Endothelial autophagy deficiency induces IL6 - dependent endothelial mesenchymal transition and organ fibrosis.

ABSTRACT: Macroautophagy/autophagy plays a vital role in the homeostasis of diverse cell types. Vascular endothelial cells contribute to vascular health and play a unique role in vascular biology. Here, we demonstrated that autophagy defects in endothelial cells induced IL6 (interleukin 6)-dependent endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) and organ fibrosis with metabolic defects in mice. Inhibition of autophagy, either by a specific inhibitor or small interfering RNA (siRNA) for ATG5 (autophagy related 5), in human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVECs) induced EndMT. The IL6 level was significantly higher in ATG5 siRNA-transfected HMVECs culture medium compared with the control HMVECs culture medium, and neutralization of IL6 by a specific antibody completely inhibited EndMT

SUBMITTER: Takagaki Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8386622 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature