K-80003 Inhibition of Macrophage Apoptosis and Necrotic Core Development in Atherosclerotic Vulnerable Plaques

Selective Removal of 7KC by a Novel Atherosclerosis Therapeutic Candidate Reverts Foam Cells to a Macrophage-like Phenotype

The removal of the toxic oxidized cholesterol, 7-ketocholesterol (7KC), from cells through the administration of therapeutics has the potential to treat atherosclerosis and various other pathologies. While cholesterol is a necessary building block for homeostasis, oxidation of cholesterol can lead to the formation of toxic oxysterols involved in various pathologies, the most prominent of which is 7KC, which is formed through the non-enzymatic oxidation of cholesterol. Oxidized LDL (oxLDL) particles, highly implicated in heart disease, contain high levels of 7KC, and molecular 7KC is implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases, including multiple sclerosis, hypercholesterolemia, sickle cell anemia, and multiple age related diseases. Of particular interest is the role of 7KC in the progression of atherosclerosis, with several studies associating elevated levels of 7KC with the etiology of the disease or in the transition of macrophages to foam cells. This research aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of UDP-003, a novel therapeutic, in mitigating the harmful effects of 7KC in mouse and human monocyte and macrophage cell lines. Experimental evidence demonstrates that administration of UDP-003 can reverse the foam cell phenotype, rejuvenating these cells by returning phagocytic function and decreasing both reactive oxygen species (ROS) and intracellular lipid droplet accumulation. Furthermore, our data suggests that the targeted removal of 7KC from foam cells with UDP-003 can potentially prevent and reverse atherosclerotic plaque formation. UDP-003 has the potential to be the first disease-modifying therapeutic approach to treating atherosclerotic disease.

Early Assessment of Atherosclerotic Lesions and Vulnerable Plaques in vivo by Targeting Apoptotic Macrophages with AV Nanobubbles

Background

The early detection of atherosclerotic lesions is particularly important for risk prediction of acute cardiovascular events. Macrophages apoptosis was significantly associated with the degree of AS lesions and especially contributed to plaque vulnerability. In this research, we mainly sought to explore the feasibility of a home-made AV-nanobubbles (NB_AV) for visualization of apoptotic macrophages and assessment of atherosclerosis (AS) lesions by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging.

Methods

NB_AV were prepared by “Optimized Thin-Film Hydration” and “Biotin-Avidin-Biotin” methods. Then, the characterization and echogenicity of NB_AV were measured and analyzed in vitro. The targeting ability of NB_AV to ox-LDL–induced apoptotic macrophages was observed by laser scanning confocal microscope. The ApoE^−/− mice mode fed with high fat diet were observed by high-frequency ultrasound, microanatomy and oil red O staining. CEUS imaging in vivo was performed on AS plaques with NB_AV and NB_Ctrl injection through the tail vein in turn in ApoE^−/− mice. After CEUS imaging, the plaques were confirmed and analyzed by histopathological and immunological assessment.

Results

The prepared NB_AV had a nano-scale size distribution with a low PDI and a negative zeta potential. Moreover, NB_AV showed an excellent stability and exhibited a significantly echogenic signal than saline in vitro. In addition, we found that NB_AV could target apoptotic macrophages induced by ox-LDL. Compared with NB_Ctrl, CEUS imaging of NB_AV showed strong and sustained echo enhancement in plaque area of aortic arch in vivo. Further research showed that NB_AV sensitive plaques presented more significant pathological changes with several vulnerable plaque features and abundant TUNEL-positive area.

Conclusion

NB_AV displayed a sensitive indicator to evaluate apoptotic macrophages, indicating a promising CEUS molecular probe for AS lesions and vulnerable plaques identification.

Identification of Biomarkers of Autophagy-Related Genes Between Early and Advanced Carotid Atherosclerosis

Background

Accumulating evidence demonstrates that autophagy is important in inhibiting inflammation and cholesterol efflux. It suggested the autophagy may be a treatment of atherosclerosis. Thus, we screened autophagy-related mRNA to explore their mechanism of scientific basis for early diagnosis and therapy of atherosclerosis.

Methods

The GSE28829 datasets were assessed to analyze differentially expressed genes by GEO2R. And autophagy-related hub genes were identified by HADb. The biological function of autophagy-related DEmRNAs was examined by Metascape. The construction of a protein–protein network was explored by String. Cytohubba was utilized to screen hub genes. Analysis of DEmiRNA-mRNA pairs was executed by DIANA microT-CDS database. Finally, correlation analysis was carried out to identify the relationship between DEARGs and clinical and prognostic factors.

Results

A number of 1087 DEGs and 19 autophagy-related DEmRNAs were identified in advanced carotid atherosclerotic plaque compared with the early. The biological function containing development and growth was enriched. Moreover, we screened the top hub nodes with the highest degrees. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are confirmed to participate in genesis and progression of atherosclerosis, so we further analyzed the miRNA–mRNA regulatory network genes with four hub genes to explore their potential mechanism in atherosclerosis. Then, we revealed co-expression of four key genes CTSB, ITGB1, CXCR4, TNFSF10 and autophagy-related genes. As for the clinical factors, hypertension factor showed higher expression of ITGB1. The probability of coronary heart disease factor was significantly increased with high expression of CTSB and CXCR4, as well as low expression of ITGB1 and TNFSF10. Diabetes factor tended to express distinguished levels of CTSB and ITGB1. TNFSF10 was highly expressed in both hyperlipidemia and ischemic stroke factor.

Conclusion

CTSB, ITGB1, CXCR4 and TNFSF10 may be critical in atherosclerosis development and were thought to be potential diagnostic biomarkers for atherosclerosis.