Age-associated pro-inflammatory adaptations of the mouse thoracic aorta

Bianca Hemmeryckx; Marc F. Hoylaerts; Eveline Deloose; Cor E. Van Hove; Paul Fransen; Hidde Bult; H. Roger Lijnen

doi:10.1160/TH13-01-0022

Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Table of Contents

Thromb Haemost 2013; 110(04): 785-794
DOI: 10.1160/TH13-01-0022

Endothelium and Vascular Development

Schattauer GmbH

Age-associated pro-inflammatory adaptations of the mouse thoracic aorta

Authors

Bianca Hemmeryckx

¹Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
Marc F. Hoylaerts

¹Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
Eveline Deloose

¹Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

³Present address: Translational Research in Gastrointestinal Disorders, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
Cor E. Van Hove

²Division of Pharmacology, Universiteit Antwerpen, Wilrijk, Belgium
Paul Fransen

²Division of Pharmacology, Universiteit Antwerpen, Wilrijk, Belgium
Hidde Bult

²Division of Pharmacology, Universiteit Antwerpen, Wilrijk, Belgium
H. Roger Lijnen

¹Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

Abstract

Summary

Arterial ageing may be associated with a reduction in vasodilation due to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, whereas endothelial cell activation induces procoagulant changes. However, little is known on the effect of ageing on expression of anticoagulant endothelial markers such as endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR). To study age-associated alterations in smooth muscle cell (SMC) and endothelial cell (EC) structure and function, the aorta was isolated from 10-week-and 12– and 24-month-old C57BL/6J mice and analysed for its expression of genes involved in senescence, oxidative stress production, coagulation and matrix remodelling. In addition, vasorelaxation experiments were performed using 10-week-and 24-month-old thoracic aortic ring segments in organ chamber baths. The media thickness of the thoracic aorta progressively increased with age, associated with hypertrophy of vascular SMCs. Basal nitric oxide production and sensitivity to acetylcholine-mediated vasodilation in thoracic aorta rings was reduced with age, whereas no significant differences in ROS production could be demonstrated. Gene expression of tissue factor, EPCR and von Willebrand factor was not affected by ageing of the aorta, whereas that of thrombomodulin was mildly reduced and that of xanthine dehydrogenase, NADPH oxidase 4, tumour necrosis factor-α and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 significantly enhanced. In conclusion, a reduction in endothelial cell-mediated vasodilation in aged thoracic aortas of C57BL/6J mice was accompanied by a shift towards a pro-inflammatory state of the endothelium.

Keywords

Vascular ageing - C57BL/6J mice - endothelial dysfunction - EPCR

Full Text

References

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