The Transcription Factor SUB1 Is a Master Regulator of the Macrophage TLR Response in Atherosclerosis

Toll-like receptor 2 and 4 (TLR2, TLR4) signaling is implicated in atherosclerotic plaque formation. The two-stage master regulator Virtual Inference of Protein-activity by Enriched Regulon (VIPER) analysis of macrophage TLR2 and TLR4 signature genes integrated with coexpression network genes derived from 371 patient-derived carotid specimens identifies activated RNA polymerase II transcriptional coactivator p15 (SUB1/Sub1, PC4) as a master regulon in the atherogenic TLR response. It is found that TLR2 and TLR4 signaling is proinflammatory and proatherosclerotic in chow-fed apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE^-/- ) mice. Through transgenic myeloid-specific Sub1 knockout in ApoE^-/- mice, it is discovered that these proatherosclerotic effects of TLR2 and TLR4 signaling are mediated by Sub1. Sub1 knockout in macrophages enhances anti-inflammatory M2 macrophage polarization and cholesterol efflux. Irradiated low density lipoprotein receptor-deficient (Ldlr^-/- ) mice transplanted with Sub1^-/- murine bone marrow display reduced atherosclerosis. Promoter analysis reveals Sub1-dependent activation of interferon regulatory factor 1 (Irf1) transcription in a casein kinase 2 (Ck2)-dependent manner, and Sub1-knockout macrophages display decreased Irf1 expression. Artificial Irf1 overexpression in Sub1-knockout macrophages enhances proinflammatory M1 skewing and lowers cholesterol clearance. In conclusion, the TLR master regulon Sub1, and its downstream effect on the transcription factor Irf1, promotes a proinflammatory M1 macrophage phenotype and enhances atherosclerotic burden in vivo.

Associations Between Common Polymorphisms of CDKN2B-AS and Susceptibility to ASCVD

This meta-analysis was conducted to estimate associations between CDKN2B antisense (CDKN2B-AS) polymorphisms and susceptibility to atherosclerotic cardio-cerebral vascular diseases (ASCVD). A systematic literature research of PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, Embase, and CNKI was performed to identify eligible studies. Overall, 34 studies were included for meta-analyses. Pooled overall analyses showed that rs1333040, rs1333049, rs2383206, and rs2383207 polymorphisms were associated with susceptibility to ASCVD in the whole population. Further analyses by ethnicity revealed that all investigated polymorphisms were associated with susceptibility to ASCVD in East Asians. Moreover, rs2383206, rs2383207, rs10757274, and rs10757278 polymorphisms were associated with susceptibility to ASCVD in West Asians, while rs2383206, rs10757274, and rs10757278 were associated with susceptibility to ASCVD in Caucasians. When we stratified eligible studies by type of disease, positive results were found for all investigated polymorphisms in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) or myocardial infarction, whereas positive results were only detected for rs2383206 and rs10757274 polymorphisms in patients with ischemic stroke (IS). Our findings suggest that rs1333040, rs1333049, rs2383206, rs2383207, rs10757274, and rs10757278 polymorphisms might serve as genetic biomarkers of CAD, and rs2383206 and rs10757274 polymorphisms might serve as genetic biomarkers of IS.

A meta-analysis on correlations of OX40L variants with atherosclerotic disorders

BACKGROUND

This meta-analysis was conducted to analyze the correlations of OX40 ligand (OX40L) variants with atherosclerotic cardio-cerebral vascular diseases (ASCVD).

METHODS

Systematic literature research was conducted in PubMed, Medline, and Embase. All statistical analyses were conducted with Review Manager.

RESULTS

Totally eighteen studies were enrolled for analyses. Although no any significant correlations between OX40L variants and ASCVD were detected in overall analyses. Further subgroup analyses by ethnicity revealed that rs1234314 variant was significantly associated with ASCVD in East Asians (dominant model: P = 0.03, odds ratios [OR] = 1.15, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.31; allele model: P = 0.04, OR = 1.10, 95%CI, 1.00-1.20). When we stratified eligible studies by type of disease, positive results were observed for rs17568 variant in subjects with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) (allele model: P = 0.04, OR = 0.81, 95%CI, 0.65-0.99), for rs1234314 variant in subjects with coronary artery disease (CAD) (dominant model: P = 0.04, OR = 1.16, 95%CI, 1.00-1.35), for rs3850641 variant in subjects with CAD (recessive model: P = 0.02, OR = 1.42, 95%CI, 1.05-1.90) and myocardial infarction (MI) (recessive model: P = 0.03, OR = 1.49, 95%CI, 1.05-2.11).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggested that rs17568, rs1234314, and rs3850641 variants might serve as genetic biomarkers of certain types of CAD.

WITHDRAWN: A meta-analysis on associations of CDKN2B-AS variants with atherosclerotic cardio-cerebral vascular diseases

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The roles of PAI-1 gene polymorphisms in atherosclerotic diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis involving 149,908 subjects

BACKGROUND

The roles of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) gene polymorphisms in atherosclerotic diseases were intensively analyzed, but the results of these studies were inconsistent. Therefore, we performed this study to better assess the relationship between PAI-1 genetic variations and atherosclerosis.

METHODS

Eligible studies were searched in PubMed, Medline, Embase and Web of Science. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess relationship between PAI-1 polymorphisms and atherosclerotic diseases.

RESULTS

Ninety-nine studies involving 62,739 cases and 87,169 controls were finally included. Significant associations with the risk of atherosclerosis were detected for the rs2227631 polymorphism in the dominant model (95% CI 0.84-1.00), for the rs1799889 polymorphism in the dominant (95% CI 1.01-1.18), recessive (95% CI 0.90-0.98) and allele (95% CI 1.01-1.12) models. Further subgroup analyses based on type of disease and ethnicity of participants suggested that the rs2227631 polymorphism was significantly associated with the risk of coronary artery disease in the dominant (95% CI 0.71-0.94) and allele (95% CI 0.80-0.94) models, whereas the rs1799889 polymorphism was significantly associated with the risk of myocardial infarction (dominant model: 95% CI 1.09-1.57; recessive model: 95% CI 0.71-0.96; allele model: 95% CI 1.05-1.28) and cerebral infarction (dominant model: 95% CI 1.68-3.51; additive model: 95% CI 0.39-0.77; allele model: 95% CI 1.23-2.00). Moreover, the rs1799889 polymorphism was also significantly correlated with the risk of atherosclerosis in both Asians (dominant model: 95% CI 1.10-1.83; allele model: 95% CI 1.03-1.41) and Caucasians (recessive model: 95% CI 0.87-0.97; allele model: 95% CI 1.01-1.12).

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, our findings indicate that PAI-1 rs2227631 and rs1799889 polymorphisms may serve as genetic biomarkers of atherosclerotic diseases.

Statin-associated myopathy and the quest for biomarkers: can we effectively predict statin-associated muscle symptoms?

Over the past three decades, statins have become the cornerstone of prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Albeit generally well tolerated, these drugs can elicit a variety of muscle-associated symptoms that represent the most important reason for treatment discontinuation. Statin-associated myopathy has been systematically underestimated by randomized controlled trials as compared with the incidence observed in clinical practice and obtained from patient registries. There are several reasons for this discrepancy, among which the lack of reliable diagnostic tests and a validated questionnaire to assess muscle symptoms are recognized as unmet needs. Here, we review the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying statin-associated myopathy and discuss the experimental and clinical data on various biomarkers to diagnose and predict muscle-related complaints.