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Chambers KL, Watson MG, Myerscough MR. A Lipid-Structured Model of Atherosclerosis with Macrophage Proliferation. Bull Math Biol 2024; 86:104. [PMID: 38980556 PMCID: PMC11233351 DOI: 10.1007/s11538-024-01333-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Atherosclerotic plaques are fatty deposits that form in the walls of major arteries and are one of the major causes of heart attacks and strokes. Macrophages are the main immune cells in plaques and macrophage dynamics influence whether plaques grow or regress. Macrophage proliferation is a key process in atherosclerosis, particularly in the development of mid-stage plaques, but very few mathematical models include proliferation. In this paper we reframe the lipid-structured model of Ford et al. (J Theor Biol 479:48-63, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtbi.2019.07.003 ) to account for macrophage proliferation. Proliferation is modelled as a non-local decrease in the lipid structural variable. Steady state analysis indicates that proliferation assists in reducing eventual necrotic core lipid content and spreads the lipid load of the macrophage population amongst the cells. The contribution of plaque macrophages from proliferation relative to recruitment from the bloodstream is also examined. The model suggests that a more proliferative plaque differs from an equivalent (defined as having the same lipid content and cell numbers) recruitment-dominant plaque in the way lipid is distributed amongst the macrophages. The macrophage lipid distribution of an equivalent proliferation-dominant plaque is less skewed and exhibits a local maximum near the endogenous lipid content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith L Chambers
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
- Mathematical Institute, The University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX2 6GG, UK
| | - Michael G Watson
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Mary R Myerscough
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
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2
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Zhou Y, Sekar NC, Thurgood P, Needham S, Peter K, Khoshmanesh K, Baratchi S. Bioengineered Vascular Model of Foam Cell Formation. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:6947-6955. [PMID: 38018792 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c01308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Foam cell formation is a complex blood vessel pathology, which is characterized by a series of events, including endothelium dysfunction, inflammation, and accumulation of immune cells underneath the blood vessel walls. Novel bioengineered models capable of recapitulating these events are required to better understand the complex pathological processes underlying the development of foam cell formation and, consequently, advanced bioengineered platforms for screening drugs. Here, we generated a microfluidic blood vessel model, incorporating a three-dimensional (3D) extracellular matrix coated with an endothelial layer. This system enables us to perform experiments under a dynamic microenvironment that recapitulates the complexities of the native vascular regions. Using this model, we studied the effectors that regulate monocyte adhesion and migration, as well as foam cell formation inside vessel walls. We found that monocyte adhesion and migration are regulated by both the endothelium and monocytes themselves. Monocytes migrated into the extracellular matrix only when endothelial cells were cultured in the vessel model. In addition, the exposure of an endothelial layer to tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and low shear stress both increased monocyte migration into the subendothelial space toward the matrix. Furthermore, we demonstrated the process of foam cell formation, 3 days after transmigration of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) into the vessel wall. We showed that pre-exposure of PBMCs to high shear rates increases their adhesion and migration through the TNF-α-treated endothelium but does not affect their capacity to form foam cells. The versatility of our model allows for mechanistic studies on foam cell formation under customized pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhou
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria 3082, Australia
| | - Nadia Chandra Sekar
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria 3082, Australia
| | - Peter Thurgood
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Scott Needham
- Leading Technology Group, Kew, Victoria 3101, Australia
| | - Karlheinz Peter
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia
- Department of Cardiometabolic Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Khashayar Khoshmanesh
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Sara Baratchi
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria 3082, Australia
- Department of Cardiometabolic Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
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Kelesidis T, Sharma M, Sharma E, Ruedisueli I, Tran E, Middlekauff HR. Chronic Electronic Cigarette Use and Atherosclerosis Risk in Young People: A Cross-Sectional Study-Brief Report. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2023; 43:1713-1718. [PMID: 37409529 PMCID: PMC10527452 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.319172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known whether electronic cigarettes (ECIG) increase vulnerability to future atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. We determined, using an ex vivo mechanistic atherogenesis assay, whether proatherogenic changes including monocyte transendothelial migration and monocyte-derived foam cell formation are increased in people who use ECIGs. METHODS In a cross-sectional single-center study using plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy participants who are nonsmokers or with exclusive use of ECIGs or tobacco cigarettes (TCIGs), autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells with patient plasma and pooled peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy nonsmokers with patient plasma were utilized to dissect patient-specific ex vivo proatherogenic circulating factors present in plasma and cellular factors present in monocytes. Our main outcomes were monocyte transendothelial migration (% of blood monocyte cells that undergo transendothelial migration through a collagen gel) and monocyte-derived foam cell formation as determined by flow cytometry and the median fluorescence intensity of the lipid-staining fluorochrome BODIPY in monocytes of participants in the setting of an ex vivo model of atherogenesis. RESULTS Study participants (N=60) had median age of 24.0 years (interquartile range [IQR], 22.0-25.0 years), and 31 were females. Monocyte transendothelial migration was increased in people who exclusively used TCIGs (n=18; median [IQR], 2.30 [ 1.29-2.82]; P<0.001) and in people who exclusively used ECIGs (n=21; median [IQR], 1.42 [ 0.96-1.91]; P<0.01) compared with nonsmoking controls (n=21; median [IQR], 1.05 [0.66-1.24]). Monocyte-derived foam cell formation was increased in people who exclusively used TCIGs (median [IQR], 2.01 [ 1.59-2.49]; P<0.001) and in people who exclusively used ECIGs (median [IQR], 1.54 [ 1.10-1.86]; P<0.001) compared with nonsmoker controls (median [IQR], 0.97 [0.86-1.22]). Both monocyte transendothelial migration and monocyte-derived foam cell formation were higher in TCIG smokers compared with ECIG users and in ECIG users who were former smokers versus ECIG users who were never smokers (P<0.05 for all comparisons). CONCLUSIONS The finding of alterations in proatherogenic properties of blood monocytes and plasma in TCIG smokers compared with nonsmokers validates this assay as a strong ex vivo mechanistic tool with which to measure proatherogenic changes in people who use ECIGs. Similar yet significantly less severe alterations in proatherogenic properties of monocytes and plasma were detected in the blood from ECIG users. Future studies are necessary to determine whether these findings are attributable to a residual effect of prior smoking or are a direct effect of current ECIG use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodoros Kelesidis
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Madhav Sharma
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Eashan Sharma
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Isabelle Ruedisueli
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Elizabeth Tran
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Holly R. Middlekauff
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
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Jebari-Benslaiman S, Galicia-García U, Larrea-Sebal A, Olaetxea JR, Alloza I, Vandenbroeck K, Benito-Vicente A, Martín C. Pathophysiology of Atherosclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23063346. [PMID: 35328769 PMCID: PMC8954705 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 245] [Impact Index Per Article: 122.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is the main risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Atherosclerosis is initiated by endothelium activation and, followed by a cascade of events (accumulation of lipids, fibrous elements, and calcification), triggers the vessel narrowing and activation of inflammatory pathways. The resultant atheroma plaque, along with these processes, results in cardiovascular complications. This review focuses on the different stages of atherosclerosis development, ranging from endothelial dysfunction to plaque rupture. In addition, the post-transcriptional regulation and modulation of atheroma plaque by microRNAs and lncRNAs, the role of microbiota, and the importance of sex as a crucial risk factor in atherosclerosis are covered here in order to provide a global view of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shifa Jebari-Benslaiman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidad del País Vasco UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain; (S.J.-B.); (I.A.); (K.V.)
- Biofisika Institute (UPV/EHU, CSIC), Barrio Sarriena s/n., 48940 Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain; (U.G.-G.); (A.L.-S.)
| | - Unai Galicia-García
- Biofisika Institute (UPV/EHU, CSIC), Barrio Sarriena s/n., 48940 Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain; (U.G.-G.); (A.L.-S.)
- Fundación Biofisika Bizkaia, Barrio Sarriena s/n., 48940 Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Asier Larrea-Sebal
- Biofisika Institute (UPV/EHU, CSIC), Barrio Sarriena s/n., 48940 Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain; (U.G.-G.); (A.L.-S.)
- Fundación Biofisika Bizkaia, Barrio Sarriena s/n., 48940 Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | | | - Iraide Alloza
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidad del País Vasco UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain; (S.J.-B.); (I.A.); (K.V.)
- Inflammation & Biomarkers Group, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903 Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Koen Vandenbroeck
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidad del País Vasco UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain; (S.J.-B.); (I.A.); (K.V.)
- Inflammation & Biomarkers Group, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, 48903 Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48013 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Asier Benito-Vicente
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidad del País Vasco UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain; (S.J.-B.); (I.A.); (K.V.)
- Biofisika Institute (UPV/EHU, CSIC), Barrio Sarriena s/n., 48940 Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain; (U.G.-G.); (A.L.-S.)
- Correspondence: (A.B.-V.); (C.M.); Tel.: +34-946-01-2741 (C.M.)
| | - César Martín
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universidad del País Vasco UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain; (S.J.-B.); (I.A.); (K.V.)
- Biofisika Institute (UPV/EHU, CSIC), Barrio Sarriena s/n., 48940 Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain; (U.G.-G.); (A.L.-S.)
- Correspondence: (A.B.-V.); (C.M.); Tel.: +34-946-01-2741 (C.M.)
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Ramji DP, Ismail A, Chen J, Alradi F, Al Alawi S. Survey of In Vitro Model Systems for Investigation of Key Cellular Processes Associated with Atherosclerosis. METHODS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (CLIFTON, N.J.) 2022; 2419:39-56. [PMID: 35237957 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1924-7_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis progression is associated with a complex array of cellular processes in the arterial wall, including endothelial cell activation/dysfunction, chemokine-driven recruitment of immune cells, differentiation of monocytes to macrophages and their subsequent transformation into lipid laden foam cells, activation of inflammasome and pro-inflammatory signaling, and migration of smooth muscle cells from the media to the intima. The use of in vitro model systems has considerably advanced our understanding of these atherosclerosis-associated processes and they are also often used in drug discovery and other screening platforms. This chapter will describe key in vitro model systems employed frequently in atherosclerosis research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dipak P Ramji
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
| | - Alaa Ismail
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Jing Chen
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Fahad Alradi
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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Priyamvara A, Dey AK, Bandyopadhyay D, Katikineni V, Zaghlol R, Basyal B, Barssoum K, Amarin R, Bhatt DL, Lavie CJ. Periodontal Inflammation and the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease. Curr Atheroscler Rep 2020; 22:28. [PMID: 32514778 DOI: 10.1007/s11883-020-00848-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The role of oral bacteremia and periodontal inflammation driving atherosclerosis is still under investigation. This review article highlights the role of periodontal inflammation and oral microorganisms in the development and progression of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. RECENT FINDINGS Association between periodontal and cardiovascular diseases has been well characterized, but causal correlation is yet to be established. For instance, untreated gingivitis can progress to periodontitis. Periodontal disease has been associated with several systemic diseases one of which is atherosclerosis. One possible association that was documented in literature is that poor oral hygiene leads to bacteremia, which in turn can cause bacterial growth over atherosclerotic coronary artery plaques and possibly worsen coronary artery disease. It is crucial that clinicians understand the association between periodontal and cardiovascular disease. A comprehensive treatment for periodontitis and re-establishment of a healthy periodontium can help in reduction of overall inflammation in the body. This may play an important role in prevention of cardiovascular disease, though future research is needed to establish this.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amit K Dey
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Raja Zaghlol
- Division of Internal Medicine, Georgetown University Hospital/Medstar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Binaya Basyal
- Division of Internal Medicine, Georgetown University Hospital/Medstar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Kirolos Barssoum
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rochester General Hospital, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Rula Amarin
- Division of Prosthodontics, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Deepak L Bhatt
- Brigham and Women's Hospital Heart & Vascular Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Carl J Lavie
- Department of Cardiology, John Ochsner Heart and Vascular Institute, Ochsner Clinical School-UQ School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, 20814, USA.
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Jaworowski A, Hearps AC, Angelovich TA, Hoy JF. How Monocytes Contribute to Increased Risk of Atherosclerosis in Virologically-Suppressed HIV-Positive Individuals Receiving Combination Antiretroviral Therapy. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1378. [PMID: 31275317 PMCID: PMC6593090 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) is effective at suppressing HIV viremia to achieve persistently undetectable levels in peripheral blood in the majority of individuals with access and ability to maintain adherence to treatment. However, evidence suggests that ART is less effective at eliminating HIV-associated inflammation and innate immune activation. To the extent that residual inflammation and immune activation persist, virologically suppressed people living with HIV (PLWH) may have increased risk of inflammatory co-morbidities, and adjunctive therapies may need to be considered to reduce HIV-related inflammation and fully restore the health of virologically suppressed HIV+ individuals. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the single leading cause of death in the developed world and is becoming more important in PLWH with access to ART. Arterial disease due to atherosclerosis, leading to acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and stroke, is a major component of CVD. Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease, and epidemiological comparisons of atherosclerosis and AMI show a higher prevalence and suggest a greater risk in PLWH compared to the general population. The reasons for greater prevalence of CVD in PLWH can be broadly grouped into four categories: (a) the higher prevalence of traditional risk factors e.g., smoking and hypertension (b) dyslipidemia (also a traditional risk factor) caused by off-target effects of ART drugs (c) HIV-related inflammation and immune activation and (d) other undefined HIV-related factors. Management strategies aimed at reducing the impact of traditional risk factors in PLWH are similar to those for the general population and their effectiveness is currently being evaluated. Together with improvements in ART regimens and guidelines for treatment, and a greater awareness of its impact on CVD, the HIV-related risk of AMI and stroke is decreasing but remains elevated compared to the general community. Monocytes are key effector cells which initiate the formation of atherosclerotic plaques by migrating into the intima of coronary arteries and accumulating as foam cells full of lipid droplets. This review considers the specific role of monocytes as effector cells in atherosclerosis which progresses to AMI and stroke, and explores mechanisms by which HIV may promote an atherogenic phenotype and function independent of traditional risk factors. Altered monocyte function may represent a distinct HIV-related factor which increases risk of CVD in PLWH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Jaworowski
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Life Sciences Discipline, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Anna C Hearps
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Life Sciences Discipline, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Thomas A Angelovich
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia.,Life Sciences Discipline, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jennifer F Hoy
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Ma XZ, Pang ZD, Wang JH, Song Z, Zhao LM, Du XJ, Deng XL. The role and mechanism of K Ca3.1 channels in human monocyte migration induced by palmitic acid. Exp Cell Res 2018; 369:208-217. [PMID: 29792849 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2018.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Revised: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Monocyte migration into diseased tissues contributes to the pathogenesis of diseases. Intermediate-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (KCa3.1) channels play an important role in cell migration. However, the role of KCa3.1 channels in mediating monocyte migration induced by palmitic acid (PA) is still unclear. Using cultured THP-1 cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy subjects, we investigated the role and signaling mechanisms of KCa3.1 channels in mediating the migration induced by PA. Using methods of Western blotting analysis, RNA interference, cell migration assay and ELISA, we found that PA-treated monocytes exhibited increment of the protein levels of KCa3.1 channel and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and the effects were reversed by co-incubation of PA with anti-TLR2/4 antibodies or by specific inhibitors of p38-MAPK, or NF-κB. In addition, PA increased monocyte migration, which was abolished by a specific KCa3.1 channel blocker, TRAM-34, or KCa3.1 small interfering RNA (siRNA). The expression and secretion of MCP-1 induced by PA was also similarly prevented by TRAM-34 and KCa3.1 siRNA. These results demonstrate for the first time that PA upregulates KCa3.1 channels through TLR2/4, p38-MAPK and NF-κB pathway to promote the expression of MCP-1, and then induce the trans-endothelial migration of monocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Zhen Ma
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zheng-Da Pang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jun-Hong Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 157 Fifth West Road, Xi'an 710004, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zheng Song
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Li-Mei Zhao
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Xiao-Jun Du
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, China; Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, 75 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia
| | - Xiu-Ling Deng
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, China; Cardiovascular Research Centre, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, China.
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