Prostacyclin synthase gene transfer inhibits neointimal formation by suppressing PPARδ expression

Notch2 and Proteomic Signatures in Mouse Neointimal Lesion Formation

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Objective—

Vascular remodeling is associated with complex molecular changes, including increased Notch2, which promotes quiescence in human smooth muscle cells. We used unbiased protein profiling to understand molecular signatures related to neointimal lesion formation in the presence or absence of Notch2 and to test the hypothesis that loss of Notch2 would increase neointimal lesion formation because of a hyperproliferative injury response.

Approach and Results—

Murine carotid arteries isolated at 6 or 14 days after ligation injury were analyzed by mass spectrometry using a data-independent acquisition strategy in comparison to uninjured or sham injured arteries. We used a tamoxifen-inducible, cell-specific Cre recombinase strain to delete the Notch2 gene in smooth muscle cells. Vessel morphometric analysis and immunohistochemical staining were used to characterize lesion formation, assess vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, and validate proteomic findings. Loss of Notch2 in smooth muscle cells leads to protein profile changes in the vessel wall during remodeling but does not alter overall lesion morphology or cell proliferation. Loss of smooth muscle Notch2 also decreases the expression of enhancer of rudimentary homolog, plectin, and annexin A2 in vascular remodeling.

Conclusions—

We identified unique protein signatures that represent temporal changes in the vessel wall during neointimal lesion formation in the presence and absence of Notch2. Overall lesion formation was not affected with loss of smooth muscle Notch2, suggesting compensatory pathways. We also validated the regulation of known injury- or Notch-related targets identified in other vascular contexts, providing additional insight into conserved pathways involved in vascular remodeling.

Inhibitory effects of ASP6537, a selective cyclooxygenase-1 inhibitor, on thrombosis and neointima formation in rats

INTRODUCTION

Percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs), such as balloon angioplasty and stent placement, are effective in the treatment of coronary artery disease. PCI has drawbacks, however, including acute thrombosis after the procedure and restenosis of the vascular lumen due to abnormal neointimal hyperplasia. ASP6537 is a selective COX-1 inhibitor that has been investigated as a possible candidate for clinical development as an antiplatelet agent. In the present study, we evaluated the in vivo antithrombotic effect of ASP6537 and its effect on neointima formation after balloon angioplasty.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The antithrombotic effect of ASP6537 was examined using an arteriovenous shunt thrombosis model in rats while the effect of ASP6537 on neointima formation was evaluated in a rat carotid arterial balloon angioplasty model.

RESULTS

In the thrombosis study, ASP6537 dose-dependently decreased the protein content of the thrombus, while no prolongation of template bleeding time was observed. In the neointima study, ASP6537 reduced neointima formation.

CONCLUSIONS

ASP6537 may be a promising agent for the prevention of acute thrombosis and restenosis after PCI in place of aspirin.

p66(Shc)-induced redox changes drive endothelial insulin resistance

OBJECTIVE

Obesity-induced insulin resistance (IR) precipitates cardiovascular disease (CVD). Impairment of insulin signalling in the endothelium is emerging as a trigger of IR but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. The mitochondrial adaptor p66(Shc) drives endothelial dysfunction via reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. This study investigates p66(Shc) role in obesity-induced impairment of endothelial insulin signalling.

METHODS

All experiments were performed in leptin-deficient (Lep(Ob/Ob)) and wild-type (WT) mice.

RESULTS

Endothelium-dependent relaxations to insulin were blunted in Lep(Ob/Ob) as compared to WT. Interestingly, in vivo gene silencing of p66(Shc) restored insulin response via IRS-1/Akt/eNOS pathway. Furthermore, p66(Shc) knockdown in endothelial cells isolated from Lep(Ob/Ob) mice attenuated ROS production, free fatty acids (FFA) oxidation and prevented dysregulation of redox-sensitive pathways such as nuclear factor-kappa-B (NF-kB), AGE precursor methylglyoxal and PGI2 synthase.

CONCLUSIONS

Targeting endothelial p66(Shc) may represent a promising strategy to prevent IR and CVD in obese individuals.

Molecular mechanisms regulating the vascular prostacyclin pathways and their adaptation during pregnancy and in the newborn

Prostacyclin (PGI(2)) is a member of the prostanoid group of eicosanoids that regulate homeostasis, hemostasis, smooth muscle function and inflammation. Prostanoids are derived from arachidonic acid by the sequential actions of phospholipase A(2), cyclooxygenase (COX), and specific prostaglandin (PG) synthases. There are two major COX enzymes, COX1 and COX2, that differ in structure, tissue distribution, subcellular localization, and function. COX1 is largely constitutively expressed, whereas COX2 is induced at sites of inflammation and vascular injury. PGI(2) is produced by endothelial cells and influences many cardiovascular processes. PGI(2) acts mainly on the prostacyclin (IP) receptor, but because of receptor homology, PGI(2) analogs such as iloprost may act on other prostanoid receptors with variable affinities. PGI(2)/IP interaction stimulates G protein-coupled increase in cAMP and protein kinase A, resulting in decreased [Ca(2+)](i), and could also cause inhibition of Rho kinase, leading to vascular smooth muscle relaxation. In addition, PGI(2) intracrine signaling may target nuclear peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors and regulate gene transcription. PGI(2) counteracts the vasoconstrictor and platelet aggregation effects of thromboxane A(2) (TXA(2)), and both prostanoids create an important balance in cardiovascular homeostasis. The PGI(2)/TXA(2) balance is particularly critical in the regulation of maternal and fetal vascular function during pregnancy and in the newborn. A decrease in PGI(2)/TXA(2) ratio in the maternal, fetal, and neonatal circulation may contribute to preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN), respectively. On the other hand, increased PGI(2) activity may contribute to patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and intraventricular hemorrhage in premature newborns. These observations have raised interest in the use of COX inhibitors and PGI(2) analogs in the management of pregnancy-associated and neonatal vascular disorders. The use of aspirin to decrease TXA(2) synthesis has shown little benefit in preeclampsia, whereas indomethacin and ibuprofen are used effectively to close PDA in the premature newborn. PGI(2) analogs have been used effectively in primary pulmonary hypertension in adults and have shown promise in PPHN. Careful examination of PGI(2) metabolism and the complex interplay with other prostanoids will help design specific modulators of the PGI(2)-dependent pathways for the management of pregnancy-related and neonatal vascular disorders.

The landscape of drug discovery in atherosclerosis and dyslipidaemia revisited: an update of patenting activity

INTRODUCTION

This paper is an update of a previous paper I published in Expert Opinion of Therapeutic Patents in 2008. The paper was a survey of patenting activity in the fields of atherosclerosis and dyslipidaemia, which identified trends in patenting by reviewing two major mechanistic categories, metabolic/dyslipidaemia and vascular/inflammation, as well as examining the interest in certain specific targets over a period of 10 years.

METHODS

In this update, the same methodology was followed using the Espacenet of the European Patent Office (EPO) to identify patents claiming therapeutics for atherosclerosis or dyslipidaemia (excluding the wider metabolic syndrome).

EXPERT OPINION

A major change in the field over the past 5 years has been the departure of larger companies from the field. This is reflected in the patenting activity. Patenting has been at a stable rate over the recent years with few new targets being highlighted. It is suggested that, for this field to return to the higher rates of patenting seen over 10 years ago, breakthroughs in translational medicine and in the ability to conduct clinical trials, particularly in biomarkers and imaging, will need to take place.

PPARdelta inhibits IL-1beta-stimulated proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells via up-regulation of IL-1Ra

Activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) delta by GW501516, a specific PPARdelta ligand, significantly inhibited interleukin (IL)-1beta-induced proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). This effect of GW501516 was dependent on transforming growth factor-beta, and was mediated through the up-regulation of IL-1 receptor antagonist. The inhibitory effect of GW501516 on VSMC proliferation was associated with cell cycle arrest at the G1 to S phase transition, which was accompanied by the induction of p21 and p53 along with decreased cyclin-dependent kinase 4 expression. Inhibition of cell migration by GW501516 was associated with the down-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in IL-1beta-treated VSMCs. Inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase significantly reduced the GW501516-mediated inhibition of IL-1beta-stimulated VSMC proliferation. These results suggest that PPARdelta plays an important role in the pathophysiology of diseases associated with the proliferation and migration of VSMCs.

PPARs and the cardiovascular system

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) belong to the nuclear hormone-receptor superfamily. Originally cloned in 1990, PPARs were found to be mediators of pharmacologic agents that induce hepatocyte peroxisome proliferation. PPARs also are expressed in cells of the cardiovascular system. PPAR gamma appears to be highly expressed during atherosclerotic lesion formation, suggesting that increased PPAR gamma expression may be a vascular compensatory response. Also, ligand-activated PPAR gamma decreases the inflammatory response in cardiovascular cells, particularly in endothelial cells. PPAR alpha, similar to PPAR gamma, also has pleiotropic effects in the cardiovascular system, including antiinflammatory and antiatherosclerotic properties. PPAR alpha activation inhibits vascular smooth muscle proinflammatory responses, attenuating the development of atherosclerosis. However, PPAR delta overexpression may lead to elevated macrophage inflammation and atherosclerosis. Conversely, PPAR delta ligands are shown to attenuate the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis by improving endothelial cell proliferation and survival while decreasing endothelial cell inflammation and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. Furthermore, the administration of PPAR ligands in the form of TZDs and fibrates has been disappointing in terms of markedly reducing cardiovascular events in the clinical setting. Therefore, a better understanding of PPAR-dependent and -independent signaling will provide the foundation for future research on the role of PPARs in human cardiovascular biology.

PPAR-delta in Vascular Pathophysiology

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors belong to the superfamily of ligand-dependent nuclear receptor transcription factors, which include three subtypes: PPAR-α, β/δ, and γ. PPAR-δ, play important roles in the regulation of cell growth and differentiation as well as tissue wound and repair. Emerging evidence has also demonstrated that PPAR-δ is implicated in lipids and glucose metabolism. Most recently, the direct effects of PPAR-δ on cardiovascular processes such as endothelial function and angiogenesis have also been investigated. Therefore, it is suggested that PPAR-δ may have critical roles in cardiovascular pathophysiology and is a potential target for therapeutic intervention of cardiovascular disorders such as atherosclerosis.