Endothelial Soluble Factors Mediate Differentiation of Circulating Endothelial Precursors.

Although endothelial progenitor cells have been used in clinical trials with promising preliminary results, the mechanism by which these cells interact with vascular wall cells and ischemic tissues remains unclear. We have previously reported that human coronary artery endothelial cells cocultured with peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) can stimulate their early differentiation toward a pre-endothelial phenotype. This study was aimed to assess possible soluble factors, released from the coculture, and involved in endothelial progenitor cell differentiation. Among cytokines and chemokines measured by means of Milliplex assay, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, endothelial growth factor, and CCL-2 were released in cocultures, and those levels were significantly higher than that found in human coronary artery endothelial cells or in PBMCs alone. To check their involvement in PBMC differentiation, blocking experiments with neutralizing antibodies were performed. Flow cytometry analysis confirmed an impairment of PBMC differentiation toward a pre-endothelial phenotype when IL-6, IL-8 and with a lesser extent CCL-2 were blocked. These data add a new insight into the mechanisms by which endothelial precursors interact with vascular wall, thus suggesting future directions in understanding and treating ischemic injury.

The monocyte chemotactic protein synthesis inhibitor bindarit prevents mesangial cell proliferation and extracellular matrix remodeling.

Glomerular expression of chemotactic protein-1/chemokine (C-C motif) ligand-2 (MCP-1/CCL2) correlates with the degree of renal damage, suggesting a role of this chemokine in the pathogenesis of renal diseases. Bindarit is an original indazolic derivative able to inhibit MCPs synthesis and to significantly decrease MCP-1/CCL2 urinary excretion in patients with Lupus Nephritis, in correlation with reduction in albuminuria. Aim of the present work was to elucidate the effect of MCP-1/CCL2 synthesis inhibition on in vitro models of mesangial cell dysfunction. ET1 (10nM) and AngII (10nM) significantly stimulated MCP-1/CCL2 release by human renal mesangial cells (HRMCs) after 3-12h stimulation. Bindarit (10-300 µM) significantly inhibited MCP-1/CCL2 release in response to both stimuli within 12h. Bindarit also inhibited mRNA MCP-1/CCL2 expression, confirming an effect of the drug at transcriptional level. Bindarit significantly and concentration-dependently inhibited HRMC proliferation, measured as either cell duplication or total DNA/well, and impaired mRNA collagen IV expression, collagen deposition and fibronectin expression induced by AngII and ET1. Exposure of HRMCs to bindarit also impaired MMP2 activation in response to both stimuli, measured by means of gelatin zymography. These data confirm the important role of MCP-1/CCL2 synthesis in mesangial cell dysfunction and support the potential of therapeutic intervention targeting this chemokine in kidney disease.

The I{kappa}B kinase inhibitor nuclear factor-{kappa}B essential modulator-binding domain peptide for inhibition of injury-induced neointimal formation.

OBJECTIVE: The activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is a crucial step in the arterial wall's response to injury. The identification and characterization of the NF-κB essential modulator-binding domain (NBD) peptide, which can block the activation of the IκB kinase complex, have provided an opportunity to selectively abrogate the inflammation-induced activation of NF-κB. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the NBD peptide on neointimal formation. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the rat carotid artery balloon angioplasty model, local treatment with the NBD peptide (300 µg/site) significantly reduced the number of proliferating cells at day 7 (by 40%; P<0.01) and reduced injury-induced neointimal formation (by 50%; P<0.01) at day 14. These effects were associated with a significant reduction of NF-κB activation and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 expression in the carotid arteries of rats treated with the peptide. In addition, the NBD peptide (0.01 to 1 µmol/L) reduced rat smooth muscle cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro. Similar results were observed in apolipoprotein E(-/-) mice in which the NBD peptide (150 µg/site) reduced wire-induced neointimal formation at day 28 (by 47%; P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The NBD peptide reduces neointimal formation and smooth muscle cell proliferation/migration, both effects associated with the inhibition of NF-κB activation.

Human mature endothelial cells modulate peripheral blood mononuclear cell differentiation toward an endothelial phenotype.

Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) can contribute to neovascularization, even if the mechanisms by which they interact with mature endothelial cells remain unclear. The interactions between human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) during their early differentiation towards an EPC phenotype were investigated. A co-culture model, in which the two cell types share the same culture medium in the absence of any exogenous angiogenic stimulus, was used. The role of hypoxia was assessed by pretreating HCAECs with 3% O(2) before co-culture setting. Since we have previously shown that both adherent and suspended PBMCs display a significant increase in endothelial marker expression within the 2nd day of culture in an angiogenic environment, the role of HCAECs on early PBMC differentiation was evaluated in both adherent and suspended cell fractions. A 3-day co-culture period increased the expression of VEGF-R2, VE-cadherin, alpha(v)beta(3)- and alpha(5)-integrin in both the adherent and suspended PBMCs, assessed by cytofluorimetric analysis, and up-regulated VEGF-R1 mRNA assessed by real-time RT-PCR. HCAECs influenced PBMC adhesion, transendothelial migration and cell organization on Matrigel. Hypoxia modulated either PBMC differentiation or their functional properties. These data strongly suggest that endothelium may support the differentiation of PBMCs into EPCs.

3-iodothyroacetic acid, a metabolite of thyroid hormone, induces itch and reduces threshold to noxious and to painful heat stimuli in mice.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Itch is associated with increased sensitization to nociceptive stimuli. We investigated whether 3-iodothyroacetic acid (TA1), by releasing histamine, induces itch and increases sensitization to noxious and painful heat stimuli. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Itch was evaluated after s.c. administration of TA1 (0.4, 1.32 and 4 µg·kg(-1) ). Mice threshold to noxious (NHT) and to painful heat stimuli were evaluated by the increasing-temperature hot plate (from 45.5 to 49.5°C) or by the hot plate (51.5°C) test, respectively, 15 min after i.p. injection of TA1 (0.4, 1.32 and 4 µg·kg(-1) ). Itch, NHT and pain threshold evaluation were repeated in mice pretreated with pyrilamine. Itch and NHT were also measured in HDC(+/+) and HDC(-/-) following injection of saline or TA1 (1.32, 4 and 11 µg·kg(-1) ; s.c. and i.p.). pERK1/2 levels were determined by Western blot in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) isolated from CD1 mice 15 min after they received (i.p.): saline, saline and noxious heat stimulus (46.5°C), TA1 (0.1, 0.4, 1.32, 4 µg·kg(-1) ) or TA1 1.32 µg·kg(-1) and noxious heat stimulus. KEY RESULTS: TA1 0.4 and 1.32 µg·kg(-1) induced itch and reduced NHT; pyrilamine pretreatment prevented both of these effects. TA1 4 µg·kg(-1) (i.p.) reduced pain threshold without inducing itch or modifying NHT. In HDC(-/-) mice, TA1 failed to induce itch and to reduce NHT. In DRG, pERK1/2 levels were significantly increased by noxious heat stimuli and by TA1 0.1, 0.4 and 1.32 µg·kg(-1) ; i.p. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Increased TA1 levels induce itch and an enhanced sensitivity to noxious heat stimuli suggesting that TA1 might represent a potential cause of itch in thyroid diseases.

The pro-healing effect of exendin-4 on wounds produced by abrasion in normoglycemic mice.

Experimental evidence suggested that Exendin-4 (Exe4), an agonist at glucagon like receptor-1 (GLP-1R), promoted tissue regeneration. We aimed to verify the effect of Exe4, in the absence or in the presence of Exendin-4(9-39), an antagonist at GLP-1R, on the healing of abraded skin. Two wounds (approximately 1.1×1.1 cm(2); namely "upper" and "lower" in respect of the head) were produced by abrasion on the back of 12 mice, which were then randomly assigned to receive an intradermal injection (20 µl) of Group 1: saline (NT) or Exe4 (62 ng) in the upper and lower wound respectively; Group 2: Exendin-4(9-39) (70 ng) in the upper and Exendin-4(9-39) (70 ng) and, after 15 min, Exe4 (62 ng) in the lower wound. Wounds were measured at the time of abrasion (T0) and 144 h (T3) afterward taking pictures with a ruler and by using a software. The inflammatory cell infiltrate, fibroblasts/myofibroblasts, endothelial cells and GLP-1R expression, were each labeled by immunofluorescence in each wound, pERK1/2 was evaluated by Western-blot in wound lysates. At T3, the percentage of healing surface was 53% and 92% for NT and Exe4 wounds respectively and 68% and 79% for those treated with Exendin-4(9-39) and Exendin-4(9-39)+Exe4 respectively. Exe4, but not Exendin-4(9-39) induced quantitative increase in fibroblasts/myofibroblasts and vessel density when compared to NT wounds. This increase was not evident in wounds treated with Exendin-4(9-39)+Exe4. Exe4 promotes wound healing opening to the possible dermatological use of this incretin analogue.

Histamine mediates behavioural and metabolic effects of 3-iodothyroacetic acid, an endogenous end product of thyroid hormone metabolism.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: 3-Iodothyroacetic acid (TA1) is an end product of thyroid hormone metabolism. So far, it is not known if TA1 is present in mouse brain and if it has any pharmacological effects. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: TA1 levels in mouse brain were measured by HPLC coupled to mass spectrometry. After i.c.v. administration of exogenous TA1 (0.4, 1.32 and 4 µg·kg(-1) ) to mice, memory acquisition-retention (passive avoidance paradigm with a light-dark box), pain threshold to thermal stimulus (51.5°C; hot plate test) and plasma glucose (glucorefractometer) were evaluated. Similar assays were performed in mice pretreated with s.c. injections of the histamine H1 receptor antagonist pyrilamine (10 mg·kg(-1) ) or the H2 receptor antagonist zolantidine (5 mg·kg(-1) ). TA1 (1.32 and 4 µg·kg(-1) ) was also given i.c.v. to mice lacking histidine decarboxylase (HDC(-/-) ) and the corresponding WT strain. KEY RESULTS: TA1 was found in the brain of CD1 but not of HDC mice. Exogenous TA1 induced amnesia (at 0.4 µg·kg(-1) ), stimulation of learning (1.32 and 4 µg·kg(-1) ), hyperalgesia (0.4, 1.32 and 4 µg·kg(-1) ) and hyperglycaemia (1.32 and 4 µg·kg(-1) ). All these effects were modulated by pyrilamine and zolantidine. In HDC(-/-) mice, TA1 (1.32 and 4 µg·kg(-1) ) did not increase plasma glucose or induce hyperalgesia. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Behavioural and metabolic effects of TA1 disclosed interactions between the thyroid and histaminergic systems.

Stimulatory interactions between human coronary smooth muscle cells and dendritic cells.

Despite inflammatory and immune mechanisms participating to atherogenesis and dendritic cells (DCs) driving immune and non-immune tissue injury response, the interactions between DCs and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) possibly relevant to vascular pathology including atherogenesis are still unclear. To address this issue, immature DCs (iDCs) generated from CD14+ cells isolated from healthy donors were matured either with cytokines (mDCs), or co-cultured (ccDCs) with human coronary artery VSMCs (CASMCs) using transwell chambers. Co-culture induced DC immunophenotypical and functional maturation similar to cytokines, as demonstrated by flow cytometry and mixed lymphocyte reaction. In turn, factors from mDCs and ccDCs induced CASMC migration. MCP-1 and TNFα, secreted from DCs, and IL-6 and MCP-1, secreted from CASMCs, were primarily involved. mDCs adhesion to CASMCs was enhanced by CASMC pre-treatment with IFNγ and TNFα ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were involved, since the expression of specific mRNAs for these molecules increased and adhesion was inhibited by neutralizing antibodies to the counter-receptors CD11c and CD18. Adhesion was also inhibited by CASMC pre-treatment with the HMG-CoA-reductase inhibitor atorvastatin and the PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone, which suggests a further mechanism for the anti-inflammatory action of these drugs. Adhesion of DCs to VSMCs was shown also in vivo in rat carotid 7 to 21 days after crush and incision injury. The findings indicate that DCs and VSMCs can interact with reciprocal stimulation, possibly leading to perpetuate inflammation and vascular wall remodelling, and that the interaction is enhanced by a cytokine-rich inflammatory environment and down-regulated by HMGCoA-reductase inhibitors and PPARγ agonists.

Exposure of cardiomyocytes to angiotensin II induces over-activation of monoamine oxidase type A: implications in heart failure.

Several evidences indicate that increased cardiac mitochondrial monoamine oxidase type A (MAO-A) activity associates with a failing phenotype. Till now, the mechanism underlying such relation is largely unknown. We explored the hypothesis that exposure of cardiomyocytes to AT-II caused activation of MAO-A and also of catalase and aldehyde dehydrogenase activities, enzymes involved in degrading MAO's end products. Left ventricular cardiomyocytes were isolated from normoglycemic (N) and streptozotocin-injected (50 mg/kg) rats (D) treated or not treated with losartan (20 mg/kg/day in drinking water; DLos and NLos, respectively), a type 1 receptor (AT1) antagonist, for 3 weeks. In each group of cells, MAO, catalase and aldehyde dehydrogenase activities were measured radiochemically and spectrophotometrically. The same enzymes were also measured in HL-1 immortalized cardiomyocytes not exposed and exposed to AT-II (100 nM for 18 h) in the absence and in the presence of irbesartan (1 µM), an AT1 antagonist. MAO-A catalase and aldehyde dehydrogenase activities were found significantly higher in D, than in N cells. MAO-A positively correlated with catalase activity in D cells. MAO-A and aldehyde dehydrogenase but not catalase over-activation, were prevented in DLos cells. Similarly, MAO-A activity, but not catalase and aldehyde dehydrogenase increased significantly in HL-1 cells acutely exposed to AT-II and this increase was prevented when irbesartan, an AT1 antagonist was present. Over-activation of cardiomyocyte MAO-A activity is among acute (18 h) and short-term (2-weeks of diabetes) cardiac effects of AT-II and a novel target of AT1 antagonists, first line treatments of diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Pharmacological effects of 3-iodothyronamine (T1AM) in mice include facilitation of memory acquisition and retention and reduction of pain threshold.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: 3-Iodothyronamine (T1AM), an endogenous derivative of thyroid hormones, is regarded as a rapid modulator of behaviour and metabolism. To determine whether brain thyroid hormone levels contribute to these effects, we investigated the effect of central administration of T1AM on learning and pain threshold of mice either untreated or pretreated with clorgyline (2.5 mg·kg(-1) , i.p.), an inhibitor of amine oxidative metabolism. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: T1AM (0.13, 0.4, 1.32 and 4 µg·kg(-1) ) or vehicle was injected i.c.v. into male mice, and after 30 min their effects on memory acquisition capacity, pain threshold and curiosity were evaluated by the following tests: passive avoidance, licking latency on the hot plate and movements on the hole-board platform. Plasma glycaemia was measured using a glucorefractometer. Brain levels of triiodothyroxine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and T1AM were measured by HPLC coupled to tandem MS. ERK1/2 activation and c-fos expression in different brain regions were evaluated by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: T1AM improved learning capacity, decreased pain threshold to hot stimuli, enhanced curiosity and raised plasma glycaemia in a dose-dependent way, without modifying T3 and T4 brain concentrations. T1AM effects on learning and pain were abolished or significantly affected by clorgyline, suggesting a role for some metabolite(s), or that T1AM interacts at the rapid desensitizing target(s). T1AM activated ERK in different brain areas at lower doses than those effective on behaviour. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: T1AM is a novel memory enhancer. This feature might have important implications for the treatment of endocrine and neurodegenerative-induced memory disorders.

Pharmacologically active microcarriers for endothelial progenitor cell support and survival.

The regenerative potential of endothelial progenitor cell (EPC)-based therapies is limited due to poor cell viability and minimal retention following application. Neovascularization can be improved by means of scaffolds supporting EPCs. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether human early EPCs (eEPCs) could be efficiently cultured on pharmacologically active microcarriers (PAMs), made with poly(d,l-lactic-coglycolic acid) and coated with adhesion/extracellular matrix molecules. They may serve as a support for stem cells and may be used as cell carriers providing a controlled delivery of active protein such as the angiogenic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A). eEPC adhesion to fibronectin-coated PAMs (FN-PAMs) was assessed by means of microscopic evaluation and by means of Alamar blue assay. Phospho ERK(1/2) and PARP-1 expression was measured by means of Western blot to assess the survival effects of FN-PAMs releasing VEGF-A (FN-VEGF-PAMs). The Alamar blue assay or a modified Boyden chamber assay was employed to assess proliferative or migratory capacity, respectively. Our data indicate that eEPCs were able to adhere to empty FN-PAMs within a few hours. FN-VEGF-PAMs increased the ability of eEPCs to adhere to them and strongly supported endothelial-like phenotype and cell survival. Moreover, the release of VEGF-A by FN-PAMs stimulated in vitro HUVEC migration and proliferation. These data strongly support the use of PAMs for supporting eEPC growth and survival and for stimulating resident mature human endothelial cells.

Characterization of circulating and monocyte-derived dendritic cells in obese and diabetic patients.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are suspected to be involved in the development of atherogenesis, but their role is still unclear. The aim of this study was to characterize circulating DCs and monocyte-derived DCs (Mo-DCs) of obese and diabetic patients (T2D), and to study their interaction with human coronary smooth muscle cells (CASMCs). Obese post-menopausal women with or without insulin resistance were enrolled and were compared to age-matched healthy women. Myeloid circulating DCs significantly increased in obese T2D patients compared to healthy donors and a smaller increase was observed for plasmacytoid one. Mature Mo-DCs from obese T2D patients significantly decreased when compared to control, but they were significantly more capable of adhering to CASMCs compared to that from healthy controls and from not-T2D obese subjects. Altogether these data suggest that in conditions of insulin-resistance and obesity there is an up-regulation of myeloid DCs that might contribute to pathological vascular remodeling.