Sirtuin 6 mitigates thoracic aortic aneurysm progression via maintenance of mitochondria homeostasis in vascular smooth muscle cells.
Progressive loss of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is the pathophysiological basis for aortic aneurysm and dissection (AAD), a life-threatening disease, but the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Sirtuin 6 (SIRT6), a class III histone deacetylase, is critical for maintenance of VSMC homeostasis and prevention of vascular remodeling-related diseases. In this study, we investigated the role of VSMC SIRT6 in AAD and the molecular mechanism. We showed that the expression levels of SIRT6 were significantly reduced in VSMCs of the thoracic aorta in AAD patients. We constructed a VSMC-specific Sirt6 deficient mouse line and found that loss of Sirt6 in VSMCs dramatically accelerated angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced AAD formation and rupture, even without an Apoe-deficient background. In human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs), knockdown of SIRT6 led to mitochondrial dysfunction and accelerated VSMC senescence. We revealed that SIRT6 bound to and deacetylated NRF2, a key transcription factor for mitochondrial biogenesis. However, Sirt6 deficiency inhibited NRF2 and reduced mRNAs encoding mitochondrial complex proteins. Notably, MDL-811, a newly developed small-molecule SIRT6 agonist, effectively reversed Ang II-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in HASMCs. In a BAPN-induced TAAD mouse model, administration of MDL-811 (20 mg/kg, i.p., every other day for 28 d) effectively mitigated AAD progression and reduced mortality. These results suggest that SIRT6 plays a protective role against AAD development, and targeting SIRT6 with small-molecule activators such as MDL-811 could represent a promising therapeutic strategy for AAD.
- Research Article
13
- 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101258
- Sep 29, 2021
- The Journal of Biological Chemistry
USP10 exacerbates neointima formation by stabilizing Skp2 protein in vascular smooth muscle cells
- Research Article
- 10.1007/s11357-025-02018-5
- Nov 26, 2025
- GeroScience
Arterial aging is associated with enhanced angiotensin II (Ang II) signaling via Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and with microRNA-34a (miR-34a) increased expression. AT1R-associated protein (ATRAP/Agtrap) binds to AT1R, promotes its internalization, and inhibits Ang II signaling. This study addresses the hypothesis that miR-34a targets ATRAP/Agtrap and enhances Ang II pro-inflammatory signaling via AT1R in arterial vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Our results show that miR-34a exhibits an age-associated increase in Rhesus monkey's common carotid artery and rat aorta. Further, AGTRAP protein expression is lower in old rat VSMC and in old mice aorta. Ang II enhances miR-34a in old rat VSMC and human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC), and inhibits AGTRAP and sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) mRNA/protein expression. In miR-34a-overexpressing HASMC, AGTRAP and SIRT1 mRNA/protein decrease, and these effects are rescued by AGTRAP forced expression. Moreover, miR-34a directly targets AGTRAP and AGTRAP downmodulation further enhances miR-34a expression decreasing SIRT1 in HASMC. Finally, Ang II and miR-34a induce the upregulation of pro-inflammatory genes, interleukin (IL)-6, cyclooxygenase2 (COX2), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and milk fat globule-epidermal growth factor 8 (MFGE8) in HASMC, and this effect is abolished by AGTRAP forced expression. In conclusion, Ang II upregulates miR-34a, activating a negative feedback loop on AGTRAP that reinforces Ang II signaling. The age-associated AGTRAP downmodulation in central arteries and VSMC underlies a potential miR-34a/AGTRAP role in vascular aging.
- Research Article
8
- 10.1007/bf01064377
- Jan 1, 1995
- Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis
Migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are hallmarks of atherogenesis and restenosis after angioplasty. Digestion of surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM) may be a critical link. To determine whether invasion of ECM by human aortic SMCs (HASMCs) depends on proteolytic digestion mediated by the cells themselves, we characterized ECM digestion in terms of solubilization of 3H-proline--labeled ECM, produced by the use of rat aortic SMCs, by HASMCs under various conditions. Plasmin alone (10 µg/ml) digested 80% of ECM in 2 hours. HASMCs in 10% fetal bovine serum cultured on ECM that was not exposed to plasmin digested 48% of the ECM in 7 days. When HASMCs were cultured on plasmin-pretreated ECM, only 14% of the residual ECM was digested. Conditioned media or cells cultured on porous membrane 1 mm removed from the ECM had no effect. Baseline secretion of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) into the media by HASMCs averaged 3.9 ng/105 cells/24 hr and baseline secretion of type-1 plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) averaged 1300 ng/105 cells/24 hr. Thrombin (5 U/ml) increased t-PA antigen production by 184% without altering PAI-1 activity and increased ECM degradation by 43% in 7 days. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) decreased t-PA antigen production, increased PAI-1 activity, and decreased ECM degradation. These results suggest that (1) HASMCs can digest naturally produced ECM; (2) plasminogen-dependent mechanisms requiring cell contact are important in the initiation of this phenomenon; and (3) thrombin in the vicinity of clots may modulate the fibrinolytic and proteolytic properties of SMC through t-PA after vascular injury.
- Research Article
35
- 10.1074/jbc.m313823200
- Mar 29, 2004
- Journal of Biological Chemistry
Cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase I (PKGI) mediates vascular relaxation by nitric oxide and related nitrovasodilators and inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration. To identify VSMC proteins that interact with PKGI, the N-terminal protein interaction domain of PKGIalpha was used to screen a yeast two-hybrid human aortic cDNA library. The formin homology (FH) domain-containing protein, FHOD1, was found to interact with PKGIalpha in this screen. FH domain-containing proteins bind Rho-family GTPases and regulate actin cytoskeletal dynamics, cell migration, and gene expression. Antisera to FHOD1 were raised and used to characterize FHOD1 expression and distribution in vascular cells. FHOD1 is highly expressed in human coronary artery, aortic smooth muscle cells, and in human arterial and venous endothelial cells. In glutathione S-transferase pull-down experiments, the FHOD1 C terminus (amino acids 964-1165) binds full-length PKGI. Both in vitro and intact cell studies demonstrate that the interaction between FHOD1 and PKGI is decreased 3- to 5-fold in the presence of the PKG activator, 8Br-cGMP. Immunofluorescence studies of human VSMC show that FHOD1 is cytoplasmic and is concentrated in the perinuclear region. PKGI also directly phosphorylates FHOD1, and studies with wild-type and mutant FHOD1-derived peptides identify Ser-1131 in the FHOD1 C terminus as the unique PKGI phosphorylation site in FHOD1. These studies demonstrate that FHOD1 is a PKGI-interacting protein and substrate in VSMCs and show that cyclic GMP negatively regulates the FHOD1-PKGI interaction. Based on the known functions of FHOD1, the data are consistent with a role for FHOD1 in cyclic GMP-dependent inhibition of VSMC stress fiber formation and/or migration.
- Research Article
48
- 10.1161/01.hyp.37.2.658
- Feb 1, 2001
- Hypertension
Estradiol may be cardioprotective; however, the mechanisms involved remain unclear. Recent findings that estradiol attenuates neointima formation in estrogen receptor knockout mice suggest that the cardioprotective effects of estradiol may be mediated through estrogen receptor-independent mechanisms. Because 2-methoxyestradiol, an endogenous metabolite of estradiol with no affinity for estrogen receptors, is more potent than estradiol in inhibiting vascular smooth muscle cell growth, it is feasible that 2-methoxyestradiol mediates in part the cardioprotective effects of estradiol. To address this hypothesis, we examined the kinetics of 2-methoxyestradiol synthesis in vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells. In human aortic smooth muscle cells, the V(max), K(m), and V(max)/K(m) ratio values for conversion of 2-hydroxyestradiol to 2-methoxyestradiol were 19+/-0.69 pmol. min(-1) per 10(6) cells, 0.52+/-0.085 micromol/L, and 44+/-4.9 pmol. min(-1). micromol/L per 10(6) cells, respectively. In human coronary artery vascular smooth muscle cells, the V(max), K(m), and V(max)/K(m) ratio values for conversion of 2-hydroxyestradiol to 2-methoxyestradiol were 16+/-0.59 pmol. min(-1) per 10(6) cells, 0.23+/-0.011 micromol/L, and 69+/-3.6 pmol. min(-1). micromol/L per 10(6) cells, respectively (all values significantly different compared with human aortic smooth muscle cells). Also, in human aortic versus coronary artery endothelial cells, the V(max) (33+/-0.24 versus 22+/-0.33 pmol. min(-1) per 10(6) cells, respectively), K(m) (0.20+/-0.010 versus 0.099+/-0.014 micromol/L, respectively), and V(max)/K:(m) (163+/-7.7 versus 243+/-41 pmol. min(-1). micromol/L per 10(6) cells, respectively) values were significantly different. Our results indicate that vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells effectively metabolize 2-hydroxyestradiol to 2-methoxyestradiol. The lower K(m) and higher V(max)/K(m) ratio of human coronary versus aortic cells indicate a faster rate of local metabolism of 2-hydroxyestradiol to 2-methoxyestradiol in the coronary circulation at low levels of 2-hydroxyestradiol.
- Research Article
121
- 10.1161/atvbaha.118.311298
- Sep 1, 2018
- Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology
Objective- Vascular calcification (VC) is age dependent and a risk factor for cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. VC involves the senescence-induced transdifferentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) toward an osteochondrogenic lineage resulting in arterial wall mineralization. miR-34a increases with age in aortas and induces vascular SMC senescence through the modulation of its target SIRT1 (sirtuin 1). In this study, we aimed to investigate whether miR-34a regulates VC. Approach and Results- We found that miR-34a and Runx2 (Runt-related transcription factor 2) expression correlates in young and old mice. Mir34a+/+ and Mir34a-/- mice were treated with vitamin D, and calcium quantification revealed that Mir34a deficiency reduces soft tissue and aorta medial calcification and the upregulation of the VC Sox9 (SRY [sex-determining region Y]-box 9) and Runx2 and the senescence p16 and p21 markers. In this model, miR-34a upregulation was transient and preceded aorta mineralization. Mir34a-/- SMCs were less prone to undergo senescence and under osteogenic conditions deposited less calcium compared with Mir34a+/+ cells. Furthermore, unlike in Mir34a+/+ SMC, the known VC inhibitors SIRT1 and Axl (AXL receptor tyrosine kinase) were only partially downregulated in calcifying Mir34a-/- SMC. Strikingly, constitutive miR-34a overexpression to senescence-like levels in human aortic SMCs increased calcium deposition and enhanced Axl and SIRT1 decrease during calcification. Notably, we also showed that miR-34a directly decreased Axl expression in human aortic SMC, and restoration of its levels partially rescued miR-34a-dependent growth arrest. Conclusions- miR-34a promotes VC via vascular SMC mineralization by inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing senescence through direct Axl and SIRT1 downregulation, respectively. This miRNA could be a good therapeutic target for the treatment of VC.
- Research Article
16
- 10.1007/s11626-997-0062-x
- Jun 1, 1997
- In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology - Animal
Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and transforming growth factor beta-1(TGF-beta 1) were tested separately or together for the ability to stimulate migration of human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). PDGF (10 ng/ml) stimulated migration of VSMC over a 48-h period. TGF-beta 1 (10 ng/ml) had no effect on migration during the same period. VSMC exposed simultaneously to both TGF-beta 1 and PDGF exhibited diminished migration (50%) when compared to cells treated only with PDGF. Cells that migrated in the presence of PDGF possessed short actin cables that extended from cellular processes at the leading edge of migrating cells; focal adhesions containing the alpha v beta 3/beta 5 integrins localised to the same region. Cells grown in the presence of TGF-beta 1 exhibited long, intensely stained actin filaments that spanned the entire length of the cell and were similar to untreated control VSMC. Focal adhesions containing alpha v beta 3/beta 5 distributed evenly on the basal surface in both TGF-beta 1-treated cells and control cultures. Cellular responses to PDGF were mitigated when TGF-beta 1 was present in the culture medium. VSMC grown in the presence of both PDGF and TGF-beta 1 exhibited elongated actin filaments that were similar to nonmotile TGF-beta 1-treated cultures. Concomitant exposure of VSMC to PDGF and TGF-beta 1 resulted in focal adhesions that distributed evenly on the lower cell surface. This study suggests that TGF-beta 1 can partially reverse the stimulatory effect of PDGF on VSMC migration in vitro by modifying the actin cytoskeleton and the distribution of the alpha v beta3/beta 5 integrins.
- Research Article
201
- 10.1161/circresaha.120.318353
- Dec 23, 2020
- Circulation Research
Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) senescence promotes atherosclerosis and features of plaque instability, in part, through lipid-mediated oxidative DNA damage and telomere dysfunction. SIRT6 (Sirtuin 6) is a nuclear deacetylase involved in DNA damage response signaling, inflammation, and metabolism; however, its role in regulating VSMC senescence and atherosclerosis is unclear. We examined SIRT6 expression in human VSMCs, the role, regulation, and downstream pathways activated by SIRT6, and how VSMC SIRT6 regulates atherogenesis. SIRT6 protein, but not mRNA, expression was markedly reduced in VSMCs in human and mouse atherosclerotic plaques, and in human VSMCs derived from plaques or undergoing replicative or palmitate-induced senescence versus healthy aortic VSMCs. The ubiquitin ligase CHIP (C terminus of HSC70-interacting protein) promoted SIRT6 stability, but CHIP expression was reduced in human and mouse plaque VSMCs and by palmitate in a p38- and c-Jun N-terminal kinase-dependent manner. SIRT6 bound to telomeres, while SIRT6 inhibition using shRNA or a deacetylase-inactive mutant (SIRT6H133Y) shortened human VSMC lifespan and induced senescence, associated with telomeric H3K9 (histone H3 lysine 9) hyperacetylation and 53BP1 (p53 binding protein 1) binding, indicative of telomere damage. In contrast, SIRT6 overexpression preserved telomere integrity, delayed cellular senescence, and reduced inflammatory cytokine expression and changes in VSMC metabolism associated with senescence. SIRT6, but not SIRT6H133Y, promoted proliferation and lifespan of mouse VSMCs, and prevented senescence-associated metabolic changes. ApoE-/- (apolipoprotein E) mice were generated that overexpress SIRT6 or SIRT6H133Y in VSMCs only. SM22α-hSIRT6/ApoE-/- mice had reduced atherosclerosis, markers of senescence and inflammation compared with littermate controls, while plaques of SM22α-hSIRT6H133Y/ApoE-/- mice showed increased features of plaque instability. SIRT6 protein expression is reduced in human and mouse plaque VSMCs and is positively regulated by CHIP. SIRT6 regulates telomere maintenance and VSMC lifespan and inhibits atherogenesis, all dependent on its deacetylase activity. Our data show that endogenous SIRT6 deacetylase is an important and unrecognized inhibitor of VSMC senescence and atherosclerosis.
- Research Article
136
- 10.1074/jbc.m111.221945
- Aug 1, 2011
- Journal of Biological Chemistry
Activation of Notch signaling by Jagged-1 (Jag-1) in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) promotes a differentiated phenotype characterized by increased expression of contractile proteins. Recent studies show that microRNAs (miR)-143/145 regulates VSMC phenotype. The serum response factor (SRF)/myocardin complex binds to CArG sequences to activate miR-143/145 transcription, but no other regulators are known in VSMC. Using miR arrays, we found miR-143/145 induced following expression of a constitutively active Notch1 intracellular domain (N1ICD). We hypothesized that miR-143/145 is required for Jag-1/Notch-induced VSMC differentiation. Activation of Notch receptors by Jag-1 caused CBF1-dependent up-regulation of miR-143/145, increased differentiation, and decreased proliferation. Conversely, inhibiting basal Notch signaling decreased steady state levels of miR-143/145. Using SRF knockdown, we found that Jag-1/Notch induction of miR-143/145 is SRF independent, although full acquisition of contractile markers requires SRF. Using miR-143/145 promoter reporter constructs we show Jag-1/Notch increases promoter activity, and this is dependent on intact CBF1 consensus sites within the promoter. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays revealed that N1ICD-containing complexes bind to CBF1 sites in the miR-143/145 promoter. We also identified N1ICD complex binding to CBF1 sites within the endogenous human miR-143/145 promoter. Using miR-143/145-interfering oligonucleotides, we demonstrate that Jag-1/Notch signaling requires induction of both miR-143 and miR-145 to promote the VSMC contractile phenotype. Thus, miR-143/145 is a novel transcriptional target of Jag-1/Notch signaling in VSMC. We propose miR-143/145 as activated independently by Jag-1/Notch and SRF in parallel pathways. Multiple pathways converging on miR-143/145 provides potential for fine-tuning or amplification of VSMC differentiation signals.
- Conference Article
- 10.5339/qfarc.2016.hbsp3060
- Jan 1, 2016
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are still the number one cause of morbidity and mortality both in Qatar and worldwide. A major risk factor of CVDs is atherosclerosis, the hardening of blood vessels caused by decreased diameter and formation of plaque. A key player in atherosclerosis prognosis is the switch of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) phenotype from their undifferentiated state to a synthetic one. The synthetic state of VSMCs is characterized by an increase in proliferation, migration and invasion to the lumen of blood vessels, contributing to the atherosclerotic plaque. Ineffectiveness of current treatments has lead to an increasing interest in herbal medicine, possibly because they are cheap and produce little side effects. Origanum syriacum, commonly known as Zataar, is an important constituent of the Mediterranean diet; a diet correlated with lower risk of CVDs. O. syriacum is also reported for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, an indication of its possible anti-atherosclerotic activities. However, O. syriacum effect on atherosclerosis or CVDs is not well studied. This is why we chose to study the effect of the ethanolic extract of O. syriacum (OSEE) on the proliferation, migration, invasion and differentiation of human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs). Cell Titer-Glu assay was used to study OSEE effect on HASMCs viability. Cells were incubated with OSEE (0, 0.5, 0.1 and 0.2 mg/ml) for 24, 48 and 72 hours. OSEE has showed to exert a significant anti-proliferative effect on HASMCs. This effect, though, seems to be concentration-dependent, but not time-dependent. The optimum concentration, 0.2 mg/ml, significantly decreased HASMCs viability at 24 and 72 hours by 52.5 ± 10.39% and 47.6 ± 9.83% compared to control, respectively. A scratch-wound assay was used to determine OSEE's effect on migration of HASMCs. A monolayer of cells was scratched and wound size was measured every 2 hours for 24 hours. OSEE significantly inhibited the migratory capacity of HASMCs compared to untreated cells. Cells that were incubated with 0.2 mg/ml of OSEE for 24 hours showed 65.07 ± 12.58% less migration than the control. To measure the invasive capacity of HASMCs, Matrigel-coated BD BioCoatTM filter inserts were used. Cells were incubated in serum free media with or without 0.2 mg/ml of OSEE, and number of invasive cells was counted after 24 hours. OSEE has shown to significantly decrease the invasive capacity of HASMCs by 79.82 ± 5.69% compared to control. To study effect of OSEE on differentiation of HASMCs, western blotting was used to measure calponin-h1 activity. Cells were incubated with or without 0.2 mg/ml OSEE for 24 hours and lysate was analyzed. OSEE increased the expression of calponin-h1 by 147.19 ± 72.33% compared to control. These results indicate that OSEE possess anti-atherosclerotic abilities by modulating the phenotype of HASMCs. This modulation returns HASMCs to their differentiated state, as shown by calponin-h1 increase. It also exhibits this modulation by inhibition of the synthetic state phenotypes of proliferation, migration and invasion of HASMCs. This anti-atherosclerotic effect should be further studied by possibly investigating OSE's effect on specific pathways that leads to migration and invasion of HASMCs, such as ERK1/2 and MAPK pathways, as well as MMPs expression.
- Research Article
26
- 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2013.09.060
- Nov 13, 2013
- The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
BRCA1 shields vascular smooth muscle cells from oxidative stress
- Research Article
- 10.1152/physiol.2024.39.s1.2221
- May 1, 2024
- Physiology
Large Artery Stiffness (LAS) is independently associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and its development is multifactorial and has been associated with the onset of cellular senescence (CS). CS is defined as a stable cell cycle arrest, characterized by an altered cell phenotype with impaired function and detrimental secretory profile. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are present in two main phenotypes: the contractile phenotype seen in young populations, and the synthetic phenotype related to aging and senescent VSMCs. Micro-RNAs (miR) are non-coding RNAs that can alter protein expression. miR-181b has been demonstrated to undergo downregulation with aging with a close to 80% decrease, this correlates with an upregulation of markers of senescence. To test the hypothesis that miR-181b could modulate the senescent phenotype in VSMCs and promote a more contractile phenotype, a cellular model comprising young and old human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) was employed. These cells were transfected with either a miR-181b mimic or a scrambled miR control (SCR), resulting in an 11-fold increase in the young and a 3.3-fold increase in the old. Cell proliferation was measured using electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) technology, where it was found to be lower in older HASMCs (1.05±0.001) compared to the young (1.1±0.001, p<0.05). When miR-181b was introduced, there was a significant increase in proliferation for both age groups by 0.03-fold compared to SCR (p<0.05). Old HASMCs demonstrated a decreased average ionomycin-induced contractile response (3.65%±0.46) when compared to the young (7.17%±0.60, p<0.05). Lipofectamine-mediated transfection of HASMCs with miR-181b resulted in an increased contractility response in the old HASMCs (5.46%±0.91) compared to scrambled control (1.41%±0.39, p<0.05), while there was no significant difference for the young cells. The percentage of Senescence-Associated-β-galactosidase (Saβ-gal) positive cells, a marker of senescence, was higher in old (39.74%±3.04) vs young (4.35%±0.72, p<0.05). The percentage of Saβ-gal positive cells tended to decrease in old VSMCs after miR-181b transfection (SCR 79.65%±4.38 vs Old181b 70.39±4.03, p=0.2.02), with no effect on young cells. Immunofluorescence in situ hybridization (IF-FISH) staining for the double-stranded DNA break marker (53BP1) was lower in the young (4.65%) compared to old HASMCs (32.69%). Likewise, the percentage of cells with one or more 53BP1 foci colocalization in telomeres, referred to as Telomere dysfunction-induced foci (TIF), was higher in old (11.54%) compared to young (2.33%) VSMCs (p=0.002). However, miR-181b transfection did not impact these markers regardless of age (p=0.94). Transfection of HASMCs with miR-181b did not impact senescent cell abundance, but improved contractility and cellular proliferation. Combined with our prior data demonstrating a senomorphic effect of miR-181b transfection to improve cellular stiffness and favorably modulate of senescence-associated secretory factors, our results demonstrate an enhancement in the phenotypic characteristics of the old HASMCs group, suggesting that miR-181b participates in the modulation of the senescent VSMCs phenotype. This translates to a potential improvement in HASMC health that could reduce the development of LAS. National Institutes of Health Awards: K08 AG070281 (ET), T32 HL139451 (DM), R01 AG048366 (LAL), R01 AG060395 (AJD), and Western Institute for Veterans Research (ET). This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.
- Research Article
155
- 10.1074/jbc.m511425200
- May 1, 2006
- Journal of Biological Chemistry
The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and its ligands have been implicated in the activation of oxidant stress and inflammatory pathways in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) leading to the initiation and augmentation of atherosclerosis. Here we report that non-receptor Src tyrosine kinase and the membrane protein caveolin-1 (Cav-1) play a key role in the activation of RAGE by S100B in VSMCs. S100B increased the activation of Src kinase and tyrosine phosphorylation of caveolin-1 in VSMCs. A RAGE-specific antibody blocked both these effects. An inhibitor of Src kinase, PP2, significantly blocked S100B-induced activation of Src kinase, mitogen-activated protein kinases, transcription factors NF-kappaB and STAT3, superoxide production, tyrosine phosphorylation of Cav-1, VSMC migration, and expression of the pro-inflammatory genes monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and interleukin-6. Cholesterol depletion also inhibited S100B-induced effects indicating the requirement for intact caveolae in RAGE-specific signaling. Nucleofection of either a Src dominant negative mutant, or a Cav-1 mutant lacking the scaffolding domain, or Cav-1 short hairpin RNA significantly reduced S100B-induced inflammatory gene expression in VSMCs. Furthermore, VSMCs derived from insulin-resistant and diabetic db/db mice displayed increased RAGE expression, Src activation, and migration compared with those from control db/+ mice. The RAGE antibody blocked enhanced migration in db/db cells. These studies demonstrate for the first time that, in VSMCs, Src kinase and Cav-1 play important roles in RAGE-mediated inflammatory gene expression and migration, key events associated with diabetic vascular complications.
- Research Article
- 10.1161/atvb.35.suppl_1.719
- May 1, 2015
- Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology
Background: Mature vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) exhibit limited proliferation and migration ability. However, in response to stresses, VSMCs undergo phenotypic modulation characterized by increased proliferation and motility. This phenotypic modulation is associated with several vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, arterial neointima formation. Elevated glycolysis has been described in proliferative VSMCs. The isoform 3 of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2, 6-bisphosphatase (PFKFB3) is a regulatory factor for VSMC glycolysis. PFKFB3 catalyze the synthesis of fructose 2, 6-bishosphate (F2, 6 BP). The latter is a powerful activator of 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase, the rate-limiting enzyme in glycolytic flux. It is unclear whether PFKFB3 mediated glycolysis play a role in VSMC phenotypic modulation andarterial neointima formation. Methods and results: PDGF treatment increased PFKFB3 expression in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs). This was accompanied with enhanced proliferation and migration of HASMCs. Knockdown of PFKFB3 with adenovirus carrying PFKFB3 short hairpin RNA suppressed PDGF-induced HASMC proliferation and migration. Examination of intracellular signaling indicated PI3K/Akt participated into PFKFB3-mediated glycolysis, and further cooperated with PFKFB3 to modulate phenotype of HASMCs. In a model of the left common carotid artery ligation, both PFKFB3 heterozygotes and mice with deficiency of PFKFB3 in VSMCs showed the decreased arterial neointima compared with controls mice. Conclusions: PFKFB3 mediates glycolysis and cooperates with PI3K/AKT, thereafter promoting proliferation and migration of VSMCs and leading to the formation of an increased arterial neointima. Thus, PFKFB3 is a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of atherosclerosis, arterial neointima and other peripheral arterial diseases.
- Research Article
27
- 10.1016/j.isci.2019.08.044
- Aug 27, 2019
- iScience
ALDH1A3 Regulations of Matricellular Proteins Promote Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation.
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