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Guan X, Hu Y, Hao J, Lu M, Zhang Z, Hu W, Li D, Li C. Stress, Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotype and Atherosclerosis: Novel Insight into Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotypic Transition in Atherosclerosis. Curr Atheroscler Rep 2024; 26:411-425. [PMID: 38814419 DOI: 10.1007/s11883-024-01220-8] [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] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Our work is to establish more distinct association between specific stress and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) phenotypes to alleviate atherosclerotic plaque burden and delay atherosclerosis (AS) progression. RECENT FINDING In recent years, VSMCs phenotypic transition has received significant interests. Different stresses were found to be associated with VSMCs phenotypic transition. However, the explicit correlation between VSMCs phenotype and specific stress has not been elucidated clearly yet. We discover that VSMCs phenotypic transition, which is widely involved in the progression of AS, is associated with specific stress. We discuss approaches targeting stresses to intervene VSMCs phenotypic transition, which may contribute to develop innovative therapies for AS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuya Guan
- Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
| | - Yuanlong Hu
- First Clinical Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
| | - Jiaqi Hao
- Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
| | - Mengkai Lu
- Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
| | - Zhiyuan Zhang
- Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
| | - Wenxian Hu
- Qingdao Hiser Hospital Affiliated of Qingdao University (Qingdao Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital), Qingdao, 266000, China.
| | - Dongxiao Li
- Experimental Center, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China.
| | - Chao Li
- Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China.
- Qingdao Hiser Hospital Affiliated of Qingdao University (Qingdao Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital), Qingdao, 266000, China.
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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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Chatterjee P, Martin KA. A Concept of "Athero-Oncology": Tumor-Like Smooth Muscle Cells Drive Atherosclerosis. Circulation 2024; 149:1899-1902. [PMID: 38857330 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.124.069446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Payel Chatterjee
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Kathleen A Martin
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
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Pan H, Ho SE, Xue C, Cui J, Johanson QS, Sachs N, Ross LS, Li F, Solomon RA, Connolly ES, Patel VI, Maegdefessel L, Zhang H, Reilly MP. Atherosclerosis Is a Smooth Muscle Cell-Driven Tumor-Like Disease. Circulation 2024; 149:1885-1898. [PMID: 38686559 PMCID: PMC11164647 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.123.067587] [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: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atherosclerosis, a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, involves the pathological activation of various cell types, including immunocytes (eg, macrophages and T cells), smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and endothelial cells. Accumulating evidence suggests that transition of SMCs to other cell types, known as phenotypic switching, plays a central role in atherosclerosis development and complications. However, the characteristics of SMC-derived cells and the underlying mechanisms of SMC transition in disease pathogenesis remain poorly understood. Our objective is to characterize tumor cell-like behaviors of SMC-derived cells in atherosclerosis, with the ultimate goal of developing interventions targeting SMC transition for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis. METHODS We used SMC lineage tracing mice and human tissues and applied a range of methods, including molecular, cellular, histological, computational, human genetics, and pharmacological approaches, to investigate the features of SMC-derived cells in atherosclerosis. RESULTS SMC-derived cells in mouse and human atherosclerosis exhibit multiple tumor cell-like characteristics, including genomic instability, evasion of senescence, hyperproliferation, resistance to cell death, invasiveness, and activation of comprehensive cancer-associated gene regulatory networks. Specific expression of the oncogenic mutant KrasG12D in SMCs accelerates phenotypic switching and exacerbates atherosclerosis. Furthermore, we provide proof of concept that niraparib, an anticancer drug targeting DNA damage repair, attenuates atherosclerosis progression and induces regression of lesions in advanced disease in mouse models. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate that atherosclerosis is an SMC-driven tumor-like disease, advancing our understanding of its pathogenesis and opening prospects for innovative precision molecular strategies aimed at preventing and treating atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huize Pan
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Sebastian E. Ho
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Chenyi Xue
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Jian Cui
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Quinian S. Johanson
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Nadja Sachs
- Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research, partner site: Munich Heart Alliance, 10785 Berlin, Germany
| | - Leila S. Ross
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Fang Li
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Robert A. Solomon
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - E. Sander Connolly
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Virendra I. Patel
- Section of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Interventions, New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Lars Maegdefessel
- Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research, partner site: Munich Heart Alliance, 10785 Berlin, Germany
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hanrui Zhang
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Muredach P. Reilly
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
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Lambert J, Oc S, Worssam MD, Häußler D, Solomon CU, Figg NL, Baxter R, Imaz M, Taylor JCK, Foote K, Finigan A, Mahbubani KT, Webb TR, Ye S, Bennett MR, Krüger A, Spivakov M, Jørgensen HF. Network-based prioritization and validation of regulators of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation in disease. NATURE CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH 2024; 3:714-733. [PMID: 38898928 PMCID: PMC11182749 DOI: 10.1038/s44161-024-00474-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Aberrant vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) homeostasis and proliferation characterize vascular diseases causing heart attack and stroke. Here we elucidate molecular determinants governing VSMC proliferation by reconstructing gene regulatory networks from single-cell transcriptomics and epigenetic profiling. We detect widespread activation of enhancers at disease-relevant loci in proliferation-predisposed VSMCs. We compared gene regulatory network rewiring between injury-responsive and nonresponsive VSMCs, which suggested shared transcription factors but differing target loci between VSMC states. Through in silico perturbation analysis, we identified and prioritized previously unrecognized regulators of proliferation, including RUNX1 and TIMP1. Moreover, we showed that the pioneer transcription factor RUNX1 increased VSMC responsiveness and that TIMP1 feeds back to promote VSMC proliferation through CD74-mediated STAT3 signaling. Both RUNX1 and the TIMP1-CD74 axis were expressed in human VSMCs, showing low levels in normal arteries and increased expression in disease, suggesting clinical relevance and potential as vascular disease targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Lambert
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Sebnem Oc
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Functional Gene Control Group, MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences, London, UK
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Matthew D. Worssam
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Present Address: Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA USA
| | - Daniel Häußler
- TUM School of Medicine and Health, Institute of Experimental Oncology and Therapy Research, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Charles U. Solomon
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, and National Institute for Health Research Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, Leicester, UK
| | - Nichola L. Figg
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ruby Baxter
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Maria Imaz
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - James C. K. Taylor
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Kirsty Foote
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alison Finigan
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Krishnaa T. Mahbubani
- Collaborative Biorepository for Translational Medicine, Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - Tom R. Webb
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, and National Institute for Health Research Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, Leicester, UK
| | - Shu Ye
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, and National Institute for Health Research Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, Leicester, UK
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Translational Research Programme, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Martin R. Bennett
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Achim Krüger
- TUM School of Medicine and Health, Institute of Experimental Oncology and Therapy Research, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Mikhail Spivakov
- Functional Gene Control Group, MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences, London, UK
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Helle F. Jørgensen
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Hernandes MS, Griendling KK. RNA Sequencing Atherosclerosis Data Sets: Expanding Potential Therapeutic Targets. Circ Res 2024; 134:1424-1426. [PMID: 38781303 PMCID: PMC11125524 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.124.324239] [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] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kathy K Griendling
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
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Petrovič D, Letonja J, Petrovič D. SMAD3 rs17228212 Polymorphism Is Associated with Advanced Carotid Atherosclerosis in a Slovenian Population. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1103. [PMID: 38791063 PMCID: PMC11117620 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12051103] [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: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Smad proteins influence the TGFβ signaling pathway, which plays an important role in the progression of atherosclerosis. The aim of our study was to investigate the association between the rs17228212 polymorphism of the SMAD3 gene and advanced carotid atherosclerosis in Slovenian subjects and to investigate the effect of the rs17228212 SMAD3 polymorphism on the expression of SMAD3 in endarterectomy sequesters. In this cross-sectional case-control study, 881 unrelated Caucasians were divided into two groups. The first group included 308 patients with advanced carotid atherosclerosis of the common or internal carotid artery with stenosis greater than 75% that underwent a revascularization procedure (cases). The control group consisted of 573 subjects without hemodynamically significant carotid atherosclerosis. We analyzed the rs17228212 polymorphism of the SMAD3 gene using the StepOne real-time polymerase chain reaction system and TaqMan SNP genotyping assay. The results in the two genetic models showed a statistically significant association, codominant (OR 4.05; CI 1.10-17.75; p = 0.037) and dominant (OR 3.60; CI 1.15-15.45; p = 0.045). An immunohistochemical analysis of SMAD3 expression was conducted for 26 endarterectomy specimens. The T allele of the rs17228212 SMAD3 gene was shown to be associated with an increased numerical area density of SMAD3-positive cells in carotid plaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Petrovič
- Laboratory for Histology and Genetics of Atherosclerosis and Microvascular Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Korytkova 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (D.P.); (J.L.)
| | - Jernej Letonja
- Laboratory for Histology and Genetics of Atherosclerosis and Microvascular Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Korytkova 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (D.P.); (J.L.)
- Institute of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Korytkova 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Danijel Petrovič
- Laboratory for Histology and Genetics of Atherosclerosis and Microvascular Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Korytkova 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (D.P.); (J.L.)
- Institute of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Korytkova 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Ahmed IA, Liu M, Gomez D. Nuclear Control of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Plasticity during Vascular Remodeling. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2024; 194:525-538. [PMID: 37820925 PMCID: PMC10988766 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2023.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Control of vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) gene expression is an essential process for establishing and maintaining lineage identity, contractility, and plasticity. Most mechanisms (epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional) implicated in gene regulation occur in the nucleus. Still, intranuclear pathways are directly impacted by modifications in the extracellular environment in conditions of adaptive or maladaptive remodeling. Integration of extracellular, cellular, and genomic information into the nucleus through epigenetic and transcriptional control of genome organization plays a major role in regulating SMC functions and phenotypic transitions during vascular remodeling and diseases. This review aims to provide a comprehensive update on nuclear mechanisms, their interactions, and their integration in controlling SMC homeostasis and dysfunction. It summarizes and discusses the main nuclear mechanisms preponderant in SMCs in the context of vascular disease, such as atherosclerosis, with an emphasis on studies employing in vivo cell-specific loss-of-function and single-cell omics approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim A Ahmed
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Mingjun Liu
- Department of Pathology, New York University, New York, New York
| | - Delphine Gomez
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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Luo Y, He F, Zhang Y, Li S, Lu R, Wei X, Huang J. Transcription Factor 21: A Transcription Factor That Plays an Important Role in Cardiovascular Disease. Pharmacology 2024; 109:183-193. [PMID: 38493769 DOI: 10.1159/000536585] [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: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND According to the World Health Organisation's Health Report 2019, approximately 17.18 million people die from cardiovascular disease each year, accounting for more than 30% of all global deaths. Therefore, the occurrence of cardiovascular disease is still a global concern. The transcription factor 21 (TCF21) plays an important role in cardiovascular diseases. This article reviews the regulation mechanism of TCF21 expression and activity and focuses on its important role in atherosclerosis in order to contribute to the development of diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. SUMMARY TCF21 is involved in the phenotypic regulation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), promotes the proliferation and migration of VSMCs, and participates in the activation of inflammatory sequences. Increased proliferation and migration of VSMCs can lead to neointimal hyperplasia after vascular injury. Abnormal hyperplasia of neointima and inflammation are one of the main features of atherosclerosis. Therefore, targeting TCF21 may become a potential treatment for relieving atherosclerosis. KEY MESSAGES TCF21 as a member of basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors regulates cell growth and differentiation by modulating gene expression during the development of different organs and plays an important role in cardiovascular development and disease. VSMCs and cells derived from VSMCs constitute the majority of plaques in atherosclerosis. TCF21 plays a key role in regulation of VSMCs' phenotype, thus accelerating atherogenesis in the early stage. However, TCF21 enhances plaque stability in late-stage atherosclerosis. The dual role of TCF21 should be considered in the translational medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqian Luo
- Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China,
| | - Fangzhou He
- Department of Anaesthesia, Chuanshan College, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Yifang Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Shufan Li
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Ruirui Lu
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Xing Wei
- Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Ji Huang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
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Luo J, Zhang X, Li W, Wang T, Cui S, Li T, Wang Y, Xu W, Ma Y, Yang B, Luo Y, Yang G, Xu R, Jiao L. eIF2α-mediated integrated stress response links multiple intracellular signaling pathways to reprogram vascular smooth muscle cell fate in carotid artery plaque. Heliyon 2024; 10:e26904. [PMID: 38434290 PMCID: PMC10907769 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Carotid arterial atherosclerotic stenosis is a well-recognized pathological basis of ischemic stroke; however, its underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play fundamental roles in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. Organelle dynamics have been reported to affect atherosclerosis development. However, the association between organelle dynamics and various cellular stresses in atherosclerotic progression remain ambiguous. Methods In this study, we conducted transcriptomics and bioinformatics analyses of stable and vulnerable carotid plaques. Primary VSMCs were isolated from carotid plaques and subjected to histopathological staining to determine their expression profiles. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER), mitochondria, and lysosome dynamics were observed in primary VSMCs and VSMC cell lines using live-cell imaging. Moreover, the mechanisms underlying disordered organelle dynamics were investigated using comprehensive biological approaches. Results ER whorls, a representative structural change under ER stress, are prominent dynamic reconstructions of VSMCs between vulnerable and stable plaques, followed by fragmented mitochondria and enlarged lysosomes, suggesting mitochondrial stress and lysosomal defects, respectively. Induction of mitochondrial stress alleviated ER stress and autophagy in an eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF)-2α-dependent manner. Furthermore, the effects of eIF2α on ER stress, mitochondrial stress, and lysosomal defects were validated using clinical samples. Conclusion Our results indicate that morphological and functional changes in VSMC organelles, especially in ER whorls, can be used as reliable biomarkers for atherosclerotic progression. Moreover, eIF2α plays an important role in integrating multiple stress-signaling pathways to determine the behavior and fate of VSMCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jichang Luo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- China International Neuroscience Institute (China-INI), Beijing, China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- China International Neuroscience Institute (China-INI), Beijing, China
| | - Wenjing Li
- Laboratory of Computational Biology and Machine Intelligence, National Laboratory of Pattern Recognition, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Artificial Intelligence, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- China International Neuroscience Institute (China-INI), Beijing, China
| | - Shengyan Cui
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- China International Neuroscience Institute (China-INI), Beijing, China
| | - Tianhua Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- China International Neuroscience Institute (China-INI), Beijing, China
| | - Yilin Wang
- Institute of Cerebrovascular Disease Research and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Wenlong Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- China International Neuroscience Institute (China-INI), Beijing, China
| | - Yan Ma
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- China International Neuroscience Institute (China-INI), Beijing, China
| | - Bin Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- China International Neuroscience Institute (China-INI), Beijing, China
| | - Yumin Luo
- Institute of Cerebrovascular Disease Research and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ge Yang
- Laboratory of Computational Biology and Machine Intelligence, National Laboratory of Pattern Recognition, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Artificial Intelligence, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ran Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- China International Neuroscience Institute (China-INI), Beijing, China
| | - Liqun Jiao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- China International Neuroscience Institute (China-INI), Beijing, China
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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11
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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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12
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Ruz-Maldonado I, Gonzalez JT, Zhang H, Sun J, Bort A, Kabir I, Kibbey RG, Suárez Y, Greif DM, Fernández-Hernando C. Heterogeneity of hepatocyte dynamics restores liver architecture after chemical, physical or viral damage. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1247. [PMID: 38341404 PMCID: PMC10858916 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45439-0] [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: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Midlobular hepatocytes are proposed to be the most plastic hepatic cell, providing a reservoir for hepatocyte proliferation during homeostasis and regeneration. However, other mechanisms beyond hyperplasia have been little explored and the contribution of other hepatocyte subpopulations to regeneration has been controversial. Thus, re-examining hepatocyte dynamics during regeneration is critical for cell therapy and treatment of liver diseases. Using a mouse model of hepatocyte- and non-hepatocyte- multicolor lineage tracing, we demonstrate that midlobular hepatocytes also undergo hypertrophy in response to chemical, physical, and viral insults. Our study shows that this subpopulation also combats liver impairment after infection with coronavirus. Furthermore, we demonstrate that pericentral hepatocytes also expand in number and size during the repair process and Galectin-9-CD44 pathway may be critical for driving these processes. Notably, we also identified that transdifferentiation and cell fusion during regeneration after severe injury contribute to recover hepatic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inmaculada Ruz-Maldonado
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Yale Center of Molecular and Systems Metabolism, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Departments of Internal Medicine (Endocrinology) and Cellular & Molecular Physiology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - John T Gonzalez
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Yale Center of Molecular and Systems Metabolism, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Hanming Zhang
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Yale Center of Molecular and Systems Metabolism, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Jonathan Sun
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Yale Center of Molecular and Systems Metabolism, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Alicia Bort
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Yale Center of Molecular and Systems Metabolism, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Inamul Kabir
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Richard G Kibbey
- Yale Center of Molecular and Systems Metabolism, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Departments of Internal Medicine (Endocrinology) and Cellular & Molecular Physiology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yajaira Suárez
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Yale Center of Molecular and Systems Metabolism, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Daniel M Greif
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Carlos Fernández-Hernando
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
- Yale Center of Molecular and Systems Metabolism, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
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13
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Cho W, Oh H, Abd El-Aty AM, Mobarak EH, Jeong JH, Jung TW. IL-38 alleviates atherogenic responses via SIRT6/HO-1 signaling: A promising strategy against obesity-related atherosclerosis. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 694:149407. [PMID: 38154209 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.149407] [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: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Interleukin-38 (IL-38), a member of the IL-1 family, is known for its anti-inflammatory properties mediated through ligand signaling in various disease models. It plays a significant role in atherosclerosis development, forming a theoretical basis for therapeutic strategies. However, the direct effects of IL-38 on atherogenic responses in the vascular endothelium and monocytes remain unclear. In this investigation, IL-38 treatment reduced THP-1 monocyte adhesion to HUVECs, decreased the expression of vascular adhesion molecules, and mitigated inflammation in the presence of palmitate. IL-38 treatment upregulated SIRT6 expression and enhanced autophagy markers such as LC3 conversion and p62 degradation. The effects of IL-38 were nullified by siRNA-mediated suppression of SIRT6 or heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in HUVECs and palmitate-treated THP-1 cells. These findings reveal that IL-38 mitigates inflammation through the SIRT6/HO-1 pathway, offering a potential therapeutic approach for addressing obesity-related atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wonjun Cho
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Heeseung Oh
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - A M Abd El-Aty
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, 12211, Giza, Egypt; Department of Medical Pharmacology, Medical Faculty, Ataturk University, Erzurum, 25240, Turkey.
| | - Enas H Mobarak
- Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ji Hoon Jeong
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Global Innovative Drugs, Graduate School of Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Woo Jung
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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14
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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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15
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Song J, Zhang Y, Frieler RA, Andren A, Wood S, Tyrrell DJ, Sajjakulnukit P, Deng JC, Lyssiotis CA, Mortensen RM, Salmon M, Goldstein DR. Itaconate suppresses atherosclerosis by activating a Nrf2-dependent antiinflammatory response in macrophages in mice. J Clin Invest 2023; 134:e173034. [PMID: 38085578 PMCID: PMC10849764 DOI: 10.1172/jci173034] [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: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Itaconate has emerged as a critical immunoregulatory metabolite. Here, we examined the therapeutic potential of itaconate in atherosclerosis. We found that both itaconate and the enzyme that synthesizes it, aconitate decarboxylase 1 (Acod1, also known as immune-responsive gene 1 [IRG1]), are upregulated during atherogenesis in mice. Deletion of Acod1 in myeloid cells exacerbated inflammation and atherosclerosis in vivo and resulted in an elevated frequency of a specific subset of M1-polarized proinflammatory macrophages in the atherosclerotic aorta. Importantly, Acod1 levels were inversely correlated with clinical occlusion in atherosclerotic human aorta specimens. Treating mice with the itaconate derivative 4-octyl itaconate attenuated inflammation and atherosclerosis induced by high cholesterol. Mechanistically, we found that the antioxidant transcription factor, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), was required for itaconate to suppress macrophage activation induced by oxidized lipids in vitro and to decrease atherosclerotic lesion areas in vivo. Overall, our work shows that itaconate suppresses atherogenesis by inducing Nrf2-dependent inhibition of proinflammatory responses in macrophages. Activation of the itaconate pathway may represent an important approach to treat atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianrui Song
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Yanling Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Soochow University Medical College, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ryan A. Frieler
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Anthony Andren
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Sherri Wood
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Daniel J. Tyrrell
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Pathology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Peter Sajjakulnukit
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center
| | - Jane C. Deng
- Graduate Program in Immunology, and
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Costas A. Lyssiotis
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Richard M. Mortensen
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Pharmacology
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes
| | | | - Daniel R. Goldstein
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Graduate Program in Immunology, and
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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16
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Pløen GG, Sørensen CB, Bentzon JF. Severe arterial injury heals with a complex clonal structure involving a large fraction of surviving smooth muscle cells. Atherosclerosis 2023; 387:117341. [PMID: 37940399 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2023.117341] [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: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Smooth muscle cell (SMC) lineage cells in atherosclerosis and flow cessation-induced neointima are oligoclonal, being recruited from a tiny fraction of medial SMCs that modulate and proliferate. The present study aimed to investigate the clonal structure of SMC lineage cells healing more severe arterial injury. METHODS Arterial injury (wire, stretch, and partial ligation) was inflicted on the right carotid artery in mice with homozygous, SMC-restricted, stochastically recombining reporter transgenes that produced mosaic expression of 10 distinguishable fluorescent phenotypes for clonal tracking. Healed arteries and contra-lateral controls were analyzed after 3 weeks. Additional analysis of cell death and proliferation after injury was performed in wildtype mice. RESULTS The total number of SMC lineage cells in healed arteries was comparable to normal arteries but comprised significantly fewer fluorescent phenotypes. The population had a complex, intermixed, clonal structure. By statistical analysis of expected versus observed fractions of fluorescent phenotypes and visual inspection of coherent groups of same-colored cells, we concluded that >98% of SMC lineage cells in healed arteries belonged to a detectable clone, indicating that nearly all surviving SMCs after severe injury at some point undergo proliferation. This was consistent with serial observations in the first week after injury, which showed severe loss of medial cells followed by widespread proliferation. CONCLUSIONS After severe arterial injury, many surviving SMCs proliferate to repair the media and form a neointima. This indicates that the fraction of medial SMCs that are mobilized to repair arteries increases with the level of injury.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jacob Fog Bentzon
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), Madrid, Spain.
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17
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Kawai K, Sakamoto A, Mokry M, Ghosh SKB, Kawakami R, Xu W, Guo L, Fuller DT, Tanaka T, Shah P, Cornelissen A, Sato Y, Mori M, Konishi T, Vozenilek AE, Dhingra R, Virmani R, Pasterkamp G, Finn AV. Clonal Proliferation Within Smooth Muscle Cells in Unstable Human Atherosclerotic Lesions. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2023; 43:2333-2347. [PMID: 37881937 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.319479] [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: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies in humans and mice using the expression of an X-linked gene or lineage tracing, respectively, have suggested that clones of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) exist in human atherosclerotic lesions but are limited by either spatial resolution or translatability of the model. METHODS Phenotypic clonality can be detected by X-chromosome inactivation patterns. We investigated whether clones of SMCs exist in unstable human atheroma using RNA in situ hybridization (BaseScope) to identify a naturally occurring 24-nucleotide deletion in the 3'UTR of the X-linked BGN (biglycan) gene, a proteoglycan highly expressed by SMCs. BGN-specific BaseScope probes were designed to target the wild-type or deletion mRNA. Three different coronary artery plaque types (erosion, rupture, and adaptive intimal thickening) were selected from heterozygous females for the deletion BGN. Hybridization of target RNA-specific probes was used to visualize the spatial distribution of mutants. A clonality index was calculated from the percentage of each probe in each region of interest. Spatial transcriptomics were used to identify differentially expressed transcripts within clonal and nonclonal regions. RESULTS Less than one-half of regions of interest in the intimal plaque were considered clonal with the mean percent regions of interest with clonality higher in the intimal plaque than in the media. This was consistent for all plaque types. The relationship of the dominant clone in the intimal plaque and media showed significant concordance. In comparison with the nonclonal lesions, the regions with SMC clonality had lower expression of genes encoding cell growth suppressors such as CD74, SERF-2 (small EDRK-rich factor 2), CTSB (cathepsin B), and HLA-DPA1 (major histocompatibility complex, class II, DP alpha 1), among others. CONCLUSIONS Our novel approach to examine clonality suggests atherosclerosis is primarily a disease of polyclonally and to a lesser extent clonally expanded SMCs and may have implications for the development of antiatherosclerotic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Kawai
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, MD (K.K., A.S., S.K.B.G., R.K., W.X., L.G., D.T.F., T.T., P.S., A.C., Y.S., M. Mori, T.K., A.E.V., R.D., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Atsushi Sakamoto
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, MD (K.K., A.S., S.K.B.G., R.K., W.X., L.G., D.T.F., T.T., P.S., A.C., Y.S., M. Mori, T.K., A.E.V., R.D., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Michal Mokry
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands (M. Mokry, G.P.)
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, The Netherlands (M. Mokry)
| | - Saikat Kumar B Ghosh
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, MD (K.K., A.S., S.K.B.G., R.K., W.X., L.G., D.T.F., T.T., P.S., A.C., Y.S., M. Mori, T.K., A.E.V., R.D., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Rika Kawakami
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, MD (K.K., A.S., S.K.B.G., R.K., W.X., L.G., D.T.F., T.T., P.S., A.C., Y.S., M. Mori, T.K., A.E.V., R.D., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Weili Xu
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, MD (K.K., A.S., S.K.B.G., R.K., W.X., L.G., D.T.F., T.T., P.S., A.C., Y.S., M. Mori, T.K., A.E.V., R.D., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Liang Guo
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, MD (K.K., A.S., S.K.B.G., R.K., W.X., L.G., D.T.F., T.T., P.S., A.C., Y.S., M. Mori, T.K., A.E.V., R.D., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Daniela T Fuller
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, MD (K.K., A.S., S.K.B.G., R.K., W.X., L.G., D.T.F., T.T., P.S., A.C., Y.S., M. Mori, T.K., A.E.V., R.D., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Takamasa Tanaka
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, MD (K.K., A.S., S.K.B.G., R.K., W.X., L.G., D.T.F., T.T., P.S., A.C., Y.S., M. Mori, T.K., A.E.V., R.D., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Palak Shah
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, MD (K.K., A.S., S.K.B.G., R.K., W.X., L.G., D.T.F., T.T., P.S., A.C., Y.S., M. Mori, T.K., A.E.V., R.D., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Anne Cornelissen
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, MD (K.K., A.S., S.K.B.G., R.K., W.X., L.G., D.T.F., T.T., P.S., A.C., Y.S., M. Mori, T.K., A.E.V., R.D., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Yu Sato
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, MD (K.K., A.S., S.K.B.G., R.K., W.X., L.G., D.T.F., T.T., P.S., A.C., Y.S., M. Mori, T.K., A.E.V., R.D., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Masayuki Mori
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, MD (K.K., A.S., S.K.B.G., R.K., W.X., L.G., D.T.F., T.T., P.S., A.C., Y.S., M. Mori, T.K., A.E.V., R.D., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Takao Konishi
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, MD (K.K., A.S., S.K.B.G., R.K., W.X., L.G., D.T.F., T.T., P.S., A.C., Y.S., M. Mori, T.K., A.E.V., R.D., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Aimee E Vozenilek
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, MD (K.K., A.S., S.K.B.G., R.K., W.X., L.G., D.T.F., T.T., P.S., A.C., Y.S., M. Mori, T.K., A.E.V., R.D., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Roma Dhingra
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, MD (K.K., A.S., S.K.B.G., R.K., W.X., L.G., D.T.F., T.T., P.S., A.C., Y.S., M. Mori, T.K., A.E.V., R.D., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Renu Virmani
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, MD (K.K., A.S., S.K.B.G., R.K., W.X., L.G., D.T.F., T.T., P.S., A.C., Y.S., M. Mori, T.K., A.E.V., R.D., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Gerard Pasterkamp
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands (M. Mokry, G.P.)
| | - Aloke V Finn
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, MD (K.K., A.S., S.K.B.G., R.K., W.X., L.G., D.T.F., T.T., P.S., A.C., Y.S., M. Mori, T.K., A.E.V., R.D., R.V., A.V.F.)
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore (A.V.F.)
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18
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Luo L, Fu C, Bell CF, Wang Y, Leeper NJ. Role of vascular smooth muscle cell clonality in atherosclerosis. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1273596. [PMID: 38089777 PMCID: PMC10713728 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1273596] [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: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide. While many cell types contribute to the growing atherosclerotic plaque, the vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) is a major contributor due in part to its remarkable plasticity and ability to undergo phenotype switching in response to injury. SMCs can migrate into the fibrous cap, presumably stabilizing the plaque, or accumulate within the lesional core, possibly accelerating vascular inflammation. How SMCs expand and react to disease stimuli has been a controversial topic for many decades. While early studies relying on X-chromosome inactivation were inconclusive due to low resolution and sensitivity, recent advances in multi-color lineage tracing models have revitalized the concept that SMCs likely expand in an oligoclonal fashion during atherogenesis. Current efforts are focused on determining whether all SMCs have equal capacity for clonal expansion or if a "stem-like" progenitor cell may exist, and to understand how constituents of the clone decide which phenotype they will ultimately adopt as the disease progresses. Mechanistic studies are also beginning to dissect the processes which confer cells with their overall survival advantage, test whether these properties are attributable to intrinsic features of the expanding clone, and define the role of cross-talk between proliferating SMCs and other plaque constituents such as neighboring macrophages. In this review, we aim to summarize the historical perspectives on SMC clonality, highlight unanswered questions, and identify translational issues which may need to be considered as therapeutics directed against SMC clonality are developed as a novel approach to targeting atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingfeng Luo
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Changhao Fu
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Caitlin F. Bell
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA, United States
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Nicholas J. Leeper
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA, United States
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
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Zhao Y, Xiong W, Li C, Zhao R, Lu H, Song S, Zhou Y, Hu Y, Shi B, Ge J. Hypoxia-induced signaling in the cardiovascular system: pathogenesis and therapeutic targets. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:431. [PMID: 37981648 PMCID: PMC10658171 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01652-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia, characterized by reduced oxygen concentration, is a significant stressor that affects the survival of aerobic species and plays a prominent role in cardiovascular diseases. From the research history and milestone events related to hypoxia in cardiovascular development and diseases, The "hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) switch" can be observed from both temporal and spatial perspectives, encompassing the occurrence and progression of hypoxia (gradual decline in oxygen concentration), the acute and chronic manifestations of hypoxia, and the geographical characteristics of hypoxia (natural selection at high altitudes). Furthermore, hypoxia signaling pathways are associated with natural rhythms, such as diurnal and hibernation processes. In addition to innate factors and natural selection, it has been found that epigenetics, as a postnatal factor, profoundly influences the hypoxic response and progression within the cardiovascular system. Within this intricate process, interactions between different tissues and organs within the cardiovascular system and other systems in the context of hypoxia signaling pathways have been established. Thus, it is the time to summarize and to construct a multi-level regulatory framework of hypoxia signaling and mechanisms in cardiovascular diseases for developing more therapeutic targets and make reasonable advancements in clinical research, including FDA-approved drugs and ongoing clinical trials, to guide future clinical practice in the field of hypoxia signaling in cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongchao Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Weidong Xiong
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, 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
| | - Chaofu Li
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Ranzun Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China
| | - Hao Lu
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai, 200032, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Shuai Song
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai, 200032, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - You Zhou
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai, 200032, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yiqing Hu
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Bei Shi
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China.
| | - Junbo Ge
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China.
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, 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.
- National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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20
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Majumder S, Chattopadhyay A, Wright JM, Guan P, Buja LM, Kwartler CS, Milewicz DM. Pericentrin deficiency in smooth muscle cells augments atherosclerosis through HSF1-driven cholesterol biosynthesis and PERK activation. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e173247. [PMID: 37937642 PMCID: PMC10721278 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.173247] [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: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism type II (MOPDII) is caused by biallelic loss-of-function variants in pericentrin (PCNT), and premature coronary artery disease (CAD) is a complication of the syndrome. Histopathology of coronary arteries from patients with MOPDII who died of CAD in their 20s showed extensive atherosclerosis. Hyperlipidemic mice with smooth muscle cell-specific (SMC-specific) Pcnt deficiency (PcntSMC-/-) exhibited significantly greater atherosclerotic plaque burden compared with similarly treated littermate controls despite similar serum lipid levels. Loss of PCNT in SMCs induced activation of heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) and consequently upregulated the expression and activity of HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR), the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis. The increased cholesterol biosynthesis in PcntSMC-/- SMCs augmented PERK signaling and phenotypic modulation compared with control SMCs. Treatment with the HMGCR inhibitor, pravastatin, blocked the augmented SMC modulation and reduced plaque burden in hyperlipidemic PcntSMC-/- mice to that of control mice. These data support the notion that Pcnt deficiency activates cellular stress to increase SMC modulation and plaque burden, and targeting this pathway with statins in patients with MOPDII has the potential to reduce CAD in these individuals. The molecular mechanism uncovered further emphasizes SMC cytosolic stress and HSF1 activation as a pathway driving atherosclerotic plaque formation independently of cholesterol levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suravi Majumder
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, and
| | - Abhijnan Chattopadhyay
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, and
| | - Jamie M. Wright
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, and
| | - Pujun Guan
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, and
| | - L. Maximilian Buja
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Callie S. Kwartler
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, and
| | - Dianna M. Milewicz
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, and
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Belhoul-Fakir H, Brown ML, Thompson PL, Hamzah J, Jansen S. Connecting the Dots: How Injury in the Arterial Wall Contributes to Atherosclerotic Disease. Clin Ther 2023; 45:1092-1098. [PMID: 37891144 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2023.10.004] [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: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The occurrence and development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which can result in severe outcomes, such as myocardial infarction, stroke, loss of limb, renal failure, and infarction of the gut, are strongly associated with injury to the intimal component of the arterial wall whether via the inside-out or outside-in pathways. The role of injury to the tunica media as a pathway of atherosclerosis initiation is an underresearched area. This review focuses on potential pathways to vessel wall injury as well as current experimental and clinical research in the middle-aged and elderly populations, including the role of exercise, as it relates to injury to the tunica media. METHODS A database search using PubMed and Google Scholar was conducted for research articles published between 1909 and 2023 that focused on pathways of atherogenesis and the impact of mechanical forces on wall injury. The following key words were searched: wall injury, tunica media, atherogenesis, vascular aging, and wall strain. Studies were analyzed, and the relevant information was extracted from each study. FINDINGS A link between high mechanical stress in the arterial wall and reduced vascular compliance was found. The stiffening and calcification of the arterial wall with aging induce high blood pressure and pulse pressure, thereby causing incident hypertension and cardiovascular disease. In turn, prolonged high mechanical stress, particularly wall strain, applied to the arterial wall during vigorous exercise, results in stiffening and calcification of tunica media, accelerated arterial aging, and cardiovascular disease events. In both scenarios, the tunica media is the primary target of mechanical stress and the first to respond to hemodynamic changes. The cyclical nature of these impacts confounds the results of each because they are not mutually exclusive. IMPLICATIONS The role of stress in the tunica media appears to be overlooked despite its relevance, and further research into new primary preventive therapies is needed aside from cautioning the role of vigorous exercise in the elderly population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanane Belhoul-Fakir
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Bentley, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Targeted Drug Delivery, Imaging & Therapy, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia; Heart & Vascular Research Institute, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia.
| | - Michael Lawrence Brown
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bently, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Peter L Thompson
- Heart & Vascular Research Institute, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Juliana Hamzah
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Bentley, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Targeted Drug Delivery, Imaging & Therapy, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia; Heart & Vascular Research Institute, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Shirley Jansen
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Bentley, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Targeted Drug Delivery, Imaging & Therapy, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia; Heart & Vascular Research Institute, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia; Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
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22
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Hutton M, Frazer M, Lin A, Patel S, Misra A. New Targets in Atherosclerosis: Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Plasticity and Macrophage Polarity. Clin Ther 2023; 45:1047-1054. [PMID: 37709601 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2023.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Despite an increase in treatment options, and substantial reductions in cardiovascular mortality over the past half-century, atherosclerosis remains the most prevalent cause of premature mortality worldwide. The development of innovative new therapies is crucial to further minimize atherosclerosis-related deaths. The diverse array of cell phenotypes derived from vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and macrophages within atherosclerotic plaques are increasingly becoming recognized for their beneficial and detrimental roles in plaque stability and disease burden. This review explores how contemporary transcriptomics and fate-mapping studies have revealed vascular cell plasticity as a relatively unexplored target for therapeutic intervention. METHODS Recent literature for this narrative review was obtained by searching electronic databases (ie, Google Scholar, PubMed). Additional studies were sourced from reference lists and the authors' personal databases. FINDINGS The lipid-rich and inflammatory plaque milieu induces SMC phenotypic switching to both beneficial and detrimental phenotypes. Likewise, macrophage heterogeneity increases with disease burden to a variety of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory activation states. These vascular cell phenotypes are determinants of plaque structure stability, and it is therefore highly likely that they influence clinical outcomes. Development of clinical treatments targeting deleterious phenotypes or promoting pro-healing phenotypes remains in its infancy. However, existing treatments (statins) have shown beneficial effects toward macrophage polarization, providing a rationale for more targeted approaches. In contrast, beneficial SMC phenotypic modulation with these pharmacologic agents has yet to be achieved. The range of modulated vascular cell phenotypes provides a multitude of novel targets and the potential to reduce future adverse events. IMPLICATIONS Vascular cell phenotypic heterogeneity must continue to be explored to lower cardiovascular events in the future. The rapidly increasing weight of evidence surrounding the role of SMC plasticity and macrophage polarity in plaque vulnerability provides a strong foundation upon which development of new therapeutics must follow. This approach may prove to be crucial in reducing cardiovascular events and improving patient benefit in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hutton
- Atherosclerosis and Vascular Remodeling Group, Heart Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Madeleine Frazer
- Atherosclerosis and Vascular Remodeling Group, Heart Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - 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
| | - Sanjay Patel
- Heart Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - 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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23
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Shin J, Tkachenko S, Gomez D, Tripathi R, Owens GK, Cherepanova OA. Smooth muscle cells-specific loss of OCT4 accelerates neointima formation after acute vascular injury. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1276945. [PMID: 37942066 PMCID: PMC10627795 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1276945] [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: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction There is growing evidence that smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotypic transitions play critical roles during normal developmental and tissue recovery processes and in pathological conditions such as atherosclerosis. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for these transitions are not well understood. Recently, we found that the embryonic stem cell/induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) factor OCT4, which was believed to be silenced in somatic cells, plays an atheroprotective role in SMC, and regulates angiogenesis after corneal alkali burn and hindlimb ischemia by mediating microvascular SMC and pericyte migration. However, the kinetics of OCT4 activation in arterial SMC and its role in acute pathological conditions are still unknown. Methods and Results Here, using an Oct4-IRES-GFP reporter mouse model, we found that OCT4 is reactivated in the carotid artery 18 hours post-acute ligation-induced injury, a common in vivo model of the SMC phenotypic transitions. Next, using a tamoxifen-inducible Myh11-CreERT2 Oct4 knockout mouse model, we found that the loss of OCT4, specifically in SMC, led to accelerated neointima formation and increased tunica media following carotid artery ligation, at least in part by increasing SMC proliferation within the media. Bulk RNA sequencing analysis on the cultured SMC revealed significant down-regulation of the SMC contractile markers and dysregulation of the genes belonging to the regulation of cell proliferation and, positive and negative regulation for cell migration ontological groups following genetic inactivation of Oct4. We also found that loss of Oct4 resulted in suppression of contractile SMC markers after the injury and in cultured aortic SMC. Further mechanistic studies revealed that OCT4 regulates SMC contractile genes, ACTA2 and TAGLN, at least in part by direct binding to the promoters of these genes. Conclusion These results demonstrate that the pluripotency factor OCT4 is quickly activated in SMC after the acute vascular injury and inhibits SMC hyperproliferation, which may be protective in preventing excessive neointima formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junchul Shin
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Svyatoslav Tkachenko
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Delphine Gomez
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Rupande Tripathi
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Gary K. Owens
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Olga A. Cherepanova
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
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24
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Nagesh PT, Nishi H, Rawal S, Zahr T, Miano JM, Sorci-Thomas M, Xu H, Akbar N, Choudhury RP, Misra A, Fisher EA. HDL regulates TGFß-receptor lipid raft partitioning, restoring contractile features of cholesterol-loaded vascular smooth muscle cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.19.562786. [PMID: 37905061 PMCID: PMC10614922 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.19.562786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Background Cholesterol-loading of mouse aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (mVSMCs) downregulates miR-143/145, a master regulator of the contractile state downstream of TGFβ signaling. In vitro, this results in transitioning from a contractile mVSMC to a macrophage-like state. This process likely occurs in vivo based on studies in mouse and human atherosclerotic plaques. Objectives To test whether cholesterol-loading reduces VSMC TGFβ signaling and if cholesterol efflux will restore signaling and the contractile state in vitro and in vivo. Methods Human coronary artery (h)VSMCs were cholesterol-loaded, then treated with HDL (to promote cholesterol efflux). For in vivo studies, partial conditional deletion of Tgfβr2 in lineage-traced VSMC mice was induced. Mice wild-type for VSMC Tgfβr2 or partially deficient (Tgfβr2+/-) were made hypercholesterolemic to establish atherosclerosis. Mice were then treated with apoA1 (which forms HDL). Results Cholesterol-loading of hVSMCs downregulated TGFβ signaling and contractile gene expression; macrophage markers were induced. TGFβ signaling positively regulated miR-143/145 expression, increasing Acta2 expression and suppressing KLF4. Cholesterol-loading localized TGFβ receptors into lipid rafts, with consequent TGFβ signaling downregulation. Notably, in cholesterol-loaded hVSMCs HDL particles displaced receptors from lipid rafts and increased TGFβ signaling, resulting in enhanced miR-145 expression and decreased KLF4-dependent macrophage features. ApoA1 infusion into Tgfβr2+/- mice restored Acta2 expression and decreased macrophage-marker expression in plaque VSMCs, with evidence of increased TGFβ signaling. Conclusions Cholesterol suppresses TGFβ signaling and the contractile state in hVSMC through partitioning of TGFβ receptors into lipid rafts. These changes can be reversed by promotion of cholesterol efflux, consistent with evidence in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashanth Thevkar Nagesh
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, and Cardiovascular Research Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Hitoo Nishi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, and Cardiovascular Research Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Shruti Rawal
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, and Cardiovascular Research Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Tarik Zahr
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, and Cardiovascular Research Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Joseph M Miano
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia 30912
| | - Mary Sorci-Thomas
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Hao Xu
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Naveed Akbar
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Oxford University Hospitals, NHS Trust, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Robin P Choudhury
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Oxford University Hospitals, NHS Trust, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ashish Misra
- Heart Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Edward A Fisher
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, and Cardiovascular Research Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
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Li W, Lin A, Hutton M, Dhaliwal H, Nadel J, Rodor J, Tumanov S, Örd T, Hadden M, Mokry M, Mol BM, Pasterkamp G, Padula MP, Geczy CL, Ramaswamy Y, Sluimer JC, Kaikkonen MU, Stocker R, Baker AH, Fisher EA, Patel S, Misra A. Colchicine promotes atherosclerotic plaque stability independently of inflammation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.03.560632. [PMID: 37873248 PMCID: PMC10592948 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.03.560632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease which is driven in part by the aberrant trans -differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). No therapeutic drug has been shown to reverse detrimental SMC-derived cell phenotypes into protective phenotypes, a hypothesized enabler of plaque regression and improved patient outcome. Herein, we describe a novel function of colchicine in the beneficial modulation of SMC-derived cell phenotype, independent of its conventional anti-inflammatory effects. Using SMC fate mapping in an advanced atherosclerotic lesion model, colchicine induced plaque regression by converting pathogenic SMC-derived macrophage-like and osteoblast-like cells into protective myofibroblast-like cells which thickened, and thereby stabilized, the fibrous cap. This was dependent on Notch3 signaling in SMC-derived plaque cells. These findings may help explain the success of colchicine in clinical trials relative to other anti-inflammatory drugs. Thus, we demonstrate the potential of regulating SMC phenotype in advanced plaque regression through Notch3 signaling, in addition to the canonical anti-inflammatory actions of drugs to treat atherosclerosis.
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26
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Francis GA. The Greatly Under-Represented Role of Smooth Muscle Cells in Atherosclerosis. Curr Atheroscler Rep 2023; 25:741-749. [PMID: 37665492 PMCID: PMC10564813 DOI: 10.1007/s11883-023-01145-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This article summarizes previous and recent research on the fundamental role of arterial smooth muscle cells (SMCs) as drivers of initial and, along with macrophages, later stages of human atherosclerosis. RECENT FINDINGS Studies using human tissues and SMC lineage-tracing mice have reinforced earlier observations that SMCs drive initial atherogenesis in humans and contribute a multitude of phenotypes including foam cell formation hitherto attributed primarily to macrophages in atherosclerosis. Arterial smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are the primary cell type in human pre-atherosclerotic intima and are responsible for the retention of lipoproteins that drive the development of atherosclerosis. Despite this, images of atherogenesis still depict the process as initially devoid of SMCs, primarily macrophage driven, and indicate only relatively minor roles such as fibrous cap formation to intimal SMCs. This review summarizes historical and recent observations regarding the importance of SMCs in the formation of a pre-atherosclerotic intima, initial and later foam cell formation, and the phenotypic changes that give rise to multiple different roles for SMCs in human and mouse lesions. Potential SMC-specific therapies in atherosclerosis are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordon A Francis
- Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, Providence Research, St. Paul's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
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27
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Bryukhovetskiy AS, Grivtsova LY, Bogachev SS, Ustyugov AA, Nebogatikov VO, Shurdov MA. Technology of genomic balancing of chromatin of autologous hematopoietic stem cells for gene therapy of fatal immune-mediated diseases of civilization, extended life expectancy and sudden human death prevention. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 172:237-284. [PMID: 37833013 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2023.07.005] [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: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
A biotechnology for personalized ex vivo gene therapy based on molecular genomic balancing of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) chromatin with nucleosome monomers of human genomic DNA (hDNAnmr) has been developed and implemented in the clinic to change (to "correct") mutant chromosome loci genomes of dominant HSC clones that form mono- and oligoclonal hematopoiesis during aging and major (oncological, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative and autoimmune) fatal immune-mediated diseases of civilization. A fundamentally new biotechnological approach has been applied to the delivery of genetic material into eukaryotic stem and progenitor cells by establishing an artificial "recombinogenic situation" in them to induce homologous recombination (equivalent replacement) of mutant DNA regions with healthy hDNAnmr. In experimental preclinical trials, the effectiveness of genomic balancing technology has been proven to reduce the risk of sudden death in old animals and to increase the lifespan of outbred mice by 30% and Wistar rats by 57%. The improvement in their quality of life, compared with the control, is explained by an increase in the telomeric regions of the HSCs and HPCs chromosomes by 1.5-2 times. The potential of the technology to slow down the hereditary neurodegenerative diseases on the model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is shown. The effectiveness of this technology in clinical practice is presented on the example of a terminal patient with stage 4 neuroendocrine cancer. This technology used in the treatment of a number of oncological, neurodegenerative, autoimmune and hereditary diseases with clonal hematopoiesis is able to arrest the progression of the disease, prevent its recurrence, prolong the active life of a person, increase the average life expectancy and prevent sudden death.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - L Yu Grivtsova
- FGBU MRRC named after A.F. Tsyb - Branch of the FGBU National Medical Research Center for Radiology of the Ministry of Health of Russia, Obninsk, Russia
| | - S S Bogachev
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - A A Ustyugov
- Research Institute of Biologically Active Substances of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Chernogolovka, Russia
| | - V O Nebogatikov
- Research Institute of Biologically Active Substances of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Chernogolovka, Russia
| | - M A Shurdov
- JSC NeuroVita Clinical Hospital, Moscow, Russia
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28
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Hu Y, Zhao Y, Li P, Lu H, Li H, Ge J. Hypoxia and panvascular diseases: exploring the role of hypoxia-inducible factors in vascular smooth muscle cells under panvascular pathologies. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2023; 68:1954-1974. [PMID: 37541793 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2023.07.032] [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: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
As an emerging discipline, panvascular diseases are a set of vascular diseases with atherosclerosis as the common pathogenic hallmark, which mostly affect vital organs like the heart, brain, kidney, and limbs. As the major responser to the most common stressor in the vasculature (hypoxia)-hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), and the primary regulator of pressure and oxygen delivery in the vasculature-vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), their own multifaceted nature and their interactions with each other are fascinating. Abnormally active VSMCs (e.g., atherosclerosis, pulmonary hypertension) or abnormally dysfunctional VSMCs (e.g., aneurysms, vascular calcification) are associated with HIFs. These widespread systemic diseases also reflect the interdisciplinary nature of panvascular medicine. Moreover, given the comparable proliferative characteristics exhibited by VSMCs and cancer cells, and the delicate equilibrium between angiogenesis and cancer progression, there is a pressing need for more accurate modulation targets or combination approaches to bolster the effectiveness of HIF targeting therapies. Based on the aforementioned content, this review primarily focused on the significance of integrating the overall and local perspectives, as well as temporal and spatial balance, in the context of the HIF signaling pathway in VSMC-related panvascular diseases. Furthermore, the review discussed the implications of HIF-targeting drugs on panvascular disorders, while considering the trade-offs involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiqing Hu
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yongchao Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Peng Li
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Hao Lu
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai 200032, China; National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China; Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Hua Li
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Junbo Ge
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, 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; Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China.
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29
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Kapustin A, Tsakali SS, Whitehead M, Chennell G, Wu MY, Molenaar C, Kutikhin A, Bogdanov L, Sinitsky M, Rubina K, Clayton A, Verweij FJ, Pegtel DM, Zingaro S, Lobov A, Zainullina B, Owen D, Parsons M, Cheney RE, Warren D, Humphries MJ, Iskratsch T, Holt M, Shanahan CM. Extracellular vesicles stimulate smooth muscle cell migration by presenting collagen VI. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.17.551257. [PMID: 37645762 PMCID: PMC10462164 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.17.551257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) supports blood vessel architecture and functionality and undergoes active remodelling during vascular repair and atherogenesis. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are essential for vessel repair and, via their secretome, are able to invade from the vessel media into the intima to mediate ECM remodelling. Accumulation of fibronectin (FN) is a hallmark of early vascular repair and atherosclerosis and here we show that FN stimulates VSMCs to secrete small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) by activating the β1 integrin/FAK/Src pathway as well as Arp2/3-dependent branching of the actin cytoskeleton. Spatially, sEV were secreted via filopodia-like cellular protrusions at the leading edge of migrating cells. We found that sEVs are trapped by the ECM in vitro and colocalise with FN in symptomatic atherosclerotic plaques in vivo. Functionally, ECM-trapped sEVs induced the formation of focal adhesions (FA) with enhanced pulling forces at the cellular periphery. Proteomic and GO pathway analysis revealed that VSMC-derived sEVs display a cell adhesion signature and are specifically enriched with collagen VI. In vitro assays identified collagen VI as playing the key role in cell adhesion and invasion. Taken together our data suggests that the accumulation of FN is a key early event in vessel repair acting to promote secretion of collage VI enriched sEVs by VSMCs. These sEVs stimulate migration and invasion by triggering peripheral focal adhesion formation and actomyosin contraction to exert sufficient traction forces to enable VSMC movement within the complex vascular ECM network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Kapustin
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences, James Black Centre, King's College London, 125 Coldharbour Lane, London, SE5 9NU, UK, Tel. 020 7848 5221, FAX 020 7848 5193
| | - Sofia Serena Tsakali
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences, James Black Centre, King's College London, 125 Coldharbour Lane, London, SE5 9NU, UK, Tel. 020 7848 5221, FAX 020 7848 5193
| | - Meredith Whitehead
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences, James Black Centre, King's College London, 125 Coldharbour Lane, London, SE5 9NU, UK, Tel. 020 7848 5221, FAX 020 7848 5193
| | - George Chennell
- Wohl Cellular Imaging Centre, King’s College London, 5 Cutcombe Road, London, SE5 9NU
| | - Meng-Ying Wu
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences, James Black Centre, King's College London, 125 Coldharbour Lane, London, SE5 9NU, UK, Tel. 020 7848 5221, FAX 020 7848 5193
| | - Chris Molenaar
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences, James Black Centre, King's College London, 125 Coldharbour Lane, London, SE5 9NU, UK, Tel. 020 7848 5221, FAX 020 7848 5193
| | - Anton Kutikhin
- Laboratory for Molecular, Translational and Digital Medicine, Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 6 Sosnovy Boulevard, Kemerovo, 650002, Russian Federation
| | - Leo Bogdanov
- Laboratory for Molecular, Translational and Digital Medicine, Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 6 Sosnovy Boulevard, Kemerovo, 650002, Russian Federation
| | - Maxim Sinitsky
- Laboratory for Molecular, Translational and Digital Medicine, Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 6 Sosnovy Boulevard, Kemerovo, 650002, Russian Federation
| | - Kseniya Rubina
- Laboratory of Morphogenesis and Tissue Reparation, Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Lomonosovsky av. 27-1, Moscow, 119991, Russia, tel/fax +74959329904
| | - Aled Clayton
- Tissue Microenvironment Research Group, Division of Cancer & Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Tenovus Building, Cardiff, UK, CF14 2XN
| | - Frederik J Verweij
- Division of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Biophysics, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Dirk Michiel Pegtel
- Amsterdam UMC, Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Pathology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Simona Zingaro
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, King's College London, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, London, SE1 1UL UK
| | - Arseniy Lobov
- Laboratory of Regenerative Biomedicine, Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 4 Tikhoretskiy Prospekt, 194064, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Bozhana Zainullina
- Centre for Molecular and Cell Technologies, Research Park, St. Petersburg State University, 7/9 Universitetskaya Embankment, 199034, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Dylan Owen
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, School of Mathematics and Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Maddy Parsons
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, King's College London, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, London, SE1 1UL UK
| | - Richard E. Cheney
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Derek Warren
- School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, UK, NR4 7TJ
| | - Martin James Humphries
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Iskratsch
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Queen Mary University of London, Engineering Building, Mile End Road, E1 4NS
| | - Mark Holt
- Amsterdam UMC, Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Pathology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Catherine M Shanahan
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences, James Black Centre, King's College London, 125 Coldharbour Lane, London, SE5 9NU, UK, Tel. 020 7848 5221, FAX 020 7848 5193
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30
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Alonso-Herranz L, Albarrán-Juárez J, Bentzon JF. Mechanisms of fibrous cap formation in atherosclerosis. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1254114. [PMID: 37671141 PMCID: PMC10475556 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1254114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The fibrous cap is formed by smooth muscle cells that accumulate beneath the plaque endothelium. Cap rupture is the main cause of coronary thrombosis, leading to infarction and sudden cardiac death. Therefore, the qualities of the cap are primary determinants of the clinical outcome of coronary and carotid atherosclerosis. In this mini-review, we discuss current knowledge about the formation of the fibrous cap, including cell recruitment, clonal expansion, and central molecular signaling pathways. We also examine the differences between mouse and human fibrous caps and explore the impact of anti-atherosclerotic therapies on the state of the fibrous cap. We propose that the cap should be understood as a neo-media to substitute for the original media that becomes separated from the surface endothelium during atherogenesis and that embryonic pathways involved in the development of the arteria media contribute to cap formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Alonso-Herranz
- Atherosclerosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Julián Albarrán-Juárez
- Atherosclerosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jacob Fog Bentzon
- Atherosclerosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus and Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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31
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Worssam MD, Lambert J, Oc S, Taylor JCK, Taylor AL, Dobnikar L, Chappell J, Harman JL, Figg NL, Finigan A, Foote K, Uryga AK, Bennett MR, Spivakov M, Jørgensen HF. Cellular mechanisms of oligoclonal vascular smooth muscle cell expansion in cardiovascular disease. Cardiovasc Res 2023; 119:1279-1294. [PMID: 35994249 PMCID: PMC10202649 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvac138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Quiescent, differentiated adult vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) can be induced to proliferate and switch phenotype. Such plasticity underlies blood vessel homeostasis and contributes to vascular disease development. Oligoclonal VSMC contribution is a hallmark of end-stage vascular disease. Here, we aim to understand cellular mechanisms underpinning generation of this VSMC oligoclonality. METHODS AND RESULTS We investigate the dynamics of VSMC clone formation using confocal microscopy and single-cell transcriptomics in VSMC-lineage-traced animal models. We find that activation of medial VSMC proliferation occurs at low frequency after vascular injury and that only a subset of expanding clones migrate, which together drives formation of oligoclonal neointimal lesions. VSMC contribution in small atherosclerotic lesions is typically from one or two clones, similar to observations in mature lesions. Low frequency (<0.1%) of clonal VSMC proliferation is also observed in vitro. Single-cell RNA-sequencing revealed progressive cell state changes across a contiguous VSMC population at onset of injury-induced proliferation. Proliferating VSMCs mapped selectively to one of two distinct trajectories and were associated with cells showing extensive phenotypic switching. A proliferation-associated transitory state shared pronounced similarities with atypical SCA1+ VSMCs from uninjured mouse arteries and VSMCs in healthy human aorta. We show functionally that clonal expansion of SCA1+ VSMCs from healthy arteries occurs at higher rate and frequency compared with SCA1- cells. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that activation of proliferation at low frequency is a general, cell-intrinsic feature of VSMCs. We show that rare VSMCs in healthy arteries display VSMC phenotypic switching akin to that observed in pathological vessel remodelling and that this is a conserved feature of mouse and human healthy arteries. The increased proliferation of modulated VSMCs from healthy arteries suggests that these cells respond more readily to disease-inducing cues and could drive oligoclonal VSMC expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matt D Worssam
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Jordi Lambert
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Sebnem Oc
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - James C K Taylor
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Annabel L Taylor
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Lina Dobnikar
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
- Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Joel Chappell
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Jennifer L Harman
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Nichola L Figg
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Alison Finigan
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Kirsty Foote
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Anna K Uryga
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Martin R Bennett
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Mikhail Spivakov
- Functional Gene Control Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, London, UK
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Helle F Jørgensen
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
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32
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Woo SH, Kim DY, Choi JH. Roles of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells in Atherosclerotic Calcification. J Lipid Atheroscler 2023; 12:106-118. [PMID: 37265849 PMCID: PMC10232217 DOI: 10.12997/jla.2023.12.2.106] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The accumulation of calcium in atherosclerotic plaques is a prominent feature of advanced atherosclerosis, and it has a strong positive correlation with the total burden of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerotic calcification usually appears first at the necrotic core, indicating that cell death and inflammatory processes are involved in calcification. During atherosclerotic inflammation, various cell types, such as vascular smooth muscle cells, nascent resident pericytes, circulating stem cells, or adventitial cells, have been assumed to differentiate into osteoblastic cells, which lead to vascular calcification. Among these cell types, vascular smooth muscle cells are considered a major contributor to osteochondrogenic cells in the atherosclerotic milieu. In this review, we summarize the molecular mechanisms underlying the osteochondrogenic switch of vascular smooth muscle cells in atherosclerotic plaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang-Ho Woo
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dae-Yong Kim
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae-Hoon Choi
- Department of Life Science, College of Natural Sciences, Research Institute of Natural Sciences, Research Institute for Convergence of Basic Sciences, Hanyang Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea
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33
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Yang X, Yang C, Friesel RE, Liaw L. Sprouty1 has a protective role in atherogenesis and modifies the migratory and inflammatory phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cells. Atherosclerosis 2023; 373:17-28. [PMID: 37121163 PMCID: PMC10225353 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2023.04.007] [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: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Sprouty1 (Spry1) regulates the differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), and our aim was to determine its role in atherogenesis. A significant proportion of cells within atherosclerotic lesions are derived from migration and pathological adaptation of medial VSMC. METHODS We used global Spry1 null mouse, and Myh11-CreERT2, ROSA26-STOPfl/fl-tdTomato-Spry1fl/fl mice to allow for lineage tracing and conditional Spry1 deletion in VSMC. Atherosclerosis was induced by injection of a mutant form of mPCSK9D377Y-AAV followed by Western diet. Human aortic VSMC (hVSMC) with shRNA targeting of Spry1 were also analyzed. RESULTS Global loss of Spry1 increased inflammatory markers ICAM1 and Cox2 in VSMC. Conditional deletion of Spry1 in VSMC had no effect on early lesion development, despite increased Sca1high cells. After 26 weeks of Western diet, mice with VSMC deletion of Spry1 had increased plaque burden, with reduced collagen content and smooth muscle alpha actin (SMA) in the fibrous cap. Lineage tracing via tdTomato marking Cre-recombined cells indicated that VSMC with loss of Spry1 had decreased migration into the lesion, noted by decreased proportions of tdTomato+ and tdTomato+/SMA + cells. Loss-of-function of Spry1 in hVSMC increased mesenchymal and activation markers, including KLF4, PDGFRb, ICAM1, and Cox2. Loss of Spry1 enhanced the effects of PDGFBB and TNFa on hVSMC. CONCLUSIONS Loss of Spry1 in VSMC aggravated plaque formation at later stages, and increased markers of instability. Our results indicate that Spry1 suppresses the mesenchymal and inflammatory phenotype of VSMC, and its expression in VSMC is protective against chronic atherosclerotic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuehui Yang
- Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth Institute for Research, MaineHealth, Scarborough, ME, 04074, USA
| | - Chenhao Yang
- Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth Institute for Research, MaineHealth, Scarborough, ME, 04074, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, University of Maine, USA
| | - Robert E Friesel
- Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth Institute for Research, MaineHealth, Scarborough, ME, 04074, USA
| | - Lucy Liaw
- Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth Institute for Research, MaineHealth, Scarborough, ME, 04074, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, University of Maine, USA.
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34
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Wang X, Gonzalez-Rodriguez D, Vourc'h T, Silberzan P, Barakat AI. Contractility-induced self-organization of smooth muscle cells: from multilayer cell sheets to dynamic three-dimensional clusters. Commun Biol 2023; 6:262. [PMID: 36906689 PMCID: PMC10008632 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04578-8] [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: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are mural cells that play a vital contractile function in many tissues. Abnormalities in SMC organization are associated with many diseases including atherosclerosis, asthma, and uterine fibroids. Various studies have reported that SMCs cultured on flat surfaces can spontaneously form three-dimensional clusters whose organization resembles that encountered in some of these pathological settings. Remarkably, how these structures form remains unknown. Here we combine in vitro experiments and physical modeling to show that three-dimensional clusters initiate when cellular contractile forces induce a hole in a flat SMC sheet, a process that can be modeled as the brittle fracture of a viscoelastic material. The subsequent evolution of the nascent cluster can be modeled as an active dewetting process with cluster shape evolution driven by a balance between cluster surface tension, arising from both cell contractility and adhesion, and cluster viscous dissipation. The description of the physical mechanisms governing the spontaneous emergence of these intriguing three-dimensional clusters may offer insight into SMC-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuyu Wang
- LadHyX, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Palaiseau, France.
- Laboratoire Matière et Systèmes Complexes (MSC), UMR 7057, CNRS and Université de Paris, 75013, Paris, France.
| | | | - Thomas Vourc'h
- Laboratoire PhysicoChimie Curie, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris, France
- Université Clermont Auvergne, SIGMA Clermont, Institut Pascal, BP 10448, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Pascal Silberzan
- Laboratoire PhysicoChimie Curie, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Abdul I Barakat
- LadHyX, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Palaiseau, France.
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35
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Pan H, Ho SE, Xue C, Cui J, Ross LS, Li F, Solomon RA, Connolly ES, Reilly MP. Atherosclerosis is a smooth muscle cell-driven tumor-like disease. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.06.531330. [PMID: 36945644 PMCID: PMC10028828 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.06.531330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis, the leading cause of cardiovascular disease, is a chronic inflammatory disease involving pathological activation of multiple cell types, such as immunocytes (e.g., macrophage, T cells), smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and endothelial cells. Multiple lines of evidence have suggested that SMC "phenotypic switching" plays a central role in atherosclerosis development and complications. Yet, SMC roles and mechanisms underlying the disease pathogenesis are poorly understood. Here, employing SMC lineage tracing mice, comprehensive molecular, cellular, histological, and computational profiling, coupled to genetic and pharmacological studies, we reveal that atherosclerosis, in terms of SMC behaviors, share extensive commonalities with tumors. SMC-derived cells in the disease show multiple characteristics of tumor cell biology, including genomic instability, replicative immortality, malignant proliferation, resistance to cell death, invasiveness, and activation of comprehensive cancer-associated gene regulatory networks. SMC-specific expression of oncogenic KrasG12D accelerates SMC phenotypic switching and exacerbates atherosclerosis. Moreover, we present a proof of concept showing that niraparib, an anti-cancer drug targeting DNA damage repair, attenuates atherosclerosis progression and induces regression of lesions in advanced disease in mouse models. Our work provides systematic evidence that atherosclerosis is a tumor-like disease, deepening the understanding of its pathogenesis and opening prospects for novel precision molecular strategies to prevent and treat atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huize Pan
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Sebastian E. Ho
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Chenyi Xue
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Jian Cui
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Leila S. Ross
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Fang Li
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Robert A. Solomon
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - E. Sander Connolly
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Muredach P. Reilly
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
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36
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Gan J, Guo L, Zhang X, Yu Q, Yang Q, Zhang Y, Zeng W, Jiang X, Guo M. Anti-inflammatory therapy of atherosclerosis: focusing on IKKβ. J Inflamm (Lond) 2023; 20:8. [PMID: 36823573 PMCID: PMC9951513 DOI: 10.1186/s12950-023-00330-5] [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: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic low-grade inflammation has been identified as a major contributor in the development of atherosclerosis. Nuclear Factor-κappa B (NF-κB) is a critical transcription factors family of the inflammatory pathway. As a major catalytic subunit of the IKK complex, IκB kinase β (IKKβ) drives canonical activation of NF-κB and is implicated in the link between inflammation and atherosclerosis, making it a promising therapeutic target. Various natural product derivatives, extracts, and synthetic, show anti-atherogenic potential by inhibiting IKKβ-mediated inflammation. This review focuses on the latest knowledge and current research landscape surrounding anti-atherosclerotic drugs that inhibit IKKβ. There will be more opportunities to fully understand the complex functions of IKKβ in atherogenesis and develop new effective therapies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiali Gan
- grid.410648.f0000 0001 1816 6218School of Integrative Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Lin Guo
- grid.410648.f0000 0001 1816 6218School of Integrative Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaolu Zhang
- grid.410648.f0000 0001 1816 6218School of Integrative Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Qun Yu
- grid.410648.f0000 0001 1816 6218School of Integrative Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Qiuyue Yang
- grid.410648.f0000 0001 1816 6218School of Integrative Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Yilin Zhang
- grid.410648.f0000 0001 1816 6218School of Integrative Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Wenyun Zeng
- grid.459559.10000 0004 9344 2915Oncology department, Ganzhou People’s Hospital, Ganzhou, Jiangxi China
| | - Xijuan Jiang
- School of Integrative Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.
| | - Maojuan Guo
- School of Integrative Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.
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Deaton RA, Bulut G, Serbulea V, Salamon A, Shankman LS, Nguyen AT, Owens GK. A New Autosomal Myh11-CreERT2 Smooth Muscle Cell Lineage Tracing and Gene Knockout Mouse Model-Brief Report. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2023; 43:203-211. [PMID: 36519470 PMCID: PMC9877184 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.122.318160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Myh11 promoter is extensively used as a smooth muscle cell (SMC) Cre-driver and is regarded as the most restrictive and specific promoter available to study SMCs. Unfortunately, in the existing Myh11-CreERT2 mouse, the transgene was inserted on the Y chromosome precluding the study of female mice. Given the importance of including sex as a biological variable and that numerous SMC-based diseases have a sex-dependent bias, the field has been tremendously limited by the lack of a model to study both sexes. Here, we describe a new autosomal Myh11-CreERT2 mouse (referred to as Myh11-CreERT2-RAD), which allows for SMC-specific lineage tracing and gene knockout studies in vivo using both male and female mice. METHODS A Myh11-CreERT2-RAD transgenic C57BL/6 mouse line was generated using bacterial artificial chromosome clone RP23-151J22 modified to contain a Cre-ERT2 after the Myh11 start codon. Myh11-CreERT2-RAD mice were crossed with 2 different fluorescent reporter mice and tested for SMC-specific labeling by flow cytometric and immunofluorescence analyses. RESULTS Myh11-CreERT2-RAD transgene insertion was determined to be on mouse chromosome 2. Myh11-CreERT2-RAD fluorescent reporter mice showed Cre-dependent, tamoxifen-inducible labeling of SMCs equivalent to the widely used Myh11-CreERT2 mice. Labeling was equivalent in both male and female Cre+ mice and was limited to vascular and visceral SMCs and pericytes in various tissues as assessed by immunofluorescence. CONCLUSIONS We generated and validated the function of an autosomal Myh11-CreERT2-RAD mouse that can be used to assess sex as a biological variable with respect to the normal and pathophysiological functions of SMCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca A. Deaton
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia-School of Medicine, 415 Lane Road, Suite 1010, Charlottesville, VA, 22908
| | - Gamze Bulut
- College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185
| | - Vlad Serbulea
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia-School of Medicine, 415 Lane Road, Suite 1010, Charlottesville, VA, 22908
| | - Anita Salamon
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia-School of Medicine, 415 Lane Road, Suite 1010, Charlottesville, VA, 22908
| | - Laura S. Shankman
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia-School of Medicine, 415 Lane Road, Suite 1010, Charlottesville, VA, 22908
| | | | - Gary K. Owens
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia-School of Medicine, 415 Lane Road, Suite 1010, Charlottesville, VA, 22908
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Kabir I, Zhang X, Dave JM, Chakraborty R, Qu R, Chandran RR, Ntokou A, Gallardo-Vara E, Aryal B, Rotllan N, Garcia-Milian R, Hwa J, Kluger Y, Martin KA, Fernández-Hernando C, Greif DM. The age of bone marrow dictates the clonality of smooth muscle-derived cells in atherosclerotic plaques. NATURE AGING 2023; 3:64-81. [PMID: 36743663 PMCID: PMC9894379 DOI: 10.1038/s43587-022-00342-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Aging is the predominant risk factor for atherosclerosis, the leading cause of death. Rare smooth muscle cell (SMC) progenitors clonally expand giving rise to up to ~70% of atherosclerotic plaque cells; however, the effect of age on SMC clonality is not known. Our results indicate that aged bone marrow (BM)-derived cells non-cell autonomously induce SMC polyclonality and worsen atherosclerosis. Indeed, in myeloid cells from aged mice and humans, TET2 levels are reduced which epigenetically silences integrin β3 resulting in increased tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α signaling. TNFα signals through TNF receptor 1 on SMCs to promote proliferation and induces recruitment and expansion of multiple SMC progenitors into the atherosclerotic plaque. Notably, integrin β3 overexpression in aged BM preserves dominance of the lineage of a single SMC progenitor and attenuates plaque burden. Our results demonstrate a molecular mechanism of aged macrophage-induced SMC polyclonality and atherogenesis and suggest novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inamul Kabir
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- Department of Genetics, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- To whom correspondence should be addressed: or , 203-737-2040 (phone), 203-737-6118 (FAX)
| | - Xinbo Zhang
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Jui M. Dave
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- Department of Genetics, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Raja Chakraborty
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Rihao Qu
- Department of Pathology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Rachana R. Chandran
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- Department of Genetics, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Aglaia Ntokou
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- Department of Genetics, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Eunate Gallardo-Vara
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- Department of Genetics, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Binod Aryal
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Noemi Rotllan
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Rolando Garcia-Milian
- Department of Bioinformatics Support Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - John Hwa
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Yuval Kluger
- Department of Pathology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Kathleen A. Martin
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Carlos Fernández-Hernando
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- Department of Pathology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Daniel M. Greif
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- Department of Genetics, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- To whom correspondence should be addressed: or , 203-737-2040 (phone), 203-737-6118 (FAX)
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39
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Serbulea V, Deaton RA, Owens GK. Old bones control smooth muscle clones. NATURE AGING 2023; 3:9-10. [PMID: 37118515 DOI: 10.1038/s43587-022-00346-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Vlad Serbulea
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Rebecca A Deaton
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Gary K Owens
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
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40
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Ni Z, Lyu L, Gong H, Du L, Wen Z, Jiang H, Yang H, Hu Y, Zhang B, Xu Q, Guo X, Chen T. Multilineage commitment of Sca-1 + cells in reshaping vein grafts. Theranostics 2023; 13:2154-2175. [PMID: 37153747 PMCID: PMC10157743 DOI: 10.7150/thno.77735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Vein graft failure remains a significant clinical problem. Similar to other vascular diseases, stenosis of vein grafts is caused by several cell lines; however, the sources of these cells remain unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the cellular sources that reshape vein grafts. By analyzing transcriptomics data and constructing inducible lineage-tracing mouse models, we investigated the cellular components of vein grafts and their fates. The sc-RNAseq data suggested that Sca-1+ cells were vital players in vein grafts and might serve as progenitors for multilineage commitment. By generating a vein graft model in which the venae cavae from C57BL/6J wild-type mice were transplanted adjacent to the carotid arteries of Sca-1(Ly6a)-CreERT2; Rosa26-tdTomato mice, we demonstrated that the recipient Sca-1+ cells dominated reendothelialization and the formation of adventitial microvessels, especially at the perianastomotic regions. In turn, using chimeric mouse models, we confirmed that the Sca-1+ cells that participated in reendothelialization and the formation of adventitial microvessels all had a non-bone-marrow origin, whereas bone-marrow-derived Sca-1+ cells differentiated into inflammatory cells in vein grafts. Furthermore, using a parabiosis mouse model, we confirmed that non-bone-marrow-derived circulatory Sca-1+ cells were vital for the formation of adventitial microvessels, whereas Sca-1+ cells derived from local carotid arteries were the source of endothelium restoration. Using another mouse model in which venae cavae from Sca-1 (Ly6a)-CreERT2; Rosa26-tdTomato mice were transplanted adjacent to the carotid arteries of C57BL/6J wild-type mice, we confirmed that the donor Sca-1+ cells were mainly responsible for smooth muscle cells commitment in the neointima, particularly at the middle bodies of vein grafts. In addition, we provided evidence that knockdown/knockout of Pdgfrα in Sca-1+ cells decreased the cell potential to generate SMCs in vitro and decreased number of intimal SMCs in vein grafts. Our findings provided cell atlases of vein grafts, which demonstrated that recipient carotid arteries, donor veins, non-bone-marrow circulation, and the bone marrow provided diverse Sca-1+ cells/progenitors that participated in the reshaping of vein grafts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhichao Ni
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lingxia Lyu
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hui Gong
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Luping Du
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zuoshi Wen
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hua Jiang
- Department of kidney disease center, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Hao Yang
- Department of kidney disease center, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Yanhua Hu
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bohuan Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qingbo Xu
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- ✉ Corresponding authors: Qingbo Xu, MD. PhD. , Tel: +86 571-87236500, Fax: +86 571 4008306430 Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University Medical School, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310003, Hangzhou, China. Or Xiaogang Guo, MD. PhD. , Tel: +86 571-87236500 Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University Medical School, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310003, Hangzhou, China. Or Ting Chen, MD. PhD. , Tel: +86 15067127900 Mailing Address: Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University Medical School, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310003, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaogang Guo
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- ✉ Corresponding authors: Qingbo Xu, MD. PhD. , Tel: +86 571-87236500, Fax: +86 571 4008306430 Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University Medical School, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310003, Hangzhou, China. Or Xiaogang Guo, MD. PhD. , Tel: +86 571-87236500 Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University Medical School, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310003, Hangzhou, China. Or Ting Chen, MD. PhD. , Tel: +86 15067127900 Mailing Address: Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University Medical School, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310003, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ting Chen
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Alibaba-Zhejiang University Joint Research Center of Future Digital Healthcare, Hangzhou, China
- ✉ Corresponding authors: Qingbo Xu, MD. PhD. , Tel: +86 571-87236500, Fax: +86 571 4008306430 Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University Medical School, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310003, Hangzhou, China. Or Xiaogang Guo, MD. PhD. , Tel: +86 571-87236500 Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University Medical School, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310003, Hangzhou, China. Or Ting Chen, MD. PhD. , Tel: +86 15067127900 Mailing Address: Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University Medical School, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310003, Hangzhou, China
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Xue Y, Luo M, Hu X, Li X, Shen J, Zhu W, Huang L, Hu Y, Guo Y, Liu L, Wang L, Luo S. Macrophages regulate vascular smooth muscle cell function during atherosclerosis progression through IL-1β/STAT3 signaling. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1316. [PMID: 36456628 PMCID: PMC9715630 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04255-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play a central role in atherosclerosis progression, but the functional changes in VSMCs and the associated cellular crosstalk during atherosclerosis progression remain unknown. Here we show that scRNA-seq analysis of proximal adjacent (PA) and atherosclerotic core (AC) regions of human carotid artery plaques identifies functional alterations in macrophage-like VSMCs, elucidating the main state differences between PA and AC VSMCs. And, IL-1β mediates macrophage-macrophage-like VSMC crosstalk through regulating key transcription factors involved in macrophage-like VSMCs functional alterations during atherosclerosis progression. In vitro assays reveal VSMCs trans-differentiated into a macrophage-like phenotype and then functional alterations in response to macrophage-derived stimuli. IL-1β promots the adhesion, inflammation, and apoptosis of macrophage-like VSMCs in a STAT3 dependent manner. The current findings provide interesting insight into the macrophages-macrophage-like VSMC crosstalk, which would drive functional alterations in the latter cell type through IL-1β/STAT3 axis during atherosclerosis progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzhou Xue
- grid.452206.70000 0004 1758 417XDepartment of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China ,grid.411642.40000 0004 0605 3760Department of Cardiology and Institute of Vascular Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Minghao Luo
- grid.452206.70000 0004 1758 417XDepartment of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiankang Hu
- grid.452206.70000 0004 1758 417XDepartment of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiang Li
- grid.452206.70000 0004 1758 417XDepartment of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jian Shen
- grid.452206.70000 0004 1758 417XDepartment of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wenyan Zhu
- Medical Department, Yidu Cloud (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing, China ,grid.459453.a0000 0004 1790 0232Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing Medical and Pharmaceutical College, Chongqing, China
| | - Longxiang Huang
- grid.452206.70000 0004 1758 417XDepartment of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yu Hu
- grid.452206.70000 0004 1758 417XDepartment of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yongzheng Guo
- grid.452206.70000 0004 1758 417XDepartment of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lin Liu
- grid.452206.70000 0004 1758 417XDepartment of Dermatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lingbang Wang
- grid.452206.70000 0004 1758 417XDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Suxin Luo
- grid.452206.70000 0004 1758 417XDepartment of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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42
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The Role of Hydrogen Sulfide in Plaque Stability. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11122356. [PMID: 36552564 PMCID: PMC9774534 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11122356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is the greatest contributor to cardiovascular events and is involved in the majority of deaths worldwide. Plaque rapture or erosion precipitates life-threatening thrombi, resulting in the obstruction blood flow to the heart (acute coronary syndrome), brain (ischemic stroke) or low extremities (peripheral vascular diseases). Among these events, major causation dues to the plaque rupture. Although the initiation, procession, and precise time of controlling plaque rupture are unclear, foam cell formation and apoptosis, cell death, extracellular matrix components, protease expression and activity, local inflammation, intraplaque hemorrhage, and calcification contribute to the plaque instability. These alterations tightly associate with the function regulation of intraplaque various cell populations. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is gasotransmitter derived from methionine metabolism and exerts a protective role in the genesis of atherosclerosis. Recent progress also showed H2S mediated the plaque stability. In this review, we discuss the progress of endogenous H2S modulation on functions of vascular smooth muscle cells, monocytes/macrophages, and T cells, and the molecular mechanism in plaque stability.
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43
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Han Y, Yan L, Xia L, Li S, Zhang Q, jin C. Global trends and Frontier topics about vascular smooth muscle cells phenotype switch: A bibliometric analysis from 1999 to 2021. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1004525. [PMID: 36452231 PMCID: PMC9702355 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1004525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 03/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective: Vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype switch (VSMCPS) plays a significant role in vascular remodeling. This study aimed to conduct a bibliometric analysis and visualize the knowledge map of research on VSMCPS. Methods: We retrieved publications focusing on VSMCPS from the Web of Science Core Collection database (SCI-EXPANDED) from 1999 to 2021. Using bibliometric tools, VOSviewer and CiteSpace, we identified the most productive researchers, journals, institutions, and countries. At the same time, the trends, hot topics, and knowledge networks were analyzed and visualized. Results: A total of 2213 publications were included in this analysis. The number of annual publications in the VSMCPS field exhibited an upward trend and could be roughly divided into three phases. Until 2006, the most prolific authors were from the United States. As of 2008, the number of articles published in China increased dramatically to reach 126 papers in 2020. As of 2014, China was the most productive country in this field. The United States ranked first in the number of highly-influential authors, institutions, and literature from 1999 to 2022. Owens GK, Hata, Akiko, and Wen, jin-kun were the most prolific authors. Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, Circulation Research, and Cardiovascular Research were the top-ranked journals in this field. "Vascular remodeling," "atherosclerosis," "neointima," "hypertension", and "inflammation" were the main researched topics. New diseases, new mechanisms, and new phenotype (e.g., micro RNA, macrophage-like-cell, hypoxia, autophagy, long noncoding RNA, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, senescence, aging, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and aortic dissection) represent the trending topics in recent years. Conclusion: This study systematically analyzed and visualized the knowledge map of VSMCPS over the past 2 decades. Our findings provide a comprehensive overview for scholars who want to understand current trends and new research frontiers in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Han
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Center of Stomatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Langchao Yan
- Mini-invasive Neurosurgery and Translational Medical Center, Xi’an Central Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lu Xia
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Center of Stomatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shifu Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hypothalamic-Pituitary Research Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hypothalamic-Pituitary Research Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chen jin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hypothalamic-Pituitary Research Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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Tan Z, Zhang Z, Yu K, Yang H, Liang H, Lu T, Ji Y, Chen J, He W, Chen Z, Mei Y, Shen XL. Integrin subunit alpha V is a potent prognostic biomarker associated with immune infiltration in lower-grade glioma. Front Neurol 2022; 13:964590. [PMID: 36388191 PMCID: PMC9642104 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.964590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
As a member of integrin receptor family, ITGAV (integrin subunit α V) is involved in a variety of cell biological processes and overexpressed in various cancers, which may be a potential prognostic factor. However, its prognostic value and potential function in lower-grade glioma (LGG) are still unclear, and in terms of immune infiltration, it has not been fully elucidated. Here, the expression preference, prognostic value, and clinical traits of ITGAV were investigated using The Cancer Genome Atlas database (n = 528) and the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas dataset (n = 458). Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were used to explore the biological function of ITGAV. Using R package "ssGSEA" analysis, it was found thatthe ITGAV mRNA expression level showed intense correlation with tumor immunity, such as tumor-infiltrating immune cells and multiple immune-related genes. In addition, ITGAV is associated with some immune checkpoints and immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) and response to chemotherapy. and the expression of ITGAV protein in LGG patients was verified via immunohistochemistry (IHC). ITGAV expression was higher in LGG tissues than in normal tissues (P < 0.001) and multifactor analysis showed that ITGAV mRNA expression was an independent prognostic factor for LGG overall survival (OS; hazard ratio = 2.113, 95% confidence interval = 1.393-3.204, P < 0.001). GSEA showed that ITGAV expression was correlated with Inflammatory response, complement response, KRAS signal, and interferon response. ssGSEA results showed a positive correlation between ITGAV expression and Th2 cell infiltration level. ITGAV mRNA was overexpressed in LGG, and high ITGAV mRNA levels were found to be associated with poor protein expression and poor OS. ITGAV is therefore a potential biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of LGG and may be a potential immunotherapy target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zilong Tan
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- The Graduate Department, Jiangxi Medical College of Nanchang University Nanchang, Nanchang, China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- The Graduate Department, Jiangxi Medical College of Nanchang University Nanchang, Nanchang, China
| | - Kai Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery, People's Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Huan Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Changde Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changde, China
| | - Huaizhen Liang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Tianzhu Lu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yulong Ji
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Junjun Chen
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Wei He
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Zhen Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yuran Mei
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xiao-Li Shen
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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Yue H, Tian Y, Feng X, Bo Y, Xue C, Dong P, Wang J. Novel Peptides Derived from Sea Cucumber Intestine Promotes Osteogenesis by Upregulating Integrin-Mediated Transdifferentiation of Growth Plate Chondrocytes to Osteoblasts. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2022; 70:13212-13222. [PMID: 36205515 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.2c03458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The sea cucumber intestine is a major by-product of sea cucumber processing and contains high levels of protein. In this study, we isolated and identified 28 novel osteogenic peptides from sea cucumber intestinal hydrolysis by the activity-tracking method for the first time. In vitro experimental results showed that compared with high molecular weight, the peptides from sea cucumber intestine (SCIP) with molecular weight <3 kDa more significantly promoted the proliferation and mineralized nodules of MC3T3-E1 cell and exhibited potential integrin binding capacity. In vivo experimental results showed that the SCIP supplement significantly increased the longitudinal bone length and elevated the height of the growth plate (especially the hypertrophic zone, 37.2%, p < 0.01) in adolescent mice. Further, immunofluorescence labeling results indicated that the SCIP supplement increased chondrocyte transdifferentiate to osteoblast in the growth plate close to the diaphysis. Mechanistically, transcriptome analysis revealed that the SCIP supplement induced the dedifferentiation of chondrocyte to osteoprogenitor cell via integrin-mediated histone acetylation and then redifferentiated to osteoblast via integrin-mediated Wnt/β-catenin signaling. These results reported for the first time that sea cucumber intestine had the potential to develop into a dietary supplement for promoting osteogenic, and provide new evidence for the mechanism of dietary promotes chondrocyte to osteoblast transdifferentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Yue
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 Shandong, China
| | - Yingying Tian
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 Shandong, China
- Marine Biomedical Research Institute of Qingdao, Qingdao, 266071 Shandong, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Feng
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 Shandong, China
| | - Yuying Bo
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 Shandong, China
| | - Changhu Xue
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 Shandong, China
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, 266237 Shandong Province, P.R. China
| | - Ping Dong
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 Shandong, China
| | - Jingfeng Wang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 Shandong, China
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Garcia SM, Yellowhair TR, Detweiler ND, Ahmadian R, Herbert LM, Gonzalez Bosc LV, Resta TC, Jernigan NL. Smooth muscle Acid-sensing ion channel 1a as a therapeutic target to reverse hypoxic pulmonary hypertension. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:989809. [PMID: 36275633 PMCID: PMC9581175 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.989809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Acid-sensing ion channel 1a (ASIC1a) is a voltage-independent, non-selective cation channel that conducts both Na+ and Ca2+. Activation of ASIC1a elicits plasma membrane depolarization and stimulates intracellular Ca2+-dependent signaling pathways in multiple cell types, including vascular smooth muscle (SM) and endothelial cells (ECs). Previous studies have shown that increases in pulmonary vascular resistance accompanying chronic hypoxia (CH)-induced pulmonary hypertension requires ASIC1a to elicit enhanced pulmonary vasoconstriction and vascular remodeling. Both SM and EC dysfunction drive these processes; however, the involvement of ASIC1a within these different cell types is unknown. Using the Cre-LoxP system to generate cell-type-specific Asic1a knockout mice, we tested the hypothesis that SM-Asic1a contributes to CH-induced pulmonary hypertension and vascular remodeling, whereas EC-Asic1a opposes the development of CH-induced pulmonary hypertension. The severity of pulmonary hypertension was not altered in mice with specific deletion of EC-Asic1a (TekCre-Asic1afl/fl). However, similar to global Asic1a knockout (Asic1a−/-) mice, mice with specific deletion of SM-Asic1a (MHCCreER-Asic1afl/fl) were protected from the development of CH-induced pulmonary hypertension and right heart hypertrophy. Furthermore, pulmonary hypertension was reversed when deletion of SM-Asic1a was initiated in conditional MHCCreER-Asic1afl/fl mice with established pulmonary hypertension. CH-induced vascular remodeling was also significantly attenuated in pulmonary arteries from MHCCreER-Asic1afl/fl mice. These findings were additionally supported by decreased CH-induced proliferation and migration of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) from Asic1a−/- mice. Together these data demonstrate that SM-, but not EC-Asic1a contributes to CH-induced pulmonary hypertension and vascular remodeling. Furthermore, these studies provide evidence for the therapeutic potential of ASIC1a inhibition to reverse pulmonary hypertension.
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Muhl L, Mocci G, Pietilä R, Liu J, He L, Genové G, Leptidis S, Gustafsson S, Buyandelger B, Raschperger E, Hansson EM, Björkegren JL, Vanlandewijck M, Lendahl U, Betsholtz C. A single-cell transcriptomic inventory of murine smooth muscle cells. Dev Cell 2022; 57:2426-2443.e6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2022.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Li H, Song D, Liu Q, Li L, Sun X, Guo J, Li D, Li P. miR-351 promotes atherosclerosis in diabetes by inhibiting the ITGB3/PIK3R1/Akt pathway and induces endothelial cell injury and lipid accumulation. Mol Med 2022; 28:120. [PMID: 36180828 PMCID: PMC9523959 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-022-00547-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The miR-351 gene is significantly upregulated in diabetic mice with atherosclerosis. However, the mechanism by which its presence is important for the overall disease has not been elucidated. Therefore, this study will investigate the mechanism of miR-351 in the process of diabetes mellitus with atherosclerosis through miR-351 gene knockout mice. Methods In this study, miR-351−/− C57BL/6 mice were first induced to form a type 2 diabetes mellitus model with atherosclerosis by STZ injection and a high-fat diet. Pathological tests (oil red O, HE, and Masson staining) combined with biochemical indices (TC, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C, TNF-α, hs-CRP, NO, SOD, MDA, CAT, and GSH-Px) were performed to evaluate the pathological degree of atherosclerosis in each group. Mouse aortic endothelial cells were treated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and 30 mM glucose to establish a diabetic atherosclerosis cell model. Combined with cell oil red O staining and flow cytometry, the effects of silencing miR-351 on lipid accumulation and cell apoptosis in the diabetic atherosclerosis cell model were determined. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to detect the localization and transcription levels of miR-351 in cells. The target genes of miR-351 were predicted by bioinformatics and verified by dual-luciferase activity reporting. Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of phosphorylated inosine 3-kinase regulatory subunit 1 (PIK3R1)/serine/threonine kinase 1 (Akt) and apoptosis-related proteins after transfection with integrin subunit β3 (ITGB3) small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA). Results The expression of the miR-351 gene was significantly increased in the high-fat wild-type (HWT) group, and its expression was significantly decreased in the knockout mice. Silencing miR-351 effectively alleviated atherosclerosis in mice. The levels of miR-351 expression, apoptosis, lipid accumulation, and oxidative stress in ox-LDL + high glucose-induced endothelial cells were significantly increased. These phenomena were effectively inhibited in lentivirus-infected miR-351-silenced cell lines. Bioinformatics predicted that miR-351-5p could directly target the ITGB3 gene. Transfection of ITGB3 siRNA reversed the downregulation of apoptosis, decreased oil accumulation, and decreased oxidative stress levels induced by miR-351 silencing. In addition, it inhibited the activation of the PIK3R1/Akt pathway. Conclusion Silencing miR-351 upregulates ITGB3 and activates the PIK3R1/Akt pathway, thereby exerting anti-apoptosis and protective effects on endothelial cells. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s10020-022-00547-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Li
- Department of Cardiovascular, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Dan Song
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Qihui Liu
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Linlin Li
- Shenyang Open University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaoshi Sun
- Department of Endocrinology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, Liaoning, China
| | - Jiamei Guo
- Department of Endocrinology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, Liaoning, China
| | - Dianlian Li
- Department of Endocrinology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, Liaoning, China
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Endocrinology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, Liaoning, China.
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Pan D, Wu W, Zuo G, Xie X, Li H, Ren X, Kong C, Zhou W, Zhang Z, Waterfall M, Chen S. Sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 2 promotes erythrocyte clearance by vascular smooth muscle cells in intraplaque hemorrhage through MFG-E8 production. Cell Signal 2022; 98:110419. [PMID: 35905868 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2022.110419] [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: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) accelerates atherosclerosis progression. To scavenge excessive red blood cells (RBCs), vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) with great plasticity may function as phagocytes. Here, we investigated the erythrophagocytosis function of VSMCs and possible regulations involved. Based on transcriptional microarray analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis showed that genes up-regulated in human carotid atheroma with IPH were enriched in functions of phagocytic activities, while those down-regulated were enriched in VSMCs contraction function. Transcriptional expression of Milk fat globule-epidermal growth factor 8 (MFG-E8) was also down-regulated in atheroma with IPH. In high-fat diet-fed apolipoprotein E-deficient mice, erythrocytes were present in cells expressing VSMC markers αSMA in the brachiocephalic artery, suggesting VSMCs play a role in erythrophagocytosis. Using immunofluorescence and flow cytometry, we also found that eryptotic RBCs were bound to and internalized by VSMCs in a phosphatidylserine/MFG-E8/integrin αVβ3 dependent manner in vitro. Inhibiting S1PR2 signaling with specific inhibitor JTE-013 or siRNA decreased Mfge8 expression and impaired the erythrophagocytosis of VSMCs in vitro. Partial ligation was performed in the left common carotid artery (LCA) followed by intra-intimal injection of isolated erythrocytes to observe their clearance in vivo. Interfering S1PR2 expression in VSMCs with Adeno-associated virus 9 inhibited MFG-E8 expression inside LCA plaques receiving RBCs injection and attenuated erythrocytes clearance. Erythrophagocytosis by VSMCs increased vascular endothelial growth factor-a secretion and promoted angiogenesis. The present study revealed that VSMCs act as phagocytes for RBC clearance through S1PR2 activation induced MFG-E8 release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daorong Pan
- Department of Cardiology, Nanjing First Hospital, The Affiliated Nanjing Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wen Wu
- Department of Cardiology, Nanjing First Hospital, The Affiliated Nanjing Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, Jiangsu, China
| | - Guangfeng Zuo
- Department of Cardiology, Nanjing First Hospital, The Affiliated Nanjing Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiangrong Xie
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241001, Anhui, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Cardiology, Nanjing First Hospital, The Affiliated Nanjing Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaomin Ren
- Department of Cardiology, Nanjing First Hospital, The Affiliated Nanjing Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chaohua Kong
- Department of Cardiology, Nanjing First Hospital, The Affiliated Nanjing Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wenying Zhou
- Department of Cardiology, Nanjing First Hospital, The Affiliated Nanjing Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zihan Zhang
- The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210006, Jiangsu, China
| | - Martin Waterfall
- Institute of Immunology & Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, United Kingdom
| | - Shaoliang Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Nanjing First Hospital, The Affiliated Nanjing Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, Jiangsu, China.
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Peng M, Sun R, Hong Y, Wang J, Xie Y, Zhang X, Li J, Guo H, Xu P, Li Y, Wang X, Wan T, Zhao Y, Huang F, Wang Y, Ye R, Liu Q, Liu G, Liu X, Xu G. Extracellular vesicles carrying proinflammatory factors may spread atherosclerosis to remote locations. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:430. [PMID: 35851433 PMCID: PMC11071964 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04464-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Most cells involved in atherosclerosis release extracellular vesicles (EVs), which can carry bioactive substances to downstream tissues via circulation. We hypothesized that EVs derived from atherosclerotic plaques could promote atherogenesis in remote locations, a mechanism that mimics the blood metastasis of cancer. Ldlr gene knockout (Ldlr KO) rats were fed on a high cholesterol diet and underwent partial carotid ligation to induce local atherosclerosis. EVs were separated from carotid artery tissues and downstream blood of carotid ligation by centrifugation. MiRNA sequencing and qPCR were then performed to detect miRNA differences in EVs from rats with and without induced carotid atherosclerosis. Biochemical analyses demonstrated that EVs derived from atherosclerosis could increase the expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin in endothelial cells in vitro. EVs derived from atherosclerosis contained a higher level of miR-23a-3p than those derived from controls. MiR-23a-3p could promote endothelial inflammation by targeting Dusp5 and maintaining ERK1/2 phosphorylation in vitro. Inhibiting EV release could attenuate atherogenesis and reduce macrophage infiltration in vivo. Intravenously administrating atherosclerotic plaque-derived EVs could induce intimal inflammation, arterial wall thickening and lumen narrowing in the carotids of Ldlr KO rats, while simultaneous injection of miR-23a-3p antagomir could reverse this reaction. The results suggested that EVs may transfer atherosclerosis to remote locations by carrying proinflammatory factors, particularly miR-23a-3p.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengna Peng
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rui Sun
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University/Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Ye Hong
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jia Wang
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yi Xie
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaohao Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Juanji Li
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hongquan Guo
- Department of Neurology, Jinling Hospital, the First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Nanjing, 210002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Pengfei Xu
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Stroke Center & Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230036, Anhui, China
| | - Yunzi Li
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaoke Wang
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ting Wan
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ying Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Feihong Huang
- Department of Neurology, Guilin People's Hospital, Guilin, 541002, Guangxi, China
| | - Yuhui Wang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Ruidong Ye
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qian Liu
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210002, Jiangsu, China
| | - George Liu
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Xinfeng Liu
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210002, Jiangsu, China.
- Department of Neurology, Jinling Hospital, the First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Nanjing, 210002, Jiangsu, China.
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Stroke Center & Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230036, Anhui, China.
| | - Gelin Xu
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210002, Jiangsu, China.
- Department of Neurology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital/First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518035, Guangdong, China.
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