1
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Jones PW, Mallat Z, Nus M. T-Cell/B-Cell Interactions in Atherosclerosis. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2024; 44:1502-1511. [PMID: 38813700 PMCID: PMC11208060 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.124.319845] [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: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a complex inflammatory disease in which the adaptive immune response plays an important role. While the overall impact of T and B cells in atherosclerosis is relatively well established, we are only beginning to understand how bidirectional T-cell/B-cell interactions can exert prominent atheroprotective and proatherogenic functions. In this review, we will focus on these T-cell/B-cell interactions and how we could use them to therapeutically target the adaptive immune response in atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter William Jones
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (P.W.J., Z.M., M.N.)
| | - Ziad Mallat
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (P.W.J., Z.M., M.N.)
- INSERM U970, Paris Cardiovascular Research Centre, France (Z.M.)
| | - Meritxell Nus
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Heart and Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (P.W.J., Z.M., M.N.)
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2
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Tyrrell DJ, Wragg KM, Chen J, Wang H, Song J, Blin MG, Bolding C, Vardaman D, Giles K, Tidwell H, Ali MA, Janappareddi A, Wood SC, Goldstein DR. Clonally expanded memory CD8 + T cells accumulate in atherosclerotic plaques and are pro-atherogenic in aged mice. NATURE AGING 2023; 3:1576-1590. [PMID: 37996758 DOI: 10.1038/s43587-023-00515-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Aging is a strong risk factor for atherosclerosis and induces accumulation of memory CD8+ T cells in mice and humans. Biological changes that occur with aging lead to enhanced atherosclerosis, yet the role of aging on CD8+ T cells during atherogenesis is unclear. In this study, using femle mice, we found that depletion of CD8+ T cells attenuated atherogenesis in aged, but not young, animals. Furthermore, adoptive transfer of splenic CD8+ T cells from aged wild-type, but not young wild-type, donor mice significantly enhanced atherosclerosis in recipient mice lacking CD8+ T cells. We also characterized T cells in healthy and atherosclerotic young and aged mice by single-cell RNA sequencing. We found specific subsets of age-associated CD8+ T cells, including a Granzyme K+ effector memory subset, that accumulated and was clonally expanded within atherosclerotic plaques. These had transcriptomic signatures of T cell activation, migration, cytotoxicity and exhaustion. Overall, our study identified memory CD8+ T cells as therapeutic targets for atherosclerosis in aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Tyrrell
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Kathleen M Wragg
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Judy Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Program in Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jianrui Song
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Muriel G Blin
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Chase Bolding
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Donald Vardaman
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Kara Giles
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Harrison Tidwell
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Md Akkas Ali
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | | | - Sherri C Wood
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Daniel R Goldstein
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Program in Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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3
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Hinkley H, Counts DA, VonCanon E, Lacy M. T Cells in Atherosclerosis: Key Players in the Pathogenesis of Vascular Disease. Cells 2023; 12:2152. [PMID: 37681883 PMCID: PMC10486666 DOI: 10.3390/cells12172152] [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] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the accumulation of lipid-rich plaques within arterial walls. T cells play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in which they help orchestrate immune responses and contribute to plaque development and instability. Here, we discuss the recognition of atherosclerosis-related antigens that may trigger T cell activation together with additional signaling from co-stimulatory molecules and lesional cytokines. Although few studies have indicated candidates for the antigen specificity of T cells in atherosclerosis, further research is needed. Furthermore, we describe the pro-atherogenic and atheroprotective roles of diverse subsets of T cells such as CD4+ helper, CD8+ cytotoxic, invariant natural killer, and γδ T cells. To classify and quantify T cell subsets in atherosclerosis, we summarize current methods to analyze cellular heterogeneity including single cell RNA sequencing and T cell receptor (TCR) sequencing. Further insights into T cell biology will help shed light on the immunopathology of atherosclerosis, inform potential therapeutic interventions, and pave the way for precision medicine approaches in combating cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Michael Lacy
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
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4
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Nettersheim FS, Ghosheh Y, Winkels H, Kobiyama K, Durant C, Armstrong SS, Brunel S, Roy P, Dileepan T, Jenkins MK, Zajonc DM, Ley K. Single-cell transcriptomes and T cell receptors of vaccine-expanded apolipoprotein B-specific T cells. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 9:1076808. [PMID: 36684560 PMCID: PMC9849899 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.1076808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases are the major cause of death worldwide. CD4 T cells responding to Apolipoprotein B (ApoB), the core protein of most lipoproteins, have been identified as critical disease modulators. In healthy individuals, ApoB-reactive (ApoB+) CD4 T cells are mostly regulatory T cells (Tregs), which exert anti-inflammatory effects. Yet, they may obtain pro-inflammatory features and thus become proatherogenic. Evidence from animal studies suggests that vaccination against certain major histocompatibility complex (MHC) II-binding ApoB peptides induces an expansion of ApoB+ Tregs and thus confers atheroprotection. To date, in-depth phenotyping of vaccine-expanded ApoB+ T cells has not yet been performed. To this end, we vaccinated C57BL/6J mice with the ApoB-peptide P6 (ApoB978-993 TGAYSNASSTESASY) and performed single-cell RNA sequencing of tetramer-sorted P6+ T cells. P6+ cells were clonally expanded (one major, two minor clones) and formed a transcriptional cluster distinct from clusters mainly containing non-expanded P6+ and P6- cells. Transcriptomic profiling revealed that most expanded P6+ cells had a strong Treg signature and highly expressed genes mediating suppressive functions. Yet, some expanded P6+ cells only had a residual Treg signature and expressed genes related to T helper 1 (TH1) cells, which are proatherogenic. Modeling the T cell receptor (TCR) and P6:MHC-II interaction showed that only three amino acid residues in the α and β chain contact the P6 peptide in the MHC-II groove and thus determine the specificity of this TCR to P6. Our data begin to reveal the vaccination-induced response to an ApoB epitope.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Sebastian Nettersheim
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Yanal Ghosheh
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Holger Winkels
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Kouji Kobiyama
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | | | | | - Simon Brunel
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Payel Roy
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Thamotharampillai Dileepan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Marc K. Jenkins
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Dirk M. Zajonc
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Klaus Ley
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
- Immunology Center of Georgia (IMMCG), Augusta University, Augusta, GA, United States
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5
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Santambrogio L, Franco A. The yin/yang balance of the MHC-self -immunopeptidome. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1035363. [PMID: 36405763 PMCID: PMC9666884 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1035363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The MHC-self immunopeptidome of professional antigen presenting cells is a cognate ligand for the TCRs expressed on both conventional and thymic-derived natural regulatory T cells. In regulatory T cells, the TCR signaling associated with MHC-peptide recognition induces antigen specific as well as bystander immunosuppression. On the other hand, TCR activation of conventional T cells is associated with protective immunity. As such the peripheral T cell repertoire is populated by a number of T cells with different phenotypes and different TCRs, which can recognize the same MHC-self-peptide complex, resulting in opposite immunological outcomes. This article summarizes what is known about regulatory and conventional T cell recognition of the MHC-self-immunopeptidome at steady state and in inflammatory conditions associated with increased T and B cell self-reactivity, discussing how changes in the MHC-ligandome including epitope copy number and post-translational modifications can tilt the balance toward the expansion of pro-inflammatory or regulatory T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Santambrogio
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Physiology and Biophysics, Englander Institute of Precision Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Alessandra Franco
- University of California San Diego School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, La Jolla, CA, United States
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6
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Saigusa R, Roy P, Freuchet A, Gulati R, Ghosheh Y, Suthahar SSA, Durant CP, Hanna DB, Kiosses WB, Orecchioni M, Wen L, Wu R, Kuniholm MH, Landay AL, Anastos K, Tien PC, Gange SJ, Kassaye S, Vallejo J, Hedrick CC, Kwok WW, Sette A, Hodis HN, Kaplan RC, Ley K. Single cell transcriptomics and TCR reconstruction reveal CD4 T cell response to MHC-II-restricted APOB epitope in human cardiovascular disease. NATURE CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH 2022; 1:462-475. [PMID: 35990517 PMCID: PMC9383695 DOI: 10.1038/s44161-022-00063-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is accompanied by a CD4 T cell response to apolipoprotein B (APOB). Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)-II tetramers can be used to isolate antigen-specific CD4 T cells by flow sorting. Here, we produce, validate and use an MHC-II tetramer, DRB1*07:01 APOB-p18, to sort APOB-p18-specific cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples from 8 DRB1*07:01+ women with and without subclinical cardiovascular disease (sCVD). Single cell RNA sequencing showed that transcriptomes of tetramer+ cells were between regulatory and memory T cells in healthy women and moved closer to memory T cells in women with sCVD. TCR sequencing of tetramer+ cells showed clonal expansion and V and J segment usage similar to those found in regulatory T cells. These findings suggest that APOB-specific regulatory T cells may switch to a more memory-like phenotype in women with atherosclerosis. Mouse studies showed that such switched cells promote atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Payel Roy
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Rishab Gulati
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Yanal Ghosheh
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | | | - David B. Hanna
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Bronx, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Lai Wen
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Runpei Wu
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Mark H. Kuniholm
- University at Albany, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Rensselaer, NY, USA
| | - Alan L. Landay
- Rush University Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Kathryn Anastos
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Departments of Medicine and Epidemiology & Population Health, Bronx NY, USA
| | - Phyllis C. Tien
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Stephen J. Gange
- Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore MD, USA
| | - Seble Kassaye
- Georgetown University, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | | | - William W. Kwok
- Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, Tetramer Core Laboratory, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Howard N. Hodis
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California Departments of Medicine and Population and Public Health Sciences, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Atherosclerosis Research Unit, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Robert C. Kaplan
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Bronx, NY, USA
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Public Health Sciences Division, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Klaus Ley
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
- University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
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7
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Poznyak AV, Bezsonov EE, Popkova TV, Starodubova AV, Orekhov AN. Vaccination against Atherosclerosis: Is It Real? Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052417. [PMID: 35269559 PMCID: PMC8910641 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis has been known in medicine for several centuries. As early as 1755, the Swedish anatomist Albrecht von Haller used the term "atheroma" to describe vascular lesions. Atherosclerosis may originate from an unbalanced diet or bad habits, and is mainly found in developed countries. Clinical trials have been conducted to establish the causes of atherosclerosis, and also to develop treatments for this disease. However, prevention of the disease has always been better than treatment, so vaccination may be the key to saving thousands of lives. The creation of a vaccine may be directly related to the study of autoimmune processes occurring in the body, immunity. This review considers the issues related to the involvement of the immune response in the development of atherosclerotic lesions. Modern concepts of atherogenesis, immune inflammation in atherosclerosis, and potential vaccine targets are also discussed. There is a particular focus on experimental and clinical data supporting the development of immune therapies to reduce cardiovascular risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia V. Poznyak
- Institute for Atherosclerosis Research, Skolkovo Innovative Center, 121609 Moscow, Russia
- Correspondence: (A.V.P.); (A.N.O.)
| | - Evgeny E. Bezsonov
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pathology of Cardiovascular System, Institute of Human Morphology, 3 Tsyurupa Street, 117418 Moscow, Russia;
- Laboratory of Angiopathology, Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, 8 Baltiiskaya Street, 125315 Moscow, Russia
- Department of Biology and General Genetics, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 8 Izmailovsky Boulevard, 105043 Moscow, Russia
| | - Tatyana V. Popkova
- V.A. Nasonova Institute of Rheumatology, 34A Kashirskoye Shosse, 115522 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Antonina V. Starodubova
- Federal Research Centre for Nutrition, Biotechnology and Food Safety, 2/14 Ustinsky Passage, 109240 Moscow, Russia;
- Medical Faculty, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, 1 Ostrovitianov Street, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander N. Orekhov
- Institute for Atherosclerosis Research, Skolkovo Innovative Center, 121609 Moscow, Russia
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pathology of Cardiovascular System, Institute of Human Morphology, 3 Tsyurupa Street, 117418 Moscow, Russia;
- Laboratory of Angiopathology, Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, 8 Baltiiskaya Street, 125315 Moscow, Russia
- Correspondence: (A.V.P.); (A.N.O.)
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8
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Hester AK, Semwal MK, Cepeda S, Xiao Y, Rueda M, Wimberly K, Venables T, Dileepan T, Kraig E, Griffith AV. Redox regulation of age-associated defects in generation and maintenance of T cell self-tolerance and immunity to foreign antigens. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110363. [PMID: 35172147 PMCID: PMC8898380 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymic atrophy reduces naive T cell production and contributes to increased susceptibility to viral infection with age. Expression of tissue-restricted antigen (TRA) genes also declines with age and has been thought to increase autoimmune disease susceptibility. We find that diminished expression of a model TRA gene in aged thymic stromal cells correlates with impaired clonal deletion of cognate T cells recognizing an autoantigen involved in atherosclerosis. Clonal deletion in the polyclonal thymocyte population is also perturbed. Distinct age-associated defects in the generation of antigen-specific T cells include a conspicuous decline in generation of T cells recognizing an immunodominant influenza epitope. Increased catalase activity delays thymic atrophy, and here, we show that it mitigates declining production of influenza-specific T cells and their frequency in lung after infection, but does not reverse declines in TRA expression or efficient negative selection. These results reveal important considerations for strategies to restore thymic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison K Hester
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Long School of Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Manpreet K Semwal
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Long School of Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Sergio Cepeda
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Long School of Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Yangming Xiao
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Long School of Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Meghan Rueda
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Long School of Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Kymberly Wimberly
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Long School of Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | | | - Thamotharampillai Dileepan
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Department of Microbiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Ellen Kraig
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Long School of Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Ann V Griffith
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Long School of Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
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9
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Nettersheim FS, Braumann S, Kobiyama K, Orecchioni M, Vassallo M, Miller J, Ali A, Roy P, Saigusa R, Wolf D, Ley K, Winkels H. Autoimmune Regulator (AIRE) Deficiency Does Not Affect Atherosclerosis and CD4 T Cell Immune Tolerance to Apolipoprotein B. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 8:812769. [PMID: 35097028 PMCID: PMC8792778 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.812769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a chronic, lipid-driven disease of medium sized arteries which causes myocardial infarction and stroke. Recently, an adaptive immune response against the plaque-associated autoantigen Apolipoprotein B100 (ApoB), the structural protein component of low-density lipoprotein, has been implicated in atherogenesis. In healthy individuals, CD4+ T cells responding to ApoB mainly comprised regulatory T cells, which confer immune tolerance and atheroprotection. Mice and patients with atherosclerosis harbor increased numbers of proatherogenic ApoB-reactive T-helper cell subsets. Given the lack of therapies targeting proatherogenic immunity, clarification of the underlying mechanisms is of high clinical relevance. T cells develop in the thymus, where strong autoreactive T cells are eliminated in the process of negative selection. Herein, we investigated whether the transcription factor autoimmune regulator (AIRE), which controls expression of numerous tissue-restricted self-antigens in the thymus, is involved in mediating tolerance to ApoB and whether Aire deficiency might contribute to atherogenesis. Mice deficient for Aire were crossbred to apolipoprotein E-deficient mice to obtain atherosclerosis-prone Aire−/−Apoe−/− mice, which were fed a regular chow diet (CD) or western-type diet (WD). CD4+ T cells responding to the ApoB peptide p6 were analyzed by flow cytometry. We demonstrate that Aire deficiency influences neither generation nor activation of ApoB-reactive T cells and has only minor and overall inconsistent impacts on their phenotype. Furthermore, we show that atherosclerotic plaque size is not affected in Aire−/−Apoe−/− compared to Aire+/+Apoe−/−, irrespective of diet and gender. In conclusion, our data suggests that AIRE is not involved in regulating thymic expression of ApoB or atherosclerosis. Alternative mechanisms how ApoB-reactive CD4 T cells are selected in the thymus will have to be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Sebastian Nettersheim
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Simon Braumann
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Kouji Kobiyama
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | | | | | | | - Amal Ali
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Payel Roy
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Ryosuke Saigusa
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Dennis Wolf
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology I, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Klaus Ley
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Holger Winkels
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Holger Winkels
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10
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Pleiotropic consequences of metabolic stress for the major histocompatibility complex class II molecule antigen processing and presentation machinery. Immunity 2021; 54:721-736.e10. [PMID: 33725478 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2021.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia are often observed in individuals with type II diabetes (T2D) and related mouse models. One dysmetabolic biochemical consequence is the non-enzymatic reaction between sugars, lipids, and proteins, favoring protein glycation, glycoxidation, and lipoxidation. Here, we identified oxidative alterations in key components of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecule antigen processing and presentation machinery in vivo under conditions of hyperglycemia-induced metabolic stress. These modifications were linked to epitope-specific changes in endosomal processing efficiency, MHC class II-peptide binding, and DM editing activity. Moreover, we observed some quantitative and qualitative changes in the MHC class II immunopeptidome of Ob/Ob mice on a high-fat diet compared with controls, including changes in the presentation of an apolipoprotein B100 peptide associated previously with T2D and metabolic syndrome-related clinical complications. These findings highlight a link between glycation reactions and altered MHC class II antigen presentation that may contribute to T2D complications.
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11
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ApoB-Specific CD4 + T Cells in Mouse and Human Atherosclerosis. Cells 2021; 10:cells10020446. [PMID: 33669769 PMCID: PMC7922692 DOI: 10.3390/cells10020446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory condition of the arterial wall that leads to the formation of vessel-occluding plaques within the subintimal space of middle-sized and larger arteries. While traditionally understood as a myeloid-driven lipid-storage disease, growing evidence suggests that the accumulation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) ignites an autoimmune response with CD4+ T-helper (TH) cells that recognize self-peptides from Apolipoprotein B (ApoB), the core protein of LDL-C. These autoreactive CD4+ T cells home to the atherosclerotic plaque, clonally expand, instruct other cells in the plaque, and induce clinical plaque instability. Recent developments in detecting antigen-specific cells at the single cell level have demonstrated that ApoB-reactive CD4+ T cells exist in humans and mice. Their phenotypes and functions deviate from classical immunological concepts of distinct and terminally differentiated TH immunity. Instead, ApoB-specific CD4+ T cells have a highly plastic phenotype, can acquire several, partially opposing and mixed transcriptional programs simultaneously, and transit from one TH subset into another over time. In this review, we highlight adaptive immune mechanisms in atherosclerosis with a focus on CD4+ T cells, introduce novel technologies to detect ApoB-specific CD4+ T cells at the single cell level, and discuss the potential impact of ApoB-driven autoimmunity in atherosclerosis.
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12
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Nettersheim FS, De Vore L, Winkels H. Vaccination in Atherosclerosis. Cells 2020; 9:cells9122560. [PMID: 33266027 PMCID: PMC7760548 DOI: 10.3390/cells9122560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is the major underlying pathology of cardiovascular diseases that together are the leading cause of death worldwide. The formation of atherosclerotic plaques is driven by chronic vascular inflammation. Although several risk factors have been identified and significant progress in disease prevention and treatment has been made, no therapeutic agents targeting inflammation are clinically available. Recent clinical trials established the potential of anti-inflammatory therapies as a treatment of atherosclerosis. However, adverse impacts on host defense have raised safety concerns about these therapies. Scientific evidence during the past 40 years implicated an adaptive immune response against plaque-associated autoantigens in atherogenesis. Preclinical data have underscored the protective potential of immunization against such targets precisely and without the impairment of host defense. In this review, we discuss the current vaccination strategies against atherosclerosis, supposed mechanisms of action, therapeutic potential, and the challenges that must be overcome in translating this idea into clinical practice.
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Gutierrez-Hoffmann MG, O'Meally RN, Cole RN, Tiniakou E, Darrah E, Soloski MJ. Borrelia burgdorferi-Induced Changes in the Class II Self-Immunopeptidome Displayed on HLA-DR Molecules Expressed by Dendritic Cells. Front Med (Lausanne) 2020; 7:568. [PMID: 33043033 PMCID: PMC7524959 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2020.00568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The MHC class II antigen processing and presentation pathway has evolved to derive short amino acid peptides from proteins that enter the endocytic pathway, load them onto MHC class II molecules and display them on the surface of antigen presenting cells for recognition by CD4+ T cells. Under normal circumstances, peptides bound to MHC class II molecules are derived from host (self) proteins and not recognized by T cells due to tolerance mechanisms. Pathogens induce significant changes in the biology of antigen presenting cells, including upregulation of MHC processing and presentation. We therefore hypothesized that exposure to pathogens may alter the repertoire of self-peptides bound to MHC class II molecules. To test this hypothesis, we isolated monocyte-derived dendritic cells from healthy subjects, exposed them to the TLR-2 agonist lipoteichoic acid or live Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, and isolated and characterized HLA-DR associated peptides using mass spectrometry. Our results show that lipoteichoic acid-stimulated, B. burgdorferi-stimulated and unstimulated monocyte-derived dendritic cells largely derive their self-peptides from similar overlapping sets of host proteins. However, lipoteichoic acid and B. burgdorferi stimulation promote the processing and presentation of new sets of HLA-DR associated self-peptides derived from unique protein sources. Examination of processes and compartments these proteins reside in, indicate that activation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells changes the range of host self-proteins available for processing and presentation on MHC class II molecules. These findings reveal that the HLA-DR-bound self-immunopeptidome presented by mo-DCs is dynamic in nature and changes with activation state reflective of cellular function. In addition, among the repertoire of self-peptides bound to HLA-DR are several epitopes known to be recognized by autoreactive T cells. These studies are relevant to our basic understanding of pathogen-induced changes in monocyte-derived dendritic cell function, and the mechanisms involved in infection-induced autoimmune illnesses such as Lyme arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria G. Gutierrez-Hoffmann
- Lyme Disease Research Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Robert N. O'Meally
- Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, Department of Biological Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Robert N. Cole
- Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, Department of Biological Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Eleni Tiniakou
- Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Erika Darrah
- Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Mark J. Soloski
- Lyme Disease Research Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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14
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Wolf D, Gerhardt T, Winkels H, Michel NA, Pramod AB, Ghosheh Y, Brunel S, Buscher K, Miller J, McArdle S, Baas L, Kobiyama K, Vassallo M, Ehinger E, Dileepan T, Ali A, Schell M, Mikulski Z, Sidler D, Kimura T, Sheng X, Horstmann H, Hansen S, Mitre LS, Stachon P, Hilgendorf I, Gaddis DE, Hedrick C, Benedict CA, Peters B, Zirlik A, Sette A, Ley K. Pathogenic Autoimmunity in Atherosclerosis Evolves From Initially Protective Apolipoprotein B 100-Reactive CD4 + T-Regulatory Cells. Circulation 2020; 142:1279-1293. [PMID: 32703007 PMCID: PMC7515473 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.119.042863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Throughout the inflammatory response that accompanies atherosclerosis, autoreactive CD4+ T-helper cells accumulate in the atherosclerotic plaque. Apolipoprotein B100 (apoB), the core protein of low-density lipoprotein, is an autoantigen that drives the generation of pathogenic T-helper type 1 (TH1) cells with proinflammatory cytokine secretion. Clinical data suggest the existence of apoB-specific CD4+ T cells with an atheroprotective, regulatory T cell (Treg) phenotype in healthy individuals. Yet, the function of apoB-reactive Tregs and their relationship with pathogenic TH1 cells remain unknown. METHODS To interrogate the function of autoreactive CD4+ T cells in atherosclerosis, we used a novel tetramer of major histocompatibility complex II to track T cells reactive to the mouse self-peptide apo B978-993 (apoB+) at the single-cell level. RESULTS We found that apoB+ T cells build an oligoclonal population in lymph nodes of healthy mice that exhibit a Treg-like transcriptome, although only 21% of all apoB+ T cells expressed the Treg transcription factor FoxP3 (Forkhead Box P3) protein as detected by flow cytometry. In single-cell RNA sequencing, apoB+ T cells formed several clusters with mixed TH signatures that suggested overlapping multilineage phenotypes with pro- and anti-inflammatory transcripts of TH1, T helper cell type 2 (TH2), and T helper cell type 17 (TH17), and of follicular-helper T cells. ApoB+ T cells were increased in mice and humans with atherosclerosis and progressively converted into pathogenic TH1/TH17-like cells with proinflammatory properties and only a residual Treg transcriptome. Plaque T cells that expanded during progression of atherosclerosis consistently showed a mixed TH1/TH17 phenotype in single-cell RNA sequencing. In addition, we observed a loss of FoxP3 in a fraction of apoB+ Tregs in lineage tracing of hyperlipidemic Apoe-/- mice. In adoptive transfer experiments, converting apoB+ Tregs failed to protect from atherosclerosis. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate an unexpected mixed phenotype of apoB-reactive autoimmune T cells in atherosclerosis and suggest an initially protective autoimmune response against apoB with a progressive derangement in clinical disease. These findings identify apoB autoreactive Tregs as a novel cellular target in atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Wolf
- Laboratory of Inflammation Biology(D.W., T.G., H.W., A.B.P., Y.G., K.B., J.M., L.B., K.K., M.V., E.E., A.A., M.S., T.K., K.L.), La Jolla Institute for Immunology, CA.,Department of Cardiology/Angiology I, University Heart Center Freiburg-Bad Krozingen, Germany (D.W., T.G., N.A.M., X.S., H.H., S.H., L.S.M., P.S., I.H.).,Medical Faculty, University of Freiburg, Germany (D.W., N.A.M., X.S., H.H., S.H., L.S.M., P.S., I.H.)
| | - Teresa Gerhardt
- Laboratory of Inflammation Biology(D.W., T.G., H.W., A.B.P., Y.G., K.B., J.M., L.B., K.K., M.V., E.E., A.A., M.S., T.K., K.L.), La Jolla Institute for Immunology, CA.,Department of Cardiology/Angiology I, University Heart Center Freiburg-Bad Krozingen, Germany (D.W., T.G., N.A.M., X.S., H.H., S.H., L.S.M., P.S., I.H.).,Department of Cardiology, Charité - University Medicine Berlin (Campus Benjamin Franklin), Germany (T.G.)
| | - Holger Winkels
- Laboratory of Inflammation Biology(D.W., T.G., H.W., A.B.P., Y.G., K.B., J.M., L.B., K.K., M.V., E.E., A.A., M.S., T.K., K.L.), La Jolla Institute for Immunology, CA
| | - Nathaly Anto Michel
- Department of Cardiology/Angiology I, University Heart Center Freiburg-Bad Krozingen, Germany (D.W., T.G., N.A.M., X.S., H.H., S.H., L.S.M., P.S., I.H.).,Medical Faculty, University of Freiburg, Germany (D.W., N.A.M., X.S., H.H., S.H., L.S.M., P.S., I.H.).,Department of Cardiology, Medical University Graz, Austria (N.A.M., A.Z.)
| | - Akula Bala Pramod
- Laboratory of Inflammation Biology(D.W., T.G., H.W., A.B.P., Y.G., K.B., J.M., L.B., K.K., M.V., E.E., A.A., M.S., T.K., K.L.), La Jolla Institute for Immunology, CA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla (A.B.P.)
| | - Yanal Ghosheh
- Laboratory of Inflammation Biology(D.W., T.G., H.W., A.B.P., Y.G., K.B., J.M., L.B., K.K., M.V., E.E., A.A., M.S., T.K., K.L.), La Jolla Institute for Immunology, CA
| | - Simon Brunel
- Division of Immune Regulation (S.B., D.S., C.A.B.), La Jolla Institute for Immunology, CA
| | - Konrad Buscher
- Laboratory of Inflammation Biology(D.W., T.G., H.W., A.B.P., Y.G., K.B., J.M., L.B., K.K., M.V., E.E., A.A., M.S., T.K., K.L.), La Jolla Institute for Immunology, CA
| | - Jacqueline Miller
- Laboratory of Inflammation Biology(D.W., T.G., H.W., A.B.P., Y.G., K.B., J.M., L.B., K.K., M.V., E.E., A.A., M.S., T.K., K.L.), La Jolla Institute for Immunology, CA
| | - Sara McArdle
- Microscopy Core Facility (S.M.), La Jolla Institute for Immunology, CA
| | - Livia Baas
- Laboratory of Inflammation Biology(D.W., T.G., H.W., A.B.P., Y.G., K.B., J.M., L.B., K.K., M.V., E.E., A.A., M.S., T.K., K.L.), La Jolla Institute for Immunology, CA
| | - Kouji Kobiyama
- Laboratory of Inflammation Biology(D.W., T.G., H.W., A.B.P., Y.G., K.B., J.M., L.B., K.K., M.V., E.E., A.A., M.S., T.K., K.L.), La Jolla Institute for Immunology, CA
| | - Melanie Vassallo
- Laboratory of Inflammation Biology(D.W., T.G., H.W., A.B.P., Y.G., K.B., J.M., L.B., K.K., M.V., E.E., A.A., M.S., T.K., K.L.), La Jolla Institute for Immunology, CA
| | - Erik Ehinger
- Laboratory of Inflammation Biology(D.W., T.G., H.W., A.B.P., Y.G., K.B., J.M., L.B., K.K., M.V., E.E., A.A., M.S., T.K., K.L.), La Jolla Institute for Immunology, CA
| | | | - Amal Ali
- Laboratory of Inflammation Biology(D.W., T.G., H.W., A.B.P., Y.G., K.B., J.M., L.B., K.K., M.V., E.E., A.A., M.S., T.K., K.L.), La Jolla Institute for Immunology, CA
| | - Maximilian Schell
- Laboratory of Inflammation Biology(D.W., T.G., H.W., A.B.P., Y.G., K.B., J.M., L.B., K.K., M.V., E.E., A.A., M.S., T.K., K.L.), La Jolla Institute for Immunology, CA
| | - Zbigniew Mikulski
- Laboratory of Inflammation Biology(D.W., T.G., H.W., A.B.P., Y.G., K.B., J.M., L.B., K.K., M.V., E.E., A.A., M.S., T.K., K.L.), La Jolla Institute for Immunology, CA
| | - Daniel Sidler
- Laboratory of Inflammation Biology(D.W., T.G., H.W., A.B.P., Y.G., K.B., J.M., L.B., K.K., M.V., E.E., A.A., M.S., T.K., K.L.), La Jolla Institute for Immunology, CA
| | - Takayuki Kimura
- Laboratory of Inflammation Biology(D.W., T.G., H.W., A.B.P., Y.G., K.B., J.M., L.B., K.K., M.V., E.E., A.A., M.S., T.K., K.L.), La Jolla Institute for Immunology, CA
| | - Xia Sheng
- Department of Cardiology/Angiology I, University Heart Center Freiburg-Bad Krozingen, Germany (D.W., T.G., N.A.M., X.S., H.H., S.H., L.S.M., P.S., I.H.).,Medical Faculty, University of Freiburg, Germany (D.W., N.A.M., X.S., H.H., S.H., L.S.M., P.S., I.H.)
| | - Hauke Horstmann
- Department of Cardiology/Angiology I, University Heart Center Freiburg-Bad Krozingen, Germany (D.W., T.G., N.A.M., X.S., H.H., S.H., L.S.M., P.S., I.H.).,Medical Faculty, University of Freiburg, Germany (D.W., N.A.M., X.S., H.H., S.H., L.S.M., P.S., I.H.)
| | - Sophie Hansen
- Department of Cardiology/Angiology I, University Heart Center Freiburg-Bad Krozingen, Germany (D.W., T.G., N.A.M., X.S., H.H., S.H., L.S.M., P.S., I.H.).,Medical Faculty, University of Freiburg, Germany (D.W., N.A.M., X.S., H.H., S.H., L.S.M., P.S., I.H.)
| | - Lucia Sol Mitre
- Department of Cardiology/Angiology I, University Heart Center Freiburg-Bad Krozingen, Germany (D.W., T.G., N.A.M., X.S., H.H., S.H., L.S.M., P.S., I.H.).,Medical Faculty, University of Freiburg, Germany (D.W., N.A.M., X.S., H.H., S.H., L.S.M., P.S., I.H.)
| | - Peter Stachon
- Department of Cardiology/Angiology I, University Heart Center Freiburg-Bad Krozingen, Germany (D.W., T.G., N.A.M., X.S., H.H., S.H., L.S.M., P.S., I.H.).,Medical Faculty, University of Freiburg, Germany (D.W., N.A.M., X.S., H.H., S.H., L.S.M., P.S., I.H.)
| | - Ingo Hilgendorf
- Department of Cardiology/Angiology I, University Heart Center Freiburg-Bad Krozingen, Germany (D.W., T.G., N.A.M., X.S., H.H., S.H., L.S.M., P.S., I.H.).,Medical Faculty, University of Freiburg, Germany (D.W., N.A.M., X.S., H.H., S.H., L.S.M., P.S., I.H.)
| | - Dalia E Gaddis
- Center for Autoimmunity and Inflammation (D.E.G., C.H., K.L.), La Jolla Institute for Immunology, CA
| | - Catherine Hedrick
- Center for Autoimmunity and Inflammation (D.E.G., C.H., K.L.), La Jolla Institute for Immunology, CA
| | - Chris A Benedict
- Division of Immune Regulation (S.B., D.S., C.A.B.), La Jolla Institute for Immunology, CA
| | - Bjoern Peters
- Division of Vaccine Discovery (B.P., A.S.), La Jolla Institute for Immunology, CA
| | - Andreas Zirlik
- Department of Cardiology, Medical University Graz, Austria (N.A.M., A.Z.)
| | - Alessandro Sette
- Division of Vaccine Discovery (B.P., A.S.), La Jolla Institute for Immunology, CA
| | - Klaus Ley
- Laboratory of Inflammation Biology(D.W., T.G., H.W., A.B.P., Y.G., K.B., J.M., L.B., K.K., M.V., E.E., A.A., M.S., T.K., K.L.), La Jolla Institute for Immunology, CA.,Center for Autoimmunity and Inflammation (D.E.G., C.H., K.L.), La Jolla Institute for Immunology, CA
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15
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Vigario FL, Kuiper J, Slütter B. Tolerogenic vaccines for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. EBioMedicine 2020; 57:102827. [PMID: 32574952 PMCID: PMC7322234 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2020.102827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is the main pathology behind most cardiovascular diseases. It is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the formation of lipid-rich plaques in arteries. Atherosclerotic plaques are initiated by the deposition of cholesterol-rich LDL particles in the arterial walls leading to the activation of innate and adaptive immune responses. Current treatments focus on the reduction of LDL blood levels using statins, however the critical components of inflammation and autoimmunity have been mostly ignored as therapeutic targets. The restoration of immune tolerance towards atherosclerosis-relevant antigens can arrest lesion development as shown in pre-clinical models. In this review, we evaluate the clinical development of similar strategies for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes or multiple sclerosis and analyse the potential of tolerogenic vaccines for atherosclerosis and the challenges that need to be overcome to bring this therapy to patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Lozano Vigario
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Einsteinweg 55, PO Box 9502, 2300RA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Johan Kuiper
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Einsteinweg 55, PO Box 9502, 2300RA Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Bram Slütter
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Einsteinweg 55, PO Box 9502, 2300RA Leiden, the Netherlands
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16
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Thomas R, Wang W, Su DM. Contributions of Age-Related Thymic Involution to Immunosenescence and Inflammaging. IMMUNITY & AGEING 2020; 17:2. [PMID: 31988649 PMCID: PMC6971920 DOI: 10.1186/s12979-020-0173-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 199] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Immune system aging is characterized by the paradox of immunosenescence (insufficiency) and inflammaging (over-reaction), which incorporate two sides of the same coin, resulting in immune disorder. Immunosenescence refers to disruption in the structural architecture of immune organs and dysfunction in immune responses, resulting from both aged innate and adaptive immunity. Inflammaging, described as a chronic, sterile, systemic inflammatory condition associated with advanced age, is mainly attributed to somatic cellular senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) and age-related autoimmune predisposition. However, the inability to reduce senescent somatic cells (SSCs), because of immunosenescence, exacerbates inflammaging. Age-related adaptive immune system deviations, particularly altered T cell function, are derived from age-related thymic atrophy or involution, a hallmark of thymic aging. Recently, there have been major developments in understanding how age-related thymic involution contributes to inflammaging and immunosenescence at the cellular and molecular levels, including genetic and epigenetic regulation, as well as developments of many potential rejuvenation strategies. Herein, we discuss the research progress uncovering how age-related thymic involution contributes to immunosenescence and inflammaging, as well as their intersection. We also describe how T cell adaptive immunity mediates inflammaging and plays a crucial role in the progression of age-related neurological and cardiovascular diseases, as well as cancer. We then briefly outline the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of age-related thymic involution, and finally summarize potential rejuvenation strategies to restore aged thymic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Thomas
- Cell Biology, Immunology, and Microbiology Graduate Program, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Fort Worth, Texas 76107 USA
| | - Weikan Wang
- Cell Biology, Immunology, and Microbiology Graduate Program, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Fort Worth, Texas 76107 USA
| | - Dong-Ming Su
- 2Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas 76107 USA
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17
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Abstract
There is now overwhelming experimental and clinical evidence that atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease. Lessons from genome-wide association studies, advanced in vivo imaging techniques, transgenic lineage tracing mice, and clinical interventional studies have shown that both innate and adaptive immune mechanisms can accelerate or curb atherosclerosis. Here, we summarize and discuss the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis with a focus on adaptive immunity. We discuss some limitations of animal models and the need for models that are tailored to better translate to human atherosclerosis and ultimately progress in prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Wolf
- From the Department of Cardiology and Angiology I, University Heart Center Freiburg, Germany (D.W.).,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany (D.W.)
| | - Klaus Ley
- Division of Inflammation Biology, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, CA (K.L.).,Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla (K.L.)
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18
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Impfung zur Behandlung der Arteriosklerose – eine realistische Vision? Herz 2019; 44:93-95. [DOI: 10.1007/s00059-019-4793-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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19
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Abstract
There is now overwhelming experimental and clinical evidence that arteriosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease. Lessons learned from genome-wide association studies, advanced in vivo imaging techniques, transgenic lineage tracing mice models and clinical interventional studies have shown that both innate and adaptive immune mechanisms can accelerate or curb arteriosclerosis. This article summarizes and discusses the pathogenesis of arteriosclerosis with a focus on the role of the adaptive immune system. Some limitations of animal models are discussed and the need for models that are tailored to better translate to human atherosclerosis and ultimately progress in prevention and treatment are emphasized.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Wolf
- Abteilung für Kardiologie und Angiologie I, Universitäts-Herzzentrum Freiburg, Freiburg, Deutschland
- Medizinische Fakultät, Universität Freiburg, Freiburg, Deutschland
| | - K Ley
- Division of Inflammation Biology, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, 9420 Athena Cir, 92037, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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20
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Vaccination against atherosclerosis. Curr Opin Immunol 2019; 59:15-24. [PMID: 30928800 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2019.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes most heart attacks and strokes, making it the biggest killer in the world. Although cholesterol-lowering drugs have dramatically reduced these major adverse cardiovascular events, there remains a high residual risk called inflammatory risk. Atherosclerosis has an autoimmune component that can be manipulated by immunologic approaches including vaccination. Vaccination is attractive, because it is antigen-specific, does not impair host defense, and provides long-term protection. Several candidate antigens for atherosclerosis vaccine development have been identified and have been shown to reduce atherosclerosis in animal models. In this review, we focus on two different types of atherosclerosis vaccines: antibody-inducing and regulatory T cell-inducing.
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21
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Kimura T, Kobiyama K, Winkels H, Tse K, Miller J, Vassallo M, Wolf D, Ryden C, Orecchioni M, Dileepan T, Jenkins MK, James EA, Kwok WW, Hanna DB, Kaplan RC, Strickler HD, Durkin HG, Kassaye SG, Karim R, Tien PC, Landay AL, Gange SJ, Sidney J, Sette A, Biol.Sci., Ley K. Regulatory CD4 + T Cells Recognize Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II Molecule-Restricted Peptide Epitopes of Apolipoprotein B. Circulation 2018; 138:1130-1143. [PMID: 29588316 PMCID: PMC6160361 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.117.031420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CD4+ T cells play an important role in atherosclerosis, but their antigen specificity is poorly understood. Immunization with apolipoprotein B (ApoB, core protein of low density lipoprotein) is known to be atheroprotective in animal models. Here, we report on a human APOB peptide, p18, that is sequence-identical in mouse ApoB and binds to both mouse and human major histocompatibility complex class II molecules. METHODS We constructed p18 tetramers to detect human and mouse APOB-specific T cells and assayed their phenotype by flow cytometry including CD4 lineage transcription factors, intracellular cytokines, and T cell receptor activation. Apolipoprotein E-deficient ( Apoe-/-) mice were vaccinated with p18 peptide or adjuvants alone, and atherosclerotic burden in the aorta was determined. RESULTS In human peripheral blood mononuclear cells from donors without cardiovascular disease, p18 specific CD4+ T cells detected by a new human leukocyte antigen-antigen D related-p18 tetramers were mostly Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs). Donors with subclinical cardiovascular disease as detected by carotid artery ultrasound had Tregs coexpressing retinoic acid-related orphan receptor gamma t or T-bet, which were both almost absent in donors without cardiovascular disease. In Apoe-/- mice, immunization with p18 induced Tregs and reduced atherosclerotic lesions. After peptide restimulation, responding CD4+ T cells identified by Nur77-GFP (green fluorescent protein) were highly enriched in Tregs. A new mouse I-Ab-p18 tetramer identified the expansion of p18-specific CD4+ T cells on vaccination, which were enriched for interleukin-10-producing Tregs. CONCLUSIONS These findings show that APOB p18-specific CD4+ T cells are mainly Tregs in healthy donors, but coexpress other CD4 lineage transcription factors in donors with subclinical cardiovascular disease. This study identifies ApoB peptide 18 as the first Treg epitope in human and mouse atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takayuki Kimura
- Division of Inflammation Biology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Kouji Kobiyama
- Division of Inflammation Biology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Holger Winkels
- Division of Inflammation Biology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Kevin Tse
- Division of Inflammation Biology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Jacqueline Miller
- Division of Inflammation Biology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Melanie Vassallo
- Division of Inflammation Biology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Dennis Wolf
- Division of Inflammation Biology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Christian Ryden
- Division of Inflammation Biology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Marco Orecchioni
- Division of Inflammation Biology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, California, USA
| | | | - Marc K. Jenkins
- Department of Microbiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Eddie A. James
- Tetramer Core Laboratory, Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - William W. Kwok
- Tetramer Core Laboratory, Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - David B. Hanna
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Robert C. Kaplan
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Howard D. Strickler
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Helen G. Durkin
- Department of Pathology, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA
| | - Seble G. Kassaye
- Department of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Roksana Karim
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Phyllis C. Tien
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Alan L. Landay
- Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Stephen J. Gange
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - John Sidney
- Division of Vaccine Discovery, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, California, USA
| | | | - Biol.Sci.
- Division of Vaccine Discovery, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Klaus Ley
- Division of Inflammation Biology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, California, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
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22
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Kobiyama K, Vassallo M, Mitzi J, Winkels H, Pei H, Kimura T, Miller J, Wolf D, Ley K. A clinically applicable adjuvant for an atherosclerosis vaccine in mice. Eur J Immunol 2018; 48:1580-1587. [PMID: 29932463 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201847584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Revised: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Vaccination with MHC-II-restricted peptides from Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) with complete and incomplete Freund's adjuvant (CFA/IFA) is known to protect mice from atherosclerosis. This vaccination induces antigen-specific IgG1 and IgG2c antibody responses and a robust CD4 T cell response in lymph nodes. However, CFA/IFA cannot be used in humans. To find a clinically applicable adjuvant, we tested the effect of vaccinating Apoe-deficient mice with ApoB peptide P6 (TGAYSNASSTESASY). In a broad screening experiment, Addavax, a squalene-based oil-in-water adjuvant similar to MF59, was the only adjuvant that showed similar efficacy as CFA/IFA. This was confirmed in a confirmation experiment for both the aortic arch and whole aorta analyzed by en face analysis after atherosclerotic lesion staining. Mechanistically, restimulated peritoneal cells from mice immunized with P6 in Addavax released significant amounts of IL-10. Unlike P6 in CFA/IFA, vaccination with P6 in Addavax did not induce any detectable IgG1 or IgG2c antibodies to P6. These data suggest that squalene-based adjuvants such as MF59 are good candidate adjuvants for developing a clinically effective atherosclerosis vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kouji Kobiyama
- Division of Inflammation Biology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Melanie Vassallo
- Division of Inflammation Biology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jessica Mitzi
- Division of Inflammation Biology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Holger Winkels
- Division of Inflammation Biology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Hong Pei
- Division of Inflammation Biology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Takayuki Kimura
- Division of Inflammation Biology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jacqueline Miller
- Division of Inflammation Biology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Dennis Wolf
- Division of Inflammation Biology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Klaus Ley
- Division of Inflammation Biology, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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23
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Mihailovic PM, Lio WM, Yano J, Zhao X, Zhou J, Chyu KY, Shah PK, Cercek B, Dimayuga PC. The cathelicidin protein CRAMP is a potential atherosclerosis self-antigen in ApoE(-/-) mice. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0187432. [PMID: 29091929 PMCID: PMC5665601 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Auto-immunity is believed to contribute to inflammation in atherosclerosis. The antimicrobial peptide LL-37, a fragment of the cathelicidin protein precursor hCAP18, was previously identified as an autoantigen in psoriasis. Given the reported link between psoriasis and coronary artery disease, the biological relevance of the autoantigen to atherosclerosis was tested in vitro using a truncated (t) form of the mouse homolog of hCAP18, CRAMP, on splenocytes from athero-prone ApoE(-/-) mice. Stimulation with tCRAMP resulted in increased CD8+ T cells with Central Memory and Effector Memory phenotypes in ApoE(-/-) mice, differentially activated by feeding with normal chow or high fat diet. Immunization of ApoE(-/-) with different doses of the shortened peptide (Cramp) resulted in differential outcomes with a lower dose reducing atherosclerosis whereas a higher dose exacerbating the disease with increased neutrophil infiltration of the atherosclerotic plaques. Low dose Cramp immunization also resulted in increased splenic CD8+ T cell degranulation and reduced CD11b+CD11c+ conventional dendritic cells (cDCs), whereas high dose increased CD11b+CD11c+ cDCs. Our results identified CRAMP, the mouse homolog of hCAP-18, as a potential self-antigen involved in the immune response to atherosclerosis in the ApoE(-/-) mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M. Mihailovic
- Oppenheimer Atherosclerosis Research Center, Division of Cardiology, Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Wai Man Lio
- Oppenheimer Atherosclerosis Research Center, Division of Cardiology, Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Juliana Yano
- Oppenheimer Atherosclerosis Research Center, Division of Cardiology, Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Xiaoning Zhao
- Oppenheimer Atherosclerosis Research Center, Division of Cardiology, Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Jianchang Zhou
- Oppenheimer Atherosclerosis Research Center, Division of Cardiology, Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Kuang-Yuh Chyu
- Oppenheimer Atherosclerosis Research Center, Division of Cardiology, Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Prediman K. Shah
- Oppenheimer Atherosclerosis Research Center, Division of Cardiology, Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Bojan Cercek
- Oppenheimer Atherosclerosis Research Center, Division of Cardiology, Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Paul C. Dimayuga
- Oppenheimer Atherosclerosis Research Center, Division of Cardiology, Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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