Project description:Analysis of p53-deficient (E6-expressing) human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) that express progerin, a mutated form of lamin A resposible for Hutchinson- Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS). p53 pathway is associated with HGPS. Results provide insight into molecular mechanisms underlying vascular dysfunction of HGPS caused by other than p53 pathway. The gene expression of VSMCs induced to express E6 and either lamin A or progerin by retroviral vectors.
Project description:Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) respond to biomechanical stretch with specific changes in gene expression which govern the phenotype of these cells. The mechanotransducer zyxin is a potential candidate for regulating the expression of such genes. Using microarrays, we compared stretch-induced gene expression in wild type and zyxin-null VSMCs to define such changes in detail. Wild type (WT) and zyxin-null VSMCs were stretched at 10% cyclic elongation for 6 hours and the changes in gene expression were compared under static and stretched conditions. Up to 3 biological replicates were used for each of the 4 sample types.
Project description:Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) phenotype switch has been thought to be critical to the development of thoracic aneurysm/dissection. To investigate the function EZH2 in the regulation of VSMCs phenotype switch, we established mouse vascular smooth muscle cells in which each target gene has been knocked down by siRNA.
Project description:Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) phenotype switch has been thought to be critical to the development of thoracic aneurysm/dissection. To investigate the function SIRT6 in the regulation of VSMCs phenotype switch, we established mouse vascular smooth muscle cells in which each target gene has been knocked down by siRNA.
Project description:The components of the exosomes are essential to understand how vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and endothelial cells communicate with each other. Exosomes secreted by human VSMCs were harvested and analyzed by nanoLC-MS/MS. The activity of the identified proteins were further assessed by the in vivo matrigel plug angiogenesis assay.
Project description:In the context of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), mechanical factors are pivotal; however, the molecular underpinnings of vascular atrophy and remodeling subsequent to arterial transplantation into a venous hemodynamic milieu remain enigmatic. Consequently, this study employed the vascular anastomosis wheel technique to graft the common carotid artery of New Zealand white rabbits into the external jugular vein, thereby establishing an innovative animal model of arterial mechanical unloading. The efficacy of the animal model was ascertained through ultrasound imaging. Immunohistochemical methodologies, transmission electron microscopy, and TUNEL staining were utilized to delineate alterations in vascular morphology. Advanced techniques such as gene transcriptomic analysis, proteomic profiling, iPathway guide (IPG) analysis, gene overexpression/silenced, flow cytometry, and stretch testing were applied to elucidate the potential molecular mechanisms. Comparative analysis between the arterial graft and the control group revealed the successful preparation of the mechanical unloading animal model in vitro. Morphological examination of the arterial vessels indicated that atrophy under venous flow mechanics is predominantly attributed to the apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Genomic and proteomic analyses revealed that thrombospondin-4 (THBS4) plays a pivotal role in vascular remodeling. IPG analysis suggested that THBS4 may modulate VSMCs apoptosis via the focal adhesion pathway. THBS4 gene overexpression/silence experiments and flow cytometry demonstrated the regulation of VSMCs apoptosis by THBS4. Furthermore, it was established that low stretch tension facilitates the expression of THBS4 and VSMCs apoptosis, thereby confirming the relationship between THBS4 and VSMCs apoptosis. This study was the first to introduce gene transcriptomics and proteomics into the arterial mechanical unloading animal model and the first to demonstrate the role of THBS4 in promoting VSMCs apoptosis. Consequently, THBS4 emerges as a promising therapeutic target for the prevention of intimal hyperplasia post-vascular transplantation in vascular surgery.
Project description:Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) phenotype switch has been thought to be critical to the development of thoracic aneurysm/dissection. To investigate the function HDAC9 in the regulation of VSMCs phenotype switch, we used siRNA knockdown of HDAC9 in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC)we established Human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs).
Project description:Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) exhibit significant heterogeneity and plasticity, enabling them to switch between contractile and synthetic states, which is crucial for vascular remodeling. NEXN has been identified as a high confidence gene associated with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Existing evidence indicate NEXN is involved in phenotypic switching of VSMCs. However, a comprehensive understanding of the cell - specific roles and precise mechanisms of NEXN in vascular remodeling remains elusive. Using integrative transcriptomics analysis and smooth muscle specific lineage tracing mice, we demonstrate NEXN is highly expressed in VSMCs, and the expression of NEXN is significantly reduced during the phenotypic transformation of VSMCs and intimal hyperplasia induced by vascular injury. VSMC - specific NEXN deficiency promoted the phenotypic transition of VSMCs and exacerbated neointimal hyperplasia in mice following vascular injury. Mechanistically, we found NEXN primarily mediated VSMCs proliferation and phenotypic transition through endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and KLF4 signaling. Inhibiting ER stress ameliorated VSMCs phenotypic transition by reducing cell cycle activity and proliferation caused by NEXN deficiency. These findings indicate targeting NEXN could be explored as a promising therapeutic approach for proliferative arterial diseases.
Project description:NCOR1 is a trancriptional coregulator and has been demonstrated to modulate the acitivities of multiple transcription factors in many cell types. However, the function of NCOR1 in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is unclear. We aimed to explore the effect of NCOR1 deficiency on gene expression in VSMCs and phenoypic modulation of VSMCs. Therefore, we constructed smooth-muscle specific NCOR1 knockout mice and isolated primary VSMCs for RNA-sequencing.