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Singh J, Jackson KL, Fang H, Gumanti A, Claridge B, Tang FS, Kiriazis H, Salimova E, Parker AM, Nowell C, Woodman OL, Greening DW, Ritchie RH, Head GA, Qin CX. Novel formylpeptide receptor 1/2 agonist limits hypertension-induced cardiovascular damage. Cardiovasc Res 2024; 120:1336-1350. [PMID: 38879891 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvae103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS Formylpeptide receptors (FPRs) play a critical role in the regulation of inflammation, an important driver of hypertension-induced end-organ damage. We have previously reported that the biased FPR small-molecule agonist, compound17b (Cmpd17b), is cardioprotective against acute, severe inflammatory insults. Here, we reveal the first compelling evidence of the therapeutic potential of this novel FPR agonist against a longer-term, sustained inflammatory insult, i.e. hypertension-induced end-organ damage. The parallels between the murine and human hypertensive proteome were also investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS The hypertensive response to angiotensin II (Ang II, 0.7 mg/kg/day, s.c.) was attenuated by Cmpd17b (50 mg/kg/day, i.p.). Impairments in cardiac and vascular function assessed via echocardiography were improved by Cmpd17b in hypertensive mice. This functional improvement was accompanied by reduced cardiac and aortic fibrosis and vascular calcification. Cmpd17b also attenuated Ang II-induced increased cardiac mitochondrial complex 2 respiration. Proteomic profiling of cardiac and aortic tissues and cells, using label-free nano-liquid chromatography with high-sensitivity mass spectrometry, detected and quantified ∼6000 proteins. We report hypertension-impacted protein clusters associated with dysregulation of inflammatory, mitochondrial, and calcium responses, as well as modified networks associated with cardiovascular remodelling, contractility, and structural/cytoskeletal organization. Cmpd17b attenuated hypertension-induced dysregulation of multiple proteins in mice, and of these, ∼110 proteins were identified as similarly dysregulated in humans suffering from adverse aortic remodelling and cardiac hypertrophy. CONCLUSION We have demonstrated, for the first time, that the FPR agonist Cmpd17b powerfully limits hypertension-induced end-organ damage, consistent with proteome networks, supporting development of pro-resolution FPR-based therapeutics for treatment of systemic hypertension complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaideep Singh
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute, 75 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Kristy L Jackson
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute, 75 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Haoyun Fang
- Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute, 75 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
- Department of Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Audrey Gumanti
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute, 75 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Bethany Claridge
- Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute, 75 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Feng Shii Tang
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Helen Kiriazis
- Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute, 75 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
- Department of Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ekaterina Salimova
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Alex M Parker
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Cameron Nowell
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Owen L Woodman
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - David W Greening
- Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute, 75 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
- Department of Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Cardiovascular Research, Translation and Implementation, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Rebecca H Ritchie
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute, 75 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
- Department of Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Geoffrey A Head
- Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute, 75 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Cheng Xue Qin
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute, 75 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Qilu College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 Wenhua Xilu, Jinan, Shandong 250012, PR China
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 107 Wenhua Xilu, Jinan, Shandong 250012, PR China
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Nakahara T, Miyazawa R, Iwabuchi Y, Tonda K, Narula N, Strauss HW, Narula J, Jinzaki M. Aortic Uptake of 18F-NaF and 18F-FDG and Calcification Predict the Development of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms and Is Attenuated by Drug Therapy. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2024; 44:1975-1985. [PMID: 39051097 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.124.321110] [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: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abdominal aortic aneurysms expand over time and increase the risk of fatal ruptures. To predict expansion, the isolated assessment of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and sodium fluoride (NaF) uptake or calcification volume in aneurysms has been investigated with variability in results. We systematically evaluated whether 18F-FDG and 18F-NaF uptake was predictive of abdominal aortic aneurysm expansion. METHODS Seventy-four male Sprague-Dawley rat abdominal aortic aneurysm models were imaged using positron emission tomography-computed tomography with 18F-FDG and 18F-NaF at 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after CaCl2 or saline stimulation. In the 1-week cohort (n=25), the correlation between 18F-FDG or 18F-NaF uptake and pathological markers was investigated. In the time course cohort (n=49), animals received either atorvastatin, losartan, aldactone, or risedronate to assess the effect of these drugs, and the relationship between aortic size and sequential 18F-FDG and 18F-NaF uptake or calcification volume was examined. RESULTS In the 1-week cohort, the maximum standard unit value of 18F-FDG and 18F-NaF uptake correlated with CD68- (r=0.82; P=0.001) and von Kossa staining-positive areas (r=0.89; P<0.001), respectively. In the time course cohort, 18F-FDG and 18F-NaF uptake changed in a time-dependent manner and drugs attenuated this uptake. Specifically, 18F-FDG showed high uptake at weeks 1 and 2, whereas a high 18F-NaF uptake was noted throughout the study period. Atorvastatin and risedronate showed a decreased and increased aortic size, respectively. The final aortic area correlated well with 18F-FDG and 18F-NaF uptake and calcification volume, especially at 1 and 2 weeks (18F-NaF [1 week]: r=0.61, 18F-FDG [2 weeks]: r=0.51, calcification volume [1 week]: r=0.59; P<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the combination of these factors predicted the final aortic size, with 18F-NaF uptake at 1 week being the strongest predictor. CONCLUSIONS The uptake of 18F-NaF and 18F-FDG and the calcification volume at appropriate times correlated with the development of abdominal aortic aneurysms, with 18F-NaF uptake being the strongest predictor.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Male
- Fluorodeoxyglucose F18/pharmacokinetics
- Sodium Fluoride
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/metabolism
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/diagnostic imaging
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/pathology
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/chemically induced
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography
- Radiopharmaceuticals
- Aorta, Abdominal/diagnostic imaging
- Aorta, Abdominal/metabolism
- Aorta, Abdominal/pathology
- Aorta, Abdominal/drug effects
- Vascular Calcification/diagnostic imaging
- Vascular Calcification/metabolism
- Vascular Calcification/pathology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Predictive Value of Tests
- Time Factors
- Fluorine Radioisotopes
- Disease Progression
- Rats
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Affiliation(s)
- Takehiro Nakahara
- Department of Radiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan (T.N., R.M., Y.I., K.T., M.J.)
| | - Raita Miyazawa
- Department of Radiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan (T.N., R.M., Y.I., K.T., M.J.)
| | - Yu Iwabuchi
- Department of Radiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan (T.N., R.M., Y.I., K.T., M.J.)
| | - Kai Tonda
- Department of Radiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan (T.N., R.M., Y.I., K.T., M.J.)
| | - Nupoor Narula
- Division of Cardiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY (N.N.)
| | - H William Strauss
- Molecular Imaging and Therapy Section, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY (H.W.S.)
| | - Jagat Narula
- Department of Medicine and Cardiology, McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX (J.N.)
| | - Masahiro Jinzaki
- Department of Radiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan (T.N., R.M., Y.I., K.T., M.J.)
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3
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Wu Z, Zhang P, Yue J, Wang Q, Zhuang P, Jehan S, Fan L, Xue J, Zhou W, Wang H. Tea polyphenol nanoparticles enable targeted siRNA delivery and multi-bioactive therapy for abdominal aortic aneurysms. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:471. [PMID: 39118143 PMCID: PMC11308685 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02756-2] [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: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening vascular disease, while there is a lack of pharmaceutical interventions to halt AAA progression presently. To address the multifaceted pathology of AAA, this work develops a novel multifunctional gene delivery system to simultaneously deliver two siRNAs targeting MMP-2 and MMP-9. The system (TPNs-siRNA), formed through the oxidative polymerization and self-assembly of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), efficiently encapsulates siRNAs during self-assembly. TPNs-siRNA safeguards siRNAs from biological degradation, facilitates intracellular siRNA transfection, promotes lysosomal escape, and releases siRNAs to silence MMP-2 and MMP-9. Additionally, TPNs, serving as a multi-bioactive material, mitigates oxidative stress and inflammation, fosters M1-to-M2 repolarization of macrophages, and inhibits cell calcification and apoptosis. In experiments with AAA mice, TPNs-siRNA accumulated and persisted in aneurysmal tissue after intravenous delivery, demonstrating that TPNs-siRNA can be significantly distributed in macrophages and VSMCs relevant to AAA pathogenesis. Leveraging the carrier's intrinsic multi-bioactive properties, the targeted siRNA delivery by TPNs exhibits a synergistic effect for enhanced AAA therapy. Furthermore, TPNs-siRNA is gradually metabolized and excreted from the body, resulting in excellent biocompatibility. Consequently, TPNs emerges as a promising multi-bioactive nanotherapy and a targeted delivery nanocarrier for effective AAA therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Wu
- Department of Vascular and Interventional Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Jie Yue
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Qingshan Wang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Peipei Zhuang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Shah Jehan
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Liyuan Fan
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiarun Xue
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, Guangdong, China
| | - Wenhu Zhou
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Haiyang Wang
- Department of Vascular and Interventional Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, Heilongjiang, China.
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4
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Ye Q, Ren M, Fan D, Mao Y, Zhu YZ. Identification and Validation of the miR/RAS/RUNX2 Autophagy Regulatory Network in AngII-Induced Hypertensive Nephropathy in MPC5 Cells Treated with Hydrogen Sulfide Donors. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:958. [PMID: 39199205 PMCID: PMC11351630 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13080958] [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: 06/01/2024] [Revised: 07/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The balanced crosstalk between miRNAs and autophagy is essential in hypertensive nephropathy. Hydrogen sulfide donors have been reported to attenuate renal injury, but the mechanism is unclear. We aimed to identify and verify the miRNAs and autophagy regulatory networks in hypertensive nephropathy treated with hydrogen sulfide donors through bioinformatics analysis and experimental verification. From the miRNA dataset, autophagy was considerably enriched in mice kidney after angiotensin II (AngII) and combined hydrogen sulfide treatment (H2S_AngII), among which there were 109 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) and 21 hub ADEGs (autophagy-related differentially expressed genes) in the AngII group and 70 DEMs and 13 ADEGs in the H2S_AngII group. A miRNA-mRNA-transcription factors (TFs) autophagy regulatory network was then constructed and verified in human hypertensive nephropathy samples and podocyte models. In the network, two DEMs (miR-98-5p, miR-669b-5p), some hub ADEGs (KRAS, NRAS), and one TF (RUNX2) were altered, accompanied by a reduction in autophagy flux. However, significant recovery occurred after treatment with endogenous or exogenous H2S donors, as well as an overexpression of miR-98-5p and miR-669b-5p. The miR/RAS/RUNX2 autophagy network driven by H2S donors was related to hypertensive nephropathy. H2S donors or miRNAs increased autophagic flux and reduced renal cell injury, which could be a potentially effective medical therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Ye
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bioactive Small Molecules, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Mi Ren
- The Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Di Fan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bioactive Small Molecules, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yicheng Mao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bioactive Small Molecules, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yi-Zhun Zhu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bioactive Small Molecules, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, (R & D Center) Lab. for Drug Discovery from Natural Resource, School of Pharmacy, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 999078, China
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5
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Shen X, Wu S, Yan J, Yan H, Zhou S, Weng H, Yang S, Li W. Prognostic implications of thyroid hormones in acute aortic dissection: mediating roles of renal function and coagulation. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1387845. [PMID: 39157680 PMCID: PMC11327079 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1387845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Thyroid hormones significantly influence cardiovascular pathophysiology, yet their prognostic role in acute aortic dissection (AAD) remains inadequately explored. This study assesses the prognostic value of thyroid hormone levels in AAD, focusing on the mediating roles of renal function and coagulation. Methods We included 964 AAD patients in this retrospective cohort study. Utilizing logistic regression, restricted cubic splines, and causal mediation analysis, we investigated the association between thyroid hormones and in-hospital mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). Results In AAD patients overall, an increase of one standard deviation in FT4 levels was associated with a 31.9% increased risk of MACEs (OR 1.319; 95% CI 1.098-1.584) and a 36.1% increase in in-hospital mortality (OR 1.361; 95% CI 1.095-1.690). Conversely, a higher FT3/FT4 ratio was correlated with a 20.2% reduction in risk of MACEs (OR 0.798; 95% CI 0.637-0.999). This correlation was statistically significant predominantly in Type A AAD, while it did not hold statistical significance in Type B AAD. Key renal and coagulation biomarkers, including blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, cystatin C, prothrombin time ratio, prothrombin time, and prothrombin time international normalized ratio, were identified as significant mediators in the interplay between thyroid hormones and MACEs. The FT3/FT4 ratio exerted its prognostic influence primarily through the mediation of renal functions and coagulation, while FT4 levels predominantly impacted outcomes via a partial mediation effect on coagulation. Conclusion FT4 levels and the FT3/FT4 ratio are crucial prognostic biomarkers in AAD patients. Renal function and coagulation mediate the association between the thyroid hormones and MACEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejun Shen
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
- Clinical Research Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shiwan Wu
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
- Clinical Research Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jingyi Yan
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
- Clinical Research Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hongle Yan
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
- Clinical Research Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shuyi Zhou
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
- Clinical Research Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Huozhen Weng
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
- Clinical Research Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shengli Yang
- Clinical Research Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Weiping Li
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
- Clinical Research Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
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6
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Song T, Zhao S, Luo S, Chen C, Liu X, Wu X, Sun Z, Cao J, Wang Z, Wang Y, Yu B, Zhang Z, Du X, Li X, Han Z, Chen H, Chen F, Wang L, Wang H, Sun K, Han Y, Xie L, Ji Y. SLC44A2 regulates vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic switching and aortic aneurysm. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e173690. [PMID: 38916960 PMCID: PMC11324303 DOI: 10.1172/jci173690] [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: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Aortic aneurysm is a life-threatening disease with limited interventions that is closely related to vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotypic switching. SLC44A2, a member of the solute carrier series 44 (SLC44) family, remains undercharacterized in the context of cardiovascular diseases. Venn diagram analysis based on microarray and single-cell RNA sequencing identified SLC44A2 as a major regulator of VSMC phenotypic switching in aortic aneurysm. Screening for Slc44a2 among aortic cell lineages demonstrated its predominant location in VSMCs. Elevated levels of SLC44A2 were evident in the aorta of both patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm and angiotensin II-infused (Ang II-infused) Apoe-/- mice. In vitro, SLC44A2 silencing promoted VSMCs toward a synthetic phenotype, while SLC44A2 overexpression attenuated VSMC phenotypic switching. VSMC-specific SLC44A2-knockout mice were more susceptible to aortic aneurysm under Ang II infusion, while SLC44A2 overexpression showed protective effects. Mechanistically, SLC44A2's interaction with NRP1 and ITGB3 activates TGF-β/SMAD signaling, thereby promoting contractile gene expression. Elevated SLC44A2 in aortic aneurysm is associated with upregulated runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1). Furthermore, low-dose lenalidomide (LEN; 20 mg/kg/day) suppressed aortic aneurysm progression by enhancing SLC44A2 expression. These findings reveal that the SLC44A2-NRP1-ITGB3 complex is a major regulator of VSMC phenotypic switching and provide a potential therapeutic approach (LEN) for aortic aneurysm treatment.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Humans
- Male
- Mice
- Angiotensin II/pharmacology
- Aortic Aneurysm/genetics
- Aortic Aneurysm/metabolism
- Aortic Aneurysm/pathology
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/metabolism
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/pathology
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/genetics
- Membrane Transport Proteins/genetics
- Membrane Transport Proteins/metabolism
- Mice, Knockout
- Mice, Knockout, ApoE
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/pathology
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/pathology
- Phenotype
- Signal Transduction
- Membrane Glycoproteins/genetics
- Membrane Glycoproteins/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyu Song
- Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shuang Zhao
- Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shanshan Luo
- Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chuansheng Chen
- Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xingeng Liu
- Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaoqi Wu
- Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhongxu Sun
- Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiawei Cao
- Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ziyu Wang
- Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yineng Wang
- Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bo Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases (SKLFZCD), and
| | - Zhiren Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases (SKLFZCD), and
- Department of Cardiology, Central Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, NHC Key Laboratory of Cell Transplantation, Harbin Medical University, China
| | - Xiaolong Du
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoqiang Li
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhijian Han
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hongshan Chen
- Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Feng Chen
- Department of Forensic Medicine, and
| | - Liansheng Wang
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Center for Metabolic Disease Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kangyun Sun
- Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yi Han
- Critical Care Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Liping Xie
- Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yong Ji
- Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Medicine, Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- State Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases (SKLFZCD), and
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7
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Lu L, Jin Y, Tong Y, Xiao L, Hou Y, Liu Z, Dou H. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells promote the formation of abdominal aortic aneurysms through the IL-3-ICOSL-ICOS axis. BBA ADVANCES 2023; 4:100103. [PMID: 37705722 PMCID: PMC10495679 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadva.2023.100103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Th17 cells are powerful inflammation promoters in the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) can promote the differentiation of Th17 cells in chronic inflammatory autoimmune injury. Here, we aim to examine whether MDSCs regulate the differentiation of Th17 cells to participate in the development of AAA. We demonstrated an abnormal accumulation of MDSCs in AAA patients, which was positively associated with Th17 cells. We established angiotensin II-induced apolipoprotein E knockout mice and found the impaired immunosuppressive function of M-MDSCs. After systemic injection of anti-Gr-1 antibody in AAA mice to deplete circulating MDSCs, AAA formation and the differentiation of Th17 cells were abolished, and the overexpression of inducible T-cell costimulator (ICOS) on Th17 cells was reversed accordingly. Regulating the expression of ICOS ligand (ICOSL) on MDSCs affects the differentiation of Th17 cells. The adoptive transfer of ICOSLlowMDSCs in AAA mice inhibited the differentiation of Th17 cells and the development of AAA. Meanwhile, rIL-3 promoted the survival and immunosuppressive dysfunction of MDSCs, upregulated ICOSL expression on MDSCs by inhibiting activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and regulated MDSCs to promote the differentiation of Th17 cells via the ICOSL-ICOS axis. An increase in serum IL-3, ICOSL+MDSCs, and ICOS+Th17 cells was detected in AAA patients, and IL-3 levels were positively correlated with the proportion of ICOSL+MDSC cells. In conclusion, we uncovered a pivotal role of MDSCs in promoting the differentiation of Th17 cells through the IL-3-ICOSL-ICOS axis during AAA, providing an important theoretical basis for understanding the pathogenesis of AAA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Lu
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Division of Immunology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yi Jin
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Nanjing University Medical School Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuanhao Tong
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Nanjing University Medical School Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Lun Xiao
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Nanjing University Medical School Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Yayi Hou
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Division of Immunology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhao Liu
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Nanjing University Medical School Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Huan Dou
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Division of Immunology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing, China
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8
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Li W, Jia Y, Gong Z, Dong Z, Yu F, Fu Y, Jiang C, Kong W. Ablation of the gut microbiota alleviates high-methionine diet-induced hyperhomocysteinemia and glucose intolerance in mice. NPJ Sci Food 2023; 7:36. [PMID: 37460578 DOI: 10.1038/s41538-023-00212-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
A high-methionine (HM) diet leads to hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), while gastrointestinal tissue is an important site of net homocysteine (Hcy) production. However, the role of the gut microbiota in host HHcy remains obscure. This study aimed to determine whether gut microbiota ablation could alleviate host HHcy and glucose intolerance and reveal the underlying mechanism. The results showed that the HM diet-induced HHcy and glucose intolerance in mice, while antibiotic administration decreased the plasma level of Hcy and reversed glucose intolerance. HM diet increased intestinal epithelial homocysteine levels, while antibiotic treatment decreased intestinal epithelial homocysteine levels under the HM diet. Gut microbiota depletion had no effect on the gene expression and enzyme activity of CBS and BHMT in the livers of HM diet-fed mice. The HM diet altered the composition of the gut microbiota with marked increases in the abundances of Faecalibaculum and Dubosiella, which were also positively correlated with plasma Hcy concentrations. An in-depth analysis of the bacterial cysteine and methionine metabolism pathways showed that the abundances of two homocysteine biosynthesis-related KEGG orthologies (KOs) were markedly increased in the gut microbiota in HM diet-fed mice. Hcy was detected from Dubosiella newyorkensis-cultured supernatant by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC‒MS) analysis. In conclusion, these findings suggested that the HM diet-induced HHcy and glucose intolerance in mice, by reshaping the composition of the gut microbiota, which might produce and secrete Hcy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqiang Li
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Remodeling, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yiting Jia
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Remodeling, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Ze Gong
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Remodeling, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhao Dong
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Remodeling, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Fang Yu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Remodeling, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Fu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Remodeling, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Changtao Jiang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Remodeling, Peking University, Beijing, China.
- Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China.
- Center for Obesity and Metabolic Disease Research, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Wei Kong
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis and Remodeling, Peking University, Beijing, China.
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9
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Wang J, Tian X, Yan C, Wu H, Bu Y, Li J, Liu D, Han Y. TCF7L1 Accelerates Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotypic Switching and Aggravates Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms. JACC Basic Transl Sci 2023; 8:155-170. [PMID: 36908661 PMCID: PMC9998605 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2022.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells is a central process in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) pathology. We found that knockdown TCF7L1 (transcription factor 7-like 1), a member of the TCF/LEF (T cell factor/lymphoid enhancer factor) family of transcription factors, inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell differentiation. This study hints at potential interventions to maintain a normal, differentiated smooth muscle cell state, thereby eliminating the pathogenesis of AAA. In addition, our study provides insights into the potential use of TCF7L1 as a biomarker for AAA.
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Key Words
- AAA, abdominal aortic aneurysm
- AAV, adeno-associated virus
- Ang II, angiotensin II
- CVF, collagen volume fraction
- MMP, matrix metalloproteinase
- PBS, phosphate-buffered saline
- PCR, polymerase chain reaction
- SM22α, smooth muscle protein 22-α
- SMA, smooth muscle actin
- SRF, serum response factor
- TCF7L1
- TCF7L1, transcription factor 7-like 1
- VSMC, vascular smooth muscle cell
- abdominal aortic aneurysms
- cDNA, complementary DNA
- mRNA, messenger RNA
- phenotypic switching
- siRNA, small interfering RNA
- smooth muscle cell
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wang
- Cardiovascular Research Institute and Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaoxiang Tian
- Cardiovascular Research Institute and Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, China
| | - Chenghui Yan
- Cardiovascular Research Institute and Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, China
| | - Hanlin Wu
- Cardiovascular Research Institute and Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, China
| | - Yuxin Bu
- Cardiovascular Research Institute and Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, China
| | - Jia Li
- Cardiovascular Research Institute and Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, China
| | - Dan Liu
- Cardiovascular Research Institute and Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, China
| | - Yaling Han
- Cardiovascular Research Institute and Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, China
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10
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Bararu Bojan (Bararu) I, Pleșoianu CE, Badulescu OV, Vladeanu MC, Badescu MC, Iliescu D, Bojan A, Ciocoiu M. Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms Involved in Aortic Wall Aneurysm Development. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13020253. [PMID: 36673063 PMCID: PMC9858209 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13020253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Aortic aneurysms represent a very common pathology that can affect any segment of the aorta. These types of aneurysms can be localized on the thoracic segment or on the abdominal portion, with the latter being more frequent. Though there are similarities between thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms, these pathologies are distinct entities. In this article, we undertook a review regarding the different mechanisms that can lead to the development of aortic aneurysm, and we tried to identify the different manners of treatment. For a long time, aortic wall aneurysms may evolve in an asymptomatic manner, but this progressive dilatation of the aneurysm can lead to a potentially fatal complication consisting in aortic rupture. Because there are limited therapies that may delay or prevent the development of acute aortic syndromes, surgical management remains the most common manner of treatment. Even though, surgical management has improved much in the last years, thus becoming less invasive and sophisticated, the morbi-mortality linked to these therapies remains increased. The identification of the cellular and molecular networks triggering the formation of aneurysm would permit the discovery of modern therapeutic targets. Molecular and cellular mechanisms are gaining a bigger importance in the complex pathogenesis of aortic aneurysms. Future studies must be developed to compare the findings seen in human tissue and animal models of aortic aneurysm, so that clinically relevant conclusions about the aortic aneurysm formation and the pharmacological possibility of pathogenic pathways blockage can be drawn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Bararu Bojan (Bararu)
- Department of Pathophysiology, Morpho-Functional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, ‘Grigore T. Popa’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Unirii Street, 700115 Iași, Romania
| | - Carmen Elena Pleșoianu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, ‘Grigore T. Popa’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania
- Department of Clinical Cardiology, ‘Prof. Dr. George I.M. Georgescu’ Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, 700503 Iași, Romania
- Correspondence: (C.E.P.); (O.V.B.); (M.C.V.)
| | - Oana Viola Badulescu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Morpho-Functional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, ‘Grigore T. Popa’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Unirii Street, 700115 Iași, Romania
- Correspondence: (C.E.P.); (O.V.B.); (M.C.V.)
| | - Maria Cristina Vladeanu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Morpho-Functional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, ‘Grigore T. Popa’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Unirii Street, 700115 Iași, Romania
- Correspondence: (C.E.P.); (O.V.B.); (M.C.V.)
| | - Minerva Codruta Badescu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, ‘Grigore T. Popa’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania
| | - Dan Iliescu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, ‘Grigore T. Popa’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania
| | - Andrei Bojan
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, ‘Grigore T. Popa’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iași, Romania
| | - Manuela Ciocoiu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Morpho-Functional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, ‘Grigore T. Popa’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Unirii Street, 700115 Iași, Romania
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11
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Li Z, Cong X, Kong W. Matricellular proteins: Potential biomarkers and mechanistic factors in aortic aneurysms. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2022; 169:41-56. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2022.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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12
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Rastogi V, Stefens SJM, Houwaart J, Verhagen HJM, de Bruin JL, van der Pluijm I, Essers J. Molecular Imaging of Aortic Aneurysm and Its Translational Power for Clinical Risk Assessment. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:814123. [PMID: 35492343 PMCID: PMC9051391 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.814123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Aortic aneurysms (AAs) are dilations of the aorta, that are often fatal upon rupture. Diagnostic radiological techniques such as ultrasound (US), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) are currently used in clinical practice for early diagnosis as well as clinical follow-up for preemptive surgery of AA and prevention of rupture. However, the contemporary imaging-based risk prediction of aneurysm enlargement or life-threatening aneurysm-rupture remains limited as these are restricted to visual parameters which fail to provide a personalized risk assessment. Therefore, new insights into early diagnostic approaches to detect AA and therefore to prevent aneurysm-rupture are crucial. Multiple new techniques are developed to obtain a more accurate understanding of the biological processes and pathological alterations at a (micro)structural and molecular level of aortic degeneration. Advanced anatomical imaging combined with molecular imaging, such as molecular MRI, or positron emission tomography (PET)/CT provides novel diagnostic approaches for in vivo visualization of targeted biomarkers. This will aid in the understanding of aortic aneurysm disease pathogenesis and insight into the pathways involved, and will thus facilitate early diagnostic analysis of aneurysmal disease. In this study, we reviewed these molecular imaging modalities and their association with aneurysm growth and/or rupture risk and their limitations. Furthermore, we outline recent pre-clinical and clinical developments in molecular imaging of AA and provide future perspectives based on the advancements made within the field. Within the vastness of pre-clinical markers that have been studied in mice, molecular imaging targets such as elastin/collagen, albumin, matrix metalloproteinases and immune cells demonstrate promising results regarding rupture risk assessment within the pre-clinical setting. Subsequently, these markers hold potential as a future diagnosticum of clinical AA assessment. However currently, clinical translation of molecular imaging is still at the onset. Future human trials are required to assess the effectivity of potentially viable molecular markers with various imaging modalities for clinical rupture risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinamr Rastogi
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sanne J. M. Stefens
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Judith Houwaart
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Hence J. M. Verhagen
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jorg L. de Bruin
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ingrid van der Pluijm
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Essers
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Jeroen Essers
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13
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miR-424/322 protects against abdominal aortic aneurysm formation by modulating the Smad2/3/runt-related transcription factor 2 axis. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2022; 27:656-669. [PMID: 35036072 PMCID: PMC8752907 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2021.12.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) is one of the leading causes of sudden death in the elderly population. The osteogenic transcription factor runt-related gene (RUNX) encodes multifunctional mediators of intracellular signal transduction pathways in vascular remodeling and inflammation. We aimed to evaluate the roles of RUNX2 and its putative downstream target miR-424/322 in the modulation of several AAA progression-related key molecules, such as matrix metalloproteinases and vascular endothelial growth factor. In the GEO database, we found that male patients with AAAs had higher RUNX2 expression than did control patients. Several risk factors for aneurysm induced the overexpression of MMPs through RUNX2 transactivation, and this was dependent on Smad2/3 upregulation in human aortic smooth muscle cells. miR-424 was overexpressed through RUNX2 after angiotensin II (AngII) challenge. The administration of siRUNX2 and miR-424 mimics attenuated the activation of the Smad/RUNX2 axis and the overexpression of several AAA progression-related molecules in vitro. Compared to their littermates, miR-322 KO mice were susceptible to AngII-induced AAA, whereas the silencing of RUNX2 and the administration of exogenous miR-322 mimics ameliorated the AngII-induced AAA in ApoE KO mice. Overall, we established the roles of the Smad/RUNX2/miR-424/322 axis in AAA pathogenesis. We demonstrated the therapeutic potentials of miR-424/322 mimics and RUNX2 inhibitor for AAA progression.
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14
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Jiang B, Wang M, Li X, Ren P, Li G, Wang Y, Wang L, Li X, Yang D, Qin L, Xin S. Hexarelin attenuates abdominal aortic aneurysm formation by inhibiting SMC phenotype switch and inflammasome activation. Microvasc Res 2022; 140:104280. [PMID: 34856183 DOI: 10.1016/j.mvr.2021.104280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Hexarelin, a synthetic growth hormone-releasing peptide, is shown to be protective in cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infraction and atherosclerosis. However, the functional role of hexarelin in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) remains undefined. The present study determined the effect of hexarelin administration (200 μg/kg twice per day) in a mouse model of elastase-induced abdominal aortic aneurysm. Echocardiography and in situ pictures showed hexarelin decreased infrarenal aorta diameter. Histology staining showed elastin degradation was improved in hexarelin-treated group. Hexarelin rescued smooth muscle cell contractile phenotype with increased α-SMA and decreased MMP2. Furthermore, hexarelin inhibited inflammatory cell infiltration, NLRP3 inflammasome activation and IL-18 production. Particularly, hexarelin suppressed NF-κB signaling pathway which is a key initiator of inflammatory response. These results demonstrated that hexarelin attenuated AAA development by inhibiting SMC phenotype switch and NF-κB signaling mediated inflammatory response.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology
- Aorta, Abdominal/drug effects
- Aorta, Abdominal/immunology
- Aorta, Abdominal/metabolism
- Aorta, Abdominal/pathology
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/immunology
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/metabolism
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/pathology
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/prevention & control
- Cell Plasticity/drug effects
- Cytokines/metabolism
- Disease Models, Animal
- Inflammasomes/antagonists & inhibitors
- Inflammasomes/metabolism
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/drug effects
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/immunology
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/pathology
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/drug effects
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/immunology
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/pathology
- NF-kappa B/metabolism
- NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/antagonists & inhibitors
- NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism
- Oligopeptides/pharmacology
- Phenotype
- Signal Transduction
- Vascular Remodeling/drug effects
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Jiang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Therapeutics of Aortic Aneurysm, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China
| | - Mo Wang
- Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
| | - Xue Li
- Department of Nephrology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, China
| | - Pengwei Ren
- Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
| | - Guangxin Li
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518036, China
| | - Yuqi Wang
- Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Therapeutics of Aortic Aneurysm, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China
| | - Xuan Li
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Therapeutics of Aortic Aneurysm, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China
| | - Dong Yang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Therapeutics of Aortic Aneurysm, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China
| | - Lingfeng Qin
- Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, USA.
| | - Shijie Xin
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Prevention and Therapeutics of Aortic Aneurysm, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China.
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15
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Imaging Techniques for Aortic Aneurysms and Dissections in Mice: Comparisons of Ex Vivo, In Situ, and Ultrasound Approaches. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12020339. [PMID: 35204838 PMCID: PMC8869425 DOI: 10.3390/biom12020339] [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] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Aortic aneurysms and dissections are life-threatening conditions that have a high risk for lethal bleeding and organ malperfusion. Many studies have investigated the molecular basis of these diseases using mouse models. In mice, ex vivo, in situ, and ultrasound imaging are major approaches to evaluate aortic diameters, a common parameter to determine the severity of aortic aneurysms. However, accurate evaluations of aortic dimensions by these imaging approaches could be challenging due to pathological features of aortic aneurysms. Currently, there is no standardized mode to assess aortic dissections in mice. It is important to understand the characteristics of each approach for reliable evaluation of aortic dilatations. In this review, we summarize imaging techniques used for aortic visualization in recent mouse studies and discuss their pros and cons. We also provide suggestions to facilitate the visualization of mouse aortas.
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16
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Tao J, Cao X, Yu B, Qu A. Vascular Stem/Progenitor Cells in Vessel Injury and Repair. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:845070. [PMID: 35224067 PMCID: PMC8866648 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.845070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular repair upon vessel injury is essential for the maintenance of arterial homeostasis and function. Stem/progenitor cells were demonstrated to play a crucial role in regeneration and replenishment of damaged vascular cells during vascular repair. Previous studies revealed that myeloid stem/progenitor cells were the main sources of tissue regeneration after vascular injury. However, accumulating evidences from developing lineage tracing studies indicate that various populations of vessel-resident stem/progenitor cells play specific roles in different process of vessel injury and repair. In response to shear stress, inflammation, or other risk factors-induced vascular injury, these vascular stem/progenitor cells can be activated and consequently differentiate into different types of vascular wall cells to participate in vascular repair. In this review, mechanisms that contribute to stem/progenitor cell differentiation and vascular repair are described. Targeting these mechanisms has potential to improve outcome of diseases that are characterized by vascular injury, such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, restenosis, and aortic aneurysm/dissection. Future studies on potential stem cell-based therapy are also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaping Tao
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling-Related Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Metabolic Disorder-Related Cardiovascular Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Xuejie Cao
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling-Related Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Metabolic Disorder-Related Cardiovascular Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Baoqi Yu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling-Related Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Metabolic Disorder-Related Cardiovascular Diseases, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Baoqi Yu
| | - Aijuan Qu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling-Related Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Metabolic Disorder-Related Cardiovascular Diseases, Beijing, China
- Aijuan Qu
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17
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Martin-Ventura JL, Roncal C, Orbe J, Blanco-Colio LM. Role of Extracellular Vesicles as Potential Diagnostic and/or Therapeutic Biomarkers in Chronic Cardiovascular Diseases. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:813885. [PMID: 35155428 PMCID: PMC8827403 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.813885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the first cause of death worldwide. In recent years, there has been great interest in the analysis of extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes and microparticles, as potential mediators of biological communication between circulating cells/plasma and cells of the vasculature. Besides their activity as biological effectors, EVs have been also investigated as circulating/systemic biomarkers in different acute and chronic CVDs. In this review, the role of EVs as potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in chronic cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis (mainly, peripheral arterial disease, PAD), aortic stenosis (AS) and aortic aneurysms (AAs), will be described. Mechanistically, we will analyze the implication of EVs in pathological processes associated to cardiovascular remodeling, with special emphasis in their role in vascular and valvular calcification. Specifically, we will focus on the participation of EVs in calcium accumulation in the pathological vascular wall and aortic valves, involving the phenotypic change of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) or valvular interstitial cells (IC) to osteoblast-like cells. The knowledge of the implication of EVs in the pathogenic mechanisms of cardiovascular remodeling is still to be completely deciphered but there are promising results supporting their potential translational application to the diagnosis and therapy of different CVDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Luis Martin-Ventura
- Vascular Research Laboratory, IIS-Fundación Jiménez-Díaz, Madrid, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Jose Luis Martin-Ventura, ; Carmen Roncal,
| | - Carmen Roncal
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
- Laboratory of Atherothrombosis, Program of Cardiovascular Diseases, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
- *Correspondence: Jose Luis Martin-Ventura, ; Carmen Roncal,
| | - Josune Orbe
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
- Laboratory of Atherothrombosis, Program of Cardiovascular Diseases, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Luis Miguel Blanco-Colio
- Vascular Research Laboratory, IIS-Fundación Jiménez-Díaz, Madrid, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
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18
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Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia Regulates CaMKII-Dependent MAPK Signaling to Promote the Initiation of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2021:2502324. [PMID: 34970414 PMCID: PMC8714336 DOI: 10.1155/2021/2502324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is highly prevalent in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). However, the effects of OSA on AAA initiation in a murine model of sleep apnea have not been completely studied. In this paper, Apoe−/− C57BL/6 mice infused with angiotensin II (Ang II) were placed in chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) condition for inducing OSA-related AAA. CIH significantly promoted the incidence of AAA and inhibited the survival of mice. By performing ultrasonography and elastic Van Gieson staining, CIH was found to be effective in promoting aortic dilation and elastin degradation. Immunohistochemical and zymography results show that CIH upregulated the expression and activity of MMP2 and MMP9 and upregulated MCP1 expression while downregulating α-SMA expression. Also, CIH exposure promoted ROS generation, apoptosis, and mitochondria damage in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), which were measured by ROS assay, TUNEL staining, and transmission electron microscopy. The result of RNA sequencing of mouse aortas displayed that 232 mRNAs were differently expressed between Ang II and Ang II+CIH groups, and CaMKII-dependent p38/Jnk was confirmed as one downstream signaling of CIH. CaMKII-IN-1, an inhibitor of CaMKII, eliminated the effects of CIH on the loss of primary VSMCs. To conclude, a mouse model of OSA-related AAA, which contains the phenotypes of both AAA and OSA, was established in this study. We suggested CIH as a risk factor of AAA initiation through CaMKII-dependent MAPK signaling.
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Zhou Z, Zhou H, Zou X, Wang X. RUNX3 is up-regulated in abdominal aortic aneurysm and regulates the function of vascular smooth muscle cells by regulating TGF-β1. J Mol Histol 2021; 53:1-11. [PMID: 34813022 DOI: 10.1007/s10735-021-10035-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) has been associated with the dysfunction of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling. Runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) has been reported to be up-regulated in aneurysmal aorta samples compared with normal aorta. However, its function in VSMCs and the mechanism of function remains unknown. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the role of RUNX3 in ECM remodelling and VSMC function, and further explore the underlying mechanism. Our results verified that RUNX3 was increased in aortic samples of AAA compared with healthy controls. Overexpression vectors of RUNX3 (ov-RUNX3) and siRNA of RUNX3 (si-RUNX3) were transfected into Human aortic smooth muscle cells (HAoSMCs). The results indicated that ov-RUNX3 promoted cell proliferation, migration, and MMP-2/3/9 secretion, and suppressed TIMP-1, collagen I/III, SM22, MYH11 and CNN1 expression in HAoSMCs. The silencing of RUNX3 has the opposite effect. Furthermore, we found that RUNX3 targets TGF-β1 and suppressed its transcription. The silencing of TGF-β1 increased cell proliferation, migration and MMP-2/3/9 expression, and inhibited TIMP-1, Collagen I/III, SM22, MYH11 and CNN1 expression. In addition, TGF-β1 reversed the effect of RUNX3 overexpression on HAoSMCs. Hence, our study indicated that RUNX3 promotes cell proliferation, migration, and ECM remodelling through suppressing TGF-β1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongxiao Zhou
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Weihai Municipal Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 70 Heping Road, Huancui District, Weihai, 264200, China
| | - Haimeng Zhou
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Weihai Municipal Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 70 Heping Road, Huancui District, Weihai, 264200, China.
| | - Xin Zou
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Weihai Municipal Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 70 Heping Road, Huancui District, Weihai, 264200, China
| | - Xiaowei Wang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Weihai Municipal Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, No. 70 Heping Road, Huancui District, Weihai, 264200, China
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20
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Le T, He X, Huang J, Liu S, Bai Y, Wu K. Knockdown of long noncoding RNA GAS5 reduces vascular smooth muscle cell apoptosis by inactivating EZH2-mediated RIG-I signaling pathway in abdominal aortic aneurysm. J Transl Med 2021; 19:466. [PMID: 34781960 PMCID: PMC8594130 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-021-03023-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), an irreversible cardiovascular disease prevalent in the artery, causes the increase of the aneurysm diameter over time, and is a fatal phenomenon inducing sidewall rupture. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) serve as promising biomarkers for AAA. In the present study, we sought to define the role of lncRNA growth-arrest-specific transcript 5 (GAS5) in growth of smooth muscle cells (SMC) and progression of AAA. Methods Initially, we established angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced AAA mouse models and Ang II-treated vascular SMC model. RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis were adopted to determine expression of GAS5 and zeste homolog 2 (EZH2). After ectopic expression and depletion experiments in Ang II-treated mice and vascular SMCs, cell apoptosis was detected in SMCs using flow cytometry and in mice using TUNEL staining. The binding of GAS5 and EZH2 was evaluated using RNA binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP) and Co-IP assays. Results Increased GAS5 and RIG-I but decreased EZH2 were found in aortic tissues of AAA mice. EZH2 overexpression inhibited AAA formation and suppressed SMC apoptosis. Functionally, EZH2 blocked the RIG-I signaling pathway and consequently inhibited SMC apoptosis. GAS5 regulated EZH2 transcription in a negative manner in SMCs. Knockdown of GAS5 attenuated SMC apoptosis, which was reversed by EZH2 inhibition or RIG-I overexpression. Conclusions The current study demonstrated that GAS5 induced SMC apoptosis and subsequent AAA onset by activating EZH2-mediated RIG-I signaling pathway, highlighting GAS5 as a novel biomarker for AAA. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-021-03023-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianming Le
- Department of General and Vascular Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No. 87, Xiangya Road, Kaifu District, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin He
- Department of Anesthesiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianhua Huang
- Department of General and Vascular Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No. 87, Xiangya Road, Kaifu District, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuai Liu
- Department of General and Vascular Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No. 87, Xiangya Road, Kaifu District, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Bai
- Department of General and Vascular Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No. 87, Xiangya Road, Kaifu District, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Kemin Wu
- Department of General and Vascular Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No. 87, Xiangya Road, Kaifu District, Changsha, 410008, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China.
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21
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Gandhi R, Bell M, Bailey M, Tsoumpas C. Prospect of positron emission tomography for abdominal aortic aneurysm risk stratification. J Nucl Cardiol 2021; 28:2272-2282. [PMID: 33977372 PMCID: PMC8648657 DOI: 10.1007/s12350-021-02616-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) disease is characterized by an asymptomatic, permanent, focal dilatation of the abdominal aorta progressing towards rupture, which confers significant mortality. Patient management and surgical decisions rely on aortic diameter measurements via abdominal ultrasound surveillance. However, AAA rupture can occur at small diameters or may never occur at large diameters, implying that anatomical size is not necessarily a sufficient indicator. Molecular imaging may help identify high-risk patients through AAA evaluation independent of aneurysm size, and there is the question of the potential role of positron emission tomography (PET) and emerging role of novel radiotracers for AAA. Therefore, this review summarizes PET studies conducted in the last 10 years and discusses the usefulness of PET radiotracers for AAA risk stratification. The most frequently reported radiotracer was [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose, indicating inflammatory activity and reflecting the biomechanical properties of AAA. Emerging radiotracers include [18F]-labeled sodium fluoride, a calcification marker, [64Cu]DOTA-ECL1i, an indicator of chemokine receptor type 2 expression, and [18F]fluorothymidine, a marker of cell proliferation. For novel radiotracers, preliminary trials in patients are warranted before their widespread clinical implementation. AAA rupture risk is challenging to evaluate; therefore, clinicians may benefit from PET-based risk assessment to guide patient management and surgical decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richa Gandhi
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, 8.49 Worsley Building, Clarendon Way, Leeds, LS2 9NL, United Kingdom
- Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Michael Bell
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, 8.49 Worsley Building, Clarendon Way, Leeds, LS2 9NL, United Kingdom
| | - Marc Bailey
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, 8.49 Worsley Building, Clarendon Way, Leeds, LS2 9NL, United Kingdom
| | - Charalampos Tsoumpas
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, 8.49 Worsley Building, Clarendon Way, Leeds, LS2 9NL, United Kingdom.
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22
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Li H, Xu H, Wen H, Wang H, Zhao R, Sun Y, Bai C, Ping J, Song L, Luo M, Chen J. Lysyl hydroxylase 1 (LH1) deficiency promotes angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced dissecting abdominal aortic aneurysm. Theranostics 2021; 11:9587-9604. [PMID: 34646388 PMCID: PMC8490513 DOI: 10.7150/thno.65277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: The progressive disruption of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, particularly early elastin fragmentation followed by abnormalities in collagen fibril organization, are key pathological processes that contribute to dissecting abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) pathogenesis. Lysyl hydroxylase 1 (LH1) is essential for type I/III collagen intermolecular crosslinking and stabilization. However, its function in dissecting AAA has not been explored. Here, we investigated whether LH1 is significantly implicated in dissecting AAA progression and therapeutic intervention. Methods and Results: Sixteen-week-old male LH1-deficient and wild-type (WT) mice on the C57Bl/6NCrl background were infused with angiotensin II (Ang II, 1000 ng/kg per minute) via subcutaneously implanted osmotic pumps for 4 weeks. Ang II increased LH1 levels in the abdominal aortas of WT mice, whereas mice lacking LH1 developed dissecting AAA. To evaluate the related mechanism, we performed whole-transcriptomic analysis, which demonstrated that LH1 deficiency aggravated gene transcription alterations; in particular, the expression of thrombospondin-1 was markedly upregulated in the aortas of LH1-deficient mice. Furthermore, targeting thrombospondin-1 with TAX2 strongly inhibited the proinflammatory process, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) apoptosis, ultimately decreasing the incidence of dissecting AAA. Restoration of LH1 protein expression in LH1-deficient mice by intraperitoneal injection of an adeno-associated virus normalized thrombospondin-1 levels, subsequently alleviating dissecting AAA formation and preserving aortic structure and function. Consistently, in human AAA specimens, decreased LH1 expression was associated with increased thrombospondin-1 levels. Conclusions: LH1 deficiency contributes to dissecting AAA pathogenesis, at least in part, by upregulating thrombospondin-1 expression, which subsequently enables proinflammatory processes, MMP activation and VSMCs apoptosis. Our study provides evidence that LH1 is a potential critical therapeutic target for AAA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100037, China
| | - Haochen Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100037, China
| | - Hongyan Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100037, China
| | - Hongyue Wang
- Department of Pathology, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100037, China
| | - Ranxu Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100037, China
| | - Yingying Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100037, China
| | - Congxia Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100037, China
| | - Jiedan Ping
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100037, China
| | - Li Song
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100037, China
| | - Mingyao Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Center of Vascular Surgery, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Disease, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100037, China
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Fuwai Yunnan Cardiovascular Hospital, Affiliated Cardiovascular Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650102, China
| | - Jingzhou Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100037, China
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine, Fuwai Central-China Hospital, Central-China Branch of National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhengzhou 450046, China
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23
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Gandhi R, Bailey MA, Tsoumpas C. Radionuclide molecular imaging of abdominal aortic aneurysms for risk stratification and non-invasive therapy assessment. Clin Transl Med 2021; 11:e386. [PMID: 33931976 PMCID: PMC8087902 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Richa Gandhi
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Marc A Bailey
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Charalampos Tsoumpas
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
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24
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Bell M, Gandhi R, Shawer H, Tsoumpas C, Bailey MA. Imaging Biological Pathways in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Using Positron Emission Tomography. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2021; 41:1596-1606. [PMID: 33761759 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.120.315812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
[Figure: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Bell
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Richa Gandhi
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Heba Shawer
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Charalampos Tsoumpas
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Marc A Bailey
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, United Kingdom
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25
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Tedjawirja VN, Nieuwdorp M, Yeung KK, Balm R, de Waard V. A Novel Hypothesis: A Role for Follicle Stimulating Hormone in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Development in Postmenopausal Women. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:726107. [PMID: 34721292 PMCID: PMC8548664 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.726107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a dilatation of the abdominal aorta, which can potentially be fatal due to exsanguination following rupture. Although AAA is less prevalent in women, women with AAA have a more severe AAA progression compared to men as reflected by enhanced aneurysm growth rates and a higher rupture risk. Women are diagnosed with AAA at an older age than men, and in line with increased osteoporosis and cardiovascular events, the delayed AAA onset has been attributed to the reduction of the protective effect of oestrogens during the menopausal transition. However, new insights have shown that a high follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) level during menopause may also play a key role in those diseases. In this report we hypothesize that FSH may aggravate AAA development and progression in postmenopausal women via a direct and/or indirect role, promoting aorta pathology. Since FSH receptors (FSHR) are reported on many other cell types than granulosa cells in the ovaries, it is feasible that FSH stimulation of FSHR-bearing cells such as aortic endothelial cells or inflammatory cells, could promote AAA formation directly. Indirectly, AAA progression may be influenced by an FSH-mediated increase in osteoporosis, which is associated with aortic calcification. Also, an FSH-mediated decrease in cholesterol uptake by the liver and an increase in cholesterol biosynthesis will increase the cholesterol level in the circulation, and subsequently promote aortic atherosclerosis and inflammation. Lastly, FSH-induced adipogenesis may lead to obesity-mediated dysfunction of the microvasculature of the aorta and/or modulation of the periaortic adipose tissue. Thus the long term increased plasma FSH levels during the menopausal transition may contribute to enhanced AAA disease in menopausal women and could be a potential novel target for treatment to lower AAA-related events in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria N. Tedjawirja
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Victoria N. Tedjawirja,
| | - Max Nieuwdorp
- Departments of Internal and Vascular Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Kak Khee Yeung
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ron Balm
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Vivian de Waard
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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26
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Risk Factors and Mouse Models of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Rupture. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197250. [PMID: 33008131 PMCID: PMC7583758 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) rupture is an important cause of death in older adults. In clinical practice, the most established predictor of AAA rupture is maximum AAA diameter. Aortic diameter is commonly used to assess AAA severity in mouse models studies. AAA rupture occurs when the stress (force per unit area) on the aneurysm wall exceeds wall strength. Previous research suggests that aortic wall structure and strength, biomechanical forces on the aorta and cellular and proteolytic composition of the AAA wall influence the risk of AAA rupture. Mouse models offer an opportunity to study the association of these factors with AAA rupture in a way not currently possible in patients. Such studies could provide data to support the use of novel surrogate markers of AAA rupture in patients. In this review, the currently available mouse models of AAA and their relevance to the study of AAA rupture are discussed. The review highlights the limitations of mouse models and suggests novel approaches that could be incorporated in future experimental AAA studies to generate clinically relevant results.
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27
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Golledge J, Krishna SM, Wang Y. Mouse models for abdominal aortic aneurysm. Br J Pharmacol 2020; 179:792-810. [PMID: 32914434 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) rupture is estimated to cause 200,000 deaths each year. Currently, the only treatment for AAA is surgical repair; however, this is only indicated for large asymptomatic, symptomatic or ruptured aneurysms, is not always durable, and is associated with a risk of serious perioperative complications. As a result, patients with small asymptomatic aneurysms or who are otherwise unfit for surgery are treated conservatively, but up to 70% of small aneurysms continue to grow, increasing the risk of rupture. There is thus an urgent need to develop drug therapies effective at slowing AAA growth. This review describes the commonly used mouse models for AAA. Recent research in these models highlights key roles for pathways involved in inflammation and cell turnover in AAA pathogenesis. There is also evidence for long non-coding RNAs and thrombosis in aneurysm pathology. Further well-designed research in clinically relevant models is expected to be translated into effective AAA drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Golledge
- Queensland Research Centre for Peripheral Vascular Disease, College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.,The Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, The Townsville University Hospital, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.,The Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Smriti Murali Krishna
- Queensland Research Centre for Peripheral Vascular Disease, College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.,The Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, The Townsville University Hospital, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.,The Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Yutang Wang
- Discipline of Life Sciences, School of Health and Life Sciences, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
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28
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Zheng HQ, Rong JB, Ye FM, Xu YC, Lu HS, Wang JA. Induction of thoracic aortic dissection: a mini-review of β-aminopropionitrile-related mouse models. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2020; 21:603-610. [PMID: 32748576 PMCID: PMC7445087 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.b2000022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Thoracic aortic dissection (TAD) is one of the most lethal aortic diseases due to its acute onset, rapid progress, and high rate of aortic rupture. The pathogenesis of TAD is not completely understood. In this mini-review, we introduce three emerging experimental mouse TAD models using β-aminopropionitrile (BAPN) alone, BAPN for a prolonged duration (four weeks) and then with added infusion of angiotensin II (AngII), or co-administration of BAPN and AngII chronically. We aim to provide insights into appropriate application of these three mouse models, thereby enhancing the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of TAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-qiong Zheng
- Department of Cardiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China
- Cardiovascular Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Jia-bing Rong
- Department of Cardiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China
- Cardiovascular Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Fei-ming Ye
- Department of Cardiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China
- Cardiovascular Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Yin-chuan Xu
- Department of Cardiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China
- Cardiovascular Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Hong S. Lu
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Jian-an Wang
- Department of Cardiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China
- Cardiovascular Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310009, China
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