Angiotensin II type 2 receptor signaling attenuates aortic aneurysm in mice through ERK antagonism

JP Habashi, JJ Doyle, TM Holm, H Aziz, F Schoenhoff… - Science, 2011 - science.org
JP Habashi, JJ Doyle, TM Holm, H Aziz, F Schoenhoff, D Bedja, YC Chen, AN Modiri…
Science, 2011science.org
Angiotensin II (AngII) mediates progression of aortic aneurysm, but the relative contribution
of its type 1 (AT1) and type 2 (AT2) receptors remains unknown. We show that loss of AT2
expression accelerates the aberrant growth and rupture of the aorta in a mouse model of
Marfan syndrome (MFS). The selective AT1 receptor blocker (ARB) losartan abrogated
aneurysm progression in the mice; full protection required intact AT2 signaling. The
angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) enalapril, which limits signaling through …
Angiotensin II (AngII) mediates progression of aortic aneurysm, but the relative contribution of its type 1 (AT1) and type 2 (AT2) receptors remains unknown. We show that loss of AT2 expression accelerates the aberrant growth and rupture of the aorta in a mouse model of Marfan syndrome (MFS). The selective AT1 receptor blocker (ARB) losartan abrogated aneurysm progression in the mice; full protection required intact AT2 signaling. The angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) enalapril, which limits signaling through both receptors, was less effective. Both drugs attenuated canonical transforming growth factor–β (TGFβ) signaling in the aorta, but losartan uniquely inhibited TGFβ-mediated activation of extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK), by allowing continued signaling through AT2. These data highlight the protective nature of AT2 signaling and potentially inform the choice of therapies in MFS and related disorders.
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