Abstract
Unlike other neuronal counterparts, primary synaptic proteins are not known to be involved in vascular physiology. Here, we demonstrate that neurexins and neuroligins, which constitute large and complex families of fundamental players in synaptic activity, are produced and processed by endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells throughout the vasculature. Moreover, they are dynamically regulated during vessel remodeling and form endogenous complexes in large vessels as well as in the brain. We used the chicken chorioallantoic membrane as a system to pursue functional studies and demonstrate that a monoclonal recombinant antibody againstβ-neurexin inhibits angiogenesis, whereas exogenous neuroligin has a role in promoting angiogenesis. Finally, as an insight into the mechanism of action of β-neurexin, we show that the anti-β-neurexin antibody influences vessel tone in isolated chicken arteries. Our finding strongly supports the idea that even the most complex and plastic events taking place in the nervous system (i.e., synaptic activity) share molecular cues with the vascular system.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 20782-20787 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America |
| Volume | 106 |
| Issue number | 49 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Dec 8 2009 |
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Keywords
- Angiogenesis
- Cell-to-cell adhesion
- Nervous-vascular parallels
- Synapses
- Vessel tone
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General
Cite this
The synaptic proteins neurexins and neuroligins are widely expressed in the vascular system and contribute to its functions. / Bottos, Alessia; Destro, Erika; Rissone, Alberto; Graziano, Stefania; Cordara, Gabriele; Assenzio, Barbara; Cera, Maria Rosaria; Mascia, Luciana; Bussolino, Federico; Aresea, Marco.
In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, Vol. 106, No. 49, 08.12.2009, p. 20782-20787.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The synaptic proteins neurexins and neuroligins are widely expressed in the vascular system and contribute to its functions
AU - Bottos, Alessia
AU - Destro, Erika
AU - Rissone, Alberto
AU - Graziano, Stefania
AU - Cordara, Gabriele
AU - Assenzio, Barbara
AU - Cera, Maria Rosaria
AU - Mascia, Luciana
AU - Bussolino, Federico
AU - Aresea, Marco
PY - 2009/12/8
Y1 - 2009/12/8
N2 - Unlike other neuronal counterparts, primary synaptic proteins are not known to be involved in vascular physiology. Here, we demonstrate that neurexins and neuroligins, which constitute large and complex families of fundamental players in synaptic activity, are produced and processed by endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells throughout the vasculature. Moreover, they are dynamically regulated during vessel remodeling and form endogenous complexes in large vessels as well as in the brain. We used the chicken chorioallantoic membrane as a system to pursue functional studies and demonstrate that a monoclonal recombinant antibody againstβ-neurexin inhibits angiogenesis, whereas exogenous neuroligin has a role in promoting angiogenesis. Finally, as an insight into the mechanism of action of β-neurexin, we show that the anti-β-neurexin antibody influences vessel tone in isolated chicken arteries. Our finding strongly supports the idea that even the most complex and plastic events taking place in the nervous system (i.e., synaptic activity) share molecular cues with the vascular system.
AB - Unlike other neuronal counterparts, primary synaptic proteins are not known to be involved in vascular physiology. Here, we demonstrate that neurexins and neuroligins, which constitute large and complex families of fundamental players in synaptic activity, are produced and processed by endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells throughout the vasculature. Moreover, they are dynamically regulated during vessel remodeling and form endogenous complexes in large vessels as well as in the brain. We used the chicken chorioallantoic membrane as a system to pursue functional studies and demonstrate that a monoclonal recombinant antibody againstβ-neurexin inhibits angiogenesis, whereas exogenous neuroligin has a role in promoting angiogenesis. Finally, as an insight into the mechanism of action of β-neurexin, we show that the anti-β-neurexin antibody influences vessel tone in isolated chicken arteries. Our finding strongly supports the idea that even the most complex and plastic events taking place in the nervous system (i.e., synaptic activity) share molecular cues with the vascular system.
KW - Angiogenesis
KW - Cell-to-cell adhesion
KW - Nervous-vascular parallels
KW - Synapses
KW - Vessel tone
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U2 - 10.1073/pnas.0809510106
DO - 10.1073/pnas.0809510106
M3 - Article
VL - 106
SP - 20782
EP - 20787
JO - Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
JF - Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
SN - 0027-8424
IS - 49
ER -