Cigarette tar accelerates atherosclerosis progression via RIPK3-dependent necroptosis mediated by endoplasmic reticulum stress in vascular smooth muscle cells

Abstract

Background

Tar is the main toxic of cigarettes, and its effect on atherosclerosis progression and the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play a key role in atherogenesis and plaque vulnerability. The present study sought to investigate the mechanism of atherosclerosis progression through tar-induced VSMC necroptosis, a recently described form of necrosis.

Methods

The effect of tar on atherosclerosis progression and VSMC necroptosis was examined in ApoE ^−/− mice and cultured VSMCs. The role of necroptosis in tar-induced plaque development was evaluated in RIPK3-deletion mice (ApoE ^−/−RIPK3 ^−/−). The key proteins of necroptosis in carotid plaques of smokers and non-smokers were also examined. Quantitative proteomics of mice aortas was conducted to further investigate the underlying mechanism. Pharmacological approaches were then applied to modulate the expression of targets to verify the regulatory process of tar-induced necroptosis.

Results

Tar administration led to increased atherosclerotic plaque area and reduced collagen and VSMCs in ApoE ^−/− mice. The expression of RIPK1、RIPK3、and MLKL in VSMCs of plaques were all increased in tar-exposed mice and smokers. RIPK3 deletion protected against VSMC loss and plaque progression stimulated by tar. In mechanistic studies, quantitative proteomics analysis of ApoE ^−/− mice aortas suggested that tar triggered endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. PERK-eIF2α-CHOP axis was activated in tar-treated VSMCs and atherosclerotic plaque. Inhibition of ER stress using 4PBA significantly reduced plaque progression and VSMC necroptosis. Further study revealed that ER stress resulted in calcium (Ca ²⁺) release into mitochondria and cytoplasm. Elevated Ca ²⁺ levels lead to mitochondrial dysfunction and excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which consequently promote RIPK3-dependent necroptosis. In addition, Ca ²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) activated by cytosolic Ca ²⁺ overload binds to RIPK3, accounting for necroptosis.

Conclusion

The findings revealed that cigarette tar promoted atherosclerosis progression by inducing RIPK3-dependent VSMC necroptosis and identified novel avenues of ER stress and Ca ²⁺ overload.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12964-024-01480-6.