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Sun J, Gui Y, Zhou S, Zheng XL. Unlocking the secrets of aging: Epigenetic reader BRD4 as the target to combatting aging-related diseases. J Adv Res 2024; 63:207-218. [PMID: 37956861 PMCID: PMC11379999 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2023.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aging, a complex and profound journey, leads us through a labyrinth of physiological and pathological transformations, rendering us increasingly susceptible to aging-related diseases. Emerging investigations have unveiled the function of bromodomain containing protein 4 (BRD4) in manipulating the aging process and driving the emergence and progression of aging-related diseases. AIM OF REVIEW This review aims to offer a comprehensive outline of BRD4's functions involved in the aging process, and potential mechanisms through which BRD4 governs the initiation and progression of various aging-related diseases. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW BRD4 has a fundamental role in regulating the cell cycle, apoptosis, cellular senescence, the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), senolysis, autophagy, and mitochondrial function, which are involved in the aging process. Several studies have indicated that BRD4 governs the initiation and progression of various aging-related diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, ischemic cerebrovascular diseases, hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart failure, aging-related pulmonary fibrosis, and intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). Thus, the evidence from this review supports that BRD4 could be a promising target for managing various aging-related diseases, while further investigation is warranted to gain a thorough understanding of BRD4's role in these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxing Sun
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, AB, Canada; Department of Cardiology, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yu Gui
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Shenghua Zhou
- Department of Cardiology, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.
| | - Xi-Long Zheng
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, AB, Canada.
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Shao M, Zhao W, Shen K, Jin H. Peptides from Harpadon nehereus Bone Ameliorate Angiotensin II-Induced HUVEC Injury and Dysfunction through Activation of the AKT/eNOS and Nrf2 Pathway. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:41655-41663. [PMID: 37969981 PMCID: PMC10634246 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c05908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced vascular endothelial cell injury and dysfunction are important pathophysiological factors in the occurrence and development of hypertension. In this study, the amelioration effects of two peptides KA-8 (KLHDEEVA) and PG-7 (PSRILYG) from Harpadon nehereus bone on Ang II-induced damage and dysfunction in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were investigated. The results showed that they could significantly decrease the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes in Ang II-induced HUVEC. Two peptides, especially PG-7, significantly upregulated the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). In addition, PG-7 significantly reduced the level of expression of endothelin-1(ET-1) and increased the phosphorylation level of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), serine/threonine kinase (AKT), and nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). These results indicated that the two peptides, especially PG-7, can ameliorate angiotensin II-induced HUVEC injury and dysfunction through activation of the AKT/eNOS and Nrf2 pathway. Furthermore, PG-7 showed a stronger affinity with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and ACE inhibitory than KA-8. In conclusion, peptide PG-7 reveals potential in the prevention and treatment of hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manfen Shao
- Zhoushan
Women and Children Hosptital, Zhoushan 316022, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- Zhejiang
Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Marine Biomedical
Products, School of Food and Pharmacy, Zhejiang
Ocean University, Zhoushan 316022, China
| | - Kai Shen
- Zhoushan
Women and Children Hosptital, Zhoushan 316022, China
| | - Huoxi Jin
- Zhejiang
Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Marine Biomedical
Products, School of Food and Pharmacy, Zhejiang
Ocean University, Zhoushan 316022, China
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Zheng X, Diktonaite K, Qiu H. Epigenetic Reader Bromodomain-Containing Protein 4 in Aging-Related Vascular Pathologies and Diseases: Molecular Basis, Functional Relevance, and Clinical Potential. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1135. [PMID: 37509171 PMCID: PMC10376956 DOI: 10.3390/biom13071135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging is a key independent risk factor of various vascular diseases, for which the regulatory mechanisms remain largely unknown. Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) is a member of the Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal domain (BET) family and is an epigenetic reader playing diverse roles in regulating transcriptional elongation, chromatin remodeling, DNA damage response, and alternative splicing in various cells and tissues. While BRD4 was initially recognized for its involvement in cancer progression, recent studies have revealed that the aberrant expression and impaired function of BRD4 were highly associated with aging-related vascular pathology, affecting multiple key biological processes in the vascular cells and tissues, providing new insights into the understanding of vascular pathophysiology and pathogenesis of vascular diseases. This review summarizes the recent advances in BRD4 biological function, and the progression of the studies related to BRD4 in aging-associated vascular pathologies and diseases, including atherosclerosis, aortic aneurism vascular neointima formation, pulmonary hypertension, and essential hypertension, providing updated information to advance our understanding of the epigenetic mechanisms in vascular diseases during aging and paving the way for future research and therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxu Zheng
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Science, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA; (X.Z.); (K.D.)
| | - Kotryna Diktonaite
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Science, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA; (X.Z.); (K.D.)
| | - Hongyu Qiu
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Science, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA; (X.Z.); (K.D.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, Translational Cardiovascular Research Center, College of Medicine-Phoenix, University of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
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Yan B, Gui Y, Guo Y, Sun J, Saifeddine M, Deng J, Hill JA, Hollenberg MD, Jiang ZS, Zheng XL. Impact of Short-Term (+)-JQ1 Exposure on Mouse Aorta: Unanticipated Inhibition of Smooth Muscle Contractility. Cells 2023; 12:1461. [PMID: 37296583 PMCID: PMC10252217 DOI: 10.3390/cells12111461] [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: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
(+)-JQ1, a specific chemical inhibitor of bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) family protein 4 (BRD4), has been reported to inhibit smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation and mouse neointima formation via BRD4 regulation and modulate endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity. This study aimed to investigate the effects of (+)-JQ1 on smooth muscle contractility and the underlying mechanisms. Using wire myography, we discovered that (+)-JQ1 inhibited contractile responses in mouse aortas with or without functional endothelium, reducing myosin light chain 20 (LC20) phosphorylation and relying on extracellular Ca2+. In mouse aortas lacking functional endothelium, BRD4 knockout did not alter the inhibition of contractile responses by (+)-JQ1. In primary cultured SMCs, (+)-JQ1 inhibited Ca2+ influx. In aortas with intact endothelium, (+)-JQ1 inhibition of contractile responses was reversed by NOS inhibition (L-NAME) or guanylyl cyclase inhibition (ODQ) and by blocking the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) pathway. In cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), (+)-JQ1 rapidly activated AKT and eNOS, which was reversed by PI3K or ATK inhibition. Intraperitoneal injection of (+)-JQ1 reduced mouse systolic blood pressure, an effect blocked by co-treatment with L-NAME. Interestingly, (+)-JQ1 inhibition of aortic contractility and its activation of eNOS and AKT were mimicked by the (-)-JQ1 enantiomer, which is structurally incapable of inhibiting BET bromodomains. In summary, our data suggest that (+)-JQ1 directly inhibits smooth muscle contractility and indirectly activates the PI3K/AKT/eNOS cascade in endothelial cells; however, these effects appear unrelated to BET inhibition. We conclude that (+)-JQ1 exhibits an off-target effect on vascular contractility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binjie Yan
- Departments of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Physiology & Pharmacology, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, The University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; (B.Y.)
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerosis of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Yu Gui
- Departments of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Physiology & Pharmacology, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, The University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; (B.Y.)
| | - Yanan Guo
- Departments of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Physiology & Pharmacology, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, The University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; (B.Y.)
| | - Jiaxing Sun
- Departments of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Physiology & Pharmacology, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, The University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; (B.Y.)
| | - Mahmoud Saifeddine
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, The University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Jingti Deng
- Departments of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Physiology & Pharmacology, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, The University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; (B.Y.)
| | - Joseph A. Hill
- Department of Internal Medicine (Cardiology), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-8573, USA
| | - Morley D. Hollenberg
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, The University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Zhi-Sheng Jiang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerosis of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Xi-Long Zheng
- Departments of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Physiology & Pharmacology, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, The University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; (B.Y.)
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Li L, Xie W, Gui Y, Zheng XL. Bromodomain-containing protein 4 and its role in cardiovascular diseases. J Cell Physiol 2020; 236:4829-4840. [PMID: 33345363 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4), a chromatin-binding protein, is involved in the development of various tumors. Recent evidence suggests that BRD4 also plays a significant role in cardiovascular diseases, such as ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and cardiac hypertrophy. This review summarizes the roles of BRD4 as a potential regulator of various pathophysiological processes in cardiovascular diseases, implicating that BRD4 may be a new therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Key Laboratory for Atherosclerology of Hunan Province, Medical Research Center, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, The University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Wei Xie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, The University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Anatomy, Clinical Anatomy & Reproductive Medicine Application Institute, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Yu Gui
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, The University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Xi-Long Zheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, The University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Wu Y, Mi Y, Zhang F, Cheng Y, Wu X. Suppression of bromodomain-containing protein 4 protects trophoblast cells from oxidative stress injury by enhancing Nrf2 activation. Hum Exp Toxicol 2020; 40:742-753. [PMID: 33094643 DOI: 10.1177/0960327120968857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Oxidative stress is considered a key hallmark of preeclampsia, which causes the dysregulation of trophoblast cells, and it contributes to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Emerging evidence has suggested bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) as a key regulator of oxidative stress in multiple cell types. However, whether BRD4 participates in regulating oxidative stress in trophoblast cells remains undetermined. The current study was designed to explore the potential function of BRD4 in the regulation of oxidative stress in trophoblast cells. Our data revealed that BRD4 expression was elevated in trophoblast cells stimulated with hydrogen peroxide. Exposure to hydrogen peroxide caused marked decreases in the levels of proliferation and invasion but promoted apoptosis and the production of ROS in trophoblast cells. Knockdown of BRD4, or treatment with a BRD4 inhibitor, markedly increased the levels of cell proliferation and invasion and decreased apoptosis and ROS production following the hydrogen peroxide challenge. Further data indicated that suppression of BRD4 markedly decreased the expression levels of Keap1, but increased the nuclear expression of Nrf2 and enhanced Nrf2-mediated transcriptional activity. BRD4 inhibition-mediated protective effects were markedly reversed by Keap1 overexpression or Nrf2 inhibition. Overall, these results demonstrated that BRD4 inhibition attenuated hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress injury in trophoblast cells by enhancing Nrf2 activation via the downregulation of Keap1. Our study highlights the potential importance of the BRD4/Keap1/Nrf2 axis in the modulation of the oxidative stress response in trophoblast cells. Targeted inhibition of BRD4 may offer new opportunities for the development of innovative therapeutic approaches to treat preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiqing Wu
- Department of Obstetrics, Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yang Mi
- Department of Obstetrics, Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of 117799Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yimin Cheng
- The Hospital of Xi'an Shiyou University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiaoling Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of 117799Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
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7
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Lin S, Du L. The therapeutic potential of BRD4 in cardiovascular disease. Hypertens Res 2020; 43:1006-1014. [PMID: 32409773 DOI: 10.1038/s41440-020-0459-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) is a member of the bromodomain and extra terminal (BET) protein family that has gained wide attention in the field of cancer due to its role in the formation of super enhancers (SEs) and the regulation of oncogene expression. However, there is increasing evidence that BRD4 also plays a pivotal role in a variety of cardiovascular diseases, suggesting that understanding the mechanisms of BRD4 in these diseases is important to advance studies and clinical treatment. In this article, we summarize the mechanisms of BRD4 in cardiovascular diseases, including pulmonary arterial hypertension, heart failure, atherosclerosis, and hypertension. In addition, we discuss small molecule inhibitors of BRD4 as novel therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigang Lin
- Department of Neonatology, The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lizhong Du
- Department of Neonatology, The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
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Zuo H, Wang S, Feng J, Liu X. BRD4 contributes to high-glucose-induced podocyte injury by modulating Keap1/Nrf2/ARE signaling. Biochimie 2019; 165:100-107. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2019.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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9
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Stratton MS, Farina FM, Elia L. Epigenetics and vascular diseases. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2019; 133:148-163. [PMID: 31211956 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2019.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease remains the number one cause of death and disability worldwide despite significant improvements in diagnosis, prevention, and early intervention efforts. There is an urgent need for improved understanding of cardiovascular processes responsible for disease development in order to develop more effective therapeutic strategies. Recent knowledge gleaned from the study of epigenetic mechanisms in the vasculature has uncovered new potential targets for intervention. Herein, we provide an overview of epigenetic mechanism, and review recent findings related to epigenetics in vascular diseases, highlighting classical epigenetic mechanism such as DNA methylation and histone modification as well as the newly discovered non-coding RNA mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S Stratton
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States of America.
| | - Floriana Maria Farina
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Via Manzoni 113, 20089 Rozzano, MI, Italy; Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Leonardo Elia
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Via Manzoni 113, 20089 Rozzano, MI, Italy; Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Italy.
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