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Svensson JE, Bolin M, Thor D, Williams PA, Brautaset R, Carlsson M, Sörensson P, Marlevi D, Spin-Neto R, Probst M, Hagman G, Morén AF, Kivipelto M, Plavén-Sigray P. Evaluating the effect of rapamycin treatment in Alzheimer's disease and aging using in vivo imaging: the ERAP phase IIa clinical study protocol. BMC Neurol 2024; 24:111. [PMID: 38575854 PMCID: PMC10993488 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-024-03596-1] [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: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rapamycin is an inhibitor of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) protein kinase, and preclinical data demonstrate that it is a promising candidate for a general gero- and neuroprotective treatment in humans. Results from mouse models of Alzheimer's disease have shown beneficial effects of rapamycin, including preventing or reversing cognitive deficits, reducing amyloid oligomers and tauopathies and normalizing synaptic plasticity and cerebral glucose uptake. The "Evaluating Rapamycin Treatment in Alzheimer's Disease using Positron Emission Tomography" (ERAP) trial aims to test if these results translate to humans through evaluating the change in cerebral glucose uptake following six months of rapamycin treatment in participants with early-stage Alzheimer's disease. METHODS ERAP is a six-month-long, single-arm, open-label, phase IIa biomarker-driven study evaluating if the drug rapamycin can be repurposed to treat Alzheimer's disease. Fifteen patients will be included and treated with a weekly dose of 7 mg rapamycin for six months. The primary endpoint will be change in cerebral glucose uptake, measured using [18F]FDG positron emission tomography. Secondary endpoints include changes in cognitive measures, markers in cerebrospinal fluid as well as cerebral blood flow measured using magnetic resonance imaging. As exploratory outcomes, the study will assess change in multiple age-related pathological processes, such as periodontal inflammation, retinal degeneration, bone mineral density loss, atherosclerosis and decreased cardiac function. DISCUSSION The ERAP study is a clinical trial using in vivo imaging biomarkers to assess the repurposing of rapamycin for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. If successful, the study would provide a strong rationale for large-scale evaluation of mTOR-inhibitors as a potential disease-modifying treatment in Alzheimer's disease. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT06022068, date of registration 2023-08-30.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas E Svensson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Centre for Psychiatry Research, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
- Theme Inflammation and Aging, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Martin Bolin
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Centre for Psychiatry Research, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Daniel Thor
- Department of Medical Radiation Physics and Nuclear Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Pete A Williams
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Eye and Vision, St. Erik Eye Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rune Brautaset
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Eye and Vision, St. Erik Eye Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marcus Carlsson
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Peder Sörensson
- Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - David Marlevi
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Rubens Spin-Neto
- Department of Dentistry and Oral Health, Section for Oral Radiology, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Monika Probst
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Klinikum Rechts Der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Göran Hagman
- Theme Inflammation and Aging, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences, and Society, Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anton Forsberg Morén
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Centre for Psychiatry Research, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Miia Kivipelto
- Theme Inflammation and Aging, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences, and Society, Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Ageing Epidemiology Research Unit (AGE), School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Pontus Plavén-Sigray
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Centre for Psychiatry Research, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Zou GP, Wang T, Xiao JX, Wang XY, Jiang LP, Tou FF, Chen ZP, Qu XH, Han XJ. Lactate protects against oxidative stress-induced retinal degeneration by activating autophagy. Free Radic Biol Med 2023; 194:209-219. [PMID: 36493984 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2022.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration is a common cause of blindless among the aged, which can mainly be attributed to oxidative stress and dysregulated autophagy in retinal pigment epithelium cells. Lactate was reported to act as a signaling molecule and exerted beneficial effect against oxidative stress. This study aims to investigate the protective effect of lactate against oxidative stress-induced retinal degeneration. Here, H2O2-induced oxidative stress cell model and sodium iodate-induced mice retinal degeneration model were established. It was found that H2O2 inhibited cell viability in ARPE-19 cells and sodium iodate induced deterioration of retinal pigment epithelium as well as apoptosis in retina. Pretreatment with lactate alleviated oxidative stress-induced cell death and retinal degeneration. Molecularly, lactate activated autophagy by up-regulating the ratio of LC3II/I, increased formation of LC3 puncta and autophagic vacuole. Further, lactate prevented H2O2-induced mitochondrial fission and maintained mitochondrial function by alleviating H2O2-induced mitochondrial membrane potential disruption and intracellular ROS generation. In contrast, application of 3-methyladenine, an inhibitor of autophagy, effectively weakened the protective effect of lactate against oxidative stress in vivo and in vitro. Taken together, all data in this study indicate that lactate protects against oxidative stress-induced retinal degeneration and preserves mitochondrial function by activating autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang-Ping Zou
- Institute of Geriatrics, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital & The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, PR China; Research Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, PR China
| | - Tao Wang
- Institute of Geriatrics, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital & The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, PR China
| | - Jin-Xing Xiao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, PR China
| | - Xiao-Yu Wang
- Institute of Geriatrics, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital & The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, PR China
| | - Li-Ping Jiang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, PR China
| | - Fang-Fang Tou
- Institute of Geriatrics, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital & The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, PR China
| | - Zhi-Ping Chen
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital & The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, PR China
| | - Xin-Hui Qu
- Institute of Geriatrics, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital & The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, PR China; The Second Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital & The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, PR China.
| | - Xiao-Jian Han
- Institute of Geriatrics, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital & The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, PR China; Research Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, PR China; The Second Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital & The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, PR China.
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Xu H, Yu M, Yu Y, Li Y, Yang F, Liu Y, Han L, Xu Z, Wang G. KLF4 prevented angiotensin II-induced smooth muscle cell senescence by enhancing autophagic activity. Eur J Clin Invest 2022; 52:e13804. [PMID: 35506324 DOI: 10.1111/eci.13804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vascular aging is an important risk factor for various cardiovascular diseases. Transcription factor krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) could regulate the phenotypic transformation of the vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) in the pathogenesis of aortic diseases. The present study aimed to explore the role and mechanism of KLF4 in angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced VSMC senescence. METHODS The VSMC senescence mouse model was induced by sustained release of Ang II (1.0 μg/kg/min) for 4 weeks. The premature senescent VSMCs were induced by Ang II (0.1 μmol/L) for 72 h. Cellular senescence was measured by senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) activity and p53/p16 expression. The autophagic activity was evaluated by autophagic flux and autophagic marker expression. RESULTS The expression of KLF4 was extremely increased in abdominal aorta tissues after 1-week Ang II stimulation (p < .01) but began to decrease in later periods. Decreased expression of KLF4 was also detected in premature senescent VSMCs. Overexpression of KLF4 could enhance the antisenescence ability of VSMCs. Significantly decreased amounts of SA-β-gal-positive cells and lower p53/p16 expression were detected in KLF4-overexpressing VSMCs (p < .01). Next, telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) was identified as a direct downstream target of KLF4 in VSMCs. Overexpression of KLF4 in VSMCs prevented the decreased expression of TERT under Ang II stimulation condition, which could in turn, contribute to the enhanced autophagic activity, and ultimately to the improved antisenescence ability of VSMCs. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrated that overexpression of KLF4 prevented Ang II-induced VSMC senescence by promoting TERT-mediated autophagy. These findings provided novel potential targets for the prevention and therapy of vascular aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjie Xu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Institute of Cardiac Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Manli Yu
- Department of Cardiology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongchao Yu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Institute of Cardiac Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Institute of Cardiac Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Institute of Cardiac Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Institute of Cardiac Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Critical Care Medicine, Naval Medical Center of PLA, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin Han
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Institute of Cardiac Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiyun Xu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Institute of Cardiac Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guokun Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Institute of Cardiac Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
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De Munck DG, Leloup AJA, De Moudt S, De Meyer GRY, Martinet W, Fransen P. Mouse aortic biomechanics are affected by short-term defective autophagy in vascular smooth muscle cells. J Physiol Sci 2022; 72:7. [PMID: 35277137 PMCID: PMC10717727 DOI: 10.1186/s12576-022-00829-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The physiology of vascular smooth muscle (VSMC) cells is affected by autophagy, a catabolic cellular mechanism responsible for nutrient recycling. Autophagy-inducing compounds may reverse arterial stiffening, whereas congenital VSMC-specific autophagy deficiency promotes arterial stiffening. The elevated aortic stiffness in 3.5-month-old C57Bl/6 mice, in which the essential autophagy-related gene Atg7 was specifically deleted in the VSMCs (Atg7F/F SM22α-Cre+ mice) was mainly due to passive aortic wall remodeling. The present study investigated whether aortic stiffness was also modulated by a shorter duration of autophagy deficiency. Therefore, aortic segments of 2-month-old Atg7F/F SM22α-Cre+ mice were studied. Similarly to the older mice, autophagy deficiency in VSMCs promoted aortic stiffening by elastin degradation and elastin breaks, and increased the expression of the calcium binding protein S100A4 (+ 157%), the aortic wall thickness (+ 27%), the sensitivity of the VSMCs to depolarization and the contribution of VGCC mediated Ca2+ influx to α1 adrenergic contractions. Hence, all these phenomena occurred before the age of 2 months. When compared to autophagy deficiency in VSMCs at 3.5 months, shorter term autophagy deficiency led to higher segment diameter at 80 mmHg (+ 7% versus - 2%), normal baseline tonus (versus increased), unchanged IP3-mediated phasic contractions (versus enhanced), and enhanced endothelial cell function (versus normal). Overall, and because in vivo cardiac parameters or aortic pulse wave velocity were not affected, these observations indicate that congenital autophagy deficiency in VSMCs of Atg7F/F SM22α-Cre+ mice initiates compensatory mechanisms to maintain circulatory homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorien G De Munck
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Arthur J A Leloup
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sofie De Moudt
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Guido R Y De Meyer
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Wim Martinet
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Paul Fransen
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium.
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Riches-Suman K, Hussain A. Identifying and targeting the molecular signature of smooth muscle cells undergoing early vascular ageing. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2022; 1868:166403. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2022.166403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Kempuraj D, Mohan RR. Autophagy in Extracellular Matrix and Wound Healing Modulation in the Cornea. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020339. [PMID: 35203548 PMCID: PMC8961790 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a robust cellular mechanism for disposing of harmful molecules or recycling them to cells, which also regulates physiopathological processes in cornea. Dysregulated autophagy causes inefficient clearance of unwanted proteins and cellular debris, mitochondrial disorganization, defective inflammation, organ dysfunctions, cell death, and diseases. The cornea accounts for two-thirds of the refraction of light that occurs in the eyes, but is prone to trauma/injury and infection. The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a noncellular dynamic macromolecular network in corneal tissues comprised of collagens, proteoglycans, elastin, fibronectin, laminins, hyaluronan, and glycoproteins. The ECM undergoes remodeling by matrix-degrading enzymes and maintains corneal transparency. Autophagy plays an important role in the ECM and wound healing maintenance. Delayed/dysregulated autophagy impacts the ECM and wound healing, and can lead to corneal dysfunction. Stromal wound healing involves responses from the corneal epithelium, basement membrane, keratocytes, the ECM, and many cytokines and chemokines, including transforming growth factor beta-1 and platelet-derived growth factor. Mild corneal injuries self-repair, but greater injuries lead to corneal haze/scars/fibrosis and vision loss due to disruptions in the ECM, autophagy, and normal wound healing processes. Presently, the precise role of autophagy and ECM remodeling in corneal wound healing is elusive. This review discusses recent trends in autophagy and ECM modulation in the context of corneal wound healing and homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duraisamy Kempuraj
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, MO 65212, USA;
- One-Health Vision Research Program, Departments of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
| | - Rajiv R. Mohan
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, MO 65212, USA;
- One-Health Vision Research Program, Departments of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
- Mason Eye Institute, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
- Correspondence:
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Tai S, Sun J, Zhou Y, Zhu Z, He Y, Chen M, Yang H, Xiao Y, Tu T, Tang L, Li X, Zeng J, Zheng X, Zhou S. Metformin suppresses vascular smooth muscle cell senescence by promoting autophagic flux. J Adv Res 2021; 41:205-218. [PMID: 36328749 PMCID: PMC9637479 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2021.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Metformin treatment improved functional and structural changes occur in aging arteries. Metformin treatment prevented a senescence-associated secretory phenotype and improved the proliferation and migration of senescent VSMCs. Reduced autophagic flux during cellular and vascular senescence was reversed by metformin. Metformin enhances autophagy flux at the level of autophagosome-lysosome fusion via upregulating LAMP1.
Introduction Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) senescence in the vasculature results in vascular aging as well as age-related diseases, while metformin improves the inflamm-aging profile by enhancing autophagy. However, metformin’s impact on VSMC senescence is largely undefined. Objectives To test the hypothesis that metformin exerts an anti-senescence role by restoring autophagic activity in VSMCs and vascular tissues. Methods Animal models established by angiotensin II (Ang II) induction and physiological aging and senescent primary VSMCs from the aortas of elderly patients were treated with metformin. Cellular and vascular senescence were assessed by measuring the amounts of senescence-associated β-galactosidase and senescence markers, including p21 and p53. Autophagy levels were assessed by autophagy-related protein expression, transmission electron microscope, and autolysosome staining. In order to explore the underlying mechanism of the anti-senescence effects of metformin, 4D label-free quantitative proteomics and bioinformatic analyses were conducted, with subsequent experiments validating these findings. Results Ang II-dependent senescence was suppressed by metformin in VSMCs and vascular tissues. Metformin also significantly improved arterial stiffness and alleviated structural changes in aged arteries, reduced senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), and improved proliferation and migration of senescent VSMCs. Mechanistically, the proteomic analysis indicated that autophagy might contribute to metformin’s anti-senescence effects. Reduced autophagic flux was observed in Ang II-induced cellular and vascular senescence; this reduction was reversed by metformin. Specifically, metformin enhanced the autophagic flux at the autophagosome-lysosome fusion level, whereas blockade of autophagosome-lysosome fusion inhibited the anti-senescence effects of metformin. Conclusions Metformin prevents VSMC and vascular senescence by promoting autolysosome formation.
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Autophagy-Related Genes in Atherosclerosis. JOURNAL OF HEALTHCARE ENGINEERING 2021; 2021:6402206. [PMID: 34306596 PMCID: PMC8270709 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6402206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Background Atherosclerosis (AS) is a common chronic vascular inflammatory disease and one of the main causes of cardiovascular/cerebrovascular diseases (CVDs). Autophagy-related genes (ARGs) play a crucial part in pathophysiological processes of AS. However, the expression profile of ARGs has rarely been adopted to explore the relationship between autophagy and AS. Therefore, using the expression profile of ARGs to explore the relationship between autophagy and AS may provide new insights for the treatment of CVDs. Methods The differentially expressed ARGs of the GSE57691 dataset were obtained from the Human Autophagy Database (HADb) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and the GSE57691 dataset contains 9 aortic atheroma tissues and 10 normal aortic tissues. The differentially expressed ARGs of the GSE57691 dataset were analyzed by protein-protein interaction (PPI), gene ontology analysis (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis (KEGG) and were chosen to explore related miRNAs/transcriptional factors. Results The GSE57691 dataset had a total of 41 differentially expressed ARGs. The GO analysis results revealed that ARGs were mainly enriched in autophagy, autophagosome, and protein serine/threonine kinase activity. KEGG analysis results showed that ARGs were mainly enriched in autophagy-animal and longevity regulating signaling pathways. Expressions of ATG5, MAP1LC3B, MAPK3, MAPK8, and RB1CC1 were regarded as focus in the PPI regulatory networks. Furthermore, 11 related miRNAs and 6 related transcription factors were obtained by miRNAs/transcription factor target network analysis. Conclusions Autophagy and ARGs may play a vital role in regulating the pathophysiology of AS.
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Hendrickx JO, Martinet W, Van Dam D, De Meyer GRY. Inflammation, Nitro-Oxidative Stress, Impaired Autophagy, and Insulin Resistance as a Mechanistic Convergence Between Arterial Stiffness and Alzheimer's Disease. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:651215. [PMID: 33855048 PMCID: PMC8039307 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.651215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The average age of the world's elderly population is steadily increasing. This unprecedented rise in the aged world population will increase the prevalence of age-related disorders such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) and neurodegeneration. In recent years, there has been an increased interest in the potential interplay between CVDs and neurodegenerative syndromes, as several vascular risk factors have been associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Along these lines, arterial stiffness is an independent risk factor for both CVD and AD. In this review, we discuss several inflammaging-related disease mechanisms including acute tissue-specific inflammation, nitro-oxidative stress, impaired autophagy, and insulin resistance which may contribute to the proposed synergism between arterial stiffness and AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jhana O. Hendrickx
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Wim Martinet
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Debby Van Dam
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Behavior, Institute Born-Bunge, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Neurology and Alzheimer Research Center, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Guido R. Y. De Meyer
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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Neutel CHG, Hendrickx JO, Martinet W, De Meyer GRY, Guns PJ. The Protective Effects of the Autophagic and Lysosomal Machinery in Vascular and Valvular Calcification: A Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21238933. [PMID: 33255685 PMCID: PMC7728070 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21238933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autophagy is a highly conserved catabolic homeostatic process, crucial for cell survival. It has been shown that autophagy can modulate different cardiovascular pathologies, including vascular calcification (VCN). OBJECTIVE To assess how modulation of autophagy, either through induction or inhibition, affects vascular and valvular calcification and to determine the therapeutic applicability of inducing autophagy. DATA SOURCES A systematic review of English language articles using MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science (WoS) and the Cochrane library. The search terms included autophagy, autolysosome, mitophagy, endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-phagy, lysosomal, calcification and calcinosis. Study characteristics: Thirty-seven articles were selected based on pre-defined eligibility criteria. Thirty-three studies (89%) studied vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) calcification of which 27 (82%) studies investigated autophagy and six (18%) studies lysosomal function in VCN. Four studies (11%) studied aortic valve calcification (AVCN). Thirty-four studies were published in the time period 2015-2020 (92%). CONCLUSION There is compelling evidence that both autophagy and lysosomal function are critical regulators of VCN, which opens new perspectives for treatment strategies. However, there are still challenges to overcome, such as the development of more selective pharmacological agents and standardization of methods to measure autophagic flux.
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Liu X, Wu Y, Zhou D, Xie Y, Zhou Y, Lu Y, Yang R, Liu S. N‑linoleyltyrosine protects PC12 cells against oxidative damage via autophagy: Possible involvement of CB1 receptor regulation. Int J Mol Med 2020; 46:1827-1837. [PMID: 33000188 PMCID: PMC7521587 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2020.4706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress is one of the main pathogenic factors of neurodegenerative diseases. As the ligand of cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) and 2 (CB2) receptors, anandamide (AEA) exerts benign antioxidant activities. However, the instability of AEA results in low levels in vivo, which limit its further application. Based on the structure of AEA, N‑linoleyltyrosine (NITyr) was synthesized in our laboratory and was hypothesized to possess a similar function to that of AEA. To the best of our knowledge, the present study demonstrates for the first time, the activities and mechanisms of NITyr. NITyr treatment attenuated hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)‑induced cytotoxicity, with the most promiment effect observed at 1 µmol/l. Treatment with NITyr also suppressed the H2O2‑induced elevation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and enhanced the expression of the autophagy‑related proteins, LC3‑II, beclin‑1, ATG 5 and ATG13. The autophagic inhibitor, 3‑methyladenine, reversed the effects of NITyr on ROS levels and cellular viability. Furthermore, AM251, a CB1 receptor antagonist, but not AM630 (a CB2 receptor antagonist), diminished the effects of NITyr on cell viability, ROS generation and autophagy‑related protein expression. However, NITyr increased the protein expression of both the CB1 and CB2 receptors. Therefore, NITyr was concluded to protect PC12 cells against H2O2‑induced oxidative injury by inducing autophagy, a process which may involve the CB1 receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuechen Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Development and Regeneration Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, P.R. China
| | - Yiying Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, Development and Regeneration Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, P.R. China
| | - Dan Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, Development and Regeneration Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, P.R. China
| | - Yuting Xie
- Department of Pharmacy, Development and Regeneration Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, P.R. China
| | - Yi Zhou
- Research and Development Center, Chengdu Rongsheng Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., Chengdu, Sichuan 610200, P.R. China
| | - Yu Lu
- Department of Pharmacy, Development and Regeneration Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, P.R. China
| | - Rui Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, P.R. China
| | - Sha Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Development and Regeneration Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, P.R. China
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De Munck DG, De Moudt S, Roth L, De Meyer GRY, Martinet W, Fransen P. Defective Autophagy in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Alters Vascular Reactivity of the Mouse Femoral Artery. Front Physiol 2020; 11:548943. [PMID: 33071811 PMCID: PMC7538838 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.548943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is an important cellular survival process that enables degradation and recycling of defective organelles and proteins to maintain cellular homeostasis. Hence, defective autophagy plays a role in many age-associated diseases, such as atherosclerosis, arterial stiffening and hypertension. Recently, we showed in mice that autophagy in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of large elastic arteries such as the aorta is important for Ca2+ mobilization and vascular reactivity. Whether autophagy plays a role in the smaller muscular arteries, such as the femoral artery, and thereby contributes to for example, blood pressure regulation is currently unknown. Therefore, we determined vascular reactivity of femoral artery segments of mice containing a VSMC specific deletion of the essential autophagy gene Atg7 (Atg7F/F SM22α-Cre+) and compared them to femoral artery segments of corresponding control mice (Atg7+/+ SM22α-Cre+). Our results indicate that similar to the aorta, femoral artery segments showed enhanced contractility. Specifically, femoral artery segments of Atg7F/F SM22α-Cre+ mice showed an increase in phasic phenylephrine (PE) induced contractions, together with an enhanced sensitivity to depolarization induced contractions. In addition, and importantly, VSMC sensitivity to exogenous nitric oxide (NO) was significantly increased in femoral artery segments of Atg7F/F SM22α-Cre+ mice. Notwithstanding the fact that small artery contractility is a significant pathophysiological determinant for the development of hypertension, 7 days of treatment with angiotensin II (AngII), which increased systolic blood pressure in control mice, was ineffective in Atg7F/F SM22α-Cre+ mice. It is likely that this was due to the increased sensitivity of VSMCs to NO in the femoral artery, although changes in the heart upon AngII treatment were also present, which could also be (partially) accountable for the lack of an AngII-induced rise in blood pressure in Atg7F/F SM22α-Cre+ mice. Overall, our study indicates that apart from previously shown effects on large elastic arteries, VSMC autophagy also plays a pivotal role in the regulation of the contractile and relaxing properties of the smaller muscular arteries. This may suggest a role for autophagy in vascular pathologies, such as hypertension and arterial stiffness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorien G De Munck
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sofie De Moudt
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Lynn Roth
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Guido R Y De Meyer
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Wim Martinet
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Paul Fransen
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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De Munck DG, Leloup AJA, De Meyer GRY, Martinet W, Fransen P. Defective autophagy in vascular smooth muscle cells increases passive stiffness of the mouse aortic vessel wall. Pflugers Arch 2020; 472:1031-1040. [PMID: 32488322 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-020-02408-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Aging and associated progressive arterial stiffening are both important predictors for the development of cardiovascular diseases. Recent evidence showed that autophagy, a catabolic cellular mechanism responsible for nutrient recycling, plays a major role in the physiology of vascular cells such as endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Moreover, several autophagy inducing compounds are effective in treating arterial stiffness. Yet, a direct link between VSMC autophagy and arterial stiffness remains largely unidentified. Therefore, we investigated the effects of a VSMC-specific deletion of the essential autophagy-related gene Atg7 in young mice (3.5 months) (Atg7F/F SM22α-Cre+ mice) on the biomechanical properties of the aorta, using an in-house developed Rodent Oscillatory Tension Set-up to study Arterial Compliance (ROTSAC). Aortic segments of Atg7F/F SM22α-Cre+ mice displayed attenuated compliance and higher arterial stiffness, which was more evident at higher distention pressures. Passive aortic wall remodeling, rather than differences in VSMC tone, is responsible for these phenomena, since differences in compliance and stiffness between Atg7+/+ SM22α-Cre+ and Atg7F/F SM22α-Cre+ aortas were more pronounced when VSMCs were completely relaxed by the addition of exogenous nitric oxide. These observations are supported by histological data showing a 13% increase in medial wall thickness and a 14% decrease in elastin along with elevated elastin fragmentation. In addition, expression of the calcium-binding protein S100A4, which is linked to matrix remodeling, was elevated in aortic segments of Atg7F/F SM22α-Cre+ mice. Overall, these findings illustrate that autophagy exerts a crucial role in defining arterial wall compliance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorien G De Munck
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Arthur J A Leloup
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Guido R Y De Meyer
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Wim Martinet
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Paul Fransen
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium.
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