1
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Cimen I, Natarelli L, Abedi Kichi Z, Henderson JM, Farina FM, Briem E, Aslani M, Megens RTA, Jansen Y, Mann-Fallenbuchel E, Gencer S, Duchêne J, Nazari-Jahantigh M, van der Vorst EPC, Enard W, Döring Y, Schober A, Santovito D, Weber C. Targeting a cell-specific microRNA repressor of CXCR4 ameliorates atherosclerosis in mice. Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eadf3357. [PMID: 37910599 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adf3357] [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: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
The CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) in endothelial cells (ECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is crucial for vascular integrity. The atheroprotective functions of CXCR4 in vascular cells may be counteracted by atherogenic functions in other nonvascular cell types. Thus, strategies for cell-specifically augmenting CXCR4 function in vascular cells are crucial if this receptor is to be useful as a therapeutic target in treating atherosclerosis and other vascular disorders. Here, we identified miR-206-3p as a vascular-specific CXCR4 repressor and exploited a target-site blocker (CXCR4-TSB) that disrupted the interaction of miR-206-3p with CXCR4 in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, CXCR4-TSB enhanced CXCR4 expression in human and murine ECs and VSMCs to modulate cell viability, proliferation, and migration. Systemic administration of CXCR4-TSB in Apoe-deficient mice enhanced Cxcr4 expression in ECs and VSMCs in the walls of blood vessels, reduced vascular permeability and monocyte adhesion to endothelium, and attenuated the development of diet-induced atherosclerosis. CXCR4-TSB also increased CXCR4 expression in B cells, corroborating its atheroprotective role in this cell type. Analyses of human atherosclerotic plaque specimens revealed a decrease in CXCR4 and an increase in miR-206-3p expression in advanced compared with early lesions, supporting a role for the miR-206-3p-CXCR4 interaction in human disease. Disrupting the miR-206-3p-CXCR4 interaction in a cell-specific manner with target-site blockers is a potential therapeutic approach that could be used to treat atherosclerosis and other vascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ismail Cimen
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Lucia Natarelli
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Zahra Abedi Kichi
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - James M Henderson
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80336 Munich, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Floriana M Farina
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80336 Munich, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Eva Briem
- Anthropology and Human Genomics, Faculty of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 85152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Maria Aslani
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Remco T A Megens
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80336 Munich, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, 80336 Munich, Germany
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Centre, 6200 MD Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Yvonne Jansen
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Elizabeth Mann-Fallenbuchel
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Selin Gencer
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Johan Duchêne
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80336 Munich, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Maliheh Nazari-Jahantigh
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80336 Munich, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Emiel P C van der Vorst
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80336 Munich, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, 80336 Munich, Germany
- Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research (IMCAR), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research (IZKF), RWTH Aachen University, 52062 Aachen, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Enard
- Anthropology and Human Genomics, Faculty of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 85152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Yvonne Döring
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80336 Munich, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, 80336 Munich, Germany
- Department of Angiology, Swiss Cardiovascular Center, Inselspital, University Hospital of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Schober
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80336 Munich, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Donato Santovito
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80336 Munich, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, 80336 Munich, Germany
- Institute of Genetic and Biomedical Research (IRGB), Unit of Milan, National Research Council (CNR), 20090 Milan, Italy
| | - Christian Weber
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80336 Munich, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, 80336 Munich, Germany
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Centre, 6229 HX Maastricht, Netherlands
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), 81337 Munich, Germany
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2
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Egea V, Megens RTA, Santovito D, Wantha S, Brandl R, Siess W, Khani S, Soehnlein O, Bartelt A, Weber C, Ries C. Properties and fate of human mesenchymal stem cells upon miRNA let-7f-promoted recruitment to atherosclerotic plaques. Cardiovasc Res 2023; 119:155-166. [PMID: 35238350 PMCID: PMC10022860 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvac022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the arteries leading to the formation of atheromatous plaques. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are recruited from the circulation into plaques where in response to their environment they adopt a phenotype with immunomodulatory properties. However, the mechanisms underlying hMSC function in these processes are unclear. Recently, we described that miRNA let-7f controls hMSC invasion guided by inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Here, we investigated the role of let-7f in hMSC tropism to human atheromas and the effects of the plaque microenvironment on cell fate and release of soluble factors. METHODS AND RESULTS Incubation of hMSCs with LL-37, an antimicrobial peptide abundantly found in plaques, increased biosynthesis of let-7f and N-formyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2), enabling chemotactic invasion of the cells towards LL-37, as determined by qRT-PCR, flow cytometry, and cell invasion assay analysis. In an Apoe-/- mouse model of atherosclerosis, circulating hMSCs preferentially adhered to athero-prone endothelium. This property was facilitated by elevated levels of let-7f in the hMSCs, as assayed by ex vivo artery perfusion and two-photon laser scanning microscopy. Exposure of hMSCs to homogenized human atheromatous plaque material considerably induced the production of various cytokines, chemokines, matrix metalloproteinases, and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases, as studied by PCR array and western blot analysis. Moreover, exposure to human plaque extracts elicited differentiation of hMSCs into cells of the myogenic lineage, suggesting a potentially plaque-stabilizing effect. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that let-7f promotes hMSC tropism towards atheromas through the LL-37/FPR2 axis and demonstrate that hMSCs upon contact with human plaque environment develop a potentially athero-protective signature impacting the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Egea
- Corresponding authors. Tel: +49-89-4400-55310, E-mail: (C.R.); Tel: +49-89-4400-43902, E-mail: (V.E.)
| | - Remco Theodorus Adrianus Megens
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Donato Santovito
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
- Institute for Genetic and Biomedical Research (IRGB), UoS of Milan, National Research Council (CNR), Milan, Italy
| | - Sarawuth Wantha
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Richard Brandl
- St. Mary’s Square Institute for Vascular Surgery and Phlebology, Munich, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Siess
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sajjad Khani
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Oliver Soehnlein
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology (FyFa), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Institute for Experimental Pathology (ExPat), Center for Molecular Biology of Inflammation (ZMBE), Westfaelische Wilhelms-University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Alexander Bartelt
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
- Institute for Diabetes and Cancer (IDC), Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Molecular Metabolism, Sabri Ülker Center for Metabolic Research, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Christian Weber
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Ries
- Corresponding authors. Tel: +49-89-4400-55310, E-mail: (C.R.); Tel: +49-89-4400-43902, E-mail: (V.E.)
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3
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Maas SL, Megens RTA, van der Vorst EPC. Ex Vivo Perfusion System to Analyze Chemokine-Driven Leukocyte Adhesion. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2597:59-75. [PMID: 36374414 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2835-5_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
At the moment, many researchers are using in vitro techniques to investigate chemokine-driven leukocyte adhesion/recruitment, for example, by using a transwell or flow chamber system. Here we describe a more physiologically relevant, sophisticated, and highly flexible method to study leukocyte adhesion ex vivo in fresh murine carotid arteries under arterial flow conditions. This model mimics an in vivo situation and allows the combination of leukocytes and arteries isolated from different donors in one experiment, generating information on both vascular and leukocyte adhesive properties of both donors. This method provides a versatile, highly physiologically relevant model to investigate leukocyte adhesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanne L Maas
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Clinical Research (IZKF), RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research (IMCAR), RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Remco T A Megens
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME), Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Centre, ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Emiel P C van der Vorst
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Clinical Research (IZKF), RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
- Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research (IMCAR), RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany.
- Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Centre, ER Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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4
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Endothelial ACKR3 drives atherosclerosis by promoting immune cell adhesion to vascular endothelium. Basic Res Cardiol 2022; 117:30. [PMID: 35674847 PMCID: PMC9177477 DOI: 10.1007/s00395-022-00937-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is the foundation of potentially fatal cardiovascular diseases and it is characterized by plaque formation in large arteries. Current treatments aimed at reducing atherosclerotic risk factors still allow room for a large residual risk; therefore, novel therapeutic candidates targeting inflammation are needed. The endothelium is the starting point of vascular inflammation underlying atherosclerosis and we could previously demonstrate that the chemokine axis CXCL12-CXCR4 plays an important role in disease development. However, the role of ACKR3, the alternative and higher affinity receptor for CXCL12 remained to be elucidated. We studied the role of arterial ACKR3 in atherosclerosis using western diet-fed Apoe-/- mice lacking Ackr3 in arterial endothelial as well as smooth muscle cells. We show for the first time that arterial endothelial deficiency of ACKR3 attenuates atherosclerosis as a result of diminished arterial adhesion as well as invasion of immune cells. ACKR3 silencing in inflamed human coronary artery endothelial cells decreased adhesion molecule expression, establishing an initial human validation of ACKR3's role in endothelial adhesion. Concomitantly, ACKR3 silencing downregulated key mediators in the MAPK pathway, such as ERK1/2, as well as the phosphorylation of the NF-kB p65 subunit. Endothelial cells in atherosclerotic lesions also revealed decreased phospho-NF-kB p65 expression in ACKR3-deficient mice. Lack of smooth muscle cell-specific as well as hematopoietic ACKR3 did not impact atherosclerosis in mice. Collectively, our findings indicate that arterial endothelial ACKR3 fuels atherosclerosis by mediating endothelium-immune cell adhesion, most likely through inflammatory MAPK and NF-kB pathways.
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5
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Schober A, Blay RM, Saboor Maleki S, Zahedi F, Winklmaier AE, Kakar MY, Baatsch IM, Zhu M, Geißler C, Fusco AE, Eberlein A, Li N, Megens RTA, Banafsche R, Kumbrink J, Weber C, Nazari-Jahantigh M. MicroRNA-21 Controls Circadian Regulation of Apoptosis in Atherosclerotic Lesions. Circulation 2021; 144:1059-1073. [PMID: 34233454 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.120.051614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background: The necrotic core partly formed by ineffective efferocytosis increases the risk of an atherosclerotic plaque rupture. microRNAs contribute to necrotic core formation by regulating efferocytosis and macrophage apoptosis. Atherosclerotic plaque rupture occurs at increased frequency in the early morning, indicating diurnal changes in plaque vulnerability. Although circadian rhythms play a role in atherosclerosis, the molecular clock output pathways that control plaque composition and rupture susceptibility are unclear. Methods: Circadian gene expression, necrotic core size, and apoptosis and efferocytosis in aortic lesions were investigated at different times of the day in Apoe-/-Mir21+/+ mice and Apoe-/- Mir21-/- mice after consumption of a high-fat diet for 12 weeks feeding. Genome-wide gene expression and lesion formation were analyzed in bone marrow (BM)-transplanted mice. Diurnal changes in apoptosis and clock gene expression were determined in human atherosclerotic lesions. Results: The expression of molecular clock genes, lesional apoptosis, and necrotic core size were diurnally regulated in Apoe-/- mice. Efferocytosis did not match the diurnal increase in apoptosis at the beginning of the active phase. However, in parallel with apoptosis, expression levels of oscillating Mir21 strands decreased in the mouse atherosclerotic aorta. Mir21 knockout abolished circadian regulation of apoptosis and reduced necrotic core size, but did not affect core clock gene expression. Further, Mir21 knockout upregulated expression of pro-apoptotic XIAP associated factor 1 (Xaf1) in the atherosclerotic aorta, which abolished circadian expression of Xaf1. The anti-apoptotic effect of Mir21 was mediated by non-canonical targeting of Xaf1 through both Mir21 strands. Mir21 knockout in BM cells also reduced atherosclerosis and necrotic core size. Circadian regulation of clock gene expression was confirmed in human atherosclerotic lesions. Apoptosis oscillated diurnally in phase with XAF1 expression, demonstrating an early morning peak anti-phase to that of the Mir21 strands. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the molecular clock in atherosclerotic lesions induces a diurnal rhythm of apoptosis regulated by circadian Mir21 expression in macrophages that is not matched by efferocytosis, thus increasing the size of the necrotic core.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Schober
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, University Hospital of Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany; DZHK, German Centre for Cardiovascular Research, partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Richard M Blay
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, University Hospital of Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Saffiyeh Saboor Maleki
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, University Hospital of Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Farima Zahedi
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, University Hospital of Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Anja E Winklmaier
- Department of Vascular Surgery, University Hospital of Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Mati Y Kakar
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, University Hospital of Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Isabelle M Baatsch
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, University Hospital of Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Mengyu Zhu
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, University Hospital of Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Claudia Geißler
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, University Hospital of Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Anja E Fusco
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, University Hospital of Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Anna Eberlein
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, University Hospital of Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Nan Li
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, University Hospital of Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Remco T A Megens
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, University Hospital of Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany; Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Department of Biomedical Engineering, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Ramin Banafsche
- Department of Vascular Surgery, University Hospital of Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Jörg Kumbrink
- Institute for Pathology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Weber
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, University Hospital of Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany; DZHK, German Centre for Cardiovascular Research, partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Maliheh Nazari-Jahantigh
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, University Hospital of Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany; DZHK, German Centre for Cardiovascular Research, partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
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6
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Kontos C, El Bounkari O, Krammer C, Sinitski D, Hille K, Zan C, Yan G, Wang S, Gao Y, Brandhofer M, Megens RTA, Hoffmann A, Pauli J, Asare Y, Gerra S, Bourilhon P, Leng L, Eckstein HH, Kempf WE, Pelisek J, Gokce O, Maegdefessel L, Bucala R, Dichgans M, Weber C, Kapurniotu A, Bernhagen J. Designed CXCR4 mimic acts as a soluble chemokine receptor that blocks atherogenic inflammation by agonist-specific targeting. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5981. [PMID: 33239628 PMCID: PMC7689490 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19764-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeting a specific chemokine/receptor axis in atherosclerosis remains challenging. Soluble receptor-based strategies are not established for chemokine receptors due to their discontinuous architecture. Macrophage migration-inhibitory factor (MIF) is an atypical chemokine that promotes atherosclerosis through CXC-motif chemokine receptor-4 (CXCR4). However, CXCR4/CXCL12 interactions also mediate atheroprotection. Here, we show that constrained 31-residue-peptides ('msR4Ms') designed to mimic the CXCR4-binding site to MIF, selectively bind MIF with nanomolar affinity and block MIF/CXCR4 without affecting CXCL12/CXCR4. We identify msR4M-L1, which blocks MIF- but not CXCL12-elicited CXCR4 vascular cell activities. Its potency compares well with established MIF inhibitors, whereas msR4M-L1 does not interfere with cardioprotective MIF/CD74 signaling. In vivo-administered msR4M-L1 enriches in atherosclerotic plaques, blocks arterial leukocyte adhesion, and inhibits atherosclerosis and inflammation in hyperlipidemic Apoe-/- mice in vivo. Finally, msR4M-L1 binds to MIF in plaques from human carotid-endarterectomy specimens. Together, we establish an engineered GPCR-ectodomain-based mimicry principle that differentiates between disease-exacerbating and -protective pathways and chemokine-selectively interferes with atherosclerosis.
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MESH Headings
- Aged
- Animals
- Antigens, CD/metabolism
- Atherosclerosis/drug therapy
- Atherosclerosis/genetics
- Atherosclerosis/pathology
- Atherosclerosis/surgery
- Binding Sites
- Carotid Artery, Common/pathology
- Carotid Artery, Common/surgery
- Chemokine CXCL12/metabolism
- Crystallography, X-Ray
- Disease Models, Animal
- Drug Design
- Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
- Endarterectomy, Carotid
- Female
- Humans
- Intramolecular Oxidoreductases/antagonists & inhibitors
- Intramolecular Oxidoreductases/metabolism
- Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors/antagonists & inhibitors
- Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors/metabolism
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Knockout, ApoE
- Middle Aged
- Peptide Fragments/pharmacology
- Peptide Fragments/therapeutic use
- Receptors, CXCR4/chemistry
- Receptors, CXCR4/metabolism
- Receptors, CXCR4/ultrastructure
- Sialyltransferases/metabolism
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
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Affiliation(s)
- Christos Kontos
- Division of Peptide Biochemistry, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technische Universität München (TUM), 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Omar El Bounkari
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Christine Krammer
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Dzmitry Sinitski
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Kathleen Hille
- Division of Peptide Biochemistry, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technische Universität München (TUM), 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Chunfang Zan
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Guangyao Yan
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Sijia Wang
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Ying Gao
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Markus Brandhofer
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Remco T A Megens
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, 80336, Munich, Germany
| | - Adrian Hoffmann
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, 81377, Munich, Germany
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Jessica Pauli
- Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München (TUM), 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Yaw Asare
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Simona Gerra
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Priscila Bourilhon
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Lin Leng
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Hans-Henning Eckstein
- Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München (TUM), 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Wolfgang E Kempf
- Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München (TUM), 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Jaroslav Pelisek
- Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München (TUM), 81675, Munich, Germany
- Department of Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ozgun Gokce
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, 81377, Munich, Germany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Lars Maegdefessel
- Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München (TUM), 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Richard Bucala
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Martin Dichgans
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, 81377, Munich, Germany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Weber
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, 80336, Munich, Germany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), 81377, Munich, Germany
- Munich Heart Alliance, 80802, Munich, Germany
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, 6229, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Aphrodite Kapurniotu
- Division of Peptide Biochemistry, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technische Universität München (TUM), 85354, Freising, Germany.
| | - Jürgen Bernhagen
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München, 81377, Munich, Germany.
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), 81377, Munich, Germany.
- Munich Heart Alliance, 80802, Munich, Germany.
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