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Vascular Biology |
From the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine (H.K., J.S., G.H., N.K., Y.M., M. Isobe), Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan; and the Division of Molecular Immunology (M. Inobe, T.U.), Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan
Correspondence to Mitsuaki Isobe, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan. E-mail isobemi.cvm{at}tmd.ac.jp
| Abstract |
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Methods and Results ICOS ligand (ICOSL) was detected in SMCs stimulated by interleukin (IL)-1ß, and coculture of stimulated SMCs and activated T cells induced SMC proliferation. Inhibition of the ICOS pathway resulted in inhibition of SMC proliferation. In models of transplantation and vascular injury, ICOSL was induced in SMCs in the neointima. Expression of IL-1ß, a key inducer of ICOSL expression, was significantly reduced in mice treated with anti-ICOS antibody or soluble form of ICOS (ICOSIg) and in ICOS-deficient mice. Inhibition of the ICOS pathway significantly suppressed neointimal thickening.
Conclusions These results indicate that ICOS on activated T cells contributes to neointimal formation through the regulation of SMC proliferation. These findings provide insights into new therapeutic strategies for arteriosclerosis.
The role of the ICOS pathway in SMC proliferation has not yet been evaluated. We demonstrate that blockade of the ICOS pathway significantly suppressed SMC proliferation and neointimal thickening.
Key Words: arteriosclerosis costimulation neointima formation smooth muscle cells
| Introduction |
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T cell activation requires 2 distinct signals through T cell receptors and costimulatory molecules. Inducible costimulator (ICOS) is a member of the CD28/CTLA4 family and is expressed on T cells after activation. Stimulation of the ICOS pathway promotes secretion of IFN-
, IL-4, and IL-10.4 Inhibition of the ICOS pathway with anti-ICOS antibody or the soluble form of ICOS (ICOSIg) prolonged cardiac allograft survival in a murine model, and combined treatment with anti-ICOS antibody and cyclosporin A6 or ICOSIg and CTLA4Ig7 prolonged allograft survival indefinitely and prevented the development of graft vasculopathy. Treatment with anti-ICOS antibody in addition to blockade of the CD40 ligand (CD40L)/CD40 pathway also attenuated the development of graft vasculopathy.6
ICOS ligand (ICOSL), also known as B7-related protein 1 (B7RP-1), is expressed constitutively on B cells and in peripheral lymphoid tissues.8,9 In vitro studies have shown that ICOSL expression is induced on fibroblasts treated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-
and that it is expressed constitutively on endothelial cells and is upregulated by treatment with IL-1ß or TNF-
.9,10 However, it is not known whether ICOSL is expressed on SMCs.
Numerous studies have indicated that inhibition of the costimulatory pathway not only prolongs allograft survival11 but also attenuates atherogenesis and neointimal hyperplasia after transplantation or vascular injury.1215 We recently reported that SMCs stimulated by interferon (IFN)-
express herpes virus entry mediator (HVEM), which binds to LIGHT, and proliferate by interaction with T cells through the LIGHT pathway.16 Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is expressed on SMCs stimulated by IFN-
and is associated with SMC proliferation.17 Although it has not been shown that other costimulatory molecules are expressed on SMCs, data suggest that the costimulatory pathway plays an important role in regulating not only immune responses but also SMC proliferation and subsequent arteriopathy.
Here, we show that ICOSL is expressed on SMCs in neointima formed by vascular injury. The ICOS pathway promotes SMC proliferation in these animal models. Furthermore, we show that inhibition of the ICOS pathway prevents the development of neointimal hyperplasia after transplantation or vascular injury.
| Materials and Methods |
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Reagents
Anti-mouse ICOS monoclonal antibody (JMAb51) was obtained from JT Pharmaceutical Frontier Research Laboratory (Kamagawa, Japan).18 ICOSIg was prepared as described previously.7
Animals
Six- to 8-week-old male C57BL/6 (B/6, H-2b) mice were obtained from Japan Clea. Male B6.C-H-2bm12KhEg (Bm12, H-2bm12) mice were obtained from The Jackson Laboratory (Bar Harbor, Me). Combinations of B/6 and Bm12 mice are class II mismatch. Male ICOS/ mice on a C57BL/6 background were provided by JT Pharmaceutical Frontier Research Laboratory.19 Animals were maintained in our animal facility and weighed 20 to 25 grams. The present study conformed to the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals of Tokyo Medical and Dental University.
Cardiac Transplantation
Donor hearts were transplanted heterotopically into recipient mice as described previously.7 Recipient mice were injected intraperitoneally with anti-ICOS antibody (100 µg per treatment, n=10), ICOSIg (50 µg per treatment, n=10), or isotype-matched control IgG (n=10) every 7 d for 8 weeks after transplantation. ICOS/ mice were used as recipients (n=10). Allografts were harvested 8 weeks after transplantation.
Mouse Femoral Arterial Injury Model
Transluminal arterial injury of the femoral arteries of B/6 or ICOS/ mice (n=8) was induced by inserting a straight spring wire as described previously.20 B/6 mice were injected intraperitoneally with anti-ICOS antibody (100 µg per treatment, n=8), ICOSIg (50 µg per treatment, n=8), or isotype-matched control IgG (n=8) on days 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 after injury. At 4 weeks after injury, the femoral arteries were excised.
Immunohistochemistry
Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence double staining were performed as described previously.16
Histological Evaluation
Grafts and arteries were analyzed by Elastica van Gieson staining. The areas within the internal elastic lamina (IEL) and the external elastic lamina (EEL) and the lumen were carefully traced, and the planimetric areas were calculated with an image analysis system (Scion Image beta 4.0.2; Scion).
Coculture of SMCs and T cells
Primary SMCs were obtained from the thoracic aortas of B/6, Bm12, or ICOS/ mice by an explant technique as described previously.16
Splenocyte suspensions were obtained by disrupting spleens between sterile glass slides. Red blood cells were lysed by ammonium chloride lysis. Cells were washed, and T cells were obtained by depletion of non-T cells (B cells, NK cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, granulocytes, and erythroid cells) by magnetic cell sorting (Miltenyi Biotec). The purity of separated T cells was consistently >95% as assessed by flow cytometry.
SMCs were trypsinized and seeded onto 96-well plates. At confluence, SMCs were arrested in medium with 0.4% fetal bovine serum for 5 days. SMCs were then stimulated with recombinant mouse IL-1ß (10 ng/mL) for 48 hours. After a wash in phosphate-buffered saline, mitomycin-Cinactivated T cells (total 5x105) and anti-ICOS antibody, ICOSIg (10 µg/mL), or PD98059 (10 µg/mL) were added to each well for 24 hours. After washing in phosphate-buffered saline, SMCs were incubated with BrdU (Roche) according to the manufacturers instructions. Incorporated BrdU was measured by a microplate-imaging system (BioRad). SMC proliferation is expressed as the optical density.
Reverse-Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction Analysis
Total RNA was extracted from SMCs after 24 hours of cytokine stimulation. cDNA was prepared from 5 µg of RNA by reverse transcription. cDNA (10 µL) was amplified. Polymerase chain reaction products were analyzed by ethidium bromide staining of 1.5% agarose gels.
Western Blot Analysis
Western blot was performed as described previously.17
Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorter analysis
Arrested SMCs were stimulated with IL-1ß (10 ng/mL) for 24 or 48 hours. SMCs with and without IL-1ß stimulation were incubated with anti-ICOSL antibody and stained with biotinylated isotype-matched control IgG or goat IgG. Cells were then stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated anti-
-smooth muscle actin (SMA) antibody and streptavidin-phycoerythrin. Cells were then analyzed by flow cytometry on a fluorescence-activated cell sorter Calibur (Becton Dickinson).
Statistical Analysis
All data are expressed as mean±SEM. Differences between 2 groups were analyzed by Student t test. Differences in data between multiple groups were subjected to 1-way ANOVA followed by Scheffe test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
| Results |
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, IFN-
, or IL-4 (data not shown).
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SMC Proliferation Induced by Interaction With T Cells
Naive T cells and T cells activated after transplantation were isolated from splenocytes of B/6 or ICOS/ mice. Naiive T cells or activated T cells from B/6 mice did not induce proliferation of unstimulated SMCs from Bm12 mice (Figure 2A and 2B). Naiive T cells from B/6 mice also did not stimulate proliferation of SMCs from Bm12 mice treated with IL-1ß (Figure 2A). However, activated T cells from B/6 mice induced significant proliferation of SMCs from Bm12 mice treated with IL-1ß (Figure 2B). This proliferation was inhibited by addition of anti-ICOS antibody or ICOSIg (Figure 2B). Interestingly, activated T cells from B/6 mice induced significant proliferation of IL-1ß-treated SMCs from B/6 mice, and addition of anti-ICOS antibody or ICOSIg suppressed SMC proliferation (supplemental Figure IIA and IIB).
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We tested whether this effect on SMC proliferation involved activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling. Increased extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) 1 and 2 (ERK 1/2) phosphorylation in SMCs was detected in cocultures of IL-1ß-stimulated SMCs and activated T cells (Figure 2A and 2B; supplemental Figure IIA and IIB). To clarify the involvement of ERK1/2 in SMC proliferation, we used a MEK inhibitor PD98059. PD98059 significantly suppressed SMC proliferation induced by interaction with activated T cells (Figure 2C and 2D; supplemental Figure IIC and IID). However, Western blot analysis showed no effect on the phosphorylation of c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) or p38 MAPK (data not shown). Neither naive nor activated T cells from ICOS/ mice induced proliferation of unstimulated or IL-1ß-stimulated SMCs from Bm12 mice (Figure 2E and 2F). Western blot analysis showed no effect on the phosphorylation of ERK 1/2, JNK or p38 MAPK in SMCs from Bm12 mice (Figure 2E and 2F, data not shown).
Prevention of Graft Vasculopathy by Inhibition of the ICOS Pathway
We used B/6 or ICOS/ mice as recipients and Bm12 mice as donors. ICOS staining was detected in graft infiltrating cells (supplemental Figure IIIA) and on cells in thickened neointima (supplemental Figure IIIB). Although ICOS expression was not detected on naive CD4+ and CD8+ cells, it was induced on activated CD4+ and CD8+ cells (supplemental Figure IIIC). In comparison to those in control IgG-treated allografts, the numbers of SMCs in neointima and the numbers of CD4+, CD8+, and CD11b+ cells infiltration in allografts treated with anti-ICOS antibody or ICOSIg or in ICOS/ mice was significantly decreased (supplemental Figure IIID and IIIE).
Allografts in control IgG-treated mice at 8 weeks after transplantation showed severe neointimal hyperplasia (luminal occlusion: 70.1±5.5%; Figure 3A and 3F). Interestingly, ICOSL staining was detected on SMCs in grafts with vasculopathic change, but no ICOSL staining was detected on SMCs in native hearts (supplemental Figure IIIF). In comparison to control IgG-treated allografts, allografts treated with anti-ICOS antibody or ICOSIg at 8 weeks after transplantation showed significantly less severe neointimal hyperplasia (8.3±4.8%, 10.1±5.6%, respectively; Figure 3B, 3C, and 3F). Furthermore, sections from allografts of ICOS/ recipient mice and isografts showed no intimal thickening by 8 weeks after transplantation (11.8±4.5%, 0.0%; Figure 3D, 3E, and 3F).
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To examine cytokine expression in cardiac allografts, we performed Western blot analysis on native hearts and cardiac allografts at 8 weeks after transplantation. Expression of IL-1ß, IL-6, and IFN-
was detected in allografts from control IgG-treated mice (supplemental Figure IIIG). However, expression of these cytokines was significantly suppressed in allografts from anti-ICOS antibody-treated mice, from ICOSIg-treated mice, and from ICOS/ mice (supplemental Figure IIIG). Expression of IL-4 and IL-10 was not altered (supplemental Figure IIIG).
Prevention of Neointimal Hyperplasia After Vascular Injury by Inhibition of the ICOS Pathway
Femoral arteries of B/6 mice developed severe intimal hyperplasia at 4 weeks after injury (intima-media [I/M] ratio: 2.2±0.3, Figure 4B and 4F). Although ICOS expression was not detected on naive CD4+ and CD8+ cells, it was induced on activated CD4+ and CD8+ cells (supplemental Figure IVA). ICOS-positive cells were detected in the neointima (supplemental Figure IVB). Immunofluorescence showed ICOSL staining on SMCs in neointimal hyperplasia at 4 weeks after injury; no staining was detected on SMCs in uninjured arteries (supplemental Figure IVC). In comparison to that in control IgG-treated mice, neointimal formation was significantly attenuated in mice treated with anti-ICOS antibody or ICOSIg and in ICOS/ mice (I/M ratio: 1.1±0.2, 1.0±0.2, 0.9±0.2, respectively) (Figure 4A to 4E). In comparison to those in control IgG-treated mice, the numbers of SMCs in neointima and the numbers of CD4+, CD8+, and CD11b+ cells infiltration was significantly reduced in mice treated with anti-ICOS antibody or ICOSIg and in ICOS/ mice (supplemental Figure IVD and IVE) and IL-1ß staining was suppressed on SMCs in mice treated with anti-ICOS antibody or ICOSIg and in ICOS/ mice (supplemental Figure IVF).
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| Discussion |
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ICOSL is expressed on endothelial cells and is upregulated by various inflammatory stimuli.9,10 We found that ICOSL expression was induced on SMCs treated with IL-1ß. It has been reported that cytokines16 and growth factors22 stimulate proliferation of SMCs. Our present data showed that IL-1ß stimulated SMC proliferation (Figure 2). A previous study showed that T cells affect SMC proliferation,23 and we recently reported that costimulatory molecules were expressed on SMCs and that the costimulatory pathway was associated with SMC proliferation.16,17 Therefore, we examined whether the ICOS pathway was associated with SMC proliferation. SMCs proliferated in response to IL-1ß stimulation; however, synergistic proliferation was induced only when SMCs treated with IL-1ß were cocultured with T cells activated after transplantation. This proliferation was decreased by inhibition of the ICOS pathway with anti-ICOS antibody or ICOSIg. These results indicate that SMC proliferation in vitro is induced by signaling through the ICOS pathway, and activated T cells from B/6 mice stimulate proliferation not only of SMCs from Bm12 mice but also SMCs from B/6 mice.
MAPKs are known to play roles in regulating cell proliferation, survival, and differentiation. ERK 1/2 regulates cell proliferation and differentiation, and p38 MAPK and JNK are activated by cellular stresses such as inflammation and apoptosis. In this study, phosphorylation of ERK 1/2 in SMCs stimulated by IL-1ß was detected after addition of activated T cells, and inhibition of the ICOS pathway inhibited ERK 1/2 phosphorylation. Phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and JNK in IL-1ß-stimulated SMCs was not detected after addition of activated T cells. These data suggest that SMC proliferation is induced by activation of ERK 1/2 signaling in the ICOS pathway.
On the basis of in vitro data, we examined the relation between SMC proliferation and the ICOS pathway in vivo. Although survival early after transplantation has been improved by advances in immunosuppressive therapy,24 graft vasculopathy remains a major problem limiting long-term survival of cardiac transplant recipients. T cells and macrophages are activated and result in the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. Although these cytokines affect SMC proliferation,16 it has been reported that costimulatory pathways such as those involving CD28/B7 and CD40L/CD40 are involved in the development of graft vasculopathy.4,25 Neointimal thickening after vascular injury results from the infiltration of leukocytes, deposition of extracellular matrix, and excessive proliferation of SMCs. Previous studies have shown high plasma levels of soluble CD40L in apparently healthy women at high risk for cardiovascular events26 and in patients with unstable angina.27 Increased levels of soluble CD40L are also associated with the development of restenosis after balloon angioplasty.28 However, the role of costimulatory pathways in neointimal hyperplasia after transplantation or vascular injury remains unknown. Immunofluorescence staining indicated that ICOSL expression was induced on SMCs in thickened neointima after transplantation or vascular injury. Therefore, we examined whether the development of neointimal hyperplasia is associated with the ICOS pathway. Compared with treatment with control IgG, treatment with anti-ICOS antibody or ICOSIg significantly reduced the development of neointimal hyperplasia after transplantation or vascular injury. Neointimal hyperplasia was also significantly attenuated in allografts and arteries from ICOS/ mice. Compared with mice treated with control IgG, proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1ß, an important regulator of ICOSL expression, were significantly suppressed in mice after transplantation or vascular injury treated by inhibition of the ICOS pathway. There is the limitation to this study. It is not clear how the blockade of the ICOS pathway inhibits the development of arteriosclerosis in vivo. The infiltration of T cells and the expression of proinflammatory cytokines were significantly suppressed by inhibition of the ICOS pathway. Cytokine stimulation plays critical roles in SMC proliferation and the development of neointimal hyperplasia after transplantation or vascular injury. T cell activation and differentiation are defective in the absence of ICOS.2931 Therefore, it is probable that the development of arteriosclerosis is inhibited by the attenuation of inflammatory responses. However, interaction between activated T cells and SMCs may be involved with SMC proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Our data also suggest that interaction between homotypic activated T cells and SMCs synergistically induces SMC proliferation and may contribute to restenosis after injury. Further studies are necessary to clarify the mechanism by which the interaction between T cells and SMCs inhibits arteriosclerosis.
Afek et al reported that blockade of the ICOS pathway increased atherosclerotic lesions in apoE knockout mice.32 The data of Afeck et al are based on one side that ICOSIg fusion protein alone was administrated to block the ICOS pathway. However, we used not only ICOSIg fusion protein but also anti-ICOS antibody or ICOS/ mice. It is possible that how to block the costimulatory pathways induces different actions. Also, the model of vasculopathy was used in our study, although the model of atherosclerosis was used in Afeck et al study. The ICOS pathway may play different roles in vasculopathy and atherosclerosis. Although acquired immunity is related to the development of vasculopathy, the role of acquired immunity in atherosclerosis is unclear. These points could explain the discrepancy between our data and Afek et al study.
In conclusion, the present study shows that ICOSL is expressed on SMCs stimulated by IL-1ß and that the ICOS pathway plays a pivotal role in regulating SMC proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Reduction of neointimal hyperplasia occurs not only by modulation of immune responses but also by suppression of SMC proliferation through the ICOS pathway. Therefore, the ICOS pathway may comprise an important target for the prevention of neointimal formation.
| Acknowledgments |
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Sources of Funding
This study was supported by grants from grants-in-aid from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology and the Organization for Pharmaceutical Safety and Research.
Disclosures
None.
| Footnotes |
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Original received February 12, 2006; final version accepted August 26, 2006.
| References |
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