• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.6-11
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• 2002

Background: Inflammation is a frequent reaction following therapeutic irradiation. Since the upregulation of adhesion molecules on endothelial cell surface is known to be associated with inflammation, the expression of adhesion molecules is an important therapeutic target. Methods: Treatment of human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs) with ${\gamma}$-irradiation (${\gamma}IR$) induces the expression of adhesion proteins such as intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and E-selectin. Changes in the expression of these proteins on ${\gamma}$-irradiated HUVECs which had been treated previously with allicin were measured by ELISA. Results: In the present study, we demonstrate that allicin inhibits the ${\gamma}IR$ induced expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin on HUVEC in a dose-dependent manner. Allicin was also found to inhibit the ${\gamma}IR$ induced production of nitric oxide (NO). Conclusion: These data suggest that allicin has a therapeutic potential for the treatment of various inflammatory disorders associated with increase numbers of endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecules.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.292-298
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• 2016

Aquaporin 1 (AQP1) is expressed in most microvasculature endothelial cells and forms water channels that play major roles in a variety of physiologic processes. This study aimed to delineate the transcriptional regulation of AQP1 by Mef2c in endothelial cells. Mef2c cooperated with Sp1 to activate human AQP1 transcription by binding to its proximal promoter in human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Over-expression of Mef2c, Sp1, or Mef2c/Sp1 increased HUVEC migration and tube-forming ability, which can be abolished AQP1 knockdown. These data indicate that AQP1 is a direct target of Mef2c in regulating angiogenesis and vasculogenesis of endothelial cells.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.35-42
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• 2015

In cardiovascular disorders, understanding of endothelial cell (EC) function is essential to elucidate the disease mechanism. Although the mouse model has many advantages for in vivo and in vitro research, efficient procedures for the isolation and propagation of primary mouse EC have been problematic. We describe a high yield process for isolation and in vitro culture of primary EC from mouse arteries (aorta, braches of superior mesenteric artery, and cerebral arteries from the circle of Willis). Mouse arteries were carefully dissected without damage under a light microscope, and small pieces of the vessels were transferred on/in a Matrigel matrix enriched with endothelial growth supplement. Primary cells that proliferated in Matrigel were propagated in advanced DMEM with fetal calf serum or platelet-derived serum, EC growth supplement, and heparin. To improve the purity of the cell culture, we applied shearing stress and anti-fibroblast antibody. EC were characterized by a monolayer cobble stone appearance, positive staining with acetylated low density lipoprotein labeled with 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethyl-indocarbocyanine perchlorate, RT-PCR using primers for von-Willebrand factor, and determination of the protein level endothelial nitric oxide synthase. Our simple, efficient method would facilitate in vitro functional investigations of EC from mouse vessels.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.158-164
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• 2017

Methylglyoxal (MGO) is a highly reactive metabolite of glucose which is known to cause damage and induce apoptosis in endothelial cells. Endothelial cell damage is implicated in the progression of diabetes-associated complications and atherosclerosis. Hypericin, a naphthodianthrone isolated from Hypericum perforatum L. (St. John's Wort), is a potent and selective inhibitor of protein kinase C and is reported to reduce neuropathic pain. In this work, we investigated the protective effect of hypericin on MGO-induced apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Hypericin showed significant anti-apoptotic activity in MGO-treated HUVECs. Pretreatment with hypericin significantly inhibited MGO-induced changes in cell morphology, cell death, and production of intracellular reactive oxygen species. Hypericin prevented MGO-induced apoptosis in HUVECs by increasing Bcl-2 expression and decreasing Bax expression. MGO was found to activate mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Pretreatment with hypericin strongly inhibited the activation of MAPKs, including P38, JNK, and ERK1/2. Interestingly, hypericin also inhibited the formation of AGEs. These findings suggest that hypericin may be an effective regulator of MGO-induced apoptosis. In conclusion, hypericin downregulated the formation of AGEs and ameliorated MGO-induced dysfunction in human endothelial cells.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.99-104
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• 2021

Associations between periodontal infection and cardiovascular disease have been documented. Porphyromonas gingivalis is a well-established periodontal pathogen, and tissue factor (TF) is a key initiator of the coagulation cascade. In this context, P. gingivalis has been reported to enhance TF expression in human endothelial cells. The present study investigated the underlying mechanisms of TF induction by P. gingivalis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. P. gingivalis increased TF expression in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Not only live bacteria but also glutaraldehyde-fixed bacteria increased TF expression to the same extent. However, sonicates of P. gingivalis did not induce TF expression. Cytochalasin D and SMIFH2, which are inhibitors of actin polymerization and actin nucleation, respectively, inhibited the TF expression induced by P. gingivalis. Finally, TF production was decreased or increased in the presence of various signaling inhibitors, including mitogen-activated protein kinases. These results suggest that P. gingivalis induces endothelial TF expression by a bacterial internalization-dependent mechanism and through diverse signal transduction mechanisms.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.533-538
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• 2021

Objective: Pluripotent stem cell-derived lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) show great promise in their therapeutic application in the field of regenerative medicine related to lymphatic vessels. We tested the approach of forced differentiation of mouse embryonal stem cells into LECs using biodegradable poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanospheres in conjugation with growth factors (vascular endothelial growth factors [VEGF-A and VEGF-C]). Methods: We evaluated the practical use of heparin-conjugated PLGA nanoparticles (molecular weight ~15,000) in conjugation with VEGF-A/C, embryoid body (EB) formation, and LEC differentiation using immunofluorescence staining followed by quantification and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. Results: We showed that formation and differentiation of EB with VEGF-A/C-conjugated PLGA nanospheres, compared to direct supplementation of VEGF-A/C to the EB differentiation media, greatly improved yield of LYVE1(+) LECs. Our analyses revealed that the enhanced potential of LEC differentiation using VEGF-A/C-conjugated PLGA nanospheres was mediated by elevation of expression of the genes that are important for lymphatic vessel formation. Conclusion: Together, we not only established an improved protocol for LEC differentiation using PLGA nanospheres but also provided a platform technology for the mechanistic study of LEC development in mammals.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2019

[Purpose] The purpose of the study was to determine the combined effects of resveratrol supplementation with high-flow LSS on mitochondrial biogenesis in human vascular endothelial cells. [Methods] Cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells were treated with 20 μM of RSV. For the shear experiments, cells grown to a >90% confluence were exposed to physiological levels of LSS (5 to 20 dyne/cm2) for 12 to 36 hours using a cone and plate shear apparatus. Gene expressions were analyzed by western blotting. [Results] Depletion of mitochondrial integrity was directly associated with increase in endothelial activation/dysfunction. The expressions of mitochondrial biogenesis regulator genes, such as SIRT1, PGC-1α, and TFAM, and the mitochondrial contents were significantly increased after treatment with both resveratrol and high-flow LSS for 12 hours. However, supplementation of resveratrol to high-flow LSS for a prolonged duration had no synergistic effect on the levels of mitochondrial biogenesis regulator gene expressions and mitochondrial content compared to the LSS treatment alone. [Conclusion] The present study demonstrated that the supplementation of resveratrol to high-flow LSS has no synergistic effects on enhancing mitochondrial integrity in human vascular endothelial cells.

• BMB Reports
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.238-243
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• 2024

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) can differentiate into endothelial cells in an inflammatory microenvironment. However, the regulatory mechanisms underlying this process are not entirely understood. Here, we found that TIE2 in BM-MSCs was upregulated at the transcriptional level after stimulation with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), a major pro-inflammatory cytokine. Additionally, the STAT-binding sequence within the proximal region of TIE2 was necessary for TNFα-induced TIE2 promoter activation. TIE2 and STAT3 knockdown reduced TNFα-induced endothelial tube formation in BM-MSCs. Among the major TNFα-activated MAP kinases (ERK1/2, JNK1/2, and p38 MAPK) in BM-MSCs, only inhibition of the p38 kinase abrogated TNFα-induced TIE2 upregulation by inhibiting the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. These findings suggest that p38 MAP contributes to the endothelial differentiation of BM-MSCs by activating the JAK-STAT-TIE2 signaling axis in the inflammatory microenvironment.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.122-135
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• 2022

Background and Objectives: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and endothelial cells (ECs) have been applied in the clinic to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a disease characterized by disordered pulmonary vasculature. However, the lack of sufficient transplantable cells before the deterioration of disease condition is a current limitation to apply cell therapy in patients. It is necessary to differentiate pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) into EPCs and identify their characteristics. Methods and Results: Comparing previously reported methods of human PSCs-derived ECs, we optimized a highly efficient differentiation protocol to obtain cells that match the phenotype of isolated EPCs from healthy donors. The protocol is compatible with chemically defined medium (CDM), it could produce a large number of clinically applicable cells with low cost. Moreover, we also found PSCs-derived EPCs express CD133, have some characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells and are capable of homing to repair blood vessels in zebrafish xenograft assays. In addition, we further revealed that IPAH PSCs-derived EPCs have higher expression of proliferation-related genes and lower expression of immune-related genes than normal EPCs and PSCs-derived EPCs through microarray analysis. Conclusions: In conclusion, we optimized a highly efficient differentiation protocol to obtain PSCs-derived EPCs with the phenotypic and molecular characteristics of EPCs from healthy donors which distinguished them from EPCs from PAH.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.463-470
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• 1995

Complete prelining of artificial vascular grafts with autologous endothelial cells may be one of the ideal solutions to obtain a nonthrombogenlc blood-contacting surface. To establish an intact endothelial cell monolayer on a prosthetic surface at the time of implantation,a sufficient number of endothelial cells and adequate propagation condition In cell culture are prerequisites. In this experimental study, endothelial cells from microvessels of adult human oriental adipose tissue were enzymatically harvested, and optimal culture conditions for proliferation of the endothelial cells in cell culture were examined. Human oriental adipose tissue was digested with collagenase and endothelial cells were separated from other stromal elements by mesh filtration method. Cultured cells were identified as endothelial cells by immunofluorescent staining for factor VIII-related antigen. Proliferation in usual 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS) medium or medium containing endothelial cell growth factor (ECGF)(5 ng/ml) and heparin (HEP)(1,000 units/ml) were compared,and the effects of adding compounds that increase intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels, that is,cholera toxin (CT)(1 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml) and isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX)(0.2 ml),were also analyzed. In total,following eight media groups were examined. 1) FBS medium + ECGF + HEP, 2) FBS medium + ECGF + HEP+CT, 3) FBS medium+ECGF+HEP+lBMX, 4) FBS medium+ECGF+HEP+CT+ IBMX, 5) FBSmedium, 6) FBS medium +CT, 7) FBS medium + IBMX, 8) FBS medium + CT + IBMX. It was shown that the medium containing ECGF + HEP with or without cholera toxin was most efficient in Stimulating cell proliferation. IBMX was considered to have antagonistic effect to ECGF. Among experimental groups without ECGF and HEP, the addition of cholera toxin and IBMX was shown to significantly potentiate cell proliferation. This results could provide a practical method for use of cultured human endothelial cells for endothelial cell seeding of cardiovascular prosthetic device, particularly in small-diameter vascular grafts.