The Role of Endothelial Cell Specific Nrf2 on Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Function
Authors: Allen Michael , Anderson Cody , Rudebush Tara L , Dhyani Neha , Zucker Irving , Park Song-Young 
Published: May 2024

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death worldwide. Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the vasculature has been suggested as one of the major players in CVD. In addition, CVDs such as peripheral arterial disease (PAD) have elevated oxidative stress (OS) damage, stemming from an imbalance between antioxidants and ROS in both the vasculature and skeletal muscles. Although a vascular disease, the most common symptom of PAD is leg pain due to skeletal muscle ischemia and OS damage. The Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) pathway is a redox transcription factor and is likely the master regulator of endogenous antioxidants. Modulation of Nrf2 expression may be a potential therapeutic target in CVDs. However, the role of endothelial cell (EC) Nrf2 on skeletal muscle mitochondrial function is currently unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the role of endothelial specific Nrf2 in skeletal muscle mitochondrial function.Hypothesis: We hypothesized that 1) EC-specific Nrf2-knockout (Tie2-Cre-Nrf2 Floxed) would result in blunted skeletal muscle mitochondrial function and 2) EC specific Keap1 knockout (Tie2-Cre-Keap1 Floxed) would improve skeletal muscle mitochondrial function. Methods: Gastrocnemius muscles were harvested from 6-month-old C57BL/6 mice (WT, n = 11), EC specific Nrf2-KO mice (n = 15) and EC specific Keap1-KO mice (n = 7). Muscle fibers were permeabilized and placed in a high-resolution respirometer to assess mitochondrial respiratory complex function (Oroboros Instruments). Results: Complex I state 3 respiration was blunted in Nrf2-KO compared to both Keap1-KO and WT (6.5±1.7 vs 13.6±3.5 vs 18.5±3.3 pmols−1･mg−1, respectively; p<0.05). Complex I+II state 3 respiration was attenuated in Nrf2-KO compared to Keap1-KO (13.63±1.5 vs 27.8±4.2 pmols−1･mg−1; p<0.05). Complex II state 3 respiration was increased in the Keap1-KO compared to both Nrf2-KO and WT (23.9±2.8 vs 7.1±1.1 vs 5.6±0.7 pmols−1･mg−1, respectively; p<0.05) and Nrf2-KO exhibited reduced Complex IV respiration compared to both Keap1-KO and WT (19.5±6.1 vs 57.7±13.2 vs 76.6±12.4 pmols−1･mg−1, respectively; p<0.05).Conclusions: This study provides novel findings showing skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction is present in EC specific Nrf2-KO mice. Yet, EC specific Keap1-KO mice had increased mitochondrial respiration. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate a substantial impact that EC specific Nrf2 contributes to skeletal muscle mitochondrial function. Our findings provide evidence that the vascular EC Nrf2 pathway can be a potential therapeutic target for skeletal muscle dysfunction in CVDs such as PAD. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.