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Yang F, Qiu Y, Xie X, Zhou X, Wang S, Weng J, Wu L, Ma Y, Wang Z, Jin W, Chen B. Platelet Membrane-Encapsulated Poly(lactic- co-glycolic acid) Nanoparticles Loaded with Sildenafil for Targeted Therapy of Vein Graft Intimal Hyperplasia. Int J Pharm X 2024; 8:100278. [PMID: 39263002 PMCID: PMC11387714 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpx.2024.100278] [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: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Autologous vein grafts have attracted widespread attention for their high transplantation success rate and low risk of immune rejection. However, this technique is limited by the postoperative neointimal hyperplasia, recurrent stenosis and vein graft occlusion. Hence, we propose the platelet membrane-coated Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) containing sildenafil (PPS). Platelet membrane (PM) is characterised by actively targeting damaged blood vessels. The PPS can effectively target the vein grafts and then slowly release sildenafil to treat intimal hyperplasia in the vein grafts, thereby preventing the progression of vein graft restenosis. PPS effectively inhibits the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMCs) and promotes the migration and vascularisation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In a New Zealand rabbit model of intimal hyperplasia in vein grafts, the PPS significantly suppressed vascular stenosis and intimal hyperplasia at 14 and 28 days after surgery. Thus, PPS represents a nanomedicine with therapeutic potential for treating intimal hyperplasia of vein grafts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fajing Yang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325000, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, PR China
| | - Yihui Qiu
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325000, PR China
| | - Xueting Xie
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325000, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, PR China
| | - Xingjian Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, PR China
| | - Shunfu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, PR China
| | - Jialu Weng
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, PR China
| | - Lina Wu
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, PR China
| | - Yizhe Ma
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325000, PR China
| | - Ziyue Wang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325000, PR China
| | - Wenzhang Jin
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310000, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, PR China
| | - Bicheng Chen
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province 325000, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, PR China
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Shih YT, Cheng KC, Ko YJ, Lin CY, Wang MC, Lee CI, Lee PL, Qi R, Chiu JJ, Hsu SH. 3D-Printed proangiogenic patches of photo-crosslinked gelatin and polyurethane hydrogels laden with vascular cells for treating vascular ischemic diseases. Biomaterials 2024; 309:122600. [PMID: 38718614 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2024.122600] [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: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
Engineering vascularized tissues remains a promising approach for treating ischemic cardiovascular diseases. The availability of 3D-bioprinted vascular grafts that induce therapeutic angiogenesis can help avoid necrosis and excision of ischemic tissues. Here, using a combination of living cells and biodegradable hydrogels, we fabricated 3D-printed biocompatible proangiogenic patches from endothelial cell-laden photo-crosslinked gelatin (EC-PCG) bioink and smooth muscle cell-encapsulated polyurethane (SMC-PU) bioink. Implantation of 3D-bioprinted proangiogenic patches in a mouse model showed that EC-PCG served as an angiogenic capillary bed, whereas patterned SMC-PU increased the density of microvessels. Moreover, the assembled patterns between EC-PCG and SMC-PU induced the geometrically guided generation of microvessels with blood perfusion. In a rodent model of hindlimb ischemia, the vascular patches rescued blood flow to distal tissues, prevented toe/foot necrosis, promoted muscle remodeling, and increased the capillary density, thereby improving the heat-escape behavior of ischemic animals. Thus, our 3D-printed vascular cell-laden bioinks constitute efficient and scalable biomaterials that facilitate the engineering of vascular patches capable of directing therapeutic angiogenesis for treating ischemic vascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Tsung Shih
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kun-Chih Cheng
- Institute of Polymer Science and Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ju Ko
- Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yu Lin
- Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Cun Wang
- Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Chih-I Lee
- Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Ling Lee
- Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Rong Qi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Remodeling, NHC Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory Peptides, Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmaceutics and New Drug Delivery Systems, State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Jeng-Jiann Chiu
- Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan; College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Heart Institute, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.
| | - Shan-Hui Hsu
- Institute of Polymer Science and Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan.
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3
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Younesi FS, Hinz B. The Myofibroblast Fate of Therapeutic Mesenchymal Stromal Cells: Regeneration, Repair, or Despair? Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8712. [PMID: 39201399 PMCID: PMC11354465 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25168712] [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: 06/21/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) can be isolated from various tissues of healthy or patient donors to be retransplanted in cell therapies. Because the number of MSCs obtained from biopsies is typically too low for direct clinical application, MSC expansion in cell culture is required. However, ex vivo amplification often reduces the desired MSC regenerative potential and enhances undesired traits, such as activation into fibrogenic myofibroblasts. Transiently activated myofibroblasts restore tissue integrity after organ injury by producing and contracting extracellular matrix into scar tissue. In contrast, persistent myofibroblasts cause excessive scarring-called fibrosis-that destroys organ function. In this review, we focus on the relevance and molecular mechanisms of myofibroblast activation upon contact with stiff cell culture plastic or recipient scar tissue, such as hypertrophic scars of large skin burns. We discuss cell mechanoperception mechanisms such as integrins and stretch-activated channels, mechanotransduction through the contractile actin cytoskeleton, and conversion of mechanical signals into transcriptional programs via mechanosensitive co-transcription factors, such as YAP, TAZ, and MRTF. We further elaborate how prolonged mechanical stress can create persistent myofibroblast memory by direct mechanotransduction to the nucleus that can evoke lasting epigenetic modifications at the DNA level, such as histone methylation and acetylation. We conclude by projecting how cell culture mechanics can be modulated to generate MSCs, which epigenetically protected against myofibroblast activation and transport desired regeneration potential to the recipient tissue environment in clinical therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fereshteh Sadat Younesi
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1G6, Canada;
- Keenan Research Institute for Biomedical Science, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Boris Hinz
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1G6, Canada;
- Keenan Research Institute for Biomedical Science, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada
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4
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Younesi FS, Miller AE, Barker TH, Rossi FMV, Hinz B. Fibroblast and myofibroblast activation in normal tissue repair and fibrosis. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2024; 25:617-638. [PMID: 38589640 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-024-00716-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
The term 'fibroblast' often serves as a catch-all for a diverse array of mesenchymal cells, including perivascular cells, stromal progenitor cells and bona fide fibroblasts. Although phenotypically similar, these subpopulations are functionally distinct, maintaining tissue integrity and serving as local progenitor reservoirs. In response to tissue injury, these cells undergo a dynamic fibroblast-myofibroblast transition, marked by extracellular matrix secretion and contraction of actomyosin-based stress fibres. Importantly, whereas transient activation into myofibroblasts aids in tissue repair, persistent activation triggers pathological fibrosis. In this Review, we discuss the roles of mechanical cues, such as tissue stiffness and strain, alongside cell signalling pathways and extracellular matrix ligands in modulating myofibroblast activation and survival. We also highlight the role of epigenetic modifications and myofibroblast memory in physiological and pathological processes. Finally, we discuss potential strategies for therapeutically interfering with these factors and the associated signal transduction pathways to improve the outcome of dysregulated healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fereshteh Sadat Younesi
- Keenan Research Institute for Biomedical Science of the St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrew E Miller
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Thomas H Barker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Fabio M V Rossi
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Boris Hinz
- Keenan Research Institute for Biomedical Science of the St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Ding Y, Warlick L, Chen M, Taddese E, Collins C, Fu R, Duan C, Wang X, Ware H, Sun C, Ameer G. 3D-printed, citrate-based bioresorbable vascular scaffolds for coronary artery angioplasty. Bioact Mater 2024; 38:195-206. [PMID: 38756202 PMCID: PMC11096684 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2024.04.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Fully bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVSs) aim to overcome the limitations of metallic drug-eluting stents (DESs). However, polymer-based BVSs, such as Abbott's Absorb, the only US FDA-approved BVS, have had limited use due to increased strut thickness (157 μm for Absorb), exacerbated tissue inflammation, and increased risk of major cardiac events leading to inferior clinical performance when compared to metallic DESs. Herein we report the development of a drug-eluting BVS (DE-BVS) through the innovative use of a photopolymerizable, citrate-based biomaterial and a high-precision additive manufacturing process. BVS with a clinically relevant strut thickness of 62 μm can be produced in a high-throughput manner, i.e. one BVS per minute, and controlled release of the anti-restenosis drug everolimus can be achieved by engineering the structure of polymer coatings to fabricate drug-eluting BVS. We achieved the successful deployment of BVSs and DE-BVSs in swine coronary arteries using a custom-built balloon catheter and BVS delivery system and confirmed BVS safety and efficacy regarding maintenance of vessel patency for 28 days, observing an inflammation profile for BVS and DE-BVS that was comparable to the commercial XIENCE™ DES (Abbott Vascular).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonghui Ding
- Centre for Advanced Regenerative Engineering (CARE), Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Liam Warlick
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Mian Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Eden Taddese
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Caralyn Collins
- Centre for Advanced Regenerative Engineering (CARE), Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Rao Fu
- Centre for Advanced Regenerative Engineering (CARE), Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Chongwen Duan
- Centre for Advanced Regenerative Engineering (CARE), Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Xinlong Wang
- Centre for Advanced Regenerative Engineering (CARE), Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Henry Ware
- Centre for Advanced Regenerative Engineering (CARE), Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Cheng Sun
- Centre for Advanced Regenerative Engineering (CARE), Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Guillermo Ameer
- Centre for Advanced Regenerative Engineering (CARE), Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
- Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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6
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Xin Y, Zhang Z, Lv S, Xu S, Liu A, Li H, Li P, Han H, Liu Y. Elucidating VSMC phenotypic transition mechanisms to bridge insights into cardiovascular disease implications. Front Cardiovasc Med 2024; 11:1400780. [PMID: 38803664 PMCID: PMC11128571 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1400780] [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: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death worldwide, despite advances in understanding cardiovascular health. Significant barriers still exist in effectively preventing and managing these diseases. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are crucial for maintaining vascular integrity and can switch between contractile and synthetic functions in response to stimuli such as hypoxia and inflammation. These transformations play a pivotal role in the progression of cardiovascular diseases, facilitating vascular modifications and disease advancement. This article synthesizes the current understanding of the mechanisms and signaling pathways regulating VSMC phenotypic transitions, highlighting their potential as therapeutic targets in cardiovascular disease interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuning Xin
- Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Zipei Zhang
- Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Shan Lv
- Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Shan Xu
- Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Aidong Liu
- Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Hongyu Li
- Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Pengfei Li
- Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Huize Han
- Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Yinghui Liu
- Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
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7
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Ahmed IA, Liu M, Gomez D. Nuclear Control of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Plasticity during Vascular Remodeling. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2024; 194:525-538. [PMID: 37820925 PMCID: PMC10988766 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2023.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Control of vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) gene expression is an essential process for establishing and maintaining lineage identity, contractility, and plasticity. Most mechanisms (epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional) implicated in gene regulation occur in the nucleus. Still, intranuclear pathways are directly impacted by modifications in the extracellular environment in conditions of adaptive or maladaptive remodeling. Integration of extracellular, cellular, and genomic information into the nucleus through epigenetic and transcriptional control of genome organization plays a major role in regulating SMC functions and phenotypic transitions during vascular remodeling and diseases. This review aims to provide a comprehensive update on nuclear mechanisms, their interactions, and their integration in controlling SMC homeostasis and dysfunction. It summarizes and discusses the main nuclear mechanisms preponderant in SMCs in the context of vascular disease, such as atherosclerosis, with an emphasis on studies employing in vivo cell-specific loss-of-function and single-cell omics approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim A Ahmed
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Mingjun Liu
- Department of Pathology, New York University, New York, New York
| | - Delphine Gomez
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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Mishra J, Chakraborty S, Niharika, Roy A, Manna S, Baral T, Nandi P, Patra SK. Mechanotransduction and epigenetic modulations of chromatin: Role of mechanical signals in gene regulation. J Cell Biochem 2024; 125:e30531. [PMID: 38345428 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Mechanical forces may be generated within a cell due to tissue stiffness, cytoskeletal reorganization, and the changes (even subtle) in the cell's physical surroundings. These changes of forces impose a mechanical tension within the intracellular protein network (both cytosolic and nuclear). Mechanical tension could be released by a series of protein-protein interactions often facilitated by membrane lipids, lectins and sugar molecules and thus generate a type of signal to drive cellular processes, including cell differentiation, polarity, growth, adhesion, movement, and survival. Recent experimental data have accentuated the molecular mechanism of this mechanical signal transduction pathway, dubbed mechanotransduction. Mechanosensitive proteins in the cell's plasma membrane discern the physical forces and channel the information to the cell interior. Cells respond to the message by altering their cytoskeletal arrangement and directly transmitting the signal to the nucleus through the connection of the cytoskeleton and nucleoskeleton before the information despatched to the nucleus by biochemical signaling pathways. Nuclear transmission of the force leads to the activation of chromatin modifiers and modulation of the epigenetic landscape, inducing chromatin reorganization and gene expression regulation; by the time chemical messengers (transcription factors) arrive into the nucleus. While significant research has been done on the role of mechanotransduction in tumor development and cancer progression/metastasis, the mechanistic basis of force-activated carcinogenesis is still enigmatic. Here, in this review, we have discussed the various cues and molecular connections to better comprehend the cellular mechanotransduction pathway, and we also explored the detailed role of some of the multiple players (proteins and macromolecular complexes) involved in mechanotransduction. Thus, we have described an avenue: how mechanical stress directs the epigenetic modifiers to modulate the epigenome of the cells and how aberrant stress leads to the cancer phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jagdish Mishra
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Life Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, India
| | - Subhajit Chakraborty
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Life Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, India
| | - Niharika
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Life Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, India
| | - Ankan Roy
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Life Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, India
| | - Soumen Manna
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Life Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, India
| | - Tirthankar Baral
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Life Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, India
| | - Piyasa Nandi
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Life Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, India
| | - Samir K Patra
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Life Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, India
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9
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Singh AA, Shetty DK, Jacob AG, Bayraktar S, Sinha S. Understanding genomic medicine for thoracic aortic disease through the lens of induced pluripotent stem cells. Front Cardiovasc Med 2024; 11:1349548. [PMID: 38440211 PMCID: PMC10910110 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1349548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Thoracic aortic disease (TAD) is often silent until a life-threatening complication occurs. However, genetic information can inform both identification and treatment at an early stage. Indeed, a diagnosis is important for personalised surveillance and intervention plans, as well as cascade screening of family members. Currently, only 20% of heritable TAD patients have a causative mutation identified and, consequently, further advances in genetic coverage are required to define the remaining molecular landscape. The rapid expansion of next generation sequencing technologies is providing a huge resource of genetic data, but a critical issue remains in functionally validating these findings. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are patient-derived, reprogrammed cell lines which allow mechanistic insights, complex modelling of genetic disease and a platform to study aortic genetic variants. This review will address the need for iPSCs as a frontline diagnostic tool to evaluate variants identified by genomic discovery studies and explore their evolving role in biological insight through to drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Sanjay Sinha
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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10
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McNeill MC, Li Mow Chee F, Ebrahimighaei R, Sala-Newby GB, Newby AC, Hathway T, Annaiah AS, Joseph S, Carrabba M, Bond M. Substrate stiffness promotes vascular smooth muscle cell calcification by reducing the levels of nuclear actin monomers. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2024; 187:65-79. [PMID: 38181546 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2023.12.005] [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: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vascular calcification (VC) is a prevalent independent risk factor for adverse cardiovascular events and is associated with diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and atherosclerosis. However, the mechanisms regulating the osteogenic differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) are not fully understood. METHODS Using hydrogels of tuneable stiffness and lysyl oxidase-mediated stiffening of human saphenous vein ex vivo, we investigated the role of substrate stiffness in the regulation of VSMC calcification. RESULTS We demonstrate that increased substrate stiffness enhances VSMC osteogenic differentiation and VSMC calcification. We show that the effects of substrate stiffness are mediated via a reduction in the level of actin monomer within the nucleus. We show that in cells interacting with soft substrate, elevated levels of nuclear actin monomer repress osteogenic differentiation and calcification by repressing YAP-mediated activation of both TEA Domain transcription factor (TEAD) and RUNX Family Transcription factor 2 (RUNX2). CONCLUSION This work highlights for the first time the role of nuclear actin in mediating substrate stiffness-dependent VSMC calcification and the dual role of YAP-TEAD and YAP-RUNX2 transcriptional complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C McNeill
- Department of Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol BS2 8HW, United Kingdom
| | - F Li Mow Chee
- Department of Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol BS2 8HW, United Kingdom
| | - R Ebrahimighaei
- Department of Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol BS2 8HW, United Kingdom
| | - G B Sala-Newby
- Department of Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol BS2 8HW, United Kingdom
| | - A C Newby
- Department of Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol BS2 8HW, United Kingdom
| | - T Hathway
- Department of Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol BS2 8HW, United Kingdom
| | - A S Annaiah
- Bristol Heart Institute, University Hospital, Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol BS2 8HW, United Kingdom
| | - S Joseph
- Bristol Heart Institute, University Hospital, Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol BS2 8HW, United Kingdom
| | - M Carrabba
- Department of Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol BS2 8HW, United Kingdom
| | - M Bond
- Department of Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol BS2 8HW, United Kingdom.
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11
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Wang X, Wang Z, He J. Similarities and Differences of Vascular Calcification in Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes 2024; 17:165-192. [PMID: 38222032 PMCID: PMC10788067 DOI: 10.2147/dmso.s438618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Presently, the mechanism of occurrence and development of vascular calcification (VC) is not fully understood; a range of evidence suggests a positive association between diabetes mellitus (DM) and VC. Furthermore, the increasing burden of central vascular disease in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) may be due, at least in part, to VC. In this review, we will review recent advances in the mechanisms of VC in the context of CKD and diabetes. The study further unveiled that VC is induced through the stimulation of pro-inflammatory factors, which in turn impairs endothelial function and triggers similar mechanisms in both disease contexts. Notably, hyperglycemia was identified as the distinctive mechanism driving calcification in DM. Conversely, in CKD, calcification is facilitated by mechanisms including mineral metabolism imbalance and the presence of uremic toxins. Additionally, we underscore the significance of investigating vascular alterations and newly identified molecular pathways as potential avenues for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiabo Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhongqun Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jianqiang He
- Department of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212001, People’s Republic of China
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12
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Hu Z, Deng X, Zhou S, Zhou C, Shen M, Gao X, Huang Y. Pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic implications of extracellular matrix remodelling in cerebral vasospasm. Fluids Barriers CNS 2023; 20:81. [PMID: 37925414 PMCID: PMC10625254 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-023-00483-8] [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: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cerebral vasospasm significantly contributes to poor prognosis and mortality in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Current research indicates that the pathological and physiological mechanisms of cerebral vasospasm may be attributed to the exposure of blood vessels to toxic substances, such as oxyhaemoglobin and inflammation factors. These factors disrupt cerebral vascular homeostasis. Vascular homeostasis is maintained by the extracellular matrix (ECM) and related cell surface receptors, such as integrins, characterised by collagen deposition, collagen crosslinking, and elastin degradation within the vascular ECM. It involves interactions between the ECM and smooth muscle cells as well as endothelial cells. Its biological activities are particularly crucial in the context of cerebral vasospasm. Therefore, regulating ECM homeostasis may represent a novel therapeutic target for cerebral vasospasm. This review explores the potential pathogenic mechanisms of cerebral vasospasm and the impacts of ECM protein metabolism on the vascular wall during ECM remodelling. Additionally, we underscore the significance of an ECM protein imbalance, which can lead to increased ECM stiffness and activation of the YAP pathway, resulting in vascular remodelling. Lastly, we discuss future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziliang Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Liuting Street 59, Ningbo, 315010, Zhejiang, China
- Cixi Biomedical Research Institute, Wenzhou Medical University, Cixi, 315302, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xinpeng Deng
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Liuting Street 59, Ningbo, 315010, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shengjun Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Liuting Street 59, Ningbo, 315010, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chenhui Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Liuting Street 59, Ningbo, 315010, Zhejiang, China
| | - Menglu Shen
- Cixi Third People's Hospital, Cixi, 315324, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiang Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Liuting Street 59, Ningbo, 315010, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Yi Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Liuting Street 59, Ningbo, 315010, Zhejiang, China.
- Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine for Atherosclerotic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo, 315010, Zhejiang, China.
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13
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Neutel CHG, Wesley CD, Van Praet M, Civati C, Roth L, De Meyer GRY, Martinet W, Guns PJ. Empagliflozin decreases ageing-associated arterial stiffening and vascular fibrosis under normoglycemic conditions. Vascul Pharmacol 2023; 152:107212. [PMID: 37619798 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2023.107212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Arterial stiffness is a hallmark of vascular ageing and results in increased blood flow pulsatility to the periphery, damaging end-organs such as the heart, kidneys and brain. Treating or "reversing" arterial stiffness has therefore become a central target in the field of vascular ageing. SGLT2 inhibitors, initially developed in the context of type 2 diabetes mellitus, have become a cornerstone of heart failure treatment. Additionally, effects on the vasculature have been reported. Here, we demonstrate that treatment with the SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin (7 weeks, 15 mg/kg/day) decreased ageing-induced arterial stiffness of the aorta in old mice with normal blood glucose levels. However, no universal mechanism was identified. While empagliflozin reduced the ageing-associated increase in collagen type I in the medial layer of the abdominal infrarenal aorta and decreased medial TGF-β deposition, this was not observed in the thoracic descending aorta. Moreover, empagliflozin was not able to prevent elastin fragmentation. In conclusion, empagliflozin decreased arterial stiffness in aged mice, indicating that SGLT2 inhibition could be a valuable strategy in mitigating vascular ageing. Further research is warranted to unravel the underlying, possibly region-specific, mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cédric H G Neutel
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Callan D Wesley
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Melissa Van Praet
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Celine Civati
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Lynn Roth
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Guido R Y De Meyer
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Wim Martinet
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Pieter-Jan Guns
- Laboratory of Physiopharmacology, University of Antwerp, Campus Drie Eiken, Antwerp, Belgium
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14
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Son YJ, Keum C, Kim M, Jeong G, Jin S, Hwang HW, Kim H, Lee K, Jeon H, Kim H, Pahk KJ, Jang HW, Sun JY, Han HS, Lee KH, Ok MR, Kim YC, Jeong Y. Selective Cell-Cell Adhesion Regulation via Cyclic Mechanical Deformation Induced by Ultrafast Nanovibrations. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023. [PMID: 37751467 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c08941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
The adoption of dynamic mechanomodulation to regulate cellular behavior is an alternative to the use of chemical drugs, allowing spatiotemporal control. However, cell-selective targeting of mechanical stimuli is challenging due to the lack of strategies with which to convert macroscopic mechanical movements to different cellular responses. Here, we designed a nanoscale vibrating surface that controls cell behavior via selective repetitive cell deformation based on a poroelastic cell model. The vibrating indentations induce repetitive water redistribution in the cells with water redistribution rates faster than the vibrating rate; however, in the opposite case, cells perceive the vibrations as a one-time stimulus. The selective regulation of cell-cell adhesion through adjusting the frequency of nanovibration was demonstrated by suppression of cadherin expression in smooth muscle cells (fast water redistribution rate) with no change in vascular endothelial cells (slow water redistribution rate). This technique may provide a new strategy for cell-type-specific mechanical stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Ju Son
- Center for Biomaterials, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Changjoon Keum
- Center for Advanced Biomolecular Recognition, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Minsoo Kim
- Center for Advanced Biomolecular Recognition, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Goeen Jeong
- Center for Biomaterials, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Soyeong Jin
- Center for Advanced Biomolecular Recognition, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae Won Hwang
- Center for Biomaterials, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyewon Kim
- Center for Biomaterials, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyungwoo Lee
- Center for Biomaterials, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Hojeong Jeon
- Center for Biomaterials, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Hojun Kim
- Center for Advanced Biomolecular Recognition, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki Joo Pahk
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho Won Jang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Yun Sun
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung-Seop Han
- Center for Biomaterials, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwan Hyi Lee
- Center for Advanced Biomolecular Recognition, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Myoung-Ryul Ok
- Center for Biomaterials, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Yu-Chan Kim
- Center for Biomaterials, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngdo Jeong
- Center for Advanced Biomolecular Recognition, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
- Department of HY-KIST Bio-convergence, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
- Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
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15
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Wołowiec A, Wołowiec Ł, Grześk G, Jaśniak A, Osiak J, Husejko J, Kozakiewicz M. The Role of Selected Epigenetic Pathways in Cardiovascular Diseases as a Potential Therapeutic Target. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13723. [PMID: 37762023 PMCID: PMC10531432 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241813723] [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: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics is a rapidly developing science that has gained a lot of interest in recent years due to the correlation between characteristic epigenetic marks and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Epigenetic modifications contribute to a change in gene expression while maintaining the DNA sequence. The analysis of these modifications provides a thorough insight into the cardiovascular system from its development to its further functioning. Epigenetics is strongly influenced by environmental factors, including known cardiovascular risk factors such as smoking, obesity, and low physical activity. Similarly, conditions affecting the local microenvironment of cells, such as chronic inflammation, worsen the prognosis in cardiovascular diseases and additionally induce further epigenetic modifications leading to the consolidation of unfavorable cardiovascular changes. A deeper understanding of epigenetics may provide an answer to the continuing strong clinical impact of cardiovascular diseases by improving diagnostic capabilities, personalized medical approaches and the development of targeted therapeutic interventions. The aim of the study was to present selected epigenetic pathways, their significance in cardiovascular diseases, and their potential as a therapeutic target in specific medical conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Wołowiec
- Department of Geriatrics, Division of Biochemistry and Biogerontology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100 Torun, Poland
| | - Łukasz Wołowiec
- Department of Cardiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100 Torun, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Grześk
- Department of Cardiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100 Torun, Poland
| | - Albert Jaśniak
- Department of Cardiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100 Torun, Poland
| | - Joanna Osiak
- Department of Cardiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100 Torun, Poland
| | - Jakub Husejko
- Department of Cardiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100 Torun, Poland
| | - Mariusz Kozakiewicz
- Department of Geriatrics, Division of Biochemistry and Biogerontology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100 Torun, Poland
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16
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Wang D, Brady T, Santhanam L, Gerecht S. The extracellular matrix mechanics in the vasculature. NATURE CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH 2023; 2:718-732. [PMID: 39195965 DOI: 10.1038/s44161-023-00311-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
Mechanical stimuli from the extracellular matrix (ECM) modulate vascular differentiation, morphogenesis and dysfunction of the vasculature. With innovation in measurements, we can better characterize vascular microenvironment mechanics in health and disease. Recent advances in material sciences and stem cell biology enable us to accurately recapitulate the complex and dynamic ECM mechanical microenvironment for in vitro studies. These biomimetic approaches help us understand the signaling pathways in disease pathologies, identify therapeutic targets, build tissue replacement and activate tissue regeneration. This Review analyzes how ECM mechanics regulate vascular homeostasis and dysfunction. We highlight approaches to examine ECM mechanics at tissue and cellular levels, focusing on how mechanical interactions between cells and the ECM regulate vascular phenotype, especially under certain pathological conditions. Finally, we explore the development of biomaterials to emulate, measure and alter the physical microenvironment of pathological ECM to understand cell-ECM mechanical interactions toward the development of therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dafu Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Travis Brady
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Lakshmi Santhanam
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sharon Gerecht
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
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17
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Li J, Li X, Song S, Sun Z, Li Y, Yang L, Xie Z, Cai Y, Zhao Y. Mitochondria spatially and temporally modulate VSMC phenotypes via interacting with cytoskeleton in cardiovascular diseases. Redox Biol 2023; 64:102778. [PMID: 37321061 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.102778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases caused by atherosclerosis (AS) seriously endanger human health, which is closely related to vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotypes. VSMC phenotypic transformation is marked by the alteration of phenotypic marker expression and cellular behaviour. Intriguingly, the mitochondrial metabolism and dynamics altered during VSMC phenotypic transformation. Firstly, this review combs VSMC mitochondrial metabolism in three aspects: mitochondrial ROS generation, mutated mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and calcium metabolism respectively. Secondly, we summarized the role of mitochondrial dynamics in regulating VSMC phenotypes. We further emphasized the association between mitochondria and cytoskelton via presenting cytoskeletal support during mitochondrial dynamics process, and discussed its impact on their respective dynamics. Finally, considering that both mitochondria and cytoskeleton are mechano-sensitive organelles, we demonstrated their direct and indirect interaction under extracellular mechanical stimuli through several mechano-sensitive signaling pathways. We additionally discussed related researches in other cell types in order to inspire deeper thinking and reasonable speculation of potential regulatory mechanism in VSMC phenotypic transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwen Li
- Laboratory of Tissue and Cell Biology, Lab Teaching & Management Center, Chongqing Medical University, NO.1 Medical College Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Xinyue Li
- Laboratory of Tissue and Cell Biology, Lab Teaching & Management Center, Chongqing Medical University, NO.1 Medical College Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Sijie Song
- Laboratory of Tissue and Cell Biology, Lab Teaching & Management Center, Chongqing Medical University, NO.1 Medical College Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Zhengwen Sun
- Laboratory of Tissue and Cell Biology, Lab Teaching & Management Center, Chongqing Medical University, NO.1 Medical College Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Yuanzhu Li
- Laboratory of Tissue and Cell Biology, Lab Teaching & Management Center, Chongqing Medical University, NO.1 Medical College Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Long Yang
- Laboratory of Tissue and Cell Biology, Lab Teaching & Management Center, Chongqing Medical University, NO.1 Medical College Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Zhenhong Xie
- Laboratory of Tissue and Cell Biology, Lab Teaching & Management Center, Chongqing Medical University, NO.1 Medical College Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Yikui Cai
- Laboratory of Tissue and Cell Biology, Lab Teaching & Management Center, Chongqing Medical University, NO.1 Medical College Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Yinping Zhao
- Laboratory of Tissue and Cell Biology, Lab Teaching & Management Center, Chongqing Medical University, NO.1 Medical College Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China.
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18
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Yao Y, Pohan G, Cutiongco MFA, Jeong Y, Kunihiro J, Zaw AM, David D, Shangguan H, Yu ACH, Yim EKF. In vivo evaluation of compliance mismatch on intimal hyperplasia formation in small diameter vascular grafts. Biomater Sci 2023; 11:3297-3307. [PMID: 36943136 PMCID: PMC10160004 DOI: 10.1039/d3bm00167a] [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] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Small diameter synthetic vascular grafts have high failure rate due to the thrombosis and intimal hyperplasia formation. Compliance mismatch between the synthetic graft and native artery has been speculated to be one of the main causes of intimal hyperplasia. However, changing the compliance of synthetic materials without altering material chemistry remains a challenge. Here, we used poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel as a graft material due to its biocompatibility and tunable mechanical properties to investigate the role of graft compliance in the development of intimal hyperplasia and in vivo patency. Two groups of PVA small diameter grafts with low compliance and high compliance were fabricated by dip casting method and implanted in a rabbit carotid artery end-to-side anastomosis model for 4 weeks. We demonstrated that the grafts with compliance that more closely matched with rabbit carotid artery had lower anastomotic intimal hyperplasia formation and higher graft patency compared to low compliance grafts. Overall, this study suggested that reducing the compliance mismatch between the native artery and vascular grafts is beneficial for reducing intimal hyperplasia formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Yao
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1.
| | - Grace Pohan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1.
| | - Marie F A Cutiongco
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117575
- Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK M13 9PL
| | - YeJin Jeong
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1.
| | - Joshua Kunihiro
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1.
| | - Aung Moe Zaw
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1.
| | - Dency David
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1.
| | - Hanyue Shangguan
- Schlegel Research Institute for Aging, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1
- Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1
- Center for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1
| | - Alfred C H Yu
- Schlegel Research Institute for Aging, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1
- Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1
- Center for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1
| | - Evelyn K F Yim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1.
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117575
- Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1
- Center for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1
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19
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Liao X, Li X, Liu R. Extracellular-matrix mechanics regulate cellular metabolism: A ninja warrior behind mechano-chemo signaling crosstalk. Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2023; 24:207-220. [PMID: 36385696 DOI: 10.1007/s11154-022-09768-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Mechanical forces are the indispensable constituent of environmental cues, such as gravity, barometric pressure, vibration, and contact with bodies, which are involved in pattern and organogenesis, providing mechanical input to tissues and determining the ultimate fate of cells. Extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness, the slow elastic force, carries the external physical force load onto the cell or outputs the internal force exerted by the cell and its neighbors into the environment. Accumulating evidence illustrates the pivotal role of ECM stiffness in the regulation of organogenesis, maintenance of tissue homeostasis, and the development of multiple diseases, which is largely fulfilled through its systematical impact on cellular metabolism. This review summarizes the establishment and regulation of ECM stiffness, the mechanisms underlying how ECM stiffness is sensed by cells and signals to modulate diverse cell metabolic pathways, and the physiological and pathological significance of the ECM stiffness-cell metabolism axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, 14, Section 3, Renminnan Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Xin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, 14, Section 3, Renminnan Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Rui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, 14, Section 3, Renminnan Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
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20
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Zhang J, Xie SA, Wang J, Liu J, Liu Y, Zhou S, Li X, Han L, Pang W, Yao W, Fu Y, Kong W, Ye M, Zhou J. Echinatin maintains glutathione homeostasis in vascular smooth muscle cells to protect against matrix remodeling and arterial stiffening. Matrix Biol 2023; 119:1-18. [PMID: 36958467 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2023.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
Decreased vascular compliance of the large arteries as indicated by increased pulse wave velocity is shown to be associated with atherosclerosis and the related cardiovascular events. The positive correlation between arterial stiffening and disease progression derives a hypothesis that softening the arterial wall may protect against atherosclerosis, despite that the mechanisms controlling the cellular pathological changes in disease progression remain unknown. Here, we established a mechanical-property-based screening to look for compounds alleviating the arterial wall stiffness through their actions on the interaction between vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and the wall extracellular matrix (ECM). We found that echinatin, a chalcone preferentially accumulated in roots and rhizomes of licorice (Glycyrrhiza inflata), reduced the stiffness of ECM surrounding cultured VSMCs. We examined the potential beneficial effects of echinatin on mitigating arterial stiffening and atherosclerosis, and explored the mechanistic basis by which the compound exert the effects. Administration of echinatin in mice fed on an adenine diet and in hyperlipidemia mice subjected to 5/6 nephrectomy mitigated arterial stiffening and atherosclerosis. Mechanistic insights were gained from the RNA-sequencing results showing that echinatin upregulated the expression of glutamate cysteine ligases (GCLs), both the catalytic (GCLC) and modulatory (GCLM) subunits. Further study indicated that upregulation of GCLC/GCLM in VSMCs by echinatin maintains the homeostasis of glutathione (GSH) metabolism; adequate availability of GSH is critical for counteracting arterial stiffening. As a consequence of regulating the GSH synthesis, echinatin inhibits ferroptosis and matrix remodeling that being considered two contributors of arterial stiffening and atherosclerosis. These data demonstrate a pivotal role of GSH dysregulation in damaging the proper VSMC-ECM interaction and uncover a beneficial activity of echinatin in preventing vascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianrui Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, China; National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory Peptides, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Si-An Xie
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, China; National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory Peptides, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, China; National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory Peptides, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jiayu Liu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, China; National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory Peptides, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yueqi Liu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, China; National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory Peptides, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Shuang Zhou
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, China; National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory Peptides, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xixi Li
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Peking University Center for Human Disease Genomics, Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Ministry of Health, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Lili Han
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Wei Pang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Weijuan Yao
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yi Fu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, China; National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory Peptides, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Wei Kong
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, China; National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory Peptides, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Min Ye
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, China; State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Jing Zhou
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, China; National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory Peptides, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.
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21
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Halsey G, Sinha D, Dhital S, Wang X, Vyavahare N. Role of elastic fiber degradation in disease pathogenesis. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2023; 1869:166706. [PMID: 37001705 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166706] [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: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Elastin is a crucial extracellular matrix protein that provides structural integrity to tissues. Crosslinked elastin and associated microfibrils, named elastic fiber, contribute to biomechanics by providing the elasticity required for proper function. During aging and disease, elastic fiber can be progressively degraded and since there is little elastin synthesis in adults, degraded elastic fiber is not regenerated. There is substantial evidence linking loss or damage of elastic fibers to the clinical manifestation and pathogenesis of a variety of diseases. Disruption of elastic fiber networks by hereditary mutations, aging, or pathogenic stimuli results in systemic ailments associated with the production of elastin degradation products, inflammatory responses, and abnormal physiology. Due to its longevity, unique mechanical properties, and widespread distribution in the body, elastic fiber plays a central role in homeostasis of various physiological systems. While pathogenesis related to elastic fiber degradation has been more thoroughly studied in elastic fiber rich tissues such as the vasculature and the lungs, even tissues containing relatively small quantities of elastic fibers such as the eyes or joints may be severely impacted by elastin degradation. Elastic fiber degradation is a common observation in certain hereditary, age, and specific risk factor exposure induced diseases representing a converging point of pathological clinical phenotypes which may also help explain the appearance of co-morbidities. In this review, we will first cover the role of elastic fiber degradation in the manifestation of hereditary diseases then individually explore the structural role and degradation effects of elastic fibers in various tissues and organ systems. Overall, stabilizing elastic fiber structures and repairing lost elastin may be effective strategies to reverse the effects of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Halsey
- Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University, SC 29634, United States of America
| | - Dipasha Sinha
- Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University, SC 29634, United States of America
| | - Saphala Dhital
- Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University, SC 29634, United States of America
| | - Xiaoying Wang
- Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University, SC 29634, United States of America
| | - Naren Vyavahare
- Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University, SC 29634, United States of America.
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22
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Liu J, Wang J, Liu Y, Xie SA, Zhang J, Zhao C, Zhou Y, Pang W, Yao W, Peng Q, Wang X, Zhou J. Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation of DDR1 Counteracts the Hippo Pathway to Orchestrate Arterial Stiffening. Circ Res 2023; 132:87-105. [PMID: 36475898 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.122.322113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Hippo-YAP (yes-associated protein) signaling pathway is modulated in response to various environmental cues. Activation of YAP in vascular smooth muscle cells conveys the extracellular matrix stiffness-induced changes in vascular smooth muscle cells phenotype and behavior. Recent studies have established a mechanoreceptive role of receptor tyrosine kinase DDR1 (discoidin domain receptor 1) in vascular smooth muscle cells. METHODS We conduced 5/6 nephrectomy in vascular smooth muscle cells-specific Ddr1-knockout mice, accompanied by pharmacological inhibition of the Hippo pathway kinase LATS1 (large tumor suppressor 1), to investigate DDR1 in YAP activation. We utilized polyacrylamide gels of varying stiffness or the DDR1 ligand, type I collagen, to stimulate the cells. We employed multiple molecular biological techniques to explore the role of DDR1 in controlling the Hippo pathway and to determine the mechanistic basis by which DDR1 exerts this effect. RESULTS We identified the requirement for DDR1 in stiffness/collagen-induced YAP activation. We uncovered that DDR1 underwent stiffness/collagen binding-stimulated liquid-liquid phase separation and co-condensed with LATS1 to inactivate LATS1. Mutagenesis experiments revealed that the transmembrane domain is responsible for DDR1 droplet formation. Purified DDR1 N-terminal and transmembrane domain was sufficient to drive its reversible condensation. Depletion of the DDR1 C-terminus led to failure in co-condensation with LATS1. Interaction between the DDR1 C-terminus and LATS1 competitively inhibited binding of MOB1 (Mps one binder 1) to LATS1 and thus the subsequent phosphorylation of LATS1. Introduction of the single-point mutants, histidine-745-proline and histidine-902-proline, to DDR1 on the C-terminus abolished the co-condensation. In mouse models, YAP activity was positively correlated with collagen I expression and arterial stiffness. LATS1 inhibition reactivated the YAP signaling in Ddr1-deficient vessels and abrogated the arterial softening effect of Ddr1 deficiency. CONCLUSIONS These findings identify DDR1 as a mediator of YAP activation by mechanical and chemical stimuli and demonstrate that DDR1 regulates LATS1 phosphorylation in an liquid-liquid phase separation-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayu Liu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences; Hemorheology Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., W.P., W.Y., J.Z.).,Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., Y.Z., J.Z.).,National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory Peptides; Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Peking University, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., J.Z.)
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences; Hemorheology Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., W.P., W.Y., J.Z.).,Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., Y.Z., J.Z.).,National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory Peptides; Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Peking University, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., J.Z.).,Beijing Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, National Center for Infectious Disease, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China (J.W.)
| | - Yueqi Liu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences; Hemorheology Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., W.P., W.Y., J.Z.).,Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., Y.Z., J.Z.).,National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory Peptides; Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Peking University, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., J.Z.)
| | - Si-An Xie
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences; Hemorheology Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., W.P., W.Y., J.Z.).,Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., Y.Z., J.Z.).,National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory Peptides; Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Peking University, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., J.Z.)
| | - Jianrui Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences; Hemorheology Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., W.P., W.Y., J.Z.).,Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., Y.Z., J.Z.).,National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory Peptides; Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Peking University, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., J.Z.)
| | - Chuanrong Zhao
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences; Hemorheology Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., W.P., W.Y., J.Z.).,Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., Y.Z., J.Z.).,National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory Peptides; Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Peking University, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., J.Z.)
| | - Yuan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., Y.Z., J.Z.).,Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China (Y.Z.)
| | - Wei Pang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences; Hemorheology Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., W.P., W.Y., J.Z.)
| | - Weijuan Yao
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences; Hemorheology Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., W.P., W.Y., J.Z.)
| | - Qin Peng
- Institute of Systems and Physical Biology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, China (Q.P.)
| | - Xiaohong Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Inflammation Biology, The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, China (X.W.)
| | - Jing Zhou
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences; Hemorheology Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., W.P., W.Y., J.Z.).,Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., Y.Z., J.Z.).,National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory Peptides; Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Peking University, Beijing, China (J.L., J.W., Y.L., S.-A.X., J.Z., C.Z., J.Z.)
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23
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Reed E, Fellows A, Lu R, Rienks M, Schmidt L, Yin X, Duregotti E, Brandt M, Krasemann S, Hartmann K, Barallobre-Barreiro J, Addison O, Cuello F, Hansen A, Mayr M. Extracellular Matrix Profiling and Disease Modelling in Engineered Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Tissues. Matrix Biol Plus 2022; 16:100122. [PMID: 36193159 PMCID: PMC9526190 DOI: 10.1016/j.mbplus.2022.100122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) have an intrinsic role in regulating vessel homeostasis and pathological remodelling. In two-dimensional (2D) cell culture formats, however, SMCs are not embedded in their physiological extracellular matrix (ECM) environment. To overcome the limitations of conventional 2D SMC cultures, we established a 3D in vitro model of engineered vascular smooth muscle cell tissues (EVTs). EVTs were casted from primary murine aortic SMCs by suspending a SMC-fibrin master mix between two flexible silicon-posts at day 0 before prolonged culture up to 14 days. Immunohistochemical analysis of EVT longitudinal sections demonstrated that SMCs were aligned, viable and secretory. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics analysis of murine EVT lysates was performed and identified 135 matrisome proteins. Proteoglycans, including the large aggregating proteoglycan versican, accumulated within EVTs by day 7 of culture. This was followed by the deposition of collagens, elastin-binding proteins and matrix regulators up to day 14 of culture. In contrast to 2D SMC controls, accumulation of versican occurred in parallel to an increase in versikine, a cleavage product mediated by proteases of the A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS) family. Next, we tested the response of EVTs to stimulation with transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFβ-1). EVTs contracted in response to TGFβ-1 stimulation with altered ECM composition. In contrast, treatment with the pharmacological activin-like kinase inhibitor (ALKi) SB 431542 suppressed ECM secretion. As a disease stimulus, we performed calcification assays. The ECM acts as a nidus for calcium phosphate deposition in the arterial wall. We compared the onset and extent of calcification in EVTs and 2D SMCs cultured under high calcium and phosphate conditions for 7 days. Calcified EVTs displayed increased tissue stiffness by up to 30 % compared to non-calcified controls. Unlike the rapid calcification of SMCs in 2D cultures, EVTs sustained expression of the calcification inhibitor matrix Gla protein and allowed for better discrimination of the calcification propensity between independent biological replicates. In summary, EVTs are an intuitive and versatile model to investigate ECM synthesis and turnover by SMCs in a 3D environment. Unlike conventional 2D cultures, EVTs provide a more relevant pathophysiological model for retention of the nascent ECM produced by SMCs.
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Key Words
- 2D, Two-dimensional
- 3D cell culture
- 3D, Three-dimensional
- ADAMTS, A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs
- ALKi, Activin-like kinase inhibitor
- Calcification
- ECM
- ECM, Extracellular matrix
- EHT, Engineered heart tissue
- EVT, Engineered vascular smooth muscle cell tissue
- LC-MS/MS, Liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry
- Proteomics
- SMC, Smooth muscle cell
- Smooth muscle cells
- TCP, Tissue culture polystyrene
- TGFβ-1, Transforming growth factor beta-1
- Tissue engineering
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Affiliation(s)
- Ella Reed
- King's British Heart Foundation Centre, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and Sciences, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Adam Fellows
- King's British Heart Foundation Centre, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and Sciences, London SE5 9NU, UK
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Ruifang Lu
- King's British Heart Foundation Centre, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and Sciences, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Marieke Rienks
- King's British Heart Foundation Centre, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and Sciences, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Lukas Schmidt
- King's British Heart Foundation Centre, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and Sciences, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Xiaoke Yin
- King's British Heart Foundation Centre, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and Sciences, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Elisa Duregotti
- King's British Heart Foundation Centre, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and Sciences, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Mona Brandt
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Hamburg/Lübeck/Kiel, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Susanne Krasemann
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kristin Hartmann
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Javier Barallobre-Barreiro
- King's British Heart Foundation Centre, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and Sciences, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Owen Addison
- Centre of Oral, Clinical & Translational Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King’s College London, Guy’s Hospital, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Friederike Cuello
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Hamburg/Lübeck/Kiel, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Arne Hansen
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Hamburg/Lübeck/Kiel, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Manuel Mayr
- King's British Heart Foundation Centre, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and Sciences, London SE5 9NU, UK
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24
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Wang J, Xie SA, Li N, Zhang T, Yao W, Zhao H, Pang W, Han L, Liu J, Zhou J. Matrix stiffness exacerbates the proinflammatory responses of vascular smooth muscle cell through the DDR1-DNMT1 mechanotransduction axis. Bioact Mater 2022; 17:406-424. [PMID: 35386458 PMCID: PMC8964982 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2022.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cell (vSMC) is highly plastic as its phenotype can change in response to mechanical cues inherent to the extracellular matrix (ECM). VSMC may be activated from its quiescent contractile phenotype to a proinflammatory phenotype, whereby the cell secretes chemotactic and inflammatory cytokines, e.g. MCP1 and IL6, to functionally regulate monocyte and macrophage infiltration during the development of various vascular diseases including arteriosclerosis. Here, by culturing vSMCs on polyacrylamide (PA) substrates with variable elastic moduli, we discovered a role of discoidin domain receptor 1 (DDR1), a receptor tyrosine kinase that binds collagens, in mediating the mechanical regulation of vSMC gene expression, phenotype, and proinflammatory responses. We found that ECM stiffness induced DDR1 phosphorylation, oligomerization, and endocytosis to repress the expression of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), very likely in a collagen-independent manner. The DDR1-to-DNMT1 signaling was sequentially mediated by the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) and p53 pathways. ECM stiffness primed vSMC to a proinflammatory phenotype and this regulation was diminished by DDR1 inhibition. In agreement with the in vitro findings, increased DDR1 phosphorylation was observed in human arterial stiffening. DDR1 inhibition in mouse attenuated the acute injury or adenine diet-induced vascular stiffening and inflammation. Furthermore, mouse vasculature with SMC-specific deletion of Dnmt1 exhibited proinflammatory and stiffening phenotypes. Our study demonstrates a role of SMC DDR1 in perceiving the mechanical microenvironments and down-regulating expression of DNMT1 to result in vascular pathologies and has potential implications for optimization of engineering artificial vascular grafts and vascular networks. DDR1 is a mechanosensor in vSMC to perceive ECM stiffness in a collagen binding-independent way. Activation of DDR1 leads to repression of DNMT1 expression via the ERK-p53 pathway. The DDR1-DNMT1 axis mediates ECM stiffening-induced vascular inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Wang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hemorheology Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing, PR China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory Peptides; Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Peking University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Si-an Xie
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hemorheology Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing, PR China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory Peptides; Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Peking University, Beijing, PR China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Disease, Beijing Digestive Disease Center, Beijing Key Laboratory for Precancerous Lesion of Digestive Disease, Beijing, PR China
| | - Ning Li
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), And Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
- School of Engineering Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, PR China
| | - Weijuan Yao
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hemorheology Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Hucheng Zhao
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, School of Aerospace Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Wei Pang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hemorheology Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Lili Han
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hemorheology Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Jiayu Liu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hemorheology Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing, PR China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory Peptides; Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Peking University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Jing Zhou
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hemorheology Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Beijing, PR China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory Peptides; Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Peking University, Beijing, PR China
- Corresponding author. Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hemorheology Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, PR China.
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25
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Liu H, Liu Y, Wang H, Zhao Q, Zhang T, Xie S, Liu Y, Tang Y, Peng Q, Pang W, Yao W, Zhou J. Geometric Constraints Regulate Energy Metabolism and Cellular Contractility in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells by Coordinating Mitochondrial DNA Methylation. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2203995. [PMID: 36106364 PMCID: PMC9661866 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202203995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) can adapt to changes in cellular geometric cues; however, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Using 2D micropatterned substrates to engineer cell geometry, it is found that in comparison with an elongated geometry, a square-shaped geometry causes the nuclear-to-cytoplasmic redistribution of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), hypermethylation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), repression of mtDNA gene transcription, and impairment of mitochondrial function. Using irregularly arranged versus circumferentially aligned vascular grafts to control cell geometry in 3D growth, it is demonstrated that cell geometry, mtDNA methylation, and vessel contractility are closely related. DNMT1 redistribution is found to be dependent on the phosphoinositide 3-kinase and protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathways. Cell elongation activates cytosolic phospholipase A2, a nuclear mechanosensor that, when inhibited, hinders AKT phosphorylation, DNMT1 nuclear accumulation, and energy production. The findings of this study provide insights into the effects of cell geometry on SMC function and its potential implications in the optimization of vascular grafts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Liu
- Department of Physiology and PathophysiologySchool of Basic Medical Sciences; Hemorheology CenterSchool of Basic Medical SciencesPeking UniversityBeijing100191P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular ScienceMinistry of EducationBeijing100191P. R. China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory PeptidesBeijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors ResearchPeking UniversityBeijing100191P. R. China
| | - Yuefeng Liu
- Department of Physiology and PathophysiologySchool of Basic Medical Sciences; Hemorheology CenterSchool of Basic Medical SciencesPeking UniversityBeijing100191P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular ScienceMinistry of EducationBeijing100191P. R. China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory PeptidesBeijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors ResearchPeking UniversityBeijing100191P. R. China
| | - He Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical BiologyKey Laboratory of Bioactive MaterialsMinistry of EducationCollaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin)Nankai UniversityTianjin300071P. R. China
| | - Qiang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical BiologyKey Laboratory of Bioactive MaterialsMinistry of EducationCollaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin)Nankai UniversityTianjin300071P. R. China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Department of Vascular SurgeryPeking University People's HospitalBeijing100044P. R. China
| | - Si‐an Xie
- Department of Physiology and PathophysiologySchool of Basic Medical Sciences; Hemorheology CenterSchool of Basic Medical SciencesPeking UniversityBeijing100191P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular ScienceMinistry of EducationBeijing100191P. R. China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory PeptidesBeijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors ResearchPeking UniversityBeijing100191P. R. China
| | - Yueqi Liu
- Department of Physiology and PathophysiologySchool of Basic Medical Sciences; Hemorheology CenterSchool of Basic Medical SciencesPeking UniversityBeijing100191P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular ScienceMinistry of EducationBeijing100191P. R. China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory PeptidesBeijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors ResearchPeking UniversityBeijing100191P. R. China
| | - Yuanjun Tang
- Department of Physiology and PathophysiologySchool of Basic Medical Sciences; Hemorheology CenterSchool of Basic Medical SciencesPeking UniversityBeijing100191P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular ScienceMinistry of EducationBeijing100191P. R. China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory PeptidesBeijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors ResearchPeking UniversityBeijing100191P. R. China
| | - Qin Peng
- Institute of Systems and Physical BiologyShenzhen Bay LaboratoryShenzhen518132P. R. China
| | - Wei Pang
- Department of Physiology and PathophysiologySchool of Basic Medical Sciences; Hemorheology CenterSchool of Basic Medical SciencesPeking UniversityBeijing100191P. R. China
| | - Weijuan Yao
- Department of Physiology and PathophysiologySchool of Basic Medical Sciences; Hemorheology CenterSchool of Basic Medical SciencesPeking UniversityBeijing100191P. R. China
| | - Jing Zhou
- Department of Physiology and PathophysiologySchool of Basic Medical Sciences; Hemorheology CenterSchool of Basic Medical SciencesPeking UniversityBeijing100191P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular ScienceMinistry of EducationBeijing100191P. R. China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory PeptidesBeijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors ResearchPeking UniversityBeijing100191P. R. China
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26
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Zhao Y, Xia A, Li C, Long X, Bai Z, Qiu Z, Xiong W, Gu N, Shen Y, Zhao R, Shi B. Methyltransferase like 3-mediated N6-methylatidin methylation inhibits vascular smooth muscle cells phenotype switching via promoting phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase mRNA decay. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:913039. [PMID: 36386358 PMCID: PMC9649646 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.913039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
N6-methylatidine (m6A) is involved in post-transcriptional metabolism and a variety of pathological processes. However, little is known about the role of m6A in vascular proliferative diseases, particularly in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) phenotype switching-induced neointimal hyperplasia. In the current study, we discovered that methyltransferase like 3 (METTL3) is a critical candidate for catalyzing a global increase in m6A in response to carotid artery injury and various VSMCs phenotype switching. The inhibited neointimal hyperplasia was obtained after in vivo gene transfer to knock-down Mettl3. In vitro overexpression of Mettl3 resulted in increased VSMC proliferation, migration, and reduced contractile gene expression with a global elevation of m6A modification. In contrast, Mettl3 knockdown reversed this facilitated phenotypic switch in VSMCs, as demonstrated by downregulated m6A, decreased proliferation, migration, and increased expression of contractile genes. Mechanistically, Mettl3 knock-down was found to promote higher phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (Pi3k) mRNA decay thus inactivating the PI3K/AKT signal to inhibit VSMCs phenotype switching. Overall, our findings highlight the importance of METTL3-mediated m6A in VSMCs phenotype switching and offer a novel perspective on targeting METTL3 as a therapeutic option for VSMCs phenotype switching modulated pathogenesis, including atherosclerosis and restenosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongchao Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Aichao Xia
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Chaofu Li
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Xianping Long
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Zhixun Bai
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Zhimei Qiu
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Weidong Xiong
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Ning Gu
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Youcheng Shen
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Ranzun Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Bei Shi
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
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Engineering Smooth Muscle to Understand Extracellular Matrix Remodeling and Vascular Disease. Bioengineering (Basel) 2022; 9:bioengineering9090449. [PMID: 36134994 PMCID: PMC9495899 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering9090449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The vascular smooth muscle is vital for regulating blood pressure and maintaining cardiovascular health, and the resident smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in blood vessel walls rely on specific mechanical and biochemical signals to carry out these functions. Any slight change in their surrounding environment causes swift changes in their phenotype and secretory profile, leading to changes in the structure and functionality of vessel walls that cause pathological conditions. To adequately treat vascular diseases, it is essential to understand how SMCs crosstalk with their surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM). Here, we summarize in vivo and traditional in vitro studies of pathological vessel wall remodeling due to the SMC phenotype and, conversely, the SMC behavior in response to key ECM properties. We then analyze how three-dimensional tissue engineering approaches provide opportunities to model SMCs’ response to specific stimuli in the human body. Additionally, we review how applying biomechanical forces and biochemical stimulation, such as pulsatile fluid flow and secreted factors from other cell types, allows us to study disease mechanisms. Overall, we propose that in vitro tissue engineering of human vascular smooth muscle can facilitate a better understanding of relevant cardiovascular diseases using high throughput experiments, thus potentially leading to therapeutics or treatments to be tested in the future.
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28
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Guo T, He C, Venado A, Zhou Y. Extracellular Matrix Stiffness in Lung Health and Disease. Compr Physiol 2022; 12:3523-3558. [PMID: 35766837 PMCID: PMC10088466 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c210032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) provides structural support and imparts a wide variety of environmental cues to cells. In the past decade, a growing body of work revealed that the mechanical properties of the ECM, commonly known as matrix stiffness, regulate the fundamental cellular processes of the lung. There is growing appreciation that mechanical interplays between cells and associated ECM are essential to maintain lung homeostasis. Dysregulation of ECM-derived mechanical signaling via altered mechanosensing and mechanotransduction pathways is associated with many common lung diseases. Matrix stiffening is a hallmark of lung fibrosis. The stiffened ECM is not merely a sequelae of lung fibrosis but can actively drive the progression of fibrotic lung disease. In this article, we provide a comprehensive view on the role of matrix stiffness in lung health and disease. We begin by summarizing the effects of matrix stiffness on the function and behavior of various lung cell types and on regulation of biomolecule activity and key physiological processes, including host immune response and cellular metabolism. We discuss the potential mechanisms by which cells probe matrix stiffness and convert mechanical signals to regulate gene expression. We highlight the factors that govern matrix stiffness and outline the role of matrix stiffness in lung development and the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer. We envision targeting of deleterious matrix mechanical cues for treatment of fibrotic lung disease. Advances in technologies for matrix stiffness measurements and design of stiffness-tunable matrix substrates are also explored. © 2022 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 12:3523-3558, 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Guo
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central-South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chao He
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Aida Venado
- Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Yong Zhou
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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29
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Mechanical Cues Regulate Histone Modifications and Cell Behavior. Stem Cells Int 2022; 2022:9179111. [PMID: 35599845 PMCID: PMC9117061 DOI: 10.1155/2022/9179111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Change of biophysical factors in tissue microenvironment is an important step in a chronic disease development process. A mechanical and biochemical factor from cell living microniche can regulate cell epigenetic decoration and, therefore, further induce change of gene expression. In this review, we will emphasize the mechanism that biophysical microenvironment manipulates cell behavior including gene expression and protein decoration, through modifying histone amino acid residue modification. The influence given by different mechanical forces, including mechanical stretch, substrate surface stiffness, and shear stress, on cell fate and behavior during chronic disease development including tumorigenesis will also be teased out. Overall, the recent work summarized in this review culminates on the hypothesis that a mechanical factor stimulates the modification on histone which could facilitate disease detection and potential therapeutic target.
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Carballo-Perich L, Puigoriol-Illamola D, Bashir S, Terceño M, Silva Y, Gubern-Mérida C, Serena J. Clinical Parameters and Epigenetic Biomarkers of Plaque Vulnerability in Patients with Carotid Stenosis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:5149. [PMID: 35563540 PMCID: PMC9101730 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23095149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Atheromatous disease is the first cause of death and dependency in developed countries and carotid artery atherosclerosis is one of the main causes of severe ischaemic strokes. Current management strategies are mainly based on the degree of stenosis and patient selection has limited accuracy. This information could be complemented by the identification of biomarkers of plaque vulnerability, which would permit patients at greater and lesser risk of stroke to be distinguished, thus enabling a better selection of patients for surgical or intensive medical treatment. Although several circulating protein-based biomarkers with significance for both the diagnosis of carotid artery disease and its prognosis have been identified, at present, none have been clinically implemented. This review focuses especially on the most relevant clinical parameters to take into account in routine clinical practice and summarises the most up-to-date data on epigenetic biomarkers of carotid atherosclerosis and plaque vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laia Carballo-Perich
- Cerebrovascular Pathology Research Group, Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI), RICORS-ICTUS, Parc Hospitalari Martí I Julià, Edifici M2, 17190 Salt, Spain; (L.C.-P.); (D.P.-I.)
| | - Dolors Puigoriol-Illamola
- Cerebrovascular Pathology Research Group, Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI), RICORS-ICTUS, Parc Hospitalari Martí I Julià, Edifici M2, 17190 Salt, Spain; (L.C.-P.); (D.P.-I.)
| | - Saima Bashir
- Cerebrovascular Pathology Research Group, Stroke Unit, Department of Neurology, Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI), Dr. Josep Trueta University Hospital, RICORS-ICTUS, Av. França s/n (7a Planta), 17007 Girona, Spain; (S.B.); (M.T.); (J.S.)
| | - Mikel Terceño
- Cerebrovascular Pathology Research Group, Stroke Unit, Department of Neurology, Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI), Dr. Josep Trueta University Hospital, RICORS-ICTUS, Av. França s/n (7a Planta), 17007 Girona, Spain; (S.B.); (M.T.); (J.S.)
| | - Yolanda Silva
- Cerebrovascular Pathology Research Group, Stroke Unit, Department of Neurology, Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI), Dr. Josep Trueta University Hospital, RICORS-ICTUS, Av. França s/n (7a Planta), 17007 Girona, Spain; (S.B.); (M.T.); (J.S.)
| | - Carme Gubern-Mérida
- Cerebrovascular Pathology Research Group, Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI), RICORS-ICTUS, Parc Hospitalari Martí I Julià, Edifici M2, 17190 Salt, Spain; (L.C.-P.); (D.P.-I.)
| | - Joaquín Serena
- Cerebrovascular Pathology Research Group, Stroke Unit, Department of Neurology, Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI), Dr. Josep Trueta University Hospital, RICORS-ICTUS, Av. França s/n (7a Planta), 17007 Girona, Spain; (S.B.); (M.T.); (J.S.)
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31
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Khomtchouk BB, Lee YS, Khan ML, Sun P, Mero D, Davidson MH. Targeting the cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix in cardiovascular disease drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2022; 17:443-460. [PMID: 35258387 PMCID: PMC9050939 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2022.2047645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Currently, cardiovascular disease (CVD) drug discovery has focused primarily on addressing the inflammation and immunopathology aspects inherent to various CVD phenotypes such as cardiac fibrosis and coronary artery disease. However, recent findings suggest new biological pathways for cytoskeletal and extracellular matrix (ECM) regulation across diverse CVDs, such as the roles of matricellular proteins (e.g. tenascin-C) in regulating the cellular microenvironment. The success of anti-inflammatory drugs like colchicine, which targets microtubule polymerization, further suggests that the cardiac cytoskeleton and ECM provide prospective therapeutic opportunities. AREAS COVERED Potential therapeutic targets include proteins such as gelsolin and calponin 2, which play pivotal roles in plaque development. This review focuses on the dynamic role that the cytoskeleton and ECM play in CVD pathophysiology, highlighting how novel target discovery in cytoskeletal and ECM-related genes may enable therapeutics development to alter the regulation of cellular architecture in plaque formation and rupture, cardiac contractility, and other molecular mechanisms. EXPERT OPINION Further research into the cardiac cytoskeleton and its associated ECM proteins is an area ripe for novel target discovery. Furthermore, the structural connection between the cytoskeleton and the ECM provides an opportunity to evaluate both entities as sources of potential therapeutic targets for CVDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bohdan B. Khomtchouk
- University of Chicago, Department of Medicine, Section of Computational Biomedicine and Biomedical Data Science, Institute for Genomics and Systems Biology, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Yoon Seo Lee
- The College of the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Maha L. Khan
- The College of the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Patrick Sun
- The College of the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
| | | | - Michael H. Davidson
- University of Chicago, Department of Medicine, Section of Cardiology, Chicago, IL USA
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32
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Zhang B, Qin Y, Yang L, Wu Y, Chen N, Li M, Li Y, Wan H, Fu D, Luo R, Yuan L, Wang Y. A Polyphenol-Network-Mediated Coating Modulates Inflammation and Vascular Healing on Vascular Stents. ACS NANO 2022; 16:6585-6597. [PMID: 35301848 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c00642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Localized drug delivery from drug-eluting stents (DESs) to target sites provides therapeutic efficacy with minimal systemic toxicity. However, DESs failure may cause thrombosis, delay arterial healing, and impede re-endothelialization. Bivalirudin (BVLD) and nitric oxide (NO) promote arterial healing. Nevertheless, it is difficult to combine hydrophilic signal molecules with hydrophobic antiproliferative drugs while maintaining their bioactivity. Here, we fabricated a micro- to nanoscale network assembly consisting of copper ion and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) via π-π interactions, metal coordination, and oxidative polymerization. The network incorporated rapamycin and immobilized BVLD by the thiol-ene "click" reaction and provided sustained rapamycin and NO release. Unlike rapamycin-eluting stents, those coated with the EGCG-Cu-rapamycin-BVLD complex favored competitive endothelial cell (EC) growth over that of smooth muscle cells, exhibited long-term antithrombotic efficacy, and attenuated the negative impact of rapamycin on the EC. In vivo stent implantation demonstrated that the coating promoted endothelial regeneration and hindered restenosis. Therefore, the polyphenol-network-mediated surface chemistry can be an effective strategy for the engineering of multifunctional surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Yumei Qin
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Li Yang
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Ye Wu
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Nuoya Chen
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Mingyu Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Yanyan Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Huining Wan
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Daihua Fu
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Rifang Luo
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Lu Yuan
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Yunbing Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
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Wang Y, Shi R, Zhai R, Yang S, Peng T, Zheng F, Shen Y, Li M, Li L. Matrix stiffness regulates macrophage polarization in atherosclerosis. Pharmacol Res 2022; 179:106236. [PMID: 35483516 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease and the pathological basis of many fatal cardiovascular diseases. Macrophages, the main inflammatory cells in atherosclerotic plaque, have a paradox role in disease progression. In response to different microenvironments, macrophages mainly have two polarized directions: pro-inflammatory macrophages and anti-inflammatory macrophages. More and more evidence shows that macrophage is mechanosensitive and matrix stiffness regulate macrophage phenotypes in atherosclerosis. However, the molecular mechanism of matrix stiffness regulating macrophage polarization still lacks in-depth research, which hinders the development of new anti-atherosclerotic therapies. In this review, we discuss the important role of matrix stiffness in regulating macrophage polarization through mechanical signal transduction (Hippo, Piezo, cytoskeleton, and integrin) and epigenetic mechanisms (miRNA, DNA methylation, and histone). We hope to provide a new perspective for atherosclerosis therapy by targeting matrix stiffness and macrophage polarization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Ruotong Shi
- Norman Bethune College of Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Ran Zhai
- Norman Bethune College of Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Shiyan Yang
- Norman Bethune College of Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Tianqi Peng
- Norman Bethune College of Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Fuwen Zheng
- Norman Bethune College of Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - YanNan Shen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China.
| | - Meiying Li
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China.
| | - Lisha Li
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China.
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Bouten CVC, Cheng C, Vermue IM, Gawlitta D, Passier R. Cardiovascular tissue engineering and regeneration: A plead for further knowledge convergence. Tissue Eng Part A 2022; 28:525-541. [PMID: 35382591 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2021.0231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular tissue engineering and regeneration strive to provide long-term, effective solutions for a growing group of patients in need of myocardial repair, vascular (access) grafts, heart valves, and regeneration of organ microcirculation. In the past two decades, ongoing convergence of disciplines and multidisciplinary collaborations between cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiologists, bioengineers, material scientists, and cell biologists have resulted in better understanding of the problems at hand and novel regenerative approaches. As a side effect, however, the field has become strongly organized and differentiated around topical areas at risk of reinvention of technologies and repetition of approaches and across the areas. A better integration of knowledge and technologies from the individual topical areas and regenerative approaches and technologies may pave the way towards faster and more effective treatments to cure the cardiovascular system. This review summarizes the evolution of research and regenerative approaches in the areas of myocardial regeneration, heart valve and vascular tissue engineering, and regeneration of microcirculations and discusses previous and potential future integration of these individual areas and developed technologies for improved clinical impact. Finally, it provides a perspective on the further integration of research organization, knowledge implementation, and valorization as a contributor to advancing cardiovascular tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlijn V C Bouten
- Soft Tissue Engineering and Mechanobiology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Caroline Cheng
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Thoraxcenter Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ijsbrand M Vermue
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Debby Gawlitta
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Prosthodontics and Special Dental Care, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Robert Passier
- Department of Applied Stem Cell Technologies, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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35
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Zhi D, Cheng Q, Midgley AC, Zhang Q, Wei T, Li Y, Wang T, Ma T, Rafique M, Xia S, Cao Y, Li Y, Li J, Che Y, Zhu M, Wang K, Kong D. Mechanically reinforced biotubes for arterial replacement and arteriovenous grafting inspired by architectural engineering. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabl3888. [PMID: 35294246 PMCID: PMC8926343 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abl3888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
There is a lack in clinically-suitable vascular grafts. Biotubes, prepared using in vivo tissue engineering, show potential for vascular regeneration. However, their mechanical strength is typically poor. Inspired by architectural design of steel fiber reinforcement of concrete for tunnel construction, poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) fiber skeletons (PSs) were fabricated by melt-spinning and heat treatment. The PSs were subcutaneously embedded to induce the assembly of host cells and extracellular matrix to obtain PS-reinforced biotubes (PBs). Heat-treated medium-fiber-angle PB (hMPB) demonstrated superior performance when evaluated by in vitro mechanical testing and following implantation in rat abdominal artery replacement models. hMPBs were further evaluated in canine peripheral arterial replacement and sheep arteriovenous graft models. Overall, hMPB demonstrated appropriate mechanics, puncture resistance, rapid hemostasis, vascular regeneration, and long-term patency, without incidence of luminal expansion or intimal hyperplasia. These optimized hMPB properties show promise as an alternatives to autologous vessels in clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dengke Zhi
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Quhan Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Adam C. Midgley
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Qiuying Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Tingting Wei
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Yi Li
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Ting Wang
- Urban Transport Emission Control Research Centre, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Tengzhi Ma
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Muhammad Rafique
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Shuang Xia
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Key Disciplines of Radiology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Nankai University, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Yuejuan Cao
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Nankai University, Tianjin 300121, China
| | - Yangchun Li
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Nankai University, Tianjin 300121, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Ultrasound, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Nankai University, Tianjin 300121, China
| | - Yongzhe Che
- Department of Pathology and Anatomy, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Meifeng Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
- Corresponding author. (D.K.); (K.W.); (M.Z.)
| | - Kai Wang
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
- Corresponding author. (D.K.); (K.W.); (M.Z.)
| | - Deling Kong
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
- Institute of Transplant Medicine, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Nankai University, Tianjin 300192, China
- Corresponding author. (D.K.); (K.W.); (M.Z.)
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Sharma R, Sharma S, Thakur A, Singh A, Singh J, Nepali K, Liou JP. The Role of Epigenetic Mechanisms in Autoimmune, Neurodegenerative, Cardiovascular, and Imprinting Disorders. Mini Rev Med Chem 2022; 22:1977-2011. [PMID: 35176978 DOI: 10.2174/1389557522666220217103441] [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: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic mutations like aberrant DNA methylation, histone modifications, or RNA silencing are found in a number of human diseases. This review article discusses the epigenetic mechanisms involved in neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular disorders, auto-immune disorder, and genomic imprinting disorders. In addition, emerging epigenetic therapeutic strategies for the treatment of such disorders are presented. Medicinal chemistry campaigns highlighting the efforts of the chemists invested towards the rational design of small molecule inhibitors have also been included. Pleasingly, several classes of epigenetic inhibitors, DNMT, HDAC, BET, HAT, and HMT inhibitors along with RNA based therapies have exhibited the potential to emerge as therapeutics in the longer run. It is quite hopeful that epigenetic modulator-based therapies will advance to clinical stage investigations by leaps and bounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ram Sharma
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Sachin Sharma
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Amandeep Thakur
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Arshdeep Singh
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jagjeet Singh
- School of Pharmacy, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Department of Pharmacy, Rayat-Bahara Group of Institutes, Hoshiarpur, India
| | - Kunal Nepali
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jing Ping Liou
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
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37
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Ahmed S, Johnson RT, Solanki R, Afewerki T, Wostear F, Warren DT. Using Polyacrylamide Hydrogels to Model Physiological Aortic Stiffness Reveals that Microtubules Are Critical Regulators of Isolated Smooth Muscle Cell Morphology and Contractility. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:836710. [PMID: 35153800 PMCID: PMC8830533 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.836710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are the predominant cell type in the medial layer of the aortic wall and normally exist in a quiescent, contractile phenotype where actomyosin-derived contractile forces maintain vascular tone. However, VSMCs are not terminally differentiated and can dedifferentiate into a proliferative, synthetic phenotype. Actomyosin force generation is essential for the function of both phenotypes. Whilst much is already known about the mechanisms of VSMC actomyosin force generation, existing assays are either low throughput and time consuming, or qualitative and inconsistent. In this study, we use polyacrylamide hydrogels, tuned to mimic the physiological stiffness of the aortic wall, in a VSMC contractility assay. Isolated VSMC area decreases following stimulation with the contractile agonists angiotensin II or carbachol. Importantly, the angiotensin II induced reduction in cell area correlated with increased traction stress generation. Inhibition of actomyosin activity using blebbistatin or Y-27632 prevented angiotensin II mediated changes in VSMC morphology, suggesting that changes in VSMC morphology and actomyosin activity are core components of the contractile response. Furthermore, we show that microtubule stability is an essential regulator of isolated VSMC contractility. Treatment with either colchicine or paclitaxel uncoupled the morphological and/or traction stress responses of angiotensin II stimulated VSMCs. Our findings support the tensegrity model of cellular mechanics and we demonstrate that microtubules act to balance actomyosin-derived traction stress generation and regulate the morphological responses of VSMCs.
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Zhao W, Lv M, Yang X, Zhou J, Xing B, Zhang Z. OUP accepted manuscript. Carcinogenesis 2022; 43:766-778. [PMID: 35436337 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgac035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Cell Biology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing 100142, P. R. China
| | - Mengzhu Lv
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Cell Biology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing 100142, P. R. China
| | - Xueying Yang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Cell Biology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing 100142, P. R. China
| | - Jing Zhou
- Hemorheology Center, Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P. R. China
| | - Baocai Xing
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery I, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing 100142, P. R. China
| | - Zhiqian Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Cell Biology, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing 100142, P. R. China
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39
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Zhang F, Guo X, Xia Y, Mao L. An update on the phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 79:6. [PMID: 34936041 PMCID: PMC11072026 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-04079-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are involved in phenotypic switching in atherosclerosis. This switching is characterized by VSMC dedifferentiation, migration, and transdifferentiation into other cell types. VSMC phenotypic transitions have historically been considered bidirectional processes. Cells can adopt a physiological contraction phenotype or an alternative "synthetic" phenotype in response to injury. However, recent studies, including lineage tracing and single-cell sequencing studies, have shown that VSMCs downregulate contraction markers during atherosclerosis while adopting other phenotypes, including macrophage-like, foam cell, mesenchymal stem-like, myofibroblast-like, and osteochondral-like phenotypes. However, the molecular mechanism and processes regulating the switching of VSMCs at the onset of atherosclerosis are still unclear. This systematic review aims to review the critical outstanding challenges and issues that need further investigation and summarize the current knowledge in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Xiaoqing Guo
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Yuanpeng Xia
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
| | - Ling Mao
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
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40
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Wang J, Qian HL, Chen SY, Huang WP, Huang DN, Hao HY, Ren KF, Wang YB, Fu GS, Ji J. miR-22 eluting cardiovascular stent based on a self-healable spongy coating inhibits in-stent restenosis. Bioact Mater 2021; 6:4686-4696. [PMID: 34095625 PMCID: PMC8164007 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2021.04.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The in-stent restenosis (IRS) after the percutaneous coronary intervention contributes to the major treatment failure of stent implantation. MicroRNAs have been revealed as powerful gene medicine to regulate endothelial cells (EC) and smooth muscle cells (SMC) in response to vascular injury, providing a promising therapeutic candidate to inhibit IRS. However, the controllable loading and eluting of hydrophilic bioactive microRNAs pose a challenge to current lipophilic stent coatings. Here, we developed a microRNA eluting cardiovascular stent via the self-healing encapsulation process based on an amphipathic poly(ε-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL-PEG-PCL, PCEC) triblock copolymer spongy network. The miR-22 was used as a model microRNA to regulate SMC. The dynamic porous coating realized the uniform and controllable loading of miR-22, reaching the highest dosage of 133 pmol cm-2. We demonstrated that the sustained release of miR-22 dramatically enhanced the contractile phenotype of SMC without interfering with the proliferation of EC, thus leading to the EC dominating growth at an EC/SMC ratio of 5.4. More importantly, the PCEC@miR-22 coated stents showed reduced inflammation, low switching of SMC phenotype, and low secretion of extracellular matrix, which significantly inhibited IRS. This work provides a simple and robust coating platform for the delivery of microRNAs on cardiovascular stent, which may extend to other combination medical devices, and facilitate practical application of bioactive agents in clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Hong-Lin Qian
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Sheng-Yu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Intervention and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Department of Cardiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Wei-Pin Huang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Dan-Ni Huang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Hong-Ye Hao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Ke-Feng Ren
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Intervention and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Department of Cardiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Yun-Bing Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, China
| | - Guo-Sheng Fu
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Intervention and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Department of Cardiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Jian Ji
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Intervention and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Department of Cardiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China
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Gibney R, Ferraris E. Bioprinting of Collagen Type I and II via Aerosol Jet Printing for the Replication of Dense Collagenous Tissues. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:786945. [PMID: 34805132 PMCID: PMC8602098 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.786945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Collagen has grown increasingly present in bioprinting, however collagen bioprinting has mostly been limited to the extrusion printing of collagen type I to form weak collagen hydrogels. While these weak collagen hydrogels have their applications, synthetic polymers are often required to reinforce gel-laden constructs that aim to replicate dense collagenous tissues found in vivo. In this study, aerosol jet printing (AJP) was used to print and process collagen type I and II into dense constructs with a greater capacity to replicate the dense collagenous ECM found in connective tissues. Collagen type I and II was isolated from animal tissues to form solutions for printing. Collagen type I and II constructs were printed with 576 layers and measured to have average effective elastic moduli of 241.3 ± 94.3 and 196.6 ± 86.0 kPa (±SD), respectively, without any chemical modification. Collagen type II solutions were measured to be less viscous than type I and both collagen type I and II exhibited a drop in viscosity due to AJP. Circular dichroism and SDS-PAGE showed collagen type I to be more vulnerable to structural changes due to the stresses of the aerosol formation step of aerosol jet printing while the collagen type II triple helix was largely unaffected. SEM illustrated that distinct layers remained in the aerosol jet print constructs. The results show that aerosol jet printing should be considered an effective way to process collagen type I and II into stiff dense constructs with suitable mechanical properties for the replication of dense collagenous connective tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rory Gibney
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, KU Leuven Campus De Nayer, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Eleonora Ferraris
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, KU Leuven Campus De Nayer, Leuven, Belgium
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42
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Khanna A, Zamani M, Huang NF. Extracellular Matrix-Based Biomaterials for Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2021; 8:137. [PMID: 34821690 PMCID: PMC8622600 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd8110137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Regenerative medicine and tissue engineering strategies have made remarkable progress in remodeling, replacing, and regenerating damaged cardiovascular tissues. The design of three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds with appropriate biochemical and mechanical characteristics is critical for engineering tissue-engineered replacements. The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a dynamic scaffolding structure characterized by tissue-specific biochemical, biophysical, and mechanical properties that modulates cellular behavior and activates highly regulated signaling pathways. In light of technological advancements, biomaterial-based scaffolds have been developed that better mimic physiological ECM properties, provide signaling cues that modulate cellular behavior, and form functional tissues and organs. In this review, we summarize the in vitro, pre-clinical, and clinical research models that have been employed in the design of ECM-based biomaterials for cardiovascular regenerative medicine. We highlight the research advancements in the incorporation of ECM components into biomaterial-based scaffolds, the engineering of increasingly complex structures using biofabrication and spatial patterning techniques, the regulation of ECMs on vascular differentiation and function, and the translation of ECM-based scaffolds for vascular graft applications. Finally, we discuss the challenges, future perspectives, and directions in the design of next-generation ECM-based biomaterials for cardiovascular tissue engineering and clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maedeh Zamani
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA;
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Ngan F. Huang
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA;
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
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43
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Gibney R, Patterson J, Ferraris E. High-Resolution Bioprinting of Recombinant Human Collagen Type III. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:2973. [PMID: 34503013 PMCID: PMC8434404 DOI: 10.3390/polym13172973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of commercial collagen inks for extrusion-based bioprinting has increased the amount of research on pure collagen bioprinting, i.e., collagen inks not mixed with gelatin, alginate, or other more common biomaterial inks. New printing techniques have also improved the resolution achievable with pure collagen bioprinting. However, the resultant collagen constructs still appear too weak to replicate dense collagenous tissues, such as the cornea. This work aims to demonstrate the first reported case of bioprinted recombinant collagen films with suitable optical and mechanical properties for corneal tissue engineering. The printing technology used, aerosol jet® printing (AJP), is a high-resolution printing method normally used to deposit conductive inks for electronic printing. In this work, AJP was employed to deposit recombinant human collagen type III (RHCIII) in overlapping continuous lines of 60 µm to form thin layers. Layers were repeated up to 764 times to result in a construct that was considered a few hundred microns thick when swollen. Samples were subsequently neutralised and crosslinked using EDC:NHS crosslinking. Nanoindentation and absorbance measurements were conducted, and the results show that the AJP-deposited RHCIII samples possess suitable mechanical and optical properties for corneal tissue engineering: an average effective elastic modulus of 506 ± 173 kPa and transparency ≥87% at all visible wavelengths. Circular dichroism showed that there was some loss of helicity of the collagen due to aerosolisation. SDS-PAGE and pepsin digestion were used to show that while some collagen is degraded due to aerosolisation, it remains an inaccessible substrate for pepsin cleavage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rory Gibney
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, KU Leuven, Campus De Nayer, 2860 Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Belgium
- Department of Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jennifer Patterson
- Department of Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
- Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine Group, IMDEA Materials Institute, Getafe, 28906 Madrid, Spain
| | - Eleonora Ferraris
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, KU Leuven, Campus De Nayer, 2860 Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Belgium
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44
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Jensen LF, Bentzon JF, Albarrán-Juárez J. The Phenotypic Responses of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Exposed to Mechanical Cues. Cells 2021; 10:2209. [PMID: 34571858 PMCID: PMC8469800 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
During the development of atherosclerosis and other vascular diseases, vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) located in the intima and media of blood vessels shift from a contractile state towards other phenotypes that differ substantially from differentiated SMCs. In addition, these cells acquire new functions, such as the production of alternative extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and signal molecules. A similar shift in cell phenotype is observed when SMCs are removed from their native environment and placed in a culture, presumably due to the absence of the physiological signals that maintain and regulate the SMC phenotype in the vasculature. The far majority of studies describing SMC functions have been performed under standard culture conditions in which cells adhere to a rigid and static plastic plate. While these studies have contributed to discovering key molecular pathways regulating SMCs, they have a significant limitation: the ECM microenvironment and the mechanical forces transmitted through the matrix to SMCs are generally not considered. Here, we review and discuss the recent literature on how the mechanical forces and derived biochemical signals have been shown to modulate the vascular SMC phenotype and provide new perspectives about their importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise Filt Jensen
- Atherosclerosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark; (L.F.J.); (J.F.B.)
| | - Jacob Fog Bentzon
- Atherosclerosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark; (L.F.J.); (J.F.B.)
- Experimental Pathology of Atherosclerosis Laboratory, Spanish National Center for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Julian Albarrán-Juárez
- Atherosclerosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark; (L.F.J.); (J.F.B.)
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45
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Antonova LV, Krivkina EO, Sevostianova VV, Mironov AV, Rezvova MA, Shabaev AR, Tkachenko VO, Krutitskiy SS, Khanova MY, Sergeeva TY, Matveeva VG, Glushkova TV, Kutikhin AG, Mukhamadiyarov RA, Deeva NS, Akentieva TN, Sinitsky MY, Velikanova EA, Barbarash LS. Tissue-Engineered Carotid Artery Interposition Grafts Demonstrate High Primary Patency and Promote Vascular Tissue Regeneration in the Ovine Model. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:polym13162637. [PMID: 34451177 PMCID: PMC8400235 DOI: 10.3390/polym13162637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Tissue-engineered vascular graft for the reconstruction of small arteries is still an unmet clinical need, despite the fact that a number of promising prototypes have entered preclinical development. Here we test Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)Poly(ε-caprolactone) 4-mm-diameter vascular grafts equipped with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and stromal cell-derived factor 1α (SDF-1α) and surface coated with heparin and iloprost (PHBV/PCL[VEGF-bFGF-SDF]Hep/Ilo, n = 8) in a sheep carotid artery interposition model, using biostable vascular prostheses of expanded poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (ePTFE, n = 5) as a control. Primary patency of PHBV/PCL[VEGF-bFGF-SDF]Hep/Ilo grafts was 62.5% (5/8) at 24 h postimplantation and 50% (4/8) at 18 months postimplantation, while all (5/5) ePTFE conduits were occluded within the 24 h after the surgery. At 18 months postimplantation, PHBV/PCL[VEGF-bFGF-SDF]Hep/Ilo grafts were completely resorbed and replaced by the vascular tissue. Regenerated arteries displayed a hierarchical three-layer structure similar to the native blood vessels, being fully endothelialised, highly vascularised and populated by vascular smooth muscle cells and macrophages. The most (4/5, 80%) of the regenerated arteries were free of calcifications but suffered from the aneurysmatic dilation. Therefore, biodegradable PHBV/PCL[VEGF-bFGF-SDF]Hep/Ilo grafts showed better short- and long-term results than bio-stable ePTFE analogues, although these scaffolds must be reinforced for the efficient prevention of aneurysms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larisa V. Antonova
- Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia; (L.V.A.); (E.O.K.); (A.V.M.); (M.A.R.); (A.R.S.); (S.S.K.); (M.Y.K.); (T.Y.S.); (V.G.M.); (T.V.G.); (A.G.K.); (R.A.M.); (N.S.D.); (T.N.A.); (M.Y.S.); (E.A.V.); (L.S.B.)
| | - Evgenia O. Krivkina
- Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia; (L.V.A.); (E.O.K.); (A.V.M.); (M.A.R.); (A.R.S.); (S.S.K.); (M.Y.K.); (T.Y.S.); (V.G.M.); (T.V.G.); (A.G.K.); (R.A.M.); (N.S.D.); (T.N.A.); (M.Y.S.); (E.A.V.); (L.S.B.)
| | - Viktoriia V. Sevostianova
- Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia; (L.V.A.); (E.O.K.); (A.V.M.); (M.A.R.); (A.R.S.); (S.S.K.); (M.Y.K.); (T.Y.S.); (V.G.M.); (T.V.G.); (A.G.K.); (R.A.M.); (N.S.D.); (T.N.A.); (M.Y.S.); (E.A.V.); (L.S.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +7-9069356076
| | - Andrey V. Mironov
- Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia; (L.V.A.); (E.O.K.); (A.V.M.); (M.A.R.); (A.R.S.); (S.S.K.); (M.Y.K.); (T.Y.S.); (V.G.M.); (T.V.G.); (A.G.K.); (R.A.M.); (N.S.D.); (T.N.A.); (M.Y.S.); (E.A.V.); (L.S.B.)
| | - Maria A. Rezvova
- Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia; (L.V.A.); (E.O.K.); (A.V.M.); (M.A.R.); (A.R.S.); (S.S.K.); (M.Y.K.); (T.Y.S.); (V.G.M.); (T.V.G.); (A.G.K.); (R.A.M.); (N.S.D.); (T.N.A.); (M.Y.S.); (E.A.V.); (L.S.B.)
| | - Amin R. Shabaev
- Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia; (L.V.A.); (E.O.K.); (A.V.M.); (M.A.R.); (A.R.S.); (S.S.K.); (M.Y.K.); (T.Y.S.); (V.G.M.); (T.V.G.); (A.G.K.); (R.A.M.); (N.S.D.); (T.N.A.); (M.Y.S.); (E.A.V.); (L.S.B.)
| | - Vadim O. Tkachenko
- Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics of Siberian Branch Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia;
| | - Sergey S. Krutitskiy
- Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia; (L.V.A.); (E.O.K.); (A.V.M.); (M.A.R.); (A.R.S.); (S.S.K.); (M.Y.K.); (T.Y.S.); (V.G.M.); (T.V.G.); (A.G.K.); (R.A.M.); (N.S.D.); (T.N.A.); (M.Y.S.); (E.A.V.); (L.S.B.)
| | - Mariam Yu. Khanova
- Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia; (L.V.A.); (E.O.K.); (A.V.M.); (M.A.R.); (A.R.S.); (S.S.K.); (M.Y.K.); (T.Y.S.); (V.G.M.); (T.V.G.); (A.G.K.); (R.A.M.); (N.S.D.); (T.N.A.); (M.Y.S.); (E.A.V.); (L.S.B.)
| | - Tatiana Yu. Sergeeva
- Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia; (L.V.A.); (E.O.K.); (A.V.M.); (M.A.R.); (A.R.S.); (S.S.K.); (M.Y.K.); (T.Y.S.); (V.G.M.); (T.V.G.); (A.G.K.); (R.A.M.); (N.S.D.); (T.N.A.); (M.Y.S.); (E.A.V.); (L.S.B.)
| | - Vera G. Matveeva
- Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia; (L.V.A.); (E.O.K.); (A.V.M.); (M.A.R.); (A.R.S.); (S.S.K.); (M.Y.K.); (T.Y.S.); (V.G.M.); (T.V.G.); (A.G.K.); (R.A.M.); (N.S.D.); (T.N.A.); (M.Y.S.); (E.A.V.); (L.S.B.)
| | - Tatiana V. Glushkova
- Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia; (L.V.A.); (E.O.K.); (A.V.M.); (M.A.R.); (A.R.S.); (S.S.K.); (M.Y.K.); (T.Y.S.); (V.G.M.); (T.V.G.); (A.G.K.); (R.A.M.); (N.S.D.); (T.N.A.); (M.Y.S.); (E.A.V.); (L.S.B.)
| | - Anton G. Kutikhin
- Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia; (L.V.A.); (E.O.K.); (A.V.M.); (M.A.R.); (A.R.S.); (S.S.K.); (M.Y.K.); (T.Y.S.); (V.G.M.); (T.V.G.); (A.G.K.); (R.A.M.); (N.S.D.); (T.N.A.); (M.Y.S.); (E.A.V.); (L.S.B.)
| | - Rinat A. Mukhamadiyarov
- Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia; (L.V.A.); (E.O.K.); (A.V.M.); (M.A.R.); (A.R.S.); (S.S.K.); (M.Y.K.); (T.Y.S.); (V.G.M.); (T.V.G.); (A.G.K.); (R.A.M.); (N.S.D.); (T.N.A.); (M.Y.S.); (E.A.V.); (L.S.B.)
| | - Nadezhda S. Deeva
- Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia; (L.V.A.); (E.O.K.); (A.V.M.); (M.A.R.); (A.R.S.); (S.S.K.); (M.Y.K.); (T.Y.S.); (V.G.M.); (T.V.G.); (A.G.K.); (R.A.M.); (N.S.D.); (T.N.A.); (M.Y.S.); (E.A.V.); (L.S.B.)
| | - Tatiana N. Akentieva
- Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia; (L.V.A.); (E.O.K.); (A.V.M.); (M.A.R.); (A.R.S.); (S.S.K.); (M.Y.K.); (T.Y.S.); (V.G.M.); (T.V.G.); (A.G.K.); (R.A.M.); (N.S.D.); (T.N.A.); (M.Y.S.); (E.A.V.); (L.S.B.)
| | - Maxim Yu. Sinitsky
- Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia; (L.V.A.); (E.O.K.); (A.V.M.); (M.A.R.); (A.R.S.); (S.S.K.); (M.Y.K.); (T.Y.S.); (V.G.M.); (T.V.G.); (A.G.K.); (R.A.M.); (N.S.D.); (T.N.A.); (M.Y.S.); (E.A.V.); (L.S.B.)
| | - Elena A. Velikanova
- Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia; (L.V.A.); (E.O.K.); (A.V.M.); (M.A.R.); (A.R.S.); (S.S.K.); (M.Y.K.); (T.Y.S.); (V.G.M.); (T.V.G.); (A.G.K.); (R.A.M.); (N.S.D.); (T.N.A.); (M.Y.S.); (E.A.V.); (L.S.B.)
| | - Leonid S. Barbarash
- Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia; (L.V.A.); (E.O.K.); (A.V.M.); (M.A.R.); (A.R.S.); (S.S.K.); (M.Y.K.); (T.Y.S.); (V.G.M.); (T.V.G.); (A.G.K.); (R.A.M.); (N.S.D.); (T.N.A.); (M.Y.S.); (E.A.V.); (L.S.B.)
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Hu Y, Yang Y, Tian F, Xu P, Du R, Xia X, Xu S. Fabrication of Stiffness Gradient Nanocomposite Hydrogels for Mimicking Cell Microenvironment. Macromol Res 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s13233-021-9056-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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Ouyang L, Su X, Li W, Tang L, Zhang M, Zhu Y, Xie C, Zhang P, Chen J, Huang H. ALKBH1-demethylated DNA N6-methyladenine modification triggers vascular calcification via osteogenic reprogramming in chronic kidney disease. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:146985. [PMID: 34003800 PMCID: PMC8279589 DOI: 10.1172/jci146985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular calcification (VC) predicts cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD). To date, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We detected leukocyte DNA N6-methyladenine (6mA) levels in patients with CKD with or without aortic arch calcification. We used arteries from CKD mice infected with vascular smooth muscle cell-targeted (VSMC-targeted) adeno-associated virus encoding alkB homolog 1 (Alkbh1) gene or Alkbh1 shRNA to evaluate features of calcification. We identified that leukocyte 6mA levels were significantly reduced as the severity of VC increased in patients with CKD. Decreased 6mA demethylation resulted from the upregulation of ALKBH1. Here, ALKBH1 overexpression aggravated whereas its depletion blunted VC progression and osteogenic reprogramming in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, ALKBH1-demethylated DNA 6mA modification could facilitate the binding of octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (Oct4) to bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) promoter and activate BMP2 transcription. This resulted in osteogenic reprogramming of VSMCs and subsequent VC progression. Either BMP2 or Oct4 depletion alleviated the procalcifying effects of ALKBH1. This suggests that targeting ALKBH1 might be a therapeutic method to reduce the burden of VC in CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu Ouyang
- Department of Cardiology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Cardiology, the Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaoyan Su
- Department of Nephropathy, Tungwah Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Dongguan, China
| | - Wenxin Li
- Department of Cardiology, the Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Liangqiu Tang
- Department of Cardiology, Yuebei People’s Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, Shaoguan, China
| | - Mengbi Zhang
- Department of Nephropathy, Tungwah Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Dongguan, China
| | - Yongjun Zhu
- Department of Cardiology, the Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Changming Xie
- Department of Cardiology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Cardiology, the Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Puhua Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui Huang
- Department of Cardiology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Cardiology, the Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
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48
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Zhang K, Feng Q, Fang Z, Gu L, Bian L. Structurally Dynamic Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications: Pursuing a Fine Balance between Macroscopic Stability and Microscopic Dynamics. Chem Rev 2021; 121:11149-11193. [PMID: 34189903 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Owing to their unique chemical and physical properties, hydrogels are attracting increasing attention in both basic and translational biomedical studies. Although the classical hydrogels with static networks have been widely reported for decades, a growing number of recent studies have shown that structurally dynamic hydrogels can better mimic the dynamics and functions of natural extracellular matrix (ECM) in soft tissues. These synthetic materials with defined compositions can recapitulate key chemical and biophysical properties of living tissues, providing an important means to understanding the mechanisms by which cells sense and remodel their surrounding microenvironments. This review begins with the overall expectation and design principles of dynamic hydrogels. We then highlight recent progress in the fabrication strategies of dynamic hydrogels including both degradation-dependent and degradation-independent approaches, followed by their unique properties and use in biomedical applications such as regenerative medicine, drug delivery, and 3D culture. Finally, challenges and emerging trends in the development and application of dynamic hydrogels are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunyu Zhang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States.,Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Qian Feng
- Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiwei Fang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States.,Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Luo Gu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States.,Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Liming Bian
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou 511442, People's Republic of China.,National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Guangdong Province, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China.,Innovation Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
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49
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Nagayama K, Nishimiya K. Moderate substrate stiffness induces vascular smooth muscle cell differentiation through cellular morphological and tensional changes. Biomed Mater Eng 2021; 31:157-167. [PMID: 32568168 DOI: 10.3233/bme-201087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are one of the main components of arterial walls and actively remodel the arterial walls in which they reside through biomechanical signals applied to themselves. Contractile or differentiated VSMCs have been observed in normal blood vessels. In pathological vascular conditions, they become dedifferentiated from contractile to non-contractile or synthetic cells, and a similar change is observed when VSMCs are placed in culture conditions. The mechanisms regulating VSMC differentiation remain unclear at this stage. OBJECTIVE In this paper we investigated the effects of substrate stiffness on the morphology, intercellular tension, and differentiation of VSMCs. METHODS Rat VSMCs were cultured on polyacrylamide (PA) gels, with elastic moduli of 15 kPa, 40 kPa, and 85 kPa, and PDMS substrate with elastic modulus of 1 MPa, and their morphology, intercellular tension, and contractile differentiation were assessed. RESULTS Using fluorescence microscope image-based analysis and nano-indentation imaging with atomic force microscopy, we found that cell spreading and stiffening were induced by substrate stiffening in VSMCs. Interestingly, VSMCs on PA gel substrates with medium stiffness (40 kPa) showed significant elongation and shape polarization, and their 𝛼-SMA with F-actin cytoskeleton expression ratio was significantly higher than those of cells on other substrates. CONCLUSION The results indicate an existing optimal substrate stiffness for promoting VSMC differentiation, and also indicate that cell shape polarization might be a key factor for VSMC differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuaki Nagayama
- Micro-Nano Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Ibaraki University, Nakanarusawa-cho, Hitachi, Japan
| | - Kouhei Nishimiya
- Micro-Nano Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Ibaraki University, Nakanarusawa-cho, Hitachi, Japan
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50
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Maleckis K, Kamenskiy A, Lichter EZ, Oberley-Deegan R, Dzenis Y, MacTaggart J. Mechanically tuned vascular graft demonstrates rapid endothelialization and integration into the porcine iliac artery wall. Acta Biomater 2021; 125:126-137. [PMID: 33549808 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.01.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Mechanical properties of vascular grafts likely play important roles in healing and tissue regeneration. Healthy arteries are compliant at low pressures but stiffen rapidly with increasing load, ensuring sufficient volumetric expansion without overstretching the vessel. Commercial synthetic vascular grafts are stiff and unable to expand under physiologic loads, which may result in altered hemodynamics, deleterious cellular responses, and compromised clinical performance. The goal of this study was to develop an Elastomeric Nanofibrillar Graft (ENG) with artery-tuned nonlinear compliance and compare its healing responses to conventional expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) grafts in a porcine iliac artery model. Human and porcine iliac arteries were mechanically characterized, and an ENG with similar properties was created by utilizing residual strains within electrospun nanofibers. The ENG was tested for implantation suitability and implanted onto n = 5 domestic swine iliac arteries, with control ePTFE grafts implanted onto the contralateral iliac arteries. After two weeks in vivo, all iliac arteries and grafts remained patent with no signs of thrombosis or dilation. The mechanically tuned ENG implants exhibited a more confluent CD31-positive cell monolayer (1.53 ± 0.73 µm2/mm vs 0.52 ± 0.55 µm2/mm, p = 0.042) on the graft lumenal surface and a higher fraction of αSMA-positive cells (16.2 ± 8.6% vs 1.4 ± 0.7%, p = 0.018) within the graft wall than the ePTFE controls. Despite heavy cellular infiltration, the ENG retained its artery-like mechanical characteristics after two weeks in vivo. These short-term results demonstrate potential advantages of mechanically tuned biomimetic vascular grafts over standard ePTFE grafts. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Off-the-shelf synthetic vascular grafts are often the only option available for treating advanced stages of vascular disease. Despite significant efforts devoted to improving their biochemical characteristics, synthetic peripheral arterial grafts continue to demonstrate poor clinical outcomes leading to costly reinterventions. Here, we hypothesized that a synthetic vascular graft with elastomeric mechanical properties tuned to a healthy peripheral artery promotes better healing responses than a synthetic stiff graft. To test this hypothesis, we developed an Elastomeric Nanofibrillar Graft (ENG) with artery-tuned mechanical properties and compared its performance to a commercial ePTFE graft in a preclinical porcine iliac artery model. Our results suggest that mechanically tuned ENGs can offer better healing responses, potentially leading to better clinical outcomes for peripheral arterial repairs.
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