Fractalkine as an Important Target of Aspirin in the Prevention of Atherogenesis

The Role and Molecular Mechanism of P2Y12 Receptors in the Pathogenesis of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Diseases

The P2Y receptor family is a class of G protein-coupled receptors activated primarily by adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), uridine triphosphate (UTP) and uridine diphosphate (UDP). The P2Y12 receptor is expressed on platelets which mediates platelet aggregation and morphological changes. At the same time, during the process of vascular remodeling and atherosclerosis, ADP can also promote the migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells through P2Y12 receptor activating. Furthermore, P2Y12 is involved in many signal transductions processes, such as intimal hyperplasia, monocyte infiltration and so on, which play an important role in immune inflammation and brain injury. In order to solve the diseases induced by P2Y12 receptor, inhibitors such as ticagrelor, clopidogrel were widely used for cardiovascular diseases. However, there were some problems, such as limited antithrombotic effect, remain unsolved. This article summarizes the role and molecular mechanism of P2Y12 receptors in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular-related diseases, providing in-depth expounding on the molecular mechanism of P2Y12 receptor inhibitors and contributing to the treatment of diseases based on P2Y12 receptors.

Association between the serum concentrations of 12 cytokines and growth factors and metabolic syndrome in patients undergoing angiography

We aimed to compare the concentrations of serum cytokines in patients undergoing coronary angiography and finding their possible associations with metabolic syndrome. Twelve serum cytokines and growth factors (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, MCP-1, IFN-γ, EGF, and VEGF) were measured by sandwich chemiluminescence assays, on the Evidence Investigator^® system. There were significant differences regarding sex, height, weight, BMI, WC, HC, FPG, TG and HDL-C between those with and without MetS in patients undergoing angiography (p < .05). Serum concentrations of IL-6 and INF-γ were significantly higher in subjects with MetS, compared to those without MetS (p = .031 and p = .035, respectively). However, only serum IL-6 was associated with the presence of MetS (β = 1.215, CI = 1.047-1.409, p = .010). From several serum cytokines and growth factors assessed in patients, IL-6 was the only serum cytokine that was significantly different between those with and without MetS after correction for confounding factors.

Aspirin suppresses NFκB1 expression and inactivates cAMP signaling pathway to treat atherosclerosis

Aspirin showed both favorable efficacy and safety in the treatment of atherosclerosis (AS). This study aimed to explore the effects of Aspirin on AS treatment. Differentially expressed mRNAs in AS were screened out and visualized by R project. The mRNA expression levels of NFκB1 and its targets were detected by qRT-PCR. The protein expression levels of NFκB1, intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM1) were detected by western blot analysis. Besides, CCK-8 and flow cytometry assay were employed to evaluate the effects of Aspirin on cell proliferation rate and cell apoptotic rate respectively. Mouse model of AS was established for the verification of Aspirin-mediated suppression of AS progression in vivo. NFκB1 and Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) were both over-expressed in atherosclerotic femoral artery tissues compared with healthy femoral artery tissues. cAMP signaling pathway was activated in AS. Overexpression of NFκB1 largely increased cell proliferation rate of VSMCs, which was instead down-regulated with suppression of NFκB1 in AS. By contrast, down-regulation of NFκB1 greatly increased cell apoptotic rate of VSMCs, which was otherwise reversed with up-regulation of NFκB1 in AS. It was proved that Aspirin increased cell apoptotic rate yet decreased cell proliferation rate of VSMCs to suppress AS progression by down-regulating the expression of NFκB1 and its targets, which might well provide us with more therapeutic strategies for treatment of AS. © 2019 BioFactors, 45(3):343-354, 2019.

Aspirin Action in Endothelial Cells: Different Patterns of Response Between Chemokine CX3CL1/CX3CR1 and TNF-α/TNFR1 Signaling Pathways

Purpose

TNF-α induces fractalkine (CX3CL1) and its receptor CX3CR1 in endothelial cells through NF-қB activation. NF-қB inhibitors may reduce the expression of CX3CL1, and modulation of the CX3CL1/CX3CR1 signaling was proposed as a new target for aspirin. We examined the effects of aspirin on CX3CL1 and TNF-α production, as well as CX3CR1 and TNFR1 expression.

Methods

HUVECs isolated after term pregnancies (N = 28) were cultured in vitro. Lipopolysaccharide (1 μg/ml) was used as CX3CL1 inducer. HUVECs were exposed to six different concentrations of aspirin (between 1.0 and 6.0 mM) during 7 days. The levels of CX3CL1 and TNF-α in the culture media were measured using ELISA. After termination of the cultures, mean expressions of CX3CR1 and TNFR1 were examined in the immunostained paraffin sections using quantitative immunohistochemistry.

Results

Aspirin significantly (p < 0.05) decreased CX3CL1 production, and the mean decrease in CX3CL1 production was inversely proportional to increased (p < 0.05) expression of CX3CR1. The combined mean CX3CL1 concentrations, including all time points, equaled 782.18 ± 74.4 pg/ml in aspirin treated HUVECs compared to a total concentration of 2467.53 ± 127.5 pg/ml combined from the respective time points in the controls.

An inhibition of TNF-α production in HUVECs after pretreatment with aspirin was observed. Unlike in the case of CX3CR1 expression, there were no signs of TNFR1 upregulation.

Conclusions

Autoregulation between CX3CL1 and CX3CR1 may explain overexpression of CX3CR1 as the compensatory effect in aspirin-treated HUVECs. Inhibition of CX3CR1 could prevent thrombotic complications in the early period after discontinuation of aspirin.