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Ageing is the predominant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (1) and contributes to a significantly worse outcome in patients with acute myocardial infarction (2). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as crucial [...]

The article presents a study that identifies a fraction of total synaptic F-actin selectively generated by Wiscott Aldrich Syndrome protein (WASP) in the form of distinct F-actin ‘foci'. Topics include T cell receptors, polymerization of these foci, and cytoplasmic calcium ion elevation. The study infers that WASP generates a dynamic F-actin architecture in the context of the immunological synapse, which in turn amplifies the downstream signals required for an optimal immune response.

The article presents a study which examines the use of transplanted proangiogenic cells and neovascularization of ischemic tissue by cell therapy. Reduced capillary density and deteriorated heart functions were observed after depletion using inducible suicide gene thymidine kinase in three animal models. Using Evans blue extravasion, results show that persistence of cells contribute to cell-mediated improvement of neovascularization and cardiac function.

The article investigates the role of 3-kinase catalytic subunit γ (PI3Kγ) as a signaling intermediate in the chemokine-induced integrin-dependent homing functions of progenitor cells. The study showed that human endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) express PI3Kγ, PI3Kγ mediates the chemokine-induced migration and diapedesis of progenitor cells, and PI3Kγ is essential for integrin activation and the chemokine-induced integrin-dependent adhesion of progenitor cells.

Wiscott Aldrich Syndrome protein (WASP) deficiency results in defects in calcium ion signaling, cytoskeletal regulation, gene transcription and overall T cell activation. The activation of WASP constitutes a key pathway for actin filament nucleation. Yet, when WASP function is eliminated there is negligible effect on actin polymerization at the immunological synapse, leading to gaps in our understanding of the events connecting WASP and calcium ion signaling. Here, we identify a fraction of total synaptic F-actin selectively generated by WASP in the form of distinct F-actin ‘foci’. These foci are polymerized de novo as a result of the T cell receptor (TCR) proximal tyrosine kinase cascade, and facilitate distal signaling events including PLCγ1 activation and subsequent cytoplasmic calcium ion elevation. We conclude that WASP generates a dynamic F-actin architecture in the context of the immunological synapse, which then amplifies the downstream signals required for an optimal immune response. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.04953.001

Objective: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) comprise a heterogeneous population of cells, which improve therapeutic neovascularization after ischemia. The neovascularization-promoting potential of progenitor cells depends on survival and retention of the infused cells to the tissue. Caspases mediate apoptosis but are also involved in other critical biological processes. Therefore, we aimed to address the role of caspases in proangiogenic cells., Methods and Results: The caspase-8 inhibitor zIETD abrogated the ex vivo formation of EPCs, inhibited EPC adhesion and migration, and reduced their capacity to improve neovascularization in vivo. Consistently, cells isolated from caspase-8-deficient mice exhibited a reduced capacity for enhancing neovascularization when transplanted into mice after hindlimb ischemia. Because inhibition of Caspase-8 reduced the adhesion and homing functions of EPCs, we further determined the surface expression of integrins and receptors involved in cell recruitment to ischemic tissues. Pharmacological inhibition of caspase-8 and genetic depletion of caspase-8 reduced the expression of the fibronectin receptor subunits alpha5 and beta1 and the SDF-1 receptor CXCR4. Moreover, we identified the E3 ubiquitin ligase Cbl-b, which negatively regulates integrin and receptor-mediated signaling, as a potential Caspase-8 substrate., Conclusions: In summary, our data demonstrate a novel apoptosis-unrelated role of caspase-8 in proangiogenic cells.

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and hematopoietic progenitor cells are recruited to ischemic regions, improving neovascularization. beta1 and beta2 integrins play a crucial role for progenitor cell homing to ischemic tissues. Integrin activity is regulated by chemokines and their respective G protein-coupled receptors. The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase catalytic subunit gamma (PI3Kgamma) is the PI3K isoform that selectively transduces signals from G protein-coupled receptors. Here, we investigated the role of PI3Kgamma as a signaling intermediate in the chemokine-induced integrin-dependent homing functions of progenitor cells. A pharmacological PI3Kgamma inhibitor significantly reduced chemokine-induced chemotaxis and stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)1alpha-induced transmigration of human EPCs. Moreover, the PI3Kgamma inhibitor significantly reduced SDF1alpha-induced adhesion of EPCs to intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and human umbilical vein endothelial cell monolayers. These findings were corroborated with Lin(-) bone marrow-derived progenitor cells from PI3Kgamma-deficient mice that displayed reduced SDF1alpha-induced migration and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 adhesion as compared with wild-type cells. Pharmacological inhibition or genetic ablation of PI3Kgamma reduced SDF1alpha-induced integrin activation in human EPCs and in murine Lin(-) BM-derived progenitor cells, respectively. In vivo, the homing of PI3Kgamma-deficient Lin(-) progenitor cells to ischemic muscles after intravenous infusion in the model of hindlimb ischemia and their neovascularization-promoting capacity was reduced as compared with wild-type cells. In conclusion, PI3Kgamma is integral to the integrin-dependent homing of progenitor cells.