Paracrine Smooth Muscle-to-Endothelial Signaling via TNF Elevates Blood Pressure in Obesity.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Loss of endothelial function is a key contributor to obesity-induced hypertension. Obesity can cause chronic, low-grade inflammation, leading to abnormal blood vessel function. The release of inflammatory cytokines is commonly attributed to immune cells, but recent studies suggest that vascular cells can also release these cytokines. We tested the hypothesis that vascular wall-derived inflammatory cytokines act locally to impair endothelial function and elevate blood pressure in obesity.

Methods

The levels of inflammatory cytokines were analyzed in endothelial cells (ECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) from small arteries of high-fat diet-fed mice and individuals with obesity. We utilized inducible, EC- or SMC-specific deletion and receptor inhibition studies to d

SUBMITTER: Kuppusamy M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12321226 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature