Tie2-Cre-Induced Inactivation of Non-Nuclear Estrogen Receptor-α Signaling Abrogates Estrogen Protection Against Vascular Injury

JACC Basic Transl Sci. 2022 Nov 16;8(1):55-67. doi: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2022.07.001. eCollection 2023 Jan.

Abstract

Using the Cre-loxP system, we generated the first mouse model in which estrogen receptor-α non-nuclear signaling was inactivated in endothelial cells. Estrogen protection against mechanical vascular injury was impaired in this model. This result indicates the pivotal role of endothelial estrogen receptor-α non-nuclear signaling in the vasculoprotective effects of estrogen.

Keywords: E2, 17β-estradiol; ECGM, endothelial cell growth medium; ER, estrogen receptor; ERαKI/KI, estrogen receptor-αknock-in/knock-in; LVEDD, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter; NOS, nitric oxide synthase; PI3K, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase; PLA, proximity ligation assay; Vo2, oxygen consumption; cDNA, complementary deoxyribonucleic acid; eNOS, endothelial nitric oxide synthase; endothelial cells; estrogen receptor-α; non-nuclear signaling; tissue-specific regulation.