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Role of Toll-like receptors 2 and 4 in the induction of cyclooxygenase-2 in vascular smooth muscle.

ABSTRACT: Bacteria stimulate macrophages as part of normal host defense. However, when this response is not limited, vascular smooth muscle may also be activated to express "vasoactive" genes (e.g., cyclooxygenase), leading to vascular collapse and septic shock. In macrophages, Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 4 and 2 transduce responses to Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, respectively. However, the role of these TLRs in sensing bacteria in vascular smooth muscle is unclear. To address this question, we have cultured vascular smooth muscle cells from mice deficient in TLR4 (TLR4(-/-) mice), mice deficient in TLR2 (TLR2(-/-) mice), or control mice. Cells cultured from control or TLR2(-/-) mice, but not from TLR4(-/-) mice, expressed cyclooxygenase-2 and released increasing levels of prostaglandin E(2) after stimulation with whole Escherichia coli bacteria; the combination of IL-1beta plus TNF-alpha induced cyclooxygenase-2 in cells cultured from all three groups of animals. By contrast, Staphylococcus aureus affected cyclooxygenase-2 expression in two distinct ways. First, S. aureus induced a transient inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 expression, which was overcome with time, and increased protein expression was noted. The effects of S. aureus on cyclooxygenase-2 expression were TLR2- and not TLR4-dependent. Thus, we show that Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria induce cyclooxygenase-2 in vascular smooth muscle with differing temporal profiles but with appropriate TLR2-versus-TLR4 signaling. These data have important implications for our understanding of the innate immune response in vascular cells and how it may impact vascular disease.

SUBMITTER: Jimenez R

PROVIDER: S-EPMC555494 | biostudies-other | 2005 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Project description:Objectives and Aims: Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are key constituents of both normal arteries and atherosclerotic plaques. They have an ability to adapt to changes in the local environment by undergoing phenotypic modulation. An improved understanding of the mechanisms that regulate VSMC phenotypic changes may provide insights that suggest new therapeutic targets in treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The amino-acid glutamate has been associated with CVD risk and VSMCs metabolism in experimental models, and glutamate receptors regulate VSMC biology and promote pulmonary vascular remodeling. However, glutamate-signaling in human atherosclerosis has not been explored. Methods and Results: We identified glutamate receptors and glutamate metabolism-related enzymes in VSMCs from human atherosclerotic lesions, as determined by single cell RNA sequencing and microarray analysis. Expression of the receptor subunits glutamate receptor, ionotropic, α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic (AMPA)-type subunit 1 (GRIA1) and 2 (GRIA2) was restricted to cells of mesenchymal origin, primarily VSMCs, as confirmed by immunostaining. In a rat model of arterial injury and repair, changes of GRIA1 and GRIA2 mRNA level were most pronounced at time points associated with VSMC proliferation, migration, and phenotypic modulation. In vitro, human carotid artery SMCs expressed GRIA1, and selective AMPA-type receptor blocking inhibited expression of typical contractile markers and promoted pathways associated with VSMC phenotypic modulation. In our biobank of human carotid endarterectomies, low expression of AMPA-type receptor subunits was associated with higher content of inflammatory cells and a higher frequency of adverse clinical events such as stroke. Conclusion: AMPA-type glutamate receptors are expressed in VSMCs and are associated with phenotypic modulation. Patients suffering from adverse clinical events showed significantly lower mRNA level of GRIA1 and GRIA2 in their atherosclerotic lesions compared to asymptomatic patients. These results warrant further mapping of neurotransmitter signaling in the pathogenesis of human atherosclerosis.

Project description:Vascular remodeling occurs after endothelial injury, resulting in smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation and vascular fibrosis. We previously demonstrated that the blood pressure-regulating hormone aldosterone enhances vascular remodeling in mice at sites of endothelial injury in a placental growth factor-dependent manner. We now test the hypothesis that SMC mineralocorticoid receptors (MRs) directly mediate the remodeling effects of aldosterone and further explore the mechanism.A wire-induced carotid injury model was performed in wild-type mice and mice with inducible SMC-specific deletion of the MR. Aldosterone did not affect re-endothelialization after injury in wild-type mice. Deletion of SMC-MR prevented the 79% increase in SMC proliferation induced by aldosterone after injury in MR-Intact littermates. Moreover, both injury-induced and aldosterone-enhanced vascular fibrosis were attenuated in SMC-specific MR knockout mice. Further exploration of the mechanism revealed that aldosterone-induced vascular remodeling is prevented by in vivo blockade of the placental growth factor-specific receptor, type 1 vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR1), the receptor for placental growth factor. Immunohistochemistry of carotid vessels shows that the induction of VEGFR1 expression in SMC after vascular injury is attenuated by 72% in SMC-specific MR knockout mice. Moreover, aldosterone induction of vascular placental growth factor mRNA expression and protein release are also prevented in vessels lacking SMC-MR.These studies reveal that SMC-MR is necessary for aldosterone-induced vascular remodeling independent of renal effects on blood pressure. SMC-MR contributes to induction of SMC VEGFR1 in the area of vascular injury and to aldosterone-enhanced vascular placental growth factor expression and hence the detrimental effects of aldosterone are prevented by VEGFR1 blockade. This study supports exploring MR antagonists and VEGFR1 blockade to prevent pathological vascular remodeling induced by aldosterone.

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Role of Toll-like receptors 2 and 4 in the induction of cyclooxygenase-2 in vascular smooth muscle.

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