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Vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin in endothelial adherens junctions is an essential component of the vascular barrier, critical for tissue homeostasis and implicated in diseases such as cancer and retinopathies. Inhibitors of Src cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase have been applied to suppress VE-cadherin tyrosine phosphorylation and prevent excessive leakage, edema and high interstitial pressure. Here we show that the Src-related Yes tyrosine kinase, rather than Src, is localized at endothelial cell (EC) junctions where it becomes activated in a flow-dependent manner. EC-specific Yes1 deletion suppresses VE-cadherin phosphorylation and arrests VE-cadherin at EC junctions. This is accompanied by loss of EC collective migration and exaggerated agonist-induced macromolecular leakage. Overexpression of Yes1 causes ectopic VE-cadherin phosphorylation, while vascular leakage is unaffected. In contrast, in EC-specific Src deficiency, VE-cadherin internalization is maintained and leakage is suppressed. In conclusion, Yes-mediated phosphorylation regulates constitutive VE-cadherin turnover, thereby maintaining endothelial junction plasticity and vascular integrity.

Endothelial integrity is vital for homeostasis and adjusted to tissue demands. Although fluid uptake by lymphatic capillaries is a critical attribute of the lymphatic vasculature, the barrier function of collecting lymphatic vessels is also important by ensuring efficient fluid drainage as well as lymph node delivery of antigens and immune cells. Here, we identified the transmembrane ligand EphrinB2 and its receptor EphB4 as critical homeostatic regulators of collecting lymphatic vessel integrity. Conditional gene deletion in mice revealed that EphrinB2/EphB4 signalling is dispensable for blood endothelial barrier function, but required for stabilization of lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) junctions in different organs of juvenile and adult mice. Studies in primary human LECs further showed that basal EphrinB2/EphB4 signalling controls junctional localisation of the tight junction protein CLDN5 and junction stability via Rac1/Rho-mediated regulation of cytoskeletal contractility. EphrinB2/EphB4 signalling therefore provides a potential therapeutic target to selectively modulate lymphatic vessel permeability and function.

Contains fulltext : 81646.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access), The cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycan syndecan-1 (CD138) modulates the activity of chemokines, cytokines, integrins, and other adhesion molecules which play important roles in the regulation of inflammation. We have previously shown that syndecan-1-deficient murine leukocytes display increased interactions with endothelial cells and increased diapedesis in vivo and in vitro. In this study, we demonstrate that syndecan-1 has an important function as a negative modulator in the murine contact allergy model of oxazolone-mediated delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH). Following elicitation of the DTH response, syndecan-1-deficient mice showed an increase in leukocyte recruitment, resulting in an increased and prolonged edema formation. Expression of the cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-6 of the chemokines CCL5/RANTES and CCL-3/MIP-1alpha and of the adhesion molecule ICAM-1 were significantly increased in syndecan-1-deficient compared with wild-type mice. In wild-type mice, syndecan-1 mRNA and protein expression was reduced during the DTH response. The differentially increased adhesion of syndecan-1-deficient leukocytes to ICAM-1 was efficiently inhibited in vitro by CD18-blocking Abs, which emerges as one mechanistic explanation for the anti-inflammatory effects of syndecan-1. Collectively, our results show an important role of syndecan-1 in the contact DTH reaction, identifying syndecan-1 as a novel target in anti-inflammatory therapy.

Das Ziel dieser Arbeit war die Untersuchung der Rollgeschwindigkeiten von Leukozyten auf humanen kardialen mikrovaskulären Endothelzellen (HCMEC) und humanen umbilikalen venösen Endothelzellen (HUVEC). Die Endothelzellen wurden aus explantierten humanen Herzen sowie aus menschlichen Nabelschnüren unmittelbar postpartal gewonnen. Unter definierten Bedingungen wurden die in einer Flusskammer gemessenen Geschwindigkeiten von L-Selektin exprimierenden Nalm6-IF4 Zellen auf unstimulierten Endothelzellen mit denen auf stimulierten Endothelzellen verglichen. Die langsamere Geschwindigkeit der Leukozyten auf stimulierten Endothelzellen weist darauf hin, dass L-Selektin Liganden auf humanen kardialen mikrovaskulären Endothelzellen erst nach Stimulation exprimiert werden. Die beobachtete Geschwindigkeitsreduktion der Leukozyten ist jedoch von dem in der Literatur beschriebenen Selektin vermittelten Rollen zu unterscheiden. In den Versuchen mit Tunicamycin wurde gezeigt, dass N-glykosidisch gebundene Zucker kritische Bestandteile der Liganden für ihre Interaktion mit L-Selektin sind. Unter den gleichen Versuchsbedingungen wurde auch der Einfluss E-Selektin vermittelter Interaktionen auf die Geschwindigkeit der HL60 Zellen untersucht. Neben dem typischen Rollen wurde hier ebenfalls eine Selektin abhängige Geschwindigkeitsreduktion gesehen., The aim of the present study was to investigate selectin mediated rolling velocities of leucocytes on human cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (HCMEC) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). HCMEC were gained from explanted human hearts and HUVEC from umbilical cords immediately postpartum. Flow velocities of L-Selectin expressing Nalm6-IF4 cells on quiesent endothelial cells were compared to those on stimulated endothelial cells. Stimulation of endothelial cells with TNF led to significantly slower velocities of Nalm6-IF4 cells indicating that HCMEC express L-Selectin ligands only after stimulation. The observed reduction of flow velocities differs from rolling of leucocytes described in the literature. Experiments with tunicamycin showed that N-glycosylated carbohydtrate moieties are needed for proper function of L-Selectin ligands. E-Selectin mediated interactions between HL60 cells and endothelial cells were studied under the same conditions. Besides the typical rolling, a selectin mediated reduction of flow velocity was observed.