Review
Physiology
Sebastien Deglise, Clemence Bechelli, Florent Allagnat
Summary: Arterial occlusive disease is the leading cause of death in Western countries. Core contemporary therapies suffer from high failure rates due to re-occlusive vascular wall adaptations and restenosis. Restenosis following vascular surgery is largely due to intimal hyperplasia.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Tamara Melnik, Ksenia Kapitanova, Laurent Vinet, Marie-Luce Bochaton-Piallat, Olivier Jordan, Florence Delie
Summary: This study aimed to encapsulate a high payload of atorvastatin (ATV) to prevent intimal hyperplasia (IH) in vascular bypass grafts and evaluate its impact on synthetic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) involved in IH progression. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microparticles (MPs) were formulated with different drug loadings and tested for ATV release, sterilization, and effects on SMCs. The results showed sustained ATV release from 10% and 20% ATV-loaded MPs for 90 days. The ATV-loaded MPs reversed the synthetic phenotype of SMCs and attenuated their migratory and proliferative capacities.
JOURNAL OF DRUG DELIVERY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Mandy O. J. Grootaert, Martin R. Bennett
Summary: Vascular smooth muscle cells play a key role in atherosclerosis by forming a protective fibrous cap and exhibiting various phenotypes that can affect plaque formation and stability. They are a larger proportion of atherosclerotic plaques than previously thought and their plasticity is regulated by various mechanisms.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Hao-Yue Tang, Ai-Qun Chen, Huan Zhang, Xiao-Fei Gao, Xiang-Quan Kong, Jun-Jie Zhang
Summary: This article provides an updated summary of the recent studies and systematic knowledge of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) phenotypic switching in cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, in-stent restenosis, aortic aneurysms, and vascular calcification. It may guide future research and provide novel insights into the prevention and treatment of related diseases.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xu Li, Yong Ding, Min Zhou, Zhenyu Zhou, Tianchen Xie, Yonggang Wang, Zhenjie Liu, Yi Si, Zhenyu Shi
Summary: This study found that Tsp2 is involved in the pathogenesis of intimal hyperplasia (IH) by regulating the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells. Inhibition of Tsp2 can mitigate the progression of IH, suggesting that it may serve as a therapeutic target for this disorder.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Allison C. Ostriker, Yi Xie, Raja Chakraborty, Ashley J. Sizer, Yalai Bai, Min Ding, Wen-Liang Song, Anita Huttner, John Hwa, Kathleen A. Martin
Summary: The study found that TET2 is suppressed in CAV and GA, likely mediated by IFN gamma. TET2 helps to protect VSMCs from apoptosis in the context of transplant vasculopathy or IFN gamma stimulation. Enhancing TET2 enzymatic activity with high-dose ascorbic acid reduces VSMC apoptosis and intimal thickening, suggesting that promoting TET2 activity in CAV may be an effective strategy for limiting CAV progression.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dai Sik Ko, Junho Kang, Hye Jin Heo, Eun Kyoung Kim, Kihun Kim, Jin Mo Kang, YunJae Jung, Seung Eun Baek, Yun Hak Kim
Summary: Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation plays a crucial role in atherosclerosis and restenosis. This study identified PCK2 as a key regulator of VSMC proliferation and suggested targeting PCK2 as a novel therapeutic approach for atherosclerosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fabienne Burger, Daniela Baptista, Aline Roth, Rafaela Fernandes da Silva, Fabrizio Montecucco, Francois Mach, Karim J. Brandt, Kapka Miteva
Summary: The study demonstrated that oxLDL-activated monocytes can directly affect VSMCs in a co-culture system, leading to reduced expression of certain markers and upregulation of others, as well as activation of caspase 1, secretion of IL-1 beta, and pyroptosis in VSMCs. The activation of VSMC NLRP3 inflammasome by monocytes may play a detrimental role in atherosclerotic plaque stability in human atherosclerosis, as evidenced by findings in both mice and human atherosclerotic plaques.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Jiaquan Chen, Weilun Wang, Qihong Ni, Lan Zhang, Xiangjiang Guo
Summary: This study identified differential genes between CD11c+ and CD11c- plaque macrophages, and found that expression of Il6 induced macrophage polarization. Furthermore, pharmaceutical suppression of Il6 attenuated the formation and progression of atherosclerosis.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ubashini Vijakumaran, Muhammad Dain Yazid, Ruszymah Bt Hj Idrus, Mohd Ramzisham Abdul Rahman, Nadiah Sulaiman
Summary: Hydroxytyrosol, a polyphenol of olive plant, shows antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-atherogenic properties by regulating molecular pathways to promote reendothelization and inhibit VSMCs migration, thereby inhibiting the development of intimal hyperplasia.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Till Seime, Asim Cengiz Akbulut, Moritz Lindquist Liljeqvist, Antti Siika, Hong Jin, Greg Winski, Rick H. van Gorp, Eva Karlof, Mariette Lengquist, Andrew J. Buckler, Malin Kronqvist, Olivia J. Waring, Jan H. N. Lindeman, Erik A. L. Biessen, Lars Maegdefessel, Anton Razuvaev, Leon J. Schurgers, Ulf Hedin, Ljubica Matic
Summary: Calcification is a key feature of late-stage atherosclerosis, and recent research has shown that the expression of PRG4 is correlated with vascular remodeling and intimal calcification. Experimental models suggest that PRG4 plays a role in SMC function and osteogenic phenotype, impacting atherosclerotic plaque stability. Further investigations are needed to better understand the mechanisms behind PRG4's effects on calcification and SMC behavior.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Joseph M. Miano, Edward A. Fisher, Mark W. Majesky
Summary: Studying the phenotypic modulation of vascular smooth muscle cells is crucial for understanding the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and developing new therapies. Recent technological and conceptual advances shed light on the multifunctionality and plasticity of VSMCs.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yu-Chun Chang, Junlang Li, Gabriel Mirhaidari, Jacob Zbinden, Jenny Barker, Kevin Blum, James Reinhardt, Cameron Best, John Kelly, Toshihiro Shoji, Tai Yi, Christopher Breuer
Summary: Zoledronate treatment in tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) showed a positive effect on neotissue formation, reduced macrophage infiltration, and affected collagen deposition. It may offer a potential approach to mitigate TEVG stenosis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Megumi Miyabe, Nobuhisa Nakamura, Tomokazu Saiki, Satoru Miyabe, Mizuho Ito, Sachiko Sasajima, Tomomi Minato, Tatsuaki Matsubara, Keiko Naruse
Summary: Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of death globally, and there is a correlation between periodontal disease and atherosclerosis. This study used Porphyromonas gingivalis-derived LPS (Pg-LPS) to investigate the proliferation and migration of human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs). The results suggest that Pg-LPS promotes atherosclerosis through the activation of the TLR4-MAPK signaling pathway.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Zhi Zeng, Luoxing Xia, Shunyang Fan, Junmeng Zheng, Jinhong Qin, Xuejiao Fan, Yunfeng Liu, Jun Tao, Yingying Liu, Kang Li, Zhenwei Ling, Yun Bu, Kathleen A. Martin, John Hwa, Renjing Liu, Wai Ho Tang
Summary: The study demonstrates that circMAP3K5 acts as a regulator of neointimal hyperplasia by sequestering miR-22-3p to inhibit TET2 expression, and subsequently affecting vascular smooth muscle cell differentiation and proliferation. Targeting the circMAP3K5/miR-22-3p/TET2 axis may offer a potential therapeutic strategy for diseases associated with intimal hyperplasia, including restenosis and atherosclerosis.
