Targeting the lung endothelial niche to promote angiogenesis and regeneration: A review of applications
Savas T. Tsikis
Thomas I. Hirsch
Scott C. Fligor
Mikayla Quigley
Mark Puder*- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
Lung endothelial cells comprise the pulmonary vascular bed and account for the majority of cells in the lungs. Beyond their role in gas exchange, lung ECs form a specialized microenvironment, or niche, with important roles in health and disease. In early development, progenitor ECs direct alveolar development through angiogenesis. Following birth, lung ECs are thought to maintain their regenerative capacity despite the aging process. As such, harnessing the power of the EC niche, specifically to promote angiogenesis and alveolar regeneration has potential clinical applications. Here, we focus on translational research with applications related to developmental lung diseases including pulmonary hypoplasia and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. An overview of studies examining the role of ECs in lung regeneration following acute lung injury is also provided. These diseases are all characterized by significant morbidity and mortality with limited existing therapeutics, affecting both young children and adults.
1 Introduction
The lung is the most vascularized organ in the human body. Pulmonary endothelial cells (ECs) are the primary components of the vascular bed and are the interface between the alveoli and the pulmonary circulation (Huertas et al., 2018). Lung ECs are involved in essential functions including the delivery of oxygen, and removal of carbon dioxide and waste. Besides these fundamental functions, pulmonary ECs form a specialized microenvironment, referred to as the vascular niche (Mammoto and Mammoto, 2019). The role of the vascular niche in the dysregulated response to disease is increasingly being recognized as important for therapeutics in several respiratory diseases such as acute lung injury (ALI), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), pulmonary embolism, and pulmonary hypertension (Li et al., 2022).
Within the vascular niche, vascular progenitor ECs interact reciprocally with the alveolar epithelium through paracrine signaling to regulate lung development and regeneration (Hogan et al., 2014). At the embryonic stage of lung development, mesenchymal cells express high amounts of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (White et al., 2007), which activates VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2). Downstream signaling results in the formation of capillary networks in conjunction with alveolar budding (Karaman et al., 2018; Apte et al., 2019). Defective lung vascular development contributes to diseases such as pulmonary hypoplasia (PH), and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), the most common chronic lung disease in infancy (Stoll et al., 2015). After birth, alveolar capillary ECs continue to play a key role in regeneration as demonstrated in animal models of pneumonectomy-induced compensatory lung growth (CLG) (Voswinckel et al., 2004; Sakurai et al., 2005). Angiogenesis driven by the elaborate signaling within the niche remains the key mechanism in this post-developmental lung regeneration (Ackermann et al., 2014). Therefore, in addition to infant diseases, targeting the vascular EC niche to promote angiogenesis, may have potential clinical applications in the recovery from ALI and COVID-19 ARDS which depend, in part, on alveolar regeneration (Medford and Millar, 2006).
Harnessing the power of the vascular EC niche specifically to promote angiogenesis and, by extension, alveolar growth and regeneration, may have important clinical implications. In this review, we focus on clinical applications for PH, BPD, and ALI (Figure 1). Given limited existing therapeutics for these conditions and their significant associated morbidity and mortality, there is an important need for targeted therapeutics.
FIGURE 1. Overview of potential therapeutic targets to stimulate endothelial cell-driven angiogenesis in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and acute lung injury (ALI). Figures created with BioRender.com.
2 Translational applications
2.1 Pulmonary hypoplasia
PH affects neonates, particularly those born with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). CDH occurs due to a developmental defect in the diaphragm resulting in the herniation of abdominal organs to the thoracic cavity in utero. In CDH, hypoplasia is frequently bilateral and is characterized by decreased branching of the bronchioles and acinar hypoplasia resulting in significant lung immaturity (Chandrasekharan et al., 2017). As a result, even after surgical repair, patients frequently require extensive periods of invasive cardiopulmonary support contributing to substantial mortality (up to 50%) (Seetharamaiah et al., 2009). Animal models of CLG following unilateral pneumonectomy have been used to study pulmonary hypoplastic diseases, including CDH given similarities in molecular patterning (Hsia, 2004). Therapeutics that accelerate lung growth by targeting the EC niche may prove promising in improving outcomes for infants with PH.
2.1.1 Growth factors
CDH-associated PH is characterized by deficiency of VEGF within the vascular EC niche in both humans and animal models, particularly during alveologenesis (Chang et al., 2004; van der Horst et al., 2011). Exogenous VEGF administration accelerates lung growth in murine and porcine CLG models through VEGFR2-dependent signaling in ECs and increased alveolar units (Dao et al., 2018a; Dao et al., 2018b). In human clinical trials, VEGF has been evaluated as a therapeutic for cardiac ischemia, but side effects, particularly hypotension, have limited its clinical applicability (Crafts et al., 2015). Critically, as patients with severe CDH are often managed with cardiopulmonary support, hypotension could be mitigated with the support of the circuit. Clinical trials examining the role of VEGF as a therapeutic to accelerate lung growth in PH are warranted.
Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) has anti-angiogenic properties. Within the lung, VEGF/PEDF ratios correlate with tissue neovascularization and angiogenesis (Chetty et al., 2015). Roxadustat is a prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor that stabilizes hypoxia inducible factor alpha (HIF-α). In the murine CLG model, administration of roxadustat accelerated lung growth, improved lung function, and increased alveolarization through PEDF downregulation (Ko et al., 2020). Highlighting the impact of roxadustat throughout the niche, both ECs and alveolar epithelial cells demonstrated decreased PEDF expression in vitro (Ko et al., 2021). Roxadustat has already been approved by the European Commission for the treatment of chronic kidney disease-associated anemia (Chen et al., 2019). Future work should focus on large animal models and other therapeutics with anti-PEDF effects.
2.1.2 Platelet-rich plasma
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) extract contains abundant angiopoietin-1 and multiple other angiogenic factors. Given that in vivo angiogenesis is promoted through multiple signaling factors, rather than a single growth factor, PRP is hypothesized to have improved effects on organ regeneration (Benest et al., 2006). PRP increased phosphorylation of the angiogenic factor receptor Tie2, accelerated CLG following murine left pneumonectomy, and increased epithelial cell budding in vitro (Mammoto et al., 2016). Since PRP can be generated through simple methods and preserved for extended periods, these results suggest a potential role in improving outcomes for neonates with PH and CDH, although more investigation is needed.
2.1.3 Transcription factors
The Hippo signaling transducer, Yes-associated protein (YAP) 1, binds to the TEA domain transcription factor and plays a role in organ growth and regeneration (Ota and Sasaki, 2008). Mammoto et al. demonstrated that YAP1 stimulates endothelial cell sprouting and alveolar epithelial morphogenesis in vitro and promotes CLG following unilateral pneumonectomy in mice through the angiopoietin-Tie2 pathway in vivo (Mammoto et al., 2019a). Twist1 is a transcription factor, that contributes to age-mediated declines in angiogenesis (Li et al., 2014). While Twist1 decreases lung growth in aged mice following pneumonectomy, in young ECs, Twist1 overexpression is associated with increased EC proliferation and migration, along with concomitant increases in VEGFR2 expression (Hendee et al., 2021). Both YAP1 and Twist1 also sense mechanical forces, including shear stress and extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness which control vascular formation and function (Mammoto et al., 2009; Wei et al., 2015; Mammoto et al., 2019b). YAP1 and Twist1 are thus potential therapeutic targets for CDH-associated PH in young patients dependent on lung regeneration, although more research is needed.
2.2 Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
BPD is a chronic lung disease of premature newborns that is characterized by impaired development of lung parenchyma and respiratory microvasculature (Jobe, 1999; Coalson, 2003). Improving management of preterm neonates has resulted in an altered disease phenotype. The impaired lung development of ‘new’ BPD is due to multiple perinatal factors, including infection, inflammation and disorganized repair processes resulting in a paucity of alveoli and a dysmorphic capillary network (Husain et al., 1998; Thibeault et al., 2000; Coalson, 2003; Appuhn et al., 2021).
The conserved pattern of histological and vascular signaling abnormalities in new BPD led to the hypothesis that ECs and aberrant signaling drive disease (Abman, 2001). A common preclinical model for investigating BPD is the rodent hyperoxia-induced lung injury model, where newborn animals are exposed to hyperoxia to impair lung development. The lung endothelial niche provides an upstream target for reversing the impaired alveologenesis in BPD. Preserved angiogenesis facilitates alveolarization and lung growth, translating to functional improvement (Appuhn et al., 2021; Vohwinkel and Tuder, 2021). Preclinical investigations have evaluated several EC niche mediators, stem cells, and nutrients.
2.2.1 Growth factors
VEGF is central to the vascular hypothesis of BPD and may have a potential role in treatment (Abman, 2001). In hyperoxia-challenged mice, administration of anti-angiogenic agents impaired angiogenesis and alveolarization (Tang et al., 2012; Wallace et al., 2018), while over-expression of VEGF attenuated the adverse effects of hyperoxia on alveolarization (Alvira, 2016). In another study in hyperoxia-exposed Sprague-Dawley rats, recombinant human VEGF treatment reversed the BPD phenotype and accelerated EC-mediated vessel growth and alveolarization (Kunig et al., 2005). In lung development, growth factors released from the niche coordinate epithelial cell growth and are critical for mediating the development of distal airspace structures (Abman, 2001). Furthermore VEGFR2 signaling promotes differentiation of alveolar type II epithelial cells (AT2) and stimulates secretion of surfactant, which are critical in BPD (Cross et al., 2003). There has also been success targeting antagonists of VEGF. In a recent study, rats administered anti-soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 monoclonal antibody, which inhibits an endogenous antagonist to VEGF, improved radial alveolar count, vessel density, and lung function (Wallace et al., 2018).
Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a downstream mediator of VEGF with evidence of stimulating angiogenesis and alveolar epithelial cell proliferation in murine hyperoxia-induced BPD. HGF specifically stimulates epithelial cell migration and stimulates fibroblasts to accelerate healing of alveolar epithelial cells after lung injury (Ito et al., 2014). Insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is another downstream mediator of VEGF. Clinically, decreased postnatal IGF-1 concentrations were associated with an increased risk of BPD (Lofqvist et al., 2012). Preclinical interventional studies in rats provided evidence that restoring IGF-1 concentration could prevent or treat BPD (Jin et al., 2007). This led to a phase II randomized controlled trial that found IGF-1 infusions after preterm birth decreased severe BPD by 53% (Ley et al., 2019).
2.2.2 Nitric oxide (NO)
NO is gaseous signaling molecule that is a direct downstream mediator of VEGF (Ziche et al., 1997). VEGF stimulates NO production via expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) (Seedorf et al., 2016). In both ex vivo (Muehlethaler et al., 2008) and in vivo (Tang et al., 2004) studies, administration of NO improved lung growth after VEGF inhibition. NO also improved lung growth in a postnatal hyperoxia model (Lin et al., 2005). Mechanistically, there is evidence that shear stress increases eNOS activity and the production of NO through PI3 kinase/Akt signaling in the niche (Kumar et al., 2010). Sheer stress may occur in BPD secondary to alveolar collapse at low lung ventilation volumes (Kalikkot Thekkeveedu et al., 2017).
2.2.3 HIF
HIFs are potent upstream regulators of VEGF and angiogenesis (Kunig et al., 2005). In an oxygen poor environment, HIF degradation is inhibited, increasing HIF levels increase transcription of genes involved in angiogenesis. Prolyl hydroxylases target HIF for degradation in oxygen rich environments, negatively regulating expression of angiogenesis-related genes (Semenza, 2014). In a study on endotoxin-treated premature rats, administration of prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor, dimethyloxalylglycine or GSK360A, via the intraperitoneal route for 2 weeks preserved lung alveolar and vascular growth and lung function with potential applications for BPD (Hirsch et al., 2020).
2.2.4 Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)
MSCs are fibroblast-like shaped cells residing in mesodermal tissues that have pro-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory and tissue-regenerative potential (Mobius and Rudiger, 2016). MSCs are predominantly involved in BPD via paracrine effects, secreting VEGF to stimulate angiogenesis within the EC niche (Fung and Thebaud, 2014). Rodent hyperoxia-induced lung injury models have demonstrated the preventative effect of both intratracheal and intravenous administration of Bone Marrow MSCs (BM-MSCs) (Aslam et al., 2009; van Haaften et al., 2009). While most of the work has been done in rodent models, results from a phase I clinical trial using MSCs from umbilical cord blood in infants at risk for BPD have been promising (Chang et al., 2014).
2.2.5 Nutrients
L-citrulline, vitamin D, and vitamin A are nutrients that act on ECs to improve BPD in preclinical models (Ma et al., 2017). Multiple rodent models of hyperoxia-induced BPD have demonstrated attenuation of pulmonary injury after administration of L-citrulline (Grisafi et al., 2012; Sopi et al., 2012). L-citrulline acts via enhancement of VEGF and eNOS expression and reversal of airway relaxation associated with hyperoxia (Sopi et al., 2012). Endotoxin-exposed rats were used to study antenatal administration of vitamin D. After 14 days, lung harvest and analysis provided evidence for vitamin D as a pro-angiogenic mediator of embryonic ECs, leading to growth and tube formation (Mandell et al., 2014). Vitamin A is the only nutrient currently recommended in BPD, after preclinical evidence in preterm lambs demonstrated its ability to increase alveolar capillary growth through increased VEGF expression and induction of alveolar septation (Albertine et al., 2010).
2.3 Lung injury
ALI and ARDS are characterized by the onset of bilateral lung infiltrates with alveolar injury, damage to the alveolar-capillary membrane, and leakage of protein-rich exudate resulting in severe hypoxemia and systemic dysfunction (Fan et al., 2018). Persistent lung inflammation and remodeling following the initial insult are also linked to diminished pulmonary functional outcome in long-term studies of animals and humans (de Souza Xavier Costa et al., 2017; Carfi et al., 2020). There are currently no effective medications targeting the underlying pathophysiology of ALI and the long-term response to injury.
Targeting the lung EC niche may have therapeutic applications in ALI. Lung ECs have the potential to accelerate repair of damaged alveoli through autocrine and paracrine signaling to the surrounding alveolar epithelium and mesenchyme (Li et al., 2022). Recent evidence further suggests that the native lung endothelium retains substantial regenerative capacity and is the source of neovascularization after influenza injury (Zhao et al., 2020). Therefore there are several important targets for potential therapeutics.
2.3.1 Angiogenic growth factors
VEGF has been evaluated in animal ALI models but the data regarding its role as a therapeutic agent have been conflicting (Medford and Millar, 2006). In the short-term, VEGF may have pathologic effects by increasing alveolar-capillary membrane permeability within the EC niche and contributing to exudate formation (Tomita et al., 2020). For example, SU5416, a potent and selective VEGFR2 inhibitor, ameliorated epithelial cell injury and histopathological changes in a murine ALI model following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration (Huang et al., 2019). In this study, SU5416 further suppressed the immune response within the niche by decreasing neutrophil cell population and proinflammatory cytokines. However, VEGF may also act as a pneumotrophic factor on alveolar epithelial cells and stimulate endothelial-mediated angiogenesis, facilitating lung recovery and regeneration in the long-term (Kasahara et al., 2000; Ohwada et al., 2003). More recent studies have demonstrated a correlation between changes in lung function with decreased vascularization, VEGF expression, and VEGFR2 activation in the long-term following injury (Tsikis et al., 2022). Furthermore, in human ARDS lung samples, VEGF expression was negatively correlated with EC apoptosis and was not dependent on changes in the population of AT2 (Abadie et al., 2005). Overall, these data highlight the potential role for VEGF administration in the regenerative and recovery phases of lung injury. Agents such as roxadustat, that can upregulate endogenous VEGF expression, or the provision of multiple pro-angiogenic growth factors (e.g., PRP) have potential clinical applicability. More exploratory studies are needed at the preclinical level to further elucidate the role of angiogenic growth factors in the recovery from ALI.
2.3.2 Transcription factors
Transcription factors implicated in developmental angiogenesis may be involved in reversing cellular senescence and promoting lung regeneration after severe lung injury. In one study, Zhao et al. demonstrated that chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factor 2 (COUP-TF2) drives EC proliferation and migration in part by enhancing the VEGFA/VEGFR2 pathway (Zhao et al., 2020). Proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) that are strongly expressed in the vascular niche in response to injury suppressed COUP-TF2 expression, while COUP-TF2 ablation exacerbated influenza lung injury (Zhao et al., 2020). These results suggest that stabilization of COUP-TF2 may represent a therapeutic strategy to enhance recovery from ALI, however more work is needed to further elucidate this role.
2.3.3 Specialized cells
Recent single-cell studies have revealed two distinct populations of capillary ECs; aerocyte cells (aCap), marked by the expression of carbonic anhydrase 4 (Car4), and general cells (gCap) (Gillich et al., 2020; Vila Ellis et al., 2020). Aerocytes are large cells, similar to alveolar type I epithelial cells (AT1), specialized for gas exchange and leukocyte trafficking. AT1-derived Vegfa expression of VEGF 188 drives the specification of aCap ECs during alveolar development (Fidalgo et al., 2022). The interface created between aCap and AT1 cells within the niche may be important in ALI (Gillich et al., 2020). In one study, Car4+ ECs were highly concentrated in the most damaged alveoli following influenza-induced ALI and pseudo-time analysis of single EC transcriptomes suggested that these cells are highly proliferative following injury (Niethamer et al., 2020). Ligand-receptor analysis confirmed crosstalk between Car4+ ECs and other components of the vascular niche, such as AT1 cells and with collagens, integrins, and metalloproteases in the ECM (Niethamer et al., 2020). In adulthood, gCap cells maintain the alveolar endothelium and may function as progenitor cells as during lung regeneration (Gillich et al., 2020).
Harvesting these specialized ECs and further characterizing their interactions within the niche can have therapeutic applications. Future investigations should focus on translating these findings to a human therapeutic. Limitations such as unintended effects from vascular EC proliferation should also be explored.
3 Discussion
Throughout lung development, angiogenesis occurs in parallel with alveolarization, and ECs play an important role in orchestrating growth by signaling to the surrounding non-vascular parenchyma. Recent work further suggests that the EC niche contributes to lung regeneration in adulthood after injury. Despite this growing body of evidence, the extent of lung EC heterogeneity and their function in regeneration remains incompletely understood.
Harvesting the power of the EC niche to stimulate angiogenesis may have important clinical applications (Figure 1). Recent studies suggest that growth factors, including VEGF and related signaling mediators, may have important therapeutic applications in CDH, BPD, and ALI. At the gene level, transcription factors have been implicated in reversing EC senescence. Finally, specialized cells such as MSCs, and aCap/gCap cells have been discovered as pro-angiogenic mediators in BPD and ALI animal models, respectively.
In this review, we elected to limit detailed description of the underlying molecular mechanisms and have instead focused on the translational applicability for the various therapeutic targets. Future efforts should be directed on bridging these findings to novel therapeutics that promote angiogenesis and lung regeneration. For example, mRNA technology can be utilized for targeted gene expression and has important potential in the lung where directed delivery through inhalation or nebulization can be achieved (Bhat et al., 2021). Such research would have clinical applications for lung diseases described in this review, which are characterized by significant mortality and limited therapeutics.
Author contributions
ST and MP contributed to the conception and design of the study. ST and TH compiled and reviewed relevant literature. ST, TH, SF, and MQ wrote sections of the manuscript. All authors contributed to manuscript revision. All authors read and approved the final version of this manuscript.
Funding
This project was supported by National Institutes of Health 2T32DK007754-22(ST), and 5T32HL007734 (TH), the Richard and Sandra Cummings Research Fellowship of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Department of Surgery (SF); The Boston Children’s Hospital Vascular Biology Program; and The Boston Children’s Hospital Surgical Foundation.
Conflict of interest
MP has a pending patent application for the use of VEGF and Roxadustat in accelerating lung growth. The authors declare there are no further potential conflicts of interest.
Publisher’s note
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Keywords: endothelial niche, pulmonary hypoplasia, bronchopulmonar dysplasia, lung injury, translational outcomes
Citation: Tsikis ST, Hirsch TI, Fligor SC, Quigley M and Puder M (2022) Targeting the lung endothelial niche to promote angiogenesis and regeneration: A review of applications. Front. Mol. Biosci. 9:1093369. doi: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.1093369
Received: 08 November 2022; Accepted: 12 December 2022;
Published: 19 December 2022.
Edited by:
Tadanori Mammoto, Medical College of Wisconsin, United StatesReviewed by:
Yifan Yuan, Yale University, United StatesCopyright © 2022 Tsikis, Hirsch, Fligor, Quigley and Puder. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Mark Puder, Mark.Puder@childrens.harvard.edu