Gamma protocadherins in vascular endothelial cells inhibit Klf2/4 to promote atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is the leading cause of mortality worldwide ¹ . Laminar shear stress (LSS) from blood flow in straight regions of arteries protects against ASCVD by upregulating the Klf2/4 anti-inflammatory program in endothelial cells (ECs) ^2-8 . Conversely, disturbed shear stress (DSS) at curves or branches predisposes these regions to plaque formation ^9,10 . We previously reported a whole genome CRISPR knockout screen ¹¹ that identified novel inducers of Klf2/4. Here we report suppressors of Klf2/4 and characterize one candidate, protocadherin gamma A9 (Pcdhga9), a member of the clustered protocadherin gene family ¹² . Pcdhg deletion increases Klf2/4 levels in vitro and in vivo and suppresses inflammatory activation of ECs. Pcdhg suppresses Klf2/4 by inhibiting the Notch pathway via physical interaction of cleaved Notch1 intracellular domain (NICD Val1744) with nuclear Pcdhg C-terminal constant domain (CCD). Pcdhg inhibition by EC knockout (KO) or blocking antibody protects from atherosclerosis. Pcdhg is elevated in the arteries of human atherosclerosis. This study identifies a novel fundamental mechanism of EC resilience and therapeutic target for treating inflammatory vascular disease.