Nicotine exacerbates atherosclerosis and plaque instability via NLRP3 inflammasome activation in vascular smooth muscle cells.

ABSTRACT: Rationale: Nicotine has been reported to be a strong risk factor for atherosclerosis. However, the underlying mechanism by which nicotine controls atherosclerotic plaque stability remain largely unknown. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of lysosomal dysfunction mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) on atherosclerotic plaque formation and stability in advanced atherosclerosis at the brachiocephalic arteries (BA). Methods and Results: Features of atherosclerotic plaque stability and the markers for NLR Family Pyrin Domain Containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome were monitored in the BA from nicotine or vehicle-treated apolipoprotein E deficient (Apoe^-/-) mice fed with Western-type diet (WD). Ni

SUBMITTER: An J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10240824 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature