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Induction of Atherosclerotic Plaques Through Activation of Mineralocorticoid Receptors in Apolipoprotein E-deficient Mice
Published on: September 26, 2018
Trimethylamine N-oxide promotes apoE-/- mice atherosclerosis by inducing vascular endothelial cell pyroptosis via the
Peng Wu1,2, JinNa Chen1, JiaoJiao Chen1
1Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Arteriosclerotic Disease, Hunan Province Innovative Training Base for Medical Postgraduate, University of South China and Yueyang Woman & Children's Medical Center, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China.
Abstract:
Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is produced from the phosphatidylcholine metabolism of gut flora and acts as a risk factor of cardiovascular disease. However, the underlying mechanisms for its proatherogenic action remain unclear. This study aimed to observe the effect of TMAO on endothelial cell pyroptosis and explore the underlying mechanisms. Our results showed that TMAO promoted the progression of atherosclerotic lesions in apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE-/- ) mice fed a high-fat diet. Pyroptosis and succinate dehydrogenase complex subunit B (SDHB) upregulation were detected in the vascular endothelial cells of apoE-/- mice and in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) treated with TMAO. Overexpression of SDHB in HUVECs enhanced pyroptosis and impaired mitochondria and high reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. Pyroptosis in the SDHB overexpression of endothelial cells was inhibited by the ROS scavenger NAC. In summary, TMAO promotes vascular endothelial cell pyroptosis via ROS induced through SDHB upregulation, thereby contributing to the progression of atherosclerotic lesions.
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