Transcriptomics Provides Novel Insights into the Regulatory Mechanism of IncRNA HIF1 A-AS1 on Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

ABSTRACT Introduction: Thoracic aortic aneurysm is a potentially fatal disease with a strong genetic contribution. The dysfunction of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) contributes to the formation of this aneurysm. Although previous studies suggested that long non-coding ribonucleic acid (RNA) hypoxia inducible factor 1 α-antisense RNA 1 (HIF1A-AS1) exerted a vital role in the progression and pathogenesis of thoracic aortic aneurysm, we managed to find a new regulatory mechanism of HIF1A-AS1 in VSMCs via transcriptomics. Methods: Cell viability was detected by the cell counting kit-8 assay. Cell apoptosis was assessed by Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide double staining. Transwell migration assay and wound healing assay were performed to check the migration ability of HIF1A-AS1 on VSMCs. The NextSeq XTen system (Illumina) was used to collect RNA sequencing data. Lastly, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction confirmed the veracity and reliability of RNA-sequencing results. Results: We observed that overexpressing HIF1A-AS1 successfully promoted apoptosis, significantly altered cell cycle distribution, and greatly attenuated migration in VSMCs, further highlighting the robust promoting effects of HIF1A-AS1 to thoracic aortic aneurysm. Moreover, transcriptomics was implemented to uncover its underlying mechanism. A total of 175 differently expressed genes were identified, with some of them enriched in apoptosis, migration, and cell cycle-related pathways. Intriguingly, some differently expressed genes were noted in vascular development or coagulation function pathways. Conclusion: We suggest that HIF1A-AS1 mediated the progression of thoracic aortic aneurysm by not only regulating the function of VSMCs, but also altering vascular development or coagulation function.

Pathologically Elevated-Cyclic Stretch Suppressed Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Mitochondrial Biogenesis by Down-regulating PGC1α Expression / 医用生物力学

Objective To investigate the effect of pathologically elevated-cyclic stretch induced by hypertension on mitochondrial biogenesis of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and the role of PGC1α in this process. Methods The Flexcell-5000T stretch loading system in vitro was applied to VSMCs with a frequency of 1. 25 Hz and an amplitude of 5% or 15% to simulate the mechanical environment under normal physiological or hypertensive pathological conditions respectively. Western blotting and qPCR were used to detect the expression of PGC1α, citrate synthase and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number in VSMCs under normal physiological or hypertensive pathological conditions. VSMCs were treated with PGC1α specific activator ZLN005 to promote PGC1α expression or specific interfering fragment siRNA to inhibit PGC1α expression in order to detect the effect on citrate synthase and mtDNA copy number. Results Compared with 5% physiological cyclic stretch, 15% pathologically elevated-cyclic stretch significantly suppressed the expression of PGC1α, citrate synthase and mtDNA copy number in VSMCs. Compared with control group, the protein expression of PGC1α was significantly decreased and increased respectively. When VSMCs transfected with PGC1α siRNA or incubated PGC1α activator ZLN005, the expression of citrate synthase and mtDNA copy number were also significantly down regulated and up-regulated in VSMCs accordingly. Under physiological cyclic stretch conditions, the protein level of PGC1α was significantly down-regulated by PGC1α siRNA, which also significantly down-regulated citrate synthase expression and mtDNA copy number. The protein expression of PGC1α was significantly up-regulated by ZLN005, which also enhanced the expression of citrate synthase and mtDNA copy number. Conclusions The pathological cyclic stretch induced by hypertension significantly down-regulated the expression of citrate synthase and mtDNA copy number via suppressing the expression of PGC1α, resulting in mitochondrial dysfunction of VSMCs. PGC1α may be a potential therapeutic target molecule to alleviate the progression of hypertension.

Protective mechanism of tetramethylpyrazine on cardiovascular system / 中国中药杂志

Tetramethylpyrazine is the main component of Ligusticum chuanxiong. Studies have found that tetramethylpyrazine has a good protective effect against cardiovascular diseases. In the heart, tetramethylpyrazine can reduce myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury by inhibiting oxidative stress, regulating autophagy, and inhibiting cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Tetramethylpyrazine can also reduce the damage of cardiomyocytes caused by inflammation, relieve the fibrosis and hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes in infarcted myocardium, and inhibit the expansion of the cardiac cavity after myocardial infarction. In addition, tetramethylpyrazine also has a protective effect on the improvement of familial dilated cardiomyopathy. Besides, the mechanisms of tetramethylpyrazine on blood vessels are more abundant. It can inhibit endothelial cell apoptosis by reducing oxidative stress, maintain vascular endothelial function and homeostasis by inhibiting inflammation and glycocalyx degradation, and protect vascular endothelial cells by reducing iron overload. Tetramethylpyrazine also has a certain inhibitory effect on thrombosis. It can play an anti-thrombotic effect by reducing inflammatory factors and adhesion molecules, inhibiting platelet aggregation, and suppressing the expression of fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor. In addition, tetramethylpyrazine can also reduce the level of blood lipid in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice, inhibit the subcutaneous deposition of lipids, inhibit the transformation of macrophages into foam cells, and inhibit the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells, thereby reducing the formation of atherosclerotic plaque. In combination with network pharmacology, the protective mechanism of tetramethylpyrazine on the cardiovascular system may be mainly achieved through the regulation of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt), hypoxia-inducible factor 1(HIF-1), and mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) pathways. Tetramethylpyrazine hydrochloride and sodium chloride injection has been approved for clinical application, but some adverse reactions have been found in clinical application, which need to be paid attention to.

Inhibitory Effect of Paeonol on Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Senescence by Reducing SIRT6/PARP1-mediated DNA Damage / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate whether the effects of paeonol （Pae） on angiotensin Ⅱ （AngⅡ）-induced senescence in vascular smooth muscle cells （VSMCs） were related to angiotensinogen of silencing regulatory information factor 6 （SIRT6）/adenosine diphosphate ribose polymerase 1 （PARP1） signaling pathway in VSMCs. MethodThe model of VSMC-stress aging induced by AngⅡ （100 nmol·L-1） was established. The rats were divided into normal group， model group， low， medium， and high-concentration Pae groups （30， 60， 120 μmol·L-1）. The positive rate of cell senescence was detected by SA-β-Gal staining， the ability of cell proliferation was detected by the cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） method， the expression of SIRT6， PARP1， p16， p21， p53， proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA）， deoxyribonucleic acid （DNA）-damaged protein γ-H2AX was detected by Western blot， and VSMC proliferation was detected by EdU staining. The silenced VSMCs were prepared by siRNA-SIRT6 transfection， and the protein expressions of SIRT6， PARP1， p16， and γ-H2AX in VSMCs silenced by SIRT6 were observed. ResultThe results of SA-β-Gal staining showed that the senescence positive rate of SA-β-Gal staining in the model group was higher than that in the normal group （P<0.01）， and the positive rate of SA-β-Gal staining in the Pae group was significantly lower than that in the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The results of Western blot showed that as compared with the normal group， the expression of PCNA， SIRT6， and PARP1 in the model group was down-regulated， and the expression of aging-related proteins p16， p21， p53， and γ-H2AX was up-regulated in the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， Pae promoted the protein expression of PCNA， SIRT6， and PARP1 and inhibited the protein expression of p16， p21， p53， and γ-H2AX in a dose-dependent manner （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The results of EdU staining showed that the number of EdU positive cells in the model group was lower than that in the normal group （P<0.01）， and the number of EdU positive cells in Pae groups was significantly higher than that in the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. After SIRT6 silencing， the effects of Pae on promoting SIRT6 and PARP1 and inhibiting P16 were reversed （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In addition， the addition of SIRT6 inhibitor （IN-1） promoted the occurrence of cell senescence induced by AngⅡ （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionPae can effectively inhibit the aging of VSMCs， and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of SIRT6/PARP1 signal pathway.

Terpinen-4-ol inhibits proliferation of VSMCs exposed to high glucose via regulating KLF4/NF-κB signaling pathway / 中国中药杂志

This study aimed to observe the effect of terpinen-4-ol(T4O) on the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs) exposed to high glucose(HG) and reveal the mechanism via the Krüppel-like factor 4(KLF4)/nuclear factor kappaB(NF-κB) signaling pathway. The VSMCs were first incubated with T4O for 2 h and then cultured with HG for 48 h to establish the model of inflammatory injury. The proliferation, cell cycle, and migration rate of VSMCs were examined by MTT method, flow cytometry, and wound healing assay, respectively. The content of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin(IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α) in the supernatant of VSMCs was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA), Cyclin D1, KLF4, NF-κB p-p65/NF-κB p65, IL-1β, and IL-18. The KLF4 expression in VSMCs was silenced by the siRNA technology, and then the effects of T4O on the cell cycle and protein expression of the HG-induced VSMCs were observed. The results showed that different doses of T4O inhibited the HG-induced proliferation and migration of VSMCs, increased the percentage of cells in G_1 phase, and decreased the percentage of cells in S phase, and down-regulated the protein levels of PCNA and Cyclin D1. In addition, T4O reduced the HG-induced secretion and release of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α and down-regulated the expression of KLF4, NF-κB p-p65/NF-κB p65, IL-1β, and IL-18. Compared with si-NC+HG, siKLF4+HG increased the percentage of cells in G_1 phase, decreased the percentage of cells in S phase, down-regulated the expression of PCNA, Cyclin D1, and KLF4, and inhibited the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway. Notably, the combination of silencing KLF4 with T4O treatment further promoted the changes in the above indicators. The results indicate that T4O may inhibit the HG-induced proliferation and migration of VSMCs by down-regulating the level of KLF4 and inhibiting the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway.

Effect of crosstalk between Th17 and Th9 cells on the activation of dermal vascular smooth muscle cells in systemic scleroderma and regulation of tanshinone IIA

Abstract Background: To evaluate the effect of T-helper 17 (Th17) cells and Th9 cells on the activation of dermal vascular smooth muscle cells (DVSMCs) in systemic scleroderma (SSc) and regulation of tanshinone IIA. Methods: The expression of interleukin 17 receptor (IL-17R) and interleukin 9 receptor (IL-9R) in the skin of SSc patients was assessed by immunofluorescence. The expression of IL-9 and IL-9R mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of SSc patients were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The proportion of Th9 cells in PBMCs of SSc patients was sorted by flow cytometry. The effect of IL-9 on the differentiation of Th17 and IL-17 on that of Th9 was detected by flow cytometry. The proportion of Th9 and Th17 cells in SSc patients was detected by flow cytometry. The level of collagen I, III, α-SMA, IL-9R, IL-17R, JNK, P38, and ERK were analyzed using western blot (WB). Results: Th9 cells were highly expressed in SSc. IL-9 stimulated the differentiation of immature T cells into Th17 cells. IL-17 induced the differentiation of immature T cells intoTh9 cells. Tanshinone IIA inhibited the differentiation of immature T lymphocytes into Th17 and Th9. WB showed that the combined action of IL-17 and IL-9 upregulated the inflammation and proliferation of DVSMCs. Anti-IL17, anti-IL9, and tanshinone IIA inhibited the functional activation of DVSMCs. Study limitations: For Th17, Th9 and vascular smooth muscle cells, the study on the signal pathway of their interaction is not thorough enough. More detailed studies are needed to explore the mechanism of cell-cell interaction. Conclusions: The current results suggested that Th17 and Th9 cells induced the activation of DVSMCs in SSc through crosstalk in vitro, and tanshinone IIA inhibited the process.

Electroacupuncture Attenuated Phenotype Transformation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells via PI3K/Akt and MAPK Signaling Pathways in Spontaneous Hypertensive Rats / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate whether the antihypertensive mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) is associated with attenuating phenotype transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) via phosphoinositide3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways.@*METHODS@#Eight Wistar-ktoyo (WKY) rats were set as normal blood pressure group (normal group). A total of 32 spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHRs) were randomly divided into 4 groups using random number tables: a model group, an EA group, an EA+PI3K antagonist group (EA+P group), and an EA+p38 MAPK agonist+extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) agonist group (EA+M group) (n=8/group). SHRs in EA group, EA+P group and EA+M group received EA treatment 5 sessions per week for continuous 4 weeks, while rats in the normal and model groups were bundled in same condition. The systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) of each rat was measured at 0 week and the 4th week. After 4-week intervention, thoracic aorta was collected for hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, immunohistochemistry [the contractile markers α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and calponin and the synthetic marker osteopontin (OPN)] and Western blot [α-SMA, calponin, OPN, PI3K, phosphorylated-Akt (p-Akt), Akt, p-p42/44 ERK, total p42/44 ERK, p-p38 MAPK and total p38 MAPK].@*RESULTS@#EA significantly reduced SBP, DBP and MAP (P<0.01). HE staining showed that the wall thickness of thoracic aorta in EA group was significantly decreased (P<0.01). From results of immunohistochemistry and Western blot, EA increased the expression of α-SMA and calponin, and decreased the expression of OPN (P<0.01). In addition, the expression of PI3K and p-Akt increased (P<0.01), while the expression of p-p42/44 ERK and p-p38 MAPK decreased in EA group (P<0.01). However, these effects were reversed by PI3K antagonist, p38 MAPK agonist and ERK agonist.@*CONCLUSIONS@#EA was an effective treatment for BP management. The antihypertensive effect of EA may be related with inhibition of phenotypic transformation of VSMCs, in which the activation of PI3K/Akt and the repression of MAPK pathway were involved.

IKKε accelerates abdominal aortic aneurysm formation in mice by increasing VSMCs autophagy / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of IKKε on autophagy during abdominal aortic aneurysm formation in mice.Methods:We stimulated ApoE -/- mice and ApoE -/-IKKε -/- mice with AngⅡ and saline for 28 days. Metaboilic levels and aortic diameter of ApoE -/- mice and ApoE -/-IKKε -/- mice were measured. The arterial fibrosis of mice was detected by Masson staining and HE staining, mitochondrial reactive oxides were detected by fluorescence assay, the expression levels of autophagy factors LC3B and Beclin-1 were detected by immunohistochemistry, and the protein level of LC3B was detected by Western blot. Results:There was no significant difference in metaboilic levels between ApoE -/- mice and ApoE -/- IKKε -/- mice. However, the aortic diameterf ApoE -/-IKKε -/- mice was significantly less than that of ApoE -/- mice. The fibrosis level of ApoE -/-IKKε -/- mice was significantly lower than that of ApoE -/- mice. Furthermore, ROS in ApoE -/-IKKε -/- mice was lower than that in ApoE -/- mice. In addition, immunohistochemical and western blot showed that the expression levels of LC3B and Beclin-1 in ApoE -/-IKKε -/- mice were significantly lower than in ApoE -/- mice. Conclusion:IKKε -/- deficiency can significantly inhibit autophagy, thus reducing the development of abdominal aortic aneurysm in mice.

Src/RUNX2 Modulates the Migration of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Induced by Cyclic Stretch / 医用生物力学

Objective To investigate the effect of cyclic stretch on Src and Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), and their pivotal roles in migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Methods The 5% cyclic stretch (to simulate normotensive physiological condition) or 15% cyclic stretch (to simulate hypertensive pathological condition) was applied to VSMCs by FX-5000T system. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of RUNX2 and phosphorylation of Src in VSMCs. The Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) bioinformatic software was used to analyze the potential regulatory effect of Src on RUNX2. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was transfected to decrease the expression of RUNX2. Src inhibitor-1 was used to repress Src kinase activity; Wound-healing assay was applied to detect VSMC migration. Results Compared with 5% cyclic stretch, 15% cyclic stretch significantly increased RUNX2 expression in VSMCs. Under both static and 15% cyclic stretch conditions, VSMC migration was significantly inhibited after reducing RUNX2 expression with siRNA transfection. IPA indicated that Src kinase might be the upstream modulator of RUNX2, and Western blotting validated that RUNX2 expression was significantly decreased after inhibiting Src. Furthermore, under 15% cyclic stretch, Src inhibitor-1 markedly repressed RUNX2 expression and VSMC migration.Conclusions High cyclic stretch increased phosphorylation of Src kinase and expression of RUNX2, which subsequently induced VSMC abnormal migration. Exploring the mechanobiological mechanism of VSMC migration regulated by cyclic stretch may contribute to further revealing the mechanism of vascular physiological homeostasis and vascular pathological remodeling, as well as providing new perspective for the translational research of vascular remodeling upon hypertension.

Physiological Cyclic Stretch Inhibits Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Migration via Activating AMPK Phosphorylation / 医用生物力学

Objective To explore the role of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a key regulator of cellular energy metabolism, in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration in response to physiological cyclic stretch. Methods The Flexcell-5000T mechanical loading system was applied with a physiological cyclic stretch at 10% amplitude and 1.25 Hz frequency to primary rat VSMCs, to simulate mechanical stimulation of VSMCs in vivo. The protein expression of p-AMPK in VSMCs was detected by Western blotting, and VSMC migration was detected by wound healing test. Results Compared with the static group, physiological cyclic stretch loading for 24 h significantly decreased the area of wound healing, indicating that physiological cyclic stretch inhibited VSMC migration. The protein expression of p-AMPK in VSMCs was increased significantly after physiological cyclic stretch loading for 3 h, and was decreased significantly after 24 h. Under physiological cyclic stretch loading conditions, incubating AMPK inhibitor could significantly reduce the protein expression of p-AMPK after 3 h, and promote VSMC migration after 24 h; incubating AMPK activator AICAR under static conditions significantly increased the protein expression of p-AMPK after 3 h, and weakened VSMC migration after 24 h. Conclusions Physiological cyclic stretch inhibits VSMC migration by increasing the protein expression of p-AMPK, indicating that VSMC migration regulated by physiological cyclic stretch is of great significance for maintaining vascular homeostasis.

Shexiang Baoxin Pill Regulates Intimal Hyperplasia, Migration, and Apoptosis after Platelet-Derived Growth Factor-BB-Stimulation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells via miR-451 / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the regulatory roles of Shexiang Baoxin Pill (SXBXW) in neointimal formation and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) invasion and apoptosis as well as the potential molecular mechanisms using cultured VSMCs model of vascular injury (platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-stimulated) in vitro.@*METHODS@#VSMCs were randomly assigned to 5 groups: blank, PDGF-BB (20 ng/mL+ 0.1% DMSO), SXBXW-L (PDGF-BB 20 ng/mL + SXBXW low dose 0.625 g/L), SXBXW-M (PDGF-BB 20 ng/mL + SXBXW medium dose 1.25 g/L) and SXBXW-H (PDGF-BB 20 ng/mL+ SXBXW high dose 2.5 g/L) group. Cell proliferation was assessed using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assay, the migration effects were detected by Transwell assay, cell apoptosis rate was measured by the Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) apoptosis kit. The markers of contractile phenotype of VSMCs were detected with immunofluorescent staining. To validate the effects of miR-451 in regulating proliferation, migration and apoptosis treated with SXBXW, miR-451 overexpression experiments were performed, the VSMCs were exposed to PDGF-BB 20 ng/mL + 0.1% DMSO and later divided into 4 groups: mimic-NC (multiplicity of infection, MOI=50), SXBXW (1.25 g/L) + mimic-NC, mimic-miR451 (MOI=50), and SXBXW (1.25 g/L) + mimic-miR451, and alterations of proteins related to the miR-451 pathway were analyzed using Western blot.@*RESULTS@#PDGF-BB induced VSMCs injury causes acceleration of proliferation and migration. SXBXW inhibited phenotypic switching, proliferation and migration and promoted cell apoptosis in PDGF-BB-induced VSMCs. In addition, miR-451 was shown to be down-regulated in the VSMCs following PDGF-BB stimulation. SXBXW treatment enhanced the expression of miR-451 in PDGF-BB-induced VSMCs (P<0.05). Compared with SXBXW + mimic-NC and mimic-miR451 groups, the expression of tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein zeta (Ywhaz) and p53 was further reduced in SXBXW + mimic-miR451 group, while activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2) was increased in VSMCs (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#SXBXW regulated proliferation, migration and apoptosis via activation of miR-451 through ATF2, p53 and Ywhaz in PDGF-BB-stimulated VSMCs.

Calcium Participates in Migration of VSMCS Synergistically Induced by Cyclic Stretch and Platelet-Derived Microvesicles / 医用生物力学

Objective To investigate the synergistic effects of pathologically elevated cyclic stretch and platelet-derived microvesicles (PMVs) on migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and the potential role of calcium in this process. Methods The FX-5000T strain loading system was used to apply cyclic stretch to VSMCs with magnitudes of 5% and 15%, which simulated physiological and hypertensive situation respectively in vitro; wound healing assay was used to analyze VSMCs migration; Ca2+-free medium was used to remove extracellular calcium; 2-APB (an antagonist of IP3R) was used to inhibit the release of intercellular stored calcium; GSK219 (an antagonist of TRPV4) and Nifedipine (an inhibitor of L-type voltage-gated calcium channel) were applied to block the activity of respective calcium channel; thrombin was used to stimulate platelets in vitro which simulated the hypertensive activation of PMVs in vivo. ResultsCompared with 5% cyclic stretch, 15% cyclic stretch significantly promoted VSMC migration. Removal of extracellular calcium inhibited VSMCs migration, but the application of GSK219 and Nifedipine did not affect the migration up-regulated by 15% cyclic stretch; while 2-APB which inhibited the release of intracellular stored calcium could also repress VSMCs migration under 15% cyclic stretch. PMVs further promoted VSMC migration under 15% cyclic stretch condition, and both extracellular calcium and intercellular stored calcium were involved in this process. Conclusions Both intracellular and extracellular calcium play important roles in VSMC migration induced by 15% cyclic stretch, and PMVs synergistically participate in the above process. The study is aimed to provide new mechanobiological insights into the molecular mechanism and clinical targets of vascular remodeling in hypertension.

Effect of Trichosanthis Fructus-Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus on Formation of Atherosclerotic Plaque in ApoE-/- Mice Based on Autophagy of Vascular Smooth Muscle / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To explore the effect of Trichosanthis Fructus-Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus medicine on the proliferation and autophagy levels of aortic plaque vascular smooth muscle cells （VSMCs） in ApoE^-/- mice with atherosclerosis （AS）. Method:A total of 40 ApoE^-/- mice were fed with high-fat diet to replicate AS animal models. They were randomly divided into model group， Trichosanthis Fructus-Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus group， rapamycin group and atorvastatin group， and 10 mice with normal diet C57BL/6J mice were the blank group. The blank group and the model groups were given normal saline by gavage， while Trichosanthis Fructus-Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus group， rapamycin group and atorvastatin group were given corresponding drugs by gavage for 8 weeks. After the experiment， the mice were sacrificed. Total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C） and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） levels were detected by the Microplate reader， the ratio of the aortic plaque area to the total area was observed and measured by staining with aortic gross oil red O. Western blot method was used to detect the proliferation-related protein proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA） and <italic>α</italic>-smooth muscle actin （<italic>α</italic>-SMA） levels of VSMCs in the aortic media. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the autophagosomes of VSMCs and detect the expressions of VSMCs autophagy-related proteins Beclin-1， light chain proteinⅡ （LC3Ⅱ） and p62. Result:Compared with the model group， the Trichosanthis Fructus-Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus group showed significant reduction in the aortic lipid accumulation and plaque area of AS mice and the levels of TC， TG， LDL-C （<italic>P</italic><0.01） and increase of HDL-C （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. Trichosanthis Fructus-Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus significantly reduced the levels of proliferation-related antigens PCNA and <italic>α</italic>-SMA in aortic VSMCs （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， and inhibited the excessive proliferation of VSMCs. Trichosanthis Fructus-Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus significantly up-regulated Beclin-1 and LC3Ⅱ in aortic VSMCs protein expression， decreased p62 accumulation （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， increased the expressions of VSMCs autophagosomes， and increased the autophagy level of VSMCs. Conclusion:Trichosanthis Fructus-Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus regulates blood lipid levels in AS mice， and inhibits the excessive proliferation of aortic VSMCs and plaque formation in the aorta of AS mice. The mechanism may be related to the up-regulation of the autophagy activity of VSMCs.

Inhibitory mechanism of icariin against oxidative stress-induced calcification in aortic vascular smooth muscle cells / 中国中药杂志

This study aimed to observe the inhibitory effect of icariin against oxidative stress-induced calcification in aortic vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs) and elucidate the molecular mechanism of icariin in inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS)-mediated atherosclerotic calcification, so as to provide new ideas for exploring the anti-atherosclerotic mechanism of Epimedii Folium. The VSMCs in rat thoracic aorta were subjected to adherent culture and then treated with the complete calcification DMEM containing high glucose and hydrogen peroxide(H_2O_2) for three weeks. The resulting calcified VSMCs were divided into different treatment groups. Icariin was added one week after calcification induction for protecting the VSMCs, whose viability was then detected using cell counting kit-8(CCK-8). Alizarin red-S staining was conducted to observe the calcification degree. The activity of alkaline phosphatase(ALP) in VSMCs was measured using the disodium phenyl phosphate substrate and the calcium content was measured by arsenazo Ⅲ method. The mRNA expression levels of ossification-related factors including osteocalcin(OC), osteopontin(OPN), Runt-related transcription factor 2(Runx2), and type Ⅰ collagen(Col Ⅰa) were detected by real-time PCR. Western blot was carried out to determine the protein expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA), Runx2, activating transcription factor 4(ATF4), and eukaryotic translation initiation factor(eIF)-2α. The results showed that H_2O_2 significantly induced the calcification of VSMCs, increased the ALP activity and calcium content in VSMCs, promoted OC, OPN, Runx2, and Col Ⅰa mRNA expression and Runx2 protein expression, and reduced α-SMA protein expression. The ATF4 protein expression and eIF2α phosphorylation were also elevated significantly. Icariin reversed the calcification of VSMCs induced by H_2O_2, inhibited ALP activity and calcium content in VSMCs, down-regulated the mRNA expression levels of OC, OPN, Runx2 and Col Ⅰa and Runx2 protein expression, and relatively up-regulated the expression of α-SMA. The expression of ATF4 and phosphorylation of eIF2α also declined significantly. All these have demonstrated that icariin inhibited VSMCs calcification by down-regulating the ossification-related factors and lowering ALP activity and calcium content in VSMCs. Besides, the down-regulation of Runx2 expression and the inhibition of ATF4 and eIF2α-mediated cellular calcification pathway in ERS might also be involved in such calcification-suppressing process.

Olmesartan inhibits age-associated migration and invasion of human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells by upregulating miR-3133 axis / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the effects of olmesartan on age-associated migration and invasion capacities and microRNA (miRAN) axis in human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (HA-VSMCs).@*METHODS@#Cultured HA-VSMCs were divided into control group, bleomycin-mediated senescence (BLM) group and bleomycin + olmesartan treatment group. Wound-healing assay and Boyden chambers invasion assay were used to assess the changes in migration and invasion of the cells, gelatin zymography was used to analyze matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) activation in the cells. The differentially expressed miRNAs were identified by miRNA microarray assay and validated by quantitative real-time PCR. MiR-3133 inhibitor was used to examine the effects of molecular manipulation of olmesartan on age-associated migration and invasion and MMP-2 activation in the cells.@*RESULTS@#Compared with those of the control group, the percentage of the repopulated cells and the number of cells crossing the basement membrane increased significantly in BLM group [(78.43±12.76)% (42.47±7.22)%, < 0.05; 33.33±5.51 13.00±4.36, < 0.05]. A significant increase of MMP-2 activation was found in BLM group as compared with the control group (1.66 ± 0.27 0.87 ± 0.13, < 0.05). Olmesartan significantly inhibited BLM-induced enhancement of cell migration and invasion and MMP-2 secretion in the cells. MiR-3133 was significantly downregulated in BLM group and upregulated in olmesartan group. Transfection with miR-3133 inhibitor significantly reversed the effects of olmesartan on age-associated migration and invasion of the cells [(85.87±7.39)% (49.77±3.05)%; 34.67±2.31 20.00±4.58, < 0.05] and MMP-2 activation in the cells (1.76±0.19 0.94±0.10, < 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Olmesartan inhibits the migration and invasion of ageassociated HA-VSMCs probably by upregulating of the miR-3133 axis.

Cyclic Stretch Induces Adhesion of VSMCs with Platelet-Derived Microparticles and the Role in Autophagy / 医用生物力学

Objective To investigate the effect of cyclic stretch on adhesion of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) with platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs), and the role of PMPs in VSMC autophagy. Methods Cyclic stretch with the magnitude of 5% (simulating physiological mechanical stretch) or 15% (simulating pathological mechanical stretch) was subjected to VSMCs in vitro by using FX-5000T cyclic stretch loading system, and the adhesion of PMPs in VSMCs was detected by using flow cytometry. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of autophagy microtubule associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) after 24 h stimulation with PMPs. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of autophagy related protein (Atg) in VSMCs after 24 h stimulation by PMPs. Results Compared with 5% cyclic stretch, 15% cyclic stretch significantly increased the adhesion ability of VSMCs with PMPs. Immunofluorescence and Western blotting result revealed that PMPs stimulation significantly increased the expression of autophagy marker protein LC3 in VSMCs. Furthermore, the protein expressions of Atg5, Atg7 and Atg12 were all significantly increased in VSMCs stimulated with PMPs. Conclusions High cyclic stretch may enhance the autophagy of VSMCs by promoting the adhesion of PMPs, which will subsequently increase the expressions of Atg5, Atg7, Atg12 and LC3.

Improvement effect of Shenyuan Granule on vascular calcification in db db diabetic nephropathy mice and its mechanism / 吉林大学学报(医学版)

Objective: To investigate the improvement effect of Shenyuan Granule on the vascular calcification in the db/db diabetic nephropathy (DN) mice induced by high phosphorus and its possible mechanism. Methods: Twenty SPF db/db mice were randomly divided into model group ( n= 10) and Shenyuan Granule group (n=10), and the wild type (WT) mice were chosen as blank group (?i=10). After treated for 12 weeks∗ the serum∗ kidney tissue and thoracic aorta tissue of the mice in various groups were taken. The serum FGF23 levels of the mice in various groups were detected by ELISA method; HE and von kossa staining were used to detect the pathomorphology of the thoracic aorta and calcium deposition of the mice in various groups; Real-time PCR method was used to detect the expression levels of Klotho mRNA in kidney tissue and Pit-1, Runx2 and SM22a mRNA in thoracic aorta tissue of the mice in various groups; Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of Klotho protein in kidney tissue and Pit-1, Runx2 and SM22a proteins in thoracic aorta tissue of the mice in various groups; immunohistochemisty method was used to detect the expression levels of Pit-1 protein in thoracic aorta tissue of the mice in various groups∗ and immunofluorescence method was used to detect the expression levels of SM22a and Runx2 proteins in thoracic aorta tissue of the mice in various groups. Results: Compared with blank group, the serum FGF23 level of the mice in model group was significantly increased ( P<0. 05), the expression levels of Klotho mRNA and protein in kidney tissue were significantly decreased ( P

β-Elemene improves endothelial cells dysfunction, and abnormal proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells / 中国药科大学学报

@#This study aimed to investigate whether β-elemene could improve the dysfunction of vascular endothelial cells induced by low shear force (LSS), and the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). Parallel plate flow chambers and ox-LDL were used to establish vascular endothelial cells (ECs) dysfunction model and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMCs) proliferation and migration model, respectively, and the effects of β-elemene on ECs dysfunction and VSMCs proliferation and migration were examined. The activity of ROS in ECs was measured by DHE and the activity of NO in ECs was tested by DAF-FM DA. The protein phosphorylation of Akt and ERK in ECs were detected by Western blot. The proliferation of VSMCs was measured by MTT. The migration of VSMCs was examined by cell scratch test and Transwell assay. The gene expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in VSMCs was measured by RT-qPCR. In ECs, β-elemene could significantly reduce the LSS-induced increase in ROS, significantly increase the LSS-induced decrease in NO, decrease the phosphorylation of ERK, and increase the phosphorylation of Akt. In VSMCs, β-elemene could significantly reduce the proliferation and migration of VSMCs induced by ox-LDL, and reduce the gene expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9. To conclude, β-elemene can improve the LSS-induced ECs dysfunction and ox-LDL-induced VSMCs proliferation and migration.

Effect of 27nt-miRNA on the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into vascular smooth muscle cells / 生物工程学报

To investigate the effect of 27nt-miRNA on the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into vascular smooth muscle cells. The highly expression plasmids of 27nt-miRNA and anti-27nt-miRNA, and negative control plasmids were constructed, packaged with lentivirus and transfected into human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs). Collagen IV was added to induce hUCMSCs differentiation into blood vessel smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The cell viability was measured by MTT assay. The expression of SMA, SM22α at mRNA and protein levels was determined by RT-PCR, immunocytochemical staining and Western blotting. Compared with the negative control group, the viability of the 27nt-miRNA overexpression group was decreased by 20.48% (P<0.05), and the expression of SMA mRNA and SM22α mRNA and protein was significantly increased (P<0.05); the viability of Anti-27nt-miRNA group was increased 18.07% (P<0.05), and the expression of SMA mRNA and SM22α mRNA and protein was decreased (P<0.05). In summary, 27nt-miRNA promotes mesenchymal stem cells differentiation into vascular smooth muscle cells and inhibits cells viability.

Daxx overexpression inhibits AngⅡ-induced proliferation and migration in vascular smooth muscle cells / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To construct a recombinant lentiviral expression vector pCDH-Daxx-EGFP to investigate the effect of Daxx on the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).@*METHODS@#The recombinant lentiviral expression vector pCDHDaxx-EGFP was constructed using PCR-based accurate synthesis method. After identification by sequencing and enzyme digestion, the recombinant lentiviral vector was contransfected into 293T cells with lentivirus packaging vector. The recombinant lentivirus particles were collected and purified to infect VSMCs, whose expression of Daxx was detected with Western boltting. The cells infected with the empty vector pCDH-EGFP or pCDH-Daxx-EGFP were incubated in serum-free medium or in the presence of angiotensin Ⅱ (AngⅡ). The cell viability was determined with MTT assay, and the cell cycle changes were analyzed with flow cytometry. The cell migration ability was assessed using a scratch wound healing assay. The expression of p-Akt protein in the cells was detected using Western blotting.@*RESULTS@#Double enzyme digestion and sequencing confirmed successful construction of the recombinant plasmid. Compared with the cells infected with the empty vector, the cells infected with pCDH-Daxx-EGFP exhibited significantly increased expressions of Daxx protein ( < 0.05). AngⅡ treatment of the cells infected with the pCDH-Daxx-EGFP, as compared with the cells infected with the empty vector, significantly lowered the cell viability, S phase cell ratio and cell migration ability ( < 0.05), and significantly decreased the expression level of p-Akt protein ( < 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#We successfully constructed the recombinant lentiviral vector pCDH-Daxx-EGFP and overexpressed Daxx in primary cultured VSMCs using this vector. Daxx overexpression can inhibit AngⅡ-induced proliferation and migration in VSMCs probably by regulating p-Akt protein.