• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.16-24
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• 2023

Endothelial cells (EC) are the anatomical boundaries between the intravascular and extravascular space. Damage to ECs is catastrophic and induces endothelial cell dysfunction. The pathogenesis is multifactorial and involves dysregulation in the signaling pathways, membrane lipids ratio disturbance, cell-cell adhesion disturbance, unfolded protein response, lysosomal and mitochondrial stress, autophagy dysregulation, and oxidative stress. Autophagy is a lysosomal-dependent turnover of intracellular components. Autophagy was recognized early in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction. Autophagy is a remarkable patho (physiological) process in the cell homeostasis regulation including EC. Regulation of autophagy rate is disease-dependent and impaired with aging. Up-regulation of autophagy induces endothelial cell regeneration/differentiation and improves the function of impaired ones. The paper scrutinizes the molecular mechanisms and triggers of EC dysregulation and current perspectives for future therapeutic strategies by autophagy targeting.

• BMB Reports
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• v.42 no.10
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• pp.685-690
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• 2009

Angiogenesis is essential for tumor growth and vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) plays a key role in this process. Conversely, sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a biologically active sphingolipid known to play a key role in cancer progression by regulating endothelial cell proliferation and migration. In this study, the authors found that S1P increases the level of VEGF mRNA in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and immortalized HUVECs (iHUVECs). Additionally, S1P was found to increase VEGF promoter activity in MS-1 mouse pancreatic islet endothelial cells. Furthermore, a pharmacological inhibitory study revealed that $G_{\alpha i/o}$-mediated phospholipase C, Akt, Erk, and p38 MAPK signaling are involved in this S1P-induced expression of VEGF. A component of AP1 transcription factor is important for S1P-induced VEGF expression. Taken together, these findings suggest that S1P enhances endothelial cell proliferation and migrat ion by upregulating the expression of VEGF mRNA.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.3-8
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• 2006

Functional damage to microvascular endothelial cells by hyperglycemia is thought to be one of the critical risk factor.; in the impaired wound healing seen with diabetes mellitus. It is also thought that oxidative stress plays a significant role in this endothelial cell dysfunction. The present study examined the differential effects of flavonoids on endothelial cell dysfunction under high glucose conditions. Human endothelial cells exposed to 30 mmol/L glucose for 7 d were pre-treated with various flavonoids and pulse-treated with 0.2 mmol/L $H_2O_2$ for 30 min. High glucose markedly decreased cell viability with elevated oxidant generation and nuclear condensation. $H_2O_2$ insult exacerbated endothelial cytotoxicity due to chronic exposure to high glucose. (-)Epigallocatechin gallate and quercetin improved glucose-induced cell damage with the disappearnnce of apoptotic bodies, whereas apigenin intensified the glucose cytotoxicity. In addition, cell viability data revealed that these flavonoids of (-)epigallocatechin gallate and quercetin substantially attenuated both high glucose- and $H_2O_2$- induced dual endothelial damage. These results suggest that (-)epigallocatechin gallate and quercetin may be beneficial agents for improving endothelial cell dysfunction induced by high glucose and may prevent or reduce the development of diabetic vascular complications.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.106-109
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• 2000

Vascular endothelial cells (EGs) are usually difficult to culture to culture in a large scale because of their complicated requirements for cell growth. As the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key growth factor in the EC culture, we transfected human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) using a plasmid containing VEGF gene and let them grow in a culture medium eliminated an important supplement, endothelail cell growth supplement(ECGS). The expression of VEGF by HUVEC tansfected with Vegf GENE was not enough to stimulate the growth of HUVEC, only 40% of maximum cell density obtainable in the presence of ECGS. However, when the culture medium was supplied with 2.5 ng/ml of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), a synergistic effect effect of VEGE and bFGF was observed. In this case, the final cell density was recovered was recovered up to about 78% of maxium value.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Sciences Society Conference
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.538-544
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• 2008

Activated protein C (APC) is thought to exert antiinflammatory activities through the endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR)-dependent cleavage of protease activated receptor 1 (PAR-1) in endothelial cells. Since thrombin cleaves PAR-1 with $\sim$3-4-orders of magnitude higher efficiency, and PAR-1 is a target for proinflammatory activities of thrombin, it is not understood how APC can elicit protective responses through the cleavage of PAR-1. In this study, we demonstrate that EPCR is associated with caveolin-1 in endothelial lipid rafts, but its occupancy by protein C leads to its dissociation from caveolin-1 and subsequent recruitment of PAR-1 to protective signaling pathways through the coupling of PAR-1 to Gi-protein. When EPCR is bound by protein C, the PAR-1-dependent protective response in endothelial cells can be mediated by either thrombin or APC. These results provide a new paradigm for understanding the mechanism through which PAR-1 and EPCR participate in cellular signaling events in endothelial cells.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.49-59
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• 2004

Objectives: This paper is to investigate what effects Yeonryunggobondan and Palmijihwangtang have on postponing senility in rat fibroblasts, heart-endothelial cells, mesangial cells. Methods: 1. In vitro Yeonryunggobondan and Palmijihwangtang controlled the growth of fibroblasts, heart-endothelial cells, mesangial cells, extended the PDT of them. 2. After feeding rats the drugs for 2 months, the fibroblasts, heart-endothelial cells, mesangial cells were cultured. Results: 1) In fibroblasts the PDN was incresed and the PDT was decreased at passage-1, 2 by Yeonryunggobondan and Palmijihwangtang(p<0.05). 2) In heart-endothelial cells the PDN was incresed and the PDT was decreased at passage 8 by Yeonryunggobondan and Palmijihwangtang(p<0.05). 3) In mesangial cells the PDN was increased and the PDT was decreased at passage 4 by Yeonryunggobondan, the PDN was incresed at passage 4 by Palmijihwangtang(p<0.05). Conclusions: It is concluded that both Yeonryunggobondan and Palmijihwangtang maybe be conductive to protect and delay the senescence of rat fibroblasts, heart-endothelial cells, mesangial cells.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.318-326
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• 1999

Apoptotic cell death, characterized by DNA fragmentation and morphological changes, has previously been shown to occur in vascular endothelial cells cultured with hydrogen peroxide. The present study examined the induction of apoptosis by hydrogen peroxide and whether pyruvate, a key glycolytic intermediate and $\alpha$-keto-monocarboxylate, can inhibit the apoptotic effects in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells(BPAECs). Culture with 500uM hydrogen peroxide resulted in 30% cell death and induced morphological changes and DNA fragmentation. Cell injury was inhibited by the treatment with pyruvate. Pyruvate(0.1-5.0mM), and cell viability increased in a dose-dependent manner. In the presence of pyruvate(10~20mM), the viability was improved to over 95%. In contrast, treatment with lactate, a reduced form of phyuvate, did not protect against cell death oxidative stress-induced loss of viability and apoptosis was examined with $\alpha$-cyano-3-hydroxycinnarmate(COHC) as a selective mitochondrial monocarboxylate transport blocker. Incubation with COHC(500uM) did not significantly affect cell viability in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The cytoprotection by pyruvate(3mM)against hydrogen peroxide stress was abolished by COHC. This indicates that the cytoprotection by pyruvate against oxidative stress in endothelial cells is mediated, at least in part, by mitochondrial pyruvate uptake and hence endothelial enerygetics. However, cytosolic mechanisms related, at least in part, by mitochondrial pyruvate uptake and hence endothelial energetics. However, cytosolic mechanisms related to the glutathione system may also contribute. The results suggest that pyruvate has therapeutic potential in the treatment of oxidative stress-induced cytotoxicity associated with increased apoptosis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.4549-4553
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• 2015

Background: Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is one of the major causes of cancer death worldwide. Data from the literature indicate differences between the proliferation rate of endothelial cells relative to the morphology growth type, possibly due to origin of specimens (autopsy material, surgery fragments) or quantification methods. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a factor that stimulates the proliferation of endothelial cells. It is expressed in more than 90% of cases of metastatic CRC. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the endothelial cell proliferation and VEGF expression in primary tumors and corresponding liver metastases. Materials and Methods: Our study included 24 recent biopsies of primary tumors and corresponding liver metastases of CRC cases. CD34/Ki67 double immunostaining and RNA scope assay for VEGF were performed. Results: In the primary tumors analysis of VEGFmRNA expression indicated no significant correlation with differentiation grade, proliferative and non-proliferative vessels in the intratumoral and peritumoral areas. In contrast, in the corresponding liver metastases, VEGFmRNA expression significantly correlated with the total number of non-proliferative vessels and total number of vessels. CD34/Ki67 double immunostaining in the cases with poorly differentiated carcinoma indicated a high number of proliferating endothelial cells in the peritumoral area and a low number in the intratumoral area for the primary tumor. Moderately differentiated carcinomas of colon showed no proliferating endothelial cells in the intratumoral area in half of the cases included in the study, for both, primary tumor and liver metastasis. In well differentiated CRCs, in primary tumors, a high proliferation rate of endothelial cells in the intratumoral area and a lower proliferation rate in the peritumoral area were found. A low value was found in corresponding liver metastasis. Conclusions: The absence of proliferative endothelial cells in half of the cases for the primary tumors and liver metastases in moderately differentiated carcinoma suggest a vascular mimicry phenomenon. The mismatch between the total number of vessels and endothelial proliferation in primary tumors indicate that a functional vascular network is already formed or the existence of some mechanisms influenced by other angiogenic factors.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.117-122
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• 2011

Endothelial cells are a vital constituent of most mammalian organs and are required to maintain the integrity of these tissues. These cells also play a major role in angiogenesis, inflammatory reactions, and in the regulation of thrombosis. Angiogenesis facilitates pulp formation and produces the vessels which are essential for the maintenance of tooth homeostasis. These vessels can also be used in bone and tissue regeneration, and in surgical procedures to place implants or to remove cancerous tissue. Furthermore, endothelial cell regeneration is the most critical component of the tooth generation process. The aim of the present study was to stimulate endothelial regeneration at a site of acute cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced endothelial injury by treatment with human umbilical cord-derived endothelial/mesenchymal stem cells (hEPCs). We randomly assigned 16 to 20-week-old female NOD/SCID mice into three separate groups, a hEPC ($1{\times}10^5$ cells) transplanted, 300mg/kg CP treated and saline (control) group. The mice were sacrificed on days 5 and 10 and blood was collected via the abdominal aorta for analysis. The alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum alkaline phosphatase (s-ALP), and albumin (ALB) levels were then evaluated. Tissue sections from the livers and kidneys were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) for microscopic analysis and were subjected to immunohistochemistry to evaluate any changes in the endothelial layer. CP treatment caused a weight reduction after one day. The kidney/body weight ratio increased in the hEPC treated animals compared with the CP only group at 10 days. Moreover, hEPC treatment resulted in reduced s-ALP, AST, ALT levels compared with the CP only group at 10 days. The CP only animals further showed endothelial injuries at five days which were recovered by hEPC treatment at 10 days. The number of CD31-positive cells was increased by hEPC treatment at both 5 and 10 days. In conclusion, the CP-induced disruption of endothelial cells is recovered by hEPC treatment, indicating that hEPC transplantation has potential benefits in the treatment of endothelial damage.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.501-514
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• 2022

This study aimed to investigate the effects and potential mechanisms of Chikusetsusaponin V (CsV) on endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and vascular endothelial cell functions. Different concentrations of CsV were added to animal models, bovine aorta endothelial cells (BAECs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) cultured in vitro. qPCR, Western blotting (WB), and B ultrasound were performed to explore the effects of CsV on mouse endothelial cell functions, vascular stiffness and cellular eNOS mRNA, protein expression and NO release. Bioinformatics analysis, network pharmacology, molecular docking and protein mass spectrometry analysis were conducted to jointly predict the upstream transcription factors of eNOS. Furthermore, pulldown and ChIP and dual luciferase assays were employed for subsequent verification. At the presence or absence of CsV stimulation, either overexpression or knockdown of purine rich element binding protein A (PURA) was conducted, and PCR assay was employed to detect PURA and eNOS mRNA expressions, Western blot was used to detect PURA and eNOS protein expressions, cell NO release and serum NO levels. Tube formation experiment was conducted to detect the tube forming capability of HUVECs cells. The animal vasodilation function test detected the vasodilation functions. Ultrasonic detection was performed to determine the mouse aortic arch pulse wave velocity to identify aortic stiffness. CsV stimulus on bovine aortic cells revealed that CsV could upregulate eNOS protein levels in vascular endothelial cells in a concentration and time dependent manner. The expression levels of eNOS mRNA and phosphorylation sites Ser1177, Ser633 and Thr495 increased significantly after CsV stimulation. Meanwhile, CsV could also enhance the tube forming capability of HUVECs cells. Following the mice were gavaged using CsV, the eNOS protein level of mouse aortic endothelial cells was upregulated in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, and serum NO release and vasodilation ability were simultaneously elevated whereas arterial stiffness was alleviated. The pulldown, ChIP and dual luciferase assays demonstrated that PURA could bind to the eNOS promoter and facilitate the transcription of eNOS. Under the conditions of presence or absence of CsV stimulation, overexpression or knockdown of PURA indicated that the effect of CsV on vascular endothelial function and eNOS was weakened following PURA gene silence, whereas overexpression of PURA gene could enhance the effect of CsV upregulating eNOS expression. CsV could promote NO release from endothelial cells by upregulating the expression of PURA/eNOS pathway, improve endothelial cell functions, enhance vasodilation capability, and alleviate vessel stiffness. The present study plays a role in offering a theoretical basis for the development and application of CsV in vascular function improvement, and it also provides a more comprehensive understanding of the pharmacodynamics of CsV.