Contribution of Gli1+ stem cells to smooth muscle cells in atherosclerosis and vascular injury
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ABSTRACT:
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE310863 | GEO | 2026/02/01
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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Project description:Recent smooth muscle cell (SMC) lineage tracing studies have demonstrated that SMCs undergo remarkable changes in phenotype during development of atherosclerosis, including loss of typical SMC markers such as ACTA2 and Klf4 dependent activation of multiple markers of macrophages and mesenchymal stem cells. Of major interest, we showed Klf4 in SMC is critical for overall lesion pathogenesis as SMC-specific conditional knockout (KO) of Klf4 resulted in smaller, more stable lesions that exhibited marked reductions in the numbers of SMC-derived macrophage-like and mesenchymal stem cell like cells. Herein we tested the hypothesis that Klf4 dependent SMC transitions are beneficial following myocardial infarction (MI). Utilizing SMC-specific lineage tracing mice +/- simultaneous SMC-specific conditional KO of Klf4, we demonstrate that SMCs express Klf4 and transition to a Klf4 dependent macrophage-like state as well as a Klf4 independent myofibroblast-like state. SMC specific, conditional KO of Klf4 resulted in marked exacerbation of heart failure following MI. Surprisingly, significant cardiac dilation was seen in SMC-Klf4 KO mice prior to MI. This cardiac dilation was accompanied by a reduction in peripheral resistance, as evidenced by a reduction in blood pressure, an increase in blood flow, and a larger passive diameter of mesenteric resistance arteries as measured by pressure myography. Klf4 ChIP-Seq analysis on the mesenteric resistance arteries identified potential Klf4 target genes in SMC at baseline in pathways including PDGF and FGF signaling previously shown to be important for perivascular cell investment. Interestingly, examination of microvascular tissue beds revealed gaps in lineage traced SMC coverage along the resistance arteries. Taken together, these results provide novel evidence that Klf4 has a critical maintenance role within microvascular SMCs, including being required for normal SMC coverage of resistance arteries as well as their function.
2020-12-01 | GSE107641 | GEO
Project description:Smooth muscle cells (SMC) play significant roles in atherosclerosis via phenotypic switching, a pathological process in which SMC transdifferentiation into macrophage-like SMCs. Furthermore, during transdifferentiation, the SMCs' expression of PADI4 upregulating and SMC generated extracellular trap, a web-like structure, which plays key role in the development of atherosclerosis plaque. To reveal the potential mechanism of the SMC derived macrophages generated ETs surducing surrounding SMCs within the media of artery during the process of atherosclerosis plaque development, we utilized the dsDNA and H3CIT protein to stimuli the SMCs, the SMC stimulated with 0.2%BSA as coontrol group, we collect the cells and did RNA-sequencing between two groups to find the potential signaling pathway participating in the process
2022-11-04 | GSE197074 | GEO
Project description:Smooth muscle cells (SMC) play significant roles in atherosclerosis via phenotypic switching, a pathological process in which SMC transdifferentiation into macrophage-like SMCs. Furthermore, during transdifferentiation, the SMCs' expression of PADI4 upregulating and SMC generated extracellular trap, a web-like structure, which plays key role in the development of atherosclerosis plaque. To reveal the function of SMC's generating ETs during atherosclerosis and to identify molecular targets for disease therapy, we combined SMC fate mapping and single-cell RNA sequencing of mouse atherosclerotic plaques.
2022-11-04 | GSE197073 | GEO
Project description:Vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) normally exist in a contractile state but can undergo fate switching to produce a variety of cell phenotypes in response to pathologic stimuli. In atherosclerosis, these phenotypically modulated SMCs play a critical role in determining plaque composition and the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events. We found that PRDM16, a transcription factor that has been genetically implicated in cardiovascular disease, is highly expressed in arterial SMCs, and downregulated during SMC fate switching in human and mouse atherosclerosis. Deletion of Prdm16 in SMCs of mice activates the synthetic modulation program in arteries under homeostatic conditions. Upon exposure to atherogenic conditions, these mice form strikingly dense, SMC-rich, fibroproliferative plaques that contain few foam cells. Acute deletion of Prdm16 in SMCs triggers a similar fibrotic response, resulting in the formation of collagen-rich lesions with thick fibrous caps – a hallmark of enhanced lesion stability. Reciprocally, ectopic expression of PRDM16 in cultured cells is sufficient to block SMC synthetic processes, including migration, proliferation, and fibrosis. Mechanistically, PRDM16 binds to chromatin and decreases activating histone marks at synthetic genes. Altogether, our results define PRDM16 as a specific gatekeeper of the synthetic SMC switch and reveal that PRDM16 levels in SMCs predetermine atherogenic lesion composition.
2025-08-28 | GSE305277 | GEO
Project description:Vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) normally exist in a contractile state but can undergo fate switching to produce a variety of cell phenotypes in response to pathologic stimuli. In atherosclerosis, these phenotypically modulated SMCs play a critical role in determining plaque composition and the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events. We found that PRDM16, a transcription factor that has been genetically implicated in cardiovascular disease, is highly expressed in arterial SMCs, and downregulated during SMC fate switching in human and mouse atherosclerosis. Deletion of Prdm16 in SMCs of mice activates the synthetic modulation program in arteries under homeostatic conditions. Upon exposure to atherogenic conditions, these mice form strikingly dense, SMC-rich, fibroproliferative plaques that contain few foam cells. Acute deletion of Prdm16 in SMCs triggers a similar fibrotic response, resulting in the formation of collagen-rich lesions with thick fibrous caps – a hallmark of enhanced lesion stability. Reciprocally, ectopic expression of PRDM16 in cultured cells is sufficient to block SMC synthetic processes, including migration, proliferation, and fibrosis. Mechanistically, PRDM16 binds to chromatin and decreases activating histone marks at synthetic genes. Altogether, our results define PRDM16 as a specific gatekeeper of the synthetic SMC switch and reveal that PRDM16 levels in SMCs predetermine atherogenic lesion composition.
2025-08-28 | GSE305275 | GEO
Project description:Vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) normally exist in a contractile state but can undergo fate switching to produce a variety of cell phenotypes in response to pathologic stimuli. In atherosclerosis, these phenotypically modulated SMCs play a critical role in determining plaque composition and the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events. We found that PRDM16, a transcription factor that has been genetically implicated in cardiovascular disease, is highly expressed in arterial SMCs, and downregulated during SMC fate switching in human and mouse atherosclerosis. Deletion of Prdm16 in SMCs of mice activates the synthetic modulation program in arteries under homeostatic conditions. Upon exposure to atherogenic conditions, these mice form strikingly dense, SMC-rich, fibroproliferative plaques that contain few foam cells. Acute deletion of Prdm16 in SMCs triggers a similar fibrotic response, resulting in the formation of collagen-rich lesions with thick fibrous caps – a hallmark of enhanced lesion stability. Reciprocally, ectopic expression of PRDM16 in cultured cells is sufficient to block SMC synthetic processes, including migration, proliferation, and fibrosis. Mechanistically, PRDM16 binds to chromatin and decreases activating histone marks at synthetic genes. Altogether, our results define PRDM16 as a specific gatekeeper of the synthetic SMC switch and reveal that PRDM16 levels in SMCs predetermine atherogenic lesion composition.
2025-08-28 | GSE305272 | GEO
Project description:Resident vascular adventitial SCA1(+) progenitor (AdvSca1) cells are essential in vascular development and injury. However, the heterogeneity of AdvSca1 cells presents a unique challenge in understanding signaling pathways orchestrating their behavior in homeostasis and injury responses. Using smooth muscle cell (SMC) lineage tracing models, we identified a subpopulation of AdvSca1 cells (AdvSca1-SM) originating from mature SMCs that undergo reprogramming in situ and exhibit a multipotent phenotype. Here we employed lineage tracing and RNA sequencing to define the signaling pathways regulating SMC-to-AdvSca1-SM cell reprogramming and AdvSca1-SM progenitor cell phenotype. Unbiased hierarchical clustering revealed that genes related to hedgehog/WNT/beta-catenin signaling are significantly enriched in AdvSca1-SM cells, emphasizing the importance of this signaling axis in the reprogramming event. Leveraging AdvSca1-SM-specific expression of Gli1, we generated Gli1-CreERT2-ROSA26-YFP reporter mice to selectively track AdvSca1-SM cells. We demonstrated that physiologically relevant vascular injury or AdvSca1-SM cell-specific Klf4 depletion facilitated the proliferation and differentiation of AdvSca1-SM cells to a pro-fibrotic myofibroblast phenotype rather than macrophages. Surprisingly, AdvSca1-SM cells selectively contributed to adventitial remodeling and fibrosis, but little to neointima formation. Together, these findings strongly support therapeutics aimed at preserving the AdvSca1-SM cell phenotype as a viable anti-fibrotic approach.
2020-02-20 | GSE145569 | GEO
Project description:The development of atherosclerosis, a chronic disease characterized by the buildup of plaque in arterial walls, involves the contribution of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and SMC-derived cells. To better understand the specific role of SMCs in atherosclerosis, a transgenic mouse line expressing EGFP-tagged ribosomal protein L10a (EGFP-L10a) under the SMC-specific αSMA promoter (SMCTRAP mice) was developed, enabling translating ribosome affinity purification followed by sequencing (TRAP-Seq). SMCTRAP mice were crossed with an atherosclerosis model (SMCTRAP-Athero mice). Using TRAP-Seq and bulk RNA-Seq, the aortas of 15-month-old SMCTRAP and SMCTRAP-Athero mice were analyzed to identify atherosclerosis-induced changes in the profiles of SMC ribosome-associated RNA. The results showed high enrichment of known SMC-specific genes in the TRAP fraction, indicating the specificity of the construct. The intersection of SMC-specific genes identified by TRAP-Seq, and atherosclerosis-induced genes identified by bulk RNA-Seq revealed the contribution of SMCs to the expression of several known disease-induced genes, as well as the identification of previously unlinked genes in atherosclerosis that warrant further investigation. These findings provide new insights into the role of SMCs in atherosclerosis and may offer potential targets for future treatments of this chronic disease.
2024-02-08 | GSE225424 | GEO
Project description:Human genetic studies have repeatedly associated ADAMTS7 with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Subsequent investigations in mice demonstrated that ADAMTS7 is proatherogenic and induced in response to vascular injury and that the proatherogenicity of ADAMTS7, a secreted protein, is due to its catalytic activity. However, the cell-specific mechanisms governing ADAMTS7 proatherogenicity remain unclear. To determine which vascular cell types express ADAMTS7, we interrogated single-cell RNA sequencing of human carotid atherosclerosis and found ADAMTS7 expression in smooth muscle cells (SMCs), endothelial cells (ECs), and fibroblasts. We subsequently created SMC- and EC-specific Adamts7 conditional knockout and transgenic mice. Conditional knockout of Adamts7 in either cell type is insufficient to reduce atherosclerosis, whereas transgenic induction in either cell type increases atherosclerosis. In SMC transgenic mice, this increase coincides with an expansion of lipid-laden SMC foam cells and decreased fibrous cap formation. RNA-sequencing in SMCs revealed an upregulation of lipid uptake genes typically assigned to macrophages. Subsequent experiments demonstrated that ADAMTS7 increases SMC oxLDL uptake through increased CD36 levels. Furthermore, Cd36 expression is increased due to increased levels of PU.1, a transcription factor typically associated with myeloid fate determination. In summary, Adamts7 expression in either SMCs or ECs promotes SMC foam cell formation and atherosclerosis. In SMCs, ADAMTS7 promotes oxLDL uptake via increased PU.1 and Cd36 expression, thereby increasing SMC foam cell formation and atherosclerosis.
2026-01-16 | GSE316135 | GEO
Project description:Aryl-hydrocarbon receptor protects against endochondral ossification of modulated smooth muscle cells in atherosclerosis Introduction: 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 (CAD) risk. We hypothesized that AHR can affect atherosclerosis by regulating phenotypic modulation of SMC. Methods: We combined RNA-Seq, ChIP-Seq, ATAC-Seq and in-vitro assays in human coronary artery SMC (HCASMC), with single-cell RNA-Seq (scRNA-Seq), 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: Genomic studies coupled with functional assays in cultured HCASMC revealed that AHR modulates HCASMC phenotype and suppresses ossification in these cells. Lineage tracing and activity tracing studies in the mouse aortic sinus showed that the Ahr pathway is active in modulated SMC in the atherosclerotic lesion cap. Furthermore, scRNA-Seq studies of the SMC-specific Ahr knockout mice showed a significant increase in the proportion of modulated SMC expressing chondrocyte markers such as Col2a1 and Alpl, which localized to the lesion neointima. These cells, which we term chondromyocytes (CMC), were also identified in the neointima of human coronary arteries. In histological analyses, these changes manifested as larger lesion size, increased lineage-traced SMC participation in the lesion, decreased lineage-traced SMC in the lesion cap, and increased alkaline phosphatase activity in lesions in the Ahr knockout compared to wild-type mice. We propose that AHR is likely protective based on these data and inference from human genetic analyses. Conclusion: Overall, we conclude that AHR promotes maintenance of lesion cap integrity and diminishes the disease related SMC-to-CMC transition in atherosclerotic tissues.
2020-07-01 | GSE150768 | GEO