Gut microbiota dysfunction mediates stress-exacerbated aortic dissection via the bacteroides vulgatus-outer membrane vesicles-stearic acid-JNK/MAPK axis

Key Points

• The study aims to explore how gut microbiota dysfunction contributes to stress-related aortic dissection.
• Examined the role of B. vulgatus and its metabolites in aortic dissection.
• Analyzed JNK/MAPK signaling pathways in vascular smooth muscle cells.
• Investigated the therapeutic potential of restoring stearic acid levels.
• Chronic stress reduced B. vulgatus abundance and stearic acid levels.
• Decreased levels led to heightened JNK/MAPK signaling in vascular smooth muscle cells.
• Restoring stearic acid inhibited this signaling pathway and slowed aortic dissection progression.

Abstract