Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) develop as a consequence to abnormal remodeling of the aortic extracellular matrix (ECM).10 This usually asymptomatic process results in a weakened aortic wall manifested as gross dilatation that progresses to rupture. Current treatment includes blood pressure management until the risk of rupture outweighs the risk of surgical or endovascular intervention; neither of which address the underlying pathways which drive this devastating disease.11 TAA development is influenced by a series of interrelated mechanisms such as the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 12-15, and dysregulation of the production and deposition of ECM proteins.16 Importantly, these mechanisms are mediated in part through changes in the resident cellular constituents within the aortic wall.17, 18 Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-?), a soluble peptide growth factor capable of regulating the structure and composition of the aortic ECM, is a well described mediator of fibroblast phenotype.19 Current data shows that the alterations in TGF-? signaling result in a type-I TGF-? receptor switch, from a TGF-?-R1 dominant signal, to an ALK-1 dominant signal. TGF-? is sequestered within the extracellular matrix, bound by latent TGF-? binding proteins (LTBPs).21, 22 These latent complexes are proteolytic targets for key MMPs, such as membrane type-I MMP (MT1-MMP), which is induced during TAA development.8, 23 Results demonstrated that TAA development was attenuated in MT1-MMP heterozygous deficient mice, and neutralizing antibody treatment targeting either TGF-? ligands (TGF-?-NAb) or MT1-MMP activity (MT1-MMP-InhAb) was sufficient to attenuate aortic dilatation; suggesting MT1-MMP as an important mediator of TAA formation and progression. New data demonstrate an increase in the number of mature macrophages (F4/80+) at 8- and 16- weeks post-TAA induction; suggesting that macrophage-derived MT1-MMP may also contribute to TAA development. The present proposal will explore the time-dependent and cell-type specific expression of MT1-MMP using an established and well-characterized mouse model of TAA induction, and several unique transgenic mouse strains. The central hypothesis of this study is that MT1-MMP-dependent activation of TGF-? signaling is both time-dependent and cell-specific, and it will be tested through three specific aims: (1) Demonstrate that fibroblast-derived MT1-MMP is required for TGF-? release and fibroblast transdifferentiation, early in TAA development. Using a validated Tamoxifen-inducible, fibroblast-specific Cre- dependent (Col1A2-Cre-ERT2) knockout of floxed-MT1-MMP, MT1-MMP will be deleted in fibroblasts prior to TAA induction (Early), or after 4-weeks of TAA development (Late); (2) Demonstrate that macrophage-derived MT1-MMP is required for TGF-? release and the maintenance of fibroblast phenotype, late in TAA development. Using a Tamoxifen-inducible, monocyte/macrophage-specific Cre-dependent (LysM-Cre-ERT2) knockout of floxed-MT1-MMP, macrophage-derived MT1-MMP will be knockout. A) prior to TAA induction (Early), or B) after 4-weeks of TAA development (Late); and (3) Demonstrate the efficacy of the MT1-MMP activity-neutralizing antibody as a potential therapeutic for the treatment of TAA disease. Mice will be treated with the antibody prior to TAA induction (Early), or after 4-weeks of TAA development (Late). In each aim, the effects on aortic geometry and structure, the activation of TGF-? signaling (pSmad-1/5/8), fibroblast phenotype/function, and the localization of cell-type specific markers, and MT1-MMP, in the aortic wall will be recorded. Together this set of studies will establish the time-dependent and cell-type-specific expression of MT1-MMP during TAA formation and progression and define its mechanistic role in TAA development.

Public Health Relevance

Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs), are a bulging of a segment of the main artery in the chest that delivers blood to the rest of the body. Patients with TAA, typically have no signs or symptoms of the disease. Once diagnosed, the patient enters a ?watch and wait? program until the risk of aortic rupture outweighs the risk of undergoing open surgical repair. During this period, patients are typically treated with drugs that control their blood pressure under the assumption that it will help to prevent rupture. Because the Veteran population often has a higher than normal number of smokers and patients with high blood pressure, vascular disease, and diabetes, this places them at high risk for development of TAA. Currently, there are no non-surgical options to treat TAA disease. Therefore, the studies in this application are designed to help us understand the cell-specific mechanisms that cause TAA and may help developing better ways to identify, predict, and treat Veterans and the public at large.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Veterans Affairs (VA)
Type
Non-HHS Research Projects (I01)
Project #
5I01BX000904-09
Application #
9918756
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRD1)
Project Start
2011-01-01
Project End
2023-03-31
Budget Start
2020-04-01
Budget End
2021-03-31
Support Year
9
Fiscal Year
2020
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center
Department
Type
DUNS #
039807318
City
Charleston
State
SC
Country
United States
Zip Code
29401
Tian, Yulong; Zhang, Wei; Sun, Jun et al. (2018) A reproducible swine model of proximal descending thoracic aortic aneurysm created with intra-adventitial application of elastase. J Vasc Surg 67:300-308.e2
Ikonomidis, John S; Nadeau, Elizabeth K; Akerman, Adam W et al. (2017) Regulation of membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase activity and intracellular localization in clinical thoracic aortic aneurysms. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 153:537-546
Jones, Jeffrey A (2017) Oxidative stress in bicuspid aortic valve-related aortopathy: Hand-me-downs and yoga pants. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 154:1764-1765
Ruddy, Jean Marie; Akerman, Adam W; Kimbrough, Denise et al. (2017) Differential hypertensive protease expression in the thoracic versus abdominal aorta. J Vasc Surg 66:1543-1552
Jones, Jeffrey A (2016) Editorial Commentary: Understanding Marfan syndrome, or ""how not to invent the light bulb"". Trends Cardiovasc Med 26:429-32
Ruddy, Jean Marie; Ikonomidis, John S; Jones, Jeffrey A (2016) Multidimensional Contribution of Matrix Metalloproteinases to Atherosclerotic Plaque Vulnerability: Multiple Mechanisms of Inhibition to Promote Stability. J Vasc Res 53:1-16
Jones, Jeffrey A (2015) Invited commentary. Ann Thorac Surg 99:71
Daskalova, Elena; Delchev, Slavi; Peeva, Yulia et al. (2015) Antiatherogenic and Cardioprotective Effects of Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) Juice in Aging Rats. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2015:717439
Renaud, Ludivine; Harris, Lillianne G; Mani, Santhosh K et al. (2015) HDACs Regulate miR-133a Expression in Pressure Overload-Induced Cardiac Fibrosis. Circ Heart Fail 8:1094-104
McDonald, Lindsay T; Russell, Dayvia L; Kelly, Ryan R et al. (2015) Hematopoietic stem cell-derived cancer-associated fibroblasts are novel contributors to the pro-tumorigenic microenvironment. Neoplasia 17:434-48

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