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Rodrigues-Díez Raul R, Tejera-Muñoz A, Esteban V, Steffensen Lasse B, Rodrigues-Díez R, Orejudo M, Rayego-Mateos S, Falke Lucas L, Cannata-Ortiz P, Ortiz A, Egido J, Mallat Z, Briones Ana M, Bajo Maria A, Goldschmeding R, Ruiz-Ortega M. CCN2 (Cellular Communication Network Factor 2) Deletion Alters Vascular Integrity and Function Predisposing to Aneurysm Formation. Hypertension 2021; 79:e42-e55. [DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.121.18201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background:
CCN2 (cellular communication network factor 2) is a matricellular protein involved in cell communication and microenvironmental signaling responses. CCN2 is known to be overexpressed in several cardiovascular diseases, but its role is not completely understood.
Methods:
Here, CCN2 involvement in aortic wall homeostasis and response to vascular injury was investigated in inducible
Ccn2
-deficient mice, with induction of vascular damage by infusion of Ang II (angiotensin II; 15 days), which is known to upregulate CCN2 expression in the aorta.
Results:
Ang II infusion in CCN2-silenced mice lead to 60% mortality within 10 days due to rapid development and rupture of aortic aneurysms, as evidenced by magnetic resonance imaging, echography, and histological examination.
Ccn2
deletion decreased systolic blood pressure and caused aortic structural and functional changes, including elastin layer disruption, smooth muscle cell alterations, augmented distensibility, and increased metalloproteinase activity, which were aggravated by Ang II administration. Gene ontology analysis of RNA sequencing data identified aldosterone biosynthesis as one of the most enriched terms in CCN2-deficient aortas. Consistently, treatment with the mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist spironolactone before and during Ang II infusion reduced aneurysm formation and mortality, underscoring the importance of the aldosterone pathway in Ang II–induced aorta pathology.
Conclusions:
CCN2 is critically involved in the functional and structural homeostasis of the aorta and in maintenance of its integrity under Ang II–induced stress, at least, in part, by disruption of the aldosterone pathway. Thus, this study opens new avenues to future studies in disorders associated to vascular pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Rodrigues-Díez Raul
- Molecular and Cellular Biology in Renal and Vascular Pathology, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz-Universidad Autónoma Madrid, Spain (R.R.-D.R., A.T.-M., M.O., S.R.-M., M.R.-O.)
- Red de Investigación Renal, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain (R.R.-D.R., M.O., S.R.-M., P.C.-O., A.O., A.B.M., M.R.-O.)
- Department of Pharmacology, UAM, Instituto de Investigación-Hospital Universitario La Paz, IdiPaz, Ciber Cardiovascular, Madrid, Spain (R.R.-D., M.B.A.)
| | - Antonio Tejera-Muñoz
- Molecular and Cellular Biology in Renal and Vascular Pathology, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz-Universidad Autónoma Madrid, Spain (R.R.-D.R., A.T.-M., M.O., S.R.-M., M.R.-O.)
| | - Vanesa Esteban
- Department of Allergy and Immunology, FIIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, UAM, Asma, Reacciones Adversas y Alérgicas Network. Madrid, Spain (V.E.)
| | - B. Steffensen Lasse
- Unit of Cardiovascular and Renal Research, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense (B.S.L.)
| | | | - Macarena Orejudo
- Molecular and Cellular Biology in Renal and Vascular Pathology, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz-Universidad Autónoma Madrid, Spain (R.R.-D.R., A.T.-M., M.O., S.R.-M., M.R.-O.)
- Red de Investigación Renal, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain (R.R.-D.R., M.O., S.R.-M., P.C.-O., A.O., A.B.M., M.R.-O.)
| | - Sandra Rayego-Mateos
- Molecular and Cellular Biology in Renal and Vascular Pathology, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz-Universidad Autónoma Madrid, Spain (R.R.-D.R., A.T.-M., M.O., S.R.-M., M.R.-O.)
- Red de Investigación Renal, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain (R.R.-D.R., M.O., S.R.-M., P.C.-O., A.O., A.B.M., M.R.-O.)
| | - L. Falke Lucas
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands (L.F.L.)
| | - Pablo Cannata-Ortiz
- Red de Investigación Renal, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain (R.R.-D.R., M.O., S.R.-M., P.C.-O., A.O., A.B.M., M.R.-O.)
- IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz-Universidad Autónoma Madrid, Spain (P.C.-O., A.O., J.E., R.G.)
| | - Alberto Ortiz
- Red de Investigación Renal, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain (R.R.-D.R., M.O., S.R.-M., P.C.-O., A.O., A.B.M., M.R.-O.)
- IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz-Universidad Autónoma Madrid, Spain (P.C.-O., A.O., J.E., R.G.)
| | - Jesus Egido
- IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz-Universidad Autónoma Madrid, Spain (P.C.-O., A.O., J.E., R.G.)
- Spanish Biomedical Research Centre in Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Disorders (CIBERDEM), Spain (J.E.)
| | - Ziad Mallat
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (Z.M.)
- Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale, France, Cambridge, United Kingdom (Z.M.)
| | - M. Briones Ana
- Department of Pharmacology, UAM, Instituto de Investigación-Hospital Universitario La Paz, IdiPaz, Ciber Cardiovascular, Madrid, Spain (R.R.-D., M.B.A.)
| | - Auxiliadora Bajo Maria
- Red de Investigación Renal, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain (R.R.-D.R., M.O., S.R.-M., P.C.-O., A.O., A.B.M., M.R.-O.)
- Department of Nephrology, Instituto de Investigación-Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain (A.B.M.)
| | - Roel Goldschmeding
- IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz-Universidad Autónoma Madrid, Spain (P.C.-O., A.O., J.E., R.G.)
| | - Marta Ruiz-Ortega
- Molecular and Cellular Biology in Renal and Vascular Pathology, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz-Universidad Autónoma Madrid, Spain (R.R.-D.R., A.T.-M., M.O., S.R.-M., M.R.-O.)
- Red de Investigación Renal, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain (R.R.-D.R., M.O., S.R.-M., P.C.-O., A.O., A.B.M., M.R.-O.)
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52
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Zhang H, Liu D, Zhu S, Wang F, Sun X, Yang S, Wang C. Plasma Exosomal Mir-423-5p Is Involved in the Occurrence and Development of Bicuspid Aortopathy via TGF-β/SMAD2 Pathway. Front Physiol 2021; 12:759035. [PMID: 34955881 PMCID: PMC8702998 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.759035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) are at increased risk for ascending aortic dilation (AAD). Our study was aimed at systemically analyzing the expression profile and mechanism of circulating plasma exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) related to BAV and AAD. Methods: We isolated plasma exosomes from BAV patients (n=19), BAV patients with AAD (BAVAD, n=26), and healthy tricuspid aortic valve individuals with low cardiovascular risk (TAVnon, n=16). We applied a small RNA sequencing approach to identify the specific plasma exosomal miRNAs associated with BAV (n=8) and BAVAD (n=10) patients compared with healthy TAVnon (n=6) individuals. The candidate differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs were selected and validated by RT-qPCR in the remaining samples. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were performed to illustrate the functions of target genes. Western blot analysis and luciferase reporter assay were conducted in human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) to verify the results of target gene prediction in vitro. Results: The expression levels of three up-regulated (miR-151a-3p, miR-423-5p, and miR-361-3p) and two down-regulated (miR-16-5p and miR-15a-5p) exosomal miRNAs were significantly altered in BAV disease. Additionally, miR-423-5p could be functionally involved in the occurrence and development of BAV and its complication BAVAD by regulating TGF-β signaling. miR-423-5p could target to SMAD2 and decreased the protein levels of SMAD2 and P-SMAD2. Conclusion: Plasma exosomal miR-423-5p regulated TGF-β signaling by targeting SMAD2, thus exerting functions in the occurrence and development of BAV disease and its complication bicuspid aortopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongqiang Zhang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dingqian Liu
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shichao Zhu
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fanshun Wang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoning Sun
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shouguo Yang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunsheng Wang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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53
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Estrada AC, Irons L, Rego BV, Li G, Tellides G, Humphrey JD. Roles of mTOR in thoracic aortopathy understood by complex intracellular signaling interactions. PLoS Comput Biol 2021; 17:e1009683. [PMID: 34898595 PMCID: PMC8700007 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Thoracic aortopathy–aneurysm, dissection, and rupture–is increasingly responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. Advances in medical genetics and imaging have improved diagnosis and thus enabled earlier prophylactic surgical intervention in many cases. There remains a pressing need, however, to understand better the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms with the hope of finding robust pharmacotherapies. Diverse studies in patients and mouse models of aortopathy have revealed critical changes in multiple smooth muscle cell signaling pathways that associate with disease, yet integrating information across studies and models has remained challenging. We present a new quantitative network model that includes many of the key smooth muscle cell signaling pathways and validate the model using a detailed data set that focuses on hyperactivation of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway and its inhibition using rapamycin. We show that the model can be parameterized to capture the primary experimental findings both qualitatively and quantitatively. We further show that simulating a population of cells by varying receptor reaction weights leads to distinct proteomic clusters within the population, and that these clusters emerge due to a bistable switch driven by positive feedback in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Cell signaling drives changes across scales, from altered transcription at the single-cell level to tissue-level growth and remodeling. Studying complex interactions within cell signaling pathways can lead to a better understanding of the progression of disease. In particular, we are interested in how vascular cells can change their phenotype in a way that exacerbates aortopathy, namely, the development of aneurysms, dissections, and rupture. In this study we built a novel cell signaling network model of a vascular smooth muscle cell using archival data and used it to capture the effects of a genetic knock-out and subsequent pharmacologic rescue. We then used the model to simulate populations of smooth muscle cells and found that small perturbations to the strength of signaling can lead to distinct clusters of cells. With further analysis of the network substructures, we found that a positive feedback loop within the network was responsible for the distinct phenotypes we saw in our clusters of simulated cells. We believe that this work not only helps us to understand changes in smooth muscle cell phenotype but also opens the possibility to study other signaling perturbations associated with aortopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana C. Estrada
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University; New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Linda Irons
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University; New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Bruno V. Rego
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University; New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Guangxin Li
- Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine; New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - George Tellides
- Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine; New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale School of Medicine; New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Jay D. Humphrey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University; New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale School of Medicine; New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Association of gene polymorphisms in MYH11 and TGF-β signaling with the susceptibility and clinical outcomes of DeBakey type III aortic dissection. Mamm Genome 2021; 33:555-563. [PMID: 34729648 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-021-09929-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
To investigate the association of myosin heavy chain protein 11 (MYH11) and transforming growth factor β signaling-related gene polymorphisms with the susceptibility of DeBakey type III aortic dissection (AD) and its clinical outcomes. Four single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) (MYH11 rs115364997, rs117593370, TGFB1 rs1800469, and TGFBR1 rs1626340) were analyzed in patients with DeBakey III AD (173) and healthy participants (335). Gene-gene and gene-environment interactions were evaluated using generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction. The patients were followed up for a median of 55.7 months. MYH11 rs115364997 G or TGFBR1 rs1626340 A carriers had an increased risk of DeBakey type III AD. MYH11, TGFB1, TGFBR1, and environment interactions contributed to the risk of DeBakey type III AD (cross-validation consistency = 10/10, P = 0.001). Dominant models of MYH11 rs115364997 AG + GG genotype (HR = 2.443; 95%CI: 1.096-5.445, P = 0.029), TGFB1 rs1800469 AG + GG (HR = 2.303; 95%CI: 1.069-4.96, P = 0.033) were associated with an increased risk of mortality in DeBakey type III AD. The dominant model of TGFB1 rs1800469 AG + GG genotype was associated with an increased risk of recurrence of chest pain in DeBakey type III AD (HR = 1.566; 95%CI: 1.018-2.378, P = 0.041). In conclusions, G carriers of MYH11 rs115364997 or TGFB1 rs1800469 may be the poor prognostic indicators of mortality and recurrent chest pain in DeBakey type III AD. The interactions of gene-gene and gene-environment are associated with the risk of DeBakey type III AD.
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Nicotine Exacerbates TAAD Formation Induced by Smooth Muscle-Specific Deletion of the TGF- β Receptor 2. J Immunol Res 2021; 2021:6880036. [PMID: 34646889 PMCID: PMC8505064 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6880036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Tobacco smoke is an established risk factor for thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections (TAAD). However, little is known about its underlying mechanisms due to the lack of validated animal models. The present study developed a mouse model that may be utilized to investigate exacerbation of TAAD formation by mimetics of tobacco smoke. TAADs were created via inducible deletion of smooth muscle cell-specific Tgfbr2 receptors. Using this model, the first set of experiments evaluated the efficacy of nicotine salt (34.0 mg/kg/day), nicotine free base (NFB, 5.0 mg 90-day pellets), and cigarette smoke extract (0.1 ml/mouse/day). Compared with their respective control groups, only NFB pellets promoted TAAD dilation (23 ± 3% vs. 12 ± 2%, P = 0.014), and this efficacy was achieved at a cost of >50% acute mortality. Infusion of NFB with osmotic minipumps at extremely high, but nonlethal, doses (15.0 or 45.0 mg/kg/day) failed to accelerate TAAD dilation. Interestingly, costimulation with β-aminopropionitrile (BAPN) promoted TAAD dilation and aortic rupture at dosages of 3.0 and 45.0 mg/kg/day, respectively, indicating that BAPN sensitizes the response of TAADs to NFB. In subsequent analyses, the detrimental effects of NFB were associated with clustering of macrophages, neutrophils, and T-cells in areas with structural destruction, enhanced matrix metalloproteinase- (MMP-) 2 production, and pathological angiogenesis with attenuated fibrosis in the adventitia. In conclusion, modeling nicotine exacerbation of TAAD formation requires optimization of chemical form, route of delivery, and dosage of the drug as well as the pathologic complexity of TAADs. Under the optimized conditions of the present study, chronic inflammation and adventitial mal-remodeling serve as critical pathways through which NFB exacerbates TAAD formation.
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Abstract
A large portion of thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections (TAAD) have a genetic etiology. In recent decades, numerous genes have been identified as associated with heritable thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections (HTAAD), providing important insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms of both conditions. Today's sequencing technology has allowed us to screen people with high risk of HTAAD, and provide gene‑tailored treatment and management. This review aims to provide an overview of the genetic basis of HTAAD, its underlying molecular mechanism, and practical recommendations for genetic and clinical evaluation as well as patient management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Huang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, North Campus Research Complex, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo Yang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, North Campus Research Complex, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
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Abstract
Marfan syndrome (MFS) is an autosomal dominant, age-related but highly penetrant condition with substantial intrafamilial and interfamilial variability. MFS is caused by pathogenetic variants in FBN1, which encodes fibrillin-1, a major structural component of the extracellular matrix that provides support to connective tissues, particularly in arteries, the pericondrium and structures in the eye. Up to 25% of individuals with MFS have de novo variants. The most prominent manifestations of MFS are asymptomatic aortic root aneurysms, aortic dissections, dislocation of the ocular lens (ectopia lentis) and skeletal abnormalities that are characterized by overgrowth of the long bones. MFS is diagnosed based on the Ghent II nosology; genetic testing confirming the presence of a FBN1 pathogenetic variant is not always required for diagnosis but can help distinguish MFS from other heritable thoracic aortic disease syndromes that can present with skeletal features similar to those in MFS. Untreated aortic root aneurysms can progress to life-threatening acute aortic dissections. Management of MFS requires medical therapy to slow the rate of growth of aneurysms and decrease the risk of dissection. Routine surveillance with imaging techniques such as transthoracic echocardiography, CT or MRI is necessary to monitor aneurysm growth and determine when to perform prophylactic repair surgery to prevent an acute aortic dissection.
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58
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Caescu CI, Hansen J, Crockett B, Xiao W, Arnaud P, Spronck B, Weinberg A, Hashimoto T, Murtada SI, Borkar R, Gallo JM, Jondeau G, Boileau C, Humphrey JD, He JC, Iyengar R, Ramirez F. Inhibition of HIPK2 Alleviates Thoracic Aortic Disease in Mice With Progressively Severe Marfan Syndrome. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2021; 41:2483-2493. [PMID: 34320838 PMCID: PMC8530207 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.121.316464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Objective Despite considerable research, the goal of finding nonsurgical remedies against thoracic aortic aneurysm and acute aortic dissection remains elusive. We sought to identify a novel aortic PK (protein kinase) that can be pharmacologically targeted to mitigate aneurysmal disease in a well-established mouse model of early-onset progressively severe Marfan syndrome (MFS). Approach and Results Computational analyses of transcriptomic data derived from the ascending aorta of MFS mice predicted a probable association between thoracic aortic aneurysm and acute aortic dissection development and the multifunctional, stress-activated HIPK2 (homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 2). Consistent with this prediction, Hipk2 gene inactivation significantly extended the survival of MFS mice by slowing aneurysm growth and delaying transmural rupture. HIPK2 also ranked among the top predicted PKs in computational analyses of DEGs (differentially expressed genes) in the dilated aorta of 3 MFS patients, which strengthened the clinical relevance of the experimental finding. Additional in silico analyses of the human and mouse data sets identified the TGF (transforming growth factor)-β/Smad3 signaling pathway as a potential target of HIPK2 in the MFS aorta. Chronic treatment of MFS mice with an allosteric inhibitor of HIPK2-mediated stimulation of Smad3 signaling validated this prediction by mitigating thoracic aortic aneurysm and acute aortic dissection pathology and partially improving aortic material stiffness. Conclusions HIPK2 is a previously unrecognized determinant of aneurysmal disease and an attractive new target for antithoracic aortic aneurysm and acute aortic dissection multidrug therapy.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Aortic Dissection/enzymology
- Aortic Dissection/genetics
- Aortic Dissection/pathology
- Aortic Dissection/prevention & control
- Animals
- Aorta, Thoracic/drug effects
- Aorta, Thoracic/enzymology
- Aorta, Thoracic/pathology
- Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/enzymology
- Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/genetics
- Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/pathology
- Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/prevention & control
- Carrier Proteins/genetics
- Carrier Proteins/metabolism
- Dilatation, Pathologic
- Disease Models, Animal
- Disease Progression
- Fibrillin-1/genetics
- Humans
- Male
- Marfan Syndrome/complications
- Marfan Syndrome/genetics
- Mice, 129 Strain
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Protein Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors
- Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics
- Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism
- Severity of Illness Index
- Signal Transduction
- Smad3 Protein/metabolism
- Vascular Remodeling/drug effects
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina I Caescu
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Institute for Systems Biomedicine (C.I.C., J.H., B.C., T.H., R.I., F.R.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York
| | - Jens Hansen
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Institute for Systems Biomedicine (C.I.C., J.H., B.C., T.H., R.I., F.R.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York
| | - Brittany Crockett
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Institute for Systems Biomedicine (C.I.C., J.H., B.C., T.H., R.I., F.R.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York
| | - Wenzhen Xiao
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine (W.X., J.C.H.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York
| | - Pauline Arnaud
- Département de Génétique et Centre de Référence Maladies Rares Syndrome de Marfan et Pathologies Apparentées, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Bichat, France (P.A., G.J., C.B.)
- LVTS, INSERM U1148, Université de Paris, Hôpital Bichat, France (P.A., G.J., C.B.)
| | - Bart Spronck
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT (B.S., S.-I.M., J.D.H.)
| | - Alan Weinberg
- Department of Population Health Science and Policy (A.W.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York
| | - Takeshi Hashimoto
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Institute for Systems Biomedicine (C.I.C., J.H., B.C., T.H., R.I., F.R.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York
| | - Sae-Il Murtada
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT (B.S., S.-I.M., J.D.H.)
| | - Roshan Borkar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of New York, Buffalo (R.B., J.M.G.)
| | - James M Gallo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of New York, Buffalo (R.B., J.M.G.)
| | - Guillaume Jondeau
- Département de Génétique et Centre de Référence Maladies Rares Syndrome de Marfan et Pathologies Apparentées, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Bichat, France (P.A., G.J., C.B.)
- LVTS, INSERM U1148, Université de Paris, Hôpital Bichat, France (P.A., G.J., C.B.)
| | - Catherine Boileau
- Département de Génétique et Centre de Référence Maladies Rares Syndrome de Marfan et Pathologies Apparentées, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Bichat, France (P.A., G.J., C.B.)
- LVTS, INSERM U1148, Université de Paris, Hôpital Bichat, France (P.A., G.J., C.B.)
| | - Jay D Humphrey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT (B.S., S.-I.M., J.D.H.)
| | - John Cijiang He
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine (W.X., J.C.H.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York
| | - Ravi Iyengar
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Institute for Systems Biomedicine (C.I.C., J.H., B.C., T.H., R.I., F.R.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York
| | - Francesco Ramirez
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Institute for Systems Biomedicine (C.I.C., J.H., B.C., T.H., R.I., F.R.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York
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Arce C, Rodríguez-Rovira I, De Rycke K, Durán K, Campuzano V, Fabregat I, Jiménez-Altayó F, Berraondo P, Egea G. Anti-TGFβ (Transforming Growth Factor β) Therapy With Betaglycan-Derived P144 Peptide Gene Delivery Prevents the Formation of Aortic Aneurysm in a Mouse Model of Marfan Syndrome. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2021; 41:e440-e452. [PMID: 34162229 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.121.316496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Objective We investigated the effect of a potent TGFβ (transforming growth factor β) inhibitor peptide (P144) from the betaglycan/TGFβ receptor III on aortic aneurysm development in a Marfan syndrome mouse model. Approach and Results We used a chimeric gene encoding the P144 peptide linked to apolipoprotein A-I via a flexible linker expressed by a hepatotropic adeno-associated vector. Two experimental approaches were performed: (1) a preventive treatment where the vector was injected before the onset of the aortic aneurysm (aged 4 weeks) and followed-up for 4 and 20 weeks and (2) a palliative treatment where the vector was injected once the aneurysm was formed (8 weeks old) and followed-up for 16 weeks. We evaluated the aortic root diameter by echocardiography, the aortic wall architecture and TGFβ signaling downstream effector expression of pSMAD2 and pERK1/2 by immunohistomorphometry, and Tgfβ1 and Tgfβ2 mRNA expression levels by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Marfan syndrome mice subjected to the preventive approach showed no aortic dilation in contrast to untreated Marfan syndrome mice, which at the same end point age already presented the aneurysm. In contrast, the palliative treatment with P144 did not halt aneurysm progression. In all cases, P144 improved elastic fiber morphology and normalized pERK1/2-mediated TGFβ signaling. Unlike the palliative treatment, the preventive treatment reduced Tgfβ1 and Tgfβ2 mRNA levels. Conclusions P144 prevents the onset of aortic aneurysm but not its progression. Results indicate the importance of reducing the excess of active TGFβ signaling during the early stages of aortic disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Arce
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Spain (C.A., I.R.-R., K.D.R., V.C., G.E.)
| | - Isaac Rodríguez-Rovira
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Spain (C.A., I.R.-R., K.D.R., V.C., G.E.)
| | - Karo De Rycke
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Spain (C.A., I.R.-R., K.D.R., V.C., G.E.)
| | - Karina Durán
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Clínic y Provincial de Barcelona, Spain (K.D.)
| | - Victoria Campuzano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Spain (C.A., I.R.-R., K.D.R., V.C., G.E.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Spain (V.C.)
| | - Isabel Fabregat
- Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepático-Digestivas (CIBEREHD), ISCIII, Spain (I.F.)
| | - Francesc Jiménez-Altayó
- Department of Therapeutic Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Neuroscience Institute, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain (F.J.-A.)
| | - Pedro Berraondo
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, CIMA University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain (P.B.)
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain (P.B.)
| | - Gustavo Egea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Spain (C.A., I.R.-R., K.D.R., V.C., G.E.)
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain (G.E.)
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60
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Ziegler SG, MacCarrick G, Dietz HC. Toward precision medicine in vascular connective tissue disorders. Am J Med Genet A 2021; 185:3340-3349. [PMID: 34428348 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.62461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Tremendous progress has been made in understanding the etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of inherited vascular connective tissue disorders. While new insights regarding disease etiology and pathogenesis have informed patient counseling and care, there are numerous obstacles that need to be overcome in order to achieve the full promise of precision medicine. In this review, these issues will be discussed in the context of Marfan syndrome and Loeys-Dietz syndrome, with additional emphasis on the pioneering contributions made by Victor McKusick.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shira G Ziegler
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Gretchen MacCarrick
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Harry C Dietz
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA
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61
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Deleeuw V, De Clercq A, De Backer J, Sips P. An Overview of Investigational and Experimental Drug Treatment Strategies for Marfan Syndrome. J Exp Pharmacol 2021; 13:755-779. [PMID: 34408505 PMCID: PMC8366784 DOI: 10.2147/jep.s265271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a heritable connective tissue disorder caused by pathogenic variants in the gene coding for the extracellular matrix protein fibrillin-1. While the disease affects multiple organ systems, the most life-threatening manifestations are aortic aneurysms leading to dissection and rupture. Other cardiovascular complications, including mitral valve prolapse, primary cardiomyopathy, and arrhythmia, also occur more frequently in patients with MFS. The standard medical care relies on cardiovascular imaging at regular intervals, along with pharmacological treatment with β-adrenergic receptor blockers aimed at reducing the aortic growth rate. When aortic dilatation reaches a threshold associated with increased risk of dissection, prophylactic surgical aortic replacement is performed. Although current clinical management has significantly improved the life expectancy of patients with MFS, no cure is available and fatal complications still occur, underscoring the need for new treatment options. In recent years, preclinical studies have identified a number of potentially promising therapeutic targets. Nevertheless, the translation of these results into clinical practice has remained challenging. In this review, we present an overview of the currently available knowledge regarding the underlying pathophysiological processes associated with MFS cardiovascular pathology. We then summarize the treatment options that have been developed based on this knowledge and are currently in different stages of preclinical or clinical development, provide a critical review of the limitations of current studies and highlight potential opportunities for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Violette Deleeuw
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Adelbert De Clercq
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Julie De Backer
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, 9000, Belgium.,Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Patrick Sips
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
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62
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Wang X, Zhang X, Qiu T, Yang Y, Li Q, Zhang X. Dexamethasone reduces the formation of thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection in a murine model. Exp Cell Res 2021; 405:112703. [PMID: 34118251 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2021.112703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (TAAD) is a life-threatening vascular disease with no effective pharmaceutical therapies currently available. Inflammation plays a key role in the progression of aneurysms. Dexamethasone (DEX), a synthetic glucocorticoid, has showed alleviating effects on cells in vitro from TAAD patients. Here we performed a study aiming at investigating the protective role of DEX in a β-aminopropionitrile monofumarate (BAPN)-induced TAAD mouse model. DEX (dose: 0.04 mg/kg/day) treatment significantly reduced the aortic diameter and inhibited TAAD formation. DEX reduced infiltration of macrophages and neutrophils, apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), expression of metalloproteinase 2/9, and extracellular matrix degradation in BAPN-treated TAAD mice. Furthermore, DEX therapy downregulated the expression of p-p65 in macrophages and VSMCs, which suggested that DEX might ameliorate BAPN-induced TAAD by suppressing NF-κB signaling. Therefore, DEX therapy attenuates the progression of BAPN-induced TAAD murine model and could be used as an effective adjuvant therapy for treating TAAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xipeng Wang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.
| | - Xiaoping Zhang
- Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Disease, Beijing, China.
| | - Tao Qiu
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.
| | - Qingle Li
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.
| | - Xiaoming Zhang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.
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63
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Elder CT, Filiberto AC, Su G, Ladd Z, Leroy V, Pruitt EY, Lu G, Jiang Z, Sharma AK, Upchurch GR. Maresin 1 activates LGR6 signaling to inhibit smooth muscle cell activation and attenuate murine abdominal aortic aneurysm formation. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21780. [PMID: 34320253 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202100484r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The specialized pro-resolving lipid mediator maresin 1 (MaR1) is involved in the resolution phase of tissue inflammation. It was hypothesized that exogenous administration of MaR1 would attenuate abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) growth in a cytokine-dependent manner via LGR6 receptor signaling and macrophage-dependent efferocytosis of smooth muscle cells (SMCs). AAAs were induced in C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) mice and smooth muscle cell specific TGF-β2 receptor knockout (SMC-TGFβr2-/- ) mice using a topical elastase AAA model. MaR1 treatment significantly attenuated AAA growth as well as increased aortic SMC α-actin and TGF-β2 expressions in WT mice, but not SMC-TGFβr2-/- mice, compared to vehicle-treated mice. In vivo inhibition of LGR6 receptors obliterated MaR1-dependent protection in AAA formation and SMC α-actin expression. Furthermore, MaR1 upregulated macrophage-dependent efferocytosis of apoptotic SMCs in murine aortic tissue during AAA formation. In vitro studies demonstrate that MaR1-LGR6 interaction upregulates TGF-β2 expression and decreases MMP2 activity during crosstalk of macrophage-apoptotic SMCs. In summary, these results demonstrate that MaR1 activates LGR6 receptors to upregulate macrophage-dependent efferocytosis, increases TGF-β expression, preserves aortic wall remodeling and attenuate AAA formation. Therefore, this study demonstrates the potential of MaR1-LGR6-mediated mitigation of vascular remodeling through increased efferocytosis of apoptotic SMCs via TGF-β2 to attenuate AAA formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig T Elder
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | - Gang Su
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Zachary Ladd
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Victoria Leroy
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Eric Y Pruitt
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Guanyi Lu
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Zhihua Jiang
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Ashish K Sharma
- Department of Surgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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64
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Zhou D, Feng H, Yang Y, Huang T, Qiu P, Zhang C, Olsen T, Zhang J, Chen YE, Mizrak D, Yang B. hiPSC Modeling of Lineage-Specific Smooth Muscle Cell Defects Caused by TGFBR1A230T Variant, and its Therapeutic Implications for Loeys-Dietz Syndrome. Circulation 2021; 144:1145-1159. [PMID: 34346740 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.121.054744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Background: Loeys-Dietz Syndrome (LDS) is an inherited disorder predisposing individuals to thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (TAAD). Currently, there are no medical treatments except surgical resection. Although the genetic basis of LDS is well-understood, molecular mechanisms underlying the disease remain elusive impeding the development of a therapeutic strategy. In addition, aortic smooth muscle cells (SMC) have heterogenous embryonic origins depending on their spatial location, and lineage-specific effects of pathogenic variants on SMC function, likely causing regionally constrained LDS manifestations, have been unexplored. Methods: We identified an LDS family with a dominant pathogenic variant in TGFBR1 gene (TGFBR1A230T) causing aortic root aneurysm and dissection. To accurately model the molecular defects caused by this mutation, we used human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) from subject with normal aorta to generate hiPSC carrying TGFBR1A230T, and corrected the mutation in patient-derived hiPSC using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing. Following their lineage-specific SMC differentiation through cardiovascular progenitor cell (CPC) and neural crest stem cell (NCSC) lineages, we employed conventional molecular techniques and single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) to characterize the molecular defects. The resulting data led to subsequent molecular and functional rescue experiments employing Activin A and rapamycin. Results: Our results indicate the TGFBR1A230T mutation impairs contractile transcript and protein levels, and function in CPC-SMC, but not in NCSC-SMC. ScRNA-seq results implicate defective differentiation even in TGFBR1A230T/+ CPC-SMC including disruption of SMC contraction, and extracellular matrix formation. Comparison of patient-derived and mutation-corrected cells supported the contractile phenotype observed in the mutant CPC-SMC. TGFBR1A230T selectively disrupted SMAD3 and AKT activation in CPC-SMC, and led to increased cell proliferation. Consistently, scRNA-seq revealed molecular similarities between a loss-of-function SMAD3 mutation (SMAD3c.652delA/+) and TGFBR1A230T/+. Lastly, combination treatment with Activin A and rapamycin during or after SMC differentiation significantly improved the mutant CPC-SMC contractile gene expression, and function; and rescued the mechanical properties of mutant CPC-SMC tissue constructs. Conclusions: This study reveals that a pathogenic TGFBR1 variant causes lineage-specific SMC defects informing the etiology of LDS-associated aortic root aneurysm. As a potential pharmacological strategy, our results highlight a combination treatment with Activin A and rapamycin that can rescue the SMC defects caused by the variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Zhou
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, PRC
| | - Hao Feng
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, PRC
| | - Ying Yang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Tingting Huang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, PRC
| | - Ping Qiu
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Chengxin Zhang
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Timothy Olsen
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Jifeng Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Y Eugene Chen
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Dogukan Mizrak
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Bo Yang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
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65
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Lane BA, Chakrabarti M, Ferruzzi J, Azhar M, Eberth JF. Mechanics of ascending aortas from TGFβ-1, -2, -3 haploinsufficient mice and elastase-induced aortopathy. J Biomech 2021; 125:110543. [PMID: 34174532 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2021.110543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ-1, -2, -3) ligands act through a common receptor complex yet each is expressed in a unique and overlapping fashion throughout development. TGFβ plays a role in extra-cellular matrix composition with mutations to genes encoding TGFβ and TGFβ signaling molecules contributing to diverse and deadly thoracic aortopathies common in Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS). In this investigation, we studied the TGFβ ligand-specific mechanical phenotype of ascending thoracic aortas (ATA) taken from 4-to-6 months-old Tgfb1+/-, Tgfb2+/-, and Tgfb3+/- mice, their wild-type (WT) controls, and an elastase infusion model representative of severe elastolysis. Heterozygous mice were studied at an age without dilation to elucidate potential pre-aortopathic mechanical cues. Our findings indicate that ATAs from Tgfb2+/- mice demonstrated significant wall thickening, a corresponding decrease in biaxial stress, decreased biaxial stiffness, and a decrease in stored energy. These results were unlike the pathological elastase model where decreases in biaxial stretch were found along with increases in diameter, biaxial stress, and biaxial stiffness. ATAs from Tgfb1+/- and Tgfb3+/-, on the other hand, had few mechanical differences when compared to wild-type controls. Although aortopathy generally occurs later in development, our findings reveal that in 4-to-6 month-old animals, only Tgfb2+/- mice demonstrate a significant phenotype that fails to model ubiquitous elastolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooks A Lane
- Biomedical Engineering Program, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208 USA
| | - Mrinmay Chakrabarti
- Cell Biology and Anatomy Department, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Jacopo Ferruzzi
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
| | - Mohamad Azhar
- Cell Biology and Anatomy Department, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29208, USA; William Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Medical Center, Columbia, SC 29209, USA
| | - John F Eberth
- Biomedical Engineering Program, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208 USA; Cell Biology and Anatomy Department, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
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66
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Liu P, Zhang J, Du D, Zhang D, Jin Z, Qiu W, Zhou X, Dong S, Zhou M, Zhao H, Zhang W, Ma J, Sun S, Fu W, Liu Y, Wang L. Altered DNA methylation pattern reveals epigenetic regulation of Hox genes in thoracic aortic dissection and serves as a biomarker in disease diagnosis. Clin Epigenetics 2021; 13:124. [PMID: 34103071 PMCID: PMC8186232 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-021-01110-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thoracic aortic dissection (TAD) is a severe disease with limited understandings in its pathogenesis. Altered DNA methylation has been revealed to be involved in many diseases etiology. Few studies have examined the role of DNA methylation in the development of TAD. This study explored alterations of the DNA methylation landscape in TAD and examined the potential role of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) methylation as a biomarker in TAD diagnosis. RESULTS Ascending aortic tissues from TAD patients (Stanford type A; n = 6) and healthy controls (n = 6) were first examined via whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS). While no obvious global methylation shift was observed, numerous differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were identified, with associated genes enriched in the areas of vasculature and heart development. We further confirmed the methylation and expression changes in homeobox (Hox) clusters with 10 independent samples using bisulfite pyrosequencing and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Among these, HOXA5, HOXB6 and HOXC6 were significantly down-regulated in TAD samples relative to controls. To evaluate cfDNA methylation pattern as a biomarker in TAD diagnosis, cfDNA from TAD patients (Stanford type A; n = 7) and healthy controls (n = 4) were examined by WGBS. A prediction model was built using DMRs identified previously from aortic tissues on methylation data from cfDNA. Both high sensitivity (86%) and specificity (75%) were achieved in patient classification (AUC = 0.96). CONCLUSIONS These findings showed an altered epigenetic regulation in TAD patients. This altered epigenetic regulation and subsequent altered expression of genes associated with vasculature and heart development, such as Hox family genes, may contribute to the loss of aortic integrity and TAD pathogenesis. Additionally, the cfDNA methylation in TAD was highly disease specific, which can be used as a non-invasive biomarker for disease prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiru Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Vascular Surgery Department, Zhongshan Xiamen Hospital, Fudan University, Xiamen, People's Republic of China.,Vascular Surgery Department, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.,Department of Cardiac Surgery, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Duo Du
- MOE Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Dandan Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Zelin Jin
- MOE Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenqing Qiu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiushi Zhou
- Vascular Surgery Department, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Shulong Dong
- MOE Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengyu Zhou
- MOE Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Heyu Zhao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Vascular Surgery Department, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiakang Ma
- MOE Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaoyang Sun
- MOE Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiguo Fu
- Vascular Surgery Department, Zhongshan Xiamen Hospital, Fudan University, Xiamen, People's Republic of China. .,Vascular Surgery Department, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yun Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China. .,State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
| | - Lixin Wang
- Vascular Surgery Department, Zhongshan Xiamen Hospital, Fudan University, Xiamen, People's Republic of China. .,Vascular Surgery Department, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
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Zhu J, Angelov S, Alp Yildirim I, Wei H, Hu JH, Majesky MW, Brozovich FV, Kim F, Dichek DA. Loss of Transforming Growth Factor Beta Signaling in Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells Causes Endothelial Dysfunction and Aortic Hypercontractility. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2021; 41:1956-1971. [PMID: 33853348 PMCID: PMC8159907 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.121.315878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
[Figure: see text].
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Aorta/metabolism
- Aorta/pathology
- Aorta/physiopathology
- Aortic Aneurysm/genetics
- Aortic Aneurysm/metabolism
- Aortic Aneurysm/pathology
- Aortic Aneurysm/physiopathology
- Cell Adhesion Molecules/metabolism
- Dilatation, Pathologic
- Endothelium, Vascular/metabolism
- Endothelium, Vascular/pathology
- Endothelium, Vascular/physiopathology
- Female
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Microfilament Proteins/metabolism
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/pathology
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/physiopathology
- Myosin Heavy Chains/genetics
- Myosin Heavy Chains/metabolism
- Nitric Oxide/metabolism
- Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III/metabolism
- Phosphoproteins/metabolism
- Phosphorylation
- Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II/deficiency
- Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II/genetics
- Signal Transduction
- Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism
- Vasoconstriction
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay Zhu
- Surgery (J.Z.), University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Stoyan Angelov
- Departments of Medicine (S.A., I.A.Y., H.W., J.H.H., F.K., D.A.D.), University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Ilkay Alp Yildirim
- Departments of Medicine (S.A., I.A.Y., H.W., J.H.H., F.K., D.A.D.), University of Washington, Seattle
- Now with Istanbul University Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology, Istanbul, Turkey (I.A.Y.)
| | - Hao Wei
- Departments of Medicine (S.A., I.A.Y., H.W., J.H.H., F.K., D.A.D.), University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Jie Hong Hu
- Departments of Medicine (S.A., I.A.Y., H.W., J.H.H., F.K., D.A.D.), University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Mark W Majesky
- Pediatrics (M.W.M.), University of Washington, Seattle
- Laboratory Medicine and Pathology (M.W.M., D.A.D.), University of Washington, Seattle
- The Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, WA (M.W.M.)
| | - Frank V Brozovich
- Department of Medicine, Mayo School of Medicine, Rochester, MN (F.V.B.)
| | - Francis Kim
- Departments of Medicine (S.A., I.A.Y., H.W., J.H.H., F.K., D.A.D.), University of Washington, Seattle
| | - David A Dichek
- Departments of Medicine (S.A., I.A.Y., H.W., J.H.H., F.K., D.A.D.), University of Washington, Seattle
- Laboratory Medicine and Pathology (M.W.M., D.A.D.), University of Washington, Seattle
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68
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Toll-like receptor 7-driven lupus autoimmunity induces hypertension and vascular alterations in mice. J Hypertens 2021; 38:1322-1335. [PMID: 32004206 DOI: 10.1097/hjh.0000000000002368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate whether toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) activation induces an increase in blood pressure and vascular damage in wild-type mice treated with the TLR7 agonist imiquimod (IMQ). METHODS Female BALB/c mice (7-9 week old) were randomly assigned to two experimental groups: an untreated control group and a group treated topically with IMQ (IMQ-treated) for 4 or 8 weeks. A group of IMQ-treated mice that take a combination of the antioxidants tempol and apocynin, and another treated IL-17-neutralizing antibody were also performed. RESULTS TLR7 activation gradually increased blood pressure, associated with elevated plasma levels of anti-dsDNA autoantibodies, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, and severe expansion of splenic immune cells with an imbalance between proinflammatory T cells and regulatory T cells. TLR7 activation induced a marked vascular remodeling in mesenteric arteries characterized by an increased media--lumen ratio (≈40%), and an impaired endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in aortas from wild-type mice after 8 weeks of treatment. In addition, an increased ROS production, as a result of the upregulation of NADPH oxidase subunits, and an enhanced vascular inflammation were found in aortas from IMQ-treated mice. These functional and structural vascular alterations induced by IMQ were improved by antioxidant treatment. Anti-IL-17 treatment reduced blood pressure and improved endothelial dysfunction in IMQ-treated mice. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate that TLR7 activation induces the development of hypertension and vascular damage in BALB/c mice, and further underscore the increased vascular inflammation and oxidative stress, mediated in part by IL-17, as key factors contributing to cardiovascular complications in this TLR7-driven lupus autoimmunity model.
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Yu C, Wu D, Zhao C, Wu C. CircRNA TGFBR2/MiR-25-3p/TWIST1 axis regulates osteoblast differentiation of human aortic valve interstitial cells. J Bone Miner Metab 2021; 39:360-371. [PMID: 33070258 DOI: 10.1007/s00774-020-01164-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Calcified aortic valve disease (CAVD) is characterized by valve thickening and calcification. Osteoblast differentiation is one of the key steps of valve calcification. CircRNAs is involved in osteogenic differentiation of multiple mesenchymal cells. However, the function of circRNA TGFBR2 (TGFBR2) in CAVD remained unclear. We explored the effect and mechanism of TGFBR2 in modulating CAVD. MATERIALS AND METHODS Human aortic valve interstitial cells (VICs) were subjected to osteogenic induction, and transfected with TGFBR2, miR-25-3p mimic and siTWIST1. The relationship between miR-25-3p and GFBR2 was predicted by starBase and confirmed by luciferase reporter and Person's correlation test. The relationship between miR-25-3p and TWIST1 was predicted by TargetScan and confirmed by luciferase reporter assay. The expressions of TGFBR2, miR-25-3p, TWIST1, osteoblast markers (RUNX2 and OPN) were detected by Western blot or/and qRT-PCR. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and calcium nodule was determined by colorimetric method and Alizarin Red S staining. RESULTS The expression of TGFBR2 was down-regulated and that of miR-25-3p was up-regulated in calcific valves and osteogenic VICs. TGFBR2 was inversely correlated with miR-25-3p expression in calcific valves. TGFBR2 sponged miR-25-3p to regulate TWIST1 expression in osteogenic VICs. During osteogenic differentiation, ALP activity, calcium nodule, the levels of osteoblast markers were increased in VICs. MiR-25-3p overexpression or TWIST1 knockdown reversed the inhibitory effect of TGFBR2 overexpression on ALP activity, calcium nodule, the expressions of RUNX2 and OPN in osteogenic VICs. CONCLUSION The findings indicated that TGFBR2/miR-25-3p/TWIST1 axis regulates osteoblast differentiation in VICs, supporting the fact that TGFBR2 is a miRNA sponge in CAVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Yu
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Hainan General Hospital, No. 19, Xiuhua Road, Xiuying, Haikou, 570311, Hainan, China.
| | - Dannan Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, Hainan General Hospital, Haikou, 570311, Hainan, China
| | - Chong Zhao
- Department of English, School of Foreign Languages, Qiongtai Normal University, Haikou, 571127, Hainan, China
| | - Chaoguang Wu
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Hainan General Hospital, No. 19, Xiuhua Road, Xiuying, Haikou, 570311, Hainan, China
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Aicher BO, Zhang J, Muratoglu SC, Galisteo R, Arai AL, Gray VL, Lal BK, Strickland DK, Ucuzian AA. Moderate aerobic exercise prevents matrix degradation and death in a mouse model of aortic dissection and aneurysm. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2021; 320:H1786-H1801. [PMID: 33635167 PMCID: PMC8163659 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00229.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (TAAD) is a deadly disease characterized by intimal disruption induced by hemodynamic forces of the circulation. The effect of exercise in patients with TAAD is largely unknown. β-Aminopropionitrile (BAPN) is an irreversible inhibitor of lysyl oxidase that induces TAAD in mice. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise on BAPN-induced TAAD. Upon weaning, mice were given either BAPN-containing water or standard drinking water and subjected to either conventional cage activity (BAPN-CONV) or forced treadmill exercise (BAPN-EX) for up to 26 wk. Mortality was 23.5% (20/85) for BAPN-CONV mice versus 0% (0/22) for BAPN-EX mice (hazard ratio 3.8; P = 0.01). BAPN induced significant elastic lamina fragmentation and intimal-medial thickening compared with BAPN-untreated controls, and aneurysms were identified in 50% (5/10) of mice that underwent contrast-enhanced CT scanning. Exercise significantly decreased BAPN-induced wall thickening, calculated circumferential wall tension, and lumen diameter, with 0% (0/5) of BAPN-EX demonstrating chronic aortic aneurysm formation on CT scan. Expression of selected genes relevant to vascular diseases was analyzed by qRT-PCR. Notably, exercise normalized BAPN-induced increases in TGF-β pathway-related genes Cd109, Smad4, and Tgfβr1; inflammation-related genes Vcam1, Bcl2a1, Ccr2, Pparg, Il1r1, Il1r1, Itgb2, and Itgax; and vascular injury- and response-related genes Mmp3, Fn1, and Vwf. Additionally, exercise significantly increased elastin expression in BAPN-treated animals compared with controls. This study suggests that moderate aerobic exercise may be safe and effective in preventing the most devastating outcomes in TAAD.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Moderate aerobic exercise was shown to significantly reduce mortality, extracellular matrix degradation, and thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection formation associated with lysyl oxidase inhibition in a mouse model. Gene expression suggested a reversal of TGF-β, inflammation, and extracellular matrix remodeling pathway dysregulation, along with augmented elastogenesis with exercise.
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MESH Headings
- Aminopropionitrile
- Aortic Dissection/chemically induced
- Aortic Dissection/metabolism
- Aortic Dissection/pathology
- Aortic Dissection/therapy
- Animals
- Aorta, Thoracic/metabolism
- Aorta, Thoracic/pathology
- Aorta, Thoracic/physiopathology
- Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/chemically induced
- Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/metabolism
- Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/pathology
- Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/therapy
- Aortic Rupture/chemically induced
- Aortic Rupture/metabolism
- Aortic Rupture/pathology
- Aortic Rupture/prevention & control
- Dilatation, Pathologic
- Disease Models, Animal
- Disease Progression
- Exercise Therapy
- Extracellular Matrix/metabolism
- Extracellular Matrix/pathology
- Extracellular Matrix Proteins/metabolism
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Hemodynamics
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Proteolysis
- Signal Transduction
- Vascular Remodeling
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany O Aicher
- Center for Vascular & Inflammatory Diseases, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jackie Zhang
- Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Selen C Muratoglu
- Center for Vascular & Inflammatory Diseases, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Rebeca Galisteo
- Center for Vascular & Inflammatory Diseases, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Allison L Arai
- Center for Vascular & Inflammatory Diseases, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Vicki L Gray
- Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Brajesh K Lal
- Center for Vascular & Inflammatory Diseases, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Vascular Service, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Dudley K Strickland
- Center for Vascular & Inflammatory Diseases, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Areck A Ucuzian
- Center for Vascular & Inflammatory Diseases, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Vascular Service, Baltimore, Maryland
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71
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Rabin A, Palacio D, Saqib N, Bar-Yoseph P, Weiss D, Afifi RO. Aortic aneurysms and dissections: Unmet needs from physicians and engineers perspectives. J Biomech 2021; 122:110461. [PMID: 33901933 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2021.110461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The treatment of aortic disease is complex, requiring cardiothoracic and vascular surgeons to make pre-, post- and intraoperative decisions directly influencing patient survival and well-being. Despite tremendous advancement in vascular surgery and endovascular techniques in the last two decades, along with the abundance of research in the field, many unmet needs and unanswered questions remain. Tight collaboration between engineers and physicians is a keystone in translating new tools, techniques, and devices into practice. Here, we have gathered our perspective, as physicians and engineers, in several pressing issues associated with the diagnosis and treatment of aortic aneurysms and dissection, referring to the current knowledge and practice, signifying unmet needs as well as future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asaf Rabin
- Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Unit, B. Padeh M.C, Poriya, Israel.
| | - Diana Palacio
- Cardiothoracic Imaging Division, Department of Medical Imaging, The University of Arizona Banner Medical Center, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Naveed Saqib
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA
| | - Pinhas Bar-Yoseph
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Dar Weiss
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale university, CT, USA
| | - Rana O Afifi
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, TX, USA
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72
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Ren K, Li B, Liu Z, Xia L, Zhai M, Wei X, Duan W, Yu S. GDF11 prevents the formation of thoracic aortic dissection in mice: Promotion of contractile transition of aortic SMCs. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:4623-4636. [PMID: 33764670 PMCID: PMC8107100 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Thoracic aortic dissection (TAD) is an aortic disease associated with dysregulated extracellular matrix composition and de‐differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Growth Differentiation Factor 11 (GDF11) is a member of transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β) superfamily associated with cardiovascular diseases. The present study attempted to investigate the expression of GDF11 in TAD and its effects on aortic SMC phenotype transition. GDF11 level was found lower in the ascending thoracic aortas of TAD patients than healthy aortas. The mouse model of TAD was established by β‐aminopropionitrile monofumarate (BAPN) combined with angiotensin II (Ang II). The expression of GDF11 was also decreased in thoracic aortic tissues accompanied with increased inflammation, arteriectasis and elastin degradation in TAD mice. Administration of GDF11 mitigated these aortic lesions and improved the survival rate of mice. Exogenous GDF11 and adeno‐associated virus type 2 (AAV‐2)‐mediated GDF11 overexpression increased the expression of contractile proteins including ACTA2, SM22α and myosin heavy chain 11 (MYH11) and decreased synthetic markers including osteopontin and fibronectin 1 (FN1), indicating that GDF11 might inhibit SMC phenotype transition and maintain its contractile state. Moreover, GDF11 inhibited the production of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2, 3, 9 in aortic SMCs. The canonical TGF‐β (Smad2/3) signalling was enhanced by GDF11, while its inhibition suppressed the inhibitory effects of GDF11 on SMC de‐differentiation and MMP production in vitro. Therefore, we demonstrate that GDF11 may contribute to TAD alleviation via inhibiting inflammation and MMP activity, and promoting the transition of aortic SMCs towards a contractile phenotype, which provides a therapeutic target for TAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Ren
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Buying Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhenhua Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Lin Xia
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Mengen Zhai
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xufeng Wei
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Weixun Duan
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Shiqiang Yu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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73
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Dhaouadi N, Nehme A, Faour WH, Feugier P, Cerutti C, Kacem K, Eid AH, Li JY, Zibara K. Transforming growth factor-β1 inhibits interleukin-1β-induced expression of inflammatory genes and Cathepsin S activity in human vascular smooth muscle cells. Fundam Clin Pharmacol 2021; 35:979-988. [PMID: 33683760 DOI: 10.1111/fcp.12666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN This study investigated the opposite mechanisms by which IL-1β and TGF-β1 modulated the inflammatory and migratory phenotypes in cultured human intimal vascular smooth muscle cells vSMCs. MATERIALS AND TREATMENT Primary human vSMCs, obtained from twelve hypertensive patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy, were incubated for 24 hours with either 40 pM TGF-β1, or 1 nmol/L IL-1β, or their combination in presence or absence of anti-TGF-β neutralizing antibody. METHODS The expression levels of matrix metalloproteases and their inhibitors, and the elastolytic enzyme cathepsin S (CTSS) and its inhibitor cystatin C were evaluated with RT-PCR. CTSS activity was measured by fluorometry. RESULTS TGF-β1 reversed IL-1β-induced expression of iNOS, CXCL6, IL1R1, MMP12, and CTSS, while upregulated TIMP2 expression. Furthermore, anti-TGF-β neutralizing antibody abrogated TGF-β effects. Combination with IL-1β and TGF-β1 induced the expression of IL1α, IL1β, IL1R1, and CTSS, but suppressed CST3 expression. CTSS expression in the combination treatment was higher than that of cells treated with anti-TGF-β antibodies alone. Moreover, IL-1β-induced CTSS enzymatic activity was reduced when human vSMCs were co-treated with TGF-β, whereas this reduction was abrogated by anti-TGF-β neutralizing antibody. CONCLUSION TGF-β1 abrogated IL-1β-induced expression of inflammatory genes and elastolytic activity in cultured human vSMCs. Thus, TGF-β1 can play a crucial role in impairing IL-1β-induced vascular inflammation and damage involved in the etiology of cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nedra Dhaouadi
- EA 4173 Génomique Fonctionnelle de l'Hypertension Artérielle, Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France.,Unité de Physiologie Intégrée, Laboratoire de Pathologies Vasculaires, Faculté des Sciences de Bizerte, Université de Carthage, Bizerte, Tunisia
| | - Ali Nehme
- EA 4173 Génomique Fonctionnelle de l'Hypertension Artérielle, Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France.,PRASE, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Wissam H Faour
- Gilbert & Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
| | - Patrick Feugier
- EA 4173 Génomique Fonctionnelle de l'Hypertension Artérielle, Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Catherine Cerutti
- EA 4173 Génomique Fonctionnelle de l'Hypertension Artérielle, Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Kamel Kacem
- Unité de Physiologie Intégrée, Laboratoire de Pathologies Vasculaires, Faculté des Sciences de Bizerte, Université de Carthage, Bizerte, Tunisia
| | - Ali H Eid
- Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research Unit and Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Jacques-Yuan Li
- EA 4173 Génomique Fonctionnelle de l'Hypertension Artérielle, Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Kazem Zibara
- PRASE, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.,Department of Biology, Faculty of sciences - I, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
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74
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He J, Li N, Fan Y, Zhao X, Liu C, Hu X. Metformin Inhibits Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Formation through the Activation of the AMPK/mTOR Signaling Pathway. J Vasc Res 2021; 58:148-158. [PMID: 33601368 DOI: 10.1159/000513465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Epidemiological evidence suggests that the antidiabetic drug metformin (MET) can also inhibit abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) formation. However, the underlying protective mechanism remains unknown. It has been reported that phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) levels are significantly lower in AAA tissues than control aortic tissues. AMPK activation can inhibit the downstream signaling molecule called mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), which has also been reported be upregulated in thoracic aneurysms. Thus, blocking mTOR signaling could attenuate AAA progression. MET is a known agonist of AMPK. Therefore, in this study, we investigated if MET could inhibit formation of AAA by activating the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS The AAA animal model was induced by intraluminal porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) perfusion in male Sprague Dawley rats. The rats were treated with MET or compound C (C.C), which is an AMPK inhibitor. AAA formation was monitored by serial ultrasound. Aortas were collected 4 weeks after surgery and subjected to immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and transmission electron microscopy analyses. RESULTS MET treatment dramatically inhibited the formation of AAA 4 weeks after PPE perfusion. MET reduced the aortic diameter, downregulated both macrophage infiltration and matrix metalloproteinase expression, decreased neovascularization, and preserved the contractile phenotype of the aortic vascular smooth muscle cells. Furthermore, we detected an increase in autophagy after MET treatment. All of these effects were reversed by the AMPK inhibitor C.C. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that MET activates AMPK and suppresses AAA formation. Our study provides a novel mechanism for MET and suggests that MET could be potentially used as a therapeutic candidate for preventing AAA.
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MESH Headings
- AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism
- Animals
- Aorta, Abdominal/drug effects
- Aorta, Abdominal/enzymology
- Aorta, Abdominal/ultrastructure
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/chemically induced
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/enzymology
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/pathology
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/prevention & control
- Dilatation, Pathologic
- Disease Models, Animal
- Enzyme Activation
- Macrophages/drug effects
- Macrophages/metabolism
- Male
- Metformin/pharmacology
- Neovascularization, Pathologic
- Pancreatic Elastase
- Phosphorylation
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Signal Transduction
- TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism
- Vascular Remodeling/drug effects
- Rats
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaan He
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Nan Li
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yichuan Fan
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xingzhi Zhao
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Chengwei Liu
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, China
| | - Xinhua Hu
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China,
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75
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Creamer TJ, Bramel EE, MacFarlane EG. Insights on the Pathogenesis of Aneurysm through the Study of Hereditary Aortopathies. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12020183. [PMID: 33514025 PMCID: PMC7912671 DOI: 10.3390/genes12020183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) are permanent and localized dilations of the aorta that predispose patients to a life-threatening risk of aortic dissection or rupture. The identification of pathogenic variants that cause hereditary forms of TAA has delineated fundamental molecular processes required to maintain aortic homeostasis. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) elaborate and remodel the extracellular matrix (ECM) in response to mechanical and biochemical cues from their environment. Causal variants for hereditary forms of aneurysm compromise the function of gene products involved in the transmission or interpretation of these signals, initiating processes that eventually lead to degeneration and mechanical failure of the vessel. These include mutations that interfere with transduction of stimuli from the matrix to the actin-myosin cytoskeleton through integrins, and those that impair signaling pathways activated by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). In this review, we summarize the features of the healthy aortic wall, the major pathways involved in the modulation of VSMC phenotypes, and the basic molecular functions impaired by TAA-associated mutations. We also discuss how the heterogeneity and balance of adaptive and maladaptive responses to the initial genetic insult might contribute to disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler J. Creamer
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (T.J.C.); (E.E.B.)
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Emily E. Bramel
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (T.J.C.); (E.E.B.)
- Predoctoral Training in Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Elena Gallo MacFarlane
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (T.J.C.); (E.E.B.)
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Correspondence:
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76
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Kawamura Y, Murtada SI, Gao F, Liu X, Tellides G, Humphrey JD. Adventitial remodeling protects against aortic rupture following late smooth muscle-specific disruption of TGFβ signaling. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2021; 116:104264. [PMID: 33508556 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2020.104264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Altered signaling through transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) increases the risk of aortic dissection in patients, which has been confirmed in mouse models. It is well known that altered TGFβ signaling affects matrix turnover, but there has not been a careful examination of associated changes in structure-function relations. In this paper, we present new findings on the rupture potential of the aortic wall following late postnatal smooth muscle cell (SMC)-specific disruption of type I and II TGFβ receptors in a mouse model with demonstrated dissection susceptibility. Using a combination of custom computer-controlled biaxial tests and quantitative histology and immunohistochemistry, we found that loss of TGFβ signaling in SMCs compromises medial properties but induces compensatory changes in the adventitia that preserve wall strength above that which is needed to resist in vivo values of wall stress. These findings emphasize the different structural defects that lead to aortic dissection and rupture - compromised medial integrity and insufficient adventitial strength, respectively. Relative differences in these two defects, in an individual subject at a particular time, likely reflects the considerable phenotypic diversity that is common in clinical presentations of thoracic aortic dissection and rupture. There is, therefore, a need to move beyond examinations of bulk biological assays and wall properties to cell- and layer-specific studies that delineate pathologic and compensatory changes in wall biology and composition, and thus the structural integrity of the aortic wall that can dictate differences between life and death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Kawamura
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - S-I Murtada
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - F Gao
- Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - X Liu
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - G Tellides
- Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 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.
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77
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van Dorst DCH, de Wagenaar NP, van der Pluijm I, Roos-Hesselink JW, Essers J, Danser AHJ. Transforming Growth Factor-β and the Renin-Angiotensin System in Syndromic Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms: Implications for Treatment. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 2020; 35:1233-1252. [PMID: 33283255 PMCID: PMC8578102 DOI: 10.1007/s10557-020-07116-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) are permanent pathological dilatations of the thoracic aorta, which can lead to life-threatening complications, such as aortic dissection and rupture. TAAs frequently occur in a syndromic form in individuals with an underlying genetic predisposition, such as Marfan syndrome (MFS) and Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS). Increasing evidence supports an important role for transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in TAA pathology. Eventually, most patients with syndromic TAAs require surgical intervention, as the ability of present medical treatment to attenuate aneurysm growth is limited. Therefore, more effective medical treatment options are urgently needed. Numerous clinical trials investigated the therapeutic potential of angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and β-blockers in patients suffering from syndromic TAAs. This review highlights the contribution of TGF-β signaling, RAS, and impaired mechanosensing abilities of aortic VSMCs in TAA formation. Furthermore, it critically discusses the most recent clinical evidence regarding the possible therapeutic benefit of ARBs and β-blockers in syndromic TAA patients and provides future research perspectives and therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daan C H van Dorst
- Division of Vascular Medicine and Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nathalie P de Wagenaar
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Room Ee702b, Erasmus MC, Wytemaweg 80, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Cardiology, Thoraxcenter, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ingrid van der Pluijm
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Room Ee702b, Erasmus MC, Wytemaweg 80, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Vascular Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jolien W Roos-Hesselink
- Department of Cardiology, Thoraxcenter, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Essers
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Room Ee702b, Erasmus MC, Wytemaweg 80, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. .,Department of Vascular Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. .,Department of Radiation Oncology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - A H Jan Danser
- Division of Vascular Medicine and Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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78
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Karayel Ö, Xu P, Bludau I, Velan Bhoopalan S, Yao Y, Ana Rita FC, Santos A, Schulman BA, Alpi AF, Weiss MJ, Mann M. Integrative proteomics reveals principles of dynamic phosphosignaling networks in human erythropoiesis. Mol Syst Biol 2020; 16:e9813. [PMID: 33259127 PMCID: PMC7706838 DOI: 10.15252/msb.20209813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Human erythropoiesis is an exquisitely controlled multistep developmental process, and its dysregulation leads to numerous human diseases. Transcriptome and epigenome studies provided insights into system-wide regulation, but we currently lack a global mechanistic view on the dynamics of proteome and post-translational regulation coordinating erythroid maturation. We established a mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics workflow to quantify and dynamically track 7,400 proteins and 27,000 phosphorylation sites of five distinct maturation stages of in vitro reconstituted erythropoiesis of CD34+ HSPCs. Our data reveal developmental regulation through drastic proteome remodeling across stages of erythroid maturation encompassing most protein classes. This includes various orchestrated changes in solute carriers indicating adjustments to altered metabolic requirements. To define the distinct proteome of each maturation stage, we developed a computational deconvolution approach which revealed stage-specific marker proteins. The dynamic phosphoproteomes combined with a kinome-targeted CRISPR/Cas9 screen uncovered coordinated networks of erythropoietic kinases and pinpointed downregulation of c-Kit/MAPK signaling axis as key driver of maturation. Our system-wide view establishes the functional dynamic of complex phosphosignaling networks and regulation through proteome remodeling in erythropoiesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Özge Karayel
- Department of Proteomics and Signal TransductionMax Planck Institute of BiochemistryMartinsriedGermany
| | - Peng Xu
- Department of HematologySt. Jude Children’s Research HospitalMemphisTNUSA
| | - Isabell Bludau
- Department of Proteomics and Signal TransductionMax Planck Institute of BiochemistryMartinsriedGermany
| | | | - Yu Yao
- Department of HematologySt. Jude Children’s Research HospitalMemphisTNUSA
| | - Freitas Colaco Ana Rita
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein ResearchFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Alberto Santos
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein ResearchFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Brenda A Schulman
- Department of Molecular Machines and SignalingMax Planck Institute of BiochemistryMartinsriedGermany
| | - Arno F Alpi
- Department of Molecular Machines and SignalingMax Planck Institute of BiochemistryMartinsriedGermany
| | - Mitchell J Weiss
- Department of HematologySt. Jude Children’s Research HospitalMemphisTNUSA
| | - Matthias Mann
- Department of Proteomics and Signal TransductionMax Planck Institute of BiochemistryMartinsriedGermany
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein ResearchFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
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79
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Zhu K, Ma W, Li J, Zhang YS, Zhang W, Lai H, Wang C. Modeling aortic diseases using induced pluripotent stem cells. Stem Cells Transl Med 2020; 10:190-197. [PMID: 33179450 PMCID: PMC7848399 DOI: 10.1002/sctm.20-0322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer an effective platform for studies of human physiology and have revealed new possibilities for disease modeling at the cellular level. These cells also have the potential to be leveraged in the practice of precision medicine, including personalized drug testing. Aortic diseases result in significant morbidity and mortality and pose a global burden to healthcare. Their pathogenesis is mostly associated with functional alterations of vascular components, such as endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells. Drugs that have been proven to be effective in animal models often fail to protect patients from adverse aortic events in clinical studies, provoking researchers to develop reliable in vitro models using human cells. In this review, we summarize the patient iPSC-derived aortic cells that have been utilized to model aortic diseases in vitro. In advanced models, hemodynamic factors, such as blood flow-induced shear stress and cyclic strain, have been added to the systems to replicate cellular microenvironments in the aortic wall. Examples of the utility of such factors in modeling various aortopathies, such as Marfan syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome, and bicuspid aortic valve-related aortopathy, are also described. Overall, the iPSC-based in vitro cell models have shown the potential to promote the development and practice of precision medicine in the treatment of aortic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Zhu
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenrui Ma
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Shrike Zhang
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Weijia Zhang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.,Institutes of Biomedical Sciences and Department of Systems Biology for Medicine, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.,The State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Lai
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunsheng Wang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
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80
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Hara H, Maemura S, Fujiwara T, Takeda N, Ishii S, Yagi H, Suzuki T, Harada M, Toko H, Kanaya T, Ijichi H, Moses HL, Takimoto E, Morita H, Akazawa H, Komuro I. Inhibition of transforming growth factor-β signaling in myeloid cells ameliorates aortic aneurysmal formation in Marfan syndrome. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0239908. [PMID: 33175881 PMCID: PMC7657512 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0239908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Increased transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling contributes to the pathophysiology of aortic aneurysm in Marfan syndrome (MFS). Recent reports indicate that a small but significant number of inflammatory cells are infiltrated into the aortic media and adventitia in MFS. However, little is known about the contribution of myeloid cells to aortic aneurysmal formation. In this study, we ablated the TGF-β type II receptor gene Tgfbr2 in myeloid cells of Fbn1C1039G/+ MFS mice (Fbn1C1039G/+;LysM-Cre/+;Tgfbr2fl/fl mice, hereinafter called Fbn1C1039G/+;Tgfbr2MyeKO) and evaluated macrophage infiltration and TGF-β signaling in the aorta. Aneurysmal formation with fragmentation and disarray of medial elastic fibers observed in MFS mice was significantly ameliorated in Fbn1C1039G/+;Tgfbr2MyeKO mice. In the aorta of Fbn1C1039G/+;Tgfbr2MyeKO mice, both canonical and noncanonical TGF-β signals were attenuated and the number of infiltrated F4/80-positive macrophages was significantly reduced. In vitro, TGF-β enhanced the migration capacity of RAW264.7 macrophages. These findings suggest that TGF-β signaling in myeloid cells promotes aortic aneurysmal formation and its inhibition might be a novel therapeutic target in MFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hironori Hara
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sonoko Maemura
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takayuki Fujiwara
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Norifumi Takeda
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Satoshi Ishii
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroki Yagi
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takaaki Suzuki
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mutsuo Harada
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Haruhiro Toko
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Advanced Translational Research and Medicine in Management of Pulmonary Hypertension, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tsubasa Kanaya
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideaki Ijichi
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Harold L. Moses
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Eiki Takimoto
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Morita
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Akazawa
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Issei Komuro
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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81
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Li G, Wang M, Caulk AW, Cilfone NA, Gujja S, Qin L, Chen PY, Chen Z, Yousef S, Jiao Y, He C, Jiang B, Korneva A, Bersi MR, Wang G, Liu X, Mehta S, Geirsson A, Gulcher JR, Chittenden TW, Simons M, Humphrey JD, Tellides G. Chronic mTOR activation induces a degradative smooth muscle cell phenotype. J Clin Invest 2020; 130:1233-1251. [PMID: 32039915 DOI: 10.1172/jci131048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation has been thought to limit the progression of thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (TAAD) because loss of medial cells associates with advanced disease. We investigated effects of SMC proliferation in the aortic media by conditional disruption of Tsc1, which hyperactivates mTOR complex 1. Consequent SMC hyperplasia led to progressive medial degeneration and TAAD. In addition to diminished contractile and synthetic functions, fate-mapped SMCs displayed increased proteolysis, endocytosis, phagocytosis, and lysosomal clearance of extracellular matrix and apoptotic cells. SMCs acquired a limited repertoire of macrophage markers and functions via biogenesis of degradative organelles through an mTOR/β-catenin/MITF-dependent pathway, but were distinguishable from conventional macrophages by an absence of hematopoietic lineage markers and certain immune effectors even in the context of hyperlipidemia. Similar mTOR activation and induction of a degradative SMC phenotype in a model of mild TAAD due to Fbn1 mutation greatly worsened disease with near-uniform lethality. The finding of increased lysosomal markers in medial SMCs from clinical TAAD specimens with hyperplasia and matrix degradation further supports the concept that proliferation of degradative SMCs within the media causes aortic disease, thus identifying mTOR-dependent phenotypic modulation as a therapeutic target for combating TAAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangxin Li
- Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Mo Wang
- Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Alexander W Caulk
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale School of Engineering and Applied Science, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Nicholas A Cilfone
- Computational Statistics and Bioinformatics Group, Advanced Artificial Intelligence Research Laboratory, WuXi NextCODE, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sharvari Gujja
- Computational Statistics and Bioinformatics Group, Advanced Artificial Intelligence Research Laboratory, WuXi NextCODE, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lingfeng Qin
- Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | | | - Zehua Chen
- Computational Statistics and Bioinformatics Group, Advanced Artificial Intelligence Research Laboratory, WuXi NextCODE, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sameh Yousef
- Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Yang Jiao
- Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Changshun He
- Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Bo Jiang
- Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Arina Korneva
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale School of Engineering and Applied Science, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Matthew R Bersi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale School of Engineering and Applied Science, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | | | - Xinran Liu
- Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Center for Cellular and Molecular Imaging, EM Core Facility, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | | | - Arnar Geirsson
- Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Program in Vascular Biology and Therapeutics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jeffrey R Gulcher
- Computational Statistics and Bioinformatics Group, Advanced Artificial Intelligence Research Laboratory, WuXi NextCODE, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Thomas W Chittenden
- Computational Statistics and Bioinformatics Group, Advanced Artificial Intelligence Research Laboratory, WuXi NextCODE, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michael Simons
- Internal Medicine.,Program in Vascular Biology and Therapeutics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jay D Humphrey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale School of Engineering and Applied Science, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Program in Vascular Biology and Therapeutics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - George Tellides
- Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Program in Vascular Biology and Therapeutics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
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82
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Qi X, Wang F, Chun C, Saldarriaga L, Jiang Z, Pruitt EY, Arnaoutakis GJ, Upchurch GR, Jiang Z. A validated mouse model capable of recapitulating the protective effects of female sex hormones on ascending aortic aneurysms and dissections (AADs). Physiol Rep 2020; 8:e14631. [PMID: 33242364 PMCID: PMC7690909 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.14631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Fewer females develop AADs (ascending aortic aneurysms and dissections) and the reasons for this protection remain poorly understood. The present study seeks to develop a mouse model that may be utilized to address this sexual dimorphism. Adult normolipidemic mice were challenged with BAPN (β-aminopropionitrile), AngII (angiotensin II), or BAPN + AngII. An initial protocol optimization found that 0.2% BAPN in drinking water plus AngII-infusion at 1,000 ng kg-1 min-1 produced favorable rates of AAD rupture (~50%) and dilation (~40%) in 28 days. Using these dosages, further experiments revealed that BAPN is toxic to naïve mature aortas and it acted synergistically with AngII to promote aortic tears and dissections. BAPN + AngII provoked early infiltration of myeloid cells and subsequent recruitment of lymphoid cells to the aortic wall. AADs established with BAPN + AngII, but not AngII alone, continued to expand after the cessation of AngII-infusion. This indefinite growth precipitated a 61% increase in the AAD diameter in 56 days. More importantly, with the optimized protocol, significant differences in AAD dilation (p = .012) and medial degeneration (p = .036) were detected between male and female mice. Treatment of ovariectomized mice with estradiol protected AAD formation (p = .014). In summary, this study developed a powerful mouse AAD model that can be used to study the sexual dimorphism in AAD formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Qi
- Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular TherapyUniversity of Florida College of MedicineGainesvilleFLUSA
- Institute of Cardiovascular DiseaseUniversity of South ChinaHengyangChina
| | - Fen Wang
- Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular TherapyUniversity of Florida College of MedicineGainesvilleFLUSA
| | - Changzoon Chun
- Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular TherapyUniversity of Florida College of MedicineGainesvilleFLUSA
| | - Lennon Saldarriaga
- Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular TherapyUniversity of Florida College of MedicineGainesvilleFLUSA
| | - Zhisheng Jiang
- Institute of Cardiovascular DiseaseUniversity of South ChinaHengyangChina
| | - Eric Y. Pruitt
- Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular TherapyUniversity of Florida College of MedicineGainesvilleFLUSA
| | - George J. Arnaoutakis
- Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular TherapyUniversity of Florida College of MedicineGainesvilleFLUSA
- Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular SurgeryUniversity of Florida College of MedicineGainesvilleFLUSA
| | - Gilbert R. Upchurch
- Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular TherapyUniversity of Florida College of MedicineGainesvilleFLUSA
| | - Zhihua Jiang
- Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular TherapyUniversity of Florida College of MedicineGainesvilleFLUSA
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83
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Davaapil H, Shetty DK, Sinha S. Aortic "Disease-in-a-Dish": Mechanistic Insights and Drug Development Using iPSC-Based Disease Modeling. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:550504. [PMID: 33195187 PMCID: PMC7655792 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.550504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Thoracic aortic diseases, whether sporadic or due to a genetic disorder such as Marfan syndrome, lack effective medical therapies, with limited translation of treatments that are highly successful in mouse models into the clinic. Patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer the opportunity to establish new human models of aortic diseases. Here we review the power and potential of these systems to identify cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying disease and discuss recent advances, such as gene editing, and smooth muscle cell embryonic lineage. In particular, we discuss the practical aspects of vascular smooth muscle cell derivation and characterization, and provide our personal insights into the challenges and limitations of this approach. Future applications, such as genotype-phenotype association, drug screening, and precision medicine are discussed. We propose that iPSC-derived aortic disease models could guide future clinical trials via “clinical-trials-in-a-dish”, thus paving the way for new and improved therapies for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongorzul Davaapil
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Deeti K Shetty
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Sanjay Sinha
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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84
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Interleukin-11 is important for vascular smooth muscle phenotypic switching and aortic inflammation, fibrosis and remodeling in mouse models. Sci Rep 2020; 10:17853. [PMID: 33082445 PMCID: PMC7576123 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-74944-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFβ1) is a major driver of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotypic switching, an important pathobiology in arterial disease.
We performed RNA-sequencing of TGFβ1-stimulated human aortic or arterial VSMCs which revealed large and consistent upregulation of Interleukin 11 (IL11). IL11 has an unknown function in VSMCs, which highly express the IL11 receptor alpha, suggestive of an autocrine loop. In vitro, IL11 activated ERK signaling, but inhibited STAT3 activity, and caused VSMC phenotypic switching to a similar extent as TGFβ1 or angiotensin II (ANGII) stimulation. Genetic or therapeutic inhibition of IL11 signaling reduced TGFβ1- or ANGII-induced VSMC phenotypic switching, placing IL11 activity downstream of these factors. Aortas of mice with Myh11-driven IL11 expression were remodeled and had reduced contractile but increased matrix and inflammatory genes expression. In two models of arterial pressure loading, IL11 was upregulated in the aorta and neutralizing IL11 antibodies reduced remodeling along with matrix and pro-inflammatory gene expression. These data show that IL11 plays an important role in VSMC phenotype switching, vascular inflammation and aortic pathobiology.
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85
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Tashima Y, He H, Cui JZ, Pedroza AJ, Nakamura K, Yokoyama N, Iosef C, Burdon G, Koyano T, Yamaguchi A, Fischbein MP. Androgens Accentuate TGF-β Dependent Erk/Smad Activation During Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Formation in Marfan Syndrome Male Mice. J Am Heart Assoc 2020; 9:e015773. [PMID: 33059492 PMCID: PMC7763370 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.119.015773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Background Male patients with Marfan syndrome have a higher risk of aortic events and root dilatation compared with females. The role androgens play during Marfan syndrome aneurysm development in males remains unknown. We hypothesized that androgens potentiate transforming growth factor beta induced Erk (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase)/Smad activation, contributing to aneurysm progression in males. Methods and Results Aortic diameters in Fbn1C1039G/+ and littermate wild-type controls were measured at ages 6, 8, 12, and 16 weeks. Fbn1C1039G/+ males were treated with (1) flutamide (androgen receptor blocker) or (2) vehicle control from age 6 to 16 weeks and then euthanized. p-Erk1/2, p-Smad2, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity were measured in ascending/aortic root and descending aorta specimens. Fbn1C1039G/+ male and female ascending/aortic root-derived smooth muscle cells were utilized in vitro to measure Erk/Smad activation and MMP-2 activity following dihydrotestosterone, flutamide or transforming growth factor beta 1 treatment. Fbn1C1039G/+ males have increased aneurysm growth. p-Erk1/2 and p-Smad2 were elevated in ascending/aortic root specimens at age 16 weeks. Corresponding with enhanced Erk/Smad signaling, MMP-2 activity was higher in Fbn1C1039G/+ males. In vitro smooth muscle cell studies revealed that dihydrotestosterone potentiates transforming growth factor beta-induced Erk/Smad activation and MMP-2 activity, which is reversed by flutamide treatment. Finally, in vivo flutamide treatment reduced aneurysm growth via p-Erk1/2 and p-Smad2 reduction in Fbn1C1039G/+ males. Conclusions Fbn1C1039G/+ males have enhanced aneurysm growth compared with females associated with enhanced p-Erk1/2 and p-Smad2 activation. Mechanistically, in vitro smooth muscle cell studies suggested that dihydrotestosterone potentiates transforming growth factor beta induced Erk/Smad activation. As biological proof of concept, flutamide treatment attenuated aneurysm growth and p-Erk1/2 and p-Smad2 signaling in Fbn1C1039G/+ males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasushi Tashima
- Department of Cardiothoracic SurgeryStanford UniversityStanfordCA
- Department of Cardiovascular SurgeryJichi Medical UniversitySaitama Medical CenterSaitamaJapan
| | - Hao He
- Department of Cardiothoracic SurgeryStanford UniversityStanfordCA
| | - Jason Z. Cui
- Department of Cardiothoracic SurgeryStanford UniversityStanfordCA
| | | | - Ken Nakamura
- Department of Cardiothoracic SurgeryStanford UniversityStanfordCA
| | - Nobu Yokoyama
- Department of Cardiothoracic SurgeryStanford UniversityStanfordCA
| | - Cristiana Iosef
- Department of Cardiothoracic SurgeryStanford UniversityStanfordCA
| | - Grayson Burdon
- Department of Cardiothoracic SurgeryStanford UniversityStanfordCA
| | - Tiffany Koyano
- Department of Cardiothoracic SurgeryStanford UniversityStanfordCA
| | - Atsushi Yamaguchi
- Department of Cardiovascular SurgeryJichi Medical UniversitySaitama Medical CenterSaitamaJapan
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86
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Boezio GL, Bensimon-Brito A, Piesker J, Guenther S, Helker CS, Stainier DY. Endothelial TGF-β signaling instructs smooth muscle cell development in the cardiac outflow tract. eLife 2020; 9:57603. [PMID: 32990594 PMCID: PMC7524555 DOI: 10.7554/elife.57603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of the cardiac outflow tract (OFT), which connects the heart to the great arteries, relies on a complex crosstalk between endothelial (ECs) and smooth muscle (SMCs) cells. Defects in OFT development can lead to severe malformations, including aortic aneurysms, which are frequently associated with impaired TGF-β signaling. To better understand the role of TGF-β signaling in OFT formation, we generated zebrafish lacking the TGF-β receptor Alk5 and found a strikingly specific dilation of the OFT: alk5-/- OFTs exhibit increased EC numbers as well as extracellular matrix (ECM) and SMC disorganization. Surprisingly, endothelial-specific alk5 overexpression in alk5-/- rescues the EC, ECM, and SMC defects. Transcriptomic analyses reveal downregulation of the ECM gene fibulin-5, which when overexpressed in ECs ameliorates OFT morphology and function. These findings reveal a new requirement for endothelial TGF-β signaling in OFT morphogenesis and suggest an important role for the endothelium in the etiology of aortic malformations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Lm Boezio
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Anabela Bensimon-Brito
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Janett Piesker
- Scientific Service Group Microscopy, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Stefan Guenther
- Bioinformatics and Deep Sequencing Platform, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Christian Sm Helker
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Didier Yr Stainier
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
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87
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Pedroza AJ, Tashima Y, Shad R, Cheng P, Wirka R, Churovich S, Nakamura K, Yokoyama N, Cui JZ, Iosef C, Hiesinger W, Quertermous T, Fischbein MP. Single-Cell Transcriptomic Profiling of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotype Modulation in Marfan Syndrome Aortic Aneurysm. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2020; 40:2195-2211. [PMID: 32698686 PMCID: PMC7484233 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.120.314670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To delineate temporal and spatial dynamics of vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) transcriptomic changes during aortic aneurysm development in Marfan syndrome (MFS). Approach and Results: We performed single-cell RNA sequencing to study aortic root/ascending aneurysm tissue from Fbn1C1041G/+ (MFS) mice and healthy controls, identifying all aortic cell types. A distinct cluster of transcriptomically modulated SMCs (modSMCs) was identified in adult Fbn1C1041G/+ mouse aortic aneurysm tissue only. Comparison with atherosclerotic aortic data (ApoE-/- mice) revealed similar patterns of SMC modulation but identified an MFS-specific gene signature, including plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (Serpine1) and Kruppel-like factor 4 (Klf4). We identified 481 differentially expressed genes between modSMC and SMC subsets; functional annotation highlighted extracellular matrix modulation, collagen synthesis, adhesion, and proliferation. Pseudotime trajectory analysis of Fbn1C1041G/+ SMC/modSMC transcriptomes identified genes activated differentially throughout the course of phenotype modulation. While modSMCs were not present in young Fbn1C1041G/+ mouse aortas despite small aortic aneurysm, multiple early modSMCs marker genes were enriched, suggesting activation of phenotype modulation. modSMCs were not found in nondilated adult Fbn1C1041G/+ descending thoracic aortas. Single-cell RNA sequencing from human MFS aortic root aneurysm tissue confirmed analogous SMC modulation in clinical disease. Enhanced expression of TGF-β (transforming growth factor beta)-responsive genes correlated with SMC modulation in mouse and human data sets. CONCLUSIONS Dynamic SMC phenotype modulation promotes extracellular matrix substrate modulation and aortic aneurysm progression in MFS. We characterize the disease-specific signature of modSMCs and provide temporal, transcriptomic context to the current understanding of the role TGF-β plays in MFS aortopathy. Collectively, single-cell RNA sequencing implicates TGF-β signaling and Klf4 overexpression as potential upstream drivers of SMC modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert J. Pedroza
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine. Stanford CA, USA
| | - Yasushi Tashima
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine. Stanford CA, USA
| | - Rohan Shad
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine. Stanford CA, USA
| | - Paul Cheng
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine. Stanford CA, USA
| | - Robert Wirka
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine. Stanford CA, USA
| | - Samantha Churovich
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine. Stanford CA, USA
| | - Ken Nakamura
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine. Stanford CA, USA
| | - Nobu Yokoyama
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine. Stanford CA, USA
| | - Jason Z. Cui
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine. Stanford CA, USA
| | - Cristiana Iosef
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine. Stanford CA, USA
| | - William Hiesinger
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine. Stanford CA, USA
| | - Thomas Quertermous
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine. Stanford CA, USA
| | - Michael P. Fischbein
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine. Stanford CA, USA
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88
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2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo- p-dioxin (TCDD) and Polychlorinated Biphenyl Coexposure Alters the Expression Profile of MicroRNAs in the Liver Associated with Atherosclerosis. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 2020:2652756. [PMID: 32855961 PMCID: PMC7443005 DOI: 10.1155/2020/2652756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small RNAs that regulate gene expression. 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants that exist as complex mixtures in vivo. When humans are simultaneously exposed to these compounds, the development of atherosclerosis is known to be enhanced. However, the roles of miRNA in TCDD- and PCB-induced atherosclerosis are largely unknown. Therefore, the present study is aimed at elucidating the possible dysregulation of miRNAs in atherogenesis induced by coexposure to TCDD and PCBs. Eight-week-old male ApoE−/− mice were coexposed to TCDD (15 μg/kg) and Aroclor1254 (55 mg/kg, a representative mixture of PCBs) by intraperitoneal injection four times over a 6-week period. Microarray analysis of miRNAs and mRNAs in the liver of ApoE−/− mice with or without TCDD and Aroclor1254 coexposure was performed. We discovered that 68 miRNAs and 1312 mRNAs exhibited significant expression changes in response to TCDD and PCB coexposure and revealed that both changed miRNAs and mRNAs are involved in cardiovascular disease processes. An integrated miRNA-mRNA approach indicated that miRNA-26a-5p, miRNA-193a-3p, and miRNA-30c-5p participated in specific TCDD and Aroclor1254 coresponsive networks which are relevant to the cardiovascular system development and function network. Furthermore, our results also indicated that miRNA-130a-3p and miRNA-376a-3p were novel players in the regulation of TCDD- and Aroclor1254-induced atherosclerosis pathways. In summary, our finding provided new insights into the mechanism of atherosclerosis in response to TCDD and PCB coexposure.
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89
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Khoury MK, Stranz AR, Liu B. Pathophysiology of Aortic Aneurysms: Insights from Animal Studies. CARDIOLOGY AND CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE 2020; 4:498-514. [PMID: 32968712 PMCID: PMC7508467 DOI: 10.26502/fccm.92920146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Aortic aneurysms are defined as dilations of the aorta greater than 50 percent. Currently, the only effective treatment for aortic aneurysms is surgical repair, which is recommended only to those that meet criteria. There is no available pharmaceutical therapy to slow aneurysm growth and thus prevent lethal rupture. The development of a number of murine models has allowed in depth studies of various cellular and extracellular components of aneurysm pathophysiology. The identification of key therapeutic targets has resulted in several clinical trials evaluating pharmaceutical candidates to treat aneurysm progression. In this review, we focus on providing recent updates on developments in murine models of aortic aneurysm. In addition, we discuss recent studies of the various cellular and extracellular components of the aorta along with the abutting aortic structures that contribute to aneurysm development and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitri K Khoury
- Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States
| | - Amelia R Stranz
- Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI, United States
| | - Bo Liu
- Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI, United States
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90
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Bersi MR, Acosta Santamaría VA, Marback K, Di Achille P, Phillips EH, Goergen CJ, Humphrey JD, Avril S. Multimodality Imaging-Based Characterization of Regional Material Properties in a Murine Model of Aortic Dissection. Sci Rep 2020; 10:9244. [PMID: 32514185 PMCID: PMC7280301 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65624-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic infusion of angiotensin-II in atheroprone (ApoE-/-) mice provides a reproducible model of dissection in the suprarenal abdominal aorta, often with a false lumen and intramural thrombus that thickens the wall. Such lesions exhibit complex morphologies, with different regions characterized by localized changes in wall composition, microstructure, and properties. We sought to quantify the multiaxial mechanical properties of murine dissecting aneurysm samples by combining in vitro extension-distension data with full-field multimodality measurements of wall strain and thickness to inform an inverse material characterization using the virtual fields method. A key advance is the use of a digital volume correlation approach that allows for characterization of properties not only along and around the lesion, but also across its wall. Specifically, deformations are measured at the adventitial surface by tracking motions of a speckle pattern using a custom panoramic digital image correlation technique while deformations throughout the wall and thrombus are inferred from optical coherence tomography. These measurements are registered and combined in 3D to reconstruct the reference geometry and compute the 3D finite strain fields in response to pressurization. Results reveal dramatic regional variations in material stiffness and strain energy, which reflect local changes in constituent area fractions obtained from histology but emphasize the complexity of lesion morphology and damage within the dissected wall. This is the first point-wise biomechanical characterization of such complex, heterogeneous arterial segments. Because matrix remodeling is critical to the formation and growth of these lesions, we submit that quantification of regional material properties will increase the understanding of pathological mechanical mechanisms underlying aortic dissection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R Bersi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | | | - Karl Marback
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Paolo Di Achille
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Evan H Phillips
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Craig J Goergen
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Jay 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
| | - Stéphane Avril
- Mines Saint-Etienne, University of Lyon, University Jean Monnet, INSERM, Saint-Etienne, France.
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91
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He X, Song J, Cai Z, Chi X, Wang Z, Yang D, Xie S, Zhou J, Fu Y, Li W, Kong W, Zhan J, Zhang H. Kindlin-2 deficiency induces fatal intestinal obstruction in mice. Am J Cancer Res 2020; 10:6182-6200. [PMID: 32483447 PMCID: PMC7255029 DOI: 10.7150/thno.46553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Smooth muscle-motility disorders are mainly characterized by impaired contractility and functional intestinal obstruction. Some of these cases are caused by genetic mutations of smooth muscle genes ACTA2, ACTG2, MYH11, MYLK and LMOD1. Still the etiology is complex and multifactorial and the underlying pathology is poorly understood. Integrin interaction protein Kindlin-2 is widely expressed in striated and smooth muscle cells (SMC). However, the function of Kindlin-2 in the smooth muscle remains elusive. Methods: We generated two mouse models using different cre promoter transgenic mice, Kindlin-2fl/fl SM22α-cre+ (cKO mice) and Kindlin-2fl/fl; MYH-cre+ (iKO mice). Embryos and adult tissues were prepared for hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) apoptosis assay. We investigated ultrastructure changes of mouse smooth muscle using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and measured smooth muscle contractile force in mounting aortic and intestinal rings using the multiwire myograph system (DMT 620M). In addition, cell traction force microscopy (CTFM) was applied to observe the functional change of primary SMC after Kindlin-2 depletion by RNAi. Results: Depletion of Kindlin-2 encoding gene Fermt2 in embryonic smooth muscles leads to apoptosis, downregulates the key components of SMC, impairs smooth muscle development, and finally causes embryonic death at E14.5. Tamoxifen-induced Kindlin-2-specific knockout in adult mouse smooth muscle showed decreased blood pressure, intestinal hypoperistalsis, and eventually died of intestinal obstruction. Kindlin-2 depletion also leads to downregulated Myh11, α-SMA, and CNN, shortened myofilament, broken myofibrils, and impaired contractility of the smooth muscles in iKO mice. Mechanistically, loss of Kindlin-2 decreases Ca2+ influx in primary vascular smooth muscle cells (PVSMC) by downregulating the expression of calcium-binding protein S100A14 and STIM1. Conclusion: We demonstrated that Kindlin-2 is essential for maintaining the normal structure and function of smooth muscles. Loss of Kindlin-2 impairs smooth muscle formation during embryonic development by inducing apoptosis and jeopardizes the contraction of adult smooth muscle by blocking Ca2+ influx that leads to intestinal obstruction. Mice with Kindlin-2 depletion in adult smooth muscle could be a potent animal model of intestinal obstruction for disease research, drug treatment and prognosis.
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92
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Therapeutic Effect of Rapamycin on Aortic Dissection in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21093341. [PMID: 32397282 PMCID: PMC7246910 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21093341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Aortic dissection (AD) is a serious clinical condition that is unpredictable and frequently results in fatal outcome. Although rapamycin, an inhibitor of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), has been reported to be effective in preventing aortopathies in mouse models, its mode of action has yet to be clarified. A mouse AD model that was created by the simultaneous administration of β-aminopropionitrile (BAPN) and angiotensin II (AngII) for 14 days. Rapamycin treatment was started either at day 1 or at day 7 of BAPN+AngII challenge, and continued throughout the observational period. Rapamycin was effective both in preventing AD development and in suppressing AD progression. On the other hand, gefitinib, an inhibitor of growth factor signaling, did not show such a beneficial effect, even though both rapamycin and gefitinib suppressed cell cycle activation in AD. Rapamycin suppressed cell cycle-related genes and induced muscle development-related genes in an AD-related gene expression network without a major impact on inflammation-related genes. Rapamycin augmented the activation of Akt1, Akt2, and Stat3, and maintained the contractile phenotype of aortic smooth muscle cells. These findings indicate that rapamycin was effective both in preventing the development and in suppressing the progression of AD, indicating the importance of the mTOR pathway in AD pathogenesis.
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93
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Chen PY, Qin L, Li G, Malagon-Lopez J, Wang Z, Bergaya S, Gujja S, Caulk AW, Murtada SI, Zhang X, Zhuang ZW, Rao DA, Wang G, Tobiasova Z, Jiang B, Montgomery RR, Sun L, Sun H, Fisher EA, Gulcher JR, Fernandez-Hernando C, Humphrey JD, Tellides G, Chittenden TW, Simons M. Smooth Muscle Cell Reprogramming in Aortic Aneurysms. Cell Stem Cell 2020; 26:542-557.e11. [PMID: 32243809 PMCID: PMC7182079 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2020.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2018] [Revised: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The etiology of aortic aneurysms is poorly understood, but it is associated with atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia, and abnormal transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling in smooth muscle. Here, we investigated the interactions between these different factors in aortic aneurysm development and identified a key role for smooth muscle cell (SMC) reprogramming into a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-like state. SMC-specific ablation of TGF-β signaling in Apoe-/- mice on a hypercholesterolemic diet led to development of aortic aneurysms exhibiting all the features of human disease, which was associated with transdifferentiation of a subset of contractile SMCs into an MSC-like intermediate state that generated osteoblasts, chondrocytes, adipocytes, and macrophages. This combination of medial SMC loss with marked increases in non-SMC aortic cell mass induced exuberant growth and dilation of the aorta, calcification and ossification of the aortic wall, and inflammation, resulting in aneurysm development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Yu Chen
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lingfeng Qin
- Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Guangxin Li
- Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, 1120 Lianhua Road, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jose Malagon-Lopez
- Computational Statistics and Bioinformatics Group, Advanced Artificial Intelligence Research Laboratory, WuXiNextCODE, Cambridge, MA, USA; Complex Biological Systems Alliance, Medford, MA, USA
| | - Zheng Wang
- School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Shandong, China
| | - Sonia Bergaya
- Department of Medicine (Cardiology), the Marc and Ruti Bell Program in Vascular Biology and the Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sharvari Gujja
- Computational Statistics and Bioinformatics Group, Advanced Artificial Intelligence Research Laboratory, WuXiNextCODE, Cambridge, MA, USA; Complex Biological Systems Alliance, Medford, MA, USA
| | - Alexander W Caulk
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sae-Il Murtada
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Xinbo Zhang
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Integrative Cell Signaling and Neurobiology of Metabolism Program, Department of Comparative Medicine, and Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Zhen W Zhuang
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Deepak A Rao
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, Immunity, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Guilin Wang
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Zuzana Tobiasova
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Bo Jiang
- Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Ruth R Montgomery
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lele Sun
- Genomics Laboratory, WuXiNextCODE, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongye Sun
- Genomics Laboratory, WuXiNextCODE, Shanghai, China
| | - Edward A Fisher
- Department of Medicine (Cardiology), the Marc and Ruti Bell Program in Vascular Biology and the Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Carlos Fernandez-Hernando
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Integrative Cell Signaling and Neurobiology of Metabolism Program, Department of Comparative Medicine, and Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jay D Humphrey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - George Tellides
- Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Thomas W Chittenden
- Computational Statistics and Bioinformatics Group, Advanced Artificial Intelligence Research Laboratory, WuXiNextCODE, Cambridge, MA, USA; Complex Biological Systems Alliance, Medford, MA, USA; Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Michael Simons
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
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94
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Shen YH, LeMaire SA, Webb NR, Cassis LA, Daugherty A, Lu HS. Aortic Aneurysms and Dissections Series: Part II: Dynamic Signaling Responses in Aortic Aneurysms and Dissections. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2020; 40:e78-e86. [PMID: 32208998 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.120.313804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Aortic structure and function are controlled by the coordinated actions of different aortic cells and the extracellular matrix. Several pathways have been identified that control the aortic wall in a cell-type-specific manner and play diverse roles in various phases of aortic injury, repair, and remodeling. This complexity of signaling in the aortic wall poses challenges to the development of therapeutic strategies for treating aortic aneurysms and dissections. Here, in part II of this Recent Highlights series on aortic aneurysms and dissections, we will summarize recent studies published in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology that have contributed to our knowledge of the signaling pathway-related mechanisms of aortic aneurysms and dissections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying H Shen
- From the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (Y.H.S., S.A.L.).,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston (Y.H.S., S.A.L.)
| | - Scott A LeMaire
- From the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (Y.H.S., S.A.L.).,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston (Y.H.S., S.A.L.)
| | - Nancy R Webb
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (N.R.W., L.A.C.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Lisa A Cassis
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (N.R.W., L.A.C.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Department of Physiology and Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (A.D., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Hong S Lu
- Department of Physiology and Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (A.D., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
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95
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Orimoto A, Fukuda T. ADAMTSL6β promotes fibrillin-1 microfibril assembly, which is possibly mediated via binding through the third thrombospondin type I domain to fibrillin-1. Cell Biol Int 2020; 44:1436-1446. [PMID: 32141660 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.11337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Fibrillin-1 is the major component of extracellular matrix microfibrils. Microfibrils dysfunction is responsible for the onset of various connective tissue diseases, including Marfan syndrome. Although ADAMTSL (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-like) 6β is one of the fibrillin-1 binding proteins, the detailed mechanism underlying the involvement of ADAMTSL6β in microfibril formation remains unclear. In this study, we created deletion mutants of ADAMTSL6β and examined their interactions with fibrillin-1 assembly. Pull-down assay of the ADAMTSL6β deletion mutants and fibrillin-1 protein revealed that ADAMTSL6β binds to fibrillin-1 through the third thrombospondin type I domain. Furthermore, we observed that formation of fibrillin-1 matrix assembly was enhanced in MG63 cells, expressing full-length ADAMTSL6β, when compared with that of wild type MG63 cells. While MG63 cells expressing Δ TSP3-ADAMTSL6β form showed enhanced assembly formation, Δ TSP2-ADAMTSL6β form did not enhance that, indicating the difference between Δ TSP2-Δ TSP3 has a critical role for fibrillin-1 assembly. As the difference of Δ TSP2-Δ TSP3 is the third thrombospondin type I domain, we concluded that the third thrombospondin type I domain of ADAMTSL6β influence the microfibril formation. Our data are the functional presentation of the biological role of ADAMTSL6β in the process of microfibril formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ai Orimoto
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Iwate University, 4-3-5, Ueda, Morioka, Iwate, 020-8551, Japan.,Division of Operative Dentistry, Department of Restorative Dentistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, 4-1 Seiryo-machi, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan
| | - Tomokazu Fukuda
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Iwate University, 4-3-5, Ueda, Morioka, Iwate, 020-8551, Japan
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96
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Liu B, Granville DJ, Golledge J, Kassiri Z. Pathogenic mechanisms and the potential of drug therapies for aortic aneurysm. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2020; 318:H652-H670. [PMID: 32083977 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00621.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Aortic aneurysm is a permanent focal dilation of the aorta. It is usually an asymptomatic disease but can lead to sudden death due to aortic rupture. Aortic aneurysm-related mortalities are estimated at ∼200,000 deaths per year worldwide. Because no pharmacological treatment has been found to be effective so far, surgical repair remains the only treatment for aortic aneurysm. Aortic aneurysm results from changes in the aortic wall structure due to loss of smooth muscle cells and degradation of the extracellular matrix and can form in different regions of the aorta. Research over the past decade has identified novel contributors to aneurysm formation and progression. The present review provides an overview of cellular and noncellular factors as well as enzymes that process extracellular matrix and regulate cellular functions (e.g., matrix metalloproteinases, granzymes, and cathepsins) in the context of aneurysm pathogenesis. An update of clinical trials focusing on therapeutic strategies to slow abdominal aortic aneurysm growth and efforts underway to develop effective pharmacological treatments is also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Liu
- University of Wisconsin, Madison, Department of Surgery, Madison Wisconsin
| | - David J Granville
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries Centre and University of British Columbia Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jonathan Golledge
- The Queensland Research Centre for Peripheral Vascular Disease, College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Townsville Hospital and Health Services, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Zamaneh Kassiri
- University of Alberta, Department of Physiology, Cardiovascular Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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97
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Rak GD, White MR, Augustine-Rauch K, Newsome C, Graziano MJ, Schulze GE. Intermittent dosing of the transforming growth factor beta receptor 1 inhibitor, BMS-986260, mitigates class-based cardiovascular toxicity in dogs but not rats. J Appl Toxicol 2020; 40:931-946. [PMID: 32061184 DOI: 10.1002/jat.3954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Small-molecule inhibitors of transforming growth factor beta receptor 1 (TGFβRI) have a history of significant class-based toxicities (eg, cardiac valvulopathy) in preclinical species that have limited their development as new medicines. Nevertheless, some TGFβRI inhibitors have entered into clinical trials using intermittent-dosing schedules and exposure limits in an attempt to avoid these toxicities. This report describes the toxicity profile of the small-molecule TGFβRI inhibitor, BMS-986260, in rats and dogs. Daily oral dosing for 10 days resulted in valvulopathy and/or aortic pathology at systemic exposures that would have been targeted clinically, preventing further development with this dosing schedule. These toxicities were not observed in either species in 1-month studies using the same doses on an intermittent-dosing schedule of 3 days on and 4 days off (QDx3 once weekly). Subsequently, 3-month studies were conducted (QDx3 once weekly), and while there were no cardiovascular findings in dogs, valvulopathy and mortality occurred early in rats. The only difference compared to the 1-month study was that the rats in the 3-month study were 2 weeks younger at the start of dosing. Therefore, a follow-up 1-month study was conducted to evaluate whether the age of rats influences sensitivity to target-mediated toxicity. Using the same dosing schedule and similar doses as in the 3-month study, there was no difference in the toxicity of BMS-986260 in young (8 weeks) or adult (8 months) rats. In summary, an intermittent-dosing schedule mitigated target-based cardiovascular toxicity in dogs but did not prevent valvulopathy in rats, and thus the development of BMS-986260 was terminated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory D Rak
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
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Cyclophilin A/EMMPRIN Axis Is Involved in Pro-Fibrotic Processes Associated with Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm of Marfan Syndrome Patients. Cells 2020; 9:cells9010154. [PMID: 31936351 PMCID: PMC7016677 DOI: 10.3390/cells9010154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a genetic disease, characterized by thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA), which treatment is to date purely surgical. Understanding of novel molecular targets is mandatory to unveil effective pharmacological approaches. Cyclophilin A (CyPA) and its receptor EMMPRIN are associated with several cardiovascular diseases, including abdominal aortic aneurysm. Here, we envisioned the contribution of CyPA/EMMPRIN axis in MFS-related TAA. Methods: We obtained thoracic aortic samples from healthy controls (HC) and MFS patients’ aortas and then isolated vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) from the aortic wall. Results: our findings revealed that MFS aortic tissue samples isolated from the dilated zone of aorta showed higher expression levels of EMMPRIN vs. MFS non-dilated aorta and HC. Interestingly, angiotensin II significantly stimulated CyPA secretion in MFS-derived VSMC (MFS-VSMC). CyPA treatment on MFS-VSMC led to increased levels of EMMPRIN and other MFS-associated pro-fibrotic mediators, such as TGF-β1 and collagen I. These molecules were downregulated by in vitro treatment with CyPA inhibitor MM284. Our results suggest that CyPA/EMMPRIN axis is involved in MFS-related TAA development, since EMMPRIN is upregulated in the dilated zone of MFS patients’ TAA and the inhibition of its ligand, CyPA, downregulated EMMPRIN and MFS-related markers in MFS-VSMC. Conclusions: these insights suggest both a novel detrimental role for CyPA/EMMPRIN axis and its inhibition as a potential therapeutic strategy for MFS-related TAA treatment.
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Pedroza AJ, Koyano T, Trojan J, Rubin A, Palmon I, Jaatinen K, Burdon G, Chang P, Tashima Y, Cui JZ, Berry G, Iosef C, Fischbein MP. Divergent effects of canonical and non-canonical TGF-β signalling on mixed contractile-synthetic smooth muscle cell phenotype in human Marfan syndrome aortic root aneurysms. J Cell Mol Med 2019; 24:2369-2383. [PMID: 31886938 PMCID: PMC7011150 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.14921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Aortic root aneurysm formation is a cardinal feature of Marfan syndrome (MFS) and likely TGF‐β driven via Smad (canonical) and ERK (non‐canonical) signalling. The current study assesses human MFS vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotype, focusing on individual contributions by Smad and ERK, with Notch3 signalling identified as a novel compensatory mechanism against TGF‐β‐driven pathology. Although significant ERK activation and mixed contractile gene expression patterns were observed by traditional analysis, this did not directly correlate with the anatomic site of the aneurysm. Smooth muscle cell phenotypic changes were TGF‐β‐dependent and opposed by ERK in vitro, implicating the canonical Smad pathway. Bulk SMC RNA sequencing after ERK inhibition showed that ERK modulates cell proliferation, apoptosis, inflammation, and Notch signalling via Notch3 in MFS. Reversing Notch3 overexpression with siRNA demonstrated that Notch3 promotes several protective remodelling pathways, including increased SMC proliferation, decreased apoptosis and reduced matrix metalloproteinase activity, in vitro. In conclusion, in human MFS aortic SMCs: (a) ERK activation is enhanced but not specific to the site of aneurysm formation; (b) ERK opposes TGF‐β‐dependent negative effects on SMC phenotype; (c) multiple distinct SMC subtypes contribute to a ‘mixed’ contractile‐synthetic phenotype in MFS aortic aneurysm; and (d) ERK drives Notch3 overexpression, a potential pathway for tissue remodelling in response to aneurysm formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert J Pedroza
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Tiffany Koyano
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Jeffrey Trojan
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Adam Rubin
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Itai Palmon
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Kevin Jaatinen
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Grayson Burdon
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Paul Chang
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Yasushi Tashima
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Jason Z Cui
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Gerry Berry
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Cristiana Iosef
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Michael P Fischbein
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
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100
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Abstract
Aortic aneurysms are a common vascular disease in Western populations that can involve virtually any portion of the aorta. Abdominal aortic aneurysms are much more common than thoracic aortic aneurysms and combined they account for >25 000 deaths in the United States annually. Although thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms share some common characteristics, including the gross anatomic appearance, alterations in extracellular matrix, and loss of smooth muscle cells, they are distinct diseases. In recent years, advances in genetic analysis, robust molecular tools, and increased availability of animal models have greatly enhanced our knowledge of the pathophysiology of aortic aneurysms. This review examines the various proposed cellular mechanisms responsible for aortic aneurysm formation and identifies opportunities for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymundo Alain Quintana
- From the Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (R.A.Q., W.R.T.), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
| | - W Robert Taylor
- From the Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (R.A.Q., W.R.T.), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.,Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering Georgia Institute of Technology (W.R.T.), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.,Division of Cardiology, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA (W.R.T.)
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