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McQueen P, Molina D, Pinos I, Krug S, Taylor AJ, LaFrano MR, Kane MA, Amengual J. Finasteride delays atherosclerosis progression in mice and is associated with a reduction in plasma cholesterol in men. J Lipid Res 2024; 65:100507. [PMID: 38272355 PMCID: PMC10899056 DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2024.100507] [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: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Finasteride is commonly prescribed to treat benign prostate hyperplasia and male-pattern baldness in cis men and, more recently, trans individuals. However, the effect of finasteride on cardiovascular disease remains elusive. We evaluated the role of finasteride on atherosclerosis using low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-deficient (Ldlr-/-) mice. Next, we examined the relevance to humans by analyzing the data deposited between 2009 and 2016 in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We show that finasteride reduces total plasma cholesterol and delays the development of atherosclerosis in Ldlr-/- mice. Finasteride reduced monocytosis, monocyte recruitment to the lesion, macrophage lesion content, and necrotic core area, the latter of which is an indicator of plaque vulnerability in humans. RNA sequencing analysis revealed a downregulation of inflammatory pathways and an upregulation of bile acid metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, and cholesterol pathways in the liver of mice taking finasteride. Men reporting the use of finasteride showed lower plasma levels of cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol than those not taking the drug. Our data unveil finasteride as a potential treatment to delay cardiovascular disease in people by improving the plasma lipid profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick McQueen
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Donald Molina
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Ivan Pinos
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Samuel Krug
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Anna J Taylor
- Carver Metabolomics Core, Roy J. Carver Biotechnology Center, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Michael R LaFrano
- Carver Metabolomics Core, Roy J. Carver Biotechnology Center, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Maureen A Kane
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jaume Amengual
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
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Pinos I, Coronel J, Albakri A, Blanco A, McQueen P, Molina D, Sim J, Fisher EA, Amengual J. β-Carotene accelerates the resolution of atherosclerosis in mice. eLife 2024; 12:RP87430. [PMID: 38319073 PMCID: PMC10945528 DOI: 10.7554/elife.87430] [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] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
β-Carotene oxygenase 1 (BCO1) catalyzes the cleavage of β-carotene to form vitamin A. Besides its role in vision, vitamin A regulates the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism and immune cell differentiation. BCO1 activity is associated with the reduction of plasma cholesterol in humans and mice, while dietary β-carotene reduces hepatic lipid secretion and delays atherosclerosis progression in various experimental models. Here we show that β-carotene also accelerates atherosclerosis resolution in two independent murine models, independently of changes in body weight gain or plasma lipid profile. Experiments in Bco1-/- mice implicate vitamin A production in the effects of β-carotene on atherosclerosis resolution. To explore the direct implication of dietary β-carotene on regulatory T cells (Tregs) differentiation, we utilized anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody infusions. Our data show that β-carotene favors Treg expansion in the plaque, and that the partial inhibition of Tregs mitigates the effect of β-carotene on atherosclerosis resolution. Our data highlight the potential of β-carotene and BCO1 activity in the resolution of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Pinos
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana ChampaignUrbanaUnited States
| | - Johana Coronel
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois Urbana ChampaignUrbanaUnited States
| | - Asma'a Albakri
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana ChampaignUrbanaUnited States
| | - Amparo Blanco
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana ChampaignUrbanaUnited States
| | - Patrick McQueen
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana ChampaignUrbanaUnited States
| | - Donald Molina
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois Urbana ChampaignUrbanaUnited States
| | - JaeYoung Sim
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois Urbana ChampaignUrbanaUnited States
| | - Edward A Fisher
- The Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, The Marc and Ruti Bell Program in Vascular Biology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Medical CenterNew YorkUnited States
| | - Jaume Amengual
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana ChampaignUrbanaUnited States
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois Urbana ChampaignUrbanaUnited States
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Pinos I, Coronel J, Albakri A, Blanco A, McQueen P, Molina D, Sim J, Fisher EA, Amengual J. β-carotene accelerates the resolution of atherosclerosis in mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.03.07.531563. [PMID: 36945561 PMCID: PMC10028884 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.07.531563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
β-carotene oxygenase 1 (BCO1) catalyzes the cleavage of β-carotene to form vitamin A. Besides its role in vision, vitamin A regulates the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism and immune cell differentiation. BCO1 activity is associated with the reduction of plasma cholesterol in humans and mice, while dietary β-carotene reduces hepatic lipid secretion and delays atherosclerosis progression in various experimental models. Here we show that β-carotene also accelerates atherosclerosis resolution in two independent murine models, independently of changes in body weight gain or plasma lipid profile. Experiments in Bco1-/- mice implicate vitamin A production in the effects of β-carotene on atherosclerosis resolution. To explore the direct implication of dietary β-carotene on regulatory T cells (Tregs) differentiation, we utilized anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody infusions. Our data show that β-carotene favors Treg expansion in the plaque, and that the partial inhibition of Tregs mitigates the effect of β-carotene on atherosclerosis resolution. Our data highlight the potential of β-carotene and BCO1 activity in the resolution of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Pinos
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL
| | - Johana Coronel
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL
| | - Asma'a Albakri
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL
| | - Amparo Blanco
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL
| | - Patrick McQueen
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL
| | - Donald Molina
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL
| | - JaeYoung Sim
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL
| | - Edward A Fisher
- The Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, The Marc and Ruti Bell Program in Vascular Biology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Medical Center, NY
| | - Jaume Amengual
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL
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Galindo CL, Khan S, Zhang X, Yeh YS, Liu Z, Razani B. Lipid-laden foam cells in the pathology of atherosclerosis: shedding light on new therapeutic targets. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2023; 27:1231-1245. [PMID: 38009300 PMCID: PMC10843715 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2023.2288272] [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: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Lipid-laden foam cells within atherosclerotic plaques are key players in all phases of lesion development including its progression, necrotic core formation, fibrous cap thinning, and eventually plaque rupture. Manipulating foam cell biology is thus an attractive therapeutic strategy at early, middle, and even late stages of atherosclerosis. Traditional therapies have focused on prevention, especially lowering plasma lipid levels. Despite these interventions, atherosclerosis remains a major cause of cardiovascular disease, responsible for the largest numbers of death worldwide. AREAS COVERED Foam cells within atherosclerotic plaques are comprised of macrophages, vascular smooth muscle cells, and other cell types which are exposed to high concentrations of lipoproteins accumulating within the subendothelial intimal layer. Macrophage-derived foam cells are particularly well studied and have provided important insights into lipid metabolism and atherogenesis. The contributions of foam cell-based processes are discussed with an emphasis on areas of therapeutic potential and directions for drug development. EXERT OPINION As key players in atherosclerosis, foam cells are attractive targets for developing more specific, targeted therapies aimed at resolving atherosclerotic plaques. Recent advances in our understanding of lipid handling within these cells provide insights into how they might be manipulated and clinically translated to better treat atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristi L. Galindo
- Vascular Medicine Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Saifur Khan
- Vascular Medicine Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Xiangyu Zhang
- Vascular Medicine Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Yu-Sheng Yeh
- Vascular Medicine Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Ziyang Liu
- Vascular Medicine Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Babak Razani
- Vascular Medicine Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA
- Pittsburgh VA Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
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Guan Y, Xie C, Zhang R, Zhang Z, Tian Z, Feng J, Shen X, Li H, Chang S, Zhao C, Chai R. Characterization and the cholesterol-lowering effect of dietary fiber from fermented black rice ( Oryza sativa L.). Food Funct 2023. [PMID: 37334479 DOI: 10.1039/d3fo01308a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Black rice was fermented with Neurospora crassa, after which the dietary fiber (DF) extracted from it was characterized and evaluated for its cholesterol-lowering effect in mice. The findings demonstrated that fermentation increased the level of soluble DF from 17.27% ± 0.12 to 29.69% ± 0.26 and increased the adsorption capacity of DF for water, oil, cholesterol, glucose and sodium cholate. The fermented DF had a more loose and porous structure than that extracted from unfermented rice. Additionally, feeding with DF from the fermented black rice significantly reduced body weight, lowered total cholesterol levels and improved the lipid profile in mice gavaged with a high dose (5 g per kg bw) or a low dose (2.5 g per kg·bw). ELISA showed that the hepatic expression of typical proteins and enzymes that are involved in cholesterol metabolism was regulated by the fermented rice DF, leading to reduced cholesterol production and increased cholesterol clearance. The fermented DF also modified the gut microbiota composition (e.g. Firmicutes reduced and Akkermansia increased), which promoted the production of short-chain fatty acids. In conclusion, fermentation can modify the structure and function of DF in black rice and the fermented dietary fiber has excellent cholesterol lowering effects possibly by cholesterol adsorption, cholesterol metabolism modulation, and intestinal microflora regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Guan
- College of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, 19 Taiji Road, Handan, Hebei 056000, China.
- Handan Key Laboratory of Natural Products and Functional Foods, 19 Taiji Road, Handan, Hebei 056000, China
| | - Chanyuan Xie
- College of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, 19 Taiji Road, Handan, Hebei 056000, China.
- Handan Key Laboratory of Natural Products and Functional Foods, 19 Taiji Road, Handan, Hebei 056000, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- College of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, 19 Taiji Road, Handan, Hebei 056000, China.
- Handan Key Laboratory of Natural Products and Functional Foods, 19 Taiji Road, Handan, Hebei 056000, China
| | - Ziyang Zhang
- College of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, 19 Taiji Road, Handan, Hebei 056000, China.
- Handan Key Laboratory of Natural Products and Functional Foods, 19 Taiji Road, Handan, Hebei 056000, China
| | - Zhenyang Tian
- College of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, 19 Taiji Road, Handan, Hebei 056000, China.
- Handan Key Laboratory of Natural Products and Functional Foods, 19 Taiji Road, Handan, Hebei 056000, China
| | - Jianing Feng
- College of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, 19 Taiji Road, Handan, Hebei 056000, China.
- Handan Key Laboratory of Natural Products and Functional Foods, 19 Taiji Road, Handan, Hebei 056000, China
| | - Xiaoyong Shen
- College of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, 19 Taiji Road, Handan, Hebei 056000, China.
- Handan Key Laboratory of Natural Products and Functional Foods, 19 Taiji Road, Handan, Hebei 056000, China
| | - Haiqin Li
- College of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, 19 Taiji Road, Handan, Hebei 056000, China.
- Handan Key Laboratory of Natural Products and Functional Foods, 19 Taiji Road, Handan, Hebei 056000, China
| | - Shimin Chang
- College of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, 19 Taiji Road, Handan, Hebei 056000, China.
- Handan Key Laboratory of Natural Products and Functional Foods, 19 Taiji Road, Handan, Hebei 056000, China
| | - Changhui Zhao
- Department of Food Quality and Safety, College of Food Science and Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China.
| | - Ran Chai
- College of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, 19 Taiji Road, Handan, Hebei 056000, China.
- Handan Key Laboratory of Natural Products and Functional Foods, 19 Taiji Road, Handan, Hebei 056000, China
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Passarelli M, Machado UF. AGEs-Induced and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress/Inflammation-Mediated Regulation of GLUT4 Expression and Atherogenesis in Diabetes Mellitus. Cells 2021; 11:104. [PMID: 35011666 PMCID: PMC8750246 DOI: 10.3390/cells11010104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, complex and exquisite pathways involved in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and inflammatory stress responses have been demonstrated to participate in the development and progression of numerous diseases, among them diabetes mellitus (DM). In those pathways, several players participate in both, reflecting a complicated interplay between ER and inflammatory stress. In DM, ER and inflammatory stress are involved in both the pathogenesis of the loss of glycemic control and the development of degenerative complications. Furthermore, hyperglycemia increases the generation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which in turn refeed ER and inflammatory stress, contributing to worsening glycemic homeostasis and to accelerating the development of DM complications. In this review, we present the current knowledge regarding AGEs-induced and ER/inflammation-mediated regulation of the expression of GLUT4 (solute carrier family 2, facilitated glucose transporter member 4), as a marker of glycemic homeostasis and of cardiovascular disease (CVD) development/progression, as a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa Passarelli
- Laboratório de Lípides (LIM-10), Hospital das Clínicas (HCFMUSP) da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 01246-000, Brazil;
- Programa de Pos-Graduação em Medicina, Universidade Nove de Julho, São Paulo 01525-000, Brazil
| | - Ubiratan Fabres Machado
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
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Hai Q, Smith JD. Acyl-Coenzyme A: Cholesterol Acyltransferase (ACAT) in Cholesterol Metabolism: From Its Discovery to Clinical Trials and the Genomics Era. Metabolites 2021; 11:metabo11080543. [PMID: 34436484 PMCID: PMC8398989 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11080543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The purification and cloning of the acyl-coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) enzymes and the sterol O-acyltransferase (SOAT) genes has opened new areas of interest in cholesterol metabolism given their profound effects on foam cell biology and intestinal lipid absorption. The generation of mouse models deficient in Soat1 or Soat2 confirmed the importance of their gene products on cholesterol esterification and lipoprotein physiology. Although these studies supported clinical trials which used non-selective ACAT inhibitors, these trials did not report benefits, and one showed an increased risk. Early genetic studies have implicated common variants in both genes with human traits, including lipoprotein levels, coronary artery disease, and Alzheimer’s disease; however, modern genome-wide association studies have not replicated these associations. In contrast, the common SOAT1 variants are most reproducibly associated with testosterone levels.
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Garshick MS, Nikain C, Tawil M, Pena S, Barrett TJ, Wu BG, Gao Z, Blaser MJ, Fisher EA. Reshaping of the gastrointestinal microbiome alters atherosclerotic plaque inflammation resolution in mice. Sci Rep 2021; 11:8966. [PMID: 33903700 PMCID: PMC8076321 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88479-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Since alterations in the intestinal microbiota may induce systemic inflammation and polarization of macrophages to the M1 state, the microbiome role in atherosclerosis, an M1-driven disease, requires evaluation. We aimed to determine if antibiotic (Abx) induced alterations to the intestinal microbiota interferes with atherosclerotic plaque inflammation resolution after lipid-lowering in mice. Hyperlipidemic Apoe−/− mice were fed a western diet to develop aortic atherosclerosis with aortas then transplanted into normolipidemic wild-type (WT) mice to model clinically aggressive lipid management and promote atherosclerosis inflammation resolution. Gut microbial composition pre and post-transplant was altered via an enteral antibiotic or not. Post aortic transplant, after Abx treatment, while plaque size did not differ, compared to Apoe−/− mice, Abx– WT recipient mice had a 32% reduction in CD68-expressing cells (p = 0.02) vs. a non-significant 12% reduction in Abx+ WT mice. A trend toward an M1 plaque CD68-expresing cell phenotype was noted in Abx+ mice. By 16S rRNA sequence analysis, the Abx+ mice had reduced alpha diversity and increased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes relative abundance ratio with a correlation between gut Firmicutes abundance and plaque CD68-expressing cell content (p < 0.05). These results indicate that in a murine atherosclerotic plaque inflammation resolution model, antibiotic-induced microbiome perturbation may blunt the effectiveness of lipid-lowering to reduce the content of plaque inflammatory CD68-expressing cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Garshick
- Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA.,Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Cyrus Nikain
- Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Michael Tawil
- Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Stephanie Pena
- Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Tessa J Barrett
- Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Benjamin G Wu
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA.,Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Veterans Affairs New York Harbor Healthcare System, New York, NY, USA
| | - Zhan Gao
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Rutgers University, 679 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Martin J Blaser
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Rutgers University, 679 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA.
| | - Edward A Fisher
- Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA. .,Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA. .,Marc and Ruti Bell Vascular Biology Program, Cardiovascular Research Center, New York University Langone Health, New York, USA.
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