1
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Xin Y, Zhang Z, Lv S, Xu S, Liu A, Li H, Li P, Han H, Liu Y. Elucidating VSMC phenotypic transition mechanisms to bridge insights into cardiovascular disease implications. Front Cardiovasc Med 2024; 11:1400780. [PMID: 38803664 PMCID: PMC11128571 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1400780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death worldwide, despite advances in understanding cardiovascular health. Significant barriers still exist in effectively preventing and managing these diseases. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are crucial for maintaining vascular integrity and can switch between contractile and synthetic functions in response to stimuli such as hypoxia and inflammation. These transformations play a pivotal role in the progression of cardiovascular diseases, facilitating vascular modifications and disease advancement. This article synthesizes the current understanding of the mechanisms and signaling pathways regulating VSMC phenotypic transitions, highlighting their potential as therapeutic targets in cardiovascular disease interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuning Xin
- Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Zipei Zhang
- Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Shan Lv
- Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Shan Xu
- Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Aidong Liu
- Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Hongyu Li
- Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Pengfei Li
- Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Huize Han
- Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Yinghui Liu
- Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
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2
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Lei C, Kan H, Xian X, Chen W, Xiang W, Song X, Wu J, Yang D, Zheng Y. FAM3A reshapes VSMC fate specification in abdominal aortic aneurysm by regulating KLF4 ubiquitination. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5360. [PMID: 37660071 PMCID: PMC10475135 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41177-x] [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: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Reprogramming of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) differentiation plays an essential role in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). However, the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. We explore the expression of FAM3A, a newly identified metabolic cytokine, and whether and how FAM3A regulates VSMC differentiation in AAA. We discover that FAM3A is decreased in the aortas and plasma in AAA patients and murine models. Overexpression or supplementation of FAM3A significantly attenuate the AAA formation, manifested by maintenance of the well-differentiated VSMC status and inhibition of VSMC transformation toward macrophage-, chondrocyte-, osteogenic-, mesenchymal-, and fibroblast-like cell subpopulations. Importantly, FAM3A induces KLF4 ubiquitination and reduces its phosphorylation and nuclear localization. Here, we report FAM3A as a VSMC fate-shaping regulator in AAA and reveal the underlying mechanism associated with KLF4 ubiquitination and stability, which may lead to the development of strategies based on FAM3A to restore VSMC homeostasis in AAA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuxiang Lei
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Haoxuan Kan
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Xiangyu Xian
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Wenlin Chen
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Wenxuan Xiang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Xiaohong Song
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
- State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Jianqiang Wu
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
- State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Dan Yang
- Department of Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Haidian District, Beijing, 100193, China.
| | - Yuehong Zheng
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China.
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3
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Anderson JR, Morin EE, Brayer KJ, Salbato S, Gonzalez Bosc LV, Kanagy NL, Naik JS. Single-cell transcriptomic heterogeneity between conduit and resistance mesenteric arteries in rats. Physiol Genomics 2023; 55:179-193. [PMID: 36912534 PMCID: PMC10085562 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00126.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The endothelium contains morphologically similar cells throughout the vasculature, but individual cells along the length of a single vascular tree or in different regional circulations function dissimilarly. When observations made in large arteries are extrapolated to explain the function of endothelial cells (ECs) in the resistance vasculature, only a fraction of these observations are consistent between artery sizes. To what extent endothelial (EC) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from different arteriolar segments of the same tissue differ phenotypically at the single-cell level remains unknown. Therefore, single-cell RNA-seq (10x Genomics) was performed using a 10X Genomics Chromium system. Cells were enzymatically digested from large (>300 µm) and small (<150 µm) mesenteric arteries from nine adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, pooled to create six samples (3 rats/sample, 3 samples/group). After normalized integration, the dataset was scaled before unsupervised cell clustering and cluster visualization using UMAP plots. Differential gene expression analysis allowed us to infer the biological identity of different clusters. Our analysis revealed 630 and 641 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between conduit and resistance arteries for ECs and VSMCs, respectively. Gene ontology analysis (GO-Biological Processes, GOBP) of scRNA-seq data discovered 562 and 270 pathways for ECs and VSMCs, respectively, that differed between large and small arteries. We identified eight and seven unique ECs and VSMCs subpopulations, respectively, with DEGs and pathways identified for each cluster. These results and this dataset allow the discovery and support of novel hypotheses needed to identify mechanisms that determine the phenotypic heterogeneity between conduit and resistance arteries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob R Anderson
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
| | - Emily E Morin
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
| | - Kathryn J Brayer
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
| | - Sophia Salbato
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
| | - Laura V Gonzalez Bosc
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
| | - Nancy L Kanagy
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
| | - Jay S Naik
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
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4
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Ho D, Lynd TO, Jun C, Shin J, Millican RC, Estep BK, Chen J, Zhang X, Brott BC, Kim DW, Sherwood JA, Hwang PTJ. MiR-146a encapsulated liposomes reduce vascular inflammatory responses through decrease of ICAM-1 expression, macrophage activation, and foam cell formation. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:3461-3474. [PMID: 36723042 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr03280e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Vascular insults can create an inflammatory cascade involving endothelial cell, smooth muscle cell, and macrophage activation which can eventually lead to vascular disease such as atherosclerosis. Several studies have identified microRNA 146a's (miR-146a) anti-inflammatory potential based on its role in regulating the nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κβ) pathway. Therefore, in this study, we introduced exogenous miR-146a encapsulated by liposomes to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated vascular cells and macrophages to reduce inflammatory responses. First, the miR-146a encapsulated liposomes showed uniform size (radius 96.4 ± 4.22 nm) and round shape, long term stability (at least two months), high encapsulation efficiency (69.73 ± 0.07%), and were well transfected to human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs), human aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and human differentiated monocytes (U937 cells). In addition, we demonstrated that miR-146a encapsulated liposomes reduced vascular inflammation responses in HAECs and SMCs through inhibition of ICAM-1 expression and decreased monocyte adhesion. In macrophages, miR-146a liposome treatment demonstrated decreased production of proinflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), as well as reduced oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) uptake and foam cell formation. Thus, based on these results, miR-146a encapsulated liposomes may be promising for reducing vascular inflammation by targeting its multiple associated mediators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald Ho
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Tyler O Lynd
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Claire Jun
- School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Juhee Shin
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brain Research Institute, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, 35015, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Benjamin K Estep
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Jun Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Xixi Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Brigitta C Brott
- Endomimetics, LLC, Birmingham, AL, 35242, USA.
- Department of Medicine and Division of Cardiovascular Disease, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Dong Woon Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brain Research Institute, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, 35015, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Patrick T J Hwang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
- Endomimetics, LLC, Birmingham, AL, 35242, USA.
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5
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Sellahewa SG, Li JY, Xiao Q. Updated Perspectives on Direct Vascular Cellular Reprogramming and Their Potential Applications in Tissue Engineered Vascular Grafts. J Funct Biomater 2022; 14:21. [PMID: 36662068 PMCID: PMC9866165 DOI: 10.3390/jfb14010021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease is a globally prevalent disease with far-reaching medical and socio-economic consequences. Although improvements in treatment pathways and revascularisation therapies have slowed disease progression, contemporary management fails to modulate the underlying atherosclerotic process and sustainably replace damaged arterial tissue. Direct cellular reprogramming is a rapidly evolving and innovative tissue regenerative approach that holds promise to restore functional vasculature and restore blood perfusion. The approach utilises cell plasticity to directly convert somatic cells to another cell fate without a pluripotent stage. In this narrative literature review, we comprehensively analyse and compare direct reprogramming protocols to generate endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells and vascular progenitors. Specifically, we carefully examine the reprogramming factors, their molecular mechanisms, conversion efficacies and therapeutic benefits for each induced vascular cell. Attention is given to the application of these novel approaches with tissue engineered vascular grafts as a therapeutic and disease-modelling platform for cardiovascular diseases. We conclude with a discussion on the ethics of direct reprogramming, its current challenges, and future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saneth Gavishka Sellahewa
- William Harvey Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Jojo Yijiao Li
- William Harvey Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Qingzhong Xiao
- William Harvey Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, China
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6
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Yap C, Mieremet A, de Vries CJ, Micha D, de Waard V. Six Shades of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Illuminated by KLF4 (Krüppel-Like Factor 4). Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2021; 41:2693-2707. [PMID: 34470477 PMCID: PMC8545254 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.121.316600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Multiple layers of vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) are present in blood vessels forming the media of the vessel wall. vSMCs provide a vessel wall structure, enabling it to contract and relax, thus modulating blood flow. They also play a crucial role in the development of vascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis and aortic aneurysm formation. vSMCs display a remarkable high degree of plasticity. At present, the number of different vSMC phenotypes has only partially been characterized. By mapping vSMC phenotypes in detail and identifying triggers for phenotype switching, the relevance of the different phenotypes in vascular disease may be identified. Up until recently, vSMCs were classified as either contractile or dedifferentiated (ie, synthetic). However, single-cell RNA sequencing studies revealed such dedifferentiated arterial vSMCs to be highly diverse. Currently, no consensus exist about the number of vSMC phenotypes. Therefore, we reviewed the data from relevant single-cell RNA sequencing studies, and classified a total of 6 vSMC phenotypes. The central dedifferentiated vSMC type that we classified is the mesenchymal-like phenotype. Mesenchymal-like vSMCs subsequently seem to differentiate into fibroblast-like, macrophage-like, osteogenic-like, and adipocyte-like vSMCs, which contribute differentially to vascular disease. This phenotype switching between vSMCs requires the transcription factor KLF4 (Kruppel-like factor 4). Here, we performed an integrated analysis of the data about the recently identified vSMC phenotypes, their associated gene expression profiles, and previous vSMC knowledge to better understand the role of vSMC phenotype transitions in vascular pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Yap
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Location Academic Medical Center, The Netherlands (C.Y., A.M., C.J.M.d.V., V.d.W.)
| | - Arnout Mieremet
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Location Academic Medical Center, The Netherlands (C.Y., A.M., C.J.M.d.V., V.d.W.)
| | - Carlie J.M. de Vries
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Location Academic Medical Center, The Netherlands (C.Y., A.M., C.J.M.d.V., V.d.W.)
| | - Dimitra Micha
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Location VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (D.M.)
| | - Vivian de Waard
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Location Academic Medical Center, The Netherlands (C.Y., A.M., C.J.M.d.V., V.d.W.)
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7
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Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) have long been associated with phenotypic modulation/plasticity or dedifferentiation. Innovative technologies in cell lineage tracing, single-cell RNA sequencing, and human genomics have been integrated to gain unprecedented insights into the molecular reprogramming of VSMCs to other cell phenotypes in experimental and clinical atherosclerosis. The current thinking is that an apparently small subset of contractile VSMCs undergoes a fate switch to transitional, multipotential cells that can adopt plaque-destabilizing (inflammation, ossification) or plaque-stabilizing (collagen matrix deposition) cell states. Several candidate mediators of such VSMC fate and state changes are coming to light with intriguing implications for understanding coronary artery disease risk and the development of new treatment modalities. Here, we briefly summarize some technical and conceptual advancements derived from 2 publications in Circulation and another in Nature Medicine that, collectively, illuminate new research directions to further explore the role of VSMCs in atherosclerotic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M Miano
- Department of Medicine and Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University (J.M.M.)
| | - Edward A Fisher
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine (E.A.F.)
| | - Mark W Majesky
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle Children's Research Institute (M.W.M.)
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8
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Espinosa-Diez C, Mandi V, Du M, Liu M, Gomez D. Smooth muscle cells in atherosclerosis: clones but not carbon copies. JVS Vasc Sci 2021; 2:136-148. [PMID: 34617064 PMCID: PMC8489213 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvssci.2021.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Our knowledge of the contribution of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) to atherosclerosis has greatly advanced in the previous decade with the development of techniques allowing for the unambiguous identification and phenotypic characterization of SMC populations within the diseased vascular wall. By performing fate mapping or single-cell transcriptomics studies, or a combination of both, the field has made key observations: SMCs populate atherosclerotic lesions by the selective expansion and investment of a limited number of medial SMCs, which undergo profound and diverse modifications of their original phenotype and function. Thus, if SMCs residing within atherosclerotic lesions and contributing to the disease are clones, they are not carbon copies and can play atheroprotective or atheropromoting roles, depending on the nature of their phenotypic transitions. Tremendous progress has been made in identifying the transcriptional mechanisms biasing SMC fate. In the present review, we have summarized the recent advances in characterizing SMC investment and phenotypic diversity and the molecular mechanisms controlling SMC fate in atherosclerotic lesions. We have also discussed some of the remaining questions associated with these breakthrough observations. These questions include the underlying mechanisms regulating the phenomenon of SMC oligoclonal expansion; whether single-cell transcriptomics is reliable and sufficient to ascertain SMC functions and contributions during atherosclerosis development and progression; and how SMC clonality and phenotypic plasticity affects translational research and the therapeutic approaches developed to prevent atherosclerosis complications. Finally, we have discussed the complementary approaches the field should lean toward by combining single-cell phenotypic categorization and functional studies to understand further the complex SMC behavior and contribution in atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Espinosa-Diez
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, Blood, and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa
| | - Varun Mandi
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, Blood, and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa
| | - Mingyuan Du
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, Blood, and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa,Department of Vascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Mingjun Liu
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, Blood, and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa,Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa
| | - Delphine Gomez
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, Blood, and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa,Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa,Correspondence: Delphine Gomez, PhD, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop St, Biomedical Science Tower, Rm 1723, Pittsburgh, PA 15261
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9
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Dhagia V, Kitagawa A, Jacob C, Zheng C, D'Alessandro A, Edwards JG, Rocic P, Gupte R, Gupte SA. G6PD activity contributes to the regulation of histone acetylation and gene expression in smooth muscle cells and to the pathogenesis of vascular diseases. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2021; 320:H999-H1016. [PMID: 33416454 PMCID: PMC7988761 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00488.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
We aimed to determine 1) the mechanism(s) that enables glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) to regulate serum response factor (SRF)- and myocardin (MYOCD)-driven smooth muscle cell (SMC)-restricted gene expression, a process that aids in the differentiation of SMCs, and 2) whether G6PD-mediated metabolic reprogramming contributes to the pathogenesis of vascular diseases in metabolic syndrome (MetS). Inhibition of G6PD activity increased (>30%) expression of SMC-restricted genes and concurrently decreased (40%) the growth of human and rat SMCs ex vivo. Expression of SMC-restricted genes decreased (>100-fold) across successive passages in primary cultures of SMCs isolated from mouse aorta. G6PD inhibition increased Myh11 (47%) while decreasing (>50%) Sca-1, a stem cell marker, in cells passaged seven times. Similarly, CRISPR-Cas9-mediated expression of the loss-of-function Mediterranean variant of G6PD (S188F; G6PDS188F) in rats promoted transcription of SMC-restricted genes. G6PD knockdown or inhibition decreased (48.5%) histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity, enriched (by 3-fold) H3K27ac on the Myocd promoter, and increased Myocd and Myh11 expression. Interestingly, G6PD activity was significantly higher in aortas from JCR rats with MetS than control Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Treating JCR rats with epiandrosterone (30 mg/kg/day), a G6PD inhibitor, increased expression of SMC-restricted genes, suppressed Serpine1 and Epha4, and reduced blood pressure. Moreover, feeding SD control (littermates) and G6PDS188F rats a high-fat diet for 4 mo increased Serpine1 and Epha4 expression and mean arterial pressure in SD but not G6PDS188F rats. Our findings demonstrate that G6PD downregulates transcription of SMC-restricted genes through HDAC-dependent deacetylation and potentially augments the severity of vascular diseases associated with MetS.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study gives detailed mechanistic insight about the regulation of smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotype by metabolic reprogramming and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) in diabetes and metabolic syndrome. We demonstrate that G6PD controls the chromatin modifications by regulating histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity, which deacetylates histone 3-lysine 9 and 27. Notably, inhibition of G6PD decreases HDAC activity and enriches H3K27ac on myocardin gene promoter to enhance the expression of SMC-restricted genes. Also, we demonstrate for the first time that G6PD inhibitor treatment accentuates metabolic and transcriptomic reprogramming to reduce neointimal formation in coronary artery and large artery elastance in metabolic syndrome rats.
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MESH Headings
- Acetylation
- Animals
- Cell Line
- Disease Models, Animal
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase/genetics
- Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase/metabolism
- Hemodynamics
- Histones/metabolism
- Humans
- Male
- Metabolic Syndrome/enzymology
- Metabolic Syndrome/genetics
- Metabolic Syndrome/pathology
- Metabolic Syndrome/physiopathology
- Mice, Transgenic
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/enzymology
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/pathology
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/physiopathology
- Mutation
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/enzymology
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/pathology
- Myosin Heavy Chains/genetics
- Myosin Heavy Chains/metabolism
- Nuclear Proteins/genetics
- Nuclear Proteins/metabolism
- Protein Processing, Post-Translational
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Serum Response Factor/genetics
- Serum Response Factor/metabolism
- Trans-Activators/genetics
- Trans-Activators/metabolism
- Transcription Factors/genetics
- Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Vascular Remodeling
- Rats
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Affiliation(s)
- Vidhi Dhagia
- Department of Pharmacology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
- Department of Physiology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
| | - Atsushi Kitagawa
- Department of Pharmacology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
- Department of Physiology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
| | - Christina Jacob
- Department of Pharmacology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
- Department of Physiology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
| | - Connie Zheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Angelo D'Alessandro
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - John G Edwards
- Department of Physiology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
| | - Petra Rocic
- Department of Pharmacology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
- Department of Physiology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
| | - Rakhee Gupte
- Raadysan Biotech., Incorporated, Fishkill, New York
| | - Sachin A Gupte
- Department of Pharmacology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
- Department of Physiology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
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10
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Xu Y, Liang C, Luo Y, Zhang T. MBNL1 regulates isoproterenol-induced myocardial remodelling in vitro and in vivo. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:1100-1115. [PMID: 33295096 PMCID: PMC7812249 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Myocardial remodelling is a common phenomenon in cardiovascular diseases, which threaten human health and the quality of life. Due to the lack of effective early diagnosis and treatment methods, the molecular mechanism of myocardial remodelling should be explored in depth. In this study, we observed the high expression of MBNL1 in cardiac tissue and peripheral blood of an isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiac hypertrophy mouse model. MBNL1 promoted ISO-induced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis by stabilizing Myocardin mRNA in vivo and in vitro. Meanwhile, an increase in MBNL1 may induce the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes treated with ISO via TNF-α signalling. Interestingly, MBNL1 can be activated by p300 in cardiomyocytes treated with ISO. At last, Myocardin can reverse activate the expression of MBNL1. These results suggest that MBNL1 may be a potential target for the early diagnosis and clinical treatment of myocardial remodelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Xu
- College of Life Sciences and HealthWuhan University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Chen Liang
- College of Life Sciences and HealthWuhan University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Ying Luo
- College of Biological Science and TechnologyHubei Minzu UniversityEnshiChina
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Occurrence and Intervention of Rheumatic diseasesHubei Minzu UniversityEnshiChina
| | - Tongcun Zhang
- College of Life Sciences and HealthWuhan University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
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11
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Yang C, Xiao X, Huang L, Zhou F, Chen LH, Zhao YY, Qu SL, Zhang C. Role of Kruppel-like factor 4 in atherosclerosis. Clin Chim Acta 2020; 512:135-141. [PMID: 33181148 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2020.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is one of the chronic progressive diseases, which is caused by vascular injury and promoted by the interaction of various inflammatory factors and inflammatory cells. In recent years, kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), a significant transcription factor that participated in cell growth, differentiation and proliferation, has been proved to cause substantial impacts on regulating cardiovascular disease. This paper will give a comprehensive summary to highlight KLF4 as a crucial regulator of foam cell formation, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) phenotypic transformation, macrophage polarization, endothelial cells inflammation, lymphocyte differentiation and cell proliferation in the process of atherosclerosis. Recent studies show that KLF4 may be an important "molecular switch" in the process of improving vascular injury and inflammation under harmful stimulation, suggesting that KLF4 is a latent disease biomarker for the therapeutic target of atherosclerosis and vascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Yang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuan Xiao
- Research Lab for Clinical & Translational Medicine, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Liang Huang
- Research Lab for Clinical & Translational Medicine, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Zhou
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin-Hui Chen
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Yan Zhao
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Shun-Lin Qu
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Chi Zhang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, People's Republic of China.
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Leptin stimulates synaptogenesis in hippocampal neurons via KLF4 and SOCS3 inhibition of STAT3 signaling. Mol Cell Neurosci 2020; 106:103500. [PMID: 32438059 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2020.103500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Normal development of neuronal connections in the hippocampus requires neurotrophic signals, including the cytokine leptin. During neonatal development, leptin induces formation and maturation of dendritic spines, the main sites of glutamatergic synapses in the hippocampal neurons. However, the molecular mechanisms for leptin-induced synaptogenesis are not entirely understood. In this study, we reveal two novel targets of leptin in developing hippocampal neurons and address their role in synaptogenesis. First target is Kruppel-Like Factor 4 (KLF4), which we identified using a genome-wide target analysis strategy. We show that leptin upregulates KLF4 in hippocampal neurons and that leptin signaling is important for KLF4 expression in vivo. Furthermore, KLF4 is required for leptin-induced synaptogenesis, as shKLF4 blocks and upregulation of KLF4 phenocopies it. We go on to show that KLF4 requires its signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) binding site and thus potentially blocks STAT3 activity to induce synaptogenesis. Second, we show that leptin increases the expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3), another well-known inhibitor of STAT3, in developing hippocampal neurons. SOCS3 is also required for leptin-induced synaptogenesis and sufficient to stimulate it alone. Finally, we show that constitutively active STAT3 blocks the effects of leptin on spine formation, while the targeted knockdown of STAT3 is sufficient to induce it. Overall, our data demonstrate that leptin increases the expression of both KLF4 and SOCS3, inhibiting the activity of STAT3 in the hippocampal neurons and resulting in the enhancement of glutamatergic synaptogenesis during neonatal development.
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Hirai H, Yang B, Garcia-Barrio MT, Rom O, Ma PX, Zhang J, Chen YE. Direct Reprogramming of Fibroblasts Into Smooth Muscle-Like Cells With Defined Transcription Factors-Brief Report. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2019; 38:2191-2197. [PMID: 30026272 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.118.310870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Objective- To identify the transcription factors that could contribute to direct reprogramming of fibroblasts toward smooth muscle cell fate. Approach and Results- We screened various combinations of transcription factors, including Myocd (myocardin), Mef2C (myocyte enhancer factor 2C), Mef2B (myocyte enhancer factor 2B), Mkl1 (MKL [megakaryoblastic leukemia]/Myocd-like 1), Gata4 (GATA-binding protein 4), Gata5 (GATA-binding protein 5), Gata6 (GATA-binding protein 6), Ets1 (E26 avian leukemia oncogene 1, 5' domain), and their corresponding carboxyterminal fusions to the transactivation domain of MyoD (myogenic differentiation 1)-indicated by *-for their effects on reprogramming mouse embryonic fibroblasts and human adult dermal fibroblasts to the smooth muscle cell fate as determined by the expression of specific markers. The combination of 3 transcription factors, Myocd (or Myocd*) with Mef2C (or Mef2C*) and Gata6, was the most efficient in enhancing the expression of smooth muscle marker genes and decreasing fibroblast gene expression. Additionally, the derived induced smooth muscle-like cells showed a contractile phenotype in response to carbachol. Conclusions- Combination of Myocd and Gata6 with Mef2C* (MG2*) could sufficiently and efficiently direct differentiation of mouse embryonic and human dermal fibroblasts into induced smooth muscle-like cells, thus opening new opportunities for disease modeling, tissue engineering, and personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Hirai
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine (H.H., M.T.G.-B., O.R., J.Z., Y.E.C.).,Department of Cardiac Surgery (H.H., B.Y., Y.E.C.)
| | - Bo Yang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery (H.H., B.Y., Y.E.C.)
| | - Minerva T Garcia-Barrio
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine (H.H., M.T.G.-B., O.R., J.Z., Y.E.C.)
| | - Oren Rom
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine (H.H., M.T.G.-B., O.R., J.Z., Y.E.C.)
| | - Peter X Ma
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering (P.X.M.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - Jifeng Zhang
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine (H.H., M.T.G.-B., O.R., J.Z., Y.E.C.)
| | - Y Eugene Chen
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine (H.H., M.T.G.-B., O.R., J.Z., Y.E.C.).,Department of Cardiac Surgery (H.H., B.Y., Y.E.C.)
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14
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Xi G, Shen X, Wai C, White MF, Clemmons DR. Hyperglycemia induces vascular smooth muscle cell dedifferentiation by suppressing insulin receptor substrate-1-mediated p53/KLF4 complex stabilization. J Biol Chem 2018; 294:2407-2421. [PMID: 30578299 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.005398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyperglycemia and insulin resistance accelerate atherosclerosis by an unclear mechanism. The two factors down-regulate insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), an intermediary of the insulin/IGF-I signaling system. We previously reported that IRS-1 down-regulation leads to vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) dedifferentiation and that IRS-1 deletion from VSMCs in normoglycemic mice replicates this response. However, we did not determine IRS-1's role in mediating differentiation. Here, we sought to define the mechanism by which IRS-1 maintains VSMC differentiation. High glucose or IRS-1 knockdown decreased p53 levels by enhancing MDM2 proto-oncogene (MDM2)-mediated ubiquitination, resulting in decreased binding of p53 to Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4). Exposure to nutlin-3, which dissociates MDM2/p53, decreased p53 ubiquitination and enhanced the p53/KLF4 association and differentiation marker protein expression. IRS-1 overexpression in high glucose inhibited the MDM2/p53 association, leading to increased p53 and p53/KLF4 levels, thereby increasing differentiation. Nutlin-3 treatment of diabetic or Irs1 -/- mice enhanced p53/KLF4 and the expression of p21, smooth muscle protein 22 (SM22), and myocardin and inhibited aortic VSMC proliferation. Injecting normoglycemic mice with a peptide disrupting the IRS-1/p53 association reduced p53, p53/KLF4, and differentiation. Analyzing atherosclerotic lesions in hypercholesterolemic, diabetic pigs, we found that p53, IRS-1, SM22, myocardin, and KLF4/p53 levels are significantly decreased compared with their expression in nondiabetic pigs. We conclude that IRS-1 is critical for maintaining VSMC differentiation. Hyperglycemia- or insulin resistance-induced IRS-1 down-regulation decreases the p53/KLF4 association and enhances dedifferentiation and proliferation. Our results suggest that enhancing IRS-1-dependent p53 stabilization could attenuate the progression of atherosclerotic lesions in hyperglycemia and insulin-resistance states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Xi
- From the Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Xinchun Shen
- the College of Food Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Finance and Economics, Nanjing 210023, China, and
| | - Christine Wai
- From the Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599
| | - Morris F White
- the Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - David R Clemmons
- From the Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599,
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15
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Fan Y, Lu H, Liang W, Hu W, Zhang J, Chen YE. Krüppel-like factors and vascular wall homeostasis. J Mol Cell Biol 2018; 9:352-363. [PMID: 28992202 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjx037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are major causes of death worldwide. Identification of promising targets for prevention and treatment of CVDs is paramount in the cardiovascular field. Numerous transcription factors regulate cellular function through modulation of specific genes and thereby are involved in the physiological and pathophysiological processes of CVDs. Although Krüppel-like factors (KLFs) have a similar protein structure with a conserved zinc finger domain, they possess distinct tissue and cell distribution patterns as well as biological functions. In the vascular system, KLF activities are regulated at both transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. Growing in vitro, in vivo, and genetic epidemiology studies suggest that specific KLFs play important roles in vascular wall biology, which further affect vascular diseases. KLFs regulate various functional aspects such as cell growth, differentiation, activation, and development through controlling a whole cluster of functionally related genes and modulating various signaling pathways in response to pathological conditions. Therapeutic targeting of selective KLF family members may be desirable to achieve distinct treatment effects in the context of various vascular diseases. Further elucidation of the association of KLFs with human CVDs, their underlying molecular mechanisms, and precise protein structure studies will be essential to define KLFs as promising targets for therapeutic interventions in CVDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanbo Fan
- Cardiovascular Center, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Haocheng Lu
- Cardiovascular Center, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Wenying Liang
- Cardiovascular Center, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Wenting Hu
- Cardiovascular Center, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jifeng Zhang
- Cardiovascular Center, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Y Eugene Chen
- Cardiovascular Center, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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16
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Busch A, Chernogubova E, Jin H, Meurer F, Eckstein HH, Kim M, Maegdefessel L. Four Surgical Modifications to the Classic Elastase Perfusion Aneurysm Model Enable Haemodynamic Alterations and Extended Elastase Perfusion. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2018; 56:102-109. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2018.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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17
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Luo Y, Xu Y, Liang C, Xing W, Zhang T. The mechanism of myocardial hypertrophy regulated by the interaction between mhrt and myocardin. Cell Signal 2017; 43:11-20. [PMID: 29199045 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2017.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Revised: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
As a strong transactivator of promoters containing CarG boxes, myocardin was critical for the cardiac muscle program and necessary for normal cardiogenesis. So it probably represents a viable therapeutic biomarker in the setting of cardiac hypertrophy and failure. In recent years, the studies of regulation of cardiac hypertrophy via myocardin are so common, and the molecular mechanism is becoming more and more clear. Here, we have revealed a kind of interaction between mhrt and myocardin shown as a feedback regulatory mechanism in the regulation of cardiac hypertrophy. That is, the lncRNA mhrt can affect the acetylation of myocardin by HDAC5 to inhibit cardiac hypertrophy induced by myocardin. Moreover, myocardin also can directly activate the mhrt transcription through binding to the CarG box. Thus, mhrt and myocardin form a regulation loop in the process of cardiac hypertrophy. This finding may play a positive role in revealing the complete mechanisms of cardiac hypertrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Luo
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Yao Xu
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Chen Liang
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Weibing Xing
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China.
| | - Tongcun Zhang
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China.
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18
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Busch A, Hartmann E, Grimm C, Ergün S, Kickuth R, Otto C, Kellersmann R, Lorenz U. Heterogeneous histomorphology, yet homogeneous vascular smooth muscle cell dedifferentiation, characterize human aneurysm disease. J Vasc Surg 2017; 66:1553-1564.e6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2016.07.129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2016] [Accepted: 07/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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19
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Zhou B, Zeng S, Li N, Yu L, Yang G, Yang Y, Zhang X, Fang M, Xia J, Xu Y. Angiogenic Factor With G Patch and FHA Domains 1 Is a Novel Regulator of Vascular Injury. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2017; 37:675-684. [PMID: 28153879 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.117.308992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/20/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Phenotypic modulation of vascular smooth muscle cells represents a hallmark event in vascular injury. The underlying mechanism is not completely sorted out. We investigated the involvement of angiogenic factor with G patch and FHA domains 1 (Aggf1) in vascular injury focusing on the transcriptional regulation of vascular smooth muscle cell signature genes. APPROACH AND RESULTS We report here that Aggf1 expression was downregulated in several different cell models of phenotypic modulation in vitro and in the vessels after carotid artery ligation in mice. Adenovirus-mediated Aggf1 overexpression dampened vascular injury and normalized vascular smooth muscle cell signature gene expression. Mechanistically, Aggf1 interacted with myocardin and was imperative for the formation of a serum response factor-myocardin complex on gene promoters. In response to injurious stimuli, kruppel-like factor 4 was recruited to the Aggf1 promoter and enlisted histone deacetylase 11 to repress Aggf1 transcription. In accordance, depletion of kruppel-like factor 4 or histone deacetylase 11 restored Aggf1 expression and abrogated vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic modulation. Finally, treatment of a histone deacetylase 11 inhibitor attenuated vascular injury in mice. CONCLUSIONS Therefore, we have unveiled a previously unrecognized role for Aggf1 in regulating vascular injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bisheng Zhou
- From the Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease and Molecular Intervention, Nanjing Medical University, China (B.Z., S.Z., N.L., L.Y., G.Y., X.Z., Y.X.); State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing (Y.Y.); Department of Nursing, Jiangsu Jiankang Vocational University, Nanjing, China (M.F.); and Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China (J.X.)
| | - Sheng Zeng
- From the Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease and Molecular Intervention, Nanjing Medical University, China (B.Z., S.Z., N.L., L.Y., G.Y., X.Z., Y.X.); State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing (Y.Y.); Department of Nursing, Jiangsu Jiankang Vocational University, Nanjing, China (M.F.); and Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China (J.X.)
| | - Nan Li
- From the Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease and Molecular Intervention, Nanjing Medical University, China (B.Z., S.Z., N.L., L.Y., G.Y., X.Z., Y.X.); State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing (Y.Y.); Department of Nursing, Jiangsu Jiankang Vocational University, Nanjing, China (M.F.); and Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China (J.X.)
| | - Liming Yu
- From the Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease and Molecular Intervention, Nanjing Medical University, China (B.Z., S.Z., N.L., L.Y., G.Y., X.Z., Y.X.); State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing (Y.Y.); Department of Nursing, Jiangsu Jiankang Vocational University, Nanjing, China (M.F.); and Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China (J.X.)
| | - Guang Yang
- From the Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease and Molecular Intervention, Nanjing Medical University, China (B.Z., S.Z., N.L., L.Y., G.Y., X.Z., Y.X.); State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing (Y.Y.); Department of Nursing, Jiangsu Jiankang Vocational University, Nanjing, China (M.F.); and Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China (J.X.)
| | - Yuyu Yang
- From the Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease and Molecular Intervention, Nanjing Medical University, China (B.Z., S.Z., N.L., L.Y., G.Y., X.Z., Y.X.); State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing (Y.Y.); Department of Nursing, Jiangsu Jiankang Vocational University, Nanjing, China (M.F.); and Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China (J.X.)
| | - Xinjian Zhang
- From the Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease and Molecular Intervention, Nanjing Medical University, China (B.Z., S.Z., N.L., L.Y., G.Y., X.Z., Y.X.); State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing (Y.Y.); Department of Nursing, Jiangsu Jiankang Vocational University, Nanjing, China (M.F.); and Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China (J.X.)
| | - Mingming Fang
- From the Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease and Molecular Intervention, Nanjing Medical University, China (B.Z., S.Z., N.L., L.Y., G.Y., X.Z., Y.X.); State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing (Y.Y.); Department of Nursing, Jiangsu Jiankang Vocational University, Nanjing, China (M.F.); and Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China (J.X.)
| | - Jun Xia
- From the Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease and Molecular Intervention, Nanjing Medical University, China (B.Z., S.Z., N.L., L.Y., G.Y., X.Z., Y.X.); State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing (Y.Y.); Department of Nursing, Jiangsu Jiankang Vocational University, Nanjing, China (M.F.); and Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China (J.X.)
| | - Yong Xu
- From the Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease and Molecular Intervention, Nanjing Medical University, China (B.Z., S.Z., N.L., L.Y., G.Y., X.Z., Y.X.); State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing (Y.Y.); Department of Nursing, Jiangsu Jiankang Vocational University, Nanjing, China (M.F.); and Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China (J.X.).
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Xia XD, Zhou Z, Yu XH, Zheng XL, Tang CK. Myocardin: A novel player in atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis 2017; 257:266-278. [DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2016.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2016] [Revised: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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21
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Lin L, He Y, Xi BL, Zheng HC, Chen Q, Li J, Hu Y, Ye MH, Chen P, Qu Y. MiR-135a Suppresses Calcification in Senescent VSMCs by Regulating KLF4/STAT3 Pathway. Curr Vasc Pharmacol 2016. [PMID: 26202084 PMCID: PMC5403971 DOI: 10.2174/1570161113666150722151817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Cellular function phenotype is regulated by various microRNAs (miRs), including miR-135a. However, how miR-135a is involved in the calcification in senescent vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is not clear yet. In the present study, we first identified the significantly altered miRNAs in VSMCs, then performed consecutive passage culture of VSMCs and analyzed the expression of miR-135a and calcification genes in the senescent phase. Next, the effects of the miR-135a inhibition on calcification and calcification genes were analyzed. The luciferase assay was used to validate the target protein of miR-135a. The western blotting was used to determine the effects of miR-135a on Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 protein (STAT3) expression, as well as the relationship between KLF4 and STAT3. Finally, the quantified cellular calcification was measured to examine the involvement of miR-135a, KLF4 and STAT3 in VSMCs calcification. Our results showed that miR-135a was significantly altered in VSMCs. Cell calcification and calcification genes were greatly altered by miR-135a inhibition. KLF4 was validated as the target RNA of miR-135a. Expression of KLF4 and STAT3 were both significantly decreased by over expressed miR-135a, while the inhibition of miR-135a and KLF4 siRNA both decreased the STAT3 protein levels. Moreover, the inhibition of miR-135a dramatically increased the calcium concentration, but co-treatment with KLF4 or STAT3 siRNA both decreased the calcium concentration. The present study identified miR-135a as a potential osteogenic differentiation suppressor in senescent VSMCs and revealed that KLF4/STAT3 pathway, at least partially, was involved in the mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Bei-Li Xi
- Department of Geriatrics, Xuhui Central hospital, Shanghai Clinical Center, Chinese Academy of Science, No.966 Middle Huaihai Road, Shanghai, 200031, China.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Yi Qu
- Department of Geriatrics, Xuhui Central hospital, Shanghai Clinical Center, Chinese Academy of Science, No.966 Middle Huaihai Road, Shanghai, 200031, China.
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22
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Chettimada S, Joshi SR, Dhagia V, Aiezza A, Lincoln TM, Gupte R, Miano JM, Gupte SA. Vascular smooth muscle cell contractile protein expression is increased through protein kinase G-dependent and -independent pathways by glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase inhibition and deficiency. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2016; 311:H904-H912. [PMID: 27521420 PMCID: PMC5114469 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00335.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Homeostatic control of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) differentiation is critical for contractile activity and regulation of blood flow. Recently, we reported that precontracted blood vessels are relaxed and the phenotype of VSMC is regulated from a synthetic to contractile state by glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) inhibition. In the current study, we investigated whether the increase in the expression of VSMC contractile proteins by inhibition and knockdown of G6PD is mediated through a protein kinase G (PKG)-dependent pathway and whether it regulates blood pressure. We found that the expression of VSMC-restricted contractile proteins, myocardin (MYOCD), and miR-1 and miR-143 are increased by G6PD inhibition or knockdown. Importantly, RNA-sequence analysis of aortic tissue from G6PD-deficient mice revealed uniform increases in VSMC-restricted genes, particularly those regulated by the MYOCD-serum response factor (SRF) switch. Conversely, expression of Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) is decreased by G6PD inhibition. Interestingly, the G6PD inhibition-induced expression of miR-1 and contractile proteins was blocked by Rp-β-phenyl-1,N2-etheno-8-bromo-guanosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate, a PKG inhibitor. On the other hand, MYOCD and miR-143 levels are increased by G6PD inhibition through a PKG-independent manner. Furthermore, blood pressure was lower in the G6PD-deficient compared with wild-type mice. Therefore, our results suggest that the expression of VSMC contractile proteins induced by G6PD inhibition occurs via PKG1α-dependent and -independent pathways.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Aorta/drug effects
- Aorta/metabolism
- Blotting, Western
- Cattle
- Chromatography, Liquid
- Contractile Proteins/drug effects
- Contractile Proteins/genetics
- Contractile Proteins/metabolism
- Cyclic GMP-Dependent Protein Kinase Type I/antagonists & inhibitors
- Cyclic GMP-Dependent Protein Kinase Type I/metabolism
- Cyclic GMP-Dependent Protein Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors
- Cyclic GMP-Dependent Protein Kinases/metabolism
- Gene Knockdown Techniques
- Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase/antagonists & inhibitors
- Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase/genetics
- Immunoprecipitation
- Kruppel-Like Factor 4
- Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors/drug effects
- Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors/genetics
- Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Mice
- MicroRNAs/drug effects
- MicroRNAs/genetics
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/cytology
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/drug effects
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/drug effects
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism
- Nuclear Proteins/drug effects
- Nuclear Proteins/genetics
- Nuclear Proteins/metabolism
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Rats
- Serum Response Factor/drug effects
- Serum Response Factor/genetics
- Serum Response Factor/metabolism
- Tandem Mass Spectrometry
- Trans-Activators/drug effects
- Trans-Activators/genetics
- Trans-Activators/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukrutha Chettimada
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama; Pharmacology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
| | - Sachindra Raj Joshi
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama; Pharmacology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
| | - Vidhi Dhagia
- Pharmacology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
| | - Alessandro Aiezza
- Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York; and
| | | | - Rakhee Gupte
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama; Pharmacology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
| | - Joseph M Miano
- Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York; and
| | - Sachin A Gupte
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama; Pharmacology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York
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23
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Turner EC, Huang CL, Sawhney N, Govindarajan K, Clover AJP, Martin K, Browne TC, Whelan D, Kumar AHS, Mackrill JJ, Wang S, Schmeckpeper J, Stocca A, Pierce WG, Leblond AL, Cai L, O'Sullivan DM, Buneker CK, Choi J, MacSharry J, Ikeda Y, Russell SJ, Caplice NM. A Novel Selectable Islet 1 Positive Progenitor Cell Reprogrammed to Expandable and Functional Smooth Muscle Cells. Stem Cells 2016; 34:1354-68. [PMID: 26840832 DOI: 10.1002/stem.2319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Accepted: 12/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Disorders affecting smooth muscle structure/function may require technologies that can generate large scale, differentiated and contractile smooth muscle cells (SMC) suitable for cell therapy. To date no clonal precursor population that provides large numbers of differentiated SMC in culture has been identified in a rodent. Identification of such cells may also enhance insight into progenitor cell fate decisions and the relationship between smooth muscle precursors and disease states that implicate differentiated SMC. In this study, we used classic clonal expansion techniques to identify novel self-renewing Islet 1 (Isl-1) positive primitive progenitor cells (PPC) within rat bone marrow that exhibited canonical stem cell markers and preferential differentiation towards a smooth muscle-like fate. We subsequently used molecular tagging to select Isl-1 positive clonal populations from expanded and de novo marrow cell populations. We refer to these previously undescribed cells as the PPC given its stem cell marker profile, and robust self-renewal capacity. PPC could be directly converted into induced smooth muscle cells (iSMC) using single transcription factor (Kruppel-like factor 4) knockdown or transactivator (myocardin) overexpression in contrast to three control cells (HEK 293, endothelial cells and mesenchymal stem cells) where such induction was not possible. iSMC exhibited immuno- and cytoskeletal-phenotype, calcium signaling profile and contractile responses similar to bona fide SMC. Passaged iSMC could be expanded to a scale sufficient for large scale tissue replacement. PPC and reprogramed iSMC so derived may offer future opportunities to investigate molecular, structure/function and cell-based replacement therapy approaches to diverse cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary diseases that have as their basis smooth muscle cell functional aberrancy or numerical loss. Stem Cells 2016;34:1354-1368.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth C Turner
- Centre for Research in Vascular Biology (CRVB), Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Chien-Ling Huang
- Centre for Research in Vascular Biology (CRVB), Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Neha Sawhney
- Centre for Research in Vascular Biology (CRVB), Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Kalaimathi Govindarajan
- Centre for Research in Vascular Biology (CRVB), Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Anthony J P Clover
- Centre for Research in Vascular Biology (CRVB), Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Kenneth Martin
- Centre for Research in Vascular Biology (CRVB), Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Tara C Browne
- Centre for Research in Vascular Biology (CRVB), Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Derek Whelan
- Centre for Research in Vascular Biology (CRVB), Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Arun H S Kumar
- Centre for Research in Vascular Biology (CRVB), Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - John J Mackrill
- Department of Physiology, University College Cork, Biosciences Institute, College Road, Cork, Ireland
| | - Shaohua Wang
- Molecular Medicine Program, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, 200 First St, Rochester, Minnesota, 55905
| | - Jeffrey Schmeckpeper
- Centre for Research in Vascular Biology (CRVB), Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Alessia Stocca
- Centre for Research in Vascular Biology (CRVB), Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - William G Pierce
- Department of Physiology, University College Cork, Biosciences Institute, College Road, Cork, Ireland
| | - Anne-Laure Leblond
- Centre for Research in Vascular Biology (CRVB), Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Liquan Cai
- Centre for Research in Vascular Biology (CRVB), Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Donnchadh M O'Sullivan
- Centre for Research in Vascular Biology (CRVB), Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Chirlei K Buneker
- Centre for Research in Vascular Biology (CRVB), Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Janet Choi
- Centre for Research in Vascular Biology (CRVB), Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - John MacSharry
- Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre (APC), Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Yasuhiro Ikeda
- Molecular Medicine Program, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, 200 First St, Rochester, Minnesota, 55905
| | - Stephen J Russell
- Molecular Medicine Program, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, 200 First St, Rochester, Minnesota, 55905
| | - Noel M Caplice
- Centre for Research in Vascular Biology (CRVB), Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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24
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Xu D, Gu JT, Yi B, Chen L, Wang GS, Qian GS, Lu KZ. Requirement of miR-9-dependent regulation of Myocd in PASMCs phenotypic modulation and proliferation induced by hepatopulmonary syndrome rat serum. J Cell Mol Med 2015; 19:2453-61. [PMID: 26147104 PMCID: PMC4594686 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.12631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2015] [Accepted: 05/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is characterized by a triad of severe liver disease, intrapulmonary vascular dilation and hypoxaemia. Pulmonary vascular remodelling (PVR) is a key feature of HPS pathology. Our previous studies have established the role of the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (PASMC) phenotypic modulation and proliferation in HPS-associated PVR. Myocardin, a robust transcriptional coactivator of serum response factor, plays a critical role in the vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic switch. However, the mechanism regulating myocardin upstream signalling remains unclear. In this study, treatment of rat PASMCs with serum drawn from common bile duct ligation rats, which model symptoms of HPS, resulted in a significant increase in miR-9 expression correlated with a decrease in expression of myocardin and the phenotypic markers SM-α-actin and smooth muscle-specific myosin heavy chain (SM-MHC). Furthermore, miRNA functional analysis and luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that miR-9 effectively regulated myocardin expression by directly binding to its 3′-untranslated region. Both the knockdown of miR-9 and overexpression of myocardin effectively attenuated the HPS rat serum-induced phenotype switch and proliferation of PASMCs. Taken together, the findings of our present study demonstrate that miR-9 is required in HPS rat serum-induced phenotypic modulation and proliferation of PASMCs for targeting of myocardin and that miR-9 may serve as a potential therapeutic target in HPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duo Xu
- Department of Anaesthesia, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jian-teng Gu
- Department of Anaesthesia, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Bin Yi
- Department of Anaesthesia, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Department of Anaesthesia, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Guan-song Wang
- Institute of Respiratory Disease, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Gui-sheng Qian
- Institute of Respiratory Disease, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Kai-zhi Lu
- Department of Anaesthesia, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
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25
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Cushing L, Costinean S, Xu W, Jiang Z, Madden L, Kuang P, Huang J, Weisman A, Hata A, Croce CM, Lü J. Disruption of miR-29 Leads to Aberrant Differentiation of Smooth Muscle Cells Selectively Associated with Distal Lung Vasculature. PLoS Genet 2015; 11:e1005238. [PMID: 26020233 PMCID: PMC4447351 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2014] [Accepted: 04/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Differentiation of lung vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) is tightly regulated during development or in response to challenges in a vessel specific manner. Aberrant vSMCs specifically associated with distal pulmonary arteries have been implicated in the pathogenesis of respiratory diseases, such as pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a progressive and fatal disease, with no effective treatment. Therefore, it is highly relevant to understand the underlying mechanisms of lung vSMC differentiation. miRNAs are known to play critical roles in vSMC maturation and function of systemic vessels; however, little is known regarding the role of miRNAs in lung vSMCs. Here, we report that miR-29 family members are the most abundant miRNAs in adult mouse lungs. Moreover, high levels of miR-29 expression are selectively associated with vSMCs of distal vessels in both mouse and human lungs. Furthermore, we have shown that disruption of miR-29 in vivo leads to immature/synthetic vSMC phenotype specifically associated with distal lung vasculature, at least partially due to the derepression of KLF4, components of the PDGF pathway and ECM-related genes associated with synthetic phenotype. Moreover, we found that expression of FBXO32 in vSMCs is significantly upregulated in the distal vasculature of miR-29 null lungs. This indicates a potential important role of miR-29 in smooth muscle cell function by regulating FBXO32 and SMC protein degradation. These results are strongly supported by findings of a cell autonomous role of endogenous miR-29 in promoting SMC differentiation in vitro. Together, our findings suggested a vessel specific role of miR-29 in vSMC differentiation and function by targeting several key negative regulators. The pathogenesis of some vascular diseases, such as PAH is selectively associated with aberrant differentiation and proliferation of vSMCs of distal arteries. While significant progresses have been made in understanding the core mechanism of differentiation and proliferation of vSMCs, little is known regarding vessel specific regulations. By investigating the expression and function of miR-29 in vivo, we found a vessel selective enriched expression and function of miR-29 during mouse lung development. Interestingly, disruption of miR-29 results in defects in vSMCs differentiation of distal vessels, reminiscent of vSMC phenotype observed in the early stage of PAH in which immature/synthetic vSMCs of distal arteries failed to differentiate and were unable to tune down the expression of collagens and other extracellular-related genes. This is the first evidence that miR-29 selectively regulates vSMCs differentiation and vessel wall formation. Future implications are to study the expression and function of miR-29 in human pulmonary vascular diseases, which might lead to establishing miR-29 as a therapeutic target for disease intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah Cushing
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Stefan Costinean
- Department of Pathology, Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Wei Xu
- Columbia Center for Human Development, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy & Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Columbia University, College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Zhihua Jiang
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Lindsey Madden
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Pingping Kuang
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jingshu Huang
- Columbia Center for Human Development, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy & Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Columbia University, College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Alexandra Weisman
- Molecular Cardiology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Akiko Hata
- Molecular Cardiology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Carlo M. Croce
- Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Jining Lü
- Columbia Center for Human Development, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy & Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Columbia University, College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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26
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Abstract
Myocardin (MYOCD) is a potent transcriptional coactivator that functions primarily in cardiac muscle and smooth muscle through direct contacts with serum response factor (SRF) over cis elements known as CArG boxes found near a number of genes encoding for contractile, ion channel, cytoskeletal, and calcium handling proteins. Since its discovery more than 10 years ago, new insights have been obtained regarding the diverse isoforms of MYOCD expressed in cells as well as the regulation of MYOCD expression and activity through transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational processes. Curiously, there are a number of functions associated with MYOCD that appear to be independent of contractile gene expression and the CArG-SRF nucleoprotein complex. Further, perturbations in MYOCD gene expression are associated with an increasing number of diseases including heart failure, cancer, acute vessel disease, and diabetes. This review summarizes the various biological and pathological processes associated with MYOCD and offers perspectives to several challenges and future directions for further study of this formidable transcriptional coactivator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M Miano
- Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
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