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Wang C, Yang X, Guo Z, Zhu G, Fan L. Circadian gene CLOCK accelerates atherosclerosis by promoting endothelial autophagy. Biotechnol Genet Eng Rev 2024; 40:1230-1245. [PMID: 36946412 DOI: 10.1080/02648725.2023.2193061] [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: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease which gives rise to life-threatening complications like ischemic stroke. Rupture of carotid atherosclerotic plaque is the main cause of ischemic stroke. Emerging evidence has demonstrated that disturbed circadian rhythms could accelerate the progression of atherosclerosis by regulating endothelial function. Moreover, our previous study implicated the circadian gene circadian locomotor output cycles kaput (CLOCK) in the pathogenesis of unstable plaques. In this study, we explored the underlying mechanism that CLOCK mediates endothelial cell autophagy involved in the progression of AS. Circadian and autophagy gene expression was analyzed in the GSE41571 dataset and human carotid atherosclerotic plaque samples. Then we used ox-LDL to treat HUVECs, and analyzed CLOCK and autophagy gene in endothelial cells. Besides that, we comprehensively analyzed in vivo experiments to explore the function of CLOCK in autophagy and atherosclerosis using different staining including HE, MT and IF staining. In the dataset and patient samples, CLOCK expression and autophagy were decreased in the unstable plaque group compared with the stable group. Decreased Beclin1, ATG5, LC3, and CLOCK were also observed in HUVECs under oxidative stress condition which also enhances cell proliferation. In vivo, we also found decreasing level of CLOCK, Beclin1, LC3 and ATG5 in ApoE-/- mice compared with WT mice. Silencing of CLOCK in ApoE-/- mice may further aggravate atherosclerosis including decreased cap thickness and collagens. Our findings implicated that downregulation CLOCK would impair endothelial cell autophagy and accelerate atherosclerotic plaque, which provides a novel strategy for treatment of progression in AS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Wang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaohu Yang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Qingpu Branch of Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenyu Guo
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Qingpu Branch of Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guanglang Zhu
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Qingpu Branch of Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Longhua Fan
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Qingpu Branch of Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Erickson MA, Mahankali AP. Interactions of Serum Amyloid A Proteins with the Blood-Brain Barrier: Implications for Central Nervous System Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6607. [PMID: 38928312 PMCID: PMC11204325 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126607] [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: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Serum amyloid A (SAA) proteins are highly conserved lipoproteins that are notoriously involved in the acute phase response and systemic amyloidosis, but their biological functions are incompletely understood. Recent work has shown that SAA proteins can enter the brain by crossing the intact blood-brain barrier (BBB), and that they can impair BBB functions. Once in the central nervous system (CNS), SAA proteins can have both protective and harmful effects, which have important implications for CNS disease. In this review of the thematic series on SAA, we discuss the existing literature that relates SAA to neuroinflammation and CNS disease, and the possible roles of the BBB in these relations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle A. Erickson
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Healthcare System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98104, USA;
| | - Anvitha P. Mahankali
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98104, USA;
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Brezovec N, Kojc N, Erman A, Hladnik M, Stergar J, Milanič M, Tomšič M, Čučnik S, Sodin-Šemrl S, Perše M, Lakota K. Molecular and Cellular Markers in Chlorhexidine-Induced Peritoneal Fibrosis in Mice. Biomedicines 2022; 10:2726. [PMID: 36359246 PMCID: PMC9687430 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10112726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the tissue changes and molecular mechanisms of preclinical models is essential for creating an optimal experimental design for credible translation into clinics. In our study, a chlorhexidine (CHX)-induced mouse model of peritoneal fibrosis was used to analyze histological and molecular/cellular alterations induced by 1 and 3 weeks of intraperitoneal CHX application. CHX treatment for 1 week already caused injury, degradation, and loss of mesothelial cells, resulting in local inflammation, with the most severe structural changes occurring in the peritoneum around the ventral parts of the abdominal wall. The local inflammatory response in the abdominal wall showed no prominent differences between 1 and 3 weeks. We observed an increase in polymorphonuclear cells in the blood but no evidence of systemic inflammation as measured by serum levels of serum amyloid A and interleukin-6. CHX-induced fibrosis in the abdominal wall was more pronounced after 3 weeks, but the gene expression of fibrotic markers did not change over time. Complement system molecules were strongly expressed in the abdominal wall of CHX-treated mice. To conclude, both histological and molecular changes were already present in week 1, allowing examination at the onset of fibrosis. This is crucial information for refining further experiments and limiting the amount of unnecessary animal suffering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neža Brezovec
- Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nika Kojc
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Andreja Erman
- Institute of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Matjaž Hladnik
- Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska, 6000 Koper, Slovenia
| | - Jošt Stergar
- Reactor Physics Department, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Matija Milanič
- Reactor Physics Department, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Complex Matter, Jožef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Matija Tomšič
- Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Saša Čučnik
- Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Snežna Sodin-Šemrl
- Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska, 6000 Koper, Slovenia
| | - Martina Perše
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Katja Lakota
- Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska, 6000 Koper, Slovenia
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Wen Y, Chun Y, Lian ZQ, Yong ZW, Lan YM, Huan L, Xi CY, Juan LS, Qing ZW, Jia C, Ji ZH. circRNA‑0006896‑miR1264‑DNMT1 axis plays an important role in carotid plaque destabilization by regulating the behavior of endothelial cells in atherosclerosis. Mol Med Rep 2021; 23:311. [PMID: 33649864 PMCID: PMC7974330 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2021.11950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the vascular wall with multiple causes. AS is the primary pathological basis of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Moreover, carotid plaque rupture and thrombus formation are the main causes of ischemic stroke. Therefore, understanding the formation of carotid plaques may help improve the prediction and prevention of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. Endothelial cell dysfunction results in re‑endothelialization and angiogenesis in atherosclerotic plaques, thus promoting plaque destabilization. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of circular RNA (circRNA) molecules in serum exosomes (serum‑Exos) from patients with stable plaque atherosclerosis (SA) and unstable/vulnerable plaque atherosclerosis (UA). Specifically, the effect of circRNA on human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) behavior and the mechanisms underlying plaque destabilization in AS were evaluated. Serum‑Exos were isolated, then identified using transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis and western blotting. The serum‑Exo‑circRNA expression profile of patients with SA or UA was investigated using a circRNA array. The relationship between circRNA‑006896 in serum‑Exos and biochemical parameters of patients with SA and UA were analyzed using Spearman's correlation. In addition, HUVECs were incubated with serum‑Exos for in vitro functional assays. The present study demonstrated that circRNAs expression profiles in SA and UA serum‑Exos were significantly different, indicating a potential role for circRNAs in carotid plaque destabilization. The expression of circRNA‑0006896 was positively correlated with triglyceride, low‑density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‑C) and C‑reactive protein levels, and negatively correlated with albumin levels in patients with UA. However, circRNA‑0006896 expression was positively correlated with LDL‑C in patients with SA. Using bioinformatic analysis, a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network was selected to study the regulatory roles of circRNA‑0006896 in serum‑Exos. Additionally, in HUVECs treated with serum‑Exos derived from patients with UA, the expression of circRNA‑0006896 in HUVECs was upregulated. This was accompanied by decreased expression of microRNA‑1264 and SOCS3, increased levels of DNMT1 and phosphorylated STAT3. HUVEC proliferation and migration were significantly increased in the UA group, compared with the mock and SA groups. This finding indicates that the circRNA‑0006896‑miR-1264‑DNMT1 axis plays an important role in carotid plaque destabilization by regulating the behavior of endothelial cells. Moreover, it suggests that circRNA‑0006896 may represent a therapeutic target for controlling JNK/STAT3 signaling in HUVECs. Thus, this study may provide insight on potential interventions against vulnerable plaque formation in patients with AS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wen
- General Practice Department, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, P.R. China
- Office of Scientific Research and Development, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, P.R. China
| | - Yao Chun
- Office of Scientific Research and Development, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, P.R. China
| | - Zhong Qing Lian
- Office of Scientific Research and Development, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, P.R. China
| | - Zhang Wei Yong
- Office of Scientific Research and Development, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, P.R. China
| | - Yang Mei Lan
- Office of Scientific Research and Development, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, P.R. China
| | - Liao Huan
- Office of Scientific Research and Development, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, P.R. China
| | - Chen Yi Xi
- Office of Scientific Research and Development, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, P.R. China
| | - Li Shu Juan
- Office of Scientific Research and Development, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, P.R. China
| | - Zhong Wen Qing
- Office of Scientific Research and Development, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, P.R. China
| | - Cheng Jia
- Office of Scientific Research and Development, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, P.R. China
| | - Zhang Huan Ji
- Cardiovascular Department, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, P.R. China
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Zhang W, Kong HF, Gao XD, Dong Z, Lu Y, Huang JG, Li H, Yang YP. Immune infiltration-associated serum amyloid A1 predicts favorable prognosis for hepatocellular carcinoma. World J Gastroenterol 2020; 26:5287-5301. [PMID: 32994688 PMCID: PMC7504249 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v26.i35.5287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Serum amyloid A1 (SAA1) is an acute-phase protein involved in acute or chronic hepatitis. Its function is still controversial. In addition, the effect of the expression of SAA1 and its molecular function on the progression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still unclear.
AIM To demonstrate the expression of SAA1 and its effect on the prognosis in HCC and explain further the correlation of SAA1 and immunity pathways.
METHODS SAA1 expression in HCC was conducted with The Cancer Genome Atlas-Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma (TCGA-LIHC) in GEPIA tool, and the survival analysis based on the SAA1 expression level was achieved in the Kaplan-Meier portal. The high or low expression group was then drawn based on the median level of SAA1 expression. The correlation of SAA1 and the clinical features were conducted in the UALCAN web-based portal with TCGA-LIHC, including tumor grade, patient disease stage, and the TP53 mutation. The correlation analysis between SAA1 expression and TP53 mutation was subjected to the TCGA portal. The tumor purity score and the immune score were analyzed with CIBERSORT. The correlation of SAA1 expression and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes was achieved in TISIDB web-based integrated repository portal for tumor-immune system interactions. GSE125336 dataset was used to test the SAA1 expression in the responsive or resistant group with anti-PD1 therapy. Gene set enrichment analysis was applied to evaluate the gene enrichment signaling pathway in HCC. The similar genes of SAA1 in HCC were identified in GEPIA, and the protein-protein interaction of SAA1 was conducted in the Metascape tool. The expression of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 2, C-C motif chemokine ligand 23, and complement C5a receptor 1 was studied and overall survival analysis in HCC was conducted in GEPIA and Kaplan-Meier portal, respectively.
RESULTS SAA1 expression was decreased in HCC, and lower SAA1 expression predicted poorer overall survival, progression-free survival, and disease-specific survival. Furthermore, SAA1 expression was further decreased with increased tumor grade and patient disease stage. Also, SAA1 expression was further downregulated in patients with TP53 mutation compared with patients with wild type TP53. SAA1 expression was negatively correlated with the TP53 mutation. Lower SAA1 predicted poorer survival rate, especially in the patients with no hepatitis virus infection, other than those with hepatitis virus infection. Moreover, the SAA1 expression was negatively correlated with tumor purity. In contrast, SAA1 expression was positively correlated with the immune score in HCC, and the correlation analysis between SAA1 expression and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes also showed a positive correlation in HCC. Decreased SAA1 was closely associated with the immune tolerance of HCC. C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 2 and C-C motif chemokine ligand 23 genes were identified as the hub genes associated with SAA1, which could also serve as favorable prognosis markers for HCC.
CONCLUSION SAA1 is downregulated in the liver tumor, and it is closely involved in the progression of HCC. Lower SAA1 expression indicates lower survival rate, especially for those patients without hepatitis virus infection. Lower SAA1 expression also suggests lower immune infiltrating cells, especially for those with immune cells exerting anti-tumor immune function. SAA1 expression is closely associated with the anti-tumor immune pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- Center for Diagnosis and Research of Liver Tumor, Fifth Medical Center of People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Hui-Fang Kong
- Center for Diagnosis and Research of Liver Tumor, Fifth Medical Center of People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xu-Dong Gao
- Center for Diagnosis and Research of Liver Tumor, Fifth Medical Center of People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Zheng Dong
- Center for Diagnosis and Research of Liver Tumor, Fifth Medical Center of People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Ying Lu
- Center for Diagnosis and Research of Liver Tumor, Fifth Medical Center of People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jia-Gan Huang
- Center for Diagnosis and Research of Liver Tumor, Fifth Medical Center of People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Hong Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550001, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Yong-Ping Yang
- Center for Diagnosis and Research of Liver Tumor, Fifth Medical Center of People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
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