Abstract 10: The Matrix Crosslinking Enzyme Lysyl Oxidase Like-2 as a Target to Reverse Vascular Stiffness

Abstract

Introduction: Stiffening of the central vasculature is a strong and independent predictor of adverse cardiovascular events. Vascular stiffening is a complex process that involves changes in the vessel wall composition and smooth muscle cell (SMC) function. We recently used an unbiased proteomic approach to identify Lysyl oxidase like 2 (LOXL2) as a potential new target in vascular stiffness. The goal of this study is to characterize the role of LOXL2 in vascular stiffening and its potential as a target to reverse vascular stiffness associated with hypertension. Results: We demonstrate that decreased nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability results in increased secretion and activity of LOXL2 in SMCs. LOXL2 knockdown markedly attenuates SMC adhesion, motility, and proliferation and results in diminished matrix deposition. LOXL2 knockdown also results in striking changes in the stiffness and cytoskeletal remodeling events in CMSs. Tensile testing shows that intact aortas of LOXL2+/- animals are stiffer when compared with those from wild type mice, while there is no difference in decellularized vessels. We next investigated the role of LOXL2 in the development of hypertension using angiotensin II (AngII) infusion in LOXL2+/- (group 1) and wild type (WT; group 2) mice. BP and pulse wave velocity (PWV) increased significantly with AngII infusion in both groups during the study period, without a significant change in heart rate. Compared to WT animals, contractile responsiveness was markedly diminished in LOXL2+/- animals at baseline as well as with AngII infusion when compared with untreated controls. The NO- dependent vasodilatory response to acetylcholine was identical at baseline and diminished significantly with AngII infusion in both groups of animals. There was no difference between the groups in the endothelium-independent response to sodium nitroprusside. Conclusion: In this study, we demonstrated the role of NO in the regulation of LOXL2. Interestingly, LOXL2 appears to have a dual role in vascular stiffness by affecting both SMC function as well as matrix composition. We therefore conclude that LOXL2 is a novel target involved in vascular stiffness that requires further characterization to elicit the possibility of therapeutic intervention.