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de Wagenaar NP, van den Bersselaar LM, Odijk HJHM, Stefens SJM, Reinhardt DP, Roos-Hesselink JW, Kanaar R, Verhagen JMA, Brüggenwirth HT, van de Laar IMBH, van der Pluijm I, Essers J. Functional analysis of cell lines derived from SMAD3-related Loeys-Dietz syndrome patients provides insights into genotype-phenotype relation. Hum Mol Genet 2024; 33:1090-1104. [PMID: 38538566 PMCID: PMC11153339 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddae044] [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: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Pathogenic (P)/likely pathogenic (LP) SMAD3 variants cause Loeys-Dietz syndrome type 3 (LDS3), which is characterized by arterial aneurysms, dissections and tortuosity throughout the vascular system combined with osteoarthritis. OBJECTIVES Investigate the impact of P/LP SMAD3 variants with functional tests on patient-derived fibroblasts and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), to optimize interpretation of SMAD3 variants. METHODS A retrospective analysis on clinical data from individuals with a P/LP SMAD3 variant and functional analyses on SMAD3 patient-derived VSMCs and SMAD3 patient-derived fibroblasts, differentiated into myofibroblasts. RESULTS Individuals with dominant negative (DN) SMAD3 variant in the MH2 domain exhibited more major events (66.7% vs. 44.0%, P = 0.054), occurring at a younger age compared to those with haploinsufficient (HI) variants. The age at first major event was 35.0 years [IQR 29.0-47.0] in individuals with DN variants in MH2, compared to 46.0 years [IQR 40.0-54.0] in those with HI variants (P = 0.065). Fibroblasts carrying DN SMAD3 variants displayed reduced differentiation potential, contrasting with increased differentiation potential in HI SMAD3 variant fibroblasts. HI SMAD3 variant VSMCs showed elevated SMA expression and altered expression of alternative MYH11 isoforms. DN SMAD3 variant myofibroblasts demonstrated reduced extracellular matrix formation compared to control cell lines. CONCLUSION Distinguishing between P/LP HI and DN SMAD3 variants can be achieved by assessing differentiation potential, and SMA and MYH11 expression. The differences between DN and HI SMAD3 variant fibroblasts and VSMCs potentially contribute to the differences in disease manifestation. Notably, myofibroblast differentiation seems a suitable alternative in vitro test system compared to VSMCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie P de Wagenaar
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Oncode Institute, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Cardiology and European Reference Network for Rare Multisystemic Vascular Disease (VASCERN), HTAD Rare Disease Working Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lisa M van den Bersselaar
- Department of Clinical Genetics and European Reference Network for Rare Multisystemic Vascular Disease (VASCERN), HTAD Rare Disease Working Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hanny J H M Odijk
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Oncode Institute, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sanne J M Stefens
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Oncode Institute, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dieter P Reinhardt
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, 3640 University Street, Montreal, QC H3A 0C7, Canada
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, 3640 University Street, Montreal, QC H3A 0C7, Canada
| | - Jolien W Roos-Hesselink
- Department of Cardiology and European Reference Network for Rare Multisystemic Vascular Disease (VASCERN), HTAD Rare Disease Working Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Roland Kanaar
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Oncode Institute, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Judith M A Verhagen
- Department of Clinical Genetics and European Reference Network for Rare Multisystemic Vascular Disease (VASCERN), HTAD Rare Disease Working Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hennie T Brüggenwirth
- Department of Clinical Genetics and European Reference Network for Rare Multisystemic Vascular Disease (VASCERN), HTAD Rare Disease Working Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ingrid M B H van de Laar
- Department of Clinical Genetics and European Reference Network for Rare Multisystemic Vascular Disease (VASCERN), HTAD Rare Disease Working Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ingrid van der Pluijm
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Oncode Institute, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Cardiovascular Institute, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Essers
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Oncode Institute, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Cardiovascular Institute, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Radiotherapy, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Bramel EE, Camejo WAE, Creamer TJ, Restrepo L, Saqib M, Bagirzadeh R, Zeng A, Mitchell JT, Stein-O’Brien GL, Pedroza AJ, Fischbein MP, Dietz HC, MacFarlane EG. Intrinsic Gata4 expression sensitizes the aortic root to dilation in a Loeys-Dietz syndrome mouse model. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4420617. [PMID: 38883722 PMCID: PMC11177966 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4420617/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) is an aneurysm disorder caused by mutations that decrease transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling. Although aneurysms develop throughout the arterial tree, the aortic root is a site of heightened risk. To identify molecular determinants of this vulnerability, we investigated the heterogeneity of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in the aorta of Tgfbr1 M318R/+ LDS mice by single cell and spatial transcriptomics. Reduced expression of components of the extracellular matrix-receptor apparatus and upregulation of stress and inflammatory pathways were observed in all LDS VSMCs. However, regardless of genotype, a subset of Gata4-expressing VSMCs predominantly located in the aortic root intrinsically displayed a less differentiated, proinflammatory profile. A similar population was also identified among aortic VSMCs in a human scRNAseq dataset. Postnatal VSMC-specific Gata4 deletion reduced aortic root dilation in LDS mice, suggesting that this factor sensitizes the aortic root to the effects of impaired TGF-β signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily E. Bramel
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Predoctoral Training in Human Genetics and Genomics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Wendy A. Espinoza Camejo
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Predoctoral Training in Human Genetics and Genomics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Tyler J. Creamer
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Leda Restrepo
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Muzna Saqib
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Rustam Bagirzadeh
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Anthony Zeng
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jacob T. Mitchell
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Predoctoral Training in Human Genetics and Genomics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Genevieve L. Stein-O’Brien
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Albert J. Pedroza
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Michael P. Fischbein
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Harry C. Dietz
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Elena Gallo MacFarlane
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Ren P, Jiang B, Hassab A, Li G, Li W, Assi R, Tellides G. Heterogeneous Cardiac- and Neural Crest-Derived Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells have Similar Transcriptional Changes after TGFβ Signaling Disruption. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.28.591539. [PMID: 38746256 PMCID: PMC11092432 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.28.591539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) of cardiac and neural crest origin contribute to the developing proximal aorta and are linked to disease propensity in adults. We analyzed single-cell transcriptomes of SMCs from mature thoracic aortas in mice to determine basal states and changes after disrupting transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) signaling necessary for aortic homeostasis. A minority of Myh11 lineage-marked SMCs differentially expressed genes suggestive of embryological origin. Additional analyses in Nkx2-5 and Wnt1 lineage-marked SMCs derived from cardiac and neural crest progenitors, respectively, showed both lineages contributed to a major common cluster and each lineage to a minor distinct cluster. Common cluster SMCs extended from root to arch, cardiac subset cluster SMCs from root to mid-ascending, while neural crest subset cluster SMCs were restricted to the arch. The neural crest subset cluster had greater expression of a subgroup of TGFβ-dependent genes suggesting specific responsiveness or skewed extracellular matrix synthesis. Nonetheless, deletion of TGFβ receptors in SMCs resulted in similar transcriptional changes among all clusters, primarily decreased extracellular matrix molecules and modulators of TGFβ signaling. Many embryological markers of murine aortic SMCs were not confirmed in adult human aortas. We conclude: (i) there are multiple subtypes of cardiac- and neural crest-derived SMCs with shared or distinctive transcriptional profiles, (ii) neural crest subset SMCs with increased expression of certain TGFβ-inducible genes are not spatially linked to the aortic root predisposed to aneurysms from aberrant TGFβ signaling, and (iii) loss of TGFβ responses after receptor deletion is uniform among SMCs of different embryological origins.
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Jiang B, Ren P, He C, Wang M, Murtada SI, Chen Y, Ramachandra AB, Li G, Qin L, Assi R, Schwartz MA, Humphrey JD, Tellides G. Short-Term Disruption of TGFβ Signaling in Adult Mice Renders the Aorta Vulnerable to Hypertension-Induced Dissection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.22.590484. [PMID: 38712205 PMCID: PMC11071440 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.22.590484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Hypertension and transient increases in blood pressure from extreme exertion are risk factors for aortic dissection in patients with age-related vascular degeneration or inherited connective tissue disorders. Yet, the common experimental model of angiotensin II-induced aortopathy in mice appears independent of high blood pressure as lesions do not occur in response to an alternative vasoconstrictor, norepinephrine, and are not prevented by co-treatment with a vasodilator, hydralazine. We investigated vasoconstrictor administration to adult mice 1 week after disruption of TGFβ signaling in smooth muscle cells. Norepinephrine increased blood pressure and induced aortic dissection by 7 days and even within 30 minutes that was rescued by hydralazine; results were similar with angiotensin II. Changes in regulatory contractile molecule expression were not of pathological significance. Rather, reduced synthesis of extracellular matrix yielded a vulnerable aortic phenotype by decreasing medial collagen, most dynamically type XVIII, and impairing cell-matrix adhesion. We conclude that transient and sustained increases in blood pressure cause dissection in aortas rendered vulnerable by inhibition of TGFβ-driven extracellular matrix production by smooth muscle cells. A corollary is that medial fibrosis, a frequent feature of medial degeneration, may afford some protection against aortic dissection.
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Nappi F. In-Depth Genomic Analysis: The New Challenge in Congenital Heart Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1734. [PMID: 38339013 PMCID: PMC10855915 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The use of next-generation sequencing has provided new insights into the causes and mechanisms of congenital heart disease (CHD). Examinations of the whole exome sequence have detected detrimental gene variations modifying single or contiguous nucleotides, which are characterised as pathogenic based on statistical assessments of families and correlations with congenital heart disease, elevated expression during heart development, and reductions in harmful protein-coding mutations in the general population. Patients with CHD and extracardiac abnormalities are enriched for gene classes meeting these criteria, supporting a common set of pathways in the organogenesis of CHDs. Single-cell transcriptomics data have revealed the expression of genes associated with CHD in specific cell types, and emerging evidence suggests that genetic mutations disrupt multicellular genes essential for cardiogenesis. Metrics and units are being tracked in whole-genome sequencing studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Nappi
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Centre Cardiologique du Nord, 93200 Saint-Denis, France
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Wang Y, Panicker IS, Anesi J, Sargisson O, Atchison B, Habenicht AJR. Animal Models, Pathogenesis, and Potential Treatment of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:901. [PMID: 38255976 PMCID: PMC10815651 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020901] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) has a prevalence of 0.16-0.34% and an incidence of 7.6 per 100,000 person-years, accounting for 1-2% of all deaths in Western countries. Currently, no effective pharmacological therapies have been identified to slow TAA development and prevent TAA rupture. Large TAAs are treated with open surgical repair and less invasive thoracic endovascular aortic repair, both of which have high perioperative mortality risk. Therefore, there is an urgent medical need to identify the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying TAA development and rupture to develop new therapies. In this review, we summarize animal TAA models including recent developments in porcine and zebrafish models: porcine models can assess new therapeutic devices or intervention strategies in a large mammal and zebrafish models can employ large-scale small-molecule suppressor screening in microwells. The second part of the review covers current views of TAA pathogenesis, derived from recent studies using these animal models, with a focus on the roles of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) pathway and the vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC)-elastin-contractile unit. The last part discusses TAA treatment options as they emerge from recent preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutang Wang
- Discipline of Life Science, Institute of Innovation, Science and Sustainability, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, VIC 3353, Australia; (I.S.P.)
| | - Indu S. Panicker
- Discipline of Life Science, Institute of Innovation, Science and Sustainability, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, VIC 3353, Australia; (I.S.P.)
| | - Jack Anesi
- Discipline of Life Science, Institute of Innovation, Science and Sustainability, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, VIC 3353, Australia; (I.S.P.)
| | - Owen Sargisson
- Discipline of Life Science, Institute of Innovation, Science and Sustainability, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, VIC 3353, Australia; (I.S.P.)
| | - Benjamin Atchison
- Discipline of Life Science, Institute of Innovation, Science and Sustainability, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, VIC 3353, Australia; (I.S.P.)
| | - Andreas J. R. Habenicht
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), 80336 Munich, Germany;
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Orzolek LD. Sequencing: 10X Genomics 3' HT Assay for Gene Expression. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2822:207-226. [PMID: 38907921 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3918-4_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
Single-cell RNA sequencing supports the isolation of individual cells and barcoding of cDNA, specific to each cell of origin. Subsequent sequencing of the generated library yields both the gene expression sequences and the cellular barcode, allowing distinction of gene expression patterns across individual cells. The 10X Genomics 3' HT assay uses a droplet-based method to isolate individual cells within oil emulsions, combined with a gel bead coated in uniquely barcoded primers, specific to each bead. The high-throughput, HT, assay is similar to its predecessor (3' v3.1) in reaction chemistry but utilizes (a) higher numbers of cellular barcodes, (b) a new, proprietary chip designed to target up to 60,000 cells per lane, and (c) captures up to 16 samples per run. The 3' HT assay supports whole cells and nuclei as input, with an approximate 60% capture rate. Here we describe the methods for sample quality control (QC) assays, loading and operation of the Chromium X instrument for cell capture, and cDNA synthesis and library preparation for downstream Illumina sequencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda D Orzolek
- Molecular Biology & Genetics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Psomagen, Inc., Rockville, MD, USA.
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8
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Pedroza AJ, Cheng P, Dalal AR, Baeumler K, Kino A, Tognozzi E, Shad R, Yokoyama N, Nakamura K, Mitchel O, Hiesinger W, MacFarlane EG, Fleischmann D, Woo YJ, Quertermous T, Fischbein MP. Early clinical outcomes and molecular smooth muscle cell phenotyping using a prophylactic aortic arch replacement strategy in Loeys-Dietz syndrome. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2023; 166:e332-e376. [PMID: 37500053 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2023.07.023] [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: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Patients with Loeys-Dietz syndrome demonstrate a heightened risk of distal thoracic aortic events after valve-sparing aortic root replacement. This study assesses the clinical risks and hemodynamic consequences of a prophylactic aortic arch replacement strategy in Loeys-Dietz syndrome and characterizes smooth muscle cell phenotype in Loeys-Dietz syndrome aneurysmal and normal-sized downstream aorta. METHODS Patients with genetically confirmed Loeys-Dietz syndrome (n = 8) underwent prophylactic aortic arch replacement during valve-sparing aortic root replacement. Four-dimensional flow magnetic resonance imaging studies were performed in 4 patients with Loeys-Dietz syndrome (valve-sparing aortic root replacement + arch) and compared with patients with contemporary Marfan syndrome (valve-sparing aortic root replacement only, n = 5) and control patients (without aortopathy, n = 5). Aortic tissues from 4 patients with Loeys-Dietz syndrome and 2 organ donors were processed for anatomically segmented single-cell RNA sequencing and histologic assessment. RESULTS Patients with Loeys-Dietz syndrome valve-sparing aortic root replacement + arch had no deaths, major morbidity, or aortic events in a median of 2 years follow-up. Four-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated altered flow parameters in patients with postoperative aortopathy relative to controls, but no clear deleterious changes due to arch replacement. Integrated analysis of aortic single-cell RNA sequencing data (>49,000 cells) identified a continuum of abnormal smooth muscle cell phenotypic modulation in Loeys-Dietz syndrome defined by reduced contractility and enriched extracellular matrix synthesis, adhesion receptors, and transforming growth factor-beta signaling. These modulated smooth muscle cells populated the Loeys-Dietz syndrome tunica media with gradually reduced density from the overtly aneurysmal root to the nondilated arch. CONCLUSIONS Patients with Loeys-Dietz syndrome demonstrated excellent surgical outcomes without overt downstream flow or shear stress disturbances after concomitant valve-sparing aortic root replacement + arch operations. Abnormal smooth muscle cell-mediated aortic remodeling occurs within the normal diameter, clinically at-risk Loeys-Dietz syndrome arch segment. These initial clinical and pathophysiologic findings support concomitant arch replacement in Loeys-Dietz syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert J Pedroza
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Paul Cheng
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Alex R Dalal
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Kathrin Baeumler
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Aya Kino
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Emily Tognozzi
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Rohan Shad
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Nobu Yokoyama
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Ken Nakamura
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Olivia Mitchel
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - William Hiesinger
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Elena Gallo MacFarlane
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md
| | - Dominik Fleischmann
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Y Joseph Woo
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Thomas Quertermous
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
| | - Michael P Fischbein
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif.
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Hu Y, Cai Z, He B. Smooth Muscle Heterogeneity and Plasticity in Health and Aortic Aneurysmal Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11701. [PMID: 37511460 PMCID: PMC10380637 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are the predominant cell type in the medial layer of the aorta, which plays a critical role in the maintenance of aortic wall integrity. VSMCs have been suggested to have contractile and synthetic phenotypes and undergo phenotypic switching to contribute to the deteriorating aortic wall structure. Recently, the unprecedented heterogeneity and diversity of VSMCs and their complex relationship to aortic aneurysms (AAs) have been revealed by high-resolution research methods, such as lineage tracing and single-cell RNA sequencing. The aortic wall consists of VSMCs from different embryonic origins that respond unevenly to genetic defects that directly or indirectly regulate VSMC contractile phenotype. This difference predisposes to hereditary AAs in the aortic root and ascending aorta. Several VSMC phenotypes with different functions, for example, secreting VSMCs, proliferative VSMCs, mesenchymal stem cell-like VSMCs, immune-related VSMCs, proinflammatory VSMCs, senescent VSMCs, and stressed VSMCs are identified in non-hereditary AAs. The transformation of VSMCs into different phenotypes is an adaptive response to deleterious stimuli but can also trigger pathological remodeling that exacerbates the pathogenesis and development of AAs. This review is intended to contribute to the understanding of VSMC diversity in health and aneurysmal diseases. Papers that give an update on VSMC phenotype diversity in health and aneurysmal disease are summarized and recent insights on the role of VSMCs in AAs are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunwen Hu
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Zhaohua Cai
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Ben He
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
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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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11
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Bramel EE, Bagirzadeh R, Saqib M, Creamer TJ, Espinoza Camejo WA, Roker LA, Pardo Habashi J, Dietz HC, Gallo MacFarlane E. Distinct Contribution of Global and Regional Angiotensin II Type 1a Receptor Inactivation to Amelioration of Aortopathy in Tgfbr1 M318R/+ Mice. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:936142. [PMID: 35811726 PMCID: PMC9257222 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.936142] [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: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 receptor (AT1R) signaling controls both physiological and pathogenetic responses in the vasculature. In mouse models of Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS), a hereditary disorder characterized by aggressive aortic aneurysms, treatment with angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) prevents aortic root dilation and associated histological alterations. In this study we use germline and conditional genetic inactivation of Agtr1a (coding for the AT1a receptor) to assess the effect of systemic and localized AT1R signaling attenuation on aortic disease in a mouse model of LDS (Tgfbr1M318R/+). Aortic diameters and histological features were examined in control and Tgfbr1M318R/+ mice with either germline or Mef2CSHF-Cre mediated genetic inactivation of Agtr1a, the latter resulting in deletion in second heart field (SHF)-derived lineages in the aortic root and proximal aorta. Both systemic and regional AT1R signaling attenuation resulted in reduction of diameters and improvement of tissue morphology in the aortic root of LDS mice; these outcomes were associated with reduced levels of Smad2/3 and ERK phosphorylation, signaling events previously linked to aortic disease in LDS. However, regional AT1a inactivation in SHF-derived lineages resulted in a more modest reduction in aortic diameters relative to the more complete effect of germline Agtr1a deletion, which was also associated with lower blood pressure. Our findings suggest that the therapeutic effects of AT1R antagonisms in preclinical models of aortic disease depend on both regional and systemic factors and suggest that combinatorial approaches targeting both processes may prove beneficial for aneurysm mitigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily E Bramel
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Predoctoral Training in Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Rustam Bagirzadeh
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Muzna Saqib
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Tyler J Creamer
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Wendy A Espinoza Camejo
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Predoctoral Training in Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - LaToya Ann Roker
- School of Medicine Microscope Facility, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | | | - Harry C Dietz
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, United States
| | - Elena Gallo MacFarlane
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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