Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.
Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Sep 14;24(18):14105. doi: 10.3390/ijms241814105.
Soluble cell adhesion molecules (sCAMs) are secreted ectodomain fragments of surface adhesion molecules, ICAM1 and VCAM1. sCAMs have diverse immune functions beyond their primary function, impacting immune cell recruitment and activation. Elevated sVCAM1 levels have been found to be associated with poor cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes, supporting VCAM1's role as a potential diagnostic marker and therapeutic target. Inhibiting sVCAM1's release or its interaction with immune cells could offer cardioprotection in conditions such as diabetes. Membrane-bound surface adhesion molecules are widely expressed in a wide variety of cell types with higher expression in endothelial cells (ECs). Still, the source of sCAMs in the circulation is not clear. Hypothesizing that endothelial cells (ECs) could be a potential source of sCAMs, this study investigated whether dysfunctional EC signaling mechanisms during diabetes cause VCAM1 ectodomain shedding. Our results from samples from an inducible diabetic mouse model revealed increased sVCAM1 plasma levels in diabetes. Protein analysis indicated upregulated VCAM1 expression and metalloproteases ADAM10 and ADAM17 in diabetic ECs. ADAMs are known for proteolytic cleavage of adhesion molecules, contributing to inflammation. GSK3β, implicated in EC VCAM1 expression, was found to be activated in diabetic ECs. GSK3β activation in control ECs increased ADAM10/17 and VCAM1. A GSK3β inhibitor reduced active GSK3β and VCAM1 ectodomain shedding. These findings suggest diabetic ECs with elevated GSK3β activity led to VCAM1 upregulation and ADAM10/17-mediated sVCAM1 shedding. This mechanism underscores the potential therapeutic role of GSK3β inhibition in reducing the levels of circulating sVCAM1. The complex roles of sCAMs extend well beyond CVD. Thus, unraveling the intricate involvement of sCAMs in the initiation and progression of vascular disease, particularly in diabetes, holds significant therapeutic potential.
可溶性细胞黏附分子(sCAMs)是细胞表面黏附分子 ICAM1 和 VCAM1 的胞外结构域片段。sCAMs 除了其主要功能外,还具有多种免疫功能,影响免疫细胞的募集和激活。研究发现,sVCAM1 水平升高与心血管疾病(CVD)不良预后相关,这支持 VCAM1 作为潜在诊断标志物和治疗靶点的作用。抑制 sVCAM1 的释放或其与免疫细胞的相互作用可能为糖尿病等疾病提供心脏保护。膜结合表面黏附分子在多种细胞类型中广泛表达,在内皮细胞(ECs)中表达更高。然而,循环中 sCAMs 的来源尚不清楚。本研究假设内皮细胞(ECs)可能是 sCAMs 的潜在来源,研究了糖尿病期间 EC 信号转导机制的功能障碍是否导致 VCAM1 胞外结构域脱落。我们从诱导型糖尿病小鼠模型的样本中获得的结果显示,糖尿病患者的 sVCAM1 血浆水平升高。蛋白分析表明,糖尿病 ECs 中 VCAM1 表达上调,以及金属蛋白酶 ADAM10 和 ADAM17 上调。ADAMs 以切割黏附分子而闻名,有助于炎症。在 ECs 中参与 VCAM1 表达的 GSK3β 被发现被激活。在对照 ECs 中激活 GSK3β 增加了 ADAM10/17 和 VCAM1。GSK3β 抑制剂减少了活性 GSK3β 和 VCAM1 胞外结构域脱落。这些发现表明,活性 GSK3β 升高的糖尿病 ECs 导致 VCAM1 上调和 ADAM10/17 介导的 sVCAM1 脱落。该机制强调了 GSK3β 抑制在降低循环 sVCAM1 水平方面的潜在治疗作用。sCAMs 的复杂作用远远超出了 CVD。因此,阐明 sCAMs 在血管疾病(尤其是糖尿病)发生和发展中的复杂作用具有重要的治疗潜力。
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