Interferon-beta attenuates angiotensin II-accelerated atherosclerosis and vascular remodeling in apolipoprotein E deficient mice

Atherosclerosis. 2008 Mar;197(1):204-11. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2007.03.019. Epub 2007 Apr 26.

Abstract

Atherosclerotic vascular disease is an inflammatory disease. Interferon-beta (IFN-beta) is an important immune modulator. However, the role of IFN-beta in atherosclerotic vascular disease is still not clear. The present study is designed to determine the effects of IFN-beta on atherosclerosis, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) formation and proliferative vascular remodeling in apolipoprotein E (apoE) deficient mice. Six-month-old male apoE deficient mice fed a normal chow underwent ligation of the common left carotid artery, and were randomly assigned to receive either vehicle or angiotensin II (Ang II, 1.4 mg/kg daily) via a subcutaneously implanted osmotic infusion pump. The animals were further assigned to groups that were subjected to subcutaneous injection of vehicle or murine IFN-beta (10 MIU/kg, daily). Ang II increased atherosclerotic area in the non-ligated carotid artery and aortic arch, induced AAA, and exacerbated ligation-induced adventitial proliferation and neointimal hyperplasia characterized by smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation and macrophage infiltration in the ligated carotid artery. Co-treatment with IFN-beta, had no effects by itself, significantly attenuated Ang II-accelerated increase in the areas of neointima, adventitia, SMC and macrophage in the ligated carotid artery and suppressed Ang II-exacerbated atherosclerosis, but did not affect Ang II-induced AAA formation. These data indicate that IFN-beta can play a prominent anti-atherosclerosis, anti-inflammation, and anti-proliferation role of vasculoprotection.

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensin II / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Aorta, Thoracic / drug effects
  • Aorta, Thoracic / immunology
  • Aorta, Thoracic / pathology
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / drug therapy
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / immunology
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / pathology
  • Apolipoproteins E / genetics*
  • Atherosclerosis / drug therapy*
  • Atherosclerosis / immunology
  • Atherosclerosis / pathology
  • Carotid Artery, Common / drug effects
  • Carotid Artery, Common / immunology
  • Carotid Artery, Common / pathology
  • Cell Division / drug effects
  • Drug Interactions
  • Foam Cells / pathology
  • Immunologic Factors / pharmacology*
  • Interferon-beta / pharmacology*
  • Ligation
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Tunica Intima / drug effects
  • Tunica Intima / immunology
  • Tunica Intima / pathology
  • Vasoconstrictor Agents / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Apolipoproteins E
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Vasoconstrictor Agents
  • Angiotensin II
  • Interferon-beta