1
|
Lee PC, Jung IH, Thussu S, Patel V, Wagoner R, Burks KH, Amrute J, Elenbaas JS, Kang CJ, Young EP, Scherer PE, Stitziel NO. Instrumental variable and colocalization analyses identify endotrophin and HTRA1 as potential therapeutic targets for coronary artery disease. iScience 2024; 27:110104. [PMID: 38989470 PMCID: PMC11233907 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a leading cause of disease burden globally, and there is a persistent need for new therapeutic targets. Instrumental variable (IV) and genetic colocalization analyses can help identify novel therapeutic targets for human disease by nominating causal genes in genome-wide association study (GWAS) loci. We conducted cis-IV analyses for 20,125 genes and 1,746 plasma proteins with CAD using molecular trait quantitative trait loci variant (QTLs) data from three different studies. 19 proteins and 119 genes were significantly associated with CAD risk by IV analyses and demonstrated evidence of genetic colocalization. Notably, our analyses validated well-established targets such as PCSK9 and ANGPTL4 while also identifying HTRA1 and endotrophin (a cleavage product of COL6A3) as proteins whose levels are causally associated with CAD risk. Further experimental studies are needed to confirm the causal role of the genes and proteins identified through our multiomic cis-IV analyses on human disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul C. Lee
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - In-Hyuk Jung
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Shreeya Thussu
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Ved Patel
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Ryan Wagoner
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Kendall H. Burks
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Junedh Amrute
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Jared S. Elenbaas
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Chul Joo Kang
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - Erica P. Young
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - Philipp E. Scherer
- Touchstone Diabetes Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Nathan O. Stitziel
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63108, USA
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wu Z, Yin H, Guo Y, Yin H, Li Y. Detection of cell-type-enriched long noncoding RNAs in atherosclerosis using single-cell techniques: A brief review. Life Sci 2023; 333:122138. [PMID: 37805167 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122138] [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: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Atherosclerotic plaque underlies the predominant factors and is composed of various cell types, including structure cells, such as endothelial and smooth muscle cells, and immune cells, such as macrophages and T cells. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has been extensively applied to decipher these cellular heterogeneities to expand our understanding on the mechanisms of atherosclerosis (AS) and to facilitate identifying cell-type-specific long noncoding RNAs (LncRNAs). LncRNAs have been demonstrated to deeply regulate biological activities at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. A group of well-documented functional lncRNAs in AS have been studied. In our review, we selectively described several lncRNAs involved in the critical process of AS. We highlighted four novel lncRNAs (lncRNA CARMN, LINC00607, PCAT19, LINC01235) detected in scRNA-seq datasets and their functions in AS. We also reviewed open web source and bioinformatic tools, as well as the latest methods to perform an in-depth study of lncRNAs. It is fundamental to annotate functional lncRNAs in the various biological activities of AS, as lncRNAs may represent promising targets in the future for treatment and diagnosis in clinical practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyuan Wu
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 100730 Beijing, PR China
| | - Huarun Yin
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, 100730 Beijing, PR China
| | - Yongsheng Guo
- Peking University Health Science Center, 100191 Beijing, PR China
| | - Hongchao Yin
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, 100730 Beijing, PR China
| | - Yongjun Li
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 100730 Beijing, PR China; Peking University Health Science Center, 100191 Beijing, PR China; Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 100730 Beijing, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Affiliation(s)
- Lingfeng Luo
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery (L.L., N.J.L.), Stanford University School of Medicine, CA
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, CA (L.L., N.J.L.)
| | - Nicholas J Leeper
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery (L.L., N.J.L.), Stanford University School of Medicine, CA
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine (N.J.L.), Stanford University School of Medicine, CA
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, CA (L.L., N.J.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
López Rodríguez M, Arasu UT, Kaikkonen MU. Exploring the genetic basis of coronary artery disease using functional genomics. Atherosclerosis 2023; 374:87-98. [PMID: 36801133 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2023.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Genome-wide Association Studies (GWAS) have identified more than 300 loci associated with coronary artery disease (CAD), defining the genetic risk map of the disease. However, the translation of the association signals into biological-pathophysiological mechanisms constitute a major challenge. Through a group of examples of studies focused on CAD, we discuss the rationale, basic principles and outcomes of the main methodologies implemented to prioritize and characterize causal variants and their target genes. Additionally, we highlight the strategies as well as the current methods that integrate association and functional genomics data to dissect the cellular specificity underlying the complexity of disease mechanisms. Despite the limitations of existing approaches, the increasing knowledge generated through functional studies helps interpret GWAS maps and opens novel avenues for the clinical usability of association data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maykel López Rodríguez
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, UCLA, Los Angeles, USA.
| | - Uma Thanigai Arasu
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland
| | - Minna U Kaikkonen
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Rao X, Razavi M, Mihai G, Wei Y, Braunstein Z, Frieman MB, Sun XJ, Gong Q, Chen J, Zhao G, Liu Z, Quon MJ, Dong L, Rajagopalan S, Zhong J. Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4/Midline-1 Axis Promotes T Lymphocyte Motility in Atherosclerosis. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2204194. [PMID: 36683148 PMCID: PMC10037965 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202204194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
T cells play a crucial role in atherosclerosis, with its infiltration preceding the formation of atheroma. However, how T-cell infiltration is regulated in atherosclerosis remains largely unknown. Here, this work demonstrates that dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) is a novel regulator of T-cell motility in atherosclerosis. Single-cell ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequencing and flow cytometry show that CD4+ T cells in atherosclerotic patients display a marked increase of DPP4. Lack of DPP4 in hematopoietic cells or T cells reduces T-cell infiltration and atherosclerotic plaque volume in atherosclerosis mouse models. Mechanistically, DPP4 deficiency reduces T-cell motility by suppressing the expression of microtubule associated protein midline-1 (Mid1) in T cells. Deletion of either DPP4 or Mid1 inhibits chemokine-induced shape change and motility, while restitution of Mid1 in Dpp4-/- T cell largely restores its migratory ability. Thus, DPP4/Mid1, as a novel regulator of T-cell motility, may be a potential inflammatory target in atherosclerosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoquan Rao
- Division of CardiologyDepartment of Internal MedicineTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubei430030P. R. China
- Cardiovascular Research InstituteCase Western Reserve UniversityClevelandOhio44106USA
| | - Michael Razavi
- Cardiovascular Research InstituteCase Western Reserve UniversityClevelandOhio44106USA
| | - Georgeta Mihai
- Brigham and Women's HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusetts02115USA
| | - Yingying Wei
- Cardiovascular Research InstituteCase Western Reserve UniversityClevelandOhio44106USA
| | | | - Matthew B. Frieman
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMaryland21201USA
| | - Xiao Jian Sun
- Department of MedicineUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMaryland21201USA
| | - Quan Gong
- Department of ImmunologySchool of MedicineYangtze UniversityJingzhouHubei434023P. R. China
| | - Jun Chen
- Sinopharm Dongfeng General HospitalHubei University of MedicineShiyanHubei442008P. R. China
| | - Gang Zhao
- Department of CardiologyShandong Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong UniversityJinanShandong250021P. R. China
| | - Zheng Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck SurgeryTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubei430030P. R. China
- Institute of Allergy and Clinical ImmunologyTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubei430030P. R. China
| | - Michael J. Quon
- Department of MedicineUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMaryland21201USA
| | - Lingli Dong
- Division of Rheumatology and ImmunologyDepartment of Internal MedicineTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubei430030P. R. China
| | - Sanjay Rajagopalan
- Cardiovascular Research InstituteCase Western Reserve UniversityClevelandOhio44106USA
| | - Jixin Zhong
- Cardiovascular Research InstituteCase Western Reserve UniversityClevelandOhio44106USA
- Wexner Medical CenterThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOhio43210USA
- Institute of Allergy and Clinical ImmunologyTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubei430030P. R. China
- Division of Rheumatology and ImmunologyDepartment of Internal MedicineTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanHubei430030P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|