A decrease in integrin α5β1/FAK is associated with increased apoptosis of aortic smooth muscle cells in acute type a aortic dissection.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD) is a devastating disease. Human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) exhibit decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis, and integrin α5β1 and FAK are important proangiogenic factors involved in regulating angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of integrin α5β1 and FAK in patients with AAAD and the potential underlying mechanisms.

METHODS:

Aortic tissue samples were obtained from 8 patients with AAAD and 4 organ donors at Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University. The level of apoptosis in the aortic tissues was assessed by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays. The expression of integrin α5β1 and FAK was determined. Integrin α5β1 was found to be significantly expressed in HASMCs, and its interaction with FAK was assessed via coimmunoprecipitation (Co-IP) analysis. Proliferation and apoptosis were assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assays and flow cytometry after integrin α5β1 deficiency.

RESULTS:

The levels of integrin α5β1 and FAK were both significantly decreased in patients with AAAD. Downregulating the expression of integrin α5β1-FAK strongly increased apoptosis and decreased proliferation in HASMCs, indicating that integrin α5β1-FAK might play an important role in the development of AAAD.

CONCLUSIONS:

Downregulation of integrin α5β1-FAK is associated with increased apoptosis and decreased proliferation in aortic smooth muscle cells and may be a potential therapeutic strategy for AAAD.

• Authors: Mingming Xue, Lingyu Xing, Yilin Yang, Mian Shao, Fengqing Liao, Feixiang Xu, Yumei Chen, Sheng Wang, Bin Chen, Chenling Yao, Guorong Gu, Chaoyang Tong
• Journal: BMC cardiovascular disorders (BMC Cardiovasc Disord) Vol. 24 Issue 1 Pg. 180 (Mar 26 2024) ISSN: 1471-2261 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 38532364 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2024. The Author(s).

Chemical References

• Integrin alpha5beta1
• Itgb1 protein, human
• PTK2 protein, human
• ITGA5 protein, human

Topics

• Humans
• Aorta (metabolism)
• Aortic Dissection
• Apoptosis
• Integrin alpha5beta1 (metabolism)
• Myocytes, Smooth Muscle (metabolism)