Angiotensin II (Ang II) promotes vascular disease and hypertension, in part, by activating the interleukin-6 (IL-6)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway. Although SOCS3 regulates this pathway in the immune system, its role in vascular disease and hypertension is unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of SOCS3 in a model of Ang II-induced vascular disease. To exam direct effects, carotid arteries from wild-type (WT) and SOCS3 haplodeficient (SOCS3
+/-
) mice were incubated with Ang II for 22 hrs, followed by examination of endothelial function using acetylcholine (Ach). Relaxation to Ach was similar in all arteries incubated with vehicle. A low concentration of Ang II (1 nmol/L) did not affect Ach-induced vasodilation in WT mice, but reduced that of SOCS3
+/-
mice by ~50% (P<0.05). Ang II-induced impairment was prevented by inhibitors of STAT3, IL-6, NF-κB, or a scavenger of superoxide. Responses to nitroprusside were similar in all groups. We also tested the impact of SOCS3 in vivo by systemically infusing Ang II (1.4 mg/kg per day) for 14 days via osmotic mini-pumps. Ach-induced vasodilation in carotid and resistance arteries in brain from WT mice was reduced by ~60% (P<0.05). Surprisingly, deficiency in SOCS3
prevented the majority of Ang II-induced endothelial dysfunction without affecting the pressor response to Ang II. Lethally irradiated WT mice reconstituted with SOCS3
+/-
bone marrow were protected from Ang II-induced endothelial dysfunction (P<0.05), while reconstitution of irradiated SOCS3
+/-
mice with WT bone marrow exacerbated Ang II-induced vascular dysfunction (P<0.05). WT into WT and SOCS3
+/-
into SOCS3
+/-
bone marrow chimeras exhibited vascular function consistent with non-irradiated controls. The pressor response to Ang II was reduced by ~50% in WT mice reconstituted with bone marrow from SOCS3
+/-
mice (P<0.05). These data suggest SOCS3 exerts divergent local versus systemic effects on Ang II-induced vascular dysfunction. In the face of SOCS3 deficiency, bone marrow-derived cells protect against Ang II-induced vascular dysfunction and hypertension.
Protective role of manganese superoxide dismutase against angiotensin II‐induced, nox2‐dependent cerebral endothelial dysfunction
