PGC1α regulates the mitochondrial metabolism response to cyclic stretch, which inhibits neointimal hyperplasia

Neointimal hyperplasia occurs in the context of vascular injury, such as stent intervention or balloon angioplasty. However, the role of mechanical forces in this process remains to be studied. In this study, a rat carotid artery intimal injury model was established. RNA-sequencing and transmission electron microscopy revealed that intimal injury disrupted the balance of vascular energy metabolism and impaired the mitochondrial ultrastructure in vivo. The human carotid plaque and femoral artery plaque samples also exhibited alterations in mitochondrial morphology. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are the main components of neointimal hyperplasia and are subjected to cyclic stretch resulting from pulsatile pressure. In this study, we found that the application of cyclic stretch in vitro increased VSMC mitochondrial mass and function. In addition, Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor gamma coactivator-1α (PGC1α) played an important role in regulating VSMC mitochondrial function in response to physiological stretch via the phosphorylation of SMAD3. Increasing the activation of PGC1α by ZLN005 treatment effectively inhibited VSMC hyperproliferation after intimal injury in vivo. These results suggested that the regulation of PGC1α by p-Smad3 in response to physiological cyclic stretch may effectively alleviate neointimal hyperplasia by promoting mitochondrial function. PGC1α may be a potential therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of neointimal hyperplasia.

Cyclic stretch; Mechanotransduction; Mitochondrial energy metabolism; PGC1α; Vascular injury; Vascular smooth muscle cells.