Dietary Restriction Mitigates Vascular Aging, Modulates the cGAS-STING Pathway and Reverses Macrophage-Like VSMC Phenotypes in Progeroid DNA-Repair-Deficient Ercc1^Δ ^/- Mice.

ABSTRACT: Aging is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, and the accumulation of DNA damage significantly contributes to the aging process. This study aimed to identify the underlying molecular mechanisms of vascular aging in DNA-repair-deficient progeroid Ercc1^Δ/- mice and to explore the therapeutic effect of dietary restriction (DR). RNA sequencing analysis revealed that DR reversed gene expression of vascular aging processes, including extracellular matrix remodeling, in the Ercc1^Δ/- aorta. Notably, this analysis indicated the presence of macrophage-like vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and suggested cGAS-STING pathway activation. The presence of macrophage-like VSMCs and increased STING1 expression were confirmed in Ercc1^Δ/- aortic tissue and were

SUBMITTER: Stefens SJM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12266768 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature