1
|
Smit V, de Mol J, Kleijn MNAB, Depuydt MAC, de Winther MPJ, Bot I, Kuiper J, Foks AC. Sexual dimorphism in atherosclerotic plaques of aged Ldlr -/- mice. Immun Ageing 2024; 21:27. [PMID: 38698438 DOI: 10.1186/s12979-024-00434-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atherosclerosis, the main underlying pathology of cardiovascular disease, is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by lipid accumulation and immune cell responses in the vascular wall, resulting in plaque formation. It is well-known that atherosclerosis prevalence and manifestation vary by sex. However, sexual dimorphism in the immune landscape of atherosclerotic plaques has up to date not been studied at high-resolution. In this study, we investigated sex-specific differences in atherosclerosis development and the immunological landscape of aortas at single-cell level in aged Ldlr-/- mice. METHODS We compared plaque morphology between aged male and female chow diet-fed Ldlr-/- mice (22 months old) with histological analysis. Using single-cell RNA-sequencing and flow cytometry on CD45+ immune cells from aortas of aged Ldlr-/- mice, we explored the immune landscape in the atherosclerotic environment in males and females. RESULTS We show that plaque volume is comparable in aged male and female mice, and that plaques in aged female mice contain more collagen and cholesterol crystals, but less necrotic core and macrophage content compared to males. We reveal increased immune cell infiltration in female aortas and found that expression of pro-atherogenic markers and inflammatory signaling pathways was enriched in plaque immune cells of female mice. Particularly, female aortas show enhanced activation of B cells (Egr1, Cd83, Cd180), including age-associated B cells, in addition to an increased M1/M2 macrophage ratio, where Il1b+ M1-like macrophages display a more pro-inflammatory phenotype (Nlrp3, Cxcl2, Mmp9) compared to males. In contrast, increased numbers of age-associated Gzmk+CD8+ T cells, dendritic cells, and Trem2+ macrophages were observed in male aortas. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, our findings highlight that sex is a variable that contributes to immunological differences in the atherosclerotic plaque environment in mice and provide valuable insights for further preclinical studies into the impact of sex on the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Smit
- LACDR, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jill de Mol
- LACDR, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mireia N A Bernabé Kleijn
- LACDR, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marie A C Depuydt
- LACDR, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Menno P J de Winther
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam University Medical Centers - location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Experimental Vascular Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ilze Bot
- LACDR, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Johan Kuiper
- LACDR, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Amanda C Foks
- LACDR, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333CC, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Schaftenaar FH, van Dam AD, de Bruin G, Depuydt MAC, Mol JD, Amersfoort J, Douna H, Meijer M, Kröner MJ, van Santbrink PJ, Bernabé Kleijn MNA, van Puijvelde GHM, Florea BI, Slütter B, Foks AC, Bot I, Rensen PCN, Kuiper J. Immunoproteasomal Inhibition With ONX-0914 Attenuates Atherosclerosis and Reduces White Adipose Tissue Mass and Metabolic Syndrome in Mice. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2024. [PMID: 38660806 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.319701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atherosclerosis is the major underlying pathology of cardiovascular disease and is driven by dyslipidemia and inflammation. Inhibition of the immunoproteasome, a proteasome variant that is predominantly expressed by immune cells and plays an important role in antigen presentation, has been shown to have immunosuppressive effects. METHODS We assessed the effect of ONX-0914, an inhibitor of the immunoproteasomal catalytic subunits LMP7 (proteasome subunit β5i/large multifunctional peptidase 7) and LMP2 (proteasome subunit β1i/large multifunctional peptidase 2), on atherosclerosis and metabolism in LDLr-/- and APOE*3-Leiden.CETP mice. RESULTS ONX-0914 treatment significantly reduced atherosclerosis, reduced dendritic cell and macrophage levels and their activation, as well as the levels of antigen-experienced T cells during early plaque formation, and Th1 cells in advanced atherosclerosis in young and aged mice in various immune compartments. Additionally, ONX-0914 treatment led to a strong reduction in white adipose tissue mass and adipocyte progenitors, which coincided with neutrophil and macrophage accumulation in white adipose tissue. ONX-0914 reduced intestinal triglyceride uptake and gastric emptying, likely contributing to the reduction in white adipose tissue mass, as ONX-0914 did not increase energy expenditure or reduce total food intake. Concomitant with the reduction in white adipose tissue mass upon ONX-0914 treatment, we observed improvements in markers of metabolic syndrome, including lowered plasma triglyceride levels, insulin levels, and fasting blood glucose. CONCLUSIONS We propose that immunoproteasomal inhibition reduces 3 major causes underlying cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, and inflammation and is a new target in drug development for atherosclerosis treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Frank H Schaftenaar
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, the Netherlands (F.H.S., M.A.C.D., J.d.M., J.A., H.D., M.M., M.J.K., P.J.v.S., M.N.A.B.K., G.H.M.v.P., B.S., A.C.F., I.B. J.K.)
| | - Andrea D van Dam
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands (A.D.D., P.C.N.R.)
| | - Gerjan de Bruin
- Department of Chemical Biology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, the Netherlands (G.d.B., B.I.F.)
| | - Marie A C Depuydt
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, the Netherlands (F.H.S., M.A.C.D., J.d.M., J.A., H.D., M.M., M.J.K., P.J.v.S., M.N.A.B.K., G.H.M.v.P., B.S., A.C.F., I.B. J.K.)
| | - Jill de Mol
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, the Netherlands (F.H.S., M.A.C.D., J.d.M., J.A., H.D., M.M., M.J.K., P.J.v.S., M.N.A.B.K., G.H.M.v.P., B.S., A.C.F., I.B. J.K.)
| | - Jacob Amersfoort
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, the Netherlands (F.H.S., M.A.C.D., J.d.M., J.A., H.D., M.M., M.J.K., P.J.v.S., M.N.A.B.K., G.H.M.v.P., B.S., A.C.F., I.B. J.K.)
| | - Hidde Douna
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, the Netherlands (F.H.S., M.A.C.D., J.d.M., J.A., H.D., M.M., M.J.K., P.J.v.S., M.N.A.B.K., G.H.M.v.P., B.S., A.C.F., I.B. J.K.)
| | - Menno Meijer
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, the Netherlands (F.H.S., M.A.C.D., J.d.M., J.A., H.D., M.M., M.J.K., P.J.v.S., M.N.A.B.K., G.H.M.v.P., B.S., A.C.F., I.B. J.K.)
| | - Mara J Kröner
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, the Netherlands (F.H.S., M.A.C.D., J.d.M., J.A., H.D., M.M., M.J.K., P.J.v.S., M.N.A.B.K., G.H.M.v.P., B.S., A.C.F., I.B. J.K.)
| | - Peter J van Santbrink
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, the Netherlands (F.H.S., M.A.C.D., J.d.M., J.A., H.D., M.M., M.J.K., P.J.v.S., M.N.A.B.K., G.H.M.v.P., B.S., A.C.F., I.B. J.K.)
| | - Mireia N A Bernabé Kleijn
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, the Netherlands (F.H.S., M.A.C.D., J.d.M., J.A., H.D., M.M., M.J.K., P.J.v.S., M.N.A.B.K., G.H.M.v.P., B.S., A.C.F., I.B. J.K.)
| | - Gijs H M van Puijvelde
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, the Netherlands (F.H.S., M.A.C.D., J.d.M., J.A., H.D., M.M., M.J.K., P.J.v.S., M.N.A.B.K., G.H.M.v.P., B.S., A.C.F., I.B. J.K.)
| | - Bogdan I Florea
- Department of Chemical Biology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, the Netherlands (G.d.B., B.I.F.)
| | - Bram Slütter
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, the Netherlands (F.H.S., M.A.C.D., J.d.M., J.A., H.D., M.M., M.J.K., P.J.v.S., M.N.A.B.K., G.H.M.v.P., B.S., A.C.F., I.B. J.K.)
| | - Amanda C Foks
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, the Netherlands (F.H.S., M.A.C.D., J.d.M., J.A., H.D., M.M., M.J.K., P.J.v.S., M.N.A.B.K., G.H.M.v.P., B.S., A.C.F., I.B. J.K.)
| | - Ilze Bot
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, the Netherlands (F.H.S., M.A.C.D., J.d.M., J.A., H.D., M.M., M.J.K., P.J.v.S., M.N.A.B.K., G.H.M.v.P., B.S., A.C.F., I.B. J.K.)
| | - Patrick C N Rensen
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands (A.D.D., P.C.N.R.)
| | - Johan Kuiper
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, the Netherlands (F.H.S., M.A.C.D., J.d.M., J.A., H.D., M.M., M.J.K., P.J.v.S., M.N.A.B.K., G.H.M.v.P., B.S., A.C.F., I.B. J.K.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
de Jong MJM, Depuydt MAC, Schaftenaar FH, Liu K, Maters D, Wezel A, Smeets HJ, Kuiper J, Bot I, van Gisbergen K, Slütter B. Resident Memory T Cells in the Atherosclerotic Lesion Associate With Reduced Macrophage Content and Increased Lesion Stability. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2024. [PMID: 38634281 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.320511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tissue resident memory T (TRM) cells are a T-cell subset that resides at the site of prior antigen recognition to protect the body against reoccurring encounters. Besides their protective function, TRM cells have also been implicated in inflammatory disorders. TRM cells are characterized by the expression of CD69 and transcription factors Hobit (homolog of Blimp-1 [B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein 1] in T cells) and Blimp-1. As the majority of T cells in the arterial intima expresses CD69, TRM cells may contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis as well. Here, we aimed to assess the presence and potential role of TRM cells in atherosclerosis. METHODS To identify TRM cells in human atherosclerotic lesions, a single-cell RNA-sequencing data set was interrogated, and T-cell phenotypes were compared with that of integrated predefined TRM cells. The presence and phenotype of TRM in atherosclerotic lesions was corroborated using a mouse model that enabled tracking of Hobit-expressing TRM cells. To explore the function of TRM cells during atherogenesis, RAG1-/- (RAG1 deficient) LDLr-/- (low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout) mice received a bone marrow transplant from HobitKO/CREBlimp-1flox/flox mice, which exhibit abrogated TRM cell formation, whereafter the mice were fed a Western-type diet for 10 weeks. RESULTS Human atherosclerotic lesions contained T cells that exhibited a TRM cell-associated gene signature. Moreover, a fraction of these T cells clustered together with predefined TRM cells upon integration. The presence of Hobit-expressing TRM cells in the atherosclerotic lesion was confirmed in mice. These lesion-derived TRM cells were characterized by the expression of CD69 and CD49α. Moreover, we demonstrated that this small T-cell subset significantly affects lesion composition, by reducing the amount of intralesional macrophages and increasing collagen content. CONCLUSIONS TRM cells, characterized by the expression of CD69 and CD49α, constitute a minor population in atherosclerotic lesions and are associated with increased lesion stability in a Hobit and Blimp-1 knockout mouse model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M J M de Jong
- Division of Biotherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, the Netherlands (M.J.M.d.J., M.A.C.D., F.H.S., K.L., D.M., J.K., I.B., B.S.)
| | - M A C Depuydt
- Division of Biotherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, the Netherlands (M.J.M.d.J., M.A.C.D., F.H.S., K.L., D.M., J.K., I.B., B.S.)
| | - F H Schaftenaar
- Division of Biotherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, the Netherlands (M.J.M.d.J., M.A.C.D., F.H.S., K.L., D.M., J.K., I.B., B.S.)
| | - K Liu
- Division of Biotherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, the Netherlands (M.J.M.d.J., M.A.C.D., F.H.S., K.L., D.M., J.K., I.B., B.S.)
| | - D Maters
- Division of Biotherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, the Netherlands (M.J.M.d.J., M.A.C.D., F.H.S., K.L., D.M., J.K., I.B., B.S.)
| | - Anouk Wezel
- Department of Surgery, Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague, the Netherlands (A.W., H.J.S.)
| | - Harm J Smeets
- Department of Surgery, Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague, the Netherlands (A.W., H.J.S.)
| | - J Kuiper
- Division of Biotherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, the Netherlands (M.J.M.d.J., M.A.C.D., F.H.S., K.L., D.M., J.K., I.B., B.S.)
| | - I Bot
- Division of Biotherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, the Netherlands (M.J.M.d.J., M.A.C.D., F.H.S., K.L., D.M., J.K., I.B., B.S.)
| | - K van Gisbergen
- van Gisbergen Lab, Tissue Immunity, Champalimaud Research, Lisbon, Portugal (K.v.G.)
| | - B Slütter
- Division of Biotherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, the Netherlands (M.J.M.d.J., M.A.C.D., F.H.S., K.L., D.M., J.K., I.B., B.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Mulholland M, Depuydt MAC, Jakobsson G, Ljungcrantz I, Grentzmann A, To F, Bengtsson E, Jaensson Gyllenbäck E, Grönberg C, Rattik S, Liberg D, Schiopu A, Björkbacka H, Kuiper J, Bot I, Slütter B, Engelbertsen D. Interleukin-1 receptor accessory protein blockade limits the development of atherosclerosis and reduces plaque inflammation. Cardiovasc Res 2024:cvae046. [PMID: 38563353 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvae046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS The interleukin-1 receptor accessory protein (IL1RAP) is a co-receptor required for signalling through the IL-1, IL-33, and IL-36 receptors. Using a novel anti-IL1RAP-blocking antibody, we investigated the role of IL1RAP in atherosclerosis. METHODS AND RESULTS Single-cell RNA sequencing data from human atherosclerotic plaques revealed the expression of IL1RAP and several IL1RAP-related cytokines and receptors, including IL1B and IL33. Histological analysis showed the presence of IL1RAP in both the plaque and adventitia, and flow cytometry of murine atherosclerotic aortas revealed IL1RAP expression on plaque leucocytes, including neutrophils and macrophages. High-cholesterol diet fed apolipoprotein E-deficient (Apoe-/-) mice were treated with a novel non-depleting IL1RAP-blocking antibody or isotype control for the last 6 weeks of diet. IL1RAP blockade in mice resulted in a 20% reduction in subvalvular plaque size and limited the accumulation of neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages in plaques and of T cells in adventitia, compared with control mice. Indicative of reduced plaque inflammation, the expression of several genes related to leucocyte recruitment, including Cxcl1 and Cxcl2, was reduced in brachiocephalic arteries of anti-IL1RAP-treated mice, and the expression of these chemokines in human plaques was mainly restricted to CD68+ myeloid cells. Furthermore, in vitro studies demonstrated that IL-1, IL-33, and IL-36 induced CXCL1 release from both macrophages and fibroblasts, which could be mitigated by IL1RAP blockade. CONCLUSION Limiting IL1RAP-dependent cytokine signalling pathways in atherosclerotic mice reduces plaque burden and plaque inflammation, potentially by limiting plaque chemokine production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Megan Mulholland
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Cardiovascular Research-Immune Regulation, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Marie A C Depuydt
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of Biotherapeutics, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gabriel Jakobsson
- Department of Translational Medicine, Cardiac Inflammation, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Irena Ljungcrantz
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Cardiovascular Research-Immune Regulation, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Andrietta Grentzmann
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Cardiovascular Research-Immune Regulation, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Fong To
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Cardiovascular Research-Matrix and Inflammation in Atherosclerosis, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Eva Bengtsson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Cardiovascular Research-Matrix and Inflammation in Atherosclerosis, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
- Department of Biomedical Science, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden
- Biofilms-Research Center for Biointerfaces, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden
| | | | | | - Sara Rattik
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Cardiovascular Research-Immune Regulation, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
- Cantargia AB, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Alexandru Schiopu
- Department of Translational Medicine, Cardiac Inflammation, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Harry Björkbacka
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Cardiovascular Research-Cellular Metabolism and Inflammation, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Johan Kuiper
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of Biotherapeutics, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ilze Bot
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of Biotherapeutics, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Bram Slütter
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of Biotherapeutics, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Daniel Engelbertsen
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Cardiovascular Research-Immune Regulation, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
de Jong MJM, Schaftenaar FH, Depuydt MAC, Lozano Vigario F, Janssen GMC, Peeters JAHM, Goncalves L, Wezel A, Smeets HJ, Kuiper J, Bot I, van Veelen P, Slütter B. Virus-Associated CD8 + T-Cells Are Not Activated Through Antigen-Mediated Interaction Inside Atherosclerotic Lesions. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2024. [PMID: 38511327 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.320539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Viral infections have been associated with the progression of atherosclerosis and CD8+ T-cells directed against common viruses, such as influenza, Epstein-Barr virus, and cytomegalovirus, have been detected inside human atherosclerotic lesions. These virus-specific CD8+ T-cells have been hypothesized to contribute to the development of atherosclerosis; however, whether they affect disease progression directly remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to characterize the activation status of virus-specific CD8+ T-cells in the atherosclerotic lesion. METHODS The presence, clonality, tissue enrichment, and phenotype of virus-associated CD8+ T-cells in atherosclerotic lesions were assessed by exploiting bulk T-cell receptor-β sequencing and single-cell T-cell receptor (α and β) sequencing datasets on human endarterectomy samples and patient-matched blood samples. To investigate if virus-specific CD8+ T-cells can be activated through T-cell receptor stimulation in the atherosclerotic lesion, the immunopeptidome of human plaques was determined. RESULTS Virus-associated CD8+ T-cells accumulated more in the atherosclerotic lesion (mean=2.0%), compared with patient-matched blood samples (mean=1.4%; P=0.05), and were more clonally expanded and tissue enriched in the atherosclerotic lesion in comparison with nonassociated CD8+ T-cells from the lesion. Single-cell T-cell receptor sequencing and flow cytometry revealed that these virus-associated CD8+ T-cells were phenotypically highly similar to other CD8+ T-cells in the lesion and that both exhibited a more activated phenotype compared with circulating T-cells. Interestingly, virus-associated CD8+ T-cells are unlikely to be activated through antigen-specific interactions in the atherosclerotic lesion, as no virus-derived peptides were detected on HLA-I in the lesion. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that virus-specific CD8+ T-cells are tissue enriched in atherosclerotic lesions; however, their potential contribution to inflammation may involve antigen-independent mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maaike J M de Jong
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden University, the Netherlands (M.J.M.J., F.H.S., M.A.C.D., F.L.V., J.K., I.B., B.S.)
| | - Frank H Schaftenaar
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden University, the Netherlands (M.J.M.J., F.H.S., M.A.C.D., F.L.V., J.K., I.B., B.S.)
| | - Marie A C Depuydt
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden University, the Netherlands (M.J.M.J., F.H.S., M.A.C.D., F.L.V., J.K., I.B., B.S.)
| | - Fernando Lozano Vigario
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden University, the Netherlands (M.J.M.J., F.H.S., M.A.C.D., F.L.V., J.K., I.B., B.S.)
| | - George M C Janssen
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics (G.M.C.J., P.v.V.)
| | - Judith A H M Peeters
- Department of Surgery, Haaglanden Medical Center - location Westeinde, Lijnbaan, The Hague, the Netherlands (J.A.H.M.P., L.G., A.W., H.J.S.)
| | - Lauren Goncalves
- Department of Surgery, Haaglanden Medical Center - location Westeinde, Lijnbaan, The Hague, the Netherlands (J.A.H.M.P., L.G., A.W., H.J.S.)
| | - Anouk Wezel
- Department of Surgery, Haaglanden Medical Center - location Westeinde, Lijnbaan, The Hague, the Netherlands (J.A.H.M.P., L.G., A.W., H.J.S.)
| | - Harm J Smeets
- Department of Surgery, Haaglanden Medical Center - location Westeinde, Lijnbaan, The Hague, the Netherlands (J.A.H.M.P., L.G., A.W., H.J.S.)
| | - Johan Kuiper
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden University, the Netherlands (M.J.M.J., F.H.S., M.A.C.D., F.L.V., J.K., I.B., B.S.)
| | - Ilze Bot
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden University, the Netherlands (M.J.M.J., F.H.S., M.A.C.D., F.L.V., J.K., I.B., B.S.)
| | - Peter van Veelen
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics (G.M.C.J., P.v.V.)
| | - Bram Slütter
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden University, the Netherlands (M.J.M.J., F.H.S., M.A.C.D., F.L.V., J.K., I.B., B.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Smit V, de Mol J, Schaftenaar FH, Depuydt MAC, Postel RJ, Smeets D, Verheijen FWM, Bogers L, van Duijn J, Verwilligen RAF, Grievink HW, Bernabé Kleijn MNA, van Ingen E, de Jong MJM, Goncalves L, Peeters JAHM, Smeets HJ, Wezel A, Polansky JK, de Winther MPJ, Binder CJ, Tsiantoulas D, Bot I, Kuiper J, Foks AC. Single-cell profiling reveals age-associated immunity in atherosclerosis. Cardiovasc Res 2023; 119:2508-2521. [PMID: 37390467 PMCID: PMC10676459 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvad099] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Aging is a dominant driver of atherosclerosis and induces a series of immunological alterations, called immunosenescence. Given the demographic shift towards elderly, elucidating the unknown impact of aging on the immunological landscape in atherosclerosis is highly relevant. While the young Western diet-fed Ldlr-deficient (Ldlr-/-) mouse is a widely used model to study atherosclerosis, it does not reflect the gradual plaque progression in the context of an aging immune system as occurs in humans. METHODS AND RESULTS Here, we show that aging promotes advanced atherosclerosis in chow diet-fed Ldlr-/- mice, with increased incidence of calcification and cholesterol crystals. We observed systemic immunosenescence, including myeloid skewing and T-cells with more extreme effector phenotypes. Using a combination of single-cell RNA-sequencing and flow cytometry on aortic leucocytes of young vs. aged Ldlr-/- mice, we show age-related shifts in expression of genes involved in atherogenic processes, such as cellular activation and cytokine production. We identified age-associated cells with pro-inflammatory features, including GzmK+CD8+ T-cells and previously in atherosclerosis undefined CD11b+CD11c+T-bet+ age-associated B-cells (ABCs). ABCs of Ldlr-/- mice showed high expression of genes involved in plasma cell differentiation, co-stimulation, and antigen presentation. In vitro studies supported that ABCs are highly potent antigen-presenting cells. In cardiovascular disease patients, we confirmed the presence of these age-associated T- and B-cells in atherosclerotic plaques and blood. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, we are the first to provide comprehensive profiling of aged immunity in atherosclerotic mice and reveal the emergence of age-associated T- and B-cells in the atherosclerotic aorta. Further research into age-associated immunity may contribute to novel diagnostic and therapeutic tools to combat cardiovascular disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Smit
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jill de Mol
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Frank H Schaftenaar
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marie A C Depuydt
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Rimke J Postel
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Diede Smeets
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Fenne W M Verheijen
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Laurens Bogers
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Janine van Duijn
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Robin A F Verwilligen
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hendrika W Grievink
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
- Centre for Human Drug Research, Zernikedreef 8, 2333 CL Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mireia N A Bernabé Kleijn
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Eva van Ingen
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Maaike J M de Jong
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lauren Goncalves
- Department of Surgery, Haaglanden Medical Center—location Westeinde, Lijnbaan 32, 2515 VA The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Judith A H M Peeters
- Department of Surgery, Haaglanden Medical Center—location Westeinde, Lijnbaan 32, 2515 VA The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Harm J Smeets
- Department of Surgery, Haaglanden Medical Center—location Westeinde, Lijnbaan 32, 2515 VA The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Anouk Wezel
- Department of Surgery, Haaglanden Medical Center—location Westeinde, Lijnbaan 32, 2515 VA The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Julia K Polansky
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Menno P J de Winther
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers—location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Experimental Vascular Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Christoph J Binder
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Lazarettgasse 14, AKH BT25.2, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Dimitrios Tsiantoulas
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Lazarettgasse 14, AKH BT25.2, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Ilze Bot
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Johan Kuiper
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Amanda C Foks
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
In Het Panhuis W, Schönke M, Modder M, Tom HE, Lalai RA, Pronk ACM, Streefland TCM, van Kerkhof LWM, Dollé MET, Depuydt MAC, Bot I, Vos WG, Bosmans LA, van Os BW, Lutgens E, Rensen PCN, Kooijman S. Time-restricted feeding attenuates hypercholesterolaemia and atherosclerosis development during circadian disturbance in APOE∗3-Leiden.CETP mice. EBioMedicine 2023; 93:104680. [PMID: 37356205 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Circadian disturbance (CD) is the consequence of a mismatch between endogenous circadian rhythms, behaviour, and/or environmental cycles, and frequently occurs during shift work. Shift work has been associated with elevated risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (asCVD) in humans, but evidence for the effectiveness of prevention strategies is lacking. METHODS Here, we applied time-restricted feeding (TRF) as a strategy to counteract atherosclerosis development during CD in female APOE∗3-Leiden.CETP mice, a well-established model for humanized lipoprotein metabolism. Control groups were subjected to a fixed 12:12 h light-dark cycle, while CD groups were subjected to 6-h phase advancement every 3 days. Groups had either ad libitum (AL) access to food or were subjected to TRF with restricted food access to the dark phase. FINDINGS TRF did not prevent the increase in the relative abundance of circulating inflammatory monocytes and elevation of (postprandial) plasma triglycerides during CD. Nonetheless, TRF reduced atherosclerotic lesion size and prevented an elevation in macrophage content of atherosclerotic lesions during CD, while it increased the relative abundance of anti-inflammatory monocytes, prevented activation of T cells, and lowered plasma total cholesterol levels and markers of hepatic cholesterol synthesis. These effects were independent of total food intake. INTERPRETATION We propose that time restricted eating could be a promising strategy for the primary prevention of asCVD risk in shift workers, which warrants future study in humans. FUNDING This work was funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, the Netherlands Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, and the Dutch Heart Foundation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wietse In Het Panhuis
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Milena Schönke
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Melanie Modder
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Hannah E Tom
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Reshma A Lalai
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Amanda C M Pronk
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Trea C M Streefland
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Linda W M van Kerkhof
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Martijn E T Dollé
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Marie A C Depuydt
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of Biotherapeutics, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ilze Bot
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of Biotherapeutics, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Winnie G Vos
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam UMC, Location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Atherosclerosis & Ischemic Syndromes, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Immunity and Infection, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Laura A Bosmans
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam UMC, Location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Atherosclerosis & Ischemic Syndromes, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Immunity and Infection, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bram W van Os
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam UMC, Location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Atherosclerosis & Ischemic Syndromes, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Immunity and Infection, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Esther Lutgens
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam UMC, Location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Atherosclerosis & Ischemic Syndromes, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Immunity and Infection, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Patrick C N Rensen
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Sander Kooijman
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Hemme E, Biskop D, Depuydt MAC, Smit V, Delfos L, Bernabé Kleijn MNA, Foks AC, Kuiper J, Bot I. Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase inhibition by Acalabrutinib does not affect early or advanced atherosclerotic plaque size and morphology in Ldlr-/- mice. Vascul Pharmacol 2023; 150:107172. [PMID: 37075932 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2023.107172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is characterized by the accumulation of lipids and immune cells, including mast cells and B cells, in the arterial wall. Mast cells contribute to atherosclerotic plaque growth and destabilization upon active degranulation. The FcεRI-IgE pathway is the most prominent mast cell activation route. Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) is involved in FcεRI-signaling and may be a potential therapeutic target to limit mast cell activation in atherosclerosis. Additionally, BTK is crucial in B cell development and B-cell receptor signaling. In this project, we aimed to assess the effects of BTK inhibition on mast cell activation and B cell development in atherosclerosis. In human carotid artery plaques, we showed that BTK is primarily expressed on mast cells, B cells and myeloid cells. In vitro, BTK inhibitor Acalabrutinib dose-dependently inhibited IgE mediated activation of mouse bone marrow derived mast cells. In vivo, male Ldlr-/- mice were fed a high-fat diet for eight weeks, during which mice were treated with Acalabrutinib or control solvent. In Acalabrutinib treated mice, B cell maturation was reduced compared to control mice, showing a shift from follicular II towards follicular I B cells. Mast cell numbers and activation status were not affected. Acalabrutinib treatment did not affect atherosclerotic plaque size or morphology. In advanced atherosclerosis, where mice were first fed a high-fat diet for eight weeks before receiving treatment, similar effects were observed. Conclusively, BTK inhibition by Acalabrutinib alone did neither affect either mast cell activation nor early- and advanced atherosclerosis, despite the effects on follicular B cell maturation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Esmeralda Hemme
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Danique Biskop
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Marie A C Depuydt
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Virginia Smit
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Lucie Delfos
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Mireia N A Bernabé Kleijn
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Amanda C Foks
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Johan Kuiper
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ilze Bot
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands..
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Benavente ED, Karnewar S, Buono M, Mili E, Hartman RJG, Kapteijn D, Slenders L, Daniels M, Aherrahrou R, Reinberger T, Mol BM, de Borst GJ, de Kleijn DPV, Prange KHM, Depuydt MAC, de Winther MPJ, Kuiper J, Björkegren JLM, Erdmann J, Civelek M, Mokry M, Owens GK, Pasterkamp G, den Ruijter HM. Female gene networks are expressed in myofibroblast-like smooth muscle cells in vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques. bioRxiv 2023:2023.02.08.527690. [PMID: 36798294 PMCID: PMC9934638 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.08.527690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
Women presenting with coronary artery disease (CAD) more often present with fibrous atherosclerotic plaques, which are currently understudied. Phenotypically modulated smooth muscle cells (SMCs) contribute to atherosclerosis in women. How these phenotypically modulated SMCs shape female versus male plaques is unknown. Here, we show sex-stratified gene regulatory networks (GRNs) from human carotid atherosclerotic tissue. Prioritization of these networks identified two main SMC GRNs in late-stage atherosclerosis. Single-cell RNA-sequencing mapped these GRNs to two SMC phenotypes: a phenotypically modulated myofibroblast-like SMC network and a contractile SMC network. The myofibroblast-like GRN was mostly expressed in plaques that were vulnerable in females. Finally, mice orthologs of the female myofibroblast-like genes showed retained expression in advanced plaques from female mice but were downregulated in male mice during atherosclerosis progression. Female atherosclerosis is driven by GRNs that promote a fibrous vulnerable plaque rich in myofibroblast-like SMCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ernest Diez Benavente
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Santosh Karnewar
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Michele Buono
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Eloi Mili
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Robin J. G. Hartman
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Daniek Kapteijn
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Lotte Slenders
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mark Daniels
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| | - Redouane Aherrahrou
- Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Institute for Cardiogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Finland
| | | | - Barend M. Mol
- Department of Vascular Surgery, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
| | - Gert J. de Borst
- Department of Vascular Surgery, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
| | - Dominique P. V. de Kleijn
- Department of Vascular Surgery, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
| | - Koen H. M. Prange
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University’ Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marie A. C. Depuydt
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University’ Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Menno P. J. de Winther
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University’ Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Johan Kuiper
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University’ Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Johan L. M. Björkegren
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Jeanette Erdmann
- Institute for Cardiogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Mete Civelek
- Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Michal Mokry
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Gary K Owens
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Gerard Pasterkamp
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hester M. den Ruijter
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Depuydt MAC, Schaftenaar FH, Prange KHM, Boltjes A, Hemme E, Delfos L, de Mol J, de Jong MJM, Bernabé Kleijn MNA, Peeters JAHM, Goncalves L, Wezel A, Smeets HJ, de Borst GJ, Foks AC, Pasterkamp G, de Winther MPJ, Kuiper J, Bot I, Slütter B. Single-cell T cell receptor sequencing of paired human atherosclerotic plaques and blood reveals autoimmune-like features of expanded effector T cells. Nat Cardiovasc Res 2023; 2:112-125. [PMID: 38665903 PMCID: PMC11041750 DOI: 10.1038/s44161-022-00208-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a lipid-driven chronic inflammatory disease; however, whether it can be classified as an autoimmune disease remains unclear. In this study, we applied single-cell T cell receptor seqencing (scTCR-seq) on human carotid artery plaques and matched peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples to assess the extent of TCR clonality and antigen-specific activation within the various T cell subsets. We observed the highest degree of plaque-specific clonal expansion in effector CD4+ T cells, and these clonally expanded T cells expressed genes such as CD69, FOS and FOSB, indicative of recent TCR engagement, suggesting antigen-specific stimulation. CellChat analysis suggested multiple potential interactions of these effector CD4+ T cells with foam cells. Finally, we integrated a published scTCR-seq dataset of the autoimmune disease psoriatic arthritis, and we report various commonalities between the two diseases. In conclusion, our data suggest that atherosclerosis has an autoimmune compondent driven by autoreactive CD4+ T cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marie A. C. Depuydt
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of Biotherapeutics, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Frank H. Schaftenaar
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of Biotherapeutics, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Koen H. M. Prange
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Experimental Vascular Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Arjan Boltjes
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory, University Medical Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Esmeralda Hemme
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of Biotherapeutics, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Lucie Delfos
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of Biotherapeutics, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jill de Mol
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of Biotherapeutics, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Maaike J. M. de Jong
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of Biotherapeutics, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Mireia N. A. Bernabé Kleijn
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of Biotherapeutics, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Lauren Goncalves
- Department of Surgery, Haaglanden Medisch Centrum Westeinde, The Hague, the Netherlands
| | - Anouk Wezel
- Department of Surgery, Haaglanden Medisch Centrum Westeinde, The Hague, the Netherlands
| | - Harm J. Smeets
- Department of Surgery, Haaglanden Medisch Centrum Westeinde, The Hague, the Netherlands
| | - Gert J. de Borst
- Department of Vascular Surgery, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Amanda C. Foks
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of Biotherapeutics, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Gerard Pasterkamp
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory, University Medical Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Menno P. J. de Winther
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Experimental Vascular Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Johan Kuiper
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of Biotherapeutics, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ilze Bot
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of Biotherapeutics, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Bram Slütter
- Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Division of Biotherapeutics, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Hemme E, Delfos L, Depuydt MAC, Bernabe Kleijn MNA, Schaftenaar FH, Foks AC, Kuiper J, Bot I. Brutons tyrosine kinase inhibition to suppress mast cell activation in atherosclerosis. Cardiovasc Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvac066.227] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Dutch Heart Foundation
Aim
Acute cardiovascular diseases, such as myocardial infarction or stroke, are still a major cause of death in Western Society. The main underlying pathology of cardiovascular diseases is atherosclerosis, which is caused by the accumulation of lipids and inflammatory cells in the vessel wall, in so-called atherosclerotic plaques. Mast cells accumulate within these atherosclerotic plaques and activation of mast cells leads to the progression and destabilization of advanced plaques via the secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines. Mast cells can be activated by various stimuli, of which crosslinking of the Fcε receptor I (FcεRI) with IgE-antigen complexes is best known. Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK), a cytoplasmic nonreceptor tyrosine kinase, is involved in the downstream signaling of FcεRI-mediated mast cell activation and degranulation. Therefore, BTK might be an attractive target to interfere in the FcεRI-mediated mast cell activation pathway. In this study, we thus aimed to assess the effects of the BTK inhibitor ACP-196 on FcεRI-mediated mast cell activation, plaque progression and destabilization in an atherosclerotic mouse model.
Methods and Results
Male LDLr knockout mice, 7-11 weeks old, were treated with ACP-196 (25 mg/kg p.o., n=15) or control solvent (n=14) three times per week for eight weeks. During treatment, mice were fed a Western-type diet (WTD) to induce atherosclerotic plaque formation. During the experiment, plasma total cholesterol levels and body weight did not differ between the control and treatment group. After eight weeks, mice were sacrificed and hearts were isolated to determine atherosclerotic plaque size and stability in the aortic root by histology. Other immunological relevant tissues, such as aorta, spleen and mediastinal lymph nodes were harvested to examine mast cell activation status and other immune cells by flow cytometry. After eight weeks of ACP-196 treatment in LDLr knockout mice, a significant 59% reduction in the frequency of CD117+ FcεRI+ mast cells was observed in aortic plaques of ACP-196 treated mice (0.24±0.06%) compared to control mice (0.57±0.08%, p<0.05), while relative mast cell activation status was not affected. Additionally, ACP-196 treatment inhibited B cell maturation in the circulation, spleen, mediastinal lymph nodes and peritoneal cavity of LDLr knockout mice compared to control mice. However, these effects on immune cells did not translate into effects on atherosclerosis, as ACP-196 treatment (size:12.3±2%; collagen:14.5±1.9%) did not significantly affect atherosclerotic plaque size and collagen content when compared to control mice (size:11.5±1.4%; collagen: 13.6±1.5%).
Conclusions
Conclusively, these findings suggest that ACP-196 treatment leads to reduced migration of mast cells to the atherosclerotic plaques of LDLr knockout mice, but does not directly affect mast cell activation and initial atherosclerotic lesion development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Hemme
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Researh , Leiden , Netherlands (The)
| | - L Delfos
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Researh , Leiden , Netherlands (The)
| | - MAC Depuydt
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Researh , Leiden , Netherlands (The)
| | | | - FH Schaftenaar
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Researh , Leiden , Netherlands (The)
| | - AC Foks
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Researh , Leiden , Netherlands (The)
| | - J Kuiper
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Researh , Leiden , Netherlands (The)
| | - I Bot
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Researh , Leiden , Netherlands (The)
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
De Jong M, Depuydt MAC, Lozano Vigario F, Van Veelen PA, Kuiper J, Slutter BA. Virus specific CD8+ T-cells accumulate, but do not recognize antigen, in the atherosclerotic lesion. Cardiovasc Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvac066.228] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – EU funding. Main funding source(s): ERA CVD
Dutch Heart Foundation
Viral infections have been associated with the progression of atherosclerosis. CD8+ T-cells directed against common viruses, such as influenza and Epstein-Barr virus, have been detected inside of human atherosclerotic lesions. These virus specific CD8+ T-cells have been hypothesized to contribute to the development of atherosclerosis, however, their mechanism of action in the atherosclerotic lesion remains unclear. This study aimed to characterize the behavior of virus specific CD8+ T-cells in the atherosclerotic lesion.
The presence of virus specific CD8+ T-cells in atherosclerotic lesions was assessed by performing T-cell receptor (TCR)-β sequencing on human endarterectomy samples and patient matched blood samples (N=10). These TCRs were subsequently compared to known virus specific TCR sequences. Virus specific CD8+ T-cells seemed to accumulate in the atherosclerotic lesion (mean=3.5%), compared to patient matched blood samples (mean=2.0%) (p=0.053). Moreover, these virus specific CD8+ T-cells produced significantly more IFN-γ (p=0.0009) and Granzyme B (p=0.0038) in response to external stimuli, suggesting these T-cells may play a pro-inflammatory role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
To investigate if virus specific CD8+ T-cells can be stimulated in situ, the immunopeptidome of 51 pooled human plaques was determined and matched with various viral peptidomes. Only one peptide presented in the atherosclerotic lesions matched a viral peptidome, rendering almost all virus specific CD8+ T-cells in the lesion antigen non-specific.
In conclusion, virus specific CD8+ T-cells are enriched in atherosclerotic lesions and have an activated phenotype, compared to other plaque residing CD8+ T-cells. The absence of virus specific antigen presentation in the atherosclerotic lesion suggests that if these CD8+ T-cells contribute to inflammation, they do so in an antigen independent manner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M De Jong
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Researh , Leiden , Netherlands (The)
| | - MAC Depuydt
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Researh , Leiden , Netherlands (The)
| | - F Lozano Vigario
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Researh , Leiden , Netherlands (The)
| | - PA Van Veelen
- Leiden University Medical Center, Proteomics and Metabolomics , Leiden , Netherlands (The)
| | - J Kuiper
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Researh , Leiden , Netherlands (The)
| | - BA Slutter
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Researh , Leiden , Netherlands (The)
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Depuydt MAC, Smit V, Lozano Vigario F, Bernabe Kleijn MNA, De Vries MR, Quax PHA, Wezel A, Smeets HJ, Kuiper J, Foks AC, Bot I, Slutter B. Granzyme B+ CD4+ T cells associate with an unstable plaque phenotype in advanced human atherosclerosis. Cardiovasc Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvac066.229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): The Dutch Heart Foundation
Cytotoxic CD4+ T cells have previously been found in peripheral blood of patients with coronary artery disease (1), however their occurrence in atherosclerotic plaques and their association with the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis has not been established.
Single-cell RNA sequencing was performed on human carotid atherosclerotic plaques of 18 patients to identify specific T cell populations (2). Next, human femoral and carotid atherosclerotic plaques (n=95) and matched blood samples (n=49) were analyzed by flow cytometry for the presence of CD4+GZMB+ T cells. Plaque morphology was assessed by Movat’s Pentachrome staining.
A distinct cytotoxic GZMB+ PRF1+ CD28- CD4+ T cell cluster was identified using single-cell RNA sequencing. Furthermore, flow cytometry analysis showed that the percentage of GZMB+CD4+ T cells was significantly elevated in plaque compared to blood (Blood: 12.17±2.0 vs. Plaque: 17.40±1.0; P=0.0002). Moreover, a significant positive correlation was observed between the percentage of GZMB+CD4+ T cells in blood versus plaque (P=0.031). In line with the proinflammatory character of these cells, we found a positive association of GZMB+CD4+ T cells (P=0.036) with necrotic core size, whereas no correlation was found with this subtype in the circulation.
In this study we have shown an enrichment of cytotoxic CD4+ T cells in atherosclerotic lesions, which positively correlate with necrotic core size. Future studies are aimed at elucidating the role of these cells in advanced atherosclerosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- MAC Depuydt
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Researh , Leiden , Netherlands (The)
| | - V Smit
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Researh , Leiden , Netherlands (The)
| | - F Lozano Vigario
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Researh , Leiden , Netherlands (The)
| | | | - MR De Vries
- Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Surgery , Leiden , Netherlands (The)
| | - PHA Quax
- Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Surgery , Leiden , Netherlands (The)
| | - A Wezel
- Haaglanden Medical Center, Department of Surgery , The Hague , Netherlands (The)
| | - HJ Smeets
- Haaglanden Medical Center, Department of Surgery , The Hague , Netherlands (The)
| | - J Kuiper
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Researh , Leiden , Netherlands (The)
| | - AC Foks
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Researh , Leiden , Netherlands (The)
| | - I Bot
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Researh , Leiden , Netherlands (The)
| | - B Slutter
- Leiden Academic Center for Drug Researh , Leiden , Netherlands (The)
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Slenders L, Landsmeer LPL, Cui K, Depuydt MAC, Verwer M, Mekke J, Timmerman N, van den Dungen NAM, Kuiper J, de Winther MPJ, Prange KHM, Ma WF, Miller CL, Aherrahrou R, Civelek M, de Borst GJ, de Kleijn DPV, Asselbergs FW, den Ruijter HM, Boltjes A, Pasterkamp G, van der Laan SW, Mokry M. Intersecting single-cell transcriptomics and genome-wide association studies identifies crucial cell populations and candidate genes for atherosclerosis. Eur Heart J Open 2022; 2:oeab043. [PMID: 35174364 PMCID: PMC8841481 DOI: 10.1093/ehjopen/oeab043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Aims Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have discovered hundreds of common genetic variants for atherosclerotic disease and cardiovascular risk factors. The translation of susceptibility loci into biological mechanisms and targets for drug discovery remains challenging. Intersecting genetic and gene expression data has led to the identification of candidate genes. However, previously studied tissues are often non-diseased and heterogeneous in cell composition, hindering accurate candidate prioritization. Therefore, we analysed single-cell transcriptomics from atherosclerotic plaques for cell-type-specific expression to identify atherosclerosis-associated candidate gene–cell pairs. Methods and results We applied gene-based analyses using GWAS summary statistics from 46 atherosclerotic and cardiovascular disease, risk factors, and other traits. We then intersected these candidates with single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data to identify genes specific for individual cell (sub)populations in atherosclerotic plaques. The coronary artery disease (CAD) loci demonstrated a prominent signal in plaque smooth muscle cells (SMCs) (SKI, KANK2, and SORT1) P-adj. = 0.0012, and endothelial cells (ECs) (SLC44A1, ATP2B1) P-adj. = 0.0011. Finally, we used liver-derived scRNA-seq data and showed hepatocyte-specific enrichment of genes involved in serum lipid levels. Conclusion We discovered novel and known gene–cell pairs pointing to new biological mechanisms of atherosclerotic disease. We highlight that loci associated with CAD reveal prominent association levels in mainly plaque SMC and EC populations. We present an intuitive single-cell transcriptomics-driven workflow rooted in human large-scale genetic studies to identify putative candidate genes and affected cells associated with cardiovascular traits. Collectively, our workflow allows for the identification of cell-specific targets relevant for atherosclerosis and can be universally applied to other complex genetic diseases and traits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lotte Slenders
- Central Diagnostics Laboratory, Division Laboratories, Pharmacy, and Biomedical Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lennart P L Landsmeer
- Central Diagnostics Laboratory, Division Laboratories, Pharmacy, and Biomedical Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Kai Cui
- Central Diagnostics Laboratory, Division Laboratories, Pharmacy, and Biomedical Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marie A C Depuydt
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten Verwer
- Department of Vascular Surgery, University Medical Centre Utrecht, University Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Joost Mekke
- Department of Vascular Surgery, University Medical Centre Utrecht, University Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nathalie Timmerman
- Department of Vascular Surgery, University Medical Centre Utrecht, University Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Noortje A M van den Dungen
- Central Diagnostics Laboratory, Division Laboratories, Pharmacy, and Biomedical Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Johan Kuiper
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam University Medical Centers-Location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Experimental Vascular Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Menno P J de Winther
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Koen H M Prange
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam University Medical Centers-Location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Experimental Vascular Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wei Feng Ma
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Virginia, 200 Jeanette Lancaster Way, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.,Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, West Complex, 1335 Lee St, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Clint L Miller
- Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, West Complex, 1335 Lee St, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, 1340 Jefferson Rark Avenue, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.,Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, West Complex Rm 3181, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Redouane Aherrahrou
- Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, West Complex, 1335 Lee St, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Mete Civelek
- Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, West Complex, 1335 Lee St, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, 415 Lane Road, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Gert J de Borst
- Department of Vascular Surgery, University Medical Centre Utrecht, University Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Dominique P V de Kleijn
- Department of Vascular Surgery, University Medical Centre Utrecht, University Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Folkert W Asselbergs
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, Utrecht 3508 GA, The Netherlands
| | - Hester M den Ruijter
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, Utrecht 3508 GA, The Netherlands
| | - Arjan Boltjes
- Central Diagnostics Laboratory, Division Laboratories, Pharmacy, and Biomedical Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Gerard Pasterkamp
- Central Diagnostics Laboratory, Division Laboratories, Pharmacy, and Biomedical Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sander W van der Laan
- Central Diagnostics Laboratory, Division Laboratories, Pharmacy, and Biomedical Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Michal Mokry
- Central Diagnostics Laboratory, Division Laboratories, Pharmacy, and Biomedical Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, Utrecht 3508 GA, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Douna H, Amersfoort J, Schaftenaar FH, Kröner MJ, Kiss MG, Slütter B, Depuydt MAC, Bernabé Kleijn MNA, Wezel A, Smeets HJ, Yagita H, Binder CJ, Bot I, van Puijvelde GHM, Kuiper J, Foks AC. B- and T-lymphocyte attenuator stimulation protects against atherosclerosis by regulating follicular B cells. Cardiovasc Res 2020; 116:295-305. [PMID: 31150053 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvz129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS The immune system is strongly involved in atherosclerosis and immune regulation generally leads to attenuated atherosclerosis. B- and T-lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) is a novel co-receptor that negatively regulates the activation of B and T cells; however, there have been no reports of BTLA and its function in atherosclerosis or cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to assess the dominant BTLA expressing leucocyte in CVD patients and to investigate whether BTLA has a functional role in experimental atherosclerosis. METHODS AND RESULTS We show that BTLA is primarily expressed on B cells in CVD patients and follicular B2 cells in low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient (Ldlr-/-) mice. We treated Ldlr-/- mice that were fed a western-type diet (WTD) with phosphate-buffered saline, an isotype antibody, or an agonistic BTLA antibody (3C10) for 6 weeks. We report here that the agonistic BTLA antibody significantly attenuated atherosclerosis. This was associated with a strong reduction in follicular B2 cells, while regulatory B and T cells were increased. The BTLA antibody showed similar immunomodulating effects in a progression study in which Ldlr-/- mice were fed a WTD for 10 weeks before receiving antibody treatment. Most importantly, BTLA stimulation enhanced collagen content, a feature of stable lesions, in pre-existing lesions. CONCLUSION Stimulation of the BTLA pathway in Ldlr-/- mice reduces initial lesion development and increases collagen content of established lesions, presumably by shifting the balance between atherogenic follicular B cells and atheroprotective B cells and directing CD4+ T cells towards regulatory T cells. We provide the first evidence that BTLA is a very promising target for the treatment of atherosclerosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hidde Douna
- Division of BioTherapeutics, LACDR, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jacob Amersfoort
- Division of BioTherapeutics, LACDR, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Frank H Schaftenaar
- Division of BioTherapeutics, LACDR, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mara J Kröner
- Division of BioTherapeutics, LACDR, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Máté G Kiss
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Bram Slütter
- Division of BioTherapeutics, LACDR, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marie A C Depuydt
- Division of BioTherapeutics, LACDR, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mireia N A Bernabé Kleijn
- Division of BioTherapeutics, LACDR, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Anouk Wezel
- Department of Surgery, HMC Westeinde, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Harm J Smeets
- Department of Surgery, HMC Westeinde, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Hideo Yagita
- Department of Immunology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Christoph J Binder
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - I Bot
- Division of BioTherapeutics, LACDR, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gijs H M van Puijvelde
- Division of BioTherapeutics, LACDR, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Johan Kuiper
- Division of BioTherapeutics, LACDR, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Amanda C Foks
- Division of BioTherapeutics, LACDR, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
van der Sluis RJ, Depuydt MAC, Verwilligen RAF, Hoekstra M, Van Eck M. Elimination of adrenocortical apolipoprotein E production does not impact glucocorticoid output in wild-type mice. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2019; 490:21-27. [PMID: 30953750 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2019.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2018] [Revised: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Apolipoprotein E (APOE) deficient mice exhibit unexplained hypercorticosteronemia. Given that APOE is also produced locally within the adrenals, we evaluated the effect of adrenal-specific APOE deficiency on the glucocorticoid function. Hereto, one adrenal containing or lacking APOE was transplanted into adrenalectomized wild-type mice. Adrenal APOE deficiency did not impact adrenal total cholesterol levels. Importantly, the ability of the two adrenal types to produce glucocorticoids was also not different as judged from the similar plasma corticosterone levels. Adrenal mRNA expression levels of HMG-CoA reductase and the LDL receptor were decreased by respectively 72% (p < 0.01) and 65% (p = 0.07), suggesting that cholesterol acquisition pathways were inhibited to possibly compensate the lack of APOE. In support, a parallel increase in the expression level of the cholesterol accumulation-associated ER stress marker CHOP was detected (+117%; p < 0.05). In conclusion, our studies show that elimination of adrenocortical APOE production does not impact glucocorticoid output in wild-type mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ronald J van der Sluis
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, 2333CC, Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Marie A C Depuydt
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, 2333CC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Robin A F Verwilligen
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, 2333CC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Menno Hoekstra
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, 2333CC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Miranda Van Eck
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, 2333CC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Engelbertsen D, Depuydt MAC, Verwilligen RAF, Rattik S, Levinsohn E, Edsfeldt A, Kuperwaser F, Jarolim P, Lichtman AH. IL-23R Deficiency Does Not Impact Atherosclerotic Plaque Development in Mice. J Am Heart Assoc 2018; 7:JAHA.117.008257. [PMID: 29618473 PMCID: PMC6015431 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.117.008257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Interleukin-23 (IL-23) has been implicated in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases by skewing CD4+ T helper cells towards a pathogenic Th17 phenotype. In this study we investigated the presence of IL-23 receptor (IL-23R)-expressing cells in the atherosclerotic aorta and evaluated the effect of IL-23R deficiency on atherosclerosis development in mice. METHODS AND RESULTS We used heterozygous Ldlr-/-Il23reGFP/WT knock-in mice to identify IL-23R-expressing cells by flow cytometry and homozygous Ldlr-/-Il23reGFP/eGFP (Ldlr-/-Il23r-/- ) mice to investigate the effect of lack of IL-23R in atherosclerosis. We demonstrate the presence of relatively rare IL-23R-expressing cells in lymphoid tissue and aorta (≈0.1-1% IL23R+ cells of all CD45+ leukocytes). After 10 weeks on a high-fat diet, production of IL-17, but not interferon-γ, by CD4+ T cells and other lymphocytes was reduced in Ldlr-/-Il23r-/- compared with Ldlr-/- controls. However, Ldlr-/- and Ldlr-/-Il23r-/- mice had equivalent amounts of aortic sinus and descending aorta lesions. Adoptive transfer of IL-23R-deficient CD4+ T cells to lymphopenic Ldlr-/-Rag1-/- resulted in dramatically reduced IL-17-producing T cells but did not reduce atherosclerosis, compared with transfer of IL-23R-sufficient CD4+ T cells. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate that loss of IL-23R does not affect development of experimental atherosclerosis in LDLr-deficient mice, despite a role for IL-23 in differentiation of IL-17-producing T cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Engelbertsen
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.,Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Marie A C Depuydt
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Robin A F Verwilligen
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Sara Rattik
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Erik Levinsohn
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | | | - Felicia Kuperwaser
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Petr Jarolim
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Andrew H Lichtman
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| |
Collapse
|