R Olszanecki, D S Skiba, R M Touyz, J Jawien, T J Guzik, R Nosalski, M Siedlinski, T P Mikolajczyk, M Czesnikiewicz-Guzik, A C Montezano, F J Rios, R Korbut
Background and Purpose
Inflammation plays a key role in atherosclerosis. The protective role of angiotensin 1–7 (Ang-(1–7)) in vascular pathologies suggested the therapeutic use of low MW, non-peptide Ang-(1–7) mimetics, such as AVE0991. The mechanisms underlying the vaso-protective effects of AVE0991, a Mas receptor agonist, remain to be explored.
Experimental Approach
We investigated the effects of AVE0991 on the spontaneous atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E (ApoE)−/− mice, in the context of vascular inflammation and plaque stability.
Key Results
AVE0991 has significant anti-atherosclerotic properties in ApoE−/− mice and increases plaque stability, by reducing plaque macrophage content, without effects on collagen. Using the descending aorta of chow-fed ApoE−/− mice, before significant atherosclerotic plaque develops, we gained insight to early events in atherosclerosis. Interestingly, perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) and adventitial infiltration with macrophages and T-cells precedes atherosclerotic plaque or the impairment of endothelium-dependent NO bioavailability (a measure of endothelial function). AVE0991 inhibited perivascular inflammation, by reducing chemokine expression in PVAT and through direct actions on monocytes/macrophages inhibiting their activation, characterized by production of IL-1β, TNF-α, CCL2 and CXCL10, and differentiation to M1 phenotype. Pretreatment with AVE0991 inhibited migration of THP-1 monocytes towards supernatants of activated adipocytes (SW872). Mas receptors were expressed in PVAT and in THP-1 cells in vitro, and the anti-inflammatory effects of AVE0991 were partly Mas dependent.
Conclusions and Implications
The selective Mas receptor agonist AVE0991 exhibited anti-atherosclerotic and anti-inflammatory actions, affecting monocyte/macrophage differentiation and recruitment to the perivascular space during early stages of atherosclerosis in ApoE−/− mice.
Linked Articles
This article is part of a themed section on Targeting Inflammation to Reduce Cardiovascular Disease Risk. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.22/issuetoc and http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bcp.v82.4/issuetoc
