1
|
Worssam MD, Lambert J, Oc S, Taylor JCK, Taylor AL, Dobnikar L, Chappell J, Harman JL, Figg NL, Finigan A, Foote K, Uryga AK, Bennett MR, Spivakov M, Jørgensen HF. Cellular mechanisms of oligoclonal vascular smooth muscle cell expansion in cardiovascular disease. Cardiovasc Res 2023; 119:1279-1294. [PMID: 35994249 PMCID: PMC10202649 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvac138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Quiescent, differentiated adult vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) can be induced to proliferate and switch phenotype. Such plasticity underlies blood vessel homeostasis and contributes to vascular disease development. Oligoclonal VSMC contribution is a hallmark of end-stage vascular disease. Here, we aim to understand cellular mechanisms underpinning generation of this VSMC oligoclonality. METHODS AND RESULTS We investigate the dynamics of VSMC clone formation using confocal microscopy and single-cell transcriptomics in VSMC-lineage-traced animal models. We find that activation of medial VSMC proliferation occurs at low frequency after vascular injury and that only a subset of expanding clones migrate, which together drives formation of oligoclonal neointimal lesions. VSMC contribution in small atherosclerotic lesions is typically from one or two clones, similar to observations in mature lesions. Low frequency (<0.1%) of clonal VSMC proliferation is also observed in vitro. Single-cell RNA-sequencing revealed progressive cell state changes across a contiguous VSMC population at onset of injury-induced proliferation. Proliferating VSMCs mapped selectively to one of two distinct trajectories and were associated with cells showing extensive phenotypic switching. A proliferation-associated transitory state shared pronounced similarities with atypical SCA1+ VSMCs from uninjured mouse arteries and VSMCs in healthy human aorta. We show functionally that clonal expansion of SCA1+ VSMCs from healthy arteries occurs at higher rate and frequency compared with SCA1- cells. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that activation of proliferation at low frequency is a general, cell-intrinsic feature of VSMCs. We show that rare VSMCs in healthy arteries display VSMC phenotypic switching akin to that observed in pathological vessel remodelling and that this is a conserved feature of mouse and human healthy arteries. The increased proliferation of modulated VSMCs from healthy arteries suggests that these cells respond more readily to disease-inducing cues and could drive oligoclonal VSMC expansion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matt D Worssam
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Jordi Lambert
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Sebnem Oc
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - James C K Taylor
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Annabel L Taylor
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Lina Dobnikar
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
- Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Joel Chappell
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Jennifer L Harman
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Nichola L Figg
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Alison Finigan
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Kirsty Foote
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Anna K Uryga
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Martin R Bennett
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Mikhail Spivakov
- Functional Gene Control Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, London, UK
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Helle F Jørgensen
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Garrido AM, Kaistha A, Uryga AK, Oc S, Foote K, Shah A, Finigan A, Figg N, Dobnikar L, Jørgensen H, Bennett M. Efficacy and limitations of senolysis in atherosclerosis. Cardiovasc Res 2021; 118:1713-1727. [PMID: 34142149 PMCID: PMC9215197 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvab208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Aims Traditional markers of cell senescence including p16, Lamin B1, and senescence-associated beta galactosidase (SAβG) suggest very high frequencies of senescent cells in atherosclerosis, while their removal via ‘senolysis’ has been reported to reduce atherogenesis. However, selective killing of a variety of different cell types can exacerbate atherosclerosis. We therefore examined the specificity of senescence markers in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and the effects of genetic or pharmacological senolysis in atherosclerosis. Methods and results We examined traditional senescence markers in human and mouse VSMCs in vitro, and in mouse atherosclerosis. p16 and SAβG increased and Lamin B1 decreased in replicative senescence and stress-induced premature senescence (SIPS) of cultured human VSMCs. In contrast, mouse VSMCs undergoing SIPS showed only modest p16 up-regulation, and proliferating mouse monocyte/macrophages also expressed p16 and SAβG. Single cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) of lineage-traced mice showed increased p16 expression in VSMC-derived cells in plaques vs. normal arteries, but p16 localized to Stem cell antigen-1 (Sca1)+ or macrophage-like populations. Activation of a p16-driven suicide gene to remove p16+ vessel wall- and/or bone marrow-derived cells increased apoptotic cells, but also induced inflammation and did not change plaque size or composition. In contrast, the senolytic ABT-263 selectively reduced senescent VSMCs in culture, and markedly reduced atherogenesis. However, ABT-263 did not reduce senescence markers in vivo, and significantly reduced monocyte and platelet counts and interleukin 6 as a marker of systemic inflammation. Conclusions We show that genetic and pharmacological senolysis have variable effects on atherosclerosis, and may promote inflammation and non-specific effects respectively. In addition, traditional markers of cell senescence such as p16 have significant limitations to identify and remove senescent cells in atherosclerosis, suggesting that senescence studies in atherosclerosis and new senolytic drugs require more specific and lineage-restricted markers before ascribing their effects entirely to senolysis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anna K Uryga
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Cambridge
| | - Sebnem Oc
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Cambridge
| | - Kirsty Foote
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Cambridge
| | - Aarti Shah
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Cambridge
| | - Alison Finigan
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Cambridge
| | - Nichola Figg
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Cambridge
| | - Lina Dobnikar
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Cambridge.,Nuclear Dynamics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge UK
| | - Helle Jørgensen
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Cambridge
| | - Martin Bennett
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Cambridge
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Harman JL, Dobnikar L, Chappell J, Stokell BG, Dalby A, Foote K, Finigan A, Freire-Pritchett P, Taylor AL, Worssam MD, Madsen RR, Loche E, Uryga A, Bennett MR, Jørgensen HF. Epigenetic Regulation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells by Histone H3 Lysine 9 Dimethylation Attenuates Target Gene-Induction by Inflammatory Signaling. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2019; 39:2289-2302. [PMID: 31434493 PMCID: PMC6818986 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.119.312765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Vascular inflammation underlies cardiovascular disease. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) upregulate selective genes, including MMPs (matrix metalloproteinases) and proinflammatory cytokines upon local inflammation, which directly contribute to vascular disease and adverse clinical outcome. Identification of factors controlling VSMC responses to inflammation is therefore of considerable therapeutic importance. Here, we determine the role of Histone H3 lysine 9 di-methylation (H3K9me2), a repressive epigenetic mark that is reduced in atherosclerotic lesions, in regulating the VSMC inflammatory response. Approach and Results: We used VSMC-lineage tracing to reveal reduced H3K9me2 levels in VSMCs of arteries after injury and in atherosclerotic lesions compared with control vessels. Intriguingly, chromatin immunoprecipitation showed H3K9me2 enrichment at a subset of inflammation-responsive gene promoters, including MMP3, MMP9, MMP12, and IL6, in mouse and human VSMCs. Inhibition of G9A/GLP (G9A-like protein), the primary enzymes responsible for H3K9me2, significantly potentiated inflammation-induced gene induction in vitro and in vivo without altering NFκB (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cell) and MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) signaling. Rather, reduced G9A/GLP activity enhanced inflammation-induced binding of transcription factors NFκB-p65 and cJUN to H3K9me2 target gene promoters MMP3 and IL6. Taken together, these results suggest that promoter-associated H3K9me2 directly attenuates the induction of target genes in response to inflammation in human VSMCs. CONCLUSIONS This study implicates H3K9me2 in regulating the proinflammatory VSMC phenotype. Our findings suggest that reduced H3K9me2 in disease enhance binding of NFκB and AP-1 (activator protein-1) transcription factors at specific inflammation-responsive genes to augment proinflammatory stimuli in VSMC. Therefore, H3K9me2-regulation could be targeted clinically to limit expression of MMPs and IL6, which are induced in vascular disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L. Harman
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (J.L.H., L.D., J.C., A.D., K.F., A.F., A.L.T., M.D.W., R.R.M., E.L., A.U., M.R.B., H.F.J.)
| | - Lina Dobnikar
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (J.L.H., L.D., J.C., A.D., K.F., A.F., A.L.T., M.D.W., R.R.M., E.L., A.U., M.R.B., H.F.J.)
- Babraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom (L.D., P.F.-P.)
| | - Joel Chappell
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (J.L.H., L.D., J.C., A.D., K.F., A.F., A.L.T., M.D.W., R.R.M., E.L., A.U., M.R.B., H.F.J.)
| | - Benjamin G. Stokell
- Statistical Laboratory, Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (B.G.S.)
| | - Amanda Dalby
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (J.L.H., L.D., J.C., A.D., K.F., A.F., A.L.T., M.D.W., R.R.M., E.L., A.U., M.R.B., H.F.J.)
| | - Kirsty Foote
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (J.L.H., L.D., J.C., A.D., K.F., A.F., A.L.T., M.D.W., R.R.M., E.L., A.U., M.R.B., H.F.J.)
| | - Alison Finigan
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (J.L.H., L.D., J.C., A.D., K.F., A.F., A.L.T., M.D.W., R.R.M., E.L., A.U., M.R.B., H.F.J.)
| | | | - Annabel L. Taylor
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (J.L.H., L.D., J.C., A.D., K.F., A.F., A.L.T., M.D.W., R.R.M., E.L., A.U., M.R.B., H.F.J.)
| | - Matthew D. Worssam
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (J.L.H., L.D., J.C., A.D., K.F., A.F., A.L.T., M.D.W., R.R.M., E.L., A.U., M.R.B., H.F.J.)
| | - Ralitsa R. Madsen
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (J.L.H., L.D., J.C., A.D., K.F., A.F., A.L.T., M.D.W., R.R.M., E.L., A.U., M.R.B., H.F.J.)
| | - Elena Loche
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (J.L.H., L.D., J.C., A.D., K.F., A.F., A.L.T., M.D.W., R.R.M., E.L., A.U., M.R.B., H.F.J.)
| | - Anna Uryga
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (J.L.H., L.D., J.C., A.D., K.F., A.F., A.L.T., M.D.W., R.R.M., E.L., A.U., M.R.B., H.F.J.)
| | - Martin R. Bennett
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (J.L.H., L.D., J.C., A.D., K.F., A.F., A.L.T., M.D.W., R.R.M., E.L., A.U., M.R.B., H.F.J.)
| | - Helle F. Jørgensen
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (J.L.H., L.D., J.C., A.D., K.F., A.F., A.L.T., M.D.W., R.R.M., E.L., A.U., M.R.B., H.F.J.)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Wu Y, Villa F, Maman J, Lau YH, Dobnikar L, Simon AC, Labib K, Spring DR, Pellegrini L. Targeting the Genome-Stability Hub Ctf4 by Stapled-Peptide Design. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2017; 56:12866-12872. [PMID: 28815832 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201705611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Revised: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The exploitation of synthetic lethality by small-molecule targeting of pathways that maintain genomic stability is an attractive chemotherapeutic approach. The Ctf4/AND-1 protein hub, which links DNA replication, repair, and chromosome segregation, represents a novel target for the synthetic lethality approach. Herein, we report the design, optimization, and validation of double-click stapled peptides encoding the Ctf4-interacting peptide (CIP) of the replicative helicase subunit Sld5. By screening stapling positions in the Sld5 CIP, we identified an unorthodox i,i+6 stapled peptide with improved, submicromolar binding to Ctf4. The mode of interaction with Ctf4 was confirmed by a crystal structure of the stapled Sld5 peptide bound to Ctf4. The stapled Sld5 peptide was able to displace the Ctf4 partner DNA polymerase α from the replisome in yeast extracts. Our study provides proof-of-principle evidence for the development of small-molecule inhibitors of the human CTF4 orthologue AND-1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuteng Wu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Fabrizio Villa
- MRC protein phosphorylation and ubiquitylation unit, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Joseph Maman
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, UK
| | - Yu Heng Lau
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK.,Current address: School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney (Australia)
| | - Lina Dobnikar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Aline C Simon
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, UK
| | - Karim Labib
- MRC protein phosphorylation and ubiquitylation unit, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - David R Spring
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Luca Pellegrini
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1GA, UK
| |
Collapse
|