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Fang G, Tian Y, Huang S, Zhang X, Liu Y, Li Y, Du J, Gao S. KLF15 maintains contractile phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cells and prevents thoracic aortic dissection by interacting with MRTFB. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107260. [PMID: 38582447 PMCID: PMC11061230 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107260] [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: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Thoracic aortic dissection (TAD) is a highly dangerous cardiovascular disorder caused by weakening of the aortic wall, resulting in a sudden tear of the internal face. Progressive loss of the contractile apparatus in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is a major event in TAD. Exploring the endogenous regulators essential for the contractile phenotype of VSMCs may aid the development of strategies to prevent TAD. Krüppel-like factor 15 (KLF15) overexpression was reported to inhibit TAD formation; however, the mechanisms by which KLF15 prevents TAD formation and whether KLF15 regulates the contractile phenotype of VSMCs in TAD are not well understood. Therefore, we investigated these unknown aspects of KLF15 function. We found that KLF15 expression was reduced in human TAD samples and β-aminopropionitrile monofumarate-induced TAD mouse model. Klf15KO mice are susceptible to both β-aminopropionitrile monofumarate- and angiotensin II-induced TAD. KLF15 deficiency results in reduced VSMC contractility and exacerbated vascular inflammation and extracellular matrix degradation. Mechanistically, KLF15 interacts with myocardin-related transcription factor B (MRTFB), a potent serum response factor coactivator that drives contractile gene expression. KLF15 silencing represses the MRTFB-induced activation of contractile genes in VSMCs. Thus, KLF15 cooperates with MRTFB to promote the expression of contractile genes in VSMCs, and its dysfunction may exacerbate TAD. These findings indicate that KLF15 may be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of TAD.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors/genetics
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/pathology
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/cytology
- Mice
- Humans
- Aortic Dissection/metabolism
- Aortic Dissection/pathology
- Aortic Dissection/genetics
- Mice, Knockout
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/pathology
- Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Transcription Factors/genetics
- Male
- Phenotype
- Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/metabolism
- Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/genetics
- Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/pathology
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Angiotensin II/metabolism
- Angiotensin II/pharmacology
- Muscle Contraction
- Dissection, Thoracic Aorta
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangming Fang
- Collaborative Innovation Centre for Cardiovascular Disorders, The Key Laboratory of Remodeling-Related Cardiovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yexuan Tian
- Collaborative Innovation Centre for Cardiovascular Disorders, The Key Laboratory of Remodeling-Related Cardiovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shan Huang
- Collaborative Innovation Centre for Cardiovascular Disorders, The Key Laboratory of Remodeling-Related Cardiovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoping Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Centre for Cardiovascular Disorders, The Key Laboratory of Remodeling-Related Cardiovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Collaborative Innovation Centre for Cardiovascular Disorders, The Key Laboratory of Remodeling-Related Cardiovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yulin Li
- Collaborative Innovation Centre for Cardiovascular Disorders, The Key Laboratory of Remodeling-Related Cardiovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Du
- Collaborative Innovation Centre for Cardiovascular Disorders, The Key Laboratory of Remodeling-Related Cardiovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Shijuan Gao
- Collaborative Innovation Centre for Cardiovascular Disorders, The Key Laboratory of Remodeling-Related Cardiovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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2
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Wang L, He X, Hu G, Liu J, Kang X, Yu L, Dong K, Zhao J, Zhang A, Zhang W, Brands MW, Su H, Zheng Z, Zhou J. A novel mouse model carrying a gene trap insertion into the Hmgxb4 gene locus to examine Hmgxb4 expression in vivo. Physiol Rep 2024; 12:e16014. [PMID: 38644513 PMCID: PMC11033291 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.16014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
HMG (high mobility group) proteins are a diverse family of nonhistone chromosomal proteins that interact with DNA and a wide range of transcriptional regulators to regulate the structural architecture of DNA. HMGXB4 (also known as HMG2L1) is an HMG protein family member that contains a single HMG box domain. Our previous studies have demonstrated that HMGXB4 suppresses smooth muscle differentiation and exacerbates endotoxemia by promoting a systemic inflammatory response in mice. However, the expression of Hmgxb4 in vivo has not fully examined. Herein, we generated a mouse model that harbors a gene trap in the form of a lacZ gene insertion into the Hmgxb4 gene. This mouse enables the visualization of endogenous HMGXB4 expression in different tissues via staining for the β-galactosidase activity of LacZ which is under the control of the endogenous Hmgxb4 gene promoter. We found that HMGXB4 is widely expressed in mouse tissues and is a nuclear protein. Furthermore, the Hmgxb4 gene trap mice exhibit normal cardiac function and blood pressure. Measurement of β-galactosidase activity in the Hmgxb4 gene trap mice demonstrated that the arterial injury significantly induces Hmgxb4 expression. In summary, the Hmgxb4 gene trap reporter mouse described here provides a valuable tool to examine the expression level of endogenous Hmgxb4 in both physiological and pathological settings in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Wang
- Department of CardiologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangChina
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of GeorgiaAugusta UniversityAugustaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Xiangqin He
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of GeorgiaAugusta UniversityAugustaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Guoqing Hu
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of GeorgiaAugusta UniversityAugustaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Jinhua Liu
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of GeorgiaAugusta UniversityAugustaGeorgiaUSA
- Department of Respiratory MedicineThe First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangChina
| | - Xiuhua Kang
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of GeorgiaAugusta UniversityAugustaGeorgiaUSA
- Department of Respiratory MedicineThe First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangChina
| | - Luyi Yu
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of GeorgiaAugusta UniversityAugustaGeorgiaUSA
- Department of Respiratory MedicineThe First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangChina
| | - Kunzhe Dong
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of GeorgiaAugusta UniversityAugustaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Juanjuan Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of GeorgiaAugusta UniversityAugustaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Aizhen Zhang
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of GeorgiaAugusta UniversityAugustaGeorgiaUSA
- Training CenterGuangxi Medical CollegeNanningChina
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Respiratory MedicineThe First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangChina
| | | | - Huabo Su
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of GeorgiaAugusta UniversityAugustaGeorgiaUSA
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of GeorgiaAugusta UniversityAugustaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Zeqi Zheng
- Department of CardiologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchangChina
| | - Jiliang Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of GeorgiaAugusta UniversityAugustaGeorgiaUSA
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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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Sakai T, Choo YY, Mitsuhashi S, Ikebe R, Jeffers A, Idell S, Tucker TA, Ikebe M. Myocardin regulates fibronectin expression and secretion from human pleural mesothelial cells. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2024; 326:L419-L430. [PMID: 38349126 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00271.2023] [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: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
During the progression of pleural fibrosis, pleural mesothelial cells (PMCs) undergo a phenotype switching process known as mesothelial-mesenchymal transition (MesoMT). During MesoMT, transformed PMCs become myofibroblasts that produce increased extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, including collagen and fibronectin (FN1) that is critical to develop fibrosis. Here, we studied the mechanism that regulates FN1 expression in myofibroblasts derived from human pleural mesothelial cells (HPMCs). We found that myocardin (Myocd), a transcriptional coactivator of serum response factor (SRF) and a master regulator of smooth muscle and cardiac muscle differentiation, strongly controls FN1 gene expression. Myocd gene silencing markedly inhibited FN1 expression. FN1 promoter analysis revealed that deletion of the Smad3-binding element diminished FN1 promoter activity, whereas deletion of the putative SRF-binding element increased FN1 promoter activity. Smad3 gene silencing decreased FN1 expression, whereas SRF gene silencing increased FN1 expression. Moreover, SRF competes with Smad3 for binding to Myocd. These results indicate that Myocd activates FN1 expression through Smad3, whereas SRF inhibits FN1 expression in HPMCs. In HPMCs, TGF-β induced Smad3 nuclear localization, and the proximity ligation signal between Myocd and Smad3 was markedly increased after TGF-β stimulation at nucleus, suggesting that TGF-β facilitates nuclear translocation of Smad3 and interaction between Smad3 and Myocd. Moreover, Myocd and Smad3 were coimmunoprecipitated and isolated Myocd and Smad3 proteins directly bound each other. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that Myocd interacts with the FN1 promoter at the Smad3-binding consensus sequence. The results indicate that Myocd regulates FN1 gene activation through interaction and activation of the Smad3 transcription factor.NEW & NOTEWORTHY During phenotype switching from mesothelial to mesenchymal, pleural mesothelial cells (PMCs) produce extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, including collagen and fibronectin (FN1), critical components in the development of fibrosis. Here, we found that myocardin, a transcriptional coactivator of serum response factor (SRF), strongly activates FN1 expression through Smad3, whereas SRF inhibits FN1 expression. This study provides insights about the regulation of FN1 that could lead to the development of novel interventional approaches to prevent pleural fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsuyoshi Sakai
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Tyler Health Science Center, Tyler, Texas, United States
| | - Young-Yeon Choo
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Tyler Health Science Center, Tyler, Texas, United States
| | - Shinya Mitsuhashi
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Tyler Health Science Center, Tyler, Texas, United States
| | - Reiko Ikebe
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Tyler Health Science Center, Tyler, Texas, United States
| | - Ann Jeffers
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Tyler Health Science Center, Tyler, Texas, United States
| | - Steven Idell
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Tyler Health Science Center, Tyler, Texas, United States
| | - Torry A Tucker
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Tyler Health Science Center, Tyler, Texas, United States
| | - Mitsuo Ikebe
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Tyler Health Science Center, Tyler, Texas, United States
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5
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Luo Y, He F, Zhang Y, Li S, Lu R, Wei X, Huang J. Transcription Factor 21: A Transcription Factor That Plays an Important Role in Cardiovascular Disease. Pharmacology 2024:1-11. [PMID: 38493769 DOI: 10.1159/000536585] [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: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND According to the World Health Organisation's Health Report 2019, approximately 17.18 million people die from cardiovascular disease each year, accounting for more than 30% of all global deaths. Therefore, the occurrence of cardiovascular disease is still a global concern. The transcription factor 21 (TCF21) plays an important role in cardiovascular diseases. This article reviews the regulation mechanism of TCF21 expression and activity and focuses on its important role in atherosclerosis in order to contribute to the development of diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. SUMMARY TCF21 is involved in the phenotypic regulation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), promotes the proliferation and migration of VSMCs, and participates in the activation of inflammatory sequences. Increased proliferation and migration of VSMCs can lead to neointimal hyperplasia after vascular injury. Abnormal hyperplasia of neointima and inflammation are one of the main features of atherosclerosis. Therefore, targeting TCF21 may become a potential treatment for relieving atherosclerosis. KEY MESSAGES TCF21 as a member of basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors regulates cell growth and differentiation by modulating gene expression during the development of different organs and plays an important role in cardiovascular development and disease. VSMCs and cells derived from VSMCs constitute the majority of plaques in atherosclerosis. TCF21 plays a key role in regulation of VSMCs' phenotype, thus accelerating atherogenesis in the early stage. However, TCF21 enhances plaque stability in late-stage atherosclerosis. The dual role of TCF21 should be considered in the translational medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqian Luo
- Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China,
| | - Fangzhou He
- Department of Anaesthesia, Chuanshan College, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Yifang Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Shufan Li
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Ruirui Lu
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Xing Wei
- Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Ji Huang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
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6
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Gan P, Eppert M, De La Cruz N, Lyons H, Shah AM, Veettil RT, Chen K, Pradhan P, Bezprozvannaya S, Xu L, Liu N, Olson EN, Sabari BR. Coactivator condensation drives cardiovascular cell lineage specification. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadk7160. [PMID: 38489358 PMCID: PMC10942106 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk7160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
During development, cells make switch-like decisions to activate new gene programs specifying cell lineage. The mechanisms underlying these decisive choices remain unclear. Here, we show that the cardiovascular transcriptional coactivator myocardin (MYOCD) activates cell identity genes by concentration-dependent and switch-like formation of transcriptional condensates. MYOCD forms such condensates and activates cell identity genes at critical concentration thresholds achieved during smooth muscle cell and cardiomyocyte differentiation. The carboxyl-terminal disordered region of MYOCD is necessary and sufficient for condensate formation. Disrupting this region's ability to form condensates disrupts gene activation and smooth muscle cell reprogramming. Rescuing condensate formation by replacing this region with disordered regions from functionally unrelated proteins rescues gene activation and smooth muscle cell reprogramming. Our findings demonstrate that MYOCD condensate formation is required for gene activation during cardiovascular differentiation. We propose that the formation of transcriptional condensates at critical concentrations of cell type-specific regulators provides a molecular switch underlying the activation of key cell identity genes during development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiheng Gan
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Mikayla Eppert
- Laboratory of Nuclear Organization, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, Division of Basic Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Nancy De La Cruz
- Laboratory of Nuclear Organization, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, Division of Basic Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Heankel Lyons
- Laboratory of Nuclear Organization, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, Division of Basic Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Akansha M. Shah
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Reshma T. Veettil
- Laboratory of Nuclear Organization, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, Division of Basic Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Kenian Chen
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Prashant Pradhan
- Laboratory of Nuclear Organization, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, Division of Basic Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Svetlana Bezprozvannaya
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Lin Xu
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Ning Liu
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Eric N. Olson
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Benjamin R. Sabari
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Laboratory of Nuclear Organization, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, Division of Basic Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
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Xiao F, Zhang X, Morton SU, Kim SW, Fan Y, Gorham JM, Zhang H, Berkson PJ, Mazumdar N, Cao Y, Chen J, Hagen J, Liu X, Zhou P, Richter F, Shen Y, Ward T, Gelb BD, Seidman JG, Seidman CE, Pu WT. Functional dissection of human cardiac enhancers and noncoding de novo variants in congenital heart disease. Nat Genet 2024; 56:420-430. [PMID: 38378865 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-024-01669-y] [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: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Rare coding mutations cause ∼45% of congenital heart disease (CHD). Noncoding mutations that perturb cis-regulatory elements (CREs) likely contribute to the remaining cases, but their identification has been problematic. Using a lentiviral massively parallel reporter assay (lentiMPRA) in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs), we functionally evaluated 6,590 noncoding de novo variants (ncDNVs) prioritized from the whole-genome sequencing of 750 CHD trios. A total of 403 ncDNVs substantially affected cardiac CRE activity. A majority increased enhancer activity, often at regions with undetectable reference sequence activity. Of ten DNVs tested by introduction into their native genomic context, four altered the expression of neighboring genes and iPSC-CM transcriptional state. To prioritize future DNVs for functional testing, we used the MPRA data to develop a regression model, EpiCard. Analysis of an independent CHD cohort by EpiCard found enrichment of DNVs. Together, we developed a scalable system to measure the effect of ncDNVs on CRE activity and deployed it to systematically assess the contribution of ncDNVs to CHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Xiao
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xiaoran Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sarah U Morton
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Seong Won Kim
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Youfei Fan
- Department of Pediatrics, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Joshua M Gorham
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Huan Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Paul J Berkson
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Neil Mazumdar
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yangpo Cao
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jian Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jacob Hagen
- Mindich Child Health and Development Institute and Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Xujie Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pingzhu Zhou
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Felix Richter
- Mindich Child Health and Development Institute and Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Yufeng Shen
- Departments of Systems Biology and Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Tarsha Ward
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bruce D Gelb
- Mindich Child Health and Development Institute and Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
| | | | - Christine E Seidman
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Division of Cardiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA.
| | - William T Pu
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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8
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Shen J, Ju D, Wu S, Zhao J, Pham L, Ponce A, Yang M, Li HJ, Zhang K, Yang Z, Xie Y, Li L. SM22α deficiency: promoting vascular fibrosis via SRF-SMAD3-mediated activation of Col1a2 transcription following arterial injury. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-3941602. [PMID: 38464061 PMCID: PMC10925461 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3941602/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Vascular fibrosis, characterized by increased Type I collagen expression, significantly contributes to vascular remodeling. Our previous studies show that disrupting the expression of SM22α (aka SM22, Tagln) induces extensive vascular remodeling following arterial injury, involving oxidative stress, inflammation, and chondrogenesis within the vessel wall. This study aims to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the transcription of Col1a2 , a key fibrotic extracellular matrix marker. We observed upregulation of COL1A2 in the arterial wall of Sm22 -/- mice following carotid injury. Bioinformatics and molecular analyses reveal that Col1a2 transcription depends on a CArG box in the promoter, activated synergistically by SRF and SMAD3. Notably, we detected enhanced nuclear translocation of both SRF and SMAD3 in the smooth muscle cells of the injured carotid artery in Sm22 -/- mice. These findings demonstrate that SM22 deficiency regulates vascular fibrosis through the interaction of SRF and the SMAD3-mediated canonical TGF-β1 signal pathway, suggesting SM22α as a potential therapeutic target for preventing vascular fibrosis.
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9
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Su C, Liu M, Yao X, Hao W, Ma J, Ren Y, Gao X, Xin L, Ge L, Yu Y, Wei M, Yang J. Vascular injury activates the ELK1/SND1/SRF pathway to promote vascular smooth muscle cell proliferative phenotype and neointimal hyperplasia. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:59. [PMID: 38279051 PMCID: PMC10817852 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-05095-x] [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: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation is the leading cause of vascular stenosis or restenosis. Therefore, investigating the molecular mechanisms and pivotal regulators of the proliferative VSMC phenotype is imperative for precisely preventing neointimal hyperplasia in vascular disease. METHODS Wire-induced vascular injury and aortic culture models were used to detect the expression of staphylococcal nuclease domain-containing protein 1 (SND1). SMC-specific Snd1 knockout mice were used to assess the potential roles of SND1 after vascular injury. Primary VSMCs were cultured to evaluate SND1 function on VSMC phenotype switching, as well as to investigate the mechanism by which SND1 regulates the VSMC proliferative phenotype. RESULTS Phenotype-switched proliferative VSMCs exhibited higher SND1 protein expression compared to the differentiated VSMCs. This result was replicated in primary VSMCs treated with platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). In the injury model, specific knockout of Snd1 in mouse VSMCs reduced neointimal hyperplasia. We then revealed that ETS transcription factor ELK1 (ELK1) exhibited upregulation and activation in proliferative VSMCs, and acted as a novel transcription factor to induce the gene transcriptional activation of Snd1. Subsequently, the upregulated SND1 is associated with serum response factor (SRF) by competing with myocardin (MYOCD). As a co-activator of SRF, SND1 recruited the lysine acetyltransferase 2B (KAT2B) to the promoter regions leading to the histone acetylation, consequently promoted SRF to recognize the specific CArG motif, and enhanced the proliferation- and migration-related gene transcriptional activation. CONCLUSIONS The present study identifies ELK1/SND1/SRF as a novel pathway in promoting the proliferative VSMC phenotype and neointimal hyperplasia in vascular injury, predisposing the vessels to pathological remodeling. This provides a potential therapeutic target for vascular stenosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Su
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Cardiac and Vascular Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), and Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Tianjin, China
- The Province and Ministry Co-Sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Mingxia Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), and Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Tianjin, China
- The Province and Ministry Co-Sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xuyang Yao
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), and Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Tianjin, China
- The Province and Ministry Co-Sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Eye Institute & School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Wei Hao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), and Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Tianjin, China
- The Province and Ministry Co-Sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jinzheng Ma
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), and Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Tianjin, China
- The Province and Ministry Co-Sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuanyuan Ren
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), and Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Tianjin, China
- The Province and Ministry Co-Sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xingjie Gao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), and Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Tianjin, China
- The Province and Ministry Co-Sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Lingbiao Xin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), and Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Tianjin, China
- The Province and Ministry Co-Sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Lin Ge
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), and Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Tianjin, China
- The Province and Ministry Co-Sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Ying Yu
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), and Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Tianjin, China
- The Province and Ministry Co-Sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Minxin Wei
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Cardiac and Vascular Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), and Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Tianjin, China.
- The Province and Ministry Co-Sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Tianjin, China.
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10
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Liu H, Zhao Y, Zhao G, Deng Y, Chen YE, Zhang J. SWI/SNF Complex in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Its Implications in Cardiovascular Pathologies. Cells 2024; 13:168. [PMID: 38247859 PMCID: PMC10814623 DOI: 10.3390/cells13020168] [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: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Mature vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) exhibit a remarkable degree of plasticity, a characteristic that has intrigued cardiovascular researchers for decades. Recently, it has become increasingly evident that the chromatin remodeler SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable (SWI/SNF) complex plays a pivotal role in orchestrating chromatin conformation, which is critical for gene regulation. In this review, we provide a summary of research related to the involvement of the SWI/SNF complexes in VSMC and cardiovascular diseases (CVD), integrating these discoveries into the current landscape of epigenetic and transcriptional regulation in VSMC. These novel discoveries shed light on our understanding of VSMC biology and pave the way for developing innovative therapeutic strategies in CVD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Liu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan Medical Center, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (H.L.); (Y.Z.)
- Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Yang Zhao
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan Medical Center, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (H.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Guizhen Zhao
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan Medical Center, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (H.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yongjie Deng
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan Medical Center, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (H.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Y. Eugene Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan Medical Center, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (H.L.); (Y.Z.)
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jifeng Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan Medical Center, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (H.L.); (Y.Z.)
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11
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Katano W, Mori S, Sasaki S, Tajika Y, Tomita K, Takeuchi JK, Koshiba-Takeuchi K. Sall1 and Sall4 cooperatively interact with Myocd and SRF to promote cardiomyocyte proliferation by regulating CDK and cyclin genes. Development 2023; 150:dev201913. [PMID: 38014633 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Sall1 and Sall4 (Sall1/4), zinc-finger transcription factors, are expressed in the progenitors of the second heart field (SHF) and in cardiomyocytes during the early stages of mouse development. To understand the function of Sall1/4 in heart development, we generated heart-specific Sall1/4 functionally inhibited mice by forced expression of the truncated form of Sall4 (ΔSall4) in the heart. The ΔSall4-overexpression mice exhibited a hypoplastic right ventricle and outflow tract, both of which were derived from the SHF, and a thinner ventricular wall. We found that the numbers of proliferative SHF progenitors and cardiomyocytes were reduced in ΔSall4-overexpression mice. RNA-sequencing data showed that Sall1/4 act upstream of the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) and cyclin genes, and of key transcription factor genes for the development of compact cardiomyocytes, including myocardin (Myocd) and serum response factor (Srf). In addition, ChIP-sequencing and co-immunoprecipitation analyses revealed that Sall4 and Myocd form a transcriptional complex with SRF, and directly bind to the upstream regulatory regions of the CDK and cyclin genes (Cdk1 and Ccnb1). These results suggest that Sall1/4 are critical for the proliferation of cardiac cells via regulation of CDK and cyclin genes that interact with Myocd and SRF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wataru Katano
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Toyo University, 1-1-1, Izumino, Itakura-machi, Ora-gun, Gunma 374-0193, Japan
| | - Shunta Mori
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Applied Biosciences, Toyo University, 1-1-1, Izumino, Itakura-machi, Ora-gun, Gunma 374-0193, Japan
| | - Shun Sasaki
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Toyo University, 1-1-1, Izumino, Itakura-machi, Ora-gun, Gunma 374-0193, Japan
| | - Yuki Tajika
- Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma University, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
- Department of Radiological Technology, Gunma Prefectural College of Health Sciences, 323-1, Kamioki-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-0052, Japan
| | - Koichi Tomita
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University, 3-18-15, Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Jun K Takeuchi
- Department of Bio-informational Pharmacology, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Kazuko Koshiba-Takeuchi
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Toyo University, 1-1-1, Izumino, Itakura-machi, Ora-gun, Gunma 374-0193, Japan
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Applied Biosciences, Toyo University, 1-1-1, Izumino, Itakura-machi, Ora-gun, Gunma 374-0193, Japan
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12
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Lyu QR, Fu K. Tissue-specific Cre driver mice to study vascular diseases. Vascul Pharmacol 2023; 153:107241. [PMID: 37923099 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2023.107241] [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: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and abdominal aneurysms, are the primary cause of mortality and morbidity among the elderly worldwide. The life quality of patients is significantly compromised due to inadequate therapeutic approaches and limited drug targets. To expand our comprehension of vascular diseases, gene knockout (KO) mice, especially conditional knockout (cKO) mice, are widely used for investigating gene function and mechanisms of action. The Cre-loxP system is the most common method for generating cKO mice. Numerous Cre driver mice have been established to study the main cell types that compose blood vessels, including endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and fibroblasts. Here, we first discuss the characteristics of each layer of the arterial wall. Next, we provide an overview of the representative Cre driver mice utilized for each of the major cell types in the vessel wall and their most recent applications in vascular biology. We then go over Cre toxicity and discuss the practical methods for minimizing Cre interference in experimental outcomes. Finally, we look into the future of tissue-specific Cre drivers by introducing the revolutionary single-cell RNA sequencing and dual recombinase system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Rex Lyu
- Medical Research Center, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing 401147, China; Chongqing Academy of Medical Sciences, Chongqing 401147, China.
| | - Kailong Fu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China.
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13
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Zhou LY, Jin CX, Wang WX, Song L, Shin JB, Du TT, Wu H. Differential regulation of hair cell actin cytoskeleton mediated by SRF and MRTFB. eLife 2023; 12:e90155. [PMID: 37982489 PMCID: PMC10703445 DOI: 10.7554/elife.90155] [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: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The MRTF-SRF pathway has been extensively studied for its crucial role in driving the expression of a large number of genes involved in actin cytoskeleton of various cell types. However, the specific contribution of MRTF-SRF in hair cells remains unknown. In this study, we showed that hair cell-specific deletion of Srf or Mrtfb, but not Mrtfa, leads to similar defects in the development of stereocilia dimensions and the maintenance of cuticular plate integrity. We used fluorescence-activated cell sorting-based hair cell RNA-Seq analysis to investigate the mechanistic underpinnings of the changes observed in Srf and Mrtfb mutants, respectively. Interestingly, the transcriptome analysis revealed distinct profiles of genes regulated by Srf and Mrtfb, suggesting different transcriptional regulation mechanisms of actin cytoskeleton activities mediated by Srf and Mrtfb. Exogenous delivery of calponin 2 using Adeno-associated virus transduction in Srf mutants partially rescued the impairments of stereocilia dimensions and the F-actin intensity of cuticular plate, suggesting the involvement of Cnn2, as an Srf downstream target, in regulating the hair bundle morphology and cuticular plate actin cytoskeleton organization. Our study uncovers, for the first time, the unexpected differential transcriptional regulation of actin cytoskeleton mediated by Srf and Mrtfb in hair cells, and also demonstrates the critical role of SRF-CNN2 in modulating actin dynamics of the stereocilia and cuticular plate, providing new insights into the molecular mechanism underlying hair cell development and maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Yun Zhou
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
- Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose DiseasesShanghaiChina
| | - Chen-Xi Jin
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
- Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose DiseasesShanghaiChina
| | - Wen-Xiao Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
- Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose DiseasesShanghaiChina
| | - Lei Song
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
- Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose DiseasesShanghaiChina
| | - Jung-Bum Shin
- Department of Neuroscience, University of VirginiaCharlottesvilleUnited States
| | - Ting-Ting Du
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
- Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose DiseasesShanghaiChina
| | - Hao Wu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
- Ear Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine on Ear and Nose DiseasesShanghaiChina
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14
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Kawakami R, Matsui H, Matsui M, Iso T, Yokoyama T, Ishii H, Kurabayashi M. Empagliflozin induces the transcriptional program for nutrient homeostasis in skeletal muscle in normal mice. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18025. [PMID: 37865720 PMCID: PMC10590450 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45390-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) improve heart failure (HF) outcomes across a range of patient characteristics. A hypothesis that SGLT2i induce metabolic change similar to fasting has recently been proposed to explain their profound clinical benefits. However, it remains unclear whether SGLT2i primarily induce this change in physiological settings. Here, we demonstrate that empagliflozin administration under ad libitum feeding did not cause weight loss but did increase transcripts of the key nutrient sensors, AMP-activated protein kinase and nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase, and the master regulator of mitochondrial gene expression, PGC-1α, in quadriceps muscle in healthy mice. Expression of these genes correlated with that of PPARα and PPARδ target genes related to mitochondrial metabolism and oxidative stress response, and also correlated with serum ketone body β-hydroxybutyrate. These results were not observed in the heart. Collectively, this study revealed that empagliflozin activates transcriptional programs critical for sensing and adaptation to nutrient availability intrinsic to skeletal muscle rather than the heart even in normocaloric condition. As activation of PGC-1α is sufficient for metabolic switch from fatigable, glycolytic metabolism toward fatigue-resistant, oxidative mechanism in skeletal muscle myofibers, our findings may partly explain the improvement of exercise tolerance in patients with HF receiving empagliflozin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Kawakami
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-15 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Hiroki Matsui
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, Gunma University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
| | - Miki Matsui
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-15 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Iso
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-15 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Yokoyama
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, Gunma University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
| | - Hideki Ishii
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-15 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Masahiko Kurabayashi
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-15 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan.
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15
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Zhu N, Guo ZF, Kazama K, Yi B, Tongmuang N, Yao H, Yang R, Zhang C, Qin Y, Han L, Sun J. Epigenetic regulation of vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic switch and neointimal formation by PRMT5. Cardiovasc Res 2023; 119:2244-2255. [PMID: 37486354 PMCID: PMC10578915 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvad110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Phenotypic transition of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from a contractile to a synthetic state is involved in the development of cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, hypertension, and post-angioplasty restenosis. Arginine methylation catalyzed by protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) has been implicated in multiple cellular processes, however, its role in VSMC biology remains undetermined. The objective of this study was to determine the role of PRMTs in VSMC phenotypic switch and vascular remodelling after injury. METHODS AND RESULTS Our results show that PRMT5 is the most abundantly expressed PRMT in human aortic SMCs, and its expression is up-regulated in platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-stimulated VSMCs, human atherosclerotic lesions, and rat carotid arteries after injury, as determined by western blot and immunohistochemical staining. PRMT5 overexpression inhibits the expression of SMC marker genes and promotes VSMC proliferation and migration, while silencing PRMT5 exerts the opposite effects. Mechanistically, we found that PRMT5 overexpression led to histone di-methylation of H3R8 and H4R3, which in turn attenuates acetylation of H3K9 and H4, thus limiting recruitment of the SRF/myocardin complexes to the CArG boxes of SMC marker genes. Furthermore, both SMC-specific deletion of PRMT5 in mice and local delivery of lentivirus expressing shPRMT5 to rat carotid arteries significantly attenuated neointimal formation after injury. Likewise, pharmacological inhibition of PRMT5 by EPZ015666 markedly inhibited carotid artery ligation-induced neointimal formation in mice. CONCLUSIONS Our results identify PRMT5 as a novel regulator in VSMC phenotypic switch and suggest that inhibition of PRMT5 may represent an effective therapeutic strategy for proliferative vascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ni Zhu
- Center for Translational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Zhi-Fu Guo
- Center for Translational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Kyosuke Kazama
- Center for Translational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Bing Yi
- Center for Translational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Nopprarat Tongmuang
- Center for Translational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Huijuan Yao
- Center for Translational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Ruifeng Yang
- Center for Translational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Chen Zhang
- Center for Translational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Yongwen Qin
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, 168 Changhai Rd, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Lin Han
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, 168 Changhai Rd, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Jianxin Sun
- Center for Translational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
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16
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Abstract
The vasculature consists of vessels of different sizes that are arranged in a hierarchical pattern. Two cell populations work in concert to establish this pattern during embryonic development and adopt it to changes in blood flow demand later in life: endothelial cells that line the inner surface of blood vessels, and adjacent vascular mural cells, including smooth muscle cells and pericytes. Despite recent progress in elucidating the signalling pathways controlling their crosstalk, much debate remains with regard to how mural cells influence endothelial cell biology and thereby contribute to the regulation of blood vessel formation and diameters. In this Review, I discuss mural cell functions and their interactions with endothelial cells, focusing on how these interactions ensure optimal blood flow patterns. Subsequently, I introduce the signalling pathways controlling mural cell development followed by an overview of mural cell ontogeny with an emphasis on the distinguishing features of mural cells located on different types of blood vessels. Ultimately, I explore therapeutic strategies involving mural cells to alleviate tissue ischemia and improve vascular efficiency in a variety of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arndt F. Siekmann
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 1114 Biomedical Research Building, 421 Curie Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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17
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Ballester Roig MN, Roy PG, Hannou L, Delignat-Lavaud B, Sully Guerrier TA, Bélanger-Nelson E, Dufort-Gervais J, Mongrain V. Transcriptional regulation of the mouse EphA4, Ephrin-B2 and Ephrin-A3 genes by the circadian clock machinery. Chronobiol Int 2023; 40:983-1003. [PMID: 37551686 DOI: 10.1080/07420528.2023.2237580] [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: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Circadian rhythms originate from molecular feedback loops. In mammals, the transcription factors CLOCK and BMAL1 act on regulatory elements (i.e. E-boxes) to shape biological functions in a rhythmic manner. The EPHA4 receptor and its ligands Ephrins (EFN) are cell adhesion molecules regulating neurotransmission and neuronal morphology. Previous studies showed the presence of E-boxes in the genes of EphA4 and specific Ephrins, and that EphA4 knockout mice have an altered circadian rhythm of locomotor activity. We thus hypothesized that the core clock machinery regulates the gene expression of EphA4, EfnB2 and EfnA3. CLOCK and BMAL1 (or NPAS2 and BMAL2) were found to have transcriptional activity on distal and proximal regions of EphA4, EfnB2 and EfnA3 putative promoters. A constitutively active form of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β; a negative regulator of CLOCK and BMAL1) blocked the transcriptional induction. Mutating the E-boxes of EphA4 distal promoter sequence reduced transcriptional induction. EPHA4 and EFNB2 protein levels did not show circadian variations in the mouse suprachiasmatic nucleus or prefrontal cortex. The findings uncover that core circadian transcription factors can regulate the gene expression of elements of the Eph/Ephrin system, which might contribute to circadian rhythmicity in biological processes in the brain or peripheral tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Neus Ballester Roig
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Recherche CIUSSS-NIM, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Pierre-Gabriel Roy
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Recherche CIUSSS-NIM, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Valérie Mongrain
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Recherche CIUSSS-NIM, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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18
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He X, Dong K, Shen J, Hu G, Mintz JD, Atawia RT, Zhao J, Chen X, Caldwell RW, Xiang M, Stepp DW, Fulton DJ, Zhou J. The Long Noncoding RNA Cardiac Mesoderm Enhancer-Associated Noncoding RNA (Carmn) Is a Critical Regulator of Gastrointestinal Smooth Muscle Contractile Function and Motility. Gastroenterology 2023; 165:71-87. [PMID: 37030336 PMCID: PMC10330198 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2023.03.229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Visceral smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are an integral component of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract that regulate GI motility. SMC contraction is regulated by posttranslational signaling and the state of differentiation. Impaired SMC contraction is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, but the mechanisms regulating SMC-specific contractile gene expression, including the role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), remain largely unexplored. Herein, we reveal a critical role of Carmn (cardiac mesoderm enhancer-associated noncoding RNA), an SMC-specific lncRNA, in regulating visceral SMC phenotype and contractility of the GI tract. METHODS Genotype-Tissue Expression and publicly available single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data sets from embryonic, adult human, and mouse GI tissues were interrogated to identify SMC-specific lncRNAs. The functional role of Carmn was investigated using novel green fluorescent protein (GFP) knock-in (KI) reporter/knock-out (KO) mice. Bulk RNA-seq and single nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) of colonic muscularis were used to investigate underlying mechanisms. RESULTS Unbiased in silico analyses and GFP expression patterns in Carmn GFP KI mice revealed that Carmn is highly expressed in GI SMCs in humans and mice. Premature lethality was observed in global Carmn KO and inducible SMC-specific KO mice due to GI pseudo-obstruction and severe distension of the GI tract, with dysmotility in cecum and colon segments. Histology, GI transit, and muscle myography analysis revealed severe dilation, significantly delayed GI transit, and impaired GI contractility in Carmn KO vs control mice. Bulk RNA-seq of GI muscularis revealed that loss of Carmn promotes SMC phenotypic switching, as evidenced by up-regulation of extracellular matrix genes and down-regulation of SMC contractile genes, including Mylk, a key regulator of SMC contraction. snRNA-seq further revealed SMC Carmn KO not only compromised myogenic motility by reducing contractile gene expression but also impaired neurogenic motility by disrupting cell-cell connectivity in the colonic muscularis. These findings may have translational significance, because silencing CARMN in human colonic SMCs significantly attenuated contractile gene expression, including MYLK, and decreased SMC contractility. Luciferase reporter assays showed that CARMN enhances the transactivation activity of the master regulator of SMC contractile phenotype, myocardin, thereby maintaining the GI SMC myogenic program. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that Carmn is indispensable for maintaining GI SMC contractile function in mice and that loss of function of CARMN may contribute to human visceral myopathy. To our knowledge this is the first study showing an essential role of lncRNA in the regulation of visceral SMC phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangqin He
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Kunzhe Dong
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia; Immunology Center of Georgia, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Jian Shen
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia; Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guoqing Hu
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - James D Mintz
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Reem T Atawia
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Juanjuan Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Xiuxu Chen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Loyola University Health System, Maywood, Illinois
| | - Robert W Caldwell
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Meixiang Xiang
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - David W Stepp
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia; Department of Physiology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - David J Fulton
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia; Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Jiliang Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia.
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Li C, Zhang Z, Wei Y, Qi K, Dou Y, Song C, Liu Y, Li X, Li X, Wang K, Qiao R, Yang F, Han X. Genome-Wide Analysis of MAMSTR Transcription Factor-Binding Sites via ChIP-Seq in Porcine Skeletal Muscle Fibroblasts. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:1731. [PMID: 37889674 PMCID: PMC10252000 DOI: 10.3390/ani13111731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Myocyte enhancer factor-2-activating motif and SAP domain-containing transcriptional regulator (MAMSTR) regulates its downstream through binding in its promoter regions. However, its molecular mechanism, particularly the DNA-binding sites, and coregulatory genes are quite unexplored. Therefore, to identify the genome-wide binding sites of the MAMSTR transcription factors and their coregulatory genes, chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing was carried out. The results showed that MAMSTR was associated with 1506 peaks, which were annotated as 962 different genes. Most of these genes were involved in transcriptional regulation, metabolic pathways, and cell development and differentiation, such as AMPK signaling pathway, TGF-beta signaling pathway, transcription coactivator activity, transcription coactivator binding, adipocytokine signaling pathway, fat digestion and absorption, skeletal muscle fiber development, and skeletal muscle cell differentiation. Lastly, the expression levels and transcriptional activities of PID1, VTI1B, PRKAG1, ACSS2, and SLC28A3 were screened and verified via functional markers and analysis. Overall, this study has increased our understanding of the regulatory mechanism of MAMSTR during skeletal muscle fibroblast development and provided a reference for analyzing muscle development mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Xuelei Han
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
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20
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Dong K, He X, Hu G, Yao Y, Zhou J. Coronary Artery Disease Risk Gene PRDM16 is Preferentially Expressed in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and a Potential Novel Regulator of Smooth Muscle Homeostasis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.03.535461. [PMID: 37066230 PMCID: PMC10104006 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.03.535461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
Objective Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are the primary contractile component of blood vessels and can undergo phenotypic switching from a contractile to a synthetic phenotype in vascular diseases such as coronary artery disease (CAD). This process leads to decreased expression of SMC lineage genes and increased proliferative, migratory and secretory abilities that drive disease progression. Super-enhancers (SE) and occupied transcription factors are believed to drive expression of genes that maintain cell identify and homeostasis. The goal of this study is to identify novel regulator of VSMC homeostasis by screening for SE-regulated transcription factors in arterial tissues. Approach and Results We characterized human artery SEs by analyzing the enhancer histone mark H3K27ac ChIP-seq data of multiple arterial tissues. We unexpectedly discovered the transcription factor PRDM16, a GWAS identified CAD risk gene with previously well-documented roles in brown adipocytes but with an unknown function in vascular disease progression, is enriched with artery-specific SEs. Further analysis of public bulk RNA-seq and scRNA-seq datasets, as well as qRT-PCR and Western blotting analysis, demonstrated that PRDM16 is preferentially expressed in arterial tissues and in contractile VSMCs but not in visceral SMCs, and down-regulated in phenotypically modulated VSMCs. To explore the function of Prdm16 in vivo, we generated Prdm16 SMC-specific knockout mice and performed histological and bulk RNA-Seq analysis of aortic tissues. SMC-deficiency of Prdm16 does not affect the aortic morphology but significantly alters expression of many CAD risk genes and genes involved in VSMC phenotypic modulation. Specifically, Prdm16 negatively regulates the expression of Tgfb2 that encodes for an upstream ligand of TGF-β signaling pathway, potentially through binding to the promoter region of Tgfb2 . These transcriptomic changes likely disrupt VSMC homeostasis and predispose VSMCs to a disease state. Conclusions Our results suggest that the CAD risk gene PRDM16 is preferentially expressed in VSMCs and is a novel regulator of VSMC homeostasis. Future studies are warranted to investigate its role in VSMCs under pathological conditions such as atherosclerosis.
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21
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The Involvement of Krüppel-like Factors in Cardiovascular Diseases. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13020420. [PMID: 36836777 PMCID: PMC9962890 DOI: 10.3390/life13020420] [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: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Krüppel-like factors (KLFs) are a set of DNA-binding proteins belonging to a family of zinc-finger transcription factors, which have been associated with many biological processes related to the activation or repression of genes, inducing cell growth, differentiation, and death, and the development and maintenance of tissues. In response to metabolic alterations caused by disease and stress, the heart will undergo cardiac remodeling, leading to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). KLFs are among the transcriptional factors that take control of many physiological and, in this case, pathophysiological processes of CVD. KLFs seem to be associated with congenital heart disease-linked syndromes, malformations because of autosomal diseases, mutations that relate to protein instability, and/or loss of functions such as atheroprotective activities. Ischemic damage also relates to KLF dysregulation because of the differentiation of cardiac myofibroblasts or a modified fatty acid oxidation related to the formation of a dilated cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarctions, left ventricular hypertrophy, and diabetic cardiomyopathies. In this review, we describe the importance of KLFs in cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, left ventricle hypertrophy, stroke, diabetic cardiomyopathy, and congenital heart diseases. We further discuss microRNAs that have been involved in certain regulatory loops of KLFs as they may act as critical in CVDs.
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22
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Morita T, Hayashi K. Actin-related protein 5 suppresses the cooperative activation of cardiac gene transcription by myocardin and MEF2. FEBS Open Bio 2023; 13:363-379. [PMID: 36610028 PMCID: PMC9900090 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13549] [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: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
MYOCD is a transcription factor important for cardiac and smooth muscle development. We previously identified that actin-related protein 5 (ARP5) binds to the N-terminus of MYOCD. Here, we demonstrate that ARP5 inhibits the cooperative action of the cardiac-specific isoform of MYOCD with MEF2. ARP5 overexpression in murine hearts induced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis, whereas ARP5 knockdown in P19CL6 cells significantly increased cardiac gene expression. ARP5 was found to bind to a MEF2-binding motif of cardiac MYOCD and inhibit MEF2-mediated transactivation by MYOCD. RNA-seq analysis revealed 849 genes that are upregulated by MYOCD-MEF2 and 650 genes that are repressed by ARP5. ARP5 expression increased with cardiomyopathy and was negatively correlated with the expression of Tnnt2 and Ttn, which were regulated by cardiac MYOCD-MEF2. Overall, our data suggest that ARP5 is a potential suppressor of cardiac MYOCD during physiological and pathological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ken'ichiro Hayashi
- Department of OphthalmologyYamaguchi University Graduate School of MedicineJapan,Department of RNA Biology and NeuroscienceOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineJapan
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23
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Jiang Y, Qian HY. Transcription factors: key regulatory targets of vascular smooth muscle cell in atherosclerosis. Mol Med 2023; 29:2. [PMID: 36604627 PMCID: PMC9817296 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-022-00586-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis (AS), leading to gradual occlusion of the arterial lumen, refers to the accumulation of lipids and inflammatory debris in the arterial wall. Despite therapeutic advances over past decades including intervention or surgery, atherosclerosis is still the most common cause of cardiovascular diseases and the main mechanism of death and disability worldwide. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play an imperative role in the occurrence of atherosclerosis and throughout the whole stages. In the past, there was a lack of comprehensive understanding of VSMCs, but the development of identification technology, including in vivo single-cell sequencing technology and lineage tracing with the CreERT2-loxP system, suggests that VSMCs have remarkable plasticity and reevaluates well-established concepts about the contribution of VSMCs. Transcription factors, a kind of protein molecule that specifically recognizes and binds DNA upstream promoter regions or distal enhancer DNA elements, play a key role in the transcription initiation of the coding genes and are necessary for RNA polymerase to bind gene promoters. In this review, we highlight that, except for environmental factors, VSMC genes are transcriptionally regulated through complex interactions of multiple conserved cis-regulatory elements and transcription factors. In addition, through a series of transcription-related regulatory processes, VSMCs could undergo phenotypic transformation, proliferation, migration, calcification and apoptosis. Finally, enhancing or inhibiting transcription factors can regulate the development of atherosclerotic lesions, and the downstream molecular mechanism of transcriptional regulation has also been widely studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Jiang
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Center for Coronary Heart Disease, Department of Cardiology, Fu Wai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases of China, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 167 Beilishi Rd, Beijing, 100037 China
| | - Hai-Yan Qian
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Center for Coronary Heart Disease, Department of Cardiology, Fu Wai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases of China, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 167 Beilishi Rd, Beijing, 100037 China
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24
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Déglise S, Bechelli C, Allagnat F. Vascular smooth muscle cells in intimal hyperplasia, an update. Front Physiol 2023; 13:1081881. [PMID: 36685215 PMCID: PMC9845604 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.1081881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Arterial occlusive disease is the leading cause of death in Western countries. Core contemporary therapies for this disease include angioplasties, stents, endarterectomies and bypass surgery. However, these treatments suffer from high failure rates due to re-occlusive vascular wall adaptations and restenosis. Restenosis following vascular surgery is largely due to intimal hyperplasia. Intimal hyperplasia develops in response to vessel injury, leading to inflammation, vascular smooth muscle cells dedifferentiation, migration, proliferation and secretion of extra-cellular matrix into the vessel's innermost layer or intima. In this review, we describe the current state of knowledge on the origin and mechanisms underlying the dysregulated proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells in intimal hyperplasia, and we present the new avenues of research targeting VSMC phenotype and proliferation.
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25
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Daoud F, Arévalo Martínez M, Holst J, Holmberg J, Albinsson S, Swärd K. Role of smooth muscle YAP and TAZ in protection against phenotypic modulation, inflammation, and aneurysm development. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 206:115307. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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26
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Jimenez C, Hawn MB, Akin E, Leblanc N. Translational potential of targeting Anoctamin-1-Encoded Calcium-Activated chloride channels in hypertension. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 206:115320. [PMID: 36279919 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Calcium-activated chloride channels (CaCC) provide a depolarizing stimulus to a variety of tissues through chloride efflux in response to a rise in internal Ca2+ and voltage. One of these channels, Anoctamin-1 (ANO1 or TMEM16A) is now recognized to play a central role in promoting smooth muscle tone in various types of blood vessels. Its role in hypertension, and thus the therapeutic promise of targeting ANO1, is less straightforward. This review gives an overview of our current knowledge about the potential role ANO1 may play in hypertension within the systemic, portal, and pulmonary vascular systems and the importance of this information when pursuing potential treatment strategies. While the role of ANO1 is well-established in several forms of pulmonary hypertension, its contributions to both the generation of vascular tone and its role in hypertension within the systemic and portal systems are much less clear. This, combined with ANO1's various roles throughout a multitude of tissues throughout the body, command caution when targeting ANO1 as a therapeutic target and may require tissue-selective strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor Jimenez
- Department of Pharmacology and Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) for Molecular and Cellular Signal Transduction in the Cardiovascular System, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, 1664 North Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada 89557, USA
| | - Matthew B Hawn
- Department of Pharmacology and Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) for Molecular and Cellular Signal Transduction in the Cardiovascular System, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, 1664 North Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada 89557, USA
| | - Elizabeth Akin
- Department of Pharmacology and Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) for Molecular and Cellular Signal Transduction in the Cardiovascular System, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, 1664 North Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada 89557, USA
| | - Normand Leblanc
- Department of Pharmacology and Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) for Molecular and Cellular Signal Transduction in the Cardiovascular System, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, 1664 North Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada 89557, USA.
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27
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Chang JW, Kim S, Lee EY, Leem CH, Kim SH, Park CS. Cell-cell contacts via N-cadherin induce a regulatory renin secretory phenotype in As4.1 cells. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSIOLOGICAL SOCIETY AND THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF PHARMACOLOGY 2022; 26:479-499. [PMID: 36302623 PMCID: PMC9614399 DOI: 10.4196/kjpp.2022.26.6.479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The lack of a clonal renin-secreting cell line has greatly hindered the investigation of the regulatory mechanisms of renin secretion at the cellular, biochemical, and molecular levels. In the present study, we investigated whether it was possible to induce phenotypic switching of the renin-expressing clonal cell line As4.1 from constitutive inactive renin secretion to regulated active renin secretion. When grown to postconfluence for at least two days in media containing fetal bovine serum or insulin-like growth factor-1, the formation of cell-cell contacts via N-cadherin triggered downstream cellular signaling cascades and activated smooth muscle-specific genes, culminating in phenotypic switching to a regulated active renin secretion phenotype, including responding to the key stimuli of active renin secretion. With the use of phenotype-switched As4.1 cells, we provide the first evidence that active renin secretion via exocytosis is regulated by phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of the 20 kDa myosin light chain. The molecular mechanism of phenotypic switching in As4.1 cells described here could serve as a working model for full phenotypic modulation of other secretory cell lines with incomplete phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jai Won Chang
- Department of Physiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea.,Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea
| | - Soohyun Kim
- Department of Physiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea
| | - Eun Young Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Seoul 06591, Korea
| | - Chae Hun Leem
- Department of Physiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea
| | - Suhn Hee Kim
- Department of Physiology, Jeonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju 54907, Korea
| | - Chun Sik Park
- Department of Physiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea
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Insulin and Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Signaling Preserves Sarcomere Integrity in the Adult Heart. Mol Cell Biol 2022; 42:e0016322. [PMID: 36125265 PMCID: PMC9583714 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00163-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) signaling is transduced by insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) and IRS2. To elucidate physiological and redundant roles of insulin and IGF1 signaling in adult hearts, we generated mice with inducible cardiomyocyte-specific deletion of insulin and IGF1 receptors or IRS1 and IRS2. Both models developed dilated cardiomyopathy, and most mice died by 8 weeks post-gene deletion. Heart failure was characterized by cardiomyocyte loss and disarray, increased proapoptotic signaling, and increased autophagy. Suppression of autophagy by activating mTOR signaling did not prevent heart failure. Transcriptional profiling revealed reduced serum response factor (SRF) transcriptional activity and decreased mRNA levels of genes encoding sarcomere and gap junction proteins as early as 3 days post-gene deletion, in concert with ultrastructural evidence of sarcomere disruption and intercalated discs within 1 week after gene deletion. These data confirm conserved roles for constitutive insulin and IGF1 signaling in suppressing autophagic and apoptotic signaling in the adult heart. The present study also identifies an unexpected role for insulin and IGF1 signaling in regulating an SRF-mediated transcriptional program, which maintains expression of genes encoding proteins that support sarcomere integrity in the adult heart, reduction of which results in rapid development of heart failure.
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29
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Liang M, Cai Z, Jiang Y, Huo H, Shen L, He B. SENP2 Promotes VSMC Phenotypic Switching via Myocardin De-SUMOylation. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012637. [PMID: 36293488 PMCID: PMC9603890 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Myocardin is a master regulator of smooth muscle cell (SMC) differentiation, which induces the expression of smooth-muscle-specific genes through its direct association with serum response factor (SRF). During the past two decades, significant insights have been obtained regarding the regulatory control of myocardin expression and transcriptional activity at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational levels. However, whether and how SUMOylation plays important roles in modulating myocardin function remain elusive. In this study, we found that myocardin is modified by SUMO-1 at lysine 573, which can be reversibly de-conjugated by SENP2. SUMO-1 modification promotes myocardin protein stability, whereas SENP2 facilitates its proteasome-dependent degradation. Moreover, we found that PIAS4 is the SUMO E3 ligase that enhances the SUMOylation and protein stability of myocardin. Most importantly, we found that SENP2 promotes phenotypic switching of VSMC. We therefore concluded that SENP2 promotes VSMC phenotypic switching via de-SUMOylation of myocardin and regulation of its protein stability.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Ben He
- Correspondence: (L.S.); (B.H.)
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30
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Deuper L, Meuser M, Thiesler H, Jany UWH, Rudat C, Hildebrandt H, Trowe MO, Kispert A. Mesenchymal FGFR1 and FGFR2 control patterning of the ureteric mesenchyme by balancing SHH and BMP4 signaling. Development 2022; 149:276592. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.200767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The coordinated development of the mesenchymal and epithelial progenitors of the murine ureter depends on a complex interplay of diverse signaling activities. We have recently shown that epithelial FGFR2 signaling regulates stratification and differentiation of the epithelial compartment by enhancing epithelial Shh expression, and mesenchymal SHH and BMP4 activity. Here, we show that FGFR1 and FGFR2 expression in the mesenchymal primordium impinges on the SHH/BMP4 signaling axis to regulate mesenchymal patterning and differentiation. Mouse embryos with conditional loss of Fgfr1 and Fgfr2 in the ureteric mesenchyme exhibited reduced mesenchymal proliferation and prematurely activated lamina propria formation at the expense of the smooth muscle cell program. They also manifested hydroureter at birth. Molecular profiling detected increased SHH, WNT and retinoic acid signaling, whereas BMP4 signaling in the mesenchyme was reduced. Pharmacological activation of SHH signaling in combination with inhibition of BMP4 signaling recapitulated the cellular changes in explant cultures of wild-type ureters. Additional experiments suggest that mesenchymal FGFR1 and FGFR2 act as a sink for FGF ligands to dampen activation of Shh and BMP receptor gene expression by epithelial FGFR2 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Deuper
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover 1 , 30625 Hannover , Germany
| | - Max Meuser
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover 1 , 30625 Hannover , Germany
| | - Hauke Thiesler
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover 2 , 30625 Hannover , Germany
| | - Ulrich W. H. Jany
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover 1 , 30625 Hannover , Germany
| | - Carsten Rudat
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover 1 , 30625 Hannover , Germany
| | - Herbert Hildebrandt
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover 2 , 30625 Hannover , Germany
| | - Mark-Oliver Trowe
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover 1 , 30625 Hannover , Germany
| | - Andreas Kispert
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover 1 , 30625 Hannover , Germany
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Choe HM, Gao K, Paek HJ, Liu XY, Li ZY, Quan BH, Yin XJ. Silencing myostatin increases area fraction of smooth muscle in the corpus cavernosum of pigs. Anim Reprod Sci 2022; 247:107077. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2022.107077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Kurz J, Weiss AC, Lüdtke THW, Deuper L, Trowe MO, Thiesler H, Hildebrandt H, Heineke J, Duncan SA, Kispert A. GATA6 is a crucial factor for Myocd expression in the visceral smooth muscle cell differentiation program of the murine ureter. Development 2022; 149:dev200522. [PMID: 35905011 PMCID: PMC10656427 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are a crucial component of the mesenchymal wall of the ureter, as they account for the efficient removal of the urine from the renal pelvis to the bladder by means of their contractile activity. Here, we show that the zinc-finger transcription factor gene Gata6 is expressed in mesenchymal precursors of ureteric SMCs under the control of BMP4 signaling. Mice with a conditional loss of Gata6 in these precursors exhibit a delayed onset and reduced level of SMC differentiation and peristaltic activity, as well as dilatation of the ureter and renal pelvis (hydroureternephrosis) at birth and at postnatal stages. Molecular profiling revealed a delayed and reduced expression of the myogenic driver gene Myocd, but the activation of signaling pathways and transcription factors previously implicated in activation of the visceral SMC program in the ureter was unchanged. Additional gain-of-function experiments suggest that GATA6 cooperates with FOXF1 in Myocd activation and SMC differentiation, possibly as pioneer and lineage-determining factors, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Kurz
- Institut für Molekularbiologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, D-30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Anna-Carina Weiss
- Institut für Molekularbiologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, D-30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Timo H.-W. Lüdtke
- Institut für Molekularbiologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, D-30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Lena Deuper
- Institut für Molekularbiologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, D-30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Mark-Oliver Trowe
- Institut für Molekularbiologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, D-30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Hauke Thiesler
- Institut für Klinische Biochemie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, D-30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Herbert Hildebrandt
- Institut für Klinische Biochemie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, D-30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Joerg Heineke
- Abteilung für Kardiovaskuläre Physiologie, European Center for Angioscience, Medizinische Fakultät Mannheim, Universität Heidelberg, D-68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Stephen A. Duncan
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Andreas Kispert
- Institut für Molekularbiologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, D-30625 Hannover, Germany
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Han Y, Nie J, Wang DW, Ni L. Mechanism of histone deacetylases in cardiac hypertrophy and its therapeutic inhibitors. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:931475. [PMID: 35958418 PMCID: PMC9360326 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.931475] [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: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac hypertrophy is a key process in cardiac remodeling development, leading to ventricle enlargement and heart failure. Recently, studies show the complicated relation between cardiac hypertrophy and epigenetic modification. Post-translational modification of histone is an essential part of epigenetic modification, which is relevant to multiple cardiac diseases, especially in cardiac hypertrophy. There is a group of enzymes related in the balance of histone acetylation/deacetylation, which is defined as histone acetyltransferase (HAT) and histone deacetylase (HDAC). In this review, we introduce an important enzyme family HDAC, a key regulator in histone deacetylation. In cardiac hypertrophy HDAC I downregulates the anti-hypertrophy gene expression, including Kruppel-like factor 4 (Klf4) and inositol-5 phosphatase f (Inpp5f), and promote the development of cardiac hypertrophy. On the contrary, HDAC II binds to myocyte-specific enhancer factor 2 (MEF2), inhibit the assemble ability to HAT and protect against cardiac hypertrophy. Under adverse stimuli such as pressure overload and calcineurin stimulation, the HDAC II transfer to cytoplasm, and MEF2 can bind to nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) or GATA binding protein 4 (GATA4), mediating inappropriate gene expression. HDAC III, also known as SIRTs, can interact not only to transcription factors, but also exist interaction mechanisms to other HDACs, such as HDAC IIa. We also present the latest progress of HDAC inhibitors (HDACi), as a potential treatment target in cardiac hypertrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Han
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiali Nie
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan, China
| | - Dao Wen Wang
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Dao Wen Wang,
| | - Li Ni
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiological Disorders, Wuhan, China
- Li Ni,
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Khachigian LM, Black BL, Ferdinandy P, De Caterina R, Madonna R, Geng YJ. Transcriptional regulation of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, differentiation and senescence: Novel targets for therapy. Vascul Pharmacol 2022; 146:107091. [PMID: 35896140 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2022.107091] [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: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) possess a unique cytoplasticity, regulated by transcriptional, translational and phenotypic transformation in response to a diverse range of extrinsic and intrinsic pathogenic factors. The mature, differentiated SMC phenotype is physiologically typified transcriptionally by expression of genes encoding "contractile" proteins, such as SMα-actin (ACTA2), SM-MHC (myosin-11) and SM22α (transgelin). When exposed to various pathological conditions (e.g., pro-atherogenic risk factors, hypertension), SMC undergo phenotypic modulation, a bioprocess enabling SMC to de-differentiate in immature stages or trans-differentiate into other cell phenotypes. As recent studies suggest, the process of SMC phenotypic transformation involves five distinct states characterized by different patterns of cell growth, differentiation, migration, matrix protein expression and declined contractility. These changes are mediated via the action of several transcriptional regulators, including myocardin and serum response factor. Conversely, other factors, including Kruppel-like factor 4 and nuclear factor-κB, can inhibit SMC differentiation and growth arrest, while factors such as yin yang-1, can promote SMC differentiation whilst inhibiting proliferation. This article reviews recent advances in our understanding of regulatory mechanisms governing SMC phenotypic modulation. We propose the concept that transcription factors mediating this switching are important biomarkers and potential pharmacological targets for therapeutic intervention in cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Levon M Khachigian
- Vascular Biology and Translational Research, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Brian L Black
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Péter Ferdinandy
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research Group, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, 1089 Budapest, Hungary; Pharmahungary Group, 6722 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Raffaele De Caterina
- Cardiovascular Division, Pisa University Hospital & University of Pisa, Via Paradisa, 2, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Rosalinda Madonna
- Cardiovascular Division, Pisa University Hospital & University of Pisa, Via Paradisa, 2, Pisa 56124, Italy; Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, The Center for Cardiovascular Biology and Atherosclerosis Research, McGovern School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Yong-Jian Geng
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, The Center for Cardiovascular Biology and Atherosclerosis Research, McGovern School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States of America
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Wen Y, Kong Y, Cao G, Xu Y, Zhang C, Zhang J, Xiao P, Wang Y. Di-n-butyl phthalate regulates vascular smooth muscle cells phenotypic switching by MiR-139-5p-MYOCD pathways. Toxicology 2022; 477:153279. [PMID: 35926758 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2022.153279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) is ubiquitous in environment and has been detected in almost all human bodies. Few data could be found about the effects of DBP on cardiovascular system, though its reproductive toxicities have been studied extensively. This study aimed to explore effects of DBP on phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), an essential step during the formation of atherosclerosis (AS). A7r5 cells were employed and exposed to various levels of DBP (10-9, 10-8, 10-7, 10-6, and 10-5 M) or DMSO as control. CCK-8 assay was used to detect the effects of DBP on cell viability. Expressions of mRNA/miRNAs and proteins were measured by qRT-PCR and western blotting, respectively. Bioinformatic analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assay were used to analyze the combination between miR-139-5p and Myocardin (MYOCD). Results revealed that DBP at 10-7 M prompted phenotypic switching from contractile to synthetic of VSMCs by inhibiting contractile VSMCs marker genes via suppressing the expression of MYOCD. Moreover, miR-139c-5p directly targeted MYOCD 3'UTR and modulated MYOCD expression. Besides, DBP inhibited the expression of MYOCD and VSMCs marker genes by upregulating miR-139-5p. Collectively, these data suggested that DBP could promote the phenotypic switching from contractile to synthetic of VSMCs in A7r5 cells through miR-139-5p-MYOCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Wen
- The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yi Kong
- The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Guofa Cao
- The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuan Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chengxiang Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Safety Assessment and Research Center for Drug, Pesticide and Veterinary Drug of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jingshu Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Safety Assessment and Research Center for Drug, Pesticide and Veterinary Drug of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Pingxi Xiao
- The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Yubang Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology, Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Safety Assessment and Research Center for Drug, Pesticide and Veterinary Drug of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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Deshpande A, Shetty PMV, Frey N, Rangrez AY. SRF: a seriously responsible factor in cardiac development and disease. J Biomed Sci 2022; 29:38. [PMID: 35681202 PMCID: PMC9185982 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-022-00820-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms that regulate embryogenesis and cardiac development are calibrated by multiple signal transduction pathways within or between different cell lineages via autocrine or paracrine mechanisms of action. The heart is the first functional organ to form during development, which highlights the importance of this organ in later stages of growth. Knowledge of the regulatory mechanisms underlying cardiac development and adult cardiac homeostasis paves the way for discovering therapeutic possibilities for cardiac disease treatment. Serum response factor (SRF) is a major transcription factor that controls both embryonic and adult cardiac development. SRF expression is needed through the duration of development, from the first mesodermal cell in a developing embryo to the last cell damaged by infarction in the myocardium. Precise regulation of SRF expression is critical for mesoderm formation and cardiac crescent formation in the embryo, and altered SRF levels lead to cardiomyopathies in the adult heart, suggesting the vital role played by SRF in cardiac development and disease. This review provides a detailed overview of SRF and its partners in their various functions and discusses the future scope and possible therapeutic potential of SRF in the cardiovascular system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anushka Deshpande
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany.,Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Pneumology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Kiel, Germany
| | - Prithviraj Manohar Vijaya Shetty
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Pneumology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Norbert Frey
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Pneumology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ashraf Yusuf Rangrez
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Pneumology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. .,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Heidelberg, Germany.
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Tabuchi A, Ihara D. SRF in Neurochemistry: Overview of Recent Advances in Research on the Nervous System. Neurochem Res 2022; 47:2545-2557. [PMID: 35668335 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-022-03632-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Serum response factor (SRF) is a representative transcription factor that plays crucial roles in various biological phenomena by regulating immediate early genes (IEGs) and genes related to cell morphology and motility, among others. Over the years, the signal transduction pathways activating SRF have been clarified and SRF-target genes have been identified. In this overview, we initially briefly summarize the basic biology of SRF and its cofactors, ternary complex factor (TCF) and megakaryoblastic leukemia (MKL)/myocardin-related transcription factor (MRTF). Progress in the generation of nervous system-specific knockout (KO) or genetically modified mice as well as genetic analyses over the last few decades has not only identified novel SRF-target genes but also highlighted the neurochemical importance of SRF and its cofactors. Therefore, here we next present the phenotypes of mice with nervous system-specific KO of SRF or its cofactors by depicting recent findings associated with brain development, plasticity, epilepsy, stress response, and drug addiction, all of which result from function or dysfunction of the SRF axis. Last, we develop a hypothesis regarding the possible involvement of SRF and its cofactors in human neurological disorders including neurodegenerative, psychiatric, and neurodevelopmental diseases. This overview should deepen our understanding, highlight promising future directions for developing novel therapeutic strategies, and lead to illumination of the mechanisms underlying higher brain functions based on neuronal structure and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiko Tabuchi
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama, 930-0194, Japan.
| | - Daisuke Ihara
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama, 930-0194, Japan
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Song Y, Wang T, Mu C, Gui W, Deng Y, Ma R. LncRNA SENCR overexpression attenuated the proliferation, migration and phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells in aortic dissection via the miR-206/myocardin axis. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 2022; 32:1560-1570. [PMID: 35351345 DOI: 10.1016/j.numecd.2022.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Smooth muscle and endothelial cell-enriched migration/differentiation-associated lncRNA (SENCR) has been reported to be associated with some cardiovascular diseases; however, its function and exact molecular mechanism in aortic dissection (AD) remain undefined. Thus, we investigated the effects of SENCR on AD and its potential mechanisms. METHODS AND RESULTS SENCR expression in aortic media specimens from AD patients was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). The roles of SENCR in vascular smooth muscle cell (VMSC) proliferation and migration as well as in the regulation of contractile phenotype genes were studied using CCK-8, wound healing, Transwell, qPCR and Western blot assays. Dual-luciferase reporter assays were performed to identify the regulatory correlation between SENCR, miR-206 and myocardin. Furthermore, mouse AD models were constructed with ApoE-/- mice, and the effect of upregulated SENCR on phenotypic switching in the AD model was detected using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays. SENCR overexpression inhibited VSMC proliferation, migration and synthetic phenotype-related gene expression; decreased miR-206 expression; increased myocardin expression; and suppressed rupture of the aortic media in mice. SENCR knockdown had the opposite effects. Our results further suggested that miR-206 upregulation could reverse the inhibitory roles of SENCR upregulation and that myocardin upregulation could restore the function of SENCR upregulation in VSMCs. Dual-luciferase reporter assays confirmed that SENCR regulated miR-206, which directly targeted myocardin in VSMCs. CONCLUSION SENCR overexpression suppressed VMSC proliferation and migration, maintained the contractile phenotype and suppressed aortic dilatation via the miR-206/myocardin axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Song
- Department of Extracorporeal Circulation, Fuwai Yunnan Cardiovascular Hospital, Kunming, 650102, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Kunming, Kunming, 650034, China
| | - Chunjie Mu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fuwai Yunnan Cardiovascular Hospital, Kunming, 650102, China
| | - Wenting Gui
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fuwai Yunnan Cardiovascular Hospital, Kunming, 650102, China
| | - Yao Deng
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fuwai Yunnan Cardiovascular Hospital, Kunming, 650102, China
| | - Runwei Ma
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fuwai Yunnan Cardiovascular Hospital, Kunming, 650102, China.
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Kitagawa A, Jacob C, Gupte SA. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and MEG3 controls hypoxia-induced expression of serum response factor (SRF) and SRF-dependent genes in pulmonary smooth muscle cell. J Smooth Muscle Res 2022; 58:34-49. [PMID: 35491127 PMCID: PMC9057900 DOI: 10.1540/jsmr.58.34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although hypoxia induces aberrant gene expression and dedifferentiation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs), mechanisms that alter dedifferentiation gene expression by hypoxia remain unclear. Therefore, we aimed to gain insight into the hypoxia-controlled gene expression in SMCs. We conducted studies using SMCs cultured in 3% oxygen (hypoxia) and the lungs of mice exposed to 10% oxygen (hypoxia). Our results suggest hypoxia upregulated expression of transcription factor CP2-like protein1, krüppel-like factor 4, and E2f transcription factor 1 enriched genes including basonuclin 2 (Bcn2), serum response factor (Srf), polycomb 3 (Cbx8), homeobox D9 (Hoxd9), lysine demethylase 1A (Kdm1a), etc. Additionally, we found that silencing glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) expression and inhibiting G6PD activity downregulated Srf transcript and hypomethylation of SMC genes (Myocd, Myh11, and Cnn1) and concomitantly increased their expression in the lungs of hypoxic mice. Furthermore, G6PD inhibition hypomethylated MEG3, a long non-coding RNA, gene and upregulated MEG3 expression in the lungs of hypoxic mice and in hypoxic SMCs. Silencing MEG3 expression in SMC mitigated the hypoxia-induced transcription of SRF. These findings collectively demonstrate that MEG3 and G6PD codependently regulate Srf expression in hypoxic SMCs. Moreover, G6PD inhibition upregulated SRF-MYOCD-driven gene expression, determinant of a differentiated SMC phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Kitagawa
- Department of Pharmacology, New York Medical College, BSB 546, 15 Dana Road, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Christina Jacob
- Department of Pharmacology, New York Medical College, BSB 546, 15 Dana Road, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Sachin A Gupte
- Department of Pharmacology, New York Medical College, BSB 546, 15 Dana Road, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
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40
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Hulikova A, Park KC, Loonat AA, Gunadasa-Rohling M, Curtis MK, Chung YJ, Wilson A, Carr CA, Trafford AW, Fournier M, Moshnikova A, Andreev OA, Reshetnyak YK, Riley PR, Smart N, Milne TA, Crump NT, Swietach P. Alkaline nucleoplasm facilitates contractile gene expression in the mammalian heart. Basic Res Cardiol 2022; 117:17. [PMID: 35357563 PMCID: PMC8971196 DOI: 10.1007/s00395-022-00924-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Cardiac contractile strength is recognised as being highly pH-sensitive, but less is known about the influence of pH on cardiac gene expression, which may become relevant in response to changes in myocardial metabolism or vascularization during development or disease. We sought evidence for pH-responsive cardiac genes, and a physiological context for this form of transcriptional regulation. pHLIP, a peptide-based reporter of acidity, revealed a non-uniform pH landscape in early-postnatal myocardium, dissipating in later life. pH-responsive differentially expressed genes (pH-DEGs) were identified by transcriptomics of neonatal cardiomyocytes cultured over a range of pH. Enrichment analysis indicated "striated muscle contraction" as a pH-responsive biological process. Label-free proteomics verified fifty-four pH-responsive gene-products, including contractile elements and the adaptor protein CRIP2. Using transcriptional assays, acidity was found to reduce p300/CBP acetylase activity and, its a functional readout, inhibit myocardin, a co-activator of cardiac gene expression. In cultured myocytes, acid-inhibition of p300/CBP reduced H3K27 acetylation, as demonstrated by chromatin immunoprecipitation. H3K27ac levels were more strongly reduced at promoters of acid-downregulated DEGs, implicating an epigenetic mechanism of pH-sensitive gene expression. By tandem cytoplasmic/nuclear pH imaging, the cardiac nucleus was found to exercise a degree of control over its pH through Na+/H+ exchangers at the nuclear envelope. Thus, we describe how extracellular pH signals gain access to the nucleus and regulate the expression of a subset of cardiac genes, notably those coding for contractile proteins and CRIP2. Acting as a proxy of a well-perfused myocardium, alkaline conditions are permissive for expressing genes related to the contractile apparatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alzbeta Hulikova
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Kyung Chan Park
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Aminah A Loonat
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Mala Gunadasa-Rohling
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - M Kate Curtis
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Yu Jin Chung
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Abigail Wilson
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Carolyn A Carr
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Andrew W Trafford
- Unit of Cardiac Physiology, Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Marjorie Fournier
- Department of Biochemistry, Advanced Proteomics Facility, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Anna Moshnikova
- Physics Department, University of Rhode Island, 2 Lippitt Rd, Kingston, RI, 02881, USA
| | - Oleg A Andreev
- Physics Department, University of Rhode Island, 2 Lippitt Rd, Kingston, RI, 02881, USA
| | - Yana K Reshetnyak
- Physics Department, University of Rhode Island, 2 Lippitt Rd, Kingston, RI, 02881, USA
| | - Paul R Riley
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Nicola Smart
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Thomas A Milne
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre Haematology Theme, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Nicholas T Crump
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre Haematology Theme, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Pawel Swietach
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK.
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SIRT6 mediates MRTF-A deacetylation in vascular endothelial cells to antagonize oxLDL-induced ICAM-1 transcription. Cell Death Dis 2022; 8:96. [PMID: 35246513 PMCID: PMC8897425 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-00903-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL), a known risk factor for atherosclerosis, activates the transcription of adhesion molecules (ICAM-1) in endothelial cells. We previously showed that myocardin-related transcription factor A (MRTF-A) mediates oxLDL-induced ICAM-1 transcription. Here we confirm that ICAM-1 transactivation paralleled dynamic alterations in MRTF-A acetylation. Since treatment with the antioxidant NAC dampened MRTF-A acetylation, MRTF-A acetylation appeared to be sensitive to cellular redox status. Of interest, silencing of SIRT6, a lysine deacetylase, restored MRTF-A acetylation despite the addition of NAC. SIRT6 directly interacted with MRTF-A to modulate MRTF-A acetylation. Deacetylation of MRTF-A by SIRT6 led to its nuclear expulsion thus dampening MRTF-A occupancy on the ICAM-1 promoter. Moreover, SIRT6 expression was downregulated with oxLDL stimulation likely owing to promoter hypermethylation in endothelial cells. DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) was recruited to the SIRT6 promoter and mediated SIRT6 repression. The ability of DNMT1 to repress SIRT6 promoter partly was dependent on ROS-sensitive serine 154 phosphorylation. In conclusion, our data unveil a novel DNMT1-SIRT6 axis that contributes to the regulation of MRTF-A acetylation and ICAM-1 transactivation in endothelial cells.
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Choo YY, Sakai T, Komatsu S, Ikebe R, Jeffers A, Singh KP, Idell S, Tucker TA, Ikebe M. Calponin 1 contributes to myofibroblast differentiation of human pleural mesothelial cells. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2022; 322:L348-L364. [PMID: 35018804 PMCID: PMC8858681 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00289.2021] [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: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Pleural mesothelial cells (PMCs) can become myofibroblasts via mesothelial-mesenchymal transition (MesoMT) and contribute to pleural organization, fibrosis, and rind formation. However, how these transformed mesothelial cells contribute to lung fibrosis remains unclear. Here, we investigated the mechanism of contractile myofibroblast differentiation of PMCs. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) induced marked upregulation of calponin 1 expression, which was correlated with notable cytoskeletal rearrangement in human PMCs (HPMCs) to produce stress fibers. Downregulation of calponin 1 expression reduced stress fiber formation. Interestingly, induced stress fibers predominantly contain α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) associated with calponin 1 but not β-actin. Calponin 1-associated stress fibers also contained myosin II and α-actinin. Furthermore, focal adhesions were aligned with the produced stress fibers. These results suggest that calponin 1 facilitates formation of stress fibers that resemble contractile myofibrils. Supporting this notion, TGF-β significantly increased the contractile activity of HPMCs, an effect that was abolished by downregulation of calponin 1 expression. We infer that differentiation of HPMCs to contractile myofibroblasts facilitates stiffness of scar tissue in pleura to promote pleural fibrosis (PF) and that upregulation of calponin 1 plays a central role in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Yeon Choo
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Tyler, Texas
| | - Tsuyoshi Sakai
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Tyler, Texas
| | - Satoshi Komatsu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Tyler, Texas
| | - Reiko Ikebe
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Tyler, Texas
| | - Ann Jeffers
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Tyler, Texas
| | - Karan P Singh
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Tyler, Texas
| | - Steven Idell
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Tyler, Texas
| | - Torry A Tucker
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Tyler, Texas
| | - Mitsuo Ikebe
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Tyler, Texas
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Luo Y, Tian L, Lian C, Xu Y. KLHL38 facilitates STS-induced apoptosis in HL-1 cells via myocardin degradation. IUBMB Life 2022; 74:446-462. [PMID: 35112472 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2602] [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: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac apoptosis has been identified as one of the main precipitating factors of heart failure (HF) throughout the whole course of progressive disease. Limited to the lack of diagnostic markers and effective drug targets, cardiac apoptosis is still a major clinical challenge. Here, we reveal a potential novel therapeutic target for cardiac apoptosis. In the cause of the study, we found that KLHL38 was highly expressed in cardiac tissue of heart failure patients via GEO data-mining, which was further verified in the heart tissue of TAC mice. Meanwhile, the expression of KLHL38 is negatively correlated with myocardin protein level, which is a key cardiac apoptosis regulator. The KLHL38 overexpression obviously promoted cardiomyocyte apoptosis treated with staurosporine (STS) by facilitation of myocardin's ubiquitylation and subsequent proteasomal degradation. These findings reveal a new therapeutic target which may provide a new theoretical foundation for the treatment of myocardial apoptosis in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Luo
- College of Biological Science and Technology, Hubei Minzu University, Enshi, Hubei, China.,Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Occurrence and Intervention of Rheumatic diseases, Hubei Minzu University, Enshi, Hubei, China
| | - Lei Tian
- College of Biological Science and Technology, Hubei Minzu University, Enshi, Hubei, China
| | - Chen Lian
- College of Life Sciences and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yao Xu
- College of Life Sciences and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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Shi D, Ding J, Xie S, Huang L, Zhang H, Chen X, Ren X, Zhou S, He H, Ma W, Zhang T, Wang N. Myocardin/microRNA-30a/Beclin1 signaling controls the phenotypic modulation of vascular smooth muscle cells by regulating autophagy. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:121. [PMID: 35136037 PMCID: PMC8827084 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-04588-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Upon vascular injury, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) change from a contractile phenotype to a synthetic phenotype, thereby leading to atherogenesis and arterial restenosis. Myocardin (MYOCD) is essential for maintaining the contractile phenotype of VSMCs. Deletion of MYOCD in VSMCs triggers autophagy. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the effect of MYOCD on autophagy is not clear. In this study, knockdown of MYOCD in human aortic VSMCs (HA-VSMCs) triggered autophagy and diminished the expression of SMC contractile proteins. Inhibition of autophagy in MYOCD-knockdown cells restored the expression of contractile proteins. MYOCD activated the transcription of miR-30a by binding to the CArG box present in its promoter, as confirmed by luciferase reporter and chromatin immune coprecipitation assays, while miR-30a decreased the expression of autophagy protein-6 (ATG6, also known as beclin1) by targeting its 3′UTR. Restoring the expression of miR-30a in MYOCD-knockdown cells upregulated the levels of contractile proteins. Treatment of VSMCs with platelet-derived growth factor type BB (PDGF-BB) resulted in the transformation of VSMCs to a proliferative phenotype. A low level of miR-30a was observed in PDGF-BB-treated HA-VSMCs, and re-expression of miR-30a led to a decrease in proliferative marker expression. Furthermore, using a wire injury mouse model, we found that miR-30a expression was significantly downregulated in the arterial tissues of mice and that restoration of miR-30a expression at the injured site abolished neointimal formation. Herein, MYOCD could inhibit autophagy by activating the transcription of miR-30a and that miR-30a-mediated autophagy defects could inhibit intimal hyperplasia in a carotid arterial injury model.
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Garry GA, Bassel-Duby R, Olson EN. Direct reprogramming as a route to cardiac repair. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2022; 122:3-13. [PMID: 34246567 PMCID: PMC8738780 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of morbidity, mortality, and healthcare expenditure worldwide due to an inability of the heart to regenerate following injury. Thus, novel heart failure therapies aimed at promoting cardiomyocyte regeneration are desperately needed. In recent years, direct reprogramming of resident cardiac fibroblasts to induced cardiac-like myocytes (iCMs) has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy to repurpose the fibrotic response of the injured heart toward a functional myocardium. Direct cardiac reprogramming was initially achieved through the overexpression of the transcription factors (TFs) Gata4, Mef2c, and Tbx5 (GMT). However, this combination of TFs and other subsequent cocktails demonstrated limited success in reprogramming adult human and mouse fibroblasts, constraining the clinical translation of this therapy. Over the past decade, significant effort has been dedicated to optimizing reprogramming cocktails comprised of cardiac TFs, epigenetic factors, microRNAs, or small molecules to yield efficient cardiac cell fate conversion. Yet, efficient reprogramming of adult human fibroblasts remains a significant challenge. Underlying mechanisms identified to accelerate this process have been centered on epigenetic remodeling at cardiac gene regulatory regions. Further studies to achieve a refined understanding and directed means of overcoming epigenetic barriers are merited to more rapidly translate these promising therapies to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glynnis A. Garry
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX,The Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX,Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | - Rhonda Bassel-Duby
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX,The Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX,Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | - Eric N. Olson
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX,The Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX,Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX,Correspondence: Eric N. Olson, Ph.D. 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, Texas, 75390-9148, Tel: 214-648-1187,
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Tucker TA, Idell S. Update on Novel Targeted Therapy for Pleural Organization and Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031587. [PMID: 35163509 PMCID: PMC8835949 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Pleural injury and subsequent loculation is characterized by acute injury, sustained inflammation and, when severe, pathologic tissue reorganization. While fibrin deposition is a normal part of the injury response, disordered fibrin turnover can promote pleural loculation and, when unresolved, fibrosis of the affected area. Within this review, we present a brief discussion of the current IPFT therapies, including scuPA, for the treatment of pathologic fibrin deposition and empyema. We also discuss endogenously expressed PAI-1 and how it may affect the efficacy of IPFT therapies. We further delineate the role of pleural mesothelial cells in the progression of pleural injury and subsequent pleural remodeling resulting from matrix deposition. We also describe how pleural mesothelial cells promote pleural fibrosis as myofibroblasts via mesomesenchymal transition. Finally, we discuss novel therapeutic targets which focus on blocking and/or reversing the myofibroblast differentiation of pleural mesothelial cells for the treatment of pleural fibrosis.
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Wei L, Shi J. Insight Into Rho Kinase Isoforms in Obesity and Energy Homeostasis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:886534. [PMID: 35769086 PMCID: PMC9234286 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.886534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity and associated complications increasingly jeopardize global health and contribute to the rapidly rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity-related diseases. Developing novel methods for the prevention and treatment of excess body adipose tissue expansion can make a significant contribution to public health. Rho kinase is a Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase (Rho kinase or ROCK). The ROCK family including ROCK1 and ROCK2 has recently emerged as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of metabolic disorders. Up-regulated ROCK activity has been involved in the pathogenesis of all aspects of metabolic syndrome including obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and hypertension. The RhoA/ROCK-mediated actin cytoskeleton dynamics have been implicated in both white and beige adipogenesis. Studies using ROCK pan-inhibitors in animal models of obesity, diabetes, and associated complications have demonstrated beneficial outcomes. Studies via genetically modified animal models further established isoform-specific roles of ROCK in the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders including obesity. However, most reported studies have been focused on ROCK1 activity during the past decade. Due to the progress in developing ROCK2-selective inhibitors in recent years, a growing body of evidence indicates more attention should be devoted towards understanding ROCK2 isoform function in metabolism. Hence, studying individual ROCK isoforms to reveal their specific roles and principal mechanisms in white and beige adipogenesis, insulin sensitivity, energy balancing regulation, and obesity development will facilitate significant breakthroughs for systemic treatment with isoform-selective inhibitors. In this review, we give an overview of ROCK functions in the pathogenesis of obesity and insulin resistance with a particular focus on the current understanding of ROCK isoform signaling in white and beige adipogenesis, obesity and thermogenesis in adipose tissue and other major metabolic organs involved in energy homeostasis regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wei
- *Correspondence: Lei Wei, ; Jianjian Shi,
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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: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [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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Dong K, Shen J, He X, Hu G, Wang L, Osman I, Bunting KM, Dixon-Melvin R, Zheng Z, Xin H, Xiang M, Vazdarjanova A, Fulton DJR, Zhou J. CARMN Is an Evolutionarily Conserved Smooth Muscle Cell-Specific LncRNA That Maintains Contractile Phenotype by Binding Myocardin. Circulation 2021; 144:1856-1875. [PMID: 34694145 PMCID: PMC8726016 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.121.055949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vascular homeostasis is maintained by the differentiated phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The landscape of protein coding genes comprising the transcriptome of differentiated VSMCs has been intensively investigated but many gaps remain including the emerging roles of noncoding genes. METHODS We reanalyzed large-scale, publicly available bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing datasets from multiple tissues and cell types to identify VSMC-enriched long noncoding RNAs. The in vivo expression pattern of a novel smooth muscle cell (SMC)-expressed long noncoding RNA, Carmn (cardiac mesoderm enhancer-associated noncoding RNA), was investigated using a novel Carmn green fluorescent protein knock-in reporter mouse model. Bioinformatics and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis were used to assess CARMN expression changes during VSMC phenotypic modulation in human and murine vascular disease models. In vitro, functional assays were performed by knocking down CARMN with antisense oligonucleotides and overexpressing Carmn by adenovirus in human coronary artery SMCs. Carotid artery injury was performed in SMC-specific Carmn knockout mice to assess neointima formation and the therapeutic potential of reversing CARMN loss was tested in a rat carotid artery balloon injury model. The molecular mechanisms underlying CARMN function were investigated using RNA pull-down, RNA immunoprecipitation, and luciferase reporter assays. RESULTS We identified CARMN, which was initially annotated as the host gene of the MIR143/145 cluster and recently reported to play a role in cardiac differentiation, as a highly abundant and conserved, SMC-specific long noncoding RNA. Analysis of the Carmn GFP knock-in mouse model confirmed that Carmn is transiently expressed in embryonic cardiomyocytes and thereafter becomes restricted to SMCs. We also found that Carmn is transcribed independently of Mir143/145. CARMN expression is dramatically decreased by vascular disease in humans and murine models and regulates the contractile phenotype of VSMCs in vitro. In vivo, SMC-specific deletion of Carmn significantly exacerbated, whereas overexpression of Carmn markedly attenuated, injury-induced neointima formation in mouse and rat, respectively. Mechanistically, we found that Carmn physically binds to the key transcriptional cofactor myocardin, facilitating its activity and thereby maintaining the contractile phenotype of VSMCs. CONCLUSIONS CARMN is an evolutionarily conserved SMC-specific long noncoding RNA with a previously unappreciated role in maintaining the contractile phenotype of VSMCs and is the first noncoding RNA discovered to interact with myocardin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunzhe Dong
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA
| | - Jian Shen
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009, China
| | - Xiangqin He
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA
| | - Guoqing Hu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA
| | - Liang Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, China
| | - Islam Osman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA
| | - Kristopher M. Bunting
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA
| | - Rachael Dixon-Melvin
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA
| | - Zeqi Zheng
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, China
| | - Hongbo Xin
- The National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330031, China
- School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330031, China
| | - Meixiang Xiang
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009, China
| | - Almira Vazdarjanova
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA
| | - David J. R. Fulton
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA
| | - Jiliang Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912, USA
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50
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Soltani L, Mahdavi AH. Role of Signaling Pathways during Cardiomyocyte Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Cardiology 2021; 147:216-224. [PMID: 34864735 DOI: 10.1159/000521313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Multipotent stem cells, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), represent a promising source to be used by regenerative medicine. They are capable of performing myogenic, chondrogenic, osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation. Also, MSCs are characterized by the expression of multiple surface antigens, but none of them appears to be particularly expressed on MSCs. Moreover, the prospect of monitoring and controlling MSC differentiation is a scientifically crucial regulatory and clinical requirement. Different transcription factors and signaling pathways are involved in cardiomyocyte differentiation. Due to the paucity of studies exclusively focused on cardiomyocyte differentiation of MSCs, present study aims at describing the roles of various signaling pathways (FGF, TGF, Wnt, Notch, etc.) in cardiomyocytes differentiation of MSCs. Understanding the signaling pathways that control the commitment and differentiation of cardiomyocyte cells not only will expand our basic understanding of molecular mechanisms of heart development, but also will enable us to develop therapeutic means of intervention in cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Soltani
- Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Engineering, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Amir Hossein Mahdavi
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran
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