Smooth muscle liver kinase B1 inhibits foam cell formation and atherosclerosis via direct phosphorylation and activation of SIRT6.

ABSTRACT: Foam cell formation is a hallmark of the early phase of atherosclerosis. Growing evidence has demonstrated that vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) comprise a considerable proportion of foam cells. Liver kinase B1 (LKB1) plays a crucial part in cardiovascular diseases. However, the role of LKB1 in VSMC-derived foam cell formation and atherosclerosis remains unclear. To explore the effects of LKB1 on VSMC-derived foam cell formation and atherosclerosis, we generated smooth muscle-specific LKB1 knockout (LKB1^SMKO) mice by crossbreeding LKB1^flox/flox mice with SM22α-CreER^T2 mice. LKB1 expression decreased in plaque-loaded aortas and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL)-treated VSMCs. Compared with controls, atherosclerosis development was exacerbated in L

SUBMITTER: Deng Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10444762 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature