Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; physiology ; Stem Cells ; metabolism ; physiology

Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Sepsis ; metabolism ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVEThe effect of vascular endothelial growth factor(165) (VEGF(165)) on intracellular free magnesium ([Mg(2+)](i)) and the relationship between Mg(2+) and angiogenesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were investigated in this study.

METHODS[Mg(2+)](i) in HUVECs loaded with fluorescent magnesium indicator mag-fura-2 were quantitatively detected with the use of intracellular cation measurement system. HUVECs were obtained from normal fetus and cultured in M199 with 0.2 fetal bovine serum. The angiogenesis effects of VEGF(165) were observed in presence of 0 mmol/L, 1 mmol/L or 2 mmol/L of extracellular Mg(2+).

RESULTSVEGF(165) significantly increased [Mg(2+)](i) in a dose-dependent manner independent of extracellular Mg(2+), Na(+) and Ca(2+) and this effect could be blocked by pretreatment with VEGF(165) receptor-2 (KDR) inhibitor (SU1498). The angiogenesis induced by VEGF(165) was significantly inhibited cells with 0 mmol/L extracellular Mg(2+), the angiogenesis effects of VEGF(165) were similar in cells with 1 mmol/L and 2 mmol/L extracellular Mg(2+) and these effects could be blocked by SU1498.

CONCLUSIONSThese results suggest that the [Mg(2+)](i) increase induced by VEGF(165) originates from intracellular Mg(2+) pools and promotes angiogenesis via KDR-dependent signaling pathways.

Cations, Divalent ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; Humans ; Magnesium ; metabolism ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; Signal Transduction ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 ; metabolism

Atherosclerosis (AS) is an invisible killer among cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which has seriously threatened the life of quality. The complex pathogenesis of AS involves multiple interrelated events and cell types, such as macrophages, endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells and immune cells. Currently, the efficacy of recommended statin treatment is not satisfactory. Natural products (NPs) have attracted increasing attention with regard to their broad structural diversity and biodiversity, which makes them a promising library in the demand for lead compounds with cardiovascular protective bio-activity. NPs can preclude the development of AS by regulating lipid metabolism, ameliorating inflammation, stabilizing plaques, and remodeling the gut microbiota, which lays a foundation for the application of NPs in clinical therapeutics.
Humans ; Biological Products/metabolism* ; Endothelial Cells/metabolism* ; Atherosclerosis/metabolism* ; Macrophages/metabolism* ; Inflammation/metabolism*

Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α), a core transcription factor responding to changes in cellular oxygen levels, is closely associated with a wide range of physiological and pathological conditions. However, its differential impacts on vascular cell types and molecular programs modulating human vascular homeostasis and regeneration remain largely elusive. Here, we applied CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing of human embryonic stem cells and directed differentiation to generate HIF-1α-deficient human vascular cells including vascular endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), as a platform for discovering cell type-specific hypoxia-induced response mechanisms. Through comparative molecular profiling across cell types under normoxic and hypoxic conditions, we provide insight into the indispensable role of HIF-1α in the promotion of ischemic vascular regeneration. We found human MSCs to be the vascular cell type most susceptible to HIF-1α deficiency, and that transcriptional inactivation of ANKZF1, an effector of HIF-1α, impaired pro-angiogenic processes. Altogether, our findings deepen the understanding of HIF-1α in human angiogenesis and support further explorations of novel therapeutic strategies of vascular regeneration against ischemic damage.
Humans ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism* ; Endothelial Cells/metabolism* ; Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Hypoxia/metabolism* ; Cell Hypoxia/physiology*

Objective To study the effect and mechanism of pearl hydrolysate on hepatic sinusoidal capillarization in liver fibrosis. Methods Hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells (HSEC) and hepatic stellate cells (HSC-LX2) were incubated with Hepu pearl hydrolysate.The proliferation of HSEC and HSC-LX2 was examined by MTT colorimetry.The cell cycle and apoptosis of HSC-LX2 were measured by flow cytometry.The changes of the microstructures such as fenestra and basement membrane of HSEC were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Results The intervention with leptin increased the viability of HSC-LX2 (P=0.041),decreased the viability of HSEC (P=0.004),and caused capillarization signs such as decreased number and diameter of fenestrae and formation of continuous basement membrane.The treatment with pearl hydrolysate at different doses increased and expanded the fenestrae of HSEC (low dose:P=0.020;medium dose:P=0.028;high dose:P=0.032),disintegrated the extracellular basement membrane of HSEC (low dose:P=0.020;medium dose:P=0.028;high dose:P=0.032),decreased the viability of HSC-LX2 (low dose:P=0.018;medium dose:P=0.013;high dose:P=0.009),and induced the apoptosis of HSC-LX2 (low dose:P=0.012;medium dose:P=0.006;high dose:P=0.005).Pearl hydrolysate exerted therapeutic effect on capillarization in a dose-dependent manner (low dose:P=0.020;medium dose:P=0.028;high dose:P=0.032).Moreover,high-dose pearl hydrolysate showed stronger effect on capillarization of hepatic sinuses than colchicine (P=0.034) and salvianolic acid B (P=0.038). Conclusion Hepu pearl hydrolysate can increase the viability of HSEC,restore the area of fenestrae,disintegrate the basement membrane,and decrease the viability and induce the apoptosis of HSC-LX2,demonstrating significant pharmacological effects on the capillarization of HSEC and HSC-LX2.
Humans ; Endothelial Cells/metabolism* ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Liver/pathology*

Cadherins ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; MCF-7 Cells ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; metabolism ; Receptor, Notch1 ; metabolism ; Receptors, CXCR4 ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of tissue factor (TF) in extravascular migration of fibrosarcoma cells and hematogenous metastasis.

METHODSThe expression of tissue factor in fibrosarcoma HT1080 cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. The extravascular migration of fibrosarcoma cells was observed in a constructed monolayer vascular endothelial cells and extra-cellular matrix model.

RESULTTissue factor was highly expressed in HT1080 cells. HT1080 migrated and passed through the monolayer vascular endothelial cells to the collagen gel in a time-dependent manner. Anti-TF antibody inhibited extravascular migration of fibrosarcoma cells and the inhibition was concentration-dependent (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONTissue factor may enhance hematogenous metastasis through extravascular migration of fibrosarcoma cells.

Cell Movement ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; Fibrosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Thromboplastin ; metabolism ; physiology

Adenosine ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of bortezomib on the migration of endothelial cells and the expression of angiogenesis-related molecules, and explore the mechanism of its antiproliferation of tumor cells.

METHODSCell count kit CCK-8 was used to detect the relative proliferation activity of cells after treated by bortezomib at different concentrations for 12 h and 24 h, respectively. Transwell model was uesd to detect the migration rate of cells. Expression levels of VEGF and Annexin A2 genes were determined by real-time quantitative PCR. Annexin A2 protein was validated by Western blot.

RESULTSAfter treated with bortezomib at concentrations of 2.5, 5.0 and 10 nmol/L for 12h, respectively, the HMEC-1 cell proliferation activity was 1.004 ± 0.002, 0.793 ± 0.021 and 0.874 ± 0.062, respectively, being no statistical difference from that of control group (1.000) P < 0.05); while the migration rates of them were 0.697 ± 0.060, 0.597 ± 0.090 and 0.874 ± 0.062, respectively, being significantly lower than that of control group (1.000) (P < 0.05) and so did for the expression of VEGF and Annexin A2 genes. After treated with 5 nmol/L bortezomib for 12 h, the Annexin A2 and VEGF gene relative expression level of HMEC-1 cells was 0.540 ± 0.001 and 0.793 ± 0.153, respectively, being of statistical difference from that of control group (1.000) P < 0.05). The conspicuous downregulation of Annexin A2 protein was also confirmed by Western Blot.

CONCLUSIONSBortezomib can inhibit migration of endothelial cell HMEC-1 by downregulating the expression of VEGF and Annexin A2, displaying a new mechanism of bortezomib for inhibition of tumor proliferation.

Annexin A2 ; metabolism ; Bortezomib ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; Humans ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism