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Suzuki I, Xing H, Giblin J, Ashraf A, Chung EJ. Nanoparticle-based therapeutic strategies for mitochondrial dysfunction in cardiovascular disease. J Biomed Mater Res A 2024; 112:895-913. [PMID: 38217313 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.37668] [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: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Although cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of global mortality, there is a lack of therapies that target and revert underlying pathological processes. Mitochondrial dysfunction is involved in the pathophysiology of CVD, and thus is a potential target for therapeutic development. To target the mitochondria and improve therapeutic efficacy, nanoparticle-based delivery systems have been proposed as promising strategies for the delivery of therapeutic agents to the mitochondria. This review will first discuss how mitochondrial dysfunction is related to the progression of several CVD and then delineate recent progress in mitochondrial targeting using nanoparticle-based delivery systems including peptide-based nanosystems, polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, and lipid nanoparticles. In addition, we summarize the advantages of these nanocarriers and remaining challenges in targeting the mitochondria as a therapeutic strategy for CVD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Suzuki
- Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Huihua Xing
- Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Joshua Giblin
- Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Anisa Ashraf
- Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Eun Ji Chung
- Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Bridge Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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2
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Brown SD, Klimi E, Bakker WAM, Beqqali A, Baker AH. Non-coding RNAs to treat vascular smooth muscle cell dysfunction. Br J Pharmacol 2024. [PMID: 38773733 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16409] [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: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cell (vSMC) dysfunction is a critical contributor to cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, restenosis and vein graft failure. Recent advances have unveiled a fascinating range of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that play a pivotal role in regulating vSMC function. This review aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the mechanisms underlying vSMC dysfunction and the therapeutic potential of various ncRNAs in mitigating this dysfunction, either preventing or reversing it. We explore the intricate interplay of microRNAs, long-non-coding RNAs and circular RNAs, shedding light on their roles in regulating key signalling pathways associated with vSMC dysfunction. We also discuss the prospects and challenges associated with developing ncRNA-based therapies for this prevalent type of cardiovascular pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon D Brown
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queens Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Eftychia Klimi
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queens Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Abdelaziz Beqqali
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queens Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Andrew H Baker
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queens Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Petrovič D, Letonja J, Petrovič D. SMAD3 rs17228212 Polymorphism Is Associated with Advanced Carotid Atherosclerosis in a Slovenian Population. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1103. [PMID: 38791063 PMCID: PMC11117620 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12051103] [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: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Smad proteins influence the TGFβ signaling pathway, which plays an important role in the progression of atherosclerosis. The aim of our study was to investigate the association between the rs17228212 polymorphism of the SMAD3 gene and advanced carotid atherosclerosis in Slovenian subjects and to investigate the effect of the rs17228212 SMAD3 polymorphism on the expression of SMAD3 in endarterectomy sequesters. In this cross-sectional case-control study, 881 unrelated Caucasians were divided into two groups. The first group included 308 patients with advanced carotid atherosclerosis of the common or internal carotid artery with stenosis greater than 75% that underwent a revascularization procedure (cases). The control group consisted of 573 subjects without hemodynamically significant carotid atherosclerosis. We analyzed the rs17228212 polymorphism of the SMAD3 gene using the StepOne real-time polymerase chain reaction system and TaqMan SNP genotyping assay. The results in the two genetic models showed a statistically significant association, codominant (OR 4.05; CI 1.10-17.75; p = 0.037) and dominant (OR 3.60; CI 1.15-15.45; p = 0.045). An immunohistochemical analysis of SMAD3 expression was conducted for 26 endarterectomy specimens. The T allele of the rs17228212 SMAD3 gene was shown to be associated with an increased numerical area density of SMAD3-positive cells in carotid plaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Petrovič
- Laboratory for Histology and Genetics of Atherosclerosis and Microvascular Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Korytkova 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (D.P.); (J.L.)
| | - Jernej Letonja
- Laboratory for Histology and Genetics of Atherosclerosis and Microvascular Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Korytkova 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (D.P.); (J.L.)
- Institute of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Korytkova 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Danijel Petrovič
- Laboratory for Histology and Genetics of Atherosclerosis and Microvascular Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Korytkova 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (D.P.); (J.L.)
- Institute of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Korytkova 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Lin A, Ramaswamy Y, Misra A. Developmental heterogeneity of vascular cells: Insights into cellular plasticity in atherosclerosis? Semin Cell Dev Biol 2024; 155:3-15. [PMID: 37316416 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2023.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells and macrophages display remarkable heterogeneity within the healthy vasculature and under pathological conditions. During development, these cells arise from numerous embryological origins, which confound with different microenvironments to generate postnatal vascular cell diversity. In the atherosclerotic plaque milieu, all these cell types exhibit astonishing plasticity, generating a variety of plaque burdening or plaque stabilizing phenotypes. And yet how developmental origin influences intraplaque cell plasticity remains largely unexplored despite evidence suggesting this may be the case. Uncovering the diversity and plasticity of vascular cells is being revolutionized by unbiased single cell whole transcriptome analysis techniques that will likely continue to pave the way for therapeutic research. Cellular plasticity is only just emerging as a target for future therapeutics, and uncovering how intraplaque plasticity differs across vascular beds may provide key insights into why different plaques behave differently and may confer different risks of subsequent cardiovascular events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Lin
- Atherosclerosis and Vascular Remodeling Group, Heart Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia; School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yogambha Ramaswamy
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ashish Misra
- Atherosclerosis and Vascular Remodeling Group, Heart Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Heart Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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Gunnersen S, Shim JT, Liu F, Tietge UJ, Sørensen CB, Bentzon JF. Conditional deletion of Ccl2 in smooth muscle cells does not reduce early atherosclerosis in mice. ATHEROSCLEROSIS PLUS 2024; 55:12-20. [PMID: 38234375 PMCID: PMC10792688 DOI: 10.1016/j.athplu.2023.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Background and aims C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) is a pro-inflammatory chemokine important for monocyte recruitment to the arterial wall and atherosclerotic plaques. Global knockout of Ccl2 reduces plaque formation and macrophage content in mice, but the importance of different plaque cell types in mediating this effect has not been resolved. Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) can adopt a potentially pro-inflammatory function with expression of CCL2. The present study aimed to test the hypothesis that SMC-secreted CCL2 is involved in early atherogenesis in mice. Methods SMC-restricted Cre recombinase was activated at 6 weeks of age in mice with homozygous floxed or wildtype Ccl2 alleles. Separate experiments in mice lacking the Cre recombinase transgene were conducted to control for genetic background effects. Hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis were induced by a tail vein injection of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) encoding proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and a high-fat diet for 12 weeks. Results Unexpectedly, mice with SMC-specific Ccl2 deletion developed higher levels of plasma cholesterol and larger atherosclerotic plaques with more macrophages compared with wild-type littermates. When total cholesterol levels were incorporated into the statistical analysis, none of the effects on plaque development between groups remained significant. Importantly, changes in plasma cholesterol and atherosclerosis remained in mice lacking Cre recombinase indicating that they were not caused by SMC-specific CCL2 deletion but by effects of the floxed allele or passenger genes. Conclusions SMC-specific deficiency of Ccl2 does not significantly affect early plaque development in hypercholesterolemic mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stine Gunnersen
- Atherosclerosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 11, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Jeong Tangkjær Shim
- Atherosclerosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 11, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Fan Liu
- Division of Clinical Chemistry, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 14183 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Uwe J.F. Tietge
- Division of Clinical Chemistry, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 14183 Stockholm, Sweden
- Clinical Chemistry, Karolinska University Laboratory, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-14186 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Charlotte Brandt Sørensen
- Atherosclerosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 11, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Jacob Fog Bentzon
- Atherosclerosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 11, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), Calle de Melchor Fernández Almagro, 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 11, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
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Lin A, Brittan M, Baker AH, Dimmeler S, Fisher EA, Sluimer JC, Misra A. Clonal Expansion in Cardiovascular Pathology. JACC Basic Transl Sci 2024; 9:120-144. [PMID: 38362345 PMCID: PMC10864919 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2023.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Clonal expansion refers to the proliferation and selection of advantageous "clones" that are better suited for survival in a Darwinian manner. In recent years, we have greatly enhanced our understanding of cell clonality in the cardiovascular context. However, our knowledge of the underlying mechanisms behind this clonal selection is still severely limited. There is a transpiring pattern of clonal expansion of smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells-and, in some cases, macrophages-in numerous cardiovascular diseases irrespective of their differing microenvironments. These findings indirectly suggest the possible existence of stem-like vascular cells which are primed to respond during disease. Subsequent clones may undergo further phenotypic changes to adopt either protective or detrimental roles. By investigating these clone-forming vascular cells, we may be able to harness this inherent clonal nature for future therapeutic intervention. This review comprehensively discusses what is currently known about clonal expansion across the cardiovascular field. Comparisons of the clonal nature of vascular cells in atherosclerosis (including clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential), pulmonary hypertension, aneurysm, blood vessel injury, ischemia- and tumor-induced angiogenesis, and cerebral cavernous malformations are evaluated. Finally, we discuss the potential clinical implications of these findings and propose that proper understanding and specific targeting of these clonal cells may provide unique therapeutic options for the treatment of these cardiovascular conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Lin
- Atherosclerosis and Vascular Remodeling Group, Heart Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mairi Brittan
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew H. Baker
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- CARIM School for Cardiovascular Sciences, Department of Pathology, Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC), Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Stefanie Dimmeler
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Berlin, Germany
- Cardiopulmonary Institute, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Edward A. Fisher
- Department of Medicine/Division of Cardiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Center, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Judith C. Sluimer
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- CARIM School for Cardiovascular Sciences, Department of Pathology, Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC), Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Ashish Misra
- Atherosclerosis and Vascular Remodeling Group, Heart Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Heart Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Pløen GG, Sørensen CB, Bentzon JF. Severe arterial injury heals with a complex clonal structure involving a large fraction of surviving smooth muscle cells. Atherosclerosis 2023; 387:117341. [PMID: 37940399 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2023.117341] [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: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Smooth muscle cell (SMC) lineage cells in atherosclerosis and flow cessation-induced neointima are oligoclonal, being recruited from a tiny fraction of medial SMCs that modulate and proliferate. The present study aimed to investigate the clonal structure of SMC lineage cells healing more severe arterial injury. METHODS Arterial injury (wire, stretch, and partial ligation) was inflicted on the right carotid artery in mice with homozygous, SMC-restricted, stochastically recombining reporter transgenes that produced mosaic expression of 10 distinguishable fluorescent phenotypes for clonal tracking. Healed arteries and contra-lateral controls were analyzed after 3 weeks. Additional analysis of cell death and proliferation after injury was performed in wildtype mice. RESULTS The total number of SMC lineage cells in healed arteries was comparable to normal arteries but comprised significantly fewer fluorescent phenotypes. The population had a complex, intermixed, clonal structure. By statistical analysis of expected versus observed fractions of fluorescent phenotypes and visual inspection of coherent groups of same-colored cells, we concluded that >98% of SMC lineage cells in healed arteries belonged to a detectable clone, indicating that nearly all surviving SMCs after severe injury at some point undergo proliferation. This was consistent with serial observations in the first week after injury, which showed severe loss of medial cells followed by widespread proliferation. CONCLUSIONS After severe arterial injury, many surviving SMCs proliferate to repair the media and form a neointima. This indicates that the fraction of medial SMCs that are mobilized to repair arteries increases with the level of injury.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jacob Fog Bentzon
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), Madrid, Spain.
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Kawai K, Sakamoto A, Mokry M, Ghosh SKB, Kawakami R, Xu W, Guo L, Fuller DT, Tanaka T, Shah P, Cornelissen A, Sato Y, Mori M, Konishi T, Vozenilek AE, Dhingra R, Virmani R, Pasterkamp G, Finn AV. Clonal Proliferation Within Smooth Muscle Cells in Unstable Human Atherosclerotic Lesions. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2023; 43:2333-2347. [PMID: 37881937 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.319479] [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: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies in humans and mice using the expression of an X-linked gene or lineage tracing, respectively, have suggested that clones of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) exist in human atherosclerotic lesions but are limited by either spatial resolution or translatability of the model. METHODS Phenotypic clonality can be detected by X-chromosome inactivation patterns. We investigated whether clones of SMCs exist in unstable human atheroma using RNA in situ hybridization (BaseScope) to identify a naturally occurring 24-nucleotide deletion in the 3'UTR of the X-linked BGN (biglycan) gene, a proteoglycan highly expressed by SMCs. BGN-specific BaseScope probes were designed to target the wild-type or deletion mRNA. Three different coronary artery plaque types (erosion, rupture, and adaptive intimal thickening) were selected from heterozygous females for the deletion BGN. Hybridization of target RNA-specific probes was used to visualize the spatial distribution of mutants. A clonality index was calculated from the percentage of each probe in each region of interest. Spatial transcriptomics were used to identify differentially expressed transcripts within clonal and nonclonal regions. RESULTS Less than one-half of regions of interest in the intimal plaque were considered clonal with the mean percent regions of interest with clonality higher in the intimal plaque than in the media. This was consistent for all plaque types. The relationship of the dominant clone in the intimal plaque and media showed significant concordance. In comparison with the nonclonal lesions, the regions with SMC clonality had lower expression of genes encoding cell growth suppressors such as CD74, SERF-2 (small EDRK-rich factor 2), CTSB (cathepsin B), and HLA-DPA1 (major histocompatibility complex, class II, DP alpha 1), among others. CONCLUSIONS Our novel approach to examine clonality suggests atherosclerosis is primarily a disease of polyclonally and to a lesser extent clonally expanded SMCs and may have implications for the development of antiatherosclerotic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Kawai
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, MD (K.K., A.S., S.K.B.G., R.K., W.X., L.G., D.T.F., T.T., P.S., A.C., Y.S., M. Mori, T.K., A.E.V., R.D., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Atsushi Sakamoto
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, MD (K.K., A.S., S.K.B.G., R.K., W.X., L.G., D.T.F., T.T., P.S., A.C., Y.S., M. Mori, T.K., A.E.V., R.D., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Michal Mokry
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands (M. Mokry, G.P.)
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, The Netherlands (M. Mokry)
| | - Saikat Kumar B Ghosh
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, MD (K.K., A.S., S.K.B.G., R.K., W.X., L.G., D.T.F., T.T., P.S., A.C., Y.S., M. Mori, T.K., A.E.V., R.D., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Rika Kawakami
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, MD (K.K., A.S., S.K.B.G., R.K., W.X., L.G., D.T.F., T.T., P.S., A.C., Y.S., M. Mori, T.K., A.E.V., R.D., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Weili Xu
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, MD (K.K., A.S., S.K.B.G., R.K., W.X., L.G., D.T.F., T.T., P.S., A.C., Y.S., M. Mori, T.K., A.E.V., R.D., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Liang Guo
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, MD (K.K., A.S., S.K.B.G., R.K., W.X., L.G., D.T.F., T.T., P.S., A.C., Y.S., M. Mori, T.K., A.E.V., R.D., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Daniela T Fuller
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, MD (K.K., A.S., S.K.B.G., R.K., W.X., L.G., D.T.F., T.T., P.S., A.C., Y.S., M. Mori, T.K., A.E.V., R.D., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Takamasa Tanaka
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, MD (K.K., A.S., S.K.B.G., R.K., W.X., L.G., D.T.F., T.T., P.S., A.C., Y.S., M. Mori, T.K., A.E.V., R.D., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Palak Shah
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, MD (K.K., A.S., S.K.B.G., R.K., W.X., L.G., D.T.F., T.T., P.S., A.C., Y.S., M. Mori, T.K., A.E.V., R.D., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Anne Cornelissen
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, MD (K.K., A.S., S.K.B.G., R.K., W.X., L.G., D.T.F., T.T., P.S., A.C., Y.S., M. Mori, T.K., A.E.V., R.D., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Yu Sato
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, MD (K.K., A.S., S.K.B.G., R.K., W.X., L.G., D.T.F., T.T., P.S., A.C., Y.S., M. Mori, T.K., A.E.V., R.D., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Masayuki Mori
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, MD (K.K., A.S., S.K.B.G., R.K., W.X., L.G., D.T.F., T.T., P.S., A.C., Y.S., M. Mori, T.K., A.E.V., R.D., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Takao Konishi
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, MD (K.K., A.S., S.K.B.G., R.K., W.X., L.G., D.T.F., T.T., P.S., A.C., Y.S., M. Mori, T.K., A.E.V., R.D., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Aimee E Vozenilek
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, MD (K.K., A.S., S.K.B.G., R.K., W.X., L.G., D.T.F., T.T., P.S., A.C., Y.S., M. Mori, T.K., A.E.V., R.D., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Roma Dhingra
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, MD (K.K., A.S., S.K.B.G., R.K., W.X., L.G., D.T.F., T.T., P.S., A.C., Y.S., M. Mori, T.K., A.E.V., R.D., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Renu Virmani
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, MD (K.K., A.S., S.K.B.G., R.K., W.X., L.G., D.T.F., T.T., P.S., A.C., Y.S., M. Mori, T.K., A.E.V., R.D., R.V., A.V.F.)
| | - Gerard Pasterkamp
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands (M. Mokry, G.P.)
| | - Aloke V Finn
- Department of Pathology, CVPath Institute, Gaithersburg, MD (K.K., A.S., S.K.B.G., R.K., W.X., L.G., D.T.F., T.T., P.S., A.C., Y.S., M. Mori, T.K., A.E.V., R.D., R.V., A.V.F.)
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore (A.V.F.)
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Kim SG, Sung JY, Kang YJ, Choi HC. PPARγ activation by fisetin mitigates vascular smooth muscle cell senescence via the mTORC2-FoxO3a-autophagy signaling pathway. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 218:115892. [PMID: 37890594 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Cellular senescence is caused by diverse stimuli and contributes to cardiovascular diseases. Several studies have indicated that PPARγ acts as a key mediator of lipid metabolism and shown that it has a protective effect on vascular biology. Nevertheless, the mechanism responsible for the anti-aging effects of PPARγ has not been fully elucidated in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC). Furthermore, although mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2) is known to be involved in cellular senescence and autophagy, relatively few studies have investigated its effects as compared with mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1). Therefore, we focused on mTORC2 function and investigated the relationship between PPARγ and mTORC2, and the anti-aging mechanism in VSMC. We found PPARγ activation dose-dependently mitigated the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced senescence. Treatment of fisetin induced the translocation of PPARγ from cytosol to nuclear and inhibited VSMC senescence. Moreover, activated PPARγ increased PTEN transcription, leading to inhibition of the mTORC2 signaling pathway. We determined mTORC2 activation contributed to senescence by suppressing the FoxO3a-autophagy signaling pathway, and dual knockdown of mTORC1 and mTORC2 decreased cellular senescence and increased autophagy activation more than respective single knockdown. Finally, fisetin acted as a PPARγ activator and inhibited VSMC senescence through the mTORC2-FoxO3a-autophagy signaling pathway. These results demonstrate PPARγ is associated with cellular senescence and that fisetin has an anti-aging effect via PPARγ activation and mTORC2 inhibition in VSMC. These results demonstrate that the mTORC2 signaling pathway regulates autophagy and cellular senescence, which suggests mTORC2 should be considered a significant target for preventing cellular senescence and age-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seul Gi Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, 170 Hyunchung-Ro, Nam-Gu, Daegu 42415, Republic of Korea; Senotherapy-based Metabolic Disease Control Research Center, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, 170 Hyunchung-Ro, Nam-Gu, Daegu 42415, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Young Sung
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, 170 Hyunchung-Ro, Nam-Gu, Daegu 42415, Republic of Korea; Senotherapy-based Metabolic Disease Control Research Center, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, 170 Hyunchung-Ro, Nam-Gu, Daegu 42415, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Jin Kang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, 170 Hyunchung-Ro, Nam-Gu, Daegu 42415, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyoung Chul Choi
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, 170 Hyunchung-Ro, Nam-Gu, Daegu 42415, Republic of Korea; Senotherapy-based Metabolic Disease Control Research Center, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, 170 Hyunchung-Ro, Nam-Gu, Daegu 42415, Republic of Korea.
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10
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Luo L, Fu C, Bell CF, Wang Y, Leeper NJ. Role of vascular smooth muscle cell clonality in atherosclerosis. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1273596. [PMID: 38089777 PMCID: PMC10713728 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1273596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide. While many cell types contribute to the growing atherosclerotic plaque, the vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) is a major contributor due in part to its remarkable plasticity and ability to undergo phenotype switching in response to injury. SMCs can migrate into the fibrous cap, presumably stabilizing the plaque, or accumulate within the lesional core, possibly accelerating vascular inflammation. How SMCs expand and react to disease stimuli has been a controversial topic for many decades. While early studies relying on X-chromosome inactivation were inconclusive due to low resolution and sensitivity, recent advances in multi-color lineage tracing models have revitalized the concept that SMCs likely expand in an oligoclonal fashion during atherogenesis. Current efforts are focused on determining whether all SMCs have equal capacity for clonal expansion or if a "stem-like" progenitor cell may exist, and to understand how constituents of the clone decide which phenotype they will ultimately adopt as the disease progresses. Mechanistic studies are also beginning to dissect the processes which confer cells with their overall survival advantage, test whether these properties are attributable to intrinsic features of the expanding clone, and define the role of cross-talk between proliferating SMCs and other plaque constituents such as neighboring macrophages. In this review, we aim to summarize the historical perspectives on SMC clonality, highlight unanswered questions, and identify translational issues which may need to be considered as therapeutics directed against SMC clonality are developed as a novel approach to targeting atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingfeng Luo
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Changhao Fu
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Caitlin F. Bell
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA, United States
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Nicholas J. Leeper
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA, United States
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
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11
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Dubourg V, Schwerdt G, Schreier B, Kopf M, Mildenberger S, Benndorf RA, Gekle M. Transcriptional impact of EGFR activation in human female vascular smooth muscle cells. iScience 2023; 26:108286. [PMID: 38026216 PMCID: PMC10651680 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) are critical for the vascular tone, but they can also drive the development of vascular diseases when they lose their contractile phenotype and de-differentiate. Previous studies showed that the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) of VSMC is critical for vascular health, but most of the underlying mechanisms by which VSMC-EGFR controls vascular fate have remained unknown. We combined RNA-sequencing and bioinformatics analysis to characterize the effect of EGFR-activation on the transcriptome of human primary VSMC (from different female donors) and to identify potentially affected cellular processes. Our results indicate that the activation of human VSMC-EGFR is sufficient to trigger a phenotypical switch toward a proliferative and inflammatory phenotype. The extent of this effect is nonetheless partly donor-dependent. Our hypothesis-generating study thus provides a first insight into mechanisms that could partly explain variable susceptibilities to vascular diseases in between individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginie Dubourg
- Julius-Bernstein-Institute of Physiology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Gerald Schwerdt
- Julius-Bernstein-Institute of Physiology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Barbara Schreier
- Julius-Bernstein-Institute of Physiology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Michael Kopf
- Julius-Bernstein-Institute of Physiology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Sigrid Mildenberger
- Julius-Bernstein-Institute of Physiology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Ralf A. Benndorf
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacotherapy, Institute of Pharmacy, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Michael Gekle
- Julius-Bernstein-Institute of Physiology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
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12
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Dubner AM, Lu S, Jolly AJ, Noble T, Hinthorn T, Nemenoff RA, Moulton KS, Majesky MW, Weiser-Evans MCM. Confounding Effects of Tamoxifen: Cautionary and Practical Considerations for the Use of Tamoxifen-Inducible Mouse Models in Atherosclerosis Research-Brief Report. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2023; 43:2223-2230. [PMID: 37706321 PMCID: PMC10615862 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.319922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent years, fate-mapping lineage studies in mouse models have led to major advances in vascular biology by allowing investigators to track specific cell populations in vivo. One of the most frequently used lineage tracing approaches involves tamoxifen-inducible CreERT-LoxP systems. However, tamoxifen treatment can also promote effects independent of Cre recombinase activation, many of which have not been fully explored. METHODS To elucidate off-target effects of tamoxifen, male and female mice were either unmanipulated or injected with tamoxifen or corn oil. All mice received PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9)-AAV (adeno-associated virus) injections and a modified Western diet to induce hypercholesterolemia. After 2 weeks, serum cholesterol and liver morphology were assessed. To determine the duration of any tamoxifen effects in long-term atherosclerosis experiments, mice received either 12 days of tamoxifen at baseline or 12 days plus 2 sets of 5-day tamoxifen boosters; all mice received PCSK9-AAV injections and a modified Western diet to induce hypercholesterolemia. After 24 weeks, serum cholesterol and aortic sinus plaque burden were measured. RESULTS After 2 weeks of atherogenic treatment, mice injected with tamoxifen demonstrated significantly reduced serum cholesterol levels compared with uninjected- or corn oil-treated mice. However, there were no differences in PCSK9-mediated knockdown of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) receptors between the groups. Additionally, tamoxifen-treated mice exhibited significantly increased hepatic lipid accumulation compared with the other groups. Finally, the effects of tamoxifen remained for at least 8 weeks after completion of injections, with mice demonstrating persistent decreased serum cholesterol and impaired atherosclerotic plaque formation. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we establish that tamoxifen administration results in decreased serum cholesterol, decreased plaque formation, and increased hepatic lipid accumulation. These alterations represent significant confounding variables in atherosclerosis research, and we urge future investigators to take these findings into consideration when planning and executing their own atherosclerosis experiments.
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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
| | - 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
| | - 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
| | - 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 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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13
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Belhoul-Fakir H, Brown ML, Thompson PL, Hamzah J, Jansen S. Connecting the Dots: How Injury in the Arterial Wall Contributes to Atherosclerotic Disease. Clin Ther 2023; 45:1092-1098. [PMID: 37891144 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2023.10.004] [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: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The occurrence and development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which can result in severe outcomes, such as myocardial infarction, stroke, loss of limb, renal failure, and infarction of the gut, are strongly associated with injury to the intimal component of the arterial wall whether via the inside-out or outside-in pathways. The role of injury to the tunica media as a pathway of atherosclerosis initiation is an underresearched area. This review focuses on potential pathways to vessel wall injury as well as current experimental and clinical research in the middle-aged and elderly populations, including the role of exercise, as it relates to injury to the tunica media. METHODS A database search using PubMed and Google Scholar was conducted for research articles published between 1909 and 2023 that focused on pathways of atherogenesis and the impact of mechanical forces on wall injury. The following key words were searched: wall injury, tunica media, atherogenesis, vascular aging, and wall strain. Studies were analyzed, and the relevant information was extracted from each study. FINDINGS A link between high mechanical stress in the arterial wall and reduced vascular compliance was found. The stiffening and calcification of the arterial wall with aging induce high blood pressure and pulse pressure, thereby causing incident hypertension and cardiovascular disease. In turn, prolonged high mechanical stress, particularly wall strain, applied to the arterial wall during vigorous exercise, results in stiffening and calcification of tunica media, accelerated arterial aging, and cardiovascular disease events. In both scenarios, the tunica media is the primary target of mechanical stress and the first to respond to hemodynamic changes. The cyclical nature of these impacts confounds the results of each because they are not mutually exclusive. IMPLICATIONS The role of stress in the tunica media appears to be overlooked despite its relevance, and further research into new primary preventive therapies is needed aside from cautioning the role of vigorous exercise in the elderly population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanane Belhoul-Fakir
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Bentley, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Targeted Drug Delivery, Imaging & Therapy, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia; Heart & Vascular Research Institute, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia.
| | - Michael Lawrence Brown
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bently, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Peter L Thompson
- Heart & Vascular Research Institute, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Juliana Hamzah
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Bentley, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Targeted Drug Delivery, Imaging & Therapy, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia; Heart & Vascular Research Institute, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Shirley Jansen
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Bentley, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Targeted Drug Delivery, Imaging & Therapy, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia; Heart & Vascular Research Institute, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia; Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
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14
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Hutton M, Frazer M, Lin A, Patel S, Misra A. New Targets in Atherosclerosis: Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Plasticity and Macrophage Polarity. Clin Ther 2023; 45:1047-1054. [PMID: 37709601 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2023.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Despite an increase in treatment options, and substantial reductions in cardiovascular mortality over the past half-century, atherosclerosis remains the most prevalent cause of premature mortality worldwide. The development of innovative new therapies is crucial to further minimize atherosclerosis-related deaths. The diverse array of cell phenotypes derived from vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and macrophages within atherosclerotic plaques are increasingly becoming recognized for their beneficial and detrimental roles in plaque stability and disease burden. This review explores how contemporary transcriptomics and fate-mapping studies have revealed vascular cell plasticity as a relatively unexplored target for therapeutic intervention. METHODS Recent literature for this narrative review was obtained by searching electronic databases (ie, Google Scholar, PubMed). Additional studies were sourced from reference lists and the authors' personal databases. FINDINGS The lipid-rich and inflammatory plaque milieu induces SMC phenotypic switching to both beneficial and detrimental phenotypes. Likewise, macrophage heterogeneity increases with disease burden to a variety of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory activation states. These vascular cell phenotypes are determinants of plaque structure stability, and it is therefore highly likely that they influence clinical outcomes. Development of clinical treatments targeting deleterious phenotypes or promoting pro-healing phenotypes remains in its infancy. However, existing treatments (statins) have shown beneficial effects toward macrophage polarization, providing a rationale for more targeted approaches. In contrast, beneficial SMC phenotypic modulation with these pharmacologic agents has yet to be achieved. The range of modulated vascular cell phenotypes provides a multitude of novel targets and the potential to reduce future adverse events. IMPLICATIONS Vascular cell phenotypic heterogeneity must continue to be explored to lower cardiovascular events in the future. The rapidly increasing weight of evidence surrounding the role of SMC plasticity and macrophage polarity in plaque vulnerability provides a strong foundation upon which development of new therapeutics must follow. This approach may prove to be crucial in reducing cardiovascular events and improving patient benefit in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hutton
- Atherosclerosis and Vascular Remodeling Group, Heart Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Madeleine Frazer
- Atherosclerosis and Vascular Remodeling Group, Heart Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alexander Lin
- Atherosclerosis and Vascular Remodeling Group, Heart Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sanjay Patel
- Heart Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ashish Misra
- Atherosclerosis and Vascular Remodeling Group, Heart Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Heart Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
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15
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Kaw A, Wu T, Starosolski Z, Zhou Z, Pedroza AJ, Majumder S, Duan X, Kaw K, Pinelo JEE, Fischbein MP, Lorenzi PL, Tan L, Martinez SA, Mahmud I, Devkota L, Taegtmeyer H, Ghaghada KB, Marrelli SP, Kwartler CS, Milewicz DM. Augmenting Mitochondrial Respiration in Immature Smooth Muscle Cells with an ACTA2 Pathogenic Variant Mitigates Moyamoya-like Cerebrovascular Disease. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3304679. [PMID: 37886459 PMCID: PMC10602100 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3304679/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
ACTA2 pathogenic variants altering arginine 179 cause childhood-onset strokes due to moyamoya disease (MMD)-like occlusion of the distal internal carotid arteries. A smooth muscle cell (SMC)-specific knock-in mouse model (Acta2SMC-R179C/+) inserted the mutation into 67% of aortic SMCs, whereas explanted SMCs were uniformly heterozygous. Acta2R179C/+ SMCs fail to fully differentiate and maintain stem cell-like features, including high glycolytic flux, and increasing oxidative respiration (OXPHOS) with nicotinamide riboside (NR) drives the mutant SMCs to differentiate and decreases migration. Acta2SMC-R179C/+ mice have intraluminal MMD-like occlusive lesions and strokes after carotid artery injury, whereas the similarly treated WT mice have no strokes and patent lumens. Treatment with NR prior to the carotid artery injury attenuates the strokes, MMD-like lumen occlusions, and aberrant vascular remodeling in the Acta2SMC-R179C/+ mice. These data highlight the role of immature SMCs in MMD-associated occlusive disease and demonstrate that altering SMC metabolism to drive quiescence of Acta2R179C/+ SMCs attenuates strokes and aberrant vascular remodeling in the Acta2SMC-R179C/+ mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Kaw
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ting Wu
- Department of Neurology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, McGovern Medical School, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zbigniew Starosolski
- Department of Radiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zhen Zhou
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Albert J. Pedroza
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Suravi Majumder
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Xueyan Duan
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kaveeta Kaw
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jose E. E. Pinelo
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Michael P. Fischbein
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Philip L. Lorenzi
- Metabolomics Core Facility, Department of Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Lin Tan
- Metabolomics Core Facility, Department of Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sara A. Martinez
- Metabolomics Core Facility, Department of Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Iqbal Mahmud
- Metabolomics Core Facility, Department of Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Laxman Devkota
- Department of Radiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Heinrich Taegtmeyer
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ketan B. Ghaghada
- Department of Radiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Sean P. Marrelli
- Department of Neurology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, McGovern Medical School, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Callie S. Kwartler
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Dianna M. Milewicz
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX 77030, USA
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16
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Bryukhovetskiy AS, Grivtsova LY, Bogachev SS, Ustyugov AA, Nebogatikov VO, Shurdov MA. Technology of genomic balancing of chromatin of autologous hematopoietic stem cells for gene therapy of fatal immune-mediated diseases of civilization, extended life expectancy and sudden human death prevention. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 172:237-284. [PMID: 37833013 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2023.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
A biotechnology for personalized ex vivo gene therapy based on molecular genomic balancing of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) chromatin with nucleosome monomers of human genomic DNA (hDNAnmr) has been developed and implemented in the clinic to change (to "correct") mutant chromosome loci genomes of dominant HSC clones that form mono- and oligoclonal hematopoiesis during aging and major (oncological, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative and autoimmune) fatal immune-mediated diseases of civilization. A fundamentally new biotechnological approach has been applied to the delivery of genetic material into eukaryotic stem and progenitor cells by establishing an artificial "recombinogenic situation" in them to induce homologous recombination (equivalent replacement) of mutant DNA regions with healthy hDNAnmr. In experimental preclinical trials, the effectiveness of genomic balancing technology has been proven to reduce the risk of sudden death in old animals and to increase the lifespan of outbred mice by 30% and Wistar rats by 57%. The improvement in their quality of life, compared with the control, is explained by an increase in the telomeric regions of the HSCs and HPCs chromosomes by 1.5-2 times. The potential of the technology to slow down the hereditary neurodegenerative diseases on the model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is shown. The effectiveness of this technology in clinical practice is presented on the example of a terminal patient with stage 4 neuroendocrine cancer. This technology used in the treatment of a number of oncological, neurodegenerative, autoimmune and hereditary diseases with clonal hematopoiesis is able to arrest the progression of the disease, prevent its recurrence, prolong the active life of a person, increase the average life expectancy and prevent sudden death.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - L Yu Grivtsova
- FGBU MRRC named after A.F. Tsyb - Branch of the FGBU National Medical Research Center for Radiology of the Ministry of Health of Russia, Obninsk, Russia
| | - S S Bogachev
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - A A Ustyugov
- Research Institute of Biologically Active Substances of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Chernogolovka, Russia
| | - V O Nebogatikov
- Research Institute of Biologically Active Substances of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Chernogolovka, Russia
| | - M A Shurdov
- JSC NeuroVita Clinical Hospital, Moscow, Russia
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17
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Chin DD, Patel N, Lee W, Kanaya S, Cook J, Chung EJ. Long-term, in vivo therapeutic effects of a single dose of miR-145 micelles for atherosclerosis. Bioact Mater 2023; 27:327-336. [PMID: 37122900 PMCID: PMC10140752 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2023.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that is characterized by the build-up of lipid-rich plaques in the arterial walls. The standard treatment for patients with atherosclerosis is statin therapy aimed to lower serum lipid levels. Despite its widespread use, many patients taking statins continue to experience acute events. Thus, to develop improved and alternative therapies, we previously reported on microRNA-145 (miR-145 micelles) and its ability to inhibit atherosclerosis by targeting vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Importantly, one dose of miR-145 micelles significantly abrogated disease progression when evaluated two weeks post-administration. Thus, in this study, to evaluate how long the sustained effects of miR-145 micelles can be maintained and towards identifying a dosing regimen that is practical for patients with chronic disease, the therapeutic effects of a single dose of miR-145 micelles were evaluated for up to two months in vivo. After one and two months post-treatment, miR-145 micelles were found to reduce plaque size and overall lesion area compared to all other controls including statins without causing adverse effects. Furthermore, a single dose of miR-145 micelle treatment inhibited VSMC transdifferentiation into pathogenic macrophage-like and osteogenic cells in plaques. Together, our data shows the long-term efficacy and sustained effects of miR-145 micelles that is amenable using a dosing frequency relevant to chronic disease patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah D. Chin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, United States
| | - Neil Patel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, United States
| | - Woori Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, United States
| | - Sonali Kanaya
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, United States
| | - Jackson Cook
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, United States
| | - Eun Ji Chung
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, United States
- Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy, Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, United States
- Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, United States
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, United States
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, United States
- Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, United States
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18
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Alonso-Herranz L, Albarrán-Juárez J, Bentzon JF. Mechanisms of fibrous cap formation in atherosclerosis. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1254114. [PMID: 37671141 PMCID: PMC10475556 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1254114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The fibrous cap is formed by smooth muscle cells that accumulate beneath the plaque endothelium. Cap rupture is the main cause of coronary thrombosis, leading to infarction and sudden cardiac death. Therefore, the qualities of the cap are primary determinants of the clinical outcome of coronary and carotid atherosclerosis. In this mini-review, we discuss current knowledge about the formation of the fibrous cap, including cell recruitment, clonal expansion, and central molecular signaling pathways. We also examine the differences between mouse and human fibrous caps and explore the impact of anti-atherosclerotic therapies on the state of the fibrous cap. We propose that the cap should be understood as a neo-media to substitute for the original media that becomes separated from the surface endothelium during atherogenesis and that embryonic pathways involved in the development of the arteria media contribute to cap formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Alonso-Herranz
- Atherosclerosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Julián Albarrán-Juárez
- Atherosclerosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jacob Fog Bentzon
- Atherosclerosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus and Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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19
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Xu R, Li T, Li Z, Kong W, Wang T, Zhang X, Luo J, Li W, Jiao L. Knowledge fields and emerging trends about extracellular matrix in carotid artery disease from 1990 to 2021: analysis of the scientific literature. Eur J Med Res 2023; 28:284. [PMID: 37587506 PMCID: PMC10428572 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-023-01259-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stroke is a heavy burden in modern society, and carotid artery disease is a major cause. The role of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the development and progression of carotid artery disease has become a popular research focus. However, there is no published bibliometric analysis to derive the main publication features and trends in this scientific area. We aim to conduct a bibliometric analysis to reveal current status of ECM in carotid artery disease and to predict future hot spots. METHODS We searched and downloaded articles from the Web of Science Core Collection with "Carotid" and "Extracellular Matrix" as subject words from 1990 to 2021. The complete bibliographic data were analyzed by Bibliometrics, BICOMB, gCLUTO and CiteSpace softwares. RESULTS Since 1990, the United States has been the leader in the number of publications in the field of ECM in carotid artery disease, followed by China, Japan and Germany. Among institutions, Institut National De La Sante Et De La Recherche Medicale Inserm, University of Washington Seattle and Harvard University are in the top 3. "Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology" is the most popular journal and "Circulation" is the most cited journal. "Clowes AW", "Hedin Ulf" and "Nilsson Jan" are the top three authors of published articles. Finally, we investigated the frontiers through the strongest citation bursts, conducted keyword biclustering analysis, and discovered five clusters of research hotspots. Our research provided a comprehensive analysis of the fundamental data, knowledge organization, and dynamic evolution of research about ECM in carotid artery disease. CONCLUSIONS The field of ECM in carotid artery disease has received increasing attention. We summarized the history of the field and predicted five future hotspots through bibliometric analysis. This study provided a reference for researchers in this fields, and the methodology can be extended to other fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- China International Neuroscience Institute (China-INI), Beijing, China
| | - Tianhua Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- China International Neuroscience Institute (China-INI), Beijing, China
| | - Zhiqing Li
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Kong
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- China International Neuroscience Institute (China-INI), Beijing, China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- China International Neuroscience Institute (China-INI), Beijing, China
| | - Jichang Luo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- China International Neuroscience Institute (China-INI), Beijing, China
| | - Wenjing Li
- Laboratory of Computational Biology and Machine Intelligence, National Laboratory of Pattern Recognition, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Liqun Jiao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
- China International Neuroscience Institute (China-INI), Beijing, China.
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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20
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Zhang H, Kafeiti N, Lee S, Masarik K, Zheng H, Zhan H. Unlocking the Role of Endothelial MPL Receptor and JAK2V617F Mutation: Insights into Cardiovascular Dysfunction in MPNs and CHIP. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.12.548716. [PMID: 37503259 PMCID: PMC10370015 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.12.548716] [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
Patients with JAK2V617F-positive myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) and clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) are at a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Endothelial cells (ECs) carrying the JAK2V617F mutation can be detected in many MPN patients. Here, we investigated the impact of endothelial JAK2V617F mutation on CVD development using both transgenic murine models and human induced pluripotent stem cell lines. Our findings revealed that JAK2V617F mutant ECs promote CVDs by impairing endothelial function and undergoing endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT). Importantly, we found that inhibiting the endothelial thrombopoietin receptor MPL suppressed JAK2V617F-induced EndMT and prevented cardiovascular dysfunction caused by mutant ECs. These findings propose that targeting the endothelial MPL receptor could be a promising therapeutic approach to manage CVD complications in patients with JAK2V617F-positive MPNs and CHIP. Further investigations into the impact of other CHIP-associated mutations on endothelial dysfunction are needed to improve risk stratification for individuals with CHIP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haotian Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Stony Brook School of Medicine, Stony Brook, NY
- The Graduate Program in Molecular & Cellular Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
| | - Nicholas Kafeiti
- Department of Medicine, Stony Brook School of Medicine, Stony Brook, NY
| | - Sandy Lee
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Stony Brook University
| | - Kyla Masarik
- Department of Medicine, Stony Brook School of Medicine, Stony Brook, NY
| | - Haoyi Zheng
- Cardiac Imaging, The Heart Center, Saint Francis Hospital, Roslyn, NY
| | - Huichun Zhan
- Department of Medicine, Stony Brook School of Medicine, Stony Brook, NY
- Medical Service, Northport VA Medical Center, Northport, NY
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21
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Wu M, Xun M, Chen Y. Adaptation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell to Degradable Metal Stent Implantation. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023. [PMID: 37364226 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c00637] [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: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Iron-, magnesium-, or zinc-based metal vessel stents support vessel expansion at the period early after implantation and degrade away after vascular reconstruction, eliminating the side effects due to the long stay of stent implants in the body and the risks of restenosis and neoatherosclerosis. However, emerging evidence has indicated that their degradation alters the vascular microenvironment and induces adaptive responses of surrounding vessel cells, especially vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). VSMCs are highly flexible cells that actively alter their phenotype in response to the stenting, similarly to what they do during all stages of atherosclerosis pathology, which significantly influences stent performance. This Review discusses how biodegradable metal stents modify vascular conditions and how VSMCs respond to various chemical, biological, and physical signals attributable to stent implantation. The focus is placed on the phenotypic adaptation of VSMCs and the clinical complications, which highlight the importance of VSMC transformation in future stent design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meichun Wu
- Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 410001, China
- School of Nursing, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 410001, China
| | - Min Xun
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 410001, China
| | - Yuping Chen
- Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 410001, China
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 410001, China
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22
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Wang Z, Ma J, Yue H, Zhang Z, Fang F, Wang G, Liu X, Shen Y. Vascular smooth muscle cells in intracranial aneurysms. Microvasc Res 2023:104554. [PMID: 37236346 DOI: 10.1016/j.mvr.2023.104554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Intracranial aneurysm (IA) is a severe cerebrovascular disease characterized by abnormal bulging of cerebral vessels that may rupture and cause a stroke. The expansion of the aneurysm accompanies by the remodeling of vascular matrix. It is well-known that vascular remodeling is a process of synthesis and degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM), which is highly dependent on the phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The phenotypic switching of VSMC is considered to be bidirectional, including the physiological contractile phenotype and alternative synthetic phenotype in response to injury. There is increasing evidence indicating that VSMCs have the ability to switch to various phenotypes, including pro-inflammatory, macrophagic, osteogenic, foamy and mesenchymal phenotypes. Although the mechanisms of VSMC phenotype switching are still being explored, it is becoming clear that phenotype switching of VSMCs plays an essential role in IA formation, progression, and rupture. This review summarized the various phenotypes and functions of VSMCs associated with IA pathology. The possible influencing factors and potential molecular mechanisms of the VSMC phenotype switching were further discussed. Understanding how phenotype switching of VSMC contributed to the pathogenesis of unruptured IAs can bring new preventative and therapeutic strategies for IA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenye Wang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jia Ma
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Hongyan Yue
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Zhewei Zhang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Fei Fang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing 401329, China
| | - Guixue Wang
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing 401329, China; Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Xiaoheng Liu
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing 401329, China
| | - Yang Shen
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing 401329, China.
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23
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Uruski P, Matuszewska J, Leśniewska A, Rychlewski D, Niklas A, Mikuła-Pietrasik J, Tykarski A, Książek K. An integrative review of nonobvious puzzles of cellular and molecular cardiooncology. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2023; 28:44. [PMID: 37221467 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-023-00451-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncologic patients are subjected to four major treatment types: surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. All nonsurgical forms of cancer management are known to potentially violate the structural and functional integrity of the cardiovascular system. The prevalence and severity of cardiotoxicity and vascular abnormalities led to the emergence of a clinical subdiscipline, called cardiooncology. This relatively new, but rapidly expanding area of knowledge, primarily focuses on clinical observations linking the adverse effects of cancer therapy with deteriorated quality of life of cancer survivors and their increased morbidity and mortality. Cellular and molecular determinants of these relations are far less understood, mainly because of several unsolved paths and contradicting findings in the literature. In this article, we provide a comprehensive view of the cellular and molecular etiology of cardiooncology. We pay particular attention to various intracellular processes that arise in cardiomyocytes, vascular endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells treated in experimentally-controlled conditions in vitro and in vivo with ionizing radiation and drugs representing diverse modes of anti-cancer activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Uruski
- Department of Hypertensiology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Długa ½ Str., 61-848, Poznan, Poland
| | - Julia Matuszewska
- Department of Pathophysiology of Ageing and Civilization Diseases, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Długa ½ Str., 61-848, Poznan, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Leśniewska
- Department of Pathophysiology of Ageing and Civilization Diseases, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Długa ½ Str., 61-848, Poznan, Poland
| | - Daniel Rychlewski
- Department of Pathophysiology of Ageing and Civilization Diseases, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Długa ½ Str., 61-848, Poznan, Poland
| | - Arkadiusz Niklas
- Department of Hypertensiology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Długa ½ Str., 61-848, Poznan, Poland
| | - Justyna Mikuła-Pietrasik
- Department of Pathophysiology of Ageing and Civilization Diseases, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Długa ½ Str., 61-848, Poznan, Poland
| | - Andrzej Tykarski
- Department of Hypertensiology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Długa ½ Str., 61-848, Poznan, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Książek
- Department of Pathophysiology of Ageing and Civilization Diseases, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Długa ½ Str., 61-848, Poznan, Poland.
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24
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Worssam MD, Lambert J, Oc S, Taylor JCK, Taylor AL, Dobnikar L, Chappell J, Harman JL, Figg NL, Finigan A, Foote K, Uryga AK, Bennett MR, Spivakov M, Jørgensen HF. Cellular mechanisms of oligoclonal vascular smooth muscle cell expansion in cardiovascular disease. Cardiovasc Res 2023; 119:1279-1294. [PMID: 35994249 PMCID: PMC10202649 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvac138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Quiescent, differentiated adult vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) can be induced to proliferate and switch phenotype. Such plasticity underlies blood vessel homeostasis and contributes to vascular disease development. Oligoclonal VSMC contribution is a hallmark of end-stage vascular disease. Here, we aim to understand cellular mechanisms underpinning generation of this VSMC oligoclonality. METHODS AND RESULTS We investigate the dynamics of VSMC clone formation using confocal microscopy and single-cell transcriptomics in VSMC-lineage-traced animal models. We find that activation of medial VSMC proliferation occurs at low frequency after vascular injury and that only a subset of expanding clones migrate, which together drives formation of oligoclonal neointimal lesions. VSMC contribution in small atherosclerotic lesions is typically from one or two clones, similar to observations in mature lesions. Low frequency (<0.1%) of clonal VSMC proliferation is also observed in vitro. Single-cell RNA-sequencing revealed progressive cell state changes across a contiguous VSMC population at onset of injury-induced proliferation. Proliferating VSMCs mapped selectively to one of two distinct trajectories and were associated with cells showing extensive phenotypic switching. A proliferation-associated transitory state shared pronounced similarities with atypical SCA1+ VSMCs from uninjured mouse arteries and VSMCs in healthy human aorta. We show functionally that clonal expansion of SCA1+ VSMCs from healthy arteries occurs at higher rate and frequency compared with SCA1- cells. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that activation of proliferation at low frequency is a general, cell-intrinsic feature of VSMCs. We show that rare VSMCs in healthy arteries display VSMC phenotypic switching akin to that observed in pathological vessel remodelling and that this is a conserved feature of mouse and human healthy arteries. The increased proliferation of modulated VSMCs from healthy arteries suggests that these cells respond more readily to disease-inducing cues and could drive oligoclonal VSMC expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matt D Worssam
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Jordi Lambert
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Sebnem Oc
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - James C K Taylor
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Annabel L Taylor
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Lina Dobnikar
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
- Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Joel Chappell
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Jennifer L Harman
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Nichola L Figg
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Alison Finigan
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Kirsty Foote
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Anna K Uryga
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Martin R Bennett
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
| | - Mikhail Spivakov
- Functional Gene Control Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, London, UK
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Helle F Jørgensen
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0BB, UK
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25
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Woo SH, Kim DY, Choi JH. Roles of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells in Atherosclerotic Calcification. J Lipid Atheroscler 2023; 12:106-118. [PMID: 37265849 PMCID: PMC10232217 DOI: 10.12997/jla.2023.12.2.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The accumulation of calcium in atherosclerotic plaques is a prominent feature of advanced atherosclerosis, and it has a strong positive correlation with the total burden of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerotic calcification usually appears first at the necrotic core, indicating that cell death and inflammatory processes are involved in calcification. During atherosclerotic inflammation, various cell types, such as vascular smooth muscle cells, nascent resident pericytes, circulating stem cells, or adventitial cells, have been assumed to differentiate into osteoblastic cells, which lead to vascular calcification. Among these cell types, vascular smooth muscle cells are considered a major contributor to osteochondrogenic cells in the atherosclerotic milieu. In this review, we summarize the molecular mechanisms underlying the osteochondrogenic switch of vascular smooth muscle cells in atherosclerotic plaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang-Ho Woo
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dae-Yong Kim
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae-Hoon Choi
- Department of Life Science, College of Natural Sciences, Research Institute of Natural Sciences, Research Institute for Convergence of Basic Sciences, Hanyang Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea
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26
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Yang X, Yang C, Friesel RE, Liaw L. Sprouty1 has a protective role in atherogenesis and modifies the migratory and inflammatory phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cells. Atherosclerosis 2023; 373:17-28. [PMID: 37121163 PMCID: PMC10225353 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2023.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Sprouty1 (Spry1) regulates the differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), and our aim was to determine its role in atherogenesis. A significant proportion of cells within atherosclerotic lesions are derived from migration and pathological adaptation of medial VSMC. METHODS We used global Spry1 null mouse, and Myh11-CreERT2, ROSA26-STOPfl/fl-tdTomato-Spry1fl/fl mice to allow for lineage tracing and conditional Spry1 deletion in VSMC. Atherosclerosis was induced by injection of a mutant form of mPCSK9D377Y-AAV followed by Western diet. Human aortic VSMC (hVSMC) with shRNA targeting of Spry1 were also analyzed. RESULTS Global loss of Spry1 increased inflammatory markers ICAM1 and Cox2 in VSMC. Conditional deletion of Spry1 in VSMC had no effect on early lesion development, despite increased Sca1high cells. After 26 weeks of Western diet, mice with VSMC deletion of Spry1 had increased plaque burden, with reduced collagen content and smooth muscle alpha actin (SMA) in the fibrous cap. Lineage tracing via tdTomato marking Cre-recombined cells indicated that VSMC with loss of Spry1 had decreased migration into the lesion, noted by decreased proportions of tdTomato+ and tdTomato+/SMA + cells. Loss-of-function of Spry1 in hVSMC increased mesenchymal and activation markers, including KLF4, PDGFRb, ICAM1, and Cox2. Loss of Spry1 enhanced the effects of PDGFBB and TNFa on hVSMC. CONCLUSIONS Loss of Spry1 in VSMC aggravated plaque formation at later stages, and increased markers of instability. Our results indicate that Spry1 suppresses the mesenchymal and inflammatory phenotype of VSMC, and its expression in VSMC is protective against chronic atherosclerotic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuehui Yang
- Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth Institute for Research, MaineHealth, Scarborough, ME, 04074, USA
| | - Chenhao Yang
- Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth Institute for Research, MaineHealth, Scarborough, ME, 04074, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, University of Maine, USA
| | - Robert E Friesel
- Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth Institute for Research, MaineHealth, Scarborough, ME, 04074, USA
| | - Lucy Liaw
- Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth Institute for Research, MaineHealth, Scarborough, ME, 04074, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, University of Maine, USA.
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27
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Smith E, Zagnoni M, Sandison ME. Cellular microarrays for assessing single-cell phenotypic changes in vascular cell populations. Biomed Microdevices 2023; 25:11. [PMID: 36928445 PMCID: PMC10020314 DOI: 10.1007/s10544-023-00651-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Microengineering technologies provide bespoke tools for single-cell studies, including microarray approaches. There are many challenges when culturing adherent single cells in confined geometries for extended periods, including the ability of migratory cells to overcome confining cell-repellent surfaces with time. Following studies suggesting clonal expansion of only a few vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) contributes to plaque formation, the investigation of vSMCs at the single-cell level is central to furthering our understanding of atherosclerosis. Herein, we present a medium throughput cellular microarray, for the tracking of single, freshly-isolated vSMCs as they undergo phenotypic modulation in vitro. Our solution facilitates long-term cell confinement (> 3 weeks) utilising novel application of surface functionalisation methods to define individual culture microwells. We demonstrate successful tracking of hundreds of native vSMCs isolated from rat aortic and carotid artery tissue, monitoring their proliferative capacity and uptake of oxidised low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) by live-cell microscopy. After 7 days in vitro, the majority of viable SMCs remained as single non-proliferating cells (51% aorta, 78% carotid). However, a sub-population of vSMCs demonstrated high proliferative capacity (≥ 10 progeny; 18% aorta, 5% carotid), in line with reports that a limited number of medial SMCs selectively expand to populate atherosclerotic lesions. Furthermore, we show that, when exposed to oxLDL, proliferative cells uptake higher levels of lipoproteins, whilst also expressing greater levels of galectin-3. Our microwell array approach enables long-term characterisation of multiple phenotypic characteristics and the identification of new cellular sub-populations in migratory, proliferative adherent cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Smith
- Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Royal College Building, University of Strathclyde, G1 1XW, Glasgow, UK
- Biomedical Engineering, Wolfson Centre, University of Strathclyde, G4 0NW, Glasgow, UK
| | - M Zagnoni
- Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Royal College Building, University of Strathclyde, G1 1XW, Glasgow, UK
| | - M E Sandison
- Biomedical Engineering, Wolfson Centre, University of Strathclyde, G4 0NW, Glasgow, UK.
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Pan H, Ho SE, Xue C, Cui J, Ross LS, Li F, Solomon RA, Connolly ES, Reilly MP. Atherosclerosis is a smooth muscle cell-driven tumor-like disease. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.06.531330. [PMID: 36945644 PMCID: PMC10028828 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.06.531330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis, the leading cause of cardiovascular disease, is a chronic inflammatory disease involving pathological activation of multiple cell types, such as immunocytes (e.g., macrophage, T cells), smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and endothelial cells. Multiple lines of evidence have suggested that SMC "phenotypic switching" plays a central role in atherosclerosis development and complications. Yet, SMC roles and mechanisms underlying the disease pathogenesis are poorly understood. Here, employing SMC lineage tracing mice, comprehensive molecular, cellular, histological, and computational profiling, coupled to genetic and pharmacological studies, we reveal that atherosclerosis, in terms of SMC behaviors, share extensive commonalities with tumors. SMC-derived cells in the disease show multiple characteristics of tumor cell biology, including genomic instability, replicative immortality, malignant proliferation, resistance to cell death, invasiveness, and activation of comprehensive cancer-associated gene regulatory networks. SMC-specific expression of oncogenic KrasG12D accelerates SMC phenotypic switching and exacerbates atherosclerosis. Moreover, we present a proof of concept showing that niraparib, an anti-cancer drug targeting DNA damage repair, attenuates atherosclerosis progression and induces regression of lesions in advanced disease in mouse models. Our work provides systematic evidence that atherosclerosis is a tumor-like disease, deepening the understanding of its pathogenesis and opening prospects for novel precision molecular strategies to prevent and treat atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huize Pan
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Sebastian E. Ho
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Chenyi Xue
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Jian Cui
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Leila S. Ross
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Fang Li
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Robert A. Solomon
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - E. Sander Connolly
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Muredach P. Reilly
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
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Woo SH, Kyung D, Lee SH, Park KS, Kim M, Kim K, Kwon HJ, Won YS, Choi I, Park YJ, Go DM, Oh JS, Yoon WK, Paik SS, Kim JH, Kim YH, Choi JH, Kim DY. TXNIP Suppresses the Osteochondrogenic Switch of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells in Atherosclerosis. Circ Res 2023; 132:52-71. [PMID: 36448450 PMCID: PMC9829043 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.122.321538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The osteochondrogenic switch of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is a pivotal cellular process in atherosclerotic calcification. However, the exact molecular mechanism of the osteochondrogenic transition of VSMCs remains to be elucidated. Here, we explore the regulatory role of TXNIP (thioredoxin-interacting protein) in the phenotypical transitioning of VSMCs toward osteochondrogenic cells responsible for atherosclerotic calcification. METHODS The atherosclerotic phenotypes of Txnip-/- mice were analyzed in combination with single-cell RNA-sequencing. The atherosclerotic phenotypes of Tagln-Cre; Txnipflox/flox mice (smooth muscle cell-specific Txnip ablation model), and the mice transplanted with the bone marrow of Txnip-/- mice were analyzed. Public single-cell RNA-sequencing dataset (GSE159677) was reanalyzed to define the gene expression of TXNIP in human calcified atherosclerotic plaques. The effect of TXNIP suppression on the osteochondrogenic phenotypic changes in primary aortic VSMCs was analyzed. RESULTS Atherosclerotic lesions of Txnip-/- mice presented significantly increased calcification and deposition of collagen content. Subsequent single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis identified the modulated VSMC and osteochondrogenic clusters, which were VSMC-derived populations. The osteochondrogenic cluster was markedly expanded in Txnip-/- mice. The pathway analysis of the VSMC-derived cells revealed enrichment of bone- and cartilage-formation-related pathways and bone morphogenetic protein signaling in Txnip-/- mice. Reanalyzing public single-cell RNA-sequencing dataset revealed that TXNIP was downregulated in the modulated VSMC and osteochondrogenic clusters of human calcified atherosclerotic lesions. Tagln-Cre; Txnipflox/flox mice recapitulated the calcification and collagen-rich atherosclerotic phenotypes of Txnip-/- mice, whereas the hematopoietic deficiency of TXNIP did not affect the lesion phenotype. Suppression of TXNIP in cultured VSMCs accelerates osteodifferentiation and upregulates bone morphogenetic protein signaling. Treatment with the bone morphogenetic protein signaling inhibitor K02288 abrogated the effect of TXNIP suppression on osteodifferentiation. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that TXNIP is a novel regulator of atherosclerotic calcification by suppressing bone morphogenetic protein signaling to inhibit the transition of VSMCs toward an osteochondrogenic phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang-Ho Woo
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Korea (S.-H.W., D.-M.G., J.-S.O., D.-Y.K.)
| | - Dongsoo Kyung
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology and Genomics, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Korea (D.K.)
| | - Seung Hyun Lee
- Department of Life Science, College of Natural Sciences, Research Institute of Natural Sciences, Research Institute for Convergence of Basic Sciences, Hanyang Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea (S.H.L., K.S.P., M.K., K.K., J.-H.C.)
| | - Kyu Seong Park
- Department of Life Science, College of Natural Sciences, Research Institute of Natural Sciences, Research Institute for Convergence of Basic Sciences, Hanyang Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea (S.H.L., K.S.P., M.K., K.K., J.-H.C.)
| | - Minkyu Kim
- Department of Life Science, College of Natural Sciences, Research Institute of Natural Sciences, Research Institute for Convergence of Basic Sciences, Hanyang Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea (S.H.L., K.S.P., M.K., K.K., J.-H.C.)
| | - Kibyeong Kim
- Department of Life Science, College of Natural Sciences, Research Institute of Natural Sciences, Research Institute for Convergence of Basic Sciences, Hanyang Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea (S.H.L., K.S.P., M.K., K.K., J.-H.C.)
| | - Hyo-Jung Kwon
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea (H.-J.K.)
| | - Young-Suk Won
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Cheongju, Korea (Y.-S.W., W.K.Y.)
| | - Inpyo Choi
- Immunotherapy Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, Korea (I.C.)
| | - Young-Jun Park
- Enviornmental Diseases Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, Korea (Y.-J.P.)
| | - Du-Min Go
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Korea (S.-H.W., D.-M.G., J.-S.O., D.-Y.K.)
| | - Jeong-Seop Oh
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Korea (S.-H.W., D.-M.G., J.-S.O., D.-Y.K.)
| | - Won Kee Yoon
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Cheongju, Korea (Y.-S.W., W.K.Y.)
| | - Seung Sam Paik
- Department of Pathology, Hanyang University Medical College, Seoul, Korea (S.S.P., J.H.K.)
| | - Ji Hyeon Kim
- Department of Pathology, Hanyang University Medical College, Seoul, Korea (S.S.P., J.H.K.)
| | - Yong-Hwan Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Research Institute of Women’s Health, College of Natural Sciences, Sookmyung Women’s University, Seoul, Korea (Y.-H.K.)
| | - Jae-Hoon Choi
- Department of Life Science, College of Natural Sciences, Research Institute of Natural Sciences, Research Institute for Convergence of Basic Sciences, Hanyang Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea (S.H.L., K.S.P., M.K., K.K., J.-H.C.)
| | - Dae-Yong Kim
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Korea (S.-H.W., D.-M.G., J.-S.O., D.-Y.K.)
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Kabir I, Zhang X, Dave JM, Chakraborty R, Qu R, Chandran RR, Ntokou A, Gallardo-Vara E, Aryal B, Rotllan N, Garcia-Milian R, Hwa J, Kluger Y, Martin KA, Fernández-Hernando C, Greif DM. The age of bone marrow dictates the clonality of smooth muscle-derived cells in atherosclerotic plaques. NATURE AGING 2023; 3:64-81. [PMID: 36743663 PMCID: PMC9894379 DOI: 10.1038/s43587-022-00342-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Aging is the predominant risk factor for atherosclerosis, the leading cause of death. Rare smooth muscle cell (SMC) progenitors clonally expand giving rise to up to ~70% of atherosclerotic plaque cells; however, the effect of age on SMC clonality is not known. Our results indicate that aged bone marrow (BM)-derived cells non-cell autonomously induce SMC polyclonality and worsen atherosclerosis. Indeed, in myeloid cells from aged mice and humans, TET2 levels are reduced which epigenetically silences integrin β3 resulting in increased tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α signaling. TNFα signals through TNF receptor 1 on SMCs to promote proliferation and induces recruitment and expansion of multiple SMC progenitors into the atherosclerotic plaque. Notably, integrin β3 overexpression in aged BM preserves dominance of the lineage of a single SMC progenitor and attenuates plaque burden. Our results demonstrate a molecular mechanism of aged macrophage-induced SMC polyclonality and atherogenesis and suggest novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inamul Kabir
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- Department of Genetics, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- To whom correspondence should be addressed: or , 203-737-2040 (phone), 203-737-6118 (FAX)
| | - Xinbo Zhang
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Jui M. Dave
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- Department of Genetics, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Raja Chakraborty
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Rihao Qu
- Department of Pathology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Rachana R. Chandran
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- Department of Genetics, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Aglaia Ntokou
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- Department of Genetics, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Eunate Gallardo-Vara
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- Department of Genetics, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Binod Aryal
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Noemi Rotllan
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Rolando Garcia-Milian
- Department of Bioinformatics Support Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - John Hwa
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Yuval Kluger
- Department of Pathology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Kathleen A. Martin
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Carlos Fernández-Hernando
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- Department of Pathology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Daniel M. Greif
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- Department of Genetics, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- To whom correspondence should be addressed: or , 203-737-2040 (phone), 203-737-6118 (FAX)
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Ni Z, Lyu L, Gong H, Du L, Wen Z, Jiang H, Yang H, Hu Y, Zhang B, Xu Q, Guo X, Chen T. Multilineage commitment of Sca-1 + cells in reshaping vein grafts. Theranostics 2023; 13:2154-2175. [PMID: 37153747 PMCID: PMC10157743 DOI: 10.7150/thno.77735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Vein graft failure remains a significant clinical problem. Similar to other vascular diseases, stenosis of vein grafts is caused by several cell lines; however, the sources of these cells remain unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the cellular sources that reshape vein grafts. By analyzing transcriptomics data and constructing inducible lineage-tracing mouse models, we investigated the cellular components of vein grafts and their fates. The sc-RNAseq data suggested that Sca-1+ cells were vital players in vein grafts and might serve as progenitors for multilineage commitment. By generating a vein graft model in which the venae cavae from C57BL/6J wild-type mice were transplanted adjacent to the carotid arteries of Sca-1(Ly6a)-CreERT2; Rosa26-tdTomato mice, we demonstrated that the recipient Sca-1+ cells dominated reendothelialization and the formation of adventitial microvessels, especially at the perianastomotic regions. In turn, using chimeric mouse models, we confirmed that the Sca-1+ cells that participated in reendothelialization and the formation of adventitial microvessels all had a non-bone-marrow origin, whereas bone-marrow-derived Sca-1+ cells differentiated into inflammatory cells in vein grafts. Furthermore, using a parabiosis mouse model, we confirmed that non-bone-marrow-derived circulatory Sca-1+ cells were vital for the formation of adventitial microvessels, whereas Sca-1+ cells derived from local carotid arteries were the source of endothelium restoration. Using another mouse model in which venae cavae from Sca-1 (Ly6a)-CreERT2; Rosa26-tdTomato mice were transplanted adjacent to the carotid arteries of C57BL/6J wild-type mice, we confirmed that the donor Sca-1+ cells were mainly responsible for smooth muscle cells commitment in the neointima, particularly at the middle bodies of vein grafts. In addition, we provided evidence that knockdown/knockout of Pdgfrα in Sca-1+ cells decreased the cell potential to generate SMCs in vitro and decreased number of intimal SMCs in vein grafts. Our findings provided cell atlases of vein grafts, which demonstrated that recipient carotid arteries, donor veins, non-bone-marrow circulation, and the bone marrow provided diverse Sca-1+ cells/progenitors that participated in the reshaping of vein grafts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhichao Ni
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lingxia Lyu
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hui Gong
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Luping Du
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zuoshi Wen
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hua Jiang
- Department of kidney disease center, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Hao Yang
- Department of kidney disease center, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Yanhua Hu
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bohuan Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qingbo Xu
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- ✉ Corresponding authors: Qingbo Xu, MD. PhD. , Tel: +86 571-87236500, Fax: +86 571 4008306430 Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University Medical School, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310003, Hangzhou, China. Or Xiaogang Guo, MD. PhD. , Tel: +86 571-87236500 Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University Medical School, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310003, Hangzhou, China. Or Ting Chen, MD. PhD. , Tel: +86 15067127900 Mailing Address: Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University Medical School, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310003, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaogang Guo
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- ✉ Corresponding authors: Qingbo Xu, MD. PhD. , Tel: +86 571-87236500, Fax: +86 571 4008306430 Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University Medical School, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310003, Hangzhou, China. Or Xiaogang Guo, MD. PhD. , Tel: +86 571-87236500 Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University Medical School, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310003, Hangzhou, China. Or Ting Chen, MD. PhD. , Tel: +86 15067127900 Mailing Address: Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University Medical School, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310003, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ting Chen
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Alibaba-Zhejiang University Joint Research Center of Future Digital Healthcare, Hangzhou, China
- ✉ Corresponding authors: Qingbo Xu, MD. PhD. , Tel: +86 571-87236500, Fax: +86 571 4008306430 Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University Medical School, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310003, Hangzhou, China. Or Xiaogang Guo, MD. PhD. , Tel: +86 571-87236500 Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University Medical School, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310003, Hangzhou, China. Or Ting Chen, MD. PhD. , Tel: +86 15067127900 Mailing Address: Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University Medical School, 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310003, Hangzhou, China
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Xue Y, Luo M, Hu X, Li X, Shen J, Zhu W, Huang L, Hu Y, Guo Y, Liu L, Wang L, Luo S. Macrophages regulate vascular smooth muscle cell function during atherosclerosis progression through IL-1β/STAT3 signaling. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1316. [PMID: 36456628 PMCID: PMC9715630 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04255-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play a central role in atherosclerosis progression, but the functional changes in VSMCs and the associated cellular crosstalk during atherosclerosis progression remain unknown. Here we show that scRNA-seq analysis of proximal adjacent (PA) and atherosclerotic core (AC) regions of human carotid artery plaques identifies functional alterations in macrophage-like VSMCs, elucidating the main state differences between PA and AC VSMCs. And, IL-1β mediates macrophage-macrophage-like VSMC crosstalk through regulating key transcription factors involved in macrophage-like VSMCs functional alterations during atherosclerosis progression. In vitro assays reveal VSMCs trans-differentiated into a macrophage-like phenotype and then functional alterations in response to macrophage-derived stimuli. IL-1β promots the adhesion, inflammation, and apoptosis of macrophage-like VSMCs in a STAT3 dependent manner. The current findings provide interesting insight into the macrophages-macrophage-like VSMC crosstalk, which would drive functional alterations in the latter cell type through IL-1β/STAT3 axis during atherosclerosis progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzhou Xue
- grid.452206.70000 0004 1758 417XDepartment of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China ,grid.411642.40000 0004 0605 3760Department of Cardiology and Institute of Vascular Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Minghao Luo
- grid.452206.70000 0004 1758 417XDepartment of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiankang Hu
- grid.452206.70000 0004 1758 417XDepartment of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiang Li
- grid.452206.70000 0004 1758 417XDepartment of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jian Shen
- grid.452206.70000 0004 1758 417XDepartment of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wenyan Zhu
- Medical Department, Yidu Cloud (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing, China ,grid.459453.a0000 0004 1790 0232Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing Medical and Pharmaceutical College, Chongqing, China
| | - Longxiang Huang
- grid.452206.70000 0004 1758 417XDepartment of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yu Hu
- grid.452206.70000 0004 1758 417XDepartment of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yongzheng Guo
- grid.452206.70000 0004 1758 417XDepartment of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lin Liu
- grid.452206.70000 0004 1758 417XDepartment of Dermatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lingbang Wang
- grid.452206.70000 0004 1758 417XDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Suxin Luo
- grid.452206.70000 0004 1758 417XDepartment of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Han Y, Yan L, Xia L, Li S, Zhang Q, jin C. Global trends and Frontier topics about vascular smooth muscle cells phenotype switch: A bibliometric analysis from 1999 to 2021. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1004525. [PMID: 36452231 PMCID: PMC9702355 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1004525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 03/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective: Vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype switch (VSMCPS) plays a significant role in vascular remodeling. This study aimed to conduct a bibliometric analysis and visualize the knowledge map of research on VSMCPS. Methods: We retrieved publications focusing on VSMCPS from the Web of Science Core Collection database (SCI-EXPANDED) from 1999 to 2021. Using bibliometric tools, VOSviewer and CiteSpace, we identified the most productive researchers, journals, institutions, and countries. At the same time, the trends, hot topics, and knowledge networks were analyzed and visualized. Results: A total of 2213 publications were included in this analysis. The number of annual publications in the VSMCPS field exhibited an upward trend and could be roughly divided into three phases. Until 2006, the most prolific authors were from the United States. As of 2008, the number of articles published in China increased dramatically to reach 126 papers in 2020. As of 2014, China was the most productive country in this field. The United States ranked first in the number of highly-influential authors, institutions, and literature from 1999 to 2022. Owens GK, Hata, Akiko, and Wen, jin-kun were the most prolific authors. Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, Circulation Research, and Cardiovascular Research were the top-ranked journals in this field. "Vascular remodeling," "atherosclerosis," "neointima," "hypertension", and "inflammation" were the main researched topics. New diseases, new mechanisms, and new phenotype (e.g., micro RNA, macrophage-like-cell, hypoxia, autophagy, long noncoding RNA, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, senescence, aging, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and aortic dissection) represent the trending topics in recent years. Conclusion: This study systematically analyzed and visualized the knowledge map of VSMCPS over the past 2 decades. Our findings provide a comprehensive overview for scholars who want to understand current trends and new research frontiers in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Han
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Center of Stomatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Langchao Yan
- Mini-invasive Neurosurgery and Translational Medical Center, Xi’an Central Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lu Xia
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Center of Stomatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shifu Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hypothalamic-Pituitary Research Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hypothalamic-Pituitary Research Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chen jin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hypothalamic-Pituitary Research Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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Garcia SM, Yellowhair TR, Detweiler ND, Ahmadian R, Herbert LM, Gonzalez Bosc LV, Resta TC, Jernigan NL. Smooth muscle Acid-sensing ion channel 1a as a therapeutic target to reverse hypoxic pulmonary hypertension. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:989809. [PMID: 36275633 PMCID: PMC9581175 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.989809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Acid-sensing ion channel 1a (ASIC1a) is a voltage-independent, non-selective cation channel that conducts both Na+ and Ca2+. Activation of ASIC1a elicits plasma membrane depolarization and stimulates intracellular Ca2+-dependent signaling pathways in multiple cell types, including vascular smooth muscle (SM) and endothelial cells (ECs). Previous studies have shown that increases in pulmonary vascular resistance accompanying chronic hypoxia (CH)-induced pulmonary hypertension requires ASIC1a to elicit enhanced pulmonary vasoconstriction and vascular remodeling. Both SM and EC dysfunction drive these processes; however, the involvement of ASIC1a within these different cell types is unknown. Using the Cre-LoxP system to generate cell-type-specific Asic1a knockout mice, we tested the hypothesis that SM-Asic1a contributes to CH-induced pulmonary hypertension and vascular remodeling, whereas EC-Asic1a opposes the development of CH-induced pulmonary hypertension. The severity of pulmonary hypertension was not altered in mice with specific deletion of EC-Asic1a (TekCre-Asic1afl/fl). However, similar to global Asic1a knockout (Asic1a−/-) mice, mice with specific deletion of SM-Asic1a (MHCCreER-Asic1afl/fl) were protected from the development of CH-induced pulmonary hypertension and right heart hypertrophy. Furthermore, pulmonary hypertension was reversed when deletion of SM-Asic1a was initiated in conditional MHCCreER-Asic1afl/fl mice with established pulmonary hypertension. CH-induced vascular remodeling was also significantly attenuated in pulmonary arteries from MHCCreER-Asic1afl/fl mice. These findings were additionally supported by decreased CH-induced proliferation and migration of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) from Asic1a−/- mice. Together these data demonstrate that SM-, but not EC-Asic1a contributes to CH-induced pulmonary hypertension and vascular remodeling. Furthermore, these studies provide evidence for the therapeutic potential of ASIC1a inhibition to reverse pulmonary hypertension.
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Lu S, Weiser-Evans MC. Lgals3-Transitioned Inflammatory Smooth Muscle Cells: Major Regulators of Atherosclerosis Progression and Inflammatory Cell Recruitment. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2022; 42:957-959. [DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.122.318009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sizhao Lu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora. (S.L., M.C.M.W.-E.)
| | - Mary C.M. Weiser-Evans
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora. (S.L., M.C.M.W.-E.)
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Consortium for Fibrosis Research and Translation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora. (M.C.M.W.-E.)
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Pulmonary Research Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora. (M.C.M.W.-E.)
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36
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Kim SA, Lee AS, Lee HB, Hur HJ, Lee SH, Sung MJ. Soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitor, TPPU, attenuates progression of atherosclerotic lesions and vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic switching. Vascul Pharmacol 2022; 145:107086. [PMID: 35752378 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2022.107086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis manifests as a chronic inflammation resulting from multiple interactions between circulating factors and various cell types in blood vessel walls. Growing evidence shows that phenotypic switching and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) plays an important role in the progression of atherosclerosis. Soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH)/epoxyeicosatrienoic acids are mediated by vascular inflammation. N-[1-(1-oxopropyl)-4-piperidinyl]-N'-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]-urea (TPPU) is an sEH inhibitor. This study investigated the therapeutic effect of TPPU on atherosclerosis in vivo and homocysteine-induced vascular inflammation in vitro and explored their molecular mechanisms. We found that TPPU decreased WD-induced atherosclerotic plaque lesions, inflammation, expression of sEH, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase-4 (Nox4), and increased the expression of contractile phenotype marker of aortas in ApoE (-/-) mice. TPPU also inhibited homocysteine-stimulated VSMC proliferation, migration, and phenotypic switching, and reduced Nox4 in human-aorta-VSMC regulation. We conclude that TPPU has anti-atherosclerotic effects, potentially because of the suppression of VSMC phenotype switching. Thus, TPPU could be a potential therapeutic target for phenotypic switching attenuation in atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- So Ah Kim
- Research Group of Natural Materials and Metabolism, Food Functionality Research, Korea Food Research Institute, Jeollabuk-Do, Republic of Korea; Department of Food Biotechnology, Chonbuk National University, Jeollabuk-Do, Republic of Korea
| | - Ae Sin Lee
- Research Group of Natural Materials and Metabolism, Food Functionality Research, Korea Food Research Institute, Jeollabuk-Do, Republic of Korea
| | - Han Bit Lee
- Research Group of Natural Materials and Metabolism, Food Functionality Research, Korea Food Research Institute, Jeollabuk-Do, Republic of Korea
| | - Haeng Jeon Hur
- Research Group of Natural Materials and Metabolism, Food Functionality Research, Korea Food Research Institute, Jeollabuk-Do, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Hee Lee
- Research Group of Natural Materials and Metabolism, Food Functionality Research, Korea Food Research Institute, Jeollabuk-Do, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi Jeong Sung
- Research Group of Natural Materials and Metabolism, Food Functionality Research, Korea Food Research Institute, Jeollabuk-Do, Republic of Korea.
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37
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Bachmann JC, Baumgart SJ, Uryga AK, Bosteen MH, Borghetti G, Nyberg M, Herum KM. Fibrotic Signaling in Cardiac Fibroblasts and Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells: The Dual Roles of Fibrosis in HFpEF and CAD. Cells 2022; 11:1657. [PMID: 35626694 PMCID: PMC9139546 DOI: 10.3390/cells11101657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and atherosclerosis-driven coronary artery disease (CAD) will have ongoing fibrotic remodeling both in the myocardium and in atherosclerotic plaques. However, the functional consequences of fibrosis differ for each location. Thus, cardiac fibrosis leads to myocardial stiffening, thereby compromising cardiac function, while fibrotic remodeling stabilizes the atherosclerotic plaque, thereby reducing the risk of plaque rupture. Although there are currently no drugs targeting cardiac fibrosis, it is a field under intense investigation, and future drugs must take these considerations into account. To explore similarities and differences of fibrotic remodeling at these two locations of the heart, we review the signaling pathways that are activated in the main extracellular matrix (ECM)-producing cells, namely human cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Although these signaling pathways are highly overlapping and context-dependent, effects on ECM remodeling mainly act through two core signaling cascades: TGF-β and Angiotensin II. We complete this by summarizing the knowledge gained from clinical trials targeting these two central fibrotic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Kate M. Herum
- Research and Early Development, Novo Nordisk A/S, Novo Nordisk Park, 2760 Maaloev, Denmark; (J.C.B.); (S.J.B.); (A.K.U.); (M.H.B.); (G.B.); (M.N.)
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38
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Cysteine-Rich LIM-Only Protein 4 (CRP4) Promotes Atherogenesis in the ApoE -/- Mouse Model. Cells 2022; 11:cells11081364. [PMID: 35456043 PMCID: PMC9032522 DOI: 10.3390/cells11081364] [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: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) can switch from their contractile state to a synthetic phenotype resulting in high migratory and proliferative capacity and driving atherosclerotic lesion formation. The cysteine-rich LIM-only protein 4 (CRP4) reportedly modulates VSM-like transcriptional signatures, which are perturbed in VSMCs undergoing phenotypic switching. Thus, we hypothesized that CRP4 contributes to adverse VSMC behaviours and thereby to atherogenesis in vivo. The atherogenic properties of CRP4 were investigated in plaque-prone apolipoprotein E (ApoE) and CRP4 double-knockout (dKO) as well as ApoE-deficient CRP4 wildtype mice. dKO mice exhibited lower plaque numbers and lesion areas as well as a reduced content of α-smooth muscle actin positive cells in the lesion area, while lesion-associated cell proliferation was elevated in vessels lacking CRP4. Reduced plaque volumes in dKO correlated with significantly less intra-plaque oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL), presumably due to upregulation of the antioxidant factor peroxiredoxin-4 (PRDX4). This study identifies CRP4 as a novel pro-atherogenic factor that facilitates plaque oxLDL deposition and identifies the invasion of atherosclerotic lesions by VSMCs as important determinants of plaque vulnerability. Thus, targeting of VSMC CRP4 should be considered in plaque-stabilizing pharmacological strategies.
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Cheng P, Wirka RC, Kim JB, Kim HJ, Nguyen T, Kundu R, Zhao Q, Sharma D, Pedroza A, Nagao M, Iyer D, Fischbein MP, Quertermous T. Smad3 regulates smooth muscle cell fate and mediates adverse remodeling and calcification of the atherosclerotic plaque. NATURE CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH 2022; 1:322-333. [PMID: 36246779 PMCID: PMC9560061 DOI: 10.1038/s44161-022-00042-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerotic plaques consist mostly of smooth muscle cells (SMC), and genes that influence SMC phenotype can modulate coronary artery disease (CAD) risk. Allelic variation at 15q22.33 has been identified by genome-wide association studies to modify the risk of CAD and is associated with the expression of SMAD3 in SMC. However, the mechanism by which this gene modifies CAD risk remains poorly understood. Here we show that SMC-specific deletion of Smad3 in a murine atherosclerosis model resulted in greater plaque burden, more outward remodelling and increased vascular calcification. Single-cell transcriptomic analyses revealed that loss of Smad3 altered SMC transition cell state toward two fates: a SMC phenotype that governs both vascular remodelling and recruitment of inflammatory cells, as well as a chondromyocyte fate. Together, the findings reveal that Smad3 expression in SMC inhibits the emergence of specific SMC phenotypic transition cells that mediate adverse plaque features, including outward remodelling, monocyte recruitment, and vascular calcification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Cheng
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Robert C. Wirka
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Juyong Brian Kim
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Hyun-Jung Kim
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Trieu Nguyen
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Ramendra Kundu
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Quanyi Zhao
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Disha Sharma
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Albert Pedroza
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Manabu Nagao
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Dharini Iyer
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Michael P. Fischbein
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Thomas Quertermous
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
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40
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Misra A, Rehan R, Lin A, Patel S, Fisher EA. Emerging Concepts of Vascular Cell Clonal Expansion in Atherosclerosis. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2022; 42:e74-e84. [PMID: 35109671 PMCID: PMC8988894 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.121.316093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Clonal expansion is a process that can drive pathogenesis in human diseases, with atherosclerosis being a prominent example. Despite advances in understanding the etiology of atherosclerosis, clonality studies of vascular cells remain in an early stage. Recently, several paradigm-shifting preclinical studies have identified clonal expansion of progenitor cells in the vasculature in response to atherosclerosis. This review provides an overview of cell clonality in atherosclerotic progression, focusing particularly on smooth muscle cells and macrophages. We discuss key findings from the latest research that give insight into the mechanisms by which clonal expansion of vascular cells contributes to disease pathology. The further probing of these mechanisms will provide innovative directions for future progress in the understanding and therapy of atherosclerosis and its associated cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashish Misra
- Heart Research Institute, Sydney, NSW 2042, Australia,Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Rajan Rehan
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia,Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Alexander Lin
- Heart Research Institute, Sydney, NSW 2042, Australia,School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Sanjay Patel
- Heart Research Institute, Sydney, NSW 2042, Australia,Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia,Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Edward A Fisher
- Department of Medicine/Division of Cardiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA,Cardiovascular Research Center, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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41
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Slenders L, Tessels DE, van der Laan SW, Pasterkamp G, Mokry M. The Applications of Single-Cell RNA Sequencing in Atherosclerotic Disease. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:826103. [PMID: 35211529 PMCID: PMC8860895 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.826103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis still is the primary cause of death worldwide. Our characterization of the atherosclerotic lesion is mainly rooted in definitions based on pathological descriptions. We often speak in absolutes regarding plaque phenotypes: vulnerable vs. stable plaques or plaque rupture vs. plaque erosion. By focusing on these concepts, we may have oversimplified the atherosclerotic disease and its mechanisms. The widely used definitions of pathology-based plaque phenotypes can be fine-tuned with observations made with various -omics techniques. Recent advancements in single-cell transcriptomics provide the opportunity to characterize the cellular composition of the atherosclerotic plaque. This additional layer of information facilitates the in-depth characterization of the atherosclerotic plaque. In this review, we discuss the impact that single-cell transcriptomics may exert on our current understanding of atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lotte Slenders
- Central Diagnostics Laboratory, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Daniëlle E Tessels
- Central Diagnostics Laboratory, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Sander W van der Laan
- Central Diagnostics Laboratory, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Gerard Pasterkamp
- Central Diagnostics Laboratory, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Michal Mokry
- Central Diagnostics Laboratory, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
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42
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Transcriptome analysis revealed a two-step transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells to macrophage-like cells. Atherosclerosis 2022; 346:26-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2022.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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43
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Therapeutic potential of colchicine in cardiovascular medicine: a pharmacological review. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2022; 43:2173-2190. [PMID: 35046517 PMCID: PMC8767044 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-021-00835-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Colchicine is an ancient herbal drug derived from Colchicum autumnale. It was first used to treat familial Mediterranean fever and gout. Based on its unique efficacy as an anti-inflammatory agent, colchicine has been used in the therapy of cardiovascular diseases including coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, recurrent pericarditis, vascular restenosis, heart failure, and myocardial infarction. More recently, colchicine has also shown therapeutic efficacy in alleviating cardiovascular complications of COVID-19. COLCOT and LoDoCo2 are two milestone clinical trials that confirm the curative effect of long-term administration of colchicine in reducing the incidence of cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease. There is growing interest in studying the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of colchicine. The anti-inflammatory action of colchicine is mediated mainly through inhibiting the assembly of microtubules. At the cellular level, colchicine inhibits the following: (1) endothelial cell dysfunction and inflammation; (2) smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration; (3) macrophage chemotaxis, migration, and adhesion; (4) platelet activation. At the molecular level, colchicine reduces proinflammatory cytokine release and inhibits NF-κB signaling and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. In this review, we summarize the current clinical trials with proven curative effect of colchicine in treating cardiovascular diseases. We also systematically discuss the mechanisms of colchicine action in cardiovascular therapeutics. Altogether, colchicine, a bioactive constituent from an ancient medicinal herb, exerts unique anti-inflammatory effects and prominent cardiovascular actions, and will charter a new page in cardiovascular medicine.
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44
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Zhang F, Guo X, Xia Y, Mao L. An update on the phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 79:6. [PMID: 34936041 PMCID: PMC11072026 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-04079-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are involved in phenotypic switching in atherosclerosis. This switching is characterized by VSMC dedifferentiation, migration, and transdifferentiation into other cell types. VSMC phenotypic transitions have historically been considered bidirectional processes. Cells can adopt a physiological contraction phenotype or an alternative "synthetic" phenotype in response to injury. However, recent studies, including lineage tracing and single-cell sequencing studies, have shown that VSMCs downregulate contraction markers during atherosclerosis while adopting other phenotypes, including macrophage-like, foam cell, mesenchymal stem-like, myofibroblast-like, and osteochondral-like phenotypes. However, the molecular mechanism and processes regulating the switching of VSMCs at the onset of atherosclerosis are still unclear. This systematic review aims to review the critical outstanding challenges and issues that need further investigation and summarize the current knowledge in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Xiaoqing Guo
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Yuanpeng Xia
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
| | - Ling Mao
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
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45
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Mechanisms of vascular smooth muscle cell investment and phenotypic diversification in vascular diseases. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:2101-2111. [PMID: 34495326 PMCID: PMC8589433 DOI: 10.1042/bst20210138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
In contrast with the heart, the adult mammalian vasculature retains significant remodelling capacity, dysregulation of which is implicated in disease development. In particular, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play major roles in the pathological vascular remodelling characteristic of atherosclerosis, restenosis, aneurysm and pulmonary arterial hypertension. Clonal lineage tracing revealed that the VSMC-contribution to disease results from the hyperproliferation of few pre-existing medial cells and suggested that VSMC-derived cells from the same clone can adopt diverse phenotypes. Studies harnessing the powerful combination of lineage tracing and single-cell transcriptomics have delineated the substantial diversity of VSMC-derived cells in vascular lesions, which are proposed to have both beneficial and detrimental effects on disease severity. Computational analyses further suggest that the pathway from contractile VSMCs in healthy arteries to phenotypically distinct lesional cells consists of multiple, potentially regulatable, steps. A better understanding of how individual steps are controlled could reveal effective therapeutic strategies to minimise VSMC functions that drive pathology whilst maintaining or enhancing their beneficial roles. Here we review current knowledge of VSMC plasticity and highlight important questions that should be addressed to understand how specific stages of VSMC investment and phenotypic diversification are controlled. Implications for developing therapeutic strategies in pathological vascular remodelling are discussed and we explore how cutting-edge approaches could be used to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying VSMC regulation.
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46
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Grootaert MOJ, Bennett MR. Vascular smooth muscle cells in atherosclerosis: time for a re-assessment. Cardiovasc Res 2021; 117:2326-2339. [PMID: 33576407 PMCID: PMC8479803 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvab046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are key participants in both early and late-stage atherosclerosis. VSMCs invade the early atherosclerotic lesion from the media, expanding lesions, but also forming a protective fibrous cap rich in extracellular matrix to cover the 'necrotic' core. Hence, VSMCs have been viewed as plaque-stabilizing, and decreased VSMC plaque content-often measured by expression of contractile markers-associated with increased plaque vulnerability. However, the emergence of lineage-tracing and transcriptomic studies has demonstrated that VSMCs comprise a much larger proportion of atherosclerotic plaques than originally thought, demonstrate multiple different phenotypes in vivo, and have roles that might be detrimental. VSMCs down-regulate contractile markers during atherosclerosis whilst adopting alternative phenotypes, including macrophage-like, foam cell-like, osteochondrogenic-like, myofibroblast-like, and mesenchymal stem cell-like. VSMC phenotypic switching can be studied in tissue culture, but also now in the media, fibrous cap and deep-core region, and markedly affects plaque formation and markers of stability. In this review, we describe the different VSMC plaque phenotypes and their presumed cellular and paracrine functions, the regulatory mechanisms that control VSMC plasticity, and their impact on atherogenesis and plaque stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandy O J Grootaert
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Cambridge, Box 110, ACCI, Addenbrookes Hospital, CB2 0QQ Cambridge, UK
| | - Martin R Bennett
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Cambridge, Box 110, ACCI, Addenbrookes Hospital, CB2 0QQ Cambridge, UK
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47
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The Expanding Role of Alternative Splicing in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Plasticity. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910213. [PMID: 34638554 PMCID: PMC8508619 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) display extraordinary phenotypic plasticity. This allows them to differentiate or dedifferentiate, depending on environmental cues. The ability to ‘switch’ between a quiescent contractile phenotype to a highly proliferative synthetic state renders VSMCs as primary mediators of vascular repair and remodelling. When their plasticity is pathological, it can lead to cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and restenosis. Coinciding with significant technological and conceptual innovations in RNA biology, there has been a growing focus on the role of alternative splicing in VSMC gene expression regulation. Herein, we review how alternative splicing and its regulatory factors are involved in generating protein diversity and altering gene expression levels in VSMC plasticity. Moreover, we explore how recent advancements in the development of splicing-modulating therapies may be applied to VSMC-related pathologies.
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48
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Luo L, Cai Y, Zhang Y, Hsu CG, Korshunov VA, Long X, Knight PA, Berk BC, Yan C. Role of PDE10A in vascular smooth muscle cell hyperplasia and pathological vascular remodelling. Cardiovasc Res 2021; 118:2703-2717. [PMID: 34550322 PMCID: PMC9890476 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvab304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Intimal hyperplasia is a common feature of vascular remodelling disorders. Accumulation of synthetic smooth muscle cell (SMC)-like cells is the main underlying cause. Current therapeutic approaches including drug-eluting stents are not perfect due to the toxicity on endothelial cells and novel therapeutic strategies are needed. Our preliminary screening for dysregulated cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) in growing SMCs revealed the alteration of PDE10A expression. Herein, we investigated the function of PDE10A in SMC proliferation and intimal hyperplasia both in vitro and in vivo. METHODS AND RESULTS RT-qPCR, immunoblot, and in situ proximity ligation assay were performed to determine PDE10A expression in synthetic SMCs and injured vessels. We found that PDE10A mRNA and/or protein levels are up-regulated in cultured SMCs upon growth stimulation, as well as in intimal cells in injured mouse femoral arteries. To determine the cellular functions of PDE10A, we focused on its role in SMC proliferation. The anti-mitogenic effects of PDE10A on SMCs were evaluated via cell counting, BrdU incorporation, and flow cytometry. We found that PDE10A deficiency or inhibition arrested the SMC cell cycle at G1-phase with a reduction of cyclin D1. The anti-mitotic effect of PDE10A inhibition was dependent on cGMP-dependent protein kinase Iα (PKGIα), involving C-natriuretic peptide (CNP) and particulate guanylate cyclase natriuretic peptide receptor 2 (NPR2). In addition, the effects of genetic depletion and pharmacological inhibition of PDE10A on neointimal formation were examined in a mouse model of femoral artery wire injury. Both PDE10A knockout and inhibition decreased injury-induced intimal thickening in femoral arteries by at least 50%. Moreover, PDE10A inhibition decreased ex vivo remodelling of cultured human saphenous vein segments. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that PDE10A contributes to SMC proliferation and intimal hyperplasia at least partially via antagonizing CNP/NPR2/cGMP/PKG1α signalling and suggest that PDE10A may be a novel drug target for treating vascular occlusive disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingfeng Luo
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA,Department of Medicine, Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Yujun Cai
- Department of Medicine, Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Yishuai Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Chia G Hsu
- Department of Medicine, Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Vyacheslav A Korshunov
- Department of Medicine, Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Xiaochun Long
- Department of Vascular Biology Center and Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Peter A Knight
- Department of Surgery, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Bradford C Berk
- Department of Medicine, Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Chen Yan
- Corresponding author. Tel: 585-276-7704, E-mail:
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49
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Martos-Rodríguez CJ, Albarrán-Juárez J, Morales-Cano D, Caballero A, MacGrogan D, de la Pompa JL, Carramolino L, Bentzon JF. Fibrous Caps in Atherosclerosis Form by Notch-Dependent Mechanisms Common to Arterial Media Development. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2021; 41:e427-e439. [PMID: 34261328 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.120.315627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Objective Atheromatous fibrous caps are produced by smooth muscle cells (SMCs) that are recruited to the subendothelial space. We tested whether the recruitment mechanisms are the same as in embryonic artery development, which relies prominently on Notch signaling to form the subendothelial medial SMC layers. Approach and Results Notch elements were expressed in regions of fibrous cap in human and mouse plaques. To assess the causal role of Notch signaling in cap formation, we studied atherosclerosis in mice where the Notch pathway was inactivated in SMCs by conditional knockout of the essential effector transcription factor RBPJ (recombination signal-binding protein for immunoglobulin kappa J region). The recruitment of cap SMCs was significantly reduced without major effects on plaque size. Lineage tracing revealed the accumulation of SMC-derived plaque cells in the cap region was unaltered but that Notch-defective cells failed to re-acquire the SMC phenotype in the cap. Conversely, to analyze whether the loss of Notch signaling is required for SMC-derived cells to accumulate in atherogenesis, we studied atherosclerosis in mice with constitutive activation of Notch signaling in SMCs achieved by conditional expression of the Notch intracellular domain. Forced Notch signaling inhibited the ability of medial SMCs to contribute to plaque cells, including both cap SMCs and osteochondrogenic cells, and significantly reduced atherosclerosis development. Conclusions Sequential loss and gain of Notch signaling is needed to build the cap SMC population. The shared mechanisms with embryonic arterial media assembly suggest that the cap forms as a neo-media that restores the connection between endothelium and subendothelial SMCs, transiently disrupted in early atherogenesis.
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MESH Headings
- Actins/genetics
- Actins/metabolism
- Animals
- Arteries/metabolism
- Arteries/pathology
- Atherosclerosis/genetics
- Atherosclerosis/metabolism
- Atherosclerosis/pathology
- Cell Lineage
- Cells, Cultured
- Disease Progression
- Fibrosis
- Humans
- Immunoglobulin J Recombination Signal Sequence-Binding Protein/genetics
- Immunoglobulin J Recombination Signal Sequence-Binding Protein/metabolism
- Jagged-1 Protein/genetics
- Jagged-1 Protein/metabolism
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/pathology
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/pathology
- Phenotype
- Plaque, Atherosclerotic
- Rats
- Receptors, Notch/genetics
- Receptors, Notch/metabolism
- Signal Transduction
- Tunica Media/metabolism
- Tunica Media/pathology
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos J Martos-Rodríguez
- Experimental Pathology of Atherosclerosis Laboratory, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III, Madrid, Spain (C.J.M.-R., D.M.-C., A.C., L.C., J.F.B.)
| | - Julián Albarrán-Juárez
- Heart Diseases, Department of Clinical Medicine (J.A.-J., A.C., J.F.B.), Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Daniel Morales-Cano
- Experimental Pathology of Atherosclerosis Laboratory, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III, Madrid, Spain (C.J.M.-R., D.M.-C., A.C., L.C., J.F.B.)
| | - Ainoa Caballero
- Experimental Pathology of Atherosclerosis Laboratory, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III, Madrid, Spain (C.J.M.-R., D.M.-C., A.C., L.C., J.F.B.)
- Heart Diseases, Department of Clinical Medicine (J.A.-J., A.C., J.F.B.), Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Donal MacGrogan
- Intercellular Signalling in Cardiovascular Development and Disease Laboratory, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), Madrid, Spain (D.M., J.L.d.l.P.)
- Ciber de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Madrid, Spain (D.M., J.L.d.l.P.)
| | - José Luis de la Pompa
- Intercellular Signalling in Cardiovascular Development and Disease Laboratory, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), Madrid, Spain (D.M., J.L.d.l.P.)
- Ciber de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Madrid, Spain (D.M., J.L.d.l.P.)
| | - Laura Carramolino
- Experimental Pathology of Atherosclerosis Laboratory, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III, Madrid, Spain (C.J.M.-R., D.M.-C., A.C., L.C., J.F.B.)
| | - Jacob F Bentzon
- Experimental Pathology of Atherosclerosis Laboratory, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III, Madrid, Spain (C.J.M.-R., D.M.-C., A.C., L.C., J.F.B.)
- Heart Diseases, Department of Clinical Medicine (J.A.-J., A.C., J.F.B.), Aarhus University, Denmark
- Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Department of Clinical Medicine (J.F.B.), Aarhus University, Denmark
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50
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Yong-Xin R, Xue-Bin Z, Shu-Xu D, Yongqiang Z, Ying L, Jing L, Ying-Dai G, Hong-Cai S, Eyden B. Histopathological and ultrastructural study of carotid atherosclerotic plaques: a study of four cases. Ultrastruct Pathol 2021; 45:319-334. [PMID: 34459698 DOI: 10.1080/01913123.2021.1968090] [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: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
To clarify the characteristics and origin of the cellular components in atherosclerosis, carotid atherosclerotic plaques (CAPs) of four patients were studied by light microscopy using hematoxylin-eosin, Congo red and alpha-smooth-muscle actin stains, and by transmission electron microscopy of different regions of CAPs. By light microscopy, CAPs were composed of 1) a fibrous cap; 2) an atherosclerotic core presenting focal fibrosis, neovascularization, hemorrhage, necrosis, chondrification and ossification; and 3) a basal band composed of a hyperplasic pseudo-media and affected tunica media. Ultrastructurally, the CAPs contained a diversity of cells including fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, osteochondrocytes, vascular smooth-muscle cells, foam cells and other myoid cells characterized by varied features of the above mentioned cells. The results indicated that CAPs were derived from a proliferation of multipotential mesenchymal stem cells, leading to the presence of degenerated foam cells and lipid-laden cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ru Yong-Xin
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhang Xue-Bin
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Dong Shu-Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhang Yongqiang
- Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Li Ying
- Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Liu Jing
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Gao Ying-Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
| | - Shang Hong-Cai
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education, Beijing Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Peking, China
| | - Brian Eyden
- Formerly: Department of Histopathology, Christie Hospital Nhs Trust, Manchester, UK
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