Project description:Background Rupture or erosion of advanced atherosclerotic lesions with a resultant myocardial infarction or stroke are the leading worldwide cause of death. However, we have a very limited understanding of the identity, origin, and function of many cells that make up late stage atherosclerotic lesions, as well as the mechanisms by which they control plaque stability. Methods and Results Using RNAseq and ChIPseq of advanced atherosclerotic lesions from mice, we provide evidence SMC-specific Klf4- versus Oct4-knockout ApoE-/- mice showed virtually opposite genomic signatures and putative SMC Klf4 or Oct4 target genes play an important role regulating SMC phenotypic changes. Further, we conducted a comprehensive single-cell RNA-seq of advanced human carotid endarterectomy samples and compared these with scRNAseq from murine micro-dissected advanced atherosclerotic lesions with SMC and endothelial lineage tracing to survey all plaque cell types and rigorously determine their origin. This analysis revealed remarkable similarity of transcriptomic clusters between mouse and human lesions and extensive plasticity of SMC- and EC-derived lesion cells. The latter included 7 distinct clusters of SMC- and EC-derived cells, most negative for traditional markers. In particular, SMC contributed to a Myh11-, Lgals3+ population with a chondrocyte-like gene signature that was markedly reduced with SMC-specific conditional knockout of Klf4. To study these cells and the mechanisms of their transition, we developed an innovative dual lineage tracing mouse that can uniquely label and genetically target Myh11+ SMC that subsequently activate Lgals3. We observed that SMC that activate Lgals3 comprise up to 2/3 of all SMC in advanced plaques. However, initial activation of Lgals3 in these cells does not represent conversion to a terminally differentiated state, but rather represents transition of these cells to a unique stem cell marker gene+, ECM-remodeling, “pioneer” cell phenotype that are the first to invest within lesions and subsequently give rise to at least 3 other SMC phenotypes within advanced lesions including Klf4-dependent osteogenic phenotypes likely to contribute to plaque calcification and plaque destabilization. Conclusions Taken together, these results provide evidence that SMC-derived cells within advanced mouse and human atherosclerotic lesions exhibit far greater phenotypic plasticity than generally believed, with Klf4 regulating transition to multiple phenotypes including Lgals3+ osteogenic cells likely to be detrimental for late stage atherosclerosis plaque pathogenesis.

Project description:Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in developed countries and there is compelling evidence that the majority of these fatalities are secondary to rupture of unstable atherosclerotic plaques. However, the mechanisms that control plaque stability are poorly understood, although it is widely believed that plaques having a decreased ratio of cells positive for smooth muscle cell (SMC) markers such as ACTA2 relative to macrophage markers are more likely to rupture. Herein we employMyh11-CreERT2 ROSA floxed STOP eYFP Apoe-/- mice to trace SMC lineage and show that traditional methods for detecting SMCs based on immunostaining for SMC markers like ACTA2 are unable to detect 82% of SMC-derived cells within advanced atherosclerotic lesions. Moreover, we show that these SMC-derived cells within advanced lesions exhibit multiple phenotypes including activation of multiple markers of macrophages, mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), and myofibroblasts (MF). Importantly, we show that SMC-derived macrophage like cells are phagocytic based on electron microscope YFP immunolabeling. In addition, results of single cell epigenetic assays developed in our lab shows that nearly 20% of macrophage-like cells within human lesions are of SMC not myeloid origin. These phenotypic transitions appear to be critical in lesion pathogenesis, in that we show that SMC-specific conditional knockout (KO) of the pluripotency factor, Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), resulted in marked reductions in lesion size, increases in multiple indices of plaque stability, and reduced numbers of SMC-derived MSC- and macrophage-like cells. Finally, we show that cholesterol loading of cultured SMC is associated with activation of multiple markers of macrophages and MSC, secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and increased phagocytosis, all of which are Klf4 dependent. Taken together, results indicate that the contribution of SMCs within atherosclerotic plaques has been greatly underestimated, and that loss of Klf4 within SMC result in major changes in SMC phenotype and function that play a major role in lesion pathogenesis. Examination of KLF4 transcription factor in an atherosclerosis setting

Project description:BACKGROUND: Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) are the most abundant cell type in the artery’s media layer and regulate vascular tone and lesion remodeling during atherogenesis. Like monocyte-derived macrophages, VSMCs accumulate excess lipids and contribute to the total intimal foam cell population in human coronary plaque and mouse aortic atheroma. While there are extensive studies characterizing the contribution of lipid metabolism in macrophage immunometabolic responses in atherosclerotic plaques, the role of VSMC lipid metabolism in regulating vascular function and lesion remodeling in vivo remains poorly understood. METHODS: We re-analyzed publicly available single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from mouse atherosclerosis studies and found Liver X receptor (LXR) signaling in VSMCs was continuously activated during atherogenesis. We thus generated mice with an inducible SMC-specific knockout of LXR/LXR on a fate mapping background by crossbreeding LXRf/fLXRf/f mice with Myh11-CreERT2;mTmGf/f mice. Mice were administered with tamoxifen (1 mg/day) for 10 consecutive days and followed by a 2-week resting period to induce CreERT2 mediated recombination. To induce hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis, we injected Myh11-CreERT2;mT/mGf/f;LXRf/fLXRf/f mice and Myh11-CreERT2;mT/mGf/f mice with AAV8-PCSK9 and fed them with a Western diet (WD) for 16 weeks. Metabolic, immunocytochemistry and genomic analysis were conducted to assess lesion size and morphology and unravel the molecular mechanism by which LXR in VSMC contributes to lesion formation. RESULTS: Deficiency of LXR in SMCs under hypercholesterolemic condition influenced lesion remodeling by altering the fate of de-differentiated SMC and promoting the accumulation of VSMC-derived transitional cells. This phenotypic switching is accompanied with reduced index of plaque stability characterized by larger necrotic core area and reduced fibrous cap thickness. Moreover, SMC-specific LXR deficiency impaired vascular function and caused visceral myopathy characterized by bladder maladaptive remodeling and gut lipid malabsorption. CONCLUSIONS: We unveil an essential role of hypercholesterolemia-induced LXR signaling in atherosclerotic lesion remodeling, controlling the fate decision of VSMCs and regulating vascular and visceral SMCs functions.

Project description:Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in developed countries and there is compelling evidence that the majority of these fatalities are secondary to rupture of unstable atherosclerotic plaques. However, the mechanisms that control plaque stability are poorly understood, although it is widely believed that plaques having a decreased ratio of cells positive for smooth muscle cell (SMC) markers such as ACTA2 relative to macrophage markers are more likely to rupture. Herein we employMyh11-CreERT2 ROSA floxed STOP eYFP Apoe-/- mice to trace SMC lineage and show that traditional methods for detecting SMCs based on immunostaining for SMC markers like ACTA2 are unable to detect 82% of SMC-derived cells within advanced atherosclerotic lesions. Moreover, we show that these SMC-derived cells within advanced lesions exhibit multiple phenotypes including activation of multiple markers of macrophages, mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), and myofibroblasts (MF). Importantly, we show that SMC-derived macrophage like cells are phagocytic based on electron microscope YFP immunolabeling. In addition, results of single cell epigenetic assays developed in our lab shows that nearly 20% of macrophage-like cells within human lesions are of SMC not myeloid origin. These phenotypic transitions appear to be critical in lesion pathogenesis, in that we show that SMC-specific conditional knockout (KO) of the pluripotency factor, Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), resulted in marked reductions in lesion size, increases in multiple indices of plaque stability, and reduced numbers of SMC-derived MSC- and macrophage-like cells. Finally, we show that cholesterol loading of cultured SMC is associated with activation of multiple markers of macrophages and MSC, secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and increased phagocytosis, all of which are Klf4 dependent. Taken together, results indicate that the contribution of SMCs within atherosclerotic plaques has been greatly underestimated, and that loss of Klf4 within SMC result in major changes in SMC phenotype and function that play a major role in lesion pathogenesis.

Project description:BackgroundRupture and erosion of advanced atherosclerotic lesions with a resultant myocardial infarction or stroke are the leading worldwide cause of death. However, we have a limited understanding of the identity, origin, and function of many cells that make up late-stage atherosclerotic lesions, as well as the mechanisms by which they control plaque stability.MethodsWe conducted a comprehensive single-cell RNA sequencing of advanced human carotid endarterectomy samples and compared these with single-cell RNA sequencing from murine microdissected advanced atherosclerotic lesions with smooth muscle cell (SMC) and endothelial lineage tracing to survey all plaque cell types and rigorously determine their origin. We further used chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq), bulk RNA sequencing, and an innovative dual lineage tracing mouse to understand the mechanism by which SMC phenotypic transitions affect lesion pathogenesis.ResultsWe provide evidence that SMC-specific Klf4- versus Oct4-knockout showed virtually opposite genomic signatures, and their putative target genes play an important role regulating SMC phenotypic changes. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed remarkable similarity of transcriptomic clusters between mouse and human lesions and extensive plasticity of SMC- and endothelial cell-derived cells including 7 distinct clusters, most negative for traditional markers. In particular, SMC contributed to a Myh11-, Lgals3+ population with a chondrocyte-like gene signature that was markedly reduced with SMC-Klf4 knockout. We observed that SMCs that activate Lgals3 compose up to two thirds of all SMC in lesions. However, initial activation of Lgals3 in these cells does not represent conversion to a terminally differentiated state, but rather represents transition of these cells to a unique stem cell marker gene-positive, extracellular matrix-remodeling, "pioneer" cell phenotype that is the first to invest within lesions and subsequently gives rise to at least 3 other SMC phenotypes within advanced lesions, including Klf4-dependent osteogenic phenotypes likely to contribute to plaque calcification and plaque destabilization.ConclusionsTaken together, these results provide evidence that SMC-derived cells within advanced mouse and human atherosclerotic lesions exhibit far greater phenotypic plasticity than generally believed, with Klf4 regulating transition to multiple phenotypes including Lgals3+ osteogenic cells likely to be detrimental for late-stage atherosclerosis plaque pathogenesis.

Project description:Despite decades of research, our understanding of processes controlling the stability of late-stage atherosclerotic plaques remains poor. However, a prevailing hypothesis is that reducing inflammation may improve plaque stability. Indeed, the potent inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), has been shown to be a key driver of atherosclerosis development. Importantly, the CANTOS Trial recently demonstrated that administration of an anti-IL-1β antibody to high-risk post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients reduced the incidence of recurrent nonfatal MI, but did not reduce the incidence of cardiovascular death or stroke. As such, although the CANTOS trial results providing exciting evidence that targeting inflammation can have clinical benefit for treating advanced atherosclerosis, extensive further investigation is needed to better understand the mechanisms by which IL-1β inhibition impacts established lesions. Therefore, we performed intervention studies on smooth muscle cell (SMC) lineage tracing mice with advanced atherosclerosis using anti-IL- 1 or IgG control antibodies. Surprisingly, we found no effect on lesion size but a profound shift in the composition of the fibrous cap characterized by reduced collagen and SMC content but an increase in macrophage number, which was primarily driven by opposite effects on the proliferation of these respective cell types. By generating SMC-specific and macrophage-selective Il1r1 KO Apoe -/- mice, we found that SMC-specific Il1r1 KO resulted in a ~60% reduction in lesion size and lesions that were nearly devoid of YFP + SMC whereas, myeloid-selective loss of IL1R1 had no effect on lesion size, or cell composition. This suggests that SMC are a primary cell type responding to IL-1β in atherosclerosis and that IL1 signaling in SMC is critical for their investment and retention within the fibrous cap. In addition, we found that inhibition of IL-1β promoted an expansion of the M2 macrophage population within the fibrous cap, and that these effects may be due in part to elevated levels of IL4. Taken together, results show that IL-1β can promote beneficial changes in late-stage murine atherosclerosis by promoting maintenance of a SMC/collagen-rich fibrous cap. Moreover, studies identify critical cell types and pathways that need to be considered when attempting to develop safer and more effective anti-inflammatory therapies for widespread treatment of atherosclerotic disease, including in moderate or low risk patients.

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.

			Action	DRS
	SRR11795500.fastq.gz	Fastqsanger.gz
	SRR11795501.fastq.gz	Fastqsanger.gz
	SRR11795502.fastq.gz	Fastqsanger.gz
	SRR11795503.fastq.gz	Fastqsanger.gz
	SRR11795504.fastq.gz	Fastqsanger.gz

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The stem cell pluripotency genes Klf4 and Oct4 regulate complex SMC phenotypic changes critical in late-stage atherosclerotic lesion pathogenesis

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