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Blahetek G, Mayer C, Zuber J, Lenter M, Strobel B. Suppression of toxic transgene expression by optimized artificial miRNAs increases AAV vector yields in HEK-293 cells. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2024; 32:101280. [PMID: 39015407 PMCID: PMC11250862 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2024.101280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors have become the leading platform for gene delivery in both preclinical research and therapeutic applications, making the production of high-titer AAV preparations essential. To date, most AAV-based studies use constitutive promoters (e.g., CMV, CAG), which are also active in human embryonic kidney (HEK)-293 producer cells, thus leading to the expression of the transgene already during production. Depending on the transgene's function, this might negatively impact producer cell performance and result in decreased AAV vector yields. Here, we evaluated a panel of diverse microRNA (miRNA)-based shRNA designs to identify a highly potent artificial miRNA for the transient suppression of transgenes during AAV production. Our results demonstrate that insertion of miRNA target sites into the 3' UTR of the transgene and simultaneous expression of the corresponding miRNA from the 3' UTR of conventional AAV production plasmids (rep/cap, pHelper) enabled efficient silencing of toxic transgene expression, thereby increasing AAV vector yields up to 240-fold. This strategy not only allows to maintain the traditional triple-transfection protocol, but also represents a universally applicable approach to suppress toxic transgenes, thereby boosting vector yields with so far unprecedented efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina Blahetek
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88397 Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Christine Mayer
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88397 Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Johannes Zuber
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria
- Medical University of Vienna, Vienna BioCenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Lenter
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88397 Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Benjamin Strobel
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88397 Biberach an der Riss, Germany
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2
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Mullis DM, Padilla-Lopez A, Wang H, Zhu Y, Elde S, Bonham SA, Yajima S, Kocher ON, Krieger M, Woo YJ. Stromal cell-derived factor-1 alpha improves cardiac function in a novel diet-induced coronary atherosclerosis model, the SR-B1ΔCT/LDLR KO mouse. Atherosclerosis 2024; 395:117518. [PMID: 38627162 PMCID: PMC11254567 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2024.117518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS There are a limited number of pharmacologic therapies for coronary artery disease, and few rodent models of occlusive coronary atherosclerosis and consequent myocardial infarction with which one can rapidly test new therapeutic approaches. Here, we characterize a novel, fertile, and easy-to-use HDL receptor (SR-B1)-based model of atherogenic diet-inducible, fatal coronary atherosclerosis, the SR-B1ΔCT/LDLR KO mouse. Additionally, we test intramyocardial injection of Stromal Cell-Derived Factor-1 alpha (SDF-1α), a potent angiogenic cytokine, as a possible therapy to rescue cardiac function in this mouse. METHODS SR-B1ΔCT/LDLR KO mice were fed the Paigen diet or standard chow diet, and we determined the effects of the diets on cardiac function, histology, and survival. After two weeks of feeding either the Paigen diet (n = 24) or standard chow diet (n = 20), the mice received an intramyocardial injection of either SDF-1α or phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Cardiac function and angiogenesis were assessed two weeks later. RESULTS When six-week-old mice were fed the Paigen diet, they began to die as early as 19 days later and 50% had died by 38 days. None of the mice maintained on the standard chow diet died by day 72. Hearts from mice on the Paigen diet showed evidence of cardiomegaly, myocardial infarction, and occlusive coronary artery disease. For the five mice that survived until day 28 that underwent an intramyocardial injection of PBS on day 15, the average ejection fraction (EF) decreased significantly from day 14 (the day before injection, 52.1 ± 4.3%) to day 28 (13 days after the injection, 30.6 ± 6.8%) (paired t-test, n = 5, p = 0.0008). Of the 11 mice fed the Paigen diet and injected with SDF-1α on day 15, 8 (72.7%) survived to day 28. The average EF for these 8 mice increased significantly from 48.2 ± 7.2% on day 14 to63.6 ± 6.9% on day 28 (Paired t-test, n = 8, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS This new mouse model and treatment with the promising angiogenic cytokine SDF-1α may lead to new therapeutic approaches for ischemic heart disease.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Chemokine CXCL12/metabolism
- Chemokine CXCL12/genetics
- Disease Models, Animal
- Mice, Knockout
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Receptors, LDL/genetics
- Receptors, LDL/deficiency
- Scavenger Receptors, Class B/genetics
- Male
- Neovascularization, Physiologic/drug effects
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Diet, Atherogenic
- Mice
- Ventricular Function, Left
- Myocardium/pathology
- Myocardium/metabolism
- Diet, High-Fat
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle M Mullis
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Hanjay Wang
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Yuanjia Zhu
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Stefan Elde
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Spencer A Bonham
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Shin Yajima
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Olivier N Kocher
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Monty Krieger
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA, USA
| | - Y Joseph Woo
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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3
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Fang Q, Lu X, Zhu Y, Lv X, Yu F, Ma X, Liu B, Zhang H. Development of a PCSK9-targeted nanoparticle vaccine to effectively decrease the hypercholesterolemia. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101614. [PMID: 38897173 PMCID: PMC11228807 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101614] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) binds to the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and mediates its internalization and degradation, resulting in an increase in LDL cholesterol levels. Recently, PCSK9 emerged as a therapeutic target for hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis. In this study, we develop a PCSK9 nanoparticle (NP) vaccine by covalently conjugating the catalytic domain (aa 153-aa 454, D374Y) of PCSK9 to self-assembled 24-mer ferritin NPs. We demonstrate that the PCSK9 NP vaccine effectively induces interfering antibodies against PCSK9 and reduces serum lipids levels in both a high-fat diet-induced hypercholesterolemia model and an adeno-associated virus-hPCSK9D374Y-induced hypercholesterolemia model. Additionally, the vaccine significantly reduces plaque lesion areas in the aorta and macrophages infiltration in an atherosclerosis mouse model. Furthermore, we discover that the vaccine's efficacy relied on T follicular help cells and LDLR. Overall, these findings suggest that the PCSK9 NP vaccine holds promise as an effective treatment for hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiannan Fang
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China; Medical Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Xinyu Lu
- Medical Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Yuanqiang Zhu
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University·Zhaoqing Hospital, Zhaoqing, Guangdong 510630, China
| | - Xi Lv
- Medical Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Fei Yu
- Medical Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Xiancai Ma
- Guangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou International Bio-Island, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510005, China
| | - Bingfeng Liu
- Institute of Human Virology, Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry Education, Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Antimicrobial Agent and Immunotechnology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Institute of Human Virology, Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry Education, Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Antimicrobial Agent and Immunotechnology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China.
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4
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Li J, Yang L, Song J, Yan B, Morris AJ, Moseley H, Flight R, Wang C, Liu J, Weiss HL, Morris EF, Abdelhamid I, Gerl MJ, Melander O, Smyth S, Evers BM. Neurotensin accelerates atherosclerosis and increases circulating levels of short-chain and saturated triglycerides. Atherosclerosis 2024; 392:117479. [PMID: 38423808 PMCID: PMC11088984 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2024.117479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Obesity and type 2 diabetes are significant risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) worldwide, but the underlying pathophysiological links are poorly understood. Neurotensin (NT), a 13-amino-acid hormone peptide, facilitates intestinal fat absorption and contributes to obesity in mice fed a high-fat diet. Elevated levels of pro-NT (a stable NT precursor produced in equimolar amounts relative to NT) are associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and CVD in humans. Whether NT is a causative factor in CVD is unknown. METHODS Nt+/+ and Nt-/- mice were either injected with adeno-associated virus encoding PCSK9 mutants or crossed with Ldlr-/- mice and fed a Western diet. Atherosclerotic plaques were analyzed by en face analysis, Oil Red O and CD68 staining. In humans, we evaluated the association between baseline pro-NT and growth of carotid bulb thickness after 16.4 years. Lipidomic profiles were analyzed. RESULTS Atherosclerotic plaque formation is attenuated in Nt-deficient mice through mechanisms that are independent of reductions in circulating cholesterol and triglycerides but associated with remodeling of the plasma triglyceride pool. An increasing plasma concentration of pro-NT predicts atherosclerotic events in coronary and cerebral arteries independent of all major traditional risk factors, indicating a strong link between NT and atherosclerosis. This plasma lipid profile analysis confirms the association of pro-NT with remodeling of the plasma triglyceride pool in atherosclerotic events. CONCLUSIONS Our findings are the first to directly link NT to increased atherosclerosis and indicate the potential role for NT in preventive and therapeutic strategies for CVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Liping Yang
- University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Jun Song
- University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Baoxiang Yan
- University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Andrew J Morris
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 77205, USA
| | | | | | - Chi Wang
- University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Jinpeng Liu
- University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | | | - Edward F Morris
- Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, 63110, USA
| | | | | | | | - Susan Smyth
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 77205, USA
| | - B Mark Evers
- University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA.
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5
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Moreno-Manuel AI, Macías Á, Cruz FM, Gutiérrez LK, Martínez F, González-Guerra A, Martínez Carrascoso I, Bermúdez-Jimenez FJ, Sánchez-Pérez P, Vera-Pedrosa ML, Ruiz-Robles JM, Bernal JA, Jalife J. The Kir2.1E299V mutation increases atrial fibrillation vulnerability while protecting the ventricles against arrhythmias in a mouse model of short QT syndrome type 3. Cardiovasc Res 2024; 120:490-505. [PMID: 38261726 PMCID: PMC11060485 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvae019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS Short QT syndrome type 3 (SQTS3) is a rare arrhythmogenic disease caused by gain-of-function mutations in KCNJ2, the gene coding the inward rectifier potassium channel Kir2.1. We used a multidisciplinary approach and investigated arrhythmogenic mechanisms in an in-vivo model of de-novo mutation Kir2.1E299V identified in a patient presenting an extremely abbreviated QT interval and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. METHODS AND RESULTS We used intravenous adeno-associated virus-mediated gene transfer to generate mouse models, and confirmed cardiac-specific expression of Kir2.1WT or Kir2.1E299V. On ECG, the Kir2.1E299V mouse recapitulated the QT interval shortening and the atrial-specific arrhythmia of the patient. The PR interval was also significantly shorter in Kir2.1E299V mice. Patch-clamping showed extremely abbreviated action potentials in both atrial and ventricular Kir2.1E299V cardiomyocytes due to a lack of inward-going rectification and increased IK1 at voltages positive to -80 mV. Relative to Kir2.1WT, atrial Kir2.1E299V cardiomyocytes had a significantly reduced slope conductance at voltages negative to -80 mV. After confirming a higher proportion of heterotetrameric Kir2.x channels containing Kir2.2 subunits in the atria, in-silico 3D simulations predicted an atrial-specific impairment of polyamine block and reduced pore diameter in the Kir2.1E299V-Kir2.2WT channel. In ventricular cardiomyocytes, the mutation increased excitability by shifting INa activation and inactivation in the hyperpolarizing direction, which protected the ventricle against arrhythmia. Moreover, Purkinje myocytes from Kir2.1E299V mice manifested substantially higher INa density than Kir2.1WT, explaining the abbreviation in the PR interval. CONCLUSION The first in-vivo mouse model of cardiac-specific SQTS3 recapitulates the electrophysiological phenotype of a patient with the Kir2.1E299V mutation. Kir2.1E299V eliminates rectification in both cardiac chambers but protects against ventricular arrhythmias by increasing excitability in both Purkinje-fiber network and ventricles. Consequently, the predominant arrhythmias are supraventricular likely due to the lack of inward rectification and atrial-specific reduced pore diameter of the Kir2.1E299V-Kir2.2WT heterotetramer.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Humans
- Mice
- Action Potentials
- Arrhythmias, Cardiac/genetics
- Arrhythmias, Cardiac/physiopathology
- Arrhythmias, Cardiac/metabolism
- Atrial Fibrillation/genetics
- Atrial Fibrillation/physiopathology
- Atrial Fibrillation/metabolism
- Disease Models, Animal
- Genetic Predisposition to Disease
- Heart Rate/genetics
- Heart Ventricles/metabolism
- Heart Ventricles/physiopathology
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Transgenic
- Mutation
- Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism
- Myocytes, Cardiac/pathology
- Phenotype
- Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying/genetics
- Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana I Moreno-Manuel
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Álvaro Macías
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco M Cruz
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Lilian K Gutiérrez
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Fernando Martínez
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Andrés González-Guerra
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Martínez Carrascoso
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco José Bermúdez-Jimenez
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, 18014 Granada, Spain
| | - Patricia Sánchez-Pérez
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Juan Manuel Ruiz-Robles
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan A Bernal
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
| | - José Jalife
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Molecular and Integrative Physiology, Center for Arrhythmia Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 4810, USA
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6
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Ballester-Servera C, Alonso J, Cañes L, Vázquez-Sufuentes P, García-Redondo AB, Rodríguez C, Martínez-González J. Lysyl Oxidase in Ectopic Cardiovascular Calcification: Role of Oxidative Stress. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:523. [PMID: 38790628 PMCID: PMC11118817 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13050523] [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: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Lysyl oxidase (LOX)-mediated extracellular matrix crosslinking modulates calcification in atherosclerosis and aortic valve disease; however, this enzyme also induces oxidative stress. We addressed the contribution of LOX-dependent oxidative stress to cardiovascular calcification. LOX is upregulated in human-calcified atherosclerotic lesions and atheromas from atherosclerosis-challenged LOX transgenic mice (TgLOXVSMC) and colocalized with a marker of oxidative stress (8-oxo-deoxyguanosine) in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Similarly, in calcific aortic valves, high LOX expression was detected in valvular interstitial cells (VICs) positive for 8-oxo-deoxyguanosine, while LOX and LOXL2 expression correlated with osteogenic markers (SPP1 and RUNX2) and NOX2. In human VICs, mito-TEMPO and TEMPOL attenuated the increase in superoxide anion levels and the mineralization induced by osteogenic media (OM). Likewise, in OM-exposed VICs, β-aminopropionitrile (a LOX inhibitor) ameliorated both oxidative stress and calcification. Gain- and loss-of-function approaches in VICs demonstrated that while LOX silencing negatively modulates oxidative stress and calcification induced by OM, lentiviral LOX overexpression exacerbated oxidative stress and VIC calcification, effects that were prevented by mito-TEMPO, TEMPOL, and β-aminopropionitrile. Our data indicate that LOX-induced oxidative stress participates in the procalcifying effects of LOX activity in ectopic cardiovascular calcification, and highlight the multifaceted role played by LOX isoenzymes in cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carme Ballester-Servera
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IIBB-CSIC), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (C.B.-S.); (J.A.); (P.V.-S.)
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), 08041 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Judith Alonso
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IIBB-CSIC), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (C.B.-S.); (J.A.); (P.V.-S.)
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), 08041 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laia Cañes
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IIBB-CSIC), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (C.B.-S.); (J.A.); (P.V.-S.)
- Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), 08041 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paula Vázquez-Sufuentes
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IIBB-CSIC), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (C.B.-S.); (J.A.); (P.V.-S.)
- Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), 08041 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana B. García-Redondo
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Hospital La Paz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Rodríguez
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), 08041 Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Martínez-González
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IIBB-CSIC), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (C.B.-S.); (J.A.); (P.V.-S.)
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), 08041 Barcelona, Spain
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7
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Hernandez Torres LD, Rezende F, Peschke E, Will O, Hövener JB, Spiecker F, Özorhan Ü, Lampe J, Stölting I, Aherrahrou Z, Künne C, Kusche-Vihrog K, Matschl U, Hille S, Brandes RP, Schwaninger M, Müller OJ, Raasch W. Incidence of microvascular dysfunction is increased in hyperlipidemic mice, reducing cerebral blood flow and impairing remote memory. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1338458. [PMID: 38469142 PMCID: PMC10925718 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1338458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The development of cognitive dysfunction is not necessarily associated with diet-induced obesity. We hypothesized that cognitive dysfunction might require additional vascular damage, for example, in atherosclerotic mice. Methods We induced atherosclerosis in male C57BL/6N mice by injecting AAV-PCSK9DY (2x1011 VG) and feeding them a cholesterol-rich Western diet. After 3 months, mice were examined for cognition using Barnes maze procedure and for cerebral blood flow. Cerebral vascular morphology was examined by immunehistology. Results In AAV-PCSK9DY-treated mice, plaque burden, plasma cholesterol, and triglycerides are elevated. RNAseq analyses followed by KEGG annotation show increased expression of genes linked to inflammatory processes in the aortas of these mice. In AAV-PCSK9DY-treated mice learning was delayed and long-term memory impaired. Blood flow was reduced in the cingulate cortex (-17%), caudate putamen (-15%), and hippocampus (-10%). Immunohistological studies also show an increased incidence of string vessels and pericytes (CD31/Col IV staining) in the hippocampus accompanied by patchy blood-brain barrier leaks (IgG staining) and increased macrophage infiltrations (CD68 staining). Discussion We conclude that the hyperlipidemic PCSK9DY mouse model can serve as an appropriate approach to induce microvascular dysfunction that leads to reduced blood flow in the hippocampus, which could explain the cognitive dysfunction in these mice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Flavia Rezende
- Institute for Cardiovascular Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research) Partner Site Rhine-Main, Germany
| | - Eva Peschke
- Section Biomedical Imaging, Molecular Imaging North Competence Center (MOIN CC), Department of Radiology and Neuroradiology, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Olga Will
- Section Biomedical Imaging, Molecular Imaging North Competence Center (MOIN CC), Department of Radiology and Neuroradiology, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Jan-Bernd Hövener
- Section Biomedical Imaging, Molecular Imaging North Competence Center (MOIN CC), Department of Radiology and Neuroradiology, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Frauke Spiecker
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Ümit Özorhan
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Josephine Lampe
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Ines Stölting
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Zouhair Aherrahrou
- Institute for Cardiogenetics, University Lübeck; University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Germany
| | - Carsten Künne
- Department of Cardiac Development and Remodeling, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Kristina Kusche-Vihrog
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Germany
- Institute for Physiology, University Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Urte Matschl
- Department Virus Immunology, Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Hille
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Ralf P. Brandes
- Institute for Cardiovascular Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research) Partner Site Rhine-Main, Germany
| | - Markus Schwaninger
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Germany
- CBBM (Centre for Brain, Behavior and Metabolism), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Oliver J. Müller
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Walter Raasch
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Germany
- CBBM (Centre for Brain, Behavior and Metabolism), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
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8
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Ballester-Servera C, Alonso J, Taurón M, Rotllán N, Rodríguez C, Martínez-González J. Lysyl oxidase expression in smooth muscle cells determines the level of intima calcification in hypercholesterolemia-induced atherosclerosis. CLINICA E INVESTIGACION EN ARTERIOSCLEROSIS : PUBLICACION OFICIAL DE LA SOCIEDAD ESPANOLA DE ARTERIOSCLEROSIS 2024:S0214-9168(24)00007-X. [PMID: 38402026 DOI: 10.1016/j.arteri.2024.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cardiovascular calcification is an important public health issue with an unmeet therapeutic need. We had previously shown that lysyl oxidase (LOX) activity critically influences vascular wall smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and valvular interstitial cells (VICs) calcification by affecting extracellular matrix remodeling. We have delved into the participation of LOX in atherosclerosis and vascular calcification, as well as in the mineralization of the aortic valve. METHODS Immunohistochemical and expression studies were carried out in human atherosclerotic lesions and experimental models, valves from patients with aortic stenosis, VICs, and in a genetically modified mouse model that overexpresses LOX in CMLV (TgLOXCMLV). Hyperlipemia and atherosclerosis was induced in mice through the administration of adeno-associated viruses encoding a PCSK9 mutated form (AAV-PCSK9D374Y) combined with an atherogenic diet. RESULTS LOX expression is increased in the neointimal layer of atherosclerotic lesions from human coronary arteries and in VSMC-rich regions of atheromas developed both in the brachiocephalic artery of control (C57BL/6J) animals transduced with PCSK9D374Y and in the aortic root of ApoE-/- mice. In TgLOXCMLV mice, PCSK9D374Y transduction did not significantly alter the enhanced aortic expression of genes involved in matrix remodeling, inflammation, oxidative stress and osteoblastic differentiation. Likewise, LOX transgenesis did not alter the size or lipid content of atherosclerotic lesions in the aortic arch, brachiocephalic artery and aortic root, but exacerbated calcification. Among lysyl oxidase isoenzymes, LOX is the most expressed member of this family in highly calcified human valves, colocalizing with RUNX2 in VICs. The lower calcium deposition and decreased RUNX2 levels triggered by the overexpression of the nuclear receptor NOR-1 in VICs was associated with a reduction in LOX. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that LOX expression is increased in atherosclerotic lesions, and that overexpression of this enzyme in VSMC does not affect the size of the atheroma or its lipid content, but it does affect its degree of calcification. Further, these data suggest that the decrease in calcification driven by NOR-1 in VICs would involve a reduction in LOX. These evidences support the interest of LOX as a therapeutic target in cardiovascular calcification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carme Ballester-Servera
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IIBB-CSIC), Barcelona, España; CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Instituto de Salud CarlosIII, Madrid, España; Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), Barcelona, España
| | - Judith Alonso
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IIBB-CSIC), Barcelona, España; CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Instituto de Salud CarlosIII, Madrid, España; Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), Barcelona, España
| | - Manel Taurón
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Instituto de Salud CarlosIII, Madrid, España; Departamento de Cirugía Cardíaca, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau-Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (HSCSP-UAB), Barcelona, España
| | - Noemí Rotllán
- Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), Barcelona, España; CIBER de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Instituto de Salud CarlosIII, Madrid, España
| | - Cristina Rodríguez
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Instituto de Salud CarlosIII, Madrid, España; Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), Barcelona, España
| | - José Martínez-González
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IIBB-CSIC), Barcelona, España; CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Instituto de Salud CarlosIII, Madrid, España; Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), Barcelona, España.
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9
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Ballester-Servera C, Cañes L, Alonso J, Puertas-Umbert L, Vázquez-Sufuentes P, Taurón M, Roselló-Díez E, Marín F, Rodríguez C, Martínez-González J. Upregulation of NOR-1 in calcified human vascular tissues: impact on osteogenic differentiation and calcification. Transl Res 2024; 264:1-14. [PMID: 37690706 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2023.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular calcification is a significant public health issue whose pathophysiology is not fully understood. NOR-1 regulates critical processes in cardiovascular remodeling, but its contribution to ectopic calcification is unknown. NOR-1 was overexpressed in human calcific aortic valves and calcified atherosclerotic lesions colocalizing with RUNX2, a factor essential for osteochondrogenic differentiation and calcification. NOR-1 and osteogenic markers were upregulated in calcifying human valvular interstitial cells (VICs) and human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Gain- and loss-of-function approaches demonstrated that NOR-1 negatively modulates the expression of osteogenic genes relevant for the osteogenic transdifferentiation (RUNX2, IL-6, BMP2, and ALPL) and calcification of VICs. VSMCs from transgenic mice overexpressing NOR-1 in these cells (TgNOR-1VSMC) expressed lower basal levels of osteogenic genes (IL-6, BMP2, ALPL, OPN) than cells from WT littermates, and their upregulation by a high-phosphate osteogenic medium (OM) was completely prevented by NOR-1 transgenesis. Consistently, this was associated with a dramatic reduction in the calcification of both transgenic VSMCs and aortic rings from TgNOR-1VSMC mice exposed to OM. Atherosclerosis and calcification were induce in mice by the administration of AAV-PCSK9D374Y and a high-fat/high-cholesterol diet. Challenged-TgNOR-1VSMC mice exhibited decreased vascular expression of osteogenic markers, and both less atherosclerotic burden (assessed in whole aorta and lesion size in aortic arch and brachiocephalic artery) and less vascular calcification (assessed either by near-infrared fluorescence imaging or histological analysis) than WT mice. Our data indicate that NOR-1 negatively modulates the expression of genes critically involved in the osteogenic differentiation of VICs and VSMCs, thereby restraining ectopic cardiovascular calcification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carme Ballester-Servera
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IIBB-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laia Cañes
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IIBB-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Judith Alonso
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IIBB-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lidia Puertas-Umbert
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Recerca Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau (IRHSCSP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paula Vázquez-Sufuentes
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IIBB-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manel Taurón
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain; Departamento de Cirugía Cardíaca, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau-Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (HSCSP-UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Roselló-Díez
- Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain; Departamento de Cirugía Cardíaca, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau-Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (HSCSP-UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francisco Marín
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Departamento de Cardiología, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca-Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
| | - Cristina Rodríguez
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Recerca Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau (IRHSCSP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Martínez-González
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IIBB-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain.
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10
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Song ZK, Zhao L, Liu DS, Zhao LN, Peng QB, Li ZY, Wu JY, Chen SK, Huang FZ, Chen X, Lin TX, Guan L, Meng WP, Guo JW, Su YN, He XX, Liang SJ, Zhu P, Zheng SY, Du SL, Liu X. Macrophage KLF15 prevents foam cell formation and atherosclerosis via transcriptional suppression of OLR-1. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2024; 186:57-70. [PMID: 37984156 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2023.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Macrophage-derived foam cells are a hallmark of atherosclerosis. Scavenger receptors, including lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-1 (OLR-1), are the principal receptors responsible for the uptake and modification of LDL, facilitating macrophage lipid load and the uptake of oxidized LDL by arterial wall cells. Krüppel-like factor 15 (KLF15) is a transcription factor that regulates the expression of genes by binding to the promoter during transcription. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the precise role of macrophage KLF15 in atherogenesis. METHODS We used two murine models of atherosclerosis: mice injected with an adeno-associated virus (AAV) encoding the Asp374-to-Tyr mutant version of human PCSK9, followed by 12 weeks on a high-fat diet (HFD), and ApoE-/-- mice on a HFD. We subsequently injected mice with AAV-KLF15 and AAV-LacZ to assess the role of KLF15 in the development of atherosclerosis in vivo. Oil Red O, H&E, and Masson's trichome staining were used to evaluate atherosclerotic lesions. Western blots and RT-qPCR were used to assess protein and mRNA levels, respectively. RESULTS We determined that KLF15 expression was downregulated during atherosclerosis formation, and KLF15 overexpression prevented atherosclerosis progression. KLF15 expression levels did not affect body weight or serum lipid levels in mice. However, KLF15 overexpression in macrophages prevented foam cell formation by reducing OLR-1-meditated lipid uptake. KLF15 directly targeted and transcriptionally downregulated OLR-1 levels. Restoration of OLR-1 reversed the beneficial effects of KLF15 in atherosclerosis. CONCLUSION Macrophage KLF15 transcriptionally downregulated OLR-1 expression to reduce lipid uptake, thereby preventing foam cell formation and atherosclerosis. Thus, our results suggest that KLF15 is a potential therapeutic target for atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng-Kun Song
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Li Zhao
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - De-Shen Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Ling-Na Zhao
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Qin-Bao Peng
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Zi-Yao Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830000, China
| | - Jia-Yong Wu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Si-Kai Chen
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Fang-Ze Huang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xing Chen
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Tian-Xiao Lin
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Li Guan
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Wei-Peng Meng
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jia-Wei Guo
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434023, China
| | - Yue-Nian Su
- Department of Rehabilitation, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xiao-Xia He
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Si-Jia Liang
- Department of Pharmacology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Peng Zhu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Shao-Yi Zheng
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
| | - Song-Lin Du
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
| | - Xiu Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
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11
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Alakhtar B, Guilbert C, Subramaniam N, Caruana V, Makhani K, Baglole CJ, Mann KK. E-cigarette exposure causes early pro-atherogenic changes in an inducible murine model of atherosclerosis. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2023; 5:1244596. [PMID: 38164438 PMCID: PMC10757938 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2023.1244596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Evidence suggests that e-cigarette use (vaping) increases cardiovascular disease risk, but decades are needed before people who vape would develop pathology. Thus, murine models of atherosclerosis can be utilized as tools to understand disease susceptibility, risk and pathogenesis. Moreover, there is a poor understanding of how risk factors for atherosclerosis (i.e., hyperlipidemia, high-fat diet) intersect with vaping to promote disease risk. Herein, we evaluated whether there was early evidence of atherosclerosis in an inducible hyperlipidemic mouse exposed to aerosol from commercial pod-style devices and e-liquid. Methods: Mice were injected with adeno-associated virus containing the human protein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) variant to promote hyperlipidemia. These mice were fed a high-fat diet and exposed to room air or aerosol derived from JUUL pods containing polyethylene glycol/vegetable glycerin (PG/VG) or 5% nicotine with mango flavoring for 4 weeks; this timepoint was utilized to assess markers of atherosclerosis that may occur prior to the development of atherosclerotic plaques. Results: These data show that various parameters including weight, circulating lipoprotein/glucose levels, and splenic immune cells were significantly affected by exposure to PG/VG and/or nicotine-containing aerosols. Discussion: Not only can this mouse model be utilized for chronic vaping studies to assess the vascular pathology but these data support that vaping is not risk-free and may increase CVD outcomes later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bayan Alakhtar
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Cynthia Guilbert
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Nivetha Subramaniam
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Vincenza Caruana
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Kiran Makhani
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Carolyn J. Baglole
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pathology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Koren K. Mann
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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12
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Jin M, Fang J, Wang JJ, Shao X, Xu SW, Liu PQ, Ye WC, Liu ZP. Regulation of toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathways in atherosclerosis: from mechanisms to targeted therapeutics. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2023; 44:2358-2375. [PMID: 37550526 PMCID: PMC10692204 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-023-01123-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis, one of the life-threatening cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), has been demonstrated to be a chronic inflammatory disease, and inflammatory and immune processes are involved in the origin and development of the disease. Toll-like receptors (TLRs), a class of pattern recognition receptors that trigger innate immune responses by identifying pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), regulate numerous acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. Recent studies reveal that TLRs have a vital role in the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis, including the initiation of endothelial dysfunction, interaction of various immune cells, and activation of a number of other inflammatory pathways. We herein summarize some other inflammatory signaling pathways, protein molecules, and cellular responses associated with TLRs, such as NLRP3, Nrf2, PCSK9, autophagy, pyroptosis and necroptosis, which are also involved in the development of AS. Targeting TLRs and their regulated inflammatory events could be a promising new strategy for the treatment of atherosclerotic CVDs. Novel drugs that exert therapeutic effects on AS through TLRs and their related pathways are increasingly being developed. In this article, we comprehensively review the current knowledge of TLR signaling pathways in atherosclerosis and actively seek potential therapeutic strategies using TLRs as a breakthrough point in the prevention and therapy of atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Jin
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Jian Fang
- Affiliated Huadu Hospital, Southern Medical University (People's Hospital of Huadu District), Guangzhou, 510800, China
| | - Jiao-Jiao Wang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Xin Shao
- Department of Food Science and Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Suo-Wen Xu
- Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Pei-Qing Liu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511436, China.
- National-Local Joint Engineering Lab of Druggability and New Drugs Evaluation, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
| | - Wen-Cai Ye
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511436, China.
| | - Zhi-Ping Liu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511436, China.
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13
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Day EA, Townsend LK, Rehal S, Batchuluun B, Wang D, Morrow MR, Lu R, Lundenberg L, Lu JH, Desjardins EM, Smith TK, Raphenya AR, McArthur AG, Fullerton MD, Steinberg GR. Macrophage AMPK β1 activation by PF-06409577 reduces the inflammatory response, cholesterol synthesis, and atherosclerosis in mice. iScience 2023; 26:108269. [PMID: 38026185 PMCID: PMC10654588 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108269] [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: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is characterized by both chronic low-grade inflammation and dyslipidemia. The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) inhibits cholesterol synthesis and dampens inflammation but whether pharmacological activation reduces atherosclerosis is equivocal. In the current study, we found that the orally bioavailable and highly selective activator of AMPKβ1 complexes, PF-06409577, reduced atherosclerosis in two mouse models in a myeloid-derived AMPKβ1 dependent manner, suggesting a critical role for macrophages. In bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs), PF-06409577 dose dependently activated AMPK as indicated by increased phosphorylation of downstream substrates ULK1 and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), which are important for autophagy and fatty acid oxidation/de novo lipogenesis, respectively. Treatment of BMDMs with PF-06409577 suppressed fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis and transcripts related to the inflammatory response while increasing transcripts important for autophagy through AMPKβ1. These data indicate that pharmacologically targeting macrophage AMPKβ1 may be a promising strategy for reducing atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily A. Day
- Centre for Metabolism, Obesity and Diabetes Research, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, ON, Canada
| | - Logan K. Townsend
- Centre for Metabolism, Obesity and Diabetes Research, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, ON, Canada
| | - Sonia Rehal
- Centre for Metabolism, Obesity and Diabetes Research, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, ON, Canada
| | - Battsetseg Batchuluun
- Centre for Metabolism, Obesity and Diabetes Research, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, ON, Canada
| | - Dongdong Wang
- Centre for Metabolism, Obesity and Diabetes Research, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, ON, Canada
| | - Marisa R. Morrow
- Centre for Metabolism, Obesity and Diabetes Research, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, ON, Canada
| | - Rachel Lu
- Centre for Metabolism, Obesity and Diabetes Research, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, ON, Canada
| | - Lucie Lundenberg
- Centre for Metabolism, Obesity and Diabetes Research, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, ON, Canada
| | - Jessie H. Lu
- Centre for Metabolism, Obesity and Diabetes Research, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, ON, Canada
| | - Eric M. Desjardins
- Centre for Metabolism, Obesity and Diabetes Research, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, ON, Canada
| | - Tyler K.T. Smith
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Centre for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, Centre for Catalysis Research and Innovation, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Amogelang R. Raphenya
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Andrew G. McArthur
- Centre for Metabolism, Obesity and Diabetes Research, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Morgan D. Fullerton
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Centre for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, Centre for Catalysis Research and Innovation, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Gregory R. Steinberg
- Centre for Metabolism, Obesity and Diabetes Research, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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14
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Majumder S, Chattopadhyay A, Wright JM, Guan P, Buja LM, Kwartler CS, Milewicz DM. Pericentrin deficiency in smooth muscle cells augments atherosclerosis through HSF1-driven cholesterol biosynthesis and PERK activation. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e173247. [PMID: 37937642 PMCID: PMC10721278 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.173247] [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: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism type II (MOPDII) is caused by biallelic loss-of-function variants in pericentrin (PCNT), and premature coronary artery disease (CAD) is a complication of the syndrome. Histopathology of coronary arteries from patients with MOPDII who died of CAD in their 20s showed extensive atherosclerosis. Hyperlipidemic mice with smooth muscle cell-specific (SMC-specific) Pcnt deficiency (PcntSMC-/-) exhibited significantly greater atherosclerotic plaque burden compared with similarly treated littermate controls despite similar serum lipid levels. Loss of PCNT in SMCs induced activation of heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) and consequently upregulated the expression and activity of HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR), the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis. The increased cholesterol biosynthesis in PcntSMC-/- SMCs augmented PERK signaling and phenotypic modulation compared with control SMCs. Treatment with the HMGCR inhibitor, pravastatin, blocked the augmented SMC modulation and reduced plaque burden in hyperlipidemic PcntSMC-/- mice to that of control mice. These data support the notion that Pcnt deficiency activates cellular stress to increase SMC modulation and plaque burden, and targeting this pathway with statins in patients with MOPDII has the potential to reduce CAD in these individuals. The molecular mechanism uncovered further emphasizes SMC cytosolic stress and HSF1 activation as a pathway driving atherosclerotic plaque formation independently of cholesterol levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suravi Majumder
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, and
| | - Abhijnan Chattopadhyay
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, and
| | - Jamie M. Wright
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, and
| | - Pujun Guan
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, and
| | - L. Maximilian Buja
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Callie S. Kwartler
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, and
| | - Dianna M. Milewicz
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, and
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15
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Ballester-Servera C, Alonso J, Cañes L, Vázquez-Sufuentes P, Puertas-Umbert L, Fernández-Celis A, Taurón M, Rodríguez-Sinovas A, López-Andrés N, Rodríguez C, Martínez-González J. Lysyl oxidase-dependent extracellular matrix crosslinking modulates calcification in atherosclerosis and aortic valve disease. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 167:115469. [PMID: 37729730 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular matrix (ECM) is an active player in cardiovascular calcification (CVC), a major public health issue with an unmet need for effective therapies. Lysyl oxidase (LOX) conditions ECM biomechanical properties; thus, we hypothesized that LOX might impact on mineral deposition in calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) and atherosclerosis. LOX was upregulated in calcified valves from two cohorts of CAVD patients. Strong LOX immunostaining was detected surrounding calcified foci in calcified human valves and atherosclerotic lesions colocalizing with RUNX2 on valvular interstitial cells (VICs) or vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Both LOX secretion and organized collagen deposition were enhanced in calcifying VICs exposed to osteogenic media. β-aminopropionitrile (BAPN), an inhibitor of LOX, attenuated collagen deposition and calcification. VICs seeded onto decellularized matrices from BAPN-treated VICs calcified less than cells cultured onto control scaffolds; instead, VICs exposed to conditioned media from cells over-expressing LOX or cultured onto LOX-crosslinked matrices calcified more. Atherosclerosis was induced in WT and transgenic mice that overexpress LOX in VSMC (TgLOXVSMC) by AAV-PCSK9D374Y injection and high-fat feeding. In atherosclerosis-challenged TgLOXVSMC mice both atherosclerosis burden and calcification assessed by near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging were higher than in WT mice. These animals also exhibited larger calcified areas in atherosclerotic lesions from aortic arches and brachiocephalic arteries. Moreover, LOX transgenesis exacerbated plaque inflammation, and increased VSMC cellularity, the rate of RUNX2-positive cells and both connective tissue content and collagen cross-linking. Our findings highlight the relevance of LOX in CVC and postulate this enzyme as a potential therapeutic target for CVC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carme Ballester-Servera
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IIBB-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Judith Alonso
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IIBB-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laia Cañes
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IIBB-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paula Vázquez-Sufuentes
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IIBB-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lídia Puertas-Umbert
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Recerca Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau (IRHSCSP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Amaya Fernández-Celis
- Cardiovascular Translational Research, Navarrabiomed, IdiSNA, UPNA, Hospital Universitario de Navarra (HUN), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Manel Taurón
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain; Departamento de Cirugía Cardíaca, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau-Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (HSCSP-UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio Rodríguez-Sinovas
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Cardiovascular Diseases Research Group, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital and Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Natalia López-Andrés
- Cardiovascular Translational Research, Navarrabiomed, IdiSNA, UPNA, Hospital Universitario de Navarra (HUN), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Cristina Rodríguez
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Recerca Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau (IRHSCSP), Barcelona, Spain.
| | - José Martínez-González
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IIBB-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain.
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16
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Phu TA, Vu NK, Ng M, Gao AS, Stoolman JS, Chandel NS, Raffai RL. ApoE enhances mitochondrial metabolism via microRNA-142a/146a-regulated circuits that suppress hematopoiesis and inflammation in hyperlipidemia. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113206. [PMID: 37824329 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113206] [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: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is recognized for its pleiotropic properties that suppress inflammation. We report that ApoE serves as a metabolic rheostat that regulates microRNA control of glycolytic and mitochondrial activity in myeloid cells and hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). ApoE expression in myeloid cells increases microRNA-146a, which reduces nuclear factor κB (NF-κB)-driven GLUT1 expression and glycolytic activity. In contrast, ApoE expression reduces microRNA-142a, which increases carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1a (CPT1A) expression, fatty acid oxidation, and oxidative phosphorylation. Improved mitochondrial metabolism by ApoE expression causes an enrichment of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle metabolites and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) in macrophages. The study of mice with conditional ApoE expression supports the capacity of ApoE to foster microRNA-controlled immunometabolism. Modulation of microRNA-146a and -142a in the hematopoietic system of hyperlipidemic mice using RNA mimics and antagonists, respectively, improves mitochondrial metabolism, which suppresses inflammation and hematopoiesis. Our findings unveil microRNA regulatory circuits, controlled by ApoE, that exert metabolic control over hematopoiesis and inflammation in hyperlipidemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuan Anh Phu
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Surgical Service (112G), San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA; Northern California Institute for Research and Education, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA
| | - Ngan K Vu
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Surgical Service (112G), San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA; Northern California Institute for Research and Education, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA
| | - Martin Ng
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Surgical Service (112G), San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA; Northern California Institute for Research and Education, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA
| | - Alex S Gao
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Surgical Service (112G), San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA; Northern California Institute for Research and Education, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA
| | - Joshua S Stoolman
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Navdeep S Chandel
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Robert L Raffai
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Surgical Service (112G), San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA; Northern California Institute for Research and Education, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA; Department of Surgery, Division of Endovascular and Vascular Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
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17
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Sarad K, Stefańska M, Kraszewska I, Szade K, Sluimer JC, Błyszczuk P, Dulak J, Jaźwa-Kusior A. Single-cell transcriptomics reveals subtype-specific molecular profiles in Nrf2-deficient macrophages from murine atherosclerotic aortas. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1249379. [PMID: 37965327 PMCID: PMC10641521 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1249379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a transcriptional regulator of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory response in all cell types. It also activates the transcription of genes important for macrophage function. Nrf2 activity declines with age and has been closely linked to atherosclerosis, but its specific role in this vascular pathology is not clear. Atherosclerotic plaques contain several macrophage subsets with distinct, yet not completely understood, functions in the lesion development. The aim of this study was to analyze the transcriptome of diverse Nrf2-deficient macrophage subpopulations from murine atherosclerotic aortas. Mice with transcriptionally inactive Nrf2 in Cdh5-expressing cells (Nrf2 Cdh5tKO) were used in the experiments. These mice lack transcriptional Nrf2 activity in endothelial cells, but also in a proportion of leukocytes. We confirmed that the bone marrow-derived and tissue-resident macrophages isolated from Nrf2 Cdh5tKO mice exhibit a significant decline in Nrf2 activity. Atherosclerosis was induced in Nrf2 Cdh5tKO and appropriate control mice via adeno-associated viral vector (AAV)-mediated overexpression of murine proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (Pcsk9) in the liver and high-fat diet feeding. After 21 weeks, live aortic cells were sorted on FACS and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was performed. Unsupervised clustering singled out 13 distinct aortic cell types. Among macrophages, 9 subclusters were identified. Differential gene expression analysis revealed cell subtype-specific expression patterns. A subset of inflammatory macrophages from atherosclerotic Nrf2 Cdh5tKO mice demonstrated downregulation of DNA replication genes (e.g. Mcm7, Lig1, Pola1) concomitant with upregulation of DNA damage sensor Atr gene. Atherosclerotic Nrf2 Cdh5tKO Lyve1+ resident macrophages showed strong upregulation of IFN-stimulated genes, as well as changes in the expression of death pathways-associated genes (Slc40a1, Bcl2a1). Furthermore, we observed subtype-specific expression of core ferroptosis genes (e.g. Cp, Hells, Slc40a1) in inflammatory versus tissue resident macrophages. This observation suggested a link between ferroptosis and inflammatory microenvironment appearing at a very early stage of atherogenesis. Our findings indicate that Nrf2 deficiency in aortic macrophages leads to subtype-specific transcriptomic changes associated with inflammation, iron homeostasis, cell injury or death pathways. This may help understanding the role of aging-associated decline of Nrf2 activity and the function of specific macrophage subtypes in atherosclerotic lesion development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Sarad
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
- Jagiellonian University, Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Monika Stefańska
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - Izabela Kraszewska
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Szade
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Judith C. Sluimer
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Department of Pathology, Maastricht University Medical Center (UMC), Maastricht, Netherlands
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Przemysław Błyszczuk
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
- Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Józef Dulak
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Jaźwa-Kusior
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
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18
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García-Quintáns N, Sacristán S, Márquez-López C, Sánchez-Ramos C, Martinez-de-Benito F, Siniscalco D, González-Guerra A, Camafeita E, Roche-Molina M, Lytvyn M, Morera D, Guillen MI, Sanguino MA, Sanz-Rosa D, Martín-Pérez D, Garcia R, Bernal JA. MYH10 activation rescues contractile defects in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM). Nat Commun 2023; 14:6461. [PMID: 37833253 PMCID: PMC10575922 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41981-5] [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: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The most prevalent genetic form of inherited arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is caused by mutations in desmosomal plakophilin-2 (PKP2). By studying pathogenic deletion mutations in the desmosomal protein PKP2, here we identify a general mechanism by which PKP2 delocalization restricts actomyosin network organization and cardiac sarcomeric contraction in this untreatable disease. Computational modeling of PKP2 variants reveals that the carboxy-terminal (CT) domain is required for N-terminal domain stabilization, which determines PKP2 cortical localization and function. In mutant PKP2 cells the expression of the interacting protein MYH10 rescues actomyosin disorganization. Conversely, dominant-negative MYH10 mutant expression mimics the pathogenic CT-deletion PKP2 mutant causing actin network abnormalities and right ventricle systolic dysfunction. A chemical activator of non-muscle myosins, 4-hydroxyacetophenone (4-HAP), also restores normal contractility. Our findings demonstrate that activation of MYH10 corrects the deleterious effect of PKP2 mutant over systolic cardiac contraction, with potential implications for ACM therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Silvia Sacristán
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Fernando Martinez-de-Benito
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
| | - David Siniscalco
- Materials Science Factory, Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (ICMM), CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Emilio Camafeita
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Roche-Molina
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mariya Lytvyn
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - David Morera
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - María I Guillen
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - María A Sanguino
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - David Sanz-Rosa
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
- Universidad Europea, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Ricardo Garcia
- Materials Science Factory, Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (ICMM), CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan A Bernal
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain.
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain.
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19
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Phu TA, Ng M, Vu NK, Gao AS, Raffai RL. ApoE expression in macrophages communicates immunometabolic signaling that controls hyperlipidemia-driven hematopoiesis & inflammation via extracellular vesicles. J Extracell Vesicles 2023; 12:e12345. [PMID: 37593979 PMCID: PMC10436255 DOI: 10.1002/jev2.12345] [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: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
While apolipoprotein E (apoE) expression by myeloid cells is recognized to control inflammation, whether such benefits can be communicated via extracellular vesicles is not known. Through the study of extracellular vesicles produced by macrophages derived from the bone marrow of Wildtype (WT-BMDM-EV) and ApoE deficient (EKO-BMDM-EV) mice, we uncovered a critical role for apoE expression in regulating their cell signaling properties. WT-BMDM-EV communicated anti-inflammatory properties to recipient myeloid cells by increasing cellular levels of apoE and miR-146a-5p, that reduced NF-κB signalling. They also downregulated cellular levels of miR-142a-3p, resulting in increased levels of its target carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1A (CPT1A) which improved fatty acid oxidation (FAO) and oxidative phosphorylation (OxPHOS) in recipient cells. Such favorable metabolic polarization enhanced cell-surface MerTK levels and the phagocytic uptake of apoptotic cells. In contrast, EKO-BMDM-EV exerted opposite effects by reducing cellular levels of apoE and miR-146a-5p, which increased NF-κB-driven GLUT1-mediated glucose uptake, aerobic glycolysis, and oxidative stress. Furthermore, EKO-BMDM-EV increased cellular miR-142a-3p levels, which reduced CPT1A levels and impaired FAO and OxPHOS in recipient myeloid cells. When cultured with naïve CD4+ T lymphocytes, EKO-BMDM-EV drove their activation and proliferation, and fostered their transition to a Th1 phenotype. While infusions of WT-BMDM-EV into hyperlipidemic mice resolved inflammation, infusions of EKO-BMDM-EV increased hematopoiesis and drove inflammatory responses in myeloid cells and T lymphocytes. ApoE-dependent immunometabolic signaling by macrophage extracellular vesicles was dependent on transcriptional axes controlled by miR-146a-5p and miR-142a-3p that could be reproduced by infusing miR-146a mimics & miR-142a antagonists into hyperlipidemic apoE-deficient mice. Together, our findings unveil a novel property for apoE expression in macrophages that modulates the immunometabolic regulatory properties of their secreted extracellular vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuan Anh Phu
- Department of Veterans AffairsSurgical Service (112G)San Francisco VA Medical CenterSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
- Northern California Institute for Research and EducationSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Martin Ng
- Department of Veterans AffairsSurgical Service (112G)San Francisco VA Medical CenterSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
- Northern California Institute for Research and EducationSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Ngan K. Vu
- Department of Veterans AffairsSurgical Service (112G)San Francisco VA Medical CenterSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
- Northern California Institute for Research and EducationSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Alex S. Gao
- Department of Veterans AffairsSurgical Service (112G)San Francisco VA Medical CenterSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
- Northern California Institute for Research and EducationSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Robert L. Raffai
- Department of Veterans AffairsSurgical Service (112G)San Francisco VA Medical CenterSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
- Northern California Institute for Research and EducationSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
- Department of SurgeryDivision of Endovascular and Vascular SurgeryUniversity of CaliforniaSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
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20
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Yang X, Yang C, Friesel RE, Liaw L. Sprouty1 has a protective role in atherogenesis and modifies the migratory and inflammatory phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cells. Atherosclerosis 2023; 373:17-28. [PMID: 37121163 PMCID: PMC10225353 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2023.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Sprouty1 (Spry1) regulates the differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), and our aim was to determine its role in atherogenesis. A significant proportion of cells within atherosclerotic lesions are derived from migration and pathological adaptation of medial VSMC. METHODS We used global Spry1 null mouse, and Myh11-CreERT2, ROSA26-STOPfl/fl-tdTomato-Spry1fl/fl mice to allow for lineage tracing and conditional Spry1 deletion in VSMC. Atherosclerosis was induced by injection of a mutant form of mPCSK9D377Y-AAV followed by Western diet. Human aortic VSMC (hVSMC) with shRNA targeting of Spry1 were also analyzed. RESULTS Global loss of Spry1 increased inflammatory markers ICAM1 and Cox2 in VSMC. Conditional deletion of Spry1 in VSMC had no effect on early lesion development, despite increased Sca1high cells. After 26 weeks of Western diet, mice with VSMC deletion of Spry1 had increased plaque burden, with reduced collagen content and smooth muscle alpha actin (SMA) in the fibrous cap. Lineage tracing via tdTomato marking Cre-recombined cells indicated that VSMC with loss of Spry1 had decreased migration into the lesion, noted by decreased proportions of tdTomato+ and tdTomato+/SMA + cells. Loss-of-function of Spry1 in hVSMC increased mesenchymal and activation markers, including KLF4, PDGFRb, ICAM1, and Cox2. Loss of Spry1 enhanced the effects of PDGFBB and TNFa on hVSMC. CONCLUSIONS Loss of Spry1 in VSMC aggravated plaque formation at later stages, and increased markers of instability. Our results indicate that Spry1 suppresses the mesenchymal and inflammatory phenotype of VSMC, and its expression in VSMC is protective against chronic atherosclerotic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuehui Yang
- Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth Institute for Research, MaineHealth, Scarborough, ME, 04074, USA
| | - Chenhao Yang
- Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth Institute for Research, MaineHealth, Scarborough, ME, 04074, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, University of Maine, USA
| | - Robert E Friesel
- Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth Institute for Research, MaineHealth, Scarborough, ME, 04074, USA
| | - Lucy Liaw
- Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth Institute for Research, MaineHealth, Scarborough, ME, 04074, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, University of Maine, USA.
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21
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Gogulamudi VR, Durrant JR, Adeyemo AO, Ho HM, Walker AE, Lesniewski LA. Advancing age increases the size and severity of spontaneous atheromas in mouse models of atherosclerosis. GeroScience 2023:10.1007/s11357-023-00776-8. [PMID: 37086367 PMCID: PMC10400524 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-023-00776-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Using multiple mouse models, we explored the impact of aging on the size and severity of atherosclerotic lesions. In young, middle-aged and old apolipoprotein E knockout mice (ApoE-/-) fed an atherogenic diet (AD) for 3-8 weeks, plaque/atheroma formation in the descending aorta and aortic root, and atheroma development in the carotid in response to partial carotid ligation (PCL) were assessed. Total and LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides were higher in old compared to both other age groups, regardless of AD duration. Aortic plaque burden increased with AD duration in all ages. The size and plaque morphology grade of aortic root atheromas was higher with age; however, there was no effect of age on the size or severity of carotid atheromas after PCL. We additionally induced hyperlipidemia in young and old C57BL/6 mice by adeno-associated virus mediated upregulation of LDL receptor regulator, Pcsk9, and 5 weeks of AD. Despite lower cholesterol in old compared to young Pcsk9 mice, there was a greater size and severity of aortic root atheromas in old mice. However, like the ApoE-/- mice, there was no effect of age on size or severity of PCL-induced carotid artery atheromas in Pcsk9 mice. Together, these results suggest that aging increases the size and severity of spontaneous aortic atheromas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venkateswara R Gogulamudi
- Internal Medicine-Geriatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veteran's Affairs Medical Center-Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | | | - Adelola O Adeyemo
- Internal Medicine-Geriatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veteran's Affairs Medical Center-Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Huynh Mi Ho
- Internal Medicine-Geriatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Ashley E Walker
- Department of Human Physiology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
| | - Lisa A Lesniewski
- Internal Medicine-Geriatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veteran's Affairs Medical Center-Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
- Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
- Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
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22
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May L, Bartolo B, Harrison D, Guzik T, Drummond G, Figtree G, Ritchie R, Rye KA, de Haan J. Translating atherosclerosis research from bench to bedside: navigating the barriers for effective preclinical drug discovery. Clin Sci (Lond) 2022; 136:1731-1758. [PMID: 36459456 PMCID: PMC9727216 DOI: 10.1042/cs20210862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death worldwide. An ongoing challenge remains the development of novel pharmacotherapies to treat CVD, particularly atherosclerosis. Effective mechanism-informed development and translation of new drugs requires a deep understanding of the known and currently unknown biological mechanisms underpinning atherosclerosis, accompanied by optimization of traditional drug discovery approaches. Current animal models do not precisely recapitulate the pathobiology underpinning human CVD. Accordingly, a fundamental limitation in early-stage drug discovery has been the lack of consensus regarding an appropriate experimental in vivo model that can mimic human atherosclerosis. However, when coupled with a clear understanding of the specific advantages and limitations of the model employed, preclinical animal models remain a crucial component for evaluating pharmacological interventions. Within this perspective, we will provide an overview of the mechanisms and modalities of atherosclerotic drugs, including those in the preclinical and early clinical development stage. Additionally, we highlight recent preclinical models that have improved our understanding of atherosclerosis and associated clinical consequences and propose model adaptations to facilitate the development of new and effective treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren T. May
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | | | - David G. Harrison
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville TN, U.S.A
| | - Tomasz Guzik
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, U.K
- Department of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Grant R. Drummond
- Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Disease Research, Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gemma A. Figtree
- Kolling Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Imaging and Phenotyping Laboratory, Charles Perkins Centre and Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Rebecca H. Ritchie
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kerry-Anne Rye
- Lipid Research Group, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - Judy B. de Haan
- Cardiovascular Inflammation and Redox Biology Lab, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122, Australia
- Department Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia
- Department of Immunology and Pathology, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia
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23
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Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection: Heterogeneity and Molecular Mechanisms. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12101536. [PMID: 36291745 PMCID: PMC9599852 DOI: 10.3390/biom12101536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Aortic aneurysms and dissections (AAD) are devastating aortic diseases with high risks for aortic rupture, leading to uncontrolled bleeding and death [...].
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Abstract
Purpose of Review Since the discovery of PCSK9 in 2003, this proprotein convertase was shown to target specific receptors for degradation in endosomes/lysosomes, including LDLR and other family members and hence to enhance the levels of circulating LDL-cholesterol (LDLc). Accordingly, inhibitors of PCSK9, including monoclonal antibodies blocking its circulating activity and siRNA silencers of its hepatic expression, are now used in clinics worldwide to treat hypercholesterolemia patients effectively and safely in combination with statins and/or ezetimibe. These powerful treatments reduce the incidence of atherosclerosis by at least 20%. Since 2008, novel targets of PCSK9 began to be defined, thereby expanding its roles beyond LDLc regulation into the realm of inflammation, pathogen infections and cellular proliferation in various cancers and associated metastases. Recent Findings Some pathogens such as dengue virus exploit the ability of PCSK9 to target the LDLR for degradation to enhance their ability to infect cells. Aside from increasing the degradation of the LDLR and its family members VLDLR, ApoER2 and LRP1, circulating PCSK9 also reduces the levels of other receptors such as CD36 (implicated in fatty acid uptake), oxidized LDLR receptor (that clears oxidized LDLc) as well as major histocompatibility class-I (MHC-I) receptors (implicated in the immune response to antigens). Thus, these novel targets provided links between PCSK9 and inflammation/atherosclerosis, viral infections and cancer/metastasis. The functional activities of PCSK9, accelerated the development of novel therapies to inhibit PCSK9 functions, including small molecular inhibitors, long-term vaccines, and possibly CRISPR-based silencing of hepatic expression of PCSK9. Summary The future of inhibitors/silencers of PCSK9 function or expression looks bright, as these are expected to provide a modern armamentarium to treat various pathologies beyond hypercholesterolemia and its effects on atherosclerosis.
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25
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Splice factor polypyrimidine tract-binding protein 1 (Ptbp1) primes endothelial inflammation in atherogenic disturbed flow conditions. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2122227119. [PMID: 35858420 PMCID: PMC9335344 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2122227119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Plaque forms in low and disturbed flow regions of the vasculature, where platelets adhere and endothelial cells are “primed” to respond to cytokines (e.g., tumor necrosis factor-α) with elevated levels of cell adhesion molecules via the NF-κB signaling pathway. We show that the splice factor polypyrimidine tract binding protein (Ptbp1; purple) mediates priming. Ptbp1 is induced in endothelial cells by platelet recruitment, promoting priming and subsequent myeloid cell infiltration into plaque. Mechanistically, Ptbp1 regulates splicing of genes (e.g., Ripk1) involved in the NF-κB signaling pathway and is required for efficient nuclear translocation of NF-κB in endothelial cells. This provides new insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying an endothelial priming process that reinforces vascular inflammation. NF-κB–mediated endothelial activation drives leukocyte recruitment and atherosclerosis, in part through adhesion molecules Icam1 and Vcam1. The endothelium is primed for cytokine activation of NF-κB by exposure to low and disturbed blood flow (LDF)but the molecular underpinnings are not fully understood. In an experimental in vivo model of LDF, platelets were required for the increased expression of several RNA-binding splice factors, including polypyrimidine tract binding protein (Ptbp1). This was coordinated with changes in RNA splicing in the NF-κB pathway in primed cells, leading us to examine splice factors as mediators of priming. Using Icam1 and Vcam1 induction by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α stimulation as a readout, we performed a CRISPR Cas9 knockout screen and identified a requirement for Ptbp1 in priming. Deletion of Ptbp1 had no effect on cell growth or response to apoptotic stimuli, but reversed LDF splicing patterns and inhibited NF-κB nuclear translocation and transcriptional activation of downstream targets, including Icam1 and Vcam1. In human coronary arteries, elevated PTBP1 correlates with expression of TNF pathway genes and plaque. In vivo, endothelial-specific deletion of Ptbp1 reduced Icam1 expression and myeloid cell infiltration at regions of LDF in atherosclerotic mice, limiting atherosclerosis. This may be mediated, in part, by allowing inclusion of a conserved alternative exon in Ripk1 leading to a reduction in Ripk1 protein. Our data show that Ptbp1, which is induced in a subset of the endothelium by platelet recruitment at regions of LDF, is required for priming of the endothelium for subsequent NF-κB activation, myeloid cell recruitment and atherosclerosis.
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26
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Expression of a PCSK9 Gain-of-Function Mutation in C57BL/6J Mice to Facilitate Angiotensin II-Induced AAAs. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12070915. [PMID: 35883473 PMCID: PMC9313338 DOI: 10.3390/biom12070915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiotensin II (AngII) infusion in mice has been used widely to investigate mechanisms of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). To achieve a high incidence of AngII-induced AAAs, mice should be hypercholesterolemic. Therefore, either low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) or apolipoprotein E deficiency have been used as a hypercholesterolemic background. However, it is a time-consuming and expensive process to generate compound deficient strains that have either an LDLR or apolipoprotein E deficient background. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) facilitates the degradation of LDL receptors. Previous studies demonstrated profound increases of plasma cholesterol concentrations after a single intraperitoneal injection of adeno-associated viruses (AAV) expressing a gain-of-function mutation of mouse PCSK9 (AAV.mPCSK9D377Y) in C57BL/6J mice fed a Western diet. Of note, injection of AAV.mPCSK9D377Y augmented AngII-induced AAA formation in C57BL/6J mice that had comparable severity of AAAs to LDLR deficient mice. Thus, AAV.mPCSK9D377Y infection greatly expedites studies on a gene of interest using AngII-induced AAAs. This commentary provides a brief technical guide of this approach and discusses the pros and cons of its use in AAA research.
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27
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Gisterå A, Ketelhuth DFJ, Malin SG, Hansson GK. Animal Models of Atherosclerosis-Supportive Notes and Tricks of the Trade. Circ Res 2022; 130:1869-1887. [PMID: 35679358 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.122.320263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is a major cause of death among humans. Animal models have shown that cholesterol and inflammation are causatively involved in the disease process. Apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins elicit immune reactions and instigate inflammation in the vessel wall. Still, a treatment that is specific to vascular inflammation is lacking, which motivates continued in vivo investigations of the immune-vascular interactions that drive the disease. In this review, we distill old notions with emerging concepts into a contemporary understanding of vascular disease models. Pros and cons of different models are listed and the complex integrative interplay between cholesterol homeostasis, immune activation, and adaptations of the vascular system is discussed. Key limitations with atherosclerosis models are highlighted, and we suggest improvements that could accelerate progress in the field. However, excessively rigid experimental guidelines or limiting usage to certain animal models can be counterproductive. Continued work in improved models, as well as the development of new models, should be of great value in research and could aid the development of cardiovascular disease diagnostics and therapeutics of the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton Gisterå
- Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden (A.G., D.F.J.K., S.G.M., G.K.H.)
| | - Daniel F J Ketelhuth
- Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden (A.G., D.F.J.K., S.G.M., G.K.H.).,Department of Cardiovascular and Renal Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Odense, Denmark (D.F.J.K)
| | - Stephen G Malin
- Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden (A.G., D.F.J.K., S.G.M., G.K.H.)
| | - Göran K Hansson
- Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden (A.G., D.F.J.K., S.G.M., G.K.H.)
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28
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Achner L, Klersy T, Fels B, Reinberger T, Schmidt CX, Groß N, Hille S, Müller OJ, Aherrahrou Z, Kusche-Vihrog K, Raasch W. AFM-based nanoindentation indicates an impaired cortical stiffness in the AAV-PCSK9 DY atherosclerosis mouse model. Pflugers Arch 2022; 474:993-1002. [PMID: 35648220 PMCID: PMC9393126 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-022-02710-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Investigating atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction has mainly become established in genetically modified ApoE−/− or LDL-R−/− mice transgenic models. A new AAV-PCSK9DYDY mouse model with no genetic modification has now been reported as an alternative atherosclerosis model. Here, we aimed to employ this AAV-PCSK9DY mouse model to quantify the mechanical stiffness of the endothelial surface, an accepted hallmark for endothelial dysfunction and forerunner for atherosclerosis. Ten-week-old male C57BL/6 N mice were injected with AAV-PCSK9DY (0.5, 1 or 5 × 1011 VG) or saline as controls and fed with Western diet (1.25% cholesterol) for 3 months. Total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) were measured after 6 and 12 weeks. Aortic sections were used for atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements or histological analysis using Oil-Red-O staining. Mechanical properties of in situ endothelial cells derived from ex vivo aorta preparations were quantified using AFM-based nanoindentation. Compared to controls, an increase in plasma TC and TG and extent of atherosclerosis was demonstrated in all groups of mice in a viral load-dependent manner. Cortical stiffness of controls was 1.305 pN/nm and increased (10%) in response to viral load (≥ 0.5 × 1011 VG) and positively correlated with the aortic plaque content and plasma TC and TG. For the first time, we show changes in the mechanical properties of the endothelial surface and thus the development of endothelial dysfunction in the AAV-PCSK9DY mouse model. Our results demonstrate that this model is highly suitable and represents a good alternative to the commonly used transgenic mouse models for studying atherosclerosis and other vascular pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie Achner
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Tobias Klersy
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Benedikt Fels
- Institute for Physiology, University Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Tobias Reinberger
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/, Lübeck, Germany.,Institute for Cardiogenetics, University Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Cosima X Schmidt
- Institute of Neurobiology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Natalie Groß
- Institute for Experimental Dermatology (LIED), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Susanne Hille
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/, Lübeck, Germany.,Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Oliver J Müller
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/, Lübeck, Germany.,Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Zouhair Aherrahrou
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/, Lübeck, Germany.,Institute for Cardiogenetics, University Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Kristina Kusche-Vihrog
- Institute for Physiology, University Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Walter Raasch
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Germany. .,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/, Lübeck, Germany. .,CBBM (Centre for Brain, Behavior and Metabolism), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
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29
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Cansby E, Kumari S, Caputo M, Xia Y, Porosk R, Robinson J, Wang H, Olsson BM, Vallin J, Grantham J, Soomets U, Svensson LT, Sihlbom C, Marschall HU, Edsfeldt A, Goncalves I, Mahlapuu M. Silencing of STE20-type kinase STK25 in human aortic endothelial and smooth muscle cells is atheroprotective. Commun Biol 2022; 5:379. [PMID: 35440683 PMCID: PMC9018782 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03309-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies highlight the importance of lipotoxic damage in aortic cells as the major pathogenetic contributor to atherosclerotic disease. Since the STE20-type kinase STK25 has been shown to exacerbate ectopic lipid storage and associated cell injury in several metabolic organs, we here investigate its role in the main cell types of vasculature. We depleted STK25 by small interfering RNA in human aortic endothelial and smooth muscle cells exposed to oleic acid and oxidized LDL. In both cell types, the silencing of STK25 reduces lipid accumulation and suppresses activation of inflammatory and fibrotic pathways as well as lowering oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Notably, in smooth muscle cells, STK25 inactivation hinders the shift from a contractile to a synthetic phenotype. Together, we provide several lines of evidence that antagonizing STK25 signaling in human aortic endothelial and smooth muscle cells is atheroprotective, highlighting this kinase as a new potential therapeutic target for atherosclerotic disease. Silencing of STK25, an STE20-type kinase, in human aortic endothelial and smooth muscle cells reduces lipid accumulation and suppresses inflammation and fibrotic pathways, ultimately exerting atheroprotective effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmelie Cansby
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Sima Kumari
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mara Caputo
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ying Xia
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Rando Porosk
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Jonathan Robinson
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, National Bioinformatics Infrastructure Sweden, Science for Life Laboratory, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, National Bioinformatics Infrastructure Sweden, Science for Life Laboratory, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Josefine Vallin
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Julie Grantham
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ursel Soomets
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - L Thomas Svensson
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, National Bioinformatics Infrastructure Sweden, Science for Life Laboratory, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Carina Sihlbom
- Proteomics Core Facility, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Hanns-Ulrich Marschall
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine/Wallenberg Laboratory, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Andreas Edsfeldt
- Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Clinical Research Center, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.,Department of Cardiology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund/Malmö, Sweden.,Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Isabel Goncalves
- Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Clinical Research Center, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.,Department of Cardiology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund/Malmö, Sweden
| | - Margit Mahlapuu
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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30
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Gaul S, Shahzad K, Medert R, Gadi I, Mäder C, Schumacher D, Wirth A, Ambreen S, Fatima S, Boeckel JN, Khawaja H, Haas J, Brune M, Nawroth PP, Isermann B, Laufs U, Freichel M. Novel Nongenetic Murine Model of Hyperglycemia and Hyperlipidemia-Associated Aggravated Atherosclerosis. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:813215. [PMID: 35350534 PMCID: PMC8957812 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.813215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Atherosclerosis, the main pathology underlying cardiovascular diseases is accelerated in diabetic patients. Genetic mouse models require breeding efforts which are time-consuming and costly. Our aim was to establish a new nongenetic model of inducible metabolic risk factors that mimics hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, or both and allows the detection of phenotypic differences dependent on the metabolic stressor(s). Methods and Results Wild-type mice were injected with gain-of-function PCSK9D377Y (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9) mutant adeno-associated viral particles (AAV) and streptozotocin and fed either a high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 or 20 weeks or a high-cholesterol/high-fat diet (Paigen diet, PD) for 8 weeks. To evaluate atherosclerosis, two different vascular sites (aortic sinus and the truncus of the brachiocephalic artery) were examined in the mice. Combined hyperlipidemic and hyperglycemic (HGHCi) mice fed a HFD or PD displayed characteristic features of aggravated atherosclerosis when compared to hyperlipidemia (HCi HFD or PD) mice alone. Atherosclerotic plaques of HGHCi HFD animals were larger, showed a less stable phenotype (measured by the increased necrotic core area, reduced fibrous cap thickness, and less α-SMA-positive area) and had more inflammation (increased plasma IL-1β level, aortic pro-inflammatory gene expression, and MOMA-2-positive cells in the BCA) after 20 weeks of HFD. Differences between the HGHCi and HCi HFD models were confirmed using RNA-seq analysis of aortic tissue, revealing that significantly more genes were dysregulated in mice with combined hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia than in the hyperlipidemia-only group. The HGHCi-associated genes were related to pathways regulating inflammation (increased Cd68, iNos, and Tnfa expression) and extracellular matrix degradation (Adamts4 and Mmp14). When comparing HFD with PD, the PD aggravated atherosclerosis to a greater extent in mice and showed plaque formation after 8 weeks. Hyperlipidemic and hyperglycemic mice fed a PD (HGHCi PD) showed less collagen (Sirius red) and increased inflammation (CD68-positive cells) within aortic plaques than hyperlipidemic mice (HCi PD). HGHCi-PD mice represent a directly inducible hyperglycemic atherosclerosis model compared with HFD-fed mice, in which atherosclerosis is severe by 8 weeks. Conclusion We established a nongenetically inducible mouse model allowing comparative analyses of atherosclerosis in HCi and HGHCi conditions and its modification by diet, allowing analyses of multiple metabolic hits in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Gaul
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Kardiologie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Khurrum Shahzad
- Department of Diagnostics, Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostic, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Rebekka Medert
- Institute of Pharmacology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Germany
| | - Ihsan Gadi
- Department of Diagnostics, Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostic, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christina Mäder
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Kardiologie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Dagmar Schumacher
- Institute of Pharmacology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Germany
| | - Angela Wirth
- Institute of Pharmacology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Saira Ambreen
- Department of Diagnostics, Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostic, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sameen Fatima
- Department of Diagnostics, Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostic, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jes-Niels Boeckel
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Kardiologie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Hamzah Khawaja
- Department of Diagnostics, Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostic, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jan Haas
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Germany.,Department of Internal Medicine III, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Maik Brune
- Internal Medicine I and Clinical Chemistry, German Diabetes Center (DZD), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter P Nawroth
- Internal Medicine I and Clinical Chemistry, German Diabetes Center (DZD), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Berend Isermann
- Department of Diagnostics, Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostic, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ulrich Laufs
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Kardiologie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Marc Freichel
- Institute of Pharmacology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Germany
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31
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Roldán-Montero R, Pérez-Sáez JM, Cerro-Pardo I, Oller J, Martinez-Lopez D, Nuñez E, Maller SM, Gutierrez-Muñoz C, Mendez-Barbero N, Escola-Gil JC, Michel JB, Mittelbrunn M, Vázquez J, Blanco-Colio LM, Rabinovich GA, Martin-Ventura JL. Galectin-1 prevents pathological vascular remodeling in atherosclerosis and abdominal aortic aneurysm. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabm7322. [PMID: 35294231 PMCID: PMC8926342 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm7322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Pathological vascular remodeling is the underlying cause of atherosclerosis and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Here, we analyzed the role of galectin-1 (Gal-1), a β-galactoside-binding protein, as a therapeutic target for atherosclerosis and AAA. Mice lacking Gal-1 (Lgals1-/-) developed severe atherosclerosis induced by pAAV/D377Y-mPCSK9 adenovirus and displayed higher lipid levels and lower expression of contractile markers of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in plaques than wild-type mice. Proteomic analysis of Lgals1-/- aortas showed changes in markers of VSMC phenotypic switch and altered composition of mitochondrial proteins. Mechanistically, Gal-1 silencing resulted in increased foam cell formation and mitochondrial dysfunction in VSMCs, while treatment with recombinant Gal-1 (rGal-1) prevented these effects. Furthermore, rGal-1 treatment attenuated atherosclerosis and elastase-induced AAA, leading to higher contractile VSMCs in aortic tissues. Gal-1 expression decreased in human atheroma and AAA compared to control tissue. Thus, Gal-1-driven circuits emerge as potential therapeutic strategies in atherosclerosis and AAA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Roldán-Montero
- IIS-Fundación Jiménez-Díaz-Autonoma University of Madrid (UAM). Madrid, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan M. Pérez-Sáez
- Laboratorio de Glicomedicina, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), C1428ADN Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Isabel Cerro-Pardo
- IIS-Fundación Jiménez-Díaz-Autonoma University of Madrid (UAM). Madrid, Spain
| | - Jorge Oller
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-UAM, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación del Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Estefania Nuñez
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sebastian M. Maller
- Laboratorio de Glicomedicina, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), C1428ADN Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Nerea Mendez-Barbero
- IIS-Fundación Jiménez-Díaz-Autonoma University of Madrid (UAM). Madrid, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Maria Mittelbrunn
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-UAM, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación del Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Vázquez
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis M. Blanco-Colio
- IIS-Fundación Jiménez-Díaz-Autonoma University of Madrid (UAM). Madrid, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Gabriel A. Rabinovich
- Laboratorio de Glicomedicina, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), C1428ADN Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, C1428AGE Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Corresponding author. (J.L.M.-V.); (G.A.R.)
| | - Jose L. Martin-Ventura
- IIS-Fundación Jiménez-Díaz-Autonoma University of Madrid (UAM). Madrid, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
- Corresponding author. (J.L.M.-V.); (G.A.R.)
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32
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Pig and Mouse Models of Hyperlipidemia and Atherosclerosis. METHODS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (CLIFTON, N.J.) 2022; 2419:379-411. [PMID: 35237978 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1924-7_24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that is the underlying cause of most cardiovascular disease. Resident cells of the artery wall and cells of the immune system participate in atherogenesis. This process is influenced by plasma lipoproteins, genetics, and the hemodynamics of the blood flow in the artery. A variety of animal models have been used to study the pathophysiology and mechanisms that contribute to atherosclerotic lesion formation. No model is ideal as each has its own advantages and limitations with respect to manipulation of the atherogenic process and modeling human atherosclerosis and lipoprotein profile. In this chapter we will discuss pig and mouse models of experimental atherosclerosis. The similarity of pig lipoprotein metabolism and the pathophysiology of the lesions in these animals with that of humans is a major advantage. While a few genetically engineered pig models have been generated, the ease of genetic manipulation in mice and the relatively short time frame for the development of atherosclerosis has made them the most extensively used model. Newer approaches to induce hypercholesterolemia in mice have been developed that do not require germline modifications. These approaches will facilitate studies on atherogenic mechanisms.
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Bjørklund MM, Bernal JA, Bentzon JF. Atherosclerosis Induced by Adeno-Associated Virus Encoding Gain-of-Function PCSK9. METHODS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (CLIFTON, N.J.) 2022; 2419:461-473. [PMID: 35237981 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1924-7_27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Induction of atherosclerosis in mice with one or more genetic alterations (e.g., conditional deletion of a gene of interest) has traditionally required crossbreeding with Apoe or Ldlr deficient mice to achieve sufficient hypercholesterolemia. However, this procedure is time consuming and generates a surplus of mice with genotypes that are irrelevant for experiments. Several alternative methods exist that obviate the need to work in mice with germline-encoded hypercholesterolemia. In this chapter, we detail an efficient and increasingly used method to induce hypercholesterolemia in mice through adeno-associated virus-mediated transfer of the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Mæng Bjørklund
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Heart Diseases, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan A Bernal
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jacob F Bentzon
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Heart Diseases, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain.
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De Giorgi M, Jarrett KE, de Aguiar Vallim TQ, Lagor WR. In Vivo Gene Editing in Lipid and Atherosclerosis Research. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2419:673-713. [PMID: 35237996 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1924-7_42] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The low-density lipoprotein receptor (Ldlr) and apolipoprotein E (Apoe) germline knockout (KO) models have provided fundamental insights in lipid and atherosclerosis research for decades. However, testing new candidate genes in these models requires extensive breeding, which is highly time and resource consuming. In this chapter, we provide methods for rapidly modeling hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis as well as testing new genes in adult mice through somatic gene editing. Adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors are exploited to deliver the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 genome editing system (AAV-CRISPR) to the liver. This tool enables rapid and efficient editing of lipid- and atherosclerosis-related genes in the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco De Giorgi
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kelsey E Jarrett
- Department of Medicine, Cardiology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Thomas Q de Aguiar Vallim
- Department of Medicine, Cardiology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Molecular Biology Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - William R Lagor
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
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Yang B, Ye Z, Wang Y, Guo H, Lehmler HJ, Huang R, Song E, Song Y. Evaluation of Early Biomarkers of Atherosclerosis Associated with Polychlorinated Biphenyl Exposure: An in Vitro and in Vivo Study. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022; 130:37011. [PMID: 35349355 PMCID: PMC8963524 DOI: 10.1289/ehp9833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Miscellaneous cardiovascular risk factors have been defined, but the contribution of environmental pollutants exposure on cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains underappreciated. OBJECTIVE We investigated the potential impact of typical environmental pollutant exposure on atherogenesis and its underlying mechanisms. METHODS We used human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE-/-) mice to investigate how 2,3,5-trichloro-6-phenyl-[1,4]-benzoquinone (PCB29-pQ, a toxic polychlorinated biphenyl metabolite) affects atherogenesis and identified early biomarkers of CVD associated with PCB29-pQ exposures. Then, we used long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) HDAC7-AS1-overexpressing ApoE-/- mice and apolipoprotein E/caveolin 1 double-knockout (ApoE-/-/CAV1-/-) mice to address the role of these early biomarkers in PCB29-pQ-induced atherogenesis. Plasma samples from patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) were also used to confirm our findings. RESULTS Our data indicate that lncRNA HDAC7-AS1 bound to MIR-7-5p via argonaute 2 in PCB29-pQ-challenged HUVECs. Our mRNA sequencing assay identified transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2) as a possible target gene of MIR-7-5p; HDAC7-AS1 sponged MIR-7-5p and inhibited the binding of TGF-β2 to MIR-7-5p. The effect of PCB29-pQ-induced endothelial injury, vascular inflammation, development of plaques, and atherogenesis in ApoE-/- mice was greater with MIR-7-5p-mediated TGF-β2 inhibition, whereas HDAC7-AS1-overexpressing ApoE-/- mice and ApoE-/-/CAV1-/- mice showed the opposite effect. Consistently, plasma levels of HDAC7-AS1 and MIR-7-5p were found to be significantly associated individuals diagnosed with CHD. DISCUSSIONS These findings demonstrated that a mechanism-based, integrated-omics approach enabled the identification of potentially clinically relevant diagnostic indicators and therapeutic targets of CHD mediated by environmental contaminants using in vitro and in vivo models of HUVECs and ApoE-/- and ApoE-/-/CAV1-/- mice. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP9833.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingwei Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing, Ministry of Education, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhishuai Ye
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yawen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing, Ministry of Education, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hongzhou Guo
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hans-Joachim Lehmler
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Rongchong Huang
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Erqun Song
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing, Ministry of Education, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yang Song
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Sawada H, Lu HS, Cassis LA, Daugherty A. Twenty Years of Studying AngII (Angiotensin II)-Induced Abdominal Aortic Pathologies in Mice: Continuing Questions and Challenges to Provide Insight Into the Human Disease. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2022; 42:277-288. [PMID: 35045728 PMCID: PMC8866209 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.121.317058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
AngII (angiotensin II) infusion in mice has been used to provide mechanistic insight into human abdominal aortic aneurysms for over 2 decades. This is a technically facile animal model that recapitulates multiple facets of the human disease. Although numerous publications have reported abdominal aortic aneurysms with AngII infusion in mice, there remain many fundamental unanswered questions such as uniformity of describing the pathological characteristics and which cell type is stimulated by AngII to promote abdominal aortic aneurysms. Extrapolation of the findings to provide insight into the human disease has been hindered by the preponderance of studies designed to determine the effects on initiation of abdominal aortic aneurysms, rather than a more clinically relevant scenario of determining efficacy on the established disease. The purpose of this review is to enhance understanding of AngII-induced abdominal aortic pathologies in mice, thereby providing greater insight into the human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisashi Sawada
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY,Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY,Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Hong S. Lu
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY,Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY,Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Lisa A. Cassis
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY,Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY,Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
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Robichaud S, Rasheed A, Pietrangelo A, Doyoung Kim A, Boucher DM, Emerton C, Vijithakumar V, Gharibeh L, Fairman G, Mak E, Nguyen MA, Geoffrion M, Wirka R, Rayner KJ, Ouimet M. Autophagy Is Differentially Regulated in Leukocyte and Nonleukocyte Foam Cells During Atherosclerosis. Circ Res 2022; 130:831-847. [PMID: 35137605 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.121.320047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Atherosclerosis is characterized by an accumulation of foam cells within the arterial wall, resulting from excess cholesterol uptake and buildup of cytosolic lipid droplets (LDs). Autophagy promotes LD clearance by freeing stored cholesterol for efflux, a process that has been shown to be atheroprotective. While the role of autophagy in LD catabolism has been studied in macrophage-derived foam cells, this has remained unexplored in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC)-derived foam cells that constitute a large fraction of foam cells within atherosclerotic lesions. OBJECTIVE We performed a comparative analysis of autophagy flux in lipid-rich aortic intimal populations to determine whether VSMC-derived foam cells metabolize LDs similarly to their macrophage counterparts. METHODS AND RESULTS Atherosclerosis was induced in GFP-LC3 transgenic mice by PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9)-adeno-associated viral injection and Western diet feeding. Using flow cytometry of aortic digests, we observed a significant increase in dysfunctional autophagy of VSMC-derived foam cells during atherogenesis relative to macrophage-derived foam cells. Using cell culture models of lipid-loaded VSMC and macrophage, we show that autophagy-mediated cholesterol efflux from VSMC foam cells was poor relative to macrophage foam cells, and largely occurs when HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is used as a cholesterol acceptor, as opposed to apoA-1 (apolipoproteinA-1). This was associated with the predominant expression of ABCG1 in VSMC foam cells. Using metformin, an autophagy activator, cholesterol efflux to HDL was significantly increased in VSMC, but not in macrophage, foam cells. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate that VSMC and macrophage foam cells perform cholesterol efflux by distinct mechanisms, and that autophagy flux is highly impaired in VSMC foam cells, but can be induced by pharmacological means. Further investigation is warranted into targeting autophagy specifically in VSMC foam cells, the predominant foam cell subtype of advanced atherosclerotic plaques, to promote reverse cholesterol transport and resolution of the atherosclerotic plaque.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Robichaud
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute, ON (S.R., A.R., A.P., A.D.K., D.M.B., C.E., V.V., L.G., G.F., E.M., M.-A.N., M.G., K.J.R., M.O.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, ON (S.R., A.R., A.P., A.D.K., D.M.B., V.V., L.G., G.F., M.-A.N., K.J.R., M.O.)
| | - Adil Rasheed
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute, ON (S.R., A.R., A.P., A.D.K., D.M.B., C.E., V.V., L.G., G.F., E.M., M.-A.N., M.G., K.J.R., M.O.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, ON (S.R., A.R., A.P., A.D.K., D.M.B., V.V., L.G., G.F., M.-A.N., K.J.R., M.O.)
| | - Antonietta Pietrangelo
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute, ON (S.R., A.R., A.P., A.D.K., D.M.B., C.E., V.V., L.G., G.F., E.M., M.-A.N., M.G., K.J.R., M.O.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, ON (S.R., A.R., A.P., A.D.K., D.M.B., V.V., L.G., G.F., M.-A.N., K.J.R., M.O.)
| | - Anne Doyoung Kim
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute, ON (S.R., A.R., A.P., A.D.K., D.M.B., C.E., V.V., L.G., G.F., E.M., M.-A.N., M.G., K.J.R., M.O.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, ON (S.R., A.R., A.P., A.D.K., D.M.B., V.V., L.G., G.F., M.-A.N., K.J.R., M.O.)
| | - Dominique M Boucher
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute, ON (S.R., A.R., A.P., A.D.K., D.M.B., C.E., V.V., L.G., G.F., E.M., M.-A.N., M.G., K.J.R., M.O.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, ON (S.R., A.R., A.P., A.D.K., D.M.B., V.V., L.G., G.F., M.-A.N., K.J.R., M.O.)
| | - Christina Emerton
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute, ON (S.R., A.R., A.P., A.D.K., D.M.B., C.E., V.V., L.G., G.F., E.M., M.-A.N., M.G., K.J.R., M.O.)
| | - Viyashini Vijithakumar
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute, ON (S.R., A.R., A.P., A.D.K., D.M.B., C.E., V.V., L.G., G.F., E.M., M.-A.N., M.G., K.J.R., M.O.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, ON (S.R., A.R., A.P., A.D.K., D.M.B., V.V., L.G., G.F., M.-A.N., K.J.R., M.O.)
| | - Lara Gharibeh
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute, ON (S.R., A.R., A.P., A.D.K., D.M.B., C.E., V.V., L.G., G.F., E.M., M.-A.N., M.G., K.J.R., M.O.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, ON (S.R., A.R., A.P., A.D.K., D.M.B., V.V., L.G., G.F., M.-A.N., K.J.R., M.O.)
| | - Garrett Fairman
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute, ON (S.R., A.R., A.P., A.D.K., D.M.B., C.E., V.V., L.G., G.F., E.M., M.-A.N., M.G., K.J.R., M.O.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, ON (S.R., A.R., A.P., A.D.K., D.M.B., V.V., L.G., G.F., M.-A.N., K.J.R., M.O.)
| | - Esther Mak
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute, ON (S.R., A.R., A.P., A.D.K., D.M.B., C.E., V.V., L.G., G.F., E.M., M.-A.N., M.G., K.J.R., M.O.)
| | - My-Anh Nguyen
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute, ON (S.R., A.R., A.P., A.D.K., D.M.B., C.E., V.V., L.G., G.F., E.M., M.-A.N., M.G., K.J.R., M.O.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, ON (S.R., A.R., A.P., A.D.K., D.M.B., V.V., L.G., G.F., M.-A.N., K.J.R., M.O.)
| | - Michele Geoffrion
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute, ON (S.R., A.R., A.P., A.D.K., D.M.B., C.E., V.V., L.G., G.F., E.M., M.-A.N., M.G., K.J.R., M.O.)
| | - Robert Wirka
- University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill (R.W.)
| | - Katey J Rayner
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute, ON (S.R., A.R., A.P., A.D.K., D.M.B., C.E., V.V., L.G., G.F., E.M., M.-A.N., M.G., K.J.R., M.O.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, ON (S.R., A.R., A.P., A.D.K., D.M.B., V.V., L.G., G.F., M.-A.N., K.J.R., M.O.)
| | - Mireille Ouimet
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute, ON (S.R., A.R., A.P., A.D.K., D.M.B., C.E., V.V., L.G., G.F., E.M., M.-A.N., M.G., K.J.R., M.O.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, ON (S.R., A.R., A.P., A.D.K., D.M.B., V.V., L.G., G.F., M.-A.N., K.J.R., M.O.)
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Chan JM, Park SJ, Ng M, Chen WC, Garnell J, Bhakoo K. Predictive mouse model reflects distinct stages of human atheroma in a single carotid artery. Transl Res 2022; 240:33-49. [PMID: 34478893 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2021.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Identification of patients with high-risk asymptomatic atherosclerotic plaques remains an elusive but essential step in preventing stroke. However, there is a lack of animal model that provides a reproducible method to predict where, when and what types of plaque formation, which fulfils the American Heart Association (AHA) histological classification of human plaques. We have developed a predictive mouse model that reflects different stages of human plaques in a single carotid artery by means of shear-stress modifying cuff. Validated with over 30000 histological sections, the model generates a specific pattern of plaques with different risk levels along the same artery depending on their position relative to the cuff. The further upstream of the cuff-implanted artery, the lower the magnitude of shear stress, the more unstable the plaques of higher grade according to AHA classification; with characteristics including greater degree of vascular remodeling, plaque size, plaque vulnerability and inflammation, resulting in higher risk plaques. By weeks 20 and 30, this model achieved 80% and near 100% accuracy respectively, in predicting precisely where, when and what stages/AHA types of plaques develop along the same carotid artery. This model can generate clinically-relevant plaques with varying phenotypes fulfilling AHA classification and risk levels, in specific locations of the single artery with near 100% accuracy of prediction. The model offers a promising tool for development of diagnostic tools to target high-risk plaques, increasing accuracy in predicting which individual patients may require surgical intervention to prevent stroke, paving the way for personalized management of carotid atherosclerotic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joyce Ms Chan
- Translational Cardiovascular Imaging Group, Institute of Bioengineering and Bioimaging (IBB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore.
| | - Sung-Jin Park
- Translational Cardiovascular Imaging Group, Institute of Bioengineering and Bioimaging (IBB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Michael Ng
- Translational Cardiovascular Imaging Group, Institute of Bioengineering and Bioimaging (IBB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | | | - Joanne Garnell
- Translational Cardiovascular Imaging Group, Institute of Bioengineering and Bioimaging (IBB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Kishore Bhakoo
- Translational Imaging Laboratory, Institute of Bioengineering and Bioimaging (IBB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
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Li R, Zhang C, Xie F, Zhou X, Hu X, Shi J, Du X, Lin Z, Dong N. Protein Phosphatase 2A Deficiency in Macrophages Increases Foam Cell Formation and Accelerates Atherosclerotic Lesion Development. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 8:745009. [PMID: 35118139 PMCID: PMC8803755 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.745009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), a crucial serine/threonine phosphatase, has recently been reported to play an important role in cardiovascular disease. Previous studies have hinted that PP2A is involved in atherosclerosis formation, but the associated mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigate the role of PP2A in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. In human atherosclerotic coronary arteries, we found that the expression and activity of PP2A decreased significantly when compared to non-atherosclerotic arteries. Additional experiments demonstrated that pharmacological inhibition of PP2A aggravated atherosclerosis of ApoE−/− mice. Considering the central role of macrophages in atherosclerosis, mice with conditional knockout of the PP2A-Cα subunit in myeloid cells were produced to investigate the function of PP2A in macrophages. Results showed that PP2A deficiency in myeloid cells aggravated atherosclerotic lesions in mice. in vitro experiments indicated that PP2A-deficient macrophages had an enhanced ability of lipid uptake and foam cell formation. Mechanistically, the deficiency of the PP2A in macrophages led to an increase in the phosphorylation level of p38, which contributed to the elevated expression of scavenger receptor CD36, a key factor involved in lipoprotein uptake. Our data suggest that PP2A participates in the pathophysiological process of atherosclerosis. The decrease of PP2A expression and activity in macrophages is a crucial determinant for foam cell formation and the initiation of atherosclerosis. Our study may provide a potential novel approach for the treatment of atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Fei Xie
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xianming Zhou
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xingjian Hu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiawei Shi
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xinling Du
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Xinling Du
| | - Zhiyong Lin
- Cardiology Division, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Zhiyong Lin
| | - Nianguo Dong
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Nianguo Dong
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Shabir O, Pendry B, Lee L, Eyre B, Sharp PS, Rebollar MA, Drew D, Howarth C, Heath PR, Wharton SB, Francis SE, Berwick J. Assessment of neurovascular coupling and cortical spreading depression in mixed mouse models of atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. eLife 2022; 11:e68242. [PMID: 35014950 PMCID: PMC8752088 DOI: 10.7554/elife.68242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurovascular coupling is a critical brain mechanism whereby changes to blood flow accompany localised neural activity. The breakdown of neurovascular coupling is linked to the development and progression of several neurological conditions including dementia. In this study, we examined cortical haemodynamics in mouse preparations that modelled Alzheimer's disease (J20-AD) and atherosclerosis (PCSK9-ATH) between 9 and 12 m of age. We report novel findings with atherosclerosis where neurovascular decline is characterised by significantly reduced blood volume, altered levels of oxyhaemoglobin and deoxyhaemoglobin, in addition to global neuroinflammation. In the comorbid mixed model (J20-PCSK9-MIX), we report a 3 x increase in hippocampal amyloid-beta plaques. A key finding was that cortical spreading depression (CSD) due to electrode insertion into the brain was worse in the diseased animals and led to a prolonged period of hypoxia. These findings suggest that systemic atherosclerosis can be detrimental to neurovascular health and that having cardiovascular comorbidities can exacerbate pre-existing Alzheimer's-related amyloid-plaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osman Shabir
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease (IICD), University of Sheffield Medical School, Royal Hallamshire HospitalSheffieldUnited Kingdom
- Healthy Lifespan Institute (HELSI), University of SheffieldSheffieldUnited Kingdom
- Neuroscience Institute, University of SheffieldSheffieldUnited Kingdom
| | - Ben Pendry
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of SheffieldSheffieldUnited Kingdom
| | - Llywelyn Lee
- Neuroscience Institute, University of SheffieldSheffieldUnited Kingdom
- Sheffield Neurovascular Lab, Department of Psychology, University of SheffieldSheffieldUnited Kingdom
| | - Beth Eyre
- Neuroscience Institute, University of SheffieldSheffieldUnited Kingdom
- Sheffield Neurovascular Lab, Department of Psychology, University of SheffieldSheffieldUnited Kingdom
| | - Paul S Sharp
- Medicines Discovery CatapultAlderley EdgeUnited Kingdom
| | - Monica A Rebollar
- Neuroscience Institute, University of SheffieldSheffieldUnited Kingdom
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of SheffieldSheffieldUnited Kingdom
| | - David Drew
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease (IICD), University of Sheffield Medical School, Royal Hallamshire HospitalSheffieldUnited Kingdom
| | - Clare Howarth
- Healthy Lifespan Institute (HELSI), University of SheffieldSheffieldUnited Kingdom
- Neuroscience Institute, University of SheffieldSheffieldUnited Kingdom
- Sheffield Neurovascular Lab, Department of Psychology, University of SheffieldSheffieldUnited Kingdom
| | - Paul R Heath
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of SheffieldSheffieldUnited Kingdom
| | - Stephen B Wharton
- Neuroscience Institute, University of SheffieldSheffieldUnited Kingdom
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of SheffieldSheffieldUnited Kingdom
| | - Sheila E Francis
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease (IICD), University of Sheffield Medical School, Royal Hallamshire HospitalSheffieldUnited Kingdom
- Healthy Lifespan Institute (HELSI), University of SheffieldSheffieldUnited Kingdom
- Neuroscience Institute, University of SheffieldSheffieldUnited Kingdom
| | - Jason Berwick
- Healthy Lifespan Institute (HELSI), University of SheffieldSheffieldUnited Kingdom
- Neuroscience Institute, University of SheffieldSheffieldUnited Kingdom
- Sheffield Neurovascular Lab, Department of Psychology, University of SheffieldSheffieldUnited Kingdom
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41
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Xian X, Wang Y, Liu G. Genetically Engineered Hamster Models of Dyslipidemia and Atherosclerosis. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2419:433-459. [PMID: 35237980 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1924-7_26] [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] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Animal models of human diseases play an extremely important role in biomedical research. Among them, mice are widely used animal models for translational research, especially because of ease of generation of genetically engineered mice. However, because of the great differences in biology between mice and humans, translation of findings to humans remains a major issue. Therefore, the exploration of models with biological and metabolic characteristics closer to those of humans has never stopped.Although pig and nonhuman primates are biologically similar to humans, their genetic engineering is technically difficult, the cost of breeding is high, and the experimental time is long. As a result, the application of these species as model animals, especially genetically engineered model animals, in biomedical research is greatly limited.In terms of lipid metabolism and cardiovascular diseases, hamsters have several characteristics different from rats and mice, but similar to those in humans. The hamster is therefore an ideal animal model for studying lipid metabolism and cardiovascular disease because of its small size and short reproduction period. However, the phenomenon of zygote division, which was unexpectedly blocked during the manipulation of hamster embryos for some unknown reasons, had plagued researchers for decades and no genetically engineered hamsters have therefore been generated as animal models of human diseases for a long time. After solving the problem of in vitro development of hamster zygotes, we successfully prepared enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) transgenic hamsters by microinjection of lentiviral vectors into the zona pellucida space of zygotes. On this basis, we started the development of cardiovascular disease models using the hamster embryo culture system combined with the novel genome editing technique of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR )/CRISPR associated protein 9 (Cas9). In this chapter, we will introduce some of the genetically engineered hamster models with dyslipidemia and the corresponding characteristics of these models. We hope that the genetically engineered hamster models can be further recognized and complement other genetically engineered animal models such as mice, rats, and rabbits. This will lead to new avenues and pathways for the study of lipid metabolism and its related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xunde Xian
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuhui Wang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - George Liu
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.
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42
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Aaron N, Costa S, Rosen CJ, Qiang L. The Implications of Bone Marrow Adipose Tissue on Inflammaging. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:853765. [PMID: 35360075 PMCID: PMC8962663 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.853765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Once considered an inert filler of the bone cavity, bone marrow adipose tissue (BMAT) is now regarded as a metabolically active organ that plays versatile roles in endocrine function, hematopoiesis, bone homeostasis and metabolism, and, potentially, energy conservation. While the regulation of BMAT is inadequately understood, it is recognized as a unique and dynamic fat depot that is distinct from peripheral fat. As we age, bone marrow adipocytes (BMAds) accumulate throughout the bone marrow (BM) milieu to influence the microenvironment. This process is conceivably signaled by the secretion of adipocyte-derived factors including pro-inflammatory cytokines and adipokines. Adipokines participate in the development of a chronic state of low-grade systemic inflammation (inflammaging), which trigger changes in the immune system that are characterized by declining fidelity and efficiency and cause an imbalance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory networks. In this review, we discuss the local effects of BMAT on bone homeostasis and the hematopoietic niche, age-related inflammatory changes associated with BMAT accrual, and the downstream effect on endocrine function, energy expenditure, and metabolism. Furthermore, we address therapeutic strategies to prevent BMAT accumulation and associated dysfunction during aging. In sum, BMAT is emerging as a critical player in aging and its explicit characterization still requires further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Aaron
- Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Samantha Costa
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Scarborough, ME, United States
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME, United States
| | - Clifford J. Rosen
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Scarborough, ME, United States
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME, United States
- *Correspondence: Clifford J. Rosen, ; Li Qiang,
| | - Li Qiang
- Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Pathology, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: Clifford J. Rosen, ; Li Qiang,
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43
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Rohde D, Vandoorne K, Lee IH, Grune J, Zhang S, McAlpine CS, Schloss MJ, Nayar R, Courties G, Frodermann V, Wojtkiewicz G, Honold L, Chen Q, Schmidt S, Iwamoto Y, Sun Y, Cremer S, Hoyer FF, Iborra-Egea O, Muñoz-Guijosa C, Ji F, Zhou B, Adams RH, Wythe JD, Hidalgo J, Watanabe H, Jung Y, van der Laan AM, Piek JJ, Kfoury Y, Désogère PA, Vinegoni C, Dutta P, Sadreyev RI, Caravan P, Bayes-Genis A, Libby P, Scadden DT, Lin CP, Naxerova K, Swirski FK, Nahrendorf M. Bone marrow endothelial dysfunction promotes myeloid cell expansion in cardiovascular disease. NATURE CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH 2021; 1:28-44. [PMID: 35747128 PMCID: PMC9216333 DOI: 10.1038/s44161-021-00002-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
AbstractAbnormal hematopoiesis advances cardiovascular disease by generating excess inflammatory leukocytes that attack the arteries and the heart. The bone marrow niche regulates hematopoietic stem cell proliferation and hence the systemic leukocyte pool, but whether cardiovascular disease affects the hematopoietic organ’s microvasculature is unknown. Here we show that hypertension, atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction (MI) instigate endothelial dysfunction, leakage, vascular fibrosis and angiogenesis in the bone marrow, altogether leading to overproduction of inflammatory myeloid cells and systemic leukocytosis. Limiting angiogenesis with endothelial deletion of Vegfr2 (encoding vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor 2) curbed emergency hematopoiesis after MI. We noted that bone marrow endothelial cells assumed inflammatory transcriptional phenotypes in all examined stages of cardiovascular disease. Endothelial deletion of Il6 or Vcan (encoding versican), genes shown to be highly expressed in mice with atherosclerosis or MI, reduced hematopoiesis and systemic myeloid cell numbers in these conditions. Our findings establish that cardiovascular disease remodels the vascular bone marrow niche, stimulating hematopoiesis and production of inflammatory leukocytes.
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Zhang Y, Fatima M, Hou S, Bai L, Zhao S, Liu E. Research methods for animal models of atherosclerosis (Review). Mol Med Rep 2021; 24:871. [PMID: 34713295 PMCID: PMC8569513 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2021.12511] [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: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that threatens human health and lives by causing vascular stenosis and plaque rupture. Various animal models have been employed for elucidating the pathogenesis, drug development and treatment validation studies for atherosclerosis. To the best of our knowledge, the species used for atherosclerosis research include mice, rats, hamsters, rabbits, pigs, dogs, non-human primates and birds, among which the most commonly used ones are mice and rabbits. Notably, apolipoprotein E knockout (KO) or low-density lipoprotein receptor KO mice have been the most widely used animal models for atherosclerosis research since the late 20th century. Although the aforementioned animal models can form atherosclerotic lesions, they cannot completely simulate those in humans with respect to lesion location, lesion composition, lipoprotein composition and physiological structure. Hence, an appropriate animal model needs to be selected according to the research purpose. Additionally, it is necessary for atherosclerosis research to include quantitative analysis results of atherosclerotic lesion size and plaque composition. Laboratory animals can provide not only experimental tissues for in vivo studies but also cells needed for in vitro experiments. The present review first summarizes the common animal models and their practical applications, followed by focus on mouse and rabbit models and elucidating the methods to quantify atherosclerotic lesions. Finally, the methods of culturing endothelial cells, macrophages and smooth muscle cells were elucidated in detail and the experiments involved in atherosclerosis research were discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yali Zhang
- Research Institute of Atherosclerotic Disease, Xi'an Jiaotong University Cardiovascular Research Centre, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Mahreen Fatima
- Research Institute of Atherosclerotic Disease, Xi'an Jiaotong University Cardiovascular Research Centre, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Siyuan Hou
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Liang Bai
- Research Institute of Atherosclerotic Disease, Xi'an Jiaotong University Cardiovascular Research Centre, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Sihai Zhao
- Research Institute of Atherosclerotic Disease, Xi'an Jiaotong University Cardiovascular Research Centre, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Enqi Liu
- Research Institute of Atherosclerotic Disease, Xi'an Jiaotong University Cardiovascular Research Centre, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
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Louloudis G, Ambrosini S, Paneni F, Camici GG, Benke D, Klohs J. Adeno-Associated Virus-Mediated Gain-of-Function mPCSK9 Expression in the Mouse Induces Hypercholesterolemia, Monocytosis, Neutrophilia, and a Hypercoagulative State. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:718741. [PMID: 34631822 PMCID: PMC8492965 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.718741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypercholesterolemia has previously been induced in the mouse by a single intravenous injection of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based vector harboring gain-of-function pro-protein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9. Despite the recent emergence of the PCSK9-AAV model, the profile of hematological and coagulation parameters associated with it has yet to be characterized. We injected 1.0 × 1011 viral particles of mPCSK9-AAV or control AAV into juvenile male C57BL/6N mice and fed them with either a Western-type high-fat diet (HFD) or standard diet over the course of 3 weeks. mPCSK9-AAV mice on HFD exhibited greater plasma PCSK9 concentration and lower low-density lipoprotein levels, concomitant with increased total cholesterol and non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL)-cholesterol concentrations, and lower HDL-cholesterol concentrations than control mice. Furthermore, mPCSK9-AAV-injected mice on HFD exhibited no signs of atherosclerosis at 3 weeks after the AAV injection. Hypercholesterolemia was associated with a thromboinflammatory phenotype, as neutrophil levels, monocyte levels, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios were higher and activated partial thromboplastin times (aPTTs) was lower in HFD-fed mPCSK9-AAV mice. Therefore, the mPCSK9-AAV is a suitable model of hypercholesterolemia to examine the role of thromboinflammatory processes in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Louloudis
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Zurich Neuroscience Center (ZNZ), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Samuele Ambrosini
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Paneni
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,University Heart Center, Cardiology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Research and Education, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Giovanni G Camici
- Zurich Neuroscience Center (ZNZ), Zurich, Switzerland.,Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dietmar Benke
- Zurich Neuroscience Center (ZNZ), Zurich, Switzerland.,Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jan Klohs
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Zurich Neuroscience Center (ZNZ), Zurich, Switzerland
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Abstract
Dyslipidemias are a group of diseases, which are characterized by abnormal blood concentrations of cholesterol, triglycerides and/or low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c). Dyslipidemia is a determinant condition for the progress of an atherosclerotic plaque formation. The resulting atherogenicity is due to at least two mechanisms: first, to the accumulation in the plasma of lipid particles that have the capacity to alter the function of the endothelium and deposit at the atheromatous plaque, and second, at an insufficient concentration of multifactorial type of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c), whose function is to protect against the development of atherosclerosis. Its highest prevalence is encountered among individuals with diabetes, hypertension or overweight. Hyperlipidemia is one of the main predisposing factors for the development of cardiovascular disease. Hyperlipidemia can be the result of a genetic condition, the secondary expression of a primary process or the consequence of exogenous factors (food, cultural, socio-economic, etc.), all of which lead to the elevation of plasma lipid levels. The objective of this study was to carry out an analysis of the genes involved in the development of dyslipidemias that lead to cardiovascular disease with special emphasis on the proprotein convertase subtilin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) gene. The PCSK9 gene participates in the development of primary dyslipidemias, mainly familial hypercholesterolemia, currently the pharmacological treatment of choice to reduce LDL-c are statins, however, it has been observed that these have been insufficient to eliminate cardiovascular risk, especially in subjects with primary forms of hypercholesterolemia related to genetic mutations, or statin intolerance.
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Gonzalez-Guerra A, Roche-Molina M, García-Quintáns N, Sánchez-Ramos C, Martín-Pérez D, Lytvyn M, de Nicolás-Hernández J, Rivera-Torres J, Arroyo DF, Sanz-Rosa D, Bernal JA. Sustained Elevated Blood Pressure Accelerates Atherosclerosis Development in a Preclinical Model of Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:8448. [PMID: 34445154 PMCID: PMC8395088 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The continuous relationship between blood pressure (BP) and cardiovascular events makes the distinction between elevated BP and hypertension based on arbitrary cut-off values for BP. Even mild BP elevations manifesting as high-normal BP have been associated with cardiovascular risk. We hypothesize that persistent elevated BP increases atherosclerotic plaque development. To evaluate this causal link, we developed a new mouse model of elevated BP based on adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene transfer. We constructed AAV vectors to support transfer of the hRenin and hAngiotensinogen genes. A single injection of AAV-Ren/Ang (1011 total viral particles) induced sustained systolic BP increase (130 ± 20 mmHg, vs. 110 ± 15 mmHg in controls; p = 0.05). In ApoE-/- mice, AAV-induced mild BP elevation caused larger atherosclerotic lesions evaluated by histology (10-fold increase vs. normotensive controls). In this preclinical model, atheroma plaques development was attenuated by BP control with a calcium channel blocker, indicating that a small increase in BP within a physiological range has a substantial impact on plaque development in a preclinical model of atherosclerosis. These data support that non-optimal BP represents a risk for atherosclerosis development. Earlier intervention in elevated BP may prevent or delay morbidity and mortality associated with atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Gonzalez-Guerra
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (A.G.-G.); (M.R.-M.); (N.G.-Q.); (C.S.-R.); (D.M.-P.); (M.L.); (J.d.N.-H.); (J.R.-T.); (D.F.A.); (D.S.-R.)
| | - Marta Roche-Molina
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (A.G.-G.); (M.R.-M.); (N.G.-Q.); (C.S.-R.); (D.M.-P.); (M.L.); (J.d.N.-H.); (J.R.-T.); (D.F.A.); (D.S.-R.)
| | - Nieves García-Quintáns
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (A.G.-G.); (M.R.-M.); (N.G.-Q.); (C.S.-R.); (D.M.-P.); (M.L.); (J.d.N.-H.); (J.R.-T.); (D.F.A.); (D.S.-R.)
| | - Cristina Sánchez-Ramos
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (A.G.-G.); (M.R.-M.); (N.G.-Q.); (C.S.-R.); (D.M.-P.); (M.L.); (J.d.N.-H.); (J.R.-T.); (D.F.A.); (D.S.-R.)
| | - Daniel Martín-Pérez
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (A.G.-G.); (M.R.-M.); (N.G.-Q.); (C.S.-R.); (D.M.-P.); (M.L.); (J.d.N.-H.); (J.R.-T.); (D.F.A.); (D.S.-R.)
| | - Mariya Lytvyn
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (A.G.-G.); (M.R.-M.); (N.G.-Q.); (C.S.-R.); (D.M.-P.); (M.L.); (J.d.N.-H.); (J.R.-T.); (D.F.A.); (D.S.-R.)
| | - Javier de Nicolás-Hernández
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (A.G.-G.); (M.R.-M.); (N.G.-Q.); (C.S.-R.); (D.M.-P.); (M.L.); (J.d.N.-H.); (J.R.-T.); (D.F.A.); (D.S.-R.)
| | - José Rivera-Torres
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (A.G.-G.); (M.R.-M.); (N.G.-Q.); (C.S.-R.); (D.M.-P.); (M.L.); (J.d.N.-H.); (J.R.-T.); (D.F.A.); (D.S.-R.)
- Facultad CC Biomédicas, Universidad Europea, 28670 Madrid, Spain
| | - Diego F. Arroyo
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (A.G.-G.); (M.R.-M.); (N.G.-Q.); (C.S.-R.); (D.M.-P.); (M.L.); (J.d.N.-H.); (J.R.-T.); (D.F.A.); (D.S.-R.)
- Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, 41009 Sevilla, Spain
| | - David Sanz-Rosa
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (A.G.-G.); (M.R.-M.); (N.G.-Q.); (C.S.-R.); (D.M.-P.); (M.L.); (J.d.N.-H.); (J.R.-T.); (D.F.A.); (D.S.-R.)
- Facultad CC Biomédicas, Universidad Europea, 28670 Madrid, Spain
- CIBERCV, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan A. Bernal
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (A.G.-G.); (M.R.-M.); (N.G.-Q.); (C.S.-R.); (D.M.-P.); (M.L.); (J.d.N.-H.); (J.R.-T.); (D.F.A.); (D.S.-R.)
- CIBERCV, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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Rogula S, Błażejowska E, Gąsecka A, Szarpak Ł, Jaguszewski MJ, Mazurek T, Filipiak KJ. Inclisiran-Silencing the Cholesterol, Speaking up the Prognosis. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10112467. [PMID: 34199468 PMCID: PMC8199585 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10112467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The reduction of circulating low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) is a primary target in cardiovascular risk reduction due to its well-established benefits in terms of decreased mortality. Despite the use of statin therapy, 10%–20% of high- and very-high-risk patients do not reach their LDL-C targets. There is an urgent need for improved strategies to manage dyslipidemia, especially among patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, but also in patients with established cardiovascular disease who fail to achieve LDL goals despite combined statin, ezetimibe, and PCSK9 inhibitor (PCSK9i) therapy. Inclisiran is a disruptive, first-in-class small interfering RNA (siRNA)-based therapeutic developed for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia that inhibits proprotein convertase subtilisin–kexin type 9 (PCSK9) synthesis, thereby upregulating the number of LDL receptors on the hepatocytes, thus lowering the plasma LDL-C concentration. Inclisiran decreases the LDL-C levels by over 50% with one dose every 6 months, making it a simple and well-tolerated treatment strategy. In this review, we summarize the general information regarding (i) the role of LDL-C in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, (ii) data regarding the role of PCSK9 in cholesterol metabolism, (iii) pleiotropic effects of PCSK9, and (iv) the effects of PCSK9 silencing. In addition, we focus on inclisiran, in terms of its (i) mechanism of action, (ii) biological efficacy and safety, (iii) results from the ORION trials, (iv) benefits of its combination with statins, and (v) its potential future role in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwester Rogula
- 1st Chair and Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1a, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (S.R.); (E.B.); (T.M.); (K.J.F.)
| | - Ewelina Błażejowska
- 1st Chair and Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1a, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (S.R.); (E.B.); (T.M.); (K.J.F.)
| | - Aleksandra Gąsecka
- 1st Chair and Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1a, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (S.R.); (E.B.); (T.M.); (K.J.F.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-22-599-19-59
| | - Łukasz Szarpak
- Maria Sklodowska-Curie Białystok Oncology Centre, Ogrodowa 12, 15-027 Białystok, Poland;
- Maria Sklodowska-Curie Medical Academy in Warsaw, Solidarności 12, 03-411 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Milosz J. Jaguszewski
- 1st Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Dębinki 7, 80-211 Gdańsk, Poland;
| | - Tomasz Mazurek
- 1st Chair and Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1a, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (S.R.); (E.B.); (T.M.); (K.J.F.)
| | - Krzysztof J. Filipiak
- 1st Chair and Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1a, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (S.R.); (E.B.); (T.M.); (K.J.F.)
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49
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Herrmann J, Gummi MR, Xia M, van der Giet M, Tölle M, Schuchardt M. Vascular Calcification in Rodent Models-Keeping Track with an Extented Method Assortment. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10060459. [PMID: 34067504 PMCID: PMC8224561 DOI: 10.3390/biology10060459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary Arterial vessel diseases are the leading cause of death in the elderly and their accelerated pathogenesis is responsible for premature death in patients with chronic renal failure. Since no functioning therapy concepts exist so far, the identification of the main signaling pathways is of current research interest. To develop therapeutic concepts, different experimental rodent models are needed, which should be subject to the 3R principle of Russel and Burch: “Replace, Reduce and Refine”. This review aims to summarize the current available experimental rodent models for studying vascular calcification and their quantification methods. Abstract Vascular calcification is a multifaceted disease and a significant contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The calcification deposits in the vessel wall can vary in size and localization. Various pathophysiological pathways may be involved in disease progression. With respect to the calcification diversity, a great number of research models and detection methods have been established in basic research, relying mostly on rodent models. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the currently available rodent models and quantification methods for vascular calcification, emphasizing animal burden and assessing prospects to use available methods in a way to address the 3R principles of Russel and Burch: “Replace, Reduce and Refine”.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaqueline Herrmann
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (J.H.); (M.R.G.); (M.X.); (M.v.d.G.); (M.T.)
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Straße 2+4, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Manasa Reddy Gummi
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (J.H.); (M.R.G.); (M.X.); (M.v.d.G.); (M.T.)
| | - Mengdi Xia
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (J.H.); (M.R.G.); (M.X.); (M.v.d.G.); (M.T.)
| | - Markus van der Giet
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (J.H.); (M.R.G.); (M.X.); (M.v.d.G.); (M.T.)
| | - Markus Tölle
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (J.H.); (M.R.G.); (M.X.); (M.v.d.G.); (M.T.)
| | - Mirjam Schuchardt
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany; (J.H.); (M.R.G.); (M.X.); (M.v.d.G.); (M.T.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-30-450-514-690
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Weinstock A, Rahman K, Yaacov O, Nishi H, Menon P, Nikain CA, Garabedian ML, Pena S, Akbar N, Sansbury BE, Heffron SP, Liu J, Marecki G, Fernandez D, Brown EJ, Ruggles KV, Ramsey SA, Giannarelli C, Spite M, Choudhury RP, Loke P, Fisher EA. Wnt signaling enhances macrophage responses to IL-4 and promotes resolution of atherosclerosis. eLife 2021; 10:e67932. [PMID: 33720008 PMCID: PMC7994001 DOI: 10.7554/elife.67932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a disease of chronic inflammation. We investigated the roles of the cytokines IL-4 and IL-13, the classical activators of STAT6, in the resolution of atherosclerosis inflammation. Using Il4-/-Il13-/- mice, resolution was impaired, and in control mice, in both progressing and resolving plaques, levels of IL-4 were stably low and IL-13 was undetectable. This suggested that IL-4 is required for atherosclerosis resolution, but collaborates with other factors. We had observed increased Wnt signaling in macrophages in resolving plaques, and human genetic data from others showed that a loss-of-function Wnt mutation was associated with premature atherosclerosis. We now find an inverse association between activation of Wnt signaling and disease severity in mice and humans. Wnt enhanced the expression of inflammation resolving factors after treatment with plaque-relevant low concentrations of IL-4. Mechanistically, activation of the Wnt pathway following lipid lowering potentiates IL-4 responsiveness in macrophages via a PGE2/STAT3 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ada Weinstock
- Department of Medicine, Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Program, New York University Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkUnited States
| | - Karishma Rahman
- Department of Medicine, Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Program, New York University Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkUnited States
| | - Or Yaacov
- Department of Medicine, Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Program, New York University Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkUnited States
| | - Hitoo Nishi
- Department of Medicine, Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Program, New York University Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkUnited States
| | - Prashanthi Menon
- Department of Medicine, Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Program, New York University Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkUnited States
| | - Cyrus A Nikain
- Department of Medicine, Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Program, New York University Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkUnited States
| | - Michela L Garabedian
- Department of Medicine, Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Program, New York University Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkUnited States
| | - Stephanie Pena
- Department of Medicine, Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Program, New York University Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkUnited States
| | - Naveed Akbar
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Brian E Sansbury
- Center for Experimental Therapeutics and Reperfusion Injury, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Sean P Heffron
- Department of Medicine, Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Program, New York University Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkUnited States
- NYU Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, New York University Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkUnited States
| | - Jianhua Liu
- Department of Surgery, Mount Sinai School of MedicineNew YorkUnited States
| | - Gregory Marecki
- Department of Medicine, Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Program, New York University Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkUnited States
| | - Dawn Fernandez
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkUnited States
| | - Emily J Brown
- Department of Medicine, Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Program, New York University Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkUnited States
| | - Kelly V Ruggles
- Division of Translational Medicine, Department of Medicine, New York University Langone Health, Institute for Systems Genetics, New York University Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkUnited States
| | - Stephen A Ramsey
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Oregon State UniversityCorvallisUnited States
| | - Chiara Giannarelli
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkUnited States
- The Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkUnited States
- Department of Microbiology (Parasitology), New York University School of MedicineNew YorkUnited States
| | - Matthew Spite
- Center for Experimental Therapeutics and Reperfusion Injury, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Robin P Choudhury
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkUnited States
| | - P'ng Loke
- Acute Vascular Imaging Centre, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Edward A Fisher
- Department of Medicine, Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Program, New York University Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkUnited States
- NYU Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, New York University Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkUnited States
- Departments of Cell Biology and Microbiology, New York University Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkUnited States
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