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

Sci Adv. 2023 Oct 27;9(43):eadj1019. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adj1019. Epub 2023 Oct 25.

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 Elane-/- or Pad4-/- 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-Elane-/- mice and Akita-Pad4-/- mice had reduced levels of circulating NETs and improved acetylcholine-mediated aortic relaxation. Compared with wild-type aortae, the thromboxane metabolite TXB2 was roughly 10-fold higher in both intact and endothelium-denuded aortae of Akita mice. In contrast, Akita-Elane-/- and Akita-Pad4-/- aortae had TXB2 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.

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholine
  • Animals
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1* / complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1* / metabolism
  • Extracellular Traps* / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Neutrophils / metabolism
  • Thromboxanes / metabolism

Substances

  • Acetylcholine
  • Thromboxanes