A mouse model of arterial endothelial cell-specific inflammation reveals pathways of endothelial dysfunction and the simultaneous upregulation of ACE2, the receptor of SARS-CoV2

Abstract

Background and Aims : Triggering chronic inflammation specifically in arterial endothelial cells of ApoE-deficient mice aggravates and accelerates atherosclerosis after feeding a cholesterol-rich high fat diet. Under these conditions, endothelial inflammation furthermore drives phenotypic transition of smooth muscle cells towards macrophage-like cells (Mussbacher M. et al, Atherosclerosis 2020, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2020.06.005). Here, we wanted to study effects of persistent inflammatory activation of arterial endothelial cells under normal cholesterol levels.