Multi-omics analysis reveals metabolic diversity underlying endothelial cell functions

Area of Science:

• Vascular Biology
• Cellular Metabolism
• Proteomics and Metabolomics

Background:

• Endothelial cells (ECs) are crucial for vascular homeostasis.
• Metabolic diversity of ECs across different vascular beds and growth states is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate metabolic differences between proliferating and quiescent ECs.
• To compare the metabolism of blood and lymphatic endothelium.

Main Methods:

• Proteomics and metabolomics analyses were employed.
• Perturbation studies were conducted to assess phenotypic responses.

Main Results:

• Quiescent ECs display reorganized, cell-specific metabolism, not dormancy.
• Decreased heme intermediates in human umbilical vein ECs and increased branched-chain amino acid catabolism in all quiescent ECs were observed.
• Inhibition of specific biosynthetic pathways elicited distinct responses in blood vs. lymphatic ECs.

Conclusions:

• Metabolic pathways are vital for sustaining both proliferating and quiescent ECs.
• Blood and lymphatic ECs utilize distinct metabolic processes to maintain their functional states.