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Torikai H, Chen MH, Jin L, He J, Angle JF, Shi W. Atherogenesis in Apoe-/- and Ldlr-/- Mice with a Genetically Resistant Background. Cells 2023; 12:cells12091255. [PMID: 37174655 PMCID: PMC10177018 DOI: 10.3390/cells12091255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Apoe-deficient (Apoe-/-) and Ldlr-deficient (Ldlr-/-) mice are two common animal models of hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis. The two models differ in lipid and glucose metabolism and other mechanisms involved in atherogenesis. Here we examined atherosclerotic lesion formation in the two models with an atherosclerosis-resistant C3H/HeJ (C3H) background. 3-month-old C3H-Ldlr-/- and C3H-Apoe-/- mice developed minimal atherosclerotic lesions in the aortic root when fed a chow diet. After 12 weeks on a Western diet, C3H-Ldlr-/- mice developed 3-fold larger lesions than C3H-Apoe-/- mice in the aortic root (127,386 ± 13,439 vs. 41,542 ± 5075 μm2/section; p = 0.00028), but neither knockout formed any lesion in the carotid artery. After being ligated near its bifurcation, the common carotid artery developed intimal lesions in both knockouts 4 weeks after ligation, significantly larger in C3H-Ldlr-/- than C3H-Apoe-/- mice (68,721 ± 2706 vs. 47,472 ± 8146 μm2/section; p = 0.028). Compared to C3H-Apoe-/- mice, C3H-Ldlr-/- mice showed a 50% reduction in plasma MCP-1 levels, similar levels of malondialdehyde, an oxidative stress biomarker, on both chow and Western diets, but higher small dense LDL levels on the Western diet. These results suggest a more significant role for small dense LDL than inflammation and oxidative stress in the different susceptibility of the mouse models to atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideyuki Torikai
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Mei-Hua Chen
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Li Jin
- Orthopedic Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Jiang He
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - John F Angle
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Weibin Shi
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
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2
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Wu H, Dai R, Wang M, Chen C. Uric acid promotes myocardial infarction injury via activating pyrin domain-containing 3 inflammasome and reactive oxygen species/transient receptor potential melastatin 2/Ca 2+pathway. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2023; 23:10. [PMID: 36627567 PMCID: PMC9830724 DOI: 10.1186/s12872-023-03040-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiomyocytes injury has been considered as a key contributor for myocardial infarction (MI). Uric acid (UA) can induce cardiomyocytes injury, which is closely related to NLRP3 activation and inflammatory factor generation. However, the mechanism how UA modulates cardiomyocytes remains elusive. Western blotting and qRT-PCR were applied for measuring protein and mRNA expression, respectively. ROS production and Ca2+ influx were measured by flow cytometry. Patch clamp technique was used for measuring transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) channel. Ligation of left anterior descending for 2 h was performed to induce MI animal model. The rats were treated by different concentration of uric acid. The artery tissues were stained by HE and collected for measurement of NLRP3 and inflammatory factors. Supplementation of UA significantly promoted apoptosis, and augmented the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1, chemoattractant protein-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and NLRP3 inflammasome. Knockdown of NLRP3 reversed the influence of UA on MI by decreasing collagen deposition, fibrotic area, apoptosis. The expression of NLRP3 inflammasome increased markedly after treatment of UA. UA activated ROS/TRPM2/Ca2+ pathway through targeting NLRP3. UA activated NLRP3 inflammasome and augments inflammatory factor production, which in turn exacerbates cardiomyocytes injury. Knockdown of NLRP3 reversed the influence of UA on apoptosis and cell cycle. UA may promote cardiomyocytes injury through activating NLRP3 inflammasome and ROS/TRPM2 channel/Ca2+ pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyun Wu
- grid.412683.a0000 0004 1758 0400Department of Cardiology, Quanzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, No. 250 East Street, Quanzhou, 362000 China
| | - Ruozhu Dai
- grid.412683.a0000 0004 1758 0400Department of Cardiology, Quanzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, No. 250 East Street, Quanzhou, 362000 China
| | - Min Wang
- grid.412683.a0000 0004 1758 0400Department of Cardiology, Quanzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, No. 250 East Street, Quanzhou, 362000 China
| | - Chengbo Chen
- grid.412683.a0000 0004 1758 0400Department of Cardiology, Quanzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, No. 250 East Street, Quanzhou, 362000 China
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Li J, Taylor AM, Manichaikul A, Angle JF, Shi W. Reticulocalbin 2 as a Potential Biomarker and Therapeutic Target for Atherosclerosis. Cells 2022; 11:1107. [PMID: 35406670 PMCID: PMC8997427 DOI: 10.3390/cells11071107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular inflammation initiated by oxidized lipoproteins drives initiation, progression, and even rupture of atherosclerotic plaques. Yet, to date, no biomarker is directly linked to oxidized lipid-induced vascular inflammation. Reticulocalbin 2 (RCN2) is a key regulator of basal and oxidized lipid-induced cytokine production in arterial wall cells. We evaluated the potential of circulating RCN2 to identify subjects with or at risk of developing atherosclerosis. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed abundant RCN2 expression in the endothelium and adventitia of normal arteries and in atherosclerotic lesions of both humans and mice. Atherosclerosis-susceptible C57BL/6 (B6) mice had higher plasma Rcn2 levels than resistant C3H mice. High-fat diet feeding raised plasma Rcn2 levels of both strains. In humans, patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) or peripheral artery disease (PAD) showed elevated serum RCN2 levels compared to healthy controls. In a cohort of 92 CAD patients, serum RCN2 exhibited a significant inverse correlation with HDL cholesterol and K+ levels and a trend toward association with white blood cell account, Na+, statin treatment, and diastolic blood pressure. HDL treatment suppressed Rcn2 expression in endothelial cells. This study suggests that circulating RCN2 is a potential non-invasive biomarker for identifying individuals with atherosclerosis and HDL protects against atherosclerosis by downregulation of RCN2 expression in endothelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; (J.L.); (J.F.A.)
| | - Angela M. Taylor
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA;
| | - Ani Manichaikul
- Center for Public Health & Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA;
| | - John F. Angle
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; (J.L.); (J.F.A.)
| | - Weibin Shi
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; (J.L.); (J.F.A.)
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Grainger AT, Pilar N, Li J, Chen MH, Abramson AM, Becker-Pauly C, Shi W. Identification of Mep1a as a susceptibility gene for atherosclerosis in mice. Genetics 2021; 219:6377788. [PMID: 34849841 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyab160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is the underlying cause of heart attack, ischemic stroke and peripheral arterial disease, and genetic factors involved remain mostly unidentified. We previously identified a significant locus on mouse chromosome 17 for atherosclerosis, Ath49, in an intercross between BALB/c and SM strains. Ath49 partially overlaps in the confidence interval with Ath22 mapped in an AKR × DBA/2 intercross. Bioinformatics analysis prioritized Mep1a, encoding meprin 1α metalloendopeptidase, as a likely candidate gene for Ath49. To prove causality, Mep1a-/-Apoe-/- mice were generated and compared with Mep1a+/+Apoe-/- mice for atherosclerosis development. Mep1a was found abundantly expressed in atherosclerotic lesions but not in healthy aorta and liver of mice. Mep1a-/- Apoe-/- mice exhibited significant reductions in both early and advanced lesion sizes. Loss of Mep1a led to decreased necrosis but increased macrophage and neutrophil contents in advanced lesions, reduced plasma levels of CXCL5 and an oxidative stress biomarker. In addition, Mep1a-/- mice had significantly reduced triglyceride levels on a chow diet. Thus, Mep1a is a susceptibility gene for atherosclerosis and aggravates atherosclerosis partially through action on oxidative stress and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew T Grainger
- Departments of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.,Radiology & Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Nathanael Pilar
- Radiology & Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Jun Li
- Radiology & Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Mei-Hua Chen
- Radiology & Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Ashley M Abramson
- Radiology & Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | | | - Weibin Shi
- Departments of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.,Radiology & Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
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Zhao J, Huangfu C, Chang Z, Zhou W, Grainger AT, Liu Z, Shi W. Inflammation and enhanced atherogenesis in the carotid artery with altered blood flow in an atherosclerosis-resistant mouse strain. Physiol Rep 2021; 9:e14829. [PMID: 34110700 PMCID: PMC8191400 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.14829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Ligation of the common carotid artery near its bifurcation in apolipoprotein E-deficient (Apoe-/- ) mice leads to rapid atherosclerosis development, which is affected by genetic backgrounds. BALB/cJ (BALB) mice are resistant to atherosclerosis, developing much smaller aortic lesions than C57BL/6 (B6) mice. In this study, we examined cellular events leading to lesion formation in carotid arteries with or without blood flow restriction of B6 and BALB Apoe-/- mice. Blood flow was obstructed by ligating the left common carotid artery near its bifurcation in one group of mice, and other group received no surgical intervention. Without blood flow interruption, BALB-Apoe-/- mice formed much smaller atherosclerotic lesions than B6-Apoe-/- mice after 12 weeks of Western diet (3,325 ± 1,086 vs. 81,549 ± 9,983 µm2 /section; p = 2.1E-7). Lesions occurred at arterial bifurcations in both strains. When blood flow was obstructed, ligated carotid artery of both strains showed notable lipid deposition, inflammatory cell infiltration, and rapid plaque formation. Neutrophils and macrophages were observed in the arterial wall of BALB mice 3 days after ligation and 1 week after ligation in B6 mice. CD4 T cells were observed in intimal lesions of BALB but not B6 mice. By 4 weeks, both strains developed similar sizes of advanced lesions containing foam cells, smooth muscle cells, and neovessels. Atherosclerosis also occurred in straight regions of the contralateral common carotid artery where MCP-1 was abundantly expressed in the intima of BALB mice. These findings indicate that the disturbed blood flow is more prominent than high fat diet in promoting inflammation and atherosclerosis in hyperlipidemic BALB mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zhao
- Departments of Radiology & Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.,Department of Radiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Chaoji Huangfu
- Departments of Radiology & Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.,Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Western Theater Command, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhihui Chang
- Departments of Radiology & Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.,Department of Radiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- Departments of Radiology & Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.,Department of Nephrology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, China
| | - Andrew T Grainger
- Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Zhaoyu Liu
- Department of Radiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Weibin Shi
- Departments of Radiology & Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.,Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
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Regional Variation in Genetic Control of Atherosclerosis in Hyperlipidemic Mice. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2020; 10:4679-4689. [PMID: 33109727 PMCID: PMC7718748 DOI: 10.1534/g3.120.401856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a polygenic disorder that often affects multiple arteries. Carotid arteries are common sites for evaluating subclinical atherosclerosis, and aortic root is the standard site for quantifying atherosclerosis in mice. We compared genetic control of atherosclerosis between the two sites in the same cohort derived from two phenotypically divergent Apoe-null (Apoe -/-) mouse strains. Female F2 mice were generated from C57BL/6 (B6) and C3H/He (C3H) Apoe -/- mice and fed 12 weeks of Western diet. Atherosclerotic lesions in carotid bifurcation and aortic root and plasma levels of fasting lipids and glucose were measured. 153 genetic markers across the genome were typed. All F2 mice developed aortic atherosclerosis, while 1/5 formed no or little carotid lesions. Genome-wide scans revealed 3 significant loci on chromosome (Chr) 1, Chr15, 6 suggestive loci for aortic atherosclerosis, 2 significant loci on Chr6, Chr12, and 6 suggestive loci for carotid atherosclerosis. Only 2 loci for aortic lesions showed colocalization with loci for carotid lesions. Carotid lesion sizes were moderately correlated with aortic lesion sizes (r = 0.303; P = 4.6E-6), but they showed slight or no association with plasma HDL, non-HDL cholesterol, triglyceride, or glucose levels among F2 mice. Bioinformatics analyses prioritized Cryge as a likely causal gene for Ath30, Cdh6 and Dnah5 as causal genes for Ath22 Our data demonstrate vascular site-specific effects of genetic factors on atherosclerosis in the same animals and highlight the need to extend studies of atherosclerosis to sites beyond aortas of mice.
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Ward NS, Carmichael ST. Blowing up Neural Repair for Stroke Recovery: Preclinical and Clinical Trial Considerations. Stroke 2020; 51:3169-3173. [PMID: 32951539 DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.120.030486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The repair and recovery of the brain after stroke is a field that is emerging in its preclinical science and clinical trials. However, recent large, multicenter clinical trials have been negative, and conflicting results emerge on biological targets in preclinical studies. The coalescence of negative clinical translation and confusion in preclinical studies raises the suggestion that perhaps the field of stroke recovery faces a fate similar to stroke neuroprotection, with interesting science ultimately proving difficult to translate to the clinic. This review highlights improvements in 4 areas of the stroke neural repair field that should reorient the field toward successful clinical translation: improvements in rodent genetic models of stroke recovery, consideration of the biological target in stroke recovery, stratification in clinical trials, and the use of appropriate clinical trial end points.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick S Ward
- Department of Clinical and Motor Neuroscience, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London (N.S.W.)
| | - S Thomas Carmichael
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA (S.T.C.)
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