MR (mineralocorticoid receptor) activation is associated with cardiovascular ischemia in humans. This study explores the role of the MR in atherosclerotic mice of both sexes and identifies a sex-specific role for endothelial cell (EC)-MR in vascular inflammation. Approach and Results: In the AAV-PCSK9 (adeno-associated virus-proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9) mouse atherosclerosis model, MR inhibition attenuated vascular inflammation in males but not females. Further studies comparing male and female littermates with intact MR or EC-MR deletion revealed that although EC-MR deletion did not affect plaque size in either sex, it reduced aortic arch inflammation specifically in male mice as measured by flow cytometry. Moreover, MR-intact females had larger plaques but were protected from vascular inflammation compared with males. Intravital microscopy of the mesenteric vasculature demonstrated that EC-MR deletion attenuated TNFα (tumor necrosis factor α)-induced leukocyte slow rolling and adhesion in males, while females exhibited fewer leukocyte-endothelial interactions with no additional effect of EC-MR deletion. These effects corresponded with decreased TNFα-induced expression of the endothelial adhesion molecules ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule-1) and E-selectin in males with EC-MR deletion compared with MR-intact males and females of both genotypes. These observations were also consistent with MR and estrogen regulation of ICAM-1 transcription and E-selectin expression in primary cultured mouse ECs and human umbilical vein ECs.

Endothelial Mineralocorticoid Receptors Contribute to Vascular Inflammation in Atherosclerosis in a Sex-Specific Manner

Caprio, Massimiliano;
2019-01-01

Abstract

MR (mineralocorticoid receptor) activation is associated with cardiovascular ischemia in humans. This study explores the role of the MR in atherosclerotic mice of both sexes and identifies a sex-specific role for endothelial cell (EC)-MR in vascular inflammation. Approach and Results: In the AAV-PCSK9 (adeno-associated virus-proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9) mouse atherosclerosis model, MR inhibition attenuated vascular inflammation in males but not females. Further studies comparing male and female littermates with intact MR or EC-MR deletion revealed that although EC-MR deletion did not affect plaque size in either sex, it reduced aortic arch inflammation specifically in male mice as measured by flow cytometry. Moreover, MR-intact females had larger plaques but were protected from vascular inflammation compared with males. Intravital microscopy of the mesenteric vasculature demonstrated that EC-MR deletion attenuated TNFα (tumor necrosis factor α)-induced leukocyte slow rolling and adhesion in males, while females exhibited fewer leukocyte-endothelial interactions with no additional effect of EC-MR deletion. These effects corresponded with decreased TNFα-induced expression of the endothelial adhesion molecules ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule-1) and E-selectin in males with EC-MR deletion compared with MR-intact males and females of both genotypes. These observations were also consistent with MR and estrogen regulation of ICAM-1 transcription and E-selectin expression in primary cultured mouse ECs and human umbilical vein ECs.
2019
atherosclerosis
endothelial cell
estrogen
inflammation
leukocytes
receptors, mineralocorticoid
spironolactone
Animals
Atherosclerosis
Cells, Cultured
E-Selectin
Endothelial Cells
Female
Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
Leukocytes
Male
Mice
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Receptors, Mineralocorticoid
Sex Characteristics
Vasculitis
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12078/7088
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