RhoB controls coordination of adult angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis following injury by regulating VEZF1-mediated transcription

Nat Commun. 2013:4:2824. doi: 10.1038/ncomms3824.

Abstract

Mechanisms governing the distinct temporal dynamics that characterize post-natal angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis elicited by cutaneous wounds and inflammation remain unclear. RhoB, a stress-induced small GTPase, modulates cellular responses to growth factors, genotoxic stress and neoplastic transformation. Here we show, using RhoB null mice, that loss of RhoB decreases pathological angiogenesis in the ischaemic retina and reduces angiogenesis in response to cutaneous wounding, but enhances lymphangiogenesis following both dermal wounding and inflammatory challenge. We link these unique and opposing roles of RhoB in blood versus lymphatic vasculatures to the RhoB-mediated differential regulation of sprouting and proliferation in primary human blood versus lymphatic endothelial cells. We demonstrate that nuclear RhoB-GTP controls expression of distinct gene sets in each endothelial lineage by regulating VEZF1-mediated transcription. Finally, we identify a small-molecule inhibitor of VEZF1-DNA interaction that recapitulates RhoB loss in ischaemic retinopathy. Our findings establish the first intra-endothelial molecular pathway governing the phased response of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis following injury.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Cell Lineage / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Endothelial Cells / pathology
  • Endothelial Cells / physiology
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Inflammation / genetics
  • Inflammation / physiopathology
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Lymphangiogenesis* / genetics
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic* / genetics
  • Retinal Diseases / genetics
  • Retinal Diseases / pathology
  • Retinal Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Transcription Factors
  • Wound Healing / genetics
  • Wound Healing / physiology
  • rhoB GTP-Binding Protein / genetics
  • rhoB GTP-Binding Protein / physiology*

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors
  • Transcription Factors
  • Vezf1 protein, mouse
  • rhoB GTP-Binding Protein

Associated data

  • GEO/GSE51754