Environment-Sensing Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Inhibits the Chondrogenic Fate of Modulated Smooth Muscle Cells in Atherosclerotic Lesions.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Smooth muscle cells (SMC) play a critical role in atherosclerosis. The Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is an environment-sensing transcription factor that contributes to vascular development, and has been implicated in coronary artery disease risk. We hypothesized that AHR can affect atherosclerosis by regulating phenotypic modulation of SMC.

Methods

We combined RNA-sequencing, chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing, assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing, and in vitro assays in human coronary artery SMCs, with single-cell RNA-sequencing, histology, and RNAscope in an SMC-specific lineage-tracing Ahr knockout mouse model of atherosclerosis to better understand the role of AHR in vascular disease.

Results

Geno

SUBMITTER: Kim JB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8066499 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature