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Mushenkova NV, Summerhill VI, Silaeva YY, Deykin AV, Orekhov AN. Modelling of atherosclerosis in genetically modified animals. Am J Transl Res 2019; 11:4614-4633. [PMID: 31497187 PMCID: PMC6731422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a lipid-driven, chronic inflammatory disease that leads to plaque formation at specific sites of the arterial tree. Being the common cause of many cardiovascular disorders, atherosclerosis makes a tremendous impact on morbidity and mortality rates of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in countries with higher income. Animal models of atherosclerosis are utilized as useful tools for studying the aetiology, pathogenesis and complications of atherosclerosis, thus, providing a valuable platform for the efficacy testing of different pharmacological therapies and validation of imaging techniques. To date, a large variety of models is available. Pathophysiological changes can be induced in animals by either an atherogenic diet or genetic manipulations. The discussion of advantages and disadvantages of some murine, rabbit and porcine genetic models currently available for the atherosclerosis research is the scope of the following review.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Volha I Summerhill
- Institute for Atherosclerosis Research, Skolkovo Innovative CentreMoscow 121609, Russia
| | - Yulia Yu Silaeva
- Centre of Collective Usage, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences34/5 Vavilova Street, Moscow 119334, Russia
| | - Alexey V Deykin
- Centre of Collective Usage, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences34/5 Vavilova Street, Moscow 119334, Russia
| | - Alexander N Orekhov
- Institute for Atherosclerosis Research, Skolkovo Innovative CentreMoscow 121609, Russia
- Centre of Collective Usage, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences34/5 Vavilova Street, Moscow 119334, Russia
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MiR-574-5p: A Circulating Marker of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20163924. [PMID: 31409059 PMCID: PMC6720007 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20163924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) can lead to fatal complications such as aortic dissection. Since aneurysm dimension poorly predicts dissection risk, microRNAs (miRNAs) may be useful to diagnose or risk stratify TAA patients. We aim to identify miRNAs associated with TAA pathogenesis and that are possibly able to improve TAA diagnosis. MiRNA microarray experiments of aortic media tissue samples from 19 TAA patients and 19 controls allowed identifying 232 differentially expressed miRNAs. Using interaction networks between these miRNAs and 690 genes associated with TAA, we identified miR-574-5p as a potential contributor of TAA pathogenesis. Interestingly, miR-574-5p was significantly down-regulated in the TAA tissue compared to the controls, but was up-regulated in serum samples from a separate group of 28 TAA patients compared to 20 controls (p < 0.001). MiR-574-5p serum levels discriminated TAA patients from controls with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.87. In the Fbn1C1041G/+ mouse model, miR-574-5p was down-regulated in aortic tissue compared to wild-type (p < 0.05), and up-regulated in plasma extracellular vesicles from Fbn1C1041G/+ mice compared to wild-type mice (p < 0.05). Furthermore, in vascular smooth muscle cells, angiotensin II appears to induce miR-574-5p secretion in extracellular vesicles. In conclusion, miR-574-5p is associated with TAA pathogenesis and may help in diagnosing this disease.
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Characterization of Two Novel Intronic Variants Affecting Splicing in FBN1-Related Disorders. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10060442. [PMID: 31185693 PMCID: PMC6627396 DOI: 10.3390/genes10060442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
FBN1 encodes fibrillin 1, a key structural component of the extracellular matrix, and its variants are associated with a wide range of hereditary connective tissues disorders, such as Marfan syndrome (MFS) and mitral valve–aorta–skeleton–skin (MASS) syndrome. Interpretations of the genomic data and possible genotype–phenotype correlations in FBN1 are complicated by the high rate of intronic variants of unknown significance. Here, we report two unrelated individuals with the FBN1 deep intronic variants c.6872-24T>A and c.7571-12T>A, clinically associated with MFS and MASS syndrome, respectively. The individual carrying the c.6872-24T>A variant is positive for aortic disease. Both individuals lacked ectopia lentis. In silico analysis and subsequent mRNA study by RT-PCR demonstrated the effect of the identified variant on the splicing process in both cases. The c.6872-24T>A and c.7571-12T>A variants generate the retention of intronic nucleotides and lead to the introduction of a premature stop codon. This study enlarges the mutation spectrum of FBN1 and points out the importance of intronic sequence analysis and the need for integrative functional studies in FBN1 diagnostics.
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54
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Chen JZ, Sawada H, Moorleghen JJ, Weiland M, Daugherty A, Sheppard MB. Aortic Strain Correlates with Elastin Fragmentation in Fibrillin-1 Hypomorphic Mice. Circ Rep 2019; 1:199-205. [PMID: 31123721 PMCID: PMC6528667 DOI: 10.1253/circrep.cr-18-0012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background High frequency ultrasound has facilitated in vivo measurements of murine ascending aortas, allowing aortic strains to be gleaned from two-dimensional images. Thoracic aortic aneurysms associated with mutations in fibrillin-1 (FBN1) display elastin fragmentation, which may impact aortic strain. In this study, we determined the relationship between elastin fragmentation and aortic circumferential strain in wild type and fibrillin-1 hypomorphic (FBN1 mgR/mgR) mice. Methods and Results Luminal diameters of the ascending aorta from wild type and FBN1 hypomorphic (FBN1 mgR/mgR) mice were measured in systole and diastole. Expansion of the ascending aorta during systole in male and female wild type mice was 0.21±0.02 mm (16.3%) and 0.21±0.01 mm (17.0%) respectively, while expansion in male and female FBN1 mgR/mgR mice was 0.11±0.04 mm (4.9%) and 0.07±0.02 mm (4.5%) respectively. Reduced circumferential strain was observed in FBN1 mgR/mgR mice compared to wild type littermates. Elastin fragmentation was inversely correlated to circumferential strain (R^2 = 0.628 p = 0.004) and significantly correlated with aortic diameter. (R^2 = 0.397, p = 0.038 in systole and R^2 = 0.515, p =0.013 in diastole). Conclusions FBN1 mgR/mgR mice had increased aortic diameters, reduced circumferential strain, and increased elastin fragmentation. Elastin fragmentation in FBN1 mgR/mgR and their wild type littermates was correlated with reduced circumferential strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeff Z Chen
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center.,Department of Physiology
| | | | | | | | - Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center.,Department of Physiology
| | - Mary B Sheppard
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center.,Department of Physiology.,Department of Family and Community Medicine.,Department of Surgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
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55
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The Effect of a Nonpeptide Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Agonist, Compound 21, on Aortic Aneurysm Growth in a Mouse Model of Marfan Syndrome. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2019; 71:215-222. [PMID: 29300219 PMCID: PMC5902135 DOI: 10.1097/fjc.0000000000000560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Available evidence suggests that the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone (RAA) system is a good target for medical intervention on aortic root dilatation in Marfan syndrome (MFS). The effect of Compound 21 (C21), a nonpeptide angiotensin II type 2 receptor agonist, on aneurysm progression was tested. Methods: Mice with a mutation in fibrillin-1 (Fbn1C1039G/+) and wild-type mice were treated with vehicle, losartan, C21, enalapril, or a combination. Blood pressure, aortic root diameter, and histological slides were evaluated. Results: All groups had a comparable blood pressure. Echographic evaluation of the aortic root diameter revealed a protective effect of angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist (losartan) and no effect of C21 treatment. None of the treatments had a beneficial effect on the histological changes in MFS. Discussion: This study confirms that angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonism (losartan) decreases aortic aneurysm growth in a mouse model of MFS. A nonpeptide angiotensin II type 2 receptor agonist (C21), at the doses studied, was ineffective. Future studies are warranted to further elucidate the exact role of the RAA system in aneurysm formation in MFS and identify alternative targets for intervention.
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56
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Cui JZ, Lee L, Sheng X, Chu F, Gibson CP, Aydinian T, Walker DC, Sandor GGS, Bernatchez P, Tibbits GF, van Breemen C, Esfandiarei M. In vivo characterization of doxycycline-mediated protection of aortic function and structure in a mouse model of Marfan syndrome-associated aortic aneurysm. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2071. [PMID: 30765726 PMCID: PMC6376062 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-38235-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Aortic aneurysm is the most life-threatening complication in Marfan syndrome (MFS) patients. Doxycycline, a nonselective matrix metalloproteinases inhibitor, was reported to improve the contractile function and elastic fiber structure and organization in a Marfan mouse aorta using ex vivo small chamber myography. In this study, we assessed the hypothesis that a long-term treatment with doxycycline would reduce aortic root growth, improve aortic wall elasticity as measured by pulse wave velocity, and improve the ultrastructure of elastic fiber in the mouse model of MFS. In our study, longitudinal measurements of aortic root diameters using high-resolution ultrasound imaging display significantly decreased aortic root diameters and lower pulse wave velocity in doxycycline-treated Marfan mice starting at 6 months as compared to their non-treated MFS counterparts. In addition, at the ultrastructural level, our data show that long-term doxycycline treatment corrects the irregularities of elastic fibers within the aortic wall of Marfan mice to the levels similar to those observed in control subjects. Our findings underscore the key role of matrix metalloproteinases during the progression of aortic aneurysm, and provide new insights into the potential therapeutic value of doxycycline in blocking MFS-associated aortic aneurysm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Z Cui
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Ling Lee
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Xiaoye Sheng
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Fanny Chu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, St. Paul's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Christine P Gibson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Glendale, Arizona, USA
| | - Taline Aydinian
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Glendale, Arizona, USA
| | - David C Walker
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, St. Paul's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - George G S Sandor
- Children's Heart Centre, British Columbia Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Pascal Bernatchez
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, St. Paul's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Glen F Tibbits
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Cornelis van Breemen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mitra Esfandiarei
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. .,Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Glendale, Arizona, USA.
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57
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Jones W, Rodriguez J, Bassnett S. Targeted deletion of fibrillin-1 in the mouse eye results in ectopia lentis and other ocular phenotypes associated with Marfan syndrome. Dis Model Mech 2019; 12:dmm.037283. [PMID: 30642872 PMCID: PMC6361150 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.037283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrillin is an evolutionarily ancient protein that lends elasticity and resiliency to a variety of tissues. In humans, mutations in fibrillin-1 cause Marfan and related syndromes, conditions in which the eye is often severely affected. To gain insights into the ocular sequelae of Marfan syndrome, we targeted Fbn1 in mouse lens or non-pigmented ciliary epithelium (NPCE). Conditional knockout of Fbn1 in NPCE, but not lens, profoundly affected the ciliary zonule, the system of fibrillin-rich fibers that centers the lens in the eye. The tensile strength of the fibrillin-depleted zonule was reduced substantially, due to a shift toward production of smaller caliber fibers. By 3 months, zonular fibers invariably ruptured and mice developed ectopia lentis, a hallmark of Marfan syndrome. At later stages, untethered lenses lost their polarity and developed cataracts, and the length and volume of mutant eyes increased. This model thus captures key aspects of Marfan-related syndromes, providing insights into the role of fibrillin-1 in eye development and disease. Summary: Targeted knockout of Fbn1 in the ciliary epithelium of the mouse eye undermines the structural and biomechanical integrity of the ciliary zonule and results in an ectopia lentis phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendell Jones
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave, Box 8096, St. Louis, MO 63117, USA
| | - Juan Rodriguez
- St Louis College of Pharmacy, Department of Basic Sciences, 4588 Parkview Place, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Steven Bassnett
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave, Box 8096, St. Louis, MO 63117, USA
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58
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Bhushan R, Altinbas L, Jäger M, Zaradzki M, Lehmann D, Timmermann B, Clayton NP, Zhu Y, Kallenbach K, Kararigas G, Robinson PN. An integrative systems approach identifies novel candidates in Marfan syndrome-related pathophysiology. J Cell Mol Med 2019; 23:2526-2535. [PMID: 30677223 PMCID: PMC6433740 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.14137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2018] [Revised: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Marfan syndrome (MFS) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder caused by mutations in the FBN1 gene. Although many peripheral tissues are affected, aortic complications, such as dilation, dissection and rupture, are the leading causes of MFS‐related mortality. Aberrant TGF‐beta signalling plays a major role in the pathophysiology of MFS. However, the contributing mechanisms are still poorly understood. Here, we aimed at identifying novel aorta‐specific pathways involved in the pathophysiology of MFS. For this purpose, we employed the Fbn1 under‐expressing mgR/mgR mouse model of MFS. We performed RNA‐sequencing of aortic tissues of 9‐week‐old mgR/mgR mice compared with wild‐type (WT) mice. With a false discovery rate <5%, our analysis revealed 248 genes to be differentially regulated including 20 genes previously unrelated with MFS‐related pathology. Among these, we identified Igfbp2, Ccl8, Spp1, Mylk2, Mfap4, Dsp and H19. We confirmed the expression of regulated genes by quantitative real‐time PCR. Pathway classification revealed transcript signatures involved in chemokine signalling, cardiac muscle contraction, dilated and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Furthermore, our immunoblot analysis of aortic tissues revealed altered regulation of pSmad2 signalling, Perk1/2, Igfbp2, Mfap4, Ccl8 and Mylk2 protein levels in mgR/mgR vs WT mice. Together, our integrative systems approach identified several novel factors associated with MFS‐aortic‐specific pathophysiology that might offer potential novel therapeutic targets for MFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghu Bhushan
- Charité University Hospital, Berlin, Germany.,Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Deralakatte, Mangalore, India
| | | | - Marten Jäger
- Charité University Hospital, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) Core Genomics Facility, Charité, University Medical Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marcin Zaradzki
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Klaus Kallenbach
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Cardiac Surgery, INCCI HaerzZenter, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Georgios Kararigas
- Charité University Hospital, Berlin, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter N Robinson
- Charité University Hospital, Berlin, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany.,The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut
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59
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López-Guimet J, Peña-Pérez L, Bradley RS, García-Canadilla P, Disney C, Geng H, Bodey AJ, Withers PJ, Bijnens B, Sherratt MJ, Egea G. MicroCT imaging reveals differential 3D micro-scale remodelling of the murine aorta in ageing and Marfan syndrome. Am J Cancer Res 2018; 8:6038-6052. [PMID: 30613281 PMCID: PMC6299435 DOI: 10.7150/thno.26598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aortic wall remodelling is a key feature of both ageing and genetic connective tissue diseases, which are associated with vasculopathies such as Marfan syndrome (MFS). Although the aorta is a 3D structure, little attention has been paid to volumetric assessment, primarily due to the limitations of conventional imaging techniques. Phase-contrast microCT is an emerging imaging technique, which is able to resolve the 3D micro-scale structure of large samples without the need for staining or sectioning. Methods: Here, we have used synchrotron-based phase-contrast microCT to image aortae of wild type (WT) and MFS Fbn1C1039G/+ mice aged 3, 6 and 9 months old (n=5). We have also developed a new computational approach to automatically measure key histological parameters. Results: This analysis revealed that WT mice undergo age-dependent aortic remodelling characterised by increases in ascending aorta diameter, tunica media thickness and cross-sectional area. The MFS aortic wall was subject to comparable remodelling, but the magnitudes of the changes were significantly exacerbated, particularly in 9 month-old MFS mice with ascending aorta wall dilations. Moreover, this morphological remodelling in MFS aorta included internal elastic lamina surface breaks that extended throughout the MFS ascending aorta and were already evident in animals who had not yet developed aneurysms. Conclusions: Our 3D microCT study of the sub-micron wall structure of whole, intact aorta reveals that histological remodelling of the tunica media in MFS could be viewed as an accelerated ageing process, and that phase-contrast microCT combined with computational image analysis allows the visualisation and quantification of 3D morphological remodelling in large volumes of unstained vascular tissues.
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60
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Pu Z, Sun H, Du J, Cheng Y, He K, Ni B, Gu W, Dai J, Shao Y. Family-based whole-exome sequencing identifies novel loss-of-function mutations of FBN1 for Marfan syndrome. PeerJ 2018; 6:e5927. [PMID: 30479897 PMCID: PMC6238762 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Marfan syndrome (MFS) is an inherited connective tissue disorder affecting the ocular, skeletal and cardiovascular systems. Previous studies of MFS have demonstrated the association between genetic defects and clinical manifestations. Our purpose was to investigate the role of novel genetic variants in determining MFS clinical phenotypes. Methods We sequenced the whole exome of 19 individuals derived from three Han Chinese families. The sequencing data were analyzed by a standard pipeline. Variants were further filtered against the public database and an in-house database. Then, we performed pedigree analysis under different inheritance patterns according to American College of Medical Genetics guidelines. Results were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Results Two novel loss-of-function indels (c.5027_5028insTGTCCTCC, p.D1677Vfs*8; c.5856delG, p.S1953Lfs*27) and one nonsense variant (c.8034C>A, p.Y2678*) of FBN1 were identified in Family 1, Family 2 and Family 3, respectively. All affected members carried pathogenic mutations, whereas other unaffected family members or control individuals did not. These different kinds of loss of function (LOF) variants of FBN1 were located in the cbEGF region and a conserved domain across species and were not reported previously. Conclusions Our study extended and strengthened the vital role of FBN1 LOF mutations in the pathogenesis of MFS with an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. We confirm that genetic testing by next-generation sequencing of blood DNA can be fundamental in helping clinicians conduct mutation-based pre- and postnatal screening, genetic diagnosis and clinical management for MFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhening Pu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Center of Clinical Research, Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Haoliang Sun
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Junjie Du
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yue Cheng
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Keshuai He
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Buqing Ni
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Weidong Gu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Juncheng Dai
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yongfeng Shao
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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61
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Aoki
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Kurume University, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan
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62
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Korneva A, Zilberberg L, Rifkin DB, Humphrey JD, Bellini C. Absence of LTBP-3 attenuates the aneurysmal phenotype but not spinal effects on the aorta in Marfan syndrome. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2018; 18:261-273. [PMID: 30306291 DOI: 10.1007/s10237-018-1080-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Fibrillin-1 is an elastin-associated glycoprotein that contributes to the long-term fatigue resistance of elastic fibers as well as to the bioavailability of transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) in arteries. Altered TGFβ bioavailability and/or signaling have been implicated in aneurysm development in Marfan syndrome (MFS), a multi-system condition resulting from mutations to the gene that encodes fibrillin-1. We recently showed that the absence of the latent transforming growth factor-beta binding protein-3 (LTBP-3) in fibrillin-1-deficient mice attenuates the fragmentation of elastic fibers and focal dilatations that are characteristic of aortic root aneurysms in MFS mice, at least to 12 weeks of age. Here, we show further that the absence of LTBP-3 in this MFS mouse model improves the circumferential mechanical properties of the thoracic aorta, which appears to be fundamental in preventing or significantly delaying aneurysm development. Yet, a spinal deformity either remains or is exacerbated in the absence of LTBP-3 and seems to adversely affect the axial mechanical properties of the thoracic aorta, thus decreasing overall vascular function despite the absence of aneurysmal dilatation. Importantly, because of the smaller size of mice lacking LTBP-3, allometric scaling facilitates proper interpretation of aortic dimensions and thus the clinical phenotype. While this study demonstrates that LTBP-3/TGFβ directly affects the biomechanical function of the thoracic aorta, it highlights that spinal deformities in MFS might indirectly and adversely affect the overall aortic phenotype. There is a need, therefore, to consider together the vascular and skeletal effects in this syndromic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Korneva
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - L Zilberberg
- Departments of Cell Biology and Medicine, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - D B Rifkin
- Departments of Cell Biology and Medicine, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - J D Humphrey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - C Bellini
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA.
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Heterogeneity of Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells: A Determinant for Regional Characteristics of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms? J Transl Int Med 2018; 6:93-96. [PMID: 30425944 PMCID: PMC6231305 DOI: 10.2478/jtim-2018-0023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
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64
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Takeda N, Hara H, Fujiwara T, Kanaya T, Maemura S, Komuro I. TGF-β Signaling-Related Genes and Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms and Dissections. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19072125. [PMID: 30037098 PMCID: PMC6073540 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19072125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGF)-β signaling plays a crucial role in the development and maintenance of various organs, including the vasculature. Accordingly, the mutations in TGF-β signaling pathway-related genes cause heritable disorders of the connective tissue, such as Marfan syndrome (MFS), Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS), and Shprintzen-Goldberg syndrome (SGS), and these syndromes may affect skeletal, ocular, pulmonary, and cardiovascular systems. Aortic root aneurysms are common problems that can result in aortic dissection or rupture, which is the leading cause of sudden death in the natural history of MFS and LDS, and recent improvements in surgical treatment have improved life expectancy. However, there is currently no genotype-specific medical treatment. Accumulating evidence suggest that not only structural weakness of connective tissue but also increased TGF-β signaling contributes to the complicated pathogenesis of aortic aneurysm formation, but a comprehensive understanding of governing molecular mechanisms remains lacking. Inhibition of angiotensin II receptor signaling and endothelial dysfunction have gained attention as a possible MFS treatment strategy, but interactions with TGF-β signaling remain elusive. Heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in TGF-β receptors 1 and 2 (TGFBR1 and TGFBR2) cause LDS, but TGF-β signaling is activated in the aorta (referred to as the TGF-β paradox) by mechanisms yet to be elucidated. In this review, we present and discuss the current understanding of molecular mechanisms responsible for aortopathies of MFS and related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norifumi Takeda
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan.
| | - Hironori Hara
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan.
| | - Takayuki Fujiwara
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan.
| | - Tsubasa Kanaya
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan.
| | - Sonoko Maemura
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan.
| | - Issei Komuro
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan.
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65
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Abstract
Craniosynostosis is a common craniofacial birth defect. This review focusses on the advances that have been achieved through studying the pathogenesis of craniosynostosis using mouse models. Classic methods of gene targeting which generate individual gene knockout models have successfully identified numerous genes required for normal development of the skull bones and sutures. However, the study of syndromic craniosynostosis has largely benefited from the production of knockin models that precisely mimic human mutations. These have allowed the detailed investigation of downstream events at the cellular and molecular level following otherwise unpredictable gain-of-function effects. This has greatly enhanced our understanding of the pathogenesis of this disease and has the potential to translate into improvement of the clinical management of this condition in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin K L Lee
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Philip Stanier
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Erwin Pauws
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
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66
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Parker SJ, Stotland A, MacFarlane E, Wilson N, Orosco A, Venkatraman V, Madrid K, Gottlieb R, Dietz HC, Van Eyk JE. Proteomics reveals Rictor as a noncanonical TGF-β signaling target during aneurysm progression in Marfan mice. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2018; 315:H1112-H1126. [PMID: 30004239 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00089.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The objective of the present study was to 1) analyze the ascending aortic proteome within a mouse model of Marfan syndrome (MFS; Fbn1C1041G/+) at early and late stages of aneurysm and 2) subsequently test a novel hypothesis formulated on the basis of this unbiased proteomic screen that links changes in integrin composition to transforming growth factor (TGF)-β-dependent activation of the rapamycin-independent component of mammalian target of rapamycin (Rictor) signaling pathway. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis of over 1,000 proteins quantified from the in vivo MFS mouse aorta by data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry revealed a predicted upstream regulator, Rictor, that was selectively activated in aged MFS mice. We validated this pattern of Rictor activation in vivo by Western blot analysis for phosphorylation on Thr1135 in a separate cohort of mice and showed in vitro that TGF-β activates Rictor in an integrin-linked kinase-dependent manner in cultured aortic vascular smooth muscle cells. Expression of β3-integrin was upregulated in the aged MFS aorta relative to young MFS mice and wild-type mice. We showed that β3-integrin expression and activation modulated TGF-β-induced Rictor phosphorylation in vitro, and this signaling effect was associated with an altered vascular smooth muscle cell proliferative-migratory and metabolic in vitro phenotype that parallels the in vivo aneurysm phenotype in MFS. These results reveal that Rictor is a novel, context-dependent, noncanonical TGF-β signaling effector with potential pathogenic implications in aortic aneurysm. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We present the most comprehensive quantitative analysis of the ascending aortic aneurysm proteome in Marfan syndrome to date resulting in novel and potentially wide-reaching findings that expression and signaling by β3-integrin constitute a modulator of transforming growth factor-β-induced rapamycin-independent component of mammalian target of rapamycin (Rictor) signaling and physiology in aortic vascular smooth muscle cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Parker
- Advanced Clinical Biosystems Research Institute, The Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center , Los Angeles, California.,Institute for Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Aleksandr Stotland
- Molecular Cardiobiology, The Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center , Los Angeles, California
| | - Elena MacFarlane
- Institute for Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Nicole Wilson
- Institute for Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Amanda Orosco
- Advanced Clinical Biosystems Research Institute, The Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center , Los Angeles, California
| | - Vidya Venkatraman
- Advanced Clinical Biosystems Research Institute, The Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center , Los Angeles, California.,Institute for Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Kyle Madrid
- Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center , Los Angeles, California
| | - Roberta Gottlieb
- Molecular Cardiobiology, The Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center , Los Angeles, California
| | - Harry C Dietz
- Institute for Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, Maryland.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute , Chevy Chase, Maryland
| | - Jennifer E Van Eyk
- Advanced Clinical Biosystems Research Institute, The Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center , Los Angeles, California.,Institute for Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, Maryland
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67
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Expressed repetitive elements are broadly applicable reference targets for normalization of reverse transcription-qPCR data in mice. Sci Rep 2018; 8:7642. [PMID: 29769563 PMCID: PMC5955877 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-25389-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) is the gold standard method for gene expression analysis on mRNA level. To remove experimental variation, expression levels of the gene of interest are typically normalized to the expression level of stably expressed endogenous reference genes. Identifying suitable reference genes and determining the optimal number of reference genes should precede each quantification study. Popular reference genes are not necessarily stably expressed in the examined conditions, possibly leading to inaccurate results. Stably and universally expressed repetitive elements (ERE) have previously been shown to be an excellent alternative for normalization using classic reference genes in human and zebrafish samples. Here, we confirm that in mouse tissues, EREs are broadly applicable reference targets for RT-qPCR normalization, provided that the RNA samples undergo a thorough DNase treatment. We identified Orr1a0, Rltr2aiap, and Rltr13a3 as the most stably expressed mouse EREs across six different experimental conditions. Therefore, we propose this set of ERE reference targets as good candidates for normalization of RT-qPCR data in a plethora of conditions. The identification of widely applicable stable mouse RT-qPCR reference targets for normalization has great potential to facilitate future murine gene expression studies and improve the validity of RT-qPCR data.
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68
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Chen M, Yao B, Yang Q, Deng J, Song Y, Sui T, Zhou L, Yao H, Xu Y, Ouyang H, Pang D, Li Z, Lai L. Truncated C-terminus of fibrillin-1 induces Marfanoid-progeroid-lipodystrophy (MPL) syndrome in rabbit. Dis Model Mech 2018; 11:dmm.031542. [PMID: 29666143 PMCID: PMC5963856 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.031542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2017] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Various clinical differences have been observed between patients with the FBN1 gene mutation and those with the classical Marfan phenotype. Although FBN1 knockout (KO) or dominant-negative mutant mice are widely used as an animal model for Marfan syndrome (MFS), these mice cannot recapitulate the genotype/phenotype relationship of Marfanoid-progeroid-lipodystrophy (MPL) syndrome, which is caused by a mutation in the C-terminus of fibrillin-1, the penultimate exon of the FBN1 gene. Here, we describe the generation of a rabbit MPL model with C-terminal truncation of fibrillin-1 using a CRISPR/Cas9 system. FBN1 heterozygous (FBN1 Het) rabbits faithfully recapitulated the phenotypes of MFS, including muscle wasting and impaired connective tissue, ocular syndrome and aortic dilation. Moreover, skin symptoms, lipodystrophy, growth retardation and dysglycemia were also seen in these FBN1 Het rabbits, and have not been reported in other animal models. In conclusion, this novel rabbit model mimics the histopathological changes and functional defects of MPL syndrome, and could become a valuable model for studies of pathogenesis and drug screening for MPL syndrome. Summary: A novel genetically engineered rabbit model of MPL syndrome, generated by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutation of FBN1, mimics the histopathological changes and functional defects of MPL syndrome seen in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mao Chen
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Bing Yao
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Qiangbing Yang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Jichao Deng
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Yuning Song
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Tingting Sui
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Lina Zhou
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - HaoBing Yao
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Yuanyuan Xu
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Hongsheng Ouyang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Daxin Pang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Zhanjun Li
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Liangxue Lai
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China .,Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510530, China
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69
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Yu C, Jeremy RW. Angiotensin, transforming growth factor β and aortic dilatation in Marfan syndrome: Of mice and humans. IJC HEART & VASCULATURE 2018; 18:71-80. [PMID: 29876507 PMCID: PMC5988480 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcha.2018.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Revised: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Marfan syndrome is consequent upon mutations in FBN1, which encodes the extracellular matrix microfibrillar protein fibrillin-1. The phenotype is characterised by development of thoracic aortic aneurysm. Current understanding of the pathogenesis of aneurysms in Marfan syndrome focuses upon abnormal vascular smooth muscle cell signalling through the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) pathway. Angiotensin II (Ang II) can directly induce aortic dilatation and also influence TGFβ synthesis and signalling. It has been hypothesised that antagonism of Ang II signalling may protect against aortic dilatation in Marfan syndrome. Experimental studies have been supportive of this hypothesis, however results from multiple clinical trials are conflicting. This paper examines current knowledge about the interactions of Ang II and TGFβ signalling in the vasculature, and critically interprets the experimental and clinical findings against these signalling interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Yu
- Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia
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70
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Abstract
Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) has been associated with mutations affecting members of the TGF-β signaling pathway, or components and regulators of the vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) actomyosin cytoskeleton. Although both clinical groups present similar phenotypes, the existence of potential common mechanisms of pathogenesis remain obscure. Here we show that mutations affecting TGF-β signaling and VSMC cytoskeleton both lead to the formation of a ternary complex comprising the histone deacetylase HDAC9, the chromatin-remodeling enzyme BRG1, and the long noncoding RNA MALAT1. The HDAC9–MALAT1–BRG1 complex binds chromatin and represses contractile protein gene expression in association with gain of histone H3-lysine 27 trimethylation modifications. Disruption of Malat1 or Hdac9 restores contractile protein expression, improves aortic mural architecture, and inhibits experimental aneurysm growth. Thus, we highlight a shared epigenetic pathway responsible for VSMC dysfunction in both forms of TAA, with potential therapeutic implication for other known HDAC9-associated vascular diseases. Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) dysfunction is a common feature of thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs). Here, Lino Cardenas and colleagues show that the formation of a HDAC9-MALAT1-BRG1 complex promotes VSMC dysfunction in TAA by epigenetically altering the expression of key components of the cytoskeleton in VSMCs.
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71
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Brownstein AJ, Kostiuk V, Ziganshin BA, Zafar MA, Kuivaniemi H, Body SC, Bale AE, Elefteriades JA. Genes Associated with Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection: 2018 Update and Clinical Implications. AORTA (STAMFORD, CONN.) 2018; 6:13-20. [PMID: 30079932 PMCID: PMC6136681 DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1639612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Thoracic aortic aneurysms, with an estimated prevalence in the general population of 1%, are potentially lethal, via rupture or dissection. Over the prior two decades, there has been an exponential increase in our understanding of the genetics of thoracic aortic aneurysm and/or dissection (TAAD). To date, 30 genes have been shown to be associated with the development of TAAD and ∼30% of individuals with nonsyndromic familial TAAD have a pathogenic mutation in one of these genes. This review represents the authors' yearly update summarizing the genes associated with TAAD, including implications for the surgical treatment of TAAD. Molecular genetics will continue to revolutionize the approach to patients afflicted with this devastating disease, permitting the application of genetically personalized aortic care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J. Brownstein
- Department of Surgery, Section of Cardiac Surgery, Aortic Institute at Yale-New Haven Hospital, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Valentyna Kostiuk
- Department of Surgery, Section of Cardiac Surgery, Aortic Institute at Yale-New Haven Hospital, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Bulat A. Ziganshin
- Department of Surgery, Section of Cardiac Surgery, Aortic Institute at Yale-New Haven Hospital, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
- Department of Surgical Diseases # 2, Kazan State Medical University, Kazan, Russia
| | - Mohammad A. Zafar
- Department of Surgery, Section of Cardiac Surgery, Aortic Institute at Yale-New Haven Hospital, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Helena Kuivaniemi
- Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Department of Biomedical Sciences, and Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - Simon C. Body
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Allen E. Bale
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - John A. Elefteriades
- Department of Surgery, Section of Cardiac Surgery, Aortic Institute at Yale-New Haven Hospital, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
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72
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Jiménez-Altayó F, Siegert AM, Bonorino F, Meirelles T, Barberà L, Dantas AP, Vila E, Egea G. Differences in the Thoracic Aorta by Region and Sex in a Murine Model of Marfan Syndrome. Front Physiol 2017; 8:933. [PMID: 29187826 PMCID: PMC5694786 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a hereditary disorder of the connective tissue that causes life-threatening aortic aneurysm, which initiates at the aortic root and can progress into the ascending portion. However, analysis of ascending aorta reactivity in animal models of MFS has remained elusive. Epidemiologic evidence suggests that although MFS is equally prevalent in men and women, men are at a higher risk of aortic complications than non-pregnant women. Nevertheless, there is no experimental evidence to support this hypothesis. The aim of this study was to explore whether there are regional and sex differences in the thoracic aorta function of mice heterozygous for the fibrillin 1 (Fbn1) allele encoding a missense mutation (Fbn1C1039G/+), the most common class of mutation in MFS. Ascending and descending thoracic aorta reactivity was evaluated by wire myography. Ascending aorta mRNA and protein levels, and elastic fiber integrity were assessed by qRT-PCR, Western blotting, and Verhoeff-Van Gieson histological staining, respectively. MFS differently altered reactivity in the ascending and descending thoracic aorta by either increasing or decreasing phenylephrine contractions, respectively. When mice were separated by sex, contractions to phenylephrine increased progressively from 3 to 6 months of age in MFS ascending aortas of males, whereas contractions in females were unchanged. Endothelium-dependent relaxation was unaltered in the MFS ascending aorta of either sex; an effect related to augmented endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization-type dilations. In MFS males, the non-selective cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor indomethacin prevented the MFS-induced enhancement of phenylephrine contractions linked to increased COX-2 expression. In MFS mice of both sexes, the non-selective nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME revealed negative feedback of nitric oxide on phenylephrine contractions, which was associated with upregulation of eNOS in females. Finally, MFS ascending aortas showed a greater number of elastic fiber breaks than the wild-types, and males exhibited more breaks than females. These results show regional and sex differences in Fbn1C1039G/+ mice thoracic aorta contractility and aortic media injuries. The presence of more pronounced aortic alterations in male mice provides experimental evidence to support that male MFS patients are at increased risk of suffering aortic complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesc Jiménez-Altayó
- Departament de Farmacologia, de Terapèutica i de Toxicologia, Institut de Neurociències, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Anna-Maria Siegert
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fabio Bonorino
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Thayna Meirelles
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Barberà
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana P Dantas
- Institut Clínic del Tòrax, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elisabet Vila
- Departament de Farmacologia, de Terapèutica i de Toxicologia, Institut de Neurociències, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Gustavo Egea
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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73
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Koenig SN, LaHaye S, Feller JD, Rowland P, Hor KN, Trask AJ, Janssen PM, Radtke F, Lilly B, Garg V. Notch1 haploinsufficiency causes ascending aortic aneurysms in mice. JCI Insight 2017; 2:91353. [PMID: 29093270 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.91353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 09/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
An ascending aortic aneurysm (AscAA) is a life-threatening disease whose molecular basis is poorly understood. Mutations in NOTCH1 have been linked to bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), which is associated with AscAA. Here, we describe a potentially novel role for Notch1 in AscAA. We found that Notch1 haploinsufficiency exacerbated the aneurysmal aortic root dilation seen in the Marfan syndrome mouse model and that heterozygous deletion of Notch1 in the second heart field (SHF) lineage recapitulated this exacerbated phenotype. Additionally, Notch1+/- mice in a predominantly 129S6 background develop aortic root dilation, indicating that loss of Notch1 is sufficient to cause AscAA. RNA sequencing analysis of the Notch1.129S6+/- aortic root demonstrated gene expression changes consistent with AscAA. These findings are the first to our knowledge to demonstrate an SHF lineage-specific role for Notch1 in AscAA and suggest that genes linked to the development of BAV may also contribute to the associated aortopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara N Koenig
- Center for Cardiovascular Research and.,The Heart Center, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute
| | - Stephanie LaHaye
- Center for Cardiovascular Research and.,The Heart Center, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Department of Molecular Genetics
| | - James D Feller
- Center for Cardiovascular Research and.,The Heart Center, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Patrick Rowland
- Center for Cardiovascular Research and.,The Heart Center, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Kan N Hor
- The Heart Center, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, and
| | - Aaron J Trask
- Center for Cardiovascular Research and.,The Heart Center, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, and
| | - Paul Ml Janssen
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Freddy Radtke
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Brenda Lilly
- Center for Cardiovascular Research and.,The Heart Center, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Department of Molecular Genetics
| | - Vidu Garg
- Center for Cardiovascular Research and.,The Heart Center, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute.,Department of Molecular Genetics.,Department of Pediatrics, and
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74
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Dale M, Fitzgerald MP, Liu Z, Meisinger T, Karpisek A, Purcell LN, Carson JS, Harding P, Lang H, Koutakis P, Batra R, Mietus CJ, Casale G, Pipinos I, Baxter BT, Xiong W. Premature aortic smooth muscle cell differentiation contributes to matrix dysregulation in Marfan Syndrome. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0186603. [PMID: 29040313 PMCID: PMC5645122 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection are life-threatening complications of Marfan syndrome (MFS). Studies of human and mouse aortic samples from late stage MFS demonstrate increased TGF-β activation/signaling and diffuse matrix changes. However, the role of the aortic smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotype in early aneurysm formation in MFS has yet to be fully elucidated. As our objective, we investigated whether an altered aortic SMC phenotype plays a role in aneurysm formation in MFS. We describe previously unrecognized concordant findings in the aortas of a murine model of MFS, mgR, during a critical and dynamic phase of early development. Using Western blot, gelatin zymography, and histological analysis, we demonstrated that at postnatal day (PD) 7, before aortic TGF-β levels are increased, there is elastic fiber fragmentation/disorganization and increased levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Compared to wild type (WT) littermates, aortic SMCs in mgR mice express higher levels of contractile proteins suggesting a switch to a more mature contractile phenotype. In addition, tropoelastin levels are decreased in mgR mice, a finding consistent with a premature switch to a contractile phenotype. Proliferation assays indicate a decrease in the proliferation rate of mgR cultured SMCs compared to WT SMCs. KLF4, a regulator of smooth muscle cell phenotype, was decreased in aortic tissue of mgR mice. Finally, overexpression of KLF4 partially reversed this phenotypic change in the Marfan SMCs. This study indicates that an early phenotypic switch appears to be associated with initiation of important metabolic changes in SMCs that contribute to subsequent pathology in MFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Dale
- Department of Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Matthew P. Fitzgerald
- Department of Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Zhibo Liu
- Department of Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Trevor Meisinger
- Department of Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Andrew Karpisek
- Department of Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Laura N. Purcell
- Department of Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey S. Carson
- Department of Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Paul Harding
- Department of Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Haili Lang
- Department of Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Panagiotis Koutakis
- Department of Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Rishi Batra
- Department of Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Constance J. Mietus
- Department of Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - George Casale
- Department of Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Iraklis Pipinos
- Department of Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - B. Timothy Baxter
- Department of Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Wanfen Xiong
- Department of Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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75
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Mas-Stachurska A, Siegert AM, Batlle M, Gorbenko Del Blanco D, Meirelles T, Rubies C, Bonorino F, Serra-Peinado C, Bijnens B, Baudin J, Sitges M, Mont L, Guasch E, Egea G. Cardiovascular Benefits of Moderate Exercise Training in Marfan Syndrome: Insights From an Animal Model. J Am Heart Assoc 2017; 6:JAHA.117.006438. [PMID: 28947563 PMCID: PMC5634291 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.117.006438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Marfan syndrome (MF) leads to aortic root dilatation and a predisposition to aortic dissection, mitral valve prolapse, and primary and secondary cardiomyopathy. Overall, regular physical exercise is recommended for a healthy lifestyle, but dynamic sports are strongly discouraged in MF patients. Nonetheless, evidence supporting this recommendation is lacking. Therefore, we studied the role of long-term dynamic exercise of moderate intensity on the MF cardiovascular phenotype. METHODS AND RESULTS In a transgenic mouse model of MF (Fbn1C1039G/+), 4-month-old wild-type and MF mice were subjected to training on a treadmill for 5 months; sedentary littermates served as controls for each group. Aortic and cardiac remodeling was assessed by echocardiography and histology. The 4-month-old MF mice showed aortic root dilatation, elastic lamina rupture, and tunica media fibrosis, as well as cardiac hypertrophy, left ventricular fibrosis, and intramyocardial vessel remodeling. Over the 5-month experimental period, aortic root dilation rate was significantly greater in the sedentary MF group, compared with the wild-type group (∆mm, 0.27±0.07 versus 0.13±0.02, respectively). Exercise significantly blunted the aortic root dilation rate in MF mice compared with sedentary MF littermates (∆mm, 0.10±0.04 versus 0.27±0.07, respectively). However, these 2 groups were indistinguishable by aortic root stiffness, tunica media fibrosis, and elastic lamina ruptures. In MF mice, exercise also produced cardiac hypertrophy regression without changes in left ventricular fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS Our results in a transgenic mouse model of MF indicate that moderate dynamic exercise mitigates the progression of the MF cardiovascular phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna-Maria Siegert
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
| | - Monsterrat Batlle
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomédiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,CIBERCV, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Thayna Meirelles
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cira Rubies
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomédiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fabio Bonorino
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carla Serra-Peinado
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
| | - Bart Bijnens
- ICREA, Barcelona, Spain.,Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Julio Baudin
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomédiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Sitges
- Institut Cardiovascular, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona Universitat de Barcelona, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomédiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,CIBERCV, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lluís Mont
- Institut Cardiovascular, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona Universitat de Barcelona, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomédiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,CIBERCV, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eduard Guasch
- Institut Cardiovascular, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona Universitat de Barcelona, Spain .,Institut d'Investigacions Biomédiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,CIBERCV, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gustavo Egea
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain .,Institut de Nanociències i Nanotecnologia (IN2UB), Universitat de Barcelona, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomédiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
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76
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Yamashiro Y, Yanagisawa H. Crossing Bridges between Extra- and Intra-Cellular Events in Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms. J Atheroscler Thromb 2017; 25:99-110. [PMID: 28943527 PMCID: PMC5827090 DOI: 10.5551/jat.rv17015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) are common, life-threatening diseases and are a major cause of mortality and morbidity. Over the past decade, genetic approaches have revealed that 1) activation of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling, 2) alterations in the contractile apparatus of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and 3) defects in the extracellular matrix (ECM) were responsible for development of TAAs. Most recently, a fourth mechanism has been proposed in that dysfunction of mechanosensing in the aortic wall in response to hemodynamic stress may be a key driver of TAAs. Interestingly, the elastin-contractile unit, which is an anatomical and functional unit connecting extracellular elastic laminae to the intracellular SMC contractile filaments, via cell surface receptors, has been shown to play a critical role in the mechanosensing of SMCs, and many genes identified in TAAs encode for proteins along this continuum. However, it is still debated whether these four pathways converge into a common pathway. Currently, an effective therapeutic strategy based on the underlying mechanism of each type of TAAs has not been established. In this review, we will update the present knowledge on the molecular mechanism of TAAs with a focus on the signaling pathways potentially involved in the initiation of TAAs. Finally, we will evaluate current therapeutic strategies for TAAs and propose new directions for future treatment of TAAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshito Yamashiro
- Life Science Center of Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance, University of Tsukuba
| | - Hiromi Yanagisawa
- Life Science Center of Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance, University of Tsukuba
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77
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Rouf R, MacFarlane EG, Takimoto E, Chaudhary R, Nagpal V, Rainer PP, Bindman JG, Gerber EE, Bedja D, Schiefer C, Miller KL, Zhu G, Myers L, Amat-Alarcon N, Lee DI, Koitabashi N, Judge DP, Kass DA, Dietz HC. Nonmyocyte ERK1/2 signaling contributes to load-induced cardiomyopathy in Marfan mice. JCI Insight 2017; 2:91588. [PMID: 28768908 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.91588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Among children with the most severe presentation of Marfan syndrome (MFS), an inherited disorder of connective tissue caused by a deficiency of extracellular fibrillin-1, heart failure is the leading cause of death. Here, we show that, while MFS mice (Fbn1C1039G/+ mice) typically have normal cardiac function, pressure overload (PO) induces an acute and severe dilated cardiomyopathy in association with fibrosis and myocyte enlargement. Failing MFS hearts show high expression of TGF-β ligands, with increased TGF-β signaling in both nonmyocytes and myocytes; pathologic ERK activation is restricted to the nonmyocyte compartment. Informatively, TGF-β, angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R), or ERK antagonism (with neutralizing antibody, losartan, or MEK inhibitor, respectively) prevents load-induced cardiac decompensation in MFS mice, despite persistent PO. In situ analyses revealed an unanticipated axis of activation in nonmyocytes, with AT1R-dependent ERK activation driving TGF-β ligand expression that culminates in both autocrine and paracrine overdrive of TGF-β signaling. The full compensation seen in wild-type mice exposed to mild PO correlates with enhanced deposition of extracellular fibrillin-1. Taken together, these data suggest that fibrillin-1 contributes to cardiac reserve in the face of hemodynamic stress, critically implicate nonmyocytes in disease pathogenesis, and validate ERK as a therapeutic target in MFS-related cardiac decompensation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosanne Rouf
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, and
| | - Elena Gallo MacFarlane
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | - Varun Nagpal
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Jay G Bindman
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Elizabeth E Gerber
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Loretha Myers
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Dong I Lee
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, and
| | | | | | - David A Kass
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, and
| | - Harry C Dietz
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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78
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Osteoporosis is an under-recognized complication of chronic illness in childhood. This review will summarize recent literature addressing the risk factors, evaluation, and treatment for early bone fragility. RECENT FINDINGS Criteria for the diagnosis of pediatric osteoporosis include the presence of low trauma vertebral fractures alone or the combination of low bone mineral density and several long bone fractures. Monitoring for bone health may include screening for vertebral fractures that are common but often asymptomatic. Pharmacologic agents should be offered to those with fragility fractures especially when spontaneous recovery is unlikely. Controversies persist about the optimal bisphosphonate agent, dose, and duration. Newer osteoporosis drugs have not yet been adequately tested in pediatrics, though clinical trials are underway. The prevalence of osteoporosis is increased in children with chronic illness. To reduce the frequency of fragility fractures requires increased attention to risk factors, early intervention, and additional research to optimize therapy and potentially prevent their occurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Grover
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Room H314, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Laura K Bachrach
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Room H314, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
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79
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Renard M, Muiño-Mosquera L, Manalo EC, Tufa S, Carlson EJ, Keene DR, De Backer J, Sakai LY. Sex, pregnancy and aortic disease in Marfan syndrome. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0181166. [PMID: 28708846 PMCID: PMC5510874 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Sex-related differences as well as the adverse effect of pregnancy on aortic disease outcome are well-established phenomena in humans with Marfan syndrome (MFS). The underlying mechanisms of these observations are largely unknown. Objectives In an initial (pilot) step we aimed to confirm the differences between male and female MFS patients as well as between females with and without previous pregnancy. We then sought to evaluate whether these findings are recapitulated in a pre-clinical model and performed in-depth cardiovascular phenotyping of mutant male and both nulliparous and multiparous female Marfan mice. The effect of 17β-estradiol on fibrillin-1 protein synthesis was compared in vitro using human aortic smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts. Results Our small retrospective study of aortic dimensions in a cohort of 10 men and 20 women with MFS (10 pregnant and 10 non-pregnant) confirmed that aortic root growth was significantly increased in the pregnant group compared to the non-pregnant group (0.64mm/year vs. 0.12mm/year, p = 0.018). Male MFS patients had significantly larger aortic root diameters compared to the non-pregnant and pregnant females at baseline and follow-up (p = 0.002 and p = 0.007, respectively), but no significant increase in aortic root growth was observed compared to the females after follow-up (p = 0.559 and p = 0.352). In the GT-8/+ MFS mouse model, multiparous female Marfan mice showed increased aortic diameters when compared to nulliparous females. Aortic dilatation in multiparous females was comparable to Marfan male mice. Moreover, increased aortic diameters were associated with more severe fragmentation of the elastic lamellae. In addition, 17β-estradiol was found to promote fibrillin-1 production by human aortic smooth muscle cells. Conclusions Pregnancy-related changes influence aortic disease severity in otherwise protected female MFS mice and patients. There may be a role for estrogen in the female sex protective effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjolijn Renard
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Elise C. Manalo
- Department of Molecular & Medical Genetics and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Shriners Hospital for Children, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Sara Tufa
- Micro-Imaging Center, Shriners Hospital for Children, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Eric J. Carlson
- Department of Molecular & Medical Genetics and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Shriners Hospital for Children, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Douglas R. Keene
- Micro-Imaging Center, Shriners Hospital for Children, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Julie De Backer
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lynn Y. Sakai
- Department of Molecular & Medical Genetics and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Shriners Hospital for Children, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
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80
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Aorta, Abdominal/metabolism
- Aorta, Abdominal/pathology
- Aorta, Abdominal/physiopathology
- Aorta, Thoracic/metabolism
- Aorta, Thoracic/pathology
- Aorta, Thoracic/physiopathology
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/epidemiology
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/metabolism
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/pathology
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/physiopathology
- Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/epidemiology
- Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/metabolism
- Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/pathology
- Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/physiopathology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Humans
- Risk Factors
- Signal Transduction
- Vascular Remodeling
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Lu
- From the Department of Physiology, Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington.
| | - Alan Daugherty
- From the Department of Physiology, Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington
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81
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Roohi J, Kang B, Bernard D, Bedja D, Dietz HC, Brody LC. Moderately Elevated Homocysteine Does Not Contribute to Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm in Mice. J Nutr 2017; 147:1290-1295. [PMID: 28539414 DOI: 10.3945/jn.117.251173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Revised: 04/28/2017] [Accepted: 04/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Moderate hyperhomocysteinemia is an attractive target for intervention because it is present in 5-7% of the population and can be reversed by diet. This approach presupposes that hyperhomocysteinemia is directly involved in the disease process. Epidemiologic studies have indicated that moderately elevated homocysteine may contribute to thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) dilatation and dissection in humans. In vitro, elevated homocysteine disrupts the structure and function of extracellular matrix components, suggesting that moderate hyperhomocysteinemia may contribute to the development and/or progression of TAA.Objective: We investigated moderately elevated homocysteine in the development and progression of TAA in a mouse model of Marfan syndrome (MFS) and in isogenic wild-type mice. The MFS mouse is a well-described model of a systemic connective tissue disorder characterized by thoracic aortic dilatation, dissection, and rupture. We used this model as a sensitized indicator system to examine the impact of homocysteine on the progression of TAA.Methods: Murine fibrillin 1 gene (Fbn1)C1039G/+ MFS and C57BL/6J wild-type mice were fed a cobalamin-restricted diet to induce moderate hyperhomocysteinemia from weaning until the age of 32 wk. Homocysteine and methylmalonic acid were measured and aortic root diameter assessed with the use of echocardiography in mice aged 3, 7, 15, and 32 wk.Results: Cobalamin-restricted mice exhibited significantly higher homocysteine (P < 0.0001) and methylmalonic acid (P < 0.0001) in the blood. For both strains, no significant difference in thoracic aortic diameter was observed in mice on the cobalamin-restricted diet compared with those on the control diet.Conclusions:Fbn1C1039G/+ mice are a well-characterized model of progressive aortic root dilation. Hyperhomocysteinemia in the physiologic range did not induce abnormal aortic growth in wild-type mice and did not accelerate or otherwise influence aortic root growth and pathologic progression in mice with an underlying predisposition for aortic dilatation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmin Roohi
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine and.,National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD.,Division of Clinical Genetics, Columbia University School of Medicine, New York, NY.,Clinical Genetics, Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group, Rockville, MD
| | | | - David Bernard
- National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD
| | - Djahida Bedja
- Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Harry C Dietz
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine and.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baltimore, MD; and
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82
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López-Guimet J, Andilla J, Loza-Alvarez P, Egea G. High-Resolution Morphological Approach to Analyse Elastic Laminae Injuries of the Ascending Aorta in a Murine Model of Marfan Syndrome. Sci Rep 2017; 7:1505. [PMID: 28473723 PMCID: PMC5431420 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-01620-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Accepted: 04/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
In Marfan syndrome, the tunica media is disrupted, which leads to the formation of ascending aortic aneurysms. Marfan aortic samples are histologically characterized by the fragmentation of elastic laminae. However, conventional histological techniques using transverse sections provide limited information about the precise location, progression and 3D extension of the microstructural changes that occur in each lamina. We implemented a method using multiphoton excitation fluorescence microscopy and computational image processing, which provides high-resolution en-face images of segmented individual laminae from unstained whole aortic samples. We showed that internal elastic laminae and successive 2nd laminae are injured to a different extent in murine Marfan aortae; in particular, the density and size of fenestrae changed. Moreover, microstructural injuries were concentrated in the aortic proximal and convex anatomical regions. Other parameters such as the waviness and thickness of each lamina remained unaltered. In conclusion, the method reported here is a useful, unique tool for en-face laminae microstructure assessment that can obtain quantitative three-dimensional information about vascular tissue. The application of this method to murine Marfan aortae clearly shows that the microstructural damage in elastic laminae is not equal throughout the thickness of the tunica media and in the different anatomical regions of the ascending aorta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Júlia López-Guimet
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciencies de la Salut, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Andilla
- ICFO-Institut de Ciències Fotòniques, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08860, Castelldefels, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pablo Loza-Alvarez
- ICFO-Institut de Ciències Fotòniques, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08860, Castelldefels, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gustavo Egea
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciencies de la Salut, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. .,Institut de Recerca Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain. .,Institut de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia IN2UB, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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83
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Arai Y, Umeyama K, Takeuchi K, Okazaki N, Hichiwa N, Yashima S, Nakano K, Nagashima H, Ohgane J. Establishment of DNA methylation patterns of the Fibrillin1 (FBN1) gene in porcine embryos and tissues. J Reprod Dev 2017; 63:157-165. [PMID: 28111381 PMCID: PMC5401809 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2016-158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation in transcriptional regulatory regions is crucial for gene expression. The DNA methylation status of the edges of CpG islands, called CpG island shore, is involved in tissue/cell-type-specific gene expression.
Haploinsufficiency diseases are caused by inheritance of one mutated null allele and are classified as autosomal dominant. However, in the same pedigree, phenotypic variances are observed despite the inheritance of the identical
mutated null allele, including Fibrillin1 (FBN1), which is responsible for development of the haploinsufficient Marfan disease. In this study, we examined the relationship between gene expression
and DNA methylation patterns of the FBN1 CpG island shore focusing on transcriptionally active hypomethylated alleles (Hypo-alleles). No difference in the DNA methylation level of FBN1 CpG island
shore was observed in porcine fetal fibroblast (PFF) and the liver, whereas FBN1 expression was higher in PFF than in the liver. However, Hypo-allele ratio of the FBN1 CpG island shore in PFF was
higher than that in the liver, indicating that Hypo-allele ratio of the FBN1 CpG island shore likely correlated with FBN1 expression level. In addition, oocyte-derived DNA hypermethylation in
preimplantation embryos was erased until the blastocyst stage, and re-methylation of the FBN1 CpG island shore was observed with prolonged in vitro culture of blastocysts. These results suggest
that the establishment of the DNA methylation pattern within the FBN1 CpG island shore occurs after the blastocyst stage, likely during organogenesis. In conclusion, Hypo-allele ratios of the FBN1
CpG island shore correlated with FBN1 expression levels in porcine tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshikazu Arai
- Laboratory of Genomic Function Engineering, Department of Life Sciences, School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kanagawa 214-8571, Japan.,Laboratory of Veterinary Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Umeyama
- Laboratory of Developmental Engineering, Department of Life Sciences, School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kanagawa 214-8571, Japan.,Meiji University International Institute for Bio-Resource Research (MUIIBR), Kanagawa 214-8571, Japan
| | - Kenta Takeuchi
- Laboratory of Genomic Function Engineering, Department of Life Sciences, School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kanagawa 214-8571, Japan
| | - Natsumi Okazaki
- Laboratory of Genomic Function Engineering, Department of Life Sciences, School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kanagawa 214-8571, Japan
| | - Naomi Hichiwa
- Laboratory of Genomic Function Engineering, Department of Life Sciences, School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kanagawa 214-8571, Japan
| | - Sayaka Yashima
- Laboratory of Developmental Engineering, Department of Life Sciences, School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kanagawa 214-8571, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Nakano
- Laboratory of Developmental Engineering, Department of Life Sciences, School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kanagawa 214-8571, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Nagashima
- Laboratory of Developmental Engineering, Department of Life Sciences, School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kanagawa 214-8571, Japan.,Meiji University International Institute for Bio-Resource Research (MUIIBR), Kanagawa 214-8571, Japan
| | - Jun Ohgane
- Laboratory of Genomic Function Engineering, Department of Life Sciences, School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kanagawa 214-8571, Japan
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84
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Cavanaugh NB, Qian L, Westergaard NM, Kutschke WJ, Born EJ, Turek JW. A Novel Murine Model of Marfan Syndrome Accelerates Aortopathy and Cardiomyopathy. Ann Thorac Surg 2017; 104:657-665. [PMID: 28347539 DOI: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2016.10.077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Revised: 10/09/2016] [Accepted: 10/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Marfan syndrome (MFS) represents a genetic disorder with variable phenotypic expression. The main cardiovascular sequelae of MFS include aortic aneurysm/dissection and cardiomyopathy. Although significant advances in the understanding of transforming growth factor beta signaling have led to promising therapeutic targets for the treatment of aortopathy, clinical studies have tempered this optimism. In particular, these studies suggest additional signaling pathways that play a significant role in disease progression. To date, studies aimed at elucidating molecular mechanisms involved in MFS-induced disease progression have been hampered by the lack of an accelerated disease model. METHODS Wild-type B6.129 mice and MFS Fbn1C1039G/+ mice underwent subcutaneous, cervical osmotic minipump installation with sodium chloride (wild-type mice, n = 39; MFS mice, n = 12) or angiotensin II, 4.5 mg/kg daily (wild-type mice, n = 11; MFS mice; n = 35) for as long as 28 days. Hemodynamic measurements were obtained throughout the experiment. Aortas and hearts were analyzed by transthoracic echocardiography and histopathology study. RESULTS This accelerated murine MFS model replicates increased mortality from MFS-related maladies (20.0%, 39.3%, and 52.9% at 10, 14, and 28 days, respectively). Aortic diameters in accelerated MFS mice were significantly enlarged at 10 days after minipump implantation and correlated with a higher degree of elastin fragmentation. Accelerated MFS mice also demonstrated dilated cardiomyopathy at 14 days, even without aortic insufficiency, suggesting an intrinsic etiology. CONCLUSIONS A novel in vivo model consisting of subcutaneously delivered angiotensin II in MFS mice reproducibly causes accelerated aortic aneurysm formation and cardiomyopathy. This model allows for better investigation of MFS sequelae by rapid experimental processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas B Cavanaugh
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Francois M. Abboud Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Lan Qian
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Francois M. Abboud Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Nicole M Westergaard
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Francois M. Abboud Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - William J Kutschke
- Department of Internal Medicine, Francois M. Abboud Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Ella J Born
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Francois M. Abboud Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Joseph W Turek
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Francois M. Abboud Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa.
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85
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Brownstein AJ, Ziganshin BA, Kuivaniemi H, Body SC, Bale AE, Elefteriades JA. Genes Associated with Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection: An Update and Clinical Implications. AORTA : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AORTIC INSTITUTE AT YALE-NEW HAVEN HOSPITAL 2017; 5:11-20. [PMID: 28868310 DOI: 10.12945/j.aorta.2017.17.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is a lethal disease, with a natural history of enlarging progressively until dissection or rupture occurs. Since the discovery almost 20 years ago that ascending TAAs are highly familial, our understanding of the genetics of thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (TAAD) has increased exponentially. At least 29 genes have been shown to be associated with the development of TAAD, the majority of which encode proteins involved in the extracellular matrix, smooth muscle cell contraction or metabolism, or the transforming growth factor-β signaling pathway. Almost one-quarter of TAAD patients have a mutation in one of these genes. In this review, we provide a summary of TAAD-associated genes, associated clinical features of the vasculature, and implications for surgical treatment of TAAD. With the widespread use of next-generation sequencing and development of novel functional assays, the future of the genetics of TAAD is bright, as both novel TAAD genes and variants within the genes will continue to be identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Brownstein
- Aortic Institute at Yale-New Haven Hospital, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Bulat A Ziganshin
- Aortic Institute at Yale-New Haven Hospital, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Helena Kuivaniemi
- Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Department of Biomedical Sciences, and Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - Simon C Body
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Allen E Bale
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - John A Elefteriades
- Aortic Institute at Yale-New Haven Hospital, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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86
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Wei H, Hu JH, Angelov SN, Fox K, Yan J, Enstrom R, Smith A, Dichek DA. Aortopathy in a Mouse Model of Marfan Syndrome Is Not Mediated by Altered Transforming Growth Factor β Signaling. J Am Heart Assoc 2017; 6:JAHA.116.004968. [PMID: 28119285 PMCID: PMC5523644 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.116.004968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Background Marfan syndrome (MFS) is caused by mutations in the gene encoding fibrillin‐1 (FBN1); however, the mechanisms through which fibrillin‐1 deficiency causes MFS‐associated aortopathy are uncertain. Recently, attention was focused on the hypothesis that MFS‐associated aortopathy is caused by increased transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) signaling in aortic medial smooth muscle cells (SMC). However, there are many reasons to doubt that TGF‐β signaling drives MFS‐associated aortopathy. We used a mouse model to test whether SMC TGF‐β signaling is perturbed by a fibrillin‐1 variant that causes MFS and whether blockade of SMC TGF‐β signaling prevents MFS‐associated aortopathy. Methods and Results MFS mice (Fbn1C1039G/+ genotype) were genetically modified to allow postnatal SMC‐specific deletion of the type II TGF‐β receptor (TBRII; essential for physiologic TGF‐β signaling). In young MFS mice with and without superimposed deletion of SMC‐TBRII, we measured aortic dimensions, histopathology, activation of aortic SMC TGF‐β signaling pathways, and changes in aortic SMC gene expression. Young Fbn1C1039G/+ mice had ascending aortic dilation and significant disruption of aortic medial architecture. Both aortic dilation and disrupted medial architecture were exacerbated by superimposed deletion of TBRII. TGF‐β signaling was unaltered in aortic SMC of young MFS mice; however, SMC‐specific deletion of TBRII in Fbn1C1039G/+ mice significantly decreased activation of SMC TGF‐β signaling pathways. Conclusions In young Fbn1C1039G/+ mice, aortopathy develops in the absence of detectable alterations in SMC TGF‐β signaling. Loss of physiologic SMC TGF‐β signaling exacerbates MFS‐associated aortopathy. Our data support a protective role for SMC TGF‐β signaling during early development of MFS‐associated aortopathy.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Aorta/metabolism
- Aorta/pathology
- Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/genetics
- Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/metabolism
- Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/pathology
- Aortic Diseases/genetics
- Aortic Diseases/metabolism
- Aortic Diseases/pathology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Fibrillin-1/genetics
- Marfan Syndrome/genetics
- Marfan Syndrome/metabolism
- Marfan Syndrome/pathology
- Mice
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/cytology
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism
- Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics
- Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II
- Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta/genetics
- Signal Transduction
- Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wei
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Jie Hong Hu
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | | | - Kate Fox
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - James Yan
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Rachel Enstrom
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Alexandra Smith
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - David A Dichek
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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87
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Nitric oxide mediates aortic disease in mice deficient in the metalloprotease Adamts1 and in a mouse model of Marfan syndrome. Nat Med 2017; 23:200-212. [PMID: 28067899 DOI: 10.1038/nm.4266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Heritable thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections (TAAD), including Marfan syndrome (MFS), currently lack a cure, and causative mutations have been identified for only a fraction of affected families. Here we identify the metalloproteinase ADAMTS1 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS2) as therapeutic targets in individuals with TAAD. We show that Adamts1 is a major mediator of vascular homeostasis, given that genetic haploinsufficiency of Adamts1 in mice causes TAAD similar to MFS. Aortic nitric oxide and Nos2 levels were higher in Adamts1-deficient mice and in a mouse model of MFS (hereafter referred to as MFS mice), and Nos2 inactivation protected both types of mice from aortic pathology. Pharmacological inhibition of Nos2 rapidly reversed aortic dilation and medial degeneration in young Adamts1-deficient mice and in young or old MFS mice. Patients with MFS showed elevated NOS2 and decreased ADAMTS1 protein levels in the aorta. These findings uncover a possible causative role for the ADAMTS1-NOS2 axis in human TAAD and warrant evaluation of NOS2 inhibitors for therapy.
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88
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Abstract
Thoracic aortic aneurysm is a potentially life-threatening condition in that it places patients at risk for aortic dissection or rupture. However, our modern understanding of the pathogenesis of thoracic aortic aneurysm is quite limited. A genetic predisposition to thoracic aortic aneurysm has been established, and gene discovery in affected families has identified several major categories of gene alterations. The first involves mutations in genes encoding various components of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling cascade (FBN1, TGFBR1, TGFBR2, TGFB2, TGFB3, SMAD2, SMAD3 and SKI), and these conditions are known collectively as the TGF-β vasculopathies. The second set of genes encode components of the smooth muscle contractile apparatus (ACTA2, MYH11, MYLK, and PRKG1), a group called the smooth muscle contraction vasculopathies. Mechanistic hypotheses based on these discoveries have shaped rational therapies, some of which are under clinical evaluation. This review discusses published data on genes involved in thoracic aortic aneurysm and attempts to explain divergent hypotheses of aneurysm origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric M Isselbacher
- From Thoracic Aortic Center (E.M.I., C.L.L.C., M.E.L.), Cardiovascular Genetics Program (M.E.L.), Cardiovascular Research Center (C.L.L.C., M.E.L.), and Cardiology Division (E.M.I., C.L.L.C., M.E.L.), Department of Medicine, and Pediatric Cardiology Division, Department of Pediatrics (M.E.L.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston
| | - Christian Lacks Lino Cardenas
- From Thoracic Aortic Center (E.M.I., C.L.L.C., M.E.L.), Cardiovascular Genetics Program (M.E.L.), Cardiovascular Research Center (C.L.L.C., M.E.L.), and Cardiology Division (E.M.I., C.L.L.C., M.E.L.), Department of Medicine, and Pediatric Cardiology Division, Department of Pediatrics (M.E.L.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston
| | - Mark E Lindsay
- From Thoracic Aortic Center (E.M.I., C.L.L.C., M.E.L.), Cardiovascular Genetics Program (M.E.L.), Cardiovascular Research Center (C.L.L.C., M.E.L.), and Cardiology Division (E.M.I., C.L.L.C., M.E.L.), Department of Medicine, and Pediatric Cardiology Division, Department of Pediatrics (M.E.L.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston.
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89
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Jiang DS, Yi X, Zhu XH, Wei X. Experimental in vivo and ex vivo models for the study of human aortic dissection: promises and challenges. Am J Transl Res 2016; 8:5125-5140. [PMID: 28077990 PMCID: PMC5209470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Aortic dissection (AD) is a life-threatening aortopathy with high mortality. To mimic spontaneous AD, investigate the pathogenesis of AD and develop novel therapeutic targets and measures, multiple AD experimental models have been generated, including drugs or chemicals induced experimental models, genetically modified experimental models, surgically or invasively induced experimental models, and ex vivo models. However, the perfect model of AD that replicates every aspect of the natural disease has not be generated yet. This review provides an overview of the experimental models used in AD preclinical research. The value and challenges of each in vivo and ex vivo model are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ding-Sheng Jiang
- Division of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan 430030, China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan 430030, China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Health, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan 430030, China
| | - Xin Yi
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhan 430060, China
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan UniversityWuhan 430060, China
| | - Xue-Hai Zhu
- Division of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan 430030, China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan 430030, China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Health, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan 430030, China
| | - Xiang Wei
- Division of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan 430030, China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan 430030, China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Health, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan 430030, China
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90
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Lee L, Cui JZ, Cua M, Esfandiarei M, Sheng X, Chui WA, Xu MH, Sarunic MV, Beg MF, van Breemen C, Sandor GGS, Tibbits GF. Aortic and Cardiac Structure and Function Using High-Resolution Echocardiography and Optical Coherence Tomography in a Mouse Model of Marfan Syndrome. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0164778. [PMID: 27824871 PMCID: PMC5100915 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0164778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2015] [Accepted: 10/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Marfan syndrome (MFS) is an autosomal-dominant disorder of connective tissue caused by mutations in the fibrillin-1 (FBN1) gene. Mortality is often due to aortic dissection and rupture. We investigated the structural and functional properties of the heart and aorta in a [Fbn1C1039G/+] MFS mouse using high-resolution ultrasound (echo) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Echo was performed on 6- and 12-month old wild type (WT) and MFS mice (n = 8). In vivo pulse wave velocity (PWV), aortic root diameter, ejection fraction, stroke volume, left ventricular (LV) wall thickness, LV mass and mitral valve early and atrial velocities (E/A) ratio were measured by high resolution echocardiography. OCT was performed on 12-month old WT and MFS fixed mouse hearts to measure ventricular volume and mass. The PWV was significantly increased in 6-mo MFS vs. WT (366.6 ± 19.9 vs. 205.2 ± 18.1 cm/s; p = 0.003) and 12-mo MFS vs. WT (459.5 ± 42.3 vs. 205.3 ± 30.3 cm/s; p< 0.0001). PWV increased with age in MFS mice only. We also found a significantly enlarged aortic root and decreased E/A ratio in MFS mice compared with WT for both age groups. The [Fbn1C1039G/+] mouse model of MFS replicates many of the anomalies of Marfan patients including significant aortic dilation, central aortic stiffness, LV systolic and diastolic dysfunction. This is the first demonstration of the direct measurement in vivo of pulse wave velocity non-invasively in the aortic arch of MFS mice, a robust measure of aortic stiffness and a critical clinical parameter for the assessment of pathology in the Marfan syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Lee
- Child and Family Research Institute, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Jason Z. Cui
- Child and Family Research Institute, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, UBC, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Michelle Cua
- School of Engineering Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Mitra Esfandiarei
- Child and Family Research Institute, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Xiaoye Sheng
- Child and Family Research Institute, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Winsey Audrey Chui
- School of Engineering Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Michael Haoying Xu
- Child and Family Research Institute, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Marinko V. Sarunic
- School of Engineering Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Mirza Faisal Beg
- School of Engineering Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Cornelius van Breemen
- Child and Family Research Institute, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - George G. S. Sandor
- Child and Family Research Institute, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, UBC, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Glen F. Tibbits
- Child and Family Research Institute, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- * E-mail:
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91
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Hulin A, Moore V, James JM, Yutzey KE. Loss of Axin2 results in impaired heart valve maturation and subsequent myxomatous valve disease. Cardiovasc Res 2016; 113:40-51. [PMID: 28069701 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvw229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Revised: 09/09/2016] [Accepted: 10/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Myxomatous valve disease (MVD) is the most common aetiology of primary mitral regurgitation. Recent studies suggest that defects in heart valve development can lead to heart valve disease in adults. Wnt/β-catenin signalling is active during heart valve development and has been reported in human MVD. The consequences of increased Wnt/β-catenin signalling due to Axin2 deficiency in postnatal valve remodelling and pathogenesis of MVD were determined. METHODS AND RESULTS To investigate the role of Wnt/β-catenin signalling, we analysed heart valves from mice deficient in Axin2 (KO), a negative regulator of Wnt/β-catenin signalling. Axin2 KO mice display enlarged mitral and aortic valves (AoV) after birth with increased Wnt/β-catenin signalling and cell proliferation, whereas Sox9 expression and collagen deposition are decreased. At 2 months in Axin2 KO mice, the valve extracellular matrix (ECM) is stratified but distal AoV leaflets remain thickened and develop aortic insufficiency. Progressive myxomatous degeneration is apparent at 4 months with extensive ECM remodelling and focal aggrecan-rich areas, along with increased BMP signalling. Infiltration of inflammatory cells is also observed in Axin2 KO AoV prior to ECM remodelling. Overall, these features are consistent with the progression of human MVD. Finally, Axin2 expression is decreased and Wnt/β-catenin signalling is increased in myxomatous mitral valves in a murine model of Marfan syndrome, supporting the importance of Wnt/β-catenin signalling in the development of MVD. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, these data indicate that Axin2 limits Wnt/β-catenin signalling after birth and allows proper heart valve maturation. Moreover, dysregulation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling resulting from loss of Axin2 leads to progressive MVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexia Hulin
- Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, ML7020, 240 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Vicky Moore
- Division of Cardiology, The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Jeanne M James
- Division of Cardiology, The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Katherine E Yutzey
- Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, ML7020, 240 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA;
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92
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Walji TA, Turecamo SE, DeMarsilis AJ, Sakai LY, Mecham RP, Craft CS. Characterization of metabolic health in mouse models of fibrillin-1 perturbation. Matrix Biol 2016; 55:63-76. [PMID: 26902431 PMCID: PMC4992667 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2016.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Revised: 02/05/2016] [Accepted: 02/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in the microfibrillar protein fibrillin-1 or the absence of its binding partner microfibril-associated glycoprotein (MAGP1) lead to increased TGFβ signaling due to an inability to sequester latent or active forms of TGFβ, respectively. Mouse models of excess TGFβ signaling display increased adiposity and predisposition to type-2 diabetes. It is therefore interesting that individuals with Marfan syndrome, a disease in which fibrillin-1 mutation leads to aberrant TGFβ signaling, typically present with extreme fat hypoplasia. The goal of this project was to characterize multiple fibrillin-1 mutant mouse strains to understand how fibrillin-1 contributes to metabolic health. The results of this study demonstrate that fibrillin-1 contributes little to lipid storage and metabolic homeostasis, which is in contrast to the obesity and metabolic changes associated with MAGP1 deficiency. MAGP1 but not fibrillin-1 mutant mice had elevated TGFβ signaling in their adipose tissue, which is consistent with the difference in obesity phenotypes. However, fibrillin-1 mutant strains and MAGP1-deficient mice all exhibit increased bone length and reduced bone mineralization which are characteristic of Marfan syndrome. Our findings suggest that Marfan-associated adipocyte hypoplasia is likely not due to microfibril-associated changes in adipose tissue, and provide evidence that MAGP1 may function independently of fibrillin in some tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tezin A Walji
- Department of Cell Biology & Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Sarah E Turecamo
- Department of Cell Biology & Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Antea J DeMarsilis
- Department of Cell Biology & Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Lynn Y Sakai
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Molecular & Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Shriners Hospital for Children, Portland, OR 97201, USA
| | - Robert P Mecham
- Department of Cell Biology & Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Clarissa S Craft
- Department of Cell Biology & Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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93
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Loss of function mutation in LOX causes thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection in humans. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:8759-64. [PMID: 27432961 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1601442113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections (TAAD) represent a substantial cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Many individuals presenting with an inherited form of TAAD do not have causal mutations in the set of genes known to underlie disease. Using whole-genome sequencing in two first cousins with TAAD, we identified a missense mutation in the lysyl oxidase (LOX) gene (c.893T > G encoding p.Met298Arg) that cosegregated with disease in the family. Using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-associated protein-9 nuclease (Cas9) genome engineering tools, we introduced the human mutation into the homologous position in the mouse genome, creating mice that were heterozygous and homozygous for the human allele. Mutant mice that were heterozygous for the human allele displayed disorganized ultrastructural properties of the aortic wall characterized by fragmented elastic lamellae, whereas mice homozygous for the human allele died shortly after parturition from ascending aortic aneurysm and spontaneous hemorrhage. These data suggest that a missense mutation in LOX is associated with aortic disease in humans, likely through insufficient cross-linking of elastin and collagen in the aortic wall. Mutation carriers may be predisposed to vascular diseases because of weakened vessel walls under stress conditions. LOX sequencing for clinical TAAD may identify additional mutation carriers in the future. Additional studies using our mouse model of LOX-associated TAAD have the potential to clarify the mechanism of disease and identify novel therapeutics specific to this genetic cause.
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94
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FBN1: The disease-causing gene for Marfan syndrome and other genetic disorders. Gene 2016; 591:279-291. [PMID: 27437668 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2016.07.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 193] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2016] [Revised: 07/11/2016] [Accepted: 07/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
FBN1 encodes the gene for fibrillin-1, a structural macromolecule that polymerizes into microfibrils. Fibrillin microfibrils are morphologically distinctive fibrils, present in all connective tissues and assembled into tissue-specific architectural frameworks. FBN1 is the causative gene for Marfan syndrome, an inherited disorder of connective tissue whose major features include tall stature and arachnodactyly, ectopia lentis, and thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection. More than one thousand individual mutations in FBN1 are associated with Marfan syndrome, making genotype-phenotype correlations difficult. Moreover, mutations in specific regions of FBN1 can result in the opposite features of short stature and brachydactyly characteristic of Weill-Marchesani syndrome and other acromelic dysplasias. How can mutations in one molecule result in disparate clinical syndromes? Current concepts of the fibrillinopathies require an appreciation of tissue-specific fibrillin microfibril microenvironments and the collaborative relationship between the structures of fibrillin microfibril networks and biological functions such as regulation of growth factor signaling.
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95
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Robertson IB, Rifkin DB. Regulation of the Bioavailability of TGF-β and TGF-β-Related Proteins. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2016; 8:8/6/a021907. [PMID: 27252363 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a021907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 262] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The bioavailability of members of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) family is controlled by a number of mechanisms. Bona fide TGF-β is sequestered into the matrix in a latent state and must be activated before it can bind to its receptors. Here, we review the molecules and mechanisms that regulate the bioavailability of TGF-β and compare these mechanisms with those used to regulate other TGF-β family members. We also assess the physiological significance of various latent TGF-β activators, as well as other extracellular modulators of TGF-β family signaling, by examining the available in vivo data from knockout mouse models and other biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian B Robertson
- Departments of Cell Biology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016
| | - Daniel B Rifkin
- Departments of Cell Biology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016 Departments of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016
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96
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Abstract
The bioavailability of members of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) family is controlled by a number of mechanisms. Bona fide TGF-β is sequestered into the matrix in a latent state and must be activated before it can bind to its receptors. Here, we review the molecules and mechanisms that regulate the bioavailability of TGF-β and compare these mechanisms with those used to regulate other TGF-β family members. We also assess the physiological significance of various latent TGF-β activators, as well as other extracellular modulators of TGF-β family signaling, by examining the available in vivo data from knockout mouse models and other biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian B Robertson
- Departments of Cell Biology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016
| | - Daniel B Rifkin
- Departments of Cell Biology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016 Departments of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016
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97
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Morikawa M, Derynck R, Miyazono K. TGF-β and the TGF-β Family: Context-Dependent Roles in Cell and Tissue Physiology. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2016; 8:8/5/a021873. [PMID: 27141051 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a021873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 816] [Impact Index Per Article: 102.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is the prototype of the TGF-β family of growth and differentiation factors, which is encoded by 33 genes in mammals and comprises homo- and heterodimers. This review introduces the reader to the TGF-β family with its complexity of names and biological activities. It also introduces TGF-β as the best-studied factor among the TGF-β family proteins, with its diversity of roles in the control of cell proliferation and differentiation, wound healing and immune system, and its key roles in pathology, for example, skeletal diseases, fibrosis, and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masato Morikawa
- Ludwig Cancer Research, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Biomedical Center, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Rik Derynck
- Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143
| | - Kohei Miyazono
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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98
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Lee JJ, Galatioto J, Rao S, Ramirez F, Costa KD. Losartan Attenuates Degradation of Aorta and Lung Tissue Micromechanics in a Mouse Model of Severe Marfan Syndrome. Ann Biomed Eng 2016; 44:2994-3006. [PMID: 27090893 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-016-1616-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2015] [Accepted: 04/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Marfan syndrome (MFS) is an autosomal dominant disease of the connective tissue due to mutations in the fibrillin-1 gene (FBN1). This study aimed at characterizing microelastic properties of the ascending aortic wall and lung parenchyma tissues from wild type (WT) and age-matched Fbn1 hypomorphic mice (Fbn1(mgR/mgR) mice) to identify tissue-specific biomechanical effects of aging and disease in MFS. Atomic force microscopy was used to indent lung parenchyma and aortic wall tissues, using Hybrid Eshelby Decomposition analysis to extract layer-specific properties of the intima and media. The intima stiffened with age and was not different between WT and Fbn1(mgR/mgR) tissues, whereas the media layer of MFS aortas showed progressive structural and mechanical degradation with a modulus that was 50% softer than WT by 3.5 months of age. Similarly, MFS mice displayed progressive structural and mechanical deterioration of lung tissue, which was over 85% softer than WT by 3.5 months of age. Chronic treatment with the angiotensin type I receptor antagonist, losartan, attenuated the aorta and lung tissue degradation, resulting in structural and mechanical properties not significantly different from age-matched WT controls. By revealing micromechanical softening of elastin-rich aorta and lung tissues with disease progression in fibrillin-1 deficient mice, our findings support the use of losartan as a prophylactic treatment that may abrogate the life-threatening symptoms of MFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Jye Lee
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, The City College of New York, 160 Convent Ave, New York, NY, 10031, USA
| | - Josephine Galatioto
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Therapeutics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Satish Rao
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Francesco Ramirez
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Therapeutics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Kevin D Costa
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
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99
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Generation of heterozygous fibrillin-1 mutant cloned pigs from genome-edited foetal fibroblasts. Sci Rep 2016; 6:24413. [PMID: 27074716 PMCID: PMC4830947 DOI: 10.1038/srep24413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2015] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Marfan syndrome (MFS) is an autosomal dominant genetic disease caused by abnormal formation of the extracellular matrix with an incidence of 1 in 3, 000 to 5, 000. Patients with Marfan syndrome experience poor quality of life caused by skeletal disorders such as scoliosis, and they are at high risk of sudden death from cardiovascular impairment. Suitable animal models of MFS are essential for conquering this intractable disease. In particular, studies employing pig models will likely provide valuable information that can be extrapolated to humans because of the physiological and anatomical similarities between the two species. Here we describe the generation of heterozygous fibrillin-1 (FBN1) mutant cloned pigs (+/Glu433AsnfsX98) using genome editing and somatic cell nuclear transfer technologies. The FBN1 mutant pigs exhibited phenotypes resembling those of humans with MFS, such as scoliosis, pectus excavatum, delayed mineralization of the epiphysis and disrupted structure of elastic fibres of the aortic medial tissue. These findings indicate the value of FBN1 mutant pigs as a model for understanding the pathogenesis of MFS and for developing treatments.
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100
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Uriarte JJ, Meirelles T, Gorbenko del Blanco D, Nonaka PN, Campillo N, Sarri E, Navajas D, Egea G, Farré R. Early Impairment of Lung Mechanics in a Murine Model of Marfan Syndrome. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0152124. [PMID: 27003297 PMCID: PMC4803219 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2015] [Accepted: 03/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Early morbidity and mortality in patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS) -a connective tissue disease caused by mutations in fibrillin-1 gene- are mainly caused by aorta aneurysm and rupture. However, the increase in the life expectancy of MFS patients recently achieved by reparatory surgery promotes clinical manifestations in other organs. Although some studies have reported respiratory alterations in MFS, our knowledge of how this connective tissue disease modifies lung mechanics is scarce. Hence, we assessed whether the stiffness of the whole lung and of its extracellular matrix (ECM) is affected in a well-characterized MFS mouse model (FBN1C1039G/+). The stiffness of the whole lung and of its ECM were measured by conventional mechanical ventilation and atomic force microscopy, respectively. We studied 5-week and 9-month old mice, whose ages are representative of early and late stages of the disease. At both ages, the lungs of MFS mice were significantly more compliant than in wild type (WT) mice. By contrast, no significant differences were found in local lung ECM stiffness. Moreover, histopathological lung evaluation showed a clear emphysematous-like pattern in MFS mice since alveolar space enlargement was significantly increased compared with WT mice. These data suggest that the mechanism explaining the increased lung compliance in MFS is not a direct consequence of reduced ECM stiffness, but an emphysema-like alteration in the 3D structural organization of the lung. Since lung alterations in MFS are almost fully manifested at an early age, it is suggested that respiratory monitoring could provide early biomarkers for diagnosis and/or follow-up of patients with the Marfan syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan J. Uriarte
- Unitat Biofísica i Bioenginyeria, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Enfermedades Respiratorias, Madrid, Spain
| | - Thayna Meirelles
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Immunologia i Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Darya Gorbenko del Blanco
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Immunologia i Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paula N. Nonaka
- Unitat Biofísica i Bioenginyeria, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Master's and Doctoral Degree Programs in Rehabilitation Sciences, Nove de Julho University, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Noelia Campillo
- Unitat Biofísica i Bioenginyeria, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Enfermedades Respiratorias, Madrid, Spain
- Institut de Bioenginyeria de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elisabet Sarri
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Immunologia i Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Navajas
- Unitat Biofísica i Bioenginyeria, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Enfermedades Respiratorias, Madrid, Spain
- Institut de Bioenginyeria de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gustavo Egea
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Immunologia i Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Nanociències i Nanotecnologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ramon Farré
- Unitat Biofísica i Bioenginyeria, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Enfermedades Respiratorias, Madrid, Spain
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
- * E-mail:
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