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Chen S, Pan X, Gao P, Wu F. Single-nucleus transcriptome analysis identifies a novel FKBP5+ endothelial cell subtype involved in endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in adipose tissue during aging. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 722:150157. [PMID: 38805789 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.150157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Age-associated adipose tissue (AT) dysfunction is multifactorial and often leads to detrimental health consequences. AT is highly vascularized and endothelial cells (ECs) has been recently identified as a key regulator in the homeostasis of AT. However, the alteration of cell composition in AT during aging and the communication between endothelial cells and adipocytes remain poorly understood. In this study, we take advantage of single nucleus RNA sequencing analysis, and discovered a group of FKBP5+ ECs specifically resident in aged AT. Of interest, FKBP5+ ECs exhibited the potential for endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) and exhibited a critical role in regulating adipocytes. Furthermore, lineage tracing experiments demonstrated that ECs in aged AT tend to express FKBP5 and undergo EndoMT with progressive loss of endothelial marker. This study may provide a basis for a new mechanism of microvascular ECs-induced AT dysfunction during aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyuan Chen
- Department of Geriatrics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoxi Pan
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Hypertension, Department of Hypertension, Ruijin Hospital and Shanghai Institute of Hypertension, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Pingjin Gao
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Hypertension, Department of Hypertension, Ruijin Hospital and Shanghai Institute of Hypertension, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fang Wu
- Department of Geriatrics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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2
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Zhao J, Sormani L, Jacquelin S, Li H, Styke C, Zhou C, Beesley J, Oon L, Kaur S, Sim SL, Wong HY, Dight J, Hashemi G, Shafiee A, Roy E, Patel J, Khosrotehrani K. Distinct roles of SOX9 in self-renewal of progenitors and mesenchymal transition of the endothelium. Angiogenesis 2024; 27:545-560. [PMID: 38733496 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-024-09927-7] [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: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Regenerative capabilities of the endothelium rely on vessel-resident progenitors termed endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs). This study aimed to investigate if these progenitors are impacted by conditions (i.e., obesity or atherosclerosis) characterized by increased serum levels of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL), a known inducer of Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EndMT). Our investigation focused on understanding the effects of EndMT on the self-renewal capabilities of progenitors and the associated molecular alterations. In the presence of oxLDL, ECFCs displayed classical features of EndMT, through reduced endothelial gene and protein expression, function as well as increased mesenchymal genes, contractility, and motility. Additionally, ECFCs displayed a dramatic loss in self-renewal capacity in the presence of oxLDL. RNA-sequencing analysis of ECFCs exposed to oxLDL validated gene expression changes suggesting EndMT and identified SOX9 as one of the highly differentially expressed genes. ATAC sequencing analysis identified SOX9 binding sites associated with regions of dynamic chromosome accessibility resulting from oxLDL exposure, further pointing to its importance. EndMT phenotype and gene expression changes induced by oxLDL in vitro or high fat diet (HFD) in vivo were reversed by the silencing of SOX9 in ECFCs or the endothelial-specific conditional knockout of Sox9 in murine models. Overall, our findings support that EndMT affects vessel-resident endothelial progenitor's self-renewal. SOX9 activation is an early transcriptional event that drives the mesenchymal transition of endothelial progenitor cells. The identification of the molecular network driving EndMT in vessel-resident endothelial progenitors presents a new avenue in understanding and preventing a range of condition where this process is involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jilai Zhao
- Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Dermatology Research Centre, Experimental Dermatology Group, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Laura Sormani
- Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Dermatology Research Centre, Experimental Dermatology Group, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Sebastien Jacquelin
- Mater Research, Translational Research Institute, Macrophage Biology Laboratory, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Haiming Li
- Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Dermatology Research Centre, Experimental Dermatology Group, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Cassandra Styke
- Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Dermatology Research Centre, Experimental Dermatology Group, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Chenhao Zhou
- Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Dermatology Research Centre, Experimental Dermatology Group, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Jonathan Beesley
- Cancer Research Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - Linus Oon
- Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Dermatology Research Centre, Experimental Dermatology Group, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Simranpreet Kaur
- Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Dermatology Research Centre, Experimental Dermatology Group, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia
- Mater Research, Translational Research Institute, Macrophage Biology Laboratory, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Seen-Ling Sim
- Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Dermatology Research Centre, Experimental Dermatology Group, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Ho Yi Wong
- Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Dermatology Research Centre, Experimental Dermatology Group, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - James Dight
- Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Dermatology Research Centre, Experimental Dermatology Group, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Ghazaleh Hashemi
- Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Dermatology Research Centre, Experimental Dermatology Group, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Abbas Shafiee
- Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Dermatology Research Centre, Experimental Dermatology Group, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Edwige Roy
- Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Dermatology Research Centre, Experimental Dermatology Group, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Jatin Patel
- Centre for Ageing Research Program, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Kiarash Khosrotehrani
- Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Dermatology Research Centre, Experimental Dermatology Group, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia.
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3
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Aziz M, Jandeleit-Dahm KA, Khan AW. Interplay between epigenetic mechanisms and transcription factors in atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis 2024; 395:117615. [PMID: 38917706 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2024.117615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including coronary heart disease and stroke, comprise the number one cause of mortality worldwide. A major contributor to CVD is atherosclerosis, which is a low-grade inflammatory disease of vasculature that involves a pathological build-up of plaque within the arterial walls. Studies have shown that regulation of gene expression via transcription factors and epigenetic mechanisms play a fundamental role in transcriptomic changes linked to the development of atherosclerosis. Chromatin remodeling is a reversible phenomenon and studies have supported the clinical application of chromatin-modifying agents for the prevention and treatment of CVD. In addition, pre-clinical studies have identified multiple transcription factors as potential therapeutic targets in combating atherosclerotic CVD. Although interaction between transcription factors and epigenetic mechanisms facilitate gene regulation, a limited number of studies appreciate this crosstalk in the context of CVD. Here, we reviewed this gene regulatory mechanism underappreciated in atherosclerosis, which will highlight the mechanisms underlying novel therapeutics targeting epigenetic modifiers and transcription factors in atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misbah Aziz
- Department of Diabetes, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Karin Am Jandeleit-Dahm
- Department of Diabetes, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; German Diabetes Centre, Leibniz Centre for Diabetes Research at the Heinrich Heine University, Dusseldorf, Germany
| | - Abdul Waheed Khan
- Department of Diabetes, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
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4
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Cui H, Xu W, Liu L, Hong Y, Lou H, Tang P, Lin Y, Xu H, Xie M, Du M, Tang X, Wang Z, Wang Q, Zhang Y. Diosgenin alleviates arsenic trioxide induced cardiac fibrosis by inhibiting endothelial mesenchymal transition. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 132:155891. [PMID: 39059093 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUD Arsenic trioxide (ATO), the first-line drug in treating acute premyelogenous leukemia, has the profound side effect of inducing endothelial mesenchymal transition (EndMT) and causing cardiac fibrosis. Diosgenin (DIO), a pharmaceutical compound found in Paris polyphylla, exhibits promising potential in safeguarding cardiovascular health by mitigating EndMT. PURPOSE This study aims to explore the role and mechanism of DIO in ATO-induced myocardial fibrosis to provide a novel therapeutic agent for ATO-induced cardiac fibrosis. METHODS Wistar rats were given DIO by gavage and ATO by tail vein. Cardiac function and fibrosis were evaluated by echocardiography and Masson's trichrome staining in rats. Human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) were utilized to analyze ATO-induced EndMT in vitro. The cytoskeleton of HAECs was visualized using F-actin staining to observe cell morphology, while Dil-Ac-LDL staining was employed to assess cell functionality. EndMT-related factors (CD31 and α-SMA), glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were detected by immunofluorescence and Western blot in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, GR was knocked down by si-GR, and IL-6 was blocked by IL-6 neutralizing antibody to verify their role in the effect of DIO on ATO-induced EndMT in HAECs. RESULTS DIO exhibited significant efficacy in ATO-induced damage to both cardiac diastolic and systolic function, along with mitigating cardiac fibrosis. Additionally, DIO alleviated the loss of cytoskeletal anisotropy and enhanced the uptake of Dil-Ac-LDL in HAECs. Furthermore, it reversed the ATO-induced downregulation of endothelial-specific markers CD31 and GR, while suppressing the upregulation of mesenchymal markers α-SMA and IL-6, both in vivo and in vitro. Notably, the protective effect of DIO was compromised upon knockdown of GR, which also led to a reversal of DIO-induced IL-6 downregulation. Furthermore, the neutralization of IL-6 with specific antibodies abolished the ATO-induced changes related to EndMT. CONCLUSION In this study, we clarified the protective effect of DIO on ATO-induced myocardial fibrosis against EndMT via the GR/IL-6 axis for the first time and provided a potential therapeutic agent for preventing heart damage caused by ATO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases (SKLFZCD), Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, and Department of Cardiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, PR China; First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, PR China
| | - Wanqing Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases (SKLFZCD), Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, and Department of Cardiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, PR China; Department of Pharmacy, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, PR China
| | - Ling Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases (SKLFZCD), Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, and Department of Cardiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, PR China
| | - Yang Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases (SKLFZCD), Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, and Department of Cardiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, PR China
| | - Han Lou
- State Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases (SKLFZCD), Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, and Department of Cardiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, PR China
| | - Pingping Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases (SKLFZCD), Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, and Department of Cardiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, PR China
| | - Yuan Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases (SKLFZCD), Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, and Department of Cardiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, PR China
| | - Henghui Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases (SKLFZCD), Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, and Department of Cardiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, PR China
| | - Minzhen Xie
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, PR China
| | - Menghan Du
- State Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases (SKLFZCD), Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, and Department of Cardiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, PR China
| | - Xueqing Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases (SKLFZCD), Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, and Department of Cardiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, PR China
| | - Zhixia Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases (SKLFZCD), Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, and Department of Cardiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, PR China
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, PR China.
| | - Yong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases (SKLFZCD), Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, and Department of Cardiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, PR China; State Key Labratoray -Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, and Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education, College of Pharmacy, Harbin, 150081, PR China; Research Unit of Noninfectious Chronic Diseases in Frigid Zone (2019RU070), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, 150081, PR China.
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5
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Liu H, Wang C, Wang R, Zhang Y, Jian B, Zhou Z, Wu Z, Liang M. HnRNPA1 Prevents Endothelial-to-mesenchymal Transition-induced VSMC Activation and Neointimal Hyperplasia in Vein Grafts. J Cardiovasc Transl Res 2024:10.1007/s12265-024-10545-3. [PMID: 39046653 DOI: 10.1007/s12265-024-10545-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) is associated with neointimal hyperplasia and vein graft failure, and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNPA1) has emerged as a major modulator of EMT. We aimed to investigate the functional consequence of EndoMT in neointimal hyperplasia and the precise role of hnRNPA1 in the regulation of EndoMT and neointimal hyperplasia. We investigated the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of EndoMT cells in a mouse model of vein graft transplantation. In vitro, we studied the interaction between EndoMT cells and VSMCs, and the underlying mechanism was investigated by cytokine antibody assays. In cultured HUVECs, we studied the effect of hnRNPA1 on EndoMT and the cellular interactions by using siRNA-mediated knockdown and adenovirus-mediated overexpression. We further investigated the role of hnRNPA1 in EndoMT and neointimal hyperplasia in vivo with an AAV-mediated EC-specific hnRNPA1 overexpression murine model. We demonstrated the presence of EndoMT cells during the initial stage of neointimal formation, and that EndoMT cells promoted the proliferation and migration of VSMCs in vitro. Mechanistic studies revealed that EndoMT cells express and secrete a higher level of PDGF-B. Furthermore, we found a regulatory role for hnRNPA1 in EndoMT in vitro and in vivo. Similarly, we found that hnRNPA1 overexpression in ECs reduced the expression and secretion of PDGF-B during EndoMT, effectively inhibiting EndoMT cell-mediated activation of VSMCs in vitro and neointimal formation in vivo. Taken together, these findings indicate that EndoMT cells can activate VSMCs through a paracrine mechanism mediated by hnRNPA1 and lead to neointimal hyperplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoliang Liu
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Chaoqun Wang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Guangzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional and West Medicine, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Bohao Jian
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhuoming Zhou
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhongkai Wu
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China.
| | - Mengya Liang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China.
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Lee PC, Jung IH, Thussu S, Patel V, Wagoner R, Burks KH, Amrute J, Elenbaas JS, Kang CJ, Young EP, Scherer PE, Stitziel NO. Instrumental variable and colocalization analyses identify endotrophin and HTRA1 as potential therapeutic targets for coronary artery disease. iScience 2024; 27:110104. [PMID: 38989470 PMCID: PMC11233907 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110104] [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: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a leading cause of disease burden globally, and there is a persistent need for new therapeutic targets. Instrumental variable (IV) and genetic colocalization analyses can help identify novel therapeutic targets for human disease by nominating causal genes in genome-wide association study (GWAS) loci. We conducted cis-IV analyses for 20,125 genes and 1,746 plasma proteins with CAD using molecular trait quantitative trait loci variant (QTLs) data from three different studies. 19 proteins and 119 genes were significantly associated with CAD risk by IV analyses and demonstrated evidence of genetic colocalization. Notably, our analyses validated well-established targets such as PCSK9 and ANGPTL4 while also identifying HTRA1 and endotrophin (a cleavage product of COL6A3) as proteins whose levels are causally associated with CAD risk. Further experimental studies are needed to confirm the causal role of the genes and proteins identified through our multiomic cis-IV analyses on human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul C. Lee
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - In-Hyuk Jung
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Shreeya Thussu
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Ved Patel
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Ryan Wagoner
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Kendall H. Burks
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Junedh Amrute
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Jared S. Elenbaas
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Chul Joo Kang
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - Erica P. Young
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - Philipp E. Scherer
- Touchstone Diabetes Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Nathan O. Stitziel
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63108, USA
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
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7
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Mori M, Sakamoto A, Kawakami R, Guo L, Slenders L, Mosquera JV, Ghosh SKB, Wesseling M, Shiraki T, Bellissard A, Shah P, Weinkauf CC, Konishi T, Sato Y, Cornelissen A, Kawai K, Jinnouchi H, Xu W, Vozenilek AE, Williams D, Tanaka T, Sekimoto T, Kelly MC, Fernandez R, Grogan A, Coslet AJ, Fedotova A, Kurse A, Mokry M, Romero ME, Kolodgie FD, Pasterkamp G, Miller CL, Virmani R, Finn AV. CD163 + Macrophages Induce Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Atheroma. Circ Res 2024; 135:e4-e23. [PMID: 38860377 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.123.324082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cell phenotype switching is increasingly being recognized in atherosclerosis. However, our understanding of the exact stimuli for such cellular transformations and their significance for human atherosclerosis is still evolving. Intraplaque hemorrhage is thought to be a major contributor to plaque progression in part by stimulating the influx of CD163+ macrophages. Here, we explored the hypothesis that CD163+ macrophages cause plaque progression through the induction of proapoptotic endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) within the fibrous cap. METHODS Human coronary artery sections from CVPath's autopsy registry were selected for pathological analysis. Athero-prone ApoE-/- and ApoE-/-/CD163-/- mice were used for in vivo studies. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cell-induced macrophages and human aortic endothelial cells were used for in vitro experiments. RESULTS In 107 lesions with acute coronary plaque rupture, 55% had pathological evidence of intraplaque hemorrhage in nonculprit vessels/lesions. Thinner fibrous cap, greater CD163+ macrophage accumulation, and a larger number of CD31/FSP-1 (fibroblast specific protein-1) double-positive cells and TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-dUTP nick end labeling) positive cells in the fibrous cap were observed in nonculprit intraplaque hemorrhage lesions, as well as in culprit rupture sections versus nonculprit fibroatheroma sections. Human aortic endothelial cells cultured with supernatants from hemoglobin/haptoglobin-exposed macrophages showed that increased mesenchymal marker proteins (transgelin and FSP-1) while endothelial markers (VE-cadherin and CD31) were reduced, suggesting EndMT induction. Activation of NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa β) signaling by proinflammatory cytokines released from CD163+ macrophages directly regulated the expression of Snail, a critical transcription factor during EndMT induction. Western blot analysis for cleaved caspase-3 and microarray analysis of human aortic endothelial cells indicated that apoptosis was stimulated during CD163+ macrophage-induced EndMT. Additionally, CD163 deletion in athero-prone mice suggested that CD163 is required for EndMT and plaque progression. Using single-cell RNA sequencing from human carotid endarterectomy lesions, a population of EndMT was detected, which demonstrated significant upregulation of apoptosis-related genes. CONCLUSIONS CD163+ macrophages provoke EndMT, which may promote plaque progression through fibrous cap thinning.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic/metabolism
- Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic/genetics
- Animals
- Antigens, CD/metabolism
- Antigens, CD/genetics
- Macrophages/metabolism
- Macrophages/pathology
- Plaque, Atherosclerotic/pathology
- Plaque, Atherosclerotic/metabolism
- Receptors, Cell Surface/metabolism
- Receptors, Cell Surface/genetics
- Mice
- Cells, Cultured
- Endothelial Cells/metabolism
- Endothelial Cells/pathology
- Male
- Mice, Knockout, ApoE
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Apoptosis
- Female
- Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
- Coronary Vessels/pathology
- Coronary Vessels/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Masayuki Mori
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Inc, Gaithersburg, MD (M. Mori, A.S., R.K., L.G., S.K.B.G., T. Shiraki, A.B., P.S., T.K., Y.S., A.C., K.K., H.J., W.X., A.E.V., D.W., T.T., T. Sekimoto, R.F., A.G., A.J.C., A.F., A.K., M.E.R., F.D.K., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Atsushi Sakamoto
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Inc, Gaithersburg, MD (M. Mori, A.S., R.K., L.G., S.K.B.G., T. Shiraki, A.B., P.S., T.K., Y.S., A.C., K.K., H.J., W.X., A.E.V., D.W., T.T., T. Sekimoto, R.F., A.G., A.J.C., A.F., A.K., M.E.R., F.D.K., R.V., A.V.F.)
- Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Shizuoka, Japan (A.S.)
| | - Rika Kawakami
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Inc, Gaithersburg, MD (M. Mori, A.S., R.K., L.G., S.K.B.G., T. Shiraki, A.B., P.S., T.K., Y.S., A.C., K.K., H.J., W.X., A.E.V., D.W., T.T., T. Sekimoto, R.F., A.G., A.J.C., A.F., A.K., M.E.R., F.D.K., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Liang Guo
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Inc, Gaithersburg, MD (M. Mori, A.S., R.K., L.G., S.K.B.G., T. Shiraki, A.B., P.S., T.K., Y.S., A.C., K.K., H.J., W.X., A.E.V., D.W., T.T., T. Sekimoto, R.F., A.G., A.J.C., A.F., A.K., M.E.R., F.D.K., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Lotte Slenders
- University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands (L.S., M.W., M. Mokry, G.P.)
| | - Jose Verdezoto Mosquera
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville (J.V.M., C.L.M.)
| | - Saikat Kumar B Ghosh
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Inc, Gaithersburg, MD (M. Mori, A.S., R.K., L.G., S.K.B.G., T. Shiraki, A.B., P.S., T.K., Y.S., A.C., K.K., H.J., W.X., A.E.V., D.W., T.T., T. Sekimoto, R.F., A.G., A.J.C., A.F., A.K., M.E.R., F.D.K., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Marian Wesseling
- University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands (L.S., M.W., M. Mokry, G.P.)
| | - Tatsuya Shiraki
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Inc, Gaithersburg, MD (M. Mori, A.S., R.K., L.G., S.K.B.G., T. Shiraki, A.B., P.S., T.K., Y.S., A.C., K.K., H.J., W.X., A.E.V., D.W., T.T., T. Sekimoto, R.F., A.G., A.J.C., A.F., A.K., M.E.R., F.D.K., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Arielle Bellissard
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Inc, Gaithersburg, MD (M. Mori, A.S., R.K., L.G., S.K.B.G., T. Shiraki, A.B., P.S., T.K., Y.S., A.C., K.K., H.J., W.X., A.E.V., D.W., T.T., T. Sekimoto, R.F., A.G., A.J.C., A.F., A.K., M.E.R., F.D.K., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Palak Shah
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Inc, Gaithersburg, MD (M. Mori, A.S., R.K., L.G., S.K.B.G., T. Shiraki, A.B., P.S., T.K., Y.S., A.C., K.K., H.J., W.X., A.E.V., D.W., T.T., T. Sekimoto, R.F., A.G., A.J.C., A.F., A.K., M.E.R., F.D.K., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | | | - Takao Konishi
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Inc, Gaithersburg, MD (M. Mori, A.S., R.K., L.G., S.K.B.G., T. Shiraki, A.B., P.S., T.K., Y.S., A.C., K.K., H.J., W.X., A.E.V., D.W., T.T., T. Sekimoto, R.F., A.G., A.J.C., A.F., A.K., M.E.R., F.D.K., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Yu Sato
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Inc, Gaithersburg, MD (M. Mori, A.S., R.K., L.G., S.K.B.G., T. Shiraki, A.B., P.S., T.K., Y.S., A.C., K.K., H.J., W.X., A.E.V., D.W., T.T., T. Sekimoto, R.F., A.G., A.J.C., A.F., A.K., M.E.R., F.D.K., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Anne Cornelissen
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Inc, Gaithersburg, MD (M. Mori, A.S., R.K., L.G., S.K.B.G., T. Shiraki, A.B., P.S., T.K., Y.S., A.C., K.K., H.J., W.X., A.E.V., D.W., T.T., T. Sekimoto, R.F., A.G., A.J.C., A.F., A.K., M.E.R., F.D.K., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Kenji Kawai
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Inc, Gaithersburg, MD (M. Mori, A.S., R.K., L.G., S.K.B.G., T. Shiraki, A.B., P.S., T.K., Y.S., A.C., K.K., H.J., W.X., A.E.V., D.W., T.T., T. Sekimoto, R.F., A.G., A.J.C., A.F., A.K., M.E.R., F.D.K., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Hiroyuki Jinnouchi
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Inc, Gaithersburg, MD (M. Mori, A.S., R.K., L.G., S.K.B.G., T. Shiraki, A.B., P.S., T.K., Y.S., A.C., K.K., H.J., W.X., A.E.V., D.W., T.T., T. Sekimoto, R.F., A.G., A.J.C., A.F., A.K., M.E.R., F.D.K., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Weili Xu
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Inc, Gaithersburg, MD (M. Mori, A.S., R.K., L.G., S.K.B.G., T. Shiraki, A.B., P.S., T.K., Y.S., A.C., K.K., H.J., W.X., A.E.V., D.W., T.T., T. Sekimoto, R.F., A.G., A.J.C., A.F., A.K., M.E.R., F.D.K., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Aimee E Vozenilek
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Inc, Gaithersburg, MD (M. Mori, A.S., R.K., L.G., S.K.B.G., T. Shiraki, A.B., P.S., T.K., Y.S., A.C., K.K., H.J., W.X., A.E.V., D.W., T.T., T. Sekimoto, R.F., A.G., A.J.C., A.F., A.K., M.E.R., F.D.K., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Desiree Williams
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Inc, Gaithersburg, MD (M. Mori, A.S., R.K., L.G., S.K.B.G., T. Shiraki, A.B., P.S., T.K., Y.S., A.C., K.K., H.J., W.X., A.E.V., D.W., T.T., T. Sekimoto, R.F., A.G., A.J.C., A.F., A.K., M.E.R., F.D.K., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Takamasa Tanaka
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Inc, Gaithersburg, MD (M. Mori, A.S., R.K., L.G., S.K.B.G., T. Shiraki, A.B., P.S., T.K., Y.S., A.C., K.K., H.J., W.X., A.E.V., D.W., T.T., T. Sekimoto, R.F., A.G., A.J.C., A.F., A.K., M.E.R., F.D.K., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Teruo Sekimoto
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Inc, Gaithersburg, MD (M. Mori, A.S., R.K., L.G., S.K.B.G., T. Shiraki, A.B., P.S., T.K., Y.S., A.C., K.K., H.J., W.X., A.E.V., D.W., T.T., T. Sekimoto, R.F., A.G., A.J.C., A.F., A.K., M.E.R., F.D.K., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Michael C Kelly
- Single Cell Analysis Facility, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD (M.C.K.)
| | - Raquel Fernandez
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Inc, Gaithersburg, MD (M. Mori, A.S., R.K., L.G., S.K.B.G., T. Shiraki, A.B., P.S., T.K., Y.S., A.C., K.K., H.J., W.X., A.E.V., D.W., T.T., T. Sekimoto, R.F., A.G., A.J.C., A.F., A.K., M.E.R., F.D.K., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Alyssa Grogan
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Inc, Gaithersburg, MD (M. Mori, A.S., R.K., L.G., S.K.B.G., T. Shiraki, A.B., P.S., T.K., Y.S., A.C., K.K., H.J., W.X., A.E.V., D.W., T.T., T. Sekimoto, R.F., A.G., A.J.C., A.F., A.K., M.E.R., F.D.K., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - A J Coslet
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Inc, Gaithersburg, MD (M. Mori, A.S., R.K., L.G., S.K.B.G., T. Shiraki, A.B., P.S., T.K., Y.S., A.C., K.K., H.J., W.X., A.E.V., D.W., T.T., T. Sekimoto, R.F., A.G., A.J.C., A.F., A.K., M.E.R., F.D.K., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Alisa Fedotova
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Inc, Gaithersburg, MD (M. Mori, A.S., R.K., L.G., S.K.B.G., T. Shiraki, A.B., P.S., T.K., Y.S., A.C., K.K., H.J., W.X., A.E.V., D.W., T.T., T. Sekimoto, R.F., A.G., A.J.C., A.F., A.K., M.E.R., F.D.K., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Anjali Kurse
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Inc, Gaithersburg, MD (M. Mori, A.S., R.K., L.G., S.K.B.G., T. Shiraki, A.B., P.S., T.K., Y.S., A.C., K.K., H.J., W.X., A.E.V., D.W., T.T., T. Sekimoto, R.F., A.G., A.J.C., A.F., A.K., M.E.R., F.D.K., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Michal Mokry
- University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands (L.S., M.W., M. Mokry, G.P.)
| | - Maria E Romero
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Inc, Gaithersburg, MD (M. Mori, A.S., R.K., L.G., S.K.B.G., T. Shiraki, A.B., P.S., T.K., Y.S., A.C., K.K., H.J., W.X., A.E.V., D.W., T.T., T. Sekimoto, R.F., A.G., A.J.C., A.F., A.K., M.E.R., F.D.K., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Frank D Kolodgie
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Inc, Gaithersburg, MD (M. Mori, A.S., R.K., L.G., S.K.B.G., T. Shiraki, A.B., P.S., T.K., Y.S., A.C., K.K., H.J., W.X., A.E.V., D.W., T.T., T. Sekimoto, R.F., A.G., A.J.C., A.F., A.K., M.E.R., F.D.K., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Gerard Pasterkamp
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Inc, Gaithersburg, MD (M. Mori, A.S., R.K., L.G., S.K.B.G., T. Shiraki, A.B., P.S., T.K., Y.S., A.C., K.K., H.J., W.X., A.E.V., D.W., T.T., T. Sekimoto, R.F., A.G., A.J.C., A.F., A.K., M.E.R., F.D.K., R.V., A.V.F.)
- University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands (L.S., M.W., M. Mokry, G.P.)
| | - Clint L Miller
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville (J.V.M., C.L.M.)
| | - Renu Virmani
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Inc, Gaithersburg, MD (M. Mori, A.S., R.K., L.G., S.K.B.G., T. Shiraki, A.B., P.S., T.K., Y.S., A.C., K.K., H.J., W.X., A.E.V., D.W., T.T., T. Sekimoto, R.F., A.G., A.J.C., A.F., A.K., M.E.R., F.D.K., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Aloke V Finn
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Inc, Gaithersburg, MD (M. Mori, A.S., R.K., L.G., S.K.B.G., T. Shiraki, A.B., P.S., T.K., Y.S., A.C., K.K., H.J., W.X., A.E.V., D.W., T.T., T. Sekimoto, R.F., A.G., A.J.C., A.F., A.K., M.E.R., F.D.K., R.V., A.V.F.)
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore (A.V.F.)
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8
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Horvat Mercnik M, Schliefsteiner C, Sanchez-Duffhues G, Wadsack C. TGFβ signalling: a nexus between inflammation, placental health and preeclampsia throughout pregnancy. Hum Reprod Update 2024; 30:442-471. [PMID: 38519450 PMCID: PMC11215164 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmae007] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The placenta is a unique and pivotal organ in reproduction, controlling crucial growth and cell differentiation processes that ensure a successful pregnancy. Placental development is a tightly regulated and dynamic process, in which the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) superfamily plays a central role. This family of pleiotropic growth factors is heavily involved in regulating various aspects of reproductive biology, particularly in trophoblast differentiation during the first trimester of pregnancy. TGFβ signalling precisely regulates trophoblast invasion and the cell transition from cytotrophoblasts to extravillous trophoblasts, which is an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition-like process. Later in pregnancy, TGFβ signalling ensures proper vascularization and angiogenesis in placental endothelial cells. Beyond its role in trophoblasts and endothelial cells, TGFβ signalling contributes to the polarization and function of placental and decidual macrophages by promoting maternal tolerance of the semi-allogeneic foetus. Disturbances in early placental development have been associated with several pregnancy complications, including preeclampsia (PE) which is one of the severe complications. Emerging evidence suggests that TGFβ is involved in the pathogenesis of PE, thereby offering a potential target for intervention in the human placenta. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This comprehensive review aims to explore and elucidate the roles of the major members of the TGFβ superfamily, including TGFβs, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), activins, inhibins, nodals, and growth differentiation factors (GDFs), in the context of placental development and function. The review focusses on their interactions within the major cell types of the placenta, namely trophoblasts, endothelial cells, and immune cells, in both normal pregnancies and pregnancies complicated by PE throughout pregnancy. SEARCH METHODS A literature search was carried out using PubMed and Google Scholar, searching terms: 'TGF signalling preeclampsia', 'pregnancy TGF signalling', 'preeclampsia tgfβ', 'preeclampsia bmp', 'preeclampsia gdf', 'preeclampsia activin', 'endoglin preeclampsia', 'endoglin pregnancy', 'tgfβ signalling pregnancy', 'bmp signalling pregnancy', 'gdf signalling pregnancy', 'activin signalling pregnancy', 'Hofbauer cell tgfβ signalling', 'placental macrophages tgfβ', 'endothelial cells tgfβ', 'endothelium tgfβ signalling', 'trophoblast invasion tgfβ signalling', 'trophoblast invasion Smad', 'trophoblast invasion bmp', 'trophoblast invasion tgfβ', 'tgfβ preeclampsia', 'tgfβ placental development', 'TGFβ placental function', 'endothelial dysfunction preeclampsia tgfβ signalling', 'vascular remodelling placenta TGFβ', 'inflammation pregnancy tgfβ', 'immune response pregnancy tgfβ', 'immune tolerance pregnancy tgfβ', 'TGFβ pregnancy NK cells', 'bmp pregnancy NK cells', 'bmp pregnancy tregs', 'tgfβ pregnancy tregs', 'TGFβ placenta NK cells', 'TGFβ placenta tregs', 'NK cells preeclampsia', 'Tregs preeclampsia'. Only articles published in English until 2023 were used. OUTCOMES A comprehensive understanding of TGFβ signalling and its role in regulating interconnected cell functions of the main placental cell types provides valuable insights into the processes essential for successful placental development and growth of the foetus during pregnancy. By orchestrating trophoblast invasion, vascularization, immune tolerance, and tissue remodelling, TGFβ ligands contribute to the proper functioning of a healthy maternal-foetal interface. However, dysregulation of TGFβ signalling has been implicated in the pathogenesis of PE, where the shallow trophoblast invasion, defective vascular remodelling, decreased uteroplacental perfusion, and endothelial cell and immune dysfunction observed in PE, are all affected by an altered TGFβ signalling. WIDER IMPLICATIONS The dysregulation of TGFβ signalling in PE has important implications for research and clinical practice. Further investigation is required to understand the underlying mechanisms, including the role of different ligands and their regulation under pathophysiological conditions, in order to discover new therapeutic targets. Distinguishing between clinically manifested subtypes of PE and studying TGFβ signalling in different placental cell types holistically is an important first step. To put this knowledge into practice, pre-clinical animal models combined with new technologies are needed. This may also lead to improved human research models and identify potential therapeutic targets, ultimately improving outcomes for affected pregnancies and reducing the burden of PE.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gonzalo Sanchez-Duffhues
- Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN-CSIC), Tissue-Specific BMP Signalling ISPA-HUCA, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Christian Wadsack
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
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Huang D, Jiao X, Huang S, Liu J, Si H, Qi D, Pei X, Lu D, Wang Y, Li Z. Analysis of the heterogeneity and complexity of murine extraorbital lacrimal gland via single-cell RNA sequencing. Ocul Surf 2024; 34:60-95. [PMID: 38945476 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2024.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The lacrimal gland is essential for maintaining ocular surface health and avoiding external damage by secreting an aqueous layer of the tear film. However, a healthy lacrimal gland's inventory of cell types and heterogeneity remains understudied. METHODS Here, 10X Genome-based single-cell RNA sequencing was used to generate an unbiased classification of cellular diversity in the extraorbital lacrimal gland (ELG) of C57BL/6J mice. From 43,850 high-quality cells, we produced an atlas of cell heterogeneity and defined cell types using classic marker genes. The possible functions of these cells were analyzed through bioinformatics analysis. Additionally, the CellChat was employed for a preliminary analysis of the cell-cell communication network in the ELG. RESULTS Over 37 subclasses of cells were identified, including seven types of glandular epithelial cells, three types of fibroblasts, ten types of myeloid-derived immune cells, at least eleven types of lymphoid-derived immune cells, and five types of vascular-associated cell subsets. The cell-cell communication network analysis revealed that fibroblasts and immune cells play a pivotal role in the dense intercellular communication network within the mouse ELG. CONCLUSIONS This study provides a comprehensive transcriptome atlas and related database of the mouse ELG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duliurui Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Xinwei Jiao
- Henan Eye Institute, Henan Eye Hospital and Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Shenzhen Huang
- Henan Eye Institute, Henan Eye Hospital and Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Jiangman Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Hongli Si
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Di Qi
- Henan Eye Institute, Henan Eye Hospital and Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Xiaoting Pei
- Henan Eye Institute, Henan Eye Hospital and Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Dingli Lu
- Henan Eye Institute, Henan Eye Hospital and Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Yimian Wang
- Division of Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Zhijie Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China; Henan Eye Institute, Henan Eye Hospital and Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China.
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10
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Singh A, Bhatt KS, Nguyen HC, Frisbee JC, Singh KK. Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Cardiovascular Pathophysiology. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6180. [PMID: 38892367 PMCID: PMC11173124 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116180] [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: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Under different pathophysiological conditions, endothelial cells lose endothelial phenotype and gain mesenchymal cell-like phenotype via a process known as endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT). At the molecular level, endothelial cells lose the expression of endothelial cell-specific markers such as CD31/platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule, von Willebrand factor, and vascular-endothelial cadherin and gain the expression of mesenchymal cell markers such as α-smooth muscle actin, N-cadherin, vimentin, fibroblast specific protein-1, and collagens. EndMT is induced by numerous different pathways triggered and modulated by multiple different and often redundant mechanisms in a context-dependent manner depending on the pathophysiological status of the cell. EndMT plays an essential role in embryonic development, particularly in atrioventricular valve development; however, EndMT is also implicated in the pathogenesis of several genetically determined and acquired diseases, including malignant, cardiovascular, inflammatory, and fibrotic disorders. Among cardiovascular diseases, aberrant EndMT is reported in atherosclerosis, pulmonary hypertension, valvular disease, fibroelastosis, and cardiac fibrosis. Accordingly, understanding the mechanisms behind the cause and/or effect of EndMT to eventually target EndMT appears to be a promising strategy for treating aberrant EndMT-associated diseases. However, this approach is limited by a lack of precise functional and molecular pathways, causes and/or effects, and a lack of robust animal models and human data about EndMT in different diseases. Here, we review different mechanisms in EndMT and the role of EndMT in various cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aman Singh
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada; (A.S.); (K.S.B.); (H.C.N.); (J.C.F.)
| | - Kriti S. Bhatt
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada; (A.S.); (K.S.B.); (H.C.N.); (J.C.F.)
| | - Hien C. Nguyen
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada; (A.S.); (K.S.B.); (H.C.N.); (J.C.F.)
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Jefferson C. Frisbee
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada; (A.S.); (K.S.B.); (H.C.N.); (J.C.F.)
| | - Krishna K. Singh
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada; (A.S.); (K.S.B.); (H.C.N.); (J.C.F.)
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
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Vuong CK, Fukushige M, Ngo NH, Yamashita T, Obata-Yasuoka M, Hamada H, Osaka M, Tsukada T, Hiramatsu Y, Ohneda O. Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Type 2 Diabetic Mesenchymal Stem Cells Induce Endothelial Mesenchymal Transition under High Glucose Conditions Through the TGFβ/Smad3 Signaling Pathway. Stem Cells Dev 2024; 33:262-275. [PMID: 38717965 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2023.0262] [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] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with endothelial dysfunction, which results in delayed wound healing. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) play a vital role in supporting endothelial cells (ECs) and promoting wound healing by paracrine effects through their secretome-containing extracellular vesicles. We previously reported the impaired wound healing ability of adipose tissue-derived MSC from T2DM donors; however, whether extracellular vesicles isolated from T2DM adipose tissue-derived MSCs (dEVs) exhibit altered functions in comparison to those derived from healthy donors (nEVs) is still unclear. In this study, we found that nEVs induced EC survival and angiogenesis, whereas dEVs lost these abilities. In addition, under high glucose conditions, nEV protected ECs from endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), whereas dEV significantly induced EndMT by activating the transforming growth factor-β/Smad3 signaling pathway, which impaired the tube formation and in vivo wound healing abilities of ECs. Interestingly, the treatment of dEV-internalized ECs with nEVs rescued the induced EndMT effects. Of note, the internalization of nEV into T2DM adipose tissue-derived MSC resulted in the production of an altered n-dEV, which inhibited EndMT and supported the survival of T2DM db/db mice from severe wounds. Taken together, our findings suggest the role of dEV in endothelial dysfunction and delayed wound healing in T2DM by the promotion of EndMT. Moreover, nEV treatment can be considered a promising candidate for cell-free therapy to protect ECs in T2DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cat-Khanh Vuong
- Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Science, Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Mizuho Fukushige
- Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Science, Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Nhat-Hoang Ngo
- Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Science, Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
- PhD Program in Human Biology, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Toshiharu Yamashita
- Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Science, Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | | | - Hiromi Hamada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tsukuba
| | - Motoo Osaka
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Toru Tsukada
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Yuji Hiramatsu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Osamu Ohneda
- Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Science, Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
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Bruoha S, Galli M, Sabouret P, Yosefy C, Taha L, Gragnano F, Savage MP, Shuvy M, Biondi-Zoccai G, Glikson M, Asher E. Atherosclerotic Plaque Erosion: Mechanisms, Clinical Implications, and Potential Therapeutic Strategies-A Review. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2024; 83:547-556. [PMID: 38421206 DOI: 10.1097/fjc.0000000000001554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Atherosclerosis is an insidious and progressive inflammatory disease characterized by the formation of lipid-laden plaques within the intima of arterial walls with potentially devastating consequences. While rupture of vulnerable plaques has been extensively studied, a distinct mechanism known as plaque erosion (PE) has gained recognition and attention in recent years. PE, characterized by the loss of endothelial cell lining in the presence of intact fibrous cap, contributes to a significant and growing proportion of acute coronary events. However, despite a heterogeneous substrate underlying coronary thrombosis, treatment remains identical. This article provides an overview of atherosclerotic PE characteristics and its underlying mechanisms, highlights its clinical implications, and discusses potential therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Bruoha
- Department of Cardiology, Barzilai Medical Center, the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel
| | - Mattia Galli
- Maria Cecilia Hospital, GVM Care & Research, Cotignola, Italy
| | - Pierre Sabouret
- Maria Cecilia Hospital, GVM Care & Research, Cotignola, Italy
- National College of French Cardiologists, 13 rue Niepce, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Chaim Yosefy
- Department of Cardiology, Barzilai Medical Center, the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel
| | - Louay Taha
- Jesselson Integrated Heart Center, Shaare Zedek Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Felice Gragnano
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy
- Division of Clinical Cardiology, A.O.R.N. "Sant'Anna e San Sebastiano", Caserta, Italy
| | - Michael P Savage
- Division of Cardiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mony Shuvy
- Jesselson Integrated Heart Center, Shaare Zedek Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Giuseppe Biondi-Zoccai
- Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Latina, Italy ; and
- Mediterranea Cardiocentro, Naples, Italy
| | - Michael Glikson
- Jesselson Integrated Heart Center, Shaare Zedek Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Elad Asher
- Jesselson Integrated Heart Center, Shaare Zedek Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
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Singh B, Cui K, Eisa-Beygi S, Zhu B, Cowan DB, Shi J, Wang DZ, Liu Z, Bischoff J, Chen H. Elucidating the crosstalk between endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) and endothelial autophagy in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Vascul Pharmacol 2024; 155:107368. [PMID: 38548093 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2024.107368] [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: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis, a chronic systemic inflammatory condition, is implicated in most cardiovascular ischemic events. The pathophysiology of atherosclerosis involves various cell types and associated processes, including endothelial cell activation, monocyte recruitment, smooth muscle cell migration, involvement of macrophages and foam cells, and instability of the extracellular matrix. The process of endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) has recently emerged as a pivotal process in mediating vascular inflammation associated with atherosclerosis. This transition occurs gradually, with a significant portion of endothelial cells adopting an intermediate state, characterized by a partial loss of endothelial-specific gene expression and the acquisition of "mesenchymal" traits. Consequently, this shift disrupts endothelial cell junctions, increases vascular permeability, and exacerbates inflammation, creating a self-perpetuating cycle that drives atherosclerotic progression. While endothelial cell dysfunction initiates the development of atherosclerosis, autophagy, a cellular catabolic process designed to safeguard cells by recycling intracellular molecules, is believed to exert a significant role in plaque development. Identifying the pathological mechanisms and molecular mediators of EndoMT underpinning endothelial autophagy, may be of clinical relevance. Here, we offer new insights into the underlying biology of atherosclerosis and present potential molecular mechanisms of atherosclerotic resistance and highlight potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bandana Singh
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kui Cui
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shahram Eisa-Beygi
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bo Zhu
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Douglas B Cowan
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jinjun Shi
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Da-Zhi Wang
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, University of South Florida Health Heart Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Zhenguo Liu
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Joyce Bischoff
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hong Chen
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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14
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Diez Benavente E, Hartman RJG, Sakkers TR, Wesseling M, Sloots Y, Slenders L, Boltjes A, Mol BM, de Borst GJ, de Kleijn DPV, Prange KHM, de Winther MPJ, Kuiper J, Civelek M, van der Laan SW, Horvath S, Onland-Moret NC, Mokry M, Pasterkamp G, den Ruijter HM. Atherosclerotic Plaque Epigenetic Age Acceleration Predicts a Poor Prognosis and Is Associated With Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Humans. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2024; 44:1419-1431. [PMID: 38634280 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.320692] [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: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epigenetic age estimators (clocks) are predictive of human mortality risk. However, it is not yet known whether the epigenetic age of atherosclerotic plaques is predictive for the risk of cardiovascular events. METHODS Whole-genome DNA methylation of human carotid atherosclerotic plaques (n=485) and of blood (n=93) from the Athero-Express endarterectomy cohort was used to calculate epigenetic age acceleration (EAA). EAA was linked to clinical characteristics, plaque histology, and future cardiovascular events (n=136). We studied whole-genome DNA methylation and bulk and single-cell transcriptomics to uncover molecular mechanisms of plaque EAA. We experimentally confirmed our in silico findings using in vitro experiments in primary human coronary endothelial cells. RESULTS Male and female patients with severe atherosclerosis had a median chronological age of 69 years. The median epigenetic age was 65 years in females (median EAA, -2.2 [interquartile range, -4.3 to 2.2] years) and 68 years in males (median EAA, -0.3 [interquartile range, -2.9 to 3.8] years). Patients with diabetes and a high body mass index had higher plaque EAA. Increased EAA of plaque predicted future events in a 3-year follow-up in a Cox regression model (univariate hazard ratio, 1.7; P=0.0034) and adjusted multivariate model (hazard ratio, 1.56; P=0.02). Plaque EAA predicted outcome independent of blood EAA (hazard ratio, 1.3; P=0.018) and of plaque hemorrhage (hazard ratio, 1.7; P=0.02). Single-cell RNA sequencing in plaque samples from 46 patients in the same cohort revealed smooth muscle and endothelial cells as important cell types in plaque EAA. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition was associated with EAA, which was experimentally confirmed by TGFβ-triggered endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition inducing rapid epigenetic aging in coronary endothelial cells. CONCLUSIONS Plaque EAA is a strong and independent marker of poor outcome in patients with severe atherosclerosis. Plaque EAA was linked to mesenchymal endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition was associated with EAA, which was experimentally validated. Epigenetic aging mechanisms may provide new targets for treatments that reduce atherosclerosis complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernest Diez Benavente
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology (E.D.B., R.J.G.H., T.R.S., Y.S., M.M., H.M.d.R.), University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Robin J G Hartman
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology (E.D.B., R.J.G.H., T.R.S., Y.S., M.M., H.M.d.R.), University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Tim R Sakkers
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology (E.D.B., R.J.G.H., T.R.S., Y.S., M.M., H.M.d.R.), University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Marian Wesseling
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory (M.W., L.S., A.B., S.W.v.d.L., M.M., G.P.), University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Yannicke Sloots
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology (E.D.B., R.J.G.H., T.R.S., Y.S., M.M., H.M.d.R.), University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Lotte Slenders
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory (M.W., L.S., A.B., S.W.v.d.L., M.M., G.P.), University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Arjan Boltjes
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory (M.W., L.S., A.B., S.W.v.d.L., M.M., G.P.), University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Barend M Mol
- Department of Vascular Surgery (B.M.M., G.J.d.B., D.P.V.d.K.), University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Gert J de Borst
- Department of Vascular Surgery (B.M.M., G.J.d.B., D.P.V.d.K.), University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Dominique P V de Kleijn
- Department of Vascular Surgery (B.M.M., G.J.d.B., D.P.V.d.K.), University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Koen H M Prange
- Division of Biotherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, the Netherlands (K.H.M.P., M.P.J.d.W., J.K.)
| | - Menno P J de Winther
- Division of Biotherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, the Netherlands (K.H.M.P., M.P.J.d.W., J.K.)
| | - Johan Kuiper
- Division of Biotherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, the Netherlands (K.H.M.P., M.P.J.d.W., J.K.)
| | - Mete Civelek
- Center for Public Health Genomics (M.C.), University of Virginia, Charlottesville
- Department of Biomedical Engineering (M.C.), University of Virginia, Charlottesville
| | - Sander W van der Laan
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory (M.W., L.S., A.B., S.W.v.d.L., M.M., G.P.), University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Steve Horvath
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine (S.H.), University of California, Los Angeles
- Department of Biostatistics, Fielding School of Public Health (S.H.), University of California, Los Angeles
- Altos Labs, Cambridge Institute of Science, United Kingdom (S.H.)
| | - N Charlotte Onland-Moret
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care (N.C.O.-M.), University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Michal Mokry
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology (E.D.B., R.J.G.H., T.R.S., Y.S., M.M., H.M.d.R.), University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory (M.W., L.S., A.B., S.W.v.d.L., M.M., G.P.), University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Gerard Pasterkamp
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory (M.W., L.S., A.B., S.W.v.d.L., M.M., G.P.), University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Hester M den Ruijter
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology (E.D.B., R.J.G.H., T.R.S., Y.S., M.M., H.M.d.R.), University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
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15
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Zeng R, Wang Y, Chen J, Liu Q. Furin knockdown inhibited EndMT and abnormal proliferation and migration of endothelial cells. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc 2024:CH242171. [PMID: 38820014 DOI: 10.3233/ch-242171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disorders, vascular endothelium is crucial. A critical step in the development of atherosclerosis is endothelial dysfunction. Furin may play a factor in vascular remodeling, inflammatory cell infiltration, regulation of plaque stability, and atherosclerosis by affecting the adhesion and migration of endothelial cells. It is yet unknown, though, how furin contributes to endothelial dysfunction. METHODS We stimulated endothelial cells with oxidized modified lipoprotein (ox-LDL). Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) was found using immunofluorescence (IF) and western blot (WB). Furin expression level and Hippo/YAP signal activation were found using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and WB, respectively. To achieve the goal of furin knockdown, we transfected siRNA using the RNA transmate reagent. Following furin knockdown, cell proliferation, and migration were assessed by the CCK-8, scratch assay, and transwell gold assay, respectively. WB and IF both picked up on EndMT. WB and RT-qPCR, respectively, were used to find furin's expression level. We chose the important micrornas that can regulate furin and we then confirmed them using RT-qPCR. RESULTS EndMT was created by ox-LDL, evidenced by the up-regulation of mesenchymal cell markers and the down-regulation of endothelial cell markers. Furin expression levels in both protein and mRNA were increased, and the Hippo/YAP signaling pathway was turned on. Furin knockdown dramatically reduced the aberrant migration and proliferation of endothelial cells by ox-LDL stimulation. Furin knockdown can also suppress ox-LDL-induced EndMT, up-regulate indicators of endothelial cells, and down-regulate markers of mesenchymal cells. After ox-LDL stimulation and siRNA transfection, furin's expression level was up-regulated and down-regulated. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrated that furin knockdown could affect ox-LDL-induced abnormal endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and EndMT. This implies that furin plays an important role in endothelial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zeng
- Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yimin Wang
- Rehabilitation Area of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jun Chen
- Rehabilitation Area of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qiang Liu
- Rehabilitation Area of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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16
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Fledderus J, Brouwer L, Kuiper T, Harmsen MC, Krenning G. H3K27Me3 abundance increases fibrogenesis during endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition via the silencing of microRNA-29c. Front Cardiovasc Med 2024; 11:1373279. [PMID: 38774662 PMCID: PMC11106376 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1373279] [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: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a transdifferentiation process in which endothelial cells (ECs) adopt a mesenchymal-like phenotype. Over the past few years, it became clear that EndMT can contribute to several cardiovascular pathologies. However, the molecular pathways underlying the development of EndMT remain incompletely understood. Since the epigenetic enzyme Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2) and its concomitant mark H3K27Me3 have been shown to be elevated in many cardiovascular diseases that associate with EndMT, we hypothesized that H3K27Me3 is a determinant for the susceptibility of EndMT. Methods To study the association between H3K27Me3 and EndMT, a knockdown model of EZH2 in human endothelial cells (HUVEC) was utilized to reduce H3K27Me3 abundance, followed by induction of EndMT using TGFβ1. The expression of molecular markers of EndMT and fibrogenesis were analysed. Results In cultured HUVECs, a reduction of H3K27Me3 abundance facilitates EndMT but mitigates fibrogenesis as shown by a decreased expression of collagen I and III. In HUVEC, H3K27Me3 abundance directly affects the expression of miR29c, a collagen-targeting miRNA. Additionally, knockdown of miR-29c in HUVEC with low H3K27Me3 abundance partly restored the expression of collagen I and III. Expectedly, in rats with perivascular fibrosis an increased abundance of H3K27Me3 associated with a decreased expression of miR-29c. Conclusion our data shows that endothelial fibrogenesis underlies an epigenetic regulatory pathway and we demonstrate that a decreased abundance of H3K27Me3 in ECs blunts fibrogenesis in part in a miR-29c dependent manner. Therefore, a reduction of H3K27Me3 could serve as a novel therapeutical strategy to mitigate fibrogenesis and may prove to be beneficial in fibrogenic diseases including atherosclerosis, cardiac fibrosis, and PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jolien Fledderus
- Laboratory for Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine, Medical Biology Section, Department Pathology and Medical Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Linda Brouwer
- Laboratory for Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine, Medical Biology Section, Department Pathology and Medical Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Timara Kuiper
- Laboratory for Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine, Medical Biology Section, Department Pathology and Medical Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Martin C. Harmsen
- Laboratory for Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine, Medical Biology Section, Department Pathology and Medical Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Guido Krenning
- Laboratory for Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine, Medical Biology Section, Department Pathology and Medical Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- Division Experimental Pharmacology, Department Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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Cai Y, Zhou Y, Yang Q, Xu J, Da Q, Ma Q, Zhao D, Lu T, Kim HW, Fulton D, Jiang X, Weintraub NL, Dong K, Xu S, Hong M, Liu Z, Huo Y. Blockade of endothelial adenosine receptor 2 A suppresses atherosclerosis in vivo through inhibiting CREB-ALK5-mediated endothelial to mesenchymal transition. Pharmacol Res 2024; 203:107156. [PMID: 38522762 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide, and morbidity and mortality rates continue to rise. Atherosclerosis constitutes the principal etiology of CVDs. Endothelial injury, inflammation, and dysfunction are the initiating factors of atherosclerosis. Recently, we reported that endothelial adenosine receptor 2 A (ADORA2A), a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), plays critical roles in neovascularization disease and cerebrovascular disease. However, the precise role of endothelial ADORA2A in atherosclerosis is still not fully understood. Here, we showed that ADORA2A expression was markedly increased in the aortic endothelium of humans with atherosclerosis or Apoe-/- mice fed a high-cholesterol diet. In vivo studies unraveled that endothelial-specific Adora2a deficiency alleviated endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) and prevented the formation and instability of atherosclerotic plaque in Apoe-/- mice. Moreover, pharmacologic inhibition of ADORA2A with KW6002 recapitulated the anti-atherogenic phenotypes observed in genetically Adora2a-deficient mice. In cultured human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs), siRNA knockdown of ADORA2A or KW6002 inhibition of ADORA2A decreased EndMT, whereas adenoviral overexpression of ADORA2A induced EndMT. Mechanistically, ADORA2A upregulated ALK5 expression via a cAMP/PKA/CREB axis, leading to TGFβ-Smad2/3 signaling activation, thereby promoting EndMT. In conclusion, these findings, for the first time, demonstrate that blockade of ADORA2A attenuated atherosclerosis via inhibition of EndMT induced by the CREB1-ALK5 axis. This study discloses a new link between endothelial ADORA2A and EndMT and indicates that inhibiting endothelial ADORA2A could be an effective novel strategy for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic CVDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongfeng Cai
- Vascular Biology Center, Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yaqi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Qiuhua Yang
- Vascular Biology Center, Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Jiean Xu
- Vascular Biology Center, Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Qingen Da
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Qian Ma
- Vascular Biology Center, Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Dingwei Zhao
- Vascular Biology Center, Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Tammy Lu
- Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Ha Won Kim
- Vascular Biology Center, Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - David Fulton
- Vascular Biology Center, Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Xuejun Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Neal L Weintraub
- Vascular Biology Center, Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Kunzhe Dong
- Immunology Center of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Suowen Xu
- Department of Endocrinology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, China
| | - Mei Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Zhiping Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability Assessment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Yuqing Huo
- Vascular Biology Center, Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
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18
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van der Vorst EPC, Kovacic JC. Therapeutic targeting of cell transition: ready for clinical prime-time? Cardiovasc Res 2024; 120:e14-e16. [PMID: 38366667 PMCID: PMC11060484 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvae029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Emiel P C van der Vorst
- Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research (IMCAR), RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Aachen-Maastricht Institute for CardioRenal Disease (AMICARE), RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 17, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF), RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Pettenkoferstrasse 9, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Jason C Kovacic
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- St Vincent’s Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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19
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Gilley J, Hanneman SK, Ottosen MJ, Shivanna B, Keswani S. Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Human and Murine Models of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. Neonatology 2024:1-7. [PMID: 38588643 DOI: 10.1159/000537802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a complex congenital disorder, characterized by pulmonary hypertension (PH) and hypoplasia. PH secondary to CDH (CDH-PH) features devastating morbidity and mortality (25-30%) among neonates. An unmet need is determining mechanisms triggering CDH-PH to save infants. Prior data suggest abnormal remodeling of the pulmonary vascular extracellular matrix (ECM), presumed to be driven by endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT), hinders postnatal vasodilation and limits anti-PH therapy in CDH. There are limited data on the role of EndoMT in CDH-PH. METHODS The purpose of the study was to investigate how EndoMT contributes to CDH-PH by identifying cells undergoing EndoMT noted by alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and lung tissue obtained from murine pups using the nitrofen model. N = 8 CDH, N = 8 control HUVECs were stained for α-SMA and CD31 after being exposed for 24 h to TGFB, a known EndoMT promoter. N = 8 nitrofen, N = 8 control murine pup lungs were also stained for α-SMA and CD31. α-SMA and CD31 expression was quantified in HUVECs and murine tissue using Fiji imaging software and normalized to the total number of cells per slide noted by DAPI staining. RESULTS CDH HUVECs demonstrated a 1.1-fold increase in α-SMA expression (p = 0.02). The murine model did not show statistical significance between nitrofen and control pup lungs; however, there was a 0.4-fold increase in α-SMA expression with a 0.8-fold decrease in CD31 expression in the nitrofen pup lungs when compared to controls. CONCLUSION These results suggest that EndoMT could potentially play a role in the ECM remodeling seen in CDH-PH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Gilley
- UTHealth Houston Cizik School of Nursing, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Neonatology, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | | | | | - Binoy Shivanna
- Department of Neonatology, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Sundeep Keswani
- Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
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Adelus ML, Ding J, Tran BT, Conklin AC, Golebiewski AK, Stolze LK, Whalen MB, Cusanovich DA, Romanoski CE. Single-cell 'omic profiles of human aortic endothelial cells in vitro and human atherosclerotic lesions ex vivo reveal heterogeneity of endothelial subtype and response to activating perturbations. eLife 2024; 12:RP91729. [PMID: 38578680 PMCID: PMC10997331 DOI: 10.7554/elife.91729] [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] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Heterogeneity in endothelial cell (EC) sub-phenotypes is becoming increasingly appreciated in atherosclerosis progression. Still, studies quantifying EC heterogeneity across whole transcriptomes and epigenomes in both in vitro and in vivo models are lacking. Multiomic profiling concurrently measuring transcriptomes and accessible chromatin in the same single cells was performed on six distinct primary cultures of human aortic ECs (HAECs) exposed to activating environments characteristic of the atherosclerotic microenvironment in vitro. Meta-analysis of single-cell transcriptomes across 17 human ex vivo arterial specimens was performed and two computational approaches quantitatively evaluated the similarity in molecular profiles between heterogeneous in vitro and ex vivo cell profiles. HAEC cultures were reproducibly populated by four major clusters with distinct pathway enrichment profiles and modest heterogeneous responses: EC1-angiogenic, EC2-proliferative, EC3-activated/mesenchymal-like, and EC4-mesenchymal. Quantitative comparisons between in vitro and ex vivo transcriptomes confirmed EC1 and EC2 as most canonically EC-like, and EC4 as most mesenchymal with minimal effects elicited by siERG and IL1B. Lastly, accessible chromatin regions unique to EC2 and EC4 were most enriched for coronary artery disease (CAD)-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms from Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS), suggesting that these cell phenotypes harbor CAD-modulating mechanisms. Primary EC cultures contain markedly heterogeneous cell subtypes defined by their molecular profiles. Surprisingly, the perturbations used here only modestly shifted cells between subpopulations, suggesting relatively stable molecular phenotypes in culture. Identifying consistently heterogeneous EC subpopulations between in vitro and ex vivo models should pave the way for improving in vitro systems while enabling the mechanisms governing heterogeneous cell state decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria L Adelus
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
- The Clinical Translational Sciences Graduate Program, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
| | - Jiacheng Ding
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
| | - Binh T Tran
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
| | - Austin C Conklin
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
| | - Anna K Golebiewski
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
| | - Lindsey K Stolze
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
| | - Michael B Whalen
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
| | - Darren A Cusanovich
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
- Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
| | - Casey E Romanoski
- The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
- The Clinical Translational Sciences Graduate Program, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
- Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center, The University of ArizonaTucsonUnited States
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21
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Yang DR, Wang MY, Zhang CL, Wang Y. Endothelial dysfunction in vascular complications of diabetes: a comprehensive review of mechanisms and implications. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1359255. [PMID: 38645427 PMCID: PMC11026568 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1359255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Diabetic vascular complications are prevalent and severe among diabetic patients, profoundly affecting both their quality of life and long-term prospects. These complications can be classified into macrovascular and microvascular complications. Under the impact of risk factors such as elevated blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol lipids, the vascular endothelium undergoes endothelial dysfunction, characterized by increased inflammation and oxidative stress, decreased NO biosynthesis, endothelial-mesenchymal transition, senescence, and even cell death. These processes will ultimately lead to macrovascular and microvascular diseases, with macrovascular diseases mainly characterized by atherosclerosis (AS) and microvascular diseases mainly characterized by thickening of the basement membrane. It further indicates a primary contributor to the elevated morbidity and mortality observed in individuals with diabetes. In this review, we will delve into the intricate mechanisms that drive endothelial dysfunction during diabetes progression and its associated vascular complications. Furthermore, we will outline various pharmacotherapies targeting diabetic endothelial dysfunction in the hope of accelerating effective therapeutic drug discovery for early control of diabetes and its vascular complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Rong Yang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Department of Pathophysiology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Meng-Yan Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Cheng-Lin Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
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22
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Bashore AC, Yan H, Xue C, Zhu LY, Kim E, Mawson T, Coronel J, Chung A, Sachs N, Ho S, Ross LS, Kissner M, Passegué E, Bauer RC, Maegdefessel L, Li M, Reilly MP. High-Dimensional Single-Cell Multimodal Landscape of Human Carotid Atherosclerosis. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2024; 44:930-945. [PMID: 38385291 PMCID: PMC10978277 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.320524] [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: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atherosclerotic plaques are complex tissues composed of a heterogeneous mixture of cells. However, our understanding of the comprehensive transcriptional and phenotypic landscape of the cells within these lesions is limited. METHODS To characterize the landscape of human carotid atherosclerosis in greater detail, we combined cellular indexing of transcriptomes and epitopes by sequencing and single-cell RNA sequencing to classify all cell types within lesions (n=21; 13 symptomatic) to achieve a comprehensive multimodal understanding of the cellular identities of atherosclerosis and their association with clinical pathophysiology. RESULTS We identified 25 cell populations, each with a unique multiomic signature, including macrophages, T cells, NK (natural killer) cells, mast cells, B cells, plasma cells, neutrophils, dendritic cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Among the macrophages, we identified 2 proinflammatory subsets enriched in IL-1B (interleukin-1B) or C1Q expression, 2 TREM2-positive foam cells (1 expressing inflammatory genes), and subpopulations with a proliferative gene signature and SMC-specific gene signature with fibrotic pathways upregulated. Further characterization revealed various subsets of SMCs and fibroblasts, including SMC-derived foam cells. These foamy SMCs were localized in the deep intima of coronary atherosclerotic lesions. Utilizing cellular indexing of transcriptomes and epitopes by sequencing data, we developed a flow cytometry panel, using cell surface proteins CD29, CD142, and CD90, to isolate SMC-derived cells from lesions. Lastly, we observed reduced proportions of efferocytotic macrophages, classically activated endothelial cells, and contractile and modulated SMC-derived cells, while inflammatory SMCs were enriched in plaques of clinically symptomatic versus asymptomatic patients. CONCLUSIONS Our multimodal atlas of cell populations within atherosclerosis provides novel insights into the diversity, phenotype, location, isolation, and clinical relevance of the unique cellular composition of human carotid atherosclerosis. These findings facilitate both the mapping of cardiovascular disease susceptibility loci to specific cell types and the identification of novel molecular and cellular therapeutic targets for the treatment of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander C Bashore
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Hanying Yan
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (H.Y., M.L.)
| | - Chenyi Xue
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Lucie Y Zhu
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Eunyoung Kim
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Thomas Mawson
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Johana Coronel
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Allen Chung
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Nadja Sachs
- Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Technical University Munich, Germany (N.S., L.M.)
| | - Sebastian Ho
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Leila S Ross
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Michael Kissner
- Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Department of Genetics and Development (M.K., E.P.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Emmanuelle Passegué
- Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Department of Genetics and Development (M.K., E.P.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Robert C Bauer
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Lars Maegdefessel
- Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Technical University Munich, Germany (N.S., L.M.)
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance (L.M.)
- Department of Medicine, Karolinksa Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (L.M.)
| | - Mingyao Li
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (H.Y., M.L.)
| | - Muredach P Reilly
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
- Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (M.P.R.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
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23
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Alieva IB, Shakhov AS, Dayal AA, Churkina AS, Parfenteva OI, Minin AA. Unique Role of Vimentin in the Intermediate Filament Proteins Family. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2024; 89:726-736. [PMID: 38831508 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297924040114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Intermediate filaments (IFs), being traditionally the least studied component of the cytoskeleton, have begun to receive more attention in recent years. IFs are found in different cell types and are specific to them. Accumulated data have shifted the paradigm about the role of IFs as structures that merely provide mechanical strength to the cell. In addition to this role, IFs have been shown to participate in maintaining cell shape and strengthening cell adhesion. The data have also been obtained that point out to the role of IFs in a number of other biological processes, including organization of microtubules and microfilaments, regulation of nuclear structure and activity, cell cycle control, and regulation of signal transduction pathways. They are also actively involved in the regulation of several aspects of intracellular transport. Among the intermediate filament proteins, vimentin is of particular interest for researchers. Vimentin has been shown to be associated with a range of diseases, including cancer, cataracts, Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and HIV. In this review, we focus almost exclusively on vimentin and the currently known functions of vimentin intermediate filaments (VIFs). This is due to the structural features of vimentin, biological functions of its domains, and its involvement in the regulation of a wide range of basic cellular functions, and its role in the development of human diseases. Particular attention in the review will be paid to comparing the role of VIFs with the role of intermediate filaments consisting of other proteins in cell physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina B Alieva
- Belozersky Institute of Physical and Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119992, Russia
| | - Anton S Shakhov
- Belozersky Institute of Physical and Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119992, Russia
| | - Alexander A Dayal
- Institute of Protein Research, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119334, Russia
| | - Aleksandra S Churkina
- Belozersky Institute of Physical and Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119992, Russia
| | - Olga I Parfenteva
- Institute of Protein Research, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119334, Russia
| | - Alexander A Minin
- Institute of Protein Research, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119334, Russia.
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24
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Stroope C, Nettersheim FS, Coon B, Finney AC, Schwartz MA, Ley K, Rom O, Yurdagul A. Dysregulated cellular metabolism in atherosclerosis: mediators and therapeutic opportunities. Nat Metab 2024; 6:617-638. [PMID: 38532071 PMCID: PMC11055680 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-024-01015-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence over the past decades has revealed an intricate relationship between dysregulation of cellular metabolism and the progression of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. However, an integrated understanding of dysregulated cellular metabolism in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and its potential value as a therapeutic target is missing. In this Review, we (1) summarize recent advances concerning the role of metabolic dysregulation during atherosclerosis progression in lesional cells, including endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, macrophages and T cells; (2) explore the complexity of metabolic cross-talk between these lesional cells; (3) highlight emerging technologies that promise to illuminate unknown aspects of metabolism in atherosclerosis; and (4) suggest strategies for targeting these underexplored metabolic alterations to mitigate atherosclerosis progression and stabilize rupture-prone atheromas with a potential new generation of cardiovascular therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chad Stroope
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Felix Sebastian Nettersheim
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Brian Coon
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, OMRF, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Alexandra C Finney
- Department of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Martin A Schwartz
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Departments of Cell Biology and Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Klaus Ley
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- Immunology Center of Georgia (IMMCG), Augusta University Immunology Center of Georgia, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Oren Rom
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Arif Yurdagul
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, USA.
- Department of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, USA.
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25
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Lemmens TP, Bröker V, Rijpkema M, Hughes CCW, Schurgers LJ, Cosemans JMEM. Fundamental considerations for designing endothelialized in vitro models of thrombosis. Thromb Res 2024; 236:179-190. [PMID: 38460307 DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2024.03.004] [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: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
Endothelialized in vitro models for cardiovascular disease have contributed greatly to our current understanding of the complex molecular mechanisms underlying thrombosis. To further elucidate these mechanisms, it is important to consider which fundamental aspects to incorporate into an in vitro model. In this review, we will focus on the design of in vitro endothelialized models of thrombosis. Expanding our understanding of the relation and interplay between the different pathways involved will rely in part on complex models that incorporate endothelial cells, blood, the extracellular matrix, and flow. Importantly, the use of tissue-specific endothelial cells will help in understanding the heterogeneity in thrombotic responses between different vascular beds. The dynamic and complex responses of endothelial cells to different shear rates underlines the importance of incorporating appropriate shear in in vitro models. Alterations in vascular extracellular matrix composition, availability of bioactive molecules, and gradients in concentration and composition of these molecules can all regulate the function of both endothelial cells and perivascular cells. Factors modulating these elements in in vitro models should therefore be considered carefully depending on the research question at hand. As the complexity of in vitro models increases, so can the variability. A bottom-up approach to designing such models will remain an important tool for researchers studying thrombosis. As new techniques are continuously being developed and new pathways are brought to light, research question-dependent considerations will have to be made regarding what aspects of thrombosis to include in in vitro models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Titus P Lemmens
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Vanessa Bröker
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Minke Rijpkema
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Christopher C W Hughes
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, USA
| | - Leon J Schurgers
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Judith M E M Cosemans
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
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26
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Zhang L, Wu X, Hong L. Endothelial Reprogramming in Atherosclerosis. Bioengineering (Basel) 2024; 11:325. [PMID: 38671747 PMCID: PMC11048243 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering11040325] [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: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis (AS) is a severe vascular disease that results in millions of cases of mortality each year. The development of atherosclerosis is associated with vascular structural lesions, characterized by the accumulation of immune cells, mesenchymal cells, lipids, and an extracellular matrix at the intimal resulting in the formation of an atheromatous plaque. AS involves complex interactions among various cell types, including macrophages, endothelial cells (ECs), and smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Endothelial dysfunction plays an essential role in the initiation and progression of AS. Endothelial dysfunction can encompass a constellation of various non-adaptive dynamic alterations of biology and function, termed "endothelial reprogramming". This phenomenon involves transitioning from a quiescent, anti-inflammatory state to a pro-inflammatory and proatherogenic state and alterations in endothelial cell identity, such as endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) and endothelial-to-immune cell-like transition (EndIT). Targeting these processes to restore endothelial balance and prevent cell identity shifts, alongside modulating epigenetic factors, can attenuate atherosclerosis progression. In the present review, we discuss the role of endothelial cells in AS and summarize studies in endothelial reprogramming associated with the pathogenesis of AS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zhang
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Xin Wu
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Liang Hong
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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27
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Liu J, Yu X, Braucht A, Smith S, Wang C. N-Cadherin Targeted Melanin Nanoparticles Reverse the Endothelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Vascular Endothelial Cells to Potentially Slow the Progression of Atherosclerosis and Cancer. ACS NANO 2024; 18:8229-8247. [PMID: 38427686 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c12281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) of vascular endothelial cells has recently been considered as a key player in the early progression of a variety of vascular and nonvascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, cancer, and organ fibrosis. However, current strategies attempting to identify pharmacological inhibitors to block the regulatory pathways of EndoMT suffer from poor selectivity, unwanted side effects, and a heterogeneous response from endothelial cells with different origins. Furthermore, EndoMT inhibitors focus on preventing EndoMT, leaving the endothelial cells that have already undergone EndoMT unresolved. Here, we report the design of a simple but powerful nanoparticle system (i.e., N-cadherin targeted melanin nanoparticles) to convert cytokine-activated, mesenchymal-like endothelial cells back to their original endothelial phenotype. We term this process "Reversed EndoMT" (R-EndoMT). R-EndoMT allows the impaired endothelial barriers to recover their quiescence and intactness, with significantly reduced leukocyte and cancer cell adhesion and transmigration, which could potentially stop atheromatous plaque formation and cancer metastasis in the early stages. R-EndoMT is achieved on different endothelial cell types originating from arteries, veins, and capillaries, independent of activating cytokines. We reveal that N-cadherin targeted melanin nanoparticles reverse EndoMT by downregulating an N-cadherin dependent RhoA activation pathway. Overall, this approach offers a different prospect to treat multiple EndoMT-associated diseases by designing nanoparticles to reverse the phenotypical transition of endothelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyuan Liu
- Nanoscience and Biomedical Engineering, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, 501 E St Joseph Street, Rapid City, South Dakota 57701, United States
- BioSystems Networks & Translational Research (BioSNTR), 501 E St Joseph Street, Rapid City, South Dakota 57701, United States
| | - Xiao Yu
- Nanoscience and Biomedical Engineering, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, 501 E St Joseph Street, Rapid City, South Dakota 57701, United States
- BioSystems Networks & Translational Research (BioSNTR), 501 E St Joseph Street, Rapid City, South Dakota 57701, United States
| | - Annaliese Braucht
- Nanoscience and Biomedical Engineering, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, 501 E St Joseph Street, Rapid City, South Dakota 57701, United States
- BioSystems Networks & Translational Research (BioSNTR), 501 E St Joseph Street, Rapid City, South Dakota 57701, United States
| | - Steve Smith
- Nanoscience and Biomedical Engineering, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, 501 E St Joseph Street, Rapid City, South Dakota 57701, United States
- BioSystems Networks & Translational Research (BioSNTR), 501 E St Joseph Street, Rapid City, South Dakota 57701, United States
| | - Congzhou Wang
- Nanoscience and Biomedical Engineering, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, 501 E St Joseph Street, Rapid City, South Dakota 57701, United States
- BioSystems Networks & Translational Research (BioSNTR), 501 E St Joseph Street, Rapid City, South Dakota 57701, United States
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28
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Godos J, Romano GL, Gozzo L, Laudani S, Paladino N, Dominguez Azpíroz I, Martínez López NM, Giampieri F, Quiles JL, Battino M, Galvano F, Drago F, Grosso G. Resveratrol and vascular health: evidence from clinical studies and mechanisms of actions related to its metabolites produced by gut microbiota. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1368949. [PMID: 38562461 PMCID: PMC10982351 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1368949] [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: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases are among the leading causes of mortality worldwide, with dietary factors being the main risk contributors. Diets rich in bioactive compounds, such as (poly)phenols, have been shown to potentially exert positive effects on vascular health. Among them, resveratrol has gained particular attention due to its potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action. Nevertheless, the results in humans are conflicting possibly due to interindividual different responses. The gut microbiota, a complex microbial community that inhabits the gastrointestinal tract, has been called out as potentially responsible for modulating the biological activities of phenolic metabolites in humans. The present review aims to summarize the main findings from clinical trials on the effects of resveratrol interventions on endothelial and vascular outcomes and review potential mechanisms interesting the role of gut microbiota on the metabolism of this molecule and its cardioprotective metabolites. The findings from randomized controlled trials show contrasting results on the effects of resveratrol supplementation and vascular biomarkers without dose-dependent effect. In particular, studies in which resveratrol was integrated using food sources, i.e., red wine, reported significant effects although the resveratrol content was, on average, much lower compared to tablet supplementation, while other studies with often extreme resveratrol supplementation resulted in null findings. The results from experimental studies suggest that resveratrol exerts cardioprotective effects through the modulation of various antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hypertensive pathways, and microbiota composition. Recent studies on resveratrol-derived metabolites, such as piceatannol, have demonstrated its effects on biomarkers of vascular health. Moreover, resveratrol itself has been shown to improve the gut microbiota composition toward an anti-inflammatory profile. Considering the contrasting findings from clinical studies, future research exploring the bidirectional link between resveratrol metabolism and gut microbiota as well as the mediating effect of gut microbiota in resveratrol effect on cardiovascular health is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Godos
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Lucia Gozzo
- Clinical Pharmacology Unit/Regional Pharmacovigilance Centre, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Policlinico “G. Rodolico-S. Marco”, Catania, Italy
| | - Samuele Laudani
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Nadia Paladino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Irma Dominguez Azpíroz
- Research Group on Food, Nutritional Biochemistry and Health, Universidad Europea del Atlántico, Santander, Spain
- Universidade Internacional do Cuanza, Cuito, Angola
- Universidad de La Romana, La Romana, Dominican Republic
| | - Nohora Milena Martínez López
- Research Group on Food, Nutritional Biochemistry and Health, Universidad Europea del Atlántico, Santander, Spain
- Universidad Internacional Iberoamericana, Campeche, Mexico
- Fundación Universitaria Internacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Francesca Giampieri
- Research Group on Food, Nutritional Biochemistry and Health, Universidad Europea del Atlántico, Santander, Spain
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - José L. Quiles
- Research Group on Food, Nutritional Biochemistry and Health, Universidad Europea del Atlántico, Santander, Spain
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology “José Mataix”, Biomedical Research Center, University of Granada, Parque Tecnologico de la Salud, Granada, Spain
- Research and Development Functional Food Centre (CIDAF), Health Science Technological Park, Granada, Spain
| | - Maurizio Battino
- Research Group on Food, Nutritional Biochemistry and Health, Universidad Europea del Atlántico, Santander, Spain
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
- International Joint Research Laboratory of Intelligent Agriculture and Agri-products Processing, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fabio Galvano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Grosso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Center for Human Nutrition and Mediterranean Foods (NUTREA), University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Hall IF, Kishta F, Xu Y, Baker AH, Kovacic JC. Endothelial to mesenchymal transition: at the axis of cardiovascular health and disease. Cardiovasc Res 2024; 120:223-236. [PMID: 38385523 PMCID: PMC10939465 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvae021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cells (ECs) line the luminal surface of blood vessels and play a major role in vascular (patho)-physiology by acting as a barrier, sensing circulating factors and intrinsic/extrinsic signals. ECs have the capacity to undergo endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), a complex differentiation process with key roles both during embryonic development and in adulthood. EndMT can contribute to EC activation and dysfunctional alterations associated with maladaptive tissue responses in human disease. During EndMT, ECs progressively undergo changes leading to expression of mesenchymal markers while repressing EC lineage-specific traits. This phenotypic and functional switch is considered to largely exist in a continuum, being characterized by a gradation of transitioning stages. In this report, we discuss process plasticity and potential reversibility and the hypothesis that different EndMT-derived cell populations may play a different role in disease progression or resolution. In addition, we review advancements in the EndMT field, current technical challenges, as well as therapeutic options and opportunities in the context of cardiovascular biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Fernando Hall
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queens Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Franceska Kishta
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queens Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Yang Xu
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Andrew H Baker
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queens Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
- CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, Maastricht 6229ER, The Netherlands
| | - Jason C Kovacic
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Lowy Packer Building, 405 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
- St. Vincent’s Clinical School and University of New South Wales, 390 Victoria St, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
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Feng J, Li K, Xie F, Han L, Wu Y. IL-35 ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced endothelial dysfunction by inhibiting endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 129:111567. [PMID: 38335651 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111567] [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: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) caused mainly by bacterial infection. The morbidity and mortality rates of sepsis are extremely high. About 18 million people worldwide suffer from severe sepsis each year, and about 14,000 people die from it every day. Previous studies have revealed that endothelial dysfunction plays a vital role in the pathological change of sepsis. Furthermore, endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT, EndoMT) is capable of triggering endothelial dysfunction. And yet, it remains obscure whether interleukin-35 (IL-35) can alleviate endothelial dysfunction by attenuating LPS-induced EndMT. Here, through in vivo and in vitro experiments, we revealed that IL-35 has a previously unknown function to attenuate LPS-induced endothelial dysfunction by inhibiting LPS-induced EndMT. Mechanistically, IL-35 acts by regulating the NFκB signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Feng
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Kai Li
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Feng Xie
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Leilei Han
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Yanqing Wu
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China.
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31
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Chen L, Su H, Tao Z, Liang C, Liu Z, Dong Y, Zheng P, Liu Y. DUSP22 Ameliorates Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in HUVECs through Smad2/3 and MAPK Signaling Pathways. Cardiovasc Ther 2024; 2024:5583961. [PMID: 38495810 PMCID: PMC10942825 DOI: 10.1155/2024/5583961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is the process by which endothelial cells lose their endothelial properties and acquire mesenchymal characteristics. Dual-specific protein phosphatase 22 (DUSP22) inactivates various protein kinases and transcription factors by dephosphorylating serine/threonine residues: hence, it plays a key role in many diseases. The aim of this study was to explore the functional role of DUSP22 in EndMT. In the transforming growth factor-β-induced EndMT model in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), we observed a downregulation of DUSP22 expression. This DUSP22 deficiency could aggravate EndMT. Conversely, the overexpression of DUSP22 could ameliorate EndMT. We used signaling pathway inhibitors to verify our results and found that DUSP22 could regulate EndMT through the smad2/3 and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. In summary, DUSP22 ameliorates EndMT in HUVECs in vitro through the smad2/3 and MAPK signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Chen
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hongyu Su
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zekai Tao
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Cui Liang
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhongzhao Liu
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yiming Dong
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Peipei Zheng
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yuan Liu
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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Fang Z, Zhao G, Zhao S, Yu X, Feng R, Zhang YE, Li H, Huang L, Guo Z, Zhang Z, Abdurahman M, Hong H, Li P, Wu B, Zhu J, Zhong X, Huang D, Lu H, Zhao X, Chen Z, Zhang W, Guo J, Zheng H, He Y, Qin S, Lu H, Zhao Y, Wang X, Ge J, Li H. GTF2H4 regulates partial EndMT via NF-κB activation through NCOA3 phosphorylation in ischemic diseases. Innovation (N Y) 2024; 5:100565. [PMID: 38379791 PMCID: PMC10876913 DOI: 10.1016/j.xinn.2024.100565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Partial endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is an intermediate phenotype observed in endothelial cells (ECs) undergoing a transition toward a mesenchymal state to support neovascularization during (patho)physiological angiogenesis. Here, we investigated the occurrence of partial EndMT in ECs under hypoxic/ischemic conditions and identified general transcription factor IIH subunit 4 (GTF2H4) as a positive regulator of this process. In addition, we discovered that GTF2H4 collaborates with its target protein excision repair cross-complementation group 3 (ERCC3) to co-regulate partial EndMT. Furthermore, by using phosphorylation proteomics and site-directed mutagenesis, we demonstrated that GTF2H4 was involved in the phosphorylation of receptor coactivator 3 (NCOA3) at serine 1330, which promoted the interaction between NCOA3 and p65, resulting in the transcriptional activation of NF-κB and the NF-κB/Snail signaling axis during partial EndMT. In vivo experiments confirmed that GTF2H4 significantly promoted partial EndMT and angiogenesis after ischemic injury. Collectively, our findings reveal that targeting GTF2H4 is promising for tissue repair and offers potential opportunities for treating hypoxic/ischemic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheyan Fang
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Gang Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Shuang Zhao
- Department of Medical Examination, Shanghai Xuhui District Central Hospital, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Xueting Yu
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Runyang Feng
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - You-en Zhang
- Department of Cardiology and Institute of Clinical Medicine, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China
| | - Haomin Li
- Clinical Data Center, Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou 310052, China
| | - Lei Huang
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Zhenyang Guo
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zhentao Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Mukaddas Abdurahman
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Hangnan Hong
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Peng Li
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Bing Wu
- Department of Cardiology and Institute of Clinical Medicine, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China
| | - Jinhang Zhu
- Bio-X Institute, Key Laboratory for The Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Xin Zhong
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Dong Huang
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Hao Lu
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xin Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zhaoyang Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Heart Center of Fujian Province, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China
| | - Wenbin Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, affiliated with Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310020, China
| | - Junjie Guo
- Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Hongchao Zheng
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Xuhui District Central Hospital, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yue He
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Eighth People’s Hospital, Shanghai 200235, China
| | - Shengying Qin
- Bio-X Institute, Key Laboratory for The Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Haojie Lu
- Department of Chemistry and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, Shanghai Tech University, 100 Haike Road, Shanghai 201210, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Xiangdong Wang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Junbo Ge
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai 200032, China
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
- Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
- Key Laboratory of Viral Heart Diseases, National Health Commission, Shanghai 200032, China
- Key Laboratory of Viral Heart Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Hua Li
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai 200032, China
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Wesseling M, Diez-Benavente E, Mokry M, den Ruijter HM, Pasterkamp G. A critical appreciation of pathway analysis in atherosclerotic disease. Cellular phenotypic plasticity as an illustrative example. Vascul Pharmacol 2024; 154:107286. [PMID: 38408531 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2024.107286] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
The rapid advancements in genome-scale (omics) techniques has created significant opportunities to investigate complex disease mechanisms in tissues and cells. Nevertheless, interpreting -omics data can be challenging, and pathway enrichment analysis is a frequently used method to identify candidate molecular pathways that drive gene expression changes. With a growing number of -omics studies dedicated to atherosclerosis, there has been a significant increase in studies and hypotheses relying on enrichment analysis. This brief review discusses the benefits and limitations of pathway enrichment analysis within atherosclerosis research. We highlight the challenges of identifying complex biological processes, such as cell phenotypic switching, within -omics data. Additionally, we emphasize the need for more comprehensive and curated gene sets that reflect the biological complexity of atherosclerosis. Pathway enrichment analysis is a valuable tool for gaining insights into the molecular mechanisms of atherosclerosis. Nevertheless, it is crucial to remain aware of the intrinsic limitations of this approach. By addressing these weaknesses, enrichment analysis in atherosclerosis can lead to breakthroughs in identifying the mechanisms of disease progresses, the identification of key driver genes, and consequently, advance personalized patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Wesseling
- Central Diagnostics Laboratories, Department of Laboratory, pharmacy and biomedical genetics, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - E Diez-Benavente
- Experimental Cardiology Laboratory, Division of Heart and Lungs, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - M Mokry
- Central Diagnostics Laboratories, Department of Laboratory, pharmacy and biomedical genetics, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Experimental Cardiology Laboratory, Division of Heart and Lungs, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - H M den Ruijter
- Experimental Cardiology Laboratory, Division of Heart and Lungs, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - G Pasterkamp
- Central Diagnostics Laboratories, Department of Laboratory, pharmacy and biomedical genetics, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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Lin A, Ramaswamy Y, Misra A. Developmental heterogeneity of vascular cells: Insights into cellular plasticity in atherosclerosis? Semin Cell Dev Biol 2024; 155:3-15. [PMID: 37316416 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2023.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells and macrophages display remarkable heterogeneity within the healthy vasculature and under pathological conditions. During development, these cells arise from numerous embryological origins, which confound with different microenvironments to generate postnatal vascular cell diversity. In the atherosclerotic plaque milieu, all these cell types exhibit astonishing plasticity, generating a variety of plaque burdening or plaque stabilizing phenotypes. And yet how developmental origin influences intraplaque cell plasticity remains largely unexplored despite evidence suggesting this may be the case. Uncovering the diversity and plasticity of vascular cells is being revolutionized by unbiased single cell whole transcriptome analysis techniques that will likely continue to pave the way for therapeutic research. Cellular plasticity is only just emerging as a target for future therapeutics, and uncovering how intraplaque plasticity differs across vascular beds may provide key insights into why different plaques behave differently and may confer different risks of subsequent cardiovascular events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Lin
- Atherosclerosis and Vascular Remodeling Group, Heart Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia; School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yogambha Ramaswamy
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ashish Misra
- Atherosclerosis and Vascular Remodeling Group, Heart Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Heart Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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Sun D, Ma J, Du L, Liu Q, Yue H, Peng C, Chen H, Wang G, Liu X, Shen Y. Fluid shear stress induced-endothelial phenotypic transition contributes to cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury and repair. APL Bioeng 2024; 8:016110. [PMID: 38414635 PMCID: PMC10898918 DOI: 10.1063/5.0174825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Long-term ischemia leads to insufficient cerebral microvascular perfusion and dysfunction. Reperfusion restores physiological fluid shear stress (FSS) but leads to serious injury. The mechanism underlying FSS-induced endothelial injury in ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) remains poorly understood. In this study, a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion was constructed to explore cerebrovascular endothelial function and inflammation in vivo. Additionally, the rat brain microvascular endothelial cells (rBMECs) were exposed to a laminar FSS of 0.5 dyn/cm2 for 6 h and subsequently restored to physiological fluid shear stress level (2 dyn/cm2) for 2 and 12 h, respectively. We found that reperfusion induced endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) in endothelial cells, leading to serious blood-brain barrier dysfunction and endothelial inflammation, accompanied by the nuclear accumulation of Yes-associated protein (YAP). During the later stage of reperfusion, cerebral endothelium was restored to the endothelial phenotype with a distinct change in mesenchymal-to-endothelial transition (MEndT), while YAP was translocated and phosphorylated in the cytoplasm. Knockdown of YAP or inhibition of actin polymerization markedly impaired the EndMT in rBMECs. These findings suggest that ischemia-reperfusion increased intensity of FSS triggered an EndMT process and, thus, led to endothelial inflammation and tissue injury, whereas continuous FSS induced a time-dependent reversal MEndT event contributing to the endothelial repair. This study provides valuable insight for therapeutic strategies targeting IRI.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jia Ma
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Lingyu Du
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Qiao Liu
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Hongyan Yue
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Chengxiu Peng
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Hanxiao Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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Yao W, Tao R, Xu Y, Chen ZS, Ding X, Wan L. AR/RKIP pathway mediates the inhibitory effects of icariin on renal fibrosis and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in type 2 diabetic nephropathy. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 320:117414. [PMID: 37977422 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Herba epimedium brevicornu maxim is traditionally known as a sexual enhancement, and has the effect of tonifying kidney yang. Icariin is a flavonoid extracted from epimedium brevicornu maxim, and has been shown to improve nephropathy disease. AIM OF THE STUDY This study investigated the possible role of icariin in regulating renal EndMT in type 2 diabetic nephropathy (T2DN). MATERIALS AND METHODS Male type 2 diabetic Sprague Dawley rats, Male D2.BKS(D)-Leprdb/J (db/db) mice, and mouse glomerular endothelial cells were utilized to evaluate the effect of icariin. Western blotting, Q-PCR, immunohistochemistry, H&E, Masson staining, immunofluorescence, and siRNA transfection, were performed in this study. RESULTS The inhibitory function of icariin in renal fibrosis and renal EndMT was verified in type 2 diabetic animals. Methyltestosterone suppressed renal fibrosis and EndMT in db/db mice. Androgen receptor (AR), the major receptor of testosterone, was upregulated by icariin. The AR antagonist MDV3100, blocked the inhibition by icariin in renal EndMT, revealing that icariin repressed renal EndMT by activating AR. In addition, icariin and methyltestosterone upregulated the Raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) in db/db mice. Furthermore, siRNA-RKIP inhibited the effect of icariin on EndMT. The MEK/ERK pathway, as the downstream pathway of RKIP, was suppressed by icariin and methyltestosterone. Of note, the effect of icariin on the MEK/ERK pathway was abolished by MDV3100 or siRNA-RKIP. CONCLUSIONS These results supported that icariin targeted AR/RKIP/MEK/ERK pathway to suppress renal fibrosis and EndMT in T2DN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhui Yao
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Rongpin Tao
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yue Xu
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhe-Sheng Chen
- College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, New York, NY, 11439, USA
| | - Xuansheng Ding
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China; Precision Medicine Laboratory, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Lisheng Wan
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
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37
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Liuizė (Abramavičiūtė) A, Mongirdienė A. TGF-β Isoforms and GDF-15 in the Development and Progression of Atherosclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2104. [PMID: 38396781 PMCID: PMC10889676 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042104] [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: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The effect of oxidised lipoproteins on the endothelium, monocytes, platelets, and macrophages is a key factor in the initiation and development of atherosclerosis. Antioxidant action, lipoprotein metabolism, and chronic inflammation are the fields of research interest for better understanding the development of the disease. All the fields are related to inflammation and hence to the secretion of cytokines, which are being investigated as potential diagnostic markers for the onset of atherosclerosis. Pathways of vascular damage are crucial for the development of new laboratory readouts. The very early detection of endothelial cell damage associated with the onset of atherosclerosis, allowing the initiation of therapy, remains a major research goal. This article summarises the latest results on the relationship of tumour growth factor beta (TGF-β) isoforms and growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis: which cells involved in atherosclerosis produce them, which effectors stimulate their synthesis and secretion, how they influence atherosclerosis development, and the relationship between the levels of TGF-β and GDF-15 in the blood and the development and extent of atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aušra Mongirdienė
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania;
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Li Y, Wu Y, Qin X, Gu J, Liu A, Cao J. Constructing a competitive endogenous RNA network of EndMT-related atherosclerosis through weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Front Cardiovasc Med 2024; 10:1322252. [PMID: 38268851 PMCID: PMC10806165 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1322252] [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: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by endothelial dysfunction and plaque formation. Under pro-inflammatory conditions, endothelial cells can undergo endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), contributing to atherosclerosis development. However, the specific regulatory mechanisms by which EndMT contributes to atherosclerosis remain unclear and require further investigation. Dan-Shen-Yin (DSY), a traditional Chinese herbal formula, is commonly used for cardiovascular diseases, but its molecular mechanisms remain elusive. Emerging evidence indicates that competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks play critical roles in atherosclerosis pathogenesis. In this study, we constructed an EndMT-associated ceRNA network during atherosclerosis progression by integrating gene expression profiles from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Functional enrichment analysis revealed this EndMT-related ceRNA network is predominantly involved in inflammatory responses. ROC curve analysis showed the identified hub genes can effectively distinguish between normal vasculature and atherosclerotic lesions. Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that high expression of IL1B significantly predicts ischemic events in atherosclerosis. Molecular docking revealed most DSY bioactive components can bind key EndMT-related lncRNAs, including AC003092.1, MIR181A1HG, MIR155HG, WEE2-AS1, and MIR137HG, suggesting DSY may mitigate EndMT in atherosclerosis by modulating the ceRNA network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yawei Li
- Research Center of Basic Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yubiao Wu
- Research Center of Basic Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiude Qin
- Encephalopathy Department, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jinchao Gu
- Research Center of Basic Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Aijun Liu
- Research Center of Basic Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiahui Cao
- Research Center of Basic Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
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Karaban K, Słupik D, Reda A, Gajewska M, Rolek B, Borovac JA, Papakonstantinou PE, Bongiovanni D, Ehrlinder H, Parker WAE, Siniarski A, Gąsecka A. Coagulation Disorders and Thrombotic Complications in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction. Curr Probl Cardiol 2024; 49:102127. [PMID: 37802171 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2023.102127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is associated with multiple cardiovascular and noncardiovascular comorbidities and risk factors which increase the risk of thrombotic complications, such as atrial fibrillation, chronic kidney disease, arterial hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Subsequently, thromboembolic risk stratification in this population poses a great challenge. Since date from the large randomized clinical trials mostly include both patients with truly preserved EF, and those with heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction, there is an unmet need to characterize the patients with truly preserved EF. Considering the significant evidence gap in this area, we sought to describe the coagulation disorders and thrombotic complications in patients with HFpEF and discuss the specific thromboembolic risk factors in patients with HFpEF, with the goal to tailor risk stratification to an individual patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kacper Karaban
- Chair and Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dorota Słupik
- Chair and Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Reda
- Chair and Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Gajewska
- Chair and Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bartosz Rolek
- Chair and Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Josip A Borovac
- Division of Interventional Cardiology, Cardiovascular Diseases Department, University Hospital of Split, Split, Croatia
| | - Panteleimon E Papakonstantinou
- Second Cardiology Department, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece; First Cardiology Clinic, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Dario Bongiovanni
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Cardiology, University Hospital Augsburg, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany; Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center IRCCS and Humanitas University, Rozzano, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy; Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Hanne Ehrlinder
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Danderyd Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - William A E Parker
- Cardiovascular Research Unit, Division of Clinical Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Aleksander Siniarski
- Department of Coronary Artery Disease and Heart Failure, Institute of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland; John Paul II Hospital, Cracow, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Gąsecka
- Chair and Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
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40
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Lin A, Brittan M, Baker AH, Dimmeler S, Fisher EA, Sluimer JC, Misra A. Clonal Expansion in Cardiovascular Pathology. JACC Basic Transl Sci 2024; 9:120-144. [PMID: 38362345 PMCID: PMC10864919 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2023.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Clonal expansion refers to the proliferation and selection of advantageous "clones" that are better suited for survival in a Darwinian manner. In recent years, we have greatly enhanced our understanding of cell clonality in the cardiovascular context. However, our knowledge of the underlying mechanisms behind this clonal selection is still severely limited. There is a transpiring pattern of clonal expansion of smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells-and, in some cases, macrophages-in numerous cardiovascular diseases irrespective of their differing microenvironments. These findings indirectly suggest the possible existence of stem-like vascular cells which are primed to respond during disease. Subsequent clones may undergo further phenotypic changes to adopt either protective or detrimental roles. By investigating these clone-forming vascular cells, we may be able to harness this inherent clonal nature for future therapeutic intervention. This review comprehensively discusses what is currently known about clonal expansion across the cardiovascular field. Comparisons of the clonal nature of vascular cells in atherosclerosis (including clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential), pulmonary hypertension, aneurysm, blood vessel injury, ischemia- and tumor-induced angiogenesis, and cerebral cavernous malformations are evaluated. Finally, we discuss the potential clinical implications of these findings and propose that proper understanding and specific targeting of these clonal cells may provide unique therapeutic options for the treatment of these cardiovascular conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Lin
- Atherosclerosis and Vascular Remodeling Group, Heart Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mairi Brittan
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew H. Baker
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- CARIM School for Cardiovascular Sciences, Department of Pathology, Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC), Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Stefanie Dimmeler
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Berlin, Germany
- Cardiopulmonary Institute, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Edward A. Fisher
- Department of Medicine/Division of Cardiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Center, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Judith C. Sluimer
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- CARIM School for Cardiovascular Sciences, Department of Pathology, Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC), Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Ashish Misra
- Atherosclerosis and Vascular Remodeling Group, Heart Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Heart Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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41
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Mimouni M, Lajoix AD, Desmetz C. Experimental Models to Study Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Myocardial Fibrosis and Cardiovascular Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:382. [PMID: 38203553 PMCID: PMC10779210 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010382] [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: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is a common feature of cardiovascular diseases and targets multiple organs, such as the heart and vessels. Endothelial to mesenchymal transition is a complex, vital process that occurs during embryonic formation and plays a crucial role in cardiac development. It is also a fundamental process implicated in cardiac fibrosis and repair, but also in other organs. Indeed, in numerous cardiovascular diseases, the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition has been shown to be involved in the generation of fibroblasts that are able to produce extracellular matrix proteins such as type I collagen. This massive deposition results in tissue stiffening and organ dysfunction. To advance our understanding of this process for the development of new specific diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, it is essential to develop relevant cellular and animal models of this process. In this review, our aim was to gain an in-depth insight into existing in vitro and in vivo models of endothelial to mesenchymal transition in cardiovascular diseases with a focus on cardiac fibrosis. We discuss important parameters impacting endothelial to mesenchymal transition, and we give perspectives for the development of relevant models to decipher the underlying mechanisms and ultimately find new treatments specific to fibrosis happening in cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Mimouni
- Biocommunication in Cardio-Metabolism (BC2M), University of Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - Anne-Dominique Lajoix
- Biocommunication in Cardio-Metabolism (BC2M), University of Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - Caroline Desmetz
- Biocommunication in Cardio-Metabolism (BC2M), University of Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France
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Shishkova D, Lobov A, Repkin E, Markova V, Markova Y, Sinitskaya A, Sinitsky M, Kondratiev E, Torgunakova E, Kutikhin A. Calciprotein Particles Induce Cellular Compartment-Specific Proteome Alterations in Human Arterial Endothelial Cells. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2023; 11:5. [PMID: 38248875 PMCID: PMC10816121 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd11010005] [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: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Calciprotein particles (CPPs) are indispensable scavengers of excessive Ca2+ and PO43- ions in blood, being internalised and recycled by liver and spleen macrophages, monocytes, and endothelial cells (ECs). Here, we performed a pathway enrichment analysis of cellular compartment-specific proteomes in primary human coronary artery ECs (HCAEC) and human internal thoracic artery ECs (HITAEC) treated with primary (amorphous) or secondary (crystalline) CPPs (CPP-P and CPPs, respectively). Exposure to CPP-P and CPP-S induced notable upregulation of: (1) cytokine- and chemokine-mediated signaling, Ca2+-dependent events, and apoptosis in cytosolic and nuclear proteomes; (2) H+ and Ca2+ transmembrane transport, generation of reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilisation, and intrinsic apoptosis in the mitochondrial proteome; (3) oxidative, calcium, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, unfolded protein binding, and apoptosis in the ER proteome. In contrast, transcription, post-transcriptional regulation, translation, cell cycle, and cell-cell adhesion pathways were underrepresented in cytosol and nuclear compartments, whilst biosynthesis of amino acids, mitochondrial translation, fatty acid oxidation, pyruvate dehydrogenase activity, and energy generation were downregulated in the mitochondrial proteome of CPP-treated ECs. Differentially expressed organelle-specific pathways were coherent in HCAEC and HITAEC and between ECs treated with CPP-P or CPP-S. Proteomic analysis of mitochondrial and nuclear lysates from CPP-treated ECs confirmed bioinformatic filtration findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Shishkova
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 6 Sosnovy Boulevard, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia; (D.S.); (V.M.); (Y.M.); (A.S.); (M.S.); (E.K.); (E.T.)
| | - Arseniy Lobov
- Laboratory of Regenerative Biomedicine, Institute of Cytology of the RAS, 4 Tikhoretskiy Prospekt, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Egor Repkin
- Centre for Molecular and Cell Technologies, St. Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya Embankment, 7/9, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Victoria Markova
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 6 Sosnovy Boulevard, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia; (D.S.); (V.M.); (Y.M.); (A.S.); (M.S.); (E.K.); (E.T.)
| | - Yulia Markova
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 6 Sosnovy Boulevard, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia; (D.S.); (V.M.); (Y.M.); (A.S.); (M.S.); (E.K.); (E.T.)
| | - Anna Sinitskaya
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 6 Sosnovy Boulevard, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia; (D.S.); (V.M.); (Y.M.); (A.S.); (M.S.); (E.K.); (E.T.)
| | - Maxim Sinitsky
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 6 Sosnovy Boulevard, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia; (D.S.); (V.M.); (Y.M.); (A.S.); (M.S.); (E.K.); (E.T.)
| | - Egor Kondratiev
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 6 Sosnovy Boulevard, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia; (D.S.); (V.M.); (Y.M.); (A.S.); (M.S.); (E.K.); (E.T.)
| | - Evgenia Torgunakova
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 6 Sosnovy Boulevard, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia; (D.S.); (V.M.); (Y.M.); (A.S.); (M.S.); (E.K.); (E.T.)
| | - Anton Kutikhin
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 6 Sosnovy Boulevard, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia; (D.S.); (V.M.); (Y.M.); (A.S.); (M.S.); (E.K.); (E.T.)
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Mukherjee S, Goswami S, Dash S, Samanta D. Structural basis of molecular recognition among classical cadherins mediating cell adhesion. Biochem Soc Trans 2023; 51:2103-2115. [PMID: 37970977 DOI: 10.1042/bst20230356] [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: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Cadherins are type-I membrane glycoproteins that primarily participate in calcium-dependent cell adhesion and homotypic cell sorting in various stages of embryonic development. Besides their crucial role in cellular and physiological processes, increasing studies highlight their involvement in pathophysiological functions ranging from cancer progression and metastasis to being entry receptors for pathogens. Cadherins mediate these cellular processes through homophilic, as well as heterophilic interactions (within and outside the superfamily) by their membrane distal ectodomains. This review provides an in-depth structural perspective of molecular recognition among type-I and type-II classical cadherins. Furthermore, this review offers structural insights into different dimeric assemblies like the 'strand-swap dimer' and 'X-dimer' as well as mechanisms relating these dimer forms like 'two-step adhesion' and 'encounter complex'. Alongside providing structural details, this review connects structural studies to bond mechanics merging crystallographic and single-molecule force spectroscopic findings. Finally, the review discusses the recent discoveries on dimeric intermediates that uncover prospects of further research beyond two-step adhesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarbartha Mukherjee
- School of Bioscience, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, West Bengal, India
| | - Saumyadeep Goswami
- School of Bioscience, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, West Bengal, India
| | - Sagarika Dash
- School of Bioscience, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, West Bengal, India
| | - Dibyendu Samanta
- School of Bioscience, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, West Bengal, India
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44
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Bronson R, Lyu J, Xiong J. Transcriptome analysis reveals molecular signature and cell-type difference of Homo sapiens endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2023; 13:jkad243. [PMID: 37857450 PMCID: PMC10700110 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkad243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT), a specific form of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, drives a growing number of human (Homo sapiens) pathological conditions. This emerging knowledge opens a path to discovering novel therapeutic targets for many EndoMT-associated disorders. Here, we constructed an atlas of the endothelial-cell transcriptome and demonstrated EndoMT-induced global changes in transcriptional gene expression. Our gene ontology analyses showed that EndoMT could be a specific checkpoint for leukocyte chemotaxis, adhesion, and transendothelial migration. We also identified distinct gene expression signatures underlying EndoMT across arterial, venous, and microvascular endothelial cells. We performed protein-protein interaction network analyses, identifying a class of highly connected hub genes in endothelial cells from different vascular beds. Moreover, we found that the short-chain fatty acid acetate strongly inhibits the transcriptional program of EndoMT in endothelial cells from different vascular beds across tissues. Our results reveal the molecular signature and cell-type difference of EndoMT across distinct tissue- and vascular-bed-specific endothelial cells, providing a powerful discovery tool and resource value. These results suggest that therapeutically manipulating the endothelial transcriptome could treat an increasing number of EndoMT-associated pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Bronson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, St.Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, St.Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
| | - Junfang Lyu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, St.Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, St.Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
| | - Jianhua Xiong
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, St.Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, St.Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
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45
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Boss AL, Chamley LW, Brooks AES, James JL. Human placental vascular and perivascular cell heterogeneity differs between first trimester and term, and in pregnancies affected by foetal growth restriction. Mol Hum Reprod 2023; 29:gaad041. [PMID: 38059603 PMCID: PMC10746841 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaad041] [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: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Growth-restricted placentae have a reduced vascular network, impairing exchange of nutrients and oxygen. However, little is known about the differentiation events and cell types that underpin normal/abnormal placental vascular formation and function. Here, we used 23-colour flow cytometry to characterize placental vascular/perivascular populations between first trimester and term, and in foetal growth restriction (FGR). First-trimester endothelial cells had an immature phenotype (CD144+/lowCD36-CD146low), while term endothelial cells expressed mature endothelial markers (CD36+CD146+). At term, a distinct population of CD31low endothelial cells co-expressed mesenchymal markers (CD90, CD26), indicating a capacity for endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT). In FGR, compared with normal pregnancies, endothelial cells constituted 3-fold fewer villous core cells (P < 0.05), contributing to an increased perivascular: endothelial cell ratio (2.6-fold, P < 0.05). This suggests that abnormal EndMT may play a role in FGR. First-trimester endothelial cells underwent EndMT in culture, losing endothelial (CD31, CD34, CD144) and gaining mesenchymal (CD90, CD26) marker expression. Together this highlights how differences in villous core cell heterogeneity and phenotype may contribute to FGR pathophysiology across gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna L Boss
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Lawrence W Chamley
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Anna E S Brooks
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Joanna L James
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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46
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Mosquera JV, Auguste G, Wong D, Turner AW, Hodonsky CJ, Alvarez-Yela AC, Song Y, Cheng Q, Lino Cardenas CL, Theofilatos K, Bos M, Kavousi M, Peyser PA, Mayr M, Kovacic JC, Björkegren JLM, Malhotra R, Stukenberg PT, Finn AV, van der Laan SW, Zang C, Sheffield NC, Miller CL. Integrative single-cell meta-analysis reveals disease-relevant vascular cell states and markers in human atherosclerosis. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113380. [PMID: 37950869 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113380] [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: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is characterized by atherosclerotic plaque formation in the arterial wall. CAD progression involves complex interactions and phenotypic plasticity among vascular and immune cell lineages. Single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) studies have highlighted lineage-specific transcriptomic signatures, but human cell phenotypes remain controversial. Here, we perform an integrated meta-analysis of 22 scRNA-seq libraries to generate a comprehensive map of human atherosclerosis with 118,578 cells. Besides characterizing granular cell-type diversity and communication, we leverage this atlas to provide insights into smooth muscle cell (SMC) modulation. We integrate genome-wide association study data and uncover a critical role for modulated SMC phenotypes in CAD, myocardial infarction, and coronary calcification. Finally, we identify fibromyocyte/fibrochondrogenic SMC markers (LTBP1 and CRTAC1) as proxies of atherosclerosis progression and validate these through omics and spatial imaging analyses. Altogether, we create a unified atlas of human atherosclerosis informing cell state-specific mechanistic and translational studies of cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Verdezoto Mosquera
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Gaëlle Auguste
- Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Doris Wong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Adam W Turner
- Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Chani J Hodonsky
- Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | | | - Yipei Song
- Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Department of Computer Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Qi Cheng
- CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA
| | - Christian L Lino Cardenas
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129, USA
| | | | - Maxime Bos
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Maryam Kavousi
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Patricia A Peyser
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48019, USA
| | - Manuel Mayr
- King's British Heart Foundation Centre, King's College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK; National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London SW3 6LY, UK
| | - Jason C Kovacic
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia; St. Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Johan L M Björkegren
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn Institute for Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 141 52 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Rajeev Malhotra
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129, USA
| | - P Todd Stukenberg
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | | | - Sander W van der Laan
- Central Diagnostics Laboratory, Division Laboratories, Pharmacy, and Biomedical Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Chongzhi Zang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Nathan C Sheffield
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Clint L Miller
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
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Nguyen TD, Rahman NT, Sessa WC, Lee MY. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) S1176 phosphorylation status governs atherosclerotic lesion formation. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1279868. [PMID: 38034389 PMCID: PMC10683645 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1279868] [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: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective We have previously demonstrated the in vivo importance of the Akt-eNOS substrate-kinase relationship, as defective postnatal angiogenesis characteristic of global Akt1-null mice is rescued when bred to 'gain-of-function' eNOS S1176D mutant mice. While multiple studies support the vascular protective role of endothelial NO generation, the causal role of Akt1-dependent eNOS S1176 phosphorylation during atherosclerotic plaque formation is not yet clear. Approach and results We herein bred congenic 'loss-of-function' eNOS S1176A and 'gain-of-function' eNOS S1176D mutant mice to the exacerbated atherogenic Akt1-/-; ApoE-/- double knockout mice to definitively test the importance of Akt-mediated eNOS S1176 phosphorylation during atherogenesis. We find that a single amino acid substitution at the eNOS S1176 phosphorylation site yields divergent effects on atherosclerotic plaque formation, as an eNOS phospho-mimic aspartate (D) substitution at S1176 leads to favorable lipid profiles and decreased indices of atherosclerosis, even when on a proatherogenic Akt1 global deletion background. Conversely, mice harboring an unphosphorylatable mutation to alanine (S1176A) result in increased plasma lipids, increased lesion formation and cellular apoptosis, phenocopying the physiological consequence of eNOS deletion and/or impaired enzyme function. Furthermore, gene expression analyses of whole aortas indicate a combinatorial detriment from NO deficiency and Western Diet challenge, as 'loss-of-function' eNOS S1176A mice on a Western Diet present a unique expression pattern indicative of augmented T-cell activity when compared to eNOS S1176D mice. Conclusions By using genetic epistasis approaches, we conclusively demonstrate that Akt-mediated eNOS S1176 phosphorylation and subsequent eNOS activation remains to be the most physiologically relevant method of NO production to promote athero-protective effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tung D. Nguyen
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Center for Cardiovascular Research, University of Illinois at Chicago School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Nur-Taz Rahman
- Bioinformatics Support Group, Yale University Cushing/Whitney Medical Library, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - William C. Sessa
- Department of Pharmacology, Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Monica Y. Lee
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Center for Cardiovascular Research, University of Illinois at Chicago School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
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48
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Pu Y, Cheng CK, Zhang H, Luo JY, Wang L, Tomlinson B, Huang Y. Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic perspectives of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α agonists in cardiovascular health and disease. Med Res Rev 2023; 43:2086-2114. [PMID: 37119045 DOI: 10.1002/med.21970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been rising due to sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy dietary patterns. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) is a nuclear receptor regulating multiple biological processes, such as lipid metabolism and inflammatory response critical to cardiovascular homeostasis. Healthy endothelial cells (ECs) lining the lumen of blood vessels maintains vascular homeostasis, where endothelial dysfunction associated with increased oxidative stress and inflammation triggers the pathogenesis of CVD. PPARα activation decreases endothelial inflammation and senescence, contributing to improved vascular function and reduced risk of atherosclerosis. Phenotypic switch and inflammation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) exacerbate vascular dysfunction and atherogenesis, in which PPARα activation improves VSMC homeostasis. Different immune cells participate in the progression of vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis. PPARα in immune cells plays a critical role in immunological events, such as monocyte/macrophage adhesion and infiltration, macrophage polarization, dendritic cell (DC) embedment, T cell activation, and B cell differentiation. Cardiomyocyte dysfunction, a major risk factor for heart failure, can also be alleviated by PPARα activation through maintaining cardiac mitochondrial stability and inhibiting cardiac lipid accumulation, oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis. This review discusses the current understanding and future perspectives on the role of PPARα in the regulation of the cardiovascular system as well as the clinical application of PPARα ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Pu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chak Kwong Cheng
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hongsong Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiang-Yun Luo
- Institute for Cardiovascular Development and Regenerative Medicine, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Brian Tomlinson
- Faculty of Medicine, Macau University of Science & Technology, Macau, China
| | - Yu Huang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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49
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Tamargo IA, Baek KI, Kim Y, Park C, Jo H. Flow-induced reprogramming of endothelial cells in atherosclerosis. Nat Rev Cardiol 2023; 20:738-753. [PMID: 37225873 PMCID: PMC10206587 DOI: 10.1038/s41569-023-00883-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerotic diseases such as myocardial infarction, ischaemic stroke and peripheral artery disease continue to be leading causes of death worldwide despite the success of treatments with cholesterol-lowering drugs and drug-eluting stents, raising the need to identify additional therapeutic targets. Interestingly, atherosclerosis preferentially develops in curved and branching arterial regions, where endothelial cells are exposed to disturbed blood flow with characteristic low-magnitude oscillatory shear stress. By contrast, straight arterial regions exposed to stable flow, which is associated with high-magnitude, unidirectional shear stress, are relatively well protected from the disease through shear-dependent, atheroprotective endothelial cell responses. Flow potently regulates structural, functional, transcriptomic, epigenomic and metabolic changes in endothelial cells through mechanosensors and mechanosignal transduction pathways. A study using single-cell RNA sequencing and chromatin accessibility analysis in a mouse model of flow-induced atherosclerosis demonstrated that disturbed flow reprogrammes arterial endothelial cells in situ from healthy phenotypes to diseased ones characterized by endothelial inflammation, endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition, endothelial-to-immune cell-like transition and metabolic changes. In this Review, we discuss this emerging concept of disturbed-flow-induced reprogramming of endothelial cells (FIRE) as a potential pro-atherogenic mechanism. Defining the flow-induced mechanisms through which endothelial cells are reprogrammed to promote atherosclerosis is a crucial area of research that could lead to the identification of novel therapeutic targets to combat the high prevalence of atherosclerotic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian A Tamargo
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Molecular and Systems Pharmacology Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kyung In Baek
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Yerin Kim
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Christian Park
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Hanjoong Jo
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Molecular and Systems Pharmacology Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Emory University School, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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50
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Akhurst RJ. From shape-shifting embryonic cells to oncology: The fascinating history of epithelial mesenchymal transition. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 96:100-114. [PMID: 37852342 PMCID: PMC10883734 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.10.003] [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: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or transformation (EMT) is a cell shape-changing process that is utilized repeatedly throughout embryogenesis and is critical to the attainment of a precise body plan. In the adult, EMT is observed under both normal and pathological conditions, such as during normal wounding healing, during development of certain fibrotic states and vascular anomalies, as well as in some cancers when malignant cells progress to become more aggressive, invasive, and metastatic. Epithelia derived from any of the three embryonic germ layers can undergo EMT, including those derived from mesoderm, such as endothelial cells (sometimes termed Endo-MT) and those derived from endoderm such as fetal liver stroma. At the cellular level, EMT is defined as the transformation of epithelial cells towards a mesenchymal phenotype and is marked by attenuation of expression of epithelial markers and de novo expression of mesenchymal markers. This process is induced by extracellular factors and can be reversible, resulting in mesenchymal-to-epithelial transformation (MET). It is now clear that a cell can simultaneously express properties of both epithelia and mesenchyme, and that such transitional cell-types drive tumor cell heterogeneity, an important aspect of cancer progression, development of a stem-like cell state, and drug resistance. Here we review some of the earliest studies demonstrating the existence of EMT during embryogenesis and discuss the discovery of the extracellular factors and intracellular signaling pathways that contribute to this process, with components of the TGFβ signaling superfamily playing a prominent role. We mention early controversies surrounding in vivo EMT during embryonic development and in adult diseased states, and the maturation of the field to a stage wherein targeting EMT to control disease states is an aspirational goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosemary J Akhurst
- Department of Anatomy and UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, USA
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