<p>Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) progression is closely linked to inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. Our previous study has demonstrated that increased CD95 ligand (CD95L) and its downstream effector Caspase-8 in the aortic tissue, contributed to AAA by modulating inflammation. However, how the CD95L/Caspase-8 modulated aneurysmal inflammation remains poorly understood. This study investigates how CD95L/Caspase-8 signaling drives endothelial pyroptosis to exacerbate AAA. Using a CaCl<sub>2</sub>-induced AAA murine model and primary mouse aortic endothelial cells (MAECs), we demonstrate that CD95L triggers endothelial pyroptosis, characterized by NLRP3 inflammasome activation, Gasdermin D N-terminal (GSDMD-N) cleavage, and Caspase-8/Caspase 1 activation. Electron microscopy confirmed pyroptotic morphology, while flow cytometry excluded apoptosis or necrosis. CD95L elevated IL-1β/IL-18 secretion, which was abolished by Caspase-8 siRNA or inhibitor Z-IETD-FMK. Mechanistically, CD95L suppressed Caspase-8 phosphorylation at Tyr380, enabling its activation of GSDMD-dependent pyroptosis. In vivo, CaCl<sub>2</sub>-induced AAA mice exhibited aortic dilation, elastin degradation, and endothelial-specific pyroptosis, all attenuated by endothelial-targeted Caspase-8 knockdown via AAV9-shRNA. This intervention reduced NLRP3 and GSDMD-N expression while preserving vascular integrity. Similarly, SRC kinase activation mitigated pyroptosis markers and aortic damage. These findings establish CD95L as a key mediator of endothelial pyroptosis in AAA via Caspase-8 dephosphorylation and NLRP3/GSDMD-N activation. Targeting Caspase-8 or enhancing SRC activity represents a promising therapeutic strategy to curb AAA progression by preserving endothelial homeostasis.</p>

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CD95 ligand drives abdominal aortic aneurysm progression through Caspase-8-mediated GSDMD-dependent endothelial pyroptosis: modulation by SRC kinase

  • Tian-tian Ke,
  • Chuan Yuan,
  • Yong Yuan,
  • Jin-long Liu,
  • Xue-liang Zhou,
  • Ji-chun Liu,
  • Wan-fen Xiong,
  • Zhi-bo Liu

摘要

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) progression is closely linked to inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. Our previous study has demonstrated that increased CD95 ligand (CD95L) and its downstream effector Caspase-8 in the aortic tissue, contributed to AAA by modulating inflammation. However, how the CD95L/Caspase-8 modulated aneurysmal inflammation remains poorly understood. This study investigates how CD95L/Caspase-8 signaling drives endothelial pyroptosis to exacerbate AAA. Using a CaCl2-induced AAA murine model and primary mouse aortic endothelial cells (MAECs), we demonstrate that CD95L triggers endothelial pyroptosis, characterized by NLRP3 inflammasome activation, Gasdermin D N-terminal (GSDMD-N) cleavage, and Caspase-8/Caspase 1 activation. Electron microscopy confirmed pyroptotic morphology, while flow cytometry excluded apoptosis or necrosis. CD95L elevated IL-1β/IL-18 secretion, which was abolished by Caspase-8 siRNA or inhibitor Z-IETD-FMK. Mechanistically, CD95L suppressed Caspase-8 phosphorylation at Tyr380, enabling its activation of GSDMD-dependent pyroptosis. In vivo, CaCl2-induced AAA mice exhibited aortic dilation, elastin degradation, and endothelial-specific pyroptosis, all attenuated by endothelial-targeted Caspase-8 knockdown via AAV9-shRNA. This intervention reduced NLRP3 and GSDMD-N expression while preserving vascular integrity. Similarly, SRC kinase activation mitigated pyroptosis markers and aortic damage. These findings establish CD95L as a key mediator of endothelial pyroptosis in AAA via Caspase-8 dephosphorylation and NLRP3/GSDMD-N activation. Targeting Caspase-8 or enhancing SRC activity represents a promising therapeutic strategy to curb AAA progression by preserving endothelial homeostasis.