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Li T, Wu Y, Yang J, Jing J, Ma C, Sun L. N6-methyladenosine-associated genetic variants in NECTIN2 and HPCAL1 are risk factors for abdominal aortic aneurysm. iScience 2024; 27:109419. [PMID: 38510151 PMCID: PMC10952030 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Although N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification has been implicated in the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), the relationship between m6A-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (m6A-SNPs) and AAA remains unknown. This study used integrative multi-omics analysis and clinical validation approaches to systematically identify potential m6A-SNPs connected with AAA risk. We found that rs6859 and rs10198139 could modulate the expression of local genes, NECTIN2 and HPCAL1, respectively, which exhibited upregulation in AAA tissues, and their risk variants were significantly correlated with an increased susceptibility to AAA. Incorporating rs6859 and rs10198139 improved the efficiency of AAA risk prediction compared to the model considering only conventional risk factors. Additionally, these two SNPs were predicted to be located within the regulatory sequences, and rs6859 showed a substantial impact on m6A modification levels. Our findings suggest that m6A-SNPs rs6859 and rs10198139 confer an elevated risk of AAA, possibly by promoting local gene expression through an m6A-mediated manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tan Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Ultrasound, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Imaging in Liaoning Province, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Yijun Wu
- Tumor Etiology and Screening Department of Cancer Institute and General Surgery, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Etiology and Prevention in Liaoning Education Department, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Jun Yang
- Department of Cardiovascular Ultrasound, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Imaging in Liaoning Province, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Jingjing Jing
- Tumor Etiology and Screening Department of Cancer Institute and General Surgery, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Etiology and Prevention in Liaoning Education Department, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Chunyan Ma
- Department of Cardiovascular Ultrasound, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center of Imaging in Liaoning Province, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Liping Sun
- Tumor Etiology and Screening Department of Cancer Institute and General Surgery, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Etiology and Prevention in Liaoning Education Department, the First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
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Raghavan A, Pirruccello JP, Ellinor PT, Lindsay ME. Using Genomics to Identify Novel Therapeutic Targets for Aortic Disease. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2024; 44:334-351. [PMID: 38095107 PMCID: PMC10843699 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.318771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
Aortic disease, including dissection, aneurysm, and rupture, carries significant morbidity and mortality and is a notable cause of sudden cardiac death. Much of our knowledge regarding the genetic basis of aortic disease has relied on the study of individuals with Mendelian aortopathies and, until recently, the genetic determinants of population-level variance in aortic phenotypes remained unclear. However, the application of machine learning methodologies to large imaging datasets has enabled researchers to rapidly define aortic traits and mine dozens of novel genetic associations for phenotypes such as aortic diameter and distensibility. In this review, we highlight the emerging potential of genomics for identifying causal genes and candidate drug targets for aortic disease. We describe how deep learning technologies have accelerated the pace of genetic discovery in this field. We then provide a blueprint for translating genetic associations to biological insights, reviewing techniques for locus and cell type prioritization, high-throughput functional screening, and disease modeling using cellular and animal models of aortic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avanthi Raghavan
- Cardiology Division, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - James P. Pirruccello
- Division of Cardiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Patrick T. Ellinor
- Cardiology Division, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mark E. Lindsay
- Cardiology Division, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Ma Y, Li D, Cui F, Wang J, Tang L, Yang Y, Liu R, Tian Y. Air pollutants, genetic susceptibility, and abdominal aortic aneurysm risk: a prospective study. Eur Heart J 2024:ehad886. [PMID: 38241289 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehad886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Air pollutants are important contributors to cardiovascular diseases, but associations between long-term exposure to air pollutants and the risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) are still unknown. METHODS This study was conducted using a sample of 449 463 participants from the UK Biobank. Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the risk of AAA incidence associated with long-term exposure to air pollutants were estimated using the Cox proportional hazards model with time-varying exposure measurements. Additionally, the cumulative incidence of AAA was calculated by using the Fine and Grey sub-distribution hazards regression model. Furthermore, this study investigated the combined effects and interactions between air pollutants exposure and genetic predisposition in relation to the risk of AAA onset. RESULTS Long-term exposure to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <2.5 µm [PM2.5, 1.21 (1.16, 1.27)], particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <10 µm [PM10, 1.21 (1.16, 1.27)], nitrogen dioxide [NO2, 1.16 (1.11, 1.22)], and nitrogen oxides [NOx, 1.10 (1.05, 1.15)] was found to be associated with an elevated risk of AAA onset. The detrimental effects of air pollutants persisted even in participants with low-level exposure. For the joint associations, participants with both high levels of air pollutants exposure and high genetic risk had a higher risk of developing AAA compared with those with low concentrations of pollutants exposure and low genetic risk. The respective risk estimates for AAA incidence were 3.18 (2.46, 4.12) for PM2.5, 3.09 (2.39, 4.00) for PM10, 2.41 (1.86, 3.13) for NO2, and 2.01 (1.55, 2.61) for NOx. CONCLUSIONS In this study, long-term air pollutants exposure was associated with an increased risk of AAA incidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yudiyang Ma
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, China
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Dankang Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, China
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Feipeng Cui
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, China
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Jianing Wang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, China
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Linxi Tang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, China
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yingping Yang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, China
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Run Liu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, China
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yaohua Tian
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, China
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan 430030, China
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von Kodolitsch Y, Kubisch C, Carrel T. AATD as a genetic risk factor for aneurysmal disease - Authors' reply. Lancet 2023; 402:1626. [PMID: 37925199 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(23)01746-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yskert von Kodolitsch
- Department of Vascular Medicine, German Aortic Center, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christian Kubisch
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Thierry Carrel
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Zürich, Zürich 8091, Switzerland.
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Lu L, Jin Y, Tong Y, Xiao L, Hou Y, Liu Z, Dou H. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells promote the formation of abdominal aortic aneurysms through the IL-3-ICOSL-ICOS axis. BBA ADVANCES 2023; 4:100103. [PMID: 37705722 PMCID: PMC10495679 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadva.2023.100103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Th17 cells are powerful inflammation promoters in the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) can promote the differentiation of Th17 cells in chronic inflammatory autoimmune injury. Here, we aim to examine whether MDSCs regulate the differentiation of Th17 cells to participate in the development of AAA. We demonstrated an abnormal accumulation of MDSCs in AAA patients, which was positively associated with Th17 cells. We established angiotensin II-induced apolipoprotein E knockout mice and found the impaired immunosuppressive function of M-MDSCs. After systemic injection of anti-Gr-1 antibody in AAA mice to deplete circulating MDSCs, AAA formation and the differentiation of Th17 cells were abolished, and the overexpression of inducible T-cell costimulator (ICOS) on Th17 cells was reversed accordingly. Regulating the expression of ICOS ligand (ICOSL) on MDSCs affects the differentiation of Th17 cells. The adoptive transfer of ICOSLlowMDSCs in AAA mice inhibited the differentiation of Th17 cells and the development of AAA. Meanwhile, rIL-3 promoted the survival and immunosuppressive dysfunction of MDSCs, upregulated ICOSL expression on MDSCs by inhibiting activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and regulated MDSCs to promote the differentiation of Th17 cells via the ICOSL-ICOS axis. An increase in serum IL-3, ICOSL+MDSCs, and ICOS+Th17 cells was detected in AAA patients, and IL-3 levels were positively correlated with the proportion of ICOSL+MDSC cells. In conclusion, we uncovered a pivotal role of MDSCs in promoting the differentiation of Th17 cells through the IL-3-ICOSL-ICOS axis during AAA, providing an important theoretical basis for understanding the pathogenesis of AAA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Lu
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Division of Immunology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yi Jin
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Nanjing University Medical School Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuanhao Tong
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Nanjing University Medical School Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Lun Xiao
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Nanjing University Medical School Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Yayi Hou
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Division of Immunology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhao Liu
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Nanjing University Medical School Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Huan Dou
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Division of Immunology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing, China
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6
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Costa D, Andreucci M, Ielapi N, Serraino GF, Mastroroberto P, Bracale UM, Serra R. Vascular Biology of arterial aneurysms. Ann Vasc Surg 2023:S0890-5096(23)00225-X. [PMID: 37068624 DOI: 10.1016/j.avsg.2023.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This review aims to analyze biomolecular and cellular events responsible for arterial aneurysm formation with particular attention to vascular remodeling that determines the initiation and the progression of arterial aneurysm, till rupture. METHODS This review was conducted searching libraries such as Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect and Medline. Used keywords with various combinations were: "arterial aneurysms", "biology", "genetics", "proteomics", "molecular", "pathophysiology" and extracellular matrix" RESULTS: There are several genetic alterations responsible of syndromic and non-syndromic disease that predispose to aneurysm formation. ECM imbalance, mainly due to the alteration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) homeostasis, overexpression of metalloproteinases (MPs) and cytokines activation, determines weakness of the arterial wall that dilates thus causing aneurysmal disease. Altered mechanotransduction in the ECM may also trigger and sustain anomalous cellular and biochemical signaling. Different cell population such as VSMCs, macrophages, perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) cells, vascular wall resident stem cells (VWRSCs) are all involved at different levels CONCLUSIONS: Improving knowledge in vascular biology may help researchers and physicians in better targeting aneurysmal disease in order to better prevent and better treat such important disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Costa
- Department of Law, Economics and Sociology, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; Interuniversity Center of Phlebolymphology (CIFL), International Research and Educational Program in Clinical and Experimental Biotechnology. University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Michele Andreucci
- Department of Health Sciences. University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro. 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Nicola Ielapi
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Disease, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Filiberto Serraino
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine. University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro. 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Pasquale Mastroroberto
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine. University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro. 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | | | - Raffaele Serra
- Interuniversity Center of Phlebolymphology (CIFL), International Research and Educational Program in Clinical and Experimental Biotechnology. University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences. University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro. 88100, Catanzaro, Italy.
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7
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The SNP rs4591246 in pri-miR-1-3p is associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm risk by regulating cell phenotypic transformation via the miR-1-3p/TLR4 axis. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 118:110016. [PMID: 36931173 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Emerging evidence reveals that single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) within miRNAs can affect the risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, the role of miRNA SNPs in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is unclear. This study aimed to determine the association between SNPs in pri-miR-1-3p and AAA risk, as well as its underlying molecular mechanism. SNP genotyping was performed in 335 AAA patients and 335 controls using the KASP method and tissue miR-1-3p expression was measured by qRT-PCR. The biological effects of significant SNP were validated using in vitro studies. We found that the rs4591246 variant genotype was correlated with increased AAA risk and tissue miR-1-3p expression was reduced in AAA patients as compared with control subjects. An in silico approach predicted that the rs4591246 polymorphism altered the secondary structure and stability of pri-miR-1-3p, and in vitro evidence suggested that the rs4591246 polymorphism affected mature miR-1-3p expression. And luciferase assays verified TLR4 as a direct target gene of miR-1-3p. Further functional experiments demonstrated that the rs4591246 variant genotype could promote Ang II-induced cell phenotypic switching by suppressing mature miR-1-3p expression and in turn upregulating TLR4 expression, but this effect was rescued in the presence of TLR4 siRNA. In conclusion, as a promising genetic biomarker for AAA susceptibility, the SNP rs4591246 may exert its effects on AAA risk by regulating cell phenotypic transformation via the miR-1-3p/TLR4 axis.
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Abstract
Abdominal aortic aneurysm is a potentially lethal condition that is decreasing in frequency as tobacco use declines. The exact etiology remains unknown, but smoking and other perturbations seem to trigger an inflammatory state in the tunica media. Male sex and advanced age are clear demographic risk factors for the development of abdominal aortic aneurysms. The natural history of this disease varies, but screening remains vital as it is rarely diagnosed on physical examination, and elective repair (most commonly done endovascularly) offers significant morbidity and mortality advantages over emergent intervention for aortic rupture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Calgi
- University of Virginia School of Medicine, 200 Jeanette Lancaster Way, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - John S McNeil
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, PO Box 800710, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0710, USA.
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9
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Lu S, White JV, Nwaneshiudu I, Nwaneshiudu A, Monos DS, Solomides CC, Oleszak EL, Platsoucas CD. Human abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA): Evidence for an autoimmune antigen-driven disease. Clin Exp Rheumatol 2022; 21:103164. [PMID: 35926768 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2022.103164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Abdominal aortic aneurism (AAA) is a complex immunological disease with a strong genetic component, and one of the ten leading causes of death of individuals 55-74 years old worldwide. Strong evidence has been accumulated suggesting that AAA is an autoimmune specific antigen-driven disease. Mononuclear cells infiltrating AAA lesions comprised of T and B lymphocytes and other cells expressing early-, intermediate- and late-activation antigens, and the presence of antigen-presenting cells have been documented, demonstrating an ongoing immune response. The three components of the trimolecular complex, T-cell receptor (TCR)/peptide (antigen)/HLA have been identified in AAA, and specifically: (i) clonal expansions of T-cell clones in AAA lesions; (ii) the association of AAA with particular HLA Class I and Class II; and (iii) self or nonself putative AAA-associated antigens. IgG autoantibodies recognizing proteins present in normal aortic tissue have been reported in patients with AAA. Molecular mimicry, defined as the sharing of antigenic epitopes between microorganisms (bacteria, viruses) and self antigens, maybe is responsible for T-cell responses and antibody production in AAA. Also, the frequency and the suppressor activity of CD4 + CD25 + FOXP3+ Tregs and the expression of FOXP3 transcripts and protein have been reported to be significantly impaired in AAA patients vs normal donors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Lu
- Mon Health Medical Center, Department of Pathology, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - John V White
- Department of Surgery, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital & University of Illinois School of Medicine, Park Ridge, IL, USA
| | - Ifeyinwa Nwaneshiudu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Adaobi Nwaneshiudu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Cutis Wellness Dermatology and Dermatopathology PLLC, Laredo, TX, USA
| | - Dimitri S Monos
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Charalambos C Solomides
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Emilia L Oleszak
- Department of Biological Sciences and Center for Molecular Medicine, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Chris D Platsoucas
- Department of Biological Sciences and Center for Molecular Medicine, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA.
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Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Formation with a Focus on Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12020191. [PMID: 35207478 PMCID: PMC8880357 DOI: 10.3390/life12020191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a lethal degenerative vascular disease that affects, mostly, the elder population, with a high mortality rate (>80%) upon rupture. It features a dilation of the aortic diameter to larger than 30 mm or more than 50%. Diverse pathological processes are involved in the development of AAA, including aortic wall inflammation, elastin breakdown, oxidative stress, smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotypic switching and dysfunction, and extracellular matrix degradation. With open surgery being the only therapeutic option up to date, the lack of pharmaceutical treatment approach calls for identifying novel and effective targets and further understanding the pathological process of AAA. Both lifestyle and genetic predisposition have an important role in increasing the risk of AAA. Several cell types are closely related to the pathogenesis of AAA. Among them, vascular SMCs (VSMCs) are gaining much attention as a critical contributor for AAA initiation and/or progression. In this review, we summarize what is known about AAA, including the risk factors, the pathophysiology, and the established animal models of AAA. In particular, we focus on the VSMC phenotypic switching and dysfunction in AAA formation. Further understanding the regulation of VSMC phenotypic changes may provide novel therapeutic targets for the treatment or prevention of AAA.
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11
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Mangum K, Gallagher K, Davis FM. The Role of Epigenetic Modifications in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Pathogenesis. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12020172. [PMID: 35204673 PMCID: PMC8961599 DOI: 10.3390/biom12020172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening disease associated with high morbidity and mortality in the setting of acute rupture. Recently, advances in surgical and endovascular repair of AAA have been achieved; however, pharmaceutical therapies to prevent AAA expansion and rupture remain lacking. This highlights an ongoing need to improve the understanding the pathological mechanisms that initiate formation, maintain growth, and promote rupture of AAA. Over the past decade, epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation, posttranslational histone modifications, and non-coding RNA, have emerged as important regulators of cellular function. Accumulating studies reveal the importance of epigenetic enzymes in the dynamic regulation of key signaling pathways that alter cellular phenotypes and have emerged as major intracellular players in a wide range of biological processes. In this review, we discuss the roles and implications of epigenetic modifications in AAA animal models and their relevance to human AAA pathology.
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