Bone marrow endothelial dysfunction promotes myeloid cell expansion in cardiovascular disease

Nat Cardiovasc Res. 2022 Jan;1(1):28-44. doi: 10.1038/s44161-021-00002-8. Epub 2021 Dec 23.

Abstract

Abnormal hematopoiesis advances cardiovascular disease by generating excess inflammatory leukocytes that attack the arteries and the heart. The bone marrow niche regulates hematopoietic stem cell proliferation and hence the systemic leukocyte pool, but whether cardiovascular disease affects the hematopoietic organ's microvasculature is unknown. Here we show that hypertension, atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction (MI) instigate endothelial dysfunction, leakage, vascular fibrosis and angiogenesis in the bone marrow, altogether leading to overproduction of inflammatory myeloid cells and systemic leukocytosis. Limiting angiogenesis with endothelial deletion of Vegfr2 (encoding vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor 2) curbed emergency hematopoiesis after MI. We noted that bone marrow endothelial cells assumed inflammatory transcriptional phenotypes in all examined stages of cardiovascular disease. Endothelial deletion of Il6 or Vcan (encoding versican), genes shown to be highly expressed in mice with atherosclerosis or MI, reduced hematopoiesis and systemic myeloid cell numbers in these conditions. Our findings establish that cardiovascular disease remodels the vascular bone marrow niche, stimulating hematopoiesis and production of inflammatory leukocytes.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Atherosclerosis / metabolism
  • Atherosclerosis / pathology
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Endothelial Cells / pathology
  • Female
  • Hematopoiesis*
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / metabolism
  • Hypertension / pathology
  • Hypertension / physiopathology
  • Interleukin-6 / genetics
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Leukocytosis / pathology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Myeloid Cells* / metabolism
  • Myeloid Cells* / pathology
  • Myocardial Infarction / genetics
  • Myocardial Infarction / metabolism
  • Myocardial Infarction / pathology
  • Myocardial Infarction / physiopathology
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2* / genetics
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2* / metabolism
  • Vascular Remodeling / physiology
  • Versicans / genetics
  • Versicans / metabolism

Substances

  • Interleukin-6
  • Kdr protein, mouse
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2
  • Versicans