Trimethylamine-N-oxide-stimulated hepatocyte-derived exosomes promote inflammation and endothelial dysfunction through nuclear factor-kappa B signaling

BACKGROUND: Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) has been proven to be a new proatherogenic compound for promoting inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. Hepatocyte-derived exosomes (Exos), including those derived from hepatocytes, play a pivotal role in the regulation of inflammation and endothelial function. As TMAO is produced in the liver, hepatocytes may be the potential target of TMAO. However, it is not yet clear whether TMAO can directly stimulate hepatocytes to produce Exos to mediate the detrimental effects of TMAO on vascular endothelial cells (VECs). METHODS: Hepatocytes treated with TMAO and Exos (TMAO-Exos) were isolated from the supernatant, and added to human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). The expressions of interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Cell apoptosis was evaluated using Hoechst 33342 staining and flow cytometry assay, and cell migration was assessed by scratch and transwell assay. C57BL/6 mice were treated with Exos for 24 h and the thoracic aortas were isolated, then the in vitro aortic ring bioassay was conducted to determine the changes of vasodilation. The expressions of cluster of differentiation 81, tumor susceptibility gene 101, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65, and Phospho-NF-κB p65 were detected by western blotting. The micro ribonucleic acid (miRNA) profiles of the Exos were then identified using RNA-sequencing and validated by qPCR. The miRNA-messenger RNA networks were constructed, and the biological functions of the target genes were annotated using bioinformatics methods. RESULTS: TMAO was found to stimulate hepatocytes to release Exos that could be taken up by HAECs, thus inducing inflammation and cell apoptosis, impairing cell migration, and inhibiting endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Additionally, the miRNAs such as miR-302d-3p carried by the TMAO-Exos were quite different to those in the TMAO-free group. A further analysis showed that the potential target genes for these miRNAs, such as mitogen-activated protein kinase 8, caspase 9 and BCL2-like 11, appeared to be involved with inflammation and endothelial function. Finally, we found that NF-κB signaling could be activated by TMAO-Exos. CONCLUSIONS: These novel findings provide evidence that TMAO can indirectly talk to VECs by promoting hepatocytes to produce Exos that carry important genetic information.