Identification and validation of G protein-coupled receptors modulating flow-dependent signaling pathways in vascular endothelial cells

Vascular endothelial cells are exposed to mechanical forces due to their presence at the interface between the vessel wall and flowing blood. The patterns of these mechanical forces (laminar vs. turbulent) regulate endothelial cell function and play an important role in determining endothelial phenotype and ultimately cardiovascular health. One of the key transcriptional mediators of the positive effects of laminar flow patterns on endothelial cell phenotype is the zinc-finger transcription factor, krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2). Given its importance in maintaining a healthy endothelium, we sought to identify endothelial regulators of the KLF2 transcriptional program as potential new therapeutic approaches to treating cardiovascular disease. Using an approach that utilized both bioinformatics and targeted gene knockdown, we identified endothelial GPCRs capable of modulating KLF2 expression. Genetic screening using siRNAs directed to these GPCRs identified 12 potential GPCR targets that could modulate the KLF2 program, including a subset capable of regulating flow-induced KLF2 expression in primary endothelial cells. Among these targets, we describe the ability of several GPCRs (GPR116, SSTR3, GPR101, LGR4) to affect KLF2 transcriptional activation. We also identify these targets as potential validated targets for the development of novel treatments targeting the endothelium. Finally, we highlight the initiation of drug discovery efforts for LGR4 and report the identification of the first known synthetic ligands to this receptor as a proof-of-concept for pathway-directed phenotypic screening to identify novel drug targets

The Physiology and Pharmacology of Leucine-rich Repeat GPCRs

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) represent a large and physiologically important class of cell surface receptors. There are approximately 750 known GPCRs present in the human genome that can be subdivided into general classes based upon sequence homology within their transmembrane domains. Therapeutically, GPCRs represent a fertile source for the development of therapies as they are a significant percentage of our current pharmacopeia. Among the three subclasses of GPCRs, the Class A (rhodopsin-like) receptors are by far the most prevalent and extensively studied. However, within the Class A receptors, sub-families of receptors can be distinguished based upon common sequence motifs within the transmembrane domains as well as extracellular and intracellular domains. One such family of Class A receptors is characterized by multiple leucine- rich repeats within their amino- terminal domains (the Leucine-rich Repeat family (LRR)). This family of GPCRs are best represented by the glycoprotein hormone receptors (LHR, FSHR and TSHR) which have been studied extensively but also includes receptors for the peptide hormone relaxin (RXFP1 and RXFP2 (RXFP2 also binds insulin-like peptide 3)) and three other receptors (LGR4, LGR5 and LGR6). LGR4-6 were, until recently, considered orphan receptors. However, emerging data have revealed that these proteins are the receptors for a family of growth factors called R-spondins. Over the last 20 years much has been learned about LRR receptors, including the development of synthetic agonists and antagonists, new insights into signaling (including signaling bias) and the physiological role these receptors play in regulating the function of many tissues. This topic will focus on what is known concerning the regulation of these receptors, their signaling pathways, functional consequences of activation and pharmacology