Li Wang, Weijian Wang, Ting Wu, Liang Chen, Gangjun Zong
{"title":"Mesenchymal Stem Cell-based Apelin Gene Therapy Improves Pulmonary Artery Remodeling in Monocrotaline-induced Pulmonary Hypertension Through PI3K/AKT/eNOS and ERK1/2 Signaling Pathways.","authors":"Li Wang, Weijian Wang, Ting Wu, Liang Chen, Gangjun Zong","doi":"10.1007/s12265-025-10612-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12265-025-10612-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) poses a challenge due to limited curative options and ineffective treatments. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy has emerged as a potential intervention for PAH. This study delved into the therapeutic potential and molecular mechanisms underlying MSC-based apelin gene therapy in PAH rats induced by monocrotaline (MCT). Wharton's jelly-derived MSCs transfected with pcSLenti-APLN were utilized as therapeutic agents. Transplanted MSCs successfully homed to the lung tissue of rats and sustained survival for at least three weeks. MSC-mediated apelin gene therapy effectively reduced pulmonary artery pressure, mitigated pulmonary vascular remodeling, and modulated apoptosis in MCT-induced PAH rats. Furthermore, the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and ERK1/2 signaling pathways were involved in the therapeutic effects. Meanwhile, Apelin-MSCs also regulated MCT-induced changes of Bax and Bcl-2 in the lung lobes and pulmonary arterioles. MSC-based apelin gene therapy could be considered a possible therapeutic strategy for PAH.</p>","PeriodicalId":15224,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143752870","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Husam M Salah, Adrian Ebner, Ravi N Srinivasa, Waleska Pabon-Ramos, Jeffrey Forris Beecham Chick, Jan Biegus, Piotr Ponikowski, Abubaker Khalifa, Marat Fudim
{"title":"Lymphatic Drainage in Patients with Heart Failure: A Feasibility Study.","authors":"Husam M Salah, Adrian Ebner, Ravi N Srinivasa, Waleska Pabon-Ramos, Jeffrey Forris Beecham Chick, Jan Biegus, Piotr Ponikowski, Abubaker Khalifa, Marat Fudim","doi":"10.1007/s12265-025-10592-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12265-025-10592-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Lymphatic dysfunction contributes to congestion and end-organ damage in heart failure (HF), yet current therapies do not directly target lymphatic congestion. Thoracic duct (TD) drainage offers a novel approach to address this gap. This multicenter feasibility study evaluated the safety and feasibility of minimally invasive TD drainage in patients with HF. Four patients with New York Heart Association class II-IV HF and fluid overload underwent fluoroscopy-guided TD access via cervical, abdominal, or transvenous brachial approaches. Lymph was drained by gravity for up to 3 hours, and hemodynamic changes were measured. TD drainage was successful in all patients, with a mean lymph output of 430 mL. Mean reductions in right atrial and pulmonary capillary wedge pressures were 4 mmHg and 1.5 mmHg, respectively. No major adverse events occurred. TD drainage appears feasible and safe, with potential decongestive benefits. Larger studies are needed to confirm its role in HF management.</p>","PeriodicalId":15224,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research","volume":" ","pages":"291-294"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143122907","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Wei Yin, Jie Wang, Lingling Li, Hongyun Zheng, Shengkai Xu
{"title":"NAT10 Modulates Atherosclerosis Progression Mediated by Macrophage Polarization Through Regulating ac4C Modification of TLR9.","authors":"Wei Yin, Jie Wang, Lingling Li, Hongyun Zheng, Shengkai Xu","doi":"10.1007/s12265-024-10579-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12265-024-10579-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Atherosclerosis (AS) is an inflammatory disease affected by macrophage polarization. N<sup>4</sup>-acetylcytosine (ac4C) modification mediated by N-acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10). In this study, we aimed to elucidate the role of ac4C modification mediated macrophage polarization in AS through in vivo and in vitro experiments. The ac4C level was measured using dot blot. Macrophage polarization was assessed by quantitative real-time PCR and flow cytometry. Underlying mechanism was analyzed by methylated RNA Immunoprecipitation (MeRIP), RIP and dual luciferase report. Results showed that the NAT10 expression and ac4C level were increased in patients with AS. Additionally, NAT10 knockdown promoted M1 to M2 polarization and suppressed TLR9 ac4C level. TLR9 overexpression reversed macrophage polarization regulated by NAT10 knockdown. Furthermore, M1 polarization and atherosclerosis in vivo was inhibited by NAT10 knockdown. In conclusion, we demonstrated that NAT10 regualted AS progression mediated by macrophage polarization through regulating ac4C modification of TLR9 and provided a new theoretical basis.</p>","PeriodicalId":15224,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research","volume":" ","pages":"247-256"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142854279","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Class III Phosphatidylinositol-3 Kinase/Vacuolar Protein Sorting 34 in Cardiovascular Health and Disease.","authors":"Yuanjun Shen, Jason P Gleghorn","doi":"10.1007/s12265-024-10581-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12265-024-10581-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Phosphatidylinositol-3 kinases (PI3Ks) play a critical role in maintaining cardiovascular health and the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Specifically, vacuolar Protein Sorting 34 (VPS34) or PIK3C3, the only member of Class III PI3K, plays an important role in CVD progression. The main function of VPS34 is inducing the production of phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate, which, together with other essential structural and regulatory proteins in forming VPS34 complexes, further regulates the mammalian target of rapamycin activation, autophagy, and endocytosis. VPS34 is found to have crucial functions in the cardiovascular system, including dictating the proliferation and survival of vascular smooth muscle cells and cardiomyocytes and the formation of thrombosis. This review aims to summarize our current knowledge and recent advances in understanding the function and regulation of VPS34 in cardiovascular health and disease. We also discuss the current development of VPS34 inhibitors and their potential to treat CVDs.</p>","PeriodicalId":15224,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research","volume":" ","pages":"392-407"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12043424/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143006185","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Mitochondrial Dysfunction in HFpEF: Potential Interventions Through Exercise.","authors":"Xinxin Cui, Michail Spanos, Cuimei Zhao, Wensi Wan, Caiyue Cui, Lijun Wang, Junjie Xiao","doi":"10.1007/s12265-025-10591-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12265-025-10591-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>HFpEF is a prevalent and complex type of heart failure. The concurrent presence of conditions such as obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia significantly increase the risk of developing HFpEF. Mitochondria, often referred to as the powerhouses of the cell, are crucial in maintaining cellular functions, including ATP production, intracellular Ca<sup>2+</sup> regulation, reactive oxygen species generation and clearance, and the regulation of apoptosis. Exercise plays a vital role in preserving mitochondrial homeostasis, thereby protecting the cardiovascular system from acute stress, and is a fundamental component in maintaining cardiovascular health. In this study, we review the mitochondrial dysfunction underlying the development and progression of HFpEF. Given the pivotal role of exercise in modulating cardiovascular diseases, we particularly focus on exercise as a potential therapeutic strategy for improving mitochondrial function. Graphical abstract Note: This picture was created with BioRender.com.</p>","PeriodicalId":15224,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research","volume":" ","pages":"442-456"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143038897","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aleksandra Gąsecka, Piotr Szolc, Edwin van der Pol, Łukasz Niewiara, Bartłomiej Guzik, Paweł Kleczyński, Mariusz Tomaniak, Emilia Figura, Mateusz Zaremba, Marcin Grabowski, Janusz Kochman, Jacek Legutko, Łukasz Kołtowski
{"title":"Endothelial Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Allow to Differentiate Between Various Endotypes of INOCA: A Multicentre, Prospective, Cohort Study.","authors":"Aleksandra Gąsecka, Piotr Szolc, Edwin van der Pol, Łukasz Niewiara, Bartłomiej Guzik, Paweł Kleczyński, Mariusz Tomaniak, Emilia Figura, Mateusz Zaremba, Marcin Grabowski, Janusz Kochman, Jacek Legutko, Łukasz Kołtowski","doi":"10.1007/s12265-024-10575-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12265-024-10575-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ischemia and non-obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA) might be due to coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD), vasospastic angina (VSA) or both. We compared plasma concentration of various extracellular vesicles (EVs) in patients with different INOCA endotypes. Patients were divided into those with INOCA (CMD, VSA, mixed CMD + VSA) and non-anginal chest pain. Plasma concentrations of EVs were measured using flow cytometry. Out of 96 patients included, 34 had CMD (35%), 15 VSA (16%), 24 mixed endotype (25%) and 23 non-anginal chest pain (24%). Patients with INOCA had lower ratio of endothelial EVs (CD144 +) to total EVs, compared to patients with non-anginal pain (p = 0.027). Patients with mixed endotype had lower ratio of endothelial EVs (CD144 +) to total EVs, compared to CMD (p = 0.008), VSA (p = 0.014) and non-anginal pain (p < 0.001). Decreased ratio of endothelial EVs (CD144 +) to total EVs might serve as a \"circulating footprint\" of the mixed INOCA endotype.</p>","PeriodicalId":15224,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research","volume":" ","pages":"305-315"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12043753/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142785570","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Maximilian Dietrich, Aycan Tayan, Tobias Hölle, Christian Nusshag, Anne-Christine Kapp, Christina Mertens, Alexander Studier-Fischer, Felix Nickel, Florian Leuschner, Markus Alexander Weigand, Matthias Karck, Christoph Lichtenstern, Rawa Arif, Dania Fischer
{"title":"Hyperspectral Imaging for Microcirculatory Assessment of Patients undergoing Transcatheter and Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement-a Prospective Observational Pilot Study.","authors":"Maximilian Dietrich, Aycan Tayan, Tobias Hölle, Christian Nusshag, Anne-Christine Kapp, Christina Mertens, Alexander Studier-Fischer, Felix Nickel, Florian Leuschner, Markus Alexander Weigand, Matthias Karck, Christoph Lichtenstern, Rawa Arif, Dania Fischer","doi":"10.1007/s12265-024-10573-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12265-024-10573-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This prospective, observational study evaluated Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) to assess the effects of cardiac surgery and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) on microcirculation. 40 Patients with severe aortic stenosis were enrolled. 20 patients underwent transapical/transaxillary/transaortic aortic valve replacement (TAVR), 20 underwent an open surgical approach with CPB (SAVR). HSI was used to determine tissue oxygenation (StO<sub>2</sub> and NIR), hemoglobin (THI) and water content (TWI) at the palm before/after surgery (T1/T2), and on the third postoperative day (T3). TAVR patients showed no significant changes of microcirculatory parameters during surgery. TWI significantly increased until T3. SAVR patients showed an increase of TWI and a decrease of THI, while StO<sub>2</sub> and NIR remained unchanged at T2. In SAVR patients, StO<sub>2</sub> and NIR correlated negatively with the duration of CPB and StO<sub>2</sub> correlated with intraoperative urine output at T2. HSI was able to detect microcirculatory changes during cardiac surgery. CPB duration seemed to affect tissue oxygenation. Clinical trial registration: (German Clinical Trial Register): DRKS00024765.</p>","PeriodicalId":15224,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research","volume":" ","pages":"295-304"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12043735/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142604100","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Associations of Blood Lipid-Related Polygenic Scores, Lifestyle Factors and Their Combined Effects with Risk of Coronary Artery Disease in the UK Biobank Cohort.","authors":"Jungyoon Choi, Wanqing Wen, Guochong Jia, Ran Tao, Jirong Long, Xiao-Ou Shu, Wei Zheng","doi":"10.1007/s12265-024-10578-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12265-024-10578-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Circulating lipids play a crucial role in the development of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, it is unclear whether the genetic susceptibility to hyperlipidemia may interact with lifestyle factors in CAD risk. Using UK Biobank data from 328,606 participants, we evaluated combined effects of genetic susceptibility to hyperlipidemia and lifestyle factors with risk of CAD. We found that both blood lipid-related polygenic score (PGS) and healthy lifestyle score (HLS) are independently associated with CAD risk, and individuals with the highest-risk lipid-related PGS and the least healthy HLS had the highest CAD risk. This association was stronger in younger (< 60 years, hazard ratio: 4.46, 95% confidence interval: 3.44-5.78) than older adults (2.54, 2.13-3.03). Our study suggests that individuals, particularly younger adults, with higher-risk PGSs of blood lipid traits would benefit more substantially by adherence to a healthy lifestyle than those with lower PGSs.</p>","PeriodicalId":15224,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research","volume":" ","pages":"331-340"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142828606","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Chang Li, Zhen Ma, Xiang Wei, Ying Wang, Jian Wu, Xuan Li, Xiaolei Sun, Zhiwen Ding, Cheng Yang, Yunzeng Zou
{"title":"Bufalin Ameliorates Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by Suppressing Macrophage Pyroptosis via P62 Pathway.","authors":"Chang Li, Zhen Ma, Xiang Wei, Ying Wang, Jian Wu, Xuan Li, Xiaolei Sun, Zhiwen Ding, Cheng Yang, Yunzeng Zou","doi":"10.1007/s12265-024-10577-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12265-024-10577-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Bufalin, which is isolated from toad venom, exerts positive effects on hearts under pathological circumstance. We aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of bufalin on myocardial I/R injury. In vivo, bufalin ameliorated myocardial I/R injury, which characteristics with better ejection function, decreased infarct size and less apoptosis. The levels of pyroptotic proteins were increased in I/R-treated macrophages and inflammatory cytokines expressed more in I/R-induced mouse, which could be attenuated by bufalin. Bufalin also reduced H/R-treated macrophage pyroptosis in vitro. Autophagic flux blockage and ROS accumulation were reduced by bufalin in impaired macrophages. Overexpression of p62 abrogated the anti-proptosis and anti-oxidative effects of bufalin. The levels of apoptosis related proteins were changed and TUNEL-positive ratio was raised in cardiomyocytes that received conditioned medium treatment with H/R-treated macrophages, while bufalin pretreatment could reduce apoptosis. These findings indicate that bufalin may attenuate myocardial I/R injury by suppressing macrophage pyroptosis via P62 pathway.</p>","PeriodicalId":15224,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research","volume":" ","pages":"221-236"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12043737/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142894946","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}