The Prominin-1-Derived Peptide Improves Cardiac Function Following Ischemia

Myocardial infarction (MI) remains the leading cause of death in the western world. Despite advancements in interventional revascularization technologies, many patients are not candidates for them due to comorbidities or lack of local resources. Non-invasive approaches to accelerate revascularization within ischemic tissues through angiogenesis by providing Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in protein or gene form has been effective in animal models but not in humans likely due to its short half-life and systemic toxicity. Here, we tested the hypothesis that PR1P, a small VEGF binding peptide that we developed, which stabilizes and upregulates endogenous VEGF, could be used to improve outcome from MI in rodents. To test this hypothesis, we induced MI in mice and rats via left coronary artery ligation and then treated animals with every other day intraperitoneal PR1P or scrambled peptide for 14 days. Hemodynamic monitoring and echocardiography in mice and echocardiography in rats at 14 days showed PR1P significantly improved multiple functional markers of heart function, including stroke volume and cardiac output. Furthermore, molecular biology and histological analyses of tissue samples showed that systemic PR1P targeted, stabilized and upregulated endogenous VEGF within ischemic myocardium. We conclude that PR1P is a potential non-invasive candidate therapeutic for MI.     

The “Angiogenic Switch” and Functional Resources in Cyclic Sports Athletes

Regular physical activity in cyclic sports can influence the so-called “angiogenic switch”, which is considered as an imbalance between proangiogenic and anti-angiogenic molecules. Disruption of the synthesis of angiogenic molecules can be caused by local changes in tissues under the influence of excessive physical exertion and its consequences, such as chronic oxidative stress and associated hypoxia, metabolic acidosis, sports injuries, etc. A review of publications on signaling pathways that activate and inhibit angiogenesis in skeletal muscles, myocardium, lung, and nervous tissue under the influence of intense physical activity in cyclic sports. Materials: We searched PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Clinical keys, and e-LIBRARY databases for full-text articles published from 2000 to 2020, using keywords and their combinations. Results: An important aspect of adaptation to training loads in cyclic sports is an increase in the number of capillaries in muscle fibers, which improves the metabolism of skeletal muscles and myocardium, as well as nervous and lung tissue. Recent studies have shown that myocardial endothelial cells not only respond to hemodynamic forces and paracrine signals from neighboring cells, but also take an active part in heart remodeling processes, stimulating the growth and contractility of cardiomyocytes or the production of extracellular matrix proteins in myofibroblasts. As myocardial vascularization plays a central role in the transition from adaptive heart hypertrophy to heart failure, further study of the signaling mechanisms involved in the regulation of angiogenesis in the myocardium is important in sports practice. The study of the “angiogenic switch” problem in the cerebrovascular and cardiovascular systems allows us to claim that the formation of new vessels is mediated by a complex interaction of all growth factors. Although the lungs are one of the limiting systems of the body in cyclic sports, their response to high-intensity loads and other environmental stresses is often overlooked. Airway epithelial cells are the predominant source of several growth factors throughout lung organogenesis and appear to be critical for normal alveolarization, rapid alveolar proliferation, and normal vascular development. There are many controversial questions about the role of growth factors in the physiology and pathology of the lungs. The presented review has demonstrated that when doing sports, it is necessary to give a careful consideration to the possible positive and negative effects of growth factors on muscles, myocardium, lung tissue, and brain. Primarily, the “angiogenic switch” is important in aerobic sports (long distance running). Conclusions: Angiogenesis is a physiological process of the formation of new blood capillaries, which play an important role in the functioning of skeletal muscles, myocardium, lung, and nervous tissue in athletes. Violation of the “angiogenic switch” as a balance between proangiogenic and anti-angiogenic molecules can lead to a decrease in the functional resources of the nervous, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems in athletes and, as a consequence, to a decrease in sports performance.     

大型尿素造粒塔新型的腐蚀防护

详细阐述了尿素造粒塔的腐蚀机理，就其中的内外侧的防腐蚀形态进行了总结，并就此针对性的进行了防腐蚀材料的推荐及设计，尤其是玻璃鳞片胶泥。     

VEGF提高MCAO/R小鼠的EPCs表达及促进脑梗死的康复

目的：观察局灶性脑缺血再灌注模型（MCAO/R）小鼠外周循环中血管内皮祖细胞（EPCs）的数量变化,并应用血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）动员小鼠自体骨髓中的EPCs,达到治疗脑梗死的目的。方法：以MCAO/R小鼠为研究对象,通过腹腔注射VEGF动员体内的EPCs,（每日一次,持续一周）,在动员过程中的第1d、4d、7d、14d从内眦静脉采血,使用流式细胞仪检测MCAO/R组及MCAO/R＋VEGF组小鼠外周血中EPCs的数量;然后断头取脑,用免疫组化法检测新生血管的密度,并对脑组织TTC染色后计算并比较小鼠脑梗死体积的变化。结果：MCAO/R＋VEGF组在动员过程中,外周血中的EPCs在给药第1d开始增加,第4d达到高峰并持续到第7d,第14d高峰持续存在;并且在这四个时间点上,MCAO/R＋VEGF组与其它两组比较均具有统计学意义（P〈0.01）。新生血管密度：MCAO/R＋VEGF组1d开始有新生血管生成,4d血管新生明显,14d达高峰,且各时间点MCAO/R＋VEGF组血管新生数量明显多于MCAO/R组。TTC染色后通过图像分析系统计算脑梗死体积：MCAO/R＋VEGF组在给药第14d较第1d、4d、7d梗死灶体积明显缩小（P〈0.01）,且MCAO/R＋VEGF组在给药第4d,7d、14d的梗死灶体积较同时间点的MCAO/R组有显著缩小（P〈0.01）。结论：在急性脑缺血/再灌注损伤的情况下,应用VEGF能显著动员小鼠骨髓中的EPCs,增强出生后的血管新生,达到缩小梗死灶,治疗脑梗死的目的。     

VEGF与鼻咽癌的研究现况及其临床意义

鼻咽癌是我国南方常见的恶性肿瘤之一,5年生存率持续在50%⁶0%之间,预后较差。血管内皮生长因子属于血小板源生长因子家族,是目前所知唯一特异作用于血管内皮细胞的因子。它非特异性的低表达于人类大部分组织中,但是在大多数肿瘤组织中异常高表达。VEGF与肿瘤的发生、发展、治疗、预后密切相关,是一个具有潜在价值的肿瘤标志物,有望成为肿瘤靶向治疗的理想新靶点。研究发现,VEGF在鼻咽癌组织中同样存在高表达现象,细胞水平利用VEGF基因沉默技术可以抑制鼻咽癌细胞的增殖,因此以VEGF为靶点的治疗方法可能为临床鼻咽癌治疗开辟新途径。本文就VEGF与鼻咽癌的研究现状作一综述。     

Targeted Therapies for Brain Metastases from Breast Cancer

The discovery of various driver pathways and targeted small molecule agents/antibodies have revolutionized the management of metastatic breast cancer. Currently, the major targets of clinical utility in breast cancer include the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor, mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, and the cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK-4/6) pathway. Brain metastasis, however, remains a thorn in the flesh, leading to morbidity, neuro-cognitive decline, and interruptions in the management of systemic disease. Approximately 20%–30% of patients with metastatic breast cancer develop brain metastases. Surgery, whole brain radiation therapy, and stereotactic radiosurgery are the traditional treatment options for patients with brain metastases. The therapeutic paradigm is changing due to better understanding of the blood brain barrier and the advent of tyrosine kinase inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies. Several of these agents are in clinical practice and several others are in early stage clinical trials. In this article, we will review the common targetable pathways in the management of breast cancer patients with brain metastases, and the current state of the clinical development of drugs against these pathways.     

The Plasminogen–Activator Plasmin System in Physiological and Pathophysiological Angiogenesis

Angiogenesis is a process associated with the migration and proliferation of endothelial cells (EC) to form new blood vessels. It is involved in various physiological and pathophysiological conditions and is controlled by a wide range of proangiogenic and antiangiogenic molecules. The plasminogen activator–plasmin system plays a major role in the extracellular matrix remodeling process necessary for angiogenesis. Urokinase/tissue-type plasminogen activators (uPA/tPA) convert plasminogen into the active enzyme plasmin, which in turn activates matrix metalloproteinases and degrades the extracellular matrix releasing growth factors and proangiogenic molecules such as the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A). The plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is the main inhibitor of uPA and tPA, thereby an inhibitor of pericellular proteolysis and intravascular fibrinolysis, respectively. Paradoxically, PAI-1, which is expressed by EC during angiogenesis, is elevated in several cancers and is found to promote angiogenesis by regulating plasmin-mediated proteolysis and by promoting cellular migration through vitronectin. The urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) also induces EC cellular migration during angiogenesis via interacting with signaling partners. Understanding the molecular functions of the plasminogen activator plasmin system and targeting angiogenesis via blocking serine proteases or their interactions with other molecules is one of the major therapeutic strategies scientists have been attracted to in controlling tumor growth and other pathological conditions characterized by neovascularization.     

辐射对小鼠骨髓基质细胞分泌血管内皮生长因子的影响

摘要为研究γ射线对小鼠骨髓基质细胞中血管内皮细胞生长因子（Vascular endothclia growth factor,VEGF）的影响,使用不同剂量（0、2．5、5、10Gy）的γ射线全身照射C57BL／6J小鼠。分别用逆转录多聚酶链反应（Reverse transfer polymcrasc chain reaction,RT-PCR）和酶联免疫吸附法（Enzyme linked immunosorbcnt assay,ELISA）法研究了照射后体外培养3、6、10d的骨髓基质细胞中mRNA和培养上清中的VEGF水平。结果发现,对非照射组,随着骨髓基质细胞体外培养时间的延长,其VEGF在基因和蛋白水平都显著升高。受到5Gy或10Gy射线照射后,VEGF随时间变化的总趋势与非照射组相同。在各时间点照射组的VEGF基因表达均高于同时点的非照射组。照射组培养6d上清液中VEGF含量高于同时点的非照射组;而在第10d时,却显著低于同时点的非照射组。分析其原因是因为受到照射后培养10d的骨髓基质细胞数已显著低于非照射同时点的细胞数,其培养上清中VEGF的减少与分泌VEGF的总细胞数减少有关。结果说明,5Gy或10Gy射线会引起骨髓基质细胞VEGF的表达增强。这一现象提示VEGF的表达升高可能是机体的一种代偿性反应,有利于机体造血的重建。辐射后,小鼠骨髓中VEGF的改变与骨髓基质的损伤、造血恢复的关系值得进一步研究。     

4-Acetylantroquinonol B Suppresses Prostate Cancer Growth and Angiogenesis via a VEGF/PI3K/ERK/mTOR-Dependent Signaling Pathway in Subcutaneous Xenograft and In Vivo Angiogenesis Models

Prostate cancer is a major cause of cancer-related mortality in men in developed countries. The compound, 4-acetylantroquinonol B (4AAQB), is isolated from Antrodia cinnamomea (commonly known as Niu-Chang-Chih), which has been shown to inhibit cancer growth. However, the anticancer activity of 4AAQB has not previously been examined in prostate cancer. This study aimed to investigate the effect of 4AAQB on cancer and angiogenesis, as well as to explore its mechanism of action. Human prostate cancer cells (PC3) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were used in cell viability, cell migration, and cell cycle functional assays to evaluate the anticancer and antiangiogenic efficacy of 4AAQB in vitro. The effects of 4AAQB in vivo were determined using xenograft and angiogenesis models. The signaling events downstream of 4AAQB were also examined. The 4AAQB compound inhibited PC3 cell growth and migration, and reduced in vivo cancer growth, as shown in a subcutaneous xenograft model. Furthermore, 4AAQB inhibited HUVEC migration, tube formation, and aortic ring sprouting; it also reduced neovascularization in a Matrigel implant angiogenesis assay in vivo. The 4AAQB compound also decreased metastasis in the PC3 prostate cancer model in vivo. Serum or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Ak strain transforming (Akt), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase ½ (ERK ½) phosphorylation were attenuated by 4AAQB in both PC3 and HUVEC. In conclusion, 4AAQB is a potential candidate for prostate cancer therapy.