scholarly journals Pleiotropic Effects of the Protease-Activated Receptor 1 (PAR1) Inhibitor, Vorapaxar, on Atherosclerosis and Vascular Inflammation

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 3517
Author(s):  
Julian Friebel ◽  
Eileen Moritz ◽  
Marco Witkowski ◽  
Kai Jakobs ◽  
Elisabeth Strässler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Inflammation ◽  
Atherosclerotic Lesion ◽  
Inflammatory Cells ◽  
Endothelial Activation ◽  
Lesion Size ◽  
Pleiotropic Effects ◽  
Knock Out ◽  
Cytokines And Chemokines ◽  
Protease Activated Receptor 1 ◽  
Vascular Adhesion

Background: Protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) and toll-like receptors (TLRs) are inflammatory mediators contributing to atherogenesis and atherothrombosis. Vorapaxar, which selectively antagonizes PAR1-signaling, is an approved, add-on antiplatelet therapy for secondary prevention. The non-hemostatic, platelet-independent, pleiotropic effects of vorapaxar have not yet been studied. Methods and Results: Cellular targets of PAR1 signaling in the vasculature were identified in three patient cohorts with atherosclerotic disease. Evaluation of plasma biomarkers (n = 190) and gene expression in endomyocardial biopsies (EMBs) (n = 12) revealed that PAR1 expression correlated with endothelial activation and vascular inflammation. PAR1 colocalized with TLR2/4 in human carotid plaques and was associated with TLR2/4 gene transcription in EMBs. In addition, vorapaxar reduced atherosclerotic lesion size in apolipoprotein E–knock out (ApoEko) mice. This reduction was associated with reduced expression of vascular adhesion molecules and TLR2/4 presence, both in isolated murine endothelial cells and the aorta. Thrombin-induced uptake of oxLDL was augmented by additional TLR2/4 stimulation and abrogated by vorapaxar. Plaque-infiltrating pro-inflammatory cells were reduced in vorapaxar-treated ApoEko mice. A shift toward M2 macrophages paralleled a decreased transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Conclusions: PAR1 inhibition with vorapaxar may be effective in reducing residual thrombo-inflammatory event risk in patients with atherosclerosis independent of its effect on platelets.

scholarly journals Infection with Toxoplasma gondii Increases Atherosclerotic Lesion in ApoE-Deficient Mice

2004 ◽  
Vol 72 (6) ◽  
pp. 3571-3576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciane R. Portugal ◽  
Luciana R. Fernandes ◽  
Giovana C. Cesar ◽  
Helton C. Santiago ◽  
Dirce R. Oliveira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Atherosclerotic Lesion ◽  
Inflammatory Cells ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Lesion Size ◽  
Liver Cholesterol ◽  
Proinflammatory Response ◽  
Aortic Lesion ◽  
Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein 1 ◽  
Ifn Γ

ABSTRACT Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan that elicits a potent inflammatory response during the acute phase of infection. Herein, we evaluate whether T. gondii infection alters the natural course of aortic lesions. ApoE knockout mice were infected with T. gondii, and at 5 weeks of infection, serum, feces, and liver cholesterol; aortic lesion size, cellularity, and inflammatory cytokines; and levels of serum nitrite and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) were analyzed. Our results showed that serum cholesterol and atherogenic lipoproteins were reduced after T. gondii infection. The reduction of serum levels of total cholesterol and atherogenic lipoproteins was associated with increases in the aortic lesion area, numbers of inflammatory cells, and expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 and inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA in the site of lesions as well as elevated concentrations of IFN-γ and nitrite in sera of T. gondii-infected animals. These results suggest that infection with T. gondii accelerates atherosclerotic development by stimulating the proinflammatory response and oxidative stress, thereby increasing the area of aortic lesion.

scholarly journals Endotoxinemia Accelerates Atherosclerosis via Electrostatic Charge-Mediated Monocyte Adhesion

Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariane Schumski ◽  
Almudena Ortega-Gómez ◽  
Kanin Wichapong ◽  
Carla Winter ◽  
Patricia Lemnitzer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Inflammation ◽  
Acute Infection ◽  
Atherosclerotic Lesion ◽  
Myeloid Cell ◽  
Lesion Size ◽  
Histone H2a ◽  
Monocyte Adhesion ◽  
Arterial Lumen ◽  
Lps Treatment

Background: Acute infection is a well-established risk factor of cardiovascular inflammation increasing the risk for a cardiovascular complication within the first weeks after infection. However, the nature of the processes underlying such aggravation remains unclear. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from Gram-negative bacteria is a potent activator of circulating immune cells including neutrophils, which foster inflammation through discharge of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Here we utilize a model of endotoxinemia to link acute infection and subsequent neutrophil activation with acceleration of vascular inflammation. Methods: Acute infection was mimicked by injection of a single dose of LPS into hypercholesterolemic mice. Atherosclerosis burden was studied by histomorphometric analysis of the aortic root. Arterial myeloid cell adhesion was quantified by intravital microscopy. Results: LPS treatment rapidly enhanced atherosclerotic lesion size by expansion of the lesional myeloid cell accumulation. LPS treatment led to the deposition of NETs along the arterial lumen and inhibition of NET release annulled lesion expansion during endotoxinemia, thus suggesting that NETs regulate myeloid cell recruitment. To study the mechanism of monocyte adhesion to NETs, we employed in vitro adhesion assays and biophysical approaches. In these experiments, NET-resident histone H2a attracted monocytes in a receptor-independent, surface charge-dependent fashion. Therapeutic neutralization of histone H2a by antibodies or by in silico designed cyclical peptides enables us to reduce luminal monocyte adhesion and lesion expansion during endotoxinemia. Conclusions: Our study shows, that NET-associated histone H2a mediates charge-dependent monocyte adhesion to NETs and accelerates atherosclerosis during endotoxinemia.

Abstract 436: Smooth Muscle Specific Knock-out of the Zinc-Finger Protein 148(ZFP148) Attenuates Atherosclerotic Lesion Formation via Regulation of Apoptotic Signaling Pathways

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Morgan Salmon ◽  
Anna Z Fashandi ◽  
Michael D Spinosa ◽  
Ashish K Sharma ◽  
Gary K Owens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Smooth Muscle Cells ◽  
Zinc Finger Protein ◽  
Atherosclerotic Lesion ◽  
Muscle Cells ◽  
Lesion Size ◽  
Western Diet ◽  
Lesion Formation ◽  
Knock Out ◽  
Atherosclerotic Lesion Formation

Objective: Zinc-finger protein 148 (ZFP148) plays a profound role in the modulation of aortic aneurysm formation in part via modulation of smooth muscle (SMC) genes. The current study objective was to determine whether smooth muscle specific knock-out of ZFP148 is critical in atherosclerotic lesion formation. Methods: ZFP148 was examined via immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy in human atherosclerotic lesion samples (n=12/group). 6-8 week male (n=12/group) ZFP flx/flx Myh11 Cre+ ApoE-/-(SMC tamoxifen ZFP148 KO), Myh11 ZFP148 flx/wt Cre+ ApoE-/- and Myh11 ZFP wt/wt Cre+ ApoE-/- underwent tamoxifen injections followed by western diet feeding for either 13 or 25 weeks. A separate set of mice were fed western diet for 18 weeks and then administered tamoxifen injections. Aortic samples were evaluated with histology for α-actin, macrophages, neutrophils, TER119, caspase3, Ki67, picosirus red and movat staining. In vitro ZFP148 was knocked down using siRNA in smooth muscle cells and stimulated with the oxidized phospholipid POVPC. Results: ZFP148 expression was elevated in human atherosclerotic lesion samples and localized to smooth muscle cells. Lesion size was significantly reduced in SMC ZFP148 KO mice compared with controls in 25 week western diet fed mice(p<0.0357). SMC ZFP148 KO demonstrated reduced macrophage, Caspase3, and TER119 staining. Conversely, SMC ZFP148 KO increased SMα-actin coverage. Lesion size was also decreased in mice that were administered tamoxifen injections following 18 weeks of western diet feeding(p<0.0415). There were no significant changes in lesion size at 13 weeks of western diet feeding; however, macrophage staining was decreased. Knock-down of ZFP148 followed by treatment with POVPC attenuated the down-regulation of SM22α, SM-MHC, and SMαA. Knock-down of ZFP148 followed by POVPC treatment also prevented the up-regulation of Bax and BAD in vascular smooth muscle cells. Conclusions: While earlier studies documented a role for ZFP148 in aneurysm disease, the present study suggests that SMC ZFP148 KO attenuates atherosclerotic lesion formation in early and late atherosclerotic disease. ZFP148 represents a key regulator of multiple types of vascular disease.

Patterns of fluid shear stress determine atherosclerotic lesion size and vulnerability

2006 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. e51
Author(s):  
Caroline Cheng ◽  
Dennie Tempel ◽  
Luc van Damme ◽  
Rien van Haperen ◽  
Rob Krams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shear Stress ◽  
Fluid Shear Stress ◽  
Atherosclerotic Lesion ◽  
Lesion Size ◽  
Fluid Shear

scholarly journals Loss of IL-33 enhances elastase-induced and cigarette smoke extract-induced emphysema in mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daisuke Morichika ◽  
Akihiko Taniguchi ◽  
Naohiro Oda ◽  
Utako Fujii ◽  
Satoru Senoo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cigarette Smoke ◽  
Intratracheal Instillation ◽  
Inflammatory Cells ◽  
Cigarette Smoke Extract ◽  
Lymphoid Cells ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Porcine Pancreas ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Quantitative Morphometry ◽  
Cytokines And Chemokines

Abstract Background IL-33, which is known to induce type 2 immune responses via group 2 innate lymphoid cells, has been reported to contribute to neutrophilic airway inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, its role in the pathogenesis of emphysema remains unclear. Methods We determined the role of interleukin (IL)-33 in the development of emphysema using porcine pancreas elastase (PPE) and cigarette smoke extract (CSE) in mice. First, IL-33−/− mice and wild-type (WT) mice were given PPE intratracheally. The numbers of inflammatory cells, and the levels of cytokines and chemokines in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and lung homogenates, were analyzed; quantitative morphometry of lung sections was also performed. Second, mice received CSE by intratracheal instillation. Quantitative morphometry of lung sections was then performed again. Results Intratracheal instillation of PPE induced emphysematous changes and increased IL-33 levels in the lungs. Compared to WT mice, IL-33−/− mice showed significantly greater PPE-induced emphysematous changes. No differences were observed between IL-33−/− and WT mice in the numbers of macrophages or neutrophils in BAL fluid. The levels of hepatocyte growth factor were lower in the BAL fluid of PPE-treated IL-33−/− mice than WT mice. IL-33−/− mice also showed significantly greater emphysematous changes in the lungs, compared to WT mice, following intratracheal instillation of CSE. Conclusion These observations suggest that loss of IL-33 promotes the development of emphysema and may be potentially harmful to patients with COPD.

scholarly journals Kahweol Ameliorates Cisplatin-Induced Acute Kidney Injury through Pleiotropic Effects in Mice

Biomedicines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 572
Author(s):  
Jung-Yeon Kim ◽  
Jungmin Jo ◽  
Jaechan Leem ◽  
Kwan-Kyu Park
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Acute Kidney Injury ◽  
Renal Injury ◽  
Manganese Superoxide Dismutase ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Pleiotropic Effects ◽  
Induced Apoptosis ◽  
Vascular Adhesion

Cisplatin is an effective chemotherapeutic agent, but its clinical use is frequently limited by its nephrotoxicity. The pathogenesis of cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) remains incompletely understood, but oxidative stress, tubular cell death, and inflammation are considered important contributors to cisplatin-induced renal injury. Kahweol is a natural diterpene extracted from coffee beans and has been shown to possess anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. However, its role in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity remains undetermined. Therefore, we investigated whether kahweol exerts a protective effect against cisplatin-induced renal injury. Additionally, its mechanisms were also examined. Administration of kahweol attenuated renal dysfunction and histopathological damage together with inhibition of oxidative stress in cisplatin-injected mice. Increased expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 and decreased expression of manganese superoxide dismutase and catalase after cisplatin treatment were significantly reversed by kahweol. Moreover, kahweol inhibited cisplatin-induced apoptosis and necroptosis in the kidneys. Finally, kahweol reduced inflammatory cytokine production and immune cell accumulation together with suppression of nuclear factor kappa-B pathway and downregulation of vascular adhesion molecules. Together, these results suggest that kahweol ameliorates cisplatin-induced renal injury via its pleiotropic effects and might be a potential preventive option against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity.

Abstract 67: Intervention With Citrus Flavonoids Reverses Existing Metabolic Disorders and Attenuates the Progression of Advanced Atherosclerosis in High Fat--Fed LDLr-/- Mice

2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy C Burke ◽  
Brian G Sutherland ◽  
Cynthia G Sawyez ◽  
Dawn E Telford ◽  
Joseph Umoh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Hepatic Steatosis ◽  
Caloric Intake ◽  
Atherosclerotic Lesion ◽  
Lesion Size ◽  
High Fat ◽  
Rapid Weight Gain ◽  
Metabolic Dysregulation ◽  
The Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Citrus Flavonoids

Previous studies demonstrated that addition of the citrus flavonoids naringenin or nobiletin to a high-fat diet prevented the development of many disorders linked to the metabolic syndrome. In the present study, we assessed the ability of intervention with nobiletin or naringenin to reverse pre-established obesity, insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis, dyslipidemia and attenuate atherogenesis. Ldlr-/- mice were fed chow or a high-fat, cholesterol-containing (HFHC) diet for 12 weeks. For an additional 12 weeks, the HFHC-fed mice: (1) continued on the HFHC diet or were transferred to (2) chow, (3) HFHC + 3% naringenin, or (4) HFHC + 0.3% nobiletin. Following rapid weight gain during HFHC-induction, intervention with naringenin or nobiletin stimulated weight loss, while maintaining caloric intake. Micro-CT imaging revealed flavonoid intervention reversed adipose tissue accumulation by 40-60% in both subcutaneous and visceral depots. At 12 weeks, the HFHC-fed mice were hyperinsulinemic (6-fold), which was accompanied by increased fasting plasma glucose. Intervention with either flavonoid normalized plasma insulin and glucose and corrected impaired insulin and glucose tolerance. The HFHC diet increased cholesterol within VLDL (10-fold) and LDL (6-fold), which was reduced (~50%) by either naringenin or nobiletin intervention. HFHC-induction significantly increased hepatic steatosis. Flavonoid intervention reduced hepatic cholesterol (>50%) and triglyceride (~20%) via increased expression of Pgc1a and Cpt1a and reduced expression of Srebp1c. HFHC-induction increased atherosclerotic lesion area (13-fold), which was increased a further 2.5-fold at 24 weeks. Flavonoid intervention modestly retarded lesion size progression (16-20%). As well, intervention with naringenin or nobiletin slowed the accumulation of aortic cholesterol (~30-45%) and reduced lesional necrotic area (~25%), suggesting improved lesion morphology. These studies demonstrate in mice with pre-existing metabolic dysregulation and atherosclerosis that intervention with naringenin or nobiletin reverses obesity, dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance, and modestly attenuates the progression of advanced atherosclerosis.

Abstract 153: IL-10 Accelerates Re-Endothelialization and Inhibits Post-injury Intimal Hyperplasia following Carotid Artery Denudation by Attenuating TNF-alpha-induced Endothelial Cell Dysfunction

2014 ◽  
Vol 115 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Suresh K Verma ◽  
Prasanna Krishnamurthy ◽  
Alexander R Mackie ◽  
Erin E Vaughan ◽  
Mohsin Khan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cell ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Thrombus Formation ◽  
Specific Effect ◽  
Mononuclear Phagocytes ◽  
Tnf Alpha ◽  
Post Injury ◽  
Knock Out ◽  
Cytokines And Chemokines

The association of inflammation with atherosclerosis and restenosis is now fairly well established. Restenosis, a persistent complication of percutaneous vascular interventions, is thought to be a complex response to injury, which includes early thrombus formation, neointimal growth and acute inflammation. Mononuclear phagocytes are likely participants in the host response to vascular injury, via the secretion of cytokines and chemokines, including TNF-alpha (TNF). Others and we have previously shown that IL-10 inhibits TNF and other inflammatory mediators produced in response to cardiovascular injuries. The specific effect of IL-10 on endothelial cell (EC) biology is not well elucidated. Here we report that in a mouse model of carotid denudation, IL-10 knock-out mice (IL10KO) displayed significantly delayed ReEndothelialization and enhanced neointimal growth compared to their WT counterparts. Exogenous treatment of recombinant IL-10 dramatically blunted the inflammatory cell infiltration and neointimal thickening while significantly accelerating the recovery of the injured endothelium both WT and IL10KO mice. In vitro, IL10 co-treatment reversed TNF-mediated growth arrest, EC cell cycle inhibition, EC-monocyte adhesion and EC apoptosis. At signaling level, IL-10 reduced TNF-induced activation of JNK MAP kinase while simultaneously activating PI3K/Akt pathway. Because IL-10 function and signaling are important components for control of inflammatory responses, these results may provide insights necessary to develop strategies for modulating vascular repair and other accelerated arteriopathies, including transplant vasculopathy and vein graft hyperplasia.

Abstract 663: Identification of 2 Novel Candidate Genes of Atherosclerosis Susceptibility on Mouse Chromosome 3: Pla2g12a and Elovl6

2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandros Nicolaou ◽  
Kristina Sass ◽  
Bernd H Northoff ◽  
Daniel Teupser ◽  
Lesca M Holdt
Keyword(s):  
Western Blot ◽  
Candidate Genes ◽  
Mouse Chromosome ◽  
Blot Analysis ◽  
Western Blot Analysis ◽  
Ldl Receptor ◽  
Atherosclerotic Lesion ◽  
Lesion Size ◽  
Specific Expression ◽  
Qrt Pcr

Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping in an F2 intercross (n=452) of atherosclerosis-susceptible C57BL/6 (B6) and atherosclerosis-resistant FVB mice on the LDL-receptor deficient background revealed a novel atherosclerosis susceptibility locus on mouse chromosome (Chr) 3. In previous work the susceptible genetic region on Chr3 was narrowed to 80 - 160 MB and validated by congenic FVB.Chr3 B6/B6 mice. We hypothesized that underlying genetic variation in this region leads to differential expression of causal genes, thereby affecting atherosclerosis susceptibility. We performed transcriptome-wide expression analyses in livers of congenic FVB.Chr3 B6/B6 and FVB mice (n=4/4) using Illumina Ref-8 arrays followed by validation in livers of congenic FVB.Chr3 B6/B6 and FVB mice (n=8/9) as well as in livers of B6 and FVB mice (n=5/5) by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). C is -regulation was investigated in F2 livers (n=47) by correlating the expression to the genotype. Tissue-specific expression of genes was examined by qRT-PCR in parental B6 and FVB mice. Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical staining (IHC) were performed. Mechanisms of atherogenesis were investigated by RNAi. Pla2g12a and Elovl6 were identified as candidate genes co-segregating with the atherosclerosis QTL at marker rs13464244. Pla2g12a mRNA expression was inversely correlated (r 2 =0.2, p=0.002) with atherosclerotic lesion size in F2 mice while Elovl6 expression was positively correlated (r 2 =0.18, p=0.002). qRT-PCR revealed a strong expression of Pla2g12a in muscle and fat tissues whereas Elovl6 was highly expressed in liver and fat tissues. Western blot analysis revealed significantly decreased protein expression of Pla2g12a in livers of B6 compared to FVB and an increased expression of Elovl6 in B6 mice. IHC staining of Pla2g12a and Elovl6 in aortic roots indicated high expression in macrophages and predominantly in endothelial cells. siRNA knockdown of Elovl6 was associated with reduced adhesion and increased apoptosis. In conclusion, we identified Elovl6 and Pla2g12a as promising candidate genes of atherosclerosis susceptibility on mouse Chr3. Further work is necessary to better understand the influence of these two genes on atherosclerosis development.

scholarly journals Overlapping Roles for Interleukin-36 Cytokines in Protective Host Defense against MurineLegionella pneumophilaPneumonia

2018 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuta Nanjo ◽  
Michael W. Newstead ◽  
Tetsuji Aoyagi ◽  
Xianying Zeng ◽  
Kazuhisa Takahashi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Host Defense ◽  
Legionella Pneumophila ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Inflammatory Cells ◽  
Bacterial Clearance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cytokines And Chemokines ◽  
M1 Polarization ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Deficient Mice

ABSTRACTLegionella pneumophilacauses life-threatening pneumonia culminating in acute lung injury. Innate and adaptive cytokines play an important role in host defense againstL. pneumophilainfection. Interleukin-36 (IL-36) cytokines are recently described members of the larger IL-1 cytokine family known to exert potent inflammatory effects. In this study, we elucidated the role for IL-36 cytokines in experimental pneumonia caused byL. pneumophila. Intratracheal (i.t.) administration ofL. pneumophilainduced the upregulation of both IL-36α and IL-36γ mRNA and protein production in the lung. Compared to the findings forL. pneumophila-infected wild-type (WT) mice, the i.t. administration ofL. pneumophilato IL-36 receptor-deficient (IL-36R−/−) mice resulted in increased mortality, a delay in lung bacterial clearance, increasedL. pneumophiladissemination to extrapulmonary organs, and impaired glucose homeostasis. Impaired lung bacterial clearance in IL-36R−/−mice was associated with a significantly reduced accumulation of inflammatory cells and the decreased production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines.Ex vivo, reduced expression of costimulatory molecules and impaired M1 polarization were observed in alveolar macrophages isolated from infected IL-36R−/−mice compared to macrophages from WT mice. WhileL. pneumophila-induced mortality in IL-36α- or IL-36γ-deficient mice was not different from that in WT animals, antibody-mediated neutralization of IL-36γ in IL-36α−/−mice resulted in mortality similar to that observed in IL-36R−/−mice, indicating redundant and overlapping roles for these cytokines in experimental murineL. pneumophilapneumonia.

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