Video 2_hTERT associates with Rab7A to enhance autophagy and rescue oxLDL induced endothelial dysfunction.mp4

Although restoring autophagy in atherosclerosis has been shown to yield protective effects, the mechanisms contributing to dysregulated autophagy are unknown. Apart from previously known extra telomeric role in regulating inflammation, emerging evidence suggests a strong direct correlation between hTERT and autophagy pathway, however, potential molecular mechanisms still remain unknown.

This study investigates hTERT's extra-telomeric function in rescuing oxLDL-induced endothelial dysfunction via autophagy regulation.</p>Methods<p>hTERT was ectopically overexpressed or knocked down in oxLDL treated HUVEC cells to study its effect in endothelial dysfunction using oxLDL retention, monocyte attachment, endothelial resistance and barrier breach assays. Autophagy-related gene expression and autophagy dynamics were evaluated through qPCR, western blotting, live-cell imaging, immunofluorescence, and co-immunoprecipitation.</p>Results<p>OxLDL-induced endothelial dysfunction reduced hTERT expression and increased ICAM1 levels.