Expression data from aortic smooth muscle cells (AoSMCs) from mouse
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ABSTRACT: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) can induce AoSMCs premature senescence and phenotypic switching, which ultimately promotes AS progression and plaque vulnerability. However, the underlying mechanisms are still unknown. To identify the underlying mechanisms of AoSMCs senescence and phenotype switching in CKD. We performed integrated microarray analysis of AoSMCs from normal-diet fed ApoE-/- (ND) mice, high fat-fed ApoE-/- (AS) mice and CKD ApoE-/- (accelerated atherosclerosis mouse model, AAS) mice.
Project description:Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for the development and progression of diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Modified risk tobacco products (MRTP) are designed to reduce smoking-related health risks. Suitable animal models are important for understanding smoke-induced pathogenesis. Over an 8-month period, hallmarks of both COPD and CVD were investigated in ApoE?/? mice exposed to conventional cigarette smoke (CS) or to an aerosol from a candidate MRTP, the tobacco heating system (THS2.2). In addition to chronic exposure, cessation or switching to THS2.2 after 2 months of CS were investigated.ᅠ In a systems toxicology approach, classical end points (e.g., physiology, histology) were complemented with transcriptomics, lipidomics, and proteomics analyses. CS induced nasal epithelial hyperplasia and metaplasia, lung inflammation, and emphysematous changes (impaired pulmonary function, alveolar damage). Atherogenic effects of CS exposure were altered lipid profiles and increased aortic plaque formation. Exposure to THS2.2 aerosol (nicotine concentration matched to CS ヨ 29.9 mg/m3) did not induce lung inflammation and emphysema, nor did it consistently change the lipid profile or enhance the plaque area. Cessation and switching caused reversal of inflammatory responses and no progression of initial emphysematous changes and aortic plaque area. Biological processes, e.g., senescence, inflammation, proliferation, were significantly impacted in 3R4F-exposed, but not in THS2.2-exposed tissues. Cessation or switching reduced these perturbations to become nearly indistinguishable from sham-exposure. In conclusion, the mouse model indicated retarded progression of atherosclerotic and emphysematous changes upon cessation or switching to THS2.2 which alone had no adverse effects.
Project description:Background and Aims: Atherosclerosis, a major contributor to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, remains a leading cause of global mortality and morbidity. This study focuses on the role of chemokine-like receptor 1 (CMKLR1) in VSMCs and its potential impact on atherosclerotic plaque formation and remodelling. Methods: Cmklr1-/-Apoe-/- mice, generated using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, were fed a high-fat western diet for 16 weeks to model atherosclerosis. Primary VSMCs were isolated from Cmklr1-/- and Cmklr1+/+ mice for in vitro experiments. Cell viability, senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining, and RNA interference were performed to assess the effect of CMKLR1 deficiency on VSMCs. Various assays, including flow cytometry, immunocytochemistry, and RNA-seq analysis, were employed to investigate the molecular mechanisms and downstream signals associated with CMKLR1 deficiency. Results: CMKLR1 deficiency was found to disrupt the cell cycle, leading to VSMC senescence both in vitro and in vivo. Cmklr1-/-Apoe-/- mice exhibited increased atherosclerotic plaque burden, emphasizing the role of CMKLR1 in plaque stability. Transcriptome analysis revealed significant changes in cellular components and biological processes, with a particular impact on the extracellular matrix and cellular response to stimulus. The TGFβ signalling pathway emerged as a potential downstream target of CMKLR1, affecting VSMC differentiation, vessel development, and extracellular matrix synthesis. The deficiency of CMKLR1 led to a reduction in TGFβ1 expression and downstream molecule SM22α, influencing plaque composition and stability. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that CMKLR1 deficiency promotes VSMC senescence and exacerbates atherosclerosis. The disrupted TGFβ signalling pathway, identified as a potential molecular mechanism, provides insights into the complex regulatory network associated with CMKLR1 in atherosclerotic plaque formation and remodelling. These findings highlight the importance of CMKLR1 in atherosclerosis and its potential as a therapeutic target for plaque stability.
Project description:Objective—Overexpression or administration of sclerostin has been reported to have atheroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects in apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE KO) mice infused with angiotensin II; however, effects of sclerostin inhibition on these processes are not known. This study examined the effects of sclerostin inhibition with a sclerostin antibody on transcriptional changes in the aortic arch, associated morphological changes in aortic atherosclerotic plaques, and circulating markers of inflammation in ApoE KO ovariectomized (OVX) mice fed a high-fat diet. Approach and Results—Sclerostin antibody or vehicle was administered by subcutaneous injection once weekly for 3, 8, or 16 weeks to ApoE KO-OVX and wild-type-OVX mice fed a high-fat diet. As a comparator, alendronate or saline was administered twice weekly for 16 weeks to ApoE KO-OVX mice fed a high-fat diet. Sclerostin antibody had no effect on aortic total or mineralized plaque volume, determined by microcomputed tomography. Sclerostin antibody had no meaningful effects on plaque histopathology or systemic markers of inflammation or endothelial/platelet activation. Transcriptional analysis of the aortic arch revealed significant gene expression and signaling pathway changes in ApoE KO mice compared with wild-type, consistent with the genotype and atheroprogression, that were not affected by sclerostin antibody treatment. Alendronate treatment did not alter plaque volume or histopathology. Conclusions—This study shows that inhibition of sclerostin by sclerostin antibody does not promote atheroprogression or affect systemic markers of inflammation in the high-fat diet ApoE KO-OVX mouse model and does not alter the expression of genes/pathways implicated in atherosclerosis.
Project description:AIM: To investigate the molecular, structural, and functional impact of aerosols from two heat-not-burn-based MRTPs, the Carbon Heated Tobacco Product (CHTP) 1.2 and Tobacco Heating System (THS) 2.2, compared with that of cigarette mainstream smoke (CS) on the cardiovascular system of ApoE-/- mice. METHOD: Female ApoE-/- mice were exposed to aerosols from THS 2.2 and CHTP 1.2 or to CS from 3R4F for up to 6 months at matching nicotine concentrations. A cessation and a switching group (3 months exposure to 3R4F CS followed by filtered air or CHTP 1.2 for 3 months) were included. Cardiovascular effects were investigated using echocardiography, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and transcriptomics. RESULTS: Continuous exposure to aerosols from CHTP 1.2 and THS 2.2 did not affect the atherosclerosis progression, heart function, left ventricular structure and cardiovascular transcriptome. Exposure to CS from 3R4F triggered atherosclerosis progression, reduced systolic ejection fraction and fractional shortening, caused heart left ventricle hypertrophy and initiated significant dysregulation in the transcriptomes of the heart ventricle and thoracic aorta. Importantly, smoking cessation and switching to CHTP 1.2 aerosol similarly improved the structural, functional, and molecular changes caused by 3R4F CS. CONCLUSION: Exposure to aerosols from CHTP 1.2 and THS 2.2 lacked most of the CS exposure-related functional, structural and molecular effects. Smoking cessation or switching to CHTP 1.2 aerosol caused a similar recovery from the 3R4F CS effect in the ApoE-/- model with no further acceleration of plaque progression beyond the aging-related rate.
Project description:AIM: To investigate the molecular, structural, and functional impact of aerosols from two heat-not-burn-based MRTPs, the Carbon Heated Tobacco Product (CHTP) 1.2 and Tobacco Heating System (THS) 2.2, compared with that of cigarette mainstream smoke (CS) on the cardiovascular system of ApoE-/- mice. METHOD: Female ApoE-/- mice were exposed to aerosols from THS 2.2 and CHTP 1.2 or to CS from 3R4F for up to 6 months at matching nicotine concentrations. A cessation and a switching group (3 months exposure to 3R4F CS followed by filtered air or CHTP 1.2 for 3 months) were included. Cardiovascular effects were investigated using echocardiography, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and transcriptomics. RESULTS: Continuous exposure to aerosols from CHTP 1.2 and THS 2.2 did not affect the atherosclerosis progression, heart function, left ventricular structure and cardiovascular transcriptome. Exposure to CS from 3R4F triggered atherosclerosis progression, reduced systolic ejection fraction and fractional shortening, caused heart left ventricle hypertrophy and initiated significant dysregulation in the transcriptomes of the heart ventricle and thoracic aorta. Importantly, smoking cessation and switching to CHTP 1.2 aerosol similarly improved the structural, functional, and molecular changes caused by 3R4F CS. CONCLUSION: Exposure to aerosols from CHTP 1.2 and THS 2.2 lacked most of the CS exposure-related functional, structural and molecular effects. Smoking cessation or switching to CHTP 1.2 aerosol caused a similar recovery from the 3R4F CS effect in the ApoE-/- model with no further acceleration of plaque progression beyond the aging-related rate.
Project description:One of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease is the presence of extracellular diffuse and fibrillar plaques predominantly consisting of the amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide. ApoE influences the deposition of amyloid pathology through affecting the clearance and aggregation of monomeric Aβ in the brain. In addition to influencing Aβ metabolism, increasing evidence suggests that apoE influences microglial function in neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we characterize the impact that apoE has on amyloid pathology and the innate immune response in APPPS1∆E9 and APPPS1-21 transgenic mice. We report that Apoe deficiency reduced fibrillar plaque deposition consistent with previous studies. However, fibrillar plaques in Apoe-deficient mice exhibited a striking reduction in plaque compaction. Hyperspectral fluorescent imaging using luminescent conjugated oligothiophenes identified distinct Aβ morphotypes in Apoe-deficient mice. We also observed a significant reduction in fibrillar plaque-associated microgliosis and activated microglial gene expression in Apoe-deficient mice, along with significant increases in dystrophic neurites around fibrillar plaques. Our results suggest that apoE is critical in stimulating the innate immune response to amyloid pathology.
Project description:ApoE-/-mice were fed chow or Western diet for 12 weeks and NPRC expression was significantly increased in the aortic tissues of Western diet-fed mice. Systemic NPRC knockout mice were crossed with ApoE-/- mice to generate ApoE-/-NPRC-/- mice, and NPRC deletion resulted in a significant decrease in the size and instability of aortic atherosclerotic lesions in ApoE-/-NPRC-/- versus ApoE-/- mice.
Project description:Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for the development and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), so modified risk tobacco products (MRTPs) are being developed to reduce smoking-related health risks. The present study investigated the hallmarks of COPD and CVD over an 8-month period in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice exposed to conventional cigarette smoke (CS) or to an aerosol from a candidate MRTP, the tobacco heating system (THS2.2). In addition to chronic exposure, cessation or switching to THS2.2 after 2 months of CS was investigated. In a systems toxicology approach, exposure effects were investigated using physiology and histology combined with transcriptomics, lipidomics, and proteomics. CS induced nasal epithelial hyperplasia and metaplasia, lung inflammation, and emphysematous changes (impaired pulmonary function and alveolar damage). Atherogenic effects of CS exposure included altered lipid profiles and increased aortic plaque formation. Exposure to THS2.2 aerosol (nicotine concentration matched to CS: 29.9 mg/m3) did not induce lung inflammation or emphysema, nor did it consistently change the lipid profile or enhance the plaque area. Cessation and switching reversed the inflammatory responses and led to no further progression of initial emphysematous changes or the aortic plaque area. Biological processes, including senescence, inflammation, and proliferation, were significantly impacted in CS, but not THS2.2-exposed tissues. Cessation or switching reduced these perturbations to become nearly indistinguishable from sham exposure. In conclusion, this mouse model indicated that cessation or switching to THS2.2 retarded the progression of atherosclerotic and emphysematous changes, while THS2.2 alone had no adverse effects.
Project description:Smoking cigarettes is a major risk factor in the development and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Modified risk tobacco products (MRTPs) are being developed to reduce smoking-related health risks. The goal of this study was to investigate hallmarks of COPD and CVD over an 8-month period in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice exposed to conventional cigarette smoke (CS) or to the aerosol of a candidate MRTP, tobacco heating system (THS) 2.2. In addition to chronic exposure, cessation or switching to THS2.2 after 2 months of CS exposure was assessed. Engaging a systems toxicology approach, exposure effects were investigated using physiology and histology combined with transcriptomics, lipidomics, and proteomics. CS induced nasal epithelial hyperplasia and metaplasia, lung inflammation, and emphysematous changes (impaired pulmonary function and alveolar damage). Atherogenic effects of CS exposure included altered lipid profiles and aortic plaque formation. Exposure to THS2.2 aerosol (nicotine concentration matched to CS, 29.9?mg/m3) neither induced lung inflammation or emphysema nor did it consistently change the lipid profile or enhance the plaque area. Cessation or switching to THS2.2 reversed the inflammatory responses and halted progression of initial emphysematous changes and the aortic plaque area. Biological processes, including senescence, inflammation, and proliferation, were significantly impacted by CS but not by THS2.2 aerosol. Both, cessation and switching to THS2.2 reduced these perturbations to almost sham exposure levels. In conclusion, in this mouse model cessation or switching to THS2.2 retarded the progression of CS-induced atherosclerotic and emphysematous changes, while THS2.2 aerosol alone had minimal adverse effects.
Project description:Male C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD, 60 kcal% fat, D12492, Research Diets, Inc) or normal standard chow diet with 10 kal% fat (ND, D09100304, Research Diets, Inc). Specifically, 6-week-old mice were fed a HFD for 12 weeks to induce insulin resistance (HFD-12w group); 14-week-old mice were fed a HFD for 4 weeks to induce obesity (HFD-4w group). Control mice were fed a ND continuously for 12 weeks starting at 6 weeks of age (ND group). All mice reached the experimental endpoint at 18 weeks of age. Insulin sensitivity was measured by glucose tolerance test and insulin tolerance test. Mice that developed insulin resistance in HFD-12w group and obese mice with normal insulin sensitivity in HFD-4w group were used for further experiments. Mice in ND group were used as controls. Upon reaching the experimental endpoint, livers from three insulin-resistant mice, three insulin-sensitive obese mice, and three control mice were removed for RNA sequencing.