Collagen Molecular Damage is a Hallmark of Early Atherosclerosis Development

Kelly A. Smith, Allen H. Lin, Alexander H. Stevens, S. Michael Yu, Jeffrey A. Weiss, Lucas H. Timmins

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Remodeling of extracellular matrix proteins underlies the development of cardiovascular disease. Herein, we utilized a novel molecular probe, collagen hybridizing peptide (CHP), to target collagen molecular damage during atherogenesis. The thoracic aorta was dissected from ApoE -/- mice that had been on a high-fat diet for 0-18 weeks. Using an optimized protocol, tissues were stained with Cy3-CHP and digested to quantify CHP with a microplate assay. Results demonstrated collagen molecular damage, inferred from Cy3-CHP fluorescence, was a function of location and time on the high-fat diet. Tissue from the aortic arch showed a significant increase in collagen molecular damage after 18 weeks, while no change was observed in tissue from the descending aorta. No spatial differences in fluorescence were observed between the superior and inferior arch tissue. Our results provide insight into the early changes in collagen during atherogenesis and present a new opportunity in the subclinical diagnosis of atherosclerosis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)463-472
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Cardiovascular Translational Research
Volume16
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2023

Keywords

  • Apolipoproteins
  • Atherogenesis
  • Collagen mimetic peptide
  • Collagen remodeling
  • Mechanobiology
  • Apolipoproteins E/metabolism
  • Aorta, Thoracic
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Atherosclerosis/metabolism
  • Animals
  • Diet, High-Fat
  • Mice
  • Collagen/metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Genetics(clinical)
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Medicine
  • Pharmaceutical Science

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