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Wang Y, Panicker IS, Anesi J, Sargisson O, Atchison B, Habenicht AJR. Animal Models, Pathogenesis, and Potential Treatment of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:901. [PMID: 38255976 PMCID: PMC10815651 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020901] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) has a prevalence of 0.16-0.34% and an incidence of 7.6 per 100,000 person-years, accounting for 1-2% of all deaths in Western countries. Currently, no effective pharmacological therapies have been identified to slow TAA development and prevent TAA rupture. Large TAAs are treated with open surgical repair and less invasive thoracic endovascular aortic repair, both of which have high perioperative mortality risk. Therefore, there is an urgent medical need to identify the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying TAA development and rupture to develop new therapies. In this review, we summarize animal TAA models including recent developments in porcine and zebrafish models: porcine models can assess new therapeutic devices or intervention strategies in a large mammal and zebrafish models can employ large-scale small-molecule suppressor screening in microwells. The second part of the review covers current views of TAA pathogenesis, derived from recent studies using these animal models, with a focus on the roles of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) pathway and the vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC)-elastin-contractile unit. The last part discusses TAA treatment options as they emerge from recent preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutang Wang
- Discipline of Life Science, Institute of Innovation, Science and Sustainability, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, VIC 3353, Australia; (I.S.P.)
| | - Indu S. Panicker
- Discipline of Life Science, Institute of Innovation, Science and Sustainability, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, VIC 3353, Australia; (I.S.P.)
| | - Jack Anesi
- Discipline of Life Science, Institute of Innovation, Science and Sustainability, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, VIC 3353, Australia; (I.S.P.)
| | - Owen Sargisson
- Discipline of Life Science, Institute of Innovation, Science and Sustainability, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, VIC 3353, Australia; (I.S.P.)
| | - Benjamin Atchison
- Discipline of Life Science, Institute of Innovation, Science and Sustainability, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, VIC 3353, Australia; (I.S.P.)
| | - Andreas J. R. Habenicht
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), 80336 Munich, Germany;
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Xiao X, Huang Y, Zhang J, Cao Y, Zhang M. Identification of two variants in PAX3 and FBN1 in a Chinese family with Waardenburg and Marfan syndrome via whole exome sequencing. Funct Integr Genomics 2023; 23:114. [PMID: 37000337 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-023-01012-4] [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] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
Both Warrensburg (WS) and Marfan syndrome (MFS) can impair the vision. Here, we recruited a Chinese family consisting of two WS affected individuals (II:1 and III:3) and five MFS affected individuals( I:1, II:2, III:1, III:2, and III:5) as well as one suspected MFS individual (II:4). Using whole exome sequencing (WES) and subsequent PCR-Sanger sequencing, we identified one novel heterozygous variant NM_000438 (PAX3) c.208 T > C, (p.Cys70Arg) from individuals with WS and one previous reported variant NM_000138 (FBN1) c.2740 T > A, (p.Cys914Ser) from individuals with MFS and co-segregated with the diseases. Real-time PCR and Western blot assay showed that, compared to their wild-type, both mRNAs and proteins of PAX3 and FBN1 mutants reduced in HKE293T cells. Together, our study identified two disease-causing variants in a same Chinese family with WS and MFS, and confirmed their damaged effects on their genes' expression. Therefore, those findings expand the mutation spectrum of PAX3 and provide a new perspective for the potential therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqiang Xiao
- Joint Shantou International Eye Center, Shantou University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shantou, China.
| | - Yuqiang Huang
- Joint Shantou International Eye Center, Shantou University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shantou, China
| | - Jianqiang Zhang
- Joint Shantou International Eye Center, Shantou University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shantou, China
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yingjie Cao
- Joint Shantou International Eye Center, Shantou University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shantou, China
| | - Mingzhi Zhang
- Joint Shantou International Eye Center, Shantou University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shantou, China
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3
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Almer G, Opriessnig P, Wolinski H, Sommer G, Diwoky C, Lechleitner M, Kolb D, Bubalo V, Brunner MS, Schwarz AN, Leitinger G, Schoiswohl G, Marsche G, Niedrist T, Schauer S, Oswald W, Groselj-Strele A, Paar M, Cvirn G, Hoefler G, Rechberger GN, Herrmann M, Frank S, Holzapfel GA, Kratky D, Mangge H, Hörl G, Tehlivets O. Deficiency of B vitamins leads to cholesterol-independent atherogenic transformation of the aorta. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 154:113640. [PMID: 36081286 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113640] [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] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis, the leading cause of cardiovascular disease responsible for the majority of deaths worldwide, cannot be sufficiently explained by established risk factors, including hypercholesterolemia. Elevated plasma homocysteine is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis and is strongly linked to cardiovascular mortality. However, the role of homocysteine in atherosclerosis is still insufficiently understood. Previous research in this area has been also hampered by the lack of reproducible in vivo models of atherosclerosis that resemble the human situation. Here, we have developed and applied an automated system for vessel wall injury that leads to more homogenous damage and more pronounced atherosclerotic plaque development, even at low balloon pressure. Our automated system helped to glean vital details of cholesterol-independent changes in the aortic wall of balloon-injured rabbits. We show that deficiency of B vitamins, which are required for homocysteine degradation, leads to atherogenic transformation of the aorta resulting in accumulation of macrophages and lipids, impairment of its biomechanical properties and disorganization of aortic collagen/elastin in the absence of hypercholesterolemia. A combination of B vitamin deficiency and hypercholesterolemia leads to thickening of the aorta, decreased aortic water diffusion, increased LDL-cholesterol and impaired vascular reactivity compared to any single condition. Our findings suggest that deficiency of B vitamins leads to atherogenic transformation of the aorta even in the absence of hypercholesterolemia and aggravates atherosclerosis development in its presence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunter Almer
- Clinical Institute for Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Peter Opriessnig
- Division of General Neurology, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria; Division of Pediatric Radiology, Department of Radiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Heimo Wolinski
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Gerhard Sommer
- Institute of Biomechanics, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
| | - Clemens Diwoky
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Margarete Lechleitner
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Dagmar Kolb
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria; Center for Medical Research, Ultrastructure Analysis, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Vladimir Bubalo
- Division of Biomedical Research, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Markus S Brunner
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Andreas N Schwarz
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Gerd Leitinger
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Gabriele Schoiswohl
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Gunther Marsche
- Otto Loewi Research Center, Pharmacology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Tobias Niedrist
- Clinical Institute for Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Silvia Schauer
- Diagnostic and Research Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Oswald
- Department of Surgery, Clinical Division of Vascular Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Andrea Groselj-Strele
- Center for Medical Research, Computational Bioanalytics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Margret Paar
- Otto Loewi Research Center, Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Gerhard Cvirn
- Otto Loewi Research Center, Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Gerald Hoefler
- Diagnostic and Research Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Markus Herrmann
- Clinical Institute for Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Saša Frank
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Gerhard A Holzapfel
- Institute of Biomechanics, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria; Department of Structural Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Dagmar Kratky
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Harald Mangge
- Clinical Institute for Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Gerd Hörl
- Otto Loewi Research Center, Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
| | - Oksana Tehlivets
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria; Division of General Radiology, Department of Radiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
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Ogola BO, Abshire CM, Visniauskas B, Kiley JX, Horton AC, Clark GL, Kilanowski-Doroh I, Diaz Z, Bicego AN, McNally AB, Zimmerman MA, Groban L, Trask AJ, Miller KS, Lindsey SH. Sex Differences in Vascular Aging and Impact of GPER Deletion. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2022; 323:H336-H349. [PMID: 35749718 PMCID: PMC9306784 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00238.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [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] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Aging is a nonmodifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease associated with arterial stiffening and endothelial dysfunction. We hypothesized that sex differences exist in vascular aging processes and would be attenuated by global deletion of the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor. Blood pressure was measured by tail cuff plethysmography, pulse wave velocity (PWV) and echocardiography were assessed with high resolution ultrasound, and small vessel reactivity was measured using wire myography in adult (25 weeks) and middle-aged (57 weeks) male and female mice. Adult female mice displayed lower blood pressure and PWV, but this sex difference was absent in middle-aged mice. Aging significantly increased PWV but not blood pressure in both sexes. Adult female carotids were more distensible than males, but this sex difference was lost during aging. Acetylcholine-induced relaxation was greater in female than male mice at both ages, and only males showed aging-induced changes in cardiac hypertrophy and function. GPER deletion removed the sex difference in PWV as well as ex vivo stiffness in adult mice. The sex difference in blood pressure was absent in KO mice and was associated with endothelial dysfunction in females. These findings indicate that the impact of aging on arterial stiffening and endothelial function is not the same in male and female mice. Moreover, nongenomic estrogen signaling through GPER impacted vascular phenotype differently in male and female mice. Delineating sex differences in vascular changes during healthy aging is an important first step in improving early detection and sex-specific treatments in our aging population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benard O Ogola
- Tulane University, Department of Pharmacology, New Orleans, LA
| | - Caleb M Abshire
- Tulane University, Department of Pharmacology, New Orleans, LA
| | | | - Jasmine X Kiley
- Tulane University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Orleans, LA
| | - Alec C Horton
- Tulane University, Department of Pharmacology, New Orleans, LA
| | - Gabrielle L Clark
- Tulane University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Orleans, LA
| | | | - Zaidmara Diaz
- Tulane University, Department of Pharmacology, New Orleans, LA
| | - Anne N Bicego
- Tulane University, Department of Pharmacology, New Orleans, LA
| | | | | | - Leanne Groban
- Wake Forest School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Winston Salem, NC
| | - Aaron J Trask
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH.,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH
| | - Kristin S Miller
- Tulane University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Orleans, LA
| | - Sarah H Lindsey
- Tulane University, Department of Pharmacology, New Orleans, LA
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5
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Ito S, Lu HS, Daugherty A, Sawada H. Imaging Techniques for Aortic Aneurysms and Dissections in Mice: Comparisons of Ex Vivo, In Situ, and Ultrasound Approaches. Biomolecules 2022; 12:339. [PMID: 35204838 DOI: 10.3390/biom12020339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Aortic aneurysms and dissections are life-threatening conditions that have a high risk for lethal bleeding and organ malperfusion. Many studies have investigated the molecular basis of these diseases using mouse models. In mice, ex vivo, in situ, and ultrasound imaging are major approaches to evaluate aortic diameters, a common parameter to determine the severity of aortic aneurysms. However, accurate evaluations of aortic dimensions by these imaging approaches could be challenging due to pathological features of aortic aneurysms. Currently, there is no standardized mode to assess aortic dissections in mice. It is important to understand the characteristics of each approach for reliable evaluation of aortic dilatations. In this review, we summarize imaging techniques used for aortic visualization in recent mouse studies and discuss their pros and cons. We also provide suggestions to facilitate the visualization of mouse aortas.
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Sawada H, Katsumata Y, Higashi H, Zhang C, Li Y, Morgan S, Lee LH, Singh SA, Chen JZ, Franklin MK, Moorleghen JJ, Howatt DA, Rateri DL, Shen YH, LeMaire SA, Aikawa M, Majesky MW, Lu HS, Daugherty A. Second Heart Field-derived Cells Contribute to Angiotensin II-mediated Ascending Aortopathies. Circulation 2022; 145:987-1001. [PMID: 35143327 PMCID: PMC9008740 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.121.058173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [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] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background: The ascending aorta is a common location for aneurysm and dissection. This aortic region is populated by a mosaic of medial and adventitial cells that are embryonically derived from either the second heart field (SHF) or the cardiac neural crest. SHF-derived cells populate areas that coincide with the spatial specificity of thoracic aortopathies. The purpose of this study was to determine whether and how SHF-derived cells contribute to ascending aortopathies. Methods: Ascending aortic pathologies were examined in patients with sporadic thoracic aortopathies and angiotensin II (AngII)-infused mice. Ascending aortas without overt pathology from AngII-infused mice were subjected to mass spectrometry assisted proteomics, and molecular features of SHF-derived cells were determined by single cell transcriptomic analyses. Genetic deletion of either low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (Lrp1) or transforming growth factor-β receptor 2 (Tgfbr2) in SHF-derived cells was conducted to examine the impact of SHF-derived cells on vascular integrity. Results: Pathologies in human ascending aortic aneurysmal tissues were predominant in outer medial layers and adventitia. This gradient was mimicked in mouse aortas following AngII infusion that was coincident with the distribution of SHF-derived cells. Proteomics indicated that brief AngII infusion, prior to overt pathology, evoked downregulation of SMC proteins and differential expression of extracellular matrix proteins, including several LRP1 ligands. LRP1 deletion in SHF-derived cells augmented AngII-induced ascending aortic aneurysm and rupture. Single cell transcriptomic analysis revealed that brief AngII infusion decreased Lrp1 and Tgfbr2 mRNA abundance in SHF-derived cells and induced a unique fibroblast population with low abundance of Tgfbr2 mRNA. SHF-specific Tgfbr2 deletion led to embryonic lethality at E12.5 with dilatation of the outflow tract and retroperitoneal hemorrhage. Integration of proteomic and single cell transcriptomics results identified plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI1) as the most increased protein in SHF-derived SMCs and fibroblasts during AngII infusion. Immunostaining revealed a transmural gradient of PAI1 in both ascending aortas of AngII-infused mice and human ascending aneurysmal aortas that mimicked the gradient of medial and adventitial pathologies. Conclusions: SHF-derived cells exert a critical role in maintaining vascular integrity through LRP1 and TGF-β signaling associated with increases of aortic PAI1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisashi Sawada
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY; Saha Aortic Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY; Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Yuriko Katsumata
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY; Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Hideyuki Higashi
- Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Chen Zhang
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX
| | - Yanming Li
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX
| | - Stephanie Morgan
- Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Lang H Lee
- Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Sasha A Singh
- Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Jeff Z Chen
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY; Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Michael K Franklin
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Jessica J Moorleghen
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Deborah A Howatt
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Debra L Rateri
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Ying H Shen
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX
| | - Scott A LeMaire
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX
| | - Masanori Aikawa
- Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Mark W Majesky
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA; Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Hong S Lu
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY; Saha Aortic Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY; Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY; Saha Aortic Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY; Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
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7
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Cavinato C, Chen M, Weiss D, Ruiz-Rodríguez MJ, Schwartz MA, Humphrey JD. Progressive Microstructural Deterioration Dictates Evolving Biomechanical Dysfunction in the Marfan Aorta. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 8:800730. [PMID: 34977201 PMCID: PMC8716484 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.800730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Medial deterioration leading to thoracic aortic aneurysms arises from multiple causes, chief among them mutations to the gene that encodes fibrillin-1 and leads to Marfan syndrome. Fibrillin-1 microfibrils associate with elastin to form elastic fibers, which are essential structural, functional, and instructional components of the normal aortic wall. Compromised elastic fibers adversely impact overall structural integrity and alter smooth muscle cell phenotype. Despite significant progress in characterizing clinical, histopathological, and mechanical aspects of fibrillin-1 related aortopathies, a direct correlation between the progression of microstructural defects and the associated mechanical properties that dictate aortic functionality remains wanting. In this paper, age-matched wild-type, Fbn1 C1041G/+, and Fbn1 mgR/mgR mouse models were selected to represent three stages of increasing severity of the Marfan aortic phenotype. Ex vivo multiphoton imaging and biaxial mechanical testing of the ascending and descending thoracic aorta under physiological loading conditions demonstrated that elastic fiber defects, collagen fiber remodeling, and cell reorganization increase with increasing dilatation. Three-dimensional microstructural characterization further revealed radial patterns of medial degeneration that become more uniform with increasing dilatation while correlating strongly with increased circumferential material stiffness and decreased elastic energy storage, both of which comprise aortic functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Cavinato
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Minghao Chen
- Cardiovascular Research Center and Department of Internal Medicine (Cardiology), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Dar Weiss
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Maria Jesús Ruiz-Rodríguez
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC) and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Martin A Schwartz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States.,Cardiovascular Research Center and Department of Internal Medicine (Cardiology), Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Jay D Humphrey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States.,Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
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Abstract
Thoracic aortic aneurysm is one of the manifestations of Marfan syndrome (MFS) that is known to affect men more severely than women. However, the incidence of MFS is similar between men and women. The aim of this study is to show that during pathological aortic dilation, sex-dependent severity of thoracic aortopathy in a mouse model of MFS translates into sex-dependent alterations in cells and matrix of the ascending aorta, consequently affecting aortic biomechanics. Fibrillin-1 C1041G/+ (Het) mice were used as a mouse model of MFS. Ultrasound measurements from 3 to 12 mo showed increased aortic diameter in Het aorta, with larger percentage increase in diameter for males compared with females. Immunohistochemistry showed decreased contractile smooth muscle cells in Het aortic wall compared with healthy aorta, which was accompanied by decreased contractility measured by wire myography. Elastin autofluorescence, second-harmonic generation microscopy of collagen fibers, and passive biomechanical assessments using myography showed more severe damage to elastin fibers, increased medial fibrosis, and increased stiffness of the aortic wall in MFS males but not females. Male and female Het mice showed increased expression of Sca-1-positive adventitial progenitor cells versus controls at young ages. In agreement with clinical data, Het mice demonstrate sex-dependent severity of thoracic aortopathy. It was also shown that aging exacerbates the disease state especially for males. Our findings suggest that female mice are protected from progression of aortic dilation at early ages, leading to a lag in aneurysm growth.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Male Fbn1C1041G/+ mice show more severe thoracic aortic changes compared with females, especially at 12 mo of age. Up to 6 mo of age, Sca-1+ smooth muscle progenitor cells are more abundant in the adventitia of both male and female Fbn1 Het mice compared with wild types (WTs). Male and female Het mice show similar patterns of expression of Sca-1+ cells at early ages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazli Gharraee
- 1Biomedical Engineering Program, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina
| | - Yujian Sun
- 2Physical Therapy Program, Brenau University, Gainesville, Georgia
| | - Joseph A. Swisher
- 3Internal Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Susan M. Lessner
- 1Biomedical Engineering Program, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina,4Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina
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9
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Chen JZ, Sawada H, Ye D, Katsumata Y, Kukida M, Ohno-Urabe S, Moorleghen JJ, Franklin MK, Howatt DA, Sheppard MB, Mullick AE, Lu HS, Daugherty A. Deletion of AT1a (Angiotensin II Type 1a) Receptor or Inhibition of Angiotensinogen Synthesis Attenuates Thoracic Aortopathies in Fibrillin1 C1041G/+ Mice. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2021; 41:2538-2550. [PMID: 34407634 PMCID: PMC8458261 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.121.315715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [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: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Objective: A cardinal feature of Marfan syndrome is thoracic aortic aneurysm. The contribution of the renin-angiotensin system via AT1aR (Ang II [angiotensin II] receptor type 1a) to thoracic aortic aneurysm progression remains controversial because the beneficial effects of angiotensin receptor blockers have been ascribed to off-target effects. This study used genetic and pharmacological modes of attenuating angiotensin receptor and ligand, respectively, to determine their roles on thoracic aortic aneurysm in mice with fibrillin-1 haploinsufficiency (Fbn1C1041G/+). Approach and Results: Thoracic aortic aneurysm in Fbn1C1041G/+ mice was found to be strikingly sexual dimorphic. Males displayed aortic dilation over 12 months while aortic dilation in Fbn1C1041G/+ females did not differ significantly from wild-type mice. To determine the role of AT1aR, Fbn1C1041G/+ mice that were either +/+ or -/- for AT1aR were generated. AT1aR deletion reduced expansion of ascending aorta and aortic root diameter from 1 to 12 months of age in males. Medial thickening and elastin fragmentation were attenuated. An antisense oligonucleotide against angiotensinogen was administered to male Fbn1C1041G/+ mice to determine the effects of Ang II depletion. Antisense oligonucleotide against angiotensinogen administration attenuated dilation of the ascending aorta and aortic root and reduced extracellular remodeling. Aortic transcriptome analyses identified potential targets by which inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system reduced aortic dilation in Fbn1C1041G/+ mice. Conclusions: Deletion of AT1aR or inhibition of Ang II production exerted similar effects in attenuating pathologies in the proximal thoracic aorta of male Fbn1C1041G/+ mice. Inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system attenuated dysregulation of genes within the aorta related to pathology of Fbn1C1041G/+ mice.
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MESH Headings
- Angiotensinogen/genetics
- Angiotensinogen/metabolism
- Animals
- Aorta, Thoracic/metabolism
- Aorta, Thoracic/pathology
- Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/genetics
- Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/metabolism
- Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/pathology
- Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/prevention & control
- Disease Models, Animal
- Female
- Fibrillin-1/genetics
- Fibrillin-1/metabolism
- Gene Deletion
- Genetic Predisposition to Disease
- Haploinsufficiency
- Male
- Marfan Syndrome/genetics
- Marfan Syndrome/metabolism
- Marfan Syndrome/pathology
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Oligonucleotides, Antisense/genetics
- Oligonucleotides, Antisense/metabolism
- Phenotype
- Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1/deficiency
- Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1/genetics
- Renin-Angiotensin System/genetics
- Sex Characteristics
- Sex Factors
- Transcriptome
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeff Z. Chen
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
- Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Hisashi Sawada
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
- Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Dien Ye
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
- Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Yuriko Katsumata
- Department Biostatistics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Masayoshi Kukida
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
- Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Satoko Ohno-Urabe
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
- Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Jessica J. Moorleghen
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
- Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Michael K. Franklin
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
- Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Deborah A. Howatt
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
- Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Mary B. Sheppard
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
- Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
- Department of Surgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | | | - Hong S. Lu
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
- Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
- Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
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10
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Arce C, Rodríguez-Rovira I, De Rycke K, Durán K, Campuzano V, Fabregat I, Jiménez-Altayó F, Berraondo P, Egea G. Anti-TGFβ (Transforming Growth Factor β) Therapy With Betaglycan-Derived P144 Peptide Gene Delivery Prevents the Formation of Aortic Aneurysm in a Mouse Model of Marfan Syndrome. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2021; 41:e440-e452. [PMID: 34162229 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.121.316496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Objective We investigated the effect of a potent TGFβ (transforming growth factor β) inhibitor peptide (P144) from the betaglycan/TGFβ receptor III on aortic aneurysm development in a Marfan syndrome mouse model. Approach and Results We used a chimeric gene encoding the P144 peptide linked to apolipoprotein A-I via a flexible linker expressed by a hepatotropic adeno-associated vector. Two experimental approaches were performed: (1) a preventive treatment where the vector was injected before the onset of the aortic aneurysm (aged 4 weeks) and followed-up for 4 and 20 weeks and (2) a palliative treatment where the vector was injected once the aneurysm was formed (8 weeks old) and followed-up for 16 weeks. We evaluated the aortic root diameter by echocardiography, the aortic wall architecture and TGFβ signaling downstream effector expression of pSMAD2 and pERK1/2 by immunohistomorphometry, and Tgfβ1 and Tgfβ2 mRNA expression levels by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Marfan syndrome mice subjected to the preventive approach showed no aortic dilation in contrast to untreated Marfan syndrome mice, which at the same end point age already presented the aneurysm. In contrast, the palliative treatment with P144 did not halt aneurysm progression. In all cases, P144 improved elastic fiber morphology and normalized pERK1/2-mediated TGFβ signaling. Unlike the palliative treatment, the preventive treatment reduced Tgfβ1 and Tgfβ2 mRNA levels. Conclusions P144 prevents the onset of aortic aneurysm but not its progression. Results indicate the importance of reducing the excess of active TGFβ signaling during the early stages of aortic disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Arce
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Spain (C.A., I.R.-R., K.D.R., V.C., G.E.)
| | - Isaac Rodríguez-Rovira
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Spain (C.A., I.R.-R., K.D.R., V.C., G.E.)
| | - Karo De Rycke
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Spain (C.A., I.R.-R., K.D.R., V.C., G.E.)
| | - Karina Durán
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Clínic y Provincial de Barcelona, Spain (K.D.)
| | - Victoria Campuzano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Spain (C.A., I.R.-R., K.D.R., V.C., G.E.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Spain (V.C.)
| | - Isabel Fabregat
- Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepático-Digestivas (CIBEREHD), ISCIII, Spain (I.F.)
| | - Francesc Jiménez-Altayó
- Department of Therapeutic Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Neuroscience Institute, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain (F.J.-A.)
| | - Pedro Berraondo
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, CIMA University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain (P.B.)
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain (P.B.)
| | - Gustavo Egea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Spain (C.A., I.R.-R., K.D.R., V.C., G.E.)
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain (G.E.)
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11
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Wu W, Xie M, Qiu H. The Progress of Advanced Ultrasonography in Assessing Aortic Stiffness and the Application Discrepancy between Humans and Rodents. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:454. [PMID: 33800855 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11030454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Aortic stiffening is a fundamental pathological alteration of atherosclerosis and other various aging-associated vascular diseases, and it is also an independent risk factor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Ultrasonography is a critical non-invasive method widely used in assessing aortic structure, function, and hemodynamics in humans, playing a crucial role in predicting the pathogenesis and adverse outcomes of vascular diseases. However, its applications in rodent models remain relatively limited, hindering the progress of the research. Here, we summarized the progress of the advanced ultrasonographic techniques applied in evaluating aortic stiffness. With multiple illustrative images, we mainly characterized various ultrasound techniques in assessing aortic stiffness based on the alterations of aortic structure, hemodynamics, and tissue motion. We also discussed the discrepancy of their applications in humans and rodents and explored the potential optimized strategies in the experimental research with animal models. This updated information would help to better understand the nature of ultrasound techniques and provide a valuable prospect for their applications in assessing aortic stiffness in basic science research, particularly with small animals.
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12
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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.
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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:
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13
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Hara H, Maemura S, Fujiwara T, Takeda N, Ishii S, Yagi H, Suzuki T, Harada M, Toko H, Kanaya T, Ijichi H, Moses HL, Takimoto E, Morita H, Akazawa H, Komuro I. Inhibition of transforming growth factor-β signaling in myeloid cells ameliorates aortic aneurysmal formation in Marfan syndrome. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0239908. [PMID: 33175881 PMCID: PMC7657512 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0239908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 04/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Increased transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling contributes to the pathophysiology of aortic aneurysm in Marfan syndrome (MFS). Recent reports indicate that a small but significant number of inflammatory cells are infiltrated into the aortic media and adventitia in MFS. However, little is known about the contribution of myeloid cells to aortic aneurysmal formation. In this study, we ablated the TGF-β type II receptor gene Tgfbr2 in myeloid cells of Fbn1C1039G/+ MFS mice (Fbn1C1039G/+;LysM-Cre/+;Tgfbr2fl/fl mice, hereinafter called Fbn1C1039G/+;Tgfbr2MyeKO) and evaluated macrophage infiltration and TGF-β signaling in the aorta. Aneurysmal formation with fragmentation and disarray of medial elastic fibers observed in MFS mice was significantly ameliorated in Fbn1C1039G/+;Tgfbr2MyeKO mice. In the aorta of Fbn1C1039G/+;Tgfbr2MyeKO mice, both canonical and noncanonical TGF-β signals were attenuated and the number of infiltrated F4/80-positive macrophages was significantly reduced. In vitro, TGF-β enhanced the migration capacity of RAW264.7 macrophages. These findings suggest that TGF-β signaling in myeloid cells promotes aortic aneurysmal formation and its inhibition might be a novel therapeutic target in MFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hironori Hara
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sonoko Maemura
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takayuki Fujiwara
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Norifumi Takeda
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Satoshi Ishii
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroki Yagi
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takaaki Suzuki
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mutsuo Harada
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Haruhiro Toko
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Advanced Translational Research and Medicine in Management of Pulmonary Hypertension, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tsubasa Kanaya
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideaki Ijichi
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Harold L. Moses
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Eiki Takimoto
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Morita
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Akazawa
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Issei Komuro
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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14
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Peterson JC, Wisse LJ, Wirokromo V, van Herwaarden T, Smits AM, Gittenberger-de Groot AC, Goumans MJTH, VanMunsteren JC, Jongbloed MRM, DeRuiter MC. Disturbed nitric oxide signalling gives rise to congenital bicuspid aortic valve and aortopathy. Dis Model Mech 2020; 13:dmm.044990. [PMID: 32801116 PMCID: PMC7541347 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.044990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with a congenital bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), a valve with two instead of three aortic leaflets, have an increased risk of developing thoracic aneurysms and aortic dissection. The mechanisms underlying BAV-associated aortopathy are poorly understood. This study examined BAV-associated aortopathy in Nos3−/− mice, a model with congenital BAV formation. A combination of histological examination and in vivo ultrasound imaging was used to investigate aortic dilation and dissections in Nos3−/− mice. Moreover, cell lineage analysis and single-cell RNA sequencing were used to observe the molecular anomalies within vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of Nos3−/− mice. Spontaneous aortic dissections were found in ascending aortas located at the sinotubular junction in ∼13% of Nos3−/− mice. Moreover, Nos3−/− mice were prone to developing aortic dilations in the proximal and distal ascending aorta during early adulthood. Lower volumes of elastic fibres were found within vessel walls of the ascending aortas of Nos3−/− mice, as well as incomplete coverage of the aortic inner media by neural crest cell (NCC)-derived VSMCs. VSMCs of Nos3−/− mice showed downregulation of 15 genes, of which seven were associated with aortic aneurysms and dissections in the human population. Elastin mRNA was most markedly downregulated, followed by fibulin-5 expression, both primary components of elastic fibres. This study demonstrates that, in addition to congenital BAV formation, disrupted endothelial-mediated nitric oxide (NO) signalling in Nos3−/− mice also causes aortic dilation and dissection, as a consequence of inhibited elastic fibre formation in VSMCs within the ascending aorta. Summary: Nitric oxide defects link bicuspid aortic valve formation and aortopathy through inhibition of elastic fibre formation in vascular smooth muscle cells within the ascending aorta of Nos3−/− mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua C Peterson
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lambertus J Wisse
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Valerie Wirokromo
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Tessa van Herwaarden
- Department of Chemical Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Anke M Smits
- Department of Chemical Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Marie-José T H Goumans
- Department of Chemical Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - J Conny VanMunsteren
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Monique R M Jongbloed
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marco C DeRuiter
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
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15
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Dhital S, Vyavahare NR. Nanoparticle-based targeted delivery of pentagalloyl glucose reverses elastase-induced abdominal aortic aneurysm and restores aorta to the healthy state in mice. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0227165. [PMID: 32218565 PMCID: PMC7100957 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [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: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) is a life-threatening weakening and expansion of the abdominal aorta due to inflammatory cell infiltration and gradual degeneration of extracellular matrix (ECM). There are no pharmacological therapies to treat AAA. We tested the hypothesis that nanoparticle (NP) therapy that targets degraded elastin and delivers anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and ECM stabilizing agent, pentagalloyl glucose (PGG) will reverse advance stage aneurysm in an elastase-induced mouse model of AAA. METHOD AND RESULTS Porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) was applied periadventitially to the infrarenal aorta in mice and AAA was allowed to develop for 14 days. Nanoparticles loaded with PGG (EL-PGG-NPs) were then delivered via IV route at 14-day and 21-day (10 mg/kg of body weight). A control group of mice received no therapy. The targeting of NPs to the AAA site was confirmed with fluorescent dye marked NPs and gold NPs. Animals were sacrificed at 28-d. We found that targeted PGG therapy reversed the AAA by decreasing matrix metalloproteinases MMP-9 and MMP-2, and the infiltration of macrophages in the medial layer. The increase in diameter of the aorta was reversed to healthy controls. Moreover, PGG treatment restored degraded elastic lamina and increased the circumferential strain of aneurysmal aorta to the healthy levels. CONCLUSION Our results support that site-specific delivery of PGG with targeted nanoparticles can be used to treat already developed AAA. Such therapy can reverse inflammatory markers and restore arterial homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saphala Dhital
- Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States of America
| | - Naren R. Vyavahare
- Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States of America
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16
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Ostberg NP, Zafar MA, Ziganshin BA, Elefteriades JA. The Genetics of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms and Dissection: A Clinical Perspective. Biomolecules 2020; 10:E182. [PMID: 31991693 DOI: 10.3390/biom10020182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [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: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (TAAD) affects many patients globally and has high mortality rates if undetected. Once thought to be solely a degenerative disease that afflicted the aorta due to high pressure and biomechanical stress, extensive investigation of the heritability and natural history of TAAD has shown a clear genetic basis for the disease. Here, we review both the cellular mechanisms and clinical manifestations of syndromic and non-syndromic TAAD. We particularly focus on genes that have been linked to dissection at diameters <5.0 cm, the current lower bound for surgical intervention. Genetic screening tests to identify patients with TAAD associated mutations that place them at high risk for dissection are also discussed.
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