Toll样受体4对动脉粥样硬化发生、发展的研究进展

动脉粥样硬化（atherosclerosis,AS）是多种细胞、炎性介质参与形成的慢性炎症性疾病。Toll样受体家族（Toll like receptors,TLRs）中的TLR4是机体重要的诱导分泌多种炎性因子的模式识别受体。现有证据表明,TLR4不仅产生多种炎性因子诱发血管炎症反应,而且促进AS斑块形成和发展,造成斑块不稳定,甚至破裂,对AS的发生、发展具有重要作用。因此,了解TLR4对AS的影响有助于发现新的治疗靶点和对策。主要对TLR4在AS发病机制和易损斑块发展中的作用进行综述。     

MicroRNA对动脉粥样硬化发生的调控作用及其临床应用

MicroRNA（miRNA）是新发现的基因表达调控因子,由长约21～25个核苷酸的单 链RNA分子构成,是非编码小RNA. 它可以通过与特定mRNA的3′非翻译区（3′- untranslated region,3′UTR）相结合,抑制mRNA编码蛋白质的翻译过程来调控基因表达. 动脉粥样硬化(atherosclerosis, AS)是一种慢性炎症性疾病,是多种心血 管疾病的病理基础.最近,研究发现多个miRNA与动脉粥样硬化的发生发展有关, 且其在血液和体液中稳定存在并高度保守. 本文主要综述了miRNA对动脉粥样硬化进程的调节作用及以其为靶点的相关临床研究,旨在阐明miRNA成为动脉粥样硬化诊断与治疗新靶点的重要意义.     

Role of Nrf2 in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the vascular arterial walls. A number of studies have revealed the biological and genetic bases of atherosclerosis, and over 100 genes influence atherosclerosis development. Nrf2 plays an important role in oxidative stress response and drug metabolism, but the Nrf2 signaling pathway is closely associated with atherosclerosis development. During atherosclerosis progression, Nrf2 signaling modulates many physiological and pathophysiological processes, such as lipid homeostasis regulation, foam cell formation, macrophage polarization, redox regulation and inflammation. Interestingly, Nrf2 exhibits both pro- and anti-atherogenic effects in experimental animal models. These observations make the Nrf2 pathway a promising target to prevent atherosclerosis.     

Taurine and atherosclerosis

Taurine is abundantly present in most mammalian tissues and plays a role in many important physiological functions. Atherosclerosis is the underlying mechanism of cardiovascular disease including myocardial infarctions, strokes and peripheral artery disease and remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Studies conducted in laboratory animal models using both genetic and dietary models of hyperlipidemia have demonstrated that taurine supplementation retards the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. Epidemiological studies have also suggested that taurine exerts preventive effects on cardiovascular diseases. The present review focuses on the effects of taurine on the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. In addition, the potential mechanisms by which taurine suppress the development of atherosclerosis will be discussed.     

New insights into mechanism for the effect of probucol in anti-atherosclerosis: Possible role of inhibitor on immune maturation of dendritic cells

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease whose lesions are filled with various immune cells and cytokines. In particular, dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen-presenting and immune-modulating cells that have been implicated for the important role of inducing and modulating immune responses in the development of atherosclerosis recently. Notably, before activating T lymphocytes, immature DCs need to undergo “immune maturation” in which various pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines have participated. Probucol, an agent characterized by lipid-lowering and anti-oxidant property, retards atherosclerosis effectively, while its underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. In the present article, we propose that probucol exerts its therapeutic anti-atherosclerosis effect mainly through inhibiting immune maturation of DCs. Our hypothesis is based on the background that probucol up-regulates heme oxygenase-1(HO-1), its target molecular, and leads to resultant reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines and increased anti-inflammatory cytokines in atherogenesis. Through comparative analysis of immunophenotypic expression, endocytosis function and cytokines secretions of DCs between control group and experimental group intervened by probucol in vivo and in vitro, we aim to evaluate the influence of probucol on immune maturation of DCs. Moreover, our hypothesis aims to not only offer an alternative, novel approach for better understanding the mechanism of probucol, but also provide further evidence to support the significant role of DCs in atherosclerosis and may implicate DCs as another therapeutic target in management of atherosclerosis and other inflammation induced vascular disease.     

Interferon gamma: A master regulator of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that is characterized by the development of fibrotic plaques in the arterial wall. The disease exhibits a complex aetiology and its progression is influenced by a number of environmental and genetic risk factors. The cytokine interferon-γ (IFN-γ), a key regulator of immune function, is highly expressed in atherosclerotic lesions and has emerged as a significant factor in atherogenesis. Evidence from both mouse models of atherosclerosis and in vitro cell culture has suggested that the role of IFN-γ is complex since both pro- and anti-atherogenic actions have been affiliated to it. This review will focus on evaluating the contribution of IFN-γ to atherosclerosis and, in particular, how it regulates immune responses to the disease.     

一个日益重要的冠心病标志物———新蝶呤

动脉粥样硬化是一种慢性炎症过程,炎症反应在动脉粥样斑块的形成、发展、稳定性丧失和斑块破裂过程中都起着非常重要的作用,贯穿于动脉粥样硬化的各个环节。从早期的脂质条纹到进一步的动脉粥样病变及血栓性并发症都能见到炎症细胞的浸润,其中又以激活的巨噬细胞尤为重要。新蝶呤是巨噬细胞激活后的代谢产物,它不仅是巨噬细胞激活的炎症标志物,还参与多种调节氧化平衡的生化途径,增加氧化应激水平,促进动脉粥样硬化的进展,是斑块不稳定性及不良性心血管事件的独立预测因子。在临床上,降低血清新蝶呤水平可以降低冠心病患者发生危险事件的风险。因此,新蝶呤对冠心病的诊断和治疗都有重要意义。本文将对新蝶呤在冠心病中的角色做一综述。     

Regulatory T cell responses: potential role in the control of atherosclerosis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease of the arterial wall where both innate and adaptive Th1-driven immunoinflammatory responses contribute to disease development. Th2-related responses have been shown to be either protective or pathogenic. Thus, it is unclear whether immunoregulatory activity can modulate disease development. RECENT FINDINGS: Novel subtypes of T cells, called the regulatory T cells, have been shown recently to play a critical role in the maintenance of immunological tolerance against self and non-self antigens and prevent the development of various immunoinflammatory diseases. Preliminary studies suggest a potential role for this type of regulatory T cell response in atherosclerosis. SUMMARY: Here we present a novel view of the immunoinflammatory response in atherosclerosis where natural and/or adaptive regulatory T cell responses modulate both Th1 and Th2 pathogenic responses and play a central role in counteracting disease initiation and progression.     

The role of probiotics and natural bioactive compounds in modulation of the common molecular pathways in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and cancer

Atherosclerosis and cancer are ranked among the most serious health problems in human medicine. Various predictive and etiological factors, biomarkers and molecular pathways of disease development and progression common to atherosclerosis and cancer suggest that the two most common diseases in worldwide dimension are far more closely aligned than previously believed. It is hypothesized that atherosclerosis and cancer are variants of a similar disease process. Shared disease progression in atherosclerosis and cancer is the emergence of similar novel approaches to therapy. On previous knowledge, it may be hypothesized that not only common approaches to therapy but also preventive strategies could be efficacious in both diseases. The results of in vitro and in vivo animal experiments, clinical and epidemiological studies and also the results of our experiments using animal experimental models of atherosclerosis and carcinogenesis indicate that probiotics, prebiotics, plants and their extracts and poly-unsaturated fatty acids could be effectively used in prevention of both atherosclerosis and colorectal cancer and decrease the disease risk. Future research should answer the question whether probiotic microorganisms and natural bioactive substances could effectively influence the molecular mechanisms in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and cancer.     

Chemokines: inflammatory mediators of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis as the underlying mechanisms of myocardial infarction, stroke and peripheral artery disease remains the major cause of morbidity and mortality in developed countries. Recent developments in vascular biology have indicated that atherosclerosis can be best characterized as a chronic inflammatory disease of the vessel wall that promotes lesion development and progression. Chemokines regulate and control these processes by orchestrating adhesive interactions of circulating blood cells with the arterial wall and their subsequent extravasation. Exhibiting a high degree of specialization and cooperation, different chemokines mediate distinct steps during the atherogenic recruitment of monocytes and T cells. This diversity of chemokine expression and function might lead to the identification of selective therapeutic targets for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.     

Extracellular vesicle signalling in atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a major cardiovascular disease and in 2016, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated 17.5 million global deaths, corresponding to 31% of all global deaths, were driven by inflammation and deposition of lipids into the arterial wall. This leads to the development of plaques which narrow the vessel lumen, particularly in the coronary and carotid arteries. Atherosclerotic plaques can become unstable and rupture, leading to myocardial infarction or stroke. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a heterogeneous population of vesicles secreted from cells with a wide range of biological functions. EVs participate in cell-cell communication and signalling via transport of cargo including enzymes, DNA, RNA and microRNA in both physiological and patholophysiological settings. EVs are present in atherosclerotic plaques and have been implicated in cellular signalling processes in atherosclerosis development, including immune responses, inflammation, cell proliferation and migration, cell death and vascular remodeling during progression of the disease. In this review, we summarise the current knowledge regarding EV signalling in atherosclerosis progression and the potential of utilising EV signatures as biomarkers of disease.     

内质网应激与糖尿病动脉粥样硬化

动脉粥样硬化是糖尿病常见的并发症,80%的糖尿病患者死于动脉粥样硬化。近年来内质网应激在糖尿病动脉粥样硬化发生、发展过程中的作用受到了广泛关注。本文就内质网应激及其在糖尿病促发动脉粥样硬化中的作用机制作一概述。     

Role of thrombin in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is an arterial disease associated with inflammation. Thrombin is a procoagulant and proinflammatory serine protease that contributes to the pathology of atherosclerosis by enhancing the expression of cell adhesion molecules, inducing the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, activating inflammatory responses in atherosclerotic plaques, stimulating proliferation of aortic smooth muscle cells, and exacerbating vascular lesions at sites of injury. Hence, thrombin appears to be an important target for treatment of atherosclerosis and thrombin pharmacological inhibitors have significant therapeutic potency for suppressing inflammatory responses in cardiovascular diseases. This review summarizes the proinflammatory signaling functions of thrombin as well as the therapeutic potency of thrombin inhibitors in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and hence their potential therapeutic value in this condition.     

降钙素基因相关肽与动脉粥样硬化

动脉粥样硬化是心血管疾病中最常见的一种血管病变,影响着血管、免疫、代谢等系统。动脉粥样硬化发生发展是一个复杂的过程,它损伤血管内皮,平滑肌等细胞,涉及到多种细胞因子的相互作用。而CGRP具有抑制血管平滑肌增值作用,对预防血管术后再狭窄有重要意义,CGRP能舒张血管,对防治氧化应激引起的内皮损伤具有保护作用,但其机制还不完全清楚。     

Macrophages heterogeneity in atherosclerosis – implications for therapy

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease occurring within the artery wall and is an underlying cause of cardiovascular complications, including myocardial infarction, stroke and peripheral vascular disease. Its pathogenesis involves many immune cell types with a well accepted role for monocyte/macrophages. Cholesterol-loaded macrophages are a characteristic feature of plaques and are major players in all stages of plaque development. As well as modulating lipid metabolism, macrophages secrete inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that drive pathogenesis. They also produce proteases and tissue factor that contribute to plaque rupture and thrombosis. Macrophages are however heterogeneous cells and when appropriately activated, they phagocytose cytotoxic lipoproteins, clear apoptotic bodies, secrete anti-inflammatory cytokines and synthesize matrix repair proteins that stabilize vulnerable plaques. Pharmacological modulation of macrophage activity therefore represents a potential therapeutic strategy for atherosclerosis. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the current understanding of the different macrophage subsets and their monocyte precursors, and, the implications of these subsets for atherosclerosis. This will present a foundation for highlighting novel opportunities to exploit the heterogeneity of macrophages as important diagnostic and therapeutic targets for atherosclerosis and its associated diseases.     

降钙素基因相关肽与动脉粥样硬化

动脉粥样硬化是心血管疾病中最常见的一种血管病变,影响着血管、免疫、代谢等系统。动脉粥样硬化发生发展是一个复杂的过程,它损伤血管内皮,平滑肌等细胞,涉及到多种细胞因子的相互作用。而CGRP具有抑制血管平滑肌增值作用,对预防血管术后再狭窄有重要意义,CGRP能舒张血管,对防治氧化应激引起的内皮损伤具有保护作用,但其机制还不完全清楚。     

肥大细胞在动脉粥样硬化形成中的作用

动脉粥样硬化,是冠心病的病理基础,被认为是一种慢性炎症性疾病,涉及如巨噬细胞和T淋巴细胞等许多炎性细胞。肥大细胞是一种重要的免疫细胞,其功能主要是在超敏反应方面的作用。有病理学研究表明：肥大细胞在动脉粥样硬化斑块周围表达增加,这表明肥大细胞可能与疾病的进展有关。最近的研究表明,肥大细胞在动脉粥样硬化中确实起着重要的作用。本文通过总结肥大细胞在动脉粥样硬化形成中的作用,为在疾病进程中,通过调节肥大细胞功能来改善动脉粥样硬化的这种治疗方式的可能性提供依据。     

Inhibition of USP14 suppresses the formation of foam cell by promoting CD36 degradation

Atherosclerosis is regarded as a chronic progressive inflammatory disease and is a basic pathophysiological process in coronary artery disease which is life threatening in clinic. The formation of foam cell plays a key role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. OxLDL is a significant factor in progression of coronary artery disease. Our studies have demonstrated that USP14 promotes cancer development and mediates progression of cardiac hypertrophy and LPS-induced inflammation. However, the underlying mechanism of USP14 is unknown. In this study, we found that the inhibition of USP14 significantly suppressed the oxLDL uptake, subsequently decreased the foam cell formation. Surprisingly, USP14 has an effect on the expression of CD36 but not SR-A, ABCA1, Lox-1, ABCG1 and SR-Bl. Furthermore, USP14 stabilizes CD36 protein via cleaving the ubiquitin chain on CD36. Blocking CD36 activation using antibody-dependent blocking assay remarkably attenuated the function of USP14 on the formation of foam cell. In summary, our results suggested that the inhibition of USP14 decreases foam cell formation by down-regulating CD36-mediated lipid uptake and provides a potential therapeutic target for atherosclerosis.