Protective function of transcription factor TR3 orphan receptor in atherogenesis: decreased lesion formation in carotid artery ligation model in TR3 transgenic mice.
BACKGROUND
Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) play a key role in intimal thickening in atherosclerosis and restenosis. The precise signaling pathways by which the proliferation of SMCs is regulated are largely unknown. The TR3 orphan receptor, the mitogen-induced nuclear orphan receptor (MINOR), and the nuclear receptor of T cells (NOT) are a subfamily of transcription factors belonging to the nuclear receptor superfamily and are induced in activated SMCs. In this study, we investigated the role of these transcription factors in SMC proliferation in atherogenesis.


RESULTS
Multiple human vascular specimens at distinct stages of atherosclerosis (lesion types II to V by American Heart Association classification) derived from 14 different individuals were studied for expression of these transcription factors. We observed expression of TR3, MINOR, and NOT in neointimal SMCs, whereas no expression was detected in medial SMCs. Adenovirus-mediated expression of a dominant-negative variant of TR3, which suppresses the transcriptional activity of each subfamily member, increases DNA synthesis and decreases p27(Kip1) protein expression in cultured SMCs. We generated transgenic mice that express this dominant-negative variant or full-length TR3 under control of a vascular SMC-specific promoter. Carotid artery ligation of transgenic mice that express the dominant-negative variant of TR3 in arterial SMCs, compared with lesions formed in wild-type mice, results in a 3-fold increase in neointimal formation, whereas neointimal formation is inhibited 5-fold in transgenic mice expressing full-length TR3.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results reveal that TR3 and possibly other members of this transcription factor subfamily inhibit vascular lesion formation. These transcription factors could serve as novel targets in the treatment of vascular disease.
Arkenbout
E Karin
EK
Department of Biochemistry, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
de Waard
Vivian
V
van Bragt
Maaike
M
van Achterberg
Tanja A E
TA
Grimbergen
Jos M
JM
Pichon
Bruno
B
Pannekoek
Hans
H
de Vries
Carlie J M
CJ
D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000601:surgery; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism*; D009154:Mutation; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D057105:Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1; D057126:Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 2; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D011987:Receptors, Steroid; D011988:Receptors, Thyroid Hormone; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C539821:NR4A1 protein, human; C539882:NR4A2 protein, human; C490412:NR4A3 protein, human; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C539818:Nr4a1 protein, mouse; C539883:Nr4a2 protein, mouse; D057105:Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1; D057126:Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 2; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D011987:Receptors, Steroid; D011988:Receptors, Thyroid Hormone; D014157:Transcription Factors; D004247:DNA