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Elias-Llumbet A, Sharmin R, Berg-Sorensen K, Schirhagl R, Mzyk A. The Interplay between Mechanoregulation and ROS in Heart Physiology, Disease, and Regeneration. Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2400952. [PMID: 38962858 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202400952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases are currently the most common cause of death in developed countries. Due to lifestyle and environmental factors, this problem is only expected to increase in the future. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are a key player in the onset of cardiovascular diseases but also have important functions in healthy cardiac tissue. Here, the interplay between ROS generation and cardiac mechanical forces is shown, and the state of the art and a perspective on future directions are discussed. To this end, an overview of what is currently known regarding ROS and mechanosignaling at a subcellular level is first given. There the role of ROS in mechanosignaling as well as the interplay between both factors in specific organelles is emphasized. The consequences at a larger scale across the population of heart cells are then discussed. Subsequently, the roles of ROS in embryogenesis, pathogenesis, and aging are further discussed, exemplifying some aspects of mechanoregulation. Finally, different models that are currently in use are discussed to study the topics above.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arturo Elias-Llumbet
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, Groningen, 9713AW, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Genomic of Germ Cells, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Independencia, Santiago, 1027, Chile
| | - Rokshana Sharmin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, Groningen, 9713AW, The Netherlands
| | | | - Romana Schirhagl
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, Groningen, 9713AW, The Netherlands
| | - Aldona Mzyk
- DTU Health Tech, Ørsteds Plads Bldg 345C, Kongens Lyngby, 2800, Denmark
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Tanaka LY, Kumar S, Gutierre LF, Magnun C, Kajihara D, Kang DW, Laurindo FRM, Jo H. Disturbed flow regulates protein disulfide isomerase A1 expression via microRNA-204. Front Physiol 2024; 15:1327794. [PMID: 38638277 PMCID: PMC11024637 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1327794] [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: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Redox processes can modulate vascular pathophysiology. The endoplasmic reticulum redox chaperone protein disulfide isomerase A1 (PDIA1) is overexpressed during vascular proliferative diseases, regulating thrombus formation, endoplasmic reticulum stress adaptation, and structural remodeling. However, both protective and deleterious vascular effects have been reported for PDIA1, depending on the cell type and underlying vascular condition. Further understanding of this question is hampered by the poorly studied mechanisms underlying PDIA1 expression regulation. Here, we showed that PDIA1 mRNA and protein levels were upregulated (average 5-fold) in the intima and media/adventitia following partial carotid ligation (PCL). Our search identified that miR-204-5p and miR-211-5p (miR-204/211), two broadly conserved miRNAs, share PDIA1 as a potential target. MiR-204/211 was downregulated in vascular layers following PCL. In isolated endothelial cells, gain-of-function experiments of miR-204 with miR mimic decreased PDIA1 mRNA while having negligible effects on markers of endothelial activation/stress response. Similar effects were observed in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Furthermore, PDIA1 downregulation by miR-204 decreased levels of the VSMC contractile differentiation markers. In addition, PDIA1 overexpression prevented VSMC dedifferentiation by miR-204. Collectively, we report a new mechanism for PDIA1 regulation through miR-204 and identify its relevance in a model of vascular disease playing a role in VSMC differentiation. This mechanism may be regulated in distinct stages of atherosclerosis and provide a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Y. Tanaka
- Vascular Biology Laboratory, Heart Institute (InCor), University of São Paulo, School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sandeep Kumar
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Lucas F. Gutierre
- Vascular Biology Laboratory, Heart Institute (InCor), University of São Paulo, School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Celso Magnun
- Vascular Biology Laboratory, Heart Institute (InCor), University of São Paulo, School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daniela Kajihara
- Vascular Biology Laboratory, Heart Institute (InCor), University of São Paulo, School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Dong-Won Kang
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Francisco R. M. Laurindo
- Vascular Biology Laboratory, Heart Institute (InCor), University of São Paulo, School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Hanjoong Jo
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
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Murugan NJ, Cariba S, Abeygunawardena S, Rouleau N, Payne SL. Biophysical control of plasticity and patterning in regeneration and cancer. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 81:9. [PMID: 38099951 PMCID: PMC10724343 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-05054-6] [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: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Cells and tissues display a remarkable range of plasticity and tissue-patterning activities that are emergent of complex signaling dynamics within their microenvironments. These properties, which when operating normally guide embryogenesis and regeneration, become highly disordered in diseases such as cancer. While morphogens and other molecular factors help determine the shapes of tissues and their patterned cellular organization, the parallel contributions of biophysical control mechanisms must be considered to accurately predict and model important processes such as growth, maturation, injury, repair, and senescence. We now know that mechanical, optical, electric, and electromagnetic signals are integral to cellular plasticity and tissue patterning. Because biophysical modalities underly interactions between cells and their extracellular matrices, including cell cycle, metabolism, migration, and differentiation, their applications as tuning dials for regenerative and anti-cancer therapies are being rapidly exploited. Despite this, the importance of cellular communication through biophysical signaling remains disproportionately underrepresented in the literature. Here, we provide a review of biophysical signaling modalities and known mechanisms that initiate, modulate, or inhibit plasticity and tissue patterning in models of regeneration and cancer. We also discuss current approaches in biomedical engineering that harness biophysical control mechanisms to model, characterize, diagnose, and treat disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirosha J Murugan
- Department of Health Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
- Allen Discovery Center, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA.
| | - Solsa Cariba
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | | | - Nicolas Rouleau
- Department of Health Sciences, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON, Canada
- Allen Discovery Center, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA
| | - Samantha L Payne
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
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Chen Y, Wu Y, Feng W, Luo X, Xiao B, Ding X, Gu Y, Lu Y, Yu Y. Vav2 promotes ductus arteriosus anatomic closure via the remodeling of smooth muscle cells by Rac1 activation. J Mol Med (Berl) 2023; 101:1567-1585. [PMID: 37804474 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-023-02377-6] [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: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
The ductus arteriosus (DA), bridging the aorta and pulmonary artery, immediately starts closing after birth. Remodeling of DA leads to anatomic obstruction to prevent repatency. Several histological changes, especially extracellular matrices (ECMs) deposition and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) migration bring to anatomic closure. The genetic etiology and mechanism of DA closure remain elusive. We have previously reported a novel copy number variant containing Vav2 in patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) patients, but its specific role in DA closure remains unknown. The present study revealed that the expression of Vav2 was reduced in human patent DA, and it was less enrichment in the adjacent aorta. Matrigel experiments demonstrated that Vav2 could promote SMC migration from PDA patient explants. Smooth muscle cells with Vav2 overexpression also presented an increased capacity in migration and downregulated contractile-related proteins. Meanwhile, SMCs with Vav2 overexpression exhibited higher expression of collagen III and lessened protein abundance of lysyl oxidase, and both changes are beneficial to DA remodeling. Overexpression of Vav2 resulted in increased activity of Rac1, Cdc42, and RhoA in SMCs. Further investigation noteworthily found that the above alterations caused by Vav2 overexpression were particularly reversed by Rac1 inhibitor. A heterozygous, rare Vav2 variant was identified in PDA patients. Compared with the wild type, this variant attenuated Vav2 protein expression and weakened the activation of downstream Rac1, further impairing its functions in SMCs. In conclusion, Vav2 functions as an activator for Rac1 in SMCs to promote SMCs migration, dedifferentiation, and ECMs production. Deleterious variant potentially induces Vav2 loss of function, further providing possible molecular mechanisms about Vav2 in PDA pathogenesis. These findings enriched the current genetic etiology of PDA, which may provide a novel target for prenatal diagnosis and treatment. KEY MESSAGES: Although we have proposed the potential association between Vav2 and PDA incidence through whole exome sequencing, the molecular mechanisms underlying Vav2 in PDA have never been reported. This work, for the first time, demonstrated that Vav2 was exclusively expressed in closed DAs. Moreover, we found that Vav2 participated in the process of anatomic closure by mediating SMCs migration, dedifferentiation, and ECMs deposition through Rac1 activation. Our findings first identified a deleterious Vav2 c.701C>T variant that affected its function in SMCs by impairing Rac1 activation, which may lead to PDA defect. Vav2 may become an early diagnosis and an effective intervention target for PDA clinical therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinghui Chen
- Institute for Developmental and Regenerative Cardiovascular Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yizhuo Wu
- Institute for Developmental and Regenerative Cardiovascular Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Weiqi Feng
- Institute for Developmental and Regenerative Cardiovascular Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Xueyang Luo
- Institute for Developmental and Regenerative Cardiovascular Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Bing Xiao
- Institute for Developmental and Regenerative Cardiovascular Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Xiaowei Ding
- Institute for Developmental and Regenerative Cardiovascular Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yongjia Gu
- Department of Stomatology, Shidong Hospital of Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200438, China.
| | - Yanan Lu
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| | - Yu Yu
- Institute for Developmental and Regenerative Cardiovascular Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
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Biber JC, Sullivan A, Brazzo JA, Heo Y, Tumenbayar BI, Krajnik A, Poppenberg KE, Tutino VM, Heo SJ, Kolega J, Lee K, Bae Y. Survivin as a mediator of stiffness-induced cell cycle progression and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells. APL Bioeng 2023; 7:046108. [PMID: 37915752 PMCID: PMC10618027 DOI: 10.1063/5.0150532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Stiffened arteries are a pathology of atherosclerosis, hypertension, and coronary artery disease and a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease events. The increased stiffness of arteries triggers a phenotypic switch, hypermigration, and hyperproliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), leading to neointimal hyperplasia and accelerated neointima formation. However, the mechanism underlying this trigger remains unknown. Our analyses of whole-transcriptome microarray data from mouse VSMCs cultured on stiff hydrogels simulating arterial pathology identified 623 genes that were significantly and differentially expressed (360 upregulated and 263 downregulated) relative to expression in VSMCs cultured on soft hydrogels. Functional enrichment and gene network analyses revealed that these stiffness-sensitive genes are linked to cell cycle progression and proliferation. Importantly, we found that survivin, an inhibitor of apoptosis protein, mediates stiffness-dependent cell cycle progression and proliferation as determined by gene network and pathway analyses, RT-qPCR, immunoblotting, and cell proliferation assays. Furthermore, we found that inhibition of cell cycle progression did not reduce survivin expression, suggesting that survivin functions as an upstream regulator of cell cycle progression and proliferation in response to ECM stiffness. Mechanistically, we found that the stiffness signal is mechanotransduced via the FAK-E2F1 signaling axis to regulate survivin expression, establishing a regulatory pathway for how the stiffness of the cellular microenvironment affects VSMC behaviors. Overall, our findings indicate that survivin is necessary for VSMC cycling and proliferation and plays a role in regulating stiffness-responsive phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- John C. Biber
- Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14203, USA
| | - Andra Sullivan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14260, USA
| | - Joseph A. Brazzo
- Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14203, USA
| | | | - Bat-Ider Tumenbayar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14203, USA
| | - Amanda Krajnik
- Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14203, USA
| | | | | | - Su-Jin Heo
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - John Kolega
- Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14203, USA
| | - Kwonmoo Lee
- Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Yongho Bae
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed:
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Assoian RK, Xu T, Roberts E. Arterial mechanics, extracellular matrix, and smooth muscle differentiation in carotid arteries deficient for Rac1. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.15.567271. [PMID: 38014108 PMCID: PMC10680774 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.15.567271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Stiffening of the extracellular matrix (ECM) occurs after vascular injury and contributes to the injury-associated proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). ECM stiffness also activates Rac-GTP, and SMC Rac1 deletion strongly reduces the proliferative response to injury in vivo . However, ECM stiffening and Rac can affect SMC differentiation, which, in itself, can influence ECM stiffness and proliferation. Here, we used pressure myography and immunofluorescence analysis of mouse carotid arteries to ask if the reported effect of Rac1 deletion on in vivo SMC proliferation might be secondary to a Rac effect on basal arterial stiffness or SMC differentiation. The results show that Rac1 deletion does not affect the abundance of arterial collagen-I, -III, or -V, the integrity of arterial elastin, or the arterial responses to pressure, including the axial and circumferential stretch-strain relationships that are assessments of arterial stiffness. Medial abundance of alpha-smooth muscle actin and smooth muscle-myosin heavy chain, markers of the SMC differentiated phenotype, were not statistically different in carotid arteries containing or deficient in Rac1. Nor did Rac1 deficiency have a statistically significant effect on carotid artery contraction to KCl. Overall, these data argue that the inhibitory effect of Rac1 deletion on in vivo SMC proliferation reflects a primary effect of Rac1 signaling to the cell cycle rather than a secondary effect associated with altered SMC differentiation or arterial stiffness.
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Rose JP, Schurman CA, King CD, Bons J, Patel SK, Burton JB, O’Broin A, Alliston T, Schilling B. Deep coverage and quantification of the bone proteome provides enhanced opportunities for new discoveries in skeletal biology and disease. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0292268. [PMID: 37816044 PMCID: PMC10564166 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of cell signaling in chondrocytes and in bone cells, such as osteocytes, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and an elevated burden of senescent cells in cartilage and bone, are implicated in osteoarthritis (OA). Mass spectrometric analyses provides a crucial molecular tool-kit to understand complex signaling relationships in age-related diseases, such as OA. Here we introduce a novel mass spectrometric workflow to promote proteomic studies of bone. This workflow uses highly specialized steps, including extensive overnight demineralization, pulverization, and incubation for 72 h in 6 M guanidine hydrochloride and EDTA, followed by proteolytic digestion. Analysis on a high-resolution Orbitrap Eclipse and Orbitrap Exploris 480 mass spectrometer using Data-Independent Acquisition (DIA) provides deep coverage of the bone proteome, and preserves post-translational modifications, such as hydroxyproline. A spectral library-free quantification strategy, directDIA, identified and quantified over 2,000 protein groups (with ≥ 2 unique peptides) from calcium-rich bone matrices. Key components identified were proteins of the extracellular matrix (ECM), bone-specific proteins (e.g., secreted protein acidic and cysteine rich, SPARC, and bone sialoprotein 2, IBSP), and signaling proteins (e.g., transforming growth factor beta-2, TGFB2), and lysyl oxidase homolog 2 (LOXL2), an important protein in collagen crosslinking. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) were identified without the need for specific enrichment. This includes collagen hydroxyproline modifications, chemical modifications for collagen self-assembly and network formation. Multiple senescence factors were identified, such as complement component 3 (C3) protein of the complement system and many matrix metalloproteinases, that might be monitored during age-related bone disease progression. Our innovative workflow yields in-depth protein coverage and quantification strategies to discover underlying biological mechanisms of bone aging and to provide tools to monitor therapeutic interventions. These novel tools to monitor the bone proteome open novel horizons to investigate bone-specific diseases, many of which are age-related.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob P. Rose
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA, United States of America
| | | | - Christina D. King
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA, United States of America
| | - Joanna Bons
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA, United States of America
| | - Sandip K. Patel
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA, United States of America
| | - Jordan B. Burton
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA, United States of America
| | - Amy O’Broin
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA, United States of America
| | - Tamara Alliston
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, Unted States of America
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Birgit Schilling
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA, United States of America
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Gong X, Nguyen R, Chen Z, Wen Z, Zhang X, Mak M. Volumetric Compression Shifts Rho GTPase Balance and Induces Mechanobiological Cell State Transition. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.08.561452. [PMID: 37873466 PMCID: PMC10592676 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.08.561452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
During development and disease progression, cells are subject to osmotic and mechanical stresses that modulate cell volume, which fundamentally influences cell homeostasis and has been linked to a variety of cellular functions. It is not well understood how the mechanobiological state of cells is programmed by the interplay of intracellular organization and complex extracellular mechanics when stimulated by cell volume modulation. Here, by controlling cell volume via osmotic pressure, we evaluate physical phenotypes (including cell shape, morphodynamics, traction force, and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling) and molecular signaling (YAP), and we uncover fundamental transitions in active biophysical states. We demonstrate that volumetric compression shifts the ratiometric balance of Rho GTPase activities, thereby altering mechanosensing and cytoskeletal organization in a reversible manner. Specifically, volumetric compression controls cell spreading, adhesion formation, and YAP nuclear translocation, while maintaining cell contractile activity. Furthermore, we show that on physiologically relevant fibrillar collagen I matrices, which are highly non-elastic, cells exhibit additional modes of cell volume-dependent mechanosensing that are not observable on elastic substrates. Notably, volumetric compression regulates the dynamics of cell-ECM interactions and irreversible ECM remodeling via Rac-directed protrusion dynamics, at both the single-cell level and the multicellular level. Our findings support that cell volume is a master biophysical regulator and reveal its roles in cell mechanical state transition, cell-ECM interactions, and biophysical tissue programming.
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Dang I, Brazzo JA, Bae Y, Assoian RK. Key role for Rac in the early transcriptional response to extracellular matrix stiffness and stiffness-dependent repression of ATF3. J Cell Sci 2023; 136:jcs260636. [PMID: 37737020 PMCID: PMC10617619 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.260636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The Rho family GTPases Rac and Rho play critical roles in transmitting mechanical information contained within the extracellular matrix (ECM) to the cell. Rac and Rho have well-described roles in regulating stiffness-dependent actin remodeling, proliferation and motility. However, much less is known about the relative roles of these GTPases in stiffness-dependent transcription, particularly at the genome-wide level. Here, we selectively inhibited Rac and Rho in mouse embryonic fibroblasts cultured on deformable substrata and used RNA sequencing to elucidate and compare the contribution of these GTPases to the early transcriptional response to ECM stiffness. Surprisingly, we found that the stiffness-dependent activation of Rac was dominant over Rho in the initial transcriptional response to ECM stiffness. We also identified activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) as a major target of stiffness- and Rac-mediated signaling and show that ATF3 repression by ECM stiffness helps to explain how the stiffness-dependent activation of Rac results in the induction of cyclin D1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irène Dang
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Joseph A. Brazzo
- Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Yongho Bae
- Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Richard K. Assoian
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Hu Y, Cai Z, He B. Smooth Muscle Heterogeneity and Plasticity in Health and Aortic Aneurysmal Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11701. [PMID: 37511460 PMCID: PMC10380637 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are the predominant cell type in the medial layer of the aorta, which plays a critical role in the maintenance of aortic wall integrity. VSMCs have been suggested to have contractile and synthetic phenotypes and undergo phenotypic switching to contribute to the deteriorating aortic wall structure. Recently, the unprecedented heterogeneity and diversity of VSMCs and their complex relationship to aortic aneurysms (AAs) have been revealed by high-resolution research methods, such as lineage tracing and single-cell RNA sequencing. The aortic wall consists of VSMCs from different embryonic origins that respond unevenly to genetic defects that directly or indirectly regulate VSMC contractile phenotype. This difference predisposes to hereditary AAs in the aortic root and ascending aorta. Several VSMC phenotypes with different functions, for example, secreting VSMCs, proliferative VSMCs, mesenchymal stem cell-like VSMCs, immune-related VSMCs, proinflammatory VSMCs, senescent VSMCs, and stressed VSMCs are identified in non-hereditary AAs. The transformation of VSMCs into different phenotypes is an adaptive response to deleterious stimuli but can also trigger pathological remodeling that exacerbates the pathogenesis and development of AAs. This review is intended to contribute to the understanding of VSMC diversity in health and aneurysmal diseases. Papers that give an update on VSMC phenotype diversity in health and aneurysmal disease are summarized and recent insights on the role of VSMCs in AAs are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunwen Hu
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Zhaohua Cai
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Ben He
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
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Luo XY, Fu X, Liu F, Luo JY, Chen AF. Sema3G activates YAP and promotes VSMCs proliferation and migration via Nrp2/PlexinA1. Cell Signal 2023; 105:110613. [PMID: 36720439 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetes exacerbates neointima formation after vascular procedures, manifested by accelerated proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Semaphorin 3G (Sema3G), secreted mainly from endothelial cells (ECs), regulates various cellular functions and vascular pathologies. However, the function and potential mechanism of ECs-derived Sema3G in VSMCs under diabetic condition remain unclear. OBJECTIVE To investigate the role and the mechanism of ECs-derived Sema3G in the regulation of VSMCs proliferation and migration. RESULTS ECs-derived Sema3G promoted human aortic SMCs (HASMCs) cell cycle progression and proliferation. Sema3G upregulated the expression of MMP2 and MMP9, which might explain the increased HASMCs migration by Sema3G. Inhibition of Nrp2/PlexinA1 mitigated the effect of Sema3G on promoting HASMCs proliferation and migration. Mechanistically, Sema3G inhibited LATS1 and activated YAP via Nrp2/PlexinA1. Verteporfin, an FDA-approved YAP pathway inhibitor, counteracted Sema3G-induced cyclin E and cyclin D1 expression. Besides, Sema3G expression was upregulated in ECs of diabetic mouse aortas. Serum Sema3G level was increased in type 2 diabetic patients and mice. Moreover, compared to chow diet-fed mice, high-fat diet (HFD)-fed obese mice showed thicker neointima and higher Sema3G expression in vasculature after femoral injury. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicated that ECs-derived Sema3G under diabetic condition activated YAP and promoted HASMCs proliferation and migration via Nrp2/PlexinA1. Thus, inhibition of Sema3G may hold therapeutic potential against diabetes-associated intimal hyperplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Yang Luo
- Institute for Developmental and Regenerative Cardiovascular Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao Fu
- Institute for Developmental and Regenerative Cardiovascular Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fang Liu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes, Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Diabetes, Shanghai Key Clinical Center of Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute for Diabetes, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiang-Yun Luo
- Institute for Developmental and Regenerative Cardiovascular Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Alex F Chen
- Institute for Developmental and Regenerative Cardiovascular Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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Liu J, Wang J, Liu Y, Xie SA, Zhang J, Zhao C, Zhou Y, Pang W, Yao W, Peng Q, Wang X, Zhou J. Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation of DDR1 Counteracts the Hippo Pathway to Orchestrate Arterial Stiffening. Circ Res 2023; 132:87-105. [PMID: 36475898 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.122.322113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Hippo-YAP (yes-associated protein) signaling pathway is modulated in response to various environmental cues. Activation of YAP in vascular smooth muscle cells conveys the extracellular matrix stiffness-induced changes in vascular smooth muscle cells phenotype and behavior. Recent studies have established a mechanoreceptive role of receptor tyrosine kinase DDR1 (discoidin domain receptor 1) in vascular smooth muscle cells. METHODS We conduced 5/6 nephrectomy in vascular smooth muscle cells-specific Ddr1-knockout mice, accompanied by pharmacological inhibition of the Hippo pathway kinase LATS1 (large tumor suppressor 1), to investigate DDR1 in YAP activation. We utilized polyacrylamide gels of varying stiffness or the DDR1 ligand, type I collagen, to stimulate the cells. We employed multiple molecular biological techniques to explore the role of DDR1 in controlling the Hippo pathway and to determine the mechanistic basis by which DDR1 exerts this effect. RESULTS We identified the requirement for DDR1 in stiffness/collagen-induced YAP activation. We uncovered that DDR1 underwent stiffness/collagen binding-stimulated liquid-liquid phase separation and co-condensed with LATS1 to inactivate LATS1. Mutagenesis experiments revealed that the transmembrane domain is responsible for DDR1 droplet formation. Purified DDR1 N-terminal and transmembrane domain was sufficient to drive its reversible condensation. Depletion of the DDR1 C-terminus led to failure in co-condensation with LATS1. Interaction between the DDR1 C-terminus and LATS1 competitively inhibited binding of MOB1 (Mps one binder 1) to LATS1 and thus the subsequent phosphorylation of LATS1. Introduction of the single-point mutants, histidine-745-proline and histidine-902-proline, to DDR1 on the C-terminus abolished the co-condensation. In mouse models, YAP activity was positively correlated with collagen I expression and arterial stiffness. LATS1 inhibition reactivated the YAP signaling in Ddr1-deficient vessels and abrogated the arterial softening effect of Ddr1 deficiency. CONCLUSIONS These findings identify DDR1 as a mediator of YAP activation by mechanical and chemical stimuli and demonstrate that DDR1 regulates LATS1 phosphorylation in an liquid-liquid phase separation-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayu Liu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences; Hemorheology Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., W.P., W.Y., J.Z.).,Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., Y.Z., J.Z.).,National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory Peptides; Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Peking University, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., J.Z.)
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences; Hemorheology Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., W.P., W.Y., J.Z.).,Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., Y.Z., J.Z.).,National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory Peptides; Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Peking University, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., J.Z.).,Beijing Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, National Center for Infectious Disease, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China (J.W.)
| | - Yueqi Liu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences; Hemorheology Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., W.P., W.Y., J.Z.).,Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., Y.Z., J.Z.).,National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory Peptides; Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Peking University, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., J.Z.)
| | - Si-An Xie
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences; Hemorheology Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., W.P., W.Y., J.Z.).,Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., Y.Z., J.Z.).,National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory Peptides; Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Peking University, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., J.Z.)
| | - Jianrui Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences; Hemorheology Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., W.P., W.Y., J.Z.).,Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., Y.Z., J.Z.).,National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory Peptides; Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Peking University, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., J.Z.)
| | - Chuanrong Zhao
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences; Hemorheology Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., W.P., W.Y., J.Z.).,Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., Y.Z., J.Z.).,National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory Peptides; Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Peking University, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., J.Z.)
| | - Yuan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., Y.Z., J.Z.).,Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China (Y.Z.)
| | - Wei Pang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences; Hemorheology Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., W.P., W.Y., J.Z.)
| | - Weijuan Yao
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences; Hemorheology Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., W.P., W.Y., J.Z.)
| | - Qin Peng
- Institute of Systems and Physical Biology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, China (Q.P.)
| | - Xiaohong Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Inflammation Biology, The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, China (X.W.)
| | - Jing Zhou
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences; Hemorheology Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., W.P., W.Y., J.Z.).,Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., Y.Z., J.Z.).,National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory Peptides; Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Peking University, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., J.Z.)
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13
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Piccolo S, Panciera T, Contessotto P, Cordenonsi M. YAP/TAZ as master regulators in cancer: modulation, function and therapeutic approaches. NATURE CANCER 2023; 4:9-26. [PMID: 36564601 PMCID: PMC7614914 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-022-00473-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Our understanding of the function of the transcriptional regulators YAP and TAZ (YAP/TAZ) in cancer is advancing. In this Review, we provide an update on recent progress in YAP/TAZ biology, their regulation by Hippo signaling and mechanotransduction and highlight open questions. YAP/TAZ signaling is an addiction shared by multiple tumor types and their microenvironments, providing many malignant attributes. As such, it represents an important vulnerability that may offer a broad window of therapeutic efficacy, and here we give an overview of the current treatment strategies and pioneering clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Piccolo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
- IFOM-ETS, the AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy.
| | - Tito Panciera
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
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14
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McEvoy E, Sneh T, Moeendarbary E, Javanmardi Y, Efimova N, Yang C, Marino-Bravante GE, Chen X, Escribano J, Spill F, Garcia-Aznar JM, Weeraratna AT, Svitkina TM, Kamm RD, Shenoy VB. Feedback between mechanosensitive signaling and active forces governs endothelial junction integrity. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7089. [PMID: 36402771 PMCID: PMC9675837 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34701-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The formation and recovery of gaps in the vascular endothelium governs a wide range of physiological and pathological phenomena, from angiogenesis to tumor cell extravasation. However, the interplay between the mechanical and signaling processes that drive dynamic behavior in vascular endothelial cells is not well understood. In this study, we propose a chemo-mechanical model to investigate the regulation of endothelial junctions as dependent on the feedback between actomyosin contractility, VE-cadherin bond turnover, and actin polymerization, which mediate the forces exerted on the cell-cell interface. Simulations reveal that active cell tension can stabilize cadherin bonds, but excessive RhoA signaling can drive bond dissociation and junction failure. While actin polymerization aids gap closure, high levels of Rac1 can induce junction weakening. Combining the modeling framework with experiments, our model predicts the influence of pharmacological treatments on the junction state and identifies that a critical balance between RhoA and Rac1 expression is required to maintain junction stability. Our proposed framework can help guide the development of therapeutics that target the Rho family of GTPases and downstream active mechanical processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eoin McEvoy
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.,Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.,Biomedical Engineering, University of Galway, Galway, H91 HX31, Ireland
| | - Tal Sneh
- Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.,Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics, The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
| | - Emad Moeendarbary
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, WC1E 7JE, UK.,Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Yousef Javanmardi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, WC1E 7JE, UK
| | - Nadia Efimova
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Changsong Yang
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Gloria E Marino-Bravante
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.,Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Xingyu Chen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.,Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Jorge Escribano
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Fabian Spill
- School of Mathematics, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ashani T Weeraratna
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.,Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Tatyana M Svitkina
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Roger D Kamm
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Vivek B Shenoy
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. .,Center for Engineering Mechanobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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15
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Roberts E, Xu T, Assoian RK. Cell contractility and focal adhesion kinase control circumferential arterial stiffness. VASCULAR BIOLOGY (BRISTOL, ENGLAND) 2022; 4:28-39. [PMID: 36222505 PMCID: PMC9782408 DOI: 10.1530/vb-22-0013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Arterial stiffening is a hallmark of aging and cardiovascular disease. While it is well established that vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) contribute to arterial stiffness by synthesizing and remodeling the arterial extracellular matrix, the direct contributions of SMC contractility and mechanosensors to arterial stiffness, and particularly the arterial response to pressure, remain less well understood despite being a long-standing question of biomedical importance. Here, we have examined this issue by combining the use of pressure myography of intact carotid arteries, pharmacologic inhibition of contractility, and genetic deletion of SMC focal adhesion kinase (FAK). Biaxial inflation-extension tests performed at physiological pressures showed that acute inhibition of cell contractility with blebbistatin or EGTA altered vessel geometry and preferentially reduced circumferential, as opposed to axial, arterial stiffness in wild-type mice. Similarly, genetic deletion of SMC FAK, which attenuated arterial contraction to KCl, reduced vessel wall thickness and circumferential arterial stiffness in response to pressure while having minimal effect on axial mechanics. Moreover, these effects of FAK deletion were lost by treating arteries with blebbistatin or by inhibiting myosin light-chain kinase. The expression of arterial fibrillar collagens, the integrity of arterial elastin, or markers of SMC differentiation were not affected by the deletion of SMC FAK. Our results connect cell contractility and SMC FAK to the regulation of arterial wall thickness and directionally specific arterial stiffening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilia Roberts
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Tina Xu
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Richard K Assoian
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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16
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von Kleeck R, Castagnino P, Assoian RK. Progerin mislocalizes myocardin-related transcription factor in Hutchinson-Guilford Progeria syndrome. VASCULAR BIOLOGY (BRISTOL, ENGLAND) 2022; 4:1-10. [PMID: 35441125 PMCID: PMC9012937 DOI: 10.1530/vb-21-0018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Hutchinson-Guilford Progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a rare genetic disease of premature aging and early death due to cardiovascular disease. The arteries of HGPS children and mice are pathologically stiff, and HGPS mice also display reduced arterial contractility. We recently showed that reduced contractility is an early event in HGPS and linked to an aberrantly low expression of smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (smMHC). Here, we have explored the basis for reduced smMHC abundance and asked whether it is a direct effect of progerin expression or a longer-term adaptive response. Myh11, the gene encoding for smMHC, is regulated by myocardin-related transcription factors (MRTFs), and we show that HGPS aortas have a reduced MRTF signature. Additionally, smooth muscle cells (SMCs) isolated from HGPS mice display reduced MRTF nuclear localization. Acute progerin expression in WT SMCs phenocopied both the decrease in MRTF nuclear localization and expression of Myh11 seen in HGPS. Interestingly, RNA-mediated depletion of MRTF-A in WT SMCs reproduced the preferential inhibitory effect of progerin on Myh11 mRNA relative to Acta2 mRNA. Our results show that progerin expression acutely disrupts MRTF localization to the nucleus and suggest that the consequent decrease in nuclear coactivator activity can help to explain the reduction in smMHC abundance and SMC contractility seen in HGPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan von Kleeck
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Pennsylvania, USA
- Center for Engineering MechanoBiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Paola Castagnino
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Pennsylvania, USA
- Institute of Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Richard K Assoian
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Pennsylvania, USA
- Center for Engineering MechanoBiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Institute of Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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17
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Lee CF, Carley RE, Butler CA, Morrison AR. Rac GTPase Signaling in Immune-Mediated Mechanisms of Atherosclerosis. Cells 2021; 10:2808. [PMID: 34831028 PMCID: PMC8616135 DOI: 10.3390/cells10112808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronary artery disease caused by atherosclerosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality around the world. Data from preclinical and clinical studies support the belief that atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease that is mediated by innate and adaptive immune signaling mechanisms. This review sought to highlight the role of Rac-mediated inflammatory signaling in the mechanisms driving atherosclerotic calcification. In addition, current clinical treatment strategies that are related to targeting hypercholesterolemia as a critical risk factor for atherosclerotic vascular disease are addressed in relation to the effects on Rac immune signaling and the implications for the future of targeting immune responses in the treatment of calcific atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cadence F. Lee
- Ocean State Research Institute, Inc., Providence VA Medical Center, Research (151), 830 Chalkstone Avenue, Providence, RI 02908, USA; (C.F.L.); (R.E.C.); (C.A.B.)
- Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Rachel E. Carley
- Ocean State Research Institute, Inc., Providence VA Medical Center, Research (151), 830 Chalkstone Avenue, Providence, RI 02908, USA; (C.F.L.); (R.E.C.); (C.A.B.)
- Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Celia A. Butler
- Ocean State Research Institute, Inc., Providence VA Medical Center, Research (151), 830 Chalkstone Avenue, Providence, RI 02908, USA; (C.F.L.); (R.E.C.); (C.A.B.)
- Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Alan R. Morrison
- Ocean State Research Institute, Inc., Providence VA Medical Center, Research (151), 830 Chalkstone Avenue, Providence, RI 02908, USA; (C.F.L.); (R.E.C.); (C.A.B.)
- Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
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18
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Engel-Pizcueta C, Pujades C. Interplay Between Notch and YAP/TAZ Pathways in the Regulation of Cell Fate During Embryo Development. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:711531. [PMID: 34490262 PMCID: PMC8417249 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.711531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells in growing tissues receive both biochemical and physical cues from their microenvironment. Growing evidence has shown that mechanical signals are fundamental regulators of cell behavior. However, how physical properties of the microenvironment are transduced into critical cell behaviors, such as proliferation, progenitor maintenance, or differentiation during development, is still poorly understood. The transcriptional co-activators YAP/TAZ shuttle between the cytoplasm and the nucleus in response to multiple inputs and have emerged as important regulators of tissue growth and regeneration. YAP/TAZ sense and transduce physical cues, such as those from the extracellular matrix or the actomyosin cytoskeleton, to regulate gene expression, thus allowing them to function as gatekeepers of progenitor behavior in several developmental contexts. The Notch pathway is a key signaling pathway that controls binary cell fate decisions through cell-cell communication in a context-dependent manner. Recent reports now suggest that the crosstalk between these two pathways is critical for maintaining the balance between progenitor maintenance and cell differentiation in different tissues. How this crosstalk integrates with morphogenesis and changes in tissue architecture during development is still an open question. Here, we discuss how progenitor cell proliferation, specification, and differentiation are coordinated with morphogenesis to construct a functional organ. We will pay special attention to the interplay between YAP/TAZ and Notch signaling pathways in determining cell fate decisions and discuss whether this represents a general mechanism of regulating cell fate during development. We will focus on research carried out in vertebrate embryos that demonstrate the important roles of mechanical cues in stem cell biology and discuss future challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn Engel-Pizcueta
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Pujades
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
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