CD73 Promotes Age-Dependent Accretion of Atherosclerosis

CD73 is an ectonucleotidase which catalyzes the conversion of AMP (adenosine monophosphate) to adenosine. Adenosine has been shown to be anti-inflammatory and vasorelaxant. The impact of ectonucleotidases on age-dependent atherosclerosis remains unclear. Our aim was to investigate the role of CD73 in age-dependent accumulation of atherosclerosis. Approach and results: Mice doubly deficient in CD73 and ApoE (apolipoprotein E; ( ) were generated, and the extent of aortic atherosclerotic plaque was compared with controls at 12, 20, 32, and 52 weeks. By 12 weeks of age, mice exhibited a significant increase in plaque (1.4±0.5% of the total vessel surface versus 0.4±0.1% in controls,