Inhibition of neutrophil extracellular trap formation alleviates vascular dysfunction in type 1 diabetic mice.

Liu, Chao; Yalavarthi, Srilakshmi; Tambralli, Ajay; Zeng, Lixia; Rysenga, Christine E; Alizadeh, Nikoo; Hudgins, Lucas; Liang, Wenying et al. · Sci Adv · 2023

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

While neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have previously been linked to some diabetes-associated complications, such as dysfunctional wound healing, their potential role in diabetic vascular dysfunction has not been studied. Diabetic Akita mice were crossed with either <i>Elane<sup>-/-</sup></i> or <i>Pad4<sup>-/-</sup></i> mice to generate NET-deficient diabetic mice. By 24 weeks of age, Akita aortae showed markedly impaired relaxation in response to acetylcholine, indicative of vascular dysfunction. Both Akita-<i>Elane<sup>-/-</sup></i> mice and Akita-<i>Pad4<sup>-/-</sup></i> mice had reduced levels of circulating NETs and improved acetylcholine-mediated aortic relaxation. Compared with wild-type aortae, the thromboxane metabolite TXB<sub>2</sub> was roughly 10-fold higher in both intact and endothelium-denuded aortae of Akita mice. In contrast, Akita-<i>Elane<sup>-/-</sup></i> and Akita-<i>Pad4<sup>-/-</sup></i> aortae had TXB<sub>2</sub> levels similar to wild type. In summary, inhibition of NETosis by two independent strategies prevented the development of vascular dysfunction in diabetic Akita mice. Thromboxane was up-regulated in the vessel walls of NETosis-competent diabetic mice, suggesting a role for neutrophils in driving the production of this vasoconstrictive and atherogenic prostanoid.

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