RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The metabolic alterations occurring within the arterial architecture during atherosclerosis development remain poorly understood, let alone those particular to each arterial tunica. We aimed first to identify, in a spatially resolved manner, the specific metabolic changes in plaque, media, adventitia, and cardiac tissue between control and atherosclerotic murine aortas. Second, we assessed their translatability to human tissue and plasma for cardiovascular risk estimation. METHODS: In this observational study, mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) was applied to identify region-specific metabolic differences between atherosclerotic (n=11) and control (n=11) aortas from low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient mice, via histology-guided virtual microdissection. Early and advanced plaques were compared within the same atherosclerotic animals. Progression metabolites were further analyzed by MSI in 9 human atherosclerotic carotids and by targeted mass spectrometry in human plasma from subjects with elective coronary artery bypass grafting (cardiovascular risk group, n=27) and a control group (n=27). RESULTS: MSI identified 362 local metabolic alterations in atherosclerotic mice (log2 fold-change ≥1.5; P≤0.05). The lipid composition of cardiac tissue is altered during atherosclerosis development and presents a generalized accumulation of glycerophospholipids, except for lysolipids. Lysolipids (among other glycerophospholipids) were found at elevated levels in all 3 arterial layers of atherosclerotic aortas. LPC(18:0) (lysophosphatidylcholine; P=0.024) and LPA(18:1) (lysophosphatidic acid; P=0.025) were found to be significantly elevated in advanced plaques as compared with mouse-matched early plaques. Higher levels of both lipid species were also observed in fibrosis-rich areas of advanced- versus early-stage human samples. They were found to be significantly reduced in human plasma from subjects with elective coronary artery bypass grafting (P<0.001 and P=0.031, respectively), with LPC(18:0) showing significant association with cardiovascular risk (odds ratio, 0.479 [95% CI, 0.225-0.883]; P=0.032) and diagnostic potential (area under the curve, 0.778 [95% CI, 0.638-0.917]). CONCLUSIONS: An altered phospholipid metabolism occurs in atherosclerosis, affecting both the aorta and the adjacent heart tissue. Plaque-progression lipids LPC(18:0) and LPA(18:1), as identified by MSI on tissue, reflect cardiovascular risk in human plasma.
Assuntos
Doenças da Aorta , Aterosclerose , Doenças Cardiovasculares , Placa Aterosclerótica , Humanos , Animais , Camundongos , Placa Aterosclerótica/metabolismo , Doenças Cardiovasculares/diagnóstico , Doenças Cardiovasculares/metabolismo , Fatores de Risco , Aterosclerose/diagnóstico , Aterosclerose/metabolismo , Aorta/diagnóstico por imagem , Aorta/metabolismo , Doenças da Aorta/genética , Doenças da Aorta/metabolismo , Glicerofosfolipídeos/metabolismo , Fatores de Risco de Doenças CardíacasRESUMO
Natural killer (NK) cells eliminate infected or cancer cells via their cytotoxic capacity. NKG2A is an inhibitory receptor on NK cells and cancer cells often overexpress its ligand HLA-E to evade NK cell surveillance. Given the successes of immune checkpoint blockade in cancer therapy, NKG2A is an interesting novel target. However, anti-NKG2A antibodies have shown limited clinical response. In the pursuit of enhancing NK cell-mediated anti-tumor responses, we devised a Cas9-based strategy to delete KLRC1, encoding NKG2A, in human primary NK cells. Our approach involved electroporation of KLRC1-targeting Cas9 ribonucleoprotein resulting in effective ablation of NKG2A expression. Compared with anti-NKG2A antibody blockade, NKG2AKO NK cells exhibited enhanced activation, reduced suppressive signaling, and elevated expression of key transcription factors. NKG2AKO NK cells overcame inhibition from HLA-E, significantly boosting NK cell activity against solid and hematologic cancer cells. We validated this efficacy across multiple cell lines, a xenograft mouse model, and primary human leukemic cells. Combining NKG2A knockout with antibody coating of tumor cells further enhanced cytotoxicity through ADCC. Thus, we provide a comprehensive comparison of inhibition of the NKG2A pathway using genetic ablation and antibodies and provide novel insight in the observed differences in molecular mechanisms, which can be translated to enhance adoptive NK cell immunotherapy.
Assuntos
Células Matadoras Naturais , Subfamília C de Receptores Semelhantes a Lectina de Células NK , Ensaios Antitumorais Modelo de Xenoenxerto , Humanos , Células Matadoras Naturais/imunologia , Células Matadoras Naturais/metabolismo , Subfamília C de Receptores Semelhantes a Lectina de Células NK/genética , Subfamília C de Receptores Semelhantes a Lectina de Células NK/metabolismo , Animais , Camundongos , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Antígenos HLA-E , Neoplasias/imunologia , Neoplasias/terapia , Neoplasias/genética , Anticorpos Monoclonais/farmacologia , Sistemas CRISPR-Cas , Deleção de Genes , Antígenos de Histocompatibilidade Classe I/imunologia , Antígenos de Histocompatibilidade Classe I/genética , Antígenos de Histocompatibilidade Classe I/metabolismo , Citotoxicidade ImunológicaRESUMO
Chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) contributes to regulation of energy homeostasis by timely degradation of enzymes involved in glucose and lipid metabolism. Here, we report reduced CMA activity in vascular smooth muscle cells and macrophages in murine and human arteries in response to atherosclerotic challenges. We show that in vivo genetic blockage of CMA worsens atherosclerotic pathology through both systemic and cell-autonomous changes in vascular smooth muscle cells and macrophages, the two main cell types involved in atherogenesis. CMA deficiency promotes dedifferentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells and a proinflammatory state in macrophages. Conversely, a genetic mouse model with up-regulated CMA shows lower vulnerability to proatherosclerotic challenges. We propose that CMA could be an attractive therapeutic target against cardiovascular diseases.
Assuntos
Aterosclerose , Autofagia Mediada por Chaperonas , Animais , Aterosclerose/genética , Aterosclerose/patologia , Autofagia Mediada por Chaperonas/genética , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Lisossomos/metabolismo , CamundongosRESUMO
Over the last years, insights in the cancer neuroscience field increased rapidly and a potential role for neurons in colorectal carcinogenesis has been recognized. However, knowledge on the neuronal distribution, subtypes, origin and associations with clinicopathological characteristics in human studies is sparse. In this study, colorectal tumor tissues from the Netherlands Cohort Study on diet and cancer (n=490) and an in-cohort validation population (n=529) were immunohistochemically stained for the pan-neuronal markers neurofilament (NF) and protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5) to study the association between neuronal marker expression and clinicopathological characteristics. In addition, tumor and healthy colon tissue were stained for neuronal subtype markers and their immunoreactivity in colorectal cancer (CRC) stroma was analyzed. NF and PGP9.5 positive nerve fibers were found within the tumor stroma and were mostly characterized by the neuronal subtype markers vasoactive intestinal protein (VIP) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), suggesting that inhibitory neurons are the most prominent neuronal subtype in CRC. NF and PGP9.5 protein expression were not consistently associated with tumor stage, sublocation, differentiation grade and median survival. NF immunoreactivity was associated with a worse CRC-specific survival in the study cohort (p=0.025), independent of other prognostic factors (HR=2.31; 95% CI 1.33-4.03; p=0.003), but these results were not observed in the in-cohort validation group. PGP9.5 on the other hand, was associated with a worse CRC-specific survival in the in-cohort validation (p=0.046) but not in the study population. This effect disappeared in multivariate analyses (HR=0.81; 95% CI 0.50-1.32; p=0.393) indicating that this effect was dependent on other prognostic factors. This study demonstrates that the tumor stroma of CRC patients mainly harbors inhibitory neurons and that NF as a single marker is significantly associated with a poorer CRC-specific survival in the study cohort but necessitates future validation.
RESUMO
Extracellular histones have been shown to act as DAMPs in a variety of inflammatory diseases. Moreover, they have the ability to induce cell death. In this study, we show that M6229, a low-anticoagulant fraction of unfractionated heparin (UFH), rescues rats that were challenged by continuous infusion of calf thymus histones at a rate of 25 mg histones/kg/h. Histone infusion by itself induced hepatic and homeostatic dysfunction characterized by elevated activity of hepatic enzymes (ASAT and ALAT) and serum lactate levels as well as by a renal dysfunction, which contributed to the significantly increased mortality rate. M6229 was able to restore normal levels of both hepatic and renal parameters at 3 and 9 mg M6229/kg/h and prevented mortality of the animals. We conclude that M6229 is a promising therapeutic agent to treat histone-mediated disease.
Assuntos
Injúria Renal Aguda , Doença Hepática Crônica Induzida por Substâncias e Drogas , Ratos , Animais , Histonas/metabolismo , Heparina/farmacologia , Anticoagulantes/farmacologia , Rim/metabolismo , Injúria Renal Aguda/tratamento farmacológicoRESUMO
The co-stimulatory CD40-CD40L dyad plays an important role in chronic inflammatory diseases associated with aging. Although CD40 is mainly expressed by immune cells, CD40 is also present on adipocytes. We aimed to delineate the role of adipocyte CD40 in the aging hematopoietic system and evaluated the effects of adipocyte CD40 deficiency on cardiometabolic diseases. Adult adipocyte CD40-deficient mice (AdiCD40KO) mice had a decrease in bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells (Lin-Sca+cKit+, LSK) and common lymphoid progenitors, which was associated with increased bone marrow adiposity and T-cell activation, along with elevated plasma corticosterone levels, a phenotype that became more pronounced with age. Atherosclerotic AdiCD40koApoE-/- (CD40AKO) mice also displayed changes in the LSK population, showing increased myeloid and lymphoid multipotent progenitors, and augmented corticosterone levels. Increased T-cell activation could be observed in bone marrow, spleen, and adipose tissue, while the numbers of B cells were decreased. Although atherosclerosis was reduced in CD40AKO mice, plaques contained more activated T cells and larger necrotic cores. Analysis of peripheral adipose tissue in a diet-induced model of obesity revealed that obese AdiCD40KO mice had increased T-cell activation in adipose tissue and lymphoid organs, but decreased weight gain and improved insulin sensitivity, along with increased fat oxidation. In conclusion, adipocyte CD40 plays an important role in maintaining immune cell homeostasis in bone marrow during aging and chronic inflammatory diseases, particularly of the lymphoid populations. Although adipocyte CD40 deficiency reduces atherosclerosis burden and ameliorates diet-induced obesity, the accompanying T-cell activation may eventually aggravate cardiometabolic diseases.
Assuntos
Aterosclerose , Doenças Cardiovasculares , Animais , Camundongos , Corticosterona/farmacologia , Adipócitos , Obesidade , Inflamação , Antígenos CD40/genética , Ligante de CD40 , Hematopoese , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BLRESUMO
The N-Myc Downstream-Regulated Gene 4 (NDRG4), a prominent biomarker for colorectal cancer (CRC), is specifically expressed by enteric neurons. Considering that nerves are important members of the tumor microenvironment, we here establish different Ndrg4 knockout (Ndrg4-/- ) CRC models and an indirect co-culture of primary enteric nervous system (ENS) cells and intestinal organoids to identify whether the ENS, via NDRG4, affects intestinal tumorigenesis. Linking immunostainings and gastrointestinal motility (GI) assays, we show that the absence of Ndrg4 does not trigger any functional or morphological GI abnormalities. However, combining in vivo, in vitro, and quantitative proteomics data, we uncover that Ndrg4 knockdown is associated with enlarged intestinal adenoma development and that organoid growth is boosted by the Ndrg4-/- ENS cell secretome, which is enriched for Nidogen-1 (Nid1) and Fibulin-2 (Fbln2). Moreover, NID1 and FBLN2 are expressed in enteric neurons, enhance migration capacities of CRC cells, and are enriched in human CRC secretomes. Hence, we provide evidence that the ENS, via loss of Ndrg4, is involved in colorectal pathogenesis and that ENS-derived Nidogen-1 and Fibulin-2 enhance colorectal carcinogenesis.
Assuntos
Neoplasias Colorretais , Sistema Nervoso Entérico , Proteínas de Ligação ao Cálcio , Neoplasias Colorretais/genética , Proteínas da Matriz Extracelular , Humanos , Glicoproteínas de Membrana , Proteínas Musculares , Proteínas do Tecido Nervoso/genética , Neurônios , Microambiente TumoralRESUMO
RATIONALE: Several studies have suggested a role for the gut microbiota in inflammation and atherogenesis. A causal relation relationship between gut microbiota, inflammation, and atherosclerosis has not been explored previously. OBJECTIVE: Here, we investigated whether a proinflammatory microbiota from Caspase1-/- ( Casp1-/-) mice accelerates atherogenesis in Ldlr-/- mice. METHOD AND RESULTS: We treated female Ldlr-/- mice with antibiotics and subsequently transplanted them with fecal microbiota from Casp1-/- mice based on a cohousing approach. Autologous transplantation of fecal microbiota of Ldlr-/- mice served as control. Mice were cohoused for 8 or 13 weeks and fed chow or high-fat cholesterol-rich diet. Fecal samples were collected, and factors related to inflammation, metabolism, intestinal health, and atherosclerotic phenotypes were measured. Unweighted Unifrac distances of 16S rDNA (ribosomal DNA) sequences confirmed the introduction of the Casp1-/- and Ldlr-/- microbiota into Ldlr-/- mice (referred to as Ldlr-/-( Casp1-/-) or Ldlr-/-( Ldlr-/-) mice). Analysis of atherosclerotic lesion size in the aortic root demonstrated a significant 29% increase in plaque size in 13-week high-fat cholesterol-fed Ldlr-/-( Casp1-/-) mice compared with Ldlr-/-( Ldlr-/-) mice. We found increased numbers of circulating monocytes and neutrophils and elevated proinflammatory cytokine levels in plasma in high-fat cholesterol-fed Ldlr-/-( Casp1-/-) compared with Ldlr-/-( Ldlr-/-) mice. Neutrophil accumulation in the aortic root of Ldlr-/-( Casp1-/-) mice was enhanced compared with Ldlr-/-( Ldlr-/-) mice. 16S-rDNA-encoding sequence analysis in feces identified a significant reduction in the short-chain fatty acid-producing taxonomies Akkermansia, Christensenellaceae, Clostridium, and Odoribacter in Ldlr-/-( Casp1-/-) mice. Consistent with these findings, cumulative concentrations of the anti-inflammatory short-chain fatty acids propionate, acetate and butyrate in the cecum were significantly reduced in 13-week high-fat cholesterol-fed Ldlr-/-( Casp1-/-) compared with Ldlr-/-( Ldlr-/-) mice. CONCLUSIONS: Introduction of the proinflammatory Casp1-/- microbiota into Ldlr-/- mice enhances systemic inflammation and accelerates atherogenesis.
Assuntos
Aorta/metabolismo , Doenças da Aorta/microbiologia , Aterosclerose/microbiologia , Bactérias/metabolismo , Citocinas/metabolismo , Transplante de Microbiota Fecal , Microbioma Gastrointestinal , Mediadores da Inflamação/metabolismo , Inflamação/microbiologia , Animais , Aorta/patologia , Doenças da Aorta/genética , Doenças da Aorta/metabolismo , Doenças da Aorta/patologia , Aterosclerose/genética , Aterosclerose/metabolismo , Aterosclerose/patologia , Caspase 1/genética , Caspase 1/metabolismo , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Progressão da Doença , Disbiose , Ácidos Graxos/metabolismo , Feminino , Interações Hospedeiro-Patógeno , Inflamação/genética , Inflamação/metabolismo , Inflamação/patologia , Camundongos Knockout , Placa Aterosclerótica , Receptores de LDL/genética , Receptores de LDL/metabolismo , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
Murine atherosclerosis models are key for investigation of atherosclerosis pathophysiology and drug development. However, they do not feature spontaneous atherothrombosis as a final stage of atherosclerosis. Transgenic mice expressing both the human mutant apolipoprotein E form APOE*3-Leiden and human cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), i.e. APOE*3-Leiden.CETP mice, feature a moderate hyperlipoproteinemia and atherosclerosis phenotype. In contrast to apolipoprotein E deficient (Apoe-/-) mice, APOE*3-Leiden.CETP mice respond well to lipid-lowering and anti-atherosclerotic drugs. The aim of the study was to investigate whether silencing of anticoagulant Protein C (Proc) allows APOE*3-Leiden.CETP mice to feature thrombosis as a final stage of atherosclerosis. Female APOE*3-Leiden.CETP mice were fed a Western-type diet to induce advanced atherosclerosis, followed by an injection with a small interfering RNA targeting Proc (siProc). Presence of atherosclerosis and atherothrombosis was determined by histologic analysis of the aortic root. Atherosclerosis severity in the aortic root area of APOE*3-Leiden.CETP mice varied from type "0" (no lesions) to type "V" lesions (advanced and complex lesions). Atherothrombosis following siProc injection was observed for 4 out of 21 APOE*3-Leiden.CETP mice (19% incidence). The atherothrombosis presented as large, organized, fibrin- and leukocyte-rich thrombi on top of advanced (type "V") atherosclerotic plaques in the aortic root. This atherothrombosis was comparable in appearance and incidence as previously reported for Apoe-/- mice with a more severe atherosclerosis (19% incidence). APOE*3-Leiden.CETP mice with modest hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis can develop atherothrombosis upon transient Proc-silencing. This further extends the use of these mice as a test model for lipid-lowering and anti-atherosclerotic drugs.
Assuntos
Aterosclerose , Trombose , Animais , Apolipoproteínas E , Aterosclerose/genética , Proteínas de Transferência de Ésteres de Colesterol/genética , Feminino , Lipídeos , Camundongos , Camundongos Transgênicos , Preparações Farmacêuticas , Proteína CRESUMO
Constitutive photomorphogenesis 9 (COP9) signalosome 5 (CSN5), an isopeptidase that removes neural precursor cell-expressed, developmentally down-regulated 8 (NEDD8) moieties from cullins (thus termed "deNEDDylase") and a subunit of the cullin-RING E3 ligase-regulating COP9 signalosome complex, attenuates proinflammatory NF-κB signaling. We previously showed that CSN5 is up-regulated in human atherosclerotic arteries. Here, we investigated the role of CSN5 in atherogenesis in vivo by using mice with myeloid-specific Csn5 deletion. Genetic deletion of Csn5 in Apoe-/- mice markedly exacerbated atherosclerotic lesion formation. This was broadly observed in aortic root, arch, and total aorta of male mice, whereas the effect was less pronounced and site-specific in females. Mechanistically, Csn5 KO potentiated NF-κB signaling and proinflammatory cytokine expression in macrophages, whereas HIF-1α levels were reduced. Inversely, inhibition of NEDDylation by MLN4924 blocked proinflammatory gene expression and NF-κB activation while enhancing HIF-1α levels and the expression of M2 marker Arginase 1 in inflammatory-elicited macrophages. MLN4924 further attenuated the expression of chemokines and adhesion molecules in endothelial cells and reduced NF-κB activation and monocyte arrest on activated endothelium in vitro. In vivo, MLN4924 reduced LPS-induced inflammation, favored an antiinflammatory macrophage phenotype, and decreased the progression of early atherosclerotic lesions in mice. On the contrary, MLN4924 treatment increased neutrophil and monocyte counts in blood and had no net effect on the progression of more advanced lesions. Our data show that CSN5 is atheroprotective. We conclude that MLN4924 may be useful in preventing early atherogenesis, whereas selectively promoting CSN5-mediated deNEDDylation may be beneficial in all stages of atherosclerosis.
Assuntos
Aterosclerose/enzimologia , Complexo do Signalossomo COP9/metabolismo , Peptídeo Hidrolases/metabolismo , Animais , Aorta/metabolismo , Apolipoproteínas E/genética , Apolipoproteínas E/metabolismo , Aterosclerose/genética , Aterosclerose/metabolismo , Complexo do Signalossomo COP9/genética , Proteínas Culina/genética , Proteínas Culina/metabolismo , Células Endoteliais/enzimologia , Células Endoteliais/metabolismo , Feminino , Humanos , Subunidade alfa do Fator 1 Induzível por Hipóxia/genética , Subunidade alfa do Fator 1 Induzível por Hipóxia/metabolismo , Macrófagos/enzimologia , Macrófagos/metabolismo , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Camundongos Knockout , Proteína NEDD8/genética , Proteína NEDD8/metabolismo , NF-kappa B/genética , NF-kappa B/metabolismo , Peptídeo Hidrolases/genéticaRESUMO
Objective- The E3 ubiquitin ligase IDOL (inducible degrader of the LDLR [LDL (low-density lipoprotein) receptor]) is a post-transcriptional regulator of LDLR abundance. Model systems and human genetics support a role for IDOL in regulating circulating LDL levels. Whether IDOL plays a broader metabolic role and affects development of metabolic syndrome-associated comorbidities is unknown. Approach and Results- We studied WT (wild type) and Idol(-/-) (Idol-KO) mice in 2 models: physiological aging and diet-induced obesity. In both models, deletion of Idol protected mice from metabolic dysfunction. On a Western-type diet, Idol loss resulted in decreased circulating levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, and insulin. This was accompanied by protection from weight gain in short- and long-term dietary challenges, which could be attributed to reduced hepatosteatosis and fat mass in Idol-KO mice. Although feeding and intestinal fat uptake were unchanged in Idol-KO mice, their brown adipose tissue was protected from lipid accumulation and had elevated expression of UCP1 (uncoupling protein 1) and TH (tyrosine hydroxylase). Indirect calorimetry indicated a marked increase in locomotion and suggested a trend toward increased cumulative energy expenditure and fat oxidation. An increase in in vivo clearance of reconstituted lipoprotein particles in Idol-KO mice may sustain this energetic demand. In the BXD mouse genetic reference population, hepatic Idol expression correlates with multiple metabolic parameters, thus providing support for findings in the Idol-KO mice. Conclusions- Our study uncovers an unrecognized role for Idol in regulation of whole body metabolism in physiological aging and on a Western-type diet. These findings support Idol inhibition as a therapeutic strategy to target multiple metabolic syndrome-associated comorbidities.
Assuntos
Dieta Hiperlipídica , Metabolismo Energético , Fígado/enzimologia , Síndrome Metabólica/prevenção & controle , Obesidade/prevenção & controle , Ubiquitina-Proteína Ligases/deficiência , Adipogenia , Tecido Adiposo Marrom/enzimologia , Adiposidade , Fatores Etários , Envelhecimento , Animais , Biomarcadores/sangue , Glicemia/metabolismo , Colesterol/sangue , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Feminino , Insulina/sangue , Locomoção , Masculino , Síndrome Metabólica/sangue , Síndrome Metabólica/enzimologia , Síndrome Metabólica/genética , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Camundongos Endogâmicos DBA , Camundongos Knockout , Obesidade/sangue , Obesidade/enzimologia , Obesidade/genética , Triglicerídeos/sangue , Tirosina 3-Mono-Oxigenase/metabolismo , Ubiquitina-Proteína Ligases/genética , Proteína Desacopladora 1/metabolismoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Hernia repair is one of the most frequently performed operations. In search of the ideal mesh for hernia repair, animal research is required. Although rats are most often used in experimental mesh experiments, no correlation with clinical findings in humans has ever been shown. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate whether adhesion formation and foreign body reactions to meshes in rats are comparable with the reactions in humans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A fixed type of mesh was implanted intraperitoneally in a group of 10 rats and 10 patients undergoing elective, temporary stoma formation. In case of the latter, meshes were placed around the stoma. After a follow-up period of 12 wk in rats and after a median follow-up of 6 mo in humans, samples of the mesh were collected. Adhesion assessments were performed, and (immuno-) histochemical evaluation was performed by a specialized experimental pathologist and an experienced clinical pathologist. RESULTS: After the follow-up period, adhesion formation did not differ significantly between rats and humans. Moreover, general inflammation scores were comparable, although granulocytes and giant cells were more present in rats, compared with humans. On the other hand, the presence of fibrosis was more evident in humans compared with rats. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first study, which showed that a specific animal model, namely a rat model, correlates with adhesion formation and the foreign body reaction to meshes in humans. It can be recommended to use rats in future experimental mesh for incisional hernia research.
Assuntos
Modelos Animais de Doenças , Reação a Corpo Estranho/patologia , Hérnia Abdominal/cirurgia , Herniorrafia/efeitos adversos , Ratos , Telas Cirúrgicas/efeitos adversos , Aderências Teciduais/patologia , Parede Abdominal/patologia , Parede Abdominal/cirurgia , Idoso , Animais , Feminino , Fibrose , Seguimentos , Reação a Corpo Estranho/etiologia , Herniorrafia/instrumentação , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Cavidade Peritoneal/patologia , Ratos Wistar , Especificidade da Espécie , Aderências Teciduais/etiologiaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Murine atherosclerosis models do not spontaneously develop atherothrombotic complications. We investigated whether disruption of natural anticoagulation allows preexisting atherosclerotic plaques to progress toward an atherothrombotic phenotype. APPROACH AND RESULTS: On lowering of plasma protein C levels with small interfering RNA (siProc) in 8-week Western-type diet-fed atherosclerotic apolipoprotein E-deficient mice, 1 out of 4 mice displayed a large, organized, and fibrin- and leukocyte-rich thrombus on top of an advanced atherosclerotic plaque located in the aortic root. Although again at low incidence (3 in 25), comparable thrombi at the same location were observed during a second independent experiment in 9-week Western-type diet-fed apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. Mice with thrombi on their atherosclerotic plaques did not show other abnormalities and had equally lowered plasma protein C levels as siProc-treated apolipoprotein E-deficient mice without thrombi. Fibrinogen and thrombin-antithrombin concentrations and blood platelet numbers were also comparable, and plaques in siProc mice with thrombi had a similar composition and size as plaques in siProc mice without thrombi. Seven out of 25 siProc mice featured clots in the left atrium of the heart. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that small interfering RNA-mediated silencing of protein C in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice creates a condition that allows the occurrence of spontaneous atherothrombosis, albeit at a low incidence. Lowering natural anticoagulation in atherosclerosis models may help to discover factors that increase atherothrombotic complications.
Assuntos
Aorta/metabolismo , Doenças da Aorta/metabolismo , Apolipoproteínas E/efeitos dos fármacos , Aterosclerose/metabolismo , Coagulação Sanguínea , Proteína C/genética , Interferência de RNA , Trombose/metabolismo , Animais , Antitrombina III/genética , Antitrombina III/metabolismo , Aorta/patologia , Doenças da Aorta/sangue , Doenças da Aorta/genética , Doenças da Aorta/patologia , Apolipoproteínas E/genética , Aterosclerose/sangue , Aterosclerose/genética , Aterosclerose/patologia , Dieta Ocidental , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Feminino , Fibrinogênio/metabolismo , Predisposição Genética para Doença , Fígado/metabolismo , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Camundongos Knockout , Peptídeo Hidrolases/sangue , Fenótipo , Placa Aterosclerótica , Proteína C/metabolismo , Trombose/sangue , Trombose/genética , Trombose/patologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The influx of leukocytes into the central nervous system (CNS) is a key hallmark of the chronic neuro-inflammatory disease multiple sclerosis (MS). Strategies that aim to inhibit leukocyte migration across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) are therefore regarded as promising therapeutic approaches to combat MS. As the CD40L-CD40 dyad signals via TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) in myeloid cells to induce inflammation and leukocyte trafficking, we explored the hypothesis that specific inhibition of CD40-TRAF6 interactions can ameliorate neuro-inflammation. METHODS: Human monocytes were treated with a small molecule inhibitor (SMI) of CD40-TRAF6 interactions (6877002), and migration capacity across human brain endothelial cells was measured. To test the therapeutic potential of the CD40-TRAF6-blocking SMI under neuro-inflammatory conditions in vivo, Lewis rats and C57BL/6J mice were subjected to acute experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and treated with SMI 6877002 for 6 days (rats) or 3 weeks (mice). RESULTS: We here show that a SMI of CD40-TRAF6 interactions (6877002) strongly and dose-dependently reduces trans-endothelial migration of human monocytes. Moreover, upon SMI treatment, monocytes displayed a decreased production of ROS, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interleukin (IL)-6, whereas the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was increased. Disease severity of EAE was reduced upon SMI treatment in rats, but not in mice. However, a significant reduction in monocyte-derived macrophages, but not in T cells, that had infiltrated the CNS was eminent in both models. CONCLUSIONS: Together, our results indicate that SMI-mediated inhibition of the CD40-TRAF6 pathway skews human monocytes towards anti-inflammatory cells with reduced trans-endothelial migration capacity, and is able to reduce CNS-infiltrated monocyte-derived macrophages during neuro-inflammation, but minimally ameliorates EAE disease severity. We therefore conclude that SMI-mediated inhibition of the CD40-TRAF6 pathway may represent a beneficial treatment strategy to reduce monocyte recruitment and macrophage activation in the CNS and has the potential to be used as a co-treatment to combat MS.
Assuntos
Anti-Inflamatórios/uso terapêutico , Antígenos CD40/metabolismo , Encefalomielite Autoimune Experimental/tratamento farmacológico , Monócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Fator 6 Associado a Receptor de TNF/metabolismo , Animais , Anti-Inflamatórios/farmacologia , Movimento Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Movimento Celular/genética , Células Cultivadas , Cerebelo/metabolismo , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Encefalomielite Autoimune Experimental/induzido quimicamente , Encefalomielite Autoimune Experimental/patologia , Regulação da Expressão Gênica/efeitos dos fármacos , Regulação da Expressão Gênica/imunologia , Humanos , Metaloproteinase 9 da Matriz/genética , Metaloproteinase 9 da Matriz/metabolismo , Camundongos , Monócitos/imunologia , Glicoproteína Mielina-Oligodendrócito/toxicidade , Óxido Nítrico Sintase Tipo I/metabolismo , Fragmentos de Peptídeos/toxicidade , Ratos , Ratos Endogâmicos Lew , Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio/metabolismo , Medula Espinal/metabolismo , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/metabolismoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Tissue adhesives (TA) may be useful to strengthen colorectal anastomoses, thereby preventing anastomotic leakage (AL). Previous studies have identified cyanoacrylate (CA) TAs as the most promising colonic anastomotic sealants. This study investigates the protective effects of sealing colonic anastomoses with various CAs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-five Wistar rats underwent laparotomy and transection of the proximal colon. An anastomosis was created with 4 interrupted sutures followed by either application of Histoacryl Flexible, Omnex, Glubran 2, or no TA seal. An additional control group was included with a 12-suture anastomosis and no TA seal. After 7 days, the rats were sacrificed and scored for the presence of AL as the main outcome. Secondary outcomes were the occurrence of bowel obstruction, adhesions, and anastomotic bursting pressure. Histological evaluation was performed. RESULTS: The highest AL rate was found in the Glubran 2 group (7/11), followed by the 4-sutures group without TA (5/11), and the Omnex group (5/11). Histoacryl Flexible showed the lowest AL rate (2/11). In the control group, only one rat showed signs of AL. Histologically, the highest influx of inflammatory cells was found in the 4-suture group without TA and for Omnex and Glubran 2. Histoacryl Flexible caused more mature collagen deposition when compared to the other TA groups. CONCLUSIONS: Histoacryl Flexible showed the lowest leakage rate compared to the other TA groups and to the 4-suture control group. Glubran 2 showed the highest AL rate and a high inflammatory response. Histoacryl Flexible was associated with the presence of more mature collagen and seems to promote anastomotic healing.
Assuntos
Anastomose Cirúrgica/efeitos adversos , Fístula Anastomótica/tratamento farmacológico , Fístula Anastomótica/prevenção & controle , Colo/cirurgia , Adesivos Teciduais/uso terapêutico , Fístula Anastomótica/etiologia , Animais , Colágeno/metabolismo , Colo/efeitos dos fármacos , Cianoacrilatos/farmacologia , Cianoacrilatos/uso terapêutico , Masculino , Pressão , Ratos Wistar , Adesivos Teciduais/farmacologia , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
AIMS: Normalization of hypercholesterolaemia, inflammation, hyperglycaemia, and obesity are main desired targets to prevent cardiovascular clinical events. Here we present a novel regulator of cholesterol metabolism, which simultaneously impacts on glucose intolerance and inflammation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Mice deficient for oxygen sensor HIF-prolyl hydroxylase 1 (PHD1) were backcrossed onto an atherogenic low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) knockout background and atherosclerosis was studied upon 8 weeks of western-type diet. PHD1-/-LDLR-/- mice presented a sharp reduction in VLDL and LDL plasma cholesterol levels. In line, atherosclerotic plaque development, as measured by plaque area, necrotic core expansion and plaque stage was hampered in PHD1-/-LDLR-/- mice. Mechanistically, cholesterol-lowering in PHD1 deficient mice was a result of enhanced cholesterol excretion from blood to intestines and ultimately faeces. Additionally, flow cytometry of whole blood of these mice revealed significantly reduced counts of leucocytes and particularly of Ly6Chigh pro-inflammatory monocytes. In addition, when studying PHD1-/- in diet-induced obesity (14 weeks high-fat diet) mice were less glucose intolerant when compared with WT littermate controls. CONCLUSION: Overall, PHD1 knockout mice display a metabolic phenotype that generally is deemed protective for cardiovascular disease. Future studies should focus on the efficacy, safety, and gender-specific effects of PHD1 inhibition in humans, and unravel the molecular actors responsible for PHD1-driven, likely intestinal, and regulation of cholesterol metabolism.
Assuntos
Aterosclerose , Hipercolesterolemia , Hiperglicemia , Animais , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Camundongos Knockout , Oxigênio , Prolil Hidroxilases , Receptores de LDLRESUMO
A disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain 10 (ADAM10) is a metalloprotease involved in cleavage of various cell surface molecules, such as adhesion molecules, chemokines, and growth factor receptors. Although we have previously shown an association of ADAM10 expression with atherosclerotic plaque progression, a causal role of ADAM10 in atherosclerosis has not been investigated. Bone marrow from conditional knockout mice lacking Adam10 in the myeloid lineage or from littermate controls was transplanted into lethally irradiated low density lipoprotein receptor Ldlr(-/-) mice on an atherogenic diet. Myeloid Adam10 deficiency did not affect plaque size, but it increased plaque collagen content. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 and 13 expression and matrix metalloproteinase 2 gelatinase activity were significantly impaired in Adam10-deficient macrophages, whereas their capacity to stimulate collagen production was unchanged. Furthermore, relative macrophage content in advanced atherosclerotic lesions was decreased. In vitro, Adam10-deficient macrophages showed reduced migration toward monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and transmigration through collagen. In addition, Adam10-deficient macrophages displayed increased anti-inflammatory phenotype with elevated IL-10, and reduced production of proinflammatory tumor necrosis factor, IL-12, and nitric oxide in response to lipopolysaccharide. These data suggest a critical role of Adam10 for leukocyte recruitment, inflammatory mediator production, and extracellular matrix degradation. Thereby, myeloid ADAM10 may play a causal role in modulating atherosclerotic plaque stability.
Assuntos
Proteínas ADAM/deficiência , Proteínas ADAM/metabolismo , Secretases da Proteína Precursora do Amiloide/deficiência , Secretases da Proteína Precursora do Amiloide/metabolismo , Inflamação/patologia , Proteínas de Membrana/deficiência , Proteínas de Membrana/metabolismo , Células Mieloides/metabolismo , Placa Aterosclerótica/metabolismo , Placa Aterosclerótica/patologia , Proteína ADAM10 , Animais , Colágeno/metabolismo , Citocinas/biossíntese , Fibrose , Citometria de Fluxo , Mediadores da Inflamação/metabolismo , Integrases/metabolismo , Lipopolissacarídeos/farmacologia , Macrófagos/efeitos dos fármacos , Macrófagos/metabolismo , Macrófagos/patologia , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Células Mieloides/efeitos dos fármacos , Miócitos de Músculo Liso/efeitos dos fármacos , Miócitos de Músculo Liso/metabolismo , Neutrófilos/efeitos dos fármacos , Neutrófilos/metabolismo , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , Receptores de LDL/deficiência , Receptores de LDL/metabolismoRESUMO
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is characterized by hepatic lipid accumulation and inflammation. Currently, the underlying mechanisms, leading to hepatic inflammation, are still unknown. The breakdown of free cholesterol inside Kupffer cells (KCs) by the mitochondrial enzyme CYP27A1 produces 27-hydroxycholesterol (27HC). We recently demonstrated that administration of 27HC to hyperlipidemic mice reduced hepatic inflammation. In line, hematopoietic deletion of Cyp27a1 resulted in increased hepatic inflammation. In the current manuscript, the effect of hematopoietic overexpression of Cyp27a1 on the development of NASH and cholesterol trafficking was investigated. We hypothesized that Cyp27a1 overexpression in KCs will lead to reduced hepatic inflammation. METHODS: Irradiated Ldlr(-/-) mice were transplanted (tp) with bone marrow from mice overexpressing Cyp27a1 (Cyp27a1(over)) and wild type (Wt) mice and fed either chow or a high-fat, high-cholesterol (HFC) diet for 3 months. Additionally, gene expression was assessed in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) from Cyp27a1(over) and Wt mice. RESULTS: In line with our hypothesis, hepatic inflammation in HFC-fed Cyp27a1(over)-tp mice was reduced and KCs were less foamy compared to Wt-tp mice. Remarkably, these changes occurred even though plasma and liver levels of 27HC did not differ between both groups. BMDM from Cyp27a1(over) mice revealed reduced inflammatory gene expression and increased expression of cholesterol transporters compared to Wt BMDM after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that overexpression of Cyp27a1 in KCs reduces hepatic inflammation independently of 27HC levels in plasma and liver, further pointing towards KCs as specific target for improving the therapy of NASH.
Assuntos
Colestanotriol 26-Mono-Oxigenase/genética , DNA/genética , Regulação da Expressão Gênica , Hidroxicolesteróis/metabolismo , Hepatopatia Gordurosa não Alcoólica/genética , Animais , Transplante de Medula Óssea , Colestanotriol 26-Mono-Oxigenase/biossíntese , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Células de Kupffer/metabolismo , Células de Kupffer/patologia , Lipoproteínas LDL/metabolismo , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Hepatopatia Gordurosa não Alcoólica/metabolismo , Hepatopatia Gordurosa não Alcoólica/patologiaRESUMO
Atherosclerosis is a lipid-driven inflammatory disease of the vessel wall, characterized by the chronic activation of macrophages. We investigated whether the helminth-derived antigens [soluble egg antigens (SEAs)] could modulate macrophage inflammatory responses and protect against atherosclerosis in mice. In bone marrow-derived macrophages, SEAs induce anti-inflammatory macrophages, typified by high levels of IL-10 and reduced secretion of proinflammatory mediators. In hyperlipidemic LDLR(-/-) mice, SEA treatment reduced plaque size by 44%, and plaques were less advanced compared with PBS-injected littermate controls. The atheroprotective effect of SEAs was found to be mainly independent of cholesterol lowering and T-lymphocyte responses but instead could be attributed to diminished myeloid cell activation. SEAs reduced circulating neutrophils and inflammatory Ly6C(high) monocytes, and macrophages showed high IL-10 production. In line with the observed systemic effects, atherosclerotic lesions of SEA-treated mice showed reduced intraplaque inflammation as inflammatory markers [TNF-α, monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and CD68], neutrophil content, and newly recruited macrophages were decreased. We show that SEA treatment protects against atherosclerosis development by dampening inflammatory responses. In the future, helminth-derived components may provide novel opportunities to treat chronic inflammatory diseases, as they diminish systemic inflammation and reduce the activation of immune cells.
Assuntos
Antígenos de Helmintos/metabolismo , Aterosclerose/metabolismo , Aterosclerose/terapia , Macrófagos/metabolismo , Animais , Quimiocina CCL2/metabolismo , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Camundongos Mutantes , Receptores de LDL/genética , Receptores de LDL/metabolismo , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/metabolismoRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Advanced murine and human plaques are hypoxic, but it remains unclear whether plaque hypoxia is causally related to atherogenesis. Here, we test the hypothesis that reversal of hypoxia in atherosclerotic plaques by breathing hyperoxic carbogen gas will prevent atherosclerosis. APPROACH AND RESULTS: Low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient mice (LDLR(-/-)) were fed a Western-type diet, exposed to carbogen (95% O2, 5% CO2) or air, and the effect on plaque hypoxia, size, and phenotype was studied. First, the hypoxic marker pimonidazole was detected in murine LDLR(-/-) plaque macrophages from plaque initiation onwards. Second, the efficacy of breathing carbogen (90 minutes, single exposure) was studied. Compared with air, carbogen increased arterial blood pO2 5-fold in LDLR(-/-) mice and reduced plaque hypoxia in advanced plaques of the aortic root (-32%) and arch (-84%). Finally, the effect of repeated carbogen exposure on progression of atherosclerosis was studied in LDLR(-/-) mice fed a Western-type diet for an initial 4 weeks, followed by 4 weeks of diet and carbogen or air (both 90 min/d). Carbogen reduced plaque hypoxia (-40%), necrotic core size (-37%), and TUNEL(+) (terminal uridine nick-end labeling positive) apoptotic cell content (-50%) and increased efferocytosis of apoptotic cells by cluster of differentiation 107b(+) (CD107b, MAC3) macrophages (+36%) in advanced plaques of the aortic root. Plaque size, plasma cholesterol, hematopoiesis, and systemic inflammation were unchanged. In vitro, hypoxia hampered efferocytosis by bone marrow-derived macrophages, which was dependent on the receptor Mer tyrosine kinase. CONCLUSIONS: Carbogen restored murine plaque oxygenation and prevented necrotic core expansion by enhancing efferocytosis, likely via Mer tyrosine kinase. Thus, plaque hypoxia is causally related to necrotic core expansion.