Department of Biology Education, College of Education, Pusan National University, Busan, South Korea.
Institute for Bio-Medical Convergence, Catholic Kwandong University International St. Mary's Hospital, Incheon, South Korea.
J Pineal Res. 2024 May;76(4):e12958. doi: 10.1111/jpi.12958.
Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a complex biological process of cellular transdifferentiation by which endothelial cells (ECs) lose their characteristics and acquire mesenchymal properties, leading to cardiovascular remodeling and complications in the adult cardiovascular diseases environment. Melatonin is involved in numerous physiological and pathological processes, including aging, and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. This molecule is an effective therapeutic candidate for preventing oxidative stress, regulating endothelial function, and maintaining the EndMT balance to provide cardiovascular protection. Although recent studies have documented improved cardiac function by melatonin, the mechanism of action of melatonin on EndMT remains unclear. The present study investigated the effects of melatonin on induced EndMT by transforming growth factor-β2/interleukin-1β in both in vivo and in vitro models. The results revealed that melatonin reduced the migratory ability and reactive oxygen species levels of the cells and ameliorated mitochondrial dysfunction in vitro. Our findings indicate that melatonin prevents endothelial dysfunction and inhibits EndMT by activating related pathways, including nuclear factor kappa B and Smad. We also demonstrated that this molecule plays a crucial role in restoring cardiac function by regulating the EndMT process in the ischemic myocardial condition, both in vessel organoids and myocardial infarction (MI) animal models. In conclusion, melatonin is a promising agent that attenuates EC dysfunction and ameliorates cardiac damage compromising the EndMT process after MI.
内皮-间质转化(EndMT)是一种细胞转分化的复杂生物学过程,在此过程中内皮细胞(ECs)丧失其特征并获得间质特性,导致心血管重塑和成人心血管疾病环境中的并发症。褪黑素参与许多生理和病理过程,包括衰老,具有抗炎和抗氧化作用。这种分子是预防氧化应激、调节内皮功能和维持 EndMT 平衡以提供心血管保护的有效治疗候选物。尽管最近的研究记录了褪黑素改善心脏功能,但褪黑素对 EndMT 的作用机制尚不清楚。本研究在体内和体外模型中研究了褪黑素对转化生长因子-β2/白细胞介素-1β诱导的 EndMT 的影响。结果表明,褪黑素降低了细胞的迁移能力和活性氧水平,并改善了体外的线粒体功能障碍。我们的研究结果表明,褪黑素通过激活核因子 kappa B 和 Smad 等相关途径来预防内皮功能障碍和抑制 EndMT。我们还表明,这种分子在通过调节缺血性心肌条件下的 EndMT 过程来恢复心脏功能方面发挥着至关重要的作用,无论是在血管类器官还是心肌梗死(MI)动物模型中。总之,褪黑素是一种有前途的药物,可减轻 EC 功能障碍并改善心脏损伤,减轻 MI 后 EndMT 过程的损害。