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Genetic Deletion of Socs3 in Smooth Muscle Cells Ameliorates Aortic Dissection in Mice

ABSTRACT: Objective—We aimed to elucidate how the inflammatory response is involved in AD progression and the associated tissue destruction, focusing on the role of Jak/Stat signaling in smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Background—Aortic dissection (AD) is caused by disruption of the intima-media complex and tearing of the medial layer of the aorta. AD is life-threatening due to progressive destruction of the aorta, resulting in critical damage to organs. Recent studies reveal that the inflammatory response, including Jak/Stat signaling, is important in AD pathogenesis. However, it remains unclear how Jak/Stat signaling is involved in the tissue destruction in AD. Methods—Immunohistochemical analysis of human AD tissue revealed activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) in medial SMCs. Stat3 activation was recapitulated in a mouse model of AD induced via β-aminopropionitrile and angiotensin II infusion. We also created a knockout mouse strain (smSocs3-KO) by deleting Socs3, a negative regulator of Jak/Stat signaling, specifically in mouse SMCs. Results—Compared to wild-type mice, smSocs3-KO mice developed a less severe AD phenotype that was associated with proinflammatory response at baseline, increased fibroblast and collagen deposition, and reinforced aortic tensile strength. Cell culture experiments revealed that Stat3 activation in SMCs caused secretion of factors that can stimulate fibroblast growth. Conclusions—Our present findings suggested that, although an acute inflammatory response is detrimental in AD, chronic activation of the SMC-mediated proinflammatory response was protective against aortic destruction in AD.

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

PROVIDER: GSE147078 | GEO | 2020/04/01

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:OBJECTIVE: When aortic cells are under stress, such as increased hemodynamic pressure, they adapt to the environment by modifying their functions, allowing the aorta to maintain its strength. To understand the regulation of this adaptive response, we examined the transcriptomic and epigenomic programs in aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) during the adaptive response to angiotensin II (AngII) infusion and determined its importance in protecting against aortic aneurysm and dissection. APPROACH AND RESULTS: In wild-type mice, AngII infusion increased medial thickness in the thoracic aorta. Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis revealed an adaptive response in thoracic SMCs characterized by the upregulation of genes with roles in wound healing, elastin and collagen production, proliferation, migration, cytoskeleton organization, cell-matrix focal adhesion, and AKT and TGF-β signaling. Further single-cell sequencing assay for transposase-accessible chromatin (scATAC-seq) analysis showed increased chromatin accessibility at the regulatory regions of adaptive genes and revealed the mechanical sensor YAP/TEADs as a top candidate transcription complex driving the increased abundance of these gene transcripts (e.g., Lox, Col5a2 and Tgfb2). In cultured human aortic SMCs, cyclic stretch activated YAP, which directly bound to the regulatory regions of the adaptive genes (e.g., Lox) and increased the abundance of their transcripts. Finally, SMC-specific Yap deletion in mice compromised this adaptive response in SMCs, leading to an increased incidence of aortic aneurysm and dissection and a trend of increased rupture. CONCLUSIONS: Aortic stress triggers the systemic epigenetic induction of adaptive response (e.g., wound healing, proliferation, and matrix organization) in thoracic aortic SMCs, that depends on functional biomechanical signal transduction (e.g., YAP signaling). Our study highlights the importance of the adaptive response in maintaining aortic homeostasis and preventing aortic disease development in mice.

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Genetic Deletion of Socs3 in Smooth Muscle Cells Ameliorates Aortic Dissection in Mice

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