Evaluation of therapeutic effects of FAK inhibition in murine models of atherosclerosis

Therapeutic effects of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) inhibition using a small molecule inhibitor was evaluated in apolipoprotein E (apoE) knockout (KO) and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr) KO mouse atherosclerosis models. The prevention trial consisted of an 8-week treatment with an FAK inhibitor concurrent treatment with a high fat (HF)/high cholesterol (HC) diet. The intervention trial consisted of 6- and 8-week treatment after 6- and 8-week pre-loading, respectively, of a HF/HC diet in apoE KO and LDLr KO mice, respectively. The inhibitor was admixed with a HF/HC diet and mice were given free access to the admixture. The FAK inhibitor exhibited marked inhibition against the development of the atherosclerosis in both of prevention and intervention trials at a dose of 0.03% without showing any remarkable toxic properties in biochemical examinations. These results indicated that FAK inhibition might be a possible candidate for novel therapeutic targets against atherosclerosis.