analysis-lymph-node-volume-ultra-high-frequency-ultrasound-imaging

Analysis of Lymph Node Volume by Ultra-High-Frequency Ultrasound Imaging in the Braf/Pten Genetically Engineered Mouse Model of Melanoma

Tyr::CreER+,BrafCA/+,Ptenlox/lox&#160;genetically engineered mice (Braf/Pten mice) are widely used as an in vivo model of metastatic melanoma. Once a ...

National Research Council (IFC-CNR)

Core Research Laboratory, ISPRO

The capacity of inducing angiogenesis is a recognized hallmark of cancer cells. The cancer microenvironment, characterized by hypoxia and inflammatory signals, promotes proliferation, migration and activation of quiescent endothelial cells (EC) from surrounding vascular network. Current anti-angiogenic drugs present side effects, temporary efficacy, and issues of primary resistance, thereby calling for the identification of new therapeutic targets. MICALs are a unique family of redox enzymes that destabilize F-actin in cytoskeletal dynamics. MICAL2 mediates Semaphorin3A-NRP2 response to VEGFR1 in rat ECs. MICAL2 also enters the p130Cas interactome in response to VEGF in HUVEC. Previously, we showed that MICAL2 is overexpressed in metastatic cancer. A small-molecule inhibitor of MICAL2 exists (CCG-1423). Here we report that 1) MICAL2 is expressed in neo-angiogenic ECs in human solid tumors (kidney and breast carcinoma, glioblastoma and cardiac myxoma, n = 67, were analyzed with immunohistochemistry) and in animal models of ischemia/inflammation neo-angiogenesis, but not in normal capillary bed; 2) MICAL2 protein pharmacological inhibition (CCG-1423) or gene KD reduce EC viability and functional performance; 3) MICAL2 KD disables ECs response to VEGF in vitro. Whole-genome gene expression profiling reveals MICAL2 involvement in angiogenesis and vascular development pathways. Based on these results, we propose that MICAL2 expression in ECs participates to inflammation-induced neo-angiogenesis and that MICAL2 inhibition should be tested in cancer- and noncancer-associated neo-angiogenesis, where chronic inflammation represents a relevant pathophysiological mechanism.

MICAL2 is expressed in cancer associated neo-angiogenic capillary endothelia and it is required for endothelial cell viability, motility and VEGF response.

Pseudogenes have been considered as nonfunctional copies of their parental genes for a long time. Indeed, they have been often defined "junk DNA" or "transcriptional noise." However, with the identification of their involvement in several biological processes, the necessity of their study is inevitably growing up. The manipulation of pseudogene expression is complicated by their high homology with parental genes and by the fact that most of them work at the transcriptional level as noncoding RNAs. With the advent of CRISPR/Cas technology, these problems can be overcome. Particularly, as we describe in this chapter, it is possible: To perform genome editing, obtaining the complete elimination of the pseudogene genomic sequence (knock-out), preventing pseudogene transcription, introducing specific mutations in the pseudogene sequence, or introducing a specific sequence (knock-in). To positively or negatively manipulate pseudogene transcription. To target pseudogene RNA and negatively regulate its expression. To edit pseudogene DNA and RNA and alter a specific sequence. Moreover, CRISPR/Cas technology can be used as an RNA Binding Protein system for molecular biology techniques (such as RNA immunoprecipitation and pull-down), as well as for transcript tracking and live imaging.

Article	Year
MICAL2 is expressed in cancer associated neo-angiogenic capillary endothelia and it is required for endothelial cell viability, motility and VEGF response. Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular basis of disease\| PubMed ID: 31004710	2019
CRISPR/Cas Technologies Applied to Pseudogenes. Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)\| PubMed ID: 34165721	2021

Marianna Vitiello

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