1
|
Qian Y, Xiong S, Li L, Sun Z, Zhang L, Yuan W, Cai H, Feng G, Wang X, Yao H, Gao Y, Guo L, Wang Z. Spatial multiomics atlas reveals smooth muscle phenotypic transformation and metabolic reprogramming in diabetic macroangiopathy. Cardiovasc Diabetol 2024; 23:358. [PMID: 39395983 PMCID: PMC11471023 DOI: 10.1186/s12933-024-02458-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 09/25/2024] [Indexed: 10/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetic macroangiopathy has been the main cause of death and disability in diabetic patients. The mechanisms underlying smooth muscle cell transformation and metabolic reprogramming other than abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism remain to be further explored. METHOD Single-cell transcriptome, spatial transcriptome and spatial metabolome sequencing were performed on anterior tibial artery from 11 diabetic patients with amputation. Multi-omics integration, cell communication analysis, time series analysis, network analysis, enrichment analysis, and gene expression analysis were performed to elucidate the potential molecular features. RESULT We constructed a spatial multiomics map of diabetic blood vessels based on multiomics integration, indicating single-cell and spatial landscape of transcriptome and spatial landscape of metabolome. At the same time, the characteristics of cell composition and biological function of calcified regions were obtained by integrating spatial omics and single cell omics. On this basis, our study provides favorable evidence for the cellular fate of smooth muscle cells, which can be transformed into pro-inflammatory chemotactic smooth muscle cells, macrophage-like smooth muscle cells/foam-like smooth muscle cells, and fibroblast/chondroblast smooth muscle cells in the anterior tibial artery of diabetic patients. The smooth muscle cell phenotypic transformation is driven by transcription factors net including KDM5B, DDIT3, etc. In addition, in order to focus on metabolic reprogramming apart from abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism, we constructed a metabolic network of diabetic vascular activation, and found that HNMT and CYP27A1 participate in diabetic vascular metabolic reprogramming by combining public data. CONCLUSION This study constructs the spatial gene-metabolism map of the whole anterior tibial artery for the first time and reveals the characteristics of vascular calcification, the phenotypic transformation trend of SMCs, and the transcriptional driving network of SMCs phenotypic transformation of diabetic macrovascular disease. In the perspective of combining the transcriptome and metabolome, the study demonstrates the activated metabolic pathways in diabetic blood vessels and the key genes involved in diabetic metabolic reprogramming.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongjiang Qian
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, China
- Institue of Cardiovascular Diseases, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, China
| | - Shizheng Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Electronics and Information Displays and Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Lihua Li
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, China
| | - Zhen Sun
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, China
- Institue of Cardiovascular Diseases, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, China
| | - Lili Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, China
- Institue of Cardiovascular Diseases, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, China
| | - Wei Yuan
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, China
- Institue of Cardiovascular Diseases, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, China
| | - Honghua Cai
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, China
| | - Guoquan Feng
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, China
| | - Xiaoguang Wang
- Department of Joint Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, China
| | - Haipeng Yao
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, China
- Institue of Cardiovascular Diseases, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, China
| | - Yun Gao
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, China
| | - Li Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Organic Electronics and Information Displays and Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Zhongqun Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, China.
- Institue of Cardiovascular Diseases, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yu Y, Cai Y, Yang F, Yang Y, Cui Z, Shi D, Bai R. Vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic switching in atherosclerosis. Heliyon 2024; 10:e37727. [PMID: 39309965 PMCID: PMC11416558 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e37727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2024] [Revised: 08/25/2024] [Accepted: 09/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis (AS) is a complex pathology process involving intricate interactions among various cells and biological processes. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are the predominant cell type in normal arteries, and under atherosclerotic stimuli, VSMCs respond to altered blood flow and microenvironment changes by downregulating contractile markers and switching their phenotype. This review overviews the diverse phenotypes of VSMCs, including the canonical contractile VSMCs, synthetic VSMCs, and phenotypes resembling macrophages, foam cells, myofibroblasts, osteoblasts/chondrocytes, and mesenchymal stem cells. We summarize their presumed protective and pro-atherosclerotic roles in AS development. Additionally, we underscore the molecular mechanisms and regulatory pathways governing VSMC phenotypic switching, encompassing transcriptional regulation, biochemical factors, plaque microenvironment, epigenetics, miRNAs, and the cytoskeleton, emphasizing their significance in AS development. Finally, we outline probable future research directions targeting VSMCs, offering insights into potential therapeutic strategies for AS management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanqiao Yu
- Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100091, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Cardiology, Beijing, 100091, China
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Yajie Cai
- Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100091, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Cardiology, Beijing, 100091, China
| | - Furong Yang
- Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100091, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Cardiology, Beijing, 100091, China
| | - Yankai Yang
- Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100091, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Cardiology, Beijing, 100091, China
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Zhuorui Cui
- Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100091, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Cardiology, Beijing, 100091, China
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Dazhuo Shi
- Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100091, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Cardiology, Beijing, 100091, China
| | - Ruina Bai
- Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100091, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Cardiology, Beijing, 100091, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Xu Y, Hillman H, Chang M, Ivanov S, Williams JW. Identification of conserved and tissue-restricted transcriptional profiles for lipid associated macrophages (LAMs). BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.09.24.614807. [PMID: 39386558 PMCID: PMC11463620 DOI: 10.1101/2024.09.24.614807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/12/2024]
Abstract
Macrophages are essential immune cells present in all tissues, and are vital for maintaining tissue homeostasis, immune surveillance, and immune responses. Considerable efforts have identified shared and tissue-specific gene programs for macrophages across organs during homeostasis. This information has dramatically enhanced our understanding of tissue-restricted macrophage programming and function. However, few studies have addressed the overlapping and tissue-specific responses of macrophage subsets following inflammatory responses. One subset of macrophages that has been observed across several studies, lipid-associated macrophages (LAMs), have gained interest due to their unique role in lipid metabolism and potential as a therapeutic target. LAMs have been associated with regulating disease outcomes in metabolically related disorders including atherosclerosis, obesity, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In this study, we utilized single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) data to profile LAMs across multiple tissues and sterile inflammatory conditions in mice and humans. Integration of data from various disease models revealed that LAMs share a set of conserved transcriptional profiles, including Trem2 and Lpl , but also identified key sets of tissue-specific LAM gene programs. Importantly, the shared LAM markers were highly conserved with human LAM populations that also emerge in chronic inflammatory settings. Overall, this analysis provides a detailed transcriptional landscape of tissue-restricted and shared LAM gene programs and offers insights into their roles in metabolic and chronic inflammatory diseases. These data may help instruct appropriate targets for broad or tissue-restricted therapeutic interventions to modulate LAM populations in disease.
Collapse
|
4
|
Yu R, Wei C, Li G, Ouyang J, Liu N, Gu N, Lin Y, Xu H. Aberrant TCF21 upregulation in adenomyosis impairs endometrial decidualization by increasing PDE4C expression. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1871:167526. [PMID: 39326465 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 09/12/2024] [Accepted: 09/18/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Impaired decidualization is a major cause of infertility in patients with adenomyosis (AM). However, the effect of transcription factor 21 (TCF21) on AM and the underlying mechanism of associated-impaired decidualization remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of TCF21 in endometrial tissues of AM patients and the specific mechanisms by which it impairs the decidualization of human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs), with a view to improving the reproductive outcome of AM infertile patients. METHODS We compared gene expressions via transcriptomics between the control and AM-associated recurrent implantation failure (RIF) groups. qRT-PCR, western blot, and IHC were performed to confirm the expression and location of TCF21 in the endometrium. Furthermore, we confirmed that high expression of TCF21 impairs decidualization by qRT-PCR, immunofluorescence, and western blot. RNA-seq following overexpression of TCF21 in HESCs was conducted to identify TCF21-related molecular changes during in vitro decidualization. Then we performed ChIP-seq/qPCR and dual-luciferase reporter assay to explore the exact interaction between TCF21 and PDE4C. The related downstream mechanisms were further proved using IHC, qRT-PCR, western blot, and ELISA. RESULTS According to the RNA-seq analysis, TCF21 expression was remarkably higher in the endometrium of the AM-related RIF group compared to the control group. We confirmed the same results using samples from patients with AM and controls. TCF21 overexpression in HESCs impaired decidualization through suppression of decidual markers and cytoskeleton alterations. The mechanistic analysis revealed that TCF21 inhibited intracellular cAMP levels by directly increasing PDE4C expression and suppressing FOXO1 expression. CONCLUSIONS TCF21 compromises decidualization in patients with AM via the PDE4C/cAMP-FOXO1 axis, which offers valuable insights on the pathology of decidualization-related infertility and indicates a potential treatment to improve endometrial receptivity in AM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruoer Yu
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai 200030, China; Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Chenxuan Wei
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai 200030, China; Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Guojing Li
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai 200030, China; Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Jing Ouyang
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai 200030, China; Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Na Liu
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai 200030, China; Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Nihao Gu
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai 200030, China; Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Yu Lin
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai 200030, China; Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai 200030, China.
| | - Hong Xu
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai 200030, China; Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai 200030, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kerns S, Owen KA, Daamen A, Kain J, Grammer AC, Lipsky PE. Genetic association with autoimmune diseases identifies molecular mechanisms of coronary artery disease. iScience 2024; 27:110715. [PMID: 39262791 PMCID: PMC11387803 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune patients have a significantly increased risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD) compared to the general population. However, autoimmune patients often lack traditional risk factors for CAD and there is increasing recognition of inflammation in CAD development. In this study, we leveraged genome-wide association study (GWAS) data to understand whether there is a genetic relationship between CAD and autoimmunity. Statistical genetic comparison methods were used to identify correlated and causal SNPs between various autoimmune diseases and CAD. Pleiotropic SNPs were identified by cross-phenotype association analysis (CPASSOC) and overlap between GWAS. Causal SNPs were identified using Mendelian Randomization (MR) and Colocalization (COLOC). Using SNP-to-gene mapping, we additionally identified pleiotropic and causal genes and pathways associated between autoimmunity and CAD, which were contextualized by documentation of enrichment in individual cell types identified from coronary atherosclerotic plaques by single-cell RNA sequencing. These results provide insight into potential inflammatory therapeutic targets for CAD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Kerns
- AMPEL Biosolutions, LLC, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
- The RILITE Research Institute, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - Katherine A Owen
- AMPEL Biosolutions, LLC, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
- The RILITE Research Institute, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - Andrea Daamen
- AMPEL Biosolutions, LLC, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
- The RILITE Research Institute, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - Jessica Kain
- AMPEL Biosolutions, LLC, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
- The RILITE Research Institute, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
- Stanford University Department of Genetics, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Amrie C Grammer
- AMPEL Biosolutions, LLC, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
- The RILITE Research Institute, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - Peter E Lipsky
- AMPEL Biosolutions, LLC, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
- The RILITE Research Institute, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Bell CF, Baylis RA, Lopez NG, Ma WF, Gao H, Wang F, Bamezai S, Fu C, Kojima Y, Adkar SS, Luo L, Miller CL, Leeper NJ. BST2 induces vascular smooth muscle cell plasticity and phenotype switching during cancer progression. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.09.10.612298. [PMID: 39314286 PMCID: PMC11418980 DOI: 10.1101/2024.09.10.612298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
Background Smooth muscle cell (SMC) plasticity and phenotypic switching play prominent roles in the pathogenesis of multiple diseases, but their role in tumorigenesis is unknown. We investigated whether and how SMC diversity and plasticity plays a role in tumor angiogenesis and the tumor microenvironment. Methods and Results We use SMC-specific lineage-tracing mouse models and single cell RNA sequencing to observe the phenotypic diversity of SMCs participating in tumor vascularization. We find that a significant proportion of SMCs adopt a phenotype traditionally associated with macrophage-like cells. These cells are transcriptionally similar to 'resolution phase' M2b macrophages, which have been described to have a role in inflammation resolution. Computationally predicted by the ligand-receptor algorithm CellChat, signaling from BST2 on the surface of tumor cells to PIRA2 on SMCs promote this phenotypic transition; in vitro SMC assays demonstrate upregulation of macrophage transcriptional programs, and increased proliferation, migration, and phagocytic ability when exposed to BST2. Knockdown of BST2 in the tumor significantly decreases the transition towards a macrophage-like phenotype, and cells that do transition have a comparatively higher inflammatory signal typically associated with anti-tumor effect. Conclusion As BST2 is known to be a poor prognostic marker in multiple cancers where it is associated with an M2 macrophage-skewed TME, these studies suggest that phenotypically switched SMCs may have a previously unidentified role in this immunosuppressive milieu. Further translational work is needed to understand how this phenotypic switch could influence the response to anti-cancer agents and if targeted inhibition of SMC plasticity would be therapeutically beneficial.
Collapse
|
7
|
Zhao Q, Pedroza A, Sharma D, Gu W, Dalal A, Weldy C, Jackson W, Li DY, Ryan Y, Nguyen T, Shad R, Palmisano BT, Monteiro JP, Worssam M, Berezwitz A, Iyer M, Shi H, Kundu R, Limbu L, Kim JB, Kundaje A, Fischbein M, Wirka R, Quertermous T, Cheng P. A cell and transcriptome atlas of the human arterial vasculature. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.09.10.612293. [PMID: 39314359 PMCID: PMC11419041 DOI: 10.1101/2024.09.10.612293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
Vascular beds show different propensities for different vascular pathologies, yet mechanisms explaining these fundamental differences remain unknown. We sought to build a transcriptomic, cellular, and spatial atlas of human arterial cells across multiple different arterial segments to understand this phenomenon. We found significant cell type-specific segmental heterogeneity. Determinants of arterial identity are predominantly encoded in fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells, and their differentially expressed genes are particularly enriched for vascular disease-associated loci and genes. Adventitial fibroblast-specific heterogeneity in gene expression coincides with numerous vascular disease risk genes, suggesting a previously unrecognized role for this cell type in disease risk. Adult arterial cells from different segments cluster not by anatomical proximity but by embryonic origin, with differentially regulated genes heavily influenced by developmental master regulators. Non-coding transcriptomes across arterial cells contain extensive variation in lnc-RNAs expressed in cell type- and segment-specific patterns, rivaling heterogeneity in protein coding transcriptomes, and show enrichment for non-coding genetic signals for vascular diseases.
Collapse
|
8
|
Finer G, Khan MD, Zhou Y, Gadhvi G, Yacu GS, Park JS, Gomez RA, Sequeira-Lopez ML, Quaggin SE, Winter DR. The Transcription Factor TCF21 is necessary for adoption of cell fates by Foxd1+ stromal progenitors during kidney development. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.08.14.607910. [PMID: 39211232 PMCID: PMC11361084 DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.14.607910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Normal kidney development requires coordinated interactions between multiple progenitor cell lineages. The Foxd1+ stromal progenitors are critical for normal nephrogenesis and their heterogeneity is increasingly appreciated. However, the molecular mechanisms and trajectories that drive the differentiation of Foxd1+ cells toward the renal stroma, capsule, mesangial cells, renin cells, pericytes, and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are poorly understood. Recent work has implicated Tcf21, a mesoderm-specific bHLH transcription factor critical for embryogenesis, in the development of the kidney stroma and perivascular cells. To investigate the role of Tcf21 in Foxd1+ cells, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) on GFP+ cells from E14.5 Foxd1 Cre ;Rosa26 mTmG ;Tcf21 f/f kidneys ( Tcf21 -cKO) and Foxd1 Cre controls. Clustering of the entire dataset identified a large stromal population and a smaller representation of non-stromal lineages. Subclustering of stromal cells identified six populations associated with healthy kidney development: medullary/perivascular, proliferating, differentiating nephron, nephrogenic zone-associated, collecting duct-associated, and ureteric. Loss of Tcf21 resulted in a dramatic reduction in the medullary/perivascular, proliferating, nephrogenic zone-associated, and collecting duct-associated stromal subpopulations. Immunostaining confirmed that Tcf21 -cKO has a severe constriction of the medullary and collecting duct-associated stromal space. We identified and validated a cluster unique to Tcf21 -cKO kidneys exhibiting mosaic expression of genes from nephrogenic, proliferating, medullary, and perivascular stromal cells spanning across all pseudotime, suggesting cells halted in the midst of differentiation. These findings underscore a critical role for Tcf21 in the emergence of Foxd1+ derivatives, with loss of Tcf21 leading to a shift in stromal cell fates that results in abnormal kidney development. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The mechanisms responsible for the emergence of renal stromal heterogeneity has been unknown. Using scRNA-seq on Foxd1+ enriched cells from E14.5 kidneys, we identified seven molecularly distinct stromal populations and their regional association. The data suggest that the transcription factor Tcf21 regulates the adoption of fates by Foxd1+ cells that is required to form the normal milieu of stromal derivatives for the development of a kidney of normal size and function.
Collapse
|
9
|
Jia K, Luo X, Yi J, Zhang C. Hormonal influence: unraveling the impact of sex hormones on vascular smooth muscle cells. Biol Res 2024; 57:61. [PMID: 39227995 PMCID: PMC11373308 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-024-00542-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Sex hormones play a pivotal role as endocrine hormones that exert profound effects on the biological characteristics and vascular function of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). By modulating intracellular signaling pathways, activating nuclear receptors, and regulating gene expression, sex hormones intricately influence the morphology, function, and physiological state of VSMCs, thereby impacting the biological properties of vascular contraction, relaxation, and growth. Increasing evidence suggests that abnormal phenotypic changes in VSMCs contribute to the initiation of vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis. Therefore, understanding the factors governing phenotypic alterations in VSMCs and elucidating the underlying mechanisms can provide crucial insights for refining interventions targeted at vascular diseases. Additionally, the varying levels of different types of sex hormones in the human body, influenced by sex and age, may also affect the phenotypic conversion of VSMCs. This review aims to explore the influence of sex hormones on the phenotypic switching of VSMCs and the development of associated vascular diseases in the human body.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keran Jia
- Department of Medical Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Basic Medicine Research Innovation Center for Cardiometabolic Diseases, Ministry of Education, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, China
| | - Xin Luo
- Department of Medical Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Basic Medicine Research Innovation Center for Cardiometabolic Diseases, Ministry of Education, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, China
| | - Jingyan Yi
- Department of Medical Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Basic Medicine Research Innovation Center for Cardiometabolic Diseases, Ministry of Education, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, China.
| | - Chunxiang Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital, Basic Medicine Research Innovation Center for Cardiometabolic Diseases, Ministry of Education, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Gude MF, Hjortebjerg R, Bjerre M, Pedersen AKN, Oxvig C, Rasmussen LM, Frystyk J, Steffensen L. The pro-atherogenic enzyme PAPP-A is active in eluates from human carotid and femoral atherosclerotic plaques. ATHEROSCLEROSIS PLUS 2024; 57:30-36. [PMID: 39308741 PMCID: PMC11415872 DOI: 10.1016/j.athplu.2024.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Revised: 08/20/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
Background Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) regulates bioavailability of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) in various tissues by proteolytic cleavage of a subset of IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs). Pre-clinical studies have established a role of PAPP-A in atherosclerosis and proposed that targeting the proteolytic activity of PAPP-A has therapeutic value.This study aimed to investigate whether human atherosclerotic plaques contain proteolytically active PAPP-A, a prerequisite for further considering PAPP-A as a therapeutic target in patients. Methods We obtained carotid (n = 9) and femoral (n = 11) atherosclerotic plaques from patients undergoing vascular surgery and incubated freshly harvested plaque tissue in culture media for 24 h. Subsequently, conditioned media were assayed for PAPP-A, STC2, IGFBP4, and IGF1 using immunoassays. Enzymatic activity of PAPP-A was assessed by its ability to process recombinant IGFBP4-IGF1 complexes - a specific substrate of PAPP-A - by Western blotting. Results PAPP-A and STC2 were detectable in conditioned media from both carotid and femoral plaques, with higher STC2 concentrations in eluates from carotid plaque incubations (p = 0.02). IGFBP4 and IGF1 were undetectable. Conditioned media from all 20 plaques exhibited PAPP-A proteolytic activity. However, no correlation between PAPP-A concentration and its proteolytic activity was observed, whereas the PAPP-A: STC2 molar ratio correlated with PAPP-A activity (R2 = 0.25, p = 0.03). Conclusion This study provides evidence for the presence of enzymatically active PAPP-A in atherosclerotic plaques and underscores the need for further investigating potential beneficial effects associated with targeting PAPP-A in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mette Faurholdt Gude
- Medical/Steno Aarhus Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Rikke Hjortebjerg
- Endocrine Research Unit, Department of Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Steno Diabetes Center Odense, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Mette Bjerre
- Medical/Steno Aarhus Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Claus Oxvig
- Dept. of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Lars Melholt Rasmussen
- Centre for Individualized Medicine in Arterial Diseases (CIMA), Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Dept. of Clinical Biochemistry, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Jan Frystyk
- Endocrine Research Unit, Department of Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Lasse Steffensen
- Dept. of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Cai Z, Satyanarayana G, Song P, Zhao F, You S, Liu Z, Mu J, Ding Y, He B, Zou MH. Regulation of Ptbp1-controlled alternative splicing of pyruvate kinase muscle by Liver kinase b1 governs vascular smooth muscle cell plasticity in vivo. Cardiovasc Res 2024:cvae187. [PMID: 39189621 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvae187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) plasticity is a state in which VSMCs undergo phenotypic switching from a quiescent contractile phenotype into other functionally distinct phenotypes. Although emerging evidence suggest that VSMC plasticity plays critical roles in the development of vascular diseases, little is known about the key determinant for controlling VSMC plasticity and fate. METHODS AND RESULTS We found that smooth muscle cell-specific deletion of Lkb1 in tamoxifen-inducible Lkb1flox/flox; Myh11-Cre/ERT2 mice spontaneously and progressively induced aortic/arterial dilation, aneurysm, rupture, and premature death. Single-cell RNA sequencing and imaging-based lineage tracing showed that Lkb1-deficient VSMCs transdifferentiated gradually from early modulated VSMCs to fibroblast-like and chondrocyte-like cells, leading to ossification and blood-vessel rupture. Mechanistically, Lkb1 regulates polypyrimidine tract binding protein 1 (Ptbp1) expression and controls alternative splicing of pyruvate kinase muscle (PKM) isoforms 1 and 2. Lkb1 loss in VSMC results in an increased PKM2/PKM1 ratio and alters the metabolic profile by promoting aerobic glycolysis. Treatment with PKM2 activator TEPP-46 rescues VSMC transformation and aortic dilation in Lkb1flox/flox; Myh11-Cre/ERT2 mice. Furthermore, we found that Lkb1 expression decreased in human aortic aneurysm tissue compared to control tissue, along with changes in markers of VSMC fate. CONCLUSIONS Lkb1, via its regulation of Ptbp1-dependent alterative splicing of PKM, maintains VSMC in contractile states by suppressing VSMC plasticity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhaohua Cai
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Ganesh Satyanarayana
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303
| | - Ping Song
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303
| | - Fujie Zhao
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303
| | - Shaojin You
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Zhixue Liu
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303
| | - Jing Mu
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303
| | - Ye Ding
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303
| | - Ben He
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Ming-Hui Zou
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Shamsuzzaman S, Deaton RA, Salamon A, Doviak H, Serbulea V, Milosek VM, Evans MA, Karnewar S, Saibaba S, Alencar GF, Shankman LS, Walsh K, Bekiranov S, Kocher O, Krieger M, Kull B, Persson M, Michaëlsson E, Bergenhem N, Heydarkhan-Hagvall S, Owens GK. Novel Mouse Model of Myocardial Infarction, Plaque Rupture, and Stroke Shows Improved Survival With Myeloperoxidase Inhibition. Circulation 2024; 150:687-705. [PMID: 38881440 PMCID: PMC11347105 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.123.067931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thromboembolic events, including myocardial infarction (MI) or stroke, caused by the rupture or erosion of unstable atherosclerotic plaques are the leading cause of death worldwide. Although most mouse models of atherosclerosis develop lesions in the aorta and carotid arteries, they do not develop advanced coronary artery lesions. Moreover, they do not undergo spontaneous plaque rupture with MI and stroke or do so at such a low frequency that they are not viable experimental models to study late-stage thrombotic events or to identify novel therapeutic approaches for treating atherosclerotic disease. This has stymied the development of more effective therapeutic approaches for reducing these events beyond what has been achieved with aggressive lipid lowering. Here, we describe a diet-inducible mouse model that develops widespread advanced atherosclerosis in coronary, brachiocephalic, and carotid arteries with plaque rupture, MI, and stroke. METHODS We characterized a novel mouse model with a C-terminal mutation in the scavenger receptor class B, type 1 (SR-BI), combined with Ldlr knockout (designated SR-BI∆CT/∆CT/Ldlr-/-). Mice were fed Western diet (WD) for 26 weeks and analyzed for MI and stroke. Coronary, brachiocephalic, and carotid arteries were analyzed for atherosclerotic lesions and indices of plaque stability. To validate the utility of this model, SR-BI∆CT/∆CT/Ldlr-/- mice were treated with the drug candidate AZM198, which inhibits myeloperoxidase, an enzyme produced by activated neutrophils that predicts rupture of human atherosclerotic lesions. RESULTS SR-BI∆CT/∆CT/Ldlr-/- mice show high (>80%) mortality rates after 26 weeks of WD feeding because of major adverse cardiovascular events, including spontaneous plaque rupture with MI and stroke. Moreover, WD-fed SR-BI∆CT/∆CT/Ldlr-/- mice displayed elevated circulating high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I and increased neutrophil extracellular trap formation within lesions compared with control mice. Treatment of WD-fed SR-BI∆CT/∆CT/Ldlr-/- mice with AZM198 showed remarkable benefits, including >90% improvement in survival and >60% decrease in the incidence of plaque rupture, MI, and stroke, in conjunction with decreased circulating high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I and reduced neutrophil extracellular trap formation within lesions. CONCLUSIONS WD-fed SR-BI∆CT/∆CT/Ldlr-/- mice more closely replicate late-stage clinical events of advanced human atherosclerotic disease than previous models and can be used to identify and test potential new therapeutic agents to prevent major adverse cardiac events.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Male
- Mice
- Diet, Western/adverse effects
- Disease Models, Animal
- Enzyme Inhibitors/therapeutic use
- Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Myocardial Infarction/pathology
- Myocardial Infarction/drug therapy
- Peroxidase/metabolism
- Plaque, Atherosclerotic/drug therapy
- Receptors, LDL/genetics
- Receptors, LDL/deficiency
- Rupture, Spontaneous
- Scavenger Receptors, Class B/genetics
- Scavenger Receptors, Class B/metabolism
- Stroke/drug therapy
- Stroke/prevention & control
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sohel Shamsuzzaman
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Rebecca A. Deaton
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Anita Salamon
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Heather Doviak
- Hematovascular Biology Center, Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Vlad Serbulea
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Victoria M. Milosek
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Megan A. Evans
- Hematovascular Biology Center, Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Santosh Karnewar
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Subhi Saibaba
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Program in Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Gabriel F. Alencar
- Beirne B Carter Center for Immunology Research, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Laura S. Shankman
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Kenneth Walsh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Hematovascular Biology Center, Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Stefan Bekiranov
- Hematovascular Biology Center, Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Olivier Kocher
- Department of Pathology and Center for Vascular Biology Research, Beth Israel Medical Deaconess Medical Center Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Monty Krieger
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Bengt Kull
- BioPharmaceuticals R&D Early Cardiovascular Renal and Metabolism (CVRM) Bioscience Cardiovascular, AstraZeneca, Mölndal 43183, Sweden
| | - Marie Persson
- BioPharmaceuticals R&D Early Cardiovascular Renal and Metabolism (CVRM) DMPK, AstraZeneca, Mölndal 43183, Sweden
| | - Erik Michaëlsson
- Early Clinical Development, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal, and Metabolism, Biopharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Nils Bergenhem
- Alliance Management, Business Development & Licensing, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Waltham, MA, USA
| | - Sepideh Heydarkhan-Hagvall
- AstraZeneca R&D, Chief Medical Office, Global Patient Safety, Pepparedsleden 1, Mölndal, SE43183, Sweden
| | - Gary K. Owens
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Karabayas M, Ibrahim HE, Roelofs AJ, Reynolds G, Kidder D, De Bari C. Vascular disease persistence in giant cell arteritis: are stromal cells neglected? Ann Rheum Dis 2024; 83:1100-1109. [PMID: 38684323 PMCID: PMC11420755 DOI: 10.1136/ard-2023-225270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Giant cell arteritis (GCA), the most common systemic vasculitis, is characterised by aberrant interactions between infiltrating and resident cells of the vessel wall. Ageing and breach of tolerance are prerequisites for GCA development, resulting in dendritic and T-cell dysfunction. Inflammatory cytokines polarise T-cells, activate resident macrophages and synergistically enhance vascular inflammation, providing a loop of autoreactivity. These events originate in the adventitia, commonly regarded as the biological epicentre of the vessel wall, with additional recruitment of cells that infiltrate and migrate towards the intima. Thus, GCA-vessels exhibit infiltrates across the vascular layers, with various cytokines and growth factors amplifying the pathogenic process. These events activate ineffective repair mechanisms, where dysfunctional vascular smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts phenotypically shift along their lineage and colonise the intima. While high-dose glucocorticoids broadly suppress these inflammatory events, they cause well known deleterious effects. Despite the emerging targeted therapeutics, disease relapse remains common, affecting >50% of patients. This may reflect a discrepancy between systemic and local mediators of inflammation. Indeed, temporal arteries and aortas of GCA-patients can show immune-mediated abnormalities, despite the treatment induced clinical remission. The mechanisms of persistence of vascular disease in GCA remain elusive. Studies in other chronic inflammatory diseases point to the fibroblasts (and their lineage cells including myofibroblasts) as possible orchestrators or even effectors of disease chronicity through interactions with immune cells. Here, we critically review the contribution of immune and stromal cells to GCA pathogenesis and analyse the molecular mechanisms by which these would underpin the persistence of vascular disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maira Karabayas
- Centre for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Hafeez E Ibrahim
- Centre for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Anke J Roelofs
- Centre for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Gary Reynolds
- Centre for Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Dana Kidder
- Centre for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Cosimo De Bari
- Centre for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Wang B, Cui K, Zhu B, Dong Y, Wang D, Singh B, Wu H, Li K, Eisa-Beygi S, Sun Y, Wong S, Cowan DB, Chen Y, Du M, Chen H. Epsins oversee smooth muscle cell reprograming by influencing master regulators KLF4 and OCT4. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.08.574714. [PMID: 39131381 PMCID: PMC11312448 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.08.574714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
Smooth muscle cells in major arteries play a crucial role in regulating coronary artery disease. Conversion of smooth muscle cells into other adverse cell types in the artery propels the pathogenesis of the disease. Curtailing artery plaque buildup by modulating smooth muscle cell reprograming presents us a new opportunity to thwart coronary artery disease. Here, our report how Epsins, a family of endocytic adaptor proteins oversee the smooth muscle cell reprograming by influencing master regulators OCT4 and KLF4. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we characterized the phenotype of modulated smooth muscle cells in mouse atherosclerotic plaque and found that smooth muscle cells lacking epsins undergo profound reprogramming into not only beneficial myofibroblasts but also endothelial cells for injury repair of diseased endothelium. Our work lays concrete groundwork to explore an uncharted territory as we show that depleting Epsins bolsters smooth muscle cells reprograming to endothelial cells by augmenting OCT4 activity but restrain them from reprograming to harmful foam cells by destabilizing KLF4, a master regulator of adverse reprograming of smooth muscle cells. Moreover, the expression of Epsins in smooth muscle cells positively correlates with the severity of both human and mouse coronary artery disease. Integrating our scRNA-seq data with human Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) identifies pivotal roles Epsins play in smooth muscle cells in the pathological process leading to coronary artery disease. Our findings reveal a previously unexplored direction for smooth muscle cell phenotypic modulation in the development and progression of coronary artery disease and unveil Epsins and their downstream new targets as promising novel therapeutic targets for mitigating metabolic disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beibei Wang
- Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children's Hospital and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Kui Cui
- Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children's Hospital and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Bo Zhu
- Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children's Hospital and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Yunzhou Dong
- Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children's Hospital and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Donghai Wang
- Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children's Hospital and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Bandana Singh
- Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children's Hospital and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Hao Wu
- Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children's Hospital and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Kathryn Li
- Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children's Hospital and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Shahram Eisa-Beygi
- Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children's Hospital and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Yong Sun
- Department of Pathology, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Scott Wong
- Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children's Hospital and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Douglas B Cowan
- Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children's Hospital and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Yabing Chen
- Department of Pathology, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Mulong Du
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 655 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Hong Chen
- Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children's Hospital and Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Younesi FS, Hinz B. The Myofibroblast Fate of Therapeutic Mesenchymal Stromal Cells: Regeneration, Repair, or Despair? Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8712. [PMID: 39201399 PMCID: PMC11354465 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25168712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) can be isolated from various tissues of healthy or patient donors to be retransplanted in cell therapies. Because the number of MSCs obtained from biopsies is typically too low for direct clinical application, MSC expansion in cell culture is required. However, ex vivo amplification often reduces the desired MSC regenerative potential and enhances undesired traits, such as activation into fibrogenic myofibroblasts. Transiently activated myofibroblasts restore tissue integrity after organ injury by producing and contracting extracellular matrix into scar tissue. In contrast, persistent myofibroblasts cause excessive scarring-called fibrosis-that destroys organ function. In this review, we focus on the relevance and molecular mechanisms of myofibroblast activation upon contact with stiff cell culture plastic or recipient scar tissue, such as hypertrophic scars of large skin burns. We discuss cell mechanoperception mechanisms such as integrins and stretch-activated channels, mechanotransduction through the contractile actin cytoskeleton, and conversion of mechanical signals into transcriptional programs via mechanosensitive co-transcription factors, such as YAP, TAZ, and MRTF. We further elaborate how prolonged mechanical stress can create persistent myofibroblast memory by direct mechanotransduction to the nucleus that can evoke lasting epigenetic modifications at the DNA level, such as histone methylation and acetylation. We conclude by projecting how cell culture mechanics can be modulated to generate MSCs, which epigenetically protected against myofibroblast activation and transport desired regeneration potential to the recipient tissue environment in clinical therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fereshteh Sadat Younesi
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1G6, Canada;
- Keenan Research Institute for Biomedical Science, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Boris Hinz
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1G6, Canada;
- Keenan Research Institute for Biomedical Science, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Schäfer S, Gogiraju R, Rösch M, Kerstan Y, Beck L, Garbisch J, Saliba AE, Gisterå A, Hermanns HM, Boon L, Kastenmüller W, Schäfer K, Cochain C, Zernecke A. CD8 + T Cells Drive Plaque Smooth Muscle Cell Dedifferentiation in Experimental Atherosclerosis. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2024; 44:1852-1872. [PMID: 38868941 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.320084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atherosclerosis is driven by the infiltration of the arterial intima by diverse immune cells and smooth muscle cells (SMCs). CD8+ T cells promote lesion growth during atherosclerotic lesion development, but their role in advanced atherosclerosis is less clear. Here, we studied the role of CD8+ T cells and their effects on SMCs in established atherosclerosis. METHODS CD8+ T cells were depleted in (SMC reporter) low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient (Ldlr-/-) mice with established atherosclerotic lesions. Atherosclerotic lesion formation was examined, and single-cell RNA sequencing of aortic SMCs and their progeny was performed. Additionally, coculture experiments with primary aortic SMCs and CD8+ T cells were conducted. RESULTS Although we could not detect differences in atherosclerotic lesion size, an increased plaque SMC content was noted in mice after CD8+ T-cell depletion. Single-cell RNA sequencing of aortic lineage-traced SMCs revealed contractile SMCs and a modulated SMC cluster, expressing macrophage- and osteoblast-related genes. CD8+ T-cell depletion was associated with an increased contractile but decreased macrophage and osteoblast-like gene signature in this modulated aortic SMC cluster. Conversely, exposure of isolated aortic SMCs to activated CD8+ T cells decreased the expression of genes indicative of a contractile SMC phenotype and induced a macrophage and osteoblast-like cell state. Notably, CD8+ T cells triggered calcium deposits in SMCs under osteogenic conditions. Mechanistically, we identified transcription factors highly expressed in modulated SMCs, including Runx1, to be induced by CD8+ T cells in cultured SMCs in an IFNγ (interferon-γ)-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS We here uncovered CD8+ T cells to control the SMC phenotype in atherosclerosis. CD8+ T cells promote SMC dedifferentiation and drive SMCs to adopt features of macrophage-like and osteoblast-like, procalcifying cell phenotypes. Given the critical role of SMCs in atherosclerotic plaque stability, CD8+ T cells could thus be explored as therapeutic target cells during lesion progression.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/pathology
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/immunology
- Cell Dedifferentiation
- Plaque, Atherosclerotic
- Mice
- Disease Models, Animal
- Atherosclerosis/pathology
- Atherosclerosis/metabolism
- Atherosclerosis/genetics
- Atherosclerosis/immunology
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/pathology
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/immunology
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Cells, Cultured
- Male
- Receptors, LDL/genetics
- Receptors, LDL/deficiency
- Phenotype
- Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit/genetics
- Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit/metabolism
- Aorta/pathology
- Aorta/immunology
- Aorta/metabolism
- Coculture Techniques
- Aortic Diseases/pathology
- Aortic Diseases/genetics
- Aortic Diseases/immunology
- Aortic Diseases/metabolism
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Schäfer
- Institute of Experimental Biomedicine (S.S., M.R., Y.K., L. Beck, J.G., C.C., A.Z.), University Hospital of Würzburg, Germany
| | - Rajinikanth Gogiraju
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiology I, University Medicine Mainz, Germany (R.G., K.S.)
| | - Melanie Rösch
- Institute of Experimental Biomedicine (S.S., M.R., Y.K., L. Beck, J.G., C.C., A.Z.), University Hospital of Würzburg, Germany
| | - Yvonne Kerstan
- Institute of Experimental Biomedicine (S.S., M.R., Y.K., L. Beck, J.G., C.C., A.Z.), University Hospital of Würzburg, Germany
| | - Lina Beck
- Institute of Experimental Biomedicine (S.S., M.R., Y.K., L. Beck, J.G., C.C., A.Z.), University Hospital of Würzburg, Germany
| | - Janine Garbisch
- Institute of Experimental Biomedicine (S.S., M.R., Y.K., L. Beck, J.G., C.C., A.Z.), University Hospital of Würzburg, Germany
| | - Antoine-Emmanuel Saliba
- Institute of Molecular Infection Biology Faculty of Medicine, University of Würzburg, Germany (A.-E.S.)
| | - Anton Gisterå
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska University Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden (A.G.)
| | - Heike M Hermanns
- Medical Clinic II, Division of Hepatology (H.M.H.), University Hospital of Würzburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Katrin Schäfer
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiology I, University Medicine Mainz, Germany (R.G., K.S.)
| | - Clément Cochain
- Institute of Experimental Biomedicine (S.S., M.R., Y.K., L. Beck, J.G., C.C., A.Z.), University Hospital of Würzburg, Germany
| | - Alma Zernecke
- Institute of Experimental Biomedicine (S.S., M.R., Y.K., L. Beck, J.G., C.C., A.Z.), University Hospital of Würzburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Younesi FS, Miller AE, Barker TH, Rossi FMV, Hinz B. Fibroblast and myofibroblast activation in normal tissue repair and fibrosis. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2024; 25:617-638. [PMID: 38589640 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-024-00716-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
The term 'fibroblast' often serves as a catch-all for a diverse array of mesenchymal cells, including perivascular cells, stromal progenitor cells and bona fide fibroblasts. Although phenotypically similar, these subpopulations are functionally distinct, maintaining tissue integrity and serving as local progenitor reservoirs. In response to tissue injury, these cells undergo a dynamic fibroblast-myofibroblast transition, marked by extracellular matrix secretion and contraction of actomyosin-based stress fibres. Importantly, whereas transient activation into myofibroblasts aids in tissue repair, persistent activation triggers pathological fibrosis. In this Review, we discuss the roles of mechanical cues, such as tissue stiffness and strain, alongside cell signalling pathways and extracellular matrix ligands in modulating myofibroblast activation and survival. We also highlight the role of epigenetic modifications and myofibroblast memory in physiological and pathological processes. Finally, we discuss potential strategies for therapeutically interfering with these factors and the associated signal transduction pathways to improve the outcome of dysregulated healing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fereshteh Sadat Younesi
- Keenan Research Institute for Biomedical Science of the St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrew E Miller
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Thomas H Barker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Fabio M V Rossi
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Boris Hinz
- Keenan Research Institute for Biomedical Science of the St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Guan X, Hu Y, Hao J, Lu M, Zhang Z, Hu W, Li D, Li C. Stress, Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotype and Atherosclerosis: Novel Insight into Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotypic Transition in Atherosclerosis. Curr Atheroscler Rep 2024; 26:411-425. [PMID: 38814419 DOI: 10.1007/s11883-024-01220-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Our work is to establish more distinct association between specific stress and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) phenotypes to alleviate atherosclerotic plaque burden and delay atherosclerosis (AS) progression. RECENT FINDING In recent years, VSMCs phenotypic transition has received significant interests. Different stresses were found to be associated with VSMCs phenotypic transition. However, the explicit correlation between VSMCs phenotype and specific stress has not been elucidated clearly yet. We discover that VSMCs phenotypic transition, which is widely involved in the progression of AS, is associated with specific stress. We discuss approaches targeting stresses to intervene VSMCs phenotypic transition, which may contribute to develop innovative therapies for AS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiuya Guan
- Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
| | - Yuanlong Hu
- First Clinical Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
| | - Jiaqi Hao
- Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
| | - Mengkai Lu
- Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
| | - Zhiyuan Zhang
- Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
| | - Wenxian Hu
- Qingdao Hiser Hospital Affiliated of Qingdao University (Qingdao Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital), Qingdao, 266000, China.
| | - Dongxiao Li
- Experimental Center, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China.
| | - Chao Li
- Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China.
- Qingdao Hiser Hospital Affiliated of Qingdao University (Qingdao Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital), Qingdao, 266000, China.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Zheng J, He J, Li H. FAM19A5 in vascular aging and osteoporosis: Mechanisms and the "calcification paradox". Ageing Res Rev 2024; 99:102361. [PMID: 38821416 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Aging induces a progressive decline in the vasculature's structure and function. Vascular aging is a determinant factor for vascular ailments in the elderly. FAM19A5, a recently identified adipokine, has demonstrated involvement in multiple vascular aging-related pathologies, including atherosclerosis, cardio-cerebral vascular diseases and cognitive deficits. This review summarizes the current understanding of FAM19A5' role and explores its putative regulatory mechanisms in various aging-related disorders, including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), metabolic diseases, neurodegenerative diseases and malignancies. Importantly, we provide novel insights into the underlying therapeutic value of FAM19A5 in osteoporosis. Finally, we outline future perspectives on the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of FAM19A5 in vascular aging-related diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jin Zheng
- Department of Geriatrics, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jieyu He
- Department of Geriatrics, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Huahua Li
- Department of Geriatrics, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Liang G, Lv XF, Huang W, Jin YJ, Roquid KA, Kawase H, Offermanns S. Loss of Smooth Muscle Tenascin-X Inhibits Vascular Remodeling Through Increased TGF-β Signaling. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2024; 44:1748-1763. [PMID: 38934115 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.321067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are highly plastic. Vessel injury induces a phenotypic transformation from differentiated to dedifferentiated VSMCs, which involves reduced expression of contractile proteins and increased production of extracellular matrix and inflammatory cytokines. This transition plays an important role in several cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, and aortic aneurysm. TGF-β (transforming growth factor-β) is critical for VSMC differentiation and to counterbalance the effect of dedifferentiating factors. However, the mechanisms controlling TGF-β activity and VSMC phenotypic regulation under in vivo conditions are poorly understood. The extracellular matrix protein TN-X (tenascin-X) has recently been shown to bind TGF-β and to prevent it from activating its receptor. METHODS We studied the role of TN-X in VSMCs in various murine disease models using tamoxifen-inducible SMC-specific knockout and adeno-associated virus-mediated knockdown. RESULTS In hypertensive and high-fat diet-fed mice, after carotid artery ligation as well as in human aneurysmal aortae, expression of Tnxb, the gene encoding TN-X, was increased in VSMCs. Mice with smooth muscle cell-specific loss of TN-X (SMC-Tnxb-KO) showed increased TGF-β signaling in VSMCs, as well as upregulated expression of VSMC differentiation marker genes during vascular remodeling compared with controls. SMC-specific TN-X deficiency decreased neointima formation after carotid artery ligation and reduced vessel wall thickening during Ang II (angiotensin II)-induced hypertension. SMC-Tnxb-KO mice lacking ApoE showed reduced atherosclerosis and Ang II-induced aneurysm formation under high-fat diet. Adeno-associated virus-mediated SMC-specific expression of short hairpin RNA against Tnxb showed similar beneficial effects. Treatment with an anti-TGF-β antibody or additional SMC-specific loss of the TGF-β receptor reverted the effects of SMC-specific TN-X deficiency. CONCLUSIONS In summary, TN-X critically regulates VSMC plasticity during vascular injury by inhibiting TGF-β signaling. Our data indicate that inhibition of vascular smooth muscle TN-X may represent a strategy to prevent and treat pathological vascular remodeling.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Humans
- Male
- Mice
- Angiotensin II
- Aortic Aneurysm/metabolism
- Aortic Aneurysm/pathology
- Aortic Aneurysm/genetics
- Aortic Aneurysm/prevention & control
- Carotid Artery Injuries/pathology
- Carotid Artery Injuries/metabolism
- Carotid Artery Injuries/genetics
- Cells, Cultured
- Diet, High-Fat
- Disease Models, Animal
- Hypertension/metabolism
- Hypertension/pathology
- Hypertension/physiopathology
- Hypertension/genetics
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Mice, Knockout, ApoE
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/pathology
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/pathology
- Neointima
- Phenotype
- Signal Transduction
- Tenascin/metabolism
- Tenascin/genetics
- Tenascin/deficiency
- Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism
- Vascular Remodeling
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guozheng Liang
- Department of Pharmacology, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany (G.L., X.-F.L., W.H., Y.-J.J., K.A.R., H.K., S.O.)
| | - Xiao-Fei Lv
- Department of Pharmacology, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany (G.L., X.-F.L., W.H., Y.-J.J., K.A.R., H.K., S.O.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Cardiac and Cerebral Vascular Research Center, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China (X.-F.L.)
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany (G.L., X.-F.L., W.H., Y.-J.J., K.A.R., H.K., S.O.)
| | - Young-June Jin
- Department of Pharmacology, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany (G.L., X.-F.L., W.H., Y.-J.J., K.A.R., H.K., S.O.)
| | - Kenneth Anthony Roquid
- Department of Pharmacology, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany (G.L., X.-F.L., W.H., Y.-J.J., K.A.R., H.K., S.O.)
| | - Haruya Kawase
- Department of Pharmacology, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany (G.L., X.-F.L., W.H., Y.-J.J., K.A.R., H.K., S.O.)
| | - Stefan Offermanns
- Department of Pharmacology, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany (G.L., X.-F.L., W.H., Y.-J.J., K.A.R., H.K., S.O.)
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany (S.O.)
- Cardiopulmonary Institute, Bad Nauheim, Germany (S.O.)
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany (S.O.)
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Salido E, de Medeiros Vieira C, Mosquera JV, Zade R, Miller CL, Lo Sardo V. The 9p21.3 coronary artery disease risk locus drives vascular smooth muscle cells to an osteochondrogenic state. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.25.595888. [PMID: 38853913 PMCID: PMC11160673 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.25.595888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies have identified common genetic variants at ~400 human genomic loci linked to coronary artery disease (CAD) susceptibility. Among these genomic regions, the most impactful is the 9p21.3 CAD risk locus, which spans a 60 kb gene desert and encompasses ~80 SNPs in high linkage disequilibrium. Despite nearly two decades since its discovery, the functional mechanism of this genomic region remains incompletely resolved. To investigate the transcriptional gene programs mediated by 9p21.3 risk locus, we applied a model of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from risk and non-risk donors at 9p21.3, as well as isogenic lines with a full haplotype deletion. Upon differentiation to vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), single-cell transcriptomic profiling demonstrated iPSC-VSMC phenotypes resembling those from native human coronary arteries, confirming the robustness of this model. Remarkably, our analyses revealed that VSMCs harboring the 9p21.3 risk haplotype preferentially adopt an osteochondrogenic state. Importantly, we identified LIMCH1 and CRABP1 as signature genes critical for defining this transcriptional program. Our study provides new insights into the mechanism at the 9p21.3 risk locus and defines its role in driving a disease-prone transcriptional state in VSMCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elsa Salido
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology; University of Wisconsin-Madison; Madison, WI 53705 USA
| | | | - José Verdezoto Mosquera
- Center for Public Health Genomics, Department of Public Health Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics; University of Virginia; Charlottesville, VA 22908 USA
| | - Rohan Zade
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology; University of Wisconsin-Madison; Madison, WI 53705 USA
| | - Clint L. Miller
- Center for Public Health Genomics, Department of Public Health Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics; University of Virginia; Charlottesville, VA 22908 USA
| | - Valentina Lo Sardo
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology; University of Wisconsin-Madison; Madison, WI 53705 USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Lee PC, Jung IH, Thussu S, Patel V, Wagoner R, Burks KH, Amrute J, Elenbaas JS, Kang CJ, Young EP, Scherer PE, Stitziel NO. Instrumental variable and colocalization analyses identify endotrophin and HTRA1 as potential therapeutic targets for coronary artery disease. iScience 2024; 27:110104. [PMID: 38989470 PMCID: PMC11233907 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a leading cause of disease burden globally, and there is a persistent need for new therapeutic targets. Instrumental variable (IV) and genetic colocalization analyses can help identify novel therapeutic targets for human disease by nominating causal genes in genome-wide association study (GWAS) loci. We conducted cis-IV analyses for 20,125 genes and 1,746 plasma proteins with CAD using molecular trait quantitative trait loci variant (QTLs) data from three different studies. 19 proteins and 119 genes were significantly associated with CAD risk by IV analyses and demonstrated evidence of genetic colocalization. Notably, our analyses validated well-established targets such as PCSK9 and ANGPTL4 while also identifying HTRA1 and endotrophin (a cleavage product of COL6A3) as proteins whose levels are causally associated with CAD risk. Further experimental studies are needed to confirm the causal role of the genes and proteins identified through our multiomic cis-IV analyses on human disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul C. Lee
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - In-Hyuk Jung
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Shreeya Thussu
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Ved Patel
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Ryan Wagoner
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Kendall H. Burks
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Junedh Amrute
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Jared S. Elenbaas
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Chul Joo Kang
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - Erica P. Young
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - Philipp E. Scherer
- Touchstone Diabetes Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Nathan O. Stitziel
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63108, USA
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Weldy CS, Li Q, Monteiro JP, Guo H, Galls D, Gu W, Cheng PP, Ramste M, Li D, Palmisano BT, Sharma D, Worssam MD, Zhao Q, Bhate A, Kundu RK, Nguyen T, Li JB, Quertermous T. Smooth muscle expression of RNA editing enzyme ADAR1 controls vascular integrity and progression of atherosclerosis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.08.602569. [PMID: 39026721 PMCID: PMC11257488 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.08.602569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Mapping the genomic architecture of complex disease has been predicated on the understanding that genetic variants influence disease risk through modifying gene expression. However, recent discoveries have revealed that a significant burden of disease heritability in common autoinflammatory disorders and coronary artery disease is mediated through genetic variation modifying post-transcriptional modification of RNA through adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing. This common RNA modification is catalyzed by ADAR enzymes, where ADAR1 edits specific immunogenic double stranded RNA (dsRNA) to prevent activation of the double strand RNA (dsRNA) sensor MDA5 ( IFIH1 ) and stimulation of an interferon stimulated gene (ISG) response. Multiple lines of human genetic data indicate impaired RNA editing and increased dsRNA sensing to be an important mechanism of coronary artery disease (CAD) risk. Here, we provide a crucial link between observations in human genetics and mechanistic cell biology leading to progression of CAD. Through analysis of human atherosclerotic plaque, we implicate the vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) to have a unique requirement for RNA editing, and that ISG induction occurs in SMC phenotypic modulation, implicating MDA5 activation. Through culture of human coronary artery SMCs, generation of a conditional SMC specific Adar1 deletion mouse model on a pro-atherosclerosis background, and with incorporation of single cell RNA sequencing cellular profiling, we further show that Adar1 controls SMC phenotypic state, is required to maintain vascular integrity, and controls progression of atherosclerosis and vascular calcification. Through this work, we describe a fundamental mechanism of CAD, where cell type and context specific RNA editing and sensing of dsRNA mediates disease progression, bridging our understanding of human genetics and disease causality.
Collapse
|
24
|
Udugampolage NS, Frolova S, Taurino J, Pini A, Martelli F, Voellenkle C. Coding and Non-Coding Transcriptomic Landscape of Aortic Complications in Marfan Syndrome. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7367. [PMID: 39000474 PMCID: PMC11242319 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a rare congenital disorder of the connective tissue, leading to thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) and dissection, among other complications. Currently, the most efficient strategy to prevent life-threatening dissection is preventive surgery. Periodic imaging applying complex techniques is required to monitor TAA progression and to guide the timing of surgical intervention. Thus, there is an acute demand for non-invasive biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis, as well as for innovative therapeutic targets of MFS. Unraveling the intricate pathomolecular mechanisms underlying the syndrome is vital to address these needs. High-throughput platforms are particularly well-suited for this purpose, as they enable the integration of different datasets, such as transcriptomic and epigenetic profiles. In this narrative review, we summarize relevant studies investigating changes in both the coding and non-coding transcriptome and epigenome in MFS-induced TAA. The collective findings highlight the implicated pathways, such as TGF-β signaling, extracellular matrix structure, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Potential candidates as biomarkers, such as miR-200c, as well as therapeutic targets emerged, like Tfam, associated with mitochondrial respiration, or miR-632, stimulating endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. While these discoveries are promising, rigorous and extensive validation in large patient cohorts is indispensable to confirm their clinical relevance and therapeutic potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Svetlana Frolova
- Molecular Cardiology Laboratory, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, 20097 Milan, Italy; (S.F.); (C.V.)
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Jacopo Taurino
- Cardiovascular-Genetic Center, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, 20097 Milan, Italy; (N.S.U.); (J.T.); (A.P.)
| | - Alessandro Pini
- Cardiovascular-Genetic Center, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, 20097 Milan, Italy; (N.S.U.); (J.T.); (A.P.)
| | - Fabio Martelli
- Molecular Cardiology Laboratory, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, 20097 Milan, Italy; (S.F.); (C.V.)
| | - Christine Voellenkle
- Molecular Cardiology Laboratory, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, 20097 Milan, Italy; (S.F.); (C.V.)
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Totoń-Żurańska J, Mikolajczyk TP, Saju B, Guzik TJ. Vascular remodelling in cardiovascular diseases: hypertension, oxidation, and inflammation. Clin Sci (Lond) 2024; 138:817-850. [PMID: 38920058 DOI: 10.1042/cs20220797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Optimal vascular structure and function are essential for maintaining the physiological functions of the cardiovascular system. Vascular remodelling involves changes in vessel structure, including its size, shape, cellular and molecular composition. These changes result from multiple risk factors and may be compensatory adaptations to sustain blood vessel function. They occur in diverse cardiovascular pathologies, from hypertension to heart failure and atherosclerosis. Dynamic changes in the endothelium, fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, pericytes or other vascular wall cells underlie remodelling. In addition, immune cells, including macrophages and lymphocytes, may infiltrate vessels and initiate inflammatory signalling. They contribute to a dynamic interplay between cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, inflammation, and extracellular matrix reorganisation, all critical mechanisms of vascular remodelling. Molecular pathways underlying these processes include growth factors (e.g., vascular endothelial growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor), inflammatory cytokines (e.g., interleukin-1β and tumour necrosis factor-α), reactive oxygen species, and signalling pathways, such as Rho/ROCK, MAPK, and TGF-β/Smad, related to nitric oxide and superoxide biology. MicroRNAs and long noncoding RNAs are crucial epigenetic regulators of gene expression in vascular remodelling. We evaluate these pathways for potential therapeutic targeting from a clinical translational perspective. In summary, vascular remodelling, a coordinated modification of vascular structure and function, is crucial in cardiovascular disease pathology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Totoń-Żurańska
- Center for Medical Genomics OMICRON, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Tomasz P Mikolajczyk
- Center for Medical Genomics OMICRON, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Blessy Saju
- BHF Centre for Research Excellence, Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, U.K
| | - Tomasz J Guzik
- Center for Medical Genomics OMICRON, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
- BHF Centre for Research Excellence, Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, U.K
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Ravindran A, Holappa L, Niskanen H, Skovorodkin I, Kaisto S, Beter M, Kiema M, Selvarajan I, Nurminen V, Aavik E, Aherrahrou R, Pasonen-Seppänen S, Fortino V, Laakkonen JP, Ylä-Herttuala S, Vainio S, Örd T, Kaikkonen MU. Translatome profiling reveals Itih4 as a novel smooth muscle cell-specific gene in atherosclerosis. Cardiovasc Res 2024; 120:869-882. [PMID: 38289873 PMCID: PMC11218691 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvae028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS Vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and their derivatives are key contributors to the development of atherosclerosis. However, studying changes in SMC gene expression in heterogeneous vascular tissues is challenging due to the technical limitations and high cost associated with current approaches. In this paper, we apply translating ribosome affinity purification sequencing to profile SMC-specific gene expression directly from tissue. METHODS AND RESULTS To facilitate SMC-specific translatome analysis, we generated SMCTRAP mice, a transgenic mouse line expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-tagged ribosomal protein L10a (EGFP-L10a) under the control of the SMC-specific αSMA promoter. These mice were further crossed with the atherosclerosis model Ldlr-/-, ApoB100/100 to generate SMCTRAP-AS mice and used to profile atherosclerosis-associated SMCs in thoracic aorta samples of 15-month-old SMCTRAP and SMCTRAP-AS mice. Our analysis of SMCTRAP-AS mice showed that EGFP-L10a expression was localized to SMCs in various tissues, including the aortic wall and plaque. The TRAP fraction demonstrated high enrichment of known SMC-specific genes, confirming the specificity of our approach. We identified several genes, including Cemip, Lum, Mfge8, Spp1, and Serpina3, which are known to be involved in atherosclerosis-induced gene expression. Moreover, we identified several novel genes not previously linked to SMCs in atherosclerosis, such as Anxa4, Cd276, inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor-4 (Itih4), Myof, Pcdh11x, Rab31, Serpinb6b, Slc35e4, Slc8a3, and Spink5. Among them, we confirmed the SMC-specific expression of Itih4 in atherosclerotic lesions using immunofluorescence staining of mouse aortic roots and spatial transcriptomics of human carotid arteries. Furthermore, our more detailed analysis of Itih4 showed its link to coronary artery disease through the colocalization of genome-wide association studies, splice quantitative trait loci (QTL), and protein QTL signals. CONCLUSION We generated a SMC-specific TRAP mouse line to study atherosclerosis and identified Itih4 as a novel SMC-expressed gene in atherosclerotic plaques, warranting further investigation of its putative function in extracellular matrix stability and genetic evidence of causality.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Mice
- Aorta/metabolism
- Aorta/pathology
- Aortic Diseases/genetics
- Aortic Diseases/pathology
- Aortic Diseases/metabolism
- Apolipoprotein B-100/genetics
- Apolipoprotein B-100/metabolism
- Atherosclerosis/genetics
- Atherosclerosis/metabolism
- Atherosclerosis/pathology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Gene Expression Profiling
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Green Fluorescent Proteins/genetics
- Green Fluorescent Proteins/metabolism
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Mice, Transgenic
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/pathology
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/pathology
- Phenotype
- Plaque, Atherosclerotic
- Receptors, LDL/genetics
- Receptors, LDL/metabolism
- Ribosomal Proteins/genetics
- Ribosomal Proteins/metabolism
- Transcriptome
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aarthi Ravindran
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Neulaniementie 2, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Lari Holappa
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Neulaniementie 2, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Henri Niskanen
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Neulaniementie 2, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Ilya Skovorodkin
- Disease networks research unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Kvantum Institute, Infotech Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Susanna Kaisto
- Disease networks research unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Kvantum Institute, Infotech Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Mustafa Beter
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Neulaniementie 2, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Miika Kiema
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Neulaniementie 2, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Ilakya Selvarajan
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Neulaniementie 2, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Valtteri Nurminen
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Neulaniementie 2, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Einari Aavik
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Neulaniementie 2, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Rédouane Aherrahrou
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Neulaniementie 2, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
- Institute for Cardiogenetics, Universität zu Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, University Heart Centre Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Sanna Pasonen-Seppänen
- Institute of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Vittorio Fortino
- Institute of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Johanna P Laakkonen
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Neulaniementie 2, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Seppo Ylä-Herttuala
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Neulaniementie 2, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Seppo Vainio
- Disease networks research unit, Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Kvantum Institute, Infotech Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Tiit Örd
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Neulaniementie 2, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Minna U Kaikkonen
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Neulaniementie 2, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Jiang J, Hiron TK, Agbaedeng TA, Malhotra Y, Drydale E, Bancroft J, Ng E, Reschen ME, Davison LJ, O’Callaghan CA. A Novel Macrophage Subpopulation Conveys Increased Genetic Risk of Coronary Artery Disease. Circ Res 2024; 135:6-25. [PMID: 38747151 PMCID: PMC11191562 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.123.324172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronary artery disease (CAD), the leading cause of death worldwide, is influenced by both environmental and genetic factors. Although over 250 genetic risk loci have been identified through genome-wide association studies, the specific causal variants and their regulatory mechanisms are still largely unknown, particularly in disease-relevant cell types such as macrophages. METHODS We utilized single-cell RNA-seq and single-cell multiomics approaches in primary human monocyte-derived macrophages to explore the transcriptional regulatory network involved in a critical pathogenic event of coronary atherosclerosis-the formation of lipid-laden foam cells. The relative genetic contribution to CAD was assessed by partitioning disease heritability across different macrophage subpopulations. Meta-analysis of single-cell RNA-seq data sets from 38 human atherosclerotic samples was conducted to provide high-resolution cross-referencing to macrophage subpopulations in vivo. RESULTS We identified 18 782 cis-regulatory elements by jointly profiling the gene expression and chromatin accessibility of >5000 macrophages. Integration with CAD genome-wide association study data prioritized 121 CAD-related genetic variants and 56 candidate causal genes. We showed that CAD heritability was not uniformly distributed and was particularly enriched in the gene programs of a novel CD52-hi lipid-handling macrophage subpopulation. These CD52-hi macrophages displayed significantly less lipoprotein accumulation and were also found in human atherosclerotic plaques. We investigated the cis-regulatory effect of a risk variant rs10488763 on FDX1, implicating the recruitment of AP-1 and C/EBP-β in the causal mechanisms at this locus. CONCLUSIONS Our results provide genetic evidence of the divergent roles of macrophage subsets in atherogenesis and highlight lipid-handling macrophages as a key subpopulation through which genetic variants operate to influence disease. These findings provide an unbiased framework for functional fine-mapping of genome-wide association study results using single-cell multiomics and offer new insights into the genotype-environment interactions underlying atherosclerotic disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiahao Jiang
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics (J.J., T.K.H., T.A.A., Y.M., E.D., J.B., L.J.D., C.A.O.), University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas K. Hiron
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics (J.J., T.K.H., T.A.A., Y.M., E.D., J.B., L.J.D., C.A.O.), University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas A. Agbaedeng
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics (J.J., T.K.H., T.A.A., Y.M., E.D., J.B., L.J.D., C.A.O.), University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Yashaswat Malhotra
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics (J.J., T.K.H., T.A.A., Y.M., E.D., J.B., L.J.D., C.A.O.), University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Edward Drydale
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics (J.J., T.K.H., T.A.A., Y.M., E.D., J.B., L.J.D., C.A.O.), University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - James Bancroft
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics (J.J., T.K.H., T.A.A., Y.M., E.D., J.B., L.J.D., C.A.O.), University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Esther Ng
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (E.N.), University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Michael E. Reschen
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, John Radcliffe Hospital, United Kingdom (M.E.R.)
| | - Lucy J. Davison
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics (J.J., T.K.H., T.A.A., Y.M., E.D., J.B., L.J.D., C.A.O.), University of Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, United Kingdom (L.J.D.)
| | - Chris A. O’Callaghan
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics (J.J., T.K.H., T.A.A., Y.M., E.D., J.B., L.J.D., C.A.O.), University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Elishaev M, Li B, Zhou A, Salim K, Leeper NJ, Francis GA, Lai C, Wang Y. Multiplex Imaging for Cell Phenotyping of Early Human Atherosclerosis. J Am Heart Assoc 2024; 13:e034990. [PMID: 38842292 PMCID: PMC11255771 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.123.034990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies using animal models and cultured cells suggest that vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and inflammatory cytokines are important players in atherogenesis. Validating these findings in human disease is critical to designing therapeutics that target these components. Multiplex imaging is a powerful tool for characterizing cell phenotypes and microenvironments using biobanked human tissue sections. However, this technology has not been applied to human atherosclerotic lesions and needs to first be customized and validated. METHODS AND RESULTS For validation, we created an 8-plex imaging panel to distinguish foam cells from SMC and leukocyte origins on tissue sections of early human atherosclerotic lesions (n=9). The spatial distribution and characteristics of these foam cells were further analyzed to test the association between SMC phenotypes and inflammation. Consistent with previous reports using human lesions, multiplex imaging showed that foam cells of SMC origin outnumbered those of leukocyte origin and were enriched in the deep intima, where the lipids accumulate in early atherogenesis. This new technology also found that apoptosis or the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines were not more associated with foam cells than with nonfoam cells in early human lesions. More CD68+ SMCs were present among SMCs that highly expressed interleukin-1β. Highly inflamed SMCs showed a trend of increased apoptosis, whereas leukocytes expressing similar levels of cytokines were enriched in regions of extracellular matrix remodeling. CONCLUSIONS The multiplex imaging method can be applied to biobanked human tissue sections to enable proof-of-concept studies and validate theories based on animal models and cultured cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Elishaev
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory MedicineUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
- Centre for Heart Lung InnovationUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
| | - Boaz Li
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory MedicineUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
- Centre for Heart Lung InnovationUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
| | - Annie Zhou
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory MedicineUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
- Centre for Heart Lung InnovationUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
| | - Kevin Salim
- British Columbia Children’s Hospital Research InstituteUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
| | - Nicholas J. Leeper
- Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular SurgeryStanford University School of MedicineStanfordCAUSA
- Stanford Cardiovascular InstituteStanford UniversityStanfordCAUSA
| | - Gordon A. Francis
- Centre for Heart Lung InnovationUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
- Department of MedicineUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
| | - Chi Lai
- Centre for Heart Lung InnovationUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
- Division of Anatomical PathologyProvidence Health Care, St. Paul’s HospitalVancouverBCCanada
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory MedicineUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
- Centre for Heart Lung InnovationUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
La Chica Lhoëst MT, Martinez A, Claudi L, Garcia E, Benitez-Amaro A, Polishchuk A, Piñero J, Vilades D, Guerra JM, Sanz F, Rotllan N, Escolà-Gil JC, Llorente-Cortés V. Mechanisms modulating foam cell formation in the arterial intima: exploring new therapeutic opportunities in atherosclerosis. Front Cardiovasc Med 2024; 11:1381520. [PMID: 38952543 PMCID: PMC11215187 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1381520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the role of macrophages as the primary cell type contributing to foam cell formation and atheroma plaque development has been widely acknowledged. However, it has been long recognized that diffuse intimal thickening (DIM), which precedes the formation of early fatty streaks in humans, primarily consists of lipid-loaded smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and their secreted proteoglycans. Recent studies have further supported the notion that SMCs constitute the majority of foam cells in advanced atherosclerotic plaques. Given that SMCs are a major component of the vascular wall, they serve as a significant source of microvesicles and exosomes, which have the potential to regulate the physiology of other vascular cells. Notably, more than half of the foam cells present in atherosclerotic lesions are of SMC origin. In this review, we describe several mechanisms underlying the formation of intimal foam-like cells in atherosclerotic plaques. Based on these mechanisms, we discuss novel therapeutic approaches that have been developed to regulate the generation of intimal foam-like cells. These innovative strategies hold promise for improving the management of atherosclerosis in the near future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M. T. La Chica Lhoëst
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB)-Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Cardiovascular, Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
| | - A. Martinez
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB)-Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Cardiovascular, Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
| | - L. Claudi
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB)-Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Cardiovascular, Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
| | - E. Garcia
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB)-Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Cardiovascular, Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
| | - A. Benitez-Amaro
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB)-Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Cardiovascular, Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
| | - A. Polishchuk
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB)-Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Cardiovascular, Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
| | - J. Piñero
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Department of Experimental and Health Sciences (DCEXS), Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - D. Vilades
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital de la Santa Creu I Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB-SANTPAU), Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Cardiovascular, CIBERCV, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - J. M. Guerra
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital de la Santa Creu I Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB-SANTPAU), Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Cardiovascular, CIBERCV, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - F. Sanz
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Department of Experimental and Health Sciences (DCEXS), Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - N. Rotllan
- Department of Cardiovascular, Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Cardiovascular, CIBERDEM, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - J. C. Escolà-Gil
- Department of Cardiovascular, Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Cardiovascular, CIBERDEM, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - V. Llorente-Cortés
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB)-Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Cardiovascular, Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Cardiovascular, CIBERCV, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Pan H, Ho SE, Xue C, Cui J, Johanson QS, Sachs N, Ross LS, Li F, Solomon RA, Connolly ES, Patel VI, Maegdefessel L, Zhang H, Reilly MP. Atherosclerosis Is a Smooth Muscle Cell-Driven Tumor-Like Disease. Circulation 2024; 149:1885-1898. [PMID: 38686559 PMCID: PMC11164647 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.123.067587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atherosclerosis, a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, involves the pathological activation of various cell types, including immunocytes (eg, macrophages and T cells), smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and endothelial cells. Accumulating evidence suggests that transition of SMCs to other cell types, known as phenotypic switching, plays a central role in atherosclerosis development and complications. However, the characteristics of SMC-derived cells and the underlying mechanisms of SMC transition in disease pathogenesis remain poorly understood. Our objective is to characterize tumor cell-like behaviors of SMC-derived cells in atherosclerosis, with the ultimate goal of developing interventions targeting SMC transition for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis. METHODS We used SMC lineage tracing mice and human tissues and applied a range of methods, including molecular, cellular, histological, computational, human genetics, and pharmacological approaches, to investigate the features of SMC-derived cells in atherosclerosis. RESULTS SMC-derived cells in mouse and human atherosclerosis exhibit multiple tumor cell-like characteristics, including genomic instability, evasion of senescence, hyperproliferation, resistance to cell death, invasiveness, and activation of comprehensive cancer-associated gene regulatory networks. Specific expression of the oncogenic mutant KrasG12D in SMCs accelerates phenotypic switching and exacerbates atherosclerosis. Furthermore, we provide proof of concept that niraparib, an anticancer drug targeting DNA damage repair, attenuates atherosclerosis progression and induces regression of lesions in advanced disease in mouse models. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate that atherosclerosis is an SMC-driven tumor-like disease, advancing our understanding of its pathogenesis and opening prospects for innovative precision molecular strategies aimed at preventing and treating atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huize Pan
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Sebastian E. Ho
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Chenyi Xue
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Jian Cui
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Quinian S. Johanson
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Nadja Sachs
- Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research, partner site: Munich Heart Alliance, 10785 Berlin, Germany
| | - Leila S. Ross
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Fang Li
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Robert A. Solomon
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - E. Sander Connolly
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Virendra I. Patel
- Section of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Interventions, New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Lars Maegdefessel
- Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research, partner site: Munich Heart Alliance, 10785 Berlin, Germany
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hanrui Zhang
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Muredach P. Reilly
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Damerau A, Rosenow E, Alkhoury D, Buttgereit F, Gaber T. Fibrotic pathways and fibroblast-like synoviocyte phenotypes in osteoarthritis. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1385006. [PMID: 38895122 PMCID: PMC11183113 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1385006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, characterized by osteophyte formation, cartilage degradation, and structural and cellular alterations of the synovial membrane. Activated fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) of the synovial membrane have been identified as key drivers, secreting humoral mediators that maintain inflammatory processes, proteases that cause cartilage and bone destruction, and factors that drive fibrotic processes. In normal tissue repair, fibrotic processes are terminated after the damage has been repaired. In fibrosis, tissue remodeling and wound healing are exaggerated and prolonged. Various stressors, including aging, joint instability, and inflammation, lead to structural damage of the joint and micro lesions within the synovial tissue. One result is the reduced production of synovial fluid (lubricants), which reduces the lubricity of the cartilage areas, leading to cartilage damage. In the synovial tissue, a wound-healing cascade is initiated by activating macrophages, Th2 cells, and FLS. The latter can be divided into two major populations. The destructive thymocyte differentiation antigen (THY)1─ phenotype is restricted to the synovial lining layer. In contrast, the THY1+ phenotype of the sublining layer is classified as an invasive one with immune effector function driving synovitis. The exact mechanisms involved in the transition of fibroblasts into a myofibroblast-like phenotype that drives fibrosis remain unclear. The review provides an overview of the phenotypes and spatial distribution of FLS in the synovial membrane of OA, describes the mechanisms of fibroblast into myofibroblast activation, and the metabolic alterations of myofibroblast-like cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Damerau
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Rheumatism Research Center Berlin, a Leibniz Institute, Glucocorticoids - Bioenergetics - 3R Research Lab, Berlin, Germany
| | - Emely Rosenow
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dana Alkhoury
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank Buttgereit
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Rheumatism Research Center Berlin, a Leibniz Institute, Glucocorticoids - Bioenergetics - 3R Research Lab, Berlin, Germany
| | - Timo Gaber
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Rheumatism Research Center Berlin, a Leibniz Institute, Glucocorticoids - Bioenergetics - 3R Research Lab, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Johnson RT, Solanki R, Wostear F, Ahmed S, Taylor JCK, Rees J, Abel G, McColl J, Jørgensen HF, Morris CJ, Bidula S, Warren DT. Piezo1-mediated regulation of smooth muscle cell volume in response to enhanced extracellular matrix rigidity. Br J Pharmacol 2024; 181:1576-1595. [PMID: 38044463 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Decreased aortic compliance is a precursor to numerous cardiovascular diseases. Compliance is regulated by the rigidity of the aortic wall and the vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Extracellular matrix stiffening, observed during ageing, reduces compliance. In response to increased rigidity, VSMCs generate enhanced contractile forces that result in VSMC stiffening and a further reduction in compliance. Mechanisms driving VSMC response to matrix rigidity remain poorly defined. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Human aortic-VSMCs were seeded onto polyacrylamide hydrogels whose rigidity mimicked either healthy (12 kPa) or aged/diseased (72 kPa) aortae. VSMCs were treated with pharmacological agents prior to agonist stimulation to identify regulators of VSMC volume regulation. KEY RESULTS On pliable matrices, VSMCs contracted and decreased in cell area. Meanwhile, on rigid matrices VSMCs displayed a hypertrophic-like response, increasing in area and volume. Piezo1 activation stimulated increased VSMC volume by promoting calcium ion influx and subsequent activation of PKC and aquaporin-1. Pharmacological blockade of this pathway prevented the enhanced VSMC volume response on rigid matrices whilst maintaining contractility on pliable matrices. Importantly, both piezo1 and aquaporin-1 gene expression were up-regulated during VSMC phenotypic modulation in atherosclerosis and after carotid ligation. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS In response to extracellular matrix rigidity, VSMC volume is increased by a piezo1/PKC/aquaporin-1 mediated pathway. Pharmacological targeting of this pathway specifically blocks the matrix rigidity enhanced VSMC volume response, leaving VSMC contractility on healthy mimicking matrices intact. Importantly, upregulation of both piezo1 and aquaporin-1 gene expression is observed in disease relevant VSMC phenotypes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Reesha Solanki
- School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Finn Wostear
- School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Sultan Ahmed
- School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - James C K Taylor
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, University of Cambridge, VPD Heart and Lung Research Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jasmine Rees
- School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Geraad Abel
- School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - James McColl
- Henry Wellcome Laboratory for Cell Imaging, University of East Anglia, Norfolk, UK
| | - Helle F Jørgensen
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, University of Cambridge, VPD Heart and Lung Research Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Chris J Morris
- School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, UK
| | - Stefan Bidula
- School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Derek T Warren
- School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Lambert J, Oc S, Worssam MD, Häußler D, Solomon CU, Figg NL, Baxter R, Imaz M, Taylor JCK, Foote K, Finigan A, Mahbubani KT, Webb TR, Ye S, Bennett MR, Krüger A, Spivakov M, Jørgensen HF. Network-based prioritization and validation of regulators of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation in disease. NATURE CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH 2024; 3:714-733. [PMID: 39215134 PMCID: PMC11182749 DOI: 10.1038/s44161-024-00474-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Aberrant vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) homeostasis and proliferation characterize vascular diseases causing heart attack and stroke. Here we elucidate molecular determinants governing VSMC proliferation by reconstructing gene regulatory networks from single-cell transcriptomics and epigenetic profiling. We detect widespread activation of enhancers at disease-relevant loci in proliferation-predisposed VSMCs. We compared gene regulatory network rewiring between injury-responsive and nonresponsive VSMCs, which suggested shared transcription factors but differing target loci between VSMC states. Through in silico perturbation analysis, we identified and prioritized previously unrecognized regulators of proliferation, including RUNX1 and TIMP1. Moreover, we showed that the pioneer transcription factor RUNX1 increased VSMC responsiveness and that TIMP1 feeds back to promote VSMC proliferation through CD74-mediated STAT3 signaling. Both RUNX1 and the TIMP1-CD74 axis were expressed in human VSMCs, showing low levels in normal arteries and increased expression in disease, suggesting clinical relevance and potential as vascular disease targets.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/pathology
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/cytology
- Humans
- Cell Proliferation/genetics
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/pathology
- Gene Regulatory Networks
- Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1/metabolism
- Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1/genetics
- STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism
- STAT3 Transcription Factor/genetics
- Signal Transduction/genetics
- Cells, Cultured
- Single-Cell Analysis
- Epigenesis, Genetic
- Transcriptome
- Animals
- Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Lambert
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Sebnem Oc
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Functional Gene Control Group, MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences, London, UK
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Matthew D Worssam
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Daniel Häußler
- TUM School of Medicine and Health, Institute of Experimental Oncology and Therapy Research, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Charles U Solomon
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, and National Institute for Health Research Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, Leicester, UK
| | - Nichola L Figg
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ruby Baxter
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Maria Imaz
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - James C K Taylor
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Kirsty Foote
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alison Finigan
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Krishnaa T Mahbubani
- Collaborative Biorepository for Translational Medicine, Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - Tom R Webb
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, and National Institute for Health Research Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, Leicester, UK
| | - Shu Ye
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, and National Institute for Health Research Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, Leicester, UK
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Translational Research Programme, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Martin R Bennett
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Achim Krüger
- TUM School of Medicine and Health, Institute of Experimental Oncology and Therapy Research, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Mikhail Spivakov
- Functional Gene Control Group, MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences, London, UK
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Helle F Jørgensen
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Pan H, Wu T, Huang K, Guo Z, Liang H, Lyu P, Huang H, Feng X, Wang Q, Hu J, He Y, Guo Z, Yin M, Zhang Y. Reducing SULT2B1 promotes the interaction of LncRNAgga3-204 with SMAD4 to inhibit the macrophage inflammatory response and delay atherosclerosis progression. Transl Res 2024; 268:13-27. [PMID: 38286358 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2024.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Inflammation is a crucial pathophysiological mechanism in atherosclerosis (AS). This study aims to investigate the impact of sulfotransferase family 2b member 1 (SULT2B1) on the inflammatory response of macrophages and the progression of AS. Here, we reported that SULT2B1 expression increased with the progression of AS. In AS model mice, knockdown of Sult2b1 led to remission of AS and reduced inflammation levels. Further exploration of the downstream molecular mechanisms of SULT2B1 revealed that suppressing Sult2b1 in macrophages resulted in decreased levels of 25HC3S in the nucleus, elevated expression of Lxr, and increased the transcription of Lncgga3-204. In vivo, knockdown of Lncgga3-204 aggravated the inflammatory response and AS progression, while the simultaneous knockdown of both Sult2b1 and Lncgga3-204 exacerbated AS and the inflammatory response compared with knockdown of Sult2b1 alone. Increased binding of Lncgga3-204 to SMAD4 in response to oxidized-low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) stimulation facilitated SMAD4 entry into the nucleus and regulated Smad7 transcription, which elevated SMAD7 expression, suppressed NF-κB entry into the nucleus, and ultimately attenuated the macrophage inflammatory response. Finally, we identified the presence of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs2665580, in the SULT2B1 promoter region in monocytes from coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. The predominant GG/AG/AA genotypes were observed in the Asian population. Elevated SULT2B1 expression in monocytes with GG corresponded to elevated inflammatory factor levels and more unstable coronary plaques. To summarize, our study demonstrated that the critical role of SULT2B1/Lncgga3-204/SMAD4/NF-κB in AS progression. SULT2B1 serves as a novel biomarker indicating inflammatory status, thereby offering insights into potential therapeutic strategies for AS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hangyu Pan
- Department of Cardiology, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, PR China
| | - Tongwei Wu
- Department of Ultrasound, Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, PR China
| | - Kang Huang
- Department of Cardiology, Haikou Affiliated Hospital of Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine, Haikou 570100, PR China
| | - Zhongzhou Guo
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, PR China
| | - Hongbin Liang
- Department of Cardiology, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, PR China
| | - Ping Lyu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, PR China
| | - Hui Huang
- Department of Cardiology, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, PR China
| | - Xinyi Feng
- Department of Cardiology, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, PR China
| | - Qianqian Wang
- Department of Cardiology, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, PR China
| | - Jing Hu
- Department of Cardiology, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang 330006, PR China
| | - Yihua He
- Department of Neurology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, PR China
| | - Zhigang Guo
- Department of Cardiology, Huiqiao Medical Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, PR China.
| | - Mengzhuo Yin
- Department of Geriatrics, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510515, PR China.
| | - Yanan Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Selvarajan I, Kiema M, Huang RT, Li J, Zhu J, Pölönen P, Örd T, Õunap K, Godiwala M, Golebiewski AK, Ravindran A, Mäklin K, Toropainen A, Stolze LK, Arce M, Magnusson PU, White S, Romanoski CE, Heinäniemi M, Laakkonen JP, Fang Y, Kaikkonen MU. Coronary Artery Disease Risk Variant Dampens the Expression of CALCRL by Reducing HSF Binding to Shear Stress Responsive Enhancer in Endothelial Cells In Vitro. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2024; 44:1330-1345. [PMID: 38602103 PMCID: PMC11111333 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.318964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CALCRL (calcitonin receptor-like) protein is an important mediator of the endothelial fluid shear stress response, which is associated with the genetic risk of coronary artery disease. In this study, we functionally characterized the noncoding regulatory elements carrying coronary artery disease that risks single-nucleotide polymorphisms and studied their role in the regulation of CALCRL expression in endothelial cells. METHODS To functionally characterize the coronary artery disease single-nucleotide polymorphisms harbored around the gene CALCRL, we applied an integrative approach encompassing statistical, transcriptional (RNA-seq), and epigenetic (ATAC-seq [transposase-accessible chromatin with sequencing], chromatin immunoprecipitation assay-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and electromobility shift assay) analyses, alongside luciferase reporter assays, and targeted gene and enhancer perturbations (siRNA and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat-associated 9) in human aortic endothelial cells. RESULTS We demonstrate that the regulatory element harboring rs880890 exhibits high enhancer activity and shows significant allelic bias. The A allele was favored over the G allele, particularly under shear stress conditions, mediated through alterations in the HSF1 (heat shock factor 1) motif and binding. CRISPR deletion of rs880890 enhancer resulted in downregulation of CALCRL expression, whereas HSF1 knockdown resulted in a significant decrease in rs880890-enhancer activity and CALCRL expression. A significant decrease in HSF1 binding to the enhancer region in endothelial cells was observed under disturbed flow compared with unidirectional flow. CALCRL knockdown and variant perturbation experiments indicated the role of CALCRL in mediating eNOS (endothelial nitric oxide synthase), APLN (apelin), angiopoietin, prostaglandins, and EDN1 (endothelin-1) signaling pathways leading to a decrease in cell proliferation, tube formation, and NO production. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our results demonstrate the existence of an endothelial-specific HSF (heat shock factor)-regulated transcriptional enhancer that mediates CALCRL expression. A better understanding of CALCRL gene regulation and the role of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the modulation of CALCRL expression could provide important steps toward understanding the genetic regulation of shear stress signaling responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ilakya Selvarajan
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Miika Kiema
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Ru-Ting Huang
- Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Jin Li
- Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Jiayu Zhu
- Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Petri Pölönen
- Institute of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FIN-70211, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Tiit Örd
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Kadri Õunap
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Mehvash Godiwala
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Anna Kathryn Golebiewski
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The College of Medicine, The University of Arizona; Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Aarthi Ravindran
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Kiira Mäklin
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Anu Toropainen
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Lindsey K. Stolze
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The College of Medicine, The University of Arizona; Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Maximiliano Arce
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Peetra U. Magnusson
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Stephen White
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Casey E. Romanoski
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The College of Medicine, The University of Arizona; Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Merja Heinäniemi
- Institute of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FIN-70211, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Johanna P. Laakkonen
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Yun Fang
- Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Minna U Kaikkonen
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Mocci G, Sukhavasi K, Örd T, Bankier S, Singha P, Arasu UT, Agbabiaje OO, Mäkinen P, Ma L, Hodonsky CJ, Aherrahrou R, Muhl L, Liu J, Gustafsson S, Byandelger B, Wang Y, Koplev S, Lendahl U, Owens GK, Leeper NJ, Pasterkamp G, Vanlandewijck M, Michoel T, Ruusalepp A, Hao K, Ylä-Herttuala S, Väli M, Järve H, Mokry M, Civelek M, Miller CJ, Kovacic JC, Kaikkonen MU, Betsholtz C, Björkegren JL. Single-Cell Gene-Regulatory Networks of Advanced Symptomatic Atherosclerosis. Circ Res 2024; 134:1405-1423. [PMID: 38639096 PMCID: PMC11122742 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.123.323184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While our understanding of the single-cell gene expression patterns underlying the transformation of vascular cell types during the progression of atherosclerosis is rapidly improving, the clinical and pathophysiological relevance of these changes remains poorly understood. METHODS Single-cell RNA sequencing data generated with SmartSeq2 (≈8000 genes/cell) in 16 588 single cells isolated during atherosclerosis progression in Ldlr-/-Apob100/100 mice with human-like plasma lipoproteins and from humans with asymptomatic and symptomatic carotid plaques was clustered into multiple subtypes. For clinical and pathophysiological context, the advanced-stage and symptomatic subtype clusters were integrated with 135 tissue-specific (atherosclerotic aortic wall, mammary artery, liver, skeletal muscle, and visceral and subcutaneous, fat) gene-regulatory networks (GRNs) inferred from 600 coronary artery disease patients in the STARNET (Stockholm-Tartu Atherosclerosis Reverse Network Engineering Task) study. RESULTS Advanced stages of atherosclerosis progression and symptomatic carotid plaques were largely characterized by 3 smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and 3 macrophage subtype clusters with extracellular matrix organization/osteogenic (SMC), and M1-type proinflammatory/Trem2-high lipid-associated (macrophage) phenotypes. Integrative analysis of these 6 clusters with STARNET revealed significant enrichments of 3 arterial wall GRNs: GRN33 (macrophage), GRN39 (SMC), and GRN122 (macrophage) with major contributions to coronary artery disease heritability and strong associations with clinical scores of coronary atherosclerosis severity. The presence and pathophysiological relevance of GRN39 were verified in 5 independent RNAseq data sets obtained from the human coronary and aortic artery, and primary SMCs and by targeting its top-key drivers, FRZB and ALCAM in cultured human coronary artery SMCs. CONCLUSIONS By identifying and integrating the most gene-rich single-cell subclusters of atherosclerosis to date with a coronary artery disease framework of GRNs, GRN39 was identified and independently validated as being critical for the transformation of contractile SMCs into an osteogenic phenotype promoting advanced, symptomatic atherosclerosis.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Humans
- Single-Cell Analysis
- Animals
- Gene Regulatory Networks
- Atherosclerosis/genetics
- Atherosclerosis/metabolism
- Atherosclerosis/pathology
- Mice
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/pathology
- Male
- Plaque, Atherosclerotic
- Disease Progression
- Female
- Macrophages/metabolism
- Macrophages/pathology
- Mice, Knockout
- Receptors, LDL/genetics
- Receptors, LDL/metabolism
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/pathology
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Mocci
- Department of Medicine (Huddinge), Karolinska Institutet, Sweden (G.M., L. Muhl, J.L., S.G., B.B., U.L., M.V., C.B., J.L.M.B.)
| | - Katyayani Sukhavasi
- Department of Cardiac Surgery and The Heart Clinic, Tartu University Hospital and Department of Cardiology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Tartu University, Estonia (K.S., A.R., H.J.)
| | - Tiit Örd
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio (T.O., P.S., U.T.A., O.O.A., P.M., S.Y.-H., M.U.K.)
| | - Sean Bankier
- Computational Biology Unit, Department of Informatics, University of Bergen, Norway (S.B., T.M.)
| | - Prosanta Singha
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio (T.O., P.S., U.T.A., O.O.A., P.M., S.Y.-H., M.U.K.)
| | - Uma Thanigai Arasu
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio (T.O., P.S., U.T.A., O.O.A., P.M., S.Y.-H., M.U.K.)
| | - Olayinka Oluwasegun Agbabiaje
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio (T.O., P.S., U.T.A., O.O.A., P.M., S.Y.-H., M.U.K.)
| | - Petri Mäkinen
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio (T.O., P.S., U.T.A., O.O.A., P.M., S.Y.-H., M.U.K.)
| | - Lijiang Ma
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York (L. Ma, S.K., K.H., J.L.M.B.)
| | - Chani J. Hodonsky
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center (C.J.H., G.K.O., C.J.M.), University of Virginia, Charlottesville
- Center for Public Health Genomics (C.J.H., R.A., M.C.), University of Virginia, Charlottesville
| | - Redouane Aherrahrou
- Center for Public Health Genomics (C.J.H., R.A., M.C.), University of Virginia, Charlottesville
- Department of Biomedical Engineering (R.A., M.C.), University of Virginia, Charlottesville
| | - Lars Muhl
- Department of Medicine (Huddinge), Karolinska Institutet, Sweden (G.M., L. Muhl, J.L., S.G., B.B., U.L., M.V., C.B., J.L.M.B.)
| | - Jianping Liu
- Department of Medicine (Huddinge), Karolinska Institutet, Sweden (G.M., L. Muhl, J.L., S.G., B.B., U.L., M.V., C.B., J.L.M.B.)
| | - Sonja Gustafsson
- Department of Medicine (Huddinge), Karolinska Institutet, Sweden (G.M., L. Muhl, J.L., S.G., B.B., U.L., M.V., C.B., J.L.M.B.)
| | - Byambajav Byandelger
- Department of Medicine (Huddinge), Karolinska Institutet, Sweden (G.M., L. Muhl, J.L., S.G., B.B., U.L., M.V., C.B., J.L.M.B.)
| | - Ying Wang
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (Y.W., N.J.L.)
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University, CA (Y.W., N.J.L.)
| | - Simon Koplev
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York (L. Ma, S.K., K.H., J.L.M.B.)
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, United Kingdom (S.K.)
| | - Urban Lendahl
- Department of Medicine (Huddinge), Karolinska Institutet, Sweden (G.M., L. Muhl, J.L., S.G., B.B., U.L., M.V., C.B., J.L.M.B.)
| | - Gary K. Owens
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center (C.J.H., G.K.O., C.J.M.), University of Virginia, Charlottesville
| | - Nicholas J. Leeper
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (Y.W., N.J.L.)
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University, CA (Y.W., N.J.L.)
| | - Gerard Pasterkamp
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology (G.P., M.M.), University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Central Diagnostics Laboratory (G.P., M.M.), University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Michael Vanlandewijck
- Department of Medicine (Huddinge), Karolinska Institutet, Sweden (G.M., L. Muhl, J.L., S.G., B.B., U.L., M.V., C.B., J.L.M.B.)
| | - Tom Michoel
- Computational Biology Unit, Department of Informatics, University of Bergen, Norway (S.B., T.M.)
| | - Arno Ruusalepp
- Department of Cardiac Surgery and The Heart Clinic, Tartu University Hospital and Department of Cardiology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Tartu University, Estonia (K.S., A.R., H.J.)
| | - Ke Hao
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York (L. Ma, S.K., K.H., J.L.M.B.)
| | - Seppo Ylä-Herttuala
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio (T.O., P.S., U.T.A., O.O.A., P.M., S.Y.-H., M.U.K.)
| | - Marika Väli
- Department of Immunology, Genetics, and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Sweden (M.V., C.B.)
- Department of Pathological anatomy and Forensic medicine, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Estonia (M.V.)
| | - Heli Järve
- Department of Cardiac Surgery and The Heart Clinic, Tartu University Hospital and Department of Cardiology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Tartu University, Estonia (K.S., A.R., H.J.)
| | - Michal Mokry
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio (T.O., P.S., U.T.A., O.O.A., P.M., S.Y.-H., M.U.K.)
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology (G.P., M.M.), University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Mete Civelek
- Center for Public Health Genomics (C.J.H., R.A., M.C.), University of Virginia, Charlottesville
- Department of Biomedical Engineering (R.A., M.C.), University of Virginia, Charlottesville
| | - Clint J. Miller
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center (C.J.H., G.K.O., C.J.M.), University of Virginia, Charlottesville
| | - Jason C. Kovacic
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York (J.C.K.)
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, Australia (J.C.K.)
- St. Vincent’s Clinical School, University of NSW, Sydney, Australia (J.C.K.)
| | - Minna U. Kaikkonen
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio (T.O., P.S., U.T.A., O.O.A., P.M., S.Y.-H., M.U.K.)
| | - Christer Betsholtz
- Department of Medicine (Huddinge), Karolinska Institutet, Sweden (G.M., L. Muhl, J.L., S.G., B.B., U.L., M.V., C.B., J.L.M.B.)
- Department of Immunology, Genetics, and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Sweden (M.V., C.B.)
| | - Johan L.M. Björkegren
- Department of Medicine (Huddinge), Karolinska Institutet, Sweden (G.M., L. Muhl, J.L., S.G., B.B., U.L., M.V., C.B., J.L.M.B.)
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York (L. Ma, S.K., K.H., J.L.M.B.)
- Clinical Gene Networks AB, Stockholm, Sweden (J.L.M.B.)
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Linna-Kuosmanen S, Schmauch E, Galani K, Ojanen J, Boix CA, Örd T, Toropainen A, Singha PK, Moreau PR, Harju K, Blazeski A, Segerstolpe Å, Lahtinen V, Hou L, Kang K, Meibalan E, Agudelo LZ, Kokki H, Halonen J, Jalkanen J, Gunn J, MacRae CA, Hollmén M, Hartikainen JEK, Kaikkonen MU, García-Cardeña G, Tavi P, Kiviniemi T, Kellis M. Transcriptomic and spatial dissection of human ex vivo right atrial tissue reveals proinflammatory microvascular changes in ischemic heart disease. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101556. [PMID: 38776872 PMCID: PMC11148807 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease plays a central role in the electrical and structural remodeling of the right atrium, predisposing to arrhythmias, heart failure, and sudden death. Here, we dissect with single-nuclei RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) and spatial transcriptomics the gene expression changes in the human ex vivo right atrial tissue and pericardial fluid in ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction, and ischemic and non-ischemic heart failure using asymptomatic patients with valvular disease who undergo preventive surgery as the control group. We reveal substantial differences in disease-associated gene expression in all cell types, collectively suggesting inflammatory microvascular dysfunction and changes in the right atrial tissue composition as the valvular and vascular diseases progress into heart failure. The data collectively suggest that investigation of human cardiovascular disease should expand to all functionally important parts of the heart, which may help us to identify mechanisms promoting more severe types of the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suvi Linna-Kuosmanen
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70211 Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Eloi Schmauch
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Kyriakitsa Galani
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Johannes Ojanen
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Carles A Boix
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Tiit Örd
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Anu Toropainen
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Prosanta K Singha
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Pierre R Moreau
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Kristiina Harju
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Adriana Blazeski
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Åsa Segerstolpe
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Veikko Lahtinen
- Heart Center, Turku University Hospital, 20521 Turku, Finland; MediCity Research Laboratories and InFLAMES Flagship, University of Turku, 20500 Turku, Finland
| | - Lei Hou
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Kai Kang
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Elamaran Meibalan
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Leandro Z Agudelo
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Hannu Kokki
- School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jari Halonen
- School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, 70211 Kuopio, Finland; Heart Center, Kuopio University Hospital, 70200 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Juho Jalkanen
- MediCity Research Laboratories and InFLAMES Flagship, University of Turku, 20500 Turku, Finland
| | - Jarmo Gunn
- Heart Center, Turku University Hospital, 20521 Turku, Finland; Department of Medicine, University of Turku, 20500 Turku, Finland
| | - Calum A MacRae
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Cardiovascular Medicine and Network Medicine Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Maija Hollmén
- MediCity Research Laboratories and InFLAMES Flagship, University of Turku, 20500 Turku, Finland
| | - Juha E K Hartikainen
- School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, 70211 Kuopio, Finland; Heart Center, Kuopio University Hospital, 70200 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Minna U Kaikkonen
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Guillermo García-Cardeña
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Pasi Tavi
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Tuomas Kiviniemi
- Heart Center, Turku University Hospital, 20521 Turku, Finland; Department of Medicine, University of Turku, 20500 Turku, Finland; Cardiovascular Medicine and Network Medicine Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Manolis Kellis
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Peng Z, Kan Q, Wang K, Deng T, Wang S, Wu R, Yao C. Deciphering smooth muscle cell heterogeneity in atherosclerotic plaques and constructing model: a multi-omics approach with focus on KLF15/IGFBP4 axis. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:490. [PMID: 38760675 PMCID: PMC11102212 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10379-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ruptured atherosclerotic plaques often precipitate severe ischemic events, such as stroke and myocardial infarction. Unraveling the intricate molecular mechanisms governing vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) behavior in plaque stabilization remains a formidable challenge. METHODS In this study, we leveraged single-cell and transcriptomic datasets from atherosclerotic plaques retrieved from the gene expression omnibus (GEO) database. Employing a combination of single-cell population differential analysis, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and transcriptome differential analysis techniques, we identified specific genes steering the transformation of VSMCs in atherosclerotic plaques. Diagnostic models were developed and validated through gene intersection, utilizing the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and random forest (RF) methods. Nomograms for plaque assessment were constructed. Tissue localization and expression validation were performed on specimens from animal models, utilizing immunofluorescence co-localization, western blot, and reverse-transcription quantitative-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Various online databases were harnessed to predict transcription factors (TFs) and their interacting compounds, with determination of the cell-specific localization of TF expression using single-cell data. RESULTS Following rigorous quality control procedures, we obtained a total of 40,953 cells, with 6,261 representing VSMCs. The VSMC population was subsequently clustered into 5 distinct subpopulations. Analyzing inter-subpopulation cellular communication, we focused on the SMC2 and SMC5 subpopulations. Single-cell subpopulation and WGCNA analyses revealed significant module enrichments, notably in collagen-containing extracellular matrix and cell-substrate junctions. Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 4 (IGFBP4), apolipoprotein E (APOE), and cathepsin C (CTSC) were identified as potential diagnostic markers for early and advanced plaques. Notably, gene expression pattern analysis suggested that IGFBP4 might serve as a protective gene, a hypothesis validated through tissue localization and expression analysis. Finally, we predicted TFs capable of binding to IGFBP4, with Krüppel-like family 15 (KLF15) emerging as a prominent candidate showing relative specificity within smooth muscle cells. Predictions about compounds associated with affecting KLF15 expression were also made. CONCLUSION Our study established a plaque diagnostic and assessment model and analyzed the molecular interaction mechanisms of smooth muscle cells within plaques. Further analysis revealed that the transcription factor KLF15 may regulate the biological behaviors of smooth muscle cells through the KLF15/IGFBP4 axis, thereby influencing the stability of advanced plaques via modulation of the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. This could potentially serve as a target for plaque stability assessment and therapy, thus driving advancements in the management and treatment of atherosclerotic plaques.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Humans
- Male
- Gene Expression Profiling
- Gene Regulatory Networks
- Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 4/metabolism
- Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 4/genetics
- Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors/genetics
- Multiomics
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/pathology
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/cytology
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism
- Plaque, Atherosclerotic/metabolism
- Plaque, Atherosclerotic/genetics
- Plaque, Atherosclerotic/pathology
- Single-Cell Analysis
- Transcriptome
- Rats
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhanli Peng
- Division of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 58 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou, 510080, P.R. China
- National-Guangdong Joint Engineering Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Qinghui Kan
- Division of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 58 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou, 510080, P.R. China
- National-Guangdong Joint Engineering Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Kangjie Wang
- Division of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 58 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou, 510080, P.R. China
- National-Guangdong Joint Engineering Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Tang Deng
- Division of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 58 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou, 510080, P.R. China
- National-Guangdong Joint Engineering Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Shenming Wang
- Division of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 58 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou, 510080, P.R. China
- National-Guangdong Joint Engineering Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Ridong Wu
- Division of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 58 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou, 510080, P.R. China.
- National-Guangdong Joint Engineering Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China.
| | - Chen Yao
- Division of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 58 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou, 510080, P.R. China.
- National-Guangdong Joint Engineering Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Malhi NK, Luo Y, Tang X, Chadha RS, Tapia A, Liu X, Chen M, Yuan D, Qi M, Wei L, Cooke JP, Natarajan R, Southerland KW, Chen ZB. Mapping Endothelial-Macrophage Interactions in Diabetic Vasculature: Role of TREM2 in Vascular Inflammation and Ischemic Response. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.14.594235. [PMID: 38798611 PMCID: PMC11118321 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.14.594235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Vasculopathies occur 15 years earlier in individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) as compared to those without, but the underlying mechanisms driving diabetic vasculopathy remain incompletely understood. Endothelial cells (ECs) and macrophages (MΦ) are critical players in vascular wall and their crosstalk is crucial in diabetic vasculopathy. In diabetes, EC activation enables monocyte recruitment, which transmigrate into the intima and differentiate into macrophages (MΦ). Beyond this established model of diapedesis, EC-MΦ interplay is highly intricate and heterogenous. To capture these highly context dependent EC-MΦ interactions, we leveraged single-cell (sc)RNA-seq in conjunction with spatial transcriptome (ST)-seq profiling to analyze human mesenteric arteries from non-diabetic (ND) and type 2 diabetic (T2D) donors. We provide in this study a transcriptomic map encompassing major arterial vascular cells, e.g., EC, mononuclear phagocyte (MP), and T cells, and their interactions associated with human T2D. Furthermore, we identified Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells 2 ( TREM2) as a top T2D-induced gene in MP, with concomitant increase of TREM2 ligands in ECs. TREM2 induction was confirmed in mouse models of T2D and monocyte/MΦ subjected to DM-mimicking stimuli. Perturbing TREM2 with either an antibody or silencing RNA in MPs led to decreased pro-inflammatory responses in MPs and ECs and increased EC migration in vitro . In a mouse model of diabetes, TREM2 expression and its interaction with ECs are increased in the ischemic, as compared to non-ischemic muscles. Importantly, neutralization of TREM2 using a neutralizing antibody enhanced ischemic recovery and flow reperfusion in the diabetic mice, suggesting a role of TREM2 in promoting diabetic PAD. Finally, we verified that both TREM2 expression and the TREM2-EC-interaction are increased in human patients with DM-PAD. Collectively, our study presents the first atlas of human diabetic vessels with a focus on EC-MP interactions. Exemplified by TREM2, our study provides valuable insights into EC-MΦ interactions, key processes contributing to diabetic vasculopathies and the potential of targeting these interactions for therapeutic development.
Collapse
|
40
|
Rojas MG, Pereira-Simon S, Zigmond ZM, Varona Santos J, Perla M, Santos Falcon N, Stoyell-Conti FF, Salama A, Yang X, Long X, Duque JC, Salman LH, Tabbara M, Martinez L, Vazquez-Padron RI. Single-Cell Analyses Offer Insights into the Different Remodeling Programs of Arteries and Veins. Cells 2024; 13:793. [PMID: 38786017 PMCID: PMC11119253 DOI: 10.3390/cells13100793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Arteries and veins develop different types of occlusive diseases and respond differently to injury. The biological reasons for this discrepancy are not well understood, which is a limiting factor for the development of vein-targeted therapies. This study contrasts human peripheral arteries and veins at the single-cell level, with a focus on cell populations with remodeling potential. Upper arm arteries (brachial) and veins (basilic/cephalic) from 30 organ donors were compared using a combination of bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing, proteomics, flow cytometry, and histology. The cellular atlases of six arteries and veins demonstrated a 7.8× higher proportion of contractile smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in arteries and a trend toward more modulated SMCs. In contrast, veins showed a higher abundance of endothelial cells, pericytes, and macrophages, as well as an increasing trend in fibroblasts. Activated fibroblasts had similar proportions in both types of vessels but with significant differences in gene expression. Modulated SMCs and activated fibroblasts were characterized by the upregulation of MYH10, FN1, COL8A1, and ITGA10. Activated fibroblasts also expressed F2R, POSTN, and COMP and were confirmed by F2R/CD90 flow cytometry. Activated fibroblasts from veins were the top producers of collagens among all fibroblast populations from both types of vessels. Venous fibroblasts were also highly angiogenic, proinflammatory, and hyper-responders to reactive oxygen species. Differences in wall structure further explain the significant contribution of fibroblast populations to remodeling in veins. Fibroblasts are almost exclusively located outside the external elastic lamina in arteries, while widely distributed throughout the venous wall. In line with the above, ECM-targeted proteomics confirmed a higher abundance of fibrillar collagens in veins vs. more basement ECM components in arteries. The distinct cellular compositions and transcriptional programs of reparative populations in arteries and veins may explain differences in acute and chronic wall remodeling between vessels. This information may be relevant for the development of antistenotic therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miguel G. Rojas
- Department of Surgery, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.G.R.); (S.P.-S.); (J.V.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Simone Pereira-Simon
- Department of Surgery, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.G.R.); (S.P.-S.); (J.V.S.); (A.S.)
| | | | - Javier Varona Santos
- Department of Surgery, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.G.R.); (S.P.-S.); (J.V.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Mikael Perla
- Department of Surgery, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.G.R.); (S.P.-S.); (J.V.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Nieves Santos Falcon
- Department of Surgery, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.G.R.); (S.P.-S.); (J.V.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Filipe F. Stoyell-Conti
- Department of Surgery, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.G.R.); (S.P.-S.); (J.V.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Alghidak Salama
- Department of Surgery, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.G.R.); (S.P.-S.); (J.V.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Xiaofeng Yang
- Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Xiaochun Long
- Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Juan C. Duque
- Department of Medicine, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Loay H. Salman
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Marwan Tabbara
- Department of Surgery, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.G.R.); (S.P.-S.); (J.V.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Laisel Martinez
- Department of Surgery, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.G.R.); (S.P.-S.); (J.V.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Roberto I. Vazquez-Padron
- Department of Surgery, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.G.R.); (S.P.-S.); (J.V.S.); (A.S.)
- Bruce W. Carter Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL 33125, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Yuan X, Jiang C, Xue Y, Guo F, Luo M, Guo L, Gao Y, Yuan T, Xu H, Chen H. KLF13 promotes VSMCs phenotypic dedifferentiation by directly binding to the SM22α promoter. J Cell Physiol 2024; 239:e31251. [PMID: 38634445 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Krüppel-like factor 13 (KLF13), a zinc finger transcription factor, is considered as a potential regulator of cardiomyocyte differentiation and proliferation during heart morphogenesis. However, its precise role in the dedifferentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) during atherosclerosis and neointimal formation after injury remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the relationship between KLF13 and SM22α expression in normal and atherosclerotic plaques by bioanalysis, and observed a significant increase in KLF13 levels in the atherosclerotic plaques of both human patients and ApoE-/- mice. Knockdown of KLF13 was found to ameliorate intimal hyperplasia following carotid artery injury. Furthermore, we discovered that KLF13 directly binds to the SM22α promoter, leading to the phenotypic dedifferentiation of VSMCs. Remarkably, we observed a significant inhibition of platelet-derived growth factor BB-induced VSMCs dedifferentiation, proliferation, and migration when knocked down KLF13 in VSMCs. This inhibitory effect of KLF13 knockdown on VCMC function was, at least in part, mediated by the inactivation of p-AKT signaling in VSMCs. Overall, our findings shed light on a potential therapeutic target for treating atherosclerotic lesions and restenosis after vascular injury.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Humans
- Male
- Mice
- Atherosclerosis/genetics
- Atherosclerosis/pathology
- Atherosclerosis/metabolism
- Carotid Artery Injuries/pathology
- Carotid Artery Injuries/genetics
- Carotid Artery Injuries/metabolism
- Cell Dedifferentiation
- Cell Movement/genetics
- Cell Proliferation/genetics
- Cells, Cultured
- Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors/genetics
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Muscle Proteins/genetics
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/pathology
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/pathology
- Neointima/metabolism
- Neointima/pathology
- Neointima/genetics
- Phenotype
- Plaque, Atherosclerotic/pathology
- Plaque, Atherosclerotic/metabolism
- Plaque, Atherosclerotic/genetics
- Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism
- Repressor Proteins/genetics
- Repressor Proteins/metabolism
- Signal Transduction
- Cell Cycle Proteins
- Microfilament Proteins/genetics
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofan Yuan
- Department of General Practice, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Chuan Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuzhou Xue
- Department of Cardiology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Fuqiang Guo
- Department of Neurology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Minghao Luo
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lei Guo
- Department of Neurology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yang Gao
- Department of General Practice, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Tongling Yuan
- Department of General Practice, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Hui Xu
- Department of General Practice, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Hong Chen
- Department of General Practice, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Su Q, Huang W, Huang Y, Dai R, Chang C, Li QY, Liu H, Li Z, Zhao Y, Wu Q, Pan DG. Single-cell insights: pioneering an integrated atlas of chromatin accessibility and transcriptomic landscapes in diabetic cardiomyopathy. Cardiovasc Diabetol 2024; 23:139. [PMID: 38664790 PMCID: PMC11046823 DOI: 10.1186/s12933-024-02233-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) poses a growing health threat, elevating heart failure risk in diabetic individuals. Understanding DCM is crucial, with fibroblasts and endothelial cells playing pivotal roles in driving myocardial fibrosis and contributing to cardiac dysfunction. Advances in Multimodal single-cell profiling, such as scRNA-seq and scATAC-seq, provide deeper insights into DCM's unique cell states and molecular landscape for targeted therapeutic interventions. METHODS Single-cell RNA and ATAC data from 10x Multiome libraries were processed using Cell Ranger ARC v2.0.1. Gene expression and ATAC data underwent Seurat and Signac filtration. Differential gene expression and accessible chromatin regions were identified. Transcription factor activity was estimated with chromVAR, and Cis-coaccessibility networks were calculated using Cicero. Coaccessibility connections were compared to the GeneHancer database. Gene Ontology analysis, biological process scoring, cell-cell communication analysis, and gene-motif correlation was performed to reveal intricate molecular changes. Immunofluorescent staining utilized various antibodies on paraffin-embedded tissues to verify the findings. RESULTS This study integrated scRNA-seq and scATAC-seq data obtained from hearts of WT and DCM mice, elucidating molecular changes at the single-cell level throughout the diabetic cardiomyopathy progression. Robust and accurate clustering analysis of the integrated data revealed altered cell proportions, showcasing decreased endothelial cells and macrophages, coupled with increased fibroblasts and myocardial cells in the DCM group, indicating enhanced fibrosis and endothelial damage. Chromatin accessibility analysis unveiled unique patterns in cell types, with heightened transcriptional activity in myocardial cells. Subpopulation analysis highlighted distinct changes in cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts, emphasizing pathways related to fatty acid metabolism and cardiac contraction. Fibroblast-centered communication analysis identified interactions with endothelial cells, implicating VEGF receptors. Endothelial cell subpopulations exhibited altered gene expressions, emphasizing contraction and growth-related pathways. Candidate regulators, including Tcf21, Arnt, Stat5a, and Stat5b, were identified, suggesting their pivotal roles in DCM development. Immunofluorescence staining validated marker genes of cell subpopulations, confirming PDK4, PPARγ and Tpm1 as markers for metabolic pattern-altered cardiomyocytes, activated fibroblasts and endothelial cells with compromised proliferation. CONCLUSION Our integrated scRNA-seq and scATAC-seq analysis unveils intricate cell states and molecular alterations in diabetic cardiomyopathy. Identified cell type-specific changes, transcription factors, and marker genes offer valuable insights. The study sheds light on potential therapeutic targets for DCM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Su
- Department of Cardiology, People's Hospital of Guilin, Guilin, China
- Department of Cardiology, Jiangbin Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Wanzhong Huang
- Department of Cardiology, Jiangbin Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Yuan Huang
- Department of Cardiology, Jiangbin Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Rixin Dai
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Chen Chang
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Qiu-Yan Li
- Department of Cardiology, People's Hospital of Guilin, Guilin, China
| | - Hao Liu
- Institute of Bioengineering, Biotrans Technology Co., LTD, Shanghai, China
- United New Drug Research and Development Center, Biotrans Technology Co., LTD, Changsha, China
| | - Zhenhao Li
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- BoYu Intelligent Health Innovation Laboratory, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuxiang Zhao
- Institute of Bioengineering, Biotrans Technology Co., LTD, Shanghai, China.
- United New Drug Research and Development Center, Biotrans Technology Co., LTD, Changsha, China.
| | - Qiang Wu
- Senior Department of Cardiology, the Sixth Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
| | - Di-Guang Pan
- Department of Cardiology, People's Hospital of Guilin, Guilin, China.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Gallucci G, Turazza FM, Inno A, Canale ML, Silvestris N, Farì R, Navazio A, Pinto C, Tarantini L. Atherosclerosis and the Bidirectional Relationship between Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease: From Bench to Bedside-Part 1. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4232. [PMID: 38673815 PMCID: PMC11049833 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis, a complex metabolic-immune disease characterized by chronic inflammation driven by the buildup of lipid-rich plaques within arterial walls, has emerged as a pivotal factor in the intricate interplay between cancer and cardiovascular disease. This bidirectional relationship, marked by shared risk factors and pathophysiological mechanisms, underscores the need for a comprehensive understanding of how these two formidable health challenges intersect and influence each other. Cancer and its treatments can contribute to the progression of atherosclerosis, while atherosclerosis, with its inflammatory microenvironment, can exert profound effects on cancer development and outcomes. Both cancer and cardiovascular disease involve intricate interactions between general and personal exposomes. In this review, we aim to summarize the state of the art of translational data and try to show how oncologic studies on cardiotoxicity can broaden our knowledge of crucial pathways in cardiovascular biology and exert a positive impact on precision cardiology and cardio-oncology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Fabio Maria Turazza
- Struttura Complessa di Cardiologia, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milano, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Inno
- Oncologia Medica, IRCCS Ospedale Sacro Cuore Don Calabria, 37024 Negrar di Valpolicella, Italy;
| | - Maria Laura Canale
- Division of Cardiology, Azienda USL Toscana Nord-Ovest, Versilia Hospital, 55041 Lido di Camaiore, Italy;
| | - Nicola Silvestris
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Human Pathology “G.Barresi”, University of Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy;
| | - Roberto Farì
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41100 Modena, Italy
| | - Alessandro Navazio
- Cardiologia Ospedaliera, Department of Specialized Medicine, AUSL—IRCCS in Tecnologie Avanzate e Modelli Assistenziali in Oncologia, 42100 Reggio Emilia, Italy;
| | - Carmine Pinto
- Provincial Medical Oncology, Department of Oncology and Advanced Technologies, AUSL—IRCCS in Tecnologie Avanzate e Modelli Assistenziali in Oncologia, 42100 Reggio Emilia, Italy;
| | - Luigi Tarantini
- Cardiologia Ospedaliera, Department of Specialized Medicine, AUSL—IRCCS in Tecnologie Avanzate e Modelli Assistenziali in Oncologia, 42100 Reggio Emilia, Italy;
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Mahajan A, Hong J, Krukovets I, Shin J, Tkachenko S, Espinosa-Diez C, Owens GK, Cherepanova OA. Integrative analysis of the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA interactions in smooth muscle cell phenotypic transitions. Front Genet 2024; 15:1356558. [PMID: 38660676 PMCID: PMC11039880 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1356558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives: We previously found that the pluripotency factor OCT4 is reactivated in smooth muscle cells (SMC) in human and mouse atherosclerotic plaques and plays an atheroprotective role. Loss of OCT4 in SMC in vitro was associated with decreases in SMC migration. However, molecular mechanisms responsible for atheroprotective SMC-OCT4-dependent effects remain unknown. Methods: Since studies in embryonic stem cells demonstrated that OCT4 regulates long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs), making them candidates for OCT4 effect mediators, we applied an in vitro approach to investigate the interactions between OCT4-regulated lncRNAs, mRNAs, and miRNAs in SMC. We used OCT4 deficient mouse aortic SMC (MASMC) treated with the pro-atherogenic oxidized phospholipid POVPC, which, as we previously demonstrated, suppresses SMC contractile markers and induces SMC migration. Differential expression of lncRNAs, mRNAs, and miRNAs was obtained by lncRNA/mRNA expression array and small-RNA microarray. Long non-coding RNA to mRNA associations were predicted based on their genomic proximity and association with vascular diseases. Given a recently discovered crosstalk between miRNA and lncRNA, we also investigated the association of miRNAs with upregulated/downregulated lncRNA-mRNA pairs. Results: POVPC treatment in SMC resulted in upregulating genes related to the axon guidance and focal adhesion pathways. Knockdown of Oct4 resulted in differential regulation of pathways associated with phagocytosis. Importantly, these results were consistent with our data showing that OCT4 deficiency attenuated POVPC-induced SMC migration and led to increased phagocytosis. Next, we identified several up- or downregulated lncRNA associated with upregulation of the specific mRNA unique for the OCT4 deficient SMC, including upregulation of ENSMUST00000140952-Hoxb5/6 and ENSMUST00000155531-Zfp652 along with downregulation of ENSMUST00000173605-Parp9 and, ENSMUST00000137236-Zmym1. Finally, we found that many of the downregulated miRNAs were associated with cell migration, including miR-196a-1 and miR-10a, targets of upregulated ENSMUST00000140952, and miR-155 and miR-122, targets of upregulated ENSMUST00000155531. Oppositely, the upregulated miRNAs were anti-migratory and pro-phagocytic, such as miR-10a/b and miR-15a/b, targets of downregulated ENSMUST00000173605, and miR-146a/b and miR-15b targets of ENSMUST00000137236. Conclusion: Our integrative analyses of the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA interactions in SMC indicated novel potential OCT4-dependent mechanisms that may play a role in SMC phenotypic transitions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aatish Mahajan
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Junyoung Hong
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Irene Krukovets
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Junchul Shin
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Svyatoslav Tkachenko
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Cristina Espinosa-Diez
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Gary K. Owens
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Olga A. Cherepanova
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Adelus ML, Ding J, Tran BT, Conklin AC, Golebiewski AK, Stolze LK, Whalen MB, Cusanovich DA, Romanoski CE. Single-cell 'omic profiles of human aortic endothelial cells in vitro and human atherosclerotic lesions ex vivo reveal heterogeneity of endothelial subtype and response to activating perturbations. eLife 2024; 12:RP91729. [PMID: 38578680 PMCID: PMC10997331 DOI: 10.7554/elife.91729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Heterogeneity in endothelial cell (EC) sub-phenotypes is becoming increasingly appreciated in atherosclerosis progression. Still, studies quantifying EC heterogeneity across whole transcriptomes and epigenomes in both in vitro and in vivo models are lacking. Multiomic profiling concurrently measuring transcriptomes and accessible chromatin in the same single cells was performed on six distinct primary cultures of human aortic ECs (HAECs) exposed to activating environments characteristic of the atherosclerotic microenvironment in vitro. Meta-analysis of single-cell transcriptomes across 17 human ex vivo arterial specimens was performed and two computational approaches quantitatively evaluated the similarity in molecular profiles between heterogeneous in vitro and ex vivo cell profiles. HAEC cultures were reproducibly populated by four major clusters with distinct pathway enrichment profiles and modest heterogeneous responses: EC1-angiogenic, EC2-proliferative, EC3-activated/mesenchymal-like, and EC4-mesenchymal. Quantitative comparisons between in vitro and ex vivo transcriptomes confirmed EC1 and EC2 as most canonically EC-like, and EC4 as most mesenchymal with minimal effects elicited by siERG and IL1B. Lastly, accessible chromatin regions unique to EC2 and EC4 were most enriched for coronary artery disease (CAD)-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms from Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS), suggesting that these cell phenotypes harbor CAD-modulating mechanisms. Primary EC cultures contain markedly heterogeneous cell subtypes defined by their molecular profiles. Surprisingly, the perturbations used here only modestly shifted cells between subpopulations, suggesting relatively stable molecular phenotypes in culture. Identifying consistently heterogeneous EC subpopulations between in vitro and ex vivo models should pave the way for improving in vitro systems while enabling the mechanisms governing heterogeneous cell state decisions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria L Adelus
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
- The Clinical Translational Sciences Graduate Program, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
| | - Jiacheng Ding
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
| | - Binh T Tran
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
| | - Austin C Conklin
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
| | - Anna K Golebiewski
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
| | - Lindsey K Stolze
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
| | - Michael B Whalen
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
| | - Darren A Cusanovich
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
- Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
| | - Casey E Romanoski
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
- The Clinical Translational Sciences Graduate Program, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
- Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Pertiwi KR, Teunissen MBM, Krebbers G, Willems MC, Huisman L, Poelen C, van der Wal AC, de Boer OJ. Enrichment of type 1 innate lymphoid cells in the course of human atherosclerotic plaque development suggests contribution to atherogenesis. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1354617. [PMID: 38638438 PMCID: PMC11024276 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1354617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) have been implicated in multiple pathologic conditions, including atherogenesis, as documented in experimental mice studies, however, their role in atherosclerosis in humans remains unexplored. Methods Here, we identify ILCs and their dynamics in early, advanced, and complicated human carotid- and aortic atherosclerotic plaques, using a multiplex immunohistochemical quadruple-staining technique with prototypic transcription factors T-bet, GATA3, or RORgt for identification of the ILC1, ILC2 and ILC3 subsets, respectively, in combination with lineage markers CD3, CD20/ CD79a and CD56 to exclude other lymphoid cell types. ILC subsets were quantified, and to put this in perspective, their numbers were expressed as percentage of the total number of infiltrated lymphoid cells and related to the frequency of conventional T cells, B cells, NK cells, and NKT cells. Results All ILC subsets were present in every different stage of atherogenesis. ILC1s were the most abundant ILC subset, and their numbers significantly increased in the course of plaque development, but paradoxically, their relative frequency was reduced because of a higher increment of T cells and B cells. The numbers of ILC2s and ILC3s also gradually increased, but this trend did not achieve significance. T cell subsets always significantly outnumbered their ILC counterparts, except for the early lesions where the proportion of ILC1s was markedly higher, albeit not significant. Discussion The high abundance of ILC1s in the early stages and further significant enrichment in later stages, suggest they may participate in the initiation and development of atherogenesis, and thus, may represent a novel target to prevent or treat atherosclerosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kartika R. Pertiwi
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Faculty of Medicine and Department of Biology Education, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Marcel B. M. Teunissen
- Department of Dermatology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Gabrielle Krebbers
- Department of Dermatology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Martine C.M. Willems
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Flevoziekenhuis, Almere, Netherlands
| | - Laurens Huisman
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Flevoziekenhuis, Almere, Netherlands
| | - Cindy Poelen
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Allard C. van der Wal
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Onno J. de Boer
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Bashore AC, Yan H, Xue C, Zhu LY, Kim E, Mawson T, Coronel J, Chung A, Sachs N, Ho S, Ross LS, Kissner M, Passegué E, Bauer RC, Maegdefessel L, Li M, Reilly MP. High-Dimensional Single-Cell Multimodal Landscape of Human Carotid Atherosclerosis. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2024; 44:930-945. [PMID: 38385291 PMCID: PMC10978277 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.320524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atherosclerotic plaques are complex tissues composed of a heterogeneous mixture of cells. However, our understanding of the comprehensive transcriptional and phenotypic landscape of the cells within these lesions is limited. METHODS To characterize the landscape of human carotid atherosclerosis in greater detail, we combined cellular indexing of transcriptomes and epitopes by sequencing and single-cell RNA sequencing to classify all cell types within lesions (n=21; 13 symptomatic) to achieve a comprehensive multimodal understanding of the cellular identities of atherosclerosis and their association with clinical pathophysiology. RESULTS We identified 25 cell populations, each with a unique multiomic signature, including macrophages, T cells, NK (natural killer) cells, mast cells, B cells, plasma cells, neutrophils, dendritic cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Among the macrophages, we identified 2 proinflammatory subsets enriched in IL-1B (interleukin-1B) or C1Q expression, 2 TREM2-positive foam cells (1 expressing inflammatory genes), and subpopulations with a proliferative gene signature and SMC-specific gene signature with fibrotic pathways upregulated. Further characterization revealed various subsets of SMCs and fibroblasts, including SMC-derived foam cells. These foamy SMCs were localized in the deep intima of coronary atherosclerotic lesions. Utilizing cellular indexing of transcriptomes and epitopes by sequencing data, we developed a flow cytometry panel, using cell surface proteins CD29, CD142, and CD90, to isolate SMC-derived cells from lesions. Lastly, we observed reduced proportions of efferocytotic macrophages, classically activated endothelial cells, and contractile and modulated SMC-derived cells, while inflammatory SMCs were enriched in plaques of clinically symptomatic versus asymptomatic patients. CONCLUSIONS Our multimodal atlas of cell populations within atherosclerosis provides novel insights into the diversity, phenotype, location, isolation, and clinical relevance of the unique cellular composition of human carotid atherosclerosis. These findings facilitate both the mapping of cardiovascular disease susceptibility loci to specific cell types and the identification of novel molecular and cellular therapeutic targets for the treatment of the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander C Bashore
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Hanying Yan
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (H.Y., M.L.)
| | - Chenyi Xue
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Lucie Y Zhu
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Eunyoung Kim
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Thomas Mawson
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Johana Coronel
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Allen Chung
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Nadja Sachs
- Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Technical University Munich, Germany (N.S., L.M.)
| | - Sebastian Ho
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Leila S Ross
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Michael Kissner
- Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Department of Genetics and Development (M.K., E.P.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Emmanuelle Passegué
- Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Department of Genetics and Development (M.K., E.P.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Robert C Bauer
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Lars Maegdefessel
- Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Technical University Munich, Germany (N.S., L.M.)
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance (L.M.)
- Department of Medicine, Karolinksa Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (L.M.)
| | - Mingyao Li
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (H.Y., M.L.)
| | - Muredach P Reilly
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
- Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (M.P.R.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Stroope C, Nettersheim FS, Coon B, Finney AC, Schwartz MA, Ley K, Rom O, Yurdagul A. Dysregulated cellular metabolism in atherosclerosis: mediators and therapeutic opportunities. Nat Metab 2024; 6:617-638. [PMID: 38532071 PMCID: PMC11055680 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-024-01015-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence over the past decades has revealed an intricate relationship between dysregulation of cellular metabolism and the progression of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. However, an integrated understanding of dysregulated cellular metabolism in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and its potential value as a therapeutic target is missing. In this Review, we (1) summarize recent advances concerning the role of metabolic dysregulation during atherosclerosis progression in lesional cells, including endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, macrophages and T cells; (2) explore the complexity of metabolic cross-talk between these lesional cells; (3) highlight emerging technologies that promise to illuminate unknown aspects of metabolism in atherosclerosis; and (4) suggest strategies for targeting these underexplored metabolic alterations to mitigate atherosclerosis progression and stabilize rupture-prone atheromas with a potential new generation of cardiovascular therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chad Stroope
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Felix Sebastian Nettersheim
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Brian Coon
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, OMRF, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Alexandra C Finney
- Department of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Martin A Schwartz
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Departments of Cell Biology and Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Klaus Ley
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- Immunology Center of Georgia (IMMCG), Augusta University Immunology Center of Georgia, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Oren Rom
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Arif Yurdagul
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, USA.
- Department of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Ahmed IA, Liu M, Gomez D. Nuclear Control of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Plasticity during Vascular Remodeling. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2024; 194:525-538. [PMID: 37820925 PMCID: PMC10988766 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2023.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Control of vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) gene expression is an essential process for establishing and maintaining lineage identity, contractility, and plasticity. Most mechanisms (epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional) implicated in gene regulation occur in the nucleus. Still, intranuclear pathways are directly impacted by modifications in the extracellular environment in conditions of adaptive or maladaptive remodeling. Integration of extracellular, cellular, and genomic information into the nucleus through epigenetic and transcriptional control of genome organization plays a major role in regulating SMC functions and phenotypic transitions during vascular remodeling and diseases. This review aims to provide a comprehensive update on nuclear mechanisms, their interactions, and their integration in controlling SMC homeostasis and dysfunction. It summarizes and discusses the main nuclear mechanisms preponderant in SMCs in the context of vascular disease, such as atherosclerosis, with an emphasis on studies employing in vivo cell-specific loss-of-function and single-cell omics approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim A Ahmed
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Mingjun Liu
- Department of Pathology, New York University, New York, New York
| | - Delphine Gomez
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Wu X, Zhang H. Omics Approaches Unveiling the Biology of Human Atherosclerotic Plaques. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2024; 194:482-498. [PMID: 38280419 PMCID: PMC10988765 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2023.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the arterial wall, characterized by the buildup of plaques with the accumulation and transformation of lipids, immune cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, and necrotic cell debris. Plaques with collagen-poor thin fibrous caps infiltrated by macrophages and lymphocytes are considered unstable because they are at the greatest risk of rupture and clinical events. However, the current histologic definition of plaque types may not fully capture the complex molecular nature of atherosclerotic plaque biology and the underlying mechanisms contributing to plaque progression, rupture, and erosion. The advances in omics technologies have changed the understanding of atherosclerosis plaque biology, offering new possibilities to improve risk prediction and discover novel therapeutic targets. Genomic studies have shed light on the genetic predisposition to atherosclerosis, and integrative genomic analyses expedite the translation of genomic discoveries. Transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic, and lipidomic studies have refined the understanding of the molecular signature of atherosclerotic plaques, aiding in data-driven hypothesis generation for mechanistic studies and offering new prospects for biomarker discovery. Furthermore, advancements in single-cell technologies and emerging spatial analysis techniques have unveiled the heterogeneity and plasticity of plaque cells. This review discusses key omics-based discoveries that have advanced the understanding of human atherosclerotic plaque biology, focusing on insights derived from omics profiling of human atherosclerotic vascular specimens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xun Wu
- Cardiometabolic Genomics Program, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Hanrui Zhang
- Cardiometabolic Genomics Program, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York.
| |
Collapse
|