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Lambert J, Oc S, Worssam MD, Häußler D, Solomon CU, Figg NL, Baxter R, Imaz M, Taylor JCK, Foote K, Finigan A, Mahbubani KT, Webb TR, Ye S, Bennett MR, Krüger A, Spivakov M, Jørgensen HF. Network-based prioritization and validation of regulators of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation in disease. NATURE CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH 2024; 3:714-733. [PMID: 38898928 PMCID: PMC11182749 DOI: 10.1038/s44161-024-00474-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Aberrant vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) homeostasis and proliferation characterize vascular diseases causing heart attack and stroke. Here we elucidate molecular determinants governing VSMC proliferation by reconstructing gene regulatory networks from single-cell transcriptomics and epigenetic profiling. We detect widespread activation of enhancers at disease-relevant loci in proliferation-predisposed VSMCs. We compared gene regulatory network rewiring between injury-responsive and nonresponsive VSMCs, which suggested shared transcription factors but differing target loci between VSMC states. Through in silico perturbation analysis, we identified and prioritized previously unrecognized regulators of proliferation, including RUNX1 and TIMP1. Moreover, we showed that the pioneer transcription factor RUNX1 increased VSMC responsiveness and that TIMP1 feeds back to promote VSMC proliferation through CD74-mediated STAT3 signaling. Both RUNX1 and the TIMP1-CD74 axis were expressed in human VSMCs, showing low levels in normal arteries and increased expression in disease, suggesting clinical relevance and potential as vascular disease targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Lambert
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Sebnem Oc
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Functional Gene Control Group, MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences, London, UK
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Matthew D. Worssam
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Present Address: Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA USA
| | - Daniel Häußler
- TUM School of Medicine and Health, Institute of Experimental Oncology and Therapy Research, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Charles U. Solomon
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, and National Institute for Health Research Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, Leicester, UK
| | - Nichola L. Figg
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ruby Baxter
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Maria Imaz
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - James C. K. Taylor
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Kirsty Foote
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alison Finigan
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Krishnaa T. Mahbubani
- Collaborative Biorepository for Translational Medicine, Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - Tom R. Webb
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, and National Institute for Health Research Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, Leicester, UK
| | - Shu Ye
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, and National Institute for Health Research Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, Leicester, UK
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Translational Research Programme, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Martin R. Bennett
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Achim Krüger
- TUM School of Medicine and Health, Institute of Experimental Oncology and Therapy Research, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Mikhail Spivakov
- Functional Gene Control Group, MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences, London, UK
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Helle F. Jørgensen
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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2
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Bashore AC, Yan H, Xue C, Zhu LY, Kim E, Mawson T, Coronel J, Chung A, Sachs N, Ho S, Ross LS, Kissner M, Passegué E, Bauer RC, Maegdefessel L, Li M, Reilly MP. High-Dimensional Single-Cell Multimodal Landscape of Human Carotid Atherosclerosis. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2024; 44:930-945. [PMID: 38385291 PMCID: PMC10978277 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.320524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atherosclerotic plaques are complex tissues composed of a heterogeneous mixture of cells. However, our understanding of the comprehensive transcriptional and phenotypic landscape of the cells within these lesions is limited. METHODS To characterize the landscape of human carotid atherosclerosis in greater detail, we combined cellular indexing of transcriptomes and epitopes by sequencing and single-cell RNA sequencing to classify all cell types within lesions (n=21; 13 symptomatic) to achieve a comprehensive multimodal understanding of the cellular identities of atherosclerosis and their association with clinical pathophysiology. RESULTS We identified 25 cell populations, each with a unique multiomic signature, including macrophages, T cells, NK (natural killer) cells, mast cells, B cells, plasma cells, neutrophils, dendritic cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Among the macrophages, we identified 2 proinflammatory subsets enriched in IL-1B (interleukin-1B) or C1Q expression, 2 TREM2-positive foam cells (1 expressing inflammatory genes), and subpopulations with a proliferative gene signature and SMC-specific gene signature with fibrotic pathways upregulated. Further characterization revealed various subsets of SMCs and fibroblasts, including SMC-derived foam cells. These foamy SMCs were localized in the deep intima of coronary atherosclerotic lesions. Utilizing cellular indexing of transcriptomes and epitopes by sequencing data, we developed a flow cytometry panel, using cell surface proteins CD29, CD142, and CD90, to isolate SMC-derived cells from lesions. Lastly, we observed reduced proportions of efferocytotic macrophages, classically activated endothelial cells, and contractile and modulated SMC-derived cells, while inflammatory SMCs were enriched in plaques of clinically symptomatic versus asymptomatic patients. CONCLUSIONS Our multimodal atlas of cell populations within atherosclerosis provides novel insights into the diversity, phenotype, location, isolation, and clinical relevance of the unique cellular composition of human carotid atherosclerosis. These findings facilitate both the mapping of cardiovascular disease susceptibility loci to specific cell types and the identification of novel molecular and cellular therapeutic targets for the treatment of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander C Bashore
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Hanying Yan
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (H.Y., M.L.)
| | - Chenyi Xue
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Lucie Y Zhu
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Eunyoung Kim
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Thomas Mawson
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Johana Coronel
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Allen Chung
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Nadja Sachs
- Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Technical University Munich, Germany (N.S., L.M.)
| | - Sebastian Ho
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Leila S Ross
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Michael Kissner
- Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Department of Genetics and Development (M.K., E.P.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Emmanuelle Passegué
- Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Department of Genetics and Development (M.K., E.P.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Robert C Bauer
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
| | - Lars Maegdefessel
- Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Technical University Munich, Germany (N.S., L.M.)
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance (L.M.)
- Department of Medicine, Karolinksa Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (L.M.)
| | - Mingyao Li
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (H.Y., M.L.)
| | - Muredach P Reilly
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (A.C.B., C.X., L.Y.Z., E.K., T.M., J.C., A.C., S.H., L.S.R., R.C.B., M.P.R.)
- Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (M.P.R.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
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3
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Wu X, Zhang H. Omics Approaches Unveiling the Biology of Human Atherosclerotic Plaques. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2024; 194:482-498. [PMID: 38280419 PMCID: PMC10988765 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2023.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the arterial wall, characterized by the buildup of plaques with the accumulation and transformation of lipids, immune cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, and necrotic cell debris. Plaques with collagen-poor thin fibrous caps infiltrated by macrophages and lymphocytes are considered unstable because they are at the greatest risk of rupture and clinical events. However, the current histologic definition of plaque types may not fully capture the complex molecular nature of atherosclerotic plaque biology and the underlying mechanisms contributing to plaque progression, rupture, and erosion. The advances in omics technologies have changed the understanding of atherosclerosis plaque biology, offering new possibilities to improve risk prediction and discover novel therapeutic targets. Genomic studies have shed light on the genetic predisposition to atherosclerosis, and integrative genomic analyses expedite the translation of genomic discoveries. Transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic, and lipidomic studies have refined the understanding of the molecular signature of atherosclerotic plaques, aiding in data-driven hypothesis generation for mechanistic studies and offering new prospects for biomarker discovery. Furthermore, advancements in single-cell technologies and emerging spatial analysis techniques have unveiled the heterogeneity and plasticity of plaque cells. This review discusses key omics-based discoveries that have advanced the understanding of human atherosclerotic plaque biology, focusing on insights derived from omics profiling of human atherosclerotic vascular specimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xun Wu
- Cardiometabolic Genomics Program, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Hanrui Zhang
- Cardiometabolic Genomics Program, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York.
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4
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Hall IF, Kishta F, Xu Y, Baker AH, Kovacic JC. Endothelial to mesenchymal transition: at the axis of cardiovascular health and disease. Cardiovasc Res 2024; 120:223-236. [PMID: 38385523 PMCID: PMC10939465 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvae021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cells (ECs) line the luminal surface of blood vessels and play a major role in vascular (patho)-physiology by acting as a barrier, sensing circulating factors and intrinsic/extrinsic signals. ECs have the capacity to undergo endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), a complex differentiation process with key roles both during embryonic development and in adulthood. EndMT can contribute to EC activation and dysfunctional alterations associated with maladaptive tissue responses in human disease. During EndMT, ECs progressively undergo changes leading to expression of mesenchymal markers while repressing EC lineage-specific traits. This phenotypic and functional switch is considered to largely exist in a continuum, being characterized by a gradation of transitioning stages. In this report, we discuss process plasticity and potential reversibility and the hypothesis that different EndMT-derived cell populations may play a different role in disease progression or resolution. In addition, we review advancements in the EndMT field, current technical challenges, as well as therapeutic options and opportunities in the context of cardiovascular biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Fernando Hall
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queens Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Franceska Kishta
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queens Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Yang Xu
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Andrew H Baker
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queens Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
- CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, Maastricht 6229ER, The Netherlands
| | - Jason C Kovacic
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Lowy Packer Building, 405 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
- St. Vincent’s Clinical School and University of New South Wales, 390 Victoria St, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
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5
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Lin A, Ramaswamy Y, Misra A. Developmental heterogeneity of vascular cells: Insights into cellular plasticity in atherosclerosis? Semin Cell Dev Biol 2024; 155:3-15. [PMID: 37316416 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2023.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells and macrophages display remarkable heterogeneity within the healthy vasculature and under pathological conditions. During development, these cells arise from numerous embryological origins, which confound with different microenvironments to generate postnatal vascular cell diversity. In the atherosclerotic plaque milieu, all these cell types exhibit astonishing plasticity, generating a variety of plaque burdening or plaque stabilizing phenotypes. And yet how developmental origin influences intraplaque cell plasticity remains largely unexplored despite evidence suggesting this may be the case. Uncovering the diversity and plasticity of vascular cells is being revolutionized by unbiased single cell whole transcriptome analysis techniques that will likely continue to pave the way for therapeutic research. Cellular plasticity is only just emerging as a target for future therapeutics, and uncovering how intraplaque plasticity differs across vascular beds may provide key insights into why different plaques behave differently and may confer different risks of subsequent cardiovascular events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Lin
- Atherosclerosis and Vascular Remodeling Group, Heart Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia; School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yogambha Ramaswamy
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ashish Misra
- Atherosclerosis and Vascular Remodeling Group, Heart Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Heart Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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6
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Gianopoulos I, Daskalopoulou SS. Macrophage profiling in atherosclerosis: understanding the unstable plaque. Basic Res Cardiol 2024; 119:35-56. [PMID: 38244055 DOI: 10.1007/s00395-023-01023-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
The development and rupture of atherosclerotic plaques is a major contributor to myocardial infarctions and ischemic strokes. The dynamic evolution of the plaque is largely attributed to monocyte/macrophage functions, which respond to various stimuli in the plaque microenvironment. To this end, macrophages play a central role in atherosclerotic lesions through the uptake of oxidized low-density lipoprotein that gets trapped in the artery wall, and the induction of an inflammatory response that can differentially affect the stability of the plaque in men and women. In this environment, macrophages can polarize towards pro-inflammatory M1 or anti-inflammatory M2 phenotypes, which represent the extremes of the polarization spectrum that include Mhem, M(Hb), Mox, and M4 populations. However, this traditional macrophage model paradigm has been redefined to include numerous immune and nonimmune cell clusters based on in-depth unbiased single-cell approaches. The goal of this review is to highlight (1) the phenotypic and functional properties of monocyte subsets in the circulation, and macrophage populations in atherosclerotic plaques, as well as their contribution towards stable or unstable phenotypes in men and women, and (2) single-cell RNA sequencing studies that have advanced our knowledge of immune, particularly macrophage signatures present in the atherosclerotic niche. We discuss the importance of performing high-dimensional approaches to facilitate the development of novel sex-specific immunotherapies that aim to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna Gianopoulos
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Stella S Daskalopoulou
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
- Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
- Department of Medicine, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Glen Site, 1001 Decarie Boulevard, EM1.2210, Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1, Canada.
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7
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Lin A, Brittan M, Baker AH, Dimmeler S, Fisher EA, Sluimer JC, Misra A. Clonal Expansion in Cardiovascular Pathology. JACC Basic Transl Sci 2024; 9:120-144. [PMID: 38362345 PMCID: PMC10864919 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2023.04.008] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Clonal expansion refers to the proliferation and selection of advantageous "clones" that are better suited for survival in a Darwinian manner. In recent years, we have greatly enhanced our understanding of cell clonality in the cardiovascular context. However, our knowledge of the underlying mechanisms behind this clonal selection is still severely limited. There is a transpiring pattern of clonal expansion of smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells-and, in some cases, macrophages-in numerous cardiovascular diseases irrespective of their differing microenvironments. These findings indirectly suggest the possible existence of stem-like vascular cells which are primed to respond during disease. Subsequent clones may undergo further phenotypic changes to adopt either protective or detrimental roles. By investigating these clone-forming vascular cells, we may be able to harness this inherent clonal nature for future therapeutic intervention. This review comprehensively discusses what is currently known about clonal expansion across the cardiovascular field. Comparisons of the clonal nature of vascular cells in atherosclerosis (including clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential), pulmonary hypertension, aneurysm, blood vessel injury, ischemia- and tumor-induced angiogenesis, and cerebral cavernous malformations are evaluated. Finally, we discuss the potential clinical implications of these findings and propose that proper understanding and specific targeting of these clonal cells may provide unique therapeutic options for the treatment of these cardiovascular conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Lin
- Atherosclerosis and Vascular Remodeling Group, Heart Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mairi Brittan
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew H. Baker
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- CARIM School for Cardiovascular Sciences, Department of Pathology, Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC), Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Stefanie Dimmeler
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Berlin, Germany
- Cardiopulmonary Institute, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Edward A. Fisher
- Department of Medicine/Division of Cardiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Center, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Judith C. Sluimer
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- CARIM School for Cardiovascular Sciences, Department of Pathology, Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC), Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Ashish Misra
- Atherosclerosis and Vascular Remodeling Group, Heart Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Heart Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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8
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Scipione CA, Hyduk SJ, Polenz CK, Cybulsky MI. Unveiling the Hidden Landscape of Arterial Diseases at Single-Cell Resolution. Can J Cardiol 2023; 39:1781-1794. [PMID: 37716639 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2023.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023] Open
Abstract
High-resolution single-cell technologies have shed light on the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases by enabling the discovery of novel cellular and transcriptomic signatures associated with various conditions, and uncovering new contributions of inflammatory processes, immunity, metabolic stress, and risk factors. We review the information obtained from studies using single-cell technologies in tissues with atherosclerosis and aortic aneurysms. Insights are provided on the biology of endothelial, smooth muscle, and immune cells in the arterial intima and media. In addition to cellular diversity, numerous examples of plasticity and phenotype switching are highlighted and presented in the context of normal cell functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey A Scipione
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Departments of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology and Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Sharon J Hyduk
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Chanele K Polenz
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Departments of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology and Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Myron I Cybulsky
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Departments of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology and Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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9
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Mosquera JV, Auguste G, Wong D, Turner AW, Hodonsky CJ, Alvarez-Yela AC, Song Y, Cheng Q, Lino Cardenas CL, Theofilatos K, Bos M, Kavousi M, Peyser PA, Mayr M, Kovacic JC, Björkegren JLM, Malhotra R, Stukenberg PT, Finn AV, van der Laan SW, Zang C, Sheffield NC, Miller CL. Integrative single-cell meta-analysis reveals disease-relevant vascular cell states and markers in human atherosclerosis. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113380. [PMID: 37950869 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is characterized by atherosclerotic plaque formation in the arterial wall. CAD progression involves complex interactions and phenotypic plasticity among vascular and immune cell lineages. Single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) studies have highlighted lineage-specific transcriptomic signatures, but human cell phenotypes remain controversial. Here, we perform an integrated meta-analysis of 22 scRNA-seq libraries to generate a comprehensive map of human atherosclerosis with 118,578 cells. Besides characterizing granular cell-type diversity and communication, we leverage this atlas to provide insights into smooth muscle cell (SMC) modulation. We integrate genome-wide association study data and uncover a critical role for modulated SMC phenotypes in CAD, myocardial infarction, and coronary calcification. Finally, we identify fibromyocyte/fibrochondrogenic SMC markers (LTBP1 and CRTAC1) as proxies of atherosclerosis progression and validate these through omics and spatial imaging analyses. Altogether, we create a unified atlas of human atherosclerosis informing cell state-specific mechanistic and translational studies of cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Verdezoto Mosquera
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Gaëlle Auguste
- Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Doris Wong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Adam W Turner
- Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Chani J Hodonsky
- Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | | | - Yipei Song
- Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Department of Computer Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Qi Cheng
- CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA
| | - Christian L Lino Cardenas
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129, USA
| | | | - Maxime Bos
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Maryam Kavousi
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Patricia A Peyser
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI 48019, USA
| | - Manuel Mayr
- King's British Heart Foundation Centre, King's College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK; National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London SW3 6LY, UK
| | - Jason C Kovacic
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia; St. Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Johan L M Björkegren
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn Institute for Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 141 52 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Rajeev Malhotra
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129, USA
| | - P Todd Stukenberg
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | | | - Sander W van der Laan
- Central Diagnostics Laboratory, Division Laboratories, Pharmacy, and Biomedical Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Chongzhi Zang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Nathan C Sheffield
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Clint L Miller
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
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10
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Hutton M, Frazer M, Lin A, Patel S, Misra A. New Targets in Atherosclerosis: Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Plasticity and Macrophage Polarity. Clin Ther 2023; 45:1047-1054. [PMID: 37709601 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2023.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Despite an increase in treatment options, and substantial reductions in cardiovascular mortality over the past half-century, atherosclerosis remains the most prevalent cause of premature mortality worldwide. The development of innovative new therapies is crucial to further minimize atherosclerosis-related deaths. The diverse array of cell phenotypes derived from vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and macrophages within atherosclerotic plaques are increasingly becoming recognized for their beneficial and detrimental roles in plaque stability and disease burden. This review explores how contemporary transcriptomics and fate-mapping studies have revealed vascular cell plasticity as a relatively unexplored target for therapeutic intervention. METHODS Recent literature for this narrative review was obtained by searching electronic databases (ie, Google Scholar, PubMed). Additional studies were sourced from reference lists and the authors' personal databases. FINDINGS The lipid-rich and inflammatory plaque milieu induces SMC phenotypic switching to both beneficial and detrimental phenotypes. Likewise, macrophage heterogeneity increases with disease burden to a variety of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory activation states. These vascular cell phenotypes are determinants of plaque structure stability, and it is therefore highly likely that they influence clinical outcomes. Development of clinical treatments targeting deleterious phenotypes or promoting pro-healing phenotypes remains in its infancy. However, existing treatments (statins) have shown beneficial effects toward macrophage polarization, providing a rationale for more targeted approaches. In contrast, beneficial SMC phenotypic modulation with these pharmacologic agents has yet to be achieved. The range of modulated vascular cell phenotypes provides a multitude of novel targets and the potential to reduce future adverse events. IMPLICATIONS Vascular cell phenotypic heterogeneity must continue to be explored to lower cardiovascular events in the future. The rapidly increasing weight of evidence surrounding the role of SMC plasticity and macrophage polarity in plaque vulnerability provides a strong foundation upon which development of new therapeutics must follow. This approach may prove to be crucial in reducing cardiovascular events and improving patient benefit in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hutton
- Atherosclerosis and Vascular Remodeling Group, Heart Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Madeleine Frazer
- Atherosclerosis and Vascular Remodeling Group, Heart Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alexander Lin
- Atherosclerosis and Vascular Remodeling Group, Heart Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sanjay Patel
- Heart Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ashish Misra
- Atherosclerosis and Vascular Remodeling Group, Heart Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Heart Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
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11
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Nagesh PT, Nishi H, Rawal S, Zahr T, Miano JM, Sorci-Thomas M, Xu H, Akbar N, Choudhury RP, Misra A, Fisher EA. HDL regulates TGFß-receptor lipid raft partitioning, restoring contractile features of cholesterol-loaded vascular smooth muscle cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.19.562786. [PMID: 37905061 PMCID: PMC10614922 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.19.562786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Background Cholesterol-loading of mouse aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (mVSMCs) downregulates miR-143/145, a master regulator of the contractile state downstream of TGFβ signaling. In vitro, this results in transitioning from a contractile mVSMC to a macrophage-like state. This process likely occurs in vivo based on studies in mouse and human atherosclerotic plaques. Objectives To test whether cholesterol-loading reduces VSMC TGFβ signaling and if cholesterol efflux will restore signaling and the contractile state in vitro and in vivo. Methods Human coronary artery (h)VSMCs were cholesterol-loaded, then treated with HDL (to promote cholesterol efflux). For in vivo studies, partial conditional deletion of Tgfβr2 in lineage-traced VSMC mice was induced. Mice wild-type for VSMC Tgfβr2 or partially deficient (Tgfβr2+/-) were made hypercholesterolemic to establish atherosclerosis. Mice were then treated with apoA1 (which forms HDL). Results Cholesterol-loading of hVSMCs downregulated TGFβ signaling and contractile gene expression; macrophage markers were induced. TGFβ signaling positively regulated miR-143/145 expression, increasing Acta2 expression and suppressing KLF4. Cholesterol-loading localized TGFβ receptors into lipid rafts, with consequent TGFβ signaling downregulation. Notably, in cholesterol-loaded hVSMCs HDL particles displaced receptors from lipid rafts and increased TGFβ signaling, resulting in enhanced miR-145 expression and decreased KLF4-dependent macrophage features. ApoA1 infusion into Tgfβr2+/- mice restored Acta2 expression and decreased macrophage-marker expression in plaque VSMCs, with evidence of increased TGFβ signaling. Conclusions Cholesterol suppresses TGFβ signaling and the contractile state in hVSMC through partitioning of TGFβ receptors into lipid rafts. These changes can be reversed by promotion of cholesterol efflux, consistent with evidence in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashanth Thevkar Nagesh
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, and Cardiovascular Research Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Hitoo Nishi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, and Cardiovascular Research Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Shruti Rawal
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, and Cardiovascular Research Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Tarik Zahr
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, and Cardiovascular Research Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Joseph M Miano
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia 30912
| | - Mary Sorci-Thomas
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Hao Xu
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Naveed Akbar
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Oxford University Hospitals, NHS Trust, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Robin P Choudhury
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Oxford University Hospitals, NHS Trust, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ashish Misra
- Heart Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Edward A Fisher
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, and Cardiovascular Research Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
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12
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Gomez D. Nobody Is Perfect: Cre Drivers Deserve Careful Consideration. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2023; 43:2071-2074. [PMID: 37650324 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.319683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Delphine Gomez
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, Blood, and Vascular Medicine Institute and Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, PA
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13
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Bashore AC, Yan H, Xue C, Zhu LY, Kim E, Mawson T, Coronel J, Chung A, Ho S, Ross LS, Kissner M, Passegué E, Bauer RC, Maegdefessel L, Li M, Reilly MP. High-Dimensional Single-Cell Multimodal Landscape of Human Carotid Atherosclerosis. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.07.13.23292633. [PMID: 37502836 PMCID: PMC10370238 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.13.23292633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Background Atherosclerotic plaques are complex tissues composed of a heterogeneous mixture of cells. However, we have limited understanding of the comprehensive transcriptional and phenotypical landscape of the cells within these lesions. Methods To characterize the landscape of human carotid atherosclerosis in greater detail, we combined cellular indexing of transcriptomes and epitopes by sequencing (CITE-seq) and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to classify all cell types within lesions (n=21; 13 symptomatic) to achieve a comprehensive multimodal understanding of the cellular identities of atherosclerosis and their association with clinical pathophysiology. Results We identified 25 distinct cell populations each having a unique multi-omic signature, including macrophages, T cells, NK cells, mast cells, B cells, plasma cells, neutrophils, dendritic cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Within the macrophage populations, we identified 2 proinflammatory subsets that were enriched in IL1B or C1Q expression, 2 distinct TREM2 positive foam cell subsets, one of which also expressed inflammatory genes, as well as subpopulations displaying a proliferative gene expression signature and one expressing SMC-specific genes and upregulation of fibrotic pathways. An in-depth characterization uncovered several subsets of SMCs and fibroblasts, including a SMC-derived foam cell. We localized this foamy SMC to the deep intima of coronary atherosclerotic lesions. Using CITE-seq data, we also developed the first flow cytometry panel, using cell surface proteins CD29, CD142, and CD90, to isolate SMC-derived cells from lesions. Last, we found that the proportion of efferocytotic macrophages, classically activated endothelial cells, contractile and modulated SMC-derived cell types were reduced, and inflammatory SMCs were enriched in plaques of clinically symptomatic vs. asymptomatic patients. Conclusions Our multimodal atlas of cell populations within atherosclerosis provides novel insights into the diversity, phenotype, location, isolation, and clinical relevance of the unique cellular composition of human carotid atherosclerosis. This facilitates both the mapping of cardiovascular disease susceptibility loci to specific cell types as well as the identification of novel molecular and cellular therapeutic targets for treatment of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander C Bashore
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York
| | - Hanying Yan
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Chenyi Xue
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York
| | - Lucie Y Zhu
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York
| | - Eunyoung Kim
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York
| | - Thomas Mawson
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York
| | - Johana Coronel
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York
| | - Allen Chung
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York
| | - Sebastian Ho
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York
| | - Leila S Ross
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York
| | - Michael Kissner
- Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York
| | - Emmanuelle Passegué
- Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York
| | - Robert C Bauer
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York
| | - Lars Maegdefessel
- Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Technical University Munich, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Munich Heart Alliance
- Karolinksa Institute, Department of Medicine
| | - Mingyao Li
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Muredach P Reilly
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York
- Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
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14
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Worssam MD, Lambert J, Oc S, Taylor JCK, Taylor AL, Dobnikar L, Chappell J, Harman JL, Figg NL, Finigan A, Foote K, Uryga AK, Bennett MR, Spivakov M, Jørgensen HF. Cellular mechanisms of oligoclonal vascular smooth muscle cell expansion in cardiovascular disease. Cardiovasc Res 2023; 119:1279-1294. [PMID: 35994249 PMCID: PMC10202649 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvac138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Quiescent, differentiated adult vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) can be induced to proliferate and switch phenotype. Such plasticity underlies blood vessel homeostasis and contributes to vascular disease development. Oligoclonal VSMC contribution is a hallmark of end-stage vascular disease. Here, we aim to understand cellular mechanisms underpinning generation of this VSMC oligoclonality. METHODS AND RESULTS We investigate the dynamics of VSMC clone formation using confocal microscopy and single-cell transcriptomics in VSMC-lineage-traced animal models. We find that activation of medial VSMC proliferation occurs at low frequency after vascular injury and that only a subset of expanding clones migrate, which together drives formation of oligoclonal neointimal lesions. VSMC contribution in small atherosclerotic lesions is typically from one or two clones, similar to observations in mature lesions. Low frequency (<0.1%) of clonal VSMC proliferation is also observed in vitro. Single-cell RNA-sequencing revealed progressive cell state changes across a contiguous VSMC population at onset of injury-induced proliferation. Proliferating VSMCs mapped selectively to one of two distinct trajectories and were associated with cells showing extensive phenotypic switching. A proliferation-associated transitory state shared pronounced similarities with atypical SCA1+ VSMCs from uninjured mouse arteries and VSMCs in healthy human aorta. We show functionally that clonal expansion of SCA1+ VSMCs from healthy arteries occurs at higher rate and frequency compared with SCA1- cells. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that activation of proliferation at low frequency is a general, cell-intrinsic feature of VSMCs. We show that rare VSMCs in healthy arteries display VSMC phenotypic switching akin to that observed in pathological vessel remodelling and that this is a conserved feature of mouse and human healthy arteries. The increased proliferation of modulated VSMCs from healthy arteries suggests that these cells respond more readily to disease-inducing cues and could drive oligoclonal VSMC expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matt D Worssam
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Jordi Lambert
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Sebnem Oc
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - James C K Taylor
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Annabel L Taylor
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Lina Dobnikar
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
- Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Joel Chappell
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Jennifer L Harman
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Nichola L Figg
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Alison Finigan
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Kirsty Foote
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Anna K Uryga
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Martin R Bennett
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Mikhail Spivakov
- Functional Gene Control Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, London, UK
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Helle F Jørgensen
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
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15
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Bonacina F, Di Costanzo A, Genkel V, Kong XY, Kroon J, Stimjanin E, Tsiantoulas D, Grootaert MO. The heterogeneous cellular landscape of atherosclerosis: Implications for future research and therapies. A collaborative review from the EAS young fellows. Atherosclerosis 2023; 372:48-56. [PMID: 37030081 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2023.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/10/2023]
Abstract
Single cell technologies, lineage tracing mouse models and advanced imaging techniques unequivocally improved the resolution of the cellular landscape of atherosclerosis. Although the discovery of the heterogeneous nature of the cellular plaque architecture has undoubtedly improved our understanding of the specific cellular states in atherosclerosis progression, it also adds more complexity to current and future research and will change how we approach future drug development. In this review, we will discuss how the revolution of new single cell technologies allowed us to map the cellular networks in the plaque, but we will also address current (technological) limitations that confine us to identify the cellular drivers of the disease and to pinpoint a specific cell state, cell subset or cell surface antigen as new candidate drug target for atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizia Bonacina
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessia Di Costanzo
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Vadim Genkel
- Department of Internal Medicine, South-Ural State Medical University, Chelyabinsk, Russia
| | - Xiang Yi Kong
- Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jeffrey Kroon
- Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Department of Experimental Vascular Medicine, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Atherosclerosis & Ischemic Syndromes, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Belgium; Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven and Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), Belgium
| | - Ena Stimjanin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cantonal Hospital Zenical, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | | | - Mandy Oj Grootaert
- Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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16
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de Winther MPJ, Bäck M, Evans P, Gomez D, Goncalves I, Jørgensen HF, Koenen RR, Lutgens E, Norata GD, Osto E, Dib L, Simons M, Stellos K, Ylä-Herttuala S, Winkels H, Bochaton-Piallat ML, Monaco C. Translational opportunities of single-cell biology in atherosclerosis. Eur Heart J 2022; 44:1216-1230. [PMID: 36478058 PMCID: PMC10120164 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehac686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The advent of single-cell biology opens a new chapter for understanding human biological processes and for diagnosing, monitoring, and treating disease. This revolution now reaches the field of cardiovascular disease (CVD). New technologies to interrogate CVD samples at single-cell resolution are allowing the identification of novel cell communities that are important in shaping disease development and direct towards new therapeutic strategies. These approaches have begun to revolutionize atherosclerosis pathology and redraw our understanding of disease development. This review discusses the state-of-the-art of single-cell analysis of atherosclerotic plaques, with a particular focus on human lesions, and presents the current resolution of cellular subpopulations and their heterogeneity and plasticity in relation to clinically relevant features. Opportunities and pitfalls of current technologies as well as the clinical impact of single-cell technologies in CVD patient care are highlighted, advocating for multidisciplinary and international collaborative efforts to join the cellular dots of CVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menno P J de Winther
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Magnus Bäck
- Translational Cardiology, Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- University of Lorraine, INSERM U1116, Nancy University Hospital, Nancy, France
| | - Paul Evans
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, INSIGNEO Institute, and the Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Delphine Gomez
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Heart, Lung, Blood and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Isabel Goncalves
- Cardiovascular Research Translational Studies, Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
- Department of Cardiology, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Helle F Jørgensen
- Cardiorespiratory Medicine Section, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Rory R Koenen
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Esther Lutgens
- Institute of Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilian's Universität, Munich, Germany
- German Centre of Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
- Cardiovascular Medicine, Experimental CardioVascular Immunology Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Giuseppe Danilo Norata
- Department of Excellence in Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Center for the Study of Atherosclerosis, SISA, Bassini Hospital, Cinisello Balsamo, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Osto
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Department of Cardiology, Heart Center, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lea Dib
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, NDORMS, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, OX37FY Oxford, UK
| | - Michael Simons
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Cell Biology, Yale University and Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, 300 George St, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Konstantinos Stellos
- European Center for Angioscience, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Seppo Ylä-Herttuala
- A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland and Heart Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Holger Winkels
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Division of Cardiology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Claudia Monaco
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, NDORMS, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, OX37FY Oxford, UK
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17
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Evans PC, Davidson SM, Wojta J, Bäck M, Bollini S, Brittan M, Catapano AL, Chaudhry B, Cluitmans M, Gnecchi M, Guzik TJ, Hoefer I, Madonna R, Monteiro JP, Morawietz H, Osto E, Padró T, Sluimer JC, Tocchetti CG, Van der Heiden K, Vilahur G, Waltenberger J, Weber C. From novel discovery tools and biomarkers to precision medicine-basic cardiovascular science highlights of 2021/22. Cardiovasc Res 2022; 118:2754-2767. [PMID: 35899362 PMCID: PMC9384606 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvac114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we review the highlights of cardiovascular basic science published in 2021 and early 2022 on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology Council for Basic Cardiovascular Science. We begin with non-coding RNAs which have emerged as central regulators cardiovascular biology, and then discuss how technological developments in single-cell 'omics are providing new insights into cardiovascular development, inflammation, and disease. We also review recent discoveries on the biology of extracellular vesicles in driving either protective or pathogenic responses. The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2021 recognized the importance of the molecular basis of mechanosensing and here we review breakthroughs in cardiovascular sensing of mechanical force. We also summarize discoveries in the field of atherosclerosis including the role of clonal haematopoiesis of indeterminate potential, and new mechanisms of crosstalk between hyperglycaemia, lipid mediators, and inflammation. The past 12 months also witnessed major advances in the field of cardiac arrhythmia including new mechanisms of fibrillation. We also focus on inducible pluripotent stem cell technology which has demonstrated disease causality for several genetic polymorphisms in long-QT syndrome and aortic valve disease, paving the way for personalized medicine approaches. Finally, the cardiovascular community has continued to better understand COVID-19 with significant advancement in our knowledge of cardiovascular tropism, molecular markers, the mechanism of vaccine-induced thrombotic complications and new anti-viral therapies that protect the cardiovascular system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Sveva Bollini
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, L.go R. Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Mairi Brittan
- Queens Medical Research Institute, BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Scotland
| | | | - Bill Chaudhry
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Matthijs Cluitmans
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Philips Research, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - Massimiliano Gnecchi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Cardiology, University of Pavia Division of Cardiology, Unit of Translational Cardiology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Tomasz J Guzik
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland and Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Imo Hoefer
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory, UMC Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Rosalinda Madonna
- Institute of Cardiology, Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular and Critical Care Area, University of Pisa, Pisa, 56124 Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiology Division, University of Texas Medical School, Houston, TX, USA
| | - João P Monteiro
- Queens Medical Research Institute, BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Scotland
| | - Henning Morawietz
- Division of Vascular Endothelium and Microcirculation, Department of Medicine III, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
| | - Elena Osto
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Department of Cardiology, Heart Center, University Hospital & University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Teresa Padró
- Cardiovascular Program-ICCC, IR-Hospital Santa Creu i Sant Pau, IIB-Sant Pau, and CIBERCV-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Judith C Sluimer
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherland
- University/BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Carlo Gabriele Tocchetti
- Cardio-Oncology Unit, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology (CISI), Interdepartmental Center of Clinical and Translational Sciences (CIRCET), Interdepartmental Hypertension Research Center (CIRIAPA), Federico II University, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Kim Van der Heiden
- Biomedical Engineering, Thoraxcenter, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gemma Vilahur
- Cardiovascular Program-ICCC, IR-Hospital Santa Creu i Sant Pau, IIB-Sant Pau, and CIBERCV-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Johannes Waltenberger
- Cardiovascular Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
- Diagnostic and Therapeutic Heart Center, Zurich, Switzerland
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18
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Sawma T, Shaito A, Najm N, Sidani M, Orekhov A, El-Yazbi AF, Iratni R, Eid AH. Role of RhoA and Rho-associated kinase in phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells: Implications for vascular function. Atherosclerosis 2022; 358:12-28. [DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2022.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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19
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Slenders L, Tessels DE, van der Laan SW, Pasterkamp G, Mokry M. The Applications of Single-Cell RNA Sequencing in Atherosclerotic Disease. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:826103. [PMID: 35211529 PMCID: PMC8860895 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.826103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis still is the primary cause of death worldwide. Our characterization of the atherosclerotic lesion is mainly rooted in definitions based on pathological descriptions. We often speak in absolutes regarding plaque phenotypes: vulnerable vs. stable plaques or plaque rupture vs. plaque erosion. By focusing on these concepts, we may have oversimplified the atherosclerotic disease and its mechanisms. The widely used definitions of pathology-based plaque phenotypes can be fine-tuned with observations made with various -omics techniques. Recent advancements in single-cell transcriptomics provide the opportunity to characterize the cellular composition of the atherosclerotic plaque. This additional layer of information facilitates the in-depth characterization of the atherosclerotic plaque. In this review, we discuss the impact that single-cell transcriptomics may exert on our current understanding of atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lotte Slenders
- Central Diagnostics Laboratory, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Daniëlle E Tessels
- Central Diagnostics Laboratory, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Sander W van der Laan
- Central Diagnostics Laboratory, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Gerard Pasterkamp
- Central Diagnostics Laboratory, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Michal Mokry
- Central Diagnostics Laboratory, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
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20
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Chen J, Zhang X, Millican R, Lynd T, Gangasani M, Malhotra S, Sherwood J, Hwang PT, Cho Y, Brott BC, Qin G, Jo H, Yoon YS, Jun HW. Recent Progress in in vitro Models for Atherosclerosis Studies. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 8:790529. [PMID: 35155603 PMCID: PMC8829969 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.790529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is the primary cause of hardening and narrowing arteries, leading to cardiovascular disease accounting for the high mortality in the United States. For developing effective treatments for atherosclerosis, considerable efforts have been devoted to developing in vitro models. Compared to animal models, in vitro models can provide great opportunities to obtain data more efficiently, economically. Therefore, this review discusses the recent progress in in vitro models for atherosclerosis studies, including traditional two-dimensional (2D) systems cultured on the tissue culture plate, 2D cell sheets, and recently emerged microfluidic chip models with 2D culture. In addition, advanced in vitro three-dimensional models such as spheroids, cell-laden hydrogel constructs, tissue-engineered blood vessels, and vessel-on-a-chip will also be covered. Moreover, the functions of these models are also summarized along with model discussion. Lastly, the future perspectives of this field are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Xixi Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | | | - Tyler Lynd
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Manas Gangasani
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Shubh Malhotra
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | | | | | - Younghye Cho
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
- Family Medicine Clinic, Obesity, Metabolism, and Nutrition Center and Research Institute of Convergence of Biomedical Science and Technology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, South Korea
| | - Brigitta C. Brott
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
- Endomimetics, LLC., Birmingham, AL, United States
- Division of Cardiovascular Disease, School of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Gangjian Qin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Hanjoong Jo
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Young-sup Yoon
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ho-Wook Jun
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
- Endomimetics, LLC., Birmingham, AL, United States
- *Correspondence: Ho-Wook Jun
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21
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McQueen LW, Ladak SS, Abbasciano R, George SJ, Suleiman MS, Angelini GD, Murphy GJ, Zakkar M. Next-Generation and Single-Cell Sequencing Approaches to Study Atherosclerosis and Vascular Inflammation Pathophysiology: A Systematic Review. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:849675. [PMID: 35419441 PMCID: PMC8996078 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.849675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite decades of research into the development and progression of this disease, current management and treatment approaches remain unsatisfactory and further studies are required to understand the exact pathophysiology. This review aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of currently published data utilizing single-cell and next-generation sequencing techniques to identify key cellular and molecular contributions to atherosclerosis and vascular inflammation. Methods Electronic searches of Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases were undertaken from inception until February 2022. A narrative synthesis of all included studies was performed for all included studies. Quality assessment and risk of bias analysis was evaluated using the ARRIVE and SYRCLE checklist tools. Results Thirty-four studies were eligible for narrative synthesis, with 16 articles utilizing single-cell exclusively, 10 utilizing next-generation sequencing and 8 using a combination of these approaches. Studies investigated numerous targets, ranging from exploratory tissue and plaque analysis, cell phenotype investigation and physiological/hemodynamic contributions to disease progression at both the single-cell and whole genome level. A significant area of focus was placed on smooth muscle cell, macrophage, and stem/progenitor contributions to disease, with little focus placed on contributions of other cell types including lymphocytes and endothelial cells. A significant level of heterogeneity exists in the outcomes from single-cell sequencing of similar samples, leading to inter-sample and inter-study variation. Conclusions Single-cell and next-generation sequencing methodologies offer novel means of elucidating atherosclerosis with significantly higher resolution than previous methodologies. These approaches also show significant potential for translatability into other vascular disease states, by facilitating cell-specific gene expression profiles between disease states. Implementation of these technologies may offer novel approaches to understanding the disease pathophysiology and improving disease prevention, management, and treatment.Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021229960, identifier: CRD42021229960.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liam W McQueen
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Clinical Science Wing, Glenfield Hospital, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Shameem S Ladak
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Clinical Science Wing, Glenfield Hospital, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Riccardo Abbasciano
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Clinical Science Wing, Glenfield Hospital, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah J George
- Bristol Heart Institute and Translational Biomedical Research Centre, Bristol Medical School, Bristol Royal Infirmary, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - M-Saadeh Suleiman
- Bristol Heart Institute and Translational Biomedical Research Centre, Bristol Medical School, Bristol Royal Infirmary, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Gianni D Angelini
- Bristol Heart Institute and Translational Biomedical Research Centre, Bristol Medical School, Bristol Royal Infirmary, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Gavin J Murphy
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Clinical Science Wing, Glenfield Hospital, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Mustafa Zakkar
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Clinical Science Wing, Glenfield Hospital, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
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22
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Johnson RT, Solanki R, Warren DT. Mechanical programming of arterial smooth muscle cells in health and ageing. Biophys Rev 2021; 13:757-768. [PMID: 34745374 PMCID: PMC8553715 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-021-00833-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Arterial smooth muscle cells (ASMCs), the predominant cell type within the arterial wall, detect and respond to external mechanical forces. These forces can be derived from blood flow (i.e. pressure and stretch) or from the supporting extracellular matrix (i.e. stiffness and topography). The healthy arterial wall is elastic, allowing the artery to change shape in response to changes in blood pressure, a property known as arterial compliance. As we age, the mechanical forces applied to ASMCs change; blood pressure and arterial wall rigidity increase and result in a reduction in arterial compliance. These changes in mechanical environment enhance ASMC contractility and promote disease-associated changes in ASMC phenotype. For mechanical stimuli to programme ASMCs, forces must influence the cell's load-bearing apparatus, the cytoskeleton. Comprised of an interconnected network of actin filaments, microtubules and intermediate filaments, each cytoskeletal component has distinct mechanical properties that enable ASMCs to respond to changes within the mechanical environment whilst maintaining cell integrity. In this review, we discuss how mechanically driven cytoskeletal reorganisation programmes ASMC function and phenotypic switching.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Reesha Solanki
- School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ UK
| | - Derek T. Warren
- School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ UK
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23
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Mechanisms of vascular smooth muscle cell investment and phenotypic diversification in vascular diseases. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:2101-2111. [PMID: 34495326 PMCID: PMC8589433 DOI: 10.1042/bst20210138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
In contrast with the heart, the adult mammalian vasculature retains significant remodelling capacity, dysregulation of which is implicated in disease development. In particular, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play major roles in the pathological vascular remodelling characteristic of atherosclerosis, restenosis, aneurysm and pulmonary arterial hypertension. Clonal lineage tracing revealed that the VSMC-contribution to disease results from the hyperproliferation of few pre-existing medial cells and suggested that VSMC-derived cells from the same clone can adopt diverse phenotypes. Studies harnessing the powerful combination of lineage tracing and single-cell transcriptomics have delineated the substantial diversity of VSMC-derived cells in vascular lesions, which are proposed to have both beneficial and detrimental effects on disease severity. Computational analyses further suggest that the pathway from contractile VSMCs in healthy arteries to phenotypically distinct lesional cells consists of multiple, potentially regulatable, steps. A better understanding of how individual steps are controlled could reveal effective therapeutic strategies to minimise VSMC functions that drive pathology whilst maintaining or enhancing their beneficial roles. Here we review current knowledge of VSMC plasticity and highlight important questions that should be addressed to understand how specific stages of VSMC investment and phenotypic diversification are controlled. Implications for developing therapeutic strategies in pathological vascular remodelling are discussed and we explore how cutting-edge approaches could be used to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying VSMC regulation.
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