Full Length ArticleLosartan and captopril treatment rescue normal thrombus formation in microfibril associated glycoprotein-1 (MAGP1) deficient mice

•Deficiency of MAGP-1 alters the interaction between thrombus and the vessel wall prolonging the occlusion time.•MAGP-1 deficiency increases gelatinases activity probably by increased TGF-β activity levels.•Treatment with losartan and captopril decrease gelatinases activity and restores normal occlusion time.

IntroductionMAGP1 is a glycoprotein present in the elastic fibers and is a part of the microfibrils components. MAGP1 interacts with von Willebrand factor and the active form of TGF-β and BMP. In mice lacking MAGP1, thrombus formation is delayed, increasing the occlusion time of carotid artery despite presenting normal blood coagulation in vitro. MAGP1-containing microfibrils may play a role in hemostasis and thrombosis. In this work, we evaluated the function of MAGP1 and its relation to TGF-β in the arterial thrombosis process.Methods and resultsWe analyzed thrombus formation time in wild type and MAGP1-deficient mice comparing Rose Bengal and Ferric Chloride induced arterial lesion. The potential participation of TGF-β in this process was accessed when we treated both wild type and MAGP1-deficient mice with losartan (an antihypertensive drug that decreases TGF-β activity) or captopril (an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor that was used as a control antihypertensive drug). Besides, we evaluated thrombus embolization and the gelatinolytic activity in the arterial walls in vitro and ex vivo. Losartan and captopril were able to recover the thrombus formation time without changing blood pressure, activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), PT (prothrombin time), platelet aggregation and adhesion, but decreased gelatinase activity.ConclusionsOur results suggest that both treatments are effective in the prevention of the sub-endothelial ECM degradation, allowing the recovery of normal thrombus formation.