Enzyme-modified non-oxidized LDL (ELDL) induces human coronary artery smooth muscle cell transformation to a migratory and osteoblast-like phenotype

Sci Rep. 2018 Aug 10;8(1):11954. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-30073-w.

Abstract

Enzyme modified non-oxidative LDL (ELDL) is effectively taken up by vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) and mediates transition into foam cells and produces phenotypic changes in SMC function. Our data show that incubation of human coronary artery SMC (HCASMC) with low concentration of ELDL (10 μg/ml) results in significantly enhanced foam cell formation compared to oxidized LDL (200 μg/ml; p < 0.01) or native LDL (200 μg/ml; p < 0.01). Bioinformatic network analysis identified activation of p38 MAPK, NFkB, ERK as top canonical pathways relevant for biological processes linked to cell migration and osteoblastic differentiation in ELDL-treated cells. Functional studies confirmed increased migration of HCASMC upon stimulation with ELDL (10 μg/ml) or Angiopoietin like protein 4, (ANGPTL4, 5 μg/ml), and gain in osteoblastic gene profile with significant increase in mRNA levels for DMP-1, ALPL, RUNX2, OPN/SPP1, osterix/SP7, BMP and reduction in mRNA for MGP and ENPP1. Enhanced calcification of HCASMC by ELDL was demonstrated by Alizarin Red staining. In summary, ELDL is highly potent in inducing foam cells in HCASMC and mediates a phenotypic switch with enhanced migration and osteoblastic gene profile. These results point to the potential of ELDL to induce migratory and osteoblastic effects in human smooth muscle cells with potential implications for migration and calcification of SMCs in human atherosclerosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Calcification, Physiologic
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Movement
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Computational Biology
  • Coronary Vessels / pathology*
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / genetics
  • Foam Cells / physiology*
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Humans
  • Lipoproteins, LDL / chemistry
  • Lipoproteins, LDL / metabolism*
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / physiology*
  • Osteoblasts / physiology*
  • Phosphoproteins / genetics
  • Protein Interaction Maps
  • Proteolysis
  • Signal Transduction
  • Sterol Esterase / chemistry
  • Trypsin / chemistry
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • DMP1 protein, human
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins
  • Lipoproteins, LDL
  • Phosphoproteins
  • oxidized low density lipoprotein
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • Sterol Esterase
  • Trypsin