In Vivo Pravastatin Treatment Reverses Hypercholesterolemia Induced Mitochondria-Associated Membranes Contact Sites, Foam Cell Formation, and Phagocytosis in Macrophages

Identification and validation of mitochondrial endoplasmic reticulum membrane-related genes in atherosclerosis

The mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membrane is implicated in atherosclerosis (AS). However, its precise molecular mechanisms remain undefined. This study identified KLRC1 and SOCS2 as key protective genes against AS through transcriptomic analysis integrated with Mendelian randomization. Both genes exhibited significantly reduced expression in the AS group. Immune infiltration analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between activated CD8+ T cells and these genes, while eosinophils displayed the most pronounced negative correlation with KLRC1, and regulatory T cells exhibited the strongest negative association with SOCS2. Notably, SOCS2 emerged as a pivotal protective factor, offering novel insights into AS pathogenesis and providing a robust theoretical foundation for early diagnosis and potential therapeutic strategies.

Mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes and myocardial ischemia: from molecular mechanisms to therapeutic strategies

Myocardial ischemia has the highest disease burden among all cardiovascular diseases making it a significant challenge to the global public health. It can result in myocardial cell damage and death due to impaired mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) functions. These two organelles are important regulators of cell death. In recent years, research has shifted from isolated studies of individual organelles to a more integrative approach, with a particular focus on their membrane contact sites-Mitochondria-Associated Endoplasmic Reticulum Membranes (MAMs). These dynamic microdomains play a crucial role in regulating material exchange and signal transduction between the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. This review comprehensively describes the intricate structure of MAMs and their multifaceted roles in cellular pathophysiological processes. Particular focus was directed at the far-reaching effects of MAMs in regulating key pathological events including calcium homeostasis, mitochondrial dysfunction, ER stress, oxidative stress, and autophagy in ischemic heart disease (IHD). The potential treatment targets and regulatory mechanisms of MAMs were discussed and summarized, providing novel research directions and treatment approaches for improving myocardial ischemia-related diseases.

New insights into the relationship of mitochondrial metabolism and atherosclerosis

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are the number one killer of human health. In view of the important role of mitochondria in the formation and evolution of atherosclerosis, our manuscript aims to comprehensively elaborate the relationship between mitochondria and the formation and evolution of atherosclerosis from the aspects of mitochondrial dynamics, mitochondria-organelle interaction (communication), mitochondria and cell death, mitochondria and vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic switch, etc., which is combined with genome, transcriptome and proteome, in order to provide new ideas for the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and the diagnosis and treatment of related diseases.

Regulation of adult neurogenesis: the crucial role of astrocytic mitochondria

Neurogenesis has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach for central nervous system disorders. The role of neuronal mitochondria in neurogenesis is well-studied, however, recent evidence underscores the critical role of astrocytic mitochondrial function in regulating neurogenesis and the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This review highlights the regulatory effects of astrocyte mitochondria on neurogenesis, focusing on metabolic support, calcium homeostasis, and the secretion of neurotrophic factors. The effect of astrocytic mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathophysiology and treatment strategies of Alzheimer's disease and depression is discussed. Greater attention is needed to investigate the mitochondrial autophagy, dynamics, biogenesis, and energy metabolism in neurogenesis. Targeting astrocyte mitochondria presents a potential therapeutic strategy for enhancing neural regeneration.

Mitochondria as novel mediators linking gut microbiota to atherosclerosis that is ameliorated by herbal medicine: A review

Atherosclerosis (AS) is the main cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is characterized by endothelial damage, lipid deposition, and chronic inflammation. Gut microbiota plays an important role in the occurrence and development of AS by regulating host metabolism and immunity. As human mitochondria evolved from primordial bacteria have homologous characteristics, they are attacked by microbial pathogens as target organelles, thus contributing to energy metabolism disorders, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Therefore, mitochondria may be a key mediator of intestinal microbiota disorders and AS aggravation. Microbial metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids, trimethylamine, hydrogen sulfide, and bile acids, also affect mitochondrial function, including mtDNA mutation, oxidative stress, and mitophagy, promoting low-grade inflammation. This further damages cellular homeostasis and the balance of innate immunity, aggravating AS. Herbal medicines and their monomers can effectively ameliorate the intestinal flora and their metabolites, improve mitochondrial function, and inhibit atherosclerotic plaques. This review focuses on the interaction between gut microbiota and mitochondria in AS and explores a therapeutic strategy for restoring mitochondrial function and intestinal microbiota disorders using herbal medicines, aiming to provide new insights for the prevention and treatment of AS.

Novel Role of CETP in Macrophages: Reduction of Mitochondrial Oxidants Production and Modulation of Cell Immune-Metabolic Profile

Plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activity diminishes HDL-cholesterol levels and thus may increase atherosclerosis risk. Experimental evidence suggests CETP may also exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, but local tissue-specific functions of CETP have not yet been clarified. Since oxidative stress and inflammation are major features of atherogenesis, we investigated whether CETP modulates macrophage oxidant production, inflammatory and metabolic profiles. Comparing macrophages from CETP-expressing transgenic mice and non-expressing littermates, we observed that CETP expression reduced mitochondrial superoxide anion production and H2O2 release, increased maximal mitochondrial respiration rates, and induced elongation of the mitochondrial network and expression of fusion-related genes (mitofusin-2 and OPA1). The expression of pro-inflammatory genes and phagocytic activity were diminished in CETP-expressing macrophages. In addition, CETP-expressing macrophages had less unesterified cholesterol under basal conditions and after exposure to oxidized LDL, as well as increased HDL-mediated cholesterol efflux. CETP knockdown in human THP1 cells increased unesterified cholesterol and abolished the effects on mitofusin-2 and TNFα. In summary, the expression of CETP in macrophages modulates mitochondrial structure and function to promote an intracellular antioxidant state and oxidative metabolism, attenuation of pro-inflammatory gene expression, reduced cholesterol accumulation, and phagocytosis. These localized functions of CETP may be relevant for the prevention of atherosclerosis and other inflammatory diseases.