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Relaxin receptor deficiency promotes vascular inflammation and impairs outward remodeling in arteriovenous fistulas
Author(s) -
Bezhaeva Taisiya,
Vries Margreet R.,
Geelhoed Wouter J.,
Veer Eric P.,
Versteeg Sabine,
Alem Carla M. A.,
Voorzaat Bram M.,
Eijkelkamp Niels,
Bogt Koen E.,
Agoulnik Alexander I.,
Zonneveld Anton-Jan,
Quax Paul H. A.,
Rotmans Joris I.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fj.201800437r
Subject(s) - relaxin , elastin , inflammation , medicine , endocrinology , vascular smooth muscle , receptor , extracellular matrix , fibronectin , pathology , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , smooth muscle
ABSTRACT The pathophysiology of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) maturation failure is not completely understood but impaired outward remodeling (OR) and intimal hyperplasia are thought to be contributors. This adverse vascular response after AVF surgery results from interplay between vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), the extracellular matrix (ECM), and inflammatory cells. Relaxin (RLN) is a hormone that acts on the vasculature via interaction with RLN/insulin‐like peptide family receptor 1 (RXFP1), resulting in vasodilata‐tion, ECM remodeling, and decreased inflammation. In the present study, we evaluated the consequences of RXFP1 knockout ( Rxfp1 ‐/‐ )onAVF maturationinamurine modelofAVF failure. Rxfp1 ‐/‐ mice showed a 22% decrease in vessel size at the venous outflow tract 14 d after AVF surgery. Furthermore, a 43% increase in elastin content was observed in the lesions of Rxfp1 ‐/‐ mice and coincided with a 41% reduction in elastase activity. In addition, Rxfp1 ‐/‐ mice displayed a 6‐fold increase in CD45+ leukocytes, along with a 2‐fold increase in monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1) levels, when compared with wild‐type mice. In vitro ,VSMCs from Rxfp1 ‐/‐ mice exhibited a synthetic phenotype, as illustrated by augmentation of collagen, fibronectin, TGF‐β, and platelet‐derived growth factor mRNA. In addition, VSMCs derived from Rxfp1 ‐/‐ mice showed a 5‐fold increase in cell migration. Finally, RXFP1 and RLN expression levels were increased in human AVFs when compared with unoperated cephalic veins. In conclusion, RXFP1 deficiency hampers elastin degradation and results in induced vascular inflammation after AVF surgery. These processes impair OR in murine AVF, suggesting that the RLN axis could be a potential therapeutic target for promoting AVF maturation.—Bezhaeva T., de Vries M. R., Geelhoed W. J., van der Veer E. P., Versteeg S., van Alem C. M. A., Voorzaat B. M., Eijkelkamp N., van derBogt K.E., Agoulnik A.I., van Zonneveld A.‐J., Quax P.H.A., Rotmans J.I. Relaxinreceptor deficiency promotes vascular inflammation and impairs outward remodeling in arteriovenous fistulas. FASEB J. 32, 6293–6304 (2018). www.fasebj.org