Featured Publications
Endothelial Cell-Pericyte Interactions in the Pathogenesis of Cerebral Cavernous Malformations (CCMs).
Min W, Zhou JH. Endothelial Cell-Pericyte Interactions in the Pathogenesis of Cerebral Cavernous Malformations (CCMs). Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives In Medicine 2022, 13: a041188. PMID: 35667709, PMCID: PMC9760308, DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041188.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCerebral cavernous malformationsCCM lesionsEndothelial cellsCavernous malformationsEndothelial cell-pericyte interactionsEC-specific deletionBrain vasculatureMice resultsLesion formationParenchymal cellsCCM formationLesionsPericytesPrimary defectFunction mutationsMalformationsUnexpected findingCell typesUbiquitous expressionCellsPatientsSUMOylation of VEGFR2 regulates its intracellular trafficking and pathological angiogenesis
Zhou HJ, Xu Z, Wang Z, Zhang H, Zhuang Z, Simons M, Min W. SUMOylation of VEGFR2 regulates its intracellular trafficking and pathological angiogenesis. Nature Communications 2018, 9: 3303. PMID: 30120232, PMCID: PMC6098000, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05812-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsCorneaCysteine EndopeptidasesDiabetes MellitusEndopeptidasesGene DeletionGene Knock-In TechniquesGene SilencingGolgi ApparatusHuman Umbilical Vein Endothelial CellsHumansIntracellular SpaceMaleMice, Inbred C57BLMice, KnockoutNeovascularization, PathologicProtein TransportRetinaSignal TransductionSUMO-1 ProteinSumoylationVascular Endothelial Growth Factor AVascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2ConceptsPathological angiogenesisPotential therapeutic targetRegulation of VEGFR2Non-sumoylated formEndothelial-specific deletionDiabetic miceHindlimb ischemiaTherapeutic targetDiabetic settingControl of angiogenesisEndothelial cellsAngiogenesisVEGFR2Surface expressionVEGFR2 activityTissue repairSENP1AIP1 Mediates Vascular Endothelial Cell Growth Factor Receptor-3–Dependent Angiogenic and Lymphangiogenic Responses
Zhou HJ, Chen X, Huang Q, Liu R, Zhang H, Wang Y, Jin Y, Liang X, Lu L, Xu Z, Min W. AIP1 Mediates Vascular Endothelial Cell Growth Factor Receptor-3–Dependent Angiogenic and Lymphangiogenic Responses. Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis And Vascular Biology 2014, 34: 603-615. PMID: 24407031, PMCID: PMC3952062, DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.113.303053.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdaptor Proteins, Signal TransducingAnimalsCarrier ProteinsCells, CulturedCorneaEndocytosisEndothelial CellsEndothelium, VascularEye ProteinsGuanylate KinasesHumansLymphangiogenesisMiceMice, KnockoutMicroRNAsNeuronsRas GTPase-Activating ProteinsReceptors, NotchRecombinant ProteinsRetinal NeovascularizationRNA InterferenceRNA, Small InterferingVascular Endothelial Growth Factor CVascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3ConceptsLymphatic endothelial cellsASK1-interacting protein-1VEGFR-3 signalingHuman lymphatic endothelial cellsVEGFR-3Vascular endothelial cell growth factor receptorEndothelial cellsReduced expressionDevelopmental lymphangiogenesisScaffold proteinAIP1 functionsGrowth factor receptorLymphangiogenic signalingNovel functionVEGFR-2 activityRNA knockdownCell growth factor receptorLymphangiogenic responseSimilar defectsFirst insightProtein 1Vascular endothelial cellsPathological angiogenesisSpecific deletionFactor receptor
2024
mTORC1 Signaling in Brain Endothelial Progenitors Contributes to CCM Pathogenesis
Min W, Qin L, Zhang H, López-Giráldez F, Jiang N, Kim Y, Mohan V, Su M, Murray K, Grutzendler J, Zhou J. mTORC1 Signaling in Brain Endothelial Progenitors Contributes to CCM Pathogenesis. Circulation Research 2024, 135: e94-e113. PMID: 38957991, PMCID: PMC11293987, DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.123.324015.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCerebral vascular malformationsEndothelial progenitor cellsBlood-brain barrier integritySingle-cell RNA sequencing analysisDisruption of blood-brain barrier integrityBarrier integrityResident endothelial progenitor cellsRNA sequencing analysisTissue immunofluorescence analysisEndothelial cellsEPC clustersStem cell markersFocal neurological deficitsBrain's neurovascular unitMTOR signalingHuman CCM lesionsMTORC1 signalingBlood-brain barrierCapillary endothelial cellsCCM pathogenesisVascular malformationsLesion signaturesNeurological deficitsCell markersClonal expansion
2021
ATPIF1 maintains normal mitochondrial structure which is impaired by CCM3 deficiency in endothelial cells
Wang K, Chen H, Zhou Z, Zhang H, Zhou HJ, Min W. ATPIF1 maintains normal mitochondrial structure which is impaired by CCM3 deficiency in endothelial cells. Cell & Bioscience 2021, 11: 11. PMID: 33422124, PMCID: PMC7796565, DOI: 10.1186/s13578-020-00514-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchActivation of mitophagyHuman umbilical vein endothelial cellsNormal mitochondrial structureMorphology of mitochondriaRNA-seq screeningMitochondrial membrane potentialCRISPR-Cas9 SystemCerebral cavernous malformationsEndothelial cellsExpression of KLF4Destruction of mitochondriaUmbilical vein endothelial cellsMitochondrial structureSignaling pathwaysVein endothelial cellsMitochondriaATPIF1MitophagyEndothelial progenitor cellsProgenitor cellsCell proliferationMembrane potentialKLF4PathwayProtein
2020
Mural Cell-Specific Deletion of Cerebral Cavernous Malformation 3 in the Brain Induces Cerebral Cavernous Malformations
Wang K, Zhang H, He Y, Jiang Q, Tanaka Y, Park IH, Pober JS, Min W, Zhou HJ. Mural Cell-Specific Deletion of Cerebral Cavernous Malformation 3 in the Brain Induces Cerebral Cavernous Malformations. Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis And Vascular Biology 2020, 40: 2171-2186. PMID: 32640906, DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.120.314586.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsApoptosis Regulatory ProteinsBrainCell CommunicationCell MovementCells, CulturedCoculture TechniquesEndothelial CellsFemaleFocal AdhesionsGene DeletionGenetic Predisposition to DiseaseHemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous SystemHumansMaleMembrane ProteinsMice, KnockoutMicrovesselsMyocytes, Smooth MusclePaxillinPericytesPhenotypeProtein StabilityProto-Oncogene ProteinsSignal TransductionConceptsCerebral cavernous malformationsBrain mural cellsCCM lesionsMural cellsCavernous malformationsSevere brain hemorrhageCCM pathogenesisSmooth muscle cellsWeeks of ageCell-specific deletionMural cell coverageBrain pericytesBrain hemorrhageNeonatal stageBrain vasculatureLesionsEntire brainMuscle cellsCerebral cavernous malformation 3Endothelial cellsMicePericytesSpecific deletionAdhesion formationPathogenesisBMX Represses Thrombin-PAR1–Mediated Endothelial Permeability and Vascular Leakage During Early Sepsis
Li Z, Yin M, Zhang H, Ni W, Pierce R, Zhou HJ, Min W. BMX Represses Thrombin-PAR1–Mediated Endothelial Permeability and Vascular Leakage During Early Sepsis. Circulation Research 2020, 126: 471-485. PMID: 31910739, PMCID: PMC7035171, DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.119.315769.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPAR1 internalizationPuncture-induced sepsisCecal ligationVascular leakageEndothelial permeabilityExpression of BmxThrombin-PAR1Early sepsisEndothelial cellsPuncture modelSignal inactivationPAR1 antagonist SCH79797Negative regulatorLung epithelial cellsTransendothelial electrical resistanceAdult stageEmbryonic stagesCultured endothelial cellsPulmonary leakageCellular analysisLung injuryPathological stimuliEndothelium dysfunctionPlatelet dysfunctionSepsis
2019
Nuclear localization of the tyrosine kinase BMX mediates VEGFR2 expression
Liu T, Li Y, Su H, Zhang H, Jones D, Zhou HJ, Ji W, Min W. Nuclear localization of the tyrosine kinase BMX mediates VEGFR2 expression. Journal Of Cellular And Molecular Medicine 2019, 24: 126-138. PMID: 31642192, PMCID: PMC6933376, DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.14663.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTyrosine kinase BMXVEGFR2 promoter activityPromoter activityNuclear localizationVEGFR2 promoterKinase-inactive formGene promoter activityEndothelial cellsNucleus of ECsVascular endothelial growth factor receptorSiRNA-mediated silencingAngiogenesis-related diseasesChromatin immunoprecipitationDirect transactivationSH3 domainTranscription factorsGrowth factor receptorVEGFR2 expressionNovel functionVEGFR2 transcriptionSp1Human endothelial cellsLuciferase assayEC migrationFactor receptorShort AIP1 (ASK1-Interacting Protein-1) Isoform Localizes to the Mitochondria and Promotes Vascular Dysfunction
Li Z, Li L, Zhang H, Zhou HJ, Ji W, Min W. Short AIP1 (ASK1-Interacting Protein-1) Isoform Localizes to the Mitochondria and Promotes Vascular Dysfunction. Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis And Vascular Biology 2019, 40: 112-127. PMID: 31619063, PMCID: PMC7204498, DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.119.312976.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsAorta, ThoracicApoptosisArteriosclerosisBlotting, WesternCells, CulturedDisease Models, AnimalDNAEndothelium, VascularGene Expression RegulationGenome-Wide Association StudyHumansMiceMice, Inbred C57BLMice, TransgenicMicroscopy, FluorescenceMitochondriaRas GTPase-Activating ProteinsSignal TransductionConceptsN-terminal pleckstrin homology domainHuman genome-wide association studiesGenome-wide association studiesPleckstrin homology domainMitochondrial reactive oxygen species generationEndothelial cellsH3K9 trimethylationHomology domainReactive oxygen species productionOxygen species productionReactive oxygen speciesReactive oxygen species generationAssociation studiesRegulatory factorsEpigenetic inhibitionEC activationOxygen species generationDependent pathwayVascular endothelial cellsProteolytic degradationSpecies productionOxygen speciesVascular homeostasisMitochondriaSpecies generation
2018
Endothelial AIP1 Regulates Vascular Remodeling by Suppressing NADPH Oxidase-2
Zhang J, Chen C, Li L, Zhou HJ, Li F, Zhang H, Yu L, Chen Y, Min W. Endothelial AIP1 Regulates Vascular Remodeling by Suppressing NADPH Oxidase-2. Frontiers In Physiology 2018, 9: 396. PMID: 29731721, PMCID: PMC5921534, DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00396.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchIntima-media thickeningVascular smooth muscle cellsEarly time pointsCytosolic subunit p47phoxLigation modelVascular remodelingReactive oxygen speciesVessel dysfunctionIntima/media ratioNOX2 complexMouse carotid artery ligation modelEndothelial cellsSubunit p47phoxCarotid artery ligation modelTime pointsNADPH oxidase 2Artery ligation modelROS productionHuman atherosclerotic plaquesSmooth muscle cellsCarotid ligation modelVSMC accumulationIntima areaApoE-KO mouse modelVascular disease
2015
AIP1 Expression in Tumor Niche Suppresses Tumor Progression and Metastasis
Ji W, Li Y, He Y, Yin M, Zhou HJ, Boggon TJ, Zhang H, Min W. AIP1 Expression in Tumor Niche Suppresses Tumor Progression and Metastasis. Cancer Research 2015, 75: 3492-3504. PMID: 26139244, PMCID: PMC4558200, DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-15-0088.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdaptor Proteins, Signal TransducingAnimalsBreast NeoplasmsCarrier ProteinsCell Line, TumorEpithelial-Mesenchymal TransitionGene Expression Regulation, NeoplasticGuanylate KinasesHumansMelanoma, ExperimentalMiceNeoplasm MetastasisNeovascularization, PathologicProtein Kinase InhibitorsSignal TransductionTumor MicroenvironmentVascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2ConceptsEpithelial-mesenchymal transitionPremetastatic niche formationTumor growthAugments tumor growthBreast cancer modelSuppresses tumor progressionVascular endothelial cellsNiche formationSystemic administrationCancer modelVEGFR2 kinase inhibitorTumor neovascularizationTumor progressionTumor angiogenesisTumor microenvironmentTumor cellsEndothelial cellsMetastasisKinase inhibitorsTumor nicheVascular ECsSpecific deletionVascular environmentEMT switchAIP1 geneAIP1-Mediated Stress Signaling in Atherosclerosis and Arteriosclerosis
Zhang J, Zhou HJ, Ji W, Min W. AIP1-Mediated Stress Signaling in Atherosclerosis and Arteriosclerosis. Current Atherosclerosis Reports 2015, 17: 24. PMID: 25732743, PMCID: PMC5051342, DOI: 10.1007/s11883-015-0503-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGenome-wide association studiesHuman genome-wide association studiesApoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1Signal-regulated kinases 1EC-specific deletionEndothelial cellsStress signalingEndoplasmic reticulum stressAIP1 functionsKinase 1Association studiesAIP1Human cardiovascular diseaseVascular endothelial cellsReticulum stressProteinGene variantsMouse modelDAB2IPSignalingInflammatory responseDeletionRegulationStressCells
2014
Carbamoylating Activity Associated with the Activation of the Antitumor Agent Laromustine Inhibits Angiogenesis by Inducing ASK1-Dependent Endothelial Cell Death
Ji W, Yang M, Praggastis A, Li Y, Zhou HJ, He Y, Ghazvinian R, Cincotta DJ, Rice KP, Min W. Carbamoylating Activity Associated with the Activation of the Antitumor Agent Laromustine Inhibits Angiogenesis by Inducing ASK1-Dependent Endothelial Cell Death. PLOS ONE 2014, 9: e103224. PMID: 25068797, PMCID: PMC4113355, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0103224.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsAntineoplastic AgentsBiocatalysisCarbamatesCattleCell DeathCells, CulturedEndothelial CellsHumansHydrazinesImmunoblottingIsocyanatesMAP Kinase Kinase Kinase 5Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 8Neovascularization, PhysiologicSignal TransductionSulfonamidesThioredoxin Reductase 1ThioredoxinsConceptsTrx reductase 1Non-apoptotic pathwaysEndothelial cellsKinase activityCys residuesASK1Endothelial cell deathReductase 1Cell deathInterstrand DNATrx1Reduced thioredoxinInduces dissociationCell lysatesInhibitor 14Role of methylWhole cellsInhibits angiogenesisInhibition of angiogenesisEC deathFree thiol groupsChloroethylating speciesTumor angiogenesisASK1-JNK/p38Cells
2010
[An improved method of culturing human umbilical vein endothelial cells and its characterization].
Lin S, Zhou H, Ding Y, Liang X, Luo Y, Tang S. [An improved method of culturing human umbilical vein endothelial cells and its characterization]. Yan Ke Xue Bao (2016) 2010, 25: 99-102. PMID: 21186489, DOI: 10.3969/g.issn.1000-4432.2010.02.010.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHuman umbilical vein endothelial cellsCD31 immunohistochemical stainingHuman umbilical cordUmbilical vein endothelial cellsType ICollagenase type IVein endothelial cellsImmunohistochemical stainingUmbilical cordT-tubeHeparin sodiumEndothelial cellsBasal growth mediumAntigenCell growthCordCD31