Atorvastatin pleiotropically decreases intraplaque angiogenesis and intraplaque haemorrhage by inhibiting ANGPT2 release and VE-Cadherin internalization

Funding This work was supported by a grant from the European Union, MSCA joint doctoral project MoGlyNet [675527].Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Inhibition of Mef2a Enhances Neovascularization via Post-transcriptional Regulation of 14q32 MicroRNAs miR-329 and miR-494

Improving the efficacy of neovascularization is a promising strategy to restore perfusion of ischemic tissues in patients with peripheral arterial disease. The 14q32 microRNA cluster is highly involved in neovascularization. The Mef2a transcription factor has been shown to induce transcription of the microRNAs within this cluster. We inhibited expression of Mef2a using gene-silencing oligonucleotides (GSOs) in an in vivo hind limb ischemia model. Treatment with GSO-Mef2a clearly improved blood flow recovery within 3 days (44% recovery versus 25% recovery in control) and persisted until 14 days after ischemia induction (80% recovery versus 60% recovery in control). Animals treated with GSO-Mef2a showed increased arteriogenesis and angiogenesis in the relevant muscle tissues. Inhibition of Mef2a decreased expression of 14q32 microRNAs miR-329 (p = 0.026) and miR-494 (trend, p = 0.06), but not of other 14q32 microRNAs, nor of 14q32 microRNA precursors. Because Mef2a did not influence 14q32 microRNA transcription, we hypothesized it functions as an RNA-binding protein that influences processing of 14q32 microRNA miR-329 and miR-494. Mef2A immunoprecipitation followed by RNA isolation and rt/qPCR confirmed direct binding of MEF2A to pri-miR-494, supporting this hypothesis. Our study demonstrates a novel function for Mef2a in post-ischemic neovascularization via post-transcriptional regulation of 14q32 microRNAs miR-329 and miR-494

CCR7-CCL19/CCL21 Axis is Essential for Effective Arteriogenesis in a Murine Model of Hindlimb Ischemia

Craipeau Maria. Le conformiste Metello Les clowns Les faucons Five Easy Pieces Performance. In: Raison présente, n°19, Juillet – Août – Septembre 1971. Télévision, pouvoir et liberté. pp. 115-116

CCR7-CCL19/CCL21 axis is essential for effective arteriogenesis in a murine model of hindlimb ischemia

Background-In order to identify factors that stimulate arteriogenesis after ischemia, we followed gene expression profiles in two extreme models for collateral artery formation over 28 days after hindlimb ischemia, namely "good-responding" C57BL/6 mice and "poor-responding" BALB/c mice. Methods and Results-Although BALB/c mice show very poor blood flow recovery after ischemia, most known proarteriogenic genes were upregulated more excessively and for a longer period than in C57BL/6 mice. In clear contrast, chemokine genes Ccl19, Ccl21a, and Ccl21c and the chemokine receptor CCR7 were upregulated in C57BL/6 mice 1 day after hindlimb ischemia, but not in BALB/C mice. CCL19 and CCL21 regulate migration and homing of T lymphocytes via CCR7. When subjecting CCR7-/-/ LDLR-/- mice to hindlimb ischemia, we observed a 20% reduction in blood flow recovery compared with that in LDLR-/- mice. Equal numbers of α-smooth muscle actin-positive collateral arteries were found in the adductor muscles of both mouse strains, but collateral diameters were smaller in the CCR7-/-/LDLR-/-. Fluorescence-activated cell sorter analyses showed that numbers of CCR7+ T lymphocytes (both CD4+ and CD8+) were decreased in the spleen and increased in the blood at day 1 after hindlimb ischemia in LDLR-/- mice. At day 1 after hindlimb ischemia, however, numbers of activated CD4+ T lymphocytes were decreased in the draining lymph nodes of LDLR-/- mice compared with CCR7-/-/LDLR-/- mice. Conclusions-These data show that CCR7-CCL19/CCL21 axis facilitates retention CD4+ T lymphocytes at the site of collateral artery remodeling, which is essential for effective arteriogenesis

CCR7-CCL19/CCL21 axis is essential for effective arteriogenesis in a murine model of hindlimb ischemia

Background-In order to identify factors that stimulate arteriogenesis after ischemia, we followed gene expression profiles in two extreme models for collateral artery formation over 28 days after hindlimb ischemia, namely "good-responding" C57BL/6 mice and "poor-responding" BALB/c mice. Methods and Results-Although BALB/c mice show very poor blood flow recovery after ischemia, most known proarteriogenic genes were upregulated more excessively and for a longer period than in C57BL/6 mice. In clear contrast, chemokine genes Ccl19, Ccl21a, and Ccl21c and the chemokine receptor CCR7 were upregulated in C57BL/6 mice 1 day after hindlimb ischemia, but not in BALB/C mice. CCL19 and CCL21 regulate migration and homing of T lymphocytes via CCR7. When subjecting CCR7-/-/ LDLR-/- mice to hindlimb ischemia, we observed a 20% reduction in blood flow recovery compared with that in LDLR-/- mice. Equal numbers of α-smooth muscle actin-positive collateral arteries were found in the adductor muscles of both mouse strains, but collateral diameters were smaller in the CCR7-/-/LDLR-/-. Fluorescence-activated cell sorter analyses showed that numbers of CCR7+ T lymphocytes (both CD4+ and CD8+) were decreased in the spleen and increased in the blood at day 1 after hindlimb ischemia in LDLR-/- mice. At day 1 after hindlimb ischemia, however, numbers of activated CD4+ T lymphocytes were decreased in the draining lymph nodes of LDLR-/- mice compared with CCR7-/-/LDLR-/- mice. Conclusions-These data show that CCR7-CCL19/CCL21 axis facilitates retention CD4+ T lymphocytes at the site of collateral artery remodeling, which is essential for effective arteriogenesis

TLR Accessory Molecule RP105 (CD180) Is Involved in Post-Interventional Vascular Remodeling and Soluble RP105 Modulates Neointima Formation

<div><p>Background</p><p>RP105 (CD180) is TLR4 homologue lacking the intracellular TLR4 signaling domain and acts a TLR accessory molecule and physiological inhibitor of TLR4-signaling. The role of RP105 in vascular remodeling, in particular post-interventional remodeling is unknown.</p><p>Methods and Results</p><p>TLR4 and RP105 are expressed on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) as well as in the media of murine femoral artery segments as detected by qPCR and immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, the response to the TLR4 ligand LPS was stronger in VSMC from RP105^−/− mice resulting in a higher proliferation rate. In RP105^−/− mice femoral artery cuff placement resulted in an increase in neointima formation as compared to WT mice (4982±974 µm² vs.1947±278 µm²,p = 0.0014). Local LPS application augmented neointima formation in both groups, but in RP105^−/− mice this effect was more pronounced (10316±1243 µm² vs.4208±555 µm²,p = 0.0002), suggesting a functional role for RP105. For additional functional studies, the extracellular domain of murine RP105 was expressed with or without its adaptor protein MD1 and purified. SEC-MALSanalysis showed a functional 2∶2 homodimer formation of the RP105-MD1 complex. This protein complex was able to block the TLR4 response in whole blood ex-vivo. In vivo gene transfer of plasmid vectors encoding the extracellular part of RP105 and its adaptor protein MD1 were performed to initiate a stable endogenous soluble protein production. Expression of soluble RP105-MD1 resulted in a significant reduction in neointima formation in hypercholesterolemic mice (2500±573 vs.6581±1894 µm²,p<0.05), whereas expression of the single factors RP105 or MD1 had no effect.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>RP105 is a potent inhibitor of post-interventional neointima formation.</p></div

Blood flow recovery in RP105^−/− mice.

<p>(<b>A</b>) Representative Laser Doppler Perfusion Imaging (LDPI) images of paws from WT and RP105^−/− mice after induction of HLI in the left limb. High blood flow is displayed in red. (<b>B</b>) Quantification of LDPI measurements of RP105^−/− (n = 10) and WT (n = 9) mice over time. Data are calculated as the ratio of ligated over non-ligated paw. (<b>C</b>) Quantification of LDPI measurements of WT and RP105^−/− mice directly after induction of HLI. (<b>D</b>) Quantification of LDPI measurements 10 days after induction of HLI. (<b>E</b>) Immunohistochemical staining of paraffin-embedded adductor muscle group of WT (n = 6) and RP105^−/− (n = 6) mice, 10 days after HLI, using anti-αSMA (red) antibodies. Smallest lumen diameter of αSMA⁺ vessels is indicated by black bars. (<b>F</b>) Immunohistochemical staining on fresh frozen sections of gastrocnemius muscles of WT (n = 6) and RP105^−/− (n = 6) mice, 10 days after HLI, using anti-CD31 (brown) antibodies. Number (<b>G</b>) and lumen area (µm²) (<b>H</b>) of αSMA⁺ vessels, measured at the center of the adductor muscle group in ligated and non-ligated limbs of RP105^−/− and WT mice. (<b>I</b>) Capillary density in gastrocnemius muscles, defined as the number of CD31⁺ vessels per section. pt = pre-treatment. ns = non-significant. All values are presented as the mean ± SEM. *P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001.</p

TLR4 Accessory Molecule RP105 (CD180) Regulates Monocyte-Driven Arteriogenesis in a Murine Hind Limb Ischemia Model

<div><p>Aims</p><p>We investigated the role of the TLR4-accessory molecule RP105 (CD180) in post-ischemic neovascularization, i.e. arteriogenesis and angiogenesis. TLR4-mediated activation of pro-inflammatory Ly6C^hi monocytes is crucial for effective neovascularization. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that RP105⁺ monocytes are present in the perivascular space of remodeling collateral arterioles. As RP105 inhibits TLR4 signaling, we hypothesized that RP105 deficiency would lead to an unrestrained TLR4-mediated inflammatory response and hence to enhanced blood flow recovery after ischemia.</p><p>Methods and Results</p><p>RP105^−/− and wild type (WT) mice were subjected to hind limb ischemia and blood flow recovery was followed by Laser Doppler Perfusion Imaging. Surprisingly, we found that blood flow recovery was severely impaired in RP105^−/− mice. Immunohistochemistry showed that arteriogenesis was reduced in these mice compared to the WT. However, both in vivo and ex vivo analyses showed that circulatory pro-arteriogenic Ly6C^hi monocytes were more readily activated in RP105^−/− mice. FACS analyses showed that Ly6C^hi monocytes became activated and migrated to the affected muscle tissues in WT mice following induction of hind limb ischemia. Although Ly6C^hi monocytes were readily activated in RP105^−/− mice, migration into the ischemic tissues was hampered and instead, Ly6C^hi monocytes accumulated in their storage compartments, bone marrow and spleen, in RP105^−/− mice.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>RP105 deficiency results in an unrestrained inflammatory response and monocyte over-activation, most likely due to the lack of TLR4 regulation. Inappropriate, premature systemic activation of pro-inflammatory Ly6C^hi monocytes results in reduced infiltration of Ly6C^hi monocytes in ischemic tissues and in impaired blood flow recovery.</p></div

RT-PCR of TLR4 (A) or RP105 (B) on wild type VSMC that were incubated with PBS, 1 ng/ml LPS or 10 ng/ml LPS.

<p>Immunostaining of TLR4 (green) or RP105 (red) or both (overlay) on wild type VSMC that were incubated with PBS (C) or 1 ng/ml LPS. (D) Colocalized TLR4 and RP105 staining on VSMC (E). RP105 staining in media area of a murine femoral artery (F). Proliferation of VSMC of WT and RP105^−/− (G) Liquid-scintillation counting after 16 hours of WT and RP105^−/− VSMC. VSMC of show a RP105^−/−an increased proliferative response to LPS. VSMC were cultured in medium containing 10%FCS or 10%FCS with1 ng/ml LPS. Starved WT and RP105^−/− VSMC were used as controls. White bars represent WT VSMC, black bars represent RP105^−/− VSMC.</p