BACKGROUND:Angiogenesis is the main treatment target of cardiovascular diseases.Bone morphogenetic protein 2 can modulate angiogenesis,but the regulatory effect of endothelial cell-specific bone morphogenetic protein 2 on angiogenesis is unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of endothelial-specific bone morphogenetic protein 2 on angiogenesis. METHODS:(1)Bioinformatics analysis:Cellular expression specificity and abundance of bone morphogenetic protein 2 were meta-analyzed by the PanglaoDB single-cell transcriptome database.The endothelial cell transcriptome sequencing dataset of the mouse hindlimb model and endocardial transcriptome dataset of mice overexpressing bone morphogenetic protein 2 were reanalyzed to evaluate the effect of endothelial cell bone morphogenetic protein 2 on the angiogenesis pathway.(2)Validation in vivo:After establishing the mouse hindlimb model,we compared the blood perfusion between the affected and sham limb at 7,14,and 21 days.The expression of the colocation of bone morphogenetic protein 2 and CD31 was explored by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical staining.(3)Validation in vitro:The cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro were divided into a control group,a hypoxia group,and a bone morphogenetic protein 2 inhibitor Noggin intervention group.After being cultured for 24 hours,the angiogenesis of endothelial cells in each group was observed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Endothelial cells are an important cell subgroup expressing bone morphogenetic protein 2.Both in the mouse hindlimb ischemia model and endocardial cells overexpressing bone morphogenetic protein 2,bone morphogenetic protein 2 was significantly up-regulated,and the angiogenesis pathway was significantly activated.(2)In the mouse hindlimb model,bone morphogenetic protein 2-positive blood vessels around neoangiogenesis increased significantly at 7 days of ischemia(P<0.05),and decreased significantly after 2 weeks of ischemia(P<0.001).(3)In umbilical vein endothelial cells cultured in vitro,after hypoxic intervention,the migration and sprouting of endothelial cells increased significantly,and the expression of angiogenesis factors vascular endothelial growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor was significantly increased.Noggin significantly reduced hypoxia-induced endothelial cell angiogenesis(P<0.001)and down-regulated the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor(P<0.01).(4)These findings verify that endothelial cell-specific bone morphogenetic protein 2 can regulate angiogenesis,and targeting endothelial cell bone morphogenetic protein 2 is a promising way to improve angiogenesis.

BACKGROUND:Polyamines play a crucial role in tissue calcification.Spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase 1(SAT1),as a key rate-limiting enzyme regulating intracellular polyamine metabolism,has been associated with various pathological processes.However,its role in vascular calcification remains unclear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the role of SAT1 in rat vascular smooth muscle cell calcification.METHODS:(1)Bioinformatics analysis:Differential expression of SAT1 in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques and their surrounding healthy carotid artery tissues were using GEO datasets.PanglaoDB database was used to analyze SAT1 expression abundance and localization across different cell types through single-cell sequencing.(2)Rat vascular smooth muscle cells were divided into three groups:a control group cultured in DMEM medium,a calcification group induced by DMEM medium containing 10 mmol/L β-glycerophosphate sodium and 3 mmol/L calcium chloride,and the 50,100 μmol/L diacetylaminotriazamidine groups treated with the SAT1 inhibitor,diacetylaminotriazamidine,in addition to the calcification medium.After 7-10 days of culture,alizarin red S staining was performed,and cellular calcium content and alkaline phosphatase activity were assessed.Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of Runt-related transcription factor 2,bone morphogenetic protein 2,alpha-smooth muscle actin,and SAT1.Immunofluorescence staining was conducted to examine the expression of Runt-related transcription factor 2 and SAT1.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Bioinformatics analysis revealed significantly upregulated expression of SAT1 and Runt-related transcription factor 2(P<0.05)in carotid atherosclerotic plaques compared with healthy carotid tissues(P<0.05).Single-cell sequencing database analysis confirmed SAT1 expression in vascular smooth muscle cells.(2)Compared with the control group,the calcification group showed significantly increased Runt-related transcription factor 2,bone morphogenetic protein 2,SAT1,calcium content,and alkaline phosphatase activity,while alpha-smooth muscle actin expression was significantly decreased(all P<0.05).Compared with the calcification group,the 50 and 100 μmol/L diacetylaminotriazamidine groups showed significantly decreased Runt-related transcription factor 2,bone morphogenetic protein 2,calcium content,and alkaline phosphatase activity,while alpha-smooth muscle actin expression was significantly increased(all P<0.05).(3)Immunofluorescence experiments demonstrated that compared with the calcification group,the expression intensity of Runt-related transcription factor 2 was significantly reduced in the 50 and 100 μmol/L diacetylaminotriazamidine groups.Overall,SAT1 may promote vascular smooth muscle cell calcification by upregulating Runt-related transcription factor 2 expression.

BACKGROUND:Polyamines play a crucial role in tissue calcification.Spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase 1(SAT1),as a key rate-limiting enzyme regulating intracellular polyamine metabolism,has been associated with various pathological processes.However,its role in vascular calcification remains unclear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the role of SAT1 in rat vascular smooth muscle cell calcification.METHODS:(1)Bioinformatics analysis:Differential expression of SAT1 in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques and their surrounding healthy carotid artery tissues were using GEO datasets.PanglaoDB database was used to analyze SAT1 expression abundance and localization across different cell types through single-cell sequencing.(2)Rat vascular smooth muscle cells were divided into three groups:a control group cultured in DMEM medium,a calcification group induced by DMEM medium containing 10 mmol/L β-glycerophosphate sodium and 3 mmol/L calcium chloride,and the 50,100 μmol/L diacetylaminotriazamidine groups treated with the SAT1 inhibitor,diacetylaminotriazamidine,in addition to the calcification medium.After 7-10 days of culture,alizarin red S staining was performed,and cellular calcium content and alkaline phosphatase activity were assessed.Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of Runt-related transcription factor 2,bone morphogenetic protein 2,alpha-smooth muscle actin,and SAT1.Immunofluorescence staining was conducted to examine the expression of Runt-related transcription factor 2 and SAT1.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Bioinformatics analysis revealed significantly upregulated expression of SAT1 and Runt-related transcription factor 2(P<0.05)in carotid atherosclerotic plaques compared with healthy carotid tissues(P<0.05).Single-cell sequencing database analysis confirmed SAT1 expression in vascular smooth muscle cells.(2)Compared with the control group,the calcification group showed significantly increased Runt-related transcription factor 2,bone morphogenetic protein 2,SAT1,calcium content,and alkaline phosphatase activity,while alpha-smooth muscle actin expression was significantly decreased(all P<0.05).Compared with the calcification group,the 50 and 100 μmol/L diacetylaminotriazamidine groups showed significantly decreased Runt-related transcription factor 2,bone morphogenetic protein 2,calcium content,and alkaline phosphatase activity,while alpha-smooth muscle actin expression was significantly increased(all P<0.05).(3)Immunofluorescence experiments demonstrated that compared with the calcification group,the expression intensity of Runt-related transcription factor 2 was significantly reduced in the 50 and 100 μmol/L diacetylaminotriazamidine groups.Overall,SAT1 may promote vascular smooth muscle cell calcification by upregulating Runt-related transcription factor 2 expression.

Aim To analyze the risk factor of the cardiac rupture(CR)in patients with acute ST-segment eleva-tion myocardial infarction(STEMI).Based on this,the nomogram model of acute STEMI patients with CR was estab-lished.Methods Through Ningxia Medical University General Hospital's big data research platform and hospital in-formation system retrieval,5 412 patients with acute STEMI from January 2015 to December 2019 were continuously includ-ed in the study,of which 91 patients with CR were included as CR group;5 321 patients non-combined with CR were in-cluded as non-CR group.LASSO regression,univariate and multivariate Logistic regression were used to analyze the risk factors of CR in patients with acute STEMI,and the CR nomogram predictive model was established.The nomogram mod-el was validated and evaluated by using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,Hosmer-Lemeshow test and clinical decision curve analysis(DCA).Results LASSO regression results showed that age,female,hypertension history,first medical contact time,shock index,Killip grade,white blood cell count,d-dimer,lactic acid,anterior myocardial in-farction,β-blocker administration within 24 hours,angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor antagonist(ACEI/ARB)administration within 24 hours,emergency percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)were 13 risk factors of CR(P＜0.05).The screened 13 risk factors were analyzed by univariate and multivariate Logistic regression,the results suggested that age,Killip grade,first medical contact time,white blood cell count,not undergoing emergency PCI and not taking ACEI/ARB drugs within 24 hours were the risk factors of CR in patients with acute STEMI.The acute STEMI with CR nomogram model was established according to the above 6 risk variables.The area under the ROC curve before and after the internal verification of the nomogram model was 0.946(95％CI:0.927～0.961),0.947(95％CI:0.927～0.959),and the sensitivity was 0.957 and 0.904,respectively,the specificity was 0.858 and 0.876,respectively,which indicated that the model had good discrimination degree.The Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed that the deviation between the predicted value and the observed value was not statistically significant(x2=12.70,P=0.122),indicating that the no-mogram model had a good calibration.The DCA curve indicated that the predictive probability threshold of the model was from 0.00 to 0.40,and the clinical net benefit was the highest,indicating that the model had good clinical efficacy.Conclusion The nomogram model established in this study has better distinction,calibration and clinical effectiveness.It can effectively predict the probability of acute STEMI with CR,and provide some help for clinical diagnosis and treat-ment,so as to reduce the incidence of CR.

BACKGROUND:There is an internal relationship between hyperhomocysteinemia and vascular calcification.However,the pathogenesis of hyperhomocysteinemia promoting vascular calcification is still unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the role of bone morphogenetic protein-2 in hyperhomocysteinemia-induced vascular calcification. METHODS:Human carotid wax samples were divided into a calcified group(n=29)and a non-calcified group(n=13)according to the presence or absence of calcified plaque.Sixteen ApoE-/-mice were randomly divided into a control group and a hyperhomocysteinemia group,with 8 mice in each group.Bone morphogenetic protein-2 vector was used to transfect rat thoracic artery smooth muscle A7r5 cells,and gradient concentration of homocysteine(50,100,200,and 400 μmol/L)was utilized to treat A7r5 cells.Calcification was detected by alizarin red staining and hematoxylin-eosin staining.The interaction of bone morphogenetic protein 2 with Runt-related transcription factor 2 was detected by immunofluorescence,and the expressions of bone morphogenetic protein 2,Runt-related transcription factor 2,and α-smooth muscle actin were detected by immunohistochemistry and western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Human carotid artery tissue staining revealed that compared with the non-calcification group,inflammatory cells increased and calcification positive rate increased in the calcification group(P<0.05).Compared with the non-calcification group,the expressions of bone morphogenetic protein-2 and Runt-related transcription factor 2 were up-regulated,and the expression of α-smooth muscle actin was decreased in the calcification group(all P<0.05).(2)The staining of mouse arterial specimens exhibited that,the positive rate of calcified area in the hyperhomocysteinemia group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.05);serum homocysteine level in the hyperhomocysteinemia group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,the expressions of bone morphogenetic protein-2 and Runt-related transcription factor 2 were up-regulated,and the expression of α-smooth muscle actin was decreased in the hyperhomocysteinemia group(all P<0.05).(3)A7r5 cell culture analysis demonstrated that with the increase of homocysteine concentration gradient,the degree of calcification,the content of bone morphogenetic protein-2 and Runt-related transcription factor 2 protein in A7r5 cells increased(P<0.05),and the content of α-smooth muscle actin protein decreased(P<0.05).(4)The A7r5 cell culture analysis of overexpressed bone morphogenetic protein 2 showed that the calcification degree of the overexpressed bone morphogenetic protein 2 group was increased compared with the corresponding control group,the β-sodium glycerophosphate group,and the homocysteine group.RUNt-related transcription factor 2 expression up-regulated(P<0.05)and α-smooth muscle actin expression down-regulated(P<0.05).(5)The expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2 increased in A7r5 cells cultured with homocysteine in calcified medium,and the expression of Runt-related transcription factor 2 increased with the increase of bone morphogenetic protein 2 expression.(6)The results confirm that bone morphogenetic protein-2 is a key target gene in the regulation of smooth muscle cell phenotypic transformation resulting in vascular calcification by hyperhomocysteinemia.Targeted regulation of bone morphogenetic protein-2 reduces hyperhomocysteinemia-induced vascular calcification.

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of active transfer of plaque (ATP) versus provisional stenting (PS) with drug-eluting stents (DES) for the treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions. Methods: A total of 1 136 patients with bifurcation lesions hospitalized in 6 selected hospitals between January 2010 and January 2014 were included in this prospective observational trial, patients were divided into either ATP (n=560) or PS group (n=576) accordingly. The primary endpoint was target lesion revascularization within 1 year, and the second endpoints were all-cause death, cardiogenic death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, stroke, recurrent angina within 1 year. Results: There were no significant differences in age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia and smoking history between the two groups (P>0.05). The incidence of TIMI blood flow <3 grade in the side branch (1.6%(9/560) vs. 7.5% (43/576), P<0.01), acute occlusion of the side branch (1.3%(7/560) vs. 7.1%(41/576), P<0.01) and implanted stents of side branch (1.8%(10/560) vs. 7.8% (45/576), P<0.01) were significantly lower in the ATP group than those in the PS group. During the one year follow up, the rate of target lesion revascularization was similar between ATP group and PS group (4.6%(26/560) vs. 4.0%(23/576), P=0.66). Conclusions The effectiveness and safetyof ATP techniquein the patients with coronary bifurcation lesions is comparable to the PS technique. However, ATP technique is superior to PS technique on effectively reducing the incidence of implanted stents in the side branch.

Objective To investigate the effects of homocysteine(Hcy) on myocardial injury and its possible mechanisms.Methods The selected H9C2 cardiomyocytes were intervened with various concentrations of Hcy and 4-phenyl butyric acid(4-PBA).The H9C2 cells were divided into the control group,H400 group and H400P2 group.The control group used the common medium,the H400 group was added with 400 μmol/L Hcy,the H400P2 group was added with 2 mmol/L 4-PBBA on the basis of H400 group.The cell livability was detected by using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8).Apoptosis was evaluated by using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated nick-end labelling(TUNEL) staining.The ERO1α expression was determined by using immunocytochemistry,and the protein expression difference was determined by using Western blot.Results The injury of Hey on H9C2 cardiomyocytes showed a concentration-dependent manner(F=2 039.958,P＜0.01).Compared with the control group,the apoptosis percentages and expression levels of PERK,p-PERK,CHOP and ERO1α in the H400 group were increased(P＜0.01);while which in the H400P2 group were decreased,the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion Hcy mediates myocardial apoptosis through endoplasmic reticulum stress mechanism.

Objective To observe the influence of different level of hyperhomocysteinemia on mRNA and protein expressions of KV1 .3 ,CaN,NFAT,IL-6 and TNF-αin lymphocytes of patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).Methods We selected 90 STEMI patients and divided them into three groups according to the level of plasma homocysteine:the first experimental group (STEMI group,Hcy<1 5μmol/L, n=30),the second experimental group (STEMI with mild Hhcy group,Hcy 15~30μmol/L,n=30)and the third experimental group (STEMI with intermediate Hhcy group,Hcy>30 μmol/L,n=30 ).Another 30 healthy examined people were selected as control group (n=3 0 ).Peripheral lymphocytes were isolated by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation.The Hcy in the plasma was measured with the IMX assays.Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR)was used to detect mRNA expressions of KV1.3,CnAα,NFAT1,IL-6 and TNF-αand Western blot technique was used to detect the expressions of KV1.3,CnAαand NFAT1.Results The mRNA and protein expression levels of KV1.3,CnAαand NFAT1 in each experimental group were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0 .0 5 or P<0 .0 1 ).Multiple comparison in each experimental group showed that compared with that in the first experimental group,the expression level of the second experimental group increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01)and compared with first and second experimental groups,the expression level of the third experimental group increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01).The mRNA expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-αin each experimental group were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01 ).Multiple comparison in each experimental group showed that compared with that in the first experimental group,the expression level of the second experimental group increased (P<0 .0 5 or P<0 .0 1 )and compared with first and second experimental groups,the expression level of the third experimental group increased (P<0.01).Plasma total Hcy levels were positively correlated with mRNA and protein expressions of KV1.3 in all observed groups (r=0.503 P=0.000,r=0.726 P=0.000).Conclusion The higher level of Hcy in plasma,the higher mRNA and protein expression levels of KV1.3,CnAα,NFAT1 and the higher mRNA expression levels of IL-6,TNF-αin the lymphocyte of STEMI patients,which may be one mechanism for Hcy exacerbating the inflammatory reaction of STEMI.

Objective To investigate the relationship between plasma homocysteine (Hcy), Kv1.3 channel and cardiac troponinI (cTnI) in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods According to the level of Hcy, 80 STEMI patients were divided into STEMI with Hhcy group (Hcy > 15 μmol/L, n=41) and control group (STEMI group, Hcy≤15μmol/L, n=39). The Hcy, blood lipid and cTnI were detected with automatic biochemistry analyzer, respectively. Peripheral lymphocytes were isolated by ficoll density gradient centrifugation. Real-time PCR was used to detect mRNA expression of Kv1.3, and Western blot assay was used to detect protein expression of Kv1.3. Results cTnI concentrations were obviously higher in STEMI with Hhcy group than those in STEMI group (μg/L:22.997 ± 5.880 vs. 12.881 ± 6.343;P<0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that age, gender, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, family history, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) had no obvious influence on Hcy (P>0.05). The relative expression levels of Kv1.3 mRNA and protein were significantly higher in STEMI with Hhcy group (1.35±0.14, 0.85±0.12) than those in STEMI group (1.00 ± 0.07, 0.64 ± 0.05, P<0.05). Moreover, there was a positive relation between Hcy level and the mRNA and proteinexpression of Kv1.3 channel (r=0.299, r=0.542, P<0.05). There was a positive relation between protein expression levels of Kv1.3 channel and cTnI (r=0.644, P<0.05). Conclusion Our results support that Hcy could exacerbate the concentration of cTnI through playing an important role in the Kv1.3 mRNA and protein expression in lymphocytes.

Objective To investigate the clinical features and characteristics of coronary artery lesion between Hui and Han nationality young pa?tient with acute myocardial infarction(AMI)who were referred to the affiliated hospital of Ningxia Medical University. Methods A total of 189 con?secutive AMI young patients(age≤44 years)who underwent coronary angiography were retrospectively retrieved from the database.Those patients with AMI were divided into Hui group(46 cases)and Han group(143 cases). The clinical features and results of coronary angiogram were com?pared between the two group. Results Compared with Han group,Hui group are more younger than Han group,high prevalence rate of diabetes, lower smoking history and lower drinking history(P<0.05). Coronary angiography showed the incidence of three?vessel lesions was significant low?er in Han group than in Hui group(P<0.05). Both group showed single vessel was the most common lesion. Conclusion Hui nationality patients with acute myocardial infraction are more younger and are are more prone to suffering from diabetes history、lower smoking history and lower drinking history than Han nationality patients. The coronary artery lesions of Hui nationality patients with acute acute myocardial infraction are more three?branch lesions than Han nationality patients.