title: Inhibition of VE-cadherin proteasomal degradation attenuates microvascular hyperpermeability.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  VE-cadherin, an integral component of the adherens junction complex, is processed through the endosome-lysosome pathway and proteasome system for degradation. Our objective was to determine if inhibition of this pathway would protect against microvascular hyperpermeability.
  
  
  METHODS
  To induce VE-cadherin degradation, we utilized a mutant VE-cadherin protein that lacks the extracellular domain (rVE-cad CPD). Intravital microscopy was employed to study the changes in microvascular permeability in rat mesenteric postcapillary venules. Rat lung microvascular endothelial cell (RLMEC) monolayers were utilized in parallel studies. The adherens junction integrity was determined using VE-cadherin and β-catenin immunofluorescence. TOPflash/FOPflash transfection and luciferase reporter assay were performed to study β-catenin-mediated transcriptional activation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  rVE-cad CPD (2.5 μg/mL of blood volume) increased hyperpermeability significantly (p < 0.05). The VE-cadherin siRNA as well as rVE-cad CPD induced significant increase in monolayer hyperpermeability (p < 0.05). Transfection of rVE-cad CPD disrupted adherens junctions evidenced by discontinuity in β-catenin and VE-cadherin immunofluorescence (p < 0.05). Proteasome inhibitor MG132 attenuated rVE-cad CPD induced monolayer hyperpermeability and adherens junction damage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  VE-cadherin disruption in animals results in hyperpermeability. Parallel studies in RLMEC demonstrated similar results. In addition, inhibition of proteasomal degradation attenuated microvascular hyperpermeability. These findings have significance in understanding the role of VE-cadherin in regulating vascular hyperpermeability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Scott & White Memorial Hospital, Texas A&M University Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple, Texas 76508, USA.
authors.forename: Devendra A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Sawant
authors.forename: Binu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tharakan
authors.forename: Ashton
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adekanbi
authors.forename: Felicia A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.forename: William Roy
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Smythe
authors.forename: Ed W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Childs
mesh_terms: D022005:Adherens Junctions / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015820:Cadherins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002199:Capillary Permeability / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D008168:Lung / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009154:Mutation; D011168:Portal System / Q000378:metabolism*; D046988:Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014699:Venules / Q000378:metabolism; D000099152:Cadherin 5
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D015820:Cadherins; D046988:Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex; D000099152:Cadherin 5