Prognostic value of serum tartrate­resistant acid phosphatase­5b for bone metastasis in patients with resectable breast cancer.

Bone metastasis significantly affects the quality of life of patients with metastatic breast cancer, and can shorten overall survival. Identifying patients with early-stage breast cancer at high risk for bone metastasis and preventing bone metastasis may lead to a better quality of life and prolonged survival. The present study investigated whether serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-5b (TRACP-5b), a bone turnover marker, can be a prognostic factor for bone metastasis. Female patients who underwent resectable breast surgery between May 2002 and August 2006 were consecutively investigated. A total of 304 patients with a median follow-up of 3,722 days were retrospectively analyzed. TRACP-5b levels in sera prepared from patients' blood drawn preoperatively without any presurgical treatments were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The cutoff of TRACP-5b levels, in order to separate patients into high and low TRACP-5b groups, was set at median (347 mU/dl). The associations of clinicopathological factors, including TRACP-5b, with bone metastasis-free interval (BMFI), which was defined as the duration between surgery and the diagnosis of bone metastasis at any time point, were examined. Multivariate analysis of various clinicopathological features revealed that lymph node metastasis and histological grade were independent factors associated with BMFI (P=0.017 and 0.030, respectively). In patients with node-positive breast cancer (n=114), a high TRACP-5b level and a high grade were significantly and independently associated with worse BMFI (log-rank P=0.041 and 0.011, respectively). In conclusion, these findings indicated that TRACP-5b may predict bone metastasis in patients with node-positive breast cancer.

[Questionnaire Survey on Oral Care and Oral Troubles for Patients with Gastric Cancer Received Chemotherapy].

BACKGROUND: The actual situation of oral care and oral troubles for patients with gastric cancer received chemotherapy is not clear. METHODS: Questionnaire survey in the form of oral questions was performed for patients with gastric cancer who received chemotherapy from December 2021 to February 2022. The relevance between the survey results and background factors was examined using the χ2 test. RESULTS: We performed the questionnaire survey for 36 patients. Of the 36 patients, 29 patients received dental check-up before starting chemotherapy. Fourteen of the 29 patients(48%)continued the dental check-up. Of 14 patients who continued the dental check-up, 9 patients were 65 years or older, while 14 of 15 patients who discontinued the dental check-up were 65 years or older. Continuity of dental check-up was low among the elderly patients. The rate of dysgeusia were 78 vs 30% in the patients who adopted and who did not adopt oral care other than toothbrushing(p=0.01). The frequency of oral troubles was dysgeusia(47%), stomatitis(42%), and dry mouth(36%). The severity of the oral troubles was, in order, dysgeusia, dry mouth, and pain. The most common side effect due to chemotherapy causing decreased food intake was dysgeusia. CONCLUSIONS: Dysgeusia was the most frequent and severe oral trouble.

[Regimen Selection by Narrative Approach in Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer-Paclitaxel or Nab-Paclitaxel?]

BACKGROUND: According to the sixth Gastric Cancer Treatment Guideline, the regimen included nab-paclitaxel(nab-PTX) is a conditional recommendation as second-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer. However, the selection criteria of nab-PTX is not clear. METHOD: Questionnaire survey as narrative approach on the problems of paclitaxel premedication, the symptoms due to paclitaxel containing alcohol, and infusion time was conducted for patients who had been treated with paclitaxel. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients answered the questionnaire. Nonelderly patients(<65 years)or patients without comorbid medications complained of dissatisfaction with the inconvenience due to premedication significantly more than elderly patients(≥65 years)or patients with comorbid medications. Females or nonelderly patients were significantly more troubled by sleepiness due to premedication than males or elderly patients. Eight out of 11 patients who had visited hospital by driving a car for first-line treatment were troubled by prohibition of driving on the day of treatment. Thirty out of 36 patients answered that they would feel benefits from 30-minutes shortening of infusion time. CONCLUSION: Questionnaire survey suggests that we may select the patients for nab-PTX properly by clarifying the inconvenience of daily life associated with premedication, the way of transportation for visiting hospital, and the benefits by shortening of infusion time.

Vasohibin-1 Expression Can Predict Pathological Complete Remission of Advanced Bladder Cancer with Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is a well-established standard practice in invasive bladder cancer (BCa), however patient selection remains challenging. High expression of vasohibin-1 (VASH1), an endogenous regulator of angiogenesis, has been reported in high-grade and advanced BCa; however, its prognostic value for chemotherapy outcomes remains unexplored. In this study, we sought to identify biomarkers of chemotherapy response focusing on the relationship between angiogenesis and tissue hypoxia. METHODS: Forty Japanese patients with BCa who underwent NAC and radical cystectomy were included in the present analysis. We compared the immunohistochemical expression of CD34, VASH1, and carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA9) between patients who achieved tumor clearance at operation (ypT0) and those with residual disease after cystectomy. RESULTS: There were 19 patients in the ypT0 group, while the remaining 21 patients had residual tumors at operation. Patients in the ypT0 group had high microvessel density (p = 0.031), high VASH1 density (p < 0.001), and stronger CA9 staining (p = 0.046) than their counterparts. Multivariate analysis identified microvessel and VASH1 density as independent predictive factors for pathological ypT0 disease (p = 0.043 and 0.002, respectively). The 5-year recurrence-free survival rate was higher in the high VASH1 density group than in the low VASH1 density group (66.3% vs. 33.3%, p = 0.036). CONCLUSION: VASH1 density is a potential therapeutic biomarker for chemotherapy response in BCa.

[A Case of 30s Female with Advanced Anal Canal Adenocarcinoma Managed with Adolescent-And-Young-Adult Team].

A 30s female complaining of anal pain and melena was referred to our hospital. The support by adolescent-and-young- adult(AYA)team was initiated after the first encounter. Colonoscopic examination revealed an ulcerated tumor on the anterior wall of anal canal with its anal margin on anal verge and the tumor was diagnosed as an adenocarcinoma. Contrast- enhanced CT and MRI revealed adjacency of tumor and vagina, enlarged lymph nodes and multiple pulmonary nodules. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose(FDG)-positron emission tomography(PET)additionally revealed tracer accumulation in left sciatica, which led us to the diagnosis of advanced anal cancer. We planned and safely performed concomitant partial vaginal resection in robot-assisted laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection for the palliative purpose after discussion on physical and psychosocial issues including stoma and fertility with the patient, her family and AYA members. The pathological diagnosis was pT4b(vagina)N1aM1b, pStage ⅣB, and the local margin was pathologically negative. The postoperative course was smooth and she was discharged on postoperative day 16. Fifty one days after operation, she started systemic chemotherapy after decision on not to take ovarian samples and continues systemic chemotherapy as of writing. Support by AYA team was effective to facilitate the patient's decision-making and the communication between the patient and the medical team.

[A Case of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Which Was Diagnosed during the Best Supportive Care of Recurrent Ascending Colon Cancer].

A 70s male, who had undergone single-incision laparoscopic ileocecal resection for ascending colon cancer with pathological diagnosis of T3N3M0, Stage Ⅲc(without adjuvant chemotherapy), had enhanced-computed tomography(CT)for 3-month follow-up and a hepatic low-density area, an newly emergent nodule behind inferior vena cava and distal ileal tumor were found. Three months later, enhanced CT showed that the distal ileal tumor got exponentially larger and the diagnosis of"malignant lymphoma"was suspected. The patient became sepsis, so we planned and safely performed partial resection of the tumor. The pathological diagnosis was diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Postoperative course was smooth except for the Clostridium difficile colitis and he was discharged on postoperative day 19. Although the regrowth of the remnant tumor was observed soon after surgery, partial response was confirmed after introduction of systemic chemotherapy. When we cope with malignant lymphoma of small intestine, we need to keep it in mind that surgery is an option for the prevention of perforation and bacterial translocation.

[A Case of Fibromatosis-Like Tumor Which Was Difficult to Differentiate from Local Recurrence of Ascending Colon Cancer].

A 60s female, who had undergone single-incision laparoscopic ileocecal resection for ascending colon cancer with pathological diagnosis of T3N1bM0, Stage Ⅲb, followed by adjuvant therapy with 8 courses CAPOX 2 years ago, had enhanced- computed tomography(CT)for follow-up and a 15-mm nodule near anastomotic site was found. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography(PET)CT revealed abnormal accumulation of 18F-FDG only to the lesion and diagnosis of"anastomotic recurrence"was made. We planned and safely performed resection of the anastomotic site and the nodule. The pathological diagnosis was fibromatosis-like tumor without evidence of recurrence, and margin was negative. Postoperative course was smooth and she was discharged on postoperative day 9. When we diagnose local recurrence, we need to keep it in mind that fibromatosis is one of the differential diagnoses, although its incidence rate is low.

Vasohibin-2-Targeting Therapies for the Treatment of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

As pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is extremely malignant and refractory, therapeutic options for this cancer are anticipated worldwide. We isolated vasohihibin-2 (VASH2) and observed its overexpression in various types of cancer. We then noticed that upregulated expression of VASH2 in patients with PDAC resulted in a conspicuous reduction in the postoperative survival period and further revealed that the abrogation of Vash2 expression in pancreatic cancer cells inhibited its growth and metastasis and augmented tumor infiltration of CD8+ cells in the mouse model. We developed VASH2-targeting therapies, 2',4'-BNA-based antisense oligonucleotide targeting VASH2 (VASH2-ASO) as a nucleotide-based therapy, and VASH2-peptide vaccine as an antibody-based therapy. We also showed that the VASH2-peptide vaccine inhibited PDAC metastasis in an orthotopic mouse model. Here, we expanded our analysis of the efficacy of VASH2-targeting therapies for PDAC. VASH2-ASO treatment inhibited the growth of primary tumors by reducing tumor angiogenesis, normalizing tumor vessels, preventing ascites accumulation and distant metastasis to the liver and lungs, and augmenting the infiltration of CD8+ cells in metastatic tumors. VASH2-peptide vaccine did not affect the infiltration of CD8+ cells into tumors. The present study revealed that VASH2-targeting therapies are promising options for the treatment of PDAC. VASH2-ASO therapy can be administered at any stage of PDAC. Because of the increase of CD8+ cell infiltration, the combination therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors may be an attractive option. The VASH2-peptide vaccine therapy may be useful for preventing metastasis and/or recurrence after successful initial treatment.

Contemplation of the Effect of Nivolumab Plus Cabosantinib Therapy on Cerebral Hemorrhage in Patients with Brain Metastasis of Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report.

Although the response to combination therapy has been reported in patients with brain metastases from advanced renal cancer, treatment-related cerebral hemorrhage has not been adequately studied. The CheckMate 9ER clinical trial of nivolumab and cabozantinib excluded patients with brain metastases. Therefore, the associated treatment outcomes in these patients with brain metastases are unclear. Herein, we report a case of bleeding from brain metastases in a patient with advanced renal cancer after gamma knife combination therapy with nivolumab and cabozantinib. Fortunately, the cerebral hemorrhage of the patient was alleviated by conservative treatment. Despite treatment interruption, the metastatic lesions reduced in size, and treatment was gradually resumed. In this case study, we report the risk of cerebral hemorrhage in combination therapy for brain metastasis cases, how to manage hemorrhage cases, and their prognosis.

Development of a Novel and Simple Anti-Metastatic Cancer Treatment Targeting Vasohibin-2.

Vasohibin-2 (VASH2), a homologue of vasohibin-1 (VASH1), is overexpressed in various cancer cells and promotes tumor progression. We therefore regard VASH2 as a molecular target for cancer treatment. Here we applied vaccine technology to develop a therapy against VASH2. We selected two amino acid sequences of VASH2 protein; the MTG and RRR peptides, which contain possible B cell epitopes. These sequences are identical between the human and murine VASH2 proteins and distinct from those of the VASH1 protein. We conjugated these peptides with the carrier protein keyhole limpet hemocyanin, mixed with an adjuvant, and injected subcutaneously twice at a 2-week interval in mice. Both vaccines increased antibodies against the antigen peptide; however, only the MTG peptide vaccine increased antibodies that recognized the recombinant VASH2 protein. When Lewis lung cancer (LLC) cells were subcutaneously inoculated, tumors isolated from mice immunized with the MTG peptide vaccine showed a significant decrease in the expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers. EMT is responsible for cancer cell invasion and metastasis. When the LLC cells were injected into the tail vein, the MTG peptide vaccine inhibited lung metastasis. Moreover, the MTG peptide vaccine inhibited the metastasis of pancreatic cancer cells to the liver in an orthotopic mouse model, and there was a significant inverse correlation between the ELISA titer and metastasis inhibition. Therefore, we propose that the MTG peptide vaccine is a novel anti-metastatic cancer treatment that targets VASH2 and can be applied even in the most malignant and highly metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Novel strategy of liver cancer treatment with modified antisense oligonucleotides targeting human vasohibin-2.

Vasohihibin-2 (VASH2) is a homolog of vasohibin-1 (VASH1) and is overexpressed in various cancers. Vasohihibin-2 acts on both cancer cells and cancer microenvironmental cells. Previous analyses have shown that VASH2 promotes cancer progression and abrogation of VASH2 results in significant anticancer effects. We therefore propose VASH2 to be a practical molecular target for cancer treatment. Modifications of antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) such as bridged nucleic acids (BNA)-based modification increases the specificity and stability of ASO, and are now applied to the development of a number of oligonucleotide-based drugs. Here we designed human VASH2-ASOs, selected an optimal one, and developed 2',4'-BNA-based VASH2-ASO. When systemically administered, naked 2',4'-BNA-based VASH2-ASO accumulated in the liver and showed its gene-silencing activity. We then examined the effect of 2',4'-BNA-based VASH2-ASO in liver cancers. Intraperitoneal injection of naked 2',4'-BNA-based VASH2-ASO exerted a potent antitumor effect on orthotopically inoculated human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The same manipulation also showed potent antitumor activity on the splenic inoculation of human colon cancer cells for liver metastasis. These results provide a novel strategy for the treatment of primary as well as metastatic liver cancers by using modified ASOs targeting VASH2.

Pathological Study on the Expression of Vasohibins in Peripheral Artery Disease.

Vasohibin-2 (VASH2) is a gene that promotes local angiogenesis. The tubulin carboxypeptidase activity of vasohibin causes detyrosination of alpha-tubulin and may play an important role in the regulation of various phenomena. Pathological and therapeutic angiogenesis are involved in atherosclerotic lesions. This study aimed to investigate whether the expression of VASH2 is associated with peripheral artery disease (PAD) in relation to angiogenesis, tubulin detyrosination, and severity of atherosclerotic lesions. An analysis of femoral and tibial arteries obtained from 86 patients with PAD or abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) was performed. The expressions of cluster of differentiation 31, VASH1, VASH2, and detyrosinated alpha-tubulin (DT-tubulin) were examined by immunohistochemistry, and their association with PAD was analyzed. The counts of VASH2 in the tunica media and adventitia in the tibial artery were significantly higher than those in the femoral artery in the PAD (P = 0.005 and P = 0.008, respectively) and AAA (P = 0.002 and P < 0.001, respectively) groups. In the tunica media and adventitia, VASH2 was significantly correlated with DT-tubulin. There was no significant difference in the expression of VASH2 and DT-tubulin in medial smooth muscle cells (McNemar test, P > 0.999). This study revealed the possible involvements of VASH2 in atherosclerosis by two methods-one maybe related to the progression of atherosclerosis by inducing angiogenesis and the second may be related to the decrease in arterial elasticity by increasing DT-tubulin in medial smooth muscle cells.

Clinicopathological Role of Vasohibin in Gastroenterological Cancers: A Meta-Analysis.

Vasohibin-1 (VASH1) is an angiogenesis inhibitor, while vasohibin-2 (VASH2) is a proangiogenic factor. The roles of VASH1 and VASH2 expression in gastroenterological cancers remain unclear. We searched for relevant literature, specifically studies on gastroenterological cancer, and evaluated the relationship between VASH expression and clinical outcomes. Nine studies on VASH1 involving 1,574 patients were included. VASH1 expression was associated with the TNM stage [OR (odds ratio) 2.05, 95% CI (confidence interval) 1.24-3.40], lymph node metastasis (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.24-2.58), lymphatic invasion (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.41-2.68), and venous invasion (OR 2.49, 95% CI 1.60-3.88); poor clinical outcomes were associated with high VASH1 expression. High VASH1 expression was associated with a significantly shorter overall survival (OS) [HR (hazard ratio) 1.69, 95% CI 1.25-2.29] and disease-free survival (DFS) (HR 2.01, 95% CI 1.28-3.15). Three studies on VASH2 involving 469 patients were analyzed. VASH2 expression was associated with the TNM stage (OR 4.21, 95% CI 1.89-9.51) and venous invasion (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.15-3.84); poor clinical outcomes were associated with high VASH2 expression. High VASH2 expression was associated with a significantly lower OS (HR 1.61, 95% CI 1.09-2.37). In conclusion, high VASH1 and VASH2 expression levels were associated with poor clinical outcomes and prognosis in patients with gastroenterological cancers.

Vasohibin-1 has α-tubulin detyrosinating activity in glomerular podocytes.

Podocytes are highly specialized epithelial cells in glomeruli, with a complex morphology composed of a cell body, primary processes, and foot processes, which maintain barrier function in glomerular filtration. The microtubule-based cytoskeleton is necessary for podocyte morphology. Microtubule structure and function can be affected by post-translational modification of tubulin, including detyrosination. Recent studies have shown that vasohibin-1 (VASH1), an antiangiogenic factor, has tubulin carboxypeptidase activity that causes detyrosination of α-tubulin. We aimed to examine the role of VASH1 in regulating α-tubulin detyrosination in podocytes and the potential involvement of VASH1 deficiency in renal morphology. In normal mouse kidneys, detyrosinated α-tubulin was mainly identified in glomeruli, especially in podocytes; meanwhile, in cultured immortalized podocytes, α-tubulin detyrosination was promoted with cell differentiation. Notably, α-tubulin detyrosination in glomeruli was diminished in Vash1 homozygous knockout (Vash1-/-) mice, and knockdown of VASH1 in cultured podocytes prevented α-tubulin detyrosination. Although VASH1 deficiency-induced downregulation of detyrosination caused no remarkable glomerular lesions, urinary albuminuria excretion and glomerular volume were significantly higher in Vash1-/- mice than in wild-type mice. Furthermore, decreased glomerular nephrin expression and narrower slit diaphragms width were observed in Vash1-/- mice. Taken together, we demonstrated that α-tubulin detyrosination in podocytes was mainly regulated by VASH1 and that VASH1 deficiency-mediated decreases in α-tubulin detyrosination led to minor alterations in podocyte morphology and predisposition to albuminuria. VASH1 expression and α-tubulin detyrosination may be novel targets for maintaining glomerular filtration barrier integrity.

[A Case of Peritoneal Recurrence from Ascending Colon Cancer Successfully Treated with Laparoscopic Concomitant Right Seminal Vesiculectomy in Low Anterior Resection].

A 60s male, who had laparoscopic ileocecal resection for ascending colon cancer 2 years ago, had enhanced computed tomography(CT)for follow-up and a 12-mm nodule in Douglas' pouch adjacent to right seminal vesicle and rectum was found. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose(FDG)-positron emission tomography CT revealed abnormal accumulation of 18F-FDG only to the lesion(standardized uptake value max 2.60)and the diagnosis of peritoneal recurrence of ascending colon cancer was made. We planned and safely performed laparoscopic concomitant right seminal vesiculectomy in low anterior resection. The pathological diagnosis was peritoneal dissemination of colon cancer and the margin was pathologically negative. The postoperative course was smooth except for temporary dysuria and he was discharged on postoperative day 17. As of writing 1 year after surgery, the patient continues to do well with no sign of recurrence. Laparoscopic concomitant seminal vesiculectomy in low anterior resection can be a good option for the curative resection of peritoneal recurrence.

Vasohibin-1 expression as a biomarker of aggressive nature in ductal adenocarcinoma of the prostate: a retrospective cohort study at two centres in Japan.

OBJECTIVES: Vasohibin-1 (VASH1) is an endogenous angiogenesis regulator expressed in activated vascular endothelial cells. We previously reported that high VASH1 expression is a predictor of progression in acinar adenocarcinoma of the prostate. In this study, we evaluated the characteristics of ductal adenocarcinoma of the prostate by comparing the level of VASH1 expression between ductal and acinar adenocarcinoma specimens. DESIGN AND SETTING: A retrospective cohort study at two centres in Japan. PARTICIPANTS: Among the 1495 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy or transurethral resection for the past 15 years, a total of 14 patients diagnosed with ductal adenocarcinoma and 20 patients diagnosed with acinar adenocarcinoma with a Gleason score of 4+4 were included. INTERVENTIONS: We immunohistochemically examined the CD34 expression as the microvessel density (MVD) and activated endothelial cells as the VASH1 density (vessels per mm2). PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the association of MVD and VASH1 density between ductal and acinar adenocarcinoma, and the secondary outcome was their oncological outcomes. RESULTS: Nine patients (64.3%) with ductal adenocarcinoma were diagnosed at an advanced clinical stage, and five patients (35.7%) died from cancer during a median follow-up of 56.0 months. The VASH1 densities (mean±SD) in ductal and acinar adenocarcinoma were 45.1±18.5 vs 16.1±21.0 (p<0.001), respectively, while the MVD (mean±SD) in ductal and acinar adenocarcinoma were 65.3±21.9 vs 80.8±60.7 (p=0.666), respectively. The 5-year cancer-specific survival rates for high and low VASH1 expression were 70.0% and 100.0% (p=0.006), respectively. High VASH1 expression and a diagnosis of ductal adenocarcinoma were significant predictors of cancer-specific survival. CONCLUSIONS: Ductal adenocarcinoma was more aggressive and had higher VASH1 expression than acinar adenocarcinoma, although MVD was equivalent. These results indicate that VASH1 expression may serve as a novel biomarker for the aggressive nature of ductal adenocarcinoma.

Enhanced humoral immunity in breast cancer patients with high serum concentration of anti-HER2 autoantibody.

Humoral immunity plays a substantial role in the suppression of breast cancer. We have revealed that a high serum concentration of anti-HER2 autoantibody (HER2-AAb) is associated with favorable outcomes in patients with invasive breast cancer. Thus, we aimed to clarify the association between high serum concentration of HER2-AAb and humoral immune response in the tumor microenvironment. Out of 500 consecutive patients with invasive breast cancer, we selected those whose HER2-AAb values were high (n = 33) or low (n = 20) based on the distribution of HER2-AAb values of 100 healthy individuals. Tumor and regional lymph node formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples prepared from the surgical specimens were subjected to immunohistochemistry. We confirmed that the recurrence-free survival of the high HER2-AAb group was significantly longer than that of the low HER2-AAb group (p = 0.015). The numbers of tumor-infiltrating CD20+ immune cells (ICs) (p < 0.001), IGKC+ICs (p = 0.023), and CXCL13+ ICs (p = 0.044) were significantly higher in the high HER2-AAb group than in the low HER2-AAb group. The number of CD4+ ICs in the B-cell follicles of the regional lymph nodes was also significantly greater in the high HER2-AAb group than in the low HER2-AAb group (p = 0.026). Our findings indicate that a high level of HER2-AAb is associated with enhanced humoral immunity against breast cancer and thus may provide a rationale for the association of HER2-AAb with favorable prognosis.

Vasohibin-1 rescues erectile function through up-regulation of angiogenic factors in the diabetic mice.

Neovascularization of the erectile tissue emerges as a beneficial curative approach to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). Here we for the first time report the unexpected role of vasohibin-1 (VASH1), mainly known as an anti-angiogenic factor, in restoring erectile function in diabetic mice. A diabetic patient has lower cavernous VASH1 expression than in the potent man. VASH1 was mainly expressed in endothelial cells. There were significant decreases in cavernous endothelial cell and pericyte contents in VASH1 knockout mice compared with those in wild-type mice, which resulted in impairments in erectile function. Intracavernous injection of VASH1 protein successfully restored erectile function in the diabetic mice (~ 90% of control values). VASH1 protein reinstated endothelial cells, pericytes, and endothelial cell-cell junction proteins and induced phosphorylation of eNOS (Ser1177) in the diabetic mice. The induction of angiogenic factors, such as angiopoietin-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor, is responsible for cavernous angiogenesis and the restoration of erectile function mediated by VASH1. Altogether, these findings suggest that VASH1 is proangiogenic in diabetic penis and is a new potential target for diabetic ED.

Vasohibin-2 Aggravates Development of Ascending Aortic Aneurysms but not Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms nor Atherosclerosis in ApoE-Deficient Mice.

BACKGROUND: Vasohibin-2 (VASH2) has been isolated as a homologue of vasohibin-1 (VASH1) that promotes angiogenesis counteracting with VASH1. Chronic angiotensin II (AngII) infusion promotes both ascending and abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAs) in mice. The present study aimed to investigate whether exogenous VASH2 influenced AngII-induced vascular pathology in apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE-/-) mice. METHODS: Male, ApoE-/- mice (9-14 weeks old) were injected with Ad LacZ or Ad VASH2. After a week, saline or AngII (1,000 ng/kg/minute) was infused into the mice subcutaneously via mini-osmotic pumps for 3 weeks. Consequently, all these mice were divided into 4 groups: saline + LacZ (n = 5), saline + VASH2 (n = 5), AngII + LacZ (n = 18), and AngII + VASH2 (n = 17). RESULTS: Exogenous VASH2 had no significant effect on ex vivo maximal diameters of abdominal aortas (AngII + LacZ: 1.67 ± 0.17 mm, AngII + VASH2: 1.52 ± 0.16 mm, n.s.) or elastin fragmentation and accumulation of inflammatory cells. Conversely, exogenous VASH2 significantly increased intima areas of aortic arches (AngII + LacZ: 16.6 ± 0.27 mm2, AngII + VASH2: 18.6 ± 0.64 mm2, P = 0.006). VASH2 effect of AngII-induced ascending AAs was associated with increased cleaved caspase-3 abundance. AngII-induced atherosclerosis was not altered by VASH2. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that augmented VASH2 expression had no effect of AngII-induced abdominal AAs or atherosclerosis, while increasing dilation in the ascending aorta.