of which 35 genes were upregulated and 3 genes were downregulated. A final modular analysis identified an upregulation of ALDH1A2, a key rate-limiting enzyme of retinoic acid signaling pathway. Further analysis revealed that CYR61, a regulator of angiogenesis, and the target gene for retinoic acid signaling is upregulated in AVM nidus. We observed that astrocytes associated with AVM nidus are abnormal with increased expression of GFAP and Vimentin. Triple immunofluorescence staining of the AVM nidus revealed that CYR61 was also overexpressed in the abnormal astrocytes associated with AVM tissue. CONCLUSION: Using high-throughput RNA sequencing analysis and immunostaining, we report deregulated expression of retinoic acid signaling genes in AVM nidus and its associated astrocytes and speculate that this might trigger the abnormal angiogenesis and the development of cerebral AVM in humans.

Sterile inflammation in the pathogenesis of maturation failure of arteriovenous fistula.

Chronic kidney disease is a widespread terminal illness that afflicts millions of people across the world. Hemodialysis is the predominant therapeutic management strategy for kidney failure and involves the external filtration of metabolic waste within the circulation. This process requires an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) for vascular access. However, AVF maturation failures are significant obstacles in establishing long-term vascular access for hemodialysis. Appropriate stimulation, activation, and proliferation of smooth muscle cells, proper endothelial cell orientation, adequate structural changes in the ECM, and the release of anti-inflammatory markers are associated with maturation. AVFs often fail to mature due to inadequate tissue repair and remodeling, leading to neointimal hyperplasia lesions. The transdifferentiation of myofibroblasts and sterile inflammation are possibly involved in AVF maturation failures; however, limited data is available in this regard. The present article critically reviews the interplay of various damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and the downstream sterile inflammatory signaling with a focus on the NLRP3 inflammasome. Improved knowledge concerning AVF maturation pathways can be unveiled by investigating the novel DAMPs and the mediators of sterile inflammation in vascular remodeling that would open improved therapeutic opportunities in the management of AVF maturation failures and its associated complications.

The geometry of arteriovenous fistulas using endothelial nitric oxide synthase mouse models.

BACKGROUND: Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) maturation failure is a significant clinical problem in the hemodialysis population. Geometric parameters of human AVFs were associated with AVF development, but causative studies are lacking. We characterized mouse AVF geometry using endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) mouse models. METHODS: Carotid-jugular AVFs were created in NOS3 overexpression (OE), knockout (KO), and wild type (WT) mice. At 7 and 21 days postcreation, black-blood magnetic resonance images of AVFs were acquired and used to build three-dimensional reconstructions of AVF lumens. We used these reconstructions to calculate the lumen area, lumen centerline, and centerline-derived parameters: anastomosis angle, tortuosity, nonplanarity angle, and location of maximal distance between the feeding artery and AVF vein. Inter- and intrauser variabilities were also determined. RESULTS: When all mice were considered, increased minimum AVF venous lumen area was accompanied by increased venous tortuosity and increased distance between the artery and vein, with both remaining in-plane with the anastomosis. At day 7, the lumen area of AVFs from all strains was 1.5- to 2.5-fold larger than native veins. Furthermore, at day 21, AVF lumen in NOS3 OE (4.04±1.43 mm2) was significantly larger than KO (2.74±1.34 mm2) (P<0.001) and WT (2.94±1.30 mm2) mice (p<0.001). At day 21, the location of maximal artery-vein distance on the vein was further away from the anastomosis in OE (4.49±0.66 mm) than KO (2.87±0.38 mm) (p=0.001). Other geometric parameters were not significantly different between mouse strains or time points. Inter- and intrauser variabilities were small, indicating the reliability and reproducibility of our protocol. CONCLUSIONS: Our study presents a detailed characterization of mouse AVF geometry, and a robust protocol for future mechanistic studies to investigate the role of molecular pathways in AVF geometry. Identifying a geometry related to desired AVF remodeling can help inform surgery to enhance AVF maturation.

N-Butylidenephthalide Inhibits the Phenotypic Switch of VSMCs through Activation of AMPK and Prevents Stenosis in an Arteriovenous Fistula Rat Model.

The phenotypic switch of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) plays a pivotal role in the development of vascular disorders, such as atherosclerosis, stenosis and restenosis, after vascular intervention. In our previous study, n-butylidenephthalide (BP) was reported to have anti-proliferating and apoptotic effects on VSMCs. The purpose of the current study is to further investigate its role in platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced VSMC phenotypic modulation in an arteriovenous fistula model. In vitro, we observed that BP inhibited the PDGF-induced cytoskeleton reorganization of the VSMCs. The enhanced expression of vimentin and collagen, as well as the migration ability induced by PDGF, were also inhibited by BP. By cell cycle analysis, we found that BP inhibited the PDGF-induced VSMCs proliferation and arrested the VSMCs in the G0/G1 phase. In an arteriovenous fistula rat model, the formation of stenosis, which was coupled with a thrombus, and the expression of vimentin and collagen in VSMCs, were also inhibited by administration of BP, indicating that BP inhibited the PDGF-induced phenotypic switch and the migration of VSMCs. Besides, the inhibitory effects of BP on the phenotypic switch were found to accompany the activated 5' AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) as well as the inhibited phosphorylation of mTOR. Knockdown of AMPK by gene silencing conflicted the effects of BP and further exacerbated the PDGF-induced VSMCs phenotypic switch, confirming the modulating effect that BP exerted on the VSMCs by this pathway. These findings suggest that BP may contribute to the vasculoprotective potential in vasculature.

PDGFRA in vascular adventitial MSCs promotes neointima formation in arteriovenous fistula in chronic kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) induces the failure of arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) and promotes the differentiation of vascular adventitial GLI1-positive mesenchymal stem cells (GMCs). However, the roles of GMCs in forming neointima in AVFs remain unknown. GMCs isolated from CKD mice showed increased potential capacity of differentiation into myofibroblast-like cells. Increased activation of expression of PDGFRA and hedgehog (HH) signaling were detected in adventitial cells of AVFs from patients with end-stage kidney disease and CKD mice. PDGFRA was translocated and accumulated in early endosome when sonic hedgehog was overexpressed. In endosome, PDGFRA-mediated activation of TGFB1/SMAD signaling promoted the differentiation of GMCs into myofibroblasts, extracellular matrix deposition, and vascular fibrosis. These responses resulted in neointima formation and AVF failure. KO of Pdgfra or inhibition of HH signaling in GMCs suppressed the differentiation of GMCs into myofibroblasts. In vivo, specific KO of Pdgfra inhibited GMC activation and vascular fibrosis, resulting in suppression of neointima formation and improvement of AVF patency despite CKD. Our findings could yield strategies for maintaining AVF functions.

Mesenchymal Behavior of the Endothelium Promoted by SMAD6 Downregulation Is Associated With Brain Arteriovenous Malformation Microhemorrhage.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In unruptured brain arteriovenous malformations (bAVMs), microhemorrhage portends a higher risk of future rupture and may represent a transitional state along the continuum of destabilization. Exploration of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of microhemorrhage will provide a possible target for medical treatment to prevent bAVM bleeding. METHODS: We performed RNA sequencing analysis on 34 unruptured bAVM surgical samples. Functional pathway analysis was performed to identify potential signals associated with the microhemorrhagic phenotype. Candidate gene was then investigated in bAVM specimens by immunohistochemical staining. Several functional assays were used to investigate the effects of candidate genes on the phenotypic properties of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Then, Masson trichrome staining and immunofluorescence staining were used to evaluate the phenotypic and molecular changes in bAVM tissue. RESULTS: Via RNA sequencing, we identified differential gene expression between 18 microhemorrhagic bAVMs and 16 nonmicrohemorrhagic bAVMs. TGFß (transforming growth factor-beta)/BMP (bone morphogenetic protein) signaling was associated with the bAVM microhemorrhage group when SMAD6 (SMAD family member 6) was downregulated. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the vascular endothelium of microhemorrhagic bAVMs exhibited decreased SMAD6 expression. Functional assays revealed that SMAD6 downregulation promoted the formation of endothelial cell tubes with deficient cell-cell junctions and facilitated the acquisition of mesenchymal behavior by endothelial cells. Masson trichrome and immunofluorescence staining demonstrated that mesenchymal phenotype of endothelial cells is promoted in microhemorrhagic bAVMs. CONCLUSIONS: TGFß/BMP signaling mediated by SMAD6 in vascular endothelial cells is associated with microhemorrhagic bAVMs, and mesenchymal behavior of endothelial cells induced by SMAD6 downregulation is related with bAVM microhemorrhage.

THE RAP STUDY, REPORT TWO: The Regional Distribution of Macular Neovascularization Type 3, a Novel Insight Into Its Etiology.

PURPOSE: To explore the regional distribution of macular neovascularization type 3 (MNV3). METHODS: Seventy-eight eyes of 78 patients were reviewed. We defined the location of each lesion after applying a modified ETDRS grid and the incidence of simultaneous MNV1 or 2. Also, we investigated the distribution of MNV3 at the outline of the foveal avascular zone and when the diameter of foveal avascular zone was less than 325 µm. RESULTS: The distribution of MNV3 was 4 lesions (5%) from the center to 500 µm, 72 (92%) from 500 µm to 1500 µm, and 2 (3%) from 1,500 µm to 3000 µm. The distribution in respect of the ETDRS fields was 7 (9%) nasal, 16 (20%) superior, 32 (40%) temporal, and 23 (31%) inferior. No additional MNV1 or 2 were found elsewhere. Most lesions tended to distribute along straight bands radiating from the perifoveal area, mainly in the temporal half (72%). None of the cases had MNV3 at the boundary of the foveal avascular zone. Only five cases had foveal avascular zone diameter of less than 325 µm, the closest lesion was 425 µm away from the center. CONCLUSION: MNV3 lesions are most likely neither symmetrical nor uniformly distributed. They have a higher affinity to distribute radially in the temporal perifoveal area.

Impact of HbA1c variability on subclinical left ventricular remodeling and dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Glycemic instability confers a risk of poor prognosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aimed to investigate whether HbA1c variability provided additional value over mean HbA1c for predicting subclinical left ventricular remodeling and dysfunction in T2DM patients. METHODS: A total of 466 T2DM patients with normal cardiac structure and function were recruited and prospectively followed up for a median of 4.7 y. HbA1c was measured quarterly. The intrapersonal mean and standard deviation (SD) of HbA1c measurements were calculated, and SD-HbA1c was considered as a measure of HbA1c variability. All participants underwent transthoracic echocardiography at baseline and after follow-up. RESULTS: In multivariable regression analyses, SD-HbA1c was independently associated with annualized changes in left ventricular end diastolic diameter, interventricular septum, left ventricular posterior wall, left ventricular mass index, left ventricular ejection fraction, E/e' ratio, and E/A ratio (P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis based on mean HbA1c levels (<7.0%, 7.0-7.5%, and ≥7.5%) further confirmed that SD-HbA1c was associated with most of the above parameters regardless of mean HbA1c levels. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that HbA1c variability adds to the mean value in predicting subclinical left ventricular remodeling and dysfunction in T2DM patients.

Age-dependent changes of collagen alpha-2(IV) expression in the extracellular matrix of brain arteriovenous malformations.

OBJECTIVES: Brain arteriovenous malformations (bAVM) are rare vascular lesions. Recent observations challenge the congenital nature of these lesions. The underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms associated with dynamic changes of bAVM still remain unclear. The objective of this study was to explore the potential role of COL4A2 (Collagen alpha-2(IV)) in the pathophysiology of bAVM. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Expression and localization of COL4A2 were analyzed on tissue microarrays from bAVM patients (n = 60) by immunohistochemistry. Correlations between COL4A2 levels and clinical parameters were examined with Pearson's test for normally- distibuted or Spearman's Rho for not normally distributed data. Comparison between different clinical parameters was performed using t-test, non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test or Kruskal- Wallis test. Fisher's exact test was used for categorical data. RESULTS: COL4A2 was mainly expressed beneath the endothelium of vessels in the tunica media of bAVM. This pattern of expression indicates the basement membrane of the vessel walls. High levels of COL4A2 expression correlated with the age at surgery of patients (p = 0.005; R = 0.393; Spearman's Rho). The age at surgery in young (17-25 years) and old patients (55-76 years) showed a linear correlation; a greater variance of COL4A2 expression was observed in the age group between 26-54 years. CONCLUSION: This study reports for the first time the expression of COL4A2 in bAVM and suggests a potential role of COL4A2 in bAVM pathophysiology. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the microenvironment of bAVM and may foster the development of improved therapeutic strategies for this disease.