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BACKGROUND: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a severe aortic disease without effective pharmacological approaches. The nuclear hormone receptor LXRα (liver X receptor α), encoded by the NR1H3 gene, serves as a critical transcriptional mediator linked to several vascular pathologies, but its role in AAA remains elusive. METHODS: Through integrated analyses of human and murine AAA gene expression microarray data sets, we identified NR1H3 as a candidate gene regulating AAA formation. To investigate the role of LXRα in AAA formation, we used global Nr1h3-knockout and vascular smooth muscle cell-specific Nr1h3-knockout mice in 2 AAA mouse models induced with angiotensin II (1000 ng·kg·min; 28 days) or calcium chloride (CaCl2; 0.5 mol/L; 42 days). RESULTS: Upregulated LXRα was observed in the aortas of patients with AAA and in angiotensin II- or CaCl2-treated mice. Global or vascular smooth muscle cell-specific Nr1h3 knockout inhibited AAA formation in 2 mouse models. Loss of LXRα function prevented extracellular matrix degeneration, inflammation, and vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic switching. Uhrf1, an epigenetic master regulator, was identified as a direct target gene of LXRα by integrated analysis of transcriptome sequencing and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing. Susceptibility to AAA development was consistently enhanced by UHRF1 (ubiquitin-like containing PHD and RING finger domains 1) in both angiotensin II- and CaCl2-induced mouse models. We then determined the CpG methylation status and promoter accessibility of UHRF1-mediated genes using CUT&Tag (cleavage under targets and tagmentation), RRBS (reduced representation bisulfite sequencing), and ATAC-seq (assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with sequencing) in vascular smooth muscle cells, which revealed that the recruitment of UHRF1 to the promoter of miR-26b led to DNA hypermethylation accompanied by relatively closed chromatin states, and caused downregulation of miR-26b expression in AAA. Regarding clinical significance, we found that underexpression of miR-26b-3p correlated with high risk in patients with AAA. Maintaining miR-26b-3p expression prevented AAA progression and alleviated the overall pathological process. CONCLUSIONS: Our study reveals a pivotal role of the LXRα/UHRF1/miR-26b-3p axis in AAA and provides potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for AAA.
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Aneurisma da Aorta Abdominal , Proteínas Estimuladoras de Ligação a CCAAT , Epigênese Genética , Receptores X do Fígado , Camundongos Knockout , MicroRNAs , Ubiquitina-Proteína Ligases , Aneurisma da Aorta Abdominal/genética , Aneurisma da Aorta Abdominal/metabolismo , Aneurisma da Aorta Abdominal/patologia , Aneurisma da Aorta Abdominal/induzido quimicamente , Animais , Receptores X do Fígado/metabolismo , Receptores X do Fígado/genética , MicroRNAs/genética , MicroRNAs/metabolismo , Humanos , Proteínas Estimuladoras de Ligação a CCAAT/genética , Proteínas Estimuladoras de Ligação a CCAAT/metabolismo , Camundongos , Ubiquitina-Proteína Ligases/genética , Ubiquitina-Proteína Ligases/metabolismo , Masculino , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Metilação de DNA , Músculo Liso Vascular/metabolismo , Músculo Liso Vascular/patologia , Angiotensina II/farmacologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has severe clinical complications of heart failure, arrhythmia, and sudden cardiac death. Heterozygous single nucleotide variants (SNVs) of sarcomere genes such as MYH7 are the leading cause of this type of disease. CRISPR-Cas13 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and their associated protein 13) is an emerging gene therapy approach for treating genetic disorders, but its therapeutic potential in genetic cardiomyopathy remains unexplored. METHODS: We developed a sensitive allelic point mutation reporter system to screen the mutagenic variants of Cas13d. On the basis of Cas13d homology structure, we rationally designed a series of Cas13d variants and obtained a high-precision Cas13d variant (hpCas13d) that specifically cleaves the MYH7 variant RNAs containing 1 allelic SNV. We validated the high precision and low collateral cleavage activity of hpCas13d through various in vitro assays. We generated 2 HCM mouse models bearing distinct MYH7 SNVs and used adenovirus-associated virus serotype 9 to deliver hpCas13d specifically to the cardiomyocytes. We performed a large-scale library screening to assess the potency of hpCas13d in resolving 45 human MYH7 allelic pathogenic SNVs. RESULTS: Wild-type Cas13d cannot distinguish and specifically cleave the heterozygous MYH7 allele with SNV. hpCas13d, with 3 amino acid substitutions, had minimized collateral RNase activity and was able to resolve various human MYH7 pathological sequence variations that cause hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. In vivo application of hpCas13d to 2 hypertrophic cardiomyopathy models caused by distinct human MYH7 analogous sequence variations specifically suppressed the altered allele and prevented cardiac hypertrophy. CONCLUSIONS: Our study unveils the great potential of CRISPR-Cas nucleases with high precision in treating inheritable cardiomyopathy and opens a new avenue for therapeutic management of inherited cardiac diseases.
Assuntos
Sistemas CRISPR-Cas , Miosinas Cardíacas , Cardiomiopatia Hipertrófica , Cadeias Pesadas de Miosina , Animais , Cardiomiopatia Hipertrófica/genética , Cardiomiopatia Hipertrófica/terapia , Cadeias Pesadas de Miosina/genética , Cadeias Pesadas de Miosina/metabolismo , Camundongos , Humanos , Miosinas Cardíacas/genética , Miosinas Cardíacas/metabolismo , Alelos , Miócitos Cardíacos/metabolismo , Miócitos Cardíacos/patologia , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Terapia Genética/métodosRESUMO
Chronic inflammatory and immune responses play key roles in the development and progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). PANoptosis, as a unique inflammatory cell death modality, is involved in the pathogenesis of many inflammatory diseases. We aim to identify critical PANoptosis-related biomarkers and explore their potential effects on respiratory tract diseases and immune infiltration landscapes in COPD. Total microarray data consisting of peripheral blood and lung tissue datasets associated with COPD were obtained from the GEO database. PANoptosis-associated genes in COPD were identified by intersecting differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with genes involved in pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis after normalizing and removing the batch effect. Furthermore, GO, KEGG, PPI network, WGCNA, LASSO-COX, and ROC curves analysis were conducted to screen and verify hub genes, and the correlation between PYCARD and infiltrated immune cells was analyzed. The effect of PYCARD on respiratory tract diseases and the potential small-molecule agents for the treatment of COPD were identified. PYCARD expression was verified in the lung tissue of CS/LPS-induced COPD mice. PYCARD was a critical PANoptosis-related gene in all COPD patients. PYCARD was positively related to NOD-like receptor signaling pathway and promoted immune cell infiltration. Moreover, PYCARD was significantly activated in COPD mice mainly by targeting PANoptosis. PANoptosis-related gene PYCARD is a potential biomarker for COPD diagnosis and treatment.
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OBJECTIVE: Increased O-linked ß-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) stimulation has been reported to protect against sepsis associated mortality and cardiovascular derangement. Previous studies, including our own research, have indicated that gasdermin-D(GSDMD)-mediated endothelial cells pyroptosis contributes to sepsis-associated endothelial injury. This study explored the functions and mechanisms of O-GlcNAc modification on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pyroptosis and its effects on the function of GSDMD. METHODS: A LPS-induced septic mouse model administrated with O-GlcNAcase (OGA) inhibitor thiamet-G (TMG) was used to assess the effects of O-GlcNAcylation on sepsis-associated vascular dysfunction and pyroptosis. We conducted experiments on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by challenging them with LPS and TMG to investigate the impact of O-GlcNAcylation on endothelial cell pyroptosis and implications of GSDMD. Additionally, we identified potential O-GlcNAcylation sites in GSDMD by utilizing four public O-GlcNAcylation site prediction database, and these sites were ultimately established through gene mutation. RESULTS: Septic mice with increased O-GlcNAc stimulation exhibited reduced endothelial injury, GSDMD cleavage (a marker of pyroptosis). O-GlcNAc modification of GSDMD mitigates LPS-induced pyroptosis in endothelial cells by preventing its interaction with caspase-11 (a human homologous of caspases-4/5). We also identified GSDMD Serine 338 (S338) as a novel site of O-GlcNAc modification, leading to decreased association with caspases-4 in HEK293T cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings identified a novel post-translational modification of GSDMD and elucidated the O-GlcNAcylation of GSDMD inhibits LPS-induced endothelial injury, suggesting that O-GlcNAc modification-based treatments could serve as potential interventions for sepsis-associated vascular endothelial injury.
Assuntos
Lipopolissacarídeos , Sepse , Animais , Humanos , Camundongos , Caspases/metabolismo , Gasderminas , Células HEK293 , Células Endoteliais da Veia Umbilical Humana/metabolismo , Lipopolissacarídeos/farmacologia , Proteínas de Ligação a Fosfato , PiroptoseRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Endothelial cells (ECs) play a critical role in angiogenesis and vascular remodeling. The heterogeneity of ECs has been reported at adult stages, yet it has not been fully investigated. This study aims to assess the transcriptional heterogeneity of developmental ECs at spatiotemporal level and to reveal the changes of embryonic ECs clustering when endothelium-enriched microRNA-126 (miR-126) was specifically knocked out. METHODS: C57BL/6J mice embryos at day 14.5 were harvested and digested, followed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting to enrich ECs. Then, single-cell RNA sequencing was applied to enriched embryonic ECs. Tie2 (Tek receptor tyrosine kinase)-cre-mediated ECs-specific miR-126 knockout mice were constructed, and ECs from Tie2-cre-mediated ECs-specific miR-126 knockout embryos were subjected to single-cell RNA sequencing. RESULTS: Embryonic ECs were clustered into 11 groups corresponding to anatomic characteristics. The vascular bed (arteries, capillaries, veins, lymphatics) exhibited transcriptomic similarity across the developmental stage. Embryonic ECs had higher proliferative potential than adult ECs. Integrating analysis showed that 3 ECs populations (hepatic, mesenchymal transition, and pulmonary ECs) were apparently disorganized after miR-126 being knocked out. Gene ontology analysis revealed that disrupted ECs were mainly related to hypoxia, glycometabolism, and vascular calcification. Additionally, in vivo experiment showed that Tie2-cre-mediated ECs-specific miR-126 knockout mice exhibited excessive intussusceptive angiogenesis; reductive glucose and pyruvate tolerance; and excessive accumulation of calcium. Agonist miR-126-3p agomir significantly rescued the phenotype of glucose metabolic dysfunction in Tie2-cre-mediated ECs-specific miR-126 knockout mice. CONCLUSIONS: The heterogeneity of ECs is established as early as the embryonic stage. The deficiency of miR-126 disrupts the differentiation and diversification of embryonic ECs, suggesting that miR-126 plays an essential role in the maintenance of ECs heterogeneity.
Assuntos
Células Endoteliais/citologia , Células Endoteliais/metabolismo , MicroRNAs/genética , Células-Tronco Embrionárias Murinas/citologia , Células-Tronco Embrionárias Murinas/metabolismo , Animais , Apoptose/genética , Hipóxia Celular/genética , Linhagem da Célula/genética , Plasticidade Celular/genética , Proliferação de Células/genética , Células Endoteliais/classificação , Perfilação da Expressão Gênica , Regulação da Expressão Gênica no Desenvolvimento , Idade Gestacional , Glucose/metabolismo , Fígado/irrigação sanguínea , Fígado/embriologia , Fígado/metabolismo , Redes e Vias Metabólicas/genética , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Camundongos Knockout , MicroRNAs/antagonistas & inibidores , MicroRNAs/metabolismo , Células-Tronco Embrionárias Murinas/classificação , Neovascularização Fisiológica/genética , Análise de Célula Única , Análise Espaço-Temporal , Calcificação Vascular/genética , Calcificação Vascular/metabolismo , Calcificação Vascular/patologiaRESUMO
It is of great clinical significance to develop potential novel strategies to prevent diabetic cardiovascular complications. Endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) dysfunction is a key contributor to diabetic vascular complications. In the present study we evaluated whether low-dose nifedipine could rescue impaired EPC-mediated angiogenesis and prevent cardiovascular complications in diabetic mice. Diabetes was induced in mice by five consecutive injections of streptozotocin (STZ, 60 mg·kg-1·d-1, i.p.). Diabetic mice were treated with low-dose nifedipine (1.5 mg·kg-1·d-1, i.g.) for six weeks. Then, circulating EPCs in the peripheral blood were quantified, and bone marrow-derived EPCs (BM-EPCs) were prepared. We showed that administration of low-dose nifedipine significantly increased circulating EPCs, improved BM-EPCs function, promoted angiogenesis, and reduced the cerebral ischemic injury in diabetic mice. Furthermore, we found that low-dose nifedipine significantly increased endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression and intracellular NO levels, and decreased the levels of intracellular O2.- and thrombospondin-1/2 (TSP-1/2, a potent angiogenesis inhibitor) in BM-EPCs of diabetic mice. In cultured BM-EPCs, co-treatment with nifedipine (0.1, 1 µM) dose-dependently protected against high-glucose-induced impairment of migration, and suppressed high-glucose-induced TSP-1 secretion and superoxide overproduction. In mice with middle cerebral artery occlusion, intravenous injection of diabetic BM-EPCs treated with nifedipine displayed a greater ability to promote local angiogenesis and reduce cerebral ischemic injury compared to injection of diabetic BM-EPCs treated with vehicle, and the donor-derived BM-EPCs homed to the recipient ischemic brain. In conclusion, low-dose nifedipine can enhance EPCs' angiogenic potential and protect against cerebral ischemic injury in diabetic mice. It is implied that chronic treatment with low-dose nifedipine may be a safe and economic manner to prevent ischemic diseases (including stroke) in diabetes.
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Diabetes Mellitus Experimental , Células Progenitoras Endoteliais , Camundongos , Animais , Células Progenitoras Endoteliais/metabolismo , Nifedipino/farmacologia , Nifedipino/uso terapêutico , Trombospondina 1/metabolismo , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/tratamento farmacológico , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/metabolismo , Isquemia/metabolismo , Neovascularização Fisiológica , Glucose/metabolismo , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Células CultivadasRESUMO
Metformin, a well-known AMPK agonist, has been widely used as the first-line drug for treating type 2 diabetes. There had been a significant concern regarding the use of metformin in people with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) due to its potential lactic acidosis side effect. Currently growing clinical and preclinical evidence indicates that metformin can lower the incidence of cardiovascular events in diabetic patients or even non-diabetic patients beyond its hypoglycaemic effects. The underlying mechanisms of cardiovascular benefits of metformin largely involve the cellular energy sensor, AMPK, of which activation corrects endothelial dysfunction, reduces oxidative stress and improves inflammatory response. In this minireview, we summarized the clinical evidence of metformin benefits in several widely studied cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, ischaemic/reperfusion injury and arrhythmia, both in patients with or without diabetes. Meanwhile, we highlighted the potential AMPK-dependent mechanisms in in vitro and/or in vivo models.
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Doenças Cardiovasculares , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2 , Metformina , Proteínas Quinases Ativadas por AMP , Doenças Cardiovasculares/tratamento farmacológico , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/complicações , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/tratamento farmacológico , Humanos , Hipoglicemiantes/farmacologia , Hipoglicemiantes/uso terapêutico , Metformina/farmacologia , Metformina/uso terapêuticoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Cardiac fibrosis is a lethal outcome of excessive formation of myofibroblasts that are scar-forming cells accumulated after heart injury. It has been reported that cardiac endothelial cells (ECs) contribute to a substantial portion of myofibroblasts through endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndoMT). Recent lineage tracing studies demonstrate that myofibroblasts are derived from the expansion of resident fibroblasts rather than from the transdifferentiation of ECs. However, it remains unknown whether ECs can transdifferentiate into myofibroblasts reversibly or EndoMT genes were just transiently activated in ECs during cardiac fibrosis. METHODS: By using the dual recombination technology based on Cre-loxP and Dre-rox, we generated a genetic lineage tracing system for tracking EndoMT in cardiac ECs. We used it to examine if there is transiently activated mesenchymal gene expression in ECs during cardiac fibrosis. Activation of the broadly used marker gene in myofibroblasts, αSMA (α-smooth muscle actin), and the transcription factor that induces epithelial to mesenchymal transition, Zeb1 (zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1), was examined. RESULTS: The genetic system enables continuous tracing of transcriptional activity of targeted genes in vivo. Our genetic fate mapping results revealed that a subset of cardiac ECs transiently expressed αSMA and Zeb1 during embryonic valve formation and transdifferentiated into mesenchymal cells through EndoMT. Nonetheless, they did not contribute to myofibroblasts, nor transiently expressed αSMA or Zeb1 after heart injury. Instead, expression of αSMA was activated in resident fibroblasts during cardiac fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Mesenchymal gene expression is activated in cardiac ECs through EndoMT in the developing heart, but ECs do not transdifferentiate into myofibroblasts, nor transiently express some known mesenchymal genes during homeostasis and fibrosis in the adult heart. Resident fibroblasts that are converted to myofibroblasts by activating mesenchymal gene expression are the major contributors to cardiac fibrosis.
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Células Endoteliais/metabolismo , Fibrose/genética , Expressão Gênica/genética , Miofibroblastos/metabolismo , Animais , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , CamundongosRESUMO
Chronic vascular inflammation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as essential inflammation regulators. We identify a novel lncRNA termed lncRNA-MAP3K4 that is enriched in the vessel wall and regulates vascular inflammation. In the aortic intima, lncRNA-MAP3K4 expression was reduced by 50% during the progression of atherosclerosis (chronic inflammation) and 70% during endotoxemia (acute inflammation). lncRNA-MAP3K4 knockdown reduced the expression of key inflammatory factors (eg, ICAM-1, E-selectin, MCP-1) in endothelial cells or vascular smooth muscle cells and decreased monocytes adhesion to endothelium, as well as reducing TNF-α, IL-1ß, COX2 expression in macrophages. Mechanistically, lncRNA-MAP3K4 regulates inflammation through the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. lncRNA-MAP3K4 shares a bidirectional promoter with MAP3K4, an upstream regulator of the MAPK signaling pathway, and regulates its transcription in cis. lncRNA-MAP3K4 and MAP3K4 show coordinated expression in response to inflammation in vivo and in vitro. Similar to lncRNA-MAP3K4, MAP3K4 knockdown reduced the expression of inflammatory factors in several different vascular cells. Furthermore, lncRNA-MAP3K4 and MAP3K4 knockdown showed cooperativity in reducing inflammation in endothelial cells. Collectively, these findings unveil the role of a novel lncRNA in vascular inflammation by cis-regulating MAP3K4 via a p38 MAPK pathway.
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Regulação da Expressão Gênica , MAP Quinase Quinase Quinase 4/metabolismo , Sistema de Sinalização das MAP Quinases , RNA Longo não Codificante/metabolismo , Vasculite/metabolismo , Proteínas Quinases p38 Ativadas por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Animais , Linhagem Celular , Inflamação/genética , Inflamação/metabolismo , Inflamação/patologia , MAP Quinase Quinase Quinase 4/genética , Camundongos , RNA Longo não Codificante/genética , Vasculite/genética , Vasculite/patologia , Proteínas Quinases p38 Ativadas por Mitógeno/genéticaRESUMO
ABSTRACT: High glucose-induced endothelial activation plays critical roles in the development of diabetic vascular complications. R-spondin 3 could inhibit inflammatory damage, and diabetic vascular inflammation is secondary to endothelial activation. In this article, we identify R-spondin 3 as a novel regulator of high glucose-induced endothelial activation. We found that the serum levels of R-spondin 3 were significantly reduced in type 2 diabetic patients and db/db mice. We observed that the increased expressions of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (endothelial activation makers) in high glucose-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cell lines (HUVECs) could be inhibited by overexpressing R-spondin 3 or human R-spondin 3 recombinant protein. Subsequently, high glucose-induced adhesion and migration of human myeloid leukemia mononuclear cells (THP-1 cells) to HUVECs were markedly suppressed by the overexpression of R-spondin 3 in HUVECs. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of R-spondin 3 on the expressions of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in high glucose-treated HUVECs could be blocked by knockdown of leucine-rich G protein-coupled receptor 4 (R-spondin 3 receptor) or the specific inhibitor of Wnt/ß-catenin pathway. Taken together, R-spondin 3 could suppress high glucose-induced endothelial activation through leucine-rich G protein-coupled receptor 4/Wnt/ß-catenin pathway.
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Quimiocina CCL2 , Peptídeos e Proteínas de Sinalização Intercelular/metabolismo , Via de Sinalização Wnt , beta Catenina , Animais , Molécula 1 de Adesão Celular , Glucose , Molécula 1 de Adesão Intercelular , Leucina , Camundongos , Receptores Acoplados a Proteínas G/genética , Receptores Acoplados a Proteínas G/metabolismo , Molécula 1 de Adesão de Célula Vascular , beta Catenina/metabolismoRESUMO
Angiogenesis is the process by which new blood vessels form from preexisting vessels and regulates the processes of embryonic development, wound healing and tumorigenesis. HMGA2 is involved in the occurrence of several cancers, but its biological role and the exact downstream genes involved in vascular development and sprouting angiogenesis remain largely unknown. Here, we first found that HMGA2 knockdown in zebrafish embryos resulted in defects of central artery formation. RNA sequencing revealed that IGFBP2 was significantly downregulated by interference with HMGA2, and IGFBP2 overexpression reversed the inhibition of brain vascular development caused by HMGA2 deficiency. In vitro, we further found that HMGA2 knockdown blocked the migration, tube formation and branching of HUVECs. Similarly, IGFBP2 protein overexpression attenuated the impairments induced by HMGA2 deficiency. Moreover, the promotion of angiogenesis by HMGA2 overexpression was verified in a Matrigel plug assay. We next found that HMGA2 bound directly to a region in the IGFBP2 promoter and positively regulated IGFBP2 expression. Interestingly, the mRNA expression levels of HMGA2 and IGFBP2 were increased significantly in the peripheral blood of hemangioma patients, indicating that overexpression of HMGA2 and IGFBP2 results in vessel formation, consistent with the results of the in vivo and in vitro experiments. In summary, our findings demonstrate that HMGA2 promotes central artery formation by modulating angiogenesis via IGFBP2 induction.
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Proteína HMGA2/metabolismo , Proteína 2 de Ligação a Fator de Crescimento Semelhante à Insulina/metabolismo , Morfogênese/fisiologia , Neovascularização Patológica/metabolismo , Animais , Carcinogênese/metabolismo , Desenvolvimento Embrionário/fisiologia , Células Endoteliais da Veia Umbilical Humana/metabolismo , Humanos , Proteína 2 de Ligação a Fator de Crescimento Semelhante à Insulina/genética , Neoplasias/metabolismo , Neovascularização Fisiológica/genética , Neovascularização Fisiológica/fisiologia , Peixe-Zebra/genética , Peixe-Zebra/metabolismoRESUMO
This study aimed to determine the mechanism of isogeneic-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) homing to vascular transplants and their therapeutic effect on chronic allogeneic vasculopathy. We found that integrin ß1 (Intgß1) was the dominant integrin ß unit in iPSCs that mediates the adhesion of circulatory and endothelial cells (ECs). Intgß1 knockout or Intgß1-siRNAs inhibit iPSC adhesion and migration across activated endothelial monolayers. The therapeutic effects of the following were examined: iPSCs, Intgß1-knockout iPSCs, iPSCs transfected with Intgß1-siRNAs or nontargeting siRNAs, iPSC-derived ECs, iPSC-derived ECs simultaneously overexpressing Intgα4 and Intgß1, iPSCs precultured in endothelial medium for 3 days (endothelial-prone stem cells), primary aortic ECs, mouse embryonic fibroblasts, and phosphate-buffered saline (control). The cells were administered every 3 days for a period of 8 weeks. iPSCs, iPSCs transfected with nontargeting siRNAs, and endothelial-prone stem cells selectively homed on the luminal surface of the allografts, differentiated into ECs, and decreased neointimal proliferation. Through a single administration, we found that iPSCs trafficked to allograft lesions, differentiated into ECs within 1 week, and survived for 4-8 weeks. The therapeutic effect of a single administration was moderate. Thus, Intgß1 and pluripotency are essential for iPSCs to treat allogeneic vasculopathy.
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Transplante de Células-Tronco Hematopoéticas , Células-Tronco Pluripotentes Induzidas , Animais , Diferenciação Celular , Células Endoteliais , Fibroblastos , Integrina beta1 , CamundongosRESUMO
Multiple organ perfusion is impaired in sepsis. Clinical studies suggest that persistent perfusion disturbances are prognostic of fatal outcome in sepsis. Pyroptosis occurs upon activation of caspases and their subsequent cleavage of gasdermin D (Gsdmd), resulting in Gsdmd-N (activated NH2-terminal fragment of Gsdmd) that form membrane pores to induce cell death in sepsis. In addition, Gsdmd-/- mice are protected from a lethal dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). However, how Gsdmd-mediated pyroptosis occurs in endothelial cells and leads to impaired perfusion remain unexplored in endotoxemia. We used transgenic mice with ablation of Gsdmd and determined that mice lacking Gsdmd exhibited reduced breakdown of endothelial barrier, improved organ perfusion, as well as increased survival in endotoxemia. Phospholipase Cγ1 (PLCγ1) contributed to Gsdmd-mediated endothelial pyroptosis in a calcium-dependent fashion, without affecting Gsdmd-N production. Cytosolic calcium signaling promoted Gsdmd-N translocation to the plasma membrane, enhancing endothelial pyroptosis induced by LPS. We used adeno-associated virus (AAV9) vectors carrying a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) against murine PLCγ1 mRNA under control of the tie1 core promoter (AAV-tie1-sh-PLCγ1) to uniquely downregulate PLCγ1 expression in the endothelial cells. Here, we showed that unique inhibition of endothelial PLCγ1 attenuated breakdown of endothelial barrier, reduced vascular leakage, and improved perfusion disturbances. Moreover, unique downregulate endothelial PLCγ1 expression markedly decreased mortality of mice in endotoxemia. Thus, we establish that endothelial injury as an important trigger of fatal outcome in endotoxemia. Additionally, these findings suggest that interfering with Gsdmd and PLCγ1-calcium pathway may represent a new treatment strategy for critically ill patients sustaining endotoxemia.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our study newly reveals that Phospholipase Cγ1 (PLCγ1) contributes to gasdermin D (Gsdmd)-mediated endothelial pyroptosis in a calcium-dependent fashion. Cytosolic calcium signaling promotes activated NH2-terminal fragment of Gsdmd (Gsdmd-N) to translocate to the plasma membrane, enhancing endothelial pyroptosis induced by cytoplasmic LPS. Genetic or pharmacologic inhibition of endothelial PLCγ1 attenuated breakdown of endothelial barrier, reduced vascular leakage, improve perfusion disturbances, and decrease mortality of mice in endotoxemia.
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Sinalização do Cálcio , Cálcio/metabolismo , Membrana Celular/enzimologia , Células Endoteliais/enzimologia , Endotoxemia/enzimologia , Peptídeos e Proteínas de Sinalização Intracelular/metabolismo , Proteínas de Ligação a Fosfato/metabolismo , Fosfolipase C gama/metabolismo , Piroptose , Animais , Permeabilidade Capilar , Membrana Celular/patologia , Células Cultivadas , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Células Endoteliais/patologia , Endotoxemia/induzido quimicamente , Endotoxemia/genética , Endotoxemia/patologia , Feminino , Células Endoteliais da Veia Umbilical Humana/enzimologia , Células Endoteliais da Veia Umbilical Humana/patologia , Humanos , Peptídeos e Proteínas de Sinalização Intracelular/deficiência , Peptídeos e Proteínas de Sinalização Intracelular/genética , Lipopolissacarídeos , Masculino , Camundongos Knockout , Proteínas de Ligação a Fosfato/deficiência , Proteínas de Ligação a Fosfato/genética , Transporte ProteicoRESUMO
Endothelial cells injury and pro-inflammation cytokines release are the initial steps of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy)-associated vascular inflammation. Pyroptosis is a newly identified pro-inflammation form of programmed cell death, causing cell lysis and IL-1ß release, and characterized by the caspases-induced cleavage of its effector molecule gasdermins (GSDMs). However, the effect of homocysteine (Hcy) on endothelial cells pyroptosis and the underlying mechanisms have not been fully defined. We have previously reported that Hcy induces vascular endothelial inflammation accompanied by the increase of high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1) and lysosomal cysteine protease cathepsin V in endothelial cells, and other studies have shown that HMGB1 or cathepsins are involved in activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and caspase-1. Here, we investigated the role of HMGB1 and cathepsin V in the process of Hcy-induced pyroptosis. We observed an increase in plasma IL-1ß levels in HHcy patients and mice models, cathepsin V inhibitor reduced the plasma IL-1ß levels and cleavage of GSDMD full-length into GSDMD N-terminal in the thoracic aorta of hyperhomocysteinemia mice. Using cultured HUVECs, we observed that Hcy promoted GSDMD N-terminal expression, silencing GSDMD or HMGB1 rescued Hcy-induced pyroptosis. HMGB1 also increased GSDMD N-terminal expression, and silencing cathepsin V reversed HMGB1-induced pyroptosis. HMGB1 could increase lysosome permeability, and silencing cathepsin V attenuated HMGB1-induced activation of caspase-1. In conclusion, this study has delineated a novel mechanism that HMGB1 mediated Hcy-induced endothelial cells pyroptosis partly via cathepsin V-dependent pathway.
Assuntos
Catepsinas/fisiologia , Cisteína Endopeptidases/fisiologia , Endotélio Vascular/citologia , Proteína HMGB1/fisiologia , Homocisteína/fisiologia , Piroptose , Idoso , Animais , Caspase 1/metabolismo , Linhagem Celular , Feminino , Células Endoteliais da Veia Umbilical Humana/citologia , Células Endoteliais da Veia Umbilical Humana/metabolismo , Humanos , Hiper-Homocisteinemia/sangue , Hiper-Homocisteinemia/metabolismo , Interleucina-1beta/sangue , Peptídeos e Proteínas de Sinalização Intracelular/metabolismo , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Proteínas de Ligação a Fosfato/metabolismo , Artérias Torácicas/metabolismoRESUMO
The dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor vildagliptin (VLD), a widely used anti-diabetic drug, exerts favourable effects on vascular endothelium in diabetes. We determined for the first time the improving effects of VLD on mitochondrial dysfunction in diabetic mice and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) cultured under hyperglycaemic conditions, and further explored the mechanism behind the anti-diabetic activity. Mitochondrial ROS (mtROS) production was detected by fluorescent microscope and flow cytometry. Mitochondrial DNA damage and ATP synthesis were analysed by real time PCR and ATPlite assay, respectively. Mitochondrial network stained with MitoTracker Red to identify mitochondrial fragmentation was visualized under confocal microscopy. The expression levels of dynamin-related proteins (Drp1 and Fis1) were determined by immunoblotting. We found that VLD significantly reduced mtROS production and mitochondrial DNA damage, but enhanced ATP synthesis in endothelium under diabetic conditions. Moreover, VLD reduced the expression of Drp1 and Fis1, blocked Drp1 translocation into mitochondria, and blunted mitochondrial fragmentation induced by hyperglycaemia. As a result, mitochondrial dysfunction was alleviated and mitochondrial morphology was restored by VLD. Additionally, VLD promoted the phosphorylation of AMPK and its target acetyl-CoA carboxylase in the setting of high glucose, and AMPK activation led to a decreased expression and activation of Drp1. In conclusion, VLD improves endothelial mitochondrial dysfunction in diabetes, possibly through inhibiting Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission in an AMPK-dependent manner.
Assuntos
Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/tratamento farmacológico , Hipoglicemiantes/farmacologia , Mitocôndrias/efeitos dos fármacos , Dinâmica Mitocondrial/efeitos dos fármacos , Vildagliptina/farmacologia , Proteínas Quinases Ativadas por AMP/genética , Proteínas Quinases Ativadas por AMP/metabolismo , Acetil-CoA Carboxilase/genética , Acetil-CoA Carboxilase/metabolismo , Animais , DNA Mitocondrial/genética , DNA Mitocondrial/metabolismo , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/genética , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/metabolismo , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/patologia , Dinaminas/antagonistas & inibidores , Dinaminas/genética , Dinaminas/metabolismo , Endotélio Vascular/efeitos dos fármacos , Endotélio Vascular/metabolismo , Endotélio Vascular/patologia , Regulação da Expressão Gênica , Glucose/antagonistas & inibidores , Glucose/metabolismo , Glucose/farmacologia , Células Endoteliais da Veia Umbilical Humana/citologia , Células Endoteliais da Veia Umbilical Humana/efeitos dos fármacos , Células Endoteliais da Veia Umbilical Humana/metabolismo , Humanos , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Camundongos Transgênicos , Mitocôndrias/metabolismo , Mitocôndrias/patologia , Proteínas Mitocondriais/antagonistas & inibidores , Proteínas Mitocondriais/genética , Proteínas Mitocondriais/metabolismo , Fosforilação/efeitos dos fármacos , Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio/antagonistas & inibidores , Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio/metabolismo , Transdução de SinaisRESUMO
It is well-established that homocysteine (Hcy) is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis. Hcy can promote vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation, it plays a key role in neointimal formation and thus contribute to arteriosclerosis. However, the molecular mechanism on VSMCs proliferation underlying atherosclerosis is not well elucidated. Mitofusin-2 (MFN2) is an important transmembrane GTPase in the mitochondrial outer membrane and it can block cells in the G0/G1 stage of the cell cycle. To investigate the contribution of aberrant MFN2 transcription in Hcy-induced VSMCs proliferation and the underlying mechanisms. Cell cycle analysis revealed a decreased proportion of VSMCs in G0/G1 and an increased proportion in S phase in atherosclerotic plaque of APOE-/- mice with hyperhomocystinaemia (HHcy) as well as in VSMCs exposed to Hcy in vitro. The DNA methylation level of MFN2 promoter was obviously increased in VSMCs treated with Hcy, leading to suppressed promoter activity and low expression of MFN2. In addition, we found that the expression of c-Myc was increased in atherosclerotic plaque and VSMCs treated with Hcy. Further study showed that c-Myc indirectly regulates MFN2 expression is duo to the binding of c-Myc to DNMT1 promoter up-regulates DNMT1 expression leading to DNA hypermethylation of MFN2 promoter, thereby inhibits MFN2 expression in VSMCs treated with Hcy. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that Hcy-induced hypermethylation of MFN2 promoter inhibits the transcription of MFN2, leading to VSMCs proliferation in plaque formation, and the increased binding of c-Myc to DNMT1 promoter is a new and relevant molecular mechanism.
Assuntos
Aterosclerose/genética , DNA (Citosina-5-)-Metiltransferase 1/metabolismo , GTP Fosfo-Hidrolases/genética , Homocisteína/farmacologia , Músculo Liso Vascular/patologia , Miócitos de Músculo Liso/patologia , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-myc/metabolismo , Transcrição Gênica , Animais , Aterosclerose/patologia , Sequência de Bases , Proliferação de Células/efeitos dos fármacos , GTP Fosfo-Hidrolases/metabolismo , Regulação da Expressão Gênica/efeitos dos fármacos , Humanos , Masculino , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Modelos Biológicos , Miócitos de Músculo Liso/efeitos dos fármacos , Miócitos de Músculo Liso/metabolismo , Placa Aterosclerótica/patologia , Regiões Promotoras Genéticas/genética , Ligação Proteica/efeitos dos fármacos , Transcrição Gênica/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
Endothelial inflammation plays an important role in hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy)-associated vascular diseases. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a pro-inflammatory danger molecule produced by endothelial cells. However, whether HMGB1 is involved in vascular endothelial inflammation of HHcy is poorly understood. Neuropilin-1 (NRP1) mediates inflammatory response and activates mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) pathway that has been reported to be involved in regulation of HMGB1. The aim of this study was to determine the alteration of HMGB1 in HHcy, and the role of NRP1 in regulation of endothelial HMGB1 under high homocysteine (Hcy) condition. In the present study, we first observed that the plasma level of HMGB1 was elevated in HHcy patients and an experimental rat model, and increased HMGB1 was also observed in the thoracic aorta of an HHcy rat model. HMGB1 was induced by Hcy accompanied with upregulated NRP1 in vascular endothelial cells. Overexpression of NRP1 promoted expression and secretion of HMGB1 and endothelial inflammation; knockdown of NRP1 inhibited HMGB1 and endothelial inflammation induced by Hcy, which partially regulated through p38 MAPK pathway. Furthermore, NRP1 inhibitor ATWLPPR reduced plasma HMGB1 level and expression of HMGB1 in the thoracic aorta of HHcy rats. In conclusion, our data suggested that Hcy requires NRP1 to regulate expression and secretion of HMGB1. The present study provides the evidence for inhibition of NRP1 and HMGB1 to be the novel therapeutic targets of vascular endothelial inflammation in HHcy in the future. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study shows for the first time to our knowledge that the plasma level of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is elevated in hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) patients, and homocysteine promotes expression and secretion of HMGB1 partially regulated by neuropilin-1 in endothelial cells, which is involved in endothelial inflammation. Most importantly, these new findings will provide a potential therapeutic strategy for vascular endothelial inflammation in HHcy.
Assuntos
Proteína HMGB1/metabolismo , Homocisteína/sangue , Células Endoteliais da Veia Umbilical Humana/metabolismo , Hiper-Homocisteinemia/metabolismo , Mediadores da Inflamação/metabolismo , Inflamação/metabolismo , Neuropilina-1/metabolismo , Adulto , Animais , Biomarcadores/sangue , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Técnicas de Cocultura , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Feminino , Humanos , Hiper-Homocisteinemia/sangue , Hiper-Homocisteinemia/genética , Inflamação/sangue , Inflamação/genética , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Neuropilina-1/genética , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , Transdução de Sinais , Células THP-1 , Regulação para Cima , Proteínas Quinases p38 Ativadas por Mitógeno/metabolismoRESUMO
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an increasingly prevalent liver pathology characterized by hepatic steatosis and commonly accompanied by systematic inflammation and metabolic disorder. Despite an accumulating number of studies, no pharmacological strategy is available to treat this condition in the clinic. In this study, we applied extensive gain- and loss-of-function approaches to identify the key immune factor leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor B4 (LILRB4) as a negative regulator of NAFLD. The hepatocyte-specific knockout of LILRB4 (LILRB4-HKO) exacerbated high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance, glucose metabolic imbalance, hepatic lipid accumulation, and systematic inflammation in mice, whereas LILRB4 overexpression in hepatocytes showed a completely opposite phenotype relative to that of LILRB4-HKO mice when compared with their corresponding controls. Further investigations of molecular mechanisms demonstrated that LILRB4 recruits SHP1 to inhibit TRAF6 ubiquitination and subsequent inactivation of nuclear factor kappa B and mitogen-activated protein kinase cascades. From a therapeutic perspective, the overexpression of LILRB4 in a genetic model of NAFLD, ob/ob mice, largely reversed the inherent hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and metabolic disorder. CONCLUSION: Targeting hepatic LILRB4 to improve its expression or activation represents a promising strategy for the treatment of NAFLD as well as related liver and metabolic diseases. (Hepatology 2018;67:1303-1319).
Assuntos
Hepatócitos/metabolismo , Glicoproteínas de Membrana/metabolismo , Hepatopatia Gordurosa não Alcoólica/metabolismo , Proteína Tirosina Fosfatase não Receptora Tipo 6/metabolismo , Receptores Imunológicos/metabolismo , Fator 6 Associado a Receptor de TNF/metabolismo , Animais , Western Blotting , Técnicas de Cultura de Células , Imunofluorescência , Regulação da Expressão Gênica , Teste de Tolerância a Glucose/métodos , Hepatócitos/patologia , Humanos , Resistência à Insulina , Fígado/patologia , Camundongos , Camundongos Knockout , Hepatopatia Gordurosa não Alcoólica/patologia , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase em Tempo Real , Transdução de SinaisRESUMO
Ischemic heart diseases (IHDs) cause great morbidity and mortality worldwide, necessitating effective treatment. Salvianic acid A sodium (SAAS) is an active compound derived from the well-known herbal medicine Danshen, which has been widely used for clinical treatment of cardiovascular diseases in China. This study aimed to confirm the cardioprotective effects of SAAS in rats with myocardial infarction and to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms based on proteome and transcriptome profiling of myocardial tissue. The results showed that SAAS effectively protected against myocardial injury and improved cardiac function. The differentially expressed proteins and genes included important structural molecules, receptors, transcription factors, and cofactors. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that SAAS participated in the regulation of actin cytoskeleton, phagosome, focal adhesion, tight junction, apoptosis, MAPK signaling, and Wnt signaling pathways, which are closely related to cardiovascular diseases. SAAS may exert its cardioprotective effect by targeting multiple pathways at both the proteome and transcriptome levels. This study has provided not only new insights into the pathogenesis of myocardial infarction but also a road map of the cardioprotective molecular mechanisms of SAAS, which may provide pharmacological evidence to aid in its clinical application.
Assuntos
Cardiotônicos/uso terapêutico , Lactatos/uso terapêutico , Infarto do Miocárdio/tratamento farmacológico , Proteoma/metabolismo , Transcriptoma/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Biomarcadores/sangue , Biomarcadores/metabolismo , Perfilação da Expressão Gênica , Coração/efeitos dos fármacos , Masculino , Miocárdio/patologia , Mapeamento de Interação de Proteínas , Proteômica , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , Transdução de Sinais/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
AIMS: Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2 (S1PR2) is a G-protein-coupled receptor that regulates sphingosine-1-phosphate-triggered cellular response. However, the role of S1PR2 in diabetes-induced glomerular endothelial cell dysfunction remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the effect of S1PR2 blockade on the morphology and function of mitochondria in human renal glomerular endothelial cells (HRGECs). METHODS: HRGECs were pretreated with a S1PR2 antagonist (JTE-013) or a Rho-associated coiled coil-containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK1) inhibitor (Y27632) for 30 min and then cultured with normal glucose (5.5 mM) or high glucose (30 mM) for 72 h. The protein expression levels of RhoA, ROCK1, and Dynmin-related protein-1(Drp1) were evaluated by immunoblotting; mitochondrial morphology was observed by electron microscopy; intracellular levels of ATP, ROS, and Ca2+ were measured by ATPlite, DCF-DA, and Rhod-2 AM assays, respectively. Additionally, the permeability, apoptosis, and migration of cells were determined to evaluate the effects of S1PR2 and ROCK1 inhibition on high glucose-induced endothelial dysfunction. RESULTS: High glucose induced mitochondrial fission and dysfunction, indicated by increased mitochondrial fragmentation, ROS generation, and calcium overload but decreased ATP production. High glucose also induced endothelial cell dysfunction, indicated by increased permeability and apoptosis but decreased migration. However, inhibition of either S1PR2 or ROCK1 almost completely blocked these high glucose-mediated cellular responses. Furthermore, inhibiting S1PR2 resulted in the deceased expression of RhoA, ROCK1, and Drp1 while inhibiting ROCK1 led to the downregulated expression of Drp1. CONCLUSIONS: S1PR2 antagonist modulates the morphology and function of mitochondria in HRGECs via the positive regulation of the RhoA/ROCK1/Drp1 signaling pathway, suggesting that the S1PR2/ROCK1 pathway may play a crucial role in high glucose milieu.