A novel STAT3 inhibitor attenuates angiotensin II-induced abdominal aortic aneurysm progression in mice through modulating vascular inflammation and autophagy

Cell Death Dis. 2020 Feb 18;11(2):131. doi: 10.1038/s41419-020-2326-2.

Abstract

Abdominal Aortic aneurysm (AAA) is associated with chronic inflammation, cells apoptosis, and impairment of autophagy. BP-1-102, a novel potent STAT3 inhibitor, has been recently reported to significantly block inflammation-related signaling pathways of JAK2/STAT3 and NF-κB, as well as regulate autophagy. However, its role in vascular inflammation and AAA progression remains to be elucidated. In the present study, the effect and potential mechanisms of BP-1-102 on angiotensin II (AngII) induced AAA in ApoE-/- mice were investigated. AAA was induced in ApoE-/- mice with infusion of AngII for 28 days. BP-1-102 was administrated orally to mice every other day. Mice were sacrificed on day 7, day 14, and day 28 to evaluate the treatment effects. BP-1-102 markedly decreased AAA incidence and aortic diameter, maintained elastin structure and volume, reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and MMPs, and inhibited inflammatory cells infiltration. Moreover, BP-1-102 dramatically reduced the expression of JAK2, p-STAT3, p-NF-κB, and Bcl-xL but maintained the expression of LC3B and Beclin in AAA tissues. In vitro, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were treated with AngII and/or BP-1-102 at indicated time and concentration. BP-1-102 inhibited AngII-induced JAK2/STAT3 and NF-κB signaling activation and maintained autophagy-related proteins expression in VSMCs. Taken together, our findings suggest that BP-1-102 inhibits vascular inflammation and AAA progression through decreasing JAK2/STAT3 and NF-κB activation and maintaining autophagy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aminosalicylic Acids / pharmacology*
  • Angiotensin II
  • Animals
  • Aorta, Abdominal / drug effects*
  • Aorta, Abdominal / metabolism
  • Aorta, Abdominal / pathology
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / chemically induced
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / metabolism
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / pathology
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / prevention & control*
  • Aortitis / chemically induced
  • Aortitis / metabolism
  • Aortitis / pathology
  • Aortitis / prevention & control*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Autophagy / drug effects*
  • Autophagy-Related Proteins / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Janus Kinase 2 / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice, Knockout, ApoE
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Sulfonamides / pharmacology*
  • Vascular Remodeling / drug effects

Substances

  • Aminosalicylic Acids
  • Autophagy-Related Proteins
  • BP-1-102
  • NF-kappa B
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • Stat3 protein, mouse
  • Sulfonamides
  • Angiotensin II
  • Jak2 protein, mouse
  • Janus Kinase 2