in-vitro-three-dimensional-sprouting-assay-angiogenesis-using-mouse

<em>In Vitro</em> Three-Dimensional Sprouting Assay of Angiogenesis Using Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells for Vascular Disease Modeling and Drug Testing

Recent advances in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and gene editing technologies enable the development of novel human cell-based disease models for ...

Leiden University Medical Center

INSERM U1273, ESPCI Paris, CNRS FRE 2031

MEMOLIFE Laboratory of Excellence and PSL Research University

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia is an autosomal dominant trait affecting approximately 1 in 5000 people. A pathogenic DNA sequence variant in the ENG, ACVRL1 or SMAD4 genes, can be found in the majority of patients. The 12th International Scientific HHT Conference was held on June 8-11, 2017 in Dubrovnik, Croatia to present and discuss the latest scientific achievements, and was attended by over 200 scientific and clinical researchers. In total 174 abstracts were accepted of which 58 were selected for oral presentations. This article covers the basic science and clinical talks, and discussions from three theme-based workshops. We focus on significant emergent themes and unanswered questions. Understanding these topics and answering these questions will help to define the future of HHT research and therapeutics, and ultimately bring us closer to a cure.

Executive summary of the 12th HHT international scientific conference.

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a genetic disorder characterized by multi-systemic vascular dysplasia affecting 1 in 5000 people worldwide. Individuals with HHT suffer from many complications including nose and gastrointestinal bleeding, anemia, iron deficiency, stroke, abscess, and high-output heart failure. Identification of the causative gene mutations and the generation of animal models have revealed that decreased transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling and increased vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling activity in endothelial cells are responsible for the development of the vascular malformations in HHT. Perturbations in these key pathways are thought to lead to endothelial cell activation resulting in mural cell disengagement from the endothelium. This initial instability state causes the blood vessels to response inadequately when they are exposed to angiogenic triggers resulting in excessive blood vessel growth and the formation of vascular abnormalities that are prone to bleeding. Drugs promoting blood vessel stability have been reported as effective in preclinical models and in clinical trials indicating possible interventional targets based on a normalization approach for treating HHT. Here, we will review how disturbed TGF-β and VEGF signaling relates to blood vessel destabilization and HHT development and will discuss therapeutic opportunities based on the concept of vessel normalization to treat HHT.

Pericytes in Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia.

Hepatic capillaries are lined with specialised liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) which support macromolecule passage to hepatocytes and prevent fibrosis by keeping hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) quiescent. LSEC specialisation is co-determined by transcription factors. The Zinc-Finger E-Box-binding Homeobox (Zeb)2 transcription factor is enriched in LSECs. Here, we aimed to elucidate the endothelium-specific role of Zeb2 during maintenance of the liver and in liver fibrosis.

Franck P.G. Lebrin

Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine,
Department of Internal Medicine (Nephrology)

Leiden University Medical Center

In Vitro Three-Dimensional Sprouting Assay of Angiogenesis Using Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells for Vascular Disease Modeling and Drug Testing

Franck P.G. Lebrin

.css-o250i3{font-size:18px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;line-height:21.6px;}Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine,Department of Internal Medicine (Nephrology)

Leiden University Medical Center

In Vitro Three-Dimensional Sprouting Assay of Angiogenesis Using Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells for Vascular Disease Modeling and Drug Testing

Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine,
Department of Internal Medicine (Nephrology)