Inhibition of smooth muscle cell death by Angiotensin 1-7 protects against abdominal aortic aneurysm Open Access

An abdominal aortic aneurysm is characterized by localized, irreversible dilatation of the aorta in the abdominal region >50% of the normal aorta diameter [1]. AAA predominantly occurs in the infrarenal region of the aorta, proximal to its bifurcation into common iliac arteries [2,3]. Age is a significant risk factor for the development of AAA, which affects approximately 5% of the elderly population, primarily males, and causes significant mortality in Western countries. Clinical progression of AAA involves the weakening of the aortic wall, resulting in progressive dilatation and, eventually, wall rupture, a catastrophic event associated with a mortality rate of 80% [2]. Pathologically, AAA is associated with aortic smooth muscle cell (SMC) apoptosis, inflammation, extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, i.e., disruption of elastin fibers and collagen deposition, upregulation of proteolytic pathways, and oxidative stress [1]. The multifactorial nature and absence of precise delineation of pathological mechanisms involved in AAA development have resulted in the absence of effective therapeutic intervention.

The renin–angiotensin system (RAS) is a hormonal system primarily involved in the physiological regulation of blood pressure and vascular tone. Overactivation of RAS predisposes the cardiovascular system to maladaptive and pathological perturbations [4,5]. Angiotensin II (Ang II) is an effector peptide of RAS that plays a pivotal role in vascular inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and fibrosis in various cardiovascular diseases [6]. Ang II exerts its physiological and pathological effects primarily through the activation of the Ang II type 1 (AT1R) receptor and partly through the Ang II type 2 (AT2R) receptor [7]. Multiple mechanisms have been proposed for the contribution of Ang II to the development of AAA. These comprise infiltration of immune cells and consequent inflammatory responses, degradation of extracellular matrix proteins via activation of proteases, vascular oxidative stress, and aortic smooth muscle cell death [4,8]. Several investigators assessed the effect of medications in suppressing aneurysm development in in vitro experiments and preclinical models [9–11]. Various studies reported statins, inhibitors of Angiotensin II production and signaling (AT1R blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors), matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) inhibitors, cyclooxygenase, and macrolides inhibitors as potential treatment options. These studies emphasized their ability to reduce inflammation, ECM remodeling, and oxidative stress associated with the pathogenesis of AAA. However, clinical trials investigating the therapeutic potential of these medications in suppressing aortic dilatation demonstrated inconsistent results with significant side effects [12,13]. The translational gap between preclinical accomplishments and clinical trial failures suggests a partial representation of complex human pathology by animal models and the need to investigate further elusive crucial pathogenic mediators of AAA development [14]. Since no drug has demonstrated clinical efficiency in limiting AAA progression or rupture, surgical interventions remain an active treatment option. AAA repair by either open or minimally invasive surgery is indicated for symptomatic or ruptured AAA of any size or large, asymptomatic AAA [15]. While open surgeries are associated with significant perioperative mortality, long-term effects of endovascular repairs include late AAA rupture and endoleak-the persistent perfusion of the AAA sac from side branches of the aorta or the leaks around the stent [16]. The risk associated with aortic surgery and AAA repairs has shifted focus toward identifying novel pharmacological interventions to slow or reverse, aneurysmal growth or delay the need for surgery to manage large AAAs.

Angiotensin 1-7 (Ang 1-7) is a biologically active heptapeptide cleaved predominantly from Ang II by the action of ACE2, a recently identified homolog of ACE. Ang 1-7 has been shown to prevent adverse cardiovascular effects of Ang II/AT1R activation [17], such as cardiac arrhythmia, heart failure, renal diseases, and hypertension [18,19]. By stimulating the activity of vasodilator autocoids and nitric oxide (NO), Ang 1-7 counteracts the vasoconstrictive effects of Ang II [20]. Ang 1-7 exhibited a protective role in systemic hypertension, oxidative stress, and vascular disorders associated with vascular remodeling [21,22]. Though a recent study demonstrated Ang 1-7-mediated anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects in the aortic aneurysm [23], the precise mechanism of Ang 1-7-mediated antagonism of Ang II is still being investigated as the Ang 1-7/Mas receptor axis has been shown to counteract Ang II/AT1R axis in cardiovascular diseases [24,25]. In the present study, we assessed the ability of Ang 1-7 to attenuate the development and progression of AAA in a murine model and investigated the molecular mechanisms involved.

ApoE-deficient mice (ApoEKO; C57BL/6 background) were purchased from the Jackson Laboratory (Bar Harbor, Me) and bred at the Health Sciences Animal Resource Centre of the University of Calgary. Mice were housed in pathogen‐free conditions and had access to sterilized food and water ad libitium. All the animal experiments were performed at the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology of Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary. Alzet osmotic pumps (Model 1004, Durect Corp.) were implanted subcutaneously in 8- to 10-week-old male mice to deliver Ang II (1.5 mg/kg/day) or saline (control) for 4 weeks [26]. A subgroup of ApoEKO mice receiving Ang II infusion was also implanted with osmotic pumps intraperitoneally to deliver Ang 1-7 (0.5 mg/kg/day). The mice were anesthetized using isoflurane (5% induction, followed by 2% maintenance in 500 ml/min oxygen flow). The mice used in the study were killed by carbon dioxide asphyxiation. The Institutional Animal Ethics Committee of the University of Calgary approved the study (AC21-0029). All experiments were conducted as per the guidelines of the University of Calgary Animal Care and Use Committee and the Canadian Council of Animal Care.

Ultrasonic images of the aorta were obtained using a Vevo 3100 high-resolution imaging system equipped with a real-time micro visualization scan head (MX550D, VisualSonics). Briefly, mice were anesthetized with 2% isoflurane mixed with O₂, as previously described [26]. The diameters of the abdominal aorta were measured using M-mode images. The maximum and minimum aortic lumen diameters, corresponding to cardiac systole and diastole, respectively (monitored by simultaneous ECG recordings), were measured and used to calculate the aortic expansion index [(Systolic aortic diameter − Diastolic aortic diameter)/Systolic diameter × 100]. The aortic distensibility was calculated using B-mode and EKV images using the Vevo Vasc analysis package of the Vevo LAB software (VisualSonics).

SMCs were isolated from abdominal aortas harvested from 8- to 10-week-old ApoEKO mice and were cultured as previously described [26]. Aortas were harvested in aseptic conditions, and periaortic adipose tissues were cleaned. Abdominal aortas were incubated with a digestive enzyme solution containing 1 mg/ml collagenase II (#LS004174, Worthington Biochemical) and 1 mg/ml elastase (#LS002292, Worthington Biochemical) at 37°C in a 5% CO₂ incubator for 10 min. The adventitial and inner layers of the aorta were then removed under a surgical microscope. Medial layers of the aortas were cut into small pieces and incubated with the digestive enzyme solution for 90 mins at 37°C in a 5% CO₂ incubator. After digestion, cells were washed and cultured in a sterile DMEM/F12 cell culture medium (#11330057, Gibco) containing 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS, #26140079, Gibco) supplemented with 1% penicillin/streptomycin (#P0781, Sigma-Aldrich). Cells were passaged upon reaching 90–100% confluency. Abdominal aortic SMCs were serum‐deprived for 24 h by incubation in DMEM/F12 medium with 1% fetal bovine serum and penicillin/streptomycin. Cells were challenged with Ang II (100 nM; #05-23-0101, Millipore Sigma) in DMEM/F12 for 24 h. In a treatment group, Ang 1-7 (100 nM) (#H-1715.0025, Bachem) was added to the SMC culture 30 min before Ang II exposure. A subgroup of SMCs without Ang II and Ang 1-7 treatments served as controls.

After 4 weeks of Ang II (±Ang 1-7) infusion, mice from saline (n=7), Ang II (n=4) and Ang II+Ang 1-7 (n=4) groups were perfuse‐fixed using 10% buffered formalin or saline at a pressure equivalent to 80 mmHg, allowing the blood vessels to be fixed in their native state, as we have previously described [27]. Subsequently, aortas were collected and fixed in 10% buffered formalin for 48 h and later embedded in paraffin blocks. Five μm thick sections were used for the structural histological assessment using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Gomori trichrome, and Verhoeff-Van Gieson (VVG) staining as previously described [26,27]. Picro-Sirius red (PSR) staining was used to evaluate collagen levels and adventitial fibrosis, as previously described [28]. PSR-staining positive (collagen) area in the abdominal aorta was imaged using a laser scanning confocal microscope (Leica SP8) and quantified using the Fiji/ImageJ (version 1.52i) software. As previously described, 5 μm thick sections were used for the immunofluorescence staining [26,27]. After deparaffinization, sections were immersed in EDTA-citrate buffer (pH 6.2) at 95°C for 20 minperform antigen retrieval. After that, sections were washed with PBS and permeabilized with Triton X-100 (0.1%), followed by blocking with bovine serum albumin (BSA; 1.5%). Sections were incubated with primary antibody against α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA, 1:500, #ab32575, Abcam) overnight at 4°C, followed by Alexa Fluor 488-conjugated Goat anti-Rabbit secondary antibody (1:400, #A11034, Invitrogen) at room temperature for 1 h. Sections were mounted and counterstained using Prolong Gold mounting medium with DAPI (#P36935, Invitrogen). Immunostained aorta sections were imaged using a line scanning confocal microscope (Leica SP8) and analyzed using the Fiji/ImageJ (version 1.52i) software.

Apoptotic cell death was evaluated using the Annexin V/propidium iodide staining, and flow cytometric analysis as previously described [26]. Control and Ang II (±Ang 1-7)-treated abdominal aortic SMCs were trypsinized to collect adherent cell monolayers and floating cells and centrifuged at 1500 g for 5 min. The cell pellets were washed thrice in PBS and re-suspended in annexin binding buffer at 1 ×10⁶ cells/ml. The cells were then incubated with FITC-conjugated Annexin V antibody (#640945, Biolegend) and propidium iodide (1 μg/ml; #LS00699050, Invitrogen) at room temperature for 15 min. After the incubation, the annexin‐binding buffer was added. Samples were analyzed within 1 h using Attune NxT flow cytometer (ThermoFisher Scientific, MA, U.S.A.) at 488 nm excitation and 530 and 575 nm emission wavelengths. Quantitative analysis of flow cytometric data was performed using Invitrogen™ Attune™ NxT Software (version 2.6, ThermoFisher Scientific, MA, U.S.A.).

The gene expression profile for contractile and synthetic genes was performed as described previously [27,29]. Following TaqMan probes for quantitative PCR were used to measure the expression of specified genes: Acta2 (Mm.PT.58.16320644), Myh11 (Mm.PT.58.9236105), Il-6 (Mm.PT.58.10005566), Mmp2 (Mm00439498_m1), Mmp9 (Mm00442991_m1), Col1a1 (Mm00801666_g1), Col3a1 (Mm00802331_m1), and 18S rRNA (Hs.PT.39a.22214856.g). The gene expression was quantified by the 2^−ΔΔCT method using 18S rRNA as endogenous control. Expression analysis of the reported genes was performed by TaqMan Real-time PCR using the QuantStudio™5 system (Thermo Fisher Scientific, MA, U.S.A.). Data were analyzed using QuantStudio™ design and analysis software version 1.4.3. All samples were analyzed in triplicates in 384 well plates.

The mitochondrial structure was assessed using MitoTracker Red CMXRos (#M7512, Invitrogen) staining and confocal imaging. Briefly, control or Ang II (±Ang 1-7)-treated abdominal aortic SMCs were incubated with 100 nM Mitotracker Red CMXRos for 30 min at 37°C in a CO₂ incubator. MitoTracker Red-labelled cells were washed with PBS and fixed using 4% paraformaldehyde. Cells were then mounted and counterstained using Prolong Gold mounting medium with DAPI (#P36935, Invitrogen) and imaged using a line-scanning confocal microscope (Leica SP8). Fiji/ImageJ (version 1.52i) and Mitochondrial Network Analysis (MiNA) plugin were used to assess the mitochondrial structure as previously described [30].

Cellular ROS generation was visualized using the previously described dihydroethidium (DHE) staining [26]. Control and Ang II (±Ang 1-7)-treated abdominal aortic SMCs were initially incubated with DHE (10 μM; #D11347, Invitrogen) at 37°C for 30 min in a CO₂ incubator. The cells were imaged using a line-scanning confocal microscope (Leica SP8). Quantitative measurement of DHE fluorescence intensity was carried out using the Fiji/ImageJ (version 1.52i) software.

Mitochondrial ROS generation was assessed using MitoSOX Red mitochondrial superoxide indicator (#M36008, Invitrogen). Control and Ang II (±Ang 1-7)-treated abdominal aortic SMCs were trypsinized to collect adherent and detached cells and were centrifuged at 1500 g for 5 min. Cell pellets were washed and resuspended in HBSS/Ca²⁺ buffer at 0.5 ×10⁶ cells/ml. Cells were then incubated with 1 µM MitoSOX Red at 37°C for 10 min in the dark. After the incubation, cells were washed and resuspended in HBSS/Ca²⁺ buffer for flow cytometric analysis using Attune NxT flow cytometer (ThermoFisher Scientific, MA, USA) at excitation and emission wavelengths of 510/580 nm. The Invitrogen™ Attune™ NxT Software (version 2.6, ThermoFisher Scientific, MA, U.S.A.) was used to analyze the MitoSOX fluorescence intensity, representing the mitochondrial ROS levels.

A proteome profiler mouse apoptosis array kit (#ARY031, R&D Systems, MN, U.S.A.) was used to assess expression levels of selected apoptosis-related proteins. The kit contained capture antibodies, specific for 21 apoptosis-related proteins, and control antibodies spotted in duplicate on nitrocellulose membrane. Membranes were blocked for 1 h at room temperature. Whole-cell lysates from control or Ang II (±Ang 1-7)-treated abdominal aortic SMCs were incubated overnight with the membranes at 4°C. The membranes were washed to remove unbound proteins and incubated with a cocktail of biotinylated detection antibodies for 60 min at room temperature. Streptavidin-HRP and chemiluminescent detection reagents were applied for 30 min at room temperature. Chemiluminescent images were captured using the Invitrogen iBright FL1500 imaging system (ThermoFisher Scientific). A signal produced at each capture spot corresponding to the amount of protein bound to the antibody was analyzed using iBright analysis software (Invitrogen). It was presented as a fold change to corresponding control spots.

All data are shown as mean ± SEM. All statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism v9 (San Diego, CA, U.S.A.). The data between Control, Ang II, and Ang II+Ang 1-7 groups were compared using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons post hoc analysis. The Kaplan–Meier survival analysis with Log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test used for the interpretation of survival proportions. P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Chronic subcutaneous infusion of Ang II in ApoEKO mice has been well characterized to develop AAA [31,32]. Consistently, we observed increased aortic dilatation and aneurysm formation in ApoEKO mice receiving 4 weeks of Ang II infusion (Figure 1A,B). Increased incidences of aortic rupture and reduced survival were observed in response to Ang II infusion (Figure 1C,D). The increased mortality in Ang II infused in ApoEKO mice was due to the abdominal aortic rupture. Effects of Ang 1-7, a vasoprotective peptide, were evaluated on the murine model of AAA [26]. Intraperitoneal administration of Ang 1-7 mitigated abdominal aortic dilatation and aneurysm formation, as exhibited by reduced aortic diameters compared to Ang II-infusion (Figure 1A,B). Moreover, Ang 1-7 treatment also resulted in decreased %incidences of aortic rupture and associated mortality (Figure 1C,D), suggestive of potent vasculoprotective effects of Ang 1-7 in AAA.

Transthoracic murine echocardiography evaluated the structural and functional changes in response to 4 weeks of Ang II (±Ang 1-7) infusion. Chronic Ang II infusion increased aortic lumen diameter at systole and diastole (Figure 2A–D), exhibiting a key defining feature observed in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms. Chronic Ang II administration resulted in decreased abdominal aortic expansion index (Figure 2E), an indicator of biomechanical elasticity and recoil property of the aorta. Moreover, structural changes in Ang II-infused aorta were corroborated by assessing aortic distensibility, a reliable and sensitive measure of aortic wall property. Aortic wall distensibility is described as the ability of the aorta to expand during systole. It represents a measure to assess the biomechanical property of the aorta that characterizes aortic stiffness and the risk of aortic wall rupture [33]. The high-frequency ECG-gated Kilohertz Visualization (EKV)-mode of echocardiography was used to evaluate aortic distensibility in the abdominal aorta, which showed markedly reduced distensibility in response to Ang II infusion (Figure 2F). Ang 1-7 administration attenuated Ang II-induced aortic dilatation (Figure 2A–D) along with preserved aortic expansion index (Figure 2E) as well as aortic distensibility (Figure 2F), implying decreased adverse vascular remodeling.

Structural changes in the aortic wall usually accompany abdominal aortic dilatation and aortic lumen dilatation. Histological analysis using Verhoeff-Van Gieson (VVG) staining revealed disorganized and disrupted elastin fibers in the abdominal aorta of Ang II-infused mice compared to controls (Figure 3A). Moreover, Ang II infusion also reduced aortic medial thickness (Figure 3B), correlating with medial degeneration observed in patients with AAA. ECM remodeling, including excessive adventitial collagen deposition, has been implicated in the onset and progression of AAA [34]. Gomori trichrome and picrosirius red staining was performed to determine the collagen levels. Chronic Ang II infusion increased collagen deposition in the adventitial layers of the abdominal aorta, indicating manifestation of adventitial fibrosis and ECM remodeling (Figure 3C–E) in the murine model of AAA. Notably, chronic administration of Ang 1-7 preserved the structural integrity of elastin fibers (Figure 3A), alleviated medial degeneration resulting in preserved aortic medial thickness (Figure 3B), and reduced adventitial fibrosis (Figure 3C–E).

Loss of SMC density in the medial layer of the aorta has been recognized as one of the major factors driving the onset and progression of AAA [26,35–37]. Confocal images of immunostained sections of the abdominal aorta showed decreased α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)-positive cells in the medial layer, indicating loss of medial SMC density in chronically Ang II-infused ApoEKO mice (Figure 4A,B). As the in vivo experiments suggested loss of aortic SMCs density in Ang II-infused aorta, in vitro investigations using isolated abdominal aortic SMCs were performed to delineate the underlying mechanism. Ang II has previously been shown to exert a proapoptotic effect on aortic SMCs, facilitating the development of various cardiovascular diseases [26,38]. Apoptotic loss of aortic SMCs and consequent medial degeneration have been identified as crucial pathological observations in patients with AAA [26,35–37]. In vitro, increased apoptosis was observed in abdominal aortic SMCs acutely challenged with Ang II. Flow cytometric analysis indicates increased Annexin V⁺/Propidium Iodide⁻ cells in the Ang II treatment group (Figure 4C,D). It is widely acknowledged that the phenotypic switching of VSMCs is a crucial factor in the development and progression of AAA [39,40]. The transformation of VSMC phenotype from contractile to synthetic triggered by Ang II caused vascular remodeling and inflammation, leading to the development of an AAA [41,42]. We investigated Ang 1-7-mediated effect on abdominal aortic SMCs phenotypic switching using quantitative mRNA expression analysis. Gene expression analysis revealed reduced expression of contractile genes, including Acta2 and Myh11 (Figure 4E,F), in Ang II-treated abdominal aortic SMCs. Ang II treatment of the abdominal aortic SMCs also resulted in increased mRNA expressions of Il-6, Mmp2, Mmp9, Col1a1, and Col3a1 (Figure 4G–K), signifying their polarization toward inflammatory and synthetic phenotypes. Co-treatment with Ang 1-7 preserved the contractile phenotype of abdominal aortic SMCs, as evident by preserved mRNA expressions of Acta2 and Myh11 (Figure 4E,F). Ang 1-7 treatment also attenuated Ang II-induced onset of inflammatory and synthetic phenotype in abdominal aortic SMCs, resulting in reduced mRNA expressions of Il-6, Mmp2, Mmp9, Col1a1, and Col3a1 (Figure 4G-K). Thus, administration of Ang 1-7 prevented Ang II-induced loss of α-SMA⁺ cells, prevented apoptosis and attenuated phenotypic switching of abdominal aortic SMCs in vitro, suggesting the cytoprotective role of Ang 1-7 may be involved in protection against the development of AAA in a murine model.

In vivo and in vitro experiments indicate that pro-apoptotic properties of Ang II on abdominal aortic SMCs are crucial in AAA pathophysiology, where anti-apoptotic effects exerted by Ang 1-7 lead to the preservation of aortic structure and function. Dysregulation in mitochondrial dynamics has been linked to senescence in SMCs, predisposing them to develop cardiovascular pathologies [43,44]. To investigate the effects of Ang II and Ang 1-7 treatments on mitochondrial dynamics, we performed MitoTracker Red CMXRos staining and confocal imaging. Mitotracker Red staining of abdominal aortic SMCs revealed significantly increased mitochondrial fission in response to Ang II treatment (Figure 5A,B), leading to smaller mitochondria with shorter and lesser branches. Indeed, quantification of morphometric parameters of Mitotracker Red-stained confocal images using MiNA, an NIH ImageJ plugin, corroborated decreased mean branch length, mean network branches, and mitochondrial footprint, indicating excessive mitochondrial fragmentation in aortic SMCs treated with Ang II (Figure 5C–E). Ang 1-7 treated abdominal aortic SMCs exhibited protected architecture of mitochondrial network showing preserved mean branch length, mean network branches, and mitochondrial footprint, indicating elongated mitochondria when compared with Ang II-treated abdominal aortic SMCs. The data strongly suggested Ang 1-7-mediated inhibition of Ang II-induced mitochondrial fission in abdominal aortic SMCs.

The role of ROS-mediated protein kinase-C activation and induction of SMC apoptosis has previously been reported to be involved in the AAA pathogenesis [45], where inhibition of ROS generation has been shown to attenuate aneurysm formation [46,47]. To assess the Ang II-mediated ROS generation and the effect of Ang 1-7 on cellular and mitochondrial ROS generation, we performed dihydroethidium (DHE) and MitoSOX Red staining, respectively. For evaluation of cellular ROS generation, the DHE was used, which converts into a DNA intercalating fluorescence dye upon oxidation by ROS, which stains nuclei. Confocal imaging of DHE-stained abdominal aortic SMCs and quantification of DHE fluorescence intensity exhibited significantly elevated cellular ROS levels in Ang II-treated abdominal aortic SMCs (Figure 5F,G). MitoSOX Red mitochondrial superoxide indicator is a fluorogenic dye for highly selective detection of superoxide in the mitochondria of live cells. Staining abdominal aortic SMCs with MitoSOX Red and flow cytometric analysis showed increased mitochondrial ROS generation in Ang II-treated abdominal aortic SMCs (Figure 5H–I). Cellular and mitochondrial ROS levels were significantly reduced upon treatment with Ang 1-7, as evident in the representative confocal images and flow cytometric analysis. Our data suggest that attenuation of ROS generation and decreased apoptotic cell death may be a primary mechanism of Ang 1-7-mediated mitigation of AAA.

The medial degeneration in the abdominal aorta via apoptosis of SMCs, along with ECM remodeling and ROS generation, appears to be central to the development of AAA [35,47,48]. In vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated Ang II-induced apoptosis of abdominal aortic SMCs; Ang 1-7 attenuated apoptotic cell death. We sought to investigate the mechanisms involved in Ang 1-7-mediated cytoprotection – a proteome profiler apoptosis array kit evaluated 21 proteins critically involved in apoptosis. The apoptosis array demonstrated elevated levels of apoptosis-associated proteins in Ang II-treated abdominal aortic SMCs, including Claspin, cytochrome c, heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1), Heat shock protein 27 (HSP27), p27/kip1, and X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) (Figure 6A,B). In contrast, several proteins, including BAD, BCL2, BCLX, and TNF RI, decreased in response to Ang II treatment. (Figure 6C). Ang 1-7, the treatment prevented Ang II-induced changes in the levels of various apoptosis-related proteins, including Claspin, cytochrome c, heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1), BAD, BCL2, BCLX, and TNF RI (Figure 6A–C; Supplementary Figure S1). The proteins elevated in the Ang II-treated abdominal aortic SMCs were further characterized for functional interactions using the STRING database for protein-protein interactions and functional enrichment analysis (Figure 6D). Bioinformatics analyses for KEGG pathway enrichment using interactome of differentially expressed proteins in Ang II-treated abdominal aortic SMCs predicted impact apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, and the p53 signaling pathway in the abdominal aortic SMCs (Figure 6E). Our results strongly suggest that Ang II-induced mitochondrial fragmentation and increased oxidative stress led to apoptosis of abdominal aortic SMCs, which play a crucial role in developing AAA. Anti-apoptotic and antioxidant effects of Ang 1-7 play a vital role in mitigating the progression of AAA.

AAA is characterized by asymptomatic but progressive, irreversible dilatation of the abdominal aorta and is associated with high mortality due to the devastating consequences of aortic rupture [49]. The incidence of AAA increases with age, and its prevalence is 4-7% in males aged ≥65 years and 1–2% in females [50]. For decades, multifactorial and complex pathophysiology perplexed researchers to develop clinically efficacious pharmacological or surgical interventions. In the absence of clinically proven pharmacological treatments to prevent the progression of AAA growth or rupture, current therapeutic alternatives to prevent aortic rupture are restricted to surgical repair and endovascular intervention. Though surgical treatments have evolved into increasingly sophisticated and less invasive AAA management alternatives [51], the need to identify pathways predisposing to AAA development and shift the treatment paradigm from surgical to pharmaceutical approaches remains [15]. The precise mechanistic insight into pathogenic pathways and regulatory networks triggering aneurysmal development and subsequent dilatation is imperative for discovering targeted pharmacological agents.

The renin–angiotensin system (RAS) plays a crucial role in the regulation of mammalian physiology. Ang 1-7 is a heptapeptide generated by ACE and ACE2-mediated hydrolysis of Ang I and Ang II, respectively. Ang 1-7 exerts its actions via activation of the mas receptor, and Ang-(1-7)/ACE2/Mas axis counterbalances the vasoconstriction mediated by classical RAS. Previous studies delineated the protective effects of Ang 1-7 via the regulation of RAS [27,52,53]. Ang 1-7 has shown protective effects in cardiovascular diseases such as diabetic cardiomyopathy, atherosclerosis, hypertension, intracranial aneurysm, and heart failure due to its inherent vasodilator, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic properties [25,52–54]. The preclinical and clinical studies reflect the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-fibrotic properties of Ang 1-7 in vascular disease. The role of the Ang II/AT1R axis of the RAS pathway has been widely investigated in inducing experimental AAA progression and dissection [55–57], and though Ang 1-7 is known to counterbalance Ang II actions, a detailed understanding of Ang 1-7 mediated protective effects still needs investigation. To understand mechanistic details of the effects of Ang 1-7 in AAA, we used a widely used murine model of AAA developed by Ang II administration to ApoEKO mice, which recapitulates some of the crucial features of human AAA such as marked inflammation, medial layer degeneration, and aortic rupture. However, there are certain differences observed between the murine model and human AAA. For instance, aneurysms in mice frequently occur in the suprarenal region as opposed to the infrarenal region in the human aorta. The progression of luminal dilatation in the murine model was rapid, as opposed to the gradual luminal dilatation observed in human AAA. Further, aortic dissection and rupture were observed in the murine aorta as early event in the absence of atherosclerosis. Contrarily, in humans, dissection and rupture in the abdominal aorta occur in late-stage, large aneurysms with atherosclerosis [57,58]. Considering these key differences, a translational investigation of roles of Ang 1-7 in AAA using larger animal models and humans is highly warranted. The Ang II-induced AAA exhibited severe aortic dilatation, elastin degradation, aneurysmal wall remodeling, and aortic rupture. Administration of Ang 1-7 alleviated macroscopic changes in the abdominal aorta associated with AAA development and preserved functional integrity of the aorta, evident by comparable aortic diameters and distensibility in the Ang 1-7 infused aorta. Thus, Ang 1-7 demonstrated potentially protective effects by maintaining the structural and functional integrity of the abdominal aorta.

Progression of Ang II-induced AAA is pathologically associated with excessive ECM remodeling, specifically elastic media degeneration, and profound aneurysmal wall remodeling involving perivascular collagen deposition [59]. Ang 1-7 has demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-fibrotic properties, attenuating proteolytic activities of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), NADPH oxidase, and myofibroblast activation [28,60]. Our study unequivocally proves a significant decrease in elastin degradation within the aortic medial layer and a marked decrease in collagen deposition in the surrounding tissue after prolonged Ang 1-7 administration, corroborating existing literature [23]. The data corroborated Ang 1-7-mediated anti-fibrotic and inhibitory effects on adverse vascular remodeling in AAA. The progressive loss of the organized structure of the aorta wall consequently leads to weakened vessels followed by dilatation of the aorta. Although endothelial cells, fibroblasts, macrophages, and other cell types are involved in AAA development [61], a decrease in the structural integrity of the aortic vessel wall, which in part stems from the loss of medial SMCs by apoptosis and senescence appears to be central to the development of AAA [35,37]. Consistently, we observed significantly reduced SMCs density in aortic media, indicating medial degeneration. The administration of Ang 1-7 preserved the SMC population in the aortic media. The in vitro studies corroborated in vivo observations; Ang II treatment increased apoptosis of aortic SMCs isolated exclusively from the abdominal aortic region. Ang 1-7 treatment attenuated Ang II-induced apoptosis of abdominal aortic SMCs. As aortic SMCs can facilitate connective tissue repair via the production of elastin, collagen, and other matrix proteins and balancing proteolysis induced by different cell types [35], Ang 1-7-mediated preservation of SMCs in the abdominal aorta will have an important influence on the mitigation of AAA. Although apoptosis and other signaling pathways cause loss of SMCs in AAA, targeting apoptotic pathways as a potential treatment will be challenging as apoptosis has a crucial homeostatic role in maintaining vascular health (Figure 7). Thus, investigating novel therapeutic approaches must consider the unwarranted effects of apoptosis inhibition. VSMCs play a crucial role in maintaining the vascular tone in the vessel wall [62]. However, VSMCs possess a very high level of plasticity and can undergo phenotypic switch to synthetic, senescent, adipocytic, osteochondrogenic, and foam cell-like phenotypes in response to various mechanical and biochemical stimuli [63]. Research evidence points to a potential critical link between the aortic SMC phenotypic changes and the emergence of vascular remodeling and aneurysm formation [41]. The synthetic phenotype of SMCs promotes vascular inflammation and ECM remodeling, augmenting aneurysm progression [39,40]. Phenotypic switching of abdominal aortic SMCs has been identified as a predisposing factor in the development of AAA [39,40]. Our results strongly suggested that Ang II-mediated SMC phenotypic switch to synthetic phenotype promotes the progression of AAA. Importantly, Ang 1-7 attenuated pathological phenotypic switching in abdominal SMCs, reinforced the contractile phenotype, alleviated ECM remodeling, and prevented the development of AAA.

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that alter their morphology in response to internal and external stimuli or stress through mitochondrial dynamics, fusion, and fission [64]. Defects in mitochondrial dynamics are implicated in several cardiovascular diseases; for instance, excessive mitochondrial fission has been pathogenically associated with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and pulmonary arterial hypertension [65,66]. Increased mitochondrial fission has been associated with intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways by the induction of cytochrome c in the cytosol and apoptosis-associated caspases [67,68]. Reportedly, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and oxidative stress have resulted from abnormal mitochondrial fission and are causally associated with AAA development [69]. In our study, Ang II-treated abdominal aortic SMCs exhibited increased mitochondrial fission and oxidative stress represented by ROS generation. This corroborated the association of Ang II-induced mitochondrial fission and oxidative stress with ECM degradation and apoptotic cell death of aortic SMCs. Our observation aligns with previously reported inhibition of high glucose-induced mitochondrial fission in response to Ang 1-7 treatment of podocytes [70]. Ang 1-7 inhibited Ang II-induced mitochondrial fission and oxidative stress and attenuated apoptotic cell death of abdominal aortic SMCs. The proteome profiler apoptosis assay kit further corroborated the involvement of apoptosis-associated proteins in the Ang 1-7 mediated protection against AAA. Selective elevation of Claspin, cytochrome c, heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1), Heat shock protein 27 (HSP27), p27/kip1, and X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), whereas decreased levels of BAD, BCL2, BCLX, and TNF RI in response to Ang II treatment suggests selective activation of cytochrome c-Caspase-9 axis being involved in the apoptosis of abdominal aortic SMCs. However, the identification of precise mechanisms requires further detailed investigations. Our results also suggest that Ang 1-7-mediated prevention of mitochondrial structure and attenuation of cytochrome c release prevented aortic SMC death and mitigated the progression of AAA (Figure 7).

In conclusion, based on the data reinforced with cellular and molecular investigations indicate that enhancing Ang 1-7 actions can provide a novel and promising therapeutic avenue for the treatment of AAA.

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a complex vascular disease associated with worldwide morbidity and mortality. Identification of cellular mechanisms and regulatory pathways involved in pathogenesis will facilitate the development of novel therapeutic agents.

• Activation of RAS, specifically Ang II, leads to pathogenic alterations, i.e., vascular remodeling, oxidative stress, and SMC apoptosis in the abdominal aorta; we aimed to study the protective effects of Ang 1-7 by antagonism of Ang II in AAA.

• Ang 1-7 exerts protective effects against Ang II-induced AAA by attenuating pathological alterations. With the unavailability of pharmacological therapeutic agents for surgical treatments with adverse side effects, management of AAA proves to be a challenging avenue. Ang 1-7-mediated protective effects in AAA indicate that enhancing Ang 1-7 actions may provide a promising therapeutic approach to the prevention of AAA.

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

The authors declare that there are no competing interests associated with the manuscript.

This work received support from Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine (Start-up Operating Fund to V.B.P. and Postdoctoral scholarship to A.S.J. and K.P.G.).

Anshul S. Jadli: Conceptualization, Data curation, Methodology, Writing—original draft. Karina P. Gomes: Data curation, Methodology. Noura N. Ballasy: Data curation, Methodology. Tishani Methsala Wijesuriya: Data curation. Darrell Belke: Data curation. Paul W.M. Fedak: Resources, Supervision, Writing—review & editing. Vaibhav B. Patel: Conceptualization, Supervision, Writing—review & editing.

AAA

abdominal aortic aneurysm

ACE

angiotensin-converting enzyme

Ang 1-7

Angiotensin 1-7

Ang II

Angiotensin II

ECM

extracellular matrix

EKV

ECG-gated Kilohertz Visualization

MMP

matrix metalloproteinase

RAS

renin–angiotensin system

VSMC

vascular smooth muscle cell

VVG

Verhoeff-Van Gieson