A novel function for cadherin 11/osteoblast-cadherin in vascular smooth muscle cells: modulation of cell migration and proliferation.
OBJECTIVE
Intimal hyperplasia is a common cause of vein graft failure in cardiovascular surgery. The molecular basis for intimal hyperplasia remains poorly defined. We have previously identified, by gene chip analysis of vein grafts, increased messenger (mRNA) for the adhesion molecule cadherin 11/osteoblast-cadherin (CDH11). The function of CDH11 in vascular cells is unknown. The aim of the present study is to confirm CDH11 expression in vein grafts and characterize its role in vascular remodeling.


METHODS
Cephalic vein interposition grafts were implanted in a canine model and harvested at predetermined time points. CDH11 protein expression was determined by immunohistochemistry. Early passage human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were used for in vitro studies. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to assess cellular CDH11 mRNA levels. CDH11 signaling was inhibited by either transfection with silencing RNA targeting CDH11 or with a blocking antibody to CDH11. Cellular migration was evaluated and cellular proliferation was assessed.


RESULTS
Expression of CDH11 was increased in medial SMCs of vein grafts recovered at 7, 14, and 30 days after surgery compared with control veins from the same animals. In vitro CDH11 mRNA was up-regulated 1.8 +/- 0.2-fold (P = .003) in SMCs after treatment with tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Cellular migration was attenuated by inhibition of CDH11 both with a blocking antibody (0.67 +/- 0.09; P = .063) and gene knockdown mediated by small interfering RNA (0.67 +/- 0.14; P = .036). SMC proliferation decreased by 3.1-fold (P = .006) in the presence of CDH11-blocking antibody. Knockdown of CDH11 mediated by small interfering RNA resulted in a 1.3-fold (P = .018) decrease in proliferation.


CONCLUSIONS
CDH11 is up-regulated in SMC in vivo and in vitro as part of the response to injury. Inhibition of CDH11 decreases SMC migration and proliferation, two pathogenic effectors of intimal hyperplasia.
Monahan
Thomas S
TS
Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
Andersen
Nicholas D
ND
Panossian
Haig
H
Kalish
Jeffrey A
JA
Daniel
Soizic
S
Shrikhande
Gautam V
GV
Ferran
Christiane
C
Logerfo
Frank W
FW
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000494:pharmacology; D015820:Cadherins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D002465:Cell Movement; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D004285:Dogs; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D023421:Models, Animal; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D034622:RNA Interference; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology; D015854:Up-Regulation; D014680:Veins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000637:transplantation
D000906:Antibodies; D015820:Cadherins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C086960:osteoblast cadherin