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Li F, Peng J, Lu Y, Zhou M, Liang J, Le C, Ding J, Wang J, Dai J, Wan C, Wang J, Luo P, Xia B. Blockade of CXCR4 promotes macrophage autophagy through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway to alleviate coronary heart disease. Int J Cardiol 2023; 392:131303. [PMID: 37652272 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2023.131303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Autophagy is important in regulating inflammation and cholesterol efflux, suggesting that targeting autophagy may slow down atherosclerosis (AS). Since the pathological basis of coronary artery disease (CAD) is atherosclerosis, it is crucial to investigate the role of autophagy in atherosclerosis. This study aimed to investigate the role of the chemokine CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) in promoting macrophage autophagy through the phosphoinositide-3 kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) pathway to alleviate coronary artery disease. METHODS The human left coronary artery and myocardium were collected to detect CXCR4, MAP1LC3(LC3) and SQSTM1(p62) expression. ApoE-/- mice were used to establish an atherosclerosis mice model, while human monocytes (THP-1) were used to establish a foam cell model and co-cultured with foam cells using siRNACXCR4. Western blotting was conducted to quantify CXCR4, PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway protein, LC3, Beclin1 and p62 protein levels. The left coronary artery from humans and mouse aorta and myocardium were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E), macrophages with Oil Red O staining and foam cells were assessed by Movat's staining. CXCR4 levels, PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway protein, LC3 and p62 were detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence assays. Detection of autophagosomes in macrophages using transmission electron microscopy. We further assessed whether the effect of CXCR4-mediated macrophage autophagy on the formation of atherosclerosis and structural changes in the myocardium was mediated via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. RESULTS CXCR4 and p62 proteins were upregulated in human coronary lesions, mouse aorta, myocardial tissue, and foam cells, while LC3II/LC3I was downregulated. p85 (P-PI3K), Ser473 (P-AKT), and Ser2448 (P-mTOR) phosphorylated proteins associated with the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway were detected in AS and foam cell models. Upregulated CXCR4 inhibited autophagy of macrophages and increased the severity of atherosclerotic lesions. After specific knockdown of CXCR4 by adeno-associated virus (AAV9-CXCR4-RNAi) and siRNACXCR4, the above indicators were reversed, macrophage autophagy was promoted, the severity of atherosclerotic lesions was reduced, and the disorganized arrangement of myocardial architecture was improved. CONCLUSION Knockdown of CXCR4 reduces the extent of coronary artery disease by promoting macrophage autophagy through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway to attenuate atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangqin Li
- School of Forensic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, 9 Beijing Road, Guiyang 550000, Guizhou, China
| | - Jin Peng
- School of Forensic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, 9 Beijing Road, Guiyang 550000, Guizhou, China
| | - Yanlin Lu
- School of Forensic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, 9 Beijing Road, Guiyang 550000, Guizhou, China
| | - Ming Zhou
- School of Forensic Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, Guizhou, China
| | - Jingwei Liang
- School of Forensic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, 9 Beijing Road, Guiyang 550000, Guizhou, China
| | - Cuiyun Le
- School of Forensic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, 9 Beijing Road, Guiyang 550000, Guizhou, China
| | - Jiuyang Ding
- School of Forensic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, 9 Beijing Road, Guiyang 550000, Guizhou, China
| | - Jiawen Wang
- School of Forensic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, 9 Beijing Road, Guiyang 550000, Guizhou, China
| | - Jialin Dai
- School of Forensic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, 9 Beijing Road, Guiyang 550000, Guizhou, China
| | - Changwu Wan
- School of Forensic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, 9 Beijing Road, Guiyang 550000, Guizhou, China
| | - Jie Wang
- School of Forensic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, 9 Beijing Road, Guiyang 550000, Guizhou, China
| | - Peng Luo
- School of Forensic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, 9 Beijing Road, Guiyang 550000, Guizhou, China.
| | - Bing Xia
- School of Forensic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, 9 Beijing Road, Guiyang 550000, Guizhou, China.
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Lusini M, Nenna A, Chello C, Greco SM, Gagliardi I, Nappi F, Chello M. Role of autophagy in aneurysm and dissection of the ascending aorta. Future Cardiol 2020; 16:517-526. [PMID: 32524854 DOI: 10.2217/fca-2019-0076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Maintenance of physiologically balanced levels of autophagy is crucial for cellular homeostasis and in the normal vessel wall, balanced autophagy can be considered a cytoprotective mechanism that preserves endothelial function and prevents cardiovascular disease. Recent studies pointed out the importance of the modulation of the autophagic flux in the pathogenesis of aortic dissection and aneurysms of the ascending aorta. Notably, shear stress (and its receptor p62), IL-6, Rab7 and Atg5/IRE1α pathways of autophagy may be considered the novel super-selective therapeutic target for the preventive and postoperative treatment of aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection. This review intends to summarize current evidences in this field trying to enlighten new avenues for future researches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Lusini
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Nenna
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Camilla Chello
- Department of Dermatology, Università La Sapienza di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Ilaria Gagliardi
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Nappi
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Centre Cardiologique du Nord, Paris, France
| | - Massimo Chello
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
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