Dietary restriction mitigates vascular aging, modulates the cGAS-STING pathway and reverses macrophage-like VSMC phenotypes in progeroid DNA-repair-deficient Ercc1Δ/- mice

Aging is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and the accumulation of DNA damage significantly contributes to the aging process. This study aimed to identify the underlying molecular mechanisms of vascular aging in DNA-repair-deficient progeroid Ercc1Δ/- mice and to explore the therapeutic effect of dietary restriction (DR). RNA sequencing analysis revealed that DR reversed gene expression of vascular aging processes including extracellular matrix remodeling in the Ercc1Δ/- aorta. Notably, this analysis indicated the presence of macrophage-like vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and suggested cGAS-STING pathway activation. The presence of macrophage-like VSMCs and increased STING1 expression were confirmed in Ercc1Δ/- aortic tissue and were both reduced by DR. In vitro, cisplatin-induced DNA damage activated the cGAS-STING pathway in Ercc1Δ/- VSMCs but not in wildtype VSMCs. These findings identify involvement of the cGAS-STING pathway in DNA damage driven vascular aging and underscore the therapeutic benefits of DR for vascular aging. Furthermore, upstream regulator analysis revealed compounds that may replicate the beneficial effects of DR, providing promising leads for further investigation.