Endothelial Cell-Specific NF-κB Inhibition Protects Mice from Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder of the arterial wall and the underlying cause of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke. Today, atherosclerosis is recognized as a complex disease with a strong inflammatory component. The nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway regulates inflammatory responses and has been implicated in atherosclerosis. Here, we addressed the function of NF-κB signaling in vascular endothelial cells in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in vivo. Endothelium-restricted inhibition of NF-κB activation, achieved by ablation of NEMO/IKKγ or expression of dominant-negative IκBα specifically in endothelial cells, resulted in strongly reduced atherosclerotic plaque formation in ApoE−/− mice fed with a cholesterol-rich diet. Inhibition of NF-κB abrogated adhesion molecule induction in endothelial cells, impaired macrophage recruitment to atherosclerotic plaques, and reduced expression of cytokines and chemokines in the aorta. Thus, endothelial NF-κB signaling orchestrates proinflammatory gene expression at the arterial wall and promotes the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.