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Bankell E, Liu L, van der Horst J, Rippe C, Jepps TA, Nilsson BO, Swärd K. Suppression of smooth muscle cell inflammation by myocardin-related transcription factors involves inactivation of TANK-binding kinase 1. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13321. [PMID: 38858497 PMCID: PMC11164896 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63901-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Myocardin-related transcription factors (MRTFs: myocardin/MYOCD, MRTF-A/MRTFA, and MRTF-B/MRTFB) suppress production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in human smooth muscle cells (SMCs) through sequestration of RelA in the NF-κB complex, but additional mechanisms are likely involved. The cGAS-STING pathway is activated by double-stranded DNA in the cytosolic compartment and acts through TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) to spark inflammation. The present study tested if MRTFs suppress inflammation also by targeting cGAS-STING signaling. Interrogation of a transcriptomic dataset where myocardin was overexpressed using a panel of 56 cGAS-STING cytokines showed the panel to be repressed. Moreover, MYOCD, MRTFA, and SRF associated negatively with the panel in human arteries. RT-qPCR in human bronchial SMCs showed that all MRTFs reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines on the panel. MRTFs diminished phosphorylation of TBK1, while STING phosphorylation was marginally affected. The TBK1 inhibitor amlexanox, but not the STING inhibitor H-151, reduced the anti-inflammatory effect of MRTF-A. Co-immunoprecipitation and proximity ligation assays supported binding between MRTF-A and TBK1 in SMCs. MRTFs thus appear to suppress cellular inflammation in part by acting on the kinase TBK1. This may defend SMCs against pro-inflammatory insults in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Bankell
- Cellular Biomechanics/Vascular Physiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D12, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Li Liu
- Cellular Biomechanics/Vascular Physiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D12, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Urology, Qingyuan Hospital Affiliated to Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan, Guangdong, China
| | - Jennifer van der Horst
- Vascular Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Catarina Rippe
- Cellular Biomechanics/Vascular Physiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D12, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Thomas A Jepps
- Vascular Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, 2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Bengt-Olof Nilsson
- Cellular Biomechanics/Vascular Physiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D12, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Karl Swärd
- Cellular Biomechanics/Vascular Physiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D12, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden.
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2
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Bramel EE, Camejo WAE, Creamer TJ, Restrepo L, Saqib M, Bagirzadeh R, Zeng A, Mitchell JT, Stein-O’Brien GL, Pedroza AJ, Fischbein MP, Dietz HC, MacFarlane EG. Intrinsic Gata4 expression sensitizes the aortic root to dilation in a Loeys-Dietz syndrome mouse model. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4420617. [PMID: 38883722 PMCID: PMC11177966 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4420617/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) is an aneurysm disorder caused by mutations that decrease transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling. Although aneurysms develop throughout the arterial tree, the aortic root is a site of heightened risk. To identify molecular determinants of this vulnerability, we investigated the heterogeneity of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in the aorta of Tgfbr1 M318R/+ LDS mice by single cell and spatial transcriptomics. Reduced expression of components of the extracellular matrix-receptor apparatus and upregulation of stress and inflammatory pathways were observed in all LDS VSMCs. However, regardless of genotype, a subset of Gata4 -expressing VSMCs predominantly located in the aortic root intrinsically displayed a less differentiated, proinflammatory profile. A similar population was also identified among aortic VSMCs in a human scRNAseq dataset. Postnatal VSMC-specific Gata4 deletion reduced aortic root dilation in LDS mice, suggesting that this factor sensitizes the aortic root to the effects of impaired TGF-β signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily E. Bramel
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Predoctoral Training in Human Genetics and Genomics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Wendy A. Espinoza Camejo
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Predoctoral Training in Human Genetics and Genomics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Tyler J. Creamer
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Leda Restrepo
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Muzna Saqib
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Rustam Bagirzadeh
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Anthony Zeng
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jacob T. Mitchell
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Predoctoral Training in Human Genetics and Genomics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Genevieve L. Stein-O’Brien
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Albert J. Pedroza
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Michael P. Fischbein
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Harry C. Dietz
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Elena Gallo MacFarlane
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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3
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Arévalo-Martinez M, Ede J, van der Have O, Ritsvall O, Zetterberg FR, Nilsson UJ, Leffler H, Holmberg J, Albinsson S. Myocardin related transcription factor and galectin-3 drive lipid accumulation in human blood vessels. Vascul Pharmacol 2024; 156:107383. [PMID: 38830455 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2024.107383] [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: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Diabetes and hypertension are important risk factors for vascular disease, including atherosclerosis. A driving factor in this process is lipid accumulation in smooth muscle cells of the vascular wall. The glucose- and mechano-sensitive transcriptional coactivator, myocardin-related transcription factor A (MRTF-A/MKL1) can promote lipid accumulation in cultured human smooth muscle cells and contribute to the formation of smooth muscle-derived foam cells. The purpose of this study was to determine if intact human blood vessels ex vivo can be used to evaluate lipid accumulation in the vascular wall, and if this process is dependent on MRTF and/or galectin-3/LGALS3. Galectin-3 is an early marker of smooth muscle transdifferentiation and a potential mediator for foam cell formation and atherosclerosis. APPROACH AND RESULTS Human mammary arteries and saphenous veins were exposed to altered cholesterol and glucose levels in an organ culture model. Accumulation of lipids, quantified by Oil Red O, was increased by cholesterol loading and elevated glucose concentrations. Pharmacological inhibition of MRTF with CCG-203971 decreased lipid accumulation, whereas adenoviral-mediated overexpression of MRTF-A had the opposite effect. Cholesterol-induced expression of galectin-3 was decreased after inhibition of MRTF. Importantly, pharmacological inhibition of galectin-3 with GB1107 reduced lipid accumulation in the vascular wall after cholesterol loading. CONCLUSION Ex vivo organ culture of human arteries and veins can be used to evaluate lipid accumulation in the intact vascular wall, as well as adenoviral transduction and pharmacological inhibition. Although MRTF and galectin-3 may have beneficial, anti-inflammatory effects under certain circumstances, our results, which demonstrate a significant decrease in lipid accumulation, support further evaluation of MRTF- and galectin-3-inhibitors for therapeutic intervention against atherosclerotic vascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marycarmen Arévalo-Martinez
- Molecular Vascular Physiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D12, Lund University, SE-221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Jacob Ede
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Oscar van der Have
- Vessel Wall Biology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D12, Lund University, SE-221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Olivia Ritsvall
- Molecular Vascular Physiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D12, Lund University, SE-221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Fredrik R Zetterberg
- Galecto Biotech AB, Sahlgrenska Science Park, Medicinaregatan 8 A, SE-413 46 Lund, Sweden
| | - Ulf J Nilsson
- Galecto Biotech AB, Sahlgrenska Science Park, Medicinaregatan 8 A, SE-413 46 Lund, Sweden; Department of Chemistry, Lund University, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Hakon Leffler
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Section MIG, Lund University BMC-C1228b, Klinikgatan 28, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Johan Holmberg
- Molecular Vascular Physiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D12, Lund University, SE-221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Sebastian Albinsson
- Molecular Vascular Physiology, Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D12, Lund University, SE-221 84 Lund, Sweden.
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Xu D, Xie L, Cheng C, Xue F, Sun C. Triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and cardiovascular diseases. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1409653. [PMID: 38883601 PMCID: PMC11176465 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1409653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The global prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) continues to rise steadily, making it a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Atherosclerosis (AS) serves as a primary driver of these conditions, commencing silently at an early age and culminating in adverse cardiovascular events that severely impact patients' quality of life or lead to fatality. Dyslipidemia, particularly elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), plays a pivotal role in AS pathogenesis as an independent risk factor. Research indicates that abnormal LDL-C accumulation within arterial walls acts as a crucial trigger for atherosclerotic plaque formation. As the disease progresses, plaque accumulation may rupture or dislodge, resulting in thrombus formation and complete blood supply obstruction, ultimately causing myocardial infarction, cerebral infarction, and other common adverse cardiovascular events. Despite adequate pharmacologic therapy targeting LDL-C reduction, patients with cardiometabolic abnormalities remain at high risk for disease recurrence, highlighting the importance of addressing lipid risk factors beyond LDL-C. Recent attention has focused on the causal relationship between triglycerides, triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRLs), and their remnants in AS risk. Genetic, epidemiologic, and clinical studies suggest a causal relationship between TRLs and their remnants and the increased risk of AS, and this dyslipidemia may be an independent risk factor for adverse cardiovascular events. Particularly in patients with obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease, disordered TRLs and its remnants levels significantly increase the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease development. Accumulation of over-synthesized TRLs in plasma, impaired function of enzymes involved in TRLs lipolysis, and impaired hepatic clearance of cholesterol-rich TRLs remnants can lead to arterial deposition of TRLs and its remnants, promoting foam cell formation and arterial wall inflammation. Therefore, understanding the pathogenesis of TRLs-induced AS and targeting it therapeutically could slow or impede AS progression, thereby reducing cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality, particularly coronary atherosclerotic heart disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Department of Cardiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Lin Xie
- State Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Cheng Cheng
- Department of Cardiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Fei Xue
- State Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Chaonan Sun
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shenyang, China
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Hou YM, Xu BH, Zhang QT, Cheng J, Zhang X, Yang HR, Wang ZY, Wang P, Zhang MX. Deficiency of smooth muscle cell ILF3 alleviates intimal hyperplasia via HMGB1 mRNA degradation-mediated regulation of the STAT3/DUSP16 axis. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2024; 190:62-75. [PMID: 38583797 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2024.04.004] [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: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Intimal hyperplasia is a complicated pathophysiological phenomenon attributable to in-stent restenosis, and the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Interleukin enhancer-binding factor 3 (ILF3), a double-stranded RNA-binding protein involved in regulating mRNA stability, has been recently demonstrated to assume a crucial role in cardiovascular disease; nevertheless, its impact on intimal hyperplasia remains unknown. In current study, we used samples of human restenotic arteries and rodent models of intimal hyperplasia, we found that vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) ILF3 expression was markedly elevated in human restenotic arteries and murine ligated carotid arteries. SMC-specific ILF3 knockout mice significantly suppressed injury induced neointimal formation. In vitro, platelet-derived growth factor type BB (PDGF-BB) treatment elevated the level of VSMC ILF3 in a dose- and time-dependent manner. ILF3 silencing markedly inhibited PDGF-BB-induced phenotype switching, proliferation, and migration in VSMCs. Transcriptome sequencing and RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing depicted that ILF3 maintained its stability upon binding to the mRNA of the high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1), thereby exerting an inhibitory effect on the transcription of dual specificity phosphatase 16 (DUSP16) through enhanced phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Therefore, the results both in vitro and in vivo indicated that the loss of ILF3 in VSMC ameliorated neointimal hyperplasia by regulating the STAT3/DUSP16 axis through the degradation of HMGB1 mRNA. Our findings revealed that vascular injury activates VSMC ILF3, which in turn promotes intima formation. Consequently, targeting specific VSMC ILF3 may present a potential therapeutic strategy for ameliorating cardiovascular restenosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Min Hou
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory, The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodelling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Bo-Han Xu
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory, The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodelling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Qiu-Ting Zhang
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory, The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodelling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jie Cheng
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory, The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodelling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory, The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodelling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Hong-Rui Yang
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory, The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodelling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Ze-Ying Wang
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory, The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodelling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Peng Wang
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory, The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodelling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Ming-Xiang Zhang
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory, The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodelling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.
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6
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Gao W, Gu K, Ma L, Yang F, Deng L, Zhang Y, Miao MZ, Li W, Li G, Qian H, Zhang Z, Wang G, Yu H, Liu X. Interstitial Fluid Shear Stress Induces the Synthetic Phenotype Switching of VSMCs to Release Pro-calcified Extracellular Vesicles via EGFR-MAPK-KLF5 Pathway. Int J Biol Sci 2024; 20:2727-2747. [PMID: 38725857 PMCID: PMC11077359 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.90725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Phenotypic switching (from contractile to synthetic) of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is essential in the progression of atherosclerosis. The damaged endothelium in the atherosclerotic artery exposes VSMCs to increased interstitial fluid shear stress (IFSS). However, the precise mechanisms by which increased IFSS influences VSMCs phenotypic switching are unrevealed. Here, we employed advanced numerical simulations to calculate IFSS values accurately based on parameters acquired from patient samples. We then carefully investigated the phenotypic switching and extracellular vesicles (EVs) secretion of VSMCs under various IFSS conditions. By employing a comprehensive set of approaches, we found that VSMCs exhibited synthetic phenotype upon atherosclerotic IFSS. This synthetic phenotype is the upstream regulator for the enhanced secretion of pro-calcified EVs. Mechanistically, as a mechanotransducer, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) initiates the flow-based mechanical cues to MAPK signaling pathway, facilitating the nuclear accumulation of the transcription factor krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5). Furthermore, pharmacological inhibiting either EGFR or MAPK signaling pathway blocks the nuclear accumulation of KLF5 and finally results in the maintenance of contractile VSMCs even under increased IFSS stimulation. Collectively, targeting this signaling pathway holds potential as a novel therapeutic strategy to inhibit VSMCs phenotypic switching and mitigate the progression of atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbo Gao
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Kaiyun Gu
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou 310052, China
| | - Lunjie Ma
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Li Deng
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yaojia Zhang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Michael Z. Miao
- Division of Oral & Craniofacial Health Sciences, Adams School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Wenjun Li
- Division of Oral & Craniofacial Health Sciences, Adams School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Gang Li
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, William H. Foege Hall, 3720 15th Ave NE, Seattle 98195, USA
| | - Hong Qian
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Guixue Wang
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
- JinFeng Laboratory, Chongqing 401329, China
| | - Hongchi Yu
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xiaoheng Liu
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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7
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Zheng C, Chen S, Deng YY, Qian XP, Chen YY, Hong CZ, Zeng YF, Li QM, Pan LH, Luo JP, Li XY, Zha XQ. Purification, structural characteristics and anti-atherosclerosis activity of a novel green tea polysaccharide. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 254:127705. [PMID: 37913884 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127705] [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: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
A new homogeneous polysaccharide (TPS3A) was isolated and purified from Tianzhu Xianyue fried green tea by DEAE-52 cellulose and Sephacryl S-500 column chromatography. Structural characterization indicated that TPS3A mainly consisted of arabinose, galactose, galacturonic acid and rhamnose in a molar ratio of 5.84: 4.15: 2.06: 1, with an average molecular weight of 1.596 × 104 kDa. The structure of TPS3A was characterized as a repeating unit consisting of 1,3-Galp, 1,4-Galp, 1,3,6-Galp, 1,3-Araf, 1,5-Araf, 1,2,4-Rhap and 1-GalpA, with two branches on the C6 of 1,3,6-Galp and C2 of 1,2,4-Rhap, respectively. To investigate the preventive effects of TPS3A on atherosclerosis, TPS3A was administered orally to ApoE-deficient (ApoE-/-) mice. Results revealed that TPS3A intervention could effectively delay the atherosclerotic plaque progression, modulate dyslipidemia, and reduce the transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from contractile phenotype to synthetic phenotype by activating the expression of contractile marker alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and inhibiting the expression of synthetic marker osteopontin (OPN) in high-fat diet-induced ApoE-/- mice. Our findings suggested that TPS3A markedly alleviated atherosclerosis by regulating dyslipidemia and phenotypic transition of VSMCs, and might be used as a novel functional ingredient to promote cardiovascular health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Zheng
- Engineering Research Centre of Bioprocess of Ministry of Education, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, No. 193 Tunxi Road, Hefei 230009, People's Republic of China; School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, No. 193 Tunxi Road, Hefei 230009, People's Republic of China
| | - Shun Chen
- Engineering Research Centre of Bioprocess of Ministry of Education, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, No. 193 Tunxi Road, Hefei 230009, People's Republic of China; School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, No. 193 Tunxi Road, Hefei 230009, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Deng
- Sericultural and Agri-Food Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510610, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin-Ping Qian
- Engineering Research Centre of Bioprocess of Ministry of Education, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, No. 193 Tunxi Road, Hefei 230009, People's Republic of China; School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, No. 193 Tunxi Road, Hefei 230009, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying-Ying Chen
- Engineering Research Centre of Bioprocess of Ministry of Education, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, No. 193 Tunxi Road, Hefei 230009, People's Republic of China; School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, No. 193 Tunxi Road, Hefei 230009, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng-Zhi Hong
- Engineering Research Centre of Bioprocess of Ministry of Education, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, No. 193 Tunxi Road, Hefei 230009, People's Republic of China; School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, No. 193 Tunxi Road, Hefei 230009, People's Republic of China
| | - Ya-Fan Zeng
- Engineering Research Centre of Bioprocess of Ministry of Education, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, No. 193 Tunxi Road, Hefei 230009, People's Republic of China; School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, No. 193 Tunxi Road, Hefei 230009, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiang-Ming Li
- Engineering Research Centre of Bioprocess of Ministry of Education, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, No. 193 Tunxi Road, Hefei 230009, People's Republic of China; School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, No. 193 Tunxi Road, Hefei 230009, People's Republic of China
| | - Li-Hua Pan
- Engineering Research Centre of Bioprocess of Ministry of Education, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, No. 193 Tunxi Road, Hefei 230009, People's Republic of China; School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, No. 193 Tunxi Road, Hefei 230009, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian-Ping Luo
- Engineering Research Centre of Bioprocess of Ministry of Education, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, No. 193 Tunxi Road, Hefei 230009, People's Republic of China; School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, No. 193 Tunxi Road, Hefei 230009, People's Republic of China
| | - Xue-Ying Li
- Engineering Research Centre of Bioprocess of Ministry of Education, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, No. 193 Tunxi Road, Hefei 230009, People's Republic of China; School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, No. 193 Tunxi Road, Hefei 230009, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xue-Qiang Zha
- Engineering Research Centre of Bioprocess of Ministry of Education, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, No. 193 Tunxi Road, Hefei 230009, People's Republic of China; School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, No. 193 Tunxi Road, Hefei 230009, People's Republic of China.
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8
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Lyu QR, Fu K. Tissue-specific Cre driver mice to study vascular diseases. Vascul Pharmacol 2023; 153:107241. [PMID: 37923099 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2023.107241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and abdominal aneurysms, are the primary cause of mortality and morbidity among the elderly worldwide. The life quality of patients is significantly compromised due to inadequate therapeutic approaches and limited drug targets. To expand our comprehension of vascular diseases, gene knockout (KO) mice, especially conditional knockout (cKO) mice, are widely used for investigating gene function and mechanisms of action. The Cre-loxP system is the most common method for generating cKO mice. Numerous Cre driver mice have been established to study the main cell types that compose blood vessels, including endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and fibroblasts. Here, we first discuss the characteristics of each layer of the arterial wall. Next, we provide an overview of the representative Cre driver mice utilized for each of the major cell types in the vessel wall and their most recent applications in vascular biology. We then go over Cre toxicity and discuss the practical methods for minimizing Cre interference in experimental outcomes. Finally, we look into the future of tissue-specific Cre drivers by introducing the revolutionary single-cell RNA sequencing and dual recombinase system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Rex Lyu
- Medical Research Center, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing 401147, China; Chongqing Academy of Medical Sciences, Chongqing 401147, China.
| | - Kailong Fu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China.
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9
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Arévalo Martínez M, Ritsvall O, Bastrup JA, Celik S, Jakobsson G, Daoud F, Winqvist C, Aspberg A, Rippe C, Maegdefessel L, Schiopu A, Jepps TA, Holmberg J, Swärd K, Albinsson S. Vascular smooth muscle-specific YAP/TAZ deletion triggers aneurysm development in mouse aorta. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e170845. [PMID: 37561588 PMCID: PMC10544211 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.170845] [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: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Inadequate adaption to mechanical forces, including blood pressure, contributes to development of arterial aneurysms. Recent studies have pointed to a mechanoprotective role of YAP and TAZ in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Here, we identified reduced expression of YAP1 in human aortic aneurysms. Vascular SMC-specific knockouts (KOs) of YAP/TAZ were thus generated using the integrin α8-Cre (Itga8-Cre) mouse model (i8-YT-KO). i8-YT-KO mice spontaneously developed aneurysms in the abdominal aorta within 2 weeks of KO induction and in smaller arteries at later times. The vascular specificity of Itga8-Cre circumvented gastrointestinal effects. Aortic aneurysms were characterized by elastin disarray, SMC apoptosis, and accumulation of proteoglycans and immune cell populations. RNA sequencing, proteomics, and myography demonstrated decreased contractile differentiation of SMCs and impaired vascular contractility. This associated with partial loss of myocardin expression, reduced blood pressure, and edema. Mediators in the inflammatory cGAS/STING pathway were increased. A sizeable increase in SOX9, along with several direct target genes, including aggrecan (Acan), contributed to proteoglycan accumulation. This was the earliest detectable change, occurring 3 days after KO induction and before the proinflammatory transition. In conclusion, Itga8-Cre deletion of YAP and TAZ represents a rapid and spontaneous aneurysm model that recapitulates features of human abdominal aortic aneurysms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Olivia Ritsvall
- Vascular Physiology Environment, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Joakim Armstrong Bastrup
- Vascular Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Selvi Celik
- Molecular Cardiology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Gabriel Jakobsson
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Fatima Daoud
- Vascular Physiology Environment, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Christopher Winqvist
- Vascular Physiology Environment, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anders Aspberg
- Rheumatology and Molecular Skeletal Biology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Catarina Rippe
- Vascular Physiology Environment, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Lars Maegdefessel
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden, and
- Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar - Technical University Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Alexandru Schiopu
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
- Department of Internal Medicine, Skåne University Hospital Lund, Lund, Sweden, and
- Nicolae Simionescu Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Thomas A. Jepps
- Vascular Biology Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Johan Holmberg
- Vascular Physiology Environment, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Karl Swärd
- Vascular Physiology Environment, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sebastian Albinsson
- Vascular Physiology Environment, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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10
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Zhou Y, Sharma S, Sun X, Guan X, Hou Y, Yang Z, Shi H, Zou MH, Song P, Zhou J, Wang S, Hu Z, Li C. SMYD2 regulates vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic switching and intimal hyperplasia via interaction with myocardin. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:264. [PMID: 37615725 PMCID: PMC11071988 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04883-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
The SET and MYND domain-containing protein 2 (SMYD2) is a histone lysine methyltransferase that has been reported to regulate carcinogenesis and inflammation. However, its role in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) homeostasis and vascular diseases has not been determined. Here, we investigated the role of SMYD2 in VSMC phenotypic modulation and vascular intimal hyperplasia and elucidated the underlying mechanism. We observed that SMYD2 expression was downregulated in injured carotid arteries in mice and phenotypically modulated VSMCs in vitro. Using an SMC-specific SMYD2 knockout mouse model, we found that SMYD2 ablation in VSMCs exacerbated neointima formation after vascular injury in vivo. Conversely, SMYD2 overexpression inhibited VSMC proliferation and migration in vitro and attenuated arterial narrowing in injured vessels in mice. SMYD2 downregulation promoted VSMC phenotypic switching accompanied with enhanced proliferation and migration. Mechanistically, genome-wide transcriptome analysis and loss/gain-of-function studies revealed that SMYD2 up-regulated VSMC contractile gene expression and suppressed VSMC proliferation and migration, in part, by promoting expression and transactivation of the master transcription cofactor myocardin. In addition, myocardin directly interacted with SMYD2, thereby facilitating SMYD2 recruitment to the CArG regions of SMC contractile gene promoters and leading to an open chromatin status around SMC contractile gene promoters via SMYD2-mediated H3K4 methylation. Hence, we conclude that SMYD2 is a novel regulator of VSMC contractile phenotype and intimal hyperplasia via a myocardin-dependent epigenetic regulatory mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhou
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 157 Decatur St SE, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA.
- Division of Vascular Surgery, National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Vascular Disease Treatment, Engineering and Technology Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Diseases, Guangdong Engineering Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, No 58, Zhongshan 2nd Street, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China.
| | - Shaligram Sharma
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 157 Decatur St SE, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Xiaonan Sun
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 157 Decatur St SE, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Xiaoqing Guan
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 157 Decatur St SE, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Yuning Hou
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 157 Decatur St SE, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
- Cancer Animal Models Shared Resource, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Zhe Yang
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Hang Shi
- Department of Biology, Center for Obesity Reversal, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ming-Hui Zou
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 157 Decatur St SE, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Ping Song
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 157 Decatur St SE, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Jiliang Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Shenming Wang
- Division of Vascular Surgery, National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Vascular Disease Treatment, Engineering and Technology Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Diseases, Guangdong Engineering Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, No 58, Zhongshan 2nd Street, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Zuojun Hu
- Division of Vascular Surgery, National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Vascular Disease Treatment, Engineering and Technology Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Diseases, Guangdong Engineering Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, No 58, Zhongshan 2nd Street, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China.
| | - Chunying Li
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 157 Decatur St SE, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA.
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11
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Hadzikadunic H, Sjælland TB, Lindholt JS, Steffensen LB, Beck HC, Kavaliunaite E, Rasmussen LM, Stubbe J. Nicotine Administration Augments Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Progression in Rats. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11051417. [PMID: 37239088 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051417] [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: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammation and elastin degradation are key hallmarks in the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). It has been acknowledged that activation of alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7nAChRs) attenuates inflammation, termed the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP). Thus, we hypothesize that low-dose nicotine impairs the progression of elastase-induced AAAs in rats by exerting anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress properties. Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent surgical AAA induction with intraluminal elastase infusion. We compared vehicle rats with rats treated with nicotine (1.25 mg/kg/day), and aneurysm progression was monitored by weekly ultrasound images for 28 days. Nicotine treatment significantly promoted AAA progression (p = 0.031). Additionally, gelatin zymography demonstrated that nicotine significantly reduced pro-matrix metalloproteinase (pro-MMP) 2 (p = 0.029) and MMP9 (p = 0.030) activity in aneurysmal tissue. No significant difference was found in the elastin content or the score of elastin degradation between the groups. Neither infiltrating neutrophils nor macrophages, nor aneurysmal messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of pro- or anti-inflammatory cytokines, differed between the vehicle and nicotine groups. Finally, no difference in mRNA levels of markers for anti-oxidative stress or the vascular smooth muscle cells' contractile phenotype was observed. However, proteomics analyses of non-aneurysmal abdominal aortas revealed that nicotine decreased myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate and proteins, in ontology terms, inflammatory response and reactive oxygen species, and in contradiction to augmented AAAs. In conclusion, nicotine at a dose of 1.25 mg/kg/day augments AAA expansion in this elastase AAA model. These results do not support the use of low-dose nicotine administration for the prevention of AAA progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hana Hadzikadunic
- Elitary Research Centre of Individualized Treatment for Arterial Disease (CIMA), Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
- Cardiovascular and Renal Research Unit, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Tea Bøvling Sjælland
- Elitary Research Centre of Individualized Treatment for Arterial Disease (CIMA), Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
- Cardiovascular and Renal Research Unit, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Jes S Lindholt
- Elitary Research Centre of Individualized Treatment for Arterial Disease (CIMA), Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Odense University Hospital, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Lasse Bach Steffensen
- Elitary Research Centre of Individualized Treatment for Arterial Disease (CIMA), Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
- Cardiovascular and Renal Research Unit, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Hans Christian Beck
- Elitary Research Centre of Individualized Treatment for Arterial Disease (CIMA), Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Odense University Hospital, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Egle Kavaliunaite
- Elitary Research Centre of Individualized Treatment for Arterial Disease (CIMA), Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
- Cardiovascular and Renal Research Unit, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Odense University Hospital, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Lars Melholt Rasmussen
- Elitary Research Centre of Individualized Treatment for Arterial Disease (CIMA), Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Odense University Hospital, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Jane Stubbe
- Elitary Research Centre of Individualized Treatment for Arterial Disease (CIMA), Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
- Cardiovascular and Renal Research Unit, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
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12
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Zhou Y, Sharma S, Sun X, Guan X, Hou Y, Yang Z, Shi H, Zou MH, Song P, Zhou J, Wang S, Hu Z, Li C. SMYD2 Regulates Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotypic Switching and Intimal Hyperplasia via Interaction with Myocardin. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2721176. [PMID: 37090651 PMCID: PMC10120764 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2721176/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
The SET and MYND domain-containing protein 2 (SMYD2) is a histone lysine methyltransferase that has been reported to regulate carcinogenesis and inflammation. However, its role in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) homeostasis and vascular diseases has not been determined. Here, we investigated the role of SMYD2 in VSMC phenotypic modulation and vascular intimal hyperplasia and elucidated the underlying mechanism. We observed that SMYD2 expression was downregulated in injured carotid arteries in mice and phenotypically modulated VSMCs in vitro. Using a SMC-specific Smyd2 knockout mouse model, we found that Smyd2 ablation in VSMCs exacerbates neointima formation after vascular injury in vivo. Conversely, Smyd2 overexpression inhibits VSMC proliferation and migration in vitro and attenuates arterial narrowing in injured vessels in mice. Smyd2 downregulation promotes VSMC phenotypic switching accompanied with enhanced proliferation and migration. Mechanistically, genome-wide transcriptome analysis and loss/gain-of-function studies revealed that SMYD2 up-regulates VSMC contractile gene expression and suppresses VSMC proliferation and migration, in part, by promoting expression and transactivation of the master transcription cofactor myocardin. In addition, myocardin directly interacts with SMYD2, thereby facilitating SMYD2 recruitment to the CArG regions of SMC contractile gene promoters and leading to an open chromatin status around SMC contractile gene promoters via SMYD2-mediated H3K4 methylation. Hence, we conclude that SMYD2 is a novel regulator of VSMC contractile phenotype and intimal hyperplasia via a myocardin-dependent epigenetic regulatory mechanism and may be a potential therapeutic target for occlusive vascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhou
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Division of Vascular Surgery, National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Vascular Disease Treatment, Engineering and Technology Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Diseases, Guangdong Engineering Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shaligram Sharma
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Xiaonan Sun
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Xiaoqing Guan
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Yuning Hou
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Zhe Yang
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Hang Shi
- Center for Obesity Reversal, Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ming-Hui Zou
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Ping Song
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jiliang Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Shenming Wang
- Division of Vascular Surgery, National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Vascular Disease Treatment, Engineering and Technology Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Diseases, Guangdong Engineering Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zuojun Hu
- Division of Vascular Surgery, National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Vascular Disease Treatment, Engineering and Technology Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Diseases, Guangdong Engineering Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chunying Li
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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13
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Bianchi L, Damiani I, Castiglioni S, Carleo A, De Salvo R, Rossi C, Corsini A, Bellosta S. Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotypic Switch Induced by Traditional Cigarette Smoke Condensate: A Holistic Overview. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076431. [PMID: 37047404 PMCID: PMC10094728 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cigarette smoke (CS) is a risk factor for inflammatory diseases, such as atherosclerosis. CS condensate (CSC) contains lipophilic components that may represent a systemic cardiac risk factor. To better understand CSC effects, we incubated mouse and human aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) with CSC. We evaluated specific markers for contractile [i.e., actin, aortic smooth muscle (ACTA2), calponin-1 (CNN1), the Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), and myocardin (MYOCD) genes] and inflammatory [i.e., IL-1β, and IL-6, IL-8, and galectin-3 (LGALS-3) genes] phenotypes. CSC increased the expression of inflammatory markers and reduced the contractile ones in both cell types, with KLF4 modulating the SMC phenotypic switch. Next, we performed a mass spectrometry-based differential proteomic approach on human SMCs and could show 11 proteins were significantly affected by exposition to CSC (FC ≥ 2.7, p ≤ 0.05). These proteins are active in signaling pathways related to expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and IFN, inflammasome assembly and activation, cytoskeleton regulation and SMC contraction, mitochondrial integrity and cellular response to oxidative stress, proteostasis control via ubiquitination, and cell proliferation and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Through specific bioinformatics resources, we showed their tight functional correlation in a close interaction niche mainly orchestrated by the interferon-induced double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase (alternative name: protein kinase RNA-activated; PKR) (EIF2AK2/PKR). Finally, by combining gene expression and protein abundance data we obtained a hybrid network showing reciprocal integration of the CSC-deregulated factors and indicating KLF4 and PKR as the most relevant factors.
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14
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Jiang Y, Qian HY. Transcription factors: key regulatory targets of vascular smooth muscle cell in atherosclerosis. Mol Med 2023; 29:2. [PMID: 36604627 PMCID: PMC9817296 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-022-00586-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis (AS), leading to gradual occlusion of the arterial lumen, refers to the accumulation of lipids and inflammatory debris in the arterial wall. Despite therapeutic advances over past decades including intervention or surgery, atherosclerosis is still the most common cause of cardiovascular diseases and the main mechanism of death and disability worldwide. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play an imperative role in the occurrence of atherosclerosis and throughout the whole stages. In the past, there was a lack of comprehensive understanding of VSMCs, but the development of identification technology, including in vivo single-cell sequencing technology and lineage tracing with the CreERT2-loxP system, suggests that VSMCs have remarkable plasticity and reevaluates well-established concepts about the contribution of VSMCs. Transcription factors, a kind of protein molecule that specifically recognizes and binds DNA upstream promoter regions or distal enhancer DNA elements, play a key role in the transcription initiation of the coding genes and are necessary for RNA polymerase to bind gene promoters. In this review, we highlight that, except for environmental factors, VSMC genes are transcriptionally regulated through complex interactions of multiple conserved cis-regulatory elements and transcription factors. In addition, through a series of transcription-related regulatory processes, VSMCs could undergo phenotypic transformation, proliferation, migration, calcification and apoptosis. Finally, enhancing or inhibiting transcription factors can regulate the development of atherosclerotic lesions, and the downstream molecular mechanism of transcriptional regulation has also been widely studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Jiang
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Center for Coronary Heart Disease, Department of Cardiology, Fu Wai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases of China, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 167 Beilishi Rd, Beijing, 100037 China
| | - Hai-Yan Qian
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Center for Coronary Heart Disease, Department of Cardiology, Fu Wai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases of China, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 167 Beilishi Rd, Beijing, 100037 China
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15
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Déglise S, Bechelli C, Allagnat F. Vascular smooth muscle cells in intimal hyperplasia, an update. Front Physiol 2023; 13:1081881. [PMID: 36685215 PMCID: PMC9845604 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.1081881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Arterial occlusive disease is the leading cause of death in Western countries. Core contemporary therapies for this disease include angioplasties, stents, endarterectomies and bypass surgery. However, these treatments suffer from high failure rates due to re-occlusive vascular wall adaptations and restenosis. Restenosis following vascular surgery is largely due to intimal hyperplasia. Intimal hyperplasia develops in response to vessel injury, leading to inflammation, vascular smooth muscle cells dedifferentiation, migration, proliferation and secretion of extra-cellular matrix into the vessel's innermost layer or intima. In this review, we describe the current state of knowledge on the origin and mechanisms underlying the dysregulated proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells in intimal hyperplasia, and we present the new avenues of research targeting VSMC phenotype and proliferation.
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16
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Liang M, Cai Z, Jiang Y, Huo H, Shen L, He B. SENP2 Promotes VSMC Phenotypic Switching via Myocardin De-SUMOylation. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012637. [PMID: 36293488 PMCID: PMC9603890 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Myocardin is a master regulator of smooth muscle cell (SMC) differentiation, which induces the expression of smooth-muscle-specific genes through its direct association with serum response factor (SRF). During the past two decades, significant insights have been obtained regarding the regulatory control of myocardin expression and transcriptional activity at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational levels. However, whether and how SUMOylation plays important roles in modulating myocardin function remain elusive. In this study, we found that myocardin is modified by SUMO-1 at lysine 573, which can be reversibly de-conjugated by SENP2. SUMO-1 modification promotes myocardin protein stability, whereas SENP2 facilitates its proteasome-dependent degradation. Moreover, we found that PIAS4 is the SUMO E3 ligase that enhances the SUMOylation and protein stability of myocardin. Most importantly, we found that SENP2 promotes phenotypic switching of VSMC. We therefore concluded that SENP2 promotes VSMC phenotypic switching via de-SUMOylation of myocardin and regulation of its protein stability.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Ben He
- Correspondence: (L.S.); (B.H.)
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17
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Yang YW, Deng NH, Tian KJ, Liu LS, Wang Z, Wei DH, Liu HT, Jiang ZS. Development of hydrogen sulfide donors for anti-atherosclerosis therapeutics research: Challenges and future priorities. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:909178. [PMID: 36035922 PMCID: PMC9412017 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.909178] [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: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a gas transmitter found in eukaryotic organisms, plays an essential role in several physiological processes. H2S is one of the three primary biological gas transmission signaling mediators, along with nitric oxide and carbon monoxide. Several animal and in vitro experiments have indicated that H2S can prevent coronary endothelial mesenchymal transition, reduce the expression of endothelial cell adhesion molecules, and stabilize intravascular plaques, suggesting its potential role in the treatment of atherosclerosis (AS). H2S donors are compounds that can release H2S under certain circumstances. Development of highly targeted H2S donors is a key imperative as these can allow for in-depth evaluation of the anti-atherosclerotic effects of exogenous H2S. More importantly, identification of an optimal H2S donor is critical for the creation of H2S anti-atherosclerotic prodrugs. In this review, we discuss a wide range of H2S donors with anti-AS potential along with their respective transport pathways and design-related limitations. We also discuss the utilization of nano-synthetic technologies to manufacture H2S donors. This innovative and effective design example sheds new light on the production of highly targeted H2S donors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye-Wei Yang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Nian-Hua Deng
- Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerosis of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical College, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Kai-Jiang Tian
- Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerosis of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical College, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Lu-Shan Liu
- Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerosis of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical College, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Zuo Wang
- Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerosis of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical College, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Dang-Heng Wei
- Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerosis of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical College, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Hui-Ting Liu
- Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerosis of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical College, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Zhi-Sheng Jiang
- Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerosis of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical College, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of South China, Hengyang, China
- *Correspondence: Zhi-Sheng Jiang
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18
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Liu L, Kryvokhyzha D, Rippe C, Jacob A, Borreguero-Muñoz A, Stenkula KG, Hansson O, Smith CWJ, Fisher SA, Swärd K. Myocardin regulates exon usage in smooth muscle cells through induction of splicing regulatory factors. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:459. [PMID: 35913515 PMCID: PMC9343278 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04497-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
AbstractDifferentiation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) depends on serum response factor (SRF) and its co-activator myocardin (MYOCD). The role of MYOCD for the SMC program of gene transcription is well established. In contrast, the role of MYOCD in control of SMC-specific alternative exon usage, including exon splicing, has not been explored. In the current work we identified four splicing factors (MBNL1, RBPMS, RBPMS2, and RBFOX2) that correlate with MYOCD across human SMC tissues. Forced expression of MYOCD family members in human coronary artery SMCs in vitro upregulated expression of these splicing factors. For global profiling of transcript diversity, we performed RNA-sequencing after MYOCD transduction. We analyzed alternative transcripts with three different methods. Exon-based analysis identified 1637 features with differential exon usage. For example, usage of 3´ exons in MYLK that encode telokin increased relative to 5´ exons, as did the 17 kDa telokin to 130 kDa MYLK protein ratio. Dedicated event-based analysis identified 239 MYOCD-driven splicing events. Events involving MBNL1, MCAM, and ACTN1 were among the most prominent, and this was confirmed using variant-specific PCR analyses. In support of a role for RBPMS and RBFOX2 in MYOCD-driven splicing we found enrichment of their binding motifs around differentially spliced exons. Moreover, knockdown of either RBPMS or RBFOX2 antagonized splicing events stimulated by MYOCD, including those involving ACTN1, VCL, and MBNL1. Supporting an in vivo role of MYOCD-SRF-driven splicing, we demonstrate altered Rbpms expression and splicing in inducible and SMC-specific Srf knockout mice. We conclude that MYOCD-SRF, in part via RBPMS and RBFOX2, induce a program of differential exon usage and alternative splicing as part of the broader program of SMC differentiation.
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19
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Chen J, Rodriguez M, Miao J, Liao J, Jain PP, Zhao M, Zhao T, Babicheva A, Wang Z, Parmisano S, Powers R, Matti M, Paquin C, Soroureddin Z, Shyy JYJ, Thistlethwaite PA, Makino A, Wang J, Yuan JXJ. Mechanosensitive channel Piezo1 is required for pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2022; 322:L737-L760. [PMID: 35318857 PMCID: PMC9076422 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00447.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Concentric pulmonary vascular wall thickening due partially to increased pulmonary artery (PA) smooth muscle cell (PASMC) proliferation contributes to elevating pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). Although pulmonary vasoconstriction may be an early contributor to increasing PVR, the transition of contractile PASMCs to proliferative PASMCs may play an important role in the development and progression of pulmonary vascular remodeling in PH. A rise in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]cyt) is a trigger for PASMC contraction and proliferation. Here, we report that upregulation of Piezo1, a mechanosensitive cation channel, is involved in the contractile-to-proliferative phenotypic transition of PASMCs and potential development of pulmonary vascular remodeling. By comparing freshly isolated PA (contractile PASMCs) and primary cultured PASMCs (from the same rat) in a growth medium (proliferative PASMCs), we found that Piezo1, Notch2/3, and CaSR protein levels were significantly higher in proliferative PASMCs than in contractile PASMCs. Upregulated Piezo1 was associated with an increase in expression of PCNA, a marker for cell proliferation, whereas downregulation (with siRNA) or inhibition (with GsMTx4) of Piezo1 attenuated PASMC proliferation. Furthermore, Piezo1 in the remodeled PA from rats with experimental PH was upregulated compared with PA from control rats. These data indicate that PASMC contractile-to-proliferative phenotypic transition is associated with the transition or adaptation of membrane channels and receptors. Upregulated Piezo1 may play a critical role in PASMC phenotypic transition and PASMC proliferation. Upregulation of Piezo1 in proliferative PASMCs may likely be required to provide sufficient Ca2+ to assure nuclear/cell division and PASMC proliferation, contributing to the development and progression of pulmonary vascular remodeling in PH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyuan Chen
- Section of Physiology, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease and First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Marisela Rodriguez
- Section of Physiology, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Jinrui Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease and First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jing Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease and First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Pritesh P Jain
- Section of Physiology, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Manjia Zhao
- Section of Physiology, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Tengteng Zhao
- Section of Physiology, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Aleksandra Babicheva
- Section of Physiology, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Ziyi Wang
- Section of Physiology, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease and First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Sophia Parmisano
- Section of Physiology, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Ryan Powers
- Section of Physiology, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Moreen Matti
- Section of Physiology, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Cole Paquin
- Section of Physiology, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Zahra Soroureddin
- Section of Physiology, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - John Y-J Shyy
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Patricia A Thistlethwaite
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Ayako Makino
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Jian Wang
- Section of Physiology, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease and First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jason X-J Yuan
- Section of Physiology, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
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20
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Cyclic-AMP Increases Nuclear Actin Monomer Which Promotes Proteasomal Degradation of RelA/p65 Leading to Anti-Inflammatory Effects. Cells 2022; 11:cells11091414. [PMID: 35563720 PMCID: PMC9101168 DOI: 10.3390/cells11091414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The second messenger, cAMP has potent immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory actions. These have been attributed, in part, to the ability of cAMP-induced signals to interfere with the function of the proinflammatory transcription factor Nuclear Factor-kappa B (NF-κB). However, the mechanisms underlying the modulation of NF-κB activity by cAMP remain unclear. Here we demonstrate an important role for cAMP-mediated increase in nuclear actin monomer levels in inhibiting NF-κB activity. Elevated cAMP or forced expression of a nuclear localised polymerisation defective actin mutant (NLS-ActinR62D) inhibited basal and TNFα induced mRNA levels of NF-κB-dependent genes and NF-κB-dependent reporter gene activity. Elevated cAMP or NLS-ActinR62D did not affect NF-κB nuclear translocation but did reduce total cellular and nuclear RelA/p65 levels. Preventing the cAMP-induced increase in nuclear actin monomer, either by expressing a nuclear localised active mutant of the actin polymerising protein mDIA, silencing components of the nuclear actin import complex IPO9 and CFL1 or overexpressing the nuclear export complex XPO6, rescued RelA/p65 levels and NF-κB reporter gene activity in forskolin-stimulated cells. Elevated cAMP or NLS-ActinR62D reduced the half-life of RelA/p65, which was reversed by the proteasome inhibitor MG132. Accordingly, forskolin stimulated association of RelA/p65 with ubiquitin affinity beads, indicating increased ubiquitination of RelA/p65 or associated proteins. Taken together, our data demonstrate a novel mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory effects of cAMP and highlight the important role played by nuclear actin in the regulation of inflammation.
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21
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Zhang J, Starkuviene V, Erfle H, Wang Z, Gunkel M, Zeng Z, Sticht C, Kan K, Rahbari N, Keese M. High-content analysis of microRNAs involved in the phenotype regulation of vascular smooth muscle cells. Sci Rep 2022; 12:3498. [PMID: 35241704 PMCID: PMC8894385 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-07280-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In response to vascular injury vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) alternate between a differentiated (contractile) and a dedifferentiated (synthetic) state or phenotype. Although parts of the signaling cascade regulating the phenotypic switch have been described, the role of miRNAs is still incompletely understood. To systematically address this issue, we have established a microscopy-based quantitative assay and identified 23 miRNAs that induced contractile phenotypes when over-expressed. These were then correlated to miRNAs identified from RNA-sequencing when comparing cells in the contractile and synthetic states. Using both approaches, six miRNAs (miR-132-3p, miR-138-5p, miR-141-3p, miR-145-5p, miR-150-5p, and miR-22-3p) were filtered as candidates that induce the phenotypic switch from synthetic to contractile. To identify potentially common regulatory mechanisms of these six miRNAs, their predicted targets were compared with five miRNAs sharing ZBTB20, ZNF704, and EIF4EBP2 as common potential targets and four miRNAs sharing 16 common potential targets. The interaction network consisting of these 19 targets and additional 18 hub targets were created to facilitate validation of miRNA-mRNA interactions by suggesting the most plausible pairs. Furthermore, the information on drug candidates was integrated into the network to predict novel combinatorial therapies that encompass the complexity of miRNAs-mediated regulation. This is the first study that combines a phenotypic screening approach with RNA sequencing and bioinformatics to systematically identify miRNA-mediated pathways and to detect potential drug candidates to positively influence the phenotypic switch of VSMCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zhang
- Chirurgische Klinik and European Center of Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.,BioQuant, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Vytaute Starkuviene
- BioQuant, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany. .,Institute of Biosciences, Vilnius University Life Sciences Center, Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - Holger Erfle
- BioQuant, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Zhaohui Wang
- Chirurgische Klinik and European Center of Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.,BioQuant, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Manuel Gunkel
- BioQuant, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ziwei Zeng
- Chirurgische Klinik and European Center of Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.,BioQuant, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Carsten Sticht
- Medical Research Center, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Kejia Kan
- Chirurgische Klinik and European Center of Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Nuh Rahbari
- Chirurgische Klinik and European Center of Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Michael Keese
- Chirurgische Klinik and European Center of Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.
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22
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Yu J, Fu J, Zhang X, Cui X, Cheng M. The Integration of Metabolomic and Proteomic Analyses Revealed Alterations in Inflammatory-Related Protein Metabolites in Endothelial Progenitor Cells Subjected to Oscillatory Shear Stress. Front Physiol 2022; 13:825966. [PMID: 35250628 PMCID: PMC8889118 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.825966] [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: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play essential roles in vascular repair. Our previous study suggests OSS would lead EPCs transdifferention into the mesenchymal cell that aggravates pathological vascular remodeling. The primary purpose of this study was to apply OSS in vitro in EPCs and then explore proteins, metabolites, and the protein-metabolite network of EPCs. Methods Endothelial progenitor cells were kept in static or treated with OSS. For OSS treatment, the Flexcell STR-4000 parallel plate flow system was used to simulate OSS for 12 h. Subsequently, an untargeted metabolomic LC/MS analysis and a TMT-labeled quantitative proteomic analysis were performed. Results A total of 4,699 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified, among which 73 differentially expressed proteins were potentially meaningful (P < 0.05), with 66 upregulated and 7 downregulated expressions. There were 5,664 differential metabolites (DEMs), of which 401 DEMs with biologically potential marker significance (VIP > 1, P < 0.05), of which 137 were upregulated and 264 were downregulated. The Prison correlation analysis of DEPs and DEMs was performed, and the combined DEPs–DEMs pathway analyses of the KGLM database show 39 pathways. Among the DEPs, including the Phosphoserine phosphatase (PSPH), Prostaglandin E synthase 3 (PTGES3), Glutamate–cysteine ligase regulatory subunit (GCLM), Transaldolase (TALDO1), Isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) and Glutathione S-transferase omega-1 (GSTO1), which are significantly enriched in the citric acid cycle (TCA cycle) and fatty acid metabolic pathways, promoting glycolysis and upregulation of fatty acid synthesis. Moreover, we screened the 6 DEPs with the highest correlation with DEMs for predicting the onset of early AS and performed qPCR to validate them. Conclusion The comprehensive analysis reveals the following main changes in EPCs after the OSS treatment: dysregulation of glutamate and glycine metabolism and their transport/catabolic related proteins. Disorders of fatty acid and glycerophospholipid metabolism accompanied by alterations in the corresponding metabolic enzymes. Elevated expression of glucose metabolism.
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23
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Zhang F, Guo X, Xia Y, Mao L. An update on the phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 79:6. [PMID: 34936041 PMCID: PMC11072026 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-04079-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are involved in phenotypic switching in atherosclerosis. This switching is characterized by VSMC dedifferentiation, migration, and transdifferentiation into other cell types. VSMC phenotypic transitions have historically been considered bidirectional processes. Cells can adopt a physiological contraction phenotype or an alternative "synthetic" phenotype in response to injury. However, recent studies, including lineage tracing and single-cell sequencing studies, have shown that VSMCs downregulate contraction markers during atherosclerosis while adopting other phenotypes, including macrophage-like, foam cell, mesenchymal stem-like, myofibroblast-like, and osteochondral-like phenotypes. However, the molecular mechanism and processes regulating the switching of VSMCs at the onset of atherosclerosis are still unclear. This systematic review aims to review the critical outstanding challenges and issues that need further investigation and summarize the current knowledge in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Xiaoqing Guo
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Yuanpeng Xia
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
| | - Ling Mao
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
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24
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Wai Yeung M, Wang S, van de Vegte YJ, Borisov O, van Setten J, Snieder H, Verweij N, Said MA, van der Harst P. Twenty-Five Novel Loci for Carotid Intima-Media Thickness: A Genome-Wide Association Study in >45 000 Individuals and Meta-Analysis of >100 000 Individuals. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2021; 42:484-501. [PMID: 34852643 PMCID: PMC8939707 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.121.317007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT) is a widely accepted marker of subclinical atherosclerosis. Twenty susceptibility loci for cIMT were previously identified and the identification of additional susceptibility loci furthers our knowledge on the genetic architecture underlying atherosclerosis. Approach and Results: We performed 3 genome-wide association studies in 45 185 participants from the UK Biobank study who underwent cIMT measurements and had data on minimum, mean, and maximum thickness. We replicated 15 known loci and identified 20 novel loci associated with cIMT at P<5×10-8. Seven novel loci (ZNF385D, ADAMTS9, EDNRA, HAND2, MYOCD, ITCH/EDEM2/matrix metalloproteinase [MMP]24, and MRTFA) were identified in all 3 phenotypes. An additional new locus (LOXL1) was identified in the meta-analysis of the 3 phenotypes. Sex interaction analysis revealed sex differences in 7 loci including a novel locus (SYNE3) in males. Meta-analysis of UK Biobank data with a previous meta-analysis led to identification of three novel loci (APOB, FIP1L1, and LOXL4). Transcriptome-wide association analyses implicated additional genes ARHGAP42, NDRG4, and KANK2. Gene set analysis showed an enrichment in extracellular organization and the PDGF (platelet-derived growth factor) signaling pathway. We found positive genetic correlations of cIMT with coronary artery disease rg=0.21 (P=1.4×10-7), peripheral artery disease rg=0.45 (P=5.3×10-5), and systolic blood pressure rg=0.30 (P=4.0×10-18). A negative genetic correlation between average of maximum cIMT and high-density lipoprotein was found rg=-0.12 (P=7.0×10-4). CONCLUSIONS Genome-wide association meta-analyses in >100 000 individuals identified 25 novel loci associated with cIMT providing insights into genes and tissue-specific regulatory mechanisms of proatherosclerotic processes. We found evidence for shared biological mechanisms with cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Wai Yeung
- Department of Cardiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands. (M.W.Y., S.W., Y.J.v.d.V., N.V., M.A.S., P.v.d.H.)
| | - Siqi Wang
- Department of Cardiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands. (M.W.Y., S.W., Y.J.v.d.V., N.V., M.A.S., P.v.d.H.).,Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands. (S.W., H.S.)
| | - Yordi J van de Vegte
- Department of Cardiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands. (M.W.Y., S.W., Y.J.v.d.V., N.V., M.A.S., P.v.d.H.)
| | - Oleg Borisov
- Institute for Genomic Statistics and Bioinformatics, University Hospital Bonn, Germany (O.B.)
| | - Jessica van Setten
- Division of Heart & Lungs, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, the Netherlands (M.W.Y., J.v.S., P.v.d.H.)
| | - Harold Snieder
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands. (S.W., H.S.)
| | - Niek Verweij
- Department of Cardiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands. (M.W.Y., S.W., Y.J.v.d.V., N.V., M.A.S., P.v.d.H.)
| | - M Abdullah Said
- Department of Cardiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands. (M.W.Y., S.W., Y.J.v.d.V., N.V., M.A.S., P.v.d.H.).,Division of Heart & Lungs, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, the Netherlands (M.W.Y., J.v.S., P.v.d.H.)
| | - Pim van der Harst
- Department of Cardiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands. (M.W.Y., S.W., Y.J.v.d.V., N.V., M.A.S., P.v.d.H.).,Division of Heart & Lungs, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, the Netherlands (M.W.Y., J.v.S., P.v.d.H.)
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25
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Liu L, Bankell E, Rippe C, Morén B, Stenkula KG, Nilsson BO, Swärd K. Cell Type Dependent Suppression of Inflammatory Mediators by Myocardin Related Transcription Factors. Front Physiol 2021; 12:732564. [PMID: 34671275 PMCID: PMC8521029 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.732564] [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: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Myocardin related transcription factors (MRTFs: MYOCD/myocardin, MRTF-A, and MRTF-B) play a key role in smooth muscle cell differentiation by activating contractile genes. In atherosclerosis, MRTF levels change, and most notable is a fall of MYOCD. Previous work described anti-inflammatory properties of MRTF-A and MYOCD, occurring through RelA binding, suggesting that MYOCD reduction could contribute to vascular inflammation. Recent studies have muddled this picture showing that MRTFs may show both anti- and pro-inflammatory properties, but the basis of these discrepancies remain unclear. Moreover, the impact of MRTFs on inflammatory signaling pathways in tissues relevant to human arterial disease is uncertain. The current work aimed to address these issues. RNA-sequencing after forced expression of myocardin in human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (hCASMCs) showed reduction of pro-inflammatory transcripts, including CCL2, CXCL8, IL6, and IL1B. Side-by-side comparison of MYOCD, MRTF-A, and MRTF-B in hCASMCs, showed that the anti-inflammatory impact was shared among MRTFs. Correlation analyses using human arterial transcriptomic datasets revealed negative correlations between MYOCD, MRTFA, and SRF, on the one hand, and the inflammatory transcripts, on the other. A pro-inflammatory drive from lipopolysaccharide, did not change the size of the suppressive effect of MRTF-A in hCASMCs on either mRNA or protein levels. To examine cell type-dependence, we compared the anti-inflammatory impact in hCASMCs, with that in human bladder SMCs, in endothelial cells, and in monocytes (THP-1 cells). Surprisingly, little anti-inflammatory activity was seen in endothelial cells and monocytes, and in bladder SMCs, MRTF-A was pro-inflammatory. CXCL8, IL6, and IL1B were increased by the MRTF-SRF inhibitor CCG-1423 and by MRTF-A silencing in hCASMCs, but depolymerization of actin, known to inhibit MRTF activity, had no stimulatory effect, an exception being IL1B. Co-immunoprecipitation supported binding of MRTF-A to RelA, supporting sequestration of this important pro-inflammatory mediator as a mechanism. Dexamethasone treatment and silencing of RelA (by 76 ± 1%) however only eliminated a fraction of the MRTF-A effect (≈25%), suggesting mechanisms beyond RelA binding. Indeed, SRF silencing suggested that MRTF-A suppression of IL1B and CXCL8 depends on SRF. This work thus supports an anti-inflammatory impact of MRTF-SRF signaling in hCASMCs and in intact human arteries, but not in several other cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Liu
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund, Sweden.,Department of Urology, Qingyuan People's Hospital, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan, China
| | | | - Catarina Rippe
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund, Sweden
| | - Björn Morén
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund, Sweden
| | | | | | - Karl Swärd
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund, Sweden
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26
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Buono MF, Slenders L, Wesseling M, Hartman RJG, Monaco C, den Ruijter HM, Pasterkamp G, Mokry M. The changing landscape of the vulnerable plaque: a call for fine-tuning of preclinical models. Vascul Pharmacol 2021; 141:106924. [PMID: 34607015 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2021.106924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
For decades, the pathological definition of the vulnerable plaque led to invaluable insights into the mechanisms that underlie myocardial infarction and stroke. Beyond plaque rupture, other mechanisms, such as erosion, may elicit thrombotic events underlining the complexity and diversity of the atherosclerotic disease. Novel insights, based on single-cell transcriptomics and other "omics" methods, provide tremendous opportunities in the ongoing search for cell-specific determinants that will fine-tune the description of the thrombosis prone lesion. It coincides with an increasing awareness that knowledge on lesion characteristics, cell plasticity and clinical presentation of ischemic cardiovascular events have shifted over the past decades. This shift correlates with an observed changes of cell composition towards phenotypical stabilizing of human plaques. These stabilization features and mechanisms are directly mediated by the cells present in plaques and can be mimicked in vitro via primary plaque cells derived from human atherosclerotic tissues. In addition, the rapidly evolving of sequencing technologies identify many candidate genes and molecular mechanisms that may influence the risk of developing an atherosclerotic thrombotic event - which bring the next challenge in sharp focus: how to translate these cell-specific insights into tangible functional and translational discoveries?
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele F Buono
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Lotte Slenders
- Central Diagnostics Laboratory, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Marian Wesseling
- Central Diagnostics Laboratory, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Robin J G Hartman
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Claudia Monaco
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Hester M den Ruijter
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Gerard Pasterkamp
- Central Diagnostics Laboratory, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Michal Mokry
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands; Central Diagnostics Laboratory, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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Li X, Yang Y, Wang Z, Jiang S, Meng Y, Song X, Zhao L, Zou L, Li M, Yu T. Targeting non-coding RNAs in unstable atherosclerotic plaques: Mechanism, regulation, possibilities, and limitations. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:3413-3427. [PMID: 34512156 PMCID: PMC8416736 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.62506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) caused by arteriosclerosis are the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. In the late stages of atherosclerosis, the atherosclerotic plaque gradually expands in the blood vessels, resulting in vascular stenosis. When the unstable plaque ruptures and falls off, it blocks the vessel causing vascular thrombosis, leading to strokes, myocardial infarctions, and a series of other serious diseases that endanger people's lives. Therefore, regulating plaque stability is the main means used to address the high mortality associated with CVDs. The progression of the atherosclerotic plaque is a complex integration of vascular cell apoptosis, lipid metabolism disorders, inflammatory cell infiltration, vascular smooth muscle cell migration, and neovascular infiltration. More recently, emerging evidence has demonstrated that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play a significant role in regulating the pathophysiological process of atherosclerotic plaque formation by affecting the biological functions of the vasculature and its associated cells. The purpose of this paper is to comprehensively review the regulatory mechanisms involved in the susceptibility of atherosclerotic plaque rupture, discuss the limitations of current approaches to treat plaque instability, and highlight the potential clinical value of ncRNAs as novel diagnostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic strategies to improve plaque stability and reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxin Li
- Institute for translational medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 38 Dengzhou Road, 266021, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanyan Yang
- Institute for translational medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 38 Dengzhou Road, 266021, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhibin Wang
- Department of Cardiac Ultrasound, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Shaoyan Jiang
- Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Cardiovascular Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 5 Zhiquan Road, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Yuanyuan Meng
- Department of Cardiac Ultrasound, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Xiaoxia Song
- Department of Cardiac Ultrasound, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Liang Zhao
- Department of Cardiac Ultrasound, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Lu Zou
- Institute for translational medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 38 Dengzhou Road, 266021, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Li
- Institute for translational medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 38 Dengzhou Road, 266021, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Yu
- Institute for translational medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 38 Dengzhou Road, 266021, People's Republic of China.,Department of Cardiac Ultrasound, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, China
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Yap C, Mieremet A, de Vries CJM, Micha D, de Waard V. Six Shades of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Illuminated by KLF4 (Krüppel-Like Factor 4). Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2021; 41:2693-2707. [PMID: 34470477 PMCID: PMC8545254 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.121.316600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Multiple layers of vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) are present in blood vessels forming the media of the vessel wall. vSMCs provide a vessel wall structure, enabling it to contract and relax, thus modulating blood flow. They also play a crucial role in the development of vascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis and aortic aneurysm formation. vSMCs display a remarkable high degree of plasticity. At present, the number of different vSMC phenotypes has only partially been characterized. By mapping vSMC phenotypes in detail and identifying triggers for phenotype switching, the relevance of the different phenotypes in vascular disease may be identified. Up until recently, vSMCs were classified as either contractile or dedifferentiated (ie, synthetic). However, single-cell RNA sequencing studies revealed such dedifferentiated arterial vSMCs to be highly diverse. Currently, no consensus exist about the number of vSMC phenotypes. Therefore, we reviewed the data from relevant single-cell RNA sequencing studies, and classified a total of 6 vSMC phenotypes. The central dedifferentiated vSMC type that we classified is the mesenchymal-like phenotype. Mesenchymal-like vSMCs subsequently seem to differentiate into fibroblast-like, macrophage-like, osteogenic-like, and adipocyte-like vSMCs, which contribute differentially to vascular disease. This phenotype switching between vSMCs requires the transcription factor KLF4 (Kruppel-like factor 4). Here, we performed an integrated analysis of the data about the recently identified vSMC phenotypes, their associated gene expression profiles, and previous vSMC knowledge to better understand the role of vSMC phenotype transitions in vascular pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Yap
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Location Academic Medical Center, The Netherlands (C.Y., A.M., C.J.M.d.V., V.d.W.)
| | - Arnout Mieremet
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Location Academic Medical Center, The Netherlands (C.Y., A.M., C.J.M.d.V., V.d.W.)
| | - Carlie J M de Vries
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Location Academic Medical Center, The Netherlands (C.Y., A.M., C.J.M.d.V., V.d.W.)
| | - Dimitra Micha
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Location VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (D.M.)
| | - Vivian de Waard
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Location Academic Medical Center, The Netherlands (C.Y., A.M., C.J.M.d.V., V.d.W.)
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29
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Haley KE, Almas T, Shoar S, Shaikh S, Azhar M, Cheema FH, Hameed A. The role of anti-inflammatory drugs and nanoparticle-based drug delivery models in the management of ischemia-induced heart failure. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 142:112014. [PMID: 34391184 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Ongoing advancements in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction (MI) have significantly decreased MI related mortality. Consequently, the number of patients experiencing post-MI heart failure (HF) has continued to rise. Infarction size and the extent of left ventricular (LV) remodeling are largely determined by the extent of ischemia at the time of myocardial injury. In the setting of MI or acute phase of post-MI LV remodeling, anti-inflammatory drugs including intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and Pentoxifylline have shown potential efficacy in preventing post-MI remodeling in-vitro and in some clinical trials. However, systemic administration of anti-inflammatory drugs are not without their off-target side effects. Herein, we explore the clinical feasibility of targeted myocardial delivery of anti-inflammatory drugs via biodegradable polymers, liposomes, hydrogels, and nano-particle based drug delivery models (NDDM) based on existing pre-clinical and clinical models. We summarize the barriers to clinical application of targeted anti-inflammatory delivery post-MI, including challenges in achieving sufficient retention and distribution, as well as the potential need for multiple dosing. Collectively, we suggest that localized delivery of anti-inflammatory agents to the myocardium using NDDM is a promising approach for successful treatment of ischemic HF. Future studies will be instrumental in determining the most effective target and delivery modalities for orchestrating NDDM-mediated treatment of HF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn E Haley
- Graduate Entry Medicine, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin 2 Dublin, Ireland; Tissue Engineering Research Group (TERG), Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Medicine, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin 2 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Talal Almas
- Tissue Engineering Research Group (TERG), Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Medicine, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin 2 Dublin, Ireland; School of Medicine, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin 2 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Saeed Shoar
- HCA Healthcare Gulf Coast Division, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Shan Shaikh
- HCA Healthcare Gulf Coast Division, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Maimoona Azhar
- Graduate Entry Medicine, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin 2 Dublin, Ireland; Department of Surgery, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin 4 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Faisal Habib Cheema
- HCA Healthcare Gulf Coast Division, Houston, TX, USA; University of Houston, College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Aamir Hameed
- Tissue Engineering Research Group (TERG), Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Medicine, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin 2 Dublin, Ireland; Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering (TCBE), Trinity College Dublin (TCD), Dublin, Ireland.
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30
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Li D, Liu M, Li Z, Zheng G, Chen A, Zhao L, Yang P, Wei L, Chen Y, Ruan XZ. Sterol-resistant SCAP Overexpression in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Accelerates Atherosclerosis by Increasing Local Vascular Inflammation through Activation of the NLRP3 Inflammasome in Mice. Aging Dis 2021; 12:747-763. [PMID: 34094640 PMCID: PMC8139202 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2020.1120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a serious age-related pathology, and one of its hallmarks is the presence of chronic inflammation. Sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP) cleavage-activating protein (SCAP) is a cholesterol sensor that plays an essential role in regulating intracellular cholesterol homeostasis. Accordingly, dysregulation of the SCAP-SREBP pathway has been reported to be closely associated with an increased risk of obesity, hypercholesterolemia, and cardiovascular disease. In this study, we explored whether sterol-resistant SCAP (D443N mutation) in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of mice promotes vascular inflammation and accelerates the occurrence and progression of atherosclerosis. We established a transgenic knock-in mouse model of atherosclerosis with an activating D443N mutation at the sterol-sensing domain of SCAP (SCAPD443N) by microinjection. Next, SCAPD443N/ApoE-/- mice were generated by crossing SCAPD443N mice with apolipoprotein E-/- (ApoE-/-) background mice. We found that sterol-resistant SCAP markedly amplified and accelerated the progression of atherosclerotic plaques in SCAPD443N/ApoE-/- mice compared with that in control ApoE-/- mice. Similarly, in SCAPD443N mice, aortic atherosclerotic plaques both appeared earlier and were greater in number than that in control SCAP+/+ mice, both of which were fed a Western diet for 12 or 24 weeks. Moreover, we observed that sterol-resistant SCAP significantly increased local inflammation and induced endothelial dysfunction in the aortas of SCAPD443N mice and SCAPD443N/ApoE-/- mice. In vitro, we also found that sterol-resistant SCAP overexpression in VSMCs increased the release of inflammatory cytokines and induced endothelial cell injury when both cell types were cocultured. Furthermore, we demonstrated that sterol-resistant SCAP overexpression in VSMCs promoted SCAP and NLRP3 inflammasome cotranslocation to the Golgi and increased the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. These findings suggested that sterol-resistant SCAP in VSMCs of mice induced vascular inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, consequently accelerating atherosclerosis by activating the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danyang Li
- 1Centre for Lipid Research & Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, Department of Infectious Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Mihua Liu
- 1Centre for Lipid Research & Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, Department of Infectious Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhe Li
- 1Centre for Lipid Research & Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, Department of Infectious Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Guo Zheng
- 1Centre for Lipid Research & Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, Department of Infectious Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Amei Chen
- 1Centre for Lipid Research & Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, Department of Infectious Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lei Zhao
- 1Centre for Lipid Research & Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, Department of Infectious Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ping Yang
- 1Centre for Lipid Research & Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, Department of Infectious Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Wei
- 1Centre for Lipid Research & Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, Department of Infectious Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yaxi Chen
- 1Centre for Lipid Research & Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, Department of Infectious Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiong Z Ruan
- 1Centre for Lipid Research & Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, Department of Infectious Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,2National Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,3John Moorhead Research Laboratory, Centre for Nephrology, University College London Medical School, Royal Free Campus, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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31
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Choi JM, Baek SE, Kim JO, Jeon EY, Jang EJ, Kim CD. 5-LO-derived LTB4 plays a key role in MCP-1 expression in HMGB1-exposed VSMCs via a BLTR1 signaling axis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11100. [PMID: 34045591 PMCID: PMC8160259 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90636-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) plays an important role in initiating vascular inflammation; however, its cellular source in the injured vasculatures is unclear. Given the importance of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in tissue injury, we investigated the role of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in MCP-1 production in response to HMGB1. In primary cultured rat aortic VSMCs stimulated with HMGB1, the expression of MCP-1 and 5-lipoxygenase (LO) was increased. The increased MCP-1 expression in HMGB1 (30 ng/ml)-stimulated cells was significantly attenuated in 5-LO-deficient cells as well as in cells treated with zileuton, a 5-LO inhibitor. Likewise, MCP-1 expression and production were also increased in cells stimulated with exogenous leukotriene B4 (LTB4), but not exogenous LTC4. LTB4-induced MCP-1 expression was attenuated in cells treated with U75302, a LTB4 receptor 1 (BLTR1) inhibitor as well as in BLTR1-deficient cells, but not in 5-LO-deficient cells. Moreover, HMGB1-induced MCP-1 expression was attenuated in BLTR1-deficient cells or by treatment with a BLTR1 inhibitor, but not other leukotriene receptor inhibitors. In contrast to MCP-1 expression in response to LTB4, the increased MCP-1 production in HMGB1-stimulated VSMC was markedly attenuated in 5-LO-deficient cells, indicating a pivotal role of LTB4-BLTR1 signaling in MCP-1 expression in VSMCs. Taken together, 5-LO-derived LTB4 plays a key role in MCP-1 expression in HMGB1-exposed VSMCs via BLTR1 signaling, suggesting the LTB4-BLTR1 signaling axis as a potential therapeutic target for vascular inflammation in the injured vasculatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong Min Choi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongnam, 50612, Republic of Korea
- Gene and Cell Therapy Research Center for Vessel-Associated Diseases, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongnam, 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Eun Baek
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongnam, 50612, Republic of Korea
- Gene and Cell Therapy Research Center for Vessel-Associated Diseases, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongnam, 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji On Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongnam, 50612, Republic of Korea
- Gene and Cell Therapy Research Center for Vessel-Associated Diseases, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongnam, 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Yeong Jeon
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongnam, 50612, Republic of Korea
- Gene and Cell Therapy Research Center for Vessel-Associated Diseases, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongnam, 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Jeong Jang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongnam, 50612, Republic of Korea
- Gene and Cell Therapy Research Center for Vessel-Associated Diseases, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongnam, 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Chi Dae Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongnam, 50612, Republic of Korea.
- Gene and Cell Therapy Research Center for Vessel-Associated Diseases, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongnam, 50612, Republic of Korea.
- Research Institute for Convergence of Biomedical Science and Technology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, Gyeongnam, 50612, Republic of Korea.
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Zhou Q, Chen W, Fan Z, Chen Z, Liang J, Zeng G, Liu L, Liu W, Yang T, Cao X, Yu B, Xu M, Chen YG, Chen L. Targeting hyperactive TGFBR2 for treating MYOCD deficient lung cancer. Theranostics 2021; 11:6592-6606. [PMID: 33995678 PMCID: PMC8120205 DOI: 10.7150/thno.59816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Clinical success of cancer therapy is severely limited by drug resistance, attributed in large part to the loss of function of tumor suppressor genes (TSGs). Developing effective strategies to treat those tumors is challenging, but urgently needed in clinic. Experimental Design: MYOCD is a clinically relevant TSG in lung cancer patients. Our in vitro and in vivo data confirm its tumor suppressive function. Further analysis reveals that MYOCD potently inhibits stemness of lung cancer stem cells. Mechanistically, MYOCD localizes to TGFBR2 promoter region and thereby recruits PRMT5/MEP50 complex to epigenetically silence its transcription. Conclusions: NSCLC cells deficient of MYOCD are particularly sensitive to TGFBR kinase inhibitor (TGFBRi). TGFBRi and stemness inhibitor synergize with existing drugs to treat MYOCD deficient lung cancers. Our current work shows that loss of function of MYOCD creates Achilles' heels in lung cancer cells, which might be exploited in clinic.
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Wu JH, Zhang L, Nepliouev I, Brian L, Huang T, Snow KP, Schickling BM, Hauser ER, Miller FJ, Freedman NJ, Stiber JA. Drebrin attenuates atherosclerosis by limiting smooth muscle cell transdifferentiation. Cardiovasc Res 2021; 118:772-784. [PMID: 33914863 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvab156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS The F-actin-binding protein Drebrin inhibits smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration, proliferation and pro-inflammatory signaling. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that Drebrin constrains atherosclerosis. METHODS AND RESULTS SM22-Cre+/Dbnflox/flox/Ldlr-/- (SMC-Dbn-/-/Ldlr-/-) and control mice (SM22-Cre+/Ldlr-/-, Dbnflox/flox/Ldlr-/-, and Ldlr-/-) were fed a Western diet for 14-20 weeks. Brachiocephalic arteries of SMC-Dbn-/-/Ldlr-/- mice exhibited 1.5- or 1.8-fold greater cross-sectional lesion area than control mice at 14 or 20 wk, respectively. Aortic atherosclerotic lesion surface area was 1.2-fold greater in SMC-Dbn-/-/Ldlr-/- mice. SMC-Dbn-/-/Ldlr-/- lesions comprised necrotic cores that were two-fold greater in size than those of control mice. Consistent with their bigger necrotic core size, lesions in SMC-Dbn-/- arteries also showed more transdifferentiation of SMCs to macrophage-like cells: 1.5- to 2.5-fold greater, assessed with BODIPY or with CD68, respectively. In vitro data were concordant: Dbn-/- SMCs had 1.7-fold higher levels of KLF4 and transdifferentiated to macrophage-like cells more readily than Dbnflox/flox SMCs upon cholesterol loading, as evidenced by greater up-regulation of CD68 and galectin-3. Adenovirally mediated Drebrin rescue produced equivalent levels of macrophage-like transdifferentiation in Dbn-/- and Dbnflox/flox SMCs. During early atherogenesis, SMC-Dbn-/-/Ldlr-/- aortas demonstrated 1.6-fold higher levels of reactive oxygen species than control mouse aortas. The 1.8-fold higher levels of Nox1 in Dbn-/- SMCs was reduced to WT levels with KLF4 silencing. Inhibition of Nox1 chemically or with siRNA produced equivalent levels of macrophage-like transdifferentiation in Dbn-/- and Dbnflox/flox SMCs. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that SMC Drebrin limits atherosclerosis by constraining SMC Nox1 activity and SMC transdifferentiation to macrophage-like cells. TRANSLATIONAL PERSPECTIVE Drebrin is abundantly expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and is up-regulated in human atherosclerosis. A hallmark of atherosclerosis is the accumulation of foam cells that secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines and contribute to plaque instability. A large proportion of these foam cells in humans derive from SMCs. We found that SMC Drebrin limits atherosclerosis by reducing SMC transdifferentiation to macrophage-like foam cells in a manner dependent on Nox1 and KLF4. For this reason, strategies aimed at augmenting SMC Drebrin expression in atherosclerotic plaques may limit atherosclerosis progression and enhance plaque stability by bridling SMC-to-foam-cell transdifferentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao-Hui Wu
- Department of Medicine (Cardiology), Duke University Medical Center, 10 Duke Medicine Circle, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Lisheng Zhang
- Department of Medicine (Cardiology), Duke University Medical Center, 10 Duke Medicine Circle, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Igor Nepliouev
- Department of Medicine (Cardiology), Duke University Medical Center, 10 Duke Medicine Circle, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Leigh Brian
- Department of Medicine (Cardiology), Duke University Medical Center, 10 Duke Medicine Circle, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Taiqin Huang
- Department of Medicine (Cardiology), Duke University Medical Center, 10 Duke Medicine Circle, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Kamie P Snow
- Department of Medicine (Cardiology), Duke University Medical Center, 10 Duke Medicine Circle, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Brandon M Schickling
- Department of Medicine (Cardiology), Duke University Medical Center, 10 Duke Medicine Circle, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Elizabeth R Hauser
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Francis J Miller
- Department of Medicine, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Neil J Freedman
- Department of Medicine (Cardiology), Duke University Medical Center, 10 Duke Medicine Circle, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Jonathan A Stiber
- Department of Medicine (Cardiology), Duke University Medical Center, 10 Duke Medicine Circle, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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34
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Xia XD, Yu XH, Chen LY, Xie SL, Feng YG, Yang RZ, Zhao ZW, Li H, Wang G, Tang CK. Myocardin suppression increases lipid retention and atherosclerosis via downregulation of ABCA1 in vascular smooth muscle cells. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2021; 1866:158824. [PMID: 33035679 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2020.158824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Myocardin (MYOCD) plays an important role in cardiovascular disease. However, its underlying impact on atherosclerosis remains to be elucidated. ATP binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), a key membrane-associated lipid transporter which maintains intracellular lipid homeostasis, has a protective function in atherosclerosis progress. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether and how the effect of MYOCD on atherosclerosis is associated with ABCA1 in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). We found both MYOCD and ABCA1 expression were dramatically decreased in atherosclerotic patient aortas compared to control. MYOCD knockdown inhibited ABCA1 expression in human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (HAVSMCs), leading to reduced cholesterol efflux and increased intracellular cholesterol contents. MYOCD overexpression exerted the opposite effect. Mechanistically, MYOCD regulates ABCA1 expression in an SRF-dependent manner. Consistently, apolipoprotein E-deficient mice treated with MYOCD shRNA developed more plaques in the aortic sinus, which is associated with reduced ABCA1 expression, increased cholesterol retention in the aorta, and decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the plasma. Our data suggest that MYOCD deficiency exacerbates atherosclerosis by downregulating ABCA1 dependent cholesterol efflux from VSMCs, thereby providing a novel strategy for the therapeutic treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
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MESH Headings
- ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1/genetics
- ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1/metabolism
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Animals
- Aorta/cytology
- Aorta/metabolism
- Aorta/pathology
- Atherosclerosis/genetics
- Atherosclerosis/metabolism
- Atherosclerosis/pathology
- Cells, Cultured
- Down-Regulation
- Female
- Humans
- Lipid Metabolism
- Male
- Mice, Knockout, ApoE
- Middle Aged
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/cytology
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/pathology
- Nuclear Proteins/genetics
- Nuclear Proteins/metabolism
- Trans-Activators/genetics
- Trans-Activators/metabolism
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Dan Xia
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Arteriosclerotic Disease, Medical Research Experiment Center, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China; The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People's Hospital, Guangdong Province, Qingyuan 511518, China; Department of Microsurgery, Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Xiao-Hua Yu
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan 460106, China
| | - Ling-Yan Chen
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Arteriosclerotic Disease, Medical Research Experiment Center, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Song-Lin Xie
- Department of Microsurgery, Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Yao-Guang Feng
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Rui-Zhe Yang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Zhen-Wang Zhao
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Arteriosclerotic Disease, Medical Research Experiment Center, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Heng Li
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Arteriosclerotic Disease, Medical Research Experiment Center, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Arteriosclerotic Disease, Medical Research Experiment Center, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China.
| | - Chao-Ke Tang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Arteriosclerotic Disease, Medical Research Experiment Center, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China.
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Bonetti J, Corti A, Lerouge L, Pompella A, Gaucher C. Phenotypic Modulation of Macrophages and Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells in Atherosclerosis-Nitro-Redox Interconnections. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10040516. [PMID: 33810295 PMCID: PMC8066740 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10040516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Monocytes/macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) are the main cell types implicated in atherosclerosis development, and unlike other mature cell types, both retain a remarkable plasticity. In mature vessels, differentiated vSMCs control the vascular tone and the blood pressure. In response to vascular injury and modifications of the local environment (inflammation, oxidative stress), vSMCs switch from a contractile to a secretory phenotype and also display macrophagic markers expression and a macrophagic behaviour. Endothelial dysfunction promotes adhesion to the endothelium of monocytes, which infiltrate the sub-endothelium and differentiate into macrophages. The latter become polarised into M1 (pro-inflammatory), M2 (anti-inflammatory) or Mox macrophages (oxidative stress phenotype). Both monocyte-derived macrophages and macrophage-like vSMCs are able to internalise and accumulate oxLDL, leading to formation of “foam cells” within atherosclerotic plaques. Variations in the levels of nitric oxide (NO) can affect several of the molecular pathways implicated in the described phenomena. Elucidation of the underlying mechanisms could help to identify novel specific therapeutic targets, but to date much remains to be explored. The present article is an overview of the different factors and signalling pathways implicated in plaque formation and of the effects of NO on the molecular steps of the phenotypic switch of macrophages and vSMCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine Bonetti
- CITHEFOR, Université de Lorraine, F-54000 Nancy, France; (J.B.); (L.L.); (C.G.)
| | - Alessandro Corti
- Department of Translational Research NTMS, University of Pisa Medical School, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Lucie Lerouge
- CITHEFOR, Université de Lorraine, F-54000 Nancy, France; (J.B.); (L.L.); (C.G.)
| | - Alfonso Pompella
- Department of Translational Research NTMS, University of Pisa Medical School, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-050-2218-537
| | - Caroline Gaucher
- CITHEFOR, Université de Lorraine, F-54000 Nancy, France; (J.B.); (L.L.); (C.G.)
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Ren K, Li B, Liu Z, Xia L, Zhai M, Wei X, Duan W, Yu S. GDF11 prevents the formation of thoracic aortic dissection in mice: Promotion of contractile transition of aortic SMCs. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:4623-4636. [PMID: 33764670 PMCID: PMC8107100 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16312] [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: 08/23/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Thoracic aortic dissection (TAD) is an aortic disease associated with dysregulated extracellular matrix composition and de‐differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Growth Differentiation Factor 11 (GDF11) is a member of transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β) superfamily associated with cardiovascular diseases. The present study attempted to investigate the expression of GDF11 in TAD and its effects on aortic SMC phenotype transition. GDF11 level was found lower in the ascending thoracic aortas of TAD patients than healthy aortas. The mouse model of TAD was established by β‐aminopropionitrile monofumarate (BAPN) combined with angiotensin II (Ang II). The expression of GDF11 was also decreased in thoracic aortic tissues accompanied with increased inflammation, arteriectasis and elastin degradation in TAD mice. Administration of GDF11 mitigated these aortic lesions and improved the survival rate of mice. Exogenous GDF11 and adeno‐associated virus type 2 (AAV‐2)‐mediated GDF11 overexpression increased the expression of contractile proteins including ACTA2, SM22α and myosin heavy chain 11 (MYH11) and decreased synthetic markers including osteopontin and fibronectin 1 (FN1), indicating that GDF11 might inhibit SMC phenotype transition and maintain its contractile state. Moreover, GDF11 inhibited the production of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2, 3, 9 in aortic SMCs. The canonical TGF‐β (Smad2/3) signalling was enhanced by GDF11, while its inhibition suppressed the inhibitory effects of GDF11 on SMC de‐differentiation and MMP production in vitro. Therefore, we demonstrate that GDF11 may contribute to TAD alleviation via inhibiting inflammation and MMP activity, and promoting the transition of aortic SMCs towards a contractile phenotype, which provides a therapeutic target for TAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Ren
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Buying Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhenhua Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Lin Xia
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Mengen Zhai
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xufeng Wei
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Weixun Duan
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Shiqiang Yu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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Foam cells promote atherosclerosis progression by releasing CXCL12. Biosci Rep 2021; 40:221745. [PMID: 31894855 PMCID: PMC6970083 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20193267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that contributes to multiple cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), and foam cell formation plays important roles in the progression of AS. There is an urgent need to identify new molecular targets for treating AS, and thereby improve the quality of life and reduce the financial burden of individuals with CVD. Methods: An in vitro model of AS was generated by treating THP-1 cells and human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (HA-VSMCs) with oxidized low-density lipoproteins (ox-LDLs). HA-VSMC proliferation and foam cell formation were detected by the MTT assay and Oil Red O staining. C–X–C motif chemokine 12 (CXCL12) expression was suppressed by siRNA. An AS rat model was established by feeding rats a high-fat diet and vitamin D2 for 3 weeks. Histopathology examinations were conducted by Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining and the levels ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (IBA1) and α smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression were determined by ELISA assays and immunohistochemistry. Results: An in vitro model of AS was established with THP-1 cells. CXCL12 expression in the model THP-1 cells was significantly increased when compared with its expression in control cells. Suppression of CXCL12 expression reduced the progression of AS in the cell model. Moreover, CXCL12 promoted AS in the in vivo rat model. Conclusion: Our results suggest that CXCL12 plays an important role in promoting the progression of AS. Furthermore, inhibition of CXCL12 might suppress the development of AS by inhibiting HA-VSMC proliferation and their transformation to foam cells.
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Alajbegovic A, Holmberg J, Daoud F, Rippe C, Kalliokoski G, Ekman M, Daudi S, Ragnarsson S, Swärd K, Albinsson S. MRTFA overexpression promotes conversion of human coronary artery smooth muscle cells into lipid-laden foam cells. Vascul Pharmacol 2021; 138:106837. [PMID: 33516965 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2021.106837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Smooth muscle cells contribute significantly to lipid-laden foam cells in atherosclerotic plaques. However, the underlying mechanisms transforming smooth muscle cells into foam cells are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the molecular mechanisms regulating smooth muscle foam cell formation. APPROACH AND RESULTS Using human coronary artery smooth muscle cells we found that the transcriptional co-activator MRTFA promotes lipid accumulation via several mechanisms, including direct transcriptional control of LDL receptor, enhanced fluid-phase pinocytosis and reduced lipid efflux. Inhibition of MRTF activity with CCG1423 and CCG203971 significantly reduced lipid accumulation. Furthermore, we demonstrate enhanced MRTFA expression in vascular remodeling of human vessels. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates a novel role for MRTFA as an important regulator of lipid homeostasis in vascular smooth muscle cells. Thus, MRTFA could potentially be a new therapeutic target for inhibition of vascular lipid accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azra Alajbegovic
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Sweden.
| | - Johan Holmberg
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Sweden
| | - Fatima Daoud
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Sweden
| | - Catarina Rippe
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Sweden
| | | | - Mari Ekman
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Sweden
| | - Sébastien Daudi
- Department of Clinical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Karl Swärd
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Sweden
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Sorokin V, Vickneson K, Kofidis T, Woo CC, Lin XY, Foo R, Shanahan CM. Role of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Plasticity and Interactions in Vessel Wall Inflammation. Front Immunol 2020; 11:599415. [PMID: 33324416 PMCID: PMC7726011 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.599415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathobiology of atherosclerotic disease requires further elucidation to discover new approaches to address its high morbidity and mortality. To date, over 17 million cardiovascular-related deaths have been reported annually, despite a multitude of surgical and nonsurgical interventions and advances in medical therapy. Existing strategies to prevent disease progression mainly focus on management of risk factors, such as hypercholesterolemia. Even with optimum current medical therapy, recurrent cardiovascular events are not uncommon in patients with atherosclerosis, and their incidence can reach 10–15% per year. Although treatments targeting inflammation are under investigation and continue to evolve, clinical breakthroughs are possible only if we deepen our understanding of vessel wall pathobiology. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are one of the most abundant cells in vessel walls and have emerged as key players in disease progression. New technologies, including in situ hybridization proximity ligation assays, in vivo cell fate tracing with the CreERT2-loxP system and single-cell sequencing technology with spatial resolution, broaden our understanding of the complex biology of these intriguing cells. Our knowledge of contractile and synthetic VSMC phenotype switching has expanded to include macrophage-like and even osteoblast-like VSMC phenotypes. An increasing body of data suggests that VSMCs have remarkable plasticity and play a key role in cell-to-cell crosstalk with endothelial cells and immune cells during the complex process of inflammation. These are cells that sense, interact with and influence the behavior of other cellular components of the vessel wall. It is now more obvious that VSMC plasticity and the ability to perform nonprofessional phagocytic functions are key phenomena maintaining the inflammatory state and senescent condition and actively interacting with different immune competent cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitaly Sorokin
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, National University Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Keeran Vickneson
- School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Theo Kofidis
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, National University Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chin Cheng Woo
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xiao Yun Lin
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, National University Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Roger Foo
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.,Genome Institute of Singapore, ASTAR, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Catherine M Shanahan
- School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, James Black Centre, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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He S, Yang F, Yang M, An W, Maguire EM, Chen Q, Xiao R, Wu W, Zhang L, Wang W, Xiao Q. miR-214-3p-Sufu-GLI1 is a novel regulatory axis controlling inflammatory smooth muscle cell differentiation from stem cells and neointimal hyperplasia. Stem Cell Res Ther 2020; 11:465. [PMID: 33143723 PMCID: PMC7640405 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-020-01989-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Inflammatory smooth muscle cells (iSMCs) generated from adventitial stem/progenitor cells (AdSPCs) have been recognised as a new player in cardiovascular disease, and microRNA-214-3p (miR-214-3p) has been implicated in mature vascular SMC functions and neointimal hyperplasia. Here, we attempted to elucidate the functional involvements of miR-214-3p in iSMC differentiation from AdSPCs and unravel the therapeutic potential of miR-214-3p signalling in AdSPCs for injury-induced neointimal hyperplasia. Methods The role of miR-214-3p in iSMC differentiation from AdSPCs was evaluated by multiple biochemistry assays. The target of miR-214-3p was identified through binding site mutation and reporter activity analysis. A murine model of injury-induced arterial remodelling and stem cell transplantation was conducted to study the therapeutic potential of miR-214-3p. RT-qPCR analysis was performed to examine the gene expression in healthy and diseased human arteries. Results miR-214-3p prevented iSMC differentiation/generation from AdSPCs by restoring sonic hedgehog-glioma-associated oncogene 1 (Shh-GLI1) signalling. Suppressor of fused (Sufu) was identified as a functional target of miR-214-3p during iSMC generation from AdSPCs. Mechanistic studies revealed that miR-214-3p over-expression or Sufu inhibition can promote nuclear accumulation of GLI1 protein in AdSPCs, and the consensus sequence (GACCACCCA) for GLI1 binding within smooth muscle alpha-actin (SMαA) and serum response factor (SRF) gene promoters is required for their respective regulation by miR-214-3p and Sufu. Additionally, Sufu upregulates multiple inflammatory gene expression (IFNγ, IL-6, MCP-1 and S100A4) in iSMCs. In vivo, transfection of miR-214-3p into the injured vessels resulted in the decreased expression level of Sufu, reduced iSMC generation and inhibited neointimal hyperplasia. Importantly, perivascular transplantation of AdSPCs increased neointimal hyperplasia, whereas transplantation of AdSPCs over-expressing miR-214-3p prevented this. Finally, decreased expression of miR-214-3p but increased expression of Sufu was observed in diseased human arteries. Conclusions We present a previously unexplored role for miR-214-3p in iSMC differentiation and neointima iSMC hyperplasia and provide new insights into the therapeutic effects of miR-214-3p in vascular disease. Supplementary information Supplementary information accompanies this paper at 10.1186/s13287-020-01989-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiping He
- Centre for Clinical Pharmacology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK.,Institute of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Feng Yang
- Centre for Clinical Pharmacology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK.,Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mei Yang
- Centre for Clinical Pharmacology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK.,Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang, China
| | - Weiwei An
- Centre for Clinical Pharmacology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Eithne Margaret Maguire
- Centre for Clinical Pharmacology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Qishan Chen
- Centre for Clinical Pharmacology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK.,Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang, China
| | - Rui Xiao
- Centre for Clinical Pharmacology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Wei Wu
- Centre for Clinical Pharmacology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang, China. .,Department of Cardiology, and Institute for Cardiovascular Development and Regenerative Medicine, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| | - Wen Wang
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK.
| | - Qingzhong Xiao
- Centre for Clinical Pharmacology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK. .,Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases at The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Xinzao Town, Panyu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 511436, China. .,Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Xinzao Town, Panyu District, Guangzhou, 511436, Guangdong, China.
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Esposito P, Verzola D, La Porta E, Milanesi S, Grignano MA, Avella A, Gregorini M, Abelli M, Ticozzelli E, Rampino T, Garibotto G. Myostatin in the Arterial Wall of Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease. J Atheroscler Thromb 2020; 27:1039-1052. [PMID: 32173683 PMCID: PMC7585912 DOI: 10.5551/jat.51144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM Myostatin (Mstn) has been described as a trigger for the progression of atherosclerosis. In this study, we evaluated the role of Mstn in arterial remodeling in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). METHODS Vascular specimens were collected from 16 ESRD patients (56.4±7.9 years) undergoing renal transplant (recipients) and 15 deceased kidney non-uremic donors (55.4±12.1 years). We studied gene and protein expression of Mstn, ubiquitin ligases, Atrogin-1, and muscle ring finger protein-1 (MuRF-1), inflammatory marker CCL2, cytoskeleton components, and Klotho by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. Moreover, we assessed vascular calcification and collagen deposition. Finally, we studied the effects of recombinant Mstn on rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs, A7r5) and evaluated the effects of uremic serum (US) on primary human VSMCs. RESULTS Myostatin mRNA was upregulated in the arterial vascular wall of recipients compared with donors (~15- folds, p<0.05). This response was accompanied by the upregulation of gene expression of Atrogin-1 and MuRF-1 (+2.5- and +10-fold) and CCL2 (+3-fold). Conversely, we found downregulation of protein expression of Smoothelin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), vimentin, and Klotho (-85%, -50%, -70%, and -80%, respectively; p<0.05) and gene expression of vimentin and Klotho. Exposition of A7r5 to Mstn induced a time-dependent SMAD 2/SMAD 3 phosphorylation and expression of collagen-1 and transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) mRNA, while US induced overexpression of Mstn and Atrogin-1 and downregulation of Smoothelin and Klotho. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that uremia might induce vascular Mstn gene expression together with a complex pathway of molecular and structural changes in the vascular wall. Myostatin, in turn, can translate the metabolic alterations of uremia into profibrotic and stiffness inducing signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Esposito
- Department of Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, and University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Clinics, Genoa University and IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
- Address for correspondence: Pasquale Esposito, Department of Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Piazzale Golgi 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy E-mail:
| | - Daniela Verzola
- Department of Internal Medicine, Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Clinics, Genoa University and IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Edoardo La Porta
- Department of Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, and University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Clinics, Genoa University and IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Samantha Milanesi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Clinics, Genoa University and IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Maria Antonietta Grignano
- Department of Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, and University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Avella
- Department of Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, and University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Marilena Gregorini
- Department of Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, and University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Massimo Abelli
- Service of Surgery, University of Pavia, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Elena Ticozzelli
- Service of Surgery, University of Pavia, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Teresa Rampino
- Department of Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, and University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Giacomo Garibotto
- Department of Internal Medicine, Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Clinics, Genoa University and IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
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Chang Z, Zhao G, Zhao Y, Lu H, Xiong W, Liang W, Sun J, Wang H, Zhu T, Rom O, Guo Y, Fan Y, Chang L, Yang B, Garcia-Barrio MT, Lin JD, Chen YE, Zhang J. BAF60a Deficiency in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Prevents Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm by Reducing Inflammation and Extracellular Matrix Degradation. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2020; 40:2494-2507. [PMID: 32787523 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.120.314955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Currently, there are no approved drugs for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) treatment, likely due to limited understanding of the primary molecular mechanisms underlying AAA development and progression. BAF60a-a unique subunit of the SWI/SNF (switch/sucrose nonfermentable) chromatin remodeling complex-is a novel regulator of metabolic homeostasis, yet little is known about its function in the vasculature and pathogenesis of AAA. In this study, we sought to investigate the role and underlying mechanisms of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC)-specific BAF60a in AAA formation. Approach and Results: BAF60a is upregulated in human and experimental murine AAA lesions. In vivo studies revealed that VSMC-specific knockout of BAF60a protected mice from both Ang II (angiotensin II)-induced and elastase-induced AAA formation with significant suppression of vascular inflammation, monocyte infiltration, and elastin fragmentation. Through RNA sequencing and pathway analysis, we found that the expression of inflammatory response genes in cultured human aortic smooth muscle cells was significantly downregulated by small interfering RNA-mediated BAF60a knockdown while upregulated upon adenovirus-mediated BAF60a overexpression. BAF60a regulates VSMC inflammation by recruiting BRG1 (Brahma-related gene-1)-a catalytic subunit of the SWI/SNF complex-to the promoter region of NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells) target genes. Furthermore, loss of BAF60a in VSMCs prevented the upregulation of the proteolytic enzyme cysteine protease CTSS (cathepsin S), thus ameliorating ECM (extracellular matrix) degradation within the vascular wall in AAA. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrated that BAF60a is required to recruit the SWI/SNF complex to facilitate the epigenetic regulation of VSMC inflammation, which may serve as a potential therapeutic target in preventing and treating AAA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyi Chang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Frankel Cardiovascular Center (Z.C., G.Z., Y.Z., H.L., W.X., W.L., J.S., H.W., T.Z., O.R., Y.G., Y.F., L.C., M.T.G.-B., Y.E.C., J.Z.), University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor.,Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology (Z.C.), The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Guizhen Zhao
- Department of Internal Medicine, Frankel Cardiovascular Center (Z.C., G.Z., Y.Z., H.L., W.X., W.L., J.S., H.W., T.Z., O.R., Y.G., Y.F., L.C., M.T.G.-B., Y.E.C., J.Z.), University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor
| | - Yang Zhao
- Department of Internal Medicine, Frankel Cardiovascular Center (Z.C., G.Z., Y.Z., H.L., W.X., W.L., J.S., H.W., T.Z., O.R., Y.G., Y.F., L.C., M.T.G.-B., Y.E.C., J.Z.), University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor
| | - Haocheng Lu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Frankel Cardiovascular Center (Z.C., G.Z., Y.Z., H.L., W.X., W.L., J.S., H.W., T.Z., O.R., Y.G., Y.F., L.C., M.T.G.-B., Y.E.C., J.Z.), University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor
| | - Wenhao Xiong
- Department of Internal Medicine, Frankel Cardiovascular Center (Z.C., G.Z., Y.Z., H.L., W.X., W.L., J.S., H.W., T.Z., O.R., Y.G., Y.F., L.C., M.T.G.-B., Y.E.C., J.Z.), University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor
| | - Wenying Liang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Frankel Cardiovascular Center (Z.C., G.Z., Y.Z., H.L., W.X., W.L., J.S., H.W., T.Z., O.R., Y.G., Y.F., L.C., M.T.G.-B., Y.E.C., J.Z.), University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor
| | - Jinjian Sun
- Department of Internal Medicine, Frankel Cardiovascular Center (Z.C., G.Z., Y.Z., H.L., W.X., W.L., J.S., H.W., T.Z., O.R., Y.G., Y.F., L.C., M.T.G.-B., Y.E.C., J.Z.), University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor.,Department of Cardiovascular Medicine (J.S.), The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Huilun Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Frankel Cardiovascular Center (Z.C., G.Z., Y.Z., H.L., W.X., W.L., J.S., H.W., T.Z., O.R., Y.G., Y.F., L.C., M.T.G.-B., Y.E.C., J.Z.), University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor
| | - Tianqing Zhu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Frankel Cardiovascular Center (Z.C., G.Z., Y.Z., H.L., W.X., W.L., J.S., H.W., T.Z., O.R., Y.G., Y.F., L.C., M.T.G.-B., Y.E.C., J.Z.), University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor
| | - Oren Rom
- Department of Internal Medicine, Frankel Cardiovascular Center (Z.C., G.Z., Y.Z., H.L., W.X., W.L., J.S., H.W., T.Z., O.R., Y.G., Y.F., L.C., M.T.G.-B., Y.E.C., J.Z.), University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor
| | - Yanhong Guo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Frankel Cardiovascular Center (Z.C., G.Z., Y.Z., H.L., W.X., W.L., J.S., H.W., T.Z., O.R., Y.G., Y.F., L.C., M.T.G.-B., Y.E.C., J.Z.), University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor
| | - Yanbo Fan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Frankel Cardiovascular Center (Z.C., G.Z., Y.Z., H.L., W.X., W.L., J.S., H.W., T.Z., O.R., Y.G., Y.F., L.C., M.T.G.-B., Y.E.C., J.Z.), University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor
| | - Lin Chang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Frankel Cardiovascular Center (Z.C., G.Z., Y.Z., H.L., W.X., W.L., J.S., H.W., T.Z., O.R., Y.G., Y.F., L.C., M.T.G.-B., Y.E.C., J.Z.), University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor
| | - Bo Yang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery (B.Y.), University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor
| | - Minerva T Garcia-Barrio
- Department of Internal Medicine, Frankel Cardiovascular Center (Z.C., G.Z., Y.Z., H.L., W.X., W.L., J.S., H.W., T.Z., O.R., Y.G., Y.F., L.C., M.T.G.-B., Y.E.C., J.Z.), University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor
| | - Jiandie D Lin
- Life Sciences Institute and Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (J.D.L.)
| | - Y Eugene Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Frankel Cardiovascular Center (Z.C., G.Z., Y.Z., H.L., W.X., W.L., J.S., H.W., T.Z., O.R., Y.G., Y.F., L.C., M.T.G.-B., Y.E.C., J.Z.), University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor
| | - Jifeng Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Frankel Cardiovascular Center (Z.C., G.Z., Y.Z., H.L., W.X., W.L., J.S., H.W., T.Z., O.R., Y.G., Y.F., L.C., M.T.G.-B., Y.E.C., J.Z.), University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor
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Zhao Y, Zhu X, Zhang L, Ferguson CM, Song T, Jiang K, Conley SM, Krier JD, Tang H, Saadiq I, Jordan KL, Lerman A, Lerman LO. Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells and their Extracellular Vesicle Progeny Decrease Injury in Poststenotic Swine Kidney Through Different Mechanisms. Stem Cells Dev 2020; 29:1190-1200. [PMID: 32657229 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2020.0030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Novel therapies are needed to address the increasing prevalence of chronic kidney disease. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) and MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) augment tissue repair. We tested the hypothesis that EVs are as effective as MSCs in protecting the stenotic kidney, but target different injury pathways. Pigs were studied after 16 weeks of renal injury achieved by diet-induced metabolic syndrome (MetS) and renal artery stenosis (RAS). Pigs were untreated or treated 4 weeks earlier with intrarenal delivery of autologous adipose tissue-derived MSCs (107) or their EVs (1011). Lean pigs and sham RAS served as controls (n = 6 each). Stenotic-kidney function was studied in vivo using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Histopathology and expression of necroptosis markers [receptor-interacting protein kinase (RIPK)-1 and RIPK-3], inflammatory, and growth factors (angiopoietin-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor) were studied ex vivo. Stenotic-kidney glomerular filtration rate and blood flow in MetS + RAS were both lower than Lean and increased in both MetS + RAS + MSC and MetS + RAS + EV. Both MSCs and EV improved renal function and decreased renal hypoxia, fibrosis, and apoptosis. MSCs were slightly more effective in preserving microvascular (0.02-0.2 mm diameters) density and prominently attenuated renal inflammation. However, EV more significantly upregulated growth factor expression and decreased necroptosis. In conclusion, adipose tissue-derived MSCs and their EV both improve stenotic kidney function and decrease tissue injury in MetS + RAS by slightly different mechanisms. MSCs more effectively preserved the microcirculation, while EV bestowed better preservation of renal cellular integrity. These findings encourage further exploration of this novel approach to attenuate renal injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhao
- Institute of Nephrology, Zhong Da Hospital, Southeast University, School of Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Xiangyang Zhu
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Lei Zhang
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.,Institute of Urology, Zhong Da Hospital, Southeast University, School of Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | | | - Turun Song
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Kai Jiang
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Sabena M Conley
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - James D Krier
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Hui Tang
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Ishran Saadiq
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Kyra L Jordan
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Amir Lerman
- Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Lilach O Lerman
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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Qin Y, Zheng B, Yang GS, Yang HJ, Zhou J, Yang Z, Zhang XH, Zhao HY, Shi JH, Wen JK. Salvia miltiorrhiza-Derived Sal-miR-58 Induces Autophagy and Attenuates Inflammation in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells. MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS 2020; 21:492-511. [PMID: 32679544 PMCID: PMC7360890 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2020.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Autophagy is associated with the cytoprotection of physiological processes against inflammation and oxidative stress. Salvia miltiorrhiza possesses cardiovascular protective actions and has powerful anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects; however, whether and how Salvia miltiorrhiza-derived microRNAs (miRNAs) protect vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) by inducing autophagy across species are unknown. We first screened and identified Sal-miR-58 from Salvia miltiorrhiza as a natural autophagy inducer. Synthetic Sal-miR-58 suppresses chronic angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion-induced abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) formation in mice, as well as induces autophagy in VSMCs and attenuates the inflammatory response elicited by Ang II in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, Sal-miR-58 downregulates Krüppel-like factor 3 (KLF3) expression through direct binding to the 3' UTR of KLF3, which in turn relieves KLF3 repression of E3 ubiquitin ligase neural precursor cell-expressed developmentally downregulated 4-like (NEDD4L) expression, whereas NEDD4L upregulation increases the ubiquitination and degradation of the platelet isoform of phosphofructokinase (PFKP), subsequently leading to a decrease in the activation of Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling and facilitating VSMC autophagy induced by Sal-miR-58 in the context of chronic Ang II stimulation and aneurysm formation. Our results provide the first evidence that plant-derived Sal-miR-58 induces autophagy and attenuates inflammation in VSMCs through cross-species modulation of the KLF3/NEDD4L/PFKP regulatory pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Qin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, China Administration of Education, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China; Department of Central Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding 071000, China; Department of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071000, China
| | - Bin Zheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, China Administration of Education, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Gao-Shan Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, China Administration of Education, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Hao-Jie Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, China Administration of Education, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Jing Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, China Administration of Education, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China; Department of Endocrine, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050005, China
| | - Zhan Yang
- Department of Science and Technology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050005, China
| | - Xin-Hua Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, China Administration of Education, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Hong-Ye Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, China Administration of Education, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Jian-Hong Shi
- Department of Central Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding 071000, China; Department of Life Science and Green Development, Hebei University, Baoding 071000, China
| | - Jin-Kun Wen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, China Administration of Education, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China.
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45
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Tian J, Fu Y, Li Q, Xu Y, Xi X, Zheng Y, Yu L, Wang Z, Yu B, Tian J. Differential Expression and Bioinformatics Analysis of CircRNA in PDGF-BB-Induced Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells. Front Genet 2020; 11:530. [PMID: 32547599 PMCID: PMC7272660 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is mediated by various factors and plays an important pathological foundation for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Abnormal vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferation and migration have an essential role in atherosclerotic lesion formation. Circular RNAs (circRNA) have been widely detected in different species and are closely related to various diseases. However, the expression profiles and molecular regulatory mechanisms of circRNAs in VSMCs are still unknown. We used high-throughput RNA-seq as well as bioinformatics tools to systematically analyze circRNA expression profiles in samples from different VSMC phenotypes. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Sanger sequencing, and qRT-PCR were performed for circRNA validation. A total of 22191 circRNAs corresponding to 6273 genes (host genes) in the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB) treated group, the blank control group or both groups, were detected, and 112 differentially expressed circRNAs were identified between the PDGF-BB treated and control groups, of which 59 were upregulated, and 53 were downregulated. We selected 9 circRNAs for evaluation of specific head-to-tail splicing, and 10 differentially expressed circRNAs between the two groups for qRT-PCR validation. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses enrichment analyses revealed that the parental genes of the circRNAs mainly participated in cardiac myofibril assembly and positive regulation of DNA-templated transcription, indicating that they might be involved in cardiovascular diseases. Finally, we constructed a circRNA-miRNA network based on the dysregulated circRNAs and VSMC-related microRNAs. Our study is the first to show the differential expression of circRNAs in PDGF-BB-induced VSMCs and may provide new ideas and targets for the prevention and therapy of vascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangtian Tian
- Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Chinese Ministry of Education, Harbin, China.,Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yahong Fu
- Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Chinese Ministry of Education, Harbin, China.,Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Qi Li
- Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Chinese Ministry of Education, Harbin, China.,Department of Pathology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Ying Xu
- Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Chinese Ministry of Education, Harbin, China.,Basic Medical College of Mudanjiang Medical College, Mudanjiang, China
| | - Xiangwen Xi
- Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Chinese Ministry of Education, Harbin, China.,Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yuqi Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Chinese Ministry of Education, Harbin, China.,Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Li Yu
- Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Chinese Ministry of Education, Harbin, China.,Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Zhuozhong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Chinese Ministry of Education, Harbin, China.,Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Bo Yu
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Jinwei Tian
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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Chen Y, Su X, Qin Q, Yu Y, Jia M, Zhang H, Li H, Pei L. New insights into phenotypic switching of VSMCs induced by hyperhomocysteinemia: Role of endothelin-1 signaling. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 123:109758. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.109758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
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Nagao M, Lyu Q, Zhao Q, Wirka RC, Bagga J, Nguyen T, Cheng P, Kim JB, Pjanic M, Miano JM, Quertermous T. Coronary Disease-Associated Gene TCF21 Inhibits Smooth Muscle Cell Differentiation by Blocking the Myocardin-Serum Response Factor Pathway. Circ Res 2020; 126:517-529. [PMID: 31815603 PMCID: PMC7274203 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.119.315968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The gene encoding TCF21 (transcription factor 21) has been linked to coronary artery disease risk by human genome-wide association studies in multiple racial ethnic groups. In murine models, Tcf21 is required for phenotypic modulation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in atherosclerotic tissues and promotes a fibroblast phenotype in these cells. In humans, TCF21 expression inhibits risk for coronary artery disease. The molecular mechanism by which TCF21 regulates SMC phenotype is not known. OBJECTIVE To better understand how TCF21 affects the SMC phenotype, we sought to investigate the possible mechanisms by which it regulates the lineage determining MYOCD (myocardin)-SRF (serum response factor) pathway. METHODS AND RESULTS Modulation of TCF21 expression in human coronary artery SMC revealed that TCF21 suppresses a broad range of SMC markers, as well as key SMC transcription factors MYOCD and SRF, at the RNA and protein level. We conducted chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing to map SRF-binding sites in human coronary artery SMC, showing that binding is colocalized in the genome with TCF21, including at a novel enhancer in the SRF gene, and at the MYOCD gene promoter. In vitro genome editing indicated that the SRF enhancer CArG box regulates transcription of the SRF gene, and mutation of this conserved motif in the orthologous mouse SRF enhancer revealed decreased SRF expression in aorta and heart tissues. Direct TCF21 binding and transcriptional inhibition at colocalized sites were established by reporter gene transfection assays. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and protein coimmunoprecipitation studies provided evidence that TCF21 blocks MYOCD and SRF association by direct TCF21-MYOCD interaction. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that TCF21 antagonizes the MYOCD-SRF pathway through multiple mechanisms, further establishing a role for this coronary artery disease-associated gene in fundamental SMC processes and indicating the importance of smooth muscle response to vascular stress and phenotypic modulation of this cell type in coronary artery disease risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manabu Nagao
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Qing Lyu
- Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14624
| | - Quanyi Zhao
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Robert C Wirka
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Joetsaroop Bagga
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Trieu Nguyen
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Paul Cheng
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Juyong Brian Kim
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Milos Pjanic
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Joseph M. Miano
- Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14624
| | - Thomas Quertermous
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
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MYOCD and SMAD3/SMAD4 form a positive feedback loop and drive TGF-β-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in non-small cell lung cancer. Oncogene 2020; 39:2890-2904. [PMID: 32029901 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-1189-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Revised: 01/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Myocardin (MYOCD) promotes Smad3-mediated transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling in mouse fibroblast cells. Our previous studies show that TGF-β/SMADs signaling activation enhances epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. However, whether and how MYOCD contributes to TGF-β-induced EMT of NSCLC cells are poorly elucidated. Here, we found that TGF-β-induced EMT was accompanied by increased MYOCD expression. Interestingly, MYOCD overexpression augmented EMT and invasion of NSCLC cells induced by TGF-β, whereas knockdown of MYOCD expression attenuated these effects. Overexpression and knockdown of MYOCD resulted in the upregulation and downregulation of TGF-β-induced Snail mRNA, respectively. Moreover, MYOCD overexpression promoted TGF-β-stimulated NSCLC cell metastasis in vivo. MYOCD was highly expressed and positively correlated with Snail in metastatic NSCLC tissues. Mechanistically, MYOCD directly interacted with SMAD3 and sustained the formation of TGF-β-induced nuclear SMAD3/SMAD4 complex, facilitating TGF-β/SMAD3-induced transactivation of Snail. Importantly, MYOCD was transcriptionally activated by TGF-β-induced SMAD3/SMAD4 complex and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated silencing of SMAD3/SMAD4 led to a reduction in MYOCD mRNA expression. Taken together, our findings indicate that MYOCD promotes TGF-β-induced EMT and metastasis of NSCLC and identify a positive feedback loop between MYOCD and SMAD3/SMAD4 driving TGF-β-induced EMT.
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Meng Q, Yu X, Chen Q, Wu X, Kong X, Wang S, Cai D, Cheng P, Li Y, Bian H. Liuwei Dihuang soft capsules inhibits the phenotypic conversion of VSMC to prevent the menopausal atherosclerosis by up-regulating the expression of myocardin. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2020; 246:112207. [PMID: 31476440 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.112207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Liuwei Dihuang (LWDH) is a classic prescription that has been used as a traditional medicinal formula for more than 1000 years in China. In clinical, LWDF is used for treating functional decline associated with senile disease and menopausal syndrome. Studies have demonstrated that LWDH could significantly improve estrogen level and ER expression, and suspend the process of atherosclerosis. However, the under mechanism of how LWDH suppressing VSMCs phenotypic conversion and proliferation through ER is still unknown. AIM OF THE STUDY This study was to reveal the under mechanism of how LWDH inhibits the phenotypic conversion of VSMCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS 24 ApoE-/- mice were divided into 4 groups: sham group, model group, E2 group, and LWDH group, and 6 C57BN/L6 mice were used as control group. The primary VSMCs were divided into control group, model group, E2 group, LWDH group, LWDH + MPP group, and LWDH + PHTPP group with or without control siRNA, ERα siRNA, ERβ siRNA, and myocardin siRNA. Oil red staining was used to evaluate the lipid deposition in the cardiac aorta. Serum chemistry analysis to test serum TG, TC, LDL, and HDL. Immunofluorescence staining was used to test α-SMA, osteopontin and F-actin. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to check out the myocardin in the cardiac aorta. The mRNA levels of α-SMA, osteopontin, ERα, ERβ, SRC3 and myocardin were detected by Real Time-PCR, and the protein expression levels of them were detected by Western blotting. Co-immunoprecipitation was proceed to test the interaction between ERα and SRC3 and SRC3 and myocardin. Flow cytometry was used to check out the cell cycle. Wound healing assay and Transwell were managed to evaluate the migration capacity of VSMCs. RESULTS In vivo administration of LWDH suppressed AS symptoms, decreases phenotypic marker of vascular endothelial cell, and increases phenotypic marker of VSMC in ovariectomized ApoE-/- female mice. Moreover, LWDH significantly increased the mRNA and protein expression levels of ERα, ERβ, SRC3 and myocardin in the cardiac aorta of ovariectomized ApoE-/- female mice. In vitro, LWDH altered cell cycle and reduced the elevated cyclinD protein expression migration capacity and in the model VSMCs. In addition, LWDH inhibited phenotypic conversion and promoted the expression of ER, SRC3, and myocardin of the primary VSMC phenotypic conversion model. Inhibition of ERα almost completely eliminated the impacts of LWDH on α- SMA and osteopontin. Furthermore, LWDH promoted the interaction between ERα and SRC3 and up-regulated the co-activation of SRC3 and myocardin. CONCLUSIONS LWDH could inhibit the phenotypic conversion of VSMCs in vitro and in vivo by increasing the activity of myocardin through up-regulating the expression of ERα and promoting the interaction between ERα and SRC3. Our research reveals the under mechanism of how LWDH inhibits the phenotypic conversion of VSMCs.
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MESH Headings
- Actins/genetics
- Actins/metabolism
- Animals
- Aorta/metabolism
- Atherosclerosis/prevention & control
- Capsules
- Cells, Cultured
- Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology
- Estrogen Receptor alpha/genetics
- Estrogen Receptor alpha/metabolism
- Estrogen Receptor beta/genetics
- Estrogen Receptor beta/metabolism
- Female
- Menopause/genetics
- Menopause/metabolism
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout, ApoE
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/cytology
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/drug effects
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism
- Nuclear Proteins/genetics
- Nuclear Proteins/metabolism
- Osteopontin/genetics
- Osteopontin/metabolism
- Phenotype
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Trans-Activators/genetics
- Trans-Activators/metabolism
- Up-Regulation/drug effects
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghai Meng
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China
| | - Xichao Yu
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China
| | - Qi Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China
| | - Xiang Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China
| | - Xueyun Kong
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China
| | - Suyun Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China
| | - Danfeng Cai
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China
| | - Peng Cheng
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China
| | - Yu Li
- School of Medicine and Life Sciences, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China
| | - Huimin Bian
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China.
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Ru YX, Shang HC, Dong SX, Zhao SX, Liang HY, Zhu CJ. Foam cell origination from degenerated vascular smooth muscle cells in atherosclerosis: An ultrastructural study on hyperlipidemic rabbits. Ultrastruct Pathol 2020; 44:103-115. [PMID: 31906762 DOI: 10.1080/01913123.2019.1711481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
To clarify foam cell origination in atherosclerosis, a series of morphologic and ultrastructural alterations of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and foam cells were studied by light and electron microscopy in atherosclerotic aortas from hyperlipidemic rabbits induced for 5 weeks. The study exhibited that VSMCs were severely degenerated and damaged, including irregular shapes, expanded mitochondria, aplenty lipid droplets, and disarranged myofilaments in cytoplasm in media adjacent to atheromatic bottoms. Most lipid laden cells shared interphase structures of VSMCs and foam cells, and some dissolved spindle cells contained lipid droplets, lipofuscin, and rod-like CCs in cytoplasm also. The result demonstrated that VSMCs were degenerated and transformed into foam cells in atherosclerosis, which was responsible for the accumulation of lipid and cholesterol crystals in atherosclerotic arteries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Xin Ru
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Hong-Cai Shang
- Key laboratory of Chinese internal medicine of Ministry of Education, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Affiliated Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Shu-Xu Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Shi-Xuan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Hao-Yue Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Chao-Jun Zhu
- Second Affiliated Hospital, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
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