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Jia K, Luo X, Yi J, Zhang C. Hormonal influence: unraveling the impact of sex hormones on vascular smooth muscle cells. Biol Res 2024; 57:61. [PMID: 39227995 PMCID: PMC11373308 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-024-00542-w] [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: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Sex hormones play a pivotal role as endocrine hormones that exert profound effects on the biological characteristics and vascular function of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). By modulating intracellular signaling pathways, activating nuclear receptors, and regulating gene expression, sex hormones intricately influence the morphology, function, and physiological state of VSMCs, thereby impacting the biological properties of vascular contraction, relaxation, and growth. Increasing evidence suggests that abnormal phenotypic changes in VSMCs contribute to the initiation of vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis. Therefore, understanding the factors governing phenotypic alterations in VSMCs and elucidating the underlying mechanisms can provide crucial insights for refining interventions targeted at vascular diseases. Additionally, the varying levels of different types of sex hormones in the human body, influenced by sex and age, may also affect the phenotypic conversion of VSMCs. This review aims to explore the influence of sex hormones on the phenotypic switching of VSMCs and the development of associated vascular diseases in the human body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keran Jia
- Department of Medical Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Basic Medicine Research Innovation Center for Cardiometabolic Diseases, Ministry of Education, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, China
| | - Xin Luo
- Department of Medical Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Basic Medicine Research Innovation Center for Cardiometabolic Diseases, Ministry of Education, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, China
| | - Jingyan Yi
- Department of Medical Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Basic Medicine Research Innovation Center for Cardiometabolic Diseases, Ministry of Education, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, China.
| | - Chunxiang Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital, Basic Medicine Research Innovation Center for Cardiometabolic Diseases, Ministry of Education, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, China.
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2
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Sun J, Gui Y, Zhou S, Zheng XL. Unlocking the secrets of aging: Epigenetic reader BRD4 as the target to combatting aging-related diseases. J Adv Res 2024; 63:207-218. [PMID: 37956861 PMCID: PMC11379999 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2023.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aging, a complex and profound journey, leads us through a labyrinth of physiological and pathological transformations, rendering us increasingly susceptible to aging-related diseases. Emerging investigations have unveiled the function of bromodomain containing protein 4 (BRD4) in manipulating the aging process and driving the emergence and progression of aging-related diseases. AIM OF REVIEW This review aims to offer a comprehensive outline of BRD4's functions involved in the aging process, and potential mechanisms through which BRD4 governs the initiation and progression of various aging-related diseases. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW BRD4 has a fundamental role in regulating the cell cycle, apoptosis, cellular senescence, the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), senolysis, autophagy, and mitochondrial function, which are involved in the aging process. Several studies have indicated that BRD4 governs the initiation and progression of various aging-related diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, ischemic cerebrovascular diseases, hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart failure, aging-related pulmonary fibrosis, and intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). Thus, the evidence from this review supports that BRD4 could be a promising target for managing various aging-related diseases, while further investigation is warranted to gain a thorough understanding of BRD4's role in these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxing Sun
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, AB, Canada; Department of Cardiology, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yu Gui
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Shenghua Zhou
- Department of Cardiology, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.
| | - Xi-Long Zheng
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, AB, Canada.
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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] [MESH Headings] [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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4
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Greco F, Bertagna G, Quercioli L, Pucci A, Rocchiccioli S, Ferrari M, Recchia FA, McDonnell LA. Lipids associated with atherosclerotic plaque instability revealed by mass spectrometry imaging of human carotid arteries. Atherosclerosis 2024; 397:118555. [PMID: 39159550 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2024.118555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Lipids constitute one of the main components of atherosclerosis lesions and are the mediators of many mechanisms involved in plaque progression and stability. Here we tested the hypothesis that lipids known to be involved in plaque development exhibited associations with plaque vulnerability. We used spatial lipidomics to overcome plaque heterogeneity and to compare lipids from specific regions of symptomatic and asymptomatic human carotid atherosclerotic plaques. METHODS Carotid atherosclerotic plaques were collected from symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Plaque lipids were analyzed with the spatial lipidomics technique matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging, and histology and immunofluorescence were used to segment the plaques into histomolecularly distinct regions. RESULTS Macrophage-rich regions from symptomatic lesions were found to be enriched in phosphatidylcholines (synthesized to counteract excess free cholesterol), while the same region from asymptomatic plaques were enriched in polyunsaturated cholesteryl esters and triglycerides, characteristic of functional lipid droplets. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of the fibrous cap of asymptomatic plaques were enriched in lysophosphatidylcholines and cholesteryl esters, know to promote VSMC proliferation and migration, crucial for the buildup of the fibrous cap stabilizing the plaque. CONCLUSIONS The investigation of the region-specific lipid composition of symptomatic and asymptomatic human atherosclerotic plaques revealed specific lipid markers of plaque outcome, which could be linked to known biological characteristics of stable plaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Greco
- Centro Health and BioMedLab, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy; Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza ONLUS, San Giuliano Terme (PI), Italy; Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giulia Bertagna
- Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, Department of Vascular Surgery, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Quercioli
- Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, Department of Vascular Surgery, Pisa, Italy
| | - Angela Pucci
- Department of Histopathology, University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Mauro Ferrari
- Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, Department of Vascular Surgery, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabio A Recchia
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy; Aging & Cardiovascular Discovery Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA; Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Liam A McDonnell
- Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza ONLUS, San Giuliano Terme (PI), Italy.
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5
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Schäfer S, Gogiraju R, Rösch M, Kerstan Y, Beck L, Garbisch J, Saliba AE, Gisterå A, Hermanns HM, Boon L, Kastenmüller W, Schäfer K, Cochain C, Zernecke A. CD8 + T Cells Drive Plaque Smooth Muscle Cell Dedifferentiation in Experimental Atherosclerosis. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2024; 44:1852-1872. [PMID: 38868941 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.320084] [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: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atherosclerosis is driven by the infiltration of the arterial intima by diverse immune cells and smooth muscle cells (SMCs). CD8+ T cells promote lesion growth during atherosclerotic lesion development, but their role in advanced atherosclerosis is less clear. Here, we studied the role of CD8+ T cells and their effects on SMCs in established atherosclerosis. METHODS CD8+ T cells were depleted in (SMC reporter) low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient (Ldlr-/-) mice with established atherosclerotic lesions. Atherosclerotic lesion formation was examined, and single-cell RNA sequencing of aortic SMCs and their progeny was performed. Additionally, coculture experiments with primary aortic SMCs and CD8+ T cells were conducted. RESULTS Although we could not detect differences in atherosclerotic lesion size, an increased plaque SMC content was noted in mice after CD8+ T-cell depletion. Single-cell RNA sequencing of aortic lineage-traced SMCs revealed contractile SMCs and a modulated SMC cluster, expressing macrophage- and osteoblast-related genes. CD8+ T-cell depletion was associated with an increased contractile but decreased macrophage and osteoblast-like gene signature in this modulated aortic SMC cluster. Conversely, exposure of isolated aortic SMCs to activated CD8+ T cells decreased the expression of genes indicative of a contractile SMC phenotype and induced a macrophage and osteoblast-like cell state. Notably, CD8+ T cells triggered calcium deposits in SMCs under osteogenic conditions. Mechanistically, we identified transcription factors highly expressed in modulated SMCs, including Runx1, to be induced by CD8+ T cells in cultured SMCs in an IFNγ (interferon-γ)-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS We here uncovered CD8+ T cells to control the SMC phenotype in atherosclerosis. CD8+ T cells promote SMC dedifferentiation and drive SMCs to adopt features of macrophage-like and osteoblast-like, procalcifying cell phenotypes. Given the critical role of SMCs in atherosclerotic plaque stability, CD8+ T cells could thus be explored as therapeutic target cells during lesion progression.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/pathology
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/immunology
- Cell Dedifferentiation
- Plaque, Atherosclerotic
- Mice
- Disease Models, Animal
- Atherosclerosis/pathology
- Atherosclerosis/metabolism
- Atherosclerosis/genetics
- Atherosclerosis/immunology
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/pathology
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/immunology
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Cells, Cultured
- Male
- Receptors, LDL/genetics
- Receptors, LDL/deficiency
- Phenotype
- Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit/genetics
- Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit/metabolism
- Aorta/pathology
- Aorta/immunology
- Aorta/metabolism
- Coculture Techniques
- Aortic Diseases/pathology
- Aortic Diseases/genetics
- Aortic Diseases/immunology
- Aortic Diseases/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Schäfer
- Institute of Experimental Biomedicine (S.S., M.R., Y.K., L. Beck, J.G., C.C., A.Z.), University Hospital of Würzburg, Germany
| | - Rajinikanth Gogiraju
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiology I, University Medicine Mainz, Germany (R.G., K.S.)
| | - Melanie Rösch
- Institute of Experimental Biomedicine (S.S., M.R., Y.K., L. Beck, J.G., C.C., A.Z.), University Hospital of Würzburg, Germany
| | - Yvonne Kerstan
- Institute of Experimental Biomedicine (S.S., M.R., Y.K., L. Beck, J.G., C.C., A.Z.), University Hospital of Würzburg, Germany
| | - Lina Beck
- Institute of Experimental Biomedicine (S.S., M.R., Y.K., L. Beck, J.G., C.C., A.Z.), University Hospital of Würzburg, Germany
| | - Janine Garbisch
- Institute of Experimental Biomedicine (S.S., M.R., Y.K., L. Beck, J.G., C.C., A.Z.), University Hospital of Würzburg, Germany
| | - Antoine-Emmanuel Saliba
- Institute of Molecular Infection Biology Faculty of Medicine, University of Würzburg, Germany (A.-E.S.)
| | - Anton Gisterå
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska University Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden (A.G.)
| | - Heike M Hermanns
- Medical Clinic II, Division of Hepatology (H.M.H.), University Hospital of Würzburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Katrin Schäfer
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiology I, University Medicine Mainz, Germany (R.G., K.S.)
| | - Clément Cochain
- Institute of Experimental Biomedicine (S.S., M.R., Y.K., L. Beck, J.G., C.C., A.Z.), University Hospital of Würzburg, Germany
| | - Alma Zernecke
- Institute of Experimental Biomedicine (S.S., M.R., Y.K., L. Beck, J.G., C.C., A.Z.), University Hospital of Würzburg, Germany
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6
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Guan X, Hu Y, Hao J, Lu M, Zhang Z, Hu W, Li D, Li C. Stress, Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotype and Atherosclerosis: Novel Insight into Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotypic Transition in Atherosclerosis. Curr Atheroscler Rep 2024; 26:411-425. [PMID: 38814419 DOI: 10.1007/s11883-024-01220-8] [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] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Our work is to establish more distinct association between specific stress and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) phenotypes to alleviate atherosclerotic plaque burden and delay atherosclerosis (AS) progression. RECENT FINDING In recent years, VSMCs phenotypic transition has received significant interests. Different stresses were found to be associated with VSMCs phenotypic transition. However, the explicit correlation between VSMCs phenotype and specific stress has not been elucidated clearly yet. We discover that VSMCs phenotypic transition, which is widely involved in the progression of AS, is associated with specific stress. We discuss approaches targeting stresses to intervene VSMCs phenotypic transition, which may contribute to develop innovative therapies for AS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuya Guan
- Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
| | - Yuanlong Hu
- First Clinical Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
| | - Jiaqi Hao
- Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
| | - Mengkai Lu
- Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
| | - Zhiyuan Zhang
- Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
| | - Wenxian Hu
- Qingdao Hiser Hospital Affiliated of Qingdao University (Qingdao Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital), Qingdao, 266000, China.
| | - Dongxiao Li
- Experimental Center, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China.
| | - Chao Li
- Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China.
- Qingdao Hiser Hospital Affiliated of Qingdao University (Qingdao Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital), Qingdao, 266000, China.
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7
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Chen P, Li X. NLRP3 inflammasome in atherosclerosis: Mechanisms and targeted therapies. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1430236. [PMID: 39144618 PMCID: PMC11322363 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1430236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis (AS) is the primary pathology behind various cardiovascular diseases and the leading cause of death and disability globally. Recent evidence suggests that AS is a chronic vascular inflammatory disease caused by multiple factors. In this context, the NLRP3 inflammasome, acting as a signal transducer of the immune system, plays a critical role in the onset and progression of AS. The NLRP3 inflammasome is involved in endothelial injury, foam cell formation, and pyroptosis in AS. Therefore, targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome offers a new treatment strategy for AS. This review highlights the latest insights into AS pathogenesis and the pharmacological therapies targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome, focusing on optimal targets for small molecule inhibitors. These insights are valuable for rational drug design and the pharmacological assessment of new targeted NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors in treating AS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Chen
- Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai, China
| | - Xia Li
- Marine College, Shandong University, Weihai, China
- Shandong Kelun Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd., Binzhou, China
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8
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Xiang L, Wang Y, Liu S, Ying L, Zhang K, Liang N, Li H, Luo G, Xiao L. Quercetin Attenuates KLF4-Mediated Phenotypic Switch of VSMCs to Macrophage-like Cells in Atherosclerosis: A Critical Role for the JAK2/STAT3 Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7755. [PMID: 39062998 PMCID: PMC11277168 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to elucidate the protective role of quercetin in atherosclerosis by examining its effect on the phenotypic switch of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) to macrophage-like cells and the underlying regulatory pathways. Aorta tissues from apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE KO) mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD), treated with or without 100 mg/kg/day quercetin, were analyzed for histopathological changes and molecular mechanisms. Quercetin was found to decrease the size of atherosclerotic lesions and mitigate lipid accumulation induced by HFD. Fluorescence co-localization analysis revealed a higher presence of macrophage-like vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) co-localizing with phospho-Janus kinase 2 (p-JAK2), phospho-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3), and Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) in regions of foam cell aggregation within aortic plaques. However, this co-localization was reduced following treatment with quercetin. Quercetin treatment effectively inhibited the KLF4-mediated phenotypic switch in oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-loaded mouse aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (MOVAS), as indicated by decreased expressions of KLF4, LGALS3, CD68, and F4/80, increased expression of alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), reduced intracellular fluorescence Dil-ox-LDL uptake, and decreased lipid accumulation. In contrast, APTO-253, a KLF4 activator, was found to reverse the effects of quercetin. Furthermore, AG490, a JAK2 inhibitor, effectively counteracted the ox-LDL-induced JAK2/STAT3 pathway-dependent switch to a macrophage-like phenotype and lipid accumulation in MOVAS cells. These effects were significantly mitigated by quercetin but exacerbated by coumermycin A1, a JAK2 activator. Our research illustrates that quercetin inhibits the KLF4-mediated phenotypic switch of VSMCs to macrophage-like cells and reduces atherosclerosis by suppressing the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Quercetin/pharmacology
- Janus Kinase 2/metabolism
- Kruppel-Like Factor 4/metabolism
- STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism
- Atherosclerosis/metabolism
- Atherosclerosis/drug therapy
- Atherosclerosis/pathology
- Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors/genetics
- Mice
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/drug effects
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Macrophages/metabolism
- Macrophages/drug effects
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/drug effects
- Male
- Phenotype
- Lipoproteins, LDL/metabolism
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects
- Aorta/metabolism
- Aorta/drug effects
- Aorta/pathology
- Apolipoproteins E/metabolism
- Apolipoproteins E/genetics
- Mice, Knockout
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Gang Luo
- Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China; (L.X.); (Y.W.); (S.L.); (L.Y.); (K.Z.); (N.L.); (H.L.)
| | - Lin Xiao
- Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China; (L.X.); (Y.W.); (S.L.); (L.Y.); (K.Z.); (N.L.); (H.L.)
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9
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Xue Q, Ma Y, Shao H. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Protect Against Atherosclerosis Through Alleviating Foam Cell Formation and Macrophage Polarization. Curr Microbiol 2024; 81:263. [PMID: 38997545 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-024-03775-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
This study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (Ba) on atherosclerosis (AS). THP-1 monocyte was differentiated to THP-1 macrophage (THP-M) through phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. After pre-treatment by 108 cfu/ml Ba lasting 6 h, THP-M was induced with 100 mg/l ox-LDL lasting 48 h to form macrophage foam cell (THP-F). RT-qPCR and flow cytometry were employed to determine the polarization of THP-M and THP-F. ApoE-/- mice with high-fat and high-cholesterol diet were used for constructing an AS model to evaluate the effect of Ba on AS. Our in vitro results showed that Ba vegetative cells pre-treatment distinctly inhibited the levels of iNOS and CD16/CD32 (M1 macrophage markers), and increased the levels of FIZZ1, Ym1, Arg1, CD163, and CD206 (M2 macrophage markers), indicating that Ba pre-treatment promoted anti-inflammatory M2-like polarization both in THP-M and THP-F. Meanwhile, it also suppressed cholesterol uptake, esterification, and hydrolysis, and efflux by THP-M and THP-F. Additionally, our animal experiments demonstrated that Ba vegetative cells treatment suppressed high cholesterol, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and the release of inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β) in ApoE-/- AS mice. In a word, our results indicated that Ba may protect against AS through alleviating foam cell formation and macrophage polarization through targeting certain stages of AS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Xue
- Department of Cardiology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, No. 158 Shangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310014, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuan Ma
- Department of Cardiology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, No. 158 Shangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310014, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hong Shao
- Department of Cardiology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, No. 158 Shangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310014, Zhejiang, China.
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10
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Nankivell V, Vidanapathirana AK, Hoogendoorn A, Tan JTM, Verjans J, Psaltis PJ, Hutchinson MR, Gibson BC, Lu Y, Goldys E, Zheng G, Bursill CA. Targeting macrophages with multifunctional nanoparticles to detect and prevent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Cardiovasc Res 2024; 120:819-838. [PMID: 38696700 PMCID: PMC11218693 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvae099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the emergence of novel diagnostic, pharmacological, interventional, and prevention strategies, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Nanoparticle (NP)-based platforms encompass diverse imaging, delivery, and pharmacological properties that provide novel opportunities for refining diagnostic and therapeutic interventions for atherosclerosis at the cellular and molecular levels. Macrophages play a critical role in atherosclerosis and therefore represent an important disease-related diagnostic and therapeutic target, especially given their inherent ability for passive and active NP uptake. In this review, we discuss an array of inorganic, carbon-based, and lipid-based NPs that provide magnetic, radiographic, and fluorescent imaging capabilities for a range of highly promising research and clinical applications in atherosclerosis. We discuss the design of NPs that target a range of macrophage-related functions such as lipoprotein oxidation, cholesterol efflux, vascular inflammation, and defective efferocytosis. We also provide examples of NP systems that were developed for other pathologies such as cancer and highlight their potential for repurposing in cardiovascular disease. Finally, we discuss the current state of play and the future of theranostic NPs. Whilst this is not without its challenges, the array of multifunctional capabilities that are possible in NP design ensures they will be part of the next frontier of exciting new therapies that simultaneously improve the accuracy of plaque diagnosis and more effectively reduce atherosclerosis with limited side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Nankivell
- Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP)
- Vascular Research Centre, Lifelong Health, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), North Terrace, Adelaide, 5000, Australia
- Faculty of Health and Medical Science, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, 5000, Australia
| | - Achini K Vidanapathirana
- Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP)
- Vascular Research Centre, Lifelong Health, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), North Terrace, Adelaide, 5000, Australia
- Faculty of Health and Medical Science, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, 5000, Australia
| | - Ayla Hoogendoorn
- Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP)
- Vascular Research Centre, Lifelong Health, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), North Terrace, Adelaide, 5000, Australia
| | - Joanne T M Tan
- Vascular Research Centre, Lifelong Health, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), North Terrace, Adelaide, 5000, Australia
- Faculty of Health and Medical Science, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, 5000, Australia
| | - Johan Verjans
- Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP)
- Vascular Research Centre, Lifelong Health, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), North Terrace, Adelaide, 5000, Australia
- Faculty of Health and Medical Science, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, 5000, Australia
| | - Peter J Psaltis
- Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP)
- Vascular Research Centre, Lifelong Health, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), North Terrace, Adelaide, 5000, Australia
- Faculty of Health and Medical Science, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, 5000, Australia
| | - Mark R Hutchinson
- Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP)
- Faculty of Health and Medical Science, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, 5000, Australia
| | - Brant C Gibson
- Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP)
- School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yiqing Lu
- Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP)
- School of Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ewa Goldys
- Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP)
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, High Street, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Gang Zheng
- Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP)
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, 101 College Street, Toronto, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Christina A Bursill
- Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP)
- Vascular Research Centre, Lifelong Health, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), North Terrace, Adelaide, 5000, Australia
- Faculty of Health and Medical Science, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, 5000, Australia
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11
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Lin J, Gu M, Wang X, Chen Y, Chau NV, Li J, Chu Q, Qing L, Wu W. Huanglian Jiedu decoction inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell-derived foam cell formation by activating autophagy via suppressing P2RY12. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 328:118125. [PMID: 38561055 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Huanglian Jiedu Decoction (HLJDD) is a Chinese medicine with a long history of therapeutic application. It is widely used in treating atherosclerosis (AS) in Chinese medicine theory and clinical practice. However, the mechanism of HLJDD in treating AS remains unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY To investigate the efficacy and mechanism of HLJDD in treating AS. MATERIALS AND METHODS AS was induced on high-fat diet-fed ApoE-/- mice, with the aorta pathological changes evaluated with lipid content and plaque progression. In vitro, foam cells were induced by subjecting primary mouse aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) to oxLDL incubation. After HLJDD intervention, VSMCs were assessed with lipid stack, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and the expression of foam cell markers. The effects of P2RY12 were tested by adopting clopidogrel hydrogen sulfate (CDL) in vivo and transfecting P2RY12 over-expressive plasmid in vitro. Autophagy was inhibited by Chloroquine or transfecting siRNA targeting ATG7 (siATG7). The mechanism of HLJDD treating atherosclerosis was explored using network pharmacology and validated with molecular docking and co-immunoprecipitation. RESULTS HLJDD exhibited a dose-dependent reduction in lipid deposition, collagen loss, and necrosis within plaques. It also reversed lipid accumulation and down-regulated the expression of foam cell markers. P2RY12 inhibition alleviated AS, while P2RY12 overexpression enhanced foam cell formation and blocked the therapeutic effects of HLJDD. Network pharmacological analysis suggested that HLJDD might mediate PI3K/AKT signaling pathway-induced autophagy. P2RY12 overexpression also impaired autophagy. Similarly, inhibiting autophagy counteracted the effect of CDL, exacerbated AS in vivo, and promoted foam cell formation in vitro. However, HLJDD treatment mitigated these detrimental effects by suppressing the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Immunofluorescence and molecular docking revealed a high affinity between P2RY12 and PIK3CB, while co-immunoprecipitation assays illustrated their interaction. CONCLUSIONS HLJDD inhibited AS in vivo and foam cell formation in vitro by restoring P2RY12/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway-suppressed autophagy. This study is the first to reveal an interaction between P2RY12 and PI3K3CB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhai Lin
- The First Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 12 Jichang Road, Guangzhou, 510405, Guangdong, China; Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 12 Jichang Road, Guangzhou, 510405, Guangdong, China.
| | - Mingyang Gu
- The First Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 12 Jichang Road, Guangzhou, 510405, Guangdong, China.
| | - Xiaolong Wang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 12 Jichang Road, Guangzhou, 510405, Guangdong, China.
| | - Yuanyuan Chen
- Qinchengda Community Health Service Center, Shenzhen Bao'an Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Group, No. 225, Block 10A, Qinchengda Yueyuan Commercial and Residential Building, Shenzhen, 518100, Guangdong, China.
| | - Nhi Van Chau
- The First Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 12 Jichang Road, Guangzhou, 510405, Guangdong, China; Traditional Medicine Department, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 179 Nguyen Van Cu Street, An Khanh, Ninh Kieu, Can Tho, 94000, Viet Nam.
| | - Junlong Li
- The Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 16 Jichang Road, Guangzhou, 510405, Guangdong, China.
| | - Qingmin Chu
- The Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 16 Jichang Road, Guangzhou, 510405, Guangdong, China.
| | - Lijin Qing
- The Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 16 Jichang Road, Guangzhou, 510405, Guangdong, China.
| | - Wei Wu
- The Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 16 Jichang Road, Guangzhou, 510405, Guangdong, China.
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12
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Elishaev M, Li B, Zhou A, Salim K, Leeper NJ, Francis GA, Lai C, Wang Y. Multiplex Imaging for Cell Phenotyping of Early Human Atherosclerosis. J Am Heart Assoc 2024; 13:e034990. [PMID: 38842292 PMCID: PMC11255771 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.123.034990] [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: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies using animal models and cultured cells suggest that vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and inflammatory cytokines are important players in atherogenesis. Validating these findings in human disease is critical to designing therapeutics that target these components. Multiplex imaging is a powerful tool for characterizing cell phenotypes and microenvironments using biobanked human tissue sections. However, this technology has not been applied to human atherosclerotic lesions and needs to first be customized and validated. METHODS AND RESULTS For validation, we created an 8-plex imaging panel to distinguish foam cells from SMC and leukocyte origins on tissue sections of early human atherosclerotic lesions (n=9). The spatial distribution and characteristics of these foam cells were further analyzed to test the association between SMC phenotypes and inflammation. Consistent with previous reports using human lesions, multiplex imaging showed that foam cells of SMC origin outnumbered those of leukocyte origin and were enriched in the deep intima, where the lipids accumulate in early atherogenesis. This new technology also found that apoptosis or the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines were not more associated with foam cells than with nonfoam cells in early human lesions. More CD68+ SMCs were present among SMCs that highly expressed interleukin-1β. Highly inflamed SMCs showed a trend of increased apoptosis, whereas leukocytes expressing similar levels of cytokines were enriched in regions of extracellular matrix remodeling. CONCLUSIONS The multiplex imaging method can be applied to biobanked human tissue sections to enable proof-of-concept studies and validate theories based on animal models and cultured cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Elishaev
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory MedicineUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
- Centre for Heart Lung InnovationUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
| | - Boaz Li
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory MedicineUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
- Centre for Heart Lung InnovationUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
| | - Annie Zhou
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory MedicineUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
- Centre for Heart Lung InnovationUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
| | - Kevin Salim
- British Columbia Children’s Hospital Research InstituteUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
| | - Nicholas J. Leeper
- Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular SurgeryStanford University School of MedicineStanfordCAUSA
- Stanford Cardiovascular InstituteStanford UniversityStanfordCAUSA
| | - Gordon A. Francis
- Centre for Heart Lung InnovationUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
- Department of MedicineUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
| | - Chi Lai
- Centre for Heart Lung InnovationUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
- Division of Anatomical PathologyProvidence Health Care, St. Paul’s HospitalVancouverBCCanada
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory MedicineUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
- Centre for Heart Lung InnovationUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
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13
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La Chica Lhoëst MT, Martinez A, Claudi L, Garcia E, Benitez-Amaro A, Polishchuk A, Piñero J, Vilades D, Guerra JM, Sanz F, Rotllan N, Escolà-Gil JC, Llorente-Cortés V. Mechanisms modulating foam cell formation in the arterial intima: exploring new therapeutic opportunities in atherosclerosis. Front Cardiovasc Med 2024; 11:1381520. [PMID: 38952543 PMCID: PMC11215187 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1381520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the role of macrophages as the primary cell type contributing to foam cell formation and atheroma plaque development has been widely acknowledged. However, it has been long recognized that diffuse intimal thickening (DIM), which precedes the formation of early fatty streaks in humans, primarily consists of lipid-loaded smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and their secreted proteoglycans. Recent studies have further supported the notion that SMCs constitute the majority of foam cells in advanced atherosclerotic plaques. Given that SMCs are a major component of the vascular wall, they serve as a significant source of microvesicles and exosomes, which have the potential to regulate the physiology of other vascular cells. Notably, more than half of the foam cells present in atherosclerotic lesions are of SMC origin. In this review, we describe several mechanisms underlying the formation of intimal foam-like cells in atherosclerotic plaques. Based on these mechanisms, we discuss novel therapeutic approaches that have been developed to regulate the generation of intimal foam-like cells. These innovative strategies hold promise for improving the management of atherosclerosis in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. T. La Chica Lhoëst
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB)-Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Cardiovascular, Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
| | - A. Martinez
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB)-Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Cardiovascular, Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
| | - L. Claudi
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB)-Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Cardiovascular, Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
| | - E. Garcia
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB)-Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Cardiovascular, Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
| | - A. Benitez-Amaro
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB)-Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Cardiovascular, Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
| | - A. Polishchuk
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB)-Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Cardiovascular, Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
| | - J. Piñero
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Department of Experimental and Health Sciences (DCEXS), Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - D. Vilades
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital de la Santa Creu I Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB-SANTPAU), Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Cardiovascular, CIBERCV, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - J. M. Guerra
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital de la Santa Creu I Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB-SANTPAU), Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Cardiovascular, CIBERCV, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - F. Sanz
- Research Programme on Biomedical Informatics (GRIB), Department of Experimental and Health Sciences (DCEXS), Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - N. Rotllan
- Department of Cardiovascular, Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Cardiovascular, CIBERDEM, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - J. C. Escolà-Gil
- Department of Cardiovascular, Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Cardiovascular, CIBERDEM, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - V. Llorente-Cortés
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB)-Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Cardiovascular, Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Cardiovascular, CIBERCV, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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14
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Getz GS, Reardon CA. Insights from Murine Studies on the Site Specificity of Atherosclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6375. [PMID: 38928086 PMCID: PMC11204064 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126375] [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: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory reaction that develops at specific regions within the artery wall and at specific sites of the arterial tree over a varying time frame in response to a variety of risk factors. The mechanisms that account for the interaction of systemic factors and atherosclerosis-susceptible regions of the arterial tree to mediate this site-specific development of atherosclerosis are not clear. The dynamics of blood flow has a major influence on where in the arterial tree atherosclerosis develops, priming the site for interactions with atherosclerotic risk factors and inducing cellular and molecular participants in atherogenesis. But how this accounts for lesion development at various locations along the vascular tree across differing time frames still requires additional study. Currently, murine models are favored for the experimental study of atherogenesis and provide the most insight into the mechanisms that may contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. Based largely on these studies, in this review, we discuss the role of hemodynamic shear stress, SR-B1, and other factors that may contribute to the site-specific development of atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Godfrey S. Getz
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA;
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15
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Teuwen JTJ, van der Vorst EPC, Maas SL. Navigating the Maze of Kinases: CaMK-like Family Protein Kinases and Their Role in Atherosclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6213. [PMID: 38892400 PMCID: PMC11172518 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116213] [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: 04/13/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Circulating low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels are a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and even though current treatment strategies focusing on lowering lipid levels are effective, CVD remains the primary cause of death worldwide. Atherosclerosis is the major cause of CVD and is a chronic inflammatory condition in which various cell types and protein kinases play a crucial role. However, the underlying mechanisms of atherosclerosis are not entirely understood yet. Notably, protein kinases are highly druggable targets and represent, therefore, a novel way to target atherosclerosis. In this review, the potential role of the calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase-like (CaMKL) family and its role in atherosclerosis will be discussed. This family consists of 12 subfamilies, among which are the well-described and conserved liver kinase B1 (LKB1) and 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) subfamilies. Interestingly, LKB1 plays a key role and is considered a master kinase within the CaMKL family. It has been shown that LKB1 signaling leads to atheroprotective effects, while, for example, members of the microtubule affinity-regulating kinase (MARK) subfamily have been described to aggravate atherosclerosis development. These observations highlight the importance of studying kinases and their signaling pathways in atherosclerosis, bringing us a step closer to unraveling the underlying mechanisms of atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jules T. J. Teuwen
- Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research (IMCAR), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany;
- Aachen-Maastricht Institute for CardioRenal Disease (AMICARE), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Emiel P. C. van der Vorst
- Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research (IMCAR), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany;
- Aachen-Maastricht Institute for CardioRenal Disease (AMICARE), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80336 München, Germany
| | - Sanne L. Maas
- Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research (IMCAR), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany;
- Aachen-Maastricht Institute for CardioRenal Disease (AMICARE), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
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16
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Lin Y, Xie R, Yu T. Photodynamic Therapy for Atherosclerosis: Past, Present, and Future. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:729. [PMID: 38931851 PMCID: PMC11206729 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16060729] [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: 04/28/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
This review paper examines the evolution of photodynamic therapy (PDT) as a novel, minimally invasive strategy for treating atherosclerosis, a leading global health concern. Atherosclerosis is characterized by the accumulation of lipids and inflammation within arterial walls, leading to significant morbidity and mortality through cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction and stroke. Traditional therapeutic approaches have primarily focused on modulating risk factors such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia, with emerging evidence highlighting the pivotal role of inflammation. PDT, leveraging a photosensitizer, specific-wavelength light, and oxygen, offers targeted treatment by inducing cell death in diseased tissues while sparing healthy ones. This specificity, combined with advancements in nanoparticle technology for improved delivery, positions PDT as a promising alternative to traditional interventions. The review explores the mechanistic basis of PDT, its efficacy in preclinical studies, and the potential for enhancing plaque stability and reducing macrophage density within plaques. It also addresses the need for further research to optimize treatment parameters, mitigate adverse effects, and validate long-term outcomes. By detailing past developments, current progress, and future directions, this paper aims to highlight PDT's potential in revolutionizing atherosclerosis treatment, bridging the gap from experimental research to clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqing Lin
- Ultrasound in Cardiac Electrophysiology and Biomechanics Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China;
| | - Ruosen Xie
- Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA;
| | - Tao Yu
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
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17
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Qin X, Zhu L, Zhong Y, Wang Y, Luo X, Li J, Yan F, Wu G, Qiu J, Wang G, Qu K, Zhang K, Wu W. Universal cell membrane camouflaged nano-prodrugs with right-side-out orientation adapting for positive pathological vascular remodeling in atherosclerosis. Chem Sci 2024; 15:7524-7544. [PMID: 38784734 PMCID: PMC11110172 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc00761a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
A right-side-out orientated self-assembly of cell membrane-camouflaged nanotherapeutics is crucial for ensuring their biological functionality inherited from the source cells. In this study, a universal and spontaneous right-side-out coupling-driven ROS-responsive nanotherapeutic approach, based on the intrinsic affinity between phosphatidylserine (PS) on the inner leaflet and PS-targeted peptide modified nanoparticles, has been developed to target foam cells in atherosclerotic plaques. Considering the increased osteopontin (OPN) secretion from foam cells in plaques, a bioengineered cell membrane (OEM) with an overexpression of integrin α9β1 is integrated with ROS-cleavable prodrugs, OEM-coated ETBNPs (OEM-ETBNPs), to enhance targeted drug delivery and on-demand drug release in the local lesion of atherosclerosis. Both in vitro and in vivo experimental results confirm that OEM-ETBNPs are able to inhibit cellular lipid uptake and simultaneously promote intracellular lipid efflux, regulating the positive cellular phenotypic conversion. This finding offers a versatile platform for the biomedical applications of universal cell membrane camouflaging biomimetic nanotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian Qin
- 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
- Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital, Chongqing Municipality Clinical Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Chongqing 404000 China
- School of Medicine, Chongqing University Chongqing 404010 China
| | - Li Zhu
- 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
| | - Yuan Zhong
- 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
| | - Yi Wang
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University Chongqing 400016 China
| | - Xiaoshan Luo
- Guizhou Information Engineering University Bijie 551700 China
| | - Jiawei Li
- Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital, Chongqing Municipality Clinical Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Chongqing 404000 China
- School of Medicine, Chongqing University Chongqing 404010 China
| | - Fei Yan
- Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital, Chongqing Municipality Clinical Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Chongqing 404000 China
| | - Guicheng Wu
- Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital, Chongqing Municipality Clinical Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Chongqing 404000 China
| | - Juhui Qiu
- 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
| | - 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
| | - Kai Qu
- 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
- Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital, Chongqing Municipality Clinical Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Chongqing 404000 China
- School of Medicine, Chongqing University Chongqing 404010 China
| | - Kun Zhang
- 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
- Chongqing University Three Gorges Hospital, Chongqing Municipality Clinical Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Chongqing 404000 China
- School of Medicine, Chongqing University Chongqing 404010 China
| | - Wei Wu
- 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
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18
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Liu X, Zheng T, Zhang Y, Zhao Y, Liu F, Dai S, Zhang M, Zhang W, Zhang C, Zhang M, Li X. Endothelial Dickkopf-1 Promotes Smooth Muscle Cell-derived Foam Cell Formation via USP53-mediated Deubiquitination of SR-A During Atherosclerosis. Int J Biol Sci 2024; 20:2943-2964. [PMID: 38904030 PMCID: PMC11186357 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.91957] [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: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Shear stress-induced Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) secretion by endothelial cells (ECs) promotes EC dysfunction and accelerates atherosclerosis (AS). However, the paracrine role of endothelial DKK1 in modulating adjacent smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in atherosclerosis remains unclear. This study investigated the role of EC-secreted DKK1 in SMC-derived foam cell formation under shear stress, in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Parallel-plate co-culture flow system was used to explore the cellular communication between ECs and SMCs under shear stress in vitro. Endothelium-specific knockout of DKK1 (DKK1ECKO/APOE-/-) and endothelium-specific overexpression of DKK1 (DKK1ECTg) mice were constructed to investigate the role of endothelial DKK1 in atherosclerosis and SMC-derived foam cell formation in vivo. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was used to identify the downstream targets of DKK1. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), western blot, coimmunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) experiments were conducted to explore the underlying regulatory mechanisms. Results: DKK1 is transcriptionally upregulated in ECs under conditions of low shear stress, but not in co-cultured SMCs. However, DKK1 protein in co-cultured SMCs is increased via uptake of low shear stress-induced endothelial DKK1, thereby promoting lipid uptake and foam cell formation in co-cultured SMCs via the post-translational upregulation of scavenger receptor-A (SR-A) verified in parallel-plate co-culture flow system, DKK1ECKO and DKK1ECTg mice. RNA sequencing revealed that DKK1-induced SR-A upregulation in SMCs is dependent on Ubiquitin-specific Protease 53 (USP53), which bound to SR-A via its USP domain and cysteine at position 41, exerting deubiquitination to maintain the stability of the SR-A protein by removing the K48 ubiquitin chain and preventing proteasomal pathway degradation, thereby mediating the effect of DKK1 on lipid uptake in SMCs. Moreover, DKK1 regulates the transcription of USP53 by facilitating the binding of transcription factor CREB to the USP53 promoter. SMC-specific overexpression of USP53 via adeno-associated virus serotype 2 vectors in DKK1ECKO/APOE-/- mice reversed the alleviation of atherosclerotic plaque burden, SR-A expression and lipid accumulation in SMCs within plaques resulting from DKK1 deficiency. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that, endothelial DKK1, induced by pathological low shear stress, acts as an intercellular mediator, promoted the foam cell formation of SMCs. These results suggest that targeted intervention with endothelial DKK1 may confer beneficial effects on atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolin Liu
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory; The 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
| | - Tengfei Zheng
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory; The 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
| | - Yu Zhang
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory; The 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
| | - Yachao Zhao
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory; The 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
| | - Fengming Liu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Shen Dai
- Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory; The 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
| | - Wencheng Zhang
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory; The 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 Zhang
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory; The 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
| | - Mei Zhang
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory; The 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
| | - Xiao Li
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory; The 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
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19
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Rojas MG, Pereira-Simon S, Zigmond ZM, Varona Santos J, Perla M, Santos Falcon N, Stoyell-Conti FF, Salama A, Yang X, Long X, Duque JC, Salman LH, Tabbara M, Martinez L, Vazquez-Padron RI. Single-Cell Analyses Offer Insights into the Different Remodeling Programs of Arteries and Veins. Cells 2024; 13:793. [PMID: 38786017 PMCID: PMC11119253 DOI: 10.3390/cells13100793] [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: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Arteries and veins develop different types of occlusive diseases and respond differently to injury. The biological reasons for this discrepancy are not well understood, which is a limiting factor for the development of vein-targeted therapies. This study contrasts human peripheral arteries and veins at the single-cell level, with a focus on cell populations with remodeling potential. Upper arm arteries (brachial) and veins (basilic/cephalic) from 30 organ donors were compared using a combination of bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing, proteomics, flow cytometry, and histology. The cellular atlases of six arteries and veins demonstrated a 7.8× higher proportion of contractile smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in arteries and a trend toward more modulated SMCs. In contrast, veins showed a higher abundance of endothelial cells, pericytes, and macrophages, as well as an increasing trend in fibroblasts. Activated fibroblasts had similar proportions in both types of vessels but with significant differences in gene expression. Modulated SMCs and activated fibroblasts were characterized by the upregulation of MYH10, FN1, COL8A1, and ITGA10. Activated fibroblasts also expressed F2R, POSTN, and COMP and were confirmed by F2R/CD90 flow cytometry. Activated fibroblasts from veins were the top producers of collagens among all fibroblast populations from both types of vessels. Venous fibroblasts were also highly angiogenic, proinflammatory, and hyper-responders to reactive oxygen species. Differences in wall structure further explain the significant contribution of fibroblast populations to remodeling in veins. Fibroblasts are almost exclusively located outside the external elastic lamina in arteries, while widely distributed throughout the venous wall. In line with the above, ECM-targeted proteomics confirmed a higher abundance of fibrillar collagens in veins vs. more basement ECM components in arteries. The distinct cellular compositions and transcriptional programs of reparative populations in arteries and veins may explain differences in acute and chronic wall remodeling between vessels. This information may be relevant for the development of antistenotic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel G Rojas
- Department of Surgery, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Simone Pereira-Simon
- Department of Surgery, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Zachary M Zigmond
- Bruce W. Carter Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL 33125, USA
| | - Javier Varona Santos
- Department of Surgery, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Mikael Perla
- Department of Surgery, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Nieves Santos Falcon
- Department of Surgery, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Filipe F Stoyell-Conti
- Department of Surgery, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Alghidak Salama
- Department of Surgery, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Xiaofeng Yang
- Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Xiaochun Long
- Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Juan C Duque
- Department of Medicine, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Loay H Salman
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Marwan Tabbara
- Department of Surgery, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Laisel Martinez
- Department of Surgery, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Roberto I Vazquez-Padron
- Department of Surgery, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Bruce W. Carter Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL 33125, USA
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20
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Govatati S, Kumar R, Boro M, Traylor JG, Orr AW, Lusis AJ, Rao GN. TRIM13 reduces cholesterol efflux and increases oxidized LDL uptake leading to foam cell formation and atherosclerosis. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107224. [PMID: 38537695 PMCID: PMC11053335 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107224] [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: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Impaired cholesterol efflux and/or uptake can influence arterial lipid accumulation leading to atherosclerosis. Here, we report that tripartite motif-containing protein 13 (TRIM13), a RING-type E3 ubiquitin ligase, plays a role in arterial lipid accumulation leading to atherosclerosis. Using molecular approaches and KO mouse model, we found that TRIM13 expression was induced both in the aorta and peritoneal macrophages (pMφ) of ApoE-/- mice in response to Western diet (WD) in vivo. Furthermore, proatherogenic cytokine interleukin-1β also induced TRIM13 expression both in pMφ and vascular smooth muscle cells. Furthermore, we found that TRIM13 via ubiquitination and degradation of liver X receptor (LXR)α/β downregulates the expression of their target genes ABCA1/G1 and thereby inhibits cholesterol efflux. In addition, TRIM13 by ubiquitinating and degrading suppressor of cytokine signaling 1/3 (SOCS1/3) mediates signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) activation, CD36 expression, and foam cell formation. In line with these observations, genetic deletion of TRIM13 by rescuing cholesterol efflux and inhibiting foam cell formation protects against diet-induced atherosclerosis. We also found that while TRIM13 and CD36 levels were increased, LXRα/β, ABCA1/G1, and SOCS3 levels were decreased both in Mφ and smooth muscle cells of stenotic human coronary arteries as compared to nonstenotic arteries. More intriguingly, the expression levels of TRIM13 and its downstream signaling molecules were correlated with the severity of stenotic lesions. Together, these observations reveal for the first time that TRIM13 plays a crucial role in diet-induced atherosclerosis, and that it could be a potential drug target against this vascular lesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suresh Govatati
- Department of Physiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Raj Kumar
- Department of Physiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Monoranjan Boro
- Department of Physiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - James G Traylor
- Department of Pathology, Louisiana State University Health Science Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
| | - A Wayne Orr
- Department of Pathology, Louisiana State University Health Science Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
| | - Aldons J Lusis
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Gadiparthi N Rao
- Department of Physiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
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21
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Mussbacher M, Basílio J, Belakova B, Pirabe A, Ableitner E, Campos-Medina M, Schmid JA. Effects of Chronic Inflammatory Activation of Murine and Human Arterial Endothelial Cells at Normal Lipoprotein and Cholesterol Levels In Vivo and In Vitro. Cells 2024; 13:773. [PMID: 38727309 PMCID: PMC11083315 DOI: 10.3390/cells13090773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The activation of endothelial cells is crucial for immune defense mechanisms but also plays a role in the development of atherosclerosis. We have previously shown that inflammatory stimulation of endothelial cells on top of elevated lipoprotein/cholesterol levels accelerates atherogenesis. The aim of the current study was to investigate how chronic endothelial inflammation changes the aortic transcriptome of mice at normal lipoprotein levels and to compare this to the inflammatory response of isolated endothelial cells in vitro. We applied a mouse model expressing constitutive active IκB kinase 2 (caIKK2)-the key activator of the inflammatory NF-κB pathway-specifically in arterial endothelial cells and analyzed transcriptomic changes in whole aortas, followed by pathway and network analyses. We found an upregulation of cell death and mitochondrial beta-oxidation pathways with a predicted increase in endothelial apoptosis and necrosis and a simultaneous reduction in protein synthesis genes. The highest upregulated gene was ACE2, the SARS-CoV-2 receptor, which is also an important regulator of blood pressure. Analysis of isolated human arterial and venous endothelial cells supported these findings and also revealed a reduction in DNA replication, as well as repair mechanisms, in line with the notion that chronic inflammation contributes to endothelial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Mussbacher
- Department of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Centre for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (M.M.); (J.B.); (B.B.); (A.P.); (M.C.-M.)
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria;
| | - José Basílio
- Department of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Centre for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (M.M.); (J.B.); (B.B.); (A.P.); (M.C.-M.)
- INESC ID, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1000-029 Lisboa, Portugal
- Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Barbora Belakova
- Department of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Centre for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (M.M.); (J.B.); (B.B.); (A.P.); (M.C.-M.)
| | - Anita Pirabe
- Department of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Centre for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (M.M.); (J.B.); (B.B.); (A.P.); (M.C.-M.)
| | - Elisabeth Ableitner
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria;
| | - Manuel Campos-Medina
- Department of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Centre for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (M.M.); (J.B.); (B.B.); (A.P.); (M.C.-M.)
| | - Johannes A. Schmid
- Department of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Centre for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (M.M.); (J.B.); (B.B.); (A.P.); (M.C.-M.)
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22
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He C, Kim HI, Park J, Guo J, Huang W. The role of immune cells in different stages of atherosclerosis. Int J Med Sci 2024; 21:1129-1143. [PMID: 38774746 PMCID: PMC11103388 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.94570] [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: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the accumulation of immune cells in the intima of arteries. Experimental and clinical evidence shows that both innate and adaptive immunity orchestrate the progression of atherosclerosis. The heterogeneous nature of immune cells within atherosclerosis lesions is important. Studies utilizing high-dimensional mass spectrometry and single-cell RNA sequencing of leukocytes from atherosclerotic lesions show the diversity and adaptability of these immune cell subtypes. Their migration, compositional changes, phenotypic alterations, and adaptive responses are key features throughout atherosclerosis progression. Understanding how these immune cells and their subtypes affect atherogenesis would help to develop novel therapeutic approaches that control atherosclerosis progression. Precise targeting of specific immune system components involved in atherosclerosis, rather than broad suppression of the immune system with anti-inflammatory agents, can more accurately regulate the progress of atherosclerosis with fewer side effects. In this review, we cover the most recent advances in the field of atherosclerosis to understand the role of various immune cells on its development. We focus on the complex network of immune cells and the interaction between the innate immune system and adaptive immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong He
- Department of Pharmacology, Harbin Medical University-Daqing, Daqing 163319, PR China
| | - Hyo In Kim
- Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, United States
| | - Jinbong Park
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Junli Guo
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education & Key Laboratory of Tropical Cardiovascular Diseases Research of Hainan Province, School of Public Health, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, PR China
| | - Wei Huang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medicine and Life Sciences, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education & Key Laboratory of Tropical Cardiovascular Diseases Research of Hainan Province, School of Public Health, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, PR China
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23
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Bogan BJ, Williams HC, Holden CM, Patel V, Joseph G, Fierro C, Sepulveda H, Taylor WR, Rezvan A, San Martin A. The Role of Fatty Acid Synthase in the Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell to Foam Cell Transition. Cells 2024; 13:658. [PMID: 38667273 PMCID: PMC11048793 DOI: 10.3390/cells13080658] [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: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), in their contractile and differentiated state, are fundamental for maintaining vascular function. Upon exposure to cholesterol (CHO), VSMCs undergo dedifferentiation, adopting characteristics of foam cells-lipid-laden, macrophage-like cells pivotal in atherosclerotic plaque formation. CHO uptake by VSMCs leads to two primary pathways: ABCA1-mediated efflux or storage in lipid droplets as cholesterol esters (CEs). CE formation, involving the condensation of free CHO and fatty acids, is catalyzed by sterol O-acyltransferase 1 (SOAT1). The necessary fatty acids are synthesized by the lipogenic enzyme fatty acid synthase (FASN), which we found to be upregulated in atherosclerotic human coronary arteries. This observation led us to hypothesize that FASN-mediated fatty acid biosynthesis is crucial in the transformation of VSMCs into foam cells. Our study reveals that CHO treatment upregulates FASN in human aortic SMCs, concurrent with increased expression of CD68 and upregulation of KLF4, markers associated with the foam cell transition. Crucially, downregulation of FASN inhibits the CHO-induced upregulation of CD68 and KLF4 in VSMCs. Additionally, FASN-deficient VSMCs exhibit hindered lipid accumulation and an impaired transition to the foam cell phenotype following CHO exposure, while the addition of the fatty acid palmitate, the main FASN product, exacerbates this transition. FASN-deficient cells also show decreased SOAT1 expression and elevated ABCA1. Notably, similar effects are observed in KLF4-deficient cells. Our findings demonstrate that FASN plays an essential role in the CHO-induced upregulation of KLF4 and the VSMC to foam cell transition and suggest that targeting FASN could be a novel therapeutic strategy to regulate VSMC phenotypic modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethany J. Bogan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (B.J.B.); (H.C.W.); (C.M.H.); (V.P.); (G.J.); (W.R.T.); (A.R.)
| | - Holly C. Williams
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (B.J.B.); (H.C.W.); (C.M.H.); (V.P.); (G.J.); (W.R.T.); (A.R.)
| | - Claire M. Holden
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (B.J.B.); (H.C.W.); (C.M.H.); (V.P.); (G.J.); (W.R.T.); (A.R.)
| | - Vraj Patel
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (B.J.B.); (H.C.W.); (C.M.H.); (V.P.); (G.J.); (W.R.T.); (A.R.)
| | - Giji Joseph
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (B.J.B.); (H.C.W.); (C.M.H.); (V.P.); (G.J.); (W.R.T.); (A.R.)
| | - Christopher Fierro
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 8370071, Chile; (C.F.); (H.S.)
| | - Hugo Sepulveda
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 8370071, Chile; (C.F.); (H.S.)
| | - W. Robert Taylor
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (B.J.B.); (H.C.W.); (C.M.H.); (V.P.); (G.J.); (W.R.T.); (A.R.)
| | - Amir Rezvan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (B.J.B.); (H.C.W.); (C.M.H.); (V.P.); (G.J.); (W.R.T.); (A.R.)
| | - Alejandra San Martin
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (B.J.B.); (H.C.W.); (C.M.H.); (V.P.); (G.J.); (W.R.T.); (A.R.)
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 8370071, Chile; (C.F.); (H.S.)
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24
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Bashore AC, Chung A, Ibikunle C, Yan H, Xue C, Li M, Bauer RC, Reilly MP. Single-Cell Multimodal Profiling of Atherosclerosis Identifies CD200 as a Cell Surface Lineage Marker of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Their Derived Cells. Circulation 2024; 149:1231-1233. [PMID: 38588334 PMCID: PMC11003722 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.123.067092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander C. Bashore
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York
| | - Allen Chung
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York
| | - Chinyere Ibikunle
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York
| | - Hanying Yan
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Chenyi Xue
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York
| | - Mingyao Li
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Robert C. Bauer
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York
| | - Muredach P. Reilly
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York
- Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
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25
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Euler G, Parahuleva M. Monocytic microRNAs-Novel targets in atherosclerosis therapy. Br J Pharmacol 2024. [PMID: 38575391 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16367] [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: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a chronic proinflammatory disease of the vascular wall resulting in narrowing of arteries due to plaque formation, thereby causing reduced blood supply that is the leading cause for diverse end-organ damage with high mortality rates. Monocytes/macrophages, activated by elevated circulating lipoproteins, are significantly involved in the formation and development of atherosclerotic plaques. The imbalance between proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory macrophages, arising from dysregulated macrophage polarization, appears to be a driving force in this process. Proatherosclerotic processes acting on monocytes/macrophages include accumulation of cholesterol in macrophages leading to foam cell formation, as well as dysfunctional efferocytosis, all of which contribute to the formation of unstable plaques. In recent years, microRNAs (miRs) were identified as factors that could modulate monocyte/macrophage function and may therefore interfere with the atherosclerotic process. In this review, we present effects of monocyte/macrophage-derived miRs on atherosclerotic processes in order to reveal new treatment options using miRmimics or antagomiRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerhild Euler
- Institute of Physiology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Mariana Parahuleva
- Internal Medicine/Cardiology and Angiology, University Hospital of Giessen and Marburg, Marburg, Germany
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26
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Bashore AC, Yan H, Xue C, Zhu LY, Kim E, Mawson T, Coronel J, Chung A, Sachs N, Ho S, Ross LS, Kissner M, Passegué E, Bauer RC, Maegdefessel L, Li M, Reilly MP. High-Dimensional Single-Cell Multimodal Landscape of Human Carotid Atherosclerosis. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2024; 44:930-945. [PMID: 38385291 PMCID: PMC10978277 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.320524] [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: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atherosclerotic plaques are complex tissues composed of a heterogeneous mixture of cells. However, our understanding of the comprehensive transcriptional and phenotypic landscape of the cells within these lesions is limited. METHODS To characterize the landscape of human carotid atherosclerosis in greater detail, we combined cellular indexing of transcriptomes and epitopes by sequencing and single-cell RNA sequencing to classify all cell types within lesions (n=21; 13 symptomatic) to achieve a comprehensive multimodal understanding of the cellular identities of atherosclerosis and their association with clinical pathophysiology. RESULTS We identified 25 cell populations, each with a unique multiomic signature, including macrophages, T cells, NK (natural killer) cells, mast cells, B cells, plasma cells, neutrophils, dendritic cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Among the macrophages, we identified 2 proinflammatory subsets enriched in IL-1B (interleukin-1B) or C1Q expression, 2 TREM2-positive foam cells (1 expressing inflammatory genes), and subpopulations with a proliferative gene signature and SMC-specific gene signature with fibrotic pathways upregulated. Further characterization revealed various subsets of SMCs and fibroblasts, including SMC-derived foam cells. These foamy SMCs were localized in the deep intima of coronary atherosclerotic lesions. Utilizing cellular indexing of transcriptomes and epitopes by sequencing data, we developed a flow cytometry panel, using cell surface proteins CD29, CD142, and CD90, to isolate SMC-derived cells from lesions. Lastly, we observed reduced proportions of efferocytotic macrophages, classically activated endothelial cells, and contractile and modulated SMC-derived cells, while inflammatory SMCs were enriched in plaques of clinically symptomatic versus asymptomatic patients. CONCLUSIONS Our multimodal atlas of cell populations within atherosclerosis provides novel insights into the diversity, phenotype, location, isolation, and clinical relevance of the unique cellular composition of human carotid atherosclerosis. These findings facilitate both the mapping of cardiovascular disease susceptibility loci to specific cell types and the identification of novel molecular and cellular therapeutic targets for the treatment of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander C Bashore
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Hanying Yan
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (H.Y., M.L.)
| | - Chenyi Xue
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Lucie Y Zhu
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Eunyoung Kim
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Thomas Mawson
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Johana Coronel
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Allen Chung
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Nadja Sachs
- Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Technical University Munich, Germany (N.S., L.M.)
| | - Sebastian Ho
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Leila S Ross
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Michael Kissner
- Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Department of Genetics and Development (M.K., E.P.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Emmanuelle Passegué
- Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Department of Genetics and Development (M.K., E.P.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Robert C Bauer
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Lars Maegdefessel
- Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Technical University Munich, Germany (N.S., L.M.)
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance (L.M.)
- Department of Medicine, Karolinksa Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (L.M.)
| | - Mingyao Li
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (H.Y., M.L.)
| | - Muredach P Reilly
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
- Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (M.P.R.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
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Ahmed IA, Liu M, Gomez D. Nuclear Control of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Plasticity during Vascular Remodeling. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2024; 194:525-538. [PMID: 37820925 PMCID: PMC10988766 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2023.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Control of vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) gene expression is an essential process for establishing and maintaining lineage identity, contractility, and plasticity. Most mechanisms (epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional) implicated in gene regulation occur in the nucleus. Still, intranuclear pathways are directly impacted by modifications in the extracellular environment in conditions of adaptive or maladaptive remodeling. Integration of extracellular, cellular, and genomic information into the nucleus through epigenetic and transcriptional control of genome organization plays a major role in regulating SMC functions and phenotypic transitions during vascular remodeling and diseases. This review aims to provide a comprehensive update on nuclear mechanisms, their interactions, and their integration in controlling SMC homeostasis and dysfunction. It summarizes and discusses the main nuclear mechanisms preponderant in SMCs in the context of vascular disease, such as atherosclerosis, with an emphasis on studies employing in vivo cell-specific loss-of-function and single-cell omics approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim A Ahmed
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Mingjun Liu
- Department of Pathology, New York University, New York, New York
| | - Delphine Gomez
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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Sun J, Wang M, Jia F, Song J, Ren J, Hu B. FTO Stabilizes MIS12 to Inhibit Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Senescence in Atherosclerotic Plaque. J Inflamm Res 2024; 17:1857-1871. [PMID: 38523689 PMCID: PMC10961024 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s447379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Atherosclerosis is the main cause of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). Here, we aimed to uncover the role and mechanisms of fat mass and obesity-associated genes (FTO) in the regulation of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) senescence in atherosclerotic plaques. Methods ApoE-/- mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) were used to establish an atherosclerotic animal model. Immunohistochemistry, and the staining of hematoxylin-eosin, Oil Red O, Sirius red, and Masson were performed to confirm the role of FTO in atherosclerosis in vivo. Subsequently, FTO expression in primary VSMCs is either upregulated or downregulated. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) was used to treat VSMCs, followed by EdU staining, flow cytometry, senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining, immunofluorescence, telomere detection, RT-qPCR, and Western blotting to determine the molecular mechanisms by which FTO inhibits VSMC senescence. Results Decreased FTO expression was observed in progressive atherosclerotic plaques of ApoE-/- mice fed with HFD. FTO upregulation inhibits atherosclerotic lesions in mice. FTO inhibits VSMC aging in atherosclerotic plaques by helping VSMC withstand ox-LDL-induced cell cycle arrest and senescence. This process is achieved by stabilizing the MIS12 protein in VSMC through a proteasome-mediated pathway. Conclusion FTO inhibits VSMC senescence and subsequently slows the progression of atherosclerotic plaques by stabilizing the MIS12 protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingzhao Sun
- Department of Emergency, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mengqi Wang
- Department of Emergency, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fengming Jia
- Department of Emergency, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiantao Song
- Department of Emergency, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jinlin Ren
- Department of Emergency, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bo Hu
- Department of Emergency, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, People’s Republic of China
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Jiang Y, Yu M, Song ZF, Wei ZY, Huang J, Qian HY. Targeted Delivery of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Bioinspired Exosome-Mimetic Nanovesicles with Platelet Membrane Fusion for Atherosclerotic Treatment. Int J Nanomedicine 2024; 19:2553-2571. [PMID: 38505171 PMCID: PMC10949310 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s452824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Accumulating evidence indicates that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-derived exosomes hold significant potential for the treatment of atherosclerosis. However, large-scale production and organ-specific targeting of exosomes are still challenges for further clinical applications. This study aims to explore the targeted efficiency and therapeutic potential of biomimetic platelet membrane-coated exosome-mimetic nanovesicles (P-ENVs) in atherosclerosis. Methods To produce exosome-mimetic nanovesicles (ENVs), MSCs were successively extruded through polycarbonate porous membranes. P-ENVs were engineered by fusing MSC-derived ENVs with platelet membranes and characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), and Western blot. The stability and safety of P-ENVs were also assessed. The targeted efficacy of P-ENVs was evaluated using an in vivo imaging system (IVIS) spectrum imaging system and immunofluorescence. Histological analyses, Oil Red O (ORO) staining, and Western blot were used to investigate the anti-atherosclerotic effectiveness of P-ENVs. Results Both ENVs and P-ENVs exhibited similar characteristics to exosomes. Subsequent miRNA sequencing of P-ENVs revealed their potential to mitigate atherosclerosis by influencing biological processes related to cholesterol metabolism. In an ApoE-/- mice model, the intravenous administration of P-ENVs exhibited enhanced targeting of atherosclerotic plaques, resulting in a significant reduction in lipid deposition and necrotic core area. Our in vitro experiments showed that P-ENVs promoted cholesterol efflux and reduced total cholesterol content in foam cells. Further analysis revealed that P-ENVs attenuated intracellular cholesterol accumulation by upregulating the expression of the critical cholesterol transporters ABCA1 and ABCG1. Conclusion This study highlighted the potential of P-ENVs as a novel nano-drug delivery platform for enhancing drug delivery efficiency while concurrently mitigating adverse reactions in atherosclerotic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Jiang
- Center 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, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Miao Yu
- Center 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, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Feng Song
- Center 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, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Yao Wei
- Center 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, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ji Huang
- Center for Coronary Artery Disease, Division of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung, and Blood Vessel Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hai-Yan Qian
- Center 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, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
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Swiatlowska P, Tipping W, Marhuenda E, Severi P, Fomin V, Yang Z, Xiao Q, Graham D, Shanahan C, Iskratsch T. Hypertensive Pressure Mechanosensing Alone Triggers Lipid Droplet Accumulation and Transdifferentiation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells to Foam Cells. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2308686. [PMID: 38145971 PMCID: PMC10916670 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202308686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Arterial Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play a central role in the onset and progression of atherosclerosis. Upon exposure to pathological stimuli, they can take on alternative phenotypes that, among others, have been described as macrophage like, or foam cells. VSMC foam cells make up >50% of all arterial foam cells and have been suggested to retain an even higher proportion of the cell stored lipid droplets, further leading to apoptosis, secondary necrosis, and an inflammatory response. However, the mechanism of VSMC foam cell formation is still unclear. Here, it is identified that mechanical stimulation through hypertensive pressure alone is sufficient for the phenotypic switch. Hyperspectral stimulated Raman scattering imaging demonstrates rapid lipid droplet formation and changes to lipid metabolism and changes are confirmed in ABCA1, KLF4, LDLR, and CD68 expression, cell proliferation, and migration. Further, a mechanosignaling route is identified involving Piezo1, phospholipid, and arachidonic acid signaling, as well as epigenetic regulation, whereby CUT&Tag epigenomic analysis confirms changes in the cells (lipid) metabolism and atherosclerotic pathways. Overall, the results show for the first time that VSMC foam cell formation can be triggered by mechanical stimulation alone, suggesting modulation of mechanosignaling can be harnessed as potential therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Swiatlowska
- School of Engineering and Materials ScienceQueen Mary University of LondonLondonE1 4NSUK
| | - William Tipping
- Department of Pure and Applied ChemistryUniversity of StrathclydeGlasgowG1 1QAUK
| | - Emilie Marhuenda
- School of Engineering and Materials ScienceQueen Mary University of LondonLondonE1 4NSUK
| | - Paolo Severi
- School of Engineering and Materials ScienceQueen Mary University of LondonLondonE1 4NSUK
- Department of Translational MedicineLaboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA)University of FerraraFerrara44121Italy
| | | | - Zhisheng Yang
- William Harvey Research InstituteQueen Mary University of LondonLondonEC1M 6BQUK
| | - Qingzhong Xiao
- William Harvey Research InstituteQueen Mary University of LondonLondonEC1M 6BQUK
| | - Duncan Graham
- Department of Pure and Applied ChemistryUniversity of StrathclydeGlasgowG1 1QAUK
| | - Cathy Shanahan
- School of Cardiovascular Medicine and SciencesKing's College LondonLondonSE5 9NUUK
| | - Thomas Iskratsch
- School of Engineering and Materials ScienceQueen Mary University of LondonLondonE1 4NSUK
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Lin A, Ramaswamy Y, Misra A. Developmental heterogeneity of vascular cells: Insights into cellular plasticity in atherosclerosis? Semin Cell Dev Biol 2024; 155:3-15. [PMID: 37316416 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2023.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells and macrophages display remarkable heterogeneity within the healthy vasculature and under pathological conditions. During development, these cells arise from numerous embryological origins, which confound with different microenvironments to generate postnatal vascular cell diversity. In the atherosclerotic plaque milieu, all these cell types exhibit astonishing plasticity, generating a variety of plaque burdening or plaque stabilizing phenotypes. And yet how developmental origin influences intraplaque cell plasticity remains largely unexplored despite evidence suggesting this may be the case. Uncovering the diversity and plasticity of vascular cells is being revolutionized by unbiased single cell whole transcriptome analysis techniques that will likely continue to pave the way for therapeutic research. Cellular plasticity is only just emerging as a target for future therapeutics, and uncovering how intraplaque plasticity differs across vascular beds may provide key insights into why different plaques behave differently and may confer different risks of subsequent cardiovascular events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Lin
- Atherosclerosis and Vascular Remodeling Group, Heart Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia; School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yogambha Ramaswamy
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ashish Misra
- Atherosclerosis and Vascular Remodeling Group, Heart Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Heart Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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Ni D, Lei C, Liu M, Peng J, Yi G, Mo Z. Cell death in atherosclerosis. Cell Cycle 2024; 23:495-518. [PMID: 38678316 PMCID: PMC11135874 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2024.2344943] [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: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
A complex and evolutionary process that involves the buildup of lipids in the arterial wall and the invasion of inflammatory cells results in atherosclerosis. Cell death is a fundamental biological process that is essential to the growth and dynamic equilibrium of all living things. Serious cell damage can cause a number of metabolic processes to stop, cell structure to be destroyed, or other irreversible changes that result in cell death. It is important to note that studies have shown that the two types of programmed cell death, apoptosis and autophagy, influence the onset and progression of atherosclerosis by controlling these cells. This could serve as a foundation for the creation of fresh atherosclerosis prevention and treatment strategies. Therefore, in this review, we summarized the molecular mechanisms of cell death, including apoptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, necroptosis, ferroptosis and necrosis, and discussed their effects on endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells and macrophages in the process of atherosclerosis, so as to provide reference for the next step to reveal the mechanism of atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Ni
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Diabetic Systems Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China
| | - Cai Lei
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Minqi Liu
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Diabetic Systems Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China
- Guangxi Province Postgraduate Co-training Base for Cooperative Innovation in Basic Medicine (Guilin Medical University and Yueyang Women & Children’s Medical Center), Yueyang, China
| | - Jinfu Peng
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Guanghui Yi
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Zhongcheng Mo
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Diabetic Systems Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, China
- Guangxi Province Postgraduate Co-training Base for Cooperative Innovation in Basic Medicine (Guilin Medical University and Yueyang Women & Children’s Medical Center), Yueyang, China
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Chung A, Chang HK, Pan H, Bashore AC, Shuck K, Matias CV, Gomez J, Yan H, Li M, Bauer RC. ADAMTS7 Promotes Smooth Muscle Cell Foam Cell Expansion in Atherosclerosis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.26.582156. [PMID: 38463994 PMCID: PMC10925101 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.26.582156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Human genetic studies have repeatedly associated SNPs near the gene ADAMTS7 with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Subsequent investigations in mice demonstrated that ADAMTS7 is proatherogenic, induced in response to vascular injury, and alters smooth muscle cell function. However, the mechanisms governing this function and its relationship to atherosclerosis remain unclear. Here, we report the first conditional Adamts7 transgenic mouse in which the gene can be conditionally overexpressed in smooth muscle cells, mimicking its induction in atherosclerosis. We observed that smooth muscle cell Adamts7 overexpression results in a 3.5-fold increase in peripheral atherosclerosis, coinciding with an expansion of smooth muscle foam cells. RNA sequencing of Adamts7 overexpressed primary smooth muscle cells revealed an upregulation in the expression of lipid uptake genes. Subsequent experiments in primary smooth muscle cells demonstrated that increased Spi1 and Cd36 expression leads to increased smooth muscle cell oxLDL uptake. To uncover ADAMTS7 expression in human disease, we have interrogated the largest scRNA-seq dataset of human carotid atherosclerosis. This analysis discovered that endothelial cells had the highest expression level of ADAMTS7 with lesser expression in smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, and mast cells. Subsequent conditional knockout studies in smooth muscle cells surprisingly showed no change in atherosclerosis, suggesting redundant expression of this secreted factor in the vessel wall. Finally, mice overexpressing Adamts7 in endothelial cells also exhibit increased atherosclerosis, suggesting that multiple vascular cell types can contribute to ADAMTS7-mediated foam cell expansion. In summary, Adamts7 is expressed by multiple vascular cell types in atherosclerosis, and ADAMTS7 promotes oxLDL uptake in smooth muscle cells, increasing smooth muscle foam cell formation and peripheral atherosclerosis in mice.
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Oladosu O, Chin E, Barksdale C, Powell RR, Bruce T, Stamatikos A. Inhibition of miR-33a-5p in Macrophage-like Cells In Vitro Promotes apoAI-Mediated Cholesterol Efflux. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 2024; 31:117-126. [PMID: 38535619 PMCID: PMC10976131 DOI: 10.3390/pathophysiology31010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is caused by cholesterol accumulation within arteries. The intima is where atherosclerotic plaque accumulates and where lipid-laden foam cells reside. Intimal foam cells comprise of both monocyte-derived macrophages and macrophage-like cells (MLC) of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) origin. Foam cells can remove cholesterol via apoAI-mediated cholesterol efflux and this process is regulated by the transporter ABCA1. The microRNA miR-33a-5p is thought to be atherogenic via silencing ABCA1 which promotes cholesterol retention and data has shown inhibiting miR-33a-5p in macrophages may be atheroprotective via enhancing apoAI-mediated cholesterol efflux. However, it is not entirely elucidated whether precisely inhibiting miR-33a-5p in MLC also increases ABCA1-dependent cholesterol efflux. Therefore, the purpose of this work is to test the hypothesis that inhibition of miR-33a-5p in cultured MLC enhances apoAI-mediated cholesterol efflux. In our study, we utilized the VSMC line MOVAS cells in our experiments, and cholesterol-loaded MOVAS cells to convert this cell line into MLC. Inhibition of miR-33a-5p was accomplished by transducing cells with a lentivirus that expresses an antagomiR directed at miR-33a-5p. Expression of miR-33a-5p was analyzed by qRT-PCR, ABCA1 protein expression was assessed via immunoblotting, and apoAI-mediated cholesterol efflux was measured using cholesterol efflux assays. In our results, we demonstrated that lentiviral vector-mediated knockdown of miR-33a-5p resulted in decreasing expression of this microRNA in cultured MLC. Moreover, reduction of miR-33a-5p in cultured MLC resulted in de-repression of ABCA1 expression, which caused ABCA1 protein upregulation in cultured MLC. Additionally, this increase in ABCA1 protein expression resulted in enhancing ABCA1-dependent cholesterol efflux through increasing apoAI-mediated cholesterol efflux in cultured MLC. From these findings, we conclude that inhibiting miR-33a-5p in MLC may protect against atherosclerosis by promoting ABCA1-dependent cholesterol efflux.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olanrewaju Oladosu
- Department of Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA; (O.O.); (E.C.); (C.B.)
| | - Emma Chin
- Department of Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA; (O.O.); (E.C.); (C.B.)
| | - Christian Barksdale
- Department of Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA; (O.O.); (E.C.); (C.B.)
| | - Rhonda R. Powell
- Clemson Light Imaging Facility, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA; (R.R.P.); (T.B.)
| | - Terri Bruce
- Clemson Light Imaging Facility, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA; (R.R.P.); (T.B.)
| | - Alexis Stamatikos
- Department of Food, Nutrition, and Packaging Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA; (O.O.); (E.C.); (C.B.)
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Pan Q, Chen C, Yang YJ. Top Five Stories of the Cellular Landscape and Therapies of Atherosclerosis: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives. Curr Med Sci 2024; 44:1-27. [PMID: 38057537 DOI: 10.1007/s11596-023-2818-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis (AS) is characterized by impairment and apoptosis of endothelial cells, continuous systemic and focal inflammation and dysfunction of vascular smooth muscle cells, which is documented as the traditional cellular paradigm. However, the mechanisms appear much more complicated than we thought since a bulk of studies on efferocytosis, transdifferentiation and novel cell death forms such as ferroptosis, pyroptosis, and extracellular trap were reported. Discovery of novel pathological cellular landscapes provides a large number of therapeutic targets. On the other side, the unsatisfactory therapeutic effects of current treatment with lipid-lowering drugs as the cornerstone also restricts the efforts to reduce global AS burden. Stem cell- or nanoparticle-based strategies spurred a lot of attention due to the attractive therapeutic effects and minimized adverse effects. Given the complexity of pathological changes of AS, attempts to develop an almighty medicine based on single mechanisms could be theoretically challenging. In this review, the top stories in the cellular landscapes during the initiation and progression of AS and the therapies were summarized in an integrated perspective to facilitate efforts to develop a multi-targets strategy and fill the gap between mechanism research and clinical translation. The future challenges and improvements were also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100037, China
| | - Cheng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100037, China
| | - Yue-Jin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100037, China.
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Carramolino L, Albarrán-Juárez J, Markov A, Hernández-SanMiguel E, Sharysh D, Cumbicus V, Morales-Cano D, Labrador-Cantarero V, Møller PL, Nogales P, Benguria A, Dopazo A, Sanchez-Cabo F, Torroja C, Bentzon JF. Cholesterol lowering depletes atherosclerotic lesions of smooth muscle cell-derived fibromyocytes and chondromyocytes. NATURE CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH 2024; 3:203-220. [PMID: 39196190 DOI: 10.1038/s44161-023-00412-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
Drugs that lower plasma apolipoprotein B (ApoB)-containing lipoproteins are central to treating advanced atherosclerosis and provide partial protection against clinical events. Previous research showed that lowering ApoB-containing lipoproteins stops plaque inflammation, but how these drugs affect the heterogeneous population of plaque cells derived from smooth muscle cells (SMCs) is unknown. SMC-derived cells are the main cellular component of atherosclerotic lesions and the source of structural components that determine the size of plaques and their propensity to rupture and trigger thrombosis, the proximate cause of heart attack and stroke. Using lineage tracing and single-cell techniques to investigate the full SMC-derived cellular compartment in progressing and regressing plaques in mice, here we show that lowering ApoB-containing lipoproteins reduces nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells signaling in SMC-derived fibromyocytes and chondromyocytes and leads to depletion of these abundant cell types from plaques. These results uncover an important mechanism through which cholesterol-lowering drugs can achieve plaque regression.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Plaque, Atherosclerotic/pathology
- Plaque, Atherosclerotic/metabolism
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/drug effects
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/pathology
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism
- Atherosclerosis/pathology
- Atherosclerosis/drug therapy
- Atherosclerosis/metabolism
- Disease Models, Animal
- Chondrocytes/drug effects
- Chondrocytes/pathology
- Chondrocytes/metabolism
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Anticholesteremic Agents/pharmacology
- Anticholesteremic Agents/therapeutic use
- Male
- Cholesterol/metabolism
- Cholesterol/blood
- Mice
- Aortic Diseases/pathology
- Aortic Diseases/metabolism
- Single-Cell Analysis
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/drug effects
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/pathology
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- NF-kappa B/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Julián Albarrán-Juárez
- Atherosclerosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anton Markov
- Atherosclerosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Diana Sharysh
- Atherosclerosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Vanessa Cumbicus
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Morales-Cano
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, Madrid, Spain
- Atherosclerosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | | | - Paula Nogales
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Benguria
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Dopazo
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Carlos Torroja
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jacob F Bentzon
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, Madrid, Spain.
- Atherosclerosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
- Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
- Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
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Liu H, Zhao Y, Zhao G, Deng Y, Chen YE, Zhang J. SWI/SNF Complex in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Its Implications in Cardiovascular Pathologies. Cells 2024; 13:168. [PMID: 38247859 PMCID: PMC10814623 DOI: 10.3390/cells13020168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Mature vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) exhibit a remarkable degree of plasticity, a characteristic that has intrigued cardiovascular researchers for decades. Recently, it has become increasingly evident that the chromatin remodeler SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable (SWI/SNF) complex plays a pivotal role in orchestrating chromatin conformation, which is critical for gene regulation. In this review, we provide a summary of research related to the involvement of the SWI/SNF complexes in VSMC and cardiovascular diseases (CVD), integrating these discoveries into the current landscape of epigenetic and transcriptional regulation in VSMC. These novel discoveries shed light on our understanding of VSMC biology and pave the way for developing innovative therapeutic strategies in CVD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Liu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan Medical Center, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (H.L.); (Y.Z.)
- Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Yang Zhao
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan Medical Center, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (H.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Guizhen Zhao
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan Medical Center, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (H.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yongjie Deng
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan Medical Center, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (H.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Y. Eugene Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan Medical Center, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (H.L.); (Y.Z.)
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jifeng Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan Medical Center, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (H.L.); (Y.Z.)
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Lv N, Zhang Y, Wang L, Suo Y, Zeng W, Yu Q, Yu B, Jiang X. LncRNA/CircRNA-miRNA-mRNA Axis in Atherosclerotic Inflammation: Research Progress. Curr Pharm Biotechnol 2024; 25:1021-1040. [PMID: 37842894 DOI: 10.2174/0113892010267577231005102901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is characterized by chronic inflammation of the arterial wall. However, the exact mechanism underlying atherosclerosis-related inflammation has not been fully elucidated. To gain insight into the mechanisms underlying the inflammatory process that leads to atherosclerosis, there is need to identify novel molecular markers. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-protein-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) have gained prominence in recent years. LncRNAs/circRNAs act as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) that bind to miRNAs via microRNA response elements (MREs), thereby inhibiting the silencing of miRNA target mRNAs. Inflammatory mediators and inflammatory signaling pathways are closely regulated by ceRNA regulatory networks in atherosclerosis. In this review, we discuss the role of LncRNA/CircRNA-miRNA-mRNA axis in atherosclerotic inflammation and how it can be targeted for early clinical detection and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuan Lv
- School of Integrative Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Yilin Zhang
- School of Integrative Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Luming Wang
- School of Integrative Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Yanrong Suo
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Department, Ganzhou People's Hospital, Ganzhou, China
| | - Wenyun Zeng
- Oncology Department, Ganzhou People's Hospital, Ganzhou, China
| | - Qun Yu
- School of Integrative Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Bin Yu
- School of Medical Technology, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Xijuan Jiang
- School of Integrative Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
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39
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Lee J, Hong SW, Kim MJ, Moon SJ, Kwon H, Park SE, Rhee EJ, Lee WY. Glucagon-Like Peptide Receptor Agonist Inhibits Angiotensin II-Induced Proliferation and Migration in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Ameliorates Phosphate-Induced Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Calcification. Diabetes Metab J 2024; 48:83-96. [PMID: 38173373 PMCID: PMC10850275 DOI: 10.4093/dmj.2022.0363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGRUOUND Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA), which is a therapeutic agent for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system. METHODS To examine the protective effects of GLP-1RAs on proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), A-10 cells exposed to angiotensin II (Ang II) were treated with either exendin-4, liraglutide, or dulaglutide. To examine the effects of GLP-1RAs on vascular calcification, cells exposed to high concentration of inorganic phosphate (Pi) were treated with exendin-4, liraglutide, or dulaglutide. RESULTS Ang II increased proliferation and migration of VSMCs, gene expression levels of Ang II receptors AT1 and AT2, proliferation marker of proliferation Ki-67 (Mki-67), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (Pcna), and cyclin D1 (Ccnd1), and the protein expression levels of phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-Erk), phospho-c-JUN N-terminal kinase (p-JNK), and phospho-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (p-Pi3k). Exendin-4, liraglutide, and dulaglutide significantly decreased the proliferation and migration of VSMCs, the gene expression levels of Pcna, and the protein expression levels of p-Erk and p-JNK in the Ang II-treated VSMCs. Erk inhibitor PD98059 and JNK inhibitor SP600125 decreased the protein expression levels of Pcna and Ccnd1 and proliferation of VSMCs. Inhibition of GLP-1R by siRNA reversed the reduction of the protein expression levels of p-Erk and p-JNK by exendin-4, liraglutide, and dulaglutide in the Ang II-treated VSMCs. Moreover, GLP-1 (9-36) amide also decreased the proliferation and migration of the Ang II-treated VSMCs. In addition, these GLP-1RAs decreased calcium deposition by inhibiting activating transcription factor 4 (Atf4) in Pi-treated VSMCs. CONCLUSION These data show that GLP-1RAs ameliorate aberrant proliferation and migration in VSMCs through both GLP-1Rdependent and independent pathways and inhibit Pi-induced vascular calcification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinmi Lee
- Institute of Medical Research, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seok-Woo Hong
- Institute of Medical Research, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Min-Jeong Kim
- Institute of Medical Research, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sun Joon Moon
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyemi Kwon
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Se Eun Park
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eun-Jung Rhee
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Won-Young Lee
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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40
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Krestensen KK, Heeren RMA, Balluff B. State-of-the-art mass spectrometry imaging applications in biomedical research. Analyst 2023; 148:6161-6187. [PMID: 37947390 DOI: 10.1039/d3an01495a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Mass spectrometry imaging has advanced from a niche technique to a widely applied spatial biology tool operating at the forefront of numerous fields, most notably making a significant impact in biomedical pharmacological research. The growth of the field has gone hand in hand with an increase in publications and usage of the technique by new laboratories, and consequently this has led to a shift from general MSI reviews to topic-specific reviews. Given this development, we see the need to recapitulate the strengths of MSI by providing a more holistic overview of state-of-the-art MSI studies to provide the new generation of researchers with an up-to-date reference framework. Here we review scientific advances for the six largest biomedical fields of MSI application (oncology, pharmacology, neurology, cardiovascular diseases, endocrinology, and rheumatology). These publications thereby give examples for at least one of the following categories: they provide novel mechanistic insights, use an exceptionally large cohort size, establish a workflow that has the potential to become a high-impact methodology, or are highly cited in their field. We finally have a look into new emerging fields and trends in MSI (immunology, microbiology, infectious diseases, and aging), as applied MSI is continuously broadening as a result of technological breakthroughs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasper K Krestensen
- The Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging (M4I) Institute, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Ron M A Heeren
- The Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging (M4I) Institute, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Benjamin Balluff
- The Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging (M4I) Institute, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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41
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Luo L, Fu C, Bell CF, Wang Y, Leeper NJ. Role of vascular smooth muscle cell clonality in atherosclerosis. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1273596. [PMID: 38089777 PMCID: PMC10713728 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1273596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide. While many cell types contribute to the growing atherosclerotic plaque, the vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) is a major contributor due in part to its remarkable plasticity and ability to undergo phenotype switching in response to injury. SMCs can migrate into the fibrous cap, presumably stabilizing the plaque, or accumulate within the lesional core, possibly accelerating vascular inflammation. How SMCs expand and react to disease stimuli has been a controversial topic for many decades. While early studies relying on X-chromosome inactivation were inconclusive due to low resolution and sensitivity, recent advances in multi-color lineage tracing models have revitalized the concept that SMCs likely expand in an oligoclonal fashion during atherogenesis. Current efforts are focused on determining whether all SMCs have equal capacity for clonal expansion or if a "stem-like" progenitor cell may exist, and to understand how constituents of the clone decide which phenotype they will ultimately adopt as the disease progresses. Mechanistic studies are also beginning to dissect the processes which confer cells with their overall survival advantage, test whether these properties are attributable to intrinsic features of the expanding clone, and define the role of cross-talk between proliferating SMCs and other plaque constituents such as neighboring macrophages. In this review, we aim to summarize the historical perspectives on SMC clonality, highlight unanswered questions, and identify translational issues which may need to be considered as therapeutics directed against SMC clonality are developed as a novel approach to targeting atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingfeng Luo
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Changhao Fu
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Caitlin F. Bell
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA, United States
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Nicholas J. Leeper
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA, United States
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
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Neggazi S, Hamlat N, Berdja S, Boumaza S, Smail L, Beylot M, Aouichat-Bouguerra S. Hypothyroidism increases angiotensinogen gene expression associated with vascular smooth muscle cells cholesterol metabolism dysfunction and aorta remodeling in Psammomys obesus. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19681. [PMID: 37951959 PMCID: PMC10640574 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46899-y] [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: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been previously shown that clinical cardiovascular manifestations can be caused by mild changes in thyroid function. However, the implication of angiotensinogen (Agt) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) dysfunction in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular manifestations in hypothyroidism have not yet been investigated. We induced experimental hypothyroidism in Psammomys obesus by administering carbimazole for five months. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed and histopathological analysis was performed using Masson's trichrome staining of the aorta and thyroid gland. The expression of the Agt gene and the genes implicated in cholesterol metabolism regulation in the liver and VSMCs was determined by qRT-PCR. Histological observations revealed profound remodeling of the aorta structure in animals with hypothyroidism. In addition, Agt gene expression in the liver was significantly increased. In vitro study, showed that VSMCs from hypothyroid animals overexpressed 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (Hmgcr) and Acyl CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (Acat) 1, with failure to increase the efflux pathway genes (ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member (Abcg) 1 and 4). These results suggest that hypothyroidism leads to vascular alterations, including structural remodeling, VSMCs cholesterol metabolism dysfunction, and their switch to a synthetic phenotype, together with hepatic Agt gene overexpression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samia Neggazi
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Laboratory of Biology and Physiology of Organisms, Cellular and Molecular Physiopathology team, University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene, BP 32 El Alia, 16111, Bab Ezzouar, Algiers, Algeria.
| | - Nadjiba Hamlat
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Laboratory of Biology and Physiology of Organisms, Cellular and Molecular Physiopathology team, University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene, BP 32 El Alia, 16111, Bab Ezzouar, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Sihem Berdja
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Laboratory of Biology and Physiology of Organisms, Cellular and Molecular Physiopathology team, University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene, BP 32 El Alia, 16111, Bab Ezzouar, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Saliha Boumaza
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Laboratory of Biology and Physiology of Organisms, Cellular and Molecular Physiopathology team, University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene, BP 32 El Alia, 16111, Bab Ezzouar, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Leila Smail
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Laboratory of Biology and Physiology of Organisms, Cellular and Molecular Physiopathology team, University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene, BP 32 El Alia, 16111, Bab Ezzouar, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Michel Beylot
- Platform ANIPHY, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Rockefeller, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Souhila Aouichat-Bouguerra
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Laboratory of Biology and Physiology of Organisms, Cellular and Molecular Physiopathology team, University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene, BP 32 El Alia, 16111, Bab Ezzouar, Algiers, Algeria
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43
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Wang X, Ma X, Zeng Y, Xu L, Zhang M. Hypermethylation of the CTRP9 promoter region promotes Hcy induced VSMC lipid deposition and foam cell formation via negatively regulating ER stress. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19438. [PMID: 37945738 PMCID: PMC10636064 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46981-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
To provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis (As), the current study aimed to investigate the mechanism underlying the effect of homocysteine (Hcy) on inducing the lipid deposition and foam cell formation of the vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) via C1q/Tumor necrosis factor-related protein9 (CTRP9) promoter region Hypermethylation negative regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERs). Therefore, apolipoprotein E deficient (ApoE-/-) mice were randomly divided into the control [ApoE-/- + normal diet (NC)] and high methionine [ApoE-/- + (normal diet supplemented with 1.7% methionine (HMD)] groups (n = 6 mice/group). Following feeding for 15 weeks, the serum levels of Homocysteine (Hcy), total cholesterol (TC), and triglyceride (TG) were measured using an automatic biochemical analyzer. HE and oil red O staining were performed on the aorta roots to observe the pathological changes. Additionally, immunofluorescence staining was performed to detect the protein expression levels of CTRP9, glucose-regulated protein 78 kD (GRP78), phosphorylated protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (p-PERK), activating transcription factor 6a (ATF6a), phosphorylated inositol-requiring enzyme-1α (p-IRE1α), sterol regulatory element binding proteins-1c (SREBP1c) and sterol regulatory element binding proteins-2 (SREBP2) in VSMC derived from murine aortic roots. In vitro, VSMC was stimulated with 100 μmol/l Hcy. After transfection of plasmids with overexpression and interference of CTRP9, ERs agonist (TM) and inhibitor (4-PBA) were given to stimulate VSMC cells. HE staining and oil red O staining were used to observe the effect of Hcy stimulation on lipid deposition in VSMC. Additionally, The mRNA and protein expression levels of CTRP9, GRP78, PERK, ATF6a, IRE1α, SREBP1c, and SREBP2 in VSMC were detected by RT-qPCR and western blot analysis, respectively. Finally, The methylation modification of the CTRP9 promoter region has been studied. The NCBI database was used to search the promoter region of the CTRP9 gene, and CpG Island was used to predict the methylation site. After Hcy stimulation of VSMC, overexpression of DNMT1, and intervention with 5-Azc, assess the methylation level of the CTRP9 promoter through bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP). The results showed that the serum levels of Hcy, TC, and TG in the ApoE-/- + HMD group were significantly increased compared with the ApoE-/- + NC group. In addition, HE staining and oil red O staining showed obvious AS plaque formation in the vessel wall, and a large amount of fat deposition in VSMC, thus indicating that the hyperhomocysteinemia As an animal model was successfully established. Furthermore, CTRP9 were downregulated, while GRP78, p-PERK, ATF6a, p-IRE1α, SREBP1c, SREBP2 was upregulated in aortic VSMC in the ApoE-/- + HMD group. Consistent with the in vivo results, Hcy can inhibit the expression of CTRP9 in VSMC and induce ERs and lipid deposition in VSMC. Meanwhile, the increased expression of CTRP9 can reduce ERs and protect the lipid deposition in Hcy induced VSMC. Furthermore, ERs can promote Hcy induced VSMC lipid deposition, inhibition of ERs can reduce Hcy induced VSMC lipid deposition, and CTRP9 may play a protective role in Hcy induced VSMC lipid deposition and foam cell transformation through negative regulation of ERs. In addition, The CTRP9 promoter in the Hcy group showed hypermethylation. At the same time as Hcy intervention, overexpression of DNMT1 increases the methylation level of the CTRP9 promoter, while 5-Azc can reduce the methylation level of the CTRP9 promoter. Finally, Hcy can up-regulate the expression of DNMT1 and down-regulate the expression of CTRP9. After overexpression of DNMT1, the expression of CTRP9 is further decreased. After 5-Azc inhibition of DNMT1, the expression of DNMT1 decreases, while the expression of CTRP9 increases. It is suggested that the molecular mechanism of Hcy inhibiting the expression of CTRP9 is related to the hypermethylation of the CTRP9 promoter induced by Hcy and regulated by DNMT1. 5-Azc can inhibit the expression of DNMT1 and reverse the regulatory effect of DNMT1 on CTRP9. Overall, the results of the present study suggested that Hcy induces DNA hypermethylation in the CTRP9 promoter region by up-regulating DNMT1 expression, and negatively regulates ERs mediated VSMC lipid deposition and foam cell formation. CTRP9 may potentially be a therapeutic target in the treatment of hyperhomocysteinemia and As.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuyu Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, 1160 Shengli Street, Yinchuan, 750004, Ningxia, People's Republic of China
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Vascular Injury and Repair Research, Key Laboratory of Metabolic Cardiovascular Diseases Research of National Health Commission, Yinchuan, 750004, Ningxia, People's Republic of China
| | - Xing Ma
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Vascular Injury and Repair Research, Key Laboratory of Metabolic Cardiovascular Diseases Research of National Health Commission, Yinchuan, 750004, Ningxia, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Zeng
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Vascular Injury and Repair Research, Key Laboratory of Metabolic Cardiovascular Diseases Research of National Health Commission, Yinchuan, 750004, Ningxia, People's Republic of China
| | - Lingbo Xu
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Vascular Injury and Repair Research, Key Laboratory of Metabolic Cardiovascular Diseases Research of National Health Commission, Yinchuan, 750004, Ningxia, People's Republic of China
| | - Minghao Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, 1160 Shengli Street, Yinchuan, 750004, Ningxia, People's Republic of China.
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Vascular Injury and Repair Research, Key Laboratory of Metabolic Cardiovascular Diseases Research of National Health Commission, Yinchuan, 750004, Ningxia, People's Republic of China.
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44
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Yan A, Gotlieb AI. The microenvironment of the atheroma expresses phenotypes of plaque instability. Cardiovasc Pathol 2023; 67:107572. [PMID: 37595697 DOI: 10.1016/j.carpath.2023.107572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Data from histopathology studies of human atherosclerotic tissue specimens and from vascular imaging studies support the concept that the local arterial microenvironment of a stable atheroma promotes destabilizing conditions that result in the transition to an unstable atheroma. Destabilization is characterized by several different plaque phenotypes that cause major clinical events such as acute coronary syndrome and cerebrovascular strokes. There are several rupture-associated phenotypes causing thrombotic vascular occlusion including simple fibrous cap rupture of an atheroma, fibrous cap rupture at site of previous rupture-and-repair of an atheroma, and nodular calcification with rupture. Endothelial erosion without rupture has more recently been shown to be a common phenotype to promote thrombosis as well. Microenvironment features that are linked to these phenotypes of plaque instability are neovascularization arising from the vasa vasorum network leading to necrotic core expansion, intraplaque hemorrhage, and cap rupture; activation of adventitial and perivascular adipose tissue cells leading to secretion of cytokines, growth factors, adipokines in the outer artery wall that destabilize plaque structure; and vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic switching through transdifferentiation and stem/progenitor cell activation resulting in the promotion of inflammation, calcification, and secretion of extracellular matrix, altering fibrous cap structure, and necrotic core growth. As the technology evolves, studies using noninvasive vascular imaging will be able to investigate the transition of stable to unstable atheromas in real time. A limitation in the field, however, is that reliable and predictable experimental models of spontaneous plaque rupture and/or erosion are not currently available to study the cell and molecular mechanisms that regulate the conversion of the stable atheroma to an unstable plaque.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Yan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Avrum I Gotlieb
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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45
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He X, Bai Q, Zhang X, Zhang L. MgCl 2 Attenuates ox-LDL-Induced Vascular Smooth Muscle-Derived Foam Cells Pyroptosis by Downregulating the TLR4/NF-κB Signaling Pathway. Biol Trace Elem Res 2023; 201:5242-5256. [PMID: 36719541 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-023-03585-4] [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: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Pyroptosis is a type of programmed cell death that is generally upregulated during atherosclerosis (AS). Magnesium, an important cation in the body, has exhibited an antiatherosclerotic effect. We collected AS model datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and explored the correlation between pyroptosis and AS through a series of bioinformatics methods. We next investigated the impact of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) on primary cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) foaminess and pyroptosis. Finally, foam cells were preconditioned with different concentrations of MgCl2 to explore its influence on ox-LDL-induced VSMCs pyroptosis. NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis plays a core role in regulating AS progression as shown by bioinformatic analysis. Ox-LDL (50/75/100 mg/L) increased CE/TE ratio (> 50%) in VSMCs and prompted VSMC-derived foam cell formation, and (75/100 mg/L) ox-LDL-induced pyroptosis. Compared to 1 mmol/L MgCl2, 10 mmol/L MgCl2 significantly downregulated the expression of pyroptosis related molecules in VSMCs induced by 75 mg/L ox-LDL, including NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, and GSDMD. The secretion of IL-1β, IL-18, and LDH was also inhibited by MgCl2. According to CCK-8 and Hoechst 33,342/PI staining, the damage to VSMCs viability induced by ox-LDL was ameliorated by MgCl2. In addition, MgCl2 attenuated the upregulation of TLR4, IKKβ, and p65 and the downregulation of IκBα in VSMCs induced by ox-LDL. The present study demonstrated that pyroptosis-related genes were the core genes in AS. We also revealed the effect and underlying mechanism of MgCl2 on ox-LDL-induced VSMCs pyroptosis, suggesting that MgCl2 has promising clinical applications for AS pyroptosis prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao He
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 23 You Zheng Street, Harbin, 150001, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Qingquan Bai
- Department of Hepatology & Gastroenterology, Charité University Medical Center, Augustenburger Pl. 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Xiaosi Zhang
- Metro-Medic Clinic, 1538 Sherbrooke Ouest, Suite 100, Montreal, QC, H3G 1L5, Canada.
| | - Liming Zhang
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 23 You Zheng Street, Harbin, 150001, Heilongjiang Province, China.
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46
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Cauwenberghs N, Verheyen A, Sabovčik F, Ntalianis E, Vanassche T, Brguljan J, Kuznetsova T. Serum proteomic profiling of carotid arteriopathy: A population outcome study. Atherosclerosis 2023; 385:117331. [PMID: 37879154 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2023.117331] [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: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Circulating proteins reflecting subclinical vascular disease may improve prediction of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). We applied feature selection and unsupervised clustering on proteomic data to identify proteins associated with carotid arteriopathy and construct a protein-based classifier for ASCVD event prediction. METHODS 491 community-dwelling participants (mean age, 58 ± 11 years; 51 % women) underwent carotid ultrasonography and proteomic profiling (CVD II panel, Olink Proteomics). ASCVD outcome was collected (median follow-up time: 10.2 years). We applied partial least squares (PLS) to identify proteins linked to carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT). Next, we assessed the association between future ASCVD events and protein-based phenogroups derived by unsupervised clustering (Gaussian Mixture modelling) based on proteins selected in PLS. RESULTS PLS identified 19 proteins as important, which were all associated with cIMT in multivariable-adjusted linear regression. 8 of the 19 proteins were excluded from the clustering analysis because of high collinearity. Based on the 11 remaining proteins, the clustering algorithm subdivided the cohort into two phenogroups. Compared to the first phenogroup (n = 177), participants in the second phenogroup (n = 314) presented: i) a more unfavorable lipid profile with higher total cholesterol and triglycerides and lower HDL cholesterol (p ≤ 0.014); ii) higher cIMT (p = 0.0020); and iii) a significantly higher risk for future ASCVD events (multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio (95 % CI) versus phenogroup 1: 2.05 (1.26-3.52); p = 0.0093). The protein-based phenogrouping supplemented ACC/AHA 10-year ASCVD risk scoring for prediction of a first ASCVD event. CONCLUSIONS Focused protein-based phenogrouping identified individuals at high risk for future ASCVD and may complement current risk stratification strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Cauwenberghs
- Research Unit Hypertension and Cardiovascular Epidemiology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Astrid Verheyen
- Research Unit Hypertension and Cardiovascular Epidemiology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Belgium
| | - František Sabovčik
- Research Unit Hypertension and Cardiovascular Epidemiology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Belgium
| | - Evangelos Ntalianis
- Research Unit Hypertension and Cardiovascular Epidemiology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thomas Vanassche
- Division of Cardiology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jana Brguljan
- Hypertension Department, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Medical University Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tatiana Kuznetsova
- Research Unit Hypertension and Cardiovascular Epidemiology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Belgium
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47
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Belhoul-Fakir H, Brown ML, Thompson PL, Hamzah J, Jansen S. Connecting the Dots: How Injury in the Arterial Wall Contributes to Atherosclerotic Disease. Clin Ther 2023; 45:1092-1098. [PMID: 37891144 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2023.10.004] [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: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The occurrence and development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which can result in severe outcomes, such as myocardial infarction, stroke, loss of limb, renal failure, and infarction of the gut, are strongly associated with injury to the intimal component of the arterial wall whether via the inside-out or outside-in pathways. The role of injury to the tunica media as a pathway of atherosclerosis initiation is an underresearched area. This review focuses on potential pathways to vessel wall injury as well as current experimental and clinical research in the middle-aged and elderly populations, including the role of exercise, as it relates to injury to the tunica media. METHODS A database search using PubMed and Google Scholar was conducted for research articles published between 1909 and 2023 that focused on pathways of atherogenesis and the impact of mechanical forces on wall injury. The following key words were searched: wall injury, tunica media, atherogenesis, vascular aging, and wall strain. Studies were analyzed, and the relevant information was extracted from each study. FINDINGS A link between high mechanical stress in the arterial wall and reduced vascular compliance was found. The stiffening and calcification of the arterial wall with aging induce high blood pressure and pulse pressure, thereby causing incident hypertension and cardiovascular disease. In turn, prolonged high mechanical stress, particularly wall strain, applied to the arterial wall during vigorous exercise, results in stiffening and calcification of tunica media, accelerated arterial aging, and cardiovascular disease events. In both scenarios, the tunica media is the primary target of mechanical stress and the first to respond to hemodynamic changes. The cyclical nature of these impacts confounds the results of each because they are not mutually exclusive. IMPLICATIONS The role of stress in the tunica media appears to be overlooked despite its relevance, and further research into new primary preventive therapies is needed aside from cautioning the role of vigorous exercise in the elderly population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanane Belhoul-Fakir
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Bentley, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Targeted Drug Delivery, Imaging & Therapy, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia; Heart & Vascular Research Institute, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia.
| | - Michael Lawrence Brown
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bently, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Peter L Thompson
- Heart & Vascular Research Institute, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Juliana Hamzah
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Bentley, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Targeted Drug Delivery, Imaging & Therapy, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia; Heart & Vascular Research Institute, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Shirley Jansen
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Bentley, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Targeted Drug Delivery, Imaging & Therapy, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia; Heart & Vascular Research Institute, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia; Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
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48
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Hutton M, Frazer M, Lin A, Patel S, Misra A. New Targets in Atherosclerosis: Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Plasticity and Macrophage Polarity. Clin Ther 2023; 45:1047-1054. [PMID: 37709601 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2023.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Despite an increase in treatment options, and substantial reductions in cardiovascular mortality over the past half-century, atherosclerosis remains the most prevalent cause of premature mortality worldwide. The development of innovative new therapies is crucial to further minimize atherosclerosis-related deaths. The diverse array of cell phenotypes derived from vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and macrophages within atherosclerotic plaques are increasingly becoming recognized for their beneficial and detrimental roles in plaque stability and disease burden. This review explores how contemporary transcriptomics and fate-mapping studies have revealed vascular cell plasticity as a relatively unexplored target for therapeutic intervention. METHODS Recent literature for this narrative review was obtained by searching electronic databases (ie, Google Scholar, PubMed). Additional studies were sourced from reference lists and the authors' personal databases. FINDINGS The lipid-rich and inflammatory plaque milieu induces SMC phenotypic switching to both beneficial and detrimental phenotypes. Likewise, macrophage heterogeneity increases with disease burden to a variety of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory activation states. These vascular cell phenotypes are determinants of plaque structure stability, and it is therefore highly likely that they influence clinical outcomes. Development of clinical treatments targeting deleterious phenotypes or promoting pro-healing phenotypes remains in its infancy. However, existing treatments (statins) have shown beneficial effects toward macrophage polarization, providing a rationale for more targeted approaches. In contrast, beneficial SMC phenotypic modulation with these pharmacologic agents has yet to be achieved. The range of modulated vascular cell phenotypes provides a multitude of novel targets and the potential to reduce future adverse events. IMPLICATIONS Vascular cell phenotypic heterogeneity must continue to be explored to lower cardiovascular events in the future. The rapidly increasing weight of evidence surrounding the role of SMC plasticity and macrophage polarity in plaque vulnerability provides a strong foundation upon which development of new therapeutics must follow. This approach may prove to be crucial in reducing cardiovascular events and improving patient benefit in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hutton
- Atherosclerosis and Vascular Remodeling Group, Heart Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Madeleine Frazer
- Atherosclerosis and Vascular Remodeling Group, Heart Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alexander Lin
- Atherosclerosis and Vascular Remodeling Group, Heart Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sanjay Patel
- Heart Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ashish Misra
- Atherosclerosis and Vascular Remodeling Group, Heart Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Heart Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
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49
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Nagesh PT, Nishi H, Rawal S, Zahr T, Miano JM, Sorci-Thomas M, Xu H, Akbar N, Choudhury RP, Misra A, Fisher EA. HDL regulates TGFß-receptor lipid raft partitioning, restoring contractile features of cholesterol-loaded vascular smooth muscle cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.19.562786. [PMID: 37905061 PMCID: PMC10614922 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.19.562786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Background Cholesterol-loading of mouse aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (mVSMCs) downregulates miR-143/145, a master regulator of the contractile state downstream of TGFβ signaling. In vitro, this results in transitioning from a contractile mVSMC to a macrophage-like state. This process likely occurs in vivo based on studies in mouse and human atherosclerotic plaques. Objectives To test whether cholesterol-loading reduces VSMC TGFβ signaling and if cholesterol efflux will restore signaling and the contractile state in vitro and in vivo. Methods Human coronary artery (h)VSMCs were cholesterol-loaded, then treated with HDL (to promote cholesterol efflux). For in vivo studies, partial conditional deletion of Tgfβr2 in lineage-traced VSMC mice was induced. Mice wild-type for VSMC Tgfβr2 or partially deficient (Tgfβr2+/-) were made hypercholesterolemic to establish atherosclerosis. Mice were then treated with apoA1 (which forms HDL). Results Cholesterol-loading of hVSMCs downregulated TGFβ signaling and contractile gene expression; macrophage markers were induced. TGFβ signaling positively regulated miR-143/145 expression, increasing Acta2 expression and suppressing KLF4. Cholesterol-loading localized TGFβ receptors into lipid rafts, with consequent TGFβ signaling downregulation. Notably, in cholesterol-loaded hVSMCs HDL particles displaced receptors from lipid rafts and increased TGFβ signaling, resulting in enhanced miR-145 expression and decreased KLF4-dependent macrophage features. ApoA1 infusion into Tgfβr2+/- mice restored Acta2 expression and decreased macrophage-marker expression in plaque VSMCs, with evidence of increased TGFβ signaling. Conclusions Cholesterol suppresses TGFβ signaling and the contractile state in hVSMC through partitioning of TGFβ receptors into lipid rafts. These changes can be reversed by promotion of cholesterol efflux, consistent with evidence in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashanth Thevkar Nagesh
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, and Cardiovascular Research Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Hitoo Nishi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, and Cardiovascular Research Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Shruti Rawal
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, and Cardiovascular Research Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Tarik Zahr
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, and Cardiovascular Research Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Joseph M Miano
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia 30912
| | - Mary Sorci-Thomas
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Hao Xu
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Naveed Akbar
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Oxford University Hospitals, NHS Trust, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Robin P Choudhury
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Oxford University Hospitals, NHS Trust, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ashish Misra
- Heart Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Edward A Fisher
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, and Cardiovascular Research Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
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50
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Li W, Lin A, Hutton M, Dhaliwal H, Nadel J, Rodor J, Tumanov S, Örd T, Hadden M, Mokry M, Mol BM, Pasterkamp G, Padula MP, Geczy CL, Ramaswamy Y, Sluimer JC, Kaikkonen MU, Stocker R, Baker AH, Fisher EA, Patel S, Misra A. Colchicine promotes atherosclerotic plaque stability independently of inflammation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.03.560632. [PMID: 37873248 PMCID: PMC10592948 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.03.560632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease which is driven in part by the aberrant trans -differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). No therapeutic drug has been shown to reverse detrimental SMC-derived cell phenotypes into protective phenotypes, a hypothesized enabler of plaque regression and improved patient outcome. Herein, we describe a novel function of colchicine in the beneficial modulation of SMC-derived cell phenotype, independent of its conventional anti-inflammatory effects. Using SMC fate mapping in an advanced atherosclerotic lesion model, colchicine induced plaque regression by converting pathogenic SMC-derived macrophage-like and osteoblast-like cells into protective myofibroblast-like cells which thickened, and thereby stabilized, the fibrous cap. This was dependent on Notch3 signaling in SMC-derived plaque cells. These findings may help explain the success of colchicine in clinical trials relative to other anti-inflammatory drugs. Thus, we demonstrate the potential of regulating SMC phenotype in advanced plaque regression through Notch3 signaling, in addition to the canonical anti-inflammatory actions of drugs to treat atherosclerosis.
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