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Van Den Heuvel LJF, Peeters S, Meester JAN, Coucke PJ, Loeys BL. An exploration of alternative therapeutic targets for aortic disease in Marfan syndrome. Drug Discov Today 2024; 29:104023. [PMID: 38750929 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2024.104023] [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: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Marfan syndrome is a rare connective tissue disorder that causes aortic dissection-related sudden death. Current conventional treatments, beta-blockers, and type 1 angiotensin II receptor blockers are prescribed to slow down aortic aneurysm progression and delay (prophylactic) aortic surgery. However, neither of these treatments ceases aortic growth completely. This review focuses on potential alternative therapeutic leads in the field, ranging from widely used medication with beneficial effects on the aorta to experimental inhibitors with the potential to stop aortic growth in Marfan syndrome. Clinical trials are warranted to uncover their full potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lotte J F Van Den Heuvel
- Center for Medical Genetics Antwerp, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium; Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Silke Peeters
- Center for Medical Genetics Antwerp, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Josephina A N Meester
- Center for Medical Genetics Antwerp, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Paul J Coucke
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bart L Loeys
- Center for Medical Genetics Antwerp, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium; Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
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Gong Y, Li T, Liu Q, Wang X, Deng Z, Cheng L, Yu B, Liu H. Analysis of differential metabolites in serum metabolomics of patients with aortic dissection. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2024; 24:226. [PMID: 38664632 PMCID: PMC11044603 DOI: 10.1186/s12872-024-03798-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pathogenesis and diagnostic biomarkers of aortic dissection (AD) can be categorized through the analysis of differential metabolites in serum. Analysis of differential metabolites in serum provides new methods for exploring the early diagnosis and treatment of aortic dissection. OBJECTIVES This study examined affected metabolic pathways to assess the diagnostic value of metabolomics biomarkers in clients with AD. METHOD The serum from 30 patients with AD and 30 healthy people was collected. The most diagnostic metabolite markers were determined using metabolomic analysis and related metabolic pathways were explored. RESULTS In total, 71 differential metabolites were identified. The altered metabolic pathways included reduced phospholipid catabolism and four different metabolites considered of most diagnostic value including N2-gamma-glutamylglutamine, PC(phocholines) (20:4(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)/15:0), propionyl carnitine, and taurine. These four predictive metabolic biomarkers accurately classified AD patient and healthy control (HC) samples with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.9875. Based on the value of the four different metabolites, a formula was created to calculate the risk of aortic dissection. Risk score = (N2-gamma-glutamylglutamine × -0.684) + (PC (20:4(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)/15:0) × 0.427) + (propionyl carnitine × 0.523) + (taurine × -1.242). An additional metabolic pathways model related to aortic dissection was explored. CONCLUSION Metabolomics can assist in investigating the metabolic disorders associated with AD and facilitate a more in-depth search for potential metabolic biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Gong
- Department of Cardiology, Shenzhen Cardiovascular Minimally Invasive Medical Engineering Technology Research and Development Center, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518020, China
| | - Tangzhiming Li
- Department of Cardiology, Shenzhen Cardiovascular Minimally Invasive Medical Engineering Technology Research and Development Center, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518020, China
| | - Qiyun Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Shenzhen Cardiovascular Minimally Invasive Medical Engineering Technology Research and Development Center, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518020, China
| | - Xiaoyu Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Shenzhen Cardiovascular Minimally Invasive Medical Engineering Technology Research and Development Center, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518020, China
| | - Zixian Deng
- Department of Cardiology, Shenzhen Cardiovascular Minimally Invasive Medical Engineering Technology Research and Development Center, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518020, China
| | - Lixin Cheng
- Department of Cardiology, Shenzhen Cardiovascular Minimally Invasive Medical Engineering Technology Research and Development Center, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518020, China.
| | - Biao Yu
- Luohu People's Hospital (Shenzhen Luohu Hospital Group, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University), Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518020, China.
| | - Huadong Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Shenzhen Cardiovascular Minimally Invasive Medical Engineering Technology Research and Development Center, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518020, China.
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Yu L, Huang T, Zhao J, Zhou Z, Cao Z, Chi Y, Meng S, Huang Y, Xu Y, Xia L, Jiang H, Yin Z, Wang H. Branched-chain amino acid catabolic defect in vascular smooth muscle cells drives thoracic aortic dissection via mTOR hyperactivation. Free Radic Biol Med 2024; 210:25-41. [PMID: 37956909 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2023.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of thoracic aortic dissection (TAD). Previous researches have mainly focused on dysregulation of fatty acid or glucose metabolism, while the impact of amino acids catabolic disorder in VSMCs during the development of TAD remains elusive. Here, we identified branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) catabolic defect as a metabolic hallmark of TAD. The bioinformatics analysis and data from human aorta revealed impaired BCAA catabolism in TAD individuals. This was accompanied by upregulated branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase kinase (BCKDK) expression and BCKD E1 subunit alpha (BCKDHA) phosphorylation, enhanced vascular inflammation, and hyperactivation of mTOR signaling. Further in vivo experiments demonstrated that inhibition of BCKDK with BT2 (a BCKDK allosteric inhibitor) treatment dephosphorylated BCKDHA and re-activated BCAA catabolism, attenuated VSMCs phenotypic switching, alleviated aortic remodeling, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage and vascular inflammation. Additionally, the beneficial actions of BT2 were validated in a TNF-α challenged murine VSMC cell line. Meanwhile, rapamycin conferred similar beneficial effects against VSMC phenotypic switching, cellular ROS damage as well as inflammatory response. However, co-treatment with MHY1485 (a classic mTOR activator) reversed the beneficial effects of BT2 by reactivating mTOR signaling. Taken together, the in vivo and in vitro evidence showed that impairment of BCAA catabolism resulted in aortic accumulation of BCAA and further caused VSMC phenotypic switching, mitochondrial ROS damage and inflammatory response via mTOR hyperactivation. BCKDK and mTOR signaling may serve as the potential drug targets for the prevention and treatment of TAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liming Yu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, 83 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, PR China
| | - Tao Huang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, 83 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, PR China
| | - Jikai Zhao
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, 83 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, PR China
| | - Zijun Zhou
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, 83 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, PR China
| | - Zijun Cao
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, 83 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, PR China; Graduate School, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110847, PR China
| | - Yanbang Chi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, 83 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, PR China
| | - Shan Meng
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, 83 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, PR China; Graduate School, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, 121001, PR China
| | - Yuting Huang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, 83 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, PR China
| | - Yinli Xu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, 83 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, PR China
| | - Lin Xia
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, 83 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, PR China
| | - Hui Jiang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, 83 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, PR China
| | - Zongtao Yin
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, 83 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, PR China
| | - Huishan Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, 83 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110016, PR China.
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Shen X, Xie X, Wu Q, Shi F, Chen Y, Yuan S, Xing K, Li X, Zhu Q, Li B, Wang Z. S-adenosylmethionine attenuates angiotensin II-induced aortic dissection formation by inhibiting vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic switch and autophagy. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 219:115967. [PMID: 38065291 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115967] [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: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
It is well known that aortic dissection (AD) is a very aggressive class of vascular diseases. S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) is an autophagy inhibitor with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress effects; however, the role of SAM in AD is unknown. In this study, we constructed an animal model of AD using subcutaneous minipump continuous infusion of AngII-induced ApoE-/-mice and a cytopathic model using AngII-induced primary vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) to investigate the possible role of SAM in AD. The results showed that mice in the AngII + SAM group had significantly lower AD incidence, significantly prolonged survival, and reduced vascular elastic fiber disruption compared with mice in the AngII group. In addition, SAM significantly inhibited autophagy in vivo and in vitro. Meanwhile, SAM also inhibited the cellular phenotypic switch, mainly by up regulating the expression levels of contractile marker proteins [α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and smooth muscle 22α (SM22α)] and down regulating the expression levels of synthetic marker proteins [osteoblast protein (OPN), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9)]. Molecularly, SAM inhibited AD formation mainly by activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Using a PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) significantly reversed the protective effect of SAM in AngII-induced mice and VSMCs.Our study demonstrates the protective effect of SAM on mice under AngII-induced AD for the first time. SAM prevented AD formation mainly by inhibiting cellular phenotypic switch and autophagy, and activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway is a possible molecular mechanism. Thus, SAM may be a novel strategy for the treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Shen
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China; Cardiovascular Surgery Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 9 Zhangzhidong Road, Wuhan 430000, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China; Central Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 9 Zhangzhidong Road, Wuhan 430000, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoping Xie
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China; Cardiovascular Surgery Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 9 Zhangzhidong Road, Wuhan 430000, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China; Central Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 9 Zhangzhidong Road, Wuhan 430000, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Wu
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China; Cardiovascular Surgery Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 9 Zhangzhidong Road, Wuhan 430000, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China; Central Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 9 Zhangzhidong Road, Wuhan 430000, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Shi
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China; Cardiovascular Surgery Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 9 Zhangzhidong Road, Wuhan 430000, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China; Central Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 9 Zhangzhidong Road, Wuhan 430000, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanyang Chen
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China; Cardiovascular Surgery Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 9 Zhangzhidong Road, Wuhan 430000, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China; Central Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 9 Zhangzhidong Road, Wuhan 430000, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Shun Yuan
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China; Cardiovascular Surgery Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 9 Zhangzhidong Road, Wuhan 430000, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China; Central Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 9 Zhangzhidong Road, Wuhan 430000, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Kai Xing
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China; Cardiovascular Surgery Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 9 Zhangzhidong Road, Wuhan 430000, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China; Central Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 9 Zhangzhidong Road, Wuhan 430000, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xu Li
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China; Cardiovascular Surgery Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 9 Zhangzhidong Road, Wuhan 430000, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China; Central Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 9 Zhangzhidong Road, Wuhan 430000, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingyi Zhu
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China; Cardiovascular Surgery Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 9 Zhangzhidong Road, Wuhan 430000, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China; Central Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 9 Zhangzhidong Road, Wuhan 430000, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Bowen Li
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China; Cardiovascular Surgery Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 9 Zhangzhidong Road, Wuhan 430000, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China; Central Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 9 Zhangzhidong Road, Wuhan 430000, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhiwei Wang
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China; Cardiovascular Surgery Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 9 Zhangzhidong Road, Wuhan 430000, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China; Central Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 9 Zhangzhidong Road, Wuhan 430000, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China.
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Kurata A, Harada Y, Fujita K, Ohno SI, Takanashi M, Yoshizawa S, Nagashima Y, Nagao T, Yamaguchi J, Kuroda M. Smooth muscle differentiation of coronary intima in autopsy tissues after sirolimus-eluting stent implantation. Cardiovasc Pathol 2023; 66:107554. [PMID: 37321466 DOI: 10.1016/j.carpath.2023.107554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In coronary atherosclerotic disease, the proliferation of intimal smooth muscle cells (SMCs) is regarded as beneficial with respect to stable and unstable plaques, but is thought detrimental in discussions on coronary stent restenosis. To resolve this discrepancy, we focused on the quality, not quantity, of intimal SMCs in coronary atherosclerotic disease. METHODS Autopsied coronary artery specimens from seven patients implanted with bare metal stents (BMS), three with paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES), and 10 with sirolimus (rapamycin)-eluting stents (SES) were immunostained for SMC markers. Cultured human coronary artery SMCs were also treated with sirolimus and paclitaxel. RESULTS Intimal SMC differentiation, estimated by the ratio of h-caldesmon+ cells to α-smooth muscle actin+ (α-SMA+) cells, was significantly increased whereas dedifferentiation, estimated from the ratio of fibroblast activation protein alpha (FAPα)+ cells to α-SMA+ cells, was significantly decreased, in tissues of SES compared with BMS cases. No difference in the degree of differentiation was found between PES and BMS cases or between the three groups in nonstented arteries used as controls. Correlation analyses for each field of view revealed a significant positive correlation between h-caldesmon and calponin staining but significant negative correlations with FAPα staining in α-SMA+ cells. Cultured SMCs were shorter (dedifferentiated) and showed an increased FAPα/α-SMA protein when treated with paclitaxel, whereas they became elongated (differentiated) and showed increased calponin/α-SMA proteins with sirolimus. CONCLUSIONS The SMCs of the coronary intima may differentiate after SES implantation. SMC differentiation may explain both the plaque stabilization and reduced risk of reintervention associated with SES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Kurata
- Department of Pathology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Yuichiro Harada
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokyo Medical University, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koji Fujita
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokyo Medical University, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichiro Ohno
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokyo Medical University, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masakatsu Takanashi
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokyo Medical University, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Saeko Yoshizawa
- Department of Surgical Pathology, Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoji Nagashima
- Department of Surgical Pathology, Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshitaka Nagao
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Tokyo Medical University, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Junichi Yamaguchi
- Department of Cardiology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiko Kuroda
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokyo Medical University, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
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Sawada H, Daugherty A. BEST3-Mediated MEKK2/3 Activation: A Novel Therapeutic Target in Aortopathies. Circulation 2023; 148:607-609. [PMID: 37579014 PMCID: PMC10430773 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.123.065946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hisashi Sawada
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, Saha Aortic Center, Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, KY Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (H.S., A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Saha Aortic Center (H.S., A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Department of Physiology (H.S., A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, Saha Aortic Center, Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, KY Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (H.S., A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Saha Aortic Center (H.S., A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Department of Physiology (H.S., A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
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Yamanouchi D. Unpacking the Complexities of a Silent Killer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087125. [PMID: 37108288 PMCID: PMC10139038 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening condition that affects millions of people worldwide [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Dai Yamanouchi
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705, USA
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Song W, Qin L, Chen Y, Chen J, Wei L. Single-cell transcriptome analysis identifies Versican(+) myofibroblast as a hallmark for thoracic aortic aneurysm marked by activation of PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 643:175-185. [PMID: 36621113 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.12.086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is a silent but dangerous cardiovascular disease. Understanding molecular mechanisms of TAA on single-cell level might provide new strategies for preventing and treating TAA. METHODS Single-cell RNA sequencing was performed on control and aneurysmal thoracic aorta to find out specific cell clusters and cell types. Western blot and histological staining were used to verify the findings of single-cell transcriptome analysis. Characteristics of Versican (VCAN) overexpressed myofibroblast was evaluated through bioinformatic methods and experimental validation. RESULTS A total of 3 control and 8 TAA specimens were used for single-cell transcriptome analysis including 48,128 thoracic aortic cells. Among these cells, we found out a specific cell cluster containing both hallmarks of smooth muscle cell (SMC) and fibroblast. Thus, we defined these cells as myofibroblast. Further single-cell transcriptome analysis identified VCAN as a cellular marker of myofibroblast. Western blot and histological staining revealed that VCAN(+) myofibroblast was significantly increased in TAA specimens compared with control individuals. Differential analysis, functional, pathway enrichment analysis and cell-cell communication analysis demonstrated that VCAN(+) myofibroblast was closely associated with previous reported TAA associated pathological process including SMC proliferation, SMC migration and extracellular matrix (ECM) disruption. Pathway analysis found out significant activation of PI3K-AKT signaling pathway within VCAN(+) myofibroblast, which was further confirmed by experimental validation. CONCLUSIONS Single-cell RNA sequencing identified VCAN(+) myofibroblast as a typical cellular hallmark of TAA. These cells might participate in the pathogenesis of TAA through activation of PI3K-AKT signaling pathway to link SMC proliferation, SMC migration and ECM disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyu Song
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Lieyang Qin
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yifu Chen
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Jinmiao Chen
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Lai Wei
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Zaradzki M, Mohr F, Lont S, Soethoff J, Remes A, Arif R, Müller OJ, Karck M, Hecker M, Wagner AH. Short-term rapamycin treatment increases life span and attenuates aortic aneurysm in a murine model of Marfan-Syndrome. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 205:115280. [PMID: 36198355 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115280] [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: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a genetic disorder leading to medial aortic degeneration and life-limiting dissections. To date, there is no causal prevention or therapy. Rapamycin is a potent and selective inhibitor of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) protein kinase, regulating cell growth and metabolism. The mgR/mgR mice represent an accepted MFS model for studying aortic pathologies to understand the underlying molecular pathomechanisms. This study investigated whether rapamycin inhibits the development of thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections in mgR/mgR mice. METHODS Isolated primary aortic smooth muscle cells (mAoSMCs) from mgR/mgR mice were used for in vitro studies. Two mg kg/BW rapamycin was injected intraperitoneally daily for two weeks, beginning at 7-8 weeks of age. Mice were sacrificed 30 days post-treatment. Histopathological and immunofluorescence analyses were performed using adequate tissue specimens and techniques. Animal survival was evaluated accompanied by periodic echocardiographic examinations of the aorta. RESULTS The protein level of the phosphorylated ribosomal protein S6 (p-RPS6), a downstream target of mTOR, was significantly increased in the aortic tissue of mgR/mgR mice. In mAoSMCs isolated from these animals, expression of mTOR, p-RPS6, tumour necrosis factor α, matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 was significantly suppressed by rapamycin, demonstrating its anti-inflammatory capacity. Short-term rapamycin treatment of Marfan mice was associated with delayed aneurysm formation, medial aortic elastolysis and improved survival. CONCLUSIONS Short-term rapamycin-mediated mTOR inhibition significantly reduces aortic aneurysm formation and thus increases survival in mgR/mgR mice. Our results may offer the first causal treatment option to prevent aortic complications in MFS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Zaradzki
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - F Mohr
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - S Lont
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - J Soethoff
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - A Remes
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University of Kiel and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel; German Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Germany
| | - R Arif
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - O J Müller
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University of Kiel and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel; German Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Germany
| | - M Karck
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - M Hecker
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - A H Wagner
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
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Fang ZM, Feng X, Chen Y, Luo H, Jiang DS, Yi X. Targeting autophagy in aortic aneurysm and dissection. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 153:113547. [PMID: 36076620 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
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Alsayed HA, Mohammad HMF, Khalil CM, El-Kherbetawy MK, Elaidy SM. Autophagy modulation by irbesartan mitigates the pulmonary fibrotic alterations in bleomycin challenged rats: Comparative study with rapamycin. Life Sci 2022; 303:120662. [PMID: 35636582 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
AIMS In pulmonary fibrosis, autophagy handles the maintenance of alveolar epithelial cells, prevents epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and controls collagen turnover. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and its translational-dependent proteins are essential regulators of autophagy. Irbesartan (IRB) has earlier ameliorative effects in experimental pulmonary fibrosis. The current study aimed to explore therapeutic autophagy-modulated pulmonary fibrotic changes by IRB versus rapamycin (RAPA) in bleomycin (BLM)-challenged rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS A single intratracheal BLM dose at day (0), IRB in different doses (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) or RAPA (2.5 mg/kg) was given daily for 14 continuous days. KEY FINDINGS IRB significantly diminished the fibrotic lung scores. Pulmonary levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and hydroxyproline exhibited marked attenuation in IRB (40 mg/kg)-treated rats compared to other treated groups. IRB (40 mg/kg) was not significantly different from RAPA. It downregulated the fibrotic lung phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR) levels and augmented lung Unc-51-like autophagy activating kinase 1 (ULK1), LC3-I and LC3-II more than IRB (10 and 20 mg/kg)-treated fibrotic groups. SIGNIFICANCE Autophagic effects via the mTOR signalling pathway may play a role in IRB's antifibrotic effects. Consideration of IRB as a therapeutic antifibrotic agent in pulmonary fibrosis needs further experimental and clinical long-term validation, especially in comorbid with primary hypertension, heart failure, and diabetic renal insults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadeer A Alsayed
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Hala M F Mohammad
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt; Central Laboratory, Center of Excellence in Molecular and Cellular Medicine (CEMCM), Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Cherine M Khalil
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt
| | | | - Samah M Elaidy
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt.
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The Effect of Chronic Immunosuppressive Regimens Treatment on Aortal Media Morphology and the Balance between Matrix Metalloproteinases (mmp-2 and mmp-9) and Their Inhibitors in the Abdominal Aorta of Rats. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19116399. [PMID: 35681984 PMCID: PMC9180580 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19116399] [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: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Immunosuppressive drugs are widely and chronically used to avoid graft rejection in transplant recipients. However, they are also known to have organotoxic effects and can exert numerous side effects. The aim of this study was to assess whether the chronic treatment of rats with the most commonly used clinical immunosuppressive regimens in organ recipients had an effect on the morphology and function of the aorta. The rats were divided into five groups and each group was chronically treated with different sets of three immunosuppressive drugs (TRG, CRG, MRG, CMG, TMG) for 6 months. The changes were most profound in calcineurin inhibitor-based protocols. TMG protocol treatment was characterized by the most numerous alterations such as morphological changes, changes in the thickness of the tunic media, wider distances between elastic lamellae, an increase in the number of vSMCs and changes in collagen deposition. We concluded that the morphological changes were connected with MMP-2 and MMP-9/TIMP-2 and TIMP-1 imbalances, which was also determined and noticed.
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Estrada AC, Irons L, Rego BV, Li G, Tellides G, Humphrey JD. Roles of mTOR in thoracic aortopathy understood by complex intracellular signaling interactions. PLoS Comput Biol 2021; 17:e1009683. [PMID: 34898595 PMCID: PMC8700007 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Thoracic aortopathy–aneurysm, dissection, and rupture–is increasingly responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. Advances in medical genetics and imaging have improved diagnosis and thus enabled earlier prophylactic surgical intervention in many cases. There remains a pressing need, however, to understand better the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms with the hope of finding robust pharmacotherapies. Diverse studies in patients and mouse models of aortopathy have revealed critical changes in multiple smooth muscle cell signaling pathways that associate with disease, yet integrating information across studies and models has remained challenging. We present a new quantitative network model that includes many of the key smooth muscle cell signaling pathways and validate the model using a detailed data set that focuses on hyperactivation of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway and its inhibition using rapamycin. We show that the model can be parameterized to capture the primary experimental findings both qualitatively and quantitatively. We further show that simulating a population of cells by varying receptor reaction weights leads to distinct proteomic clusters within the population, and that these clusters emerge due to a bistable switch driven by positive feedback in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Cell signaling drives changes across scales, from altered transcription at the single-cell level to tissue-level growth and remodeling. Studying complex interactions within cell signaling pathways can lead to a better understanding of the progression of disease. In particular, we are interested in how vascular cells can change their phenotype in a way that exacerbates aortopathy, namely, the development of aneurysms, dissections, and rupture. In this study we built a novel cell signaling network model of a vascular smooth muscle cell using archival data and used it to capture the effects of a genetic knock-out and subsequent pharmacologic rescue. We then used the model to simulate populations of smooth muscle cells and found that small perturbations to the strength of signaling can lead to distinct clusters of cells. With further analysis of the network substructures, we found that a positive feedback loop within the network was responsible for the distinct phenotypes we saw in our clusters of simulated cells. We believe that this work not only helps us to understand changes in smooth muscle cell phenotype but also opens the possibility to study other signaling perturbations associated with aortopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana C. Estrada
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University; New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Linda Irons
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University; New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Bruno V. Rego
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University; New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Guangxin Li
- Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine; New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - George Tellides
- Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine; New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale School of Medicine; New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Jay D. Humphrey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University; New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale School of Medicine; New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Liu J, Yang Y, Liu X, Widjaya AS, Jiang B, Jiang Y. Macrophage-biomimetic anti-inflammatory liposomes for homing and treating of aortic dissection. J Control Release 2021; 337:224-235. [PMID: 34298057 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.07.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Aortic dissection (AD) is a life-threatening disease featured by the dissection of intimal layer and the formation of a blood-filled false lumen within the aortic wall. Recent studies revealed that the formation and progression of AD lesions is closely related to vascular inflammation and macrophage infiltration. However, the potential efficacy of anti-inflammatory therapy on the prevention and treatment of AD has not been extensively investigated. Herein, we proposed a biomimetic anti-inflammatory liposome (PM/TN-CCLP) co-loaded with curcumin and celecoxib (CC), modified with cell-penetrating TAT-NBD fusion peptide (TN), and further camouflaged by isolated macrophage plasma membrane (PM), as a potential nanotherapy for AD. In vitro results showed that PM/TN-CCLP exhibited low cytotoxicity and elevated cellular uptake by inflammatory macrophages, and prominently inhibited the transendothelial migration, inflammatory responses and ROS generation of macrophages. Moreover, the PM/TN-CCLP treatment significantly prevented the H2O2-induced smooth muscle cell apoptosis. In vivo experiments were performed on the acute and chronic AD mouse models, respectively. The results verified the elevated accumulation of PM-camouflaged liposome at the aorta lesions. Further, the anti-inflammatory liposomes, especially PM/TN-CCLP, could reduce the rupture rate of dissection, prevent the loss of elastic fibers, and reduce MMP-9 expression as well as macrophage infiltration in the aortic lesions. Notably, as compared with free drugs and TN-CCLP, the PM/TN-CCLP treatment displayed the longest survival period along with the minimal aortic injury on both acute and chronic AD mice. Taken together, the present study suggested that the macrophage-biomimetic anti-inflammatory nanotherapy would be a promising strategy for the prevention and therapy of aortic dissection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingxuan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education (Fudan University), Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yueying Yang
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education (Fudan University), Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xiao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education (Fudan University), Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Andy Samuel Widjaya
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education (Fudan University), Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Baohong Jiang
- Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Yanyan Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education (Fudan University), Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China.
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