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Updated: Jul 20, 2025

Subcutaneous Angiotensin II Infusion using Osmotic Pumps Induces Aortic Aneurysms in Mice

Subcutaneous Angiotensin II Infusion using Osmotic Pumps Induces Aortic Aneurysms in Mice

Published on: September 28, 2015

FGF21 promotes angiotensin II-induced abdominal aortic aneurysm via PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway

Xuefeng Gu¹, Qi Li¹, Tianwei Qian¹

¹Department of General Surgery, Changshu Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Changshu, China.

|July 31, 2023

Abstract

Background:

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a potentially fatal vascular disorder with a high mortality rate. It was previously reported that fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) was highly expressed in AAA patients. Nonetheless, its underlying mechanism in AAA progression is unclarified.

Methods:

Angiotensin II (Ang-II) was used to induce AAA in human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) and mouse models. Western blotting and RT-qPCR were utilized for measuring protein and RNA levels. Immunofluorescence staining was utilized for detecting LC3B expression in HASMCs. Elastica van Gieson staining was conducted for histological analysis of the abdominal aortas of mice.

Results:

FGF21 displayed a high level in Ang-II-stimulated HASMCs and AAA mice. FGF21 depletion ameliorated abdominal aorta dilation and Ang-II-triggered pathological changes in mice. FGF21 silencing hindered autophagy and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

Conclusions:

FGF21 contributes to AAA progression by enhancing autophagy and activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

Keywords:

FGF21 PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway abdominal aortic aneurysm autophagy

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