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Zhu L, Liu Z, Cui Q, Guan G, Hui R, Wang X, Wang J, Zhang Y, Zhu X. Epigenetic modification of CD4 + T cells into Tregs by 5-azacytidine as cellular therapeutic for atherosclerosis treatment. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:689. [PMID: 39304654 PMCID: PMC11415506 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-07086-7] [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: 05/21/2024] [Revised: 09/08/2024] [Accepted: 09/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024]
Abstract
Recent research has explored the potential of the demethylating drug 5-azacytidine (Aza) as therapy for a range of diseases. However, the therapeutic efficacy of Aza for patients of atherosclerosis remains unclear. This study investigates the therapeutic application of Aza to atherosclerosis in order to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. We generated induced Tregs (iTregs) from CD4+ T cells by using Aza in vitro, and this was followed by the intravenous infusion of iTregs for the treatment of atherosclerosis. The adoptive transfer of Aza-iTreg significantly increased peripheral blood Treg cells, suppressed inflammation, and attenuated atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- mice. Furthermore, we observed a notable demethylation of the Forkhead box P3 (Foxp3)-regulatory T cell-specific demethylated region (TSDR) and an upregulation of Foxp3 expression in the CD4+ T cells in the spleen of the ApoE-/- mice following the transfer of Aza- iTregs. We also demonstrated that Aza converted naive CD4+ T cells into Tregs by DNA methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1)-mediated Foxp3-TSDR demethylation and the upregulation of Foxp3 expression. Conversely, the overexpression of Dnmt1 in the CD4+ T cells attenuated the Aza-induced Foxp3-TSDR demethylation and upregulation of Foxp3 expression. Our results reveal that Aza converts naive CD4+ T cells into functional Tregs by inhibiting Dnmt1, and the transfer of Aza-iTregs suppresses atherosclerosis in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Zhu
- Department of Cardiology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Department of Cardiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Shaanxi Provincial Traditional Chinese Medicine Key Laboratory, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhongwei Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Shaanxi Provincial Traditional Chinese Medicine Key Laboratory, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qianwei Cui
- Department of Cardiology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Gongchang Guan
- Department of Cardiology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Rutai Hui
- Department of Cardiology, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiqiang Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
- Department of Cardiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
- Shaanxi Provincial Traditional Chinese Medicine Key Laboratory, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Junkui Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
- Shaanxi Provincial Traditional Chinese Medicine Key Laboratory, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
- Shaanxi Provincial Traditional Chinese Medicine Key Laboratory, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Xu Zhu
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing, China.
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Nie Y, Song C, Huang H, Mao S, Ding K, Tang H. Chromatin modifiers in human disease: from functional roles to regulatory mechanisms. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2024; 5:12. [PMID: 38584203 PMCID: PMC10999406 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-024-00175-1] [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: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The field of transcriptional regulation has revealed the vital role of chromatin modifiers in human diseases from the beginning of functional exploration to the process of participating in many types of disease regulatory mechanisms. Chromatin modifiers are a class of enzymes that can catalyze the chemical conversion of pyrimidine residues or amino acid residues, including histone modifiers, DNA methyltransferases, and chromatin remodeling complexes. Chromatin modifiers assist in the formation of transcriptional regulatory circuits between transcription factors, enhancers, and promoters by regulating chromatin accessibility and the ability of transcription factors to acquire DNA. This is achieved by recruiting associated proteins and RNA polymerases. They modify the physical contact between cis-regulatory factor elements, transcription factors, and chromatin DNA to influence transcriptional regulatory processes. Then, abnormal chromatin perturbations can impair the homeostasis of organs, tissues, and cells, leading to diseases. The review offers a comprehensive elucidation on the function and regulatory mechanism of chromatin modifiers, thereby highlighting their indispensability in the development of diseases. Furthermore, this underscores the potential of chromatin modifiers as biomarkers, which may enable early disease diagnosis. With the aid of this paper, a deeper understanding of the role of chromatin modifiers in the pathogenesis of diseases can be gained, which could help in devising effective diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yali Nie
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Multi-omics and Artificial Intelligence of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
- Clinical Research Center for Myocardial Injury in Hunan Province, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Chao Song
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Multi-omics and Artificial Intelligence of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Cardiovascular Lab of Big Data and Imaging Artificial Intelligence, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Hong Huang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Multi-omics and Artificial Intelligence of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
- Clinical Research Center for Myocardial Injury in Hunan Province, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Cardiovascular Lab of Big Data and Imaging Artificial Intelligence, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Shuqing Mao
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Multi-omics and Artificial Intelligence of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
- Clinical Research Center for Myocardial Injury in Hunan Province, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Kai Ding
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
- Clinical Research Center for Myocardial Injury in Hunan Province, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Huifang Tang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Multi-omics and Artificial Intelligence of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China.
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China.
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China.
- Clinical Research Center for Myocardial Injury in Hunan Province, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China.
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Cardiovascular Lab of Big Data and Imaging Artificial Intelligence, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China.
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Zhang L, Xia C, Yang Y, Sun F, Zhang Y, Wang H, Liu R, Yuan M. DNA methylation and histone post-translational modifications in atherosclerosis and a novel perspective for epigenetic therapy. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:344. [PMID: 38031118 PMCID: PMC10688481 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01298-8] [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: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis, which is a vascular pathology characterized by inflammation and plaque build-up within arterial vessel walls, acts as the important cause of most cardiovascular diseases. Except for a lipid-depository and chronic inflammatory, increasing evidences propose that epigenetic modifications are increasingly associated with atherosclerosis and are of interest from both therapeutic and biomarker perspectives. The chronic progressive nature of atherosclerosis has highlighted atherosclerosis heterogeneity and the fact that specific cell types in the complex milieu of the plaque are, by far, not the only initiators and drivers of atherosclerosis. Instead, the ubiquitous effects of cell type are tightly controlled and directed by the epigenetic signature, which, in turn, is affected by many proatherogenic stimuli, including low-density lipoprotein, proinflammatory, and physical forces of blood circulation. In this review, we summarize the role of DNA methylation and histone post-translational modifications in atherosclerosis. The future research directions and potential therapy for the management of atherosclerosis are also discussed. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, No. 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Chenhai Xia
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, No. 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Yongjun Yang
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, No. 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Fangfang Sun
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, No. 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, No. 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Huan Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, No. 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Rui Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, No. 1 Xinsi Road, Xi'an 710000, China.
| | - Ming Yuan
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, No. 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, China.
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Sum H, Brewer AC. Epigenetic modifications as therapeutic targets in atherosclerosis: a focus on DNA methylation and non-coding RNAs. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1183181. [PMID: 37304954 PMCID: PMC10248074 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1183181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Significant progress in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been made in the past decade, yet it remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, claiming an estimated 17.9 million deaths per year. Although encompassing any condition that affects the circulatory system, including thrombotic blockage, stenosis, aneurysms, blood clots and arteriosclerosis (general hardening of the arteries), the most prevalent underlying hallmark of CVD is atherosclerosis; the plaque-associated arterial thickening. Further, distinct CVD conditions have overlapping dysregulated molecular and cellular characteristics which underlie their development and progression, suggesting some common aetiology. The identification of heritable genetic mutations associated with the development of atherosclerotic vascular disease (AVD), in particular resulting from Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) studies has significantly improved the ability to identify individuals at risk. However, it is increasingly recognised that environmentally-acquired, epigenetic changes are key factors associated with atherosclerosis development. Increasing evidence suggests that these epigenetic changes, most notably DNA methylation and the misexpression of non-coding, microRNAs (miRNAs) are potentially both predictive and causal in AVD development. This, together with their reversible nature, makes them both useful biomarkers for disease and attractive therapeutic targets potentially to reverse AVD progression. We consider here the association of aberrant DNA methylation and dysregulated miRNA expression with the aetiology and progression of atherosclerosis, and the potential development of novel cell-based strategies to target these epigenetic changes therapeutically.
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Cui Q, Du H, Ma Y, Wang T, Zhu H, Zhu L, Pan S, Min N, Wang X, Liu Z. Matrine inhibits advanced glycation end products-induced macrophage M1 polarization by reducing DNMT3a/b-mediated DNA methylation of GPX1 promoter. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 926:175039. [PMID: 35597264 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.175039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are characterized diabetic metabolites inducing macrophage M1 polarization which is crucial in diabetes-exacerbated atherosclerosis. Matrine was proved anti-atherosclerotic. The current study was aimed to investigate the inhibitory effects of matrine on AGEs- induced macrophage M1 polarization and underlying molecular mechanisms. Primary mouse macrophages were exposed to AGEs. Receptor for AGEs (RAGE) and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) were over-expressed by vectors. Matrine was used to treat these cells. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and pro-inflammatory cytokine production were used to evaluate macrophage M1 polarization. Oxidative stress was assessed by intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents. Relative mRNA expression level was determined by real-time PCR. Western blotting was used to evaluate protein and protein phosphorylation levels. Bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP) was used to evaluate DNA methylation. Matrine reduced AGEs exposure-elevated expressions of DNA methyltransferase (DNA MTase, DNMT)3a and DNMT3b in macrophages which were not affected by RAGE or TLR4 over expressions. DNA methylation rate of GPX1 promoter was reduced from 97.22% to 66.67% in AGEs- exposed macrophages treated by matrine. GPX1 expression was up-regulated by matrine, which further suppressed AGEs/RAGE-mediated oxidative stress. Thus, the activation of down-stream TLR4/STAT1 signaling pathway was inhibited by matrine treatment which eventually suppressed AGEs- induced macrophage M1 polarization. However, these effects of matrine were impaired by RAGE and TLR4 overexpression. Results from this study suggested that matrine inhibited AGEs- induced macrophage M1 polarization by suppressing RAGE-induced oxidative stress-mediated TLR4/STAT1 signaling pathway. Matrine exerted anti-oxidant effects via increasing GPX1 expression by inhibiting DNMT3a/b-induced GPX1 promoter DNA methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianwei Cui
- Department of Cardiology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, 710068, China; Cardiovascular Research Center, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, 710068, China; Affiliated Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, China
| | - Haixia Du
- Rocket Force University of Engineering, Xi'an, 710025, China
| | - Yanpeng Ma
- Department of Cardiology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, 710068, China; Cardiovascular Research Center, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, 710068, China; Affiliated Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, China
| | - Ting Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, 710068, China; Cardiovascular Research Center, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, 710068, China; Affiliated Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, China
| | - Haitao Zhu
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Ling Zhu
- Department of Cardiology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, 710068, China; Cardiovascular Research Center, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, 710068, China; Affiliated Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, China
| | - Shuo Pan
- Department of Cardiology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, 710068, China; Cardiovascular Research Center, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, 710068, China; Affiliated Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, China
| | - Ningbin Min
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, 710068, China; Department of Cardiology, Heyang County Hospital, Heyang, 715300, China.
| | - Xiqiang Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, 710068, China; Cardiovascular Research Center, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, 710068, China; Affiliated Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, China.
| | - Zhongwei Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, 710068, China; Cardiovascular Research Center, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, 710068, China; Affiliated Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, China.
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