TGF-[beta]1 limits plaque growth, stabilizes plaque structure, and prevents aortic dilation in apolipoprotein E-null mice.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Impairment of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 signaling accelerates atherosclerosis in experimental mice. However, it is uncertain whether increased TGF-beta1 expression would retard atherosclerosis. The role of TGF-beta1 in aneurysm formation is also controversial. We tested whether overexpression of active TGF-beta1 in hyperlipidemic mice affects atherogenesis and aortic dilation.

Methods and results

We generated apolipoprotein E-null mice with transgenes that allow regulated overexpression of active TGF-beta1 in their hearts. Compared to littermate controls, these mice had elevated cardiac and plasma TGF-beta1, less aortic root atherosclerosis (P< or =0.002), fewer lesions in the thoracic and abdominal aortae (P< or =0.01), less aortic root dilation (P<0.

SUBMITTER: Frutkin AD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2740721 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature