1
|
Greco F, Bertagna G, Quercioli L, Pucci A, Rocchiccioli S, Ferrari M, Recchia FA, McDonnell LA. Lipids associated with atherosclerotic plaque instability revealed by mass spectrometry imaging of human carotid arteries. Atherosclerosis 2024; 397:118555. [PMID: 39159550 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2024.118555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Lipids constitute one of the main components of atherosclerosis lesions and are the mediators of many mechanisms involved in plaque progression and stability. Here we tested the hypothesis that lipids known to be involved in plaque development exhibited associations with plaque vulnerability. We used spatial lipidomics to overcome plaque heterogeneity and to compare lipids from specific regions of symptomatic and asymptomatic human carotid atherosclerotic plaques. METHODS Carotid atherosclerotic plaques were collected from symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Plaque lipids were analyzed with the spatial lipidomics technique matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging, and histology and immunofluorescence were used to segment the plaques into histomolecularly distinct regions. RESULTS Macrophage-rich regions from symptomatic lesions were found to be enriched in phosphatidylcholines (synthesized to counteract excess free cholesterol), while the same region from asymptomatic plaques were enriched in polyunsaturated cholesteryl esters and triglycerides, characteristic of functional lipid droplets. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of the fibrous cap of asymptomatic plaques were enriched in lysophosphatidylcholines and cholesteryl esters, know to promote VSMC proliferation and migration, crucial for the buildup of the fibrous cap stabilizing the plaque. CONCLUSIONS The investigation of the region-specific lipid composition of symptomatic and asymptomatic human atherosclerotic plaques revealed specific lipid markers of plaque outcome, which could be linked to known biological characteristics of stable plaques.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Greco
- Centro Health and BioMedLab, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy; Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza ONLUS, San Giuliano Terme (PI), Italy; Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giulia Bertagna
- Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, Department of Vascular Surgery, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Quercioli
- Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, Department of Vascular Surgery, Pisa, Italy
| | - Angela Pucci
- Department of Histopathology, University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Mauro Ferrari
- Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, Department of Vascular Surgery, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabio A Recchia
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy; Aging & Cardiovascular Discovery Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA; Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Liam A McDonnell
- Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza ONLUS, San Giuliano Terme (PI), Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chong SY, Wang X, van Bloois L, Huang C, Syeda NS, Zhang S, Ting HJ, Nair V, Lin Y, Lou CKL, Benetti AA, Yu X, Lim NJY, Tan MS, Lim HY, Lim SY, Thiam CH, Looi WD, Zharkova O, Chew NWS, Ng CH, Bonney GK, Muthiah M, Chen X, Pastorin G, Richards AM, Angeli V, Storm G, Wang JW. Injectable liposomal docosahexaenoic acid alleviates atherosclerosis progression and enhances plaque stability. J Control Release 2023; 360:344-364. [PMID: 37406819 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.06.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory vascular disease that is characterized by the accumulation of lipids and immune cells in plaques built up inside artery walls. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3), an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), which exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, has long been purported to be of therapeutic benefit to atherosclerosis patients. However, large clinical trials have yielded inconsistent data, likely due to variations in the formulation, dosage, and bioavailability of DHA following oral intake. To fully exploit its potential therapeutic effects, we have developed an injectable liposomal DHA formulation intended for intravenous administration as a plaque-targeted nanomedicine. The liposomal formulation protects DHA against chemical degradation and increases its local concentration within atherosclerotic lesions. Mechanistically, DHA liposomes are readily phagocytosed by activated macrophages, exert potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and inhibit foam cell formation. Upon intravenous administration, DHA liposomes accumulate preferentially in atherosclerotic lesional macrophages and promote polarization of macrophages towards an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype, resulting in attenuation of atherosclerosis progression in both ApoE-/- and Ldlr-/- experimental models. Plaque composition analysis demonstrates that liposomal DHA inhibits macrophage infiltration, reduces lipid deposition, and increases collagen content, thus improving the stability of atherosclerotic plaques against rupture. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) further reveals that DHA liposomes can partly restore the complex lipid profile of the plaques to that of early-stage plaques. In conclusion, DHA liposomes offer a promising approach for applying DHA to stabilize atherosclerotic plaques and attenuate atherosclerosis progression, thereby preventing atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular events.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suet Yen Chong
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 119228 Singapore, Singapore; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117599 Singapore, Singapore; Nanomedicine Translational Research Programme, Centre for NanoMedicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117609 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xiaoyuan Wang
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 119228 Singapore, Singapore; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117599 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Louis van Bloois
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Chenyuan Huang
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 119228 Singapore, Singapore; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117599 Singapore, Singapore; Nanomedicine Translational Research Programme, Centre for NanoMedicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117609 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nilofer Sayed Syeda
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 119228 Singapore, Singapore; Nanomedicine Translational Research Programme, Centre for NanoMedicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117609 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sitong Zhang
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 119228 Singapore, Singapore; Nanomedicine Translational Research Programme, Centre for NanoMedicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117609 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hui Jun Ting
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 119228 Singapore, Singapore; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117599 Singapore, Singapore; Nanomedicine Translational Research Programme, Centre for NanoMedicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117609 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Vaarsha Nair
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 119228 Singapore, Singapore; Nanomedicine Translational Research Programme, Centre for NanoMedicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117609 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yuanzhe Lin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117583 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Charles Kang Liang Lou
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 119228 Singapore, Singapore; Nanomedicine Translational Research Programme, Centre for NanoMedicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117609 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ayca Altay Benetti
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 117543 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xiaodong Yu
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 119228 Singapore, Singapore; Nanomedicine Translational Research Programme, Centre for NanoMedicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117609 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nicole Jia Ying Lim
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117599 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Michelle Siying Tan
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 119228 Singapore, Singapore; Nanomedicine Translational Research Programme, Centre for NanoMedicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117609 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hwee Ying Lim
- Immunology Translational Research Programme, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117456 Singapore, Singapore; Immunology Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, 117456 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sheau Yng Lim
- Immunology Translational Research Programme, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117456 Singapore, Singapore; Immunology Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, 117456 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chung Hwee Thiam
- Immunology Translational Research Programme, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117456 Singapore, Singapore; Immunology Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, 117456 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wen Donq Looi
- Bruker Daltonics, Bruker Singapore Pte. Ltd., 138671 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Olga Zharkova
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 119228 Singapore, Singapore; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117599 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nicholas W S Chew
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117599 Singapore, Singapore; Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre, National University Hospital, 119074 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Cheng Han Ng
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117599 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Glenn Kunnath Bonney
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 119228 Singapore, Singapore; Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, National University Hospital, 119074 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mark Muthiah
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117599 Singapore, Singapore; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, 119074 Singapore, Singapore; National University Centre for Organ Transplantation, National University Health System, 119074 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xiaoyuan Chen
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 119228 Singapore, Singapore; Nanomedicine Translational Research Programme, Centre for NanoMedicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117609 Singapore, Singapore; Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 119074 Singapore, Singapore; Departments of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117575 Singapore, Singapore; Clinical Imaging Research Centre, Centre for Translational Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117599 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Giorgia Pastorin
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 117543 Singapore, Singapore
| | - A Mark Richards
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117599 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Veronique Angeli
- Immunology Translational Research Programme, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117456 Singapore, Singapore; Immunology Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, 117456 Singapore, Singapore
| | - Gert Storm
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 119228 Singapore, Singapore; Nanomedicine Translational Research Programme, Centre for NanoMedicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117609 Singapore, Singapore; Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Biomaterials, Science and Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, 7522 NB Enschede, the Netherlands.
| | - Jiong-Wei Wang
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 119228 Singapore, Singapore; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117599 Singapore, Singapore; Nanomedicine Translational Research Programme, Centre for NanoMedicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117609 Singapore, Singapore; Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, 117593 Singapore, Singapore.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Xue L, Liu K, Yan C, Dun J, Xu Y, Wu L, Yang H, Liu H, Xie L, Wang G, Liang Y. Schisandra lignans ameliorate nonalcoholic steatohepatitis by regulating aberrant metabolism of phosphatidylethanolamines. Acta Pharm Sin B 2023; 13:3545-3560. [PMID: 37655337 PMCID: PMC10465965 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a spectrum of chronic liver disease characterized by hepatic lipid metabolism disorder. Recent reports emphasized the contribution of triglyceride and diglyceride accumulation to NASH, while the other lipids associated with the NASH pathogenesis remained unexplored. The specific purpose of our study was to explore a novel pathogenesis and treatment strategy of NASH via profiling the metabolic characteristics of lipids. Herein, multi-omics techniques based on LC-Q-TOF/MS, LC-MS/MS and MS imaging were developed and used to screen the action targets related to NASH progress and treatment. A methionine and choline deficient (MCD) diet-induced mouse model of NASH was then constructed, and Schisandra lignans extract (SLE) was applied to alleviate hepatic damage by regulating the lipid metabolism-related enzymes CES2A and CYP4A14. Hepatic lipidomics indicated that MCD-diet led to aberrant accumulation of phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs), and SLE could significantly reduce the accumulation of intrahepatic PEs. Notably, exogenous PE (18:0/18:1) was proved to significantly aggravate the mitochondrial damage and hepatocyte apoptosis. Supplementing PE (18:0/18:1) also deteriorated the NASH progress by up regulating intrahepatic proinflammatory and fibrotic factors, while PE synthase inhibitor exerted a prominent hepatoprotective role. The current work provides new insights into the relationship between PE metabolism and the pathogenesis of NASH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lijuan Xue
- Key Lab of Drug Metabolism & Pharmacokinetics, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Keanqi Liu
- Key Lab of Drug Metabolism & Pharmacokinetics, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Caixia Yan
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Drug Evaluation and Clinical Research, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Junling Dun
- Analytical Applications Center, Shimadzu (China) Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Yexin Xu
- Key Lab of Drug Metabolism & Pharmacokinetics, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Linlin Wu
- Key Lab of Drug Metabolism & Pharmacokinetics, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Huizhu Yang
- Key Lab of Drug Metabolism & Pharmacokinetics, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Huafang Liu
- Key Lab of Drug Metabolism & Pharmacokinetics, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Lin Xie
- Key Lab of Drug Metabolism & Pharmacokinetics, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Guangji Wang
- Key Lab of Drug Metabolism & Pharmacokinetics, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yan Liang
- Key Lab of Drug Metabolism & Pharmacokinetics, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Martins AMA, Paiva MUB, Paiva DVN, de Oliveira RM, Machado HL, Alves LJSR, Picossi CRC, Faccio AT, Tavares MFM, Barbas C, Giraldez VZR, Santos RD, Monte GU, Atik FA. Innovative Approaches to Assess Intermediate Cardiovascular Risk Subjects: A Review From Clinical to Metabolomics Strategies. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:788062. [PMID: 35004898 PMCID: PMC8727773 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.788062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Current risk stratification strategies for coronary artery disease (CAD) have low predictive value in asymptomatic subjects classified as intermediate cardiovascular risk. This is relevant because not all coronary events occur in individuals with traditional multiple risk factors. Most importantly, the first manifestation of the disease may be either sudden cardiac death or acute coronary syndrome, after rupture and thrombosis of an unstable non-obstructive atherosclerotic plaque, which was previously silent. The inaccurate stratification using the current models may ultimately subject the individual to excessive or insufficient preventive therapies. A breakthrough in the comprehension of the molecular mechanisms governing the atherosclerosis pathology has driven many researches toward the necessity for a better risk stratification. In this Review, we discuss how metabolomics screening integrated with traditional risk assessments becomes a powerful approach to improve non-invasive CAD subclinical diagnostics. In addition, this Review highlights the findings of metabolomics studies performed by two relevant analytical platforms in current use-mass spectrometry (MS) hyphenated to separation techniques and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) -and evaluates critically the challenges for further clinical implementation of metabolomics data. We also discuss the modern understanding of the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and the limitations of traditional analytical methods. Our aim is to show how discriminant metabolites originated from metabolomics approaches may become promising candidate molecules to aid intermediate risk patient stratification for cardiovascular events and how these tools could successfully meet the demands to translate cardiovascular metabolic biomarkers into clinical settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aline M. A. Martins
- Centre of Metabolomics and Bioanalysis (CEMBIO), San Pablo CEU University, Madrid, Spain
- School of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
- School of Medicine, University Center of Brasilia (UniCeub), Brasilia, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Henrique L. Machado
- School of Medicine, University Center of Brasilia (UniCeub), Brasilia, Brazil
| | | | - Carolina R. C. Picossi
- Centre of Metabolomics and Bioanalysis (CEMBIO), San Pablo CEU University, Madrid, Spain
- Center for Multiplatform Metabolomics Studies (CEMM), University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Andréa T. Faccio
- Center for Multiplatform Metabolomics Studies (CEMM), University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marina F. M. Tavares
- Center for Multiplatform Metabolomics Studies (CEMM), University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Coral Barbas
- Centre of Metabolomics and Bioanalysis (CEMBIO), San Pablo CEU University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Viviane Z. R. Giraldez
- Lipid Clinic, Heart Institute (InCor), University of Sao Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Raul D. Santos
- Lipid Clinic, Heart Institute (InCor), University of Sao Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Guilherme U. Monte
- Department of Heart Transplant, Federal District Institute of Cardiology (ICDF), Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Fernando A. Atik
- School of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
- Department of Heart Transplant, Federal District Institute of Cardiology (ICDF), Brasilia, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|