Rationale: A number of epidemiological studies have suggested an association of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), but discrepancies exist. In addition, we lack direct evidence supporting a causal role. Objective: We determined the association and contribution of HHcy to AAA formation. Methods and Results: We first performed a meta-analysis of studies involving 1489 subjects and found a strong association of HHcy and AAA (odds ratio, 7.39). Next, we used angiotensin II-infused male apolipoprotein E-deficient mice and tested whether HHcy contributes to AAA pathogenesis. Homocysteine (Hcy) supplement (1.8 g/L) in drinking water resulted in mild HHcy. Intriguingly, HHcy greatly increased the incidence of angiotensin II-induced AAA and aortic dissection in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice (vehicle versus Hcy: 50% versus 100%; P<0.05). Histology indicated HHcy markedly exaggerated aortic adventitial inflammation. Increased levels of proinflammatory interleukin-6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 were preferentially colocalized within adventitial fibroblasts in HHcy plus angiotensin II mice, which suggested the importance of adventitial fibroblasts activation in Hcy-aggravated AAA. Hcy sequentially stimulated adventitial fibroblasts transformation into myofibroblasts, secretion of interleukin-6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and consequent recruitment of monocytes/macrophages to adventitial fibroblasts, which was abolished by the NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenyliodonium. NADPH oxidase 4, but not other homologs of NADPH oxidase, was significantly upregulated by Hcy in adventitial fibroblasts, whereas NADPH oxidase 4 small interfering RNA silencing diminished Hcy-induced adventitial fibroblasts activation. Finally, folic acid supplement (0.071 mu g/g per day) markedly reduced HHcy-aggravated angiotensin II-induced AAA formation in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. Conclusions: HHcy may aggravate AAA formation at least partially via activating adventitial fibroblast NADPH oxidase 4. (Circ Res. 2012;111:1261-1273.)
基金:
National Program on Key Basic Research Project (973 Program)National Basic Research Program of China [2011 CB503904, 2012CB518002]; National Natural Science Foundation of the P. R. ChinaNational Natural Science Foundation of China [81070243, 30870993, 30730042, 81121061]; 111 Project of Chinese Ministry of Education [B07001]
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外文
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出版当年[2011]版:
大类|1 区医学
小类|1 区心脏和心血管系统1 区血液学1 区外周血管病
最新[2023]版:
大类|1 区医学
小类|1 区心脏和心血管系统1 区血液学1 区外周血管病
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出版当年[2010]版:
Q1HEMATOLOGYQ1PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASEQ1CARDIAC & CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS