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Zhao Y, Yang Y, Wu X, Zhang L, Cai X, Ji J, Chen S, Vera A, Boström KI, Yao Y. CDK1 inhibition reduces osteogenesis in endothelial cells in vascular calcification. JCI Insight 2024; 9:e176065. [PMID: 38456502 PMCID: PMC10972591 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.176065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Vascular calcification is a severe complication of cardiovascular diseases. Previous studies demonstrated that endothelial lineage cells transitioned into osteoblast-like cells and contributed to vascular calcification. Here, we found that inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) prevented endothelial lineage cells from transitioning to osteoblast-like cells and reduced vascular calcification. We identified a robust induction of CDK1 in endothelial cells (ECs) in calcified arteries and showed that EC-specific gene deletion of CDK1 decreased the calcification. We found that limiting CDK1 induced E-twenty-six specific sequence variant 2 (ETV2), which was responsible for blocking endothelial lineage cells from undergoing osteoblast differentiation. We also found that inhibition of CDK1 reduced vascular calcification in a diabetic mouse model. Together, the results highlight the importance of CDK1 suppression and suggest CDK1 inhibition as a potential option for treating vascular calcification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhao
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Yang Yang
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Xiuju Wu
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Li Zhang
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Xinjiang Cai
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jaden Ji
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Sydney Chen
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Abigail Vera
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Kristina I. Boström
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
- The Molecular Biology Institute at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Yucheng Yao
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
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2
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Zisis V, Anastasiadou PA, Poulopoulos A, Vahtsevanos K, Paraskevopoulos K, Andreadis D. A Preliminary Study of the Role of Endothelial-Mesenchymal Transitory Factor SOX 2 and CD147 in the Microvascularization of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cureus 2024; 16:e52265. [PMID: 38352102 PMCID: PMC10863931 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.52265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to detect the possible endothelial expression of embryonic-type cancer stem cells (CSC) marker SOX2 and the stemness-type CSC marker CD147 in oral potential malignant disorders (OPMDs), oral leukoplakia (OL) in particular, and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). METHODS This study focuses on the immunohistochemical pattern of expression of CSC protein-biomarkers SOX2 and CD147 in paraffin-embedded samples of 21 OSCCs of different grades of differentiation and 30 cases of OLs with different grades of dysplasia, compared to normal oral mucosa. RESULTS The protein biomarker SOX2 was expressed in the endothelial cells, but without establishing any statistically significant correlation among OSCC, OL, and normal tissue specimens. However, SOX endothelial staining was noticed in 7/30 (23.3%) cases of OL (one non-dysplastic, one mildly dysplastic, one moderately dysplastic, and four severely dysplastic cases) and 5/21 (23.8%) cases of OSCC (two well-differentiated, one moderately differentiated, and two poorly differentiated cases). Although CD147 is expressed in normal oral epithelium, OL, and OSCC neoplastic cells, its vascular-endothelial expression was noticed in only 2/5 (40%) cases of normal oral epithelium, 1/30 (3.3%) cases of OL (one severely dysplastic case), and 4/21 (19%) cases of OSCC (two well-differentiated, one moderately differentiated, and one poorly differentiated case). Therefore, no statistically significant correlation among OSCC, OL, and normal tissue specimens was established. CONCLUSION The endothelial presence of SOX2 both in oral potentially malignant and malignant lesions suggests that SOX2 may be implicated in the microvascularization process and associated with the degree of dysplasia in OL. The expression of CD147 may be attributed both to local inflammation and tumorigenesis. The implementation of CD147 in larger groups of tissue samples will shed some light on its role in cancer and inflammation. The evidence so far supports the need for more studies, which may support the clinical significance of these novel cancer stem cell biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasileios Zisis
- Oral Medicine and Pathology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, GRC
| | | | | | - Konstantinos Vahtsevanos
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Papanikolaou Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, GRC
| | | | - Dimitrios Andreadis
- Oral Medicine and Pathology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, GRC
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Ying T, Wu L, Lan T, Wei Z, Hu D, Ke Y, Jiang Q, Fang J. Adropin inhibits the progression of atherosclerosis in ApoE -/-/Enho -/- mice by regulating endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:402. [PMID: 37903785 PMCID: PMC10616072 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01697-3] [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: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Adropin, a secreted protein, coded by energy homeostasis-associated gene (Enho), is recently reported to modulate atherogenesis, with endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) involved in the early process. We explored whether adropin may alleviate atherosclerosis by regulating EndMT. We found that an intraperitoneal injection of adropin [105 μg/(kg·d) for 13 weeks] inhibited the progression of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced aortic atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice (ApoE-/-) and those with double gene deletion (ApoE-/-/Enho-/-), as detected by Oil Red O and haematoxylin-eosin staining. In the aortas of ApoE-/- mouse, adropin treatment ameliorated the decrease in the mRNA expression of endothelial cell markers (leukocyte differentiation antigen 31, CD31, and vascular endothelial cadherin, VE-cadherin), but increased that of EndMT markers (alpha smooth muscle actin, α-SMA, and fibroblasts specific protein-1). In vitro, an adropin treatment (30 ng/ml) arrested the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced EndMT in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), attenuated the morphological changes of HUVECs, reduced the number of immunofluorescence-positive α-SMA, increased the mRNA and protein expressions of CD31 and VE-cadherin, and decreased those of α-SMA. Furthermore, the adropin treatment decreased the mRNA and protein expressions of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and TGF-β2, and suppressed the phosphorylation of downstream signal protein Smad2/3 in HUVECs. These mitigative effects of adropin on H2O2-induced EndMT were reversed by the transfection of TGF-β plasmid. The findings signify that adropin treatment may alleviate the atherosclerosis in ApoE-/-/Enho-/- mice by inhibiting EndMT via the TGF-β/Smad2/3 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teng Ying
- Department of Cardiology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital; Fujian Cardiovascular Medical Center; Fujian Institute of Coronary Artery Disease; Fujian Cardiovascular Research Center, Fuzhou, PR China
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi Medical College, Shangrao, PR China
| | - LingZhen Wu
- Department of Cardiology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital; Fujian Cardiovascular Medical Center; Fujian Institute of Coronary Artery Disease; Fujian Cardiovascular Research Center, Fuzhou, PR China
| | - TingXiang Lan
- Department of Cardiology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital; Fujian Cardiovascular Medical Center; Fujian Institute of Coronary Artery Disease; Fujian Cardiovascular Research Center, Fuzhou, PR China
- Department of Ultrasound, Longyan First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Longyan, PR China
| | - ZhiXiong Wei
- Department of Cardiology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital; Fujian Cardiovascular Medical Center; Fujian Institute of Coronary Artery Disease; Fujian Cardiovascular Research Center, Fuzhou, PR China
| | - DanQing Hu
- Department of Cardiology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital; Fujian Cardiovascular Medical Center; Fujian Institute of Coronary Artery Disease; Fujian Cardiovascular Research Center, Fuzhou, PR China
- School of Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, PR China
| | - YiLang Ke
- Department of Geriatrics, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital; Fujian Key Laboratory of Vascular Aging, Fujian Institute of Geriatrics, Fuzhou, PR China
| | - Qiong Jiang
- Department of Cardiology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital; Fujian Cardiovascular Medical Center; Fujian Institute of Coronary Artery Disease; Fujian Cardiovascular Research Center, Fuzhou, PR China
| | - Jun Fang
- Department of Cardiology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital; Fujian Cardiovascular Medical Center; Fujian Institute of Coronary Artery Disease; Fujian Cardiovascular Research Center, Fuzhou, PR China.
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Lu D, Jiang H, Zou T, Jia Y, Zhao Y, Wang Z. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition: New insights into vascular calcification. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 213:115579. [PMID: 37589048 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
With the continuous progress of atherosclerosis research, the significant pathological change of it--vascular calcification (VC), gains increasing attention. In recent years, numerous studies have demonstrated that it is an independent predictor of death risk of cardiovascular disease, and it has a strong correlation with poor clinical prognosis. As the world's population continues to age, the occurrence of VC is expected to reach its highest point in the near future. Therefore, it is essential to investigate ways to prevent or even reverse this process for clinical purposes. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) describes the progressive differentiation of endothelial cells into mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) under various stimuli and acquisition of pluripotent cell characteristics. More and more studies show that EndMT plays a vital role in various cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, vascular calcification and heart valvular disease. EndMT is also involved in the formation and progression of VC. This review vividly describes the history, characteristics of EndMT and how it affects the endothelial cell process, then focuses on the relationship between vascular endothelium, EndMT, amino acid metabolism, and vascular calcification. Finally, it overviews the signal pathway of EndMT and drugs targeting EndMT, hoping to provide new ideas and a theoretical basis for studying potential therapeutic targets of VC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingkun Lu
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212001, China
| | - Han Jiang
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212001, China
| | - Ting Zou
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212001, China
| | - Yuanwang Jia
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212001, China
| | - Yunyun Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212001, China
| | - Zhongqun Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212001, China.
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5
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Furuta K, Tang X, Islam S, Tapia A, Chen ZB, Ibrahim SH. Endotheliopathy in the metabolic syndrome: Mechanisms and clinical implications. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 244:108372. [PMID: 36894027 PMCID: PMC10084912 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108372] [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: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a threat to global public health due to its lethal complications. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the hepatic manifestation of the MetS characterized by hepatic steatosis, which is potentially progressive to the inflammatory and fibrotic nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The adipose tissue (AT) is also a major metabolic organ responsible for the regulation of whole-body energy homeostasis, and thereby highly involved in the pathogenesis of the MetS. Recent studies suggest that endothelial cells (ECs) in the liver and AT are not just inert conduits but also crucial mediators in various biological processes via the interaction with other cell types in the microenvironment both under physiological and pathological conditions. Herein, we highlight the current knowledge of the role of the specialized liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) in NAFLD pathophysiology. Next, we discuss the processes through which AT EC dysfunction leads to MetS progression, with a focus on inflammation and angiogenesis in the AT as well as on endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition of AT-ECs. In addition, we touch upon the function of ECs residing in other metabolic organs including the pancreatic islet and the gut, the dysregulation of which may also contribute to the MetS. Finally, we highlight potential EC-based therapeutic targets for human MetS, and NASH based on recent achievements in basic and clinical research and discuss how to approach unsolved problems in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunimaro Furuta
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Xiaofang Tang
- Department of Diabetes Complications & Metabolism, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Shahidul Islam
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Alonso Tapia
- Department of Diabetes Complications & Metabolism, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Zhen Bouman Chen
- Department of Diabetes Complications & Metabolism, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, USA.
| | - Samar H Ibrahim
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
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6
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Boström KI, Qiao X, Zhao Y, Wu X, Zhang L, Ma JA, Ji J, Cai X, Yao Y. GSK3β Inhibition Reduced Vascular Calcification in Ins2Akita/+ Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065971. [PMID: 36983045 PMCID: PMC10054481 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065971] [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: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) drives the endothelium to contribute to vascular calcification in diabetes mellitus. In our previous study, we showed that glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) inhibition induces β-catenin and reduces mothers against DPP homolog 1 (SMAD1) to direct osteoblast-like cells toward endothelial lineage, thereby reducing vascular calcification in Matrix Gla Protein (Mgp) deficiency. Here, we report that GSK3β inhibition reduces vascular calcification in diabetic Ins2Akita/wt mice. Cell lineage tracing reveals that GSK3β inhibition redirects endothelial cell (EC)-derived osteoblast-like cells back to endothelial lineage in the diabetic endothelium of Ins2Akita/wt mice. We also find that the alterations in β-catenin and SMAD1 by GSK3β inhibition in the aortic endothelium of diabetic Ins2Akita/wt mice are similar to Mgp-/- mice. Together, our results suggest that GSK3β inhibition reduces vascular calcification in diabetic arteries through a similar mechanism to that in Mgp-/- mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina I Boström
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1679, USA
- The Molecular Biology Institute at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1570, USA
| | - Xiaojing Qiao
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1679, USA
| | - Yan Zhao
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1679, USA
| | - Xiuju Wu
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1679, USA
| | - Li Zhang
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1679, USA
| | - Jocelyn A Ma
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1679, USA
| | - Jaden Ji
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1679, USA
| | - Xinjiang Cai
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1679, USA
| | - Yucheng Yao
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1679, USA
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7
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Jiang H, Li L, Zhang L, Zang G, Sun Z, Wang Z. Role of endothelial cells in vascular calcification. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:895005. [PMID: 35928939 PMCID: PMC9343736 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.895005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular calcification (VC) is active and regulates extraosseous ossification progress, which is an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Endothelial cells (ECs) line the innermost layer of blood vessels and directly respond to changes in flow shear stress and blood composition. Together with vascular smooth muscle cells, ECs maintain vascular homeostasis. Increased evidence shows that ECs have irreplaceable roles in VC due to their high plasticity. Endothelial progenitor cells, oxidative stress, inflammation, autocrine and paracrine functions, mechanotransduction, endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), and other factors prompt ECs to participate in VC. EndMT is a dedifferentiation process by which ECs lose their cell lineage and acquire other cell lineages; this progress coexists in both embryonic development and CVD. EndMT is regulated by several signaling molecules and transcription factors and ultimately mediates VC via osteogenic differentiation. The specific molecular mechanism of EndMT remains unclear. Can EndMT be reversed to treat VC? To address this and other questions, this study reviews the pathogenesis and research progress of VC, expounds the role of ECs in VC, and focuses on the regulatory factors underlying EndMT, with a view to providing new concepts for VC prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Jiang
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Lihua Li
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Lili Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Guangyao Zang
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Zhen Sun
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Zhongqun Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
- *Correspondence: Zhongqun Wang,
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8
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Pan X, Pi C, Ruan X, Zheng H, Zhang D, Liu X. Mammalian Sirtuins and Their Relevance in Vascular Calcification. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:907835. [PMID: 35677446 PMCID: PMC9168231 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.907835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases are a group of diseases with high morbidity and mortality that affect millions of people each year. Vascular calcification (VC) is an active process that involves the mineral deposition of calcium-phosphate complexes. VC is closely related to cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, heart failure, and calcific aortic stenosis, and is a type of ectopic calcification that occurs in the vessel walls. The sirtuins (silent mating-type information regulation 2; SIRTs), are a family of histone deacetylases whose function relies on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). They have non-negligible functions in the regulation of energy metabolism, senescence, apoptosis, and other biological processes. Sirtuins have important effects on bone homeostasis and VC processes that share many similarities with bone formation. Sirtuins have been confirmed to deacetylate a variety of target proteins related to the occurrence and development of VC, thereby affecting the process of VC and providing new possibilities for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. To facilitate the understanding of vascular calcification and accelerate the development of cardiovascular drugs, we reviewed and summarized recent research progress on the relationship between different types of sirtuins and VC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyue Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Caixia Pi
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xianchun Ruan
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hanhua Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Demao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Demao Zhang, ; Xiaoheng Liu,
| | - Xiaoheng Liu
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Demao Zhang, ; Xiaoheng Liu,
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9
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Shen J, Zhao M, Zhang C, Sun X. IL-1β in atherosclerotic vascular calcification: From bench to bedside. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:4353-4364. [PMID: 34803503 PMCID: PMC8579452 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.66537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerotic vascular calcification contributes to increased risk of death in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Assessing the type and severity of inflammation is crucial in the treatment of numerous cardiovascular conditions. IL-1β, a potent proinflammatory cytokine, plays diverse roles in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic vascular calcification. Several large-scale, population cohort trials have shown that the incidence of cardiovascular events is clinically reduced by the administration of anti-IL-1β therapy. Anti-IL-1β therapy might reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events by affecting atherosclerotic vascular calcification, but the mechanism underlying this effect remains unclear. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on the role of IL-1β in atherosclerotic vascular calcification, and describe the latest results reported in clinical trials evaluating anti-IL-1β therapies for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. This review will aid in improving current understanding of the pathophysiological roles of IL-1β and mechanisms underlying its activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialing Shen
- Department of General Surgery (Vascular Surgery), the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Ming Zhao
- Department of Interventional Medicine, the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Chunxiang Zhang
- Laboratory of Nucleic Acids in Medicine for National high-level talents, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education & Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Xiaolei Sun
- Department of General Surgery (Vascular Surgery), the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China.,Department of Interventional Medicine, the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China.,Laboratory of Nucleic Acids in Medicine for National high-level talents, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China.,School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, King's College London British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, Faculty of Life Science and Medicine, King's College London, London SE5 9NU, United Kingdom.,Centre for Clinical Pharmacology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom.,Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education & Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China.,Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Luzhou, Luzhou, 646000, China.,Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Luzhou 646000, China
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10
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Savorani C, Malinverno M, Seccia R, Maderna C, Giannotta M, Terreran L, Mastrapasqua E, Campaner S, Dejana E, Giampietro C. A dual role of YAP in driving TGFβ-mediated endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. J Cell Sci 2021; 134:271139. [PMID: 34338295 PMCID: PMC8353525 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.251371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is the biological process through which endothelial cells transdifferentiate into mesenchymal cells. During embryo development, EndMT regulates endocardial cushion formation via TGFβ/BMP signaling. In adults, EndMT is mainly activated during pathological conditions. Hence, it is necessary to characterize molecular regulators cooperating with TGFβ signaling in driving EndMT, to identify potential novel therapeutic targets to treat these pathologies. Here, we studied YAP, a transcriptional co-regulator involved in several biological processes, including epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). As EndMT is the endothelial-specific form of EMT, and YAP (herein referring to YAP1) and TGFβ signaling cross-talk in other contexts, we hypothesized that YAP contributes to EndMT by modulating TGFβ signaling. We demonstrate that YAP is required to trigger TGFβ-induced EndMT response, specifically contributing to SMAD3-driven EndMT early gene transcription. We provide novel evidence that YAP acts as SMAD3 transcriptional co-factor and prevents GSK3β-mediated SMAD3 phosphorylation, thus protecting SMAD3 from degradation. YAP is therefore emerging as a possible candidate target to inhibit pathological TGFβ-induced EndMT at early stages. Summary: A new crucial role for YAP as a co-activator of early pathological TGFβ-mediated endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition program and characterization of the underlying molecular mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Savorani
- Institute of Molecular Oncology (IFOM), The Fondazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro (FIRC) Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan 20139, Italy
| | - Matteo Malinverno
- Institute of Molecular Oncology (IFOM), The Fondazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro (FIRC) Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan 20139, Italy
| | - Roberta Seccia
- Institute of Molecular Oncology (IFOM), The Fondazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro (FIRC) Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan 20139, Italy
| | - Claudio Maderna
- Institute of Molecular Oncology (IFOM), The Fondazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro (FIRC) Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan 20139, Italy
| | - Monica Giannotta
- Institute of Molecular Oncology (IFOM), The Fondazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro (FIRC) Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan 20139, Italy
| | - Linda Terreran
- Institute of Molecular Oncology (IFOM), The Fondazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro (FIRC) Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan 20139, Italy
| | - Eleonora Mastrapasqua
- Institute of Molecular Oncology (IFOM), The Fondazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro (FIRC) Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan 20139, Italy
| | - Stefano Campaner
- Center for Genomic Science of IIT@SEMM, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Milan 20139, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Dejana
- Institute of Molecular Oncology (IFOM), The Fondazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro (FIRC) Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan 20139, Italy.,Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Vascular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala 751 85, Sweden
| | - Costanza Giampietro
- Institute of Molecular Oncology (IFOM), The Fondazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro (FIRC) Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan 20139, Italy.,Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA), Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland.,Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8092, Switzerland
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11
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Yao J, Wu X, Qiao X, Zhang D, Zhang L, Ma JA, Cai X, Boström KI, Yao Y. Shifting osteogenesis in vascular calcification. JCI Insight 2021; 6:143023. [PMID: 33848269 PMCID: PMC8262274 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.143023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Transitions between cell fates commonly occur in development and disease. However, reversing an unwanted cell transition in order to treat disease remains an unexplored area. Here, we report a successful process of guiding ill-fated transitions toward normalization in vascular calcification. Vascular calcification is a severe complication that increases the all-cause mortality of cardiovascular disease but lacks medical therapy. The vascular endothelium is a contributor of osteoprogenitor cells to vascular calcification through endothelial-mesenchymal transitions, in which endothelial cells (ECs) gain plasticity and the ability to differentiate into osteoblast-like cells. We created a high-throughput screening and identified SB216763, an inhibitor of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3), as an inducer of osteoblastic-endothelial transition. We demonstrated that SB216763 limited osteogenic differentiation in ECs at an early stage of vascular calcification. Lineage tracing showed that SB216763 redirected osteoblast-like cells to the endothelial lineage and reduced late-stage calcification. We also found that deletion of GSK3β in osteoblasts recapitulated osteoblastic-endothelial transition and reduced vascular calcification. Overall, inhibition of GSK3β promoted the transition of cells with osteoblastic characteristics to endothelial differentiation, thereby ameliorating vascular calcification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Yao
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Xiuju Wu
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Xiaojing Qiao
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Daoqin Zhang
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Li Zhang
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jocelyn A Ma
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Xinjiang Cai
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Kristina I Boström
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA.,Molecular Biology Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Yucheng Yao
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
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12
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Jiang W, Zhang Z, Li Y, Chen C, Yang H, Lin Q, Hu M, Qin X. The Cell Origin and Role of Osteoclastogenesis and Osteoblastogenesis in Vascular Calcification. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:639740. [PMID: 33969008 PMCID: PMC8102685 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.639740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Arterial calcification refers to the abnormal deposition of calcium salts in the arterial wall, which results in vessel lumen stenosis and vascular remodeling. Studies increasingly show that arterial calcification is a cell mediated, reversible and active regulated process similar to physiological bone mineralization. The osteoblasts and chondrocytes-like cells are present in large numbers in the calcified lesions, and express osteogenic transcription factor and bone matrix proteins that are known to initiate and promote arterial calcification. In addition, osteoclast-like cells have also been detected in calcified arterial walls wherein they possibly inhibit vascular calcification, similar to the catabolic process of bone mineral resorption. Therefore, tilting the balance between osteoblast-like and osteoclast-like cells to the latter maybe a promising therapeutic strategy against vascular calcification. In this review, we have summarized the current findings on the origin and functions of osteoblast-like and osteoclast-like cells in the development and progression of vascular progression, and explored novel therapeutic possibilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhong Jiang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Zhanman Zhang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Yaodong Li
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Chuanzhen Chen
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Han Yang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Qiuning Lin
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Ming Hu
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Xiao Qin
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
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13
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Zhang D, Qiao X, Yao J, Zhang L, Wu X, Ma J, Cai X, Boström KI, Yao Y. Pronethalol Reduces Sox2 (SRY [Sex-Determining Region Y]-Box 2) to Ameliorate Vascular Calcification. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2021; 41:931-933. [PMID: 33297753 PMCID: PMC8105260 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.120.315571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daoqin Zhang
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1679, U.S.A
| | - Xiaojing Qiao
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1679, U.S.A
| | - Jiayi Yao
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1679, U.S.A
| | - Li Zhang
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1679, U.S.A
| | - Xiuju Wu
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1679, U.S.A
| | - Jocelyn Ma
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1679, U.S.A
| | - Xinjiang Cai
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1679, U.S.A
| | - Kristina I. Boström
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1679, U.S.A
- The Molecular Biology Institute at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1570, U.S.A
| | - Yucheng Yao
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1679, U.S.A
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14
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Dayekh K, Mequanint K. The effects of progenitor and differentiated cells on ectopic calcification of engineered vascular tissues. Acta Biomater 2020; 115:288-298. [PMID: 32853805 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2020.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Ectopic vascular calcification associated with aging, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, and chronic kidney disease is a considerable risk factor for cardiovascular events and death. Although vascular smooth muscle cells are primarily implicated in calcification, the role of progenitor cells is less known. In this study, we engineered tubular vascular tissues from embryonic multipotent mesenchymal progenitor cells either without differentiating or after differentiating them into smooth muscle cells and studied ectopic calcification through targeted gene analysis. Tissues derived from both differentiated and undifferentiated cells calcified in response to hyperphosphatemic inorganic phosphate (Pi) treatment suggesting that a single cell-type (progenitor cells or differentiated cells) may not be the sole cause of the process. We also demonstrated that Vitamin K, which is the matrix gla protein activator, had a protective role against calcification in engineered vascular tissues. Addition of partially-soluble elastin upregulated osteogenic marker genes suggesting a calcification process. Furthermore, partially-soluble elastin downregulated smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (Myh11) gene which is a late-stage differentiation marker. This latter point, in turn, suggests that SMC may be switching into a synthetic phenotype which is one feature of vascular calcification. Taken together, our approach presents a valuable tool to study ectopic calcification and associated gene expressions relevant to clinical therapeutic targets.
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15
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Quaglino D, Boraldi F, Lofaro FD. The biology of vascular calcification. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 354:261-353. [PMID: 32475476 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2020.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Vascular calcification (VC), characterized by different mineral deposits (i.e., carbonate apatite, whitlockite and hydroxyapatite) accumulating in blood vessels and valves, represents a relevant pathological process for the aging population and a life-threatening complication in acquired and in genetic diseases. Similarly to bone remodeling, VC is an actively regulated process in which many cells and molecules play a pivotal role. This review aims at: (i) describing the role of resident and circulating cells, of the extracellular environment and of positive and negative factors in driving the mineralization process; (ii) detailing the types of VC (i.e., intimal, medial and cardiac valve calcification); (iii) analyzing rare genetic diseases underlining the importance of altered pyrophosphate-dependent regulatory mechanisms; (iv) providing therapeutic options and perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Quaglino
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
| | - Federica Boraldi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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16
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Yao J, Wu X, Zhang D, Wang L, Zhang L, Reynolds EX, Hernandez C, Boström KI, Yao Y. Elevated endothelial Sox2 causes lumen disruption and cerebral arteriovenous malformations. J Clin Invest 2019; 129:3121-3133. [PMID: 31232700 DOI: 10.1172/jci125965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Lumen integrity in vascularization requires fully differentiated endothelial cells (ECs). Here, we report that endothelial-mesenchymal transitions (EndMTs) emerged in ECs of cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVMs) and caused disruption of the lumen or lumen disorder. We show that excessive Sry-box 2 (Sox2) signaling was responsible for the EndMTs in cerebral AVMs. EC-specific suppression of Sox2 normalized endothelial differentiation and lumen formation and improved the cerebral AVMs. Epigenetic studies showed that induction of Sox2 altered the cerebral-endothelial transcriptional landscape and identified jumonji domain-containing protein 5 (JMJD5) as a direct target of Sox2. Sox2 interacted with JMJD5 to induce EndMTs in cerebral ECs. Furthermore, we utilized a high-throughput system to identify the β-adrenergic antagonist pronethalol as an inhibitor of Sox2 expression. Treatment with pronethalol stabilized endothelial differentiation and lumen formation, which limited the cerebral AVMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Yao
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Xiuju Wu
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Daoqin Zhang
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Lumin Wang
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Eric X Reynolds
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Carlos Hernandez
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Kristina I Boström
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA.,The Molecular Biology Institute at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Yucheng Yao
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
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17
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Piera-Velazquez S, Jimenez SA. Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition: Role in Physiology and in the Pathogenesis of Human Diseases. Physiol Rev 2019; 99:1281-1324. [PMID: 30864875 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00021.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 300] [Impact Index Per Article: 60.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies have demonstrated that endothelial cells are capable of undergoing endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT), a newly recognized type of cellular transdifferentiation. EndMT is a complex biological process in which endothelial cells adopt a mesenchymal phenotype displaying typical mesenchymal cell morphology and functions, including the acquisition of cellular motility and contractile properties. Endothelial cells undergoing EndMT lose the expression of endothelial cell-specific proteins such as CD31/platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule, von Willebrand factor, and vascular-endothelial cadherin and initiate the expression of mesenchymal cell-specific genes and the production of their encoded proteins including α-smooth muscle actin, extra domain A fibronectin, N-cadherin, vimentin, fibroblast specific protein-1, also known as S100A4 protein, and fibrillar type I and type III collagens. Transforming growth factor-β1 is considered the main EndMT inducer. However, EndMT involves numerous molecular and signaling pathways that are triggered and modulated by multiple and often redundant mechanisms depending on the specific cellular context and on the physiological or pathological status of the cells. EndMT participates in highly important embryonic development processes, as well as in the pathogenesis of numerous genetically determined and acquired human diseases including malignant, vascular, inflammatory, and fibrotic disorders. Despite intensive investigation, many aspects of EndMT remain to be elucidated. The identification of molecules and regulatory pathways involved in EndMT and the discovery of specific EndMT inhibitors should provide novel therapeutic approaches for various human disorders mediated by EndMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonsoles Piera-Velazquez
- Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sergio A Jimenez
- Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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18
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Yao Y, Yao J, Boström KI. SOX Transcription Factors in Endothelial Differentiation and Endothelial-Mesenchymal Transitions. Front Cardiovasc Med 2019; 6:30. [PMID: 30984768 PMCID: PMC6447608 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2019.00030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The SRY (Sex Determining Region Y)-related HMG box of DNA binding proteins, referred to as SOX transcription factors, were first identified as critical regulators of male sex determination but are now known to play an important role in vascular development and disease. SOX7, 17, and 18 are essential in endothelial differentiation and SOX2 has emerged as an essential mediator of endothelial-mesenchymal transitions (EndMTs), a mechanism that enables the endothelium to contribute cells with abnormal cell differentiation to vascular disease such as calcific vasculopathy. In the following paper, we review published information on the SOX transcription factors in endothelial differentiation and hypothesize that SOX2 acts as a mediator of EndMTs that contribute to vascular calcification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yucheng Yao
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Jiayi Yao
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Kristina I Boström
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States.,Molecular Biology Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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19
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Barrett HE, Van der Heiden K, Farrell E, Gijsen FJH, Akyildiz AC. Calcifications in atherosclerotic plaques and impact on plaque biomechanics. J Biomech 2019; 87:1-12. [PMID: 30904335 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2019.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The catastrophic mechanical rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque is the underlying cause of the majority of cardiovascular events. The infestation of vascular calcification in the plaques creates a mechanically complex tissue composite. Local stress concentrations and plaque tissue strength properties are the governing parameters required to predict plaque ruptures. Advanced imaging techniques have permitted insight into fundamental mechanisms driving the initiating inflammatory-driven vascular calcification of the diseased intima at the (sub-) micron scale and up to the macroscale. Clinical studies have potentiated the biomechanical relevance of calcification through the derivation of links between local plaque rupture and specific macrocalcification geometrical features. The clinical implications of the data presented in this review indicate that the combination of imaging, experimental testing, and computational modelling efforts are crucial to predict the rupture risk for atherosclerotic plaques. Specialised experimental tests and modelling efforts have further enhanced the knowledge base for calcified plaque tissue mechanical properties. However, capturing the temporal instability and rupture causality in the plaque fibrous caps remains elusive. Is it necessary to move our experimental efforts down in scale towards the fundamental (sub-) micron scales in order to interpret the true mechanical behaviour of calcified plaque tissue interactions that is presented on a macroscale in the clinic and to further optimally assess calcified plaques in the context of biomechanical modelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilary E Barrett
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Thoraxcenter, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Kim Van der Heiden
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Thoraxcenter, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eric Farrell
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Frank J H Gijsen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Thoraxcenter, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ali C Akyildiz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Thoraxcenter, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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20
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Sánchez-Duffhues G, García de Vinuesa A, van de Pol V, Geerts ME, de Vries MR, Janson SG, van Dam H, Lindeman JH, Goumans MJ, Ten Dijke P. Inflammation induces endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition and promotes vascular calcification through downregulation of BMPR2. J Pathol 2019; 247:333-346. [PMID: 30430573 PMCID: PMC6590480 DOI: 10.1002/path.5193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Revised: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Endothelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EndMT) has been unveiled as a common cause for a multitude of human pathologies, including cancer and cardiovascular disease. Vascular calcification is a risk factor for ischemic vascular disorders and slowing calcification may reduce mortality in affected patients. The absence of early biomarkers hampers the identification of patients at risk. EndMT and vascular calcification are induced upon cooperation between distinct stimuli, including inflammatory cytokines and transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β) family members. However, how these signaling pathways interplay to promote cell differentiation and eventually vascular calcification is not well understood. Using in vitro and ex vivo analysis in animal models and patient‐derived tissues, we have identified that the pro‐inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β) induce EndMT in human primary aortic endothelial cells, thereby sensitizing them for BMP‐9‐induced osteogenic differentiation. Downregulation of the BMP type II receptor BMPR2 is a key event in this process. Rather than compromising BMP canonical signal transduction, loss of BMPR2 results in decreased JNK signaling in ECs, thus enhancing BMP‐9‐induced mineralization. Altogether, our results point at the BMPR2–JNK signaling axis as a key pathway regulating inflammation‐induced EndMT and contributing to calcification. © 2018 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Sánchez-Duffhues
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Amaya García de Vinuesa
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Vera van de Pol
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marlieke E Geerts
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Margreet R de Vries
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Stef Gt Janson
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hans van Dam
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jan H Lindeman
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marie-José Goumans
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Ten Dijke
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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21
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Man S, Sanchez Duffhues G, Ten Dijke P, Baker D. The therapeutic potential of targeting the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Angiogenesis 2018; 22:3-13. [PMID: 30076548 PMCID: PMC6510911 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-018-9639-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Endothelial cells (ECs) have been found to be capable of acquiring a mesenchymal phenotype through a process known as endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT). First seen in the developing embryo, EndMT can be triggered postnatally under certain pathological conditions. During this process, ECs dedifferentiate into mesenchymal stem-like cells (MSCs) and subsequently give rise to cell types belonging to the mesoderm lineage. As EndMT contributes to a multitude of diseases, pharmacological modulation of the signaling pathways underlying EndMT may prove to be effective as a therapeutic treatment. Additionally, EndMT in ECs could also be exploited to acquire multipotent MSCs, which can be readily re-differentiated into various distinct cell types. In this review, we will consider current models of EndMT, how manipulation of this process might improve treatment of clinically important pathologies and how it could be harnessed to advance regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirley Man
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology and Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gonzalo Sanchez Duffhues
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology and Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Ten Dijke
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology and Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - David Baker
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology and Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Einthovenweg 20, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
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22
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Wang J, Zhou JJ, Robertson GR, Lee VW. Vitamin D in Vascular Calcification: A Double-Edged Sword? Nutrients 2018; 10:nu10050652. [PMID: 29786640 PMCID: PMC5986531 DOI: 10.3390/nu10050652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2018] [Revised: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular calcification (VC) as a manifestation of perturbed mineral balance, is associated with aging, diabetes and kidney dysfunction, as well as poorer patient outcomes. Due to the current limited understanding of the pathophysiology of vascular calcification, the development of effective preventative and therapeutic strategies remains a significant clinical challenge. Recent evidence suggests that traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as left ventricular hypertrophy and dyslipidaemia, fail to account for clinical observations of vascular calcification. Therefore, more complex underlying processes involving physiochemical changes to mineral balance, vascular remodelling and perturbed hormonal responses such as parathyroid hormone (PTH) and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) are likely to contribute to VC. In particular, VC resulting from modifications to calcium, phosphate and vitamin D homeostasis has been recently elucidated. Notably, deregulation of vitamin D metabolism, dietary calcium intake and renal mineral handling are associated with imbalances in systemic calcium and phosphate levels and endothelial cell dysfunction, which can modulate both bone and soft tissue calcification. This review addresses the current understanding of VC pathophysiology, with a focus on the pathogenic role of vitamin D that has provided new insights into the mechanisms of VC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Wang
- Centre for Transplantation and Renal Research, Westmead Institute of Medical Research, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.
| | - Jimmy J Zhou
- Centre for Transplantation and Renal Research, Westmead Institute of Medical Research, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.
- Centre for Kidney Research, Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.
| | | | - Vincent W Lee
- Centre for Transplantation and Renal Research, Westmead Institute of Medical Research, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.
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23
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Cho JG, Lee A, Chang W, Lee MS, Kim J. Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition Represents a Key Link in the Interaction between Inflammation and Endothelial Dysfunction. Front Immunol 2018. [PMID: 29515588 PMCID: PMC5826197 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cells that line the inner walls of blood vessels are in direct contact with blood and display remarkable heterogeneity in their response to exogenous stimuli. These ECs have unique location-dependent properties determined by the corresponding vascular beds and play an important role in regulating the homeostasis of the vascular system. Evidence suggests that vascular endothelial cells exposed to various environments undergo dynamic phenotypic switching, a key biological program in the context of endothelial heterogeneity, but that might result in EC dysfunction and, in turn, cause a variety of human diseases. Emerging studies show the importance of endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) in endothelial dysfunction during inflammation. EndMT is a complex biological process in which ECs lose their endothelial characteristics, acquire mesenchymal phenotypes, and express mesenchymal cell markers, such as alpha smooth muscle actin and fibroblast-specific protein 1. EndMT is induced by inflammatory responses, leading to pathological states, including tissue fibrosis, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and atherosclerosis, via dysfunction of the vascular system. Although the mechanisms associated with inflammation-induced EndMT have been identified, unraveling the specific role of this phenotypic switching in vascular dysfunction remains a challenge. Here, we review the current understanding on the interactions between inflammatory processes, EndMT, and endothelial dysfunction, with a focus on the mechanisms that regulate essential signaling pathways. Identification of such mechanisms will guide future research and could provide novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of vascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Gu Cho
- Division of Biological Sciences, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Aram Lee
- Division of Biological Sciences, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Woochul Chang
- Department of Biology Education, College of Education, Pusan National University, Busan, South Korea
| | - Myeong-Sok Lee
- Division of Biological Sciences, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jongmin Kim
- Division of Biological Sciences, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, South Korea
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Sánchez-Duffhues G, García de Vinuesa A, Ten Dijke P. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in cardiovascular diseases: Developmental signaling pathways gone awry. Dev Dyn 2017; 247:492-508. [PMID: 28891150 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Revised: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The process named endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) was observed for the first time during the development of the chicken embryo several decades ago. Of interest, accumulating evidence suggests that EndMT plays a critical role in the onset and progression of multiple postnatal cardiovascular diseases. EndMT is controlled by a set of developmental signaling pathways, very similar to the process of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, which determine the activity of several EndMT transcriptional effectors. Once activated, these EndMT effectors regulate the expression of endothelial- and mesenchymal-specific genes, in part by interacting with specific motifs in promoter regions, eventually leading to the down-regulation of endothelial-specific features and acquisition of a fibroblast-like phenotype. Important technical advances in lineage tracing methods combined with experimental mouse models demonstrated the pathophysiological importance of EndMT for human diseases. In this review, we discuss the major signal transduction pathways involved in the activation and regulation of the EndMT program. Furthermore, we will review the latest discoveries on EndMT, focusing on cardiovascular diseases, and in particular on its role in vascular calcification, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and organ fibrosis. Developmental Dynamics 247:492-508, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Sánchez-Duffhues
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Cancer Genomics Centre Netherlands, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - Amaya García de Vinuesa
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Cancer Genomics Centre Netherlands, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Ten Dijke
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Cancer Genomics Centre Netherlands, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
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25
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Li A, Peng W, Xia X, Li R, Wang Y, Wei D. Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition: A Potential Mechanism for Atherosclerosis Plaque Progression and Destabilization. DNA Cell Biol 2017; 36:883-891. [PMID: 28920704 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2017.3779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a cellular reprogramming mechanism by which endothelial cells acquire a mesenchymal phenotype. EndMT is associated with fibroproliferative diseases, such as cancer progression and metastasis and cardiac and kidney fibrosis, and this condition has been extensively investigated over the past decade. Recently, studies showed that EndMT contributes to the initiation and progression of atherosclerotic lesion and plaque destabilization. Unstable atherosclerotic plaque rupture and subsequent thrombosis are the main pathological causes of acute cardiovascular events. EndMT is plastic and reversible. Therefore, our enhanced understanding on the mechanisms controlling EndMT and its roles in the atherosclerosis plaque progression and instability may provide a basis for the development of novel therapeutic strategies to stabilize and reverse atherosclerotic plaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afang Li
- 1 Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Laboratory for Atherosclerology of Hunan Province, University of South China , Hengyang, China
| | - Wenxi Peng
- 1 Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Laboratory for Atherosclerology of Hunan Province, University of South China , Hengyang, China
| | - Xiaodan Xia
- 1 Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Laboratory for Atherosclerology of Hunan Province, University of South China , Hengyang, China .,2 Affiliated Nanhua Hospital of University of South China , Hengyang, China
| | - Rongqing Li
- 1 Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Laboratory for Atherosclerology of Hunan Province, University of South China , Hengyang, China
| | - Yu Wang
- 3 Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology , Wuhan, China
| | - Dangheng Wei
- 1 Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Laboratory for Atherosclerology of Hunan Province, University of South China , Hengyang, China
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