Project description:Vascular calcification is the ectopic deposition of calcium hydroxyapatite minerals in arterial wall. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms regulating vascular calcification remain incompletely understood. In this study, we applied RNA sequencing to explore the mechanism of vascular calcificaiton in both medial and atherosclerotic vascular calcification models.
Project description:Diffuse intimal thickening (DIT) is a preclinical stage of atherogenesis in humans that does not exist in commonly used mouse models of atherosclerosis. Vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are the predominant cell type that occupies the intimal and medial layers of human coronary arteries. The intimal layer of DIT is particularly prone to developing atherosclerosis later in life. Differences in the molecular features between the intimal and medial layers of DIT regions may represent the earliest changes that promote atherogenesis in humans, and can be studied by spatial molecular phenotyping.
Project description:IntroductionVascular calcification (VC) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Depending on the location of mineral deposition within the arterial wall, VC is classified as intimal and medial calcification. Using in vitro mineralization assays, we developed protocols triggering both types of calcification in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) following diverging molecular pathways.Materials and methods and resultsHuman coronary artery SMCs were cultured in osteogenic medium (OM) or high calcium phosphate medium (CaP) to induce a mineralized extracellular matrix. OM induces osteoblast-like differentiation of SMCs-a key process in intimal calcification during atherosclerotic plaque remodeling. CaP mimics hyperphosphatemia, associated with chronic kidney disease-a risk factor for medial calcification. Transcriptomic analysis revealed distinct gene expression profiles of OM and CaP-calcifying SMCs. OM and CaP-treated SMCs shared 107 differentially regulated genes related to SMC contraction and metabolism. Real-time extracellular efflux analysis demonstrated decreased mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis in CaP-treated SMCs compared to increased mitochondrial respiration without altered glycolysis in OM-treated SMCs. Subsequent kinome and in silico drug repurposing analysis (Connectivity Map) suggested a distinct role of protein kinase C (PKC). In vitro validation experiments demonstrated that the PKC activators prostratin and ingenol reduced calcification triggered by OM and promoted calcification triggered by CaP.ConclusionOur direct comparison results of two in vitro calcification models strengthen previous observations of distinct intracellular mechanisms that trigger OM and CaP-induced SMC calcification in vitro. We found a differential role of PKC in OM and CaP-calcified SMCs providing new potential cellular and molecular targets for pharmacological intervention in VC. Our data suggest that the field should limit the generalization of results found in in vitro studies using different calcification protocols.
Project description:Medial arterial calcification is a chronic systemic vascular disorder distinct from atherosclerosis and is commonly observed in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetes mellitus, and aging individuals. We previously showed that orphan nuclear receptor NR4A3 is a key regulator in the progression of apolipoprotein (apo) A-IV-induced atherosclerosis; however, little is known about its role in vascular calcification. NR4A3 expression was upregulated in calcified aortic tissues from CKD mice or 1,25(OH)2VitD3 overload-induced mice, and in human calcified aorta. NR4A3 deficiency preserved VSMCs contractile phenotype, inhibited the expression of osteoblast differentiation-related genes, and reduced calcium deposition in the vasculature.
Project description:Medial arterial calcification is a chronic systemic vascular disorder distinct from atherosclerosis and is commonly observed in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetes mellitus, and aging individuals. We previously showed that orphan nuclear receptor NR4A3 is a key regulator in the progression of apolipoprotein (apo) A-IV-induced atherosclerosis; however, little is known about its role in vascular calcification. NR4A3 expression was upregulated in calcified aortic tissues from CKD mice or 1,25(OH)2VitD3 overload-induced mice, and in human calcified aorta. NR4A3 deficiency preserved VSMCs contractile phenotype, inhibited the expression of osteoblast differentiation-related genes, and reduced calcium deposition in the vasculature.
Project description:Medial arterial calcification is a chronic systemic vascular disorder distinct from atherosclerosis and is commonly observed in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetes mellitus, and aging individuals. We previously showed that orphan nuclear receptor NR4A3 is a key regulator in the progression of apolipoprotein (apo) A-IV-induced atherosclerosis; however, little is known about its role in vascular calcification. NR4A3 expression was upregulated in calcified aortic tissues from CKD mice or 1,25(OH)2VitD3 overload-induced mice, and in human calcified aorta. NR4A3 deficiency preserved VSMCs contractile phenotype, inhibited the expression of osteoblast differentiation-related genes, and reduced calcium deposition in the vasculature.