Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40501408›Full record

ArticleAnimal models and experimental medicine2025

SOX6 enhances vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic switching and elevates blood pressure by activating autophagy.

Qianhui Ling, Xilan Dong, Liyan Mao, Chengjun Huang, Linjing Cong, Haizeng Zhang, Jun Cai, Zhenzhen Chen

Abstract read
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Article in Animal models and experimental medicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

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4citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Qianhui LingBeijing Institute of Heart Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Beijing Anzhen Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Xilan DongState Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Hypertension Center, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.ORCID 0000-0002-5538-1774
Liyan MaoBeijing Institute of Heart Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Beijing Anzhen Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Chengjun HuangBeijing Institute of Heart Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Beijing Anzhen Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Linjing CongBeijing Institute of Heart Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Beijing Anzhen Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Haizeng ZhangBeijing Institute of Heart Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Beijing Anzhen Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Jun CaiBeijing Institute of Heart Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Beijing Anzhen Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Zhenzhen ChenBeijing Institute of Heart Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Beijing Anzhen Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.

Funding

Beijing Nova Program 20230484842National Natural Science Foundation of China 82470461
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSOX6 has been shown to play a crucial role in the development of the cardiovascular system. However, its potential role in hypertension and vascular function remains unclear.

methodsIn vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), we employed gain- and loss-of-function approaches combined with RNA sequencing, autophagy flux assessment, and phenotype characterization. Additionally, we established a mouse model with Sox6 overexpression via adeno-associated virus 2 (AAV2) to validate the findings in vivo.

resultsWe validated the increased expression of SOX6 in hypertension both in vitro and in vivo. Genetic silencing of Sox6 in VSMCs attenuated the phenotypic switching induced by angiotensin II. Conversely, in vivo overexpression of Sox6 led to a significant elevation in blood pressure and promoted vascular remodeling. Mechanistically, SOX6 was shown to regulate phenotypic switching via an autophagy-dependent pathway. Specifically, Sox6 overexpression augmented VSMC autophagy and facilitated phenotypic switching, whereas Sox6 knockdown yielded opposite outcomes. Modulation of autophagy using 3-MA or RAPA could effectively counteract the effect mediated by SOX6.

conclusionsOur findings revealed that SOX6 regulates VSMC plasticity and elevates blood pressure by activating autophagy. Therefore, SOX6 inhibition potentially represents a novel strategy for treating hypertension and vascular remodeling.

Indexed as

AutophagyBlood PressureHypertensionMuscle, Smooth, VascularMyocytes, Smooth MuscleSOXD Transcription FactorsAnimalsCells, CulturedDisease Models, AnimalMaleMiceMice, Inbred C57BLPhenotypeVascular RemodelingSox6 protein, mouseSOXD Transcription FactorsautophagyhypertensionSOX6VSMC phenotypic switching

Identifiers

PMID40501408
PMCPMC12464868

What Socratic holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.