Local M-CSF (Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor) Expression Regulates Macrophage Proliferation and Apoptosis in Atherosclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have shown that deficiency of M-CSF (macrophage colony-stimulating factor; or CSF1 [colony stimulating factor 1]) dramatically reduces atherosclerosis in hyperlipidemic mice. We characterize the underlying mechanism and investigate the relevant sources of CSF1 in lesions. Approach and Results: We quantitatively assessed the effects of CSF1 deficiency on macrophage proliferation and apoptosis in atherosclerotic lesions. Staining of aortic lesions with markers of proliferation, Ki-67 and bromodeoxyuridine, revealed around 40% reduction in CSF1 heterozygous (Csf1+/-) as compared with WT (wild type; Csf1+/+) mice. Similarly, staining with a marker of apoptosis, activated caspase-3, revealed a 3-fold increase in apoptotic cells in Csf1+/- mice. Next, we determined the cellular sources of CSF1 contributing to lesion development. Cell-specific deletions of Csf1 in smooth muscle cells using SM22α-Cre (smooth muscle protein 22-alpha-Cre) reduced lesions by about 40%, and in endothelial cells, deletions with Cdh5-Cre (VE-cadherin-Cre) reduced lesions by about 30%. Macrophage-specific deletion with LysM-Cre (lysozyme M-Cre), on the other hand, did not significantly reduce lesions size. Transplantation of Csf1 null (Csf1-/-) mice bone marrow into Csf1+/+ mice reduced lesions by about 35%, suggesting that CSF1 from hematopoietic cells other than macrophages contributes to atherosclerosis. None of the cell-specific knockouts affected circulating CSF1 levels, and only the smooth muscle cell deletions had any effect on the percentage monocytes in the circulation. Also, Csf1+/- mice did not exhibit significant differences in Ly6Chigh/Ly6Clow monocytes as compared with Csf1+/+. CONCLUSIONS: CSF1 contributes to both macrophage proliferation and survival in lesions. Local CSF1 production by smooth muscle cell and endothelial cell rather than circulating CSF1 is the primary driver of macrophage expansion in atherosclerosis.

Genetic Deficiency of Flavin-Containing Monooxygenase 3 ( Fmo3) Protects Against Thrombosis but Has Only a Minor Effect on Plasma Lipid Levels-Brief Report.

Objective- FMO (flavin-containing monooxygenase) 3 converts bacterial-derived trimethylamine to trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. We generated FMO3 knockout (FMO3KO) mouse to study its effects on plasma TMAO, lipids, glucose/insulin metabolism, thrombosis, and atherosclerosis. Approach and Results- Previous studies with an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) knockdown strategy targeting FMO3 in LDLRKO (low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout) mice resulted in major reductions in TMAO levels and atherosclerosis, but also showed effects on plasma lipids, insulin, and glucose. Although FMO3KO mice generated via CRISPR/Cas9 technology bred onto the LDLRKO background did exhibit similar effects on TMAO levels, the effects on lipid metabolism were not as pronounced as with the ASO knockdown model. These differences could result from either off-target effects of the ASO or from a developmental adaptation to the FMO3 deficiency. To distinguish these possibilities, we treated wild-type and FMO3KO mice with control or FMO3 ASOs. FMO3-ASO treatment led to the same extent of lipid-lowering effects in the FMO3KO mice as the wild-type mice, indicating off-target effects. The levels of TMAO in LDLRKO mice fed an atherogenic diet are very low in both wild-type and FMO3KO mice, and no significant effect was observed on atherosclerosis. When FMO3KO and wild-type mice were maintained on a 0.5% choline diet, FMO3KO showed a marked reduction in both TMAO and in vivo thrombosis potential. Conclusions- FMO3KO markedly reduces systemic TMAO levels and thrombosis potential. However, the previously observed large effects of an FMO3 ASO on plasma lipid levels appear to be due partly to off-target effects.

Inhibition of microbiota-dependent TMAO production attenuates chronic kidney disease in mice.

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have elevated circulating levels of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a metabolite derived from gut microbes and associated with cardiovascular diseases. High circulating levels of TMAO and its dietary precursor, choline, predict increased risk for development of CKD in apparently healthy subjects, and studies in mice fed TMAO or choline suggest that TMAO can contribute to kidney impairment and renal fibrosis. Here we examined the interactions between TMAO, kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease in mouse models. We observed that while female hyperlipidemic apoE KO mice fed a 0.2% adenine diet for 14 weeks developed CKD with elevated plasma levels of TMAO, provision of a non-lethal inhibitor of gut microbial trimethylamine (TMA) production, iodomethylcholine (IMC), significantly reduced multiple markers of renal injury (plasma creatinine, cystatin C, FGF23, and TMAO), reduced histopathologic evidence of fibrosis, and markedly attenuated development of microalbuminuria. In addition, while the adenine-induced CKD model significantly increased heart weight, a surrogate marker for myocardial hypertrophy, this was largely prevented by IMC supplementation. Surprisingly, adenine feeding did not increase atherosclerosis and significantly decreased the expression of inflammatory genes in the aorta compared to the control groups, effects unrelated to TMAO levels. Our data demonstrate that inhibition of TMAO production attenuated CKD development and cardiac hypertrophy in mice, suggesting that TMAO reduction may be a novel strategy in treating CKD and its cardiovascular disease complications.

Genome Sequences of Cluster K Mycobacteriophages Deby, LaterM, LilPharaoh, Paola, SgtBeansprout, and Sulley.

Mycobacteriophages Deby, LaterM, LilPharaoh, Paola, SgtBeansprout, and Sulley were isolated from soil using Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2155. Genomic analysis indicated that they belong to subclusters K1 and K5. Their genomic architectures are typical of cluster K mycobacteriophages, with most variability occurring on the right end of the genome sequence.