Figure 1Arterial blood pressure determined using a catheter in the femoral artery of anesthetized apoE -/-mice. Mice were anesthetized after 28 days of infusion of vehicle or the stated dose of Ang II. Points represent the mean of at least seven observations, and bars represent SEM.

Objective-We sought to define the temporal characteristics of angiotensin II (AngII)-induced abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) and to provide mechanistic insight into the development of this vascular pathology in apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE-/-) mice. Methods and Results-Male apoE-/-mice were infused with AngII for 1 to 56 days. Suprarenal arteries were sequentially sectioned, and cellular features were defined by histologic and immunocytochemical techniques. The initial identified event was medial accumulation of macrophages in regions of elastin degradation. Subsequent medial dissection was associated with luminal dilation and thrombus formation. Thrombi were usually constrained by adventitial tissue, although Ϸ10% of mice died due to rupture. Thrombi led to profound inflammation that was characterized by infiltration of macrophages and T and B lymphocytes. Remodeling of the tissues was associated with regeneration of elastin fibers and reendothelialization of the dilated luminal surface. Aneurysmal tissue underwent profound neovascularization. Atherosclerotic lesions were only detected after development of the aneurysms. Key Words: angiotensin Ⅲ aneurysms Ⅲ atherosclerosis A bdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are permanent dilations of the artery that are normally defined as an increase of Ͼ50% of the normal diameter. 1 AAAs are a major cause of mortality in the elderly, with an anticipated increase in prevalence owing to the demographics of an increased proportion of aged individuals. Despite the prevalence of the disease, current therapy of AAA is restricted to surgical options, because there are no medicinal approaches with proven benefit. [2][3][4] The pathology of AAAs is largely defined from tissues acquired at the end stage of the disease. At this late stage of progression, the pathologic features of the tissue include degeneration of the medial elastic fibers, thinning of the media, adventitial hypertrophy with accumulation of macrophages and T and B lymphocytes, atherosclerosis, and thrombi. 5-7 However, there is a paucity of data defining the sequential cellular events of human AAAs as they develop and progress. This lack of information hinders the ability to provide mechanistic insight into the initiating and propagating factors of the disease. The development of atherosclerotic lesions in the abdominal aorta has been proposed as an initiating factor for the formation of AAA. 8 This is largely based on the presence of atherosclerotic lesions in aneurysmal tissue at the end stages of the disease. Conclusions-TheHowever, although atherosclerotic lesions are frequently present at the site of AAA formation, they might not be a causal factor.Animal models provide one mode to determine the sequential pathogenic factors critical to aneurysm development. The most commonly used mouse models of AAA are produced by calcium chloride, 9 elastase, 10 or angiotensin II (AngII). [11][12][13] Previous studies in our laboratory have demonstrated that infusion of AngII into apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE-/-) or f...

Abstract-Many mouse models of abdominal aortic aneurysms have been developed that use a diverse array of methods for producing the disease, including genetic manipulation and chemical induction. These models could provide insight into potential mechanisms in the development of this disease. Although experimental studies on abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) have used a variety of mammalian and avian approaches, there is an increasing reliance on the use of mice. The models recapitulate some facets of the human disease including medial degeneration, inflammation, thrombus formation, and rupture. Most of the mouse models of AAA are evoked either by genetically defined approaches or by chemical means. The genetic approaches are spontaneous and engineered mutations. These include defects in extracellular matrix maturation, increased degradation of elastin and collagen, aberrant cholesterol homeostasis, and enhanced production of angiotensin peptides. The chemical approaches include the intraluminal infusion of elastase, periaortic incubations of calcium chloride, and subcutaneous infusion of AngII. A common feature of these models is the reduction of AAA incidence and severity by the prophylactic administration of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitors or genetically engineered deficiencies of specific members of this proteolytic protein family. The validation of mouse models of AAAs will provide insight into the mechanisms of progression of the human disease.

Obesity is associated with a state of chronic, low-grade inflammation characterized by abnormal cytokine production and macrophage infiltration into adipose tissue, which may contribute to the development of insulin resistance. During immune responses, tissue infiltration by macrophages is dependent on the expression of osteopontin, an extracellular matrix protein and proinflammatory cytokine that promotes monocyte chemotaxis and cell motility. In the present study, we used a murine model of diet-induced obesity to examine the role of osteopontin in the accumulation of adipose tissue macrophages and the development of insulin resistance during obesity. Mice exposed to a high-fat diet exhibited increased plasma osteopontin levels, with elevated expression in macrophages recruited into adipose tissue. Obese mice lacking osteopontin displayed improved insulin sensitivity in the absence of an effect on diet-induced obesity, body composition, or energy expenditure. These mice further demonstrated decreased macrophage infiltration into adipose tissue, which may reflect both impaired macrophage motility and attenuated monocyte recruitment by stromal vascular cells. Finally, obese osteopontin-deficient mice exhibited decreased markers of inflammation, both in adipose tissue and systemically. Taken together, these results suggest that osteopontin may play a key role in linking obesity to the development of insulin resistance by promoting inflammation and the accumulation of macrophages in adipose tissue.

In obesity-related hypertension, activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been reported despite marked fluid volume expansion. Adipose tissue expresses components of the RAS and is markedly expanded in obesity. This study evaluated changes in components of the adipose and systemic RAS in diet-induced obese hypertensive rats. RAS was quantified in adipose tissue and compared with primary sources for the circulating RAS. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either a low-fat (LF; 11% kcal as fat) or moderately high-fat (32% kcal as fat) diet for 11 wk. After 8 wk, rats fed the moderately high-fat diet segregated into obesity-prone (OP) and obesity-resistant (OR) groups based on their body weight gain (body weight: OR, 566 +/- 10; OP, 702 +/- 20 g; P < 0.05). Mean arterial blood pressure was increased in OP rats (LF: 97 +/- 2; OR: 97 +/- 2; OP: 105 +/- 1 mmHg; P < 0.05). Quantification of mRNA expression by real-time PCR demonstrated a selective increase (2-fold) in angiotensinogen gene expression in retroperitoneal adipose tissue from OP vs. OR and LF rats. Similarly, plasma angiotensinogen concentration was increased in OP rats (LF: 390 +/- 48; OR: 355 +/- 24; OP: 530 +/- 22 ng/ml; P < 0.05). In contrast, other components of the RAS were not altered in OP rats. Marked increases in the plasma concentrations of angiotensin peptides were observed in OP rats (angiotensin II: LF: 95 +/- 31; OR: 59 +/- 20; OP: 295 +/- 118 pg/ml; P < 0.05). These results demonstrate increased activity of the adipose and systemic RAS in obesity-related hypertension.