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Jin H, Zhang C, Nagenborg J, Juhasz P, Ruder AV, Sikkink CJJM, Mees BME, Waring O, Sluimer JC, Neumann D, Goossens P, Donners MMPC, Mardinoglu A, Biessen EAL. Genome-scale metabolic network of human carotid plaque reveals the pivotal role of glutamine/glutamate metabolism in macrophage modulating plaque inflammation and vulnerability. Cardiovasc Diabetol 2024; 23:240. [PMID: 38978031 PMCID: PMC11232311 DOI: 10.1186/s12933-024-02339-3] [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: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metabolism is increasingly recognized as a key regulator of the function and phenotype of the primary cellular constituents of the atherosclerotic vascular wall, including endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and inflammatory cells. However, a comprehensive analysis of metabolic changes associated with the transition of plaque from a stable to a hemorrhaged phenotype is lacking. METHODS In this study, we integrated two large mRNA expression and protein abundance datasets (BIKE, n = 126; MaasHPS, n = 43) from human atherosclerotic carotid artery plaque to reconstruct a genome-scale metabolic network (GEM). Next, the GEM findings were linked to metabolomics data from MaasHPS, providing a comprehensive overview of metabolic changes in human plaque. RESULTS Our study identified significant changes in lipid, cholesterol, and inositol metabolism, along with altered lysosomal lytic activity and increased inflammatory activity, in unstable plaques with intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH+) compared to non-hemorrhaged (IPH-) plaques. Moreover, topological analysis of this network model revealed that the conversion of glutamine to glutamate and their flux between the cytoplasm and mitochondria were notably compromised in hemorrhaged plaques, with a significant reduction in overall glutamate levels in IPH+ plaques. Additionally, reduced glutamate availability was associated with an increased presence of macrophages and a pro-inflammatory phenotype in IPH+ plaques, suggesting an inflammation-prone microenvironment. CONCLUSIONS This study is the first to establish a robust and comprehensive GEM for atherosclerotic plaque, providing a valuable resource for understanding plaque metabolism. The utility of this GEM was illustrated by its ability to reliably predict dysregulation in the cholesterol hydroxylation, inositol metabolism, and the glutamine/glutamate pathway in rupture-prone hemorrhaged plaques, a finding that may pave the way to new diagnostic or therapeutic measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Jin
- Central Laboratory, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht UMC+, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab), KTH-Royal Institute of Technology, Solna, Sweden
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab), KTH-Royal Institute of Technology, Solna, Sweden
| | - Jan Nagenborg
- Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht UMC+, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Adele V Ruder
- Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht UMC+, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Barend M E Mees
- Department of Surgery, Maastricht UMC+, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Olivia Waring
- Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht UMC+, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Judith C Sluimer
- Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht UMC+, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland
| | - Dietbert Neumann
- Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht UMC+, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Pieter Goossens
- Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht UMC+, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Marjo M P C Donners
- Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht UMC+, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Adil Mardinoglu
- Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab), KTH-Royal Institute of Technology, Solna, Sweden.
- Centre for Host-Microbiome Interactions, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.
| | - Erik A L Biessen
- Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht UMC+, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
- Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
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Identification Markers of Carotid Vulnerable Plaques: An Update. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12091192. [PMID: 36139031 PMCID: PMC9496377 DOI: 10.3390/biom12091192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Vulnerable plaques have been a hot topic in the field of stroke and carotid atherosclerosis. Currently, risk stratification and intervention of carotid plaques are guided by the degree of luminal stenosis. Recently, it has been recognized that the vulnerability of plaques may contribute to the risk of stroke. Some classical interventions, such as carotid endarterectomy, significantly reduce the risk of stroke in symptomatic patients with severe carotid stenosis, while for asymptomatic patients, clinically silent plaques with rupture tendency may expose them to the risk of cerebrovascular events. Early identification of vulnerable plaques contributes to lowering the risk of cerebrovascular events. Previously, the identification of vulnerable plaques was commonly based on imaging technologies at the macroscopic level. Recently, some microscopic molecules pertaining to vulnerable plaques have emerged, and could be potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets. This review aimed to update the previous summarization of vulnerable plaques and identify vulnerable plaques at the microscopic and macroscopic levels.
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