The F2-isoprostane 8-iso-PGF2? attenuates atherosclerotic lesion formation in Ldlr-deficient mice-Potential role of vascular thromboxane A2 receptors

The F2-isoprostane 8-iso-PGF2 alpha (also known as 15-F2t-isoprostane, iPF2 alpha-III, 8-epi PGF2 alpha, 15(S)-8-iso-PGF2 alpha, or 8Isoprostane), a thromboxane A2 receptor (TP) agonist, stable biomarker of oxidative stress, and risk marker of cardiovascular disease, has been proposed to aggravate atherogenesis in genetic mouse models of atherosclerotic vascular disease. Moreover, the TP plays an eminent role in the pathophysiology of endothelial dysfunction, atherogenesis, and cardiovascular disease. Yet it is unknown, how the TP expressed by vascular cells affects atherogenesis or 8-iso-PGF2 alpha-related effects in mouse models of atherosclerosis. We studied Ldlr-deficient vascular endothelial-specific (EC) and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC)-specific TP knockout mice (TPEC KO/Ldlr KO; TPVSMC KO/Ldlr KO) and corresponding wild-type littermates (TPWT/Ldlr KO). The mice were fed a Western-type diet for eight weeks and received either 8-iso-PGF2 alpha or vehicle infusions via osmotic pumps. Subsequently, arterial blood pressure, atherosclerotic lesion formation, and lipid profiles were analyzed. We found that VSMC-, but not EC-specific TP deletion, attenuated atherogenesis without affecting blood pressure or plasma lipid profiles of the mice. In contrast to a previous report, 8-iso-PGF2 alpha tended to reduce atherogenesis in TPWT/Ldlr KO and TPEC KO/Ldlr KO mice, again without significantly affecting blood pressure or lipid profiles of these mice. However, no further reduction in atherogenesis was observed in 8-iso-PGF2 alpha-treated TPVSMC KO/Ldlr KO mice. Our work suggests that the TP expressed in VSMC but not the TP expressed in EC is involved in atherosclerotic lesion formation in Ldlr-deficient mice. Furthermore, we report an inhibitory effect of 8-iso-PGF2 alpha on atherogenesis in this experimental atherosclerosis model, which paradoxically appears to be related to the presence of the TP in VSMC.

Automated summary

The study found that vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC)-specific TP deletion attenuated atherogenesis in mice, without impacting blood pressure or lipid profiles. Additionally, 8-iso-PGF2 alpha appears to reduce atherogenesis in Ldlr-deficient mice, especially in those lacking EC-specific TP. This suggests that the TP expressed in VSMC is involved in atherosclerotic lesion formation and 8-iso-PGF2 alpha has an inhibitory effect on atherogenesis in this experimental model.