Autophagy is required for endothelial cell alignment and atheroprotection under physiological blood flow

Abstract

Significance Atherosclerotic plaques tend to develop preferentially in areas of the vasculature exposed to low and disturbed shear stress (SS), but the mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we demonstrate that inefficient autophagy contributes to the development of atherosclerotic plaques in low-SS areas. Defective endothelial autophagy not only curbs endothelial alignment with the direction of blood flow, but also promotes an inflammatory, apoptotic, and senescent phenotype. Furthermore, genetic inactivation of endothelial autophagy in a murine model of atherosclerosis increases plaque burden exclusively in high-SS areas that are normally resistant to atherosclerotic plaque development. Altogether, these findings underline the role of endothelial autophagic flux activation by SS as an atheroprotective mechanism.