Anti-transferrin receptor 1 antibody reduces angiotensin II-induced vascular remodeling

Abstract

Aortic abundance of transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1), a cellular iron receptor, is increased in several vascular diseases; however, the effects of anti-TfR1 antibody on vascular diseases remains largely unknown. Herein, we investigated our hypothesis that anti-TfR1 antibody can attenuate vascular remodeling. Mice were infused with angiotensin II (AngII) to induce vascular remodeling with or without anti-TfR1 antibody. Notably, anti-TfR1 antibody attenuated vascular remodeling in mice with AngII infusion. Moreover, anti-TfR1 antibody suppressed AngII-induced proliferation and migration in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells. Thus, targeting TfR1 with an antibody may have therapeutic potential for vascular remodeling.

Keywords: Hypertension; Transferrin receptor 1; Vascular remodeling.