Importance of NLRP3 Inflammasome in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Cholesterol crystals in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis

The presence of cholesterol crystals (CCs) in tissues was first described more than 100 years ago. CCs have a pathogenic role in various cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial infarction, aortic aneurysm and, most prominently, atherosclerosis. Although the underlying mechanisms and signalling pathways involved in CC formation are incompletely understood, numerous studies have highlighted the existence of CCs at various stages of atheroma progression. In this Review, we summarize the mechanisms underlying CC formation and the role of CCs in cardiovascular disease. In particular, we explore the established links between lipid metabolism across various cell types and the formation of CCs, with a focus on CC occurrence in the vasculature. We also discuss CC-induced inflammation as one of the pathogenic features of CCs in the atheroma. Finally, we summarize the therapeutic strategies aimed at reducing CC-mediated atherosclerotic burden, including approaches to inhibit CC formation in the vasculature or to mitigate the inflammatory response triggered by CCs. Addressing CC formation might emerge as a crucial component in our broader efforts to combat cardiovascular disease.

RAGE deficiency ameliorates abdominal aortic aneurysm progression

BACKGROUND

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a vascular disease characterized by inflammation and arterial wall degradation. The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) plays a pivotal role in regulating inflammatory pathways, but its specific contribution to AAA pathogenesis remains unclear.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the role of RAGE in AAA development by examining its expression in human and mice AAA tissues and exploring the effects of RAGE deficiency on aneurysm progression, macrophage polarization, and inflammatory responses.

METHODS

RAGE expression was analyzed in human AAA samples and porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) induced AAA mouse models using Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. In vivo RAGE-deficient (RAGE-/-) mice were generated to assess the impact of RAGE knockout on AAA progression. In vitro experiments utilized RAW264.7 transfected with RAGE-targeting siRNA to study macrophage polarization and NF-κB signaling.

RESULTS

RAGE expression was elevated in AAA tissues, particularly in macrophages. RAGE-/- mice exhibited reduced AAA incidence, mortality, and aortic dilation compared to wild-type mice. Histological analysis showed preserved elastic fibers and smooth muscle layers, along with decreased inflammatory cell infiltration and MMP2/MMP9 expression. RAGE deficiency inhibited M1-like macrophage polarization and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion, mediated through suppression of the NF-κB pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

RAGE deficiency mitigates AAA progression by modulating macrophage polarization and reducing inflammation via the NF-κB pathway. These findings highlight RAGE as a potential therapeutic target for AAA treatment.

Agathis dammara Extract and its Monomer Araucarone Attenuate Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in Mice

BACKGROUND

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a chronic vascular disease wherein the inflammation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) plays a pivotal role in its development. Effectively mitigating AAA involves inhibiting VSMC inflammation. Agathis dammara (Lamb.) Rich, recognized for its robust anti-inflammatory and antioxidant attributes, has been employed as a traditional medicinal resource. Nonetheless, there is a dearth of information regarding the potential of Agathis dammara extract (AD) in attenuating AAA, specifically by diminishing vascular inflammation, notably VSMC inflammation. Furthermore, the active constituents of AD necessitate identification.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study sought to ascertain the efficacy of AD in reducing AAA, evaluate its impact on VSMC inflammation, and elucidate whether the monomer araucarone (AO) in AD acts as an active component against AAA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The extraction of AD was conducted and subjected to analysis through High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry. The isolation of the AO monomer followed, involving the determination of its content and purity. Subsequently, the effects of AD and AO on VSMC inflammation were assessed in vitro, encompassing an examination of inflammatory factors such as IL-6 and IL-18, as well as the activation of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-stimulated VSMCs. To explore the inhibitory effects of AD/AO on AAA, C57BL/6J male mice were subjected to oral gavage (100 mg/kg) or intraperitoneal injection (50 mg/kg) of AD and AO in a porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE)-induced AAA model (14 days). This facilitated the observation of abdominal aorta dilatation, remodeling, elastic fiber disruption, and macrophage infiltration. Additionally, a three-day PPE mouse model was utilized to assess the effects of AD and AO (administered at 100 mg/kg via gavage) on acute inflammation and MMP9 expression in blood vessels. The mechanism by which AD/AO suppresses the inflammatory response was probed through the examination of NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway activation in VSMCs and aortas.

RESULTS

Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) revealed that AO constituted 15.36% of AD's content, with a purity of 96%. Subsequent pharmacological investigations of AO were conducted in parallel with AD. Both AD and AO exhibited the ability to inhibit TNF-α-induced VSMC inflammation and MMP production in vitro. Furthermore, both substances effectively prevented PPE-induced AAA in mice, whether administered through gavage or intraperitoneal injection, evidenced by decreased vascular diameter dilation, disruption of elastin fiber layers, and infiltration of inflammatory cells. In the three-day PPE mouse model, AD and AO mitigated the heightened expression of inflammatory factors and the elevated expression of MMP9 induced by PPE. The activation of the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway in both VSMCs and aortas was significantly suppressed by treatment with AD or AO.

CONCLUSIONS

Through suppressing NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway activation, AD effectively mitigates the inflammatory response in VSMCs, mitigates inflammation in aortas, prevents extracellular matrix degradation, and consequently impedes the progression of AAA. AO emerges as one of the active compounds in AD responsible for inhibiting VSMC inflammation and inhibiting AAA development.

Role of intestinal flora imbalance in formation of abdominal aortic aneurysms

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a potentially fatal vascular disease that lacks effective non-surgical interventions. Gut flora dysfunction plays a crucial role in various cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis and hypertension, but its relationship with AAA has not been fully elucidated. This article elaborates the relationship between gut flora and AAA, analyzes the potential mechanisms of gut flora dysfunction in the formation and development of AAA, and provides suggestions for AAA prevention.

Gasdermin D Inhibitor Necrosulfonamide Alleviates Angiotensin II-Induced Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms in Apolipoprotein E-Deficient Mice

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a chronic aortic disease that lacks effective pharmacological therapies. This study was performed to determine the influence of treatment with the gasdermin D inhibitor necrosulfonamide on experimental AAAs. AAAs were induced in male apolipoprotein E-deficient mice by subcutaneous angiotensin II infusion (1000 ng/kg body weight/min), with daily administration of necrosulfonamide (5 mg/kg body weight) or vehicle starting 3 days prior to angiotensin II infusion for 30 days. Necrosulfonamide treatment remarkably suppressed AAA enlargement, as indicated by reduced suprarenal maximal external diameter and surface area, and lowered the incidence and reduced the severity of experimental AAAs. Histologically, necrosulfonamide treatment attenuated medial elastin breaks, smooth muscle cell depletion, and aortic wall collagen deposition. Macrophages, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and neovessels were reduced in the aneurysmal aortas of necrosulfonamide- as compared to vehicle-treated angiotensin II-infused mice. Atherosclerosis and intimal macrophages were also substantially reduced in suprarenal aortas from angiotensin II-infused mice following necrosulfonamide treatment. Additionally, the levels of serum interleukin-1β and interleukin-18 were significantly lower in necrosulfonamide- than in vehicle-treated mice without affecting body weight gain, lipid levels, or blood pressure. Our findings indicate that necrosulfonamide reduced experimental AAAs by preserving aortic structural integrity as well as reducing mural leukocyte accumulation, neovessel formation, and systemic levels of interleukin-1β and interleukin-18. Thus, pharmacologically inhibiting gasdermin D activity may lead to the establishment of nonsurgical therapies for clinical AAA disease.

Comprehensive transcriptomic analysis unveils macrophage-associated genes for establishing an abdominal aortic aneurysm diagnostic model and molecular therapeutic framework

BACKGROUND

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a highly lethal cardiovascular disease. The aim of this research is to identify new biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the treatment of such deadly diseases.

METHODS

Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) and CIBERSORT algorithms were used to identify distinct immune cell infiltration types between AAA and normal abdominal aortas. Single-cell RNA sequencing data were used to analyse the hallmark genes of AAA-associated macrophage cell subsets. Six macrophage-related hub genes were identified through weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and validated for expression in clinical samples and AAA mouse models. We screened potential therapeutic drugs for AAA through online Connectivity Map databases (CMap). A network-based approach was used to explore the relationships between the candidate genes and transcription factors (TFs), lncRNAs, and miRNAs. Additionally, we also identified hub genes that can effectively identify AAA and atherosclerosis (AS) through a variety of machine learning algorithms.

RESULTS

We obtained six macrophage hub genes (IL-1B, CXCL1, SOCS3, SLC2A3, G0S2, and CCL3) that can effectively diagnose abdominal aortic aneurysm. The ROC curves and decision curve analysis (DCA) were combined to further confirm the good diagnostic efficacy of the hub genes. Further analysis revealed that the expression of the six hub genes mentioned above was significantly increased in AAA patients and mice. We also constructed TF regulatory networks and competing endogenous RNA networks (ceRNA) to reveal potential mechanisms of disease occurrence. We also obtained two key genes (ZNF652 and UBR5) through a variety of machine learning algorithms, which can effectively distinguish abdominal aortic aneurysm and atherosclerosis.

CONCLUSION

Our findings depict the molecular pharmaceutical network in AAA, providing new ideas for effective diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

The Role of Inflammasome in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and Its Potential Drugs

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) has been recognized as a serious chronic inflammatory degenerative aortic disease in recent years. At present, there is no other effective intervention except surgical treatment for AAA. With the aging of the human population, its incidence is increasing year by year, posing a serious threat to human health. Modern studies suggest that vascular chronic inflammatory response is the core process in AAA occurrence and development. Inflammasome, a multiprotein complex located in the cytoplasm, mediates the expression of various inflammatory cytokines like interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18, and thus plays a pivotal role in inflammation regulation. Therefore, inflammasome may exert a crucial influence on the progression of AAA. This article reviews some mechanism studies to investigate the role of inflammasome in AAA and then summarizes several potential drugs targeting inflammasome for the treatment of AAA, aiming to provide new ideas for the clinical prevention and treatment of AAA beyond surgical methods.

SGLT2 inhibitor improves the prognosis of patients with coronary heart disease and prevents in-stent restenosis

Coronary heart disease is a narrowing or obstruction of the vascular cavity caused by atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries, which leads to myocardial ischemia and hypoxia. At present, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is an effective treatment for coronary atherosclerotic heart disease. Restenosis is the main limiting factor of the long-term success of PCI, and it is also a difficult problem in the field of intervention. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor is a new oral glucose-lowering agent used in the treatment of diabetes in recent years. Recent studies have shown that SGLT2 inhibitors can effectively improve the prognosis of patients after PCI and reduce the occurrence of restenosis. This review provides an overview of the clinical studies and mechanisms of SGLT2 inhibitors in the prevention of restenosis, providing a new option for improving the clinical prognosis of patients after PCI.

Vasculoprotective Potential of Baicalein in Angiotensin II-Infused Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms through Inhibiting Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

Aortic wall inflammation, abnormal oxidative stress and progressive degradation of extracellular matrix proteins are the main characteristics of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). The nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome dysregulation plays a crucial role in aortic damage and disease progression. The first aim of this study was to examine the effect of baicalein (5,6,7-trihydroxy-2-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one) on AAA formation in apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE-/-) mice. The second aim was to define whether baicalein attenuates aberrant vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and inflammation in VSMC culture. For male ApoE-/- mice, a clinically relevant AAA model was randomly divided into four groups: saline infusion, baicalein intraperitoneal injection, Angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion and Ang II + baicalein. Twenty-seven days of treatment with baicalein markedly decreased Ang II-infused AAA incidence and aortic diameter, reduced collagen-fiber formation, preserved elastic structure and density and prevented smooth muscle cell contractile protein degradation. Baicalein inhibited rat VSMC proliferation and migration following the stimulation of VSMC cultures with Ang II while blocking the Ang II-inducible cell cycle progression from G0/G1 to the S phase in the synchronized cells. Cal-520 AM staining showed that baicalein decreased cellular calcium in Ang II-induced VSMCs; furthermore, a Western blot assay indicated that baicalein inhibited the expression of PCNA and significantly lowered levels of phospho-Akt and phospho-ERK, along with an increase in baicalein concentration in Ang II-induced VSMCs. Immunofluorescence staining showed that baicalein pretreatment reduced NF-κB nuclear translocation in Ang II-induced VSMCs and furthered the protein expressions of NLRP3 while ASC and caspase-1 were suppressed in a dose-dependent manner. Baicalein pretreatment upregulated Nrf2/HO-1 signaling in Ang II-induced VSMCs. Thus, 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) staining showed that its reactive oxygen species (ROS) production decreased, along with the baicalein pretreatment. Our overall results indicate that baicalein could have therapeutic potential in preventing aneurysm development.

C-reactive protein deficiency ameliorates experimental abdominal aortic aneurysms

Background

C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are elevated in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). However, it has not been investigated whether CRP contributes to AAA pathogenesis.

Methods

CRP deficient and wild type (WT) male mice were subjected to AAA induction via transient intra-aortic infusion of porcine pancreatic elastase. AAAs were monitored by in situ measurements of maximal infrarenal aortic external diameters immediately prior to and 14 days following elastase infusion. Key AAA pathologies were assessed by histochemical and immunohistochemical staining procedures. The influence of CRP deficiency on macrophage activation was evaluated in peritoneal macrophages in vitro.

Results

CRP protein levels were higher in aneurysmal than that in non-aneurysmal aortas. Aneurysmal aortic dilation was markedly suppressed in CRP deficient (aortic diameter: 1.08 ± 0.11 mm) as compared to WT (1.21 ± 0.08 mm) mice on day 14 after elastase infusion. More medial elastin was retained in CRP deficient than in WT elastase-infused mice. Macrophage accumulation was significantly less in aneurysmal aorta from CRP deficient than that from WT mice. Matrix metalloproteinase 2 expression was also attenuated in CRP deficient as compared to WT aneurysmal aortas. CRP deficiency had no recognizable influence on medial smooth muscle loss, lymphocyte accumulation, aneurysmal angiogenesis, and matrix metalloproteinase 9 expression. In in vitro assays, mRNA levels for tumor necrosis factor α and cyclooxygenase 2 were reduced in lipopolysaccharide activated peritoneal macrophages from CRP deficient as compared to wild type mice.

Conclusion

CRP deficiency suppressed experimental AAAs by attenuating aneurysmal elastin destruction, macrophage accumulation and matrix metalloproteinase 2 expression.

Mulberry extract upregulates cholesterol efflux and inhibits p38 MAPK-NLRP3-mediated inflammation in foam cells

The accumulation of foam cells in arterial intima and the accompanied chronic inflammation are considered major causes of neoatherosclerosis and restenosis. However, both the underlying mechanism and effective treatment for the disease are yet to be uncovered. In this study, we combined transcriptome profiling of restenosis artery tissue and bioinformatic analysis to reveal that NLRP3 inflammasome is markedly upregulated in restenosis and that several restenosis-related DEGs are also targets of mulberry extract, a natural dietary supplement used in traditional Chinese medicine. We demonstrated that mulberry extract suppresses the formation of ox-LDL-induced foam cells, possibly by upregulating the cholesterol efflux genes ABCA1 and ABCG1 to inhibit intracellular lipid accumulation. In addition, mulberry extract dampens NLRP3 inflammasome activation by stressing the MAPK signaling pathway. These findings unveil the therapeutic value of mulberry extract in neoatherosclerosis and restenosis treatment by regulating lipid metabolism and inflammatory response of foam cells.

Pharmacological Inhibition of Gasdermin D Suppresses Angiotensin II-Induced Experimental Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

BACKGROUND

Gasdermin D, a molecule downstream of the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain containing inflammasome, forms the membrane pore for the secretion of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18, and also mediates pyroptosis. This study was to explore the influence of treatment with disulfiram, a small molecule inhibitor to gasdermin D, on the formation and progression of experimental abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA).

METHODS

AAAs were induced in 10-week-old male apolipoprotein E deficient mice by subcutaneous infusion of angiotensin II (1000 ng/min/kg body weight) for 28 days via osmotic minipumps. Three days prior to angiotensin II infusion, disulfiram (50 mg/kg) or an equal volume of saline as the vehicle control was administered daily via oral gavage. The influence on experimental AAAs was analyzed by serial measurements of aortic diameters via ultrasonography, grading AAA severity and histopathology at sacrifice. Serum IL-1β and IL-18 levels, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, and triglyceride were also measured. Additional experiments assayed the influences on the cell viability and IL-1β secretion of in vitro activated macrophages.

RESULTS

Disulfiram significantly reduced the enlargement, incidence, and severity of angiotensin II-induced experimental AAAs with attenuation of medial elastin breaks, mural macrophage accumulation, and systolic blood pressure. The AAA suppression was also associated with reduced systemic levels of IL-1β but not IL-18. However, disulfiram treatment had no impact on body weight gain and lipid levels in aneurysmal mice. Additionally, disulfiram treatment also markedly reduced the secretion of IL-1β from activated macrophages with a limited effect on cell viability in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

Gasdermin D inhibition by disulfiram attenuated angiotensin II-induced experimental AAAs with reduced systemic IL-1β levels and in vitro activated macrophage IL-1β secretion. Our study suggests that pharmacological gasdermin D inhibition may have translational potential for limiting clinical AAA progression.

Treatment With Small Molecule Inhibitors of Advanced Glycation End-Products Formation and Advanced Glycation End-Products-Mediated Collagen Cross-Linking Promotes Experimental Aortic Aneurysm Progression in Diabetic Mice

Background Although diabetes attenuates abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs), the mechanisms by which diabetes suppresses AAAs remain incompletely understood. Accumulation of advanced glycation end- (AGEs) reduces extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation in diabetes. Because ECM degradation is critical for AAA pathogenesis, we investigated whether AGEs mediate experimental AAA suppression in diabetes by blocking AGE formation or disrupting AGE-ECM cross-linking using small molecule inhibitors. Methods and Results Male C57BL/6J mice were treated with streptozotocin and intra-aortic elastase infusion to induce diabetes and experimental AAAs, respectively. Aminoguanidine (AGE formation inhibitor, 200 mg/kg), alagebrium (AGE-ECM cross-linking disrupter, 20 mg/kg), or vehicle was administered daily to mice from the last day following streptozotocin injection. AAAs were assessed via serial aortic diameter measurements, histopathology, and in vitro medial elastolysis assays. Treatment with aminoguanidine, not alagebrium, diminished AGEs in diabetic AAAs. Treatment with both inhibitors enhanced aortic enlargement in diabetic mice as compared with vehicle treatment. Neither enhanced AAA enlargement in nondiabetic mice. AAA enhancement in diabetic mice by aminoguanidine or alagebrium treatment promoted elastin degradation, smooth muscle cell depletion, mural macrophage accumulation, and neoangiogenesis without affecting matrix metalloproteinases, C-C motif chemokine ligand 2, or serum glucose concentration. Additionally, treatment with both inhibitors reversed suppression of diabetic aortic medial elastolysis by porcine pancreatic elastase in vitro. Conclusions Inhibiting AGE formation or AGE-ECM cross-linking enhances experimental AAAs in diabetes. These findings support the hypothesis that AGEs attenuate experimental AAAs in diabetes. These findings underscore the potential translational value of enhanced ECM cross-linking as an inhibitory strategy for early AAA disease.

Gut Microbiota-Derived Trimethylamine N-Oxide Contributes to Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Through Inflammatory and Apoptotic Mechanisms

BACKGROUND

Large-scale human and mechanistic mouse studies indicate a strong relationship between the microbiome-dependent metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and several cardiometabolic diseases. This study aims to investigate the role of TMAO in the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and target its parent microbes as a potential pharmacological intervention.

METHODS

TMAO and choline metabolites were examined in plasma samples, with associated clinical data, from 2 independent patient cohorts (N=2129 total). Mice were fed a high-choline diet and underwent 2 murine AAA models, angiotensin II infusion in low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient (Ldlr-/-) mice or topical porcine pancreatic elastase in C57BL/6J mice. Gut microbial production of TMAO was inhibited through broad-spectrum antibiotics, targeted inhibition of the gut microbial choline TMA lyase (CutC/D) with fluoromethylcholine, or the use of mice genetically deficient in flavin monooxygenase 3 (Fmo3-/-). Finally, RNA sequencing of in vitro human vascular smooth muscle cells and in vivo mouse aortas was used to investigate how TMAO affects AAA.

RESULTS

Elevated TMAO was associated with increased AAA incidence and growth in both patient cohorts studied. Dietary choline supplementation augmented plasma TMAO and aortic diameter in both mouse models of AAA, which was suppressed with poorly absorbed oral broad-spectrum antibiotics. Treatment with fluoromethylcholine ablated TMAO production, attenuated choline-augmented aneurysm initiation, and halted progression of an established aneurysm model. In addition, Fmo3-/- mice had reduced plasma TMAO and aortic diameters and were protected from AAA rupture compared with wild-type mice. RNA sequencing and functional analyses revealed choline supplementation in mice or TMAO treatment of human vascular smooth muscle cells-augmented gene pathways associated with the endoplasmic reticulum stress response, specifically the endoplasmic reticulum stress kinase PERK.

CONCLUSIONS

These results define a role for gut microbiota-generated TMAO in AAA formation through upregulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related pathways in the aortic wall. In addition, inhibition of microbiome-derived TMAO may serve as a novel therapeutic approach for AAA treatment where none currently exist.

RNA-binding proteins in degenerative joint diseases: A systematic review

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), which are conserved proteins comprising multiple intermediate sequences, can interact with proteins, messenger RNA (mRNA) of coding genes, and non-coding RNAs to perform different biological functions, such as the regulation of mRNA stability, selective polyadenylation, and the management of non-coding microRNA (miRNA) synthesis to affect downstream targets. This article will highlight the functions of RBPs, in degenerative joint diseases (intervertebral disc degeneration [IVDD] and osteoarthritis [OA]). It will reviews the latest advancements on the regulatory mechanism of RBPs in degenerative joint diseases, in order to understand the pathophysiology, early diagnosis and treatment of OA and IVDD from a new perspective.

Genetic deficiency of protein inhibitor of activated STAT3 suppresses experimental abdominal aortic aneurysms

Aim

Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling is critical for the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Though protein inhibitor of activated STAT3 (PIAS3) negatively modulates STAT3 activity, but its role in AAA disease remains undefined.

Method

AAAs were induced in PIAS3 deficient (PIAS3−/−) and wild type (PIAS3+/+) male mice via transient intra-aortic elastase infusion. AAAs were assessed by in situ measurements of infrarenal aortic external diameters prior to (day 0) and 14 days after elastase infusion. Characteristic aneurysmal pathologies were evaluated by histopathology.

Results

Fourteen days following elastase infusion, aneurysmal aortic diameter was reduced by an approximately 50% in PIAS3−/− as compared to PIAS3+/+ mice. On histological analyses, PIAS3−/− mice showed less medial elastin degradation (media score: 2.5) and smooth muscle cell loss (media score: 3.0) than those in PIAS3+/+ mice (media score: 4 for both elastin and SMC destruction). Aortic wall leukocyte accumulation including macrophages, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells and B cells as well as mural neovessel formation were significantly reduced in PIAS3−/− as compared to PIAS3+/+ mice. Additionally, PIAS3 deficiency also downregulated the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 by 61% and 70%, respectively, in aneurysmal lesion.

Conclusion

PIAS3 deficiency ameliorated experimental AAAs in conjunction with reduced medial elastin degradation and smooth muscle cell depletion, mural leukocyte accumulation and angiogenesis.

BMP7 ameliorates intervertebral disc degeneration in type 1 diabetic rats by inhibiting pyroptosis of nucleus pulposus cells and NLRP3 inflammasome activity

BACKGROUND

Accumulating evidence indicates that intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is associated with diabetes mellitus (DM), while the underlying mechanisms still remain elusive. Herein, the current study sought to explore the potential molecular mechanism of IDD in diabetic rats based on transcriptome sequencing data.

METHODS

Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes mellitus type 1 (T1DM) rats were used to obtain the nucleus pulposus tissues for transcriptome sequencing. Next, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in transcriptome sequencing data and GSE34000 microarray dataset were obtained and intersected to acquire the candidate genes. Moreover, GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed to analyze the cellular functions and molecular signaling pathways primarily regulated by candidate DEGs.

RESULTS

A total of 35 key genes involved in IDD of T1DM rats were mainly enriched in the extracellular matrix (ECM) and cytokine adhesion binding-related pathways. NLRP3 inflammasome activation promoted the pyroptosis of nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs). Besides, BMP7 could affect the IDD of T1DM rats by regulating the inflammatory responses. Additionally, NPCs were isolated from STZ-induced T1DM rats to illustrate the effects of BMP7 on IDD of T1DM rats using the ectopic expression method. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments validated that BMP7 alleviated IDD of T1DM rats by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation and pyroptosis of NPCs.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, our findings provided novel mechanistic insights for understanding of the role of BMP7 in IDD of T1DM, and further highlighted BMP7 as a potential therapeutic target for preventing IDD in T1DM.

IL-1 in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA) remain a clinically devastating disease with no effective medical treatment therapy. AAAs are characterized by immune cell infiltration, smooth muscle cell apoptosis, and extracellular matrix degradation. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) has been shown to play role in AAA associated inflammation through immune cell recruitment and activation, endothelial dysfunction, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and regulation of transcription factors of additional inflammatory mediators. In this review, we will discuss the principles of IL-1 signaling, its role in AAA specific inflammation, and regulators of IL-1 signaling. Additionally, we will discuss the influence of genetic and pharmacological inhibitors of IL-1 on experimental AAAs. Evidence suggests that IL-1 may prove to be a potential therapeutic target in the management of AAA disease.

Immune and inflammatory mechanisms of abdominal aortic aneurysm

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening cardiovascular disease. Immune-mediated infiltration and a destruction of the aortic wall during AAA development plays significant role in the pathogenesis of this disease. While various immune cells had been found in AAA, the mechanisms of their activation and function are still far from being understood. A better understanding of mechanisms regulating the development of aberrant immune cell activation in AAA is essential for the development of novel preventive and therapeutic approaches. In this review we summarize current knowledge about the role of immune cells in AAA and discuss how pathogenic immune cell activation is regulated in this disease.

Colchicine Does Not Reduce Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Growth in a Mouse Model

Background and Aims

The nacht domain, leucine-rich repeat, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is upregulated in human abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), but its pathogenic role is unclear. The aims of this study were firstly to examine whether the inflammasome was upregulated in a mouse model of AAA and secondly to test whether the inflammasome inhibitor colchicine limited AAA growth.

Methods

AAA was induced in eight-week-old male C57BL6/J mice with topical application of elastase to the infrarenal aorta and oral 3-aminopropionitrile (E-BAPN). For aim one, inflammasome activation, abdominal aortic diameter, and rupture were compared between mice with AAA and sham controls. For aim two, 3 weeks after AAA induction, mice were randomly allocated to receive colchicine (n = 28, 0.2 mg/kg/d) or vehicle control (n = 29). The primary outcome was the rate of maximum aortic diameter increase measured by ultrasound over 13 weeks.

Results

There was upregulation of NLRP3 markers interleukin- (IL-) 1β (median, IQR; 15.67, 7.11-22.60 pg/mg protein versus 6.87, 4.54-11.60 pg/mg protein, p = .048) and caspase-1 (109, 83-155 relative luminosity units (RLU) versus 45, 38-65 RLU, p < .001) in AAA samples compared to controls. Aortic diameter increase over 80 days (mean difference, MD, 4.3 mm, 95% CI 3.3, 5.3, p < .001) was significantly greater in mice in which aneurysms were induced compared to sham controls. Colchicine did not significantly limit aortic diameter increase over 80 days (MD -0.1 mm, 95% CI -1.1, 0.86, p = .922).

Conclusions

The inflammasome was activated in this mouse model of AAA; however, daily oral administration of colchicine did not limit AAA growth.

The Potential Role of m6A in the Regulation of TBI-Induced BGA Dysfunction

The brain–gut axis (BGA) is an important bidirectional communication pathway for the development, progress and interaction of many diseases between the brain and gut, but the mechanisms remain unclear, especially the post-transcriptional regulation of BGA after traumatic brain injury (TBI). RNA methylation is one of the most important modifications in post-transcriptional regulation. N6-methyladenosine (m⁶A), as the most abundant post-transcriptional modification of mRNA in eukaryotes, has recently been identified and characterized in both the brain and gut. The purpose of this review is to describe the pathophysiological changes in BGA after TBI, and then investigate the post-transcriptional bidirectional regulation mechanisms of TBI-induced BGA dysfunction. Here, we mainly focus on the characteristics of m⁶A RNA methylation in the post-TBI BGA, highlight the possible regulatory mechanisms of m⁶A modification in TBI-induced BGA dysfunction, and finally discuss the outcome of considering m⁶A as a therapeutic target to improve the recovery of the brain and gut dysfunction caused by TBI.

Inflammasome Targeted Therapy as Novel Treatment Option for Aortic Aneurysms and Dissections: A Systematic Review of the Preclinical Evidence

Both aortic aneurysm and dissection are life threatening pathologies. In the lack of a conservative medical treatment, the only therapy consists of modifying cardiovascular risk factors and either surgical or endovascular treatment. Like many other cardiovascular diseases, in particular atherosclerosis, aortic aneurysm and dissection have a strong inflammatory phenotype. Inflammasomes are part of the innate immune system. Upon stimulation they form multi protein complexes resulting mainly in activation of interleukin-1β and other cytokines. Considering the gathering evidence, that inflammasomes are decisively involved in the emergence and progression of aortic diseases, inflammasome targeted therapy provides a promising new treatment approach. A systematic review following the PRISMA guidelines on the current preclinical data regarding the potential role of inflammasome targeted drug therapy as novel treatment option for aortic aneurysms and dissections was performed. Included were all rodent models of aortic disease (aortic aneurysm and dissection) evaluating a drug therapy with direct or indirect inhibition of inflammasomes and a suitable control group with the use of the same aortic model without the inflammasome targeted therapy. Primary and secondary outcomes were incidence of aortic disease, aortic rupture, aortic related death, and the maximum aortic diameter. The literature search of MEDLINE (via PubMed), the Web of Science, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Registry of Registered Trials (CENTRAL) resulted in 8,137 hits. Of these, four studies met the inclusion criteria and were therefore eligible for data analysis. In all of them, targeting of the NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome effectively reduced the incidence of aortic disease and aortic rupture, and additionally reduced destruction of the aortic wall. Treatment strategies aiming at other inflammasomes could not be identified. In conclusion, inflammasome targeted therapies, more precisely targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome, have shown promising results in rodent models and deserve further investigation in preclinical research to potentially translate them into clinical research for the treatment of human patients with aortic disease. Regarding other inflammasomes, more preclinical research is needed to investigate their role in the pathophysiology of aortic disease.

Protocol Registration: PROSPERO 2021 CRD42021279893, https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021279893

Height and Mortality from Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection

AIMS

Reports on the association between height and aortic disease have been modest, and there are only a few studies investigating the association between height and mortality from specific aortic disease types or by sex.

METHODS

We conducted the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study, a prospective study of 99,067 Japanese (41,730 men and 57,337 women) aged 40-79 years old. Height was self-reported, and the participants were followed up from 1988-1989 to the end of 2009. Sex-specific hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) of mortality from aortic disease type according to sex-specific quartiles of height were analyzed using the Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

During the median follow-up period of 19.1 years, the numbers of deaths due to aortic aneurysm, thoracic aortic aneurysm, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and aortic dissection were 87, 29, 48, and 56 among men and 35, 17, 15, and 65 among women, respectively. The sex-specific multivariate hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) and p for trend for the highest versus lowest quartiles of height were 1.10 (0.66-1.83), p=0.58 among men and 1.54 (0.85-2.79), p=0.06 among women for total aortic disease; 1.85 (0.80-4.28), p=0.16 among men and 5.67 (0.90-35.77), p=0.08 among women for abdominal aortic aneurysm; and 1.13 (0.48-2.64), p=0.65 among men and 1.70 (0.82-3.50), p=0.04 among women for aortic dissection. The positive association was observed for both sexes, albeit more prominent among women. No association was found between height and mortality from thoracic aortic aneurysms.

CONCLUSIONS

As per our findings, we were able to determine that height was positively associated with mortality from abdominal aortic aneurysm in the Japanese population.

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells deliver exogenous miR-26a-5p via exosomes to inhibit nucleus pulposus cell pyroptosis through METTL14/NLRP3

Background

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is the breakdown of the discs supporting the vertebrae. It is one of the most frequent causes of back pain worldwide. Currently, the clinical interventions for IVDD are mainly focused on symptom releases. Thus, new therapeutic options are needed.

Methods

Nucleus pulposus (NP) samples were obtained from 20 patients experiencing IVDD and 10 healthy volunteers compared for mRNA N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) mRNA modification as well as methyltransferase (METT) like METTL3, METTL14, and Wilms’ tumor 1-associated protein mRNA and protein abundance following exosomes exposure from mesenchymal stem cells. In addition, microRNA expressions were also compared. The correlation between the NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) and METTL14 was measured by luciferase reporter assay. Cytokines were evaluated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. METTL14, NLRP3, and insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 2 mRNAs were measured via a quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Protein was assayed using western blots. Cell death was assessed by propidium iodide staining, lactate dehydrogenase release, gasdermin-N domain abundance, and caspase-1 activation.

Results

The human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (hucMSC) exosomes were found to effectively improve the viability of NP cells and protect them from pyroptosis through targeting METTL14, with a methyltransferase catalyzing m⁶A modification. METTL14 was highly present in NP cells from IVDD patients, which stabilize NLRP3 mRNA in an IGFBP2-dependent manner. The elevated NLRP3 levels result in the increase of interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and IL-18 levels and trigger pyroptotic NP cell death. Such pathogenic axis could be blocked by hucMSC exosomes, which directly degrade METTL14 through exosomal miR-26a-5p.

Conclusions

The results of the current study revealed the beneficial effects of hucMSC exosomes on NP cells and determined a potential mechanism inducing IVDD.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s10020-021-00355-7.

Activation of Invariant Natural Killer T Cells by α-Galactosylceramide Attenuates the Development of Angiotensin II-Mediated Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in Obese ob/ob Mice

The infiltration and activation of macrophages as well as lymphocytes within the aorta contribute to the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are unique subset of T lymphocytes and have a crucial role in atherogenesis. However, it remains unclear whether iNKT cells also impact on the development of AAA. Ob/ob mice were administered angiotensin II (AngII, 1,000 ng/kg/min) or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) by osmotic minipumps for 4 weeks and further divided into 2 groups; α-galactosylceramide (αGC; PBS-αGC; n = 5 and AngII-αGC; n = 12), which specifically activates iNKT cells, and PBS (PBS-PBS; n = 10, and AngII-PBS; n = 6). Maximal abdominal aortic diameter was comparable between PBS-PBS and PBS-αGC, and was significantly greater in AngII-PBS than in PBS-PBS. This increase was significantly attenuated in AngII-αGC without affecting blood pressure. αGC significantly enhanced iNKT cell infiltration compared to PBS-PBS. The ratio of F4/80-positive macrophages or CD3-positive T lymphocytes area to the lesion area was significantly higher in AngII-PBS than in PBS-PBS, and was significantly decreased in AngII-αGC. Gene expression of M2-macrophage specific markers, arginase-1 and resistin-like molecule alpha, was significantly greater in aortic tissues from AngII-αGC compared to AngII-PBS 1 week after AngII administration, and this increase was diminished at 4 weeks. Activation of iNKT cells by αGC can attenuate AngII-mediated AAA in ob/ob mice via inducing anti-inflammatory M2 polarized state. Activation of iNKT cells by the bioactive lipid αGC may be a novel therapeutic target against the development of AAA.