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Ma X, Zhao J, Feng Y. Epicardial SMARCA4 deletion exacerbates cardiac injury in myocardial infarction and is related to the inhibition of epicardial epithelial-mesenchymal transition. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2024; 191:76-87. [PMID: 38718920 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2024.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
The reactivated adult epicardium produces epicardium-derived cells (EPDCs) via epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) to benefit the recovery of the heart after myocardial infarction (MI). SMARCA4 is the core catalytic subunit of the chromatin re-modeling complex, which has the potential to target some reactivated epicardial genes in MI. However, the effects of epicardial SMARCA4 on MI remain uncertain. This study found that SMARCA4 was activated over time in epicardial cells following MI, and some of activated cells belonged to downstream differentiation types of EPDCs. This study used tamoxifen to induce lineage tracing and SMARCA4 deletion from epicardial cells in Wt1-CreER;Smarca4fl/fl;Rosa26-RFP adult mice. Epicardial SMARCA4 deletion reduces the number of epicardial cells in adult mice, which was related to changes in the activation, proliferation, and apoptosis of epicardial cells. Epicardial SMARCA4 deletion reduced collagen deposition and angiogenesis in the infarcted area, exacerbated cardiac injury in MI. The exacerbation of cardiac injury was related to the inhibition of generation and differentiation of EPDCs. The alterations in EPDCs were associated with inhibited transition between E-CAD and N-CAD during the epicardial EMT, coupled with the down-regulation of WT1, SNAIL1, and PDGF signaling. In conclusion, this study suggests that Epicardial SMARCA4 plays a critical role in cardiac injury caused by MI, and its regulatory mechanism is related to epicardial EMT. Epicardial SMARCA4 holds potential as a novel molecular target for treating MI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyu Ma
- College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Jianjun Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yi Feng
- College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
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Wu X, Meng Y, Chen J, Zhang Y, Xu H. Ablation of Brg1 in fibroblast/myofibroblast lineages attenuates renal fibrosis in mice with diabetic nephropathy. Life Sci 2024; 344:122578. [PMID: 38537899 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
AIMS Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most common complications of diabetes and represents a prototypical form of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Interstitial fibrosis is a key pathological feature of DN. During DN-associated renal fibrosis, resident fibroblasts trans-differentiate into myofibroblasts to remodel the extracellular matrix, the underlying epigenetic mechanism of which is not entirely clear. METHODS Diabetic nephropathy was induced in C57B6/j mice by a single injection with streptozotocin (STZ). Gene expression was examined by quantitative PCR and Western blotting. Renal fibrosis was evaluated by PicroSirius Red staining. RESULTS We report that expression of Brg1, a chromatin remodeling protein, in renal fibroblasts was up-regulated during DN pathogenesis as assessed by single-cell RNA-seq. Treatment with high glucose similarly augmented Brg1 expression in primary renal fibroblasts in vitro. Importantly, Brg1 ablation in quiescent renal fibroblasts or in mature myofibroblasts equivalently attenuated renal fibrosis in the context of diabetic nephropathy in mice. Additionally, administration with a small-molecule Brg1 inhibitor PFI-3 ameliorated renal fibrosis and improved renal function in mice induced to develop DN. SIGNIFICANCE In conclusion, our data provide novel genetic evidence that links Brg1 to fibroblast-myofibroblast transition and renewed rationale for targeting Brg1 in the intervention of DN-associated renal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Wu
- School of Sports and Health, Nanjing Sport Institute, Nanjing, China
| | - Yufei Meng
- School of Sports and Health, Nanjing Sport Institute, Nanjing, China
| | - Jinsi Chen
- School of Sports and Health, Nanjing Sport Institute, Nanjing, China
| | - Yongchen Zhang
- School of Sports and Health, Nanjing Sport Institute, Nanjing, China
| | - Huihui Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Departments of Pathophysiology and Human Anatomy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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Jbeli AH, Yang L, Xia H, Gilbertsen AJ, Bitterman PB, Henke CA. Brg1/PRMT5 nuclear complex epigenetically regulates FOXO1 in IPF mesenchymal progenitor cells. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2024; 326:L344-L352. [PMID: 38252663 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00248.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
We have discovered intrinsically fibrogenic mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs) in the human idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) lung. IPF MPCs display a durably distinct transcriptome, suggesting that they have undergone epigenetic modifications. Prior studies indicate that the chromatin remodeler Brg1 associates with the arginine methyltransferase PRMT5 to epigenetically regulate transcription factors. We hypothesize that a Brg1/PRMT5 nuclear complex epigenetically regulates critical nodes in IPF MPC self-renewal signaling networks. IPF and control MPCs were isolated from primary mesenchymal cell lines established from IPF and control patients. RNA-sequencing identified increased expression of the FOXO1 transcription factor in IPF MPCs compared with controls, a result we confirmed by Q-PCR and Western blot analysis. Immunoprecipitation identified a CD44/Brg1/PRMT5 nuclear complex in IPF MPCs. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed that PRMT5 and its methylation mark H3R2me2 are enriched on the FOXO1 promoter. We show that loss of Brg1 and PRMT5 function decreases FOXO1 expression and impairs IPF MPC self-renewal, and that loss of FOXO1 function decreases IPF MPC self-renewal and expression of the SOX2 and OCT4 stemness markers. Our findings indicate that the FOXO1 gene is overexpressed in IPF MPCs in a CD44/Brg1/PRMT5 nuclear complex-dependent manner. Our data suggest that Brg1 alters chromatin accessibility, enriching PRMT5 occupancy on the FOXO1 promoter, and PRMT5 methylates histone H3 arginine 2 (H3R2) on the FOXO1 promoter, increasing its expression. Our data are in accord with the concept that this coordinated interplay is responsible for promoting IPF MPC self-renewal and maintaining a critical pool of fibrogenic MPCs that drive IPF progression.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our research offers valuable understanding regarding the epigenetic control of IPF MPC. The data we obtained strongly support the idea that the coordination between chromatin remodeling and histone methylation plays a key role in regulating transcription factors. Specifically, our findings indicate that FOXO1, an essential transcription factor, likely governs the self-renewal of IPF MPC, which is crucial for maintaining a critical pool of fibrogenic MPCs. This interplay could be an important therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiham H Jbeli
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
| | - Libang Yang
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
| | - Hong Xia
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
| | - Adam J Gilbertsen
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
| | - Peter B Bitterman
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
| | - Craig A Henke
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
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Liu H, Zhao Y, Zhao G, Deng Y, Chen YE, Zhang J. SWI/SNF Complex in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Its Implications in Cardiovascular Pathologies. Cells 2024; 13:168. [PMID: 38247859 PMCID: PMC10814623 DOI: 10.3390/cells13020168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Mature vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) exhibit a remarkable degree of plasticity, a characteristic that has intrigued cardiovascular researchers for decades. Recently, it has become increasingly evident that the chromatin remodeler SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable (SWI/SNF) complex plays a pivotal role in orchestrating chromatin conformation, which is critical for gene regulation. In this review, we provide a summary of research related to the involvement of the SWI/SNF complexes in VSMC and cardiovascular diseases (CVD), integrating these discoveries into the current landscape of epigenetic and transcriptional regulation in VSMC. These novel discoveries shed light on our understanding of VSMC biology and pave the way for developing innovative therapeutic strategies in CVD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Liu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan Medical Center, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (H.L.); (Y.Z.)
- Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Yang Zhao
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan Medical Center, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (H.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Guizhen Zhao
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan Medical Center, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (H.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yongjie Deng
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan Medical Center, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (H.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Y. Eugene Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan Medical Center, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (H.L.); (Y.Z.)
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jifeng Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan Medical Center, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (H.L.); (Y.Z.)
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Dubner AM, Lu S, Jolly AJ, Strand KA, Mutryn MF, Hinthorn T, Noble T, Nemenoff RA, Moulton KS, Majesky MW, Weiser-Evans MC. Smooth muscle-derived adventitial progenitor cells direct atherosclerotic plaque composition complexity in a Klf4-dependent manner. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e174639. [PMID: 37991018 PMCID: PMC10755692 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.174639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
We previously established that vascular smooth muscle-derived adventitial progenitor cells (AdvSca1-SM) preferentially differentiate into myofibroblasts and contribute to fibrosis in response to acute vascular injury. However, the role of these progenitor cells in chronic atherosclerosis has not been defined. Using an AdvSca1-SM cell lineage tracing model, scRNA-Seq, flow cytometry, and histological approaches, we confirmed that AdvSca1-SM-derived cells localized throughout the vessel wall and atherosclerotic plaques, where they primarily differentiated into fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells (SMC), or remained in a stem-like state. Krüppel-like factor 4 (Klf4) knockout specifically in AdvSca1-SM cells induced transition to a more collagen-enriched fibroblast phenotype compared with WT mice. Additionally, Klf4 deletion drastically modified the phenotypes of non-AdvSca1-SM-derived cells, resulting in more contractile SMC and atheroprotective macrophages. Functionally, overall plaque burden was not altered with Klf4 deletion, but multiple indices of plaque composition complexity, including necrotic core area, macrophage accumulation, and fibrous cap thickness, were reduced. Collectively, these data support that modulation of AdvSca1-SM cells through KLF4 depletion confers increased protection from the development of potentially unstable atherosclerotic plaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison M. Dubner
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension
- Integrated Physiology PhD Program
| | - Sizhao Lu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension
- School of Medicine, Consortium for Fibrosis Research and Translation
| | - Austin J. Jolly
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Keith A. Strand
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension
| | - Marie F. Mutryn
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension
| | - Tyler Hinthorn
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension
- Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology MS program, University of Colorado Graduate School, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Tysen Noble
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension
- Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology MS program, University of Colorado Graduate School, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Raphael A. Nemenoff
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension
- School of Medicine, Consortium for Fibrosis Research and Translation
| | - Karen S. Moulton
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Mark W. Majesky
- Center for Developmental Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Departments of Pediatrics, Laboratory Medicine & and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Mary C.M. Weiser-Evans
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension
- Integrated Physiology PhD Program
- School of Medicine, Consortium for Fibrosis Research and Translation
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Cardiovascular Pulmonary Research Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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6
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Dubner AM, Lu S, Jolly AJ, Strand KA, Mutryn MF, Hinthorn T, Noble T, Nemenoff RA, Moulton KS, Majesky MW, Weiser-Evans MCM. Smooth muscle-derived adventitial progenitor cells promote key cell type transitions controlling plaque stability in atherosclerosis in a Klf4-dependent manner. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.18.549539. [PMID: 37503181 PMCID: PMC10370085 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.18.549539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
We previously established that vascular smooth muscle-derived adventitial progenitor cells (AdvSca1-SM) preferentially differentiate into myofibroblasts and contribute to fibrosis in response to acute vascular injury. However, the role of these progenitor cells in chronic atherosclerosis has not been defined. Using an AdvSca1-SM lineage tracing model, scRNA-Seq, flow cytometry, and histological approaches, we confirmed that AdvSca1-SM cells localize throughout the vessel wall and atherosclerotic plaques, where they primarily differentiate into fibroblasts, SMCs, or remain in a stem-like state. Klf4 knockout specifically in AdvSca1-SM cells induced transition to a more collagen-enriched myofibroblast phenotype compared to WT mice. Additionally, Klf4 depletion drastically modified the phenotypes of non-AdvSca1-SM-derived cells, resulting in more contractile SMCs and atheroprotective macrophages. Functionally, overall plaque burden was not altered with Klf4 depletion, but multiple indices of plaque vulnerability were reduced. Collectively, these data support that modulating the AdvSca1-SM population confers increased protection from the development of unstable atherosclerotic plaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison M Dubner
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Integrated Physiology PhD Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Sizhao Lu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- School of Medicine, Consortium for Fibrosis Research and Translation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Austin J Jolly
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Keith A Strand
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Marie F Mutryn
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Tyler Hinthorn
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology MS program, University of Colorado Graduate School, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Tysen Noble
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology MS program, University of Colorado Graduate School, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Raphael A Nemenoff
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- School of Medicine, Consortium for Fibrosis Research and Translation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Karen S Moulton
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Mark W Majesky
- Center for Developmental Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101
- Departments of Pediatrics, Laboratory Medicine & and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195
| | - Mary CM Weiser-Evans
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Integrated Physiology PhD Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- School of Medicine, Consortium for Fibrosis Research and Translation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Cardiovascular Pulmonary Research Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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