Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0042373 (vascular disease)
17,070 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a dominantly inherited vascular disorder that is heterogeneous in terms of age of onset and clinical manifestations. Endoglin is the gene mutated in HHT1, which is associated with a higher prevalence of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations than HHT2, where ALK-1 is the mutated gene. Endoglin is constitutively expressed on endothelial cells and inducible on peripheral blood activated monocytes so that protein levels can be measured by metabolic labeling and immunoprecipitation. We report the analysis of umbilical vein endothelial cells in 28 newborns from 24 families with a clinical diagnosis of HHT. Reduced levels of endoglin were observed in umbilical vein endothelial cells in 15/28 subjects and in activated monocytes of all clinically affected relatives tested, suggesting that these individuals had HHT1. No mutant protein was expressed at the cell surface in any of these cases, and a transient intracellular species was seen in samples of only two families, supporting a haploinsufficiency model. Quantitative multiplex PCR fragment analysis was established for the endoglin gene and revealed six mutations that were confirmed by automated DNA sequencing. An additional 10 mutations were identified in newborns by sequencing all exons. Of the 16 mutations, 10 were novel, three had been independently identified in related families, and three were previously known. Our data confirm that endoglin levels correlate with the presence or absence of mutation in HHT1 families, allowing the early identification of affected newborns that should be screened clinically to avoid serious complications of this disorder, such as cerebral arteriovenous malformations.
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PMID:Identification of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia type 1 in newborns by protein expression and mutation analysis of endoglin. 1062 79

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) plays an important role in angiogenesis and vascular function. Endoglin, a transmembrane TGF-beta binding protein, is highly expressed on vascular endothelial cells and is the target gene for the hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia type I (HHT1), a dominantly inherited vascular disorder. The specific function of endoglin responsible for HHT1 is believed to involve alterations in TGF-beta responses. The initial interactions on the cell surface between endoglin and TGF-beta receptors may be an important mechanism by which endoglin modulates TGF-beta signalling, and thereby responses. Here it is shown that on human microvascular endothelial cells, endoglin is co-expressed and is associated with betaglycan, a TGF-beta accessory receptor with which endoglin shares limited amino acid homology. This complex formation may occur in either a ligand-dependent or a ligand-independent manner. In addition, the occurrence of three higher order complexes containing endoglin, type II and/or type I TGF-beta receptors, on these cells is demonstrated. Our findings suggest that endoglin may modify TGF-beta signalling by interacting with both betaglycan and the TGF-beta signalling receptors at physiological receptor concentrations and ratios.
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PMID:Endoglin expression on human microvascular endothelial cells association with betaglycan and formation of higher order complexes with TGF-beta signalling receptors. 1095 Dec 14

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a genetic vascular disorder characterized by dilated vessels and arteriovenous malformations. Phenotypic heterogeneity, such as age of onset, severity of disease and organ involvement, is explained in part by two genes being mutated, endoglin (HHT1) and ALK-1 (HHT2). Haploinsufficiency is the mechanism responsible for HHT. This implies that position and type of mutations cannot explain heterogeneity, because mutant proteins are not expressed at the cell surface and consequently cannot interfere with normal function. Based on this model, we generated mice expressing only one allele of endoglin, but in two different inbred strains, 129/Ola and C57BL/6. Phenotypic heterogeneity was also observed among the HHT mice and was very dependent on the genetic background. Our data strongly suggest that additional genes, contributed by the 129/Ola strain, are responsible for the vascular anomalies associated with HHT. The murine model is faithful to the human disease and should allow us to identify the modifier genes of HHT as well as to test potential therapeutic interventions.
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PMID:Endoglin-deficient mice, a unique model to study hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. 1134 67

Endoglin is a transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) co-receptor expressed mainly on endothelial cells and involved in cardiovascular development, angiogenesis, and vascular remodeling. This is illustrated by the fact that mutations in the endoglin gene give rise to hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia type 1, a dominant vascular disease with clinical manifestations that originate by a mechanism of haploinsufficiency. Thus, studies on the regulated expression of endoglin are crucial to devising therapeutic strategies for hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia type 1. Endoglin is highly expressed in the neovasculature associated with hypoxia such as ischemic tissues and tumors, but the molecular mechanism of this up-regulation is unknown. Here, we have investigated the possible regulation of endoglin expression by hypoxia. Surface protein, transcript, and promoter activity levels of endoglin were found to be up-regulated by hypoxia, indicating that the regulation takes place at the transcriptional level. A hypoxia-responsive element downstream of the main transcription start site of the endoglin gene was functionally characterized. Whereas hypoxia alone moderately stimulated endoglin transcription, addition of TGF-beta under hypoxic conditions resulted in transcriptional cooperation between both signaling pathways, leading to marked stimulation of endoglin expression. Because basal endoglin transcription is sustained by Sp1, and TGF-beta and hypoxia signaling pathways are mediated by Smad proteins and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), respectively, the involvement of these transcription factors was analyzed. Functional and co-immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated the existence of a multiprotein complex (Sp1.Smad3.HIF-1) on the endoglin promoter, mediating the cooperation between the hypoxia and TGF-beta pathways. Within this multiprotein complex, Smad3 appears to function not only as a coactivator factor, but also as an adaptor between HIF-1 and Sp1. We propose that basal endoglin transcription (highly dependent on Sp1) may switch from a constitutive to an inducible state through Sp1 interaction with HIF-1 and Smad transcription factors, induced by hypoxia and TGF-beta, respectively.
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PMID:Endoglin expression is regulated by transcriptional cooperation between the hypoxia and transforming growth factor-beta pathways. 1222 47

Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a genetic vascular disorder characterised by epistaxis, telangiectases, and visceral manifestations. The two known disease types, HHT1 and HHT2, are caused by mutations in the endoglin (ENG) and ALK-1 genes, respectively. A higher frequency of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) has been reported for HHT1 while HHT2 is thought to be associated with a lower penetrance and milder disease manifestations. In this study, we present 10 families with an ALK-1 genotype. Visceral manifestations were detected in 24 (26%) of the 93 HHT2 patients from nine of the families and included gastrointestinal bleeding (14%), intrahepatic shunts (6%), and AVMs in the lung (4%) and brain (3%). Gastrointestinal bleeding, the most frequent visceral manifestation, was reported in six of the 10 families, mostly in patients over the age of 50. These patients also had frequent epistaxis and suffered from anaemia, often requiring blood transfusions. The identification of ALK-1 mutations in subjects with a suspected diagnosis and without clinical signs of HHT argue in favour of a molecular diagnosis. We also analysed the data published on 44 families with HHT2 and conclude that visceral manifestations occur in 26 of these families and affect 30% of HHT2 patients. This is considered an underestimate given incomplete and variable screening for lung, brain, and/or liver involvement in different clinical centres. These findings, however, stress the need for an early diagnosis of HHT that can be useful for the early control of associated visceral involvement.
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PMID:Visceral manifestations in hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia type 2. 1284 19

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is an autosomal dominant vascular disorder characterized by epistaxis, mucocutaneous telangiectases, and arteriovenous malformations (AVM). Two genes are linked to HHT: endoglin (ENG) in HHT1 and activin receptor-like kinase 1 (ACVRL1; ALK1) in HHT2. Although both genes are involved in the transforming growth factor beta signaling pathways, the pathogenetic mechanisms for HHT remain elusive. It was shown that mutations in the Alk1 gene in mice and zebrafish resulted in an embryonic lethal phenotype due to severe dilation of blood vessels. We created a novel null mutant mouse line for Alk1 (Alk1lacZ) by replacing its exons, including the one that encodes the transmembrane domain, with the beta-galactosidase gene. Using Alk1lacZ mice, we show that Alk1 is predominantly expressed in developing arterial endothelium. Alk1 expression is greatly diminished in adult arteries, but is induced in preexisting feeding arteries and newly forming arterial vessels during wound healing and tumor angiogenesis. We also show that hemodynamic changes, which require vascular remodeling, may regulate Alk1 expression. Our studies suggest the role of Alk1 signaling in arterialization and remodeling of arteries. Contrary to the current view of HHT as venous disease, our findings suggest that the arterioles rather than the venules are the primary vessels affected by the loss of an Alk1 allele, and that blood vessels with reduction in Alk1 expression may harbor defects in responding to demands for vascular remodeling.
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PMID:Arterial endothelium-specific activin receptor-like kinase 1 expression suggests its role in arterialization and vascular remodeling. 1297 Jan 15

Endoglin is a transmembrane accessory receptor for transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) that is predominantly expressed on proliferating endothelial cells in culture and on angiogenic blood vessels in vivo. Endoglin, as well as other TGF-beta signalling components, is essential during angiogenesis. Mutations in endoglin and activin receptor-like kinase 1 (ALK1), an endothelial specific TGF-beta type I receptor, have been linked to the vascular disorder, hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia. However, the function of endoglin in TGF-beta/ALK signalling has remained unclear. Here we report that endoglin is required for efficient TGF-beta/ALK1 signalling, which indirectly inhibits TGF-beta/ALK5 signalling. Endothelial cells lacking endoglin do not grow because TGF-beta/ALK1 signalling is reduced and TGF-beta/ALK5 signalling is increased. Surviving cells adapt to this imbalance by downregulating ALK5 expression in order to proliferate. The ability of endoglin to promote ALK1 signalling also explains why ectopic endoglin expression in endothelial cells promotes proliferation and blocks TGF-beta-induced growth arrest by indirectly reducing TGF-beta/ALK5 signalling. Our results indicate a pivotal role for endoglin in the balance of ALK1 and ALK5 signalling to regulate endothelial cell proliferation.
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PMID:Endoglin promotes endothelial cell proliferation and TGF-beta/ALK1 signal transduction. 1538 67

Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) is an autosomal dominant vascular disorder caused by mutations in Endoglin (ENG) or activin receptor-like kinase-1 (ALK1, ACVRL1) genes. We performed molecular characterization in clinically affected probands of 31 HHT families and detected a total of 28 different mutations in the two genes, including four shared by more than one family. Twelve mutations were identified in the ENG gene, six of which were novel and comprised two nonsense mutations in exons 6 and 8, deletions in exons 5 and 11, and splice site mutations in exon 12 and intron 8. Eleven of sixteen mutations identified in the ALK1 gene were novel single base pair substitutions in exons 4, 7, 8, and 9. We also describe the first de novo ALK1 mutation that causes a previously unreported c.1133C>A substitution of a highly conserved residue (p.P378H). The proband and his two daughters, who also carried the familial mutation, all suffered from gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. In addition, we report seven newly identified polymorphisms and summarize all known ones in both genes.
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PMID:Novel mutations and polymorphisms in genes causing hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. 1571 71

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is an autosomal dominant and age-dependent vascular disorder originated by mutations in Endoglin (ENG) or activin receptor-like kinase-1 (ALK1, ACVRL1) genes. The first large series HHT analysis in Spanish population has identified mutations in 17 unrelated families. Ten different mutations in ALK1 and six in ENG genes were found. Six unrelated families had a mutation in ENG gene, four representing new mutations, p.Y258fs, pV323fs, p.F279fs (c.834_837del CTTC), and p.F279fsdupC. Eleven unrelated families harboured mutations in ALK1; ten were new mutations identified as p.H328P, p.R145fs, p.G68C, p.A377T, p.H297R, p.M376T, p.C36Y, p.H328P, p.T82del and p.R47P. Overall, ALK1 mutations (HHT2) were predominant over ENG mutations (HHT1), in agreement with data reported for other Mediterranean countries (France, Italy), but at variance with Northern Europe or North America. Endoglin expression in HHT1 or HHT2 activated monocytes and blood outgrowth endothelial cells (BOECs) from older patients was well below the theoretical 50% level expected from the HHT1 haploinsufficiency model, suggesting that the pathogenic endoglin haploinsufficiency leading to the HHT phenotype is age-dependent. Interestingly, ALK1 protein levels of HHT BOECs in some missense ALK1 mutants were similar to controls. In vitro expression of these ALK1 constructs suggests that, in addition to the haploinsufficiency model, certain ALK1 mutants may inhibit the function of the wild type allele.
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PMID:Mutation study of Spanish patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia and expression analysis of Endoglin and ALK1. 1647 May 89

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) or Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome is an autosomal dominant vascular disorder characterized by telangiectases and internal arteriovenous malformations. It is caused by mutations in elements of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) receptor complex: endoglin, a co-receptor, responsible for HHT1, or ALK1 (activin receptor-like kinase 1), a type I receptor leading to HHT2. Recently, we have established cultures of HHT endothelial cells, primary targets of the disease. These cells showed deficient TGF-beta signaling and angiogenesis, representing a useful human model to study the molecular mechanism of this disease. To understand the pathogenic mechanism underlying HHT, we have used total RNA probes to compare HHT versus non-HHT cells by expression microarrays. This work represents a systematic study to identify target genes affected in HHT cells. Given the similarity of symptoms in HHT1 and HHT2, special interest has been put on the identification of common targets for both HHT types. As a result, 277 downregulated and 63 upregulated genes were identified in HHT versus control cells. These genes are involved in biological processes relevant to the HHT pathology, such as angiogenesis, cytoskeleton, cell migration, proliferation and NO synthesis. The type of misregulated genes found in HHT endothelial cells lead us to propose a model of HHT pathogenesis, opening new perspectives to understand this disorder. Moreover, as the disease is originated by mutations in proteins of the TGF-beta receptor complex, these results may be useful to find out targets of the TGF-beta pathway in endothelium.
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PMID:Gene expression fingerprinting for human hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. 1742 Jan 63


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