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Mechanical Stretch Promotes Macrophage Polarization and Inflammation via the RhoA-ROCK/NF-κB Pathway. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 2022:6871269. [PMID: 35915804 PMCID: PMC9338847 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6871269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Macrophages play an essential role in the pathogenesis of most inflammatory diseases. Recent studies have shown that mechanical load can influence macrophage function, leading to excessive and uncontrolled inflammation and even systemic damage, including cardiovascular disease and knee osteoarthritis. However, the molecular mechanism remains unclear. In this study, murine RAW264.7 cells were treated with mechanical stretch (MS) using the Flexcell-5000T Tension System. The expression of inflammatory factors and cytokine release were measured by RT-qPCR, ELISA, and Western blotting. The protein expression of NF-κB p65, Iκb-α, p-Iκb-α, RhoA, ROCK1, and ROCK2 was also detected by Western blotting. Then, Flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of macrophage subsets. Meanwhile, Y-27632 dihydrochloride, a ROCK inhibitor, was added to knockdown ROCK signal transduction in cells. Our results demonstrated that MS upregulated mRNA expression and increased the secretion levels of proinflammatory factors iNOS, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6. Additionally, MS significantly increased the proportion of CD11b+CD86+ and CD11b+CD206+ subsets in RAW264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, the protein expression of RhoA, ROCK1, ROCK2, NF-κB p65, and IκB-α increased in MS-treated RAW264.7 cells, as well as the IL-6 and iNOS. In contrast, ROCK inhibitor significantly blocked the activation of RhoA-ROCK and NF-κB pathway, decreased the protein expression of IL-6 and iNOS, reduced the proportion of CD11b+CD86+ cells subpopulation, and increased the proportion of CD11b+CD206+ cell subpopulation after MS. These data indicate that mechanical stretch can regulate the RAW264.7 macrophage polarization and enhance inflammatory responses in vitro, which may contribute to activation the RhoA-ROCK/NF-κB pathway.
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Ahn SS, Kim HM, Park Y. Association of serum hepatoma-derived growth factor levels with disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis: A pilot study. J Clin Lab Anal 2022; 36:e24474. [PMID: 35500218 PMCID: PMC9169164 DOI: 10.1002/jcla.24474] [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: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatoma‐derived growth factor (HDGF) is reported to play an important role in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. However, growing evidence indicates its participation in immune system activation. This study analyzed the relationship among serum HDGF levels, disease activity, and laboratory markers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods Blood samples from 165 patients with RA, 42 with osteoarthritis (OA), and 28 healthy controls, were used to evaluate the serum HDGF levels. Correlations of serum HDGF levels with age, 28‐joint count disease activity score (DAS28), and laboratory findings were assessed by Pearson correlation and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analyses to obtain HDGF optimal cutoffs according to the disease status. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on the knee synovial tissue samples from patients with RA and OA (n = 10 each) to investigate HDGF joint expression. Results Serum HDGF levels were significantly correlated with DAS28 erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r = 0.412, p < 0.001) and C‐reactive protein values (r = 0.376, p < 0.001). The optimal cutoffs of serum HDGF levels from the ROC analysis were 5.79 and 5.14 for the differentiation of active/inactive disease and remission/non‐remission, respectively. The ideal cutoff of serum HDGF levels to differentiate RA and OA was determined as 5.47. Serial serum HDGF level analyses in 21 patients with RA revealed that serum HDGF levels significantly decreased after improvement in disease activity (p = 0.046). HDGF expression was not observed in the synovial tissues of the patients with RA and OA. Conclusion Serum HDGF level could be a potential laboratory biomarker for the severity of RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Soo Ahn
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yongin Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yongin, South Korea
| | - Hye Min Kim
- Department of Pathology, Yongin Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yongin, South Korea
| | - Younhee Park
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
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Si K, Lu D, Tian J. Integrated analysis and the identification of a circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network in the progression of abdominal aortic aneurysm. PeerJ 2022; 9:e12682. [PMID: 35036156 PMCID: PMC8711282 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12682] [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: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a disease commonly seen in the elderly. The aneurysm diameter increases yearly, and the larger the AAA the higher the risk of rupture, increasing the risk of death. However, there are no current effective interventions in the early stages of AAA. Methods Four gene expression profiling datasets, including 23 normal artery (NOR) tissue samples and 97 AAA tissue samples, were integrated in order to explore potential molecular biological targets for early intervention. After preprocessing, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between AAA and NOR were identified using LIMMA package. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis were conducted using the DAVID database. The protein-protein interaction network was constructed and hub genes were identified using the STRING database and plugins in Cytoscape. A circular RNA (circRNA) profile of four NOR tissues versus four AAA tissues was then reanalyzed. A circRNA-miRNA-mRNA interaction network was constructed after predictions were made using the Targetscan and Circinteractome databases. Results A total of 440 DEGs (263 up-regulated and 177 down-regulated) were identified in the AAA group, compared with the NOR group. The majority were associated with the extracellular matrix, tumor necrosis factor-α, and transforming growth factor-β. Ten hub gene-encoded proteins (namely IL6, RPS27A, JUN, UBC, UBA52, FOS, IL1B, MMP9, SPP1 and CCL2) coupled with a higher degree of connectivity hub were identified after protein‐protein interaction network analysis. Our results, in combination with the results of previous studies revealed that miR-635, miR-527, miR-520h, miR-938 and miR-518a-5p may be affected by circ_0005073 and impact the expression of hub genes such as CCL2, SPP1 and UBA52. The miR-1206 may also be affected by circ_0090069 and impact RPS27A expression. Conclusions This circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network may perform critical roles in AAA and may be a novel target for early intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Si
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Da Lu
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianbo Tian
- Institute of Information Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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Li J, Guo W, Yu F, Liu L, Wang X, Li L, Fang B, Xia L. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound promotes angiogenesis via the AKT pathway and DNA methylation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. ULTRASONICS 2022; 118:106561. [PMID: 34500338 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultras.2021.106561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Angiogenesis involves the activation of endothelial cells (ECs). Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS), which delivers ultrasound waves at a low intensity, can induce the angiogenic potential of ECs. However, the underlying cellular mechanisms remain to be elucidated. In this study, the LIPUS parameters were 1.5 MHz pulsed frequency, 200 us pulse duration, 1.0 kHz repetition rate, and 30 mW/cm2 energy intensity. First, we evaluated the effects of LIPUS on the proliferation and angiogenic differentiation of the EC line EA.hy926. The results showed that LIPUS could induce cell proliferation, promote migration, and increase mRNA level inKDR and CD144.Also, the mRNA level and secretion of VEGF were enhanced. We then investigated the role of the AKT signaling pathway in this process. We observed that the expression of p-AKT was upregulated which means that the AKT signaling pathway could be activated by LIPUS, while inhibitor LY294002 of the AKT signaling pathway effectively blocked LIPUS-induced angiogenesis. Finally,we applied confocal Raman microscopy to track biomolecular changes in cells after LIPUS treatment. Spectral analysis showed DNA methylation changes. An Infinium Methylation assay suggested that399 sites were significantly different. After KEGG enrichment analysis, we found seven genes (IRS1, GNG7, COL4A1, FOXO3, COL4A2, CDK4 and EGF) which were closely related to AKT signaling pathway. We verified that AKT signaling pathway inhibition partially blocked LIPUS-induced DNA methylation changes. Ourstudy demonstrated that LIPUS couldpromote the proliferation and angiogenic differentiation of ECs via the AKT signaling pathway. LIPUS could also alter DNA methylation of ECs via the activation of AKT signal.
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Affiliation(s)
- JiaYi Li
- School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 227 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - WeiMing Guo
- School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 227 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Fei Yu
- School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 227 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Lu Liu
- Department of Orthodontics, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 500 Qu Xi Road, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - XiaoTing Wang
- Department of Orthodontics, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 500 Qu Xi Road, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - LvYuan Li
- Department of Orthodontics, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 500 Qu Xi Road, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Bing Fang
- Department of Orthodontics, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 500 Qu Xi Road, Shanghai 200011, China.
| | - Lunguo Xia
- Department of Orthodontics, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 500 Qu Xi Road, Shanghai 200011, China.
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Vessel structural stress mediates aortic media degeneration in bicuspid aortopathy: New insights based on patient-specific fluid-structure interaction analysis. J Biomech 2021; 129:110805. [PMID: 34678623 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2021.110805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the relationship between local mechanical stimuli and regional aortic tissue degeneration using fluid-structure interaction (FSI) analysis in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) disease. Nine patients underwent ascending aortic replacement were recruited. Tissues were collected to evaluate the pathology features in four regions, greater curvature (GC-region), posterior (P-region), anterior (A-region), and lesser curvature (LC-region). FSI analysis was performed to quantify vessel structural stress (VSS) and flow-induced parameters, including wall shear stress (WSS), oscillatory shear index (OSI), and particle relative residence time (RRT). The correlation between these biomechanical metrics and tissue degeneration was analyzed. Elastin in the medial layer and media thickness were thinnest and the gap between fibers was biggest in the GC-region, followed by the P-region and A-region, while the elastin and media thickness were thickest and the gap smallest in the LC-region. The collagen deposition followed a pattern with the biggest in the GC-region and least in the LC-region. There is a strong negative correlation between mean or peak VSS and elastin thickness in the arterial wall in the GC-region (r = -0.917; p = 0.001 and r = -0.899; p = 0.001), A-region (r = -0.748; p = 0.020 and r = -0.700; p = 0.036) and P-region (r = -0.773; p = 0.014 and r = -0.769; p = 0.015), and between mean VSS and fiber distance in the A-region (r = -0.702, p = 0.035). Moreover, strong negative correlation between mean or peak VSS and media thickness was also observed. No correlation was found between WSS, OSI, and RRT and aortic tissue degeneration in these four regions. These findings indicate that increased VSS correlated with local elastin degradation and aortic media degeneration, implying that it could be a potential biomechanical parameter for a refined risk stratification for patients with BAV.
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Cheng CI, Tai MH, Chang HR, Chou MH, Chen GT, Chen PH, Kao YH. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein induced hepatoma-derived growth factor upregulation mediates foam cell formation of cultured rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells. Eur J Cell Biol 2021; 100:151169. [PMID: 34273665 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2021.151169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are important vascular components that are essential for the regulation of vascular functions during vascular atherosclerogenesis and vascular injury. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) is known to induce SMC activation and foam cell transformation. This study characterized the role of hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF) in oxLDL-induced foam cell formation in cultured primary rat aortic SMCs. OxLDL exposure significantly increased HDGF expression and extracellular release. It also upregulated atherogenic regulators in SMCs, including TLR4, MyD88, LOX-1, and CD36. Exogenous HDGF stimulation not only increased the expression of cognate receptor nucleolin, but also the innate immunity regulators TLR4/MyD88 and lipid metabolism regulators, including LOX-1 and CD36. Oil red O staining showed that HDGF did not initiate, but enhanced oxLDL-driven foam cell formation in SMCs. Further signaling characterization demonstrated that oxLDL evoked activation of PI3K/Akt and p38 MAPK signaling pathways, both of which were involved in the upregulation of HDGF, LOX-1, and CD36 induced by oxLDL. Gene knockdown experiments using LOX-1 targeted siRNA demonstrated that LOX-1 expression was critical for oxLDL-induced HDGF upregulation, while HDGF gene depletion completely abolished oxLDL-triggered TLR4, LOX-1, and CD36 overexpression and foam cell formation in SMCs. These findings strongly suggest that oxLDL-induced HDGF upregulation participates in subsequent LOX-1 and CD36 expression in aortic SMCs and mechanistically contributes to the formation of SMC-derived foam cells. The oxLDL/LOX-1/HDGF axis may serve as a target for anti-atherogenesis therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-I Cheng
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
| | - Ming-Hong Tai
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Huoy-Rou Chang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Huei Chou
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Center for General Education, Cheng-Shiu University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Guan-Ting Chen
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Po-Han Chen
- Department of Medical Research, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Hsien Kao
- Department of Medical Research, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
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Physiological cyclic stretch up-regulates angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 expression to reduce proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells. Biosci Rep 2021; 40:225043. [PMID: 32463098 PMCID: PMC7295630 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20192012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is considered as an endogenous negative regulator of renin–angiotensin system (RAS), exerting multiple cardiovascular protective roles. Whether mechanical stretch modulates ACE2 expression remains unknown. The present study aimed at investigating whether ACE2 is involved in physiological stretch (10% elongation, 1 Hz) mediated cellular functions and the underlying mechanism. Cultured human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) were exposed to 10% stretch for indicated time, and real-time PCR and Western blot analysis showed 10% stretch increased ACE2 expression and activity significantly compared with static conditions and increased Ang-(1-7) level, but decreased Ang II level; Brdu incorporation assay and Scratch test showed that ACE2 was involved in the inhibition of HASMCs proliferation and migration by 10% stretch; the Dual-Luciferase Reporter Assay demonstrated that 10% increased ACE2 promoter activity, but had no effect on ACE2 mRNA stability; kinase inhibition study and Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) showed that JNK1/2 and PKCβII pathway, as well as their downstream transcription factors, AP-1 and NF-κB, were involved in 10% stretch induced ACE2 expression. In conclusion, our study indicates ACE2 is a mechanosensitive gene, and may represent a potential therapeutic target for mechanical forces related vascular diseases.
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Cheng CI, Chang HR, Tai MH, Chou MH, Chen GT, Chen PH, Kao YH. Hepatoma-derived growth factor enhances osteoblastic transformation of rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro. Life Sci 2020; 256:117964. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.117964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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