Changing topographic Hox expression in blood vessels results in regionally distinct vessel wall remodeling.

ABSTRACT: The distinct topographic Hox expression patterns observed in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of the adult cardiovascular system suggest that these transcriptional regulators are critical for maintaining region-specific physiological properties of blood vessels. To test this proposition, we expanded the vascular Hoxc11 expression domain normally restricted to the lower limbs by utilizing an innovative integrated tetracycline regulatory system and Transgelin promoter elements to induce Hoxc11 expression universally in VSMCs of transgenic mice. Ectopic Hoxc11 expression in carotid arteries, aortic arch and descending aorta resulted in drastic vessel wall remodeling involving elastic laminae fragmentation, medial smooth muscle cell loss, and intimal lesion formation. None of these alterat

SUBMITTER: Pruett ND 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3507213 | biostudies-literature | 2012 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature