1
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Banerjee R, Knauer LA, Iyer D, Barlow SE, Shalaby H, Dehghan R, Scallan JP, Yang Y. Rictor, an mTORC2 Protein, Regulates Murine Lymphatic Valve Formation Through the AKT-FOXO1 Signaling. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2024; 44:2004-2023. [PMID: 39087350 PMCID: PMC11335088 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.124.321164] [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: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lymphatic valves are specialized structures in collecting lymphatic vessels and are crucial for preventing retrograde lymph flow. Mutations in valve-forming genes have been clinically implicated in the pathology of congenital lymphedema. Lymphatic valves form when oscillatory shear stress from lymph flow signals through the PI3K/AKT pathway to promote the transcription of valve-forming genes that trigger the growth and maintenance of lymphatic valves. Conventionally, in many cell types, AKT is phosphorylated at Ser473 by the mTORC2 (mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2). However, mTORC2 has not yet been implicated in lymphatic valve formation. METHODS In vivo and in vitro techniques were used to investigate the role of Rictor, a critical component of mTORC2, in lymphatic endothelium. RESULTS Here, we showed that embryonic and postnatal lymphatic deletion of Rictor, a critical component of mTORC2, led to a significant decrease in lymphatic valves and prevented the maturation of collecting lymphatic vessels. RICTOR knockdown in human dermal lymphatic endothelial cells not only reduced the level of activated AKT and the expression of valve-forming genes under no-flow conditions but also abolished the upregulation of AKT activity and valve-forming genes in response to oscillatory shear stress. We further showed that the AKT target, FOXO1 (forkhead box protein O1), a repressor of lymphatic valve formation, had increased nuclear activity in Rictor knockout mesenteric lymphatic endothelial cells in vivo. Deletion of Foxo1 in Rictor knockout mice restored the number of valves to control levels in lymphatic vessels of the ear and mesentery. CONCLUSIONS Our work identifies a novel role for RICTOR in the mechanotransduction signaling pathway, wherein it activates AKT and prevents the nuclear accumulation of the valve repressor, FOXO1, which ultimately enables the formation and maintenance of lymphatic valves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richa Banerjee
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa
| | - Luz A. Knauer
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa
| | - Drishya Iyer
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa
| | - Sara E. Barlow
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa
| | - Hanan Shalaby
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa
| | - Razieh Dehghan
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa
| | - Joshua P. Scallan
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa
| | - Ying Yang
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa
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2
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Liang G, Lv XF, Huang W, Jin YJ, Roquid KA, Kawase H, Offermanns S. Loss of Smooth Muscle Tenascin-X Inhibits Vascular Remodeling Through Increased TGF-β Signaling. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2024; 44:1748-1763. [PMID: 38934115 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.321067] [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: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are highly plastic. Vessel injury induces a phenotypic transformation from differentiated to dedifferentiated VSMCs, which involves reduced expression of contractile proteins and increased production of extracellular matrix and inflammatory cytokines. This transition plays an important role in several cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, and aortic aneurysm. TGF-β (transforming growth factor-β) is critical for VSMC differentiation and to counterbalance the effect of dedifferentiating factors. However, the mechanisms controlling TGF-β activity and VSMC phenotypic regulation under in vivo conditions are poorly understood. The extracellular matrix protein TN-X (tenascin-X) has recently been shown to bind TGF-β and to prevent it from activating its receptor. METHODS We studied the role of TN-X in VSMCs in various murine disease models using tamoxifen-inducible SMC-specific knockout and adeno-associated virus-mediated knockdown. RESULTS In hypertensive and high-fat diet-fed mice, after carotid artery ligation as well as in human aneurysmal aortae, expression of Tnxb, the gene encoding TN-X, was increased in VSMCs. Mice with smooth muscle cell-specific loss of TN-X (SMC-Tnxb-KO) showed increased TGF-β signaling in VSMCs, as well as upregulated expression of VSMC differentiation marker genes during vascular remodeling compared with controls. SMC-specific TN-X deficiency decreased neointima formation after carotid artery ligation and reduced vessel wall thickening during Ang II (angiotensin II)-induced hypertension. SMC-Tnxb-KO mice lacking ApoE showed reduced atherosclerosis and Ang II-induced aneurysm formation under high-fat diet. Adeno-associated virus-mediated SMC-specific expression of short hairpin RNA against Tnxb showed similar beneficial effects. Treatment with an anti-TGF-β antibody or additional SMC-specific loss of the TGF-β receptor reverted the effects of SMC-specific TN-X deficiency. CONCLUSIONS In summary, TN-X critically regulates VSMC plasticity during vascular injury by inhibiting TGF-β signaling. Our data indicate that inhibition of vascular smooth muscle TN-X may represent a strategy to prevent and treat pathological vascular remodeling.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Humans
- Male
- Mice
- Angiotensin II
- Aortic Aneurysm/metabolism
- Aortic Aneurysm/pathology
- Aortic Aneurysm/genetics
- Aortic Aneurysm/prevention & control
- Carotid Artery Injuries/pathology
- Carotid Artery Injuries/metabolism
- Carotid Artery Injuries/genetics
- Cells, Cultured
- Diet, High-Fat
- Disease Models, Animal
- Hypertension/metabolism
- Hypertension/pathology
- Hypertension/physiopathology
- Hypertension/genetics
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Mice, Knockout, ApoE
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/pathology
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/pathology
- Neointima
- Phenotype
- Signal Transduction
- Tenascin/metabolism
- Tenascin/genetics
- Tenascin/deficiency
- Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism
- Vascular Remodeling
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Affiliation(s)
- Guozheng Liang
- Department of Pharmacology, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany (G.L., X.-F.L., W.H., Y.-J.J., K.A.R., H.K., S.O.)
| | - Xiao-Fei Lv
- Department of Pharmacology, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany (G.L., X.-F.L., W.H., Y.-J.J., K.A.R., H.K., S.O.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Cardiac and Cerebral Vascular Research Center, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China (X.-F.L.)
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany (G.L., X.-F.L., W.H., Y.-J.J., K.A.R., H.K., S.O.)
| | - Young-June Jin
- Department of Pharmacology, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany (G.L., X.-F.L., W.H., Y.-J.J., K.A.R., H.K., S.O.)
| | - Kenneth Anthony Roquid
- Department of Pharmacology, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany (G.L., X.-F.L., W.H., Y.-J.J., K.A.R., H.K., S.O.)
| | - Haruya Kawase
- Department of Pharmacology, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany (G.L., X.-F.L., W.H., Y.-J.J., K.A.R., H.K., S.O.)
| | - Stefan Offermanns
- Department of Pharmacology, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany (G.L., X.-F.L., W.H., Y.-J.J., K.A.R., H.K., S.O.)
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany (S.O.)
- Cardiopulmonary Institute, Bad Nauheim, Germany (S.O.)
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany (S.O.)
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3
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Leong E, Al-Bitar H, Marshall JS, Bezuhly M. Ketotifen directly modifies the fibrotic response of human skin fibroblasts. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7076. [PMID: 38528089 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57776-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is a destructive, end-stage disease process. In the skin, it is associated with systemic sclerosis and scarring with considerable health burden. Ketotifen is a clinical antihistamine and mast cell stabilizer. Studies have demonstrated mast cell-dependent anti-fibrotic effects of ketotifen but direct effects on fibroblasts have not been determined. Human dermal fibroblasts were treated with pro-fibrotic transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ) followed by ketotifen or control treatments to determine direct effects on fibrotic fibroblasts. Ketotifen impaired TGFβ-induced α-smooth muscle actin gene and protein responses and decreased cytoskeletal- and contractility-associated gene responses associated with fibrosis. Ketotifen reduced Yes-associated protein phosphorylation, transcriptional coactivator with PDZ binding motif transcript and protein levels, and phosphorylation of protein kinase B. In a fibroblast-populated collagen gel contraction assay, ketotifen reduced the contractile activity of TGFβ-activated fibroblasts. In a murine model of bleomycin-induced skin fibrosis, collagen density and dermal thickness were significantly decreased in ketotifen-treated mice supporting in vitro findings. These results support a novel, direct anti-fibrotic activity of ketotifen, reducing pro-fibrotic phenotypic changes in fibroblasts and reducing collagen fibres in fibrotic mouse skin. Together, these findings suggest novel therapeutic potential and a novel mechanism of action for ketotifen in the context of fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwin Leong
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, 5850 College Street, Room 7-C, PO BOX 15000, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Haya Al-Bitar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Jean S Marshall
- Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, 5850 College Street, Room 7-C, PO BOX 15000, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada.
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, Canada.
| | - Michael Bezuhly
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada.
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, Canada.
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Izaak Walton Killam Health Centre, 5850/5980 University Avenue, PO Box 9700, Halifax, NS, B3K 6R8, Canada.
- Department of Surgery, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada.
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4
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Grewal N, Dolmaci O, Klautz A, Legue J, Driessen A, Klautz R, Poelmann R. The role of transforming growth factor beta in bicuspid aortic valve aortopathy. Indian J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2023; 39:270-279. [PMID: 38093932 PMCID: PMC10713891 DOI: 10.1007/s12055-023-01513-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
A bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most prevalent congenital cardiac deformity, which is associated with an increased risk to develop a thoracic aortic aneurysm and/or an aortic dissection as compared to persons with a tricuspid aortic valve. Due to the high prevalence of a BAV in the general population and the associated life-long increased risk for adverse vascular events, BAV disease places a considerable burden on the public health. The aim of the present review is to discuss the role of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling in the development of the vascular wall and on how this complex signaling pathway may be involved in thoracic aortic aneurysm formation in tricuspid and BAV patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nimrat Grewal
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Onur Dolmaci
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Arthur Klautz
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Juno Legue
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Antoine Driessen
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Robert Klautz
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Robert Poelmann
- Institute of Biology, Animal Sciences and Health, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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5
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Honeycutt SE, N'Guetta PEY, Hardesty DM, Xiong Y, Cooper SL, Stevenson MJ, O'Brien LL. Netrin 1 directs vascular patterning and maturity in the developing kidney. Development 2023; 150:dev201886. [PMID: 37818607 PMCID: PMC10690109 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
The intricate vascular system of the kidneys supports body fluid and organ homeostasis. However, little is known about how vascular architecture is established during kidney development. More specifically, how signals from the kidney influence vessel maturity and patterning remains poorly understood. Netrin 1 (Ntn1) is a secreted ligand that is crucial for vessel and neuronal guidance. Here, we demonstrate that Ntn1 is expressed by Foxd1+ stromal progenitors in the developing mouse kidney and conditional deletion (Foxd1GC/+;Ntn1fl/fl) results in hypoplastic kidneys with extended nephrogenesis. Wholemount 3D analyses additionally revealed the loss of a predictable vascular pattern in Foxd1GC/+;Ntn1fl/fl kidneys. As vascular patterning has been linked to vessel maturity, we investigated arterialization. Quantification of the CD31+ endothelium at E15.5 revealed no differences in metrics such as the number of branches or branch points, whereas the arterial vascular smooth muscle metrics were significantly reduced at both E15.5 and P0. In support of our observed phenotypes, whole kidney RNA-seq revealed disruptions to genes and programs associated with stromal cells, vasculature and differentiating nephrons. Together, our findings highlight the significance of Ntn1 to proper vascularization and kidney development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel E. Honeycutt
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Pierre-Emmanuel Y. N'Guetta
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Deanna M. Hardesty
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Yubin Xiong
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Shamus L. Cooper
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Matthew J. Stevenson
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Lori L. O'Brien
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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6
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Wu H, Lu Y, Duan Z, Wu J, Lin M, Wu Y, Han S, Li T, Fan Y, Hu X, Xiao H, Feng J, Lu Z, Kong D, Li S. Nanopore long-read RNA sequencing reveals functional alternative splicing variants in human vascular smooth muscle cells. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1104. [PMID: 37907652 PMCID: PMC10618188 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05481-y] [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: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are the major contributor to vascular repair and remodeling, which showed high level of phenotypic plasticity. Abnormalities in VSMC plasticity can lead to multiple cardiovascular diseases, wherein alternative splicing plays important roles. However, alternative splicing variants in VSMC plasticity are not fully understood. Here we systematically characterized the long-read transcriptome and their dysregulation in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) by employing the Oxford Nanopore Technologies long-read RNA sequencing in HASMCs that are separately treated with platelet-derived growth factor, transforming growth factor, and hsa-miR-221-3P transfection. Our analysis reveals frequent alternative splicing events and thousands of unannotated transcripts generated from alternative splicing. HASMCs treated with different factors exhibit distinct transcriptional reprogramming modulated by alternative splicing. We also found that unannotated transcripts produce different open reading frames compared to the annotated transcripts. Finally, we experimentally validated the unannotated transcript derived from gene CISD1, namely CISD1-u, which plays a role in the phenotypic switch of HASMCs. Our study characterizes the phenotypic modulation of HASMCs from an insight of long-read transcriptome, which would promote the understanding and the manipulation of HASMC plasticity in cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Precision Research Center for Refractory Diseases, Institute for Clinical Research, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yicheng Lu
- Precision Research Center for Refractory Diseases, Institute for Clinical Research, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenzhen Duan
- Precision Research Center for Refractory Diseases, Institute for Clinical Research, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingni Wu
- Precision Research Center for Refractory Diseases, Institute for Clinical Research, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Minghui Lin
- Precision Research Center for Refractory Diseases, Institute for Clinical Research, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yangjun Wu
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Siyang Han
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Tongqi Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuqi Fan
- North Cross School Shanghai, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Hu
- H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, College of Engineering, Geogia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Hongyan Xiao
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Wuhan Asia Heart Hospital, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiaxuan Feng
- Department of Vascular Surgery and Intervention Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiqian Lu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Deping Kong
- Precision Research Center for Refractory Diseases, Institute for Clinical Research, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Shengli Li
- Precision Research Center for Refractory Diseases, Institute for Clinical Research, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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7
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Pineda-Castillo SA, Acar H, Detamore MS, Holzapfel GA, Lee CH. Modulation of Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotype for Translation of Tissue-Engineered Vascular Grafts. TISSUE ENGINEERING. PART B, REVIEWS 2023; 29:574-588. [PMID: 37166394 PMCID: PMC10618830 DOI: 10.1089/ten.teb.2023.0006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Translation of small-diameter tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) for the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD) remains an unfulfilled promise. This is largely due to the limited integration of TEVGs into the native vascular wall-a process hampered by the insufficient smooth muscle cell (SMC) infiltration and extracellular matrix deposition, and low vasoactivity. These processes can be promoted through the judicious modulation of the SMC toward a synthetic phenotype to promote remodeling and vascular integration; however, the expression of synthetic markers is often accompanied by a decrease in the expression of contractile proteins. Therefore, techniques that can precisely modulate the SMC phenotypical behavior could have the potential to advance the translation of TEVGs. In this review, we describe the phenotypic diversity of SMCs and the different environmental cues that allow the modulation of SMC gene expression. Furthermore, we describe the emerging biomaterial approaches to modulate the SMC phenotype in TEVG design and discuss the limitations of current techniques. In addition, we found that current studies in tissue engineering limit the analysis of the SMC phenotype to a few markers, which are often the characteristic of early differentiation only. This limited scope has reduced the potential of tissue engineering to modulate the SMC toward specific behaviors and applications. Therefore, we recommend using the techniques presented in this review, in addition to modern single-cell proteomics analysis techniques to comprehensively characterize the phenotypic modulation of SMCs. Expanding the holistic potential of SMC modulation presents a great opportunity to advance the translation of living conduits for CAD therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio A. Pineda-Castillo
- Biomechanics and Biomaterials Design Laboratory, School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
- Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Handan Acar
- Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Michael S. Detamore
- Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Gerhard A. Holzapfel
- Institute of Biomechanics, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
- Department of Structural Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Chung-Hao Lee
- Biomechanics and Biomaterials Design Laboratory, School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
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8
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Crossen MJ, Wilbourne J, Fogarty A, Zhao F. Epithelial and mesenchymal fate decisions in Wolffian duct development. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2023; 34:462-473. [PMID: 37330364 PMCID: PMC10524679 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2023.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Wolffian ducts (WDs) are the paired embryonic structures that give rise to internal male reproductive tract organs. WDs are initially formed in both sexes but have sex-specific fates during sexual differentiation. Understanding WD differentiation requires insights into the process of fate decisions of epithelial and mesenchymal cells, which are tightly coordinated by endocrine, paracrine, and autocrine signals. In this review, we discuss current advances in understanding the fate-decision process of WD epithelial and mesenchymal lineages from their initial formation at the embryonic stage to postnatal differentiation. Finally, we discuss aberrant cell differentiation in WD abnormalities and pathologies and identify opportunities for future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- McKenna J Crossen
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Jillian Wilbourne
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Allyssa Fogarty
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Comparative Biomedical Sciences Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Fei Zhao
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Comparative Biomedical Sciences Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
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9
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Banerjee R, Knauer LA, Iyer D, Barlow SE, Scallan JP, Yang Y. Rictor induces AKT signaling to regulate lymphatic valve formation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.12.544698. [PMID: 37397997 PMCID: PMC10312634 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.12.544698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Lymphatic valves are specialized structures of the collecting lymphatic vessels and are crucial for preventing retrograde lymph flow. Mutations in valve-forming genes have been clinically implicated in the pathology of congenital lymphedema. Lymphatic valves form when oscillatory shear stress (OSS) from lymph flow signals through the PI3K/AKT pathway to promote the transcription of valve-forming genes that trigger the growth and maintenance of lymphatic valves throughout life. Conventionally, in other tissue types, AKT activation requires dual kinase activity and the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2) commands this process by phosphorylating AKT at Ser473. Here we showed that embryonic and postnatal lymphatic deletion of Rictor , a critical component of mTORC2, led to a significant decrease in lymphatic valves and prevented the maturation of collecting lymphatic vessels. RICTOR knockdown in human lymphatic endothelial cells (hdLECs) not only significantly reduced the level of activated AKT and the expression of valve-forming genes under no-flow conditions, but also abolished the upregulation of AKT activity and valve-forming genes in response to flow. We further showed that the AKT target, FOXO1, a repressor of lymphatic valve formation, had increased nuclear activity in Rictor knockout mesenteric LECs, in vivo . Deletion of Foxo1 in Rictor knockout mice restored the number of valves to control levels in both mesenteric and ear lymphatics. Our work revealed a novel role of RICTOR signaling in the mechanotransduction signaling pathway, wherein it activates AKT and prevents the nuclear accumulation of the valve repressor, FOXO1, which ultimately allows the formation and maintenance of a normal lymphatic valve.
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10
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Pan H, Ho SE, Xue C, Cui J, Ross LS, Li F, Solomon RA, Connolly ES, Reilly MP. Atherosclerosis is a smooth muscle cell-driven tumor-like disease. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.06.531330. [PMID: 36945644 PMCID: PMC10028828 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.06.531330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis, the leading cause of cardiovascular disease, is a chronic inflammatory disease involving pathological activation of multiple cell types, such as immunocytes (e.g., macrophage, T cells), smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and endothelial cells. Multiple lines of evidence have suggested that SMC "phenotypic switching" plays a central role in atherosclerosis development and complications. Yet, SMC roles and mechanisms underlying the disease pathogenesis are poorly understood. Here, employing SMC lineage tracing mice, comprehensive molecular, cellular, histological, and computational profiling, coupled to genetic and pharmacological studies, we reveal that atherosclerosis, in terms of SMC behaviors, share extensive commonalities with tumors. SMC-derived cells in the disease show multiple characteristics of tumor cell biology, including genomic instability, replicative immortality, malignant proliferation, resistance to cell death, invasiveness, and activation of comprehensive cancer-associated gene regulatory networks. SMC-specific expression of oncogenic KrasG12D accelerates SMC phenotypic switching and exacerbates atherosclerosis. Moreover, we present a proof of concept showing that niraparib, an anti-cancer drug targeting DNA damage repair, attenuates atherosclerosis progression and induces regression of lesions in advanced disease in mouse models. Our work provides systematic evidence that atherosclerosis is a tumor-like disease, deepening the understanding of its pathogenesis and opening prospects for novel precision molecular strategies to prevent and treat atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huize Pan
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Sebastian E. Ho
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Chenyi Xue
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Jian Cui
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Leila S. Ross
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Fang Li
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Robert A. Solomon
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - E. Sander Connolly
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Muredach P. Reilly
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
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11
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von Siebenthal M, Akshay A, Besic M, Schneider MP, Hashemi Gheinani A, Burkhard FC, Monastyrskaya K. Molecular Characterization of Non-Neurogenic and Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction (LUTD) in SCI-Induced and Partial Bladder Outlet Obstruction Mouse Models. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032451. [PMID: 36768773 PMCID: PMC9916488 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032451] [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: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
We examined bladder function following spinal cord injury (SCI) by repeated urodynamic investigation (UDI), including external urethral sphincter (EUS) electromyography (EMG) in awake restrained mice and correlated micturition parameters to gene expression and morphological changes in the bladder. A partial bladder outlet obstruction (pBOO) model was used for comparison to elucidate both the common and specific features of obstructive and neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD). Thirty female C57Bl/6J mice in each group received an implanted bladder catheter with additional electrodes placed next to the EUS in the SCI group. UDI assessments were performed weekly for 7 weeks (pBOO group) or 8 weeks (SCI group), after which bladders were harvested for histological and transcriptome analysis. SCI mice developed detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (DSD) one week after injury with high-pressure oscillations and a significantly increased maximal bladder pressure Pmax and were unable to void spontaneously during the whole observation period. They showed an increased bladder-to-bodyweight ratio, bladder fibrosis, and transcriptome changes indicative of extracellular matrix remodeling and alterations of neuronal signaling and muscle contraction. In contrast, pBOO led to a significantly increased Pmax after one week, which normalized at later time points. Increased bladder-to-bodyweight ratio and pronounced gene expression changes involving immune and inflammatory pathways were observed 7 weeks after pBOO. Comparative transcriptome analysis of SCI and pBOO bladders revealed the activation of Wnt and TGF-beta signaling in both the neurogenic and obstructive LUTD and highlighted FGF2 as a major upregulated transcription factor during organ remodeling. We conclude that SCI-induced DSD in mice leads to profound changes in neuronal signaling and muscle contractility, leading to bladder fibrosis. In a similar time frame, significant bladder remodeling following pBOO allowed for functional compensation, preserving normal micturition parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle von Siebenthal
- Functional Urology Research Laboratory, Department for BioMedical Research DBMR, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Akshay Akshay
- Functional Urology Research Laboratory, Department for BioMedical Research DBMR, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Mustafa Besic
- Functional Urology Research Laboratory, Department for BioMedical Research DBMR, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marc P. Schneider
- Functional Urology Research Laboratory, Department for BioMedical Research DBMR, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ali Hashemi Gheinani
- Functional Urology Research Laboratory, Department for BioMedical Research DBMR, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Fiona C. Burkhard
- Functional Urology Research Laboratory, Department for BioMedical Research DBMR, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Urology, Inselspital University Hospital, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Katia Monastyrskaya
- Functional Urology Research Laboratory, Department for BioMedical Research DBMR, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Urology, Inselspital University Hospital, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +41-316328776
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12
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Dong CX, Malecki C, Robertson E, Hambly B, Jeremy R. Molecular Mechanisms in Genetic Aortopathy-Signaling Pathways and Potential Interventions. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021795. [PMID: 36675309 PMCID: PMC9865322 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Thoracic aortic disease affects people of all ages and the majority of those aged <60 years have an underlying genetic cause. There is presently no effective medical therapy for thoracic aneurysm and surgery remains the principal intervention. Unlike abdominal aortic aneurysm, for which the inflammatory/atherosclerotic pathogenesis is well established, the mechanism of thoracic aneurysm is less understood. This paper examines the key cell signaling systems responsible for the growth and development of the aorta, homeostasis of endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells and interactions between pathways. The evidence supporting a role for individual signaling pathways in pathogenesis of thoracic aortic aneurysm is examined and potential novel therapeutic approaches are reviewed. Several key signaling pathways, notably TGF-β, WNT, NOTCH, PI3K/AKT and ANGII contribute to growth, proliferation, cell phenotype and survival for both vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells. There is crosstalk between pathways, and between vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells, with both synergistic and antagonistic interactions. A common feature of the activation of each is response to injury or abnormal cell stress. Considerable experimental evidence supports a contribution of each of these pathways to aneurysm formation. Although human information is less, there is sufficient data to implicate each pathway in the pathogenesis of human thoracic aneurysm. As some pathways i.e., WNT and NOTCH, play key roles in tissue growth and organogenesis in early life, it is possible that dysregulation of these pathways results in an abnormal aortic architecture even in infancy, thereby setting the stage for aneurysm development in later life. Given the fine tuning of these signaling systems, functional polymorphisms in key signaling elements may set up a future risk of thoracic aneurysm. Multiple novel therapeutic agents have been developed, targeting cell signaling pathways, predominantly in cancer medicine. Future investigations addressing cell specific targeting, reduced toxicity and also less intense treatment effects may hold promise for effective new medical treatments of thoracic aortic aneurysm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Xue Dong
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Cassandra Malecki
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- The Baird Institute, Camperdown, NSW 2042, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Robertson
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Brett Hambly
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Richmond Jeremy
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- The Baird Institute, Camperdown, NSW 2042, Australia
- Correspondence:
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13
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Schneider S, Hashmi SK, Thrasher AJ, Kothakapa DR, Wright CM, Heuckeroth RO. Single Nucleus Sequencing of Human Colon Myenteric Plexus-Associated Visceral Smooth Muscle Cells, Platelet Derived Growth Factor Receptor Alpha Cells, and Interstitial Cells of Cajal. GASTRO HEP ADVANCES 2023; 2:380-394. [PMID: 37206377 PMCID: PMC10194832 DOI: 10.1016/j.gastha.2022.12.004] [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] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Smooth muscle cells (SMCs), interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs), and platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα+) cells (PαCs) form a functional syncytium in the bowel known as the "SIP syncytium." The SIP syncytium works in concert with the enteric nervous system (ENS) to coordinate bowel motility. However, our understanding of individual cell types that form this syncytium and how they interact with each other remains limited, with no prior single-cell RNAseq analyses focused on human SIP syncytium cells. METHODS We analyzed single-nucleus RNA sequencing data from 10,749 human colon SIP syncytium cells (5572 SMC, 372 ICC, and 4805 PαC nuclei) derived from 15 individuals. RESULTS Consistent with critical contractile and pacemaker functions and with known enteric nervous system interactions, SIP syncytium cell types express many ion channels, including mechanosensitive channels in ICCs and PαCs. PαCs also prominently express extracellular matrix-associated genes and the inhibitory neurotransmitter receptor for vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIPR2), a novel finding. We identified 2 PαC clusters that differ in the expression of many ion channels and transcriptional regulators. Interestingly, SIP syncytium cells co-express 6 transcription factors (FOS, MEIS1, MEIS2, PBX1, SCMH1, and ZBTB16) that may be part of a combinatorial signature that specifies these cells. Bowel region-specific differences in SIP syncytium gene expression may correlate with regional differences in function, with right (ascending) colon SMCs and PαCs expressing more transcriptional regulators and ion channels than SMCs and PαCs in left (sigmoid) colon. CONCLUSION These studies provide new insights into SIP syncytium biology that may be valuable for understanding bowel motility disorders and lead to future investigation of highlighted genes and pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Schneider
- Department of Pediatrics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Abramson Research Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sohaib K. Hashmi
- Department of Pediatrics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Abramson Research Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Bioengineering, The University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - A. Josephine Thrasher
- Department of Pediatrics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Abramson Research Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Deepika R. Kothakapa
- Department of Pediatrics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Abramson Research Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Biological Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York
- Albany Medical College, Albany, New York
| | - Christina M. Wright
- Department of Pediatrics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Abramson Research Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Robert O. Heuckeroth
- Department of Pediatrics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Abramson Research Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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14
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Coll-Bonfill N, Mahajan U, Shashkova EV, Lin CJ, Mecham RP, Gonzalo S. Progerin induces a phenotypic switch in vascular smooth muscle cells and triggers replication stress and an aging-associated secretory signature. GeroScience 2022; 45:965-982. [PMID: 36482259 PMCID: PMC9886737 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-022-00694-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome is a premature aging disease caused by LMNA gene mutation and the production of a truncated prelamin A protein "progerin" that elicits cellular and organismal toxicity. Progerin accumulates in the vasculature, being especially detrimental for vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Vessel stiffening and aortic atherosclerosis in HGPS patients are accompanied by VSMC depletion in the medial layer, altered extracellular matrix (ECM), and thickening of the adventitial layer. Mechanisms whereby progerin causes massive VSMC loss and vessel alterations remain poorly understood. Mature VSMC retain phenotypic plasticity and can switch to a synthetic/proliferative phenotype. Here, we show that progerin expression in human and mouse VSMC causes a switch towards the synthetic phenotype. This switch elicits some level of replication stress in normal cells, which is exacerbated in the presence of progerin, leading to telomere fragility, genomic instability, and ultimately VSMC death. Calcitriol prevents replication stress, telomere fragility, and genomic instability, reducing VSMC death. In addition, RNA-seq analysis shows induction of a profibrotic and pro-inflammatory aging-associated secretory phenotype upon progerin expression in human primary VSMC. Our data suggest that phenotypic switch-induced replication stress might be an underlying cause of VSMC loss in progeria, which together with loss of contractile features and gain of profibrotic and pro-inflammatory signatures contribute to vascular stiffness in HGPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuria Coll-Bonfill
- grid.262962.b0000 0004 1936 9342Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 1100 S Grand Blvd, St Louis, MO 63104 USA
| | - Urvashi Mahajan
- grid.262962.b0000 0004 1936 9342Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 1100 S Grand Blvd, St Louis, MO 63104 USA
| | - Elena V. Shashkova
- grid.262962.b0000 0004 1936 9342Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 1100 S Grand Blvd, St Louis, MO 63104 USA
| | - Chien-Jung Lin
- grid.4367.60000 0001 2355 7002Cell Biology and Physiology Department & Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63108 USA ,grid.262962.b0000 0004 1936 9342Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Division, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63104 USA
| | - Robert P. Mecham
- grid.4367.60000 0001 2355 7002Cell Biology and Physiology Department & Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63108 USA
| | - Susana Gonzalo
- Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 1100 S Grand Blvd, St Louis, MO, 63104, USA.
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15
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Zhao F, Grimm SA, Jia S, Yao HHC. Contribution of the Wolffian duct mesenchyme to the formation of the female reproductive tract. PNAS NEXUS 2022; 1:pgac182. [PMID: 36204418 PMCID: PMC9523451 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgac182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The female reproductive tract develops from its embryonic precursor, the Müllerian duct. In close proximity to the Müllerian duct lies the precursor for the male reproductive tract, the Wolffian duct, which is eliminated in the female embryo during sexual differentiation. We discovered that a component of the Wolffian duct, its mesenchyme, is not eliminated after sexual differentiation. Instead, the Wolffian duct mesenchyme underwent changes in transcriptome and chromatin accessibility from male tract to female tract identity, and became a unique mesenchymal population in the female reproductive tract with localization and transcriptome distinct from the mesenchyme derived from the Müllerian duct. Partial ablation of the Wolffian duct mesenchyme stunted the growth of the fetal female reproductive tract in ex vivo organ culture. These findings reveal a new fetal origin of mesenchymal tissues for female reproductive tract formation and reshape our understanding of sexual differentiation of reproductive tracts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Zhao
- Reproductive Developmental Biology Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Sara A Grimm
- Integrative Bioinformatics Support Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Shua Jia
- Present address: Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Humphrey Hung-Chang Yao
- Reproductive Developmental Biology Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
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16
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Furdella KJ, Higuchi S, Kim K, Doetschman T, Wagner WR, Vande Geest JP. ACUTE ELUTION OF TGFβ2 AFFECTS THE SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS IN A COMPLIANCE-MATCHED VASCULAR GRAFT. Tissue Eng Part A 2022; 28:640-650. [PMID: 35521649 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2021.0161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor beta 2 (TGFβ2) is a pleiotropic growth factor that plays a vital role in smooth muscle cell (SMC) function. Our prior in vitro work has shown that SMC response can be modulated with TGFβ2 stimulation in a dose dependent manner. In particular, we have shown that increasing concentrations of TGFβ2 shift SMCs from a migratory to a synthetic behavior. In this work, electrospun compliance-matched and hypocompliant TGFβ2-eluting TEVGs were implanted into Sprague Dawley rats for 5 days to observe SMC population and collagen production. TEVGs were fabricated using a combined computational and experimental approach that varied the ratio of gelatin:polycaprolactone to be either compliance-matched or twice as stiff as rat aorta (hypocompliant). TGFβ2 concentrations of 0, 10, 100 ng/mg were added to both graft types (n=3 in each group) and imaged in vivo using ultrasound. Histological markers (SMC, macrophage, collagen, and elastin) were evaluated following explantation at 5 days. In vivo ultrasound showed that compliance-matched TEVGs became stiffer as TGFβ2 increased (100 ng/mg TEVGS compared to rat aorta, p<0.01) while all hypocompliant grafts remained stiffer than control rat aorta. In vivo velocity and diameter were also not significantly different than control vessels. The compliance-matched 10 ng/mg group had an elevated SMC signal (myosin heavy chain) compared to the 0 and 100 ng/mg grafts (p=0.0009 & 0.0006 ). Compliance-matched TEVGs containing 100 ng/mg TGFβ2 had an increase in collagen production (p<0.01), general immune response (p<0.05), and a decrease in SMC population to the 0 and 10 ng/mg groups. All hypocompliant groups were found to be similar, suggesting a lower rate of TGFβ2 release in these TEVGs. Our results suggest that TGFβ2 can modulate in vivo SMC phenotype over an acute implantation period, which is consistent with our prior in vitro work. To the author's knowledge, this is first in vivo rat study that evaluates a TGFβ2-eluting TEVG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth John Furdella
- University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering, 110071, Bioengineering, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States;
| | - Shinichi Higuchi
- University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering, 110071, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States;
| | - Kang Kim
- University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering, 110071, Department of Bioengineering, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States;
| | - Tom Doetschman
- University of Arizona Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology program, 242717, Tucson, Arizona, United States;
| | - William R Wagner
- University of Pittsburgh, 6614, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States;
| | - Jonathan P Vande Geest
- University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering, 110071, Bioengineering, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States;
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17
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Clare J, Ganly J, Bursill CA, Sumer H, Kingshott P, de Haan JB. The Mechanisms of Restenosis and Relevance to Next Generation Stent Design. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12030430. [PMID: 35327622 PMCID: PMC8945897 DOI: 10.3390/biom12030430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Stents are lifesaving mechanical devices that re-establish essential blood flow to the coronary circulation after significant vessel occlusion due to coronary vessel disease or thrombolytic blockade. Improvements in stent surface engineering over the last 20 years have seen significant reductions in complications arising due to restenosis and thrombosis. However, under certain conditions such as diabetes mellitus (DM), the incidence of stent-mediated complications remains 2–4-fold higher than seen in non-diabetic patients. The stents with the largest market share are designed to target the mechanisms behind neointimal hyperplasia (NIH) through anti-proliferative drugs that prevent the formation of a neointima by halting the cell cycle of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Thrombosis is treated through dual anti-platelet therapy (DAPT), which is the continual use of aspirin and a P2Y12 inhibitor for 6–12 months. While the most common stents currently in use are reasonably effective at treating these complications, there is still significant room for improvement. Recently, inflammation and redox stress have been identified as major contributing factors that increase the risk of stent-related complications following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The aim of this review is to examine the mechanisms behind inflammation and redox stress through the lens of PCI and its complications and to establish whether tailored targeting of these key mechanistic pathways offers improved outcomes for patients, particularly those where stent placement remains vulnerable to complications. In summary, our review highlights the most recent and promising research being undertaken in understanding the mechanisms of redox biology and inflammation in the context of stent design. We emphasize the benefits of a targeted mechanistic approach to decrease all-cause mortality, even in patients with diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessie Clare
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC 3122, Australia; (J.C.); (J.G.); (P.K.)
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Justin Ganly
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC 3122, Australia; (J.C.); (J.G.); (P.K.)
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Christina A. Bursill
- Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia;
- Vascular Research Centre, Lifelong Health Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Huseyin Sumer
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC 3122, Australia; (J.C.); (J.G.); (P.K.)
- Correspondence: (H.S.); (J.B.d.H.)
| | - Peter Kingshott
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC 3122, Australia; (J.C.); (J.G.); (P.K.)
- ARC Training Centre in Surface Engineering for Advanced Materials (SEAM), Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC 3122, Australia
| | - Judy B. de Haan
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC 3122, Australia; (J.C.); (J.G.); (P.K.)
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
- Department Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
- Department of Immunology and Pathology, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
- Correspondence: (H.S.); (J.B.d.H.)
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18
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Uehara K, Koyanagi-Aoi M, Koide T, Itoh T, Aoi T. Epithelial-derived factors induce muscularis mucosa of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived gastric organoids. Stem Cell Reports 2022; 17:820-834. [PMID: 35245440 PMCID: PMC9023774 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Human gastric development has not been well studied. The generation of human pluripotent stem cell-derived gastric organoids (hGOs) comprising gastric marker-expressing epithelium without an apparent smooth muscle (SM) structure has been reported. We modified previously reported protocols to generate hGOs with muscularis mucosa (MM) from hiPSCs. Time course analyses revealed that epithelium development occurred prior to MM formation. Sonic hedgehog (SHH) and TGF-β1 were secreted by the epithelium. HH and TGF-β signal inhibition prevented subepithelial MM formation. A mechanical property of the substrate promoted SM differentiation around hGOs in the presence of TGF-β. TGF-β signaling was shown to influence the HH signaling and mechanical properties. In addition, clinical specimen findings suggested the involvement of TGF-β signaling in MM formation in recovering gastric ulcers. HH and TGF-β signaling from the epithelium to the stroma and the mechanical properties of the subepithelial environment may influence the emergence of MM in human stomach tissue. We successfully induce hGOs with MM by culturing for 8 weeks The emergence of MM occurs after epithelial maturation HH, TGF-β, and the mechanical environment are suggested to be involved in MM formation
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiichiro Uehara
- Division of Advanced Medical Science, Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University, Kobe 6500017, Japan; Department of iPS Cell Applications, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Kobe 6500017, Japan; Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Kobe 6500017, Japan
| | - Michiyo Koyanagi-Aoi
- Division of Advanced Medical Science, Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University, Kobe 6500017, Japan; Department of iPS Cell Applications, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Kobe 6500017, Japan; Center for Human Resource Development for Regenerative Medicine, Kobe University Hospital, Kobe 6500017, Japan
| | - Takahiro Koide
- Division of Advanced Medical Science, Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University, Kobe 6500017, Japan; Department of iPS Cell Applications, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Kobe 6500017, Japan; Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Kobe 6500017, Japan
| | - Tomoo Itoh
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Kobe 6500017, Japan
| | - Takashi Aoi
- Division of Advanced Medical Science, Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University, Kobe 6500017, Japan; Department of iPS Cell Applications, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University, Kobe 6500017, Japan; Center for Human Resource Development for Regenerative Medicine, Kobe University Hospital, Kobe 6500017, Japan.
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19
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El-Bassiouni N, Amin N, Rizk SH, El Azayem MKA, Madkour M, Garem H, Ibrahim R, El Nil OA. Role of Circulating Hematopoietic Fibrocytes in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients Induced Liver Fibrosis. Open Access Maced J Med Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.3889/oamjms.2022.8123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Bone marrow derived fibrocytes may play an important role in pathogenesis and resolution of liver fibrosis. These cells may offer new approaches for better understanding the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis.
Aim of the work: To define the proportion of circulating fibrocytes with hematopoietic progenitor origin as defined by CD45 and CD34 positivity and to assess whether they are increased in patients with chronic C hepatitis in correlation to the degree of liver fibrosis.
Subjects and Methods: Sixty HCV patients were classified according to METAVIR score into 4 stages of liver fibrosis, 15 age and sex-matched controls were included. Flowcytometric analysis for circulating levels of fibrocytes CD34+ve cells, CD45+ve cells, collagen type I+ve cells and CXCR4+ve cells was carried out using monoclonal antibodies (anti-CD34, CD45, collagen type I and CD184). GM-CSF, TGF-β and α-SMA were assessed using ELISA.
Results and Conclusions: A significant increase in the circulating levels of GM-CSF, TGF- β and α-SMA, with a significant increase in the percentage of cells express CXCR4and in the co expression of CD34, CD45 and collagen type I positive cells in different groups of patients compared to control group, denoting the presence of an increased proportion of circulating fibrocytes in peripheral blood of these patients. The percentage of fibrocytes that positively expression CD34, CD45, collagen type I and CXCR4, were increased in step wise fashion in conjunction with worsening severity of liver disease.
Liver fibrosis is associated with increased levels of circulating TGF-β1 and lipopolysaccharide, activation of myofibroblasts, and extensive deposition of extracellular matrix, mostly collagen Type I. TGF-β and LPS play a critical role in fibrogenesis and trigger fibrocyte recruitment to the injured liver promoting their differentiation into collagen type I producing myofibroblast, supporting that fibrocytes may become a novel target for anti fibrotic therapy.
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Dos Santos FCA, Negre AFP, Rodríguez DAO, de Sousa GC, Rodrigues GA, Sanches BDA, Carvalho HF, Taboga SR, Biancardi MF. Female Prostate Development: Morphological Analysis of the Budding Dynamic. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2022; 28:272-280. [PMID: 35039106 DOI: 10.1017/s1431927621014008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The presence of the prostate in female mammals has long been known. However, pieces of information related to its development are still lacking. The aim of this study was to explore the budding dynamic during the initial prostate development in female gerbils. Pregnant females were timed, the fetuses were euthanized, and the urogenital sinus was dissected out between the embryonic days 20 and 24 (E20-E24 groups). Newborn pups (1-day-old; P1 group) underwent the same procedures. The female prostate development was based on epithelial buds which arose far from the paraurethral mesenchyme (PAM). The epithelial buds reached the PAM at prenatal day 24, crossing a small gap in the smooth muscle layer between the periurethral mesenchyme (PEM) and the PAM. Steroid nuclear receptors such as the androgen receptor and estrogen receptor alpha were localized in the PEM through the urethral wall, although some epithelial labeling was also present in the urogenital sinus epithelium (UGE). P63-positive cells were found only in the UGE, becoming restricted to the basal compartment after the 23rd prenatal day. The results showed that the gerbil female prostate exhibits a distinct budding pattern as compared to the male prostate development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda C A Dos Santos
- Department of Histology, Embryology, and Cell Biology, Federal University of Goiás, Campus Samambaia, Goiânia, Goiás74690-900, Brazil
| | - Ana F P Negre
- Department of Histology, Embryology, and Cell Biology, Federal University of Goiás, Campus Samambaia, Goiânia, Goiás74690-900, Brazil
| | - Daniel A O Rodríguez
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo13083-862, Brazil
| | - Géssica C de Sousa
- Department of Histology, Embryology, and Cell Biology, Federal University of Goiás, Campus Samambaia, Goiânia, Goiás74690-900, Brazil
| | - Giovanna A Rodrigues
- Department of Histology, Embryology, and Cell Biology, Federal University of Goiás, Campus Samambaia, Goiânia, Goiás74690-900, Brazil
| | - Bruno D A Sanches
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo13083-862, Brazil
| | - Hernandes F Carvalho
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo13083-862, Brazil
| | - Sebastião R Taboga
- Department of Biology, State University of São Paulo, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo15054-000, Brazil
| | - Manoel F Biancardi
- Department of Histology, Embryology, and Cell Biology, Federal University of Goiás, Campus Samambaia, Goiânia, Goiás74690-900, Brazil
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21
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Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Formation with a Focus on Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12020191. [PMID: 35207478 PMCID: PMC8880357 DOI: 10.3390/life12020191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a lethal degenerative vascular disease that affects, mostly, the elder population, with a high mortality rate (>80%) upon rupture. It features a dilation of the aortic diameter to larger than 30 mm or more than 50%. Diverse pathological processes are involved in the development of AAA, including aortic wall inflammation, elastin breakdown, oxidative stress, smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotypic switching and dysfunction, and extracellular matrix degradation. With open surgery being the only therapeutic option up to date, the lack of pharmaceutical treatment approach calls for identifying novel and effective targets and further understanding the pathological process of AAA. Both lifestyle and genetic predisposition have an important role in increasing the risk of AAA. Several cell types are closely related to the pathogenesis of AAA. Among them, vascular SMCs (VSMCs) are gaining much attention as a critical contributor for AAA initiation and/or progression. In this review, we summarize what is known about AAA, including the risk factors, the pathophysiology, and the established animal models of AAA. In particular, we focus on the VSMC phenotypic switching and dysfunction in AAA formation. Further understanding the regulation of VSMC phenotypic changes may provide novel therapeutic targets for the treatment or prevention of AAA.
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22
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Dawson A, Li Y, Li Y, Ren P, Vasquez HG, Zhang C, Rebello KR, Ageedi W, Azares AR, Mattar AB, Sheppard MB, Lu HS, Coselli JS, Cassis LA, Daugherty A, Shen YH, LeMaire SA. Single-Cell Analysis of Aneurysmal Aortic Tissue in Patients with Marfan Syndrome Reveals Dysfunctional TGF-β Signaling. Genes (Basel) 2021; 13:95. [PMID: 35052435 PMCID: PMC8774900 DOI: 10.3390/genes13010095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular and cellular processes leading to aortic aneurysm development in Marfan syndrome (MFS) remain poorly understood. In this study, we examined the changes of aortic cell populations and gene expression in MFS by performing single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA seq) on ascending aortic aneurysm tissues from patients with MFS (n = 3) and age-matched non-aneurysmal control tissues from cardiac donors and recipients (n = 4). The expression of key molecules was confirmed by immunostaining. We detected diverse populations of smooth muscle cells (SMCs), fibroblasts, and endothelial cells (ECs) in the aortic wall. Aortic tissues from MFS showed alterations of cell populations with increased de-differentiated proliferative SMCs compared to controls. Furthermore, there was a downregulation of MYOCD and MYH11 in SMCs, and an upregulation of COL1A1/2 in fibroblasts in MFS samples compared to controls. We also examined TGF-β signaling, an important pathway in aortic homeostasis. We found that TGFB1 was significantly upregulated in two fibroblast clusters in MFS tissues. However, TGF-β receptor genes (predominantly TGFBR2) and SMAD genes were downregulated in SMCs, fibroblasts, and ECs in MFS, indicating impairment in TGF-β signaling. In conclusion, despite upregulation of TGFB1, the rest of the canonical TGF-β pathway and mature SMCs were consistently downregulated in MFS, indicating a potential compromise of TGF-β signaling and lack of stimulus for SMC differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Dawson
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.D.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.); (P.R.); (H.G.V.); (C.Z.); (K.R.R.); (W.A.); (J.S.C.); (Y.H.S.)
| | - Yanming Li
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.D.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.); (P.R.); (H.G.V.); (C.Z.); (K.R.R.); (W.A.); (J.S.C.); (Y.H.S.)
| | - Yang Li
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.D.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.); (P.R.); (H.G.V.); (C.Z.); (K.R.R.); (W.A.); (J.S.C.); (Y.H.S.)
| | - Pingping Ren
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.D.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.); (P.R.); (H.G.V.); (C.Z.); (K.R.R.); (W.A.); (J.S.C.); (Y.H.S.)
| | - Hernan G. Vasquez
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.D.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.); (P.R.); (H.G.V.); (C.Z.); (K.R.R.); (W.A.); (J.S.C.); (Y.H.S.)
| | - Chen Zhang
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.D.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.); (P.R.); (H.G.V.); (C.Z.); (K.R.R.); (W.A.); (J.S.C.); (Y.H.S.)
| | - Kimberly R. Rebello
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.D.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.); (P.R.); (H.G.V.); (C.Z.); (K.R.R.); (W.A.); (J.S.C.); (Y.H.S.)
| | - Waleed Ageedi
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.D.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.); (P.R.); (H.G.V.); (C.Z.); (K.R.R.); (W.A.); (J.S.C.); (Y.H.S.)
| | - Alon R. Azares
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Aladdein Burchett Mattar
- Division of Cardiothoracic Transplantation and Circulatory Support, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Mary Burchett Sheppard
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (M.B.S.); (H.S.L.); (A.D.)
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Hong S. Lu
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (M.B.S.); (H.S.L.); (A.D.)
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Joseph S. Coselli
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.D.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.); (P.R.); (H.G.V.); (C.Z.); (K.R.R.); (W.A.); (J.S.C.); (Y.H.S.)
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Lisa A. Cassis
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA;
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (M.B.S.); (H.S.L.); (A.D.)
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Ying H. Shen
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.D.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.); (P.R.); (H.G.V.); (C.Z.); (K.R.R.); (W.A.); (J.S.C.); (Y.H.S.)
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Scott A. LeMaire
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.D.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.); (P.R.); (H.G.V.); (C.Z.); (K.R.R.); (W.A.); (J.S.C.); (Y.H.S.)
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
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Combination of PD98059 and TGF-β1 Efficiently Differentiates Human Urine-Derived Stem Cells into Smooth Muscle Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910532. [PMID: 34638875 PMCID: PMC8508912 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pluripotent adult stem cells have potential applications in cell therapy and tissue engineering. Urine-derived stem cells (UDSCs) differentiate into various cell types. Here, we attempted to differentiate human UDSCs (hUDSCs) into smooth muscle cells (SMCs) using transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) and/or PD98059, an extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor. Both quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western blot analysis showed that the expression of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and proteins for alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), calponin (CNN1), and smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SM-MHC), which are specific markers for SMCs, increased on day 9 after differentiation and again on day 14. The differentiated cells from human UDSCs (hUDSCs) with a combination of TGF-β1 and PD98059 showed the highest expression of SMC marker proteins. Immunocytochemical staining performed to assess the molecular expression revealed CNN and α-SMA colocalizing in the cytoplasm. The cells that differentiated from hUDSCs with a combination of TGF-β1 and PD98059 showed the strongest expression for CNN1, α-SMA, and SM-MHC. Functional testing of the differentiated cells revealed a stronger contractile capacity for the cells differentiated with a combination of PD98059 and TGF-β1 than those differentiated with a single factor. These results suggest the combination of PD98059 and TGF-β1 to be a more effective differentiation method and that differentiated SMCs could be used for restoring the functions of the sphincter muscle or bladder.
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Lane BA, Chakrabarti M, Ferruzzi J, Azhar M, Eberth JF. Mechanics of ascending aortas from TGFβ-1, -2, -3 haploinsufficient mice and elastase-induced aortopathy. J Biomech 2021; 125:110543. [PMID: 34174532 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2021.110543] [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: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ-1, -2, -3) ligands act through a common receptor complex yet each is expressed in a unique and overlapping fashion throughout development. TGFβ plays a role in extra-cellular matrix composition with mutations to genes encoding TGFβ and TGFβ signaling molecules contributing to diverse and deadly thoracic aortopathies common in Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS). In this investigation, we studied the TGFβ ligand-specific mechanical phenotype of ascending thoracic aortas (ATA) taken from 4-to-6 months-old Tgfb1+/-, Tgfb2+/-, and Tgfb3+/- mice, their wild-type (WT) controls, and an elastase infusion model representative of severe elastolysis. Heterozygous mice were studied at an age without dilation to elucidate potential pre-aortopathic mechanical cues. Our findings indicate that ATAs from Tgfb2+/- mice demonstrated significant wall thickening, a corresponding decrease in biaxial stress, decreased biaxial stiffness, and a decrease in stored energy. These results were unlike the pathological elastase model where decreases in biaxial stretch were found along with increases in diameter, biaxial stress, and biaxial stiffness. ATAs from Tgfb1+/- and Tgfb3+/-, on the other hand, had few mechanical differences when compared to wild-type controls. Although aortopathy generally occurs later in development, our findings reveal that in 4-to-6 month-old animals, only Tgfb2+/- mice demonstrate a significant phenotype that fails to model ubiquitous elastolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooks A Lane
- Biomedical Engineering Program, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208 USA
| | - Mrinmay Chakrabarti
- Cell Biology and Anatomy Department, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Jacopo Ferruzzi
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
| | - Mohamad Azhar
- Cell Biology and Anatomy Department, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29208, USA; William Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Medical Center, Columbia, SC 29209, USA
| | - John F Eberth
- Biomedical Engineering Program, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208 USA; Cell Biology and Anatomy Department, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
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25
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Ackerman WE, Buhimschi CS, Snedden A, Summerfield TL, Zhao G, Buhimschi IA. Molecular signatures of labor and nonlabor myometrium with parsimonious classification from 2 calcium transporter genes. JCI Insight 2021; 6:148425. [PMID: 33945511 PMCID: PMC8262336 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.148425] [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: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical phenotyping of term and preterm labor is imprecise, and disagreement persists on categorization relative to underlying pathobiology, which remains poorly understood. We performed RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of 31 specimens of human uterine myometrium from 10 term and 21 preterm cesarean deliveries with rich clinical context information. A molecular signature of 4814 transcripts stratified myometrial samples into quiescent (Q) and nonquiescent (NQ) phenotypes, independent of gestational age and incision site. Similar stratifications were achieved using expressed genes in Ca2+ signaling and TGF-β pathways. For maximal parsimony, we evaluated the expression of just 2 Ca2+ transporter genes, ATP2B4 (encoding PMCA4) and ATP2A2 (coding for SERCA2), and we found that their ratio reliably distinguished NQ and Q specimens in the current study, and also in 2 publicly available RNA-seq data sets (GSE50599 and GSE80172), with an overall AUC of 0.94. Cross-validation of the ATP2B4/ATP2A2 ratio by quantitative PCR in an expanded cohort (by 11 additional specimens) achieved complete separation (AUC of 1.00) of NQ versus Q specimens. While providing additional insight into the associations between clinical features of term and preterm labor and myometrial gene expression, our study also offers a practical algorithm for unbiased classification of myometrial biopsies by their overall contractile program.
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Affiliation(s)
- William E Ackerman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Catalin S Buhimschi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Ali Snedden
- The High Performance Computing Facility, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Taryn L Summerfield
- The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Guomao Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Irina A Buhimschi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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26
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Promyelocytic leukemia protein promotes the phenotypic switch of smooth muscle cells in atherosclerotic plaques of human coronary arteries. Clin Sci (Lond) 2021; 135:887-905. [PMID: 33764440 DOI: 10.1042/cs20201399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) is a constitutive component of PML nuclear bodies (PML-NBs), which function as stress-regulated SUMOylation factories. Since PML can also act as a regulator of the inflammatory and fibroproliferative responses characteristic of atherosclerosis, we investigated whether PML is implicated in this disease. Immunoblotting, ELISA and immunohistochemistry showed a stronger expression of PML in segments of human atherosclerotic coronary arteries and sections compared with non-atherosclerotic ones. In particular, PML was concentrated in PML-NBs from α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)-immunoreactive cells in plaque areas. To identify possible functional consequences of PML-accumulation in this cell type, differentiated human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (dHCASMCs) were transfected with a vector containing the intact PML-gene. These PML-transfected dHCASMCs showed higher levels of small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO)-1-dependent SUMOylated proteins, but lower levels of markers for smooth muscle cell (SMC) differentiation and revealed more proliferation and migration activities than dHCASMCs transfected with the vector lacking a specific gene insert or with the vector containing a mutated PML-gene coding for a PML-form without SUMOylation activity. When dHCASMCs were incubated with different cytokines, higher PML-levels were observed only after interferon γ (IFN-γ) stimulation, while the expression of differentiation markers was lower. However, these phenotypic changes were not observed in dHCASMCs treated with small interfering RNA (siRNA) suppressing PML-expression prior to IFN-γ stimulation. Taken together, our results imply that PML is a previously unknown functional factor in the molecular cascades associated with the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and is positioned in vascular SMCs (VSMCs) between upstream IFN-γ activation and downstream SUMOylation.
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27
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Davaapil H, Shetty DK, Sinha S. Aortic "Disease-in-a-Dish": Mechanistic Insights and Drug Development Using iPSC-Based Disease Modeling. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:550504. [PMID: 33195187 PMCID: PMC7655792 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.550504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Thoracic aortic diseases, whether sporadic or due to a genetic disorder such as Marfan syndrome, lack effective medical therapies, with limited translation of treatments that are highly successful in mouse models into the clinic. Patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer the opportunity to establish new human models of aortic diseases. Here we review the power and potential of these systems to identify cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying disease and discuss recent advances, such as gene editing, and smooth muscle cell embryonic lineage. In particular, we discuss the practical aspects of vascular smooth muscle cell derivation and characterization, and provide our personal insights into the challenges and limitations of this approach. Future applications, such as genotype-phenotype association, drug screening, and precision medicine are discussed. We propose that iPSC-derived aortic disease models could guide future clinical trials via “clinical-trials-in-a-dish”, thus paving the way for new and improved therapies for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongorzul Davaapil
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Deeti K Shetty
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Sanjay Sinha
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Thottappillil N, Nair PD. Dual source co-electrospun tubular scaffold generated from gelatin-vinyl acetate and poly-ɛ-caprolactone for smooth muscle cell mediated blood vessel engineering. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2020; 114:111030. [PMID: 32994010 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2020.111030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Neelima Thottappillil
- Division of Tissue Engineering and Regeneration Technologies, Biomedical Technology Wing, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram 695012, India
| | - Prabha D Nair
- Division of Tissue Engineering and Regeneration Technologies, Biomedical Technology Wing, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram 695012, India.
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29
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Boezio GL, Bensimon-Brito A, Piesker J, Guenther S, Helker CS, Stainier DY. Endothelial TGF-β signaling instructs smooth muscle cell development in the cardiac outflow tract. eLife 2020; 9:57603. [PMID: 32990594 PMCID: PMC7524555 DOI: 10.7554/elife.57603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of the cardiac outflow tract (OFT), which connects the heart to the great arteries, relies on a complex crosstalk between endothelial (ECs) and smooth muscle (SMCs) cells. Defects in OFT development can lead to severe malformations, including aortic aneurysms, which are frequently associated with impaired TGF-β signaling. To better understand the role of TGF-β signaling in OFT formation, we generated zebrafish lacking the TGF-β receptor Alk5 and found a strikingly specific dilation of the OFT: alk5-/- OFTs exhibit increased EC numbers as well as extracellular matrix (ECM) and SMC disorganization. Surprisingly, endothelial-specific alk5 overexpression in alk5-/- rescues the EC, ECM, and SMC defects. Transcriptomic analyses reveal downregulation of the ECM gene fibulin-5, which when overexpressed in ECs ameliorates OFT morphology and function. These findings reveal a new requirement for endothelial TGF-β signaling in OFT morphogenesis and suggest an important role for the endothelium in the etiology of aortic malformations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Lm Boezio
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Anabela Bensimon-Brito
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Janett Piesker
- Scientific Service Group Microscopy, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Stefan Guenther
- Bioinformatics and Deep Sequencing Platform, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Christian Sm Helker
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Didier Yr Stainier
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
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Pan H, Xue C, Auerbach BJ, Fan J, Bashore AC, Cui J, Yang DY, Trignano SB, Liu W, Shi J, Ihuegbu CO, Bush EC, Worley J, Vlahos L, Laise P, Solomon RA, Connolly ES, Califano A, Sims PA, Zhang H, Li M, Reilly MP. Single-Cell Genomics Reveals a Novel Cell State During Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotypic Switching and Potential Therapeutic Targets for Atherosclerosis in Mouse and Human. Circulation 2020; 142:2060-2075. [PMID: 32962412 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.120.048378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 308] [Impact Index Per Article: 77.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) play significant roles in atherosclerosis via phenotypic switching, a pathological process in which SMC dedifferentiation, migration, and transdifferentiation into other cell types. Yet how SMCs contribute to the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis remains elusive. METHODS To reveal the trajectories of SMC transdifferentiation during atherosclerosis and to identify molecular targets for disease therapy, we combined SMC fate mapping and single-cell RNA sequencing of both mouse and human atherosclerotic plaques. We also performed cell biology experiments on isolated SMC-derived cells, conducted integrative human genomics, and used pharmacological studies targeting SMC-derived cells both in vivo and in vitro. RESULTS We found that SMCs transitioned to an intermediate cell state during atherosclerosis, which was also found in human atherosclerotic plaques of carotid and coronary arteries. SMC-derived intermediate cells, termed "SEM" cells (stem cell, endothelial cell, monocyte), were multipotent and could differentiate into macrophage-like and fibrochondrocyte-like cells, as well as return toward the SMC phenotype. Retinoic acid (RA) signaling was identified as a regulator of SMC to SEM cell transition, and RA signaling was dysregulated in symptomatic human atherosclerosis. Human genomics revealed enrichment of genome-wide association study signals for coronary artery disease in RA signaling target gene loci and correlation between coronary artery disease risk alleles and repressed expression of these genes. Activation of RA signaling by all-trans RA, an anticancer drug for acute promyelocytic leukemia, blocked SMC transition to SEM cells, reduced atherosclerotic burden, and promoted fibrous cap stability. CONCLUSIONS Integration of cell-specific fate mapping, single-cell genomics, and human genetics adds novel insights into the complexity of SMC biology and reveals regulatory pathways for therapeutic targeting of SMC transitions in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huize Pan
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (H.P., C.X., A.C.B., J.C., D.Y.Y., S.B.T., W.L., J.S., C.O.I., H.Z., M.P.R.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York
| | - Chenyi Xue
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (H.P., C.X., A.C.B., J.C., D.Y.Y., S.B.T., W.L., J.S., C.O.I., H.Z., M.P.R.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York
| | - Benjamin J Auerbach
- Graduate Group in Genomics and Computational Biology (B.J.A.), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Jiaxin Fan
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics (J.F., M.L.), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Alexander C Bashore
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (H.P., C.X., A.C.B., J.C., D.Y.Y., S.B.T., W.L., J.S., C.O.I., H.Z., M.P.R.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York
| | - Jian Cui
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (H.P., C.X., A.C.B., J.C., D.Y.Y., S.B.T., W.L., J.S., C.O.I., H.Z., M.P.R.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York
| | - Dina Y Yang
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (H.P., C.X., A.C.B., J.C., D.Y.Y., S.B.T., W.L., J.S., C.O.I., H.Z., M.P.R.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York
| | - Sarah B Trignano
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (H.P., C.X., A.C.B., J.C., D.Y.Y., S.B.T., W.L., J.S., C.O.I., H.Z., M.P.R.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York
| | - Wen Liu
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (H.P., C.X., A.C.B., J.C., D.Y.Y., S.B.T., W.L., J.S., C.O.I., H.Z., M.P.R.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York
| | - Jianting Shi
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (H.P., C.X., A.C.B., J.C., D.Y.Y., S.B.T., W.L., J.S., C.O.I., H.Z., M.P.R.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York
| | - Chinyere O Ihuegbu
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (H.P., C.X., A.C.B., J.C., D.Y.Y., S.B.T., W.L., J.S., C.O.I., H.Z., M.P.R.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York
| | - Erin C Bush
- Department of Systems Biology (E.C.B., J.W., L.V., P.L. A.C., P.A.S.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York
| | - Jeremy Worley
- Department of Systems Biology (E.C.B., J.W., L.V., P.L. A.C., P.A.S.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York
| | - Lukas Vlahos
- Department of Systems Biology (E.C.B., J.W., L.V., P.L. A.C., P.A.S.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York
| | - Pasquale Laise
- Department of Systems Biology (E.C.B., J.W., L.V., P.L. A.C., P.A.S.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York
| | - Robert A Solomon
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Irving Medical Center (R.A.S., E.S.C.)
| | - Edward S Connolly
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Irving Medical Center (R.A.S., E.S.C.)
| | - Andrea Califano
- Department of Systems Biology (E.C.B., J.W., L.V., P.L. A.C., P.A.S.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York.,Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (A.C.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York.,JP Sulzberger Columbia Genome Center (A.C.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York.,Department of Biomedical Informatics (A.C.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (A.C., P.A.S.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York
| | - Peter A Sims
- Department of Systems Biology (E.C.B., J.W., L.V., P.L. A.C., P.A.S.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (A.C., P.A.S.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York
| | - Hanrui Zhang
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (H.P., C.X., A.C.B., J.C., D.Y.Y., S.B.T., W.L., J.S., C.O.I., H.Z., M.P.R.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York
| | - Mingyao Li
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics (J.F., M.L.), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Muredach P Reilly
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (H.P., C.X., A.C.B., J.C., D.Y.Y., S.B.T., W.L., J.S., C.O.I., H.Z., M.P.R.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York.,Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Columbia University, New York (M.P.R.)
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31
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Abolhasani S, Rajabibazl M, Khani MM, Parandakh A, Hoseinpoor R. The cooperative effects of micro-grooved topography and TGF-β1 on the vascular smooth muscle cell contractile protein expression of the mesenchymal stem cells. Differentiation 2020; 115:22-29. [PMID: 32784008 DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2020.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Revised: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Cell morphological changes induced by micro-grooved topography have been shown to be an important regulator of smooth muscle (SM) differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In addition to the micro-grooved topography, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) can also modulate MSCs differentiation towards smooth muscle cells (SMCs) through alterations in cell morphological characteristics. Thus, it can be hypothesized that substrate topography and TGF-β1 may interact to facilitate differentiation of MSCs into SMCs. In this study, we investigated the time-course cooperative effects of substrate topography and TGF-β1 in the regulation of SM differentiation of human MSCs. Western blotting, followed by image analysis, was performed to assess the protein expression of α-actin, h1-calponin and gelsolin. Three-way analysis of variance was employed to investigate the main effect of each independent variable, i.e. TGF-β1 conditioning, substrate topography and culture time, along with the interactions of these variables. Each of TGF-β1, substrate topography and culture time significantly affected the protein expression of α-actin, h1-calponin and gelsolin. Overall, TGF-β1 conditioning of the cells and culturing the cells on the micro-grooved substrate resulted in greater protein expression of α-actin and h1-calponin, and lesser protein expression of gelsolin. In addition to the isolated effects of the variables, treatment type interacted with substrate topography and culture time to regulate the expression of the above-mentioned proteins. This study indicated the feasibility of promoting SM differentiation of human MSCs by simultaneous recruitment of micro-grooved topography and TGF-β1. The findings could be of assistance when effective utilization of chemo-physical cues is needed to achieve functional SMC-like MSCs in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakhavat Abolhasani
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Masoumeh Rajabibazl
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mohammad-Mehdi Khani
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Azim Parandakh
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), Tehran, Iran.
| | - Reyhaneh Hoseinpoor
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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32
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MICAL2 is essential for myogenic lineage commitment. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:654. [PMID: 32811811 PMCID: PMC7434877 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-02886-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Contractile myofiber units are mainly composed of thick myosin and thin actin (F-actin) filaments. F-Actin interacts with Microtubule Associated Monooxygenase, Calponin And LIM Domain Containing 2 (MICAL2). Indeed, MICAL2 modifies actin subunits and promotes actin filament turnover by severing them and preventing repolymerization. In this study, we found that MICAL2 increases during myogenic differentiation of adult and pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) towards skeletal, smooth and cardiac muscle cells and localizes in the nucleus of acute and chronic regenerating muscle fibers. In vivo delivery of Cas9–Mical2 guide RNA complexes results in muscle actin defects and demonstrates that MICAL2 is essential for skeletal muscle homeostasis and functionality. Conversely, MICAL2 upregulation shows a positive impact on skeletal and cardiac muscle commitments. Taken together these data demonstrate that modulations of MICAL2 have an impact on muscle filament dynamics and its fine-tuned balance is essential for the regeneration of muscle tissues.
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33
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Wen H, Wang M, Gong S, Li X, Meng J, Wen J, Wang Y, Zhang S, Xin S. Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells Attenuate Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Progression in Sprague-Dawley Rats: Implication of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotypic Modulation. Stem Cells Dev 2020; 29:981-993. [PMID: 32486904 PMCID: PMC7410303 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2020.0058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is life-threatening, for which efficient nonsurgical treatment strategy has not been available so far. Several previous studies investigating the therapeutic effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in AAA indicated that MSCs could inhibit aneurysmal inflammatory responses and extracellular matrix destruction, and suppress aneurysm occurrence and expansion. Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotypic plasticity is reported to be predisposed in AAA initiation and progression. However, little is known about the effect of MSCs on VSMC phenotypic modulation in AAA. In this study, we investigate the therapeutic efficacy of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) in elastase-induced AAA model and evaluate the effect of UC-MSC on VSMC phenotypic regulation. We demonstrate that the intravenous injection of UC-MSC attenuates elastase-induced aneurysmal expansion, reduces elastin degradation and fragmentation, inhibits MMPs and TNF-α expression, and preserves and/or restores VSMC contractile phenotype in AAA. Taken together, these results highlight the therapeutic and VSMC phenotypic modulation effects of UC-MSC in AAA progression, which further indicates the potential of applying UC-MSC as an alternative treatment candidate for AAA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wen
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Therapeutics of Aortic Aneurysm in Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China.,Regenerative Medicine Research Center of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Mingjing Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Shiqiang Gong
- Department of Pharmacology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xintong Li
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Therapeutics of Aortic Aneurysm in Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China.,Regenerative Medicine Research Center of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jinze Meng
- Department of Pharmacology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jie Wen
- Department of Ultrasonography, Inner Mongolia Baotou City Central Hospital, Baotou, China
| | - Yifei Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Shuqing Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Shijie Xin
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Therapeutics of Aortic Aneurysm in Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China.,Regenerative Medicine Research Center of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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34
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Thurner M, Deutsch M, Janke K, Messner F, Kreutzer C, Beyl S, Couillard-Després S, Hering S, Troppmair J, Marksteiner R. Generation of myogenic progenitor cell-derived smooth muscle cells for sphincter regeneration. Stem Cell Res Ther 2020; 11:233. [PMID: 32532320 PMCID: PMC7291744 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-020-01749-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Degeneration of smooth muscles in sphincters can cause debilitating diseases such as fecal incontinence. Skeletal muscle-derived cells have been effectively used in clinics for the regeneration of the skeletal muscle sphincters, such as the external anal or urinary sphincter. However, little is known about the in vitro smooth muscle differentiation potential and in vivo regenerative potential of skeletal muscle-derived cells. METHODS Myogenic progenitor cells (MPC) were isolated from the skeletal muscle and analyzed by flow cytometry and in vitro differentiation assays. The differentiation of MPC to smooth muscle cells (MPC-SMC) was evaluated by immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, patch-clamp, collagen contraction, and microarray gene expression analysis. In vivo engraftment of MPC-SMC was monitored by transplanting reporter protein-expressing cells into the pyloric sphincter of immunodeficient mice. RESULTS MPC derived from human skeletal muscle expressed mesenchymal surface markers and exhibit skeletal myogenic differentiation potential in vitro. In contrast, they lack hematopoietic surface marker, as well as adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic differentiation potential in vitro. Cultivation of MPC in smooth muscle differentiation medium significantly increases the fraction of alpha smooth muscle actin (aSMA) and smoothelin-positive cells, while leaving the number of desmin-positive cells unchanged. Smooth muscle-differentiated MPC (MPC-SMC) exhibit increased expression of smooth muscle-related genes, significantly enhanced numbers of CD146- and CD49a-positive cells, and in vitro contractility and express functional Cav and Kv channels. MPC to MPC-SMC differentiation was also accompanied by a reduction in their skeletal muscle differentiation potential. Upon removal of the smooth muscle differentiation medium, a major fraction of MPC-SMC remained positive for aSMA, suggesting the definitive acquisition of their phenotype. Transplantation of murine MPC-SMC into the mouse pyloric sphincter revealed engraftment of MPC-SMC based on aSMA protein expression within the host smooth muscle tissue. CONCLUSIONS Our work confirms the ability of MPC to give rise to smooth muscle cells (MPC-SMC) with a well-defined and stable phenotype. Moreover, the engraftment of in vitro-differentiated murine MPC-SMC into the pyloric sphincter in vivo underscores the potential of this cell population as a novel cell therapeutic treatment for smooth muscle regeneration of sphincters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Thurner
- Innovacell Biotechnologie AG, Mitterweg 24, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
- Daniel Swarovski Research Laboratory (DSL), Visceral Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Martin Deutsch
- Innovacell Biotechnologie AG, Mitterweg 24, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Katrin Janke
- Innovacell Biotechnologie AG, Mitterweg 24, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Franka Messner
- Daniel Swarovski Research Laboratory (DSL), Visceral Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christina Kreutzer
- Institute of Experimental Neuroregeneration, Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg (SCI-TReCS), Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
- Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stanislav Beyl
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sébastien Couillard-Després
- Institute of Experimental Neuroregeneration, Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg (SCI-TReCS), Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
- Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| | - Steffen Hering
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jakob Troppmair
- Daniel Swarovski Research Laboratory (DSL), Visceral Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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Yin H, He H, Shen X, Tang S, Zhao J, Cao X, Han S, Cui C, Chen Y, Wei Y, Wang Y, Li D, Zhu Q. MicroRNA Profiling Reveals an Abundant miR-200a-3p Promotes Skeletal Muscle Satellite Cell Development by Targeting TGF-β2 and Regulating the TGF‑β2/SMAD Signaling Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21093274. [PMID: 32380777 PMCID: PMC7247338 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21093274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are evolutionarily conserved, small noncoding RNAs that play critical post-transcriptional regulatory roles in skeletal muscle development. Chicken is an optimal model to study skeletal muscle formation because its developmental anatomy is similar to that of mammals. In this study, we identified potential miRNAs in the breast muscle of broilers and layers at embryonic day 10 (E10), E13, E16, and E19. We detected 1836 miRNAs, 233 of which were differentially expressed between broilers and layers. In particular, miRNA-200a-3p was significantly more highly expressed in broilers than layers at three time points. In vitro experiments showed that miR-200a-3p accelerated differentiation and proliferation of chicken skeletal muscle satellite cells (SMSCs) and inhibited SMSCs apoptosis. The transforming growth factor 2 (TGF-β2) was identified as a target gene of miR-200a-3p, and which turned out to inhibit differentiation and proliferation, and promote apoptosis of SMSCs. Exogenous TGF-β2 increased the abundances of phosphorylated SMAD2 and SMAD3 proteins, and a miR-200a-3p mimic weakened this effect. The TGF-β2 inhibitor treatment reduced the promotional and inhibitory effects of miR-200a-3p on SMSC differentiation and apoptosis, respectively. Our results indicate that miRNAs are abundantly expressed during embryonic skeletal muscle development, and that miR-200a-3p promotes SMSC development by targeting TGF-β2 and regulating the TGF-β2/SMAD signaling pathway.
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36
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Jäger MA, De La Torre C, Arnold C, Kohlhaas J, Kappert L, Hecker M, Feldner A, Korff T. Assembly of vascular smooth muscle cells in 3D aggregates provokes cellular quiescence. Exp Cell Res 2019; 388:111782. [PMID: 31857114 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2019.111782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture conditions are often used to promote the differentiation of human cells as a prerequisite for the study of organotypic functions and environment-specific cellular responses. Here, we assessed the molecular and functional phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) cultured as 3D multilayered aggregates. Microarray studies revealed that these conditions decrease the expression of genes associated with cell cycle control and DNA replication and cease proliferation of VSMCs. This was accompanied by a lower activity level of the mitogen-activated protein kinase ERK1/2 and an increase in autocrine TGFβ/SMAD2/3-mediated signaling - a determinant of VSMC differentiation. However, inhibition of TGFβ signaling did not affect markers of VSMC differentiation such as smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (MYH11) but stimulated pro-inflammatory NFκB-associated gene expression in the first place while decreasing the protein level of NFKB1/p105 and NFKB2/p100 - inhibitors of NFκB transcriptional activity. Moreover, loss of TGFβ signaling also revived VSMC proliferation in 3D aggregates. In conclusion, assembly of VSMCs in multilayered aggregates alters their transcriptome to translate the cellular organization into a resting phenotype. In this context, TGFβ signaling appears to attenuate cell growth and NFκB-controlled gene expression representing important aspects of VSMC quiescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marius Andreas Jäger
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Carolina De La Torre
- Center of Medical Research, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Caroline Arnold
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Johanna Kohlhaas
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Lena Kappert
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Markus Hecker
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Anja Feldner
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Thomas Korff
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Heidelberg University, Germany; European Center for Angioscience (ECAS), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany.
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37
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Loss of the serine protease HTRA1 impairs smooth muscle cells maturation. Sci Rep 2019; 9:18224. [PMID: 31796853 PMCID: PMC6890777 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-54807-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) dysfunction is a hallmark of small vessel disease, a common cause of stroke and dementia. Two of the most frequently mutated genes in familial small vessel disease are HTRA1 and NOTCH3. The protease HTRA1 cleaves the NOTCH3 ligand JAG1 implying a mechanistic link between HTRA1 and Notch signaling. Here we report that HTRA1 is essential for VSMC differentiation into the contractile phenotype. Mechanistically, loss of HTRA1 increased JAG1 protein levels and NOTCH3 signaling activity in VSMC. In addition, the loss of HTRA1 enhanced TGFβ-SMAD2/3 signaling activity. Activation of either NOTCH3 or TGFβ signaling resulted in increased transcription of the HES and HEY transcriptional repressors and promoted the contractile VSMC phenotype. However, their combined over-activation led to an additive accumulation of HES and HEY proteins, which repressed the expression of contractile VSMC marker genes. As a result, VSMC adopted an immature phenotype with impaired arterial vasoconstriction in Htra1-deficient mice. These data demonstrate an essential role of HTRA1 in vascular maturation and homeostasis by controlling Notch and TGFβ signaling.
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38
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Harman JL, Jørgensen HF. The role of smooth muscle cells in plaque stability: Therapeutic targeting potential. Br J Pharmacol 2019; 176:3741-3753. [PMID: 31254285 PMCID: PMC6780045 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Revised: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Events responsible for cardiovascular mortality and morbidity are predominantly caused by rupture of "vulnerable" atherosclerotic lesions. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play a key role in atherogenesis and have historically been considered beneficial for plaque stability. VSMCs constitute the main cellular component of the protective fibrous cap within lesions and are responsible for synthesising strength-giving extracellular matrix components. However, lineage-tracing experiments in mouse models of atherosclerosis have shown that, in addition to the fibrous cap, VSMCs also give rise to many of the cell types found within the plaque core. In particular, VSMCs generate a substantial fraction of lipid-laden foam cells, and VSMC-derived cells expressing markers of macrophages, osteochondrocyte, and mesenchymal stem cells have been observed within lesions. Here, we review recent studies that have changed our perspective on VSMC function in atherosclerosis and discuss how VSMCs could be targeted to increase plaque stability.
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39
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Cozijnsen L, Plomp AS, Post JG, Pals G, Bogunovic N, Yeung KK, Niessen HWM, Goumans MJTH, Barge-Schaapveld DQCM, Micha D. Pathogenic effect of a TGFBR1 mutation in a family with Loeys-Dietz syndrome. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2019; 7:e00943. [PMID: 31475485 PMCID: PMC6785444 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections (TAAD) may have a heritable cause in up to 20% of cases. We aimed to investigate the pathogenic effect of a TGFBR1 mutation in relation to TAAD. Methods Co‐segregation analysis was performed followed by functional investigations, including myogenic transdifferentiation. Results The c.1043G>A TGFBR1 mutation was found in the index patient, in a deceased brother, and in five presymptomatic family members. Evidence for pathogenicity was found by the predicted damaging effect of this mutation and the co‐segregation in the family. Functional analysis with myogenic transdifferentiation of dermal fibroblasts to smooth muscle‐like cells, revealed increased myogenic differentiation in patient cells with the TGFBR1 mutation, shown by a higher expression of myogenic markers ACTA2, MYH11 and CNN1 compared to cells from healthy controls. Conclusion Our findings confirm the pathogenic effect of the TGFBR1 mutation in causing TAAD in Loeys–Dietz syndrome and show increased myogenic differentiation of patient fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luc Cozijnsen
- Department of Cardiology, Gelre Hospital, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands
| | - Astrid S Plomp
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jan G Post
- Department of Genetics, University Medical Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Gerard Pals
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, VUMC, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Natalija Bogunovic
- Department of Physiology, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, VUMC, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, VUMC, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Kak K Yeung
- Department of Physiology, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, VUMC, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, VUMC, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hans W M Niessen
- Department of Pathology and Cardiac Surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, VUMC, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marie-José T H Goumans
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Dimitra Micha
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, VUMC, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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40
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Coquenlorge S, Yin WC, Yung T, Pan J, Zhang X, Mo R, Belik J, Hui CC, Kim TH. GLI2 Modulated by SUFU and SPOP Induces Intestinal Stem Cell Niche Signals in Development and Tumorigenesis. Cell Rep 2019; 27:3006-3018.e4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2018] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
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Low EL, Baker AH, Bradshaw AC. TGFβ, smooth muscle cells and coronary artery disease: a review. Cell Signal 2019; 53:90-101. [PMID: 30227237 PMCID: PMC6293316 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2018.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Revised: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Excessive vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation, migration and extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis are key events in the development of intimal hyperplasia, a pathophysiological response to acute or chronic sources of vascular damage that can lead to occlusive narrowing of the vessel lumen. Atherosclerosis, the primary cause of coronary artery disease, is characterised by chronic vascular inflammation and dyslipidemia, while revascularisation surgeries such as coronary stenting and bypass grafting represent acute forms of vascular injury. Gene knockouts of transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ), its receptors and downstream signalling proteins have demonstrated the importance of this pleiotropic cytokine during vasculogenesis and in the maintenance of vascular homeostasis. Dysregulated TGFβ signalling is a hallmark of many vascular diseases, and has been associated with the induction of pathological vascular cell phenotypes, fibrosis and ECM remodelling. Here we present an overview of TGFβ signalling in SMCs, highlighting the ways in which this multifaceted cytokine regulates SMC behaviour and phenotype in cardiovascular diseases driven by intimal hyperplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma L Low
- Institute for Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, 126 University Place, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK
| | - Andrew H Baker
- Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Angela C Bradshaw
- Institute for Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, 126 University Place, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK.
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42
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Zhang X, Xie H, Chang P, Zhao H, Xia Y, Zhang L, Guo X, Huang C, Yan F, Hu L, Lin C, Li Y, Xiong Z, Wang X, Li G, Deng L, Wang S, Tao L. Glycoprotein M6B Interacts with TβRI to Activate TGF-β-Smad2/3 Signaling and Promote Smooth Muscle Cell Differentiation. Stem Cells 2018; 37:190-201. [PMID: 30372567 PMCID: PMC7379588 DOI: 10.1002/stem.2938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Revised: 10/07/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Smooth muscle cells (SMCs), which form the walls of blood vessels, play an important role in vascular development and the pathogenic process of vascular remodeling. However, the molecular mechanisms governing SMC differentiation remain poorly understood. Glycoprotein M6B (GPM6B) is a four-transmembrane protein that belongs to the proteolipid protein family and is widely expressed in neurons, oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes. Previous studies have revealed that GPM6B plays a role in neuronal differentiation, myelination, and osteoblast differentiation. In the present study, we found that the GPM6B gene and protein expression levels were significantly upregulated during transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced SMC differentiation. The knockdown of GPM6B resulted in the downregulation of SMC-specific marker expression and repressed the activation of Smad2/3 signaling. Moreover, GPM6B regulates SMC Differentiation by Controlling TGF-β-Smad2/3 Signaling. Furthermore, we demonstrated that similar to p-Smad2/3, GPM6B was profoundly expressed and coexpressed with SMC differentiation markers in embryonic SMCs. Moreover, GPM6B can regulate the tightness between TβRI, TβRII, or Smad2/3 by directly binding to TβRI to activate Smad2/3 signaling during SMC differentiation, and activation of TGF-β-Smad2/3 signaling also facilitate the expression of GPM6B. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that GPM6B plays a crucial role in SMC differentiation and regulates SMC differentiation through the activation of TGF-β-Smad2/3 signaling via direct interactions with TβRI. This finding indicates that GPM6B is a potential target for deriving SMCs from stem cells in cardiovascular regenerative medicine. Stem Cells 2018 Stem Cells 2019;37:190-201.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomeng Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Huaning Xie
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Pan Chang
- Central Laboratory, Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Huishou Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunlong Xia
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiong Guo
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Golmud, Qinghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Chong Huang
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Yan
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Lang Hu
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Lin
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Yueyang Li
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenyu Xiong
- Department of Cardiology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiong Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Guohua Li
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Longxiang Deng
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Shan Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Ling Tao
- Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
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Frismantiene A, Philippova M, Erne P, Resink TJ. Smooth muscle cell-driven vascular diseases and molecular mechanisms of VSMC plasticity. Cell Signal 2018; 52:48-64. [PMID: 30172025 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2018.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 236] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Revised: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are the major cell type in blood vessels. Unlike many other mature cell types in the adult body, VSMC do not terminally differentiate but retain a remarkable plasticity. Fully differentiated medial VSMCs of mature vessels maintain quiescence and express a range of genes and proteins important for contraction/dilation, which allows them to control systemic and local pressure through the regulation of vascular tone. In response to vascular injury or alterations in local environmental cues, differentiated/contractile VSMCs are capable of switching to a dedifferentiated phenotype characterized by increased proliferation, migration and extracellular matrix synthesis in concert with decreased expression of contractile markers. Imbalanced VSMC plasticity results in maladaptive phenotype alterations that ultimately lead to progression of a variety of VSMC-driven vascular diseases. The nature, extent and consequences of dysregulated VSMC phenotype alterations are diverse, reflecting the numerous environmental cues (e.g. biochemical factors, extracellular matrix components, physical) that prompt VSMC phenotype switching. In spite of decades of efforts to understand cues and processes that normally control VSMC differentiation and their disruption in VSMC-driven disease states, the crucial molecular mechanisms and signalling pathways that shape the VSMC phenotype programme have still not yet been precisely elucidated. In this article we introduce the physiological functions of vascular smooth muscle/VSMCs, outline VSMC-driven cardiovascular diseases and the concept of VSMC phenotype switching, and review molecular mechanisms that play crucial roles in the regulation of VSMC phenotypic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agne Frismantiene
- Department of Biomedicine, Laboratory for Signal Transduction, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Maria Philippova
- Department of Biomedicine, Laboratory for Signal Transduction, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Paul Erne
- Department of Biomedicine, Laboratory for Signal Transduction, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Therese J Resink
- Department of Biomedicine, Laboratory for Signal Transduction, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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Zani BC, Sanches BDA, Maldarine JS, Biancardi MF, Santos FCA, Barquilha CN, Zucão MI, Baraldi CMB, Felisbino SL, Góes RM, Vilamaior PSL, Taboga SR. Telocytes role during the postnatal development of the Mongolian gerbil jejunum. Exp Mol Pathol 2018; 105:130-138. [PMID: 30003874 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2018.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Revised: 06/26/2018] [Accepted: 07/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Telocytes are recently categorised CD34-positive interstitial cells that comprise the cells which were previously called interstitial Cajal-like cells (ICLCs). These were detected in the stroma of various organs such as the prostate, lungs, mammary glands, liver, gallbladder, and jejunum, among others. Several functions have been proposed for telocytes, such as a supportive role in smooth muscle contraction and immune function in adult organs, and tissue organisation and paracrine signalling during development, as well as others. In the jejunum, little is known about the function of telocytes in the adult organ, or is there any information about when these cells develop or if they could have an auxiliary role in the development of the jejunum. The present study employed histological, immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence techniques on histological sections of the jejunum of Mongolian gerbil pups on two different days of postnatal development of the jejunum, covering the maturation period of the organ. By immunolabelling for CD34, it was observed that telocytes are already present in the jejunum during the first week of postnatal life and exist in close association with the developing muscularis mucosae, which are therefore TGFβ1-positive. The telocytes are still present at the end of the first month of life, and a portion of them present co-localisation with c-Kit. Fibroblast-like cells, which are exclusively c-Kit-positive, are also observed, which may indicate the presence of interstitial Cajal cells (ICCs). Finally, it can be hypothesised that a portion of the telocytes may give rise to ICCs, which are c-Kit-positive but CD34 negative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno C Zani
- Univ. Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Department of Biology, Laboratory of Microscopy and Microanalysis, Cristóvão Colombo St., 2265, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bruno D A Sanches
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, State University of Campinas, Bertrand Russel Av., Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Juliana S Maldarine
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, State University of Campinas, Bertrand Russel Av., Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Manoel F Biancardi
- Department of Histology, Embryology and Cell Biology, Federal University of Goiás, Samambaia II, Goiânia, Goiás 74001970, Brazil
| | - Fernanda C A Santos
- Department of Histology, Embryology and Cell Biology, Federal University of Goiás, Samambaia II, Goiânia, Goiás 74001970, Brazil
| | - Caroline N Barquilha
- Univ. Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Institute of Biosciences, Prof. Dr. Antônio Celso Wagner Zanin St., 250, Rubião Júnior District, Botucatu, São Paulo 18618-689, Brazil
| | - Mariele I Zucão
- Univ. Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Department of Biology, Laboratory of Microscopy and Microanalysis, Cristóvão Colombo St., 2265, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carolina M B Baraldi
- Univ. Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Department of Biology, Laboratory of Microscopy and Microanalysis, Cristóvão Colombo St., 2265, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sergio L Felisbino
- Univ. Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Department of Biology, Laboratory of Microscopy and Microanalysis, Cristóvão Colombo St., 2265, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Univ. Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Institute of Biosciences, Prof. Dr. Antônio Celso Wagner Zanin St., 250, Rubião Júnior District, Botucatu, São Paulo 18618-689, Brazil
| | - Rejane M Góes
- Univ. Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Department of Biology, Laboratory of Microscopy and Microanalysis, Cristóvão Colombo St., 2265, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Structural and Functional Biology, State University of Campinas, Bertrand Russel Av., Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Patricia S L Vilamaior
- Univ. Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Department of Biology, Laboratory of Microscopy and Microanalysis, Cristóvão Colombo St., 2265, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sebastião R Taboga
- Univ. Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Department of Biology, Laboratory of Microscopy and Microanalysis, Cristóvão Colombo St., 2265, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Structural and Functional Biology, State University of Campinas, Bertrand Russel Av., Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Defective NOTCH signaling drives increased vascular smooth muscle cell apoptosis and contractile differentiation in bicuspid aortic valve aortopathy: A review of the evidence and future directions. Trends Cardiovasc Med 2018; 29:61-68. [PMID: 30621852 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcm.2018.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Revised: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) disease remains the most common congenital cardiac disease and is associated with an increased risk of potentially fatal aortopathy including aortic aneurysm and dissection. Mutations in the NOTCH1 gene are one of only a few genetic anomalies identified in BAV disease; however evidence for defective NOTCH signaling, and its involvement in the characteristic histological changes of VSMC apoptosis and differentiation in ascending aortae of BAV patients is lacking. This review scrutinizes the evidence for the interactions of NOTCH signaling, cellular differentiation and apoptosis in the context of aortic VSMCs and provides focus for future research efforts in the diagnosis of BAV aortopathy and prevention of catastrophic complications through NOTCH signaling manipulation.
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Frismantiene A, Philippova M, Erne P, Resink TJ. Cadherins in vascular smooth muscle cell (patho)biology: Quid nos scimus? Cell Signal 2018; 45:23-42. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2018.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Revised: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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47
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Zhao B, Hu M, Wu H, Ren C, Chen J, Zhang X, Cui S. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ and its related pathway in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell differentiation co-cultured with mechanically stretched ligament fibroblasts. Int J Mol Med 2018; 42:219-227. [PMID: 29568896 PMCID: PMC5979932 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2018.3578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2016] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The occurrence of pelvic floor dysfunctional disease (PFD) is closely related with elasticity, toughness, and functional changes of the connective tissue of the pelvic support tissue. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have been confirmed to have the capacity to differentiate into a variety of cell types such as osteoblasts, chondroblasts, adipocytes and fibroblasts. Therefore, BMSCs have the potential to improve the clinical outcomes for PFD. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), a ligand activated transcription factor, has acquired a great deal of attention as it is involved in the fibrosis and cell differentiation. However, how it is regulated during the process of the differentiation of BMSCs into fibroblasts remains to be defined. The present study investigated the underlying mechanisms of PPAR-γ effect of mechanical stretch on the differentiation of BMSCs induced by pelvic ligament fibroblasts. PPAR-γ expression was decreased during the differentiation of BMSCs into fibroblasts by co-cultured stretched fibroblasts. Addition of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) reduced PPAR-γ expression and promoted the differentiation of BMSCs. With the employment of endogenous ligand, activation of PPAR-γ suppressed the BMSC differentiation. Similar effects were also observed with overexpression of PPAR-γ gene. In addition, decrease of PPAR-γ by the use of shRNA targeting rat PPAR-γ significantly contributed to BMSC differentiation to fibroblasts. These results indicate that PPAR-γ negatively regulates the differentiation of BMSCs into fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Zhao
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Mengcai Hu
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Huiyan Wu
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Chenchen Ren
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Juan Chen
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Xiaodan Zhang
- Zhengzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Jinshui, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
| | - Shihong Cui
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, P.R. China
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48
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Wang YC, Chuang YH, Shao Q, Chen JF, Chen SY. Brain cytoplasmic RNA 1 suppresses smooth muscle differentiation and vascular development in mice. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:5668-5678. [PMID: 29467228 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra117.001578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Revised: 02/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The cardiovascular system develops during the early stages of embryogenesis, and differentiation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) is essential for that process. SMC differentiation is critically regulated by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β/SMAD family member 3 (SMAD3) signaling, but other regulators may also play a role. For example, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate various cellular activities and events, such as proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. However, whether long noncoding RNAs also regulate SMC differentiation remains largely unknown. Here, using the murine cell line C3H10T1/2, we found that brain cytoplasmic RNA 1 (BC1) is an important regulator of SMC differentiation. BC1 overexpression suppressed, whereas BC1 knockdown promoted, TGF-β-induced SMC differentiation, as indicated by altered cell morphology and expression of multiple SMC markers, including smooth muscle α-actin (αSMA), calponin, and smooth muscle 22α (SM22α). BC1 appeared to block SMAD3 activity and inhibit SMC marker gene transcription. Mechanistically, BC1 bound to SMAD3 via RNA SMAD-binding elements (rSBEs) and thus impeded TGF-β-induced SMAD3 translocation to the nucleus. This prevented SMAD3 from binding to SBEs in SMC marker gene promoters, an essential event in SMC marker transcription. In vivo, BC1 overexpression in mouse embryos impaired vascular SMC differentiation, leading to structural defects in the artery wall, such as random breaks in the elastic lamina, abnormal collagen deposition on SM fibers, and disorganized extracellular matrix proteins in the media of the neonatal aorta. Our results suggest that BC1 is a suppressor of SMC differentiation during vascular development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yung-Chun Wang
- From the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
| | - Ya-Hui Chuang
- From the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
| | - Qiang Shao
- the Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089
| | - Jian-Fu Chen
- the Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089
| | - Shi-You Chen
- From the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, .,the Institute of Clinical Medicine and Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei 442000, China, and
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Roostalu U, Wong JK. Arterial smooth muscle dynamics in development and repair. Dev Biol 2018; 435:109-121. [PMID: 29397877 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2018.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2017] [Revised: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Arterial vasculature distributes blood from early embryonic development and provides a nutrient highway to maintain tissue viability. Atherosclerosis, peripheral artery diseases, stroke and aortic aneurysm represent the most frequent causes of death and are all directly related to abnormalities in the function of arteries. Vascular intervention techniques have been established for the treatment of all of these pathologies, yet arterial surgery can itself lead to biological changes in which uncontrolled arterial wall cell proliferation leads to restricted blood flow. In this review we describe the intricate cellular composition of arteries, demonstrating how a variety of distinct cell types in the vascular walls regulate the function of arteries. We provide an overview of the developmental origin of arteries and perivascular cells and focus on cellular dynamics in arterial repair. We summarize the current knowledge of the molecular signaling pathways that regulate vascular smooth muscle differentiation in the embryo and in arterial injury response. Our review aims to highlight the similarities as well as differences between cellular and molecular mechanisms that control arterial development and repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urmas Roostalu
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, UK.
| | - Jason Kf Wong
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, UK; Department of Plastic Surgery, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, UK.
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50
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The PPI network analysis of mRNA expression profile of uterus from primary dysmenorrheal rats. Sci Rep 2018; 8:351. [PMID: 29321498 PMCID: PMC5762641 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-18748-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
To elucidate the mechanisms of molecular regulations underlying primary dysmenorrhea (PD), we used our previously published mRNA expression profile of uterus from PD syndrome rats to construct protein-protein interactions (PPI) network via STRING Interactome. Consequently, 34 subnetworks, including a "continent" (Subnetwork 1) and 33 "islands" (Subnetwork 2-34) were generated. The nodes, with relative expression ratios, were visualized in the PPI networks and their connections were identified. Through path and module exploring in the network, the bridges were found from pathways of cellular response to calcium ion, SMAD protein signal transduction, regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter in response to stress and muscle stretch that were significantly enriched by the up-regulated mRNAs, to the cascades of cAMP metabolic processes and positive regulation of cyclase activities by the down-regulated ones. This link is mainly dependent on Fos/Jun - Vip connection. Our data, for the first time, report the PPI network analysis of differentially expressed mRNAs in the uterus of PD syndrome rats, to give insight into screening drugs and find new therapeutic strategies to relieve PD.
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