Haplodeficiency of Klotho Gene Causes Arterial Stiffening via Upregulation of Scleraxis Expression and Induction of Autophagy.

ABSTRACT: The prevalence of arterial stiffness increases with age, whereas the level of the aging-suppressor protein klotho decreases with age. The objective of this study is to assess whether haplodeficiency of klotho gene causes arterial stiffness and to investigate the underlying mechanism. Pulse wave velocity, a direct measure of arterial stiffness, was increased significantly in klotho heterozygous (klotho(+/-)) mice versus their age-matched wild-type (WT) littermates, suggesting that haplodeficiency of klotho causes arterial stiffening. Notably, plasma aldosterone levels were elevated significantly in klotho(+/-) mice. Treatment with eplerenone (6 mg/kg per day IP), an aldosterone receptor blocker, abolished klotho deficiency-induced arterial stiffening in klotho(+/-) mice. Klotho deficiency w

SUBMITTER: Chen K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4600046 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature