Letter by Usui et al Regarding Article, “Inhibition of Interleukin-1β Decreases Aneurysm Formation and Progression in a Novel Model of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm”

We have read with great interest the article by Johnston et al1 in which the authors developed a novel murine model of thoracic aortic aneurysm and showed that the genetic and pharmacological inhibition of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) decreased thoracic aortic aneurysm formation. Using an established model of murine abdominal aortic aneurysm, we recently investigated the role of NLRP3 inflammasome, which regulates IL-1β production and leads to inflammation, in angiotensin II–infused apolipoprotein E–deficient mice. In addition, we demonstrated that NLRP3 inflammasome greatly contributes to vascular inflammation and subsequent abdominal aortic aneurysm …