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Shen Y, Xu LR, Yan D, Zhou M, Han TL, Lu C, Tang X, Lin CP, Qian RZ, Guo DQ. BMAL1 modulates smooth muscle cells phenotypic switch towards fibroblast-like cells and stabilizes atherosclerotic plaques by upregulating YAP1. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2022; 1868:166450. [PMID: 35598770 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2022.166450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ischemic heart diseases and ischemic stroke are closely related to circadian clock and unstable atherosclerotic plaques. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) can stabilize or destabilize an atherosclerotic lesion through phenotypic switch. BMAL1 is not only an indispensable core component in circadian clock but also an important regulator in atherosclerosis and VSMCs proliferation. However, little is known about the modulation mechanisms of BMAL1 in VSMCs phenotypic switch and atherosclerotic plaque stability. METHODS We integrated histological analysis of human plaques, in vivo experiments of VSMC-specific Bmal1-/- mice, in vitro experiments, and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) of public datasets of human plaques to explore the function of BMAL1 in VSMCs phonotypic switch and plaque stability. FINDINGS Comparing to human unstable plaques, BMAL1 was higher in stable plaques, accompanied by elevated YAP1 and fibroblast maker FSP1 which were positively correlated with BMAL1. In response to Methyl-β-cyclodextrin-cholesterol, oxidized-low-density-lipoprotein and platelet-derived-growth-factor-BB, VSMCs embarked on phenotypic switch and upregulated BMAL, YAP1 and FSP1. Besides, BMAL1 overexpression promoted VSMCs phonotypic switch towards fibroblast-like cells by transcriptionally upregulating the expression of YAP1. BMAL1 or YAP1 knock-down inhibited VSMCs phonotypic switch and downregulated FSP1. Furthermore, VSMC-specific Bmal1-/- mice exhibited VSMCs with lower YAP1 and FSP1 levels, and more vulnerable plaques with less collagen content. In addition, BMAL1 suppressed the migration of VSMCs. The GSEA results of public datasets were consistent with our laboratory findings. INTERPRETATION Our results highlight the importance of BMAL1 as a major regulator in VSMCs phenotypic switch towards fibroblast-like cells which stabilize an atherosclerotic plaque.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Shen
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Institute of Vascular Surgery, National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Rd., Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Li-Rong Xu
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Dong Yan
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Institute of Vascular Surgery, National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Rd., Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Min Zhou
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Institute of Vascular Surgery, National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Rd., Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Tong-Lei Han
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Institute of Vascular Surgery, National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Rd., Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Chao Lu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Rd., Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xiao Tang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Institute of Vascular Surgery, National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Rd., Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Chang-Po Lin
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Institute of Vascular Surgery, National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Rd., Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Rui-Zhe Qian
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Rd., Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Da-Qiao Guo
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Institute of Vascular Surgery, National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Rd., Shanghai 200032, China.
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Lin C, Xu L, Tang X, Li X, Lu C, Cheng Q, Jiang J, Shen Y, Yan D, Qian R, Fu W, Guo D. Clock Gene Bmal1 Disruption in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Worsens Carotid Atherosclerotic Lesions. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2022; 42:565-579. [PMID: 35236106 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.121.316480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clock system disruptions are associated with cardiovascular diseases. We previously demonstrated Bmal1 (brain muscle aryl nuclear translocase like-1) expression is significantly attenuated in plaque-derived vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). However, the influence of Bmal1 disruption in VSMCs and its molecular targets are still unclear. Here, we aim to define how Bmal1 disruption in VSMCs influences the atherosclerosis lesions. METHODS The relationship among Bmal1, neurological symptoms, and plaque stability was investigated. VSMC Bmal1-/- and VSMC Bmal1+/+mice were generated and injected with adeno associated virus encoding mutant proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 to induce atherosclerosis. Carotid artery ligation and cuff placement were performed in these mice to confirm the role of Bmal1 in atherosclerosis progression. The relevant molecular mechanisms were then explored. RESULTS Bmal1 expression in the carotid plague was significantly lower in symptomatic patients as well as in unstable plaques. Moreover, Bmal1 reduction is an independent risk factor for neurological symptoms and plaque instability. Besides, VSMC Bmal1-/- mice exhibit aggravated atherosclerotic lesions. Further study demonstrated that Bmal1 downregulation in VSMCs increased VSMC migration, monocyte transmigration, reactive oxygen species levels, and VSMCs apoptosis. As for the mechanism, we revealed that Bmal1 suppresses VSMCs migration by inhibiting RAC1 activity in 2 ways: by activating the transcription of RhoGDIα and by interacting with RAC1. Besides, Bmal1 was shown to preserve antioxidant function in VSMCs by activating Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) and Bcl-2 transcription. CONCLUSIONS Bmal1 disruption in VSMCs worsens atherosclerosis by promoting VSMC migration and monocyte transmigration and impairing antioxidant function. Therefore, Bmal1 may be a potential therapeutic target and biomarker of atherosclerosis in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changpo Lin
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Institute of Vascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China (C.L., X.T., J.J., Y.S., D.Y., W.F., D.G.).,National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai, China (C.L., X.T., J.J., Y.S., D.Y., W.F., D.G.).,Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, China (C.L., X.T., J.J., Y.S., D.Y., W.F., D.G.)
| | - Lirong Xu
- National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai, China (C.L., X.T., J.J., Y.S., D.Y., W.F., D.G.).,Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, China (C.L., X.T., J.J., Y.S., D.Y., W.F., D.G.)
| | - Xiao Tang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Institute of Vascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China (C.L., X.T., J.J., Y.S., D.Y., W.F., D.G.)
| | - Xiaobo Li
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China (L.X.).,Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, China (X.L., C.L., Q.C., R.Q.)
| | - Chao Lu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, China (X.L., C.L., Q.C., R.Q.)
| | - Qianyun Cheng
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, China (X.L., C.L., Q.C., R.Q.)
| | - Junhao Jiang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Institute of Vascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China (C.L., X.T., J.J., Y.S., D.Y., W.F., D.G.).,National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai, China (C.L., X.T., J.J., Y.S., D.Y., W.F., D.G.).,Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, China (C.L., X.T., J.J., Y.S., D.Y., W.F., D.G.)
| | - Yang Shen
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Institute of Vascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China (C.L., X.T., J.J., Y.S., D.Y., W.F., D.G.).,National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai, China (C.L., X.T., J.J., Y.S., D.Y., W.F., D.G.).,Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, China (C.L., X.T., J.J., Y.S., D.Y., W.F., D.G.)
| | - Dong Yan
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Institute of Vascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China (C.L., X.T., J.J., Y.S., D.Y., W.F., D.G.).,National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai, China (C.L., X.T., J.J., Y.S., D.Y., W.F., D.G.).,Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, China (C.L., X.T., J.J., Y.S., D.Y., W.F., D.G.)
| | - Ruizhe Qian
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, China (X.L., C.L., Q.C., R.Q.)
| | - Weiguo Fu
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Institute of Vascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China (C.L., X.T., J.J., Y.S., D.Y., W.F., D.G.).,National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai, China (C.L., X.T., J.J., Y.S., D.Y., W.F., D.G.).,Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, China (C.L., X.T., J.J., Y.S., D.Y., W.F., D.G.)
| | - Daqiao Guo
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Institute of Vascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China (C.L., X.T., J.J., Y.S., D.Y., W.F., D.G.).,National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai, China (C.L., X.T., J.J., Y.S., D.Y., W.F., D.G.).,Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, China (C.L., X.T., J.J., Y.S., D.Y., W.F., D.G.)
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Luan J, Yang K, Ding Y, Zhang X, Wang Y, Cui H, Zhou D, Chen L, Ma Z, Wang W, Zhang W, Liu X. Valsartan-mediated chronotherapy in spontaneously hypertensive rats via targeting clock gene expression in vascular smooth muscle cells. Arch Physiol Biochem 2022; 128:490-500. [PMID: 31794282 DOI: 10.1080/13813455.2019.1695840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study was to investigate the underlying mechanisms of valsartan chronotherapy in regulating blood pressure variability. METHODS RT-PCR was used to assay clock genes expression rhythm in the hypothalamus, aortic vessels, and target organs after valsartan chronotherapy. WB was used to measure Period 1 (Per1), Period 2 (Per2) protein expression in aortic vessels, as well as to measure phosphorylation of 20-kDa regulatory myosin light chain (MLC20) in VSMCs. RESULTS Specific clock genes in the hypothalamus, and Per1 and Per2 in aorta abdominalis, exhibited disordered circadian expression in vivo. Valsartan asleep time administration (VSA) restored circadian clock gene expression in a tissue- and gene-specific manner. In vitro, VSA was more efficient in blocking angiotensin II relative to VWA, which led to differential circadian rhythms of Per1 and Per2, ultimately corrected MLC20 phosphorylation. CONCLUSION VSA may be efficacious in regulating circadian clock genes rhythm, then concomitantly correct circadian blood pressure rhythms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajie Luan
- Department of Pharmacy, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui, P.R. China
- School of Pharmacy, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, P.R. China
| | - Kui Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui, P.R. China
- School of Pharmacy, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, P.R. China
| | - Yanyun Ding
- Department of Pharmacy, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui, P.R. China
- School of Pharmacy, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, P.R. China
| | - Xiaotong Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui, P.R. China
- School of Pharmacy, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, P.R. China
| | - Yaqin Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui, P.R. China
- School of Pharmacy, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, P.R. China
| | - Haiju Cui
- Department of Pharmacy, XuanCheng Vocational and Technical college, XuanCheng, Anhui, P.R. China
| | - Deixi Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui, P.R. China
| | - Lu Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui, P.R. China
| | - Zhangqing Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, P.R. China
| | - Wusan Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, P.R. China
| | - Wen Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui, P.R. China
- School of Pharmacy, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoyun Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui, P.R. China
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Guo Z, Yu B, Li X, Yang X, Wang C, Fan L. Circadian misalignment promotes vascular smooth muscle cell apoptosis via defective autophagy. J Mol Histol 2021; 52:799-808. [PMID: 34131827 DOI: 10.1007/s10735-021-10000-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Defective autophagy in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in response to oxidative stress can lead to cellular apoptosis and plaque instability. Previous studies have revealed that the circadian clock system is involved in autophagic regulation and plaque progression. However, the mechanism by which circadian rhythmicity influences VSMC autophagy and plaque stability remains unclear. Our study described the circadian profiles in atheromatous plaques and verified the role of circadian misalignment in VSMC autophagy and apoptosis. We found that the mRNA expression levels of circadian locomotor output cycles protein kaput (CLOCK) and Beclin 1 were significantly decreased in unstable plaques compared with stable plaques. No significant differences were observed in other circadian rhythm genes. VSMCs treated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL, 80 μg/ml) exhibited abnormal circadian rhythmicity and impaired autophagy, as evidenced by consistent decreases in CLOCK and Beclin 1 expression, suggesting a correlation between CLOCK and autophagy. CLOCK protein expression was inhibited by ox-LDL, accompanied by defective autophagy and an increased apoptosis rates (P < 0.05). Administration of rapamycin (10 nM) reversed the effect of ox-LDL on VSMC autophagy and apoptosis. Finally, CLOCK silencing led to a considerable decrease in autophagy. VSMCs with stable CLOCK silencing also showed an increased apoptosis rate. In addition, gene silencing of CLOCK in VSMCs counteracted the effects of moderate rapamycin concentrations on autophagy and apoptosis. In conclusion, these findings suggested that the CLOCK-dependent rapamycin signaling pathway is a critical mediator in ox-LDL-induced VSMCs with defective autophagy that exacerbates plaque destabilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyu Guo
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Qingpu Branch of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 1158 Park Road, Qingpu, Shanghai, 201700, China
| | - Baixue Yu
- Biomedical Research Centre, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xu Li
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Qingpu Branch of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 1158 Park Road, Qingpu, Shanghai, 201700, China
| | - Xiaohu Yang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Qingpu Branch of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 1158 Park Road, Qingpu, Shanghai, 201700, China
| | - Chen Wang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Longhua Fan
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Qingpu Branch of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 1158 Park Road, Qingpu, Shanghai, 201700, China. .,Department of Vascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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