NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation Controls Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Phenotypic Switch in Atherosclerosis. 2021

Fabienne Burger, and Daniela Baptista, and Aline Roth, and Rafaela Fernandes da Silva, and Fabrizio Montecucco, and François Mach, and Karim J Brandt, and Kapka Miteva
Division of Cardiology, Foundation for Medical Research, Department of Medicine, Specialized Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Av. de la Roseraie 64, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland.

(1) Background: Monocytes and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome orchestrate lipid-driven amplification of vascular inflammation promoting the disruption of the fibrous cap. The components of the NLRP3 inflammasome are expressed in macrophages and foam cells within human carotid atherosclerotic plaques and VSMCs in hypertension. Whether monocytes and NLRP3 inflammasome activation are direct triggers of VSMC phenotypic switch and plaque disruption need to be investigated. (2) Methods: The direct effect of oxLDL-activated monocytes in VSMCs co-cultured system was demonstrated via flow cytometry, qPCR, ELISA, caspase 1, and pyroptosis assay. Aortic roots of VSMCs lineage tracing mice fed normal or high cholesterol diet and human atherosclerotic plaques were used for immunofluorescence quantification of NLRP3 inflammasome activation/VSMCs phenotypic switch. (3) Results: OxLDL-activated monocytes reduced α-SMA, SM22α, Oct-4, and upregulation of KLF-4 and macrophage markers MAC2, F4/80 and CD68 expression as well as caspase 1 activation, IL-1β secretion, and pyroptosis in VSMCs. Increased caspase 1 and IL-1β in phenotypically modified VSMCs was detected in the aortic roots of VSMCs lineage tracing mice fed high cholesterol diet and in human atherosclerotic plaques from carotid artery disease patients who experienced a stroke. (4) Conclusions: Taken together, these results provide evidence that monocyte promote VSMC phenotypic switch through VSMC NLRP3 inflammasome activation with a likely detrimental role in atherosclerotic plaque stability in human atherosclerosis.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008077 Lipoproteins, LDL A class of lipoproteins of small size (18-25 nm) and light (1.019-1.063 g/ml) particles with a core composed mainly of CHOLESTEROL ESTERS and smaller amounts of TRIGLYCERIDES. The surface monolayer consists mostly of PHOSPHOLIPIDS, a single copy of APOLIPOPROTEIN B-100, and free cholesterol molecules. The main LDL function is to transport cholesterol and cholesterol esters to extrahepatic tissues. Low-Density Lipoprotein,Low-Density Lipoproteins,beta-Lipoprotein,beta-Lipoproteins,LDL(1),LDL(2),LDL-1,LDL-2,LDL1,LDL2,Low-Density Lipoprotein 1,Low-Density Lipoprotein 2,LDL Lipoproteins,Lipoprotein, Low-Density,Lipoproteins, Low-Density,Low Density Lipoprotein,Low Density Lipoprotein 1,Low Density Lipoprotein 2,Low Density Lipoproteins,beta Lipoprotein,beta Lipoproteins
D008264 Macrophages The relatively long-lived phagocytic cell of mammalian tissues that are derived from blood MONOCYTES. Main types are PERITONEAL MACROPHAGES; ALVEOLAR MACROPHAGES; HISTIOCYTES; KUPFFER CELLS of the liver; and OSTEOCLASTS. They may further differentiate within chronic inflammatory lesions to EPITHELIOID CELLS or may fuse to form FOREIGN BODY GIANT CELLS or LANGHANS GIANT CELLS. (from The Dictionary of Cell Biology, Lackie and Dow, 3rd ed.) Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophages,Monocyte-Derived Macrophages,Macrophage,Macrophages, Monocyte-Derived,Bone Marrow Derived Macrophages,Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophage,Macrophage, Bone Marrow-Derived,Macrophage, Monocyte-Derived,Macrophages, Bone Marrow-Derived,Macrophages, Monocyte Derived,Monocyte Derived Macrophages,Monocyte-Derived Macrophage
D009000 Monocytes Large, phagocytic mononuclear leukocytes produced in the vertebrate BONE MARROW and released into the BLOOD; contain a large, oval or somewhat indented nucleus surrounded by voluminous cytoplasm and numerous organelles. Monocyte
D009131 Muscle, Smooth, Vascular The nonstriated involuntary muscle tissue of blood vessels. Vascular Smooth Muscle,Muscle, Vascular Smooth,Muscles, Vascular Smooth,Smooth Muscle, Vascular,Smooth Muscles, Vascular,Vascular Smooth Muscles
D010641 Phenotype The outward appearance of the individual. It is the product of interactions between genes, and between the GENOTYPE and the environment. Phenotypes
D002340 Carotid Artery Diseases Pathological conditions involving the CAROTID ARTERIES, including the common, internal, and external carotid arteries. ATHEROSCLEROSIS and TRAUMA are relatively frequent causes of carotid artery pathology. Carotid Atherosclerosis,Common Carotid Artery Disease,Internal Carotid Artery Disease,Arterial Diseases, Carotid,Arterial Diseases, Common Carotid,Arterial Diseases, External Carotid,Arterial Diseases, Internal Carotid,Atherosclerotic Disease, Carotid,Carotid Artery Disorders,Carotid Atherosclerotic Disease,Common Carotid Artery Diseases,External Carotid Artery Diseases,Internal Carotid Artery Diseases,Arterial Disease, Carotid,Artery Disease, Carotid,Artery Diseases, Carotid,Artery Disorder, Carotid,Artery Disorders, Carotid,Atherosclerotic Diseases, Carotid,Carotid Arterial Disease,Carotid Arterial Diseases,Carotid Artery Disease,Carotid Artery Disorder,Carotid Atheroscleroses,Carotid Atherosclerotic Diseases,Disorders, Carotid Artery
D005786 Gene Expression Regulation Any of the processes by which nuclear, cytoplasmic, or intercellular factors influence the differential control (induction or repression) of gene action at the level of transcription or translation. Gene Action Regulation,Regulation of Gene Expression,Expression Regulation, Gene,Regulation, Gene Action,Regulation, Gene Expression
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006937 Hypercholesterolemia A condition with abnormally high levels of CHOLESTEROL in the blood. It is defined as a cholesterol value exceeding the 95th percentile for the population. Hypercholesteremia,Elevated Cholesterol,High Cholesterol Levels,Cholesterol Level, High,Cholesterol Levels, High,Cholesterol, Elevated,Cholesterols, Elevated,Elevated Cholesterols,High Cholesterol Level,Hypercholesteremias,Hypercholesterolemias,Level, High Cholesterol,Levels, High Cholesterol
D000071199 NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein An NLR protein that contains an N-terminal PYRIN DOMAIN and ATP-binding site and 9 C-terminal LEUCINE-rich repeats; it is expressed primarily by MACROPHAGES. It is a core component of the INFLAMMASOME and directs its assembly in response to pathogen infection and damage-associated stimuli. Mutations in the NLRP3 gene are associated with FAMILIAL COLD AUTOINFLAMMATORY SYNDROME. Cold Autoinflammatory Syndrome 1 Protein,NACHT, LRR and PYD Domains-Containing Protein 3,NLRP3 Protein,NACHT, LRR and PYD Domains Containing Protein 3,NLR Family, Pyrin Domain Containing 3 Protein

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