Galectin-3 Identifies a Subset of Macrophages With a Potential Beneficial Role in Atherosclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: Galectin-3 (formerly known as Mac-2), encoded by the LGALS3 gene, is proposed to regulate macrophage adhesion, chemotaxis, and apoptosis. We investigated the role of galectin-3 in determining the inflammatory profile of macrophages and composition of atherosclerotic plaques. Approach and Results: We observed increased accumulation of galectin-3-negative macrophages within advanced human, rabbit, and mouse plaques compared with early lesions. Interestingly, statin treatment reduced galectin-3-negative macrophage accrual in advanced plaques within hypercholesterolemic (apolipoprotein E deficient) Apoe-/- mice. Accordingly, compared with Lgals3+/+:Apoe-/- mice, Lgals3-/-:Apoe-/- mice displayed altered plaque composition through increased macrophage:smooth muscle cell ratio, reduced collagen content, and increased necrotic core area, characteristics of advanced plaques in humans. Additionally, macrophages from Lgals3-/- mice exhibited increased invasive capacity in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, loss of galectin-3 in vitro and in vivo was associated with increased expression of proinflammatory genes including MMP (matrix metalloproteinase)-12, CCL2 (chemokine [C-C motif] ligand 2), PTGS2 (prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2), and IL (interleukin)-6, alongside reduced TGF (transforming growth factor)-ß1 expression and consequent SMAD signaling. Moreover, we found that MMP12 cleaves macrophage cell-surface galectin-3 resulting in the appearance of a 22-kDa fragment, whereas plasma levels of galectin-3 were reduced in Mmp12-/-:Apoe-/- mice, highlighting a novel mechanism where MMP12-dependent cleavage of galectin-3 promotes proinflammatory macrophage polarization. Moreover, galectin-3-positive macrophages were more abundant within plaques of Mmp12-/-:Apoe-/- mice compared with Mmp12+/+:Apoe-/- animals. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals a prominent protective role for galectin-3 in regulating macrophage polarization and invasive capacity and, therefore, delaying plaque progression.

MicroRNA-181b Controls Atherosclerosis and Aneurysms Through Regulation of TIMP-3 and Elastin.

RATIONALE: Atherosclerosis and aneurysms are leading causes of mortality worldwide. MicroRNAs (miRs) are key determinants of gene and protein expression, and atypical miR expression has been associated with many cardiovascular diseases; although their contributory role to atherosclerotic plaque and abdominal aortic aneurysm stability are poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether miR-181b regulates tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 expression and affects atherosclerosis and aneurysms. METHODS AND RESULTS: Here, we demonstrate that miR-181b was overexpressed in symptomatic human atherosclerotic plaques and abdominal aortic aneurysms and correlated with decreased expression of predicted miR-181b targets, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3, and elastin. Using the well-characterized mouse atherosclerosis models of Apoe-/- and Ldlr-/-, we observed that in vivo administration of locked nucleic acid anti-miR-181b retarded both the development and the progression of atherosclerotic plaques. Systemic delivery of anti-miR-181b in angiotensin II-infused Apoe-/- and Ldlr-/- mice attenuated aneurysm formation and progression within the ascending, thoracic, and abdominal aorta. Moreover, miR-181b inhibition greatly increased elastin and collagen expression, promoting a fibrotic response and subsequent stabilization of existing plaques and aneurysms. We determined that miR-181b negatively regulates macrophage tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 expression and vascular smooth muscle cell elastin production, both important factors in maintaining atherosclerotic plaque and aneurysm stability. Validation studies in Timp3-/- mice confirmed that the beneficial effects afforded by miR-181b inhibition are largely tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 dependent, while also revealing an additional protective effect through elevating elastin synthesis. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the management of miR-181b and its target genes provides therapeutic potential for limiting the progression of atherosclerosis and aneurysms and protecting them from rupture.

CCN4 (WISP-1) reduces apoptosis and atherosclerotic plaque burden in an ApoE mouse model.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: CCN4/WISP-1 regulates various cell behaviours that contribute to atherosclerosis progression, including cell adhesion, migration, proliferation and survival. We therefore hypothesised that CCN4 regulates the development and progression of atherosclerotic plaques. METHODS: We used a high fat fed ApoE-/- mouse model to study atherosclerotic plaque progression in the brachiocephalic artery and aortic root. In protocol 1, male ApoE-/- mice with established plaques were given a CCN4 helper-dependent adenovirus to see the effect of treatment with CCN4, while in protocol 2 male CCN4-/-ApoE-/- were compared to CCN4+/+ApoE-/- mice to assess the effect of CCN4 deletion on plaque progression. RESULTS: CCN4 overexpression resulted in reduced occlusion of the brachiocephalic artery with less apoptosis, fewer macrophages, and attenuated lipid core size. The amount of plaque found on the aortic root was also reduced. CCN4 deficiency resulted in increased apoptosis and occlusion of the brachiocephalic artery as well as increased plaque in the aortic root. Additionally, in vitro cells from CCN4-/-ApoE-/- mice had higher apoptotic levels. CCN4 deficiency did not significantly affect blood cholesterol levels or circulating myeloid cell populations. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that in an atherosclerosis model the most important action of CCN4 is the effect on cell apoptosis. CCN4 provides pro-survival signals and leads to reduced cell death, lower macrophage number, smaller lipid core size and reduced atherosclerotic plaque burden. As such, the pro-survival effect of CCN4 is worthy of further investigation, in a bid to find a therapeutic for atherosclerosis.

The contribution of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors to the development, progression, and rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) account for up to 8% of deaths in men aged 65 years and over and 2.2% of women. Patients with AAAs often have atherosclerosis, and intimal atherosclerosis is generally present in AAAs. Accordingly, AAAs are considered a form of atherosclerosis and are frequently referred to as atherosclerotic aneurysms. Pathological observations advocate inflammatory cell infiltration alongside adverse extracellular matrix degradation as key contributing factors to the formation of human atherosclerotic AAAs. Therefore, macrophage production of proteolytic enzymes is deemed responsible for the damaging loss of ECM proteins, especially elastin and fibrillar collagens, which characterise AAA progression and rupture. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their regulation by tissue inhibitors metalloproteinases (TIMPs) can orchestrate not only ECM remodelling, but also moderate the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of resident aortic cells, alongside the recruitment and subsequent behaviour of inflammatory cells. Accordingly, MMPs are thought to play a central regulatory role in the development, progression, and eventual rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Together, clinical and animal studies have shed light on the complex and often diverse effects MMPs and TIMPs impart during the development of AAAs. This dichotomy is underlined from evidence utilising broad-spectrum MMP inhibition in animal models and clinical trials which have failed to provide consistent protection from AAA progression, although more encouraging results have been observed through deployment of selective inhibitors. This review provides a summary of the supporting evidence connecting the contribution of individual MMPs to AAA development, progression, and eventual rupture. Topics discussed include structural, functional, and cell-specific diversity of MMP members; evidence from animal models of AAA and comparisons with findings in humans; the dual role of MMPs and the requirement to selectively target individual MMPs; and the advances in identifying aberrant MMP activity. As evidenced, our developing understanding of the multifaceted roles individual MMPs perform during the progression and rupture of AAAs, should motivate clinical trials assessing the therapeutic potential of selective MMP inhibitors, which could restrict AAA-related morbidity and mortality worldwide.

A Protocol for a Novel Human Ex Vivo Model of Aneurysm.

Aortic aneurysm rupture is a significant cause of premature mortality worldwide. Although animal models exist, some frequently experience aortic rupture and sudden death. An alternative approach is therefore required that would use human material to aid translation. Accordingly, we present an optimized and validated protocol to isolate human umbilical cord arteries and their subsequent deployment within a bioreactor. Consequently, this reproducible ex vivo human model of aneurysm can be used for pathogenesis studies and accompanying assessment of potential novel therapeutics.

Aneurysm Severity is Increased by Combined Mmp-7 Deletion and N-cadherin Mimetic (EC4-Fc) Over-Expression.

There is an unmet need for treatments to reduce abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) progression. Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) apoptosis precipitates AAA formation, whereas VSMC proliferation repairs the vessel wall. We previously demonstrated that over-expression of EC4-Fc (truncated N-cadherin), or deletion of matrix-metalloproteinase-7 (Mmp-7) reduced VSMC apoptosis in mouse atherosclerotic plaques. Additionally, MMP-7 promotes VSMC apoptosis by cleavage of N-cadherin. We investigated their combined effect on AAA formation. Increased apoptosis and proliferation were observed in human AAA (HAAA) sections compared to normal aortae (HA). This coincided with increased MMP-7 activity and reduced N-cadherin protein levels in HAAA sections compared to HA. Using a mouse model of aneurysm formation, we showed that the combination of Mmp-7 deletion and EC4-Fc overexpression significantly increased AAA severity. Medial apoptosis and proliferation were both significantly reduced in these mice compared to control mice. In vitro, MMP-7 inhibition and EC4-Fc administration significantly supressed human aortic VSMC apoptosis (via activation of PI-3 kinase/Akt signalling) and proliferation. In conclusion, combined Mmp-7 deletion and systemic over-expression of EC4-Fc reduced both proliferation and apoptosis. Reduced proliferation-mediated repair over-rides any benefit of reduced apoptosis, increasing aneurysm severity. Future studies should therefore focus on retarding VSMC apoptosis whilst promoting VSMC proliferation.