SIRT6在动脉粥样硬化中的研究进展

SIRT6是Sirtuins家族的一员,因具有脱乙酰酶活性而参与调节能量代谢、衰老、肥胖、胰岛素抵抗、炎症等众多生物学过程。最近的研究发现SIRT6还能通过保护内皮细胞和血管平滑肌细胞、抗炎及调节脂质代谢等发挥抑制动脉粥样硬化发生发展的作用。该文就SIRT6在动脉粥样硬化方面的研究进展进行综述。     

内皮细胞血管紧张素Ⅱ信号转导通路的研究进展

血管紧张素Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ)不仅发挥着收缩血管和调节血压的功能,还参与炎症、内皮细胞功能障碍、动脉粥样硬化、高血压和充血性心衰的发生与发展.Ang Ⅱ通过AT1受体,激活内皮细胞MAPK、NADPH和ROS、非受体酪氨酸激酶及受体酪氨酸激酶通路产生各种生物学效应,参与内皮细胞功能调节,引发内皮细胞功能障碍和血管的炎症反应.     

脂联素在炎症性疾病中的研究进展

脂肪组织不仅是一个被动的能量储存的器官,它还是一个调节机体内分泌、能量代谢及炎症的内分泌器官.脂联素是由Scherer等于1995年在小鼠3T3-L1前脂肪细胞系的分化过程中分离克隆发现的主要由脂肪细胞分泌的一种内源性生物活性蛋白质.目前的研究表明脂联素具有抑制动脉粥样硬化、保护心血管系统、改善胰岛素抵抗、调节脂质代谢及抗炎等多种功能.现就脂联素的结构、基因表达调控以及它在动脉粥样硬化、心脏疾病、脂质代谢等肥胖引起的慢性炎症性疾病和自身免疫性疾病(如类风湿性关节炎,系统性红斑狼疮,克罗恩病)及急性肝炎等急性炎症性疾病中的作用作一综述.系统地介绍脂联素在各种炎症性疾病中发挥效用的机制,更好地认识脂联素的作用机理,为以后介入脂联素作用的调节过程、开发研究新药物等后续研究打下良好的基础.     

通心络抗动脉粥样硬化机制的研究进展

动脉粥样硬化是心脑血管疾病的重要病理基础,内皮细胞功能异常、多种炎性细胞因子介导炎症反应是动脉粥样硬化的发病机制.通心络是由多种成分构成的中药复方制剂,在临床上广泛用于治疗心脑血管疾病,具有抗炎、保护内皮、抗氧化及稳定斑块等作用,现就近几年来有关通心络抗动脉粥样硬化机制的研究进展综述如下.     

抵抗素与动脉粥样硬化

抵抗素(resistin)最初被认为是一种脂肪分泌因子,现已证明在肥胖、胰岛素抵抗和糖尿病中均发挥重要作用。人体抵抗素主要由单核巨噬细胞分泌,并且在炎症反应中发挥重要作用。近年来的研究发现在动脉粥样硬化的发生与发展中都有抵抗素的参与,它主要对内皮细胞、平滑肌细胞和单核巨噬细胞产生影响,并且在新生血管的形成中发挥作用。本文对抵抗素及其在动脉粥样硬化病理过程中的作用进行综述,并对未来的研究方向展开讨论。     

抵抗素的研究进展

抵抗素（resistin）是近年来发现的一个新脂肪细胞因子,最初在动物实验被用于联系肥胖、胰岛素抵抗和2型糖尿病。但随着进一步在人类实验的研究中发现,抵抗素能调节炎症反应而非胰岛素敏感性,研究发现抵抗素能促进炎症发生,炎症因子也能调节抵抗素的表达。动脉硬化是一种慢性亚临床性炎症,大量的体外研究提示抵抗素有可能作为一种促炎因子,通过激活内皮功能,诱导平滑肌增殖迁移,促巨噬细胞的脂质沉积,导致脂质代谢紊乱等途径,促进动脉粥样硬化的发生与发展。     

网膜素:一个新的脂肪因子

脂肪因子(adipokines)是由脂肪组织分泌的细胞因子家族,广泛参与调节和维持糖、脂代谢平衡及血管内皮功能。网膜素是新发现的一类由网膜脂肪组织分泌的脂肪因子,参与调控机体的内分泌、能量代谢及炎症的发生发展。研究发现,网膜素可以促进脂肪细胞对胰岛素介导的葡萄糖的摄取作用,并促进胰岛素受体后信号通路中的Akt磷酸化;其次,网膜素具有抗炎作用,尤其在血管内皮细胞炎症过程中的抗炎机理已被首次证实;另外,网膜素对血管还有舒张作用,尤其在冠状动脉粥样硬化中发挥保护性作用。因此,网膜素可能是联系炎症和动脉粥样硬化间的重要分子,可能成为潜在的标志性分子或药物作用靶点。本文拟就网膜素的新近研究进展予以综述。     

抵抗素的研究进展

抵抗素(resistin)是近年来发现的一个新脂肪细胞因子,最初在动物实验被用于联系肥胖、胰岛素抵抗和2型糖尿病.但随着进一步在人类实验的研究中发现,抵抗素能调节炎症反应而非胰岛素敏感性,研究发现抵抗素能促进炎症发生,炎症因子也能调节抵抗素的表达.动脉硬化是一种慢性亚临床性炎症,大量的体外研究提示抵抗素有可能作为一种促炎因子,通过激活内皮功能,诱导平滑肌增殖迁移,促巨噬细胞的脂质沉积,导致脂质代谢紊乱等途径,促进动脉粥样硬化的发生与发展.     

Vaspin与动脉粥样硬化的研究进展

内脏脂肪组织特异性丝氨酸蛋白酶抑制物(Vaspin)是新发现的脂肪因子,主要由内脏脂肪组织产生,它的分泌和表达受多种因素的影响,并与肥胖、2型糖尿病、动脉粥样硬化(Atherosclerosis,As)等有关。Vaspin具有胰岛素增敏性、改善糖耐量、抑制血管炎症反应等作用,对这些作用机制的认识,能为防治动脉粥样硬化提供新的治疗靶点。     

血管内皮细胞研究进展

血管内皮细胞是一个多功能细胞,参与血栓形成、动脉粥样硬化、免疫排斥、炎症反应以及肿瘤转移等病理生理过程。本文重点介绍血管内皮细胞的形态结构、生理功能,与血细胞的相互反应以及抗血栓形成作用的研究。     

内皮特异性miR-342-5p敲除致小鼠内皮损伤和心血管功能紊乱

摘要 目的：我们前期研究发现有氧运动促进内皮细胞等分泌miR-342-5p,miR-342-5p通过外泌体富集至心肌细胞后发挥心脏保护作用。本研究的主要目的是明确内皮来源的miR-342-5p在心血管功能调控中的作用。方法：我们构建了内皮特异性miR-342-5p敲除小鼠,通过心脏超声检测和血管收缩舒张功能检测观察了该小鼠心血管功能的变化;培养血管内皮细胞,通过对细胞存活率检测、相关蛋白的表达检测等方法对miR-342-5p发挥心血管保护作用的机制进行探究。结果：内皮miR-342-5p敲除致小鼠运动能力降低、心脏收缩功能不变,但舒张功能紊乱。且内皮miR-342-5p敲除致小鼠血管口径变小、微血管密度降低和血管内皮功能紊乱。内皮miR-342-5p敲除致小鼠心血管功能紊乱的机制与其引起的内皮细胞损伤有关。敲低miR-342-5p致内皮细胞中caspase 9水平增加,引起内皮细胞活性降低和凋亡增加。结论：这些结果进一步证实了内皮细胞来源的miR-342-5p在心血管功能中的重要作用,提示miR-342-5p在防治心血管疾病中的潜在应用。     

Fat-derived factor omentin stimulates endothelial cell function and ischemia-induced revascularization via endothelial nitric oxide synthase-dependent mechanism

Obesity-related diseases are associated with vascular dysfunction and impaired revascularization. Omentin is a fat-derived secreted protein, which is down-regulated in association with obese complications. Here, we investigated whether omentin modulates endothelial cell function and revascularization processes in vitro and in vivo. Systemic delivery of an adenoviral vector expressing omentin (Ad-omentin) enhanced blood flow recovery and capillary density in ischemic limbs of wild-type mice in vivo, which were accompanied by increased phosphorylation of Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). In cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), a physiological concentration of recombinant omentin protein increased differentiation into vascular-like structures and decreased apoptotic activity under conditions of serum starvation. Treatment with omentin protein stimulated the phosphorylation of Akt and eNOS in HUVECs. Inhibition of Akt signaling by treatment with dominant-negative Akt or LY294002 blocked the stimulatory effects of omentin on differentiation and survival of HUVECs and reversed omentin-stimulated eNOS phosphorylation. Pretreatment with the NOS inhibitor also reduced the omentin-induced increase in HUVEC differentiation and survival. Omentin protein also stimulated the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase in HUVECs. Transduction with dominant-negative AMP-activated protein kinase diminished omentin-induced phosphorylation of Akt and omentin-stimulated increase in HUVEC differentiation and survival. Of importance, in contrast to wild-type mice, systemic administration of Ad-omentin did not affect blood flow in ischemic muscle in eNOS-deficient mice in vivo. These data indicate that omentin promotes endothelial cell function and revascularization in response to ischemia through its ability to stimulate an Akt-eNOS signaling pathway.     

A Novel Minimally-Invasive Method to Sample Human Endothelial Cells for Molecular Profiling

ObjectiveThe endothelium is a key mediator of vascular homeostasis and cardiovascular health. Molecular research on the human endothelium may provide insight into the mechanisms underlying cardiovascular disease. Prior methodology used to isolate human endothelial cells has suffered from poor yields and contamination with other cell types. We thus sought to develop a minimally invasive technique to obtain endothelial cells derived from human subjects with higher yields and purity.MethodsNine healthy volunteers underwent endothelial cell harvesting from antecubital veins using guidewires. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) was subsequently used to purify endothelial cells from contaminating cells using endothelial surface markers (CD34 / CD105 / CD146) with the concomitant absence of leukocyte and platelet specific markers (CD11b / CD45). Endothelial lineage in the purified cell population was confirmed by expression of endothelial specific genes and microRNA using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR).ResultsA median of 4,212 (IQR: 2161 – 6583) endothelial cells were isolated from each subject. Quantitative PCR demonstrated higher expression of von Willebrand Factor (vWF, P<0.001), nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3, P<0.001) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1, P<0.003) in the endothelial population compared to similarly isolated leukocytes. Similarly, the level of endothelial specific microRNA-126 was higher in the purified endothelial cells (P<0.001).ConclusionThis state-of-the-art technique isolates human endothelial cells for molecular analysis in higher purity and greater numbers than previously possible. This approach will expedite research on the molecular mechanisms of human cardiovascular disease, elucidating its pathophysiology and potential therapeutic targets.     

Omentin, a novel adipocytokine inhibits TNF-induced vascular inflammation in human endothelial cells

Omentin is a recently identified adipocytokine with insulin-sensitizing effect. While lack of omentin may be related to the pathogenesis of obesity-related cardiovascular diseases, its effect in vasculature is largely unknown. We examined effects of omentin on vascular endothelial inflammatory states. Western blotting was performed to analyze inflammatory signal transduction in cultured vascular endothelia cells. The cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) content was measured using enzyme immunoassay. Treatment of human umbilical vein endothelial cells with omentin (300 ng/ml, 20 min) induced phosphorylation of 5′-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) (Thr 172) and endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS) (Ser 1177). Consistently, omentin increased the cGMP level. Pretreatment with omentin (300 ng/ml, 30 min) significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of JNK as well as expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 by TNF-α (5 ng/ml, 20 min–24 h). An inhibitor of JNK significantly inhibited the TNF-α-induced COX-2 expression. Inhibitory effect of omentin on TNF-α-induced COX-2 was reversed by a NOS inhibitor. The present results demonstrate for the first time that omentin plays an anti-inflammatory role by preventing the TNF-α-induced COX-2 expression in vascular endothelial cells. Omentin inhibits COX-2 induction via preventing the JNK activation presumably through activation of AMPK/eNOS/NO pathways.     

过表达SCD1对人骨髓间充质干细胞成内皮分化的影响以及全基因组表达谱变化研究

目的:探讨过表达固醇辅酶A去饱和酶1(SCD1)对人骨髓间充质干细胞(BM-MSCs)成内皮作用的影响,并通过基因芯片及智能通路(IPA)分析系统研究全基因组表达谱变化。方法:利用已构建成功的SCD1慢病毒转染BM-MSCs,采用RT-PCR及C14技术检测SCD1在BM-MSCs中过表达情况及其活性。内皮诱导培养BM-MSCs后,采用RT-PCR技术检测CD31、v WF及CDH5等相关内皮指标,进一步运用全基因芯片检测SCD1过表达对BM-MSCs成内皮分化表达谱的影响。结果:BM-MSCs成功过表达SCD1并保持高活性。内皮诱导培养7天时,过表达组的内皮指标CD31、v WF m RNA高于对照组(p0.05)、14天时过表达组的CD31、v WF及CDH5 m RNA均高于对照组(p0.05)。基因芯片结果显示SCD1改变BM-MSCs内皮分化表达谱,共有522个差异基因被检测出。IPA结果显示Nrf2通路及细胞分化功能的表达差异显著(p0.05)。结论:SCD1过表达可以促进BM-MSCs的成内皮分化,可能通过降低细胞氧化应激、提高细胞增殖分化能力实现。SCD1这种抗氧化作用可能为内皮功能修复及心血管疾病治疗提供潜在的策略,值得深入研究。     

Amarogentin,a secoiridoid glycoside,activates AMP- activated protein kinase (AMPK) to exert beneficial vasculo-metabolic effects

IntroductionAMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a drug target for treatment of metabolic and cardiovascular complications. Extracts of Gentianaceace plants exhibit anti-diabetic and anti-atherosclerotic effects, however, whether their phyto-constitutents activate AMPK remains to be determined.MethodsMolecular docking of Gentiana lutea constituents was performed with crystal structure of human α₂β₁γ₁ trimeric AMPK (PDB ID: 4CFE). Binding of Amarogentin (AG) to α₂ subunit was confirmed through isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and in vitro kinase assays were performed. L6 myotube, HUH7 and endothelial cell cultures were employed to validate in silico and in vitro observations. Lipid lowering and anti-atherosclerotic effects were confirmed in streptozotocin induced diabetic mice via biochemical measurements and through heamatoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome and Oil Red O staining.ResultsAG interacts with the α₂ subunit of AMPK and activates the trimeric kinase with an EC₅₀ value of 277 pM. In cell culture experiments, AG induced phosphorylation of AMPK as well as its downstream targets, acetyl-coA-carboxylase (ACC) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Additionally, it enhanced glucose uptake in myotubes and blocked TNF-α induced endothelial inflammation. Oral supplementation of AG significantly attenuated diabetes-mediated neointimal thickening, and collagen and lipid deposition in the aorta. It also improved circulating levels of lipids and liver function in diabetic mice.ConclusionIn conclusion, AG exerts beneficial vasculo-metabolic effects by activating AMPK.General significanceAmarogentin, a naturally occurring secoiridoid glycoside, is a promising lead for design and synthesis of novel drugs for treatment and management of dyslipidemia and cardiovascular diseases.     

Fatty acids and signalling in endothelial cells

The endothelium is critical for the maintenance of a proper vessel function. Disturbances of endothelial function, called endothelial dysfunction, have serious implications, and lead to the development of atherosclerosis. It is well established that the risk for atherosclerosis development is influenced by nutritional factors such as the intake of certain fatty acids. Due to the fundamental role of the endothelium for atherosclerosis development, it is, therefore, likely that fatty acids directly influence the function of endothelial cells. The present review aims to explain the divergent effects of different types of fatty acids on cardiovascular disease risk by summarizing in vitro-data on the effects of fatty acids on (1) important signalling pathways involved in the modulation of endothelial cell function, and (2) endothelial cell functional properties, namely vasoactive mediator release and mononuclear cell recruitment, both of which are typically dysregulated during endothelial dysfunction.     

Omentin, a novel adipokine, induces vasodilation in rat isolated blood vessels

Omentin is a recently identified adipose tissue-derived cytokine and is implicated in obesity-related cardiovascular disorders. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that omentin could directly affect vascular reactivity of isolated blood vessels. In endothelium-intact rat isolated aorta, pretreatment with omentin (300 ng/ml, 30 min) inhibited noradrenaline (NA; 1 nM-1 μM)-induced concentration-dependent contraction. In NA (100 nM)-pre-contracted aorta, omentin (1-300 ng/ml) directly induced an endothelium-dependent relaxation. While a nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) inhibitor, N^G-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (100 μM, 30 min) inhibited the relaxation, a PI3 K/Akt inhibitor, LY294002 (10 μM, 30 min) or a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein (30 μM, 30 min) was ineffective. Omentin (300 ng/ml, 5 min) induced a phosphorylation of endothelial NOS at serine 1177 but not a phosphorylation of Akt at serine 473. Omentin (1-300 ng/ml) also relaxed NA pre-contracted mesenteric artery. Present study for the first time demonstrated that omentin has a vasodilating effect on isolated blood vessels, which is mediated through endothelium-derived NO.     

Effects of a dammarane-type saponin,ginsenoside Rd,in nicotine-induced vascular endothelial injury

BackgroundPanax notoginseng (Burk.) F.H. Chen is a traditional medicinal plant widely used to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases. Ginsenoside Rd (GRd) is a major bioactive component of P. notoginseng, but specific effects on cardiovascular disease-related pathogenic processes are rarely studied, especially vascular endothelial injury.PurposeThis study investigated the potential protective efficacy of GRd against nicotine-induced vascular endothelial cell injury, disruption of vascular nitric oxide (NO) signaling, aberrant endothelium–monocyte adhesion, platelet aggregation, and vasoconstriction.Study design/MethodsVascular endothelial injury and functional disruption were investigated in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by biochemical assays for nitric oxide (NO) and angiotensin II (Ang II), immunofluorescence (IF) and western blotting for expression analyses of apoptosis- related proteins, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), Ang II type receptor 1 (AGTR1), toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). In addition, vascular protection by GRd was examined in nicotine-administered Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats by serum NO and Ang II assays, and by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and immunostaining of aorta. We also examined effects of GRd on monocyte (THP-1 cells) adhesion assays, adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation, and phenylephrine (PE)-induced vasoconstriction of isolated rat aortic rings.ResultsIn HUVECs, nicotine significantly suppressed NO production, enhanced Ang II production, downregulated eNOS expression, and upregulated expression levels of AGTR1, TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB, iNOS, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, cleaved caspase-3, and cytochrome c (cyt c). All of these changes were significantly reversed by GRd. In rats, oral GRd reversed the reduction NO and enhanced Ang II production in serum induced by nicotine administration, and HE staining revealed protection of aortic endothelial cells. In addition, GRd reversed nicotine-mediated enhancement of HUVECs-monocyte adhesion, inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation and PE-induced vasoconstriction.ConclusionGRd may prevent nicotine-induced cardiovascular diseases by preserving normal vascular endothelial NO signaling, suppressing platelet aggregation and vasoconstriction, and by preventing endothelial cell–monocyte adhesion.     

三棱内酯B调控人冠状动脉内皮细胞基因表达谱的生物信息学分析

目的:分析三棱内酯B在人冠状动脉内皮细胞中的表达谱数据集,寻找三棱内酯B调控血管内皮功能的关键作用靶点。方法:基于GEO公共数据库,下载原始表达谱数据集(GSE44598),经过差异基因筛选,功能注释,通路富集,信号通路网络以及基因互作网络分析,找出三棱内酯B对人冠状动脉内皮细胞基因表达谱产生影响的关键基因和信号通路。结果:同对照组相比,三棱内酯B给药组共有5224个基因有显著性差异,包括2628个上调基因和2596个下调基因。基因功能注释和信号通路富集分析表明,差异基因主要参与了细胞周期过程。网络分析显示,MAPK信号通路、细胞周期通路以及PLCG2,PRKACA和ADCY4等为关键信号通路和基因。结论:三棱内酯B通过影响PLCG2,PRKACA,ADCY4等基因的表达,参与MAPK和细胞周期等信号通路,从而调节人冠状内皮细胞的功能。这些关键基因和信号通路是三棱内酯B在心血管疾病治疗应用中潜在的作用靶点。