scholarly journals Smooth Muscle Overexpression of PGC1α Attenuates Atherosclerosis in Rabbits

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhe Wei ◽  
Hoshun Chong ◽  
Qixia Jiang ◽  
Yuhang Tang ◽  
Jinhong Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Plasma Cholesterol ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Phenotypic Switching ◽  
Marker Genes ◽  
High Cholesterol Diet ◽  
Contractile Phenotype ◽  
Promising Therapeutic Approach

Rationale: Targeting vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotypic switching is a promising therapeutic approach for atherosclerosis (AS). Dysregulation of PGC1α, a key regulator of cellular energy metabolism, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of AS, yet its role in AS remains controversial. Objective: The current study aimed to determine whether and how PGC1α in VSMCs regulates AS progression. Methods and Results: We generated transgenic (Tg) rabbits with SMC-specific PGC1α overexpression and showed that these rabbits developed significantly less aortic AS than their non-Tg littermates after high-cholesterol diet (HCD) feeding, while total plasma cholesterol levels were similar. As indicated by the restored expression of VSMC differentiation marker genes, the HCD-induced phenotypic switching in the aortic media was largely reversed in Tg rabbits, accompanied by decreased levels of synthetic phenotype genes, proinflammatory cytokines, adhesion molecules, macrophage infiltration, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and senescence. Ex vivo studies further showed that VSMC-specific PGC1α overexpression markedly suppressed the promotive effect of HCD feeding on the association of serum response factor (SRF) with ELK1, a ternary complex factor (TCF) that acts as a myogenic repressor in VSMCs, thereby preserving the VSMC contractile phenotype. Furthermore, knockdown of PGC1α remarkably increased extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2-ELK-1 signaling, which promoted phenotypic switching and proliferation of cultured rabbit VSMCs. In addition, we showed that PGC1α can regulate EGFR-ERK1/2 MAP kinase signaling via modulating PPARγ activity in RVSMCs. Finally, we showed that these beneficial results of SMC-specific PGC1α overexpression can be extrapolated from rabbits to human VSMCs and clinical settings. Conclusions: We demonstrated a critical role of PGC1α in maintaining the contractile phenotype of VSMCs and highlighted the therapeutic potential of PGC1α for AS.

2007 Russell Ross Memorial Lectureship in Vascular Biology—Epigenetic Control of Vascular Smooth Muscle Differentiation in Development and Disease

Circulation ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 116 (suppl_16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary K. Owens
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Vascular Injury ◽  
Serum Response Factor ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Conditional Knockout ◽  
Phenotypic Switching ◽  
Marker Genes ◽  
List Type ◽  
Response Factor ◽  
Serum Response

There is clear evidence that alterations in the differentiated state of the smooth muscle cell (SMC) play a key role in the pathogenesis of a number of major human diseases, including atherosclerosis and postan-gioplasty restenosis. This process is referred to as “phenotypic switching” and likely evolved to promote repair of vascular injury. However, the mechanisms controlling phenotypic switching as well as normal differentiation of SMCs in vivo are poorly understood. This talk will provide an overview of molecular mechanisms that control differentiation of SMCs during vascular development. A particular focus will be to consider the role of CArG elements found within the promoters of many SMC differentiation marker genes, as well as regulation of their activity by serum response factor and the potent SMC-selective serum response factor coactivator myocardin. In addition, I will summarize recent work in our laboratory showing that SMC- and gene-locus–selective changes in chromatin structure play a critical role both in normal control of SMC differentiation and in phenotypic switching in response to vascular injury. Finally, I will present evidence based on conditional knockout experiments in mice showing that krupple-like factor 4 is induced in SMCs after vascular injury and regulates SMC phenotypic switching and growth through: binding to G/C repressor elements located in close proximity of CArG elements within the promoters of many SMC marker genes, suppressing expression of myocardin, and inducing epigenetic modifications of SMC marker gene loci associated with chromatin condensation and transcriptional silencing. Supported by NIH grants P01 HL19242, R37 HL57353, and R01 HL 38854.

scholarly journals Development of Novel Indole-Based Bifunctional Aldose Reductase Inhibitors/Antioxidants as Promising Drugs for the Treatment of Diabetic Complications

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 2867
Author(s):  
Lucia Kovacikova ◽  
Marta Soltesova Prnova ◽  
Magdalena Majekova ◽  
Andrej Bohac ◽  
Cimen Karasu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aldose Reductase ◽  
Diabetic Complications ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Aldose Reductase Inhibitors ◽  
Reductase Inhibitors ◽  
Promising Therapeutic Approach

Aldose reductase (AR, ALR2), the first enzyme of the polyol pathway, is implicated in the pathophysiology of diabetic complications. Aldose reductase inhibitors (ARIs) thus present a promising therapeutic approach to treat a wide array of diabetic complications. Moreover, a therapeutic potential of ARIs in the treatment of chronic inflammation-related pathologies and several genetic metabolic disorders has been recently indicated. Substituted indoles are an interesting group of compounds with a plethora of biological activities. This article reviews a series of indole-based bifunctional aldose reductase inhibitors/antioxidants (ARIs/AOs) developed during recent years. Experimental results obtained in in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models of diabetic complications are presented. Structure–activity relationships with respect to carboxymethyl pharmacophore regioisomerization and core scaffold modification are discussed along with the criteria of ‘drug-likeness”. Novel promising structures of putative multifunctional ARIs/AOs are designed.

scholarly journals Krüppel-like factor 4, Elk-1, and histone deacetylases cooperatively suppress smooth muscle cell differentiation markers in response to oxidized phospholipids

2008 ◽  
Vol 295 (5) ◽  
pp. C1175-C1182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tadashi Yoshida ◽  
Qiong Gan ◽  
Gary K. Owens
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Histone Deacetylases ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Phenotypic Switching ◽  
Marker Genes ◽  
Physical Interaction ◽  
Oxidized Phospholipids ◽  
Differentiation Markers ◽  
Differentiation Marker

Phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs), such as increased proliferation, enhanced migration, and downregulation of SMC differentiation marker genes, is known to play a key role in the development of atherosclerosis. However, the factors and mechanisms controlling this process are not fully understood. We recently showed that oxidized phospholipids, including 1-palmitoyl-2-(5-oxovaleroyl)- sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POVPC), which accumulate in atherosclerotic lesions, are potent repressors of expression of SMC differentiation marker genes in cultured SMCs as well as in rat carotid arteries in vivo. Here, we examined the molecular mechanisms whereby POVPC induces suppression of SMC differentiation marker genes in cultured SMCs. Results showed that POVPC induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Elk-1. The MEK inhibitors U-0126 and PD-98059 attenuated POVPC-induced suppression of smooth muscle ( SM) α-actin and SM-myosin heavy chain. POVPC also induced expression of Krüppel-like factor 4 (Klf4). Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that POVPC caused simultaneous binding of Elk-1 and Klf4 to the promoter region of the SM α-actin gene. Moreover, coimmunoprecipitation assays showed a physical interaction between Elk-1 and Klf4. Results in Klf4-null SMCs showed that blockade of both Klf4 induction and Elk-1 phosphorylation completely abolished POVPC-induced suppression of SMC differentiation marker genes. POVPC-induced suppression of SMC differentiation marker genes was also accompanied by hypoacetylation of histone H4 at the SM α-actin promoter, which was mediated by the recruitment of histone deacetylases (HDACs), HDAC2 and HDAC5. Coimmunoprecipitation assays showed that Klf4 interacted with HDAC5. Results provide evidence that Klf4, Elk-1, and HDACs coordinately mediate POVPC-induced suppression of SMC differentiation marker genes.

Abstract 149: Pluripotency Factors Krüppel-Like Factor 4 and Octamer-binding Transcription Factor 4 Alter Indices of Plaque Stability in Long Term Western Diet Fed Mice by Regulating Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotypes

2013 ◽  
Vol 33 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura S Shankman ◽  
Olga A Cherepanova ◽  
Delphine Gomez ◽  
Gary K Owens
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Foam Cell ◽  
Lineage Tracing ◽  
Phenotypic Switching ◽  
Marker Genes ◽  
Plaque Stability ◽  
Pluripotency Factors ◽  
Fibrous Cap ◽  
Atherosclerotic Lesions ◽  
Life Threatening

The bulk of life threatening thrombotic events have been associated with disruption of the fibrous cap, an atheroprotective layer of smooth muscle α-actin positive (ACTA2+) cells that form around the plaque, and the presence of a large foam cell-laden necrotic core within the plaque. Despite the overwhelming research demonstrating that ACTA2+ cells are beneficial for plaque stability, and cells positive for macrophage-markers are detrimental, there are major ambiguities regarding the origins of these cells, and their role in lesion stability. To clearly define the contribution of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) within atherosclerotic lesions, we generated SMC specific lineage tracing Apoe-/- mice containing a SM myosin heavy chain ( Myh11 ) tamoxifen-inducible cre-recombinase gene and a floxed STOP ROSA eYFP gene ( Myh11 YFP ApoE-/- mice) thus allowing activation of eYFP exclusively in fully differentiated SMCs before the onset of atherosclerosis and subsequent determination of the fate of these cells and their progeny irrespective of continued expression of MYH11 or other SMC marker genes. Remarkably, our results reveal that 86% of SMCs cannot be identified using traditional SMC markers, such as ACTA2, and 23% of presumed macrophages (LGALS3+ cells) are derived from SMC origins. The last finding was confirmed in human coronary atheromas using the ISH-PLA approach. SMC specific knockout (KO) of the pluripotency factor Klf4 in Myh11 YFP ApoE-/- mice did not alter the frequency of phenotypically modulated (ACTA2-eYFP+) SMCs within atherosclerotic lesions of mice fed a high fat diet for 18 weeks, however, decreased the number of ACTA2-eYFP+ SMCs that expressed LGALS3, and increased several indices of plaque stability, suggesting a detrimental role for KLF4 in SMCs within atherosclerotic lesions. Conversely, SMC specific Oct4 KO resulted in a dramatic reduction in the number of ACTA2-eYFP+ SMCs within the lesion with marked decreases in indices of plaque stability. In summary results show that the majority of SMC-derived cells within advanced atherosclerotic lesions cannot be identified using conventional SMC marker genes, and that phenotypic switching of SMC during atherogenesis is differentially regulated by the pluripotency factors KLF4 and OCT4.

scholarly journals Multiple repressor pathways contribute to phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells

2007 ◽  
Vol 292 (1) ◽  
pp. C59-C69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keiko Kawai-Kowase ◽  
Gary K. Owens
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Platelet Derived Growth Factor ◽  
Phenotypic Switching ◽  
Marker Genes ◽  
Environmental Cues ◽  
Selective Marker ◽  
Current State ◽  
Active Repressor

Smooth muscle cell (SMC) differentiation is an essential component of vascular development and these cells perform biosynthetic, proliferative, and contractile roles in the vessel wall. SMCs are not terminally differentiated and possess the ability to modulate their phenotype in response to changing local environmental cues. The focus of this review is to provide an overview of the current state of knowledge of molecular mechanisms involved in controlling phenotypic switching of SMC with particular focus on examination of processes that contribute to the repression of SMC marker genes. We discuss the environmental cues which actively regulate SMC phenotypic switching, such as platelet-derived growth factor-BB, as well as several important regulatory mechanisms required for suppressing expression of SMC-specific/selective marker genes in vivo, including those dependent on conserved G/C-repressive elements, and/or highly conserved degenerate CArG elements found in the promoters of many of these marker genes. Finally, we present evidence indicating that SMC phenotypic switching involves multiple active repressor pathways, including Krüppel-like zinc finger type 4, HERP, and ERK-dependent phosphorylation of Elk-1 that act in a complementary fashion.

scholarly journals Progranulin deficiency exacerbates spinal cord injury by promoting neuroinflammation and cell apoptosis in mice

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao Wang ◽  
Lu Zhang ◽  
Jean De La Croix Ndong ◽  
Aubryanna Hettinghouse ◽  
Guodong Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Western Blotting ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Neurological Recovery ◽  
Post Injury ◽  
Nissl Staining ◽  
Promising Therapeutic Approach ◽  
Cord Injury

Abstract Purpose Spinal cord injury (SCI) often results in significant and catastrophic dysfunction and disability and imposes a huge economic burden on society. This study aimed to determine whether progranulin (PGRN) plays a role in the progressive damage following SCI and evaluate the potential for development of a PGRN derivative as a new therapeutic target in SCI. Methods PGRN-deficient (Gr−/−) and wild-type (WT) littermate mice were subjected to SCI using a weight-drop technique. Local PGRN expression following injury was evaluated by Western blotting and immunofluorescence. Basso Mouse Scale (BMS), inclined grid walking test, and inclined plane test were conducted at indicated time points to assess neurological recovery. Inflammation and apoptosis were examined by histology (Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining and Nissl staining, TUNEL assays, and immunofluorescence), Western blotting (from whole tissue protein for iNOS/p-p65/Bax/Bcl-2), and ex vivo ELISA (for TNFα/IL-1β/IL-6/IL-10). To identify the prophylactic and therapeutic potential of targeting PGRN, a PGRN derived small protein, Atsttrin, was conjugated to PLGA-PEG-PLGA thermosensitive hydrogel and injected into intrathecal space prior to SCI. BMS was recorded for neurological recovery and Western blotting was applied to detect the inflammatory and apoptotic proteins. Results After SCI, PGRN was highly expressed in activated macrophage/microglia and peaked at day 7 post-injury. Grn−/− mice showed a delayed neurological recovery after SCI at day 21, 28, 35, and 42 post-injury relative to WT controls. Histology, TUNEL assay, immunofluorescence, Western blotting, and ELISA all indicated that Grn−/− mice manifested uncontrolled and expanded inflammation and apoptosis. Administration of control-released Atsttrin could improve the neurological recovery and the pro-inflammatory/pro-apoptotic effect of PGRN deficiency. Conclusion PGRN deficiency exacerbates SCI by promoting neuroinflammation and cellular apoptosis, which can be alleviated by Atsttrin. Collectively, our data provide novel evidence of using PGRN derivatives as a promising therapeutic approach to improve the functional recovery for patients with spinal cord injury.

The effects of repeated allergen challenge on airway smooth muscle structural and molecular remodeling in a rat model of allergic asthma

2009 ◽  
Vol 297 (4) ◽  
pp. L698-L705 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabelle Labonté ◽  
Muhannad Hassan ◽  
Paul-André Risse ◽  
Kimitake Tsuchiya ◽  
Michel Laviolette ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Airway Smooth Muscle ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Mrna Level ◽  
Allergen Challenge ◽  
Airway Responsiveness ◽  
Brown Norway ◽  
Contractile Phenotype ◽  
The Relationship

The effects of remodeling of airway smooth muscle (SM) by hyperplasia on airway SM contractility in vivo are poorly explored. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between allergen-induced airway SM hyperplasia and its contractile phenotype. Brown Norway rats were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) or saline on day 0 and then either OVA-challenged once on day 14 and killed 24 h later or OVA-challenged 3 times (on days 14, 19, and 24) and killed 2 or 7 days later. Changes in SM mass, expression of total myosin, SM myosin heavy chain fast isoform (SM-B) and myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), tracheal contractions ex vivo, and airway responsiveness to methacholine (MCh) in vivo were assessed. One day after a single OVA challenge, the number of SM cells positive for PCNA was greater than for control animals, whereas the SM mass, contractile phenotype, and tracheal contractility were unchanged. Two days after three challenges, SM mass and PCNA immunoreactive cells were increased (3- and 10-fold, respectively; P < 0.05), but airway responsiveness to MCh was unaffected. Lower expression in total myosin, SM-B, and MLCK was observed at the mRNA level ( P < 0.05), and total myosin and MLCK expression were lower at the protein level ( P < 0.05) after normalization for SM mass. Normalized tracheal SM force generation was also significantly lower 2 days after repeated challenges ( P < 0.05). Seven days after repeated challenges, features of remodeling were restored toward control levels. Allergen-induced hyperplasia of SM cells was associated with a loss of contractile phenotype, which was offset by the increase in mass.

Stretch-dependent growth and differentiation in vascular smooth muscle: role of the actin cytoskeleton

2005 ◽  
Vol 83 (10) ◽  
pp. 869-875 ◽  
Author(s):  
Per Hellstrand ◽  
Sebastian Albinsson
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Smooth Muscle Cells ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Muscle Cells ◽  
Intraluminal Pressure ◽  
Marker Genes ◽  
Signal Pathways ◽  
Differentiation Markers ◽  
Contractile Phenotype

The smooth muscle cells in the vascular wall are constantly exposed to distending forces from the intraluminal pressure. A rise in blood pressure triggers growth of the vessel wall, which is characterized primarily by hypertrophy of smooth muscle cells with maintained differentiation in a contractile phenotype. Growth factor stimulation of dissociated smooth muscle cells, on the other hand, causes proliferative growth with loss of contractility. This type of response is also found in neointima development following angioplasty and in atherosclerotic lesions. An intact tissue environment is therefore critical for preserved differentiation. Recent advances point to a role of actin polymerization in the expression of smooth muscle differentiation marker genes, in concert with serum response factor (SRF) and cofactors, such as myocardin. Stretch of intact venous smooth muscle activates Rho and inhibits the actin filament severing factor cofilin, resulting in increased actin polymerization. Concomitantly, the rates of synthesis of SRF-regulated differentiation markers, such as SM22α, calponin, and α-actin, are increased. This increase in differentiation signals is parallel with activation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway. Thus stretch-induced growth in a maintained contractile phenotype occurs by dual activation of signal pathways regulating both growth and differentiation. A current challenge is to identify sites of crosstalk between these pathways in intact smooth muscle tissue.Key words: stretch, hypertension, ERK, Rho, caveolae.

scholarly journals Critical role for Syk in responses to vascular injury

Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (18) ◽  
pp. 5000-5010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Andre ◽  
Toshifumi Morooka ◽  
Derek Sim ◽  
Keith Abe ◽  
Clifford Lowell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Injury ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Thrombus Formation ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Minimal Impact ◽  
New Class ◽  
Antithrombotic Effects ◽  
Arterial Vascular Injury

Abstract Although current antiplatelet therapies provide potent antithrombotic effects, their efficacy is limited by a heightened risk of bleeding and failure to affect vascular remodeling after injury. New lines of research suggest that thrombosis and hemorrhage may be uncoupled at the interface of pathways controlling thrombosis and inflammation. Here, as one remarkable example, studies using a novel and highly selective pharmacologic inhibitor of the spleen tyrosine kinase Syk [PRT060318; 2-((1R,2S)-2-aminocyclohexylamino)-4-(m-tolylamino)pyrimidine-5-carboxamide] coupled with genetic experiments, demonstrate that Syk inhibition ameliorates both the acute and chronic responses to vascular injury without affecting hemostasis. Specifically, lack of Syk (murine radiation chimeras) attenuated shear-induced thrombus formation ex vivo, and PRT060318 strongly inhibited arterial thrombosis in vivo in multiple animal species while having minimal impact on bleeding. Furthermore, leukocyte-platelet–dependent responses to vascular injury, including inflammatory cell recruitment and neointima formation, were markedly inhibited by PRT060318. Thus, Syk controls acute and long-term responses to arterial vascular injury. The therapeutic potential of Syk may be exemplary of a new class of antiatherothrombotic agents that target the interface between thrombosis and inflammation.

scholarly journals CHIP Represses Myocardin-Induced Smooth Muscle Cell Differentiation via Ubiquitin-Mediated Proteasomal Degradation

2009 ◽  
Vol 29 (9) ◽  
pp. 2398-2408 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ping Xie ◽  
Yongna Fan ◽  
Hua Zhang ◽  
Yuan Zhang ◽  
Mingpeng She ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Serum Response Factor ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Physiological Control ◽  
Interacting Protein

ABSTRACT Myocardin, a coactivator of serum response factor (SRF), plays a critical role in the differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). However, the molecular mechanisms regulating myocardin stability and activity are not well defined. Here we show that the E3 ligase C terminus of Hsc70-interacting protein (CHIP) represses myocardin-dependent SMC gene expression and transcriptional activity. CHIP interacts with and promotes myocardin ubiquitin-mediated degradation by the proteasome in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, myocardin ubiquitination by CHIP requires its phosphorylation. Importantly, CHIP overexpression reduces the level of myocardin-dependent SMC contractile gene expression and diminishes arterial contractility ex vivo. These findings for the first time, to our knowledge, demonstrate that CHIP-promoted proteolysis of myocardin plays a key role in the physiological control of SMC phenotype and vessel tone, which may have an important implication for pathophysiological conditions such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, and Alzheimer's disease.

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