Gαq/11 signaling counteracts endothelial dysfunction in the brain and protects cognition in aged mice

Abstract

Cognitive impairment is a major medical problem in the aging population. The risk of developing cognitive impairment is higher in several systemic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. While a vascular contribution to cognitive impairment in these pathologies is well established, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Endothelial dysfunction, which frequently accompanies the abovementioned conditions and increases with age, might be a key causal and mechanistic factor in cognitive deficits associated with systemic conditions. In this study, we demonstrate that the inducible deletion of the Gq/11 signaling pathway in brain endothelial cells leads to an impaired reactivity of the brain vasculature to vasodilating stimuli such as neuronal activity, representing an isolated cerebral endothelial dysfunction. These mice develop mild cognitive impairment with aging that could be explained by increased tau phosphorylation, decreased myelination, and capillary rarefaction, suggesting that endothelial cell-driven processes protect cognition in aging and providing a mechanistic explanation for how endothelial dysfunction can lead to cognitive impairment in cerebral small vessel disease.