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Chen X, Obukhov AG, Weisman GA, Seye CI. Basal ATP release signals through the P2Y 2 receptor to maintain the differentiated phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cells. Atherosclerosis 2024; 395:117613. [PMID: 38889566 PMCID: PMC11254552 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2024.117613] [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: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) dedifferentiation contributes substantively to vascular disease. VSMCs spontaneously release low levels of ATP that modulate vessel contractility, but it is unclear if autocrine ATP signaling in VSMCs is critical to the maintenance of the VSMC contractile phenotype. METHODS We used pharmacological inhibitors to block ATP release in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) for studying changes in VSMC differentiation marker gene expression. We employed RNA interference and generated mice with SMC-specific inducible deletion of the P2Y2 receptor (P2Y2R) gene to evaluate resulting phenotypic alterations. RESULTS HASMCs constitutively release low levels of ATP that when blocked results in a significant decrease in VSMC differentiation marker gene expression, including smooth muscle actin (SMA), smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SMMHC), SM-22α and calponin. Basal release of ATP represses transcriptional activation of the Krüppel-Like Factor 4 (KFL4) thereby preventing platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) from inhibiting expression of SMC contractile phenotype markers. SMC-restricted conditional deletion of P2Y2R evoked dedifferentiation characterized by decreases in aortic contractility and contractile phenotype markers expression. This loss was accompanied by a transition to the synthetic phenotype with the acquisition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins characteristic of dedifferentiation, such as osteopontin and vimentin. CONCLUSIONS Our data establish the first direct evidence that an autocrine ATP release mechanism maintains SMC cytoskeletal protein expression by inhibiting VSMCs from transitioning to a synthetic phenotype, and further demonstrate that activation of the P2Y2R by basally released ATP is required for maintenance of the differentiated VSMC phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingjuan Chen
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, China; Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 635 Barnhill Drive MS 360A, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Alexander G Obukhov
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 635 Barnhill Drive MS 360A, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Gary A Weisman
- Department of Biochemistry, Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, 1201 Rollins Road, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Cheikh I Seye
- Department of Biochemistry, Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, 1201 Rollins Road, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA.
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2
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Lambert J, Oc S, Worssam MD, Häußler D, Solomon CU, Figg NL, Baxter R, Imaz M, Taylor JCK, Foote K, Finigan A, Mahbubani KT, Webb TR, Ye S, Bennett MR, Krüger A, Spivakov M, Jørgensen HF. Network-based prioritization and validation of regulators of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation in disease. NATURE CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH 2024; 3:714-733. [PMID: 38898928 PMCID: PMC11182749 DOI: 10.1038/s44161-024-00474-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Aberrant vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) homeostasis and proliferation characterize vascular diseases causing heart attack and stroke. Here we elucidate molecular determinants governing VSMC proliferation by reconstructing gene regulatory networks from single-cell transcriptomics and epigenetic profiling. We detect widespread activation of enhancers at disease-relevant loci in proliferation-predisposed VSMCs. We compared gene regulatory network rewiring between injury-responsive and nonresponsive VSMCs, which suggested shared transcription factors but differing target loci between VSMC states. Through in silico perturbation analysis, we identified and prioritized previously unrecognized regulators of proliferation, including RUNX1 and TIMP1. Moreover, we showed that the pioneer transcription factor RUNX1 increased VSMC responsiveness and that TIMP1 feeds back to promote VSMC proliferation through CD74-mediated STAT3 signaling. Both RUNX1 and the TIMP1-CD74 axis were expressed in human VSMCs, showing low levels in normal arteries and increased expression in disease, suggesting clinical relevance and potential as vascular disease targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Lambert
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Sebnem Oc
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Functional Gene Control Group, MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences, London, UK
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Matthew D. Worssam
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Present Address: Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA USA
| | - Daniel Häußler
- TUM School of Medicine and Health, Institute of Experimental Oncology and Therapy Research, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Charles U. Solomon
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, and National Institute for Health Research Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, Leicester, UK
| | - Nichola L. Figg
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ruby Baxter
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Maria Imaz
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - James C. K. Taylor
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Kirsty Foote
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alison Finigan
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Krishnaa T. Mahbubani
- Collaborative Biorepository for Translational Medicine, Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - Tom R. Webb
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, and National Institute for Health Research Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, Leicester, UK
| | - Shu Ye
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, and National Institute for Health Research Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, Leicester, UK
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Translational Research Programme, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Martin R. Bennett
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Achim Krüger
- TUM School of Medicine and Health, Institute of Experimental Oncology and Therapy Research, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Mikhail Spivakov
- Functional Gene Control Group, MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences, London, UK
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Helle F. Jørgensen
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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3
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Chu S, Shan D, He L, Yang S, Feng Y, Zhang Y, Yu J. Anemoside B4 attenuates abdominal aortic aneurysm by limiting smooth muscle cell transdifferentiation and its mediated inflammation. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1412022. [PMID: 38881898 PMCID: PMC11176519 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1412022] [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: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a degenerative disease characterized by local abnormal dilation of the aorta accompanied by vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) dysfunction and chronic inflammation. VSMC dedifferentiation, transdifferentiation, and increased expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are essential causes of AAA formation. Previous studies from us and others have shown that Anemoside B4 (AB4), a saponin from Pulsatilla chinensis, has anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and regulatory effects on VSMC dedifferentiation. The current study aimed to investigate whether AB4 inhibits AAA development and its underlying mechanisms. By using an Ang II induced AAA model in vivo and cholesterol loading mediated VSMC to macrophage transdifferentiation model in vitro, our study demonstrated that AB4 could attenuate AAA pathogenesis, prevent VSMC dedifferentiation and transdifferentiation to macrophage-like cells, decrease vascular inflammation, and suppress MMP expression and activity. Furthermore, KLF4 overexpression attenuated the effects of AB4 on VSMC to macrophage-like cell transition and VSMC inflammation in vitro. In conclusion, AB4 protects against AAA formation in mice by inhibiting KLF4 mediated VSMC transdifferentiation and inflammation. Our study provides the first proof of concept of using AB4 for AAA management.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/pathology
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/metabolism
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/prevention & control
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/chemically induced
- Cell Transdifferentiation/drug effects
- Kruppel-Like Factor 4/metabolism
- Mice
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/drug effects
- Inflammation/metabolism
- Saponins/pharmacology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Male
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/pathology
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/drug effects
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Macrophages/metabolism
- Macrophages/drug effects
- Macrophages/immunology
- Angiotensin II/pharmacology
- Humans
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuhan Chu
- Center for Translational Medicine, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences and Center for Metabolic Disease Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Dan Shan
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences and Center for Metabolic Disease Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Luling He
- Center for Translational Medicine, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Shilin Yang
- National Pharmaceutical Engineering Center (NPEC) for Solid Preparation in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yulin Feng
- National Pharmaceutical Engineering Center (NPEC) for Solid Preparation in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yifeng Zhang
- Center for Translational Medicine, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Jun Yu
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences and Center for Metabolic Disease Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Cheng P, Rashad A, Gangrade A, Barros NRD, Khademhosseini A, Tam J, Varadarajan P, Agrawal DK, Thankam FG. Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocyte-Like Cells in Myocardial Regeneration. TISSUE ENGINEERING. PART B, REVIEWS 2024; 30:1-14. [PMID: 37294202 DOI: 10.1089/ten.teb.2023.0049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Myocardial infarction results in the significant loss of cardiomyocytes (CMs) due to the ischemic injury following coronary occlusion leading to impaired contractility, fibrosis, and ultimately heart failure. Stem cell therapy emerged as a promising regenerative strategy to replenish the otherwise terminally differentiated CM to restore cardiac function. Multiple strategies have been applied to successfully differentiate diverse stem cell populations into CM-like phenotypes characterized by the expression status of signature biomarkers and observable spontaneous contractions. This article discusses the current understanding and applications of various stem cell phenotypes to drive the differentiation machinery toward CM-like lineage. Impact Statement Ischemic heart disease (IHD) extensively affects a large proportion of the population worldwide. Unfortunately, current treatments for IHD are insufficient to restore cardiac effectiveness and functionality. A growing field in regenerative cardiology explores the potential for stem cell therapy following cardiovascular ischemic episodes. The thorough understanding regarding the potential and shortcomings of translational approaches to drive versatile stem cells to cardiomyocyte lineage paves the way for multiple opportunities for next-generation cardiac management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Cheng
- Department of Translational Research, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California, USA
| | - Ahmad Rashad
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ankit Gangrade
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | - Ali Khademhosseini
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jonathan Tam
- Department of Translational Research, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California, USA
| | - Padmini Varadarajan
- University of California Riverside School of Medicine, Riverside, California, USA
| | - Devendra K Agrawal
- Department of Translational Research, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California, USA
| | - Finosh G Thankam
- Department of Translational Research, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California, USA
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5
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Karnewar S, Karnewar V, Shankman LS, Owens GK. Treatment of advanced atherosclerotic mice with ABT-263 reduced indices of plaque stability and increased mortality. JCI Insight 2024; 9:e173863. [PMID: 38258907 PMCID: PMC10906456 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.173863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The use of senolytic agents to remove senescent cells from atherosclerotic lesions is controversial. A common limitation of previous studies is the failure to rigorously define the effects of senolytic agent ABT-263 (Navitoclax) on smooth muscle cells (SMC) despite studies claiming that these cells are the major source of senescent cells. Moreover, there are no studies on the effect of ABT-263 on endothelial cells (EC), which - along with SMC - comprise 90% of α-smooth muscle actin+ (α-SMA+) myofibroblast-like cells in the protective fibrous cap. Here we tested the hypothesis that treatment of advanced atherosclerotic mice with ABT-263 will reduce lesion size and increase plaque stability. SMC (Myh11-CreERT2-eYFP) and EC (Cdh5-CreERT2-eYFP) lineage tracing Apoe-/- mice were fed a western diet (WD) for 18 weeks, followed by ABT-263 at 100 mg/kg/bw for 6 weeks or 50 mg/kg/bw for 9 weeks. ABT-263 treatment did not change lesion size or lumen area of the brachiocephalic artery (BCA). However, ABT-263 treatment reduced SMC by 90% and increased EC contributions to lesions via EC-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) by 60%. ABT-263 treatment also reduced α-SMA+ fibrous cap thickness by 60% and was associated with a > 50% mortality rate. Taken together, ABT-263 treatment of WD-fed Apoe-/- mice with advanced lesions resulted in multiple detrimental changes, including reduced indices of stability and increased mortality.
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6
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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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7
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Shin J, Tkachenko S, Gomez D, Tripathi R, Owens GK, Cherepanova OA. Smooth muscle cells-specific loss of OCT4 accelerates neointima formation after acute vascular injury. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1276945. [PMID: 37942066 PMCID: PMC10627795 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1276945] [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: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction There is growing evidence that smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotypic transitions play critical roles during normal developmental and tissue recovery processes and in pathological conditions such as atherosclerosis. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for these transitions are not well understood. Recently, we found that the embryonic stem cell/induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) factor OCT4, which was believed to be silenced in somatic cells, plays an atheroprotective role in SMC, and regulates angiogenesis after corneal alkali burn and hindlimb ischemia by mediating microvascular SMC and pericyte migration. However, the kinetics of OCT4 activation in arterial SMC and its role in acute pathological conditions are still unknown. Methods and Results Here, using an Oct4-IRES-GFP reporter mouse model, we found that OCT4 is reactivated in the carotid artery 18 hours post-acute ligation-induced injury, a common in vivo model of the SMC phenotypic transitions. Next, using a tamoxifen-inducible Myh11-CreERT2 Oct4 knockout mouse model, we found that the loss of OCT4, specifically in SMC, led to accelerated neointima formation and increased tunica media following carotid artery ligation, at least in part by increasing SMC proliferation within the media. Bulk RNA sequencing analysis on the cultured SMC revealed significant down-regulation of the SMC contractile markers and dysregulation of the genes belonging to the regulation of cell proliferation and, positive and negative regulation for cell migration ontological groups following genetic inactivation of Oct4. We also found that loss of Oct4 resulted in suppression of contractile SMC markers after the injury and in cultured aortic SMC. Further mechanistic studies revealed that OCT4 regulates SMC contractile genes, ACTA2 and TAGLN, at least in part by direct binding to the promoters of these genes. Conclusion These results demonstrate that the pluripotency factor OCT4 is quickly activated in SMC after the acute vascular injury and inhibits SMC hyperproliferation, which may be protective in preventing excessive neointima formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junchul Shin
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Svyatoslav Tkachenko
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Delphine Gomez
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Rupande Tripathi
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Gary K. Owens
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Olga A. Cherepanova
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
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8
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Lin PK, Davis GE. Extracellular Matrix Remodeling in Vascular Disease: Defining Its Regulators and Pathological Influence. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2023; 43:1599-1616. [PMID: 37409533 PMCID: PMC10527588 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.318237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Because of structural and cellular differences (ie, degrees of matrix abundance and cross-linking, mural cell density, and adventitia), large and medium-sized vessels, in comparison to capillaries, react in a unique manner to stimuli that induce vascular disease. A stereotypical vascular injury response is ECM (extracellular matrix) remodeling that occurs particularly in larger vessels in response to injurious stimuli, such as elevated angiotensin II, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, genetic deficiencies, inflammatory cell infiltration, or exposure to proinflammatory mediators. Even with substantial and prolonged vascular damage, large- and medium-sized arteries, persist, but become modified by (1) changes in vascular wall cellularity; (2) modifications in the differentiation status of endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, or adventitial stem cells (each can become activated); (3) infiltration of the vascular wall by various leukocyte types; (4) increased exposure to critical growth factors and proinflammatory mediators; and (5) marked changes in the vascular ECM, that remodels from a homeostatic, prodifferentiation ECM environment to matrices that instead promote tissue reparative responses. This latter ECM presents previously hidden matricryptic sites that bind integrins to signal vascular cells and infiltrating leukocytes (in coordination with other mediators) to proliferate, invade, secrete ECM-degrading proteinases, and deposit injury-induced matrices (predisposing to vessel wall fibrosis). In contrast, in response to similar stimuli, capillaries can undergo regression responses (rarefaction). In summary, we have described the molecular events controlling ECM remodeling in major vascular diseases as well as the differential responses of arteries versus capillaries to key mediators inducing vascular injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prisca K. Lin
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida School of Medicine, Tampa, FL 33612
| | - George E. Davis
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida School of Medicine, Tampa, FL 33612
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9
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Karnewar S, Karnewar V, Shankman LS, Owens GK. Treatment of advanced atherosclerotic mice with the senolytic agent ABT-263 is associated with reduced indices of plaque stability and increased mortality. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.12.548696. [PMID: 37502944 PMCID: PMC10369968 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.12.548696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
The use of senolytic agents to remove senescent cells from atherosclerotic lesions is controversial. A common limitation of previous studies is the failure to rigorously define the effects of senolytic agent ABT-263 (Navitoclax) on smooth muscle cells (SMC) despite studies claiming that they are the major source of senescent cells. Moreover, there are no studies of the effect of ABT-263 on endothelial cells (EC), which along with SMC comprise 90% of α-SMA+ myofibroblast-like cells in the protective fibrous cap. Here we tested the hypothesis that treatment of advanced atherosclerotic mice with the ABT-263 will reduce lesion size and increase plaque stability. SMC (Myh11-CreERT2-eYFP) and EC (Cdh5-CreERT2-eYFP) lineage tracing Apoe-/- mice were fed a WD for 18 weeks, followed by ABT-263 100mg/kg/bw for six weeks or 50mg/kg/bw for nine weeks. ABT-263 treatment did not change lesion size or lumen area of the brachiocephalic artery (BCA). However, ABT-263 treatment reduced SMC by 90% and increased EC-contributions to lesions via EC-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) by 60%. ABT-263 treatment also reduced α-SMA+ fibrous cap thickness by 60% and increased mortality by >50%. Contrary to expectations, treatment of WD-fed Apoe-/- mice with the senolytic agent ABT-263 resulted in multiple detrimental changes including reduced indices of stability, and increased mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santosh Karnewar
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia-School of Medicine, 415 Lane Road, Suite 1010, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Vaishnavi Karnewar
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia-School of Medicine, 415 Lane Road, Suite 1010, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Laura S Shankman
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia-School of Medicine, 415 Lane Road, Suite 1010, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Gary K Owens
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia-School of Medicine, 415 Lane Road, Suite 1010, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
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10
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Jiang H, Jiang Y, Qu Y, Lv J, Zeng H. sGC agonist BAY1021189 promotes thoracic aortic dissection formation by accelerating vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype switch. Eur J Pharmacol 2023:175789. [PMID: 37244376 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.175789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Thoracic aortic dissection (TAD) is common but lethal cardiovascular disease with high mortality. This study aimed to expound whether and how sGC-PRKG1 signaling pathway might promote the formation of TAD. Our work identified two modules with high relevance to TAD using WGCNA method. Combined with previous studies, we focused on the participation of endothelial NOS (eNOS) in the progression of TAD. Through immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and western blot we verified that eNOS expression was elevated in the tissues of patients and mice with aortic dissection, and the phosphorylation Ser1177 of eNOS was activated. In a BAPN-induced TAD mouse model, sGC-PRKG1 signaling pathway promotes TAD formation by inducing vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) phenotype transition, which was demonstrated as a decrease in markers of the contractile phenotype of VSMCs such as αSMA, SM22α, and Calponin. These results were also verified by experiments in vitro. To explore the further mechanism, we conducted immunohistochemistry, western blot and quantitative RT-PCR (qPCR), the results of which indicated that sGC-PRKG1 signaling pathway was activated when TAD occurred. In conclusion, our current study revealed that sGC-PRKG1 signaling pathway could promote TAD formation by accelerating VSMCs phenotype switch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongcheng Jiang
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China; Hubei Provincial Engineering Research Center of Vascular Interventional Therapy, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Yue Jiang
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Yunkun Qu
- Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiagao Lv
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
| | - Hesong Zeng
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China; Hubei Provincial Engineering Research Center of Vascular Interventional Therapy, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
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11
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Ma B, Cao Y, Qin J, Chen Z, Hu G, Li Q. Pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell phenotypic switching: A key event in the early stage of pulmonary artery hypertension. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103559. [PMID: 36958640 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a currently incurable pulmonary vascular disease. Since current research on PAH is mainly aimed at the middle and late stages of disease progression, no satisfactory results have been achieved. This has led researchers to focus on the early stages of PAH. This review highlights for the first time a key event in the early stages of PAH progression, namely, the occurrence of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell (PASMC) phenotypic switching. Summarizing the related reports of performance conversion provides new perspectives and directions for the early pathological progression and treatment strategies for PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binghao Ma
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Small Molecules for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Disease, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Organ Fibrosis, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Yuanyuan Cao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Small Molecules for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Disease, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Organ Fibrosis, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Jia Qin
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Small Molecules for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Disease, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Organ Fibrosis, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Zhuo Chen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Small Molecules for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Disease, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Organ Fibrosis, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Gaoyun Hu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Small Molecules for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Disease, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Organ Fibrosis, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Qianbin Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Small Molecules for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Disease, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Organ Fibrosis, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China.
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12
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Kotlyarov S, Kotlyarova A. Participation of Krüppel-like Factors in Atherogenesis. Metabolites 2023; 13:metabo13030448. [PMID: 36984888 PMCID: PMC10052737 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13030448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is an important problem in modern medicine, the keys to understanding many aspects of which are still not available to clinicians. Atherosclerosis develops as a result of a complex chain of events in which many cells of the vascular wall and peripheral blood flow are involved. Endothelial cells, which line the vascular wall in a monolayer, play an important role in vascular biology. A growing body of evidence strengthens the understanding of the multifaceted functions of endothelial cells, which not only organize the barrier between blood flow and tissues but also act as regulators of hemodynamics and play an important role in regulating the function of other cells in the vascular wall. Krüppel-like factors (KLFs) perform several biological functions in various cells of the vascular wall. The large family of KLFs in humans includes 18 members, among which KLF2 and KLF4 are at the crossroads between endothelial cell mechanobiology and immunometabolism, which play important roles in both the normal vascular wall and atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanislav Kotlyarov
- Department of Nursing, Ryazan State Medical University, 390026 Ryazan, Russia
| | - Anna Kotlyarova
- Department of Pharmacy Management and Economics, Ryazan State Medical University, 390026 Ryazan, Russia
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13
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Xie X, Shirasu T, Li J, Guo LW, Kent KC. miR579-3p is an inhibitory modulator of neointimal hyperplasia and transcription factors c-MYB and KLF4. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:73. [PMID: 36813774 PMCID: PMC9946956 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01364-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Neointimal hyperplasia (IH) is a common vascular pathology that typically manifests in in-stent restenosis and bypass vein graft failure. Smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotypic switching is central to IH, both regulated by some microRNAs, yet the role of miR579-3p, a scarcely studied microRNA, is not known. Unbiased bioinformatic analysis suggested that miR579-3p was repressed in human primary SMCs treated with different pro-IH cytokines. Moreover, miR579-3p was software-predicted to target both c-MYB and KLF4 - two master transcription factors known to promote SMC phenotypic switching. Interestingly, treating injured rat carotid arteries via local infusion of miR579-3p-expressing lentivirus reduced IH 14 days after injury. In cultured human SMCs, transfection with miR579-3p inhibited SMC phenotypic switching, as indicated by decreased proliferation/migration and increased SMC contractile proteins. miR579-3p transfection downregulated c-MYB and KLF4, and luciferase assays indicated miR579-3p's targeting of the 3'UTRs of the c-MYB and KLF4 mRNAs. In vivo, immunohistochemistry showed that treatment of injured rat arteries with the miR579-3p lentivirus reduced c-MYB and KLF4 and increased SMC contractile proteins. Thus, this study identifies miR579-3p as a previously unrecognized small-RNA inhibitor of IH and SMC phenotypic switch involving its targeting of c-MYB and KLF4. Further studies on miR579-3p may provide an opportunity for translation to develop IH-mitigating new therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiujie Xie
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
| | - Takuro Shirasu
- grid.27755.320000 0000 9136 933XDepartment of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908 USA
| | - Jing Li
- grid.27755.320000 0000 9136 933XDepartment of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908 USA
| | - Lian-Wang Guo
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA. .,Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA. .,Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
| | - K. Craig Kent
- grid.27755.320000 0000 9136 933XDepartment of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908 USA
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14
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The KLF7/PFKL/ACADL axis modulates cardiac metabolic remodelling during cardiac hypertrophy in male mice. Nat Commun 2023; 14:959. [PMID: 36810848 PMCID: PMC9944323 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36712-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The main hallmark of myocardial substrate metabolism in cardiac hypertrophy or heart failure is a shift from fatty acid oxidation to greater reliance on glycolysis. However, the close correlation between glycolysis and fatty acid oxidation and underlying mechanism by which causes cardiac pathological remodelling remain unclear. We confirm that KLF7 simultaneously targets the rate-limiting enzyme of glycolysis, phosphofructokinase-1, liver, and long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, a key enzyme for fatty acid oxidation. Cardiac-specific knockout and overexpression KLF7 induce adult concentric hypertrophy and infant eccentric hypertrophy by regulating glycolysis and fatty acid oxidation fluxes in male mice, respectively. Furthermore, cardiac-specific knockdown phosphofructokinase-1, liver or overexpression long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase partially rescues the cardiac hypertrophy in adult male KLF7 deficient mice. Here we show that the KLF7/PFKL/ACADL axis is a critical regulatory mechanism and may provide insight into viable therapeutic concepts aimed at the modulation of cardiac metabolic balance in hypertrophied and failing heart.
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15
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The Involvement of Krüppel-like Factors in Cardiovascular Diseases. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13020420. [PMID: 36836777 PMCID: PMC9962890 DOI: 10.3390/life13020420] [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: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Krüppel-like factors (KLFs) are a set of DNA-binding proteins belonging to a family of zinc-finger transcription factors, which have been associated with many biological processes related to the activation or repression of genes, inducing cell growth, differentiation, and death, and the development and maintenance of tissues. In response to metabolic alterations caused by disease and stress, the heart will undergo cardiac remodeling, leading to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). KLFs are among the transcriptional factors that take control of many physiological and, in this case, pathophysiological processes of CVD. KLFs seem to be associated with congenital heart disease-linked syndromes, malformations because of autosomal diseases, mutations that relate to protein instability, and/or loss of functions such as atheroprotective activities. Ischemic damage also relates to KLF dysregulation because of the differentiation of cardiac myofibroblasts or a modified fatty acid oxidation related to the formation of a dilated cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarctions, left ventricular hypertrophy, and diabetic cardiomyopathies. In this review, we describe the importance of KLFs in cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, left ventricle hypertrophy, stroke, diabetic cardiomyopathy, and congenital heart diseases. We further discuss microRNAs that have been involved in certain regulatory loops of KLFs as they may act as critical in CVDs.
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16
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Effects of shear stress on vascular endothelial functions in atherosclerosis and potential therapeutic approaches. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 158:114198. [PMID: 36916427 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.114198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Different blood flow patterns in the arteries can alter the adaptive phenotype of vascular endothelial cells (ECs), thereby affecting the functions of ECs and are directly associated with the occurrence of lesions in the early stages of atherosclerosis (AS). Atherosclerotic plaques are commonly found at curved or bifurcated arteries, where the blood flow pattern is dominated by oscillating shear stress (OSS). OSS can induce ECs to transform into pro-inflammatory phenotypes, increase cellular inflammation, oxidative stress response, mitochondrial dysfunction, metabolic abnormalities and endothelial permeability, thereby promoting the progression of AS. On the other hand, the straight artery has a stable laminar shear stress (LSS), which promotes the transformation of ECs into an anti-inflammatory phenotype, improves endothelial cell function, thereby inhibits atherosclerotic progression. ECs have the ability to actively sense, integrate, and convert mechanical stimuli by shear stress into biochemical signals that further induces intracellular changes (such as the opening and closing of ion channels, activation and transcription of signaling pathways). Here we not only outline the relationship between functions of vascular ECs and different forms of fluid shear stress in AS, but also aim to provide new solutions for potential atherosclerotic therapies targeting intracellular mechanical transductions.
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17
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Sivaraman S, Ravishankar P, Rao RR. Differentiation and Engineering of Human Stem Cells for Smooth Muscle Generation. TISSUE ENGINEERING. PART B, REVIEWS 2023; 29:1-9. [PMID: 35491587 DOI: 10.1089/ten.teb.2022.0039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases are responsible for 31% of global deaths and are considered the main cause of death and disability worldwide. Stem cells from various sources have become attractive options for a range of cell-based therapies for smooth muscle tissue regeneration. However, for efficient myogenic differentiation, the stem cell characteristics, cell culture conditions, and their respective microenvironments need to be carefully assessed. This review covers the various approaches involved in the regeneration of vascular smooth muscles by conditioning human stem cells. This article delves into the different sources of stem cells used in the generation of myogenic tissues, the role of soluble growth factors, use of scaffolding techniques, biomolecular cues, relevance of mechanical stimulation, and key transcription factors involved, aimed at inducing myogenic differentiation. Impact statement The review article's main goal is to discuss the recent advances in the field of smooth muscle tissue regeneration. We look at various cell sources, growth factors, scaffolds, mechanical stimuli, and factors involved in smooth muscle formation. These stem cell-based approaches for vascular muscle formation will provide various options for cell-based therapies with long-term beneficial effects on patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srikanth Sivaraman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
| | - Prashanth Ravishankar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
| | - Raj R Rao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
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18
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Jiang Y, Qian HY. Transcription factors: key regulatory targets of vascular smooth muscle cell in atherosclerosis. Mol Med 2023; 29:2. [PMID: 36604627 PMCID: PMC9817296 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-022-00586-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis (AS), leading to gradual occlusion of the arterial lumen, refers to the accumulation of lipids and inflammatory debris in the arterial wall. Despite therapeutic advances over past decades including intervention or surgery, atherosclerosis is still the most common cause of cardiovascular diseases and the main mechanism of death and disability worldwide. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play an imperative role in the occurrence of atherosclerosis and throughout the whole stages. In the past, there was a lack of comprehensive understanding of VSMCs, but the development of identification technology, including in vivo single-cell sequencing technology and lineage tracing with the CreERT2-loxP system, suggests that VSMCs have remarkable plasticity and reevaluates well-established concepts about the contribution of VSMCs. Transcription factors, a kind of protein molecule that specifically recognizes and binds DNA upstream promoter regions or distal enhancer DNA elements, play a key role in the transcription initiation of the coding genes and are necessary for RNA polymerase to bind gene promoters. In this review, we highlight that, except for environmental factors, VSMC genes are transcriptionally regulated through complex interactions of multiple conserved cis-regulatory elements and transcription factors. In addition, through a series of transcription-related regulatory processes, VSMCs could undergo phenotypic transformation, proliferation, migration, calcification and apoptosis. Finally, enhancing or inhibiting transcription factors can regulate the development of atherosclerotic lesions, and the downstream molecular mechanism of transcriptional regulation has also been widely studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Jiang
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Center for Coronary Heart Disease, Department of Cardiology, Fu Wai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases of China, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 167 Beilishi Rd, Beijing, 100037 China
| | - Hai-Yan Qian
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Center for Coronary Heart Disease, Department of Cardiology, Fu Wai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases of China, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 167 Beilishi Rd, Beijing, 100037 China
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19
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Déglise S, Bechelli C, Allagnat F. Vascular smooth muscle cells in intimal hyperplasia, an update. Front Physiol 2023; 13:1081881. [PMID: 36685215 PMCID: PMC9845604 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.1081881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Arterial occlusive disease is the leading cause of death in Western countries. Core contemporary therapies for this disease include angioplasties, stents, endarterectomies and bypass surgery. However, these treatments suffer from high failure rates due to re-occlusive vascular wall adaptations and restenosis. Restenosis following vascular surgery is largely due to intimal hyperplasia. Intimal hyperplasia develops in response to vessel injury, leading to inflammation, vascular smooth muscle cells dedifferentiation, migration, proliferation and secretion of extra-cellular matrix into the vessel's innermost layer or intima. In this review, we describe the current state of knowledge on the origin and mechanisms underlying the dysregulated proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells in intimal hyperplasia, and we present the new avenues of research targeting VSMC phenotype and proliferation.
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20
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Huang N, Wang D, Zhu TT, Ge XY, Liu H, Yao MZ, Guo YZ, Peng J, Wang Q, Zhang Z, Hu CP. Plasma exosomes confer hypoxic pulmonary hypertension by transferring LOX-1 cargo to trigger phenotypic switching of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 207:115350. [PMID: 36435201 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115350] [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: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The pulmonary vascular remodeling (PVR), the pathological basis of pulmonary hypertension (PH), entails pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) phenotypic switching, but appreciation of the underlying mechanisms is incomplete. Exosomes, a novel transfer machinery enabling delivery of its cargos to recipient cells, have been recently implicated in cardiovascular diseases including PH. The two critical questions of whether plasma-derived exosomes drive PASMCs phenotypic switching and what cargo the exosomes transport, however, remain unclear. Herein, by means of transmission electron microscopy and protein detection, we for the first time, characterized lectin like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) as a novel cargo of plasma-derived exosomes in PH. With LOX-1 knockout (Olr1-/-) rats-derived exosomes, we demonstrated that exosomal LOX-1 could be transferred into PASMCs and thus elicited cell phenotypic switching. Of importance, Olr1-/- rats exhibited no cell phenotypic switching and developed less severe PH, but administration of wild type rather than Olr1-/- exosomes to Olr1-/- rats recapitulated the phenotype of PH with robust PASMCs phenotypic switching. We also revealed that exosomal LOX-1 triggered PASMCs phenotypic switching, PVR and ultimately PH via ERK1/2-KLF4 signaling axis. This study has generated proof that plasma-derived exosomes confer PH by delivering LOX-1 into PASMCs. Hence, exosomal LOX-1 represents a novel exploitable target for PH prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China; Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou Henan 450052, China
| | - Di Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China
| | - Tian-Tian Zhu
- College of Pharmacy, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453000, China; Henan International Joint Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Drug Intervention, Xinxiang, Henan 453000, China
| | - Xiao-Yue Ge
- Department of Pharmacology, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China
| | - Hong Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China
| | - Mao-Zhong Yao
- Department of Pharmacology, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China
| | - Yan-Zi Guo
- Department of Pharmacology, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China
| | - Jun Peng
- Department of Pharmacology, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China; Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China
| | - Qing Wang
- The Interventional Radiology & Vascular Surgery Department, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, China
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China; Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China.
| | - Chang-Ping Hu
- Department of Pharmacology, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China; Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China.
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21
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Roberts-Craig FT, Worthington LP, O’Hara SP, Erickson JR, Heather AK, Ashley Z. CaMKII Splice Variants in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells: The Next Step or Redundancy? Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147916. [PMID: 35887264 PMCID: PMC9318135 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) help to maintain the normal physiological contractility of arterial vessels to control blood pressure; they can also contribute to vascular disease such as atherosclerosis. Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII), a multifunctional enzyme with four isoforms and multiple alternative splice variants, contributes to numerous functions within VSMCs. The role of these isoforms has been widely studied across numerous tissue types; however, their functions are still largely unknown within the vasculature. Even more understudied is the role of the different splice variants of each isoform in such signaling pathways. This review evaluates the role of the different CaMKII splice variants in vascular pathological and physiological mechanisms, aiming to show the need for more research to highlight both the deleterious and protective functions of the various splice variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Finn T. Roberts-Craig
- Department of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand;
- Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand; (L.P.W.); (S.P.O.); (J.R.E.); (A.K.H.)
| | - Luke P. Worthington
- Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand; (L.P.W.); (S.P.O.); (J.R.E.); (A.K.H.)
- HeartOtago, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Samuel P. O’Hara
- Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand; (L.P.W.); (S.P.O.); (J.R.E.); (A.K.H.)
- HeartOtago, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Jeffrey R. Erickson
- Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand; (L.P.W.); (S.P.O.); (J.R.E.); (A.K.H.)
- HeartOtago, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Alison K. Heather
- Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand; (L.P.W.); (S.P.O.); (J.R.E.); (A.K.H.)
- HeartOtago, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Zoe Ashley
- Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand; (L.P.W.); (S.P.O.); (J.R.E.); (A.K.H.)
- HeartOtago, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +64-3-479-7646
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22
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Rykaczewska U, Zhao Q, Saliba-Gustafsson P, Lengquist M, Kronqvist M, Bergman O, Huang Z, Lund K, Waden K, Pons Vila Z, Caidahl K, Skogsberg J, Vukojevic V, Lindeman JHN, Roy J, Hansson GK, Treuter E, Leeper NJ, Eriksson P, Ehrenborg E, Razuvaev A, Hedin U, Matic L. Plaque Evaluation by Ultrasound and Transcriptomics Reveals BCLAF1 as a Regulator of Smooth Muscle Cell Lipid Transdifferentiation in Atherosclerosis. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2022; 42:659-676. [PMID: 35321563 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.121.317018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding the processes behind carotid plaque instability is necessary to develop methods for identification of patients and lesions with stroke risk. Here, we investigated molecular signatures in human plaques stratified by echogenicity as assessed by duplex ultrasound. METHODS Lesion echogenicity was correlated to microarray gene expression profiles from carotid endarterectomies (n=96). The findings were extended into studies of human and mouse atherosclerotic lesions in situ, followed by functional investigations in vitro in human carotid smooth muscle cells (SMCs). RESULTS Pathway analyses highlighted muscle differentiation, iron homeostasis, calcification, matrix organization, cell survival balance, and BCLAF1 (BCL2 [B-cell lymphoma 2]-associated transcription factor 1) as the most significant signatures. BCLAF1 was downregulated in echolucent plaques, positively correlated to proliferation and negatively to apoptosis. By immunohistochemistry, BCLAF1 was found in normal medial SMCs. It was repressed early during atherogenesis but reappeared in CD68+ cells in advanced plaques and interacted with BCL2 by proximity ligation assay. In cultured SMCs, BCLAF1 was induced by differentiation factors and mitogens and suppressed by macrophage-conditioned medium. BCLAF1 silencing led to downregulation of BCL2 and SMC markers, reduced proliferation, and increased apoptosis. Transdifferentiation of SMCs by oxLDL (oxidized low-denisty lipoprotein) was accompanied by upregulation of BCLAF1, CD36, and CD68, while oxLDL exposure with BCLAF1 silencing preserved MYH (myosin heavy chain) 11 expression and prevented transdifferentiation. BCLAF1 was associated with expression of cell differentiation, contractility, viability, and inflammatory genes, as well as the scavenger receptors CD36 and CD68. BCLAF1 expression in CD68+/BCL2+ cells of SMC origin was verified in plaques from MYH11 lineage-tracing atherosclerotic mice. Moreover, BCLAF1 downregulation associated with vulnerability parameters and cardiovascular risk in patients with carotid atherosclerosis. CONCLUSIONS Plaque echogenicity correlated with enrichment of distinct molecular pathways and identified BCLAF1, previously not described in atherosclerosis, as the most significant gene. Functionally, BCLAF1 seems necessary for survival and transdifferentiation of SMCs into a macrophage-like phenotype. The role of BCLAF1 in plaque vulnerability should be further evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urszula Rykaczewska
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery (U.R., M.L., M.K., K.L., K.W., K.C., J.R., A.R., U.H., L.M.), Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Quanyi Zhao
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute (Q.Z., P.S.-G.), Stanford University School of Medicine, CA
| | - Peter Saliba-Gustafsson
- Cardiovascular Medicine Unit, Department of Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine (P.S.-G., O.B., G.K.H., P.E., E.E.), Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.,Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute (Q.Z., P.S.-G.), Stanford University School of Medicine, CA
| | - Mariette Lengquist
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery (U.R., M.L., M.K., K.L., K.W., K.C., J.R., A.R., U.H., L.M.), Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Malin Kronqvist
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery (U.R., M.L., M.K., K.L., K.W., K.C., J.R., A.R., U.H., L.M.), Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Otto Bergman
- Cardiovascular Medicine Unit, Department of Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine (P.S.-G., O.B., G.K.H., P.E., E.E.), Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Zhiqiang Huang
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition (Z.H., E.T.), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kent Lund
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery (U.R., M.L., M.K., K.L., K.W., K.C., J.R., A.R., U.H., L.M.), Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Katarina Waden
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery (U.R., M.L., M.K., K.L., K.W., K.C., J.R., A.R., U.H., L.M.), Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Zara Pons Vila
- Clinical Chemistry and Blood Coagulation, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery (Z.P.V.), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kenneth Caidahl
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery (U.R., M.L., M.K., K.L., K.W., K.C., J.R., A.R., U.H., L.M.), Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Physiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital and Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Sweden (K.C.)
| | - Josefin Skogsberg
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics (J.S.), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vladana Vukojevic
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Center for Molecular Medicine (V.V.), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jan H N Lindeman
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands (J.H.N.L.)
| | - Joy Roy
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery (U.R., M.L., M.K., K.L., K.W., K.C., J.R., A.R., U.H., L.M.), Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Göran K Hansson
- Cardiovascular Medicine Unit, Department of Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine (P.S.-G., O.B., G.K.H., P.E., E.E.), Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eckardt Treuter
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition (Z.H., E.T.), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nicholas J Leeper
- Department of Surgery (N.J.L.), Stanford University School of Medicine, CA.,Department of Medicine (N.J.L.), Stanford University School of Medicine, CA
| | - Per Eriksson
- Cardiovascular Medicine Unit, Department of Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine (P.S.-G., O.B., G.K.H., P.E., E.E.), Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ewa Ehrenborg
- Cardiovascular Medicine Unit, Department of Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine (P.S.-G., O.B., G.K.H., P.E., E.E.), Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anton Razuvaev
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery (U.R., M.L., M.K., K.L., K.W., K.C., J.R., A.R., U.H., L.M.), Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ulf Hedin
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery (U.R., M.L., M.K., K.L., K.W., K.C., J.R., A.R., U.H., L.M.), Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ljubica Matic
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery (U.R., M.L., M.K., K.L., K.W., K.C., J.R., A.R., U.H., L.M.), Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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23
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Zhang M, Urabe G, Ozer HG, Xie X, Webb A, Shirasu T, Li J, Han R, Kent KC, Wang B, Guo LW. Angioplasty induces epigenomic remodeling in injured arteries. Life Sci Alliance 2022; 5:e202101114. [PMID: 35169042 PMCID: PMC8860099 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202101114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Neointimal hyperplasia/proliferation (IH) is the primary etiology of vascular stenosis. Epigenomic studies concerning IH have been largely confined to in vitro models, and IH-underlying epigenetic mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study integrates information from in vivo epigenomic mapping, conditional knockout, gene transfer and pharmacology in rodent models of IH. The data from injured (IH-prone) rat arteries revealed a surge of genome-wide occupancy by histone-3 lysine-27 trimethylation (H3K27me3), a gene-repression mark. This was unexpected in the traditional view of prevailing post-injury gene activation rather than repression. Further analysis illustrated a shift of H3K27me3 enrichment to anti-proliferative genes, from pro-proliferative genes where gene-activation mark H3K27ac(acetylation) accumulated instead. H3K27ac and its reader BRD4 (bromodomain protein) co-enriched at Ezh2; conditional BRD4 knockout in injured mouse arteries reduced H3K27me3 and its writer EZH2, which positively regulated another pro-IH chromatin modulator UHRF1. Thus, results uncover injury-induced loci-specific H3K27me3 redistribution in the epigenomic landscape entailing BRD4→EZH2→UHRF1 hierarchical regulations. Given that these players are pharmaceutical targets, further research may help improve treatments of IH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengxue Zhang
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Go Urabe
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Hatice Gulcin Ozer
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Xiujie Xie
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Amy Webb
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Takuro Shirasu
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Renzhi Han
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - K Craig Kent
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Bowen Wang
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Lian-Wang Guo
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Robert M Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
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24
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Cheng P, Wirka RC, Clarke LS, Zhao Q, Kundu R, Nguyen T, Nair S, Sharma D, Kim HJ, Shi H, Assimes T, Kim JB, Kundaje A, Quertermous T. ZEB2 Shapes the Epigenetic Landscape of Atherosclerosis. Circulation 2022; 145:469-485. [PMID: 34990206 PMCID: PMC8896308 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.121.057789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) transition into a number of different phenotypes during atherosclerosis, including those that resemble fibroblasts and chondrocytes, and make up the majority of cells in the atherosclerotic plaque. To better understand the epigenetic and transcriptional mechanisms that mediate these cell state changes, and how they relate to risk for coronary artery disease (CAD), we have investigated the causality and function of transcription factors at genome-wide associated loci. METHODS We used CRISPR-Cas 9 genome and epigenome editing to identify the causal gene and cells for a complex CAD genome-wide association study signal at 2q22.3. Single-cell epigenetic and transcriptomic profiling in murine models and human coronary artery smooth muscle cells were used to understand the cellular and molecular mechanism by which this CAD risk gene exerts its function. RESULTS CRISPR-Cas 9 genome and epigenome editing showed that the complex CAD genetic signals within a genomic region at 2q22.3 lie within smooth muscle long-distance enhancers for ZEB2, a transcription factor extensively studied in the context of epithelial mesenchymal transition in development of cancer. Zeb2 regulates SMC phenotypic transition through chromatin remodeling that obviates accessibility and disrupts both Notch and transforming growth factor β signaling, thus altering the epigenetic trajectory of SMC transitions. SMC-specific loss of Zeb2 resulted in an inability of transitioning SMCs to turn off contractile programing and take on a fibroblast-like phenotype, but accelerated the formation of chondromyocytes, mirroring features of high-risk atherosclerotic plaques in human coronary arteries. CONCLUSIONS These studies identify ZEB2 as a new CAD genome-wide association study gene that affects features of plaque vulnerability through direct effects on the epigenome, providing a new therapeutic approach to target vascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Cheng
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and the Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA
| | - Robert C. Wirka
- Division of Cardiology, Departments of Medicine and Cell Biology and Physiology, McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Lee Shoa Clarke
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and the Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA
| | - Quanyi Zhao
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and the Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA
| | - Ramendra Kundu
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and the Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA
| | - Trieu Nguyen
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and the Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA
| | - Surag Nair
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Disha Sharma
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and the Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA
| | - Hyun-jung Kim
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and the Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA
| | - Huitong Shi
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and the Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA
| | - Themistocles Assimes
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and the Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA
| | - Juyong Brian Kim
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and the Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA
| | - Anshul Kundaje
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Thomas Quertermous
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and the Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA
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25
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Shi D, Ding J, Xie S, Huang L, Zhang H, Chen X, Ren X, Zhou S, He H, Ma W, Zhang T, Wang N. Myocardin/microRNA-30a/Beclin1 signaling controls the phenotypic modulation of vascular smooth muscle cells by regulating autophagy. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:121. [PMID: 35136037 PMCID: PMC8827084 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-04588-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Upon vascular injury, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) change from a contractile phenotype to a synthetic phenotype, thereby leading to atherogenesis and arterial restenosis. Myocardin (MYOCD) is essential for maintaining the contractile phenotype of VSMCs. Deletion of MYOCD in VSMCs triggers autophagy. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the effect of MYOCD on autophagy is not clear. In this study, knockdown of MYOCD in human aortic VSMCs (HA-VSMCs) triggered autophagy and diminished the expression of SMC contractile proteins. Inhibition of autophagy in MYOCD-knockdown cells restored the expression of contractile proteins. MYOCD activated the transcription of miR-30a by binding to the CArG box present in its promoter, as confirmed by luciferase reporter and chromatin immune coprecipitation assays, while miR-30a decreased the expression of autophagy protein-6 (ATG6, also known as beclin1) by targeting its 3′UTR. Restoring the expression of miR-30a in MYOCD-knockdown cells upregulated the levels of contractile proteins. Treatment of VSMCs with platelet-derived growth factor type BB (PDGF-BB) resulted in the transformation of VSMCs to a proliferative phenotype. A low level of miR-30a was observed in PDGF-BB-treated HA-VSMCs, and re-expression of miR-30a led to a decrease in proliferative marker expression. Furthermore, using a wire injury mouse model, we found that miR-30a expression was significantly downregulated in the arterial tissues of mice and that restoration of miR-30a expression at the injured site abolished neointimal formation. Herein, MYOCD could inhibit autophagy by activating the transcription of miR-30a and that miR-30a-mediated autophagy defects could inhibit intimal hyperplasia in a carotid arterial injury model.
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26
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Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Formation with a Focus on Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12020191. [PMID: 35207478 PMCID: PMC8880357 DOI: 10.3390/life12020191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a lethal degenerative vascular disease that affects, mostly, the elder population, with a high mortality rate (>80%) upon rupture. It features a dilation of the aortic diameter to larger than 30 mm or more than 50%. Diverse pathological processes are involved in the development of AAA, including aortic wall inflammation, elastin breakdown, oxidative stress, smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotypic switching and dysfunction, and extracellular matrix degradation. With open surgery being the only therapeutic option up to date, the lack of pharmaceutical treatment approach calls for identifying novel and effective targets and further understanding the pathological process of AAA. Both lifestyle and genetic predisposition have an important role in increasing the risk of AAA. Several cell types are closely related to the pathogenesis of AAA. Among them, vascular SMCs (VSMCs) are gaining much attention as a critical contributor for AAA initiation and/or progression. In this review, we summarize what is known about AAA, including the risk factors, the pathophysiology, and the established animal models of AAA. In particular, we focus on the VSMC phenotypic switching and dysfunction in AAA formation. Further understanding the regulation of VSMC phenotypic changes may provide novel therapeutic targets for the treatment or prevention of AAA.
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27
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Kaczor DM, Kramann R, Hackeng TM, Schurgers LJ, Koenen RR. Differential Effects of Platelet Factor 4 (CXCL4) and Its Non-Allelic Variant (CXCL4L1) on Cultured Human Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020580. [PMID: 35054772 PMCID: PMC8775478 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Platelet factor 4 (CXCL4) is a chemokine abundantly stored in platelets. Upon injury and during atherosclerosis, CXCL4 is transported through the vessel wall where it modulates the function of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) by affecting proliferation, migration, gene expression and cytokine release. Variant CXCL4L1 is distinct from CXCL4 in function and expression pattern, despite a minor three-amino acid difference. Here, the effects of CXCL4 and CXCL4L1 on the phenotype and function of human VSMCs were compared in vitro. VSMCs were found to constitutively express CXCL4L1 and only exogenously added CXCL4 was internalized by VSMCs. Pre-treatment with heparin completely blocked CXCL4 uptake. A role of the putative CXCL4 receptors CXCR3 and DARC in endocytosis was excluded, but LDL receptor family members appeared to be involved in the uptake of CXCL4. Incubation of VSMCs with both CXCL4 and CXCL4L1 resulted in decreased expression of contractile marker genes and increased mRNA levels of KLF4 and NLRP3 transcription factors, yet only CXCL4 stimulated proliferation and calcification of VSMCs. In conclusion, CXCL4 and CXCL4L1 both modulate gene expression, yet only CXCL4 increases the division rate and formation of calcium-phosphate crystals in VSMCs. CXCL4 and CXCL4L1 may play distinct roles during vascular remodeling in which CXCL4 induces proliferation and calcification while endogenously expressed CXCL4L1 governs cellular homeostasis. The latter notion remains a subject for future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawid M. Kaczor
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands; (D.M.K.); (T.M.H.); (L.J.S.)
| | - Rafael Kramann
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany;
- Division of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology and Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Erasmus Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Transplantation, Doctor Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tilman M. Hackeng
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands; (D.M.K.); (T.M.H.); (L.J.S.)
| | - Leon J. Schurgers
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands; (D.M.K.); (T.M.H.); (L.J.S.)
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany;
| | - Rory R. Koenen
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands; (D.M.K.); (T.M.H.); (L.J.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-433-881-674
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28
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Jankauskas SS, Kansakar U, Varzideh F, Wilson S, Mone P, Lombardi A, Gambardella J, Santulli G. Heart failure in diabetes. Metabolism 2021; 125:154910. [PMID: 34627874 PMCID: PMC8941799 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2021.154910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Heart failure and cardiovascular disorders represent the leading cause of death in diabetic patients. Here we present a systematic review of the main mechanisms underlying the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy. We also provide an excursus on the relative contribution of cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, endothelial and smooth muscle cells to the pathophysiology of heart failure in diabetes. After having described the preclinical tools currently available to dissect the mechanisms of this complex disease, we conclude with a section on the most recent updates of the literature on clinical management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanislovas S Jankauskas
- Department of Medicine, Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism (FIDAM), Einstein-Mount Sinai Diabetes Research Center (ES-DRC), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA; Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Einstein Institute for Neuroimmunology and Inflammation, Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Einstein Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA
| | - Urna Kansakar
- Department of Medicine, Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism (FIDAM), Einstein-Mount Sinai Diabetes Research Center (ES-DRC), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA; Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Einstein Institute for Neuroimmunology and Inflammation, Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Einstein Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA
| | - Fahimeh Varzideh
- Department of Medicine, Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism (FIDAM), Einstein-Mount Sinai Diabetes Research Center (ES-DRC), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA; Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Einstein Institute for Neuroimmunology and Inflammation, Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Einstein Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA
| | - Scott Wilson
- Department of Medicine, Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism (FIDAM), Einstein-Mount Sinai Diabetes Research Center (ES-DRC), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA
| | - Pasquale Mone
- Department of Medicine, Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism (FIDAM), Einstein-Mount Sinai Diabetes Research Center (ES-DRC), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA
| | - Angela Lombardi
- Department of Medicine, Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism (FIDAM), Einstein-Mount Sinai Diabetes Research Center (ES-DRC), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA
| | - Jessica Gambardella
- Department of Medicine, Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism (FIDAM), Einstein-Mount Sinai Diabetes Research Center (ES-DRC), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA; Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Einstein Institute for Neuroimmunology and Inflammation, Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Einstein Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA; International Translational Research and Medical Education (ITME), Department of Advanced Biomedical Science, "Federico II" University, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Gaetano Santulli
- Department of Medicine, Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism (FIDAM), Einstein-Mount Sinai Diabetes Research Center (ES-DRC), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA; Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Einstein Institute for Neuroimmunology and Inflammation, Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Einstein Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA; International Translational Research and Medical Education (ITME), Department of Advanced Biomedical Science, "Federico II" University, 80131 Naples, Italy.
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29
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Xu Z, Zhong K, Guo G, Xu C, Song Z, Wang D, Pan J. circ_TGFBR2 Inhibits Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Phenotypic Switch and Suppresses Aortic Dissection Progression by Sponging miR-29a. J Inflamm Res 2021; 14:5877-5890. [PMID: 34795497 PMCID: PMC8593842 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s336094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Aortic dissection (AD) is a threatening and catastrophic vascular disease with high mortality rate and limited therapeutic strategies. There is emerging evidence showing that circular RNAs play crucial role in regulating various cardiovascular diseases. However, the biological functions and molecular mechanisms of circRNAs in AD still remains elusive. The purpose of this study was to illustrate the potential functional roles and mechanisms of hsa_circ_TGFBR2 in vitro and in vivo. Methods The vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and AD-VSMCs were isolated from normal aorta and AD tissues. The expression of circ_TGFBR2, miR-29a and KLF4 were detected by realtime polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Cell proliferation was assessed by CCK-8 assay, colony formation and EDU assay. Cell migration was evaluated through transwell assay. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA pulldown were performed to identify the interaction between circ_TGFBR2 and miR-29a or between miR-29a and KLF4. The wild-type sequence of circ_TGFBR2 or KLF4 were cloned into the luciferase reporter plasmid, and the activity was measured using dual-luciferase reporter assay system. And for RNA pulldown, the relative RNA enrichment of circ_TGFBR2 and miR-29a were confirmed using RT-PCR. Western Blot measured the expression of phenotype switch-related proteins. AD rat model induced by β-aminopropionitrile monofumarate (BAPN) was used to verify the role and mechanism of circ_TGFBR2. Results Circ_TGFBR2 inhibited cell proliferation and migration of AD-VSMCs cells. Overexpression of circ_TGFBR2 promoted the expression of contractile markers (α-SMA, SM22α) and inhibited the expression of synthetic markers (MGP, OPN) in AD-VSMCs cells. Circ_TGFBR2 served as a sponge for miR-29a targeting KLF4. MiR-29a mimics rescued biological roles induced by circ_TGFBR2 overexpression. The in vivo experiments revealed that overexpression of TGFBR2 suppressed the progression of AD and increased the expression of contractile markers while inhibited the expression of synthetic markers. Conclusion Our study revealed that circ_TGFBR2 regulated VSMCs phenotype switch and suppressed the progression of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenjun Xu
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, People's Republic of China
| | - Kai Zhong
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210008, People's Republic of China
| | - Guanjun Guo
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, People's Republic of China
| | - Can Xu
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhizhao Song
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongjin Wang
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Pan
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, People's Republic of China
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30
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Gao F, Chen X, Xu B, Luo Z, Liang Y, Fang S, Li M, Wang X, Lin X. Inhibition of MicroRNA-92 alleviates atherogenesis by regulation of macrophage polarization through targeting KLF4. J Cardiol 2021; 79:432-438. [PMID: 34750028 DOI: 10.1016/j.jjcc.2021.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease in which macrophage polarization plays an important role in contribution to atherosclerotic plaque formation and stability. Here we tested the effect of miR-92 regulation on the development of atherosclerosis beyond tumorigenesis and explored the potential mechanism. METHODS AND RESULTS In the present study, bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDMs), mouse peritoneal macrophages (MPMs), and human macrophages were used to test the expression of miR-92. Here we noticed miR-92 levels were enhanced in classic M1 macrophage but decreased in alternative M2 macrophage, respectively. In vitro, we demonstrated that macrophages transfected with miR-92 inhibitor attenuated proinflammatory cytokine secretion represented by polarized M1 markers but promoted anti-inflammatory state that was indicative of an M2 phenotype. Mechanistically, miR-92 was found to directly interact with KLF4 and we further identified a requirement role of KLF4 in mediating the effect of miR-92 silencing macrophage polarization. Concomitantly, miR-92 inhibition treated ApoE-/- mice promoted macrophage polarization toward alternative M2 macrophage, thus protecting against atherosclerotic plaque formation and preventing a vulnerable phenotype. CONCLUSION miR-92 inhibition promoted alternative macrophage activation and attenuated atherosclerosis regression partially regulated in a KLF4-dependent manner, which indicated that miR-92/KLF4 axis may serve as a promising strategy for prevention of atherosclerotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Gao
- Department of Cardiology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No.678 Furong Road, Economic Development District, Hefei 230601, Anhui Province, China
| | - Xueying Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Banglong Xu
- Department of Cardiology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No.678 Furong Road, Economic Development District, Hefei 230601, Anhui Province, China
| | - Zhidan Luo
- Department of Geriatrics, Chongqing People's Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Yi Liang
- Houston Methodist Research Institute, Center for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sihua Fang
- Department of Cardiology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No.678 Furong Road, Economic Development District, Hefei 230601, Anhui Province, China
| | - Mengli Li
- Department of Cardiology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No.678 Furong Road, Economic Development District, Hefei 230601, Anhui Province, China
| | - Xiaochen Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No.678 Furong Road, Economic Development District, Hefei 230601, Anhui Province, China.
| | - Xianhe Lin
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No.218 Jixi Road, Shushan District, Hefei city 230601, Anhui Province, China.
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Yap C, Mieremet A, de Vries CJ, Micha D, de Waard V. Six Shades of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Illuminated by KLF4 (Krüppel-Like Factor 4). Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2021; 41:2693-2707. [PMID: 34470477 PMCID: PMC8545254 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.121.316600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Multiple layers of vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) are present in blood vessels forming the media of the vessel wall. vSMCs provide a vessel wall structure, enabling it to contract and relax, thus modulating blood flow. They also play a crucial role in the development of vascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis and aortic aneurysm formation. vSMCs display a remarkable high degree of plasticity. At present, the number of different vSMC phenotypes has only partially been characterized. By mapping vSMC phenotypes in detail and identifying triggers for phenotype switching, the relevance of the different phenotypes in vascular disease may be identified. Up until recently, vSMCs were classified as either contractile or dedifferentiated (ie, synthetic). However, single-cell RNA sequencing studies revealed such dedifferentiated arterial vSMCs to be highly diverse. Currently, no consensus exist about the number of vSMC phenotypes. Therefore, we reviewed the data from relevant single-cell RNA sequencing studies, and classified a total of 6 vSMC phenotypes. The central dedifferentiated vSMC type that we classified is the mesenchymal-like phenotype. Mesenchymal-like vSMCs subsequently seem to differentiate into fibroblast-like, macrophage-like, osteogenic-like, and adipocyte-like vSMCs, which contribute differentially to vascular disease. This phenotype switching between vSMCs requires the transcription factor KLF4 (Kruppel-like factor 4). Here, we performed an integrated analysis of the data about the recently identified vSMC phenotypes, their associated gene expression profiles, and previous vSMC knowledge to better understand the role of vSMC phenotype transitions in vascular pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Yap
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Location Academic Medical Center, The Netherlands (C.Y., A.M., C.J.M.d.V., V.d.W.)
| | - Arnout Mieremet
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Location Academic Medical Center, The Netherlands (C.Y., A.M., C.J.M.d.V., V.d.W.)
| | - Carlie J.M. de Vries
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Location Academic Medical Center, The Netherlands (C.Y., A.M., C.J.M.d.V., V.d.W.)
| | - Dimitra Micha
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Location VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (D.M.)
| | - Vivian de Waard
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Location Academic Medical Center, The Netherlands (C.Y., A.M., C.J.M.d.V., V.d.W.)
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Xie X, Guo LW, Craig Kent K. miR548ai antagonism attenuates exosome-induced endothelial cell dysfunction. Cell Death Discov 2021; 7:318. [PMID: 34711811 PMCID: PMC8553949 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-021-00720-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cell (EC) and smooth muscle cell (SMC) are major cell types adjacent in the vascular wall. Recent progress indicates that their communication is crucial for vascular homeostasis and pathogenesis. In particular, dysfunctional (proliferative) SMCs through exosomes can induce EC dysfunction (impaired growth). The current study suggests that miR548ai, a rarely known microRNA, may provide a molecular target for protection against SMC/exosome-induced EC dysfunction. We performed microarray profiling of microRNAs of dysfunctional human primary aortic SMCs induced by different cytokines (PDGF-BB, TGFβ1, TNFα, IL1β). Among the microRNAs commonly upregulated by these cytokines, miR548ai showed the most robust changes, as also validated through quantitative PCR. This cytokine-induced miR548ai upregulation was recapitulated in the qPCR determination of SMC-derived exosomal microRNAs. Consistent with SMC-to-EC communication, the exosomes extracted from cytokine-stimulated SMCs impaired human EC proliferation and migration. Of particular interest, this SMC exosomal impingement on ECs was countered by transfection of miR548ai inhibitor microRNA into ECs. Furthermore, the miR548ai inhibitor transfected into SMCs attenuated SMC dysfunction/proliferation. Thus, these results identify miR548ai as a novel target; namely, miR548ai inhibitor mitigates EC dysfunction induced by exosomes derived from dysfunctional SMCs. This new knowledge may aid the future development of microRNA-based treatment of vascular disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiujie Xie
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Lian-Wang Guo
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA. .,Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA. .,Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
| | - K Craig Kent
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
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Chakraborty R, Chatterjee P, Dave JM, Ostriker AC, Greif DM, Rzucidlo EM, Martin KA. Targeting smooth muscle cell phenotypic switching in vascular disease. JVS Vasc Sci 2021; 2:79-94. [PMID: 34617061 PMCID: PMC8489222 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvssci.2021.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The phenotypic plasticity of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is central to vessel growth and remodeling, but also contributes to cardiovascular pathologies. New technologies including fate mapping, single cell transcriptomics, and genetic and pharmacologic inhibitors have provided fundamental new insights into the biology of VSMC. The goal of this review is to summarize the mechanisms underlying VSMC phenotypic modulation and how these might be targeted for therapeutic benefit. Methods We summarize findings from extensive literature searches to highlight recent discoveries in the mechanisms underlying VSMC phenotypic switching with particular relevance to intimal hyperplasia. PubMed was searched for publications between January 2001 and December 2020. Search terms included VSMCs, restenosis, intimal hyperplasia, phenotypic switching or modulation, and drug-eluting stents. We sought to highlight druggable pathways as well as recent landmark studies in phenotypic modulation. Results Lineage tracing methods have determined that a small number of mature VSMCs dedifferentiate to give rise to oligoclonal lesions in intimal hyperplasia and atherosclerosis. In atherosclerosis and aneurysm, single cell transcriptomics reveal a striking diversity of phenotypes that can arise from these VSMCs. Mechanistic studies continue to identify new pathways that influence VSMC phenotypic plasticity. We review the mechanisms by which the current drug-eluting stent agents prevent restenosis and note remaining challenges in peripheral and diabetic revascularization for which new approaches would be beneficial. We summarize findings on new epigenetic (DNA methylation/TET methylcytosine dioxygenase 2, histone deacetylation, bromodomain proteins), transcriptional (Hippo/Yes-associated protein, peroxisome proliferator-activity receptor-gamma, Notch), and β3-integrin-mediated mechanisms that influence VSMC phenotypic modulation. Pharmacologic and genetic targeting of these pathways with agents including ascorbic acid, histone deacetylase or bromodomain inhibitors, thiazolidinediones, and integrin inhibitors suggests potential therapeutic value in the setting of intimal hyperplasia. Conclusions Understanding the molecular mechanisms that underlie the remarkable plasticity of VSMCs may lead to novel approaches to treat and prevent cardiovascular disease and restenosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raja Chakraborty
- Department of Medicine, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn.,Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn
| | - Payel Chatterjee
- Department of Medicine, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn.,Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn
| | - Jui M Dave
- Department of Medicine, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn.,Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn
| | - Allison C Ostriker
- Department of Medicine, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn.,Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn
| | - Daniel M Greif
- Department of Medicine, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn.,Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn
| | - Eva M Rzucidlo
- Department Surgery, Section of Vascular Surgery, McLeod Regional Medical Center, Florence, SC
| | - Kathleen A Martin
- Department of Medicine, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn.,Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn
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Chen MY, Ke JF, Zhang ZH, Li MF, Wang JW, Lu JX, Xu PP, Xia XT, Guo MG, Li LX. Deletion of Fam172a accelerates advanced atherosclerosis and induces plaque instability. Atherosclerosis 2021; 333:39-47. [PMID: 34425526 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2021.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play a critical role in atherosclerosis. The family with sequence similarity 172, member A (FAM172A) is a novel protein and its role in atherosclerosis has not been explored so far. Therefore, our aim is to investigate whether FAM172A affects atheroprogression through VSMCs and its possible mechanism. METHODS Fam172a-/- mice were generated using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Fam172a-/- and Apoe-/- double knockout (Fam172a-/-/Apoe-/-) mice and their littermates (Fam172a+/+/Apoe-/-) were fed with a Western diet for 18 weeks to induce advanced atherosclerotic lesions. The role and mechanism of Fam172a in phenotypic switching, proliferation and migration of VSMCs were investigated through in vivo and in vitro experiments. RESULTS Compared with Fam172a+/+/Apoe-/- mice, Fam172a-/-/Apoe-/- mice showed increased atherosclerotic lesion size and plaque instability such as increased necrotic core area and decreased fiber deposition. Additionally, knockout of Fam172a promoted expression of CD68 and KLF4 and decreased expression of α-SMA and SM22α in atherosclerotic lesions. Furthermore, overexpression of Fam172a promoted Movas cells proliferation and migration, increased expression of α-SMA and SM22α and decreased expression of KLF4. Meanwhile, knockdown of Fam172a in Movas cells and deletion of Fam172a in VSMCs from Fam172a-/-/Apoe-/- mice showed opposite phenotypes. Similar phenotypes were also observed in human aortic smooth muscle cells. CONCLUSIONS Our results provide the first direct evidence that Fam172a has a protective role in advanced atherosclerosis by increasing atherosclerotic plaque stability and inhibiting transition of VSMCs from contractile to synthetic phenotype, which may be through KLF4-dependent pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Yun Chen
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Clinical Center for Diabetes, Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Key Clinical Center for Metabolic Disease, 600 Yishan Road, 200233, Shanghai, China; Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350005, Fujian, China
| | - Jiang-Feng Ke
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Clinical Center for Diabetes, Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Key Clinical Center for Metabolic Disease, 600 Yishan Road, 200233, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi-Hui Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Clinical Center for Diabetes, Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Key Clinical Center for Metabolic Disease, 600 Yishan Road, 200233, Shanghai, China
| | - Mei-Fang Li
- Department of Emergency, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital; 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Jun-Wei Wang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Clinical Center for Diabetes, Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Key Clinical Center for Metabolic Disease, 600 Yishan Road, 200233, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun-Xi Lu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Clinical Center for Diabetes, Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Key Clinical Center for Metabolic Disease, 600 Yishan Road, 200233, Shanghai, China
| | - Pei-Pei Xu
- Department of Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Xiao-Tian Xia
- Department of Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Ming-Gao Guo
- Department of Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Lian-Xi Li
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Clinical Center for Diabetes, Shanghai Diabetes Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Diabetes Mellitus, Shanghai Key Clinical Center for Metabolic Disease, 600 Yishan Road, 200233, Shanghai, China.
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He L, Gao K, Liu H, Wang J, Li X, He C. Smooth muscle cell-specific knockout of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) receptor attenuates intimal hyperplasia via STAT1-KLF4 activation. Life Sci 2021:119651. [PMID: 34048810 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intimal hyperplasia is a main contributor to in-stent restenosis. Previous researches have shown that interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), a pleiotropic pro-inflammatory factor, plays a pathological role in intimal hyperplasia. However, the specific role and molecular mechanism of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs)-derived IFN-γ receptor in intimal hyperplasia remains unknown. METHODS We examined the distribution of IFN-γ receptor in human restenosis arteries. Then, the role of IFN-γ receptor in intimal hyperplasia was detected using VSMC-specific IFN-γ receptor-knock out carotid ligation injury models. We performed immunostaining, transwell assay and EdU staining to identify the role of IFN-γ in VSMCs proliferation and migration. The effect of IFN-γ on VSMCs phenotype switching was also investigated. Finally, we evaluated whether the mechanism of IFN-γ on intimal hyperplasia is STAT1-KLF4 dependent. RESULTS The distribution of IFN-γ receptor in human restenosis arteries with VSMC-rich neointima is eventually upregulated. Specific deletion of IFN-γ receptor exhibits thinner intima and lesser proliferating VSMCs. In vitro, treatment with IFN-γ promotes human aortic VSMC (HAVSMCs) proliferation and migration, whereas specifically knock out IFN-γ receptor results in the opposite effect. Deficiency of IFN-γ receptor regulates VSMCs phenotypic switching, such as upregulated contractile markers and downregulated proliferation markers. Mechanistic studies suggest that ablation of IFN-γ receptor prevents VSMCs proliferation, migration and dedifferentiation via STAT1-KLF4 activation. CONCLUSION These results reveal that knockout of VSMC-derived IFN-γ receptor potentiates neointimal hyperplasia by preventing VSMCs proliferation, migration and dedifferentiation. Our finding implies that targeting IFN-γ-STAT1-KLF4 signaling could provide a new therapeutic strategy to attenuate vessel restenosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu He
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Kun Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hongxia Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinwei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chaoyong He
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.
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Lu W, Zhou Y, Zeng S, Zhong L, Zhou S, Song H, Ding R, Zhong G, Li Q, Hu Y, Wen Z, Liao Q, Wang Y, Lyu L, Zhong Y, Hu G, Liao Y, Xie D, Xie J. Loss of FoxO3a prevents aortic aneurysm formation through maintenance of VSMC homeostasis. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:378. [PMID: 33828087 PMCID: PMC8027644 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-03659-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotypic switching plays a critical role in the formation of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). FoxO3a is a key suppressor of VSMC homeostasis. We found that in human and animal AAA tissues, FoxO3a was upregulated, SM22α and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) proteins were downregulated and synthetic phenotypic markers were upregulated, indicating that VSMC phenotypic switching occurred in these diseased tissues. In addition, in cultured VSMCs, significant enhancement of FoxO3a expression was found during angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced VSMC phenotypic switching. In vivo, FoxO3a overexpression in C57BL/6J mice treated with Ang II increased the formation of AAAs, whereas FoxO3a knockdown exerted an inhibitory effect on AAA formation in ApoE−/− mice infused with Ang II. Mechanistically, FoxO3a overexpression significantly inhibited the expression of differentiated smooth muscle cell (SMC) markers, activated autophagy, the essential repressor of VSMC homeostasis, and promoted AAA formation. Our study revealed that FoxO3a promotes VSMC phenotypic switching to accelerate AAA formation through the P62/LC3BII autophagy signaling pathway and that therapeutic approaches that decrease FoxO3a expression may prevent AAA formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiling Lu
- Department of Cardiology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Gannan Medical University, University Town, Ganzhou Development District, 341000, Ganzhou, China.,Department of Cardiology, Ganzhou Municipal Hospital, 49th, Grand Highway, 341000, Ganzhou, China
| | - Yu Zhou
- Division of Vascular Surgery, National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Vascular Disease Treatment, Engineering and Technology Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Diseases, Guangdong Engineering Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shan Zeng
- Department of Cardiology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Gannan Medical University, University Town, Ganzhou Development District, 341000, Ganzhou, China
| | - Lintao Zhong
- Department of Cardiology, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), 519000, Zhuhai, China
| | - Shiju Zhou
- Department of Cardiology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Gannan Medical University, University Town, Ganzhou Development District, 341000, Ganzhou, China
| | - Haoyu Song
- Wards of Cadres, Zhuhai People's Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), 519000, Zhuhai, China
| | - Rongming Ding
- Department of Cardiology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Gannan Medical University, University Town, Ganzhou Development District, 341000, Ganzhou, China
| | - Gaojun Zhong
- Department of Cardiology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Gannan Medical University, University Town, Ganzhou Development District, 341000, Ganzhou, China
| | - Qingrui Li
- Department of Cardiology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Gannan Medical University, University Town, Ganzhou Development District, 341000, Ganzhou, China
| | - Yuhua Hu
- Department of Cardiology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Gannan Medical University, University Town, Ganzhou Development District, 341000, Ganzhou, China
| | - Zhongyu Wen
- Department of Cardiology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Gannan Medical University, University Town, Ganzhou Development District, 341000, Ganzhou, China
| | - Qin Liao
- Department of Cardiology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Gannan Medical University, University Town, Ganzhou Development District, 341000, Ganzhou, China
| | - Yalan Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Gannan Medical University, University Town, Ganzhou Development District, 341000, Ganzhou, China
| | - Lianglliang Lyu
- Department of Cardiology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Gannan Medical University, University Town, Ganzhou Development District, 341000, Ganzhou, China
| | - Yiming Zhong
- Department of Cardiology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Gannan Medical University, University Town, Ganzhou Development District, 341000, Ganzhou, China
| | - Gonghua Hu
- Department of Cardiology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Gannan Medical University, University Town, Ganzhou Development District, 341000, Ganzhou, China
| | - Yulin Liao
- Department of Cardiology, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1838 North Guangzhou Avenue, 510515, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Dongming Xie
- Department of Cardiology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Gannan Medical University, University Town, Ganzhou Development District, 341000, Ganzhou, China. .,Jiangxi Branch Center of National Geriatric Disease Clinical Medical Research Center, Gannan Medical University, University Town, 341000, Ganzhou Development District, Jiangxi Province, China.
| | - Jiahe Xie
- Department of Cardiology, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Gannan Medical University, University Town, Ganzhou Development District, 341000, Ganzhou, China. .,Jiangxi Branch Center of National Geriatric Disease Clinical Medical Research Center, Gannan Medical University, University Town, 341000, Ganzhou Development District, Jiangxi Province, China.
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Qiu Y, Xu J, Yang L, Zhao G, Ding J, Chen Q, Zhang N, Yang R, Wang J, Li S, Zhang L. MiR-375 silencing attenuates pro-inflammatory macrophage response and foam cell formation by targeting KLF4. Exp Cell Res 2021; 400:112507. [PMID: 33545131 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2021.112507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Macrophage mediated inflammation and foam cell formation play crucial roles in the development of atherosclerosis. MiR-375 is a small noncoding RNA that significantly implicated in multiple tumor regulation and has been emerged as a novel biomarker for type 2 diabetes. However, the exact role of miR-375 on macrophage activation remains unknown. In the present study, we observed that miR-375 expression showed an up-regulated expression in atherosclerotic aortas, as well as in bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDMs) and mouse peritoneal macrophages (MPMs) isolated from ApoE deficiency mice and was gradually increased followed the Ox-LDL treated time. Functionally, miR-375 inhibition significantly decreased foam cell formation accompanied by up-regulated genes expression involved in cholesterol efflux but reduced genes expression implicated in cholesterol influx. Moreover, miR-375 silencing increased resolving M2 macrophage but reduced pro-inflammatory M1 macrophage markers expression. Such above effects can be reversed by miR-375 overexpression. Mechanistically, we noticed that miR-375 knockdown promoted KLF4 expression which was required for the ameliorated effect of miR-375 silencing on macrophage activation. Importantly, the consistent results in mRNA expression of M1 and M2 markers were observed in vivo, and miR-375-/-ApoE-/- mice significant decreased atherosclerotic lesions in the whole aorta and aortic sinus. Taken together, these evidences suggested that miR-375 knockdown attenuated macrophage activation partially through activation of KLF4-dependent mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Qiu
- Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Function, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450003, China
| | - Jinyi Xu
- Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Function, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450003, China.
| | - Lihong Yang
- Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Function, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450003, China
| | - Guihua Zhao
- Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Function, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450003, China
| | - Jing Ding
- Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Function, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450003, China
| | - Qiong Chen
- Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Function, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450003, China
| | - Na Zhang
- Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Function, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450003, China
| | - Ruike Yang
- Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Function, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450003, China
| | - Jijing Wang
- Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Function, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450003, China
| | - Shuaibing Li
- Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Function, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450003, China
| | - Luming Zhang
- Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Function, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450003, China
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Wang Y, Xu Y, Yan S, Cao K, Zeng X, Zhou Y, Liu Z, Yang Q, Pan Y, Wang X, Boison D, Su Y, Jiang X, Patel VS, Fulton D, Weintraub NL, Huo Y. Adenosine kinase is critical for neointima formation after vascular injury by inducing aberrant DNA hypermethylation. Cardiovasc Res 2021; 117:561-575. [PMID: 32065618 PMCID: PMC7820850 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvaa040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Adenosine receptors and extracellular adenosine have been demonstrated to modulate vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and neointima formation. Adenosine kinase (ADK) is a major enzyme regulating intracellular adenosine levels but is function in VSMC remains unclear. Here, we investigated the role of ADK in vascular injury-induced smooth muscle proliferation and delineated the mechanisms underlying its action. METHODS AND RESULTS We found that ADK expression was higher in the neointima of injured vessels and in platelet-derived growth factor-treated VSMCs. Genetic and pharmacological inhibition of ADK was enough to attenuate arterial injury-induced neointima formation due to inhibition of VSMC proliferation. Mechanistically, using infinium methylation assays and bisulfite sequencing, we showed that ADK metabolized the intracellular adenosine and potentiated the transmethylation pathway, then induced the aberrant DNA hypermethylation. Pharmacological inhibition of aberrant DNA hypermethylation increased KLF4 expression and suppressed VSMC proliferation as well as the neointima formation. Importantly, in human femoral arteries, we observed increased ADK expression and DNA hypermethylation as well as decreased KLF4 expression in neointimal VSMCs of stenotic vessels suggesting that our findings in mice are relevant for human disease and may hold translational significance. CONCLUSION Our study unravels a novel mechanism by which ADK promotes VSMC proliferation via inducing aberrant DNA hypermethylation, thereby down-regulating KLF4 expression and promoting neointima formation. These findings advance the possibility of targeting ADK as an epigenetic modulator to combat vascular injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Wang
- College of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Yiming Xu
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
- The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People’s Hospital; State Key Lab of Respiratory Disease; School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Siyuan Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, China
| | - Kaixiang Cao
- The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People’s Hospital; State Key Lab of Respiratory Disease; School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xianqiu Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yaqi Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhiping Liu
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Qiuhua Yang
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yue Pan
- Georgia Prevention Institute, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Xiaoling Wang
- Georgia Prevention Institute, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Detlev Boison
- Robert S. Dow Neurobiology Laboratories, Legacy Research Institute, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Yunchao Su
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Xuejun Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, China
| | - Vijay S Patel
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - David Fulton
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Neal L Weintraub
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Yuqing Huo
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
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Recent Discoveries on the Involvement of Krüppel-Like Factor 4 in the Most Common Cancer Types. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228843. [PMID: 33266506 PMCID: PMC7700188 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) is a transcription factor highly conserved in evolution. It is particularly well known for its role in inducing pluripotent stem cells. In addition, KLF4 plays many roles in cancer. The results of most studies suggest that KLF4 is a tumor suppressor. However, the functioning of KLF4 is regulated at many levels. These include regulation of transcription, alternative splicing, miRNA, post-translational modifications, subcellular localization, protein stability and interactions with other molecules. Simple experiments aimed at assaying transcript levels or protein levels fail to address this complexity and thus may deliver misleading results. Tumor subtypes are also important; for example, in prostate cancer KLF4 is highly expressed in indolent tumors where it impedes tumor progression, while it is absent from aggressive prostate tumors. KLF4 is important in regulating response to many known drugs, and it also plays a role in tumor microenvironment. More and more information is available about upstream regulators, downstream targets and signaling pathways associated with the involvement of KLF4 in cancer. Furthermore, KLF4 performs critical function in the overall regulation of tissue homeostasis, cellular integrity, and progression towards malignancy. Here we summarize and analyze the latest findings concerning this fascinating transcription factor.
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Yang C, Xiao X, Huang L, Zhou F, Chen LH, Zhao YY, Qu SL, Zhang C. Role of Kruppel-like factor 4 in atherosclerosis. Clin Chim Acta 2020; 512:135-141. [PMID: 33181148 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2020.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is one of the chronic progressive diseases, which is caused by vascular injury and promoted by the interaction of various inflammatory factors and inflammatory cells. In recent years, kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), a significant transcription factor that participated in cell growth, differentiation and proliferation, has been proved to cause substantial impacts on regulating cardiovascular disease. This paper will give a comprehensive summary to highlight KLF4 as a crucial regulator of foam cell formation, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) phenotypic transformation, macrophage polarization, endothelial cells inflammation, lymphocyte differentiation and cell proliferation in the process of atherosclerosis. Recent studies show that KLF4 may be an important "molecular switch" in the process of improving vascular injury and inflammation under harmful stimulation, suggesting that KLF4 is a latent disease biomarker for the therapeutic target of atherosclerosis and vascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Yang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuan Xiao
- Research Lab for Clinical & Translational Medicine, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Liang Huang
- Research Lab for Clinical & Translational Medicine, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Zhou
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin-Hui Chen
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Yan Zhao
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Shun-Lin Qu
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Chi Zhang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, People's Republic of China.
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Saberinia A, Alinezhad A, Jafari F, Soltany S, Akhavan Sigari R. Oncogenic miRNAs and target therapies in colorectal cancer. Clin Chim Acta 2020; 508:77-91. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2020.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Huang Y, Urabe G, Zhang M, Li J, Ozer HG, Wang B, Kent KC, Guo LW. Nullifying epigenetic writer DOT1L attenuates neointimal hyperplasia. Atherosclerosis 2020; 308:22-31. [PMID: 32799103 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2020.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2019] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Histone methyltransferases are emerging targets for epigenetic therapy. DOT1L (disruptor of telomeric silencing 1-like) is the only known methylation writer at histone 3 lysine 79 (H3K79). It is little explored for intervention of cardiovascular disease. We investigated the role of DOT1L in neointimal hyperplasia (IH), a basic etiology of occlusive vascular diseases. METHODS AND RESULTS IH was induced via balloon angioplasty in rat carotid arteries. DOT1L and its catalytic products H3K79me2 and H3K79me3 (immunostaining) increased by 4.69 ± 0.34, 2.38 ± 0.052, and 3.07 ± 0.27 fold, respectively, in injured (versus uninjured) carotid arteries at post-injury day 7. Dot1l silencing via shRNA-lentivirus infusion in injured arteries reduced DOT1L, H3K79me2, and IH at day 14 by 54.5%, 37.1%, and 76.5%, respectively. Moreover, perivascular administration of a DOT1L-selective inhibitor (EPZ5676) reduced H3K79me2, H3K79me3, and IH by 56.1%, 58.6%, and 39.9%, respectively. In addition, Dot1l silencing and its inhibition (with EPZ5676) in vivo in injured arteries boosted smooth muscle α-actin immunostaining; pretreatment of smooth muscle cells with EPZ5676 in vitro reduced pro-proliferative marker proteins, including proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and cyclin-D1. CONCLUSIONS While DOT1L is upregulated in angioplasty-injured rat carotid arteries, either its genetic silencing or pharmacological inhibition diminishes injury-induced IH. As such, this study presents a strong rationale for continued mechanistic and translational investigation into DOT1L targeting for treatment of (re)stenotic vascular conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yitao Huang
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA; Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, College of Medicine and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Go Urabe
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA; Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, College of Medicine and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Mengxue Zhang
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA; Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, College of Medicine and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA; Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, College of Medicine and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Hatice Gulcin Ozer
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Bowen Wang
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA; Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA; Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - K Craig Kent
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Lian-Wang Guo
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA; Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, College of Medicine and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA; Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA; Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
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Maguire EM, Xiao Q. Noncoding RNAs in vascular smooth muscle cell function and neointimal hyperplasia. FEBS J 2020; 287:5260-5283. [DOI: 10.1111/febs.15357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eithne Margaret Maguire
- Centre for Clinical Pharmacology William Harvey Research Institute Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry Queen Mary University of London UK
| | - Qingzhong Xiao
- Centre for Clinical Pharmacology William Harvey Research Institute Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry Queen Mary University of London UK
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases at The Second Affiliated Hospital Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation School of Basic Medical Sciences Guangzhou Medical University China
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Chen Y, Su X, Qin Q, Yu Y, Jia M, Zhang H, Li H, Pei L. New insights into phenotypic switching of VSMCs induced by hyperhomocysteinemia: Role of endothelin-1 signaling. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 123:109758. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.109758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
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Xu Y, Luo Y, Liang C, Zhang T. LncRNA-Mhrt regulates cardiac hypertrophy by modulating the miR-145a-5p/KLF4/myocardin axis. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2020; 139:47-61. [PMID: 31982428 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2019.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 12/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Cardiac hypertrophy is an early milestone of many heart diseases. LncRNAs often play a leading role in this process. However, its mechanism of action in cardiac hypertrophy has not been fully explained. In a previous study, we showed a new mode by which lncRNA-Mhrt inhibited cardiac hypertrophy by inhibiting myocardin. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. This study aims to explore potential action modes of Mhrt in regulating the expression of myocardin in the process of cardiac hypertrophy. Here, we find that Mhrt reduces myocardin expression through KLF4 in vivo and in vitro. Meanwhile, Mhrt promotes the expression of KLF4 through direct binding to miR-145a-5p or inhibiting phosphorylation of KLF4 by forming a complex with KLF4 to prevent the binding of ERK and KLF4, thereby inhibiting myocardin expression and the development of myocardial hypertrophy. Taken together, our findings reveal a new pathway, Mhrt-KLF4-myocardin, that regulates cardiac hypertrophy and revealed additional possible action modes of Mhrt in the occurrence and development of cardiac hypertrophy. The new regulatory pathway serves as a potential therapeutic avenue for cardiac hypertrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Xu
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
| | - Ying Luo
- College of Biological Science and Technology,Hubei Minzu University,Enshi, Hubei, China
| | - Chen Liang
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Tongcun Zhang
- Institute of Biology and Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
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Yang GS, Zheng B, Qin Y, Zhou J, Yang Z, Zhang XH, Zhao HY, Yang HJ, Wen JK. Salvia miltiorrhiza-derived miRNAs suppress vascular remodeling through regulating OTUD7B/KLF4/NMHC IIA axis. Theranostics 2020; 10:7787-7811. [PMID: 32685020 PMCID: PMC7359079 DOI: 10.7150/thno.46911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Abnormal proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are essential for vascular remodeling. Natural compounds with diterpene chinone or phenolic acid structure from Salvia miltiorrhiza, an eminent medicinal herb widely used to treat cardiovascular diseases in China, can effectively attenuate vascular remodeling induced by vascular injury. However, it remains unknown whether Salvia miltiorrhiza-derived miRNAs can protect VSMCs from injury by environmental stimuli. Here, we explored the role and underlying mechanisms of Salvia miltiorrhiza-derived Sal-miR-1 and 3 in the regulation of VSMC migration and monocyte adhesion to VSMCs induced by thrombin. Methods: A mouse model for intimal hyperplasia was established by the ligation of carotid artery and the injured carotid arteries were in situ-transfected with Sal-miR-1 and 3 using F-127 pluronic gel. The vascular protective effects of Sal-miR-1 and 3 were assessed via analysis of intimal hyperplasia with pathological morphology. VSMC migration and adhesion were analyzed by the wound healing, transwell membrane assays, and time-lapse imaging experiment. Using loss- and gain-of-function approaches, Sal-miR-1 and 3 regulation of OTUD7B/KLF4/NMHC IIA axis was investigated by using luciferase assay, co-immunoprecipitation, chromatin immunoprecipitation, western blotting, etc. Results:Salvia miltiorrhiza-derived Sal-miR-1 and 3 can enter the mouse body after intragastric administration, and significantly suppress intimal hyperplasia induced by carotid artery ligation. In cultured VSMCs, these two miRNAs inhibit thrombin-induced the migration of VSMCs and monocyte adhesion to VSMCs. Mechanistically, Sal-miR-1 and 3 abrogate OTUD7B upregulation by thrombin via binding to the different sites of the OTUD7B 3'UTR. Most importantly, OTUD7B downregulation by Sal-miR-1 and 3 attenuates KLF4 protein levels via decreasing its deubiquitylation, whereas decreased KLF4 relieves its repression of transcription of NMHC IIA gene and thus increases NMHC IIA expression levels. Further, increased NMHC IIA represses VSMC migration and monocyte adhesion to VSMCs via maintaining the contractile phenotype of VSMCs. Conclusions: Our studies not only found the novel bioactive components from Salvia miltiorrhiza but also clarified the molecular mechanism underlying Sal-miR-1 and 3 inhibition of VSMC migration and monocyte adhesion to VSMCs. These results add important knowledge to the pharmacological actions and bioactive components of Salvia miltiorrhiza. Sal-miR-1 and 3-regulated OTUD7B/KLF4/NMHC IIA axis may represent a therapeutic target for vascular remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gao-shan Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, China Administration of Education, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Bin Zheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, China Administration of Education, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yan Qin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, China Administration of Education, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Central Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding, China
| | - Jing Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, China Administration of Education, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Department of Endocrine, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Zhan Yang
- Department of Science and Technology, The second hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xin-hua Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, China Administration of Education, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Hong-ye Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, China Administration of Education, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Hao-jie Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, China Administration of Education, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Jin-kun Wen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, China Administration of Education, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- ✉ Corresponding author: Jin-kun Wen, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hebei Medical University, 361 Zhongshan East Road, Shijiazhuang, 050017, China. E-mail:
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Ramel D, Gayral S, Sarthou MK, Augé N, Nègre-Salvayre A, Laffargue M. Immune and Smooth Muscle Cells Interactions in Atherosclerosis: How to Target a Breaking Bad Dialogue? Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:1276. [PMID: 31824304 PMCID: PMC6882774 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation is a well-known pathophysiological factor of atherosclerosis but its therapeutic targeting has long been ignored. However, recent advances in the understanding of the immune mechanisms implicated in atherosclerosis have unveiled several therapeutic targets currently undergoing clinical trials. These studies have also shed light on a dialogue between the immune compartment and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) that plays a critical role in atherosclerotic disease initiation, progression, and stabilization. Our review focuses on the link between cellular and soluble immune effectors and VSMC behavior at different phases of the pathology. Furthermore, we discuss the potential targeting of these interactions to efficiently prevent cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damien Ramel
- Department of Vascular Biology of the Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases (I2MC), Université de Toulouse 3, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) UMR1048, Toulouse, France
| | - Stéphanie Gayral
- Department of Vascular Biology of the Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases (I2MC), Université de Toulouse 3, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) UMR1048, Toulouse, France
| | - Marie-Kerguelen Sarthou
- Department of Vascular Biology of the Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases (I2MC), Université de Toulouse 3, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) UMR1048, Toulouse, France
| | - Nathalie Augé
- Department of Vascular Biology of the Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases (I2MC), Université de Toulouse 3, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) UMR1048, Toulouse, France
| | - Anne Nègre-Salvayre
- Department of Vascular Biology of the Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases (I2MC), Université de Toulouse 3, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) UMR1048, Toulouse, France
| | - Muriel Laffargue
- Department of Vascular Biology of the Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases (I2MC), Université de Toulouse 3, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) UMR1048, Toulouse, France
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Jaminon A, Reesink K, Kroon A, Schurgers L. The Role of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells in Arterial Remodeling: Focus on Calcification-Related Processes. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E5694. [PMID: 31739395 PMCID: PMC6888164 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20225694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Arterial remodeling refers to the structural and functional changes of the vessel wall that occur in response to disease, injury, or aging. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) play a pivotal role in regulating the remodeling processes of the vessel wall. Phenotypic switching of VSMC involves oxidative stress-induced extracellular vesicle release, driving calcification processes. The VSMC phenotype is relevant to plaque initiation, development and stability, whereas, in the media, the VSMC phenotype is important in maintaining tissue elasticity, wall stress homeostasis and vessel stiffness. Clinically, assessment of arterial remodeling is a challenge; particularly distinguishing intimal and medial involvement, and their contributions to vessel wall remodeling. The limitations pertain to imaging resolution and sensitivity, so methodological development is focused on improving those. Moreover, the integration of data across the microscopic (i.e., cell-tissue) and macroscopic (i.e., vessel-system) scale for correct interpretation is innately challenging, because of the multiple biophysical and biochemical factors involved. In the present review, we describe the arterial remodeling processes that govern arterial stiffening, atherosclerosis and calcification, with a particular focus on VSMC phenotypic switching. Additionally, we review clinically applicable methodologies to assess arterial remodeling and the latest developments in these, seeking to unravel the ubiquitous corroborator of vascular pathology that calcification appears to be.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armand Jaminon
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands;
| | - Koen Reesink
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands;
| | - Abraham Kroon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+), 6229 HX Maastricht, The Netherlands;
| | - Leon Schurgers
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands;
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Khachigian LM. Transcription Factors Targeted by miRNAs Regulating Smooth Muscle Cell Growth and Intimal Thickening after Vascular Injury. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20215445. [PMID: 31683712 PMCID: PMC6861964 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20215445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Neointima formation after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a manifestation of “phenotype switching” by vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC), a process that involves de-differentiation from a contractile quiescent phenotype to one that is richly synthetic. In response to injury, SMCs migrate, proliferate, down-regulate SMC-specific differentiation genes, and later, can revert to the contractile phenotype. The vascular response to injury is regulated by microRNAs (or miRNAs), small non-coding RNAs that control gene expression. Interactions between miRNAs and transcription factors impact gene regulatory networks. This article briefly reviews the roles of a range of miRNAs in molecular and cellular processes that control intimal thickening, focusing mainly on transcription factors, some of which are encoded by immediate-early genes. Examples include Egr-1, junB, KLF4, KLF5, Elk-1, Ets-1, HMGB1, Smad1, Smad3, FoxO4, SRF, Rb, Sp1 and c-Myb. Such mechanistic information could inform the development of strategies that block SMC growth, neointima formation, and potentially overcome limitations of lasting efficacy following PCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Levon M Khachigian
- Vascular Biology and Translational Research, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia.
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Gao G, Zhang Y, Chao Y, Niu C, Fu X, Wei J. miR-4735-3p regulates phenotypic modulation of vascular smooth muscle cells by targeting HIF-1-mediated autophagy in intracranial aneurysm. J Cell Biochem 2019; 120:19432-19441. [PMID: 31498485 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.29219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Intracranial aneurysm (IA) is recognized as a lethal form of cerebrovascular disease mainly featured with a modulated phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). It is generally believed that enhanced SMC proliferation and migration capabilities are the main characteristics in this process. In this study, we revealed that microRNA-4735 (miR-4735) participates in phenotypic modulation in a hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1)-dependent manner of SMCs. miR-4735 targets the 3'-untranslated region of HIF-1. The downregulated expression of miR-4735 in IA tissues leads to elevated expression of HIF-1, which activates autophagy and promotes autophagy-mediated SMC proliferation and migration. Overexpression of miR-4735 suppressed HIF-1 expression and HIF-1-mediated autophagy, which led to impaired SMC proliferation and migration abilities. Forced expression of HIF-1 in miR-4735-overexpressed SMCs rescued the impaired SMC proliferation and migration abilities. In conclusion, miR-4735 plays an important role in phenotypic modulation in IA by regulating autophagy-promoted SMC proliferation and migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ge Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, P.R. China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, P.R. China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, P.R. China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, P.R. China
| | - Yingjiu Chao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, P.R. China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, P.R. China
| | - Chaoshi Niu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, P.R. China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, P.R. China
| | - Xianming Fu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, P.R. China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, P.R. China
| | - Jianjun Wei
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, P.R. China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Anhui Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, P.R. China
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