Expanding role of delta-like 4 mediated notch signaling in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases

Circ J. 2013;77(10):2462-8. doi: 10.1253/circj.cj-13-0873. Epub 2013 Sep 12.

Abstract

Cardiometabolic disease, a global health threat, has been linked to chronic inflammation, in which activated macrophages play a key role. Macrophages are highly heterogeneous hematopoietic cells found in nearly every tissue in the body. Various stimuli recruit monocytes into the cardiovascular system and metabolic organs, where they differentiate to macrophages, and activate these pro-inflammatory phagocytes, leading to the initiation and development of inflammation in these organs. Key regulators of macrophage activation therefore may serve as therapeutic targets for cardiometabolic disease. The Notch signaling pathway, involving 5 ligands and 4 receptors, regulates the differentiation of various cell types during development, and also contributes to the disease processes in adults. We found that the Notch ligand delta-like 4 (Dll4) activates macrophages in vitro as determined by the induction of genes and pathways associated with cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Our recent study demonstrated in vivo that blockade of Dll4 by a neutralizing antibody attenuates key features typical of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, such as accumulation of activated macrophages in arteries and fat; chronic atherosclerosis; arterial and valvular calcification; insulin resistance; and fatty liver. These results suggest that Dll4-mediated Notch signaling participates in the shared disease mechanisms for cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. This review summarizes the role of macrophages and Dll4/Notch signaling in the development of inflammation in both the cardiovascular system and metabolic organs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / pharmacology
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • Fatty Liver / drug therapy
  • Fatty Liver / genetics
  • Fatty Liver / metabolism*
  • Fatty Liver / pathology
  • Humans
  • Insulin Resistance*
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism*
  • Macrophage Activation / drug effects
  • Macrophage Activation / genetics
  • Macrophages / metabolism*
  • Macrophages / pathology
  • Receptors, Notch / genetics
  • Receptors, Notch / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Vascular Diseases / drug therapy
  • Vascular Diseases / genetics
  • Vascular Diseases / metabolism*
  • Vascular Diseases / pathology

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • DLL4 protein, human
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Receptors, Notch