1
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Wang M, McGraw KR, Monticone RE, Giordo R, Eid AH, Pintus G. Enhanced vasorin signaling mitigates adverse cardiovascular remodeling. Aging Med (Milton) 2024; 7:414-423. [PMID: 38975316 PMCID: PMC11222745 DOI: 10.1002/agm2.12332] [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: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Arterial stiffening is a critical risk factor contributing to the exponential rise in age-associated cardiovascular disease incidence. This process involves age-induced arterial proinflammation, collagen deposition, and calcification, which collectively contribute to arterial stiffening. The primary driver of proinflammatory processes leading to collagen deposition in the arterial wall is the transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) signaling. Activation of this signaling is pivotal in driving vascular extracellular remodeling, eventually leading to arterial fibrosis and calcification. Interestingly, the glycosylated protein vasorin (VASN) physically interacts with TGF-β1, and functionally restraining its proinflammatory fibrotic signaling in arterial walls and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Notably, as age advances, matrix metalloproteinase type II (MMP-2) is activated, which effectively cleaves VASN protein in both arterial walls and VSMCs. This age-associated/MMP-2-mediated decrease in VASN levels exacerbates TGF-β1 activation, amplifying arterial fibrosis and calcification in the arterial wall. Importantly, TGF-β1 is a downstream molecule of the angiotensin II (Ang II) signaling pathway in the arterial wall and VSMCs, which is modulated by VASN. Indeed, chronic administration of Ang II to young rats significantly activates MMP-2 and diminishes the VASN expression to levels comparable to untreated older control rats. This review highlights and discusses the role played by VASN in mitigating fibrosis and calcification by alleviating TGF-β1 activation and signaling in arterial walls and VSMCs. Understanding these molecular physical and functional interactions may pave the way for establishing VASN-based therapeutic strategies to counteract adverse age-associated cardiovascular remodeling, eventually reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyi Wang
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of HealthBiomedical Research Center (BRC)BaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Kimberly Raginski McGraw
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of HealthBiomedical Research Center (BRC)BaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Robert E. Monticone
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of HealthBiomedical Research Center (BRC)BaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Roberta Giordo
- Department of Biomedical SciencesUniversity of SassariSassariItaly
| | - Ali H. Eid
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU HealthQatar UniversityDohaQatar
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2
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Andrique C, Bonnet AL, Dang J, Lesieur J, Krautzberger AM, Baroukh B, Torrens C, Sadoine J, Schmitt A, Rochefort GY, Bardet C, Six I, Houillier P, Tharaux PL, Schrewe H, Gaucher C, Chaussain C. Vasorin as an actor of bone turnover? J Cell Physiol 2024; 239:e31257. [PMID: 38504496 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31257] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Bone diseases are increasing with aging populations and it is important to identify clues to develop innovative treatments. Vasn, which encodes vasorin (Vasn), a transmembrane protein involved in the pathophysiology of several organs, is expressed during the development in intramembranous and endochondral ossification zones. Here, we studied the impact of Vasn deletion on the osteoblast and osteoclast dialog through a cell Coculture model. In addition, we explored the bone phenotype of Vasn KO mice, either constitutive or tamoxifen-inducible, or with an osteoclast-specific deletion. First, we show that both osteoblasts and osteoclasts express Vasn. Second, we report that, in both KO mouse models but not in osteoclast-targeted KO mice, Vasn deficiency was associated with an osteopenic bone phenotype, due to an imbalance in favor of osteoclastic resorption. Finally, through the Coculture experiments, we identify a dysregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway together with an increase in RANKL release by osteoblasts, which led to an enhanced osteoclast activity. This study unravels a direct role of Vasn in bone turnover, introducing a new biomarker or potential therapeutic target for bone pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anne Laure Bonnet
- Université Paris Cité, Montrouge, France
- AP-HP, Services de médecine bucco-dentaire: GH Nord - Université Paris Cité, GH Sorbonne Université, GH Henri Mondor, Paris, France
| | - Julien Dang
- Paris Cardiovascular Research Centre - PARCC, Université Paris Cité, Inserm, Paris, France
| | | | - A Michaela Krautzberger
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Alain Schmitt
- Université Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Isabelle Six
- URP 7517 UPJV, Pathophysiological Mechanisms and Consequences of Cardiovascular Calcifications (MP3CV), Jules Verne University of Picardie, Amiens, France
| | - Pascal Houillier
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM U1138, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- AP-HP, Explorations fonctionnelles rénales, Physiologie, Hôpital européen Georges-Pompidou, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Louis Tharaux
- Paris Cardiovascular Research Centre - PARCC, Université Paris Cité, Inserm, Paris, France
| | - Heinrich Schrewe
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Celine Gaucher
- Université Paris Cité, Montrouge, France
- AP-HP, Services de médecine bucco-dentaire: GH Nord - Université Paris Cité, GH Sorbonne Université, GH Henri Mondor, Paris, France
| | - Catherine Chaussain
- Université Paris Cité, Montrouge, France
- AP-HP, Services de médecine bucco-dentaire: GH Nord - Université Paris Cité, GH Sorbonne Université, GH Henri Mondor, Paris, France
- APHP, Centre de reference des maladies rares du phosphate et du calcium (filière OSCAR, ERN BOND), Hôpital Bretonneau, Paris, France
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3
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Qin Z, Zhong Y, Li P, Ma Z, Kang H, Huang Y, Zhong Y, Wang L. Vasorin promotes endothelial differentiation of glioma stem cells via stimulating the transcription of VEGFR2. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23682. [PMID: 38780524 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202400159r] [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: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Gliomas are highly vascularized malignancies, but current anti-angiogenic treatments have not demonstrated practical improvements in patient survival. Studies have suggested that glioma-derived endothelial cell (GdEC) formed by glioma stem cell (GSC) differentiation may contribute to the failure of this treatment. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in GSC endothelial differentiation remain poorly understood. We previously reported that vasorin (VASN) is highly expressed in glioma and promotes angiogenesis. Here, we show that VASN expression positively correlates with GdEC signatures in glioma patients. VASN promotes the endothelial differentiation capacity of GSC in vitro and participates in the formation of GSC-derived vessels in vivo. Mechanistically, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) is a critical factor that mediates the regulation of VASN on GSC endothelial differentiation. Separation of cell chromatin fractionation and chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing analysis show that VASN interacts with Notch1 and co-translocates into the cell nuclei, where VASN binds to the VEGFR2 gene promoter to stimulate its transcription during the progression of GSC differentiation into GdEC. Together, these findings elucidate the role and mechanisms of VASN in promoting the endothelial differentiation of GSC and suggest VASN as a potential target for anti-angiogenic therapy based on intervention in GdEC formation in gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixi Qin
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying Zhong
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peiwen Li
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ziqing Ma
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui Kang
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Youwei Huang
- Zhuhai Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhuhai People's Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying Zhong
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lihui Wang
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
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4
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Liang J, Smith AW. The Oligomeric State of Vasorin in the Plasma Membrane Measured Non-Invasively by Quantitative Fluorescence Fluctuation Spectroscopy. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4115. [PMID: 38612924 PMCID: PMC11012933 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25074115] [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: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Vasorin (VASN), a transmembrane protein heavily expressed in endothelial cells, has garnered recent interest due to its key role in vascular development and pathology. The oligomeric state of VASN is a crucial piece of knowledge given that receptor clustering is a frequent regulatory mechanism in downstream signaling activation and amplification. However, documentation of VASN oligomerization is currently absent. In this brief report, we describe the measurement of VASN oligomerization in its native membranous environment, leveraging a class of fluorescence fluctuation spectroscopy. Our investigation revealed that the majority of VASN resides in a monomeric state, while a minority of VASN forms homodimers in the cellular membrane. This result raises the intriguing possibility that ligand-independent clustering of VASN may play a role in transforming growth factor signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyi Liang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325, USA
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Adam W. Smith
- Department of Chemistry, University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
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5
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La Marca A, De Carlini S, Liuzzi F. Vasorin: a new molecule in human reproduction? Gynecol Endocrinol 2023; 39:2273282. [PMID: 37884010 DOI: 10.1080/09513590.2023.2273282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio La Marca
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children & Adults, University Hospital of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Serena De Carlini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children & Adults, University Hospital of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Francesca Liuzzi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children & Adults, University Hospital of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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6
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Raghavan R, Coppola U, Wu Y, Ihewulezi C, Negrón-Piñeiro LJ, Maguire JE, Hong J, Cunningham M, Kim HJ, Albert TJ, Ali AM, Saint-Jeannet JP, Ristoratore F, Dahia CL, Di Gregorio A. Gene expression in notochord and nuclei pulposi: a study of gene families across the chordate phylum. BMC Ecol Evol 2023; 23:63. [PMID: 37891482 PMCID: PMC10605842 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-023-02167-1] [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: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The transition from notochord to vertebral column is a crucial milestone in chordate evolution and in prenatal development of all vertebrates. As ossification of the vertebral bodies proceeds, involutions of residual notochord cells into the intervertebral discs form the nuclei pulposi, shock-absorbing structures that confer flexibility to the spine. Numerous studies have outlined the developmental and evolutionary relationship between notochord and nuclei pulposi. However, the knowledge of the similarities and differences in the genetic repertoires of these two structures remains limited, also because comparative studies of notochord and nuclei pulposi across chordates are complicated by the gene/genome duplication events that led to extant vertebrates. Here we show the results of a pilot study aimed at bridging the information on these two structures. We have followed in different vertebrates the evolutionary trajectory of notochord genes identified in the invertebrate chordate Ciona, and we have evaluated the extent of conservation of their expression in notochord cells. Our results have uncovered evolutionarily conserved markers of both notochord development and aging/degeneration of the nuclei pulposi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Raghavan
- Hospital for Special Surgery, Orthopedic Soft Tissue Research Program, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Ugo Coppola
- Stazione Zoologica 'A. Dohrn', Villa Comunale 1, 80121, Naples, Italy
- Present Address: Molecular Cardiovascular Biology Division and Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Yushi Wu
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY, 10010, USA
| | - Chibuike Ihewulezi
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY, 10010, USA
| | - Lenny J Negrón-Piñeiro
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY, 10010, USA
| | - Julie E Maguire
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY, 10010, USA
| | - Justin Hong
- Hospital for Special Surgery, Orthopedic Soft Tissue Research Program, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Matthew Cunningham
- Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, 10021, USA
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Han Jo Kim
- Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, 10021, USA
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Todd J Albert
- Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, 10021, USA
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Abdullah M Ali
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Jean-Pierre Saint-Jeannet
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY, 10010, USA
| | | | - Chitra L Dahia
- Hospital for Special Surgery, Orthopedic Soft Tissue Research Program, New York, NY, 10021, USA.
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
| | - Anna Di Gregorio
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY, 10010, USA.
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7
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Wan F, Li H, Huang S, Sun J, Li J, Li Y, Yang L, He M. Vasorin promotes proliferation and migration via STAT3 signaling and acts as a promising therapeutic target of hepatocellular carcinoma. Cell Signal 2023; 110:110809. [PMID: 37454705 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110809] [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: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Abnormal expression of Vasorin (VASN) is related to many types of cancer, but the signaling pathway and mechanism of how VASN contributes to the carcinogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are poorly understood. Here, we found that VASN was up-regulated in serum/serum exosome and tissues of HCC patients. The expression of VASN in serum improve the detection rate of HCC in alpha-fetoprotein-negative HCC patients. Immunohistochemistry revealed that VASN was highly expressed in HCC tissues and associated with different stages of HCC. Noticeably, when serum VASN combined with α-fetoprotein, the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity of HCC patients compared with healthy patients reached 0.918 (95% CI: 0.869-0.967, P < 0.001), 90.91%, and 90.20%, respectively. VASN knockout HCC cells were obtained by CRISPR/Cas9 and a VASN-specific monoclonal antibody was prepared by hybridoma technology. Knockout of VASN or the addition of VASN-specific monoclonal antibody suppressed the proliferation and migration of HCC. Mechanistically, VASN promote the proliferation and migration of HCC by regulating the phosphorylation of STAT3 and the expression of downstream genes CCND1 and MMP2. In conclusion, our findings suggest that VASN plays a crucial role in the activation of STAT3 signaling pathway in HCC, which is a promising target for the diagnosis and therapy of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengjie Wan
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Hui Li
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Shiping Huang
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Junming Sun
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Jiafu Li
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Yasi Li
- Department of Public Health Sciences, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Lichao Yang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China.
| | - Min He
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China; Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China; Key Laboratory of High-Incidence-Tumor Prevention & Treatment (Guangxi Medical University), Ministry of Education, Nanning 530021, China.
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8
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Taggi M, Liuzzi F, Botticelli L, De Carlini S, Longo M, Donno V, Fabbiani L, La Marca A. Evidence for the expression of vasorin in the human female reproductive tissues. Gynecol Endocrinol 2023; 39:2224457. [PMID: 37331376 DOI: 10.1080/09513590.2023.2224457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: To investigate the expression and localization of Vasorin (Vasn) in human female reproductive system. Methods: The presence of Vasorin was evaluated by RT-PCR and immunoblotting analyses in patient-derived endometrial, myometrial and granulosa cells (GCs) primary cultures. Immunostaining analyses were performed to detect Vasn localization in primary cultures and in ovarian and uterine tissues. Results: Vasn mRNA was detected in patient-derived endometrial, myometrial and GCs primary cultures without significant differences at the transcript level. Otherwise, immunoblotting analysis showed that Vasn protein levels were significantly higher in GCs than proliferative endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) and myometrial cells. Immunohistochemistry performed in ovarian tissues revealed that Vasn was expressed in the GCs of ovarian follicles at different stages of development with a higher immunostaining signal in mature ovarian follicles such as the antral follicle or on the surface of cumulus oophorus cells than in early-stage follicles. The immunostaining of uterine tissues showed that Vasn was expressed in the proliferative stroma endometrium while it was significantly less expressed in the secretory endometrium. Conversely, no protein immunoreactivity was revealed in health myometrial tissue. Conclusions: Our results revealed the presence of Vasn in the ovary and the endometrium. The pattern of Vasn expression and distribution suggests that this protein may have a role in the regulation of processes such as folliculogenesis, oocyte maturation, and endometrial proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilena Taggi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children & Adults, University, Hospital of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Francesca Liuzzi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children & Adults, University, Hospital of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Laura Botticelli
- Unit of Pathology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico, Modena, Italy
| | - Serena De Carlini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children & Adults, University, Hospital of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Maria Longo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children & Adults, University, Hospital of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Valeria Donno
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children & Adults, University, Hospital of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Luca Fabbiani
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children & Adults, University, Hospital of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Unit of Pathology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico, Modena, Italy
| | - Antonio La Marca
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children & Adults, University, Hospital of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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9
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Liang W, Zuo J, Liu M, Su Y, Guo B, Hou J, Xing Q, Peng Y, Fang L, Cao Y, Shan J, Sun R, Zhao J, Wang J. VASN promotes colorectal cancer progression by activating the YAP/TAZ and AKT signaling pathways via YAP. FASEB J 2023; 37:e22688. [PMID: 36468780 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202201181r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common gastrointestinal malignancies. Vasorin (VASN) has been reported to be critical in tumor development and angiogenesis. However, VASN has not been reported in CRC, and its role is unclear. In this study, VASN expression is upregulated in CRC compared with the normal tissues, and VASN expression positively correlates with N stage and poor overall survival by analysis of different datasets and 32 CRC clinicopathologic samples. Overexpression of VASN significantly promotes CRC cell progression, including proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), while knockdown of VASN inhibits CRC progression. We found that VASN was associated with the YAP/TAZ and PI3K/AKT pathways by gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and gene ontology (GO) analysis. Notably, western blotting, immunofluorescence staining and co-immunofluorescence (co-IP) confirmed that VASN could interact with YAP and activate the YAP/TAZ and PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathways, and knockdown of YAP reversed this effect. Importantly, our findings indicate that VASN interacts with YAP to inhibit YAP phosphorylation and stimulates CRC proliferation, migration, and invasion through activation of the YAP/TAZ-TEAD target gene CTGF and PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathways. Our results also show that knockdown of YAP reverses the cellular phenotype induced by increased VASN. In conclusion, our study reveals that VASN acts as an oncogene to stimulate tumor progression in CRC, providing new insights into the molecular mechanisms of CRC development and representing a possible novel biomarker for CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiye Liang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jia Zuo
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mingkai Liu
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuling Su
- Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Baoyin Guo
- Department of Pathology, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiangtao Hou
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of TCM, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qi Xing
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yinglong Peng
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lian Fang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yihui Cao
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiajie Shan
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruixia Sun
- Bioscience Laboratory, BIOS Bioscience and Technology Limited Company, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jie Zhao
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.,Bioscience Laboratory, BIOS Bioscience and Technology Limited Company, Guangzhou, China
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10
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Colombo G, Altomare A, Astori E, Landoni L, Garavaglia ML, Rossi R, Giustarini D, Lionetti MC, Gagliano N, Milzani A, Dalle-Donne I. Effects of Physiological and Pathological Urea Concentrations on Human Microvascular Endothelial Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010691. [PMID: 36614132 PMCID: PMC9821335 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Urea is the uremic toxin accumulating with the highest concentration in the plasma of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, not being completely cleared by dialysis. Urea accumulation is reported to exert direct and indirect side effects on the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, adipocytes, and cardiovascular system (CVS), although its pathogenicity is still questioned since studies evaluating its side effects lack homogeneity. Here, we investigated the effects of physiological and pathological urea concentrations on a human endothelial cell line from the microcirculation (Human Microvascular Endothelial Cells-1, HMEC-1). Urea (5 g/L) caused a reduction in the proliferation rate after 72 h of exposure and appeared to be a potential endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) stimulus. Moreover, urea induced actin filament rearrangement, a significant increase in matrix metalloproteinases 2 (MMP-2) expression in the medium, and a significant up- or down-regulation of other EndMT biomarkers (keratin, fibrillin-2, and collagen IV), as highlighted by differential proteomic analysis. Among proteins whose expression was found to be significantly dysregulated following exposure of HMEC-1 to urea, dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) and vasorin turned out to be down-regulated. Both proteins have been directly linked to cardiovascular diseases (CVD) by in vitro and in vivo studies. Future experiments will be needed to deepen their role and investigate the signaling pathways in which they are involved to clarify the possible link between CKD and CVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graziano Colombo
- Department of Biosciences (Department of Excellence 2018–2022), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Altomare
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuela Astori
- Department of Biosciences (Department of Excellence 2018–2022), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Lucia Landoni
- Department of Biosciences (Department of Excellence 2018–2022), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Lisa Garavaglia
- Department of Biosciences (Department of Excellence 2018–2022), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Ranieri Rossi
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy (Department of Excellence 2018–2022), University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Daniela Giustarini
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy (Department of Excellence 2018–2022), University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Lionetti
- Department of Biosciences (Department of Excellence 2018–2022), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Gagliano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Aldo Milzani
- Department of Biosciences (Department of Excellence 2018–2022), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Isabella Dalle-Donne
- Department of Biosciences (Department of Excellence 2018–2022), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence:
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11
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Louvet L, Lenglet G, Krautzberger AM, Mentaverri R, Hague F, Kowalewski C, Mahtal N, Lesieur J, Bonnet A, Andrique C, Gaucher C, Gomila C, Schrewe H, Tharaux P, Kamel S, Chaussain C, Six I. Vasorin plays a critical role in vascular smooth muscle cells and arterial functions. J Cell Physiol 2022; 237:3845-3859. [PMID: 35892191 PMCID: PMC9796581 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Within the cardiovascular system, the protein vasorin (Vasn) is predominantly expressed by vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in the coronary arteries and the aorta. Vasn knockout (Vasn-/- ) mice die within 3 weeks of birth. In the present study, we investigated the role of vascular Vasn expression on vascular function. We used inducible Vasn knockout mice (VasnCRE-ERT KO and VasnSMMHC-CRE-ERT2 KO , in which respectively all cells or SMCs only are targeted) to analyze the consequences of total or selective Vasn loss on vascular function. Furthermore, in vivo effects were investigated in vitro using human VSMCs. The death of VasnCRE-ERT KO mice 21 days after tamoxifen injection was concomitant with decreases in blood pressure, angiotensin II levels, and vessel contractibility to phenylephrine. The VasnSMMHC-CRE-ERT2 KO mice displayed concomitant changes in vessel contractibility in response to phenylephrine and angiotensin II levels. In vitro, VASN deficiency was associated with a shift toward the SMC contractile phenotype, an increase in basal intracellular Ca2+ levels, and a decrease in the SMCs' ability to generate a calcium signal in response to carbachol or phenylephrine. Additionally, impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation (due to changes in nitric oxide signaling) was observed in all Vasn knockout mice models. Our present findings highlight the role played by Vasn SMC expression in the maintenance of vascular functions. The mechanistic experiments suggested that these effects are mediated by SMC phenotype switching and changes in intracellular calcium homeostasis, angiotensin II levels, and NO signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loïc Louvet
- UR 7517 UPJV, Pathophysiological Mechanisms and Consequences of Cardiovascular Calcifications (MP3CV)Picardie Jules Verne UniversityAmiensFrance
| | - Gaëlle Lenglet
- UR 7517 UPJV, Pathophysiological Mechanisms and Consequences of Cardiovascular Calcifications (MP3CV)Picardie Jules Verne UniversityAmiensFrance
| | | | - Romuald Mentaverri
- UR 7517 UPJV, Pathophysiological Mechanisms and Consequences of Cardiovascular Calcifications (MP3CV)Picardie Jules Verne UniversityAmiensFrance,Amiens University HospitalHuman Biology CenterAmiensFrance
| | - Frédéric Hague
- UR EA4667, UPJV, Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et MoléculairePicardie Jules Verne UniversityAmiensFrance
| | - Clara Kowalewski
- UR 7517 UPJV, Pathophysiological Mechanisms and Consequences of Cardiovascular Calcifications (MP3CV)Picardie Jules Verne UniversityAmiensFrance
| | - Nassim Mahtal
- Université Paris Cité, Paris Cardiovascular CenterINSERMParisFrance
| | - Julie Lesieur
- Université Paris Cité, URP2496F‐92120MontrougeFrance
| | - Anne‐Laure Bonnet
- Université Paris Cité, URP2496F‐92120MontrougeFrance,AP‐HP, FHU DDS‐net, Services de médecine bucco‐dentaire (GH Sorbonne Université, GH Paris Nord Université de Paris, GH Henri Mondor)ParisFrance
| | | | - Céline Gaucher
- Université Paris Cité, URP2496F‐92120MontrougeFrance,AP‐HP, FHU DDS‐net, Services de médecine bucco‐dentaire (GH Sorbonne Université, GH Paris Nord Université de Paris, GH Henri Mondor)ParisFrance
| | - Cathy Gomila
- UR 7517 UPJV, Pathophysiological Mechanisms and Consequences of Cardiovascular Calcifications (MP3CV)Picardie Jules Verne UniversityAmiensFrance
| | - Heinrich Schrewe
- Department of Developmental GeneticsMax Planck Institute for Molecular GeneticsBerlinGermany
| | | | - Said Kamel
- UR 7517 UPJV, Pathophysiological Mechanisms and Consequences of Cardiovascular Calcifications (MP3CV)Picardie Jules Verne UniversityAmiensFrance,Amiens University HospitalHuman Biology CenterAmiensFrance
| | - Catherine Chaussain
- Université Paris Cité, URP2496F‐92120MontrougeFrance,AP‐HP, FHU DDS‐net, Services de médecine bucco‐dentaire (GH Sorbonne Université, GH Paris Nord Université de Paris, GH Henri Mondor)ParisFrance
| | - Isabelle Six
- UR 7517 UPJV, Pathophysiological Mechanisms and Consequences of Cardiovascular Calcifications (MP3CV)Picardie Jules Verne UniversityAmiensFrance
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12
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Liao Z, Ke W, Liu H, Tong B, Wang K, Feng X, Hua W, Wang B, Song Y, Luo R, Liang H, Zhang W, Zhao K, Li S, Yang C. Vasorin-containing small extracellular vesicles retard intervertebral disc degeneration utilizing an injectable thermoresponsive delivery system. J Nanobiotechnology 2022; 20:420. [PMID: 36123708 PMCID: PMC9484164 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-022-01624-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is the pathological reason of back pain and the therapeutic approaches are still unsatisfactory. Recently, mesenchymal stem cell-derived small extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as the novel regenerative method for IDD. In this study, we intensively investigated the therapeutic mechanism of small EVs, and found that vasorin protein enriched in EVs promoted the proliferation and extracellular matrix anabolism of nucleus pulposus cells via the Notch1 signaling pathway. Then, we fabricated a thermoresponsive gel which composed of Pluronic F127 and decellularized extracellular matrix (FEC) for the delivery and sustained release of EVs. Besides, ex vivo and in vivo results showed that EVs embedded in FEC (EVs@FEC) ameliorate the disc degeneration efficiently and achieve better therapeutic effects than one-off EVs delivery. Collectively, these findings deepen the understanding of EVs mechanism in treating intervertebral disc degeneration, and also illustrate the promising capacity of sustained EVs release system for intervertebral disc regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei Liao
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Wencan Ke
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Bide Tong
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Kun Wang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Xiaobo Feng
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Wenbin Hua
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Bingjin Wang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Yu Song
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Rongjin Luo
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Huaizhen Liang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Weifeng Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Kangcheng Zhao
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
| | - Shuai Li
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
| | - Cao Yang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
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13
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Yang L, Cheng X, Shi W, Li H, Zhang Q, Huang S, Huang X, Wen S, Gan J, Liao Z, Sun J, Liang J, Ouyang Y, He M. Vasorin Deletion in C57BL/6J Mice Induces Hepatocyte Autophagy through Glycogen-Mediated mTOR Regulation. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14173600. [PMID: 36079859 PMCID: PMC9460126 DOI: 10.3390/nu14173600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Abnormal vasorin (Vasn) expression occurs in multiple diseases, particularly liver cancers. Vasn knockout (KO) in mice causes malnutrition, a shortened life span, and decreased physiological functions. However, the causes and underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we established Vasn KO C57BL/6J mice by using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The animals were weighed, and histology, immunohistochemistry, electronic microscopy, and liver function tests were used to examine any change in the livers. Autophagy markers were detected by Western blotting. MicroRNA (miRNA) sequencing was performed on liver samples and analyses to study the signaling pathway altered by Vasn KO. Significant reductions in mice body and liver weight, accompanied by abnormal liver function, liver injury, and reduced glycogen accumulation in hepatocytes, were observed in the Vasn KO mice. The deficiency of Vasn also significantly increased the number of autophagosomes and the expression of LC3A/B-II/I but decreased SQSTM1/p62 levels in hepatocytes, suggesting aberrant activation of autophagy. Vasn deficiency inhibited glycogen-mediated mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) phosphorylation and activated Unc-51-like kinase 1 (ULK1) signaling, suggesting that Vasn deletion upregulates hepatocyte autophagy through the mTOR-ULK1 signaling pathway as a possible cause of diminished life span and health. Our results indicate that Vasn is required for the homeostasis of liver glycogen metabolism upstream of hepatocyte autophagy, suggesting research values for regulating Vasn in pathways related to liver physiology and functions. Overall, this study provides new insight into the role of Vasn in liver functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lichao Yang
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Xiaojing Cheng
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
- Life Sciences Institute, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Wei Shi
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Hui Li
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Shiping Huang
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Xuejing Huang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Sha Wen
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Ji Gan
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Zhouxiang Liao
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Junming Sun
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Jinning Liang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
| | - Yiqiang Ouyang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
- Correspondence: (Y.O.); (M.H.); Tel.: +86-771-5629860 (M.H.)
| | - Min He
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China
- Key Laboratory of High-Incidence-Tumor Prevention & Treatment, Guangxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Nanning 530021, China
- Correspondence: (Y.O.); (M.H.); Tel.: +86-771-5629860 (M.H.)
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14
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Guo X, Sun J, Liang J, Zhu S, Zhang M, Yang L, Huang X, Xue K, Mo Z, Wen S, Hu B, Liu J, Ouyang Y, He M. Vasorin contributes to lung injury via FABP4-mediated inflammation. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:9335-9344. [PMID: 35945403 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07780-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lung injury caused by pulmonary inflammation is one of the main manifestations of respiratory diseases. Vasorin (VASN) is a cell-surface glycoprotein encoded by the VASN gene and is expressed in the lungs of developing mouse foetuses. Previous research has revealed that VASN is associated with many diseases. However, its exact function in the lungs and the underlying mechanism remain poorly understood. METHODS AND RESULTS To investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in lung disease caused by VASN deficiency, a VASN gene knockout (VASN-/-) model was established. The pathological changes in the lungs of VASN-/- mice were similar to those in a lung injury experimental mouse model. We further analysed the transcriptomes of the lungs of VASN-/- mice and wild-type mice. Genes in twenty-four signalling pathways were enriched in the lungs of VASN-/- mice, among which PPAR signalling pathway genes (3 genes, FABP4, Plin1, AdipoQ, were upregulated, while apoA5 was downregulated) were found to be closely related to lung injury. The most significantly changed lung injury-related gene, FABP4, was selected for further verification. The mRNA and protein levels of FABP4 were significantly increased in the lungs of VASN-/- mice, as were the mRNA and protein levels of the inflammatory factors IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β. CONCLUSIONS We believe that these data provide molecular evidence for the regulatory role of VASN in inflammation in the context of lung injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoping Guo
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Junming Sun
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Jinning Liang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Siran Zhu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, Guangxi, China
| | - Mingyuan Zhang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Lichao Yang
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
| | - Xuejing Huang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Kangning Xue
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Zhongxiang Mo
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Sha Wen
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Bing Hu
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Jiajuan Liu
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Yiqiang Ouyang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China.
| | - Min He
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China. .,School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China. .,Key Laboratory of High-Incidence-Tumor Prevention & Treatment (Guangxi Medical University), Ministry of Education, Nanning, 530021, China.
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15
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Sumner JA, Gambazza S, Gao X, Baccarelli AA, Uddin M, McLaughlin KA. Epigenetics of early-life adversity in youth: cross-sectional and longitudinal associations. Clin Epigenetics 2022; 14:48. [PMID: 35395780 PMCID: PMC8994405 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-022-01269-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Altered DNA methylation (DNAm) may be one pathway through which early-life adversity (ELA) contributes to adverse mental and physical health outcomes. This study investigated whether the presence versus absence of ELA experiences reflecting the dimensions of threat and deprivation were associated with epigenome-wide DNAm cross-sectionally and longitudinally in a community-based sample of children and adolescents. METHODS In 113 youths aged 8-16 years with wide variability in ELA, we examined associations of abuse (physical, sexual, emotional; indicating threat-related experiences) and neglect (emotional, physical; indicating deprivation-related experiences) with DNAm assessed with the Illumina EPIC BeadChip array, with DNA derived from saliva. In cross-sectional epigenome-wide analyses, we investigated associations of lifetime abuse and neglect with DNAm at baseline. In longitudinal epigenome-wide analyses, we examined whether experiencing abuse and neglect over an approximately 2-year follow-up were each associated with change in DNAm from baseline to follow-up. RESULTS In cross-sectional analyses adjusting for lifetime experience of neglect, lifetime experience of abuse was associated with DNAm for four cytosine-phosphodiester-guanine (CpG) sites (cg20241299: coefficient = 0.023, SE = 0.004; cg08671764: coefficient = 0.018, SE = 0.003; cg27152686: coefficient = - 0.069, SE = 0.012; cg24241897: coefficient = - 0.003, SE = 0.001; FDR < .05). In longitudinal analyses, experiencing neglect over follow-up was associated with an increase in DNAm for one CpG site, adjusting for abuse over follow-up (cg03135983: coefficient = 0.036, SE = 0.006; FDR < .05). CONCLUSIONS In this study, we identified examples of epigenetic patterns associated with ELA experiences of threat and deprivation that were already observable in youth. We provide novel evidence for change in DNAm over time in relation to ongoing adversity and that experiences reflecting distinct ELA dimensions may be characterized by unique epigenetic patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A. Sumner
- grid.19006.3e0000 0000 9632 6718Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Psychology Building 1285, Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1563 USA
| | - Simone Gambazza
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy ,grid.414818.00000 0004 1757 8749Healthcare Professions Department, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Xu Gao
- grid.21729.3f0000000419368729Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY USA ,grid.11135.370000 0001 2256 9319Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Andrea A. Baccarelli
- grid.21729.3f0000000419368729Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY USA
| | - Monica Uddin
- grid.170693.a0000 0001 2353 285XGenomics Program, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL USA
| | - Katie A. McLaughlin
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XDepartment of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA USA
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16
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Choi JA, Maddala R, Karnam S, Skiba NP, Vann R, Challa P, Rao PV. Role of vasorin, an anti-apoptotic, anti-TGF-β and hypoxia-induced glycoprotein in the trabecular meshwork cells and glaucoma. J Cell Mol Med 2022; 26:2063-2075. [PMID: 35170203 PMCID: PMC8980963 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma, one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness, is commonly associated with elevated intraocular pressure due to impaired aqueous humour (AH) drainage through the trabecular meshwork. The aetiological mechanisms contributing to impaired AH outflow, however, are poorly understood. Here, we identified the secreted form of vasorin, a transmembrane glycoprotein, as a common constituent of human AH by mass spectrometry and immunoblotting analysis. ELISA assay revealed a significant but marginal decrease in vasorin levels in the AH of primary open‐angle glaucoma patients compared to non‐glaucoma cataract patients. Human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells were confirmed to express vasorin, which has been shown to possess anti‐apoptotic and anti‐TGF‐β activities. Treatment of HTM cells with vasorin induced actin stress fibres and focal adhesions and suppressed TGF‐β2‐induced SMAD2/3 activation in HTM cells. Additionally, cobalt chloride‐induced hypoxia stimulated a robust elevation in vasorin expression, and vasorin suppressed TNF‐α‐induced cell death in HTM cells. Taken together, these findings reveal the importance of vasorin in maintenance of cell survival, inhibition of TGF‐β induced biological responses in TM cells, and the decreasing trend in vasorin levels in the AH of glaucoma patients suggests a plausible role for vasorin in the pathobiology of ocular hypertension and glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin A Choi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, St. Vincent's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Rupalatha Maddala
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Shruthi Karnam
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Nikolai P Skiba
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Robin Vann
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Pratap Challa
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ponugoti Vasantha Rao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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17
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Sun J, Guo X, Yu P, Liang J, Mo Z, Zhang M, Yang L, Huang X, Hu B, Liu J, Ouyang Y, He M. Vasorin deficiency leads to cardiac hypertrophy by targeting MYL7 in young mice. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 26:88-98. [PMID: 34854218 PMCID: PMC8742182 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Vasorin (VASN) is an important transmembrane protein associated with development and disease. However, it is not clear whether the death of mice with VASN deficiency (VASN-/- ) is related to cardiac dysfunction. The aim of this research was to ascertain whether VASN induces pathological cardiac hypertrophy by targeting myosin light chain 7 (MYL7). VASN-/- mice were produced by CRISPR/Cas9 technology and inbreeding. PCR amplification, electrophoresis, real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to confirm VASN deficiency. Cardiac hypertrophy was examined by blood tests, histological analysis and real-time PCR, and key downstream factors were identified by RNA sequencing and real-time PCR. Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy analysis were used to confirm the downregulation of MYL7 production and cardiac structural changes. Our results showed that sudden death of VASN-/- mice occurred 21-28 days after birth. The obvious increases in cardiovascular risk, heart weight and myocardial volume and the upregulation of hypertrophy marker gene expression indicated that cardiac hypertrophy may be the cause of death in young VASN-/- mice. Transcriptome analysis revealed that VASN deficiency led to MYL7 downregulation, which induced myocardial structure abnormalities and disorders. Our results revealed a pathological phenomenon in which VASN deficiency may lead to cardiac hypertrophy by downregulating MYL7 production. However, more research is necessary to elucidate the underlying mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junming Sun
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Xiaoping Guo
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Ping Yu
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Jinning Liang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Zhongxiang Mo
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Mingyuan Zhang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Lichao Yang
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Xuejing Huang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Bing Hu
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Jiajuan Liu
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Yiqiang Ouyang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Min He
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China.,School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.,Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of High-Incidence-Tumor Prevention & Treatment, (Guangxi Medical University), Nanning, China
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18
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Bourgeois R, Bourgault J, Despres AA, Perrot N, Guertin J, Girard A, Mitchell PL, Gotti C, Bourassa S, Scipione CA, Gaudreault N, Boffa MB, Koschinsky ML, Pibarot P, Droit A, Thériault S, Mathieu P, Bossé Y, Arsenault BJ. Lipoprotein Proteomics and Aortic Valve Transcriptomics Identify Biological Pathways Linking Lipoprotein(a) Levels to Aortic Stenosis. Metabolites 2021; 11:metabo11070459. [PMID: 34357353 PMCID: PMC8307014 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11070459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is one of the most important risk factors for the development of calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS). However, the mechanisms through which Lp(a) causes CAVS are currently unknown. Our objectives were to characterize the Lp(a) proteome and to identify proteins that may be differentially associated with Lp(a) in patients with versus without CAVS. Our second objective was to identify genes that may be differentially regulated by exposure to high versus low Lp(a) levels in explanted aortic valves from patients with CAVS. We isolated Lp(a) from the blood of 21 patients with CAVS and 22 volunteers and performed untargeted label-free analysis of the Lp(a) proteome. We also investigated the transcriptomic signature of calcified aortic valves from patients who underwent aortic valve replacement with high versus low Lp(a) levels (n = 118). Proteins involved in the protein activation cascade, platelet degranulation, leukocyte migration, and response to wounding may be associated with Lp(a) depending on CAVS status. The transcriptomic analysis identified genes involved in cardiac aging, chondrocyte development, and inflammation as potentially influenced by Lp(a). Our multi-omic analyses identified biological pathways through which Lp(a) may cause CAVS, as well as key molecular events that could be triggered by Lp(a) in CAVS development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphaëlle Bourgeois
- Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Québec, QC G1V 4G5, Canada; (R.B.); (J.B.); (A.-A.D.); (N.P.); (J.G.); (A.G.); (P.L.M.); (N.G.); (P.P.); (S.T.); (P.M.); (Y.B.)
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Jérôme Bourgault
- Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Québec, QC G1V 4G5, Canada; (R.B.); (J.B.); (A.-A.D.); (N.P.); (J.G.); (A.G.); (P.L.M.); (N.G.); (P.P.); (S.T.); (P.M.); (Y.B.)
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Audrey-Anne Despres
- Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Québec, QC G1V 4G5, Canada; (R.B.); (J.B.); (A.-A.D.); (N.P.); (J.G.); (A.G.); (P.L.M.); (N.G.); (P.P.); (S.T.); (P.M.); (Y.B.)
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Nicolas Perrot
- Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Québec, QC G1V 4G5, Canada; (R.B.); (J.B.); (A.-A.D.); (N.P.); (J.G.); (A.G.); (P.L.M.); (N.G.); (P.P.); (S.T.); (P.M.); (Y.B.)
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Jakie Guertin
- Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Québec, QC G1V 4G5, Canada; (R.B.); (J.B.); (A.-A.D.); (N.P.); (J.G.); (A.G.); (P.L.M.); (N.G.); (P.P.); (S.T.); (P.M.); (Y.B.)
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Arnaud Girard
- Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Québec, QC G1V 4G5, Canada; (R.B.); (J.B.); (A.-A.D.); (N.P.); (J.G.); (A.G.); (P.L.M.); (N.G.); (P.P.); (S.T.); (P.M.); (Y.B.)
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Patricia L. Mitchell
- Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Québec, QC G1V 4G5, Canada; (R.B.); (J.B.); (A.-A.D.); (N.P.); (J.G.); (A.G.); (P.L.M.); (N.G.); (P.P.); (S.T.); (P.M.); (Y.B.)
| | - Clarisse Gotti
- Proteomics Platform of the CHU de Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada; (C.G.); (S.B.); (A.D.)
| | - Sylvie Bourassa
- Proteomics Platform of the CHU de Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada; (C.G.); (S.B.); (A.D.)
| | - Corey A. Scipione
- Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada;
| | - Nathalie Gaudreault
- Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Québec, QC G1V 4G5, Canada; (R.B.); (J.B.); (A.-A.D.); (N.P.); (J.G.); (A.G.); (P.L.M.); (N.G.); (P.P.); (S.T.); (P.M.); (Y.B.)
| | - Michael B. Boffa
- Robarts Research Institute, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada; (M.B.B.); (M.L.K.)
| | | | - Philippe Pibarot
- Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Québec, QC G1V 4G5, Canada; (R.B.); (J.B.); (A.-A.D.); (N.P.); (J.G.); (A.G.); (P.L.M.); (N.G.); (P.P.); (S.T.); (P.M.); (Y.B.)
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Arnaud Droit
- Proteomics Platform of the CHU de Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada; (C.G.); (S.B.); (A.D.)
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Québec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Sébastien Thériault
- Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Québec, QC G1V 4G5, Canada; (R.B.); (J.B.); (A.-A.D.); (N.P.); (J.G.); (A.G.); (P.L.M.); (N.G.); (P.P.); (S.T.); (P.M.); (Y.B.)
- Department of Molecular Biology, Medical Biochemistry and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Patrick Mathieu
- Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Québec, QC G1V 4G5, Canada; (R.B.); (J.B.); (A.-A.D.); (N.P.); (J.G.); (A.G.); (P.L.M.); (N.G.); (P.P.); (S.T.); (P.M.); (Y.B.)
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Yohan Bossé
- Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Québec, QC G1V 4G5, Canada; (R.B.); (J.B.); (A.-A.D.); (N.P.); (J.G.); (A.G.); (P.L.M.); (N.G.); (P.P.); (S.T.); (P.M.); (Y.B.)
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Benoit J. Arsenault
- Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Québec, QC G1V 4G5, Canada; (R.B.); (J.B.); (A.-A.D.); (N.P.); (J.G.); (A.G.); (P.L.M.); (N.G.); (P.P.); (S.T.); (P.M.); (Y.B.)
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-418-656-8711 (ext. 3498)
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Inhibition of vascular smooth muscle cell calcification by vasorin through interference with TGFβ1 signaling. Cell Signal 2019; 64:109414. [PMID: 31505229 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2019.109414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Elevated transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) levels are frequently observed in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. TGFβ1 contributes to development of medial vascular calcification during hyperphosphatemia, a pathological process promoted by osteo-/chondrogenic transdifferentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Vasorin is a transmembrane glycoprotein highly expressed in VSMCs, which is able to bind TGFβ to inhibit TGFβ signaling. Thus, the present study explored the effects of vasorin on osteo-/chondrogenic transdifferentiation and calcification of VSMCs. Primary human aortic smooth muscle cells (HAoSMCs) were treated with recombinant human TGFβ1 or β-glycerophosphate without or with recombinant human vasorin or vasorin gene silencing by siRNA. As a result, TGFβ1 down-regulated vasorin mRNA expression in HAoSMCs. Vasorin supplementation inhibited TGFβ1-induced pathway activation, SMAD2 phosphorylation and downstream target genes expression in HAoSMCs. Furthermore, treatment with exogenous vasorin blunted, while vasorin knockdown augmented TGFβ1-induced osteo-/chondrogenic transdifferentiation of HAoSMCs. In addition, phosphate down-regulated vasorin mRNA expression in HAoSMCs. Phosphate-induced TGFβ1 expression was not affected by addition of exogenous vasorin. Nonetheless, the phosphate-induced TGFβ1 signaling, osteo-/chondrogenic transdifferentiation and calcification of HAoSMCs were all blunted by vasorin. Conversely, silencing of vasorin aggravated osteoinduction in HAoSMCs during high phosphate conditions. Aortic vasorin expression was reduced in the hyperphosphatemic klotho-hypomorphic mouse model of CKD-related vascular calcification. In conclusion, vasorin, which suppresses TGFβ1 signaling and protects against osteo-/chondrogenic transdifferentiation and calcification of VSMCs, is reduced by pro-calcifying conditions. Thus, vasorin is a novel key regulator of VSMC calcification and may represent a potential therapeutic target for vascular calcification during CKD.
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