Endothelial AGO1 Drives Vascular Inflammation and Atherosclerosis via a Non-Canonical Nuclear Mechanism

Abstract

BACKGROUNDEndothelial cell (EC) dysfunction is a cause and consequence of vascular inflammation and lipid dysregulation in atherosclerosis, yet the molecular drivers linking EC dysfunction to systemic metabolic derangements remain incompletely understood. Moreover, whether inhibiting an endogenous gene in ECs can impact liver function, lipid profile, and the vascular inflammation in the context of atherosclerosis has not been demonstrated. We previously identified Argonaute 1 (AGO1), a component of the RNA-induced silencing complex, as a regulator of EC function in angiogenesis and obesity. However, the role of endothelial AGO1 in vascular inflammation and liver function in the context of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis is unknown. METHODSEC-conditional AGO1 knockout (EC-AGO1-KO) and wildtype mice were subjected to pro-atherosclerotic models induced by AAV9-PCSK9 coupled with a Western diet or partial carotid ligation. Metabolic and vascular phenotype and gene expression were analyzed. In human liver sinusoidal and aortic ECs, AGO1 was knocked down using antisense oligonucleotides (ASO), followed by assessment of inflammatory responses (qPCR, RNA-seq, ELISA, and monocyte adhesion assays). To identify the molecular mechanisms linking AGO1 and EC inflammation, Cut&Tag sequencing, chromatin immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, proximal ligation assay, and co-immunoprecipitation were performed. The therapeutic effect of AGO1 inhibition was assessed using ASO-delivered via lipid nanoparticle (LNP) for systemic distribution and monocyte membrane-coated nanoparticles (MoNP) to target the inflamed endothelium. RESULTSEC-AGO1-KO mice exhibited improved plasma lipid profiles, reduced hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis, and decreased aortic atherosclerotic burden. AGO1 knockdown in ECs attenuated inflammatory responses. Mechanistically, AGO1 interacted with NF-{kappa}B p65 and promoted p65 nuclear translocation and the transcriptional activation of pro-inflammatory genes, including ICAM1 and THBS1. AGO1-ASO delivered through LNP or MoNP achieved the anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperlipidemic, and anti-atherosclerotic effects, recapitulating the phenotypes observed with EC-AGO1-KO. CONCLUSIONSEndothelial AGO1 promotes vascular inflammation and liver dysfunction in the context of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis, in part through a non-canonical nuclear action of AGO1 as an NF-{kappa}B coactivator. Inhibition of endothelial AGO1 provides the dual benefits of ameliorating lipid dysregulation and suppressing vascular inflammation. These results highlight EC-AGO1 as a possible therapeutic target for atherosclerosis and cardiometabolic diseases.