Creating a mouse model resistant to induced ischemic stroke and cardiovascular damage.

ABSTRACT

Vascular prostanoids, isomerized from an intermediate prostaglandin (PG), H2, produced by cyclooxygenase (COX), exert various effects on the vascular system, both protective and destructive. During endothelial dysfunction, vascular protector prostacyclin/prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) is decreased, while inflammatory PGE2 and thrombotic TXA2 are increased. Therefore, our research aim was to reverse the event by controlling PGH2 metabolism by generating an in vivo model via enzymatic engineering of COX-1 and prostacyclin synthase (PGIS). The COX-1 and PGIS genes were linked to a 10-residue amino acid linker to form a Single-chain Enzyme Complex (SCHEC), COX-1-10aa-PGIS. Transgenic (CP-Tg) mice in a FVB/N background were generated using the pronuclear microinjection method. We first confirmed mRNA and protein expression of COX-1-10aa-PGIS in various CP-Tg mouse tissues, as well as upregulation of circulating PGI2. We then examined the cardiovascular function of these mice. Our CP-Tg mice exhibited marked resistance to vascular assault through induced carotid arterial blockage, acute thrombotic stroke and arterial arrest, angiotensin-induced peripheral vasoconstriction, and hepatic lipid accumulation after receiving a high-fat diet. They also had a longer lifespan compared with wild-type mice. This study raises the possibility of fighting cardiovascular diseases by regulating cellular arachidonic acid-derived PGH2 metabolites using enzymatic engineering.