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International audience; Objective: To explore the regulatory role of soluble CD146 (sCD146) and its interaction with galectin-1 (Gal1) in placenta-mediated complications of pregnancy.Design: Prospective pilot and experimental studies.Setting: University-affiliated hospital and academic research laboratory.Patient(s): One hundred fifteen women divided into three groups: 30 healthy, nonpregnant women, 50 women with normal pregnancies, and 35 with placenta-mediated pregnancy complications.Intervention(s): Wound-healing experiments were conducted to study trophoblast migration.Main outcome measure(s): Quantification of sCD146 and Gal1 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Analysis of trophoblast migration by wound closure.Result(s): Concomitant detection of sCD146 and Gal1 showed lower sCD146 and higher Gal1 concentrations in women with normal pregnancies compared with nonpregnant women. In addition, follow-up of these women revealed a decrease in sCD146 associated with an increase in Gal1 throughout pregnancy. In contrast, in women with preeclampsia, we found significantly higher sCD146 concentrations compared with women with normal pregnancies and no modification of Gal1. We emphasize the opposing effects of sCD146 and Gal, since, unlike Gal1, sCD146 inhibits trophoblast migration. Moreover, the migratory effect of Gal1 was abrogated with the use of an anti-CD146 blocking antibody or the use of small interfering RNA to silence VEGFR2 expression. This suggests that trophoblast migration is mediated though the interaction of Gal1 with CD146, further activating the VEGFR2 signaling pathway. Significantly, sCD146 blocked the migratory effects of Gal1 on trophoblasts and inhibited its secretion, suggesting that sCD146 acts as a ligand trap.Conclusion(s): Soluble CD146 could be proposed as a biomarker in preeclampsia and a potential therapeutic target. Clinical trial registration number: NCT 01736826.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01736826.

International audience; CD146 involvement was recently described in skin fibrosis of systemic sclerosis through its regulation of the Wnt pathway. Because the interaction between Wnt and ROS signaling plays a major role in fibrosis, we hypothesized that in systemic sclerosis, CD146 may regulate Wnt/ROS crosstalk. Using a transcriptomic and western blot analysis performed on CD146 wild-type or knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts, we showed a procanonical Wnt hallmark in the absence of CD146 that is reversed when CD146 expression is restored. We found an elevated ROS content in knockout cells and an increase in DNA oxidative damage in the skin sections of knockout mice compared with those of wild-type mice. We also showed that ROS increased CD146 and its noncanonical Wnt ligand, WNT5A, only in wild-type cells. In humans, fibroblasts from patients with systemic sclerosis presented higher ROS content and expressed CD146, whereas control fibroblasts did not. Moreover, CD146 and its ligand were upregulated by ROS in both human fibroblasts. The increase in bleomycin-induced WNT5A expression was abrogated when CD146 was silenced. We showed an interplay between Wnt and ROS signaling in systemic sclerosis, regulated by CD146, which promotes the noncanonical Wnt pathway and prevents ROS signaling, opening the way for innovative therapeutic strategies.

Background: Triple Negative Breast Cancers (TNBC) are the most aggressive breast cancers and lead to poor prognoses. This is due to a high resistance to therapies, mainly because of the presence of Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs). Plasticity, a feature of CSCs, is acquired through the Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT), a process that has been recently shown to be regulated by a key molecule, CD146. Of interest, CD146 is over-expressed in TNBC. Methods: The MDA-MB-231 TNBC cell line was used as a model to study the role of CD146 and its secreted soluble form (sCD146) in the development and dissemination of TNBC using in vitro and in vivo studies. Results: High expression of CD146 in a majority of MDA-MB-231 cells leads to an increased secretion of sCD146 that up-regulates the expression of EMT and CSC markers on the cells. These effects can be blocked with a specific anti-sCD146 antibody, M2J-1 mAb. M2J-1 mAb was able to reduce tumour development and dissemination in a model of cells xenografted in nude mice and an experimental model of metastasis, respectively, in part through its effects on CSC. Conclusion: We propose that M2J-1 mAb could be used as an additional therapeutic approach to fight TNBC.

International audience; Objective Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by excessive fibrosis, immune dysfunction, and vascular damage, in which the expression of many growth factors is deregulated. CD146 was recently described as a major actor in SSc. Since CD146 also exists as a circulating soluble form (sCD146) that acts as a growth factor in numerous angiogenic- and inflammation-related pathologies, we sought to identify the mechanisms underlying the generation of sCD146 and to characterize the regulation and functions of the different variants identified in SSc. Methods We performed in vitro experiments, including RNA-Seq and antibody arrays, and in vivo experiments using animal models of bleomycin-induced SSc and hind limb ischemia. Results Multiple forms of sCD146, generated by both shedding and alternative splicing of the primary transcript, were discovered. The shed form of sCD146 was generated from the cleavage of both long and short membrane isoforms of CD146 through ADAM-10 and TACE metalloproteinases, respectively. In addition, 2 novel sCD146 splice variants, I5-13-sCD146 and I10-sCD146, were identified. Of interest, I5-13-sCD146 was significantly increased in the sera of SSc patients (P < 0.001; n = 117), in particular in patients with pulmonary fibrosis (P < 0.01; n = 112), whereas I10-sCD146 was decreased (P < 0.05; n = 117). Further experiments revealed that shed sCD146 and I10-sCD146 displayed proangiogenic activity through the focal adhesion kinase and protein kinase C epsilon signaling pathways, respectively, whereas I5-13-sCD146 displayed profibrotic effects through the Wnt-1/beta-catenin/WISP-1 pathway. Conclusion Variants of sCD146, and in particular the novel I5-13-sCD146 splice variant, could constitute novel biomarkers and/or molecular targets for the diagnosis and treatment of SSc and other angiogenesis- or fibrosis-related disorders.

Background: Triple Negative Breast Cancers (TNBC) are the most aggressive breast cancers and lead to poor prognoses. This is due to a high resistance to therapies, mainly because of the presence of Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs). Plasticity, a feature of CSCs, is acquired through the Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT), a process that has been recently shown to be regulated by a key molecule, CD146. Of interest, CD146 is over-expressed in TNBC. Methods: The MDA-MB-231 TNBC cell line was used as a model to study the role of CD146 and its secreted soluble form (sCD146) in the development and dissemination of TNBC using in vitro and in vivo studies. Results: High expression of CD146 in a majority of MDA-MB-231 cells leads to an increased secretion of sCD146 that up-regulates the expression of EMT and CSC markers on the cells. These effects can be blocked with a specific anti-sCD146 antibody, M2J-1 mAb. M2J-1 mAb was able to reduce tumour development and dissemination in a model of cells xenografted in nude mice and an experimental model of metastasis, respectively, in part through its effects on CSC. Conclusion: We propose that M2J-1 mAb could be used as an additional therapeutic approach to fight TNBC.

Additional file 1. Supplementary methods:Peptides and antibodies. Plasmids, siRNA and cell transfection. Western-blot and Immunoprecipitation assays. ELISA experiments. Immunofluorescence experiments. Flow cytometry experiments. Reverse Transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Cell migration assays. Cell Proliferation assays. Transwell invasion assays. Crispr/Cas9 deletion of genes. Experiments on animals and imaging. Immunohistochemistry. Patient cohort. Statistical analysis. Supplementary figures and tables: Supplementary Table 1: Absence of significant impact of age, KPS and steroid dose on progression-free survival or overall survival. Supplementary Table 2: references and application condition of the different antibodies used in the study. Supplementary Figure 1: Expression of CD146 on various types of cancers and effect on overall survival in patients with GBM. Supplementary Figure 2: Glioblastoma cell lines characterization. Supplementary Figure 3: Concentration of VEGF and sCD146 in the culture media of U87, U373, and U118 glioblastoma cell lines. Supplementary Figure 4: Avastin induces proliferation, sCD146 secretion, and EMT/CSC markers in U373 cells. Supplementary Figure 5: Avastin has no effect on CD146-negative U118 glioblastoma cells. Supplementary Figure 6: sCD146 induces U373 cell proliferation, migration and invasion in-vitro and promotes CSC and EMT markers. Supplementary Figure 7: Effect of sCD146 and VEGF on CD146-negative glioblastoma cells. Supplementary Figure 8: sCD146 binds integrin αvβ3 on U373 cells. Supplementary Figure 9: Soluble CD146 induces EMT in U118 cells transfected with integrin αvβ3. Supplementary Figure 10: Knocking-down integrin αvβ3 inhibits sCD146-induced EMT in U87 cells. Supplementary Figure 11: sCD146 mediated its effects on U87 cells through a signalosome containing CD146, αvβ3, and VEGFR2. Supplementary Figure 12: sCD146 mediates its effects on U373 cells through a signalosome containing CD146, αvβ3, and VEGFR2. Supplementary Figure 13: Validating gene knock out in U87 and U373 cells. Supplementary Figure 14: Integrin αvβ3 associates with membrane CD146 and VEGFR2 on HUVECs and binds sCD146. Supplementary Figure 15: CD146/VEGFR2/integrin αvβ3 signalosome mediates sCD146 and VEGF effects in U87 cells and activates common signaling pathways. Supplementary Figure 16: CD146/VEGFR2/integrin αvβ3 signalosome mediates sCD146 and VEGF effects in U373 cells and activates common signaling pathways. Supplementary Figure 17: CD146, integrin αvβ3, and VEGFR2 are essential for mediating sCD146 and VEGF effects on U87 cells. Supplementary Figure 18: CD146, integrin αvβ3, and VEGFR2 are essential for mediating sCD146 and VEGF effects on U373 cells. Supplementary Figure 19: Humanized anti-sCD146 antibody mucizumab significantly decreases U373 cell proliferation, migration and invasion and hampers CSC and EMT in-vitro. Supplementary Figure 20: Humanized anti-sCD146 mucizumab significantly decreases human sCD146 and human VEGF in two different mouse models of glioblastoma. Supplementary Figure 21: Illustrative summary describing the mechanism of resistance to bevacizumab in CD146-positive glioblastoma cells.

International audience; CD146 is an endothelial junctional adhesion molecule, which expression is increased in human glomerular diseases. However, the pathological significance of this overexpression remains unknown. Induction of glomerulonephritis in mice, by using nephrotoxic serum, showed that CD146 expression was highly induced within damaged glomeruli and was associated with renal inflammation and fibrosis. Interestingly, 2 weeks after glomerulonephritis induction, CD146 knockout mice showed preserved renal function as proteinuria and blood urea nitrogen levels were significantly lower compared with wild-type littermates. Furthermore, renal structure was considerably conserved, since crescents formation, tubular dilation, monocyte and lymphocyte infiltration, and interstitial renal fibrosis were highly reduced. Colocalization with markers for different types of glomerular cells showed that CD146 expression was mainly increased within the injured endothelium of the glomerular tuft. Consequently, we generated a new transgenic strain in which CD146 was specifically deleted in the vascular endothelium. Similarly to CD146 knockout, these mice showed preservation of renal structure and function after the induction of glomerulonephritis compared with wild-type animals. These data show that endothelial CD146 plays a major role in glomerulonephritis and may represent a novel therapeutic target to reduce glomerular damage and the progression of renal disease.

International audience; CD146 is a cell adhesion molecule expressed on endothelial cells, as well as on other cells such as mesenchymal stem cells and Th17 lymphocytes. This protein also exists in a soluble form, whereby it can be detected in biological fluids, including the serum or the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Some studies have highlighted the significance of CD146 and its soluble form in angiogenesis and inflammation, having been shown to contribute to the pathogenesis of many inflammatory autoimmune diseases, such as systemic sclerosis, mellitus diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel diseases, and multiple sclerosis. In this review, we will focus on how CD146 and sCD146 contribute to the pathogenesis of the aforementioned autoimmune diseases and discuss the relevance of considering it as a biomarker in these pathologies.

International audience; Initially discovered in human melanoma, CD146/MCAM is expressed on many tumors and is correlated with cancer progression and metastasis. However, targeting CD146 remains challenging since it is also expressed on other cell types, as vessel cells, where it displays important physiological functions. We previously demonstrated that CD146 is shed as a soluble form (sCD146) that vectorizes the effects of membrane CD146 on tumor angiogenesis, growth and survival. We thus generated a novel monoclonal antibody, the M2J-1 mAb, which specifically targets sCD146, but not membrane CD146, and counteracts these effects. In our study, we analyzed the effects of sCD146 on the dissemination and the associated procoagulant phenotype in two highly invasive human CD146-positive cancer cell lines (ovarian and melanoma). Results show that sCD146 induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition, favored the generation of cancer stem cells and increased the membrane expression of tissue factor. Treatment of cancer cells with sCD146 in two experimental models (subcutaneous xenografting and intracardiac injection of cancer cells in nude mice) led to increased tumor dissemination and procoagulant activity. The M2J-1 mAb drastically reduced metastasis but also procoagulant activity, in particular by decreasing the number of circulating tumor microparticles, and blocked the relevant signaling pathways as demonstrated by RNA expression profiling experiments. Thus, our findings demonstrate that sCD146 mediates important pro-metastatic and procoagulant effects in two CD146-positive tumors. Targeting sCD146 with the newly generated M2J-1 mAb could constitute an innovative strategy for preventing dissemination and thromboembolism in many CD146-positive tumors.

International audience; The fundamental role of cell adhesion molecules in mediating various biological processes as angiogenesis has been well-documented. CD146, an adhesion molecule of the immunoglobulin superfamily, and its soluble form, constitute major players in both physiological and pathological angiogenesis. A growing body of evidence shows soluble CD146 to be significantly elevated in the serum or interstitial fluid of patients with pathologies related to deregulated angiogenesis, as autoimmune diseases, obstetric and ocular pathologies, and cancers. To block the undesirable effects of this molecule, therapeutic antibodies have been developed. Herein, we review the multifaceted functions of CD146 in physiological and pathological angiogenesis and summarize the interest of using monoclonal antibodies for therapeutic purposes.

International audience; Aims: The progression of atherosclerosis is based on the continued recruitment of leukocytes in the vessel wall. The previously described role of CD146 in leukocyte infiltration suggests an involvement for this adhesion molecule in the inflammatory response. In this study, we investigated the role of CD146 in leukocyte recruitment by using an experimental model of atherogenesis.Methods and results: The role of CD146 was explored in atherosclerosis by crossing CD146-/- mice with ApoE-/- mice. CD146 -/-/ApoE -/- and ApoE -/- mice were fed a Western diet for 24 weeks and were monitored for aortic wall thickness using high frequency ultrasound. The arterial wall was significantly thicker in CD146-deficient mice. After 24 weeks of Western diet, a significant increase of atheroma in both total aortic lesion and aortic sinus of CD146-null mice was observed. In addition, atherosclerotic lesions were more inflammatory since plaques from CD146-deficient mice contained more neutrophils and macrophages. This was due to up-regulation of RANTES secretion by macrophages in CD146-deficient atherosclerotic arteries. This prompted us to further address the function of CD146 in leukocyte recruitment during acute inflammation by using a second experimental model of peritonitis induced by thioglycollate. Neutrophil recruitment was significantly increased in CD146-deficient mice 12 h after peritonitis induction and associated with higher RANTES levels in the peritoneal cavity. In CD146-null macrophages, we also showed that increased RANTES production was dependent on constitutive inhibition of the p38-MAPK signaling pathway. Finally, Maraviroc, a RANTES receptor antagonist, was able to reduce atherosclerotic lesions and neutrophilia in CD146-deficient mice to the same level as that found in ApoE -/- mice.Conclusions: Our data indicate that CD146 deficiency is associated with the upregulation of RANTES production and increased inflammation of atheroma, which could influence the atherosclerotic plaque fate. Thus, these data identify CD146 agonists as potential new therapeutic candidates for atherosclerosis treatment.

International audience; CD146 is an adhesion molecule present on many tumors (melanoma, kidney, pancreas, breast, ...). In addition, it has been shown to be expressed on vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Generating an antibody able to specifically recognize CD146 in cancer cells (designated as tumor CD146), but not in normal cells, would thus be of major interest for targeting tumor CD146 without affecting the vascular system. We thus generated antibodies against the extracellular domain of the molecule produced in cancer cells and selected an antibody that specifically recognizes tumor CD146. This antibody (TsCD146 mAb) was able to detect CD146-positive tumors in human biopsies and in vivo, by PET imaging, in a murine xenograft model. In addition, TsCD146 mAb antibody was able to specifically detect CD146-positive cancer microparticles in the plasma of patients. TsCD146 mAb displayed also therapeutic effects since it was able to reduce the growth of human CD146-positive cancer cells xenografted in nude mice. This effect was due to a decrease in the proliferation and an increase in the apoptosis of CD146-positive cancer cells after TsCD146-mediated internalization of the cell surface CD146. Thus, TsCD146 mAb could be of major interest for diagnostic and therapeutic strategies against CD146-positive tumors in a context of personalized medicine. www.impactjournals.com/oncotarget/

CD146 is an adhesion molecule present on many tumors (melanoma, kidney, pancreas, breast, ...). In addition, it has been shown to be expressed on vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Generating an antibody able to specifically recognize CD146 in cancer cells (designated as tumor CD146), but not in normal cells, would thus be of major interest for targeting tumor CD146 without affecting the vascular system. We thus generated antibodies against the extracellular domain of the molecule produced in cancer cells and selected an antibody that specifically recognizes tumor CD146. This antibody (TsCD146 mAb) was able to detect CD146-positive tumors in human biopsies and in vivo, by PET imaging, in a murine xenograft model. In addition, TsCD146 mAb antibody was able to specifically detect CD146-positive cancer microparticles in the plasma of patients. TsCD146 mAb displayed also therapeutic effects since it was able to reduce the growth of human CD146-positive cancer cells xenografted in nude mice. This effect was due to a decrease in the proliferation and an increase in the apoptosis of CD146-positive cancer cells after TsCD146-mediated internalization of the cell surface CD146. Thus, TsCD146 mAb could be of major interest for diagnostic and therapeutic strategies against CD146-positive tumors in a context of personalized medicine.

The melanoma cell adhesion molecule (CD146) contains a circulating proteolytic variant (sCD146), which is involved in inflammation and angiogenesis. Its circulating level is modulated in different pathologies, but its intracellular transduction pathways are still largely unknown. Using peptide pulldown and mass spectrometry, we identified angiomotin as a sCD146-associated protein in endothelial progenitor cells (EPC). Interaction between angiomotin and sCD146 was confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence, and binding of sCD146 on both immobilized recombinant angiomotin and angiomotin-transfected cells. Silencing angiomotin in EPC inhibited sCD146 angiogenic effects, i.e. EPC migration, proliferation, and capacity to form capillary-like structures in Matrigel. In addition, sCD146 effects were inhibited by the angiomotin inhibitor angiostatin and competition with recombinant angiomotin. Finally, binding of sCD146 on angiomotin triggered the activation of several transduction pathways that were identified by antibody array. These results delineate a novel signaling pathway where sCD146 binds to angiomotin to stimulate a proangiogenic response. This result is important to find novel target cells of sCD146 and for the development of therapeutic strategies based on EPC in the treatment of ischemic diseases.

International audience; CD146 (MUC-18, MCAM) expression on cancer cells correlates with cancer progression and a bad prognosis in several tumors, including melanoma and pancreatic tumors. Deciphering the mechanism mediating the CD146 role in cancer is essential for generating new therapeutic strategies. We found that CD146 expression in cancer cells is associated with a secretion of soluble CD146 (sCD146) that constitutes an active player in tumor development. Indeed, sCD146 induces the overexpression of its binding protein, angiomotin, on both endothelial and cancer cells and promotes both paracrine effects on angiogenesis and autocrine effects on cancer cells proliferation and survival. These last effects are mediated in part through the induction and phosphorylation of c-myc in cancer cells. In mice models xenografted with human CD146-positive melanoma or pancreatic cancer cells, administration of a novel monoclonal antibody specifically targeting sCD146, but not its membrane form, successfully suppresses tumor vascularization and growth. Our findings demonstrate that sCD146 secreted by CD146-positive tumors mediates important pro-angiogenic and pro-tumoral effects. Targeting sCD146 with a novel neutralizing antibody could thus constitute an innovative therapeutic strategy for the treatment of CD146-positive tumors.

International audience; Aims: Endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFC) constitute an endothelial progenitor fraction with a promising interest for the treatment of ischaemic cardiovascular diseases. As soluble CD146 (sCD146) is a new factor promoting angiogenesis, we examined whether sCD146 priming could improve the therapeutic potential of ECFC and defined the involved mechanism.Methods and results: We investigated the effects of sCD146 priming on regenerative properties of ECFC in vivo. In a mouse model of hindlimb ischaemia, the homing of radiolabelled cells to ischaemic tissue was assessed by SPECT-CT imaging. Soluble CD146 priming did not modify the number of engrafted ECFC but improved their survival capacity, leading to an enhanced revascularization. The mechanism of action of sCD146 on ECFC was studied in vitro. We showed that sCD146 acts in ECFC through a signalosome, located in lipid rafts, containing angiomotin, the short isoform of CD146 (shCD146), VEGFR1, VEGFR2, and presenilin-1. Soluble CD146 induced a sequential proteolytic cleavage of shCD146, with an extracellular shedding followed by an intramembrane cleavage mediated by matrix metalloprotease (MMP)/ADAM and presenilin-1, respectively. The generated intracellular part of shCD146 was directed towards the nucleus where it associated with the transcription factor CSL and modulated the transcription of genes involved in cell survival (FADD, Bcl-xl) and angiogenesis (eNOS). This effect was dependent on both VEGFR1 and VEGFR2, which were rapidly phosphorylated by sCD146.Conclusions: These findings establish that activation of the proteolytic processing of shCD146, in particular by sCD146, constitutes a promising pathway to improve endothelial progenitors' regenerative properties for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) participate to the regulation of peripheral arterial resistance and blood pressure. To assume their function, SMCs differentiate throughout the normal vascular development from a synthetic phenotype towards a fully differentiated contractile phenotype by acquiring a repertoire of proteins involved in contraction. In human fetal muscular arteries and umbilical arteries (UAs), no data are available regarding the differentiation of SMCs during the last trimester of gestation. The objective of this study was to characterize the phenotype of SMCs during this gestation period in human UAs. We investigated the phenotype of SMCs in human UAs from very preterm (28–31 weeks of gestation), late preterm (32–35 weeks) and term (37–41 weeks) newborns using biochemical and immunohistochemical detection of α-actin, smooth muscle myosin heavy chain, smoothelin, and non-muscle myosin heavy chain. We found that the number of SMCs positive for smoothelin in UAs increased with gestational age. Western blot analysis revealed a higher content of smoothelin in term compared to very preterm UAs. These results show that SMCs in human UAs gradually acquire a fully differentiated contractile phenotype during the last trimester of gestation and thus that premature birth is associated with not fully differentiated contractile SMCs in human UAs.

International audience; Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) seem to be a promising option to treat patients with ischemic diseases. Here, we investigated the effects of late outgrowth EPCs, or endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs), a recently defined homogeneous subtype of EPCs, in a rat model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Either vehicle or 4.10(6) ECFCs, isolated from human cord blood, were intravenously injected 24 h after 1 h MCAO in rats assigned to control and transplanted groups respectively. (111)In-oxine-labeled ECFCs specifically homed to ischemic hemisphere and CM-Dil prelabeled ECFCs preferentially settled in the inner boundary of the core area of transplanted animals. Although incorporation of cells into neovessels was hardly detectable, ECFCs transplantation was associated with a reduction in apoptotic cell number, an increase in capillary density and a stimulation of neurogenesis at the site of injury. These effects were associated with an increase in growth factors expression in homogenates from ischemic area and may be related to the secretion by ECFCs of soluble factors that could affect apoptosis, vascular growth and neurogenesis. Microscopic examination of the ischemic hemisphere showed that ECFCs transplantation was also associated with a reduction in reactive astrogliosis. In conclusion, we demonstrated that ECFCs injected 24 h after MCAO settled in the injured area and improved functional recovery. The neurological benefits may be linked to a reduction in ischemia-induced apoptosis and a stimulation of ischemia-induced angiogenesis and neurogenesis. These findings raise perspectives for the use of ECFCs as a well-characterized cell therapy product for optimal therapeutic outcome after stroke.

CD146, an endothelial molecule involved in permeability and monocyte transmigration, has recently been reported to promote vessel growth. As CD146 is also detectable as a soluble form (sCD146), we hypothesized that sCD146 could stimulate angiogenesis. Experiments of Matrigel plugs in vivo showed that sCD146 displayed chemotactic activity on endogenous endothelial cells, and exogenously injected late endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Recruited endothelial cells participated in formation of vascular-like structures. In vitro, sCD146 enhanced angiogenic properties of EPCs, with an increased cell migration, proliferation, and capacity to establish capillary-like structures. Effects were additive with those of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and sCD146 enhanced VEGFR2 expression and VEGF secretion. Consistent with a proangiogenic role, gene expression profiling of sCD146-stimulated EPCs revealed an up-regulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, urokinase plasminogen activator, matrix metalloproteinase 2, and VEGFR2. Silencing membrane-bound CD146 inhibited responses. The potential therapeutic interest of sCD146 was tested in a model of hind limb ischemia. Local injections of sCD146 significantly reduced auto-amputation, tissue necrosis, fibrosis, inflammation, and increased blood flow. Together, these findings establish that sCD146 displays chemotactic and angiogenic properties and promotes efficient neovascularization in vivo. Recombinant human sCD146 might thus support novel strategies for therapeutic angiogenesis in ischemic diseases.

RATIONALE: CD146, a transmembrane immunoglobulin mainly expressed at the intercellular junction of endothelial cells, is involved in cell-cell cohesion, paracellular permeability, monocyte transmigration and angiogenesis. CD146 exists as 2 isoforms, short (sh) and long (lg), but which isoform is involved remains undefined. OBJECTIVE: The recently described role of CD146 in angiogenesis prompted us to investigate which isoform was involved in this process in human late endothelial progenitors (EPCs), with the objective of increasing their proangiogenic potential. METHODS AND RESULTS: Immunofluorescence experiments showed that, in subconfluent EPCs, shCD146 was localized in the nucleus and at the migrating edges of the membrane, whereas lgCD146 was intracellular. In confluent cells, shCD146 was redistributed at the apical membrane and lgCD146 was directed toward the junction. In contrast to lgCD146, shCD146 was overexpressed in EPCs as compared to mature endothelial cells and upregulated by vascular endothelial growth factor and SDF-1 (stromal cell-derived factor 1). Study of the properties of both isoforms in vitro provided evidence that shCD146 was involved in EPC adhesion to activated endothelium, migration, and proliferation, with a paracrine secretion of interleukin-8 or angiopoietin 2, whereas lgCD146 was implicated in stabilization of capillary-like structures in Matrigel and transendothelial permeability. In an animal model of hindlimb ischemia, transplantation of shCD146-modified EPCs selectively promoted both EPC engraftment and blood flow. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, these findings establish that CD146 isoforms display distinct functions in vessels regeneration. Selective improvement of therapeutic angiogenesis by shCD146 overexpression suggests a potential interest of shCD146-transduced EPCs for the treatment of peripheral ischemic disease.

The thermal and dielectric properties of the elastin network were investigated in arteries cultured with physiological and pathological concentrations of homocysteine, an aminoacid responsible of histological impairments in human arteries. The physical structure of this amorphous protein was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). To explore the molecular dynamics of the elastin network in the nanometer range, we used thermally stimulated currents (TSC), a dielectric technique running at low frequency, and measuring the dipolar reorientations in proteins subjected to a static electrical field. Combining DSC and TSC experiments reveals the molecular mobility of the proteins, both in the glassy state and in the liquid state. Significant differences are evidenced in the physical structure and relaxation behavior of elastin network in cultured arteries (physiological and pathological concentrations of homocysteine) and discussed.

The thermal and dielectric properties of the elastin network were investigated in arteries cultured with physiological and pathological concentrations of homocysteine, an aminoacid responsible of histological impairments in human arteries. The glass transition of this amorphous protein was investigated by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). To explore the molecular dynamics of the elastin network in the nanometer range, we used Thermally Stimulated Currents (TSC), a dielectric technique running at low frequency and measuring the dipolar reorientations in proteins subjected to a static electrical field. Combining TSC and DSC experiments with determination of the activation parameters of relaxation times reveals the molecular mobility of the proteins. The major differences in the relaxation behavior of elastin between arteries cultured with physiological and pathological concentrations of homocysteine are discussed.

Pathological levels of homocysteine induce a dramatic degradation of arterial elastic structures. This severe metalloproteinase-dependant elastolysis affects elastic structures all over the media suggesting that smooth muscle cells (SMC) may participate to this process induced by homocysteine. Therefore, we investigated the effect of physiological (10 microM) and pathological (50, 100, and 500 microM) concentrations of homocysteine on the metalloproteinase-dependant proteolytic potential of human arterial SMC in culture. Pathological levels of homocysteine increased concomitantly the secretion of latent MMP-2 and TIMP-2 while the secretion of other elastolytic matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and expression of MT1-MMP were not altered. The increased secretion of latent MMP-2 induced by homocysteine was associated with an increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Moreover, the increased secretion of latent MMP-2 induced by homocysteine was inhibited by antioxidant superoxide dismutase alone or in combination with catalase. These results suggest that SMC could participate, through an oxidative stress dependant secretion of elastolytic MMP-2, to the metalloproteinase-dependant degradation of arterial elastic structures induced by homocysteine.

Bisphosphonates are extensively used in the treatment of patients with metastasis-induced osteolysis. The major drawback in the efficacy of all bisphosphonates lies in their high hydrophilic nature, which results in poor membrane permeability and low availability for soft tissues. A reasonable approach to overcome these problems consists in masking one or more ionizable groups of bisphosphonates, notably by esterification of the hydroxyl functions. We have previously shown that the novel non-nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate BP7033 inhibited angiogenesis and growth of primary tumors in nude mice. The present study focuses on the dimethyl-esterified analog of this compound (Me-BP7033). In-vitro, Me-BP7033 inhibited proliferation of human carcinoma A431 cells as well as their invasive activity based on a transwell invasion assay. in-vivo, administration of Me-BP7033 (0.3 mg/kg) twice a week for 5 weeks inhibited the tumor growth of A431 cells xenografted in nude mice by 65%. Immunostaining of endothelial cells (ECs) in tumor sections revealed that Me-BP7033 inhibited the intratumor ECs density by 60%. The in-vivo anti-angiogenic properties of Me-BP7033 were also demonstrated in an in-vivo angiogenesis assay showing that Me-BP7033 reduced the vascular endothelial growth factor-stimulated infiltration of ECs in a Matrigel plug by 70%. In summary, we demonstrated for the first time that a diesterified bisphosphonate exhibited in vivo both anti-tumoral and anti-angiogenic activities with no apparent sign of toxic effects. These new diesterified compounds, which could display enhanced bioavailability and pharmacokinetics, thus represent interesting candidates for therapeutic applications such as cancer treatment.

Fucoidans are sulfated fucosylated polymers from brown algae cell wall that exhibit some heparin/heparan sulfate properties. We previously demonstrated that these polysaccharides were able in vitro to stimulate dermal fibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix deposition. Here, we investigated the action of a 16 kDa fucoidan fraction on parameters involved in connective tissue breakdown. This fucoidan is able to inhibit gelatinase A secretion and stromelysin 1 induction by interleukin-1 beta on dermal fibroblasts in culture. Furthermore, we observed that fucoidan increases the rate of association of MMPs with their specific inhibitors namely TIMPs. Using tissue sections of human skin in ex vivo experiments, we evidenced that this polysaccharide was able to minimize human leukocyte elastase activity resulting in the protection of human skin elastic fiber network against the enzymatic proteolysis due to this serine proteinase. These results suggested that fucoidan could be used for treating some inflammatory pathologies in which uncontrolled extracellular matrix degradation takes place. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Dense collagen matrices obtained by using the property of type I collagen to form liquid crystals at high concentrations, were shown to be colonized by human dermal fibroblasts (Biomaterials 23 (2002) 27). In order to evaluate them as possible tissue substitutes, we investigated in this study the mechanism of cell colonization. Fibroblasts were seeded at the surface of collagen matrices at concentrations of 5 and 40 mg/ml. Cell density and migration were estimated from histological sections over 28 days within 500 μm thick matrices. At day 14, migration started in the 40 mg/ml matrices, attaining 320 μm in distance and 5500 cell/mm 3 in density at day 28. As zymography and western blot techniques demonstrated production of collagenase 1 (MMP1) and gelatinase A (MMP2) in culture medium, collagen hydrolysis was required for cells to penetrate the collagen network. Furthermore, the presence of MMP1 and MMP2 and their tissue inhibitors TIMP1 and TIMP2 was revealed by immunohistochemistry. We presently show that 40 mg/ml collagen matrices are colonized by human dermal fibroblasts and reach, at day 28, a density close to that measured in human dermis.

Supravalvular aortic stenosis (SVAS) and Williams Beuren syndrome (WBS) can be considered as inherited diseases affecting the whole arterial tree and causing narrowing of the vessels. It has been reported that abnormal deposition of elastin in arterial walls of patients with SVAS and WBS leads to increased proliferation of arterial smooth muscle cells (SMC), which result in the formation of hyperplastic intimal lesions. In this work, we conducted morphological and morphometrical analysis with stenotic aortas from patients suffering from SVAS and WBS and from healthy control subjects and demonstrated that the amount of elastic fibers and the loss of integrity of vascular elastic fibers in the aortas reflect similar changes in the skin of patients with SVAS or WBS, as reported in our previous work conducted on skin in these pathological states. On the other hand, we conducted investigations on metalloproteinases (MMP2, MMP9, MMP7) and their specific tissue inhibitors TIMP1 and TIMP2 to verify their possible involvement in the etiopathogeny of SVAS and WBS. We particularly evidenced an altered MMP9/TIMP1 balance in favor of matrix degradation which could facilitate SMC migration and neointimal hyperplasia. Our findings suggest that elastinolytic enzymes secreted by arterial SMC, possibly including matrilysin 1, are critical for the development of arterial lesions in SVAS and WBS and contribute to perpetuate arterial stenosis in either SVAS or WBS.