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Zhang L, Feng Q, Kong W. ECM Microenvironment in Vascular Homeostasis: New Targets for Atherosclerosis. Physiology (Bethesda) 2024; 39:0. [PMID: 38984789 DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00028.2023] [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: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Alterations in vascular extracellular matrix (ECM) components, interactions, and mechanical properties influence both the formation and stability of atherosclerotic plaques. This review discusses the contribution of the ECM microenvironment in vascular homeostasis and remodeling in atherosclerosis, highlighting Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) and its degrading enzyme ADAMTS7 as examples, and proposes potential avenues for future research aimed at identifying novel therapeutic targets for atherosclerosis based on the ECM microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zhang
- Medical Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Qianqian Feng
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Remodeling, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Kong
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Remodeling, Peking University, Beijing, China
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Baragetti A, Grigore L, Olmastroni E, Mattavelli E, Catapano AL. Plasma proteins associate with carotid plaques and predict incident atherosclerotic cardiovascular events. Vascul Pharmacol 2024; 156:107394. [PMID: 38866119 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2024.107394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Performing non-invasive carotid imaging is challenging, owing inter-operator variability and organizational barriers, but plasma proteomics can offer an alternative. We sought plasma proteins that associate with the presence of carotid plaques, their number and predict the incidence of clinically overt atherosclerotic cardiovascular events (ASCVD) above currently recognized risk factors in "apparently healthy" subjects. METHODS We studied the plasma levels of 368 proteins in 664 subjects from the PLIC study, who underwent an ultrasound imaging screening of the carotids to check for the presence of plaques. We clustered, by artificial intelligence (A.I.), the proteins that associate with the presence, the number of plaques and that predict incident ASCVDs over 22 years (198 events were registered). FINDINGS 299/664 subjects had at least 1 carotid plaque (1+) (77 with only one plaque, 101 with 2 plaques, 121 with ≥3 plaques (3+)). The remaining 365 subjects with no plaques acted as controls. 106 proteins were associated with 1+ plaques, but 97 proteins significantly predicted 3+ plaques only (AUC = 0.683 (0.601-0.785), p < 0.001), when considered alone. A.I. underscored 87 proteins that improved the performance of the classical risk factors both in detecting 3+ plaques (AUC = 0.918 (0.887-0.943) versus risk factors alone, AUC = 0.760 (0.716-0.801), p < 0.001) and in predicting the incident ASCVD (AUC = 0.739 (0.704-0.773) vs risk factors alone AUC = 0.559 (0.521-0.598), p < 0.001). The chemotaxis/migration of leukocytes and interleukins/cytokines signaling were biological pathways mostly represented by these proteins. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Plasma proteomics marks the number of carotid plaques and improve the prediction of incidence ASCVDs in apparently healthy subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Baragetti
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences "Rodolfo Paoletti", University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Elena Olmastroni
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences "Rodolfo Paoletti", University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Mattavelli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences "Rodolfo Paoletti", University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Bassini Hospital, Cinisello Balsamo, Milan, Italy
| | - Alberico Luigi Catapano
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences "Rodolfo Paoletti", University of Milan, Milan, Italy; IRCCS Multimedica Hospital, Milan, Italy
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Cai X, Li M, Zhong Y, Yang W, Liang Z. COMP Improves Ang-II-Induced Atrial Fibrillation via TGF-β Signaling Pathway. Cardiovasc Toxicol 2023; 23:305-316. [PMID: 37584842 DOI: 10.1007/s12012-023-09799-1] [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: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) regulates transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway, which has been proved to be associated with skin fibrosis and pulmonary fibrosis. Atrial fibrosis is a major factor of atrial fibrillation (AF). Nevertheless, the interaction between COMP and TGF-β as well as their role in AF remains undefined. The purpose of this study is to clarify the role of COMP in AF and explore its potential mechanism. The hub gene of AF was identified from two datasets using bioinformatics. Furthermore, it was verified by the downregulation of COMP in angiotensin-II (Ang-II)-induced AF in mice. Moreover, the effect on AF was examined using CCK8 assay, ELISA, and western blot. The involvement of TGF-β pathway was further discussed. The expression of COMP was the most significant among all these hub genes. Our experimental results revealed that the protein levels of TGF-β1, phosphorylated Smad2 (P-Smad2), and phosphorylated Smad3 (P-Smad3) were decreased after silencing COMP, which indicated that COMP knockdown could inhibit the activation of TGF-β pathway in AF cells. However, the phenomenon was reversed when the activator SRI was added. COMP acts as a major factor and can improve Ang-II-induced AF via TGF-β signaling pathway. Thus, our research enriches the understanding of the interaction between COMP and TGF-β in AF, and provides reference for the pathogenesis and diagnosis of AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- XiaoBi Cai
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, No. 57, Renmin Avenue South, Xiashan District, Zhangjian City, 524001, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Mingliang Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, No. 57, Renmin Avenue South, Xiashan District, Zhangjian City, 524001, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ying Zhong
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, No. 57, Renmin Avenue South, Xiashan District, Zhangjian City, 524001, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Wenkun Yang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, No. 57, Renmin Avenue South, Xiashan District, Zhangjian City, 524001, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Zhu Liang
- Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, No. 57, Renmin Avenue South, Xiashan District, Zhangjian City, 524001, Guangdong Province, China.
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Khan H, Shaikh F, Syed MH, Mamdani M, Saposnik G, Qadura M. Current Biomarkers for Carotid Artery Stenosis: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature. Metabolites 2023; 13:919. [PMID: 37623863 PMCID: PMC10456624 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13080919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Carotid artery stenosis (CAS), an atherosclerotic disease of the carotid artery, is one of the leading causes of transient ischemic attacks (TIA) and cerebrovascular attacks (CVA). The atherogenic process of CAS affects a wide range of physiological processes, such as inflammation, endothelial cell function, smooth muscle cell migration and many more. The current gold-standard test for CAS is Doppler ultrasound; however, there is yet to be determined a strong, clinically validated biomarker in the blood that can diagnose patients with CAS and/or predict adverse outcomes in such patients. In this comprehensive literature review, we evaluated all of the current research on plasma and serum proteins that are current contenders for biomarkers for CAS. In this literature review, 36 proteins found as potential biomarkers for CAS were categorized in to the following nine categories based on protein function: (1) Inflammation and Immunity, (2) Lipid Metabolism, (3) Haemostasis, (4) Cardiovascular Markers, (5) Markers of Kidney Function, (6) Bone Health, (7) Cellular Structure, (8) Growth Factors, and (9) Hormones. This literature review is the most up-to-date and current comprehensive review of research on biomarkers of CAS, and the only review that demonstrated the several pathways that contribute to the initiation and progression of the disease. With this review, future studies can determine if any new markers, or a panel of the proteins explored in this study, may be contenders as diagnostic or prognostic markers for CAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamzah Khan
- Division of Vascular Surgery, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada; (H.K.); (F.S.); (M.H.S.)
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada; (M.M.); (G.S.)
| | - Farah Shaikh
- Division of Vascular Surgery, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada; (H.K.); (F.S.); (M.H.S.)
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada; (M.M.); (G.S.)
| | - Muzammil H. Syed
- Division of Vascular Surgery, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada; (H.K.); (F.S.); (M.H.S.)
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada; (M.M.); (G.S.)
| | - Muhammad Mamdani
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada; (M.M.); (G.S.)
- Temerty Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research and Education in Medicine (T-CAIREM), University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
| | - Gustavo Saposnik
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada; (M.M.); (G.S.)
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, St. Michael’s Hospital, University of Toronto, 55 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M5C 1R6, Canada
| | - Mohammad Qadura
- Division of Vascular Surgery, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada; (H.K.); (F.S.); (M.H.S.)
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, St. Michael’s Hospital, University of Toronto, 55 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M5C 1R6, Canada
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1P5, Canada
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Pervaiz N, Kathuria I, Aithabathula RV, Singla B. Matricellular proteins in atherosclerosis development. Matrix Biol 2023; 120:1-23. [PMID: 37086928 PMCID: PMC10225360 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2023.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is an intricate network composed of various multi-domain macromolecules like collagen, proteoglycans, and fibronectin, etc., that form a structurally stable composite, contributing to the mechanical properties of tissue. However, matricellular proteins are non-structural, secretory extracellular matrix proteins, which modulate various cellular functions via interacting with cell surface receptors, proteases, hormones, and cell-matrix. They play essential roles in maintaining tissue homeostasis by regulating cell differentiation, proliferation, adhesion, migration, and several signal transduction pathways. Matricellular proteins display a broad functionality regulated by their multiple structural domains and their ability to interact with different extracellular substrates and/or cell surface receptors. The expression of these proteins is low in adults, however, gets upregulated following injuries, inflammation, and during tumor growth. The marked elevation in the expression of these proteins during atherosclerosis suggests a positive association between their expression and atherosclerotic lesion formation. The role of matricellular proteins in atherosclerosis development has remained an area of research interest in the last two decades and studies revealed these proteins as important players in governing vascular function, remodeling, and plaque formation. Despite extensive research, many aspects of the matrix protein biology in atherosclerosis are still unknown and future studies are required to investigate whether targeting pathways stimulated by these proteins represent viable therapeutic approaches for patients with atherosclerotic vascular diseases. This review summarizes the characteristics of distinct matricellular proteins, discusses the available literature on the involvement of matrix proteins in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and suggests new avenues for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naveed Pervaiz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA
| | - Ishita Kathuria
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA
| | - Ravi Varma Aithabathula
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA
| | - Bhupesh Singla
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA.
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Lind L, Fall T, Ärnlöv J, Elmståhl S, Sundström J. Large-Scale Metabolomics and the Incidence of Cardiovascular Disease. J Am Heart Assoc 2023; 12:e026885. [PMID: 36645074 PMCID: PMC9939066 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.122.026885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Background The study aimed to show the relationship between a large number of circulating metabolites and subsequent cardiovascular disease (CVD) and subclinical markers of CVD in the general population. Methods and Results In 2278 individuals free from CVD in the EpiHealth study (aged 45-75 years, mean age 61 years, 50% women), 790 annotated nonxenobiotic metabolites were measured by mass spectroscopy (Metabolon). The same metabolites were measured in the PIVUS (Prospective Investigation of Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors) study (n=603, all aged 80 years, 50% women), in which cardiac and carotid artery pathologies were evaluated by ultrasound. During a median follow-up of 8.6 years, 107 individuals experienced a CVD (fatal or nonfatal myocardial infarction, stroke, or heart failure) in EpiHealth. Using a false discovery rate of 0.05 for age- and sex-adjusted analyses and P<0.05 for adjustment for traditional CVD risk factors, 37 metabolites were significantly related to incident CVD. These metabolites belonged to multiple biochemical classes, such as amino acids, lipids, and nucleotides. Top findings were dimethylglycine and N-acetylmethionine. A lasso selection of 5 metabolites improved discrimination when added on top of traditional CVD risk factors (+4.0%, P=0.0054). Thirty-five of the 37 metabolites were related to subclinical markers of CVD evaluated in the PIVUS study. The metabolite 1-carboxyethyltyrosine was associated with left atrial diameter as well as inversely related to both ejection fraction and the echogenicity of the carotid artery. Conclusions Several metabolites were discovered to be associated with future CVD, as well as with subclinical markers of CVD. A selection of metabolites improved discrimination when added on top of CVD risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Lind
- Department of Medical SciencesUppsala UniversityUppsalaSweden
| | - Tove Fall
- Department of Medical SciencesUppsala UniversityUppsalaSweden
| | - Johan Ärnlöv
- Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Department of Neurobiology, Care Science and SocietyKarolinska InstitutetHuddingeSweden,School of Health and Social StudiesDalarna UniversityFalunSweden
| | - Sölve Elmståhl
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences in MalmöLund UniversityMalmöSweden
| | - Johan Sundström
- Department of Medical SciencesUppsala UniversityUppsalaSweden
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Biglycan neo-epitope (BGN 262), a novel biomarker for screening early changes in equine osteoarthritic subchondral bone. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2022; 30:1328-1336. [PMID: 35870736 DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2022.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Native biglycan (BGN), which can undergo proteolytic cleavage in pathological conditions, is well known to be involved in bone formation and mineralization. This study aimed to delineate the specific cleavage fragment, a neo-epitope for BGN (BGN262), in synovial fluid (SF) from young racehorses in training, osteoarthritic (OA) joints with subchondral bone sclerosis (SCBS), and chip fracture joints. DESIGN A custom-made inhibition ELISA was developed to quantify BGN262 in SF. Cohort 1: A longitudinal study comprising 10 racehorses undergoing long-term training. Cohort 2: A cross-sectional study comprising joints from horses (N = 69) with different stages of OA and radiographically classified SCBS. Cohort 3: A cross-sectional study comprising horses (N = 9) with chip fractures. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed (healthy joints vs chip joints) to evaluate BGN262 robustness. RESULTS Cohort 1: SF BGN262 levels from racehorses showed a statistical increase during the first 6 months of the training period. Cohort 2: BGN262 levels were significantly higher in the SF from severe SCBS joints. Cohort 3: SF BGN262 levels in chip fracture joints showed a significant increase compared to normal joints. The ROC analysis showed an AUC of 0.957 (95% C.I 0.868-1.046), indicating good separation between the groups. CONCLUSIONS The data presented show that BGN262 levels increase in SF in correlation with the initiation of training, severity of SCBS, and presence of chip fractures. This suggests that BGN262 is a potential predictor and a novel biomarker for early changes in subchondral bone (SCB), aiming to prevent catastrophic injuries in racehorses.
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Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein, Diseases, and Therapeutic Opportunities. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169253. [PMID: 36012514 PMCID: PMC9408827 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) is an extracellular matrix (ECM) glycoprotein that is critical for collagen assembly and ECM stability. Mutations of COMP cause endoplasmic reticulum stress and chondrocyte apoptosis, resulting in rare skeleton diseases. The bouquet-like structure of COMP allows it to act as a bridging molecule that regulates cellular phenotype and function. COMP is able to interact with many other ECM components and binds directly to a variety of cellular receptors and growth factors. The roles of COMP in other skeleton diseases, such as osteoarthritis, have been implied. As a well-established biochemical marker, COMP indicates cartilage turnover associated with destruction. Recent exciting achievements indicate its involvement in other diseases, such as malignancy, cardiovascular diseases, and tissue fibrosis. Here, we review the basic concepts of COMP and summarize its novel functions in the regulation of signaling events. These findings renew our understanding that COMP has a notable function in cell behavior and disease progression as a signaling regulator. Interestingly, COMP shows distinct functions in different diseases. Targeting COMP in malignancy may withdraw its beneficial effects on the vascular system and induce or aggravate cardiovascular diseases. COMP supplementation is a promising treatment for OA and aortic aneurysms while it may induce tissue fibrosis or cancer metastasis.
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Mo FE. Shear-Regulated Extracellular Microenvironments and Endothelial Cell Surface Integrin Receptors Intertwine in Atherosclerosis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:640781. [PMID: 33889574 PMCID: PMC8056009 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.640781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanical forces imposed by blood flow shear stress directly modulate endothelial gene expression and functional phenotype. The production of extracellular matrix proteins and corresponding cell-surface integrin receptors in arterial endothelial cells is intricately regulated by blood flow patterns. Laminar blood flow promotes mature and atheroresistant endothelial phenotype, while disturbed flow induces dysfunctional and atheroprone endothelial responses. Here, we discuss how hemodynamic changes orchestrate the remodeling of extracellular microenvironments and the expression profile of the integrin receptors in endothelial cells leading to oxidative stress and inflammation. Targeting the interaction between matrix proteins and their corresponding integrins is a potential therapeutic approach for atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan-E Mo
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.,Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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