Extracellular SOD-Derived H2O2 Promotes VEGF Signaling in Caveolae/Lipid Rafts and Post-Ischemic Angiogenesis in Mice

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), in particular, H2O2, is essential for full activation of VEGF receptor2 (VEGFR2) signaling involved in endothelial cell (EC) proliferation and migration. Extracellular superoxide dismutase (ecSOD) is a major secreted extracellular enzyme that catalyzes the dismutation of superoxide to H2O2, and anchors to EC surface through heparin-binding domain (HBD). Mice lacking ecSOD show impaired postnatal angiogenesis. However, it is unknown whether ecSOD-derived H2O2 regulates VEGF signaling. Here we show that gene transfer of ecSOD, but not ecSOD lacking HBD (ecSOD-ΔHBD), increases H2O2 levels in adductor muscle of mice, and promotes angiogenesis after hindlimb ischemia. Mice lacking ecSOD show reduction of H2O2 in non-ischemic and ischemic limbs. In vitro, overexpression of ecSOD, but not ecSOD-ΔHBD, in cultured medium in ECs enhances VEGF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of VEGFR2 (VEGFR2-pY), which is prevented by short-term pretreatment with catalase that scavenges extracellular H2O2. Either exogenous H2O2 (<500 µM), which is diffusible, or nitric oxide donor has no effect on VEGF-induced VEGFR2-pY. These suggest that ecSOD binding to ECs via HBD is required for localized generation of extracellular H2O2 to regulate VEGFR2-pY. Mechanistically, VEGF-induced VEGFR2-pY in caveolae/lipid rafts, but non-lipid rafts, is enhanced by ecSOD, which localizes at lipid rafts via HBD. One of the targets of ROS is protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs). ecSOD induces oxidation and inactivation of both PTP1B and DEP1, which negatively regulates VEGFR2-pY, in caveolae/lipid rafts, but not non-lipid rafts. Disruption of caveolae/lipid rafts, or PTPs inhibitor orthovanadate, or siRNAs for PTP1B and DEP1 enhances VEGF-induced VEGFR2-pY, which prevents ecSOD-induced effect. Functionally, ecSOD promotes VEGF-stimulated EC migration and proliferation. In summary, extracellular H2O2 generated by ecSOD localized at caveolae/lipid rafts via HBD promotes VEGFR2 signaling via oxidative inactivation of PTPs in these microdomains. Thus, ecSOD is a potential therapeutic target for angiogenesis-dependent cardiovascular diseases

IQGAP1 Is Involved in Post-Ischemic Neovascularization by Regulating Angiogenesis and Macrophage Infiltration

Neovascularization is an important repair mechanism in response to ischemic injury and is dependent on inflammation, angiogenesis and reactive oxygen species (ROS). IQGAP1, an actin-binding scaffold protein, is a key regulator for actin cytoskeleton and motility. We previously demonstrated that IQGAP1 mediates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced ROS production and migration of cultured endothelial cells (ECs); however, its role in post-ischemic neovascularization is unknown.Ischemia was induced by left femoral artery ligation, which resulted in increased IQGAP1 expression in Mac3(+) macrophages and CD31(+) capillary-like ECs in ischemic legs. Mice lacking IQGAP1 exhibited a significant reduction in the post-ischemic neovascularization as evaluated by laser Doppler blood flow, capillary density and α-actin positive arterioles. Furthermore, IQGAP1(-/-) mice showed a decrease in macrophage infiltration and ROS production in ischemic muscles, leading to impaired muscle regeneration and increased necrosis and fibrosis. The numbers of bone marrow (BM)-derived cells in the peripheral blood were not affected in these knockout mice. BM transplantation revealed that IQGAP1 expressed in both BM-derived cells and tissue resident cells, such as ECs, is required for post-ischemic neovascularization. Moreover, thioglycollate-induced peritoneal macrophage recruitment and ROS production were inhibited in IQGAP1(-/-) mice. In vitro, IQGAP1(-/-) BM-derived macrophages showed inhibition of migration and adhesion capacity, which may explain the defective macrophage recruitment into the ischemic tissue in IQGAP1(-/-) mice.IQGAP1 plays a key role in post-ischemic neovascularization by regulating, not only, ECs-mediated angiogenesis but also macrophage infiltration as well as ROS production. Thus, IQGAP1 is a potential therapeutic target for inflammation- and angiogenesis-dependent ischemic cardiovascular diseases

Copper Transport Protein Antioxidant-1 Promotes Inflammatory Neovascularization via Chaperone and Transcription Factor Function

Supplementary information accompanies this paper at http://www.nature.com/srepCopper (Cu), an essential micronutrient, plays a fundamental role in inflammation and angiogenesis; however, its precise mechanism remains undefined. Here we uncover a novel role of Cu transport protein Antioxidant-1 (Atox1), which is originally appreciated as a Cu chaperone and recently discovered as a Cu-dependent transcription factor, in inflammatory neovascularization. Atox1 expression is upregulated in patients and mice with critical limb ischemia. Atox1-deficient mice show impaired limb perfusion recovery with reduced arteriogenesis, angiogenesis, and recruitment of inflammatory cells. In vivo intravital microscopy, bone marrow reconstitution, and Atox1 gene transfer in Atox1(-/-) mice show that Atox1 in endothelial cells (ECs) is essential for neovascularization and recruitment of inflammatory cells which release VEGF and TNFα. Mechanistically, Atox1-depleted ECs demonstrate that Cu chaperone function of Atox1 mediated through Cu transporter ATP7A is required for VEGF-induced angiogenesis via activation of Cu enzyme lysyl oxidase. Moreover, Atox1 functions as a Cu-dependent transcription factor for NADPH oxidase organizer p47phox, thereby increasing ROS-NFκB-VCAM-1/ICAM-1 expression and monocyte adhesion in ECs inflamed with TNFα in an ATP7A-independent manner. These findings demonstrate a novel linkage between Atox1 and NADPH oxidase involved in inflammatory neovascularization and suggest Atox1 as a potential therapeutic target for treatment of ischemic disease.SS is a British Heart Foundation (BHF) PhD student; GDA is BHF Chair in cardiac surgery and NIHR Senior Investigator; CE is a BHF Senior Research Fellow. Sources of Funding: This research was supported by NIH R01 HL070187 (T.F.), Department of Veterans Affairs Merit Review grant 1I01BX001232 (T.F.), R01HL116976 (T.F., M.U.-F.), NIH R01 HL077524 and HL077524-S1, R21HL112293 (to M.U.-F.), Ruth L. Kirschstein-National Service Research Award (Kirschstein-NRSA) T32 Training Grant (to G-F.C.), AHA Post-doctoral Fellowship 09POST2250151 (to N.U.), and 11POST5740006 (to V.S.).Peer-reviewedPublisher Versio

Diet-Induced Obesity Increases Monocyte/Macrophage Proliferation during Skin Wound Healing in Mice

Obesity is associated with low-grade chronic inflammation and impaired glucose metabolism, both of which are detrimental to wound healing. C-C motif chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) plays an important role in cell recruitment during healing, and our recent studies revealed the significance of CCR2-CCL2 signaling in promoting the proliferation of pro-inflammatory monocytes/macrophages in wounds. Therefore, we sought to determine whether diet-induced obesity increases monocyte/macrophage proliferation and their accumulation in skin wounds. We first confirmed that wound closure was delayed in obese CCR2RFP/+ mice fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) compared to mice fed with a normal diet (ND). Using in vivo imaging and flow cytometry analysis, we found that HFD mice had significantly increased accumulation of CCR2+ monocytes/macrophages, particularly pro-inflammatory CCR2+Ly6C+ cells in wounds compared to their ND counterparts. Importantly, HFD mice exhibited an increased proliferation of wound CCR2+Ly6C+ compared to ND mice. Together, our data suggest that obesity leads to an increased proliferation and accumulation of pro-inflammatory CCR2+Ly6C+ monocytes/macrophages in skin wounds, which may contribute to delayed healing

New Trends in Antioxidant Compounds: A Precise Nutraceutical in Cardiometabolic Disorders

no abstract availabl

Compromised angiogenesis and vascular Integrity in impaired diabetic wound healing.

Vascular deficits are a fundamental contributing factor of diabetes-associated diseases. Although previous studies have demonstrated that the pro-angiogenic phase of wound healing is blunted in diabetes, a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms that regulate skin revascularization and capillary stabilization in diabetic wounds is lacking. Using a mouse model of diabetic wound healing, we performed microCT analysis of the 3-dimensional architecture of the capillary bed. As compared to wild type, vessel surface area, branch junction number, total vessel length, and total branch number were significantly decreased in wounds of diabetic mice as compared to WT mice. Diabetic mouse wounds also had significantly increased capillary permeability and decreased pericyte coverage of capillaries. Diabetic wounds exhibited significant perturbations in the expression of factors that affect vascular regrowth, maturation and stability. Specifically, the expression of VEGF-A, Sprouty2, PEDF, LRP6, Thrombospondin 1, CXCL10, CXCR3, PDGFR-β, HB-EGF, EGFR, TGF-β1, Semaphorin3a, Neuropilin 1, angiopoietin 2, NG2, and RGS5 were down-regulated in diabetic wounds. Together, these studies provide novel information about the complexity of the perturbation of angiogenesis in diabetic wounds. Targeting factors responsible for wound resolution and vascular pruning, as well those that affect pericyte recruitment, maturation, and stability may have the potential to improve diabetic skin wound healing

Copper transporter ATP7A protects against endothelial dysfunction in type 1 diabetic mice by regulating extracellular superoxide dismutase

Oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction contribute to vascular complication in diabetes. Extracellular superoxide dismutase (SOD3) is one of the key antioxidant enzymes that obtains copper via copper transporter ATP7A. SOD3 is secreted from vascular smooth muscles cells (VSMCs) and anchors at the endothelial surface. The role of SOD3 and ATP7A in endothelial dysfunction in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is entirely unknown. Here we show that the specific activity of SOD3, but not SOD1, is decreased, which is associated with increased O(2)(•−) production in aortas of streptozotocin-induced and genetically induced Ins2(Akita) T1DM mice. Exogenous copper partially rescued SOD3 activity in isolated T1DM vessels. Functionally, acetylcholine-induced, endothelium-dependent relaxation is impaired in T1DM mesenteric arteries, which is rescued by SOD mimetic tempol or gene transfer of SOD3. Mechanistically, ATP7A expression in T1DM vessels is dramatically decreased whereas other copper transport proteins are not altered. T1DM-induced endothelial dysfunction and decrease of SOD3 activity are rescued in transgenic mice overexpressing ATP7A. Furthermore, SOD3-deficient T1DM mice or ATP7A mutant T1DM mice augment endothelial dysfunction and vascular O(2)(•−) production versus T1DM mice. These effects are in part due to hypoinsulinemia in T1DM mice, since insulin treatment, but not high glucose, increases ATP7A expression in VSMCs and restores SOD3 activity in the organoid culture of T1DM vessels. In summary, a decrease in ATP7A protein expression contributes to impaired SOD3 activity, resulting in O(2)(•−) overproduction and endothelial dysfunction in blood vessels of T1DM. Thus, restoring copper transporter function is an essential therapeutic approach for oxidant stress–dependent vascular and metabolic diseases