Caspase-1 mediates hyperlipidemia-weakened progenitor cell vessel repair

Front Biosci (Landmark Ed). 2016 Jan 1;21(1):178-91. doi: 10.2741/4383.

Abstract

Caspase-1 activation senses metabolic danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and mediates the initiation of inflammation in endothelial cells. Here, we examined whether the caspase-1 pathway is responsible for sensing hyperlipidemia as a DAMP in bone marrow (BM)-derived Stem cell antigen-1 positive (Sca-(1+)) stem/progenitor cells and weakening their angiogenic ability. Using biochemical methods, gene knockout, cell therapy and myocardial infarction (MI) models, we had the following findings: 1) Hyperlipidemia induces caspase-1 activity in mouse Sca-(1+) progenitor cells in vivo; 2) Caspase-1 contributes to hyperlipidemia-induced modulation of vascular cell death-related gene expression in vivo; 3) Injection of Sca-1+ progenitor cells from caspase-1(-/-) mice improves endothelial capillary density in heart and decreases cardiomyocyte death in a mouse model of MI; and 4) Caspase-1(-/-) Sca-(1+) progenitor cell therapy improves mouse cardiac function after MI. Our results provide insight on how hyperlipidemia activates caspase-1 in Sca-(1+) progenitor cells, which subsequently weakens Sca-(1+) progenitor cell repair of vasculature injury. These results demonstrate the therapeutic potential of caspase-1 inhibition in improving progenitor cell therapy for MI.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Vessels / cytology*
  • Caspase 1 / genetics
  • Caspase 1 / metabolism*
  • Hyperlipidemias / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Stem Cells / cytology*

Substances

  • Caspase 1