Spatial Transcriptomic Approach to Understanding Coronary Atherosclerotic Plaque Stability.

BACKGROUND: Coronary atherosclerotic plaques susceptible to acute coronary syndrome have traditionally been characterized by their surrounding cellular architecture. However, with the advent of intravascular imaging, novel mechanisms of coronary thrombosis have emerged, challenging our contemporary understanding of acute coronary syndrome. These intriguing findings underscore the necessity for a precise molecular definition of plaque stability. Considering this, our study aimed to investigate the vascular microenvironment in patients with stable and unstable plaques using spatial transcriptomics. METHODS: Autopsy-derived coronary arteries were preserved and categorized by plaque stability (n=5 patients per group). We utilized the GeoMx spatial profiling platform and Whole Transcriptome Atlas to link crucial histological morphology markers in coronary lesions with differential gene expression in specific regions of interest, thereby mapping the vascular transcriptome. This innovative approach allowed us to conduct cell morphological and spatially resolved transcriptional profiling of atherosclerotic plaques while preserving crucial intercellular signaling. RESULTS: We observed intriguing spatial and cell-specific transcriptional patterns in stable and unstable atherosclerotic plaques, showcasing regional variations within the intima and media. These regions exhibited differential expression of proinflammatory molecules (eg, IFN-γ [interferon-γ], MHC class II, proinflammatory cytokines) and prothrombotic signaling pathways. By using lineage tracing through spatial deconvolution of intimal CD68+ (cluster of differentiation 68) cells, we characterized unique, intraplaque subpopulations originating from endothelial, smooth muscle, and myeloid lineages with distinct regional locations associated with plaque instability. In addition, unique transcriptional signatures were observed in vascular smooth muscle and CD68+ cells among plaques exhibiting coronary calcification. CONCLUSIONS: Our study illuminates distinct cell-specific and regional transcriptional alterations present in unstable plaques. Furthermore, we characterize the first spatially resolved, in situ evidence supporting cellular transdifferentiation and intraplaque plasticity as significant contributors to plaque instability in human coronary atherosclerosis. Our results provide a powerful resource for the identification of novel mediators of acute coronary syndrome, opening new avenues for preventative and therapeutic treatments.

Endothelial cells overexpressing CXCR1/2 are renoprotective in rats with acute kidney injury.

Inflammation that develops with the release of chemokines and cytokines during acute kidney injury (AKI) has been shown to participate in functional renal recovery. Although a major research focus has been on the role of macrophages, the family of C-X-C motif chemokines that promote neutrophil adherence and activation also increases with kidney ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. This study tested the hypothesis that intravenous delivery of endothelial cells (ECs) that overexpress (C-X-C motif) chemokine receptors 1 and 2 (CXCR1 and CXCR2, respectively) improves outcomes in kidney I/R injury. Overexpression of CXCR1/2 enhanced homing of endothelial cells to I/R-injured kidneys and limited interstitial fibrosis, capillary rarefaction, and tissue injury biomarkers (serum creatinine concentration and urinary kidney injury molecule-1) following AKI and also reduced expression of P-selectin and the rodent (C-X-C motif) chemokine cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC)-2ß as well as the number of myeloperoxidase-positive cells in the postischemic kidney. The serum chemokine/cytokine profile, including CINC-1, showed similar reductions. These findings were not observed in rats given endothelial cells transduced with an empty adenoviral vector (null-ECs) or a vehicle alone. These data indicate that extrarenal endothelial cells that overexpress CXCR1 and CXCR2, but not null-ECs or vehicle alone, reduce I/R kidney injury and preserve kidney function in a rat model of AKI.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Inflammation facilitates kidney ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Endothelial cells (ECs) that were modified to overexpress (C-X-C motif) chemokine receptor (CXCR)1/2 (CXCR1/2-ECs) were injected immediately following kidney I/R injury. The interaction of CXCR1/2-ECs, but not ECs transduced with an empty adenoviral vector, with injured kidney tissue preserved kidney function and reduced production of inflammatory markers, capillary rarefaction, and interstitial fibrosis. The study highlights a functional role for the C-X-C chemokine pathway in kidney damage following I/R injury.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 regulates afferent arteriolar remodeling and function in hypertension-induced kidney disease.

This study tested if matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 promoted microvascular pathology that initiates hypertensive (HT) kidney disease in salt-sensitive (SS) Dahl rats. SS rats lacking Mmp9 (Mmp9-/-) and littermate control SS rats were studied after one week on a normotensive 0.3% sodium chloride (Pre-HT SS and Pre-HT Mmp9-/-) or a hypertension-inducing diet containing 4.0% sodium chloride (HT SS and HT Mmp9-/-). Telemetry-monitored blood pressure of both the HT SS and HT Mmp9-/- rats increased and did not differ. Kidney microvessel transforming growth factor-beta 1 (Tgfb1) mRNA did not differ between Pre-HT SS and Pre-HT Mmp9-/- rats, but with hypertension and expression of Mmp9 and Tgfb1 increased in HT SS rats, along with phospho-Smad2 labeling of nuclei of vascular smooth muscle cells, and with peri-arteriolar fibronectin deposition. Loss of MMP-9 prevented hypertension-induced phenotypic transformation of microvascular smooth muscle cells and the expected increased microvascular expression of pro-inflammatory molecules. Loss of MMP-9 in vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro prevented cyclic strain-induced production of active TGF-ß1 and phospho-Smad2/3 stimulation. Afferent arteriolar autoregulation was impaired in HT SS rats but not in HT Mmp9-/- rats or the HT SS rats treated with doxycycline, an MMP inhibitor. HT SS but not HT Mmp9-/- rats showed decreased glomerular Wilms Tumor 1 protein-positive cells (a marker of podocytes) along with increased urinary podocin and nephrin mRNA excretion, all indicative of glomerular damage. Thus, our findings support an active role for MMP-9 in a hypertension-induced kidney microvascular remodeling process that promotes glomerular epithelial cell injury in SS rats.

Avian erythroblastosis virus E26 oncogene homolog-1 (ETS-1) plays a role in renal microvascular pathophysiology in the Dahl salt-sensitive rat.

Prior studies reported that haploinsufficiency of the transcription factor ETS-1 is renoprotective in Dahl salt-sensitive rats, but the mechanism is unclear. Here, we tested whether ETS-1 is involved in hypertension-induced renal microvascular pathology and autoregulatory impairment. Hypertension was induced in salt-sensitive rats and salt-sensitive rats that are heterozygous with 1 wild-type or reference allele of Ets1 (SSEts1+/-) by feeding a diet containing 4% sodium chloride for 1 week. Increases in blood pressure did not differ. However, phosphorylated ETS-1 increased in afferent arterioles of hypertensive salt-sensitive rats, but not in hypertensive SSEts1+/- rats. Afferent arterioles of hypertensive salt-sensitive rats showed increased monocyte chemotactic protein-1 expression and infiltration of CD68 positive monocytes/macrophages. Isolated kidney microvessels showed increased mRNA expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule, intercellular adhesion molecule, P-selectin, fibronectin, transforming growth factor-ß, and collagen I in hypertensive salt-sensitive rats compared with hypertensive SSEts1+/- rats. Using the in vitro blood-perfused juxtamedullary nephron preparation, pressure-mediated afferent arteriolar responses were significantly blunted in hypertensive salt-sensitive rats compared to hypertensive SSEts1+/- rats. Over a 65-170 mm Hg pressure range tested baseline arteriolar diameters averaged 15.1 µm and remained between 107% and 89% of baseline diameter in hypertensive salt-sensitive rats vs. 114% and 73% in hypertensive SSEts1+/- rats (significantly different). Thus, ETS-1 participates in renal arteriolar pathology and autoregulation and thereby is involved in hypertension-mediated kidney injury in salt-sensitive rats.

The matrikine acetyl-proline-glycine-proline and clinical features of COPD: findings from SPIROMICS.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary and systemic inflammation are central features of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Previous studies have demonstrated relationships between biologically active extracellular matrix components, or matrikines, and COPD pathogenesis. We studied the relationships between the matrikine acetyl-proline-glycine-proline (AcPGP) in sputum and plasma and clinical features of COPD. METHODS: Sputum and plasma samples were obtained from COPD participants in the SPIROMICS cohort at enrollment. AcPGP was isolated using solid phase extraction and measured by mass spectrometry. Demographics, spirometry, quality of life questionnaires, and quantitative computed tomography (CT) imaging with parametric response mapping (PRM) were obtained at baseline. Severe COPD exacerbations were recorded at 1-year of prospective follow-up. We used linear and logistic regression models to measure associations between AcPGP and features of COPD, and Kaplan-Meier analyses to measure time-to-first severe exacerbation. RESULTS: The 182 COPD participants in the analysis were 66 ± 8 years old, 62% male, 84% White race, and 39% were current smokers. AcPGP concentrations were 0.61 ± 1.89 ng/mL (mean ± SD) in sputum and 0.60 ± 1.13 ng/mL in plasma. In adjusted linear regression models, sputum AcPGP was associated with FEV1/FVC, spirometric GOLD stage, PRM-small airways disease, and PRM-emphysema. Sputum AcPGP also correlated with severe AECOPD, and elevated sputum AcPGP was associated with shorter time-to-first severe COPD exacerbation. In contrast, plasma AcPGP was not associated with symptoms, pulmonary function, or severe exacerbation risk. CONCLUSIONS: In COPD, sputum but not plasma AcPGP concentrations are associated with the severity of airflow limitation, small airways disease, emphysema, and risk for severe AECOPD at 1-year of follow-up. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01969344 (SPIROMICS).

Haploinsufficiency of the Transcription Factor Ets-1 Is Renoprotective in Dahl Salt-Sensitive Rats.

Studies using Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) rats identified specific quantitative trait loci that predispose animals to hypertension-associated albuminuria and kidney injury. We explored the hypothesis that kidney-specific expression of the transcription factor Ets-1, located within one of these loci on chromosome 8, mediates glomerular injury in SS hypertension. During the first week on a high-salt diet, SS rats and SS rats with only one functioning Ets-1 gene (ES rats) demonstrated similar increases in BP. However, serum creatinine concentration, albuminuria, and glomerular expression of ETS-1 and two ETS-1 targets, MCP-1 and MMP2, did not increase as substantially in ES rats as in SS rats. Mean BP subsequently increased further in SS rats and remained higher than that of ES rats for the rest of the study. After 4 weeks of high-salt intake, ES rats still showed a lower mean serum creatinine concentration and less albuminuria, as well as less histologic evidence of glomerular injury and kidney fibrosis, than SS rats did. To investigate the specific contribution of renal Ets-1, we transplanted kidneys from ES or SS rats into salt-resistant SS-Chr 13BN/McwiCrl (SS-13BN) rats. Within 10 days on a high-salt diet, BP increased similarly in ES and SS allograft recipients, becoming significantly higher than the BP of control isograft recipients. However, mean serum creatinine concentration and albuminuria remained lower in ES allograft recipients than in SS allograft recipients at 2 weeks, and ES allografts showed less glomerular injury and interstitial fibrosis. In conclusion, reduced renal expression of ETS-1 prevented hypertension-associated kidney injury in SS rats.

Calreticulin Regulates Neointima Formation and Collagen Deposition following Carotid Artery Ligation.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress protein, calreticulin (CRT), is required for the production of TGF-ß-stimulated extracellular matrix (ECM) by fibroblasts. Since TGF-ß regulates vascular fibroproliferative responses and collagen deposition, we investigated the effects of CRT knockdown on vascular smooth-muscle cell (VSMC) fibroproliferative responses and collagen deposition. METHODS: Using a carotid artery ligation model of vascular injury, Cre-recombinase-IRES-GFP plasmid was delivered with microbubbles (MB) to CRT-floxed mice using ultrasound (US) to specifically reduce CRT expression in the carotid artery. RESULTS: In vitro, Cre-recombinase-mediated CRT knockdown in isolated, floxed VSMCs decreased the CRT transcript and protein, and attenuated the induction of collagen I protein in response to TGF-ß. TGF-ß stimulation of collagen I was partly blocked by the NFAT inhibitor 11R-VIVIT. Following carotid artery ligation, CRT staining was upregulated with enhanced expression in the neointima 14-21 days after injury. Furthermore, Cre-recombinase-IRES-GFP plasmid delivered by targeted US reduced CRT expression in the neointima of CRT-floxed mice and led to a significant reduction in neointima formation and collagen deposition. The neointimal cell number was also reduced in mice, with a local, tissue-specific knockdown of CRT. CONCLUSIONS: This work establishes a novel role for CRT in mediating VSMC responses to injury through the regulation of collagen deposition and neointima formation.

Estrogen effects on vascular inflammation are age dependent: role of estrogen receptors.

OBJECTIVE: 17ß-Estradiol (E2) offers cardiovascular protection in young female animals and postmenopausal women. In contrast, randomized trials of menopausal hormones performed in older women have shown harm or no cardiovascular benefit. We hypothesize that E2 effects on vascular inflammation are age dependent. APPROACH AND RESULTS: Young (10 weeks) and aged (52 weeks) female C57BL/6 mice were used as source for primary cultures of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). E2 pretreatment of cells derived from young mice attenuated C-reactive protein (CRP)-induced expression of inflammatory mediators. In contrast, E2 pretreatment of cells from aged mice did not alter (BMMs) or paradoxically exaggerated (VSMCs) inflammatory mediator response to CRP. Using E2 receptor (ER) knockout mice, we demonstrated that E2 regulates inflammatory response to CRP in BMMs via ERα and in VSMCs via ERß. BMMs derived from aged (versus young) mice expressed significantly less ERα mRNA and protein. A selective ligand of the novel ER GPR30 reproduced the E2 effects in BMMs and VSMCs. Unlike in young mice, E2 did not reduce neointima formation in ligated carotid arteries of aged CRP transgenic mice. CONCLUSIONS: E2 attenuates inflammatory response to CRP in BMMs and VSMCs derived from young but not aged mice and reduces neointima formation in injured carotid arteries of young but not aged CRP transgenic mice. ERα expression in BMMs is greatly diminished with aging. These data suggest that vasoprotective effects of E2 are age dependent and may explain the vasotoxic effects of E2 seen in clinical trials of postmenopausal women.

Inhibiting C-reactive protein for the treatment of cardiovascular disease: promising evidence from rodent models.

Raised blood C-reactive protein (CRP) level is a predictor of cardiovascular events, but whether blood CRP is causal in the disease process is unknown. The latter would best be defined by pharmacological inhibition of the protein in the context of a randomized case-control study. However, no CRP specific drug is currently available so such a prospective study cannot be performed. Blood CRP is synthesized primarily in the liver and the liver is an organ where antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) drugs accumulate. Taking advantage of this we evaluated the efficacy of CRP specific ASOs in rodents with experimentally induced cardiovascular damage. Treating rats for 4 weeks with a rat CRP-specific ASO achieved >60% reduction of blood CRP. Notably, this effect was associated with improved heart function and pathology following myocardial infarction (induced by ligation of the left anterior descending artery). Likewise in human CRP transgenic mice treated for 2 weeks with a human CRP-specific ASO, blood human CRP was reduced by >70% and carotid artery patency was improved (2 weeks after surgical ligation). CRP specific ASOs might pave the way towards a placebo-controlled trial that could clarify the role of CRP in cardiovascular disease.

Endothelial cells overexpressing interleukin-8 receptors reduce inflammatory and neointimal responses to arterial injury.

BACKGROUND: Interleukin-8 (IL8) receptors IL8RA and IL8RB on neutrophil membranes bind to IL8 and direct neutrophil recruitment to sites of inflammation, including acutely injured arteries. This study tested whether administration of IL8RA- and/or IL8RB-transduced rat aortic endothelial cells (ECs) accelerates adhesion of ECs to the injured surface, thus suppressing inflammation and neointima formation in balloon-injured rat carotid arteries. We tested the hypothesis that targeted delivery of ECs by overexpressing IL8RA and IL8RB receptors prevents inflammatory responses and promotes structural recovery of arteries after endoluminal injury. METHODS AND RESULTS: Young adult male rats received balloon injury of the right carotid artery and were transfused intravenously with ECs (total, 1.5×10(6) cells at 1, 3, and 5 hours after injury) transduced with adenoviral vectors carrying IL8RA, IL8RB, and IL8RA/RB (dual transduction) genes, AdNull (empty vector), or vehicle (no EC transfusion). ECs overexpressing IL8Rs inhibited proinflammatory mediators expression significantly (by 60% to 85%) and reduced infiltration of neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages into injured arteries at 1 day after injury, as well as stimulating a 2-fold increase in reendothelialization at 14 days after injury. IL8RA-EC, IL8RB-EC, and IL8RA/RB-EC treatment reduced neointima formation dramatically (by 80%, 74%, and 95%) at 28 days after injury. CONCLUSIONS: ECs with overexpression of IL8RA and/or IL8RB mimic the behavior of neutrophils that target and adhere to injured tissues, preventing inflammation and neointima formation. Targeted delivery of ECs to arteries with endoluminal injury provides a novel strategy for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Endothelial cell transfusion ameliorates endothelial dysfunction in 5/6 nephrectomized rats.

Endothelial dysfunction is prevalent in chronic kidney disease. This study tested the hypothesis that transfusion of rat aortic endothelial cells (ECs) ameliorates endothelial dysfunction in a rat model of chronic kidney disease. Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent sham surgery or 5/6 nephrectomy (Nx). Five weeks after Nx, EC (1.5 × 10(6) cells/rat) or vehicle were transfused intravenously. One week later, vascular reactivity of mesenteric artery was assessed on a wire myograph. Sensitivity of endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine and maximum vasodilation were impaired by Nx and improved by EC transfusion. Using selective pharmacological nitric oxide synthase isoform inhibitors, we demonstrated that the negative effect of Nx on endothelial function and rescue by EC transfusion are, at least in part, endothelial nitric oxide synthase mediated. Plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine was increased by Nx and decreased by EC transfusion, whereas mRNA expression of dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolases 1 (DDAH1) was decreased by Nx and restored by EC transfusion. Immunohistochemical staining confirmed that local expression of DDAH1 is decreased by Nx and increased by EC transfusion. In conclusion, EC transfusion attenuates Nx-induced endothelium-dependent vascular dysfunction by regulating DDAH1 expression and enhancing endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity. These results suggest that EC-based therapy could provide a novel therapeutic strategy to improve vascular function in chronic kidney disease.

Endothelial cells overexpressing IL-8 receptor reduce cardiac remodeling and dysfunction following myocardial infarction.

The endothelium is a dynamic component of the cardiovascular system that plays an important role in health and disease. This study tested the hypothesis that targeted delivery of endothelial cells (ECs) overexpressing neutrophil membrane IL-8 receptors IL8RA and IL8RB reduces acute myocardial infarction (MI)-induced left ventricular (LV) remodeling and dysfunction and increases neovascularization in the area at risk surrounding the infarcted tissue. MI was created by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery in 12-wk-old male Sprague-Dawley rats. Four groups of rats were studied: group 1: sham-operated rats without MI or EC transfusion; group 2: MI rats with intravenous vehicle; group 3: MI rats with transfused ECs transduced with empty adenoviral vector (Null-EC); and group 4: MI rats with transfused ECs overexpressing IL8RA/RB (1.5 × 106 cells post-MI). Two weeks after MI, LV function was assessed by echocardiography; infarct size was assessed by triphenyltetrazolium chloride (live tissue) and picrosirus red (collagen) staining, and capillary density and neutrophil infiltration in the area at risk were measured by CD31 and MPO immunohistochemical staining, respectively. When compared with the MI + vehicle and MI-Null-EC groups, transfusion of IL8RA/RB-ECs decreased neutrophil infiltration and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and increased capillary density in the area at risk, decreased infarct size, and reduced MI-induced LV dysfunction. These findings provide proof of principle that targeted delivery of ECs is effective in repairing injured cardiac tissue. Targeted delivery of ECs to infarcted hearts provides a potential novel strategy for the treatment of acute MI in humans.

Spatial transcriptomic profiling of coronary endothelial cells in SARS-CoV-2 myocarditis.

Objectives: Our objective was to examine coronary endothelial and myocardial programming in patients with severe COVID-19 utilizing digital spatial transcriptomics. Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has well-established links to thrombotic and cardiovascular events. Endothelial cell infection was initially proposed to initiate vascular events; however, this paradigm has sparked growing controversy. The significance of myocardial infection also remains unclear. Methods: Autopsy-derived cardiac tissue from control (n = 4) and COVID-19 (n = 8) patients underwent spatial transcriptomic profiling to assess differential expression patterns in myocardial and coronary vascular tissue. Our approach enabled transcriptional profiling in situ with preserved anatomy and unaltered local SARS-CoV-2 expression. In so doing, we examined the paracrine effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection in cardiac tissue. Results: We observed heterogeneous myocardial infection that tended to colocalize with CD31 positive cells within coronary capillaries. Despite these differences, COVID-19 patients displayed a uniform and unique myocardial transcriptional profile independent of local viral burden. Segmentation of tissues directly infected with SARS-CoV-2 showed unique, pro-inflammatory expression profiles including upregulated mediators of viral antigen presentation and immune regulation. Infected cell types appeared to primarily be capillary endothelial cells as differentially expressed genes included endothelial cell markers. However, there was limited differential expression within the endothelium of larger coronary vessels. Conclusion: Our results highlight altered myocardial programming during severe COVID-19 that may in part be associated with capillary endothelial cells. However, similar patterns were not observed in larger vessels, diminishing endotheliitis, and endothelial activation as key drivers of cardiovascular events during COVID-19.

Acute O-GlcNAcylation prevents inflammation-induced vascular dysfunction.

Acute increases in cellular protein O-linked N-acetyl-glucosamine (O-GlcNAc) modification (O-GlcNAcylation) have been shown to have protective effects in the heart and vasculature. We hypothesized that d-glucosamine (d-GlcN) and Thiamet-G, two agents that increase protein O-GlcNAcylation via different mechanisms, inhibit TNF-α-induced oxidative stress and vascular dysfunction by suppressing inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS) expression. Rat aortic rings were incubated for 3h at 37°C with d-GlcN or its osmotic control l-glucose (l-Glc) or with Thiamet-G or its vehicle control (H(2)O) followed by the addition of TNF-α or vehicle (H(2)O) for 21 h. After incubation, rings were mounted in a myograph to assess arterial reactivity. Twenty-four hours of incubation of aortic rings with TNF-α resulted in 1) a hypocontractility to 60 mM K(+) solution and phenylephrine, 2) blunted endothelium-dependent relaxation responses to ACh and substance P, and 3) unaltered relaxing response to the Ca(2+) ionophore A-23187 and the NO donor sodium nitroprusside compared with aortic rings cultured in the absence of TNF-α. d-GlcN and Thiamet-G pretreatment suppressed the TNF-α-induced hypocontractility and endothelial dysfunction. Total protein O-GlcNAc levels were significantly higher in aortic segments treated with d-GlcN or Thiamet-G compared with controls. Expression of iNOS protein was increased in TNF-α-treated rings, and this was attenuated by pretreatment with either d-GlcN or Thiamet-G. Dense immunostaining for nitrotyrosylated proteins was detected in the endothelium and media of the aortic wall, suggesting enhanced peroxynitrite production by iNOS. These findings demonstrate that acute increases in protein O-GlcNAcylation prevent TNF-α-induced vascular dysfunction, at least in part, via suppression of iNOS expression.

Dietary salt initiates redox signaling between endothelium and vascular smooth muscle through NADPH oxidase 4.

Prevention of phenotype switching of vascular smooth muscle cells is an important determinant of normal vascular physiology. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) promotes osteogenic differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells through expression of Runt related transcription factor 2 (Runx2). In this study, an increase in dietary NaCl increased endothelial H2O2 generation through NOX4, a NAD(P)H oxidase. The production of H2O2 was sufficient to increase Runx2, osteopontin and osteocalcin in adjacent vascular smooth muscle cells from control littermate mice but was inhibited in mice lacking endothelial Nox4. A vascular smooth muscle cell culture model confirmed the direct involvement of the activation of protein kinase B (Akt) with inactivation of FoxO1 and FoxO3a observed in the control mice on the high NaCl diet. The present study also showed a reduction of catalase activity in aortas during high NaCl intake. The findings demonstrated an interesting cell-cell communication in the vascular wall that was initiated with H2O2 production by endothelium and was regulated by dietary NaCl intake. A better understanding of how dietary salt intake alters vascular biology may improve treatment of vascular disease that involves activation of Runx2.

Spatial transcriptomic profiling of coronary endothelial cells in SARS-CoV-2 myocarditis.

Objectives: Our objective was to examine coronary endothelial and myocardial programming in patients with severe COVID-19 utilizing digital spatial transcriptomics. Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has well-established links to thrombotic and cardiovascular events. Endothelial cell infection was initially proposed to initiate vascular events; however, this paradigm has sparked growing controversy. The significance of myocardial infection also remains unclear. Methods: Autopsy-derived cardiac tissue from control (n = 4) and COVID-19 (n = 8) patients underwent spatial transcriptomic profiling to assess differential expression patterns in myocardial and coronary vascular tissue. Our approach enabled transcriptional profiling in situ with preserved anatomy and unaltered local SARS-CoV-2 expression. In so doing, we examined the paracrine effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection in cardiac tissue. Results: We observed heterogeneous myocardial infection that tended to colocalize with CD31 positive cells within coronary capillaries. Despite these differences, COVID-19 patients displayed a uniform and unique myocardial transcriptional profile independent of local viral burden. Segmentation of tissues directly infected with SARS-CoV-2 showed unique, pro-inflammatory expression profiles including upregulated mediators of viral antigen presentation and immune regulation. Infected cell types appeared to primarily be capillary endothelial cells as differentially expressed genes included endothelial cell markers. However, there was limited differential expression within the endothelium of larger coronary vessels. Conclusions: Our results highlight altered myocardial programming during severe COVID-19 that may in part be associated with capillary endothelial cells. However, similar patterns were not observed in larger vessels, diminishing endotheliitis and endothelial activation as key drivers of cardiovascular events during COVID-19. Condensed Abstract: SARS-CoV-2 is linked to thrombotic and cardiovascular events; however, the mechanism remains uncertain. Our objective was to examine coronary endothelial and myocardial programming in patients with severe COVID-19 utilizing digital spatial transcriptomics. Autopsy-derived coronary arterial and cardiac tissues from control and COVID-19 patients underwent spatial transcriptomic profiling. Our approach enabled transcriptional profiling in situ with preserved anatomy and unaltered local SARS-CoV-2 expression. We observed unique, pro-inflammatory expression profiles among all COVID-19 patients. While heterogeneous viral expression was noted within the tissue, SARS-CoV-2 tended to colocalize with CD31 positive cells within coronary capillaries and was associated with unique expression profiles. Similar patterns were not observed in larger coronary vessels. Our results highlight altered myocardial programming during severe COVID-19 that may in part be associated with capillary endothelial cells. Such results diminish coronary arterial endotheliitis and endothelial activation as key drivers of cardiovascular events during COVID-19 infection. LIST OF HIGHLIGHTS: SARS-CoV-2 has variable expression patterns within the myocardium of COVID-19 patientsSARS-CoV-2 infection induces a unique myocardial transcriptional programming independent of local viral burdenSARS-CoV-2 myocarditis is predominantly associated with capillaritis, and tissues directly infected with SARS-CoV-2 have unique, pro-inflammatory expression profilesDiffuse endothelial activation of larger coronary vessels was absent, diminishing large artery endotheliitis as a significant contributor to cardiovascular events during COVID-19 infection.

Hypoxia induces downregulation of PPAR-γ in isolated pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells and in rat lung via transforming growth factor-ß signaling.

Chronic hypoxia activates transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) signaling and leads to pulmonary vascular remodeling. Pharmacological activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) has been shown to prevent hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension and vascular remodeling in rodent models, suggesting a vasoprotective effect of PPAR-γ under chronic hypoxic stress. This study tested the hypothesis that there is a functional interaction between TGF-ß/Smad signaling pathway and PPAR-γ in isolated pulmonary artery small muscle cells (PASMCs) under hypoxic stress. We observed that chronic hypoxia led to a dramatic decrease of PPAR-γ protein expression in whole lung homogenates (rat and mouse) and hypertrophied pulmonary arteries and isolated PASMCs. Using a transgenic model of mouse with inducible overexpression of a dominant-negative mutant of TGF-ß receptor type II, we demonstrated that disruption of TGF-ß pathway significantly attenuated chronic hypoxia-induced downregulation of PPAR-γ in lung. Similarly, in isolated rat PASMCs, antagonism of TGF-ß signaling with either a neutralizing antibody to TGF-ß or the selective TGF-ß receptor type I inhibitor SB431542 effectively attenuated hypoxia-induced PPAR-γ downregulation. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that TGF-ß1 treatment suppressed PPAR-γ expression in PASMCs under normoxia condition. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis showed that TGF-ß1 treatment significantly increased binding of Smad2/3, Smad4, and the transcriptional corepressor histone deacetylase 1 to the PPAR-γ promoter in PASMCs. Conversely, treatment with the PPAR-γ agonist rosiglitazone attenuated TGF-ß1-induced extracellular matrix molecule expression and growth factor in PASMCs. These data provide strong evidence that activation of TGF-ß/Smad signaling, via transcriptional suppression of PPAR-γ expression, mediates chronic hypoxia-induced downregulation of PPAR-γ expression in lung.

C-reactive protein-mediated vascular injury requires complement.

BACKGROUND: We previously demonstrated that vascular injury-induced neointima formation is exaggerated in human C-reactive protein (CRP) transgenic (CRPtg) compared to nontransgenic (NTG) mice. We now test the hypothesis that complement is required for this effect. METHODS AND RESULTS: CRPtg and NTG with a normal complement system versus their counterparts lacking expression of complement component 3 (C3) protein (CRPtg/C3(-/-) and NTG/C3(-/-)) underwent carotid artery ligation. Twenty-eight days later, the injured vessels in CRPtg had thicker neointimas and more immunoreactive C3 in the surrounding adventitia compared with NTG. In CRPtg/C3(-/-), there was no increase in neointimal thickness compared with NTG or NTG/C3(-/-). Decreasing human CRP blood levels through administration of a selective antisense oligonucleotide eliminated the depletion of serum C3 associated with vascular injury and reduced immunoreactive C3 in the resultant lesions. In injured vessels, C3 colocalized with F4/80 (macrophage marker), and in vitro, human CRP elicited increased expression of C3 by bone marrow-derived macrophages. CONCLUSIONS: Human CRP exaggeration of neointima formation in injured mouse carotid arteries associates with decreased circulating C3 and increased tissue-localized C3. C3 elimination or pharmacological reduction of human CRP prevents CRP-driven exacerbation of the injury response. In the CRPtg model system, mouse C3 is essential for the effect of human CRP.

Prolyl endopeptidase contributes to early neutrophilic inflammation in acute myocardial transplant rejection.

Altered inflammation and tissue remodeling are cardinal features of cardiovascular disease and cardiac transplant rejection. Neutrophils have increasingly been understood to play a critical role in acute rejection and early allograft failure; however, discrete mechanisms that drive this damage remain poorly understood. Herein, we demonstrate that early acute cardiac rejection increases allograft prolyl endopeptidase (PE) in association with de novo production of the neutrophil proinflammatory matrikine proline-glycine-proline (PGP). In a heterotopic murine heart transplant model, PGP production and PE activity were associated with early neutrophil allograft invasion and allograft failure. Pharmacologic inhibition of PE with Z-Pro-prolinal reduced PGP, attenuated early neutrophil graft invasion, and reduced proinflammatory cytokine expression. Importantly, these changes helped preserve allograft rejection-free survival and function. Notably, within 2 independent patient cohorts, both PGP and PE activity were increased among patients with biopsy-proven rejection. The observed induction of PE and matrikine generation provide a link between neutrophilic inflammation and cardiovascular injury, represent a potential target to reduce allogenic immune responses, and uncover a mechanism of cardiovascular disease that has been previously unrecognized to our knowledge.