Genetic silencing of K_Ca3.1 inhibits atherosclerosis in ApoE null mice.

ABSTRACT: Increased expression of K_Ca3.1 has been found in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC), macrophages, and T cells in atherosclerotic lesions from humans and mice. Pharmacological inhibition of K_Ca3.1 in limiting atherosclerosis has been demonstrated in mice and pigs, however direct, loss-of-function, i.e. gene silencing, studies are absent. Therefore, we generated K_Ca3.1^-/-Apoe^-/- (DKO) mice and assessed lesion development in the brachiocephalic artery (BCA) of DKO versus Apoe^-/- mice on a Western diet for 3 months. In BCAs of DKO mice, lesion size and relative stenosis were reduced by ~70% compared to Apoe^-/- mice, with no effect on medial or lumen area. Additionally, DKO mice exhibited a significant reduction in mac

SUBMITTER: Alam P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12320860 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature