In vitro and in vivo effects of rat kidney vascular endothelial cells on osteogenesis of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells growing on polylactide-glycoli acid (PLGA) scaffolds

It is well established that vascularization is critical for osteogenesis. However, adequate vascularization also remains one of the major challenges in tissue engineering of bone. This problem is further accentuated in regeneration of large volume of tissue. Although a complex process, vascularization involves reciprocal regulation and functional interaction between endothelial and osteoblast-like cells during osteogenesis. This prompted us to investigate the possibility of producing bone tissue both in vitro and ectopically in vivo using vascular endothelial cells because we hypothesized that the direct contact or interaction between vascular endothelial cells and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells are of benefit to osteogenesis in vitro and in vivo. For that purpose we co-cultured rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and kidney vascular endothelial cells (VEC) with polylactide-glycolic acid scaffolds. In vitro experiments using alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin assays demonstrated the proliferation and differentiation of MSC into osteoblast-like cells, especially the direct contact between VEC and MSC. In addition, histochemical analysis with CD31 and von-Willebrand factor staining showed that VEC retained their endothelial characteristics. In vivo implantation of MSC and VEC co-cultures into rat's muscle resulted in pre-vascular network-like structure established by the VEC in the PLGA. These structures developed into vascularized tissue, and increased the amount and size of the new bone compared to the control group (p < 0.05). These results suggest that the vascular endothelial cells could efficiently stimulate the in vitro proliferation and differentiation of osteoblast-like cells and promote osteogenesis in vivo by the direct contact or interaction with the MSC. This technique for optimal regeneration of bone should be further investigated

The role of the Src Homology-2 domain containing protein B (SHB) in β cells

This review will describe the SH2-domain signaling protein Src Homology-2 domaincontaining protein B (SHB) and its role in various physiological processes relating inparticular to glucose homeostasis andbcell function. SHB operates downstream of severaltyrosine kinase receptors and assembles signaling complexes in response to receptoractivation by interacting with other signaling proteins via its other domains (proline-rich,phosphotyrosine-binding and tyrosine-phosphorylation sites). The subsequent responsesare context-dependent. Absence ofShbin mice has been found to exert effects onhematopoiesis, angiogenesis and glucose metabolism. Specifically, first-phase insulinsecretion in response to glucose was impaired and this effect was related to alteredcharacteristics of focal adhesion kinase activation modulating signaling through Akt, ERK,bcatenin and cAMP. It is believed that SHB plays a role in integrating adaptive responses tovarious stimuli by simultaneously modulating cellular responses in different cell-types, thusplaying a role in maintaining physiological homeostasi

PKC sigma facilitates lymphatic metastatic spread of prostate cancer cells in a mice xenograft model

Prostate cancer disseminates primarily into the adjacent lymph nodes, which is related to a poor outcome. Atypical protein kinase C ζ (PKCζ) is highly expressed in aggressive prostate cancer and correlates with Gleason score, clinical stage, and poor prognosis. Here, we report the molecular mechanisms of PKCζ in lymphatic metastasis during prostate cancer progression. Using zinc-finger nuclease technology or PKCζ shRNA lentiviral particles, and orthotopic mouse xenografts, we show that PKCζ-knockout or knockdown from aggressive prostate cancer (PC3 and PC3U) cells, decreasesd tumor growth and lymphatic metastasis in vivo. Intriguingly, PKCζ-knockout or knockdown impaired the activation of AKT, ERK, and NF-κB signaling in prostate cancer cells, thereby impairing the expression of lymphangiogenic factors and macrophage recruitment, resulting in aberrant lymphangiogenesis. Moreover, PKCζ regulated the expression of hyaluronan synthase enzymes, which is important for hyaluronan-mediated lymphatic drainage and tumor dissemination. Thus, PKCζ plays a crucial oncogenic role in the lymphatic metastasis of prostate cancer and is predicted to be a novel therapeutic target for prostate cancer

Vascular dysfunction and increased metastasis of B16F10 melanomas in Shb deficient mice as compared with their wild type counterparts

Background Shb is a signaling protein downstream of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 and Shb deficiency has been found to restrict tumor angiogenesis. The present study was performed in order to assess metastasis in Shb deficiency using B16F10 melanoma cells. Methods B16F10 melanoma cells were inoculated subcutaneously on wild type or Shb +/− mice. Primary tumors were resected and lung metastasis determined after tumor relapse. Lung metastasis was also assessed after bone marrow transplantation of wild type bone marrow to Shb +/− recipients and Shb +/− bone marrow to wild type recipients. Primary tumors were subject to immunofluorescence staining for CD31, VE-cadherin, desmin and CD8, RNA isolation and isolation of vascular fragments for further RNA isolation. RNA was used for real-time RT-PCR and microarray analysis. Results Numbers of lung metastases were increased in Shb +/− or −/− mice and this coincided with reduced pericyte coverage and increased vascular permeability. Gene expression profiling of vascular fragments isolated from primary tumors and total tumor RNA revealed decreased expression of different markers for cytotoxic T cells in tumors grown on Shb +/− mice, suggesting that vascular aberrations caused altered immune responses. Conclusions It is concluded that a unique combinatorial response of increased vascular permeability and reduced recruitment of cytotoxic CD8+ cells occurs as a consequence of Shb deficiency in B16F10 melanomas. These changes may promote tumor cell intravasation and metastasis

Heterogeneity among RIP-Tag2 insulinomas allows vascular endothelial growth factor-A independent tumor expansion as revealed by studies in Shb mutant mice : implications for tumor angiogenesis

The Shb adapter protein is a signaling intermediate that operates downstream of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) in endothelial cells. The Shb knockout mouse displays a dysfunctional microvasculature and impaired growth of subcutaneously implanted tumor cells. We decided to investigate tumor growth and angiogenesis in the absence of Shb in an inheritable tumor model, the RIP-Tag2 mouse, which produces insulinomas in a manner highly dependent on de novo angiogenesis. We observed a reduced tumor incidence and burden in both RIP-Tag2 Shb-/- and RIP-Tag2 Shb+/- mice. This correlated with a reduced microvascular density, measured as percentage of insulinoma area positive for CD31 staining, and altered vascular morphology. However, treatment with a VEGF-A blocking antibody was without effect on the Shb mutant tumor volume whereas it significantly inhibited tumor volume in the wild-type mice, suggesting that in mice with reduced Shb expression tumor angiogenesis was primarily sustained by VEGF-A independent pathway(s). This notion was further substantiated by gene expression analysis of angiogenic markers showing reduced VEGF-A expression in Shb deficient tumors. Considerable heterogeneity with respect to the gene expression profiles of other angiogenic markers and the signal-transduction characteristics was observed between different tumors, suggesting that multiple “rescue” pathways could be operating. The numbers of invasive tumors or metastases were unchanged in the Shb mutant. It is concluded that the Shb mutant background reduces tumor frequency by chronically suppressing VEGF-A dependent angiogenesis. However, VEGF-A independent angiogenesis supports a significant degree of tumor expansion in Shbdeficient mice, indicating heterogeneity in the mechanisms by which tumor expansion is promoted. Interference with Shb signaling may provide novel means for future cancer therapy

Heterogeneity among RIP-Tag2 insulinomas allows vascular endothelial growth factor-A independent tumor expansion as revealed by studies in Shb mutant mice : implications for tumor angiogenesis

The Shb adapter protein is a signaling intermediate that operates downstream of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) in endothelial cells. The Shb knockout mouse displays a dysfunctional microvasculature and impaired growth of subcutaneously implanted tumor cells. We decided to investigate tumor growth and angiogenesis in the absence of Shb in an inheritable tumor model, the RIP-Tag2 mouse, which produces insulinomas in a manner highly dependent on de novo angiogenesis. We observed a reduced tumor incidence and burden in both RIP-Tag2 Shb-/- and RIP-Tag2 Shb+/- mice. This correlated with a reduced microvascular density, measured as percentage of insulinoma area positive for CD31 staining, and altered vascular morphology. However, treatment with a VEGF-A blocking antibody was without effect on the Shb mutant tumor volume whereas it significantly inhibited tumor volume in the wild-type mice, suggesting that in mice with reduced Shb expression tumor angiogenesis was primarily sustained by VEGF-A independent pathway(s). This notion was further substantiated by gene expression analysis of angiogenic markers showing reduced VEGF-A expression in Shb deficient tumors. Considerable heterogeneity with respect to the gene expression profiles of other angiogenic markers and the signal-transduction characteristics was observed between different tumors, suggesting that multiple “rescue” pathways could be operating. The numbers of invasive tumors or metastases were unchanged in the Shb mutant. It is concluded that the Shb mutant background reduces tumor frequency by chronically suppressing VEGF-A dependent angiogenesis. However, VEGF-A independent angiogenesis supports a significant degree of tumor expansion in Shbdeficient mice, indicating heterogeneity in the mechanisms by which tumor expansion is promoted. Interference with Shb signaling may provide novel means for future cancer therapy

Vascular adaptation to a dysfunctional endothelium as a consequence of Shb deficiency

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A regulates angiogenesis, vascular morphology and permeability by signaling through its receptor VEGFR-2. The Shb adapter protein has previously been found to relay certain VEGFR-2 dependent signals and consequently vascular physiology and structure was assessed in Shb knockout mice. X-ray computed tomography of vessels larger than 24 mm diameter (micro-CT) after contrast injection revealed an increased frequency of 48-96 µm arterioles in the hindlimb calf muscle in Shb knockout mice. Intravital microscopy of the cremaster muscle demonstrated a less regular vasculature with fewer branch points and increased vessel tortuosity, changes that led to an increased blood flow velocity. Reduced in vivo angiogenesis was observed in Shb knockout MatrigelTM plugs. Unlike the wild-type situation, VEGF-A did not provoke a dissociation of VE-cadherin from adherens junctions in Shb knockout venules. The reduced angiogenesis and altered properties of junctions had consequences for two patho-physiological responses to arterial occlusion: vascular permeability was reduced in the Shb knockout cremaster muscle after ligation of one supplying artery and heat-induced blood flow determined by Laser-Doppler measurements was decreased in the hindlimb after ligation of the femoral artery. Consequently, the Shb knockout mouse exhibited structural and functional (angiogenesis and vascular permeability) vascular abnormalities that have implications for understanding the function of VEGF-A under physiological conditions

CIN85 modulates TGF beta signaling by promoting the presentation of TGF beta receptors on the cell surface

Members of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) family initiate cellular responses by binding to TGF beta receptor type II (Tf3R11) and type I (TpRI) serine/threonine kinases, whereby Srnad2 and Smad3 are phosphorylated and activated, promoting their association with Smadzi. We report here that T beta RI interacts with the SH3 domains of the adaptor protein CIN85 in response to TGF beta stimulation in a TRAF6-dependent manner. Small interfering RNA mediated knockdown of CIN85 resulted in accumulation of T beta RI in intracellular compartments and diminished TGF beta-stimulated Sniad2 phosphorylation. Overexpression of CIN85 instead increased the amount of T beta RI at the cell surface. This effect was inhibited by a dominant-negative mutant of Rab11, suggesting that CIN85 promoted recycling of TGF beta receptors. CIN85 enhanced TGF beta-stimulated Smad2 phosphorylation, transcriptional responses, and cell migration. CIN85 expression correlated with the degree of malignancy of prostate cancers. Collectively, our results reveal that CIN85 promotes recycling of TGF beta receptors and thereby positively regulates TGF beta signaling

CIN85 modulates TGF beta signaling by promoting the presentation of TGF beta receptors on the cell surface

Members of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) family initiate cellular responses by binding to TGF beta receptor type II (Tf3R11) and type I (TpRI) serine/threonine kinases, whereby Srnad2 and Smad3 are phosphorylated and activated, promoting their association with Smadzi. We report here that T beta RI interacts with the SH3 domains of the adaptor protein CIN85 in response to TGF beta stimulation in a TRAF6-dependent manner. Small interfering RNA mediated knockdown of CIN85 resulted in accumulation of T beta RI in intracellular compartments and diminished TGF beta-stimulated Sniad2 phosphorylation. Overexpression of CIN85 instead increased the amount of T beta RI at the cell surface. This effect was inhibited by a dominant-negative mutant of Rab11, suggesting that CIN85 promoted recycling of TGF beta receptors. CIN85 enhanced TGF beta-stimulated Smad2 phosphorylation, transcriptional responses, and cell migration. CIN85 expression correlated with the degree of malignancy of prostate cancers. Collectively, our results reveal that CIN85 promotes recycling of TGF beta receptors and thereby positively regulates TGF beta signaling.Funding: Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Swedish Medical Research Council  K2013-66X-15284-04-4</p