Inhibition of CDK9 attenuates atherosclerosis by inhibiting inflammation and phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Recent studies have demonstrated a key role of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) dysfunction in atherosclerosis. Cyclin-dependent kinases 9 (CDK9), a potential biomarker of atherosclerosis, was significantly increased in coronary artery disease patient serum and played an important role in inflammatory diseases. This study was to explore the pharmacological role of CDK9 inhibition in attenuating atherosclerosis.

Methods

A small-molecule CDK9 inhibitor, LDC000067, was utilized to treat the high fat diet (HFD)-fed ApoE^-/- mice and human VSMCs.

Results

The results showed that inflammation and phenotypic switching of VSMCs were observed in HFD-induced atherosclerosis in ApoE^-/- mice, which were accompanied with increased CDK9 in the serum

SUBMITTER: Huang S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8221363 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature