Transcriptional profiling of in vitro smooth muscle cell differentiation identifies specific patterns of gene and pathway activation

2004 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 292-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua M. Spin ◽  
Shriram Nallamshetty ◽  
Raymond Tabibiazar ◽  
Euan A. Ashley ◽  
Jennifer Y. King ◽  
...  

Mesodermal and epidermal precursor cells undergo phenotypic changes during differentiation to the smooth muscle cell (SMC) lineage that are relevant to pathophysiological processes in the adult. Molecular mechanisms that underlie lineage determination and terminal differentiation of this cell type have received much attention, but the genetic program that regulates these processes has not been fully defined. Study of SMC differentiation has been facilitated by development of the P19-derived A404 embryonal cell line, which differentiates toward this lineage in the presence of retinoic acid and allows selection for cells adopting a SMC fate through a differentiation-specific drug marker. We sought to define global alterations in gene expression by studying A404 cells during SMC differentiation with oligonucleotide microarray transcriptional profiling. Using an in situ 60-mer array platform with more than 20,000 mouse genes derived from the National Institute on Aging clone set, we identified 2,739 genes that were significantly upregulated after differentiation was completed (false-detection ratio <1). These genes encode numerous markers known to characterize differentiated SMC, as well as many unknown factors. We further characterized the sequential patterns of gene expression during the differentiation time course, particularly for known transcription factor families, providing new insights into the regulation of the differentiation process. Changes in genes associated with specific biological ontology-based pathways were evaluated, and temporal trends were identified for functional pathways. In addition to confirming the utility of the A404 model, our data provide a large-scale perspective of gene regulation during SMC differentiation.

2012 ◽  
Vol 32 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert C Bauer ◽  
Georgios K Paschos ◽  
Christopher Yu ◽  
Michael S Parmacek ◽  
Daniel J Rader ◽  
...  

The zinc metalloprotease ADAMTS7 was recently shown by GWAS to be a locus on chr15 for human coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the molecular mechanisms tying ADAMTS7 function to atherosclerosis are unknown. We hypothesized that ADAMTS7 may promote atherosclerosis by facilitating vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and migration in vivo. We obtained mice containing an exon-trapping cassette between exon 4 and 5 of Adamts7, leading to premature termination of the mRNA and a grossly truncated protein. These mice bred normally and did not display any obvious phenotype. The exon trapping cassette also contained a LacZ reporter construct, allowing for XGal staining to determine gene expression. We assessed Adamts7 gene expression via XGal staining in multiple tissues of interest, including the heart, lungs, liver, and spleen. We also confirmed KO of the gene message through TaqMan rtPCR in additional tissues. We performed wire injury and sham surgeries of femoral arteries in adult Adamts7+/+ and -/- mice (N=4 and 5, respectively) and investigated lesion formation at 28 days. Adamts7 -/- mice showed reduced neointima formation (64%), intima-to-media ratio (47%) and percent stenosis (61%) as compared to wild type. By immunohistochemistry and Trichrome staining we observed trends toward reduced VSMC proliferation (Ki67), reduced collagen IV and fibronectin matrix staining, and less disruption of laminin in ADAMTS7 -/- injured arteries. Finally, ADAMTS7 immunofluorescence of human primary aortic SMCs revealed colocalization to cortactin domains at the leading edge of migrating SMCs as well as to cytoskeletal filaments. In summary, Adamts7 deletion attenuates the VSMC and matrix responses to arterial injury suggesting a role for ADAMTS7 in VSMC migration in atherosclerotic lesion initiation and progression.


1997 ◽  
Vol 78 (02) ◽  
pp. 880-886 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monique J Wijnberg ◽  
Paul H A Quax ◽  
Nancy M E Nieuwenbroek ◽  
Jan H Verheijen

SummaryThe plasminogen activation system is thought to be important in cell migration processes. A role for this system during smooth muscle cell migration after vascular injury has been suggested from several animal studies. However, not much is known about its involvement in human vascular remodelling. We studied the involvement of the plasminogen activation system in human smooth muscle cell migration in more detail using an in vitro wound assay and a matrix invasion assay. Inhibition of plasmin activity or inhibition of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) activity resulted in approximately 40% reduction of migration after 24 h in the wound assay and an even stronger reduction (70-80%) in the matrix invasion assay. Migration of smooth muscle cells in the presence of inhibitory antibodies against tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) was not significantly reduced after 24 h, but after 48 h a 30% reduction of migration was observed, whereas in the matrix invasion assay a 50% reduction in invasion was observed already after 24 h. Prevention of the interaction of u-PA with cell surface receptors by addition of soluble u-PA receptor or α2-macroglobulin receptor associated protein (RAP) to the culture medium, resulted in a similar inhibition of migration and invasion. From these results it can be concluded that both u-PA and t-PA mediated plasminogen activation can contribute to in vitro human smooth muscle cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, the interaction between u-PA and its cell surface receptor appears also to be involved in this migration and invasion process. The inhibitory effects on migration and invasion by the addition of RAP suggests an involvement of a RAP sensitive receptor of the LDL receptor family, possibly the LDL-receptor related protein (LRP) and/or the VLDL receptor.


2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 152-168
Author(s):  
Zhi-Xiang Zhou ◽  
Zhong Ren ◽  
Bin-Jie Yan ◽  
Shun-Lin Qu ◽  
Zhi-Han Tang ◽  
...  

: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory vascular disease. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death in both developed and developing countries. Many pathophysiological factors, including abnormal cholesterol metabolism, vascular inflammatory response, endothelial dysfunction and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and apoptosis, contribute to the development of atherosclerosis and the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of atherosclerosis are not fully understood. Ubiquitination is a multistep post-translational protein modification that participates in many important cellular processes. Emerging evidence suggests that ubiquitination plays important roles in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in many ways, including regulation of vascular inflammation, endothelial cell and vascular smooth muscle cell function, lipid metabolism and atherosclerotic plaque stability. This review summarizes important contributions of various E3 ligases to the development of atherosclerosis. Targeting ubiquitin E3 ligases may provide a novel strategy for the prevention of the progression of atherosclerosis.


2011 ◽  
Vol 133 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin J. Boyle ◽  
Alexander B. Lennon ◽  
Patrick J. Prendergast

One way to restore physiological blood flow to occluded arteries involves the deformation of plaque using an intravascular balloon and preventing elastic recoil using a stent. Angioplasty and stent implantation cause unphysiological loading of the arterial tissue, which may lead to tissue in-growth and reblockage; termed “restenosis.” In this paper, a computational methodology for predicting the time-course of restenosis is presented. Stress-induced damage, computed using a remaining life approach, stimulates inflammation (production of matrix degrading factors and growth stimuli). This, in turn, induces a change in smooth muscle cell phenotype from contractile (as exists in the quiescent tissue) to synthetic (as exists in the growing tissue). In this paper, smooth muscle cell activity (migration, proliferation, and differentiation) is simulated in a lattice using a stochastic approach to model individual cell activity. The inflammation equations are examined under simplified loading cases. The mechanobiological parameters of the model were estimated by calibrating the model response to the results of a balloon angioplasty study in humans. The simulation method was then used to simulate restenosis in a two dimensional model of a stented artery. Cell activity predictions were similar to those observed during neointimal hyperplasia, culminating in the growth of restenosis. Similar to experiment, the amount of neointima produced increased with the degree of expansion of the stent, and this relationship was found to be highly dependant on the prescribed inflammatory response. It was found that the duration of inflammation affected the amount of restenosis produced, and that this effect was most pronounced with large stent expansions. In conclusion, the paper shows that the arterial tissue response to mechanical stimulation can be predicted using a stochastic cell modeling approach, and that the simulation captures features of restenosis development observed with real stents. The modeling approach is proposed for application in three dimensional models of cardiovascular stenting procedures.


2001 ◽  
Vol 711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derick C. Miller ◽  
Anil Thapa ◽  
Karen M. Haberstroh ◽  
Thomas J. Webster

ABSTRACTBiomaterials that successfully integrate into surrounding tissue should match not only the tissue's mechanical properties, but also the dimensions of the associated nano-structured extra-cellular matrix (ECM) components. The goal of this research was to use these ideals to develop a synthetic, nano-structured, polymeric biomaterial that has cytocompatible and mechanical behaviors similar to that of natural vascular tissue. In a novel manner, poly-lactic acid/polyglycolic acid (PLGA) (50/50 wt.% mix) and polyurethane were separately synthesized to possess a range of fiber dimensions in the micron and nanometer regime. Preliminary results indicated that decreasing fiber diameter on both PLGA and PU enhanced arterial smooth muscle cell adhesion; specifically, arterial smooth muscle cell adhesion increased 23% when PLGA fiber dimensions decreased from 500 to 50 nm and increased 76% on nano-structured, compared to conventional structured, polyurethane. However, nano-structured PLGA decreased endothelial cell adhesion by 52%, whereas adhesion of these same cells was increased by 50% on polyurethane. For these reasons, the present in vitro study provides the first evidence that polymer fiber dimensions can be used to selectively control cell functions for vascular prosthesis.


2010 ◽  
Vol 344 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 81-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei-Wen Kuo ◽  
Jing-Ru Weng ◽  
Chih-Yang Huang ◽  
Chang-Hai Tsai ◽  
Wei-Hung Liu ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengxue Zhang ◽  
Bowen Wang ◽  
Craig Kent ◽  
Lian-Wang Guo

Introduction: Intimal hyperplasia (IH) occurs primarily due to vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) transformation from quiescent to pathogenic phenotypes (e.g. proliferation and inflammation). Identification and effective targeting of key epigenetic factors governing SMC pathogenic transformation may lead to novel therapeutic methods for prevention of IH. We previously found that globally blocking the bromo- and extra-terminal (BET) epigenetic “reader” family abrogated SMC phenotype transformation and IH. We further investigated the functions of the two BET bromodomains (Bromo1 and Bromo2). Hypothesis: Bromo1 and Bromo2 play different roles in SMC pathogenic transformation. Methods and Results: We pre-treated rat primary aortic SMCs (for 2h) with Olinone or RVX208, inhibitors specific for Bromo1 and Bromo2 respectively, and then stimulated SMC phenotype transformation. Whereas RVX208 abrogated PDGF-BB-stimulated SMC proliferation (BrdU assay) in a dose dependent manner, Olinone enhanced SMC proliferation at high concentrations (>20 μM). RVX208 at 50 μM reduced TNFα-induced SMC inflammation (MCP-1 ELISA) by 80%,but Olinone at the same concentration slightly increased MCP-1. Furthermore, whereas RVX208 abolished PDGF-BB or TNFα-induced STAT3 phosphorylation (Western blotting), Olinone slightly increased phospho-STAT3. Conclusions: Our results reveal that blocking two BET bromodomains respectively produces distinct effects on SMC phenotype transformation, suggesting their differential epigenetic functions. Further elucidation of the underlying molecular mechanisms should contribute to precise targeting of the BET family for optimal mitigation of IH.


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