Tie2 Receptor Phosphorylation Research Articles

The VE-PTP Inhibitor AKB-9778 Improves Antitumor Activity and Diminishes the Toxicity of Interleukin 2 (IL-2) Administration.

Administration of interleukin (IL)-2 has led to a durable response in patients with advanced renal cancer and melanoma but is restricted for clinical application because of adverse effects, including the vascular leak syndrome (VLS). VLS is associated with increased circulating levels of the Tie2 antagonist ligand, angiopoietin 2, and decreased Tie2 receptor phosphorylation and downstream signaling in endothelial cells (ECs). Given that vascular endothelial protein tyrosine phosphatase (VE-PTP) is a specific membrane phosphatase in ECs that dephosphorylates Tie2, the effects of targeting VE-PTP by a selective inhibitor AKB-9778 (AKB) in terms of VLS and antitumor efficacy were examined in this study. The authors found, by targeting VE-PTP, that the antitumor effects induced by IL-2 were augmented [tumor-free 44% (IL-2 alone) vs. 87.5% (IL-2+AKB)], associated with enhanced immune cell infiltrate (90% increase for CD8 T cells and natural killer cells). In addition, the side effects of IL-2 therapy were lessened, as demonstrated by diminished lung weight (less vascular leakage) as well as reduced cytokine levels (serum HMGB1 from 137.04±2.69 to 43.86±3.65 pg/mL; interferon-γ from 590.52±90.52 to 31.37±1.14 pg/mL). The authors further sought to determine the potential mechanism of the action of AKB-9778. The findings suggest that AKB-9778 may function through reducing serum angiopoietin 2 level and regulating EC viability. These findings provide insights into the targeting VE-PTP to improve tolerance and efficacy of IL-2 therapy and highlight the clinical potential of AKB-9778 for treating patients with VLS and cancer.

Fibulin-7 is overexpressed in glioblastomas and modulates glioblastoma neovascularization through interaction with angiopoietin-1.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is pathologically characterized by highly malignant neoplastic cells, focal necrosis and aberrant blood vessels composed of disorganized endothelial cells and pericytes. The recent cancer microarray database revealed upregulation of fibulin-7 (Fbln7), a member of the fibulin family, but provided no information on the tissue localization or biological function. In the present study, we demonstrated that Fbln7 is markedly overexpressed by the GBM tissue among astrocytic tumors, and immunolocalized mainly to endothelial cells and pericytes of the glomeruloid and hypertrophied microvessels. The production of Fbln7 by endothelial cells and pericytes was confirmed in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and human brain vascular pericytes (HBVP) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) stimulated the Fbln7 expression in HUVEC. Fbln7 bound to angiopoietin-1, but not angiopoietin-2 or Tie2 receptor, through interaction between the N-terminal portions of Fbln7 and angiopoietin-1, and it blocked phosphorylation of Tie2 receptor in HUVEC. In a coculture assay using HUVEC and HBVP, multilayered and irregular-shaped tube-like structures of HUVEC were induced by treatment with a high concentration of VEGF. This was accompanied by Fbln7 overproduction by HUVEC and angiopoietin-1 expression by HBVP. The production of aberrant VEGF-induced tube-like structures was attenuated by treatment with antibody or synthetic peptides specific to the Fbln7 N-terminal domain or knockdown of Fbln7. These data demonstrate that Fbln7 is overexpressed by endothelial cells and pericytes of the abnormal microvessels in GBM, and suggest that Fbln7 may contribute to the aberrant vessel formation by modulation of the angiopoietin-1/angiopoietin-2-Tie2 axis.

The decrease of Tie-2 receptor phosphorylation in microvascular endothelial cells is involved in early brain injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage

PurposeLoose endothelial cells and the destruction of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) are one of the pathophysiological mechanisms of early brain injury (EBI) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Tie-2 receptor phosphorylation is important for maintaining integrity of microvascular endothelial cells and BBB. This study aimed to explore the role and changes of Tie-2 receptor phosphorylation levels in EBI after SAH. MethodsThis study used an endovascular puncture model of rat to simulate the occurrence and development of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. The location of Tie-2 receptor in brain tissues was determined by immunofluorescence. Immunofluorescence and western blot was carried out to observe the expression of Claudin-5 and Occludin in cortex and hippocampus. We chose to observe the Tie-2 receptor phosphorylation level in hippocampus according western blot. Evans blue viability assay was used to evaluate BBB permeability. ResultsThe results suggested that Tie-2 receptor mainly expressed around the vascular endothelial cells in brain. Following SAH, the Tie-2 receptor phosphorylation level and expression of tight junction protein (claudin-5 and occluding) decreased. Both of these downtrends were reversed by exogenous Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1). Finally, injection of exogenous Ang-1 reduced SAH-associated BBB leakage. ConclusionsOur study indicated that Tie-2 receptor phosphorylation in microvascular endothelial cells was involved in pathophysiological process after SAH, and the decline of Tie-2 receptor phosphorylation might increase blood–brain barrier permeability by decreasing the tight junction protein expression.

Involvement of Angiopoietin-2 and Tie2 Receptor Phosphorylation in STEC-HUS Mediated by Escherichia coli O104:H4.

Escherichia coli O104:H4-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is characterized by Shiga toxin-induced vascular damage. As indicated by recent studies, dysregulation of the angiopoietin (Angpt)/Tie2 ligand receptor system may be crucial for endothelial dysfunction in HUS. Early Angpt-2 levels quantified in 48 adult HUS patients were predictive for a complicated clinical course, in particular for need of hemodialysis and mechanical ventilation as well as occurrence of seizures. In vitro challenge of human umbilical vein endothelial cells with patients' sera indicated an injurious mediator role of Angpt-2 opening future perspectives for mitigating endothelial activation in HUS.

Suppression of uPA and uPAR Attenuates Angiogenin Mediated Angiogenesis in Endothelial and Glioblastoma Cell Lines

BackgroundIn our earlier reports, we showed that downregulation of uPA and uPAR inhibited glioma tumor angiogenesis in SNB19 cells, and intraperitoneal injection of a hairpin shRNA expressing plasmid targeting uPA and uPAR inhibited angiogenesis in nude mice. The exact mechanism by which inhibition of angiogenesis takes place is not clearly understood.Methodology/Principal FindingsIn the present study, we have attempted to investigate the mechanism by which uPA/uPAR downregulation by shRNA inhibits angiogenesis in endothelial and glioblastoma cell lines. uPA/uPAR downregulation by shRNA in U87 MG and U87 SPARC co-cultures with endothelial cells inhibited angiogenesis as assessed by in vitro angiogenesis assay and in vivo dorsal skin-fold chamber model in nude mice. Protein antibody array analysis of co-cultures of U87 and U87 SPARC cells with endothelial cells treated with pU2 (shRNA against uPA and uPAR) showed decreased angiogenin secretion and angiopoietin-1 as well as several other pro-angiogenic molecules. Therefore, we investigated the role of angiogenin and found that nuclear translocation, ribonucleolytic and 45S rRNA synthesis, which are all critical for angiogenic function of angiogenin, were significantly inhibited in endothelial cells transfected with uPA, uPAR and uPA/uPAR when compared with controls. Moreover, uPA and uPAR downregulation significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of Tie-2 receptor and also down regulated FKHR activation in the nucleus of endothelial cells via the GRB2/AKT/BAD pathway. Treatment of endothelial cells with ruPA increased angiogenin secretion and angiogenin expression as determined by ELISA and western blotting in a dose-dependent manner. The amino terminal fragment of uPA down regulated ruPA-induced angiogenin in endothelial cells, thereby suggesting that uPA plays a critical role in positively regulating angiogenin in glioblastoma cells.Conclusions/SignificanceTaken together, our results suggest that uPA/uPAR downregulation suppresses angiogenesis in endothelial cells induced by glioblastoma cell lines partially by downregulation of angiogenin and by inhibition of the angiopoietin-1/AKT/FKHR pathway.

Abstract 2389: uPA and uPAR siRNA inhibits angiogenesis by blocking nuclear localization of angiogenin and angiopoietin1 signaling in glioblastoma cell lines

Abstract Transcriptional inactivation of uPA and uPAR system in the glioblastoma cell line SNB19 inhibited angiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo. To decipher this mechanism and extend our studies to other glioblastoma cell lines, U87MG and U87 SPARC-overexpressing cell lines were subjected to uPA, uPAR and U2 (bicistronic construct against uPA and uPAR) downregulation by siRNA. In the present study, the bicistronic construct against uPA and uPAR caused significant inhibition of angiogenesis by in vitro angiogenesis assay and in vivo dorsal skin fold chamber models in both cell lines. Increased apoptosis was seen in siRNA downregulated gliomablastoma cells when compared with control cells by FACS analysis. MTT assay revealed significant inhibition of proliferation by U2 siRNA treatment in both cell lines. Transfection with siRNA against uPA and uPAR in co-cultures of glioma cells with endothelial cells showed significant inhibition of angiopoeitin1, IL-6, GRO and GM-CSF while SPARC-overexpressing U87 cells had decreased secretion of angiogenin, GRO, MCP-1, PDGFBB, VEGF and angiopoietin1 by protein array analysis. Bicistronic construct showed decreased levels of angiogenin by ELISA and Western blot in endothelial cells and in cocultures with cancer cells. Transcriptional inactivation of uPA and uPAR showed significant downregulation of angiogenin-induced phosphorylation of ERK, JNK and Akt signaling in endothelial cells. Nuclear translocation of angiogenin in semi-confluent human umbilical vein endothelial cells treated with conditioned medium from siRNA-transfected U87 SPARC-overexpressing cells was inhibited as shown by Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses. Conditioned medium from U87MG and U87 SPARC-overexpressing cells transfected with uPA, uPAR and U2 siRNA plasmids significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of Tie2 receptor in endothelial cells. uPA and uPAR downregulation significantly downregulated MMP-2 levels by gelatin zymography in co-cultures and in single cultures of cancer cells. Matrix metalloproteinase array analysis showed significant inhibition of MMP-3 in co-cultures of U2-transfected SPARC-overexpressing glioma cells. Overall, our results suggest that the simultaneous downregulation of uPA and uPAR inhibits angiogenesis by inhibition of nuclear localization of angiogenin, angiopoeitin 1 signaling and MMP-2 downregulation in endothelial cells. In summary, these results identify novel mechanisms by which the bicistronic construct against uPA and uPAR inhibits angiogenesis, thereby suggesting the potential use of U2 as an anti-angiogenic agent against glioblastoma. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2389.

Angiopoietin/Tie2 Signaling Transforms Capillaries into Venules Primed for Leukocyte Trafficking in Airway Inflammation

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key angiogenic factor in tumors, but less is known about what drives vascular remodeling in inflammation, where plasma leakage and leukocyte influx are prominent features. In chronic airway inflammation in mice infected by the bacterium Mycoplasma pulmonis (M. pulmonis), the segment of the microvasculature that supports leukocyte adhesion and migration expands through remodeling of capillaries into vessels with features of venules. Here, we report that the angiopoietin/Tie2 pathway is an essential driving force for capillary remodeling into venules in M. pulmonis-infected mouse airways. Similar to M. pulmonis infection, systemic overexpression of angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) resulted in remodeling of airway capillaries into venular-like vessels that expressed venous markers like P-selectin, ICAM-1, and EphB4 and were sites of leukocyte adhesion during lipopolysaccharide-induced acute inflammation. Ang1 and Ang2 protein increased in M. pulmonis-infected mouse airways but came from different cellular sources: Ang1 was expressed in infiltrating neutrophils and Ang2 in endothelial cells. Indeed, systemic administration of soluble Tie2 inhibited capillary remodeling, induction of venous markers, and leukocyte influx in M. pulmonis-infected mouse airways. Together, these findings suggest that blockade of the Ang/Tie2 pathway may represent a therapeutic approach in airway inflammation.

High glucose and elevated fatty acids suppress signaling by the endothelium protective ligand angiopoietin-1

Pre-diabetes is characterized by hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia; it is associated with increased cardiovascular disease and endothelial dysfunction. Angiopoietin-1 (Ang1), a ligand for endothelial receptor, is a potent vascular protective factor important in maintaining normal endothelial function. The aim of the study was to examine the influence of elevated glucose and fatty acid concentrations on angiopoietin signaling in human cardiac microvascular endothelial cells. Incubation with 30 mM glucose caused 50% suppression in the ability of Ang1 to activate Tie2-receptor phosphorylation without any decrease in Tie2 expression or increased internalization in microvascular endothelial cells. Examination of downstream signaling revealed inhibition of Ang1-dependent Akt phosphorylation. By contrast, Ang1 activation of Erk1/2 signaling was not affected by hyperglycemia. Similar suppression of Ang1-dependent activation of Akt by hyperglycemia was observed in large vessel human endothelial cells. Incubation of microvascular endothelial cells with 200 μM palmitic acid significantly inhibited Ang1-dependent Akt phosphorylation without affecting phosphorylation of the Tie-2 receptor or of ERK1/2. Therefore, contrary to hyperglycemia, palmitate acted exclusively downstream of the receptor. The present findings suggest a mechanism by which increased glucose or fatty acids may suppress vascular protection by Ang1 and predispose to endothelial dysfunction and vascular disease.

A Human Monoclonal Anti-ANG2 Antibody Leads to Broad Antitumor Activity in Combination with VEGF Inhibitors and Chemotherapy Agents in Preclinical Models

Localized angiopoietin-2 (Ang2) expression has been shown to function as a key regulator of blood vessel remodeling and tumor angiogenesis, making it an attractive candidate for antiangiogenic therapy. A fully human monoclonal antibody (3.19.3) was developed, which may have significant pharmaceutical advantages over synthetic peptide-based approaches in terms of reduced immunogenicity and increased half-life to block Ang2 function. The 3.19.3 antibody potently binds Ang2 with an equilibrium dissociation constant of 86 pmol/L, leading to inhibition of Tie2 receptor phosphorylation in cell-based assays. In preclinical models, 3.19.3 treatment blocked blood vessel formation in Matrigel plug assays and in human tumor xenografts. In vivo studies with 3.19.3 consistently showed broad antitumor activity as a single agent across a panel of diverse subcutaneous and orthotopic xenograft models. Combination studies of 3.19.3 with cytotoxic drugs or anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents showed significant improvements in antitumor activity over single-agent treatments alone with no apparent evidence of increased toxicity. Initial pharmacokinetic profiling studies in mice and nonhuman primates suggested that 3.19.3 has a predicted human half-life of 10 to 14 days. These studies provide preclinical data for 3.19.3 as a potential new antiangiogenic therapy as a single agent or in combination with chemotherapy or vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors for the treatment of cancer.

The angiopoietin‐2 gene of endothelial cells is up‐regulated in hypoxia by a HIF binding site located in its first intron and by the central factors GATA‐2 and Ets‐1

Angiopoietins are ligands of the endothelial cell tyrosine kinase receptor Tie2. Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) is widely expressed in human normal adult tissues and promotes blood vessel maturation and stabilization by inducing Tie2 receptor phosphorylation. In contrast, the antagonistic ligand Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) is up-regulated by hypoxia, expressed only at sites of vascular remodeling and plays a crucial role in destabilizing vessels for normal or pathological angiogenesis. Ang-2 expression is tightly regulated at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. To characterize the regulatory sequences of the human Ang-2 gene we cloned a fragment of around 8.5 kb upstream of the Ang-2 coding sequence and analyzed the luciferase reporter activity of constructs of various lengths in endothelial and non-endothelial cells. We isolated a minimal promoter sequence sufficient to promote significant Ang-2 non-cell type specific transcription. Moreover, we identified sequences conferring endothelial specificity. Indeed, sequence analysis of the fragment revealed the presence of several potential binding sites for specific endothelial regulatory factors like GATA or Ets. Using GATA-2 and Ets-1 co-transfection and overexpression assay, we showed that these two factors are able to induce Ang-2 promoter activation. We also show that hypoxic regulation of Ang-2 is HIF-dependent and demonstrate that HIF-1alpha binds in human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC) to an evolutionary conserved Hypoxia-Responsive Element (HRE) located in the first intron of the Ang-2 gene. In conclusion, our study provides new elements in favor of HIF involvement in Ang-2 hypoxic regulation and identifies Ets-1 and particularly GATA-2 as central factors in endothelial specific Ang-2 expression.

Angiopoietin-1 protects mesenchymal stem cells against serum deprivation and hypoxia-induced apoptosis through the PI3KAkt pathway1

The angiopoietin-1 (Ang1)/Tie-2 signaling system not only plays a pivotal role in vessel growth, remodeling, and maturation, but also reduces apoptosis of endothelial cells, neurons, and cardiomyocytes. However, relatively little is known as to whether Ang1 has a protective effect on mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of Ang1/Tie-2 signaling on MSC against serum deprivation and hypoxia-induced apoptosis, and to determine the possible mechanisms. Hoechst 33342 and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated digoxigenin-dUTP nick-end labeling staining were used to assess the apoptosis of MSC. The expression of Tie-2, Akt, Bcl-2, Bax, and cleaved caspase-9 and -3 was detected by Western blot analysis. This study showed that MSC expressed Tie-2 receptor, and Ang1 induced Tie-2 receptor phosphorylation. The protective effect of Ang1 on MSC was dose-dependent and peaked at 50 microg/L; however, the soluble Tie-2/Fc fusion protein, which acts as an inhibitor by sequestering Ang1, abrogated the anti-apoptotic effect. Ang1 induced Akt phosphorylation, increased the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, and decreased the activation of caspase-9 and -3. All these effects were attenuated by Tie-2/Fc and a phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, wortmannin. These results demonstrate that Ang1 can protect MSC against serum deprivation and hypoxia-induced apoptosis; Ang1/Tie-2 signaling and its downstream PI3K/Akt messenger pathway are crucial in the processes leading to MSC survival.

Inhibition of In Vivo Tumor Angiogenesis and Growth Via Systemic Delivery of an Angiopoietin 2-Specific RNA Aptamer

Cellular events mediated by the Tie2 receptor are important to tumor neovascularization. Despite the complex interplay of the best-characterized Tie2 ligands, angiopoietins 1 and 2, Ang2 is purportedly "proangiogenic" in the presence of vascular endothelial growth factor. We examined whether in vivo administration of an RNA aptamer that specifically blocks Ang 2 would inhibit tumor angiogenesis and growth. Ang2-mediated Tie2 receptor phosphorylation was assessed in vitro in the absence and presence of aptamer coupled to polyethylene glycol. IN VIVO ANGIOGENESIS ASSAY: CT26 murine colon carcinoma cells expressing green fluorescent protein were delivered into mouse dorsal skinfold window chambers. Animals received daily intraperitoneal injections of phosphate-buffered saline, low-dose (Ang2 aptamer-LD; 1 mg/kg/d), or high-dose aptamer (Ang2 aptamer-HD; 10 mg/kg/d). Vascular length density was measured under fluorescence microscopy. PRIMARY TUMOR GROWTH: CT26 cells expressing luciferase were injected into flanks of BALB/c mice to allow tumor growth monitoring by bioluminescence imaging. Animals received continuous phosphate-buffered saline or aptamer (1 mg/kg/d) via ALZET pumps. Tumors were assessed for CD31/PECAM-1 immunostaining and Hoechst dye uptake. Pegylated aptamer inhibited Tie2 phosphorylation. Systemic aptamer administration reduced vascular length density (P < or = 0.03) and decreased bioluminescence emission (P < 0.04), corresponding to 50% decrease in tumor volume (P = 0.04). Control tumors displayed abundant vascular marker staining, in contrast to tumors from aptamer-treated animals. in vivo administration of a clinically relevant, pegylated RNA aptamer specifically designed against Ang2 inhibited tumor angiogenesis and growth. These findings support targeted Ang2 inhibition as a relevant anti-angiogenic, anti-neoplastic strategy.

Enhancement of new vessel formation by Angiopoietin-2/Tie2 signaling in endothelial progenitor cells: A new hope for future therapy?

See article by Kim et al. [6] (pages 394−402) in this issue. The Tie2/angiopoietin pathway is crucial for angiogenesis, blood vessel maturation, and vascular endothelial integrity. The ligands for Tie2 are the angiopoietins, of which angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) and Ang2 have been the most studied. Suppression of plasma leakage, inhibition of vascular inflammation, and prevention of endothelial death are the three widely accepted vascular protective functions for Ang1 [1], the first ligand identified for the Tie2 receptor. However, the role of Ang2, a relative of Ang1 identified by homology screening, remains less clear, because Ang2 exhibits context-dependent behavior. Ang2 can inhibit or stimulate Tie2 receptor phosphorylation under different experimental conditions [2]. Ang2 in vivo acts as a Tie2 antagonist on vascular endothelial cells (ECs), whereas it acts as a Tie2 agonist on lymphatic vessels [3]. Recently, increased Ang2 expression was demonstrated in myocardial ischemia and infarction [4,5], indicating the role of Ang2 in the angiogenic response to tissue ischemia. In this issue of Cardiovascular Research , Kim et al. [6] report a proangiogenic activity of Ang2 in endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) directly through the Tie2 signaling pathway. Ang2 increased tube formation, migration, and cell survival of EPCs derived from human umbilical cord … *Division of Cardiology, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. Tel.: +886 2 2833 2211; fax: +886 2 2836 5775. Email address: shyukg{at}ms12.hinet.net

Biological action of angiopoietin-2 in a fibrin matrix model of angiogenesis is associated with activation of Tie2.

The endothelial cell (EC) specific tyrosine kinase receptor, Tie2, interacts with at least two ligands, angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang2). Ang1 stimulates Tie2 receptor autophosphorylation, while Ang2 has been reported to inhibit Ang1-induced Tie2 receptor autophosphorylation. We studied the effects of Ang1 and Ang2 in an in vitro model of angiogenesis. Human ECs (HUVEC), cultured on 3-D fibrin matrices, were treated with conditioned media (CM) from stably transfected cells expressing human Ang1 or Ang2, or with purified recombinant proteins. EC tube formation was measured as a differentiation index (DI), calculated as the ratio of total tube length over residual of EC monolayer. CM from Ang1 overexpressing A10 SMC or HEK293T cells induced profound HUVEC differentiation, resulting in the formation of extensive capillary-like tubes within 48 h (DI: 24.58+/-5.91 and 19.13+/-7.86, respectively) vs. control (DI: 2.73+/-1.68 and 2.15+/-1.45, respectively, both P<0.001). Interestingly, CM from two independent cell lines overexpressing Ang2 also produced a significant increase in EC differentiation (DI: 9.22+/-3.00 and 9.72+/-4.84, both P<0.005 vs. control) although the degree of angiogenesis was significantly less then that seen with Ang1. Addition of Ang1* (a genetically engineered variant of naturally occurring Ang1) or Ang2 also resulted in dose dependent increases in DI, which were blocked by an excess of soluble Tie2 receptor (20 microg/ml). Both Ang1* and Ang2 induced modest increases in [3H]thymidine incorporation into HUVECs (20 and 26%, respectively), which were inhibited by excess soluble Tie2. Although Ang2 was unable to induce significant Tie2 receptor phosphorylation during a 5-min exposure, a 24-h pretreatment with Ang2, followed by brief re-exposure, produced Tie2 phosphorylation in HUVEC comparable to that produced by Ang1*. These results demonstrate for the first time that Ang2 may have a direct role in stimulating Tie2 receptor signaling and inducing in vitro angiogenesis. Our findings suggest that the physiological role of Ang2 is more complex than previously recognized: acting alternately to promote or blunt Tie2 receptor signaling in endothelial cells, depending on local conditions.