Mitochondria in endothelial cells angiogenesis and function: current understanding and future perspectives

Abstract

Endothelial cells (ECs) angiogenesis is the process of sprouting new vessels from the existing ones, playing critical roles in physiological and pathological processes such as wound healing, placentation, ischemia/reperfusion, cardiovascular diseases and cancer metastasis. Although mitochondria are not the major sites of energy source in ECs, they function as important biosynthetic and signaling hubs to regulate ECs metabolism and adaptations to local environment, thus affecting ECs migration, proliferation and angiogenic process. The understanding of the importance and potential mechanisms of mitochondria in regulating ECs metabolism, function and the process of angiogenesis has developed in the past decades. Thus, in this review, we discuss the current understanding of mitochondrial proteins and signaling molecules in ECs metabolism, function and angiogeneic signaling, to provide new and therapeutic targets for treatment of diverse cardiovascular and angiogenesis-dependent diseases.

Hydrogen Sulfide: An Emerging Regulator of Oxidative Stress and Cellular Homeostasis—A Comprehensive One-Year Review

“…One of the ways it does this is by influencing the function of cytochrome c oxidase, an element of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, thereby affecting ATP production. By acting on the mitochondria, H 2 S regulates reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, linking its role to oxidative stress and cellular redox homeostasis [ 11 , 95 , 96 ].…”

“…H 2 S has gained unprecedented attention as a signaling molecule [ 96 ] in recent years. Its pivotal roles across animals and plants [ 107 , 108 ] in diverse cellular processes have triggered intensive exploration.…”

“…Redox signaling, ion channel regulation, and stress response mechanisms, which H 2 S masterfully orchestrates, resonate profoundly in both these biological domains. Furthermore, H 2 S displays therapeutic potential in both realms, as it mitigates cardiovascular disorders in animals and enhances stress tolerance in plants, emphasizing its cross-species therapeutic applicability [ 11 , 95 , 96 ].…”

“…Moreover, the significance of H 2 S in cellular energy metabolism was elucidated. H 2 S interacts with multiple enzymatic components of energy metabolism pathways, regulates glucose uptake, and maintains mitochondrial function, thus playing a critical role in overall energy homeostasis [ 96 ].…”

Mechanisms of vascular invasion after cartilage injury and potential engineering cartilage treatment strategies

“…15 The main steps are degradation of the extracellular basement membrane and endothelial matrix of the vasculature; activation, proliferation, migration, and lumen formation of endothelial cells; tubularized branching of endothelial cells to form vascular rings and the formation of new basement membranes; and pericytes encircling the basement membranes, and maturation of the neocapillaries. 16 This is a complex and highly organized process. Under normal physiologic conditions in healthy adults, endothelial cells are virtually quiescent and rarely proliferate, but they retain the ability to rapidly form new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels, a tightly controlled process that is initiated in specific environments such as nutrient deficiencies, ischemia, and hypoxia.…”