Endothelial dysfunction in NR2F2-silenced cells - EA.hy926 cells model

Orphan nuclear receptor chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor 2 (COUPTF2; NR2F2) is highly expressed in endothelial cells (ECs) and Nr2f2 knockout produces lethal cardiovascular defects. In humans, NR2F2 mutations result in both congenital heart disease and diaphragmatic hernia, conditions associated with the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, COUPTF2 functions in mature endothelium are uncertain. NR2F2 knockdown in primary human endothelial cells (ECs) led to an interferon-biased inflammatory response, endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition, proliferation, hypermigration, apoptosis-resistance and mitochondrial dysfunction. These phenotypic changes were associated with AKT activation and increased Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) expression, a Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitor. DKK1 was also elevated in patients with PAH and secreted in response to loss of bone morphogenetic receptor type 2 (BMPR2), the archetypal PAH-associated genetic defect. Together, these findings demonstrate that endothelial NR2F2 suppresses inflammation and proliferation. Thus, NR2F2 loss disrupts EC homeostasis and may promote pathologic vascular remodeling in the development of PAH. Cells were culture and divided in 4 sets. Independent experiments with 2 condition were performed on each set (control SiRNA vs siRNA against NR2F2). After tRNA collection all samples were process as a batch