Article
Hematology
Yanan Guo, Zhihan Tang, Binjie Yan, Hao Yin, Shi Tai, Juan Peng, Yuting Cui, Yu Gui, Darrell Belke, Shenghua Zhou, Xi-Long Zheng
Summary: This study reveals the direct effects of PCSK9 on vascular smooth muscle cells and highlights its significance in degenerative vascular diseases.
ARTERIOSCLEROSIS THROMBOSIS AND VASCULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Christine Veith, Ipek Varturk-Ozcan, Magdalena Wujak, Stefan Hadzic, Cheng-Yu Wu, Fenja Knoepp, Simone Kraut, Aleksandar Petrovic, Marija Gredic, Oleg Pak, Monika Brosien, Marie Heimbrodt, Jochen Wilhelm, Friederike C. Weisel, Kathrin Malkmus, Katharina Schaefer, Henning Gall, Khodr Tello, Djuro Kosanovic, Akylbek Sydykov, Akpay Sarybaev, Andreas Guenther, Ralf P. Brandes, Werner Seeger, Friedrich Grimminger, Hossein A. Ghofrani, Ralph T. Schermuly, Grazyna Kwapiszewska, Natascha Sommer, Norbert Weissmann
Summary: This study provides evidence for the involvement of SPARC in the pathogenesis of human PH and chronic hypoxia-induced PH in mice, most likely by affecting vascular cell function.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hong-yu Zhong, Chong Yuan, Xiao-lin Liu, Qian-qian Wang, Xiao Li, Ya-chao Zhao, Xuan Li, Dong-dong Liu, Teng-fei Zheng, Mei Zhang
Summary: This study reveals that mechanical stretch downregulates EZH2 through the YAP-TEAD1 pathway, thereby aggravating smooth muscle cell apoptosis and vascular remodeling.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY & CELL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ilaria Cimmino, Francesco Prisco, Sonia Orso, Ayewa L. Agognon, Pasquale Liguoro, Davide De Biase, Nunzianna Doti, Menotti Ruvo, Orlando Paciello, Francesco Beguinot, Pietro Formisano, Francesco Oriente
Summary: The study investigated the role of Prep1 in Prep1(i/+) mouse aorta and VSMCs, revealing that Prep1 reduces apoptosis by modulating Bcl-xL and p53 in both murine aorta and VSMCs. Additionally, the age-dependent increase in IL-6 and Prep1 in senescent VSMCs and old mice may be involved in aging-related vascular dysfunction.
Article
Cell Biology
Zhongli Chen, Qiqi Xue, Lijuan Cao, Yanpin Wang, Yuanyuan Chen, Xiaojie Zhang, Fan Xiao, Ying Yang, Melvin R. Hayden, Yan Liu, Ke Yang
Summary: This study found that oxLDL induced the foam cell-like phenotype in VSMCs and led to lipid and ROS accumulation in a dose-dependent manner, with Tlr4 showing the strongest upregulation. Interfering with Tlr4 expression abolished phenotype alteration, lipid accumulation, and Src kinase activation induced by oxLDL, demonstrating Tlr4's critical role in foam cell formation via regulating Src kinase activation as well as Sirt1 and Sirt3 expression.
MEDIATORS OF INFLAMMATION
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Lingfeng Luo, Yujun Cai, Yishuai Zhang, Chia G. Hsu, Vyacheslav A. Korshunov, Xiaochun Long, Peter A. Knight, Bradford C. Berk, Chen Yan
Summary: The study revealed that PDE10A contributes to SMC proliferation and intimal hyperplasia by antagonizing the CNP/NPR2/cGMP/PKG1alpha signaling pathway, suggesting that PDE10A may be a novel drug target for treating vascular occlusive disease.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Ngoc Luu, Apratim Bajpai, Rui Li, Seojin Park, Mahad Noor, Xiao Ma, Weiqiang Chen
Summary: This study reveals the defective mechanosensation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) during aging, leading to a decline in their ability to sense and adapt to mechanical perturbations. Aged VSMCs exhibit a relatively inert mechanobiological state with altered actin cytoskeletal integrity, resulting in impaired mechanosensitivity and dynamic mechanoresponse. This decline in mechanosensation is mediated by hyperactivity of Piezo1-dependent calcium signaling. Inhibition of Piezo1 can alleviate vascular aging and partially restore the loss in dynamic contractile properties in aged cells.
Article
Cell Biology
Zhenzhen Chen, Chenxi Ouyang, Haizeng Zhang, Yuanrui Gu, Yue Deng, Congkuo Du, Changting Cui, Shuangyue Li, Wenjie Wang, Wei Kong, Jingzhou Chen, Jun Cai, Bin Geng
Summary: Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) contribute to plaque stability, and their endogenous CTH-H2S is involved in the pathogenesis of plaque stability through activation of TFEB, increasing autophagy, promoting collagen secretion, and inhibiting apoptosis.
Article
Cell Biology
Zhenyu Guo, Baixue Yu, Xu Li, Xiaohu Yang, Chen Wang, Longhua Fan
Summary: The study found that the circadian clock system is closely related to VSMC autophagy and plaque stability. Oxidized LDL can inhibit CLOCK protein expression, leading to defective VSMC autophagy and increased apoptosis rates.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR HISTOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Xiaopeng Ma, Yimin Huang, Xuejun He, Xincheng Zhang, Yanchao Liu, Yiping Yang, Pengjie Yue, Yuan Liu, Chao Gan, Kai Shu, Ting Lei, Sheng Wang, Huaqiu Zhang
Summary: The expression and function of Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) may be associated with vascular remodeling in Moyamoya disease (MMD). This study found that TLR7 and microRNA Let-7c were upregulated in VSMCs and plasma of MMD patients, respectively. Stimulation of TLR7 by Let-7c or Imiquimod induced a synthetic phenotype switch in VSMCs. It was also discovered that Let-7c released by endothelial cells under hypoxic conditions may activate TLR7 on VSMCs, leading to vascular wall remodeling.
TRANSLATIONAL STROKE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Sheng-wen Zhou, Jing Wang, Sheng-yu Chen, Ke-feng Ren, You-xiang Wang, Jian Ji
Summary: Changes in cellular microenvironment stiffness play a crucial role in pathological processes of blood vessels. This study constructed hydrogel substrates with physiological stiffness and found that an increase in stiffness within the physiological range significantly enhanced cell adhesion and proliferation behaviors.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Shengchuan Cao, Qiuhuan Yuan, Qianqian Dong, Xilong Liu, Weikang Liu, Xiaoxuan Zhai, Chuanxin Zhang, Han Liu, Mengxiong Tang, Shujian Wei, Yuguo Chen
Summary: This study reveals the important role of the ALK7-Smad2/3 pathway in vascular smooth muscle cells apoptosis in diabetic atherosclerosis and suggests it as a potential therapeutic target.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Hematology
Carmen Yap, Arnout Mieremet, Carlie J. M. de Vries, Dimitra Micha, Vivian de Waard
Summary: Multiple layers of vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) form the media of blood vessels, providing structure and regulating blood flow. vSMCs exhibit high plasticity and can switch between different phenotypes, with a total of 6 phenotypes identified. The central dedifferentiated vSMC type is the mesenchymal-like phenotype, which can differentiate into various other cell types contributing to vascular disease.
ARTERIOSCLEROSIS THROMBOSIS AND VASCULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Genmao Cao, Xuezhen Xuan, Jie Hu, Ruijing Zhang, Haijiang Jin, Honglin Dong
Summary: Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are highly plastic and can switch into synthetic VSMCs to repair vascular injury. Multiple phenotypes of VSMCs have been discovered in vascular aging, atherosclerosis, and aortic aneurysm. The transformation of VSMCs is regulated by various factors such as transcription factors, growth factors, and non-coding RNAs.
CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Tianming Le, Xin He, Jianhua Huang, Shuai Liu, Yang Bai, Kemin Wu
Summary: The study showed that GAS5 induces SMC apoptosis and subsequent AAA onset by activating the EZH2-mediated RIG-I signaling pathway. Overexpression of EZH2 can inhibit AAA formation and SMC apoptosis.
JOURNAL OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Matthew Mercieca Balbi, Paola Scarparo, Maria Natalia Tovar, Kaneshka Masdjedi, Joost Daemen, Wijnand Den Dekker, Jurgen Ligthart, Karen Witberg, Paul Cummins, Jeroen Wilschut, Felix Zijlstra, Nicolas M. Van Mieghem, Roberto Diletti
Summary: In patients with NSTE-ACS and MVD, more than 10% of patients cannot accurately identify the culprit lesion through coronary angiography. However, intravascular imaging can improve the diagnostic accuracy of identifying the culprit lesion.
CARDIOVASCULAR REVASCULARIZATION MEDICINE
(2022)
Editorial Material
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
W. K. den Dekker, K. D. Mahmoud, E. Boersma
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Kim van Kuijk, Ian R. McCracken, Renee J. H. A. Tillie, Sebastiaan E. J. Asselberghs, Dlzar A. Kheder, Stan Muitjens, Han Jin, Richard S. Taylor, Ruud Wichers Schreur, Christoph Kuppe, Ross Dobie, Prakesh Ramachandran, Marion J. Gijbels, Lieve Temmerman, Phoebe M. Kirkwoord, Joris Luyten, Yanming Li, Heidi Noels, Pieter Goossens, John R. Wilson-Kanamori, Leon J. Schurgers, Ying H. Shen, Barend M. E. Mees, Erik A. L. Biessen, Neil C. Henderson, Rafael Kramann, Andrew H. Baker, Judith C. Sluimer
Summary: This study established specific markers for adventitial fibroblasts and analyzed their heterogeneity in response to cardiovascular diseases and risk factors. The findings revealed the functional diversity and gene expression differences among different fibroblast clusters, which are associated with cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, this study is important for understanding cardiovascular diseases and developing targeted therapies.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Wijnand K. den Dekker, Anastasios-Alexandros Siskos, Jeroen M. Wilschut, Rutger-Jan Nuis, Paola Scarparo, Tara Neleman, Kaneshka Masdjedi, Jurgen M. R. Ligthart, Roberto Diletti, Joost Daemen, Nicolas M. Van Mieghem
Summary: The study aimed to report the initial experience of using OA for heavily calcified coronary artery disease in a tertiary care institution in the Netherlands. The results showed that OA demonstrated favorable debulking effects and plaque modification for heavily calcified coronary lesions, with high procedural success and clinical safety.
NETHERLANDS HEART JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Margaux A. C. Fontaine, Han Jin, Mick Gagliardi, Mat Rousch, Erwin Wijnands, Monika Stoll, Xiaofei Li, Leon Schurgers, Chris Reutelingsperger, Casper Schalkwijk, Nynke M. S. van den Akker, Daniel G. M. Molin, Lars Gullestad, Jan Eritsland, Pavel Hoffman, Mona Skjelland, Geir O. Andersen, Pal Aukrust, Joel Karel, Evgueni Smirnov, Bente Halvorsen, Lieve Temmerman, Erik A. L. Biessen
Summary: This study investigates the impact of systemic trauma response on macrophages in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). By analyzing healthy human monocyte-derived macrophages exposed to AMI serum, the study identifies an AMI signature and gene networks associated with poor clinical prognosis. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) signaling is identified as a potential target for clinical intervention in macrophage imprinting during AMI trauma healing. These findings offer new opportunities for targeted intervention and improved management of cardiovascular disease risk.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Emiel P. C. van der Vorst, Sanne L. Maas, Kosta Theodorou, Linsey J. F. Peters, Han Jin, Timo Rademakers, Marion J. Gijbels, Mat Rousch, Yvonne Jansen, Christian Weber, Michael Lehrke, Corinna Lebherz, Daniela Yildiz, Andreas Ludwig, Jacob F. Bentzon, Erik A. L. Biessen, Marjo M. P. C. Donners
Summary: This study demonstrates that endothelial ADAM10 plays a protective role in the development of murine atherosclerosis, primarily by limiting inflammation induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL). The findings provide novel opportunities for treating atherosclerosis progression, but caution should be exercised when considering the use of ADAM10 inhibitors for therapy in other diseases.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Chang Lu, Marjo M. P. C. Donners, Joel Karel, Hetty de Boer, Anton Jan van Zonneveld, Hester den Ruijter, J. Wouter Jukema, Adriaan Kraaijeveld, Johan Kuiper, Gerard Pasterkamp, Rachel Cavill, Javier Perales-Paton, Ele Ferrannini, Pieter Goossens, Erik A. L. Biessen
Summary: This study identified sex-specific transcriptional differences and signaling pathways in circulating monocytes contributing to cardiovascular disease. Female CAD patients had stronger chemotaxis and migratory signatures in their monocytes compared to males. Female monocytes also showed higher activation levels in certain cytokine signaling pathways, while males showed higher activation in others. These sex differences were not observed in healthy subjects. Additionally, the transcription factor jun-B was found to be activated in female-specific pathways, providing potential underlying mechanisms for these sex differences.
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Adele Ruder, Suzan M. W. Wetzels, Lieve Temmerman, Erik A. L. Biessen, Pieter Goossens
Summary: Monocytes differentiate into macrophages at sites of inflammation and contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease. Different subtypes of monocytes, characterized by the expression of CD14 and CD16, have been identified. The middle subtype has been found to be associated with atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and heart failure. However, more research is needed to understand their exact role and predictive value in cardiovascular disease.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Danielle Kerkhofs, Robin Helgers, Denise Hermes, Hellen P. J. Steinbusch, Helma Van Essen, Peter Leenders, Jos Prickaerts, Julie Staals, Erik A. Biessen, Robert J. Van Oostenbrugge, Sebastien Foulquier
Summary: Amlodipine attenuates short-term memory impairment and modulates neuroinflammation in aged hypertensive mice.
JOURNAL OF HYPERTENSION
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Nikolaos T. Skenteris, Esmeralda Hemme, Lucie Delfos, Glykeria Karadimou, Eva Karlof, Mariette Lengquist, Malin Kronqvist, Xiang Zhang, Lars Maegdefessel, Leon J. Schurgers, Hildur Arnardottir, Erik A. L. Biessen, Ilze Bot, Ljubica Matic
Summary: This study found that calcification is a key feature of advanced human atherosclerosis and is positively associated with vascular disease burden and adverse events. The activation of mast cells (MCs) is inversely associated with macrocalcification and positively correlated with plaque vulnerability. In vitro experiments showed that smooth muscle cell (SMC) calcification attenuates MC activation, while both activated and resting MCs stimulate SMC calcification.
VASCULAR PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Adele V. V. Ruder, Lieve Temmerman, Joep M. A. van Dommelen, Jan Nagenborg, Chang Lu, Judith C. C. Sluimer, Pieter Goossens, Erik A. L. Biessen
Summary: This study investigated the influence of cell density on the functional phenotype of macrophages (M phi). The results showed that increasing cell density can enhance phagocytic activity and proliferation, but decrease lipid uptake, inflammasome activation, mitochondrial stress, and cytokine secretion. The findings also revealed the impact of cell density on macrophages derived from different sources. Therefore, awareness of culture density is crucial when conducting and interpreting in vitro experiments.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Jan Nagenborg, Han Jin, Adele V. Ruder, Lieve Temmerman, Barend Mees, Casper Schalkwijk, Daniel Mueller-Klieser, Thorsten Berg, Pieter Goossens, Marjo M. P. C. Donners, Erik A. L. Biessen
Summary: In this study, the researchers identified STAT5A as an important determinant of macrophage functions and inflammation in the context of human atherosclerosis, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for plaque inflammation in human atherosclerosis.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Elias B. Wieland, Laura J. A. P. Kempen, Chang Lu, Marjo M. P. C. Donners, Erik A. L. Biessen, Pieter Goossens
Summary: This article presents a protocol for in situ multispectral imaging to map myeloid cell heterogeneity in tissue cryosections, and provides detailed steps for its execution and data preparation.
Meeting Abstract
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
S. L. Maas, H. Jin, C. Lu, J. Nagenborg, J. M. H. Karel, R. Cavill, C. J. J. M. Sikkink, S. Nadeau, M. Gijbels, B. M. E. Mees, E. Smirnov, J. C. Sluimer, G. A. Martins, E. P. C. Van der Vorst, E. A. L. Biessen
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
H. Jin, S. L. Maas, C. Lu, J. Nagenborg, M. Manca, J. M. H. Karel, R. Cavill, O. Waring, C. J. J. M. Sikkink, B. M. E. Mees, M. J. A. P. Daemen, E. Smirnov, J. Sluimer, E. Van der Vorst, E. A. L. Biessen