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Dignam JP, Sharma S, Stasinopoulos I, MacLean MR. Pulmonary arterial hypertension: Sex matters. Br J Pharmacol 2024; 181:938-966. [PMID: 37939796 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a complex disease of multifactorial origin. While registries have demonstrated that women are more susceptible to the disease, females with PAH have superior right ventricle (RV) function and a better prognosis than their male counterparts, a phenomenon referred to as the 'estrogen paradox'. Numerous pre-clinical studies have investigated the involvement of sex hormones in PAH pathobiology, often with conflicting results. However, recent advances suggest that abnormal estrogen synthesis, metabolism and signalling underpin the sexual dimorphism of this disease. Other sex hormones, such as progesterone, testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone may also play a role. Several non-hormonal factor including sex chromosomes and epigenetics have also been implicated. Though the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are complex, several compounds that modulate sex hormones levels and signalling are under investigation in PAH patients. Further elucidation of the estrogen paradox will set the stage for the identification of additional therapeutic targets for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua P Dignam
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - Smriti Sharma
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - Ioannis Stasinopoulos
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
- Mass Spectrometry Core, Edinburgh Clinical Research Facility, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Margaret R MacLean
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
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2
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Zhou Y, Zha Y, Yang Y, Ma T, Li H, Liang J. S100 proteins in cardiovascular diseases. Mol Med 2023; 29:68. [PMID: 37217870 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-023-00662-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases have become a serious threat to human health and life worldwide and have the highest fatality rate. Therefore, the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases have become a focus for public health experts. The expression of S100 proteins is cell- and tissue-specific; they are implicated in cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and inflammatory diseases and cancer. This review article discusses the progress in the research on the role of S100 protein family members in cardiovascular diseases. Understanding the mechanisms by which these proteins exert their biological function may provide novel concepts for preventing, treating, and predicting cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhou
- Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yiwen Zha
- Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yongqi Yang
- Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Tan Ma
- Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hongliang Li
- Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225001, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Jingyan Liang
- Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225001, Jiangsu, China.
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Senile Diseases, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.
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Hindmarch CCT, Tian L, Xiong PY, Potus F, Bentley RET, Al-Qazazi R, Prins KW, Archer SL. An integrated proteomic and transcriptomic signature of the failing right ventricle in monocrotaline induced pulmonary arterial hypertension in male rats. Front Physiol 2022; 13:966454. [PMID: 36388115 PMCID: PMC9664166 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.966454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is an obstructive pulmonary vasculopathy that results in death from right ventricular failure (RVF). There is limited understanding of the molecular mechanisms of RVF in PAH. Methods: In a PAH-RVF model induced by injection of adult male rats with monocrotaline (MCT; 60 mg/kg), we performed mass spectrometry to identify proteins that change in the RV as a consequence of PAH induced RVF. Bioinformatic analysis was used to integrate our previously published RNA sequencing data from an independent cohort of PAH rats. Results: We identified 1,277 differentially regulated proteins in the RV of MCT rats compared to controls. Integration of MCT RV transcriptome and proteome data sets identified 410 targets that are concordantly regulated at the mRNA and protein levels. Functional analysis of these data revealed enriched functions, including mitochondrial metabolism, cellular respiration, and purine metabolism. We also prioritized 15 highly enriched protein:transcript pairs and confirmed their biological plausibility as contributors to RVF. We demonstrated an overlap of these differentially expressed pairs with data published by independent investigators using multiple PAH models, including the male SU5416-hypoxia model and several male rat strains. Conclusion: Multiomic integration provides a novel view of the molecular phenotype of RVF in PAH which includes dysregulation of pathways involving purine metabolism, mitochondrial function, inflammation, and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Colin Thomas Hindmarch
- QCPU, Queen’s Cardiopulmonary Unit, Translational Institute of Medicine (TIME), Department of Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Lian Tian
- Department of Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Ping Yu Xiong
- Department of Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Francois Potus
- Pulmonary Hypertension Research Group, Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et Pneumologie de Quebec, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | | | - Ruaa Al-Qazazi
- Department of Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Kurt W. Prins
- Cardiovascular Division, Lillehei Heart Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Stephen L. Archer
- QCPU, Queen’s Cardiopulmonary Unit, Translational Institute of Medicine (TIME), Department of Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada,Department of Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada,*Correspondence: Stephen L. Archer,
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Hu X, Wang Q, Zhao H, Wu W, Zhao Q, Jiang R, Liu J, Wang L, Yuan P. Role of miR-21-5p/FilGAP axis in estradiol alleviating the progression of monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension. Animal Model Exp Med 2022; 5:217-226. [PMID: 35713208 PMCID: PMC9240735 DOI: 10.1002/ame2.12253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) has been associated with the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension (PH). It is, however, not clear whether miRNAs are involved in estrogen rescue of PH. Methods Fresh plasma samples were prepared from 12 idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) patients and 12 healthy controls undergoing right heart catheterization in Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital. From each sample, 5 μg of total RNA was tagged and hybridized on microRNA microarray chips. Monocrotaline‐induced PH (MCT‐PH) male rats were treated with 17β‐estradiol (E2) or vehicle. Subgroups were cotreated with estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist or with antagonist of miRNA. Results Many circulating miRNAs, including miR‐21‐5p and miR‐574‐5p, were markedly expressed in patients and of interest in predicting mean pulmonary arterial pressure elevation in patients. The expression of miR‐21‐5p in the lungs was significantly upregulated in MCT‐PH rats compared with the controls. However, miR‐574‐5p showed no difference in the lungs of MCT‐PH rats and controls. miR‐21‐5p was selected for further analysis in rats as E2 strongly regulated it. E2 decreased miR‐21‐5p expression in the lungs of MCT‐PH rats by ERβ. E2 reversed miR‐21‐5p target gene FilGAP downregulation in the lungs of MCT‐PH rats. The abnormal expression of RhoA, ROCK2, Rac1 and c‐Jun in the lungs of MCT‐PH rats was inhibited by E2 and miR‐21‐5p antagonist. Conclusions miR‐21‐5p level was remarkably associated with PH severity in patients. Moreover, the miR‐21‐5p/FilGAP signaling pathway modulated the protective effect of E2 on MCT‐PH through ERβ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyi Hu
- Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Circulation, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Circulation, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200433, China.,Institute of Bismuth Science, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Circulation, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200433, China.,Institute of Bismuth Science, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenhui Wu
- Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Circulation, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Qinhua Zhao
- Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Circulation, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Rong Jiang
- Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Circulation, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Jinming Liu
- Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Circulation, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Lan Wang
- Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Circulation, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Ping Yuan
- Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Circulation, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200433, China
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MacLean MR, Fanburg B, Hill N, Lazarus HM, Pack TF, Palacios M, Penumatsa KC, Wring SA. Serotonin and Pulmonary Hypertension; Sex and Drugs and ROCK and Rho. Compr Physiol 2022; 12:4103-4118. [PMID: 36036567 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c220004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Serotonin is often referred to as a "happy hormone" as it maintains good mood, well-being, and happiness. It is involved in communication between nerve cells and plays a role in sleeping and digestion. However, too much serotonin can have pathogenic effects and serotonin synthesis is elevated in pulmonary artery endothelial cells from patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). PAH is characterized by elevated pulmonary pressures, right ventricular failure, inflammation, and pulmonary vascular remodeling; serotonin has been shown to be associated with these pathologies. The rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of serotonin in the periphery of the body is tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1). TPH1 expression and serotonin synthesis are elevated in pulmonary artery endothelial cells in patients with PAH. The serotonin synthesized in the pulmonary arterial endothelium can act on the adjacent pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), adventitial macrophages, and fibroblasts, in a paracrine fashion. In humans, serotonin enters PASMCs cells via the serotonin transporter (SERT) and it can cooperate with the 5-HT1B receptor on the plasma membrane; this activates both contractile and proliferative signaling pathways. The "serotonin hypothesis of pulmonary hypertension" arose when serotonin was associated with PAH induced by diet pills such as fenfluramine, aminorex, and chlorphentermine; these act as indirect serotonergic agonists causing the release of serotonin from platelets and cells through the SERT. Here the role of serotonin in PAH is reviewed. Targeting serotonin synthesis or signaling is a promising novel alternative approach which may lead to novel therapies for PAH. © 2022 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 12: 1-16, 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret R MacLean
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland
| | - Barry Fanburg
- Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Division, Department of Medicine, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nicolas Hill
- Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Division, Department of Medicine, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | | | - Krishna C Penumatsa
- Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Division, Department of Medicine, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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6
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Rodriguez-Arias JJ, García-Álvarez A. Sex Differences in Pulmonary Hypertension. FRONTIERS IN AGING 2022; 2:727558. [PMID: 35822006 PMCID: PMC9261364 DOI: 10.3389/fragi.2021.727558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) includes multiple diseases that share as common characteristic an elevated pulmonary artery pressure and right ventricular involvement. Sex differences are observed in practically all causes of PH. The most studied type is pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) which presents a gender bias regarding its prevalence, prognosis, and response to treatment. Although this disease is more frequent in women, once affected they present a better prognosis compared to men. Even if estrogens seem to be the key to understand these differences, animal models have shown contradictory results leading to the birth of the estrogen paradox. In this review we will summarize the evidence regarding sex differences in experimental animal models and, very specially, in patients suffering from PAH or PH from other etiologies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ana García-Álvarez
- Cardiology Department, Institut Clínic Cardiovascular, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, Madrid, Spain.,Universidad de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER) de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Madrid, Spain
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7
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Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) describes heterogeneous population of patients with a mean pulmonary arterial pressure >20 mm Hg. Rarely, PH presents as a primary disorder but is more commonly part of a complex phenotype associated with comorbidities. Regardless of the cause, PH reduces life expectancy and impacts quality of life. The current clinical classification divides PH into 1 of 5 diagnostic groups to assign treatment. There are currently no pharmacological cures for any form of PH. Animal models are essential to help decipher the molecular mechanisms underlying the disease, to assign genotype-phenotype relationships to help identify new therapeutic targets, and for clinical translation to assess the mechanism of action and putative efficacy of new therapies. However, limitations inherent of all animal models of disease limit the ability of any single model to fully recapitulate complex human disease. Within the PH community, we are often critical of animal models due to the perceived low success upon clinical translation of new drugs. In this review, we describe the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of existing animal models developed to gain insight into the molecular and pathological mechanisms and test new therapeutics, focusing on adult forms of PH from groups 1 to 3. We also discuss areas of improvement for animal models with approaches combining several hits to better reflect the clinical situation and elevate their translational value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Boucherat
- Pulmonary Hypertension Research Group, Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Québec, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Vineet Agrawal
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Allan Lawrie
- Dept of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK & Insigneo institute for in silico medicine, Sheffield, UK
| | - Sebastien Bonnet
- Pulmonary Hypertension Research Group, Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Québec, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
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8
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Wu XH, Ma JL, Ding D, Ma YJ, Wei YP, Jing ZC. Experimental animal models of pulmonary hypertension: Development and challenges. Animal Model Exp Med 2022; 5:207-216. [PMID: 35333455 PMCID: PMC9240731 DOI: 10.1002/ame2.12220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is clinically divided into 5 major types, characterized by elevation in pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), finally leading to right heart failure and death. The pathogenesis of this arteriopathy remains unclear, leaving it impossible to target pulmonary vascular remodeling and reverse the deterioration of right ventricular (RV) function. Different animal models have been designed to reflect the complex mechanistic origins and pathology of PH, roughly divided into 4 categories according to the modeling methods: non‐invasive models in vivo, invasive models in vivo, gene editing models, and multi‐means joint modeling. Though each model shares some molecular and pathological changes with different classes of human PH, in most cases the molecular etiology of human PH is poorly known. The appropriate use of classic and novel PH animal models is essential for the hunt of molecular targets to reverse severe phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Han Wu
- Department of Cardiology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jie-Ling Ma
- Department of Cardiology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Dong Ding
- Medical Science Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yue-Jiao Ma
- Medical Science Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yun-Peng Wei
- Department of Cardiology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi-Cheng Jing
- Department of Cardiology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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9
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Vrigkou E, Vassilatou E, Dima E, Langleben D, Kotanidou A, Tzanela M. The Role of Thyroid Disorders, Obesity, Diabetes Mellitus and Estrogen Exposure as Potential Modifiers for Pulmonary Hypertension. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11040921. [PMID: 35207198 PMCID: PMC8874474 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11040921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a progressive disorder characterized by a chronic in-crease in pulmonary arterial pressure, frequently resulting in right-sided heart failure and potentially death. Co-existing medical conditions are important factors in PH, since they not only result in the genesis of the disorder, but may also contribute to its progression. Various studies have assessed the impact of thyroid disorders and other endocrine conditions (namely estrogen exposure, obesity, and diabetes mellitus) on the progression of PH. The complex interactions that hormones may have with the cardiovascular system and pulmonary vascular bed can create several pathogenetic routes that could explain the effects of endocrine disorders on PH development and evolution. The aim of this review is to summarize current knowledge on the role of concomitant thyroid disorders, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and estrogen exposure as potential modifiers for PH, and especially for pulmonary arterial hypertension, and to discuss possible pathogenetic routes linking them with PH. This information could be valuable for practicing clinicians so as to better evaluate and/or treat concomitant endocrine conditions in the PH population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Vrigkou
- 1st Department of Critical Care and Pulmonary Services, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Evangelismos Hospital, 10676 Athens, Greece; (E.V.); (E.D.); (A.K.)
| | | | - Effrosyni Dima
- 1st Department of Critical Care and Pulmonary Services, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Evangelismos Hospital, 10676 Athens, Greece; (E.V.); (E.D.); (A.K.)
| | - David Langleben
- Center for Pulmonary Vascular Disease, Azrieli Heart Center, Jewish General Hospital and McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada;
| | - Anastasia Kotanidou
- 1st Department of Critical Care and Pulmonary Services, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Evangelismos Hospital, 10676 Athens, Greece; (E.V.); (E.D.); (A.K.)
| | - Marinella Tzanela
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes Center, Evangelismos Hospital, 10676 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-694-4284-637
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10
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Jasińska-Stroschein M. A review of genetically-driven rodent models of pulmonary hypertension. Vascul Pharmacol 2022; 144:106970. [PMID: 35150934 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2022.106970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
An increasing number of models used to examine the role of particular signaling pathways in vasculature and the development of pulmonary hypertension (PH) are based on animals with different genetic modifications. The present study explores the severity of PH-related lesions that can be provided by a genetic particular model in accordance to the most common non-genetic PH inducers such as chronic exposure to hypoxia or single injection of monocrotaline. A review of 516 interventions on a variety of animal models was performed. It examined the advantages of various genetically-driven procedures intended to develop spontaneous PH, and the effects of combining such procedures with common PH models or other stimuli ('second-hit') with the aim of exacerbating pulmonary artery remodeling, right ventricle hypertrophy and hemodynamics or animal mortality. A wide range of genetically-modified rodents are used for pre-clinical studies on PH, with different response to the genetic modification as compared to the most common non-genetic stimuli. Nevertheless, they could highlight the mechanisms and pathways that contribute to the expression of pathophysiological features of the disease, and they could be helpful in the identification of additional targets for new drugs.
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11
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Bazan IS, Ardito TA, Zhang Y, Shan P, Kim SJ, Sauler M, Lee P. Sex Differences and Altered Mitophagy in Experimental Pulmonary Hypertension. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2022; 322:L761-L769. [PMID: 35137625 PMCID: PMC9076415 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00019.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a debilitating condition characterized by increased pulmonary arterial pressures and remodeling of pulmonary arteries, leading to right heart failure. Women have a higher prevalence of PH, while men have more severe disease and poorer outcomes. Animal models also show a female-predominant disease. Despite the known sex differences in PH, little is known about how the pathogenesis differs between the sexes. There is growing evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction in PH, as well as suggestions of altered mitophagy. We hypothesized that sexual dimorphism contributes to mitochondrial dysfunction and altered mitophagy in PH. Using mouse lung endothelial cells (MLECs), we exposed both wild-type and Parkin -/- cells to hypoxia and measured the effects on mitochondrial function and mitophagy-associated proteins. Our results show that females have more Parkin expression and increased mitochondrial respiratory capacity when exposed to oxidative stress. Inhibition of Parkin increased metabolic activity in but reduced cell proliferation, with results differing by sex. Our findings demonstrate sexual dimorphism in mitophagy-associated proteins and in mitochondrial respiration, which may help shed light on how the pathogenesis of PH may differ between the sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel S Bazan
- Yale School of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Taylor A Ardito
- Duke University, Section of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Yi Zhang
- Yale School of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Peiying Shan
- Yale School of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - So-Jin Kim
- Duke University, Section of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Maor Sauler
- Yale School of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Patty Lee
- Duke University, Section of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
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12
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Yu Z, Xiao J, Chen X, Ruan Y, Chen Y, Zheng X, Wang Q. Bioactivities and mechanisms of natural medicines in the management of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Chin Med 2022; 17:13. [PMID: 35033157 PMCID: PMC8760698 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-022-00568-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive and rare disease without obvious clinical symptoms that shares characteristics with pulmonary vascular remodeling. Right heart failure in the terminal phase of PAH seriously threatens the lives of patients. This review attempts to comprehensively outline the current state of knowledge on PAH its pathology, pathogenesis, natural medicines therapy, mechanisms and clinical studies to provide potential treatment strategies. Although PAH and pulmonary hypertension have similar pathological features, PAH exhibits significantly elevated pulmonary vascular resistance caused by vascular stenosis and occlusion. Currently, the pathogenesis of PAH is thought to involve multiple factors, primarily including genetic/epigenetic factors, vascular cellular dysregulation, metabolic dysfunction, even inflammation and immunization. Yet many issues regarding PAH need to be clarified, such as the "oestrogen paradox". About 25 kinds monomers derived from natural medicine have been verified to protect against to PAH via modulating BMPR2/Smad, HIF-1α, PI3K/Akt/mTOR and eNOS/NO/cGMP signalling pathways. Yet limited and single PAH animal models may not corroborate the efficacy of natural medicines, and those natural compounds how to regulate crucial genes, proteins and even microRNA and lncRNA still need to put great attention. Additionally, pharmacokinetic studies and safety evaluation of natural medicines for the treatment of PAH should be undertaken in future studies. Meanwhile, methods for validating the efficacy of natural drugs in multiple PAH animal models and precise clinical design are also urgently needed to promote advances in PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijie Yu
- Pharmacy Department, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Jun Xiao
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Xiao Chen
- Pharmacy Department, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Yi Ruan
- Pharmacy Department, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Yang Chen
- Pharmacy Department, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Zheng
- Pharmacy Department, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing, 400014, China.
| | - Qiang Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China.
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13
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Cheron C, McBride SA, Antigny F, Girerd B, Chouchana M, Chaumais MC, Jaïs X, Bertoletti L, Sitbon O, Weatherald J, Humbert M, Montani D. Sex and gender in pulmonary arterial hypertension. Eur Respir Rev 2021; 30:30/162/200330. [PMID: 34750113 DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0330-2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare disease characterised by pulmonary vascular remodelling and elevated pulmonary pressure, which eventually leads to right heart failure and death. Registries worldwide have noted a female predominance of the disease, spurring particular interest in hormonal involvement in the disease pathobiology. Several experimental models have shown both protective and deleterious effects of oestrogens, suggesting that complex mechanisms participate in PAH pathogenesis. In fact, oestrogen metabolites as well as receptors and enzymes implicated in oestrogen signalling pathways and associated conditions such as BMPR2 mutation contribute to PAH penetrance more specifically in women. Conversely, females have better right ventricular function, translating to a better prognosis. Along with right ventricular adaptation, women tend to respond to PAH treatment differently from men. As some young women suffer from PAH, contraception is of particular importance, considering that pregnancy in patients with PAH is strongly discouraged due to high risk of death. When contraception measures fail, pregnant women need a multidisciplinary team-based approach. This article aims to review epidemiology, mechanisms underlying the higher female predominance, but better prognosis and the intricacies in management of women affected by PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Cheron
- School of Medicine, Université Paris-Saclay, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.,Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Service de Pneumologie et Soins Intensifs Respiratoires, Hôpital Bicêtre, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.,Inserm UMR_S 999, Hôpital Marie Lannelongue, Le Plessis Robinson, France
| | - Susan Ainslie McBride
- Internal Medicine Residency Program, Dept of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Fabrice Antigny
- School of Medicine, Université Paris-Saclay, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.,Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Service de Pneumologie et Soins Intensifs Respiratoires, Hôpital Bicêtre, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.,Inserm UMR_S 999, Hôpital Marie Lannelongue, Le Plessis Robinson, France
| | - Barbara Girerd
- School of Medicine, Université Paris-Saclay, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.,Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Service de Pneumologie et Soins Intensifs Respiratoires, Hôpital Bicêtre, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.,Inserm UMR_S 999, Hôpital Marie Lannelongue, Le Plessis Robinson, France
| | - Margot Chouchana
- Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Service de Pharmacie Hôpital Bicêtre, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France
| | - Marie-Camille Chaumais
- Inserm UMR_S 999, Hôpital Marie Lannelongue, Le Plessis Robinson, France.,Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Service de Pharmacie Hôpital Bicêtre, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Faculté de Pharmacie, Chatenay Malabry, France
| | - Xavier Jaïs
- School of Medicine, Université Paris-Saclay, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.,Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Service de Pneumologie et Soins Intensifs Respiratoires, Hôpital Bicêtre, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.,Inserm UMR_S 999, Hôpital Marie Lannelongue, Le Plessis Robinson, France
| | - Laurent Bertoletti
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint-Etienne, Service de Médecine Vasculaire et Thérapeutique, Saint-Etienne, France.,INSERM U1059 et CIC1408, Université Jean-Monnet, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Olivier Sitbon
- School of Medicine, Université Paris-Saclay, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.,Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Service de Pneumologie et Soins Intensifs Respiratoires, Hôpital Bicêtre, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.,Inserm UMR_S 999, Hôpital Marie Lannelongue, Le Plessis Robinson, France
| | - Jason Weatherald
- Division of Respirology, Dept of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Libin Cardiovascular Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Marc Humbert
- School of Medicine, Université Paris-Saclay, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.,Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Service de Pneumologie et Soins Intensifs Respiratoires, Hôpital Bicêtre, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.,Inserm UMR_S 999, Hôpital Marie Lannelongue, Le Plessis Robinson, France
| | - David Montani
- School of Medicine, Université Paris-Saclay, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France .,Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Service de Pneumologie et Soins Intensifs Respiratoires, Hôpital Bicêtre, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.,Inserm UMR_S 999, Hôpital Marie Lannelongue, Le Plessis Robinson, France
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14
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Wu J, Zhang L, Wang X. Host Sex Steroids Interact With Virus Infection: New Insights Into Sex Disparity in Infectious Diseases. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:747347. [PMID: 34803967 PMCID: PMC8600311 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.747347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex hormones are steroid hormones synthesized from the gonads of animals and tissues such as the placenta and adrenocortical reticular zone. The physiological functions of sex hormones are complex. Sex hormones are not only pathologically correlated with many diseases of the reproductive system, but are etiological factors in some viral infectious diseases, including disease caused by infections of coronaviruses, herpesviruses, hepatitis viruses, and other kinds of human viruses, which either exhibit a male propensity in clinical practice, or crosstalk with androgen receptor (AR)-related pathways in viral pathogenesis. Due to the global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the role of androgen/AR in viral infectious disease is highlighted again, majorly representing by the recent advances of AR-responsive gene of transmembrane protease/serine subfamily member 2 (TMPRSS2), which proteolytically activates the receptor-mediated virus entry by many coronaviruses and influenza virus, along with the role of androgen-mediated signaling for the transcription of hepatitis B virus (HBV), and the role of sex hormone responsive genes during Zika virus (ZIKV) pathogenesis, et al. Collectively, we propose to provide a comprehensive overview of the role of male sex hormones during multiple phases in the life cycle of different human viruses, which may be partly responsible for the sex-specific prevalence, severity and mortality of some diseases, therefore, may provide clues to develop more efficient prevention and treatment strategies for high-risk populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinfeng Wu
- Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer (Ministry of Education), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer (Ministry of Education), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer (Ministry of Education), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
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15
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Sun Y, Sangam S, Guo Q, Wang J, Tang H, Black SM, Desai AA. Sex Differences, Estrogen Metabolism and Signaling in the Development of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:719058. [PMID: 34568460 PMCID: PMC8460911 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.719058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a complex and devastating disease with a poor long-term prognosis. While women are at increased risk for developing PAH, they exhibit superior right heart function and higher survival rates than men. Susceptibility to disease risk in PAH has been attributed, in part, to estrogen signaling. In contrast to potential pathological influences of estrogen in patients, studies of animal models reveal estrogen demonstrates protective effects in PAH. Consistent with this latter observation, an ovariectomy in female rats appears to aggravate the condition. This discrepancy between observations from patients and animal models is often called the "estrogen paradox." Further, the tissue-specific interactions between estrogen, its metabolites and receptors in PAH and right heart function remain complex; nonetheless, these relationships are essential to characterize to better understand PAH pathophysiology and to potentially develop novel therapeutic and curative targets. In this review, we explore estrogen-mediated mechanisms that may further explain this paradox by summarizing published literature related to: (1) the synthesis and catabolism of estrogen; (2) activity and functions of the various estrogen receptors; (3) the multiple modalities of estrogen signaling in cells; and (4) the role of estrogen and its diverse metabolites on the susceptibility to, and progression of, PAH as well as their impact on right heart function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Sun
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Vascular Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shreya Sangam
- Department of Medicine, Krannert Institute of Cardiology, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Qiang Guo
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Suzhou Dushu Lake Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Vascular Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haiyang Tang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Vascular Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Stephen M. Black
- Department of Cellular Biology and Pharmacology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- Center for Translational Science and Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Port St. Lucie, FL, United States
| | - Ankit A. Desai
- Department of Medicine, Krannert Institute of Cardiology, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States
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16
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Chaudhary KR, Deng Y, Yang A, Cober ND, Stewart DJ. Penetrance of Severe Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Response to Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2 Blockade in a Genetically Prone Rat Model Is Reduced by Female Sex. J Am Heart Assoc 2021; 10:e019488. [PMID: 34315227 PMCID: PMC8475703 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.120.019488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Background We have previously reported important strain differences in response to SU5416 (SU, a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 inhibitor) in rats and have identified a specific colony of Sprague-Dawley rats that are hyperresponsive (SDHR) to SU alone and develop severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) with a single injection of SU, even in the absence of hypoxia. Interestingly, SDHR rats exhibit incomplete penetrance of the severe PAH phenotype with an "all-or-none" response to SU alone, which provides a unique opportunity to assess the influence of female sex and sex hormones on susceptibility to PAH after endothelial injury in a genetically prone model. Methods and Results SDHR rats were injected with SU (20 mg/kg SC) and, in the absence of hypoxia, 72% of male but only 27% of female rats developed severe PAH at 7 weeks, which was associated with persistent endothelial cell apoptosis. This sex difference in susceptibility for severe PAH was abolished by ovariectomy. Estradiol replacement, beginning 2 days before SU (prevention), inhibited lung endothelial cell apoptosis and completely abrogated severe PAH phenotype in both male and ovariectomized female rats, while progesterone was only protective in ovariectomized female rats. In contrast, delayed treatment of SDHR rats with established PAH with estradiol or progesterone (initiated at 4 weeks post-SU) failed to reduce lung endothelial cell apoptosis or improve PAH phenotype. Conclusions Female sex hormones markedly reduced susceptibility for the severe PAH phenotype in response to SU alone in a hyperresponsive rat strain by abolishing SU-induced endothelial cell apoptosis, but did not reverse severe PAH in established disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ketul R. Chaudhary
- Department of Physiology and BiophysicsFaculty of MedicineDalhousie UniversityHalifaxNSCanada
| | - Yupu Deng
- Sinclair Centre for Regenerative MedicineOttawa Hospital Research InstituteONCanada
| | - Anli Yang
- Sinclair Centre for Regenerative MedicineOttawa Hospital Research InstituteONCanada
| | - Nicholas D. Cober
- Sinclair Centre for Regenerative MedicineOttawa Hospital Research InstituteONCanada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular MedicineFaculty of MedicineUniversity of OttawaONCanada
| | - Duncan J. Stewart
- Sinclair Centre for Regenerative MedicineOttawa Hospital Research InstituteONCanada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular MedicineFaculty of MedicineUniversity of OttawaONCanada
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17
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The S100 Protein Family as Players and Therapeutic Targets in Pulmonary Diseases. Pulm Med 2021; 2021:5488591. [PMID: 34239729 PMCID: PMC8214497 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5488591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The S100 protein family consists of over 20 members in humans that are involved in many intracellular and extracellular processes, including proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, Ca2+ homeostasis, energy metabolism, inflammation, tissue repair, and migration/invasion. Although there are structural similarities between each member, they are not functionally interchangeable. The S100 proteins function both as intracellular Ca2+ sensors and as extracellular factors. Dysregulated responses of multiple members of the S100 family are observed in several diseases, including the lungs (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, and lung cancer). To this degree, extensive research was undertaken to identify their roles in pulmonary disease pathogenesis and the identification of inhibitors for several S100 family members that have progressed to clinical trials in patients for nonpulmonary conditions. This review outlines the potential role of each S100 protein in pulmonary diseases, details the possible mechanisms observed in diseases, and outlines potential therapeutic strategies for treatment.
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18
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Huang A, Kandhi S, Sun D. Roles of Genetic Predisposition in the Sex Bias of Pulmonary Pathophysiology, as a Function of Estrogens : Sex Matters in the Prevalence of Lung Diseases. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1303:107-127. [PMID: 33788190 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-63046-1_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In addition to studies focused on estrogen mediation of sex-different regulation of systemic circulations, there is now increasing clinical relevance and research interests in the pulmonary circulation, in terms of sex differences in the morbidity and mortality of lung diseases such as inherent-, allergic- and inflammatory-based events. Thus, female predisposition to pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) is an inevitable topic. To better understand the nature of sexual differentiation in the pulmonary circulation, and how heritable factors, in vivo- and/or in vitro-altered estrogen circumstances and changes in the live environment work in concert to discern the sex bias, this chapter reviews pulmonary events characterized by sex-different features, concomitant with exploration of how alterations of genetic expression and estrogen metabolisms trigger the female-predominant pathological signaling. We address the following: PAH (Sect.7.2) is characterized as an estrogenic promotion of its incidence (Sect. 7.2.2), as a function of specific germline mutations, and as an estrogen-elicited protection of its prognosis (Sect.7.2.1). More detail is provided to introduce a less recognized gene of Ephx2 that encodes soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) to degrade epoxyeicosatrienic acids (EETs). As a susceptible target of estrogen, Ephx2/sEH expression is downregulated by an estrogen-dependent epigenetic mechanism. Increases in pulmonary EETs then evoke a potentiation of PAH generation, but mitigation of its progression, a phenomenon similar to the estrogen-paradox regulation of PAH. Additionally, the female susceptibility to chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (Sect. 7.3) and asthma (Sect.7.4), but less preference to COVID-19 (Sect. 7.5), and roles of estrogen in their pathogeneses are briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- An Huang
- Department of Physiology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA.
| | - Sharath Kandhi
- Department of Physiology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
| | - Dong Sun
- Department of Physiology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
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19
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Dignam JP, Scott TE, Kemp-Harper BK, Hobbs AJ. Animal models of pulmonary hypertension: Getting to the heart of the problem. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 179:811-837. [PMID: 33724447 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite recent therapeutic advances, pulmonary hypertension (PH) remains a fatal disease due to the development of right ventricular (RV) failure. At present, no treatments targeted at the right ventricle are available, and RV function is not widely considered in the preclinical assessment of new therapeutics. Several small animal models are used in the study of PH, including the classic models of exposure to either hypoxia or monocrotaline, newer combinational and genetic models, and pulmonary artery banding, a surgical model of pure RV pressure overload. These models reproduce selected features of the structural remodelling and functional decline seen in patients and have provided valuable insight into the pathophysiology of RV failure. However, significant reversal of remodelling and improvement in RV function remains a therapeutic obstacle. Emerging animal models will provide a deeper understanding of the mechanisms governing the transition from adaptive remodelling to a failing right ventricle, aiding the hunt for druggable molecular targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua P Dignam
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Tara E Scott
- Department of Pharmacology, Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University Clayton Campus, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University Parkville Campus, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Barbara K Kemp-Harper
- Department of Pharmacology, Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University Clayton Campus, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Adrian J Hobbs
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
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20
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Hye T, Dwivedi P, Li W, Lahm T, Nozik-Grayck E, Stenmark KR, Ahsan F. Newer insights into the pathobiological and pharmacological basis of the sex disparity in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2021; 320:L1025-L1037. [PMID: 33719549 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00559.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) affects more women than men, although affected females tend to survive longer than affected males. This sex disparity in PAH is postulated to stem from the diverse roles of sex hormones in disease etiology. In animal models, estrogens appear to be implicated not only in pathologic remodeling of pulmonary arteries, but also in protection against right ventricular (RV) hypertrophy. In contrast, the male sex hormone testosterone is associated with reduced survival in male animals, where it is associated with increased RV mass, volume, and fibrosis. However, it also has a vasodilatory effect on pulmonary arteries. Furthermore, patients of both sexes show varying degrees of response to current therapies for PAH. As such, there are many gaps and contradictions regarding PAH development, progression, and therapeutic interventions in male versus female patients. Many of these questions remain unanswered, which may be due in part to lack of effective experimental models that can consistently reproduce PAH pulmonary microenvironments in their sex-specific forms. This review article summarizes the roles of estrogens and related sex hormones, immunological and genetical differences, and the benefits and limitations of existing experimental tools to fill in gaps in our understanding of the sex-based variation in PAH development and progression. Finally, we highlight the potential of a new tissue chip-based model mimicking PAH-afflicted male and female pulmonary arteries to study the sex-based differences in PAH and to develop personalized therapies based on patient sex and responsiveness to existing and new drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanvirul Hye
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Abilene, Texas
| | - Pankaj Dwivedi
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
| | - Tim Lahm
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Occupational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana.,Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana.,Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Eva Nozik-Grayck
- Department of Pediatrics and Medicine, Cardiovascular Pulmonary Research Laboratories, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Kurt R Stenmark
- Department of Pediatrics and Medicine, Cardiovascular Pulmonary Research Laboratories, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Fakhrul Ahsan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Abilene, Texas.,Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, California Northstate University, Elk Grove, California
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21
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Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) occurs in women more than men whereas survival in men is worse than in women. In recent years, much research has been carried out to understand these sex differences in PAH. This article discusses clinical and preclinical studies that have investigated the influences of sex, serotonin, obesity, estrogen, estrogen synthesis, and estrogen metabolism on bone morphogenetic protein receptor type II signaling, the pulmonary circulation and right ventricle in both heritable and idiopathic pulmonary hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Morris
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, Scotland; Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Scotland
| | - Nina Denver
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, Scotland
| | - Rosemary Gaw
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, Scotland
| | - Hicham Labazi
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, Scotland
| | - Kirsty Mair
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, Scotland
| | - Margaret R MacLean
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, Scotland.
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22
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Incidence and long-term outcomes of pregnant women complicated with pulmonary arterial hypertension during different pregnancies: A prospective cohort study from China. Int J Cardiol 2020; 326:178-183. [PMID: 33053388 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2020.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH) in pregnancy is a risk factor for maternal and infant death. Our study was to explore the characteristics and outcomes of pregnant women complicated with PAH during different pregnancies. METHOD Clinical data were compared among women complicated with PAH in the first and second pregnancy between 2012 and 2018. RESULTS A total of 156 patients with newly diagnosed PAH during pregnancy were enrolled. Among them, 108 (26.9 ± 3.5 years old) and 48 (30.8 ± 4.8 years old) were diagnosed PAH during their first and second pregnancy, respectively. And the incidence rates were 5.7‰ and 6.6‰ (p = 0.448). Pulmonary artery systolic pressure(sPAP)(55 ± 19 vs. 71 ± 27 mmHg, p = 0.001), NYHA functional class III-IV patients (10.2% vs. 35.4%, p < 0.001) and incidence of heart failure (5.6% vs. 18.8%, p = 0.01) were higher in the second pregnancy group than those in the first pregnancy group. Multivariate linear regression revealed that parity and time of symptom onset were independent factors of sPAP during pregnancy (p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that sPAP (OR = 1.045, 95% CI, 1.021-1.069) was a risk factor for perinatal heart failure, with a cut-off value of 56 mmHg (Youden index 0.586, sensitivity 93%, specificity 65%). The cumulative death rate in the subsequent 48 months (IQR: 29 to 71) were 2.8% and 10.4% (p = 0.033) in the first and second pregnancy group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Incidence of PAH in pregnancy tends to increase with increased parity. PAH identified in during the second pregnancy were associated with more severe disease and poorer long term outcomes.
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23
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Stilhano RS, Costa AJ, Nishino MS, Shams S, Bartolomeo CS, Breithaupt-Faloppa AC, Silva EA, Ramirez AL, Prado CM, Ureshino RP. SARS-CoV-2 and the possible connection to ERs, ACE2, and RAGE: Focus on susceptibility factors. FASEB J 2020; 34:14103-14119. [PMID: 32965736 PMCID: PMC7537138 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202001394rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has provoked major stresses on the health-care systems of several countries, and caused the death of more than a quarter of a million people globally, mainly in the elderly population with preexisting pathologies. Previous studies with coronavirus (SARS-CoV) point to gender differences in infection and disease progression with increased susceptibility in male patients, indicating that estrogens may be associated with physiological protection against the coronavirus. Therefore, the objectives of this work are threefold. First, we aim to summarize the SARS-CoV-2 infection pathway and the roles both the virus and patient play in COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) progression, clinical symptomatology, and mortality. Second, we detail the effect estrogen has on viral infection and host infection response, including its role in both the regulation of key viral receptor expression and the mediation of inflammatory activity. Finally, we describe how ERs (estrogen receptors) and RAGE (receptor for advanced glycation end-products) play a critical role in metabolic pathways, which we envisage could maintain a close interplay with SARS-CoV and COVID-19 mortality rates, despite a current lack of research directly determining how. Taken together, we present the current state of the field regarding SARS-CoV-2 research and illuminate where research is needed to better define the role both estrogen and metabolic comorbidities have in the COVID-19 disease state, which can be key in screening potential therapeutic options as the search for effective treatments continue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Sessa Stilhano
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Angelica Jardim Costa
- Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Michelle Sayuri Nishino
- Department of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema, Brazil.,Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Endocrinology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Shahin Shams
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Cynthia Silva Bartolomeo
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Biosciences, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Santos, Brazil
| | - Ana Cristina Breithaupt-Faloppa
- Laboratorio de Cirurgia Cardiovascular e Fisiopatologia da Circulação (LIM-11), Instituto do Coração (InCor), Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Carla Maximo Prado
- Department of Biosciences, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Santos, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Portes Ureshino
- Department of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema, Brazil.,Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Endocrinology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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24
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Al-Hilal TA, Keshavarz A, Kadry H, Lahooti B, Al-Obaida A, Ding Z, Li W, Kamm R, McMurtry IF, Lahm T, Nozik-Grayck E, Stenmark KR, Ahsan F. Pulmonary-arterial-hypertension (PAH)-on-a-chip: fabrication, validation and application. LAB ON A CHIP 2020; 20:3334-3345. [PMID: 32749432 PMCID: PMC7592346 DOI: 10.1039/d0lc00605j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Currently used animal and cellular models for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) only partially recapitulate its pathophysiology in humans and are thus inadequate in reproducing the hallmarks of the disease, inconsistent in portraying the sex-disparity, and unyielding to combinatorial study designs. Here we sought to deploy the ingenuity of microengineering in developing and validating a tissue chip model for human PAH. We designed and fabricated a microfluidic device to emulate the luminal, intimal, medial, adventitial, and perivascular layers of a pulmonary artery. By growing three types of pulmonary arterial cells (PACs)-endothelial, smooth muscle, and adventitial cells, we recreated the PAH pathophysiology on the device. Diseased (PAH) PACs, when grown on the chips, moved of out their designated layers and created phenomena similar to the major pathologies of human PAH: intimal thickening, muscularization, and arterial remodeling and show an endothelial to mesenchymal transition. Flow-induced stress caused control cells, grown on the chips, to undergo morphological changes and elicit arterial remodeling. Our data also suggest that the newly developed chips can be used to elucidate the sex disparity in PAH and to study the therapeutic efficacy of existing and investigational anti-PAH drugs. We believe this miniaturized device can be deployed for testing various prevailing and new hypotheses regarding the pathobiology and drug therapy in human PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taslim A Al-Hilal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, 1300 Coulter Dr., Amarillo, 79119 Texas, USA.
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25
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Xiao G, Zhuang W, Wang T, Lian G, Luo L, Ye C, Wang H, Xie L. Transcriptomic analysis identifies Toll-like and Nod-like pathways and necroptosis in pulmonary arterial hypertension. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 24:11409-11421. [PMID: 32860486 PMCID: PMC7576255 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.15745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation and immunity play a causal role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary vascular remodelling and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, the pathways and mechanisms by which inflammation and immunity contribute to pulmonary vascular remodelling remain unknown. RNA sequencing was used to analyse the transcriptome in control and rats injected with monocrotaline (MCT) for various weeks. Using the transcriptional profiling of MCT‐induced PAH coupled with bioinformatics analysis, we clustered the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and chose the increased expression patterns associated with inflammatory and immune response. We found the enrichment of Toll‐like receptor (TLR) and Nod‐like receptor (NLR) pathways and identified NF‐κB‐mediated inflammatory and immune profiling in MCT‐induced PAH. Pathway‐based data integration and visualization showed the dysregulated TLR and NLR pathways, including increased expression of TLR2 and NLRP3, and their downstream molecules. Further analysis revealed that the activation of TLR and NLR pathways was associated with up‐regulation of damage‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and RIPK3‐mediated necroptosis was involved in the generation of DAMPs in MCT‐induced PAH. Collectively, we identify RIPK3‐mediated necroptosis and its triggered TLR and NLR pathways in the progression of pulmonary vascular remodelling, thus providing novel insights into the mechanisms underlying inflammation and immunity in the pathogenesis of PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genfa Xiao
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China.,Department of General Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China.,Fujian Hypertension Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Zhuang
- Fujian Hypertension Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, People's Republic of China
| | - Tingjun Wang
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China.,Department of General Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China.,Fujian Hypertension Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, People's Republic of China
| | - Guili Lian
- Fujian Hypertension Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Luo
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China.,Department of General Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China.,Fujian Hypertension Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, People's Republic of China
| | - Chaoyi Ye
- Fujian Hypertension Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, People's Republic of China
| | - Huajun Wang
- Fujian Hypertension Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, People's Republic of China
| | - Liangdi Xie
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, People's Republic of China.,Department of General Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China.,Fujian Hypertension Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, People's Republic of China
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26
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Mastej E, Gillenwater L, Zhuang Y, Pratte KA, Bowler RP, Kechris K. Identifying Protein-metabolite Networks Associated with COPD Phenotypes. Metabolites 2020; 10:metabo10040124. [PMID: 32218378 PMCID: PMC7241079 DOI: 10.3390/metabo10040124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease in which airflow obstruction in the lung makes it difficult for patients to breathe. Although COPD occurs predominantly in smokers, there are still deficits in our understanding of the additional risk factors in smokers. To gain a deeper understanding of the COPD molecular signatures, we used Sparse Multiple Canonical Correlation Network (SmCCNet), a recently developed tool that uses sparse multiple canonical correlation analysis, to integrate proteomic and metabolomic data from the blood of 1008 participants of the COPDGene study to identify novel protein-metabolite networks associated with lung function and emphysema. Our aim was to integrate -omic data through SmCCNet to build interpretable networks that could assist in the discovery of novel biomarkers that may have been overlooked in alternative biomarker discovery methods. We found a protein-metabolite network consisting of 13 proteins and 7 metabolites which had a -0.34 correlation (p-value = 2.5 × 10-28) to lung function. We also found a network of 13 proteins and 10 metabolites that had a -0.27 correlation (p-value = 2.6 × 10-17) to percent emphysema. Protein-metabolite networks can provide additional information on the progression of COPD that complements single biomarker or single -omic analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Mastej
- Computational Bioscience Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Yonghua Zhuang
- Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | | | - Russell P. Bowler
- National Jewish Health, Denver, CO 80206, USA (K.A.P.)
- School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Katerina Kechris
- Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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27
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Li C, Zhang Z, Xu Q, Wu T, Shi R. Potential mechanisms and serum biomarkers involved in sex differences in pulmonary arterial hypertension. Medicine (Baltimore) 2020; 99:e19612. [PMID: 32221085 PMCID: PMC7220321 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000019612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a disease associated with high mortality, but notable sex differences have been observed between males and females. For this reason, further research on the mechanisms underlying sex differences in PAH is required to better understand and treat the disease. This study mainly focused on gene expression levels to investigate potential differences in the pathogenesis and progression of PAH between the male and female sexes.Sex-specific differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed using the Gene Expression Omnibus datasets GSE117261 and GSE38267. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were conducted, and a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was established based on the identified DEGs to predict potential mechanisms involved in the observed sex differences in the pathogenesis of PAH.We identified 26 female- and 53 male-specific DEGs from lung tissue and 498 female-specific DEGs in blood samples. No male-specific DEGs were identified from blood samples. GO and KEGG pathway analyses revealed that female-specific DEGs in lung tissue were enriched in inflammatory response and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, whereas male-specific DEGs were mainly enriched in cellular chemotaxis and the nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cell (NF-kappa B) signaling pathway. Lipocalin 2 (LCN2) was the only gene that was differentially expressed in both the lung tissue and the blood of female patients.In conclusion, inflammation and immunity may play key roles in the pathogenesis of female PAH, and LCN2 may act as a serum biomarker of female PAH, whereas the pathogenesis in males is more complicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chan Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine
| | | | - Qian Xu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ting Wu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine
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28
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Hester J, Ventetuolo C, Lahm T. Sex, Gender, and Sex Hormones in Pulmonary Hypertension and Right Ventricular Failure. Compr Physiol 2019; 10:125-170. [PMID: 31853950 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c190011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) encompasses a syndrome of diseases that are characterized by elevated pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular remodeling and that frequently lead to right ventricular (RV) failure and death. Several types of PH exhibit sexually dimorphic features in disease penetrance, presentation, and progression. Most sexually dimorphic features in PH have been described in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a devastating and progressive pulmonary vasculopathy with a 3-year survival rate <60%. While patient registries show that women are more susceptible to development of PAH, female PAH patients display better RV function and increased survival compared to their male counterparts, a phenomenon referred to as the "estrogen paradox" or "estrogen puzzle" of PAH. Recent advances in the field have demonstrated that multiple sex hormones, receptors, and metabolites play a role in the estrogen puzzle and that the effects of hormone signaling may be time and compartment specific. While the underlying physiological mechanisms are complex, unraveling the estrogen puzzle may reveal novel therapeutic strategies to treat and reverse the effects of PAH/PH. In this article, we (i) review PH classification and pathophysiology; (ii) discuss sex/gender differences observed in patients and animal models; (iii) review sex hormone synthesis and metabolism; (iv) review in detail the scientific literature of sex hormone signaling in PAH/PH, particularly estrogen-, testosterone-, progesterone-, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)-mediated effects in the pulmonary vasculature and RV; (v) discuss hormone-independent variables contributing to sexually dimorphic disease presentation; and (vi) identify knowledge gaps and pathways forward. © 2020 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 10:125-170, 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Hester
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, Occupational and Sleep Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Corey Ventetuolo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.,Department of Health Services, Policy and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Tim Lahm
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, Occupational and Sleep Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.,Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.,Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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29
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Rafikova O, Al Ghouleh I, Rafikov R. Focus on Early Events: Pathogenesis of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Development. Antioxid Redox Signal 2019; 31:933-953. [PMID: 31169021 PMCID: PMC6765063 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2018.7673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Significance: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disease of the lung vasculature characterized by the proliferation of all vascular wall cell types, including endothelial, smooth muscle, and fibroblasts. The disease rapidly advances into a form with extensive pulmonary vascular remodeling, leading to a rapid increase in pulmonary vascular resistance, which results in right heart failure. Recent Advances: Most current research in the PAH field has been focused on the late stage of the disease, largely due to an urgent need for patient treatment options in clinics. Further, the pathobiology of PAH is multifaceted in the advanced disease, and there has been promising recent progress in identifying various pathological pathways related to the late clinical picture. Critical Issues: Early stage PAH still requires additional attention from the scientific community, and although the survival of patients with early diagnosis is comparatively higher, the disease develops in patients asymptomatically, making it difficult to identify and treat early. Future Directions: There are several reasons to focus on the early stage of PAH. First, the complexity of late stage disease, owing to multiple pathways being activated in a complex system with intra- and intercellular signaling, leads to an unclear picture of the key contributors to the pathobiology. Second, an understanding of early pathophysiological events can increase the ability to identify PAH patients earlier than what is currently possible. Third, the prompt diagnosis of PAH would allow for the therapy to start earlier, which has proved to be a more successful strategy, and it ensures better survival in PAH patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Rafikova
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Imad Al Ghouleh
- Heart, Lung, Blood, and Vascular Medicine Institute, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Ruslan Rafikov
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
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30
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Frump AL, Selej M, Wood JA, Albrecht M, Yakubov B, Petrache I, Lahm T. Hypoxia Upregulates Estrogen Receptor β in Pulmonary Artery Endothelial Cells in a HIF-1α-Dependent Manner. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2019; 59:114-126. [PMID: 29394091 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2017-0167oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
17β-Estradiol (E2) attenuates hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension (HPH) through estrogen receptor (ER)-dependent effects, including inhibition of hypoxia-induced endothelial cell proliferation; however, the mechanisms responsible for this remain unknown. We hypothesized that the protective effects of E2 in HPH are mediated through hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α)-dependent increases in ERβ expression. Sprague-Dawley rats and ERα or ERβ knockout mice were exposed to hypobaric hypoxia for 2-3 weeks. The effects of hypoxia were also studied in primary rat or human pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAECs). Hypoxia increased expression of ERβ, but not ERα, in lungs from HPH rats as well as in rat and human PAECs. ERβ mRNA time dependently increased in PAECs exposed to hypoxia. Normoxic HIF-1α/HIF-2α stabilization increased PAEC ERβ, whereas HIF-1α knockdown decreased ERβ abundance in hypoxic PAECs. In turn, ERβ knockdown in hypoxic PAECs increased HIF-2α expression, suggesting a hypoxia-sensitive feedback mechanism. ERβ knockdown in hypoxic PAECs also decreased expression of the HIF inhibitor prolyl hydroxylase 2 (PHD2), whereas ERβ activation increased PHD2 and decreased both HIF-1α and HIF-2α, suggesting that ERβ regulates the PHD2/HIF-1α/HIF-2α axis during hypoxia. Whereas hypoxic wild-type or ERα knockout mice treated with E2 demonstrated less pulmonary vascular remodeling and decreased HIF-1α after hypoxia compared with untreated hypoxic mice, ERβ knockout mice exhibited increased HIF-2α and an attenuated response to E2 during hypoxia. Taken together, our results demonstrate a novel and potentially therapeutically targetable mechanism whereby hypoxia, via HIF-1α, increases ERβ expression and the E2-ERβ axis targets PHD2, HIF-1α, and HIF-2α to attenuate HPH development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea L Frump
- 1 Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Occupational Medicine, Department of Medicine
| | - Mona Selej
- 1 Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Occupational Medicine, Department of Medicine
| | - Jordan A Wood
- 1 Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Occupational Medicine, Department of Medicine
| | - Marjorie Albrecht
- 1 Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Occupational Medicine, Department of Medicine
| | - Bakhtiyor Yakubov
- 1 Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Occupational Medicine, Department of Medicine
| | - Irina Petrache
- 1 Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Occupational Medicine, Department of Medicine.,2 Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, and
| | - Tim Lahm
- 1 Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Occupational Medicine, Department of Medicine.,2 Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, and.,3 Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
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31
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Docherty CK, Harvey KY, Mair KM, Griffin S, Denver N, MacLean MR. The Role of Sex in the Pathophysiology of Pulmonary Hypertension. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1065:511-528. [PMID: 30051404 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-77932-4_31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disease characterised by increased pulmonary vascular resistance and pulmonary artery remodelling as result of increased vascular tone and vascular cell proliferation, respectively. Eventually, this leads to right heart failure. Heritable PAH is caused by a mutation in the bone morphogenetic protein receptor-II (BMPR-II). Female susceptibility to PAH has been known for some time, and most recent figures show a female-to-male ratio of 4:1. Variations in the female sex hormone estrogen and estrogen metabolism modify FPAH risk, and penetrance of the disease in BMPR-II mutation carriers is increased in females. Several lines of evidence point towards estrogen being pathogenic in the pulmonary circulation, and thus increasing the risk of females developing PAH. Recent studies have also suggested that estrogen metabolism may be crucial in the development and progression of PAH with studies indicating that downstream metabolites such as 16α-hydroxyestrone are upregulated in several forms of experimental pulmonary hypertension (PH) and can cause pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation and subsequent vascular remodelling. Conversely, other estrogen metabolites such as 2-methoxyestradiol have been shown to be protective in the context of PAH. Estrogen may also upregulate the signalling pathways of other key mediators of PAH such as serotonin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig K Docherty
- Research Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Katie Yates Harvey
- Research Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Kirsty M Mair
- Research Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Sinead Griffin
- Research Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Nina Denver
- Research Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Margaret R MacLean
- Research Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
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32
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Rafikov R, McBride ML, Zemskova M, Kurdyukov S, McClain N, Niihori M, Langlais PR, Rafikova O. Inositol monophosphatase 1 as a novel interacting partner of RAGE in pulmonary hypertension. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2019; 316:L428-L444. [PMID: 30604625 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00393.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a lethal disease characterized by progressive pulmonary vascular remodeling. The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) plays an important role in PAH by promoting proliferation of pulmonary vascular cells. RAGE is also known to mediate activation of Akt signaling, although the particular molecular mechanism remains unknown. This study aimed to identify the interacting partner of RAGE that could facilitate RAGE-mediated Akt activation and vascular remodeling in PAH. The progressive angioproliferative PAH was induced in 24 female Sprague-Dawley rats ( n = 8/group) that were randomly assigned to develop PAH for 1, 2, or 5 wk [right ventricle systolic pressure (RVSP) 56.5 ± 3.2, 63.6 ± 1.6, and 111.1 ± 4.5 mmHg, respectively, vs. 22.9 ± 1.1 mmHg in controls]. PAH triggered early and late episodes of apoptosis in rat lungs accompanied by RAGE activation. Mass spectrometry analysis has identified IMPA1 as a novel PAH-specific interacting partner of RAGE. The proximity ligation assay (PLA) confirmed the formation of RAGE/IMPA1 complex in the pulmonary artery wall. Activation of IMPA1 in response to increased glucose 6-phosphate (G6P) is known to play a critical role in inositol synthesis and recycling. Indeed, we confirmed a threefold increase in G6P ( P = 0.0005) levels in lungs of PAH rats starting from week 1 that correlated with accumulation of phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate (PIP3), membrane translocation of PI3K, and a threefold increase in membrane Akt levels ( P = 0.02) and Akt phosphorylation. We conclude that the formation of the newly discovered RAGE-IMPA1 complex could be responsible for the stimulation of inositol pathways and activation of Akt signaling in PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruslan Rafikov
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona , Tucson, Arizona
| | - Matthew L McBride
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona , Tucson, Arizona
| | - Marina Zemskova
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona , Tucson, Arizona
| | - Sergey Kurdyukov
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona , Tucson, Arizona
| | - Nolan McClain
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona , Tucson, Arizona
| | - Maki Niihori
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona , Tucson, Arizona
| | - Paul R Langlais
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona , Tucson, Arizona
| | - Olga Rafikova
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona , Tucson, Arizona
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33
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Huang A, Sun D. Sexually Dimorphic Regulation of EET Synthesis and Metabolism: Roles of Estrogen. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:1222. [PMID: 30420806 PMCID: PMC6215857 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.01222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are metabolites of arachidonic acid via cytochrome P450 (CYP)/epoxygenase and are hydrolyzed by soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH). Circulating and tissue levels of EETs are controlled by CYP (EET synthesis) and sEH (EET degradation). Therefore, both increases in CYP activity and decreases in sEH expression potentiate EET bioavailability, responses that prevail in the female sex as a function of estrogen. This mini review, based on subtitles listed, briefly summarizes studies focusing specifically on (1) female-specific potentiation of CYP/epoxygenase activity to compensate for the endothelial dysfunction; and (2) estrogen-dependent downregulation of sEH expression, which yields divergent actions in both systemic and pulmonary circulation, respectively. Estrogen-Potentiating EET Synthesis in Response to Endothelial Dysfunction: This section summarizes the current understanding regarding the roles of estrogen in facilitating EET synthesis in response to endothelial dysfunction. In this regard, estrogen recruitment of EET-driven signaling serves as a back-up mechanism, which compensates for NO deficiency to preserve endothelium-dependent vasodilator responses and maintain normal blood pressure. Estrogen-Dependent Downregulation of Ephx2/sEH Expression: This section focuses on molecular mechanisms responsible for the female-specific downregulation of sEH expression. Roles of EETs in Systemic Circulation, as a Function of Estrogen-Dependent Downregulation of sEH: This section summarizes studies conducted on animals that are either deficient in the Ephx2 gene (sEH-KO) or have been treated with sEH inhibitors (sEHIs), and exhibit EET-mediated cardiovascular protections in the cerebral, coronary, skeletal, and splanchnic circulations. In particular, the estrogen-inherent silencing of the Ephx2 gene duplicates the action of sEH deficiency, yielding comparable adaptations in attenuated myogenic vasoconstriction, enhanced shear stress-induced vasodilation, and improved cardiac contractility among female WT mice, male sEH-KO and sEHI-treated mice. Roles of Estrogen-Driven EET Production in Pulmonary Circulation: This section reviews epidemiological and clinical studies that provide the correlation between the polymorphism, or mutation of gene(s) involving estrogen metabolism and female predisposition to pulmonary hypertension, and specifically addresses an intrinsic causation between the estrogen-dependent downregulation of Ephx2 gene/sEH expression and female-susceptibility of being pulmonary hypertensive, a topic that has never been explored before. Additionally, the issue of the “estrogen paradox” in the incidence and prognosis of pulmonary hypertension is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- An Huang
- Department of Physiology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
| | - Dong Sun
- Department of Physiology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
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34
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Htet M, Nally JE, Shaw A, Foote BE, Martin PE, Dempsie Y. Connexin 43 Plays a Role in Pulmonary Vascular Reactivity in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E1891. [PMID: 29954114 PMCID: PMC6073802 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19071891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a chronic condition characterized by vascular remodeling and increased vaso-reactivity. PAH is more common in females than in males (~3:1). Connexin (Cx)43 has been shown to be involved in cellular communication within the pulmonary vasculature. Therefore, we investigated the role of Cx43 in pulmonary vascular reactivity using Cx43 heterozygous (Cx43+/−) mice and 37,43Gap27, which is a pharmacological inhibitor of Cx37 and Cx43. Contraction and relaxation responses were studied in intra-lobar pulmonary arteries (IPAs) derived from normoxic mice and hypoxic mice using wire myography. IPAs from male Cx43+/− mice displayed a small but significant increase in the contractile response to endothelin-1 (but not 5-hydroxytryptamine) under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. There was no difference in the contractile response to endothelin-1 (ET-1) or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in IPAs derived from female Cx43+/−mice compared to wildtype mice. Relaxation responses to methacholine (MCh) were attenuated in IPAs from male and female Cx43+/− mice or by pre-incubation of IPAs with 37,43Gap27. Nω-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) fully inhibited MCh-induced relaxation. In conclusion, Cx43 is involved in nitric oxide (NO)-induced pulmonary vascular relaxation and plays a gender-specific and agonist-specific role in pulmonary vascular contractility. Therefore, reduced Cx43 signaling may contribute to pulmonary vascular dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myo Htet
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow G4 0BA, UK.
| | - Jane E Nally
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow G4 0BA, UK.
| | - Andrew Shaw
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow G4 0BA, UK.
| | - Bradley E Foote
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow G4 0BA, UK.
| | - Patricia E Martin
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow G4 0BA, UK.
| | - Yvonne Dempsie
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow G4 0BA, UK.
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35
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Wu WH, Yuan P, Zhang SJ, Jiang X, Wu C, Li Y, Liu SF, Liu QQ, Li JH, Pudasaini B, Hu QH, Dupuis J, Jing ZC. Impact of Pituitary-Gonadal Axis Hormones on Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Men. Hypertension 2018; 72:151-158. [PMID: 29712743 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.118.10963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Revised: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The association of sex hormone (estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone) with cardiopulmonary disease has already attracted great attention, especially in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, the impact of sex hormones and their pituitary stimulators (follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone) on PAH in men remains unclear. We conducted a prospective cohort study recruiting 95 patients with idiopathic PAH from 2008 to 2014 and following up for a median of 65 months for death. Compared with control, abnormal plasma levels of sex hormones were more common in patients with PAH. Higher estradiol and estradiol/testosterone levels were associated with risk of PAH diagnosis (odds ratio per ln estradiol, 3.55; P<0.001; odds ratio per ln estradiol/testosterone, 4.30; P<0.001), whereas higher testosterone and progesterone were associated with a reduced risk (odds ratio per ln testosterone, 0.48; P=0.003; odds ratio per ln progesterone, 0.09; P<0.001). Fifty patients died during follow-up. Men with higher estradiol had increased mortality (hazard ratio per ln estradiol, 2.02; P=0.007), even after adjustment for baseline characteristics and PAH treatment. According to receiver operating characteristic analysis, patients with PAH with higher estradiol level (≥145.55 pmol/L) had worse 5-year survival rate compared with those with lower estradiol (38.6% versus 68.2%; log-rank test P=0.001). Therefore, our data show higher estradiol, estradiol/testosterone ratio, lower testosterone, and progesterone were associated with increased risk of PAH. Meanwhile, higher estradiol was independently associated with higher mortality in men with PAH. Further studies are needed to explain the origin of these hormonal derangements and their potential pathophysiological implications in PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Hui Wu
- From the Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Circulation, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, China (W.-H.W., P.Y., S.-J.Z., Y.L., B.P.)
| | - Ping Yuan
- From the Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Circulation, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, China (W.-H.W., P.Y., S.-J.Z., Y.L., B.P.)
| | - Si-Jin Zhang
- From the Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Circulation, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, China (W.-H.W., P.Y., S.-J.Z., Y.L., B.P.)
| | - Xin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, FuWai Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Vascular Medicine, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing (X.J., S.-F.L., Q.-Q.L., J.-H.L., Z.-C.J.)
| | - Cheng Wu
- Department of Health Statistics, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China (C.W.)
| | - Yuan Li
- From the Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Circulation, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, China (W.-H.W., P.Y., S.-J.Z., Y.L., B.P.)
| | - Shao-Fei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, FuWai Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Vascular Medicine, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing (X.J., S.-F.L., Q.-Q.L., J.-H.L., Z.-C.J.)
| | - Qian-Qian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, FuWai Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Vascular Medicine, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing (X.J., S.-F.L., Q.-Q.L., J.-H.L., Z.-C.J.)
| | - Jing-Hui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, FuWai Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Vascular Medicine, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing (X.J., S.-F.L., Q.-Q.L., J.-H.L., Z.-C.J.)
| | - Bigyan Pudasaini
- From the Department of Cardio-Pulmonary Circulation, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, China (W.-H.W., P.Y., S.-J.Z., Y.L., B.P.)
| | - Qing-Hua Hu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China (Q.-H.H.)
| | - Jocelyn Dupuis
- Montreal Heart Institute Research Center, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada (J.D.)
| | - Zhi-Cheng Jing
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, FuWai Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Vascular Medicine, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing (X.J., S.-F.L., Q.-Q.L., J.-H.L., Z.-C.J.)
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36
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Abstract
Following its initial description over a century ago, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) continues to challenge researchers committed to understanding its pathobiology and finding a cure. The last two decades have seen major developments in our understanding of the genetics and molecular basis of PAH that drive cells within the pulmonary vascular wall to produce obstructive vascular lesions; presently, the field of PAH research has taken numerous approaches to dissect the complex amalgam of genetic, molecular and inflammatory pathways that interact to initiate and drive disease progression. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of PAH pathology and the role that genetic factors and environmental influences share in the development of vascular lesions and abnormal cell function. We also discuss how animal models can assist in elucidating gene function and the study of novel therapeutics, while at the same time addressing the limitations of the most commonly used rodent models. Novel experimental approaches based on application of next generation sequencing, bioinformatics and epigenetics research are also discussed as these are now being actively used to facilitate the discovery of novel gene mutations and mechanisms that regulate gene expression in PAH. Finally, we touch on recent discoveries concerning the role of inflammation and immunity in PAH pathobiology and how they are being targeted with immunomodulatory agents. We conclude that the field of PAH research is actively expanding and the major challenge in the coming years is to develop a unified theory that incorporates genetic and mechanistic data to address viable areas for disease modifying drugs that can target key processes that regulate the evolution of vascular pathology of PAH.
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Yang YM, Sehgal PB. Smooth Muscle-Specific BCL6+/- Knockout Abrogates Sex Bias in Chronic Hypoxia-Induced Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Mice. Int J Endocrinol 2018; 2018:3473105. [PMID: 30140283 PMCID: PMC6081567 DOI: 10.1155/2018/3473105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The "estrogen paradox" in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) refers to observations that while there is a higher incidence of idiopathic PAH in women, rodent models of PAH show male dominance and estrogens are protective. To explain these differences, we previously proposed the neuroendocrine-STAT5-BCL6 hypothesis anchored in the sex-biased and species-specific patterns of growth hormone (GH) secretion by the pituitary, the targeting of the hypothalamus by estrogens to feminize GH secretion patterns, and the role of the transcription factors STAT5a/b and BCL6 as downstream mediators of this patterned GH-driven sex bias. As a test of this hypothesis, we previously reported that vascular smooth muscle cell- (SMC-) specific deletion of the STAT5a/b locus abrogated the male-dominant sex bias in the chronic hypoxia model of PAH in mice. In the present study, we confirmed reduced BCL6 expression in pulmonary arterial (PA) segments in both male and female SMC:STAT5a/b-/- mice. In order to test the proposed contribution of BCL6 to sex bias in PAH, we developed mice with SMC-specific deletion of BCL6+/- by crossing SM22α-Cre mice with BCL6-floxed mice and investigated sex bias in these mutant mice in the chronic hypoxia model of PAH. We observed that the male-bias observed in wild-type- (wt-) SM22α-Cre-positive mice was abrogated in the SMC:BCL6+/- knockouts-both males and females showed equivalent enhancement of indices of PAH. The new data confirm BCL6 as a contributor to the sex-bias phenotype observed in hypoxic PAH in mice and support the neuroendocrine-STAT5-BCL6 hypothesis of sex bias in this experimental model of vascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang-Ming Yang
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Pravin B. Sehgal
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
- Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
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38
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Fei F, Qu J, Li C, Wang X, Li Y, Zhang S. Role of metastasis-induced protein S100A4 in human non-tumor pathophysiologies. Cell Biosci 2017; 7:64. [PMID: 29204268 PMCID: PMC5702147 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-017-0191-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
S100A4, an important member of the S100 family of proteins, is best known for its significant role in promoting cancer progression and metastasis. In addition to its expression in tumors, upregulation of S100A4 expression has been associated with various non-tumor pathophysiology processes. However, the mechanisms underlying the role of S100A4 remain unclear. Activated “host” cells (fibroblasts, immunocytes, vascular cells, among others) secrete S100A4 into the extracellular space in various non-tumor human disorders, where it executes its biological functions by interacting with intracellular target proteins. However, the exact molecular mechanisms underlying these interactions in different non-tumor pathophysiologies vary, and S100A4 is likely one of the cross-linking factors that acts as common intrinsic constituents of biological mechanisms. Numerous studies have indicated that the S100A4-mediated epithelial–mesenchymal transition plays a vital role in the occurrence and development of various non-tumor pathophysiologies. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition can be categorized into three general subtypes based on the phenotype and function of the output cells. S100A4 regulates tissue fibrosis associated with the type II epithelial–mesenchymal transition via various signaling pathways. Additionally, S100A4 stimulates fibroblasts to secrete fibronectin and collagen, thus forming the structural components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and stimulating their deposition in tissues, contributing to the formation of a pro-inflammatory niche. Simultaneously, S100A4 enhances the motility of macrophages, neutrophils, and leukocytes and promotes the recruitment and chemotaxis of these inflammatory cells to regulate inflammation and immune functions. S100A4 also exerts a neuroprotective pro-survival effect on neurons by rescuing them from brain injury and participates in angiogenesis by interacting with other target molecules. In this review, we summarize the role of S100A4 in fibrosis, inflammation, immune response, neuroprotection, angiogenesis, and some common non-tumor diseases as well as its possible involvement in molecular pathways and potential clinical value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Fei
- Nankai University School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071 People's Republic of China.,Departments of Pathology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, 300121 People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Qu
- Nankai University School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071 People's Republic of China.,Departments of Pathology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, 300121 People's Republic of China
| | - Chunyuan Li
- Nankai University School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071 People's Republic of China.,Departments of Pathology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, 300121 People's Republic of China
| | - Xinlu Wang
- Departments of Pathology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, 300121 People's Republic of China.,Graduate School, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300193 People's Republic of China
| | - Yuwei Li
- Departments of Colorectal Surgery, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, 300121 People's Republic of China
| | - Shiwu Zhang
- Departments of Pathology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, 300121 People's Republic of China
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Kawut SM, Archer-Chicko CL, DeMichele A, Fritz JS, Klinger JR, Ky B, Palevsky HI, Palmisciano AJ, Patel M, Pinder D, Propert KJ, Smith KA, Stanczyk F, Tracy R, Vaidya A, Whittenhall ME, Ventetuolo CE. Anastrozole in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-controlled Trial. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2017; 195:360-368. [PMID: 27602993 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201605-1024oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE The aromatase inhibitor anastrozole blocks the conversion of androgens to estrogen and blunts pulmonary hypertension in animals, but its efficacy in treating patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is unknown. OBJECTIVES We aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of anastrozole in PAH. METHODS We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of anastrozole in patients with PAH who received background therapy at two centers. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS A total of 18 patients with PAH were randomized to anastrozole 1 mg or matching placebo in a 2:1 ratio. The two co-primary outcomes were percent change from baseline in 17β-estradiol levels (E2) and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) at 3 months. Anastrozole significantly reduced E2 levels compared with placebo (percent change: -40%; interquartile range [IQR], -61 to -26% vs. -4%; IQR, -14 to +4%; P = 0.003), but there was no difference in TAPSE. Anastrozole significantly increased the 6-minute-walk distance (median change = +26 m) compared with placebo (median change = -12 m) (median percent change: anastrozole group, 8%; IQR, 2 to 17% vs. placebo -2%; IQR, -7 to +1%; P = 0.042). Anastrozole had no effect on circulating biomarkers, functional class, or health-related quality of life. There was no difference in adverse events. CONCLUSIONS Anastrozole significantly reduced E2 levels in patients with PAH but had no effect on TAPSE. Anastrozole was safe, well tolerated, and improved 6-minute-walk distance in this small "proof-of-principle" study. Larger and longer phase II clinical trials of anastrozole may be warranted in patients with PAH. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT 1545336).
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven M Kawut
- 1 Department of Medicine and.,2 Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | | | | | | | - James R Klinger
- 3 Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island.,4 Department of Medicine, and
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Kathleen J Propert
- 2 Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Frank Stanczyk
- 5 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California; and
| | - Russell Tracy
- 6 Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Vermont School of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont
| | | | - Mary E Whittenhall
- 3 Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island.,4 Department of Medicine, and
| | - Corey E Ventetuolo
- 3 Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island.,4 Department of Medicine, and.,7 Department of Health Services, Policy and Practice, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
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40
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Frump AL, Albrecht ME, McClintick JN, Lahm T. Estrogen receptor-dependent attenuation of hypoxia-induced changes in the lung genome of pulmonary hypertension rats. Pulm Circ 2017; 7:232-243. [PMID: 28680582 PMCID: PMC5448529 DOI: 10.1177/2045893217702055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2016] [Accepted: 12/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
17β-estradiol (E2) exerts complex and context-dependent effects in pulmonary hypertension. In hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension (HPH), E2 attenuates lung vascular remodeling through estrogen receptor (ER)-dependent effects; however, ER target genes in the hypoxic lung remain unknown. In order to identify the genome regulated by the E2-ER axis in the hypoxic lung, we performed a microarray analysis in lungs from HPH rats treated with E2 (75 mcg/kg/day) ± ER-antagonist ICI182,780 (3 mg/kg/day). Untreated HPH rats and normoxic rats served as controls. Using a false discovery rate of 10%, we identified a significantly differentially regulated genome in E2-treated versus untreated hypoxia rats. Genes most upregulated by E2 encoded matrix metalloproteinase 8, S100 calcium binding protein A8, and IgA Fc receptor; genes most downregulated by E2 encoded olfactory receptor 63, secreted frizzled-related protein 2, and thrombospondin 2. Several genes affected by E2 changed in the opposite direction after ICI182,780 co-treatment, indicating an ER-regulated genome in HPH lungs. The bone morphogenetic protein antagonist Grem1 (gremlin 1) was upregulated by hypoxia, but found to be among the most downregulated genes after E2 treatment. Gremlin 1 protein was reduced in E2-treated versus untreated hypoxic animals, and ER-blockade abolished the inhibitory effect of E2 on Grem1 mRNA and protein. In conclusion, E2 ER-dependently regulates several genes involved in proliferative and inflammatory processes during hypoxia. Gremlin 1 is a novel target of the E2-ER axis in HPH. Understanding the mechanisms of E2 gene regulation in HPH may allow for selectively harnessing beneficial transcriptional activities of E2 for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea L Frump
- Department of Medicine; Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Occupational Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Marjorie E Albrecht
- Department of Medicine; Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Occupational Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Jeanette N McClintick
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Center for Medical Genomics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Tim Lahm
- Department of Medicine; Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Occupational Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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41
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Rothman A, Wiencek RG, Davidson S, Evans WN, Restrepo H, Sarukhanov V, Mann D. Challenges in the development of chronic pulmonary hypertension models in large animals. Pulm Circ 2017; 7:156-166. [PMID: 28680575 PMCID: PMC5448539 DOI: 10.1086/690099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) results in significant morbidity and mortality. Chronic PH animal models may advance the study of PH's mechanisms, evolution, and therapy. In this report, we describe the challenges and successes in developing three models of chronic PH in large animals: two models (one canine and one swine) utilized repeated infusions of ceramic microspheres into the pulmonary vascular bed, and the third model employed a surgical aorto-pulmonary shunt. In the canine model, seven dogs underwent microsphere infusions that resulted in progressive elevation of pulmonary arterial pressure over a few months. In this model, pulmonary endoarterial tissue was obtained for histology. In the aorto-pulmonary shunt swine model, 17 pigs developed systemic level pulmonary pressures after 2-3 months. In this model, pulmonary endoarterial tissue was sequentially obtained to assess for changes in gene and microRNA expression. In the swine microsphere infusion model, three pigs developed only a modest chronic increase in pulmonary arterial pressure, despite repeated infusions of microspheres (up to 40 in one animal). The main purpose of this model was for vasodilator testing, which was performed successfully immediately after acute microsphere infusions. Chronic PH in large animal models can be successfully created; however, a model's characteristics need to match the investigational goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraham Rothman
- Children's Heart Center Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA.,University of Nevada, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Robert G Wiencek
- Stanford University, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Cardiothoracic Dignity Healthcare, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | | | - William N Evans
- Children's Heart Center Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA.,University of Nevada, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Humberto Restrepo
- Children's Heart Center Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA.,University of Nevada, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Las Vegas, NV, USA
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42
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Frump AL, Datta A, Ghose S, West J, de Caestecker MP. Genotype-phenotype effects of Bmpr2 mutations on disease severity in mouse models of pulmonary hypertension. Pulm Circ 2017; 6:597-607. [PMID: 28090303 DOI: 10.1086/688930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
More than 350 mutations in the type-2 BMP (bone morphogenetic protein) receptor, BMPR2, have been identified in patients with heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension (HPAH). However, only 30% of BMPR2 mutation carriers develop PAH, and we cannot predict which of these carriers will develop clinical disease. One possibility is that the nature of the BMPR2 mutation affects disease severity. This hypothesis has been difficult to test clinically, given the rarity of HPAH and the complexity of the confounding genetic and environmental risk factors. To test this hypothesis, therefore, we evaluated the susceptibility to experimental pulmonary hypertension (PH) of mice carrying different HPAH-associated Bmpr2 mutations on otherwise identical genetic backgrounds. Mice with Bmpr2ΔEx4-5 mutations (Bmpr2+/-), in which the mutant protein is not expressed, develop less severe PH in response to hypoxia or hypoxia with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibition than mice with an extracellular-domain Bmpr2ΔEx2 mutation (Bmpr2ΔEx2/+), in which the mutant protein is expressed. This was associated with a marked decrease in stabilizing phosphorylation of threonine 495 endothelial nitric oxide synthase (pThr495 eNOS) in Bmpr2ΔEx2/+ compared to wild-type and Bmpr2+/- mouse lungs. These findings provide the first experimental evidence that BMPR2 mutation types influence the severity of HPAH and suggest that patients with BMPR2 mutations who express mutant BMPR2 proteins by escaping non-sense-mediated messenger RNA decay (NMD- mutations) will develop more severe disease than HPAH patients with NMD+ mutations who do not express BMPR2 mutant proteins. Since decreased levels of pThr495 eNOS are associated with increased eNOS uncoupling, our data also suggest that this effect may result from defects in eNOS function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea L Frump
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Arunima Datta
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Sampa Ghose
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - James West
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Mark P de Caestecker
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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43
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Assaggaf H, Felty Q. Gender, Estrogen, and Obliterative Lesions in the Lung. Int J Endocrinol 2017; 2017:8475701. [PMID: 28469671 PMCID: PMC5392403 DOI: 10.1155/2017/8475701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Revised: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Gender has been shown to impact the prevalence of several lung diseases such as cancer, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Controversy over the protective effects of estrogen on the cardiopulmonary system should be of no surprise as clinical trials of hormone replacement therapy have failed to show benefits observed in experimental models. Potential confounders to explain these inconsistent estrogenic effects include the dose, cellular context, and systemic versus local tissue levels of estrogen. Idiopathic PAH is disproportionately found to be up to 4 times more common in females than in males; however, estrogen levels cannot explain why males develop PAH sooner and have poorer survival. Since the sex steroid hormone 17β-estradiol is a mitogen, obliterative processes in the lung such as cell proliferation and migration may impact the growth of pulmonary tissue or vascular cells. We have reviewed evidence for biological differences of sex-specific lung obliterative lesions and highlighted cell context-specific effects of estrogen in the formation of vessel lumen-obliterating lesions. Based on this information, we provide a biological-based mechanism to explain the sex difference in PAH severity as well as propose a mechanism for the formation of obliterative vascular lesions by estrogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamza Assaggaf
- Department of Environmental & Occupational Health, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Quentin Felty
- Department of Environmental & Occupational Health, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
- *Quentin Felty:
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44
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45
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Dean A, Nilsen M, Loughlin L, Salt IP, MacLean MR. Metformin Reverses Development of Pulmonary Hypertension via Aromatase Inhibition. Hypertension 2016; 68:446-54. [DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.116.07353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2016] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Females are more susceptible to pulmonary arterial hypertension than males, although the reasons remain unclear. The hypoglycemic drug, metformin, is reported to have multiple actions, including the inhibition of aromatase and stimulation of AMP-activated protein kinase. Inhibition of aromatase using anastrazole is protective in experimental pulmonary hypertension but whether metformin attenuates pulmonary hypertension through this mechanism remains unknown. We investigated whether metformin affected aromatase activity and if it could reduce the development of pulmonary hypertension in the sugen 5416/hypoxic rat model. We also investigated its influence on proliferation in human pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells. Metformin reversed right ventricular systolic pressure, right ventricular hypertrophy, and decreased pulmonary vascular remodeling in the rat. Furthermore, metformin increased rat lung AMP-activated protein kinase signaling, decreased lung and circulating estrogen levels, levels of aromatase, the estrogen metabolizing enzyme; cytochrome P450 1B1 and its transcription factor; the aryl hydrocarbon receptor. In human pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells, metformin decreased proliferation and decreased estrogen synthesis by decreasing aromatase activity through the PII promoter site of
Cyp19a1
. Thus, we report for the first time that metformin can reverse pulmonary hypertension through inhibition of aromatase and estrogen synthesis in a manner likely to be mediated by AMP-activated protein kinase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afshan Dean
- From the Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary, and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Margaret Nilsen
- From the Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary, and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Lynn Loughlin
- From the Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary, and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Ian P. Salt
- From the Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary, and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Margaret R. MacLean
- From the Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary, and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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46
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Herwig N, Belter B, Pietzsch J. Extracellular S100A4 affects endothelial cell integrity and stimulates transmigration of A375 melanoma cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2016; 477:963-969. [PMID: 27387233 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2016] [Accepted: 07/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
High extracellular S100A4 level proves a specific characteristic of some cancer cases, including malignant melanoma. Concerning the latter, extracellular S100A4 in an autocrine manner was shown to promote prometastatic activation of A375 cells by interaction with the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE). We hypothesized that interaction of extracellular S100A4 with RAGE in a paracrine manner will affect endothelial cell (EC) integrity thus further promoting melanoma metastasis. We investigated the influence of recombinant and cell (A375)-derived S100A4 on junction protein expression and EC (hCMEC/D3) integrity by measuring transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER). Decrease of TEER and diminished expression of both occludin and VE-cadherin revealed the loss of EC integrity. Transmigration of transgenic A375 cells (A375-hS100A4/A375-hRAGE) through the EC monolayer was significantly higher compared to wild-type A375 cells, and was substantially decreased by sRAGE. A pilot study in mice, intracardially injected with A375-hS100A4 or A375-hRAGE cells, showed lower survival rates and a higher incidence of metastases compared to wild-type A375 cells. Tumor development was mostly located in the brain, bones, and ovaries. These findings provide further evidence on extracellular S100A4 as paracrine mediator of prometastatic endothelial dysfunction involving its interaction with RAGE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Herwig
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Department Radiopharmaceutical and Chemical Biology, Dresden, Germany; Technische Universität Dresden, Department of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Dresden, Germany
| | - Birgit Belter
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Department Radiopharmaceutical and Chemical Biology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jens Pietzsch
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Department Radiopharmaceutical and Chemical Biology, Dresden, Germany; Technische Universität Dresden, Department of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Dresden, Germany.
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47
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Johansen AKZ, Dean A, Morecroft I, Hood K, Nilsen M, Loughlin L, Anagnostopoulou A, Touyz RM, White K, MacLean MR. The serotonin transporter promotes a pathological estrogen metabolic pathway in pulmonary hypertension via cytochrome P450 1B1. Pulm Circ 2016; 6:82-92. [PMID: 27162617 PMCID: PMC4860551 DOI: 10.1086/685023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a devastating vasculopathy that predominates in women and has been associated with dysregulated estrogen and serotonin signaling. Overexpression of the serotonin transporter (SERT(+)) in mice results in an estrogen-dependent development of pulmonary hypertension (PH). Estrogen metabolism by cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) contributes to the pathogenesis of PAH, and serotonin can increase CYP1B1 expression in human pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (hPASMCs). We hypothesized that an increase in intracellular serotonin via increased SERT expression may dysregulate estrogen metabolism via CYP1B1 to facilitate PAH. Consistent with this hypothesis, we found elevated lung CYP1B1 protein expression in female SERT(+) mice accompanied by PH, which was attenuated by the CYP1B1 inhibitor 2,3',4,5'-tetramethoxystilbene (TMS). Lungs from female SERT(+) mice demonstrated an increase in oxidative stress that was marked by the expression of 8-hydroxyguanosine; however, this was unaffected by CYP1B1 inhibition. SERT expression was increased in monocrotaline-induced PH in female rats; however, TMS did not reverse PH in monocrotaline-treated rats but prolonged survival. Stimulation of hPASMCs with the CYP1B1 metabolite 16α-hydroxyestrone increased cellular proliferation, which was attenuated by an inhibitor (MPP) of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and a specific ERα antibody. Thus, increased intracellular serotonin caused by increased SERT expression may contribute to PAH pathobiology by dysregulation of estrogen metabolic pathways via increased CYP1B1 activity. This promotes PASMC proliferation by the formation of pathogenic metabolites of estrogen that mediate their effects via ERα. Our studies indicate that targeting this pathway in PAH may provide a promising antiproliferative therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Katrine Z Johansen
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Afshan Dean
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Ian Morecroft
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Katie Hood
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Margaret Nilsen
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Lynn Loughlin
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Aikaterini Anagnostopoulou
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Rhian M Touyz
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin White
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Margaret R MacLean
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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48
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Stevens HC, Deng L, Grant JS, Pinel K, Thomas M, Morrell NW, MacLean MR, Baker AH, Denby L. Regulation and function of miR-214 in pulmonary arterial hypertension. Pulm Circ 2016; 6:109-17. [PMID: 27162619 PMCID: PMC4860547 DOI: 10.1086/685079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) can contribute to the etiology of diseases, including pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Here we investigated a potential role for the miR-214 stem loop miRNA and the closely linked miR-199a miRNAs in PAH. All 4 miRNAs were upregulated in the lung and right ventricle (RV) in mice and rats exposed to the Sugen (SU) 5416 hypoxia model of PAH. Further, expression of the miRNAs was increased in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells exposed to transforming growth factor β1 but not BMP4. We then examined miR-214(-/-) mice exposed to the SU 5416 hypoxia model of PAH or normoxic conditions and littermate controls. There were no changes in RV systolic pressure or remodeling observed between the miR-214(-/-) and wild-type hypoxic groups. However, we observed a significant increase in RV hypertrophy (RVH) in hypoxic miR-214(-/-) male mice compared with controls. Further, we identified that the validated miR-214 target phosphatase and tensin homolog was upregulated in miR-214(-/-) mice. Thus, miR-214 stem loop loss leads to elevated RVH and may contribute to the heart failure associated with PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah C Stevens
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom; Present affiliation: Queens Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh
| | - Lin Deng
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom; Present affiliation: Queens Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh
| | - Jennifer S Grant
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom; Present affiliation: Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Karine Pinel
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom; Present affiliation: Queens Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh
| | - Matthew Thomas
- Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Frimley Business Park, Frimley, Camberley, Surrey, United Kingdom; Present affiliations: AstraZeneca Research and Development and Göteborgs Universitet, Vastra Gotaland County, Sweden
| | - Nicholas W Morrell
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Margaret R MacLean
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew H Baker
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom; Present affiliation: Queens Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh; These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Laura Denby
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom; Present affiliation: Queens Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh; These authors contributed equally to this work
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Hatano M. Potential of Receptor for Advanced Glycation End-Products (RAGE) as an Eligible Biomarker for Therapy Evaluation in Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension. Int Heart J 2016; 57:132-3. [PMID: 26973280 DOI: 10.1536/ihj.16-073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Masaru Hatano
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo
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50
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Yang L, Yu D, Mo R, Zhang J, Hua H, Hu L, Feng Y, Wang S, Zhang WY, Yin N, Mo XM. The Succinate Receptor GPR91 Is Involved in Pressure Overload-Induced Ventricular Hypertrophy. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0147597. [PMID: 26824665 PMCID: PMC4732750 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0147597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2014] [Accepted: 01/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Pulmonary arterial hypertension is characterized by increased pressure overload that leads to right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH). GPR91 is a formerly orphan G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that has been characterized as a receptor for succinate; however, its role in RVH remains unknown. Methods and Results We investigated the role of succinate-GPR91 signaling in a pulmonary arterial banding (PAB) model of RVH induced by pressure overload in SD rats. GPR91 was shown to be located in cardiomyocytes. In the sham and PAB rats, succinate treatment further aggravated RVH, up-regulated RVH-associated genes and increased p-Akt/t-Akt levels in vivo. In vitro, succinate treatment up-regulated the levels of the hypertrophic gene marker anp and p-Akt/t-Akt in cardiomyocytes. All these effects were inhibited by the PI3K antagonist wortmannin both in vivo and in vitro. Finally, we noted that the GPR91-PI3K/Akt axis was also up-regulated compared to that in human RVH. Conclusions Our findings indicate that succinate-GPR91 signaling may be involved in RVH via PI3K/Akt signaling in vivo and in vitro. Therefore, GPR91 may be a novel therapeutic target for treating pressure overload-induced RVH.
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MESH Headings
- Androstadienes/pharmacology
- Animals
- Atrial Natriuretic Factor/genetics
- Atrial Natriuretic Factor/metabolism
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Heart Ventricles/metabolism
- Heart Ventricles/pathology
- Heart Ventricles/physiopathology
- Humans
- Hypertension, Pulmonary/genetics
- Hypertension, Pulmonary/metabolism
- Hypertension, Pulmonary/pathology
- Hypertension, Pulmonary/physiopathology
- Hypertrophy, Right Ventricular/genetics
- Hypertrophy, Right Ventricular/metabolism
- Hypertrophy, Right Ventricular/pathology
- Hypertrophy, Right Ventricular/physiopathology
- Myocytes, Cardiac/cytology
- Myocytes, Cardiac/drug effects
- Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism
- Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics
- Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism
- Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors
- Phosphorylation
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism
- Pulmonary Artery/metabolism
- Pulmonary Artery/pathology
- Pulmonary Artery/surgery
- RNA, Small Interfering/genetics
- RNA, Small Interfering/metabolism
- Rats
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/genetics
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/metabolism
- Signal Transduction
- Stroke Volume
- Succinic Acid/metabolism
- Succinic Acid/pharmacology
- Wortmannin
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing Children's Hospital, Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Di Yu
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Nanjing Children's Hospital, Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ran Mo
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, the affiliated hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiru Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi No.4 People’s Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Hu Hua
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Nanjing Children's Hospital, Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Liang Hu
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Nanjing Children's Hospital, Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yu Feng
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Nanjing Children's Hospital, Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Song Wang
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Nanjing Children's Hospital, Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei-yan Zhang
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Nanjing Children's Hospital, Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ning Yin
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
- * E-mail: (XMM); (NY)
| | - Xu-Ming Mo
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Nanjing Children's Hospital, Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- * E-mail: (XMM); (NY)
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