The signals that control endothelial plasticity in inflamed tissues have only been partially characterized. For example, it has been shown that inadequate vasculogenesis in systemic sclerosis (SSc) has been associated with an endothelial defect. We used a genetic lineage tracing model to investigate whether endothelial cells die or change phenotypically after fibrosis induction and whether signals released by cells of the innate immune system and in the blood of patients influence their commitment. We observed that in the lineage-tracing transgenic mice Cdh5-CreERT2::R26R-EYFP, endothelial-derived cells (EdCs) underwent fibrosis after treatment with bleomycin, and EdCs retrieved from the lung showed expression of endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) markers. Liposome-encapsulated clodronate was used to assess macrophage impact on EdCs. Clodronate treatment affected the number of alternatively activated macrophages in the lung, with upregulated expression of EndoMT markers in lung EdCs. Endothelial fate and function were investigated in vitro upon challenge with serum signals from SSc patients or released by activated macrophages. Sera of SSc patients with anti-Scl70 Abs, at higher risk of visceral organ fibrosis, induced EndoMT and jeopardized endothelial function. In conclusion, EdCs in SSc might be defective because of commitment to a mesenchymal fate, which is sustained by soluble signals in the patient's blood. Macrophages contribute to preserve the endothelial identity of precursor cells. Altered macrophage-dependent plasticity of EdCs could contribute to link vasculopathy with fibrosis.

Macrophages Guard Endothelial Lineage by Hindering Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition : Implications for the Pathogenesis of Systemic Sclerosis / P.A. Nicolosi, E. Tombetti, A. Giovenzana, E. Donè, E. Pulcinelli, R. Meneveri, M. Tirone, N. Maugeri, P. Rovere-Querini, A.A. Manfredi, S. Brunelli. - In: JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY. - ISSN 0022-1767. - 203:1(2019 Jul), pp. 247-258.

Macrophages Guard Endothelial Lineage by Hindering Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition : Implications for the Pathogenesis of Systemic Sclerosis

E. Tombetti
Secondo
;
2019

Abstract

The signals that control endothelial plasticity in inflamed tissues have only been partially characterized. For example, it has been shown that inadequate vasculogenesis in systemic sclerosis (SSc) has been associated with an endothelial defect. We used a genetic lineage tracing model to investigate whether endothelial cells die or change phenotypically after fibrosis induction and whether signals released by cells of the innate immune system and in the blood of patients influence their commitment. We observed that in the lineage-tracing transgenic mice Cdh5-CreERT2::R26R-EYFP, endothelial-derived cells (EdCs) underwent fibrosis after treatment with bleomycin, and EdCs retrieved from the lung showed expression of endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) markers. Liposome-encapsulated clodronate was used to assess macrophage impact on EdCs. Clodronate treatment affected the number of alternatively activated macrophages in the lung, with upregulated expression of EndoMT markers in lung EdCs. Endothelial fate and function were investigated in vitro upon challenge with serum signals from SSc patients or released by activated macrophages. Sera of SSc patients with anti-Scl70 Abs, at higher risk of visceral organ fibrosis, induced EndoMT and jeopardized endothelial function. In conclusion, EdCs in SSc might be defective because of commitment to a mesenchymal fate, which is sustained by soluble signals in the patient's blood. Macrophages contribute to preserve the endothelial identity of precursor cells. Altered macrophage-dependent plasticity of EdCs could contribute to link vasculopathy with fibrosis.
Settore MED/16 - Reumatologia
Settore MED/09 - Medicina Interna
lug-2019
Article (author)
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Macrophages Guard Endothelial Lineage by Hindering Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition Implications for the Pathogenesis of Systemic Sclerosis.pdf

accesso riservato

Tipologia: Publisher's version/PDF
Dimensione 3.02 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
3.02 MB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia
247.full.pdf

accesso riservato

Tipologia: Publisher's version/PDF
Dimensione 3.33 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
3.33 MB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia
Pubblicazioni consigliate

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/647213
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 6
  • Scopus 10
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 11
social impact