1
|
Baek KI, Ryu K. Role of Flow-Sensitive Endothelial Genes in Atherosclerosis and Antiatherogenic Therapeutics Development. J Cardiovasc Transl Res 2024; 17:609-623. [PMID: 38010480 DOI: 10.1007/s12265-023-10463-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that is the underlying cause of cardiovascular disease which initiates from endothelial dysfunction from genetic and environmental risk factors, including biomechanical forces: blood flow. Endothelial cells (ECs) lining the inner arterial wall regions exposed to disturbed flow are prone to atherosclerosis development, whereas the straight regions exposed to stable flow are spared from the disease. These flow patterns induce genome- and epigenome-wide changes in gene expression in ECs. Through the sweeping changes in gene expression, disturbed flow reprograms ECs from athero-protected cell types under the stable flow condition to pro-atherogenic cell conditions. The pro-atherogenic changes induced by disturbed flow, in combination with additional risk factors such as hypercholesterolemia, lead to the progression of atherosclerosis. The flow-sensitive genes and proteins are critical in understanding the mechanisms and serve as novel targets for antiatherogenic therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyung In Baek
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kitae Ryu
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Department of Biotechnology, The University of Suwon, 17, Wauan-Gil, Bongdam-Eup, Hwaseong-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, 18323, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tamargo IA, Baek KI, Kim Y, Park C, Jo H. Flow-induced reprogramming of endothelial cells in atherosclerosis. Nat Rev Cardiol 2023; 20:738-753. [PMID: 37225873 PMCID: PMC10206587 DOI: 10.1038/s41569-023-00883-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerotic diseases such as myocardial infarction, ischaemic stroke and peripheral artery disease continue to be leading causes of death worldwide despite the success of treatments with cholesterol-lowering drugs and drug-eluting stents, raising the need to identify additional therapeutic targets. Interestingly, atherosclerosis preferentially develops in curved and branching arterial regions, where endothelial cells are exposed to disturbed blood flow with characteristic low-magnitude oscillatory shear stress. By contrast, straight arterial regions exposed to stable flow, which is associated with high-magnitude, unidirectional shear stress, are relatively well protected from the disease through shear-dependent, atheroprotective endothelial cell responses. Flow potently regulates structural, functional, transcriptomic, epigenomic and metabolic changes in endothelial cells through mechanosensors and mechanosignal transduction pathways. A study using single-cell RNA sequencing and chromatin accessibility analysis in a mouse model of flow-induced atherosclerosis demonstrated that disturbed flow reprogrammes arterial endothelial cells in situ from healthy phenotypes to diseased ones characterized by endothelial inflammation, endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition, endothelial-to-immune cell-like transition and metabolic changes. In this Review, we discuss this emerging concept of disturbed-flow-induced reprogramming of endothelial cells (FIRE) as a potential pro-atherogenic mechanism. Defining the flow-induced mechanisms through which endothelial cells are reprogrammed to promote atherosclerosis is a crucial area of research that could lead to the identification of novel therapeutic targets to combat the high prevalence of atherosclerotic disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ian A Tamargo
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Molecular and Systems Pharmacology Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kyung In Baek
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Yerin Kim
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Christian Park
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Hanjoong Jo
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Molecular and Systems Pharmacology Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Emory University School, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Di Pietrantonio N, Cappellacci I, Mandatori D, Baldassarre MPA, Pandolfi A, Pipino C. Role of Epigenetics and Metabolomics in Predicting Endothelial Dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetes. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2023; 7:e2300172. [PMID: 37616517 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202300172] [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: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a worldwide health problem and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in T2D patients, making the prevention of CVD onset a major priority. It is therefore crucial to optimize diagnosis and treatment to reduce this burden. Endothelial dysfunction is one of the most important prognostic factors for CVD progression, thus novel approaches to identify the early phase of endothelial dysfunction may lead to specific preventive measures to reduce the occurrence of CVD. Nowadays, multiomics approaches have provided unprecedented opportunities to stratify T2D patients into endotypes, improve therapeutic treatment and outcome and amend the survival prediction. Among omics strategies, epigenetics and metabolomics are gaining increasing interest. Recently, a dynamic correlation between metabolic pathways and gene expression through chromatin remodeling, such as DNA methylation, has emerged, indicating new perspectives on the regulatory networks impacting cellular processes. Thus, a better understanding of epigenetic-metabolite relationships can provide insight into the physiological processes altered early in the endothelium that ultimately head to disease development. Here, recent studies on epigenetics and metabolomics related to CVD prevention potentially useful to identify disease biomarkers, as well as new therapies hopefully targeting the early phase of endothelial dysfunction are highlighted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Di Pietrantonio
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, 66100, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology-CAST, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, 66100, Italy
| | - Ilaria Cappellacci
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, 66100, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology-CAST, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, 66100, Italy
| | - Domitilla Mandatori
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, 66100, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology-CAST, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, 66100, Italy
| | - Maria Pompea Antonia Baldassarre
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology-CAST, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, 66100, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, 66100, Italy
| | - Assunta Pandolfi
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, 66100, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology-CAST, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, 66100, Italy
| | - Caterina Pipino
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, 66100, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology-CAST, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, 66100, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Old and New Biomarkers Associated with Endothelial Dysfunction in Chronic Hyperglycemia. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2021:7887426. [PMID: 34987703 PMCID: PMC8723873 DOI: 10.1155/2021/7887426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Chronic hyperglycemia and vascular damage are strictly related. Biomarkers of vascular damage have been intensively studied in the recent years in the quest of reliable cardiovascular risk assessment tools able to facilitate risk stratification and early detection of vascular impairment. The present study is a narrative review with the aim of revising the available evidence on current and novel markers of hyperglycemia-induced vascular damage. After a discussion of classic tools used to investigate endothelial dysfunction, we provide an in-depth description of novel circulating biomarkers (chemokines, extracellular vesicles, and epigenetic and metabolomic biomarkers). Appropriate use of a single as well as a cluster of the discussed biomarkers might enable in a near future (a) the prompt identification of targeted and customized treatment strategies and (b) the follow-up of cardiovascular treatment efficacy over time in clinical research and/or in clinical practice.
Collapse
|
5
|
Wei SY, Shih YT, Wu HY, Wang WL, Lee PL, Lee CI, Lin CY, Chen YJ, Chien S, Chiu JJ. Endothelial Yin Yang 1 Phosphorylation at S118 Induces Atherosclerosis Under Flow. Circ Res 2021; 129:1158-1174. [PMID: 34747636 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.121.319296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Rationale: Disturbed flow occurring in arterial branches and curvatures induces vascular endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction and atherosclerosis. We postulated that disturbed flow plays important roles in modulating phosphoprotein expression profiles to regulate endothelial functions and atherogenesis. Objective: The goal of this study is to discover novel site-specific phosphorylation alterations induced by disturbed flow in ECs to contribute to atherosclerosis. Methods and Results: Quantitative phosphoproteomics analysis of ECs exposed to disturbed flow with low and oscillatory shear stress (OS, 0.5plusminus4 dynes/cm2) vs. pulsatile flow with high shear stress (PS, 124plusminus dynes/cm2) revealed that OS induces serine (S)118 phosphorylation of Yin Yang 1 (phospho-YY1S118) in ECs. Elevated phospho-YY1S118 level in ECs was further confirmed to be present in the disturbed flow regions in experimental animals and human atherosclerotic arteries. This disturbed flow-induced EC phospho-YY1S118 is mediated by casein kinase 2α (CK2α) through its direct interaction with YY1. Yeast two-hybrid library screening and in situ proximity ligation assays demonstrate that phospho-YY1S118 directly binds zinc finger with KRAB and SCAN domains 4 (ZKSCAN4) to induce promoter activity and gene expression of human double minute 2 (HDM2), which consequently induces EC proliferation through down-regulations of p53 and p21CIP1. Administration of apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE-/-) mice with CK2-specific inhibitor tetrabromocinnamic acid or atorvastatin inhibits atherosclerosis formation through down-regulations of EC phospho-YY1S118 and HDM2. Generation of novel transgenic mice bearing EC-specific overexpression of S118-non-phosphorylatable mutant of YY1 in ApoE-/- mice confirms the critical role of phospho-YY1S118 in promoting atherosclerosis through EC HDM2. Conclusions: Our findings provide new insights into the mechanisms by which disturbed flow induces endothelial phospho-YY1S118 to promote atherosclerosis, thus indicating phospho-YY1S118 as a potential molecular target for atherosclerosis treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Yi Wei
- Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, TAIWAN
| | - Yu-Tsung Shih
- Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, TAIWAN
| | - Hsin-Yi Wu
- Instrumentation Center, National Taiwan University, TAIWAN
| | - Wei-Li Wang
- Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, TAIWAN
| | - Pei Ling Lee
- Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, TAIWAN
| | - Chih-I Lee
- Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, TAIWAN
| | - Chia-Yu Lin
- National Health Research Institutes, Taiwan, TAIWAN
| | | | - Shu Chien
- Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, UNITED STATES
| | - Jeng-Jiann Chiu
- Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, TAIWAN
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kumar S, Sur S, Perez J, Demos C, Kang DW, Kim CW, Hu S, Xu K, Yang J, Jo H. Atorvastatin and blood flow regulate expression of distinctive sets of genes in mouse carotid artery endothelium. CURRENT TOPICS IN MEMBRANES 2021; 87:97-130. [PMID: 34696890 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctm.2021.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Hypercholesterolemia is a well-known pro-atherogenic risk factor and statin is the most effective anti-atherogenic drug that lowers blood cholesterol levels. However, despite systemic hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis preferentially occurs in arterial regions exposed to disturbed blood flow (d-flow), while the stable flow (s-flow) regions are spared. Given their predominant effects on endothelial function and atherosclerosis, we tested whether (1) statin and flow regulate the same or independent sets of genes and (2) statin can rescue d-flow-regulated genes in mouse artery endothelial cells in vivo. To test the hypotheses, C57BL/6 J mice (8-week-old male, n=5 per group) were pre-treated with atorvastatin (10mg/kg/day, Orally) or vehicle for 5 days. Thereafter, partial carotid ligation (PCL) surgery to induce d-flow in the left carotid artery (LCA) was performed, and statin or vehicle treatment was continued. The contralateral right carotid artery (RCA) remained exposed to s-flow to be used as the control. Two days or 2 weeks post-PCL surgery, endothelial-enriched RNAs from the LCAs and RCAs were collected and subjected to microarray gene expression analysis. Statin treatment in the s-flow condition (RCA+statin versus RCA+vehicle) altered the expression of 667 genes at 2-day and 187 genes at 2-week timepoint, respectively (P<0.05, fold change (FC)≥±1.5). Interestingly, statin treatment in the d-flow condition (LCA+statin versus LCA+vehicle) affected a limited number of genes: 113 and 75 differentially expressed genes at 2-day and 2-week timepoint, respectively (P<0.05, FC≥±1.5). In contrast, d-flow in the vehicle groups (LCA+vehicle versus RCA+vehicle) differentially regulated 4061 genes at 2-day and 3169 genes at 2-week timepoint, respectively (P<0.05, FC≥±1.5). Moreover, statin treatment did not reduce the number of flow-sensitive genes (LCA+statin versus RCA+statin) compared to the vehicle groups: 1825 genes at 2-day and 3788 genes at 2-week, respectively, were differentially regulated (P<0.05, FC≥±1.5). These results revealed that both statin and d-flow regulate expression of hundreds or thousands of arterial endothelial genes, respectively, in vivo. Further, statin and d-flow regulate independent sets of endothelial genes. Importantly, statin treatment did not reverse d-flow-regulated genes except for a small number of genes. These results suggest that both statin and flow play important independent roles in atherosclerosis development and highlight the need to consider their therapeutic implications for both.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep Kumar
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Sanjoli Sur
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Julian Perez
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Catherine Demos
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Dong-Won Kang
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Chan Woo Kim
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Sarah Hu
- Thrombosis Research Unit, Bristol Myers Squibb, Lawrence, NJ, United States
| | - Ke Xu
- Thrombosis Research Unit, Bristol Myers Squibb, Lawrence, NJ, United States
| | - Jing Yang
- Thrombosis Research Unit, Bristol Myers Squibb, Lawrence, NJ, United States
| | - Hanjoong Jo
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States; Division of Cardiology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lu YW, Martino N, Gerlach BD, Lamar JM, Vincent PA, Adam AP, Schwarz JJ. MEF2 (Myocyte Enhancer Factor 2) Is Essential for Endothelial Homeostasis and the Atheroprotective Gene Expression Program. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2021; 41:1105-1123. [PMID: 33406884 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.120.314978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Atherosclerosis predominantly forms in regions of oscillatory shear stress while regions of laminar shear stress are protected. This protection is partly through the endothelium in laminar flow regions expressing an anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic gene expression program. Several molecular pathways transmitting these distinct flow patterns to the endothelium have been defined. Our objective is to define the role of the MEF2 (myocyte enhancer factor 2) family of transcription factors in promoting an atheroprotective endothelium. Approach and Results: Here, we show through endothelial-specific deletion of the 3 MEF2 factors in the endothelium, Mef2a, -c, and -d, that MEF2 is a critical regulator of vascular homeostasis. MEF2 deficiency results in systemic inflammation, hemorrhage, thrombocytopenia, leukocytosis, and rapid lethality. Transcriptome analysis reveals that MEF2 is required for normal regulation of 3 pathways implicated in determining the flow responsiveness of the endothelium. Specifically, MEF2 is required for expression of Klf2 and Klf4, 2 partially redundant factors essential for promoting an anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic endothelium. This critical requirement results in phenotypic similarities between endothelial-specific deletions of Mef2a/c/d and Klf2/4. In addition, MEF2 regulates the expression of Notch family genes, Notch1, Dll1, and Jag1, which also promote an atheroprotective endothelium. In contrast to these atheroprotective pathways, MEF2 deficiency upregulates an atherosclerosis promoting pathway through increasing the amount of TAZ (transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif). CONCLUSIONS Our results implicate MEF2 as a critical upstream regulator of several transcription factors responsible for gene expression programs that affect development of atherosclerosis and promote an anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic endothelium. Graphic Abstract: A graphic abstract is available for this article.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yao Wei Lu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology (Y.W.L., N.M., B.D.G., J.M.L., P.A.V., A.P.A., J.J.S.), Albany Medical College, NY
| | - Nina Martino
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology (Y.W.L., N.M., B.D.G., J.M.L., P.A.V., A.P.A., J.J.S.), Albany Medical College, NY
| | - Brennan D Gerlach
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology (Y.W.L., N.M., B.D.G., J.M.L., P.A.V., A.P.A., J.J.S.), Albany Medical College, NY
| | - John M Lamar
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology (Y.W.L., N.M., B.D.G., J.M.L., P.A.V., A.P.A., J.J.S.), Albany Medical College, NY
| | - Peter A Vincent
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology (Y.W.L., N.M., B.D.G., J.M.L., P.A.V., A.P.A., J.J.S.), Albany Medical College, NY
| | - Alejandro P Adam
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology (Y.W.L., N.M., B.D.G., J.M.L., P.A.V., A.P.A., J.J.S.), Albany Medical College, NY.,Department of Ophthalmology (A.P.A.), Albany Medical College, NY
| | - John J Schwarz
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology (Y.W.L., N.M., B.D.G., J.M.L., P.A.V., A.P.A., J.J.S.), Albany Medical College, NY
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Andueza A, Kumar S, Kim J, Kang DW, Mumme HL, Perez JI, Villa-Roel N, Jo H. Endothelial Reprogramming by Disturbed Flow Revealed by Single-Cell RNA and Chromatin Accessibility Study. Cell Rep 2020; 33:108491. [PMID: 33326796 PMCID: PMC7801938 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Disturbed flow (d-flow) induces atherosclerosis by regulating gene expression in endothelial cells (ECs). For further mechanistic understanding, we carried out a single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and scATAC-seq study using endothelial-enriched single cells from the left- and right carotid artery exposed to d-flow (LCA) and stable-flow (s-flow in RCA) using the mouse partial carotid ligation (PCL) model. We find eight EC clusters along with immune cells, fibroblasts, and smooth muscle cells. Analyses of marker genes, pathways, and pseudotime reveal that ECs are highly heterogeneous and plastic. D-flow induces a dramatic transition of ECs from atheroprotective phenotypes to pro-inflammatory cells, mesenchymal (EndMT) cells, hematopoietic stem cells, endothelial stem/progenitor cells, and an unexpected immune cell-like (EndICLT) phenotypes. While confirming KLF4/KLF2 as an s-flow-sensitive transcription factor binding site, we also find those sensitive to d-flow (RELA, AP1, STAT1, and TEAD1). D-flow reprograms ECs from atheroprotective to proatherogenic phenotypes, including EndMT and potentially EndICLT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aitor Andueza
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sandeep Kumar
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Juyoung Kim
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Dong-Won Kang
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Hope L Mumme
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Julian I Perez
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Nicolas Villa-Roel
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Hanjoong Jo
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Roche-Molina M, Hardwick B, Sanchez-Ramos C, Sanz-Rosa D, Gewert D, Cruz FM, Gonzalez-Guerra A, Andres V, Palma JA, Ibanez B, Mckenzie G, Bernal JA. The pharmaceutical solvent N-methyl-2-pyrollidone (NMP) attenuates inflammation through Krüppel-like factor 2 activation to reduce atherogenesis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:11636. [PMID: 32669659 PMCID: PMC7363918 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68350-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) is a versatile water-miscible polar aprotic solvent. It is used as a drug solubilizer and penetration enhancer in human and animal, yet its bioactivity properties remain elusive. Here, we report that NMP is a bioactive anti-inflammatory compound well tolerated in vivo, that shows efficacy in reducing disease in a mouse model of atherosclerosis. Mechanistically, NMP increases the expression of the transcription factor Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2). Monocytes and endothelial cells treated with NMP express increased levels of KLF2, produce less pro-inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules. We found that NMP attenuates monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells inflamed with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) by reducing expression of adhesion molecules. We further show using KLF2 shRNA that the inhibitory effect of NMP on endothelial inflammation and subsequent monocyte adhesion is KLF2 dependent. Enhancing KLF2 expression and activity improves endothelial function, controls multiple genes critical for inflammation, and prevents atherosclerosis. Our findings demonstrate a consistent effect of NMP upon KLF2 activation and inflammation, biological processes central to atherogenesis. Our data suggest that inclusion of bioactive solvent NMP in pharmaceutical compositions to treat inflammatory disorders might be beneficial and safe, in particular to treat diseases of the vascular system, such as atherosclerosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Roche-Molina
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Melchor Fernandez Almagro 3, CP28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Bryn Hardwick
- MRC Cancer Unit At the University of Cambridge, Hutchison/MRC Research Centre, Box 197, Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0XZ, UK
| | - Cristina Sanchez-Ramos
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Melchor Fernandez Almagro 3, CP28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Sanz-Rosa
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Melchor Fernandez Almagro 3, CP28029, Madrid, Spain.,CIBERCV, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Medicine, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Dirk Gewert
- DG Bioconsult Ltd, 50 Gilbert Road, Cambridge, CB4 3PE, UK
| | - Francisco M Cruz
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Melchor Fernandez Almagro 3, CP28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Andres Gonzalez-Guerra
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Melchor Fernandez Almagro 3, CP28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Vicente Andres
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Melchor Fernandez Almagro 3, CP28029, Madrid, Spain.,CIBERCV, Madrid, Spain
| | - Joaquin A Palma
- Department of Development, Grupo STIG, Velázquez 11, 28001, Madrid, CP, Spain
| | - Borja Ibanez
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Melchor Fernandez Almagro 3, CP28029, Madrid, Spain.,CIBERCV, Madrid, Spain.,IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Grahame Mckenzie
- MRC Cancer Unit At the University of Cambridge, Hutchison/MRC Research Centre, Box 197, Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0XZ, UK.
| | - Juan A Bernal
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Melchor Fernandez Almagro 3, CP28029, Madrid, Spain. .,CIBERCV, Madrid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Cinoku II, Mavragani CP, Moutsopoulos HM. Atherosclerosis: Beyond the lipid storage hypothesis. The role of autoimmunity. Eur J Clin Invest 2020; 50:e13195. [PMID: 31868918 DOI: 10.1111/eci.13195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis has long been considered as a lipid storage disease. Recent data suggest that autoimmune mechanisms seem to be involved in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. The presence of activated endothelial vascular cells, neutrophils, macrophages, T and to a lesser extent B cells in atherosclerotic plaques, together with the proinflammatory cytokine burden suggest mobilization of both innate and adaptive immune pathways in atherosclerosis pathobiology. The development of antibodies to oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), the experimental induction of atherosclerosis either via the transfer of T cells or immunization with autoantigens such as β2 glycoprotein Ι (β2-GPI) and heat shock proteins (HSP) further support the autoimmune nature of atherosclerosis. However, classical immunosuppressive and immune-modulatory drugs, successfully used in the therapy of autoimmune rheumatic diseases have shown limited benefits so far in the treatment of atherosclerosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ilir I Cinoku
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Clio P Mavragani
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.,Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Haralampos M Moutsopoulos
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.,Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Souilhol C, Serbanovic-Canic J, Fragiadaki M, Chico TJ, Ridger V, Roddie H, Evans PC. Endothelial responses to shear stress in atherosclerosis: a novel role for developmental genes. Nat Rev Cardiol 2020; 17:52-63. [PMID: 31366922 DOI: 10.1038/s41569-41019-40239-41565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Flowing blood generates a frictional force called shear stress that has major effects on vascular function. Branches and bends of arteries are exposed to complex blood flow patterns that exert low or low oscillatory shear stress, a mechanical environment that promotes vascular dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Conversely, physiologically high shear stress is protective. Endothelial cells are critical sensors of shear stress but the mechanisms by which they decode complex shear stress environments to regulate physiological and pathophysiological responses remain incompletely understood. Several laboratories have advanced this field by integrating specialized shear-stress models with systems biology approaches, including transcriptome, methylome and proteome profiling and functional screening platforms, for unbiased identification of novel mechanosensitive signalling pathways in arteries. In this Review, we describe these studies, which reveal that shear stress regulates diverse processes and demonstrate that multiple pathways classically known to be involved in embryonic development, such as BMP-TGFβ, WNT, Notch, HIF1α, TWIST1 and HOX family genes, are regulated by shear stress in arteries in adults. We propose that mechanical activation of these pathways evolved to orchestrate vascular development but also drives atherosclerosis in low shear stress regions of adult arteries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Celine Souilhol
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Jovana Serbanovic-Canic
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Maria Fragiadaki
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Timothy J Chico
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Bateson Centre for Lifecourse Biology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Victoria Ridger
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Hannah Roddie
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Paul C Evans
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
- Bateson Centre for Lifecourse Biology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
- INSIGNEO Institute for In Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Souilhol C, Serbanovic-Canic J, Fragiadaki M, Chico TJ, Ridger V, Roddie H, Evans PC. Endothelial responses to shear stress in atherosclerosis: a novel role for developmental genes. Nat Rev Cardiol 2020; 17:52-63. [PMID: 31366922 DOI: 10.1038/s41569-019-0239-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 245] [Impact Index Per Article: 61.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Flowing blood generates a frictional force called shear stress that has major effects on vascular function. Branches and bends of arteries are exposed to complex blood flow patterns that exert low or low oscillatory shear stress, a mechanical environment that promotes vascular dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Conversely, physiologically high shear stress is protective. Endothelial cells are critical sensors of shear stress but the mechanisms by which they decode complex shear stress environments to regulate physiological and pathophysiological responses remain incompletely understood. Several laboratories have advanced this field by integrating specialized shear-stress models with systems biology approaches, including transcriptome, methylome and proteome profiling and functional screening platforms, for unbiased identification of novel mechanosensitive signalling pathways in arteries. In this Review, we describe these studies, which reveal that shear stress regulates diverse processes and demonstrate that multiple pathways classically known to be involved in embryonic development, such as BMP-TGFβ, WNT, Notch, HIF1α, TWIST1 and HOX family genes, are regulated by shear stress in arteries in adults. We propose that mechanical activation of these pathways evolved to orchestrate vascular development but also drives atherosclerosis in low shear stress regions of adult arteries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Celine Souilhol
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Jovana Serbanovic-Canic
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Maria Fragiadaki
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Timothy J Chico
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Bateson Centre for Lifecourse Biology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Victoria Ridger
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Hannah Roddie
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Paul C Evans
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
- Bateson Centre for Lifecourse Biology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
- INSIGNEO Institute for In Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Genkel VV, Kuznetcova AS, Shaposhnik II. Biomechanical Forces and Atherosclerosis: From Mechanism to Diagnosis and Treatment. Curr Cardiol Rev 2019; 16:187-197. [PMID: 31362692 PMCID: PMC7536809 DOI: 10.2174/1573403x15666190730095153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Revised: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The article provides an overview of current views on the role of biomechanical forces in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The importance of biomechanical forces in maintaining vascular homeostasis is considered. We provide descriptions of mechanosensing and mechanotransduction. The roles of wall shear stress and circumferential wall stress in the initiation, progression and destabilization of atherosclerotic plaque are described. The data on the possibilities of assessing biomechanical factors in clinical practice and the clinical significance of this approach are presented. The article concludes with a discussion on current therapeutic approaches based on the modulation of biomechanical forces.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vadim V Genkel
- Department of Internal Medicine, Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education "South-Ural State Medical University" of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, Chelyabinsk, Russian Federation
| | - Alla S Kuznetcova
- Department of Hospital Therapy Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education "South-Ural State Medical University" of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, Chelyabinsk, Russian Federation
| | - Igor I Shaposhnik
- Department of Internal Medicine, Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education "South-Ural State Medical University" of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, Chelyabinsk, Russian Federation
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Kumar S, Williams D, Sur S, Wang JY, Jo H. Role of flow-sensitive microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs in vascular dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Vascul Pharmacol 2019; 114:76-92. [PMID: 30300747 PMCID: PMC6905428 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2018.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is the primary underlying cause of myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and peripheral artery disease. The disease preferentially occurs in arterial regions exposed to disturbed blood flow, in part, by altering expression of flow-sensitive coding- and non-coding genes. In this review, we summarize the role of noncoding RNAs, [microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs(lncRNAs)], as regulators of gene expression and outline their relationship to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. While miRNAs are small noncoding genes that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression by targeting mRNA transcripts, the lncRNAs regulate gene expression by diverse mechanisms, which are still emerging and incompletely understood. We focused on multiple flow-sensitive miRNAs such as, miR-10a, -19a, -23b, -17~92, -21, -663, -92a, -143/145, -101, -126, -712, -205, and -155 that play a critical role in endothelial function and atherosclerosis by targeting inflammation, cell cycle, proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and nitric oxide signaling. Flow-dependent regulation of lncRNAs is just emerging, and their role in vascular dysfunction and atherosclerosis is unknown. Here, we discuss the flow-sensitive lncRNA STEEL along with other lncRNAs studied in the context of vascular pathophysiology and atherosclerosis such as MALAT1, MIAT1, ANRIL, MYOSLID, MEG3, SENCR, SMILR, LISPR1, and H19. Also discussed is the use of these noncoding RNAs as potential biomarkers and therapeutics to reduce and regress atherosclerosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep Kumar
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, USA
| | - Darian Williams
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, USA
| | - Sanjoli Sur
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, USA
| | - Jun-Yao Wang
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, USA
| | - Hanjoong Jo
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, USA; Division of Cardiology, Emory University, Atlanta, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
On the origin of proteins in human drusen: The meet, greet and stick hypothesis. Prog Retin Eye Res 2018; 70:55-84. [PMID: 30572124 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2018.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Revised: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Retinal drusen formation is not only a clinical hallmark for the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) but also for other disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and renal diseases. The initiation and growth of drusen is poorly understood. Attention has focused on lipids and minerals, but relatively little is known about the origin of drusen-associated proteins and how they are retained in the space between the basal lamina of the retinal pigment epithelium and the inner collagenous layer space (sub-RPE-BL space). While some authors suggested that drusen proteins are mainly derived from cellular debris from processed photoreceptor outer segments and the RPE, others suggest a choroidal cell or blood origin. Here, we reviewed and supplemented the existing literature on the molecular composition of the retina/choroid complex, to gain a more complete understanding of the sources of proteins in drusen. These "drusenomics" studies showed that a considerable proportion of currently identified drusen proteins is uniquely originating from the blood. A smaller, but still large fraction of drusen proteins comes from both blood and/or RPE. Only a small proportion of drusen proteins is uniquely derived from the photoreceptors or choroid. We next evaluated how drusen components may "meet, greet and stick" to each other and/or to structures like hydroxyapatite spherules to form macroscopic deposits in the sub-RPE-BL space. Finally, we discuss implications of our findings with respect to the previously proposed homology between drusenogenesis in AMD and plaque formation in atherosclerosis.
Collapse
|