Our study underscores the importance of elastin fragmentation in the vessel wall as an accelerator of atherosclerosis with enhanced inflammation and increased neovascularization, thereby promoting the development of unstable plaques that eventually may rupture. The present mouse model offers the opportunity to further investigate the role of key factors involved in plaque destabilization and potential targets for therapeutic interventions.
Background— Arterial stiffness has been associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction between arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis. Methods and Results— Mice with a mutation (C1039G +/− ) in the fibrillin-1 gene leading to fragmentation of the elastic fibers were crossbred with apolipoprotein E–deficient (ApoE −/− ) mice. Subsequently, ApoE −/− and ApoE −/− C1039G +/− mice were fed a Western-type diet for 10 or 20 weeks. Our results show that the interaction between arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis is bidirectional. On the one hand, arterial stiffness in ApoE −/− C1039G +/− mice increased more rapidly in the presence of atherosclerotic plaques. On the other hand, arterial stiffness promoted the development of larger and more unstable plaques in ApoE −/− C1039G +/− mice. The plaque area at the aortic root was increased 1.5- and 2.1-fold in ApoE −/− C1039G +/− mice after 10 and 20 weeks of Western-type diet, respectively. After 10 weeks of Western-type diet, plaques of ApoE −/− C1039G +/− mice showed increased apoptosis of smooth muscle cells, which was associated with a decrease in collagen content, an enlargement of the necrotic core, and an increase in macrophages. After 20 weeks of Western-type diet, the number of buried fibrous caps was increased in atherosclerotic lesions of ApoE −/− C1039G +/− mice, not only at the level of the aortic valves but also in the brachiocephalic artery and in the upper, middle, and lower thoracic aorta. Furthermore, acute plaque rupture was observed. Conclusion— These results indicate that fragmentation of the elastic fibers leads to increased vascular stiffness, which promotes features of multifocal plaque instability.
The ubiquitin-proteasome system is involved in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether plaque composition is affected by proteasome function. In vitro, the potent and selective proteasome inhibitor bortezomib induced apoptosis in both cultured smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and activated macrophages. This effect was associated with increased expression of C/EBP homologous protein and cleavage of caspase-12, indicative of endoplasmic reticulum stress. The sensitivity to the proapoptotic effects of proteasome inhibition correlated with the protein synthesis rate. Proteasome inhibition in explanted atherosclerotic plaques of ApoE-deficient mice resulted in a significant decrease in SMCs and macrophages, indicating that both cell types in the atherosclerotic plaque were susceptible to the proapoptotic effects of proteasome inhibition. In vivo proteasome inhibition in ApoE-deficient mice did not affect plaque size or composition of early atherosclerotic plaques, but resulted in a significant decrease in collagen content as well as a significant enlargement of the necrotic core in advanced atherosclerotic plaques. In conclusion, our results indicate that an impaired proteasome function promotes features of a more rupture-prone plaque phenotype.
Rupture-prone and ruptured plaques are characterized by the presence of large numbers of macrophages. N1177 is a contrast agent consisting of iodinated nanoparticles that are selectively phagocytosed by macrophages. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of N1177 on the CT attenuation of rupture-prone and ruptured plaques in rabbits. In addition, we examined in vitro whether uptake of N1177 occurred without cytotoxic or pro-inflammatory effects on macrophages. In vitro, the viability of J774 macrophages was not affected by treatment with N1177. Moreover, N1177 had no effect on the phagocytic capacity or cytokine production of macrophages. For the in vivo experiments, 6 New Zealand White rabbits were fed a cholesterol-supplemented diet for 12-15 months, resulting in the development of large atherosclerotic plaques that resembled rupture-prone plaques in humans. In three rabbits, mechanical plaque rupture was induced by retrograde pullback of an embolic protection device. N1177 had no effect on the median density of rupture-prone plaques [35 HU (range 3-85) before injection vs. 32 HU (range 1-93) 2 h after injection of N1177; P > 0.05]. However, after induction of mechanical plaque rupture, the median density of the atherosclerotic plaques increased from 40 HU (range 6-86) before injection to 74 HU (range 14-111) 2 h after injection of N1177 (P < 0.001). Using time-of-flight static secondary ion mass spectrometry, the presence of N1177 nanoparticles was demonstrated in macrophage-rich areas of ruptured plaques, but not of non-ruptured plaques. In conclusion, our results show that N1177 is a contrast agent that can identify ruptured atherosclerotic plaques.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.