Qsox1 Contributes to Vascular Remodelling in Response to Hypertension

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Research
• Biochemistry
• Hypertension Pathophysiology

Background:

• QSOX1 (sulfhydryl oxidase) is implicated in arterial remodeling.
• QSOX1 is a potential biomarker for preeclampsia and acute heart failure.
• The cardiovascular roles of QSOX1 in hypertension remain to be fully elucidated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the cardiovascular functions of QSOX1.
• To determine the role of QSOX1 in angiotensin II-induced hypertension.
• To understand QSOX1's contribution to vascular smooth muscle cell adaptation.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Qsox1-invalidated (Qsox1-/-) mice and VSMC-specific Qsox1 knockout models.
• Induced hypertension using angiotensin II infusion and Trans-Aortic Constriction (TAC).
• Assessed cardiac function, vessel morphology, and VSMC phenotype.

Main Results:

• Qsox1-/- mice exhibited lower baseline blood pressure and immature VSMC phenotype.
• Angiotensin II infusion in Qsox1-/- mice led to acute heart failure, absent coronary media hypertrophy, and increased fibrosis.
• VSMC-specific Qsox1 knockout impaired VSMC phenotype but did not affect cardiac function under AngII-induced hypertension.

Conclusions:

• Vascular QSOX1 plays a critical role in adaptive VSMC responses to pressure overload.
• QSOX1 is essential for the development of media hypertrophy in response to hypertension.
• These findings highlight QSOX1 as a key mediator in cardiovascular adaptation to hypertensive stress.