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Schoenberg NE, Robinson J, McGladrey M, Cassis LA, Conwell D, Pearson KJ, Tannock LR, Wilcock D, White S. Promoting a more diverse and inclusive research workforce through the research scholars program. BMC Med Educ 2024; 24:98. [PMID: 38291425 PMCID: PMC10829238 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-024-05075-0] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Novel and comprehensive approaches are needed to address shortcomings in the diversity and inclusiveness of the scientific workforce. In response to this need and informed by multiple programs and data sources, we created the Research Scholars Program (RSP). The RSP is a yearlong program for early-career faculty with an overall objective to overcome barriers to the academic success, retention, progression, and promotion of groups underrepresented in biomedical and behavioral research. The goal of the RSP is to increase research confidence and productivity, build a supportive research community, and reduce isolation by providing personal and group research enrichment to junior faculty through professional development, mentorship, and networking. METHODS We adapted evidence-based approaches for our institutional context and vetted the RSP across our campus. The resulting RSP consists of three main elements: (1) five levels of Mosaic Mentorship; (2) group and tailored professional development programming; and (3) scientific and social networking. To determine the potential of the RSP to improve research confidence critical to success, we used a modified shortened version of the Clinical Research Appraisal Inventory (CRAI-12) to assess participants' confidence in performing a variety of research tasks before and after program participation. We collected information about retention, promotion, and grants submitted and awarded. Additionally, we conducted semi-structured exit interviews with each scholar after program participation to identify programmatic strengths and areas for improvement. Data for Cohorts 1 and 2 (N = 12) were analyzed. RESULTS Our assessment finds, with one exception, increasing confidence in participants' research skills across all items, ranging from 0.4 (4.7%) to 2.6 (40.6%). In their exit interviews, the Research Scholars (RS) described their improved productivity and increased sense of belonging and support from others. Research Scholars noted numerous components of the RSP as strengths, including the Mosaic Mentorship model, professional development programming, and opportunities for both informal and formal interactions. Respondents identified time pressure, a lack of feedback, and unclear expectations of the various mentorship roles as areas in which the program can improve. CONCLUSION Preliminary findings indicate that the RSP is successful in building the research confidence of underrepresented and disadvantaged early-career faculty. While this report focuses on the development and protocol of the RSP, additional cohorts and data will provide the evidence base to support dissemination as a national model of research professional development. Such programming is critical to ensure sustainable support structures, institutional networks, infrastructure, and resources that will improve discovery and equity through inclusive excellence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy E Schoenberg
- Department of Behavioral Science, College of Medicine; and Associate Vice President for Research, Center for Health Equity Transformation, Office of the Vice President for Research at the University of Kentucky, Suite 460 Healthy Kentucky Research Building, 760 Press Avenue, Lexington, KY, 40536-0679, USA.
| | - Jimmy Robinson
- Department of Sociology, Center for Health Equity Transformation, College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Kentucky, Suite 460 Healthy Kentucky Research Building, 760 Press Avenue, Lexington, KY, 40536-0679, USA
| | - Margaret McGladrey
- Center for Innovation in Population Health and Department of Health Management and Policy, College of Public Health at the University of Kentucky, 111 Washington Ave Suite 205B, Lexington, KY, 40508, USA
| | - Lisa A Cassis
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Science, College of Medicine at the University of Kentucky, 311 Main Building, Lexington, KY, 40506-0032, USA
| | - Darwin Conwell
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine at the University of Kentucky, 301 C.T. Wethington Building, 900 Limestone St, Lexington, KY, 40536-0200, USA
| | - Kevin J Pearson
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Science, College of Medicine at the University of Kentucky, 591 C.T. Wethington Building, 900 S. Limestone St, Lexington, KY, 40536-0200, USA
| | - Lisa R Tannock
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine at the University of Kentucky. Address: C. T, Wethington Building, 900 S. Limestone St, Lexington, KY, 40536-0200, USA
| | - Donna Wilcock
- Alzheimer's Disease Research, Department of Neurology at Indianapolis University School of Medicine, GHE 4700, NEUR, Indianapolis, 46202-3082, USA
| | - Stephanie White
- College of Medicine at the University of Kentucky, 800 Rose St, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
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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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3
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Shridas P, Ji A, Trumbauer AC, Noffsinger VP, Leung SW, Dugan AJ, Thatcher SE, Cassis LA, de Beer FC, Webb NR, Tannock LR. Adipocyte-Derived Serum Amyloid A Promotes Angiotensin II-Induced Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms in Obese C57BL/6J Mice. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2022; 42:632-643. [PMID: 35344382 PMCID: PMC9050948 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.121.317225] [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 Obesity increases the risk for human abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) and enhances Ang II (angiotensin II)-induced AAA formation in C57BL/6J mice. Obesity is also associated with increases in perivascular fat that expresses proinflammatory markers including SAA (serum amyloid A). We previously reported that deficiency of SAA significantly reduces Ang II-induced inflammation and AAA in hyperlipidemic apoE-deficient mice. In this study. we investigated whether adipose tissue-derived SAA plays a role in Ang II-induced AAA in obese C57BL/6J mice. METHODS The development of AAA was compared between male C57BL/6J mice (wild type), C57BL/6J mice lacking SAA1.1, SAA2.1, and SAA3 (TKO); and TKO mice harboring a doxycycline-inducible, adipocyte-specific SAA1.1 transgene (TKO-Tgfat; SAA expressed only in fat). All mice were fed an obesogenic diet and doxycycline to induce SAA transgene expression and infused with Ang II to induce AAA. RESULTS In response to Ang II infusion, SAA expression was significantly increased in perivascular fat of obese C57BL/6J mice. Maximal luminal diameters of the abdominal aorta were determined by ultrasound before and after Ang II infusion, which indicated a significant increase in aortic luminal diameters in wild type and TKO-TGfat mice but not in TKO mice. Adipocyte-specific SAA expression was associated with MMP (matrix metalloproteinase) activity and macrophage infiltration in abdominal aortas of Ang II-infused obese mice. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate for the first time that SAA deficiency protects obese C57BL/6J mice from Ang II-induced AAA. SAA expression only in adipocytes is sufficient to cause AAA in obese mice infused with Ang II.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preetha Shridas
- Departments of Internal Medicine (P.S., A.J., V.P.N., S.W.L., F.C.d.B., L.R.T.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (P.S., A.C.T., S.W.L., F.C.d.B., N.R.W., L.R.T.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center (P.S., F.C.d.B., N.R.W., L.R.T.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Ailing Ji
- Departments of Internal Medicine (P.S., A.J., V.P.N., S.W.L., F.C.d.B., L.R.T.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Andrea C Trumbauer
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (P.S., A.C.T., S.W.L., F.C.d.B., N.R.W., L.R.T.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Victoria P Noffsinger
- Departments of Internal Medicine (P.S., A.J., V.P.N., S.W.L., F.C.d.B., L.R.T.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Steve W Leung
- Departments of Internal Medicine (P.S., A.J., V.P.N., S.W.L., F.C.d.B., L.R.T.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (P.S., A.C.T., S.W.L., F.C.d.B., N.R.W., L.R.T.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Adam J Dugan
- Biostatistics (A.J.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Sean E Thatcher
- Department of Pharmacology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA (S.E.T.)
| | - Lisa A Cassis
- Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (L.A.C., N.R.W.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Frederick C de Beer
- Departments of Internal Medicine (P.S., A.J., V.P.N., S.W.L., F.C.d.B., L.R.T.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (P.S., A.C.T., S.W.L., F.C.d.B., N.R.W., L.R.T.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center (P.S., F.C.d.B., N.R.W., L.R.T.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Nancy R Webb
- Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (L.A.C., N.R.W.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (P.S., A.C.T., S.W.L., F.C.d.B., N.R.W., L.R.T.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center (P.S., F.C.d.B., N.R.W., L.R.T.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Lisa R Tannock
- Departments of Internal Medicine (P.S., A.J., V.P.N., S.W.L., F.C.d.B., L.R.T.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (P.S., A.C.T., S.W.L., F.C.d.B., N.R.W., L.R.T.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center (P.S., F.C.d.B., N.R.W., L.R.T.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Lexington, KY (L.R.T.)
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4
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Araujo N, Sledziona J, Noothi SK, Burikhanov R, Hebbar N, Ganguly S, Shrestha-Bhattarai T, Zhu B, Katz WS, Zhang Y, Taylor BS, Liu J, Chen L, Weiss HL, He D, Wang C, Morris AJ, Cassis LA, Nikolova-Karakashian M, Nagareddy PR, Melander O, Evers BM, Kern PA, Rangnekar VM. Tumor Suppressor Par-4 Regulates Complement Factor C3 and Obesity. Front Oncol 2022; 12:860446. [PMID: 35425699 PMCID: PMC9004617 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.860446] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate apoptosis response-4 (Par-4) is a tumor suppressor that induces apoptosis in cancer cells. However, the physiological function of Par-4 remains unknown. Here we show that conventional Par-4 knockout (Par-4-/-) mice and adipocyte-specific Par-4 knockout (AKO) mice, but not hepatocyte-specific Par-4 knockout mice, are obese with standard chow diet. Par-4-/- and AKO mice exhibit increased absorption and storage of fat in adipocytes. Mechanistically, Par-4 loss is associated with mdm2 downregulation and activation of p53. We identified complement factor c3 as a p53-regulated gene linked to fat storage in adipocytes. Par-4 re-expression in adipocytes or c3 deletion reversed the obese mouse phenotype. Moreover, obese human subjects showed lower expression of Par-4 relative to lean subjects, and in longitudinal studies, low baseline Par-4 levels denoted an increased risk of developing obesity later in life. These findings indicate that Par-4 suppresses p53 and its target c3 to regulate obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalia Araujo
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - James Sledziona
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Sunil K Noothi
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Ravshan Burikhanov
- Department of Radiation Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Nikhil Hebbar
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Saptadwipa Ganguly
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Tripti Shrestha-Bhattarai
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Beibei Zhu
- Division of Internal Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States.,Barnstable Brown Diabetes and Obesity Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Wendy S Katz
- Barnstable Brown Diabetes and Obesity Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States.,Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Computer Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Barry S Taylor
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Jinze Liu
- Department of Computer Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Li Chen
- Division of Internal Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States.,Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Heidi L Weiss
- Division of Internal Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States.,Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Daheng He
- Department of Statistics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Chi Wang
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States.,Department of Biostatistics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Andrew J Morris
- Division of Internal Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States.,Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Lisa A Cassis
- Barnstable Brown Diabetes and Obesity Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States.,Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Mariana Nikolova-Karakashian
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States.,Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | | | - Olle Melander
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.,Department of Internal Medicine, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| | - B Mark Evers
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States.,Department of Surgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Philip A Kern
- Division of Internal Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States.,Barnstable Brown Diabetes and Obesity Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Vivek M Rangnekar
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States.,Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States.,Department of Radiation Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States.,Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
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5
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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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6
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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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7
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Ensor CM, AlSiraj Y, Shoemaker R, Sturgill J, Keshavamurthy S, Gordon EM, Dong BE, Waters C, Cassis LA. SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Regulation of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 and Tissue Renin-Angiotensin Systems: Influence of Biologic Sex. bioRxiv 2021:2021.09.14.460275. [PMID: 34545369 PMCID: PMC8452098 DOI: 10.1101/2021.09.14.460275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is an enzyme that limits activity of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and also serves as a receptor for the SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) protein. Binding of S protein to ACE2 causes internalization which activates local RAS. ACE2 is on the X chromosome and its expression is regulated by sex hormones. In this study, we defined ACE2 mRNA abundance and examined effects of S protein on ACE2 activity and/or angiotensin II (AngII) levels in pivotal tissues (lung, adipose) from male and female mice. In lung, ACE2 mRNA abundance was reduced following gonadectomy (GDX) of male and female mice and was higher in XX than XY mice of the Four Core Genotypes (FCG). Reductions in lung ACE2 mRNA abundance by GDX occurred in XX, but not XY FCG female mice. Lung mRNA abundance of ADAM17 and TMPRSS2, enzymes that shed cell surface ACE2 and facilitate viral cell entry, was reduced by GDX in male but not female mice. For comparison, adipose ACE2 mRNA abundance was higher in female than male mice and higher in XX than XY FCG mice. Adipose ADAM17 mRNA abundance was increased by GDX of male and female mice. S protein reduced ACE2 activity in alveolar type II epithelial cells and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Administration of S protein to male and female mice increased lung AngII levels and decreased adipose ACE2 activity in male but not female mice. These results demonstrate that sex differences in ACE2 expression levels may impact local RAS following S protein exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles M Ensor
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536
| | - Yasir AlSiraj
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536
| | - Robin Shoemaker
- Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, College of Food, Agriculture and the Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536
| | - Jamie Sturgill
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536
| | - Suresh Keshavamurthy
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536
| | - Elizabeth M Gordon
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536
| | - Brittany E Dong
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536
| | - Christopher Waters
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536
| | - Lisa A Cassis
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536
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8
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Cassis LA, Waters CM, Shoemaker RC, Sturgill J, AlSiraj Y, Ensor M. Abstract MP62: Sars-cov-2 Spike Protein Regulation Of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 And Tissue Renin-angiotensin Systems: Influence Of Biologic Sex. Hypertension 2021. [DOI: 10.1161/hyp.78.suppl_1.mp62] [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
Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the SARS-CoV-2 receptor and an enzyme of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), is on the X chromosome and stimulated by estrogen. Male sex is a risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 severity. Previous investigators demonstrated that the SARs-CoV-2 Spike (S) protein decreases tissue ACE2 by protein internalization or shedding. This study defined sex differences in tissue ACE2 expression and their impact on SARS-CoV-2 S protein regulation of ACE2 activity and AngII levels. Male and female intact or gonadectomized (GDX) low density lipoprotein receptor deficient (
Ldlr
-/-
) mice, and Four Core Genotype (FCG) male (XY or XX) or female (XX or XY) mice were fed a Western diet for 4 months. In lung, ACE2 mRNA abundance was similar in male and female mice and reduced by GDX (Male XY intact: 1.04 ± 0.15; Female XX intact: 1.13 ± 0.13; Male XY GDX: 0.11 ± 0.03; Female XX GDX: 0.18 ± 0.04 ΔΔCt; P<0.05). Lungs from XX mice had higher ACE2 mRNA abundance than XY mice regardless of gonadal sex (P<0.05), and GDX reduced ACE2 mRNA abundance in lungs of XX, but not XY females (XX Female GDX: 0.18 ± 0.04; XY Female GDX: 0.38 ± 0.09; P<0.05). In adipose, XX females had higher ACE2 mRNA abundance than XY males (XX female: 5.4 ± 0.7; XY male: 1.0 ± 0.1; P<0.05), regardless of gonadal sex (XY females: 3.3 ± 0.7; XX males: 1.5 ± 0.3; P<0.05). Male XY and female XX
Ldlr
-/-
mice were administered vehicle or SARS-CoV-2 S protein (2 nmol/kg, ip, 3 doses) with tissue harvest six hours later. In lung, AngII levels were increased by S protein in male, but not female mice (Male, vehicle: 12.3 ± 2.3; Male, S protein: 33.6 ± 7.1; Female, vehicle: 16.1 ± 2.0; Female, S protein: 20.2 ± 1.3 pg/μg protein; P<0.05). In adipose, ACE2 activity was reduced by S protein in male, but not female mice (Male, vehicle: 63.6 ± 13.9; Male, S protein: 26.1 ± 1.9; Female, vehicle: 32.5 ± 1.9; Female, S protein: 25.1 ± 1.3 RFU/hr/mg tissue; P<0.05). SARS-CoV-2 S protein (35 nM) decreased ACE2 activity in type II lung alveolar cells (Vehicle: 2.0 x 10
4
; S protein: 1.2 x 10
4
RFU/10
6
cells) and 3T3-L1 adipocytes (Vehicle: 2.1 x 10
4
± 0.3 x 10
4
; S protein: 1.1 x 10
4
± 0.8 x 10
3
RFU/10
5
cells; P<0.05). Biologic sex regulation of ACE2 may protect females from SARS-CoV-2 S protein-mediated ACE2 reductions and activation of the local RAS.
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9
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Dalmasso C, Leachman J, Ghuneim S, Ahmed N, Giani JF, Cassis LA, Loria AS. Abstract P197: Increased Serotonin In Visceral Adipose Tissue May Contribute To Stimulate Sensory Neurons Mediating Obesity Hypertension In Mice Exposed To Early Life Stress. Hypertension 2021. [DOI: 10.1161/hyp.78.suppl_1.p197] [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
Male C57BL/6J mice exposed to maternal separation and early weaning (MSEW), a mouse model of early life stress, display increased blood pressure (BP) and sympathetic activation compared to obese controls when fed a high fat diet (HF). Moreover, HF-fed MSEW males display exacerbated BP responses to the acute stimulation of the adipose afferent reflex (AAR) in epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT). The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of endogenous factors that could stimulate fat sensory neurons. MSEW and control (C) mice (n=8/group) were placed on a LF or HF (10% and 60% Kcal from fat, respectively) for 16 weeks. Then, serum obtained by decapitation and adipose tissue samples were collected to measure mRNA and protein expression of 15 factors and receptors known to activate sensory neurons. No differences were found across measurements on LF. Plasma AGT and AngII were decreased in HF-fed MSEW compared to C (AGT: 760±48 vs. 1267±161 ng/ml, p<0.05; AngII; 413±57 vs. 1082±340 pmol/l, p<0.07, Attoquant) and no differences were found in leptin (103±6 vs. 104±4 ng/ml, p<0.87). In eWAT, MSEW and C showed similar AGT (2.1±0.4 vs. 1.9±0.3 ng/ml per g tissue), AngII (1.7±0.2 vs. 2.3±0.5 pg AngII/mg tissue), ACE 1 activity (21.5±1.2 vs. 20.0±0.9 RFU/min/μg protein, p<0.33) and leptin (102.8±6.1 vs. 104.5±6.8 ng/mg of tissue, p<0.87). However, HF-fed MSEW showed increased eWAT mRNA expression of tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (Tph1), the rate limiting enzyme in serotonin (5-HT) synthesis (10.2±2.9 vs. 1.6±0.3 2
-ΔΔct
, p<0.03). SERT-Tph1-MAO signaling pathway protein expression was activated, and fat serotonin concentration was also increased in eWAT from obese MSEW mice compared to C (16.58±1.5 vs. 8.5±2.1 ug/mg of tissue, p<0.01). Acute stimulation of eWAT with serotonin (10-6 M, 4 sites, 2 ul/site) tend to increase pressor response in MSEW mice (p<0.066, n=2-3). Unlike in female MSEW mice, our study demonstrates that MSEW does not increase circulating and tissue AGT, Ang II and leptin in male mice. Taken together, these data suggest that increased local serotonin could be endogenously sensitizing the sensory neurons in obese MSEW mice contributing to chronic AAR stimulation, directly via TRPV1 channels, or indirectly, via acid-sensing ion channels.
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10
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AlSiraj Y, Thatcher SE, Liang CL, Ali H, Ensor M, Cassis LA. Therapeutic Assessment of Combination Therapy with a Neprilysin Inhibitor and Angiotensin Type 1 Receptor Antagonist on Angiotensin II-Induced Atherosclerosis, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms, and Hypertension. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2021; 377:326-335. [PMID: 33707301 PMCID: PMC8140395 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.121.000525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Combined neprilysin (NEP) inhibition (sacubitril) and angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) antagonism (valsartan) is used in the treatment of congestive heart failure and is gaining interest for other angiotensin II (AngII)-related cardiovascular diseases. In addition to heart failure, AngII promotes hypertension, atherosclerosis, and abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Similarly, NEP substrates or products have broad effects on the cardiovascular system. In this study, we examined NEP inhibition (with sacubitril) and AT1R antagonism (with valsartan) alone or in combination on AngII-induced hypertension, atherosclerosis, or AAAs in male low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient mice. Preliminary studies assessed drug delivery via osmotic minipumps for simultaneous release of sacubitril and/or valsartan with AngII over 28 days. Mice were infused with AngII (1000 ng/kg per minute) in the absence (vehicle) or presence of sacubitril (1, 6, or 9 mg/kg per day), valsartan (0.3, 0.5, 1, 6, or 20 mg/kg per day), or the combination thereof (1 and 0.3, or 9 or 0.5 mg/kg per day of sacubitril and valsartan, respectively). Plasma AngII and renin concentrations increased 4-fold at higher valsartan doses, indicative of removal of AngII negative feedback on renin. Sacubitril doubled plasma AngII concentrations at lower doses (1 mg/kg per day). Valsartan dose-dependently decreased systolic blood pressure, aortic atherosclerosis, and AAAs of AngII-infused mice, whereas sacubitril had no effect on atherosclerosis or AAAs but reduced blood pressure of AngII-infused mice. Combination therapy with sacubitril and valsartan did not provide additive benefits. These results suggest limited effects of combination therapy with NEP inhibition and AT1R antagonism against AngII-induced hypertension, atherosclerosis, or AAAs. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The combination of valsartan (angiotensin type 1 receptor antagonist) and sacubitril (neprilysin inhibitor) did not provide benefit above valsartan alone on AngII-induced hypertension, atherosclerosis, or abdominal aortic aneurysms in low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient male mice. These results do not support this drug combination in therapy of these AngII-induced cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasir AlSiraj
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Sean E Thatcher
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Ching Ling Liang
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Heba Ali
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Mark Ensor
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Lisa A Cassis
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
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11
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Watts SW, Alexander BT, Baylis C, Brown NJ, Cassis LA, Denton KM, Joe B, Lerman LO, Oparil S, Reckelhoff JF, Sandberg K, Touyz RM. Connecting Generations of Scientists in the Council on Hypertension Through Harriet Dustan. Hypertension 2021; 77:296-307. [PMID: 33390045 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.120.16623] [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)
- Stephanie W Watts
- From the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing (S.W.W.)
| | | | - Chris Baylis
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida, Gainesville (C.B.)
| | - Nancy J Brown
- School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT (N.B.)
| | - Lisa A Cassis
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington (L.C.)
| | - Kate M Denton
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia (K.D.)
| | - Bina Joe
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Toledo, OH (B.J.)
| | - Lilach O Lerman
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN (L.L.)
| | - Suzanne Oparil
- Division of Cardiovascular Disease, University of Alabama, Birmingham (S.O.)
| | - Jane F Reckelhoff
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology (J.R.), University of Mississippi, Jackson
| | - Kathryn Sandberg
- Department of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC (K.S.)
| | - Rhian M Touyz
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Science, University of Glasgow, Scotland (R.M.T.)
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12
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AlSiraj Y, Thatcher SE, Blalock E, Saintilnord WN, Daugherty A, Lu HS, Luo W, Shen YH, LeMaire SA, Arnold AP, Cassis LA. Monosomy X in Female Mice Influences the Regional Formation and Augments the Severity of Angiotensin II-Induced Aortopathies. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2021; 41:269-283. [PMID: 33054396 PMCID: PMC8259710 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.120.314407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Turner syndrome women (monosomy X) have high risk of aortopathies consistent with a role for sex chromosomes in disease development. We demonstrated that sex chromosomes influence regional development of Ang II (angiotensin II)-induced aortopathies in mice. In this study, we determined if the number of X chromosomes regulates regional development of Ang II-induced aortopathies. Approach and Results: We used females with varying numbers of X chromosomes (XX female mice [XXF] or XO female mice [XOF]) on an C57BL/6J (ascending aortopathies) or low-density lipoprotein receptor deficient (Ldlr-/-) background (descending and abdominal aortopathies) compared with XY males (XYM). To induce aortopathies, mice were infused with Ang II. XOF (C57BL/6J) exhibited larger percent increases in ascending aortic lumen diameters than Ang II-infused XXF or XYM. Ang II-infused XOF (Ldlr-/-) exhibited similar incidences of thoracic (XOF, 50%; XYM, 71%) and abdominal aortopathies (XOF, 83%; XYM, 71%) as XYM, which were greater than XXF (XXF, 0%). Abdominal aortic lumen diameters and maximal external diameters were similar between XOF and XYM but greater than XXF, and these effects persisted with extended Ang II infusions. Larger aortic lumen diameters, abdominal aortopathy incidence (XXF, 20%; XOF, 75%), and maximal aneurysm diameters (XXF, 1.02±0.17; XOF, 1.96±0.32 mm; P=0.027) persisted in ovariectomized Ang II-infused XOF mice. Data from RNA-seq demonstrated that X chromosome genes that escape X-inactivation (histone lysine demethylases Kdm5c and Kdm6a) exhibited lower mRNA abundance in aortas of XOF than XXF (P=0.033 and 0.024, respectively). Conversely, DNA methylation was higher in aortas of XOF than XXF (P=0.038). CONCLUSIONS The absence of a second X chromosome promotes diffuse Ang II-induced aortopathies in females.
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MESH Headings
- Angiotensin II
- Animals
- Aorta, Abdominal/metabolism
- Aorta, Abdominal/pathology
- Aorta, Thoracic/metabolism
- Aorta, Thoracic/pathology
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/chemically induced
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/genetics
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/metabolism
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/pathology
- Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/chemically induced
- Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/genetics
- Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/metabolism
- Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/pathology
- DNA Methylation
- Disease Models, Animal
- Female
- Histone Demethylases/genetics
- Histone Demethylases/metabolism
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Ovariectomy
- Receptors, LDL/deficiency
- Receptors, LDL/genetics
- Severity of Illness Index
- Turner Syndrome/complications
- Turner Syndrome/genetics
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasir AlSiraj
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY
| | - Sean E. Thatcher
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY
| | - Eric Blalock
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY
| | - Wesley N. Saintilnord
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY
| | - Hong S. Lu
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY
| | - Wei Luo
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, and Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston TX
| | - Ying H. Shen
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, and 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, and Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston TX
| | - Arthur P. Arnold
- Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles CA
| | - Lisa A. Cassis
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY
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13
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Li Y, Ren P, Dawson A, Vasquez HG, Ageedi W, Zhang C, Luo W, Chen R, Li Y, Kim S, Lu HS, Cassis LA, Coselli JS, Daugherty A, Shen YH, LeMaire SA. Single-Cell Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Dynamic Cell Populations and Differential Gene Expression Patterns in Control and Aneurysmal Human Aortic Tissue. Circulation 2020; 142:1374-1388. [PMID: 33017217 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.120.046528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm (ATAA) is caused by the progressive weakening and dilatation of the aortic wall and can lead to aortic dissection, rupture, and other life-threatening complications. To improve our understanding of ATAA pathogenesis, we aimed to comprehensively characterize the cellular composition of the ascending aortic wall and to identify molecular alterations in each cell population of human ATAA tissues. METHODS We performed single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of ascending aortic tissues from 11 study participants, including 8 patients with ATAA (4 women and 4 men) and 3 control subjects (2 women and 1 man). Cells extracted from aortic tissue were analyzed and categorized with single-cell RNA sequencing data to perform cluster identification. ATAA-related changes were then examined by comparing the proportions of each cell type and the gene expression profiles between ATAA and control tissues. We also examined which genes may be critical for ATAA by performing the integrative analysis of our single-cell RNA sequencing data with publicly available data from genome-wide association studies. RESULTS We identified 11 major cell types in human ascending aortic tissue; the high-resolution reclustering of these cells further divided them into 40 subtypes. Multiple subtypes were observed for smooth muscle cells, macrophages, and T lymphocytes, suggesting that these cells have multiple functional populations in the aortic wall. In general, ATAA tissues had fewer nonimmune cells and more immune cells, especially T lymphocytes, than control tissues did. Differential gene expression data suggested the presence of extensive mitochondrial dysfunction in ATAA tissues. In addition, integrative analysis of our single-cell RNA sequencing data with public genome-wide association study data and promoter capture Hi-C data suggested that the erythroblast transformation-specific related gene(ERG) exerts an important role in maintaining normal aortic wall function. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides a comprehensive evaluation of the cellular composition of the ascending aortic wall and reveals how the gene expression landscape is altered in human ATAA tissue. The information from this study makes important contributions to our understanding of ATAA formation and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanming Li
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.)
| | - Pingping Ren
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.)
| | - Ashley Dawson
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.)
| | - Hernan G Vasquez
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.)
| | - Waleed Ageedi
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.)
| | - Chen Zhang
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.)
| | - Wei Luo
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.)
| | - Rui Chen
- Human Genome Sequencing Center (R.C., Yumei Li, S.K.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Yumei Li
- Human Genome Sequencing Center (R.C., Yumei Li, S.K.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Sangbae Kim
- Human Genome Sequencing Center (R.C., Yumei Li, S.K.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Hong S Lu
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (H.S.L., A. Daugherty), University of Kentucky, Lexington.,Department of Physiology (H.S.L., A. Daugherty), 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 (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Cardiovascular Research Institute (J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.)
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (H.S.L., A. Daugherty), University of Kentucky, Lexington.,Department of Physiology (H.S.L., A. Daugherty), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Ying H Shen
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Cardiovascular Research Institute (J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.)
| | - Scott A LeMaire
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Cardiovascular Research Institute (J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics (S.A.L.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston (Yanming Li, P.R., A. Dawson, H.G.V., W.A., C.Z., W.L., J.S.C., Y.H.S., S.A.L.)
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14
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Wu CH, Wu C, Howatt DA, Moorleghen JJ, Cassis LA, Daugherty A, Lu HS. Two Amino Acids Proximate to the Renin Cleavage Site of Human Angiotensinogen Do Not Affect Blood Pressure and Atherosclerosis in Mice-Brief Report. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2020; 40:2108-2113. [PMID: 32640904 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.120.314048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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
OBJECTIVE Renin cleavage of angiotensinogen has species specificity. As the residues at positions 11 and 12 are different between human angiotensinogen and mouse angiotensinogen, we determined whether these 2 residues in angiotensinogen affect renin cleavage and angiotensin II-mediated blood pressure regulation and atherosclerosis using an adenoassociated viral approach for manipulating angiotensinogen in vivo. Approach and Results: Hepatocyte-specific angiotensinogen deficient (hepAGT-/-) mice in an LDL receptor-deficient background were infected with adenoassociated virals containing a null insert, human angiotensinogen, or mouse angiotensinogen expressing the same residues of the human protein at positions 11 and 12 (mouse angiotensinogen [L11V;Y12I]). Expression of human angiotensinogen in hepAGT-/- mice led to high plasma human angiotensinogen concentrations without changes in plasma endogenous mouse angiotensinogen, plasma renin concentrations, blood pressure, or atherosclerosis. This is consistent with human angiotensinogen not being cleaved by mouse renin. To determine whether the residues at positions 11 and 12 in human angiotensinogen lead to the inability of mouse renin to cleave human angiotensinogen, hepAGT-/- mice were injected with adenoassociated viral vector encoding mouse angiotensinogen (L11V;Y12I). Expression of mouse angiotensinogen (L11V;Y12I) in hepAGT-/- mice resulted in increased plasma mouse angiotensinogen concentrations, reduced renin concentrations, and increased renal AngII concentrations that were comparable to their concentrations in hepAGT+/+ mice. This mouse angiotensinogen variant increased blood pressure and atherosclerosis in hepAGT-/- mice to the magnitude of hepAGT+/+ mice. CONCLUSIONS Replacement of L11 and Y12 to V11 and I12, respectively, in mouse angiotensinogen does not affect renin cleavage, blood pressure, and atherosclerosis in LDL receptor-deficient mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Hua Wu
- From the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (C.-H.W., C.W., D.A.H., J.J.M., A.D., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (C.-H.W., L.A.C., A.D., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Congqing Wu
- From the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (C.-H.W., C.W., D.A.H., J.J.M., A.D., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Department of Physiology (C.W., A.D., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Deborah A Howatt
- From the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (C.-H.W., C.W., D.A.H., J.J.M., A.D., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Jessica J Moorleghen
- From the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (C.-H.W., C.W., D.A.H., J.J.M., A.D., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Lisa A Cassis
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (C.-H.W., L.A.C., A.D., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Alan Daugherty
- From the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (C.-H.W., C.W., D.A.H., J.J.M., A.D., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (C.-H.W., L.A.C., A.D., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Department of Physiology (C.W., A.D., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Hong S Lu
- From the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (C.-H.W., C.W., D.A.H., J.J.M., A.D., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (C.-H.W., L.A.C., A.D., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
- Department of Physiology (C.W., A.D., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
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15
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Shen YH, LeMaire SA, Webb NR, Cassis LA, Daugherty A, Lu HS. Aortic Aneurysms and Dissections Series: Part II: Dynamic Signaling Responses in Aortic Aneurysms and Dissections. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2020; 40:e78-e86. [PMID: 32208998 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.120.313804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Aortic structure and function are controlled by the coordinated actions of different aortic cells and the extracellular matrix. Several pathways have been identified that control the aortic wall in a cell-type-specific manner and play diverse roles in various phases of aortic injury, repair, and remodeling. This complexity of signaling in the aortic wall poses challenges to the development of therapeutic strategies for treating aortic aneurysms and dissections. Here, in part II of this Recent Highlights series on aortic aneurysms and dissections, we will summarize recent studies published in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology that have contributed to our knowledge of the signaling pathway-related mechanisms of aortic aneurysms and dissections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying H Shen
- From the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (Y.H.S., S.A.L.).,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston (Y.H.S., S.A.L.)
| | - Scott A LeMaire
- From the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (Y.H.S., S.A.L.).,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston (Y.H.S., S.A.L.)
| | - Nancy R Webb
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (N.R.W., L.A.C.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Lisa A Cassis
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (N.R.W., L.A.C.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Department of Physiology and Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (A.D., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Hong S Lu
- Department of Physiology and Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (A.D., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
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16
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Barnett JV, Beckman JA, Bonaca MP, Carnethon MR, Cassis LA, Creager MA, Daugherty A, Feinberg MW, Freiberg MS, Goodney PP, Greenland P, Leeuwenburgh C, LeMaire SA, McDermott MM, Sabatine MS, Shen YH, Wasserman DH, Webb NR, Wells QS. American Heart Association Vascular Disease Strategically Focused Research Network. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2020; 40:e47-e54. [PMID: 31969016 PMCID: PMC7047580 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.120.313967] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joey V. Barnett
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| | - Joshua A. Beckman
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| | - Marc P. Bonaca
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Mercedes R. Carnethon
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University Chicago IL
| | - Lisa A. Cassis
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Mark A. Creager
- Dartmouth-Hitchcock Heart and Vascular Center, The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Mark W. Feinberg
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Matthew S. Freiberg
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| | - Philip P. Goodney
- Dartmouth-Hitchcock Heart and Vascular Center, The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH
- Section of Vascular Surgery, The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH
- VA Quality Scholars Program, VA Outcomes Group, Veterans Health Association, White River Junction, VT
| | - Philip Greenland
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University Chicago IL
| | | | - Scott A. LeMaire
- Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston TX
| | - Mary M. McDermott
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University Chicago IL
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University Chicago IL
| | - Marc S. Sabatine
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Ying H. Shen
- Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston TX
| | - David H. Wasserman
- Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| | - Nancy R. Webb
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Quinn S. Wells
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
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17
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Abstract
The aortic wall is composed of highly dynamic cell populations and extracellular matrix. In response to changes in the biomechanical environment, aortic cells and extracellular matrix modulate their structure and functions to increase aortic wall strength and meet the hemodynamic demand. Compromise in the structural and functional integrity of aortic components leads to aortic degeneration, biomechanical failure, and the development of aortic aneurysms and dissections (AAD). A better understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of AAD will facilitate the development of effective medications to treat these conditions. Here, we summarize recent findings on AAD published in ATVB. In this issue, we focus on the dynamics of aortic cells and extracellular matrix in AAD; in the next issue, we will focus on the role of signaling pathways in AAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying H Shen
- From the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (Y.H.S., S.A.L.).,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston (Y.H.S., S.A.L.)
| | - Scott A LeMaire
- From the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (Y.H.S., S.A.L.).,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston (Y.H.S., S.A.L.)
| | - Nancy R Webb
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (N.R.W., L.A.C.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Lisa A Cassis
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (N.R.W., L.A.C.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Department of Physiology and Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (A.D., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Hong S Lu
- Department of Physiology and Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (A.D., H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
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18
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Dalmasso C, Leachman JR, Ensor CM, Yiannikouris FB, Giani JF, Cassis LA, Loria AS. Female Mice Exposed to Postnatal Neglect Display Angiotensin II-Dependent Obesity-Induced Hypertension. J Am Heart Assoc 2019; 8:e012309. [PMID: 31752639 PMCID: PMC6912962 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.119.012309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Background We have previously reported that female mice exposed to maternal separation and early weaning (MSEW), a model of early life stress, show exacerbated diet-induced obesity associated with hypertension. The goal of this study was to test whether MSEW promotes angiotensin II-dependent hypertension via activation of the renin-angiotensin system in adipose tissue. Methods and Results MSEW was achieved by daily separations from the dam and weaning at postnatal day 17, while normally reared controls were weaned at postnatal day 21. Female controls and MSEW weanlings were placed on a low-fat diet (LF, 10% kcal from fat) or high-fat diet (HF, 60% kcal from fat) for 20 weeks. MSEW did not change mean arterial pressure in LF-fed mice but increased it in HF-fed mice compared with controls (P<0.05). In MSEW mice fed a HF, angiotensin II concentration in plasma and adipose tissue was elevated compared with controls (P<0.05). In addition, angiotensinogen concentration was increased solely in adipose tissue from MSEW mice (P<0.05), while angiotensin-converting enzyme protein expression and activity were similar between groups. Chronic enalapril treatment (2.5 mg/kg per day, drinking water, 7 days) reduced mean arterial pressure in both groups of mice fed a HF (P<0.05) and abolished the differences due to MSEW. Acute angiotensin II-induced increases in mean arterial pressure (10 μg/kg SC) were attenuated in untreated MSEW HF-fed mice compared to controls (P<0.05); however, this response was similar between groups in enalapril-treated mice. Conclusions The upregulation of angiotensinogen and angiotensin II in adipose tissue could be an important mechanism by which female MSEW mice fed a HF develop hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Dalmasso
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional SciencesUniversity of KentuckyLexingtonKY
- Department of Biomedical SciencesCedars‐Sinai Medical CenterLos AngelesCA
| | - Jacqueline R. Leachman
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional SciencesUniversity of KentuckyLexingtonKY
- Department of Biomedical SciencesCedars‐Sinai Medical CenterLos AngelesCA
| | - Charles M. Ensor
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional SciencesUniversity of KentuckyLexingtonKY
- Department of Biomedical SciencesCedars‐Sinai Medical CenterLos AngelesCA
| | - Frederique B. Yiannikouris
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional SciencesUniversity of KentuckyLexingtonKY
- Department of Biomedical SciencesCedars‐Sinai Medical CenterLos AngelesCA
| | - Jorge F. Giani
- Department of Biomedical SciencesCedars‐Sinai Medical CenterLos AngelesCA
| | - Lisa A. Cassis
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional SciencesUniversity of KentuckyLexingtonKY
- Department of Biomedical SciencesCedars‐Sinai Medical CenterLos AngelesCA
| | - Analia S. Loria
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional SciencesUniversity of KentuckyLexingtonKY
- Department of Biomedical SciencesCedars‐Sinai Medical CenterLos AngelesCA
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19
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Meagan Littrell O, Stoeger C, Maier H, Fuchs H, Hrabě de Angelis M, Cassis LA, Gerhardt GA, Grondin R, Gailus-Durner V. Costs of Implementing Quality in Research Practice. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2019; 257:399-423. [PMID: 31541322 DOI: 10.1007/164_2019_294] [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: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Using standardized guidelines in preclinical research has received increased interest in light of recent concerns about transparency in data reporting and apparent variation in data quality, as evidenced by irreproducibility of results. Although the costs associated with supporting quality through a quality management system are often obvious line items in laboratory budgets, the treatment of the costs associated with quality failure is often overlooked and difficult to quantify. Thus, general estimations of quality costs can be misleading and inaccurate, effectively undervaluing costs recovered by reducing quality defects. Here, we provide examples of quality costs in preclinical research and describe how we have addressed misconceptions of quality management implementation as only marginally beneficial and/or unduly burdensome. We provide two examples of implementing a quality management system (QMS) in preclinical experimental (animal) research environments - one in Europe, the German Mouse Clinic, having established ISO 9001 and the other in the United States, the University of Kentucky (UK), having established Good Laboratory Practice-compliant infrastructure. We present a summary of benefits to having an effective QMS, as may be useful in guiding discussions with funders or administrators to promote interest and investment in a QMS, which ultimately supports shared, mutually beneficial outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Meagan Littrell
- University of Kentucky Good Research Practice Resource Center and Department of Neuroscience, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Claudia Stoeger
- German Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Holger Maier
- German Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Helmut Fuchs
- German Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Martin Hrabě de Angelis
- German Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.,Experimental Genetics, School of Life Science Weihenstephan, Technische Universität München, Freising, Germany.,German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Lisa A Cassis
- University of Kentucky Office of the Vice President for Research and Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Greg A Gerhardt
- University of Kentucky Good Research Practice Resource Center and Department of Neuroscience, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Richard Grondin
- University of Kentucky Good Research Practice Resource Center and Department of Neuroscience, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Valérie Gailus-Durner
- German Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.
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20
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Shoemaker R, Tannock LR, Su W, Gong M, Gurley SB, Thatcher SE, Yiannikouris F, Ensor CM, Cassis LA. Adipocyte deficiency of ACE2 increases systolic blood pressures of obese female C57BL/6 mice. Biol Sex Differ 2019; 10:45. [PMID: 31484552 PMCID: PMC6727421 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-019-0260-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity increases the risk for hypertension in both sexes, but the prevalence of hypertension is lower in females than in males until menopause, despite a higher prevalence of obesity in females. We previously demonstrated that angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which cleaves the vasoconstrictor, angiotensin II (AngII), to generate the vasodilator, angiotensin-(1-7) (Ang-(1-7)), contributes to sex differences in obesity-hypertension. ACE2 expression in adipose tissue was influenced by obesity in a sex-specific manner, with elevated ACE2 expression in obese female mice. Moreover, estrogen stimulated adipose ACE2 expression and reduced obesity-hypertension in females. In this study, we hypothesized that deficiency of adipocyte ACE2 contributes to obesity-hypertension of females. METHODS We generated a mouse model of adipocyte ACE2 deficiency. Male and female mice with adipocyte ACE2 deficiency or littermate controls were fed a low (LF) or a high fat (HF) diet for 16 weeks and blood pressure was quantified by radiotelemetry. HF-fed mice of each sex and genotype were challenged by an acute AngII injection, and blood pressure response was quantified. To translate these findings to humans, we performed a proof-of-principle study in obese transwomen in which systemic angiotensin peptides and blood pressure were quantified prior to and after 12 weeks of gender-affirming 17β-estradiol hormone therapy. RESULTS Adipocyte ACE2 deficiency had no effect on the development of obesity in either sex. HF feeding increased systolic blood pressures (SBP) of wild-type male and female mice compared to LF-fed controls. Adipocyte ACE2 deficiency augmented obesity-induced elevations in SBP in females, but not in males. Obese female, but not obese male mice with adipocyte ACE2 deficiency, had an augmented SBP response to acute AngII challenge. In humans, plasma 17β-estradiol concentrations increased in obese transwomen administered 17β-estradiol and correlated positively with plasma Ang-(1-7)/AngII balance, and negatively to SBP after 12 weeks of 17β-estradiol administration. CONCLUSIONS Adipocyte ACE2 protects female mice from obesity-hypertension, and reduces the blood pressure response to systemic AngII. In obese transwomen undergoing gender-affirming hormone therapy, 17β-estradiol administration may regulate blood pressure via the Ang-(1-7)/AngII balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Shoemaker
- Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40506, USA.
| | - Lisa R Tannock
- Division of Endocrinology and Molecular Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Wen Su
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Ming Gong
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Susan B Gurley
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Sean E Thatcher
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Frederique Yiannikouris
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Charles M Ensor
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Lisa A Cassis
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
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21
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Joshi S, Vasam G, Adkins S, Thatcher SE, Bradley DS, Cassis LA, Jarajapu YP. Abstract 100: Mas Receptor Expression in Bone Marrow Stem/Progenitor Cells is Both Required and Sufficient for the Mobilization of Cells in Response to Ischemic Injury. Hypertension 2019. [DOI: 10.1161/hyp.74.suppl_1.100] [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
Bone marrow-derived hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) are mobilized into the circulation in response to ischemic injury and stimulate vascular regeneration. Angiotensin-(1-7) (Ang-(1-7)) activates vasoprotective functions in progenitor cells by activating Mas receptor (MasR). We have shown that mobilization of progenitor cells in response to ischemic injury is impaired in MasR
-/-
mice (KO) and that blood flow recovery is reduced. This study tested if MasR expression in the bone marrow-resident HSPCs is sufficient to rescue mobilization in MasR
-/-
mice. Bone marrow chimeric mice were made by lethal irradiation of wild type (WT) or MasR
-/-
mice followed by transplantation with bone marrow derived from either WT or KO mice. Circulating lineage-negative Sca-1
+
and cKit
+
(LSK) cells were enumerated in basal or in response to the treatment with plerixafor (5 mg/Kg, ip) or G-CSF (125 mg/Kg, sc, twice-a-day, four days). Hind-limb ischemia (HLI) was induced by femoral artery ligation and the circulating LSK cells were monitored over time. Either WT or MasR
-/-
mice transplanted with MasR
-/-
bone marrow have shown 100% mortality following irradiation (n=6). Circulating LSK cells are lower in MasR
-/-
mice (14±5 cells/mL of blood) compared to WT (39±7/mL, P<0.01, n=6). On the other hand, circulating cells were comparable in WT→MasR
-/-
(20±3/mL blood) and WT→WT chimeras (31±6/mL, n=6). Mobilization of LSK cells by plerixafor (5 mg/Kg, ip) or G-CSF (125 mg/Kg, sc., twice-a-day, four days) are lower in MasR
-/-
mice (4- and 2-fold, respectively, compared to WT, P<0.05, n=6). In contrast, WT→MasR
-/-
or WT→WT chimeras responded similarly to either of the mobilizers, and responses were comparable to that observed in WT mice. Mobilization of LSK cells in response to HLI is attenuated to a maximum of 5-fold on day-5 post-HLI in MasR
-/-
mice (vs 10-fold in WT on day-3 post-HLI, P<0.05 n=5). This response was rescued to a larger extent in WT→MasR
-/-
chimeras (7-fold, compared to 9-fold in WT→WT chimeras, P<0.05, n=5). These studies infer that MasR
-/-
HSPCs cannot rescue WT or MasR
-/-
mice following lethal irradiation, and that MasR expression in the bone marrow HSPCs is sufficient and required for mobilization of cells in response to mobilizers or to an ischemic injury.
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22
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Jackson EN, Thatcher SE, Larian N, English V, Soman S, Morris AJ, Weng J, Stromberg A, Swanson HI, Pearson K, Cassis LA. Effects of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Deficiency on PCB-77-Induced Impairment of Glucose Homeostasis during Weight Loss in Male and Female Obese Mice. Environ Health Perspect 2019; 127:77004. [PMID: 31306034 PMCID: PMC6794491 DOI: 10.1289/ehp4133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Revised: 05/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lipophilic polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) accumulate with obesity, but during weight loss, liberated PCBs act as ligands of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) to negatively influence health. Previous studies demonstrated that PCB-77 administration to obese male mice impaired glucose tolerance during weight loss. Recent studies indicate higher toxic equivalencies of dioxin-like PCBs in exposed females than males. OBJECTIVES We compared effects of PCB-77 on weight gain or loss and glucose homeostasis in male vs. female mice. We defined effects of AhR deficiency during weight gain or loss in male and female mice exposed to PCB-77. METHODS Study design was vehicle (VEH) or PCB-77 administration while fed a high-fat (HF) diet for 12 wk, followed by weight loss for 4 wk. The following groups were examined: male and female C57BL/6 mice administered VEH or PCB-77, female [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] mice administered VEH or PCB-77, and male [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] mice administered PCB-77. Glucose tolerance was quantified during weight gain (week 11) and loss (week 15); liver and adipose AhR and IRS2 (insulin receptor substrate 2) mRNA abundance, and PCB-77 concentrations were quantified at week 16. RESULTS PCB-77 attenuated development of obesity in females but not males. During weight loss, PCB-77 impaired glucose tolerance of males. AhR-deficient females (VEH) were resistant to diet-induced obesity. Compared with VEH-treated mice, HF-fed [Formula: see text] females treated with PCB-77 has less weight gain, and [Formula: see text] females had greater weight gain. During weight loss, [Formula: see text] females but not [Formula: see text] males treated with PCB-77 exhibited impaired glucose tolerance. In [Formula: see text] females administered PCB-77, IRS2 mRNA abundance was lower in adipose tissue compared with VEH-treated mice. CONCLUSION Male and female mice responded differently to PCB-77 and AhR deficiency in body weight (BW) regulation and glucose homeostasis. AhR deficiency reversed PCB-77-induced glucose impairment of obese males losing weight but augmented glucose intolerance of females. These results demonstrate sex differences in PCB-77-induced regulation of glucose homeostasis of mice. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP4133.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin N. Jackson
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Sean E. Thatcher
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Nika Larian
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Victoria English
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Sony Soman
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Andrew J. Morris
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Jiaying Weng
- Department of Statistics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Arnold Stromberg
- Department of Statistics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Hollie I. Swanson
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Kevin Pearson
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Lisa A. Cassis
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
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23
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Larian N, Ensor M, Thatcher SE, English V, Morris AJ, Stromberg A, Cassis LA. Pseudomonas aeruginosa-derived pyocyanin reduces adipocyte differentiation, body weight, and fat mass as mechanisms contributing to septic cachexia. Food Chem Toxicol 2019; 130:219-230. [PMID: 31078726 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2019.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a leading cause of sepsis, produces pyocyanin, a blue-pigmented virulence factor. Sepsis is associated with cachexia, but mechanisms are unknown and conventional nutrition approaches are not effective treatments. Pyocyanin has affinity for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), which is expressed on adipocytes and regulates adipocyte differentiation. The purpose of this study was to define in vitro and in vivo effects of pyocyanin on adipocyte differentiation and body weight regulation as relates to septic cachexia. In 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, pyocyanin activated AhR and its downstream marker CYP1a1, and reduced differentiation. Administration of pyocyanin to male C57BL/6J mice acutely reduced body temperature with altered locomotion, but caused sustained weight loss. Chronic pyocyanin administration to male and female C57BL/6J mice resulted in sustained reductions in body weight and fat mass, with adipose-specific AhR activation. Pyocyanin-treated male mice had decreased energy expenditure and physical activity, and increased adipose explant lipolysis. In females, pyocyanin caused robust reductions in body weight, adipose-specific AhR activation, and increased expression of inflammatory cytokines in differentiated adipocytes. These results demonstrate that pyocyanin reduces adipocyte differentiation and decreases body weight and fat mass in male and female mice, suggesting that pyocyanin may play a role in septic cachexia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nika Larian
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Mark Ensor
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Sean E Thatcher
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Victoria English
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Andrew J Morris
- Department of Internal Medicine,University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Arnold Stromberg
- Department of Statistics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Lisa A Cassis
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
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24
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Shoemaker R, AlSiraj Y, Chen J, Cassis LA. Pancreatic AT1aR Deficiency Decreases Insulin Secretion in Obese C57BL/6 Mice. Am J Hypertens 2019; 32:597-604. [PMID: 30903169 DOI: 10.1093/ajh/hpz042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2018] [Revised: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previously, we demonstrated that obese mice have marked elevations in systemic concentrations of angiotensin II (AngII). Drugs that inhibit the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), including angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) antagonists, have been reported to delay the onset of type 2 diabetes (T2D), suggesting improvements in insulin sensitivity or regulation of pancreatic insulin secretion. Pancreatic islets possess components of the RAS, including AT1R, but it is unclear if AngII acts at islets to regulate insulin secretion during the development of T2D. METHODS We deleted AT1aR from pancreatic islets and examined effects on insulin secretion in mice fed a low-fat (LF) or high-fat (HF) diet. In separate studies, to exacerbate the system, we infused HF-fed mice of each genotype with AngII. RESULTS Pancreatic AT1aR deficiency impaired glucose tolerance and elevated plasma glucose concentrations in HF, but not LF-fed mice. In HF-fed mice, high glucose increased insulin secretion from islets of AT1aRfl/fl, but not AT1aRpdx mice. In AngII-infused mice, following glucose challenge, plasma glucose or insulin concentrations were not significantly different between genotypes. Moreover, high glucose stimulated insulin secretion from islets of AT1aRfl/fl and AT1aRpdx mice, presumably related to weight loss, and improved insulin sensitivity in both groups of AngII-infused HF-fed mice. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that during the adaptive response to insulin resistance from HF feeding, AngII promotes insulin secretion from islets through an AT1aR mechanism. These results suggest the timing of initiation of AT1R blockade may be important in the progression from prediabetes to T2D with β-cell failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Shoemaker
- Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Yasir AlSiraj
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Jeff Chen
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Lisa A Cassis
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
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25
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Robinet P, Milewicz DM, Cassis LA, Leeper NJ, Lu HS, Smith JD. Consideration of Sex Differences in Design and Reporting of Experimental Arterial Pathology Studies-Statement From ATVB Council. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2018; 38:292-303. [PMID: 29301789 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.117.309524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
There are many differences in arterial diseases between men and women, including prevalence, clinical manifestations, treatments, and prognosis. The new policy of the National Institutes of Health, which requires the inclusion of sex as a biological variable for preclinical studies, aims to foster new mechanistic insights and to enhance our understanding of sex differences in human diseases. The purpose of this statement is to suggest guidelines for designing and reporting sex as a biological variable in animal models of atherosclerosis, thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms, and peripheral arterial disease. We briefly review sex differences of these human diseases and their animal models, followed by suggestions on experimental design and reporting of animal studies for these vascular pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peggy Robinet
- From the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, OH (P.R., J.D.S.); Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (D.M.M.); Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (L.A.C.) and Saha Cardiovascular Research Center and Department of Physiology (H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington; and Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University, CA (N.J.L.)
| | - Dianna M Milewicz
- From the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, OH (P.R., J.D.S.); Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (D.M.M.); Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (L.A.C.) and Saha Cardiovascular Research Center and Department of Physiology (H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington; and Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University, CA (N.J.L.)
| | - Lisa A Cassis
- From the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, OH (P.R., J.D.S.); Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (D.M.M.); Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (L.A.C.) and Saha Cardiovascular Research Center and Department of Physiology (H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington; and Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University, CA (N.J.L.)
| | - Nicholas J Leeper
- From the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, OH (P.R., J.D.S.); Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (D.M.M.); Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (L.A.C.) and Saha Cardiovascular Research Center and Department of Physiology (H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington; and Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University, CA (N.J.L.)
| | - Hong S Lu
- From the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, OH (P.R., J.D.S.); Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (D.M.M.); Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (L.A.C.) and Saha Cardiovascular Research Center and Department of Physiology (H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington; and Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University, CA (N.J.L.)
| | - Jonathan D Smith
- From the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, OH (P.R., J.D.S.); Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (D.M.M.); Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (L.A.C.) and Saha Cardiovascular Research Center and Department of Physiology (H.S.L.), University of Kentucky, Lexington; and Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University, CA (N.J.L.).
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26
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Kim HW, Blomkalns AL, Ogbi M, Thomas M, Gavrila D, Neltner BS, Cassis LA, Thompson RW, Weiss RM, Lindower PD, Blanco VM, McCormick ML, Daugherty A, Fu X, Hazen SL, Stansfield BK, Huo Y, Fulton DJ, Chatterjee T, Weintraub NL. Role of myeloperoxidase in abdominal aortic aneurysm formation: mitigation by taurine. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2017; 313:H1168-H1179. [PMID: 28971841 PMCID: PMC5814655 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00296.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [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: 05/31/2017] [Revised: 08/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Oxidative stress plays a fundamental role in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) formation. Activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes (or neutrophils) are associated with AAA and express myeloperoxidase (MPO), which promotes inflammation, matrix degradation, and other pathological features of AAA, including enhanced oxidative stress through generation of reactive oxygen species. Both plasma and aortic MPO levels are elevated in patients with AAA, but the role of MPO in AAA pathogenesis has, heretofore, never been investigated. Here, we show that MPO gene deletion attenuates AAA formation in two animal models: ANG II infusion in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice and elastase perfusion in C57BL/6 mice. Oral administration of taurine [1% or 4% (wt/vol) in drinking water], an amino acid known to react rapidly with MPO-generated oxidants like hypochlorous acid, also prevented AAA formation in the ANG II and elastase models as well as the CaCl2 application model of AAA formation while reducing aortic peroxidase activity and aortic protein-bound dityrosine levels, an oxidative cross link formed by MPO. Both MPO gene deletion and taurine supplementation blunted aortic macrophage accumulation, elastin fragmentation, and matrix metalloproteinase activation, key features of AAA pathogenesis. Moreover, MPO gene deletion and taurine administration significantly attenuated the induction of serum amyloid A, which promotes ANG II-induced AAAs. These data implicate MPO in AAA pathogenesis and suggest that studies exploring whether taurine can serve as a potential therapeutic for the prevention or treatment of AAA in patients merit consideration.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Neutrophils are abundant in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), and myeloperoxidase (MPO), prominently expressed in neutrophils, is associated with AAA in humans. This study demonstrates that MPO gene deletion or supplementation with the natural product taurine, which can scavenge MPO-generated oxidants, can prevent AAA formation, suggesting an attractive potential therapeutic strategy for AAA.
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MESH Headings
- Angiotensin II
- Animals
- Antioxidants/pharmacology
- Aorta, Abdominal/drug effects
- Aorta, Abdominal/enzymology
- Aorta, Abdominal/pathology
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/chemically induced
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/enzymology
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/genetics
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/prevention & control
- Calcium Chloride
- Disease Models, Animal
- Gene Deletion
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout, ApoE
- Neutrophils/drug effects
- Neutrophils/enzymology
- Oxidative Stress/drug effects
- Pancreatic Elastase
- Peroxidase/deficiency
- Peroxidase/genetics
- Peroxidase/metabolism
- Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism
- Serum Amyloid A Protein/metabolism
- Taurine/pharmacology
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Affiliation(s)
- Ha Won Kim
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Andra L Blomkalns
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Mourad Ogbi
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Manesh Thomas
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Daniel Gavrila
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Bonnie S Neltner
- Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Lisa A Cassis
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Robert W Thompson
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Robert M Weiss
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Paul D Lindower
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Victor M Blanco
- Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | | | - Alan Daugherty
- Departmentof Physiology and Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky; and
| | - Xiaoming Fu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Stanley L Hazen
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Brian K Stansfield
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Yuqing Huo
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - David J Fulton
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Tapan Chatterjee
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Neal L Weintraub
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia;
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27
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Alsiraj Y, Thatcher SE, Blalock E, Fleenor B, Daugherty A, Cassis LA. Sex Chromosome Complement Defines Diffuse Versus Focal Angiotensin II-Induced Aortic Pathology. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2017; 38:143-153. [PMID: 29097367 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.117.310035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Aortic pathologies exhibit sexual dimorphism, with aneurysms in both the thoracic and abdominal aorta (ie, abdominal aortic aneurysm [AAA]) exhibiting higher male prevalence. Women have lower prevalence of aneurysms, but when they occur, aneurysms progress rapidly. To define mechanisms for these sex differences, we determined the role of sex chromosome complement and testosterone on the location and progression of angiotensin II (AngII)-induced aortic pathologies. APPROACH AND RESULTS We used transgenic male mice expressing Sry (sex-determining region Y) on an autosome to create Ldlr (low-density lipoprotein receptor)-deficient male mice with an XY or XX sex chromosome complement. Transcriptional profiling was performed on abdominal aortas from XY or XX males, demonstrating 1746 genes influenced by sex chromosomes or sex hormones. Males (XY or XX) were either sham-operated or orchiectomized before AngII infusions. Diffuse aortic aneurysm pathology developed in XY AngII-infused males, whereas XX males developed focal AAAs. Castration reduced all AngII-induced aortic pathologies in XY and XX males. Thoracic aortas from AngII-infused XY males exhibited adventitial thickening that was not present in XX males. We infused male XY and XX mice with either saline or AngII and quantified mRNA abundance of key genes in both thoracic and abdominal aortas. Regional differences in mRNA abundance existed before AngII infusions, which were differentially influenced by AngII between genotypes. Prolonged AngII infusions resulted in aortic wall thickening of AAAs from XY males, whereas XX males had dilated focal AAAs. CONCLUSIONS An XY sex chromosome complement mediates diffuse aortic pathology, whereas an XX sex chromosome complement contributes to focal AngII-induced AAAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasir Alsiraj
- From the Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (Y.A., S.E.T., E.B., L.A.C.), Department of Kinesiology (B.F.), Department of Physiology (A.D.), and Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Sean E Thatcher
- From the Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (Y.A., S.E.T., E.B., L.A.C.), Department of Kinesiology (B.F.), Department of Physiology (A.D.), and Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Eric Blalock
- From the Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (Y.A., S.E.T., E.B., L.A.C.), Department of Kinesiology (B.F.), Department of Physiology (A.D.), and Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Bradley Fleenor
- From the Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (Y.A., S.E.T., E.B., L.A.C.), Department of Kinesiology (B.F.), Department of Physiology (A.D.), and Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Alan Daugherty
- From the Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (Y.A., S.E.T., E.B., L.A.C.), Department of Kinesiology (B.F.), Department of Physiology (A.D.), and Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Lisa A Cassis
- From the Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (Y.A., S.E.T., E.B., L.A.C.), Department of Kinesiology (B.F.), Department of Physiology (A.D.), and Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington.
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28
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Abstract
The use of fluorogenic substrates to measure enzymatic activity is widely used to understand function within different experimental models. ACE2 is important in understanding the balance between AngII and Ang-(1-7) and how this balance could then in turn influence hypertension or other disease outcomes. Here, we describe a method to measure ACE2 activity in abdominal aorta of hyperlipidemic mice under both saline and AngII infusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Lisa A Cassis
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Sean E Thatcher
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Charles T. Wethington Bldg., Room 593, 900 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA.
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29
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Thatcher SE, Black JE, Tanaka H, Kohama K, Fultz ME, Cassis LA, Wright GL. Matrix Metalloproteinases -14, -9 and -2 are Localized to the Podosome and Involved in Podosome Development in the A7r5 Smooth Muscle Cell. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 5. [PMID: 30931350 PMCID: PMC6436839 DOI: 10.13188/2332-3671.1000020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [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] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Aim The purpose of the study was to localize matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-14, -9, and -2 in the A7r5 smooth muscle cell and to understand the interaction between these MMPs and the cytoskeleton. This interaction was observed under non-stimulating and phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate (PDBu)-stimulating conditions. Methods Confocal microscopy was utilized to define the localizations of MMPs and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in the A7r5 cell and to determine interaction between MMPs and the cytoskeleton. Under PDBu-stimulating conditions, the presence of MMP active forms and activity by gel zymography was evaluated in the A7r5 cell. Actin and microtubule-polymerization inhibitors were used to evaluate MMP interaction with the cytoskeleton and the cytoskeleton was observed on matrix and within a Type I collagen gel. Results MMP-14, -9, and -2 were localized to the podosome in the A7r5 smooth muscle cell and interactions were seen with these MMPs and the actin cytoskeleton. PDBu-stimulation induced increases in the protein abundance of the active forms of the MMPs and MMP-2 activity was increased. MMPs also interact with a-actin and not β-tubulin in the A7r5 cell. Galardin, also known as GM-6001, was shown to inhibit podosome formation and prevented MMP localization to the podosome. This broad spectrum MMP inhibitor also prevented collagen gel contraction and prevented cell adhesion and spreading of A7r5 cells within this collagen matrix. Conclusion MMPs are important in the formation and function of podosomes in the A7r5 smooth muscle cell. MMPs interact with a-actin and not β-tubulin in the A7r5 cell. Podosomes play an important role in cell migration and understanding the function of podosomes can lead to insights into cancer metastasis and cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Thatcher
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, USA
| | - J E Black
- Department of Physiology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Marshall University, USA
| | - H Tanaka
- Department of Health Sciences, Gunma University, Japan
| | - K Kohama
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Musashino University, Japan
| | - M E Fultz
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, Morehead State University, USA
| | - L A Cassis
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, USA
| | - G L Wright
- Department of Physiology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Marshall University, USA
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30
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Arnold AP, Cassis LA, Eghbali M, Reue K, Sandberg K. Sex Hormones and Sex Chromosomes Cause Sex Differences in the Development of Cardiovascular Diseases. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2017; 37:746-756. [PMID: 28279969 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.116.307301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 199] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.4] [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: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
This review summarizes recent evidence concerning hormonal and sex chromosome effects in obesity, atherosclerosis, aneurysms, ischemia/reperfusion injury, and hypertension. Cardiovascular diseases occur and progress differently in the 2 sexes, because biological factors differing between the sexes have sex-specific protective and harmful effects. By comparing the 2 sexes directly, and breaking down sex into its component parts, one can discover sex-biasing protective mechanisms that might be targeted in the clinic. Gonadal hormones, especially estrogens and androgens, have long been found to account for some sex differences in cardiovascular diseases, and molecular mechanisms mediating these effects have recently been elucidated. More recently, the inherent sexual inequalities in effects of sex chromosome genes have also been implicated as contributors in animal models of cardiovascular diseases, especially a deleterious effect of the second X chromosome found in females but not in males. Hormonal and sex chromosome mechanisms interact in the sex-specific control of certain diseases, sometimes by opposing the action of the other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur P Arnold
- From the Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles (A.P.A.); Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington (L.A.C.); Department of Anesthesiology (M.E.) and Department of Human Genetics (K.R.), David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA; and Department of Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC (K.S.).
| | - Lisa A Cassis
- From the Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles (A.P.A.); Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington (L.A.C.); Department of Anesthesiology (M.E.) and Department of Human Genetics (K.R.), David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA; and Department of Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC (K.S.)
| | - Mansoureh Eghbali
- From the Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles (A.P.A.); Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington (L.A.C.); Department of Anesthesiology (M.E.) and Department of Human Genetics (K.R.), David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA; and Department of Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC (K.S.)
| | - Karen Reue
- From the Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles (A.P.A.); Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington (L.A.C.); Department of Anesthesiology (M.E.) and Department of Human Genetics (K.R.), David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA; and Department of Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC (K.S.)
| | - Kathryn Sandberg
- From the Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles (A.P.A.); Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington (L.A.C.); Department of Anesthesiology (M.E.) and Department of Human Genetics (K.R.), David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA; and Department of Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC (K.S.)
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31
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Vasam G, Joshi S, Thatcher SE, Bartelmez SH, Cassis LA, Jarajapu YPR. Reversal of Bone Marrow Mobilopathy and Enhanced Vascular Repair by Angiotensin-(1-7) in Diabetes. Diabetes 2017; 66:505-518. [PMID: 27856608 PMCID: PMC5248994 DOI: 10.2337/db16-1039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2016] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The angiotensin (ANG)-(1-7)/Mas receptor (MasR) pathway activates vascular repair-relevant functions of bone marrow progenitor cells. We tested the effects of ANG-(1-7) on mobilization and vasoreparative functions of progenitor cells that are impaired in diabetes. The study was performed in streptozotocin-induced diabetic (db/db) mice. Diabetes resulted in a decreased number of Lineage-Sca-1+c-Kit+ (LSK) cells in the circulation, which was normalized by ANG-(1-7). Diabetes-induced depletion of LSK cells in the bone marrow was reversed by ANG-(1-7). ρ-Kinase (ROCK) activity was increased specifically in bone marrow LSK cells by ANG-(1-7) in diabetes, and the beneficial effects of ANG-(1-7) were prevented by fasudil. ANG-(1-7) increased Slit3 levels in the bone marrow supernatants, which activated ROCK in LSK cells and sensitized them for stromal-derived factor-1α (SDF)-induced migration. Diabetes prevented the mobilization of LSK cells in response to ischemia and impaired the recovery of blood flow, both of which were reversed by ANG-(1-7) in both models of diabetes. Genetic ablation of MasR prevented ischemia-induced mobilization of LSK cells and impaired blood flow recovery, which was associated with decreased proliferation and migration of LSK cells in response to SDF or vascular endothelial growth factor. These results suggest that MasR is a promising target for the treatment of diabetic bone marrow mobilopathy and vascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goutham Vasam
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND
| | - Shrinidh Joshi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND
| | - Sean E Thatcher
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | | | - Lisa A Cassis
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Yagna P R Jarajapu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND
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32
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Abstract
The TA11PA-C10 implantable transmitter (Data Sciences International, DSI) is designed to measure blood pressure (BP) and activity in freely moving laboratory mice. The fluid filled catheter is placed in the free flowing blood of the systemic artery (inserted into the left carotid artery and extended into the aorta), and the transmitter body is placed in a benign location for long-term biocompatibility. The transmitter can be used to monitor BP in mice (as small as 17 g) under normal physiological and unrestricted conditions 24 h a day while remaining free from stress associated with human interaction. Thus, telemetry is considered the gold standard for BP monitoring in small animals such as mice. However, this methodology does require a good understanding of the system as well as appropriate training to perform the delicate transmitter implantation surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Sean E Thatcher
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Lisa A Cassis
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Room 521b, Wethington Building, 900 S. Limestone, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA.
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Abstract
The renin angiotensin system (RAS) is well known for its role in regulating blood pressure (BP). An activated RAS contributes to elevated blood pressure and is evident in both human and animal models of hypertension. Drugs that target the classic vasoconstrictive arm of the RAS (angiotensin II/AT1 receptor signaling) are potent anti-hypertensive agents in clinical setting. However, the newly discovered angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)/angiotensin-(1-7)/Mas receptor axis added new vitality to the hypertension field. Advances in genetic manipulation and the relative low cost made the mouse model as one of the most popular animal models to study hypertension. Since a reliable and accurate method for BP assessment is the key for such experiments, here we provide a protocol for BP measurement in mice using a noninvasive BP system. The CODA noninvasive BP system (a tail-cuff Method, Kent Scientific Corporation) enables blood pressure (BP) measurements in mice. This method uses a specialized volume pressure recording (VPR) sensor, and measures blood volume changes that are placed over the animal's tail. Mice do need to be restrained in specific holders and artificially heated to maintain normal BP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Sean E Thatcher
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Lisa A Cassis
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Room 521b, Wethington Building, 900 S. Limestone, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA.
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35
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Alsiraj Y, Thatcher SE, Charnigo R, Chen K, Blalock E, Daugherty A, Cassis LA. Female Mice With an XY Sex Chromosome Complement Develop Severe Angiotensin II-Induced Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms. Circulation 2016; 135:379-391. [PMID: 27815372 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.116.023789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are a deadly pathology with strong sexual dimorphism. Similar to humans, female mice exhibit far lower incidences of angiotensin II-induced AAAs than males. In addition to sex hormones, the X and Y sex chromosomes, and their unique complements of genes, may contribute to sexually dimorphic AAA pathology. Here, we defined the effect of female (XX) versus male (XY) sex chromosome complement on angiotensin II-induced AAA formation and rupture in phenotypically female mice. METHODS Female low-density lipoprotein receptor (Ldlr) deficient mice with an XX or XY sex chromosome complement were infused with angiotensin II for 28 days to induce AAAs. Abdominal aortic lumen diameters were quantified by ultrasound, whereas AAA diameters were quantified at study end point. DNA microarrays were performed on abdominal aortas. To mimic males, female mice were administered a single dose of testosterone as neonates or as adults before angiotensin II infusions. RESULTS Female Ldlr-/- deficient mice with an XX and XY sex chromosome complement had similar sex organ weights and low serum testosterone concentrations. Abdominal aortas from female XY mice selectively expressed Y chromosome genes, whereas genes known to escape X inactivation were higher in XX females. The majority of aortic gene differences in XY versus XX females fell within inflammatory pathways. AAA incidences doubled and aneurysms ruptured in XY females. AAAs from XY females exhibited inflammation, and plasma interleukin-1β concentrations were increased in XY females. Moreover, aortas from XY females had augmented matrix metalloproteinase activity and increased oxidative stress. Last, testosterone exposure applied chronically, or as a single bolus at postnatal day 1, markedly worsened AAA outcomes in XY in comparison with XX adult females. CONCLUSIONS An XY sex chromosome complement in phenotypic females profoundly influenced aortic gene expression profiles and promoted AAA severity. When XY females were exposed to testosterone, aneurysm rupture rates were striking. Mechanisms for augmented AAA severity in XY females include increased inflammation, augmented matrix metalloproteineases, and oxidative stress. Our results demonstrate that genes on the sex chromosomes regulate aortic vascular biology and contribute to sexual dimorphism of AAAs. Sex chromosome genes may serve as novel targets for sex-specific AAA therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasir Alsiraj
- From Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (Y.A., S.E.T., K.C., E.B., L.A.C.), Department of Biostatistics (R.C.), Department of Physiology and Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Sean E Thatcher
- From Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (Y.A., S.E.T., K.C., E.B., L.A.C.), Department of Biostatistics (R.C.), Department of Physiology and Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Richard Charnigo
- From Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (Y.A., S.E.T., K.C., E.B., L.A.C.), Department of Biostatistics (R.C.), Department of Physiology and Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Kuey Chen
- From Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (Y.A., S.E.T., K.C., E.B., L.A.C.), Department of Biostatistics (R.C.), Department of Physiology and Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Eric Blalock
- From Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (Y.A., S.E.T., K.C., E.B., L.A.C.), Department of Biostatistics (R.C.), Department of Physiology and Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Alan Daugherty
- From Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (Y.A., S.E.T., K.C., E.B., L.A.C.), Department of Biostatistics (R.C.), Department of Physiology and Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - Lisa A Cassis
- From Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (Y.A., S.E.T., K.C., E.B., L.A.C.), Department of Biostatistics (R.C.), Department of Physiology and Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY.
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36
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Vasam G, Joshi S, Thatcher S, Cassis LA, Jarajapu YP. Abstract 013: Genetic Ablation of Mas Receptor Impairs Mobilization of Bone Marrow Progenitor Cells. Hypertension 2016. [DOI: 10.1161/hyp.68.suppl_1.013] [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
Angiotensin (Ang)-(1-7)/Mas receptor (MasR) pathway accelerates vascular repair in ischemic conditions partly by stimulating the mobilization of vascular reparative bone marrow progenitor cells (BMPCs) into blood circulation. This study tested if the endogenous MasR expression is required for the mobilization of BMPCs in response to ischemic injury. Hind limb ischemia (HLI) was induced in wild type (WT) or MasR knock out mice (MasR-KO) (in C57Bl/6J background). BMPCs in the blood circulation were quantitated by flow cytometric enumeration of Lineage
-
, Sca-1
+
and cKit
+
(LSK) cells in peripheral blood or by colony forming unit (CFU) assay. Subcutaneous osmotic pumps were used for continuous infusion of Ang-(1-7) at the rate of 1 μg/kg/min for four weeks. In vitro migration of LSK cells in response to hypoxia-regulated factors, stromal-derived factor (SDF) or by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were determined. In WT mice, HLI stimulated mobilization of LSK cells that reached maximum by day 2 (110±11 cells/mL blood, n=6). Ang-(1-7)-treatment potentiated the peak mobilization (206±24 cells/mL blood, n=8, P<0.01 compared to the untreated). MasR-KO mice have reduced number of circulating LSKs (12±3 vs 43±9 per mL blood in WT, P<0.01, n=5) (CFUs/mL blood 28±5 vs 54±8 in WT, P<0.05, n=5). In MasR-KO mice, HLI did not induce mobilization, and blood flow recovery post-HLI was lower compared to WT (52±4% vs 89±6% in WT, P<0.001, n=5), both of which were not improved by treatment with Ang-(1-7). Number of bone marrow-resident LSK cells was higher in MasR-KO mice compared to WT. Migration induced by SDF (84±6% vs 160±8% in WT, P<0.001, n=5) or VEGF (97±4% vs 146±5% in WT, P<0.001, n=4) was decreased in MasR-KO. These results suggest that MasR deficiency causes impaired mobilization of BMPCs likely by decreasing their sensitivity to hypoxia-regulated factors. Therefore endogenous MasR expression is essential for ischemia-dependent mobilization of BMPCs.
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Li J, Song J, Zaytseva YY, Liu Y, Rychahou P, Jiang K, Starr ME, Kim JT, Harris JW, Yiannikouris FB, Katz WS, Nilsson PM, Orho-Melander M, Chen J, Zhu H, Fahrenholz T, Higashi RM, Gao T, Morris AJ, Cassis LA, Fan TWM, Weiss HL, Dobner PR, Melander O, Jia J, Evers BM. An obligatory role for neurotensin in high-fat-diet-induced obesity. Nature 2016; 533:411-5. [PMID: 27193687 PMCID: PMC5484414 DOI: 10.1038/nature17662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2015] [Accepted: 03/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Obesity and its associated comorbidities (e.g., diabetes mellitus and hepatic steatosis) contribute to approximately 2.5 million deaths annually1 and are among the most prevalent and challenging conditions confronting the medical profession2,3. Neurotensin (NT), a 13-amino acid peptide predominantly localized in specialized enteroendocrine (EE) cells of the small bowel4 and released by fat ingestion5, facilitates fatty acid (FA) translocation in rat intestine6, and stimulates growth of various cancers7; the effects of NT are mediated through three known NT receptors (NTR1, 2 and 3)8. Increased fasting plasma levels of pro-NT (a stable NT precursor fragment produced in equimolar amounts relative to NT) are associated with increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and mortality9; however, a role for NT as a causative factor in these diseases is unknown. Here, we show that NT-deficient mice demonstrate significantly reduced intestinal fat absorption and are protected from obesity, hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance associated with high fat consumption. We further demonstrate that NT attenuates the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and stimulates FA absorption in mice and in cultured intestinal cells, and that this occurs through a mechanism involving NTR1 and NTR3/sortilin. Consistent with the findings in mice, expression of NT in Drosophila midgut EE cells results in increased lipid accumulation in the midgut, fat body, and oenocytes (specialized hepatocyte-like cells) and decreased AMPK activation. Remarkably, in humans, we show that both obese and insulin-resistant subjects have elevated plasma concentrations of pro-NT, and in longitudinal studies among non-obese subjects, high levels of pro-NT denote a doubling of the risk of developing obesity later in life. Our findings directly link NT with increased fat absorption and obesity and suggest that NT may provide a prognostic marker of future obesity and a potential target for prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- Department of Surgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA.,Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
| | - Jun Song
- Department of Surgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA.,Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
| | - Yekaterina Y Zaytseva
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA.,Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
| | - Yajuan Liu
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
| | - Piotr Rychahou
- Department of Surgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA.,Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
| | - Kai Jiang
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
| | - Marlene E Starr
- Department of Surgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
| | - Ji Tae Kim
- Department of Surgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA.,Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
| | - Jennifer W Harris
- Department of Surgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA.,Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
| | - Frederique B Yiannikouris
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
| | - Wendy S Katz
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
| | - Peter M Nilsson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, 221 00 Lund, Sweden.,Department of Internal Medicine, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden
| | - Marju Orho-Melander
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Jing Chen
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA.,Center for Structural Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
| | - Haining Zhu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA.,Center for Structural Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
| | - Timothy Fahrenholz
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA.,Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA.,Center for Environmental and Systems Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
| | - Richard M Higashi
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA.,Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA.,Center for Environmental and Systems Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
| | - Tianyan Gao
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
| | - Andrew J Morris
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Gill Heart Institute, University of Kentucky and Lexington Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
| | - Lisa A Cassis
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
| | - Teresa W-M Fan
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA.,Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA.,Center for Environmental and Systems Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
| | - Heidi L Weiss
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA.,Department of Biostatistics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
| | - Paul R Dobner
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655, USA
| | - Olle Melander
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, 221 00 Lund, Sweden.,Department of Internal Medicine, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden
| | - Jianhang Jia
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
| | - B Mark Evers
- Department of Surgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA.,Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, USA
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Chen X, Rateri DL, Howatt DA, Balakrishnan A, Moorleghen JJ, Cassis LA, Daugherty A. TGF-β Neutralization Enhances AngII-Induced Aortic Rupture and Aneurysm in Both Thoracic and Abdominal Regions. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0153811. [PMID: 27104863 PMCID: PMC4841552 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
AngII and TGF-β interact in development of thoracic and abdominal aortic diseases, although there are many facets of this interaction that have not been clearly defined. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of TGF-β neutralization on AngII induced-aortic pathologies. Male C57BL/6J mice were administered with either a rabbit or mouse TGF-β neutralizing antibody and then infused with AngII. The rabbit TGF-β antibody modestly reduced serum TGF-β concentrations, with no significant enhancements to AngII-induced aneurysm or rupture. Administration of this rabbit TGF-β antibody in mice led to high serum titers against rabbit IgG that may have attenuated the neutralization. In contrast, a mouse TGF-β antibody (1D11) significantly increased rupture in both the ascending and suprarenal aortic regions, but only at doses that markedly decreased serum TGF-β concentrations. High doses of 1D11 antibody significantly increased AngII-induced ascending and suprarenal aortic dilatation. To determine whether TGF-β neutralization had effects in mice previously infused with AngII, the 1D11 antibody was injected into mice that had been infused with AngII for 28 days and were observed during continued infusion for a further 28 days. Despite near ablations of serum TGF-β concentrations, the mouse TGF-β antibody had no effect on aortic rupture or dimensions in either ascending or suprarenal region. These data provide further evidence that AngII-induced aortic rupture is enhanced greatly by TGF-β neutralization when initiated before pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Chen
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology, Taizhou Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Debra L. Rateri
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Deborah A. Howatt
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Anju Balakrishnan
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Jessica J. Moorleghen
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Lisa A. Cassis
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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39
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Chen X, Howatt DA, Balakrishnan A, Moorleghen JJ, Wu C, Cassis LA, Daugherty A, Lu H. Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme in Smooth Muscle Cells Promotes Atherosclerosis-Brief Report. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2016; 36:1085-9. [PMID: 27055902 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.115.307038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2015] [Accepted: 03/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is present in many cell types of atherosclerotic lesions. This study determined whether ACE activity in endothelial and smooth muscle cells (SMCs), 2 major resident cell types of the aorta, contributes to hypercholesterolemia-induced atherosclerosis. APPROACH AND RESULTS All study mice were in low-density lipoprotein receptor(-/-) background. To determine the contribution of ACE on endothelial cells to atherosclerosis, female ACE floxed mice were bred to male Tie2-Cre transgenic mice. Endothelial cell-specific deletion of ACE significantly decreased serum ACE activity, but had no effect on systolic blood pressure and atherosclerosis. Because ACE protein is present on SMCs, the most abundant cell type of the aorta, we then determined whether ACE on SMCs contributes to atherosclerosis. ACE was depleted from SMCs by breeding female ACE floxed mice with male SM22-Cre transgenic mice. SMC-specific deficiency of ACE did not affect ACE activity in serum, but ablated its presence and activity in the aortic media. Although SMC-specific deficiency of ACE had no effect on systolic blood pressure, it significantly attenuated hypercholesterolemia-induced atherosclerosis in both male and female mice. CONCLUSIONS These studies provide direct evidence that ACE derived from endothelial cells does not play a critical role in atherosclerosis. Rather, SMC-derived ACE contributes to atherosclerosis, independent of circulating ACE activity and blood pressure.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Aorta, Thoracic/enzymology
- Aorta, Thoracic/pathology
- Aortic Diseases/enzymology
- Aortic Diseases/genetics
- Aortic Diseases/pathology
- Aortic Diseases/prevention & control
- Atherosclerosis/enzymology
- Atherosclerosis/genetics
- Atherosclerosis/pathology
- Atherosclerosis/prevention & control
- Blood Pressure
- Disease Models, Animal
- Disease Progression
- Endothelial Cells/enzymology
- Endothelial Cells/pathology
- Female
- Genetic Predisposition to Disease
- Hypercholesterolemia/enzymology
- Hypercholesterolemia/genetics
- Male
- Mice, Knockout
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/enzymology
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/pathology
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/enzymology
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/pathology
- Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A/deficiency
- Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A/genetics
- Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A/metabolism
- Phenotype
- Plaque, Atherosclerotic
- Receptors, LDL/deficiency
- Receptors, LDL/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Chen
- From the Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology, Taizhou Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China (X.C.); Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (X.C., D.A.H., A.B., J.J.M., C.W., A.D., H.L.), Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (L.A.C., A.D.), and Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington (A.D., H.L.)
| | - Deborah A Howatt
- From the Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology, Taizhou Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China (X.C.); Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (X.C., D.A.H., A.B., J.J.M., C.W., A.D., H.L.), Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (L.A.C., A.D.), and Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington (A.D., H.L.)
| | - Anju Balakrishnan
- From the Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology, Taizhou Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China (X.C.); Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (X.C., D.A.H., A.B., J.J.M., C.W., A.D., H.L.), Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (L.A.C., A.D.), and Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington (A.D., H.L.)
| | - Jessica J Moorleghen
- From the Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology, Taizhou Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China (X.C.); Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (X.C., D.A.H., A.B., J.J.M., C.W., A.D., H.L.), Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (L.A.C., A.D.), and Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington (A.D., H.L.)
| | - Congqing Wu
- From the Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology, Taizhou Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China (X.C.); Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (X.C., D.A.H., A.B., J.J.M., C.W., A.D., H.L.), Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (L.A.C., A.D.), and Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington (A.D., H.L.)
| | - Lisa A Cassis
- From the Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology, Taizhou Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China (X.C.); Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (X.C., D.A.H., A.B., J.J.M., C.W., A.D., H.L.), Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (L.A.C., A.D.), and Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington (A.D., H.L.)
| | - Alan Daugherty
- From the Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology, Taizhou Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China (X.C.); Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (X.C., D.A.H., A.B., J.J.M., C.W., A.D., H.L.), Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (L.A.C., A.D.), and Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington (A.D., H.L.)
| | - Hong Lu
- From the Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology, Taizhou Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China (X.C.); Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (X.C., D.A.H., A.B., J.J.M., C.W., A.D., H.L.), Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (L.A.C., A.D.), and Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington (A.D., H.L.).
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Lu H, Cassis LA, Kooi CWV, Daugherty A. Structure and functions of angiotensinogen. Hypertens Res 2016; 39:492-500. [PMID: 26888118 PMCID: PMC4935807 DOI: 10.1038/hr.2016.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Revised: 01/20/2016] [Accepted: 01/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Angiotensinogen (AGT) is the sole precursor of all angiotensin peptides. Although AGT is generally considered as a passive substrate of the renin-angiotensin system, there is accumulating evidence that the regulation and functions of AGT are intricate. Understanding the diversity of AGT properties has been enhanced by protein structural analysis and animal studies. In addition to whole-body genetic deletion, AGT can be regulated in vivo by cell-specific procedures, adeno-associated viral approaches and antisense oligonucleotides. Indeed, the availability of these multiple manipulations of AGT in vivo has provided new insights into the multifaceted roles of AGT. In this review, the combination of structural and functional studies is highlighted to focus on the increasing recognition that AGT exerts effects beyond being a sole provider of angiotensin peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Lu
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.,Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Lisa A Cassis
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Craig W Vander Kooi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, 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.,Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
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Pati P, Fulton DJR, Bagi Z, Chen F, Wang Y, Kitchens J, Cassis LA, Stepp DW, Rudic RD. Low-Salt Diet and Circadian Dysfunction Synergize to Induce Angiotensin II-Dependent Hypertension in Mice. Hypertension 2016; 67:661-8. [PMID: 26781276 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.115.06194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2015] [Accepted: 12/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Blood pressure exhibits a robust circadian rhythm in health. In hypertension, sleep apnea, and even shift work, this balanced rhythm is perturbed via elevations in night-time blood pressure, inflicting silent damage to the vasculature and body organs. Herein, we examined the influence of circadian dysfunction during experimental hypertension in mice. Using radiotelemetry to measure ambulatory blood pressure and activity, the effects of angiotensin II administration were studied in wild-type (WT) and period isoform knockout (KO) mice (Per2-KO, Per2, 3-KO, and Per1, 2, 3-KO/Per triple KO [TKO] mice). On a normal diet, administration of angiotensin II caused nondipping blood pressure and exacerbated vascular hypertrophy in the Period isoform KO mice relative to WT mice. To study the endogenous effects of angiotensin II stimulation, we then administered a low-salt diet to the mice, which does stimulate endogenous angiotensin II in addition to lowering blood pressure. A low-salt diet decreased blood pressure in wild-type mice. In contrast, Period isoform KO mice lost their circadian rhythm in blood pressure on a low-salt diet, because of an increase in resting blood pressure, which was restorable to rhythmicity by the angiotensin receptor blocker losartan. Chronic administration of low salt caused vascular hypertrophy in Period isoform KO mice, which also exhibited increased renin levels and altered angiotensin 1 receptor expression. These data suggest that circadian clock genes may act to inhibit or control renin/angiotensin signaling. Moreover, circadian disorders such as sleep apnea and shift work may alter the homeostatic responses to sodium restriction to potentially influence nocturnal hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paramita Pati
- From the Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (P.P., D.J.R.F., J.K., R.D.R.), Medicine (Z.B.), and Physiology (D.W.S.), Vascular Biology Center (D.J.R.F., Z.B., F.C., Y.W., D.W.S.), Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University; and Department of Molecular and Biomedical Pharmacology, University of Kentucky, Lexington (L.A.C.)
| | - David J R Fulton
- From the Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (P.P., D.J.R.F., J.K., R.D.R.), Medicine (Z.B.), and Physiology (D.W.S.), Vascular Biology Center (D.J.R.F., Z.B., F.C., Y.W., D.W.S.), Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University; and Department of Molecular and Biomedical Pharmacology, University of Kentucky, Lexington (L.A.C.)
| | - Zsolt Bagi
- From the Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (P.P., D.J.R.F., J.K., R.D.R.), Medicine (Z.B.), and Physiology (D.W.S.), Vascular Biology Center (D.J.R.F., Z.B., F.C., Y.W., D.W.S.), Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University; and Department of Molecular and Biomedical Pharmacology, University of Kentucky, Lexington (L.A.C.)
| | - Feng Chen
- From the Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (P.P., D.J.R.F., J.K., R.D.R.), Medicine (Z.B.), and Physiology (D.W.S.), Vascular Biology Center (D.J.R.F., Z.B., F.C., Y.W., D.W.S.), Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University; and Department of Molecular and Biomedical Pharmacology, University of Kentucky, Lexington (L.A.C.)
| | - Yusi Wang
- From the Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (P.P., D.J.R.F., J.K., R.D.R.), Medicine (Z.B.), and Physiology (D.W.S.), Vascular Biology Center (D.J.R.F., Z.B., F.C., Y.W., D.W.S.), Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University; and Department of Molecular and Biomedical Pharmacology, University of Kentucky, Lexington (L.A.C.)
| | - Julia Kitchens
- From the Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (P.P., D.J.R.F., J.K., R.D.R.), Medicine (Z.B.), and Physiology (D.W.S.), Vascular Biology Center (D.J.R.F., Z.B., F.C., Y.W., D.W.S.), Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University; and Department of Molecular and Biomedical Pharmacology, University of Kentucky, Lexington (L.A.C.)
| | - Lisa A Cassis
- From the Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (P.P., D.J.R.F., J.K., R.D.R.), Medicine (Z.B.), and Physiology (D.W.S.), Vascular Biology Center (D.J.R.F., Z.B., F.C., Y.W., D.W.S.), Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University; and Department of Molecular and Biomedical Pharmacology, University of Kentucky, Lexington (L.A.C.)
| | - David W Stepp
- From the Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (P.P., D.J.R.F., J.K., R.D.R.), Medicine (Z.B.), and Physiology (D.W.S.), Vascular Biology Center (D.J.R.F., Z.B., F.C., Y.W., D.W.S.), Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University; and Department of Molecular and Biomedical Pharmacology, University of Kentucky, Lexington (L.A.C.)
| | - R Daniel Rudic
- From the Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (P.P., D.J.R.F., J.K., R.D.R.), Medicine (Z.B.), and Physiology (D.W.S.), Vascular Biology Center (D.J.R.F., Z.B., F.C., Y.W., D.W.S.), Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University; and Department of Molecular and Biomedical Pharmacology, University of Kentucky, Lexington (L.A.C.).
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Lu H, Wu C, Howatt DA, Balakrishnan A, Moorleghen JJ, Chen X, Zhao M, Graham MJ, Mullick AE, Crooke RM, Feldman DL, Cassis LA, Vander Kooi CW, Daugherty A. Angiotensinogen Exerts Effects Independent of Angiotensin II. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2015; 36:256-65. [PMID: 26681751 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.115.306740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Accepted: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study determined whether angiotensinogen (AGT) has angiotensin II-independent effects using multiple genetic and pharmacological manipulations. APPROACH AND RESULTS All study mice were in low-density lipoprotein receptor -/- background and fed a saturated fat-enriched diet. In mice with floxed alleles and a neomycin cassette in intron 2 of the AGT gene (hypoAGT mice), plasma AGT concentrations were >90% lower compared with their wild-type littermates. HypoAGT mice had lower systolic blood pressure, less atherosclerosis, and diminished body weight gain and liver steatosis. Low plasma AGT concentrations and all phenotypes were recapitulated in mice with hepatocyte-specific deficiency of AGT or pharmacological inhibition of AGT by antisense oligonucleotide administration. In contrast, inhibition of AGT cleavage by a renin inhibitor, aliskiren, failed to alter body weight gain and liver steatosis in low-density lipoprotein receptor -/- mice. In mice with established adiposity, administration of AGT antisense oligonucleotide versus aliskiren led to equivalent reductions of systolic blood pressure and atherosclerosis. AGT antisense oligonucleotide administration ceased body weight gain and further reduced body weight, whereas aliskiren did not affect body weight gain during continuous saturated fat-enriched diet feeding. Structural comparisons of AGT proteins in zebrafish, mouse, rat, and human revealed 4 highly conserved sequences within the des(angiotensin I)AGT domain. des(angiotensin I)AGT, through adeno-associated viral infection in hepatocyte-specific AGT-deficient mice, increased body weight gain and liver steatosis, but did not affect atherosclerosis. CONCLUSIONS AGT contributes to body weight gain and liver steatosis through functions of the des(angiotensin I)AGT domain, which are independent of angiotensin II production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Lu
- From the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (H.L., C.W., D.A.H., A.B., J.J.M., X.C., M.Z., A.D.); Departments of Physiology (H.L., A.D.), Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (C.W., L.A.C., A.D.), and Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry (C.W.V.K.), University of Kentucky, Lexington; Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Carlsbad, CA (M.J.G., A.E.M., R.M.C.); and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, NJ (D.L.F.)
| | - Congqing Wu
- From the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (H.L., C.W., D.A.H., A.B., J.J.M., X.C., M.Z., A.D.); Departments of Physiology (H.L., A.D.), Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (C.W., L.A.C., A.D.), and Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry (C.W.V.K.), University of Kentucky, Lexington; Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Carlsbad, CA (M.J.G., A.E.M., R.M.C.); and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, NJ (D.L.F.)
| | - Deborah A Howatt
- From the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (H.L., C.W., D.A.H., A.B., J.J.M., X.C., M.Z., A.D.); Departments of Physiology (H.L., A.D.), Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (C.W., L.A.C., A.D.), and Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry (C.W.V.K.), University of Kentucky, Lexington; Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Carlsbad, CA (M.J.G., A.E.M., R.M.C.); and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, NJ (D.L.F.)
| | - Anju Balakrishnan
- From the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (H.L., C.W., D.A.H., A.B., J.J.M., X.C., M.Z., A.D.); Departments of Physiology (H.L., A.D.), Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (C.W., L.A.C., A.D.), and Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry (C.W.V.K.), University of Kentucky, Lexington; Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Carlsbad, CA (M.J.G., A.E.M., R.M.C.); and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, NJ (D.L.F.)
| | - Jessica J Moorleghen
- From the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (H.L., C.W., D.A.H., A.B., J.J.M., X.C., M.Z., A.D.); Departments of Physiology (H.L., A.D.), Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (C.W., L.A.C., A.D.), and Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry (C.W.V.K.), University of Kentucky, Lexington; Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Carlsbad, CA (M.J.G., A.E.M., R.M.C.); and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, NJ (D.L.F.)
| | - Xiaofeng Chen
- From the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (H.L., C.W., D.A.H., A.B., J.J.M., X.C., M.Z., A.D.); Departments of Physiology (H.L., A.D.), Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (C.W., L.A.C., A.D.), and Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry (C.W.V.K.), University of Kentucky, Lexington; Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Carlsbad, CA (M.J.G., A.E.M., R.M.C.); and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, NJ (D.L.F.)
| | - Mingming Zhao
- From the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (H.L., C.W., D.A.H., A.B., J.J.M., X.C., M.Z., A.D.); Departments of Physiology (H.L., A.D.), Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (C.W., L.A.C., A.D.), and Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry (C.W.V.K.), University of Kentucky, Lexington; Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Carlsbad, CA (M.J.G., A.E.M., R.M.C.); and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, NJ (D.L.F.)
| | - Mark J Graham
- From the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (H.L., C.W., D.A.H., A.B., J.J.M., X.C., M.Z., A.D.); Departments of Physiology (H.L., A.D.), Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (C.W., L.A.C., A.D.), and Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry (C.W.V.K.), University of Kentucky, Lexington; Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Carlsbad, CA (M.J.G., A.E.M., R.M.C.); and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, NJ (D.L.F.)
| | - Adam E Mullick
- From the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (H.L., C.W., D.A.H., A.B., J.J.M., X.C., M.Z., A.D.); Departments of Physiology (H.L., A.D.), Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (C.W., L.A.C., A.D.), and Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry (C.W.V.K.), University of Kentucky, Lexington; Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Carlsbad, CA (M.J.G., A.E.M., R.M.C.); and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, NJ (D.L.F.)
| | - Rosanne M Crooke
- From the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (H.L., C.W., D.A.H., A.B., J.J.M., X.C., M.Z., A.D.); Departments of Physiology (H.L., A.D.), Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (C.W., L.A.C., A.D.), and Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry (C.W.V.K.), University of Kentucky, Lexington; Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Carlsbad, CA (M.J.G., A.E.M., R.M.C.); and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, NJ (D.L.F.)
| | - David L Feldman
- From the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (H.L., C.W., D.A.H., A.B., J.J.M., X.C., M.Z., A.D.); Departments of Physiology (H.L., A.D.), Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (C.W., L.A.C., A.D.), and Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry (C.W.V.K.), University of Kentucky, Lexington; Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Carlsbad, CA (M.J.G., A.E.M., R.M.C.); and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, NJ (D.L.F.)
| | - Lisa A Cassis
- From the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (H.L., C.W., D.A.H., A.B., J.J.M., X.C., M.Z., A.D.); Departments of Physiology (H.L., A.D.), Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (C.W., L.A.C., A.D.), and Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry (C.W.V.K.), University of Kentucky, Lexington; Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Carlsbad, CA (M.J.G., A.E.M., R.M.C.); and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, NJ (D.L.F.)
| | - Craig W Vander Kooi
- From the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (H.L., C.W., D.A.H., A.B., J.J.M., X.C., M.Z., A.D.); Departments of Physiology (H.L., A.D.), Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (C.W., L.A.C., A.D.), and Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry (C.W.V.K.), University of Kentucky, Lexington; Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Carlsbad, CA (M.J.G., A.E.M., R.M.C.); and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, NJ (D.L.F.)
| | - Alan Daugherty
- From the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (H.L., C.W., D.A.H., A.B., J.J.M., X.C., M.Z., A.D.); Departments of Physiology (H.L., A.D.), Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (C.W., L.A.C., A.D.), and Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry (C.W.V.K.), University of Kentucky, Lexington; Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Carlsbad, CA (M.J.G., A.E.M., R.M.C.); and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, NJ (D.L.F.).
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Baker NA, Shoemaker R, English V, Larian N, Sunkara M, Morris AJ, Walker M, Yiannikouris F, Cassis LA. Effects of Adipocyte Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Deficiency on PCB-Induced Disruption of Glucose Homeostasis in Lean and Obese Mice. Environ Health Perspect 2015; 123:944-50. [PMID: 25734695 PMCID: PMC4590748 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1408594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2014] [Accepted: 03/02/2015] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) promote adipocyte inflammation and impair glucose homeostasis in lean mice. The diabetes-promoting effects of lipophilic PCBs have been observed only during weight loss in obese mice. The molecular mechanisms linking PCB exposures to impaired glucose metabolism are unclear. OBJECTIVES In this study we tested the hypothesis that coplanar PCBs act at adipocyte aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AhRs) to promote adipose inflammation and impair glucose homeostasis in lean mice and in obese mice during weight loss. METHODS AND RESULTS PCB-77 administration impaired glucose and insulin tolerance in LF (low fat diet)-fed control (AhR(fl/fl)) mice but not in adipocyte AhR-deficient mice (AhR(AdQ)). Unexpectedly, AhR(AdQ) mice exhibited increased fat mass when fed a standard LF or high fat (HF) diet. In mice fed a HF diet, both genotypes became obese, but AhR(AdQ) mice administered vehicle (VEH) exhibited increased body weight, adipose mass, adipose inflammation, and impaired glucose tolerance compared with AhR(fl/fl) controls. Impairment of glucose homeostasis in response to PCB-77 was not observed in obese mice of either genotype. However, upon weight loss, AhR(fl/fl) mice administered PCB-77 exhibited increased abundance of adipose tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) mRNA and impaired glucose homeostasis compared with those administered VEH. In contrast, PCB-77 had no effect on TNF-α or glucose homeostasis in AhR(AdQ) mice exhibiting weight loss. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that adipocyte AhR mediates PCB-induced adipose inflammation and impairment of glucose homeostasis in mice. Moreover, deficiency of AhR in adipocytes augmented the development of obesity, indicating that endogenous ligand(s) for AhR regulate adipose homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicki A Baker
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
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Lu H, Howatt DA, Balakrishnan A, Moorleghen JJ, Rateri DL, Cassis LA, Daugherty A. Subcutaneous Angiotensin II Infusion using Osmotic Pumps Induces Aortic Aneurysms in Mice. J Vis Exp 2015. [PMID: 26436287 PMCID: PMC4692630 DOI: 10.3791/53191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Osmotic pumps continuously deliver compounds at a constant rate into small animals. This article introduces a standard protocol used to induce aortic aneurysms via subcutaneous infusion of angiotensin II (AngII) from implanted osmotic pumps. This protocol includes calculation of AngII amount and dissolution, osmotic pump filling, implantation of osmotic pumps subcutaneously, observation after pump implantation, and harvest of aortas to visualize aortic aneurysms in mice. Subcutaneous infusion of AngII through osmotic pumps following this protocol is a reliable and reproducible technique to induce both abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysms in mice. Infusion durations range from a few days to several months based on the purpose of the study. AngII 1,000 ng/kg/min is sufficient to provide maximal effects on abdominal aortic aneurysmal formation in male hypercholesterolemic mouse models such as apolipoprotein E deficient or low-density lipoprotein receptor deficient mice. Incidence of abdominal aortic aneurysms induced by AngII infusion via osmotic pumps is 5-10 times lower in female hypercholesterolemic mice and also lower in both genders of normocholesterolemic mice. In contrast, AngII-induced thoracic aortic aneurysms in mice are not hypercholesterolemia or gender-dependent. Importantly, multiple features of this mouse model recapitulate those of human aortic aneurysms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Debra L Rateri
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky
| | - Lisa A Cassis
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky;
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Yiannikouris F, Wang Y, Shoemaker R, Larian N, Thompson J, English VL, Charnigo R, Su W, Gong M, Cassis LA. Deficiency of angiotensinogen in hepatocytes markedly decreases blood pressure in lean and obese male mice. Hypertension 2015; 66:836-42. [PMID: 26303292 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.115.06040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Accepted: 07/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
We recently demonstrated that adipocyte deficiency of angiotensinogen (AGT) ablated high-fat diet-induced elevations in plasma angiotensin II (Ang II) concentrations and obesity-hypertension in male mice. Hepatocytes are the predominant source of systemic AGT. Therefore, in this study, we defined the contribution of hepatocyte-derived AGT to obesity-induced elevations in plasma AGT concentrations and hypertension. Male Agt(fl/fl) mice expressing albumin-driven Cre recombinase were bred to female Agt(fl/fl) mice to generate Agt(fl/fl) or hepatocyte AGT-deficient male mice (Agt(Alb)). Mice were fed a low-fat or high-fat diet for 16 weeks. Hepatocyte AGT deficiency had no significant effect on body weight. Plasma AGT concentrations were increased in obese Agt(fl/fl) mice. Hepatocyte AGT deficiency markedly reduced plasma AGT and Ang II concentrations in lean and obese mice. Moreover, hepatocyte AGT deficiency reduced the content and release of AGT from adipose explants. Systolic blood pressure was markedly decreased in lean (by 18 mm Hg) and obese Agt(Alb) mice (by 54 mm Hg) compared with Agt(fl/fl) controls. To define mechanisms, we quantified effects of Ang II on mRNA abundance of megalin, an AGT uptake transporter, in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Ang II stimulated adipocyte megalin mRNA abundance and decreased media AGT concentrations. These results demonstrate that hepatocytes are the predominant source of systemic AGT in both lean and obese mice. Moreover, reductions in plasma angiotensin concentrations in obese hepatocyte AGT-deficient mice may have limited megalin-dependent uptake of AGT into adipocytes for the production of Ang II in the development of obesity-hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederique Yiannikouris
- From the Departments of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (F.Y., Y.W., R.S., N.L., V.L.E., L.A.C.), Statistics (R.C.), and Physiology (W.S., M.G.) and Division of Endocrinology and Molecular Medicine (J.T.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Yu Wang
- From the Departments of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (F.Y., Y.W., R.S., N.L., V.L.E., L.A.C.), Statistics (R.C.), and Physiology (W.S., M.G.) and Division of Endocrinology and Molecular Medicine (J.T.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Robin Shoemaker
- From the Departments of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (F.Y., Y.W., R.S., N.L., V.L.E., L.A.C.), Statistics (R.C.), and Physiology (W.S., M.G.) and Division of Endocrinology and Molecular Medicine (J.T.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Nika Larian
- From the Departments of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (F.Y., Y.W., R.S., N.L., V.L.E., L.A.C.), Statistics (R.C.), and Physiology (W.S., M.G.) and Division of Endocrinology and Molecular Medicine (J.T.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Joel Thompson
- From the Departments of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (F.Y., Y.W., R.S., N.L., V.L.E., L.A.C.), Statistics (R.C.), and Physiology (W.S., M.G.) and Division of Endocrinology and Molecular Medicine (J.T.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Victoria L English
- From the Departments of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (F.Y., Y.W., R.S., N.L., V.L.E., L.A.C.), Statistics (R.C.), and Physiology (W.S., M.G.) and Division of Endocrinology and Molecular Medicine (J.T.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Richard Charnigo
- From the Departments of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (F.Y., Y.W., R.S., N.L., V.L.E., L.A.C.), Statistics (R.C.), and Physiology (W.S., M.G.) and Division of Endocrinology and Molecular Medicine (J.T.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Wen Su
- From the Departments of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (F.Y., Y.W., R.S., N.L., V.L.E., L.A.C.), Statistics (R.C.), and Physiology (W.S., M.G.) and Division of Endocrinology and Molecular Medicine (J.T.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Ming Gong
- From the Departments of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (F.Y., Y.W., R.S., N.L., V.L.E., L.A.C.), Statistics (R.C.), and Physiology (W.S., M.G.) and Division of Endocrinology and Molecular Medicine (J.T.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Lisa A Cassis
- From the Departments of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (F.Y., Y.W., R.S., N.L., V.L.E., L.A.C.), Statistics (R.C.), and Physiology (W.S., M.G.) and Division of Endocrinology and Molecular Medicine (J.T.), University of Kentucky, Lexington.
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Poduri A, Rateri DL, Howatt DA, Balakrishnan A, Moorleghen JJ, Cassis LA, Daugherty A. Fibroblast Angiotensin II Type 1a Receptors Contribute to Angiotensin II-Induced Medial Hyperplasia in the Ascending Aorta. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2015; 35:1995-2002. [PMID: 26160957 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.115.305995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2014] [Accepted: 06/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion causes aortic medial thickening via stimulation of angiotensin II type 1a (AT1a) receptors. The purpose of this study was to determine the cellular loci of AT1a receptors that mediate this Ang II-induced aortic pathology. APPROACH AND RESULTS Saline or Ang II was infused into AT1a receptor floxed mice expressing Cre under control of cell-specific promoters. Initially, AT1a receptors were depleted in aortic smooth muscle cell and endothelium by expressing Cre under control of SM22 and Tie2 promoters, respectively. Deletion of AT1a receptors in either cell type had no effect on Ang II-induced medial thickening. To determine whether this effect was related to neural stimulation, AT1a receptors were depleted using an enolase 2-driven Cre. Depletion of AT1a receptors in neural cells attenuated Ang II-induced medial thickening of the ascending, but not descending aorta. Lineage tracking studies, using ROSA26-LacZ, demonstrated that enolase 2 was also expressed in adventitial cells adjacent to the region of attenuated thickening. To determine whether adventitial fibroblasts contributed to this attenuation, AT1a receptors in fibroblasts were depleted using S100A4 driven Cre. Similar to enolase 2-Cre, Ang II-induced medial thickening was attenuated in the ascending, but not the descending aorta. Lineage tracking demonstrated an increase of S100A4-LacZ positive cells in the media of the ascending region during Ang II infusion. CONCLUSIONS AT1a receptor depletion in fibroblasts attenuates Ang II-induced medial hyperplasia in the ascending aorta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aruna Poduri
- From the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (A.P., D.L.R., D.A.H., A.B., J.J.M., A.D.) and Department of Molecular and Biomedical Pharmacology (L.A.C.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Debra L Rateri
- From the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (A.P., D.L.R., D.A.H., A.B., J.J.M., A.D.) and Department of Molecular and Biomedical Pharmacology (L.A.C.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Deborah A Howatt
- From the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (A.P., D.L.R., D.A.H., A.B., J.J.M., A.D.) and Department of Molecular and Biomedical Pharmacology (L.A.C.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Anju Balakrishnan
- From the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (A.P., D.L.R., D.A.H., A.B., J.J.M., A.D.) and Department of Molecular and Biomedical Pharmacology (L.A.C.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Jessica J Moorleghen
- From the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (A.P., D.L.R., D.A.H., A.B., J.J.M., A.D.) and Department of Molecular and Biomedical Pharmacology (L.A.C.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Lisa A Cassis
- From the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (A.P., D.L.R., D.A.H., A.B., J.J.M., A.D.) and Department of Molecular and Biomedical Pharmacology (L.A.C.), University of Kentucky, Lexington
| | - Alan Daugherty
- From the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (A.P., D.L.R., D.A.H., A.B., J.J.M., A.D.) and Department of Molecular and Biomedical Pharmacology (L.A.C.), University of Kentucky, Lexington.
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Thatcher SE, Zhang X, Woody S, Wang Y, Alsiraj Y, Charnigo R, Daugherty A, Cassis LA. Exogenous 17-β estradiol administration blunts progression of established angiotensin II-induced abdominal aortic aneurysms in female ovariectomized mice. Biol Sex Differ 2015; 6:12. [PMID: 26131353 PMCID: PMC4485333 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-015-0030-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) occur predominately in males. However, AAAs in females have rapid growth rates and rupture at smaller sizes. Mechanisms contributing to AAA progression in females are undefined. We defined effects of ovariectomy, with and without 17-β estradiol (E2), on progression of established angiotensin II (AngII)-induced AAAs in female mice. Methods We used neonatal testosterone exposures at 1 day of age to promote susceptibility to AngII-induced AAAs in adult female Ldlr−/− mice. Females were infused with AngII for 28 days to induce AAAs, and then stratified into groups that were sham, ovariectomized (Ovx, vehicle), or Ovx with E2 administration for 2 months of continued AngII infusions. Aortic lumen diameters were quantified by ultrasound and analyzed by linear mixed model, and maximal AAA diameters were analyzed by one-way ANOVA. Atherosclerosis was quantified en face in the aortic arch. AAA tissue sections were analyzed for cellular composition. We quantified effects of E2 on abdominal aortic smooth muscle cell (SMC) growth, α-actin and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) production, and wound healing. Results Serum E2 concentrations were increased significantly by E2. Aortic lumen diameters increased over time in sham-operated and Ovx (vehicle) females, but not in Ovx females administered E2. At day 70, E2 administration decreased significantly aortic lumen diameters compared to Ovx vehicle and sham-operated females. Compared to Ovx females (vehicle), maximal AAA diameters were reduced significantly by E2. AAA tissue sections from Ovx females administered E2 exhibited significant increases in α-actin and decreases in neutrophils compared to Ovx females administered vehicle. In abdominal aortic SMCs, E2 resulted in a concentration-dependent increase in α-actin, elevated TGF-β, and more rapid wound healing. E2 administration to Ovx females also significantly reduced atherosclerotic lesions compared to sham-operated females. This effect was accompanied by significant reductions in serum cholesterol concentrations. Conclusions E2 administration to Ovx females abolished progressive growth and decreased severity of AngII-induced AAAs. These effects were accompanied by increased SMC α-actin, elevated TGF-β, and reduced neutrophils. Similarly, E2 administration reduced AngII-induced atherosclerosis. These results suggest that loss of E2 in post-menopausal females may contribute to progressive growth of AAAs. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13293-015-0030-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean E Thatcher
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Room 521b, Charles T. Wethington Bldg, Lexington, KY 40536-0200 USA
| | - Xuan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Room 521b, Charles T. Wethington Bldg, Lexington, KY 40536-0200 USA
| | - Shannon Woody
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Room 521b, Charles T. Wethington Bldg, Lexington, KY 40536-0200 USA
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Room 521b, Charles T. Wethington Bldg, Lexington, KY 40536-0200 USA
| | - Yasir Alsiraj
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Room 521b, Charles T. Wethington Bldg, Lexington, KY 40536-0200 USA
| | - Richard Charnigo
- Department of Statistics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536 USA
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536 USA ; Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536 USA
| | - Lisa A Cassis
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Room 521b, Charles T. Wethington Bldg, Lexington, KY 40536-0200 USA
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Wang Y, Shoemaker R, Thatcher SE, Batifoulier-Yiannikouris F, English VL, Cassis LA. Administration of 17β-estradiol to ovariectomized obese female mice reverses obesity-hypertension through an ACE2-dependent mechanism. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2015; 308:E1066-75. [PMID: 26078188 PMCID: PMC4469807 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00030.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2015] [Accepted: 04/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We recently demonstrated that female mice are resistant to the development of obesity-induced hypertension through a sex hormone-dependent mechanism that involved adipose angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). In this study, we hypothesized that provision of 17β-estradiol (E2) to ovariectomized (OVX) high-fat (HF)-fed female hypertensive mice would reverse obesity-hypertension through an ACE2-dependent mechanism. Pilot studies defined dose-dependent effects of E2 in OVX female mice on serum E2 concentrations and uterine weights. An E2 dose of 36 μg/ml restored normal serum E2 concentrations and uterine weights. Therefore, HF-fed OVX female Ace2(+/+) and Ace2(-/-) mice were administered vehicle or E2 (36 μg/ml) for 16 wk. E2 administration significantly decreased body weights of HF-fed OVX female Ace2(+/+) and Ace2(-/-) mice of either genotype. At 15 wk, E2 administration decreased systolic blood pressure (SBP) of OVX HF-fed Ace2(+/+) but not Ace2(-/-) females during the light but not the dark cycle. E2-mediated reductions in SBP in Ace2(+/+) females were associated with significant elevations in adipose ACE2 mRNA abundance and activity and reduced plasma ANG II concentrations. In contrast to females, E2 administration had no effect on any parameter quantified in HF-fed male hypertensive mice. In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, E2 promoted ACE2 mRNA abundance through effects at estrogen receptor-α (ERα) and resulted in ERα-mediated binding at the ACE2 promoter. These results demonstrate that E2 administration to OVX females reduces obesity-induced elevations in SBP (light cycle) through an ACE2-dependent mechanism. Beneficial effects of E2 to decrease blood pressure in OVX obese females may result from stimulation of adipose ACE2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Robin Shoemaker
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Sean E Thatcher
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | | | - Victoria L English
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Lisa A Cassis
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
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Liu J, Lu H, Howatt DA, Balakrishnan A, Moorleghen JJ, Sorci-Thomas M, Cassis LA, Daugherty A. Associations of ApoAI and ApoB-containing lipoproteins with AngII-induced abdominal aortic aneurysms in mice. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2015; 35:1826-34. [PMID: 26044581 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.115.305482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2015] [Accepted: 05/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Dyslipidemia is implicated in abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) in humans and angiotensin (Ang) II-infused mice. This study determined effects of major lipoprotein classes on AngII-induced AAAs using multiple mouse strains with dietary and pharmacological manipulations. APPROACH AND RESULTS Western diet had minor effects on plasma cholesterol concentrations and the low incidence of AngII-induced AAAs in C57BL/6J mice. Low incidence of AAAs in this strain was not attributed to protection from high-density lipoprotein, because apolipoprotein (apo) AI deficiency did not increase AngII-induced AAAs. ApoAI deletion also failed to alter AAA occurrence in hypercholesterolemic mice. Low-density lipoprotein receptor-/- mice fed normal diet had low incidence of AngII-induced AAAs. Western diet feeding of this strain provoked pronounced hypercholesterolemia because of increased apoB-containing lipoproteins with attendant increases of atherosclerosis in both sexes, but AAAs only in male mice. ApoE-deficient mice fed normal diet were modestly hypercholesterolemic, whereas this strain fed Western diet was severely hypercholesterolemic because of increased apoB-containing lipoprotein concentrations. The latter augmented atherosclerosis, but did not change the high incidence of AAAs in this strain. To determine whether reductions in apoB-containing lipoproteins influenced AngII-induced AAAs, ezetimibe was administered at a dose that partially reduced plasma cholesterol concentrations to ApoE-deficient mice fed Western diet. This decreased atherosclerosis, but not AAAs. This ezetimibe dose in ApoE-deficient mice fed normal diet significantly decreased plasma apoB-containing lipoprotein concentrations and reduced AngII-induced AAAs. CONCLUSIONS ApoB-containing lipoproteins contribute to augmentation of AngII-induced AAA in male mice. However, unlike atherosclerosis, AAA occurrence was not correlated with increases in plasma apoB-containing lipoprotein concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liu
- From the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (J.L., H.L., D.A.H., A.B., J.J.M., A.D.) and Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (J.L., L.A.C., A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington; and Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee (M.S.-T.)
| | - Hong Lu
- From the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (J.L., H.L., D.A.H., A.B., J.J.M., A.D.) and Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (J.L., L.A.C., A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington; and Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee (M.S.-T.)
| | - Deborah A Howatt
- From the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (J.L., H.L., D.A.H., A.B., J.J.M., A.D.) and Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (J.L., L.A.C., A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington; and Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee (M.S.-T.)
| | - Anju Balakrishnan
- From the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (J.L., H.L., D.A.H., A.B., J.J.M., A.D.) and Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (J.L., L.A.C., A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington; and Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee (M.S.-T.)
| | - Jessica J Moorleghen
- From the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (J.L., H.L., D.A.H., A.B., J.J.M., A.D.) and Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (J.L., L.A.C., A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington; and Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee (M.S.-T.)
| | - Mary Sorci-Thomas
- From the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (J.L., H.L., D.A.H., A.B., J.J.M., A.D.) and Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (J.L., L.A.C., A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington; and Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee (M.S.-T.)
| | - Lisa A Cassis
- From the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (J.L., H.L., D.A.H., A.B., J.J.M., A.D.) and Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (J.L., L.A.C., A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington; and Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee (M.S.-T.)
| | - Alan Daugherty
- From the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center (J.L., H.L., D.A.H., A.B., J.J.M., A.D.) and Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences (J.L., L.A.C., A.D.), University of Kentucky, Lexington; and Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee (M.S.-T.).
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Balakrishnan A, Howatt DA, Cassis LA, Daugherty A, Lu H. Abstract 456: Hypercholesterolemia Induced by a PCSK9 Gain-of-function Mutation Augments AngII-induced AAAs in C57BL/6 Mice. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2015. [DOI: 10.1161/atvb.35.suppl_1.456] [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:
Angiotensin II (AngII)-induced abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) have increased incidence in hyper- versus normocholesterolemic mice. The purpose of this study was to determine whether infection of C57BL/6 mice with an adeno-associated viral vector (AAV) expressing a gain-of-function mutation of mouse proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) to induce hypercholesterolemia would augment AngII-induced AAAs.
Methods and Results:
Male C57BL/6 mice (8 weeks old; The Jackson Laboratory) were assigned randomly to groups infected with AAVs containing either an empty vector or a mouse PCSK9 gain-of-function (D374Y) mutation. Mice received a single intraperitoneal injection of AAV (n=10/group at a dosage of 10 x 10
10
genomic copies/mouse) and were fed a saturated fat-enriched diet for 6 weeks. Two weeks after AAV injection, mice were infused with AngII (1,000 ng/kg/min) for 28 days. Plasma PCSK9 concentrations were increased profoundly 2 weeks after injection of AAVs containing the PCSK9 mutation and remained elevated during the study (P<0.001). Expression of the PCSK9 mutant significantly increased plasma total cholesterol concentrations to greater than 800 mg/dl within 2 weeks that were maintained through 4 weeks of AngII infusion. Increased plasma cholesterol concentrations were due to increased VLDL and LDL cholesterol, as determined by size exclusion chromatography. In agreement with high plasma cholesterol concentrations, atherosclerotic lesion area of the aortic arch region was increased profoundly by the PCSK9 mutant (P<0.001). AAAs were quantified by ex vivo maximal aortic width of the suprarenal aorta. There was a significant increase of maximal aortic width of abdominal aortas (P=0.005) in AngII-infused mice expressing the PCSK9 mutant.
Conclusion:
AAV-mediated expression of a PCSK9 gain-of-function mutation is a rapid, easy, and efficient approach to induce hypercholesterolemia and promote AngII-induced AAAs in C57BL/6 mice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lisa A Cassis
- Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, Univ of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | | | - Hong Lu
- Saha CVRC, Univ of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
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