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Han X, Li W, Chen C, Liu J, Sun J, Wang F, Wang C, Mu J, Gu X, Liu F, Xie H, Yang S, Shen C. Genetic variants and mRNA expression of KLF4 and KLF5 with hypertension: A combination of case-control study and cohort study. J Biomed Res 2024; 38:1-10. [PMID: 39187911 DOI: 10.7555/jbr.38.20240208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Hypertension (HT) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Krüppel-like factors (KLFs) are important transcription factors in eukaryotes. Studies have reported that KLF4 and KLF5 are correlated with several cardiovascular diseases, whereas population studies for associations between HT and KLF4 or KLF5 have been rarely reported. Thus, the current study aimed to examines the association of genetic variants and mRNA expression levels of KLF4 and KLF5 with HT, as well as the effect of antihypertensive drugs on the expression levels. The associations of one single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in KLF4 and three SNPs in KLF5 with HT were investigated using a combination of case-control and cohort studies. The study population were selected from a community-based population cohort in four different regions of Jiangsu Province. Risks of HT were estimated through logistic and Cox regression analyses, respectively. In addition, mRNA expression levels of KLF4 and KLF5 were measured in 246 controls and 385 HT cases selected from the cohort study as mentioned above. Among the HT cases, 263 were not taking antihypertensive drugs [AHD(-)] and 122 were taking antihypertensive drugs [AHD(+)]. In the case-control study, SNP rs9573096 (C>T) in KLF5 was significantly associated with an increased risk of HT in the additive model (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.106; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.009 to 1.212). In the cohort study of the normotensive population, rs9573096 in KLF5 was also significantly associated with an increased risk of HT in the additive model (adjusted hazards ratio [HR], 1.199; 95% CI, 1.070 to 1.344). KLF4 and KLF5 mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in the AHD(-) group than in the control group ( P < 0.05), but lower in the AHD(+) group than in the AHD(-) group ( P < 0.05). The current study demonstrated the associations of KLF4 and KLF5 genetic variants with hypertension, and the indicative discriminations of mRNA expression levels of KLF4 and KLF5 for risk of hypertension and antihypertensive treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Han
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Wen Li
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Changying Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Jiahui Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Junxiang Sun
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Yixing People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, People's Hospital of Yixing City, Yixing, Jiangsu 214200, China
| | - Feifan Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Chao Wang
- Department of Environmental Genomics, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Jialing Mu
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Xincheng Gu
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Fangyuan Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Hankun Xie
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Song Yang
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Yixing People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, People's Hospital of Yixing City, Yixing, Jiangsu 214200, China
| | - Chong Shen
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
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Paredes F, Williams HC, Liu X, Holden C, Bogan B, Wang Y, Crotty KM, Yeligar SM, Elorza AA, Lin Z, Rezvan A, San Martin A. The mitochondrial protease ClpP is a druggable target that controls VSMC phenotype by a SIRT1-dependent mechanism. Redox Biol 2024; 73:103203. [PMID: 38823208 PMCID: PMC11169483 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2024.103203] [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: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), known for their remarkable lifelong phenotypic plasticity, play a pivotal role in vascular pathologies through their ability to transition between different phenotypes. Our group discovered that the deficiency of the mitochondrial protein Poldip2 induces VSMC differentiation both in vivo and in vitro. Further comprehensive biochemical investigations revealed Poldip2's specific interaction with the mitochondrial ATPase caseinolytic protease chaperone subunit X (CLPX), which is the regulatory subunit for the caseinolytic protease proteolytic subunit (ClpP) that forms part of the ClpXP complex - a proteasome-like protease evolutionarily conserved from bacteria to humans. This interaction limits the protease's activity, and reduced Poldip2 levels lead to ClpXP complex activation. This finding prompted the hypothesis that ClpXP complex activity within the mitochondria may regulate the VSMC phenotype. Employing gain-of-function and loss-of-function strategies, we demonstrated that ClpXP activity significantly influences the VSMC phenotype. Notably, both genetic and pharmacological activation of ClpXP inhibits VSMC plasticity and fosters a quiescent, differentiated, and anti-inflammatory VSMC phenotype. The pharmacological activation of ClpP using TIC10, currently in phase III clinical trials for cancer, successfully replicates this phenotype both in vitro and in vivo and markedly reduces aneurysm development in a mouse model of elastase-induced aortic aneurysms. Our mechanistic exploration indicates that ClpP activation regulates the VSMC phenotype by modifying the cellular NAD+/NADH ratio and activating Sirtuin 1. Our findings reveal the crucial role of mitochondrial proteostasis in the regulation of the VSMC phenotype and propose the ClpP protease as a novel, actionable target for manipulating the VSMC phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Paredes
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Holly C Williams
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Xuesong Liu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Claire Holden
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Bethany Bogan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Kathryn M Crotty
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; Atlanta Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Decatur, GA, United States
| | - Samantha M Yeligar
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; Atlanta Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Decatur, GA, United States
| | - Alvaro A Elorza
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Life Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Zhiyong Lin
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Amir Rezvan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Alejandra San Martin
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States; Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Life Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile.
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3
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Kang K, Sun C, Li H, Liu X, Deng J, Chen S, Zeng L, Chen J, Liu X, Kuang J, Xiang J, Cheng J, Liao X, Lin M, Zhang X, Zhan C, Liu S, Wang J, Niu Y, Liu C, Liang C, Zhu J, Liang S, Tang H, Gou D. N6-methyladenosine-driven miR-143/145-KLF4 circuit orchestrates the phenotypic switch of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:256. [PMID: 38866991 PMCID: PMC11335293 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05304-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is characterized by vascular remodeling predominantly driven by a phenotypic switching in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). However, the underlying mechanisms for this phenotypic alteration remain incompletely understood. Here, we identified that RNA methyltransferase METTL3 is significantly elevated in the lungs of hypoxic PH (HPH) mice and rats, as well as in the pulmonary arteries (PAs) of HPH rats. Targeted deletion of Mettl3 in smooth muscle cells exacerbated hemodynamic consequences of hypoxia-induced PH and accelerated pulmonary vascular remodeling in vivo. Additionally, the absence of METTL3 markedly induced phenotypic switching in PASMCs in vitro. Mechanistically, METTL3 depletion attenuated m6A modification and hindered the processing of pri-miR-143/145, leading to a downregulation of miR-143-3p and miR-145-5p. Inhibition of hnRNPA2B1, an m6A mediator involved in miRNA maturation, similarly resulted in a significant reduction of miR-143-3p and miR-145-5p. We demonstrated that miR-145-5p targets Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) and miR-143-3p targets fascin actin-bundling protein 1 (FSCN1) in PASMCs. The decrease of miR-145-5p subsequently induced an upregulation of KLF4, which in turn suppressed miR-143/145 transcription, establishing a positive feedback circuit between KLF4 and miR-143/145. This regulatory circuit facilitates the persistent suppression of contractile marker genes, thereby sustaining PASMC phenotypic switch. Collectively, hypoxia-induced upregulation of METTL3, along with m6A mediated regulation of miR-143/145, might serve as a protective mechanism against phenotypic switch of PASMCs. Our results highlight a potential therapeutic strategy targeting m6A modified miR-143/145-KLF4 loop in the treatment of PH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Kang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, 518060, Guangdong, China
| | - Chuannan Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, 518060, Guangdong, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, 518060, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaojia Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, 518060, Guangdong, China
| | - Jingyuan Deng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, 518060, Guangdong, China
| | - Silei Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, 518060, Guangdong, China
| | - Le Zeng
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Microbial Genetic Engineering, Vascular Disease Research Center, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Disease, Carson International Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Jiahao Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, 518060, Guangdong, China
| | - Xinyi Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, 518060, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiahao Kuang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, 518060, Guangdong, China
| | - Jingjing Xiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, 518060, Guangdong, China
| | - Jingqian Cheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, 518060, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoyun Liao
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Microbial Genetic Engineering, Vascular Disease Research Center, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Disease, Carson International Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Mujin Lin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, 518060, Guangdong, China
| | - Xingshi Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, 518060, Guangdong, China
| | - Chuzhi Zhan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, 518060, Guangdong, China
| | - Sisi Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, 518060, Guangdong, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Microbial Genetic Engineering, Vascular Disease Research Center, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Disease, Carson International Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Yanqin Niu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Microbial Genetic Engineering, Vascular Disease Research Center, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Disease, Carson International Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Cuilian Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Microbial Genetic Engineering, Vascular Disease Research Center, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Disease, Carson International Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Cai Liang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Microbial Genetic Engineering, Vascular Disease Research Center, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Disease, Carson International Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Jinsheng Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Shuxin Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Haiyang Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Deming Gou
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Microbial Genetic Engineering, Vascular Disease Research Center, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Disease, Carson International Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China.
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4
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Fang G, Tian Y, Huang S, Zhang X, Liu Y, Li Y, Du J, Gao S. KLF15 maintains contractile phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cells and prevents thoracic aortic dissection by interacting with MRTFB. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107260. [PMID: 38582447 PMCID: PMC11061230 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Thoracic aortic dissection (TAD) is a highly dangerous cardiovascular disorder caused by weakening of the aortic wall, resulting in a sudden tear of the internal face. Progressive loss of the contractile apparatus in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is a major event in TAD. Exploring the endogenous regulators essential for the contractile phenotype of VSMCs may aid the development of strategies to prevent TAD. Krüppel-like factor 15 (KLF15) overexpression was reported to inhibit TAD formation; however, the mechanisms by which KLF15 prevents TAD formation and whether KLF15 regulates the contractile phenotype of VSMCs in TAD are not well understood. Therefore, we investigated these unknown aspects of KLF15 function. We found that KLF15 expression was reduced in human TAD samples and β-aminopropionitrile monofumarate-induced TAD mouse model. Klf15KO mice are susceptible to both β-aminopropionitrile monofumarate- and angiotensin II-induced TAD. KLF15 deficiency results in reduced VSMC contractility and exacerbated vascular inflammation and extracellular matrix degradation. Mechanistically, KLF15 interacts with myocardin-related transcription factor B (MRTFB), a potent serum response factor coactivator that drives contractile gene expression. KLF15 silencing represses the MRTFB-induced activation of contractile genes in VSMCs. Thus, KLF15 cooperates with MRTFB to promote the expression of contractile genes in VSMCs, and its dysfunction may exacerbate TAD. These findings indicate that KLF15 may be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of TAD.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Humans
- Male
- Mice
- Angiotensin II/metabolism
- Angiotensin II/pharmacology
- Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/metabolism
- Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/genetics
- Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/pathology
- Dissection, Thoracic Aorta
- Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors/genetics
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Muscle Contraction/genetics
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/pathology
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/cytology
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/pathology
- Phenotype
- Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Transcription Factors/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangming Fang
- Collaborative Innovation Centre for Cardiovascular Disorders, The Key Laboratory of Remodeling-Related Cardiovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yexuan Tian
- Collaborative Innovation Centre for Cardiovascular Disorders, The Key Laboratory of Remodeling-Related Cardiovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shan Huang
- Collaborative Innovation Centre for Cardiovascular Disorders, The Key Laboratory of Remodeling-Related Cardiovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoping Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Centre for Cardiovascular Disorders, The Key Laboratory of Remodeling-Related Cardiovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Collaborative Innovation Centre for Cardiovascular Disorders, The Key Laboratory of Remodeling-Related Cardiovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yulin Li
- Collaborative Innovation Centre for Cardiovascular Disorders, The Key Laboratory of Remodeling-Related Cardiovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Du
- Collaborative Innovation Centre for Cardiovascular Disorders, The Key Laboratory of Remodeling-Related Cardiovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Shijuan Gao
- Collaborative Innovation Centre for Cardiovascular Disorders, The Key Laboratory of Remodeling-Related Cardiovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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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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Zhang F, Xiang X, Wen C, Guo X, Nie L, Chen J, Xia Y, Hu B, Mao L. CircTLK1: A novel regulator involved in VSMC phenotypic switching and the developmental process of atherosclerosis. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23557. [PMID: 38498343 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202301873rr] [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: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is essential for atherosclerosis development. Circular RNA (circRNA) is a specific non-coding RNA that is produced as a closed-loop structure in mammals, and its specific expression pattern is closely related to its cell type and tissue. To clarify the roles of circTLK1 in VSMC phenotypic switching, we performed qRT-PCR, immunoblotting, and immunostaining. qRT-PCR revealed that circTLK1 was upregulated in both mouse models of atherosclerosis in vivo and PDGF (platelet-derived growth factor)-BB-induced VSMCs in vitro. Furthermore, the overexpression of circTLK1 promoted PDGF-BB-induced VSMC phenotypic switching. Conversely, experiments performed in vivo demonstrate that the knockdown of SMC-specific circTLK1 led to a reduction in the development of atherosclerosis. The relationship between circTLK1 and miR-513a-3p and Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) was detected by RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), luciferase reporter assay, RNA pull-down, and RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (RNA FISH). Mechanistically, circTLK1 acted as a sponge for miR-513a-3p, leading to the upregulation of KLF4, a key transcription factor for phenotypic switching. Targeting the circTLK1/miR-513a-3p/KLF4 axis may provide a potential therapeutic strategy for atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xuying Xiang
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Cheng Wen
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoqing Guo
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Lei Nie
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiaojiao Chen
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuanpeng Xia
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Bo Hu
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ling Mao
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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7
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Liu H, Zhao Y, Zhao G, Deng Y, Chen YE, Zhang J. SWI/SNF Complex in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Its Implications in Cardiovascular Pathologies. Cells 2024; 13:168. [PMID: 38247859 PMCID: PMC10814623 DOI: 10.3390/cells13020168] [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: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Mature vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) exhibit a remarkable degree of plasticity, a characteristic that has intrigued cardiovascular researchers for decades. Recently, it has become increasingly evident that the chromatin remodeler SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable (SWI/SNF) complex plays a pivotal role in orchestrating chromatin conformation, which is critical for gene regulation. In this review, we provide a summary of research related to the involvement of the SWI/SNF complexes in VSMC and cardiovascular diseases (CVD), integrating these discoveries into the current landscape of epigenetic and transcriptional regulation in VSMC. These novel discoveries shed light on our understanding of VSMC biology and pave the way for developing innovative therapeutic strategies in CVD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Liu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan Medical Center, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (H.L.); (Y.Z.)
- Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Yang Zhao
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan Medical Center, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (H.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Guizhen Zhao
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan Medical Center, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (H.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yongjie Deng
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan Medical Center, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (H.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Y. Eugene Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan Medical Center, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (H.L.); (Y.Z.)
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jifeng Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan Medical Center, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (H.L.); (Y.Z.)
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8
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Luo PM, Gu X, Chaney C, Carroll T, Cleaver O. Stromal netrin 1 coordinates renal arteriogenesis and mural cell differentiation. Development 2023; 150:dev201884. [PMID: 37823339 PMCID: PMC10690105 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201884] [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: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
The kidney vasculature has a complex architecture that is essential for renal function. The molecular mechanisms that direct development of kidney blood vessels are poorly characterized. We identified a regionally restricted, stroma-derived signaling molecule, netrin 1 (Ntn1), as a regulator of renal vascular patterning in mice. Stromal progenitor (SP)-specific ablation of Ntn1 (Ntn1SPKO) resulted in smaller kidneys with fewer glomeruli, as well as profound defects of the renal artery and transient blood flow disruption. Notably, Ntn1 ablation resulted in loss of arterial vascular smooth muscle cell (vSMC) coverage and in ectopic SMC deposition at the kidney surface. This was accompanied by dramatic reduction of arterial tree branching that perdured postnatally. Transcriptomic analysis of Ntn1SPKO kidneys revealed dysregulation of vSMC differentiation, including downregulation of Klf4, which we find expressed in a subset of SPs. Stromal Klf4 deletion similarly resulted in decreased smooth muscle coverage and arterial branching without, however, the disruption of renal artery patterning and perfusion seen in Ntn1SPKO. These data suggest a stromal Ntn1-Klf4 axis that regulates stromal differentiation and reinforces stromal-derived smooth muscle as a key regulator of renal blood vessel formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M. Luo
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Xiaowu Gu
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Christopher Chaney
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Internal Medicine and Division of Nephrology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Thomas Carroll
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Internal Medicine and Division of Nephrology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Ondine Cleaver
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390, USA
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9
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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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10
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Bharadhwaj RA, Kumarswamy R. Long noncoding RNA TUG1 regulates smooth muscle cell differentiation via KLF4-myocardin axis. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2023; 325:C940-C950. [PMID: 37642238 PMCID: PMC10635660 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00275.2023] [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: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are asymptomatic vascular diseases that have life-threatening outcomes. Smooth muscle cell (SMC) dysfunction plays an important role in AAA development. The contribution of non-coding genome, specifically the role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in SMC dysfunction, is relatively unexplored. We investigated the role of lncRNA TUG1 in SMC dysfunction. To identify potential lncRNAs relevant to SMC functionality, lncRNA profiling was performed in angiotensin-II-treated SMCs. AAA was induced by angiotensin-II treatment in mice. Transcriptional regulation of TUG1 was studied using promoter luciferase and chromatin-immuno-precipitation experiments. Gain-or-loss-of-function experiments were performed in vitro to investigate TUG1-mediated regulation of SMC function. Immunoprecipitation experiments were conducted to elucidate the mechanism underlying TUG1-mediated SMC dysfunction. TUG1 was upregulated in SMCs following angiotensin-II treatment. Similarly, TUG1 levels were elevated in abdominal aorta in a mouse model of angiotensin-II-induced AAA. Further investigations showed that angiotensin-II-induced TUG1 expression could be suppressed by inhibiting Notch-signaling pathway, both in vitro and in mouse AAA model and that TUG1 is a direct transcriptional target of the Notch pathway. In aneurysmal tissues, TUG1 expression was inversely correlated with the expression of SMC contractile genes. Overexpression of TUG1 repressed SMC differentiation in vitro, whereas siRNA/shRNA-mediated TUG1 knockdown showed an opposite effect. Mechanistically, TUG1 interacts with transcriptional repressor KLF4 and facilitates its recruitment to myocardin promoter ultimately leading to the repression of SMC differentiation. In summary, our study uncovers a novel role for the lncRNA TUG1 wherein it modulates SMC differentiation via the KLF4-myocardin axis, which may have potential implications in AAA development.NEW & NOTEWORTHY TUG1 is an angiotensin-II-induced long noncoding RNA that mediates smooth muscle cell (SMC) dysfunction through interaction with transcriptional repressor KLF4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi Abishek Bharadhwaj
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Telangana, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Regalla Kumarswamy
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Telangana, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
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11
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Pernomian L, Tan W, McCarthy C, Wenceslau CF. Reprogramming endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells to prevent and treat hypertension. Med Hypotheses 2023; 179:111162. [PMID: 37744557 PMCID: PMC10512690 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2023.111162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
The major pathophysiological characteristic of hypertension is the occurrence of small artery remodeling and endothelial dysfunction. There is also solid evidence showing that microcirculation abnormalities occur prior to the onset of hypertension. However, the mechanism(s) that trigger these changes prior to the elevation of blood pressure are unknown, and this may limit our ability to identify the cause of this disease and effectively treat it. In hypertension, as with aging, the vasculature becomes less susceptible to repair. One of the reasons is because endothelial cells start to deteriorate and present with exacerbated endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT). Likewise, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) also dedifferentiate into a synthetic phenotype, whereby they start to produce and secrete extracellular vesicles with a high migration and proliferation capacity for repairing vascular injury. Uncontrolled EndMT and/or VSMC phenotype switching contributes to vascular diseases, but the initial trigger for these conditions is unidentified. Importantly, EndMT and synthetic VSMC exhibit plasticity and can return to adopt an endothelial cell-like fate and present contractile phenotype again, respectively. Therefore, in this hypothesis we will take advantage of this plasticity, and we propose to manipulate this fate by inducing partial cellular reprogramming without passing through the pluripotent state. Specifically, we suggest that activation of the three master transcription factors, Oct-4, Sox-2, and Klf-4 (collectively termed OSK) will reprogram endothelial cells and prevent and reduce EndMT and VSMC synthetic phenotype. It was recently shown that activation of OSK was able to restore lost vision in old mice, and cancer risk was reduced by excluding c-Myc. Therefore, OSK treatment could provide new possibilities for vascular rejuvenation and treatment of hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laena Pernomian
- Cardiovascular Translational Research Center, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC
| | - Wenbin Tan
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC
| | - Cameron McCarthy
- Cardiovascular Translational Research Center, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC
- Biomedical Engineering Program, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Camilla Ferreira Wenceslau
- Cardiovascular Translational Research Center, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC
- Biomedical Engineering Program, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
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12
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Chakraborty A, Li Y, Zhang C, Li Y, Rebello KR, Li S, Xu S, Vasquez HG, Zhang L, Luo W, Wang G, Chen K, Coselli JS, LeMaire SA, Shen YH. Epigenetic Induction of Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotypic Alterations in Aortic Aneurysms and Dissections. Circulation 2023; 148:959-977. [PMID: 37555319 PMCID: PMC10529114 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.123.063332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotypic switching has been increasingly detected in aortic aneurysm and dissection (AAD) tissues. However, the diverse SMC phenotypes in AAD tissues and the mechanisms driving SMC phenotypic alterations remain to be identified. METHODS We examined the transcriptomic and epigenomic dynamics of aortic SMC phenotypic changes in mice with angiotensin II-induced AAD by using single-cell RNA sequencing and single-cell sequencing assay for transposase-accessible chromatin. SMC phenotypic alteration in aortas from patients with ascending thoracic AAD was examined by using single-cell RNA sequencing analysis. RESULTS Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis revealed that aortic stress induced the transition of SMCs from a primary contractile phenotype to proliferative, extracellular matrix-producing, and inflammatory phenotypes. Lineage tracing showed the complete transformation of SMCs to fibroblasts and macrophages. Single-cell sequencing assay for transposase-accessible chromatin analysis indicated that these phenotypic alterations were controlled by chromatin remodeling marked by the reduced chromatin accessibility of contractile genes and the induced chromatin accessibility of genes involved in proliferation, extracellular matrix, and inflammation. IRF3 (interferon regulatory factor 3), a proinflammatory transcription factor activated by cytosolic DNA, was identified as a key driver of the transition of aortic SMCs from a contractile phenotype to an inflammatory phenotype. In cultured SMCs, cytosolic DNA signaled through its sensor STING (stimulator of interferon genes)-TBK1 (tank-binding kinase 1) to activate IRF3, which bound and recruited EZH2 (enhancer of zeste homolog 2) to contractile genes to induce repressive H3K27me3 modification and gene suppression. In contrast, double-stranded DNA-STING-IRF3 signaling induced inflammatory gene expression in SMCs. In Sting-/- mice, the aortic stress-induced transition of SMCs into an inflammatory phenotype was prevented, and SMC populations were preserved. Finally, profound SMC phenotypic alterations toward diverse directions were detected in human ascending thoracic AAD tissues. CONCLUSIONS Our study reveals the dynamic epigenetic induction of SMC phenotypic alterations in AAD. DNA damage and cytosolic leakage drive SMCs from a contractile phenotype to an inflammatory phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhijit Chakraborty
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., S.X., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Texas Heart Institute, Houston (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
| | - Yanming Li
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., S.X., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Texas Heart Institute, Houston (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
| | - Chen Zhang
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., S.X., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Texas Heart Institute, Houston (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
| | - Yang Li
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., S.X., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Texas Heart Institute, Houston (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
| | - Kimberly R Rebello
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., S.X., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Texas Heart Institute, Houston (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
| | - Shengyu Li
- Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Houston Methodist Research Institute, TX (S.L., G.W.)
| | - Samantha Xu
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., S.X., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Hernan G Vasquez
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., S.X., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Texas Heart Institute, Houston (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
| | - Lin Zhang
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., S.X., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Texas Heart Institute, Houston (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
| | - Wei Luo
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., S.X., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Texas Heart Institute, Houston (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
| | - Guangyu Wang
- Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Houston Methodist Research Institute, TX (S.L., G.W.)
| | - Kaifu Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (K.C.)
| | - Joseph S Coselli
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., S.X., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Cardiovascular Research Institute (J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Texas Heart Institute, Houston (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
| | - Scott A LeMaire
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., S.X., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Cardiovascular Research Institute (J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Texas Heart Institute, Houston (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
| | - Ying H Shen
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., S.X., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Cardiovascular Research Institute (J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
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13
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Liu H, Dong X, Jia K, Yuan B, Ren Z, Pan X, Wu J, Li J, Zhou J, Wang RX, Qu L, Sun J, Pan LL. Protein arginine methyltransferase 5-mediated arginine methylation stabilizes Kruppel-like factor 4 to accelerate neointimal formation. Cardiovasc Res 2023; 119:2142-2156. [PMID: 37201513 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvad080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Accumulating evidence supports the indispensable role of protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) in the pathological progression of several human cancers. As an important enzyme-regulating protein methylation, how PRMT5 participates in vascular remodelling remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the role and underlying mechanism of PRMT5 in neointimal formation and to evaluate its potential as an effective therapeutic target for the condition. METHODS AND RESULTS Aberrant PRMT5 overexpression was positively correlated with clinical carotid arterial stenosis. Vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC)-specific PRMT5 knockout inhibited intimal hyperplasia with an enhanced expression of contractile markers in mice. Conversely, PRMT5 overexpression inhibited SMC contractile markers and promoted intimal hyperplasia. Furthermore, we showed that PRMT5 promoted SMC phenotypic switching by stabilizing Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4). Mechanistically, PRMT5-mediated KLF4 methylation inhibited ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis of KLF4, leading to a disruption of myocardin (MYOCD)-serum response factor (SRF) interaction and MYOCD-SRF-mediated the transcription of SMC contractile markers. CONCLUSION Our data demonstrated that PRMT5 critically mediated vascular remodelling by promoting KLF4-mediated SMC phenotypic conversion and consequently the progression of intimal hyperplasia. Therefore, PRMT5 may represent a potential therapeutic target for intimal hyperplasia-associated vascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Liu
- Wuxi School of Medicine and School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, No. 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, No. 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoliang Dong
- Wuxi School of Medicine and School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, No. 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, P. R. China
| | - Kunpeng Jia
- Wuxi School of Medicine and School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, No. 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, No. 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, P. R. China
| | - Baohui Yuan
- Wuxi School of Medicine and School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, No. 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, No. 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, P. R. China
| | - Zhengnan Ren
- Wuxi School of Medicine and School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, No. 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, No. 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, P. R. China
| | - Xiaohua Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, No. 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, P. R. China
| | - Jianjin Wu
- Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Changzheng Hospital, Navy Military Medical University, 415 Fengyang Road, Shanghai 200003, P. R. China
| | - Jiahong Li
- Wuxi School of Medicine and School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, No. 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, No. 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, P. R. China
| | - Jingwen Zhou
- National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangnan University, No. 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, P. R. China
| | - Ru-Xing Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Wuxi People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, 299 Qingyang Road, Wuxi 214023, P. R. China
| | - Lefeng Qu
- Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Changzheng Hospital, Navy Military Medical University, 415 Fengyang Road, Shanghai 200003, P. R. China
| | - Jia Sun
- Wuxi School of Medicine and School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, No. 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, No. 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, P. R. China
| | - Li-Long Pan
- Wuxi School of Medicine and School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, No. 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122, P. R. China
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14
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Lei C, Kan H, Xian X, Chen W, Xiang W, Song X, Wu J, Yang D, Zheng Y. FAM3A reshapes VSMC fate specification in abdominal aortic aneurysm by regulating KLF4 ubiquitination. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5360. [PMID: 37660071 PMCID: PMC10475135 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41177-x] [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: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Reprogramming of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) differentiation plays an essential role in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). However, the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. We explore the expression of FAM3A, a newly identified metabolic cytokine, and whether and how FAM3A regulates VSMC differentiation in AAA. We discover that FAM3A is decreased in the aortas and plasma in AAA patients and murine models. Overexpression or supplementation of FAM3A significantly attenuate the AAA formation, manifested by maintenance of the well-differentiated VSMC status and inhibition of VSMC transformation toward macrophage-, chondrocyte-, osteogenic-, mesenchymal-, and fibroblast-like cell subpopulations. Importantly, FAM3A induces KLF4 ubiquitination and reduces its phosphorylation and nuclear localization. Here, we report FAM3A as a VSMC fate-shaping regulator in AAA and reveal the underlying mechanism associated with KLF4 ubiquitination and stability, which may lead to the development of strategies based on FAM3A to restore VSMC homeostasis in AAA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuxiang Lei
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Haoxuan Kan
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Xiangyu Xian
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Wenlin Chen
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Wenxuan Xiang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Xiaohong Song
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
- State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Jianqiang Wu
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
- State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Dan Yang
- Department of Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Haidian District, Beijing, 100193, China.
| | - Yuehong Zheng
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China.
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15
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Lin PK, Davis GE. Extracellular Matrix Remodeling in Vascular Disease: Defining Its Regulators and Pathological Influence. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2023; 43:1599-1616. [PMID: 37409533 PMCID: PMC10527588 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.318237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Because of structural and cellular differences (ie, degrees of matrix abundance and cross-linking, mural cell density, and adventitia), large and medium-sized vessels, in comparison to capillaries, react in a unique manner to stimuli that induce vascular disease. A stereotypical vascular injury response is ECM (extracellular matrix) remodeling that occurs particularly in larger vessels in response to injurious stimuli, such as elevated angiotensin II, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, genetic deficiencies, inflammatory cell infiltration, or exposure to proinflammatory mediators. Even with substantial and prolonged vascular damage, large- and medium-sized arteries, persist, but become modified by (1) changes in vascular wall cellularity; (2) modifications in the differentiation status of endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, or adventitial stem cells (each can become activated); (3) infiltration of the vascular wall by various leukocyte types; (4) increased exposure to critical growth factors and proinflammatory mediators; and (5) marked changes in the vascular ECM, that remodels from a homeostatic, prodifferentiation ECM environment to matrices that instead promote tissue reparative responses. This latter ECM presents previously hidden matricryptic sites that bind integrins to signal vascular cells and infiltrating leukocytes (in coordination with other mediators) to proliferate, invade, secrete ECM-degrading proteinases, and deposit injury-induced matrices (predisposing to vessel wall fibrosis). In contrast, in response to similar stimuli, capillaries can undergo regression responses (rarefaction). In summary, we have described the molecular events controlling ECM remodeling in major vascular diseases as well as the differential responses of arteries versus capillaries to key mediators inducing vascular injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prisca K. Lin
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida School of Medicine, Tampa, FL 33612
| | - George E. Davis
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida School of Medicine, Tampa, FL 33612
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16
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Li K, Li B, Zhang D, Du T, Zhou H, Dai G, Yan Y, Gao N, Zhuang X, Liao X, Liu C, Dong Y, Chen D, Qu LH, Ou J, Yang JH, Huang ZP. The translational landscape of human vascular smooth muscle cells identifies novel short open reading frame-encoded peptide regulators for phenotype alteration. Cardiovasc Res 2023; 119:1763-1779. [PMID: 36943764 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvad044] [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: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS The plasticity of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) enables them to alter phenotypes under various physiological and pathological stimuli. The alteration of VSMC phenotype is a key step in vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis. Although the transcriptome shift during VSMC phenotype alteration has been intensively investigated, uncovering multiple key regulatory signalling pathways, the translatome dynamics in this cellular process, remain largely unknown. Here, we explored the genome-wide regulation at the translational level of human VSMCs during phenotype alteration. METHODS AND RESULTS We generated nucleotide-resolution translatome and transcriptome data from human VSMCs undergoing phenotype alteration. Deep sequencing of ribosome-protected fragments (Ribo-seq) revealed alterations in protein synthesis independent of changes in messenger ribonucleicacid levels. Increased translational efficiency of many translational machinery components, including ribosomal proteins, eukaryotic translation elongation factors and initiation factors were observed during the phenotype alteration of VSMCs. In addition, hundreds of candidates for short open reading frame-encoded polypeptides (SEPs), a class of peptides containing 200 amino acids or less, were identified in a combined analysis of translatome and transcriptome data with a high positive rate in validating their coding capability. Three evolutionarily conserved SEPs were further detected endogenously by customized antibodies and suggested to participate in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis by analysing the transcriptome and single cell RNA-seq data from patient atherosclerotic artery samples. Gain- and loss-of-function studies in human VSMCs and genetically engineered mice showed that these SEPs modulate the alteration of VSMC phenotype through different signalling pathways, including the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway and p53 pathway. CONCLUSION Our study indicates that an increase in the capacity of translation, which is attributable to an increased quantity of translational machinery components, mainly controls alterations of VSMC phenotype at the level of translational regulation. In addition, SEPs could function as important regulators in the phenotype alteration of human VSMCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Li
- 1Department of Cardiology, Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 58 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation (Sun Yat-sen University), 58 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Bin Li
- Key Laboratory of Gene Engineering of the Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, Sun Yat-sen University, 135 Xingang Xi Road, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Dihua Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 58 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Tailai Du
- 1Department of Cardiology, Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 58 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation (Sun Yat-sen University), 58 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Huimin Zhou
- 1Department of Cardiology, Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 58 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation (Sun Yat-sen University), 58 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Gang Dai
- NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation (Sun Yat-sen University), 58 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Youchen Yan
- 1Department of Cardiology, Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 58 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation (Sun Yat-sen University), 58 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Nailin Gao
- 1Department of Cardiology, Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 58 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xiaodong Zhuang
- 1Department of Cardiology, Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 58 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation (Sun Yat-sen University), 58 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xinxue Liao
- 1Department of Cardiology, Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 58 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation (Sun Yat-sen University), 58 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Chen Liu
- 1Department of Cardiology, Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 58 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation (Sun Yat-sen University), 58 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yugang Dong
- 1Department of Cardiology, Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 58 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation (Sun Yat-sen University), 58 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Demeng Chen
- 1Department of Cardiology, Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 58 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Liang-Hu Qu
- Key Laboratory of Gene Engineering of the Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, Sun Yat-sen University, 135 Xingang Xi Road, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Jingsong Ou
- 1Department of Cardiology, Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 58 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation (Sun Yat-sen University), 58 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
- National-Guangdong Joint Engineering Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Diseases (Sun Yat-sen University), 58 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jian-Hua Yang
- Key Laboratory of Gene Engineering of the Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory for Biocontrol, Sun Yat-sen University, 135 Xingang Xi Road, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Zhan-Peng Huang
- 1Department of Cardiology, Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 58 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation (Sun Yat-sen University), 58 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
- National-Guangdong Joint Engineering Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Diseases (Sun Yat-sen University), 58 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
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17
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Chen PY, Qin L, Simons M. TGFβ signaling pathways in human health and disease. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1113061. [PMID: 37325472 PMCID: PMC10267471 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1113061] [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: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) is named for the function it was originally discovered to perform-transformation of normal cells into aggressively growing malignant cells. It became apparent after more than 30 years of research, however, that TGFβ is a multifaceted molecule with a myriad of different activities. TGFβs are widely expressed with almost every cell in the human body producing one or another TGFβ family member and expressing its receptors. Importantly, specific effects of this growth factor family differ in different cell types and under different physiologic and pathologic conditions. One of the more important and critical TGFβ activities is the regulation of cell fate, especially in the vasculature, that will be the focus of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Yu Chen
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Lingfeng Qin
- Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Michael Simons
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
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18
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Khanal S, Bhavnani N, Mathias A, Lallo J, Gupta S, Ohanyan V, Ferrell JM, Raman P. Deletion of Smooth Muscle O-GlcNAc Transferase Prevents Development of Atherosclerosis in Western Diet-Fed Hyperglycemic ApoE -/- Mice In Vivo. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:7899. [PMID: 37175604 PMCID: PMC10178779 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097899] [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: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence highlights protein O-GlcNAcylation as a putative pathogenic contributor of diabetic vascular complications. We previously reported that elevated protein O-GlcNAcylation correlates with increased atherosclerotic lesion formation and VSMC proliferation in response to hyperglycemia. However, the role of O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT), regulator of O-GlcNAc signaling, in the evolution of diabetic atherosclerosis remains elusive. The goal of this study was to determine whether smooth muscle OGT (smOGT) plays a direct role in hyperglycemia-induced atherosclerotic lesion formation and SMC de-differentiation. Using tamoxifen-inducible Myh11-CreERT2 and Ogtfl/fl mice, we generated smOGTWT and smOGTKO mice, with and without ApoE-null backgrounds. Following STZ-induced hyperglycemia, smOGTWT and smOGTKO mice were kept on a standard laboratory diet for the study duration. In a parallel study, smOGTWTApoE-/- and smOGTKOApoE-/- were initiated on Western diet at 8-wks-age. Animals harvested at 14-16-wks-age were used for plasma and tissue collection. Loss of smOGT augmented SM contractile marker expression in aortic vessels of STZ-induced hyperglycemic smOGTKO mice. Consistently, smOGT deletion attenuated atherosclerotic lesion lipid burden (Oil red O), plaque area (H&E), leukocyte (CD45) and smooth muscle cell (ACTA2) abundance in Western diet-fed hyperglycemic smOGTKOApoE-/- mice. This was accompanied by increased SM contractile markers and reduced inflammatory and proliferative marker expression. Further, smOGT deletion attenuated YY1 and SRF expression (transcriptional regulators of SM contractile genes) in hyperglycemic smOGTKOApoE-/- and smOGTKO mice. These data uncover an athero-protective outcome of smOGT loss-of-function and suggest a direct regulatory role of OGT-mediated O-GlcNAcylation in VSMC de-differentiation in hyperglycemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saugat Khanal
- Department of Integrative Medical Sciences, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH 44272, USA; (S.K.)
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA
| | - Neha Bhavnani
- Department of Integrative Medical Sciences, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH 44272, USA; (S.K.)
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA
| | - Amy Mathias
- Department of Integrative Medical Sciences, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH 44272, USA; (S.K.)
| | - Jason Lallo
- Department of Integrative Medical Sciences, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH 44272, USA; (S.K.)
| | - Shreya Gupta
- Department of Integrative Medical Sciences, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH 44272, USA; (S.K.)
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA
| | - Vahagn Ohanyan
- Department of Integrative Medical Sciences, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH 44272, USA; (S.K.)
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA
| | - Jessica M. Ferrell
- Department of Integrative Medical Sciences, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH 44272, USA; (S.K.)
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA
| | - Priya Raman
- Department of Integrative Medical Sciences, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH 44272, USA; (S.K.)
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA
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19
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Kotlyarov S, Kotlyarova A. Participation of Krüppel-like Factors in Atherogenesis. Metabolites 2023; 13:metabo13030448. [PMID: 36984888 PMCID: PMC10052737 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13030448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is an important problem in modern medicine, the keys to understanding many aspects of which are still not available to clinicians. Atherosclerosis develops as a result of a complex chain of events in which many cells of the vascular wall and peripheral blood flow are involved. Endothelial cells, which line the vascular wall in a monolayer, play an important role in vascular biology. A growing body of evidence strengthens the understanding of the multifaceted functions of endothelial cells, which not only organize the barrier between blood flow and tissues but also act as regulators of hemodynamics and play an important role in regulating the function of other cells in the vascular wall. Krüppel-like factors (KLFs) perform several biological functions in various cells of the vascular wall. The large family of KLFs in humans includes 18 members, among which KLF2 and KLF4 are at the crossroads between endothelial cell mechanobiology and immunometabolism, which play important roles in both the normal vascular wall and atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanislav Kotlyarov
- Department of Nursing, Ryazan State Medical University, 390026 Ryazan, Russia
| | - Anna Kotlyarova
- Department of Pharmacy Management and Economics, Ryazan State Medical University, 390026 Ryazan, Russia
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20
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Xie X, Shirasu T, Li J, Guo LW, Kent KC. miR579-3p is an inhibitory modulator of neointimal hyperplasia and transcription factors c-MYB and KLF4. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:73. [PMID: 36813774 PMCID: PMC9946956 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01364-7] [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: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Neointimal hyperplasia (IH) is a common vascular pathology that typically manifests in in-stent restenosis and bypass vein graft failure. Smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotypic switching is central to IH, both regulated by some microRNAs, yet the role of miR579-3p, a scarcely studied microRNA, is not known. Unbiased bioinformatic analysis suggested that miR579-3p was repressed in human primary SMCs treated with different pro-IH cytokines. Moreover, miR579-3p was software-predicted to target both c-MYB and KLF4 - two master transcription factors known to promote SMC phenotypic switching. Interestingly, treating injured rat carotid arteries via local infusion of miR579-3p-expressing lentivirus reduced IH 14 days after injury. In cultured human SMCs, transfection with miR579-3p inhibited SMC phenotypic switching, as indicated by decreased proliferation/migration and increased SMC contractile proteins. miR579-3p transfection downregulated c-MYB and KLF4, and luciferase assays indicated miR579-3p's targeting of the 3'UTRs of the c-MYB and KLF4 mRNAs. In vivo, immunohistochemistry showed that treatment of injured rat arteries with the miR579-3p lentivirus reduced c-MYB and KLF4 and increased SMC contractile proteins. Thus, this study identifies miR579-3p as a previously unrecognized small-RNA inhibitor of IH and SMC phenotypic switch involving its targeting of c-MYB and KLF4. Further studies on miR579-3p may provide an opportunity for translation to develop IH-mitigating new therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiujie Xie
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
| | - Takuro Shirasu
- grid.27755.320000 0000 9136 933XDepartment of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908 USA
| | - Jing Li
- grid.27755.320000 0000 9136 933XDepartment of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908 USA
| | - Lian-Wang Guo
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA. .,Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA. .,Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
| | - K. Craig Kent
- grid.27755.320000 0000 9136 933XDepartment of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908 USA
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21
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The Involvement of Krüppel-like Factors in Cardiovascular Diseases. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13020420. [PMID: 36836777 PMCID: PMC9962890 DOI: 10.3390/life13020420] [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: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Krüppel-like factors (KLFs) are a set of DNA-binding proteins belonging to a family of zinc-finger transcription factors, which have been associated with many biological processes related to the activation or repression of genes, inducing cell growth, differentiation, and death, and the development and maintenance of tissues. In response to metabolic alterations caused by disease and stress, the heart will undergo cardiac remodeling, leading to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). KLFs are among the transcriptional factors that take control of many physiological and, in this case, pathophysiological processes of CVD. KLFs seem to be associated with congenital heart disease-linked syndromes, malformations because of autosomal diseases, mutations that relate to protein instability, and/or loss of functions such as atheroprotective activities. Ischemic damage also relates to KLF dysregulation because of the differentiation of cardiac myofibroblasts or a modified fatty acid oxidation related to the formation of a dilated cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarctions, left ventricular hypertrophy, and diabetic cardiomyopathies. In this review, we describe the importance of KLFs in cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, left ventricle hypertrophy, stroke, diabetic cardiomyopathy, and congenital heart diseases. We further discuss microRNAs that have been involved in certain regulatory loops of KLFs as they may act as critical in CVDs.
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22
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Wang Y, Liu X, Xu Q, Xu W, Zhou X, Lin Z. CCN2 deficiency in smooth muscle cells triggers cell reprogramming and aggravates aneurysm development. JCI Insight 2023; 8:162987. [PMID: 36625347 PMCID: PMC9870081 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.162987] [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: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotypic switching is widely recognized as a key mechanism responsible for the pathogenesis of several aortic diseases, such as aortic aneurysm. Cellular communication network factor 2 (CCN2), often upregulated in human pathologies and animal disease models, exerts myriad context-dependent biological functions. However, current understanding of the role of SMC-CCN2 in SMC phenotypic switching and its function in the pathology of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is lacking. Here, we show that SMC-restricted CCN2 deficiency causes AAA in the infrarenal aorta of angiotensin II-infused (Ang II-infused) hypercholesterolemic mice at a similar anatomic location to human AAA. Notably, the resistance of naive C57BL/6 WT mice to Ang II-induced AAA formation is lost upon silencing of CCN2 in SMC. Furthermore, the pro-AAA phenotype of SMC-CCN2-KO mice is recapitulated in a different model that involves the application of elastase-β-aminopropionitrile. Mechanistically, our findings reveal that CCN2 intersects with TGF-β signaling and regulates SMC marker expression. Deficiency of CCN2 triggers SMC reprograming associated with alterations in Krüppel-like factor 4 and contractile marker expression, and this reprograming likely contributes to the development of AAA in mice. These results identify SMC-CCN2 as potentially a novel regulator of SMC phenotypic switching and AA biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- Cardiology Division, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Xuesong Liu
- Cardiology Division, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Qian Xu
- Cardiology Division, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Wei Xu
- Cardiology Division, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Xianming Zhou
- Cardiology Division, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhiyong Lin
- Cardiology Division, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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23
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Jiang Y, Qian HY. Transcription factors: key regulatory targets of vascular smooth muscle cell in atherosclerosis. Mol Med 2023; 29:2. [PMID: 36604627 PMCID: PMC9817296 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-022-00586-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis (AS), leading to gradual occlusion of the arterial lumen, refers to the accumulation of lipids and inflammatory debris in the arterial wall. Despite therapeutic advances over past decades including intervention or surgery, atherosclerosis is still the most common cause of cardiovascular diseases and the main mechanism of death and disability worldwide. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play an imperative role in the occurrence of atherosclerosis and throughout the whole stages. In the past, there was a lack of comprehensive understanding of VSMCs, but the development of identification technology, including in vivo single-cell sequencing technology and lineage tracing with the CreERT2-loxP system, suggests that VSMCs have remarkable plasticity and reevaluates well-established concepts about the contribution of VSMCs. Transcription factors, a kind of protein molecule that specifically recognizes and binds DNA upstream promoter regions or distal enhancer DNA elements, play a key role in the transcription initiation of the coding genes and are necessary for RNA polymerase to bind gene promoters. In this review, we highlight that, except for environmental factors, VSMC genes are transcriptionally regulated through complex interactions of multiple conserved cis-regulatory elements and transcription factors. In addition, through a series of transcription-related regulatory processes, VSMCs could undergo phenotypic transformation, proliferation, migration, calcification and apoptosis. Finally, enhancing or inhibiting transcription factors can regulate the development of atherosclerotic lesions, and the downstream molecular mechanism of transcriptional regulation has also been widely studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Jiang
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Center for Coronary Heart Disease, Department of Cardiology, Fu Wai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases of China, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 167 Beilishi Rd, Beijing, 100037 China
| | - Hai-Yan Qian
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Center for Coronary Heart Disease, Department of Cardiology, Fu Wai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases of China, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 167 Beilishi Rd, Beijing, 100037 China
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24
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Kruppel-like Factors in Skeletal Physiology and Pathologies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315174. [PMID: 36499521 PMCID: PMC9741390 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Kruppel-like factors (KLFs) belong to a large group of zinc finger-containing transcription factors with amino acid sequences resembling the Drosophila gap gene Krüppel. Since the first report of molecular cloning of the KLF family gene, the number of KLFs has increased rapidly. Currently, 17 murine and human KLFs are known to play crucial roles in the regulation of transcription, cell proliferation, cellular differentiation, stem cell maintenance, and tissue and organ pathogenesis. Recent evidence has shown that many KLF family molecules affect skeletal cells and regulate their differentiation and function. This review summarizes the current understanding of the unique roles of each KLF in skeletal cells during normal development and skeletal pathologies.
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25
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Daoud F, Arévalo Martínez M, Holst J, Holmberg J, Albinsson S, Swärd K. Role of smooth muscle YAP and TAZ in protection against phenotypic modulation, inflammation, and aneurysm development. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 206:115307. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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26
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Luse MA, Krüger N, Good ME, Biwer LA, Serbulea V, Salamon A, Deaton RA, Leitinger N, Gödecke A, Isakson BE. Smooth muscle cell FTO regulates contractile function. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2022; 323:H1212-H1220. [PMID: 36306211 PMCID: PMC9678421 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00427.2022] [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: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The fat mass and obesity gene (FTO) is a N6-methyladenosine RNA demethylase that was initially linked by Genome-wide association studies to increased rates of obesity. Subsequent studies have revealed multiple mass-independent effects of the gene, including cardiac myocyte contractility. We created a mouse with a conditional and inducible smooth muscle cell deletion of Fto (Myh11 Cre+ Ftofl/fl) and did not observe any changes in mouse body mass or mitochondrial metabolism. However, the mice had significantly decreased blood pressure (hypotensive), despite increased heart rate and sodium, and significantly increased plasma renin. Remarkably, the third-order mesenteric arteries from these mice had almost no myogenic tone or capacity to constrict to smooth muscle depolarization or phenylephrine. Microarray analysis from Fto-/--isolated smooth muscle cells demonstrated a significant decrease in serum response factor (Srf) and the downstream effectors Acta2, Myocd, and Tagln; this was confirmed in cultured human coronary arteries with FTO siRNA. We conclude Fto is an important component to the contractility of smooth muscle cells.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We show a key role for the fat mass obesity (FTO) gene in regulating smooth muscle contractility, possibly by methylation of serum response factor (Srf).
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa A Luse
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Nenja Krüger
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
- Institute of Animal Developmental and Molecular Biology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Miranda E Good
- Molecular Cardiology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lauren A Biwer
- Molecular Cardiology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Vlad Serbulea
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Anita Salamon
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Rebecca A Deaton
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Norbert Leitinger
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Axel Gödecke
- Institute of Animal Developmental and Molecular Biology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Brant E Isakson
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
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27
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Cao G, Xuan X, Hu J, Zhang R, Jin H, Dong H. How vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype switching contributes to vascular disease. Cell Commun Signal 2022; 20:180. [PMID: 36411459 PMCID: PMC9677683 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-022-00993-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are the most abundant cell in vessels. Earlier experiments have found that VSMCs possess high plasticity. Vascular injury stimulates VSMCs to switch into a dedifferentiated type, also known as synthetic VSMCs, with a high migration and proliferation capacity for repairing vascular injury. In recent years, largely owing to rapid technological advances in single-cell sequencing and cell-lineage tracing techniques, multiple VSMCs phenotypes have been uncovered in vascular aging, atherosclerosis (AS), aortic aneurysm (AA), etc. These VSMCs all down-regulate contractile proteins such as α-SMA and calponin1, and obtain specific markers and similar cellular functions of osteoblast, fibroblast, macrophage, and mesenchymal cells. This highly plastic phenotype transformation is regulated by a complex network consisting of circulating plasma substances, transcription factors, growth factors, inflammatory factors, non-coding RNAs, integrin family, and Notch pathway. This review focuses on phenotypic characteristics, molecular profile and the functional role of VSMCs phenotype landscape; the molecular mechanism regulating VSMCs phenotype switching; and the contribution of VSMCs phenotype switching to vascular aging, AS, and AA. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genmao Cao
- grid.452845.a0000 0004 1799 2077Department of Vascular Surgery, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, No. 382, Wuyi Road, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xuezhen Xuan
- grid.452845.a0000 0004 1799 2077Department of Vascular Surgery, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, No. 382, Wuyi Road, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jie Hu
- grid.452845.a0000 0004 1799 2077Department of Vascular Surgery, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, No. 382, Wuyi Road, Taiyuan, China
| | - Ruijing Zhang
- grid.452845.a0000 0004 1799 2077Department of Nephrology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, No. 382, Wuyi Road, Taiyuan, China
| | - Haijiang Jin
- grid.452845.a0000 0004 1799 2077Department of Vascular Surgery, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, No. 382, Wuyi Road, Taiyuan, China
| | - Honglin Dong
- grid.452845.a0000 0004 1799 2077Department of Vascular Surgery, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, No. 382, Wuyi Road, Taiyuan, China
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28
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Szczepanski HE, Flannigan KL, Mainoli B, Alston L, Baruta GM, Lee JW, Venu VKP, Shearer J, Dufour A, Hirota SA. NR4A1 modulates intestinal smooth muscle cell phenotype and dampens inflammation-associated intestinal remodeling. FASEB J 2022; 36:e22609. [PMID: 36250380 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202101817rr] [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: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Stricture formation is a common complication of Crohn's disease (CD), driven by enhanced deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) and expansion of the intestinal smooth muscle layers. Nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 1 (NR4A1) is an orphan nuclear receptor that exhibits anti-proliferative effects in smooth muscle cells (SMCs). We hypothesized that NR4A1 regulates intestinal SMC proliferation and muscle thickening in the context of inflammation. Intestinal SMCs isolated from Nr4a1+/+ and Nr4a1-/- littermates were subjected to shotgun proteomic analysis, proliferation, and bioenergetic assays. Proliferation was assessed in the presence and absence of NR4A1 agonists, cytosporone-B (Csn-B) and 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP). In vivo, we compared colonic smooth muscle thickening in Nr4a1+/+ and Nr4a1-/- mice using the chronic dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) model of colitis. Second, SAMP1/YitFc mice (a model of spontaneous ileitis) were treated with Csn-B and small intestinal smooth muscle thickening was assessed. SMCs isolated from Nr4a1-/- mice exhibited increased abundance of proteins related to cell proliferation, metabolism, and ECM production, whereas Nr4a1+/+ SMCs highly expressed proteins related to the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton and contractile processes. SMCs isolated from Nr4a1-/- mice exhibited increased proliferation and alterations in cellular metabolism, whereas activation of NR4A1 attenuated proliferation. In vivo, Nr4a1-/- mice exhibited increased colonic smooth muscle thickness following repeated cycles of DSS. Activating NR4A1 with Csn-B, in the context of established inflammation, reduced ileal smooth muscle thickening in SAMP1/YitFc mice. Targeting NR4A1 may provide a novel approach to regulate intestinal SMC phenotype, limiting excessive proliferation that contributes to stricture development in CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly E Szczepanski
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kyle L Flannigan
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Barbara Mainoli
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Laurie Alston
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Grace M Baruta
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Joshua W Lee
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Vivek Krishna Pulakazhi Venu
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jane Shearer
- Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Antoine Dufour
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Simon A Hirota
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Immunology, Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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29
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Gogiraju R, Gachkar S, Velmeden D, Bochenek ML, Zifkos K, Hubert A, Münzel T, Offermanns S, Schäfer K. Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B Deficiency in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Promotes Perivascular Fibrosis following Arterial Injury. Thromb Haemost 2022; 122:1814-1826. [PMID: 36075234 PMCID: PMC9512587 DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1755329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Background
Smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotype switching plays a central role during vascular remodeling. Growth factor receptors are negatively regulated by protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs), including its prototype PTP1B. Here, we examine how reduction of PTP1B in SMCs affects the vascular remodeling response to injury.
Methods
Mice with inducible PTP1B deletion in SMCs (SMC.PTP1B-KO) were generated by crossing mice expressing Cre.ER
T2
recombinase under the
Myh11
promoter with PTP1B
flox/flox
mice and subjected to FeCl
3
carotid artery injury.
Results
Genetic deletion of PTP1B in SMCs resulted in adventitia enlargement, perivascular SMA
+
and PDGFRβ
+
myofibroblast expansion, and collagen accumulation following vascular injury. Lineage tracing confirmed the appearance of
Myh11
-Cre reporter cells in the remodeling adventitia, and SCA1
+
CD45
-
vascular progenitor cells increased. Elevated mRNA expression of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling components or enzymes involved in extracellular matrix remodeling and TGFβ liberation was seen in injured SMC.PTP1B-KO mouse carotid arteries, and mRNA transcript levels of contractile SMC marker genes were reduced already at baseline. Mechanistically, Cre recombinase (mice) or siRNA (cells)-mediated downregulation of PTP1B or inhibition of ERK1/2 signaling in SMCs resulted in nuclear accumulation of KLF4, a central transcriptional repressor of SMC differentiation, whereas phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of SMAD2 and SMAD3 were reduced. SMAD2 siRNA transfection increased protein levels of PDGFRβ and MYH10 while reducing ERK1/2 phosphorylation, thus phenocopying genetic PTP1B deletion.
Conclusion
Chronic reduction of PTP1B in SMCs promotes dedifferentiation, perivascular fibrosis, and adverse remodeling following vascular injury by mechanisms involving an ERK1/2 phosphorylation-driven shift from SMAD2 to KLF4-regulated gene transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajinikanth Gogiraju
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiology I, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Sogol Gachkar
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiology I, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - David Velmeden
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiology I, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Magdalena L Bochenek
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiology I, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany.,Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Konstantinos Zifkos
- Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Astrid Hubert
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiology I, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Thomas Münzel
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiology I, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Rhine-Main Site, Mainz, Germany
| | - Stefan Offermanns
- Department of Pharmacology, Max-Planck-Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany.,Centre for Molecular Medicine, Medical Faculty, JW Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.,Cardiopulmonary Institute (CPI), Frankfurt, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK e.V.), Rhine-Main Site, Frankfurt and Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Katrin Schäfer
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiology I, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Rhine-Main Site, Mainz, Germany
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30
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Khachigian LM, Black BL, Ferdinandy P, De Caterina R, Madonna R, Geng YJ. Transcriptional regulation of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, differentiation and senescence: Novel targets for therapy. Vascul Pharmacol 2022; 146:107091. [PMID: 35896140 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2022.107091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) possess a unique cytoplasticity, regulated by transcriptional, translational and phenotypic transformation in response to a diverse range of extrinsic and intrinsic pathogenic factors. The mature, differentiated SMC phenotype is physiologically typified transcriptionally by expression of genes encoding "contractile" proteins, such as SMα-actin (ACTA2), SM-MHC (myosin-11) and SM22α (transgelin). When exposed to various pathological conditions (e.g., pro-atherogenic risk factors, hypertension), SMC undergo phenotypic modulation, a bioprocess enabling SMC to de-differentiate in immature stages or trans-differentiate into other cell phenotypes. As recent studies suggest, the process of SMC phenotypic transformation involves five distinct states characterized by different patterns of cell growth, differentiation, migration, matrix protein expression and declined contractility. These changes are mediated via the action of several transcriptional regulators, including myocardin and serum response factor. Conversely, other factors, including Kruppel-like factor 4 and nuclear factor-κB, can inhibit SMC differentiation and growth arrest, while factors such as yin yang-1, can promote SMC differentiation whilst inhibiting proliferation. This article reviews recent advances in our understanding of regulatory mechanisms governing SMC phenotypic modulation. We propose the concept that transcription factors mediating this switching are important biomarkers and potential pharmacological targets for therapeutic intervention in cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Levon M Khachigian
- Vascular Biology and Translational Research, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Brian L Black
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Péter Ferdinandy
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research Group, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, 1089 Budapest, Hungary; Pharmahungary Group, 6722 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Raffaele De Caterina
- Cardiovascular Division, Pisa University Hospital & University of Pisa, Via Paradisa, 2, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Rosalinda Madonna
- Cardiovascular Division, Pisa University Hospital & University of Pisa, Via Paradisa, 2, Pisa 56124, Italy; Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, The Center for Cardiovascular Biology and Atherosclerosis Research, McGovern School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Yong-Jian Geng
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, The Center for Cardiovascular Biology and Atherosclerosis Research, McGovern School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States of America
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31
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Bachmann JC, Baumgart SJ, Uryga AK, Bosteen MH, Borghetti G, Nyberg M, Herum KM. Fibrotic Signaling in Cardiac Fibroblasts and Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells: The Dual Roles of Fibrosis in HFpEF and CAD. Cells 2022; 11:1657. [PMID: 35626694 PMCID: PMC9139546 DOI: 10.3390/cells11101657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and atherosclerosis-driven coronary artery disease (CAD) will have ongoing fibrotic remodeling both in the myocardium and in atherosclerotic plaques. However, the functional consequences of fibrosis differ for each location. Thus, cardiac fibrosis leads to myocardial stiffening, thereby compromising cardiac function, while fibrotic remodeling stabilizes the atherosclerotic plaque, thereby reducing the risk of plaque rupture. Although there are currently no drugs targeting cardiac fibrosis, it is a field under intense investigation, and future drugs must take these considerations into account. To explore similarities and differences of fibrotic remodeling at these two locations of the heart, we review the signaling pathways that are activated in the main extracellular matrix (ECM)-producing cells, namely human cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Although these signaling pathways are highly overlapping and context-dependent, effects on ECM remodeling mainly act through two core signaling cascades: TGF-β and Angiotensin II. We complete this by summarizing the knowledge gained from clinical trials targeting these two central fibrotic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Kate M. Herum
- Research and Early Development, Novo Nordisk A/S, Novo Nordisk Park, 2760 Maaloev, Denmark; (J.C.B.); (S.J.B.); (A.K.U.); (M.H.B.); (G.B.); (M.N.)
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32
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Shan D, Qu P, Zhong C, He L, Zhang Q, Zhong G, Hu W, Feng Y, Yang S, Yang XF, Yu J. Anemoside B4 Inhibits Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation, Migration, and Neointimal Hyperplasia. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:907490. [PMID: 35620517 PMCID: PMC9127303 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.907490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotypic transformation, proliferation, and migration play a pivotal role in developing neointimal hyperplasia after vascular injury, including percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and other cardiovascular interventions. Anemoside B4 (B4) is a unique saponin identified from the Pulsatilla chinensis (Bge.) Regel, which has known anti-inflammatory activities. However, its role in modulating VSMC functions and neointima formation has not been evaluated. Herein, we demonstrate that B4 administration had a potent therapeutic effect in reducing neointima formation in a preclinical mouse femoral artery endothelium denudation model. Bromodeoxyuridine incorporation study showed that B4 attenuated neointimal VSMC proliferation in vivo. Consistent with the in vivo findings, B4 attenuated PDGF-BB-induced mouse VSMC proliferation and migration in vitro. Moreover, quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot analysis demonstrated that B4 suppressed PDGF-BB-induced reduction of SM22α, SMA, and Calponin, suggesting that B4 inhibited the transformation of VSMCs from contractile to the synthetic phenotype. Mechanistically, our data showed B4 dose-dependently inhibited the activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase MAPK signaling pathways. Subsequently, we determined that B4 attenuated VSMC proliferation and migration in a p38 MAPK and AKT dependent manner using pharmacological inhibitors. Taken together, this study identified, for the first time, Anemoside B4 as a potential therapeutic agent in regulating VSMC plasticity and combating restenosis after the vascular intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Shan
- Center for Translational Medicine, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China,Department of Cardiovascular Sciences and Center for Metabolic Disease Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States,Department of Internal Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia University for the Nationalities, Tongliao, China
| | - Ping Qu
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences and Center for Metabolic Disease Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Chao Zhong
- Center for Translational Medicine, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China,Department of Cardiovascular Sciences and Center for Metabolic Disease Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Luling He
- Center for Translational Medicine, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
| | - Qingshan Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia University for the Nationalities, Tongliao, China
| | - Guoyue Zhong
- Research Center of Natural Resources of Chinese Medicinal Materials and Ethnic Medicine, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
| | - Wenhui Hu
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences and Center for Metabolic Disease Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Yulin Feng
- The National Pharmaceutical Engineering Center for Solid Preparation in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Nanchang, China
| | - Shilin Yang
- The National Pharmaceutical Engineering Center for Solid Preparation in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Nanchang, China
| | - Xiao-feng Yang
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences and Center for Metabolic Disease Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jun Yu
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences and Center for Metabolic Disease Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States,*Correspondence: Jun Yu
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33
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Kitagawa A, Jacob C, Gupte SA. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and MEG3 controls hypoxia-induced expression of serum response factor (SRF) and SRF-dependent genes in pulmonary smooth muscle cell. J Smooth Muscle Res 2022; 58:34-49. [PMID: 35491127 PMCID: PMC9057900 DOI: 10.1540/jsmr.58.34] [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] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although hypoxia induces aberrant gene expression and dedifferentiation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs), mechanisms that alter dedifferentiation gene expression by hypoxia remain unclear. Therefore, we aimed to gain insight into the hypoxia-controlled gene expression in SMCs. We conducted studies using SMCs cultured in 3% oxygen (hypoxia) and the lungs of mice exposed to 10% oxygen (hypoxia). Our results suggest hypoxia upregulated expression of transcription factor CP2-like protein1, krüppel-like factor 4, and E2f transcription factor 1 enriched genes including basonuclin 2 (Bcn2), serum response factor (Srf), polycomb 3 (Cbx8), homeobox D9 (Hoxd9), lysine demethylase 1A (Kdm1a), etc. Additionally, we found that silencing glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) expression and inhibiting G6PD activity downregulated Srf transcript and hypomethylation of SMC genes (Myocd, Myh11, and Cnn1) and concomitantly increased their expression in the lungs of hypoxic mice. Furthermore, G6PD inhibition hypomethylated MEG3, a long non-coding RNA, gene and upregulated MEG3 expression in the lungs of hypoxic mice and in hypoxic SMCs. Silencing MEG3 expression in SMC mitigated the hypoxia-induced transcription of SRF. These findings collectively demonstrate that MEG3 and G6PD codependently regulate Srf expression in hypoxic SMCs. Moreover, G6PD inhibition upregulated SRF-MYOCD-driven gene expression, determinant of a differentiated SMC phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Kitagawa
- Department of Pharmacology, New York Medical College, BSB 546, 15 Dana Road, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Christina Jacob
- Department of Pharmacology, New York Medical College, BSB 546, 15 Dana Road, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Sachin A Gupte
- Department of Pharmacology, New York Medical College, BSB 546, 15 Dana Road, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
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34
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Yurdagul A. Crosstalk Between Macrophages and Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells in Atherosclerotic Plaque Stability. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2022; 42:372-380. [PMID: 35172605 PMCID: PMC8957544 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.121.316233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Most acute cardiovascular events are due to plaque rupture, with atheromas containing large necrotic cores and thin fibrous caps being more susceptible to rupture and lesions with small necrotic cores and thick fibrous caps being more protected from rupture. Atherosclerotic plaques are comprised various extracellular matrix proteins, modified lipoprotein particles, and cells of different origins, that is, vascular cells and leukocytes. Although much has been revealed about the mechanisms that lead to plaque instability, several key areas remain incompletely understood. This In-Focus Review highlights processes related to cellular crosstalk and the role of the tissue microenvironment in determining cell function and plaque stability. Recent advances highlight critical underpinnings of atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability, particularly impairments in the ability of macrophages to clear dead cells and phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells. However, these processes do not occur in isolation, as crosstalk between macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells and interactions with their surrounding microenvironment play a significant role in determining plaque stability. Understanding these aspects of cellular crosstalk within an atherosclerotic plaque may shed light on how to modify cell behavior and identify novel approaches to transform rupture-prone atheromas into stable lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arif Yurdagul
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences, Shreveport
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35
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Shi D, Ding J, Xie S, Huang L, Zhang H, Chen X, Ren X, Zhou S, He H, Ma W, Zhang T, Wang N. Myocardin/microRNA-30a/Beclin1 signaling controls the phenotypic modulation of vascular smooth muscle cells by regulating autophagy. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:121. [PMID: 35136037 PMCID: PMC8827084 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-04588-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Upon vascular injury, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) change from a contractile phenotype to a synthetic phenotype, thereby leading to atherogenesis and arterial restenosis. Myocardin (MYOCD) is essential for maintaining the contractile phenotype of VSMCs. Deletion of MYOCD in VSMCs triggers autophagy. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the effect of MYOCD on autophagy is not clear. In this study, knockdown of MYOCD in human aortic VSMCs (HA-VSMCs) triggered autophagy and diminished the expression of SMC contractile proteins. Inhibition of autophagy in MYOCD-knockdown cells restored the expression of contractile proteins. MYOCD activated the transcription of miR-30a by binding to the CArG box present in its promoter, as confirmed by luciferase reporter and chromatin immune coprecipitation assays, while miR-30a decreased the expression of autophagy protein-6 (ATG6, also known as beclin1) by targeting its 3′UTR. Restoring the expression of miR-30a in MYOCD-knockdown cells upregulated the levels of contractile proteins. Treatment of VSMCs with platelet-derived growth factor type BB (PDGF-BB) resulted in the transformation of VSMCs to a proliferative phenotype. A low level of miR-30a was observed in PDGF-BB-treated HA-VSMCs, and re-expression of miR-30a led to a decrease in proliferative marker expression. Furthermore, using a wire injury mouse model, we found that miR-30a expression was significantly downregulated in the arterial tissues of mice and that restoration of miR-30a expression at the injured site abolished neointimal formation. Herein, MYOCD could inhibit autophagy by activating the transcription of miR-30a and that miR-30a-mediated autophagy defects could inhibit intimal hyperplasia in a carotid arterial injury model.
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Nakamura M, Yaku H, Ako J, Arai H, Asai T, Chikamori T, Daida H, Doi K, Fukui T, Ito T, Kadota K, Kobayashi J, Komiya T, Kozuma K, Nakagawa Y, Nakao K, Niinami H, Ohno T, Ozaki Y, Sata M, Takanashi S, Takemura H, Ueno T, Yasuda S, Yokoyama H, Fujita T, Kasai T, Kohsaka S, Kubo T, Manabe S, Matsumoto N, Miyagawa S, Mizuno T, Motomura N, Numata S, Nakajima H, Oda H, Otake H, Otsuka F, Sasaki KI, Shimada K, Shimokawa T, Shinke T, Suzuki T, Takahashi M, Tanaka N, Tsuneyoshi H, Tojo T, Une D, Wakasa S, Yamaguchi K, Akasaka T, Hirayama A, Kimura K, Kimura T, Matsui Y, Miyazaki S, Okamura Y, Ono M, Shiomi H, Tanemoto K. JCS 2018 Guideline on Revascularization of Stable Coronary Artery Disease. Circ J 2022; 86:477-588. [DOI: 10.1253/circj.cj-20-1282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Masato Nakamura
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Toho University Ohashi Medical Center
| | - Hitoshi Yaku
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine
| | - Junya Ako
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Sciences
| | - Hirokuni Arai
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University
| | - Tohru Asai
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine
| | | | - Hiroyuki Daida
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Kiyoshi Doi
- General and Cardiothoracic Surgery, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Toshihiro Fukui
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University
| | - Toshiaki Ito
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Japanese Red Cross Nagoya Daiichi Hospital
| | | | - Junjiro Kobayashi
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center
| | - Tatsuhiko Komiya
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Kurashiki Central Hospital
| | - Ken Kozuma
- Department of Internal Medicine, Teikyo University Faculty of Medicine
| | - Yoshihisa Nakagawa
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science
| | - Koichi Nakao
- Division of Cardiology, Saiseikai Kumamoto Hospital Cardiovascular Center
| | - Hiroshi Niinami
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Tokyo Women’s Medical University
| | - Takayuki Ohno
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Mitsui Memorial Hospital
| | - Yukio Ozaki
- Department of Cardiology, Fujita Health University Hospital
| | - Masataka Sata
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
| | | | - Hirofumi Takemura
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University
| | | | - Satoshi Yasuda
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center
| | - Hitoshi Yokoyama
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fukushima Medical University
| | - Tomoyuki Fujita
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center
| | - Tokuo Kasai
- Department of Cardiology, Uonuma Institute of Community Medicine, Niigata University Uonuma Kikan Hospital
| | - Shun Kohsaka
- Department of Cardiology, Keio University School of Medicine
| | - Takashi Kubo
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Wakayama Medical University
| | - Susumu Manabe
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Tsuchiura Kyodo General Hospital
| | | | - Shigeru Miyagawa
- Frontier of Regenerative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University
| | - Tomohiro Mizuno
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University
| | - Noboru Motomura
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Toho University
| | - Satoshi Numata
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine
| | - Hiroyuki Nakajima
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center
| | - Hirotaka Oda
- Department of Cardiology, Niigata City General Hospital
| | - Hiromasa Otake
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Fumiyuki Otsuka
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center
| | - Ken-ichiro Sasaki
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine
| | - Kazunori Shimada
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Tomoki Shimokawa
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Sakakibara Heart Institute
| | - Toshiro Shinke
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Showa University School of Medicine
| | - Tomoaki Suzuki
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Shiga University of Medical Science
| | - Masao Takahashi
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Hiratsuka Kyosai Hospital
| | - Nobuhiro Tanaka
- Department of Cardiology, Tokyo Medical University Hachioji Medical Center
| | | | - Taiki Tojo
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Sciences
| | - Dai Une
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Okayama Medical Center
| | - Satoru Wakasa
- Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Koji Yamaguchi
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
| | - Takashi Akasaka
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Wakayama Medical University
| | | | - Kazuo Kimura
- Cardiovascular Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center
| | - Takeshi Kimura
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University
| | - Yoshiro Matsui
- Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University
| | - Shunichi Miyazaki
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University
| | | | - Minoru Ono
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo
| | - Hiroki Shiomi
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University
| | - Kazuo Tanemoto
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Kawasaki Medical School
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Kaczor DM, Kramann R, Hackeng TM, Schurgers LJ, Koenen RR. Differential Effects of Platelet Factor 4 (CXCL4) and Its Non-Allelic Variant (CXCL4L1) on Cultured Human Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020580. [PMID: 35054772 PMCID: PMC8775478 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Platelet factor 4 (CXCL4) is a chemokine abundantly stored in platelets. Upon injury and during atherosclerosis, CXCL4 is transported through the vessel wall where it modulates the function of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) by affecting proliferation, migration, gene expression and cytokine release. Variant CXCL4L1 is distinct from CXCL4 in function and expression pattern, despite a minor three-amino acid difference. Here, the effects of CXCL4 and CXCL4L1 on the phenotype and function of human VSMCs were compared in vitro. VSMCs were found to constitutively express CXCL4L1 and only exogenously added CXCL4 was internalized by VSMCs. Pre-treatment with heparin completely blocked CXCL4 uptake. A role of the putative CXCL4 receptors CXCR3 and DARC in endocytosis was excluded, but LDL receptor family members appeared to be involved in the uptake of CXCL4. Incubation of VSMCs with both CXCL4 and CXCL4L1 resulted in decreased expression of contractile marker genes and increased mRNA levels of KLF4 and NLRP3 transcription factors, yet only CXCL4 stimulated proliferation and calcification of VSMCs. In conclusion, CXCL4 and CXCL4L1 both modulate gene expression, yet only CXCL4 increases the division rate and formation of calcium-phosphate crystals in VSMCs. CXCL4 and CXCL4L1 may play distinct roles during vascular remodeling in which CXCL4 induces proliferation and calcification while endogenously expressed CXCL4L1 governs cellular homeostasis. The latter notion remains a subject for future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawid M. Kaczor
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands; (D.M.K.); (T.M.H.); (L.J.S.)
| | - Rafael Kramann
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany;
- Division of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology and Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Erasmus Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Transplantation, Doctor Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tilman M. Hackeng
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands; (D.M.K.); (T.M.H.); (L.J.S.)
| | - Leon J. Schurgers
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands; (D.M.K.); (T.M.H.); (L.J.S.)
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany;
| | - Rory R. Koenen
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands; (D.M.K.); (T.M.H.); (L.J.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-433-881-674
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NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation Controls Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Phenotypic Switch in Atherosclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010340. [PMID: 35008765 PMCID: PMC8745068 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Monocytes and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome orchestrate lipid-driven amplification of vascular inflammation promoting the disruption of the fibrous cap. The components of the NLRP3 inflammasome are expressed in macrophages and foam cells within human carotid atherosclerotic plaques and VSMCs in hypertension. Whether monocytes and NLRP3 inflammasome activation are direct triggers of VSMC phenotypic switch and plaque disruption need to be investigated. (2) Methods: The direct effect of oxLDL-activated monocytes in VSMCs co-cultured system was demonstrated via flow cytometry, qPCR, ELISA, caspase 1, and pyroptosis assay. Aortic roots of VSMCs lineage tracing mice fed normal or high cholesterol diet and human atherosclerotic plaques were used for immunofluorescence quantification of NLRP3 inflammasome activation/VSMCs phenotypic switch. (3) Results: OxLDL-activated monocytes reduced α-SMA, SM22α, Oct-4, and upregulation of KLF-4 and macrophage markers MAC2, F4/80 and CD68 expression as well as caspase 1 activation, IL-1β secretion, and pyroptosis in VSMCs. Increased caspase 1 and IL-1β in phenotypically modified VSMCs was detected in the aortic roots of VSMCs lineage tracing mice fed high cholesterol diet and in human atherosclerotic plaques from carotid artery disease patients who experienced a stroke. (4) Conclusions: Taken together, these results provide evidence that monocyte promote VSMC phenotypic switch through VSMC NLRP3 inflammasome activation with a likely detrimental role in atherosclerotic plaque stability in human atherosclerosis.
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El Atab O, Ghantous CM, El-Zein N, Farhat R, Agouni A, Korashy HM, Djouhri L, Kamareddine L, Zibara K, Zeidan A. Involvement of caveolae in hyperglycemia-induced changes in adiponectin and leptin expressions in vascular smooth muscle cells. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 919:174701. [PMID: 34954233 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174701] [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: 06/20/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Hyperglycemia exerts various harmful effects on the vasculature. Studies have shown an association between the levels of the adipokines leptin and adiponectin (APN) and vascular complications in diabetes mellitus. The aim of our study was to investigate the molecular mechanisms mediated by APN and leptin that are involved in hyperglycemia-induced vascular remodeling, especially at the level of oxidative stress and actin cytoskeleton dynamics. Rat aorta organ culture was used to investigate the effect of hyperglycemia on APN and leptin protein expression in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) using Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Hyperglycemia lead to a significant increase in APN synthesis in VSMCs, mainly through caveolae, but this increase failed to provide vascular protection because of the decreased expression of APN receptors, especially AdipoR2, which was assessed by qPCR. In addition, hyperglycemia significantly upregulated leptin expression in VSMCs through caveolae and the RhoA/ROCK pathway. These variations lead to a marked increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, detected by dihydroethidium (DHE) staining, and in NADPH oxidase type 4 (Nox4) expression. Moreover, Nox4 mediated the synthesis of APN in hyperglycemia in VSMCs. Finally, hyperglycemia activated the RhoA/ROCK pathway and subsequently induced the polymerization of globular actin (G-actin) into filamentous actin (F-actin), decreasing the G/F-actin ratio. Taken together, these data show that hyperglycemia increases oxidative stress and changes actin cytoskeleton dynamics in the aorta via caveolae, favoring vascular remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ola El Atab
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon; PRASE and Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences-I, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Crystal M Ghantous
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon; Department of Nursing and Health Sciences, Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, Notre Dame University-Louaize, Keserwan, Lebanon
| | - Nabil El-Zein
- PRASE and Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences-I, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Rima Farhat
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Abdelali Agouni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar; Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research Unit, QU Health, Qatar University, Qatar
| | - Hesham M Korashy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar; Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research Unit, QU Health, Qatar University, Qatar
| | - Laiche Djouhri
- Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research Unit, QU Health, Qatar University, Qatar; Department of Basic Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Layla Kamareddine
- Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research Unit, QU Health, Qatar University, Qatar; Biomedical Sciences Department, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar; Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
| | - Kazem Zibara
- PRASE and Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences-I, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Asad Zeidan
- Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research Unit, QU Health, Qatar University, Qatar; Department of Basic Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
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Zhang F, Guo X, Xia Y, Mao L. An update on the phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 79:6. [PMID: 34936041 PMCID: PMC11072026 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-04079-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are involved in phenotypic switching in atherosclerosis. This switching is characterized by VSMC dedifferentiation, migration, and transdifferentiation into other cell types. VSMC phenotypic transitions have historically been considered bidirectional processes. Cells can adopt a physiological contraction phenotype or an alternative "synthetic" phenotype in response to injury. However, recent studies, including lineage tracing and single-cell sequencing studies, have shown that VSMCs downregulate contraction markers during atherosclerosis while adopting other phenotypes, including macrophage-like, foam cell, mesenchymal stem-like, myofibroblast-like, and osteochondral-like phenotypes. However, the molecular mechanism and processes regulating the switching of VSMCs at the onset of atherosclerosis are still unclear. This systematic review aims to review the critical outstanding challenges and issues that need further investigation and summarize the current knowledge in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Xiaoqing Guo
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Yuanpeng Xia
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
| | - Ling Mao
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
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Dong K, Shen J, He X, Hu G, Wang L, Osman I, Bunting KM, Dixon-Melvin R, Zheng Z, Xin H, Xiang M, Vazdarjanova A, Fulton DJR, Zhou J. CARMN Is an Evolutionarily Conserved Smooth Muscle Cell-Specific LncRNA That Maintains Contractile Phenotype by Binding Myocardin. Circulation 2021; 144:1856-1875. [PMID: 34694145 PMCID: PMC8726016 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.121.055949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vascular homeostasis is maintained by the differentiated phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The landscape of protein coding genes comprising the transcriptome of differentiated VSMCs has been intensively investigated but many gaps remain including the emerging roles of noncoding genes. METHODS We reanalyzed large-scale, publicly available bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing datasets from multiple tissues and cell types to identify VSMC-enriched long noncoding RNAs. The in vivo expression pattern of a novel smooth muscle cell (SMC)-expressed long noncoding RNA, Carmn (cardiac mesoderm enhancer-associated noncoding RNA), was investigated using a novel Carmn green fluorescent protein knock-in reporter mouse model. Bioinformatics and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis were used to assess CARMN expression changes during VSMC phenotypic modulation in human and murine vascular disease models. In vitro, functional assays were performed by knocking down CARMN with antisense oligonucleotides and overexpressing Carmn by adenovirus in human coronary artery SMCs. Carotid artery injury was performed in SMC-specific Carmn knockout mice to assess neointima formation and the therapeutic potential of reversing CARMN loss was tested in a rat carotid artery balloon injury model. The molecular mechanisms underlying CARMN function were investigated using RNA pull-down, RNA immunoprecipitation, and luciferase reporter assays. RESULTS We identified CARMN, which was initially annotated as the host gene of the MIR143/145 cluster and recently reported to play a role in cardiac differentiation, as a highly abundant and conserved, SMC-specific long noncoding RNA. Analysis of the Carmn GFP knock-in mouse model confirmed that Carmn is transiently expressed in embryonic cardiomyocytes and thereafter becomes restricted to SMCs. We also found that Carmn is transcribed independently of Mir143/145. CARMN expression is dramatically decreased by vascular disease in humans and murine models and regulates the contractile phenotype of VSMCs in vitro. In vivo, SMC-specific deletion of Carmn significantly exacerbated, whereas overexpression of Carmn markedly attenuated, injury-induced neointima formation in mouse and rat, respectively. Mechanistically, we found that Carmn physically binds to the key transcriptional cofactor myocardin, facilitating its activity and thereby maintaining the contractile phenotype of VSMCs. CONCLUSIONS CARMN is an evolutionarily conserved SMC-specific long noncoding RNA with a previously unappreciated role in maintaining the contractile phenotype of VSMCs and is the first noncoding RNA discovered to interact with myocardin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunzhe Dong
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA
| | - Jian Shen
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009, China
| | - Xiangqin He
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA
| | - Guoqing Hu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA
| | - Liang Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, China
| | - Islam Osman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA
| | - Kristopher M. Bunting
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA
| | - Rachael Dixon-Melvin
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA
| | - Zeqi Zheng
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, China
| | - Hongbo Xin
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330031, China
- School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330031, China
| | - Meixiang Xiang
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009, China
| | - Almira Vazdarjanova
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA
| | - David J. R. Fulton
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA
| | - Jiliang Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA
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Qiu Z, He J, Chai T, Zhang Y, Zhou H, Zheng H, Chen X, Zhang L, Li Y, Chen L. miR-145 attenuates phenotypic transformation of aortic vascular smooth muscle cells to prevent aortic dissection. J Clin Lab Anal 2021; 35:e23773. [PMID: 34767671 PMCID: PMC8649326 DOI: 10.1002/jcla.23773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND miR-145 is closely related to vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) phenotype transformation; however, the regulatory mechanisms through which miR-145 regulates the VSMC phenotype transformation under mechanical stretching are unclear. In this study, we evaluated the roles of miR-145 in VSMCs subjected to mechanical stretching in aortic dissection (AD). METHODS The expression of miR-145 in the aortic vessel wall of model animals and patients with AD was analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. miR-145-related protein-protein interaction networks and Wikipathways were used to analyze VSMC phenotypic transformation pathways regulated by miR-145. We used gain- and loss-of-function studies to evaluate the effects of miR-145 on VSMC differentiation under mechanical stretch induction and assessed whether Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) was regulated by miR-145 in the aorta under mechanical stretch conditions. RESULTS miR-145 was abundantly expressed in the walls of the normal human aorta, but was significantly downregulated in animal models and the walls of patients with dissection. We found that contractile phenotype-related proteins were downregulated in VSMCs subjected to mechanical stretching, whereas the expression of secreted phenotype-related proteins increased. miR-145 overexpression also downregulated contractile phenotype-related proteins in VSMCs and suppressed upregulation of phenotype-related proteins. Finally, under mechanical stretching, KLF4 expression was significantly increased in VSMCs, and overexpression of miR-145 blocked this effect. CONCLUSION Our results confirmed that mechanical stretch-induced phenotypic transformation of VSMCs to promote AD via upregulation of KLF4; this mechanism was regulated by miR-145, which directly modulated KLF4 expression and VSMC differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi‐Huang Qiu
- Department of Cardiac SurgeryUnion HospitalFujian Medical UniversityFuzhouChina
| | - Jian He
- Department of Cardiac SurgeryUnion HospitalFujian Medical UniversityFuzhouChina
| | - Tian‐ci Chai
- Department of Cardiac SurgeryUnion HospitalFujian Medical UniversityFuzhouChina
| | - Yu‐ling Zhang
- Department of Cardiac SurgeryUnion HospitalFujian Medical UniversityFuzhouChina
| | - Hao Zhou
- Department of Cardiac SurgeryUnion HospitalFujian Medical UniversityFuzhouChina
| | - Hui Zheng
- Department of Cardiac SurgeryUnion HospitalFujian Medical UniversityFuzhouChina
| | - Xiao‐song Chen
- Department of Plastic SurgeryUnion HospitalFujian Medical UniversityFuzhouChina
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Physiology and PathophysiologySchool of Basic Medical SciencesFujian Medical UniversityFuzhouChina
| | - Yu‐mei Li
- Department of ToxicologyFujian Center for Evaluation of New DrugFujian Medical UniversityFuzhouChina
| | - Liang‐wan Chen
- Department of Cardiac SurgeryUnion HospitalFujian Medical UniversityFuzhouChina
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Mechelinck M, Peschel M, Habigt MA, Kroy D, Lehrke M, Helmedag MJ, Rossaint R, Barton M, Hein M. Serum from Patients with Severe Alcoholic Liver Cirrhosis Inhibits Proliferation and Migration of Human Coronary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10235471. [PMID: 34884173 PMCID: PMC8658341 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10235471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver cirrhosis has been associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease and clinical complications following percutaneous coronary revascularization. The present study is based on the hypothesis that cirrhosis may influence intimal hyperplasia following PCI. Sera from 10 patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis and 10 age-matched healthy controls were used to stimulate cultured human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (HCASMC) for 48 h. HCASMC proliferation, migration, gene expression and apoptosis were investigated. Serum concentrations of growth factors and markers of liver function were also determined in patients and healthy controls. Treatment of HCASMC with patient sera reduced cell proliferation and migration (p < 0.05 vs. healthy controls), whereas apoptosis was unaffected (p = 0.160). Expression of genes associated with a synthetic vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype was decreased in cells stimulated with serum from cirrhotic patients (RBP1, p = 0.001; SPP1, p = 0.003; KLF4, p = 0.004). Platelet-derived growth factor-BB serum concentrations were lower in patients (p = 0.001 vs. controls). The results suggest the presence of circulating factors in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis affecting coronary smooth muscle cell growth. These findings may have implications for clinical outcomes following percutaneous coronary revascularization in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mare Mechelinck
- Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (M.M.); (M.P.); (M.A.H.); (R.R.)
| | - Miriam Peschel
- Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (M.M.); (M.P.); (M.A.H.); (R.R.)
| | - Moriz A. Habigt
- Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (M.M.); (M.P.); (M.A.H.); (R.R.)
| | - Daniela Kroy
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Gastroenterology, Metabolic Diseases and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany;
| | - Michael Lehrke
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Cardiology, Angiology and Internal Intensive Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany;
| | - Marius J. Helmedag
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany;
| | - Rolf Rossaint
- Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (M.M.); (M.P.); (M.A.H.); (R.R.)
| | - Matthias Barton
- Molecular Internal Medicine, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland;
- Andreas Grüntzig Foundation, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Marc Hein
- Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (M.M.); (M.P.); (M.A.H.); (R.R.)
- Correspondence:
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Yap C, Mieremet A, de Vries CJ, Micha D, de Waard V. Six Shades of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Illuminated by KLF4 (Krüppel-Like Factor 4). Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2021; 41:2693-2707. [PMID: 34470477 PMCID: PMC8545254 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.121.316600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Multiple layers of vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) are present in blood vessels forming the media of the vessel wall. vSMCs provide a vessel wall structure, enabling it to contract and relax, thus modulating blood flow. They also play a crucial role in the development of vascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis and aortic aneurysm formation. vSMCs display a remarkable high degree of plasticity. At present, the number of different vSMC phenotypes has only partially been characterized. By mapping vSMC phenotypes in detail and identifying triggers for phenotype switching, the relevance of the different phenotypes in vascular disease may be identified. Up until recently, vSMCs were classified as either contractile or dedifferentiated (ie, synthetic). However, single-cell RNA sequencing studies revealed such dedifferentiated arterial vSMCs to be highly diverse. Currently, no consensus exist about the number of vSMC phenotypes. Therefore, we reviewed the data from relevant single-cell RNA sequencing studies, and classified a total of 6 vSMC phenotypes. The central dedifferentiated vSMC type that we classified is the mesenchymal-like phenotype. Mesenchymal-like vSMCs subsequently seem to differentiate into fibroblast-like, macrophage-like, osteogenic-like, and adipocyte-like vSMCs, which contribute differentially to vascular disease. This phenotype switching between vSMCs requires the transcription factor KLF4 (Kruppel-like factor 4). Here, we performed an integrated analysis of the data about the recently identified vSMC phenotypes, their associated gene expression profiles, and previous vSMC knowledge to better understand the role of vSMC phenotype transitions in vascular pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Yap
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Location Academic Medical Center, The Netherlands (C.Y., A.M., C.J.M.d.V., V.d.W.)
| | - Arnout Mieremet
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Location Academic Medical Center, The Netherlands (C.Y., A.M., C.J.M.d.V., V.d.W.)
| | - Carlie J.M. de Vries
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Location Academic Medical Center, The Netherlands (C.Y., A.M., C.J.M.d.V., V.d.W.)
| | - Dimitra Micha
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Location VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (D.M.)
| | - Vivian de Waard
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Location Academic Medical Center, The Netherlands (C.Y., A.M., C.J.M.d.V., V.d.W.)
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Checkouri E, Blanchard V, Meilhac O. Macrophages in Atherosclerosis, First or Second Row Players? Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9091214. [PMID: 34572399 PMCID: PMC8465019 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9091214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Macrophages represent a cell type that has been widely described in the context of atherosclerosis since the earliest studies in the 17th century. Their role has long been considered to be preponderant in the onset and aggravation of atherosclerosis, in particular by participating in the establishment of a chronic inflammatory state by the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and by uncontrolled engorgement of lipids resulting in the formation of foam cells and later of the necrotic core. However, recent evidence from mouse models using an elegant technique of tracing vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) during plaque development revealed that resident VSMCs display impressive plastic properties in response to an arterial injury, allowing them to switch into different cell types within the plaque, including mesenchymal-like cells, macrophage-like cells and osteochondrogenic-like cells. In this review, we oppose the arguments in favor or against the influence of macrophages versus VSMCs in all stages of atherosclerosis including pre-atherosclerosis, formation of lipid-rich foam cells, development of the necrotic core and the fibrous cap as well as calcification and rupture of the plaque. We also analyze the relevance of animal models for the investigation of the pathophysiological mechanisms of atherosclerosis in humans, and discuss potential therapeutic strategies targeting either VSMCs or macrophage to prevent the development of cardiovascular events. Overall, although major findings have been made from animal models, efforts are still needed to better understand and therefore prevent the development of atherosclerotic plaques in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloïse Checkouri
- INSERM, UMR 1188 Diabète Athérothrombose Thérapies Réunion Océan Indien (DéTROI), Université de La Réunion, 97400 Sainte-Clotilde, France; (E.C.); (V.B.)
- Habemus Papam, Food Industry, 97470 Saint-Benoit, France
| | - Valentin Blanchard
- INSERM, UMR 1188 Diabète Athérothrombose Thérapies Réunion Océan Indien (DéTROI), Université de La Réunion, 97400 Sainte-Clotilde, France; (E.C.); (V.B.)
- Departments of Medicine, Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, Providence Healthcare Research Institute, St Paul’s Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Olivier Meilhac
- INSERM, UMR 1188 Diabète Athérothrombose Thérapies Réunion Océan Indien (DéTROI), Université de La Réunion, 97400 Sainte-Clotilde, France; (E.C.); (V.B.)
- CHU de La Réunion, INSERM, CIC1410, 97500 Saint-Pierre, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-262-93-8811
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Chen MY, Ke JF, Zhang ZH, Li MF, Wang JW, Lu JX, Xu PP, Xia XT, Guo MG, Li LX. Deletion of Fam172a accelerates advanced atherosclerosis and induces plaque instability. Atherosclerosis 2021; 333:39-47. [PMID: 34425526 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2021.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play a critical role in atherosclerosis. The family with sequence similarity 172, member A (FAM172A) is a novel protein and its role in atherosclerosis has not been explored so far. Therefore, our aim is to investigate whether FAM172A affects atheroprogression through VSMCs and its possible mechanism. METHODS Fam172a-/- mice were generated using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Fam172a-/- and Apoe-/- double knockout (Fam172a-/-/Apoe-/-) mice and their littermates (Fam172a+/+/Apoe-/-) were fed with a Western diet for 18 weeks to induce advanced atherosclerotic lesions. The role and mechanism of Fam172a in phenotypic switching, proliferation and migration of VSMCs were investigated through in vivo and in vitro experiments. RESULTS Compared with Fam172a+/+/Apoe-/- mice, Fam172a-/-/Apoe-/- mice showed increased atherosclerotic lesion size and plaque instability such as increased necrotic core area and decreased fiber deposition. Additionally, knockout of Fam172a promoted expression of CD68 and KLF4 and decreased expression of α-SMA and SM22α in atherosclerotic lesions. Furthermore, overexpression of Fam172a promoted Movas cells proliferation and migration, increased expression of α-SMA and SM22α and decreased expression of KLF4. Meanwhile, knockdown of Fam172a in Movas cells and deletion of Fam172a in VSMCs from Fam172a-/-/Apoe-/- mice showed opposite phenotypes. Similar phenotypes were also observed in human aortic smooth muscle cells. CONCLUSIONS Our results provide the first direct evidence that Fam172a has a protective role in advanced atherosclerosis by increasing atherosclerotic plaque stability and inhibiting transition of VSMCs from contractile to synthetic phenotype, which may be through KLF4-dependent pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Yun Chen
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Clinical Center for Diabetes, Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Key Clinical Center for Metabolic Disease, 600 Yishan Road, 200233, Shanghai, China; Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, Fujian, China
| | - Jiang-Feng Ke
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Clinical Center for Diabetes, Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Key Clinical Center for Metabolic Disease, 600 Yishan Road, 200233, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi-Hui Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Clinical Center for Diabetes, Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Key Clinical Center for Metabolic Disease, 600 Yishan Road, 200233, Shanghai, China
| | - Mei-Fang Li
- Department of Emergency, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital; 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Jun-Wei Wang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Clinical Center for Diabetes, Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Key Clinical Center for Metabolic Disease, 600 Yishan Road, 200233, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun-Xi Lu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Clinical Center for Diabetes, Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Key Clinical Center for Metabolic Disease, 600 Yishan Road, 200233, Shanghai, China
| | - Pei-Pei Xu
- Department of Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Xiao-Tian Xia
- Department of Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Ming-Gao Guo
- Department of Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Lian-Xi Li
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Clinical Center for Diabetes, Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Key Clinical Center for Metabolic Disease, 600 Yishan Road, 200233, Shanghai, China.
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He L, Gao K, Liu H, Wang J, Li X, He C. Smooth muscle cell-specific knockout of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) receptor attenuates intimal hyperplasia via STAT1-KLF4 activation. Life Sci 2021:119651. [PMID: 34048810 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119651] [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: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intimal hyperplasia is a main contributor to in-stent restenosis. Previous researches have shown that interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), a pleiotropic pro-inflammatory factor, plays a pathological role in intimal hyperplasia. However, the specific role and molecular mechanism of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs)-derived IFN-γ receptor in intimal hyperplasia remains unknown. METHODS We examined the distribution of IFN-γ receptor in human restenosis arteries. Then, the role of IFN-γ receptor in intimal hyperplasia was detected using VSMC-specific IFN-γ receptor-knock out carotid ligation injury models. We performed immunostaining, transwell assay and EdU staining to identify the role of IFN-γ in VSMCs proliferation and migration. The effect of IFN-γ on VSMCs phenotype switching was also investigated. Finally, we evaluated whether the mechanism of IFN-γ on intimal hyperplasia is STAT1-KLF4 dependent. RESULTS The distribution of IFN-γ receptor in human restenosis arteries with VSMC-rich neointima is eventually upregulated. Specific deletion of IFN-γ receptor exhibits thinner intima and lesser proliferating VSMCs. In vitro, treatment with IFN-γ promotes human aortic VSMC (HAVSMCs) proliferation and migration, whereas specifically knock out IFN-γ receptor results in the opposite effect. Deficiency of IFN-γ receptor regulates VSMCs phenotypic switching, such as upregulated contractile markers and downregulated proliferation markers. Mechanistic studies suggest that ablation of IFN-γ receptor prevents VSMCs proliferation, migration and dedifferentiation via STAT1-KLF4 activation. CONCLUSION These results reveal that knockout of VSMC-derived IFN-γ receptor potentiates neointimal hyperplasia by preventing VSMCs proliferation, migration and dedifferentiation. Our finding implies that targeting IFN-γ-STAT1-KLF4 signaling could provide a new therapeutic strategy to attenuate vessel restenosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu He
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Kun Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hongxia Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinwei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chaoyong He
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.
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Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) have long been associated with phenotypic modulation/plasticity or dedifferentiation. Innovative technologies in cell lineage tracing, single-cell RNA sequencing, and human genomics have been integrated to gain unprecedented insights into the molecular reprogramming of VSMCs to other cell phenotypes in experimental and clinical atherosclerosis. The current thinking is that an apparently small subset of contractile VSMCs undergoes a fate switch to transitional, multipotential cells that can adopt plaque-destabilizing (inflammation, ossification) or plaque-stabilizing (collagen matrix deposition) cell states. Several candidate mediators of such VSMC fate and state changes are coming to light with intriguing implications for understanding coronary artery disease risk and the development of new treatment modalities. Here, we briefly summarize some technical and conceptual advancements derived from 2 publications in Circulation and another in Nature Medicine that, collectively, illuminate new research directions to further explore the role of VSMCs in atherosclerotic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M Miano
- Department of Medicine and Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University (J.M.M.)
| | - Edward A Fisher
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine (E.A.F.)
| | - Mark W Majesky
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle Children's Research Institute (M.W.M.)
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Espinosa-Diez C, Mandi V, Du M, Liu M, Gomez D. Smooth muscle cells in atherosclerosis: clones but not carbon copies. JVS Vasc Sci 2021; 2:136-148. [PMID: 34617064 PMCID: PMC8489213 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvssci.2021.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Our knowledge of the contribution of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) to atherosclerosis has greatly advanced in the previous decade with the development of techniques allowing for the unambiguous identification and phenotypic characterization of SMC populations within the diseased vascular wall. By performing fate mapping or single-cell transcriptomics studies, or a combination of both, the field has made key observations: SMCs populate atherosclerotic lesions by the selective expansion and investment of a limited number of medial SMCs, which undergo profound and diverse modifications of their original phenotype and function. Thus, if SMCs residing within atherosclerotic lesions and contributing to the disease are clones, they are not carbon copies and can play atheroprotective or atheropromoting roles, depending on the nature of their phenotypic transitions. Tremendous progress has been made in identifying the transcriptional mechanisms biasing SMC fate. In the present review, we have summarized the recent advances in characterizing SMC investment and phenotypic diversity and the molecular mechanisms controlling SMC fate in atherosclerotic lesions. We have also discussed some of the remaining questions associated with these breakthrough observations. These questions include the underlying mechanisms regulating the phenomenon of SMC oligoclonal expansion; whether single-cell transcriptomics is reliable and sufficient to ascertain SMC functions and contributions during atherosclerosis development and progression; and how SMC clonality and phenotypic plasticity affects translational research and the therapeutic approaches developed to prevent atherosclerosis complications. Finally, we have discussed the complementary approaches the field should lean toward by combining single-cell phenotypic categorization and functional studies to understand further the complex SMC behavior and contribution in atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Espinosa-Diez
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, Blood, and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa
| | - Varun Mandi
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, Blood, and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa
| | - Mingyuan Du
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, Blood, and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa,Department of Vascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Mingjun Liu
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, Blood, and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa,Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa
| | - Delphine Gomez
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, Blood, and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa,Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa,Correspondence: Delphine Gomez, PhD, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop St, Biomedical Science Tower, Rm 1723, Pittsburgh, PA 15261
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50
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Wu JH, Zhang L, Nepliouev I, Brian L, Huang T, Snow KP, Schickling BM, Hauser ER, Miller FJ, Freedman NJ, Stiber JA. Drebrin attenuates atherosclerosis by limiting smooth muscle cell transdifferentiation. Cardiovasc Res 2021; 118:772-784. [PMID: 33914863 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvab156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS The F-actin-binding protein Drebrin inhibits smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration, proliferation and pro-inflammatory signaling. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that Drebrin constrains atherosclerosis. METHODS AND RESULTS SM22-Cre+/Dbnflox/flox/Ldlr-/- (SMC-Dbn-/-/Ldlr-/-) and control mice (SM22-Cre+/Ldlr-/-, Dbnflox/flox/Ldlr-/-, and Ldlr-/-) were fed a Western diet for 14-20 weeks. Brachiocephalic arteries of SMC-Dbn-/-/Ldlr-/- mice exhibited 1.5- or 1.8-fold greater cross-sectional lesion area than control mice at 14 or 20 wk, respectively. Aortic atherosclerotic lesion surface area was 1.2-fold greater in SMC-Dbn-/-/Ldlr-/- mice. SMC-Dbn-/-/Ldlr-/- lesions comprised necrotic cores that were two-fold greater in size than those of control mice. Consistent with their bigger necrotic core size, lesions in SMC-Dbn-/- arteries also showed more transdifferentiation of SMCs to macrophage-like cells: 1.5- to 2.5-fold greater, assessed with BODIPY or with CD68, respectively. In vitro data were concordant: Dbn-/- SMCs had 1.7-fold higher levels of KLF4 and transdifferentiated to macrophage-like cells more readily than Dbnflox/flox SMCs upon cholesterol loading, as evidenced by greater up-regulation of CD68 and galectin-3. Adenovirally mediated Drebrin rescue produced equivalent levels of macrophage-like transdifferentiation in Dbn-/- and Dbnflox/flox SMCs. During early atherogenesis, SMC-Dbn-/-/Ldlr-/- aortas demonstrated 1.6-fold higher levels of reactive oxygen species than control mouse aortas. The 1.8-fold higher levels of Nox1 in Dbn-/- SMCs was reduced to WT levels with KLF4 silencing. Inhibition of Nox1 chemically or with siRNA produced equivalent levels of macrophage-like transdifferentiation in Dbn-/- and Dbnflox/flox SMCs. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that SMC Drebrin limits atherosclerosis by constraining SMC Nox1 activity and SMC transdifferentiation to macrophage-like cells. TRANSLATIONAL PERSPECTIVE Drebrin is abundantly expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and is up-regulated in human atherosclerosis. A hallmark of atherosclerosis is the accumulation of foam cells that secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines and contribute to plaque instability. A large proportion of these foam cells in humans derive from SMCs. We found that SMC Drebrin limits atherosclerosis by reducing SMC transdifferentiation to macrophage-like foam cells in a manner dependent on Nox1 and KLF4. For this reason, strategies aimed at augmenting SMC Drebrin expression in atherosclerotic plaques may limit atherosclerosis progression and enhance plaque stability by bridling SMC-to-foam-cell transdifferentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao-Hui Wu
- Department of Medicine (Cardiology), Duke University Medical Center, 10 Duke Medicine Circle, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Lisheng Zhang
- Department of Medicine (Cardiology), Duke University Medical Center, 10 Duke Medicine Circle, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Igor Nepliouev
- Department of Medicine (Cardiology), Duke University Medical Center, 10 Duke Medicine Circle, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Leigh Brian
- Department of Medicine (Cardiology), Duke University Medical Center, 10 Duke Medicine Circle, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Taiqin Huang
- Department of Medicine (Cardiology), Duke University Medical Center, 10 Duke Medicine Circle, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Kamie P Snow
- Department of Medicine (Cardiology), Duke University Medical Center, 10 Duke Medicine Circle, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Brandon M Schickling
- Department of Medicine (Cardiology), Duke University Medical Center, 10 Duke Medicine Circle, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Elizabeth R Hauser
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Francis J Miller
- Department of Medicine, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Neil J Freedman
- Department of Medicine (Cardiology), Duke University Medical Center, 10 Duke Medicine Circle, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Jonathan A Stiber
- Department of Medicine (Cardiology), Duke University Medical Center, 10 Duke Medicine Circle, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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