Endothelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Vascular Calcification of Ins2Akita/+ Mice.

Guihard, Pierre J; Yao, Jiayi; Blazquez-Medela, Ana M; Iruela-Arispe, Luisa; Boström, Kristina I; Yao, Yucheng · PLoS One · 2016

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) drives endothelium to contribute to normal development and disease processes. Here, we report that EndMTs occur in the diabetic endothelium of Ins2Akita/wt mouse, and show that induction of sex determining region Y-box 2 (Sox2) is a mediator of excess BMP signaling that results in activation of EndMTs and increased vascular calcification. We also find an induction of a complex of serine proteases in the diabetic endothelium, required for the up-regulation of Sox2. Our results suggest that EndMTs contribute to vascular calcification in diabetic arteries.

Medical subject headings