Article
作者: Le, Natalie ; Stanley, Christopher P. ; Pinto, Alexander R. ; Kavurma, Mary M. ; Alwis, Imala ; Powell, Joseph E. ; Robinson, David A. ; Patrick, Ralph ; Aitken, Sarah J. ; McGrath, Jordan ; Patel, Sanjay ; Kelland, Elaina ; Su, Qian Peter ; Dona, Malathi I. ; Harvey, Richard P. ; Loa, Jacky ; Cholan, Pradeep Manuneedhi ; Ganss, Ruth ; Griffith, Thomas S. ; Patil, Manisha S. ; Cartland, Siân P. ; Boccanfuso, Lauren
Reversal of ischemia is mediated by neo-angiogenesis requiring endothelial cell (EC) and pericyte interactions to form stable microvascular networks. We describe an unrecognized role for tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) in potentiating neo-angiogenesis and vessel stabilization. We show that the endothelium is a major source of TRAIL in the healthy circulation compromised in peripheral artery disease (PAD). EC deletion of TRAIL in vivo or in vitro inhibited neo-angiogenesis, pericyte recruitment, and vessel stabilization, resulting in reduced lower-limb blood perfusion with ischemia. Activation of the TRAIL receptor (TRAIL-R) restored blood perfusion and stable blood vessel networks in mice. Proof-of-concept studies showed that Conatumumab, an agonistic TRAIL-R2 antibody, promoted vascular sprouts from explanted patient arteries. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor in mediating EC-pericyte communications dependent on TRAIL. These studies highlight unique TRAIL-dependent mechanisms mediating neo-angiogenesis and vessel stabilization and the potential of repurposing TRAIL-R2 agonists to stimulate stable and functional microvessel networks to treat ischemia in PAD.