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)

Hyperlipidemia is a recognized risk factor for atherosclerotic vascular disease. The underlying mechanisms that link lipoproteins and vascular disease are undefined. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is emerging as a key determinant of progressive fibrotic diseases, and its expression is upregulated by diabetes. To define the mechanisms through which low-density lipoproteins (LDL) promote vascular injury, we evaluated whether LDL can modulate the expression of CTGF and collagen IV in human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). Treatment of HAECs with LDL (50 microg/ml) for 24 h produced a significant increase in the mRNA and the protein levels of CTGF and collagen IV compared with unstimulated controls. To explore the mechanisms by which LDL regulates CTGF and collagen IV expression in HAECs, we determined first if CTGF and collagen IV are downstream targets for regulation by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). The results demonstrated that TGF-beta produced a concentration-dependent increase in the protein levels of CTGF. To assess whether the induction of CTGF in response to LDL is mediated via autocrine activation of TGF-beta, HAECs were treated with LDL for 24 h in the presence and absence of anti-TGF-beta neutralizing antibodies (anti-TGF-beta NA). The results demonstrated that the increase in CTGF induced by LDL was significantly inhibited by the anti-TGF-beta NA. To investigate the upstream mediators of TGF-beta on activity of CTGF in response to LDL, HAECs were treated with LDL for 24 h in the presence and absence of cell-permeable MAPK inhibitors. Inhibition of p38(mapk) activities did not affect LDL-induced TGF-beta1, CTGF, and collagen IV expression. On the other hand, SP-600125, a specific inhibitor of c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase, suppressed LDL-induced TGF-beta, CTGF, and collagen IV expression, and PD-98059, a selective inhibitor of p44/42(mapk), suppressed LDL-induced TGF-beta and CTGF expression. These findings are the first to implicate the MAPK pathway and TGF-beta as key players in LDL signaling, leading to CTGF and collagen IV expression in HAECs. The data also point to a potential mechanistic pathway through which lipoproteins may promote vascular injury.
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PMID:Mechanisms of low-density lipoprotein-induced expression of connective tissue growth factor in human aortic endothelial cells. 1627 94

Embryonic stem (ES) cells are highlighted as promising cell sources for regenerative medicine. Here, we focused on providing the platform that forced ES cells to reproduce the vascular organization process, leading to efficiency and safety evaluation as preclinical testing of biological agents. Murine ES cell-derived embryoid bodies on matrigel, but not collagen or gelatin, could be differentiated into sprouting blood vessels without the addition of growth factors. The expression of endothelial cell marker CD31 and smooth muscle marker alpha-smooth muscle actin was partially colocalized and started to increase 7 days after culture on matrigel, accompanied by the induction of a number of growth factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor, fibroblast growth factor-2, hepatocyte growth factor, transforming growth factor-beta, and angiopoietin-1. Moreover, notch-related genes, such as Del1 or Del4 (delta-like 1/4) and hey1 or hey2 (hairy/enhancer of split related TRPW motif 1/2), were upregulated in a similar time course. The treatment of neutralizing antibodies against these growth factors failed to inhibit the differentiation into the sprouting blood vessels, whereas arginine-glycine-aspartic peptide, a selective inhibitor for the alphavbeta3-integrins, did inhibit differentiation. An anticancer drug to inhibit angiogenesis, TNP-470, also blocked the vascular formation in this model. ES cells could reproduce the vascular organization process on the biosynthetic scaffolds, such as matrigel, without the addition of growth factors. In the future, a human ES-based tissue model would be an optional tool for the screening of pharmaceutical drugs for vascular disease.
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PMID:Model of vasculogenesis from embryonic stem cells for vascular research and regenerative medicine. 1675 88

Determination of the functional relationship between the transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta) receptor proteins endoglin and ALK1 is essential to the understanding of the human vascular disease, hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. TGFbeta1 caused recruitment of ALK1 into a complex with endoglin in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Therefore, we examined TGFbeta receptor-dependent phosphorylation of endoglin by the constitutively active forms of the TGFbeta type I receptors ALK1, ALK5, and the TGFbeta type II receptor, TbetaRII. Of these receptors, TbetaRII preferentially phosphorylated endoglin on cytosolic domain serine residues Ser(634) and Ser(635). Removal of the carboxyl-terminal tripeptide of endoglin, which comprises a putative PDZ-liganding motif, dramatically increased endoglin serine phosphorylation by all three receptors, suggesting that the PDZ-liganding motif is important for the regulation of endoglin phosphorylation. Constitutively active (ca)ALK1, but not caALK5, phosphorylated endoglin on cytosolic domain threonine residues. caALK1-mediated threonine phosphorylation required prior serine phosphorylation, suggesting a sequential mechanism of endoglin phosphorylation. Wild-type, but not a threonine phosphorylation-defective endoglin mutant blocked cell detachment and the antiproliferative effects of caALK1 expressed in HUVECs. These results suggest that ALK1 is a preferred TGFbeta receptor kinase for endoglin threonine phosphorylation in HUVECs and indicate a role for endoglin phosphorylation in the regulation of endothelial cell adhesion and growth by ALK1.
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PMID:Endoglin structure and function: Determinants of endoglin phosphorylation by transforming growth factor-beta receptors. 1678 28

Diabetic retinopathy is a micro-angiopathy affecting predominantly small vessels of the retina. Proliferative diabetic retinopathy is characterised by preretinal neovascularisation and fibrosis leading to vitreous heamorrhage and tractional retinal detachment. Chronic hyperglicemia may cause growth factor alterations that are likely to participate in tissue remodeling typical for this late complication. Numerous angiogenic and mitogenic factors have been demonstrated to be present in the eye, including transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), insulin-like growth factors, fibroblast growth factor, tumor necrosis factor and vascular endothelial growth factor. TGF-beta is involved in the control of endothelial cell proliferation, adhesion and deposition of extracellular matrix, thus TGF-beta may play a role in the control of endothelial cell proliferation seen in the disease. The role of TGF-beta in diabetic retinopathy enables better understanding, and thus in the future better intensive antidiabetic therapy in aspect of ophthalmic complications.
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PMID:[The role of transforming growth factor-beta in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy]. 1703 9

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

ALK1 belongs to the type I receptor family for transforming growth factor-beta family ligands. Heterozygous ALK1 mutations cause hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia type 2 (HHT2), a multisystemic vascular disorder. Based largely on in vitro studies, TGF-beta1 has been considered as the most likely ALK1 ligand related to HHT, yet the identity of the physiologic ALK1 ligand remains controversial. In cultured endothelial cells, ALK1 and another TGF-beta type I receptor, ALK5, regulate angiogenesis by controlling TGF-beta signal transduction, and ALK5 is required for ALK1 signaling. However, the extent to which such interactions between these 2 receptors play a role in pathogenesis of HHT is unknown. We directly addressed these issues in vivo by comparing the phenotypes of mice in which the Alk1, Alk5, or Tgfbr2 gene was conditionally deleted in restricted vascular endothelia using a novel endothelial Cre transgenic line. Alk1-conditional deletion resulted in severe vascular malformations mimicking all pathologic features of HHT. Yet Alk5- or Tgfbr2-conditional deletion in mice, or Alk5 inhibition in zebrafish, did not affect vessel morphogenesis. These data indicate that neither ALK5 nor TGFBR2 is required for ALK1 signaling pertinent to the pathogenesis of HHT and suggest that HHT might not be a TGF-beta subfamily disease.
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PMID:ALK5- and TGFBR2-independent role of ALK1 in the pathogenesis of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia type 2. 1791 84

Endoglin is emerging as a pivotal component of the gateway for signaling by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) in vascular endothelial cells. Mutations in endoglin cause a rare vascular disorder in humans known as hereditary hemorrhagic telengiectasia (HHT). Although rare, in-depth analysis of mutant mice and mononuclear cells from the blood of patients with HHT have provided novel and exciting insights into how the vasculature is formed, maintained, and repaired during disease. Here, we review recent data on how endoglin is thought to function in endothelial cells and place it in the broader context of signaling by TGF-beta family members in vascular cells in general. We highlight where the controversies on underlying molecular mechanisms currently lie and indicate areas of present research focus.
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PMID:Endoglin-mediated vascular remodeling: mechanisms underlying hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. 1820 6

Hyaluronan and versican are extracellular matrix (ECM) macromolecules that are present in low amounts in normal blood vessels, but increase dramatically in vascular disease. These ECM components are particularly enriched in intimal hyperplasia as seen in human restenotic lesions following balloon angioplasty and provide a permissive environment for arterial smooth muscle cell (ASMC) proliferation, migration, and macrophage adhesion. Interference with the association of hyaluronan and versican with the surface of ASMCs, either through short oliogosaccharides of hyaluronan or blocking antibodies to the hyaluronan receptor, CD44, blocks the proliferative and migratory response of these cells to growth factors, such as platelet derived growth factor (PDGF). Agents that interfere with the proliferative response of ASMCs and that are used in the treatment of restenosis, such as rapamycin, inhibit the synthesis of hyaluronan by these cells. Inhibition of versican by versican antisense blocks proliferation of SMCs. The synthesis of hyaluronan and versican is highly regulated and influenced by pro-inflammatory growth factors such as PDGF and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta).
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PMID:Arterial remodeling in vascular disease: a key role for hyaluronan and versican. 1850 58

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are direct connections between arteries and veins associated with loss of the intervening capillary bed. In the lungs, pulmonary AVMs can result in right to left shunts and severe cyanosis and dyspnoea. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying AVM formation are poorly understood. One important clue comes from the fact that pulmonary AVMs frequently occur in the familial disease hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), which is associated with mutations in one of two receptors involved in transforming growth factor-beta family signalling, either endoglin (ENG) or activin receptor-like kinase 1 (ACVRL1, also known as ALK1). To elucidate the potential link between ENG or ACVRL1 deficiency and AVM formation in HHT, we performed a comprehensive study of Acvrl1 and Eng expression in wild-type and Eng-deficient (Eng+/-) mouse lungs using a combination of immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR from laser-microdissected arteries, veins and capillaries. We found that Eng and Acvrl1 have distinct expression profiles in the pulmonary vasculature and are only co-expressed in the distal (pre-capillary) arteries, distal veins and capillaries, consistent with the tendency for pulmonary AVMs to form in the distal pulmonary vessels in HHT. Downstream pSmad1/5/8 activity was found in the distal arteries and was specifically reduced in Eng+/- mice, consistent with previous in vitro data showing that Eng promotes Acvrl1-mediated Smad1/5/8 phosphorylation. Eng was more widely expressed than Acvrl1 in the lungs, as Eng alone was found in pulmonary veins, potentially explaining the increased frequency of AVMs in HHT1 patients. Furthermore, the association of ACVRL1 mutations with a second vascular disease, familial pulmonary artery hypertension, underlines the importance of ACVRL1 expression in the distal arteries that are affected in this disorder.
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PMID:Endoglin and activin receptor-like-kinase 1 are co-expressed in the distal vessels of the lung: implications for two familial vascular dysplasias, HHT and PAH. 1901 42

Inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-6 is elevated in the serum and lungs of patients with pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). Several animal models of PAH cite the potential role of inflammatory mediators. We investigated role of IL-6 in the pathogenesis of pulmonary vascular disease. Indices of pulmonary vascular remodeling were measured in lung-specific IL-6-overexpressing transgenic mice (Tg(+)) and compared to wild-type (Tg(-)) controls in both normoxic and chronic hypoxic conditions. The Tg(+) mice exhibited elevated right ventricular systolic pressures and right ventricular hypertrophy with corresponding pulmonary vasculopathic changes, all of which were exacerbated by chronic hypoxia. IL-6 overexpression increased muscularization of the proximal arterial tree, and hypoxia enhanced this effect. It also reproduced the muscularization and proliferative arteriopathy seen in the distal arteriolar vessels of PAH patients. The latter was characterized by the formation of occlusive neointimal angioproliferative lesions that worsened with hypoxia and were composed of endothelial cells and T-lymphocytes. IL-6-induced arteriopathic changes were accompanied by activation of proangiogenic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, the proproliferative kinase extracellular signal-regulated kinase, proproliferative transcription factors c-MYC and MAX, and the antiapoptotic proteins survivin and Bcl-2 and downregulation of the growth inhibitor transforming growth factor-beta and proapoptotic kinases JNK and p38. These findings suggest that IL-6 promotes the development and progression of pulmonary vascular remodeling and PAH through proproliferative antiapoptotic mechanisms.
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PMID:Interleukin-6 overexpression induces pulmonary hypertension. 1907 75


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