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Daugherty A, Sawada H, Sheppard MB, Lu HS. Angiotensinogen as a Therapeutic Target for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2024; 44:1021-1030. [PMID: 38572647 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.124.318374] [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] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
AGT (angiotensinogen) is the unique precursor for the generation of all the peptides of the renin-angiotensin system, but it has received relatively scant attention compared to many other renin-angiotensin system components. Focus on AGT has increased recently, particularly with the evolution of drugs to target the synthesis of the protein. AGT is a noninhibitory serpin that has several conserved domains in addition to the angiotensin II sequences at the N terminus. Increased study is needed on the structure-function relationship to resolve many unknowns regarding AGT metabolism. Constitutive whole-body genetic deletion of Agt in mice leads to multiple developmental defects creating a challenge to use these mice for mechanistic studies. This has been overcome by creating Agt-floxed mice to enable the development of cell-specific deficiencies that have provided considerable insight into a range of cardiovascular and associated diseases. This has been augmented by the recent development of pharmacological approaches targeting hepatocytes in humans to promote protracted inhibition of AGT synthesis. Genetic deletion or pharmacological inhibition of Agt has been demonstrated to be beneficial in a spectrum of diseases experimentally, including hypertension, atherosclerosis, aortic and superior mesenteric artery aneurysms, myocardial dysfunction, and hepatic steatosis. This review summarizes the findings of recent studies utilizing AGT manipulation as a therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (A.D., H.S., M.B.S., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Saha Aortic Center (A.D., H.S., M.B.S., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Department of Physiology (A.D., H.S., M.B.S., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Hisashi Sawada
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (A.D., H.S., M.B.S., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Saha Aortic Center (A.D., H.S., M.B.S., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Department of Physiology (A.D., H.S., M.B.S., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Mary B Sheppard
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (A.D., H.S., M.B.S., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Saha Aortic Center (A.D., H.S., M.B.S., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Department of Physiology (A.D., H.S., M.B.S., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Department of Family and Community Medicine (M.B.S.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Department of Surgery (M.B.S.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Hong S Lu
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (A.D., H.S., M.B.S., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Saha Aortic Center (A.D., H.S., M.B.S., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Department of Physiology (A.D., H.S., M.B.S., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
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Hada Y, Uchida HA, Okamoto S, Otaka N, Katayama K, Subramanian V, Daugherty A, Wada J. Neutrophil Elastase Inhibition by Sivelestat (ONO-5046) Attenuates AngII-Induced Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms in Apolipoprotein E-Deficient Mice. Am J Hypertens 2024; 37:349-357. [PMID: 37982444 DOI: 10.1093/ajh/hpad107] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is an arterial disease characterized by dilatation of the aortic wall. It has been suggested that neutrophil counts and neutrophil elastase activity are associated with AAA. We investigated whether a neutrophil elastase (NE) inhibitor, sivelestat (Siv), had a protective effect against angiotensin II (AngII)-induced AAAs. METHODS Male apolipoprotein E-deficient mice were assigned into three groups: Vehicle + saline, AngII + saline, and AngII + Siv. All mice were administered intraperitoneally with either Siv or vehicle twice daily after AngII infusion. RESULTS In the 4-week AngII infusion study, plasma NE concentration (P = 0.041) and its activity (P = 0.011) were elevated by AngII. These increases were attenuated by Siv (concentration:P = 0.010, activity:P = 0.027). Further, plasma elastase activity was closely correlated with aortic width (R = 0.6976, P < 0.001). In the 1-week AngII infusion study, plasma and tissue elastase activity increased by AngII (plasma:P = 0.034, tissue:P < 0.001), but were reduced by Siv (plasma:P = 0.014, tissue:P = 0.024). AngII increased aortic width (P = 0.011) but was attenuated by co-administration of Siv (P = 0.022). Moreover, Siv decreased the incidence of AAAs (P = 0.009). Elastin fragmentation induced by AngII was reduced by Siv. Many inflammatory cells that were either CD68 or Gr-1 positive were observed in the AngII + saline group, whereas few inflammatory cells were accumulated in the AngII + Siv group. MMP-2 and MMP-9 were enhanced by AngII, but were reduced by Siv. In vitro, MMP-2 activity was induced by human NE (medium:P < 0.001, cells:P = 0.001), which was attenuated by co-incubation of Siv in medium (P < 0.001) and protein of human aortic smooth muscle cells (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Siv attenuated AngII-induced AAA through the inhibition of NE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiko Hada
- Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Science, Okayama, Japan
- Department of Chronic Kidney Disease and Cardiovascular Disease, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Science, Okayama, Japan
| | - Haruhito A Uchida
- Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Science, Okayama, Japan
- Department of Chronic Kidney Disease and Cardiovascular Disease, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Science, Okayama, Japan
| | - Shugo Okamoto
- Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Science, Okayama, Japan
| | - Nozomu Otaka
- Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Science, Okayama, Japan
- Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital, Kagawa, Japan
| | - Katsuyoshi Katayama
- Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Science, Okayama, Japan
| | - Venkateswaran Subramanian
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Jun Wada
- Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Science, Okayama, Japan
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Li B, Lu HS, Daugherty A. Abdominal aortic aneurysms and platelets: infiltration, inflammation, and elastin disintegration. Cardiovasc Res 2024; 120:331-332. [PMID: 38193624 PMCID: PMC10981521 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvae010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Bowen Li
- Department of Physiology, Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, 741 South Limestone, BBSRB Room B243, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuhan, Hubei Province 430000, China
| | - Hong S Lu
- Department of Physiology, Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, 741 South Limestone, BBSRB Room B243, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Department of Physiology, Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, 741 South Limestone, BBSRB Room B243, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
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Eguchi S, Sparks MA, Sawada H, Lu HS, Daugherty A, Zhuo JL. Recent Advances in Understanding the Molecular Pathophysiology of Angiotensin II Receptors: Lessons From Cell-Selective Receptor Deletion in Mice. Can J Cardiol 2023; 39:1795-1807. [PMID: 37394059 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2023.06.421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is an essential hormonal system involved in water and sodium reabsorption, renal blood flow regulation, and arterial constriction. Systemic stimulation of the RAS with infusion of the main peptide angiotensin II (Ang II) in animals as well as pathological elevation of renin (ie, renovascular hypertension) to increase circulatory Ang II in humans ultimately lead to hypertension and end organ damage. In addition to hypertension, accumulating evidence supports that the Ang II type 1 receptor exerts a critical role in cardiovascular and kidney diseases independent of blood pressure elevation. In the past 2 decades, the identification of an increased number of peptides and receptors has facilitated the concept that the RAS has detrimental and beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system depending on which RAS components are activated. For example, angiotensin 1-7 and Ang II type 2 receptors act as a counter-regulatory system against the classical RAS by mediating vasodilation. Although the RAS as an endocrine system for regulation of blood pressure is well established, there remain many unanswered questions and controversial findings regarding blood pressure regulation and pathophysiological regulation of cardiovascular diseases at the tissue level. This review article includes the latest knowledge gleaned from cell type-selective gene deleted mice regarding cell type-specific roles of Ang II receptors and their significance in health and diseases are discussed. In particular, we focus on the roles of these receptors expressed in vascular, cardiac, and kidney epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoru Eguchi
- Sol Sherry Thrombosis Research Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
| | - Matthew A Sparks
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Renal Section, Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Hisashi Sawada
- Department of Physiology, Saha Cardiovascular Center, and Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Hong S Lu
- Department of Physiology, Saha Cardiovascular Center, and Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Department of Physiology, Saha Cardiovascular Center, and Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Jia L Zhuo
- Tulane Hypertension and Renal Center of Excellence and Department of Physiology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
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Ito S, Amioka N, Franklin MK, Wang P, Liang CL, Katsumata Y, Cai L, Temel RE, Daugherty A, Lu HS, Sawada H. Association of NOTCH3 With Elastic Fiber Dispersion in the Infrarenal Abdominal Aorta of Cynomolgus Monkeys. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2023; 43:2301-2311. [PMID: 37855127 PMCID: PMC10843096 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.319244] [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: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The regional heterogeneity of vascular components and transcriptomes is an important determinant of aortic biology. This notion has been explored in multiple mouse studies. In the present study, we examined the regional heterogeneity of aortas in nonhuman primates. METHODS Aortic samples were harvested from the ascending, descending thoracic, suprarenal, and infrarenal regions of young control monkeys and adult monkeys with high fructose consumption for 3 years. The regional heterogeneity of aortic structure and transcriptomes was examined by histological and bulk RNA sequencing analyses, respectively. RESULTS Immunostaining of CD31 and αSMA (alpha-smooth muscle actin) revealed that endothelial and smooth muscle cells were distributed homogeneously across the aortic regions. In contrast, elastic fibers were less abundant and dispersed in the infrarenal aorta compared with other regions and associated with collagen deposition. Bulk RNA sequencing identified a distinct transcriptome related to the Notch signaling pathway in the infrarenal aorta with significantly increased NOTCH3 mRNA compared with other regions. Immunostaining revealed that NOTCH3 protein was increased in the media of the infrarenal aorta. The abundance of medial NOTCH3 was positively correlated with the dispersion of elastic fibers. Adult cynomolgus monkeys with high fructose consumption displayed vascular wall remodeling, such as smooth muscle cell loss and elastic fiber disruption, predominantly in the infrarenal region. The correlation between NOTCH3 and elastic fiber dispersion was enhanced in these monkeys. CONCLUSIONS Aortas of young cynomolgus monkeys display regional heterogeneity of their transcriptome and the structure of elastin and collagens. Elastic fibers in the infrarenal aorta are dispersed along with upregulation of medial NOTCH3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sohei Ito
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, College of Medicine
| | - Naofumi Amioka
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, College of Medicine
| | | | - Pengjun Wang
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, College of Medicine
| | | | - Yuriko Katsumata
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, KY
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, KY
| | - Lei Cai
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, College of Medicine
| | - Ryan E. Temel
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, College of Medicine
- Saha Aortic Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, KY
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, KY
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, College of Medicine
- Saha Aortic Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, KY
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, KY
| | - Hong S. Lu
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, College of Medicine
- Saha Aortic Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, KY
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, KY
| | - Hisashi Sawada
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, College of Medicine
- Saha Aortic Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, KY
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, KY
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Franklin MK, Sawada H, Howatt DA, Amioka N, Liang CL, Zhang N, Graf DB, Moorleghen JJ, Katsumata Y, Lu HS, Daugherty A. β-aminopropionitrile Induces Distinct Pathologies in the Ascending and Descending Thoracic Aortic Regions of Young Mice. bioRxiv 2023:2023.10.22.563474. [PMID: 37886537 PMCID: PMC10602045 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.22.563474] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
This study characterized β-aminopropionitrile (BAPN)-induced aortopathies in young mice. The effects of BAPN were first determined with regard to BAPN dose and mouse strain, age, and sex. BAPN-induced aortic rupture predominantly occurred or originated in the descending thoracic aorta. For mice surviving 12 weeks of BAPN administration, profound dilatation was consistently observed in the ascending region, while there were more heterogeneous changes in the descending thoracic region. Pathological features were distinct between the ascending and descending thoracic regions. Aortic pathology in the ascending region was characterized by luminal dilatation and elastic fiber disruption throughout the media. The descending thoracic region frequently had dissections with false lumen formation, macrophage infiltration, collagen deposition, and remodeling of the wall surrounding the false lumen. Cells surrounding the false lumen were predominantly positive for α-smooth muscle actin. To investigate the molecular basis of the regional heterogeneity, ascending and descending thoracic aortas were harvested after one week of BAPN administration prior to the appearance of overt pathology. BAPN compromised contractile properties in both regions equivalently, and RNA sequencing did not show obvious differences between the two aortic regions in smooth muscle cell markers, cell proliferation markers, and extracellular components. In conclusion, BAPN-induced pathologies show distinct, heterogeneous features within and between ascending and descending aortic regions in young mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael K Franklin
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, 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
| | - Deborah A Howatt
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Naofumi Amioka
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Ching-Ling Liang
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Nancy Zhang
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - David B Graf
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, 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
| | - 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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Ito S, Amioka N, Franklin MK, Wang P, Liang CL, Katsumata Y, Cai L, Temel RE, Daugherty A, Lu HS, Sawada H. Association of NOTCH3 with Elastic Fiber Dispersion in the Infrarenal Abdominal Aorta of Cynomolgus Monkeys. bioRxiv 2023:2023.03.04.530901. [PMID: 37767086 PMCID: PMC10522327 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.04.530901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Background The regional heterogeneity of vascular components and transcriptomes is an important determinant of aortic biology. This notion has been explored in multiple mouse studies. In the present study, we examined the regional heterogeneity of aortas in non-human primates. Methods Aortic samples were harvested from the ascending, descending, suprarenal, and infrarenal regions of young control monkeys and adult monkeys provided with high fructose for 3 years. The regional heterogeneity of aortic structure and transcriptomes was examined by histological and bulk RNA sequencing analyses. Results Immunostaining of CD31 and αSMA revealed that endothelial and smooth muscle cells were distributed homogeneously across the aortic regions. In contrast, elastic fibers were less abundant and dispersed in the infrarenal aorta compared to other regions and associated with collagen deposition. Bulk RNA sequencing identified a distinct transcriptome related to the Notch signaling pathway in the infrarenal aorta with significantly increased NOTCH3 mRNA compared to other regions. Immunostaining revealed that NOTCH3 protein was increased in the media of the infrarenal aorta. The abundance of medial NOTCH3 was positively correlated with the dispersion of elastic fibers. Adult cynomolgus monkeys provided with high fructose displayed vascular wall remodeling, such as smooth muscle cell loss and elastic fiber disruption, predominantly in the infrarenal region. The correlation between NOTCH3 and elastic fiber dispersion was enhanced in these monkeys. Conclusions Aortas of young cynomolgus monkeys display regional heterogeneity of their transcriptome and the structure of elastin and collagens. Elastic fibers in the infrarenal aorta are dispersed along with upregulation of medial NOTCH3. HIGHLIGHTS - The present study determined the regional heterogeneity of aortas from cynomolgus monkeys.- Aortas of young cynomolgus monkeys displayed region-specific aortic structure and transcriptomes.- Elastic fibers were dispersed in the infrarenal aorta along with increased NOTCH3 abundance in the media. GRAPHIC ABSTRACT
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Kukida M, Amioka N, Ye D, Chen H, Moorleghen JJ, Liang CL, Howatt DA, Katsumata Y, Yanagita M, Sawada H, Daugherty A, Lu HS. Manipulation of components of the renin angiotensin system in renal proximal tubules fails to alter atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic mice. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1250234. [PMID: 37655218 PMCID: PMC10466789 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1250234] [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: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and objective Whole body manipulation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) consistently exerts profound effects on experimental atherosclerosis development. A deficit in the literature has been a lack of attention to the effects of sex. Also, based on data with gene-deleted mice, the site of RAS activity that influences lesion formation is at an unknown distant location. Since angiotensin (AngII) concentrations are high in kidney and the major components of the RAS are present in renal proximal tubule cells (PTCs), this study evaluated the role of the RAS in PTCs in atherosclerosis development. Methods and results Mice with an LDL receptor -/- background were fed Western diet to induce hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis. We first demonstrated the role of AT1 receptor antagonism on atherosclerosis in both sexes. Losartan, an AngII type 1 (AT1) receptor blocker, had greater blood pressure-lowering effects in females than males, but equivalent effects between sexes in reducing atherosclerotic lesion size. To determine the roles of renal AT1a receptor and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), either component was deleted in PTCs after weaning using a tamoxifen-inducible Cre expressed under the control of an Ndrg1 promoter. Despite profound deletion of AT1a receptor or ACE in PTCs, the absence of either protein did not influence development of atherosclerosis in either sex. Conversely, mice expressing human angiotensinogen and renin in PTCs or expressing human angiotensinogen in liver but human renin in PTCs did not change atherosclerotic lesion size in male mice. Conclusion Whole-body AT1R inhibition reduced atherosclerosis equivalently in both male and female mice; however, PTC-specific manipulation of the RAS components had no effects on hypercholesterolemia-induced atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masayoshi Kukida
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Naofumi Amioka
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Dien Ye
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Hui Chen
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Jessica J. Moorleghen
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Ching-Ling Liang
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Deborah A. Howatt
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Yuriko Katsumata
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Motoko Yanagita
- Department of Nephrology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI-ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hisashi Sawada
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
- Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
- Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Hong S. Lu
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
- Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
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Sawada H, Daugherty A. BEST3-Mediated MEKK2/3 Activation: A Novel Therapeutic Target in Aortopathies. Circulation 2023; 148:607-609. [PMID: 37579014 PMCID: PMC10430773 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.123.065946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hisashi Sawada
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, Saha Aortic Center, Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, KY Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (H.S., A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Saha Aortic Center (H.S., A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Department of Physiology (H.S., A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, Saha Aortic Center, Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, KY Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (H.S., A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Saha Aortic Center (H.S., A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Department of Physiology (H.S., A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
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Amioka N, Wu CH, Sawada H, Ito S, Pettey AC, Wu C, Moorleghen JJ, Howatt DA, Graf GA, Vander Kooi CW, Daugherty A, Lu HS. Functional Exploration of Conserved Sequences in the Distal Face of Angiotensinogen-Brief Report. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2023; 43:1524-1532. [PMID: 37345525 PMCID: PMC10527926 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.122.318930] [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: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Angiotensinogen (AGT) is an essential component in the renin-angiotensin system. AGT has highly conserved sequences in the loop and β-sheet regions among species; however, their functions have not been studied. METHODS Adeno-associated viral vector (AAV) serotype 2/8 encoding mouse AGT with mutations of conserved sequences in the loop (AAV.loop-Mut), β-sheet (AAV.βsheet-Mut), or both regions (AAV.loop/βsheet-Mut) was injected into male hepatocyte-specific AGT-deficient (hepAGT-/-) mice in an LDL (low-density lipoprotein) receptor-deficient background. AAV containing mouse wild-type AGT (AAV.mAGT) or a null vector (AAV.null) were used as controls. Two weeks after AAV administration, all mice were fed a western diet for 12 weeks. To determine how AGT secretion is regulated in hepatocytes, AAVs containing the above mutations were transducted into HepG2 cells. RESULTS In hepAGT-/- mice infected with AAV.loop-Mut or βsheet-Mut, plasma AGT concentrations, systolic blood pressure, and atherosclerosis were comparable to those in AAV.mAGT-infected mice. Interestingly, plasma AGT concentrations, systolic blood pressure, and atherosclerotic lesion size in hepAGT-/- mice infected with AAV.loop/βsheet-Mut were not different from mice infected with AAV.null. In contrast, hepatic Agt mRNA abundance was elevated to a comparable magnitude as AAV.mAGT-infected mice. Immunostaining showed that AGT protein was accumulated in hepatocytes of mice infected with AAV.loop/βsheet-Mut or HepG2 cells transducted with AAV.loop/βsheet-Mut. Accumulated AGT was not located in the endoplasmic reticulum. CONCLUSIONS The conserved sequences in either the loop or β-sheet region individually have no effect on AGT regulation, but the conserved sequences in both regions synergistically contribute to the secretion of AGT from hepatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naofumi Amioka
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
- Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Chia-Hua Wu
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
- Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, 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
| | - Sohei Ito
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
- Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Alex C. Pettey
- 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
| | - Congqing Wu
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
- Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
- Department of Surgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics 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
| | - Deborah A. Howatt
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
- Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Gregory A. Graf
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Craig W. Vander Kooi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry 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
| | - 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
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11
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Daugherty A, Lu HS, Bakris GL. Angiotensinogen in Sex and Hypertension: New Insights From the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). J Am Coll Cardiol 2023; 81:1260-1262. [PMID: 36990545 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2023.01.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alan Daugherty
- Saha Aortic Center, Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
| | - Hong S Lu
- Saha Aortic Center, Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - George L Bakris
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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12
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Chalfant JM, Howatt DA, Johnson VB, Tannock LR, Daugherty A, Pendergast JS. Chronic environmental circadian disruption increases atherosclerosis and dyslipidemia in female, but not male, ApolipoproteinE-deficient mice. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1167858. [PMID: 37064902 PMCID: PMC10090465 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1167858] [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: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Shift work chronically disrupts circadian rhythms and increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. However, the mechanisms linking shift work and cardiovascular disease are largely unknown. The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of chronically shifting the light-dark (LD) cycle, which models the disordered exposure to light that may occur during shift work, on atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the progressive accumulation of lipid-filled lesions within the artery wall and is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease. We studied ApolipoproteinE-deficient (ApoE -/- ) mice that are a well-established model of atherosclerosis. Male and female ApoE -/- mice were housed in control 12L:12D or chronic LD shift conditions for 12 weeks and fed low-fat diet. In the chronic LD shift condition, the light-dark cycle was advanced by 6 h every week. We found that chronic LD shifts exacerbated atherosclerosis in female, but not male, ApoE -/- mice. In females, chronic LD shifts increased total serum cholesterol concentrations with increased atherogenic VLDL/LDL particles. Chronic LD shifts did not affect food intake, activity, or body weight in male or female ApoE -/- mice. We also examined eating behavior in female ApoE -/- mice since aberrant meal timing has been linked to atherosclerosis. The phases of eating behavior rhythms, like locomotor activity rhythms, gradually shifted to the new LD cycle each week in the chronic LD shift group, but there was no effect of the LD shift on the amplitudes of the eating rhythms. Moreover, the duration of fasting intervals was not different in control 12L:12D compared to chronic LD shift conditions. Together these data demonstrate that female ApoE -/- mice have increased atherosclerosis when exposed to chronic LD shifts due to increased VLDL/LDL cholesterol, independent of changes in energy balance or feeding-fasting cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey M. Chalfant
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Deborah A. Howatt
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | | | - Lisa R. Tannock
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Lexington, KY, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
- Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Julie S. Pendergast
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
- Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
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13
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Lu HS, Sawada H, Daugherty A. Metformin ameliorates established abdominal aortic aneurysms induced by elastase in mice. JVS Vasc Sci 2023; 4:100103. [PMID: 37649472 PMCID: PMC10463245 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvssci.2023.100103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hong S Lu
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center and Saha Aortic Center, Lexington, KY
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Hisashi Sawada
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center and Saha Aortic Center, Lexington, KY
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center and Saha Aortic Center, Lexington, KY
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
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14
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Ye D, Wu C, Cai L, Howatt DA, Liang CL, Katsumata Y, Mullick AE, Temel RE, Danser AJ, Daugherty A, Lu HS. Antisense oligonucleotides targeting hepatic angiotensinogen reduce atherosclerosis and liver steatosis in hypercholesterolemic mice. Glob Transl Med 2023; 2:288. [PMID: 37293374 PMCID: PMC10249463 DOI: 10.36922/gtm.288] [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] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocyte-derived angiotensinogen (AGT) is the precursor of angiotensin II (AngII). We determined the effects of hepatocyte-specific (N-acetylgalactosamine-conjugated) antisense oligonucleotides targeting AGT (GalNAc AGT ASO) on AngII-mediated blood pressure (BP) regulation and atherosclerosis and compared its effects with losartan, an AngII type 1 (AT1) receptor blocker, in hypercholesterolemic mice. Eight-week-old male low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor deficient mice were administered vehicle or GalNAc AGT ASO (1, 2.5, or 5 mg/kg) subcutaneously beginning 2 weeks before the initiation of Western diet feeding. All mice were fed Western diet for 12 weeks. Their systolic BP was monitored by the tail-cuff technique, and the atherosclerotic lesion area was measured by an en face method. Although the effects of all 3 doses of GalNAc AGT ASO on plasma AGT concentrations were similar, GalNAc AGT ASO reduced BP and atherosclerotic lesion size in a dose-dependent manner. Subsequently, we compared the effects of GalNAc AGT ASO (5 mg/kg) with losartan (15 mg/kg/day). Compared to losartan, GalNAc AGT ASO led to more profound increases in plasma renin and reduction in BP but had similar effects on atherosclerosis. Remarkably, GalNAc AGT ASO also reduced liver steatosis, which was not observed in losartan-treated mice. In conclusion, the BP increase and atherosclerosis development in hypercholesterolemic mice are dependent on AngII generated from hepatic AGT. Deleting hepatic AGT improves diet-induced liver steatosis, and this occurs in an AT1 receptor-independent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dien Ye
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Division of Vascular Medicine and Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Congqing Wu
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Lei Cai
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Deborah A. Howatt
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Ching-Ling Liang
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Yuriko Katsumata
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | | | - Ryan E. Temel
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - A.H. Jan Danser
- Division of Vascular Medicine and Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Hong S. Lu
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
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15
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Sawada H, Daugherty A, Lu HS. Divergent Roles of Matrix Metalloproteinase 12 in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms. Circ Res 2023; 132:449-451. [PMID: 36795847 PMCID: PMC9942107 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.123.322511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hisashi Sawada
- Department of Physiology, Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Department of Physiology, Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Hong S Lu
- Department of Physiology, Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington
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16
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Gao J, Chen Y, Wang H, Li X, Li K, Xu Y, Xie X, Guo Y, Yang N, Zhang X, Ma D, Lu HS, Shen YH, Liu Y, Zhang J, Chen YE, Daugherty A, Wang DW, Zheng L. Gasdermin D Deficiency in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Ameliorates Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Through Reducing Putrescine Synthesis. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2023; 10:e2204038. [PMID: 36567267 PMCID: PMC9929270 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202204038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a common vascular disease associated with significant phenotypic alterations in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Gasdermin D (GSDMD) is a pore-forming effector of pyroptosis. In this study, the role of VSMC-specific GSDMD in the phenotypic alteration of VSMCs and AAA formation is determined. Single-cell transcriptome analyses reveal Gsdmd upregulation in aortic VSMCs in angiotensin (Ang) II-induced AAA. VSMC-specific Gsdmd deletion ameliorates Ang II-induced AAA in apolipoprotein E (ApoE)-/- mice. Using untargeted metabolomic analysis, it is found that putrescine is significantly reduced in the plasma and aortic tissues of VSMC-specific GSDMD deficient mice. High putrescine levels trigger a pro-inflammatory phenotype in VSMCs and increase susceptibility to Ang II-induced AAA formation in mice. In a population-based study, a high level of putrescine in plasma is associated with the risk of AAA (p < 2.2 × 10-16 ), consistent with the animal data. Mechanistically, GSDMD enhances endoplasmic reticulum stress-C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) signaling, which in turn promotes the expression of ornithine decarboxylase 1 (ODC1), the enzyme responsible for increased putrescine levels. Treatment with the ODC1 inhibitor, difluoromethylornithine, reduces AAA formation in Ang II-infused ApoE-/- mice. The findings suggest that putrescine is a potential biomarker and target for AAA treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianing Gao
- The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Institute of Systems BiomedicineSchool of Basic Medical SciencesKey Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science of Ministry of EducationNHC Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory PeptidesBeijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors ResearchHealth Science CenterPeking UniversityBeijing100191P. R. China
| | - Yanghui Chen
- Division of CardiologyDepartment of Internal Medicine and Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanism of Cardiologic DisordersTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyJiefang Avenue NO.1095, Qiaokou DistrictWuhan430000P. R. China
| | - Huiqing Wang
- The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Institute of Systems BiomedicineSchool of Basic Medical SciencesKey Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science of Ministry of EducationNHC Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory PeptidesBeijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors ResearchHealth Science CenterPeking UniversityBeijing100191P. R. China
| | - Xin Li
- The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Institute of Systems BiomedicineSchool of Basic Medical SciencesKey Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science of Ministry of EducationNHC Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory PeptidesBeijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors ResearchHealth Science CenterPeking UniversityBeijing100191P. R. China
| | - Ke Li
- Beijing Tiantan HospitalChina National Clinical Research Center for Neurological DiseasesAdvanced Innovation Center for Human Brain ProtectionBeijing Institute of Brain DisordersThe Capital Medical UniversityBeijing100050P. R. China
| | - Yangkai Xu
- The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Institute of Systems BiomedicineSchool of Basic Medical SciencesKey Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science of Ministry of EducationNHC Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory PeptidesBeijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors ResearchHealth Science CenterPeking UniversityBeijing100191P. R. China
| | - Xianwei Xie
- Department of CardiologyShengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical UniversityFujian Provincial HospitalFuzhou350001P. R. China
| | - Yansong Guo
- Department of CardiologyShengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical UniversityFujian Provincial HospitalFujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular DiseaseFujian Provincial Center for GeriatricsFujian Clinical Medical Research Center for Cardiovascular DiseasesFujian Heart Failure Center AllianceFuzhou350001P. R. China
| | - Nana Yang
- Weifang Key Laboratory of Animal Model Research on Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular DiseasesWeifang Medical UniversityWeifang261053P. R. China
| | - Xinhua Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyThe Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular BiologyMinistry of EducationHebei Medical UniversityZhongshan East Road No. 361Shijiazhuang050017P. R. China
| | - Dong Ma
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyThe Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular BiologyChina Administration of EducationHebei Medical UniversityHebei050017P. R. China
| | - Hong S. Lu
- Department of PhysiologySaha Cardiovascular Research CenterUniversity of KentuckySouth LimestoneLexingtonKY40536‐0298USA
| | - Ying H. Shen
- Division of Cardiothoracic SurgeryMichael E. DeBakey Department of SurgeryBaylor College of MedicineDepartment of Cardiovascular SurgeryTexas Heart InstituteHoustonTX77030USA
| | - Yong Liu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell HomeostasisCollege of Life SciencesInstitute for Advanced StudiesWuhan UniversityWuhan430072P. R. China
| | - Jifeng Zhang
- Department of Internal MedicineUniversity of Michigan Medical CenterAnn ArborMI48109USA
| | - Y. Eugene Chen
- Department of Internal MedicineUniversity of Michigan Medical CenterAnn ArborMI48109USA
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Department of PhysiologySaha Cardiovascular Research CenterUniversity of KentuckySouth LimestoneLexingtonKY40536‐0298USA
| | - Dao Wen Wang
- Division of CardiologyDepartment of Internal Medicine and Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Mechanism of Cardiologic DisordersTongji HospitalTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyJiefang Avenue NO.1095, Qiaokou DistrictWuhan430000P. R. China
| | - Lemin Zheng
- The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Institute of Systems BiomedicineSchool of Basic Medical SciencesKey Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science of Ministry of EducationNHC Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Molecular Biology and Regulatory PeptidesBeijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors ResearchHealth Science CenterPeking UniversityBeijing100191P. R. China
- Beijing Tiantan HospitalChina National Clinical Research Center for Neurological DiseasesAdvanced Innovation Center for Human Brain ProtectionBeijing Institute of Brain DisordersThe Capital Medical UniversityBeijing100050P. R. China
- Hangzhou Qianjiang Distinguished ExpertHangzhou Institute of Advanced TechnologyHangzhou310026P. R. China
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17
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Zhang C, Li Y, Chakraborty A, Li Y, Rebello KR, Ren P, Luo W, Zhang L, Lu HS, Cassis LA, Coselli JS, Daugherty A, LeMaire SA, Shen YH. Aortic Stress Activates an Adaptive Program in Thoracic Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells That Maintains Aortic Strength and Protects Against Aneurysm and Dissection in Mice. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2023; 43:234-252. [PMID: 36579645 PMCID: PMC9877188 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.122.318135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [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: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND When aortic cells are under stress, such as increased hemodynamic pressure, they adapt to the environment by modifying their functions, allowing the aorta to maintain its strength. To understand the regulation of this adaptive response, we examined transcriptomic and epigenomic programs in aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) during the adaptive response to AngII (angiotensin II) infusion and determined its importance in protecting against aortic aneurysm and dissection (AAD). METHODS We performed single-cell RNA sequencing and single-cell sequencing assay for transposase-accessible chromatin (scATAC-seq) analyses in a mouse model of sporadic AAD induced by AngII infusion. We also examined the direct effects of YAP (yes-associated protein) on the SMC adaptive response in vitro. The role of YAP in AAD development was further evaluated in AngII-infused mice with SMC-specific Yap deletion. RESULTS In wild-type mice, AngII infusion increased medial thickness in the thoracic aorta. Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis revealed an adaptive response in thoracic SMCs characterized by upregulated genes with roles in wound healing, elastin and collagen production, proliferation, migration, cytoskeleton organization, cell-matrix focal adhesion, and PI3K-PKB/Akt (phosphoinositide-3-kinase-protein kinase B/Akt) and TGF-β (transforming growth factor beta) signaling. ScATAC-seq analysis showed increased chromatin accessibility at regulatory regions of adaptive genes and revealed the mechanical sensor YAP/transcriptional enhanced associate domains as a top candidate transcription complex driving the expression of these genes (eg, Lox, Col5a2, Tgfb2). In cultured human aortic SMCs, cyclic stretch activated YAP, which directly bound to adaptive gene regulatory regions (eg, Lox) and increased their transcript abundance. SMC-specific Yap deletion in mice compromised this adaptive response in SMCs, leading to an increased AAD incidence. CONCLUSIONS Aortic stress triggers the systemic epigenetic induction of an adaptive response (eg, wound healing, proliferation, matrix organization) in thoracic aortic SMCs that depends on functional biomechanical signal transduction (eg, YAP signaling). Our study highlights the importance of the adaptive response in maintaining aortic homeostasis and preventing AAD in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Zhang
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.)
- Texas Heart Institute, Houston (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
| | - Yanming Li
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.)
- Texas Heart Institute, Houston (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
| | - Abhijit Chakraborty
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.)
- Texas Heart Institute, Houston (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
| | - Yang Li
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.)
- Texas Heart Institute, Houston (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
| | - Kimberly R Rebello
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.)
- Texas Heart Institute, Houston (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
| | - Pingping Ren
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.)
- Texas Heart Institute, Houston (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
| | - Wei Luo
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.)
- Texas Heart Institute, Houston (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
| | - Lin Zhang
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.)
- Texas Heart Institute, Houston (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
| | - Hong S Lu
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (H.S.L., A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Department of Physiology (H.S.L., A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Lisa A Cassis
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (L.A.C.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Joseph S Coselli
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.)
- Texas Heart Institute, Houston (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.S.)
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (H.S.L., A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Department of Physiology (H.S.L., A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Scott A LeMaire
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.)
- Texas Heart Institute, Houston (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L.)
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.S.)
| | - Ying H Shen
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (C.Z., Y.L., A.C., Y.L., K.R.R., P.R., W.L., L.Z., J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.H.S.)
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (J.S.C., S.A.L., Y.S.)
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18
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Lu HS, Sawada H, Daugherty A. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: Insights into Mechanical and Extracellular Matrix Effects from Mouse Models. JVS Vasc Sci 2023; 4:100099. [PMID: 37180337 PMCID: PMC10172769 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvssci.2023.100099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
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19
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Zhang JM, Au DT, Sawada H, Franklin MK, Moorleghen JJ, Howatt DA, Wang P, Aicher BO, Hampton B, Migliorini M, Ni F, Mullick AE, Wani MM, Ucuzian AA, Lu HS, Muratoglu SC, Daugherty A, Strickland DK. LRP1 protects against excessive superior mesenteric artery remodeling by modulating angiotensin II-mediated signaling. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e164751. [PMID: 36472907 PMCID: PMC9977308 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.164751] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) exert a critical role in sensing and maintaining vascular integrity. These cells abundantly express the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1), a large endocytic signaling receptor that recognizes numerous ligands, including apolipoprotein E-rich lipoproteins, proteases, and protease-inhibitor complexes. We observed the spontaneous formation of aneurysms in the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) of both male and female mice in which LRP1 was genetically deleted in vSMCs (smLRP1-/- mice). Quantitative proteomics revealed elevated abundance of several proteins in smLRP1-/- mice that are known to be induced by angiotensin II-mediated (AngII-mediated) signaling, suggesting that this pathway was dysregulated. Administration of losartan, an AngII type I receptor antagonist, or an angiotensinogen antisense oligonucleotide to reduce plasma angiotensinogen concentrations restored the normal SMA phenotype in smLRP1-/- mice and prevented aneurysm formation. Additionally, using a vascular injury model, we noted excessive vascular remodeling and neointima formation in smLRP1-/- mice that was restored by losartan administration. Together, these findings reveal that LRP1 regulates vascular integrity and remodeling of the SMA by attenuating excessive AngII-mediated signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackie M Zhang
- Center for Vascular and Inflammatory Diseases and
- Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Dianaly T Au
- Center for Vascular and Inflammatory Diseases and
| | - Hisashi Sawada
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center and Saha Aortic Center and
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | | | | | | | - Pengjun Wang
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center and Saha Aortic Center and
| | - Brittany O Aicher
- Center for Vascular and Inflammatory Diseases and
- Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | - Fenge Ni
- Center for Vascular and Inflammatory Diseases and
| | | | | | - Areck A Ucuzian
- Center for Vascular and Inflammatory Diseases and
- Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Vascular Services, Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Hong S Lu
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center and Saha Aortic Center and
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | | | - Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center and Saha Aortic Center and
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Dudley K Strickland
- Center for Vascular and Inflammatory Diseases and
- Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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20
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Mobilia M, Whitus C, Karakashian A, Lu HS, Daugherty A, Gordon SM. Dennd5b-Deficient Mice are Resistant to PCSK9-Induced Hypercholesterolemia and Diet-Induced Hepatic Steatosis. J Lipid Res 2022; 63:100296. [PMID: 36243100 PMCID: PMC9685390 DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2022.100296] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Dennd5b plays a pivotal role in intestinal absorption of dietary lipids in mice and is associated with body mass index in humans. This study examined the impact of whole-body Dennd5b deletion on plasma lipid concentrations, atherosclerosis, and hepatic lipid metabolism in mice. Hypercholesterolemia was induced in Dennd5b-/- mice by infection with an adeno-associated virus expressing the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 serine protease (PCSK9) gain-of-function mutation (PCSK9D377Y) and feeding a Western diet for 12 weeks. Body weight and plasma lipid concentrations were monitored over 12 weeks, and then aortic atherosclerosis and hepatic lipid content were quantified. Compared to Dennd5b+/+ mice, Dennd5b-/- mice were resistant to diet-induced weight gain and PCSK9-induced hypercholesterolemia. Atherosclerosis quantified by en face analysis and in aortic root sections, revealed significantly smaller lesions in Dennd5b-/- compared to Dennd5b+/+ mice. Additionally, Dennd5b-/- mice had significantly less hepatic lipid content (triglyceride and cholesterol) compared to Dennd5b+/+ mice. To gain insight into the basis for reduced hepatic lipids, quantitative PCR was used to measure mRNA abundance of genes involved in hepatic lipid metabolism. Key genes involved in hepatic lipid metabolism and lipid storage were differentially expressed in Dennd5b-/- liver including Pparg, Cd36, and Pnpla3. These findings demonstrate a significant impact of Dennd5b on plasma and hepatic lipid concentrations and resistance to PCSK9-induced hypercholesterolemia in the absence of Dennd5b.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maura Mobilia
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Callie Whitus
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | | | - Hong S. Lu
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA,Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA,Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Scott M. Gordon
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA,Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA,For correspondence: Scott M. Gordon
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21
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Sawada H, Ohno-Urabe S, Ye D, Franklin MK, Moorleghen JJ, Howatt DA, Mullick AE, Daugherty A, Lu HS. Inhibition of the Renin-Angiotensin System Fails to Suppress β-Aminopropionitrile-Induced Thoracic Aortopathy in Mice-Brief Report. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2022; 42:1254-1261. [PMID: 36004642 PMCID: PMC9492637 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.122.317712] [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] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cross-linking of lysine residues in elastic and collagen fibers is a vital process in aortic development. Inhibition of lysyl oxidase by BAPN (β-aminopropionitrile) leads to thoracic aortopathies in mice. Although the renin-angiotensin system contributes to several types of thoracic aortopathies, it remains unclear whether inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system protects against aortopathy caused by the impairment of elastic fiber/collagen crosslinking. METHODS BAPN (0.5% wt/vol) was started in drinking water to induce aortopathies in male C57BL/6J mice at 4 weeks of age for 4 weeks. Five approaches were used to investigate the impact of the renin-angiotensin system. Bulk RNA sequencing was performed to explore potential molecular mechanisms of BAPN-induced thoracic aortopathies. RESULTS Losartan increased plasma renin concentrations significantly, compared with vehicle-infused mice, indicating effective angiotensin II type 1 receptor inhibition. However, losartan did not suppress BAPN-induced aortic rupture and dilatation. Since losartan is a surmountable inhibitor of the renin-angiotensin system, irbesartan, an insurmountable inhibitor, was also tested. Although increased plasma renin concentrations indicated effective inhibition, irbesartan did not ameliorate aortic rupture and dilatation in BAPN-administered mice. Thus, BAPN-induced thoracic aortopathies were refractory to angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockade. Next, we inhibited angiotensin II production by pharmacological or genetic depletion of AGT (angiotensinogen), the unique precursor of angiotensin II. However, neither suppressed BAPN-induced thoracic aortic rupture and dilatation. Aortic RNA sequencing revealed molecular changes during BAPN administration that were distinct from other types of aortopathies in which angiotensin II type 1 receptor inhibition protects against aneurysm formation. CONCLUSIONS Inhibition of either angiotensin II action or production of the renin-angiotensin system does not attenuate BAPN-induced thoracic aortopathies in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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
| | - Satoko Ohno-Urabe
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Dien Ye
- Saha Cardiovascular Research 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
| | - Jessica J. Moorleghen
- 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
| | | | - 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
| | - 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
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22
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Ito S, Lu HS, Daugherty A, Sawada H. Embryonic Heterogeneity of Smooth Muscle Cells in the Complex Mechanisms of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13091618. [PMID: 36140786 PMCID: PMC9498804 DOI: 10.3390/genes13091618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are the major cell type of the aortic wall and play a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs). TAAs occur in a region-specific manner with the proximal region being a common location. In this region, SMCs are derived embryonically from either the cardiac neural crest or the second heart field. These cells of distinct origins reside in specific locations and exhibit different biological behaviors in the complex mechanism of TAAs. The purpose of this review is to enhance understanding of the embryonic heterogeneity of SMCs in the proximal thoracic aorta and their functions in TAAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sohei Ito
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
- Saha Aortic Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Hong S. Lu
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
- Saha Aortic Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
- Saha Aortic Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Hisashi Sawada
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
- Saha Aortic Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(859)-218-1705
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23
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Satou R, Ye D, Lu HS, Katsurada A, Dugas CM, Daugherty A, Motazedian S, Navar LG. Abstract 044: Stimulation Of Intrarenal Angiotensinogen Expression And The Development Of Hypertension And Kidney Injury In Angiotensin II-infused Hepatic Angiotensinogen Knockout Mice. Hypertension 2022. [DOI: 10.1161/hyp.79.suppl_1.044] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Regulation of systemic and local angiotensinogen (AGT) levels is a key determinant of tissue angiotensin II (Ang II) levels and inappropriate AGT augmentation promotes the development of hypertension and tissue injury. Kidney and urinary AGT levels are increased in Ang II-mediated hypertension. Recent studies have demonstrated that circulating hepatocyte-derived AGT (hAGT) enters kidneys sustaining kidney and urinary AGT levels. However, roles of hAGT in blood pressure elevation and kidney injury in Ang II-mediated hypertension have not been delineated. This study tested if hAGT contributes to the development of the pathophysiological events in Ang II-infused mice. A low dose of Ang II (400 ng/kg/min) was infused to male wild type (WT) and hAGT gene knockout (KO) mice (N=9 and 13) for 4 weeks. The control group in each genotype received vehicle (Veh) infusion (N=5 and 6). Western blot confirmed non-detectable levels of hAGT in KO mice. hAGT KO markedly decreased plasma AGT levels (WT+Veh:12.2±0.6 vs. hAGT KO+Veh: 0.8±0.1 μg/ml). Ang II infusion did not elevate plasma AGT levels in either WT and hAGT KO mice. Although hAGT KO mice exhibited a lower baseline of systolic blood pressure (SBP) than WT mice, Ang II-mediated increases in SBP was not attenuated in hAGT KO mice (ΔSBP in WT+Ang II: 30.1±4.4 vs. hAGT KO+Ang II: 26.0±4.2 mmHg). Kidney AGT mRNA levels were increased by Ang II infusion to the same extent in both WT and hAGT mice (WT+Ang II: 1.30±0.04 vs. hAGT KO+Ang II: 1.34±0.06, ratio to control). Likewise, Ang II infusion increased IL-6 mRNA to the same magnitude in both WT and hAGT KO mice. Urinary AGT was sustained in hAGT KO+Veh mice (66±9%) compared to WT+Veh mice. Ang II infusion did not alter urinary AGT levels in both groups. Glomerular mesangial expansion and fibrosis by Ang II infusion were not observed. Ang II infusion developed tubulointerstitial fibrosis in renal cortex and medulla. hAGT KO prevented the fibrosis only in the medulla. These outcomes demonstrate that elevation of SBP, augmentation of intrarenal AGT and IL-6 expression, and the development of renal cortical fibrosis in Ang II-mediated hypertension do not require hAGT. In contrast, hAGT contributes to renal medullary fibrosis which may be due to the lower absolute levels of blood pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dien Ye
- Univ of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
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24
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Morgan S, Lee LH, Halu A, Nicolau JS, Higashi H, Ha AH, Wen JR, Daugherty A, Libby P, Cameron SJ, Mix D, Aikawa E, Owens AP, Singh SA, Aikawa M. Identifying novel mechanisms of abdominal aortic aneurysm via unbiased proteomics and systems biology. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:889994. [PMID: 35990960 PMCID: PMC9382335 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.889994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), characterized by a continued expansion of the aorta, leads to rupture if not surgically repaired. Mice aid the study of disease progression and its underlying mechanisms since sequential studies of aneurysm development are not feasible in humans. The present study used unbiased proteomics and systems biology to understand the molecular relationship between the mouse models of AAA and the human disease. Methods and results Aortic tissues of developing and established aneurysms produced by either angiotensin II (AngII) infusion in Apoe -/- and Ldlr -/- mice or intraluminal elastase incubation in wildtype C57BL/6J mice were examined. Aortas were dissected free and separated into eight anatomical segments for proteomics in comparison to their appropriate controls. High-dimensional proteome cluster analyses identified site-specific protein signatures in the suprarenal segment for AngII-infused mice (159 for Apoe -/- and 158 for Ldlr -/-) and the infrarenal segment for elastase-incubated mice (173). Network analysis revealed a predominance of inflammatory and coagulation factors in developing aneurysms, and a predominance of fibrosis-related pathways in established aneurysms for both models. To further substantiate our discovery platform, proteomics was performed on human infrarenal aortic aneurysm tissues as well as aortic tissue collected from age-matched controls. Protein processing and inflammatory pathways, particularly neutrophil-associated inflammation, dominated the proteome of the human aneurysm abdominal tissue. Aneurysmal tissue from both mouse and human had inflammation, coagulation, and protein processing signatures, but differed in the prevalence of neutrophil-associated pathways, and erythrocyte and oxidative stress-dominated networks in the human aneurysms. Conclusions Identifying changes unique to each mouse model will help to contextualize model-specific findings. Focusing on shared proteins between mouse experimental models or between mouse and human tissues may help to better understand the mechanisms for AAA and establish molecular bases for novel therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Morgan
- Cardiovascular Division, Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Lang Ho Lee
- Cardiovascular Division, Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Arda Halu
- Cardiovascular Division, Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jessica S. Nicolau
- Cardiovascular Division, Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Hideyuki Higashi
- Cardiovascular Division, Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Anna H. Ha
- Cardiovascular Division, Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jennifer R. Wen
- Cardiovascular Division, Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Department of Physiology, Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Peter Libby
- Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Scott J. Cameron
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Section of Vascular Medicine, Heart Vascular and Thoracic Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Doran Mix
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Elena Aikawa
- Cardiovascular Division, Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - A. Phillip Owens
- Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Sasha A. Singh
- Cardiovascular Division, Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Masanori Aikawa
- Cardiovascular Division, Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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25
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Uijl E, Ye D, Ren L, Mirabito Colafella KM, van Veghel R, Garrelds IM, Lu HS, Daugherty A, Hoorn EJ, Nioi P, Foster D, Danser AHJ. Conventional Vasopressor and Vasopressor-Sparing Strategies to Counteract the Blood Pressure-Lowering Effect of Small Interfering RNA Targeting Angiotensinogen. J Am Heart Assoc 2022; 11:e026426. [PMID: 35876413 PMCID: PMC9375483 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.122.026426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [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] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background A single dose of small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting liver angiotensinogen eliminates hepatic angiotensinogen and lowers blood pressure. Angiotensinogen elimination raises concerns for clinical application because an angiotensin rise is needed to maintain perfusion pressure during hypovolemia. Here, we investigated whether conventional vasopressors can raise arterial pressure after angiotensinogen depletion. Methods and Results Spontaneously hypertensive rats on a low‐salt diet were treated with siRNA (10 mg/kg fortnightly) for 4 weeks, supplemented during the final 2 weeks with fludrocortisone (6 mg/kg per day), the α‐adrenergic agonist midodrine (4 mg/kg per day), or a high‐salt diet (all groups n=6–7). Pressor responsiveness to angiotensin II and norepinephrine was assessed before and after siRNA administration. Blood pressure was measured via radiotelemetry. Depletion of liver angiotensinogen by siRNA lowered plasma angiotensinogen concentrations by 99.2±0.1% and mean arterial pressure by 19 mm Hg. siRNA‐mediated blood pressure lowering was rapidly reversed by intravenous angiotensin II or norepinephrine, or gradually reversed by fludrocortisone or high salt intake. Midodrine had no effect. Unexpectedly, fludrocortisone partially restored plasma angiotensinogen concentrations in siRNA‐treated rats, and nearly abolished plasma renin concentrations. To investigate whether this angiotensinogen originated from nonhepatic sources, fludrocortisone was administered to mice lacking hepatic angiotensinogen. Fludrocortisone did not increase angiotensinogen in these mice, implying that the rise in angiotensinogen in the siRNA‐treated rats must have depended on the liver, most likely reflecting diminished cleavage by renin. Conclusions Intact pressor responsiveness to conventional vasopressors provides pharmacological means to regulate the blood pressure–lowering effect of angiotensinogen siRNA and may support future therapeutic implementation of siRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estrellita Uijl
- Division of Vascular Medicine and Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam Rotterdam the Netherlands.,Division of Nephrology and Transplantation, Department of Internal Medicine Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam Rotterdam the Netherlands
| | - Dien Ye
- Division of Vascular Medicine and Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam Rotterdam the Netherlands.,Saha Cardiovascular Research Center and Department of Physiology University of Kentucky Lexington KY
| | - Liwei Ren
- Division of Vascular Medicine and Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam Rotterdam the Netherlands.,Department of Pharmacy Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital Southern University of Science and Technology) Shenzhen China
| | - Katrina M Mirabito Colafella
- Cardiovascular Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Physiology Monash University Melbourne Australia
| | - Richard van Veghel
- Division of Vascular Medicine and Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam Rotterdam the Netherlands
| | - Ingrid M Garrelds
- Division of Vascular Medicine and Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam Rotterdam the Netherlands
| | - Hong S Lu
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center and Department of Physiology University of Kentucky Lexington KY
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center and Department of Physiology University of Kentucky Lexington KY
| | - Ewout J Hoorn
- Division of Nephrology and Transplantation, Department of Internal Medicine Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam Rotterdam the Netherlands
| | - Paul Nioi
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Cambridge MA
| | | | - A H Jan Danser
- Division of Vascular Medicine and Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam Rotterdam the Netherlands
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26
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Muratoglu SC, Charette MF, Galis ZS, Greenstein AS, Daugherty A, Joutel A, Kozel BA, Wilcock DM, Collins EC, Sorond FA, Howell GR, Hyacinth HI, Lloyd KKC, Stenmark KR, Boehm M, Kahn ML, Corriveau R, Wells S, Bussey TJ, Sukoff Rizzo SJ, Iruela-Arispe ML. Perspectives on Cognitive Phenotypes and Models of Vascular Disease. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2022; 42:831-838. [PMID: 35510549 PMCID: PMC9233038 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.122.317395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Clinical investigations have established that vascular-associated medical conditions are significant risk factors for various kinds of dementia. And yet, we are unable to associate certain types of vascular deficiencies with specific cognitive impairments. The reasons for this are many, not the least of which are that most vascular disorders are multi-factorial and the development of vascular dementia in humans is often a multi-year or multi-decade progression. To better study vascular disease and its underlying causes, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health has invested considerable resources in the development of animal models that recapitulate various aspects of human vascular disease. Many of these models, mainly in the mouse, are based on genetic mutations, frequently using single-gene mutations to examine the role of specific proteins in vascular function. These models could serve as useful tools for understanding the association of specific vascular signaling pathways with specific neurological and cognitive impairments related to dementia. To advance the state of the vascular dementia field and improve the information sharing between the vascular biology and neurobehavioral research communities, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute convened a workshop to bring in scientists from these knowledge domains to discuss the potential utility of establishing a comprehensive phenotypic cognitive assessment of a selected set of existing mouse models, representative of the spectrum of vascular disorders, with particular attention focused on age, sex, and rigor and reproducibility. The workshop highlighted the potential of associating well-characterized vascular disease models, with validated cognitive outcomes, that can be used to link specific vascular signaling pathways with specific cognitive and neurobehavioral deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selen C Muratoglu
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD (S.C.M., M.F.C., Z.S.G.)
| | - Marc F Charette
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD (S.C.M., M.F.C., Z.S.G.)
| | - Zorina S Galis
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD (S.C.M., M.F.C., Z.S.G.)
| | - Adam S Greenstein
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, United Kingdom (A.S.G.)
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Anne Joutel
- Institute of Psychiatry and Neurosciences of Paris, INSERM U1266, Université Paris Descartes, France (A.J.)
| | - Beth A Kozel
- Translational Vascular Medicine Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD (B.A.K., M.B.)
| | - Donna M Wilcock
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, Department of Neuroscience (D.M.W.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | | | - Farzaneh A Sorond
- Division of Stroke and Neurocritical Care, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL (F.A.S.)
| | - Gareth R Howell
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME (G.R.H.)
- Graduate Program of Genetics, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, MA (G.R.H.)
| | - Hyacinth I Hyacinth
- Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH (H.I.H.)
| | - Kent K C Lloyd
- Mutant Mouse Resource and Research Center (MMRRC) at the University of California, Davis (K.K.C.L.)
| | - Kurt R Stenmark
- Developmental Lung Biology and Cardiovascular Pulmonary Research Laboratories, University of Colorado, Denver (K.R.S.)
| | - Manfred Boehm
- Translational Vascular Medicine Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD (B.A.K., M.B.)
| | - Mark L Kahn
- Department of Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia (M.L.K.)
| | - Roderick Corriveau
- National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD (R.C.)
| | - Sara Wells
- Mary Lyon Centre, Harwell Campus, MRC Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom (S.W.)
| | - Timothy J Bussey
- Translational Neuroscience Group, Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada (T.J.B.)
| | - Stacey J Sukoff Rizzo
- Department of Medicine-Aging Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA (S.J.S.R.)
| | - M Luisa Iruela-Arispe
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL (M.L.I.-A.)
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Ye D, Wu C, Chen H, Liang CL, Howatt DA, Franklin MK, Moorleghen JJ, Tyagi SC, Uijl E, Danser AHJ, Sawada H, Daugherty A, Lu HS. Fludrocortisone Induces Aortic Pathologies in Mice. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12060825. [PMID: 35740952 PMCID: PMC9220881 DOI: 10.3390/biom12060825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objective: In an experiment designed to explore the mechanisms of fludrocortisone-induced high blood pressure, we serendipitously observed aortic aneurysms in mice infused with fludrocortisone. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether fludrocortisone induces aortic pathologies in both normocholesterolemic and hypercholesterolemic mice. Methods and Results: Male adult C57BL/6J mice were infused with either vehicle (85% polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG-400) and 15% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO); n = 5) or fludrocortisone (12 mg/kg/day dissolved in 85% PEG-400 and 15% DMSO; n = 15) for 28 days. Fludrocortisone-infused mice had higher systolic blood pressure, compared to mice infused with vehicle. Fludrocortisone induced aortic pathologies in 4 of 15 mice with 3 having pathologies in the ascending and aortic arch regions and 1 having pathology in both the ascending and descending thoracic aorta. No pathologies were noted in abdominal aortas. Subsequently, we infused either vehicle (n = 5/group) or fludrocortisone (n = 15/group) into male ApoE −/− mice fed a normal laboratory diet or LDL receptor −/− mice fed either normal or Western diet. Fludrocortisone increased systolic blood pressure, irrespective of mouse strain or diet. In ApoE −/− mice infused with fludrocortisone, 2 of 15 mice had ascending aortic pathologies, but no mice had abdominal aortic pathologies. In LDL receptor −/− mice fed normal diet, 5 had ascending/arch pathologies and 1 had pathologies in the ascending, arch, and suprarenal aortic regions. In LDL receptor −/− mice fed Western diet, 2 died of aortic rupture in either the descending thoracic or abdominal region, and 2 of the 13 survived mice had ascending/arch aortic pathologies. Aortic pathologies included hemorrhage, wall thickening or thinning, or dilation. Only ascending aortic diameter in LDLR −/− mice fed Western diet reached statistical significance, compared to their vehicle. Conclusion: Fludrocortisone induces aortic pathologies independent of hypercholesterolemia. As indicated by the findings in mouse studies, people who are taking or have taken fludrocortisone might have an increased risk of aortic pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dien Ye
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (D.Y.); (C.W.); (H.C.); (C.-L.L.); (D.A.H.); (M.K.F.); (J.J.M.); (S.C.T.); (H.S.); (A.D.)
- Division of Pharmacology and Vascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (E.U.); (A.H.J.D.)
| | - Congqing Wu
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (D.Y.); (C.W.); (H.C.); (C.-L.L.); (D.A.H.); (M.K.F.); (J.J.M.); (S.C.T.); (H.S.); (A.D.)
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Hui Chen
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (D.Y.); (C.W.); (H.C.); (C.-L.L.); (D.A.H.); (M.K.F.); (J.J.M.); (S.C.T.); (H.S.); (A.D.)
| | - Ching-Ling Liang
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (D.Y.); (C.W.); (H.C.); (C.-L.L.); (D.A.H.); (M.K.F.); (J.J.M.); (S.C.T.); (H.S.); (A.D.)
| | - Deborah A. Howatt
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (D.Y.); (C.W.); (H.C.); (C.-L.L.); (D.A.H.); (M.K.F.); (J.J.M.); (S.C.T.); (H.S.); (A.D.)
| | - Michael K. Franklin
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (D.Y.); (C.W.); (H.C.); (C.-L.L.); (D.A.H.); (M.K.F.); (J.J.M.); (S.C.T.); (H.S.); (A.D.)
| | - Jessica J. Moorleghen
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (D.Y.); (C.W.); (H.C.); (C.-L.L.); (D.A.H.); (M.K.F.); (J.J.M.); (S.C.T.); (H.S.); (A.D.)
| | - Samuel C. Tyagi
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (D.Y.); (C.W.); (H.C.); (C.-L.L.); (D.A.H.); (M.K.F.); (J.J.M.); (S.C.T.); (H.S.); (A.D.)
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
- Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Estrellita Uijl
- Division of Pharmacology and Vascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (E.U.); (A.H.J.D.)
| | - A. H. Jan Danser
- Division of Pharmacology and Vascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (E.U.); (A.H.J.D.)
| | - Hisashi Sawada
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (D.Y.); (C.W.); (H.C.); (C.-L.L.); (D.A.H.); (M.K.F.); (J.J.M.); (S.C.T.); (H.S.); (A.D.)
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
- Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (D.Y.); (C.W.); (H.C.); (C.-L.L.); (D.A.H.); (M.K.F.); (J.J.M.); (S.C.T.); (H.S.); (A.D.)
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
- Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Hong S. Lu
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (D.Y.); (C.W.); (H.C.); (C.-L.L.); (D.A.H.); (M.K.F.); (J.J.M.); (S.C.T.); (H.S.); (A.D.)
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
- Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
- Correspondence:
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Amioka N, Kukida M, Howatt DA, Moorleghen JJ, Daugherty A, Lu H. Effects of Human Angiotensinogen and Human Renin in Proximal Tubule Cells on Development of Atherosclerosis in Hypercholesterolemic Mice. JVS Vasc Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jvssci.2022.05.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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Mohammadmoradi S, Sawada H, Ito S, Mullick A, Howatt D, Franklin M, Lu H, Daugherty A. Abstract 552: Sustained Inhibition Of High Mobility Box 1 By Antisense Oligonucleotide. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1161/atvb.42.suppl_1.552] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Background:
High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a highly conserved nonhistone DNA-binding nuclear protein, may contribute to vascular diseases including atherosclerosis, pulmonary hypertension, and abdominal aortic aneurysm. Since whole-body genetic deletion of HMGB1 is embryonic lethal, pharmacological approaches, such as neutralizing antibodies and functional inhibitors, have been used to manipulate HMGB1 in mice. However, it remains desirable to genetically manipulate HMGB1 for further understanding its role. In the current study, we assessed the efficacy of a novel antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) approach to deplete HMGB1 in mice.
Methods and Results:
First, abundance of HMGB1 mRNA was assessed by qPCR in major organs and tissues of male C57BL/6J mice (N=6).
Hmgb1
mRNA was expressed ubiquitously, but it was most highly abundant in the lung, while least abundant in the testes. Next, we examined the efficacy of ASOs to reduce HMGB1 protein abundance at selected intervals. Either ASOs (25 mg/kg/day) or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) were injected intraperitoneally into male C57BL/6J mice (8-10-week-old) at day 0 and 3 in the initial week and then once a week during the remainder of the study. Mice were terminated at either 2, 6, or 12 weeks after the initial injection of ASOs (N=5/group). Subsequently, mRNA and protein abundance of HMGB1 were determined in the lungs. Since previous studies have shown that systemic administration of ASOs mainly targets kidney and liver, HMGB1 mRNA or protein abundance was also examined in these organs. We also assessed HMGB1 protein abundance in the heart. In lungs, kidney, and liver, ASO administration resulted in a consistent >90% decrease of
Hmgb1
mRNA abundance at 2 weeks of ASO injection (P>0.001). The decreased
Hmbg1
mRNA abundance was also consistent at both weeks 6 and 12 (P>0.001). ASOs decreased HMGB1 protein abundance significantly at 6- and 12-week time intervals. Heart tissue also indicated a consistent
Hmgb1
mRNA decrease in response to ASO administration.
Conclusion:
ASO approach decreased HMGB1 at mRNA and protein abundance for 12 weeks in the liver, kidney, lungs, and heart. This mode may provide more clear insights into understanding the biological functions of HMGB1.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Hong Lu
- Univ of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
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Daugherty A. Recipients of the 2022 Early Career Investigator Awards. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2022; 42:515. [PMID: 35109672 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.122.317432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington
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Chen H, Howatt DA, Moorleghen JJ, Liang CL, Daugherty A, Lu H. Abstract 448: Angiotensin-converting Enzyme In Renal Proximal Tubular Cells Does Not Affect Atherosclerosis In Male And Female Hypercholesterolemic Mice. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1161/atvb.42.suppl_1.448] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Objective:
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) generates Angiotensin II (AngII), the bioactive angiotensin peptide that contributes to atherosclerosis. ACE is present in proximal tubular cells (PTCs), and AngII concentrations are higher in kidney than in plasma. The purpose of this study was to determine whether ACE in PTCs contributed to atherosclerosis in both male and female mice.
Approach and Results:
ACE f/f x Ndrg1-Cre ERT2 -/- (PTC-ACE+/+) and ACE f/f x Ndrg1-Cre ERT2+/- (PTC-ACE -/-) mice were generated by breeding female ACE floxed mice (ACE f/f) xNdrg1-Cre ERT2-/- and male ACE f/f x Ndrg1-Cre ERT2+/- transgenic mice. Both male and female littermates in an LDL receptor -/- background were used to study atherosclerosis. PTC-ACE+/+ and PTC-ACE-/- littermates were administered with of tamoxifen (150 mg/kg/day) for 5 consecutive days at the age of 4-6 weeks to ACE deletion in PTCs. Two weeks after the last injection of tamoxifen, mice were fed a Western diet for 12 weeks. Blood pressure was measured using a tail-cuff system during the study. Systolic blood pressure was not different between the two genotypes (PTC-ACE+/+ vs -/-: 124±3 vs 121±2 mmHg in male, P=0.3; and 114±3 vs 115±3 mm Hg in female, P=0.9). All mice were hypercholesterolemic, and plasma cholesterol concentrations were not different between the two genotypes (PTC-ACE +/+ vs -/-: 1524±108 vs 1680±66 mg/dl in male, P=0.2; 1175±47 vs 1210±55 mg/dl in female, P=0.6). ACE mRNA abundance measured by qPCR of ACE in kidneys was less in the PTC-ACE-/- mice (PTC-ACE +/+ vs -/-: 1.03±0.11 vs 0.33±0.04 in male, P=0.001; 1.14±0.21 vs 0.64±0.09 in female, P=0.02). In PTC-ACE-/- mice, immunostaining of ACE in kidney sections showed that ACE was deleted in S1 and S2 PTCs, but remained in S3 of the outer medulla. Atherosclerosis was measured using an
en face
method. PTC-ACE+/+ and PTC-ACE-/- mice had comparable atherosclerotic lesion size in the ascending and aortic arch regions (PTC-ACE+/+ vs -/-: 11.4±1.4% vs 13.4±1.7% in male, P=0.4; 14.9±2.2% vs 15.7±3.7% in female, P=1.0).
Conclusion:
PTC-specific ACE deficiency did not affect atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic mice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Hong Lu
- UNIVERSITY KENTUCKY, Lexington, KY
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Franklin M, Howatt D, Moorleghen JJ, Sawada H, Lu H, Daugherty A. Abstract 561: Micro-CT Visualizes Extensive Vascular Pathologies In Smooth Muscle Cell-specific LRP1 Deficient Mice. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1161/atvb.42.suppl_1.561] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Objective:
Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) is a multifunctional protein that is abundant in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). SMC-specific deletion of LRP1 leads to vascular pathologies in the aorta and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) of mice. Although other vascular beds have not been explored. Micro-computed tomography (CT) enables scanning in a high spatial resolution (~20 μm). To determine the regional effects of SMC-specific LRP1 deficiency in mice, we performed detailed morphometric analyses of vascular pathologies using micro-CT.
Approach and Results:
Male and female wild-type and SMC-specific LRP1 deficient mice were monitored for aortic and SMA dilatations from 6 weeks through 40 weeks of age using ultrasonography. Progressive luminal dilatations of the ascending aorta were detected in both male and female SMC-specific LRP1 deficient mice, compared to their wild type littermates. Ultrasound was only able to detect the superior mesenteric artery within ~2 mm of the branch from the abdominal aorta. Therefore, ultrasonography is not optimal for monitoring the SMA. At the age of 40 weeks, mice were euthanized, perfused with saline and injected with Microfil silicone rubber through the left ventricle. Subsequently, each mouse was scanned by a Bruker SkyScan 1276 high-resolution desktop micro-CT and 3 dimensional images were generated. Aortic CT images showed profound dilatations of the entire aorta and its main branches, with more pronounced changes in the ascending thoracic and infrarenal aortic regions. Micro-CT also detected longer and tortuous aortic structure, compared to their wild type littermates. The most striking pathologies, including both dilation and tortuosity, were observed in the SMA and its branches with more depth and detailed insights, compared to ultrasonography.
Conclusions:
The ability to visualize the entire vasculature of mice using micro-CT technology demonstrated that SMC-specific deficiency of LRP1 has marked heterogeneity in development of vascular pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Hong Lu
- UNIVERSITY KENTUCKY, Lexington, KY
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Amioka N, Kukida M, Howatt DA, Moorleghen JJ, Daugherty A, Lu H. Abstract 229: Effects Of Human Angiotensinogen And Human Renin In Proximal Tubule Cells On Development Of Atherosclerosis In Hypercholesterolemic Mice. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1161/atvb.42.suppl_1.229] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Objective:
This study determined whether angiotensinogen (AGT) interacted with renin in renal proximal tubule cells (PTCs) to promote atherosclerosis.
Approach and Results:
Since hepatocyte-produced AGT can be filtered by glomeruli and retained in renal PTCs, we first determined whether hepatocyte-derived AGT interacts with renin in PTCs to promote atherosclerosis. Transgenic mice expressing human renin in PTCs driven by a kidney androgen-related protein promoter (KAP-hREN) in an LDLR -/- background were used. To induce synthesis of human AGT in hepatocytes, an adeno-associated viral vector (AAV) containing human AGT with a liver-specific promoter was injected intraperitoneally. Three groups of male littermates were administered testosterone to activate human renin expression in PTCs: (1) wild type mice administered null AAV, (2) KAP-hREN transgenic mice administered null AAV, and (3) KAP-hREN transgenic mice administered AAV containing human AGT. Two weeks after administration of testosterone and AAVs, mice were fed a Western diet for 6 weeks. Induction of human AGT in liver and human renin in PTCs did not increase atherosclerosis, comparing to the other two groups. Next, to evaluate the direct interaction of AGT and renin in PTCs for promoting atherosclerosis, KAP-human AGT (KAP-hAGT) and KAP-hREN double transgenic mice were fed a Western diet for 12 weeks. Although immunostaining confirmed the presence of human AGT and human renin in PTCs, double transgenic mice did not have increased percent atherosclerotic lesion area, comparing to either wild type or single transgenic littermate groups. Surprisingly, retired male double transgenic breeders (46-67 weeks old) showed severe atherosclerosis spontaneously without Western diet feeding, while their single transgenic littermates had minimal to modest atherosclerotic lesions. The sample size was small so statistical analysis was not performed.
Conclusions:
The presence of human AGT in liver or PTCs with combination of human renin in PTCs did not augment Western diet-induced atherosclerosis in mice. Further studies with increased numbers are needed to determine whether retired male breeders containing human AGT and human renin in PTCs develop severe atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Hong Lu
- UNIVERSITY KENTUCKY, Lexington, KY
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Sawada H, Ohno S, Ye D, Franklin M, Howatt DA, Moorleghen JJ, Lu H, Daugherty A. Abstract 543: Inhibition Of Renin-angiotensin System Failed To Suppress Beta-aminopropionitrile-induced Thoracic Aortopathies In Mice. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1161/atvb.42.suppl_1.543] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Objective:
Cross-linking of elastin and collagen fibers is a vital process in aortic development. Pharmacological inhibition of aortic cross-linking by β-aminopropionitrile (BAPN) leads to thoracic aortopathies, such as thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection, in mice. Although the renin angiotensin system (RAS) contributes to several types of thoracic aortopathies, it remains unclear whether inhibition of the RAS protects against aortopathy formation caused by the impairment of elastin and collagen cross-linking in mice.
Approach and Results:
Either vehicle or losartan (15 mg/kg/d, AT1 receptor blocker) were administered through osmotic pumps for 4 weeks in male C57BL/6J mice (3-4-weeks-old, n=30/group). BAPN (0.5% wt/vol) was given through drinking water to induce aortopathies. Losartan increased plasma renin concentrations significantly compared to vehicle-infused mice, indicating effective blockade of at1 receptors. However, losartan did not suppress BAPN-induced aortic rupture and dilatation. Since losartan is a surmountable inhibitor, we also tested the effects of irbesartan, an insurmountable inhibitor of AT1 receptor blocker, on BAPN-induced aortopathy formation (50 mg/kg/day, diet, n=30/group). Despite the significant increase of plasma renin concentrations, irbesartan did not ameliorate aortic rupture and dilatation in BAPN-administered mice. Thus, BAPN-induced thoracic aortopathies were refractory to angiotensin receptor blockade. We next inhibited angiotensinogen, the unique substrate for angiotensin II, using an antisense oligonucleotide targeting angiotensinogen (AGT-ASO). AGT-ASO decreased plasma angiotensinogen concentrations, while aortic death and dilatations were not attenuated. Since hepatocytes are the major source of angiotensinogen, BAPN-induced thoracic aortopathy formation was also examined in mice with hepatocyte-specific angiotensinogen deletion. Although plasma angiotensinogen concentrations displayed 90% reduction compared to wild type littermates, aortic rupture and aneurysm formation were not suppressed.
Conclusion:
Inhibition of the RAS does not attenuate BAPN-induced thoracic aortopathy formation in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Dien Ye
- Univ of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | | | | | | | - Hong Lu
- UNIVERSITY KENTUCKY, Lexington, KY
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Liang CL, Ye D, Wu C, Howatt D, Daugherty A, Lu H. Abstract 560: Fludrocortisone Induces Aortic Pathologies In Mice. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1161/atvb.42.suppl_1.560] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Objective:
Fludrocortisone, a corticosteroid, is used to treat adrenocortical insufficiency. In a previous study to determine associations between fludrocortisone-induced high blood pressure and angiotensin regulation, we observed aortic aneurysms in some fludrocortisone-infused mice. The purpose of this study was to investigate fludrocortisone-induced aortic pathologies in normocholesterolemic and hypercholesterolemic mice.
Methods and Results:
To determine whether fludrocortisone induces aortic aneurysms in normocholesterolemic mice, male C57BL/6J at 8 - 9 weeks of age were infused with either vehicle (85% polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG-400) and 15% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO); N=5) or fludrocortisone (12 mg/kg/day dissolved in 85% PEG-400 and 15% DMSO; N=15) for 28 days. Fludrocortisone-infused mice had higher systolic blood pressure, compare to mice infused with vehicle. Fludrocortisone induced aortic pathologies in 4 of 15 mice with 3 having pathologies in the ascending/arch region and 1 having pathology in both the ascending and descending thoracic aorta. No pathologies were noted in abdominal aortas. To determine whether hypercholesterolemia augments fludrocortisone-induced aortic pathologies, we infused either vehicle (N=5/group) or fludrocortisone (N=15/group) into male ApoE -/- mice fed a normal diet or LDL receptor -/- mice fed either normal or Western diet. Fludrocortisone increased systolic blood pressure, irrespective of mouse strain or diet. In ApoE -/- mice infused with fludrocortisone, 2 of 15 had ascending aortic pathologies, but no mice had abdominal aortic pathologies. In LDL receptor -/- mice fed normal diet, 4 had ascending/arch aortic pathologies, 1 had pathologies in the ascending, arch and abdominal regions. In LDL receptor -/- mice fed Western diet, 2 died of aortic rupture, 4 had ascending/arch aortic pathologies, and 1 had pathologies in the ascending, arch and suprarenal aortic regions. Aortic pathologies were hemorrhage, wall thickening or thinning, or dilation. Given the low incidence, no quantification of aortic pathologies reached statistical significance.
Conclusion:
Fludrocortisone induces aortic pathologies with low incidence in both normo- and hypercholesterolemic mice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dien Ye
- Univ of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | | | | | | | - Hong Lu
- Univ of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
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Daugherty A, Hegele RA, Lu HS, Mackman N, Rader DJ, Weber C. Web of Science's Citation Median Metrics Overcome the Major Constraints of the Journal Impact Factor. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2022; 42:367-371. [PMID: 35109675 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.122.317426] [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: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
There are many metrics to evaluate the performance and status of journals. Among these, the journal impact factor (JIF) has become the dominant metric. The influence of JIF is illustrated by its widespread use to evaluate academic status, compensation, and funding decisions. However, as noted by Clarivate Analytics, the parent company of the Web of Science (WoS), the JIF should not be used without careful attention to the many phenomena that influence citation rates. To facilitate transparency, Clarivate Analytics provides all data used to determine the JIF. In addition, WoS provides other metrics for journal evaluation, including the article citation median and the review citation median. These metrics are represented as medians to minimize the confounding influence of a small number of highly cited articles that may occur when data are represented as means. Another feature of these WoS metrics is that data are separated according to different publication types of article (original research and review). To systematically compare these selected metrics, we used the data provided on the WoS web site to analyze 25 top ranked cardiovascular journals in the same mode as represented in the WoS citation distribution window. The results indicate that the article citation median and review citation median overcome several concerns that have been raised about the JIF and seem to provide enhanced objectivity as an indicator of journal impact in publishing original research and reviews. Therefore, we advocate that these additional WoS metrics might be preferentially considered as indicators of journal performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington (A.D., H.S.L.)
| | - Robert A Hegele
- Department of Medicine, Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada (R.A.H.)
| | - Hong S Lu
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington (A.D., H.S.L.)
| | - Nigel Mackman
- Department of Medicine, UNC Blood Research Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (N.M.)
| | - Daniel J Rader
- Departments of Medicine and Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (D.J.R.)
| | - Christian Weber
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU), German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Germany (C.W.)
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Lu HS, Daugherty A. Key Factors for Improving Rigor and Reproducibility: Guidelines, Peer Reviews, and Journal Technical Reviews. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:856102. [PMID: 35369348 PMCID: PMC8965503 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.856102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
To respond to the NIH's policy for rigor and reproducibility in preclinical research, many journals have implemented guidelines and checklists to guide authors in improving the rigor and reproducibility of their research. Transparency in developing detailed prospective experimental designs and providing raw data are essential premises of rigor and reproducibility. Standard peer reviews and journal-specific technical and statistical reviews are critical factors for enhancing rigor and reproducibility. This brief review also shares some experience from Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, an American Heart Association journal, that has implemented several mechanisms to enhance rigor and reproducibility for preclinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong S. Lu
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
- Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
- *Correspondence: Hong S. Lu
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
- Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
- Alan Daugherty
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38
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Sawada H, Lu HS, Cassis LA, Daugherty A. Twenty Years of Studying AngII (Angiotensin II)-Induced Abdominal Aortic Pathologies in Mice: Continuing Questions and Challenges to Provide Insight Into the Human Disease. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2022; 42:277-288. [PMID: 35045728 PMCID: PMC8866209 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.121.317058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
AngII (angiotensin II) infusion in mice has been used to provide mechanistic insight into human abdominal aortic aneurysms for over 2 decades. This is a technically facile animal model that recapitulates multiple facets of the human disease. Although numerous publications have reported abdominal aortic aneurysms with AngII infusion in mice, there remain many fundamental unanswered questions such as uniformity of describing the pathological characteristics and which cell type is stimulated by AngII to promote abdominal aortic aneurysms. Extrapolation of the findings to provide insight into the human disease has been hindered by the preponderance of studies designed to determine the effects on initiation of abdominal aortic aneurysms, rather than a more clinically relevant scenario of determining efficacy on the established disease. The purpose of this review is to enhance understanding of AngII-induced abdominal aortic pathologies in mice, thereby providing greater insight into the human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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
| | - 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
| | - Lisa A. Cassis
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, 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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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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Ye D, Yang X, Ren L, Lu HS, Sun Y, Lin H, Tan L, Wang N, Nguyen G, Bader M, Mullick AE, Danser AHJ, Daugherty A, Jiang Y, Sun Y, Li F, Lu X. (Pro)renin Receptor Inhibition Reduces Plasma Cholesterol and Triglycerides but Does Not Attenuate Atherosclerosis in Atherosclerotic Mice. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 8:725203. [PMID: 35004870 PMCID: PMC8739895 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.725203] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Elevated plasma cholesterol concentrations contributes to ischemic cardiovascular diseases. Recently, we showed that inhibiting hepatic (pro)renin receptor [(P)RR] attenuated diet-induced hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia in low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) deficient mice. The purpose of this study was to determine whether inhibiting hepatic (P)RR could attenuate atherosclerosis. Approach and Results: Eight-week-old male LDLR−/− mice were injected with either saline or N-acetylgalactosamine-modified antisense oligonucleotides (G-ASOs) primarily targeting hepatic (P)RR and were fed a western-type diet (WTD) for 16 weeks. (P)RR G-ASOs markedly reduced plasma cholesterol concentrations from 2,211 ± 146 to 1,128 ± 121 mg/dL. Fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) analyses revealed that cholesterol in very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL)/LDL fraction were potently reduced by (P)RR G-ASOs. Moreover, (P)RR G-ASOs reduced plasma triglyceride concentrations by more than 80%. Strikingly, despite marked reduction in plasma lipid concentrations, atherosclerosis was not reduced but rather increased in these mice. Further testing in ApoE−/− mice confirmed that (P)RR G-ASOs reduced plasma lipid concentrations but not atherosclerosis. Transcriptomic analysis of the aortas revealed that (P)RR G-ASOs induced the expression of the genes involved in immune responses and inflammation. Further investigation revealed that (P)RR G-ASOs also inhibited (P)RR in macrophages and in enhanced inflammatory responses to exogenous stimuli. Moreover, deleting the (P)RR in macrophages resulted in accelerated atherosclerosis in WTD fed ApoE−/− mice. Conclusion: (P)RR G-ASOs reduced the plasma lipids in atherosclerotic mice due to hepatic (P)RR deficiency. However, augmented pro-inflammatory responses in macrophages due to (P)RR downregulation counteracted the beneficial effects of lowered plasma lipid concentrations on atherosclerosis. Our study demonstrated that hepatic (P)RR and macrophage (P)RR played a counteracting role in atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dien Ye
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen, China.,Saha Cardiovascular Research Center and Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States.,Division of Pharmacology and Vascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam University, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Xiaofei Yang
- Translational Medicine Collaborative Innovation Center, The Second Clinical Medical College (Shenzhen People's Hospital) of Jinan University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Liwei Ren
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen, China.,Division of Pharmacology and Vascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam University, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Hong S Lu
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center and Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Yuan Sun
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen, China.,Division of Pharmacology and Vascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam University, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Hui Lin
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen, China.,Division of Pharmacology and Vascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam University, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Lunbo Tan
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen, China.,Division of Pharmacology and Vascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam University, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Na Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen, China.,Division of Pharmacology and Vascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam University, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Genevieve Nguyen
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) and Collège de France Early Development and Pathologies Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology and Experimental Medicine Unit, Paris, France
| | - Michael Bader
- Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Berlin, Germany.,Institute for Biology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Charité University Medicine, Berlin, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - A H Jan Danser
- Division of Pharmacology and Vascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam University, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center and Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Yizhou Jiang
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yidan Sun
- Department of Physiology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Furong Li
- Translational Medicine Collaborative Innovation Center, The Second Clinical Medical College (Shenzhen People's Hospital) of Jinan University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xifeng Lu
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Physiology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
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Sawada H, Beckner ZA, Ito S, Daugherty A, Lu HS. β-Aminopropionitrile-induced aortic aneurysm and dissection in mice. JVS Vasc Sci 2022; 3:64-72. [PMID: 35141570 PMCID: PMC8814647 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvssci.2021.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanistic basis for the formation of aortic aneurysms and dissection needs to be elucidated to facilitate the development of effective medications. β-Aminopropionitrile administration in mice has been used frequently to study the pathologic features and mechanisms of aortic aneurysm and dissection. This mouse model mimics several facets of the pathology of human aortic aneurysms and dissection, although many variables exist in the experimental design and protocols that must be resolved to determine its application to the human disease. In the present brief review, we have introduced the development of this mouse model and provided insights into understanding its pathologic features.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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
| | - Zachary A. Beckner
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Ky
- Saha Aortic Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Ky
| | - Sohei Ito
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Ky
- Saha Aortic Center, 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
| | - 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
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42
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Dawson A, Li Y, Li Y, Ren P, Vasquez HG, Zhang C, Rebello KR, Ageedi W, Azares AR, Mattar AB, Sheppard MB, Lu HS, Coselli JS, Cassis LA, Daugherty A, Shen YH, LeMaire SA. Single-Cell Analysis of Aneurysmal Aortic Tissue in Patients with Marfan Syndrome Reveals Dysfunctional TGF-β Signaling. Genes (Basel) 2021; 13:95. [PMID: 35052435 PMCID: PMC8774900 DOI: 10.3390/genes13010095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [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: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular and cellular processes leading to aortic aneurysm development in Marfan syndrome (MFS) remain poorly understood. In this study, we examined the changes of aortic cell populations and gene expression in MFS by performing single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA seq) on ascending aortic aneurysm tissues from patients with MFS (n = 3) and age-matched non-aneurysmal control tissues from cardiac donors and recipients (n = 4). The expression of key molecules was confirmed by immunostaining. We detected diverse populations of smooth muscle cells (SMCs), fibroblasts, and endothelial cells (ECs) in the aortic wall. Aortic tissues from MFS showed alterations of cell populations with increased de-differentiated proliferative SMCs compared to controls. Furthermore, there was a downregulation of MYOCD and MYH11 in SMCs, and an upregulation of COL1A1/2 in fibroblasts in MFS samples compared to controls. We also examined TGF-β signaling, an important pathway in aortic homeostasis. We found that TGFB1 was significantly upregulated in two fibroblast clusters in MFS tissues. However, TGF-β receptor genes (predominantly TGFBR2) and SMAD genes were downregulated in SMCs, fibroblasts, and ECs in MFS, indicating impairment in TGF-β signaling. In conclusion, despite upregulation of TGFB1, the rest of the canonical TGF-β pathway and mature SMCs were consistently downregulated in MFS, indicating a potential compromise of TGF-β signaling and lack of stimulus for SMC differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Dawson
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.D.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.); (P.R.); (H.G.V.); (C.Z.); (K.R.R.); (W.A.); (J.S.C.); (Y.H.S.)
| | - Yanming Li
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.D.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.); (P.R.); (H.G.V.); (C.Z.); (K.R.R.); (W.A.); (J.S.C.); (Y.H.S.)
| | - Yang Li
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.D.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.); (P.R.); (H.G.V.); (C.Z.); (K.R.R.); (W.A.); (J.S.C.); (Y.H.S.)
| | - Pingping Ren
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.D.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.); (P.R.); (H.G.V.); (C.Z.); (K.R.R.); (W.A.); (J.S.C.); (Y.H.S.)
| | - Hernan G. Vasquez
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.D.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.); (P.R.); (H.G.V.); (C.Z.); (K.R.R.); (W.A.); (J.S.C.); (Y.H.S.)
| | - Chen Zhang
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.D.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.); (P.R.); (H.G.V.); (C.Z.); (K.R.R.); (W.A.); (J.S.C.); (Y.H.S.)
| | - Kimberly R. Rebello
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.D.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.); (P.R.); (H.G.V.); (C.Z.); (K.R.R.); (W.A.); (J.S.C.); (Y.H.S.)
| | - Waleed Ageedi
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.D.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.); (P.R.); (H.G.V.); (C.Z.); (K.R.R.); (W.A.); (J.S.C.); (Y.H.S.)
| | - Alon R. Azares
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Aladdein Burchett Mattar
- Division of Cardiothoracic Transplantation and Circulatory Support, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Mary Burchett Sheppard
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (M.B.S.); (H.S.L.); (A.D.)
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Hong S. Lu
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (M.B.S.); (H.S.L.); (A.D.)
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Joseph S. Coselli
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.D.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.); (P.R.); (H.G.V.); (C.Z.); (K.R.R.); (W.A.); (J.S.C.); (Y.H.S.)
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Lisa A. Cassis
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA;
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (M.B.S.); (H.S.L.); (A.D.)
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Ying H. Shen
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.D.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.); (P.R.); (H.G.V.); (C.Z.); (K.R.R.); (W.A.); (J.S.C.); (Y.H.S.)
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Scott A. LeMaire
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.D.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.); (P.R.); (H.G.V.); (C.Z.); (K.R.R.); (W.A.); (J.S.C.); (Y.H.S.)
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
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Cui H, Chen Y, Li K, Zhan R, Zhao M, Xu Y, Lin Z, Fu Y, He Q, Tang PC, Lei I, Zhang J, Li C, Sun Y, Zhang X, Horng T, Lu HS, Chen YE, Daugherty A, Wang D, Zheng L. Untargeted metabolomics identifies succinate as a biomarker and therapeutic target in aortic aneurysm and dissection. Eur Heart J 2021; 42:4373-4385. [PMID: 34534287 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehab605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [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: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Aortic aneurysm and dissection (AAD) are high-risk cardiovascular diseases with no effective cure. Macrophages play an important role in the development of AAD. As succinate triggers inflammatory changes in macrophages, we investigated the significance of succinate in the pathogenesis of AAD and its clinical relevance. METHODS AND RESULTS We used untargeted metabolomics and mass spectrometry to determine plasma succinate concentrations in 40 and 1665 individuals of the discovery and validation cohorts, respectively. Three different murine AAD models were used to determine the role of succinate in AAD development. We further examined the role of oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (OGDH) and its transcription factor cyclic adenosine monophosphate-responsive element-binding protein 1 (CREB) in the context of macrophage-mediated inflammation and established p38αMKOApoe-/- mice. Succinate was the most upregulated metabolite in the discovery cohort; this was confirmed in the validation cohort. Plasma succinate concentrations were higher in patients with AAD compared with those in healthy controls, patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and patients with pulmonary embolism (PE). Moreover, succinate administration aggravated angiotensin II-induced AAD and vascular inflammation in mice. In contrast, knockdown of OGDH reduced the expression of inflammatory factors in macrophages. The conditional deletion of p38α decreased CREB phosphorylation, OGDH expression, and succinate concentrations. Conditional deletion of p38α in macrophages reduced angiotensin II-induced AAD. CONCLUSION Plasma succinate concentrations allow to distinguish patients with AAD from both healthy controls and patients with AMI or PE. Succinate concentrations are regulated by the p38α-CREB-OGDH axis in macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongtu Cui
- The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Institute of Systems Biomedicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences of Ministry of Education, Health Sciences Center, Peking University, Xueyuan Road NO.38, Haidian District, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yanghui Chen
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jiefang Avenue NO.1095, Qiaokou District, Wuhan 430000, China
| | - Ke Li
- Beijing Tiantan Hospital, China National Clinical Research Center of Neurological Diseases, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, The Capital Medical University, Nan Si Huan Xi Lu NO.119, Fengtai District, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Rui Zhan
- The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Institute of Systems Biomedicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences of Ministry of Education, Health Sciences Center, Peking University, Xueyuan Road NO.38, Haidian District, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Mingming Zhao
- The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Institute of Systems Biomedicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences of Ministry of Education, Health Sciences Center, Peking University, Xueyuan Road NO.38, Haidian District, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yangkai Xu
- The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Institute of Systems Biomedicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences of Ministry of Education, Health Sciences Center, Peking University, Xueyuan Road NO.38, Haidian District, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Zhiyong Lin
- Cardiology Division, Emory University School of Medicine, 100 Woodruff Circle, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Yi Fu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Ministry of Education, Xueyuan Road NO.38, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Qihua He
- Center of Medical and Health Analysis, Peking University, Xueyuan Road NO.38, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Paul C Tang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Frankel Cardiovascular Center, The University of Michigan, 500 S. State Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Ienglam Lei
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Frankel Cardiovascular Center, The University of Michigan, 500 S. State Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jifeng Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Michigan, 500 S. State Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Chenze Li
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Donghu Road NO.169, Wuchang District, Wuhan, China
| | - Yang Sun
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jiefang Avenue NO.1095, Qiaokou District, Wuhan 430000, China
| | - Xinhua Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Key Laboratory of Neural and Vascular Biology, Ministry of Education, Hebei Medical University, Zhongshan East Road NO.361, Shijiazhuang, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
| | - Tiffany Horng
- ShanghaiTech University, Yueyang Road NO.319, Xuhui District, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Hong S Lu
- Department of Physiology, Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, South Limestone, Lexington, KY 40536-0298, USA
| | - Y Eugene Chen
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Frankel Cardiovascular Center, The University of Michigan, 500 S. State Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Michigan, 500 S. State Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Department of Physiology, Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, South Limestone, Lexington, KY 40536-0298, USA
| | - Daowen Wang
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jiefang Avenue NO.1095, Qiaokou District, Wuhan 430000, China
| | - Lemin Zheng
- The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Institute of Systems Biomedicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences of Ministry of Education, Health Sciences Center, Peking University, Xueyuan Road NO.38, Haidian District, Beijing 100871, China
- Beijing Tiantan Hospital, China National Clinical Research Center of Neurological Diseases, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, The Capital Medical University, Nan Si Huan Xi Lu NO.119, Fengtai District, Beijing 100050, China
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44
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Kukida M, Cai L, Ye D, Sawada H, Katsumata Y, Franklin MK, Hecker PI, Campbell KS, Danser AHJ, Mullick AE, Daugherty A, Temel RE, Lu HS. Renal Angiotensinogen Is Predominantly Liver Derived in Nonhuman Primates. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2021; 41:2851-2853. [PMID: 34496634 PMCID: PMC8551028 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.121.316590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
[Figure: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Masayoshi Kukida
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (M.K., L.C., D.Y., H.S., M.K.F., P.I.H., A.D., R.E.T., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Lei Cai
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (M.K., L.C., D.Y., H.S., M.K.F., P.I.H., A.D., R.E.T., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Dien Ye
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (M.K., L.C., D.Y., H.S., M.K.F., P.I.H., A.D., R.E.T., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands (D.Y., A.H.J.D.)
| | - Hisashi Sawada
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (M.K., L.C., D.Y., H.S., M.K.F., P.I.H., A.D., R.E.T., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Saha Aortic Center (H.S., A.D., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Department of Physiology (H.S., K.S.C., A.D., R.E.T., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Yuriko Katsumata
- Department of Biostatistics (Y.K.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging (Y.K.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Michael K Franklin
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (M.K., L.C., D.Y., H.S., M.K.F., P.I.H., A.D., R.E.T., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Peter I Hecker
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (M.K., L.C., D.Y., H.S., M.K.F., P.I.H., A.D., R.E.T., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Kenneth S Campbell
- Department of Physiology (H.S., K.S.C., A.D., R.E.T., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - A H Jan Danser
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands (D.Y., A.H.J.D.)
| | | | - Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (M.K., L.C., D.Y., H.S., M.K.F., P.I.H., A.D., R.E.T., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Saha Aortic Center (H.S., A.D., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Department of Physiology (H.S., K.S.C., A.D., R.E.T., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Ryan E Temel
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (M.K., L.C., D.Y., H.S., M.K.F., P.I.H., A.D., R.E.T., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Department of Physiology (H.S., K.S.C., A.D., R.E.T., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Hong S Lu
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (M.K., L.C., D.Y., H.S., M.K.F., P.I.H., A.D., R.E.T., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Saha Aortic Center (H.S., A.D., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Department of Physiology (H.S., K.S.C., A.D., R.E.T., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
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45
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Sawada H, Daugherty A, Lu HS. From unbiased transcriptomics to understanding the molecular basis of atherosclerosis. Curr Opin Lipidol 2021; 32:328-329. [PMID: 34472541 PMCID: PMC8423091 DOI: 10.1097/mol.0000000000000773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hisashi Sawada
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, Saha Aortic Center, Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
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46
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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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47
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Ikezoe T, Shoji T, Guo J, Shen F, Lu HS, Daugherty A, Nunokawa M, Kubota H, Miyata M, Xu B, Dalman RL. No Effect of Hypercholesterolemia on Elastase-Induced Experimental Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Progression. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1434. [PMID: 34680067 PMCID: PMC8533453 DOI: 10.3390/biom11101434] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Epidemiological studies link hyperlipidemia with increased risk for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). However, the influence of lipid-lowering drugs statins on prevalence and progression of clinical and experimental AAAs varies between reports, engendering controversy on the association of hyperlipidemia with AAA disease. This study investigated the impact of hypercholesterolemia on elastase-induced experimental AAAs in mice. METHODS Both spontaneous (targeted deletion of apolipoprotein E) and induced mouse hypercholesterolemia models were employed. In male wild type (WT) C57BL/6J mice, hypercholesterolemia was induced via intraperitoneal injection of an adeno-associated virus (AAV) encoding a gain-of-function proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 mutation (PCSK9) followed by the administration of a high-fat diet (HFD) (PCSK9+HFD) for two weeks. As normocholesterolemic controls for PCSK9+HFD mice, WT mice were infected with PCSK9 AAV and fed normal chow, or injected with phosphate-buffered saline alone and fed HFD chow. AAAs were induced in all mice by intra-aortic infusion of porcine pancreatic elastase and assessed by ultrasonography and histopathology. RESULTS In spontaneous hyper- and normo-cholesterolemic male mice, the aortic diameter enlarged at a constant rate from day 3 through day 14 following elastase infusion. AAAs, defined as a more than 50% diameter increase over baseline measurements, formed in all mice. AAA progression was more pronounced in male mice, with or without spontaneous hyperlipidemia. The extent of elastin degradation and smooth muscle cell depletion were similar in spontaneous hyper- (score 3.5 for elastin and 4.0 for smooth muscle) and normo- (both scores 4.0) cholesterolemic male mice. Aortic mural macrophage accumulation was also equivalent between the two groups. No differences were observed in aortic accumulation of CD4+ or CD8+ T cells, B cells, or mural angiogenesis between male spontaneous hyper- and normocholesterolemic mice. Similarly, no influence of spontaneous hypercholesterolemia on characteristic aneurysmal histopathology was noted in female mice. In confirmatory experiments, induced hypercholesterolemia also exerted no appreciable effect on AAA progression and histopathologies. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated no recognizable impact of hypercholesterolemia on elastase-induced experimental AAA progression in both spontaneous and induced hypercholesterolemia mouse models. These results add further uncertainty to the controversy surrounding the efficacy of statin therapy in clinical AAA disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toru Ikezoe
- Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (T.I.); (T.S.); (J.G.); (F.S.)
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-8611, Japan; (M.N.); (H.K.)
| | - Takahiro Shoji
- Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (T.I.); (T.S.); (J.G.); (F.S.)
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Saiseikai Central Hospital, Minatoku, Tokyo 108-0073, Japan
| | - Jia Guo
- Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (T.I.); (T.S.); (J.G.); (F.S.)
| | - Fanru Shen
- Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (T.I.); (T.S.); (J.G.); (F.S.)
| | - Hong S. Lu
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (H.S.L.); (A.D.)
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (H.S.L.); (A.D.)
| | - Masao Nunokawa
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-8611, Japan; (M.N.); (H.K.)
| | - Hiroshi Kubota
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-8611, Japan; (M.N.); (H.K.)
| | - Masaaki Miyata
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8544, Japan;
| | - Baohui Xu
- Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (T.I.); (T.S.); (J.G.); (F.S.)
| | - Ronald L. Dalman
- Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; (T.I.); (T.S.); (J.G.); (F.S.)
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48
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Rogers MA, Hutcheson JD, Okui T, Goettsch C, Singh SA, Halu A, Schlotter F, Higashi H, Wang L, Whelan MC, Mlynarchik AK, Daugherty A, Nomura M, Aikawa M, Aikawa E. Dynamin-related protein 1 inhibition reduces hepatic PCSK9 secretion. Cardiovasc Res 2021; 117:2340-2353. [PMID: 33523181 PMCID: PMC8479802 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvab034] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Proteostasis maintains protein homeostasis and participates in regulating critical cardiometabolic disease risk factors including proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) remodeling through release and incorporation of trafficking vesicles mediates protein secretion and degradation. We hypothesized that ER remodeling that drives mitochondrial fission participates in cardiometabolic proteostasis. METHODS AND RESULTS We used in vitro and in vivo hepatocyte inhibition of a protein involved in mitochondrial fission, dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1). Here, we show that DRP1 promotes remodeling of select ER microdomains by tethering vesicles at ER. A DRP1 inhibitor, mitochondrial division inhibitor 1 (mdivi-1) reduced ER localization of a DRP1 receptor, mitochondrial fission factor, suppressing ER remodeling-driven mitochondrial fission, autophagy, and increased mitochondrial calcium buffering and PCSK9 proteasomal degradation. DRP1 inhibition by CRISPR/Cas9 deletion or mdivi-1 alone or in combination with statin incubation in human hepatocytes and hepatocyte-specific Drp1-deficiency in mice reduced PCSK9 secretion (-78.5%). In HepG2 cells, mdivi-1 increased low-density lipoprotein receptor via c-Jun transcription and reduced PCSK9 mRNA levels via suppressed sterol regulatory binding protein-1c. Additionally, mdivi-1 reduced macrophage burden, oxidative stress, and advanced calcified atherosclerotic plaque in aortic roots of diabetic Apoe-deficient mice and inflammatory cytokine production in human macrophages. CONCLUSIONS We propose a novel tethering function of DRP1 beyond its established fission function, with DRP1-mediated ER remodeling likely contributing to ER constriction of mitochondria that drives mitochondrial fission. We report that DRP1-driven remodeling of select ER micro-domains may critically regulate hepatic proteostasis and identify mdivi-1 as a novel small molecule PCSK9 inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximillian A Rogers
- Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Joshua D Hutcheson
- Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Takehito Okui
- Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Claudia Goettsch
- Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sasha A Singh
- Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Arda Halu
- Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Florian Schlotter
- Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Hideyuki Higashi
- Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Lixiang Wang
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume 830-0011, Japan
| | - Mary C Whelan
- Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Andrew K Mlynarchik
- Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center and Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Masatoshi Nomura
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume 830-0011, Japan
| | - Masanori Aikawa
- Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Elena Aikawa
- Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Human Pathology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119992, Russia
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49
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Ye D, Liang C, Howatt DA, Moorleghen JJ, Danser JA, Daugherty A, Lu H. Abstract P145: Renal Proximal Tubule-specific Renin Deficiency Has No Effect On Atherosclerosis In Hypercholesterolemic Mice. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1161/atvb.41.suppl_1.p145] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Objective:
Renin cleaving angiotensinogen to release angiotensin I is the rate-limiting step to produce angiotensin II. Although juxtaglomerular cells are the predominant source of renin in circulation, renin protein is also present in proximal tubules. In this study, we investigated the effects of renin in proximal tubule cells (PTC) on development of atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic mice
Approach and Result:
Inducible PTC-specific renin deficient (PTC-renin -/-) mice were developed by breeding renin floxed mice with mice expressing Cre under the control of the N-myc downstream regulated gene 1 (Ndrg1-Cre ERT2). All study mice were in a low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) deficient background, and both male and female littermates were studied. Littermates of renin floxed mice with or without Ndrg1-Cre ERT2 transgene were injected intraperitoneally with tamoxifen (150 mg/kg/day) for 5 consecutive days when they were 4-6 weeks old. Cre genotypes were determined after weaning (~ 3-4 weeks old) and deletion of renin gene in kidney was verified by PCR of DNA extracted from kidney after termination (~18-20 weeks old). Two weeks after the last injection of tamoxifen, mice were fed a Western diet for 12 weeks, which led to plasma total cholesterol concentrations above 1000 mg/dl (P = 0.893 in male and P = 0.192 in female between PTC-renin +/+ and -/- mice). PTC-specific renin deficiency did not affect blood pressure (PTC-renin+/+ vs -/-: 110 ± 1 mmHg vs 112 ± 1 mmHg in male, P = 0.452; and 105 ± 3mmHg vs 106 ± 2 mmHg in female, P = 0.875), as measured by a tail-cuff system. Atherosclerosis in the ascending and aortic arch regions was measured with an
en face
method. No differences on percent lesion area between the two genotypes in both male and female mice (PTC-renin+/+ vs -/-: 18.1 ± 1.4% vs 18.9 ± 1.5% in male, P = 0.315; and 16.2 ± 1.5% vs 16.2 ± 1.2% in female, P = 0.648).
Conclusion:
Renal proximal tubule-specific renin deficiency does not affect blood pressure and atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dien Ye
- Univ of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Hong Lu
- Univ of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
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50
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Sawada H, Zhang C, Li Y, Katsumata Y, Shen YH, Lemaire SA, Lu HS, Daugherty A. Abstract MP21: Transcriptomic Modulation Of Second Heart Field-derived Smooth Muscle Cells In Angiotensin Ii-infused Mice Promotes Aortopathy. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1161/atvb.41.suppl_1.mp21] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Objective:
Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in the ascending aorta are derived from both the cardiac neural crest and second heart field (SHF). The importance of cardiac neural crest-derived SMCs on development of thoracic aortic aneurysms has been reported, while functional roles of SHF-derived SMCs are controversial. The aim of this study was to profile the transcriptome of SHF-derived SMCs in ascending aortas of angiotensin II (AngII)-infused mice by single cell RNA sequencing.
Methods and Results:
Female ROSA26 mT/mG mice were bred to male mice expressing Cre under the control of the Mef2c promoter (Mef2c Cre). Angiotensin II (AngII, 1,000 ng/kg/day) was infused subcutaneously into Mef2c Cre +/- mice and ascending aortas were harvested at day 3 of AngII infusion (n=5). Ascending aortas without AngII infusion were harvested as control (n=4). SHF-derived cells were sorted based on mGFP signal by FACS and single cell sequencing was performed using SHF-derived cells. Single cell RNA sequencing detected mRNA in multiple cell types, and AngII altered mRNA abundance of 3,658 genes in the SMC cluster. Several SMC contractile-related genes, such as
Acta2, Tagln
and
Cnn1
, were increased by AngII compared to control SHF-derived SMCs. Conversely
, Klf4
, a proliferative gene, was decreased in SHF-derived SMCs of AngII-infused mice. In addition, AngII increased multiple extracellular matrix component genes, including fibrillin1 and elastin. AngII also upregulated
Serpine1
and
Fn1
that are important for extracellular matrix organization. Thus, AngII led to transcriptomic modulations in SHF-derived SMCs. Of note, AngII infusion decreased mRNA abundance of
Tgfbr2
and
Lrp1
, key regulators of extracellular matrix maturation, in SHF-derived SMCs. To further investigate the importance of SHF-derived SMCs, we deleted either
Tgfbr2
or
Lrp1
in SHF-derived cells. SHF-specific
Tgfrb2
deletion was embryonic lethal with peritoneal hemorrhage and outflow tract dilatation. SHF-specific
Lrp1
deletion augmented AngII-induced thoracic aortic rupture and dilatations.
Conclusion:
SHF-derived SMCs play an important role in maintaining aortic integrity, and exhibit transcriptomic modulations by AngII infusion that may contribute to aortopathies.
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