Adipsin improves diabetic hindlimb ischemia through SERPINE1 dependent angiogenesis

Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2024 Dec 2;23(1):429. doi: 10.1186/s12933-024-02526-2.

Abstract

Background: Adipsin (complement factor D, CFD), as the first described adipokine, is well-known for its regulatory effects in diabetic cardiovascular complications. However, its role in diabetic hind-limb ischemia was not clarified. This study aimed to evaluate the possible therapeutic effect of Adipsin in hind-limb ischemia in type 2 diabetic mice and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved.

Methods: A high-fat diet and streptozotocin (HFD/STZ)-induced diabetic mouse model, and a transgenic mouse model with adipose tissue-specific overexpression of Adipsin (Adipsin-Tg) were employed. Hindlimb ischemia was established by femoral artery ligation, and blood flow recovery was monitored using Laser Doppler perfusion imaging. Molecular mechanisms underlying Adipsin-potentiated angiogenesis were examined using RNA sequencing and co-immunoprecipitation/mass spectrometry (Co-IP/MS) analyses.

Results: Adipsin expression was upregulated in non-diabetic mice following HLI, while suppressed in diabetic mice, indicating its potential role in ischemic recovery which is impaired in diabetes. Adipsin-Tg mice exhibited significantly improved blood flow recovery, increased capillary density, and enhanced muscle regeneration in comparison with non-transgenic (NTg) diabetic mice. Adipsin facilitated proliferation, migration, and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) under hyperglycemic and hypoxic conditions. Additionally, it enhanced phosphorylation of AKT, ERK, and eNOS pathways both in vivo and in vitro. RNA sequencing and co-immunoprecipitation/mass spectrometry (Co-IP/MS) analyses identified that Adipsin promoted angiogenesis by interacting with SERBP1, which disrupted the binding of SERBP1 to SERPINE1 mRNA, resulting in reduced SERPINE1 expression and the subsequent activation of the VEGFR2 signaling cascade.

Conclusions: Adipsin promotes angiogenesis and facilitates blood perfusion recovery in diabetic mice with HLI by downregulating SERPINE1 through interaction with SERBP1. These findings elucidate a novel therapeutic potential for Adipsin in the management of PAD in diabetic patients, highlighting its role in enhancing angiogenesis and tissue repair.

Keywords: Adipsin; Angiogenesis; Diabetes; Endothelial cells; Hindlimb ischemia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis
  • Angiogenesis Inducing Agents / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Complement Factor D* / genetics
  • Complement Factor D* / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental* / complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental* / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / genetics
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / metabolism
  • Diabetic Angiopathies / etiology
  • Diabetic Angiopathies / genetics
  • Diabetic Angiopathies / metabolism
  • Diabetic Angiopathies / physiopathology
  • Hindlimb*
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Ischemia* / genetics
  • Ischemia* / metabolism
  • Ischemia* / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL*
  • Mice, Transgenic*
  • Microvascular Density
  • Muscle, Skeletal* / blood supply
  • Muscle, Skeletal* / metabolism
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic*
  • Recovery of Function
  • Regional Blood Flow*
  • Signal Transduction*

Substances

  • Complement Factor D
  • CFD protein, human
  • Angiogenesis Inducing Agents