1
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Smith TKT, Ghorbani P, LeBlond ND, Nunes JRC, O'Dwyer C, Ambursley N, Fong-McMaster C, Minarrieta L, Burkovsky LA, El-Hakim R, Trzaskalski NA, Locatelli CAA, Stotts C, Pember C, Rayner KJ, Kemp BE, Loh K, Harper ME, Mulvihill EE, St-Pierre J, Fullerton MD. AMPK-mediated regulation of endogenous cholesterol synthesis does not affect atherosclerosis in a murine Pcsk9-AAV model. Atherosclerosis 2024; 397:117608. [PMID: 38880706 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2024.117608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Dysregulated cholesterol metabolism is a hallmark of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases, yet our understanding of how endogenous cholesterol synthesis affects atherosclerosis is not clear. The energy sensor AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylates and inhibits the rate-limiting enzyme in the mevalonate pathway HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR). Recent work demonstrated that when AMPK-HMGCR signaling was compromised in an Apoe-/- model of hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis was exacerbated due to elevated hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell mobilization and myelopoiesis. We sought to validate the significance of the AMPK-HMGCR signaling axis in atherosclerosis using a non-germline hypercholesterolemia model with functional ApoE. METHODS Male and female HMGCR S871A knock-in (KI) mice and wild-type (WT) littermate controls were made atherosclerotic by intravenous injection of a gain-of-function Pcsk9D374Y-adeno-associated virus followed by high-fat and high-cholesterol atherogenic western diet feeding for 16 weeks. RESULTS AMPK activation suppressed endogenous cholesterol synthesis in primary bone marrow-derived macrophages from WT but not HMGCR KI mice, without changing other parameters of cholesterol regulation. Atherosclerotic plaque area was unchanged between WT and HMGCR KI mice, independent of sex. Correspondingly, there were no phenotypic differences observed in hematopoietic progenitors or differentiated immune cells in the bone marrow, blood, or spleen, and no significant changes in systemic markers of inflammation. When lethally irradiated female mice were transplanted with KI bone marrow, there was similar plaque content relative to WT. CONCLUSIONS Given previous work, our study demonstrates the importance of preclinical atherosclerosis model comparison and brings into question the importance of AMPK-mediated control of cholesterol synthesis in atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler K T Smith
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Centre for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Peyman Ghorbani
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Centre for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Nicholas D LeBlond
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Julia R C Nunes
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Centre for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Conor O'Dwyer
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Centre for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Nia Ambursley
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Claire Fong-McMaster
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Lucía Minarrieta
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Centre for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Leah A Burkovsky
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Rama El-Hakim
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Natasha A Trzaskalski
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Cassandra A A Locatelli
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Cameron Stotts
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Ciara Pember
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Katey J Rayner
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Centre for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Ottawa, ON, Canada; University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Bruce E Kemp
- Protein Chemistry and Metabolism, St. Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, Australia; Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Kim Loh
- Diabetes and Metabolic Disease, St. Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, Australia; Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mary-Ellen Harper
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Centre for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Erin E Mulvihill
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Centre for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, Ottawa, ON, Canada; University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Julie St-Pierre
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Centre for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Morgan D Fullerton
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Centre for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Centre for Catalysis Research and Innovation, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
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2
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Williams KJ. The value of a negative study. Atherosclerosis 2024; 396:118530. [PMID: 38972157 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2024.118530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Jon Williams
- Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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3
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Ballester-Servera C, Alonso J, Taurón M, Rotllán N, Rodríguez C, Martínez-González J. Lysyl oxidase expression in smooth muscle cells determines the level of intima calcification in hypercholesterolemia-induced atherosclerosis. CLINICA E INVESTIGACION EN ARTERIOSCLEROSIS : PUBLICACION OFICIAL DE LA SOCIEDAD ESPANOLA DE ARTERIOSCLEROSIS 2024; 36:286-298. [PMID: 38402026 DOI: 10.1016/j.arteri.2024.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cardiovascular calcification is an important public health issue with an unmeet therapeutic need. We had previously shown that lysyl oxidase (LOX) activity critically influences vascular wall smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and valvular interstitial cells (VICs) calcification by affecting extracellular matrix remodeling. We have delved into the participation of LOX in atherosclerosis and vascular calcification, as well as in the mineralization of the aortic valve. METHODS Immunohistochemical and expression studies were carried out in human atherosclerotic lesions and experimental models, valves from patients with aortic stenosis, VICs, and in a genetically modified mouse model that overexpresses LOX in CMLV (TgLOXCMLV). Hyperlipemia and atherosclerosis was induced in mice through the administration of adeno-associated viruses encoding a PCSK9 mutated form (AAV-PCSK9D374Y) combined with an atherogenic diet. RESULTS LOX expression is increased in the neointimal layer of atherosclerotic lesions from human coronary arteries and in VSMC-rich regions of atheromas developed both in the brachiocephalic artery of control (C57BL/6J) animals transduced with PCSK9D374Y and in the aortic root of ApoE-/- mice. In TgLOXCMLV mice, PCSK9D374Y transduction did not significantly alter the enhanced aortic expression of genes involved in matrix remodeling, inflammation, oxidative stress and osteoblastic differentiation. Likewise, LOX transgenesis did not alter the size or lipid content of atherosclerotic lesions in the aortic arch, brachiocephalic artery and aortic root, but exacerbated calcification. Among lysyl oxidase isoenzymes, LOX is the most expressed member of this family in highly calcified human valves, colocalizing with RUNX2 in VICs. The lower calcium deposition and decreased RUNX2 levels triggered by the overexpression of the nuclear receptor NOR-1 in VICs was associated with a reduction in LOX. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that LOX expression is increased in atherosclerotic lesions, and that overexpression of this enzyme in VSMC does not affect the size of the atheroma or its lipid content, but it does affect its degree of calcification. Further, these data suggest that the decrease in calcification driven by NOR-1 in VICs would involve a reduction in LOX. These evidences support the interest of LOX as a therapeutic target in cardiovascular calcification.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Humans
- Atherosclerosis/pathology
- Atherosclerosis/genetics
- Protein-Lysine 6-Oxidase/metabolism
- Protein-Lysine 6-Oxidase/genetics
- Mice
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/pathology
- Vascular Calcification/pathology
- Vascular Calcification/genetics
- Vascular Calcification/etiology
- Vascular Calcification/metabolism
- Disease Models, Animal
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/pathology
- Hypercholesterolemia/complications
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Aortic Valve Stenosis/pathology
- Aortic Valve Stenosis/metabolism
- Aortic Valve Stenosis/genetics
- Aortic Valve/pathology
- Aortic Valve/metabolism
- Male
- Proprotein Convertase 9/genetics
- Proprotein Convertase 9/metabolism
- Mice, Transgenic
- Tunica Intima/pathology
- Tunica Intima/metabolism
- Diet, Atherogenic/adverse effects
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Affiliation(s)
- Carme Ballester-Servera
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IIBB-CSIC), Barcelona, España; CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Instituto de Salud CarlosIII, Madrid, España; Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), Barcelona, España
| | - Judith Alonso
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IIBB-CSIC), Barcelona, España; CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Instituto de Salud CarlosIII, Madrid, España; Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), Barcelona, España
| | - Manel Taurón
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Instituto de Salud CarlosIII, Madrid, España; Departamento de Cirugía Cardíaca, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau-Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (HSCSP-UAB), Barcelona, España
| | - Noemí Rotllán
- Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), Barcelona, España; CIBER de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Instituto de Salud CarlosIII, Madrid, España
| | - Cristina Rodríguez
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Instituto de Salud CarlosIII, Madrid, España; Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), Barcelona, España
| | - José Martínez-González
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IIBB-CSIC), Barcelona, España; CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Instituto de Salud CarlosIII, Madrid, España; Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), Barcelona, España.
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4
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Joshi D, Coon BG, Chakraborty R, Deng H, Yang Z, Babar MU, Fernandez-Tussy P, Meredith E, Attanasio J, Joshi N, Traylor JG, Orr AW, Fernandez-Hernando C, Libreros S, Schwartz MA. Endothelial γ-protocadherins inhibit KLF2 and KLF4 to promote atherosclerosis. NATURE CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH 2024; 3:1035-1048. [PMID: 39232138 PMCID: PMC11399086 DOI: 10.1038/s44161-024-00522-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Laminar shear stress from blood flow, sensed by vascular endothelial cells, protects from ASCVD by upregulating the transcription factors KLF2 and KLF4, which induces an anti-inflammatory program that promotes vascular resilience. Here we identify clustered γ-protocadherins as therapeutically targetable, potent KLF2 and KLF4 suppressors whose upregulation contributes to ASCVD. Mechanistic studies show that γ-protocadherin cleavage results in translocation of the conserved intracellular domain to the nucleus where it physically associates with and suppresses signaling by the Notch intracellular domain. γ-Protocadherins are elevated in human ASCVD endothelium; their genetic deletion or antibody blockade protects from ASCVD in mice without detectably compromising host defense against bacterial or viral infection. These results elucidate a fundamental mechanism of vascular inflammation and reveal a method to target the endothelium rather than the immune system as a protective strategy in ASCVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divyesh Joshi
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Brian G Coon
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Raja Chakraborty
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Hanqiang Deng
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ziyu Yang
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Pathology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Muhammad Usman Babar
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Pathology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Emily Meredith
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - John Attanasio
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Nikhil Joshi
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - James G Traylor
- Department of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology, LSU Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Anthony Wayne Orr
- Department of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology, LSU Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | | | - Stephania Libreros
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Pathology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Martin A Schwartz
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
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5
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Zhou T, Cheng J, He S, Zhang C, Gao MX, Zhang LJ, Sun JP, Zhu Y, Ai D. The sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 mediates the atheroprotective effect of eicosapentaenoic acid. Nat Metab 2024; 6:1566-1583. [PMID: 38907081 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-024-01070-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) have been associated with potential cardiovascular benefits, partly attributed to their bioactive metabolites. However, the underlying mechanisms responsible for these advantages are not fully understood. We previously reported that metabolites of the cytochrome P450 pathway derived from eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) mediated the atheroprotective effect of ω-3 PUFAs. Here, we show that 17,18-epoxyeicosatetraenoic acid (17,18-EEQ) and its receptor, sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1), in endothelial cells (ECs) can inhibit oscillatory shear stress- or tumor necrosis factor-α-induced endothelial activation in cultured human ECs. Notably, the atheroprotective effect of 17,18-EEQ and purified EPA is circumvented in male mice with endothelial S1PR1 deficiency. Mechanistically, the anti-inflammatory effect of 17,18-EEQ relies on calcium release-mediated endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activation, which is abolished upon inhibition of S1PR1 or Gq signaling. Furthermore, 17,18-EEQ allosterically regulates the conformation of S1PR1 through a polar interaction with Lys34Nter. Finally, we show that Vascepa, a prescription drug containing highly purified and stable EPA ethyl ester, exerts its cardiovascular protective effect through the 17,18-EEQ-S1PR1 pathway in male and female mice. Collectively, our findings indicate that the anti-inflammatory effect of 17,18-EEQ involves the activation of the S1PR1-Gq-Ca2+-eNOS axis in ECs, offering a potential therapeutic target against atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jie Cheng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, and New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Advanced Medical Research Institute, Meili Lake Translational Research Park, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Shuo He
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, and New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Advanced Medical Research Institute, Meili Lake Translational Research Park, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Ming-Xin Gao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, and New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Advanced Medical Research Institute, Meili Lake Translational Research Park, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Li-Jun Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, and New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Advanced Medical Research Institute, Meili Lake Translational Research Park, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Jin-Peng Sun
- NHC Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, and New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
- Advanced Medical Research Institute, Meili Lake Translational Research Park, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China.
| | - Yi Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Ding Ai
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
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6
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Katsuki S, Jha PK, Aikawa E, Aikawa M. The role of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) in macrophage activation: a focus on its LDL receptor-independent mechanisms. Front Cardiovasc Med 2024; 11:1431398. [PMID: 39149582 PMCID: PMC11324467 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1431398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent clinical trials demonstrated that proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors reduce cardiovascular events without affecting systemic inflammation in the patients with coronary artery disease, as determined by high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. However, its pro-inflammatory effects in cardiovascular disease in humans and experimental animals beyond the traditional cholesterol receptor-dependent lipid metabolism have also called attention of the scientific community. PCSK9 may target receptors associated with inflammation other than the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and members of the LDLR family. Accumulating evidence suggests that PCSK9 promotes macrophage activation not only via lipid-dependent mechanisms, but also lipid-independent and LDLR-dependent or -independent mechanisms. In addition to dyslipidemia, PCSK9 may thus be a potential therapeutic target for various pro-inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunsuke Katsuki
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
- Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Prabhash Kumar Jha
- Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Elena Aikawa
- Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Masanori Aikawa
- Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Channing Division of Network Medicine (MA), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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7
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Fang Q, Lu X, Zhu Y, Lv X, Yu F, Ma X, Liu B, Zhang H. Development of a PCSK9-targeted nanoparticle vaccine to effectively decrease the hypercholesterolemia. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101614. [PMID: 38897173 PMCID: PMC11228807 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) binds to the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and mediates its internalization and degradation, resulting in an increase in LDL cholesterol levels. Recently, PCSK9 emerged as a therapeutic target for hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis. In this study, we develop a PCSK9 nanoparticle (NP) vaccine by covalently conjugating the catalytic domain (aa 153-aa 454, D374Y) of PCSK9 to self-assembled 24-mer ferritin NPs. We demonstrate that the PCSK9 NP vaccine effectively induces interfering antibodies against PCSK9 and reduces serum lipids levels in both a high-fat diet-induced hypercholesterolemia model and an adeno-associated virus-hPCSK9D374Y-induced hypercholesterolemia model. Additionally, the vaccine significantly reduces plaque lesion areas in the aorta and macrophages infiltration in an atherosclerosis mouse model. Furthermore, we discover that the vaccine's efficacy relied on T follicular help cells and LDLR. Overall, these findings suggest that the PCSK9 NP vaccine holds promise as an effective treatment for hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiannan Fang
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China; Medical Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Xinyu Lu
- Medical Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Yuanqiang Zhu
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University·Zhaoqing Hospital, Zhaoqing, Guangdong 510630, China
| | - Xi Lv
- Medical Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Fei Yu
- Medical Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Xiancai Ma
- Guangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou International Bio-Island, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510005, China
| | - Bingfeng Liu
- Institute of Human Virology, Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry Education, Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Antimicrobial Agent and Immunotechnology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Institute of Human Virology, Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control of Ministry Education, Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Antimicrobial Agent and Immunotechnology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China.
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8
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Chen MJ, Xu YT, Sun L, Wang ZH, Little PJ, Wang L, Xian XD, Weng JP, Xu SW. A novel mouse model of familial combined hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2024; 45:1316-1320. [PMID: 38459255 PMCID: PMC11130143 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-024-01241-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Within the context of residual cardiovascular risk in post-statin era, emerging evidence from epidemiologic and human genetic studies have demonstrated that triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoproteins and their remnants are causally related to cardiovascular risk. While, carriers of loss-of-function mutations of ApoC3 have low TG levels and are protected from cardiovascular disease (CVD). Of translational significance, siRNAs/antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) targeting ApoC3 is beneficial for patients with atherosclerotic CVD. Therefore, animal models of atherosclerosis with both hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia are important for the discovery of novel therapeutic strategies targeting TG-lowering on top of traditional cholesterol-lowering. In this study, we constructed a novel mouse model of familial combined hyperlipidemia through inserting a human ApoC3 transgene (hApoC3-Tg) into C57BL/6 J mice and injecting a gain-of-function variant of adeno-associated virus-proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (AAV-PCSK9)-D377Y concurrently with high cholesterol diet (HCD) feeding for 16 weeks. In the last 10 weeks, hApoC3-Tg mice were orally treated with a combination of atorvastatin (10 mg·kg-1·d-1) and fenofibrate (100 mg·kg-1·d-1). HCD-treated hApoC3-Tg mice demonstrated elevated levels of serum TG, total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C). Oral administration of atorvastatin and fenofibrate significantly decreased the plaque sizes of en face aorta, aortic sinus and innominate artery accompanied by improved lipid profile and distribution. In summary, this novel mouse model is of considerable clinical relevance for evaluation of anti-atherosclerotic drugs by targeting both hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Jie Chen
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Clinical Research Hospital of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Hefei), University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Yi-Tong Xu
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Remodeling, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100091, China
| | - Lu Sun
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Clinical Research Hospital of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Hefei), University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Zhi-Hua Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Clinical Research Hospital of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Hefei), University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Peter J Little
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Australia Centre of Excellence, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xun-de Xian
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Remodeling, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100091, China.
| | - Jian-Ping Weng
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Clinical Research Hospital of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Hefei), University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230022, China.
| | - Suo-Wen Xu
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Clinical Research Hospital of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Hefei), University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230022, China.
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9
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Singh A, Kraaijeveld AO, Curaj A, Wichapong K, Hammerich L, de Jager SCA, Bot I, Atamas SP, van Berkel TJC, Jukema JW, Comerford I, McColl SR, Mees B, Heemskerk JWM, Nicolaes GAF, Hackeng T, Liehn EA, Tacke F, Biessen EAL. CCL18 aggravates atherosclerosis by inducing CCR6-dependent T-cell influx and polarization. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1327051. [PMID: 38807599 PMCID: PMC11131369 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1327051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The CC chemokine ligand 18 (CCL18) is a chemokine highly expressed in chronic inflammation in humans. Recent observations of elevated CCL18 plasma levels in patients with acute cardiovascular syndromes prompted an investigation into the role of CCL18 in the pathogenesis of human and mouse atherosclerosis. Methods and results CCL18 was profoundly upregulated in ruptured human atherosclerotic plaque, particularly within macrophages. Repeated administration of CCL18 in Western-type diet-fed ApoE -/- mice or PCSK9mut-overexpressing wild type (WT) mice led to increased plaque burden, enriched in CD3+ T cells. In subsequent experimental and molecular modeling studies, we identified CCR6 as a functional receptor mediating CCL18 chemotaxis, intracellular Ca2+ flux, and downstream signaling in human Jurkat and mouse T cells. CCL18 failed to induce these effects in vitro in murine spleen T cells with CCR6 deficiency. The ability of CCR6 to act as CCL18 receptor was confirmed in vivo in an inflammation model, where subcutaneous CCL18 injection induced profound focal skin inflammation in WT but not in CCR6-/- mice. This inflammation featured edema and marked infiltration of various leukocyte subsets, including T cells with a Th17 signature, supporting CCR6's role as a Th17 chemotactic receptor. Notably, focal overexpression of CCL18 in plaques was associated with an increased presence of CCR6+ (T) cells. Discussion Our studies are the first to identify the CCL18/CCR6 axis as a regulator of immune responses in advanced murine and human atherosclerosis.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Humans
- Atherosclerosis/immunology
- Atherosclerosis/metabolism
- Mice
- Receptors, CCR6/metabolism
- Receptors, CCR6/genetics
- Chemokines, CC/metabolism
- Chemokines, CC/genetics
- Disease Models, Animal
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Jurkat Cells
- Plaque, Atherosclerotic/immunology
- Mice, Knockout
- Male
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Th17 Cells/immunology
- Th17 Cells/metabolism
- Female
- Mice, Knockout, ApoE
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjana Singh
- Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Adriaan O. Kraaijeveld
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Adelina Curaj
- Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Kanin Wichapong
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Linda Hammerich
- Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Saskia C. A. de Jager
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Ilze Bot
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Sergei P. Atamas
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | | | - J. Wouter Jukema
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Iain Comerford
- Centre for Molecular Pathology, School of Molecular & Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Shaun R. McColl
- Centre for Molecular Pathology, School of Molecular & Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Barend Mees
- Department of Surgery, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Johan W. M. Heemskerk
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Gerry A. F. Nicolaes
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Tilman Hackeng
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Elisa Anamaria Liehn
- Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Frank Tacke
- Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen, Aachen, Germany
- Department of Hepatology & Gastroenterology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Erik A. L. Biessen
- Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
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10
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Benedicto I, Carmona RM, Barettino A, Espinós-Estévez C, Gonzalo P, Nevado RM, de la Fuente-Pérez M, Andrés-Manzano MJ, González-Gómez C, Rolas L, Dorado B, Nourshargh S, Hamczyk MR, Andrés V. Exacerbated atherosclerosis in progeria is prevented by progerin elimination in vascular smooth muscle cells but not endothelial cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2400752121. [PMID: 38648484 PMCID: PMC11066978 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2400752121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a rare disease caused by the expression of progerin, a mutant protein that accelerates aging and precipitates death. Given that atherosclerosis complications are the main cause of death in progeria, here, we investigated whether progerin-induced atherosclerosis is prevented in HGPSrev-Cdh5-CreERT2 and HGPSrev-SM22α-Cre mice with progerin suppression in endothelial cells (ECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), respectively. HGPSrev-Cdh5-CreERT2 mice were undistinguishable from HGPSrev mice with ubiquitous progerin expression, in contrast with the ameliorated progeroid phenotype of HGPSrev-SM22α-Cre mice. To study atherosclerosis, we generated atheroprone mouse models by overexpressing a PCSK9 gain-of-function mutant. While HGPSrev-Cdh5-CreERT2 and HGPSrev mice developed a similar level of excessive atherosclerosis, plaque development in HGPSrev-SM22α-Cre mice was reduced to wild-type levels. Our studies demonstrate that progerin suppression in VSMCs, but not in ECs, prevents exacerbated atherosclerosis in progeroid mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Benedicto
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid28040, Spain
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, Madrid28029, Spain
| | - Rosa M. Carmona
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, Madrid28029, Spain
| | - Ana Barettino
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, Madrid28029, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, 28029Madrid, Spain
| | - Carla Espinós-Estévez
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, Madrid28029, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, 28029Madrid, Spain
| | - Pilar Gonzalo
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, Madrid28029, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, 28029Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosa M. Nevado
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, Madrid28029, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, 28029Madrid, Spain
| | | | - María J. Andrés-Manzano
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, Madrid28029, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, 28029Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina González-Gómez
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, Madrid28029, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, 28029Madrid, Spain
| | - Loïc Rolas
- Centre for Microvascular Research, William Harvey Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, LondonE1 4NS, United Kingdom
| | - Beatriz Dorado
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, Madrid28029, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, 28029Madrid, Spain
| | - Sussan Nourshargh
- Centre for Microvascular Research, William Harvey Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, LondonE1 4NS, United Kingdom
| | - Magda R. Hamczyk
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, 28029Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Instituto Universitario de Oncología, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo33006, Spain
| | - Vicente Andrés
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, Madrid28029, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, 28029Madrid, Spain
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11
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Kong XY, Lauritzen KH, Dahl TB, Holm S, Olsen MB, Skjelland M, Nielsen C, Michelsen AE, Ueland T, Aukrust P, Halvorsen B, Sandanger Ø. CD38 deficient mice are not protected from atherosclerosis. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 705:149734. [PMID: 38430607 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.149734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Revised: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
CD38 is a multifunctional enzyme implicated in chemotaxis of myeloid cells and lymphocyte activation, but also expressed by resident cells such as endothelial and smooth muscle cells. CD38 is important for host defense against microbes. However, CD38's role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is controversial with seemingly conflicting results reported so far. To clarify the discrepancy of current literature on the effect of CD38 ablation on atherosclerosis development, we implanted a shear stress modifier around the right carotid artery in CD38-/- and WT mice. Hypercholesterolemia was induced by human gain-of-function PCSK9 (D374Y), introduced using AAV vector (serotype 9), combined with an atherogenic diet for a total of 9 weeks. Atherosclerosis was assessed at the aortic root, aortic arch and the right carotid artery. The findings can be summarized as follows: i) CD38-/- and WT mice had a similar atherosclerotic burden in all three locations, ii) No significant differences in monocyte infiltration or macrophage content could be seen in the plaques, and iii) The amount of collagen deposition in the plaques were also similar between CD38-/- and WT mice. In conclusion, our data suggest that CD38-/- mice are neither protected against nor prone to atherosclerosis compared to WT mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Yi Kong
- Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Knut H Lauritzen
- Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tuva Børresdatter Dahl
- Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sverre Holm
- Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Maria Belland Olsen
- Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mona Skjelland
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Christopher Nielsen
- Department of Chronic Diseases, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway; Department of Pain Management and Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Annika E Michelsen
- Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Thor Ueland
- Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Thrombosis Research Center (TREC), Division of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Pål Aukrust
- Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Bente Halvorsen
- Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Øystein Sandanger
- Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway; Section of Dermatology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
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12
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Gunnersen S, Shim JT, Liu F, Tietge UJ, Sørensen CB, Bentzon JF. Conditional deletion of Ccl2 in smooth muscle cells does not reduce early atherosclerosis in mice. ATHEROSCLEROSIS PLUS 2024; 55:12-20. [PMID: 38234375 PMCID: PMC10792688 DOI: 10.1016/j.athplu.2023.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Background and aims C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) is a pro-inflammatory chemokine important for monocyte recruitment to the arterial wall and atherosclerotic plaques. Global knockout of Ccl2 reduces plaque formation and macrophage content in mice, but the importance of different plaque cell types in mediating this effect has not been resolved. Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) can adopt a potentially pro-inflammatory function with expression of CCL2. The present study aimed to test the hypothesis that SMC-secreted CCL2 is involved in early atherogenesis in mice. Methods SMC-restricted Cre recombinase was activated at 6 weeks of age in mice with homozygous floxed or wildtype Ccl2 alleles. Separate experiments in mice lacking the Cre recombinase transgene were conducted to control for genetic background effects. Hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis were induced by a tail vein injection of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) encoding proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and a high-fat diet for 12 weeks. Results Unexpectedly, mice with SMC-specific Ccl2 deletion developed higher levels of plasma cholesterol and larger atherosclerotic plaques with more macrophages compared with wild-type littermates. When total cholesterol levels were incorporated into the statistical analysis, none of the effects on plaque development between groups remained significant. Importantly, changes in plasma cholesterol and atherosclerosis remained in mice lacking Cre recombinase indicating that they were not caused by SMC-specific CCL2 deletion but by effects of the floxed allele or passenger genes. Conclusions SMC-specific deficiency of Ccl2 does not significantly affect early plaque development in hypercholesterolemic mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stine Gunnersen
- Atherosclerosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 11, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Jeong Tangkjær Shim
- Atherosclerosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 11, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Fan Liu
- Division of Clinical Chemistry, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 14183 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Uwe J.F. Tietge
- Division of Clinical Chemistry, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 14183 Stockholm, Sweden
- Clinical Chemistry, Karolinska University Laboratory, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-14186 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Charlotte Brandt Sørensen
- Atherosclerosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 11, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Jacob Fog Bentzon
- Atherosclerosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 11, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), Calle de Melchor Fernández Almagro, 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 11, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
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13
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Hernandez Torres LD, Rezende F, Peschke E, Will O, Hövener JB, Spiecker F, Özorhan Ü, Lampe J, Stölting I, Aherrahrou Z, Künne C, Kusche-Vihrog K, Matschl U, Hille S, Brandes RP, Schwaninger M, Müller OJ, Raasch W. Incidence of microvascular dysfunction is increased in hyperlipidemic mice, reducing cerebral blood flow and impairing remote memory. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1338458. [PMID: 38469142 PMCID: PMC10925718 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1338458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The development of cognitive dysfunction is not necessarily associated with diet-induced obesity. We hypothesized that cognitive dysfunction might require additional vascular damage, for example, in atherosclerotic mice. Methods We induced atherosclerosis in male C57BL/6N mice by injecting AAV-PCSK9DY (2x1011 VG) and feeding them a cholesterol-rich Western diet. After 3 months, mice were examined for cognition using Barnes maze procedure and for cerebral blood flow. Cerebral vascular morphology was examined by immunehistology. Results In AAV-PCSK9DY-treated mice, plaque burden, plasma cholesterol, and triglycerides are elevated. RNAseq analyses followed by KEGG annotation show increased expression of genes linked to inflammatory processes in the aortas of these mice. In AAV-PCSK9DY-treated mice learning was delayed and long-term memory impaired. Blood flow was reduced in the cingulate cortex (-17%), caudate putamen (-15%), and hippocampus (-10%). Immunohistological studies also show an increased incidence of string vessels and pericytes (CD31/Col IV staining) in the hippocampus accompanied by patchy blood-brain barrier leaks (IgG staining) and increased macrophage infiltrations (CD68 staining). Discussion We conclude that the hyperlipidemic PCSK9DY mouse model can serve as an appropriate approach to induce microvascular dysfunction that leads to reduced blood flow in the hippocampus, which could explain the cognitive dysfunction in these mice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Flavia Rezende
- Institute for Cardiovascular Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research) Partner Site Rhine-Main, Germany
| | - Eva Peschke
- Section Biomedical Imaging, Molecular Imaging North Competence Center (MOIN CC), Department of Radiology and Neuroradiology, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Olga Will
- Section Biomedical Imaging, Molecular Imaging North Competence Center (MOIN CC), Department of Radiology and Neuroradiology, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Jan-Bernd Hövener
- Section Biomedical Imaging, Molecular Imaging North Competence Center (MOIN CC), Department of Radiology and Neuroradiology, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Frauke Spiecker
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Ümit Özorhan
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Josephine Lampe
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Ines Stölting
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Zouhair Aherrahrou
- Institute for Cardiogenetics, University Lübeck; University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Germany
| | - Carsten Künne
- Department of Cardiac Development and Remodeling, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Kristina Kusche-Vihrog
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Germany
- Institute for Physiology, University Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Urte Matschl
- Department Virus Immunology, Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Hille
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Ralf P. Brandes
- Institute for Cardiovascular Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research) Partner Site Rhine-Main, Germany
| | - Markus Schwaninger
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Germany
- CBBM (Centre for Brain, Behavior and Metabolism), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Oliver J. Müller
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Walter Raasch
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Germany
- CBBM (Centre for Brain, Behavior and Metabolism), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
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14
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Ballester-Servera C, Cañes L, Alonso J, Puertas-Umbert L, Vázquez-Sufuentes P, Taurón M, Roselló-Díez E, Marín F, Rodríguez C, Martínez-González J. Upregulation of NOR-1 in calcified human vascular tissues: impact on osteogenic differentiation and calcification. Transl Res 2024; 264:1-14. [PMID: 37690706 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2023.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular calcification is a significant public health issue whose pathophysiology is not fully understood. NOR-1 regulates critical processes in cardiovascular remodeling, but its contribution to ectopic calcification is unknown. NOR-1 was overexpressed in human calcific aortic valves and calcified atherosclerotic lesions colocalizing with RUNX2, a factor essential for osteochondrogenic differentiation and calcification. NOR-1 and osteogenic markers were upregulated in calcifying human valvular interstitial cells (VICs) and human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Gain- and loss-of-function approaches demonstrated that NOR-1 negatively modulates the expression of osteogenic genes relevant for the osteogenic transdifferentiation (RUNX2, IL-6, BMP2, and ALPL) and calcification of VICs. VSMCs from transgenic mice overexpressing NOR-1 in these cells (TgNOR-1VSMC) expressed lower basal levels of osteogenic genes (IL-6, BMP2, ALPL, OPN) than cells from WT littermates, and their upregulation by a high-phosphate osteogenic medium (OM) was completely prevented by NOR-1 transgenesis. Consistently, this was associated with a dramatic reduction in the calcification of both transgenic VSMCs and aortic rings from TgNOR-1VSMC mice exposed to OM. Atherosclerosis and calcification were induce in mice by the administration of AAV-PCSK9D374Y and a high-fat/high-cholesterol diet. Challenged-TgNOR-1VSMC mice exhibited decreased vascular expression of osteogenic markers, and both less atherosclerotic burden (assessed in whole aorta and lesion size in aortic arch and brachiocephalic artery) and less vascular calcification (assessed either by near-infrared fluorescence imaging or histological analysis) than WT mice. Our data indicate that NOR-1 negatively modulates the expression of genes critically involved in the osteogenic differentiation of VICs and VSMCs, thereby restraining ectopic cardiovascular calcification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carme Ballester-Servera
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IIBB-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laia Cañes
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IIBB-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Judith Alonso
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IIBB-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lidia Puertas-Umbert
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Recerca Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau (IRHSCSP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paula Vázquez-Sufuentes
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IIBB-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manel Taurón
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain; Departamento de Cirugía Cardíaca, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau-Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (HSCSP-UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Roselló-Díez
- Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain; Departamento de Cirugía Cardíaca, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau-Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (HSCSP-UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francisco Marín
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Departamento de Cardiología, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca-Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
| | - Cristina Rodríguez
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Recerca Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau (IRHSCSP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Martínez-González
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IIBB-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain.
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15
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Joshi D, Coon BG, Chakraborty R, Deng H, Fernandez-Tussy P, Meredith E, Traylor JG, Orr AW, Fernandez-Hernando C, Schwartz MA. Gamma protocadherins in vascular endothelial cells inhibit Klf2/4 to promote atherosclerosis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.16.575958. [PMID: 38293157 PMCID: PMC10827163 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.16.575958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is the leading cause of mortality worldwide1. Laminar shear stress (LSS) from blood flow in straight regions of arteries protects against ASCVD by upregulating the Klf2/4 anti-inflammatory program in endothelial cells (ECs)2-8. Conversely, disturbed shear stress (DSS) at curves or branches predisposes these regions to plaque formation9,10. We previously reported a whole genome CRISPR knockout screen11 that identified novel inducers of Klf2/4. Here we report suppressors of Klf2/4 and characterize one candidate, protocadherin gamma A9 (Pcdhga9), a member of the clustered protocadherin gene family12. Pcdhg deletion increases Klf2/4 levels in vitro and in vivo and suppresses inflammatory activation of ECs. Pcdhg suppresses Klf2/4 by inhibiting the Notch pathway via physical interaction of cleaved Notch1 intracellular domain (NICD Val1744) with nuclear Pcdhg C-terminal constant domain (CCD). Pcdhg inhibition by EC knockout (KO) or blocking antibody protects from atherosclerosis. Pcdhg is elevated in the arteries of human atherosclerosis. This study identifies a novel fundamental mechanism of EC resilience and therapeutic target for treating inflammatory vascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divyesh Joshi
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Brian G. Coon
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Raja Chakraborty
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Hanqiang Deng
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Pablo Fernandez-Tussy
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Emily Meredith
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - James G. Traylor
- Department of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology, LSU Health Shreveport, LA 71103, USA
| | - Anthony Wayne Orr
- Department of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology, LSU Health Shreveport, LA 71103, USA
| | | | - Martin A. Schwartz
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
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16
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Bao X, Liang Y, Chang H, Cai T, Feng B, Gordon K, Zhu Y, Shi H, He Y, Xie L. Targeting proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9): from bench to bedside. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:13. [PMID: 38185721 PMCID: PMC10772138 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01690-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) has evolved as a pivotal enzyme in lipid metabolism and a revolutionary therapeutic target for hypercholesterolemia and its related cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This comprehensive review delineates the intricate roles and wide-ranging implications of PCSK9, extending beyond CVD to emphasize its significance in diverse physiological and pathological states, including liver diseases, infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, and notably, cancer. Our exploration offers insights into the interaction between PCSK9 and low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDLRs), elucidating its substantial impact on cholesterol homeostasis and cardiovascular health. It also details the evolution of PCSK9-targeted therapies, translating foundational bench discoveries into bedside applications for optimized patient care. The advent and clinical approval of innovative PCSK9 inhibitory therapies (PCSK9-iTs), including three monoclonal antibodies (Evolocumab, Alirocumab, and Tafolecimab) and one small interfering RNA (siRNA, Inclisiran), have marked a significant breakthrough in cardiovascular medicine. These therapies have demonstrated unparalleled efficacy in mitigating hypercholesterolemia, reducing cardiovascular risks, and have showcased profound value in clinical applications, offering novel therapeutic avenues and a promising future in personalized medicine for cardiovascular disorders. Furthermore, emerging research, inclusive of our findings, unveils PCSK9's potential role as a pivotal indicator for cancer prognosis and its prospective application as a transformative target for cancer treatment. This review also highlights PCSK9's aberrant expression in various cancer forms, its association with cancer prognosis, and its crucial roles in carcinogenesis and cancer immunity. In conclusion, this synthesized review integrates existing knowledge and novel insights on PCSK9, providing a holistic perspective on its transformative impact in reshaping therapeutic paradigms across various disorders. It emphasizes the clinical value and effect of PCSK9-iT, underscoring its potential in advancing the landscape of biomedical research and its capabilities in heralding new eras in personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuhui Bao
- Institute of Therapeutic Cancer Vaccines, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Oncology, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China.
- Center for Clinical Research, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China.
- Clinical Research Center for Cell-based Immunotherapy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Yongjun Liang
- Center for Medical Research and Innovation, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Hanman Chang
- Institute for Food Safety and Health, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Tianji Cai
- Department of Sociology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - Baijie Feng
- Department of Oncology, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Konstantin Gordon
- Medical Institute, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, Moscow, Russia
- A. Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Center, Obninsk, Russia
| | - Yuekun Zhu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Hailian Shi
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Compound Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhangjiang Hi-tech Park, Shanghai, China
| | - Yundong He
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Liyi Xie
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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17
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Song ZK, Zhao L, Liu DS, Zhao LN, Peng QB, Li ZY, Wu JY, Chen SK, Huang FZ, Chen X, Lin TX, Guan L, Meng WP, Guo JW, Su YN, He XX, Liang SJ, Zhu P, Zheng SY, Du SL, Liu X. Macrophage KLF15 prevents foam cell formation and atherosclerosis via transcriptional suppression of OLR-1. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2024; 186:57-70. [PMID: 37984156 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2023.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Macrophage-derived foam cells are a hallmark of atherosclerosis. Scavenger receptors, including lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-1 (OLR-1), are the principal receptors responsible for the uptake and modification of LDL, facilitating macrophage lipid load and the uptake of oxidized LDL by arterial wall cells. Krüppel-like factor 15 (KLF15) is a transcription factor that regulates the expression of genes by binding to the promoter during transcription. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the precise role of macrophage KLF15 in atherogenesis. METHODS We used two murine models of atherosclerosis: mice injected with an adeno-associated virus (AAV) encoding the Asp374-to-Tyr mutant version of human PCSK9, followed by 12 weeks on a high-fat diet (HFD), and ApoE-/-- mice on a HFD. We subsequently injected mice with AAV-KLF15 and AAV-LacZ to assess the role of KLF15 in the development of atherosclerosis in vivo. Oil Red O, H&E, and Masson's trichome staining were used to evaluate atherosclerotic lesions. Western blots and RT-qPCR were used to assess protein and mRNA levels, respectively. RESULTS We determined that KLF15 expression was downregulated during atherosclerosis formation, and KLF15 overexpression prevented atherosclerosis progression. KLF15 expression levels did not affect body weight or serum lipid levels in mice. However, KLF15 overexpression in macrophages prevented foam cell formation by reducing OLR-1-meditated lipid uptake. KLF15 directly targeted and transcriptionally downregulated OLR-1 levels. Restoration of OLR-1 reversed the beneficial effects of KLF15 in atherosclerosis. CONCLUSION Macrophage KLF15 transcriptionally downregulated OLR-1 expression to reduce lipid uptake, thereby preventing foam cell formation and atherosclerosis. Thus, our results suggest that KLF15 is a potential therapeutic target for atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng-Kun Song
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Li Zhao
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - De-Shen Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Ling-Na Zhao
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Qin-Bao Peng
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Zi-Yao Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830000, China
| | - Jia-Yong Wu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Si-Kai Chen
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Fang-Ze Huang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xing Chen
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Tian-Xiao Lin
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Li Guan
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Wei-Peng Meng
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jia-Wei Guo
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434023, China
| | - Yue-Nian Su
- Department of Rehabilitation, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xiao-Xia He
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Si-Jia Liang
- Department of Pharmacology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Peng Zhu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Shao-Yi Zheng
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
| | - Song-Lin Du
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
| | - Xiu Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
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18
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Kim B, Zhao W, Tang SY, Levin MG, Ibrahim A, Yang Y, Roberts E, Lai L, Li J, Assoian RK, FitzGerald GA, Arany Z. Endothelial lipid droplets suppress eNOS to link high fat consumption to blood pressure elevation. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e173160. [PMID: 37824206 PMCID: PMC10721151 DOI: 10.1172/jci173160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolic syndrome, today affecting more than 20% of the US population, is a group of 5 conditions that often coexist and that strongly predispose to cardiovascular disease. How these conditions are linked mechanistically remains unclear, especially two of these: obesity and elevated blood pressure. Here, we show that high fat consumption in mice leads to the accumulation of lipid droplets in endothelial cells throughout the organism and that lipid droplet accumulation in endothelium suppresses endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), reduces NO production, elevates blood pressure, and accelerates atherosclerosis. Mechanistically, the accumulation of lipid droplets destabilizes eNOS mRNA and activates an endothelial inflammatory signaling cascade that suppresses eNOS and NO production. Pharmacological prevention of lipid droplet formation reverses the suppression of NO production in cell culture and in vivo and blunts blood pressure elevation in response to a high-fat diet. These results highlight lipid droplets as a critical and unappreciated component of endothelial cell biology, explain how lipids increase blood pressure acutely, and provide a mechanistic account for the epidemiological link between obesity and elevated blood pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boa Kim
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, McAllister Heart Institute, Nutrition Obesity Research Center, and Lineberger Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute, and Institute of Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine
| | - Wencao Zhao
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute, and Institute of Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine
| | - Soon Y. Tang
- Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, and
| | - Michael G. Levin
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute, and Institute of Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine
| | - Ayon Ibrahim
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute, and Institute of Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine
| | - Yifan Yang
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute, and Institute of Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine
| | - Emilia Roberts
- Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, and
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ling Lai
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute, and Institute of Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute, and Institute of Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine
| | - Richard K. Assoian
- Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, and
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Garret A. FitzGerald
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute, and Institute of Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine
- Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, and
| | - Zoltan Arany
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute, and Institute of Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine
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19
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Song J, Zhang Y, Frieler RA, Andren A, Wood S, Tyrrell DJ, Sajjakulnukit P, Deng JC, Lyssiotis CA, Mortensen RM, Salmon M, Goldstein DR. Itaconate suppresses atherosclerosis by activating a Nrf2-dependent antiinflammatory response in macrophages in mice. J Clin Invest 2023; 134:e173034. [PMID: 38085578 PMCID: PMC10849764 DOI: 10.1172/jci173034] [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: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Itaconate has emerged as a critical immunoregulatory metabolite. Here, we examined the therapeutic potential of itaconate in atherosclerosis. We found that both itaconate and the enzyme that synthesizes it, aconitate decarboxylase 1 (Acod1, also known as immune-responsive gene 1 [IRG1]), are upregulated during atherogenesis in mice. Deletion of Acod1 in myeloid cells exacerbated inflammation and atherosclerosis in vivo and resulted in an elevated frequency of a specific subset of M1-polarized proinflammatory macrophages in the atherosclerotic aorta. Importantly, Acod1 levels were inversely correlated with clinical occlusion in atherosclerotic human aorta specimens. Treating mice with the itaconate derivative 4-octyl itaconate attenuated inflammation and atherosclerosis induced by high cholesterol. Mechanistically, we found that the antioxidant transcription factor, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), was required for itaconate to suppress macrophage activation induced by oxidized lipids in vitro and to decrease atherosclerotic lesion areas in vivo. Overall, our work shows that itaconate suppresses atherogenesis by inducing Nrf2-dependent inhibition of proinflammatory responses in macrophages. Activation of the itaconate pathway may represent an important approach to treat atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianrui Song
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Yanling Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Soochow University Medical College, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ryan A. Frieler
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Anthony Andren
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Sherri Wood
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Daniel J. Tyrrell
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Pathology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Peter Sajjakulnukit
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center
| | - Jane C. Deng
- Graduate Program in Immunology, and
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Costas A. Lyssiotis
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Richard M. Mortensen
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Pharmacology
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes
| | | | - Daniel R. Goldstein
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Graduate Program in Immunology, and
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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20
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Tyrrell DJ, Wragg KM, Chen J, Wang H, Song J, Blin MG, Bolding C, Vardaman D, Giles K, Tidwell H, Ali MA, Janappareddi A, Wood SC, Goldstein DR. Clonally expanded memory CD8 + T cells accumulate in atherosclerotic plaques and are pro-atherogenic in aged mice. NATURE AGING 2023; 3:1576-1590. [PMID: 37996758 DOI: 10.1038/s43587-023-00515-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Aging is a strong risk factor for atherosclerosis and induces accumulation of memory CD8+ T cells in mice and humans. Biological changes that occur with aging lead to enhanced atherosclerosis, yet the role of aging on CD8+ T cells during atherogenesis is unclear. In this study, using femle mice, we found that depletion of CD8+ T cells attenuated atherogenesis in aged, but not young, animals. Furthermore, adoptive transfer of splenic CD8+ T cells from aged wild-type, but not young wild-type, donor mice significantly enhanced atherosclerosis in recipient mice lacking CD8+ T cells. We also characterized T cells in healthy and atherosclerotic young and aged mice by single-cell RNA sequencing. We found specific subsets of age-associated CD8+ T cells, including a Granzyme K+ effector memory subset, that accumulated and was clonally expanded within atherosclerotic plaques. These had transcriptomic signatures of T cell activation, migration, cytotoxicity and exhaustion. Overall, our study identified memory CD8+ T cells as therapeutic targets for atherosclerosis in aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Tyrrell
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Kathleen M Wragg
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Judy Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Program in Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jianrui Song
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Muriel G Blin
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Chase Bolding
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Donald Vardaman
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Kara Giles
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Harrison Tidwell
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Md Akkas Ali
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | | | - Sherri C Wood
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Daniel R Goldstein
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Program in Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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21
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Dubner AM, Lu S, Jolly AJ, Strand KA, Mutryn MF, Hinthorn T, Noble T, Nemenoff RA, Moulton KS, Majesky MW, Weiser-Evans MC. Smooth muscle-derived adventitial progenitor cells direct atherosclerotic plaque composition complexity in a Klf4-dependent manner. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e174639. [PMID: 37991018 PMCID: PMC10755692 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.174639] [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: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
We previously established that vascular smooth muscle-derived adventitial progenitor cells (AdvSca1-SM) preferentially differentiate into myofibroblasts and contribute to fibrosis in response to acute vascular injury. However, the role of these progenitor cells in chronic atherosclerosis has not been defined. Using an AdvSca1-SM cell lineage tracing model, scRNA-Seq, flow cytometry, and histological approaches, we confirmed that AdvSca1-SM-derived cells localized throughout the vessel wall and atherosclerotic plaques, where they primarily differentiated into fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells (SMC), or remained in a stem-like state. Krüppel-like factor 4 (Klf4) knockout specifically in AdvSca1-SM cells induced transition to a more collagen-enriched fibroblast phenotype compared with WT mice. Additionally, Klf4 deletion drastically modified the phenotypes of non-AdvSca1-SM-derived cells, resulting in more contractile SMC and atheroprotective macrophages. Functionally, overall plaque burden was not altered with Klf4 deletion, but multiple indices of plaque composition complexity, including necrotic core area, macrophage accumulation, and fibrous cap thickness, were reduced. Collectively, these data support that modulation of AdvSca1-SM cells through KLF4 depletion confers increased protection from the development of potentially unstable atherosclerotic plaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison M. Dubner
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension
- Integrated Physiology PhD Program
| | - Sizhao Lu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension
- School of Medicine, Consortium for Fibrosis Research and Translation
| | - Austin J. Jolly
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Keith A. Strand
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension
| | - Marie F. Mutryn
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension
| | - Tyler Hinthorn
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension
- Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology MS program, University of Colorado Graduate School, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Tysen Noble
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension
- Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology MS program, University of Colorado Graduate School, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Raphael A. Nemenoff
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension
- School of Medicine, Consortium for Fibrosis Research and Translation
| | - Karen S. Moulton
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Mark W. Majesky
- Center for Developmental Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Departments of Pediatrics, Laboratory Medicine & and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Mary C.M. Weiser-Evans
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension
- Integrated Physiology PhD Program
- School of Medicine, Consortium for Fibrosis Research and Translation
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Cardiovascular Pulmonary Research Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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22
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Griepke S, Trauelsen M, Nilsson MD, Hansen J, Steffensen LB, Schwartz TW, Ketelhuth DFJ. G-Protein-Coupled Receptor 91-Dependent Signalling Does Not Influence Vascular Inflammation and Atherosclerosis in Hyperlipidaemic Mice. Cells 2023; 12:2580. [PMID: 37947659 PMCID: PMC10647868 DOI: 10.3390/cells12212580] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The TCA cycle intermediate metabolite 'succinate' has been proposed as an inflammatory mediator, influencing autoimmunity and allergic reactions, through ligation to its sensing receptor SUCNR1/GPR91. Whether GPR91-mediated signalling influences the chronic inflammatory process of atherosclerosis has never been investigated. The examination of publicly available datasets revealed that the SUCNR1 gene is expressed in human atherosclerotic plaques, especially in vascular smooth muscle cells. Using GPR91 knockout (Gpr91-/-) and wildtype (WT) littermates, made hyperlipidaemic with the overexpression of the gain-of-function mutated Pcsk9 and Western diet feeding, we showed that the full ablation of GPR91 did not accelerate atherosclerosis-lesions in the aortic arch 2.18 ± 0.48% vs. 1.64 ± 0.31%, and in the aortic roots 10.06 ± 0.91% vs. 10.67 ± 1.53% for Gpr91-/- and WT mice, respectively. In line with this, no differences between groups were observed for macrophage and T-cell infiltration in the plaque, as well as the polarization towards M1- or M2-like macrophages in the aorta, spleen and liver of Gpr91-/- and WT control mice. In conclusion, our study indicates that the global ablation of GPR91 signalling does not influence vascular inflammation or atherogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke Griepke
- Department of Cardiovascular and Renal Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark; (S.G.); (M.D.N.); (J.H.); (L.B.S.)
| | - Mette Trauelsen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (M.T.); (T.W.S.)
| | - Michelle D. Nilsson
- Department of Cardiovascular and Renal Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark; (S.G.); (M.D.N.); (J.H.); (L.B.S.)
| | - Jakob Hansen
- Department of Cardiovascular and Renal Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark; (S.G.); (M.D.N.); (J.H.); (L.B.S.)
| | - Lasse B. Steffensen
- Department of Cardiovascular and Renal Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark; (S.G.); (M.D.N.); (J.H.); (L.B.S.)
| | - Thue W. Schwartz
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (M.T.); (T.W.S.)
| | - Daniel F. J. Ketelhuth
- Department of Cardiovascular and Renal Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark; (S.G.); (M.D.N.); (J.H.); (L.B.S.)
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Bioclinicum, Solna, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden
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23
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van Zwol W, Rimbert A, Wolters JC, Smit M, Bloks VW, Kloosterhuis NJ, Huijkman NCA, Koster MH, Tharehalli U, de Neck SM, Bournez C, Fuh MM, Kuipers J, Rajan S, de Bruin A, Ginsberg HN, van Westen GJP, Hussain MM, Scheja L, Heeren J, Zimmerman P, van de Sluis B, Kuivenhoven JA. Loss of hepatic SMLR1 causes hepatosteatosis and protects against atherosclerosis due to decreased hepatic VLDL secretion. Hepatology 2023; 78:1418-1432. [PMID: 36053190 PMCID: PMC10581432 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The assembly and secretion of VLDL from the liver, a pathway that affects hepatic and plasma lipids, remains incompletely understood. We set out to identify players in the VLDL biogenesis pathway by identifying genes that are co-expressed with the MTTP gene that encodes for microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, key to the lipidation of apolipoprotein B, the core protein of VLDL. Using human and murine transcriptomic data sets, we identified small leucine-rich protein 1 ( SMLR1 ), encoding for small leucine-rich protein 1, a protein of unknown function that is exclusively expressed in liver and small intestine. APPROACH AND RESULTS To assess the role of SMLR1 in the liver, we used somatic CRISPR/CRISPR-associated protein 9 gene editing to silence murine Smlr1 in hepatocytes ( Smlr1 -LKO). When fed a chow diet, male and female mice show hepatic steatosis, reduced plasma apolipoprotein B and triglycerides, and reduced VLDL secretion without affecting microsomal triglyceride transfer protein activity. Immunofluorescence studies show that SMLR1 is in the endoplasmic reticulum and Cis-Golgi complex. The loss of hepatic SMLR1 in female mice protects against diet-induced hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis but causes NASH. On a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet, insulin and glucose tolerance tests did not reveal differences in male Smlr1 -LKO mice versus controls. CONCLUSIONS We propose a role for SMLR1 in the trafficking of VLDL from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Cis-Golgi complex. While this study uncovers SMLR1 as a player in the VLDL assembly, trafficking, and secretion pathway, it also shows that NASH can occur with undisturbed glucose homeostasis and atheroprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willemien van Zwol
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Antoine Rimbert
- Université de Nantes, CNRS, INSERM, l'institut du thorax, Nantes, France
| | - Justina C. Wolters
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Marieke Smit
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Vincent W. Bloks
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Niels J. Kloosterhuis
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Nicolette C. A. Huijkman
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Mirjam H. Koster
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Umesh Tharehalli
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Simon M. de Neck
- Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Colin Bournez
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marceline M. Fuh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg−Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jeroen Kuipers
- Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Sujith Rajan
- Department of Foundations of Medicine, NYU Long Island School of Medicine, Mineola, New York, USA
| | - Alain de Bruin
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
- Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Henry N. Ginsberg
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA
| | - Gerard J. P. van Westen
- Division of Drug Discovery and Safety, Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - M. Mahmood Hussain
- Department of Foundations of Medicine, NYU Long Island School of Medicine, Mineola, New York, USA
| | - Ludger Scheja
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg−Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Joerg Heeren
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg−Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Bart van de Sluis
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jan Albert Kuivenhoven
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
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24
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Dubner AM, Lu S, Jolly AJ, Noble T, Hinthorn T, Nemenoff RA, Moulton KS, Majesky MW, Weiser-Evans MCM. Confounding Effects of Tamoxifen: Cautionary and Practical Considerations for the Use of Tamoxifen-Inducible Mouse Models in Atherosclerosis Research-Brief Report. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2023; 43:2223-2230. [PMID: 37706321 PMCID: PMC10615862 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.319922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent years, fate-mapping lineage studies in mouse models have led to major advances in vascular biology by allowing investigators to track specific cell populations in vivo. One of the most frequently used lineage tracing approaches involves tamoxifen-inducible CreERT-LoxP systems. However, tamoxifen treatment can also promote effects independent of Cre recombinase activation, many of which have not been fully explored. METHODS To elucidate off-target effects of tamoxifen, male and female mice were either unmanipulated or injected with tamoxifen or corn oil. All mice received PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9)-AAV (adeno-associated virus) injections and a modified Western diet to induce hypercholesterolemia. After 2 weeks, serum cholesterol and liver morphology were assessed. To determine the duration of any tamoxifen effects in long-term atherosclerosis experiments, mice received either 12 days of tamoxifen at baseline or 12 days plus 2 sets of 5-day tamoxifen boosters; all mice received PCSK9-AAV injections and a modified Western diet to induce hypercholesterolemia. After 24 weeks, serum cholesterol and aortic sinus plaque burden were measured. RESULTS After 2 weeks of atherogenic treatment, mice injected with tamoxifen demonstrated significantly reduced serum cholesterol levels compared with uninjected- or corn oil-treated mice. However, there were no differences in PCSK9-mediated knockdown of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) receptors between the groups. Additionally, tamoxifen-treated mice exhibited significantly increased hepatic lipid accumulation compared with the other groups. Finally, the effects of tamoxifen remained for at least 8 weeks after completion of injections, with mice demonstrating persistent decreased serum cholesterol and impaired atherosclerotic plaque formation. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we establish that tamoxifen administration results in decreased serum cholesterol, decreased plaque formation, and increased hepatic lipid accumulation. These alterations represent significant confounding variables in atherosclerosis research, and we urge future investigators to take these findings into consideration when planning and executing their own atherosclerosis experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison M Dubner
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Integrated Physiology PhD Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Sizhao Lu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- School of Medicine, Consortium for Fibrosis Research and Translation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Austin J Jolly
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Tysen Noble
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology MS program, University of Colorado Graduate School, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Tyler Hinthorn
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology MS program, University of Colorado Graduate School, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Raphael A Nemenoff
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- School of Medicine, Consortium for Fibrosis Research and Translation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Karen S Moulton
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Mark W Majesky
- Center for Developmental Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101
- Departments of Pediatrics and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195
| | - Mary CM Weiser-Evans
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Integrated Physiology PhD Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- School of Medicine, Consortium for Fibrosis Research and Translation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Cardiovascular Pulmonary Research Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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25
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Ballester-Servera C, Alonso J, Cañes L, Vázquez-Sufuentes P, Puertas-Umbert L, Fernández-Celis A, Taurón M, Rodríguez-Sinovas A, López-Andrés N, Rodríguez C, Martínez-González J. Lysyl oxidase-dependent extracellular matrix crosslinking modulates calcification in atherosclerosis and aortic valve disease. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 167:115469. [PMID: 37729730 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular matrix (ECM) is an active player in cardiovascular calcification (CVC), a major public health issue with an unmet need for effective therapies. Lysyl oxidase (LOX) conditions ECM biomechanical properties; thus, we hypothesized that LOX might impact on mineral deposition in calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) and atherosclerosis. LOX was upregulated in calcified valves from two cohorts of CAVD patients. Strong LOX immunostaining was detected surrounding calcified foci in calcified human valves and atherosclerotic lesions colocalizing with RUNX2 on valvular interstitial cells (VICs) or vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Both LOX secretion and organized collagen deposition were enhanced in calcifying VICs exposed to osteogenic media. β-aminopropionitrile (BAPN), an inhibitor of LOX, attenuated collagen deposition and calcification. VICs seeded onto decellularized matrices from BAPN-treated VICs calcified less than cells cultured onto control scaffolds; instead, VICs exposed to conditioned media from cells over-expressing LOX or cultured onto LOX-crosslinked matrices calcified more. Atherosclerosis was induced in WT and transgenic mice that overexpress LOX in VSMC (TgLOXVSMC) by AAV-PCSK9D374Y injection and high-fat feeding. In atherosclerosis-challenged TgLOXVSMC mice both atherosclerosis burden and calcification assessed by near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging were higher than in WT mice. These animals also exhibited larger calcified areas in atherosclerotic lesions from aortic arches and brachiocephalic arteries. Moreover, LOX transgenesis exacerbated plaque inflammation, and increased VSMC cellularity, the rate of RUNX2-positive cells and both connective tissue content and collagen cross-linking. Our findings highlight the relevance of LOX in CVC and postulate this enzyme as a potential therapeutic target for CVC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carme Ballester-Servera
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IIBB-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Judith Alonso
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IIBB-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laia Cañes
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IIBB-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paula Vázquez-Sufuentes
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IIBB-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lídia Puertas-Umbert
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Recerca Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau (IRHSCSP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Amaya Fernández-Celis
- Cardiovascular Translational Research, Navarrabiomed, IdiSNA, UPNA, Hospital Universitario de Navarra (HUN), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Manel Taurón
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain; Departamento de Cirugía Cardíaca, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau-Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (HSCSP-UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio Rodríguez-Sinovas
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Cardiovascular Diseases Research Group, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital and Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Natalia López-Andrés
- Cardiovascular Translational Research, Navarrabiomed, IdiSNA, UPNA, Hospital Universitario de Navarra (HUN), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Cristina Rodríguez
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Recerca Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau (IRHSCSP), Barcelona, Spain.
| | - José Martínez-González
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IIBB-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB SANT PAU), Barcelona, Spain.
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26
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Phu TA, Vu NK, Ng M, Gao AS, Stoolman JS, Chandel NS, Raffai RL. ApoE enhances mitochondrial metabolism via microRNA-142a/146a-regulated circuits that suppress hematopoiesis and inflammation in hyperlipidemia. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113206. [PMID: 37824329 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113206] [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: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is recognized for its pleiotropic properties that suppress inflammation. We report that ApoE serves as a metabolic rheostat that regulates microRNA control of glycolytic and mitochondrial activity in myeloid cells and hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). ApoE expression in myeloid cells increases microRNA-146a, which reduces nuclear factor κB (NF-κB)-driven GLUT1 expression and glycolytic activity. In contrast, ApoE expression reduces microRNA-142a, which increases carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1a (CPT1A) expression, fatty acid oxidation, and oxidative phosphorylation. Improved mitochondrial metabolism by ApoE expression causes an enrichment of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle metabolites and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) in macrophages. The study of mice with conditional ApoE expression supports the capacity of ApoE to foster microRNA-controlled immunometabolism. Modulation of microRNA-146a and -142a in the hematopoietic system of hyperlipidemic mice using RNA mimics and antagonists, respectively, improves mitochondrial metabolism, which suppresses inflammation and hematopoiesis. Our findings unveil microRNA regulatory circuits, controlled by ApoE, that exert metabolic control over hematopoiesis and inflammation in hyperlipidemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuan Anh Phu
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Surgical Service (112G), San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA; Northern California Institute for Research and Education, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA
| | - Ngan K Vu
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Surgical Service (112G), San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA; Northern California Institute for Research and Education, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA
| | - Martin Ng
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Surgical Service (112G), San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA; Northern California Institute for Research and Education, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA
| | - Alex S Gao
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Surgical Service (112G), San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA; Northern California Institute for Research and Education, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA
| | - Joshua S Stoolman
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Navdeep S Chandel
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Robert L Raffai
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Surgical Service (112G), San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA; Northern California Institute for Research and Education, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA; Department of Surgery, Division of Endovascular and Vascular Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
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27
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Sarad K, Stefańska M, Kraszewska I, Szade K, Sluimer JC, Błyszczuk P, Dulak J, Jaźwa-Kusior A. Single-cell transcriptomics reveals subtype-specific molecular profiles in Nrf2-deficient macrophages from murine atherosclerotic aortas. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1249379. [PMID: 37965327 PMCID: PMC10641521 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1249379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a transcriptional regulator of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory response in all cell types. It also activates the transcription of genes important for macrophage function. Nrf2 activity declines with age and has been closely linked to atherosclerosis, but its specific role in this vascular pathology is not clear. Atherosclerotic plaques contain several macrophage subsets with distinct, yet not completely understood, functions in the lesion development. The aim of this study was to analyze the transcriptome of diverse Nrf2-deficient macrophage subpopulations from murine atherosclerotic aortas. Mice with transcriptionally inactive Nrf2 in Cdh5-expressing cells (Nrf2 Cdh5tKO) were used in the experiments. These mice lack transcriptional Nrf2 activity in endothelial cells, but also in a proportion of leukocytes. We confirmed that the bone marrow-derived and tissue-resident macrophages isolated from Nrf2 Cdh5tKO mice exhibit a significant decline in Nrf2 activity. Atherosclerosis was induced in Nrf2 Cdh5tKO and appropriate control mice via adeno-associated viral vector (AAV)-mediated overexpression of murine proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (Pcsk9) in the liver and high-fat diet feeding. After 21 weeks, live aortic cells were sorted on FACS and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was performed. Unsupervised clustering singled out 13 distinct aortic cell types. Among macrophages, 9 subclusters were identified. Differential gene expression analysis revealed cell subtype-specific expression patterns. A subset of inflammatory macrophages from atherosclerotic Nrf2 Cdh5tKO mice demonstrated downregulation of DNA replication genes (e.g. Mcm7, Lig1, Pola1) concomitant with upregulation of DNA damage sensor Atr gene. Atherosclerotic Nrf2 Cdh5tKO Lyve1+ resident macrophages showed strong upregulation of IFN-stimulated genes, as well as changes in the expression of death pathways-associated genes (Slc40a1, Bcl2a1). Furthermore, we observed subtype-specific expression of core ferroptosis genes (e.g. Cp, Hells, Slc40a1) in inflammatory versus tissue resident macrophages. This observation suggested a link between ferroptosis and inflammatory microenvironment appearing at a very early stage of atherogenesis. Our findings indicate that Nrf2 deficiency in aortic macrophages leads to subtype-specific transcriptomic changes associated with inflammation, iron homeostasis, cell injury or death pathways. This may help understanding the role of aging-associated decline of Nrf2 activity and the function of specific macrophage subtypes in atherosclerotic lesion development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Sarad
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
- Jagiellonian University, Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Monika Stefańska
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - Izabela Kraszewska
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Szade
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Judith C. Sluimer
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Department of Pathology, Maastricht University Medical Center (UMC), Maastricht, Netherlands
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Przemysław Błyszczuk
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
- Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Józef Dulak
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Jaźwa-Kusior
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
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Nagesh PT, Nishi H, Rawal S, Zahr T, Miano JM, Sorci-Thomas M, Xu H, Akbar N, Choudhury RP, Misra A, Fisher EA. HDL regulates TGFß-receptor lipid raft partitioning, restoring contractile features of cholesterol-loaded vascular smooth muscle cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.19.562786. [PMID: 37905061 PMCID: PMC10614922 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.19.562786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Background Cholesterol-loading of mouse aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (mVSMCs) downregulates miR-143/145, a master regulator of the contractile state downstream of TGFβ signaling. In vitro, this results in transitioning from a contractile mVSMC to a macrophage-like state. This process likely occurs in vivo based on studies in mouse and human atherosclerotic plaques. Objectives To test whether cholesterol-loading reduces VSMC TGFβ signaling and if cholesterol efflux will restore signaling and the contractile state in vitro and in vivo. Methods Human coronary artery (h)VSMCs were cholesterol-loaded, then treated with HDL (to promote cholesterol efflux). For in vivo studies, partial conditional deletion of Tgfβr2 in lineage-traced VSMC mice was induced. Mice wild-type for VSMC Tgfβr2 or partially deficient (Tgfβr2+/-) were made hypercholesterolemic to establish atherosclerosis. Mice were then treated with apoA1 (which forms HDL). Results Cholesterol-loading of hVSMCs downregulated TGFβ signaling and contractile gene expression; macrophage markers were induced. TGFβ signaling positively regulated miR-143/145 expression, increasing Acta2 expression and suppressing KLF4. Cholesterol-loading localized TGFβ receptors into lipid rafts, with consequent TGFβ signaling downregulation. Notably, in cholesterol-loaded hVSMCs HDL particles displaced receptors from lipid rafts and increased TGFβ signaling, resulting in enhanced miR-145 expression and decreased KLF4-dependent macrophage features. ApoA1 infusion into Tgfβr2+/- mice restored Acta2 expression and decreased macrophage-marker expression in plaque VSMCs, with evidence of increased TGFβ signaling. Conclusions Cholesterol suppresses TGFβ signaling and the contractile state in hVSMC through partitioning of TGFβ receptors into lipid rafts. These changes can be reversed by promotion of cholesterol efflux, consistent with evidence in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashanth Thevkar Nagesh
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, and Cardiovascular Research Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Hitoo Nishi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, and Cardiovascular Research Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Shruti Rawal
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, and Cardiovascular Research Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Tarik Zahr
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, and Cardiovascular Research Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Joseph M Miano
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia 30912
| | - Mary Sorci-Thomas
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Hao Xu
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Naveed Akbar
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Oxford University Hospitals, NHS Trust, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Robin P Choudhury
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Oxford University Hospitals, NHS Trust, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ashish Misra
- Heart Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Edward A Fisher
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, and Cardiovascular Research Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
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Izquierdo MC, Harris M, Shanmugarajah N, Zhong K, Ozcan L, Fredman G, Haeusler RA. Insulin sensitization by hepatic FoxO deletion is insufficient to lower atherosclerosis in mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.14.562366. [PMID: 37905094 PMCID: PMC10614776 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.14.562366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Background– Type 2 diabetes is associated with an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. It has been suggested that insulin resistance underlies this link, possibly by altering the functions of cells in the artery wall. We aimed to test whether improving systemic insulin sensitivity reduces atherosclerosis. Methods– We used mice that are established to have improved systemic insulin sensitivity: those lacking FoxO transcription factors in hepatocytes. Three hepatic FoxO isoforms (FoxO1, FoxO3, and FoxO4) function together to promote hepatic glucose output, and ablating them lowers glucose production, lowers circulating glucose and insulin, and improves systemic insulin sensitivity. We made these mice susceptible to atherosclerosis in two different ways, by injecting them with gain-of-function AAV8.mPcsk9D377Y and by crossing with Ldlr-/- mice. Results– We verified that hepatic FoxO ablation improves systemic insulin sensitivity in these atherosclerotic settings. We observed that FoxO deficiency caused no reductions in atherosclerosis, and in some cases increased atherosclerosis. These phenotypes coincided with large increases in circulating triglycerides in FoxO-ablated mice. Conclusions– These findings suggest that systemic insulin sensitization is insufficient to reduce atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Concepción Izquierdo
- Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center; Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons; New York, NY, 10032; USA
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology; Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons; New York, NY, 10032; USA
| | - Michael Harris
- Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center; Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons; New York, NY, 10032; USA
| | - Niroshan Shanmugarajah
- Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center; Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons; New York, NY, 10032; USA
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology; Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons; New York, NY, 10032; USA
| | - Kendra Zhong
- Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center; Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons; New York, NY, 10032; USA
| | - Lale Ozcan
- Department of Medicine; Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons; New York, NY, 10032; USA
| | - Gabrielle Fredman
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, 12208; USA
| | - Rebecca A. Haeusler
- Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center; Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons; New York, NY, 10032; USA
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology; Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons; New York, NY, 10032; USA
- Department of Medicine; Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons; New York, NY, 10032; USA
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Zhang X, Tyrrell DJ, Alliston T, Schilling B, Yousefzadeh MJ, Schafer MJ. Senescence and Inflammation: Summary of a Gerontological Society of America and National Institute on Aging-Sponsored Symposium. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2023; 78:1733-1739. [PMID: 37148367 PMCID: PMC10562889 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glad120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The National Institute on Aging sponsored a symposium at the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) annual meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana, to discuss recent discoveries related to senescent and inflammatory mechanisms in aging and disease. Consistent with the 2022 Biological Sciences GSA program led by Dr. Rozalyn Anderson, the symposium featured early-stage investigators and a leader in the field of geroscience research. Cell senescence and immune interactions coordinate homeostatic and protective programming throughout the life span. Dysfunctional communication in this exchange eventuates in inflammation-related compositional changes in aged tissues, including propagation of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype and accumulation of senescent and exhausted immune cells. Presentations in this symposium explored senescent and immune-related dysfunction in aging from diverse viewpoints and featured emerging cellular and molecular methods. A central takeaway from the event was that the use of new models and approaches, including single-cell -omics, novel mouse models, and 3D culture systems, is revealing dynamic properties and interactions of senescent and immune cell fates. This knowledge is critical for devising new therapeutic approaches with important translational relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Zhang
- Robert and Arlene Kogod Center on Aging, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Daniel J Tyrrell
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Tamara Alliston
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Birgit Schilling
- The Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, California, USA
| | - Matthew J Yousefzadeh
- Institute on the Biology of Aging and Metabolism, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Marissa J Schafer
- Robert and Arlene Kogod Center on Aging, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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Nguyen MTH, Imanishi M, Li S, Chau K, Banerjee P, Velatooru LR, Ko KA, Samanthapudi VSK, Gi YJ, Lee LL, Abe RJ, McBeath E, Deswal A, Lin SH, Palaskas NL, Dantzer R, Fujiwara K, Borchrdt MK, Turcios EB, Olmsted-Davis EA, Kotla S, Cooke JP, Wang G, Abe JI, Le NT. Endothelial activation and fibrotic changes are impeded by laminar flow-induced CHK1-SENP2 activity through mechanisms distinct from endothelial-to-mesenchymal cell transition. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1187490. [PMID: 37711550 PMCID: PMC10499395 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1187490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The deSUMOylase sentrin-specific isopeptidase 2 (SENP2) plays a crucial role in atheroprotection. However, the phosphorylation of SENP2 at T368 under disturbed flow (D-flow) conditions hinders its nuclear function and promotes endothelial cell (EC) activation. SUMOylation has been implicated in D-flow-induced endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (endoMT), but the precise role of SENP2 in counteracting this process remains unclear. Method We developed a phospho-specific SENP2 S344 antibody and generated knock-in (KI) mice with a phospho-site mutation of SENP2 S344A using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. We then investigated the effects of SENP2 S344 phosphorylation under two distinct flow patterns and during hypercholesteremia (HC)-mediated EC activation. Result Our findings demonstrate that laminar flow (L-flow) induces phosphorylation of SENP2 at S344 through the activation of checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1), leading to the inhibition of ERK5 and p53 SUMOylation and subsequent suppression of EC activation. We observed a significant increase in lipid-laden lesions in both the aortic arch (under D-flow) and descending aorta (under L-flow) of female hypercholesterolemic SENP2 S344A KI mice. In male hypercholesterolemic SENP2 S344A KI mice, larger lipid-laden lesions were only observed in the aortic arch area, suggesting a weaker HC-mediated atherogenesis in male mice compared to females. Ionizing radiation (IR) reduced CHK1 expression and SENP2 S344 phosphorylation, attenuating the pro-atherosclerotic effects observed in female SENP2 S344A KI mice after bone marrow transplantation (BMT), particularly in L-flow areas. The phospho-site mutation SENP2 S344A upregulates processes associated with EC activation, including inflammation, migration, and proliferation. Additionally, fibrotic changes and up-regulated expression of EC marker genes were observed. Apoptosis was augmented in ECs derived from the lungs of SENP2 S344A KI mice, primarily through the inhibition of ERK5-mediated expression of DNA damage-induced apoptosis suppressor (DDIAS). Summary In this study, we have revealed a novel mechanism underlying the suppressive effects of L-flow on EC inflammation, migration, proliferation, apoptosis, and fibrotic changes through promoting CHK1-induced SENP2 S344 phosphorylation. The phospho-site mutation SENP2 S344A responds to L-flow through a distinct mechanism, which involves the upregulation of both mesenchymal and EC marker genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minh T. H. Nguyen
- Center for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Life Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of Hanoi, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Masaki Imanishi
- Department of Cardiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Shengyu Li
- Center for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Khanh Chau
- Center for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Priyanka Banerjee
- Center for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Loka reddy Velatooru
- Center for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Kyung Ae Ko
- Department of Cardiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | | | - Young J. Gi
- Department of Cardiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Ling-Ling Lee
- Department of Cardiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Rei J. Abe
- Center for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Elena McBeath
- Department of Cardiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Anita Deswal
- Department of Cardiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Steven H. Lin
- Department of Cardiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Nicolas L. Palaskas
- Department of Cardiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Robert Dantzer
- Department of Symptom Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Keigi Fujiwara
- Department of Cardiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Mae K. Borchrdt
- Center for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Estefani Berrios Turcios
- Center for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Elizabeth A. Olmsted-Davis
- Center for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Sivareddy Kotla
- Department of Cardiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - John P. Cooke
- Center for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Guangyu Wang
- Center for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Jun-ichi Abe
- Department of Cardiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Nhat-Tu Le
- Center for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
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Deng Q, Li H, Yue X, Guo C, Sun Y, Ma C, Gao J, Wu Y, Du B, Yang J, Zhang C, Zhang W. Smooth muscle liver kinase B1 inhibits foam cell formation and atherosclerosis via direct phosphorylation and activation of SIRT6. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:542. [PMID: 37607939 PMCID: PMC10444762 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06054-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Foam cell formation is a hallmark of the early phase of atherosclerosis. Growing evidence has demonstrated that vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) comprise a considerable proportion of foam cells. Liver kinase B1 (LKB1) plays a crucial part in cardiovascular diseases. However, the role of LKB1 in VSMC-derived foam cell formation and atherosclerosis remains unclear. To explore the effects of LKB1 on VSMC-derived foam cell formation and atherosclerosis, we generated smooth muscle-specific LKB1 knockout (LKB1SMKO) mice by crossbreeding LKB1flox/flox mice with SM22α-CreERT2 mice. LKB1 expression decreased in plaque-loaded aortas and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL)-treated VSMCs. Compared with controls, atherosclerosis development was exacerbated in LKB1SMKO mice via the promotion of VSMC-derived foam cell formation. Conversely, LKB1 overexpression inhibited lipid uptake and foam cell formation in VSMCs. Mechanistically, LKB1 binds to SIRT6 and directly phosphorylates and activates it, thereby reducing lectin-like oxLDL receptor-1 (LOX-1) via SIRT6-dependent histone deacetylation. Finally, adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated LOX-1 deficiency in smooth muscle ameliorated atherosclerosis in LKB1SMKO mice. Our findings suggest that LKB1 may modulate VSMC-derived foam cell formation and atherosclerosis via the phosphorylation and activation of SIRT6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiming Deng
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory; The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Hongxuan Li
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory; The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.
| | - Xiaolin Yue
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory; The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Chenghu Guo
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory; The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yuanyuan Sun
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory; The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Chang Ma
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory; The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jiangang Gao
- School of Life Science and Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Experimental Teratology, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yue Wu
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Bin Du
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jianmin Yang
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory; The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory; The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.
| | - Wencheng Zhang
- National Key Laboratory for Innovation and Transformation of Luobing Theory; The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.
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Phu TA, Ng M, Vu NK, Gao AS, Raffai RL. ApoE expression in macrophages communicates immunometabolic signaling that controls hyperlipidemia-driven hematopoiesis & inflammation via extracellular vesicles. J Extracell Vesicles 2023; 12:e12345. [PMID: 37593979 PMCID: PMC10436255 DOI: 10.1002/jev2.12345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
While apolipoprotein E (apoE) expression by myeloid cells is recognized to control inflammation, whether such benefits can be communicated via extracellular vesicles is not known. Through the study of extracellular vesicles produced by macrophages derived from the bone marrow of Wildtype (WT-BMDM-EV) and ApoE deficient (EKO-BMDM-EV) mice, we uncovered a critical role for apoE expression in regulating their cell signaling properties. WT-BMDM-EV communicated anti-inflammatory properties to recipient myeloid cells by increasing cellular levels of apoE and miR-146a-5p, that reduced NF-κB signalling. They also downregulated cellular levels of miR-142a-3p, resulting in increased levels of its target carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1A (CPT1A) which improved fatty acid oxidation (FAO) and oxidative phosphorylation (OxPHOS) in recipient cells. Such favorable metabolic polarization enhanced cell-surface MerTK levels and the phagocytic uptake of apoptotic cells. In contrast, EKO-BMDM-EV exerted opposite effects by reducing cellular levels of apoE and miR-146a-5p, which increased NF-κB-driven GLUT1-mediated glucose uptake, aerobic glycolysis, and oxidative stress. Furthermore, EKO-BMDM-EV increased cellular miR-142a-3p levels, which reduced CPT1A levels and impaired FAO and OxPHOS in recipient myeloid cells. When cultured with naïve CD4+ T lymphocytes, EKO-BMDM-EV drove their activation and proliferation, and fostered their transition to a Th1 phenotype. While infusions of WT-BMDM-EV into hyperlipidemic mice resolved inflammation, infusions of EKO-BMDM-EV increased hematopoiesis and drove inflammatory responses in myeloid cells and T lymphocytes. ApoE-dependent immunometabolic signaling by macrophage extracellular vesicles was dependent on transcriptional axes controlled by miR-146a-5p and miR-142a-3p that could be reproduced by infusing miR-146a mimics & miR-142a antagonists into hyperlipidemic apoE-deficient mice. Together, our findings unveil a novel property for apoE expression in macrophages that modulates the immunometabolic regulatory properties of their secreted extracellular vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuan Anh Phu
- Department of Veterans AffairsSurgical Service (112G)San Francisco VA Medical CenterSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
- Northern California Institute for Research and EducationSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Martin Ng
- Department of Veterans AffairsSurgical Service (112G)San Francisco VA Medical CenterSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
- Northern California Institute for Research and EducationSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Ngan K. Vu
- Department of Veterans AffairsSurgical Service (112G)San Francisco VA Medical CenterSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
- Northern California Institute for Research and EducationSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Alex S. Gao
- Department of Veterans AffairsSurgical Service (112G)San Francisco VA Medical CenterSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
- Northern California Institute for Research and EducationSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Robert L. Raffai
- Department of Veterans AffairsSurgical Service (112G)San Francisco VA Medical CenterSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
- Northern California Institute for Research and EducationSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
- Department of SurgeryDivision of Endovascular and Vascular SurgeryUniversity of CaliforniaSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
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Abe JI, Imanishi M, Li S, Zhang A, Ae Ko K, Samanthapudi VSK, Lee LL, Bojorges AP, Gi YJ, Hobbs BP, Deswal A, Herrmann J, Lin SH, Chini EN, Shen YH, Schadler KL, Nguyen THM, Gupte AA, Reyes-Gibby C, Yeung SCJ, Abe RJ, Olmsted-Davis EA, Krishnan S, Dantzer R, Palaskas NL, Cooke JP, Pownall HJ, Yoshimoto M, Fujiwara K, Hamilton DJ, Burks JK, Wang G, Le NT, Kotla S. An ERK5-NRF2 Axis Mediates Senescence-Associated Stemness and Atherosclerosis. Circ Res 2023; 133:25-44. [PMID: 37264926 PMCID: PMC10357365 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.122.322017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND ERK5 (extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5) is a dual kinase transcription factor containing an N-terminal kinase domain and a C-terminal transcriptional activation domain. Many ERK5 kinase inhibitors have been developed and tested to treat cancer and inflammatory diseases. However, recent data have raised questions about the role of the catalytic activity of ERK5 in proliferation and inflammation. We aimed to investigate how ERK5 reprograms myeloid cells to the proinflammatory senescent phenotype, subsequently leading to atherosclerosis. METHODS A ERK5 S496A (dephosphorylation mimic) knock in (KI) mouse model was generated using CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat-associated 9), and atherosclerosis was characterized by hypercholesterolemia induction. The plaque phenotyping in homozygous ERK5 S496A KI and wild type (WT) mice was studied using imaging mass cytometry. Bone marrow-derived macrophages were isolated from hypercholesterolemic mice and characterized using RNA sequencing and functional in vitro approaches, including senescence, mitochondria reactive oxygen species, and inflammation assays, as well as by metabolic extracellular flux analysis. RESULTS We show that atherosclerosis was inhibited in ERK5 S496A KI mice. Furthermore, ERK5 S496 phosphorylation mediates both senescence-associated secretory phenotype and senescence-associated stemness by upregulating AHR (aryl hydrocarbon receptor) in plaque and bone marrow-derived macrophages isolated from hypercholesterolemic mice. We also discovered that ERK5 S496 phosphorylation could induce NRF2 (NFE2-related factor 2) SUMOylation at a novel K518 site to inhibit NRF2 transcriptional activity without altering ERK5 catalytic activity and mediates oxidized LDL (low-density lipoprotein)-induced senescence-associated secretory phenotype. Specific ERK5 kinase inhibitors (AX15836 and XMD8-92) also inhibited ERK5 S496 phosphorylation, suggesting the involvement of ERK5 S496 phosphorylation in the anti-inflammatory effects of these ERK5 kinase inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS We discovered a novel mechanism by which the macrophage ERK5-NRF2 axis develops a unique senescence-associated secretory phenotype/stemness phenotype by upregulating AHR to engender atherogenesis. The finding of senescence-associated stemness phenotype provides a molecular explanation to resolve the paradox of senescence in proliferative plaque by permitting myeloid cells to escape the senescence-induced cell cycle arrest during atherosclerosis formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-ichi Abe
- Department of Cardiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work and were designated as co-first authors
| | - Masaki Imanishi
- Department of Cardiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work and were designated as co-first authors
| | - Shengyu Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work and were designated as co-first authors
| | - Aijun Zhang
- Center for Bioenergetics, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Texas, and Department of Medicine, Houston Methodist, Weill Cornell Medicine Affiliate, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Kyung Ae Ko
- Department of Cardiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | | | - Ling-Ling Lee
- Department of Cardiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | | | - Young Jin Gi
- Department of Cardiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Brian P. Hobbs
- Department of Population Health, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Anita Deswal
- Department of Cardiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Joerg Herrmann
- Cardio Oncology Clinic, Division of Preventive Cardiology, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Steven H. Lin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Eduardo N. Chini
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Ying H. Shen
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Keri L. Schadler
- Department of Pediatric Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Thi-Hong-Minh Nguyen
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Anisha A. Gupte
- Center for Bioenergetics, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Texas, and Department of Medicine, Houston Methodist, Weill Cornell Medicine Affiliate, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Cielito Reyes-Gibby
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Sai-Ching J. Yeung
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Rei J. Abe
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
| | | | - Sunil Krishnan
- Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Robert Dantzer
- Department of Symptom Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Nicolas L. Palaskas
- Department of Cardiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - John P. Cooke
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Henry J. Pownall
- Center for Bioenergetics, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Texas, and Department of Medicine, Houston Methodist, Weill Cornell Medicine Affiliate, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Momoko Yoshimoto
- Center for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Keigi Fujiwara
- Department of Cardiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Dale J. Hamilton
- Center for Bioenergetics, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Texas, and Department of Medicine, Houston Methodist, Weill Cornell Medicine Affiliate, Houston, Texas, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Jared K. Burks
- Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Guangyu Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
- These authors were equivalent co-senior authors
| | - Nhat-Tu Le
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
- These authors were equivalent co-senior authors
| | - Sivareddy Kotla
- Department of Cardiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- These authors were equivalent co-senior authors
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Li X, Souilhol C, Canham L, Jia X, Diagbouga M, Ayllon BT, Serbanovic-Canic J, Evans PC. DLL4 promotes partial endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition at atherosclerosis-prone regions of arteries. Vascul Pharmacol 2023; 150:107178. [PMID: 37137436 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2023.107178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Flowing blood regulates vascular development, homeostasis and disease by generating wall shear stress which has major effects on endothelial cell (EC) physiology. Low oscillatory shear stress (LOSS) induces a form of cell plasticity called endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT). This process has divergent effects; in embryos LOSS-induced EndMT drives the development of atrioventricular valves, whereas in adult arteries it is associated with inflammation and atherosclerosis. The Notch ligand DLL4 is essential for LOSS-dependent valve development; here we investigated whether DLL4 is required for responses to LOSS in adult arteries. Analysis of cultured human coronary artery EC revealed that DLL4 regulates the transcriptome to induce markers of EndMT and inflammation under LOSS conditions. Consistently, genetic deletion of Dll4 from murine EC reduced SNAIL (EndMT marker) and VCAM-1 (inflammation marker) at a LOSS region of the murine aorta. We hypothesized that endothelial Dll4 is pro-atherogenic but this analysis was confounded because endothelial Dll4 negatively regulated plasma cholesterol levels in hyperlipidemic mice. We conclude that endothelial DLL4 is required for LOSS-induction of EndMT and inflammation regulators at atheroprone regions of arteries, and is also a regulator of plasma cholesterol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuying Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, PR China; School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, LuZhou, Sichuan 646000, PR China; Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, INSIGNEO Institute, Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, UK
| | - Celine Souilhol
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, INSIGNEO Institute, Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, UK.
| | - Lindsay Canham
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, INSIGNEO Institute, Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, UK
| | - Xueqi Jia
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, INSIGNEO Institute, Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, UK
| | - Mannekomba Diagbouga
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, INSIGNEO Institute, Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, UK
| | - Blanca Tardajos Ayllon
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, INSIGNEO Institute, Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, UK
| | - Jovana Serbanovic-Canic
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, INSIGNEO Institute, Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, UK
| | - Paul C Evans
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, INSIGNEO Institute, Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, UK; Centre for Biochemical Pharmacology, William Harvey Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Barts and The London, Queen Mary University of London Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK.
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Dorfman MD, Monfeuga T, Melhorn SJ, Kanter JE, Frey JM, Fasnacht RD, Chandran A, Lala E, Velasco I, Rubinow KB, Meek TH, Schur EA, Bornfeldt KE, Thaler JP. Central androgen action reverses hypothalamic astrogliosis and atherogenic risk factors induced by orchiectomy and high-fat diet feeding in male mice. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2023; 324:E461-E475. [PMID: 37053049 PMCID: PMC10202485 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00059.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Hypogonadism in males confers elevated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk by unknown mechanisms. Recent radiological evidence suggests that low testosterone (T) is associated with mediobasal hypothalamic (MBH) gliosis, a central nervous system (CNS) cellular response linked to metabolic dysfunction. To address mechanisms linking CNS androgen action to CVD risk, we generated a hypogonadal, hyperlipidemic mouse model with orchiectomy (ORX) combined with hepatic PCSK9 overexpression. After 4 wk of high-fat, high-sucrose diet (HFHS) consumption, despite equal body weights and glucose tolerance, androgen-deficient ORX mice had a more atherogenic lipid profile and increased liver and leukocyte inflammatory signaling compared with sham-operated control mice. Along with these early CVD risk indicators, ORX markedly amplified HFHS-induced astrogliosis in the MBH. Transcriptomic analysis further revealed that ORX and high-fat diet feeding induced upregulation of inflammatory pathways and downregulation of metabolic pathways in hypothalamic astrocytes. To interrogate the role of sex steroid signaling in the CNS in cardiometabolic risk and MBH inflammation, central infusion of T and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) was performed on ORX mice. Central DHT prevented MBH astrogliosis and reduced the liver inflammatory signaling and monocytosis induced by HFHS and ORX; T had a partial protective effect. Finally, a cross-sectional study in 41 adult men demonstrated a positive correlation between radiological evidence of MBH gliosis and plasma lipids. These findings demonstrate that T deficiency in combination with a Western-style diet promotes hypothalamic gliosis concomitant with increased atherogenic risk factors and provide supportive evidence for regulation of lipid metabolism and cardiometabolic risk determinants by the CNS action of sex steroids.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study provides evidence that hypothalamic gliosis is a key early event through which androgen deficiency in combination with a Western-style diet might lead to cardiometabolic dysregulation in males. Furthermore, this work provides the first evidence in humans of a positive association between hypothalamic gliosis and LDL-cholesterol, advancing our knowledge of CNS influences on CVD risk progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauricio D Dorfman
- UW Medicine Diabetes Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | | | - Susan J Melhorn
- UW Medicine Diabetes Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | - Jenny E Kanter
- UW Medicine Diabetes Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | - Jeremy M Frey
- UW Medicine Diabetes Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | - Rachael D Fasnacht
- UW Medicine Diabetes Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | | | - Emaad Lala
- UW Medicine Diabetes Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | - Inmaculada Velasco
- UW Medicine Diabetes Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | - Katya B Rubinow
- UW Medicine Diabetes Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | - Thomas H Meek
- Novo Nordisk Research Centre Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ellen A Schur
- UW Medicine Diabetes Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | - Karin E Bornfeldt
- UW Medicine Diabetes Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | - Joshua P Thaler
- UW Medicine Diabetes Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
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Del Monte-Monge A, Martos-Folgado I, Rodríguez-Ronchel A, Ramiro AR. Assessing the impact of an antigen-specific antibody response on atherosclerosis development in mice. STAR Protoc 2023; 4:102274. [PMID: 37126444 PMCID: PMC10165446 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The antibody immune response plays a critical role in atherosclerosis. Here, we present a protocol for assessing the impact of an antigen-specific germinal center antibody response on atherosclerosis development, using a pro-atherogenic mouse model deficient for the production of germinal-center-derived antibodies. We describe steps for bone marrow transfer from donor mice into irradiated recipient mice. We then detail immunization of mouse chimeras with atheroprotective malondialdehyde low-density lipoprotein during high-fat diet feeding and atherosclerosis burden analysis. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Martos-Folgado et al. (2022).1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Del Monte-Monge
- B Lymphocyte Biology Lab, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain.
| | | | - Ana Rodríguez-Ronchel
- B Lymphocyte Biology Lab, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Almudena R Ramiro
- B Lymphocyte Biology Lab, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain.
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38
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King SD, Cai D, Fraunfelder MM, Chen SY. Surfactant protein A promotes atherosclerosis through mediating macrophage foam cell formation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.23.533959. [PMID: 36993244 PMCID: PMC10055352 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.23.533959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atherosclerosis is a progressive inflammatory disease where macrophage foam cells play a central role in the pathogenesis. Surfactant protein A (SPA) is a lipid-associating protein involved with regulating macrophage function in various inflammatory diseases. However, the role of SPA in atherosclerosis and macrophage foam cell formation has not been investigated. METHODS Primary resident peritoneal macrophages were extracted from wildtype (WT) and SPA deficient (SPA -/- ) mice to determine the functional effects of SPA in macrophage foam cell formation. SPA expression was assessed in healthy vessels and atherosclerotic aortic tissue from the human coronary artery and WT or apolipoprotein e-deficient (ApoE -/- ) mice brachiocephalic arteries fed high fat diets (HFD) for 4 weeks. Hypercholesteremic WT and SPA -/- mice fed a HFD for 6 weeks were investigated for atherosclerotic lesions in vivo . RESULTS In vitro experiments revealed that global SPA deficiency reduced intracellular cholesterol accumulation and macrophage foam cell formation. Mechanistically, SPA -/- dramatically decreased CD36 cellular and mRNA expression. SPA expression was increased in atherosclerotic lesions in humans and ApoE -/- mice. In vivo SPA deficiency attenuated atherosclerosis and reduced the number of lesion-associated macrophage foam cells. CONCLUSIONS Our results elucidate that SPA is a novel factor for atherosclerosis development. SPA enhances macrophage foam cell formation and atherosclerosis through increasing scavenger receptor cluster of differentiation antigen 36 (CD36) expression.
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Anisimov A, Fang S, Hemanthakumar KA, Örd T, van Avondt K, Chevre R, Toropainen A, Singha P, Gilani H, Nguyen SD, Karaman S, Korhonen EA, Adams RH, Augustin HG, Öörni K, Soehnlein O, Kaikkonen MU, Alitalo K. The angiopoietin receptor Tie2 is atheroprotective in arterial endothelium. NATURE CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH 2023; 2:307-321. [PMID: 37476204 PMCID: PMC7614785 DOI: 10.1038/s44161-023-00224-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Leukocytes and resident cells in the arterial wall contribute to atherosclerosis, especially at sites of disturbed blood flow. Expression of endothelial Tie1 receptor tyrosine kinase is enhanced at these sites, and attenuation of its expression reduces atherosclerotic burden and decreases inflammation. However, Tie2 tyrosine kinase function in atherosclerosis is unknown. Here we provide genetic evidence from humans and from an atherosclerotic mouse model to show that TIE2 is associated with protection from coronary artery disease. We show that deletion of Tie2, or both Tie2 and Tie1, in the arterial endothelium promotes atherosclerosis by increasing Foxo1 nuclear localization, endothelial adhesion molecule expression and accumulation of immune cells. We also show that Tie2 is expressed in a subset of aortic fibroblasts, and its silencing in these cells increases expression of inflammation-related genes. Our findings indicate that unlike Tie1, the Tie2 receptor functions as the dominant endothelial angiopoietin receptor that protects from atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrey Anisimov
- Wihuri Research Institute, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Cancer Medicine Program, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Shentong Fang
- Wihuri Research Institute, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Cancer Medicine Program, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- School of Biopharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, P. R. China
| | - Karthik Amudhala Hemanthakumar
- Wihuri Research Institute, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Cancer Medicine Program, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tiit Örd
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Kristof van Avondt
- Institute of Experimental Pathology (ExPat), Center of Molecular Biology of Inflammation (ZMBE), University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Raphael Chevre
- Institute of Experimental Pathology (ExPat), Center of Molecular Biology of Inflammation (ZMBE), University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Anu Toropainen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Prosanta Singha
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Huda Gilani
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Su D. Nguyen
- Wihuri Research Institute, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Present Address: Orion Corporation, Orion Pharma, Turku, Finland
| | - Sinem Karaman
- Wihuri Research Institute, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Individualized Drug Therapy Research Program, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Emilia A. Korhonen
- Wihuri Research Institute, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Cancer Medicine Program, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Institute for Neurovascular Cell Biology, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- European Center for Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Ralf H. Adams
- Department of Tissue Morphogenesis, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Hellmut G. Augustin
- European Center for Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Vascular Oncology and Metastasis, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katariina Öörni
- Wihuri Research Institute, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Oliver Soehnlein
- Institute of Experimental Pathology (ExPat), Center of Molecular Biology of Inflammation (ZMBE), University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Minna U. Kaikkonen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Kari Alitalo
- Wihuri Research Institute, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Translational Cancer Medicine Program, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Rao X, Razavi M, Mihai G, Wei Y, Braunstein Z, Frieman MB, Sun XJ, Gong Q, Chen J, Zhao G, Liu Z, Quon MJ, Dong L, Rajagopalan S, Zhong J. Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4/Midline-1 Axis Promotes T Lymphocyte Motility in Atherosclerosis. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2204194. [PMID: 36683148 PMCID: PMC10037965 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202204194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
T cells play a crucial role in atherosclerosis, with its infiltration preceding the formation of atheroma. However, how T-cell infiltration is regulated in atherosclerosis remains largely unknown. Here, this work demonstrates that dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) is a novel regulator of T-cell motility in atherosclerosis. Single-cell ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequencing and flow cytometry show that CD4+ T cells in atherosclerotic patients display a marked increase of DPP4. Lack of DPP4 in hematopoietic cells or T cells reduces T-cell infiltration and atherosclerotic plaque volume in atherosclerosis mouse models. Mechanistically, DPP4 deficiency reduces T-cell motility by suppressing the expression of microtubule associated protein midline-1 (Mid1) in T cells. Deletion of either DPP4 or Mid1 inhibits chemokine-induced shape change and motility, while restitution of Mid1 in Dpp4-/- T cell largely restores its migratory ability. Thus, DPP4/Mid1, as a novel regulator of T-cell motility, may be a potential inflammatory target in atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoquan Rao
- Division of CardiologyDepartment of Internal MedicineTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubei430030P. R. China
- Cardiovascular Research InstituteCase Western Reserve UniversityClevelandOhio44106USA
| | - Michael Razavi
- Cardiovascular Research InstituteCase Western Reserve UniversityClevelandOhio44106USA
| | - Georgeta Mihai
- Brigham and Women's HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusetts02115USA
| | - Yingying Wei
- Cardiovascular Research InstituteCase Western Reserve UniversityClevelandOhio44106USA
| | | | - Matthew B. Frieman
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMaryland21201USA
| | - Xiao Jian Sun
- Department of MedicineUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMaryland21201USA
| | - Quan Gong
- Department of ImmunologySchool of MedicineYangtze UniversityJingzhouHubei434023P. R. China
| | - Jun Chen
- Sinopharm Dongfeng General HospitalHubei University of MedicineShiyanHubei442008P. R. China
| | - Gang Zhao
- Department of CardiologyShandong Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong UniversityJinanShandong250021P. R. China
| | - Zheng Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck SurgeryTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubei430030P. R. China
- Institute of Allergy and Clinical ImmunologyTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubei430030P. R. China
| | - Michael J. Quon
- Department of MedicineUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMaryland21201USA
| | - Lingli Dong
- Division of Rheumatology and ImmunologyDepartment of Internal MedicineTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubei430030P. R. China
| | - Sanjay Rajagopalan
- Cardiovascular Research InstituteCase Western Reserve UniversityClevelandOhio44106USA
| | - Jixin Zhong
- Cardiovascular Research InstituteCase Western Reserve UniversityClevelandOhio44106USA
- Wexner Medical CenterThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOhio43210USA
- Institute of Allergy and Clinical ImmunologyTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubei430030P. R. China
- Division of Rheumatology and ImmunologyDepartment of Internal MedicineTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubei430030P. R. China
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Salarian M, Ghim M, Toczek J, Han J, Weiss D, Spronck B, Ramachandra AB, Jung JJ, Kukreja G, Zhang J, Lakheram D, Kim SK, Humphrey JD, Sadeghi MM. Homeostatic, Non-Canonical Role of Macrophage Elastase in Vascular Integrity. Circ Res 2023; 132:432-448. [PMID: 36691905 PMCID: PMC9930896 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.122.322096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-12 is highly expressed in abdominal aortic aneurysms and its elastolytic function has been implicated in the pathogenesis. This concept is challenged, however, by conflicting data. Here, we sought to revisit the role of MMP-12 in abdominal aortic aneurysm. METHODS Apoe-/- and Mmp12-/-/Apoe-/- mice were infused with Ang II (angiotensin). Expression of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) markers and complement component 3 (C3) levels were evaluated by immunostaining in aortas of surviving animals. Plasma complement components were analyzed by immunoassay. The effects of a complement inhibitor, IgG-FH1-5 (factor H-immunoglobulin G), and macrophage-specific MMP-12 deficiency on adverse aortic remodeling and death from rupture in Ang II-infused mice were determined. RESULTS Unexpectedly, death from aortic rupture was significantly higher in Mmp12-/-/Apoe-/- mice. This associated with more neutrophils, citrullinated histone H3 and neutrophil elastase, markers of NETs, and C3 levels in Mmp12-/- aortas. These findings were recapitulated in additional models of abdominal aortic aneurysm. MMP-12 deficiency also led to more pronounced elastic laminae degradation and reduced collagen integrity. Higher plasma C5a in Mmp12-/- mice pointed to complement overactivation. Treatment with IgG-FH1-5 decreased aortic wall NETosis and reduced adverse aortic remodeling and death from rupture in Ang II-infused Mmp12-/- mice. Finally, macrophage-specific MMP-12 deficiency recapitulated the effects of global MMP-12 deficiency on complement deposition and NETosis, as well as adverse aortic remodeling and death from rupture in Ang II-infused mice. CONCLUSIONS An MMP-12 deficiency/complement activation/NETosis pathway compromises aortic integrity, which predisposes to adverse vascular remodeling and abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture. Considering these new findings, the role of macrophage MMP-12 in vascular homeostasis demands re-evaluation of MMP-12 function in diverse settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mani Salarian
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (M.S., M.G., J.T., J.H., J.-J.J., G.K., J.Z., M.M.S.)
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (M.S., M.G., J.T., J.H., J.-J.J., G.K., J.Z., M.M.S.)
| | - Mean Ghim
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (M.S., M.G., J.T., J.H., J.-J.J., G.K., J.Z., M.M.S.)
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (M.S., M.G., J.T., J.H., J.-J.J., G.K., J.Z., M.M.S.)
| | - Jakub Toczek
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (M.S., M.G., J.T., J.H., J.-J.J., G.K., J.Z., M.M.S.)
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (M.S., M.G., J.T., J.H., J.-J.J., G.K., J.Z., M.M.S.)
| | - Jinah Han
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (M.S., M.G., J.T., J.H., J.-J.J., G.K., J.Z., M.M.S.)
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (M.S., M.G., J.T., J.H., J.-J.J., G.K., J.Z., M.M.S.)
| | - Dar Weiss
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT (D.W., B.S., A.B.R., J.D.H.)
| | - Bart Spronck
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT (D.W., B.S., A.B.R., J.D.H.)
| | - Abhay B. Ramachandra
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT (D.W., B.S., A.B.R., J.D.H.)
| | - Jae-Joon Jung
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (M.S., M.G., J.T., J.H., J.-J.J., G.K., J.Z., M.M.S.)
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (M.S., M.G., J.T., J.H., J.-J.J., G.K., J.Z., M.M.S.)
| | - Gunjan Kukreja
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (M.S., M.G., J.T., J.H., J.-J.J., G.K., J.Z., M.M.S.)
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (M.S., M.G., J.T., J.H., J.-J.J., G.K., J.Z., M.M.S.)
| | - Jiasheng Zhang
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (M.S., M.G., J.T., J.H., J.-J.J., G.K., J.Z., M.M.S.)
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (M.S., M.G., J.T., J.H., J.-J.J., G.K., J.Z., M.M.S.)
| | | | - Sung-Kwon Kim
- Alexion Pharmaceuticals, New Haven, CT (D.L., S.-K.K.)
| | - Jay D. Humphrey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT (D.W., B.S., A.B.R., J.D.H.)
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (J.D.H.)
| | - Mehran M. Sadeghi
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (M.S., M.G., J.T., J.H., J.-J.J., G.K., J.Z., M.M.S.)
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT (M.S., M.G., J.T., J.H., J.-J.J., G.K., J.Z., M.M.S.)
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van der Vorst EPC, Maas SL, Theodorou K, Peters LJF, Jin H, Rademakers T, Gijbels MJ, Rousch M, Jansen Y, Weber C, Lehrke M, Lebherz C, Yildiz D, Ludwig A, Bentzon JF, Biessen EAL, Donners MMPC. Endothelial ADAM10 controls cellular response to oxLDL and its deficiency exacerbates atherosclerosis with intraplaque hemorrhage and neovascularization in mice. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:974918. [PMID: 36776254 PMCID: PMC9911417 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.974918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The transmembrane protease A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase 10 (ADAM10) displays a "pattern regulatory function," by cleaving a range of membrane-bound proteins. In endothelium, it regulates barrier function, leukocyte recruitment and angiogenesis. Previously, we showed that ADAM10 is expressed in human atherosclerotic plaques and associated with neovascularization. In this study, we aimed to determine the causal relevance of endothelial ADAM10 in murine atherosclerosis development in vivo. Methods and results Endothelial Adam10 deficiency (Adam10 ecko ) in Western-type diet (WTD) fed mice rendered atherogenic by adeno-associated virus-mediated PCSK9 overexpression showed markedly increased atherosclerotic lesion formation. Additionally, Adam10 deficiency was associated with an increased necrotic core and concomitant reduction in plaque macrophage content. Strikingly, while intraplaque hemorrhage and neovascularization are rarely observed in aortic roots of atherosclerotic mice after 12 weeks of WTD feeding, a majority of plaques in both brachiocephalic artery and aortic root of Adam10ecko mice contained these features, suggestive of major plaque destabilization. In vitro, ADAM10 knockdown in human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs) blunted the shedding of lectin-like oxidized LDL (oxLDL) receptor-1 (LOX-1) and increased endothelial inflammatory responses to oxLDL as witnessed by upregulated ICAM-1, VCAM-1, CCL5, and CXCL1 expression (which was diminished when LOX-1 was silenced) as well as activation of pro-inflammatory signaling pathways. LOX-1 shedding appeared also reduced in vivo, as soluble LOX-1 levels in plasma of Adam10ecko mice was significantly reduced compared to wildtypes. Discussion Collectively, these results demonstrate that endothelial ADAM10 is atheroprotective, most likely by limiting oxLDL-induced inflammation besides its known role in pathological neovascularization. Our findings create novel opportunities to develop therapeutics targeting atherosclerotic plaque progression and stability, but at the same time warrant caution when considering to use ADAM10 inhibitors for therapy in other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emiel P. C. van der Vorst
- Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands,Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research (IMCAR), RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany,Interdisciplinary Centre for Clinical Research (IZKF), RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany,Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany,German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Sanne L. Maas
- Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research (IMCAR), RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany,Interdisciplinary Centre for Clinical Research (IZKF), RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Kosta Theodorou
- Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Linsey J. F. Peters
- Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands,Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research (IMCAR), RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany,Interdisciplinary Centre for Clinical Research (IZKF), RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Han Jin
- Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Timo Rademakers
- Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Marion J. Gijbels
- Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands,Department of Molecular Genetics, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands,Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam UMC, Locatie AMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Mat Rousch
- Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Yvonne Jansen
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Weber
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany,German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany,Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Michael Lehrke
- Department of Internal Medicine I, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Corinna Lebherz
- Department of Internal Medicine I, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Daniela Yildiz
- Institute of Molecular Pharmacology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany,Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, PZMS, ZHMB, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Ludwig
- Institute of Molecular Pharmacology, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jacob F. Bentzon
- Experimental Pathology of Atherosclerosis Laboratory, Spanish National Center for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC), Madrid, Spain,Atherosclerosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Erik A. L. Biessen
- Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands,Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research (IMCAR), RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Marjo M. P. C. Donners
- Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands,*Correspondence: Marjo M. P. C. Donners,
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Finney AC, Das S, Kumar D, McKinney MP, Cai B, Yurdagul A, Rom O. The interplay between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1116861. [PMID: 37200978 PMCID: PMC10185914 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1116861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic approaches that lower circulating low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol significantly reduced the burden of cardiovascular disease over the last decades. However, the persistent rise in the obesity epidemic is beginning to reverse this decline. Alongside obesity, the incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has substantially increased in the last three decades. Currently, approximately one third of world population is affected by NAFLD. Notably, the presence of NAFLD and particularly its more severe form, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), serves as an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), thus, raising interest in the relationship between these two diseases. Importantly, ASCVD is the major cause of death in patients with NASH independent of traditional risk factors. Nevertheless, the pathophysiology linking NAFLD/NASH with ASCVD remains poorly understood. While dyslipidemia is a common risk factor underlying both diseases, therapies that lower circulating LDL-cholesterol are largely ineffective against NASH. While there are no approved pharmacological therapies for NASH, some of the most advanced drug candidates exacerbate atherogenic dyslipidemia, raising concerns regarding their adverse cardiovascular consequences. In this review, we address current gaps in our understanding of the mechanisms linking NAFLD/NASH and ASCVD, explore strategies to simultaneously model these diseases, evaluate emerging biomarkers that may be useful to diagnose the presence of both diseases, and discuss investigational approaches and ongoing clinical trials that potentially target both diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra C. Finney
- Department of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - Sandeep Das
- Department of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - Dhananjay Kumar
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - M. Peyton McKinney
- Department of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
| | - Bishuang Cai
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, United States
| | - Arif Yurdagul
- Department of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
- Correspondence: Arif Yurdagul Oren Rom
| | - Oren Rom
- Department of Pathology and Translational Pathobiology, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, United States
- Correspondence: Arif Yurdagul Oren Rom
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44
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Vos DY, Wijers M, Smit M, Huijkman N, Kloosterhuis NJ, Wolters JC, Tissink JJ, Pronk ACM, Kooijman S, Rensen PCN, Kuivenhoven JA, van de Sluis B. Cargo-Specific Role for Retriever Subunit VPS26C in Hepatocyte Lipoprotein Receptor Recycling to Control Postprandial Triglyceride-Rich Lipoproteins. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2023; 43:e29-e45. [PMID: 36353989 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.122.318169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The copper metabolism MURR1 domains/coiled-coil domain containing 22/coiled-coil domain containing 93 (CCC) complex is required for the transport of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and LRP1 (LDLR-related protein 1) from endosomes to the cell surface of hepatocytes. Impaired functioning of hepatocytic CCC causes hypercholesterolemia in mice, dogs, and humans. Retriever, a protein complex consisting of subunits VPS26C, VPS35L, and VPS29, is associated with CCC, but its role in endosomal lipoprotein receptor transport is unclear. We here investigated the contribution of retriever to hepatocytic lipoprotein receptor recycling and plasma lipids regulation. METHODS Using somatic CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, we generated liver-specific VPS35L or VPS26C-deficient mice. We determined total and surface levels of LDLR and LRP1 and plasma lipids. In addition, we studied the protein levels and composition of CCC and retriever. RESULTS Hepatocyte VPS35L deficiency reduced VPS26C levels but had minimal impact on CCC composition. VPS35L deletion decreased hepatocytic surface expression of LDLR and LRP1, accompanied by a 21% increase in plasma cholesterol levels. Hepatic VPS26C ablation affected neither levels of VPS35L and CCC subunits, nor plasma lipid concentrations. However, VPS26C deficiency increased hepatic LDLR protein levels by 2-fold, probably compensating for reduced LRP1 functioning, as we showed in VPS26C-deficient hepatoma cells. Upon PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9)-mediated LDLR elimination, VPS26C ablation delayed postprandial triglyceride clearance and increased plasma triglyceride levels by 26%. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that VPS35L is shared between retriever and CCC to facilitate LDLR and LRP1 transport from endosomes to the cell surface. Conversely, retriever subunit VPS26C selectively transports LRP1, but not LDLR, and thereby may control hepatic uptake of postprandial triglyceride-rich lipoprotein remnants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dyonne Y Vos
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands (D.Y.V., M.W., M.S., N.H., N.J.K., J.C.W., J.AK., B.v.d.S.)
| | - Melinde Wijers
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands (D.Y.V., M.W., M.S., N.H., N.J.K., J.C.W., J.AK., B.v.d.S.)
| | - Marieke Smit
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands (D.Y.V., M.W., M.S., N.H., N.J.K., J.C.W., J.AK., B.v.d.S.)
| | - Nicolette Huijkman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands (D.Y.V., M.W., M.S., N.H., N.J.K., J.C.W., J.AK., B.v.d.S.)
| | - Niels J Kloosterhuis
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands (D.Y.V., M.W., M.S., N.H., N.J.K., J.C.W., J.AK., B.v.d.S.)
| | - Justina C Wolters
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands (D.Y.V., M.W., M.S., N.H., N.J.K., J.C.W., J.AK., B.v.d.S.)
| | - Joël J Tissink
- Institute for Diabetes and Cancer, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany. Joint Heidelberg-IDC Translational Diabetes Program, Inner Medicine 1, Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany (J.J.T.).,German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany (J.J.T.)
| | - Amanda C M Pronk
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology (A.C.M.P., S.K., P.C.N.R.), Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands.,Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine (A.C.M.P., S.K., P.C.N.R.), Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Sander Kooijman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology (A.C.M.P., S.K., P.C.N.R.), Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands.,Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine (A.C.M.P., S.K., P.C.N.R.), Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Patrick C N Rensen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology (A.C.M.P., S.K., P.C.N.R.), Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands.,Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine (A.C.M.P., S.K., P.C.N.R.), Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Jan Albert Kuivenhoven
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands (D.Y.V., M.W., M.S., N.H., N.J.K., J.C.W., J.AK., B.v.d.S.)
| | - Bart van de Sluis
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands (D.Y.V., M.W., M.S., N.H., N.J.K., J.C.W., J.AK., B.v.d.S.)
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LAG3 Regulates T Cell Activation and Plaque Infiltration in Atherosclerotic Mice. JACC CardioOncol 2022; 4:635-645. [PMID: 36636446 PMCID: PMC9830219 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaccao.2022.09.005] [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: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The immune checkpoint receptor lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG3) is a new target for immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), but the effects of LAG3 on atherosclerosis are not known. Objectives The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of LAG3 on plaque inflammation using murine hypercholesterolemic models of atherosclerosis. Methods To study the role of LAG3 in atherosclerosis, we investigated both bone marrow chimeras lacking LAG3 in hematopoietic cells as well as global Lag3 -/- knockout mice. Effects of anti-LAG3 monoclonal antibody monotherapy and combination therapy with anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) were tested in hypercholesterolemic low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout (Ldlr -/- ) mice and evaluated by histology and flow cytometry. Results LAG3-deficiency or treatment with blocking anti-LAG3 monoclonal antibodies led to increased levels of both interferon gamma-producing T helper 1 cells and effector/memory T cells, balanced by increased levels of regulatory T cells. Plaque size was affected by neither LAG3 deficiency nor LAG3 blockade, although density of T cells in plaques was 2-fold increased by loss of LAG3. Combination therapy of anti-PD-1 and anti-LAG3 had an additive effect on T cell activation and cytokine production and promoted plaque infiltration of T cells. Conclusions Loss of LAG3 function promoted T cell activation and accumulation in plaques while not affecting plaque burden. Our report supports further clinical studies investigating cardiovascular risk in patients treated with anti-LAG3 ICB.
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Key Words
- CTLA-4, cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated protein 4
- HCD, high-cholesterol diet
- ICB, immune checkpoint blockade
- IFN, interferon
- IL, interleukin
- LAG3, lymphocyte-activation gene 3
- PD-1, programmed cell death protein-1
- PD-L1, programmed death-ligand 1
- T cells
- TNF, tumor necrosis factor
- Treg, regulatory T cell
- WT, wild-type
- atherosclerosis
- cardiovascular disease
- immune checkpoint blockade
- inflammation
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Hindy G, Tyrrell DJ, Vasbinder A, Wei C, Presswalla F, Wang H, Blakely P, Ozel AB, Graham S, Holton GH, Dowsett J, Fahed AC, Amadi KM, Erne GK, Tekmulla A, Ismail A, Launius C, Sotoodehnia N, Pankow JS, Thørner LW, Erikstrup C, Pedersen OB, Banasik K, Brunak S, Ullum H, Eugen-Olsen J, Ostrowski SR, Haas ME, Nielsen JB, Lotta LA, Engström G, Melander O, Orho-Melander M, Zhao L, Murthy VL, Pinsky DJ, Willer CJ, Heckbert SR, Reiser J, Goldstein DR, Desch KC, Hayek SS. Increased soluble urokinase plasminogen activator levels modulate monocyte function to promote atherosclerosis. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:e158788. [PMID: 36194491 PMCID: PMC9754000 DOI: 10.1172/jci158788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
People with kidney disease are disproportionately affected by atherosclerosis for unclear reasons. Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) is an immune-derived mediator of kidney disease, levels of which are strongly associated with cardiovascular outcomes. We assessed suPAR's pathogenic involvement in atherosclerosis using epidemiologic, genetic, and experimental approaches. We found serum suPAR levels to be predictive of coronary artery calcification and cardiovascular events in 5,406 participants without known coronary disease. In a genome-wide association meta-analysis including over 25,000 individuals, we identified a missense variant in the plasminogen activator, urokinase receptor (PLAUR) gene (rs4760), confirmed experimentally to lead to higher suPAR levels. Mendelian randomization analysis in the UK Biobank using rs4760 indicated a causal association between genetically predicted suPAR levels and atherosclerotic phenotypes. In an experimental model of atherosclerosis, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin-9 (Pcsk9) transfection in mice overexpressing suPAR (suPARTg) led to substantially increased atherosclerotic plaques with necrotic cores and macrophage infiltration compared with those in WT mice, despite similar cholesterol levels. Prior to induction of atherosclerosis, aortas of suPARTg mice excreted higher levels of CCL2 and had higher monocyte counts compared with WT aortas. Aortic and circulating suPARTg monocytes exhibited a proinflammatory profile and enhanced chemotaxis. These findings characterize suPAR as a pathogenic factor for atherosclerosis acting at least partially through modulation of monocyte function.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Hindy
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
- Department of Population Medicine, Qatar University College of Medicine, QU Health, Doha, Qatar
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Daniel J. Tyrrell
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Alexi Vasbinder
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Changli Wei
- Department of Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Feriel Presswalla
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Hui Wang
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Pennelope Blakely
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Ayse Bilge Ozel
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Sarah Graham
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Grace H. Holton
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Joseph Dowsett
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Akl C. Fahed
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kingsley-Michael Amadi
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Grace K. Erne
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Annika Tekmulla
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Anis Ismail
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Christopher Launius
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Nona Sotoodehnia
- Cardiovascular Health Research Unit, Division of Cardiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - James S. Pankow
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Lise Wegner Thørner
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Karina Banasik
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Søren Brunak
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Jesper Eugen-Olsen
- Department of Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital Amager and Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Sisse Rye Ostrowski
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Mary E. Haas
- Regeneron Genetics Center, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., Tarrytown, New York, USA
| | - Jonas B. Nielsen
- Regeneron Genetics Center, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., Tarrytown, New York, USA
| | - Luca A. Lotta
- Regeneron Genetics Center, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., Tarrytown, New York, USA
| | | | - Gunnar Engström
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Olle Melander
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | | | - Lili Zhao
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Venkatesh L. Murthy
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - David J. Pinsky
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Cristen J. Willer
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Susan R. Heckbert
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jochen Reiser
- Department of Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Daniel R. Goldstein
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Karl C. Desch
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Salim S. Hayek
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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May L, Bartolo B, Harrison D, Guzik T, Drummond G, Figtree G, Ritchie R, Rye KA, de Haan J. Translating atherosclerosis research from bench to bedside: navigating the barriers for effective preclinical drug discovery. Clin Sci (Lond) 2022; 136:1731-1758. [PMID: 36459456 PMCID: PMC9727216 DOI: 10.1042/cs20210862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death worldwide. An ongoing challenge remains the development of novel pharmacotherapies to treat CVD, particularly atherosclerosis. Effective mechanism-informed development and translation of new drugs requires a deep understanding of the known and currently unknown biological mechanisms underpinning atherosclerosis, accompanied by optimization of traditional drug discovery approaches. Current animal models do not precisely recapitulate the pathobiology underpinning human CVD. Accordingly, a fundamental limitation in early-stage drug discovery has been the lack of consensus regarding an appropriate experimental in vivo model that can mimic human atherosclerosis. However, when coupled with a clear understanding of the specific advantages and limitations of the model employed, preclinical animal models remain a crucial component for evaluating pharmacological interventions. Within this perspective, we will provide an overview of the mechanisms and modalities of atherosclerotic drugs, including those in the preclinical and early clinical development stage. Additionally, we highlight recent preclinical models that have improved our understanding of atherosclerosis and associated clinical consequences and propose model adaptations to facilitate the development of new and effective treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren T. May
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | | | - David G. Harrison
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville TN, U.S.A
| | - Tomasz Guzik
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, U.K
- Department of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Grant R. Drummond
- Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Disease Research, Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gemma A. Figtree
- Kolling Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Imaging and Phenotyping Laboratory, Charles Perkins Centre and Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Rebecca H. Ritchie
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kerry-Anne Rye
- Lipid Research Group, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - Judy B. de Haan
- Cardiovascular Inflammation and Redox Biology Lab, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122, Australia
- Department Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia
- Department of Immunology and Pathology, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia
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Ahamad S, Bhat SA. Recent Update on the Development of PCSK9 Inhibitors for Hypercholesterolemia Treatment. J Med Chem 2022; 65:15513-15539. [PMID: 36446632 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
The proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin-type 9 (PCSK9) binds to low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDLR), thereby trafficking them to lysosomes upon endocytosis and enhancing intracellular degradation to prevent their recycling. As a result, the levels of circulating LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) increase, which is a prominent risk factor for developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD). Thus, PCSK9 has become a promising therapeutic target that offers a fertile testing ground for new drug modalities to regulate plasma LDL-C levels to prevent ASCVD. In this review, we have discussed the role of PCSK9 in lipid metabolism and briefly summarized the current clinical status of modalities targeting PCSK9. In particular, a detailed overview of peptide-based PCSK9 inhibitors is presented, which emphasizes their structural features and design, therapeutic effects on patients, and preclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) models, along with PCSK9 modulation mechanisms. As a promising alternative to monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for managing LDL-C, anti-PCSK9 peptides are emerging as a prospective next generation therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shakir Ahamad
- Department of Chemistry, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
| | - Shahnawaz A Bhat
- Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
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Katsuki S, K. Jha P, Lupieri A, Nakano T, Passos LS, Rogers MA, Becker-Greene D, Le TD, Decano JL, Ho Lee L, Guimaraes GC, Abdelhamid I, Halu A, Muscoloni A, V. Cannistraci C, Higashi H, Zhang H, Vromman A, Libby P, Keith Ozaki C, Sharma A, Singh SA, Aikawa E, Aikawa M. Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin 9 (PCSK9) Promotes Macrophage Activation via LDL Receptor-Independent Mechanisms. Circ Res 2022; 131:873-889. [PMID: 36263780 PMCID: PMC9973449 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.121.320056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Activated macrophages contribute to the pathogenesis of vascular disease. Vein graft failure is a major clinical problem with limited therapeutic options. PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9) increases low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol levels via LDL receptor (LDLR) degradation. The role of PCSK9 in macrophage activation and vein graft failure is largely unknown, especially through LDLR-independent mechanisms. This study aimed to explore a novel mechanism of macrophage activation and vein graft disease induced by circulating PCSK9 in an LDLR-independent fashion. METHODS We used Ldlr-/- mice to examine the LDLR-independent roles of circulating PCSK9 in experimental vein grafts. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector encoding a gain-of-function mutant of PCSK9 (rAAV8/D377Y-mPCSK9) induced hepatic PCSK9 overproduction. To explore novel inflammatory targets of PCSK9, we used systems biology in Ldlr-/- mouse macrophages. RESULTS In Ldlr-/- mice, AAV-PCSK9 increased circulating PCSK9, but did not change serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels. AAV-PCSK9 promoted vein graft lesion development when compared with control AAV. In vivo molecular imaging revealed that AAV-PCSK9 increased macrophage accumulation and matrix metalloproteinase activity associated with decreased fibrillar collagen, a molecular determinant of atherosclerotic plaque stability. AAV-PCSK9 induced mRNA expression of the pro-inflammatory mediators IL-1β (interleukin-1 beta), TNFα (tumor necrosis factor alpha), and MCP-1 (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) in peritoneal macrophages underpinned by an in vitro analysis of Ldlr-/- mouse macrophages stimulated with endotoxin-free recombinant PCSK9. A combination of unbiased global transcriptomics and new network-based hyperedge entanglement prediction analysis identified the NF-κB (nuclear factor-kappa B) signaling molecules, lectin-like oxidized LOX-1 (LDL receptor-1), and SDC4 (syndecan-4) as potential PCSK9 targets mediating pro-inflammatory responses in macrophages. CONCLUSIONS Circulating PCSK9 induces macrophage activation and vein graft lesion development via LDLR-independent mechanisms. PCSK9 may be a potential target for pharmacologic treatment for this unmet medical need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunsuke Katsuki
- The Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Cardiovascular Division (S.K., P.K.J., A.L., T.N., L.S.A.P., D.B.-G., T.-D.L., G.C.G., A.V., P.L., E.A., M.A.)
| | - Prabhash K. Jha
- The Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Cardiovascular Division (S.K., P.K.J., A.L., T.N., L.S.A.P., D.B.-G., T.-D.L., G.C.G., A.V., P.L., E.A., M.A.)
| | - Adrien Lupieri
- The Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Cardiovascular Division (S.K., P.K.J., A.L., T.N., L.S.A.P., D.B.-G., T.-D.L., G.C.G., A.V., P.L., E.A., M.A.)
| | - Toshiaki Nakano
- The Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Cardiovascular Division (S.K., P.K.J., A.L., T.N., L.S.A.P., D.B.-G., T.-D.L., G.C.G., A.V., P.L., E.A., M.A.)
| | - Livia S.A. Passos
- The Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Cardiovascular Division (S.K., P.K.J., A.L., T.N., L.S.A.P., D.B.-G., T.-D.L., G.C.G., A.V., P.L., E.A., M.A.)
| | - Maximillian A. Rogers
- The Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Cardiovascular Division (M.A.R., J.L.D., L.H.L., I.A., A.H., H.H., H.Z., A.S., S.A.S., E.A., M.A.)
| | - Dakota Becker-Greene
- The Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Cardiovascular Division (S.K., P.K.J., A.L., T.N., L.S.A.P., D.B.-G., T.-D.L., G.C.G., A.V., P.L., E.A., M.A.)
| | - Thanh-Dat Le
- The Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Cardiovascular Division (S.K., P.K.J., A.L., T.N., L.S.A.P., D.B.-G., T.-D.L., G.C.G., A.V., P.L., E.A., M.A.)
| | - Julius L. Decano
- The Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Cardiovascular Division (M.A.R., J.L.D., L.H.L., I.A., A.H., H.H., H.Z., A.S., S.A.S., E.A., M.A.)
| | - Lang Ho Lee
- The Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Cardiovascular Division (M.A.R., J.L.D., L.H.L., I.A., A.H., H.H., H.Z., A.S., S.A.S., E.A., M.A.)
| | - Gabriel C. Guimaraes
- The Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Cardiovascular Division (S.K., P.K.J., A.L., T.N., L.S.A.P., D.B.-G., T.-D.L., G.C.G., A.V., P.L., E.A., M.A.)
| | - Ilyes Abdelhamid
- The Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Cardiovascular Division (M.A.R., J.L.D., L.H.L., I.A., A.H., H.H., H.Z., A.S., S.A.S., E.A., M.A.)
- Channing Division of Network Medicine (I.A., A.H., A.S., M.A.), Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Arda Halu
- The Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Cardiovascular Division (M.A.R., J.L.D., L.H.L., I.A., A.H., H.H., H.Z., A.S., S.A.S., E.A., M.A.)
- Channing Division of Network Medicine (I.A., A.H., A.S., M.A.), Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alessandro Muscoloni
- The Biomedical Cybernetics Group, Biotechnology Center, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Center for Systems Biology Dresden, Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life, Department of Physics, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany (A.M., C.V.C)
- Center for Complex Network Intelligence at the Tsinghua Laboratory of Brain and Intelligence, Department of Bioengineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China (A.M., C.V.C.)
| | - Carlo V. Cannistraci
- The Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Cardiovascular Division (S.K., P.K.J., A.L., T.N., L.S.A.P., D.B.-G., T.-D.L., G.C.G., A.V., P.L., E.A., M.A.)
- Center for Complex Network Intelligence at the Tsinghua Laboratory of Brain and Intelligence, Department of Bioengineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China (A.M., C.V.C.)
| | - Hideyuki Higashi
- The Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Cardiovascular Division (M.A.R., J.L.D., L.H.L., I.A., A.H., H.H., H.Z., A.S., S.A.S., E.A., M.A.)
| | - Hengmin Zhang
- The Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Cardiovascular Division (M.A.R., J.L.D., L.H.L., I.A., A.H., H.H., H.Z., A.S., S.A.S., E.A., M.A.)
| | - Amélie Vromman
- The Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Cardiovascular Division (S.K., P.K.J., A.L., T.N., L.S.A.P., D.B.-G., T.-D.L., G.C.G., A.V., P.L., E.A., M.A.)
| | - Peter Libby
- The Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Cardiovascular Division (S.K., P.K.J., A.L., T.N., L.S.A.P., D.B.-G., T.-D.L., G.C.G., A.V., P.L., E.A., M.A.)
| | - C. Keith Ozaki
- Center for Complex Network Intelligence at the Tsinghua Laboratory of Brain and Intelligence, Department of Bioengineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China (A.M., C.V.C.)
| | - Amitabh Sharma
- The Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Cardiovascular Division (M.A.R., J.L.D., L.H.L., I.A., A.H., H.H., H.Z., A.S., S.A.S., E.A., M.A.)
- Channing Division of Network Medicine (I.A., A.H., A.S., M.A.), Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sasha A. Singh
- The Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Cardiovascular Division (M.A.R., J.L.D., L.H.L., I.A., A.H., H.H., H.Z., A.S., S.A.S., E.A., M.A.)
| | - Elena Aikawa
- The Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Cardiovascular Division (S.K., P.K.J., A.L., T.N., L.S.A.P., D.B.-G., T.-D.L., G.C.G., A.V., P.L., E.A., M.A.)
- The Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Cardiovascular Division (M.A.R., J.L.D., L.H.L., I.A., A.H., H.H., H.Z., A.S., S.A.S., E.A., M.A.)
| | - Masanori Aikawa
- The Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Cardiovascular Division (S.K., P.K.J., A.L., T.N., L.S.A.P., D.B.-G., T.-D.L., G.C.G., A.V., P.L., E.A., M.A.)
- The Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Cardiovascular Division (M.A.R., J.L.D., L.H.L., I.A., A.H., H.H., H.Z., A.S., S.A.S., E.A., M.A.)
- Channing Division of Network Medicine (I.A., A.H., A.S., M.A.), Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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50
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Zhu QM, MacDonald BT, Mizoguchi T, Chaffin M, Leed A, Arduini A, Malolepsza E, Lage K, Kaushik VK, Kathiresan S, Ellinor PT. Endothelial ARHGEF26 is an angiogenic factor promoting VEGF signalling. Cardiovasc Res 2022; 118:2833-2846. [PMID: 34849650 PMCID: PMC9586566 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvab344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Genetic studies have implicated the ARHGEF26 locus in the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the causal pathways by which DNA variants at the ARHGEF26 locus confer risk for CAD are incompletely understood. We sought to elucidate the mechanism responsible for the enhanced risk of CAD associated with the ARHGEF26 locus. METHODS AND RESULTS In a conditional analysis of the ARHGEF26 locus, we show that the sentinel CAD-risk signal is significantly associated with various non-lipid vascular phenotypes. In human endothelial cell (EC), ARHGEF26 promotes the angiogenic capacity, and interacts with known angiogenic factors and pathways. Quantitative mass spectrometry showed that one CAD-risk coding variant, rs12493885 (p.Val29Leu), resulted in a gain-of-function ARHGEF26 that enhances proangiogenic signalling and displays enhanced interactions with several proteins partially related to the angiogenic pathway. ARHGEF26 is required for endothelial angiogenesis by promoting macropinocytosis of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2 (VEGFR2) on cell membrane and is crucial to Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)-dependent murine vessel sprouting ex vivo. In vivo, global or tissue-specific deletion of ARHGEF26 in EC, but not in vascular smooth muscle cells, significantly reduced atherosclerosis in mice, with enhanced plaque stability. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that ARHGEF26 is involved in angiogenesis signaling, and that DNA variants within ARHGEF26 that are associated with CAD risk could affect angiogenic processes by potentiating VEGF-dependent angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuyu Martin Zhu
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 75 Ames Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bryan T MacDonald
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 75 Ames Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Taiji Mizoguchi
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 75 Ames Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mark Chaffin
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 75 Ames Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Alison Leed
- Center for the Development of Therapeutics, The Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Alessandro Arduini
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 75 Ames Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Edyta Malolepsza
- Genomics Platform, The Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kasper Lage
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Virendar K Kaushik
- Center for the Development of Therapeutics, The Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Sekar Kathiresan
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 75 Ames Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Verve Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Patrick T Ellinor
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 75 Ames Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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