1
|
Elmarasi M, Elmakaty I, Elsayed B, Elsayed A, Zein JA, Boudaka A, Eid AH. Phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells in atherosclerosis, hypertension, and aortic dissection. J Cell Physiol 2024; 239:e31200. [PMID: 38291732 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play a critical role in regulating vasotone, and their phenotypic plasticity is a key contributor to the pathogenesis of various vascular diseases. Two main VSMC phenotypes have been well described: contractile and synthetic. Contractile VSMCs are typically found in the tunica media of the vessel wall, and are responsible for regulating vascular tone and diameter. Synthetic VSMCs, on the other hand, are typically found in the tunica intima and adventitia, and are involved in vascular repair and remodeling. Switching between contractile and synthetic phenotypes occurs in response to various insults and stimuli, such as injury or inflammation, and this allows VSMCs to adapt to changing environmental cues and regulate vascular tone, growth, and repair. Furthermore, VSMCs can also switch to osteoblast-like and chondrocyte-like cell phenotypes, which may contribute to vascular calcification and other pathological processes like the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. This provides discusses the mechanisms that regulate VSMC phenotypic switching and its role in the development of vascular diseases. A better understanding of these processes is essential for the development of effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Elmarasi
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ibrahim Elmakaty
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Basel Elsayed
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Abdelrahman Elsayed
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Jana Al Zein
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Hadath, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ammar Boudaka
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ali H Eid
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yatawara A, Wilson JL, Taylor L, Polgar P, Mierke DF. C-terminus of ETA/ETB receptors regulate endothelin-1 signal transmission. J Pept Sci 2013; 19:257-62. [PMID: 23436727 PMCID: PMC3770155 DOI: 10.1002/psc.2499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2012] [Revised: 01/18/2013] [Accepted: 01/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The dimerization of the G protein-coupled receptors for endothelin-1 (ET-1), endothelin A receptor (ETA) and endolethin B receptor (ETB), is well established. However, the signaling consequences of the homodimerization and heterodimerization of ETA and ETB is not well understood. Here, we demonstrate that peptides derived from the C-termini of these receptors regulate the signaling capacity of ET-1. The C-termini of the ETA and ETB receptors are believed to consist of three α-helices, which may serve as points of interaction between the receptors. The third α-helix in the C-terminus is of particular interest because of its amphipathic nature. In a cell line expressing only the ETA receptor, expression of residues Y430-S442, representing the third helix of the ETB C-terminus, leads to a dramatic increase in the signaling induced by ET-1. In contrast, in a cell line containing only ETB , Y430-S442 has an antagonistic effect, slightly reducing the ET-1 induced signal. Computational docking results suggest that the α-helical ETB -derived peptide binds to the second and third intracellular loops of the ETA receptor consistent with the alteration of its signaling capacity. Our results described here provide important insight into ETA /ETB receptor interactions and possibly a new approach to regulate specific G protein-coupled receptor signal transmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Achani Yatawara
- Department of Chemistry, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Jamie L. Wilson
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Linda Taylor
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Peter Polgar
- Department of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dale F. Mierke
- Department of Chemistry, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| |
Collapse
|