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Luo H, Li Y, Song H, Zhao K, Li W, Hong H, Wang YT, Qi L, Zhang Y. Role of EZH2-mediated epigenetic modification on vascular smooth muscle in cardiovascular diseases: A mini-review. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1416992. [PMID: 38994197 PMCID: PMC11236572 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1416992] [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: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are integral to the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a histone methyltransferase, plays a crucial role in epigenetic regulation of VSMCs gene expression. Emerging researches suggest that EZH2 has a dual role in VSMCs, contingent on the pathological context of specific CVDs. This mini-review synthesizes the current knowledge on the mechanisms by which EZH2 regulates VSMC proliferation, migration and survival in the context of CVDs. The goal is to underscore the potential of EZH2 as a therapeutic target for CVDs treatment. Modulating EZH2 and its associated epigenetic pathways in VSMCs could potentially ameliorate vascular remodeling, a key factor in the progression of many CVDs. Despite the promising outlook, further investigation is warranted to elucidate the epigenetic mechanisms mediated by EZH2 in VSMCs, which may pave the way for novel epigenetic therapies for conditions such as atherosclerosis and hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyan Luo
- School of Health Preservation and Rehabilitation, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yao Li
- Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine Health Industry, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Pharmacology, Nanchang, China
| | - Honghu Song
- School of Health Preservation and Rehabilitation, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Kui Zhao
- College of Material Science and Chemical Engineering, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Wenlin Li
- Center for Quality Evaluation and Research in Higher Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Hailan Hong
- Center for Quality Evaluation and Research in Higher Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yun-Ting Wang
- Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Luming Qi
- School of Health Preservation and Rehabilitation, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
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Zeng RY, Jin HY, Peng YB, Wang WJ, Cao YP, Peng HZ, Qiu ZC, Lai SQ, Wan L. miR-200a-3p inhibits the PDGF-BB-induced proliferation of VSMCs by affecting their phenotype-associated proteins. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2024; 38:e23675. [PMID: 38488158 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.23675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence shows that the abnormal proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) can significantly affect the long-term prognosis of coronary artery bypass grafting. This study aimed to explore the factors affecting the proliferation, migration, and phenotypic transformation of VSMCs. First, we stimulated VSMCs with different platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) concentrations, analyzed the expression of phenotype-associated proteins by Western blotting, and examined cell proliferation by scratch wound healing and the 5-ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay. VSMC proliferation was induced most by PDGF-BB treatment at 20 ng/mL. miR-200a-3p decreased significantly in A7r5 cells stimulated with PDGF-BB. The overexpression of miR-200a-3p reversed the downregulation of α-SMA (p < 0.001) and the upregulation of vimentin (p < 0.001) caused by PDGF-BB. CCK8 and EdU analyses showed that miR-200a-3p overexpression could inhibit PDGF-BB-induced cell proliferation (p < 0.001). However, flow cytometric analysis showed that it did not significantly increase cell apoptosis. Collectively, the overexpression of miR-200a-3p inhibited the proliferation and migration of VSMCs induced by PDGF-BB, partly by affecting phenotypic transformation-related proteins, providing a new strategy for relieving the restenosis of vein grafts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui-Yuan Zeng
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Surgical Diseases, Jiangxi Academy of Clinical Medical Sciences, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Hong-Yi Jin
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Surgical Diseases, Jiangxi Academy of Clinical Medical Sciences, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yong-Bo Peng
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Surgical Diseases, Jiangxi Academy of Clinical Medical Sciences, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Wen-Jun Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Surgical Diseases, Jiangxi Academy of Clinical Medical Sciences, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yuan-Ping Cao
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Surgical Diseases, Jiangxi Academy of Clinical Medical Sciences, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Han-Zhi Peng
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Surgical Diseases, Jiangxi Academy of Clinical Medical Sciences, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Zhi-Cong Qiu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Surgical Diseases, Jiangxi Academy of Clinical Medical Sciences, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Song-Qing Lai
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Surgical Diseases, Jiangxi Academy of Clinical Medical Sciences, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Li Wan
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Surgical Diseases, Jiangxi Academy of Clinical Medical Sciences, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
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Ji Y, Chen J, Pang L, Chen C, Ye J, Liu H, Chen H, Zhang S, Liu S, Liu B, Cheng C, Liu S, Zhong Y. The Acid Sphingomyelinase Inhibitor Amitriptyline Ameliorates TNF-α-Induced Endothelial Dysfunction. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 2024; 38:43-56. [PMID: 36103099 PMCID: PMC10876840 DOI: 10.1007/s10557-022-07378-0] [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] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Inflammation associated endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction is key to atherosclerotic disease. Recent studies have demonstrated a protective role of amitriptyline in cardiomyocytes induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation. However, the mechanism by which amitriptyline regulates the inflammatory reaction in ECs remains unknown. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate whether amitriptyline protects against inflammation in TNF-α-treated ECs. METHODS HUVECs were incubated with amitriptyline (2.5 μM) or TNF-α (20 ng/ml) for 24 h. EdU, tube formation, transwell, DHE fluorescence staining, and monocyte adhesion assays were performed to investigate endothelial function. Thoracic aortas were isolated from mice, and vascular tone was measured with a wire myograph system. The levels of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, MCP-1, phosphorylated MAPK and NF-κB were detected using western blotting. RESULTS Amitriptyline increased the phosphorylation of nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and the release of NO. Amitriptyline significantly inhibited TNF-α-induced increases in ASMase activity and the release of ceramide and downregulated TNF-α-induced expression of proinflammatory proteins, including ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and MCP-1 in ECs, as well as the secretion of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1. TNF-α treatment obviously increased monocyte adhesion and ROS production and impaired HUVEC proliferation, migration and tube formation, while amitriptyline rescued proliferation, migration, and tube formation and decreased monocyte adhesion and ROS production. Additionally, we demonstrated that amitriptyline suppressed TNF-α-induced MAPK phosphorylation as well as the activity of NF-κB in HUVECs. The results showed that the relaxation response of aortic rings to acetylcholine in the WT-TNF-α group was much lower than that in the WT group, and the sensitivity of aortic rings to acetylcholine in the WT-TNF-α group and WT-AMI-TNF-α group was significantly higher than that in the WT-TNF-α group. CONCLUSION These results suggest that amitriptyline reduces endothelial inflammation, consequently improving vascular endothelial function. Thus, the identification of amitriptyline as a potential strategy to improve endothelial function is important for preventing vascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Ji
- Department of Emergency, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong, China
- Department of Cardiology, Guangzhou Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Vascular Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Guangzhou Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Vascular Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong, China
| | - Lihua Pang
- Department of Cardiology, Guangzhou Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Vascular Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong, China
| | - Changnong Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Guangzhou Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Vascular Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong, China
| | - Jinhao Ye
- Department of Cardiology, Guangzhou Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Vascular Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong, China
| | - Hao Liu
- Department of Anesthesia, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong, China
| | - Huanzhen Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Guangzhou Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Vascular Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong, China
| | - Songhui Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong, China
| | - Shaojun Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Guangzhou Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Vascular Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong, China
| | - Benrong Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Guangzhou Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Vascular Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong, China
| | - Chuanfang Cheng
- Department of Cardiology, Guangzhou Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Vascular Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong, China
| | - Shiming Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Guangzhou Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Vascular Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong, China.
| | - Yun Zhong
- Department of Cardiology, Guangzhou Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Vascular Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong, China.
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Li Z, Huang J, Yang L, Li X, Li W. WNTA5-mediated miR-374a-5p regulates vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype transformation and M1 macrophage polarization impacting intracranial aneurysm progression. Sci Rep 2024; 14:559. [PMID: 38177414 PMCID: PMC10766994 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51243-z] [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: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
miR-374a-5p expression and localization in intracranial aneurysm (IA) tissues were detected, and its correlation with vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and macrophage markers was analyzed. Using platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) induced VSMC model, elastase-induced IA rat model. Subsequently, miR-374a-5p was knocked down or overexpressed. We investigated the effects of miR-374a-5p on phenotypic conversion, and in vivo experiments were also carried out to verify the findings. The targeted relationship between miR-374a-5p and WNTA5 was analyzed. The effect of WNT5A inhibition on VSMC phenotypic transformation and THP-1-derived macrophage polarization was explored. Clinical studies have shown that miR-374a-5p was upregulated in IA patients. miR-374a-5p was negatively correlated with SM22α, α-SMA, CD206, and positively correlated with CD86. In vitro experiments showed that knocking down miR-374a-5p reversed the promotion of SM22α and α-SMA expression by PDGF-BB, while overexpression of miR-374a-5p had the opposite effect. In addition, knocking down miR-374a-5p also reversed the decrease in Calponin, TIMP3, TIMP4, and IL-10 levels caused by PDGF-BB, and further reduced the levels of MMP1, MMP3, MMP9, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. These findings were further validated in vivo. In IA rats, there were notable increases in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, along with an elevated M1/M2 ratio and the occurrence of vascular lesions. However, these symptoms were improved after knocking down miR-374a-5p. Furthermore, miR-374a-5p could target the WNT signals (WNT2B, WNT3, and WNT5A). miR-374a-5p regulated the VSMC phenotypic conversion and M1 macrophage polarization by targeting WNT5A, thereby impacting the progression of IA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zengshi Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Changsha Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Junqiang Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Changsha Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lijian Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Changsha Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xi Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Changsha Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Changsha Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.
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Ren H, Dai R, Nik Nabil WN, Xi Z, Wang F, Xu H. Unveiling the dual role of autophagy in vascular remodelling and its related diseases. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 168:115643. [PMID: 37839111 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115643] [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: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular remodelling is an adaptive response to physiological and pathological stimuli that leads to structural and functional changes in the vascular intima, media, and adventitia. Pathological vascular remodelling is a hallmark feature of numerous vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, hypertension, abdominal aortic aneurysm, pulmonary hypertension and preeclampsia. Autophagy is critical in maintaining cellular homeostasis, and its dysregulation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various diseases, including vascular diseases. However, despite emerging evidence, the role of autophagy and its dual effects on vascular remodelling has garnered limited attention. Autophagy can exert protective and detrimental effects on the vascular intima, media and adventitia, thereby substantially influencing the course of vascular remodelling and its related vascular diseases. Currently, there has not been a review that thoroughly describes the regulation of autophagy in vascular remodelling and its impact on related diseases. Therefore, this review aimed to bridge this gap by focusing on the regulatory roles of autophagy in diseases related to vascular remodelling. This review also summarizes recent advancements in therapeutic agents targeting autophagy to regulate vascular remodelling. Additionally, this review offers an overview of recent breakthroughs in therapeutic agents targeting autophagy to regulate vascular remodelling. A deeper understanding of how autophagy orchestrates vascular remodelling can drive the development of targeted therapies for vascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hangui Ren
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; Engineering Research Center of Shanghai Colleges for TCM New Drug Discovery, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Rongchen Dai
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; Engineering Research Center of Shanghai Colleges for TCM New Drug Discovery, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Wan Najbah Nik Nabil
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; Engineering Research Center of Shanghai Colleges for TCM New Drug Discovery, Shanghai 201203, China; Pharmaceutical Services Program, Ministry of Health, Selangor 46200, Malaysia
| | - Zhichao Xi
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; Engineering Research Center of Shanghai Colleges for TCM New Drug Discovery, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Neurology, Seventh People's Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200137, China.
| | - Hongxi Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; Engineering Research Center of Shanghai Colleges for TCM New Drug Discovery, Shanghai 201203, China.
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Abstract
The medial layer of the arterial wall is composed mainly of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Under physiological conditions, VSMCs assume a contractile phenotype, and their primary function is to regulate vascular tone. In contrast with terminally differentiated cells, VSMCs possess phenotypic plasticity, capable of transitioning into other cellular phenotypes in response to changes in the vascular environment. Recent research has shown that VSMC phenotypic switching participates in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, where the various types of dedifferentiated VSMCs accumulate in the atherosclerotic lesion and participate in the associated vascular remodeling by secreting extracellular matrix proteins and proteases. This review article discusses the 9 VSMC phenotypes that have been reported in atherosclerotic lesions and classifies them into differentiated VSMCs, intermediately dedifferentiated VSMCs, and dedifferentiated VSMCs. It also provides an overview of several methodologies that have been developed for studying VSMC phenotypic switching and discusses their respective advantages and limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runji Chen
- Shantou University Medical CollegeShantouChina
| | - David G. McVey
- Department of Cardiovascular SciencesUniversity of LeicesterLeicesterUnited Kingdom
| | - Daifei Shen
- Research Center for Translational MedicineThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical CollegeShantouChina
| | | | - Shu Ye
- Shantou University Medical CollegeShantouChina
- Department of Cardiovascular SciencesUniversity of LeicesterLeicesterUnited Kingdom
- Cardiovascular‐Metabolic Disease Translational Research ProgrammeNational University of SingaporeSingapore
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Pineda-Castillo SA, Acar H, Detamore MS, Holzapfel GA, Lee CH. Modulation of Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotype for Translation of Tissue-Engineered Vascular Grafts. TISSUE ENGINEERING. PART B, REVIEWS 2023; 29:574-588. [PMID: 37166394 PMCID: PMC10618830 DOI: 10.1089/ten.teb.2023.0006] [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: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Translation of small-diameter tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) for the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD) remains an unfulfilled promise. This is largely due to the limited integration of TEVGs into the native vascular wall-a process hampered by the insufficient smooth muscle cell (SMC) infiltration and extracellular matrix deposition, and low vasoactivity. These processes can be promoted through the judicious modulation of the SMC toward a synthetic phenotype to promote remodeling and vascular integration; however, the expression of synthetic markers is often accompanied by a decrease in the expression of contractile proteins. Therefore, techniques that can precisely modulate the SMC phenotypical behavior could have the potential to advance the translation of TEVGs. In this review, we describe the phenotypic diversity of SMCs and the different environmental cues that allow the modulation of SMC gene expression. Furthermore, we describe the emerging biomaterial approaches to modulate the SMC phenotype in TEVG design and discuss the limitations of current techniques. In addition, we found that current studies in tissue engineering limit the analysis of the SMC phenotype to a few markers, which are often the characteristic of early differentiation only. This limited scope has reduced the potential of tissue engineering to modulate the SMC toward specific behaviors and applications. Therefore, we recommend using the techniques presented in this review, in addition to modern single-cell proteomics analysis techniques to comprehensively characterize the phenotypic modulation of SMCs. Expanding the holistic potential of SMC modulation presents a great opportunity to advance the translation of living conduits for CAD therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio A. Pineda-Castillo
- Biomechanics and Biomaterials Design Laboratory, School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
- Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Handan Acar
- Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Michael S. Detamore
- Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Gerhard A. Holzapfel
- Institute of Biomechanics, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
- Department of Structural Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Chung-Hao Lee
- Biomechanics and Biomaterials Design Laboratory, School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
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Shen Y, Xu LR, Yan D, Zhou M, Han TL, Lu C, Tang X, Lin CP, Qian RZ, Guo DQ. BMAL1 modulates smooth muscle cells phenotypic switch towards fibroblast-like cells and stabilizes atherosclerotic plaques by upregulating YAP1. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2022; 1868:166450. [PMID: 35598770 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2022.166450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ischemic heart diseases and ischemic stroke are closely related to circadian clock and unstable atherosclerotic plaques. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) can stabilize or destabilize an atherosclerotic lesion through phenotypic switch. BMAL1 is not only an indispensable core component in circadian clock but also an important regulator in atherosclerosis and VSMCs proliferation. However, little is known about the modulation mechanisms of BMAL1 in VSMCs phenotypic switch and atherosclerotic plaque stability. METHODS We integrated histological analysis of human plaques, in vivo experiments of VSMC-specific Bmal1-/- mice, in vitro experiments, and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) of public datasets of human plaques to explore the function of BMAL1 in VSMCs phonotypic switch and plaque stability. FINDINGS Comparing to human unstable plaques, BMAL1 was higher in stable plaques, accompanied by elevated YAP1 and fibroblast maker FSP1 which were positively correlated with BMAL1. In response to Methyl-β-cyclodextrin-cholesterol, oxidized-low-density-lipoprotein and platelet-derived-growth-factor-BB, VSMCs embarked on phenotypic switch and upregulated BMAL, YAP1 and FSP1. Besides, BMAL1 overexpression promoted VSMCs phonotypic switch towards fibroblast-like cells by transcriptionally upregulating the expression of YAP1. BMAL1 or YAP1 knock-down inhibited VSMCs phonotypic switch and downregulated FSP1. Furthermore, VSMC-specific Bmal1-/- mice exhibited VSMCs with lower YAP1 and FSP1 levels, and more vulnerable plaques with less collagen content. In addition, BMAL1 suppressed the migration of VSMCs. The GSEA results of public datasets were consistent with our laboratory findings. INTERPRETATION Our results highlight the importance of BMAL1 as a major regulator in VSMCs phenotypic switch towards fibroblast-like cells which stabilize an atherosclerotic plaque.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Shen
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Institute of Vascular Surgery, National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Rd., Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Li-Rong Xu
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Dong Yan
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Institute of Vascular Surgery, National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Rd., Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Min Zhou
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Institute of Vascular Surgery, National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Rd., Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Tong-Lei Han
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Institute of Vascular Surgery, National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Rd., Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Chao Lu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Rd., Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xiao Tang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Institute of Vascular Surgery, National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Rd., Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Chang-Po Lin
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Institute of Vascular Surgery, National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Rd., Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Rui-Zhe Qian
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Rd., Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Da-Qiao Guo
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Institute of Vascular Surgery, National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Rd., Shanghai 200032, China.
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Chen Y, Li G, Bhat OM, Li X, Zhang Y, Li PL. Impairment of Ceramide-Mediated Endothelial Instant Membrane Resealing During Diabetes Mellitus. Front Physiol 2022; 13:910339. [PMID: 35874544 PMCID: PMC9298829 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.910339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have indicated that instant cell membrane resealing (ICMR) controls the activation of NOD-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 (Nlrp3) inflammasomes in endothelial cells, thereby initiating and promoting vascular inflammation. It remains unknown whether this impaired ICMR occurs under diabetic condition or hyperglycemia contributing to endothelial dysfunction leading to vascular inflammation, a hallmark of diabetic vascular injury. The present study aims to examine whether ICMR occurs during in control and diabetic mice and to explore related molecular mechanisms associated with acid sphingomyelinase (ASM)-mediated ceramide production. Using confocal microscopy, we demonstrated that mouse aortic endothelial cells (MAECs) exposed to high glucose levels exhibited much more retarded ICMR after laser-induced membrane injury, compared to that in control cells. The high glucose-induced impairment of membrane resealing in MAECs was prevented when these cells were pretreated with sphingomyelin or C24-ceramide. Mechanistically, high glucose treatment decreased association of membrane ceramide with annexin A5, an essential element of membrane repair machinery. Consistently, the association of ceramide with annexin A5 was significantly reduced in the coronary arterial endothelium of mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus compared to that in non-diabetic control mice. Moreover, a marked reduction of the association of ceramide with annexin A5 was observed in coronary arterial endothelium of ASM knockout mice regardless of their diabetic status. Lastly, high glucose treatment or ASM gene deletion substantially impaired ICMR in coronary arterial endothelium of mice receiving membrane puncturing agents. Collectively, our data suggest that ceramide-mediated ICMR in vascular endothelial cells is impaired during diabetes mellitus due to dissociation of ceramide with annexin A5 and ASM play a critical role in this ICMR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Chen
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Guangbi Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Owais M. Bhat
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Pin-Lan Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
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10
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Zou F, Li Y, Zhang S, Zhang J. DP1 (Prostaglandin D 2 Receptor 1) Activation Protects Against Vascular Remodeling and Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Transition to Myofibroblasts in Angiotensin II-Induced Hypertension in Mice. Hypertension 2022; 79:1203-1215. [PMID: 35354317 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.121.17584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotype transition plays an essential role in vascular remodeling. PGD2 (Prostaglandin D2) is involved in cardiovascular inflammation. In this study, we aimed to investigates the role of DP1 (PGD2 receptor 1) on VSMC phenotype transition in vascular remodeling after Ang II (angiotensin II) infusion in mice. METHODS VSMC-specific DP1 knockout mice and DP1flox/flox mice were infused with Ang II for 28 days and systolic blood pressure was measured by noninvasive tail-cuff system. The arterial samples were applied to an unbiased proteome analysis. DP1f/f Myh11 (myosin heavy chain 11) CREERT2 R26mTmG/+ mice were generated for VSMC lineage tracing. Multiple genetic and pharmacological approaches were used to investigate DP1-mediated signaling in phenotypic transition of VSMCs in response to Ang II administration. RESULTS DP1 knockout promoted vascular media thickness and increased systolic blood pressure after Ang II infusion by impairing Epac (exchange protein directly activated by cAMP)-1-mediated Rap-1 (Ras-related protein 1) activation. The DP1 agonist facilitated the interaction of myocardin-related transcription factor A and G-actin, which subsequently inhibited the VSMC transition to myofibroblasts through the suppression of RhoA (Ras homolog family member A)/ROCK-1 (Rho associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 1) activity. Moreover, Epac-1 overexpression by lentivirus blocked the progression of vascular fibrosis in DP1 deficient mice in response to Ang II infusion. CONCLUSIONS Our finding revealed a protective role of DP1 in VSMC switch to myofibroblasts by impairing the phosphorylation of MRTF (myocardin-related transcription factor)-A by ROCK-1 through Epac-1/Rap-1/RhoA pathway and thus inhibited the expression of collagen I, fibronectin, ED-A (extra domain A) fibronectin, and vinculin. Thus, DP1 activation has therapeutic potential for vascular fibrosis in hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangdi Zou
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences (F.Z., Y.L., S.Z., J.Z.), Tianjin Medical University, China.,School of Pharmacy (F.Z.), Tianjin Medical University, China
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences (F.Z., Y.L., S.Z., J.Z.), Tianjin Medical University, China
| | - Shijie Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences (F.Z., Y.L., S.Z., J.Z.), Tianjin Medical University, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences (F.Z., Y.L., S.Z., J.Z.), Tianjin Medical University, China.,School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China (J.Z.)
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11
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mTOR Signaling in Pulmonary Vascular Disease: Pathogenic Role and Therapeutic Target. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22042144. [PMID: 33670032 PMCID: PMC7926633 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22042144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive and fatal disease without a cure. The exact pathogenic mechanisms of PAH are complex and poorly understood, yet a number of abnormally expressed genes and regulatory pathways contribute to sustained vasoconstriction and vascular remodeling of the distal pulmonary arteries. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is one of the major signaling pathways implicated in regulating cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, and protein synthesis. Here we will describe the canonical mTOR pathway, structural and functional differences between mTOR complexes 1 and 2, as well as the crosstalk with other important signaling cascades in the development of PAH. The pathogenic role of mTOR in pulmonary vascular remodeling and sustained vasoconstriction due to its contribution to proliferation, migration, phenotypic transition, and gene regulation in pulmonary artery smooth muscle and endothelial cells will be discussed. Despite the progress in our elucidation of the etiology and pathogenesis of PAH over the two last decades, there is a lack of effective therapeutic agents to treat PAH patients representing a significant unmet clinical need. In this review, we will explore the possibility and therapeutic potential to use inhibitors of mTOR signaling cascade to treat PAH.
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12
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Zhang Y, Wang Y, Zhang L, Xia L, Zheng M, Zeng Z, Liu Y, Yarovinsky T, Ostriker AC, Fan X, Weng K, Su M, Huang P, Martin KA, Hwa J, Tang WH. Reduced Platelet miR-223 Induction in Kawasaki Disease Leads to Severe Coronary Artery Pathology Through a miR-223/PDGFRβ Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Axis. Circ Res 2020; 127:855-873. [PMID: 32597702 PMCID: PMC7486265 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.120.316951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute vasculitis of early childhood that can result in permanent coronary artery structural damage. The cause for this arterial vulnerability in up to 15% of patients with KD is unknown. Vascular smooth muscle cell dedifferentiation play a key role in the pathophysiology of medial damage and aneurysm formation, recognized arterial pathology in KD. Platelet hyperreactivity is also a hallmark of KD. We recently demonstrated that uptake of platelets and platelet-derived miRNAs influences vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype in vivo. OBJECTIVE We set out to explore whether platelet/vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) interactions contribute to coronary pathology in KD. METHODS AND RESULTS We prospectively recruited and studied 242 patients with KD, 75 of whom had documented coronary artery pathology. Genome-wide miRNA sequencing and droplet digital PCR demonstrated that patient with KD platelets have significant induction of miR-223 compared with healthy controls (HCs). Platelet-derived miR-223 has recently been shown to promote vascular smooth muscle quiescence and resolution of wound healing after vessel injury. Paradoxically, patients with KD with the most severe coronary pathology (giant coronary artery aneurysms) exhibited a lack of miR-223 induction. Hyperactive platelets isolated from patients with KD are readily taken up by VSMCs, delivering functional miR-223 into the VSMCs promoting VSMC differentiation via downregulation of PDGFRβ (platelet-derived growth factor receptor β). The lack of miR-223 induction in patients with severe coronary pathology leads to persistent VSMC dedifferentiation. In a mouse model of KD (Lactobacillus casei cell wall extract injection), miR-223 knockout mice exhibited increased medial thickening, loss of contractile VSMCs in the media, and fragmentation of medial elastic fibers compared with WT mice, which demonstrated significant miR-223 induction upon Lactobacillus casei cell wall extract challenge. The excessive arterial damage in the miR-223 knockout could be rescued by adoptive transfer of platelet, administration of miR-223 mimics, or the PDGFRβ inhibitor imatinib mesylate. Interestingly, miR-223 levels progressively increase with age, with the lowest levels found in <5-year-old. This provides a basis for coronary pathology susceptibility in this very young cohort. CONCLUSIONS Platelet-derived miR-223 (through PDGFRβ inhibition) promotes VSMC differentiation and resolution of KD induced vascular injury. Lack of miR-223 induction leads to severe coronary pathology characterized by VSMC dedifferentiation and medial damage. Detection of platelet-derived miR-223 in patients with KD (at the time of diagnosis) may identify patients at greatest risk of coronary artery pathology. Moreover, targeting platelet miR-223 or VSMC PDGFRβ represents potential therapeutic strategies to alleviate coronary pathology in KD. Graphic Abstract: A graphic abstract is available for this article.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Blood Platelets/metabolism
- Case-Control Studies
- Cells, Cultured
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Coronary Artery Disease/etiology
- Coronary Artery Disease/genetics
- Coronary Artery Disease/metabolism
- Coronary Artery Disease/pathology
- Coronary Vessels/metabolism
- Coronary Vessels/pathology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Female
- Humans
- Infant
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- MicroRNAs/blood
- MicroRNAs/genetics
- MicroRNAs/metabolism
- Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome/blood
- Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome/complications
- Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome/diagnosis
- Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome/genetics
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/pathology
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/pathology
- Platelet Activation
- Prospective Studies
- Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor beta/genetics
- Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor beta/metabolism
- Severity of Illness Index
- Signal Transduction
- Young Adult
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Zhang
- From the Institute of Pediatrics (Y.Z., L.X., M.Z., Z.Z., Y.L., X.F., K.W., M.S., W.H.T.), Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Centre, Guangzhou Medical University, China
| | - Yanfei Wang
- Department of Cardiology (Y.W., L.Z., P.H.), Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Centre, Guangzhou Medical University, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Cardiology (Y.W., L.Z., P.H.), Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Centre, Guangzhou Medical University, China
| | - Luoxing Xia
- From the Institute of Pediatrics (Y.Z., L.X., M.Z., Z.Z., Y.L., X.F., K.W., M.S., W.H.T.), Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Centre, Guangzhou Medical University, China
| | - Minhui Zheng
- From the Institute of Pediatrics (Y.Z., L.X., M.Z., Z.Z., Y.L., X.F., K.W., M.S., W.H.T.), Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Centre, Guangzhou Medical University, China
| | - Zhi Zeng
- From the Institute of Pediatrics (Y.Z., L.X., M.Z., Z.Z., Y.L., X.F., K.W., M.S., W.H.T.), Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Centre, Guangzhou Medical University, China
| | - Yingying Liu
- From the Institute of Pediatrics (Y.Z., L.X., M.Z., Z.Z., Y.L., X.F., K.W., M.S., W.H.T.), Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Centre, Guangzhou Medical University, China
| | - Timur Yarovinsky
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (T.Y., A.C.O., K.A.M., J.H.)
| | - Allison C Ostriker
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (T.Y., A.C.O., K.A.M., J.H.)
| | - Xuejiao Fan
- From the Institute of Pediatrics (Y.Z., L.X., M.Z., Z.Z., Y.L., X.F., K.W., M.S., W.H.T.), Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Centre, Guangzhou Medical University, China
| | - Kai Weng
- From the Institute of Pediatrics (Y.Z., L.X., M.Z., Z.Z., Y.L., X.F., K.W., M.S., W.H.T.), Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Centre, Guangzhou Medical University, China
| | - Meiling Su
- From the Institute of Pediatrics (Y.Z., L.X., M.Z., Z.Z., Y.L., X.F., K.W., M.S., W.H.T.), Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Centre, Guangzhou Medical University, China
| | - Ping Huang
- Department of Cardiology (Y.W., L.Z., P.H.), Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Centre, Guangzhou Medical University, China
| | - Kathleen A Martin
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (T.Y., A.C.O., K.A.M., J.H.)
| | - John Hwa
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (T.Y., A.C.O., K.A.M., J.H.)
| | - Wai Ho Tang
- From the Institute of Pediatrics (Y.Z., L.X., M.Z., Z.Z., Y.L., X.F., K.W., M.S., W.H.T.), Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Centre, Guangzhou Medical University, China
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13
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Li S, Shi Y, Liu P, Song Y, Liu Y, Ying L, Quan K, Yu G, Fan Z, Zhu W. Metformin inhibits intracranial aneurysm formation and progression by regulating vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype switching via the AMPK/ACC pathway. J Neuroinflammation 2020; 17:191. [PMID: 32546267 PMCID: PMC7298751 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-020-01868-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The regulation of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotype plays an important role in intracranial aneurysm (IA) formation and progression. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Metformin is a 5′ AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) agonist that has a protective effect on vasculature. The present study investigated whether metformin modulates VSMC phenotype switching via the AMPK/acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) pathway during IA pathogenesis. Methods Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 80) were used to establish an elastase-induced IA model. The effects of metformin on AMPK activation and VSMC phenotype modulation were examined. We also established a platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced VSMC model and analyzed changes in phenotype including proliferation, migration, and apoptosis as well as AMPK/ACC axis activation under different doses of metformin, AMPK antagonist, ACC antagonist, and their combinations. Results Metformin decreased the incidence and rupture rate of IA in the rat model and induced a switch in VSMC phenotype from contractile to synthetic through activation of the AMPK/ACC pathway, as evidenced by upregulation of VSMC-specific genes and decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. AMPK/ACC axis activation inhibited the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of VSMCs, in which phenotypic switching was induced by PDGF-BB. Conclusions Metformin protects against IA formation and rupture by inhibiting VSMC phenotype switching and proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. Thus, metformin has therapeutic potential for the prevention of IA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sichen Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 12 Wulumuqi Road Middle, Shanghai, 200040, People's Republic of China.,Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Shi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 12 Wulumuqi Road Middle, Shanghai, 200040, People's Republic of China.,Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Peixi Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 12 Wulumuqi Road Middle, Shanghai, 200040, People's Republic of China.,Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaying Song
- Department of Neurology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 160 Pujian Rd, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China.,Neuroscience and Neuroengineering Research Center, Med-X Research Institute and School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingjun Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 12 Wulumuqi Road Middle, Shanghai, 200040, People's Republic of China.,Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Lingwen Ying
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, 200233, People's Republic of China
| | - Kai Quan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 12 Wulumuqi Road Middle, Shanghai, 200040, People's Republic of China.,Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Guo Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 12 Wulumuqi Road Middle, Shanghai, 200040, People's Republic of China.,Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiyuan Fan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 12 Wulumuqi Road Middle, Shanghai, 200040, People's Republic of China.,Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 12 Wulumuqi Road Middle, Shanghai, 200040, People's Republic of China. .,Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
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14
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Huang S, Che J, Chu Q, Zhang P. The Role of NLRP3 Inflammasome in Radiation-Induced Cardiovascular Injury. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:140. [PMID: 32226786 PMCID: PMC7080656 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing risk of long-term adverse effects from radiotherapy on the cardiovascular structure is receiving increasing attention. However, the mechanisms underlying this increased risk remain poorly understood. Recently, the nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich-repeat-containing family pyrin 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome was suggested to play a critical role in radiation-induced cardiovascular injury. However, the relationship between ionizing radiation and the NLRP3 inflammasome in acute and chronic inflammation is complex. We reviewed literature detailing pathological changes and molecular mechanisms associated with radiation-induced damage to the cardiovascular structure, with a specific focus on NLRP3 inflammasome-related cardiovascular diseases. We also summarized possible therapeutic strategies for the prevention of radiation-induced heart disease (RIHD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Huang
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing Che
- College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qian Chu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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15
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Yuan X, Bhat OM, Lohner H, Zhang Y, Li PL. Downregulation of Lysosomal Acid Ceramidase Mediates HMGB1-Induced Migration and Proliferation of Mouse Coronary Arterial Myocytes. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:111. [PMID: 32211403 PMCID: PMC7076051 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
High-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) has been reported to trigger lysosome destabilization causing a wide of inflammatory diseases. The present study tested whether a lysosomal enzyme, acid ceramidase (AC), plays a critical role in HMGB1-induced alteration in ceramide metabolism and whether such HMGB1-AC interaction is associated with abnormal migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). We first observed that the expression of AC in the medial layer of mouse coronary arterial wall and colocalization of AC with a lysosome marker Lamp-1. In primary cultured coronary arterial myocytes (CAMs), AC expression and colocalization with Lamp-1 were significantly up-regulated by AC inducer, genistein, but down-regulated by AC inhibitor, N-oleoylethanolamine (NOE). HMGB1 dose-dependently decreased the colocalization of AC with Lamp-1 and reduced mRNA and protein expressions of AC in CAMs, but reversed by genistein. Consistently, HMGB1 significantly induced increases in the levels of long-chain ceramides in CAMs, which were not further enhanced by NOE but blocked by genistein. More importantly, HMGB1 promoted migration and proliferation of CAMs, which were not further increased by NOE but reduced by genistein. Lastly, CAMs isolated from smooth muscle-specific AC knockout mice (AC gene Asah1) exhibited increased ceramide levels and enhanced the migration and proliferation, which resembles the effects of HMGB1 on wild-type CAMs. Together, these results suggest that HMGB1 promotes SMC migration and proliferation via inhibition of AC expression and ceramide accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxu Yuan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Owais M Bhat
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Hannah Lohner
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Pin-Lan Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
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16
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Zhang Y, Wang YT, Koka S, Zhang Y, Hussain T, Li X. Simvastatin improves lysosome function via enhancing lysosome biogenesis in endothelial cells. Front Biosci (Landmark Ed) 2020; 25:283-298. [PMID: 31585890 DOI: 10.2741/4807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Nlrp3 inflammasomes were shown to play a critical role in triggering obesity-associated early onsets of cardiovascular complications such as endothelial barrier dysfunction with endothelial hyperpermeability. Statins prevent endothelial dysfunction and decrease cardiovascular risk in patients with obesity and diabetes. However, it remains unclear whether statin treatment for obesity-induced endothelial barrier dysfunction is in part due to the blockade of Nlrp3 inflammasome signaling axis. The results showed that simvastatin, a clinically and widely used statin, prevented free fatty acid-induced endothelial hyperpermeability and disruption of ZO-1 and VE-cadherin junctions in mouse microvascular endothelial cells (MVECs). This protective effect of simvastatin was largely due to improved lysosome function that attenuated lysosome injury-mediated Nlrp3 inflammasome activation and subsequent release of high mobility group box protein-1 (HMGB1). Mechanistically, simvastatin induces autophagy that promotes removal of damaged lysosomes and also promotes lysosome regeneration that preserves lysosome function. Collectively, simvastatin treatment improves lysosome function via enhancing lysosome biogenesis and its autophagic turnover, which may be an important mechanism to suppress Nlrp3 inflammasome activation and prevents endothelial hyperpermeability in obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youzhi Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Yun-Ting Wang
- Department of Pharmacological & Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204
| | - Saisudha Koka
- Department of Pharmacological & Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298
| | - Tahir Hussain
- Department of Pharmacological & Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Pharmacological & Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204,
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17
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Zhang Y, Chen Y, Zhang Y, Li PL, Li X. Contribution of cathepsin B-dependent Nlrp3 inflammasome activation to nicotine-induced endothelial barrier dysfunction. Eur J Pharmacol 2019; 865:172795. [PMID: 31733211 PMCID: PMC6925381 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2019.172795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Revised: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies indicate that endothelial Nlrp3 inflammasome is critically involved in the development of cardiovascular complications. However, it remains unknown whether endothelial inflammasome is involved in endothelial barrier dysfunction associated with smoking. This study aims to investigate the role of endothelial Nlrp3 inflammasome in nicotine-induced disruption of inter-endothelial tight junctions and consequent endothelial barrier dysfunction. The confocal microscopic analysis demonstrated that mice treated with nicotine exhibited disrupted inter-endothelial tight junctions as shown by decreased ZO-1 and ZO-2 expression in the coronary arterial endothelium, whereas the decreases in ZO-1/2 were prevented by Nlrp3 gene deficiency. In cultured endothelial cells, nicotine caused Nlrp3 inflammasome complex formation and enhances the inflammasome activity as shown by increased cleavage of pro-caspase-1, and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) production. Further, nicotine disrupted tight junction and increased permeability in an endothelial cell monolayer, and this nicotine-induced effect was prevented by silencing of Nlrp3 gene, inhibition of caspase-1, or blockade of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1). Nicotine increased endothelial cell lysosomal membrane permeability and triggered the lysosomal release of cathepsin B, whereas these events were prevented by pretreating cells with a lysosome stabilizing agent, dexamethasone. Collectively, our data suggest that nicotine enhances cathepsin B-dependent Nlrp3 inflammasome activation and the consequent production of a novel permeability factor HMGB1, which causes disruption of inter-endothelial tight junctions leading to endothelial hyperpermeability. Instigation of endothelial inflammasomes may serve as an important pathogenic mechanism contributing to the early onset of vasculopathy associated with smoking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA; Department of Pharmacological & Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Yang Chen
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA
| | - Youzhi Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA; School of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China
| | - Pin-Lan Li
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA; Department of Pharmacological & Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA.
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18
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Wang YT, Chen J, Li X, Umetani M, Chen Y, Li PL, Zhang Y. Contribution of transcription factor EB to adipoRon-induced inhibition of arterial smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2019; 317:C1034-C1047. [PMID: 31483704 PMCID: PMC6879882 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00294.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Abnormal vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) dedifferentiation with increased proliferation and migration during pathological vascular remodeling is associated with vascular disorders, such as atherosclerosis and in-stent restenosis. AdipoRon, a selective agonist of adiponectin receptor, has been shown to protect against vascular remodeling by preventing SMC dedifferentiation. However, the molecular mechanisms that mediate adipoRon-induced SMC differentiation are not well understood. The present study aimed to elucidate the role of transcription factor EB (TFEB), a master regulator of autophagy, in mediating adipoRon's effect on SMCs. In cultured arterial SMCs, adipoRon dose-dependently increased TFEB activation, which is accompanied by upregulated transcription of genes involved in autophagy pathway and enhanced autophagic flux. In parallel, adipoRon suppressed serum-induced cell proliferation and caused cell cycle arrest. Moreover, adipoRon inhibited SMC migration as characterized by wound-healing retardation, F-actin reorganization, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 downregulation. These inhibitory effects of adipoRon on proliferation and migration were attenuated by TFEB gene silencing. Mechanistically, activation of TFEB by adipoRon is dependent on intracellular calcium, but it is not associated with changes in AMPK, ERK1/2, Akt, or molecular target of rapamycin complex 1 activation. Using ex vivo aortic explants, we demonstrated that adipoRon inhibited sprouts that had outgrown from aortic rings, whereas lentiviral TFEB shRNA transduction significantly reversed this effect of adipoRon on aortic rings. Taken together, our results indicate that adipoRon activates TFEB signaling that helps maintain the quiescent and differentiated status of arterial SMCs, preventing abnormal SMC dedifferentiation. This study provides novel mechanistic insights into understanding the therapeutic effects of adipoRon on TFEB signaling and pathological vascular remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Ting Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Jiajie Chen
- Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Michihisa Umetani
- Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Yang Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Pin-Lan Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, Texas
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Wang YT, Li X, Chen J, McConnell BK, Chen L, Li PL, Chen Y, Zhang Y. Activation of TFEB ameliorates dedifferentiation of arterial smooth muscle cells and neointima formation in mice with high-fat diet. Cell Death Dis 2019; 10:676. [PMID: 31515484 PMCID: PMC6742653 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-019-1931-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Autophagy is recently implicated in regulating vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) homeostasis and in the pathogenesis of vascular remodeling. Transcription factor EB (TFEB) is a master regulator of autophagy signaling pathways. However, the molecular mechanisms and functional roles of TFEB in SMC homeostasis have not been elucidated. Here, we surveyed the ability of TFEB to regulate autophagy pathway in SMCs, and whether pharmacological activation of TFEB favors SMC homeostasis preventing dedifferentiation and pathogenic vascular remodeling. In primary cultured SMCs, TFEB activator trehalose induced nuclear translocation of TFEB and upregulation of TFEB-controlled autophagy genes leading to enhanced autophagy signaling. Moreover, trehalose suppressed serum-induced SMC dedifferentiation to synthetic phenotypes as characterized by inhibited proliferation and migration. These effects of trehalose were mimicked by ectopic upregulation of TFEB and inhibited by TFEB gene silencing. In animal experiments, partial ligation of carotid arteries induced downregulation of TFEB pathway in the media layer of these arteries. Such TFEB suppression was correlated with increased SMC dedifferentiation and aggravated high-fat diet (HFD)-induced neointima formation. Treatment of mice with trehalose reversed this TFEB pathway suppression, and prevented SMC dedifferentiation and HFD-induced neointima formation. In conclusion, our findings have identified TFEB as a novel positive regulator for autophagy pathway and cellular homeostasis in SMCs. Our data suggest that suppression of TFEB may be an initiating mechanism that promotes SMC dedifferentiation leading to accelerated neointima formation in vascular disorders associated with metabolic stress, whereas trehalose reverses these changes. These findings warrant further evaluation of trehalose in the clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Ting Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jiajie Chen
- Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Bradley K McConnell
- Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Li Chen
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Pin-Lan Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Yang Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
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Contribution of acid sphingomyelinase to angiotensin II-induced vascular adventitial remodeling via membrane rafts/Nox2 signal pathway. Life Sci 2019; 219:303-310. [PMID: 30677425 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2019.01.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Revised: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Vascular adventitial fibroblasts (AFs) in the vascular remodeling during atherosclerosis are increasing arousing attention. Acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) is a soluble glycoprotein which is involved in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. However, it remains unknown if ASM is expressed in vascular AFs and regulates vascular adventitial remodeling and underlying mechanisms. MAIN METHODS AND KEY FINDINGS ASM downregulation with gene silencing was used in the rat AFs treated with angiotensin (Ang) II, which is universally demonstrated to induce vascular adventitia remodeling. It was showed that ASM was indeed expressed in vascular AFs and ASM downregulation resulted in a significant decrease in the protein level of PCNA and collagen I and cell migration under Ang II stimulation. Such improvement of adventitial remodeling was not further augmented by Ang-(1-7), which is deemed as an endogenous Ang II blocker. We further found that ASM downregulation blocked the Nox2-dependent superoxide (O2-) generation, which regulated vascular remodeling in AFs under Ang II. ASM siRNA decreased the aggregation of membrane rafts (MRs) and the consequent recruiting of ceramide and Nox2 in MRs. SIGNIFICANCE In conclusion, these results suggested that ASM downregulation could improve vascular adventitial remodeling which was attributed to inhibiting MRs/Nox2 redox signaling pathway in AFs. Thus, these data supported the idea that ASM is a potential therapeutic target for diabetic vascular complication.
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