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Li X, Qi Q, Li Y, Miao Q, Yin W, Pan J, Zhao Z, Chen X, Yang F, Zhou X, Huang M, Wang C, Deng L, Huang D, Qi M, Fan S, Zhang Y, Qiu S, Deng W, Liu T, Chen M, Ye W, Zhang D. TCAF2 in Pericytes Promotes Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastasis via Inhibiting Cold-Sensing TRPM8 Channel. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2302717. [PMID: 37635201 PMCID: PMC10602580 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202302717] [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: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Hematogenous metastasis is the main approach for colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRCLM). However, as the gatekeepers in the tumor vessels, the role of TPCs in hematogenous metastasis remains largely unknown, which may be attributed to the lack of specific biomarkers for TPC isolation. Here, microdissection combined with a pericyte medium-based approach is developed to obtain TPCs from CRC patients. Proteomic analysis reveals that TRP channel-associated factor 2 (TCAF2), a partner protein of the transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 8 (TRPM8), is overexpressed in TPCs from patients with CRCLM. TCAF2 in TPCs is correlated with liver metastasis, short overall survival, and disease-free survival in CRC patients. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments validate that TCAF2 in TPCs promotes tumor cell motility, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and CRCLM, which is attenuated in pericyte-conditional Tcaf2-knockout mice. Mechanistically, TCAF2 inhibits the expression and activity of TRPM8, leading to Wnt5a secretion in TPCs, which facilitates EMT via the activation of the STAT3 signaling pathway in tumor cells. Menthol, a TRPM8 agonist, significantly suppresses Wnt5a secretion in TPCs and CRCLM. This study reveals the previously unidentified pro-metastatic effects of TPCs from the perspective of cold-sensory receptors, providing a promising diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for CRCLM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobo Li
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability AssessmentJinan UniversityGuangzhou510632China
- College of PharmacyJinan UniversityGuangzhou510632China
| | - Qi Qi
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular BiologyClinical Translational Center for Targeted DrugDepartment of PharmacologySchool of MedicineJinan UniversityGuangzhou510632China
| | - Yong Li
- College of PharmacyJinan UniversityGuangzhou510632China
- School of PharmacyNorth Sichuan Medical CollegeNanchong637100China
| | - Qun Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability AssessmentJinan UniversityGuangzhou510632China
- College of PharmacyJinan UniversityGuangzhou510632China
| | - Wenqian Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability AssessmentJinan UniversityGuangzhou510632China
- College of PharmacyJinan UniversityGuangzhou510632China
| | - Jinghua Pan
- Department of General SurgeryThe First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan UniversityGuangzhou510632China
| | - Zhan Zhao
- Department of General SurgeryThe First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan UniversityGuangzhou510632China
| | - Xiaoying Chen
- Department of BiophysicsKidney Disease Center of First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhou310058China
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of BiophysicsKidney Disease Center of First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhou310058China
| | - Xiaofeng Zhou
- MOE Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular BiologyClinical Translational Center for Targeted DrugDepartment of PharmacologySchool of MedicineJinan UniversityGuangzhou510632China
| | - Maohua Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability AssessmentJinan UniversityGuangzhou510632China
- College of PharmacyJinan UniversityGuangzhou510632China
| | - Chenran Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability AssessmentJinan UniversityGuangzhou510632China
- College of PharmacyJinan UniversityGuangzhou510632China
| | - Lijuan Deng
- Formula‐Pattern Research CenterSchool of Traditional Chinese MedicineJinan UniversityGuangzhou510632China
| | - Dandan Huang
- The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yet‐Sen UniversityGuangzhou510655China
| | - Ming Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability AssessmentJinan UniversityGuangzhou510632China
- College of PharmacyJinan UniversityGuangzhou510632China
| | - Shuran Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability AssessmentJinan UniversityGuangzhou510632China
- College of PharmacyJinan UniversityGuangzhou510632China
| | - Yiran Zhang
- Department of General SurgeryThe First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan UniversityGuangzhou510632China
| | - Shenghui Qiu
- Department of General SurgeryThe First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan UniversityGuangzhou510632China
| | - Weiqing Deng
- College of PharmacyJinan UniversityGuangzhou510632China
| | - Tongzheng Liu
- College of PharmacyJinan UniversityGuangzhou510632China
| | - Minfeng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability AssessmentJinan UniversityGuangzhou510632China
- College of PharmacyJinan UniversityGuangzhou510632China
| | - Wencai Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability AssessmentJinan UniversityGuangzhou510632China
- College of PharmacyJinan UniversityGuangzhou510632China
| | - Dongmei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Druggability AssessmentJinan UniversityGuangzhou510632China
- College of PharmacyJinan UniversityGuangzhou510632China
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Zhang X, Chen J, Brott BC, Anderson PG, Hwang P, Sherwood J, Huskin G, Yoon YS, Virmani R, Jun HW. Pro-Healing Nanomatrix-Coated Stent Analysis in an In Vitro Vascular Double-Layer System and in a Rabbit Model. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:51728-51743. [PMID: 36346768 PMCID: PMC10860673 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c15554] [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] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular stent technologies have significantly improved over time. However, their optimal performance remains limited by restenosis, thrombosis, inflammation, and delayed re-endothelialization. Current stent designs primarily target inhibition of neointimal proliferation but do not promote functional arterial healing (pro-healing) in order to restore normal vascular reactivity. The endothelial lining that does develop with current stents appears to have loose intracellular junctions. We have developed a pro-healing nanomatrix coating for stents that enhances healing while limiting neointimal proliferation. This builds on our prior work evaluating the effects of the pro-healing nanomatrix coating on cultures of vascular endothelial cells (ECs), smooth muscle cells (SMCs), monocytes, and platelets. However, when a stent is deployed in an artery, multiple vascular cell types interact, and their interactions affect stent performance. Thus, in our current study, an in vitro vascular double-layer (VDL) system was used to observe stent effects on communication between different vascular cell types. Additionally, we assessed the pro-healing ability and vascular cell interactions after stent deployment in the VDL system and in a rabbit model, evaluating the nanomatrix-coated stent compared to a commercial bare metal stent (BMS) and a drug eluting stent (DES). In vitro results indicated that, in a layered vascular structure, the pro-healing nanomatrix-coated stent could (1) improve endothelialization and endothelial functions, (2) regulate SMC phenotype to reduce SMC proliferation and migration, (3) suppress inflammation through a multifactorial manner, and (4) reduce foam cell formation, extracellular matrix remodeling, and calcification. Consistent with this, in vivo results demonstrated that, compared with commercial BMS and DES, this pro-healing nanomatrix-coated stent enhanced re-endothelialization with negligible restenosis, inflammation, or thrombosis. Thus, these findings indicate the unique pro-healing features of this nanomatrix stent coating with superior efficacy over commercial BMS and DES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xixi Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, United States
| | - Jun Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, United States
| | - Brigitta C. Brott
- Department of Medicine and Division of Cardiovascular Disease, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, United States
- Endomimetics, LLC, Birmingham, AL, 35242, United States
| | - Peter G. Anderson
- Department of Medicine, Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, United States
| | - Patrick Hwang
- Endomimetics, LLC, Birmingham, AL, 35242, United States
| | | | - Gillian Huskin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, United States
| | - Young-sup Yoon
- School of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, United States
| | - Renu Virmani
- CVPath Institute, Inc., Gaithersburg, MD, 20878, United States
| | - Ho-Wook Jun
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, United States
- Endomimetics, LLC, Birmingham, AL, 35242, United States
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Rai V, Singh H, Agrawal DK. Targeting the Crosstalk of Immune Response and Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Phenotype Switch for Arteriovenous Fistula Maturation. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:12012. [PMID: 36233314 PMCID: PMC9570261 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231912012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Plaque formation, thrombosis, and embolism are the underlying causes of acute cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction and stroke while early thrombosis and stenosis are common pathologies for the maturation failure of arteriovenous fistula (AVF). Chronic inflammation is a common underlying pathogenesis mediated by innate and adaptive immune response involving infiltration of immune cells and secretion of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Impaired immune cell infiltration and change in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotype play a crucial role in the underlying pathophysiology. However, the change in the phenotype of VSMCs in a microenvironment of immune cell infiltration and increased secretion of cytokines have not been investigated. Since change in VSMC phenotype regulates vessel remodeling after intimal injury, in this study, we investigated the effect of macrophages and pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α, on the change in VSMC phenotype under in vitro conditions. We also investigated the expression of the markers of VSMC phenotypes in arteries with atherosclerotic plaques and VSMCs isolated from control arteries. We found that the inhibition of cytokine downstream signaling may mitigate the effect of cytokines on the change in VSMCs phenotype. The results of this study support that regulating or targeting immune cell infiltration and function might be a therapeutic strategy to mitigate the effects of chronic inflammation to attenuate plaque formation, early thrombosis, and stenosis, and thus enhance AVF maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikrant Rai
- Department of Translational Research, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA
| | - Harbinder Singh
- Department of Translational Research, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA
| | - Devendra K Agrawal
- Department of Translational Research, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA
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Chen R, Zhang Y, Zhao C. CHOP Increases TRIB3-Dependent miR-208 Expression to Potentiate Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation and Migration by Downregulating TIMP3 in Atherosclerosis. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 2022; 36:575-588. [PMID: 33856595 DOI: 10.1007/s10557-021-07154-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) has been identified as a suitable therapeutic target to combat atherosclerosis but the mechanism has not been fully studied. Here, we sought to define the role and underlying mechanism of CHOP in atherosclerosis. METHODS Mouse models of atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- mice were established by high-fat feeding, where miR-208 expression was determined. Then atherosclerotic plaque tissues were isolated from the model mice. Loss- and gain-function assays were performed on trypsinized vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) to test the in vitro effect of CHOP in controlling the tribbles homologue 3 (TRIB3)/microRNA-208 (miR-208)/tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 (TIMP3) axis in atherosclerosis by determining cell proliferation and migration as well as blood lipid levels. Moreover, expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and type I collagen expression was determined using immunofluorescence staining to assess plaque stability in mice. RESULTS miR-208 expression was elevated in atherosclerosis samples and miR-208 overexpression promoted proliferation and migration of VSMCs but diminished plaque stability in mice. TIMP3 was targeted by miR-208, which could be abrogated by upregulation of TIMP3. In addition, CHOP increased TRIB3 expression to upregulate miR-208 and to downregulate TIMP3, which potentiated VSMC proliferation and migration in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSION Taken together, inhibition of CHOP may inhibit the proliferation and migration of VSMCs as well as reduce the levels of TC, TG, and LDL-C but increase the level of HDL-C through the TRIB3/miR-208/TIMP3 axis, thereby inhibiting the progression of atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Chen
- Department of Physiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, No. 126, Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, Jilin Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130033, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunyan Zhao
- Department of Physiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, No. 126, Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, Jilin Province, People's Republic of China.
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Huang J, Huang Y, Shi X, Lyu Y, Wu M, Chen Y, Zhou L, Yu H, Xie H, Chen F. Phenotypic modulation of vascular smooth muscle cells in the corpus spongiosum surrounding the urethral plate in hypospadias. Andrologia 2022; 54:e14540. [PMID: 35866316 DOI: 10.1111/and.14540] [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: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypospadias is an abnormal ventral development of the penis caused by incomplete virilization of the male genital tubercle. This study investigated the phenotypic modulation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in the corpus spongiosum surrounding the urethral plate in hypospadias. The urethral corpus spongiosum tissue was collected for HE, Masson and α-SMA immunohistochemical staining. Spongiosum VSMCs were cultured and identified by α-SMA fluorescence. qRT-PCR and Western blotting and fluorescence were performed. The results showed that the vascular lumen of the corpus spongiosum around the urethral plate was larger and that the vascular smooth muscle layer was thicker in hypospadias. The expression of the contractile markers α-SMA and Calponin 1 in VSMCs was decreased, the expression of the synthetic marker OPN was increased, and the transcription of the phenotypic switching factors SRF and MYOCD was decreased. The expression of Ki67, PCNA and BAX was increased, and the expression of Bcl-2 was decreased. The phenotype of corpus spongiosum VSMCs in hypospadias changed from the contractional type to the synthetic type. This phenotypic modulation was associated with increased proliferation and apoptosis rates. SRF and MYOCD may be the main factors mediating the phenotypic modulation of urethral corpus spongiosum VSMCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayao Huang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yichen Huang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiujuan Shi
- School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiqing Lyu
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Wu
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lijun Zhou
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huan Yu
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hua Xie
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fang Chen
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai 6th People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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Patel N, Chin DD, Magee GA, Chung EJ. Therapeutic Response of miR-145 Micelles on Patient-Derived Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells. Front Digit Health 2022; 4:836579. [PMID: 35783597 PMCID: PMC9240309 DOI: 10.3389/fdgth.2022.836579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
During atherosclerosis, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) undergo a phenotypic transition from a healthy contractile state into pathological phenotypes including a proliferative and migratory, synthetic phenotype and osteochondrogenic-like phenotype that exacerbate plaques. Thus, inhibiting the transition of healthy, quiescent VSMCs to atherogenic cell types has the potential to mitigate atherosclerosis. To that end, previously, we reported that delivery of microRNA-145 (miR-145, a potent gatekeeper of the contractile VSMC phenotype) using nanoparticle micelles limited atherosclerotic plaque growth in murine models of atherosclerosis. Building on this preclinical data and toward clinical application, in this study, we tested the therapeutic viability of miR-145 micelles on patient-derived VSMCs and evaluated their effects based on disease severity. We collected vascular tissues from 11 patients with healthy, moderate, or severe stages of atherosclerosis that were discarded following vascular surgery or organ transplant, and isolated VSMCs from these tissues. We found that with increasing disease severity, patient-derived VSMCs had decreasing levels of contractile markers (miR-145, ACTA2, MYH11) and increasing levels of synthetic markers (KLF4, KLF5, and ELK1). Treatment with miR-145 micelles showed that an increase in disease severity correlated with a more robust response to therapy in VSMCs. Notably, miR-145 micelle therapy rescued contractile marker expression to baseline contractile levels in VSMCs derived from the most severely diseased tissues. As such, we demonstrate the use of miR-145 micelles across different stages of atherosclerosis disease and present further evidence of the translatability of miR-145 micelle treatment for atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil Patel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Deborah D. Chin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Gregory A. Magee
- Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy, Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Eun Ji Chung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy, Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Medicine, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Eun Ji Chung
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Li MP, Hao ZC, Yan MQ, Xia CL, Wang ZH, Feng YQ. Possible causes of atherosclerosis: lncRNA COLCA1 induces oxidative stress in human coronary artery endothelial cells and impairs wound healing. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2022; 10:286. [PMID: 35434044 PMCID: PMC9011302 DOI: 10.21037/atm-22-507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Background Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of cardiovascular disease, accompanied by high mortality and poor prognosis. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and its oxidized form oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) play an important role in atherosclerosis. This article will explore the role of the lncRNA COLCA1 (colorectal cancer associated 1)/hsa-miR-371a-5p/SPP1 (secreted phosphoprotein 1) pathway in oxLDL in causing human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs) inflammation and related biological function changes. Methods OxLDL was used to stimulate HCAECs. The inflammatory response and biological function changes of HCAECs were analyzed, total RNA-seq was performed on HCAECs before and after stimulation, and RT-Qpcr (real-time quantitative PCR) was used to verify the differential genes. Interference of the expression of COLCA1 in HCAECs was performed by siRNA interference technology to verify the role of COLCA1 in the biological function changes of HCAECs after oxLDL stimulation, and further prove that COLCA1 affects SPP1 through hsa-miR-371a-5p. Results OxLDL can affect the oxidative stress response of HCAECs, which in turn affects the apoptosis and wound healing ability of HCAECs. COLCA1 and SPP1 were highly expressed after oxLDL stimulation, while hsa-miR-371a-5p was the opposite. After COLCA1 interference, the oxidative stress level of HCAECs stimulated by oxLDL decreased, the apoptosis level also significantly decreased, and the wound healing ability was enhanced. After simultaneous COLCA1 interference and recovery of the expression of hsa-miR-371a-5p, these improved functions disappeared. The dual-luciferase assay confirmed that hsa-miR-371a-5p and COLCA1, hsa-miR-371a-5p and SPP1 has binding targets. Conclusions OxLDL can up-regulate the expression of COLCA1 in HCAECs, which in turn affects the intracellular COLCA1/hsa-miR-371a-5p/SPP1 pathway to regulate the level of oxidative stress in cells. This in turn affects the level of apoptosis and wound healing ability, which causes cells to produce a continuous inflammatory response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Peng Li
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Cardiology, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Cardiovascular, Chenzhou No. 1 People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiangnan University, Chenzhou, China
| | - Zi-Chen Hao
- Department of Cardiovascular, Chenzhou No. 1 People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiangnan University, Chenzhou, China
| | - Meng-Qi Yan
- Department of Cardiology, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chun-Li Xia
- Department of Cardiology, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhong-Hua Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular, Chenzhou No. 1 People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiangnan University, Chenzhou, China
| | - Ying-Qing Feng
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Cardiology, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
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Identification of crucial genes involved in pathogenesis of regional weakening of the aortic wall. Hereditas 2021; 158:35. [PMID: 34852854 PMCID: PMC8638115 DOI: 10.1186/s41065-021-00200-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The diameter of the abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is the most commonly used parameter for the prediction of occurrence of AAA rupture. However, the most vulnerable region of the aortic wall may be different from the most dilated region of AAA under pressure. The present study is the first to use weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) to detect the coexpressed genes that result in regional weakening of the aortic wall. Methods The GSE165470 raw microarray dataset was used in the present study. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were filtered using the “limma” R package. DEGs were assessed by Gene Ontology biological process (GO-BP) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses. WGCNA was used to construct the coexpression networks in the samples with regional weakening of the AAA wall and in the control group to detect the gene modules. The hub genes were defined in the significant functional modules, and a hub differentially expressed gene (hDEG) coexpression network was constructed with the highest confidence based on protein–protein interactions (PPIs). Molecular compound detection (MCODE) was used to identify crucial genes in the hDEG coexpression network. Crucial genes in the hDEG coexpression network were validated using the GSE7084 and GSE57691 microarray gene expression datasets. Result A total of 350 DEGs were identified, including 62 upregulated and 288 downregulated DEGs. The pathways were involved in immune responses, vascular smooth muscle contraction and cell–matrix adhesion of DEGs in the samples with regional weakening in AAA. Antiquewhite3 was the most significant module and was used to identify downregulated hDEGs based on the result of the most significant modules negatively related to the trait of weakened aneurysm walls. Seven crucial genes were identified and validated: ACTG2, CALD1, LMOD1, MYH11, MYL9, MYLK, and TPM2. These crucial genes were associated with the mechanisms of AAA progression. Conclusion We identified crucial genes that may play a significant role in weakening of the AAA wall and may be potential targets for medical therapies and diagnostic biomarkers. Further studies are required to more comprehensively elucidate the functions of crucial genes in the pathogenesis of regional weakening in AAA. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s41065-021-00200-1.
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Liu S, Yin P, Xu J, Dotts AJ, Kujawa SA, Coon V JS, Zhao H, Dai Y, Bulun SE. Progesterone receptor-DNA methylation crosstalk regulates depletion of uterine leiomyoma stem cells: A potential therapeutic target. Stem Cell Reports 2021; 16:2099-2106. [PMID: 34388365 PMCID: PMC8452515 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Uterine leiomyoma (LM) is the most common tumor in women. Via its receptor (PGR) expressed in differentiated LM cells, progesterone stimulates paracrine signaling that induces proliferation of PGR-deficient LM stem cells (LSCs). Antiprogestins shrink LM but tumors regrow after treatment cessation possibly due to persisting LSCs. Using sorted primary LM cell populations, we found that the PGR gene locus and its target cistrome are hypermethylated in LSCs, inhibiting the expression of genes critical for progesterone-induced LSC differentiation. PGR knockdown shifted the transcriptome of total LM cells toward LSCs and increased global DNA methylation by regulating TET methylcytosine dioxygenases. DNA methylation inhibitor 5'-Aza activated PGR signaling, stimulated LSC differentiation, and synergized with antiprogestin to reduce tumor size in vivo. Taken together, targeting the feedback loop between DNA methylation and progesterone signaling may accelerate the depletion of LSCs through rapid differentiation and sensitize LM to antiprogestin therapy, thus preventing tumor regrowth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shimeng Liu
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Ping Yin
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Jingting Xu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Ariel J Dotts
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Stacy A Kujawa
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - John S Coon V
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Hong Zhao
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Yang Dai
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Serdar E Bulun
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Prentice Women's Hospital, 250 E. Superior Street, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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10
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Zhao M, Yang Y, Li J, Lu M, Wu Y. Silencing of OIP5-AS1 Protects Endothelial Cells From ox-LDL-Triggered Injury by Regulating KLF5 Expression via Sponging miR-135a-5p. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:596506. [PMID: 33778018 PMCID: PMC7994260 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.596506] [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: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. LncRNA OIP5 antisense RNA 1 (OIP5-AS1) has been found to be associated with the development of atherosclerosis. In this study, we further investigated the molecular basis of OIP5-AS1 in atherosclerosis pathogenesis. Methods: Oxidative low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) was used to treat human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The levels of OIP5-AS1, miR-135a-5p, and Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) or western blot. Cell viability, migration, and apoptosis were evaluated using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), Transwell, and flow cytometry, respectively. The levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Targeted interactions among OIP5-AS1, miR-135a-5p, and KLF5 were confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays. Animal studies were performed to assess the role of OIP5-AS1 in atherosclerosis progression in vivo. Results: Our data showed the significant upregulation of OIP5-AS1 in atherosclerosis serum and ox-LDL-stimulated HUVECs. The silencing of OIP5-AS1 protected against ox-LDL-triggered cytotoxicity in HUVECs and diminished lipids secretion in ApoE−/− mice. Moreover, OIP5-AS1 functioned as a molecular sponge of miR-135a-5p, and miR-135a-5p was a functional mediator of OIP5-AS1 in regulating ox-LDL-induced HUVEC injury. KLF5 was a direct target of miR-135a-5p, and the increased expression of miR-135a-5p alleviated ox-LDL-induced cytotoxicity by downregulating KLF5. Furthermore, OIP5-AS1 influenced KLF5 expression through sponging miR-135a-5p. Conclusion: The current work identified that the silencing of OIP5-AS1 protected against ox-LDL-triggered cytotoxicity in HUVECs at least in part by influencing KLF5 expression via acting as a miR-135a-5p sponge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghu Zhao
- Department of Cardiovascular Comprehensive Ward II, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yuanyuan Yang
- Department of Cardiovascular Comprehensive Ward II, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jingchao Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Comprehensive Ward II, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Min Lu
- Department of Cardiovascular Comprehensive Ward II, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yu Wu
- Department of Cardiovascular Comprehensive Ward II, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
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11
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Lee DO, Kim JH, Kang HW, Kim DY, Lee W, Cho TJ, Lee DY. Calcifying characteristics of peripheral vascular smooth muscle cells of chronic kidney disease patients with critical limb ischemia. Vasc Med 2021; 26:139-146. [PMID: 33591894 DOI: 10.1177/1358863x20984525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The role of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in vascular calcification, which is related to chronic kidney disease (CKD), has been studied in greater detail in the major arteries relative to the peripheral arteries. We compared the calcifying characteristics of peripheral VSMCs relative to non-pathologic major VSMCs in patients with severe peripheral artery disease (PAD). We isolated peripheral VSMCs from the posterior tibial artery of 10 patients with CKD who underwent below-knee amputation for critical limb ischemia (CLI). Using normal human aortic VSMCs as a control group, we cultured the cells in normal and high phosphate media for 10 days, and subsequently tested by immunofluorescence staining. We compared the calcification levels between the two groups using various assays, tests for cell viability, and scanning electron microscopy. As a result, calcification of pathologic peripheral VSMCs increased significantly with time (p = 0.028) and was significantly higher than that in human aortic VSMCs in calcium assays (p = 0.043). Dead cells in the pathologic VSMC group were more distinct in high phosphate media than in human aortic VSMCs. In conclusion, VSMCs from the peripheral artery of patients with severe CKD and CLI who underwent amputation surgery showed marked calcifying characteristics compared to normal human aortic VSMCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Oh Lee
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ji Hye Kim
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ho Won Kang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dae Yoo Kim
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Wonik Lee
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Tae-Joon Cho
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dong Yeon Lee
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea
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12
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Bjørnholm KD, Skovsted GF, Mitgaard-Thomsen A, Rakipovski G, Tveden-Nyborg P, Lykkesfeldt J, Povlsen GK. Liraglutide treatment improves endothelial function in the Ldlr-/- mouse model of atherosclerosis and affects genes involved in vascular remodelling and inflammation. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2021; 128:103-114. [PMID: 32896073 DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.13486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Recent clinical intervention studies have shown that the GLP1 analogue liraglutide lowers cardiovascular risk, but the underlying mechanism has not yet been fully elucidated. This study investigated the effects of liraglutide on endothelial function in the Ldlr-/- mouse model. Mice (n = 12/group) were fed Western diet (WD) or chow for 12 weeks followed by 4 weeks of treatment with liraglutide (1 mg/kg/day) or vehicle subcutaneously. Weight loss, blood lipid content, plaque burden, vasomotor function of the aorta and gene expression pattern in aorta and brachiocephalic artery were monitored. Liraglutide treatment significantly induced weight loss (P < .0001), decreased blood triglycerides (P < .0001) and total cholesterol (P < .0001) in WD-fed mice but did not decrease plaque burden. Liraglutide also improved endothelium-mediated dilation of the distal thoracis aorta (P = .0067), but it did not affect phenylephrine or sodium nitroprusside responses. Fluidigm analyses of 96 genes showed significantly altered expression of seven genes related to inflammation, vascular smooth muscle cells and extracellular matrix composition in liraglutide-treated animals. We conclude that treatment with liraglutide decreased endothelial dysfunction and that this could be linked to decreased inflammation or regulation of vascular remodelling.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology
- Aorta, Thoracic/drug effects
- Aorta, Thoracic/metabolism
- Aorta, Thoracic/pathology
- Aorta, Thoracic/physiopathology
- Atherosclerosis/drug therapy
- Atherosclerosis/metabolism
- Atherosclerosis/pathology
- Atherosclerosis/physiopathology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Endothelial Cells/drug effects
- Endothelial Cells/metabolism
- Endothelial Cells/pathology
- Endothelium, Vascular/drug effects
- Endothelium, Vascular/metabolism
- Endothelium, Vascular/pathology
- Endothelium, Vascular/physiopathology
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Inflammation/metabolism
- Inflammation/pathology
- Inflammation/physiopathology
- Inflammation/prevention & control
- Liraglutide/pharmacology
- Male
- Mice, Knockout
- Plaque, Atherosclerotic
- Receptors, LDL/genetics
- Receptors, LDL/metabolism
- Signal Transduction
- Vascular Remodeling/drug effects
- Vasodilation/drug effects
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrine Dahl Bjørnholm
- Department of Experimental Animal Models, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
- Department of Cardiovascular Disease Research, Novo Nordisk, Måløv, Denmark
| | - Gry Freja Skovsted
- Department of Experimental Animal Models, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | | | - Günaj Rakipovski
- Department of Cardiovascular Disease Research, Novo Nordisk, Måløv, Denmark
| | - Pernille Tveden-Nyborg
- Department of Experimental Animal Models, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Jens Lykkesfeldt
- Department of Experimental Animal Models, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
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13
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Alloza I, Salegi A, Mena J, Navarro RT, Martin C, Aspichueta P, Salazar LM, Carpio JU, Cagigal PDLH, Vega R, Triviño JC, Freijo MDM, Vandenbroeck K. BIRC6 Is Associated with Vulnerability of Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21249387. [PMID: 33317170 PMCID: PMC7763522 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Carotid atherosclerotic plaque rupture can lead to cerebrovascular accident (CVA). By comparing RNA-Seq data from vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) extracted from carotid atheroma surgically excised from a group of asymptomatic and symptomatic subjects, we identified more than 700 genomic variants associated with symptomatology (p < 0.05). From these, twelve single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected for further validation. Comparing genotypes of a hospital-based cohort of asymptomatic with symptomatic patients, an exonic SNP in the BIRC6 (BRUCE/Apollon) gene, rs35286811, emerged as significantly associated with CVA symptomatology (p = 0.002; OR = 2.24). Moreover, BIRC6 mRNA levels were significantly higher in symptomatic than asymptomatic subjects upon measurement by qPCR in excised carotid atherosclerotic tissue (p < 0.0001), and significantly higher in carriers of the rs35286811 risk allele (p < 0.0001). rs35286811 is a proxy of a GWAS SNP reported to be associated with red cell distribution width (RDW); RDW was increased in symptomatic patients (p < 0.03), but was not influenced by the rs35286811 genotype in our cohort. BIRC6 is a negative regulator of both apoptosis and autophagy. This work introduces BIRC6 as a novel genetic risk factor for stroke, and identifies autophagy as a genetically regulated mechanism of carotid plaque vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iraide Alloza
- Inflammation & Biomarkers Group, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903 Barakaldo, Spain; (I.A.); (A.S.); (J.M.); (R.T.N.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Andrea Salegi
- Inflammation & Biomarkers Group, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903 Barakaldo, Spain; (I.A.); (A.S.); (J.M.); (R.T.N.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Jorge Mena
- Inflammation & Biomarkers Group, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903 Barakaldo, Spain; (I.A.); (A.S.); (J.M.); (R.T.N.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Raquel Tulloch Navarro
- Inflammation & Biomarkers Group, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903 Barakaldo, Spain; (I.A.); (A.S.); (J.M.); (R.T.N.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - César Martin
- Biofisika Institute (UPV/EHU, CSIC), 48940 Leioa, Spain;
| | - Patricia Aspichueta
- Department of Physiology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain;
- Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903 Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Lucía Martínez Salazar
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Osakidetza, Bilbao-Basurto IHO, Basurto University Hospital, 48013 Bilbao, Spain; (L.M.S.); (J.U.C.); (P.D.-l.-H.C.)
| | - Jon Uriarte Carpio
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Osakidetza, Bilbao-Basurto IHO, Basurto University Hospital, 48013 Bilbao, Spain; (L.M.S.); (J.U.C.); (P.D.-l.-H.C.)
| | - Patricia De-la-Hera Cagigal
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Osakidetza, Bilbao-Basurto IHO, Basurto University Hospital, 48013 Bilbao, Spain; (L.M.S.); (J.U.C.); (P.D.-l.-H.C.)
| | - Reyes Vega
- Neurovascular Group, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903 Barakaldo, Spain; (R.V.); (M.d.M.F.)
| | | | - Maria del Mar Freijo
- Neurovascular Group, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903 Barakaldo, Spain; (R.V.); (M.d.M.F.)
| | - Koen Vandenbroeck
- Inflammation & Biomarkers Group, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903 Barakaldo, Spain; (I.A.); (A.S.); (J.M.); (R.T.N.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48013 Bilbao, Spain
- Correspondence:
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14
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Bruijn LE, van den Akker BEWM, van Rhijn CM, Hamming JF, Lindeman JHN. Extreme Diversity of the Human Vascular Mesenchymal Cell Landscape. J Am Heart Assoc 2020; 9:e017094. [PMID: 33190596 PMCID: PMC7763765 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.120.017094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Background Human mesenchymal cells are culprit factors in vascular (patho)physiology and are hallmarked by phenotypic and functional heterogeneity. At present, they are subdivided by classic umbrella terms, such as "fibroblasts," "myofibroblasts," "smooth muscle cells," "fibrocytes," "mesangial cells," and "pericytes." However, a discriminative marker-based subclassification has to date not been established. Methods and Results As a first effort toward a classification scheme, a systematic literature search was performed to identify the most commonly used phenotypical and functional protein markers for characterizing and classifying vascular mesenchymal cell subpopulation(s). We next applied immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence to inventory the expression pattern of identified markers on human aorta specimens representing early, intermediate, and end stages of human atherosclerotic disease. Included markers comprise markers for mesenchymal lineage (vimentin, FSP-1 [fibroblast-specific protein-1]/S100A4, cluster of differentiation (CD) 90/thymocyte differentiation antigen 1, and FAP [fibroblast activation protein]), contractile/non-contractile phenotype (α-smooth muscle actin, smooth muscle myosin heavy chain, and nonmuscle myosin heavy chain), and auxiliary contractile markers (h1-Calponin, h-Caldesmon, Desmin, SM22α [smooth muscle protein 22α], non-muscle myosin heavy chain, smooth muscle myosin heavy chain, Smoothelin-B, α-Tropomyosin, and Telokin) or adhesion proteins (Paxillin and Vinculin). Vimentin classified as the most inclusive lineage marker. Subset markers did not separate along classic lines of smooth muscle cell, myofibroblast, or fibroblast, but showed clear temporal and spatial diversity. Strong indications were found for presence of stem cells/Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal cell Transition and fibrocytes in specific aspects of the human atherosclerotic process. Conclusions This systematic evaluation shows a highly diverse and dynamic landscape for the human vascular mesenchymal cell population that is not captured by the classic nomenclature. Our observations stress the need for a consensus multiparameter subclass designation along the lines of the cluster of differentiation classification for leucocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E. Bruijn
- Division of Vascular SurgeryDepartment of SurgeryLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenthe Netherlands
| | | | - Connie M. van Rhijn
- Division of Vascular SurgeryDepartment of SurgeryLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenthe Netherlands
| | - Jaap F. Hamming
- Division of Vascular SurgeryDepartment of SurgeryLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenthe Netherlands
| | - Jan H. N. Lindeman
- Division of Vascular SurgeryDepartment of SurgeryLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenthe Netherlands
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15
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Yang C, Xiao X, Huang L, Zhou F, Chen LH, Zhao YY, Qu SL, Zhang C. Role of Kruppel-like factor 4 in atherosclerosis. Clin Chim Acta 2020; 512:135-141. [PMID: 33181148 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2020.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is one of the chronic progressive diseases, which is caused by vascular injury and promoted by the interaction of various inflammatory factors and inflammatory cells. In recent years, kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), a significant transcription factor that participated in cell growth, differentiation and proliferation, has been proved to cause substantial impacts on regulating cardiovascular disease. This paper will give a comprehensive summary to highlight KLF4 as a crucial regulator of foam cell formation, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) phenotypic transformation, macrophage polarization, endothelial cells inflammation, lymphocyte differentiation and cell proliferation in the process of atherosclerosis. Recent studies show that KLF4 may be an important "molecular switch" in the process of improving vascular injury and inflammation under harmful stimulation, suggesting that KLF4 is a latent disease biomarker for the therapeutic target of atherosclerosis and vascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Yang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuan Xiao
- Research Lab for Clinical & Translational Medicine, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Liang Huang
- Research Lab for Clinical & Translational Medicine, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Zhou
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin-Hui Chen
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Yan Zhao
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Shun-Lin Qu
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Chi Zhang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, People's Republic of China.
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16
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Liu S, Yin P, Xu J, Dotts AJ, Kujawa SA, Coon V JS, Zhao H, Shilatifard A, Dai Y, Bulun SE. Targeting DNA Methylation Depletes Uterine Leiomyoma Stem Cell-enriched Population by Stimulating Their Differentiation. Endocrinology 2020; 161:5894164. [PMID: 32812024 PMCID: PMC7497820 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqaa143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Uterine leiomyoma (LM) is the most common tumor in women and can cause severe morbidity. Leiomyoma growth requires the maintenance and proliferation of a stem cell population. Dysregulated deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) methylation has been reported in LM, but its role in LM stem cell regulation remains unclear. Here, we fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS)-sorted cells from human LM tissues into 3 populations: LM stem cell-like cells (LSC, 5%), LM intermediate cells (LIC, 7%), and differentiated LM cells (LDC, 88%), and we analyzed the transcriptome and epigenetic landscape of LM cells at different differentiation stages. Leiomyoma stem cell-like cells harbored a unique methylome, with 8862 differentially methylated regions compared to LIC and 9444 compared to LDC, most of which were hypermethylated. Consistent with global hypermethylation, transcript levels of TET1 and TET3 methylcytosine dioxygenases were lower in LSC. Integrative analyses revealed an inverse relationship between methylation and gene expression changes during LSC differentiation. In LSC, hypermethylation suppressed the genes important for myometrium- and LM-associated functions, including muscle contraction and hormone action, to maintain stemness. The hypomethylating drug, 5'-Aza, stimulated LSC differentiation, depleting the stem cell population and inhibiting tumor initiation. Our data suggest that DNA methylation maintains the pool of LSC, which is critical for the regeneration of LM tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shimeng Liu
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Ping Yin
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Jingting Xu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Ariel J Dotts
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Stacy A Kujawa
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - John S Coon V
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Hong Zhao
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Ali Shilatifard
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Yang Dai
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Serdar E Bulun
- Division of Reproductive Science in Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
- Correspondence: Serdar E Bulun, MD, Prentice Women’s Hospital, 250 E. Superior Street, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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17
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Cholesterol Efflux Efficiency of Reconstituted HDL Is Affected by Nanoparticle Lipid Composition. Biomedicines 2020; 8:biomedicines8100373. [PMID: 32977626 PMCID: PMC7598155 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8100373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of mortality worldwide is primarily caused by atherosclerosis, which is promoted by the accumulation of low-density lipoproteins into the intima of large arteries. Multiple nanoparticles mimicking natural HDL (rHDL) have been designed to remove cholesterol excess in CVD therapy. The goal of this investigation was to assess the cholesterol efflux efficiency of rHDLs with different lipid compositions, mimicking different maturation stages of high-density lipoproteins (HDLs) occurring in vivo. Methods: the cholesterol efflux activity of soybean PC (Soy-PC), 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC), DPPC:Chol:1-palmitoyl-2-hydroxy-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (LysoPC) and DPPC:18:2 cholesteryl ester (CE):LysoPC rHDLs was determined in several cell models to investigate the contribution of lipid composition to the effectiveness of cholesterol removal. Results: DPPC rHDLs are the most efficient particles, inducing cholesterol efflux in all cellular models and in all conditions the effect was potentiated when the ABCA1 transporter was upregulated. Conclusions: DPPC rHDLs, which resemble nascent HDL, are the most effective particles in inducing cholesterol efflux due to the higher physical binding affinity of cholesterol to the saturated long-chain-length phospholipids and the favored cholesterol transfer from a highly positively curved bilayer, to an accepting planar bilayer such as DPPC rHDLs. The physicochemical characteristics of rHDLs should be taken into consideration to design more efficient nanoparticles to promote cholesterol efflux.
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18
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Miao G, Zhao X, Wang B, Zhang L, Wang G, Zheng N, Liu J, Xu Z, Zhang L. TLR2/CXCR4 coassociation facilitatesChlamydia pneumoniaeinfection-induced atherosclerosis. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2020; 318:H1420-H1435. [DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00011.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) have both been shown to be involved in atherosclerosis. We demonstrate for the first time the presence of TLR2/CXCR4 coassociation during C. pneumoniae infection-induced atherosclerosis. Amazingly, blocking of both TLR2 and CXCR4 significantly retards and even almost reverses this infection-induced atherosclerosis. Our work reveals new mechanisms about C. pneumoniae infection-induced atherosclerosis and identifies potential new therapeutic targets for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guolin Miao
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xi Zhao
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Beibei Wang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Lijun Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Guangyan Wang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Ningbo Zheng
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jingya Liu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhelong Xu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Lijun Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
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19
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Wu W, Shang Y, Dai S, Yu C, Wang J. Downregulation of miR‑142‑5p inhibits human aortic smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration by targeting MKL2. Mol Med Rep 2020; 22:277-285. [PMID: 32626937 PMCID: PMC7248461 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2020.11093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The increased proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are critical in the progression of atherosclerosis (AS). Platelet‑derived growth factor type BB (PDGF‑BB) may induce VSMC proliferation and migration. miR‑142‑5p plays a critical role in various biological processes, including tumorigenesis, angiogenesis and inflammation. However, whether miR‑142‑5p is involved in regulating the pathological process of arteriosclerosis remains to be elucidated. Therefore, in this study, the role of miR‑142‑5p in PDGF‑BB‑induced human aortic smooth muscle cell (HSAMC) proliferation and migration was investigated. The results revealed that the expression level of miR‑142‑5p was enhanced in the serum of patients with AS, while that of its target gene, myocardin‑like protein 2 (MKL2) was decreased, compared with that in healthy volunteers. Moreover, there was a negative correlation between miR‑142‑5p and MKL2 expression in the serum of patients with AS. Furthermore, the downregulation of miR‑142‑5p inhibited PDGF‑BB‑induced HASMC proliferation and migration; however, the inhibition of HASMC proliferation and migration was reversed by co‑transfection with small interfering RNA (siRNA) against MKL2 (siRNA‑MKL2). In addition, transfection with miR‑142‑5p inhibitor significantly increased the expression levels of MKL2, and decreased those of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2 and 9, and these effects were reversed by transfection with siRNA‑MKL2. Finally, MKL2 was proven to be a target of miR‑142‑5p. On the whole, the findings of the present study demonstrate that the downregulation of miR‑142‑5p inhibits human aortic smooth muscle cell (HSAMC) proliferation and migration possibly by targeting MKL2. Hence, miR‑142‑5p may prove to be a novel therapeutic target in the treatment of AS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wu
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430014, P.R. China
| | - Yuqiang Shang
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430014, P.R. China
| | - Shiling Dai
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430014, P.R. China
| | - Chunjun Yu
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430014, P.R. China
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430014, P.R. China
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Liu H, Lyu YN, Li D, Cui Y, Dai W, Li Y. Association of circulating growth differentiation factor-15, Krüppel-like factor 4 and growth arrest-specific 6 with coronary artery disease. Clin Chim Acta 2019; 495:630-636. [PMID: 31153870 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2019.05.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Revised: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current assessment tools for patients with acute chest pain are either traumatic (coronary angiography) or unreliable (measurement of cardiac troponin concentrations). We investigated whether the novel cardiovascular stress markers, serum growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) and growth arrest-specific 6 (gas6) may be useful biomarkers of coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS A total of 350 male patients were enrolled, 198 with CAD and 152 controls, based on coronary angiography. GDF-15, KLF4 and gas6 concentrations were measured using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Multivariate logistic regression and multivariate linear regression were performed to evaluate potential associations of GDF-15, KLF4 and gas6 with risk of CAD or CAD severity. RESULTS Serum GDF-15, KLF4 and gas6 concentrations were significantly higher in male patients with CAD than in control subjects (P < .05), and they correlated significantly with involvement of coronary vessels (P < .05). After adjusting for confounding factors, we found that circulating GDF-15 concentrations remained positively associated with the presence of CAD (odds ratio [OR] per 1-standard deviation [SD] increase, 3.182; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.586 to 6.382; P = .001), as did KLF4 concentrations (OR per 1-SD increase, 13.05; 95% CI 2.940 to 57.921, P = .001). Moreover, circulating GDF-15 concentrations were positively associated with the Gensini score (estimated SD change per 1-SD increase, 22.091; 95% CI 9.147 to 35.035, P = .001), as were KLF4 concentrations (estimated SD change per 1-SD increase, 27.996; 95% CI 10.082 to 45.910, P = .002). Gas6, in contrast, showed no relationship to presence of CAD or Gensini score. , CONCLUSIONS In this case-control study, increased concentrations of circulating GDF-15 and KLF4 were significantly associated with the presence and severity of CAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Wuhan Univ, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Yong-Nan Lyu
- Department of Cardiology, Wuhan Univ, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Di Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Wuhan Univ, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Cui
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Wuhan Univ, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Wen Dai
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Wuhan Univ, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Wuhan Univ, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan, China.
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