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Weldy CS, Li Q, Monteiro JP, Guo H, Galls D, Gu W, Cheng PP, Ramste M, Li D, Palmisano BT, Sharma D, Worssam MD, Zhao Q, Bhate A, Kundu RK, Nguyen T, Li JB, Quertermous T. Smooth muscle expression of RNA editing enzyme ADAR1 controls vascular integrity and progression of atherosclerosis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.08.602569. [PMID: 39026721 PMCID: PMC11257488 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.08.602569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Mapping the genomic architecture of complex disease has been predicated on the understanding that genetic variants influence disease risk through modifying gene expression. However, recent discoveries have revealed that a significant burden of disease heritability in common autoinflammatory disorders and coronary artery disease is mediated through genetic variation modifying post-transcriptional modification of RNA through adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing. This common RNA modification is catalyzed by ADAR enzymes, where ADAR1 edits specific immunogenic double stranded RNA (dsRNA) to prevent activation of the double strand RNA (dsRNA) sensor MDA5 ( IFIH1 ) and stimulation of an interferon stimulated gene (ISG) response. Multiple lines of human genetic data indicate impaired RNA editing and increased dsRNA sensing to be an important mechanism of coronary artery disease (CAD) risk. Here, we provide a crucial link between observations in human genetics and mechanistic cell biology leading to progression of CAD. Through analysis of human atherosclerotic plaque, we implicate the vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) to have a unique requirement for RNA editing, and that ISG induction occurs in SMC phenotypic modulation, implicating MDA5 activation. Through culture of human coronary artery SMCs, generation of a conditional SMC specific Adar1 deletion mouse model on a pro-atherosclerosis background, and with incorporation of single cell RNA sequencing cellular profiling, we further show that Adar1 controls SMC phenotypic state, is required to maintain vascular integrity, and controls progression of atherosclerosis and vascular calcification. Through this work, we describe a fundamental mechanism of CAD, where cell type and context specific RNA editing and sensing of dsRNA mediates disease progression, bridging our understanding of human genetics and disease causality.
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Feng Y, Zhou C, Zhao F, Ma T, Xiao Y, Peng K, Xia R. ZEB2 alleviates Hirschsprung's-associated enterocolitis by promoting the proliferation and differentiation of enteric neural precursor cells via the Notch-1/Jagged-2 pathway. Gene 2024; 912:148365. [PMID: 38485033 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148365] [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: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hirschsprung's-associated enterocolitis (HAEC) is a prevalent complication of Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR). Zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 2 (ZEB2) and Notch-1/Jagged-2 are dysregulated in HSCR, but their role in HAEC progression remains poorly understood. We aimed to explore the role and underlying mechanism of enteric neural precursor cells (ENPCs) and the ZEB2/Notch-1/Jagged-2 pathway in HAEC development. METHODS Colon tissues were collected from HSCR and HAEC patients. ENPCs were isolated from the HAEC group and stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The expressions of ZEB2/Notch-1/Jagged-2 were measured using RT-qPCR and Western blot. Immunofluorescence and cell counting kit-8 assays were performed to assess the differentiation and proliferation of ENPCs. Inflammatory factors were measured by ELISA kits. Co-immunoprecipitation and bioinformatic analysis were used to explore the interaction between ZEB2 and Notch-1. Small interfering RNA and overexpression vectors were used to investigate the role and mechanism of ZEB2 and Notch-1 in regulating ENPCs' proliferation and differentiation during HAEC progression. RESULTS We observed increased LPS in the colon tissues of HAEC, with downregulated ZEB2 expression and upregulated Notch-1/Jagged-2 expression. ZEB2 interacts with Notch-1. LPS treatment downregulated ZEB2 expression, upregulated Notch-1/Jagged-2 expression, and induced proliferation and differentiation disorders in ENPCs, which were reversed by the knockdown of Notch-1. Furthermore, overexpression of ZEB2 inhibited Notch-1/Jagged-2 signaling and ameliorated inflammation and dysfunction in LPS-induced ENPCs. Notch-1 overexpression enhanced LPS-induced dysfunction, but this effect was antagonized by the overexpression of ZEB2. CONCLUSION Overexpression of ZEB2 ameliorates LPS-induced ENPCs' dysfunction via the Notch-1/Jagged-2 pathway, thus playing a role in HAEC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Feng
- Department of Fetal and Neonatal Surgery, Hunan Children's Hospital, Changsha 410007, China
| | - Chonggao Zhou
- Department of Fetal and Neonatal Surgery, Hunan Children's Hospital, Changsha 410007, China
| | - Fan Zhao
- Department of Fetal and Neonatal Surgery, Hunan Children's Hospital, Changsha 410007, China
| | - Tidong Ma
- Department of Fetal and Neonatal Surgery, Hunan Children's Hospital, Changsha 410007, China
| | - Yong Xiao
- Department of Fetal and Neonatal Surgery, Hunan Children's Hospital, Changsha 410007, China
| | - Kun Peng
- Department of Fetal and Neonatal Surgery, Hunan Children's Hospital, Changsha 410007, China
| | - Renpeng Xia
- Department of Fetal and Neonatal Surgery, Hunan Children's Hospital, Changsha 410007, China.
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Hu P, Du Y, Xu Y, Ye P, Xia J. The role of transcription factors in the pathogenesis and therapeutic targeting of vascular diseases. Front Cardiovasc Med 2024; 11:1384294. [PMID: 38745757 PMCID: PMC11091331 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1384294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) constitute an essential component of epigenetic regulation. They contribute to the progression of vascular diseases by regulating epigenetic gene expression in several vascular diseases. Recently, numerous regulatory mechanisms related to vascular pathology, ranging from general TFs that are continuously activated to histiocyte-specific TFs that are activated under specific circumstances, have been studied. TFs participate in the progression of vascular-related diseases by epigenetically regulating vascular endothelial cells (VECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The Krüppel-like family (KLF) TF family is widely recognized as the foremost regulator of vascular diseases. KLF11 prevents aneurysm progression by inhibiting the apoptosis of VSMCs and enhancing their contractile function. The presence of KLF4, another crucial member, suppresses the progression of atherosclerosis (AS) and pulmonary hypertension by attenuating the formation of VSMCs-derived foam cells, ameliorating endothelial dysfunction, and inducing vasodilatory effects. However, the mechanism underlying the regulation of the progression of vascular-related diseases by TFs has remained elusive. The present study categorized the TFs involved in vascular diseases and their regulatory mechanisms to shed light on the potential pathogenesis of vascular diseases, and provide novel insights into their diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poyi Hu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yifan Du
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ying Xu
- Institute of Reproduction Health Research, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ping Ye
- Central Hospital of Wuhan, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiahong Xia
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Bashore AC, Yan H, Xue C, Zhu LY, Kim E, Mawson T, Coronel J, Chung A, Sachs N, Ho S, Ross LS, Kissner M, Passegué E, Bauer RC, Maegdefessel L, Li M, Reilly MP. High-Dimensional Single-Cell Multimodal Landscape of Human Carotid Atherosclerosis. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2024; 44:930-945. [PMID: 38385291 PMCID: PMC10978277 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.320524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atherosclerotic plaques are complex tissues composed of a heterogeneous mixture of cells. However, our understanding of the comprehensive transcriptional and phenotypic landscape of the cells within these lesions is limited. METHODS To characterize the landscape of human carotid atherosclerosis in greater detail, we combined cellular indexing of transcriptomes and epitopes by sequencing and single-cell RNA sequencing to classify all cell types within lesions (n=21; 13 symptomatic) to achieve a comprehensive multimodal understanding of the cellular identities of atherosclerosis and their association with clinical pathophysiology. RESULTS We identified 25 cell populations, each with a unique multiomic signature, including macrophages, T cells, NK (natural killer) cells, mast cells, B cells, plasma cells, neutrophils, dendritic cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Among the macrophages, we identified 2 proinflammatory subsets enriched in IL-1B (interleukin-1B) or C1Q expression, 2 TREM2-positive foam cells (1 expressing inflammatory genes), and subpopulations with a proliferative gene signature and SMC-specific gene signature with fibrotic pathways upregulated. Further characterization revealed various subsets of SMCs and fibroblasts, including SMC-derived foam cells. These foamy SMCs were localized in the deep intima of coronary atherosclerotic lesions. Utilizing cellular indexing of transcriptomes and epitopes by sequencing data, we developed a flow cytometry panel, using cell surface proteins CD29, CD142, and CD90, to isolate SMC-derived cells from lesions. Lastly, we observed reduced proportions of efferocytotic macrophages, classically activated endothelial cells, and contractile and modulated SMC-derived cells, while inflammatory SMCs were enriched in plaques of clinically symptomatic versus asymptomatic patients. CONCLUSIONS Our multimodal atlas of cell populations within atherosclerosis provides novel insights into the diversity, phenotype, location, isolation, and clinical relevance of the unique cellular composition of human carotid atherosclerosis. These findings facilitate both the mapping of cardiovascular disease susceptibility loci to specific cell types and the identification of novel molecular and cellular therapeutic targets for the treatment of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander C Bashore
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Hanying Yan
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (H.Y., M.L.)
| | - Chenyi Xue
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Lucie Y Zhu
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Eunyoung Kim
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Thomas Mawson
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Johana Coronel
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Allen Chung
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Nadja Sachs
- Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Technical University Munich, Germany (N.S., L.M.)
| | - Sebastian Ho
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Leila S Ross
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Michael Kissner
- Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Department of Genetics and Development (M.K., E.P.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Emmanuelle Passegué
- Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Department of Genetics and Development (M.K., E.P.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Robert C Bauer
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Lars Maegdefessel
- Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Technical University Munich, Germany (N.S., L.M.)
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance (L.M.)
- Department of Medicine, Karolinksa Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (L.M.)
| | - Mingyao Li
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (H.Y., M.L.)
| | - Muredach P Reilly
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
- Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (M.P.R.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
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Ahmed IA, Liu M, Gomez D. Nuclear Control of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Plasticity during Vascular Remodeling. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2024; 194:525-538. [PMID: 37820925 PMCID: PMC10988766 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2023.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Control of vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) gene expression is an essential process for establishing and maintaining lineage identity, contractility, and plasticity. Most mechanisms (epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional) implicated in gene regulation occur in the nucleus. Still, intranuclear pathways are directly impacted by modifications in the extracellular environment in conditions of adaptive or maladaptive remodeling. Integration of extracellular, cellular, and genomic information into the nucleus through epigenetic and transcriptional control of genome organization plays a major role in regulating SMC functions and phenotypic transitions during vascular remodeling and diseases. This review aims to provide a comprehensive update on nuclear mechanisms, their interactions, and their integration in controlling SMC homeostasis and dysfunction. It summarizes and discusses the main nuclear mechanisms preponderant in SMCs in the context of vascular disease, such as atherosclerosis, with an emphasis on studies employing in vivo cell-specific loss-of-function and single-cell omics approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim A Ahmed
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Mingjun Liu
- Department of Pathology, New York University, New York, New York
| | - Delphine Gomez
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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Zhang W, Cui J, Li L, Zhu T, Guo Z. Identification of Plasma Exosomes hsa_circ_0001360 and hsa_circ_0000038 as Key Biomarkers of Coronary Heart Disease. Cardiol Res Pract 2024; 2024:5557143. [PMID: 38566808 PMCID: PMC10987246 DOI: 10.1155/2024/5557143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Accumulating evidence reveals that atherosclerosis (AS), characterized by systemic, chronic, and multifocal disease, and is the primary pathological basis of cardiovascular diseases, including CHD. However, the molecular underpinnings of CHD are still far from well understood. Our study attempted to identify aberrant plasma exosome-derived circRNAs and key exosomal circRNA biomarkers for CHD. Methods The expression profiles of mRNAs, circRNAs, and lncRNAs in the blood exosomes of CHD patients and healthy controls were obtained from the exoRBase database. The corresponding miRNAs of the differentially expressed mRNAs, circRNAs, and lncRNAs were predicted via ENCORI and the miRcode database. LncRNAs/circRNAs and mRNAs with the cotargeted miRNAs were selected to construct an interaction network. Multiple machine learning algorithms have been used to explore potential biomarkers, followed by verification in patients with CHD using real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Results Based on the cutoff criterion of P < 0.05, we identified 85 differentially expressed circRNAs (4 upregulated and 81 downregulated), 43 differentially expressed lncRNAs (24 upregulated and 19 downregulated), and 312 differentially expressed mRNAs (55 upregulated and 257 downregulated). Functional enrichment analysis revealed that the differentially expressed mRNAs were involved mainly in neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation and the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain- (NOD-) like receptor signaling pathway. Further analysis revealed that the DEGs in the circRNA/lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA interaction network were closely related to lipid and atherosclerotic signaling pathways. Hsa_circ_0001360 and hsa_circ_0000038 were identified as potential biomarkers for CHD based on three machine learning algorithms. The relative expression levels of hsa_circ_0001360 and hsa_circ_0000038 were significantly altered in plasma exosomes from patients with CHD. ROC curve analysis revealed that the areas under the curve (AUCs) were 0.860, 0.870, and 0.940 for hsa_circ_0001360, hsa_circ_0000038, and the two-gene combination, respectively. Conclusion The circRNA/lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA interaction network might help to elucidate the pathogenesis of CHD. Hsa_circ_0001360 combined with hsa_circ_0000038 might be an important diagnostic biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan Zhang
- Department of Vascular Surgery of Huadong Hospital, Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Jiasen Cui
- Department of Vascular Surgery of Huadong Hospital, Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Vascular Surgery of Huadong Hospital, Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Ting Zhu
- Department of Vascular Surgery of Zhongshan Hospital, Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zhenyu Guo
- Department of Vascular Surgery of Zhongshan Hospital, Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
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Paloschi V, Pauli J, Winski G, Wu Z, Li Z, Botti L, Meucci S, Conti P, Rogowitz F, Glukha N, Hummel N, Busch A, Chernogubova E, Jin H, Sachs N, Eckstein HH, Dueck A, Boon RA, Bausch AR, Maegdefessel L. Utilization of an Artery-on-a-Chip to Unravel Novel Regulators and Therapeutic Targets in Vascular Diseases. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2302907. [PMID: 37797407 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202302907] [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: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
In this study, organ-on-chip technology is used to develop an in vitro model of medium-to-large size arteries, the artery-on-a-chip (AoC), with the objective to recapitulate the structure of the arterial wall and the relevant hemodynamic forces affecting luminal cells. AoCs exposed either to in vivo-like shear stress values or kept in static conditions are assessed to generate a panel of novel genes modulated by shear stress. Considering the crucial role played by shear stress alterations in carotid arteries affected by atherosclerosis (CAD) and abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) disease development/progression, a patient cohort of hemodynamically relevant specimens is utilized, consisting of diseased and non-diseased (internal control) vessel regions from the same patient. Genes activated by shear stress follow the same expression pattern in non-diseased segments of human vessels. Single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) enables to discriminate the unique cell subpopulations between non-diseased and diseased vessel portions, revealing an enrichment of flow activated genes in structural cells originating from non-diseased specimens. Furthermore, the AoC served as a platform for drug-testing. It reproduced the effects of a therapeutic agent (lenvatinib) previously used in preclinical AAA studies, therefore extending the understanding of its therapeutic effect through a multicellular structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Paloschi
- Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Technical University of Munich, 80333, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research DZHK, Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, 80336, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jessica Pauli
- Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Technical University of Munich, 80333, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research DZHK, Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, 80336, Berlin, Germany
| | - Greg Winski
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Unit, Karolinska Institute, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Zhiyuan Wu
- Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Technical University of Munich, 80333, Munich, Germany
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, 10073, P. R. China
| | - Zhaolong Li
- Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Technical University of Munich, 80333, Munich, Germany
| | - Lorenzo Botti
- Department of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, 24129, Italy
| | - Sandro Meucci
- Micronit Microtechnologies, Enschede, 15 7521, The Netherlands
| | - Pierangelo Conti
- Department of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, 24129, Italy
| | | | - Nadiya Glukha
- Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Technical University of Munich, 80333, Munich, Germany
| | - Nora Hummel
- Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Technical University of Munich, 80333, Munich, Germany
| | - Albert Busch
- Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Technical University of Munich, 80333, Munich, Germany
- Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Department for Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus and University Hospital, Technical University Dresden, 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ekaterina Chernogubova
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Unit, Karolinska Institute, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hong Jin
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Unit, Karolinska Institute, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nadja Sachs
- Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Technical University of Munich, 80333, Munich, Germany
| | - Hans-Henning Eckstein
- Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Technical University of Munich, 80333, Munich, Germany
| | - Anne Dueck
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research DZHK, Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, 80336, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Technical University of Munich, 80333, Munich, Germany
| | - Reinier A Boon
- Department of Physiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences (ACS), Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, The Netherlands
- Institute of Cardiovascular Regeneration, Center of Molecular Medicine, Goethe-University, 60323, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research DZHK, Partner Site Frankfurt Rhine-Main, 10785, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas R Bausch
- Department of Cellular Biophysics, Technical University of Munich, 80333, Munich, Germany
| | - Lars Maegdefessel
- Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Technical University of Munich, 80333, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research DZHK, Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, 80336, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Unit, Karolinska Institute, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
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Lin A, Ramaswamy Y, Misra A. Developmental heterogeneity of vascular cells: Insights into cellular plasticity in atherosclerosis? Semin Cell Dev Biol 2024; 155:3-15. [PMID: 37316416 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2023.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells and macrophages display remarkable heterogeneity within the healthy vasculature and under pathological conditions. During development, these cells arise from numerous embryological origins, which confound with different microenvironments to generate postnatal vascular cell diversity. In the atherosclerotic plaque milieu, all these cell types exhibit astonishing plasticity, generating a variety of plaque burdening or plaque stabilizing phenotypes. And yet how developmental origin influences intraplaque cell plasticity remains largely unexplored despite evidence suggesting this may be the case. Uncovering the diversity and plasticity of vascular cells is being revolutionized by unbiased single cell whole transcriptome analysis techniques that will likely continue to pave the way for therapeutic research. Cellular plasticity is only just emerging as a target for future therapeutics, and uncovering how intraplaque plasticity differs across vascular beds may provide key insights into why different plaques behave differently and may confer different risks of subsequent cardiovascular events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Lin
- Atherosclerosis and Vascular Remodeling Group, Heart Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia; School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yogambha Ramaswamy
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ashish Misra
- Atherosclerosis and Vascular Remodeling Group, Heart Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Heart Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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Sharma D, Worssam MD, Pedroza AJ, Dalal AR, Alemany H, Kim HJ, Kundu R, Fischbein M, Cheng P, Wirka R, Quertermous T. Comprehensive Integration of Multiple Single-Cell Transcriptomic Data Sets Defines Distinct Cell Populations and Their Phenotypic Changes in Murine Atherosclerosis. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2024; 44:391-408. [PMID: 38152886 PMCID: PMC11285358 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.320030] [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: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The application of single-cell transcriptomic (single-cell RNA sequencing) analysis to the study of atherosclerosis has provided unique insights into the molecular and genetic mechanisms that mediate disease risk and pathophysiology. However, nonstandardized methodologies and relatively high costs associated with the technique have limited the size and replication of existing data sets and created disparate or contradictory findings that have fostered misunderstanding and controversy. METHODS To address these uncertainties, we have performed a conservative integration of multiple published single-cell RNA sequencing data sets into a single meta-analysis, performed extended analysis of native resident vascular cells, and used in situ hybridization to map the disease anatomic location of the identified cluster cells. To investigate the transdifferentiation of smooth muscle cells to macrophage phenotype, we have developed a classifying algorithm based on the quantification of reporter transgene expression. RESULTS The reporter gene expression tool indicates that within the experimental limits of the examined studies, transdifferentiation of smooth muscle cell to the macrophage lineage is extremely rare. Validated transition smooth muscle cell phenotypes were defined by clustering, and the location of these cells was mapped to lesion anatomy with in situ hybridization. We have also characterized 5 endothelial cell phenotypes and linked these cellular species to different vascular structures and functions. Finally, we have identified a transcriptomically unique cellular phenotype that constitutes the aortic valve. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these analyses resolve a number of outstanding issues related to differing results reported with vascular disease single-cell RNA sequencing studies, and significantly extend our understanding of the role of resident vascular cells in anatomy and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Disha Sharma
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Matthew DeForest Worssam
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Albert J. Pedroza
- Division of Cardiothoracic surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Alex R. Dalal
- Division of Cardiothoracic surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Haizea Alemany
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Hyun-Jung Kim
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
| | | | - Michael Fischbein
- Division of Cardiothoracic surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Paul Cheng
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Robert Wirka
- Division of Cardiology, McAllister Heart Institute, UNC School of Medicine, 111 Mason Farm Road, MBRB 3312B, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7126
| | - Thomas Quertermous
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
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10
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Quertermous T, Li DY, Weldy CS, Ramste M, Sharma D, Monteiro JP, Gu W, Worssam MD, Palmisano BT, Park CY, Cheng P. Genome-Wide Genetic Associations Prioritize Evaluation of Causal Mechanisms of Atherosclerotic Disease Risk. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2024; 44:323-327. [PMID: 38266112 PMCID: PMC10857784 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.319480] [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: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The goal of this review is to discuss the implementation of genome-wide association studies to identify causal mechanisms of vascular disease risk. APPROACH AND RESULTS The history of genome-wide association studies is described, the use of imputation and the creation of consortia to conduct meta-analyses with sufficient power to arrive at consistent associated loci for vascular disease. Genomic methods are described that allow the identification of causal variants and causal genes and how they impact the disease process. The power of single-cell analyses to promote genome-wide association studies of causal gene function is described. CONCLUSIONS Genome-wide association studies represent a paradigm shift in the study of cardiovascular disease, providing identification of genes, cellular phenotypes, and disease pathways that empower the future of targeted drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Quertermous
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA
| | - Daniel Yuhang Li
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA
| | - Chad S Weldy
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA
| | - Markus Ramste
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA
| | - Disha Sharma
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA
| | - João P Monteiro
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA
| | - Wenduo Gu
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA
| | - Matthew D Worssam
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA
| | - Brian T Palmisano
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA
| | - Chong Y Park
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA
| | - Paul Cheng
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA
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11
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Raghavan A, Pirruccello JP, Ellinor PT, Lindsay ME. Using Genomics to Identify Novel Therapeutic Targets for Aortic Disease. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2024; 44:334-351. [PMID: 38095107 PMCID: PMC10843699 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.318771] [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: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
Aortic disease, including dissection, aneurysm, and rupture, carries significant morbidity and mortality and is a notable cause of sudden cardiac death. Much of our knowledge regarding the genetic basis of aortic disease has relied on the study of individuals with Mendelian aortopathies and, until recently, the genetic determinants of population-level variance in aortic phenotypes remained unclear. However, the application of machine learning methodologies to large imaging datasets has enabled researchers to rapidly define aortic traits and mine dozens of novel genetic associations for phenotypes such as aortic diameter and distensibility. In this review, we highlight the emerging potential of genomics for identifying causal genes and candidate drug targets for aortic disease. We describe how deep learning technologies have accelerated the pace of genetic discovery in this field. We then provide a blueprint for translating genetic associations to biological insights, reviewing techniques for locus and cell type prioritization, high-throughput functional screening, and disease modeling using cellular and animal models of aortic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avanthi Raghavan
- Cardiology Division, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - James P. Pirruccello
- Division of Cardiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Patrick T. Ellinor
- Cardiology Division, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mark E. Lindsay
- Cardiology Division, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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12
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Lin H, Zhang M, Hu M, Zhang Y, Jiang W, Tang W, Ouyang Y, Jiang L, Mi Y, Chen Z, He P, Zhao G, Ouyang X. Emerging applications of single-cell profiling in precision medicine of atherosclerosis. J Transl Med 2024; 22:97. [PMID: 38263066 PMCID: PMC10804726 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04629-y] [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: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a chronic, progressive, inflammatory disease that occurs in the arterial wall. Despite recent advancements in treatment aimed at improving efficacy and prolonging survival, atherosclerosis remains largely incurable. In this review, we discuss emerging single-cell sequencing techniques and their novel insights into atherosclerosis. We provide examples of single-cell profiling studies that reveal phenotypic characteristics of atherosclerosis plaques, blood, liver, and the intestinal tract. Additionally, we highlight the potential clinical applications of single-cell analysis and propose that combining this approach with other techniques can facilitate early diagnosis and treatment, leading to more accurate medical interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiling Lin
- Department of Physiology, Medical College, Institute of Neuroscience Research, Hengyang Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration and Cognitive Impairment, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Affiliated Qingyuan Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University (Qingyuan People's Hospital), Qingyuan, 511518, Guangdong, China
| | - Mi Hu
- Department of Physiology, Medical College, Institute of Neuroscience Research, Hengyang Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration and Cognitive Impairment, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Yangkai Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Medical College, Institute of Neuroscience Research, Hengyang Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration and Cognitive Impairment, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - WeiWei Jiang
- Department of Organ Transplantation, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Wanying Tang
- Department of Physiology, Medical College, Institute of Neuroscience Research, Hengyang Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration and Cognitive Impairment, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Yuxin Ouyang
- Department of Physiology, Medical College, Institute of Neuroscience Research, Hengyang Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration and Cognitive Impairment, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Liping Jiang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yali Mi
- Affiliated Qingyuan Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University (Qingyuan People's Hospital), Qingyuan, 511518, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhi Chen
- College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Pingping He
- Department of Nursing, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, China.
| | - Guojun Zhao
- Affiliated Qingyuan Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University (Qingyuan People's Hospital), Qingyuan, 511518, Guangdong, China.
| | - Xinping Ouyang
- Department of Physiology, Medical College, Institute of Neuroscience Research, Hengyang Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration and Cognitive Impairment, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China.
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, Hunan, China.
- The Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, 410081, Hunan, Changsha, China.
- The Engineering Research Center of Reproduction and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, 410081, Hunan, Changsha, China.
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13
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Zhang L, Xia C, Yang Y, Sun F, Zhang Y, Wang H, Liu R, Yuan M. DNA methylation and histone post-translational modifications in atherosclerosis and a novel perspective for epigenetic therapy. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:344. [PMID: 38031118 PMCID: PMC10688481 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01298-8] [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: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis, which is a vascular pathology characterized by inflammation and plaque build-up within arterial vessel walls, acts as the important cause of most cardiovascular diseases. Except for a lipid-depository and chronic inflammatory, increasing evidences propose that epigenetic modifications are increasingly associated with atherosclerosis and are of interest from both therapeutic and biomarker perspectives. The chronic progressive nature of atherosclerosis has highlighted atherosclerosis heterogeneity and the fact that specific cell types in the complex milieu of the plaque are, by far, not the only initiators and drivers of atherosclerosis. Instead, the ubiquitous effects of cell type are tightly controlled and directed by the epigenetic signature, which, in turn, is affected by many proatherogenic stimuli, including low-density lipoprotein, proinflammatory, and physical forces of blood circulation. In this review, we summarize the role of DNA methylation and histone post-translational modifications in atherosclerosis. The future research directions and potential therapy for the management of atherosclerosis are also discussed. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, No. 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Chenhai Xia
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, No. 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Yongjun Yang
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, No. 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Fangfang Sun
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, No. 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, No. 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Huan Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, No. 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Rui Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, No. 1 Xinsi Road, Xi'an 710000, China.
| | - Ming Yuan
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, No. 127 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, China.
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14
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Hou R, Hon CC, Huang Y. CamoTSS: analysis of alternative transcription start sites for cellular phenotypes and regulatory patterns from 5' scRNA-seq data. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7240. [PMID: 37945584 PMCID: PMC10636040 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42636-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Five-prime single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) has been widely employed to profile cellular transcriptomes, however, its power of analysing transcription start sites (TSS) has not been fully utilised. Here, we present a computational method suite, CamoTSS, to precisely identify TSS and quantify its expression by leveraging the cDNA on read 1, which enables effective detection of alternative TSS usage. With various experimental data sets, we have demonstrated that CamoTSS can accurately identify TSS and the detected alternative TSS usages showed strong specificity in different biological processes, including cell types across human organs, the development of human thymus, and cancer conditions. As evidenced in nasopharyngeal cancer, alternative TSS usage can also reveal regulatory patterns including systematic TSS dysregulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiyan Hou
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Chung-Chau Hon
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama City, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Yuanhua Huang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
- Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, AR, China.
- Center for Translational Stem Cell Biology, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
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15
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Hutton M, Frazer M, Lin A, Patel S, Misra A. New Targets in Atherosclerosis: Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Plasticity and Macrophage Polarity. Clin Ther 2023; 45:1047-1054. [PMID: 37709601 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2023.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Despite an increase in treatment options, and substantial reductions in cardiovascular mortality over the past half-century, atherosclerosis remains the most prevalent cause of premature mortality worldwide. The development of innovative new therapies is crucial to further minimize atherosclerosis-related deaths. The diverse array of cell phenotypes derived from vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and macrophages within atherosclerotic plaques are increasingly becoming recognized for their beneficial and detrimental roles in plaque stability and disease burden. This review explores how contemporary transcriptomics and fate-mapping studies have revealed vascular cell plasticity as a relatively unexplored target for therapeutic intervention. METHODS Recent literature for this narrative review was obtained by searching electronic databases (ie, Google Scholar, PubMed). Additional studies were sourced from reference lists and the authors' personal databases. FINDINGS The lipid-rich and inflammatory plaque milieu induces SMC phenotypic switching to both beneficial and detrimental phenotypes. Likewise, macrophage heterogeneity increases with disease burden to a variety of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory activation states. These vascular cell phenotypes are determinants of plaque structure stability, and it is therefore highly likely that they influence clinical outcomes. Development of clinical treatments targeting deleterious phenotypes or promoting pro-healing phenotypes remains in its infancy. However, existing treatments (statins) have shown beneficial effects toward macrophage polarization, providing a rationale for more targeted approaches. In contrast, beneficial SMC phenotypic modulation with these pharmacologic agents has yet to be achieved. The range of modulated vascular cell phenotypes provides a multitude of novel targets and the potential to reduce future adverse events. IMPLICATIONS Vascular cell phenotypic heterogeneity must continue to be explored to lower cardiovascular events in the future. The rapidly increasing weight of evidence surrounding the role of SMC plasticity and macrophage polarity in plaque vulnerability provides a strong foundation upon which development of new therapeutics must follow. This approach may prove to be crucial in reducing cardiovascular events and improving patient benefit in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hutton
- Atherosclerosis and Vascular Remodeling Group, Heart Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Madeleine Frazer
- Atherosclerosis and Vascular Remodeling Group, Heart Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alexander Lin
- Atherosclerosis and Vascular Remodeling Group, Heart Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sanjay Patel
- Heart Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ashish Misra
- Atherosclerosis and Vascular Remodeling Group, Heart Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Heart Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
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16
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Luo S, Ji Y. Response by Luo and Ji to Letter Regarding Article, "Endothelial HDAC1-ZEB2-NuRD Complex Drives Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection Through Regulation of Protein S-Sulfhydration". Circulation 2023; 148:1415-1416. [PMID: 37903184 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.123.066273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Luo
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, and Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China (S.L., Y.J.)
| | - Yong Ji
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, and Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China (S.L., Y.J.)
- State Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Pharmacology (State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China), College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Medicine Research, and Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Chinese Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Cell Transplantation, the Central Laboratory of the First Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Heilongjiang, China (Y.J.)
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17
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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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18
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Chakraborty A, Li Y, Zhang C, Li Y, Rebello KR, Li S, Xu S, Vasquez HG, Zhang L, Luo W, Wang G, Chen K, Coselli JS, LeMaire SA, Shen YH. Epigenetic Induction of Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotypic Alterations in Aortic Aneurysms and Dissections. Circulation 2023; 148:959-977. [PMID: 37555319 PMCID: PMC10529114 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.123.063332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotypic switching has been increasingly detected in aortic aneurysm and dissection (AAD) tissues. However, the diverse SMC phenotypes in AAD tissues and the mechanisms driving SMC phenotypic alterations remain to be identified. METHODS We examined the transcriptomic and epigenomic dynamics of aortic SMC phenotypic changes in mice with angiotensin II-induced AAD by using single-cell RNA sequencing and single-cell sequencing assay for transposase-accessible chromatin. SMC phenotypic alteration in aortas from patients with ascending thoracic AAD was examined by using single-cell RNA sequencing analysis. RESULTS Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis revealed that aortic stress induced the transition of SMCs from a primary contractile phenotype to proliferative, extracellular matrix-producing, and inflammatory phenotypes. Lineage tracing showed the complete transformation of SMCs to fibroblasts and macrophages. Single-cell sequencing assay for transposase-accessible chromatin analysis indicated that these phenotypic alterations were controlled by chromatin remodeling marked by the reduced chromatin accessibility of contractile genes and the induced chromatin accessibility of genes involved in proliferation, extracellular matrix, and inflammation. IRF3 (interferon regulatory factor 3), a proinflammatory transcription factor activated by cytosolic DNA, was identified as a key driver of the transition of aortic SMCs from a contractile phenotype to an inflammatory phenotype. In cultured SMCs, cytosolic DNA signaled through its sensor STING (stimulator of interferon genes)-TBK1 (tank-binding kinase 1) to activate IRF3, which bound and recruited EZH2 (enhancer of zeste homolog 2) to contractile genes to induce repressive H3K27me3 modification and gene suppression. In contrast, double-stranded DNA-STING-IRF3 signaling induced inflammatory gene expression in SMCs. In Sting-/- mice, the aortic stress-induced transition of SMCs into an inflammatory phenotype was prevented, and SMC populations were preserved. Finally, profound SMC phenotypic alterations toward diverse directions were detected in human ascending thoracic AAD tissues. CONCLUSIONS Our study reveals the dynamic epigenetic induction of SMC phenotypic alterations in AAD. DNA damage and cytosolic leakage drive SMCs from a contractile phenotype to an inflammatory phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhijit Chakraborty
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., S.X., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Texas Heart Institute, Houston (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
| | - Yanming Li
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., S.X., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Texas Heart Institute, Houston (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
| | - Chen Zhang
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., S.X., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Texas Heart Institute, Houston (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
| | - Yang Li
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., S.X., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Texas Heart Institute, Houston (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
| | - Kimberly R Rebello
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., S.X., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Texas Heart Institute, Houston (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
| | - Shengyu Li
- Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Houston Methodist Research Institute, TX (S.L., G.W.)
| | - Samantha Xu
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., S.X., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Hernan G Vasquez
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., S.X., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Texas Heart Institute, Houston (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
| | - Lin Zhang
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., S.X., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Texas Heart Institute, Houston (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
| | - Wei Luo
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., S.X., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Texas Heart Institute, Houston (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
| | - Guangyu Wang
- Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Houston Methodist Research Institute, TX (S.L., G.W.)
| | - Kaifu Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (K.C.)
| | - Joseph S Coselli
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., S.X., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Cardiovascular Research Institute (J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Texas Heart Institute, Houston (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
| | - Scott A LeMaire
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., S.X., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Cardiovascular Research Institute (J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Texas Heart Institute, Houston (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
| | - Ying H Shen
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (A.C., Y.L., C.Z., K.R.R., Y.L., S.X., W.L., H.G.V., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Cardiovascular Research Institute (J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
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19
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Quaye LNK, Dalzell CE, Deloukas P, Smith AJP. The Genetics of Coronary Artery Disease: A Vascular Perspective. Cells 2023; 12:2232. [PMID: 37759455 PMCID: PMC10527262 DOI: 10.3390/cells12182232] [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: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified a large number of genetic loci for coronary artery disease (CAD), with many located close to genes associated with traditional CAD risk pathways, such as lipid metabolism and inflammation. It is becoming evident with recent CAD GWAS meta-analyses that vascular pathways are also highly enriched and present an opportunity for novel therapeutics. This review examines GWAS-enriched vascular gene loci, the pathways involved and their potential role in CAD pathogenesis. The functionality of variants is explored from expression quantitative trait loci, massively parallel reporter assays and CRISPR-based gene-editing tools. We discuss how this research may lead to novel therapeutic tools to treat cardiovascular disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Panos Deloukas
- William Harvey Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK; (L.N.K.Q.); (C.E.D.); (A.J.P.S.)
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20
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Kariuki D, Aouizerat BE, Asam K, Kanaya AM, Zhang L, Florez JC, Flowers E. MicroRNA biomarkers target genes and pathways associated with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2023; 203:110868. [PMID: 37543292 DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2023.110868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS Our prior analysis of the Diabetes Prevention Program study identified a subset of five miRNAs that predict incident type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this study was to identify mRNAs and biological pathways targeted by these five miRNAs to elucidate potential mechanisms of risk and responses to the tested interventions. METHODS Using experimentally validated data from miRTarBase version 8.0 and R (2021), we identified mRNAs with strong evidence to be regulated by individual or combinations of the five predictor miRNAs. Overrepresentation of the mRNA targets was assessed in pathways from the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway annotation database. RESULTS The five miRNAs targeted 167 pathways and 122 mRNAs. Nine of the pathways have known associations with type 2 diabetes: Insulin signaling, Insulin resistance, Diabetic cardiomyopathy, Type 2 diabetes, AGE-RAGE signaling in diabetic complications, HIF-1 signaling, TGF-beta signaling, PI3K/Akt signaling, and Adipocytokine signaling pathways. Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) has prior genetic associations with risk for type 2 diabetes and was the most commonly targeted mRNA for this set of miRNAs. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION These findings show that miRNA predictors of incident type 2 diabetes target mRNAs and pathways known to underlie risk for type 2 diabetes. Future studies should evaluate miRNAs as potential therapeutic targets for preventing and treating type 2 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorian Kariuki
- University of California, San Francisco, Department of Physiological Nursing, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Bradley E Aouizerat
- New York University Bluestone Center for Clinical Research, New York, NY 10010, USA; New York University Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, New York, NY 10010, USA
| | - Kesava Asam
- New York University Bluestone Center for Clinical Research, New York, NY 10010, USA
| | - Alka M Kanaya
- University of California, San Francisco, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, San Francisco, CA, USA; University of California, San Francisco, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Li Zhang
- University of California, San Francisco, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, San Francisco, CA, USA; University of California, San Francisco, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jose C Florez
- Center for Genomic Medicine and Diabetes Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Programs in Metabolism and Medical &Population Genetics, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Elena Flowers
- University of California, San Francisco, Department of Physiological Nursing, San Francisco, CA, USA; University of California, San Francisco, Institute for Human Genetics, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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21
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Bashore AC, Yan H, Xue C, Zhu LY, Kim E, Mawson T, Coronel J, Chung A, Ho S, Ross LS, Kissner M, Passegué E, Bauer RC, Maegdefessel L, Li M, Reilly MP. High-Dimensional Single-Cell Multimodal Landscape of Human Carotid Atherosclerosis. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.07.13.23292633. [PMID: 37502836 PMCID: PMC10370238 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.13.23292633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Background Atherosclerotic plaques are complex tissues composed of a heterogeneous mixture of cells. However, we have limited understanding of the comprehensive transcriptional and phenotypical landscape of the cells within these lesions. Methods To characterize the landscape of human carotid atherosclerosis in greater detail, we combined cellular indexing of transcriptomes and epitopes by sequencing (CITE-seq) and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to classify all cell types within lesions (n=21; 13 symptomatic) to achieve a comprehensive multimodal understanding of the cellular identities of atherosclerosis and their association with clinical pathophysiology. Results We identified 25 distinct cell populations each having a unique multi-omic signature, including macrophages, T cells, NK cells, mast cells, B cells, plasma cells, neutrophils, dendritic cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Within the macrophage populations, we identified 2 proinflammatory subsets that were enriched in IL1B or C1Q expression, 2 distinct TREM2 positive foam cell subsets, one of which also expressed inflammatory genes, as well as subpopulations displaying a proliferative gene expression signature and one expressing SMC-specific genes and upregulation of fibrotic pathways. An in-depth characterization uncovered several subsets of SMCs and fibroblasts, including a SMC-derived foam cell. We localized this foamy SMC to the deep intima of coronary atherosclerotic lesions. Using CITE-seq data, we also developed the first flow cytometry panel, using cell surface proteins CD29, CD142, and CD90, to isolate SMC-derived cells from lesions. Last, we found that the proportion of efferocytotic macrophages, classically activated endothelial cells, contractile and modulated SMC-derived cell types were reduced, and inflammatory SMCs were enriched in plaques of clinically symptomatic vs. asymptomatic patients. Conclusions Our multimodal atlas of cell populations within atherosclerosis provides novel insights into the diversity, phenotype, location, isolation, and clinical relevance of the unique cellular composition of human carotid atherosclerosis. This facilitates both the mapping of cardiovascular disease susceptibility loci to specific cell types as well as the identification of novel molecular and cellular therapeutic targets for treatment of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander C Bashore
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York
| | - Hanying Yan
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Chenyi Xue
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York
| | - Lucie Y Zhu
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York
| | - Eunyoung Kim
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York
| | - Thomas Mawson
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York
| | - Johana Coronel
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York
| | - Allen Chung
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York
| | - Sebastian Ho
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York
| | - Leila S Ross
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York
| | - Michael Kissner
- Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York
| | - Emmanuelle Passegué
- Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York
| | - Robert C Bauer
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York
| | - Lars Maegdefessel
- Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Technical University Munich, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Munich Heart Alliance
- Karolinksa Institute, Department of Medicine
| | - Mingyao Li
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Muredach P Reilly
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York
- Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
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22
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Shi H, Nguyen T, Zhao Q, Cheng P, Sharma D, Kim HJ, Kim JB, Wirka R, Weldy CS, Monteiro JP, Quertermous T. Discovery of Transacting Long Noncoding RNAs That Regulate Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotype. Circ Res 2023; 132:795-811. [PMID: 36852690 PMCID: PMC11056793 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.122.321960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Smooth muscle cells (SMC), the major cell type in atherosclerotic plaques, are vital in coronary artery diseases (CADs). SMC phenotypic transition, which leads to the formation of various cell types in atherosclerotic plaques, is regulated by a network of genetic and epigenetic mechanisms and governs the risk of disease. The involvement of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) has been increasingly identified in cardiovascular disease. However, SMC lncRNAs have not been comprehensively characterized, and their regulatory role in SMC state transition remains unknown. METHODS A discovery pipeline was constructed and applied to deeply strand-specific RNA sequencing from perturbed human coronary artery SMC with different disease-related stimuli, to allow for the detection of novel lncRNAs. The functional relevance of a select few novel lncRNAs were verified in vitro. RESULTS We identified 4579 known and 13 655 de novo lncRNAs in human coronary artery SMC. Consistent with previous long noncoding RNA studies, these lncRNAs overall have fewer exons, are shorter in length than protein-coding genes (pcGenes), and have relatively low expression level. Genomic location of these long noncoding RNA is disproportionately enriched near CAD-related TFs (transcription factors), genetic loci, and gene regulators of SMC identity, suggesting the importance of their function in disease. Two de novo lncRNAs, ZIPPOR (ZEB-interacting suppressor) and TNS1-AS2 (TNS1-antisense 2), were identified by our screen. Combining transcriptional data and in silico modeling along with in vitro validation, we identified CAD gene ZEB2 as a target through which these lncRNAs exert their function in SMC phenotypic transition. CONCLUSIONS Expression of a large and diverse set of lncRNAs in human coronary artery SMC are highly dynamic in response to CAD-related stimuli. The dynamic changes in expression of these lncRNAs correspond to alterations in transcriptional programs that are relevant to CAD, suggesting a critical role for lncRNAs in SMC phenotypic transition and human atherosclerotic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huitong Shi
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, School of Medicine, Stanford University
| | - Trieu Nguyen
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, School of Medicine, Stanford University
| | - Quanyi Zhao
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, School of Medicine, Stanford University
| | - Paul Cheng
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, School of Medicine, Stanford University
| | - Disha Sharma
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, School of Medicine, Stanford University
| | - Hyun-Jung Kim
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, School of Medicine, Stanford University
| | - Juyong Brian Kim
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, School of Medicine, Stanford University
| | - Robert Wirka
- Departments of Medicine and Cell Biology and Physiology, and McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | - Chad S Weldy
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, School of Medicine, Stanford University
| | - João P. Monteiro
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, School of Medicine, Stanford University
| | - Thomas Quertermous
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, School of Medicine, Stanford University
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23
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Chen F, Ning Y, Liu J, Lian M, Wang J, Dan H. miRNA miR-147a targets ZEB2 to regulate ox-LDL-induced monocyte adherence to HUVECs, atherosclerotic plaque formation and stability in atherosclerosis. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104657. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
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24
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Xu X, Hua X, Mo H, Hu S, Song J. Single-cell RNA sequencing to identify cellular heterogeneity and targets in cardiovascular diseases: from bench to bedside. Basic Res Cardiol 2023; 118:7. [PMID: 36750503 DOI: 10.1007/s00395-022-00972-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
The mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain incompletely elucidated. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has enabled the profiling of single-cell transcriptomes at unprecedented resolution and throughput, which is critical for deciphering cardiovascular cellular heterogeneity and underlying disease mechanisms, thereby facilitating the development of therapeutic strategies. In this review, we summarize cellular heterogeneity in cardiovascular homeostasis and diseases as well as the discovery of potential disease targets based on scRNA-seq, and yield new insights into the promise of scRNA-seq technology in precision medicine and clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinjie Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100037, China
| | - Xiumeng Hua
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100037, China
| | - Han Mo
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenzhen, 518057, China
| | - Shengshou Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100037, China.
| | - Jiangping Song
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100037, China.
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25
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Wang R, Xu J, Tang Y, Wang Y, Zhao J, Ding L, Peng Y, Zhang Z. Transcriptome-wide analysis reveals the coregulation of RNA-binding proteins and alternative splicing genes in the development of atherosclerosis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:1764. [PMID: 36720950 PMCID: PMC9889815 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26556-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are involved in the regulation of RNA splicing, stability, and localization. How RBPs control the development of atherosclerosis, is not fully understood. To explore the relevant RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and alternative splicing events (ASEs) in atherosclerosis. We made a comprehensive work to integrate analyses of differentially expressed genes, including differential RBPs, and variable splicing characteristics related to different stages of atherosclerosis in dataset GSE104140. A total of 3712 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, including 2921 upregulated genes and 791 downregulated genes. Further analysis screened out 54 RBP genes, and 434 AS genes overlapped DEGs. We selected high expression ten RBP genes (SAMHD1, DDX60 L, TLR7, RBM47, MYEF2, RNASE6, PARP12, APOBEC3G, SMAD9, and RNASE1) for co-expression analysis. Meanwhile, we found seven regulated alternative splicing genes (RASGs) (ABI1, FXR1, CHID1, PLEC, PRKACB, BNIP2, PPP3CB) that could be regulated by RBPs. The co-expression network was used to further elucidate the regulatory and interaction relationship between RBPs and AS genes. Apoptotic process and innate immune response, revealed by the functional enrichment analysis of RASGs regulated by RBPs were closely related to atherosclerosis. In addition, 26 of the 344 alternative splicing genes regulated by the above 10 RBPs were transcription factors (TFs), We selected high expression nine TFs (TFDP1, RBBP7, STAT2, CREB5, ERG, ELF1, HMGN3, BCLAF1, and ZEB2) for co-expression analysis. The target genes of these TFs were mainly enriched in inflammatory and immune response pathways that were associated with atherosclerosis. indicating that AS abnormalities of these TFs may have a function in atherosclerosis. Furthermore, the expression of differentially expressed RBPs and the alternative splicing events of AS genes was validated by qRT-PCR in umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). The results showed that RBM47 were remarkedly difference in HUVEC treated with ox-LDL and the splicing ratio of AS in BCLAF1which is regulated by RBM47 significantly changed. In conclusion, the differentially expressed RBPs identified in our analysis may play important roles in the development of atherosclerosis by regulating the AS of these TF genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runqing Wang
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Gansu Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Gansu Clinical Medical Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Jin Xu
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Gansu Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Gansu Clinical Medical Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Yuning Tang
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Gansu Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Gansu Clinical Medical Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Department of Cardiology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yongxiang Wang
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Gansu Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Gansu Clinical Medical Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Heart Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Gansu Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Gansu Clinical Medical Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Heart Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Liqiong Ding
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Gansu Clinical Medical Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Heart Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Yu Peng
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Gansu Clinical Medical Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.,Heart Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Zheng Zhang
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China. .,Gansu Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China. .,Gansu Clinical Medical Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China. .,Heart Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
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26
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Kim HJ, Cheng P, Travisano S, Weldy C, Monteiro JP, Kundu R, Nguyen T, Sharma D, Shi H, Lin Y, Liu B, Haldar S, Jackson S, Quertermous T. Molecular mechanisms of coronary artery disease risk at the PDGFD locus. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.26.525789. [PMID: 36747745 PMCID: PMC9900883 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.26.525789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) signaling has been extensively studied in the context of vascular disease, but the genetics of this pathway remain to be established. Genome wide association studies (GWAS) for coronary artery disease (CAD) have identified a risk locus at 11q22.3, and we have verified with fine mapping approaches that the regulatory variant rs2019090 and PDGFD represent the functional variant and putative functional gene. Further, FOXC1/C2 transcription factor (TF) binding at rs2019090 was found to promote PDGFD transcription through the CAD promoting allele. Employing a constitutive Pdgfd knockout allele along with SMC lineage tracing in a male atherosclerosis mouse model we mapped single cell transcriptomic, cell state, and lesion anatomical changes associated with gene loss. These studies revealed that Pdgfd promotes expansion, migration, and transition of SMC lineage cells to the chondromyocyte phenotype and vascular calcification. This is in contrast to protective CAD genes TCF21, ZEB2, and SMAD3 which we have shown to promote the fibroblast-like cell transition or perturb the pattern or extent of transition to the chondromyocyte phenotype. Further, Pdgfd expressing fibroblasts and pericytes exhibited greater expression of chemokines and leukocyte adhesion molecules, consistent with observed increased macrophage recruitment to the plaque. Despite these changes there was no effect of Pdgfd deletion on SMC contribution to the fibrous cap or overall lesion burden. These findings suggest that PDGFD mediates CAD risk through promoting SMC expansion and migration, in conjunction with deleterious phenotypic changes, and through promoting an inflammatory response that is primarily focused in the adventitia where it contributes to leukocyte trafficking to the diseased vessel wall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Jung Kim
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Falk CVRC, Stanford, CA; 94305
| | - Paul Cheng
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Falk CVRC, Stanford, CA; 94305
| | - Stanislao Travisano
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Falk CVRC, Stanford, CA; 94305
| | - Chad Weldy
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Falk CVRC, Stanford, CA; 94305
| | - João P. Monteiro
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Falk CVRC, Stanford, CA; 94305
| | - Ramendra Kundu
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Falk CVRC, Stanford, CA; 94305
| | - Trieu Nguyen
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Falk CVRC, Stanford, CA; 94305
| | - Disha Sharma
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Falk CVRC, Stanford, CA; 94305
| | - Huitong Shi
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Falk CVRC, Stanford, CA; 94305
| | - Yi Lin
- Research Center for Intelligent Computing Platforms, Zhejiang Laboratory, China 311121
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119228
| | - Boxiang Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119228
| | - Saptarsi Haldar
- Amgen Inc., 1120 Veterans Blvd, South San Francisco, CA 94080
| | - Simon Jackson
- Amgen Inc., 1120 Veterans Blvd, South San Francisco, CA 94080
| | - Thomas Quertermous
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Falk CVRC, Stanford, CA; 94305
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Tcheandjieu C, Zhu X, Hilliard AT, Clarke SL, Napolioni V, Ma S, Lee KM, Fang H, Chen F, Lu Y, Tsao NL, Raghavan S, Koyama S, Gorman BR, Vujkovic M, Klarin D, Levin MG, Sinnott-Armstrong N, Wojcik GL, Plomondon ME, Maddox TM, Waldo SW, Bick AG, Pyarajan S, Huang J, Song R, Ho YL, Buyske S, Kooperberg C, Haessler J, Loos RJF, Do R, Verbanck M, Chaudhary K, North KE, Avery CL, Graff M, Haiman CA, Le Marchand L, Wilkens LR, Bis JC, Leonard H, Shen B, Lange LA, Giri A, Dikilitas O, Kullo IJ, Stanaway IB, Jarvik GP, Gordon AS, Hebbring S, Namjou B, Kaufman KM, Ito K, Ishigaki K, Kamatani Y, Verma SS, Ritchie MD, Kember RL, Baras A, Lotta LA, Kathiresan S, Hauser ER, Miller DR, Lee JS, Saleheen D, Reaven PD, Cho K, Gaziano JM, Natarajan P, Huffman JE, Voight BF, Rader DJ, Chang KM, Lynch JA, Damrauer SM, Wilson PWF, Tang H, Sun YV, Tsao PS, O'Donnell CJ, Assimes TL. Large-scale genome-wide association study of coronary artery disease in genetically diverse populations. Nat Med 2022; 28:1679-1692. [PMID: 35915156 PMCID: PMC9419655 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-022-01891-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
We report a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of coronary artery disease (CAD) incorporating nearly a quarter of a million cases, in which existing studies are integrated with data from cohorts of white, Black and Hispanic individuals from the Million Veteran Program. We document near equivalent heritability of CAD across multiple ancestral groups, identify 95 novel loci, including nine on the X chromosome, detect eight loci of genome-wide significance in Black and Hispanic individuals, and demonstrate that two common haplotypes at the 9p21 locus are responsible for risk stratification in all populations except those of African origin, in which these haplotypes are virtually absent. Moreover, in the largest GWAS for angiographically derived coronary atherosclerosis performed to date, we find 15 loci of genome-wide significance that robustly overlap with established loci for clinical CAD. Phenome-wide association analyses of novel loci and polygenic risk scores (PRSs) augment signals related to insulin resistance, extend pleiotropic associations of these loci to include smoking and family history, and precisely document the markedly reduced transferability of existing PRSs to Black individuals. Downstream integrative analyses reinforce the critical roles of vascular endothelial, fibroblast, and smooth muscle cells in CAD susceptibility, but also point to a shared biology between atherosclerosis and oncogenesis. This study highlights the value of diverse populations in further characterizing the genetic architecture of CAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Tcheandjieu
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Gladstone Institute of Data Science and Biotechnology, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Xiang Zhu
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Department of Statistics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Statistics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | | | - Shoa L Clarke
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Valerio Napolioni
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Shining Ma
- Department of Statistics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kyung Min Lee
- VA Informatics and Computing Infrastructure, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Huaying Fang
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Fei Chen
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Center for Genetic Epidemiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yingchang Lu
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Noah L Tsao
- Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sridharan Raghavan
- Medicine Service, VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Satoshi Koyama
- Laboratory for Cardiovascular Genomics and Informatics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Bryan R Gorman
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Booz Allen Hamilton, McLean, VA, USA
| | - Marijana Vujkovic
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Derek Klarin
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy, University of Florida School of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Michael G Levin
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nasa Sinnott-Armstrong
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Genevieve L Wojcik
- Department of Epidemiology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mary E Plomondon
- Department of Medicine, Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Aurora, CO, USA
- CART Program, VHA Office of Quality and Patient Safety, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Thomas M Maddox
- Healthcare Innovation Lab, JC HealthCare/Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
- Division of Cardiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Stephen W Waldo
- Department of Medicine, Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Aurora, CO, USA
- CART Program, VHA Office of Quality and Patient Safety, Washington, DC, USA
- Division of Cardiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Alexander G Bick
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Division of Genetic Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Saiju Pyarajan
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jie Huang
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Global Health, Peking University School of Public Health, Beijing, China
- School of Public Health and Emergency Management, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | | | - Yuk-Lam Ho
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Steven Buyske
- Department of Statistics, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Charles Kooperberg
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jeffrey Haessler
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ruth J F Loos
- Charles Bronfman Institute for Personalized Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ron Do
- Charles Bronfman Institute for Personalized Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marie Verbanck
- Charles Bronfman Institute for Personalized Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- EA 7537 BioSTM, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Kumardeep Chaudhary
- Charles Bronfman Institute for Personalized Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kari E North
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Christy L Avery
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Mariaelisa Graff
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Christopher A Haiman
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Center for Genetic Epidemiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Loïc Le Marchand
- Cancer Epidemiology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Lynne R Wilkens
- Cancer Epidemiology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Joshua C Bis
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Health Research Unit, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Hampton Leonard
- Molecular Genetics Section, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Data Tecnica Int'l, LLC, Glen Echo, MD, USA
| | - Botong Shen
- Health Disparities Research Section, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Leslie A Lange
- Department of Medicine, Division of Biomedical Informatics and Personalized Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
- Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Ayush Giri
- Department of Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Quantitative Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Ozan Dikilitas
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Iftikhar J Kullo
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Ian B Stanaway
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Gail P Jarvik
- Department of Medicine, Medical Genetics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Adam S Gordon
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Scott Hebbring
- Center for Precision Medicine Research, Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, Marshfield, WI, USA
| | - Bahram Namjou
- Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Kenneth M Kaufman
- Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Kaoru Ito
- Laboratory for Cardiovascular Genomics and Informatics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kazuyoshi Ishigaki
- Laboratory for Statistical Analysis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yoichiro Kamatani
- Laboratory for Statistical Analysis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences - The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shefali S Verma
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Biomedical Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Marylyn D Ritchie
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Biomedical Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Rachel L Kember
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Aris Baras
- Regeneron Genetics Center, Tarrytown, NY, USA
| | | | - Sekar Kathiresan
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Cardiology Division, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Verve Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Elizabeth R Hauser
- Cooperative Studies Program Epidemiology Center-Durham, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Donald R Miller
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Bedford VA Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA
- Center for Population Health, Department of Biomedical and Nutritional Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer S Lee
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Danish Saleheen
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Peter D Reaven
- Phoenix VA Health Care System, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Kelly Cho
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - J Michael Gaziano
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pradeep Natarajan
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Cardiology Division, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Benjamin F Voight
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute of Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Daniel J Rader
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kyong-Mi Chang
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Julie A Lynch
- VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Scott M Damrauer
- Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Peter W F Wilson
- Atlanta VA Medical Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Division of Cardiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Hua Tang
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Yan V Sun
- Atlanta VA Health Care System, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Philip S Tsao
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Christopher J O'Donnell
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Themistocles L Assimes
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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28
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Cheng P, Wirka RC, Kim JB, Kim HJ, Nguyen T, Kundu R, Zhao Q, Sharma D, Pedroza A, Nagao M, Iyer D, Fischbein MP, Quertermous T. Smad3 regulates smooth muscle cell fate and mediates adverse remodeling and calcification of the atherosclerotic plaque. NATURE CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH 2022; 1:322-333. [PMID: 36246779 PMCID: PMC9560061 DOI: 10.1038/s44161-022-00042-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerotic plaques consist mostly of smooth muscle cells (SMC), and genes that influence SMC phenotype can modulate coronary artery disease (CAD) risk. Allelic variation at 15q22.33 has been identified by genome-wide association studies to modify the risk of CAD and is associated with the expression of SMAD3 in SMC. However, the mechanism by which this gene modifies CAD risk remains poorly understood. Here we show that SMC-specific deletion of Smad3 in a murine atherosclerosis model resulted in greater plaque burden, more outward remodelling and increased vascular calcification. Single-cell transcriptomic analyses revealed that loss of Smad3 altered SMC transition cell state toward two fates: a SMC phenotype that governs both vascular remodelling and recruitment of inflammatory cells, as well as a chondromyocyte fate. Together, the findings reveal that Smad3 expression in SMC inhibits the emergence of specific SMC phenotypic transition cells that mediate adverse plaque features, including outward remodelling, monocyte recruitment, and vascular calcification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Cheng
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Robert C. Wirka
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Juyong Brian Kim
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Hyun-Jung Kim
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Trieu Nguyen
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Ramendra Kundu
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Quanyi Zhao
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Disha Sharma
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Albert Pedroza
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Manabu Nagao
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Dharini Iyer
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Michael P. Fischbein
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Thomas Quertermous
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
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