1
|
Hirotani T, Nagase K. Temperature-modulated separation of vascular cells using thermoresponsive-anionic block copolymer-modified glass. Regen Ther 2024; 27:259-267. [PMID: 38601885 PMCID: PMC11004074 DOI: 10.1016/j.reth.2024.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Vascular tissue engineering is a key technology in the field of regenerative medicine. In tissue engineering, the separation of vascular cells without cell modification is required, as cell modifications affect the intrinsic properties of the cells. In this study, we have developed an effective method for separating vascular cells without cell modification, using a thermoresponsive anionic block copolymer. Methods A thermoresponsive anionic block copolymer, poly(acrylic acid)-b-poly(N-isopropylacryl-amide) (PAAc-b-PNIPAAm), with various PNIPAAm segment lengths, was prepared in two steps: atom transfer radical polymerization and subsequent deprotection. Normal human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), normal human dermal fibroblasts, and human aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were seeded onto the prepared thermoresponsive anionic block copolymer brush-modified glass. The adhesion behavior of cells on the copolymer brush was observed at 37 °C and 20 °C. Results A thermoresponsive anionic block copolymer, poly(acrylic acid)-b-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PAAc-b-PNIPAAm), with various PNIPAAm segment lengths was prepared. The prepared copolymer-modified glass exhibited anionic properties attributed to the bottom PAAc segment of the copolymer brush. On the PAAc-b-PNIPAAm, which had a moderate PNIPAAm length, a high adhesion ratio of HUVECs and low adhesion ratio of SMCs were observed at 37 °C. By reducing temperature from 37 °C to 20 °C, the adhered HUVECs were detached, whereas the SMCs maintained adhesion, leading to the recovery of purified HUVECs by changing the temperature. Conclusions The prepared thermoresponsive anionic copolymer-modified glass could be used to separate HUVECs and SMCs by changing the temperature without modifying the cell surface. Therefore, the developed cell separation method will be useful for vascular tissue engineering.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tadashi Hirotani
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8512, Japan
| | - Kenichi Nagase
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8512, Japan
- Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Li Y, Zhang YT, Han B, Xue L, Wei Y, Li G. Single-cell sequencing analysis confirms the association of ANRIL with the increased smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration gene signatures in pulmonary artery hypertension in silico. Adv Med Sci 2024; 69:217-223. [PMID: 38631609 DOI: 10.1016/j.advms.2024.04.002] [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: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Smooth muscle cell (SMC) dysregulation is part of the pathological basis of pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). We aimed to explore the heterogeneity of SMCs in PAH. METHODS The profile GSE210248 was obtained from NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus, containing the scRNA-seq data of pulmonary arteries (PA) from three patients with PAH and three healthy donors. After quality control, normalization, and dimension reduction, cell clustering analysis was performed. Differential expression analysis and functional enrichment analysis were carried out successively in smooth muscle cells (SMCs). The enrichment scores of cell cycle and cell migration gene sets in SMCs were calculated. Then, the Spearman correlation coefficients between antisense non-coding RNA in the INK4 locus (ANRIL) expression and two gene sets were computed. RESULTS Eight cell clusters were identified in PA from samples. The proportion of SMCs was increased in PAH samples. SMCs were divided into five subclusters with diverse biological functions. Muscle contraction-related SMC1 was decreased, while extracellular matrix organization-related SMC2, immune and inflammatory response-related SMC4 and SMC5 were increased in PAH samples compared with healthy donors. The enrichment scores of cell cycle and cell migration gene sets in SMCs were higher in PAH samples than in donors. ANRIL was down-regulated significantly in PAH samples and was negatively related to the scores of two gene sets. CONCLUSION SMCs exhibited significant heterogeneity in PAH. The altered abilities of SMC proliferation and migration in PAH were associated with ANRIL expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- Department of Biochemistry, Heze Medical College, Heze, Shandong Province, China.
| | - Yan-Tong Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry, Heze Medical College, Heze, Shandong Province, China
| | - Bing Han
- Department of Biochemistry, Heze Medical College, Heze, Shandong Province, China
| | - Lan Xue
- Department of Biochemistry, Heze Medical College, Heze, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yan Wei
- Department of Biochemistry, Heze Medical College, Heze, Shandong Province, China
| | - Ge Li
- Department of Biochemistry, Heze Medical College, Heze, Shandong Province, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gao Y, Chen T, Hong L. Fibulin-1 promotes intimal hyperplasia after venous stent implantation through ACE mediated angiotensin II signaling. Heliyon 2024; 10:e27626. [PMID: 38560238 PMCID: PMC10979058 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Stent intimal hyperplasia leads to in stent restenosis and thrombosis. This study determined whether Fibulin-1 activity in smooth muscle cells (SMCs) contributes to stent restenosis or thrombosis. Methods Stent implantation was conducted in a pig model. Target vessel samples were stained and analyzed by protein mass spectrometry. Cell experiments and Fibulin-1 SMC specific knockout mice (Fbln1SMKO) were used to investigate the mechanism of Fibulin-1 induced SMC proliferation and thrombosis. Results SMC proliferation and phenotypic transition are the main pathological changes of intimal hyperplasia in venous stents. Protein mass spectrometry analysis revealed a total of 67 upregulated proteins and 39 downregulated proteins in intimal hyperplasia after stent implantation compared with normal iliac vein tissues. Among them, Fibulin-1 ranked among the top proteins altered. Fibulin-1 overexpressing human SMCs (Fibulin-1-hSMCs) showed increased migration and phenotypic switching from contractile to secretory type and Fibulin-1 inhibition decreased the activity of SMCs. Mechanistically, Fibulin-1-hSMCs displayed increased levels of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) expression and angiotensin II signaling. Inhibition of ACE or angiotensin II signaling alleviated the migration of Fibulin-1-hSMCs. Using Fibulin-1 SMC specific knockout mice (Fbln1SMKO) and venous thrombosis model, we demonstrated that Fibulin-1 deletion attenuated intimal SMCs proliferation and thrombosis. Further, Fibulin-1 concentration was high in iliac vein compression syndrome (IVCS) patients treated with stent and was an independent predictor of venous insufficiency. Conclusions Fibulin-1 promotes SMC proliferation partially through ACE secretion and angiotensin II signaling after stent implantation. Fibulin-1 plays a role in venous insufficiency syndrome, implicating the protein in the detection and treatment of IVCS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuning Gao
- Department of Vascular Surgery the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, China
| | - Tianshi Chen
- Department of Endoscopy Center South District of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, China
| | - Lei Hong
- Department of Vascular Surgery the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Bigger-Allen A, Gheinani AH, Adam RM. Investigation of the impact of bromodomain inhibition on cytoskeleton stability and contraction. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:184. [PMID: 38493137 PMCID: PMC10944605 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01553-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Injury to contractile organs such as the heart, vasculature, urinary bladder and gut can stimulate a pathological response that results in loss of normal contractility. PDGF and TGFβ are among the most well studied initiators of the injury response and have been shown to induce aberrant contraction in mechanically active cells of hollow organs including smooth muscle cells (SMC) and fibroblasts. However, the mechanisms driving contractile alterations downstream of PDGF and TGFβ in SMC and fibroblasts are incompletely understood, limiting therapeutic interventions. METHODS To identify potential molecular targets, we have leveraged the analysis of publicly available data, comparing transcriptomic changes in mechanically active cells stimulated with PDGF and TGFβ. Additional Analysis of publicly available data sets were performed on SMC and fibroblasts treated in the presence or absence of the MYC inhibitor JQ1. Validation of in silico findings were performed with qPCR, immunoblots, and collagen gel contraction assays measure the effect of JQ1 on cytoskeleton associated genes, proteins and contractility in mechanically active cells. Likelihood ratio test and FDR adjusted p-values were used to determine significant differentially expressed genes. Student ttest were used to calculate statistical significance of qPCR and contractility analyses. RESULTS Comparing PDGF and TGFβ stimulated SMC and fibroblasts identified a shared molecular profile regulated by MYC and members of the AP-1 transcription factor complex. Additional in silico analysis revealed a unique set of cytoskeleton-associated genes that were sensitive to MYC inhibition with JQ1. In vitro validation demonstrated JQ1 was also able to attenuate TGFβ and PDGF induced changes to the cytoskeleton and contraction of smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts in vitro. CONCLUSIONS These findings identify MYC as a key driver of aberrant cytoskeletal and contractile changes in fibroblasts and SMC, and suggest that JQ1 could be used to restore normal contractile function in hollow organs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Bigger-Allen
- Urological Diseases Research Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Enders Bldg 1061.4, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Biological & Biomedical Sciences Program, Division of Medical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ali Hashemi Gheinani
- Urological Diseases Research Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Enders Bldg 1061.4, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Functional Urology Research Group, Department for BioMedical Research DBMR, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Urology, Inselspital University Hospital, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Rosalyn M Adam
- Urological Diseases Research Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Enders Bldg 1061.4, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Gunnersen S, Shim JT, Liu F, Tietge UJ, Sørensen CB, Bentzon JF. Conditional deletion of Ccl2 in smooth muscle cells does not reduce early atherosclerosis in mice. Atheroscler Plus 2024; 55:12-20. [PMID: 38234375 PMCID: PMC10792688 DOI: 10.1016/j.athplu.2023.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Background and aims C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) is a pro-inflammatory chemokine important for monocyte recruitment to the arterial wall and atherosclerotic plaques. Global knockout of Ccl2 reduces plaque formation and macrophage content in mice, but the importance of different plaque cell types in mediating this effect has not been resolved. Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) can adopt a potentially pro-inflammatory function with expression of CCL2. The present study aimed to test the hypothesis that SMC-secreted CCL2 is involved in early atherogenesis in mice. Methods SMC-restricted Cre recombinase was activated at 6 weeks of age in mice with homozygous floxed or wildtype Ccl2 alleles. Separate experiments in mice lacking the Cre recombinase transgene were conducted to control for genetic background effects. Hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis were induced by a tail vein injection of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) encoding proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and a high-fat diet for 12 weeks. Results Unexpectedly, mice with SMC-specific Ccl2 deletion developed higher levels of plasma cholesterol and larger atherosclerotic plaques with more macrophages compared with wild-type littermates. When total cholesterol levels were incorporated into the statistical analysis, none of the effects on plaque development between groups remained significant. Importantly, changes in plasma cholesterol and atherosclerosis remained in mice lacking Cre recombinase indicating that they were not caused by SMC-specific CCL2 deletion but by effects of the floxed allele or passenger genes. Conclusions SMC-specific deficiency of Ccl2 does not significantly affect early plaque development in hypercholesterolemic mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stine Gunnersen
- Atherosclerosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 11, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Jeong Tangkjær Shim
- Atherosclerosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 11, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Fan Liu
- Division of Clinical Chemistry, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 14183 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Uwe J.F. Tietge
- Division of Clinical Chemistry, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 14183 Stockholm, Sweden
- Clinical Chemistry, Karolinska University Laboratory, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-14186 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Charlotte Brandt Sørensen
- Atherosclerosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 11, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Jacob Fog Bentzon
- Atherosclerosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 11, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), Calle de Melchor Fernández Almagro, 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 11, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kovanen PT. Inhibition of chymase-dependent production of IL-1β by smooth muscle cells in the fibrous caps of human atherosclerotic plaques: A reasonable approach to prevent cap rupture? Atherosclerosis 2024; 390:117412. [PMID: 38160125 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2023.117412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Petri T Kovanen
- Atherosclerosis Research Laboratory, Wihuri Research Institute, Helsinki, Finland.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Dare A, Chen SY. Adipsin in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Vascul Pharmacol 2024; 154:107270. [PMID: 38114042 PMCID: PMC10939892 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2023.107270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Adipsin is an adipokine predominantly synthesized in adipose tissues and released into circulation. It is also known as complement factor-D (CFD), acting as the rate-limiting factor in the alternative complement pathway and exerting essential functions on the activation of complement system. The deficiency of CFD in humans is a very rare condition. However, complement overactivation has been implicated in the etiology of numerous disorders, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). Increased circulating level of adipsin has been reported to promote vascular derangements, systemic inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction. Prospective and case-control studies showed that this adipokine is directly associated with all-cause death and rehospitalization in patients with coronary artery disease. Adipsin has also been implicated in pulmonary arterial hypertension, abdominal aortic aneurysm, pre-eclampsia, and type-2 diabetes which is a major risk factor for CVD. Importantly, serum adipsin has been recognized as a unique prognostic marker for assessing cardiovascular diseases. At present, there is paucity of experimental evidence about the precise role of adipsin in the etiology of CVD. However, this mini review provides some insight on the contribution of adipsin in the pathogenesis of CVD and highlights its role on endothelial, smooth muscle and immune cells that mediate cardiovascular functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ayobami Dare
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Shi-You Chen
- Department of Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA; The Research Service, Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital, Columbia, MO, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Jiao YC, Wang YX, Liu WZ, Xu JW, Zhao YY, Yan CZ, Liu FC. Advances in the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into vascular cells. World J Stem Cells 2024; 16:137-150. [PMID: 38455095 PMCID: PMC10915963 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v16.i2.137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Blood vessels constitute a closed pipe system distributed throughout the body, transporting blood from the heart to other organs and delivering metabolic waste products back to the lungs and kidneys. Changes in blood vessels are related to many disorders like stroke, myocardial infarction, aneurysm, and diabetes, which are important causes of death worldwide. Translational research for new approaches to disease modeling and effective treatment is needed due to the huge socio-economic burden on healthcare systems. Although mice or rats have been widely used, applying data from animal studies to human-specific vascular physiology and pathology is difficult. The rise of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provides a reliable in vitro resource for disease modeling, regenerative medicine, and drug discovery because they carry all human genetic information and have the ability to directionally differentiate into any type of human cells. This review summarizes the latest progress from the establishment of iPSCs, the strategies for differentiating iPSCs into vascular cells, and the in vivo transplantation of these vascular derivatives. It also introduces the application of these technologies in disease modeling, drug screening, and regenerative medicine. Additionally, the application of high-tech tools, such as omics analysis and high-throughput sequencing, in this field is reviewed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Chang Jiao
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, China
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, China
| | - Ying-Xin Wang
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, China
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, China
| | - Wen-Zhu Liu
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, China
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, China
| | - Jing-Wen Xu
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, China
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yu-Ying Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, China
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, China
| | - Chuan-Zhu Yan
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, China
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, China
- Mitochondrial Medicine Laboratory, Qilu Hospital (Qingdao) of Shandong University, Qingdao 266103, Shandong Province, China
- Brain Science Research Institute, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, China
| | - Fu-Chen Liu
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, China
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, China
- Brain Science Research Institute, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Wang HL, Narisawa M, Wu P, Meng X, Cheng XW. The many roles of cathepsins in restenosis. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24720. [PMID: 38333869 PMCID: PMC10850908 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Drug-eluting stents (DES) and dual antiplatelet regimens have significantly improved the clinical management of ischemic heart disease; however, the drugs loaded with DES in clinical practice are mostly paclitaxel or rapamycin derivatives, which target symptoms of post implantation proliferation and inflammation, leading to delayed re-endothelialization and neo-atherosclerosis. Along with the treatments already in place, there is a need for novel strategies to lessen the negative clinical outcomes of DES delays as well as a need for greater understanding of their pathobiological mechanisms. This review concentrates on the function of cathepsins (Cats) in the inflammatory response and granulation tissue formation that follow Cat-induced damage to the vasculature scaffold, as well as the functions of Cats in intimal hyperplasia, which is characterized by the migration and proliferation of smooth muscle cells, and endothelial denudation, re-endothelialization, and/or neo-endothelialization. Additionally, Cats can alter essential neointima formation and immune response inside scaffolds, and if Cats are properly controlled in vivo, they may improve scaffold biocompatibility. This unique profile of functions could lead to an original concept for a cathepsin-based coronary intervention treatment as an adjunct to stent placement.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hai Long Wang
- Department of Adult Intensive Care Unit, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
- Department of Cardiology and Hypertension, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Stress and Cardiovascular Disease, Yanbian University Hospital, Yanji, Jilin, PR China
| | - Megumi Narisawa
- Department of Cardiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichiken, 4668550, Japan
| | - Pan Wu
- Department of Adult Intensive Care Unit, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Xiangkun Meng
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310000, PR China
| | - Xian Wu Cheng
- Department of Cardiology and Hypertension, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Stress and Cardiovascular Disease, Yanbian University Hospital, Yanji, Jilin, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, 133002, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Babou Kammoe RB, Sévigny J. Extracellular nucleotides in smooth muscle contraction. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 220:116005. [PMID: 38142836 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.116005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular nucleotides and nucleosides are crucial signalling molecules, eliciting diverse biological responses in almost all organs and tissues. These molecules exert their effects by activating specific nucleotide receptors, which are finely regulated by ectonucleotidases that break down their ligands. In this comprehensive review, we aim to elucidate the relevance of extracellular nucleotides as signalling molecules in the context of smooth muscle contraction, considering the modulatory influence of ectonucleotidases on this intricate process. Specifically, we provide a detailed examination of the involvement of extracellular nucleotides in the contraction of non-vascular smooth muscles, including those found in the urinary bladder, the airways, the reproductive system, and the gastrointestinal tract. Furthermore, we present a broader overview of the role of extracellular nucleotides in vascular smooth muscle contraction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Romuald Brice Babou Kammoe
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 4G2, Canada; Département de microbiologie-infectiologie et d'immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Jean Sévigny
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 4G2, Canada; Département de microbiologie-infectiologie et d'immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Cheng J, Wu H, Xie C, He Y, Mou R, Zhang H, Yang Y, Xu Q. Single-Cell Mapping of Large and Small Arteries During Hypertensive Aging. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2024; 79:glad188. [PMID: 37531301 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glad188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular aging is directly related to several major diseases including clinical primary hypertension. Conversely, elevated blood pressure itself accelerates vascular senescence. However, the interaction between vascular aging and hypertension has not been characterized during hypertensive aging. To depict the interconnectedness of complex mechanisms between hypertension and aging, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing of aorta, femoral and mesentery arteries, respectively, from male Wistar Kyoto rats and male spontaneously hypertensive rats aging 16 or 72 weeks. We integrated 12 data sets to map the blood vessels of senile hypertension from 3 perspective: vascular aging, hypertension, and vascular type. We found that aging and hypertension independently exerted a significant impact on the alteration of cellular composition and artery remodeling, even greater when superimposed. Consistently, smooth muscle cells (SMCs) underwent phenotypic switching from contractile toward synthetic, apoptotic, and senescent SMCs with aging/hypertension. Furthermore, we identified 3 subclusters of Spp1high, encoding protein osteopontin (OPN), synthetic SMCs, Spp1high matrix activated fibroblasts, and Spp1high scar-associated macrophage involved in hypertensive aging. Spp1high scar-associated macrophage enriched for reactive oxygen species metabolic process and cell migration-associated function. Cell-cell communication analysis revealed Spp1-Cd44 receptor pairing was markedly aggravated in the hypertensive aging condition. Importantly, the concentration of serum OPN significantly potentiated in aged hypertensive patients compared with the normal group. Thus, we provide a comprehensive cell atlas to systematically resolve the cellular diversity and dynamic cellular communication changes of the vessel wall during hypertensive aging, identifying a protein marker OPN as a potential regulator of vascular remodeling during hypertensive aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education & Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province (Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease), Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Public Center of Experimental Technology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Hong Wu
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Cheng Xie
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education & Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province (Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease), Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Public Center of Experimental Technology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Yangyan He
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Rong Mou
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hongkun Zhang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education & Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province (Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease), Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Public Center of Experimental Technology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Qingbo Xu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education & Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province (Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease), Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Public Center of Experimental Technology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Ravindran A, Holappa L, Niskanen H, Skovorodkin I, Kaisto S, Beter M, Kiema M, Selvarajan I, Nurminen V, Aavik E, Aherrahrou R, Pasonen-Seppänen S, Fortino V, Laakkonen JP, Ylä-Herttuala S, Vainio S, Örd T, Kaikkonen MU. Translatome profiling reveals Itih4 as a novel smooth muscle cell-specific gene in atherosclerosis. Cardiovasc Res 2024:cvae028. [PMID: 38289873 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvae028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS Vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and their derivatives are key contributors to the development of atherosclerosis. However, studying changes in SMC gene expression in heterogeneous vascular tissues is challenging due to the technical limitations and high cost associated with current approaches. In this paper, we apply Translating Ribosome Affinity Purification sequencing (TRAP-Seq) to profile SMC-specific gene expression directly from tissue. METHODS AND RESULTS To facilitate SMC-specific translatome analysis, we generated SMCTRAP mice, a transgenic mouse line expressing EGFP-tagged ribosomal protein L10a (EGFP-L10a) under the control of the SMC-specific αSMA promoter. These mice were further crossed with the atherosclerosis model Ldlr-/-, ApoB100/100 to generate SMCTRAP-AS mice and used to profile atherosclerosis-associated SMCs in thoracic aorta samples of 15-month-old SMCTRAP and SMCTRAP-AS mice. Our analysis of SMCTRAP-AS mice showed that EGFP-L10a expression was localized to SMCs in various tissues, including the aortic wall and plaque. The TRAP fraction demonstrated high enrichment of known SMC-specific genes, confirming the specificity of our approach. We identified several genes, including Cemip, Lum, Mfge8, Spp1, and Serpina3, that are known to be involved in atherosclerosis-induced gene expression. Moreover, we identified several novel genes not previously linked to SMCs in atherosclerosis, such as Anxa4, Cd276, Itih4, Myof, Pcdh11x, Rab31, Serpinb6b, Slc35e4, Slc8a3, and Spink5. Among them, we confirmed the SMC-specific expression of Itih4 in atherosclerotic lesions using immunofluorescence staining of mouse aortic roots and spatial transcriptomics of human carotid arteries. Furthermore, our more detailed analysis of Itih4 showed its link to coronary artery disease (CAD) through the colocalization of GWAS, splice-QTL, and protein-QTL signals. CONCLUSIONS We generated a SMC-specific TRAP mouse line to study atherosclerosis and identified Itih4 as a novel SMC-expressed gene in atherosclerotic plaques, warranting further investigation of its putative function in extracellular matrix stability and genetic evidence of causality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aarthi Ravindran
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland
| | - Lari Holappa
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland
| | - Henri Niskanen
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland
| | - Ilya Skovorodkin
- Biocenter Oulu and Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu
| | - Susanna Kaisto
- Biocenter Oulu and Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu
| | - Mustafa Beter
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland
| | - Miika Kiema
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland
| | - Ilakya Selvarajan
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland
| | - Valtteri Nurminen
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland
| | - Einari Aavik
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland
| | - Rédouane Aherrahrou
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland
- Institute for Cardiogenetics, Universität zu Lübeck; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Germany; University Heart Centre Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Sanna Pasonen-Seppänen
- Institute of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70211, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Vittorio Fortino
- Institute of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70211, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Johanna P Laakkonen
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland
| | - Seppo Ylä-Herttuala
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland
| | - Seppo Vainio
- Biocenter Oulu and Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu
| | - Tiit Örd
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland
| | - Minna U Kaikkonen
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Xiao C, Sun Y, Huang H, Yue X, Song Z, David T, Xu S. Cellular communication among smooth muscle cells: The role of membrane potential via connexins. J Theor Biol 2024; 576:111627. [PMID: 37977477 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2023.111627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Communication via action potentials among neurons has been extensively studied. However, effective communication without action potentials is ubiquitous in biological systems, yet it has received much less attention in comparison. Multi-cellular communication among smooth muscles is crucial for regulating blood flow, for example. Understanding the mechanism of this non-action potential communication is critical in many cases, like synchronization of cellular activity, under normal and pathological conditions. In this paper, we employ a multi-scale asymptotic method to derive a macroscopic homogenized bidomain model from the microscopic electro-neutral (EN) model. This is achieved by considering different diffusion coefficients and incorporating nonlinear interface conditions. Subsequently, the homogenized macroscopic model is used to investigate communication in multi-cellular tissues. Our computational simulations reveal that the membrane potential of syncytia, formed by interconnected cells via connexins, plays a crucial role in propagating oscillations from one region to another, providing an effective means for fast cellular communication. Statement of Significance: In this study, we investigated cellular communication and ion transport in vascular smooth muscle cells, shedding light on their mechanisms under normal and abnormal conditions. Our research highlights the potential of mathematical models in understanding complex biological systems. We developed effective macroscale electro-neutral bi-domain ion transport models and examined their behavior in response to different stimuli. Our findings revealed the crucial role of connexinmediated membrane potential changes and demonstrated the effectiveness of cellular communication through syncytium membranes. Despite some limitations, our study provides valuable insights into these processes and emphasizes the importance of mathematical modeling in unraveling the complexities of cellular communication and ion transport.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chun Xiao
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang, 524048, China.
| | - Yishui Sun
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0WA, United Kingdom.
| | - Huaxiong Huang
- Research Center for Mathematics, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, 519088, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Interdisciplinary Research and Application for Data Science, BNU-HKBU United International College, Zhuhai, Guangdong, 519088, China; Laboratory of Mathematics and Complex Systems, MOE, Beijing Normal University, 100875, Beijing, China; Department of Mathematics and Statistics York University, Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada.
| | - Xingye Yue
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China.
| | - Zilong Song
- Math and Statistics Department, Utah State University, Old Main Hill, Logan , UT 84322, USA.
| | - Tim David
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, 8041, New Zealand.
| | - Shixin Xu
- Zu Chongzhi Center for Mathematics and Computational Sciences (CMCS), Duke Kunshan University, Kunshan, 215316, China.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Hong J, Park Y. Microvascular Function and Exercise Training: Functional Implication of Nitric Oxide Signaling and Ion Channels. Pulse (Basel) 2024; 12:27-33. [PMID: 38572498 PMCID: PMC10987185 DOI: 10.1159/000538271] [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: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Exercise training elicits indubitable positive adaptation in microcirculation in health and disease populations. An inclusive overview of the current knowledge regarding the effects of exercise on microvascular function consolidates an in-depth understanding of microvasculature. Summary The main physiological function of microvasculature is to maintain optimal blood flow regulation to supply oxygen and nutrition during elevated physical demands in the cardiovascular system. There are several cellular and molecular alterations in resistance vessels in response to exercise intervention, an increase in nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation through the regulation of oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and ion channels in endothelial cells, thus increasing myogenic tone via voltage-gated Ca2+ channels in smooth muscle cells. Key Messages In the review, we postulate that exercise should be considered a medicine for people with diverse diseases through a comprehensive understanding of the cellular and molecular underlying mechanisms in microcirculation through exercise training.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junyoung Hong
- Department of Health and Human Performance, Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Yoonjung Park
- Department of Health and Human Performance, Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Woźniak E, Świstek M, Broncel M, Bukowska B, Gorzelak-Pabiś P. The protective effects of empagliflozin on DNA oxidative changes in a model of vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells damaged by oxidized cholesterol. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 170:116065. [PMID: 38154272 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.116065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetes patients often suffer chronic vascular complications resulting from endothelial dysfunction, smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation, inflammation and disturbed oxidative balance. Empagliflozin is one of three approved sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors for type 2 diabetes mellitus. THE AIM OF THIS STUDY was to determine the protective and repairing effect of EMPA in a model of vascular endothelial and SMC damage with 25-hydroxycholesterol (25-OHC). METHODS Human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) and SMCs were treated with compounds which induce DNA single-strand breaks (SSBs) and subjected to comet assay. Oxidative DNA damage was detected using endonuclease III (Nth) or human 8 oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (hOOG1). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation was determined by the fluorescence of a 6-carboxy-2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluoresce probe in diacetate (H2DCFDA). RESULTS 25-OHC-stimulated SMCs showed greater resistance to ROS generation and DNA damage compared to HUVECs. In both experimental models, EMPA treatment was associated with lower ROS production and DNA damage, including oxidative damage to purines and pyrimidines. This effect was not dose-dependent. EMPA was found to counteract this DNA damage by inhibiting ROS production. CONCLUSIONS It appears that the EMPA induced indirect repair of DNA by inhibiting ROS production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ewelina Woźniak
- Medical University of Lodz, Department of Internal Diseases and Clinical Pharmacology, Laboratory of Tissue Immunopharmacology, Kniaziewicza 1/5, 91-347 Lodz, Poland.
| | - Magdalena Świstek
- Medical University of Lodz, Department of Internal Diseases and Clinical Pharmacology, Laboratory of Tissue Immunopharmacology, Kniaziewicza 1/5, 91-347 Lodz, Poland
| | - Marlena Broncel
- Medical University of Lodz, Department of Internal Diseases and Clinical Pharmacology, Laboratory of Tissue Immunopharmacology, Kniaziewicza 1/5, 91-347 Lodz, Poland
| | - Bożena Bukowska
- University of Lodz, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Department of Biophysics of Environmental Pollution, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
| | - Paulina Gorzelak-Pabiś
- Medical University of Lodz, Department of Internal Diseases and Clinical Pharmacology, Laboratory of Tissue Immunopharmacology, Kniaziewicza 1/5, 91-347 Lodz, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Wang M, Ching-Johnson JA, Yin H, O’Neil C, Li AX, Chu MWA, Bartha R, Pickering JG. Mapping microarchitectural degeneration in the dilated ascending aorta with ex vivo diffusion tensor imaging. Eur Heart J Open 2024; 4:oead128. [PMID: 38162403 PMCID: PMC10755346 DOI: 10.1093/ehjopen/oead128] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Aims Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) carry a risk of catastrophic dissection. Current strategies to evaluate this risk entail measuring aortic diameter but do not image medial degeneration, the cause of TAAs. We sought to determine if the advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acquisition strategy, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), could delineate medial degeneration in the ascending thoracic aorta. Methods and results Porcine ascending aortas were subjected to enzyme microinjection, which yielded local aortic medial degeneration. These lesions were detected by DTI, using a 9.4 T MRI scanner, based on tensor disorientation, disrupted diffusion tracts, and altered DTI metrics. High-resolution spatial analysis revealed that fractional anisotropy positively correlated, and mean and radial diffusivity inversely correlated, with smooth muscle cell (SMC) and elastin content (P < 0.001 for all). Ten operatively harvested human ascending aorta samples (mean subject age 61.6 ± 13.3 years, diameter range 29-64 mm) showed medial pathology that was more diffuse and more complex. Nonetheless, DTI metrics within an aorta spatially correlated with SMC, elastin, and, especially, glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content. Moreover, there were inter-individual differences in slice-averaged DTI metrics. Glycosaminoglycan accumulation and elastin degradation were captured by reduced fractional anisotropy (R2 = 0.47, P = 0.043; R2 = 0.76, P = 0.002), with GAG accumulation also captured by increased mean diffusivity (R2 = 0.46, P = 0.045) and increased radial diffusivity (R2 = 0.60, P = 0.015). Conclusion Ex vivo high-field DTI can detect ascending aorta medial degeneration and can differentiate TAAs in accordance with their histopathology, especially elastin and GAG changes. This non-destructive window into aortic medial microstructure raises prospects for probing the risks of TAAs beyond lumen dimensions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mofei Wang
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond St. N. London, Canada, N6A 5B7
- Department of Biochemistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond St. N. London, Canada, N6A 3K7
| | - Justin A Ching-Johnson
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond St. N. London, Canada, N6A 5B7
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, 1151 Richmond St. N. London, Canada, N6A 3K7
| | - Hao Yin
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond St. N. London, Canada, N6A 5B7
| | - Caroline O’Neil
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond St. N. London, Canada, N6A 5B7
| | - Alex X Li
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond St. N. London, Canada, N6A 5B7
| | - Michael W A Chu
- Department of Surgery, Western University, 1151 Richmond St. N. London, Canada, N6A 3K7
- London Health Sciences Centre, 339 Windermere Rd, London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 5A5
| | - Robert Bartha
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond St. N. London, Canada, N6A 5B7
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, 1151 Richmond St. N. London, Canada, N6A 3K7
| | - J Geoffrey Pickering
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond St. N. London, Canada, N6A 5B7
- Department of Biochemistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond St. N. London, Canada, N6A 3K7
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, 1151 Richmond St. N. London, Canada, N6A 3K7
- London Health Sciences Centre, 339 Windermere Rd, London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 5A5
- Department of Medicine, Western University, 1151 Richmond St. N. London, Canada N6A 3K7
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Chen Y, Wu Y, Feng W, Luo X, Xiao B, Ding X, Gu Y, Lu Y, Yu Y. Vav2 promotes ductus arteriosus anatomic closure via the remodeling of smooth muscle cells by Rac1 activation. J Mol Med (Berl) 2023; 101:1567-1585. [PMID: 37804474 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-023-02377-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
The ductus arteriosus (DA), bridging the aorta and pulmonary artery, immediately starts closing after birth. Remodeling of DA leads to anatomic obstruction to prevent repatency. Several histological changes, especially extracellular matrices (ECMs) deposition and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) migration bring to anatomic closure. The genetic etiology and mechanism of DA closure remain elusive. We have previously reported a novel copy number variant containing Vav2 in patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) patients, but its specific role in DA closure remains unknown. The present study revealed that the expression of Vav2 was reduced in human patent DA, and it was less enrichment in the adjacent aorta. Matrigel experiments demonstrated that Vav2 could promote SMC migration from PDA patient explants. Smooth muscle cells with Vav2 overexpression also presented an increased capacity in migration and downregulated contractile-related proteins. Meanwhile, SMCs with Vav2 overexpression exhibited higher expression of collagen III and lessened protein abundance of lysyl oxidase, and both changes are beneficial to DA remodeling. Overexpression of Vav2 resulted in increased activity of Rac1, Cdc42, and RhoA in SMCs. Further investigation noteworthily found that the above alterations caused by Vav2 overexpression were particularly reversed by Rac1 inhibitor. A heterozygous, rare Vav2 variant was identified in PDA patients. Compared with the wild type, this variant attenuated Vav2 protein expression and weakened the activation of downstream Rac1, further impairing its functions in SMCs. In conclusion, Vav2 functions as an activator for Rac1 in SMCs to promote SMCs migration, dedifferentiation, and ECMs production. Deleterious variant potentially induces Vav2 loss of function, further providing possible molecular mechanisms about Vav2 in PDA pathogenesis. These findings enriched the current genetic etiology of PDA, which may provide a novel target for prenatal diagnosis and treatment. KEY MESSAGES: Although we have proposed the potential association between Vav2 and PDA incidence through whole exome sequencing, the molecular mechanisms underlying Vav2 in PDA have never been reported. This work, for the first time, demonstrated that Vav2 was exclusively expressed in closed DAs. Moreover, we found that Vav2 participated in the process of anatomic closure by mediating SMCs migration, dedifferentiation, and ECMs deposition through Rac1 activation. Our findings first identified a deleterious Vav2 c.701C>T variant that affected its function in SMCs by impairing Rac1 activation, which may lead to PDA defect. Vav2 may become an early diagnosis and an effective intervention target for PDA clinical therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yinghui Chen
- Institute for Developmental and Regenerative Cardiovascular Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yizhuo Wu
- Institute for Developmental and Regenerative Cardiovascular Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Weiqi Feng
- Institute for Developmental and Regenerative Cardiovascular Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Xueyang Luo
- Institute for Developmental and Regenerative Cardiovascular Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Bing Xiao
- Institute for Developmental and Regenerative Cardiovascular Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Xiaowei Ding
- Institute for Developmental and Regenerative Cardiovascular Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yongjia Gu
- Department of Stomatology, Shidong Hospital of Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200438, China.
| | - Yanan Lu
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| | - Yu Yu
- Institute for Developmental and Regenerative Cardiovascular Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Manjunatha K, Schaaps N, Behr M, Vogt F, Reese S. Computational modeling of in-stent restenosis: Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluation. Comput Biol Med 2023; 167:107686. [PMID: 37972534 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.107686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Persistence of the pathology of in-stent restenosis even with the advent of drug-eluting stents warrants the development of highly resolved in silico models. These computational models assist in gaining insights into the transient biochemical and cellular mechanisms involved and thereby optimize the stent implantation parameters. Within this work, an already established fully-coupled Lagrangian finite element framework for modeling the restenotic growth is enhanced with the incorporation of endothelium-mediated effects and pharmacological influences of rapamycin-based drugs embedded in the polymeric layers of the current generation drug-eluting stents. The continuum mechanical description of growth is further justified in the context of thermodynamic consistency. Qualitative inferences are drawn from the model developed herein regarding the efficacy of the level of drug embedment within the struts as well as the release profiles adopted. The framework is then intended to serve as a tool for clinicians to tune the interventional procedures patient-specifically.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Manjunatha
- Institute of Applied Mechanics, RWTH Aachen University, Germany.
| | - Nicole Schaaps
- Department of Cardiology, Vascular Medicine and Intensive Care, RWTH Aachen University, Germany
| | - Marek Behr
- Chair for Computational Analysis of Technical Systems, RWTH Aachen University, Germany
| | - Felix Vogt
- Department of Cardiology, Vascular Medicine and Intensive Care, RWTH Aachen University, Germany
| | - Stefanie Reese
- Institute of Applied Mechanics, RWTH Aachen University, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Lyu QR, Fu K. Tissue-specific Cre driver mice to study vascular diseases. Vascul Pharmacol 2023; 153:107241. [PMID: 37923099 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2023.107241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and abdominal aneurysms, are the primary cause of mortality and morbidity among the elderly worldwide. The life quality of patients is significantly compromised due to inadequate therapeutic approaches and limited drug targets. To expand our comprehension of vascular diseases, gene knockout (KO) mice, especially conditional knockout (cKO) mice, are widely used for investigating gene function and mechanisms of action. The Cre-loxP system is the most common method for generating cKO mice. Numerous Cre driver mice have been established to study the main cell types that compose blood vessels, including endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and fibroblasts. Here, we first discuss the characteristics of each layer of the arterial wall. Next, we provide an overview of the representative Cre driver mice utilized for each of the major cell types in the vessel wall and their most recent applications in vascular biology. We then go over Cre toxicity and discuss the practical methods for minimizing Cre interference in experimental outcomes. Finally, we look into the future of tissue-specific Cre drivers by introducing the revolutionary single-cell RNA sequencing and dual recombinase system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qing Rex Lyu
- Medical Research Center, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing 401147, China; Chongqing Academy of Medical Sciences, Chongqing 401147, China.
| | - Kailong Fu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Jadli A, Gomes K, Ballasy N, Wijesuriya T, Belke D, Fedak P, Patel V. Inhibition of smooth muscle cell death by Angiotensin 1-7 protects against abdominal aortic aneurysm. Biosci Rep 2023; 43:BSR20230718. [PMID: 37947205 PMCID: PMC10695742 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20230718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) represents a debilitating vascular disease characterized by aortic dilatation and wall rupture if it remains untreated. We aimed to determine the effects of Ang 1-7 in a murine model of AAA and to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved. Eight- to 10-week-old apolipoprotein E-deficient mice (ApoEKO) were infused with Ang II (1.44 mg/kg/day, s.c.) and treated with Ang 1-7 (0.576 mg/kg/day, i.p.). Echocardiographic and histological analyses showed abdominal aortic dilatation and extracellular matrix remodeling in Ang II-infused mice. Treatment with Ang 1-7 led to suppression of Ang II-induced aortic dilatation in the abdominal aorta. The immunofluorescence imaging exhibited reduced smooth muscle cell (SMC) density in the abdominal aorta. The abdominal aortic SMCs from ApoEKO mice exhibited markedly increased apoptosis in response to Ang II. Ang 1-7 attenuated cell death, as evident by increased SMC density in the aorta and reduced annexin V/propidium iodide-positive cells in flow cytometric analysis. Gene expression analysis for contractile and synthetic phenotypes of abdominal SMCs showed preservation of contractile phenotype by Ang 1-7 treatment. Molecular analyses identified increased mitochondrial fission, elevated cellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and apoptosis-associated proteins, including cytochrome c, in Ang II-treated aortic SMCs. Ang 1-7 mitigated Ang II-induced mitochondrial fission, ROS generation, and levels of pro-apoptotic proteins, resulting in decreased cell death of aortic SMCs. These results highlight a critical vasculo-protective role of Ang 1-7 in a degenerative aortic disease; increased Ang 1-7 activity may provide a promising therapeutic strategy against the progression of AAA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anshul S. Jadli
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Libin Cardiovascular Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Karina P. Gomes
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Libin Cardiovascular Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Noura N. Ballasy
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Libin Cardiovascular Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Tishani Methsala Wijesuriya
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Libin Cardiovascular Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Darrell Belke
- Libin Cardiovascular Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Section of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Cardiac Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Paul W.M. Fedak
- Libin Cardiovascular Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Section of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Cardiac Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Vaibhav B. Patel
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Libin Cardiovascular Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Zhu N, Guo ZF, Kazama K, Yi B, Tongmuang N, Yao H, Yang R, Zhang C, Qin Y, Han L, Sun J. Epigenetic regulation of vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic switch and neointimal formation by PRMT5. Cardiovasc Res 2023; 119:2244-2255. [PMID: 37486354 PMCID: PMC10578915 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvad110] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Phenotypic transition of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from a contractile to a synthetic state is involved in the development of cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, hypertension, and post-angioplasty restenosis. Arginine methylation catalyzed by protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) has been implicated in multiple cellular processes, however, its role in VSMC biology remains undetermined. The objective of this study was to determine the role of PRMTs in VSMC phenotypic switch and vascular remodelling after injury. METHODS AND RESULTS Our results show that PRMT5 is the most abundantly expressed PRMT in human aortic SMCs, and its expression is up-regulated in platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-stimulated VSMCs, human atherosclerotic lesions, and rat carotid arteries after injury, as determined by western blot and immunohistochemical staining. PRMT5 overexpression inhibits the expression of SMC marker genes and promotes VSMC proliferation and migration, while silencing PRMT5 exerts the opposite effects. Mechanistically, we found that PRMT5 overexpression led to histone di-methylation of H3R8 and H4R3, which in turn attenuates acetylation of H3K9 and H4, thus limiting recruitment of the SRF/myocardin complexes to the CArG boxes of SMC marker genes. Furthermore, both SMC-specific deletion of PRMT5 in mice and local delivery of lentivirus expressing shPRMT5 to rat carotid arteries significantly attenuated neointimal formation after injury. Likewise, pharmacological inhibition of PRMT5 by EPZ015666 markedly inhibited carotid artery ligation-induced neointimal formation in mice. CONCLUSIONS Our results identify PRMT5 as a novel regulator in VSMC phenotypic switch and suggest that inhibition of PRMT5 may represent an effective therapeutic strategy for proliferative vascular diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ni Zhu
- Center for Translational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Zhi-Fu Guo
- Center for Translational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Kyosuke Kazama
- Center for Translational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Bing Yi
- Center for Translational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Nopprarat Tongmuang
- Center for Translational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Huijuan Yao
- Center for Translational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Ruifeng Yang
- Center for Translational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Chen Zhang
- Center for Translational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Yongwen Qin
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, 168 Changhai Rd, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Lin Han
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, 168 Changhai Rd, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Jianxin Sun
- Center for Translational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Lorigo M, Mangana C, Cairrao E. Disrupting effects of the emerging contaminant octylmethoxycinnamate (OMC) on human umbilical artery relaxation. Environ Pollut 2023; 335:122302. [PMID: 37536478 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent the number one cause of death worldwide. The vascular endothelium may play a role in the pathophysiology of CVD diseases. Octylmethoxycinnamate (OMC) is a UV-B filter (CAS number: 5466-77-3) widely used worldwide in numerous personal care products, including sunscreens, daily creams, and makeup. This UV-B filter is considered an endocrine disruptor. Therefore, this investigation aimed to evaluate the direct effects of OMC in human umbilical arteries (HUAs) with endothelium and the possible mechanisms involved in the response. The results demonstrated that OMC exerts a rapid (non-genomic) and endothelium-dependent arterial relaxant effect on HUAs previously contracted with serotonin (5-HT) and Histamine (His). On the other hand, when HUAs were contracted with potassium chloride (KCl), the relaxing effect was only observed in HUAs without endothelium, and it appeared to be inhibited in HUAs with endothelium. Thus, the vasorelaxant effect of OMC depends on the endothelium and depends on the contractile agent used, suggesting that OMC may act through different signaling pathways. Furthermore, computational modulation studies, corroborated the binding of OMC to all the proteins under investigation (eNOS, COX-2, ET-1, and TxA2), with higher affinity for COX-2. In summary, the vascular effect of OMC may involve activating different pathways, i.e., acting through the NO pathway, COX pathway, or activating the endothelin-1 pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Margarida Lorigo
- CICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506, Covilhã, Portugal; FCS - UBI, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506, Covilhã, Portugal; C4-UBI, Cloud Computing Competence Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6200-501, Covilhã, Portugal.
| | - Carolina Mangana
- CICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506, Covilhã, Portugal; FCS - UBI, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506, Covilhã, Portugal.
| | - Elisa Cairrao
- CICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506, Covilhã, Portugal; FCS - UBI, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506, Covilhã, Portugal; C4-UBI, Cloud Computing Competence Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6200-501, Covilhã, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Lener D, Noflatscher M, Kirchmair E, Bauer A, Holfeld J, Gollmann-Tepeköylü C, Kirchmair R, Theurl M. The angiogenic neuropeptide catestatin exerts beneficial effects on human coronary vascular cells and cardiomyocytes. Peptides 2023; 168:171077. [PMID: 37567254 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2023.171077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Myocardial infarction (MI) induces irreversible tissue damage, eventually leading to heart failure. Exogenous induction of angiogenesis positively influences ventricular remodeling after MI. Recently, we could show that therapeutic angiogenesis by the neuropeptide catestatin (CST) restores perfusion in the mouse hind limb ischemia model by the induction of angio-, arterio- and vasculogenesis. Thus, we assumed that CST might exert beneficial effects on cardiac cells. METHODS/RESULTS To test the effect of CST on cardiac angiogenesis in-vitro matrigel assays with human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC) were performed. CST significantly mediated capillary like tube formation comparable to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which was used as positive control. Interestingly, blockade of bFGF resulted in abrogation of observed effects. Moreover, CST induced proliferation of HCAEC and human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (HCASMC) as determined by BrdU-incorporation. Similar to the matrigel assay blockade of bFGF attenuated the effect. Consistent with these findings western blot assays revealed a bFGF-dependent phosphorylation of extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 by CST in these cell lines. Finally, CST protected human cardiomyocytes in-vitro from apoptosis. CONCLUSION CST might qualify as potential candidate for therapeutic angiogenesis in MI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Lener
- Medical University of Innsbruck, University Hospital of Innsbruck, Division of Cardiology and Angiology, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Maria Noflatscher
- Medical University of Innsbruck, University Hospital of Innsbruck, Division of Cardiology and Angiology, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Elke Kirchmair
- Medical University of Innsbruck, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Axel Bauer
- Medical University of Innsbruck, University Hospital of Innsbruck, Division of Cardiology and Angiology, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Johannes Holfeld
- Medical University of Innsbruck, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Can Gollmann-Tepeköylü
- Medical University of Innsbruck, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Rudolf Kirchmair
- Medical University of Innsbruck, University Hospital of Innsbruck, Division of Cardiology and Angiology, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Markus Theurl
- Medical University of Innsbruck, University Hospital of Innsbruck, Division of Cardiology and Angiology, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Zhu J, Wang Y, Rivett A, Yang G. H 2S regulation of iron homeostasis by IRP1 improves vascular smooth muscle cell functions. Cell Signal 2023; 110:110826. [PMID: 37487913 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Either H2S or iron is essential for cellular processes. Abnormal metabolism of H2S and iron has increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the present study is to examine the mutual interplay of iron and H2S signals in regulation of vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) functions. Here we found that deficiency of cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE, a major H2S-producing enzyme in vascular system) induced but NaHS (a H2S donor) administration attenuated iron accumulation in aortic tissues from angiotensin II-infused mice. In vitro, iron overload induced labile iron levels, promoted cell proliferation, disrupted F-actin filaments, and inhibited protein expressions of SMC-specific markers (αSMA and calponin) more significantly in SMCs from CSE knockout mice (KO-SMCs) than the cells from wild-type mice (WT-SMCs), which could be reversed by exogenously applied NaHS. In contrast, KO-SMCs were more vulnerable to iron starvation-induced cell death. Either iron overload or NaHS did not affect elastin level and gelatinolytic activity. We further found that H2S induced more aconitase activity of iron regulatory protein 1 (IRP1) but inhibited its RNA binding activity accompanied with increased protein levels of ferritin and ferriportin, which would contribute to the lower level of labile iron level inside the cells. In addition, iron was able to suppress CSE-derived H2S generation, while iron also non-enzymatically induced H2S release from cysteine. This study reveals the mutual interaction between iron and H2S signals in regulating SMC phenotypes and functions; CSE/H2S system would be a target for preventing iron metabolic disorder-related vascular diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiechun Zhu
- School of Natural Sciences, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Canada; Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research Unit, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Canada
| | - Yuehong Wang
- School of Natural Sciences, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Canada; Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research Unit, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Canada
| | - Alexis Rivett
- School of Natural Sciences, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Canada; Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research Unit, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Canada
| | - Guangdong Yang
- School of Natural Sciences, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Canada; Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research Unit, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Liu G, Zhang S, Yang S, Shen C, Shi C, Diao W. CircDiaph3 influences PASMC apoptosis by regulating PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway through IGF1R. 3 Biotech 2023; 13:342. [PMID: 37705862 PMCID: PMC10495302 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-023-03739-0] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension has not been elucidated. We investigated the role of a circular ribonucleic acid, circDiaph3, in the proliferation and migration of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells during pulmonary hypertension. CircDiaph3 overexpression in blood samples of patients with pulmonary hypertension was analyzed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Subsequently, a rat model of pulmonary arterial hypertension was established under hypoxic conditions. Pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells were harvested from the rat model for subsequent experiments with small interfering ribonucleic acid-mediated knockdown of circDiaph3. In cell model, we found that PI3K, AKT, mTOR and insulin-like growth factor 1 signaling pathway (IGF1R) and smooth muscle cell marker genes (α-SMA, Vcam1) were significantly downregulated. The overexpression of Igf1r in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells rescued the downregulated smooth muscle cell genes, IGF1R signaling pathway proteins, increased smooth muscle cell proliferation, and reduced apoptosis. CircDiaph3 regulates the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway via IGF1R to inhibit apoptosis and promote proliferation of smooth muscle cells. Additionally, adenovirus-mediated in vivo inhibition of circDiaph3 was carried out in rats with pulmonary arterial hypertension, followed by harvesting of their pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells for subsequent experiments. Excessive proliferation of smooth muscle cells in the pulmonary artery has narrowed the pulmonary artery lumen, thereby causing pulmonary hypertension, and our results suggest that circDiaph3 has important value in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-023-03739-0.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ge Liu
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui People’s Republic of China
| | - Shengqiang Zhang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui People’s Republic of China
| | - Shaofeng Yang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui People’s Republic of China
| | - Chongwen Shen
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui People’s Republic of China
| | - Chao Shi
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenjie Diao
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Tian Z, Liu M, Zhang Z, Yan T, Guo S, Miao Y, Wang J, Zhang R, Bi Y, Zhang N, Zhang X. Association between intracerebral hemorrhage and cholesterol levels, and molecular mechanism underlying low cholesterol inhibiting autophagy in cerebral arterial smooth muscle cells leading to cell necrosis. Int J Cardiol 2023; 387:131134. [PMID: 37355236 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2023.131134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND An association between cholesterol and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) has been reported, but the mechanism is unclear. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, participants aged 50-75 years were selected using multistage stratified cluster sampling. All samples completed a questionnaire (age, gender, medication, etc.) and were examined (blood lipid, height, blood pressure, etc.) for risk factors. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the association between cholesterol levels and ICH risk, after adjusting for age, smoking, hypertension, and other factors. We cultured rat cerebral artery smooth muscle cells at different cholesterol concentrations. The autophagy pathway was identified by transcriptome sequencing. The results were then validated using real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot. RESULTS We included 39,595 patients, among whom 286 had ICH. The study showed that a low level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was a risk factor of ICH (odds ratio 2.912, 95% confidence interval 1.460-5.806; P = 0.002). Cell experiments showed that lower cholesterol levels could significantly induce rat cerebral artery smooth muscle cell necrosis. In low-cholesterol groups, expression of the autophagy marker LC3 protein was significantly decreased and p62 protein was significantly increased. In western blot and comparison with the control group, the low cholesterol PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway was significantly activated in the autophagy pathway, resulting in its inhibition, which in turn led to smooth muscle cell death. CONCLUSION Low cholesterol levels may inhibit autophagy through PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling and induce arterial smooth muscle cell necrosis, thereby increasing the risk of ICH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zixuan Tian
- School of Public Health, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Min Liu
- School of Public Health, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Ziying Zhang
- School of Basic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Tao Yan
- School of Public Health, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Shuyi Guo
- People's Hospital of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Hohhot, China
| | - Yu Miao
- School of Public Health, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Jingyu Wang
- School of Public Health, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Ru Zhang
- School of Public Health, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Yanqing Bi
- School of Public Health, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- School of Public Health, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China.
| | - Xingguang Zhang
- School of Public Health, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Kurata A, Harada Y, Fujita K, Ohno SI, Takanashi M, Yoshizawa S, Nagashima Y, Nagao T, Yamaguchi J, Kuroda M. Smooth muscle differentiation of coronary intima in autopsy tissues after sirolimus-eluting stent implantation. Cardiovasc Pathol 2023; 66:107554. [PMID: 37321466 DOI: 10.1016/j.carpath.2023.107554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In coronary atherosclerotic disease, the proliferation of intimal smooth muscle cells (SMCs) is regarded as beneficial with respect to stable and unstable plaques, but is thought detrimental in discussions on coronary stent restenosis. To resolve this discrepancy, we focused on the quality, not quantity, of intimal SMCs in coronary atherosclerotic disease. METHODS Autopsied coronary artery specimens from seven patients implanted with bare metal stents (BMS), three with paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES), and 10 with sirolimus (rapamycin)-eluting stents (SES) were immunostained for SMC markers. Cultured human coronary artery SMCs were also treated with sirolimus and paclitaxel. RESULTS Intimal SMC differentiation, estimated by the ratio of h-caldesmon+ cells to α-smooth muscle actin+ (α-SMA+) cells, was significantly increased whereas dedifferentiation, estimated from the ratio of fibroblast activation protein alpha (FAPα)+ cells to α-SMA+ cells, was significantly decreased, in tissues of SES compared with BMS cases. No difference in the degree of differentiation was found between PES and BMS cases or between the three groups in nonstented arteries used as controls. Correlation analyses for each field of view revealed a significant positive correlation between h-caldesmon and calponin staining but significant negative correlations with FAPα staining in α-SMA+ cells. Cultured SMCs were shorter (dedifferentiated) and showed an increased FAPα/α-SMA protein when treated with paclitaxel, whereas they became elongated (differentiated) and showed increased calponin/α-SMA proteins with sirolimus. CONCLUSIONS The SMCs of the coronary intima may differentiate after SES implantation. SMC differentiation may explain both the plaque stabilization and reduced risk of reintervention associated with SES.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Kurata
- Department of Pathology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Yuichiro Harada
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokyo Medical University, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koji Fujita
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokyo Medical University, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichiro Ohno
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokyo Medical University, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masakatsu Takanashi
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokyo Medical University, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Saeko Yoshizawa
- Department of Surgical Pathology, Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoji Nagashima
- Department of Surgical Pathology, Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshitaka Nagao
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Tokyo Medical University, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Junichi Yamaguchi
- Department of Cardiology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiko Kuroda
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Tokyo Medical University, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Chang W, Li Y, Liu F, Zang K, Zhang P, Qu S, Zhao J, Xue J. Isolation and Cultivation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells from the Mouse Circle of Willis. J Vasc Res 2023; 60:234-244. [PMID: 37643584 PMCID: PMC10614493 DOI: 10.1159/000532033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Culturing cerebrovascular smooth muscle cells (CVSMCs) in vitro can provide a model for studying many cerebrovascular diseases. This study describes a convenient and efficient method to obtain mouse CVSMCs by enzyme digestion. METHODS Mouse circle of Willis was isolated, digested, and cultured with platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) to promote CVSMC growth, and CVSMCs were identified by morphology, immunofluorescence analysis, and flow cytometry. The effect of PDGF-BB on vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation was evaluated by cell counting kit (CCK)-8 assay, morphological observations, Western blotting, and flow cytometry. RESULTS CVSMCs cultured in a PDGF-BB-free culture medium had a typical peak-to-valley growth pattern after approximately 14 days. Immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry detected strong positive expression of the cell type-specific markers alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), smooth muscle myosin heavy chain 11 (SMMHC), smooth muscle protein 22 (SM22), calponin, and desmin. In the CCK-8 assay and Western blotting, cells incubated with PDGF-BB had significantly enhanced proliferation compared to those without PDGF-BB. CONCLUSION We obtained highly purified VSMCs from the mouse circle of Willis using simple methods, providing experimental materials for studying the pathogenesis and treatment of neurovascular diseases in vitro. Moreover, the experimental efficiency improved with PDGF-BB, shortening the cell cultivation period.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Chang
- Center for Aerospace Clinical Medicine, Department of Aerospace Medicine, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yajuan Li
- Center for Aerospace Clinical Medicine, Department of Aerospace Medicine, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Fengzhou Liu
- Center for Aerospace Clinical Medicine, Department of Aerospace Medicine, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
- Department of Aviation Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Kehai Zang
- Center for Aerospace Clinical Medicine, Department of Aerospace Medicine, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Peiran Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Shuai Qu
- Center for Aerospace Clinical Medicine, Department of Aerospace Medicine, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Jingyu Zhao
- Department of Aviation Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Junhui Xue
- Center for Aerospace Clinical Medicine, Department of Aerospace Medicine, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
- Department of Aviation Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Flanary SM, Barocas VH. A structural bio-chemo-mechanical model for vascular smooth muscle cell traction force microscopy. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2023; 22:1221-1238. [PMID: 37004657 PMCID: PMC10603623 DOI: 10.1007/s10237-023-01713-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Abstract
Altered vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) contractility is both a response to and a driver for impaired arterial function, and the leading experimental technique for quantifying VSMC contraction is traction force microscopy (TFM). TFM involves the complex interaction among several chemical, biological, and mechanical mechanisms, making it difficult to translate TFM results into tissue-scale behavior. Here, a computational model capturing each of the major aspects of the cell traction process is presented. The model incorporates four interacting components: a biochemical signaling network, individual actomyosin fiber bundle contraction, a cytoskeletal network of interconnected fibers, and elastic substrate displacement due to cytoskeletal force. The synthesis of these four components leads to a broad, flexible framework for describing TFM and linking biochemical and biomechanical phenomena on the single-cell level. The model recapitulated available data on VSMCs following biochemical, geometric, and mechanical perturbations. The structural bio-chemo-mechanical model offers a tool to interpret TFM data in new, more mechanistic ways, providing a framework for the evaluation of new biological hypotheses, interpolation of new data, and potential translation from single-cell experiments to multi-scale tissue models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shannon M Flanary
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Victor H Barocas
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Nils Hasselmo Hall, Room 7-115, 312 Church St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Chung A, Reilly MP, Bauer RC. ADAMTS7: a Novel Therapeutic Target in Atherosclerosis. Curr Atheroscler Rep 2023; 25:447-455. [PMID: 37354304 DOI: 10.1007/s11883-023-01115-0] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Genome-wide association studies have repeatedly linked the metalloproteinase ADAMTS7 to coronary artery disease. Here we aim to highlight recent findings surrounding the human genetics of ADAMTS7, novel mouse models that investigate ADAMTS7 function, and potential substrates of ADAMTS7 cleavage. RECENT FINDINGS Recent genome-wide association studies in coronary artery disease have replicated the GWAS signal for ADAMTS7 and shown that the signal holds true even across different ethnic groups. However, the direction of effect in humans remains unclear. A recent novel mouse model revealed that the proatherogenicity of ADAMTS7 is derived from its catalytic functions, while at the translational level, vaccinating mice against ADAMTS7 reduced atherosclerosis. Finally, in vitro proteomics approaches have identified extracellular matrix proteins as candidate substrates that may be causal for the proatherogenicity of ADAMTS7. ADAMTS7 represents an enticing target for therapeutic intervention. The recent studies highlighted here have replicated prior findings, confirming the genetic link between ADAMTS7 and atherosclerosis, while providing further evidence in mice that ADAMTS7 is a targetable proatherogenic enzyme.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Allen Chung
- Cardiometabolic Genomics Program, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Muredach P Reilly
- Cardiometabolic Genomics Program, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Robert C Bauer
- Cardiometabolic Genomics Program, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Qi L, Xing J, Yuan Y, Lei M. Noncoding RNAs in atherosclerosis: regulation and therapeutic potential. Mol Cell Biochem 2023:10.1007/s11010-023-04794-0. [PMID: 37418054 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-023-04794-0] [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] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis, a chronic disease of arteries, results in high mortality worldwide as the leading cause of cardiovascular disease. The development of clinically relevant atherosclerosis involves the dysfunction of endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells. A large amount of evidence indicates that noncoding RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), are involved in various physiological and pathological processes. Recently, noncoding RNAs were identified as key regulators in the development of atherosclerosis, including the dysfunction of endothelial cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells and it is pertinent to understand the potential function of noncoding RNAs in atherosclerosis development. In this review, the latest available research relates to the regulatory role of noncoding RNAs in the progression of atherosclerosis and the therapeutic potential for atherosclerosis is summarized. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the regulatory and interventional roles of ncRNAs in atherosclerosis and to inspire new insights for the prevention and treatment of this disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luyao Qi
- Critical Care Medicine, Seventh People's Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 200137, Shanghai, China
| | - Jixiang Xing
- Peripheral Vascular Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 300150, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuesong Yuan
- First College of Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 250014, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Ming Lei
- Critical Care Medicine, Seventh People's Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 200137, Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Karkhaneh Yousefi AA, Petit C, Ben Hassine A, Avril S. Stiffness sensing by smooth muscle cells: Continuum mechanics modeling of the acto-myosin role. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2023; 144:105990. [PMID: 37385127 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2023.105990] [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: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) play a vital role in maintaining homeostasis in the aorta by sensing and responding to mechanical stimuli. However, the mechanisms that underlie the ability of SMCs to sense and respond to stiffness change in their environment are still partially unclear. In this study, we focus on the role of acto-myosin contractility in stiffness sensing and introduce a novel continuum mechanics approach based on the principles of thermal strains. Each stress fiber satisfies a universal stress-strain relationship driven by a Young's modulus, a contraction coefficient scaling the fictitious thermal strain, a maximum contraction stress and a softening parameter describing the sliding effects between actin and myosin filaments. To account for the inherent variability of cellular responses, large populations of SMCs are modeled with the finite-element method, each cell having a random number and a random arrangement of stress fibers. Moreover, the level of myosin activation in each stress fiber satisfies a Weibull probability density function. Model predictions are compared to traction force measurements on different SMC lineages. It is demonstrated that the model not only predicts well the effects of substrate stiffness on cellular traction, but it can also successfully approximate the statistical variations of cellular tractions induced by intercellular variability. Finally, stresses in the nuclear envelope and in the nucleus are computed with the model, showing that the variations of cytoskeletal forces induced by substrate stiffness directly induce deformations of the nucleus which can potentially alter gene expression. The predictability of the model combined to its relative simplicity are promising assets for further investigation of stiffness sensing in 3D environments. Eventually, this could contribute to decipher the effects of mechanosensitivity impairment, which are known to be at the root of aortic aneurysms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Claudie Petit
- Mines Saint-Etienne, Université Jean Monnet, INSERM, U1059 SAINBIOSE, 42023, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Amira Ben Hassine
- Mines Saint-Etienne, Université Jean Monnet, INSERM, U1059 SAINBIOSE, 42023, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Stéphane Avril
- Mines Saint-Etienne, Université Jean Monnet, INSERM, U1059 SAINBIOSE, 42023, Saint-Etienne, France.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Plaisance I, Chouvardas P, Sun Y, Nemir M, Aghagolzadeh P, Aminfar F, Shen S, Shim WJ, Rochais F, Johnson R, Palpant N, Pedrazzini T. A transposable element into the human long noncoding RNA CARMEN is a switch for cardiac precursor cell specification. Cardiovasc Res 2023; 119:1361-1376. [PMID: 36537036 PMCID: PMC10262180 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvac191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS The major cardiac cell types composing the adult heart arise from common multipotent precursor cells. Cardiac lineage decisions are guided by extrinsic and cell-autonomous factors, including recently discovered long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). The human lncRNA CARMEN, which is known to dictate specification toward the cardiomyocyte (CM) and the smooth muscle cell (SMC) fates, generates a diversity of alternatively spliced isoforms. METHODS AND RESULTS The CARMEN locus can be manipulated to direct human primary cardiac precursor cells (CPCs) into specific cardiovascular fates. Investigating CARMEN isoform usage in differentiating CPCs represents therefore a unique opportunity to uncover isoform-specific functions in lncRNAs. Here, we identify one CARMEN isoform, CARMEN-201, to be crucial for SMC commitment. CARMEN-201 activity is encoded within an alternatively spliced exon containing a MIRc short interspersed nuclear element. This element binds the transcriptional repressor REST (RE1 Silencing Transcription Factor), targets it to cardiogenic loci, including ISL1, IRX1, IRX5, and SFRP1, and thereby blocks the CM gene program. In turn, genes regulating SMC differentiation are induced. CONCLUSIONS These data show how a critical physiological switch is wired by alternative splicing and functional transposable elements in a long noncoding RNA. They further demonstrated the crucial importance of the lncRNA isoform CARMEN-201 in SMC specification during heart development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Plaisance
- Experimental Cardiology Unit, Division of Cardiology, University of Lausanne Medical School, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Yuliangzi Sun
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Mohamed Nemir
- Experimental Cardiology Unit, Division of Cardiology, University of Lausanne Medical School, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Parisa Aghagolzadeh
- Experimental Cardiology Unit, Division of Cardiology, University of Lausanne Medical School, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Farhang Aminfar
- Experimental Cardiology Unit, Division of Cardiology, University of Lausanne Medical School, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sophie Shen
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Woo Jun Shim
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Francesca Rochais
- Aix Marseille University, Marseille Medical Genetics, INSERM, U1251, Marseille, France
| | - Rory Johnson
- Department of Medical Oncology, Inselspital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Nathan Palpant
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Thierry Pedrazzini
- Experimental Cardiology Unit, Division of Cardiology, University of Lausanne Medical School, Lausanne, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Sykes RA, Neves KB, Alves-Lopes R, Caputo I, Fallon K, Jamieson NB, Kamdar A, Legrini A, Leslie H, McIntosh A, McConnachie A, Morrow A, McFarlane RW, Mangion K, McAbney J, Montezano AC, Touyz RM, Wood C, Berry C. Vascular mechanisms of post-COVID-19 conditions: Rho-kinase is a novel target for therapy. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Pharmacother 2023; 9:371-386. [PMID: 37019821 PMCID: PMC10236521 DOI: 10.1093/ehjcvp/pvad025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In post-coronavirus disease-19 (post-COVID-19) conditions (long COVID), systemic vascular dysfunction is implicated, but the mechanisms are uncertain, and the treatment is imprecise. METHODS AND RESULTS Patients convalescing after hospitalization for COVID-19 and risk factor matched controls underwent multisystem phenotyping using blood biomarkers, cardiorenal and pulmonary imaging, and gluteal subcutaneous biopsy (NCT04403607). Small resistance arteries were isolated and examined using wire myography, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and spatial transcriptomics. Endothelium-independent (sodium nitroprusside) and -dependent (acetylcholine) vasorelaxation and vasoconstriction to the thromboxane A2 receptor agonist, U46619, and endothelin-1 (ET-1) in the presence or absence of a RhoA/Rho-kinase inhibitor (fasudil), were investigated. Thirty-seven patients, including 27 (mean age 57 years, 48% women, 41% cardiovascular disease) 3 months post-COVID-19 and 10 controls (mean age 57 years, 20% women, 30% cardiovascular disease), were included. Compared with control responses, U46619-induced constriction was increased (P = 0.002) and endothelium-independent vasorelaxation was reduced in arteries from COVID-19 patients (P < 0.001). This difference was abolished by fasudil. Histopathology revealed greater collagen abundance in COVID-19 arteries {Masson's trichrome (MT) 69.7% [95% confidence interval (CI): 67.8-71.7]; picrosirius red 68.6% [95% CI: 64.4-72.8]} vs. controls [MT 64.9% (95% CI: 59.4-70.3) (P = 0.028); picrosirius red 60.1% (95% CI: 55.4-64.8), (P = 0.029)]. Greater phosphorylated myosin light chain antibody-positive staining in vascular smooth muscle cells was observed in COVID-19 arteries (40.1%; 95% CI: 30.9-49.3) vs. controls (10.0%; 95% CI: 4.4-15.6) (P < 0.001). In proof-of-concept studies, gene pathways associated with extracellular matrix alteration, proteoglycan synthesis, and viral mRNA replication appeared to be upregulated. CONCLUSION Patients with post-COVID-19 conditions have enhanced vascular fibrosis and myosin light change phosphorylation. Rho-kinase activation represents a novel therapeutic target for clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Sykes
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, UK
- West of Scotland Heart and Lung Centre, Golden Jubilee National Hospital, Glasgow, UK
| | - Karla B Neves
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, UK
- Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Rhéure Alves-Lopes
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - Ilaria Caputo
- Università degli Studi di Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy
| | - Kirsty Fallon
- Clinical Research Facility, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board, Glasgow, UK
| | - Nigel B Jamieson
- Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Anna Kamdar
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - Assya Legrini
- Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Holly Leslie
- Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Alasdair McIntosh
- Robertson Centre for Biostatistics, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Alex McConnachie
- Robertson Centre for Biostatistics, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Andrew Morrow
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, UK
- West of Scotland Heart and Lung Centre, Golden Jubilee National Hospital, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Kenneth Mangion
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, UK
- Department of Cardiology, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board, Glasgow, UK
| | - John McAbney
- Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences (FBLS), University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Augusto C Montezano
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, UK
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Rhian M Touyz
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, UK
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Colin Wood
- Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Colin Berry
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, UK
- West of Scotland Heart and Lung Centre, Golden Jubilee National Hospital, Glasgow, UK
- Department of Cardiology, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board, Glasgow, UK
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Friedmacher F, Rolle U. Interstitial cells of Cajal: clinical relevance in pediatric gastrointestinal motility disorders. Pediatr Surg Int 2023; 39:188. [PMID: 37101012 PMCID: PMC10133055 DOI: 10.1007/s00383-023-05467-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are pacemaker cells of gastrointestinal motility that generate and transmit electrical slow waves to smooth muscle cells in the gut wall, thus inducing phasic contractions and coordinated peristalsis. Traditionally, tyrosine-protein kinase Kit (c-kit), also known as CD117 or mast/stem cell growth factor receptor, has been used as the primary marker of ICCs in pathology specimens. More recently, the Ca2+-activated chloride channel, anoctamin-1, has been introduced as a more specific marker of ICCs. Over the years, various gastrointestinal motility disorders have been described in infants and young children in which symptoms of functional bowel obstruction arise from ICC-related neuromuscular dysfunction of the colon and rectum. The current article provides a comprehensive overview of the embryonic origin, distribution, and functions of ICCs, while also illustrating the absence or deficiency of ICCs in pediatric patients with Hirschsprung disease intestinal neuronal dysplasia, isolated hypoganglionosis, internal anal sphincter achalasia, and congenital smooth muscle cell disorders such as megacystis microcolon intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Florian Friedmacher
- Department of Paediatric Surgery and Paediatric Urology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Udo Rolle
- Department of Paediatric Surgery and Paediatric Urology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Zhang Y, Sun L, Wang X, Zhou Q. Integrative analysis of HASMCs gene expression profile revealed the role of thrombin in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2023; 23:191. [PMID: 37046189 PMCID: PMC10091598 DOI: 10.1186/s12872-023-03211-0] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
We explored the effect of thrombin on human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) and further analyzed its role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis (AS). Thrombin-induced differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in HASMCs were identified by analyzing expression profiles from the GEO. Subsequently, enrichment analysis, GSEA, PPI network, and gene-microRNAs networks were interrogated to identify hub genes and associated pathways. Enrichment analysis results indicated that thrombin causes HASMCs to secrete various pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, exacerbating local inflammatory response in AS. Moreover, we identified 9 HUB genes in the PPI network, which are closely related to the inflammatory response and the promotion of the cell cycle. Additionally, we found that thrombin inhibits lipid metabolism and autophagy of HASMCs, potentially contributing to smooth muscle-derived foam cell formation. Our study deepens a mechanistic understanding of the effect of thrombin on HASMCs and provides new insight into treating AS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yichen Zhang
- The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
- Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Lin Sun
- Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xingsheng Wang
- Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Qingbo Zhou
- The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Clark-Patterson GL, Buchanan LM, Ogola BO, Florian-Rodriguez M, Lindsey SH, De Vita R, Miller KS. Smooth muscle contribution to vaginal viscoelastic response. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2023; 140:105702. [PMID: 36764168 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2023.105702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Smooth muscle cells contribute to the mechanical function of various soft tissues, however, their contribution to the viscoelastic response when subjected to multiaxial loading remains unknown. The vagina is a fibromuscular viscoelastic organ that is exposed to prolonged and increased pressures with daily activities and physiologic processes such as vaginal birth. The vagina changes in geometry over time under prolonged pressure, known as creep. Vaginal smooth muscle cells may contribute to creep. This may be critical for the function of vaginal and other soft tissues that experience fluctuations in their biomechanical environment. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop methods to evaluate the contribution of smooth muscle to vaginal creep under multiaxial loading using extension - inflation tests. The vaginas from wildtype mice (C57BL/6 × 129SvEv; 3-6 months; n = 10) were stimulated with various concentrations of potassium chloride then subjected to the measured in vivo pressure (7 mmHg) for 100 s. In a different cohort of mice (n = 5), the vagina was stimulated with a single concentration of potassium chloride then subjected to 5 and 15 mmHg. A laser micrometer measured vaginal outer diameter in real-time. Immunofluorescence evaluated the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin and myosin heavy chain in the vaginal muscularis (n = 6). When smooth muscle contraction was activated, vaginal creep behavior increased compared to the relaxed state. However, increased pressure decreased the active creep response. This study demonstrated that extension - inflation protocols can be used to evaluate smooth muscle contribution to the viscoelastic response of tubular soft tissues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Lily M Buchanan
- University of Texas at Dallas, Department of Bioengineering, 800 W. Campbell Road, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA.
| | - Benard O Ogola
- Augusta University, Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, 1460 Laney Walker Blvd, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA.
| | - Maria Florian-Rodriguez
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery and Cecil H and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biological Sciences, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX, 75390-9032, USA.
| | - Sarah H Lindsey
- Tulane University School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, 1430 Tulane Ave, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA.
| | - Raffaella De Vita
- Virginia Tech,Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, 330 A Kelly Hall, 325 Stanger St, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
| | - Kristin S Miller
- Tulane University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, 6823 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA, 70118, USA; University of Texas at Dallas, Department of Bioengineering, 800 W. Campbell Road, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Skenteris NT, Hemme E, Delfos L, Karadimou G, Karlöf E, Lengquist M, Kronqvist M, Zhang X, Maegdefessel L, Schurgers LJ, Arnardottir H, Biessen EAL, Bot I, Matic L. Mast cells participate in smooth muscle cell reprogramming and atherosclerotic plaque calcification. Vascul Pharmacol 2023; 150:107167. [PMID: 36958707 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2023.107167] [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: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Calcification, a key feature of advanced human atherosclerosis, is positively associated with vascular disease burden and adverse events. We showed that macrocalcification can be a stabilizing factor for carotid plaque molecular biology, due to inverse association with immune processes. Mast cells (MCs) are important contributors to plaque instability, but their relationship with macrocalcification is unexplored. With a hypothesis that MC activation negatively associates with carotid plaque macrocalcification, we aimed to investigate the link between MCs and carotid plaque vulnerability, and study MC role in plaque calcification via smooth muscle cells (SMCs). METHODS Pre-operative computed tomography angiographies of patients (n = 40) undergoing surgery for carotid stenosis were used to characterize plaque morphology. Plaque microarrays (n = 40 and n = 126) were used for bioinformatic deconvolution of immune cell populations. Tissue microarrays (n = 103) were used to histologically validate the contribution of activated and resting MCs in plaques. RESULTS Activated MCs and their typical markers were negatively correlated with macrocalcification. The ratio of activated vs. resting MCs was increased in low-calcified plaques from symptomatic patients. There was no modulating effect of medication on MC ratios. In vitro experiments showed that SMC calcification attenuated MC activation, while both active and resting MCs stimulated SMC calcification and induced dedifferentiation towards a pro-inflammatory-, osteochondrocyte-like phenotype, without modulating their migro-proliferative function. CONCLUSIONS Integrative analyses from human plaques showed that MC activation is inversely associated with macrocalcification and positively with parameters of plaque vulnerability. Mechanistically, MCs induce SMC osteogenic reprograming, while matrix calcification in turn attenuates MC activation, offering new therapeutic avenues for exploration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos T Skenteris
- Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden; Vascular Surgery, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Centre, the Netherlands
| | - Esmeralda Hemme
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, the Netherlands
| | - Lucie Delfos
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, the Netherlands
| | - Glykeria Karadimou
- Vascular Surgery, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eva Karlöf
- Vascular Surgery, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mariette Lengquist
- Vascular Surgery, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Malin Kronqvist
- Vascular Surgery, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Xiang Zhang
- Vascular Surgery, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lars Maegdefessel
- Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden; Technical University Munich, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Germany
| | - Leon J Schurgers
- Department of Biochemistry and CARIM, School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, Netherlands; Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Hildur Arnardottir
- Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Erik A L Biessen
- Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University Medical Centre, the Netherlands
| | - Ilze Bot
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, the Netherlands
| | - Ljubica Matic
- Vascular Surgery, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Amoabediny G, Khakbiz M, Jafarkhani S, Mohammadi J, Ilanlou S, Khajouei F, Lotfi L, Rabbani H, Abbasi Ravasjani S, Rahimi F, Lee KB. The Effect of Nano-liposomal Sodium Nitrite on Smooth Muscle Cell Growth in a Tissue-Engineered Small-diameter Vascular Graft. Artif Organs 2023. [PMID: 36820496 DOI: 10.1111/aor.14512] [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] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nitric oxide is a chemical agent produced by endothelial cells in a healthy blood vessel, inhibiting the overgrowth of vascular smooth muscle cells and regulating vessel tone. Liposomes are biocompatible and biodegradable drug carriers with a similar structure to cell bilayer phospholipid membrane, that can be used as useful nitric oxide carriers in vascular grafts. METHOD Using a custom-designed apparatus, the sheep carotid arteries were decellularized while still maintaining important components of the vascular extracellular matrix (ECM), allowing them to be used as small-diameter vascular grafts. A Chemical signal of sodium nitrite was applied to control smooth muscle cells' behavior under static and dynamic cell culture conditions. The thin-film hydration approach was used to create nano-liposomes, which were then used as sodium nitrite carriers to control the drug release rate and enhance the amount of drug-loaded into the liposomes. RESULTS The ratio of 80:20:2 for DPPC: Cholesterol: PEG was determined as the optimum formulation of the liposome structure with high drug encapsulation efficiency (98%) and optimum drug release rate (the drug release rate was 40%, 65%, and 83% after 24, 48 and 72 hours, respectively). MTT assay results showed an improvement in endothelial cells proliferation in the presence of Nano-liposomal Sodium Nitrite (LNS) at the concentration of 0.5μg/ml. Using a suitable concentration of liposomal sodium nitrite (0.5 μg/ml) put onto the constructed scaffold resulted in the controllable development of smooth muscle cells in the experiment. The culture of smooth muscle cells in a pulsatile perfusion bioreactor indicated that in the presence of synthesized liposomal sodium nitrite, the overgrowth of smooth muscle cells was inhibited in dynamic cell culture conditions. The mechanical properties of ECM graft were measured, and a multi-scale model with an accuracy of 83% was proposed to predict mechanical properties successfully. CONCLUSION The liposomal drug-loaded small-diameter vascular graft can prevent the overgrowth of SMCs and the formation of intimal hyperplasia in the graft. Aside from that, the effect of LNS on endothelial has the potential to stimulate endothelial cell proliferation and re-endothelialization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ghasem Amoabediny
- Research Center for New Technologies in Life Science Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.,Faculty of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran.,Division of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of New Sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran, North Karegar Ave., PO Box 14395-1561, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Khakbiz
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of New Sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran, North Karegar Ave., PO Box 14395-1561, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Saeed Jafarkhani
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of New Sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran, North Karegar Ave., PO Box 14395-1561, Tehran, Iran
| | - Javad Mohammadi
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of New Sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran, North Karegar Ave., PO Box 14395-1561, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shervin Ilanlou
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of New Sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran, North Karegar Ave., PO Box 14395-1561, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fariba Khajouei
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of New Sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran, North Karegar Ave., PO Box 14395-1561, Tehran, Iran
| | - Leila Lotfi
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of New Sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran, North Karegar Ave., PO Box 14395-1561, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hodjattallah Rabbani
- Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sonia Abbasi Ravasjani
- Research Center for New Technologies in Life Science Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fardin Rahimi
- Research Center for New Technologies in Life Science Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ki-Bum Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Maruyama H, Sakai S, Dewachter L, Dewachter C, Rondelet B, Naeije R, Ieda M. Prostacyclin receptor agonists induce DUSP1 to inhibit pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation. Life Sci 2023; 315:121372. [PMID: 36608870 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121372] [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: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Upregulated p38MAPK signaling is implicated in the accelerated proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PA-SMCs) and the pathogenesis of pulmonary artery remodeling observed in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Previously, we reported that after endothelin-1 (ET-1) pretreatment, bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) activates p38MAPK signaling and accelerates PA-SMC proliferation. The activity of p38MAPK signaling is tightly regulated by the inactivation of dual-specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP1). Activated p38MAPK induces DUSP1 expression, forming a negative feedback loop. Prostacyclin IP receptor agonists (prostacyclin and selexipag) are used to treat PAH. In this study, we aimed to verify whether IP receptor agonists affect DUSP1 expression and accelerate the proliferation of PA-SMCs. MAIN METHODS PA-SMCs were treated with BMP2, ET-1, prostacyclin, and MRE-269, an active metabolite of selexipag, either alone or in combination. We quantified mRNA expressions using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Pulmonary artery specimens and PA-SMCs were obtained during lung transplantation in patients with PAH. KEY FINDINGS Both prostacyclin and MRE-269 increased DUSP1 expression. Combined treatment with BMP2 and ET-1 induced cyclin D1 and DUSP1 expression and increased PA-SMC proliferation. MRE-269 attenuated BMP2/ET-1-induced cell proliferation. ET-1 increased DUSP1 expression in PA-SMCs from control patients but not in PA-SMCs from patients with PAH. SIGNIFICANCE This study showed that the p38MAPK/DUSP1 negative feedback loop is impaired in PAH, contributing to unregulated p38MAPK activation and PA-SMC hyperplasia. IP receptor agonist MRE-269 increases DUSP1 expression and inhibit p38MAPK-mediated PA-SMC proliferation. Future elucidation of the detailed mechanism underlying reduced DUSP1 expression would be informative for PAH treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hidekazu Maruyama
- Department of Cardiology, National Hospital Organization Kasumigaura Medical Center, 300-8585 Tsuchiura, Japan; Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 305-8577 Tsukuba, Japan; Laboratory of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Satoshi Sakai
- Faculty of Health Science, Tsukuba University of Technology, 305-8520 Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Laurence Dewachter
- Laboratory of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Céline Dewachter
- Laboratory of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium; Department of Cardiology, Erasme Academic Hospital, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Benoit Rondelet
- Department of Cardiac, Vascular and Thoracic Surgery, CHU UCL Namur, 5530 Yvoir, Belgium
| | - Robert Naeije
- Laboratory of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Masaki Ieda
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 305-8577 Tsukuba, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Xu J, Fang C. Circ-ATL1 silencing reverses the activation effects of SIRT5 on smooth muscle cellular proliferation, migration and contractility in intracranial aneurysm by adsorbing miR-455. BMC Mol Cell Biol 2023; 24:3. [PMID: 36717793 PMCID: PMC9887762 DOI: 10.1186/s12860-022-00461-2] [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] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alterations in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) contribute to the pathogenesis of intracranial aneurysms (IAs). However, molecular mechanisms underlying these changes remain unknown. The present study aimed to characterize the molecular mechanisms underlying VSMC-mediated IAs. METHODS Expression of the circular RNA circ-ATL1 and microRNA miR-455 was detected in IAs by RT-qPCR. Interactions between circ-ATL1, miR-455 and SIRT5 were examined by luciferase reporter analysis and RT-qPCR. The regulatory roles of circ-ATL1, miR-455 and SIRT5 in VSMC migration, proliferation and phenotypic modulation were also examined by CCK8, Transwell® migration and western blot assays. RESULTS Biochemical and bioinformatic techniques were used to demonstrate that circ-ATL1 and miR-455 participated in disparate biological processes relevant to aneurysm formation. Clinically, increased expression of circ-ATL1 and downregulated miR-455 expression were observed in IA patients compared with healthy subjects. Silencing of circ-ATL1 led to suppression of VSMC migration, proliferation and phenotypic modulation. Both SIRT5 and miR-455 were found to be downstream targets of circ-ATL1. SIRT5 upregulation or miR-455 inhibition reversed the inhibitory effects induced by circ-ATL1 silencing on VSMC proliferation, migration and phenotypic modulation. We found that VSMC phenotypic modulation by circ-ATL1 upregulation and miR-455 downregulation had a critical role in the development and formation of AIs. Specifically, circ-ATL1 downregulation reversed IA formation. CONCLUSION Our data provide the theoretical basis for future studies on potential clinical treatment and prevention of IAs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jichong Xu
- grid.412793.a0000 0004 1799 5032Department of Interventional Radiology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji University, 389, Xincun Road, Shanghai, 200065 China
| | - Chun Fang
- grid.412793.a0000 0004 1799 5032Department of Interventional Radiology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji University, 389, Xincun Road, Shanghai, 200065 China
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Yeo M, Yoon JW, Park GT, Shin SC, Song YC, Cheon YI, Lee BJ, Kim GH, Kim JH. Esophageal wound healing by aligned smooth muscle cell-laden nanofibrous patch. Mater Today Bio 2023; 19:100564. [PMID: 36747583 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The esophagus exhibits peristalsis via contraction of circularly and longitudinally aligned smooth muscles, and esophageal replacement is required if there is a critical-sized wound. In this study, we proposed to reconstruct esophageal tissues using cell electrospinning (CE), an advanced technique for encapsulating living cells into fibers that allows control of the direction of fiber deposition. After treatment with transforming growth factor-β, mesenchymal stem cell-derived smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were utilized for cell electrospinning or three-dimensional bioprinting to compare the effects of aligned micropatterns on cell morphology. CE resulted in SMCs with uniaxially arranged and elongated cell morphology with upregulated expression levels of SMC-specific markers, including connexin 43, smooth muscle protein 22 alpha (SM22α), desmin, and smoothelin. When SMC-laden nanofibrous patches were transplanted into a rat esophageal defect model, the SMC patch promoted regeneration of esophageal wounds with an increased number of newly formed blood vessels and enhanced the SMC-specific markers of SM22α and vimentin. Taken together, CE with its advantages, such as guidance of highly elongated, aligned cell morphology and accelerated SMC differentiation, can be an efficient strategy to reconstruct smooth muscle tissues and treat esophageal perforation.
Collapse
|
43
|
Sedovy MW, Leng X, Leaf MR, Iqbal F, Payne LB, Chappell JC, Johnstone SR. Connexin 43 across the Vasculature: Gap Junctions and Beyond. J Vasc Res 2022; 60:101-113. [PMID: 36513042 DOI: 10.1159/000527469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Connexin 43 (Cx43) is essential to the function of the vasculature. Cx43 proteins form gap junctions that allow for the exchange of ions and molecules between vascular cells to facilitate cell-to-cell signaling and coordinate vasomotor activity. Cx43 also has intracellular signaling functions that influence vascular cell proliferation and migration. Cx43 is expressed in all vascular cell types, although its expression and function vary by vessel size and location. This includes expression in vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMC), endothelial cells (EC), and pericytes. Cx43 is thought to coordinate homocellular signaling within EC and vSMC. Cx43 gap junctions also function as conduits between different cell types (heterocellular signaling), between EC and vSMC at the myoendothelial junction, and between pericyte and EC in capillaries. Alterations in Cx43 expression, localization, and post-translational modification have been identified in vascular disease states, including atherosclerosis, hypertension, and diabetes. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of Cx43 localization and function in healthy and diseased blood vessels across all vascular beds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meghan W Sedovy
- The Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Center for Vascular and Heart Research, 4 Riverside Circle, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
- Translational Biology, Medicine, And Health Graduate Program, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Xinyan Leng
- The Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Center for Vascular and Heart Research, 4 Riverside Circle, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
| | - Melissa R Leaf
- The Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Center for Vascular and Heart Research, 4 Riverside Circle, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
| | - Farwah Iqbal
- The Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Center for Vascular and Heart Research, 4 Riverside Circle, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
| | - Laura Beth Payne
- The Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Center for Vascular and Heart Research, 4 Riverside Circle, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
| | - John C Chappell
- The Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Center for Vascular and Heart Research, 4 Riverside Circle, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
| | - Scott R Johnstone
- The Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Center for Vascular and Heart Research, 4 Riverside Circle, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Fasolo F, Paloschi V, Maegdefessel L. Long non-coding RNAs at the crossroad of vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic modulation in atherosclerosis and neointimal formation. Atherosclerosis 2022:S0021-9150(22)01542-8. [PMID: 36513554 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2022.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Despite extraordinary advances in the comprehension of the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and the employment of very effective treatments, cardiovascular diseases are still a major cause of mortality and represent a large share of health expenditure worldwide. Atherosclerosis is a disease affecting the medium and large arteries, which consists of a progressive accumulation of fatty substances, cellular waste products and fibrous elements, which culminates in the buildup of a plaque obstructing the blood flow. Endothelial dysfunction represents an early pathological event, favoring immune cells recruitment and triggering local inflammation. The release of inflammatory cytokines and other signaling molecules stimulates phenotypic modifications in the underlying vascular smooth muscle cells, which, in physiological conditions, are responsible for the maintenance of vessels architecture while regulating vascular tone. Vascular smooth muscle cells are highly plastic and may respond to disease stimuli by de-differentiating and losing their contractility, while increasing their synthetic, proliferative, and migratory capacity. This phenotypic switching is considered a pathological hallmark of atherogenesis and is ruled by the activation of selective gene programs. The advent of genomics and the improvement of sequencing technologies deepened our knowledge of the complex gene expression regulatory networks mediated by non-coding RNAs, and favored the rise of innovative therapeutic approaches targeting the non-coding transcriptome. In the context of atherosclerosis, long non-coding RNAs have received increasing attention as potential translational targets, due to their contribution to the molecular dynamics modulating the expression of vascular smooth muscle cells contractile/synthetic gene programs. In this review, we will focus on the most well-characterized long non-coding RNAs contributing to atherosclerosis by controlling expression of the contractile apparatus and genes activated in perturbed vascular smooth muscle cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Fasolo
- Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany; German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance (MHA), Berlin, Germany.
| | - Valentina Paloschi
- Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany; German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance (MHA), Berlin, Germany
| | - Lars Maegdefessel
- Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany; German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance (MHA), Berlin, Germany; Molecular Vascular Medicine Unit, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Reed E, Fellows A, Lu R, Rienks M, Schmidt L, Yin X, Duregotti E, Brandt M, Krasemann S, Hartmann K, Barallobre-Barreiro J, Addison O, Cuello F, Hansen A, Mayr M. Extracellular Matrix Profiling and Disease Modelling in Engineered Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Tissues. Matrix Biol Plus 2022; 16:100122. [PMID: 36193159 PMCID: PMC9526190 DOI: 10.1016/j.mbplus.2022.100122] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) have an intrinsic role in regulating vessel homeostasis and pathological remodelling. In two-dimensional (2D) cell culture formats, however, SMCs are not embedded in their physiological extracellular matrix (ECM) environment. To overcome the limitations of conventional 2D SMC cultures, we established a 3D in vitro model of engineered vascular smooth muscle cell tissues (EVTs). EVTs were casted from primary murine aortic SMCs by suspending a SMC-fibrin master mix between two flexible silicon-posts at day 0 before prolonged culture up to 14 days. Immunohistochemical analysis of EVT longitudinal sections demonstrated that SMCs were aligned, viable and secretory. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics analysis of murine EVT lysates was performed and identified 135 matrisome proteins. Proteoglycans, including the large aggregating proteoglycan versican, accumulated within EVTs by day 7 of culture. This was followed by the deposition of collagens, elastin-binding proteins and matrix regulators up to day 14 of culture. In contrast to 2D SMC controls, accumulation of versican occurred in parallel to an increase in versikine, a cleavage product mediated by proteases of the A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS) family. Next, we tested the response of EVTs to stimulation with transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFβ-1). EVTs contracted in response to TGFβ-1 stimulation with altered ECM composition. In contrast, treatment with the pharmacological activin-like kinase inhibitor (ALKi) SB 431542 suppressed ECM secretion. As a disease stimulus, we performed calcification assays. The ECM acts as a nidus for calcium phosphate deposition in the arterial wall. We compared the onset and extent of calcification in EVTs and 2D SMCs cultured under high calcium and phosphate conditions for 7 days. Calcified EVTs displayed increased tissue stiffness by up to 30 % compared to non-calcified controls. Unlike the rapid calcification of SMCs in 2D cultures, EVTs sustained expression of the calcification inhibitor matrix Gla protein and allowed for better discrimination of the calcification propensity between independent biological replicates. In summary, EVTs are an intuitive and versatile model to investigate ECM synthesis and turnover by SMCs in a 3D environment. Unlike conventional 2D cultures, EVTs provide a more relevant pathophysiological model for retention of the nascent ECM produced by SMCs.
Collapse
Key Words
- 2D, Two-dimensional
- 3D cell culture
- 3D, Three-dimensional
- ADAMTS, A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs
- ALKi, Activin-like kinase inhibitor
- Calcification
- ECM
- ECM, Extracellular matrix
- EHT, Engineered heart tissue
- EVT, Engineered vascular smooth muscle cell tissue
- LC-MS/MS, Liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry
- Proteomics
- SMC, Smooth muscle cell
- Smooth muscle cells
- TCP, Tissue culture polystyrene
- TGFβ-1, Transforming growth factor beta-1
- Tissue engineering
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ella Reed
- King's British Heart Foundation Centre, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and Sciences, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Adam Fellows
- King's British Heart Foundation Centre, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and Sciences, London SE5 9NU, UK
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Ruifang Lu
- King's British Heart Foundation Centre, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and Sciences, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Marieke Rienks
- King's British Heart Foundation Centre, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and Sciences, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Lukas Schmidt
- King's British Heart Foundation Centre, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and Sciences, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Xiaoke Yin
- King's British Heart Foundation Centre, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and Sciences, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Elisa Duregotti
- King's British Heart Foundation Centre, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and Sciences, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Mona Brandt
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Hamburg/Lübeck/Kiel, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Susanne Krasemann
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kristin Hartmann
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Javier Barallobre-Barreiro
- King's British Heart Foundation Centre, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and Sciences, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Owen Addison
- Centre of Oral, Clinical & Translational Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King’s College London, Guy’s Hospital, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Friederike Cuello
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Hamburg/Lübeck/Kiel, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Arne Hansen
- Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Hamburg/Lübeck/Kiel, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Manuel Mayr
- King's British Heart Foundation Centre, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and Sciences, London SE5 9NU, UK
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Manjunatha K, Behr M, Vogt F, Reese S. A multiphysics modeling approach for in-stent restenosis: Theoretical aspects and finite element implementation. Comput Biol Med 2022; 150:106166. [PMID: 36252366 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2022.106166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Development of in silico models that capture progression of diseases in soft biological tissues are intrinsic in the validation of the hypothesized cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the respective pathologies. In addition, they also aid in patient-specific adaptation of interventional procedures. In this regard, a fully-coupled high-fidelity Lagrangian finite element framework is proposed within this work which replicates the pathology of in-stent restenosis observed post stent implantation in a coronary artery. Advection-reaction-diffusion equations are set up to track the concentrations of the platelet-derived growth factor, the transforming growth factor-β, the extracellular matrix, and the density of the smooth muscle cells. A continuum mechanical description of volumetric growth involved in the restenotic process, coupled to the evolution of the previously defined vessel wall constituents, is presented. Further, the finite element implementation of the model is discussed, and the behavior of the computational model is investigated via suitable numerical examples. Qualitative validation of the computational model is presented by emulating a stented artery. Patient-specific data are intended to be integrated into the model to predict the risk of in-stent restenosis, and thereby assist in the tuning of stent implantation parameters to mitigate the risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Manjunatha
- Institute of Applied Mechanics, RWTH Aachen University, Germany.
| | - Marek Behr
- Chair for Computational Analysis of Technical Systems, RWTH Aachen University, Germany
| | - Felix Vogt
- Department of Cardiology, Pulmonology, Intensive Care and Vascular Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Germany
| | - Stefanie Reese
- Institute of Applied Mechanics, RWTH Aachen University, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Mathies M, Krieg EM, Mohr F, Zaradzki M, Wagner AH. Effects of Rapamycin on the Expression of Redox Enzymes in Aortic Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells from Marfan Syndrome Mice. Pharmacology 2022; 107:615-622. [PMID: 36174498 DOI: 10.1159/000526624] [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: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Activation of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway has been implicated in an increasing number of diseases, including Marfan syndrome (MFS), an inherited connective tissue disorder. mTOR-dependent reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation has also been suggested to play a role in aortic aneurysm formation in MFS patients. This study aimed to characterize the effects of mTOR inhibition by rapamycin on key redox enzymes and NADPH oxidases (NOX) in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells of a murine MFS model. Therefore, the influence of 5 and 20 nmol/L rapamycin solved in 0.1% (vol/vol) DMSO on glutathione peroxidases 1 (Gpx1) and 4 (Gpx4), superoxide dismutase 2 (Sod2), and catalase (Cat) mRNA and protein expression was investigated in isolated murine aortic smooth muscle cells. Rapamycin inhibited the mRNA expression of all redox enzymes by 30-50%, except Gpx1. In the same cells, the mRNA expression of the transcription factor NFE2-related factor-2 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, key factors against oxidative stress, and controlling redox gene expression were also inhibited to a comparable extent under these conditions. In addition, Nox1 but not Nox4 mRNA expression was significantly inhibited by up to 40%. DMSO alone increased nearly 2-fold the redox enzyme protein expression, which was reduced considerably to basal levels by rapamycin. Proteasomal inhibition by bortezomib could not reverse the observed decrease of GPx protein content. The rapamycin-mediated decrease in GPx protein abundance was reflected in a reduced total GPx enzymatic activity. Higher rapamycin concentrations did not further decrease but led to a renewed increase in enzymatic activity despite low GPx protein concentrations. Baseline ROS formation was slightly inhibited at 13% with 5 nmol/L rapamycin and returned to baseline levels with the higher 20 nmol/L rapamycin concentration. In conclusion, this study further characterized the mechanism of action of rapamycin. It provided an insight into how rapamycin interferes with the regulation of redox homeostasis essential for ROS-dependent signaling that does not incur cellular damage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marius Mathies
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Elisa M Krieg
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Franziska Mohr
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marcin Zaradzki
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreas H Wagner
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Xu S, Chuang CY, Malle E, Gamon LF, Hawkins CL, Davies MJ. Influence of plasma halide, pseudohalide and nitrite ions on myeloperoxidase-mediated protein and extracellular matrix damage. Free Radic Biol Med 2022; 188:162-174. [PMID: 35718304 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2022.06.222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Myeloperoxidase (MPO) mediates pathogen destruction by generating the bactericidal oxidant hypochlorous acid (HOCl). Formation of this oxidant is however associated with host tissue damage and disease. MPO also utilizes H2O2 to oxidize other substrates, and we hypothesized that mixtures of other plasma anions, including bromide (Br-), iodide (I-), thiocyanate (SCN-) and nitrite (NO2-), at normal or supplemented concentrations, might modulate MPO-mediated HOCl damage. For the (pseudo)halide anions, only SCN- significantly modulated HOCl formation (IC50 ∼33 μM), which is within the normal physiological range, as judged by damage to human plasma fibronectin or extracellular matrix preparations detected by ELISA and LC-MS. NO2- modulated HOCl-mediated damage, in a dose-dependent manner, at physiologically-attainable anion concentrations. However, this was accompanied by increased tyrosine and tryptophan nitration (detected by ELISA and LC-MS), and the overall extent of damage remained approximately constant. Increasing NO2- concentrations (0.5-20 μM) diminished HOCl-mediated modification of tyrosine and methionine, whereas tryptophan loss was enhanced. At higher NO2- concentrations, enhanced tyrosine and methionine loss was detected. These analytical data were confirmed in studies of cell adhesion and metabolic activity. Together, these data indicate that endogenous plasma levels of SCN- (but not Br- or I-) can modulate protein modification induced by MPO, including the extent of chlorination. In contrast, NO2- alters the type of modification, but does not markedly decrease its extent, with chlorination replaced by nitration. These data also indicate that MPO could be a major source of nitration in vivo, and particularly at inflammatory sites where NO2- levels are often elevated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuqi Xu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christine Y Chuang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ernst Malle
- Division of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Luke F Gamon
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Clare L Hawkins
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael J Davies
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Ling C, Yang Y, Hu X, Cai M, Wang H, Chen C. Phoenixin-14 alleviates inflammatory smooth muscle cell-induced endothelial cell dysfunction in vitro. Cytokine 2022; 157:155973. [PMID: 35907364 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2022.155973] [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: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intracranial aneurysm (IA) is cerebrovascular disorder which refers to local vessel wall damage to intracranial arteries, forming abnormal bulge. Both endothelial cells (ECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are closely associated with IA formation and rupture. Inflammatory SMCs (iSMCs) were reported to induce EC dysfunction and result in IA progression. Phoenixin-14 (PNX-14) is a recently discovered brain peptide with pleiotropic roles, which participates in reproduction, cardio protection, lipid deposition and blood glucose metabolism. PNX-14 was previously reported to protect brain endothelial cells against oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R)-induced cell injury. Therefore, our study was designed to investigate the influence of PNX-14 on iSMCs-induced endothelial dysfunction. METHODS Inflammation in SMCs was induced by cyclic mechanical stretch. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were exposed to SMC- or iSMC-conditioned medium and then treated with 100 nM PNX-14 for 24 h. The levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) in cell supernatants were analyzed by ELISA. Cell viability, apoptosis, angiogenesis and migration were subjected to CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry analysis, tube formation assay and Transwell migration assay. The protein levels of proinflammatory cytokines and apoptosis markers (Bcl-2 and Bax) were evaluated by western blotting. RESULTS Cyclic mechanical stretch upregulated IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α levels in SMCs. Treatment with SMC- or iSMC-conditioned medium HUVECs inhibited cell viability, angiogenesis and migration and induced apoptosis in HUVECs. iSMC-conditioned medium has more significant effects on cell functions. However, the influence of SMC- or iSMC-conditioned medium treatment on HUVEC biological functions were reversed by PNX-14 treatment. PNX-14 exerts no significant influence on the biological functions of HUVECs treated with SMC medium. CONCLUSION PNX-14 alleviates iSMCs-induced endothelial cell dysfunction in vitro.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cong Ling
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
| | - Xiling Hu
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
| | - Meiqin Cai
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China.
| | - Chuan Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Fatoyinbo HO, Brown RG, Simpson DJW, van Brunt B. Pattern Formation in a Spatially Extended Model of Pacemaker Dynamics in Smooth Muscle Cells. Bull Math Biol 2022; 84:86. [PMID: 35804271 PMCID: PMC9270316 DOI: 10.1007/s11538-022-01043-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Spatiotemporal patterns are common in biological systems. For electrically coupled cells, previous studies of pattern formation have mainly used applied current as the primary bifurcation parameter. The purpose of this paper is to show that applied current is not needed to generate spatiotemporal patterns for smooth muscle cells. The patterns can be generated solely by external mechanical stimulation (transmural pressure). To do this we study a reaction-diffusion system involving the Morris-Lecar equations and observe a wide range of spatiotemporal patterns for different values of the model parameters. Some aspects of these patterns are explained via a bifurcation analysis of the system without coupling - in particular Type I and Type II excitability both occur. We show the patterns are not due to a Turing instability and that the spatially extended model exhibits spatiotemporal chaos. We also use travelling wave coordinates to analyse travelling waves.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- H O Fatoyinbo
- School of Mathematical and Computational Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
| | - R G Brown
- School of Mathematical and Computational Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - D J W Simpson
- School of Mathematical and Computational Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - B van Brunt
- School of Mathematical and Computational Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|