Project description:Single-molecule level spatial distribution of MERFISH (Multiplexed error-robust fluorescence in situ hybridization) probes targeting 140 genes were analyzed on two control (non-aneurysmal) samples and three TAA samples with Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA).
Project description:Here we undertook a proteomic investigation of ascending aorta from New Zealand White rabbits after 10 weeks on a high (2% w/w) cholesterol diet (HCD, n=5) or control diet (n=5) in order to profile the proteomic changes in response to the HCD. Histology confirmed intimal thickening in the HCD group and LC-MS/MS analysis of individually obtained ascending aorta extracts labelled with isobaric (iTRAQ) tags led to identification and quantitation of 453 unique proteins above the 1% false discovery rate threshold. Of 67 proteins showing significant differences in relative abundance (p<0.05), 62 were elevated and five decreased in ascending aorta from HCD-fed rabbits compared to controls. Six proteins were selected for validation using Multiple Reaction Monitoring which confirmed the iTRAQ results.
Project description:ChIP-seq on human ascending aorta For data usage terms and conditions, please refer to http://www.genome.gov/27528022 and http://www.genome.gov/Pages/Research/ENCODE/ENCODE_Data_Use_Policy_for_External_Users_03-07-14.pdf
Project description:CTCF ChIP-seq on human ascending aorta For data usage terms and conditions, please refer to http://www.genome.gov/27528022 and http://www.genome.gov/Pages/Research/ENCODE/ENCODE_Data_Use_Policy_for_External_Users_03-07-14.pdf
Project description:Genome wide DNA methylation profiling of ascending aorta tissue samples from normal, aortic dissection and bicuspid aortic valve patients with aortic dilation. The Illumina Infinium 450k Human DNA methylation Beadchip was used to obtain DNA methylation profiles across more than 450,000 CpGs in ascending aorta samples. Samples included 6 normal donors, 12 patients with aortic dissection and 6 patients with bicuspid aortic valve and dilated aorta.
Project description:Bicuspid aortic valve is well known as a risk factor of dilation of ascending aorta. But the mechanisms of dialation are unknown. Morever, patients with bicuspid aortic valve tend to be aortic valve disease at younger age. After aortic valve surgery, if ascending aorta is dilated, the patient must be performed re-operation. For that reason, surgery for aortic root or ascending aorta is recommended to patient with bicuspid aortic valve with dilated ascending aorta. We thought that abnormality of cell cycle of the structure protein participated in ascending aorta dilation of patient with bicuspid aortic valve. We resected the wall of the ascending aota from patient undergoing aortic valve replacement for aortic valve stenosis during operation, and performed immunohistochemical staining for akt. Anti Akt antibodys were stained much on aortic media with bicuspoed aortic valve. Akt is a protein that is involved in mTOR / PI3K, and modulate the cell differenciation and proliferation. Further, the same samples were analyzed using a microarray method. On bicuspid aortic valve patients, the expression of TSC2 is reduced, and GβL is increased. TSC2 inhibit this pathway, and MLST8 activate this pathway. In the ascending aorta of BAV patients, PI3K / mTOR system is considered to be activated. When this pathway is activated, cell proliferation and cytodifferentiation are promoted abnormally,
Project description:Differentially expressed genes were identified by comparing the gene expression profiling of dissected ascending aorta with that of control. Results provide important information to indicate pathogenesis of aortic dissection.
Project description:In current models of ascending aortic disease, mural cells undergo phenotypic changes that promote extracellular matrix destruction and structural weakening. To explore the intersection of this biology with quantitative trait GWAS loci we analyzed the genetic features of thoracic aortic aneurysm tissue. Single nuclear RNA sequencing was performed on 13 samples from human donors, 6 with thoracic aortic aneurysm and 7 without aneurysm. Individual transcriptomes were then clustered based on transcriptional profiles. Clusters were used for between-disease differential gene expression analyses, subcluster analysis, and analyzed for intersection with genetic aortic trait data. In total, we sequenced 71,689 nuclei from human thoracic aortas without aneurysm, and with sporadic aneurysm. We identified 14 clusters, aligning with 11 cell types, predominantly VSMCs, consistent with existing histologic data, but contrary to the majority of human aortic single cell studies to-date. With unbiased methodology, we found 7 VSMC and 6 fibroblast subclusters. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) analysis revealed a VSMC group accounting for the majority of differential gene expression. Fibroblast populations in aneurysm exhibit distinct behavior with almost complete disappearance of quiescent fibroblasts. DEGs were used to prioritize genes at aortic diameter and distensibility GWAS loci highlighting the genes JUN, LTBP4, and IL34 in fibroblasts, ENTPD1, PDLIM5, ACTN4, and GLRX in VSMCs, as well as LRP1 in macrophage populations. In conclusion, using nuclear RNA sequencing we describe the cellular diversity of healthy and aneurysmal human ascending aorta. Sporadic aortic aneurysm is characterized by differential gene expression within known cellular classes rather than by the appearance of novel cellular forms. Single nuclear RNA sequencing of aortic tissue can be used to prioritize genes at aortic trait loci.
Project description:Aortic aneurysms are dilations of the aorta that can rupture when left untreated. We used aneurysmal Fibulin-4R/R to further unravel the underlying mechanisms of aneurysm formation. RNA sequencing of 3-month-old Fibulin-4R/R aortas revealed significant upregulation of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors and key senescence factors, indicating involvement of senescence. Analysis of aorta histology and of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in vitro confirmed the senescent phenotype of Fibulin-4R/R VSMCs by revealing increased SA-β-gal, p21 and p16 staining, increased IL-6 secretion, increased presence of DNA damage foci and increased nuclei size. Additionally, we found that p21 luminescence was increased in the dilated aorta of Fibulin-4R/R|p21-Luciferase mice. Our studies identify a cellular aging cascade in Fibulin-4 aneurysmal disease, by revealing that Fibulin-4R/R aortic VSMCs have a pronounced SASP and a senescent phenotype that may underlie aortic wall degeneration. Additionally, we demonstrated the therapeutic effect of JAK/STAT and TGF-β pathway inhibition as well as senolytic treatment on Fibulin-4R/R VSMCs in vitro. These findings can contribute to improved therapeutic options for aneurysmal disease aimed at reducing senescent cells.