ACE2 deficiency inhibits thoracic aortic dissection by enhancing SIRT3 mediated inhibition of inflammation and VSCMs phenotypic switch.

BACKGROUND: Thoracic aortic dissection (TAD) is an irreversible cardiovascular disorder with high mortality and morbidity. However, the molecular mechanisms remain elusive. Thus, identifying an effective therapeutic target to prevent TAD is especially critical. The purpose of this study is to elucidate the potential mechanism of inflammation and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMCs) phenotypic switch in ß-aminopropionitrile fumarate (BAPN)-induced TAD. METHODS: A mouse model of TAD induced by BAPN and IL-1ß -stimulated HVSMCs in vivo and in vitro models, respectively. ACE2 Knockdown mice treated with BAPN or without, and the TAD mouse model was treated with or without AAV-ACE2. Transthoracic ultrasound was conducted for assessment the maximum internal diameter of the thoracic aorta arch. RNA sequencing analysis was performed to recapitulate transcriptome profile changes. Western blot were used to detect the expression of MMP2, MMP9, ACE2, SIRT3, OPN, SM22α and other inflammatory markers. The circulating levels of ACE2 was measured by ELISA assay. Histological changes of thoracic aorta tissues were assessed by H&E, EVG and IHC analysis. RESULTS: We found that circulating levels of and the protein levels of ACE2 were increased in the TAD mouse model and in patients with TAD. For further evidence, ACE2 deficiency decelerated the formation of TAD. However, overexpression of ACE2 aggravated BAPN-induced aortic injury and VSMCs phenotypic switch via lowered SIRT3 expression and elevated inflammatory cytokine expression. CONCLUSION: ACE2 deficiency prevented the development of TAD by inhibiting inflammation and VSMCs phenotypic switch in a SIRT3-dependent manner, suggesting that the ACE2/SIRT3 signaling pathway played a pivotal role in the pathological process of TAD and might be a potential therapeutical target.

Age- and sex-specific biomechanics and extracellular matrix remodeling of the ascending aorta in a mouse model of severe Marfan syndrome.

Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is associated with Marfan syndrome (MFS), a connective tissue disorder caused by mutations in fibrillin-1. Sexual dimorphism has been recorded for TAA outcomes in MFS, but detailed studies on the differences in TAA progression in males and females and their relationships to outcomes have not been performed. The aims of this study were to determine sex differences in the diameter dilatation, mechanical properties, and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling over time in a severe mouse model (Fbn1mgR/mgR = MU) of MFS-associated TAA that has a shortened life span. Male and female MU and wildtype (WT) mice were used at 1-4 mo of age. Blood pressure and in vivo diameters of the ascending thoracic aorta were recorded using a tail-cuff system and ultrasound imaging, respectively. Ex vivo mechanics and ECM remodeling of the aorta were characterized using a biaxial test system and multiphoton imaging, respectively. We showed that mechanical properties, such as structural and material stiffness, and ECM remodeling, such as elastic and collagen fiber content, correlated with diameter dilatation during TAA progression. Male MU mice had accelerated rates of diameter dilatation, stiffening, and ECM remodeling compared with female MU mice which may have contributed to their decreased life span. The correlation of mechanical properties and ECM remodeling with diameter dilatation suggests that they may be useful biomarkers for TAA progression. The differences in diameter dilatation and life spans in male and female MU mice indicate that sex is an important consideration for managing thoracic aortic aneurysm in MFS. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Using a mouse model (Fbn1mgR/mgR = MU) of severe thoracic aortic aneurysm in Marfan syndrome (MFS), we found that male MU aorta had an accelerated time line and increased amounts of dilatation, stiffening, and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling compared with female MU aorta that may have contributed to an increased risk of fatigue failure with cyclic loading over time and a reduced life span. We suggest that aortic stiffness may provide useful information for clinical management of aneurysms in MFS.

miRNA-Driven Regulation of Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition Differs among Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms.

Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) represent a serious health concern, as they are associated with early aortic dissection and rupture. TAA formation is triggered by genetic conditions, in particular Marfan syndrome (MFS) and bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). During the aneurysmatic process, aortic endothelial cells can undergo endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (End-MT) with consequent phenotypic and functional alterations. We previously documented that MFS TAA is characterized by miR-632-driven End-MT exacerbation, whereas in BAV aortopathy, the occurrence of this process remains still controversial. We investigated the End-MT process and the underlined regulatory mechanisms in BAV, TAV and MFS TAA tissues. Gene expression and immunohistochemical analysis were performed in order to analyze some important miRNAs and genes characterizing End-MT. We documented that BAV endothelium maintains the expression of the endothelial homeostasis markers, such as ERG, CD31 and miR-126-5p, while it shows lower levels of miR-632 and mesenchymal markers compared with MFS. Interestingly, we also found higher levels of miR-632 in MFS patients' blood. Our findings definitively demonstrate that the End-MT process does not characterize BAV that, among the other TAAs, better maintains the endothelial features. In addition, our results suggest miR-632 as a promising diagnostic/prognostic factor in MFS aortopathy.

Complement C3a/C3aR inhibition alleviates the formation of aortic aneurysm in Marfan syndrome mice.

Mutations in fibrillin 1 (FBN1) is the main cause of Marfan syndrome (MFS) with thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) as the main complication. Activation of the complement system plays a key role in the formation of thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms. However, the role of the complement system in MFS-associated aortic aneurysms remains unclear. In this study, we observed increased levels of complement C3a and C5a in the plasma of MFS patients and mouse, and the increased deposition of the activated complement system product C3b/iC3b was also observed in the elastic fiber rupture zone of 3-month-old MFS mice. The expression of C3a receptor (C3aR) was increased in MFS aortas, and recombinant C3a promoted the expression of cytokines in macrophages. The administration of a C3aR antagonist (C3aRA) attenuated the development of thoracic aortic aneurysms in MFS mice. The increased inflammation response and matrix metalloproteinases activities were also attenuated by C3aRA treatment in MFS mice. Therefore, these findings indicate that the complement C3a/C3aR inhibition alleviates the formation of aortic aneurysm in Marfan syndrome mice.

Coding and Non-Coding Transcriptomic Landscape of Aortic Complications in Marfan Syndrome.

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a rare congenital disorder of the connective tissue, leading to thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) and dissection, among other complications. Currently, the most efficient strategy to prevent life-threatening dissection is preventive surgery. Periodic imaging applying complex techniques is required to monitor TAA progression and to guide the timing of surgical intervention. Thus, there is an acute demand for non-invasive biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis, as well as for innovative therapeutic targets of MFS. Unraveling the intricate pathomolecular mechanisms underlying the syndrome is vital to address these needs. High-throughput platforms are particularly well-suited for this purpose, as they enable the integration of different datasets, such as transcriptomic and epigenetic profiles. In this narrative review, we summarize relevant studies investigating changes in both the coding and non-coding transcriptome and epigenome in MFS-induced TAA. The collective findings highlight the implicated pathways, such as TGF-ß signaling, extracellular matrix structure, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Potential candidates as biomarkers, such as miR-200c, as well as therapeutic targets emerged, like Tfam, associated with mitochondrial respiration, or miR-632, stimulating endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. While these discoveries are promising, rigorous and extensive validation in large patient cohorts is indispensable to confirm their clinical relevance and therapeutic potential.

Bioengineered vascular grafts with a pathogenic TGFBR1 variant model aneurysm formation in vivo and reveal underlying collagen defects.

Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is a life-threatening vascular disease frequently associated with underlying genetic causes. An inadequate understanding of human TAA pathogenesis highlights the need for better disease models. Here, we established a functional human TAA model in an animal host by combining human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), bioengineered vascular grafts (BVGs), and gene editing. We generated BVGs from isogenic control hiPSC-derived vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and mutant SMCs gene-edited to carry a Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS)-associated pathogenic variant (TGFBR1A230T). We also generated hiPSC-derived BVGs using cells from a patient with LDS (PatientA230T/+) and using genetically corrected cells (Patient+/+). Control and experimental BVGs were then implanted into the common carotid arteries of nude rats. The TGFBR1A230T variant led to impaired mechanical properties of BVGs, resulting in lower burst pressure and suture retention strength. BVGs carrying the variant dilated over time in vivo, resembling human TAA formation. Spatial transcriptomics profiling revealed defective expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) formation genes in PatientA230T/+ BVGs compared with Patient+/+ BVGs. Histological analysis and protein assays validated quantitative and qualitative ECM defects in PatientA230T/+ BVGs and patient tissue, including decreased collagen hydroxylation. SMC organization was also impaired in PatientA230T/+ BVGs as confirmed by vascular contraction testing. Silencing of collagen-modifying enzymes with small interfering RNAs reduced collagen proline hydroxylation in SMC-derived tissue constructs. These studies demonstrated the utility of BVGs to model human TAA formation in an animal host and highlighted the role of reduced collagen modifying enzyme activity in human TAA formation.

Single-cell sequencing reveals the impact of endothelial cell PIEZO1 expression on thoracic aortic aneurysm.

INTRODUCTION: Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is a severe vascular disease that threatens human life, characterized by focal dilatation of the entire aortic wall, with a diameter 1.5 times larger than normal. PIEZO1, a mechanosensitive cationic channel, monitors mechanical stimulations in the environment, transduces mechanical signals into electrical signals, and converts them into biological signals to activate intracellular signaling pathways. However, the role of PIEZO1 in TAA is still unclear. METHODS: We analyzed a single-cell database to investigate the expression level of PIEZO1 in TAA. We constructed a conditional knockout mouse model of Piezo1 and used the PIEZO1 agonist Yoda1 to intervene in the TAA model mice established by co-administration of BAPN and ANG-II. Finally, we explored the effect of Yoda1 on TAA in vitro. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: We observed decreased PIEZO1 expression in TAA at both RNA and protein levels. Single-cell sequencing identified a specific reduction in Piezo1 expression in endothelial cells. Administration of PIEZO1 agonist Yoda1 prevented the formation of TAA. In PIEZO1 endothelial cell conditional knockout mice, Yoda1 inhibited TAA formation by interfering with PIEZO1. In vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated that the effect of Yoda1 on endothelial cells involved macrophage infiltration, extracellular matrix degradation, and neovascularization. This study highlights the role of PIEZO1 in TAA and its potential as a therapeutic target, providing opportunities for clinical translation.

Divergent and Compensatory Effects of BMP2 and BMP4 on the VSMC Phenotype and BMP4's Role in Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Development.

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play a key role in aortic aneurysm formation. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) have been implicated as important regulators of VSMC phenotype, and dysregulation of the BMP pathway has been shown to be associated with vascular diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate for the first time the effects of BMP-4 on the VSMC phenotype and to understand its role in the development of thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs). Using the angiotensin II (AngII) osmotic pump model in mice, aortas from mice with VSMC-specific BMP-4 deficiency showed changes similar to AngII-infused aortas, characterised by a loss of contractile markers, increased fibrosis, and activation of matrix metalloproteinase 9. When BMP-4 deficiency was combined with AngII infusion, there was a significantly higher rate of apoptosis and aortic dilatation. In vitro, VSMCs with mRNA silencing of BMP-4 displayed a dedifferentiated phenotype with activated canonical BMP signalling. In contrast, BMP-2-deficient VSMCs exhibited the opposite phenotype. The compensatory regulation between BMP-2 and BMP-4, with BMP-4 promoting the contractile phenotype, appeared to be independent of the canonical signalling pathway. Taken together, these results demonstrate the impact of VSMC-specific BMP-4 deficiency on TAA development.

Unveiling cellular and molecular aspects of ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections.

Ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm (ATAA) remains a significant medical concern, with its asymptomatic nature posing diagnostic and monitoring challenges, thereby increasing the risk of aortic wall dissection and rupture. Current management of aortic repair relies on an aortic diameter threshold. However, this approach underestimates the complexity of aortic wall disease due to important knowledge gaps in understanding its underlying pathologic mechanisms.Since traditional risk factors cannot explain the initiation and progression of ATAA leading to dissection, local vascular factors such as extracellular matrix (ECM) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) might harbor targets for early diagnosis and intervention. Derived from diverse embryonic lineages, VSMCs exhibit varied responses to genetic abnormalities that regulate their contractility. The transition of VSMCs into different phenotypes is an adaptive response to stress stimuli such as hemodynamic changes resulting from cardiovascular disease, aging, lifestyle, and genetic predisposition. Upon longer exposure to stress stimuli, VSMC phenotypic switching can instigate pathologic remodeling that contributes to the pathogenesis of ATAA.This review aims to illuminate the current understanding of cellular and molecular characteristics associated with ATAA and dissection, emphasizing the need for a more nuanced comprehension of the impaired ECM-VSMC network.

Analysis of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells from Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms Reveals DNA Damage and Cell Cycle Arrest as Hallmarks in Bicuspid Aortic Valve Patients.

Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is mainly sporadic and with higher incidence in the presence of a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) for unknown reasons. The lack of drug therapy to delay TAA progression lies in the limited knowledge of pathophysiology. We aimed to identify the molecular hallmarks that differentiate the aortic dilatation associated with BAV and tricuspid aortic valve (TAV). Aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) isolated from sporadic TAA patients with BAV or TAV were analyzed by mass spectrometry. DNA oxidative damage assay and cell cycle profiling were performed in three independent cohorts supporting proteomics data. The alteration of secreted proteins was confirmed in plasma. Stress phenotype, oxidative stress, and enhanced DNA damage response (increased S-phase arrest and apoptosis) were found in BAV-TAA patients. The increased levels of plasma C1QTNF5, LAMA2, THSB3, and FAP confirm the enhanced stress in BAV-TAA. Plasma FAP and BGN point to an increased inflammatory condition in TAV. The arterial wall of BAV patients shows a limited capacity to counteract drivers of sporadic TAA. The molecular pathways identified support the need of differential molecular diagnosis and therapeutic approaches for BAV and TAV patients, showing specific markers in plasma which may serve to monitor therapy efficacy.

KLF15 maintains contractile phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cells and prevents thoracic aortic dissection by interacting with MRTFB.

Thoracic aortic dissection (TAD) is a highly dangerous cardiovascular disorder caused by weakening of the aortic wall, resulting in a sudden tear of the internal face. Progressive loss of the contractile apparatus in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is a major event in TAD. Exploring the endogenous regulators essential for the contractile phenotype of VSMCs may aid the development of strategies to prevent TAD. Krüppel-like factor 15 (KLF15) overexpression was reported to inhibit TAD formation; however, the mechanisms by which KLF15 prevents TAD formation and whether KLF15 regulates the contractile phenotype of VSMCs in TAD are not well understood. Therefore, we investigated these unknown aspects of KLF15 function. We found that KLF15 expression was reduced in human TAD samples and ß-aminopropionitrile monofumarate-induced TAD mouse model. Klf15KO mice are susceptible to both ß-aminopropionitrile monofumarate- and angiotensin II-induced TAD. KLF15 deficiency results in reduced VSMC contractility and exacerbated vascular inflammation and extracellular matrix degradation. Mechanistically, KLF15 interacts with myocardin-related transcription factor B (MRTFB), a potent serum response factor coactivator that drives contractile gene expression. KLF15 silencing represses the MRTFB-induced activation of contractile genes in VSMCs. Thus, KLF15 cooperates with MRTFB to promote the expression of contractile genes in VSMCs, and its dysfunction may exacerbate TAD. These findings indicate that KLF15 may be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of TAD.

Are telocytes related to maintenance of vascular homeostasis in normal and pathological aorta?

The telocyte (TC) is a new interstitial cell type described in a wide variety of organs and loose connective tissues around small vessels, but its presence in large arteries remains unexplored. TCs have small cell bodies and remarkably thin, long, moniliform processes called telopods (Tps). Using transmission electron microscopy and immunofluorescence, we identified TCs in normal human thoracic aortas and in those with aneurysm or acute dissection (TAAD). In normal aortas the TCs were distributed throughout the connective tissue of the adventitial layer, in its innermost portion and at the zone of transition with the medial layer, with their long axes oriented parallel to the external elastic lamellae, forming a three-dimensional network, without prevalence in the media layer. In contrast, TAAD TCs were present in the medial layer and in regions of neovascularization. The most important feature of the adventitia of diseased aortas was the presence of numerous contacts between TCs and stem cells, including vascular progenitor cells. Although the biologically functional correlations need to be elucidated, the morphological observations presented here provide strong evidence of the involvement of TCs in maintaining vascular homeostasis in pathological situations of tissue injury.

Immune Response Associated Gene Signatures in Aortic Dissection Compared to Aortic Aneurysm.

BACKGROUND: Thoracic aortic dissections (TAD) are life-threatening events mostly requiring immediate surgical treatment. Although dissections mainly occur independently of thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA), both share a high comorbidity. There are several indications for an involvement of the immune system in the development of TAD, just as in TAA. Nevertheless, specific disease-relevant genes, biomolecular processes, and immune-specific phenotypes remain unknown. METHODS: RNA from isolated aortic smooth muscle cells from TAD (n = 4), TAA (n = 3), and control patients were analyzed using microarray-based technologies. Additionally, three publicly available bulk RNA-seq studies of TAD (n = 23) and controls (n = 17) and one single-cell RNA-seq study of TAA (n = 8) and controls (n = 3) were analyzed. Differentially expressed genes were identified and used to identify affected pathways in TAD. Five selected genes were validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: We identified 37 genes that were significantly dysregulated in at least three TAD studies-24 of them were not shown to be associated with TAD, yet. Gene ontology analysis showed that immune response was significantly affected. Five of the genes (CCL2, RNASE2, HAVCR2, CXCL8, and IL6R) were revealed as core genes that affect immune response in TAD. We compared the gene expression of those genes to TAA and found that CXCL8, IL6R, and potentially also CCL2 were upregulated in TAD. CONCLUSIONS: The identified immune-related genes showed TAD-specificity, independent of possible pre-existing comorbidities like TAA. So, these genes represent potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets linked to the immune response in acute TAD. Additionally, we identified a set of differentially expressed genes that represents a resource for further studies.

Activation of the alternative complement pathway modulates inflammation in thoracic aortic aneurysm/dissection.

Thoracic aortic aneurysm/dissection (TAAD) is a lethal vascular disease, and several pathological factors participate in aortic medial degeneration. We previously discovered that the complement C3a-C3aR axis in smooth muscle cells promotes the development of thoracic aortic dissection (TAD) through regulation of matrix metalloproteinase 2. However, discerning the specific complement pathway that is activated and elucidating how inflammation of the aortic wall is initiated remain unknown. We ascertained that the plasma levels of C3a and C5a were significantly elevated in patients with TAD and that the levels of C3a, C4a, and C5a were higher in acute TAD than in chronic TAD. We also confirmed the activation of the complement in a TAD mouse model. Subsequently, knocking out Cfb (Cfb) or C4 in mice with TAD revealed that the alternative pathway and Cfb played a significant role in the TAD process. Activation of the alternative pathway led to generation of the anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a, and knocking out their receptors reduced the recruitment of inflammatory cells to the aortic wall. Moreover, we used serum from wild-type mice or recombinant mice Cfb as an exogenous source of Cfb to treat Cfb KO mice and observed that it exacerbated the onset and rupture of TAD. Finally, we knocked out Cfb in the FBN1C1041G/+ Marfan-syndrome mice and showed that the occurrence of TAA was reduced. In summary, the alternative complement pathway promoted the development of TAAD by recruiting infiltrating inflammatory cells. Targeting the alternative pathway may thus constitute a strategy for preventing the development of TAAD.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The alternative complement pathway promoted the development of TAAD by recruiting infiltrating inflammatory cells. Targeting the alternative pathway may thus constitute a strategy for preventing the development of TAAD.

Versican accumulation drives Nos2 induction and aortic disease in Marfan syndrome via Akt activation.

Thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (TAAD) is a life-threatening condition associated with Marfan syndrome (MFS), a disease caused by fibrillin-1 gene mutations. While various conditions causing TAAD exhibit aortic accumulation of the proteoglycans versican (Vcan) and aggrecan (Acan), it is unclear whether these ECM proteins are involved in aortic disease. Here, we find that Vcan, but not Acan, accumulated in Fbn1C1041G/+ aortas, a mouse model of MFS. Vcan haploinsufficiency protected MFS mice against aortic dilation, and its silencing reverted aortic disease by reducing Nos2 protein expression. Our results suggest that Acan is not an essential contributor to MFS aortopathy. We further demonstrate that Vcan triggers Akt activation and that pharmacological Akt pathway inhibition rapidly regresses aortic dilation and Nos2 expression in MFS mice. Analysis of aortic tissue from MFS human patients revealed accumulation of VCAN and elevated pAKT-S473 staining. Together, these findings reveal that Vcan plays a causative role in MFS aortic disease in vivo by inducing Nos2 via Akt activation and identify Akt signaling pathway components as candidate therapeutic targets.

Nerve growth factor (Ngf) gene-driven semaphorin 3a (Sema3a) expression exacerbates thoracic aortic aneurysm dissection in mice.

Thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (TAAD) is a life-threatening disease and currently there is no pharmacological therapy. Sympathetic nerve overactivity plays an important role in the development of TAAD. Sympathetic innervation is mainly controlled by nerve growth factor (NGF, a key neural chemoattractant) and semaphoring 3A (Sema3A, a key neural chemorepellent), while the roles of these two factors in aortic sympathetic innervation and especially TAAD are unknown. We hypothesized that genetically manipulating the NGF/Sema3A ratio by the Ngf -driven Sema3a expression approach may reduce aortic sympathetic nerve innervation and mitigate TAAD progression. A mouse strain of Ngf gene-driven Sema3a expression (namely NgfSema3a/Sema3a mouse) was established by inserting the 2A-Sema3A expression frame to the Ngf terminating codon using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. TAAD was induced by ß-aminopropionitrile monofumarate (BAPN) both in NgfSema3a/Sema3a mice and wild type (WT) littermates. Contrary to our expectation, the BAPN-induced TAAD was severer in NgfSema3a/Sema3a mice than in wild-type (WT) mice. In addition, NgfSema3a/Sema3a mice showed higher aortic sympathetic innervation, inflammation and extracellular matrix degradation than the WT mice after BAPN treatment. The aortic vascular smooth muscle cells isolated from NgfSema3a/Sema3a mice and pretreated with BAPN in vivo for two weeks showed stronger capabilities of proliferation and migration than that from the WT mice. We conclude that the strategy of Ngf -driven Sema3a expression cannot suppress but worsens the BAPN-induced TAAD. By investigating the aortic phenotype of NgfSema3a/Sema3a mouse strain, we unexpectedly find a path to exacerbate BAPN-induced TAAD which might be useful in future TAAD studies.

Murine double minute 2-mediated estrogen receptor 1 degradation activates macrophage migration inhibitory factor to promote vascular smooth muscle cell dedifferentiation and oxidative stress during thoracic aortic aneurysm progression.

Estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) has been recently demonstrated as a potential diagnostic biomarker for thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA). However, its precise role in the progression of TAA remains unclear. In this study, TAA models were established in ApoE-knockout mice and primary mouse vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) through treatment with angiotensin (Ang) II. Our findings revealed a downregulation of ESR1 in Ang II-induced TAA mice and VSMCs. Upregulation of ESR1 mitigated expansion and cell apoptosis in the mouse aorta, reduced pathogenetic transformation of VSMCs, and reduced inflammatory infiltration and oxidative stress both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we identified macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) as a biological target of ESR1. ESR1 bound to the MIF promoter to suppress its transcription. Artificial MIF restoration negated the mitigating effects of ESR1 on TAA. Additionally, we discovered that murine double minute 2 (MDM2) was highly expressed in TAA models and mediated protein degradation of ESR1 through ubiquitination modification. Silencing of MDM2 reduced VSMC dedifferentiation and suppressed oxidative stress. However, these effects were reversed upon further silencing of ESR1. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that MDM2 activates MIF by mediating ESR1 degradation, thus promoting VSMC dedifferentiation and oxidative stress during TAA progression.

Single-Molecule Spatial Transcriptomics of Human Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms Uncovers Calcification-Related CARTPT-Expressing Smooth Muscle Cells.

BACKGROUND: Although single-cell RNA-sequencing is commonly applied to dissect the heterogeneity in human tissues, it involves the preparation of single-cell suspensions via cell dissociation, causing loss of spatial information. In this study, we employed high-resolution single-cell transcriptome imaging to reveal rare smooth muscle cell (SMC) types in human thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) tissue samples. METHODS: Single-molecule spatial distribution of transcripts from 140 genes was analyzed in fresh-frozen human TAA samples with region and sex-matched controls. In vitro studies and tissue staining were performed to examine human CART prepropeptide (CARTPT) regulation and function. RESULTS: We captured thousands of cells per sample including a spatially distinct CARTPT-expressing SMC subtype enriched in male TAA samples. Immunoassays confirmed human CART (cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript) protein enrichment in male TAA tissue and truncated CARTPT secretion into cell culture medium. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein, a cardiovascular risk factor, induced CARTPT expression, whereas CARTPT overexpression in human aortic SMCs increased the expression of key osteochondrogenic transcription factors and reduced contractile gene expression. Recombinant human CART treatment of human SMCs further confirmed this phenotype. Alizarin red staining revealed calcium deposition in male TAA samples showing similar localization with human CART staining. CONCLUSIONS: Here, we demonstrate the feasibility of single-molecule imaging in uncovering rare SMC subtypes in the diseased human aorta, a difficult tissue to dissociate. We identified a spatially distinct CARTPT-expressing SMC subtype enriched in male human TAA samples. Our functional studies suggest that human CART promotes osteochondrogenic switch of aortic SMCs, potentially leading to medial calcification of the thoracic aorta.

Tomo-seq identifies NINJ1 as a potential target for anti-inflammatory strategy in thoracic aortic dissection.

BACKGROUND: Thoracic aortic dissection (TAD) is a life-threatening disease caused by an intimal tear in the aorta. The histological characteristics differ significantly between the tear area (TA) and the distant area. Previous studies have emphasized that certain specific genes tend to cluster at the TA. Obtaining a thorough understanding of the precise molecular signatures near the TA will assist in discovering therapeutic strategies for TAD. METHODS: We performed a paired comparison of the pathological patterns in the TA with that in the remote area (RA). We used Tomo-seq, genome-wide transcriptional profiling with spatial resolution, to obtain gene expression signatures spanning from the TA to the RA. Samples from multiple sporadic TAD patients and animal models were used to validate our findings. RESULTS: Pathological examination revealed that the TA of TAD exhibited more pronounced intimal hyperplasia, media degeneration, and inflammatory infiltration compared to the RA. The TA also had more apoptotic cells and CD31+α-SMA+ cells. Tomo-seq revealed four distinct gene expression patterns from the TA to the RA, which were inflammation, collagen catabolism, extracellular matrix remodeling, and cell stress, respectively. The spatial distribution of genes allowed us to identify genes that were potentially relevant with TAD. NINJ1 encoded the protein-mediated cytoplasmic membrane rupture, regulated tissue remodeling, showed high expression levels in the tear area, and co-expressed within the inflammatory pattern. The use of short hairpin RNA to reduce NINJ1 expression in the beta-aminopropionitrile-induced TAD model led to a significant decrease in TAD formation. Additionally, it resulted in reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells and a decrease in the number of CD31+α-SMA+ cells. The NINJ1-neutralizing antibody also demonstrated comparable therapeutic effects and can effectively impede the formation of TAD. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that Tomo-seq had the advantage of obtaining spatial expression information of TAD across the TA and the RA. We pointed out that NINJ1 may be involved in inflammation and tissue remodeling, which played an important role in the formation of TAD. NINJ1 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for TAD.