NOTCH2NLC GGC Repeat Expansion in Patients With Vascular Leukoencephalopathy.

BACKGROUND: Neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease (NIID), caused by GGC (guanine-guanine-cytosine) repeat expansion in NOTCH2NLC, has several clinical and radiological features akin to cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD). The present study tested the hypothesis that NOTCH2NLC GGC expansion may contribute to cSVD. METHODS: One hundred and ninety-seven unrelated patients with genetically unsolved vascular leukoencephalopathy without NOTCH3, HTRA1, and mitochondrial m.3243A>G mutations and 730 healthy individuals were screened for NOTCH2NLC GGC repeat expansion using repeat-primed polymerase chain reaction, fragment analysis, Southern blot analysis, or nanopore sequencing with Cas9 (CRISPR associated protein 9)-mediated enrichment. The clinical and neuroimaging features of the patients were compared between individuals with and without NOTCH2NLC GGC repeat expansion. RESULTS: Six of the 197 (3.0%) patients with unsolved vascular leukoencephalopathy and none of the controls carried the GGC repeat expansion (P=0.00009). Skin biopsy of 1 patient revealed eosinophilic, ubiquitin-positive, and p62-positive intranuclear inclusions in the cells of sweat gland and capillary, providing pathologic evidence for the involvement of small vessels in NIID. For the 6 patients, gait disturbance and cognitive decline were common manifestations with a median onset age of 65 (59-69) years. They all had multiple neuroimaging features suggestive of cSVD, including diffuse white matter hyperintensities, lacunes, and enlarged perivascular space in all 6 patients, cerebral microbleeds in 5, and old intracerebral hemorrhage in 4. Four patients had linear hyperintensity in the corticomedullary junction on diffusion-weighted imaging-the characteristic neuroimaging feature of NIID. There was no difference in the severity of cSVD imaging features between the patients with and without the GGC expansion but more pronounced brain atrophy in the patients with the GGC expansion. CONCLUSIONS: NOTCH2NLC GGC repeat expansion accounted for 3% of genetically unsolved Taiwanese vascular leukoencephalopathy cases after excluding participants with cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarct and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL), cerebral autosomal recessive arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CARASIL), and mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS). NIID should be considered in patients manifesting cSVD, especially in those with characteristic neuroimaging feature of NIID.

Dual-Specificity Phosphatase 6 Deficiency Attenuates Arterial-Injury-Induced Intimal Hyperplasia in Mice.

In response to injury, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of the arterial wall dedifferentiate into a proliferative and migratory phenotype, leading to intimal hyperplasia. The ERK1/2 pathway participates in cellular proliferation and migration, while dual-specificity phosphatase 6 (DUSP6, also named MKP3) can dephosphorylate activated ERK1/2. We showed that DUSP6 was expressed in low baseline levels in normal arteries; however, arterial injury significantly increased DUSP6 levels in the vessel wall. Compared with wild-type mice, Dusp6-deficient mice had smaller neointima. In vitro, IL-1ß induced DUSP6 expression and increased VSMC proliferation and migration. Lack of DUSP6 reduced IL-1ß-induced VSMC proliferation and migration. DUSP6 deficiency did not affect IL-1ß-stimulated ERK1/2 activation. Instead, ERK1/2 inhibitor U0126 prevented DUSP6 induction by IL-1ß, indicating that ERK1/2 functions upstream of DUSP6 to regulate DUSP6 expression in VSMCs rather than downstream as a DUSP6 substrate. IL-1ß decreased the levels of cell cycle inhibitor p27 and cell-cell adhesion molecule N-cadherin in VSMCs, whereas lack of DUSP6 maintained their high levels, revealing novel functions of DUSP6 in regulating these two molecules. Taken together, our results indicate that lack of DUSP6 attenuated neointima formation following arterial injury by reducing VSMC proliferation and migration, which were likely mediated via maintaining p27 and N-cadherin levels.

Cysteine-rich protein 2 deficiency attenuates angiotensin II-induced abdominal aortic aneurysm formation in mice.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a relatively common and often fatal condition. A major histopathological hallmark of AAA is the severe degeneration of aortic media with loss of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), which are the main source of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. VSMCs and ECM homeostasis are essential in maintaining structural integrity of the aorta. Cysteine-rich protein 2 (CRP2) is a VSMC-expressed protein; however, the role of CRP2 in AAA formation is unclear. METHODS: To investigate the function of CRP2 in AAA formation, mice deficient in Apoe (Apoe-/-) or both CRP2 (gene name Csrp2) and Apoe (Csrp2-/-Apoe-/-) were subjected to an angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion model of AAA formation. Aortas were harvested at different time points and histological analysis was performed. Primary VSMCs were generated from Apoe-/- and Csrp2-/-Apoe-/- mouse aortas for in vitro mechanistic studies. RESULTS: Loss of CRP2 attenuated Ang II-induced AAA incidence and severity, accompanied by preserved smooth muscle α-actin expression and reduced elastin degradation, matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) activity, deposition of collagen, particularly collagen III (Col III), aortic tensile strength, and blood pressure. CRP2 deficiency decreased the baseline MMP2 and Col III expression in VSMCs and mitigated Ang II-induced increases of MMP2 and Col III via blunting Erk1/2 signaling. Rescue experiments were performed by reintroducing CRP2 into Csrp2-/-Apoe-/- VSMCs restored Ang II-induced Erk1/2 activation, MMP2 expression and activity, and Col III levels. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that in response to Ang II stimulation, CRP2 deficiency maintains aortic VSMC density, ECM homeostasis, and structural integrity through Erk1/2-Col III and MMP2 axis and reduces AAA formation. Thus, targeting CRP2 provides a potential therapeutic strategy for AAA.

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation-mediated vascular toxicity of ambient fine particulate matter: contribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and osteopontin as a biomarker.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is associated with vascular diseases. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in PM2.5 are highly hazardous; however, the contribution of PM2.5-bound PAHs to PM2.5-associated vascular diseases remains unclear. The ToxCast high-throughput in vitro screening database indicates that some PM2.5-bound PAHs activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). The present study investigated whether the AhR pathway is involved in the mechanism of PM2.5-induced vascular toxicity, identified the PAH in PM2.5 that was the major contributor of AhR activation, and identified a biomarker for vascular toxicity of PM2.5-bound PAHs. RESULTS: Treatment of vascular smooth muscle cells (VMSCs) with an AhR antagonist inhibited the PM2.5-induced increase in the cell migration ability; NF-κB activity; and expression of cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1), 1B1 (CYP1B1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and osteopontin (OPN). Most PM2.5-bound PAHs were extracted into the organic fraction, which drastically enhanced VSMC migration and increased mRNA levels of CYP1A1, CYP1B1, IL-6, and OPN. However, the inorganic fraction of PM2.5 moderately enhanced VSMC migration and only increased IL-6 mRNA levels. PM2.5 increased IL-6 secretion through NF-κB activation; however, PM2.5 and its organic extract increased OPN secretion in a CYP1B1-dependent manner. Inhibiting CYP1B1 activity and silencing OPN expression prevented the increase in VSMC migration ability caused by PM2.5 and its organic extract. The AhR activation potencies of seven PM2.5-bound PAHs, reported in the ToxCast database, were strongly correlated with their capabilities of enhancing the migration ability of VSMCs. Benzo(k)fluoranthene (BkF) contributed the most to the AhR agonistic activity of ambient PM2.5-bound PAHs. The association between PM2.5-induced vascular toxicity, AhR activity, and OPN secretion was further verified in mice; PM2.5-induced intimal hyperplasia in pulmonary small arteries and OPN secretion were alleviated in mice with low AhR affinity. Finally, urinary concentrations of 1-hydroxypyrene, a major PAH metabolite, were positively correlated with plasma OPN levels in healthy humans. CONCLUSIONS: The present study offers in vitro, animal, and human evidences supporting the importance of AhR activation for PM2.5-induced vascular toxicities and that BkF was the major contributor of AhR activation. OPN is an AhR-dependent biomarker of PM2.5-induced vascular toxicity. The AhR activation potency may be applied in the risk assessment of vascular toxicity in PAH mixtures.

5-methoxytryptophan: an arsenal against vascular injury and inflammation.

5-methoxytryptophan (5-MTP) is an endothelial factor with anti-inflammatory properties. It is synthesized from L-tryptophan via two enzymatic steps: tryptophan hydroxylase-1 (TPH-1) and hydroxyindole O-methyltransferase. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and pro-inflammatory cytokines suppress endothelial 5-MTP production by inhibiting TPH-1 expression. 5-MTP protects endothelial barrier function and promotes endothelial repair, while it blocks vascular smooth muscle cell migration and proliferation by inhibiting p38 MAPK activation. 5-MTP controls macrophage transmigration and activation by inhibiting p38 MAPK and NF-κB activation. 5-MTP administration attenuates arterial intimal hyperplasia, defends against systemic inflammation and prevents renal fibrosis in relevant murine models. Serum 5-MTP level is depressed in human sepsis as well as in mice with sepsis-like disorder. It is reduced in chronic kidney disease and acute myocardial infarction in humans. The reported data suggest that serum 5-MTP may be a theranostic biomarker. In summary, 5-MTP represents a new class of tryptophan metabolite which defends against inflammation and inflammation-mediated tissue damage and fibrosis. It may be a valuable lead compound for developing new drugs to treat complex human inflammatory disorders.

WNT3A Promotes Neuronal Regeneration upon Traumatic Brain Injury.

The treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a challenge due to limited knowledge about the mechanisms underlying neuronal regeneration. This current study compared the expression of WNT genes during regeneration of injured cortical neurons. Recombinant WNT3A showed positive effect in promoting neuronal regeneration via in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo TBI models. Intranasal administration of WNT3A protein to TBI mice increased the number of NeuN+ neurons without affecting GFAP+ glial cells, compared to control mice, as well as retained motor function based on functional behavior analysis. Our findings demonstrated that WNT3A, 8A, 9B, and 10A promote regeneration of injured cortical neurons. Among these WNTs, WNT3A showed the most promising regenerative potential in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro.

Exposure to Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Disrupts Endothelial Tight and Adherens Junctions and Induces Pulmonary Inflammatory Cell Infiltration.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) are frequently encountered nanomaterials in our daily lives. Despite the benefits of ZnONPs in a variety of applications, many studies have shown potential health hazards of exposure to ZnONPs. We have shown that oropharyngeal aspiration of ZnONPs in mice increases lung inflammation. However, the detailed mechanisms underlying pulmonary inflammatory cell infiltration remain to be elucidated. Endothelium functions as a barrier between the blood stream and the blood vessel wall. Endothelial barrier dysfunction may increase infiltration of immune cells into the vessel wall and underlying tissues. This current study examined the effects of ZnONPs exposure on endothelial barriers. ZnONPs exposure increased leukocyte infiltration in the mouse lungs. In endothelial cells, ZnONPs reduced the continuity of tight junction proteins claudin-5 and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) at the cell junctions. ZnONPs induced adherens junction protein VE-cadherin internalization from membrane to cytosol and dissociation with ß-catenin, leading to reduced and diffused staining of VE-cadherin and ß-catenin at cell junctions. Our results demonstrated that ZnONPs disrupted both tight and adherens junctions, compromising the integrity and stability of the junction network, leading to inflammatory cell infiltration. Thus, ZnONPs exposure in many different settings should be carefully evaluated for vascular effects and subsequent health impacts.

The Atherogenic Role of Circulating Modified Lipids in Atherosclerosis.

Lipid accumulation in the arterial wall is a crucial event in the development of atherosclerotic lesions. Circulating low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the major source of lipids that accumulate in the atherosclerotic plaques. It was discovered that not all LDL is atherogenic. In the blood plasma of atherosclerotic patients, LDL particles are the subject of multiple enzymatic and non-enzymatic modifications that determine their atherogenicity. Desialylation is the primary and the most important atherogenic LDL modification followed by a cascade of other modifications that also increase blood atherogenicity. The enzyme trans-sialidase is responsible for the desialylation of LDL, therefore, its activity plays an important role in atherosclerosis development. Moreover, circulating modified LDL is associated with immune complexes that also have a strong atherogenic potential. Moreover, it was shown that antibodies to modified LDL are also atherogenic. The properties of modified LDL were described, and the strong evidence indicating that it is capable of inducing intracellular accumulation of lipids was presented. The accumulated evidence indicated that the molecular properties of modified LDL, including LDL-containing immune complexes can serve as the prognostic/diagnostic biomarkers and molecular targets for the development of anti-atherosclerotic drugs.

Endothelium-Derived 5-Methoxytryptophan Is a Circulating Anti-Inflammatory Molecule That Blocks Systemic Inflammation.

RATIONALE: Systemic inflammation has emerged as a key pathophysiological process that induces multiorgan injury and causes serious human diseases. Endothelium is critical in maintaining cellular and inflammatory homeostasis, controlling systemic inflammation, and progression of inflammatory diseases. We postulated that endothelium produces and releases endogenous soluble factors to modulate inflammatory responses and protect against systemic inflammation. OBJECTIVE: To identify endothelial cell-released soluble factors that protect against endothelial barrier dysfunction and systemic inflammation. METHODS AND RESULTS: We found that conditioned medium of endothelial cells inhibited cyclooxgenase-2 and interleukin-6 expression in macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. Analysis of conditioned medium extracts by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry showed the presence of 5-methoxytryptophan (5-MTP), but not other related tryptophan metabolites. Furthermore, endothelial cell-derived 5-MTP suppressed lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory responses and signaling in macrophages and endotoxemic lung tissues. Lipopolysaccharide suppressed 5-MTP level in endothelial cell-conditioned medium and reduced serum 5-MTP level in the murine sepsis model. Intraperitoneal injection of 5-MTP restored serum 5-MTP accompanied by the inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced endothelial leakage and suppression of lipopolysaccharide- or cecal ligation and puncture-mediated proinflammatory mediators overexpression. 5-MTP administration rescued lungs from lipopolysaccharide-induced damages and prevented sepsis-related mortality. Importantly, compared with healthy subjects, serum 5-MTP level in septic patients was decreased by 65%, indicating an important clinical relevance. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that 5-MTP belongs to a novel class of endothelium-derived protective molecules that defend against endothelial barrier dysfunction and excessive systemic inflammatory responses.

TLR4-Activated MAPK-IL-6 Axis Regulates Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Function.

Migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) into the intima is considered to be a vital event in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. Despite substantial evidence supporting the pathogenic role of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in the progression of atherogenesis, its function in the regulation of VSMC migration remains unclear. The goal of the present study was to elucidate the mechanism by which TLR4 regulates VSMC migration. Inhibitor experiments revealed that TLR4-induced IL-6 secretion and VSMC migration were mediated via the concerted actions of MyD88 and TRIF on the activation of p38 MAPK and ERK1/2 signaling. Neutralizing anti-IL-6 antibodies abrogated TLR4-driven VSMC migration and F-actin polymerization. Blockade of p38 MAPK or ERK1/2 signaling cascade inhibited TLR4 agonist-mediated activation of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB). Moreover, siRNA-mediated suppression of CREB production repressed TLR4-induced IL-6 production and VSMC migration. Rac-1 inhibitor suppressed TLR4-driven VSMC migration but not IL-6 production. Importantly, the serum level of IL-6 and TLR4 endogenous ligand HMGB1 was significantly higher in patients with coronary artery diseases (CAD) than in healthy subjects. Serum HMGB1 level was positively correlated with serum IL-6 level in CAD patients. The expression of both HMGB1 and IL-6 was clearly detected in the atherosclerotic tissue of the CAD patients. Additionally, there was a positive association between p-CREB and HMGB1 in mouse atherosclerotic tissue. Based on our findings, we concluded that, upon ligand binding, TLR4 activates p38 MAPK and ERK1/2 signaling through MyD88 and TRIF in VSMCs. These signaling pathways subsequently coordinate an additive augmentation of CREB-driven IL-6 production, which in turn triggers Rac-1-mediated actin cytoskeleton to promote VSMC migration.

A PDMS-Based Microfluidic Hanging Drop Chip for Embryoid Body Formation.

The conventional hanging drop technique is the most widely used method for embryoid body (EB) formation. However, this method is labor intensive and limited by the difficulty in exchanging the medium. Here, we report a microfluidic chip-based approach for high-throughput formation of EBs. The device consists of microfluidic channels with 6 × 12 opening wells in PDMS supported by a glass substrate. The PDMS channels were fabricated by replicating polydimethyl-siloxane (PDMS) from SU-8 mold. The droplet formation in the chip was tested with different hydrostatic pressures to obtain optimal operation pressures for the wells with 1000 µm diameter openings. The droplets formed at the opening wells were used to culture mouse embryonic stem cells which could subsequently developed into EBs in the hanging droplets. This device also allows for medium exchange of the hanging droplets making it possible to perform immunochemistry staining and characterize EBs on chip.

Divergent signaling pathways cooperatively regulate TGFß induction of cysteine-rich protein 2 in vascular smooth muscle cells.

BACKGROUND: Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of the arterial wall play a critical role in the development of occlusive vascular diseases. Cysteine-rich protein 2 (CRP2) is a VSMC-expressed LIM-only protein, which functionally limits VSMC migration and protects against pathological vascular remodeling. The multifunctional cytokine TGFß has been implicated to play a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis through numerous downstream signaling pathways. We showed previously that TGFß upregulates CRP2 expression; however, the detailed signaling mechanisms remain unclear. RESULTS: TGFß treatment of VSMCs activated both Smad2/3 and ATF2 phosphorylation. Individually knocking down Smad2/3 or ATF2 pathways with siRNA impaired the TGFß induction of CRP2, indicating that both contribute to CRP2 expression. Inhibiting TßRI kinase activity by SB431542 or TßRI knockdown abolished Smad2/3 phosphorylation but did not alter ATF2 phosphorylation, indicating while Smad2/3 phosphorylation was TßRI-dependent ATF2 phosphorylation was independent of TßRI. Inhibiting Src kinase activity by SU6656 suppressed TGFß-induced RhoA and ATF2 activation but not Smad2 phosphorylation. Blocking ROCK activity, the major downstream target of RhoA, abolished ATF2 phosphorylation and CRP2 induction but not Smad2 phosphorylation. Furthermore, JNK inhibition with SP600125 reduced TGFß-induced ATF2 (but not Smad2) phosphorylation and CRP2 protein expression while ROCK inhibition blocked JNK activation. These results indicate that downstream of TßRII, Src family kinase-RhoA-ROCK-JNK signaling pathway mediates TßRI-independent ATF2 activation. Promoter analysis revealed that the TGFß induction of CRP2 was mediated through the CRE and SBE promoter elements that were located in close proximity. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that two signaling pathways downstream of TGFß converge on the CRE and SBE sites of the Csrp2 promoter to cooperatively control CRP2 induction in VSMCs, which represents a previously unrecognized mechanism of VSMC gene induction by TGFß.

Modulation of cysteine-rich protein 2 expression in vascular injury and atherosclerosis.

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of the arterial wall normally display a differentiated and contractile phenotype. In response to arterial injury, VSMCs switch to a synthetic phenotype, contributing to vascular remodeling. Cysteine-rich protein 2 (CRP2) is a cytoskeletal protein expressed in VSMCs and blunts VSMC migration in part by sequestering the scaffolding protein p130Cas at focal adhesions. CRP2 deficiency in mice increases neointima formation following arterial injury. The goal of this study was to use Csrp2 promoter-lacZ transgenic mice to analyze CRP2 expression during VSMC phenotypic modulation. In a neointima formation model after carotid artery cessation of blood flow, lacZ reporter activity and smooth muscle (SM) α-actin expression in the media were rapidly downregulated 4 days after carotid ligation. Fourteen days after ligation, there was a high level expression of both Csrp2 promoter activity and SM α-actin protein expression in neointimal cells. In atherosclerosis prone mice fed an atherogenic diet, Csrp2 promoter activity was detected within complex atherosclerotic lesions. Interestingly, Csrp2 promoter activity was also present in the fibrous caps of complicated atherosclerotic lesions, indicating that CRP2 might contribute to plaque stability. These findings support the concept that CRP2 contributes to the phenotypic modulation of VSMCs during vascular disease. Modulating transcription to increase CRP2 expression during vascular injury might attenuate vascular remodeling. In addition, increased CRP2 expression at the fibrous caps of advanced lesions might also serve to protect atherosclerotic plaques from rupture.

TLR 2 induces vascular smooth muscle cell migration through cAMP response element-binding protein-mediated interleukin-6 production.

OBJECTIVE: Migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from the media into intima contributes to the development of atherosclerosis. Gene deletion experiments implicate a role for toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) in atherogenesis. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We postulate that TLR2 promotes VSMC migration by enhancing interleukin (IL)-6 production. METHODS AND RESULTS: Migration assays revealed that TLR2 agonists promoted VSMC migration but not cell proliferation or viability. TLR2 deficiency or inhibition of TLR2 signaling with anti-TLR2 antibody suppressed TLR2 agonist-induced VSMC migration and IL-6 production, which was mediated via p38 mitogen-associated protein kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 signaling pathways. Neutralizing anti-IL-6 antibodies impaired TLR2-mediated VSMC migration and formation of filamentous actin fiber and lamellipodia. Blockade of p38 mitogen-associated protein kinase or extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 activation inhibited TLR2 agonist pam3CSK4-induced phosphorylation of cAMP response element-binding protein, which regulates IL-6 promoter activity through the cAMP response element site. Moreover, cAMP response element-binding protein small interfering RNA inhibited pam3CSK4-induced IL-6 production and VSMC migration. Additionally, Rac1 small interfering RNA inhibited pam3CSK4-induced VSMC migration but not IL-6 production. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that on ligand binding, TLR2 activates p38 mitogen-associated protein kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 signaling in VSMCs. These signaling pathways act in concert to activate cAMP response element-binding protein and subsequent IL-6 production, which in turn promotes VSMC migration via Rac1-mediated actin cytoskeletal reorganization.

Probucol treatment after traumatic brain injury activates BDNF/TrkB pathway, promotes neuroregeneration and ameliorates functional deficits in mice.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, yet pharmacotherapies for TBI are currently lacking. Neuroregeneration is important in brain repair and functional recovery. In this study, probucol, a cholesterol-lowering drug with established safety profiles, was examined for its therapeutic effects and neuroregenerative actions in TBI. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Male mice were subjected to the controlled cortical impact model of TBI, followed by daily administration of probucol. Neurological and cognitive functions were evaluated. Histological analyses of the neocortex and hippocampus were performed to detect the lesion, dendritic degeneration (microtubule-associated protein 2), synaptic density (synaptophysin), neurogenesis (doublecortin), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) activation. Involvement of BDNF/TrkB pathway in probucol-mediated effects was examined in primary cultures of cortical neurons. KEY RESULTS: Probucol reduced brain lesion volume, enhanced the recovery of body symmetry, improved motor function and attenuated memory dysfunction after TBI. Meanwhile, probucol promoted post-injury dendritic growth and synaptogenesis and increased hippocampal proliferating neuronal progenitor cells, along with the formation as well as the survival of newborn neurons. Moreover, probucol enhances BDNF expression and TrkB activation. In vitro, probucol promoted neurite outgrowth, which was inhibited by a selective TrkB antagonist ANA-12. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Probucol enhanced functional restoration and ameliorated cognitive impairment after TBI by promoting post-injury neuronal remodelling and neurogenesis. Increased activation of BDNF/TrkB pathway by probucol, at least in part, contributed to the neuroregenerative effects of probucol. Together, it may be promising to repurpose probucol for TBI.

Wnt antagonism without TGFß induces rapid MSC chondrogenesis via increasing AJ interactions and restricting lineage commitment.

Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) remain one of the best cell sources for cartilage, a tissue without regenerative capacity. However, MSC chondrogenesis is commonly induced through TGFß, a pleomorphic growth factor without specificity for this lineage. Using tissue- and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived MSCs, we demonstrate an efficient and precise approach to induce chondrogenesis through Wnt/ß-catenin antagonism alone without TGFß. Compared to TGFß, Wnt/ß-catenin antagonism more rapidly induced MSC chondrogenesis without eliciting off-target lineage specification toward smooth muscle or hypertrophy; this was mediated through increasing N-cadherin levels and ß-catenin interactions-key components of the adherens junctions (AJ)-and increasing cytoskeleton-mediated condensation. Validation with transcriptomic analysis of human chondrocytes compared to MSCs and osteoblasts showed significant downregulation of Wnt/ß-catenin and TGFß signaling along with upregulation of α-catenin as an upstream regulator. Our findings underscore the importance of understanding developmental pathways and structural modifications in achieving efficient MSC chondrogenesis for translational application.

Heme oxygenase-1 in environmental toxin-induced lung disease.

In the US, lung disease is the number three killer and accounts for one of every six deaths. Furthermore, more than 35 million US populations are now living with a chronic lung disease. Therefore, it is of urgent need to develop novel strategies that can protect against the development and progression of lung disease. Inhalation of air pollutants or environmental toxins induces inflammation and oxidative stress in the lung, resulting in tissue damage with subsequent decline in lung function. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a stress response protein, which is highly inducible in response to pathological stimulation. Due to the cumulative effects of HO-1 on heme catabolism and the generation of biologically active downstream products, induction of HO-1 might serve as a protective mechanism against oxidative stress and inflammation-induced injury. Accumulating evidences have indicated a protective function of HO-1 against lung injury. This review highlights the roles of HO-1 in lung disease induced by environmental toxins such as cigarette smoke (CS), silica, and asbestos.

The Anti-atherosclerotic Effects of Natural Polysaccharides: From Phenomena to the Main Mechanisms of Action.

Polysaccharides (PSs) of plant origin have a variety of biological activities, including antiatherosclerotic, but their use in atherosclerosis therapy is hindered by insufficient knowledge based on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of action. In this review, the influence of several natural PSs on the function of macrophages, viral activity and macrophage cholesterol metabolism has been discussed, considering the tight interplay between these aspects in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The anti-atherosclerotic activities of natural PSs related to other mechanisms have also been explored. Directions for further research of the antiatherosclerotic effects of natural PSs have been outlined, the most promising of which can be nutrigenomic studies.

Intronic CArG box regulates cysteine-rich protein 2 expression in the adult but not in developing vasculature.

OBJECTIVE: An absence of cysteine-rich protein 2 (CRP2) enhances vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration and increases neointima formation after arterial injury; therefore, CRP2 plays an important role in the response to vascular injury. The goal of the present study was to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that preserve CRP2 expression in the adult vasculature and thus might serve to inhibit the response to injury. METHODS AND RESULTS: We generated a series of transgenic mice harboring potential Csrp2 regulatory regions with a lacZ reporter. We determined that the 12-kb first intron was necessary for transgene activity in adult but not in developing vasculature. Within the intron we identified a 6.3-kb region that contains 2 CArG boxes. Serum response factor preferentially bound to CArG2 box in gel mobility shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays; additionally, serum response factor coactivator myocardin factors activated CRP2 expression via the CArG2 box. Mutational analysis revealed that CArG2 box was important in directing lacZ expression in VSMC of adult vessels. CONCLUSIONS: Although CRP2 expression during development is independent of CArG box regulatory sites, CRP2 expression in adult VSMC requires CArG2 element within the first intron. Our results suggest that distinct mechanisms regulate CRP2 expression in VSMC that are controlled by separate embryonic and adult regulatory modules.

Endogenous KLF4 expression in human fetal endothelial cells allows for reprogramming to pluripotency with just OCT3/4 and SOX2--brief report.

OBJECTIVE: The introduction of 4 transcription factors-c-MYC, OCT3/4, SOX2, and KLF4--can reprogram somatic cells back to pluripotency. However, some of the factors used are oncogenic, making therapeutic application unfeasible. Although the use of adult stem cells expressing high endogenous levels of some of these factors allows for reprogramming with fewer exogenous genes, such cells are rare and may have accumulated genetic mutations. Our goal was to reprogram human somatic cells without oncogenic factors. We found that high endogenous expression of KLF4 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) allows for generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with just 2 nononcogenic factors, OCT3/4 and SOX2. METHODS AND RESULTS: HUVECs were infected with lentivirus containing OCT4 and SOX2 for generation of iPSCs. These 2-factor HUVEC iPSCs were morphologically similar to embryonic stem cells, express endogenous pluripotency markers postreprogramming, and can differentiate toward lineages of all 3 germ layers both in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: iPSCs can be generated from HUVECs with only 2 nononcogenic factors. The use of fetal cells for reprogramming without oncogenic factors may provide an efficient in vitro model for human iPSC research, as well as a novel source for possible therapeutic use.