<p>Marfan syndrome (MFS), caused by mutations in the <i>FBN1</i> gene, predisposes individuals to thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA), a life-threatening complication. Recent studies have suggested that dysregulated mechanosignaling in aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) plays a pivotal role in TAA pathogenesis in MFS. However, the key molecular drivers remain largely undefined. Here we identify fibroblast growth factor 12 (FGF12) as a novel mediator of aberrant mechanosignaling in aortic SMCs during TAA formation in MFS. FGF12 is markedly upregulated in aortic SMCs of thoracic aneurysmal aortas from <i>Fbn1</i><sup><i>C1039G/+</i></sup> MFS mice and from patients with MFS. Mechanistically, FGF12 expression is induced by transforming growth factor-β/SMAD signaling and by cyclic mechanical stretch in aortic SMCs. FGF12 upregulates the expression of angiotensin II (AngII) and AngII type 1 receptor (AT1R), thereby activating the AngII/AT1R signaling pathway. FGF12-induced AT1R activation promotes aberrant mechanosignaling, as indicated by increased RhoA-GTP levels, stress fiber formation, focal adhesion assembly and focal adhesion kinase phosphorylation, ultimately leading to increased aortic SMC stiffness. In vivo studies using <i>Fgf12</i> heterozygous (<i>Fgf12</i><sup><i>+/−</i></sup>) mice reveal that <i>Fgf12</i> haploinsufficiency significantly ameliorates AngII/β-aminopropionitrile-induced TAA formation, accompanied by reduced AT1R signaling and attenuation of aberrant mechanosignaling in the thoracic aortas. Furthermore, in <i>Fbn1</i><sup><i>C1039G/+</i></sup> MFS mice, <i>Fgf12</i> haploinsufficiency (<i>Fgf12</i><sup>+/−</sup><i>Fbn1</i><sup><i>C1039G/+</i></sup>) substantially mitigates TAA progression and arterial stiffening, while alleviating dysregulated mechanosignaling in thoracic aortic SMCs. Collectively, these findings identify FGF12 as a critical regulator of aberrant mechanosignaling in aortic SMCs and a key contributor to TAA formation in MFS.</p>

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FGF12 induces aberrant mechanosignaling in aortic smooth muscle cells during thoracic aortic aneurysm formation in Marfan syndrome mice

  • Koung Li Kim,
  • Minju Kim,
  • Yubin Hwang,
  • Duk-Kyung Kim,
  • Jeongmin Kim,
  • June Hyeok Lee,
  • Yong-Wook Son,
  • Jae-Hyung Jang,
  • Kyung-Sun Heo,
  • Misato Iwashita,
  • Yoichi Kosodo,
  • Wonhee Suh

摘要

Marfan syndrome (MFS), caused by mutations in the FBN1 gene, predisposes individuals to thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA), a life-threatening complication. Recent studies have suggested that dysregulated mechanosignaling in aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) plays a pivotal role in TAA pathogenesis in MFS. However, the key molecular drivers remain largely undefined. Here we identify fibroblast growth factor 12 (FGF12) as a novel mediator of aberrant mechanosignaling in aortic SMCs during TAA formation in MFS. FGF12 is markedly upregulated in aortic SMCs of thoracic aneurysmal aortas from Fbn1C1039G/+ MFS mice and from patients with MFS. Mechanistically, FGF12 expression is induced by transforming growth factor-β/SMAD signaling and by cyclic mechanical stretch in aortic SMCs. FGF12 upregulates the expression of angiotensin II (AngII) and AngII type 1 receptor (AT1R), thereby activating the AngII/AT1R signaling pathway. FGF12-induced AT1R activation promotes aberrant mechanosignaling, as indicated by increased RhoA-GTP levels, stress fiber formation, focal adhesion assembly and focal adhesion kinase phosphorylation, ultimately leading to increased aortic SMC stiffness. In vivo studies using Fgf12 heterozygous (Fgf12+/−) mice reveal that Fgf12 haploinsufficiency significantly ameliorates AngII/β-aminopropionitrile-induced TAA formation, accompanied by reduced AT1R signaling and attenuation of aberrant mechanosignaling in the thoracic aortas. Furthermore, in Fbn1C1039G/+ MFS mice, Fgf12 haploinsufficiency (Fgf12+/−Fbn1C1039G/+) substantially mitigates TAA progression and arterial stiffening, while alleviating dysregulated mechanosignaling in thoracic aortic SMCs. Collectively, these findings identify FGF12 as a critical regulator of aberrant mechanosignaling in aortic SMCs and a key contributor to TAA formation in MFS.