SIRT3 Represses Vascular Remodeling via Reducing Mitochondrial Ac-CoA Accumulation in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2025 Jun;45(6):985-1005. doi: 10.1161/ATVBAHA.125.322428. Epub 2025 Apr 17.

Abstract

Background: Vascular remodeling characterized by vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotypic switching is a key pathological process leading to numerous cardiovascular diseases, often accompanied by a decrease in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. However, whether VSMC mitochondrial homeostasis plays a central role in vascular remodeling remains elusive. In this study, we investigated the role of SIRT3 (sirtuin 3), a deacetylase that maintains mitochondrial homeostasis, in vascular remodeling.

Methods: We established a VSMC-specific SIRT3 knockout mouse and a VSMC-specific SIRT3 overexpression mouse. Mice were infused with Ang II (angiotensin II) to establish the conventional abdominal aortic aneurysm model and underwent carotid artery ligation to establish the neointima formation model to investigate the role of SIRT3 in vascular remodeling. In vitro, quiescent-state VSMCs were stimulated with PDGF-BB (platelet-derived growth factor type BB) to investigate the direct role of SIRT3 in VSMC phenotypic switching, and the detailed mechanisms were investigated.

Results: The expression and activity of SIRT3 were decreased in the aortas from mice with Ang II-induced abdominal aortic aneurysm or ligation-induced neointima formation. VSMC-specific knockout of SIRT3 exacerbated vascular remodeling, whereas overexpression or activation of SIRT3 in VSMCs displayed therapeutic effect. Moreover, the reduction of SIRT3 was shown to increase the expression level of KLF4 (Kruppel-like factor 4), an important transcription factor that orchestrates VSMC phenotypic switching. Mechanistically, SIRT3 repression caused mitochondrial Ac-CoA (acetyl coenzyme A) accumulation that increased acetylated histone 3 lysine 27 levels in the KLF4 gene promoter region. Blockage of mitochondrial Ac-CoA transporting into the cytoplasm by inhibiting ACLY (ATP-citrate lyase) also inhibited VSMC phenotypic switching and thus attenuated vascular remodeling even when SIRT3 was knocked down.

Conclusions: This study provides evidence that mitochondrial dysfunction induced by SIRT3 inhibition is a major factor leading to VSMC phenotypic switching and vascular remodeling. Restoration of mitochondrial function and inhibition of mitochondrial Ac-CoA accumulation by activation of SIRT3 may help to treat remodeling-related cardiovascular damage.

Keywords: acetyl coenzyme A; mitochondria; sirtuin 3; smooth muscle cells; vascular remodeling.

MeSH terms

  • Acetyl Coenzyme A* / metabolism
  • Acetylation
  • Angiotensin II
  • Animals
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal* / chemically induced
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal* / enzymology
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal* / genetics
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal* / pathology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Kruppel-Like Factor 4
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mitochondria, Muscle* / enzymology
  • Mitochondria, Muscle* / pathology
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular* / drug effects
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular* / enzymology
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular* / pathology
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle* / drug effects
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle* / enzymology
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle* / pathology
  • Neointima
  • Phenotype
  • Signal Transduction
  • Sirtuin 3* / deficiency
  • Sirtuin 3* / genetics
  • Sirtuin 3* / metabolism
  • Vascular Remodeling* / drug effects

Substances

  • Sirtuin 3
  • Kruppel-Like Factor 4
  • Sirt3 protein, mouse
  • Klf4 protein, mouse
  • Acetyl Coenzyme A
  • KLF4 protein, human
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors
  • Angiotensin II
  • Klf4 protein, rat