Data Mining of IFNgamma-induced macrophage and Atherosclerotic Plaque Transcriptomes predicts a macrophage-specific role of STAT1 in human atherosclerosis
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ABSTRACT:
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE276418 | GEO | 2024/09/09
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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Project description:Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the blood vessels, characterized by atherosclerotic lesions. Early vascular injury initiates excessive inflammatory and immune responses, communicated by blood leukocytes and cells from the vasculature. Key factors contributing to early stages of atherosclerosis and plaque development include the pro-inflammatory cytokine IFNγ, which is vital for both innate and adaptive immunity and is also expressed at high levels in atherosclerotic lesions. Recent discoveries provide novel evidence to suggest that IFNγ-activated STAT1 orchestrates a platform of cell-type common and specific inflammatory responses in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells (VSMC) and macrophages (MΦ) that are instrumental in the onset and progression of atherosclerotic plaque formation. Therefore, we compared genome-wide transcriptional responses of mouse VSMCs and bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) in time-dependent IFNγ response using RNA-seq. We identified genes upregulated both in a common and cell-type-specific manner. Next, comparative analysis with RNAseq data from aortic plaques from HFD-treated ApoEKO mice identified 225 differentially expressed genes with a BMDM-specific character. These included many known IFNγ target genes containing putative GAS and ISRE sites in their promoters. Likewise, using a scRNAseq data set obtained from human coronary atherosclerotic plaques, identified 98 pro-inflammatory and pro-atherogenic genes that were characterized as BMDM-specific and exclusively expressed in foamy, inflammatory, monocytes and tissue-resident BMDM subtypes. Finally, we identified a 25 BMDM-specific gene subset commonly expressed in mouse and human plaques, over-representing STAT1-binding sites and predominantly associated with Leukocyte Chemotaxis and Migration. These results provide strong evidence for a BMDM-specific role of STAT1 in coronary artery plaque development and identify a BMDM-specific STAT1-dependent pro-inflammatory gene signature that could serve to monitor and diagnose plaque progression in human atherosclerosis.
2024-09-09 | GSE276417 | GEO
Project description:Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the blood vessels, characterized by atherosclerotic lesions. Early vascular injury initiates excessive inflammatory and immune responses, communicated by blood leukocytes and cells from the vasculature. Key factors contributing to early stages of atherosclerosis and plaque development include the pro-inflammatory cytokine IFNγ, which is vital for both innate and adaptive immunity and is also expressed at high levels in atherosclerotic lesions. Recent discoveries provide novel evidence to suggest that IFNγ-activated STAT1 orchestrates a platform of cell-type common and specific inflammatory responses in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells (VSMC) and macrophages (MΦ) that are instrumental in the onset and progression of atherosclerotic plaque formation. Therefore, we compared genome-wide transcriptional responses of mouse VSMCs and bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) in time-dependent IFNγ response using RNA-seq. We identified genes upregulated both in a common and cell-type-specific manner. Next, comparative analysis with RNAseq data from aortic plaques from HFD-treated ApoEKO mice identified 225 differentially expressed genes with a BMDM-specific character. These included many known IFNγ target genes containing putative GAS and ISRE sites in their promoters. Likewise, using a scRNAseq data set obtained from human coronary atherosclerotic plaques, identified 98 pro-inflammatory and pro-atherogenic genes that were characterized as BMDM-specific and exclusively expressed in foamy, inflammatory, monocytes and tissue-resident BMDM subtypes. Finally, we identified a 25 BMDM-specific gene subset commonly expressed in mouse and human plaques, over-representing STAT1-binding sites and predominantly associated with Leukocyte Chemotaxis and Migration. These results provide strong evidence for a BMDM-specific role of STAT1 in coronary artery plaque development and identify a BMDM-specific STAT1-dependent pro-inflammatory gene signature that could serve to monitor and diagnose plaque progression in human atherosclerosis.
2024-09-09 | GSE276416 | GEO
Project description:Atherosclerotic plaque development involves multiple extra- and intra-cellular signals engaging cells from the immune system and from the vasculature. Pro-inflammatory pathways activated by interferon gamma (IFN?) and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) ligands are profoundly involved in plaque formation and have been shown to involve cross-talk in all atheroma-interacting cell types leading to increased activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT1) and elevated expression of pro-inflammatory mediators. Here we demonstrate that in Gene Expression Omnibus repository (GEO) deposited microarray datasets, obtained from human coronary and carotid atherosclerotic plaques, a significant increase in expression of pro-inflammatory and immunomodulatory genes can be detected. Moreover, increased expression of multiple chemokines, adhesion molecules and matrix-remodeling molecules was commonly detected in both plaque types and correlated with the presence of putative STAT1 binding sites in their promoters, suggesting strong involvement of STAT1 in plaque development. We also provide evidence to suggest that STAT1-nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF?B) or STAT1-interferon-regulated factor (IRF) regulatory modules are over-represented in the promoters of these inflammatory genes, which points to a possible contribution of IFN? and TLR4 cross-talk in the process of atherogenesis. Finally, a subset of these genes encodes for secreted proteins that could serve as a basis of a non-invasive diagnostic assay. The results of our in silico analysis in vitro provide potential evidence that STAT1-dependent IFN?-TLR4 cross-talk plays a crucial role in coronary and carotid artery plaque development and identifies a STAT1-dependent gene signature that could represent a novel diagnostic tool to monitor and diagnose plaque progression in human atherosclerosis.
| S-EPMC4159852 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Data Mining of IFNgamma-induced macrophage and Atherosclerotic Plaque Transcriptomes predicts a macrophage-specific role of STAT1 in human atherosclerosis
| PRJNA1157316 | ENA
Project description:Data Mining of IFNgamma-induced macrophage and Atherosclerotic Plaque Transcriptomes predicts a macrophage-specific role of STAT1 in human atherosclerosis [VSMC]
| PRJNA1157325 | ENA
Project description:Data Mining of IFNgamma-induced macrophage and Atherosclerotic Plaque Transcriptomes predicts a macrophage-specific role of STAT1 in human atherosclerosis [BMDM]
| PRJNA1157326 | ENA
Project description:Inflammation drives atherosclerotic plaque progression and rupture, and is a compelling therapeutic target. Consequently, attenuating inflammation by reducing local macrophage accumulation is an appealing approach. This can potentially be accomplished by either blocking blood monocyte recruitment to the plaque or increasing macrophage apoptosis and emigration. Because macrophage proliferation was recently shown to dominate macrophage accumulation in advanced plaques, locally inhibiting macrophage proliferation may reduce plaque inflammation and produce long-term therapeutic benefits. To test this hypothesis, we used nanoparticle-based delivery of simvastatin to inhibit plaque macrophage proliferation in apolipoprotein E deficient mice (Apoe-/- ) with advanced atherosclerotic plaques. This resulted in rapid reduction of plaque inflammation and favorable phenotype remodeling. We then combined this short-term nanoparticle intervention with an eight-week oral statin treatment, and this regimen rapidly reduced and continuously suppressed plaque inflammation. Our results demonstrate that pharmacologically inhibiting local macrophage proliferation can effectively treat inflammation in atherosclerosis.
| S-EPMC4539616 | biostudies-literature
Project description:OBJECTIVE:Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are an emergent class of molecules with diverse functional roles, widely expressed in human physiology and disease. Although some lncRNAs have been identified in cardiovascular disease, their potential as novel targets in the prevention of atherosclerosis is unknown. We set out to discover important lncRNAs in unstable plaque and gain insight into their functional relevance. Approach and Results: Analysis of RNA sequencing previously performed on stable and unstable atherosclerotic plaque identified a panel of 47 differentially regulated lncRNAs. We focused on LINC01272, a lncRNA upregulated in unstable plaque previously detected in inflammatory bowel disease, which we termed PELATON (plaque enriched lncRNA in atherosclerotic and inflammatory bowel macrophage regulation). Here, we demonstrate that PELATON is highly monocyte- and macrophage-specific across vascular cell types, and almost entirely nuclear by cellular fractionation (90%-98%). In situ hybridization confirmed enrichment of PELATON in areas of plaque inflammation, colocalizing with macrophages around the shoulders and necrotic core of human plaque sections. Consistent with its nuclear localization, and despite containing a predicted open reading frame, PELATON did not demonstrate any protein-coding potential in vitro. Functionally, knockdown of PELATON significantly reduced phagocytosis, lipid uptake and reactive oxygen species production in high-content analysis, with a significant reduction in phagocytosis independently validated. Furthermore, CD36, a key mediator of phagocytic oxLDL (oxidized low-density lipoprotein) uptake was significantly reduced with PELATON knockdown. CONCLUSIONS:PELATON is a nuclear expressed, monocyte- and macrophage-specific lncRNA, upregulated in unstable atherosclerotic plaque. Knockdown of PELATON affects cellular functions associated with plaque progression.
| S-EPMC7043732 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectiveCalcification of atherosclerotic plaque is traditionally associated with increased cardiovascular event risk; however, recent studies have found increased calcium density to be associated with more stable disease. 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzymeA reductase inhibitors or statins reduce cardiovascular events. Invasive clinical studies have found that statins alter both the lipid and calcium composition of plaque but the molecular mechanisms of statin-mediated effects on plaque calcium composition remain unclear. We recently defined a macrophage Rac (Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate)-IL-1β (interleukin-1 beta) signaling axis to be a key mechanism in promoting atherosclerotic calcification and sought to define the impact of statin therapy on this pathway. Approach and Results: Here, we demonstrate that statin therapy is independently associated with elevated coronary calcification in a high-risk patient population and that statins disrupt the complex between Rac1 and its inhibitor RhoGDI (Rho GDP-dissociation inhibitor), leading to increased active (GTP bound) Rac1 in primary monocytes/macrophages. Rac1 activation is prevented by rescue with the isoprenyl precursor geranylgeranyl diphosphate. Statin-treated macrophages exhibit increased activation of NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells), increased IL-1β mRNA, and increased Rac1-dependent IL-1β protein secretion in response to inflammasome stimulation. Using an animal model of calcific atherosclerosis, inclusion of statin in the atherogenic diet led to a myeloid Rac1-dependent increase in atherosclerotic calcification, which was associated with increased serum IL-1β expression, increased plaque Rac1 activation, and increased plaque expression of the osteogenic markers, alkaline phosphatase and RUNX2 (Runt-related transcription factor 2).ConclusionsStatins are capable of increasing atherosclerotic calcification through disinhibition of a macrophage Rac1-IL-1β signaling axis.
| S-EPMC7082877 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Efferocytosis, the process through which apoptotic cells (ACs) are cleared through actin-mediated engulfment by macrophages, prevents secondary necrosis, suppresses inflammation, and promotes resolution. Impaired efferocytosis drives the formation of clinically dangerous necrotic atherosclerotic plaques, the underlying etiology of coronary artery disease (CAD). An intron of the gene encoding PHACTR1 contains rs9349379 (A>G), a common variant associated with CAD. As PHACTR1 is an actin-binding protein, we reasoned that if the rs9349379 risk allele G causes lower PHACTR1 expression in macrophages, it might link the risk allele to CAD via impaired efferocytosis. We show here that rs9349379-G/G was associated with lower levels of PHACTR1 and impaired efferocytosis in human monocyte-derived macrophages and human atherosclerotic lesional macrophages compared with rs9349379-A/A. Silencing PHACTR1 in human and mouse macrophages compromised AC engulfment, and Western diet-fed Ldlr-/- mice in which hematopoietic Phactr1 was genetically targeted showed impaired lesional efferocytosis, increased plaque necrosis, and thinner fibrous caps - all signs of vulnerable plaques in humans. Mechanistically, PHACTR1 prevented dephosphorylation of myosin light chain (MLC), which was necessary for AC engulfment. In summary, rs9349379-G lowered PHACTR1, which, by lowering phospho-MLC, compromised efferocytosis. Thus, rs9349379-G may contribute to CAD risk, at least in part, by impairing atherosclerotic lesional macrophage efferocytosis.
| S-EPMC8262505 | biostudies-literature