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Guan X, Hu Y, Hao J, Lu M, Zhang Z, Hu W, Li D, Li C. Stress, Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotype and Atherosclerosis: Novel Insight into Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotypic Transition in Atherosclerosis. Curr Atheroscler Rep 2024; 26:411-425. [PMID: 38814419 DOI: 10.1007/s11883-024-01220-8] [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] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Our work is to establish more distinct association between specific stress and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) phenotypes to alleviate atherosclerotic plaque burden and delay atherosclerosis (AS) progression. RECENT FINDING In recent years, VSMCs phenotypic transition has received significant interests. Different stresses were found to be associated with VSMCs phenotypic transition. However, the explicit correlation between VSMCs phenotype and specific stress has not been elucidated clearly yet. We discover that VSMCs phenotypic transition, which is widely involved in the progression of AS, is associated with specific stress. We discuss approaches targeting stresses to intervene VSMCs phenotypic transition, which may contribute to develop innovative therapies for AS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuya Guan
- Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
| | - Yuanlong Hu
- First Clinical Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
| | - Jiaqi Hao
- Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
| | - Mengkai Lu
- Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
| | - Zhiyuan Zhang
- Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
| | - Wenxian Hu
- Qingdao Hiser Hospital Affiliated of Qingdao University (Qingdao Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital), Qingdao, 266000, China.
| | - Dongxiao Li
- Experimental Center, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China.
| | - Chao Li
- Innovation Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China.
- Qingdao Hiser Hospital Affiliated of Qingdao University (Qingdao Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital), Qingdao, 266000, China.
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Stefens SJM, van Vliet N, IJpma A, Burger J, Li Y, van Heijningen PM, Lindeman JHN, Majoor-Krakauer D, Verhagen HJM, Kanaar R, Essers J, van der Pluijm I. Increased vascular smooth muscle cell senescence in aneurysmal Fibulin-4 mutant mice. NPJ AGING 2024; 10:31. [PMID: 38902222 PMCID: PMC11189919 DOI: 10.1038/s41514-024-00154-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Aortic aneurysms are dilatations of the aorta that can rupture when left untreated. We used the aneurysmal Fibulin-4R/R mouse model to further unravel the underlying mechanisms of aneurysm formation. RNA sequencing of 3-month-old Fibulin-4R/R aortas revealed significant upregulation of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors and key senescence factors, indicating the involvement of senescence. Analysis of aorta histology and of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in vitro confirmed the senescent phenotype of Fibulin-4R/R VSMCs by revealing increased SA-β-gal, p21, and p16 staining, increased IL-6 secretion, increased presence of DNA damage foci and increased nuclei size. Additionally, we found that p21 luminescence was increased in the dilated aorta of Fibulin-4R/R|p21-luciferase mice. Our studies identify a cellular aging cascade in Fibulin-4 aneurysmal disease, by revealing that Fibulin-4R/R aortic VSMCs have a pronounced SASP and a senescent phenotype that may underlie aortic wall degeneration. Additionally, we demonstrated the therapeutic effect of JAK/STAT and TGF-β pathway inhibition, as well as senolytic treatment on Fibulin-4R/R VSMCs in vitro. These findings can contribute to improved therapeutic options for aneurysmal disease aimed at reducing senescent cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanne J M Stefens
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nicole van Vliet
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Arne IJpma
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joyce Burger
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yunlei Li
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Paula M van Heijningen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jan H N Lindeman
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Hence J M Verhagen
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Cardiovascular Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Roland Kanaar
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Radiotherapy, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Essers
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Cardiovascular Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
- Department of Radiotherapy, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Ingrid van der Pluijm
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Cardiovascular Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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Xin Y, Zhang Z, Lv S, Xu S, Liu A, Li H, Li P, Han H, Liu Y. Elucidating VSMC phenotypic transition mechanisms to bridge insights into cardiovascular disease implications. Front Cardiovasc Med 2024; 11:1400780. [PMID: 38803664 PMCID: PMC11128571 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1400780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death worldwide, despite advances in understanding cardiovascular health. Significant barriers still exist in effectively preventing and managing these diseases. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are crucial for maintaining vascular integrity and can switch between contractile and synthetic functions in response to stimuli such as hypoxia and inflammation. These transformations play a pivotal role in the progression of cardiovascular diseases, facilitating vascular modifications and disease advancement. This article synthesizes the current understanding of the mechanisms and signaling pathways regulating VSMC phenotypic transitions, highlighting their potential as therapeutic targets in cardiovascular disease interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuning Xin
- Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Zipei Zhang
- Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Shan Lv
- Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Shan Xu
- Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Aidong Liu
- Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Hongyu Li
- Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Pengfei Li
- Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Huize Han
- Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Yinghui Liu
- Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
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Rojas MG, Pereira-Simon S, Zigmond ZM, Varona Santos J, Perla M, Santos Falcon N, Stoyell-Conti FF, Salama A, Yang X, Long X, Duque JC, Salman LH, Tabbara M, Martinez L, Vazquez-Padron RI. Single-Cell Analyses Offer Insights into the Different Remodeling Programs of Arteries and Veins. Cells 2024; 13:793. [PMID: 38786017 PMCID: PMC11119253 DOI: 10.3390/cells13100793] [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: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Arteries and veins develop different types of occlusive diseases and respond differently to injury. The biological reasons for this discrepancy are not well understood, which is a limiting factor for the development of vein-targeted therapies. This study contrasts human peripheral arteries and veins at the single-cell level, with a focus on cell populations with remodeling potential. Upper arm arteries (brachial) and veins (basilic/cephalic) from 30 organ donors were compared using a combination of bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing, proteomics, flow cytometry, and histology. The cellular atlases of six arteries and veins demonstrated a 7.8× higher proportion of contractile smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in arteries and a trend toward more modulated SMCs. In contrast, veins showed a higher abundance of endothelial cells, pericytes, and macrophages, as well as an increasing trend in fibroblasts. Activated fibroblasts had similar proportions in both types of vessels but with significant differences in gene expression. Modulated SMCs and activated fibroblasts were characterized by the upregulation of MYH10, FN1, COL8A1, and ITGA10. Activated fibroblasts also expressed F2R, POSTN, and COMP and were confirmed by F2R/CD90 flow cytometry. Activated fibroblasts from veins were the top producers of collagens among all fibroblast populations from both types of vessels. Venous fibroblasts were also highly angiogenic, proinflammatory, and hyper-responders to reactive oxygen species. Differences in wall structure further explain the significant contribution of fibroblast populations to remodeling in veins. Fibroblasts are almost exclusively located outside the external elastic lamina in arteries, while widely distributed throughout the venous wall. In line with the above, ECM-targeted proteomics confirmed a higher abundance of fibrillar collagens in veins vs. more basement ECM components in arteries. The distinct cellular compositions and transcriptional programs of reparative populations in arteries and veins may explain differences in acute and chronic wall remodeling between vessels. This information may be relevant for the development of antistenotic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel G. Rojas
- Department of Surgery, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.G.R.); (S.P.-S.); (J.V.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Simone Pereira-Simon
- Department of Surgery, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.G.R.); (S.P.-S.); (J.V.S.); (A.S.)
| | | | - Javier Varona Santos
- Department of Surgery, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.G.R.); (S.P.-S.); (J.V.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Mikael Perla
- Department of Surgery, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.G.R.); (S.P.-S.); (J.V.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Nieves Santos Falcon
- Department of Surgery, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.G.R.); (S.P.-S.); (J.V.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Filipe F. Stoyell-Conti
- Department of Surgery, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.G.R.); (S.P.-S.); (J.V.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Alghidak Salama
- Department of Surgery, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.G.R.); (S.P.-S.); (J.V.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Xiaofeng Yang
- Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Xiaochun Long
- Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Juan C. Duque
- Department of Medicine, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Loay H. Salman
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Marwan Tabbara
- Department of Surgery, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.G.R.); (S.P.-S.); (J.V.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Laisel Martinez
- Department of Surgery, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.G.R.); (S.P.-S.); (J.V.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Roberto I. Vazquez-Padron
- Department of Surgery, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (M.G.R.); (S.P.-S.); (J.V.S.); (A.S.)
- Bruce W. Carter Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL 33125, USA;
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Scotti MM, Wilson BK, Bubenik JL, Yu F, Swanson MS, Allen JB. Spaceflight effects on human vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype and function. NPJ Microgravity 2024; 10:41. [PMID: 38548798 PMCID: PMC10979029 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-024-00380-w] [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: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The cardiovascular system is strongly impacted by the hazards of spaceflight. Astronauts spending steadily increasing lengths of time in microgravity are subject to cardiovascular deconditioning resulting in loss of vascular tone, reduced total blood volume, and diminished cardiac output. Appreciating the mechanisms by which the cells of the vasculature are altered during spaceflight will be integral to understanding and combating these deleterious effects as the human presence in space advances. In this study, we performed RNA-Seq analysis coupled with review by QIAGEN Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software on human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) cultured for 3 days in microgravity and aboard the International Space Station to assess the transcriptomic changes that occur during spaceflight. The results of our RNA-Seq analysis show that SMCs undergo a wide range of transcriptional alteration while in space, significantly affecting 4422 genes. SMCs largely down-regulate markers of the contractile, synthetic, and osteogenic phenotypes including smooth muscle alpha actin (αSMA), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs). Additionally, components of several cellular signaling pathways were strongly impacted including the STAT3, NFκB, PI3K/AKT, HIF1α, and Endothelin pathways. This study highlights the significant changes in transcriptional behavior SMCs exhibit during spaceflight and puts these changes in context to better understand vascular function in space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina M Scotti
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Brandon K Wilson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Jodi L Bubenik
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Fahong Yu
- Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Maurice S Swanson
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Josephine B Allen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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6
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Baldwin CS, Iyer S, Rao RR. The challenges and prospects of smooth muscle tissue engineering. Regen Med 2024; 19:135-143. [PMID: 38440898 PMCID: PMC10941056 DOI: 10.2217/rme-2023-0230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Many vascular disorders arise as a result of dysfunctional smooth muscle cells. Tissue engineering strategies have evolved as key approaches to generate functional vascular smooth muscle cells for use in cell-based precision and personalized regenerative medicine approaches. This article highlights some of the challenges that exist in the field and presents some of the prospects for translating research advancements into therapeutic modalities. The article emphasizes the need for better developing synergetic intracellular and extracellular cues in the processes to generate functional vascular smooth muscle cells from different stem cell sources for use in tissue engineering strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christofer S Baldwin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - Shilpa Iyer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Fulbright College of Arts & Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - Raj R Rao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
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Li Z, Huang J, Yang L, Li X, Li W. WNTA5-mediated miR-374a-5p regulates vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype transformation and M1 macrophage polarization impacting intracranial aneurysm progression. Sci Rep 2024; 14:559. [PMID: 38177414 PMCID: PMC10766994 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51243-z] [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: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
miR-374a-5p expression and localization in intracranial aneurysm (IA) tissues were detected, and its correlation with vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and macrophage markers was analyzed. Using platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) induced VSMC model, elastase-induced IA rat model. Subsequently, miR-374a-5p was knocked down or overexpressed. We investigated the effects of miR-374a-5p on phenotypic conversion, and in vivo experiments were also carried out to verify the findings. The targeted relationship between miR-374a-5p and WNTA5 was analyzed. The effect of WNT5A inhibition on VSMC phenotypic transformation and THP-1-derived macrophage polarization was explored. Clinical studies have shown that miR-374a-5p was upregulated in IA patients. miR-374a-5p was negatively correlated with SM22α, α-SMA, CD206, and positively correlated with CD86. In vitro experiments showed that knocking down miR-374a-5p reversed the promotion of SM22α and α-SMA expression by PDGF-BB, while overexpression of miR-374a-5p had the opposite effect. In addition, knocking down miR-374a-5p also reversed the decrease in Calponin, TIMP3, TIMP4, and IL-10 levels caused by PDGF-BB, and further reduced the levels of MMP1, MMP3, MMP9, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. These findings were further validated in vivo. In IA rats, there were notable increases in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, along with an elevated M1/M2 ratio and the occurrence of vascular lesions. However, these symptoms were improved after knocking down miR-374a-5p. Furthermore, miR-374a-5p could target the WNT signals (WNT2B, WNT3, and WNT5A). miR-374a-5p regulated the VSMC phenotypic conversion and M1 macrophage polarization by targeting WNT5A, thereby impacting the progression of IA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zengshi Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Changsha Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Junqiang Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Changsha Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lijian Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Changsha Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xi Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Changsha Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Changsha Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.
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Biber JC, Sullivan A, Brazzo JA, Heo Y, Tumenbayar BI, Krajnik A, Poppenberg KE, Tutino VM, Heo SJ, Kolega J, Lee K, Bae Y. Survivin as a mediator of stiffness-induced cell cycle progression and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells. APL Bioeng 2023; 7:046108. [PMID: 37915752 PMCID: PMC10618027 DOI: 10.1063/5.0150532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Stiffened arteries are a pathology of atherosclerosis, hypertension, and coronary artery disease and a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease events. The increased stiffness of arteries triggers a phenotypic switch, hypermigration, and hyperproliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), leading to neointimal hyperplasia and accelerated neointima formation. However, the mechanism underlying this trigger remains unknown. Our analyses of whole-transcriptome microarray data from mouse VSMCs cultured on stiff hydrogels simulating arterial pathology identified 623 genes that were significantly and differentially expressed (360 upregulated and 263 downregulated) relative to expression in VSMCs cultured on soft hydrogels. Functional enrichment and gene network analyses revealed that these stiffness-sensitive genes are linked to cell cycle progression and proliferation. Importantly, we found that survivin, an inhibitor of apoptosis protein, mediates stiffness-dependent cell cycle progression and proliferation as determined by gene network and pathway analyses, RT-qPCR, immunoblotting, and cell proliferation assays. Furthermore, we found that inhibition of cell cycle progression did not reduce survivin expression, suggesting that survivin functions as an upstream regulator of cell cycle progression and proliferation in response to ECM stiffness. Mechanistically, we found that the stiffness signal is mechanotransduced via the FAK-E2F1 signaling axis to regulate survivin expression, establishing a regulatory pathway for how the stiffness of the cellular microenvironment affects VSMC behaviors. Overall, our findings indicate that survivin is necessary for VSMC cycling and proliferation and plays a role in regulating stiffness-responsive phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- John C. Biber
- Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14203, USA
| | - Andra Sullivan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14260, USA
| | - Joseph A. Brazzo
- Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14203, USA
| | | | - Bat-Ider Tumenbayar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14203, USA
| | - Amanda Krajnik
- Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14203, USA
| | | | | | - Su-Jin Heo
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - John Kolega
- Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14203, USA
| | - Kwonmoo Lee
- Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Yongho Bae
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed:
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Luo L, Fu C, Bell CF, Wang Y, Leeper NJ. Role of vascular smooth muscle cell clonality in atherosclerosis. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1273596. [PMID: 38089777 PMCID: PMC10713728 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1273596] [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: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide. While many cell types contribute to the growing atherosclerotic plaque, the vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) is a major contributor due in part to its remarkable plasticity and ability to undergo phenotype switching in response to injury. SMCs can migrate into the fibrous cap, presumably stabilizing the plaque, or accumulate within the lesional core, possibly accelerating vascular inflammation. How SMCs expand and react to disease stimuli has been a controversial topic for many decades. While early studies relying on X-chromosome inactivation were inconclusive due to low resolution and sensitivity, recent advances in multi-color lineage tracing models have revitalized the concept that SMCs likely expand in an oligoclonal fashion during atherogenesis. Current efforts are focused on determining whether all SMCs have equal capacity for clonal expansion or if a "stem-like" progenitor cell may exist, and to understand how constituents of the clone decide which phenotype they will ultimately adopt as the disease progresses. Mechanistic studies are also beginning to dissect the processes which confer cells with their overall survival advantage, test whether these properties are attributable to intrinsic features of the expanding clone, and define the role of cross-talk between proliferating SMCs and other plaque constituents such as neighboring macrophages. In this review, we aim to summarize the historical perspectives on SMC clonality, highlight unanswered questions, and identify translational issues which may need to be considered as therapeutics directed against SMC clonality are developed as a novel approach to targeting atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingfeng Luo
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Changhao Fu
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Caitlin F. Bell
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA, United States
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Nicholas J. Leeper
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA, United States
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
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Xuan Z, Gurevich L, Christiansen JDC, Zachar V, Pennisi CP. Stable hydrogel adhesion to polydimethylsiloxane enables cyclic mechanical stimulation of 3D-bioprinted smooth muscle constructs. Biotechnol Bioeng 2023; 120:3396-3408. [PMID: 37526327 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28516] [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: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
During normal urination, smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in the lower urinary tract (LUT) are exposed to mechanical signals that have a critical impact on tissue structure and function. Nevertheless, the mechanisms underlying the maintenance of the contractile phenotype of SMCs remain poorly understood. This is due, in part, to a lack of studies that have examined the effects of mechanical loading using three-dimensional (3D) models. In this study, surface modifications of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane were evaluated to investigate the effects of cyclic mechanical stimulation on SMC maturation in 3D constructs. Commercially available cell stretching plates were modified with amino or methacrylate groups to promote adhesion of 3D constructs fabricated by bioprinting. After 6 days of stimulation, the effects of mechanical stimulation on the expression of contractile markers at the mRNA and protein levels were analyzed. Methacrylate-modified surfaces supported stable adhesion of the 3D constructs to the membrane and facilitated cyclic mechanical stimulation, which significantly increased the expression of contractile markers at the mRNA and protein levels. These effects were found to be mediated by activation of the p38 MAPK pathway, as inhibition of this pathway abolished the effects of stimulation in a dose-dependent manner. These results provide valuable insights into the role of mechanical signaling in maintaining the contractile phenotype of bladder SMCs, which has important implications for the development of future treatments for LUT diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongzhe Xuan
- Regenerative Medicine Group, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Leonid Gurevich
- Department of Materials and Production, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | | | - Vladimir Zachar
- Regenerative Medicine Group, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Cristian Pablo Pennisi
- Regenerative Medicine Group, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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Terriaca S, Scioli MG, Pisano C, Ruvolo G, Ferlosio A, Orlandi A. miR-632 Induces DNAJB6 Inhibition Stimulating Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Fibrosis in Marfan Syndrome Aortopathy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15133. [PMID: 37894814 PMCID: PMC10607153 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015133] [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: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a connective tissue disorder caused by FBN1 gene mutations leading to TGF-β signaling hyperactivation, vascular wall weakness, and thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs). The pathogenetic mechanisms are not completely understood and patients undergo early vascular surgery to prevent TAA ruptures. We previously reported miR-632 upregulation in MFS TAA tissues compared with non-genetic TAA tissues. DNAJB6 is a gene target of miR-632 in cancer and plays a critical role in blocking epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition by inhibiting the Wnt/β catenin pathway. TGF-β signaling also activates Wnt/β catenin signaling and induces endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (End-Mt) and fibrosis. We documented that miR-632 upregulation correlated with DNAJB6 expression in both the endothelium and the tunica media of MFS TAA (p < 0.01). Wnt/β catenin signaling, End-Mt, and fibrosis markers were also upregulated in MFS TAA tissues (p < 0.05, p < 0.01 and p < 0.001). Moreover, miR-632 overexpression inhibited DNAJB6, inducing Wnt/β catenin signaling, as well as End-Mt and fibrosis exacerbation (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01). TGF-β1 treatment also determined miR-632 upregulation (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001), with the consequent activation of the aforementioned processes. Our study provides new insights about the pathogenetic mechanisms in MFS aortopathy. Moreover, the high disease specificity of miR-632 and DNAJB6 suggests new potential prognostic factors and/or therapeutic targets in the progression of MFS aortopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Terriaca
- Anatomic Pathology, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University, 00133 Rome, Italy; (S.T.); (A.F.); (A.O.)
| | - Maria Giovanna Scioli
- Anatomic Pathology, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University, 00133 Rome, Italy; (S.T.); (A.F.); (A.O.)
| | - Calogera Pisano
- Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, Tor Vergata University, 00133 Rome, Italy; (C.P.); (G.R.)
| | - Giovanni Ruvolo
- Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, Tor Vergata University, 00133 Rome, Italy; (C.P.); (G.R.)
| | - Amedeo Ferlosio
- Anatomic Pathology, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University, 00133 Rome, Italy; (S.T.); (A.F.); (A.O.)
| | - Augusto Orlandi
- Anatomic Pathology, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University, 00133 Rome, Italy; (S.T.); (A.F.); (A.O.)
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12
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Pineda-Castillo SA, Acar H, Detamore MS, Holzapfel GA, Lee CH. Modulation of Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotype for Translation of Tissue-Engineered Vascular Grafts. TISSUE ENGINEERING. PART B, REVIEWS 2023; 29:574-588. [PMID: 37166394 PMCID: PMC10618830 DOI: 10.1089/ten.teb.2023.0006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Translation of small-diameter tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) for the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD) remains an unfulfilled promise. This is largely due to the limited integration of TEVGs into the native vascular wall-a process hampered by the insufficient smooth muscle cell (SMC) infiltration and extracellular matrix deposition, and low vasoactivity. These processes can be promoted through the judicious modulation of the SMC toward a synthetic phenotype to promote remodeling and vascular integration; however, the expression of synthetic markers is often accompanied by a decrease in the expression of contractile proteins. Therefore, techniques that can precisely modulate the SMC phenotypical behavior could have the potential to advance the translation of TEVGs. In this review, we describe the phenotypic diversity of SMCs and the different environmental cues that allow the modulation of SMC gene expression. Furthermore, we describe the emerging biomaterial approaches to modulate the SMC phenotype in TEVG design and discuss the limitations of current techniques. In addition, we found that current studies in tissue engineering limit the analysis of the SMC phenotype to a few markers, which are often the characteristic of early differentiation only. This limited scope has reduced the potential of tissue engineering to modulate the SMC toward specific behaviors and applications. Therefore, we recommend using the techniques presented in this review, in addition to modern single-cell proteomics analysis techniques to comprehensively characterize the phenotypic modulation of SMCs. Expanding the holistic potential of SMC modulation presents a great opportunity to advance the translation of living conduits for CAD therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio A. Pineda-Castillo
- Biomechanics and Biomaterials Design Laboratory, School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
- Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Handan Acar
- Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Michael S. Detamore
- Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Gerhard A. Holzapfel
- Institute of Biomechanics, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
- Department of Structural Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Chung-Hao Lee
- Biomechanics and Biomaterials Design Laboratory, School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
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13
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Rahaman SG, Mahanty M, Mukherjee P, Dutta B, Rahaman SO. Mechanosensing and Mechanosignal Transduction in Atherosclerosis. Curr Atheroscler Rep 2023; 25:711-721. [PMID: 37615786 DOI: 10.1007/s11883-023-01139-6] [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] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review aims to summarize the latest findings on mechanosensing in atherosclerosis, elucidating the molecular mechanisms, cellular players, and potential therapeutic targets. RECENT FINDINGS Atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the buildup of lipid-laden plaque within arterial walls, is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease-related mortality and morbidity. Interestingly, atherosclerosis predominantly occurs in arterial areas with curves and branches. In these regions, endothelial cells encounter irregular blood flow with distinctive low-intensity fluctuating shear stress. On the other hand, straight sections of arteries, subjected to a consistent flow and related high-intensity, one-way shear stress, are relatively safeguarded against atherosclerosis due to shear-dependent, disease-preventing endothelial cell reactions. In recent years, researchers have been investigating the role of mechanosensing in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. At the core of mechanosensing is the ability of various cells to sense and respond to biomechanical forces in their environment. In the context of atherosclerosis, endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and immune cells are subjected to various mechanical or physical stimuli, including shear stress, cyclic strain, and matrix stiffness. These mechanical cues play a crucial role in regulating cellular behavior and contribute to the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. Accumulating evidence suggests that various mechanical or physical cues play a critical role in the development and promotion of atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suneha G Rahaman
- University of Maryland, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Manisha Mahanty
- University of Maryland, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Pritha Mukherjee
- University of Maryland, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Bidisha Dutta
- University of Maryland, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Shaik O Rahaman
- University of Maryland, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, College Park, MD, 20742, USA.
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14
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Rager C, Klöpper T, Pfeil U, Tasch S, Whittaker MR, Exintaris B, Mietens A, Middendorff R. Reference Gene U2 Enables Direct Comparison between Relative Gene Expression Levels of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells in Tissue and Culture Using Real-Time Quantitative PCR. Cells 2023; 12:2135. [PMID: 37681867 PMCID: PMC10487071 DOI: 10.3390/cells12172135] [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: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
In nearly every lab, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is used to quantify gene expression. However, a comparison of different samples requires the careful selection of suitable reference genes (RGs), sometimes referred to as housekeeping genes. In the case of vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs), it is important to know under which conditions gene expression in isolated and cultured vSMCs can be compared with vSMCs in a healthy blood vessel. We isolated the vSMC-containing layer of the rat aorta (tunica media) and used one (longitudinal) half for direct RNA extraction, while the other half served to isolate and culture vSMCs prior to RNA extraction. First, the expression of the routinely used RGs beta-actin (Actb) and Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (Gapdh) is investigated in intact media and corresponding cultured vSMCs. Significant differences in their Ct values show that these RGs could not be used for such direct comparisons; therefore, we select 15 different RGs. Only the gene expression of the small ribonuclear protein (snRNP) U2 shows no significant differences between the absolute Ct values of cultured vSMCs and the intact media; moreover, no differences were found between male and female rats in our experimental setup. In conclusion, U2 was shown to be an appropriate (sex-independent) RG to compare relative expression levels of vSMCs in culture to those vSMCs within their physiological tissue environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Rager
- Signalling Transduction Group, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (C.R.)
- Drug Discovery Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Tobias Klöpper
- Signalling Transduction Group, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (C.R.)
| | - Uwe Pfeil
- Cardiopulmonary Neurobiology Group, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Sabine Tasch
- Signalling Transduction Group, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (C.R.)
| | - Michael Raymond Whittaker
- Drug Discovery Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Betty Exintaris
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Andrea Mietens
- Signalling Transduction Group, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (C.R.)
| | - Ralf Middendorff
- Signalling Transduction Group, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (C.R.)
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15
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Gierig M, Wriggers P, Marino M. Arterial tissues and their inflammatory response to collagen damage: A continuum in silico model coupling nonlinear mechanics, molecular pathways, and cell behavior. Comput Biol Med 2023; 158:106811. [PMID: 37011434 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.106811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Damage in soft biological tissues causes an inflammatory reaction that initiates a chain of events to repair the tissue. This work presents a continuum model and its in silico implementation that describe the cascade of mechanisms leading to tissue healing, coupling mechanical as well as chemo-biological processes. The mechanics is described by means of a Lagrangian nonlinear continuum mechanics framework and follows the homogenized constrained mixtures theory. Plastic-like damage, growth and remodeling as well as homeostasis are taken into account. The chemo-biological pathways account for two molecular and four cellular species, and are activated by damage of collagen molecules in fibers. To consider proliferation, differentiation, diffusion and chemotaxis of species, diffusion-advection-reaction equations are employed. To the best of authors' knowledge, the proposed model combines for the first time such high number of chemo-mechano-biological mechanisms in a consistent continuum biomechanical framework. The resulting set of coupled differential equations describe balance of linear momentum, evolution of kinematic variables as well as mass balance equations. They are discretized in time according to a backward Euler finite difference scheme, and in space through a finite element Galerkin discretization. The features of the model are firstly demonstrated presenting the species dynamics and highlighting the influence of damage intensities on the growth outcome. In terms of a biaxial test, the chemo-mechano-biological coupling and the model's applicability to reproduce normal as well as pathological healing are shown. A last numerical example underlines the model's applicability to complex loading scenarios and inhomogeneous damage distributions. Concluding, the present work contributes towards comprehensive in silico models in biomechanics and mechanobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meike Gierig
- Institute of Continuum Mechanics, Leibniz University of Hannover, An der Universität 1, 30823 Garbsen, Germany.
| | - Peter Wriggers
- Institute of Continuum Mechanics, Leibniz University of Hannover, An der Universität 1, 30823 Garbsen, Germany
| | - Michele Marino
- Department of Civil Engineering and Computer Science, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via del Politecnico 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
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16
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Luu N, Bajpai A, Li R, Park S, Noor M, Ma X, Chen W. Aging-associated Decline in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Mechanosensation is Mediated by Piezo1 Channel. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.27.538557. [PMID: 37163041 PMCID: PMC10168328 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.27.538557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Aging of the vasculature is associated with detrimental changes in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) mechanosensitivity to extrinsic forces in their surrounding microenvironment. However, how chronological aging alters VSMCs' ability to sense and adapt to mechanical perturbations remains unexplored. Here, we show defective VSMC mechanosensation in aging measured with ultrasound tweezers-based micromechanical system, force instantaneous frequency spectrum and transcriptome analyses. The mechanobiological study reveals that aged VSMCs adapt a relatively inert solid-like state with altered actin cytoskeletal integrity, resulting in an impairment in their mechanosensitivity and dynamic mechanoresponse to mechanical perturbations. The aging-associated decline in mechanosensation behaviors is mediated by hyperactivity of Piezo1-dependent calcium signaling. Inhibition of Piezo1 alleviates vascular aging and partially restores the loss in dynamic contractile properties in aged cells. Altogether, our study reveals the novel signaling pathway underlying aging-associated aberrant mechanosensation in VSMC and identifies Piezo1 as a potential therapeutic mechanobiological target to alleviate vascular aging.
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17
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Derhambakhsh S, Mohammadi J, Shokrgozar MA, Rabbani H, Sadeghi N, Nekounam H, Mohammadi S, Lee KB, Khakbiz M. Investigation of electrical stimulation on phenotypic vascular smooth muscle cells differentiation in tissue-engineered small-diameter vascular graft. Tissue Cell 2023; 81:101996. [PMID: 36657256 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2022.101996] [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: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In the development of vascular tissue engineering, particularly in the case of small diameter vessels, one of the key obstacles is the blockage of these veins once they enter the in vivo environment. One of the contributing factors to this problem is the aberrant proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from the media layer of the artery to the interior of the channel. Two distinct phenotypes have been identified for smooth muscle cells, namely synthetic and contractile. Since the synthetic phenotype plays an essential role in the unusual growth and migration, the aim of this study was to convert the synthetic phenotype into the contractile one, which is a solution to prevent the abnormal growth of VSMCs. To achieve this goal, these cells were subjected to electrical signals, using a 1000 μA sinusoidal stimulation at 10 Hz for four days, with 20 min duration per 24 h. The morphological transformations and changes in the expression of vimentin, nestin, and β-actin proteins were then studied using ICC and flow cytometry assays. Also, the expression of VSMC specific markers such as smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SMMHC) and smooth muscle alpha-actin (α-SMA) were evaluated using RT-PCR test. In the final phase of this study, the sheep decellularized vessel was employed as a scaffold for seeding these cells. Based on the results, electrical stimulation resulted in some morphological alterations in VSMCs. Furthermore, the observed reductions in the expression levels of vimentin, nestin and β-actin proteins and increase in the expression of SMMHC and α-SMA markers showed that it is possible to convert the synthetic phenotype to the contractile one using the studied regime of electrical stimulation. Finally, it can be concluded that electrical stimulation can significantly affect the phenotype of VSMCs, as demonstrated in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Derhambakhsh
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Life Science, Faculty of New Sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran, Tehran 439957131, Iran
| | - Javad Mohammadi
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Life Science, Faculty of New Sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran, Tehran 439957131, Iran.
| | | | - Hodjattallah Rabbani
- Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Niloufar Sadeghi
- Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Houra Nekounam
- Department of Medical Nanotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sotoudeh Mohammadi
- School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ki-Bum Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Mehrdad Khakbiz
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Life Science, Faculty of New Sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran, Tehran 439957131, Iran.
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18
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Xuan Z, Peng Q, Larsen T, Gurevich L, de Claville Christiansen J, Zachar V, Pennisi CP. Tailoring Hydrogel Composition and Stiffness to Control Smooth Muscle Cell Differentiation in Bioprinted Constructs. Tissue Eng Regen Med 2023; 20:199-212. [PMID: 36401768 PMCID: PMC10070577 DOI: 10.1007/s13770-022-00500-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reliable in vitro cellular models are needed to study the phenotypic modulation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in health and disease. The aim of this study was to optimize gelatin methacrylate (GelMA)/alginate hydrogels for bioprinting three-dimensional (3D) SMC constructs. METHODS Four different hydrogel groups were prepared by mixing different concentrations (% w/v) of GelMA and alginate: G1 (5/1.5), G2 (5/3), G3 (7.5/1.5), and G4 (7.5/3). GelMA 10% was used as control (G5). A circular structure containing human bladder SMCs was fabricated by using an extrusion-based bioprinter. The effects of the mixing ratios on printability, viability, proliferation, and differentiation of the cells were investigated. RESULTS Rheological analysis showed that the addition of alginate significantly stabilized the change in mechanical properties with temperature variations. The group with the highest GelMA and alginate concentrations (G4) exhibited the highest viscosity, resulting in better stability of the 3D construct after crosslinking. Compared to other hydrogel compositions, cells in G4 maintained high viability (> 80%), exhibited spindle-shaped morphology, and showed a significantly higher proliferation rate within an 8-day period. More importantly, G4 provided an optimal environment for the induction of a SMC contractile phenotype, as evidenced by significant changes in the expression of marker proteins and morphological parameters. CONCLUSION Adjusting the composition of GelMA/alginate hydrogels is an effective means of controlling the SMC phenotype. These hydrogels support bioprinting of 3D models to study phenotypic smooth muscle adaptation, with the prospect of using the constructs in the study of therapies for the treatment of urethral strictures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongzhe Xuan
- Regenerative Medicine Group, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Frederik Bajers Vej 3B, 9220, Aalborg Ø, Denmark
| | - Qiuyue Peng
- Regenerative Medicine Group, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Frederik Bajers Vej 3B, 9220, Aalborg Ø, Denmark
| | - Thomas Larsen
- Materials Science and Engineering Group, Department of Materials and Production, Aalborg University, Pontoppidanstræde 103, 9220, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Leonid Gurevich
- Materials Science and Engineering Group, Department of Materials and Production, Aalborg University, Pontoppidanstræde 103, 9220, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Jesper de Claville Christiansen
- Materials Science and Engineering Group, Department of Materials and Production, Aalborg University, Pontoppidanstræde 103, 9220, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Vladimir Zachar
- Regenerative Medicine Group, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Frederik Bajers Vej 3B, 9220, Aalborg Ø, Denmark
| | - Cristian Pablo Pennisi
- Regenerative Medicine Group, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Frederik Bajers Vej 3B, 9220, Aalborg Ø, Denmark.
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19
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Davis MJ, Earley S, Li YS, Chien S. Vascular mechanotransduction. Physiol Rev 2023; 103:1247-1421. [PMID: 36603156 PMCID: PMC9942936 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00053.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
This review aims to survey the current state of mechanotransduction in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and endothelial cells (ECs), including their sensing of mechanical stimuli and transduction of mechanical signals that result in the acute functional modulation and longer-term transcriptomic and epigenetic regulation of blood vessels. The mechanosensors discussed include ion channels, plasma membrane-associated structures and receptors, and junction proteins. The mechanosignaling pathways presented include the cytoskeleton, integrins, extracellular matrix, and intracellular signaling molecules. These are followed by discussions on mechanical regulation of transcriptome and epigenetics, relevance of mechanotransduction to health and disease, and interactions between VSMCs and ECs. Throughout this review, we offer suggestions for specific topics that require further understanding. In the closing section on conclusions and perspectives, we summarize what is known and point out the need to treat the vasculature as a system, including not only VSMCs and ECs but also the extracellular matrix and other types of cells such as resident macrophages and pericytes, so that we can fully understand the physiology and pathophysiology of the blood vessel as a whole, thus enhancing the comprehension, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of vascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Davis
- Department of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Scott Earley
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada
| | - Yi-Shuan Li
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, California
- Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, California
| | - Shu Chien
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, California
- Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, California
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, California
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20
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Wright K, Aboughdir M, Harky A. The cellular uncertainty in thoracic aortic dissections: the roles of METTL3 and NOTCH1 on m6A in human aortic smooth muscle cells. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2023; 11:162. [PMID: 36923090 PMCID: PMC10009554 DOI: 10.21037/atm-23-375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Wright
- Department of Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Maryam Aboughdir
- Department of Medicine, St. George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Amer Harky
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK
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21
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Engineering Smooth Muscle to Understand Extracellular Matrix Remodeling and Vascular Disease. Bioengineering (Basel) 2022; 9:bioengineering9090449. [PMID: 36134994 PMCID: PMC9495899 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering9090449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The vascular smooth muscle is vital for regulating blood pressure and maintaining cardiovascular health, and the resident smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in blood vessel walls rely on specific mechanical and biochemical signals to carry out these functions. Any slight change in their surrounding environment causes swift changes in their phenotype and secretory profile, leading to changes in the structure and functionality of vessel walls that cause pathological conditions. To adequately treat vascular diseases, it is essential to understand how SMCs crosstalk with their surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM). Here, we summarize in vivo and traditional in vitro studies of pathological vessel wall remodeling due to the SMC phenotype and, conversely, the SMC behavior in response to key ECM properties. We then analyze how three-dimensional tissue engineering approaches provide opportunities to model SMCs’ response to specific stimuli in the human body. Additionally, we review how applying biomechanical forces and biochemical stimulation, such as pulsatile fluid flow and secreted factors from other cell types, allows us to study disease mechanisms. Overall, we propose that in vitro tissue engineering of human vascular smooth muscle can facilitate a better understanding of relevant cardiovascular diseases using high throughput experiments, thus potentially leading to therapeutics or treatments to be tested in the future.
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22
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Role of smooth muscle progenitor cells in vascular mechanical injury and repair. MEDICINE IN NOVEL TECHNOLOGY AND DEVICES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.medntd.2022.100178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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23
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Yu W, MacIver B, Zhang L, Bien EM, Ahmed N, Chen H, Hanif SZ, de Oliveira MG, Zeidel ML, Hill WG. Deletion of Mechanosensory β1-integrin From Bladder Smooth Muscle Results in Voiding Dysfunction and Tissue Remodeling. FUNCTION 2022; 3:zqac042. [PMID: 38989038 PMCID: PMC11234651 DOI: 10.1093/function/zqac042] [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: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The bladder undergoes large shape changes as it fills and empties and experiences complex mechanical forces. These forces become abnormal in diseases of the lower urinary tract such as overactive bladder, neurogenic bladder, and urinary retention. As the primary mechanosensors linking the actin cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix (ECM), integrins are likely to play vital roles in maintaining bladder smooth muscle (BSM) homeostasis. In a tamoxifen-inducible smooth muscle conditional knockout of β1-integrin, there was concomitant loss of α1- and α3-integrins from BSM and upregulation of αV- and β3-integrins. Masson's staining showed a reduction in smooth muscle with an increase in collagenous ECM. Functionally, mice exhibited a changing pattern of urination by voiding spot assay up to 8 wk after tamoxifen. By 8 wk, there was increased frequency with reductions in voided volume, consistent with overactivity. Cystometrograms confirmed that there was a significant reduction in intercontractile interval with reduced maximal bladder pressure. Muscle strip myography revealed a loss of contraction force in response to electrical field stimulation, that was entirely due to the loss of muscarinic contractility. Quantitative western blotting showed a loss of M3 receptor and no change in P2X1. qPCR on ECM and interstitial genes revealed loss of Ntpd2, a marker of an interstitial cell subpopulation; and an upregulation of S100A4, which is often associated with fibroblasts. Collectively, the data show that the loss of appropriate mechanosensation through integrins results in cellular and extracellular remodeling, and concomitant bladder dysfunction that resembles lower urinary tract symptoms seen in older people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqun Yu
- Laboratory of Voiding Dysfunction, Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Bryce MacIver
- Laboratory of Voiding Dysfunction, Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Lanlan Zhang
- Laboratory of Voiding Dysfunction, Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Erica M Bien
- Laboratory of Voiding Dysfunction, Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Nazaakat Ahmed
- Laboratory of Voiding Dysfunction, Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Huan Chen
- Laboratory of Voiding Dysfunction, Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Sarah Z Hanif
- Laboratory of Voiding Dysfunction, Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Mariana G de Oliveira
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Mark L Zeidel
- Laboratory of Voiding Dysfunction, Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Warren G Hill
- Laboratory of Voiding Dysfunction, Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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24
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Karakaya C, van Turnhout MC, Visser VL, Ristori T, Bouten CVC, Sahlgren CM, Loerakker S. Notch signaling regulates strain-mediated phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:910503. [PMID: 36036000 PMCID: PMC9412035 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.910503] [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: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanical stimuli experienced by vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and mechanosensitive Notch signaling are important regulators of vascular growth and remodeling. However, the interplay between mechanical cues and Notch signaling, and its contribution to regulate the VSMC phenotype are still unclear. Here, we investigated the role of Notch signaling in regulating strain-mediated changes in VSMC phenotype. Synthetic and contractile VSMCs were cyclically stretched for 48 h to determine the temporal changes in phenotypic features. Different magnitudes of strain were applied to investigate its effect on Notch mechanosensitivity and the phenotypic regulation of VSMCs. In addition, Notch signaling was inhibited via DAPT treatment and activated with immobilized Jagged1 ligands to understand the role of Notch on strain-mediated phenotypic changes of VSMCs. Our data demonstrate that cyclic strain induces a decrease in Notch signaling along with a loss of VSMC contractile features. Accordingly, the activation of Notch signaling during cyclic stretching partially rescued the contractile features of VSMCs. These findings demonstrate that Notch signaling has an important role in regulating strain-mediated phenotypic switching of VSMCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cansu Karakaya
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - Mark C. van Turnhout
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - Valery L. Visser
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - Tommaso Ristori
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - Carlijn V. C. Bouten
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - Cecilia M. Sahlgren
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Sandra Loerakker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Sandra Loerakker,
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25
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Wang K, Ye Y, Huang L, Wu R, He R, Yao C, Wang S. The Long Non-coding RNA AC148477.2 Is a Novel Therapeutic Target Associated With Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Proliferation of Femoral Atherosclerosis. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:954283. [PMID: 35872920 PMCID: PMC9297286 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.954283] [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: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) is a limb manifestation of large vessel atherosclerosis. Phenotype switching of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) occurs in the course of the pathological process. The underlying mechanism of SMCs proliferation remains unclear. Several studies have demonstrated that the dysregulation of long non-coding RNA (lncRNAs) plays a pivotal part in the progression of ASO by exacerbating the proliferation of VSMCs. Based on the endogenous competitive RNA (ceRNA) hypothesis, the mechanism of lncRNAs involved in the pathology of VSMCs was exposed, while the entire map of the regulatory network remains to be elucidated. In the current study, genes and the lncRNAs modules that are relevant to the clinical trait were confirmed through weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). In this study, we comprehensively constructed a specific lncRNAs-mediated ceRNA and RBP network. The three lncRNAs, HMGA1P4, C5orf66, and AC148477.2, influenced the proliferation of VSMCs and were found to be associated with the immune landscape, thus they were ultimately screened out. Further verification revealed that AC147488.2 was significantly down-regulated in both ASO arteries and all stages of proliferative VSMCs, which implied that AC147488.2 might have a significant impact on ASO. This finding would improve our understanding of the epigenetic regulation of ASO and unravel novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangjie Wang
- Division of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- National-Guangdong Joint Engineering Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Disease, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanchen Ye
- Division of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- National-Guangdong Joint Engineering Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Disease, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lin Huang
- Division of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- National-Guangdong Joint Engineering Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Disease, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ridong Wu
- Division of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- National-Guangdong Joint Engineering Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Disease, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rongzhou He
- Division of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- National-Guangdong Joint Engineering Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Disease, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chen Yao
- Division of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- National-Guangdong Joint Engineering Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Disease, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Chen Yao,
| | - Shenming Wang
- Division of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- National-Guangdong Joint Engineering Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Disease, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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26
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Bachmann JC, Baumgart SJ, Uryga AK, Bosteen MH, Borghetti G, Nyberg M, Herum KM. Fibrotic Signaling in Cardiac Fibroblasts and Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells: The Dual Roles of Fibrosis in HFpEF and CAD. Cells 2022; 11:1657. [PMID: 35626694 PMCID: PMC9139546 DOI: 10.3390/cells11101657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and atherosclerosis-driven coronary artery disease (CAD) will have ongoing fibrotic remodeling both in the myocardium and in atherosclerotic plaques. However, the functional consequences of fibrosis differ for each location. Thus, cardiac fibrosis leads to myocardial stiffening, thereby compromising cardiac function, while fibrotic remodeling stabilizes the atherosclerotic plaque, thereby reducing the risk of plaque rupture. Although there are currently no drugs targeting cardiac fibrosis, it is a field under intense investigation, and future drugs must take these considerations into account. To explore similarities and differences of fibrotic remodeling at these two locations of the heart, we review the signaling pathways that are activated in the main extracellular matrix (ECM)-producing cells, namely human cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Although these signaling pathways are highly overlapping and context-dependent, effects on ECM remodeling mainly act through two core signaling cascades: TGF-β and Angiotensin II. We complete this by summarizing the knowledge gained from clinical trials targeting these two central fibrotic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Kate M. Herum
- Research and Early Development, Novo Nordisk A/S, Novo Nordisk Park, 2760 Maaloev, Denmark; (J.C.B.); (S.J.B.); (A.K.U.); (M.H.B.); (G.B.); (M.N.)
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27
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McQueen LW, Ladak SS, Zakkar M. Acute shear stress and vein graft disease. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2022; 144:106173. [PMID: 35151879 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2022.106173] [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: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The long saphenous vein is commonly used in cardiac surgery to bypass occluded coronary arteries. Its use is complicated by late stenosis and occlusion due to the development of intimal hyperplasia. It is accepted that intimal hyperplasia is a multifactorial inflammatory process that starts immediately after surgery. The role of acute changes in haemodynamic conditions when the vein is implanted into arterial circulation, especially shear stress, is not fully appreciated. This review provides an overview of intimal hyperplasia and the effect of acute shear stress changes on the activation of pro-inflammatory mediators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liam W McQueen
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Clinical Science Wing, University of Leicester, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK
| | - Shameem S Ladak
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Clinical Science Wing, University of Leicester, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK
| | - Mustafa Zakkar
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Clinical Science Wing, University of Leicester, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK.
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28
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PDE-Mediated Cyclic Nucleotide Compartmentation in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells: From Basic to a Clinical Perspective. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2021; 9:jcdd9010004. [PMID: 35050214 PMCID: PMC8777754 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd9010004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases are important causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are major components of blood vessels and are involved in physiologic and pathophysiologic conditions. In healthy vessels, vascular SMCs contribute to vasotone and regulate blood flow by cyclic nucleotide intracellular pathways. However, vascular SMCs lose their contractile phenotype under pathological conditions and alter contractility or signalling mechanisms, including cyclic nucleotide compartmentation. In the present review, we focus on compartmentalized signaling of cyclic nucleotides in vascular smooth muscle. A deeper understanding of these mechanisms clarifies the most relevant axes for the regulation of vascular tone. Furthermore, this allows the detection of possible changes associated with pathological processes, which may be of help for the discovery of novel drugs.
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