Liraglutide Improves the Angiogenic Capability of EPC and Promotes Ischemic Angiogenesis in Mice under Diabetic Conditions through an Nrf2-Dependent Mechanism.
Xiaoqing YanYue SuXia FanHui ChenZixian LuZijuan LiuYingjian LiMei YiGuigui ZhangChunjie GuKai WangJiamin WuSun DaYikai ZhangChi ZhangXiaozhen DaiChao ZhengPublished in: Cells (2022)
The impairment in endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) functions results in dysregulation of vascular homeostasis and dysfunction of the endothelium under diabetic conditions. Improving EPC function has been considered as a promising strategy for ameliorating diabetic vascular complications. Liraglutide has been widely used as a therapeutic agent for diabetes. However, the effects and mechanisms of liraglutide on EPC dysfunction remain unclear. The capability of liraglutide in promoting blood perfusion and angiogenesis under diabetic conditions was evaluated in the hind limb ischemia model of diabetic mice. The effect of liraglutide on the angiogenic function of EPC was evaluated by cell scratch recovery assay, tube formation assay, and nitric oxide production. RNA sequencing was performed to assess the underlying mechanisms. Liraglutide enhanced blood perfusion and angiogenesis in the ischemic hindlimb of db/db mice and streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic mice. Additionally, liraglutide improved tube formation, cell migration, and nitric oxide production of high glucose (HG)-treated EPC. Assessment of liraglutide target pathways revealed a network of genes involved in antioxidant activity. Further mechanism study showed that liraglutide decreased the production of reactive oxygen species and increased the activity of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Nrf2 deficiency attenuated the beneficial effects of liraglutide on improving EPC function and promoting ischemic angiogenesis under diabetic conditions. Moreover, liraglutide activates Nrf2 through an AKT/GSK3β/Fyn pathway, and inhibiting this pathway abolished liraglutide-induced Nrf2 activation and EPC function improvement. Overall, these results suggest that Liraglutide represents therapeutic potential in promoting EPC function and ameliorating ischemic angiogenesis under diabetic conditions, and these beneficial effects relied on Nrf2 activation.
Keyphrases
- endothelial cells
- wound healing
- high glucose
- oxidative stress
- nitric oxide
- type diabetes
- diabetic rats
- nuclear factor
- vascular endothelial growth factor
- cell migration
- cardiovascular disease
- single cell
- reactive oxygen species
- signaling pathway
- stem cells
- ischemia reperfusion injury
- magnetic resonance imaging
- high throughput
- computed tomography
- mesenchymal stem cells
- high fat diet
- cell therapy
- immune response
- brain injury
- cell proliferation
- pi k akt
- hydrogen peroxide
- smoking cessation
- diabetic nephropathy