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Sex-Specific Angiogenic Responses in Endothelial Cells – Role of the Pluripotency Factor OCT4

ABSTRACT: The study investigates the sex-specific effects of the pluripotency factor OCT4 deficiency in endothelial cells (ECs) on angiogenesis. OCT4 is known for its role in embryonic stem cells, but we recently found that it plays a protective role in ECs during atherosclerosis. Herein, we utilized cultured mouse aortic ECs (MAECs) and several in vivo models, including skin wounding, melanoma tumor implantation, and hindlimb ischemia, to explore the role of OCT4 in angiogenesis in both male and female mice. Our findings show significant sexual dimorphism in angiogenic responses to OCT4 deficiency. Male mice with endothelial Oct4 knockout had faster skin wound healing, increased vascularization, and quicker blood flow recovery after hindlimb ischemia than wild-type mice. In contrast, female mice with endothelial Oct4 knockout experienced delayed wound healing, no significant change in blood flow recovery after hindlimb ischemia, and increased tumor growth. Mechanistically, MCP1, a key angiogenic chemokine, was differentially regulated in male and female Oct4 knockout compared to wild-type MAECs, suggesting OCT4-dependent regulation of MCP1 as a critical mechanism for sex differences in angiogenic responses. RNA sequencing (RNAseq) analysis revealed distinct gene expression profiles in male and female MAECs upon OCT4 deficiency, with female ECs showing upregulation of pro-inflammatory genes and male ECs exhibiting increased cell cycle and angiogenesis-related gene expression. Overall, the research provides novel insights into the sex-specific functional role of OCT4 in ECs during angiogenesis and emphasizes the need for developing sex-specific EC-targeting therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

PROVIDER: GSE309987 | GEO | 2025/11/19

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Background: Biological-sex differences play a vital role in cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis. The endothelium is a critical contributor to cardiovascular pathologies since endothelial cells (EC) regulate vascular tone, redox balance, and inflammatory reactions. Although EC activation and dysfunction play an essential role in the early and late stages of atherosclerosis development, little is known about sex-dependent differences in EC. Methods: We used aortic EC that was isolated from 13-week-old female and male mice as well as EC-lineage tracing (Cdh5-CreERT2 Rosa-YFP) atherosclerotic Apoe‒/‒ mice to investigate the biological sexual dimorphism of the EC functions in vitro and in vivo. RNA sequencing (RNAseq) analyses were performed on male and female mouse aortic EC and human lung EC. Results: In vitro, female mouse aortic EC (F_MAEC) showed more apoptosis and higher cellular ROS levels, lower mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), and lower levels of mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) than male aortic EC (M_MAEC). Additionally, F_MAEC had decreased angiogenic potential (tube formation, cell viability, and proliferation) compared to M_MAEC. In vivo, female mice had significantly higher lipid accumulation within the aortas, less efficient outward vessel remodeling, and lower endothelial-mediated vasorelaxation than males. Using the EC-lineage tracing approach, we found that female lesions had significantly lower rates of intraplaque neovascularization and Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal (EndoMT) transition within advanced atherosclerotic lesions but higher incidents of missing EC lumen coverage and higher levels of oxidative products and apoptosis. RNAseq analyses revealed that both mouse and human female EC had higher expression of genes associated with inflammation and apoptosis and lower expression of genes related to angiogenesis and oxidative phosphorylation than male EC. Conclusions: Our study delineates critical sex-specific differences in EC relevant to pro-inflammatory, pro-oxidant, and angiogenic characteristics, which are entirely consistent with a vulnerable phenotype in females. Our results provide a biologic basis for sex-specific pro-atherosclerotic mechanisms.

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Sex-Specific Angiogenic Responses in Endothelial Cells – Role of the Pluripotency Factor OCT4

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