Aberrant mechanosensitive signaling underlies activation of vascular endothelial xanthine oxidoreductase that promotes aortic aneurysm formation in Marfan syndrome

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is an inherited connective tissue disorder caused by mutations in the FBN1 gene encoding fibrillin-1, a matrix component of extracellular microfibrils. The main cause of morbidity and mortality in MFS is thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection, but the underlying mechanisms remain undetermined. We found a significant increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in ascending aorta of MFS patients and MFS mice harboring the Fbn1 mutation (C1039G), which was associated with up-regulation of xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) protein in aortic endothelial cells (ECs). Mechanosensitive signaling involving focal adhesion kinase (FAK)-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and early growth response-1 (Egr- 1) was aberrantly activated in ascending aorta of Fbn1C1039G/+ mice, and mechanical stress on human aortic ECs up-regulated XOR expression through FAK-p38 MAPK activation and Egr-1 up-regulation. Inhibition of XOR function by ECs-specific disruption of Xdh gene or by systemic administration of XOR inhibitor febuxostat in Fbn1C1039G/+ mice suppressed ROS generation, FAK-p38 MAPK activation, and Egr-1 up-regulation, leading to attenuation of aortic aneurysm formation. These findings unveil aberrant mechanosensitive signaling in vascular ECs triggering endothelial XOR activation and ROS generation as a culprit underlying the pathogenesis of aortic aneurysm formation in MFS, and highlight a drug repositioning approach using a uric acid lowering drug febuxostat as a potential therapy for MFS.