1
|
Behrmann A, Zhong D, Li L, Xie S, Mead M, Sabaeifard P, Goodarzi M, Lemoff A, Kozlitina J, Towler DA. Wnt16 Promotes Vascular Smooth Muscle Contractile Phenotype and Function via Taz (Wwtr1) Activation in Male LDLR-/- Mice. Endocrinology 2023; 165:bqad192. [PMID: 38123514 PMCID: PMC10765280 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqad192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Wnt16 is expressed in bone and arteries, and maintains bone mass in mice and humans, but its role in cardiovascular physiology is unknown. We show that Wnt16 protein accumulates in murine and human vascular smooth muscle (VSM). WNT16 genotypes that convey risk for bone frailty also convey risk for cardiovascular events in the Dallas Heart Study. Murine Wnt16 deficiency, which causes postnatal bone loss, also reduced systolic blood pressure. Electron microscopy demonstrated abnormal VSM mitochondrial morphology in Wnt16-null mice, with reductions in mitochondrial respiration. Following angiotensin-II (AngII) infusion, thoracic ascending aorta (TAA) dilatation was greater in Wnt16-/- vs Wnt16+/+ mice (LDLR-/- background). Acta2 (vascular smooth muscle alpha actin) deficiency has been shown to impair contractile phenotype and worsen TAA aneurysm with concomitant reductions in blood pressure. Wnt16 deficiency reduced expression of Acta2, SM22 (transgelin), and other contractile genes, and reduced VSM contraction induced by TGFβ. Acta2 and SM22 proteins were reduced in Wnt16-/- VSM as was Ankrd1, a prototypic contractile target of Yap1 and Taz activation via TEA domain (TEAD)-directed transcription. Wnt16-/- VSM exhibited reduced nuclear Taz and Yap1 protein accumulation. SiRNA targeting Wnt16 or Taz, but not Yap1, phenocopied Wnt16 deficiency, and Taz siRNA inhibited contractile gene upregulation by Wnt16. Wnt16 incubation stimulated mitochondrial respiration and contraction (reversed by verteporfin, a Yap/Taz inhibitor). SiRNA targeting Taz inhibitors Ccm2 and Lats1/2 mimicked Wnt16 treatment. Wnt16 stimulated Taz binding to Acta2 chromatin and H3K4me3 methylation. TEAD cognates in the Acta2 promoter conveyed transcriptional responses to Wnt16 and Taz. Wnt16 regulates cardiovascular physiology and VSM contractile phenotype, mediated via Taz signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abraham Behrmann
- Internal Medicine—Endocrine Division and the Pak Center for Mineral Metabolism and Clinical Research, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Dalian Zhong
- Internal Medicine—Endocrine Division and the Pak Center for Mineral Metabolism and Clinical Research, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Li Li
- Internal Medicine—Endocrine Division and the Pak Center for Mineral Metabolism and Clinical Research, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Shangkui Xie
- Internal Medicine—Endocrine Division and the Pak Center for Mineral Metabolism and Clinical Research, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Megan Mead
- Internal Medicine—Endocrine Division and the Pak Center for Mineral Metabolism and Clinical Research, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Parastoo Sabaeifard
- Internal Medicine—Endocrine Division and the Pak Center for Mineral Metabolism and Clinical Research, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | | | - Andrew Lemoff
- Biochemistry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Julia Kozlitina
- McDermott Center for Human Development, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Dwight A Towler
- Internal Medicine—Endocrine Division and the Pak Center for Mineral Metabolism and Clinical Research, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Schoenmakers E, Marelli F, Jørgensen HF, Visser WE, Moran C, Groeneweg S, Avalos C, Jurgens SJ, Figg N, Finigan A, Wali N, Agostini M, Wardle-Jones H, Lyons G, Rusk R, Gopalan D, Twiss P, Visser JJ, Goddard M, Nashef SAM, Heijmen R, Clift P, Sinha S, Pirruccello JP, Ellinor PT, Busch-Nentwich EM, Ramirez-Solis R, Murphy MP, Persani L, Bennett M, Chatterjee K. Selenoprotein deficiency disorder predisposes to aortic aneurysm formation. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7994. [PMID: 38042913 PMCID: PMC10693596 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43851-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Aortic aneurysms, which may dissect or rupture acutely and be lethal, can be a part of multisystem disorders that have a heritable basis. We report four patients with deficiency of selenocysteine-containing proteins due to selenocysteine Insertion Sequence Binding Protein 2 (SECISBP2) mutations who show early-onset, progressive, aneurysmal dilatation of the ascending aorta due to cystic medial necrosis. Zebrafish and male mice with global or vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC)-targeted disruption of Secisbp2 respectively show similar aortopathy. Aortas from patients and animal models exhibit raised cellular reactive oxygen species, oxidative DNA damage and VSMC apoptosis. Antioxidant exposure or chelation of iron prevents oxidative damage in patient's cells and aortopathy in the zebrafish model. Our observations suggest a key role for oxidative stress and cell death, including via ferroptosis, in mediating aortic degeneration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erik Schoenmakers
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Federica Marelli
- Laboratory of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, 20149, Milano, Italy
| | - Helle F Jørgensen
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - W Edward Visser
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rotterdam Thyroid Center, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Carla Moran
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Stefan Groeneweg
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rotterdam Thyroid Center, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Carolina Avalos
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Clinica Alemana de Santiago, Vitacura, Chile
| | - Sean J Jurgens
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Nichola Figg
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alison Finigan
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Neha Wali
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
| | - Maura Agostini
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Greta Lyons
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Rosemary Rusk
- Department of Cardiology, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Deepa Gopalan
- Department of Radiology, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Philip Twiss
- Cambridge Genomics Laboratory, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jacob J Visser
- Department of Radiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Martin Goddard
- Department of Pathology, Royal Papworth Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Samer A M Nashef
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Royal Papworth Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Robin Heijmen
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Paul Clift
- Department of Cardiology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK
| | - Sanjay Sinha
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - James P Pirruccello
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Division of Cardiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Patrick T Ellinor
- Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Demoulas Center for Cardiac Arrhythmias, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Michael P Murphy
- MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Luca Persani
- Laboratory of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, 20149, Milano, Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, 20100, Milano, Italy
| | - Martin Bennett
- Section of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Krishna Chatterjee
- Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Liu F, Wang Y, Huang X, Liu D, Ding W, Lai H, Wang C, Ji Q. LINC02015 modulates the cell proliferation and apoptosis of aortic vascular smooth muscle cells by transcriptional regulation and protein interaction network. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:301. [PMID: 37596272 PMCID: PMC10439127 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01601-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Long intergenic nonprotein coding RNA 2015 (LINC02015) is a long non-coding RNA that has been found elevated in various cell proliferation-related diseases. However, the functions and interactive mechanism of LINC02015 remain unknown. This study aimed to explore the role of LINC02015 in the cell proliferation and apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) to explain the pathogenesis of aortic diseases. Ascending aorta samples and angiotensin-II (AT-II) treated primary human aortic VSMCs (HAVSMCs) were used to evaluate the LINC02015 expression. RNA sequencing, chromatin isolation by RNA purification sequencing, RNA pull-down, and mass spectrometry (MS) were applied to explore the potential interacting mechanisms. LINC02015 expression was found elevated in aortic dissection and AT-II-treated HAVSMCs. Cell proliferation and cell cycle were activated in HAVSMCs with LINC02015 knockdown. The cyclins family and caspase family were found to participate in regulating the cell cycle and apoptosis via the NF-κB signaling pathway. RXRA was discovered as a possible hub gene for LINC02015 transcriptional regulating networks. Besides, the protein interaction network of LINC02015 was revealed with candidate regulating molecules. It was concluded that the knockdown of LINC02015 could promote cell proliferation and inhibit the apoptosis of HAVSMCs through an RXRA-related transcriptional regulation network, which could provide a potential therapeutic target for aortic diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fangyu Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- Shanghai Municipal Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yulin Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xitong Huang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211198, China
| | - Dingqian Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Wenjun Ding
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Hao Lai
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Chunsheng Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Shanghai Municipal Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Qiang Ji
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ojha KR, Kim H, Padgham S, Hopkins L, Zamen RJ, Chattopadhyay A, Han G, Milewicz DM, Massett MP, Trache A. Smooth Muscle-Alpha Actin R149C Pathogenic Variant Downregulates Integrin Recruitment at Cell-Matrix Adhesions and Decreases Cellular Contractility. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:9616. [PMID: 37298565 PMCID: PMC10253315 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Thoracic aortic aneurysm is found in patients with ACTA2 pathogenic variants. ACTA2 missense variants are associated with impaired aortic smooth muscle cell (SMC) contraction. This study tested the hypothesis that the Acta2R149C/+ variant alters actin isoform expression and decreases integrin recruitment, thus, reducing aortic contractility. Stress relaxation measurements in thoracic aortic rings showed two functional regimes with a reduction of stress relaxation in the aorta from Acta2R149C/+ mice at low tension, but not at high tension values. Contractile responses to phenylephrine and potassium chloride were 50% lower in Acta2R149C/+ mice than in wild-type (WT) mice. Additionally, SMC were immunofluorescently labeled for specific proteins and imaged by confocal or total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. The quantification of protein fluorescence of Acta2R149C/+ SMC showed a downregulation in smooth muscle α-actin (SMα-actin) and a compensatory upregulation of smooth muscle γ-actin (SMγ-actin) compared to WT cells. These results suggest that downregulation of SMα-actin leads to reduced SMC contractility, while upregulation of SMγ-actin may lead to increased SMC stiffness. Decreased α5β1 and α2β1 integrin recruitment at cell-matrix adhesions further reduce the ability of mutant cells to participate in cell-matrix crosstalk. Collectively, the results suggest that mutant Acta2R149C/+ aortic SMC have reduced contractility and interaction with the matrix, which are potential long-term contributing factors to thoracic aortic aneurysms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Krishna R. Ojha
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Hyoseon Kim
- Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Samuel Padgham
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Laura Hopkins
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Robert J. Zamen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Abhijnan Chattopadhyay
- Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Gang Han
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Dianna M. Milewicz
- Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Michael P. Massett
- Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Andreea Trache
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wang Z, Quan Y, Hu M, Xu Y, Chen Y, Jin P, Ma J, Chen X, Fan J, Fan X, Gong Y, Li M, Wang Y. VGLL4-TEAD1 promotes vascular smooth muscle cell differentiation from human pluripotent stem cells via TET2. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2023; 176:21-32. [PMID: 36657637 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2023.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The Hippo signaling pathway plays a critical role in cardiovascular development and stem cell differentiation. Using microarray profiling, we found that the Hippo pathway components vestigial-like family member 4 (VGLL4) and TEA domain transcription factor 1 (TEAD1) were upregulated during vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) differentiation from H1 ESCs (H1 embryonic stem cells). To further explore the role and molecular mechanisms of VGLL4 in regulating VSMC differentiation, we generated a VGLL4-knockdown H1 ESC line (heterozygous knockout) using the CRISPR/Cas9 system and found that VGLL4 knockdown inhibited VSMC specification. In contrast, overexpression of VGLL4 using the PiggyBac transposon system facilitated VSMC differentiation. We confirmed that this effect was mediated via TEAD1 and VGLL4 interaction. In addition, bioinformatics analysis revealed that Ten-eleven-translocation 2 (TET2), a DNA dioxygenase, is a target of TEAD1, and a luciferase assay further verified that TET2 is the target of the VGLL4-TEAD1 complex. Indeed, TET2 overexpression promoted VSMC marker gene expression and countered the VGLL4 knockdown-mediated inhibitory effects on VSMC differentiation. In summary, we revealed a novel role of VGLL4 in promoting VSMC differentiation from hESCs and identified TET2 as a new target of the VGLL4-TEAD1 complex, which may demethylate VSMC marker genes and facilitate VSMC differentiation. This study provides new insights into the VGLL4-TEAD1-TET2 axis in VSMC differentiation and vascular development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zuxuan Wang
- Institute of Hypoxia Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325015, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yingyi Quan
- Institute of Hypoxia Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325015, Zhejiang, China
| | - Minjie Hu
- Institute of Hypoxia Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325015, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yubin Xu
- Institute of Hypoxia Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325015, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuhao Chen
- Institute of Hypoxia Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325015, Zhejiang, China
| | - Peifeng Jin
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325015, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianshe Ma
- Institute of Hypoxia Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325015, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiufang Chen
- Cardiac Regeneration Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325015, Zhejiang, China
| | - Junming Fan
- Institute of Hypoxia Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325015, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaofang Fan
- Institute of Hypoxia Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325015, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yongsheng Gong
- Institute of Hypoxia Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325015, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ming Li
- Cardiac Regeneration Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325015, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yongyu Wang
- Institute of Hypoxia Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325015, Zhejiang, China; Cardiac Regeneration Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325015, Zhejiang, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Dong CX, Malecki C, Robertson E, Hambly B, Jeremy R. Molecular Mechanisms in Genetic Aortopathy-Signaling Pathways and Potential Interventions. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021795. [PMID: 36675309 PMCID: PMC9865322 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Thoracic aortic disease affects people of all ages and the majority of those aged <60 years have an underlying genetic cause. There is presently no effective medical therapy for thoracic aneurysm and surgery remains the principal intervention. Unlike abdominal aortic aneurysm, for which the inflammatory/atherosclerotic pathogenesis is well established, the mechanism of thoracic aneurysm is less understood. This paper examines the key cell signaling systems responsible for the growth and development of the aorta, homeostasis of endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells and interactions between pathways. The evidence supporting a role for individual signaling pathways in pathogenesis of thoracic aortic aneurysm is examined and potential novel therapeutic approaches are reviewed. Several key signaling pathways, notably TGF-β, WNT, NOTCH, PI3K/AKT and ANGII contribute to growth, proliferation, cell phenotype and survival for both vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells. There is crosstalk between pathways, and between vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells, with both synergistic and antagonistic interactions. A common feature of the activation of each is response to injury or abnormal cell stress. Considerable experimental evidence supports a contribution of each of these pathways to aneurysm formation. Although human information is less, there is sufficient data to implicate each pathway in the pathogenesis of human thoracic aneurysm. As some pathways i.e., WNT and NOTCH, play key roles in tissue growth and organogenesis in early life, it is possible that dysregulation of these pathways results in an abnormal aortic architecture even in infancy, thereby setting the stage for aneurysm development in later life. Given the fine tuning of these signaling systems, functional polymorphisms in key signaling elements may set up a future risk of thoracic aneurysm. Multiple novel therapeutic agents have been developed, targeting cell signaling pathways, predominantly in cancer medicine. Future investigations addressing cell specific targeting, reduced toxicity and also less intense treatment effects may hold promise for effective new medical treatments of thoracic aortic aneurysm.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Xue Dong
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Cassandra Malecki
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- The Baird Institute, Camperdown, NSW 2042, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Robertson
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Brett Hambly
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Richmond Jeremy
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- The Baird Institute, Camperdown, NSW 2042, Australia
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Kaiser AD, Shad R, Schiavone N, Hiesinger W, Marsden AL. Controlled Comparison of Simulated Hemodynamics Across Tricuspid and Bicuspid Aortic Valves. Ann Biomed Eng 2022; 50:1053-1072. [PMID: 35748961 PMCID: PMC10775905 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-022-02983-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Bicuspid aortic valve is the most common congenital heart defect, affecting 1-2% of the global population. Patients with bicuspid valves frequently develop dilation and aneurysms of the ascending aorta. Both hemodynamic and genetic factors are believed to contribute to dilation, yet the precise mechanism underlying this progression remains under debate. Controlled comparisons of hemodynamics in patients with different forms of bicuspid valve disease are challenging because of confounding factors, and simulations offer the opportunity for direct and systematic comparisons. Using fluid-structure interaction simulations, we simulate flows through multiple aortic valve models in a patient-specific geometry. The aortic geometry is based on a healthy patient with no known aortic or valvular disease, which allows us to isolate the hemodynamic consequences of changes to the valve alone. Four fully-passive, elastic model valves are studied: a tricuspid valve and bicuspid valves with fusion of the left- and right-, right- and non-, and non- and left-coronary cusps. The resulting tricuspid flow is relatively uniform, with little secondary or reverse flow, and little to no pressure gradient across the valve. The bicuspid cases show localized jets of forward flow, excess streamwise momentum, elevated secondary and reverse flow, and clinically significant levels of stenosis. Localized high flow rates correspond to locations of dilation observed in patients, with the location related to which valve cusps are fused. Thus, the simulations support the hypothesis that chronic exposure to high local flow contributes to localized dilation and aneurysm formation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander D Kaiser
- Institute for Computational & Mathematical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics (Cardiology), Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Rohan Shad
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Nicole Schiavone
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - William Hiesinger
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Alison L Marsden
- Institute for Computational & Mathematical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics (Cardiology), Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Rombouts KB, van Merrienboer TAR, Ket JCF, Bogunovic N, van der Velden J, Yeung KK. The role of vascular smooth muscle cells in the development of aortic aneurysms and dissections. Eur J Clin Invest 2022; 52:e13697. [PMID: 34698377 PMCID: PMC9285394 DOI: 10.1111/eci.13697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aortic aneurysms (AA) are pathological dilations of the aorta, associated with an overall mortality rate up to 90% in case of rupture. In addition to dilation, the aortic layers can separate by a tear within the layers, defined as aortic dissections (AD). Vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMC) are the predominant cell type within the aortic wall and dysregulation of vSMC functions contributes to AA and AD development and progression. However, since the exact underlying mechanism is poorly understood, finding potential therapeutic targets for AA and AD is challenging and surgery remains the only treatment option. METHODS In this review, we summarize current knowledge about vSMC functions within the aortic wall and give an overview of how vSMC functions are altered in AA and AD pathogenesis, organized per anatomical location (abdominal or thoracic aorta). RESULTS Important functions of vSMC in healthy or diseased conditions are apoptosis, phenotypic switch, extracellular matrix regeneration and degradation, proliferation and contractility. Stressors within the aortic wall, including inflammatory cell infiltration and (epi)genetic changes, modulate vSMC functions and cause disturbance of processes within vSMC, such as changes in TGF-β signalling and regulatory RNA expression. CONCLUSION This review underscores a central role of vSMC dysfunction in abdominal and thoracic AA and AD development and progression. Further research focused on vSMC dysfunction in the aortic wall is necessary to find potential targets for noninvasive AA and AD treatment options.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karlijn B Rombouts
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Location VU Medical Center and AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Physiology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Location VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tara A R van Merrienboer
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Location VU Medical Center and AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Physiology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Location VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Natalija Bogunovic
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Location VU Medical Center and AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Physiology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Location VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jolanda van der Velden
- Department of Physiology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Location VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Kak Khee Yeung
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Location VU Medical Center and AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Physiology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Location VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Landis BJ, Lai D, Guo DC, Corvera JS, Idrees MT, Stadler HW, Cuevas C, Needler GU, Vujakovich CE, Milewicz DM, Hinton RB, Ware SM. Identification of a common polymorphism in COQ8B acting as a modifier of thoracic aortic aneurysm severity. HGG Adv 2022; 3. [PMID: 34917985 PMCID: PMC8670066 DOI: 10.1016/j.xhgg.2021.100057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) predisposes to sudden, life-threatening aortic dissection. The factors that regulate interindividual variability in TAA severity are not well understood. Identifying a molecular basis for this variability has the potential to improve clinical risk stratification and advance mechanistic insight. We previously identified COQ8B, a gene important for biosynthesis of coenzyme Q, as a candidate genetic modifier of TAA severity. Here, we investigated the physiological role of COQ8B in human aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and further tested its genetic association with TAA severity. We find COQ8B protein localizes to mitochondria in SMCs, and loss of mitochondrial COQ8B leads to increased oxidative stress, decreased mitochondrial respiration, and altered expression of SMC contractile genes. Oxidative stress and mitochondrial cristae defects were prevalent in the medial layer of human proximal aortic tissues in individuals with TAA, and COQ8B expression was decreased in TAA SMCs compared with controls. A common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs3865452 in COQ8B (c.521A>G [p.His174Arg]) was associated with decreased rate of aortic root dilation in young individuals with TAA. In addition, the SNP was less frequent in a second cohort of early-onset thoracic aortic dissection (TAD) cases compared with controls. COQ8B protein levels in aortic SMCs were increased in TAA individuals homozygous for rs3865452 compared with those homozygous for the reference allele. Thus, COQ8B is important for aortic SMC metabolism, which is dysregulated in TAA, and rs3865452 may decrease TAA severity by increasing the COQ8B level. Genotyping rs3865452 may be useful for clinical risk stratification and tailored aortopathy management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Landis
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, United States of America.,Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, United States of America
| | - Dongbing Lai
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, United States of America
| | - Dong-Chuan Guo
- Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, United States of America
| | - Joel S Corvera
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, United States of America
| | - Muhammad T Idrees
- Department of Pathology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, United States of America
| | - Henry W Stadler
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, United States of America
| | - Christian Cuevas
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, United States of America
| | - Gavin U Needler
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, United States of America
| | - Courtney E Vujakovich
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, United States of America
| | - Dianna M Milewicz
- Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, United States of America
| | - Robert B Hinton
- Divison of Cardiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, United States of America
| | - Stephanie M Ware
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, United States of America.,Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Rodrigues-Díez Raul R, Tejera-Muñoz A, Esteban V, Steffensen Lasse B, Rodrigues-Díez R, Orejudo M, Rayego-Mateos S, Falke Lucas L, Cannata-Ortiz P, Ortiz A, Egido J, Mallat Z, Briones Ana M, Bajo Maria A, Goldschmeding R, Ruiz-Ortega M. CCN2 (Cellular Communication Network Factor 2) Deletion Alters Vascular Integrity and Function Predisposing to Aneurysm Formation. Hypertension 2021; 79:e42-e55. [DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.121.18201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background:
CCN2 (cellular communication network factor 2) is a matricellular protein involved in cell communication and microenvironmental signaling responses. CCN2 is known to be overexpressed in several cardiovascular diseases, but its role is not completely understood.
Methods:
Here, CCN2 involvement in aortic wall homeostasis and response to vascular injury was investigated in inducible
Ccn2
-deficient mice, with induction of vascular damage by infusion of Ang II (angiotensin II; 15 days), which is known to upregulate CCN2 expression in the aorta.
Results:
Ang II infusion in CCN2-silenced mice lead to 60% mortality within 10 days due to rapid development and rupture of aortic aneurysms, as evidenced by magnetic resonance imaging, echography, and histological examination.
Ccn2
deletion decreased systolic blood pressure and caused aortic structural and functional changes, including elastin layer disruption, smooth muscle cell alterations, augmented distensibility, and increased metalloproteinase activity, which were aggravated by Ang II administration. Gene ontology analysis of RNA sequencing data identified aldosterone biosynthesis as one of the most enriched terms in CCN2-deficient aortas. Consistently, treatment with the mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist spironolactone before and during Ang II infusion reduced aneurysm formation and mortality, underscoring the importance of the aldosterone pathway in Ang II–induced aorta pathology.
Conclusions:
CCN2 is critically involved in the functional and structural homeostasis of the aorta and in maintenance of its integrity under Ang II–induced stress, at least, in part, by disruption of the aldosterone pathway. Thus, this study opens new avenues to future studies in disorders associated to vascular pathologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R. Rodrigues-Díez Raul
- Molecular and Cellular Biology in Renal and Vascular Pathology, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz-Universidad Autónoma Madrid, Spain (R.R.-D.R., A.T.-M., M.O., S.R.-M., M.R.-O.)
- Red de Investigación Renal, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain (R.R.-D.R., M.O., S.R.-M., P.C.-O., A.O., A.B.M., M.R.-O.)
- Department of Pharmacology, UAM, Instituto de Investigación-Hospital Universitario La Paz, IdiPaz, Ciber Cardiovascular, Madrid, Spain (R.R.-D., M.B.A.)
| | - Antonio Tejera-Muñoz
- Molecular and Cellular Biology in Renal and Vascular Pathology, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz-Universidad Autónoma Madrid, Spain (R.R.-D.R., A.T.-M., M.O., S.R.-M., M.R.-O.)
| | - Vanesa Esteban
- Department of Allergy and Immunology, FIIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, UAM, Asma, Reacciones Adversas y Alérgicas Network. Madrid, Spain (V.E.)
| | - B. Steffensen Lasse
- Unit of Cardiovascular and Renal Research, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense (B.S.L.)
| | | | - Macarena Orejudo
- Molecular and Cellular Biology in Renal and Vascular Pathology, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz-Universidad Autónoma Madrid, Spain (R.R.-D.R., A.T.-M., M.O., S.R.-M., M.R.-O.)
- Red de Investigación Renal, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain (R.R.-D.R., M.O., S.R.-M., P.C.-O., A.O., A.B.M., M.R.-O.)
| | - Sandra Rayego-Mateos
- Molecular and Cellular Biology in Renal and Vascular Pathology, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz-Universidad Autónoma Madrid, Spain (R.R.-D.R., A.T.-M., M.O., S.R.-M., M.R.-O.)
- Red de Investigación Renal, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain (R.R.-D.R., M.O., S.R.-M., P.C.-O., A.O., A.B.M., M.R.-O.)
| | - L. Falke Lucas
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands (L.F.L.)
| | - Pablo Cannata-Ortiz
- Red de Investigación Renal, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain (R.R.-D.R., M.O., S.R.-M., P.C.-O., A.O., A.B.M., M.R.-O.)
- IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz-Universidad Autónoma Madrid, Spain (P.C.-O., A.O., J.E., R.G.)
| | - Alberto Ortiz
- Red de Investigación Renal, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain (R.R.-D.R., M.O., S.R.-M., P.C.-O., A.O., A.B.M., M.R.-O.)
- IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz-Universidad Autónoma Madrid, Spain (P.C.-O., A.O., J.E., R.G.)
| | - Jesus Egido
- IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz-Universidad Autónoma Madrid, Spain (P.C.-O., A.O., J.E., R.G.)
- Spanish Biomedical Research Centre in Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Disorders (CIBERDEM), Spain (J.E.)
| | - Ziad Mallat
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (Z.M.)
- Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale, France, Cambridge, United Kingdom (Z.M.)
| | - M. Briones Ana
- Department of Pharmacology, UAM, Instituto de Investigación-Hospital Universitario La Paz, IdiPaz, Ciber Cardiovascular, Madrid, Spain (R.R.-D., M.B.A.)
| | - Auxiliadora Bajo Maria
- Red de Investigación Renal, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain (R.R.-D.R., M.O., S.R.-M., P.C.-O., A.O., A.B.M., M.R.-O.)
- Department of Nephrology, Instituto de Investigación-Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain (A.B.M.)
| | - Roel Goldschmeding
- IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz-Universidad Autónoma Madrid, Spain (P.C.-O., A.O., J.E., R.G.)
| | - Marta Ruiz-Ortega
- Molecular and Cellular Biology in Renal and Vascular Pathology, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz-Universidad Autónoma Madrid, Spain (R.R.-D.R., A.T.-M., M.O., S.R.-M., M.R.-O.)
- Red de Investigación Renal, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain (R.R.-D.R., M.O., S.R.-M., P.C.-O., A.O., A.B.M., M.R.-O.)
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Nie X, Shen C, Tan J, Yang X, Wang W, Dai Y, Sun H, Wu Z, Chen J. Andrographolide Attenuates Established Pulmonary Hypertension via Rescue of Vascular Remodeling. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1801. [PMID: 34944445 DOI: 10.3390/biom11121801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is characterized by vascular remodeling caused by marked proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). Andrographolide (ANDRO) is a potent anti-inflammatory agent which possesses antioxidant, and has anticarcinogenic activity. The present study examined potential therapeutic effects of ANDRO on PH in both chronic hypoxia and Sugen5416/hypoxia mouse PH models. Effects of ANDRO were also studied in cultured human PASMCs isolated from either healthy donors or PH patients. In vivo, ANDRO decreased distal pulmonary arteries (PAs) remodeling, mean PA pressure and right ventricular hypertrophy in chronic hypoxia- and Sugen/hypoxia-induced PH in mice. ANDRO reduced cell viability, proliferation and migration, but increased cell apoptosis in the PASMCs isolated from PH patients. ANDRO also reversed the dysfunctional bone morphogenetic protein receptor type-2 (BMPR2) signaling, suppressed [Ca2+]i elevation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and the upregulated expression of IL-6 and IL-8, ET-1 and VEGF in PASMCs from PH patients. Moreover, ANDRO significantly attenuated the activation of TLR4/NF-κB, ERK- and JNK-MAPK signaling pathways and reversed the inhibition of p38-MAPK in PASMCs of PH patients. Further, ANDRO blocked hypoxia-triggered ROS generation by suppressing NADPH oxidase (NOX) activation and augmenting nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression both in vitro and in vivo. Conventional pulmonary vasodilators have limited efficacy for the treatment of severe PH. We demonstrated that ANDRO may reverse pulmonary vascular remodeling through modulation of NOX/Nrf2-mediated oxidative stress and NF-κB-mediated inflammation. Our findings suggest that ANDRO may have therapeutic value in the treatment of PH.
Collapse
|
12
|
Chen J, Kaw K, Lu H, Fagnant PM, Chattopadhyay A, Duan XY, Zhou Z, Ma S, Liu Z, Huang J, Kamm K, Stull JT, Kwartler CS, Trybus KM, Milewicz DM. Resistance of Acta2 R149C/+ mice to aortic disease is associated with defective release of mutant smooth muscle α-actin from the chaperonin-containing TCP1 folding complex. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:101228. [PMID: 34600884 PMCID: PMC8633019 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic variants of the gene for smooth muscle α-actin (ACTA2), which encodes smooth muscle (SM) α-actin, predispose to heritable thoracic aortic disease. The ACTA2 variant p.Arg149Cys (R149C) is the most common alteration; however, only 60% of carriers have a dissection or undergo repair of an aneurysm by 70 years of age. A mouse model of ACTA2 p.Arg149Cys was generated using CRISPR/Cas9 technology to determine the etiology of reduced penetrance. Acta2R149C/+ mice had significantly decreased aortic contraction compared with WT mice but did not form aortic aneurysms or dissections when followed to 24 months, even when hypertension was induced. In vitro motility assays found decreased interaction of mutant SM α-actin filaments with SM myosin. Polymerization studies using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy showed enhanced nucleation of mutant SM α-actin by formin, which correlated with disorganized and reduced SM α-actin filaments in Acta2R149C/+ smooth muscle cells (SMCs). However, the most prominent molecular defect was the increased retention of mutant SM α-actin in the chaperonin-containing t-complex polypeptide folding complex, which was associated with reduced levels of mutant compared with WT SM α-actin in Acta2R149C/+ SMCs. These data indicate that Acta2R149C/+ mice do not develop thoracic aortic disease despite decreased contraction of aortic segments and disrupted SM α-actin filament formation and function in Acta2R149C/+ SMCs. Enhanced binding of mutant SM α-actin to chaperonin-containing t-complex polypeptide decreases the mutant actin versus WT monomer levels in Acta2R149C/+ SMCs, thus minimizing the effect of the mutation on SMC function and potentially preventing aortic disease in the Acta2R149C/+ mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiyuan Chen
- Division of Medical Genetic, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Kaveeta Kaw
- Division of Medical Genetic, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Hailong Lu
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Patricia M Fagnant
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Abhijnan Chattopadhyay
- Division of Medical Genetic, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Xue Yan Duan
- Division of Medical Genetic, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Zhen Zhou
- Division of Medical Genetic, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Shuangtao Ma
- Division of Medical Genetic, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Zhenan Liu
- Department of Physiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Jian Huang
- Department of Physiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Kristine Kamm
- Department of Physiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - James T Stull
- Department of Physiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Callie S Kwartler
- Division of Medical Genetic, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Kathleen M Trybus
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Dianna M Milewicz
- Division of Medical Genetic, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Texas, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Chakraborty A, Li Y, Zhang C, Li Y, LeMaire SA, Shen YH. Programmed cell death in aortic aneurysm and dissection: A potential therapeutic target. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2021; 163:67-80. [PMID: 34597613 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2021.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Rupture of aortic aneurysm and dissection (AAD) remains a leading cause of death. Progressive smooth muscle cell (SMC) loss is a crucial feature of AAD that contributes to aortic dysfunction and degeneration, leading to aortic aneurysm, dissection, and, ultimately, rupture. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of SMC loss and identifying pathways that promote SMC death in AAD are critical for developing an effective pharmacologic therapy to prevent aortic destruction and disease progression. Cell death is controlled by programmed cell death pathways, including apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis. Although these pathways share common stimuli and triggers, each type of programmed cell death has unique features and activation pathways. A growing body of evidence supports a critical role for programmed cell death in the pathogenesis of AAD, and inhibitors of various types of programmed cell death represent a promising therapeutic strategy. This review discusses the different types of programmed cell death pathways and their features, induction, contributions to AAD development, and therapeutic potential. We also highlight the clinical significance of programmed cell death for further studies.
Collapse
|
14
|
Milewicz DM, Braverman AC, De Backer J, Morris SA, Boileau C, Maumenee IH, Jondeau G, Evangelista A, Pyeritz RE. Marfan syndrome. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2021; 7:64. [PMID: 34475413 DOI: 10.1038/s41572-021-00298-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Marfan syndrome (MFS) is an autosomal dominant, age-related but highly penetrant condition with substantial intrafamilial and interfamilial variability. MFS is caused by pathogenetic variants in FBN1, which encodes fibrillin-1, a major structural component of the extracellular matrix that provides support to connective tissues, particularly in arteries, the pericondrium and structures in the eye. Up to 25% of individuals with MFS have de novo variants. The most prominent manifestations of MFS are asymptomatic aortic root aneurysms, aortic dissections, dislocation of the ocular lens (ectopia lentis) and skeletal abnormalities that are characterized by overgrowth of the long bones. MFS is diagnosed based on the Ghent II nosology; genetic testing confirming the presence of a FBN1 pathogenetic variant is not always required for diagnosis but can help distinguish MFS from other heritable thoracic aortic disease syndromes that can present with skeletal features similar to those in MFS. Untreated aortic root aneurysms can progress to life-threatening acute aortic dissections. Management of MFS requires medical therapy to slow the rate of growth of aneurysms and decrease the risk of dissection. Routine surveillance with imaging techniques such as transthoracic echocardiography, CT or MRI is necessary to monitor aneurysm growth and determine when to perform prophylactic repair surgery to prevent an acute aortic dissection.
Collapse
|
15
|
Zhou K, Tian KJ, Yan BJ, Gui DD, Luo W, Ren Z, Wei DH, Liu LS, Jiang ZS. A promising field: regulating imbalance of EndMT in cardiovascular diseases. Cell Cycle 2021; 20:1477-1486. [PMID: 34266366 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2021.1951939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is widely involved in the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases. Although there is no direct evidence, it is very promising as an effective target for the treatment of these diseases. Endothelial cells need to respond to the complex cardiovascular environment through EndMT, but sustained stimuli will cause the imbalance of EndMT. Blocking the signal transduction promoting EndMT is an effective method to control the imbalance of EndMT. In particular, we also discussed the potential role of endothelial cell apoptosis and autophagy in regulating the imbalance of EndMT. In addition, promoting mesenchymal-endothelial transformation (MEndT) is also a method to control the imbalance of EndMT. However, targeting EndMT to treat cardiovascular disease still faces many challenges. By reviewing the research progress of EndMT, we have put forward some insights and translated them into challenges and opportunities for new treatment strategies for cardiovascular diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kun Zhou
- Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan Province, China
| | - Kai-Jiang Tian
- Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan Province, China
| | - Bin-Jie Yan
- Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan Province, China
| | - Dan-Dan Gui
- Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan Province, China
| | - Wen Luo
- Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan Province, China
| | - Zhong Ren
- Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan Province, China
| | - Dang-Heng Wei
- Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan Province, China
| | - Lu-Shan Liu
- Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan Province, China
| | - Zhi-Sheng Jiang
- Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan Province, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Zhu AS, Mustafa T, Connell JP, Grande-Allen KJ. Tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 1 beta suppress myofibroblast activation via nuclear factor kappa B signaling in 3D-cultured mitral valve interstitial cells. Acta Biomater 2021; 127:159-168. [PMID: 33831572 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.03.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Mitral valve disease is a major cause of cardiovascular morbidity throughout the world. Many different mitral valve pathologies feature fibrotic remodeling, often accompanied by an inflammatory state. Mitral valve fibrosis is mediated by valvular interstitial cells (VICs), which reside in the valve leaflets and often differentiate into myofibroblast-like cells during disease conditions. In this study, we investigated the effects of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) on mitral VICs, since these pro-inflammatory cytokines have been shown to exert pleiotropic effects on various cell types in other fibrotic disorders. Using biomimetic three-dimensional culture systems, we demonstrated that TNF-α and IL-1β suppress myofibroblast differentiation in mitral VICs, as evidenced by gene and protein expression of alpha smooth muscle actin and smooth muscle 22 alpha. Addition of TNF-α and IL-1β also inhibited mitral VIC-mediated contraction of collagen gels. Furthermore, inhibition of NF-κB, which is downstream of TNF-α and IL-1β, reversed these effects. These results reveal targetable pathways for potential development of pharmaceutical treatments for alleviating fibrosis during mitral valve disease. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Mitral valve disease is a common cardiovascular condition that is often accompanied by fibrotic tissue remodeling. Valvular interstitial cells (VICs), the fibroblast-like cells that reside in heart valve leaflets, are thought to drive fibrosis during valve disease by differentiating into activated myofibroblasts. However, the signaling pathways that regulate this process in the mitral valve are not fully understood. In the present study, we cultured mitral VICs in collagen and poly(ethylene glycol) scaffolds designed to mimic the heart valve microenvironment and treated the cell-seeded scaffolds with cytokines. Using these 3D culture models, we found that the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β downregulate myofibroblast and fibrosis markers in mitral VICs via the canonical NF-κB signaling pathway.
Collapse
|
17
|
Liu N, Ye X, Yao B, Zhao M, Wu P, Liu G, Zhuang D, Jiang H, Chen X, He Y, Huang S, Zhu P. Advances in 3D bioprinting technology for cardiac tissue engineering and regeneration. Bioact Mater 2021; 6:1388-1401. [PMID: 33210031 PMCID: PMC7658327 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2020.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease is still one of the leading causes of death in the world, and heart transplantation is the current major treatment for end-stage cardiovascular diseases. However, because of the shortage of heart donors, new sources of cardiac regenerative medicine are greatly needed. The prominent development of tissue engineering using bioactive materials has creatively laid a direct promising foundation. Whereas, how to precisely pattern a cardiac structure with complete biological function still requires technological breakthroughs. Recently, the emerging three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technology for tissue engineering has shown great advantages in generating micro-scale cardiac tissues, which has established its impressive potential as a novel foundation for cardiovascular regeneration. Whether 3D bioprinted hearts can replace traditional heart transplantation as a novel strategy for treating cardiovascular diseases in the future is a frontier issue. In this review article, we emphasize the current knowledge and future perspectives regarding available bioinks, bioprinting strategies and the latest outcome progress in cardiac 3D bioprinting to move this promising medical approach towards potential clinical implementation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nanbo Liu
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, and Department of Medical Sciences, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510100, China
| | - Xing Ye
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, and Department of Medical Sciences, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510100, China
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Affiliated South China Hospital, Southern Medical University (Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital) and The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
| | - Bin Yao
- Research Center for Tissue Repair and Regeneration affiliated to the Medical Innovation Research Department, PLA General Hospital and PLA Medical College, 28 Fu Xing Road, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Mingyi Zhao
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, and Department of Medical Sciences, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510100, China
| | - Peng Wu
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, and Department of Medical Sciences, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510100, China
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Affiliated South China Hospital, Southern Medical University (Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital) and The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
| | - Guihuan Liu
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, and Department of Medical Sciences, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510100, China
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China
| | - Donglin Zhuang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, and Department of Medical Sciences, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510100, China
| | - Haodong Jiang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, and Department of Medical Sciences, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510100, China
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China
| | - Xiaowei Chen
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, and Department of Medical Sciences, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510100, China
| | - Yinru He
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, and Department of Medical Sciences, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510100, China
| | - Sha Huang
- Research Center for Tissue Repair and Regeneration affiliated to the Medical Innovation Research Department, PLA General Hospital and PLA Medical College, 28 Fu Xing Road, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Ping Zhu
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, and Department of Medical Sciences, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510100, China
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Affiliated South China Hospital, Southern Medical University (Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital) and The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Creamer TJ, Bramel EE, MacFarlane EG. Insights on the Pathogenesis of Aneurysm through the Study of Hereditary Aortopathies. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12020183. [PMID: 33514025 PMCID: PMC7912671 DOI: 10.3390/genes12020183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) are permanent and localized dilations of the aorta that predispose patients to a life-threatening risk of aortic dissection or rupture. The identification of pathogenic variants that cause hereditary forms of TAA has delineated fundamental molecular processes required to maintain aortic homeostasis. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) elaborate and remodel the extracellular matrix (ECM) in response to mechanical and biochemical cues from their environment. Causal variants for hereditary forms of aneurysm compromise the function of gene products involved in the transmission or interpretation of these signals, initiating processes that eventually lead to degeneration and mechanical failure of the vessel. These include mutations that interfere with transduction of stimuli from the matrix to the actin-myosin cytoskeleton through integrins, and those that impair signaling pathways activated by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). In this review, we summarize the features of the healthy aortic wall, the major pathways involved in the modulation of VSMC phenotypes, and the basic molecular functions impaired by TAA-associated mutations. We also discuss how the heterogeneity and balance of adaptive and maladaptive responses to the initial genetic insult might contribute to disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tyler J. Creamer
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (T.J.C.); (E.E.B.)
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Emily E. Bramel
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (T.J.C.); (E.E.B.)
- Predoctoral Training in Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Elena Gallo MacFarlane
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (T.J.C.); (E.E.B.)
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Latorre M, Humphrey JD. Numerical knockouts-In silico assessment of factors predisposing to thoracic aortic aneurysms. PLoS Comput Biol 2020; 16:e1008273. [PMID: 33079926 PMCID: PMC7598929 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Myriad risk factors–including uncontrolled hypertension, aging, and diverse genetic mutations–contribute to the development and enlargement of thoracic aortic aneurysms. Detailed analyses of clinical data and longitudinal studies of murine models continue to provide insight into the natural history of these potentially lethal conditions. Yet, because of the co-existence of multiple risk factors in most cases, it has been difficult to isolate individual effects of the many different factors or to understand how they act in combination. In this paper, we use a data-informed computational model of the initiation and progression of thoracic aortic aneurysms to contrast key predisposing risk factors both in isolation and in combination; these factors include localized losses of elastic fiber integrity, aberrant collagen remodeling, reduced smooth muscle contractility, and dysfunctional mechanosensing or mechanoregulation of extracellular matrix along with superimposed hypertension and aortic aging. In most cases, mild-to-severe localized losses in cellular function or matrix integrity give rise to varying degrees of local dilatations of the thoracic aorta, with enlargement typically exacerbated in cases wherein predisposing risk factors co-exist. The simulations suggest, for the first time, that effects of compromised smooth muscle contractility are more important in terms of dysfunctional mechanosensing and mechanoregulation of matrix than in vessel-level control of diameter and, furthermore, that dysfunctional mechanobiological control can yield lesions comparable to those in cases of compromised elastic fiber integrity. Particularly concerning, therefore, is that loss of constituents such as fibrillin-1, as in Marfan syndrome, can compromise both elastic fiber integrity and mechanosensing. Aneurysms are local dilatations of the arterial wall that are responsible for significant disability and death. Detailed analyses of clinical data continue to provide insight into the natural history of these potentially lethal conditions, with myriad risk factors–including uncontrolled hypertension, aging, and diverse genetic mutations–contributing to their development and enlargement. Yet, because of the co-existence of these risk factors in most cases, it has been difficult to isolate individual effects or to understand how they act in combination. In this paper, we use a computational model of the initiation and progression of thoracic aortic aneurysms to contrast key predisposing factors both in isolation and in combination as well as with superimposed hypertension and aging. The present study recovers many findings from mouse models but with new and important observations that promise to guide in vivo and ex vivo studies as we seek to understand and eventually better treat these complex, multi-factorial lesions, with data-informed patient-specific computations eventually the way forward.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M. Latorre
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - J. D. Humphrey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Egea G, Jiménez-Altayó F, Campuzano V. Reactive Oxygen Species and Oxidative Stress in the Pathogenesis and Progression of Genetic Diseases of the Connective Tissue. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:antiox9101013. [PMID: 33086603 PMCID: PMC7603119 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9101013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Connective tissue is known to provide structural and functional “glue” properties to other tissues. It contains cellular and molecular components that are arranged in several dynamic organizations. Connective tissue is the focus of numerous genetic and nongenetic diseases. Genetic diseases of the connective tissue are minority or rare, but no less important than the nongenetic diseases. Here we review the impact of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress on the onset and/or progression of diseases that directly affect connective tissue and have a genetic origin. It is important to consider that ROS and oxidative stress are not synonymous, although they are often closely linked. In a normal range, ROS have a relevant physiological role, whose levels result from a fine balance between ROS producers and ROS scavenge enzymatic systems. However, pathology arises or worsens when such balance is lost, like when ROS production is abnormally and constantly high and/or when ROS scavenge (enzymatic) systems are impaired. These concepts apply to numerous diseases, and connective tissue is no exception. We have organized this review around the two basic structural molecular components of connective tissue: The ground substance and fibers (collagen and elastic fibers).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Egea
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Barcelona School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 08036 Barcelona, Spain;
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomédiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Nanociencies I Nanotecnologia (IN2UB), University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-934-021-909
| | - Francesc Jiménez-Altayó
- Departament of Pharmacology, Therapeutics, and Toxicology, Neuroscience Institute, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Victoria Campuzano
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Barcelona School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 08036 Barcelona, Spain;
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Jung H, Lee E, Kim I, Kim GJ. Histone Deacetylase Inhibition Attenuates Aortic Remodeling in Rats under Pressure Overload. Biomed Res Int 2020; 2020:4705615. [PMID: 32775424 DOI: 10.1155/2020/4705615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The use of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor is a novel therapeutic strategy for cardiovascular disease. Studies have shown that many HDAC inhibitors have the ability to reduce the aortic remodeling in various animal models. We hypothesized that the HDAC inhibitor, MGCD0103 (MGCD), attenuates aortic remodeling in rats under pressure overload-induced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC). The aortic ring tension analysis was conducted using the thoracic aorta. Sections of the aorta were visualized after hematoxylin and eosin, trichrome, and Verhoeff-van Gieson staining, and immunohistochemistry. The expression of genes related to aortic remodeling (αSMA, Mmp2, and Mmp9) and angiotensin receptors (Agtr1 and Agtr2) was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. There was a significant decrease in relaxation of the aorta when treated with MGCD. Fibrosis of the aortic wall and expression of angiotensin receptors increased in TAC rats, which was attenuated by MGCD. These results indicate that MGCD, an HDAC inhibitor, attenuates aortic remodeling in rats with TAC-induced pressure overload rats and may serve as a potential therapeutic target of antiaortic remodeling in pressure overload-induced hypertension-related diseases.
Collapse
|
22
|
Xu Z, Zhang L, Yu Q, Zhang Y, Yan L, Chen ZJ. The estrogen-regulated lncRNA H19/miR-216a-5p axis alters stromal cell invasion and migration via ACTA2 in endometriosis. Mol Hum Reprod 2020; 25:550-561. [PMID: 31323679 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaz040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrotic tissue may contribute to the origin of some endometriosis-related symptoms, such as chronic pelvic pain and infertility. Alterations in the H19/miR-216a-5p/ACTA2 pathway may mediate the regulation of eutopic endometrial stromal cell (euESC) invasion and migration and may represent a potential mechanism underlying fibrous tissue formation or fibrosis in women with endometriosis. In this study, we aimed to determine the expression of H19 and ACTA2 in endometrial tissues of women with endometriosis. Two groups of 23 infertile women with endometriosis and 23 matched infertile women without endometriosis were investigated. Primary cultured cells of endometrial tissues were analyzed using RT-PCR and western blotting (WB) to determine expression of H19 and ACTA2. 5-Ethyl-2'-deoxyuridine, CCK8 and Transwell assays were used to study the functions of H19 and ACTA2. Human embryonic kidney 293 cells were used for luciferase assays to study miR-216a-5p binding sites with H19 and ACTA2. We found that H19 and ACTA2 levels were significantly higher in endometriosis euESCs than in control euESCs (P < 0.05) and were positively correlated in endometriosis euESCs. Luciferase assays indicated that H19 regulates ACTA2 expression via competition for inhibitory miR-216a-5p binding sites. Our results indicate that alterations in the estrogen/H19/miR-216a-5p/ACTA2 pathway regulated endometriosis euESC invasion and migration. Downregulation of H19 or ACTA2 inhibited endometriosis euESC invasion and migration; however, estrogen promoted endometriosis euESC invasion and migration via H19. The main limitation of our study was that experiments were conducted in vitro and further in vivo studies are required in the future. However, our study showed that primary cultured cells represented endometriosis cells more clearly than cell lines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Xu
- School of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 Wenhua West Road, Jinan, China.,Reproductive Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, China.,National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology, Shandong University, Ministry of Education, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, China.,Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, China
| | - Liping Zhang
- School of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 Wenhua West Road, Jinan, China.,Reproductive Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, China.,National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology, Shandong University, Ministry of Education, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, China.,Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, China
| | - Qian Yu
- School of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 Wenhua West Road, Jinan, China.,Reproductive Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, China.,National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology, Shandong University, Ministry of Education, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, China.,Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, China
| | - Yanan Zhang
- School of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 Wenhua West Road, Jinan, China.,Reproductive Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, China.,National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology, Shandong University, Ministry of Education, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, China.,Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, China
| | - Lei Yan
- School of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 Wenhua West Road, Jinan, China.,Reproductive Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, China.,National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology, Shandong University, Ministry of Education, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, China.,Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, China
| | - Zi-Jiang Chen
- School of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 Wenhua West Road, Jinan, China.,Reproductive Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, China.,National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology, Shandong University, Ministry of Education, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, China.,Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, 157 Jingliu Road, Jinan, China.,Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, 845 Lingshan Road, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Massett MP, Bywaters BC, Gibbs HC, Trzeciakowski JP, Padgham S, Chen J, Rivera G, Yeh AT, Milewicz DM, Trache A. Loss of smooth muscle α-actin effects on mechanosensing and cell-matrix adhesions. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2020; 245:374-384. [PMID: 32064918 DOI: 10.1177/1535370220903012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in ACTA2, encoding smooth muscle α-actin, are a frequent cause of heritable thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissections. These mutations are associated with impaired vascular smooth muscle cell function, which leads to decreased ability of the cell to sense matrix-mediated mechanical stimuli. This study investigates how loss of smooth muscle α-actin affects cytoskeletal tension development and cell adhesion using smooth muscle cells explanted from aorta of mice lacking smooth muscle α-actin. We tested the hypothesis that reduced vascular smooth muscle contractility due to a loss of smooth muscle α-actin decreases cellular mechanosensing by dysregulating cell adhesion to the matrix. Assessment of functional mechanical properties of the aorta by stress relaxation measurements in thoracic aortic rings suggested two functional regimes for Acta2−/− mice. Lower stress relaxation was recorded in aortic rings from Acta2−/− mice at tensions below 10 mN compared with wild type, likely driven by cytoskeletal-dependent contractility. However, no differences were recorded between the two groups above the 10 mN threshold, since at higher tension the matrix-dependent contractility may be predominant. In addition, our results showed that at any given level of stretch, transmural pressure is lower in aortic rings from Acta2−/− mice than wild type mice. In addition, a three-dimensional collagen matrix contractility assay showed that collagen pellets containing Acta2−/− smooth muscle cells contracted less than the pellets containing the wild type cells. Moreover, second harmonic generation non-linear microscopy revealed that Acta2−/− cells locally remodeled the collagen matrix fibers to a lesser extent than wild type cells. Quantification of protein fluorescence measurements in cells also showed that in absence of smooth muscle α-actin, there is a compensatory increase in smooth muscle γ-actin. Moreover, specific integrin recruitment at cell–matrix adhesions was reduced in Acta2−/− cells. Thus, our findings suggest that Acta2−/− cells are unable to generate external forces to remodel the matrix due to reduced contractility and interaction with the matrix. Impact statement Thoracic aneurysm formation is characterized by progressive enlargement of the ascending aorta, which predisposes the aorta to acute aortic dissection that can lead to sudden death. SMCs in the aorta play an integral role in regulating vessel wall contractility and matrix deposition in the medial layer. Recent studies show that mutations in genes associated with actomyosin apparatus reduce SMC contractility, increasing susceptibility to TAAD. Single-cell experiments enable discrete measurements of transient microscopic events that may be masked by a macroscopic average tissue behavior. Biophysical methods combined with microscopy techniques aid in understanding the specific roles of adhesion and cytoskeletal proteins in regulating SMC mechanosensing when SMα-actin is disrupted. Our findings suggest that Acta2− /− cells have increased SMγ-actin and decreased integrin recruitment at cell–matrix adhesion, hence a synthetic phenotype with reduced cellular mechanosensing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M P Massett
- Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - B C Bywaters
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - H C Gibbs
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - J P Trzeciakowski
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - S Padgham
- Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - J Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - G Rivera
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - A T Yeh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - D M Milewicz
- Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - A Trache
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.,Department of Medical Physiology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Li CC, Chen WX, Wang J, Xia M, Jia ZC, Guo C, Tang XQ, Li MX, Yin Y, Liu X, Feng H. Nicotinamide riboside rescues angiotensin II-induced cerebral small vessel disease in mice. CNS Neurosci Ther 2020; 26:438-447. [PMID: 31943833 PMCID: PMC7080427 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims Hypertension is a leading cause of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). Currently, treatments for CSVD are limited. Nicotinamide riboside (NR) can protect against vascular injury and cognitive impairment in neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, the protective effects of NR against angiotensin ‐ (Ang ‐)–induced CSVD were evaluated. Methods To explore the effects of NR in CSVD, C57BL/6 mice were infused with Ang ‐, and NR was added to the food of the mice for 28 days. Then, short‐term memory, blood‐brain barrier (BBB) integrity, and endothelial function were detected. Arteriole injury and glial activation were also evaluated. Results Our data showed that mice infused with Ang ‐ exhibited decreased short‐term memory function and BBB leakage due to decreased claudin‐5 expression and increased caveolae‐mediated endocytosis after 28 days. Furthermore, Ang ‐ decreased the expression of α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) and increased the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in arterioles and decreased the expression of neurofilament 200 (NF200) and myelin basic protein (MBP) in the white matter. These CSVD‐related damages induced by Ang ‐ were inhibited by NR administration. Moreover, NR administration significantly reduced glial activation around the vessels. Conclusion Our results indicated that NR administration alleviated Ang ‐–induced CSVD by protecting BBB integrity, vascular remodeling, neuroinflammation, and white matter injury (WMI)–associated cognitive impairment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Cheng Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei-Xiang Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Min Xia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Zheng-Cai Jia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Chao Guo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Xiao-Qin Tang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Ming-Xi Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Yi Yin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Hua Feng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China.,Department of Neurosurgery Southwest Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Abstract
Dissections or ruptures of aortic aneurysms remain a leading cause of death in the developed world, with the majority of deaths being preventable if individuals at risk are identified and properly managed. Genetic variants predispose individuals to these aortic diseases. In the case of thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissections (thoracic aortic disease), genetic data can be used to identify some at-risk individuals and dictate management of the associated vascular disease. For abdominal aortic aneurysms, genetic associations have been identified, which provide insight on the molecular pathogenesis but cannot be used clinically yet to identify individuals at risk for abdominal aortic aneurysms. This compendium will discuss our current understanding of the genetic basis of thoracic aortic disease and abdominal aortic aneurysm disease. Although both diseases share several pathogenic similarities, including proteolytic elastic tissue degeneration and smooth muscle dysfunction, they also have several distinct differences, including population prevalence and modes of inheritance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amélie Pinard
- From the Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School; University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (A.P., D.M.M.)
| | - Gregory T Jones
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, New Zealand (G.T.J.)
| | - Dianna M Milewicz
- From the Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School; University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (A.P., D.M.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Abstract
Thoracic aortic aneurysms that progress to acute aortic dissections are often fatal. Thoracic aneurysms have been managed with treatment with β-adrenergic blocking agents (β-blockers) and routine surveillance imaging, followed by surgical repair of the aneurysm when the risk of dissection exceeds the risk for repair. Thus, there is a window to initiate therapies to slow aortic enlargement and delay or ideally negate the need for surgical repair of the aneurysm to prevent a dissection. Mouse models of Marfan syndrome-a monogenic disorder predisposing to thoracic aortic disease-have been used extensively to identify such therapies. The initial finding that TGFβ (transformation growth factor-β) signaling was increased in the aortic media of a Marfan syndrome mouse model and that its inhibition via TGFβ neutralization or At1r (Ang II [angiotensin II] type I receptor) antagonism prevented aneurysm development was generally viewed as a groundbreaking discovery that could be translated into the first cure of thoracic aortic disease. However, several large randomized trials of pediatric and adult patients with Marfan syndrome have subsequently yielded no evidence that At1r antagonism by losartan slows aortic enlargement more effectively than conventional treatment with β-blockers. Subsequent studies in mouse models have begun to resolve the complex molecular pathophysiology underlying onset and progression of aortic disease and have emphasized the need to preserve TGFβ signaling to prevent aneurysm formation. This review describes critical experiments that have influenced the evolution of our understanding of thoracic aortic disease, in addition to discussing old controversies and identifying new therapeutic opportunities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dianna M Milewicz
- From the Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (D.M.M.)
| | - Francesco Ramirez
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Institute for Systems Biomedicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York (F.R.)
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Nolasco P, Fernandes CG, Ribeiro-Silva JC, Oliveira PVS, Sacrini M, de Brito IV, De Bessa TC, Pereira LV, Tanaka LY, Alencar A, Laurindo FRM. Impaired vascular smooth muscle cell force-generating capacity and phenotypic deregulation in Marfan Syndrome mice. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2019; 1866:165587. [PMID: 31678158 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2019.165587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Revised: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Mechanisms whereby fibrillin-1 mutations determine thoracic aorta aneurysms/dissections (TAAD) in Marfan Syndrome (MFS) are unclear. Most aortic aneurysms evolve from mechanosignaling deregulation, converging to impaired vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) force-generating capacity accompanied by synthetic phenotype switch. However, little is known on VSMC mechanoresponses in MFS pathophysiology. Here, we investigated traction force-generating capacity in aortic VSMC cultured from 3-month old mg∆lpn MFS mice, together with morpho-functional and proteomic data. Cultured MFS-VSMC depicted marked phenotype changes vs. wild-type (WT) VSMC, with overexpressed cell proliferation markers but either lower (calponin-1) or higher (SM alpha-actin and SM22) differentiation marker expression. In parallel, the increased cell area and its complex non-fusiform shape suggested possible transition towards a mesenchymal-like phenotype, confirmed through several markers (e.g. N-cadherin, Slug). MFS-VSMC proteomic profile diverged from that of WT-VSMC particularly regarding lower expression of actin cytoskeleton-regulatory proteins. Accordingly, MFS-VSMC displayed lower traction force-generating capacity and impaired contractile moment at physiological substrate stiffness, and markedly attenuated traction force responses to enhanced substrate rigidity. Such impaired mechanoresponses correlated with decreased number, altered morphology and delocalization of focal adhesions, as well as disorganized actin stress fiber network vs. WT-VSMC. In VSMC cultured from 6-month-old mice, phenotype changes were attenuated and both WT-VSMC and MFS-VSMC generated less traction force, presumably involving VSMC aging, but without evident senescence. In summary, MFS-VSMC display impaired force-generating capacity accompanying a mesenchymal-like phenotype switch connected to impaired cytoskeleton/focal adhesion organization. Thus, MFS-associated TAAD involves mechanoresponse impairment common to other TAAD types, but through distinct mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Nolasco
- Laboratorio de Biologia Vascular, LIM-64 (Biologia Cardiovascular Translacional), Instituto do Coracao (InCor), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Carolina Gonçalves Fernandes
- Laboratorio de Biologia Vascular, LIM-64 (Biologia Cardiovascular Translacional), Instituto do Coracao (InCor), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - João Carlos Ribeiro-Silva
- Laboratorio de Genetica e Cardiologia Molecular, Instituto do Coracao (InCor), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Percillia V S Oliveira
- Laboratorio de Biologia Vascular, LIM-64 (Biologia Cardiovascular Translacional), Instituto do Coracao (InCor), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Mariana Sacrini
- Laboratorio de Microrreologia e Fisiologia Molecular, Instituto de Física da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Isis Vasconcelos de Brito
- Laboratorio de Microrreologia e Fisiologia Molecular, Instituto de Física da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Tiphany Coralie De Bessa
- Laboratorio de Biologia Vascular, LIM-64 (Biologia Cardiovascular Translacional), Instituto do Coracao (InCor), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Lygia V Pereira
- Laboratorio de Genetica Molecular, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Y Tanaka
- Laboratorio de Biologia Vascular, LIM-64 (Biologia Cardiovascular Translacional), Instituto do Coracao (InCor), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Adriano Alencar
- Laboratorio de Microrreologia e Fisiologia Molecular, Instituto de Física da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Francisco Rafael Martins Laurindo
- Laboratorio de Biologia Vascular, LIM-64 (Biologia Cardiovascular Translacional), Instituto do Coracao (InCor), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Zhang L, Wu JH, Huang TQ, Nepliouev I, Brian L, Zhang Z, Wertman V, Rudemiller NP, McMahon TJ, Shenoy SK, Miller FJ, Crowley SD, Freedman NJ, Stiber JA. Drebrin regulates angiotensin II-induced aortic remodelling. Cardiovasc Res 2019; 114:1806-1815. [PMID: 29931051 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvy151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aims The actin-binding protein Drebrin is up-regulated in response to arterial injury and reduces smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration and proliferation through its interaction with the actin cytoskeleton. We, therefore, tested the hypothesis that SMC Drebrin inhibits angiotensin II-induced remodelling of the proximal aorta. Methods and results Angiotensin II was administered via osmotic minipumps at 1000 ng/kg/min continuously for 28 days in SM22-Cre+/Dbnflox/flox (SMC-Dbn-/-) and control mice. Blood pressure responses to angiotensin II were assessed by telemetry. After angiotensin II infusion, we assessed remodelling in the proximal ascending aorta by echocardiography and planimetry of histological cross sections. Although the degree of hypertension was equivalent in SMC-Dbn-/- and control mice, SMC-Dbn-/- mice nonetheless exhibited 60% more proximal aortic medial thickening and two-fold more outward aortic remodelling than control mice in response to angiotensin II. Proximal aortas demonstrated greater cellular proliferation and matrix deposition in SMC-Dbn-/- mice than in control mice, as evidenced by a higher prevalence of proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive nuclei and higher levels of collagen I. Compared with control mouse aortas, SMC-Dbn-/- aortas demonstrated greater angiotensin II-induced NADPH oxidase activation and inflammation, evidenced by higher levels of Ser-536-phosphorylated NFκB p65 subunits and higher levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and adventitial macrophages. Conclusions We conclude that SMC Drebrin deficiency augments angiotensin II-induced inflammation and adverse aortic remodelling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisheng Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, 2301 Erwin Road, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jiao-Hui Wu
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, 2301 Erwin Road, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Tai-Qin Huang
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, 2301 Erwin Road, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Igor Nepliouev
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, 2301 Erwin Road, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Leigh Brian
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, 2301 Erwin Road, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Zhushan Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, 2301 Erwin Road, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Virginia Wertman
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, 2301 Erwin Road, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Nathan P Rudemiller
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, 2301 Erwin Road, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Timothy J McMahon
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, 2301 Erwin Road, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Sudha K Shenoy
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, 2301 Erwin Road, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Francis J Miller
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, 2301 Erwin Road, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Steven D Crowley
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, 2301 Erwin Road, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Neil J Freedman
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, 2301 Erwin Road, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jonathan A Stiber
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, 2301 Erwin Road, Durham, NC, USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Abstract
Mutations in extracellular matrix and smooth muscle cell contractile proteins predispose to thoracic aortic aneurysms in Marfan syndrome (MFS) and related disorders. These genetic alterations lead to a compromised extracellular matrix-smooth muscle cell contractile unit. The abnormal aortic tissue responds with defective mechanosensing under hemodynamic stress. Aberrant mechanosensing is associated with transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) hyperactivity, enhanced angiotensin-II (Ang-II) signaling, and perturbation of other cellular signaling pathways. The downstream consequences include enhanced proteolytic activity, expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, infiltration of inflammatory cells in the aortic wall, vascular smooth muscle cell apoptosis, and medial degeneration. Mouse models highlight aortic inflammation as a contributing factor in the development of aortic aneurysms. Anti-inflammatory drugs and antioxidants can reduce aortic oxidative stress that prevents aggravation of aortic disease in MFS mice. Targeting TGF-β and Ang-II downstream signaling pathways such as ERK1/2, mTOR, PI3/Akt, P38/MAPK, and Rho kinase signaling attenuates disease pathogenesis. Aortic extracellular matrix degradation and medial degeneration were reduced upon inhibition of inflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases, but the latter lack specificity. Treating inflammation associated with aortic aneurysms in MFS and related disorders could prove to be beneficial in limiting disease pathogenesis.
Collapse
|
30
|
Nogi M, Satoh K, Sunamura S, Kikuchi N, Satoh T, Kurosawa R, Omura J, Elias-Al-Mamun M, Abdul Hai Siddique M, Numano K, Kudo S, Miyata S, Akiyama M, Kumagai K, Kawamoto S, Saiki Y, Shimokawa H. Small GTP-Binding Protein GDP Dissociation Stimulator Prevents Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Formation and Rupture by Phenotypic Preservation of Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells. Circulation 2019; 138:2413-2433. [PMID: 29921611 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.118.035648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) and dissection are fatal diseases that cause aortic rupture and sudden death. The small GTP-binding protein GDP dissociation stimulator (SmgGDS) is a crucial mediator of the pleiotropic effects of statins. Previous studies revealed that reduced force generation in aortic smooth muscle cells (AoSMCs) causes TAA and thoracic aortic dissection. METHODS To examine the role of SmgGDS in TAA formation, we used an angiotensin II (1000 ng·min-1·kg-1, 4 weeks)-induced TAA model. RESULTS We found that 33% of Apoe-/- SmgGDS+/- mice died suddenly as a result of TAA rupture, whereas there was no TAA rupture in Apoe-/- control mice. In contrast, there was no significant difference in the ratio of abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture between the 2 genotypes. We performed ultrasound imaging every week to follow up the serial changes in aortic diameters. The diameter of the ascending aorta progressively increased in Apoe-/- SmgGDS+/- mice compared with Apoe-/- mice, whereas that of the abdominal aorta remained comparable between the 2 genotypes. Histological analysis of Apoe-/- SmgGDS+/- mice showed dissections of major thoracic aorta in the early phase of angiotensin II infusion (day 3 to 5) and more severe elastin degradation compared with Apoe-/- mice. Mechanistically, Apoe-/- SmgGDS+/- mice showed significantly higher levels of oxidative stress, matrix metalloproteinases, and inflammatory cell migration in the ascending aorta compared with Apoe-/- mice. For mechanistic analyses, we primary cultured AoSMCs from the 2 genotypes. After angiotensin II (100 nmol/L) treatment for 24 hours, Apoe-/- SmgGDS+/- AoSMCs showed significantly increased matrix metalloproteinase activity and oxidative stress levels compared with Apoe-/- AoSMCs. In addition, SmgGDS deficiency increased cytokines/chemokines and growth factors in AoSMCs. Moreover, expressions of fibrillin-1 ( FBN1), α-smooth muscle actin ( ACTA2), myosin-11 ( MYH11), MYLLK, and PRKG1, which are force generation genes, were significantly reduced in Apoe-/- SmgGDS+/- AoSMCs compared with Apoe-/- AoSMCs. A similar tendency was noted in AoSMCs from patients with TAA compared with those from control subjects. Finally, local delivery of the SmgGDS gene construct reversed the dilation of the ascending aorta in Apoe-/- SmgGDS+/- mice. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that SmgGDS is a novel therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of TAA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Masamichi Nogi
- Departments of Cardiovascular Medicine (M.N., K.S., S.S., N.K., T.S., R.K., J.O., M.E.-A.-M., M.A.H.S., K.N., S. Kudo, S.M., H.S.), Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Kimio Satoh
- Departments of Cardiovascular Medicine (M.N., K.S., S.S., N.K., T.S., R.K., J.O., M.E.-A.-M., M.A.H.S., K.N., S. Kudo, S.M., H.S.), Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Sunamura
- Departments of Cardiovascular Medicine (M.N., K.S., S.S., N.K., T.S., R.K., J.O., M.E.-A.-M., M.A.H.S., K.N., S. Kudo, S.M., H.S.), Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Kikuchi
- Departments of Cardiovascular Medicine (M.N., K.S., S.S., N.K., T.S., R.K., J.O., M.E.-A.-M., M.A.H.S., K.N., S. Kudo, S.M., H.S.), Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Taijyu Satoh
- Departments of Cardiovascular Medicine (M.N., K.S., S.S., N.K., T.S., R.K., J.O., M.E.-A.-M., M.A.H.S., K.N., S. Kudo, S.M., H.S.), Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Ryo Kurosawa
- Departments of Cardiovascular Medicine (M.N., K.S., S.S., N.K., T.S., R.K., J.O., M.E.-A.-M., M.A.H.S., K.N., S. Kudo, S.M., H.S.), Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Junichi Omura
- Departments of Cardiovascular Medicine (M.N., K.S., S.S., N.K., T.S., R.K., J.O., M.E.-A.-M., M.A.H.S., K.N., S. Kudo, S.M., H.S.), Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Md Elias-Al-Mamun
- Departments of Cardiovascular Medicine (M.N., K.S., S.S., N.K., T.S., R.K., J.O., M.E.-A.-M., M.A.H.S., K.N., S. Kudo, S.M., H.S.), Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Mohammad Abdul Hai Siddique
- Departments of Cardiovascular Medicine (M.N., K.S., S.S., N.K., T.S., R.K., J.O., M.E.-A.-M., M.A.H.S., K.N., S. Kudo, S.M., H.S.), Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Numano
- Departments of Cardiovascular Medicine (M.N., K.S., S.S., N.K., T.S., R.K., J.O., M.E.-A.-M., M.A.H.S., K.N., S. Kudo, S.M., H.S.), Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Shun Kudo
- Departments of Cardiovascular Medicine (M.N., K.S., S.S., N.K., T.S., R.K., J.O., M.E.-A.-M., M.A.H.S., K.N., S. Kudo, S.M., H.S.), Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Satoshi Miyata
- Departments of Cardiovascular Medicine (M.N., K.S., S.S., N.K., T.S., R.K., J.O., M.E.-A.-M., M.A.H.S., K.N., S. Kudo, S.M., H.S.), Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Akiyama
- Cardiovascular Surgery (M.A., K.K., S. Kawamoto, Y.S.), Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Kiichiro Kumagai
- Cardiovascular Surgery (M.A., K.K., S. Kawamoto, Y.S.), Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Kawamoto
- Cardiovascular Surgery (M.A., K.K., S. Kawamoto, Y.S.), Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yoshikatsu Saiki
- Cardiovascular Surgery (M.A., K.K., S. Kawamoto, Y.S.), Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Shimokawa
- Departments of Cardiovascular Medicine (M.N., K.S., S.S., N.K., T.S., R.K., J.O., M.E.-A.-M., M.A.H.S., K.N., S. Kudo, S.M., H.S.), Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
You S, Qian J, Wu G, Qian Y, Wang Z, Chen T, Wang J, Huang W, Liang G. Schizandrin B attenuates angiotensin II induced endothelial to mesenchymal transition in vascular endothelium by suppressing NF-κB activation. Phytomedicine 2019; 62:152955. [PMID: 31146168 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2019.152955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2018] [Revised: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced chronic inflammation and oxidative stress often leads to irreversible vascular injury, in which the endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) in the endothelial layers are involved. Schisandrin B (Sch B), a natural product isolated from traditional Schisandra chinensis, has been reported to exert vascular protective properties with unclear mechanism. HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE This study investigated the protective effects and mechanism of Sch B against Ang II-induced vascular injury. METHODS C57BL/6 mice were subcutaneous injected of Ang II for 4 weeks to induce irreversible vascular injury. In vitro, Ang II-induced HUVECs injury was used to study the underlying mechanism. The markers of EndMT, inflammation and oxidative stress were studied both in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS Pre-administration of Sch B effectively attenuated phenotypes of vascular EndMT and fibrosis in Ang II-treated animals, accompanied with decreased inflammatory cytokine and ROS. The in vitro data from HUVECs suggest that Sch B directly targets NF-κB activation to suppress Ang II-induced EndMT and vascular injury. The activation of EndMT in the presence of Ang II is regulated by the NF-κB, a common player in inflammation and oxidative stress. Ang II-induced inflammation and oxidative stress also contributed to vascular EndMT development and Sch B inhibited inflammation/ROS-mediated EndMT by suppressing NF-κB. CONCLUSION EndMT contributes to vascular injury in Ang II-treated mice, and it can be prevented via suppressing NF-κB activation by Sch B treatment. These results also imply that NF-κB might be a promising target to attenuate vascular remodeling induced by inflammation and oxidative stress through an EndMT mechanism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shengban You
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianchang Qian
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Gaojun Wu
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuanyuan Qian
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhengxian Wang
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Taiwei Chen
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jingying Wang
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Weijian Huang
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Guang Liang
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Schwaerzer GK, Kalyanaraman H, Casteel DE, Dalton ND, Gu Y, Lee S, Zhuang S, Wahwah N, Schilling JM, Patel HH, Zhang Q, Makino A, Milewicz DM, Peterson KL, Boss GR, Pilz RB. Aortic pathology from protein kinase G activation is prevented by an antioxidant vitamin B 12 analog. Nat Commun 2019; 10:3533. [PMID: 31387997 PMCID: PMC6684604 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11389-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
People heterozygous for an activating mutation in protein kinase G1 (PRKG1, p.Arg177Gln) develop thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections (TAAD) as young adults. Here we report that mice heterozygous for the mutation have a three-fold increase in basal protein kinase G (PKG) activity, and develop age-dependent aortic dilation. Prkg1R177Q/+ aortas show increased smooth muscle cell apoptosis, elastin fiber breaks, and oxidative stress compared to aortas from wild type littermates. Transverse aortic constriction (TAC)—to increase wall stress in the ascending aorta—induces severe aortic pathology and mortality from aortic rupture in young mutant mice. The free radical-neutralizing vitamin B12-analog cobinamide completely prevents age-related aortic wall degeneration, and the unrelated anti-oxidant N-acetylcysteine ameliorates TAC-induced pathology. Thus, increased basal PKG activity induces oxidative stress in the aorta, raising concern about the widespread clinical use of PKG-activating drugs. Cobinamide could be a treatment for aortic aneurysms where oxidative stress contributes to the disease, including Marfan syndrome. Individuals carrying a gain-of-function mutation in PKG1 develop thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections. Here Schwaerzer et al. show that mice carrying the same mutation recapitulate the human disease, and find that treatment with anti-oxidants including cobinamide, a vitamin B12 analog, prevents disease progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gerburg K Schwaerzer
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Hema Kalyanaraman
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Darren E Casteel
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Nancy D Dalton
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Yusu Gu
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Seunghoe Lee
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Shunhui Zhuang
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Nisreen Wahwah
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Jan M Schilling
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Hemal H Patel
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Ayako Makino
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Dianna M Milewicz
- Division of Medical Genetics and Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Kirk L Peterson
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Gerry R Boss
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Renate B Pilz
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Qin X, He L, Tian M, Hu P, Yang J, Lu H, Chen W, Jiang X, Zhang C, Gao J, Chen M, Weinstein LS, Zhang Y, Zhang W. Smooth muscle-specific Gsα deletion exaggerates angiotensin II-induced abdominal aortic aneurysm formation in mice in vivo. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2019; 132:49-59. [PMID: 31071332 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2019.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Revised: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Objective: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening vascular disease without an effective pharmaceutical treatment. Genetic studies have proved the involvement of smooth muscle phenotype switch in the development of AAA. The alpha subunit of the heterotrimeric G stimulatory protein (Gsα) mediates receptor-stimulated production of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). However, the role of smooth muscle Gsα in AAA formation remains unknown. Approach and results: In this study, mice with knockout of smooth muscle-specific Gsα (GsαSMKO) were generated by cross-breeding Gsαflox/flox mice with SM22-CreERT2 transgenic mice, induced in adult mice by tamoxifen treatment. Gsα deficiency induced a smooth muscle phenotype switch from a contractile to a synthetic state. Mechanically, Gsα deletion reduced cAMP level and increased the level of human antigen R (HuR), which binds with the adenylate uridylate–rich elements of the 3′ untranslated region of Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) mRNA, thereby increasing the stability of KLF4. Moreover, genetic knockdown of HuR or KLF4 rescued the phenotype switch in Gsα-deficient smooth muscle cells. Furthermore, with acute infusion of angiotensin II, the incidence of AAA was markedly higher in ApoE−/−/GsαSMKO than ApoE−/−/Gsαflox/flox mice and induced increased elastic lamina degradation and aortic expansion. Finally, the levels of Gsα and SM α-actin were significantly lower while those of HuR and KLF4 were higher in human AAA samples than adjacent nonaneurysmal aortic sections. Conclusions: Gsα may play a protective role in AAA formation by regulating the smooth muscle phenotype switch and could be a potential therapeutic target for AAA disease.
Collapse
|
34
|
Abstract
Background High frequency ultrasound has facilitated in vivo measurements of murine ascending aortas, allowing aortic strains to be gleaned from two-dimensional images. Thoracic aortic aneurysms associated with mutations in fibrillin-1 (FBN1) display elastin fragmentation, which may impact aortic strain. In this study, we determined the relationship between elastin fragmentation and aortic circumferential strain in wild type and fibrillin-1 hypomorphic (FBN1 mgR/mgR) mice. Methods and Results Luminal diameters of the ascending aorta from wild type and FBN1 hypomorphic (FBN1 mgR/mgR) mice were measured in systole and diastole. Expansion of the ascending aorta during systole in male and female wild type mice was 0.21±0.02 mm (16.3%) and 0.21±0.01 mm (17.0%) respectively, while expansion in male and female FBN1 mgR/mgR mice was 0.11±0.04 mm (4.9%) and 0.07±0.02 mm (4.5%) respectively. Reduced circumferential strain was observed in FBN1 mgR/mgR mice compared to wild type littermates. Elastin fragmentation was inversely correlated to circumferential strain (R^2 = 0.628 p = 0.004) and significantly correlated with aortic diameter. (R^2 = 0.397, p = 0.038 in systole and R^2 = 0.515, p =0.013 in diastole). Conclusions FBN1 mgR/mgR mice had increased aortic diameters, reduced circumferential strain, and increased elastin fragmentation. Elastin fragmentation in FBN1 mgR/mgR and their wild type littermates was correlated with reduced circumferential strain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeff Z Chen
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center.,Department of Physiology
| | | | | | | | - Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center.,Department of Physiology
| | - Mary B Sheppard
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center.,Department of Physiology.,Department of Family and Community Medicine.,Department of Surgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Zhou Z, Peters AM, Wang S, Janda A, Chen J, Zhou P, Arthur E, Kwartler CS, Milewicz DM. Reversal of Aortic Enlargement Induced by Increased Biomechanical Forces Requires AT1R Inhibition in Conjunction With AT2R Activation. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2019; 39:459-466. [PMID: 30602301 PMCID: PMC6400319 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.118.312158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Objective- Pharmacological inhibition of the AT1R (angiotensin II type 1 receptor) with losartan can attenuate ascending aortic remodeling induced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC). In this study, we investigated the role of the AT2R (angiotensin II type 2 receptor) and MasR (Mas receptor) in TAC-induced ascending aortic dilation and remodeling. Approach and Results- Wild-type C57BL/6J mice were subjected to sham or TAC surgeries in the presence and absence of various drugs. Aortic diameters were assessed by echocardiography, central blood pressure was measured in the ascending aorta 2 weeks post-operation, and histology and gene expression analyses completed. An angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, captopril, decreased systolic blood pressure to the same level as losartan but did not attenuate aortic dilation, adventitial inflammation, medial collagen deposition, elastin breakage, or Mmp9 (matrix metalloproteinase-9) expression when compared with TAC mice. In contrast, co-administration of captopril with an AT2R agonist, compound 21, attenuated aortic dilation, medial collagen content, elastin breaks, and Mmp9 expression, whereas co-administration of captopril with a MasR agonist (AVE0991) did not reverse aortic dilation and led to aberrant aortic remodeling. An AT2R antagonist, PD123319, reversed the protective effects of losartan in TAC mice. Treatment with compound 21 alone showed no effect on TAC-induced aortic enlargement, blood pressure, elastin breakage, or Mmp9 expression. Conclusions- Our data indicate that when AT1R signaling is blocked, AT2R activation is a key modulator to prevent aortic dilation that occurs with TAC. These data suggest that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor may not be as effective as losartan for slowing aneurysm growth because losartan requires intact AT2R signaling to prevent aortic enlargement.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Zhou
- From the Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (Z.Z., A.M.P., S.W., A.J., J.C., P.Z., E.A., C.S.K., D.M.M.)
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China (Z.Z.)
| | - Andrew M Peters
- From the Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (Z.Z., A.M.P., S.W., A.J., J.C., P.Z., E.A., C.S.K., D.M.M.)
| | - Shanzhi Wang
- From the Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (Z.Z., A.M.P., S.W., A.J., J.C., P.Z., E.A., C.S.K., D.M.M.)
| | - Alexandra Janda
- From the Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (Z.Z., A.M.P., S.W., A.J., J.C., P.Z., E.A., C.S.K., D.M.M.)
| | - Jiyuan Chen
- From the Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (Z.Z., A.M.P., S.W., A.J., J.C., P.Z., E.A., C.S.K., D.M.M.)
| | - Ping Zhou
- From the Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (Z.Z., A.M.P., S.W., A.J., J.C., P.Z., E.A., C.S.K., D.M.M.)
| | - Erin Arthur
- From the Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (Z.Z., A.M.P., S.W., A.J., J.C., P.Z., E.A., C.S.K., D.M.M.)
| | - Callie S Kwartler
- From the Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (Z.Z., A.M.P., S.W., A.J., J.C., P.Z., E.A., C.S.K., D.M.M.)
| | - Dianna M Milewicz
- From the Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (Z.Z., A.M.P., S.W., A.J., J.C., P.Z., E.A., C.S.K., D.M.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Zhang M, Xu Y, Qiu Z, Jiang L. Sulforaphane Attenuates Angiotensin II-Induced Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Migration via Suppression of NOX4/ROS/Nrf2 Signaling. Int J Biol Sci 2019; 15:148-157. [PMID: 30662355 PMCID: PMC6329926 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.28874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiotensin II (Ang II) is involved in the pathogenic progress of cardiovascular diseases via the promotion of abnormal proliferation and migration of human vascular smooth muscle cells (HVSMCs). Sulforaphane (SFN) exerts potent anti-inflammatory effects both in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of SFN on Ang II-induced abnormal migration of HVSMCs as well as the underlying mechanisms of those effects. The results showed that Ang II-induced HVSMC proliferation and migration were inhibited by treatment with SFN. SFN also exhibited anti-inflammatory activity, as indicated by its reduction of monocyte adhesion to HVSMCs via the reduction of ICAM1 and VCAM1 levels. Moreover, SFN reduced the Ang II-induced upregulation of HVSMC migration; this effect was inhibited by pretreatment with inhibitors of NADPH oxidase and ROS or transfection with siNOX4. In addition, SFN reversed the Ang II-induced upregulation of HVSMC migration via elevation of Nrf2 activation and expression. Taken together, the results indicate that SFN reverses Ang II-induced HVSMC migration through suppression of the NOX4/ROS/Nrf2 pathway. Thus, SFN is a potential agent to reverse the pathological changes involved in various cardiovascular diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhang
- Division of Cardiology, TongRen Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200336, China
| | - Yingjie Xu
- Division of Cardiology, TongRen Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200336, China
| | - Zhaohui Qiu
- Division of Cardiology, TongRen Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200336, China
| | - Li Jiang
- Division of Cardiology, TongRen Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200336, China
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Forrester SJ, Booz GW, Sigmund CD, Coffman TM, Kawai T, Rizzo V, Scalia R, Eguchi S. Angiotensin II Signal Transduction: An Update on Mechanisms of Physiology and Pathophysiology. Physiol Rev 2018; 98:1627-1738. [PMID: 29873596 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00038.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 585] [Impact Index Per Article: 97.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system plays crucial roles in cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology. However, many of the signaling mechanisms have been unclear. The angiotensin II (ANG II) type 1 receptor (AT1R) is believed to mediate most functions of ANG II in the system. AT1R utilizes various signal transduction cascades causing hypertension, cardiovascular remodeling, and end organ damage. Moreover, functional cross-talk between AT1R signaling pathways and other signaling pathways have been recognized. Accumulating evidence reveals the complexity of ANG II signal transduction in pathophysiology of the vasculature, heart, kidney, and brain, as well as several pathophysiological features, including inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, and aging. In this review, we provide a comprehensive update of the ANG II receptor signaling events and their functional significances for potential translation into therapeutic strategies. AT1R remains central to the system in mediating physiological and pathophysiological functions of ANG II, and participation of specific signaling pathways becomes much clearer. There are still certain limitations and many controversies, and several noteworthy new concepts require further support. However, it is expected that rigorous translational research of the ANG II signaling pathways including those in large animals and humans will contribute to establishing effective new therapies against various diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steven J Forrester
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center , Jackson, Mississippi ; Department of Pharmacology, Center for Hypertension Research, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa , Iowa City, Iowa ; and Duke-NUS, Singapore and Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center , Durham, North Carolina
| | - George W Booz
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center , Jackson, Mississippi ; Department of Pharmacology, Center for Hypertension Research, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa , Iowa City, Iowa ; and Duke-NUS, Singapore and Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center , Durham, North Carolina
| | - Curt D Sigmund
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center , Jackson, Mississippi ; Department of Pharmacology, Center for Hypertension Research, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa , Iowa City, Iowa ; and Duke-NUS, Singapore and Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center , Durham, North Carolina
| | - Thomas M Coffman
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center , Jackson, Mississippi ; Department of Pharmacology, Center for Hypertension Research, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa , Iowa City, Iowa ; and Duke-NUS, Singapore and Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center , Durham, North Carolina
| | - Tatsuo Kawai
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center , Jackson, Mississippi ; Department of Pharmacology, Center for Hypertension Research, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa , Iowa City, Iowa ; and Duke-NUS, Singapore and Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center , Durham, North Carolina
| | - Victor Rizzo
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center , Jackson, Mississippi ; Department of Pharmacology, Center for Hypertension Research, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa , Iowa City, Iowa ; and Duke-NUS, Singapore and Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center , Durham, North Carolina
| | - Rosario Scalia
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center , Jackson, Mississippi ; Department of Pharmacology, Center for Hypertension Research, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa , Iowa City, Iowa ; and Duke-NUS, Singapore and Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center , Durham, North Carolina
| | - Satoru Eguchi
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center , Jackson, Mississippi ; Department of Pharmacology, Center for Hypertension Research, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa , Iowa City, Iowa ; and Duke-NUS, Singapore and Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center , Durham, North Carolina
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Korneva A, Zilberberg L, Rifkin DB, Humphrey JD, Bellini C. Absence of LTBP-3 attenuates the aneurysmal phenotype but not spinal effects on the aorta in Marfan syndrome. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2018; 18:261-273. [PMID: 30306291 DOI: 10.1007/s10237-018-1080-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Fibrillin-1 is an elastin-associated glycoprotein that contributes to the long-term fatigue resistance of elastic fibers as well as to the bioavailability of transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) in arteries. Altered TGFβ bioavailability and/or signaling have been implicated in aneurysm development in Marfan syndrome (MFS), a multi-system condition resulting from mutations to the gene that encodes fibrillin-1. We recently showed that the absence of the latent transforming growth factor-beta binding protein-3 (LTBP-3) in fibrillin-1-deficient mice attenuates the fragmentation of elastic fibers and focal dilatations that are characteristic of aortic root aneurysms in MFS mice, at least to 12 weeks of age. Here, we show further that the absence of LTBP-3 in this MFS mouse model improves the circumferential mechanical properties of the thoracic aorta, which appears to be fundamental in preventing or significantly delaying aneurysm development. Yet, a spinal deformity either remains or is exacerbated in the absence of LTBP-3 and seems to adversely affect the axial mechanical properties of the thoracic aorta, thus decreasing overall vascular function despite the absence of aneurysmal dilatation. Importantly, because of the smaller size of mice lacking LTBP-3, allometric scaling facilitates proper interpretation of aortic dimensions and thus the clinical phenotype. While this study demonstrates that LTBP-3/TGFβ directly affects the biomechanical function of the thoracic aorta, it highlights that spinal deformities in MFS might indirectly and adversely affect the overall aortic phenotype. There is a need, therefore, to consider together the vascular and skeletal effects in this syndromic disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Korneva
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - L Zilberberg
- Departments of Cell Biology and Medicine, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - D B Rifkin
- Departments of Cell Biology and Medicine, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - J D Humphrey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - C Bellini
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Kwartler CS, Gong L, Chen J, Wang S, Kulmacz R, Duan XY, Janda A, Huang J, Kamm KE, Stull JT, Guo D, Milewicz DM. Variants of Unknown Significance in Genes Associated with Heritable Thoracic Aortic Disease Can Be Low Penetrant "Risk Variants". Am J Hum Genet 2018; 103:138-43. [PMID: 29961567 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2018.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Thoracic aortic aneurysms leading to acute aortic dissections are a preventable cause of premature deaths if individuals at risk can be identified. Individuals with early-onset aortic dissections without a family history or syndromic features have an increased burden of rare genetic variants of unknown significance (VUSs) in genes with pathogenic variants for heritable thoracic aortic disease (HTAD). We assessed the role of VUSs in the development of disease using both in vitro enzymatic assays and mouse models. VUSs in LOX and MYLK identified in individuals with acute aortic dissections were assayed to determine whether they disrupted enzymatic activity. A subset of VUSs reduced enzymatic activity compared to the wild-type proteins but less than pathogenic variants. Additionally, a Myh11 variant, p.Arg247Cys, which does not cause aortic disease in either humans or mice, was crossed with the Acta2-/- mouse, which has aortic enlargement with age while Acta2+/- mice do not. Acta2+/-Myh11R247C/R247C mice have aortic dilation by 3 months of age without medial degeneration, indicating that two variants not known to cause disease do lead to aortic enlargement in combination. Furthermore, the addition of Myh11R247C/R247C to the Acta2-/- mouse model accelerates aortic enlargement and increases medial degeneration. Therefore, our results emphasize the need for a classification system for variants in Mendelian genes that goes beyond the 5-tier system of pathogenic, likely pathogenic, VUS, likely benign, and benign, and includes a designation for low-penetrant "risk variants" that trigger disease either in combination with other risk factors or in a stochastic manner.
Collapse
|
40
|
Guo DC, Regalado ES, Pinard A, Chen J, Lee K, Rigelsky C, Zilberberg L, Hostetler EM, Aldred M, Wallace SE, Prakash SK, Leal SM, Bamshad MJ, Nickerson DA, Natowicz M, Rifkin DB, Milewicz DM, Milewicz DM. LTBP3 Pathogenic Variants Predispose Individuals to Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms and Dissections. Am J Hum Genet 2018; 102:706-712. [PMID: 29625025 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2018.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The major diseases affecting the thoracic aorta are aneurysms and acute dissections, and pathogenic variants in 11 genes are confirmed to lead to heritable thoracic aortic disease. However, many families in which multiple members have thoracic aortic disease do not have alterations in the known aortopathy genes. Genes highly expressed in the aorta were assessed for rare variants in exome sequencing data from such families, and compound rare heterozygous variants (p.Pro45Argfs∗25 and p.Glu750∗) in LTBP3 were identified in affected members of one family. A homozygous variant (p.Asn678_Gly681delinsThrCys) that introduces an additional cysteine into an epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domain in the corresponding protein, latent TGF-β binding protein (LTBP-3), was identified in a second family. Individuals with compound heterozygous or homozygous variants in these families have aneurysms and dissections of the thoracic aorta, as well as aneurysms of the abdominal aorta and other arteries, along with dental abnormalities and short stature. Heterozygous carriers of the p.Asn678_Gly681delinsThrCys variant have later onset of thoracic aortic disease, as well as dental abnormalities. In these families, LTBP3 variants segregated with thoracic aortic disease with a combined LOD score of 3.9. Additionally, heterozygous rare LTBP3 variants were found in individuals with early onset of acute aortic dissections, and some of these variants disrupted LTBP-3 levels or EGF-like domains. When compared to wild-type mice, Ltbp3-/- mice have enlarged aortic roots and ascending aortas. In summary, homozygous LTBP3 pathogenic variants predispose individuals to thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections, along with the previously described skeletal and dental abnormalities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Dianna M Milewicz
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Abstract
Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) are common, life-threatening diseases and are a major cause of mortality and morbidity. Over the past decade, genetic approaches have revealed that 1) activation of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling, 2) alterations in the contractile apparatus of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and 3) defects in the extracellular matrix (ECM) were responsible for development of TAAs. Most recently, a fourth mechanism has been proposed in that dysfunction of mechanosensing in the aortic wall in response to hemodynamic stress may be a key driver of TAAs. Interestingly, the elastin-contractile unit, which is an anatomical and functional unit connecting extracellular elastic laminae to the intracellular SMC contractile filaments, via cell surface receptors, has been shown to play a critical role in the mechanosensing of SMCs, and many genes identified in TAAs encode for proteins along this continuum. However, it is still debated whether these four pathways converge into a common pathway. Currently, an effective therapeutic strategy based on the underlying mechanism of each type of TAAs has not been established. In this review, we will update the present knowledge on the molecular mechanism of TAAs with a focus on the signaling pathways potentially involved in the initiation of TAAs. Finally, we will evaluate current therapeutic strategies for TAAs and propose new directions for future treatment of TAAs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yoshito Yamashiro
- Life Science Center of Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance, University of Tsukuba
| | - Hiromi Yanagisawa
- Life Science Center of Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance, University of Tsukuba
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Milewicz DM, Prakash SK, Ramirez F. Therapeutics Targeting Drivers of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms and Acute Aortic Dissections: Insights from Predisposing Genes and Mouse Models. Annu Rev Med 2017; 68:51-67. [PMID: 28099082 PMCID: PMC5499376 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-med-100415-022956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Thoracic aortic diseases, including aneurysms and dissections of the thoracic aorta, are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Risk factors for thoracic aortic disease include increased hemodynamic forces on the ascending aorta, typically due to poorly controlled hypertension, and heritable genetic variants. The altered genes predisposing to thoracic aortic disease either disrupt smooth muscle cell (SMC) contraction or adherence to an impaired extracellular matrix, or decrease canonical transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling. Paradoxically, TGF-β hyperactivity has been postulated to be the primary driver for the disease. More recently, it has been proposed that the response of aortic SMCs to the hemodynamic load on a structurally defective aorta is the primary driver of thoracic aortic disease, and that TGF-β overactivity in diseased aortas is a secondary, unproductive response to restore tissue function. The engineering of mouse models of inherited aortopathies has identified potential therapeutic agents to prevent thoracic aortic disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dianna M Milewicz
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030;
| | - Siddharth K Prakash
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030;
| | - Francesco Ramirez
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
| |
Collapse
|