Atherosclerosis(AS)is a chronic inflammatory disease in which macrophages play an indispensable role.Exploration of the effects of aortic cell subpopulations in AS remains challenging due to cellular heterogeneity.Phy...Atherosclerosis(AS)is a chronic inflammatory disease in which macrophages play an indispensable role.Exploration of the effects of aortic cell subpopulations in AS remains challenging due to cellular heterogeneity.Phytosterol oxidation products(POPs)are key dietary factors influencing AS due to their potential pro-inflammatory effects in atherosclerotic mice.However,the contribution of alterations in cellular heterogeneity to this outcome and the exact mechanisms remain elusive.Here,we constructed a novel single-cell transcriptomic landscape of arteries in ApoE-/-mice fed an atherosclerotic diet without or with POPs,Combining single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq)with in vitro functional validation,we demonstrated that 7-ketositosterol(7-KS),a major component of POPs,induced macrophages to skew the pro-inflammatory(M1)phenotype through the toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)-interferon regulatory factor 5(IRF5)axis,thereby amplifying the inflammatory response.Notably,we verified the presence of this pro-inflammatory immune niche with the same molecular features using publicly available human arterial scRNA-seq data.This demonstrates that this is a reproducible characteristic in human AS.Our study shifts the current paradigm of exploring the biological effects of food components,and provides unprecedented perspectives for the application of single-cell technology to food nutrition research.展开更多
The 13th-century Changzhou Mummy,from the Lower Yangtze region in China,is the earliest known East Asian case of an artificially mummified body employing mercury and cinnabar enema without evisceration.This study cond...The 13th-century Changzhou Mummy,from the Lower Yangtze region in China,is the earliest known East Asian case of an artificially mummified body employing mercury and cinnabar enema without evisceration.This study conducts multidisciplinary research,integrating paleo-radiological,paleo-pathological,paleo-genetic,and paleo-nutritional analysis to investigate the phenotype,genotype,individual life history,and the process of deliberate mummification performed on this individual.We generate a whole genome with 12.7×coverage,revealing potential genetic predisposition for several atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases(ASCVD).Stable C and N isotope analysis of bones,teeth,and hairs indicates high animal protein consumption as well as terminal illness.Hereditary and dietary risk factors are consistent with the diagnosis of atherosclerosis determined via postmortem examination.Our study,leveraging high-quality ancient DNA,provides a unique opportunity to challenge and rethink the widely accepted consensus on the relationship between atherosclerosis and post-industrial age lifestyles,uncovering unrecognized genetic polymorphisms of ASCVD among ancient individuals,and improving our understanding of the role of genetic factors in the development and evolution of ASCVD.展开更多
BACKGROUND The incidence of diabetic atherosclerosis(DMA)is increasing worldwide,but its pathogenesis remains incompletely understood.In addition to cardiovascular complications,bladder dysfunction is one of the commo...BACKGROUND The incidence of diabetic atherosclerosis(DMA)is increasing worldwide,but its pathogenesis remains incompletely understood.In addition to cardiovascular complications,bladder dysfunction is one of the common comorbidities associated with DMA but is often refractory to current treatments.AIM To investigate the therapeutic effect of human amniotic fluid stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles(hAFSC-EVs)on the recovery of bladder dysfunction in DMA rats.METHODS Eighty rats were divided into normal control,streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats,diabetic rats subjected to arterial balloon endothelial injury of common iliac artery(DMA),and DMA rats treated with hAFSC-EVs(DMA+hAFSC-EVs).At 4 weeks and 12 weeks after DMA induction,levels of blood glucose,total cholesterol,triglyceride,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,homeostasis model assessment(HOMA)-insulin resistance,and HOMA-βwere measured.Cystometry,common iliac artery wall thickness,and bladder tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,interleukin(IL)-6,transforming growth factor(TGF)-β1,Smad3,connective tissue growth factor(CTGF)and fibronectin were also evaluated.RESULTS Bladder weight and blood glucose,triglyceride,HOMA-insulin resistance,common iliac artery intima thickness,voided volume,intercontraction interval,bladder capacity,and mRNA expression of TNF-α,IL-6,TGF-β1,Smad3,CTGF and fibronectin were significantly increased at 4 weeks and 12 weeks after induction,while the HOMA-βlevel decreased at 4 weeks and 12 weeks,and the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level decreased at 12 weeks.hAFSC-EVs treatment in DMA rats significantly reduced bladder weight and blood glucose,thickness of common iliac arterial intima,voided volume,intercontraction interval and bladder capacity at 4 weeks.The mRNA expression of TNF-α,TGF-β1,and CTGF in DMA rats treated with hAFSC-EVs were significantly decreased at 4 weeks,while the mRNA expressions of IL-6 and Smad3 were significantly decreased 12 weeks.CONCLUSION hAFSC-EVs treatment can help restore DMA-induced bladder dysfunction,which is associated with lowered blood glucose levels,reduced arterial wall thickness,and decreased TNF-α,IL-6,TGF-β1,Smad3,and CTGF expression.展开更多
Atherosclerosis,characterized by the formation of fibrofatty lesions in the arterial wall,remains a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality.Emerging evidence highlights the critical regulatory roles of long no...Atherosclerosis,characterized by the formation of fibrofatty lesions in the arterial wall,remains a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality.Emerging evidence highlights the critical regulatory roles of long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs)and microRNAs(miRNAs)in atherogenesis.LncRNAs can function as competing endogenous RNAs(ceRNAs)by sponging miRNAs,thereby modulating the expression of downstream target mRNAs.This review summarizes current knowledge on lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks and their functional roles in the three major cell types involved in atherosclerotic plaque development:endothelial cells(ECs),vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs),and macrophages.In ECs,these networks are implicated in inflammation,apoptosis,proliferation,angiogenesis,pyroptosis,and autophagy.In VSMCs,they regulate proliferation,apoptosis,and migration.In macrophages,they influence lipid metabolism,inflammatory responses,oxidative stress,and autophagy.Although the ceRNA mechanism is predominant,some lncRNAs also act as primary transcripts for miRNAs.Additionally,exosome-mediated non-coding RNA delivery mediates intercellular crosstalk,further expanding the complexity of RNA-based regulation in atherosclerosis.Despite significant progress,challenges remain due to the complexity and context-specificity of these networks.Further research is essential to elucidate these mechanisms and explore their potential as therapeutic targets for atherosclerosis.展开更多
Background:Atherosclerosis begins with dyslipidemia,vascular inflammation,and en-dothelial dysfunction.Rodent models that capture these early events are needed for mechanistic and interventional studies.This study eva...Background:Atherosclerosis begins with dyslipidemia,vascular inflammation,and en-dothelial dysfunction.Rodent models that capture these early events are needed for mechanistic and interventional studies.This study evaluated whether a cholesterol-rich,high-fat diet(HFD)supplemented with vitamin D and propylthiouracil(PTU)promotes a pro-atherogenic phenotype in rats,as evidenced by dyslipidemia,inflam-mation,markers of endothelial dysfunction,and early vascular remodeling.Methods:Male Sprague-Dawley rats(n=18)received standard chow or a HFD con-taining 2%cholesterol,3%lard,0.5%cholate,vitamin D(200000 IU/kg),and PTU(0.2%w/w)for 11 weeks.Terminal serum total cholesterol,high-density lipoprotein,low-density lipoprotein(LDL)/very low-density lipoprotein(VLDL),triglycerides,calcium,interleukin-6(IL-6),C-reactive protein,serum amyloid A(SAA),circulating endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS),and intracellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1)were measured.The aorta,the coronary arteries,and the liver were examined histologically.Results:HFD-fed rats developed significant hypercholesterolemia with higher total cholesterol and LDL/VLDL(p<0.0001)and lower triglycerides(p<0.0001)versus controls.Serum calcium was higher(p<0.0001)without vascular calcification.Aortae exhibited wall thickening,smooth-muscle disarray,mononuclear infiltrates,and focal foam cell-like changes;coronary arteries exhibited endothelial irregularities and perivascular infiltrates.Livers exhibited micro-and macrovesicular steatosis.IL-6 and SAA were higher(p<0.05),and circulating eNOS was lower(p<0.05);ICAM-1 did not differ significantly.Conclusion:An 11-week vitamin D/PTU-supplemented HFD induces an LDL-dominant dyslipidemia with systemic inflammation and evidence consistent with endothelial dysfunction,alongside histological features of early vascular remodeling and hepatic steatosis.This nongenetic model may be useful for studying early atherogenic changes.展开更多
基金supported by the"Pioneer"and"Leading Goose"Research and the Development Programs of Zhejiang Province(2025C01100)Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China(LY24C200003 and LD21C200001)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32072179)。
摘要Atherosclerosis(AS)is a chronic inflammatory disease in which macrophages play an indispensable role.Exploration of the effects of aortic cell subpopulations in AS remains challenging due to cellular heterogeneity.Phytosterol oxidation products(POPs)are key dietary factors influencing AS due to their potential pro-inflammatory effects in atherosclerotic mice.However,the contribution of alterations in cellular heterogeneity to this outcome and the exact mechanisms remain elusive.Here,we constructed a novel single-cell transcriptomic landscape of arteries in ApoE-/-mice fed an atherosclerotic diet without or with POPs,Combining single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq)with in vitro functional validation,we demonstrated that 7-ketositosterol(7-KS),a major component of POPs,induced macrophages to skew the pro-inflammatory(M1)phenotype through the toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)-interferon regulatory factor 5(IRF5)axis,thereby amplifying the inflammatory response.Notably,we verified the presence of this pro-inflammatory immune niche with the same molecular features using publicly available human arterial scRNA-seq data.This demonstrates that this is a reproducible characteristic in human AS.Our study shifts the current paradigm of exploring the biological effects of food components,and provides unprecedented perspectives for the application of single-cell technology to food nutrition research.
基金funded by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2020YFC1521607,2023YFC3303701-02,2024YFC3306701)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32070576,T2425014,and 32270667)+3 种基金Lantai Youth Scholar Program of Chinese Academy of History(2022LTQN602)Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Major Project(2023SHZDZX02,2017SHZDZX01)the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province of China(2023J06013)the Major Project of the National Social Science Foundation of China(21&ZD285).
摘要The 13th-century Changzhou Mummy,from the Lower Yangtze region in China,is the earliest known East Asian case of an artificially mummified body employing mercury and cinnabar enema without evisceration.This study conducts multidisciplinary research,integrating paleo-radiological,paleo-pathological,paleo-genetic,and paleo-nutritional analysis to investigate the phenotype,genotype,individual life history,and the process of deliberate mummification performed on this individual.We generate a whole genome with 12.7×coverage,revealing potential genetic predisposition for several atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases(ASCVD).Stable C and N isotope analysis of bones,teeth,and hairs indicates high animal protein consumption as well as terminal illness.Hereditary and dietary risk factors are consistent with the diagnosis of atherosclerosis determined via postmortem examination.Our study,leveraging high-quality ancient DNA,provides a unique opportunity to challenge and rethink the widely accepted consensus on the relationship between atherosclerosis and post-industrial age lifestyles,uncovering unrecognized genetic polymorphisms of ASCVD among ancient individuals,and improving our understanding of the role of genetic factors in the development and evolution of ASCVD.
基金the Ministry of Science and Technology Taiwan,No.MOST 109-2314-B-182A-091,No.NSTC 112-2314-B-182A-062, No.NSTC 113-2314-B-182A-125.
摘要BACKGROUND The incidence of diabetic atherosclerosis(DMA)is increasing worldwide,but its pathogenesis remains incompletely understood.In addition to cardiovascular complications,bladder dysfunction is one of the common comorbidities associated with DMA but is often refractory to current treatments.AIM To investigate the therapeutic effect of human amniotic fluid stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles(hAFSC-EVs)on the recovery of bladder dysfunction in DMA rats.METHODS Eighty rats were divided into normal control,streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats,diabetic rats subjected to arterial balloon endothelial injury of common iliac artery(DMA),and DMA rats treated with hAFSC-EVs(DMA+hAFSC-EVs).At 4 weeks and 12 weeks after DMA induction,levels of blood glucose,total cholesterol,triglyceride,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,homeostasis model assessment(HOMA)-insulin resistance,and HOMA-βwere measured.Cystometry,common iliac artery wall thickness,and bladder tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,interleukin(IL)-6,transforming growth factor(TGF)-β1,Smad3,connective tissue growth factor(CTGF)and fibronectin were also evaluated.RESULTS Bladder weight and blood glucose,triglyceride,HOMA-insulin resistance,common iliac artery intima thickness,voided volume,intercontraction interval,bladder capacity,and mRNA expression of TNF-α,IL-6,TGF-β1,Smad3,CTGF and fibronectin were significantly increased at 4 weeks and 12 weeks after induction,while the HOMA-βlevel decreased at 4 weeks and 12 weeks,and the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level decreased at 12 weeks.hAFSC-EVs treatment in DMA rats significantly reduced bladder weight and blood glucose,thickness of common iliac arterial intima,voided volume,intercontraction interval and bladder capacity at 4 weeks.The mRNA expression of TNF-α,TGF-β1,and CTGF in DMA rats treated with hAFSC-EVs were significantly decreased at 4 weeks,while the mRNA expressions of IL-6 and Smad3 were significantly decreased 12 weeks.CONCLUSION hAFSC-EVs treatment can help restore DMA-induced bladder dysfunction,which is associated with lowered blood glucose levels,reduced arterial wall thickness,and decreased TNF-α,IL-6,TGF-β1,Smad3,and CTGF expression.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.82360024).
摘要Atherosclerosis,characterized by the formation of fibrofatty lesions in the arterial wall,remains a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality.Emerging evidence highlights the critical regulatory roles of long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs)and microRNAs(miRNAs)in atherogenesis.LncRNAs can function as competing endogenous RNAs(ceRNAs)by sponging miRNAs,thereby modulating the expression of downstream target mRNAs.This review summarizes current knowledge on lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks and their functional roles in the three major cell types involved in atherosclerotic plaque development:endothelial cells(ECs),vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs),and macrophages.In ECs,these networks are implicated in inflammation,apoptosis,proliferation,angiogenesis,pyroptosis,and autophagy.In VSMCs,they regulate proliferation,apoptosis,and migration.In macrophages,they influence lipid metabolism,inflammatory responses,oxidative stress,and autophagy.Although the ceRNA mechanism is predominant,some lncRNAs also act as primary transcripts for miRNAs.Additionally,exosome-mediated non-coding RNA delivery mediates intercellular crosstalk,further expanding the complexity of RNA-based regulation in atherosclerosis.Despite significant progress,challenges remain due to the complexity and context-specificity of these networks.Further research is essential to elucidate these mechanisms and explore their potential as therapeutic targets for atherosclerosis.
基金National Research Foundation,Grant/Award Number:129530。
摘要Background:Atherosclerosis begins with dyslipidemia,vascular inflammation,and en-dothelial dysfunction.Rodent models that capture these early events are needed for mechanistic and interventional studies.This study evaluated whether a cholesterol-rich,high-fat diet(HFD)supplemented with vitamin D and propylthiouracil(PTU)promotes a pro-atherogenic phenotype in rats,as evidenced by dyslipidemia,inflam-mation,markers of endothelial dysfunction,and early vascular remodeling.Methods:Male Sprague-Dawley rats(n=18)received standard chow or a HFD con-taining 2%cholesterol,3%lard,0.5%cholate,vitamin D(200000 IU/kg),and PTU(0.2%w/w)for 11 weeks.Terminal serum total cholesterol,high-density lipoprotein,low-density lipoprotein(LDL)/very low-density lipoprotein(VLDL),triglycerides,calcium,interleukin-6(IL-6),C-reactive protein,serum amyloid A(SAA),circulating endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS),and intracellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1)were measured.The aorta,the coronary arteries,and the liver were examined histologically.Results:HFD-fed rats developed significant hypercholesterolemia with higher total cholesterol and LDL/VLDL(p<0.0001)and lower triglycerides(p<0.0001)versus controls.Serum calcium was higher(p<0.0001)without vascular calcification.Aortae exhibited wall thickening,smooth-muscle disarray,mononuclear infiltrates,and focal foam cell-like changes;coronary arteries exhibited endothelial irregularities and perivascular infiltrates.Livers exhibited micro-and macrovesicular steatosis.IL-6 and SAA were higher(p<0.05),and circulating eNOS was lower(p<0.05);ICAM-1 did not differ significantly.Conclusion:An 11-week vitamin D/PTU-supplemented HFD induces an LDL-dominant dyslipidemia with systemic inflammation and evidence consistent with endothelial dysfunction,alongside histological features of early vascular remodeling and hepatic steatosis.This nongenetic model may be useful for studying early atherogenic changes.