HHcy-induced Bax upregulation, Treg apoptosis and vascular disease

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Elevated level of plasma homocysteine (Hcy), termed hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), is an independent risk factor for human coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke. However, the biochemical mechanisms underlying the effects of HHcy in vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis are poorly defined. The majority of immune cells promote inflammation whereas CD4+CD25highFoxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), the most potent immuno-suppressive cells, inhibit vascular inflammation. Tregs, but not other T cells, are decreased in homocysteine (Hcy) elevated-apolipoprotein E deficient (ApoE-/-) mice. Consequently, HHcy- promoted Treg reduction may weaken immune suppression and accelerate vascular inflammation. The goal of this project is to examine our central hypothesis that HHcy causes the suppression of DNA methylation in Tregs, which leads to upregulation and activation of pro-apoptotic protein Bax in Tregs and increased Treg apoptosis, and finally contribute to increased vascular inflammation and dysfunction. This project is proposed based on the pioneer findings from Dr. Hong Wang (co-investigator)'s laboratory that HHcy promotes vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis in cystathionine ¿-synthase (Cbs)-/-/ApoE-/- double knock-out (KO) mice. Wang's team was also the first to show that HHcy leads to accumulation of SAH (S-adenosylhomocysteine, a potent inhibitor of methyltransferases) and DNA hypomethylation. In addition, our laboratory has a long- standing interest and publication record in characterizing apoptosis pathways in Tregs and vascular inflammation. Our goal will be pursued through the execution of the following specific aims: (1) Characterize Treg apoptosis in the spleen, bone marrow (BM), peripheral blood (PB), and arteries in HHcy mice (phenotypic studies). (2) Determine the mechanisms underlying HHcy-induced Treg apoptosis and vascular inflammation (mechanistic studies). (3) Determine the mediating role of DNA hypomethylation and the causative role of HHcy on Bax expression in Tregs and Treg apoptosis (therapeutic/inhibitory studies). Success of this project is significant, which may lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches to inhibit HHcy-induced Treg apoptosis and enhance Treg suppression of HHcy-induced vascular inflammation.