Labetalol is used for the therapy of hypertension in preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is characterized by high soluble endoglin (sEng) concentration in plasma and coincides with intrahepatic cholestasis during pregnancy (ICP), which threatens the fetus with the toxicity of cumulating bile acids (BA). Therefore, we hypothesized that both labetalol and increased sEng levels worsen BA cumulation in estrogen-induced cholestasis. C57BL/6J, transgenic mice overexpressing human sEng, and their wild-type littermates were administrated with ethinylestradiol (EE, 10 mg/kg s.c., the mice model of ICP) and labetalol (10 mg/kg s.c.) for 5 days with sample collection and analysis. Plasma was also taken from healthy pregnant women and patients with ICP. Administration of labetalol to mice with EE cholestasis aggravated the increase in BA plasma concentrations by induction of hepatic Mrp4 efflux transporter. Labetalol potentiated the increment of sEng plasma levels induced by estrogen. Increased plasma levels of sEng were also observed in patients with ICP. Moreover, increased plasma levels of human sEng in transgenic mice aggravated estrogen-induced cholestasis in labetalol-treated mice and increased BA concentration in plasma via enhanced reabsorption of BAs in the ileum due to the upregulation of the Asbt transporter. In conclusion, we demonstrated that labetalol increases plasma concentrations of BAs in estrogen-induced cholestasis, and sEng aggravates this retention. Importantly, increased sEng levels in experimental and clinical forms of ICPs might present a novel mechanism explaining the coincidence of ICP with preeclampsia. Our data encourage BA monitoring in the plasma of pregnant women with preeclampsia and labetalol therapy.

• Klíčová slova
• bile acids, cholestasis, ethinylestradiol (EE2), labetalol, soluble endoglin,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Endoglin (Eng) is a co-receptor of the transforming growth factor β superfamily playing an important role in endothelial dysfunction. TRC105 (carotuximab) is a monoclonal antibody that blocks Eng and its downstream Smad signaling pathway. Here we have investigated for the first time the effects of TRC105 treatment on the development of endothelial dysfunction induced by 7-ketocholesterol (7K) or high glucose (HG), focusing on Eng expression, signaling, and function. In the hypercholesterolemia study, human aortic endothelial cells (HAoECs) were treated with TRC105 (300 μg/ml) for 1 h, followed by the addition of 7K (10 μg/ml) for another 12 h. In the hyperglycemia study, HAoECs were exposed to HG (45 mM) for 60 h, followed by the addition of TRC105 for another 12 h, and cells treated with 5mM glucose and 40 mM mannitol served as control. Protein levels, adhesion, and transmigration of monocytes were assessed by flow cytometry, mRNA expression was measured by qRT-PCR. 7K and HG treatment increased protein levels of NF-κB and Eng and adhesion and transmigration of monocytes through HAoECs monolayer. TRC105 pretreatment reduced the 7K- or HG-induced Eng protein levels and pSmad1/5 and pSmad2/3 signaling. Despite increased protein levels of P-selectin and VCAM-1, TRC105 mediated blockage of Eng prevented 7K- and HG-induced adhesion and transmigration of monocytes through endothelial monolayers. These results suggest that TRC105-mediated Eng blockage can counteract the hypercholesterolemia- and hyperglycemia-induced endothelial dysfunction in HAoECs, suggesting that Eng might be a potential therapeutic target in disorders associated with elevated cholesterol and glucose levels.

• Klíčová slova
• 7-ketocholesterol, TRC105, endoglin, endothelial dysfunction, high glucose,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Endoglin is a 180 kDa transmembrane glycoprotein that was demonstrated to be present in two different endoglin forms, namely membrane endoglin (Eng) and soluble endoglin (sEng). Increased sEng levels in the circulation have been detected in atherosclerosis, arterial hypertension, and type II diabetes mellitus. Moreover, sEng was shown to aggravate endothelial dysfunction when combined with a high-fat diet, suggesting it might be a risk factor for the development of endothelial dysfunction in combination with other risk factors. Therefore, this study hypothesized that high sEng levels exposure for 12 months combined with aging (an essential risk factor of atherosclerosis development) would aggravate vascular function in mouse aorta. Male transgenic mice with high levels of human sEng in plasma (Sol-Eng+) and their age-matched male transgenic littermates that do not develop high soluble endoglin (Control) on a chow diet were used. The aging process was initiated to contribute to endothelial dysfunction/atherosclerosis development, and it lasted 12 months. Wire myograph analysis showed impairment contractility in the Sol-Eng+ group when compared to the control group after KCl and PGF2α administration. Endothelium-dependent responsiveness to Ach was not significantly different between these groups. Western blot analysis revealed significantly decreased protein expression of Eng, p-eNOS, and ID1 expression in the Sol-Eng+ group compared to the control group suggesting reduced Eng signaling. In conclusion, we demonstrated for the first time that long-term exposure to high levels of sEng during aging results in alteration of vasoconstriction properties of the aorta, reduced eNOS phosphorylation, decreased Eng expression, and altered Eng signaling. These findings suggest that sEng can be considered a risk factor for the development of vascular dysfunction during aging and a potential therapeutical target for pharmacological intervention.

• Klíčová slova
• endoglin signaling, mice, soluble endoglin, vascular function,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Membrane endoglin (Eng, CD105) is a transmembrane glycoprotein essential for the proper function of vascular endothelium. It might be cleaved by matrix metalloproteinases to form soluble endoglin (sEng), which is released into the circulation. Metabolic syndrome comprises conditions/symptoms that usually coincide (endothelial dysfunction, arterial hypertension, hyperglycemia, obesity-related insulin resistance, and hypercholesterolemia), and are considered risk factors for cardiometabolic disorders such as atherosclerosis, type II diabetes mellitus, and liver disorders. The purpose of this review is to highlight current knowledge about the role of Eng and sEng in the disorders mentioned above, in vivo and in vitro extent, where we can find a wide range of contradictory results. We propose that reduced Eng expression is a hallmark of endothelial dysfunction development in chronic pathologies related to metabolic syndrome. Eng expression is also essential for leukocyte transmigration and acute inflammation, suggesting that Eng is crucial for the regulation of endothelial function during the acute phase of vascular defense reaction to harmful conditions. sEng was shown to be a circulating biomarker of preeclampsia, and we propose that it might be a biomarker of metabolic syndrome-related symptoms and pathologies, including hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, arterial hypertension, and diabetes mellitus as well, despite the fact that some contradictory findings have been reported. Besides, sEng can participate in the development of endothelial dysfunction and promote the development of arterial hypertension, suggesting that high levels of sEng promote metabolic syndrome symptoms and complications. Therefore, we suggest that the treatment of metabolic syndrome should take into account the importance of Eng in the endothelial function and levels of sEng as a biomarker and risk factor of related pathologies.

• Klíčová slova
• Endoglin, Endothelial dysfunction, Hyperglycemia, Metabolic syndrome, Soluble endoglin,
• MeSH
• ateroskleróza metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• biologické markery metabolismus   MeSH
• buněčná membrána metabolismus   MeSH
• diabetes mellitus 2. typu metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• endoglin chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• exprese genu MeSH
• kardiovaskulární nemoci metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• metabolický syndrom metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• synthasa oxidu dusnatého, typ III metabolismus   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• biologické markery MeSH
• endoglin MeSH
• synthasa oxidu dusnatého, typ III MeSH

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is characterized by hepatic steatosis with inflammation and fibrosis. Membrane endoglin (Eng) expression is shown to participate in fibrosis, and plasma concentrations of soluble endoglin (sEng) are increased in patients with hypercholesterolemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus. We hypothesize that NASH increases both hepatic Eng expression and sEng in blood and that high levels of sEng modulate cholesterol and bile acid (BA) metabolism and affect NASH progression. Three-month-old transgenic male mice overexpressing human sEng and their wild type littermates are fed for six months with either a high-saturated fat, high-fructose high-cholesterol (FFC) diet or a chow diet. Evaluation of NASH, Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) analysis of BA, hepatic expression of Eng, inflammation, fibrosis markers, enzymes and transporters involved in hepatic cholesterol and BA metabolism are assessed using Real-Time Quantitative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. The FFC diet significantly increases mouse sEng levels and increases hepatic expression of Eng. High levels of human sEng results in increased hepatic deposition of cholesterol due to reduced conversion into BA, as well as redirects the metabolism of triglycerides (TAG) to its accumulation in the liver, via reduced TAG elimination by β-oxidation combined with reduced hepatic efflux. We propose that sEng might be a biomarker of NASH development, and the presence of high levels of sEng might support NASH aggravation by impairing the essential defensive mechanism protecting NASH liver against excessive TAG and cholesterol accumulation, suggesting the importance of high sEng levels in patients prone to develop NASH.

• Klíčová slova
• FFC diet, NASH, bile acids, bile production, cholesterol, endoglin,
• MeSH
• alkalická fosfatasa metabolismus   MeSH
• aspartátaminotransferasy metabolismus   MeSH
• biologické markery krev   metabolismus   MeSH
• biologické modely MeSH
• cholesterol krev   metabolismus   MeSH
• dieta s vysokým obsahem tuků MeSH
• endoglin krev   metabolismus   MeSH
• fruktosa MeSH
• jaterní cirhóza krev   komplikace   patologie   MeSH
• játra metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• modely nemocí na zvířatech MeSH
• myši MeSH
• nealkoholová steatóza jater krev   komplikace   metabolismus   MeSH
• oxidační stres MeSH
• rozpustnost MeSH
• triglyceridy metabolismus   MeSH
• zánět patologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• alkalická fosfatasa MeSH
• aspartátaminotransferasy MeSH
• biologické markery MeSH
• cholesterol MeSH
• endoglin MeSH
• fruktosa MeSH
• triglyceridy MeSH

Soluble endoglin (sEng) released into the circulation was suggested to be related to cardiovascular based pathologies. It was demonstrated that a combination of high sEng levels and long-term exposure (six months) to high fat diet (HFD) resulted in aggravation of endothelial dysfunction in the aorta. Thus, in this study, we hypothesized that a similar experimental design would affect the heart morphology, TGFβ signaling, inflammation, fibrosis, oxidative stress and eNOS signaling in myocardium in transgenic mice overexpressing human sEng. Three-month-old female transgenic mice overexpressing human sEng in plasma (Sol-Eng+ high) and their age-matched littermates with low levels of human sEng (Sol-Eng+ low) were fed a high-fat diet containing 1.25% of cholesterol and 40% of fat for six months. A blood analysis was performed, and the heart samples were analyzed by qRT-PCR and Western blot. The results of this study showed no effects of sEng and HFD on myocardial morphology/hypertrophy/fibrosis. However, the expression of pSmad2/3 and p-eNOS was reduced in Sol-Eng+ high mice. On the other hand, sEng and HFD did not significantly affect the expression of selected members of TGFβ signaling (membrane endoglin, TGFβRII, ALK-5, ALK-1, Id-1, PAI-1), inflammation (VCAM-1, ICAM-1), oxidative stress (NQO1, HO-1) and heart remodeling (PDGFβ, COL1A1, β-MHC). In conclusion, the results of this study confirmed that sEng, even combined with a high-fat diet inducing hypercholesterolemia administered for six months, does not affect the structure of the heart with respect to hypertrophy, fibrosis, inflammation and oxidative stress. Interestingly, pSmad2/3/p-eNOS signaling was reduced in both the heart in this study and the aorta in the previous study, suggesting a possible alteration of NO metabolism caused by six months exposure to high sEng levels and HFD. Thus, we might conclude that sEng combined with a high-fat diet might be related to the alteration of NO production due to altered pSmad2/3/p-eNOS signaling in the heart and aorta.

• MeSH
• aorta metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• dieta s vysokým obsahem tuků škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• endoglin * krev   metabolismus   MeSH
• fibróza MeSH
• hypercholesterolemie metabolismus   MeSH
• hypertrofie MeSH
• myokard metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• myši inbrední C57BL MeSH
• myši transgenní MeSH
• myši MeSH
• oxid dusnatý metabolismus   MeSH
• oxidační stres MeSH
• zánět MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• myši MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• endoglin * MeSH
• ENG protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• oxid dusnatý MeSH

Upon inflammation, monocyte-derived macrophages (MΦ) infiltrate blood vessels to regulate several processes involved in vascular pathophysiology. However, little is known about the mediators involved. Macrophage polarization is crucial for a fast and efficient initial response (GM-MΦ) and a good resolution (M-MΦ) of the inflammatory process. The functional activity of polarized MΦ is exerted mainly through their secretome, which can target other cell types, including endothelial cells. Endoglin (CD105) is a cell surface receptor expressed by endothelial cells and MΦ that is markedly upregulated in inflammation and critically involved in angiogenesis. In addition, a soluble form of endoglin with anti-angiogenic activity has been described in inflammation-associated pathologies. The aim of this work was to identify components of the MΦ secretome involved in the shedding of soluble endoglin. We find that the GM-MΦ secretome contains metalloprotease 12 (MMP-12), a GM-MΦ specific marker that may account for the anti-angiogenic activity of the GM-MΦ secretome. Cell surface endoglin is present in both GM-MΦ and M-MΦ, but soluble endoglin is only detected in GM-MΦ culture supernatants. Moreover, MMP-12 is responsible for the shedding of soluble endoglin in vitro and in vivo by targeting membrane-bound endoglin in both MΦ and endothelial cells. These data demonstrate a direct correlation between GM-MΦ polarization, MMP-12, and soluble endoglin expression and function. By targeting endothelial cells, MMP-12 may represent a novel mediator involved in vascular homeostasis.

• Klíčová slova
• MMP-12, endoglin, endothelial cells, inflammation, macrophages, monocytes,
• MeSH
• biologické modely MeSH
• endoglin genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• endoteliální buňky metabolismus   MeSH
• exprese genu MeSH
• faktor stimulující granulocyto-makrofágové kolonie metabolismus   MeSH
• faktor stimulující kolonie makrofágů metabolismus   MeSH
• kultivované buňky MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• makrofágy imunologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• matrixová metaloproteinasa 12 metabolismus   MeSH
• mediátory zánětu metabolismus   MeSH
• modely nemocí na zvířatech MeSH
• myši MeSH
• náchylnost k nemoci MeSH
• zánět etiologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• endoglin MeSH
• faktor stimulující granulocyto-makrofágové kolonie MeSH
• faktor stimulující kolonie makrofágů MeSH
• matrixová metaloproteinasa 12 MeSH
• mediátory zánětu MeSH

A soluble form of endoglin (sEng) released into the circulation was suggested to be a direct inducer of endothelial dysfunction, inflammation and contributed to the development of hypertension by interfering with TGF-β signaling in cardiovascular pathologies. In the present study, we assessed the hypothesis that high sEng level-induced hypertension via a possible sEng interference with TGF-β signaling pathways may result in inflammatory, structural or fibrotic changes in hearts of Sol-Eng+ mice (mice with high levels of soluble endoglin) fed either chow or high-fat diet. Female Sol-Eng+ mice and their age matched littermates with low plasma levels of sEng were fed either chow or high-fat diet (HFD). Heart samples were subsequently analyzed by histology, qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis. In this study, no differences in myocardial morphology/hypertrophy and possible fibrotic changes between Sol-Eng+ mice and control mice were detected on both chow and HFD. The presence of sEng did not significantly affect the expression of selected members of TGF-β signaling (membrane endoglin, TGFβRII, ALK-5, ALK-1, Id-1, PAI-1 and activated Smad proteins-pSmad 1,5 and pSmad 2,3), inflammation, heart remodeling (PDGFb, Col1A1) and endothelial dysfunction (VCAM-1, ICAM-1) in the hearts of Sol-Eng+ mice compared to control mice on both chow and high-fat diet. High levels of soluble endoglin did not affect microscopic structure (profibrotic and degenerative cardiomyocyte changes), and specific parts of TGF-β signaling, endothelial function and inflammation in the heart of Sol-Eng+ mice fed both chow diet or HFD. However, we cannot rule out a possibility that a long-term chronic exposure (9 months and more) to soluble endoglin alone or combined with other cardiovascular risk factors may contribute to alterations of heart function and structure in Sol-Eng+ mice, which is the topic in our lab in ongoing experiments.

• Klíčová slova
• Heart, Inflammation, Mice, Soluble endoglin, TGF-β signaling,
• MeSH
• endoglin biosyntéza   genetika   MeSH
• hypertenze krev   komplikace   MeSH
• hypertrofická kardiomyopatie krev   etiologie   patologie   MeSH
• kvantitativní polymerázová řetězová reakce MeSH
• modely nemocí na zvířatech MeSH
• myokard metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• myši inbrední C57BL MeSH
• myši transgenní MeSH
• myši MeSH
• oxidační stres MeSH
• regulace genové exprese * MeSH
• RNA genetika   MeSH
• signální transdukce MeSH
• srdce MeSH
• stanovení celkové genové exprese MeSH
• transformující růstový faktor beta genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• western blotting MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• myši MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• endoglin MeSH
• Eng protein, mouse MeSH Prohlížeč
• RNA MeSH
• transformující růstový faktor beta MeSH

Increased levels of a soluble form of endoglin (sEng) circulating in plasma have been detected in various pathological conditions related to cardiovascular system. High concentration of sEng was also proposed to contribute to the development of endothelial dysfunction, but there is no direct evidence to support this hypothesis. Therefore, in the present work we analyzed whether high sEng levels induce endothelial dysfunction in aorta by using transgenic mice with high expression of human sEng. Transgenic mice with high expression of human sEng on CBAxC57Bl/6J background (Sol-Eng+) and age-matched transgenic littermates that do not develop high levels of human soluble endoglin (control animals in this study) on chow diet were used. As expected, male and female Sol-Eng+ transgenic mice showed higher levels of plasma concentrations of human sEng as well as increased blood arterial pressure, as compared to control animals. Functional analysis either in vivo or ex vivo in isolated aorta demonstrated that the endothelium-dependent vascular function was similar in Sol-Eng+ and control mice. In addition, Western blot analysis showed no differences between Sol-Eng+ and control mice in the protein expression levels of endoglin, endothelial NO-synthase (eNOS) and pro-inflammatory ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 from aorta. Our results demonstrate that high levels of soluble endoglin alone do not induce endothelial dysfunction in Sol-Eng+ mice. However, these data do not rule out the possibility that soluble endoglin might contribute to alteration of endothelial function in combination with other risk factors related to cardiovascular disorders.

• MeSH
• aorta MeSH
• arteriální tlak fyziologie   MeSH
• cévní buněčněadhezivní molekula-1 metabolismus   MeSH
• cévní endotel metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• endoglin MeSH
• intracelulární signální peptidy a proteiny krev   MeSH
• kardiovaskulární nemoci krev   metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• mezibuněčná adhezivní molekula-1 metabolismus   MeSH
• myši inbrední C57BL MeSH
• myši transgenní MeSH
• myši MeSH
• synthasa oxidu dusnatého, typ III metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• myši MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• cévní buněčněadhezivní molekula-1 MeSH
• endoglin MeSH
• Eng protein, mouse MeSH Prohlížeč
• intracelulární signální peptidy a proteiny MeSH
• mezibuněčná adhezivní molekula-1 MeSH
• Nos3 protein, mouse MeSH Prohlížeč
• synthasa oxidu dusnatého, typ III MeSH