Lysyl Oxidase Coordinates Cytoskeletal Organization, Cell Contraction, and Extracellular Matrix Development to Prevent Aortic Aneurysm Formation

Core Concepts

Lysyl oxidase (LOX) plays a critical cell-autonomous role in regulating vascular smooth muscle cell cytoskeletal organization and contractility, in addition to its well-established extracellular matrix-modifying functions. Disruption of LOX leads to abnormal cytoskeletal dynamics, deregulated myosin light chain phosphorylation, and impaired calcium homeostasis, which together contribute to aortic aneurysm formation.

Abstract

The study investigates the mechanisms by which lysyl oxidase (LOX), a key extracellular matrix (ECM) modifying enzyme, contributes to the development of thoracic aortic disease (TAD) and aneurysms.
Key findings:

Conditional deletion of Lox in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) leads to aneurysm formation in the aorta, even in the absence of hypertension. This suggests LOX plays critical intracellular roles beyond its ECM-modifying functions.
LOX knockdown in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HAOSMCs) results in smaller cell size, disrupted cytoskeletal organization, and abnormal nuclear morphology - phenotypes that are independent of LOX's enzymatic activity.
Mechanistically, LOX associates with cytoskeletal proteins and regulates the localization and organization of actin-binding proteins like Smoothelin, Myosin IIB, Calponin, and Transgelin. This leads to deregulation of myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation.
LOX depletion also impairs calcium homeostasis in HAOSMCs, resulting in prolonged activation of the calcium-dependent MLC kinase (MLCK). This, along with the reduced expression of the Rho-associated kinases ROCK1/2, contributes to the irregular VSMC contraction observed in Lox-deficient aortas.
The study highlights a previously unappreciated intracellular role for LOX in coordinating cytoskeletal organization, cell contraction, and ECM development - processes that are all critical for maintaining aortic wall integrity and preventing aneurysm formation.

Stats

Lox deletion in vascular smooth muscle cells leads to aneurysm formation in 100% of mice under hypertensive conditions, compared to only 11% in control mice.
Lox knockdown in human aortic smooth muscle cells results in a significant reduction in cell size.
Lox-depleted cells exhibit a 3.5-fold increase in the percentage of cells with irregular nuclear morphology compared to control cells.
The rate of calcium clearance from the cytoplasm is significantly inhibited in Lox knockdown cells compared to control cells.

Quotes

"Surprisingly, although LOX is one of the most prominent genes linked with TAD, no direct genetic assessment of its role specifically in VSMC has been carried out in vivo."
"Our results therefore highlight a missing link between the three distinct gene groups associated with aneurysms, thus serving as a molecular paradigm for the development of phenotypes that culminate in aneurysm."
"Altogether, the combined results suggest the observed LOX-dependent phenotypes, which cannot be compensated by exogenous LOX, are cell autonomous, and regulate the cells' ability to sense and respond to distinct ECM environments."

Key Insights Distilled From

Coordination between cytoskeletal organization, cell contraction and extracellular matrix development, is depended on LOX for aneurysm prevention

by Hasson,P., A... at www.biorxiv.org 02-27-2024

https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.02.23.581837v2

Deeper Inquiries

How might the intracellular functions of LOX be leveraged for the development of novel therapeutic strategies to prevent or treat aortic aneurysms

The intracellular functions of LOX play a crucial role in regulating cytoskeletal organization, cell contraction, and cellular responses to the extracellular matrix. Leveraging these functions for therapeutic strategies to prevent or treat aortic aneurysms could involve targeting the pathways affected by LOX depletion. One approach could be to develop small molecules or compounds that mimic the intracellular functions of LOX, promoting proper cytoskeletal organization and cell contraction. These compounds could potentially be used to restore normal cellular functions in VSMCs, preventing the development of aneurysms. Additionally, gene therapy techniques could be explored to introduce functional LOX back into VSMCs, restoring the intracellular processes that are disrupted in aneurysm formation.

What other intracellular pathways or signaling cascades might be dysregulated as a result of LOX depletion, and how could these contribute to the observed cytoskeletal and contractility defects

LOX depletion can lead to dysregulation of various intracellular pathways and signaling cascades, contributing to the observed cytoskeletal and contractility defects. One pathway that might be affected is the Rho/ROCK pathway, as seen in the downregulation of ROCK1 and ROCK2 following LOX knockdown. This dysregulation could impact MLC phosphorylation and actin cytoskeletal organization, leading to abnormal cell contraction. Additionally, the dysregulation of calcium homeostasis and mitochondrial function could also play a role in the observed defects. Abnormal calcium signaling and mitochondrial damage could further exacerbate cytoskeletal abnormalities and contractility defects, contributing to the pathogenesis of aortic aneurysms.

Given the links between LOX, calcium homeostasis, and mitochondrial function, how might metabolic reprogramming or mitochondrial dysfunction play a role in the pathogenesis of aortic aneurysms

Metabolic reprogramming and mitochondrial dysfunction could play a significant role in the pathogenesis of aortic aneurysms, especially in the context of LOX depletion and its impact on calcium homeostasis. Dysregulated calcium signaling can lead to mitochondrial damage and dysfunction, affecting cellular energy production and overall metabolism. This disruption in metabolic processes could further exacerbate the cytoskeletal defects and contractility abnormalities observed in VSMCs following LOX depletion. Targeting metabolic pathways and mitochondrial function could be a potential therapeutic strategy to mitigate the effects of LOX depletion and prevent the development of aortic aneurysms.