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Zhu M, Deng X, Zhang N, Zhang P, Lai C, Cai S, Huang J, Chen X, Liu Y, Zeng W, Ke M. Dexamethasone induces trabecular meshwork cell myofibroblast transdifferentiation through ARHGEF26. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23848. [PMID: 39092889 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202400400rr] [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: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/21/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Glucocorticoid use may cause elevated intraocular pressure, leading to the development of glucocorticoid-induced glaucoma (GIG). However, the mechanism of GIG development remains incompletely understood. In this study, we subjected primary human trabecular meshwork cells (TMCs) and mice to dexamethasone treatment to mimic glucocorticoid exposure. The myofibroblast transdifferentiation of TMCs was observed in cellular and mouse models, as well as in human trabecular mesh specimens. This was demonstrated by the cytoskeletal reorganization, alterations in cell morphology, heightened transdifferentiation markers, increased extracellular matrix deposition, and cellular dysfunction. Knockdown of Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 26 (ARHGEF26) expression ameliorated dexamethasone-induced changes in cell morphology and upregulation of myofibroblast markers, reversed dysfunction and extracellular matrix deposition in TMCs, and prevented the development of dexamethasone-induced intraocular hypertension. And, this process may be related to the TGF-β pathway. In conclusion, glucocorticoids induced the myofibroblast transdifferentiation in TMCs, which played a crucial role in the pathogenesis of GIG. Inhibition of ARHGEF26 expression protected TMCs by reversing myofibroblast transdifferentiation. This study demonstrated the potential of reversing the myofibroblast transdifferentiation of TMCs as a new target for treating GIG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xizhi Deng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Pengyu Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Cheng Lai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuncheng Cai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jingqiu Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaomin Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wen Zeng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Min Ke
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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Dumitru CS, Raica M. A Splice Form of VEGF, a Potential Anti-Angiogenetic Form of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer Inhibition. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8855. [PMID: 39201541 PMCID: PMC11354464 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25168855] [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: 07/20/2024] [Revised: 08/10/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis, primarily mediated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), is a fundamental step in the progression and metastasis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Traditional anti-angiogenic therapies that target the VEGF pathway have shown promise but are often associated with significant side effects and variable efficacy due to the complexity of the angiogenic signaling pathway. This review highlights the potential of a specific VEGF splice form, VEGF165b, as an innovative therapeutic target for HNSCC. VEGF165b, unlike standard VEGF, is a natural inhibitor that binds to VEGF receptors without triggering pro-angiogenic signaling. Its distinct molecular structure and behavior suggest ways to modulate angiogenesis. This concept is particularly relevant when studying HNSCC, as introducing VEGF165b's anti-angiogenic properties offers a novel approach to understanding and potentially influencing the disease's dynamics. The review synthesizes experimental evidence suggesting the efficacy of VEGF165b in inhibiting tumor-induced angiogenesis and provides insight into a novel therapeutic strategy that could better manage HNSCC by selectively targeting aberrant vascular growth. This approach not only provides a potential pathway for more targeted and effective treatment options but also opens the door to a new paradigm in anti-angiogenic therapy with the possibility of reduced systemic toxicity. Our investigation is reshaping the future of HNSCC treatment by setting the stage for future research on VEGF splice variants as a tool for personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Stefania Dumitru
- Department of Microscopic Morphology/Histology, Angiogenesis Research Center, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania;
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Schäfer S, Gogiraju R, Rösch M, Kerstan Y, Beck L, Garbisch J, Saliba AE, Gisterå A, Hermanns HM, Boon L, Kastenmüller W, Schäfer K, Cochain C, Zernecke A. CD8 + T Cells Drive Plaque Smooth Muscle Cell Dedifferentiation in Experimental Atherosclerosis. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2024; 44:1852-1872. [PMID: 38868941 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.320084] [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: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atherosclerosis is driven by the infiltration of the arterial intima by diverse immune cells and smooth muscle cells (SMCs). CD8+ T cells promote lesion growth during atherosclerotic lesion development, but their role in advanced atherosclerosis is less clear. Here, we studied the role of CD8+ T cells and their effects on SMCs in established atherosclerosis. METHODS CD8+ T cells were depleted in (SMC reporter) low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient (Ldlr-/-) mice with established atherosclerotic lesions. Atherosclerotic lesion formation was examined, and single-cell RNA sequencing of aortic SMCs and their progeny was performed. Additionally, coculture experiments with primary aortic SMCs and CD8+ T cells were conducted. RESULTS Although we could not detect differences in atherosclerotic lesion size, an increased plaque SMC content was noted in mice after CD8+ T-cell depletion. Single-cell RNA sequencing of aortic lineage-traced SMCs revealed contractile SMCs and a modulated SMC cluster, expressing macrophage- and osteoblast-related genes. CD8+ T-cell depletion was associated with an increased contractile but decreased macrophage and osteoblast-like gene signature in this modulated aortic SMC cluster. Conversely, exposure of isolated aortic SMCs to activated CD8+ T cells decreased the expression of genes indicative of a contractile SMC phenotype and induced a macrophage and osteoblast-like cell state. Notably, CD8+ T cells triggered calcium deposits in SMCs under osteogenic conditions. Mechanistically, we identified transcription factors highly expressed in modulated SMCs, including Runx1, to be induced by CD8+ T cells in cultured SMCs in an IFNγ (interferon-γ)-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS We here uncovered CD8+ T cells to control the SMC phenotype in atherosclerosis. CD8+ T cells promote SMC dedifferentiation and drive SMCs to adopt features of macrophage-like and osteoblast-like, procalcifying cell phenotypes. Given the critical role of SMCs in atherosclerotic plaque stability, CD8+ T cells could thus be explored as therapeutic target cells during lesion progression.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/pathology
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/immunology
- Cell Dedifferentiation
- Plaque, Atherosclerotic
- Mice
- Disease Models, Animal
- Atherosclerosis/pathology
- Atherosclerosis/metabolism
- Atherosclerosis/genetics
- Atherosclerosis/immunology
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/pathology
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/immunology
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Cells, Cultured
- Male
- Receptors, LDL/genetics
- Receptors, LDL/deficiency
- Phenotype
- Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit/genetics
- Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit/metabolism
- Aorta/pathology
- Aorta/immunology
- Aorta/metabolism
- Coculture Techniques
- Aortic Diseases/pathology
- Aortic Diseases/genetics
- Aortic Diseases/immunology
- Aortic Diseases/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Schäfer
- Institute of Experimental Biomedicine (S.S., M.R., Y.K., L. Beck, J.G., C.C., A.Z.), University Hospital of Würzburg, Germany
| | - Rajinikanth Gogiraju
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiology I, University Medicine Mainz, Germany (R.G., K.S.)
| | - Melanie Rösch
- Institute of Experimental Biomedicine (S.S., M.R., Y.K., L. Beck, J.G., C.C., A.Z.), University Hospital of Würzburg, Germany
| | - Yvonne Kerstan
- Institute of Experimental Biomedicine (S.S., M.R., Y.K., L. Beck, J.G., C.C., A.Z.), University Hospital of Würzburg, Germany
| | - Lina Beck
- Institute of Experimental Biomedicine (S.S., M.R., Y.K., L. Beck, J.G., C.C., A.Z.), University Hospital of Würzburg, Germany
| | - Janine Garbisch
- Institute of Experimental Biomedicine (S.S., M.R., Y.K., L. Beck, J.G., C.C., A.Z.), University Hospital of Würzburg, Germany
| | - Antoine-Emmanuel Saliba
- Institute of Molecular Infection Biology Faculty of Medicine, University of Würzburg, Germany (A.-E.S.)
| | - Anton Gisterå
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska University Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden (A.G.)
| | - Heike M Hermanns
- Medical Clinic II, Division of Hepatology (H.M.H.), University Hospital of Würzburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Katrin Schäfer
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiology I, University Medicine Mainz, Germany (R.G., K.S.)
| | - Clément Cochain
- Institute of Experimental Biomedicine (S.S., M.R., Y.K., L. Beck, J.G., C.C., A.Z.), University Hospital of Würzburg, Germany
| | - Alma Zernecke
- Institute of Experimental Biomedicine (S.S., M.R., Y.K., L. Beck, J.G., C.C., A.Z.), University Hospital of Würzburg, Germany
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Pepin ME, Gupta RM. The Role of Endothelial Cells in Atherosclerosis: Insights from Genetic Association Studies. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2024; 194:499-509. [PMID: 37827214 PMCID: PMC10988759 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2023.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Endothelial cells (ECs) mediate several biological functions that are relevant to atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD), regulating an array of vital processes including vascular tone, wound healing, reactive oxygen species, shear stress response, and inflammation. Although which of these functions is linked causally with CAD development and/or progression is not yet known, genome-wide association studies have implicated more than 400 loci associated with CAD risk, among which several have shown EC-relevant functions. Given the arduous process of mechanistically interrogating single loci to CAD, high-throughput variant characterization methods, including pooled Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats screens, offer exciting potential to rapidly accelerate the discovery of bona fide EC-relevant genetic loci. These discoveries in turn will broaden the therapeutic avenues for CAD beyond lipid lowering and behavioral risk modification to include EC-centric modalities of risk prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark E Pepin
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, The Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Divisions of Genetics and Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Rajat M Gupta
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, The Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Divisions of Genetics and Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
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Vion AC, Loirand G. ARHGEF26: a new player in VEGFR2 trafficking. Cardiovasc Res 2022; 118:2735-2736. [DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvac149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Anne Clémence Vion
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, CNRS, INSERM, l’institut du thorax , F-44000 Nantes , France
| | - Gervaise Loirand
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, CNRS, INSERM, l’institut du thorax , F-44000 Nantes , France
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