BackgroundThe inflammatory cytokine thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) has pleiotropic roles in immune response and tissue homeostasis, yet its function in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) remains entirely unexplored.MethodsWe integrated clinical epidemiology, in vivo experimental models, and in vitro mechanistic assays. Using the UK Biobank (UKB), we analyzed serum TSLP levels in 632 AAA patients and 24,036 controls.
Using two murine AAA models (porcine pancreatic elastase and calcium phosphate), function of TSLP was evaluated by genetic deletion of Tslp receptor (Tslpr), administration of a neutralizing anti-TSLP monoclonal antibody, and exogenous TSLP delivery. The immune landscape of aorta was profiled by mass cytometry (CyTOF).
The effects of TSLP on macrophage polarization was assessed in vitro. Underlying mechanisms were probed by bulk RNA sequencing.ResultsAAA patients showed a markedly elevated serum TSLP.
In murine models, TSLP was increased in the aortic tissues, primarily derived from fibroblasts. Genetic ablation of Tslpr and pharmacological neutralization of TSLP attenuated the severity of AAA, while exogenous TSLP exacerbated the disease.
Frontiers in Immunology published a clinical update in Infectious Disease on 07 Apr 2026.
The item focuses on Thymic stromal lymphopoietin promotes abdominal aortic aneurysm formation by regulating macrophage polarization.
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