A proteomic approach to the investigation of early events involved in the activation of vascular smooth muscle cells

Omics Science and Social Aspects in Detecting Biomarkers for Diagnosis, Risk Prediction, and Outcomes of Carotid Stenosis

Carotid stenosis is characterized by the progressive narrowing of the carotid arteries due to the formation of atherosclerotic plaque, which can lead to stroke and death as major complications. Numerous biomarkers allow for its study and characterization, particularly those related to "omics" sciences. Through the most common research databases, we report representative studies about carotid stenosis biomarkers based on genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics in a narrative review. To establish a priority among studies based on their internal validity, we used a quality assessment tool, the Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA). Genes, transcriptomes, proteins, and metabolites can diagnose the disease, define plaque connotations, predict consequences after revascularization interventions, and associate carotid stenosis with other patient comorbidities. It also emerged that many aspects determining the patient's psychological and social sphere are implicated in carotid disease. In conclusion, when taking the multidisciplinary approach that combines human sciences with biological sciences, it is possible to comprehensively define a patient's health and thus improve their clinical management through precision medicine.

Antrodia cinnamomea Inhibits Migration in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells: The Role of ERp57 and PGK-1

Evidences suggest that ERp57 and PGK-1 signaling lead to cancer cell proliferation and migration. We hypothesized that ERp57 and PGK-1 down-regulation may inactivate matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, -9 expressions and inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) migration. Antrodia cinnamomea is widely prescribed as an adjuvant to treat HCC in Taiwan. We aimed to investigate if ethanol extract of fruiting bodies of Antrodia cinnamomea (EEAC) and its active ingredients (i.e., zhankuic acid A, cordycepin, and adenosine) can modulate HCC cancer cells migration through ERp57 and PGK-1 and other molecular pathways such as PI3K/Akt and MAPK. ERp57 and PGK-1 siRNA were transfected into HCC to determine effects on MMP-2/-9 expressions and cell migration. We then examined the inhibitory effects of EEAC and its active ingredients on HCC migration and its related mechanisms including ERp57, PGK-1, PI3K/Akt, and MAPK signaling pathways. Down-regulation of ERp57 and PGK-1 by siRNA decreased MMP-2, -9 expressions and Transwell cell migration in HCC. Nontoxic EEAC markedly inhibited migration of HCC, and significantly inhibited activities and protein expressions of MMP-2 and -9, while the expression of the endogenous inhibitors (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) of these proteins increased. Nontoxic EEAC and its active ingredients decreased ERp57, GLUD-1, GST-pi, and PGK-1 protein expressions. Finally, nontoxic EEAC inhibited the phosphorylated FAK, PI3K/Akt, and MAPK signaling. Our findings first indicate that EEAC and its ingredients effectively suppress HCC migration. Additionally, the molecular mechanisms appear to be mediated, in part, through the down-regulation of ERp57, PGK-1, MAPK, and PI3K/Akt.

Fabrication and effect on regulating vSMC phenotype of a biomimetic tunica media scaffold

We constructed a bFGF@TGF-β1 loaded porous film-like PLGA scaffold with dual surface topography of nanofiber and micro-orientation structures for regulating the phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cell (vSMC).

Ethanol promotes rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation via increase of homocysteine and oxidized-low-density lipoprotein

BACKGROUND

Increased levels of homocysteine and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) are considered independent risk factors for atherosclerosis. However, no previous study has examined the effects of ethanol-induced increase of homocysteine and Ox-LD on aortic vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between ethanol consumption, increase in homocysteine, Ox-LDL, and aortic VSMC proliferation in rats.

METHODS AND RESULTS

To address this issue, 24 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: control, sham, and ethanol-treated. Homocysteine, Ox-LDL, lipid profile, and aortic VSMC proliferation were assessed after 42 days. The results revealed a concurrent, significant increase in homocysteine and Ox-LDL levels, lipid profile levels, and aortic VSMC proliferation in the ethanol-treated group compared with the control and sham groups.

CONCLUSION

Based on these results, we conclude that ethanol apparently exerts aortic VSMC proliferation through increase in homocysteine and Ox-LDL-mediated oxidative stress, which in turn trigger proatherogenic changes in the aortic wall.

Ribozyme-mediated gene knock down strategy to dissect the consequences of PDGF stimulation in vascular smooth muscle cells

Background

Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells (VSMCs), due to their plasticity and ability to shift from a physiological contractile-quiescent phenotype to a pathological proliferating-activated status, play a central role in the onset and progression of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. PDGF-BB, among a series of cytokines and growth factors, has been identified as the critical factor in this phenotypic switch. In order to obtain new insights on the molecular effects triggered by PDGF-BB, a hammerhead ribozyme targeting the membrane receptor PDGFR-β was applied to inhibit PDGF pathway in porcine VSMCs.

Findings

Ribozymes, loaded on a cationic polymer-based vehicle, were delivered into cultured VSMCs. A significant impairment of the activation mechanisms triggered by PDGF-BB was demonstrated since cell migration decreased after treatments. In order to functionally validate the effects of PDGFR-β partial knock down we focused on the phosphorylation status of two proteins, protein disulfide isomerase-A3 (PDI-A3) and heat shock protein-60 (HSP-60), previously identified as indicative of VSMC phenotypic switch after PDGF-BB stimulation. Interestingly, while PDI-A3 phosphorylation was counteracted by the ribozyme administration indicating that PDI-A3 is a factor downstream the receptor signalling cascade, the HSP-60 phosphorylation status was greatly increased by the ribozyme administration.

Conclusion

These contradictory observations suggested that PDGF-BB might trigger different parallel pathways that could be modulated by alternative isoforms of the receptors for the growth factor. In conclusion the knock down strategy here described enables to discriminate between two tightly intermingled pathways. Moreover it opens new attractive perspectives in functional investigations where combined gene knock down and proteomic technologies would allow the identification of key factors and pathways involved in VSMC-linked pathological disorders.

Changes in proteomic features induced by insulin on vascular smooth muscle cells from spontaneous hypertensive rats in vitro

Hyperinsulinemia is a risk factor in atherosclerosis formation that it stimulated vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferation and migration. To understand the underlying molecular mechanism involved in the processes of cellular response to insulin, VSMCs from Wistar-Kyoto rat (WKY) and spontaneous hypertensive rat (SHR) were isolated and cultured, and its proteome was comparatively analyzed with normal control by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). Results showed that the proliferation of VSMCs from SHR be more sensitive to insulin stimulation than that VSMCs from WKY. The detectable spots ranged from 537 to 608 on the gels in VSMCs of SHR, and 413 ± 31 spots in VSMCs of WKY. The different expressed protein spots in VSMCs of SHR were then isolated and measured by matrix-assisted desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). A total of 18 spots showed a sharp clear spectrum, and 13 spots matched with the known proteins from database. These proteins were mainly involved in cytoskeleton, glycometabolism, and post-translational processes. Among these proteins, OPN and matrix gla protein were up-regulated expression proteins, while α-SM actin was down-regulated. Furthermore, these preliminarily identified proteins confirmed by RT-PCR and western blotting analysis were coincident with the changes in 2-DE check. In addition, the cytoskeleton changes and migration rate of VSMCs from SHR treated by insulin increased significantly. The results showed that insulin plays a crucial role in activating proliferation and migration of VSMCs, by regulating the phenotype switch of VSMCs.

IGF-1 receptor transactivation mediates Src-dependent cortactin phosphorylation in response to angiotensin IIThis article is one of a selection of papers published in a special issue celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Manitoba

Release of angiotensin II (Ang II) after vascular injury promotes tissue repair by stimulating phenotypic modulation of smooth muscle cells, which enables cell proliferation and migration. This process requires cytoskeleton remodeling, which involves cortactin, a scaffold protein that is phosphorylated by Src kinase in response to Ang II. Since insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 receptor transactivation mediates intracellular signals originating from the Ang II type 1 (AT1) receptor in a Src kinase-dependent manner, we examined whether IGF-1 receptor transactivation was also required for cortactin phosphorylation. Treatment of quiescent smooth muscle cells with Ang II resulted in both cortactin phosphorylation and its translocation to the plasma membrane. Both events were prevented by 1-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1-(4-methylphenyl)-1H-pyrazolo(3,4-d)pyrimidin-4-amine (PP1), a Src kinase inhibitor, and by AG1024, an inhibitor of the IGF-1 receptor tyrosine kinase. Additionally, PP1 and AG1024 blocked the association of cortactin with actin-related protein (Arp) 3, an actin nucleation factor. These results indicate that Src kinase and the IGF-1 receptor kinase are necessary for activating cortactin. Phosphorylation of Src kinase in Ang II-treated cells was subsequently examined and was shown to be prevented by AG1024. Furthermore, Src kinase phosphorylation was blocked by inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC), but not by inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase. These data establish that IGF-1 receptor transactivation is required for Src kinase-mediated cortactin phosphorylation and cytoskeletal reorganization in response to Ang II.

Proteomics in atherosclerosis

Atherothrombosis is the underlying cause of several clinical manifestations, such as acute coronary syndromes, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral artery disease, which together are the leading cause of death in the Western world. Proteins from vascular cells or atherosclerotic plaques that are present in plasma are modified along the different steps of atherosclerotic development and constitute target candidates for vascular research, particularly in the search for novel biological markers of cardiovascular risk. In this review, we summarize proteomic techniques and the most recent results obtained by application of these high-throughput strategies to cardiovascular samples.

Proteomic Biomarkers of Atherosclerosis

SUMMARY: Biomarkers provide a powerful approach to understanding the spectrum of cardiovascular diseases. They have application in screening, diagnostic, prognostication, prediction of recurrences and monitoring of therapy. The "omics" tool are becoming very useful in the development of new biomarkers in cardiovascular diseases. Among them, proteomics is especially fitted to look for new proteins in health and disease and is playing a significant role in the development of new diagnostic tools in cardiovascular diagnosis and prognosis. This review provides an overview of progress in applying proteomics to atherosclerosis. First, we describe novel proteins identified analysing atherosclerotic plaques directly. Careful analysis of proteins within the atherosclerotic vascular tissue can provide a repertoire of proteins involved in vascular remodelling and atherogenesis. Second, we discuss recent data concerning proteins secreted by atherosclerotic plaques. The definition of the atheroma plaque secretome resides in that proteins secreted by arteries can be very good candidates of novel biomarkers. Finally we describe proteins that have been differentially expressed (versus controls) by individual cells which constitute atheroma plaques (endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, macrophages and foam cells) as well as by circulating cells (monocytes, platelets) or novel biomarkers present in plasma.