Disturbed flow-induced FAK K152 SUMOylation initiates the formation of pro-inflammation positive feedback loop by inducing reactive oxygen species production in endothelial cells

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activation plays a crucial role in vascular diseases. In endothelial cells, FAK activation is involved in the activation of pro-inflammatory signaling and the progression of atherosclerosis. Disturbed flow (D-flow) induces endothelial activation and senescence, but the exact role of FAK in D-flow-induced endothelial activation and senescence remains unclear. The objective of this study is to investigate the role of FAK SUMOylation in D-flow-induced endothelial activation and senescence. The results showed that D-flow induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production via NADPH oxidase activation and activated a redox-sensitive kinase p90RSK, leading to FAK activation by upregulating FAK K152 SUMOylation and the subsequent Vav2 phosphorylation, which in turn formed a positive feedback loop by upregulating ROS production. This feedback loop played a crucial role in regulating endothelial activation and senescence. D-flow-induced endothelial activation and senescence were significantly inhibited by mutating a FAK SUMOylation site lysine152 to arginine. Collectively, we concluded that FAK K152 SUMOylation plays a key role in D-flow-induced endothelial activation and senescence by forming a positive feedback loop through ROS production.