Endothelial TDP-43 controls sprouting angiogenesis and vascular barrier integrity, and its deletion triggers neuroinflammation

TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is a DNA/RNA-binding protein that regulates gene expression, and its malfunction in neurons has been causally associated with multiple neurodegenerative disorders. Although progress has been made in understanding the functions of TDP-43 in neurons, little is known...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Esteve Codina, Anna; Arribas, Víctor; Onetti, Yara; Ramiro Pareta, Marina; Villacampa, Pilar; Beck, Heike; Alberola, Mariona; Merkel, Angelika; Sperandio, Markus; Martínez Estrada, Ofelia María; Schmid, Bettina; Montañez, Eloi
Tipo de documento: Artículo
Estado:Published version
Fecha de publicación:2024
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de la UB
OAI Identifier:oai:diposit.ub.edu:2445/212448
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2445/212448
Nivel de acceso:Acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Endoteli
Angiogènesi
Animals
Proteïnes
Endothelium
Neovascularization
Proteins
Descripción
Sumario:TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is a DNA/RNA-binding protein that regulates gene expression, and its malfunction in neurons has been causally associated with multiple neurodegenerative disorders. Although progress has been made in understanding the functions of TDP-43 in neurons, little is known about its roles in endothelial cells (ECs), angiogenesis, and vascular function. Using inducible EC-specific TDP-43-KO mice, we showed that TDP-43 is required for sprouting angiogenesis, vascular barrier integrity, and blood vessel stability. Postnatal EC-specific deletion of TDP-43 led to retinal hypovascularization due to defects in vessel sprouting associated with reduced EC proliferation and migration. In mature blood vessels, loss of TDP-43 disrupted the blood-brain barrier and triggered vascular degeneration. These vascular defects were associated with an inflammatory response in the CNS with activation of microglia and astrocytes. Mechanistically, deletion of TDP-43 disrupted the fibronectin matrix around sprouting vessels and reduced β-catenin signaling in ECs. Together, our results indicate that TDP-43 is essential for the formation of a stable and mature vasculature.