Design and utilization of macrophage and vascular smooth muscle cell co-culture systems in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease investigation

Abstract

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease has been acknowledged as a chronic inflammatory condition. Monocytes and macrophages lead the inflammatory pathology of atherosclerosis whereas changes in atheromatous plaque thickness and matrix composition are attributed to vascular smooth muscle cells. Because these cell types are key players in atherosclerosis progression, it is crucial to utilize a reliable system to investigate their interaction. In vitro co-culture systems are useful platforms to study specific molecular mechanisms between cells. This review aims to summarize the various co-culture models that have been developed to investigate vascular smooth muscle cell and monocyte/macrophage interactions, focusing on the monocyte/macrophage effects on vascular smooth muscle cell function.

PKC-epsilon and TLR4 synergistically regulate resistin-mediated inflammation in human macrophages

“…In addition, we identified several novel associations between resistin and IL-12, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, and CD40L, cytokines that are typically secreted by macrophages in their pro-inflammatory phenotype. 38–40 …”

Impact of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on miRNA Profiles of Monocytes/Macrophages and Endothelial Cells—A Pilot Study

“…Information on monocytes/macrophages or endothelial cells is missing although these cells are in constant blood contact, making them particularly susceptible to nutrition-based influences. Both cell types are directly involved in inflammatory processes of the vascular system [5,6,7] and in turn have been said to be influenced by unsaturated fatty acids [8,9]. Inflammatory states of the vasculature have been correlated to both miRNA expression [1,3] and fatty acid supply; nevertheless, miRNA expression and fatty acid supplyhave not yet been related.…”

“…Illnesses in general and inflammatory cascades in particular are characterized by the mutual interaction of various cellular players, each baring its own miRNA signature. For example, vascular inflammation, which is a hallmark of atherosclerosis as well as sepsis, is believed to originate from the interplay between activated monocytes and endothelial cells [5,6,7]. Hence, a prerequisite for in-depth understanding of vascular inflammation is the analysis of disease-associated alterations in miRNA expression in a cell type-specific manner.…”

Human Cell Modeling for Cardiovascular Diseases

“…There are two main methods: conditioned media and transwell co-cultures. Conditioned media approach consists in the transfer of the assisting cells supernatant, rich in soluble factors, into the target cells culture [87]. One of the most studied CVD, exploiting conditioned media, is atherosclerosis, owing to the inflammation of the vessels.…”

“…Initially, the different cell types are cultured separately and, secondly, when chosen conditions are reached, they are joined. The filter can variate in size or composition, to satisfy researcher needs [87]. Sebastião and colleagues pointed out an in vitro human model of myocardial IR injury, generating a transwell co-culture with human cardiac progenitor cells (hCPCs) and hiPSC-CMs.…”