Epac1 inhibition ameliorates pathological angiogenesis through coordinated activation of Notch and suppression of VEGF signaling

Hua Liu, Fang C. Mei, Wenli Yang, Hui Wang, Eitan Wong, Jingjing Cai, Emma Toth, Pei Luo, Yue Ming Li, Wenbo Zhang, Xiaodong Cheng

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the roles of Epac1 in pathological angiogenesis and its potential as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of vasoproliferative diseases. Genetic deletion of Epac1 ameliorated pathological angiogenesis in mouse models of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) and carotid artery ligation. Moreover, genetic deletion or pharmacological inhibition of Epac1 suppressed microvessel sprouting from ex vivo aortic ring explants. Mechanistic studies revealed that Epac1 acted as a previously unidentified inhibitor of the γ-secretase/ Notch signaling pathway via interacting with γ-secretase and regulating its intracellular trafficking while enhancing vascular endothelial growth factor signaling to promote pathological angiogenesis. Pharmacological administration of an Epac-specific inhibitor suppressed OIR-induced neovascularization in wild-type mice, recapitulating the phenotype of genetic Epac1 knockout. Our results demonstrate that Epac1 signaling is critical for the progression of pathological angiogenesis but not for physiological angiogenesis and that the newly developed Epac-specific inhibitors are effective in combating proliferative retinopathy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbereaay3566
JournalScience Advances
Volume6
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2020

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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