Omentin attenuates angiotensin II-induced abdominal aortic aneurysm formation in apolipoprotein E-knockout mice

Aims: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is an increasing and life-threatening disease. Obesity contributes to an increased risk of AAA. Omentin is a circulating adipokine, which is downregulated in obese complications. Here, we examined whether omentin could modulate angiotensin (Ang) II-induced AAA formation in apolipoprotein E-knockout (apoE-KO) mice.

Methods and results: apoE-KO mice were crossed with transgenic mice expressing the human omentin gene in fat tissue (OMT-Tg mice) to generate apoE-KO/OMT-Tg mice. apoE-KO/OMT-Tg and apoE-KO mice were subjected to continuous Ang II infusion by using osmotic mini pumps. apoE-KO/OMT-Tg mice exhibited a lower incidence of AAA formation and a reduced maximal diameter of AAA compared with apoE-KO mice. apoE-KO/OMT-Tg mice showed attenuated disruption of medial elastic fibres in response to Ang II compared with apoE-KO mice. apoE-KO/OMT-Tg mice also displayed reduced expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 9, MMP2, and pro-inflammatory genes in aortic walls compared with apoE-KO mice. Furthermore, systemic administration of omentin also attenuated AAA formation and disruption of medial elastic fibres in response to Ang II in apoE-KO mice. Treatment of human monocyte-derived macrophages with omentin protein attenuated expression of MMP9 and pro-inflammatory mediators, and MMP9 activation after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide. Treatment of human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) with omentin protein reduced expression and activation of MMP2 after stimulation with tumour necrosis factor α. Omentin treatment increased phosphorylation levels of Akt in human macrophages and VSMCs. The suppressive effects of omentin on MMP9 and MMP2 expression were reversed by inhibition of integrin-αVβ3/PI3-kinase/Akt signalling in macrophages and VSMCs, respectively.

Conclusion: These data suggest that omentin acts as an adipokine that can attenuate Ang II-induced development of AAA through suppression of MMP9 and MMP2 expression and inflammatory response in the vascular wall.