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Glycyrrhetinic acid antagonizes pressure-induced venous remodeling in mice

ABSTRACT: Development of spider veins is caused by the remodeling of veins located in the upper dermis and promoted by risk factors such as obesity or pregnancy that chronically increase venous pressure. We have repeatedly shown that the pressure-induced increase in biomechanical wall stress is sufficient to evoke the formation of enlarged corkscrew-like superficial veins in mice. Subsequent experimental approaches revealed that interference with endothelial- and/or smooth muscle cell activation counteracts this remodeling process. Here, we investigate whether the herbal agent glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) is a suitable candidate for that purpose given its anti-proliferative as well as anti-oxidative properties. While basic abilities of cultured venous smooth muscle cells (SMCs) such as migration and proliferation were not influenced by GA, it inhibited proliferation but not angiogenic sprouting of human venous endothelial cells (ECs). Further analyses of biomechanically stimulated ECs revealed that GA inhibits the DNA binding capacity of the mechanosensitive transcription factor activator protein-1 (AP-1) which, however, had only a minor impact on the endothelial transcriptome. Nevertheless, by decreasing gelatinase activity in ECs or mouse veins exposed to biomechanical stress, GA diminished a crucial cellular response in the context of venous remodeling. In line with the observed inhibitory effects, local transdermal application of GA attenuated pressure-mediated enlargement of veins in the mouse auricle. In summary, our data identifies GA as an inhibitor of EC proliferation, gelatinase activity and venous remodeling. It may thus have the capacity to attenuate spider vein formation and remodeling in humans.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE110335 | GEO | 2018/03/23

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:BACKGROUND: As evidenced by epidemiological and etiological studies, the development of varicose veins is driven by risk-factors which support the development of venous hypertension and thus chronically augment circumferential stress of the venous wall (e.g. dysfunctional venous valves, pregnancy or obesity). We have previously verified the relevance of this biomechanical stimulus for the activation of venous endothelial as well as smooth muscle cells and the subsequent detrimental structural remodeling of the vein wall in experimental mouse models. METHODS: Here, transcriptome analyses revealed an increase in the expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) in human venous endothelial cells upon exposure to biomechanical stress. Subsequently, we investigated the impact of diclofenac – a cyclooxygenase inhibitor – on responses of isolated mouse veins to augmented wall stress in vitro and on varicose-like venous remodeling in vivo. RESULTS: Diclofenac treatment decreased COX-2 protein abundance in mouse veins but had no significant impact on the expression of corresponding transcripts. Short-term exposure to elevated pressure levels stimulated the activity of matrix-metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and mitogen activated protein kinases ERK1/2. Diclofenac decreased the level of activated MMP-2 and ERK1/2 in pressure-exposed mouse veins. Varikose-like remodeling of veins in the mouse auricle was significantly inhibited by transdermal application of diclofenac-containing phospholipid-micelles. This effect was associated with decreased COX-2 and MMP-2 abundance as well as cell proliferation. CONCLUSION: The cyclooxygenase inhibitor diclofenac interferes with short term activation of MAP-kinases and matrix-metalloproteinases in cells of the wall stress-exposed venous wall while attenuating venous remodeling in vivo. Thus, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be suitable to interfere with processes promoting the progression of varicose vein development and biomechanical activation of venous cells.

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Glycyrrhetinic acid antagonizes pressure-induced venous remodeling in mice

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