Type 1 diabetes is associated with reduced vascular repair, as indicated by impaired wound healing and reduced collateral formation in ischemia. Recently, endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have been identified as important regulators of these processes. We therefore explored the concept that EPCs are dysfunctional in diabetes. The number of EPCs obtained from type 1 diabetic patients in culture was 44% lower compared with age-and sex-matched control subjects (P < 0.001). This reduction was inversely related to levels of HbA 1c (R ‫؍‬ ؊0.68, P ‫؍‬ 0.01). In addition, we demonstrated that patient EPCs were also impaired in function using an in vitro angiogenesis assay. Conditioned media from patient EPCs were significantly reduced in their capacity to support endothelial tube formation in comparison to control EPCs. Therefore, despite culturing the EPCs under normoglycemic conditions, functional differences between patient and control EPCs were maintained. Our findings demonstrate that adverse metabolic stress factors in type 1 diabetes are associated with reduced EPC numbers and angiogenicity. We hypothesize that EPC dysfunction contributes to the pathogenesis of vascular complications in type 1 diabetes. Diabetes 53: 195

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In the present study, the interaction between the endocytic receptor low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) and coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) was investigated. Using purified components, FVIII was found to bind to LRP in a reversible and dose-dependent manner (K d Ϸ 60 nM). The interaction appeared to be specific because the LRP antagonist receptor-associated protein readily inhibited binding of FVIII to LRP (IC 50 ; K d Ϸ 50 nM). Furthermore, experiments using recombinant FVIII C2 domain showed that this domain contributes to the interaction with LRP. In contrast, no association of FVIII heavy chain to LRP could be detected under the same experimental conditions. Collectively, our data demonstrate that in vitro LRP is able to bind FVIII at the cell surface and to mediate its transport to the intracellular degradation pathway. FVIII-LRP interaction involves the FVIII light chain, and FVIII-vWF complex formation plays a regulatory role in LRP binding. Our findings may explain the beneficial effect of vWF on the in vivo survival of FVIII.Low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP), 1 also known as ␣2-macroglobulin receptor, is a member of the low density lipoprotein receptor family of endocytic receptors (for a review, see Refs. 1 and 2). It consists of a heavy chain and a light chain, which are associated in a noncovalent manner. The 85-kDa light chain comprises the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains, whereas the ligand binding regions are located within the 515-kDa heavy chain (3). LRP is abundantly present in various tissues such as the liver, placenta, lung, and brain (4) and is expressed in an array of cell types: parenchymal cells, neurons and astrocytes, Leydig cells, smooth muscle cells, monocytes, and fibroblasts (4). Commonly used cell lines such as monkey kidney COS cells and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells also express LRP (5, 6). The function of LRP is to mediate the binding and transport of ligands from the cell surface to the endosomal degradation pathway (1, 2). Binding and internalization of ligands is antagonized by a 39-kDa chaperone protein designated receptor-associated protein (RAP) (7,8). Currently, a wide spectrum of structurally and functionally unrelated ligands involved in a variety of processes such as lipoprotein metabolism, cell growth and migration, and neuronal regeneration (1, 2) has been identified. Furthermore, LRP seems to be linked to the process of blood coagulation. This is apparent from the observations that LRP recognizes thrombin/ antithrombin and factor Xa/␣2-macroglobulin complexes and the Kunitz-type inhibitor tissue factor pathway inhibitor (9 -11). In addition, LRP contributes to down-regulation of tissue factor expression at the surface of monocytes (12). Coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) is the precursor of its activated derivative, which stimulates factor IXa-mediated activation of factor X (for recent reviews, see Refs. 13 and 14). The fact that deficiency or dysfunction of FVIII is associated with severe bleeding tendencies demon...

We describe a genome-wide characterization of mRNA transcript levels in yeast grown on the fatty acid oleate, determined using Serial Analysis of Gene Expression (SAGE). Comparison of this SAGE library with that reported for glucose grown cells revealed the dramatic adaptive response of yeast to a change in carbon source. A major fraction (Ͼ20%) of the 15,000 mRNA molecules in a yeast cell comprised differentially expressed transcripts, which were derived from only 2% of the total number of ϳ6300 yeast genes. Most of the mRNAs that were differentially expressed code for enzymes or for other proteins participating in metabolism (e.g., metabolite transporters). In oleate-grown cells, this was exemplified by the huge increase of mRNAs encoding the peroxisomal ␤-oxidation enzymes required for degradation of fatty acids. The data provide evidence for the existence of redox shuttles across organellar membranes that involve peroxisomal, cytoplasmic, and mitochondrial enzymes. We also analyzed the mRNA profile of a mutant strain with deletions of the PIP2 and OAF1 genes, encoding transcription factors required for induction of genes encoding peroxisomal proteins. Induction of genes under the immediate control of these factors was abolished; other genes were up-regulated, indicating an adaptive response to the changed metabolism imposed by the genetic impairment. We describe a statistical method for analysis of data obtained by SAGE.

MicroRNAs are 20-to 23-nucleotide RNA molecules that can regulate gene expression. Currently >400 microRNAs have been experimentally identified in mammalian genomes, whereas estimates go up to 1000 and beyond. Here we show that many more mammalian microRNAs exist. We discovered novel microRNA candidates using two approaches: testing of computationally predicted microRNAs by a modified microarray-based detection system, and cloning and sequencing of large numbers of small RNAs from different human and mouse tissues. Together these efforts experimentally identified 348 novel mouse and 81 novel human microRNA candidate genes. Most novel microRNAs candidates are not conserved beyond mammals, and ∼10% are taxon-specific. Our analyses indicate that the entire microRNA repertoire is not remotely exhausted.

Changes in endothelial glycocalyx are one of the earliest changes in development of cardiovascular disease. The endothelial glycocalyx is both an important biological modifier of interactions between flowing blood and the vessel wall, and a determinant of organ perfusion. We hypothesize that deeper penetration of erythrocytes into the glycocalyx is associated with reduced microvascular perfusion. The population-based prospective cohort study (the Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity [NEO] study) includes 6,673 middle-aged individuals (oversampling of overweight and obese individuals). Within this cohort, we have imaged the sublingual microvasculature of 915 participants using sidestream darkfield (SDF) imaging together with a recently developed automated acquisition and analysis approach. Presence of RBC (as a marker of microvascular perfusion) and perfused boundary region (PBR), a marker for endothelial glycocalyx barrier properties for RBC accessibility, were assessed in vessels between 5 and 25 µm RBC column width. A wide range of variability in PBR measurements, with a mean PBR of 2.14 µm (range: 1.43–2.86 µm), was observed. Linear regression analysis showed a marked association between PBR and microvascular perfusion, reflected by RBC filling percentage (regression coefficient β: −0.034; 95% confidence interval: −0.037 to −0.031). We conclude that microvascular beds with a thick (“healthy”) glycocalyx (low PBR), reflects efficient perfusion of the microvascular bed. In contrast, a thin (“risk”) glycocalyx (high PBR) is associated with a less efficient and defective microvascular perfusion.

MicroRNAs are negative regulators of gene expression that play a key role in cell-type specific differentiation and modulation of cell function and have been proposed to be involved in neovascularization. Previously, using an extensive cloning and sequencing approach, we identified miR-126 to be specifically and highly expressed in human endothelial cells (EC). Here, we demonstrate EC-specific expression of miR-126 in capillaries and the larger vessels in vivo. We therefore explored the potential role of miR-126 in arteriogenesis and angiogenesis. Using miR-reporter constructs, we show that miR-126 is functionally active in EC in vitro and that it could be specifically repressed using antagomirs specifically targeting miR-126. To study the consequences of miR-126 silencing on vascular regeneration, mice were injected with a single dose of antagomir-126 or a control ‘scramblemir’ and exposed to ischemia of the left hindlimb by ligation of the femoral artery. Although miR-126 was effectively silenced in mice treated with a single, high dose (HD) of antagomir-126, laser Doppler perfusion imaging did not show effects on blood flow recovery. In contrast, quantification of the capillary density in the gastrocnemius muscle revealed that mice treated with a HD of antagomir-126 had a markedly reduced angiogenic response. Aortic explant cultures of the mice confirmed the role of miR-126 in angiogenesis. Our data demonstrate a facilitary function for miR-126 in ischemia-induced angiogenesis and show the efficacy and specificity of antagomir-induced silencing of EC-specific microRNAs in vivo.

The low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) is a multifunctional endocytic cell-surface receptor that binds and internalizes a diverse array of ligands. The receptor contains four putative ligand-binding domains, generally referred to as clusters I, II, III, and IV. In this study, soluble recombinant receptor fragments, representing each of the four individual clusters, were used to map the binding sites of a set of structurally and functionally distinct ligands. Using surface plasmon resonance, we studied the binding of these fragments to methylamine-activated ␣ 2 -macroglobulin, pro-urokinase-type plasminogen activator, tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, t-PA⅐plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 complexes, lipoprotein lipase, apolipoprotein E, tissue factor pathway inhibitor, lactoferrin, the light chain of blood coagulation factor VIII, and the intracellular chaperone receptor-associated protein (RAP). No binding of the cluster I fragment to any of the tested ligands was observed. The cluster III fragment only bound to the anti-LRP monoclonal antibody ␣ 2 MR␣3 and weakly to RAP. Except for t-PA, we found that each of the ligands tested binds both to cluster II and to cluster IV. The affinity rate constants of ligand binding to clusters II and IV and to LRP were measured, showing that clusters II and IV display only minor differences in ligandbinding kinetics. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the subdomains C3-C7 of cluster II are essential for binding of ligands and that this segment partially overlaps with a RAP-binding site on cluster II. Finally, we show that one RAP molecule can bind to different clusters simultaneously, supporting a model in which RAP binding to LRP induces a conformational change in the receptor that is incompatible with ligand binding.The low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) 1 is a 600-kDa membrane glycoprotein that is a member of the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor family of endocytic receptors (reviewed in Refs. 1 and 2). LRP can bind and internalize a diverse spectrum of structurally unrelated ligands in a calcium-dependent manner including apolipoproteins, lipases, proteinases, proteinase-inhibitor complexes, Kunitz-type inhibitors, matrix proteins, and other proteins such as lactoferrin, Pseudomonas exotoxin A, and malaria circumsporozoite protein (1, 2). In addition, the blood coagulation factor VIII was recently identified as a ligand of LRP (3). The broad range of ligands suggests a role for the receptor in distinct physiological and pathophysiological processes, ranging from lipoprotein metabolism, cell growth and cell migration, fibrinolysis, and thrombosis to atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's disease.LRP is synthesized as a single polypeptide chain and is cleaved in the trans-Golgi network by the endopeptidase furin into two subunits, resulting in a 515-kDa fragment that contains the ligand binding domains and an 85-kDa fragment comprising the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains. The subunits rema...