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Alexander BE, Zhao H, Astrof S. SMAD4: A critical regulator of cardiac neural crest cell fate and vascular smooth muscle development. Dev Dyn 2024; 253:119-143. [PMID: 37650555 PMCID: PMC10842824 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During embryogenesis, cardiac neural crest-derived cells (NCs) migrate into the pharyngeal arches and give rise to the vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) of the pharyngeal arch arteries (PAAs). vSMCs are critical for the remodeling of the PAAs into their final adult configuration, giving rise to the aortic arch and its arteries (AAAs). RESULTS We investigated the role of SMAD4 in NC-to-vSMC differentiation using lineage-specific inducible mouse strains. We found that the expression of SMAD4 in the NC is indelible for regulating the survival of cardiac NCs. Although the ablation of SMAD4 at E9.5 in the NC lineage led to a near-complete absence of NCs in the pharyngeal arches, PAAs became invested with vSMCs derived from a compensatory source. Analysis of AAA development at E16.5 showed that the alternative vSMC source compensated for the lack of NC-derived vSMCs and rescued AAA morphogenesis. CONCLUSIONS Our studies uncovered the requisite role of SMAD4 in the contribution of the NC to the pharyngeal arch mesenchyme. We found that in the absence of SMAD4+ NCs, vSMCs around the PAAs arose from a different progenitor source, rescuing AAA morphogenesis. These findings shed light on the remarkable plasticity of developmental mechanisms governing AAA development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianna E. Alexander
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ, 07103
- Multidisciplinary Ph.D. Program in Biomedical Sciences: Cell Biology, Neuroscience and Physiology Track, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ, 07103
| | - Huaning Zhao
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ, 07103
| | - Sophie Astrof
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ, 07103
- Multidisciplinary Ph.D. Program in Biomedical Sciences: Cell Biology, Neuroscience and Physiology Track, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ, 07103
- Multidisciplinary Ph.D. Program in Biomedical Sciences: Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Cancer Track, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ, 07103
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Hu Y, Cai Z, He B. Smooth Muscle Heterogeneity and Plasticity in Health and Aortic Aneurysmal Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11701. [PMID: 37511460 PMCID: PMC10380637 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are the predominant cell type in the medial layer of the aorta, which plays a critical role in the maintenance of aortic wall integrity. VSMCs have been suggested to have contractile and synthetic phenotypes and undergo phenotypic switching to contribute to the deteriorating aortic wall structure. Recently, the unprecedented heterogeneity and diversity of VSMCs and their complex relationship to aortic aneurysms (AAs) have been revealed by high-resolution research methods, such as lineage tracing and single-cell RNA sequencing. The aortic wall consists of VSMCs from different embryonic origins that respond unevenly to genetic defects that directly or indirectly regulate VSMC contractile phenotype. This difference predisposes to hereditary AAs in the aortic root and ascending aorta. Several VSMC phenotypes with different functions, for example, secreting VSMCs, proliferative VSMCs, mesenchymal stem cell-like VSMCs, immune-related VSMCs, proinflammatory VSMCs, senescent VSMCs, and stressed VSMCs are identified in non-hereditary AAs. The transformation of VSMCs into different phenotypes is an adaptive response to deleterious stimuli but can also trigger pathological remodeling that exacerbates the pathogenesis and development of AAs. This review is intended to contribute to the understanding of VSMC diversity in health and aneurysmal diseases. Papers that give an update on VSMC phenotype diversity in health and aneurysmal disease are summarized and recent insights on the role of VSMCs in AAs are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunwen Hu
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Zhaohua Cai
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Ben He
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
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3
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Alexander BE, Zhao H, Astrof S. SMAD4: A Critical Regulator of Cardiac Neural Crest Cell Fate and Vascular Smooth Muscle Differentiation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.14.532676. [PMID: 36993156 PMCID: PMC10055180 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.14.532676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Background The pharyngeal arch arteries (PAAs) are precursor vessels which remodel into the aortic arch arteries (AAAs) during embryonic cardiovascular development. Cardiac neural crest cells (NCs) populate the PAAs and differentiate into vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs), which is critical for successful PAA-to-AAA remodeling. SMAD4, the central mediator of canonical TGFβ signaling, has been implicated in NC-to-vSMC differentiation; however, its distinct roles in vSMC differentiation and NC survival are unclear. Results Here, we investigated the role of SMAD4 in cardiac NC differentiation to vSMCs using lineage-specific inducible mouse strains in an attempt to avoid early embryonic lethality and NC cell death. We found that with global SMAD4 loss, its role in smooth muscle differentiation could be uncoupled from its role in the survival of the cardiac NC in vivo . Moreover, we found that SMAD4 may regulate the induction of fibronectin, a known mediator of NC-to-vSMC differentiation. Finally, we found that SMAD4 is required in NCs cell-autonomously for NC-to-vSMC differentiation and for NC contribution to and persistence in the pharyngeal arch mesenchyme. Conclusions Overall, this study demonstrates the critical role of SMAD4 in the survival of cardiac NCs, their differentiation to vSMCs, and their contribution to the developing pharyngeal arches.
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Chen J, Chang R. Association of TGF-β Canonical Signaling-Related Core Genes With Aortic Aneurysms and Aortic Dissections. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:888563. [PMID: 35517795 PMCID: PMC9065418 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.888563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling is essential for the maintenance of the normal structure and function of the aorta. It includes SMAD-dependent canonical pathways and noncanonical signaling pathways. Accumulated genetic evidence has shown that TGF-β canonical signaling-related genes have key roles in aortic aneurysms (AAs) and aortic dissections and many gene mutations have been identified in patients, such as those for transforming growth factor-beta receptor one TGFBR1, TGFBR2, SMAD2, SMAD3, SMAD4, and SMAD6. Aortic specimens from patients with these mutations often show paradoxically enhanced TGF-β signaling. Some hypotheses have been proposed and new AA models in mice have been constructed to reveal new mechanisms, but the role of TGF-β signaling in AAs is controversial. In this review, we focus mainly on the role of canonical signaling-related core genes in diseases of the aorta, as well as recent advances in gene-mutation detection, animal models, and in vitro studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jicheng Chen
- Department of Vasculocardiology, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Rong Chang
- Department of Vasculocardiology, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Shenzhen, China
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5
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Smurf2-induced degradation of SMAD2 causes inhibition of hair follicle stem cell differentiation. Cell Death Dis 2022; 8:160. [PMID: 35379779 PMCID: PMC8980066 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-00920-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) are implicated in the formation of hair follicles and epidermis. This study aims to clarify the role of SMAD2 in regulating the differentiation of HFSCs, which is involved with Smurf2. Functional assays were carried out in human HFSCs to assess the effect of SMAD2 and Smurf2 with altered expression on growth dynamics of HFSCs. Ubiquitination of SMAD2 and its protein stability were assessed. The binding relationship between NANOG and DNMT1 was assessed. A mouse skin wound model was induced to verify the effects of Smurf2/SMAD2/NANOG/DNMT1 on wound healing. SMAD2 overexpression was observed in HFSCs during differentiation and its ectopic expression contributed to promotion of differentiation and apoptosis of HFSCs while arresting cell proliferation. Mechanistic investigations indicated that Smurf2 promoted the ubiquitination and degradation of SMAD2, thus causing downregulation of SMAD2 expression. By this mechanism, NANOG expression was reduced and the subsequent DNMT1 transcriptional expression was also diminished, leading to suppression of differentiation and apoptosis of HFSCs while stimulating cell proliferation. Moreover, in vivo data showed that Smurf2 upregulation limited epidermal wound healing in mice by inhibiting the SMAD2/NANOG/DNMT1 axis. Our work proposed a potential target regarding SMAD2 restoration in promoting HFSC differentiation and skin wound healing.
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Zhou D, Feng H, Yang Y, Huang T, Qiu P, Zhang C, Olsen T, Zhang J, Chen YE, Mizrak D, Yang B. hiPSC Modeling of Lineage-Specific Smooth Muscle Cell Defects Caused by TGFBR1A230T Variant, and its Therapeutic Implications for Loeys-Dietz Syndrome. Circulation 2021; 144:1145-1159. [PMID: 34346740 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.121.054744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Background: Loeys-Dietz Syndrome (LDS) is an inherited disorder predisposing individuals to thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (TAAD). Currently, there are no medical treatments except surgical resection. Although the genetic basis of LDS is well-understood, molecular mechanisms underlying the disease remain elusive impeding the development of a therapeutic strategy. In addition, aortic smooth muscle cells (SMC) have heterogenous embryonic origins depending on their spatial location, and lineage-specific effects of pathogenic variants on SMC function, likely causing regionally constrained LDS manifestations, have been unexplored. Methods: We identified an LDS family with a dominant pathogenic variant in TGFBR1 gene (TGFBR1A230T) causing aortic root aneurysm and dissection. To accurately model the molecular defects caused by this mutation, we used human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) from subject with normal aorta to generate hiPSC carrying TGFBR1A230T, and corrected the mutation in patient-derived hiPSC using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing. Following their lineage-specific SMC differentiation through cardiovascular progenitor cell (CPC) and neural crest stem cell (NCSC) lineages, we employed conventional molecular techniques and single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) to characterize the molecular defects. The resulting data led to subsequent molecular and functional rescue experiments employing Activin A and rapamycin. Results: Our results indicate the TGFBR1A230T mutation impairs contractile transcript and protein levels, and function in CPC-SMC, but not in NCSC-SMC. ScRNA-seq results implicate defective differentiation even in TGFBR1A230T/+ CPC-SMC including disruption of SMC contraction, and extracellular matrix formation. Comparison of patient-derived and mutation-corrected cells supported the contractile phenotype observed in the mutant CPC-SMC. TGFBR1A230T selectively disrupted SMAD3 and AKT activation in CPC-SMC, and led to increased cell proliferation. Consistently, scRNA-seq revealed molecular similarities between a loss-of-function SMAD3 mutation (SMAD3c.652delA/+) and TGFBR1A230T/+. Lastly, combination treatment with Activin A and rapamycin during or after SMC differentiation significantly improved the mutant CPC-SMC contractile gene expression, and function; and rescued the mechanical properties of mutant CPC-SMC tissue constructs. Conclusions: This study reveals that a pathogenic TGFBR1 variant causes lineage-specific SMC defects informing the etiology of LDS-associated aortic root aneurysm. As a potential pharmacological strategy, our results highlight a combination treatment with Activin A and rapamycin that can rescue the SMC defects caused by the variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Zhou
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, PRC
| | - Hao Feng
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, PRC
| | - Ying Yang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Tingting Huang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, PRC
| | - Ping Qiu
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Chengxin Zhang
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Timothy Olsen
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Jifeng Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Y Eugene Chen
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Dogukan Mizrak
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Bo Yang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
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7
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Kapoor S, Subba P, Shenoy P S, Bose B. Sca1 + Progenitor Cells (Ex vivo) Exhibits Differential Proteomic Signatures From the Culture Adapted Sca1 + Cells (In vitro), Both Isolated From Murine Skeletal Muscle Tissue. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2021; 17:1754-1767. [PMID: 33742350 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-021-10134-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Stem cell antigen-1 (Sca-1) is a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol-anchored membrane protein that is expressed in a sub-population of muscle stem and progenitor cell types. Reportedly, Sca-1 regulates the myogenic property of myoblasts and Sca-1-/- mice exhibited defective muscle regeneration. Although the role of Sca-1 in muscle development and maintenance is well-acknowledged, molecular composition of muscle derived Sca-1+ cells is not characterized. Here, we applied a high-resolution mass spectrometry-based workflow to characterize the proteomic landscape of mouse hindlimb skeletal muscle derived Sca-1+ cells. Furthermore, we characterized the impact of the cellular microenvironments on the proteomes of Sca-1+ cells. The proteome component of freshly isolated Sca-1+ cells (ex vivo) was compared with that of Sca-1+ cells expanded in cell culture (in vitro). The analysis revealed significant differences in the protein abundances in the two conditions reflective of their functional variations. The identified proteins were enriched in various biological pathways. Notably, we identified proteins related to myotube differentiation, myotube cell development and myoblast fusion. We also identified a panel of cell surface marker proteins that can be leveraged in future to enrich Sca-1+ cells using combinatorial strategies. Comparative analysis implicated the activation of various pathways leading to increased protein synthesis under in vitro condition. We report here the most comprehensive proteome map of Sca-1+ cells that provides insights into the molecular networks operative in Sca-1+ cells. Importantly, through our work we generated the proteomic blueprint of protein abundances significantly altered in Sca-1+ cells under ex vivo and in vitro conditions. The curated data can also be visualized at https://yenepoya.res.in/database/Sca-1-Proteomics .
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Affiliation(s)
- Saketh Kapoor
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Centre, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), University Road, Deralakatte, Mangalore, Karnataka, 575018, India
| | - Pratigya Subba
- Center for Systems Biology and Molecular Medicine, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Deralakatte, Mangalore, Karnataka, 575018, India
| | - Sudheer Shenoy P
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Centre, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), University Road, Deralakatte, Mangalore, Karnataka, 575018, India.
| | - Bipasha Bose
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Centre, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), University Road, Deralakatte, Mangalore, Karnataka, 575018, India.
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8
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Shen M, Quertermous T, Fischbein MP, Wu JC. Generation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells From Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells: Methods, Applications, and Considerations. Circ Res 2021; 128:670-686. [PMID: 33818124 PMCID: PMC10817206 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.120.318049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The developmental origin of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) has been increasingly recognized as a major determinant for regional susceptibility or resistance to vascular diseases. As a human material-based complement to animal models and human primary cultures, patient induced pluripotent stem cell iPSC-derived VSMCs have been leveraged to conduct basic research and develop therapeutic applications in vascular diseases. However, iPSC-VSMCs (induced pluripotent stem cell VSMCs) derived by most existing induction protocols are heterogeneous in developmental origins. In this review, we summarize signaling networks that govern in vivo cell fate decisions and in vitro derivation of distinct VSMC progenitors, as well as key regulators that terminally specify lineage-specific VSMCs. We then highlight the significance of leveraging patient-derived iPSC-VSMCs for vascular disease modeling, drug discovery, and vascular tissue engineering and discuss several obstacles that need to be circumvented to fully unleash the potential of induced pluripotent stem cells for precision vascular medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengcheng Shen
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine
| | - Thomas Quertermous
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine
| | | | - Joseph C. Wu
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
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9
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Ran R, Cai D, King SD, Que X, Bath JM, Chen SY. Surfactant Protein A, a Novel Regulator for Smooth Muscle Phenotypic Modulation and Vascular Remodeling-Brief Report. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2021; 41:808-814. [PMID: 33267655 PMCID: PMC8105259 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.120.314622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to determine the role of SPA (surfactant protein A) in vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotypic modulation and vascular remodeling. Approach and Results: PDGF-BB (Platelet-derived growth factor-BB) and serum induced SPA expression while downregulating SMC marker gene expression in SMCs. SPA deficiency increased the contractile protein expression. Mechanistically, SPA deficiency enhanced the expression of myocardin and TGF (transforming growth factor)-β, the key regulators for contractile SMC phenotype. In vivo, SPA was induced in medial and neointimal SMCs following mechanical injury in both rat and mouse carotid arteries. SPA knockout in mice dramatically attenuated the wire injury-induced intimal hyperplasia while restoring SMC contractile protein expression in medial SMCs. These data indicate that SPA plays an important role in SMC phenotype modulation and vascular remodeling in vivo. CONCLUSIONS SPA is a novel protein factor modulating SMC phenotype. Blocking the abnormal elevation of SPA may be a potential strategy to inhibit the development of proliferative vascular diseases.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Becaplermin/pharmacology
- Carotid Arteries/drug effects
- Carotid Arteries/metabolism
- Carotid Arteries/pathology
- Carotid Artery Injuries/genetics
- Carotid Artery Injuries/metabolism
- Carotid Artery Injuries/pathology
- Cells, Cultured
- Disease Models, Animal
- Hyperplasia
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/drug effects
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/pathology
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/drug effects
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/pathology
- Neointima
- Nuclear Proteins/metabolism
- Phenotype
- Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A/genetics
- Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A/metabolism
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Signal Transduction
- Trans-Activators/metabolism
- Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism
- Vascular Remodeling/drug effects
- Mice
- Rats
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Ran
- Departments of Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
| | - Dunpeng Cai
- Departments of Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO
- Department of Medical Pharmacology & Physiology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO
| | - Skylar D. King
- Departments of Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO
| | - Xingyi Que
- Departments of Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO
| | - Jonathan M. Bath
- Departments of Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO
- The Research Service, Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital, Columbia, MO 65212
| | - Shi-You Chen
- Departments of Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
- Department of Medical Pharmacology & Physiology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO
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Gong J, Zhou D, Jiang L, Qiu P, Milewicz DM, Chen YE, Yang B. In Vitro Lineage-Specific Differentiation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells in Response to SMAD3 Deficiency: Implications for SMAD3-Related Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2020; 40:1651-1663. [PMID: 32404006 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.120.313033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE SMAD3 pathogenic variants are associated with the development of thoracic aortic aneurysms. We sought to determine the role of SMAD3 in lineage-specific vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) differentiation and function. Approach and Results: SMAD3 c.652delA, a frameshift mutation and nonsense-mediated decay, was introduced in human-induced pluripotent stem cells using CRISPR-Cas9. The wild-type and SMAD3-/- (c.652delA) human-induced pluripotent stem cells were differentiated into cardiovascular progenitor cells or neural crest stem cells and then to lineage-specific VSMCs. Differentiation, contractility, extracellular matrix synthesis, and TGF-β (transforming growth factor-β) signaling of the differentiated VSMCs were analyzed. The homozygous frameshift mutation resulted in SMAD3 deficiency and was confirmed in human-induced pluripotent stem cells by Sanger sequencing and immunoblot analysis. In cardiovascular progenitor cell-VSMCs, SMAD3 deletion significantly disrupted canonical TGF-β signaling and decreased gene expression of VSMC markers, including SM α-actin, myosin heavy chain 11, calponin-1, SM22α, and key controlling factors, SRF and myocardin, but increased collagen expression. The loss of SMAD3 significantly decreased VSMC contractility. In neural crest stem cells-VSMCs, SMAD3 deficiency did not significantly affect the VSMC differentiation but decreased ELN (elastin) expression and increased phosphorylated SMAD2. Expression of mir-29 was increased in SMAD3-/- VSMCs, and inhibition of mir-29 partially rescued ELN expression. CONCLUSIONS SMAD3-dependent TGF-β signaling was essential for the differentiation of cardiovascular progenitor cell-VSMCs but not for the differentiation of neural crest stem cell-VSMCs. The lineage-specific TGF-β responses in human VSMCs may potentially contribute to the development of aortic root aneurysms in patients with SMAD3 mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Gong
- From the Department of Cardiac Surgery, North Campus Research Complex, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (J.G., D.Z., L.J., P.Q., Y.E.C., B.Y.).,The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China (J.G., D.Z., L.J.)
| | - Dong Zhou
- From the Department of Cardiac Surgery, North Campus Research Complex, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (J.G., D.Z., L.J., P.Q., Y.E.C., B.Y.).,The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China (J.G., D.Z., L.J.)
| | - Longtan Jiang
- From the Department of Cardiac Surgery, North Campus Research Complex, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (J.G., D.Z., L.J., P.Q., Y.E.C., B.Y.).,The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China (J.G., D.Z., L.J.)
| | - Ping Qiu
- From the Department of Cardiac Surgery, North Campus Research Complex, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (J.G., D.Z., L.J., P.Q., Y.E.C., B.Y.)
| | - Dianna M Milewicz
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (D.M.M.)
| | - Y Eugene Chen
- From the Department of Cardiac Surgery, North Campus Research Complex, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (J.G., D.Z., L.J., P.Q., Y.E.C., B.Y.)
| | - Bo Yang
- From the Department of Cardiac Surgery, North Campus Research Complex, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (J.G., D.Z., L.J., P.Q., Y.E.C., B.Y.)
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11
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Gong H, Ni J, Xu Z, Huang J, Zhang J, Huang Y, Zeng C, Zhang X, Cheng H, Ke Y. Shp2 in myocytes is essential for cardiovascular and neointima development. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2019; 137:71-81. [PMID: 31634485 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2019.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in the PTPN11 gene, which encodes the protein tyrosine phosphatase Shp2, cause Noonan syndrome and LEOPARD syndrome, inherited multifaceted diseases including cardiac and vascular defects. However, the function of Shp2 in blood vessels, especially in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), remains largely unknown. We generated mice in which Shp2 was specifically deleted in VSMCs and embryonic cardiomyocytes using the SM22α-Cre transgenic mouse line. Conditional Shp2 knockout resulted in massive hemorrhage, cardiovascular defects and embryonic lethality at the late embryonic developmental stage (embryonic date 16.5). The thinning of artery walls in Shp2-knockout embryos was due to decreased VSMC number and reduced extracellular matrix deposition. Myocyte proliferation was decreased in Shp2-knockout arteries and hearts. Importantly, cardiomyocyte-specific Shp2-knockout did not cause similar vascular defects. Shp2 was required for TGFβ1-induced expression of ECM components, including collagens in VSMCs. In addition, collagens were sufficient to promote Shp2-inefficient VSMC proliferation. Finally, Shp2 was deleted in adult mouse VSMCs by using SMMHC-CreERT2 and tamoxifen induction. Shp2 deletion dramatically inhibited the expression of ECM components, proliferation of VSMCs and neointima formation in a carotid artery ligation model. Therefore, Shp2 is required for myocyte proliferation in cardiovascular development and vascular remodeling through TGFβ1-regulated collagen synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Gong
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; Key Laboratory for Translational Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Huzhou University, Huzhou 31300, China
| | - Jiaojiao Ni
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zhiyong Xu
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jiaqi Huang
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yizhou Huang
- Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Chunlai Zeng
- Department of Cardiology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui Central Hospital, Lishui 323000, China
| | - Xue Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Hongqiang Cheng
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - Yuehai Ke
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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12
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Tang JM, Shi N, Dong K, Brown SA, Coleman AE, Boegehold MA, Chen SY. Response Gene to Complement 32 Maintains Blood Pressure Homeostasis by Regulating α-Adrenergic Receptor Expression. Circ Res 2019; 123:1080-1090. [PMID: 30355157 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.118.313266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Hypertension prevalence is much higher among children and adolescents with low birth weight and greater postnatal weight gain than in individuals with normal birth weight. However, the cause and molecular mechanisms underlying this complication remain largely unknown. Our previous studies have shown that RGC-32 (response gene to complement 32)-deficient (RGC-32-/-) mice are born significantly smaller but grow faster than their WT (wild type) controls, which allows adult RGC-32-/- mice to attain body weights similar to those of control mice. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to determine whether RGC-32-/- mice develop hypertension, and if so, to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. METHODS AND RESULTS By using a radiotelemetry system, we found that RGC-32-/- mice exhibit higher mean arterial pressure than WT mice (101±4 versus 119±5 mm Hg), which enabled us to use RGC-32-/- mice to study the mechanisms underlying low birth weight-related hypertension. The increased blood pressure in RGC-32-/- mice was associated with increased vascular tone and decreased distensibility of small resistance arteries. The increased vascular tone was because of an increase in the relative contribution of sympathetic versus parasympathetic activity and was linked to increased expression of AT1R (angiotensin II type I receptor) and α1-AdR (α1-adrenergic receptor) in arterial smooth muscles. Mechanistically, RGC-32 regulated AT1R gene transcription by interacting with Sp1 (specificity protein 1) transcription factor and further blocking its binding to the AT1R promoter, leading to suppression of AT1R expression. The attenuation of AT1R leads to reduction in α1-AdR expression, which was critical for the balance of sympathetic versus parasympathetic control of vascular tone. Of importance, downregulation of RGC-32 in arterial smooth muscles was also associated with low birth weight and hypertension in humans. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that RGC-32 is a novel protein factor vital for maintaining blood pressure homeostasis, especially in individuals with low birth weight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Ming Tang
- From the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology (J.-M.T., N.S., K.D., S.A.B., M.A.B., S.-Y.C.), University of Georgia, Athens.,Institute of Clinical Medicine (J.-M.T.), Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China.,Department of Cardiology (J.-M.T.), Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Ning Shi
- From the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology (J.-M.T., N.S., K.D., S.A.B., M.A.B., S.-Y.C.), University of Georgia, Athens
| | - Kun Dong
- From the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology (J.-M.T., N.S., K.D., S.A.B., M.A.B., S.-Y.C.), University of Georgia, Athens
| | - Scott A Brown
- From the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology (J.-M.T., N.S., K.D., S.A.B., M.A.B., S.-Y.C.), University of Georgia, Athens
| | - Amanda E Coleman
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine (A.E.C.), University of Georgia, Athens
| | - Matthew A Boegehold
- From the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology (J.-M.T., N.S., K.D., S.A.B., M.A.B., S.-Y.C.), University of Georgia, Athens
| | - Shi-You Chen
- From the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology (J.-M.T., N.S., K.D., S.A.B., M.A.B., S.-Y.C.), University of Georgia, Athens
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13
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Lin Y, Tian G, Zhang H, Yuan W, Xie Y, Yang Y, Wang J, Liang Y. Long non-coding RNA SNHG16 regulates human aortic smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration via sponging miR-205 and modulating Smad2. J Cell Mol Med 2019; 23:6919-6929. [PMID: 31441592 PMCID: PMC6787464 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.14576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study investigated the role of long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) small nucleolar RNA host gene 16 (SNHG16) in the human aortic smooth muscle cell (HASMC) proliferation and migration and explored the potential link between SNHG16 and atherosclerosis. Our results showed that platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF)‐bb treatment promoted cell proliferation and migration with concurrent up‐regulation of SNHG16 in HASMCs. Small nucleolar RNA host gene 16 overexpression promoted HASMC proliferation and migration, while SNHG16 knockdown suppressed cell proliferation and migration in PDGF‐bb‐stimulated HASMCs. The bioinformatic analyses showed that SNHG16 possessed the complementary binding sequence with miR‐205, where the interaction was confirmed by luciferase reporter assay and RNA pull‐down assay in HASMCs, and SNHG16 inversely regulated miR‐205 expression. MiR‐205 overexpression attenuated the enhanced effects of PDGF‐bb treatment on HASMC proliferation and migration. Moreover, Smad2 was targeted and inversely regulated by miR‐205, while being positively regulated by SNHG16 in HASMCs. Smad2 knockdown attenuated PDGF‐bb‐mediated actions on HASMC proliferation and migration. Both miR‐205 overexpression and Smad2 knockdown partially reversed the effects of SNHG16 overexpression on HASMC proliferation and migration. Moreover, SNHG16 and Smad2 mRNA were up‐regulated, while miR‐205 was down‐regulated in the plasma from patients with atherosclerosis. Small nucleolar RNA host gene 16 expression was inversely correlated with miR‐205 expression and positively correlated with Smad2 expression in the plasma from atherosclerotic patients. In conclusion, our data showed the up‐regulation of SNHG16 in pathogenic‐stimulated HASMCs and clinical samples from atherosclerotic patients. Small nucleolar RNA host gene 16 regulated HASMC proliferation and migration possibly via regulating Smad2 expression by acting as a competing endogenous RNA for miR‐205.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongqing Lin
- Department of Cardiology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guoping Tian
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Haifeng Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Woliang Yuan
- Department of Cardiology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yong Xie
- Department of Cardiology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying Yang
- Department of Cardiology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingfeng Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying Liang
- Department of Endocrinology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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14
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Tellides G. Further Evidence Supporting a Protective Role of Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGFβ) in Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2019; 37:1983-1986. [PMID: 29070536 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.117.310031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- George Tellides
- From the Department of Surgery and Interdepartmental Program in Vascular Biology and Therapeutics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; and Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven.
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15
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Zhao Z, Liu D, Chen Y, Kong Q, Li D, Zhang Q, Liu C, Tian Y, Fan C, Meng L, Zhu H, Yu H. Ureter tissue engineering with vessel extracellular matrix and differentiated urine-derived stem cells. Acta Biomater 2019; 88:266-279. [PMID: 30716556 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2019.01.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the possibility of ureter tissue engineering using vessel extracellular matrix (VECM) and differentiated urine-derived stem cells (USCs) in a rabbit model. METHODS VECM was prepared by a modified technique. USCs were isolated from human urine samples and cultured with an induction medium for the differentiation of the cells into urothelium and smooth muscle phenotypes. For contractile phenotype conversion, the induced smooth muscle cells were transfected with the miR-199a-5p plasmid. The differentiated cells were seeded onto VECM and cultured under dynamic conditions in vitro for 2 weeks. The graft was tubularized and wrapped by two layers of the omentum of a rabbit for vascularization. Then, the maturated graft was used for ureter reconstruction in vivo. RESULTS VECM has microporous structures that allow cell infiltration and exhibit adequate biocompatibility with seeding cells. USCs were isolated and identified by flow cytometry. After induction, the urothelium phenotype gene was confirmed at mRNA and protein levels. With the combined induction by TGF-β1 and miR-199a-5p, the differentiated cells can express the smooth muscle phenotype gene and convert to the contractile phenotype. After seeding cells onto VECM, the induced urothelium cells formed a single epithelial layer, and the induced smooth muscle cells formed a few cell layers during dynamic culture. After 3 weeks of omental maturation, tubular graft was vascularized. At 2 months post ureter reconstruction, histological evaluation showed a clearly layered structure of ureter with multilayered urothelium over the organized smooth muscle tissue. CONCLUSION By seeding differentiated USCs onto VECM, a tissue-engineered graft could form multilayered urothelium and organized smooth muscle tissue after ureteral reconstruction in vivo. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE Cell-based tissue engineering offers an alternative technique for urinary tract reconstruction. In this work, we describe a novel strategy for ureter tissue engineering. We modified the techniques of vessel extracellular matrix (VECM) preparation and used a dynamic culture system for seeding cells onto VECM. We found that VECM had the trait of containing VEGF and exhibited blood vessel formation potential. Urine-derived stem cells (USCs) could be differentiated into urothelial cells and functional contractile phenotype smooth muscle cells in vitro. By seeding differentiated USCs onto VECM, a tissue-engineered graft could form multilayered urothelium and organized smooth muscle tissue after ureteral reconstruction in vivo. This strategy might be applied in clinical research for the treatment of long-segment ureteral defect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhankui Zhao
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272100, PR China.
| | - Deqian Liu
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272100, PR China
| | - Ye Chen
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272100, PR China
| | - Qingsheng Kong
- Department of Biochemistry, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, PR China; Collaborative Innovation Center, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, PR China
| | - Dandan Li
- Collaborative Innovation Center, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, PR China
| | - Qingxin Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Medical Imaging Center, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272100, PR China
| | - Chuanxin Liu
- Collaborative Innovation Center, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, PR China
| | - Yanjun Tian
- Collaborative Innovation Center, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, PR China
| | - Chengjuan Fan
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272100, PR China
| | - Lin Meng
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272100, PR China
| | - Haizhou Zhu
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272100, PR China
| | - Honglian Yu
- Department of Biochemistry, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, PR China; Collaborative Innovation Center, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, PR China.
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16
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Ellis MW, Luo J, Qyang Y. Modeling elastin-associated vasculopathy with patient induced pluripotent stem cells and tissue engineering. Cell Mol Life Sci 2019; 76:893-901. [PMID: 30460472 PMCID: PMC6433159 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-018-2969-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Elastin-associated vasculopathies are life-threatening conditions of blood vessel dysfunction. The extracellular matrix protein elastin endows the recoil and compliance required for physiologic arterial function, while disruption of function can lead to aberrant vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation manifesting through stenosis, aneurysm, or vessel dissection. Although research efforts have been informative, they remain incomplete as no viable therapies exist outside of a heart transplant. Induced pluripotent stem cell technology may be uniquely suited to address current obstacles as these present a replenishable supply of patient-specific material with which to study disease. The following review will cover the cutting edge in vascular smooth muscle cell modeling of elastin-associated vasculopathy, and aid in the development of human disease modeling and drug screening approaches to identify potential treatments. Vascular proliferative disease can affect up to 50% of the population throughout the world, making this a relevant and critical area of research for therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew W Ellis
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine Yale School of Medicine, Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06519, USA
| | - Jiesi Luo
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine Yale School of Medicine, Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
- Yale Stem Cell Center, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Yibing Qyang
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine Yale School of Medicine, Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.
- Yale Stem Cell Center, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
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17
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MacFarlane EG, Parker SJ, Shin JY, Kang BE, Ziegler SG, Creamer TJ, Bagirzadeh R, Bedja D, Chen Y, Calderon JF, Weissler K, Frischmeyer-Guerrerio PA, Lindsay ME, Habashi JP, Dietz HC. Lineage-specific events underlie aortic root aneurysm pathogenesis in Loeys-Dietz syndrome. J Clin Invest 2019; 129:659-675. [PMID: 30614814 DOI: 10.1172/jci123547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The aortic root is the predominant site for development of aneurysm caused by heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in positive effectors of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) pathway. Using a mouse model of Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) that carries a heterozygous kinase-inactivating mutation in TGF-β receptor I, we found that the effects of this mutation depend on the lineage of origin of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Secondary heart field-derived (SHF-derived), but not neighboring cardiac neural crest-derived (CNC-derived), VSMCs showed impaired Smad2/3 activation in response to TGF-β, increased expression of angiotensin II (AngII) type 1 receptor (Agtr1a), enhanced responsiveness to AngII, and higher expression of TGF-β ligands. The preserved TGF-β signaling potential in CNC-derived VSMCs associated, in vivo, with increased Smad2/3 phosphorylation. CNC-, but not SHF-specific, deletion of Smad2 preserved aortic wall architecture and reduced aortic dilation in this mouse model of LDS. Taken together, these data suggest that aortic root aneurysm predisposition in this LDS mouse model depends both on defective Smad signaling in SHF-derived VSMCs and excessive Smad signaling in CNC-derived VSMCs. This work highlights the importance of considering the regional microenvironment and specifically lineage-dependent variation in the vulnerability to mutations in the development and testing of pathogenic models for aortic aneurysm.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah J Parker
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine.,Division of Cardiology, and
| | - Joseph Y Shin
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Human Genetics Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Shira G Ziegler
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Human Genetics Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Tyler J Creamer
- Department of Surgery.,McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Human Genetics Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Rustam Bagirzadeh
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine.,Department of Surgery
| | | | - Yichun Chen
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine
| | - Juan F Calderon
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Human Genetics Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Katherine Weissler
- Laboratory of Allergic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Mark E Lindsay
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine.,Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jennifer P Habashi
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine.,Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Harry C Dietz
- McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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18
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Zhang X, Xie H, Chang P, Zhao H, Xia Y, Zhang L, Guo X, Huang C, Yan F, Hu L, Lin C, Li Y, Xiong Z, Wang X, Li G, Deng L, Wang S, Tao L. Glycoprotein M6B Interacts with TβRI to Activate TGF-β-Smad2/3 Signaling and Promote Smooth Muscle Cell Differentiation. Stem Cells 2018; 37:190-201. [PMID: 30372567 PMCID: PMC7379588 DOI: 10.1002/stem.2938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Revised: 10/07/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Smooth muscle cells (SMCs), which form the walls of blood vessels, play an important role in vascular development and the pathogenic process of vascular remodeling. However, the molecular mechanisms governing SMC differentiation remain poorly understood. Glycoprotein M6B (GPM6B) is a four-transmembrane protein that belongs to the proteolipid protein family and is widely expressed in neurons, oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes. Previous studies have revealed that GPM6B plays a role in neuronal differentiation, myelination, and osteoblast differentiation. In the present study, we found that the GPM6B gene and protein expression levels were significantly upregulated during transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced SMC differentiation. The knockdown of GPM6B resulted in the downregulation of SMC-specific marker expression and repressed the activation of Smad2/3 signaling. Moreover, GPM6B regulates SMC Differentiation by Controlling TGF-β-Smad2/3 Signaling. Furthermore, we demonstrated that similar to p-Smad2/3, GPM6B was profoundly expressed and coexpressed with SMC differentiation markers in embryonic SMCs. Moreover, GPM6B can regulate the tightness between TβRI, TβRII, or Smad2/3 by directly binding to TβRI to activate Smad2/3 signaling during SMC differentiation, and activation of TGF-β-Smad2/3 signaling also facilitate the expression of GPM6B. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that GPM6B plays a crucial role in SMC differentiation and regulates SMC differentiation through the activation of TGF-β-Smad2/3 signaling via direct interactions with TβRI. This finding indicates that GPM6B is a potential target for deriving SMCs from stem cells in cardiovascular regenerative medicine. Stem Cells 2018 Stem Cells 2019;37:190-201.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomeng Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Huaning Xie
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Pan Chang
- Central Laboratory, Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Huishou Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunlong Xia
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiong Guo
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Golmud, Qinghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Chong Huang
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Yan
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Lang Hu
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Lin
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Yueyang Li
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenyu Xiong
- Department of Cardiology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiong Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Guohua Li
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Longxiang Deng
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Shan Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Ling Tao
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
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Jiang H, Chen Y, Yu T, Zhao X, Shan H, Sun J, Zhang L, Li X, Shan H, Liang H. Inhibition of lncRNA PFRL prevents pulmonary fibrosis by disrupting the miR-26a/smad2 loop. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2018; 315:L563-L575. [PMID: 29952219 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00434.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a devastating interstitial lung disease with increasing mortality and poor prognosis. The current understanding of the role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in IPF remains limited. In the present study, we identified a lncRNA NONMMUT022554, designated pulmonary fibrosis-regulatory lncRNA (PFRL), with unknown functions and found that its levels were increased in fibrotic lung tissues of mice and pulmonary fibroblasts exposed to transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1. Furthermore, we found that enforced expression of PFRL induced fibroblast activation and collagen deposition, which could be mitigated by the overexpression of microRNA (miR)-26a. By contrast, the inhibition of PFRL could markedly alleviate the TGF-β1-induced upregulation of fibrotic markers and attenuate fibroblast proliferation and differentiation by regulating miR-26a. Meanwhile, our study confirmed that PFRL inhibited the expression and activity of miR-26a, which has been identified as an antifibrotic miRNA in our previous study. Interestingly, our molecular study further confirmed that Smad2 transcriptionally inhibits the expression of miR-26a and that the miR-26a/Smad2 feedback loop mediates the profibrotic effects of PFRL in lung fibrosis. More importantly, knockdown of PFRL ablated bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in vivo. Taken together, our findings indicate that lncRNA PFRL contributes to the progression of lung fibrosis by modulating the reciprocal repression between miR-26a and Smad2 and that this lncRNA may be a therapeutic target for IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Jiang
- Department of Pharmacology (State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University , Harbin , People's Republic of China.,Northern Translational Medicine Research and Cooperation Center, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University , Harbin , People's Republic of China
| | - Yingzhun Chen
- Department of Pathology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University , Harbin , People's Republic of China
| | - Tong Yu
- Department of Pharmacology (State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University , Harbin , People's Republic of China.,Northern Translational Medicine Research and Cooperation Center, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University , Harbin , People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoguang Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology (State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University , Harbin , People's Republic of China.,Northern Translational Medicine Research and Cooperation Center, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University , Harbin , People's Republic of China
| | - Huitong Shan
- Department of Pharmacology (State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University , Harbin , People's Republic of China.,Northern Translational Medicine Research and Cooperation Center, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University , Harbin , People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Sun
- Department of Pharmacology (State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University , Harbin , People's Republic of China.,Northern Translational Medicine Research and Cooperation Center, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University , Harbin , People's Republic of China
| | - Lu Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology (State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University , Harbin , People's Republic of China.,Northern Translational Medicine Research and Cooperation Center, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University , Harbin , People's Republic of China
| | - Xuelian Li
- Department of Pharmacology (State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University , Harbin , People's Republic of China
| | - Hongli Shan
- Department of Pharmacology (State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University , Harbin , People's Republic of China.,Northern Translational Medicine Research and Cooperation Center, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University , Harbin , People's Republic of China
| | - Haihai Liang
- Department of Pharmacology (State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University , Harbin , People's Republic of China.,Northern Translational Medicine Research and Cooperation Center, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University , Harbin , People's Republic of China
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20
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Dong K, Guo X, Chen W, Hsu AC, Shao Q, Chen JF, Chen SY. Mesenchyme homeobox 1 mediates transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-induced smooth muscle cell differentiation from mouse mesenchymal progenitors. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:8712-8719. [PMID: 29678882 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.002350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Revised: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Differentiation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) is critical for proper vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. However, the molecular mechanisms controlling SMC differentiation are not completely understood. During embryogenesis, the transcription factor mesenchyme homeobox 1 (Meox1) is expressed in the early developing somite, which is one of the origins of SMCs. In the present study, we identified Meox1 as a positive regulator of SMC differentiation. We found that transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) induces Meox1 expression in the initial phase of SMC differentiation of pluripotent murine C3H10T1/2 cells. shRNA-mediated Meox1 knockdown suppressed TGF-β-induced expression of SMC early markers, whereas Meox1 overexpression increased expression of these markers. Mechanistically, Meox1 promoted SMAD family member 3 (Smad3) nuclear retention during the early stage of TGF-β stimulation because Meox1 inhibited protein phosphatase Mg2+/Mn2+-dependent 1A (PPM1A) and thereby prevented PPM1A-mediated Smad3 dephosphorylation. Meox1 appears to promote PPM1A degradation, leading to sustained Smad3 phosphorylation, thus allowing Smad3 to stimulate SMC gene transcription. In vivo, Meox1 knockdown in mouse embryos impaired SMC marker expression in the descending aorta of neonatal mice, indicating that Meox1 is essential for SMC differentiation during embryonic development. In summary, the transcriptional regulator Meox1 controls TGF-β-induced SMC differentiation from mesenchymal progenitor cells by preventing PPM1A-mediated Smad3 dephosphorylation, thereby supporting SMC gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Dong
- From the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
| | - Xia Guo
- From the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
| | - Weiping Chen
- Genomic Core Laboratory, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, and
| | - Amanda C Hsu
- From the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
| | - Qiang Shao
- Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089
| | - Jian-Fu Chen
- Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089
| | - Shi-You Chen
- From the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602,
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21
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Sinha S, Santoro MM. New models to study vascular mural cell embryonic origin: implications in vascular diseases. Cardiovasc Res 2018; 114:481-491. [PMID: 29385541 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvy005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
A key question in vascular biology is how the diversity of origin of vascular mural cells, namely smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and pericytes influences vessel properties, in particular the regional propensity to vascular diseases. This review therefore first describes the role and regulation of mural cells during vascular formation, with a focus on embryonic origin. We then consider the evidence that connects heterogeneities in SMC and pericyte origins with disease. Since this idea has major implications for understanding and modelling human disease, then there is a pressing need for new model systems to investigate mural cell development and the consequences of heterogeneity. Recent advances arising from in vitro strategies for deriving mural cells from human pluripotent stem cells as well as from the zebrafish model will be discussed and the medical relevance of these discoveries will be highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay Sinha
- Anne McLaren Laboratory, Wellcome Trust and Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Forvie Site, University of Cambridge, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0SZ, UK
- Department of Medicine, Addenbrookes Hospital, Box 157, Hills Rd, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Massimo Mattia Santoro
- Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Redox Metabolism, Department of Biology, University of Padua, 35131 Padova, Italy
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22
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Lu W, Li X. Vascular stem/progenitor cells: functions and signaling pathways. Cell Mol Life Sci 2018; 75:859-869. [PMID: 28956069 PMCID: PMC11105279 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-017-2662-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Revised: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Vascular stem/progenitor cells (VSCs) are an important source of all types of vascular cells needed to build, maintain, repair, and remodel blood vessels. VSCs, therefore, play critical roles in the development, normal physiology, and pathophysiology of numerous diseases. There are four major types of VSCs, including endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), smooth muscle progenitor cells (SMPCs), pericytes, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). VSCs can be found in bone marrow, circulating blood, vessel walls, and other extravascular tissues. During the past two decades, considerable progress has been achieved in the understanding of the derivation, surface markers, and differentiation of VSCs. Yet, the mechanisms regulating their functions and maintenance under normal and pathological conditions, such as in eye diseases, remain to be further elucidated. Owing to the essential roles of blood vessels in human tissues and organs, understanding the functional properties and the underlying molecular basis of VSCs is of critical importance for both basic and translational research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weisi Lu
- The State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuri Li
- The State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, People's Republic of China.
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23
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Cui XB, Luan JN, Dong K, Chen S, Wang Y, Watford WT, Chen SY. RGC-32 (Response Gene to Complement 32) Deficiency Protects Endothelial Cells From Inflammation and Attenuates Atherosclerosis. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2018; 38:e36-e47. [PMID: 29449334 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.117.310656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to determine the role and underlying mechanisms of RGC-32 (response gene to complement 32 protein) in atherogenesis. APPROACH AND RESULTS RGC-32 was mainly expressed in endothelial cells of atherosclerotic lesions in both ApoE-/- (apolipoprotein E deficient) mice and human patients. Rgc-32 deficiency (Rgc32-/-) attenuated the high-fat diet-induced and spontaneously developed atherosclerotic lesions in ApoE-/- mice without affecting serum cholesterol concentration. Rgc32-/- seemed to decrease the macrophage content without altering collagen and smooth muscle contents or lesional macrophage proliferation in the lesions. Transplantation of WT (wild type) mouse bone marrow to lethally irradiated Rgc32-/- mice did not alter Rgc32-/--caused reduction of lesion formation and macrophage accumulation, suggesting that RGC-32 in resident vascular cells, but not the macrophages, plays a critical role in the atherogenesis. Of importance, Rgc32-/- decreased the expression of ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule-1) and VCAM-1 (vascular cell adhesion molecule-1) in endothelial cells both in vivo and in vitro, resulting in a decrease in TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-α)-induced monocyte-endothelial cell interaction. Mechanistically, RGC-32 mediated the ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression, at least partially, through NF (nuclear factor)-κB signaling pathway. RGC-32 directly interacted with NF-κB and facilitated its nuclear translocation and enhanced TNF-α-induced NF-κB binding to ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 promoters. CONCLUSIONS RGC-32 mediates atherogenesis by facilitating monocyte-endothelial cell interaction via the induction of endothelial ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression, at least partially, through NF-κB signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Bing Cui
- From the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology (X.-B.C., J.-N.L., K.D., S.C., S.-Y.C.) and Department of Infectious Diseases (W.T.W.), University of Georgia, Athens; Department of Endocrinology, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China (S.C., S.-Y.C.); and Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, China (Y.W.)
| | - Jun-Na Luan
- From the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology (X.-B.C., J.-N.L., K.D., S.C., S.-Y.C.) and Department of Infectious Diseases (W.T.W.), University of Georgia, Athens; Department of Endocrinology, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China (S.C., S.-Y.C.); and Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, China (Y.W.)
| | - Kun Dong
- From the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology (X.-B.C., J.-N.L., K.D., S.C., S.-Y.C.) and Department of Infectious Diseases (W.T.W.), University of Georgia, Athens; Department of Endocrinology, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China (S.C., S.-Y.C.); and Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, China (Y.W.)
| | - Sisi Chen
- From the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology (X.-B.C., J.-N.L., K.D., S.C., S.-Y.C.) and Department of Infectious Diseases (W.T.W.), University of Georgia, Athens; Department of Endocrinology, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China (S.C., S.-Y.C.); and Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, China (Y.W.)
| | - Yongyi Wang
- From the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology (X.-B.C., J.-N.L., K.D., S.C., S.-Y.C.) and Department of Infectious Diseases (W.T.W.), University of Georgia, Athens; Department of Endocrinology, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China (S.C., S.-Y.C.); and Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, China (Y.W.)
| | - Wendy T Watford
- From the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology (X.-B.C., J.-N.L., K.D., S.C., S.-Y.C.) and Department of Infectious Diseases (W.T.W.), University of Georgia, Athens; Department of Endocrinology, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China (S.C., S.-Y.C.); and Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, China (Y.W.)
| | - Shi-You Chen
- From the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology (X.-B.C., J.-N.L., K.D., S.C., S.-Y.C.) and Department of Infectious Diseases (W.T.W.), University of Georgia, Athens; Department of Endocrinology, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China (S.C., S.-Y.C.); and Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, China (Y.W.).
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24
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Roostalu U, Wong JK. Arterial smooth muscle dynamics in development and repair. Dev Biol 2018; 435:109-121. [PMID: 29397877 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2018.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2017] [Revised: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Arterial vasculature distributes blood from early embryonic development and provides a nutrient highway to maintain tissue viability. Atherosclerosis, peripheral artery diseases, stroke and aortic aneurysm represent the most frequent causes of death and are all directly related to abnormalities in the function of arteries. Vascular intervention techniques have been established for the treatment of all of these pathologies, yet arterial surgery can itself lead to biological changes in which uncontrolled arterial wall cell proliferation leads to restricted blood flow. In this review we describe the intricate cellular composition of arteries, demonstrating how a variety of distinct cell types in the vascular walls regulate the function of arteries. We provide an overview of the developmental origin of arteries and perivascular cells and focus on cellular dynamics in arterial repair. We summarize the current knowledge of the molecular signaling pathways that regulate vascular smooth muscle differentiation in the embryo and in arterial injury response. Our review aims to highlight the similarities as well as differences between cellular and molecular mechanisms that control arterial development and repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urmas Roostalu
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, UK.
| | - Jason Kf Wong
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, UK; Department of Plastic Surgery, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, UK.
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25
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Miranda MZ, Bialik JF, Speight P, Dan Q, Yeung T, Szászi K, Pedersen SF, Kapus A. TGF-β1 regulates the expression and transcriptional activity of TAZ protein via a Smad3-independent, myocardin-related transcription factor-mediated mechanism. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:14902-14920. [PMID: 28739802 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.780502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2017] [Revised: 06/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hippo pathway transcriptional coactivators TAZ and YAP and the TGF-β1 (TGFβ) effector Smad3 regulate a common set of genes, can physically interact, and exhibit multilevel cross-talk regulating cell fate-determining and fibrogenic pathways. However, a key aspect of this cross-talk, TGFβ-mediated regulation of TAZ or YAP expression, remains uncharacterized. Here, we show that TGFβ induces robust TAZ but not YAP protein expression in both mesenchymal and epithelial cells. TAZ levels, and to a lesser extent YAP levels, also increased during experimental kidney fibrosis. Pharmacological or genetic inhibition of Smad3 did not prevent the TGFβ-induced TAZ up-regulation, indicating that this canonical pathway is dispensable. In contrast, inhibition of p38 MAPK, its downstream effector MK2 (e.g. by the clinically approved antifibrotic pirferidone), or Akt suppressed the TGFβ-induced TAZ expression. Moreover, TGFβ elevated TAZ mRNA in a p38-dependent manner. Myocardin-related transcription factor (MRTF) was a central mediator of this effect, as MRTF silencing/inhibition abolished the TGFβ-induced TAZ expression. MRTF overexpression drove the TAZ promoter in a CC(A/T-rich)6GG (CArG) box-dependent manner and induced TAZ protein expression. TGFβ did not act by promoting nuclear MRTF translocation; instead, it triggered p38- and MK2-mediated, Nox4-promoted MRTF phosphorylation and activation. Functionally, higher TAZ levels increased TAZ/TEAD-dependent transcription and primed cells for enhanced TAZ activity upon a second stimulus (i.e. sphingosine 1-phosphate) that induced nuclear TAZ translocation. In conclusion, our results uncover an important aspect of the cross-talk between TGFβ and Hippo signaling, showing that TGFβ induces TAZ via a Smad3-independent, p38- and MRTF-mediated and yet MRTF translocation-independent mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Zena Miranda
- From the Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of the St. Michael's Hospital.,Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1T8N, Canada and
| | - Janne Folke Bialik
- From the Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of the St. Michael's Hospital.,the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen DK-2100, Denmark
| | - Pam Speight
- From the Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of the St. Michael's Hospital
| | - Qinghong Dan
- From the Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of the St. Michael's Hospital
| | - Tony Yeung
- From the Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of the St. Michael's Hospital
| | - Katalin Szászi
- From the Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of the St. Michael's Hospital.,Departments of Surgery and
| | - Stine F Pedersen
- the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen DK-2100, Denmark
| | - András Kapus
- From the Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of the St. Michael's Hospital, .,Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1T8N, Canada and.,Departments of Surgery and
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26
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Shen EM, McCloskey KE. Development of Mural Cells: From In Vivo Understanding to In Vitro Recapitulation. Stem Cells Dev 2017; 26:1020-1041. [DOI: 10.1089/scd.2017.0020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Edwin M. Shen
- Graduate Program in Biological Engineering and Small-scale Technologies
| | - Kara E. McCloskey
- Graduate Program in Biological Engineering and Small-scale Technologies
- School of Engineering, University of California, Merced, Merced, California
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27
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Differentiation defect in neural crest-derived smooth muscle cells in patients with aortopathy associated with bicuspid aortic valves. EBioMedicine 2016; 10:282-90. [PMID: 27394642 PMCID: PMC5006642 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.06.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Revised: 06/28/2016] [Accepted: 06/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals with bicuspid aortic valves (BAV) are at a higher risk of developing thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) than patients with trileaflet aortic valves (TAV). The aneurysms associated with BAV most commonly involve the ascending aorta and spare the descending aorta. Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in the ascending and descending aorta arise from neural crest (NC) and paraxial mesoderm (PM), respectively. We hypothesized defective differentiation of the neural crest stem cells (NCSCs)-derived SMCs but not paraxial mesoderm cells (PMCs)-derived SMCs contributes to the aortopathy associated with BAV. When induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from BAV/TAA patients were differentiated into NCSC-derived SMCs, these cells demonstrated significantly decreased expression of marker of SMC differentiation (MYH11) and impaired contraction compared to normal control. In contrast, the PMC-derived SMCs were similar to control cells in these aspects. The NCSC-SMCs from the BAV/TAA also showed decreased TGF-β signaling based on phosphorylation of SMAD2, and increased mTOR signaling. Inhibition of mTOR pathway using rapamycin rescued the aberrant differentiation. Our data demonstrates that decreased differentiation and contraction of patient's NCSC-derived SMCs may contribute to that aortopathy associated with BAV. Model of the BAV/TAA is established using iPSCs differentiated into SMCs through distinct embryonic progenitors. BAV/TAA iPSCs differentiated SMCs from NCSCs were impaired in contractile function, whereas, iPSCs PMCs-SMCs were normal. NCSC-SMCs from BAV/TAA decreased in TGF-β signaling but increased in mTOR signaling. Rapamycin normalized contractile function.
Aneurysms associated with bicuspid aortic valves (BAV) most commonly involve the ascending aorta and spare the descending aorta. Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in the ascending and descending aorta arise from neural crest (NC) and paraxial mesoderm (PM), respectively. When induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from BAV patients were differentiated into NC stem cells (NCSCs)-derived SMCs, these cells demonstrated impaired contraction compared to normal control. In contrast, the PM cells-derived SMCs were similar to control cells. The NCSC-SMCs from the BAV/TAA also showed increased mTOR signaling. Inhibition of mTOR pathway using rapamycin rescued the aberrant differentiation.
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28
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Abstract
The historical view of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in atherosclerosis is that aberrant proliferation of VSMCs promotes plaque formation, but that VSMCs in advanced plaques are entirely beneficial, for example preventing rupture of the fibrous cap. However, this view has been based on ideas that there is a homogenous population of VSMCs within the plaque, that can be identified separate from other plaque cells (particularly macrophages) using standard VSMC and macrophage immunohistochemical markers. More recent genetic lineage tracing studies have shown that VSMC phenotypic switching results in less-differentiated forms that lack VSMC markers including macrophage-like cells, and this switching directly promotes atherosclerosis. In addition, VSMC proliferation may be beneficial throughout atherogenesis, and not just in advanced lesions, whereas VSMC apoptosis, cell senescence, and VSMC-derived macrophage-like cells may promote inflammation. We review the effect of embryological origin on VSMC behavior in atherosclerosis, the role, regulation and consequences of phenotypic switching, the evidence for different origins of VSMCs, and the role of individual processes that VSMCs undergo in atherosclerosis in regard to plaque formation and the structure of advanced lesions. We think there is now compelling evidence that a full understanding of VSMC behavior in atherosclerosis is critical to identify therapeutic targets to both prevent and treat atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin R Bennett
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Addenbrooke's Centre for Clinical Investigation, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom (M.R.B., S.S.); and University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville (G.K.O.).
| | - Sanjay Sinha
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Addenbrooke's Centre for Clinical Investigation, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom (M.R.B., S.S.); and University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville (G.K.O.)
| | - Gary K Owens
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Addenbrooke's Centre for Clinical Investigation, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom (M.R.B., S.S.); and University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville (G.K.O.)
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29
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Shi N, Chen SY. Smooth Muscle Cell Differentiation: Model Systems, Regulatory Mechanisms, and Vascular Diseases. J Cell Physiol 2015; 231:777-87. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.25208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2015] [Accepted: 09/29/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ning Shi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology; University of Georgia; Athens Georgia
| | - Shi-You Chen
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology; University of Georgia; Athens Georgia
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30
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Kirsch AH, Kirsch A, Artinger K, Schabhüttl C, Goessler W, Klymiuk I, Gülly C, Fritz GA, Frank S, Wimmer R, Brodmann M, Anders HJ, Pramstaller PP, Rosenkranz AR, Eller K, Eller P. Heterogeneous susceptibility for uraemic media calcification and concomitant inflammation within the arterial tree. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2015; 30:1995-2005. [PMID: 26185049 PMCID: PMC4656037 DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfv265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2015] [Accepted: 06/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is strongly associated with arterial calcification of the tunica media, decreased vascular compliance and sudden cardiac death. Here, we analysed the distribution pattern of uraemic media calcification and concomitant inflammation in mice and men. Methods Uraemia was induced in DBA/2 mice with high-phosphate diet. Subsequently, we analysed arterial medial calcification using histology, mass spectrometry, and wire myography. Gene expression was quantified using a whole transcriptome array and quantitative PCR. In a cohort of 36 consecutive patients with CKD stage 4–5, we measured the calcium score of the coronary arteries, the ascending thoracic aorta and the infrarenal abdominal aorta using computed tomography scans. Results Uraemic DBA/2 mice showed only minor calcifications in thoracic aortas, whereas there was overt media calcification in abdominal aortas. The transcriptional profile and immunohistochemistry revealed induction of Vcam1 expression by vascular smooth muscle cells in uraemic abdominal aortas. Macrophages infiltrated the tunica media of the abdominal aorta. Anti-inflammatory treatment did not improve uraemic media calcification in our animal model. Arterial calcifications in ESRD patients showed a similar distribution pattern in computed tomography scans, with higher calcium scores of the abdominal aorta when compared with the thoracic aorta. Conclusion Taken together, there was a similar heterogeneous pattern of calcification in both mice and humans, where the abdominal aorta was more prone to media calcification when compared with the thoracic aorta. In uraemia, smooth muscle cells of the abdominal aorta showed a phenotypic switch to an inflammatory and osteoblastic phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander H Kirsch
- Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Division of Nephrology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Andrijana Kirsch
- Center of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Katharina Artinger
- Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Division of Nephrology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Corinna Schabhüttl
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Angiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Walter Goessler
- Institute of Chemistry-Analytical Chemistry, Karl-Franzens University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Ingeborg Klymiuk
- Center for Medical Research, Core Facility Molecular Biology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Christian Gülly
- Center for Medical Research, Core Facility Molecular Biology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Gerald A Fritz
- Department of Radiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Saša Frank
- Center of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Roxana Wimmer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Division of Nephrology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Marianne Brodmann
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Angiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Hans-Joachim Anders
- Renal Division, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität München-Innenstadt, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Alexander R Rosenkranz
- Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Division of Nephrology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Kathrin Eller
- Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Division of Nephrology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Philipp Eller
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Angiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria Department of Internal Medicine, Intensive Care Unit, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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31
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Cui XB, Luan JN, Chen SY. RGC-32 Deficiency Protects against Hepatic Steatosis by Reducing Lipogenesis. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:20387-95. [PMID: 26134570 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.630186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic steatosis is associated with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome because of increased hepatic triglyceride content. We have reported previously that deficiency of response gene to complement 32 (RGC-32) prevents high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and insulin resistance in mice. This study was conducted to determine the role of RGC-32 in the regulation of hepatic steatosis. We observed that hepatic RGC-32 was induced dramatically by both HFD challenge and ethanol administration. RGC-32 knockout (RGC32(-/-)) mice were resistant to HFD- and ethanol-induced hepatic steatosis. The hepatic triglyceride content of RGC32(-/-) mice was decreased significantly compared with WT controls even under normal chow conditions. Moreover, RGC-32 deficiency decreased the expression of lipogenesis-related genes, sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c), fatty acid synthase, and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1). RGC-32 deficiency also decreased SCD1 activity, as indicated by decreased desaturase indices of the liver and serum. Mechanistically, insulin and ethanol induced RGC-32 expression through the NF-κB signaling pathway, which, in turn, increased SCD1 expression in a SREBP-1c-dependent manner. RGC-32 also promoted SREBP-1c expression through activating liver X receptor. These results demonstrate that RGC-32 contributes to the development of hepatic steatosis by facilitating de novo lipogenesis through activating liver X receptor, leading to the induction of SREBP-1c and its target genes. Therefore, RGC-32 may be a potential novel drug target for the treatment of hepatic steatosis and its related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Bing Cui
- From the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602 and
| | - Jun-Na Luan
- From the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602 and
| | - Shi-You Chen
- From the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602 and the Institute of Clinical Medicine and Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital, Hubei Medical University, Shiyan, 442000 Hubei, China
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Wang G, Jacquet L, Karamariti E, Xu Q. Origin and differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells. J Physiol 2015; 593:3013-30. [PMID: 25952975 PMCID: PMC4532522 DOI: 10.1113/jp270033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 190] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2014] [Accepted: 04/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs), a major structural component of the vessel wall, not only play a key role in maintaining vascular structure but also perform various functions. During embryogenesis, SMC recruitment from their progenitors is an important step in the formation of the embryonic vascular system. SMCs in the arterial wall are mostly quiescent but can display a contractile phenotype in adults. Under pathophysiological conditions, i.e. vascular remodelling after endothelial dysfunction or damage, contractile SMCs found in the media switch to a secretory type, which will facilitate their ability to migrate to the intima and proliferate to contribute to neointimal lesions. However, recent evidence suggests that the mobilization and recruitment of abundant stem/progenitor cells present in the vessel wall are largely responsible for SMC accumulation in the intima during vascular remodelling such as neointimal hyperplasia and arteriosclerosis. Therefore, understanding the regulatory mechanisms that control SMC differentiation from vascular progenitors is essential for exploring therapeutic targets for potential clinical applications. In this article, we review the origin and differentiation of SMCs from stem/progenitor cells during cardiovascular development and in the adult, highlighting the environmental cues and signalling pathways that control phenotypic modulation within the vasculature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Wang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Laureen Jacquet
- Cardiovascular Division, King's College London BHF Centre, London, UK
| | - Eirini Karamariti
- Cardiovascular Division, King's College London BHF Centre, London, UK
| | - Qingbo Xu
- Cardiovascular Division, King's College London BHF Centre, London, UK
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Dai X, Shen J, Annam NP, Jiang H, Levi E, Schworer CM, Tromp G, Arora A, Higgins M, Wang XF, Yang M, Li HJ, Zhang K, Kuivaniemi H, Li L. SMAD3 deficiency promotes vessel wall remodeling, collagen fiber reorganization and leukocyte infiltration in an inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm mouse model. Sci Rep 2015; 5:10180. [PMID: 25985281 PMCID: PMC4434993 DOI: 10.1038/srep10180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2014] [Accepted: 04/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
TGF-β signaling plays critical roles in the pathogenesis of aneurysms; however, it is still unclear whether its role is protective or destructive. In this study, we investigate the role of SMAD3 in the pathogenesis of calcium chloride (CaCl2)-induced abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) in Smad3−/−, Smad3+/− and Smad3+/+ mice. We find that loss of SMAD3 drastically increases wall thickening of the abdominal aorta. Histological analyses show significant vessel wall remodeling with elastic fiber fragmentation. Remarkably, under polarized light, collagen fibers in the hyperplastic adventitia of Smad3−/− mice show extensive reorganization accompanied by loosely packed thin and radial collagen fibers. The expressions of matrix metalloproteinases including MMP2, MMP9, and MMP12 and infiltration of macrophage/T cells are drastically enhanced in the vascular wall of Smad3−/− mice. We also observe marked increase of NF-κB and ERK1/2 signaling as well as the expression of nuclear Smad2, Smad4 and TGF-β1 in the vessel wall of Smad3−/− mice. In addition, we find that SMAD3 expression is reduced in the dedifferentiated medial smooth muscle-like cells of human AAA patients. These findings provide direct in vivo evidence to support the essential roles of SMAD3 in protecting vessel wall integrity and suppressing inflammation in the pathogenesis of AAAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohua Dai
- 1] Department of Internal Medicine [2] Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics
| | - Jianbin Shen
- 1] Department of Internal Medicine [2] Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics [3] Cardiovascular Research Institute
| | | | | | - Edi Levi
- Department of Pathology, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Detroit, MI 48201
| | - Charles M Schworer
- The Sigfried and Janet Weis Center for Research, Geisinger Health System, Danville, PA 17822
| | - Gerard Tromp
- The Sigfried and Janet Weis Center for Research, Geisinger Health System, Danville, PA 17822
| | | | | | - Xiao-Fan Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710
| | - Maozhou Yang
- Bone and Joint Center, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI 48202
| | - Hui J Li
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, MA 01655
| | | | - Helena Kuivaniemi
- The Sigfried and Janet Weis Center for Research, Geisinger Health System, Danville, PA 17822
| | - Li Li
- 1] Department of Internal Medicine [2] Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics [3] Cardiovascular Research Institute
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Imanaka-Yoshida K, Yoshida T, Miyagawa-Tomita S. Tenascin-C in development and disease of blood vessels. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2015; 297:1747-57. [PMID: 25125186 DOI: 10.1002/ar.22985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2013] [Revised: 01/25/2014] [Accepted: 01/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Tenascin-C (TNC) is an extracellular glycoprotein categorized as a matricellular protein. It is highly expressed during embryonic development, wound healing, inflammation, and cancer invasion, and has a wide range of effects on cell response in tissue morphogenesis and remodeling including the cardiovascular system. In the heart, TNC is sparsely detected in normal adults but transiently expressed at restricted sites during embryonic development and in response to injury, playing an important role in myocardial remodeling. Although TNC in the vascular system appears more complex than in the heart, the expression of TNC in normal adult blood vessels is generally low. During embryonic development, vascular smooth muscle cells highly express TNC on maturation of the vascular wall, which is controlled in a way that depends on the embryonic site of cell origin. Strong expression of TNC is also linked with several pathological conditions such as cerebral vasospasm, intimal hyperplasia, pulmonary artery hypertension, and aortic aneurysm/ dissection. TNC synthesized by smooth muscle cells in response to developmental and environmental cues regulates cell responses such as proliferation, migration, differentiation, and survival in an autocrine/paracrine fashion and in a context-dependent manner. Thus, TNC can be a key molecule in controlling cellular activity in adaptation during normal vascular development as well as tissue remodeling in pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoko Imanaka-Yoshida
- Department of Pathology and Matrix Biology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Mie, 514-8507, Japan; Mie University Research Center for Matrix Biology, Tsu, Mie, 514-8507, Japan
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Turner CJ, Badu-Nkansah K, Crowley D, van der Flier A, Hynes RO. α5 and αv integrins cooperate to regulate vascular smooth muscle and neural crest functions in vivo. Development 2015; 142:797-808. [PMID: 25670798 DOI: 10.1242/dev.117572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The RGD-binding α5 and αv integrins have been shown to be key regulators of vascular smooth muscle cell (vSMC) function in vitro. However, their role on vSMCs during vascular development in vivo remains unclear. To address this issue, we have generated mice that lack α5, αv or both α5 and αv integrins on their vSMCs, using the SM22α-Cre transgenic mouse line. To our surprise, neither α5 nor αv mutants displayed any obvious vascular defects during embryonic development. By contrast, mice lacking both α5 and αv integrins developed interrupted aortic arches, large brachiocephalic/carotid artery aneurysms and cardiac septation defects, but developed extensive and apparently normal vasculature in the skin. Cardiovascular defects were also found, along with cleft palates and ectopically located thymi, in Wnt1-Cre α5/αv mutants, suggesting that α5 and αv cooperate on neural crest-derived cells to control the remodelling of the pharyngeal arches and the septation of the heart and outflow tract. Analysis of cultured α5/αv-deficient vSMCs suggests that this is achieved, at least in part, through proper assembly of RGD-containing extracellular matrix proteins and the correct incorporation and activation of latent TGF-β.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Turner
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Kwabena Badu-Nkansah
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Denise Crowley
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Arjan van der Flier
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Richard O Hynes
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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Teng G, Zhao X, Lees-Miller JP, Belke D, Shi C, Chen Y, O’Brien ER, Fedak PW, Bracey N, Cross JC, Duff HJ. Role of Mutation and Pharmacologic Block of Human KCNH2 in Vasculogenesis and Fetal Mortality. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2015; 8:420-8. [DOI: 10.1161/circep.114.001837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2014] [Accepted: 01/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background—
N629D
KCNH2
is a human missense long-QT2 mutation. Previously, we reported that the N629D/N629D mutation embryos disrupted cardiac looping, right ventricle development, and ablated I
Kr
activity at E9.5. The present study evaluates the role of KCNH2 in vasculogenesis.
Methods and Results—
N629D/N629D yolk sac vessels and aorta consist of sinusoids without normal arborization. Isolated E9.5 +/+ first branchial arches showed normal outgrowth of mouse ERG–positive/α-smooth muscle actin coimmunolocalized cells; however, outgrowth was grossly reduced in N629D/N629D. N629D/N629D aortas showed fewer α-smooth muscle actin positive cells that were not coimmunolocalized with mouse ERG cells. Transforming growth factor-β treatment of isolated N629D/N629D embryoid bodies partially rescued this phenotype. Cultured N629D/N629D embryos recapitulate the same cardiovascular phenotypes as seen in vivo. Transforming growth factor-β treatment significantly rescued these embryonic phenotypes. Both in vivo and in vitro, dofetilide treatment, over a narrow window of time, entirely recapitulated the N629D/N629D fetal phenotypes. Exogenous transforming growth factor-β treatment also rescued the dofetilide-induced phenotype toward normal.
Conclusions—
Loss of function of KCNH2 mutations results in defects in cardiogenesis and vasculogenesis. Because many medications inadvertently block the KCNH2 potassium current, these novel findings seem to have clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoqi Teng
- From the Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Faculty of Medicine (G.T., J.P.L.-M., D.B., C.S., Y.C., E.R.O’B., P.W.F., N.B., H.J.D.) and Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (X.Z., J.C.C.), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Xiang Zhao
- From the Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Faculty of Medicine (G.T., J.P.L.-M., D.B., C.S., Y.C., E.R.O’B., P.W.F., N.B., H.J.D.) and Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (X.Z., J.C.C.), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - James P. Lees-Miller
- From the Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Faculty of Medicine (G.T., J.P.L.-M., D.B., C.S., Y.C., E.R.O’B., P.W.F., N.B., H.J.D.) and Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (X.Z., J.C.C.), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Darrell Belke
- From the Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Faculty of Medicine (G.T., J.P.L.-M., D.B., C.S., Y.C., E.R.O’B., P.W.F., N.B., H.J.D.) and Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (X.Z., J.C.C.), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Chunhua Shi
- From the Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Faculty of Medicine (G.T., J.P.L.-M., D.B., C.S., Y.C., E.R.O’B., P.W.F., N.B., H.J.D.) and Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (X.Z., J.C.C.), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Yongxiang Chen
- From the Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Faculty of Medicine (G.T., J.P.L.-M., D.B., C.S., Y.C., E.R.O’B., P.W.F., N.B., H.J.D.) and Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (X.Z., J.C.C.), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Edward R. O’Brien
- From the Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Faculty of Medicine (G.T., J.P.L.-M., D.B., C.S., Y.C., E.R.O’B., P.W.F., N.B., H.J.D.) and Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (X.Z., J.C.C.), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Paul W. Fedak
- From the Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Faculty of Medicine (G.T., J.P.L.-M., D.B., C.S., Y.C., E.R.O’B., P.W.F., N.B., H.J.D.) and Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (X.Z., J.C.C.), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nathan Bracey
- From the Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Faculty of Medicine (G.T., J.P.L.-M., D.B., C.S., Y.C., E.R.O’B., P.W.F., N.B., H.J.D.) and Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (X.Z., J.C.C.), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - James C. Cross
- From the Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Faculty of Medicine (G.T., J.P.L.-M., D.B., C.S., Y.C., E.R.O’B., P.W.F., N.B., H.J.D.) and Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (X.Z., J.C.C.), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Henry J. Duff
- From the Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Faculty of Medicine (G.T., J.P.L.-M., D.B., C.S., Y.C., E.R.O’B., P.W.F., N.B., H.J.D.) and Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (X.Z., J.C.C.), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Williams R. Circulation Research
“In This Issue” Anthology. Circ Res 2014. [DOI: 10.1161/res.0000000000000042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Delaney SP, Julian LM, Stanford WL. The neural crest lineage as a driver of disease heterogeneity in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex and Lymphangioleiomyomatosis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2014; 2:69. [PMID: 25505789 PMCID: PMC4243694 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2014.00069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2014] [Accepted: 11/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare neoplastic disease, best characterized by the formation of proliferative nodules that express smooth muscle and melanocytic antigens within the lung parenchyma, leading to progressive destruction of lung tissue and function. The pathological basis of LAM is associated with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC), a multi-system disorder marked by low-grade tumors in the brain, kidneys, heart, eyes, lung and skin, arising from inherited or spontaneous germ-line mutations in either of the TSC1 or TSC2 genes. LAM can develop either in a patient with TSC (TSC-LAM) or spontaneously (S-LAM), and it is clear that the majority of LAM lesions of both forms are characterized by an inactivating mutation in either TSC1 or TSC2, as in TSC. Despite this genetic commonality, there is considerable heterogeneity in the tumor spectrum of TSC and LAM patients, the basis for which is currently unknown. There is extensive clinical evidence to suggest that the cell of origin for LAM, as well as many of the TSC-associated tumors, is a neural crest cell, a highly migratory cell type with extensive multi-lineage potential. Here we explore the hypothesis that the types of tumors that develop and the tissues that are affected in TSC and LAM are dictated by the developmental timing of TSC gene mutations, which determines the identities of the affected cell types and the size of downstream populations that acquire a mutation. We further discuss the evidence to support a neural crest origin for LAM and TSC tumors, and propose approaches for generating humanized models of TSC and LAM that will allow cell of origin theories to be experimentally tested. Identifying the cell of origin and developing appropriate humanized models is necessary to truly understand LAM and TSC pathology and to establish effective and long-lasting therapeutic approaches for these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean P Delaney
- Sprott Centre for Stem Cell Research, Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute Ottawa, ON, Canada ; Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, University of Ottawa Ottawa, ON, Canada ; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Lisa M Julian
- Sprott Centre for Stem Cell Research, Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute Ottawa, ON, Canada ; Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, University of Ottawa Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - William L Stanford
- Sprott Centre for Stem Cell Research, Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute Ottawa, ON, Canada ; Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, University of Ottawa Ottawa, ON, Canada ; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa Ottawa, ON, Canada ; Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of Ottawa Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen A Martin
- From the Departments of Internal Medicine (K.A.M., K.K.H.) and Pharmacology (K.A.M.), Yale Cardiovascular Research Center and Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT
| | - Karen K Hirschi
- From the Departments of Internal Medicine (K.A.M., K.K.H.) and Pharmacology (K.A.M.), Yale Cardiovascular Research Center and Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT.
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Krishnamurthy VK, Evans AN, Wansapura JP, Osinska H, Maddy KE, Biechler SV, Narmoneva DA, Goodwin RL, Hinton RB. Asymmetric cell-matrix and biomechanical abnormalities in elastin insufficiency induced aortopathy. Ann Biomed Eng 2014; 42:2014-28. [PMID: 25099772 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-014-1072-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2014] [Accepted: 07/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Aortopathy is characterized by vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) abnormalities and elastic fiber fragmentation. Elastin insufficient (Eln (+/-)) mice demonstrate latent aortopathy similar to human disease. We hypothesized that aortopathy manifests primarily in the aorto-pulmonary septal (APS) side of the thoracic aorta due to asymmetric cardiac neural crest (CNC) distribution. Anatomic (aortic root vs. ascending aorta) and molecular (APS vs. non-APS) regions of proximal aorta tissue were examined in adult and aged wild type (WT) and mutant (Eln (+/-)) mice. CNC, VSMCs, elastic fiber architecture, proteoglycan expression, morphometrics and biomechanical properties were examined using histology, 3D reconstruction, micropipette aspiration and in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In the APS side of Eln (+/-) aorta, Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) is decreased while SM22 is increased. Elastic fiber architecture abnormalities are present in the Eln (+/-) aortic root and APS ascending aorta, and biglycan is increased in the aortic root while aggrecan is increased in the APS aorta. The Eln (+/-) ascending aorta is stiffer than the aortic root, the APS side is thicker and stiffer than the non-APS side, and significant differences in the individual aortic root sinuses are observed. Asymmetric structure-function abnormalities implicate regional CNC dysregulation in the development and progression of aortopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varun K Krishnamurthy
- Division of Cardiology, the Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 240 Albert Sabin Way, MLC 7020, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
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Kee HJ, Kim GR, Cho SN, Kwon JS, Ahn Y, Kook H, Jeong MH. miR-18a-5p MicroRNA Increases Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Differentiation by Downregulating Syndecan4. Korean Circ J 2014; 44:255-63. [PMID: 25089138 PMCID: PMC4117847 DOI: 10.4070/kcj.2014.44.4.255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2014] [Revised: 04/24/2014] [Accepted: 06/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives Differentiation and de-differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are important events in atherosclerosis and restenosis after angioplasty. MicroRNAs are considered a key regulator in cellular processes such as differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. Here, we report the role of new miR-18a-5p microRNA and its downstream target genes in VSMCs and in a carotid balloon injury model. Materials and Methods Expression of miR-18a-5p and its candidate genes was examined in VSMCs and in a carotid artery injury model by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and microRNA microarray analysis. VSMC differentiation marker genes including smooth muscle (SM) α-actin and SM22α were determined by Western blot, qRT-PCR, and a SM22α promoter study. Gene overexpression or knockdown was performed in VSMCs. Results miR-18a-5p was upregulated in the rat carotid artery at the early time after balloon injury. Transfection of the miR-18a-5p mimic promoted the VSMC differentiation markers SM α-actin and SM22α. In addition, miR-18a-5p expression was induced in differentiated VSMCs, whereas it decreased in de-differentiated VSMCs. We identified syndecan4 as a downstream target of miR-18-5p in VSMCs. Overexpression of syndecan4 decreased Smad2 expression, whereas knockdown of syndecan4 increased Smad2 expression in VSMCs. Finally, we showed that Smad2 induced the expression of VSMC differentiation marker genes in VSMCs. Conclusion These results indicate that miR-18a-5p is involved in VSMC differentiation by targeting syndecan4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hae Jin Kee
- Heart Research Center of Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Gwi Ran Kim
- Heart Research Center of Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Soo-Na Cho
- Heart Research Center of Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Jin-Sook Kwon
- Division of Cardiovascular and Rare Diseases, Center for Biomedical Sciences, Korea National Institute of Health, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Youngkeun Ahn
- Heart Research Center of Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Hyun Kook
- Department of Pharmacology and Medical Research Center for Gene Regulation, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Myung Ho Jeong
- Heart Research Center of Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Korea
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Clowes C, Boylan MGS, Ridge LA, Barnes E, Wright JA, Hentges KE. The functional diversity of essential genes required for mammalian cardiac development. Genesis 2014; 52:713-37. [PMID: 24866031 PMCID: PMC4141749 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.22794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2013] [Revised: 05/22/2014] [Accepted: 05/23/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Genes required for an organism to develop to maturity (for which no other gene can compensate) are considered essential. The continuing functional annotation of the mouse genome has enabled the identification of many essential genes required for specific developmental processes including cardiac development. Patterns are now emerging regarding the functional nature of genes required at specific points throughout gestation. Essential genes required for development beyond cardiac progenitor cell migration and induction include a small and functionally homogenous group encoding transcription factors, ligands and receptors. Actions of core cardiogenic transcription factors from the Gata, Nkx, Mef, Hand, and Tbx families trigger a marked expansion in the functional diversity of essential genes from midgestation onwards. As the embryo grows in size and complexity, genes required to maintain a functional heartbeat and to provide muscular strength and regulate blood flow are well represented. These essential genes regulate further specialization and polarization of cell types along with proliferative, migratory, adhesive, contractile, and structural processes. The identification of patterns regarding the functional nature of essential genes across numerous developmental systems may aid prediction of further essential genes and those important to development and/or progression of disease. genesis 52:713–737, 2014.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Clowes
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, United Kingdom
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark W. Majesky
- From the Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children’s Research Institute and Departments of Pediatrics and Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
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