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Biomedical subjects

Alain Tedgui

Publications and source records attributed to Alain Tedgui.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Circulating leukocyte-derived microparticles predict subclinical atherosclerosis burden in asymptomatic subjects.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify circulating microparticles (MP) relationships with preclinical atherosclerosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 216 subjects without cardiovascular disease, we assessed: (1) annexin V-positive, platelet-derived, endothelium-derived and leukocyte-derived circulating MP by capture on annexin V, anti-GPIb, anti-CD105, and anti-CD11a antibody-coated wells, respectively; (2) Framingham risk, metabolic syndrome, and low-grade inflammation by risk factors measurement including hsCRP; and (3) subclinical atherosclerosis by ultrasound examination of carotid, abdominal aorta, and femoral arteries. Number of sites with plaque ranged from 0 to 3 and plaque burden was classified into 0 to 1 or 2 to 3 sites disease. Leukocyte-derived MP level was higher in the presence than in the absence of moderate to high Framingham risk (P<0.05), metabolic syndrome (P<0.01), high C-reactive protein (CRP) (P<0.05), or 2- to 3-sites disease (P<0.01), and correlated positively with number of metabolic syndrome components (P<0.001), tertiles of fibrinogen (P<0.001), and number of diseased sites (P<0.01). In multivariate analysis, 2- to 3-sites disease was independently associated with leukocyte-derived MP level (P<0.05), Framingham risk (P<0.001), and metabolic syndrome (P<0.01). None of the other MP types correlated with risk markers or atherosclerosis. CONCLUSIONS: Leukocyte-derived MP, identified by affinity for CD11a, are increased in subjects with ultrasound evidence of subclinical atherosclerosis, unveiling new directions for atherosclerosis research.

Adult↗

Transforming growth factor-alpha mediates nuclear factor kappaB activation in strained arteries.

Mechanical factors regulate both blood vessel growth and the development and progression of vascular disease. Acting on apoptotic and inflammatory signaling, the transcription factor nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) is a likely mediator of these processes. Nevertheless, pressure-dependent NF-kappaB activation pathways remain mostly unknown. Here we report that high intraluminal pressure induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) in arteries and that inhibition of NADPH oxidase prevents both the generation of ROS and the activation of NF-kappaB associated with high pressure. We also identify the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) as a ROS-dependent signaling intermediate. In arteries from EGFR mutant mice (waved-2), pressure fails to activate NF-kappaB. Moreover, using vessels from EGFR ligand-deficient mice, we show that transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha, but neither heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor nor epiregulin, transduces NF-kappaB activation by high pressure. Preventing the release of the active form of TGF-alpha also abolishes NF-kappaB induction by strain. The role of TGF-alpha signaling in vascular remodeling is substantiated in vivo; angiotensin II-induced activation of NF-kappaB and associated cell proliferation and wall thickening are much reduced in TGF-alpha-mutant mice compared with wild-type, despite equivalent hypertension in both groups. Conversely, apoptotic cells are detected only in vessels from hypertensive TGF-alpha-mutant mice, outlining the role of NF-kappaB in cell survival. Finally, the NF-kappaB activation pathway contrasts with that of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, which is activated by stretch through the EGFR but does not implicate TGF-alpha. Hence, our data identify TGF-alpha as a potential specific target to modulate mechanosensitive NF-kappaB activation and associated vascular remodeling.

Animals↗

Role of bone marrow-derived CC-chemokine receptor 5 in the development of atherosclerosis of low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout mice.

OBJECTIVE: CC chemokine receptor CCR5 is expressed by atheroma-associated cells and could mediate leukocyte attraction into developing lesions. We examined the role of bone marrow-derived CCR5 in the development of atherosclerotic lesions after 8, 12, or 35 weeks of high-fat diet. METHODS AND RESULTS: Low-density lipoprotein-receptor (LDLr)-deficient mice were lethally irradiated and transplanted with CCR5+/+ or CCR5-/- bone marrow. After 8 weeks of fat diet, CCR5 deficiency in leukocytes led to 30% decrease of macrophage accumulation within the fatty streak (P<0.05), with no change in lesion size. After 12 weeks of fat diet, CCR5 deficiency also resulted in 30% decrease of plaque-macrophage accumulation (P<0.005), associated with 16% reduction in lesion size in the aortic sinus (P=0.13), despite a significant increase in total cholesterol levels (P=0.03). Lesions with CCR5 deficiency showed 52% reduction in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 expression (P=0.02) and 2-fold increase in collagen accumulation (P<0.0001). These changes were associated with a significant increase of interleukin (IL)-10 mRNA expression in spleens of CCR5-/- mice compared with CCR5+/+ controls. In addition, we found enhanced IL-10 production by CCR5-deficient peritoneal macrophages and decreased tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha production by CCR5-/- T cells in comparison with CCR5+/+ controls. CCR5-/- and CCR5+/+ reconstituted animals showed no differences in plaque size or composition after 35 weeks of high-fat diet despite the persistent absence of CCR5 in plaques of mice reconstituted with CCR5-/- bone marrow. CONCLUSIONS: Bone marrow-derived CCR5 favors the development of an inflammatory and collagen-poor plaque phenotype in association with decreased macrophage-derived IL-10 and enhanced T cell-derived TNF-alpha. These effects are not sustained in the very advanced stages of atherosclerosis.

Animals↗

Natural regulatory T cells control the development of atherosclerosis in mice.

Atherosclerosis is an immunoinflammatory disease elicited by accumulation of lipids in the artery wall and leads to myocardial infarction and stroke. Here, we show that naturally arising CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells, which actively maintain immunological tolerance to self and nonself antigens, are powerful inhibitors of atherosclerosis in several mouse models. These results provide new insights into the immunopathogenesis of atherosclerosis and could lead to new therapeutic approaches that involve immune modulation using regulatory T cells.

Animals↗

Predischarge C-reactive protein and 1-year outcome after acute coronary syndromes.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and cardiovascular events following acute coronary syndrome. METHODS: This nationwide, cross-sectional, prospective study involved 439 patients with an acute coronary syndrome who presented to the hospital within 24 hours of symptom onset. Patients with a concomitant inflammatory process were excluded. Predischarge C-reactive protein samples were measured using a high-sensitivity method in a core laboratory. The outcome was the composite of death, acute myocardial infarction, stroke/transient ischemic attack, urgent hospitalization for unstable angina, and urgent revascularization within 1 year. RESULTS: At 1 year, event rates were 10.2% for the lowest, 8.2% for the middle, and 11.0% for the highest C-reactive protein tertiles (P = .75) with similar event-free survival (P = .70). The hazard ratio (HR) for event rates between the highest and lowest tertiles was 1.10 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.54 to 2.20) There was marked overlap of C-reactive protein values between patients with and without events (median [interquartile range]: 8.39 [3.27 to 32.63] vs 9.55 [4.07 to 24.02], respectively; P = .91). C-reactive protein was not an independent predictor of 1-year events (HR for highest tertile: 1.19; 95% CI: 0.58 to 2.43; P = .64) and performed poorly on receiver operating characteristic curve analysis (C statistic = 0.51). CONCLUSION: Predischarge high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level is a poor predictor of cardiovascular events at 1 year after acute coronary syndrome.

Adult↗

Cytokines in atherosclerosis: pathogenic and regulatory pathways.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic disease of the arterial wall where both innate and adaptive immunoinflammatory mechanisms are involved. Inflammation is central at all stages of atherosclerosis. It is implicated in the formation of early fatty streaks, when the endothelium is activated and expresses chemokines and adhesion molecules leading to monocyte/lymphocyte recruitment and infiltration into the subendothelium. It also acts at the onset of adverse clinical vascular events, when activated cells within the plaque secrete matrix proteases that degrade extracellular matrix proteins and weaken the fibrous cap, leading to rupture and thrombus formation. Cells involved in the atherosclerotic process secrete and are activated by soluble factors, known as cytokines. Important recent advances in the comprehension of the mechanisms of atherosclerosis provided evidence that the immunoinflammatory response in atherosclerosis is modulated by regulatory pathways, in which the two anti-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-10 and transforming growth factor-beta play a critical role. The purpose of this review is to bring together the current information concerning the role of cytokines in the development, progression, and complications of atherosclerosis. Specific emphasis is placed on the contribution of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines to pathogenic (innate and adaptive) and regulatory immunity in the context of atherosclerosis. Based on our current knowledge of the role of cytokines in atherosclerosis, we propose some novel therapeutic strategies to combat this disease. In addition, we discuss the potential of circulating cytokine levels as biomarkers of coronary artery disease.

Animals↗

In vivo electrotransfer of interleukin-10 cDNA prevents endothelial upregulation of activated NF-kappaB and adhesion molecules following an atherogenic diet.

OBJECTIVES: Interleukin (IL)-10 has anti-atherogenic properties. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in IL-10 protection against atherosclerosis in vivo remain poorly understood. In this study, we examined the effect of IL-10 cDNA in vivo electrotransfer on diet-induced, endothelial activation. METHODS: C57BL/6J mice were fed an atherogenic diet for 10 days. Expression of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 was examined in the aortic sinus, a region predisposed to atherogenesis in mice, using immunohistochemistry. NF-kappaB activation was examined using a monoclonal antibody that selectively reacts with the activated form of the p65 subunit. RESULTS: We detected a low basal expression of activated NF-kappaB, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 in the endothelium of the aortic sinus. Endothelial expression of activated NF-kappaB, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 was markedly increased after 10 days on the atherogenic diet (p < 0.001). In vivo electrotransfer of a murine IL-10-encoding plasmid completely prevented diet-induced endothelial upregulation of activated NF-kappaB, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: In vivo electrotransfer of IL-10 cDNA prevents diet-induced endothelial activation. These results suggest that the protective effects of IL-10 may already occur in the very early stages of atherogenesis.

Animals↗

Circulating secretory phospholipase A2 activity predicts recurrent events in patients with severe acute coronary syndromes.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the prognostic value of circulating secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) activity in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). BACKGROUND: The plasma level of type IIA sPLA2 is a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD) and is associated with adverse outcomes in patients with stable CAD. The prognostic impact of sPLA2 in patients with ACS is unknown. METHODS: Secretory phospholipase A2 antigen levels and activity were measured in plasma samples of 446 patients with ACS, obtained at the time of enrollment. RESULTS: Baseline sPLA2 activity was associated with the risk of death and myocardial infarction (MI). The unadjusted rate of death and MI increased in a stepwise fashion with increasing tertiles of sPLA2 activity (p < 0.0001). The association remained significant in the subgroup of patients who had MI with ST-segment elevation (p = 0.014) and the subgroup of patients who had unstable angina or non-ST-segment elevation MI (p < 0.002). After adjustment for clinical and biological variables, the hazard ratios for the combined end point of death or MI in the third tertile of sPLA2 compared with the first and second tertiles was 3.08 (95% confidence interval, 1.37 to 6.91, p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: A single measurement of plasma sPLA2 activity at the time of enrollment provides strong independent information to predict recurrent events in patients with ACS.

Acute Disease↗

Circulating endothelial microparticles are associated with vascular dysfunction in patients with end-stage renal failure.

Endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness are major determinants of cardiovascular risk in patients with end-stage renal failure (ESRF). Microparticles are membrane fragments shed from damaged or activated cells. Because microparticles can affect endothelial cells, this study investigated the relationship between circulating microparticles and arterial dysfunction in patients with ESRF and identified the cellular origin of microparticles associated with these alterations. Flow cytometry analysis of platelet-free plasma from 44 patients with ESRF indicated that circulating levels of Annexin V+ microparticles were increased compared with 32 healthy subjects, as were levels of microparticles derived from endothelial cells (three-fold), platelets (16.5-fold), and erythrocytes (1.6-fold). However, when arterial function was evaluated noninvasively in patients with ESRF, only endothelial microparticle levels correlated highly with loss of flow-mediated dilation (r = -0.543; P = 0.004), increased aortic pulse wave velocity (r = 0.642, P < 0.0001), and increased common carotid artery augmentation index (r = 0.463, P = 0.0017), whereas platelet-derived, erythrocyte-derived, and Annexin V+ microparticle levels did not. In vitro, microparticles from patients with ESRF impaired endothelium-dependent relaxations and cyclic guanosine monophosphate generation, whereas microparticles from healthy subjects did not. Moreover, in vitro endothelial dysfunction correlated with endothelial-derived (r = 0.891; P = 0.003) but not platelet-derived microparticle concentrations. In fact, endothelial microparticles alone decreased endothelial nitric oxide release by 59 +/- 7% (P = 0.025). This study suggests that circulating microparticles of endothelial origin are tightly associated with endothelial dysfunction and arterial dysfunction in ESRF.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

p47phox-dependent NADPH oxidase regulates flow-induced vascular remodeling.

Chronic alterations in blood flow elicit an adaptive response that tends to normalize shear stress, involving nitric oxide (NO) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). To evaluate the role of NADPH oxidase in this process, we developed a new model of mouse arteriovenous fistula (AVF) connecting the right common carotid artery (RCCA) with the jugular vein, which does not affect blood pressure. Mice deficient for gp91phox and p47phox subunits of NADPH and wild-type controls were used. AVF greatly increased RCCA blood flow (0.78+/-0.12 to 4.71+/-0.78 mL/min; P<0.01), producing an abrupt rise in shear stress (35+/-1 to 261+/-17 dynes/cm2; P<0.01) within 24 hours. RCCA diameter (460+/-14 microm) gradually enlarged 1 and 3 weeks after AVF (534+/-14 microm and 627+/-19 microm; P<0.01), reducing shear stress (173+/-13 and 106+/-10 dynes/cm2, respectively). In gp91phox(-/-) mice, changes in RCCA caliber and shear stress matched controls. However, p47phox(-/-) mouse RCCAs enlarged only marginally, such that shear stress remained high (199+/-8 dynes/cm2 at 3 weeks). Likewise, remodeling was minimal in endothelial NO synthase (eNOS)(-/-) mice. In both control and gp91phox(-/-) animals, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and MMP induction was enhanced by AVF, whereas in p47phox(-/-) and eNOS(-/-) mice such response was negligible. Similarly, nitrotyrosine staining, indicating peroxynitrite formation, was more pronounced in control and gp91phox(-/-) mice than in p47phox(-/-) and eNOS(-/-) mice. Hence, shear stress induces vascular NADPH oxidase comprising p47phox but not gp91phox. Generated ROS interact with NO to produce peroxynitrite, which in turn activates MMPs, facilitating vessel remodeling. Our study provides the first evidence that ROS play a fundamental role in flow-induced vascular enlargement.

Animals↗

Lactadherin promotes VEGF-dependent neovascularization.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced blood vessel growth is involved in both physiological and pathological angiogenesis and requires integrin-mediated signaling. We now show that an integrin-binding protein initially described in milk-fat globule, MFG-E8 (also known as lactadherin), is expressed in and around blood vessels and has a crucial role in VEGF-dependent neovascularization in the adult mouse. Using neutralizing antibodies and lactadherin-deficient animals, we show that lactadherin interacts with alphavbeta3 and alphavbeta5 integrins and alters both VEGF-dependent Akt phosphorylation and neovascularization. In the absence of VEGF, lactadherin administration induced alphavbeta3- and alphavbeta5-dependent Akt phosphorylation in endothelial cells in vitro and strongly improved postischemic neovascularization in vivo. These results show a crucial role for lactadherin in VEGF-dependent neovascularization and identify lactadherin as an important target for the modulation of neovascularization.

Analysis of Variance↗

Impairment in postischemic neovascularization in mice lacking the CXC chemokine receptor 3.

Inflammatory cell infiltration is a feature of postischemic neovascularization. However, mechanisms leading to leukocyte attraction to the site of neovascularization are still undefined. We hypothesized that the CXC chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3) may contribute to leukocyte accumulation and subsequently to blood vessel growth in the ischemic area. Ischemia induced by femoral artery ligature improved the number of CXCR3-expressing cells and the level of its ligand, CXCL10. Angiographic score, blood flow recovery measurement, and capillary density analysis showed a significant decrease of ischemic/nonischemic leg ratio in CXCR3-deficient mice when compared with controls (P<0.05), at day 21 after ischemia. Interestingly, this impairment was as important as that observed in mice deficient for the well known CC-chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). At day 7 of ischemic injury, the number of CD3-positive T cells and Mac-3-positive monocytes/macrophages was 38% and 45% lower, respectively, in the ischemic leg of CXCR3-deficient mice compared with the control group (P<0.05), suggesting an important role for CXCR3 in leukocyte recruitment into the ischemic area. VEGF protein content, a classical proangiogenic factor, was also markedly reduced (80% reduction) in ischemic leg of CXCR3-deficient mice (P<0.01). Injection of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells (BM-MNCs) isolated from wild-type animals restored the neovascularization reaction in CXCR3-deficient mice whereas BM-MNCs from CXCR3-deficient mice was ineffective. In conclusion, CXCR3 plays a key role in neovascularization and provides novel information on the mechanisms leading to leukocyte infiltration in the vessel growth area.

Animals↗

Differential regulation of vascular focal adhesion kinase by steady stretch and pulsatility.

BACKGROUND: In vivo tensile strain in arteries comprises 2 components: steady stretch and pulsatile stretch. However, little attention has been paid to the differential transduction of these stimuli in whole vessels. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using rabbit aortas maintained in organ culture for 24 hours, we found that focal adhesion kinase (FAK) was strongly activated by high intraluminal pressure (150 mm Hg), as evidenced by increased phosphorylation (P<0.01) of tyrosine residues Tyr-397 (3.06+/-0.17-fold), Tyr-407 (3.71+/-0.65-fold), Tyr-861 (1.92+/-0.33-fold), and Tyr-925 (2.41+/-0.39-fold), compared with 80 mm Hg controls. Immunohistochemistry showed positive staining for these phosphotyrosines in the endothelium and innermost smooth muscle cell layers. Total FAK phosphorylation was reduced in vessels at 150 mm Hg by treatment with the Src family kinase inhibitor PP2 or with the integrin-extracellular matrix interaction-blocking RGD peptide, attaining 1.75+/-0.22-fold and 2.00+/-0.19-fold, respectively (P<0.05), compared with 3.07+/-0.38-fold (P<0.001) in untreated vessels. PP2 prevented phosphorylation of Tyr-407 and Tyr-925, whereas RGD peptide abolished phosphorylation of Tyr-397 and Tyr-407. PP2 and RGD peptide also inhibited high pressure-induced binding of FAK with the effector Grb2 and blocked activation of extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 in vessels at 150 mm Hg. In contrast, 10% cyclic stretch in aortas did not induce significant FAK phosphorylation relative to nonpulsatile controls. Furthermore, although ERK1/2 was activated in vessels exposed to pulsatility, it was not blocked by PP2 or RGD peptide treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that (1) steady and cyclic modes of stretch are transduced differently in the aorta, the former implicating FAK, the latter not, and (2) Src and integrins are involved in steady pressure-induced FAK.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Regulatory T cell responses: potential role in the control of atherosclerosis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease of the arterial wall where both innate and adaptive Th1-driven immunoinflammatory responses contribute to disease development. Th2-related responses have been shown to be either protective or pathogenic. Thus, it is unclear whether immunoregulatory activity can modulate disease development. RECENT FINDINGS: Novel subtypes of T cells, called the regulatory T cells, have been shown recently to play a critical role in the maintenance of immunological tolerance against self and non-self antigens and prevent the development of various immunoinflammatory diseases. Preliminary studies suggest a potential role for this type of regulatory T cell response in atherosclerosis. SUMMARY: Here we present a novel view of the immunoinflammatory response in atherosclerosis where natural and/or adaptive regulatory T cell responses modulate both Th1 and Th2 pathogenic responses and play a central role in counteracting disease initiation and progression.

Animals↗

The role of inflammation in atherothrombosis: implications for clinical practice.

Inflammation plays a key role in atherothrombosis: in the development of plaques, plaque rupture and thrombus formation. Various biochemical substances have been shown to be involved in the inflammatory process, some with pro-inflammatory activity and others with anti-inflammatory activity. Increased expression of many inflammatory mediators (e.g. C-reactive protein, CD40 ligand, P-selectin and IL-6) has been shown to correlate with increased risk of atherothrombotic events. One possible strategy for primary and secondary prevention is likely to focus on minimizing the inflammatory response and tipping the balance in favour of anti-inflammatory mediators and, therefore, plaque stability.

Arteriosclerosis↗