Conclusion
Uric acid may induce the phenotypic transformation of muscle cells and promote the occurrence of atherosclerosis by disrupting normal autophagy.
Methods
We established a mouse model of hyperuricemia and studied the relationship between changes in autophagy levels and the phenotypic transformation of muscle cells.
Results
Our study found that high uric acid levels promote the phenotypic transformation of muscle cells by inhibiting autophagy, thus enhancing their proliferation and migration abilities. If autophagy is restored, phenotypic transformation can be reversed by reducing the levels of the transcription factor Kruppel-like factor 4.