Fluid shear stress modulates endothelial inflammation by targeting LIMS2

Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2020 Dec;245(18):1656-1663. doi: 10.1177/1535370220943837. Epub 2020 Aug 4.

Abstract

Mechanosensitive genes regulate multiple cardiovascular pathophysiological processes and disorders; however, the role of flow-sensitive genes in atherosclerosis is still unknown. In this study, we identify LIM Zinc Finger Domain Containing 2 (LIMS2) that acts as a mechanosensitive gene downregulated by disturbed flow (d-flow) both in human endothelial cells (ECs) in vitro and in mice in vivo. Mechanistically, d-flow suppresses LIMS2 expression, which leads to endothelial inflammation by upregulating typical inflammatory factors, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1 in human ECs. The findings indicate that LIMS2, the new flow-sensitive gene, may help us to find a new insight to explain how d-flow caused endothelial inflammation and provide a new therapeutic approach for atherosclerosis in the future.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis; biomarker; endothelial inflammation.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Apolipoproteins E / deficiency
  • Apolipoproteins E / metabolism
  • Atherosclerosis / genetics
  • Atherosclerosis / pathology
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Endothelial Cells / pathology*
  • Gene Silencing
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / genetics
  • Inflammation / pathology*
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / metabolism
  • LIM Domain Proteins / genetics
  • LIM Domain Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mechanotransduction, Cellular
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Plaque, Atherosclerotic / pathology
  • Rheology*
  • Stress, Mechanical*
  • Up-Regulation / genetics
  • Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / metabolism

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Apolipoproteins E
  • LIM Domain Proteins
  • LIMS2 protein, human
  • Lims2 protein, mouse
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1