Cav1.2, cell proliferation, and new target in atherosclerosis

The role of macrophage ion channels in the progression of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a complex inflammatory disease that affects the arteries and can lead to severe complications such as heart attack and stroke. Macrophages, a type of immune cell, play a crucial role in atherosclerosis initiation and progression. Emerging studies revealed that ion channels regulate macrophage activation, polarization, phagocytosis, and cytokine secretion. Moreover, macrophage ion channel dysfunction is implicated in macrophage-derived foam cell formation and atherogenesis. In this context, exploring the regulatory role of ion channels in macrophage function and their impacts on the progression of atherosclerosis emerges as a promising avenue for research. Studies in the field will provide insights into novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Unveiling the Role of DNA Methylation in Vascular CACNA1C Tissue–Specific Expression

Objective

Calcium voltage-gated channel subunit alpha1 C (CACNA1C) plays a critical role in many vascular physiological and pathological processes. Determining its tissue-specific expression pattern and clarifying the underlying molecular mechanisms are necessary and meaningful.

Methods

We selected several representative vessels from normal male Sprague-Dawley rats. Vessel tissue or primary vascular smooth muscle cells were isolated for vascular function, electrophysiology, gene expression and promoter methylation studies.

Results

We found CACNA1C had tissue-specific expressions in vessels. The specific manifestations were as follows: CACNA1C expression was highest in thoracic aorta, second lowest in middle cerebral and pulmonary artery, and lowest in mesenteric artery. Excitingly, an opposing trend was observed between CACNA1C expression and its promoter methylation.

Conclusions

This study was the first report to indicate that DNA methylation could be involved in regulating CACNA1C tissue-specific expressions and vasoconstriction function in vascular system. This study not only provided more information for further understanding the physiological characteristics of vascular CACNA1C expressions, also strengthened the idea that DNA methylation plays important roles in regulating vascular smooth muscle cells function and the consequent occurrence of vascular diseases.

Role of CACNA1C gene polymorphisms and protein expressions in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia: a case-control study in a Chinese population

The study aimed to investigate the correlations of CACNA1C genetic polymorphisms and protein expression with the pathogenesis of schizophrenia in a Chinese population. This research included 139 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia (case group) and 141 healthy volunteers (control group). Case and control samples were genotyped using denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC). Haplotypes of rs10848683, rs2238032, and rs2299661 were analyzed using the Shesis software. A mouse model of schizophrenia was established and assigned to test and blank groups. Western blotting was used to detect CACNA1C protein expression. The genotype and allele distribution of rs2238032 and rs2299661 differed between the case and control groups. TT genotype of rs2238032 and G allele of rs2299661 could potentially reduce the risk of schizophrenia. The distribution of rs2238032 genotype has a close connection with cognitive disturbance and the results of the general psychopathology classification exam. The distribution of rs2299661 genotypes was closely related to sensory and perceptual disorders, negative symptom subscales, and the results of the general psychopathology classification exam. CTC haplotype increased and CTG decreased the risk of schizophrenia in healthy people. In the brain tissues of mice with schizophrenia, the CACNA1C protein expression was higher in the test group than in the blank group. Our study demonstrated that CACNA1C gene polymorphisms and CACNA1C protein expression were associated with schizophrenia and its clinical phenotypes.