Project description:To study the underlying molecular mechanisms driving vascular calcification, we analyzed the transcriptome of calcium-phosphate calcified human coronary aortic smooth muscle cells cultured with zero, low, and high glucose for 3 days.
Project description:Vascular calcification contributes to the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality of chronic kidney disease (CKD), but there is no approved treatment for vascular calcification. In this study, we report the role of STING in vascular calcification. To further investigate the molecular mechanism by which STING participates in vascular calcification, we performed high-throughput RNA-seq to identify the target gene of STING.
Project description:Vascular calcification (VC) is often associated with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms linking VC to these diseases have yet to be elucidated. Here we report that MDM2-induced polyubiquitination of histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) mediates VC. Loss of HDAC1 activity via either chemical inhibitor or genetic ablation enhanced VC. HDAC1 protein, but not mRNA, was reduced in cell and animal calcification models and in human calcified coronary artery. In the calcification-provoking condition, proteasomal degradation of HDAC1 preceded VC. The calcification-provoking condition induced MDM2 E3 ligase, which then resulted in HDAC1 K74 polyubiquitination. Overexpression of MDM2 enhanced VC, whereas loss of MDM2 blunted it. Decoy peptides spanning HDAC1 K74 and RG 7112, an MDM2 inhibitor, prevented VC in vivo and in vitro. These results demonstrate a previously unknown ubiquitination pathway and suggest MDM2-mediated HDAC1 polyubiquitination as a new therapeutic target in VC. Calcification was induced in rat aorta vascular smooth muscle cells with inorganic phosphate (Pi). Total RNA were extracted from the cells 3 and 6 days later. mRNA profile of the sample was compared with normal control.
Project description:Vascular calcification, a key risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, is driven by the phenotypic transition of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from a contractile to an osteogenic phenotype. NEXN, a protein highly associated with heart function, has also been implicated as a potential susceptibility factor in the development of coronary artery disease, but its role in the progression of vascular calcification remains unclear. In this study, multi-transcriptomics analysis and various animal models were used to explore the cell-specific roles and molecular mechanisms of NEXN in vascular calcification. VSMC-specific NEXN knockout exacerbated calcification, while NEXN overexpression alleviated it. NEXN was shown to interact with SERCA2, enhancing its SUMOylation, stability, and function, thereby protecting against calcification. These findings suggest that NEXN modulates vascular calcification through SERCA2 stabilization, offering potential therapeutic strategies by targeting NEXN-SERCA2 interactions or enhancing SERCA2 SUMOylation to prevent vascular calcification and its complications.
Project description:In this study, we report the protective effect of LINE1 intervention on vascular calcification. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the protective role of LINE1 inhibition, we employed RNA sequencing to identify gene expression changes under LINE1 suppression conditions. Our findings provide insights into the pathways involved in modulating vascular calcification and highlight LINE1 as a potential therapeutic target.
Project description:In this study, we report the protective effect of β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) on vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease (CKD). To further investigate the mechanism underpinning the protective effect of BHB on vascular calcification, we performed high-throughput RNA-seq to identify the target gene of BHB. Our data demonstrate that BHB supplementation inhibits vascular calcification in CKD via targeting HDAC9.
Project description:Vascular calcification is a common and life-threatening complication in patients with chronic kidney disease, in which osteogenic differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) plays an essential role. Paraspeckle protein NONO is a multifunctional protein involved in many nuclear biological processes but its role in vascular calcification and osteogenic differentiation of VSMCs remains unclear.By RNA sequencing analysis in primary mouse VSMCs with or without NONO knockout, we observed significant changes of genes important in regulating vascular function and osteogenic differentiation of VSMCs.
Project description:Objective: To investigate the treatment and mechanism of lanthanum hydroxide on hyperphosphate-induced vascular calcification in chronic renal failure. Methods: Develop a rat model of CKD hyperphosphatemia. Rats were randomly allocated to the model, lanthanum hydroxide, lanthanum carbonate, Calcium carbonate groups. Determination of serum biochemical indicators and the determination of pathological analysis of kidney tissue, Von Kossa staining and CT scan on the aortic vessels. The proteomic analysis of aortic tissue in Vivo. A calcified VSMCs model was established. The calcium content and ALP activity were measured. RT-PCR measures the mRNA expression level of SM22α, Runx2, BMP-2 and TRAF6. Western Blot measures the protein expression level of SM22α, Runx2, BMP-2, TRAF6 and NF-κB. Results: Through the detection of serum biochemical indicators and pathological analysis of kidney tissue, it can be summaryed that lanthanum hydroxide has the effect of delaying the progression of renal failure and protecting renal function. We found that the administration of lanthanum hydroxide delayed the development of vascular calcification induced by hyperphosphatemia in CKD. It can be concluded that lanthanum hydroxide may affect vascular calcification through the NF-κB pathway. , To deal with Lanthanum chloride (LaCl3) inhibited phosphate induced calcification, osteo-/chondrogenic transdifferentiation, and NF-κB signaling in cultured VSMCs. Lanthanum hydroxide significantly reduces the expression of Runx2, BMP-2, TRAF6 and NF-κB. Conclusion: Lanthanum hydroxide has a protective effect on the kidneys, and can delay the development of vascular calcification by reducing serum phosphorus concentration.
Project description:Cardiovascular diseases often manifest with vascular calcification. Vascular calcification is an active process orchestrated by contractile vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotypic switch to an osteoblast-like cell. Here, we identified that the DNA demethylase, Tet2 (Ten-eleven translation 2), safeguards VSMCs from transitioning into the osteogenic lineage and loss of Tet2 promotes development and progression of vascular calcification. Tet2 was among the most significantly downregulated epigenetic markers in calcified aortas. VSMC-specific loss of Tet2 promoted VSMC osteogenic differentiation and enhanced vascular calcification as evidenced histologically, molecularly, and hemodynamically. In vivo studies further indicated that Tet2 inhibits calcification-associated VSMC apoptosis and medial thinning. Notably, calcified regions were enriched in a Trem2hi (triggered receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2) macrophage subpopulation. Intervention studies using high-dose ascorbate to enhance Tet2 enzymatic activity resulted in significantly reduced medial aortic calcification and improved aortic structural integrity in mice. Ascorbate treatment in human aorta organ cultures was sufficient to reduce calcification development in diseased tissues, and restore contractile properties to the calcified aorta. This study highlights the potential clinical impact of modulating Tet2 activity in managing cardiovascular disorders associated with vascular calcification.
Project description:Objective – Vascular calcification is a critical pathology associated with increased cardiovascular event risk, but there are no FDA-approved anti-calcific therapies. We hypothesized and validated that an unbiased screening approach would identify novel mediators of human vascular calcification. Approach and Results – We performed an unbiased quantitative proteomics and pathway network analysis that identified increased carnitine O-octanoyltransferase (CROT) in calcifying primary human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Additionally, human carotid artery atherosclerotic plaques contained increased immunoreactive CROT near calcified regions. CROT siRNA reduced fibrocalcific response in calcifying SMCs. In agreement, histidine 327 to alanine point mutation inactivated human CROT fatty acid metabolism enzymatic activity and suppressed SMC calcification. CROT siRNA restored mitochondrial proteome alterations and suppressed mitochondrial fragmentation in calcifying SMCs. Lipidomics analysis of SMCs incubated with CROT siRNA revealed increased eicosapentaenoic acid, a vascular calcification inhibitor. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated Crot deficiency in low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient mice reduced aortic and carotid artery calcification without altering bone density, or liver and plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations. Conclusions – CROT is a novel inducer of vascular calcification via promoting fatty acid metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction, as such CROT inhibition has strong potential as an anti-fibrocalcific therapy.