ApoE基因缺失幼龄小鼠动脉粥样硬化相关基因的时序表达研究

利用RT-PCR技术检测apoE基因缺失(apoE-/-小鼠在1、2和3月龄3个年龄段主动脉以及14天、1、2和3月龄4个年龄段肝脏中动脉粥样硬化(atherosclerosis,AS)重要相关基因的时序表达特点,并通过血清牛化检测结合主动脉根部病理形态学特征的分析,探讨AS重要相关基因时序表达特点与AS早期病变的关系.在主动脉检测的9条AS相关基因中,apoE-/-与野生型(WT)小鼠相比,1、2和3月龄时IL-1β的mRNA表达水平均显著上调.1月龄时VCAM-1、IKB和TGF-β,2月龄时PDGF-α和CD36,3月龄时TNF-α和MM2的mRNA表达水平均显著上调,其他年龄段无显著变化.在肝脏检测的2条AS相关基因中,C反应蛋白(CRP)的mRNA表达水平在14天到2月龄时无显著变化,3月龄时显著上调.NF-kB在各年龄段apoE-/-小鼠主动脉和肝脏中的基因表达量与同龄WT小鼠相比均无显著差异.不同年龄段的apoE-/-小鼠血清TC、TG和LDL-C水平均明显高于同龄WT小鼠.2月龄apoE-/-小鼠主动脉内膜出现散在的脂质沉积,并随年龄增长逐渐加重.上述结果显示,时序表达上调的AS重要相关基因构成了以NF-kB为核心的复杂调控网络,它们之间相互作用,共同参与慢性炎症过程,在apoE-/-小鼠AS的早期发生发展中发挥重要作用.     

脂代谢相关基因在apoE基因缺失幼龄小鼠肝脏中的表达

本文旨在分析脂代谢相关基因在载脂蛋白E(apolipoprotein E,apoE)基因缺失(apoE-/-)幼龄小鼠肝脏中的表达特征及其与血脂紊乱和动脉粥样硬化(atherosclerosis,AS)早期病变的关系.利用半定量RT-PCR和荧光实时定量RT-PCR技术,分析14 d龄、1、2和3月龄apoE-/-小鼠及同龄野生型(wild type,WT)小鼠肝脏脂代谢相关基因的表达,并进行血生化指标及主动脉病理形态学榆测.apo-/-小鼠肝脏中apoAI、apoAIV表达在14d龄时即发生显著变化(P<0.05);在1月龄时apoB10G表达较同龄WT小鼠明显上调(P＜0.05);apoA V表达则在2月龄时较同龄WT小鼠上调(P＜0.05),此时可观察到apoE-/-小鼠主动脉内膜出现AS早期病变;Faf/CD36和Angptl 3表达在3月龄时较同龄WT小鼠上调(P＜0.05);实验中检测的其它基因的mRNA表达与同龄WT小鼠相比无显著性差异.apoE-/-小鼠血清总胆同醇、甘油三酯、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇和高密度脂蛋白胆固醇含量均高于同龄WT小鼠,并随年龄增长而升高.apoE-/-小鼠和同龄WT小鼠血清中apoB100蛋白浓度在14 d龄到3月龄问变化趋势与其在肝脏中mRNA表达及血清中低密度脂蛋白胆崮醇含量变化趋势基本一致.上述部分脂代谢相关基因表达在幼龄小鼠即发生改变,与血脂紊乱以及主动脉AS病变发生发展过程呈正相关,说明其可能在幼龄小鼠脂质代谢紊乱发生过程中起重要作用,从而引起动脉内皮细胞功能改变乃至AS早期病变的发生.     

抑制Toll样受体4对apoE-/-小鼠动脉粥样硬化病变的影响

通过Toll样受体4(TLR4)抑制剂表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯(EGCG)对TLR4途径的抑制,研究apoE-/- 小鼠TLR4及多种炎症因子的表达和动脉粥样硬化病变程度的改变,以探讨TLR4途径在动脉粥样硬化病变发生中的作用.5岗龄雄性apoE-/- 小鼠50只,随机分成4组:基础饮食组对照组(n=12)、高脂饮食组对照组(n=12)、基础饮食+EGCG组(n=13)、高脂饮食+EGCG组(n=13).给药14周后处死动物,从主动脉根部连续冰冻切片,油红O染色观察主动脉窦处动脉粥样硬化(As)斑块面积,定量分析主动脉粥样硬化斑块大小及占管腔的面积百分比,采用Real time-PCR检测主动脉TLR4 mRNA和CD14mRNA的表达,蛋白质印迹检测TLR4和CD14蛋白表达,ELISA检测小鼠血清中单核细胞趋化蛋白-1(MCP-1,肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)浓度.研究结果提示:EGCG显著减轻apoE-/- 主动脉窦部的动脉粥样硬化病变,高脂对照组的主动脉窦AS斑块面积为(2.37±0.08)mm2,高脂饲料+EGCG组的主动脉窦AS斑块的面积为(1.05±0.13)mm2,EGCG组小鼠主动脉窦粥样斑块面积比相应对照组明显减少(P<0.05),高脂饮食+EGCG组小鼠TLR4蛋白表达显著降低(P<0.05),MCP-1,TNF-α的含量减少,与高脂饮食对照组相比差异有显著性(P<0.05).TLR4信号转导途径在高脂所致的AS发生当中有着重要作用,该信号途径的激活至少是AS发生当中的一个重要环节.     

Irgm 1参与动脉粥样硬化斑块的形成

目的:探讨免疫相关GTP酶1(Irgm 1)对小鼠血管动脉粥样硬化(AS)斑块形成的影响。方法:高脂饲料喂养野生型(WT)、ApoE~(-/-)Irgm 1~(+/+)和ApoE~(-/-)Irgm1~(+/-)小鼠3个月,建立AS模型;取小鼠主动脉弓,免疫荧光染色方法观察WT和ApoE~(-/-)Irgm 1~(+/+)小鼠血管AS斑块中Irgm 1的表达情况及部位;Western blot方法检测WT和ApoE~(-/-)Irgm 1~(+/+)小鼠血管AS斑块中Irgm 1蛋白表达情况;Q-PCR方法检测WT和ApoE~(-/-)Irgm 1~(+/+)小鼠血管AS斑块中Irgm 1 m RNA表达情况;油红O染色观察ApoE~(-/-)Irgm1~(+/+)和ApoE~(-/-)Irgm1~(+/-)小鼠血管AS斑块形成情况;结果:与WT组相比,ApoE~(-/-)Irgm 1~(+/+)组小鼠主动脉弓AS斑块中Irgm 1+细胞明显增多,Irgm 1+细胞主要位于血管AS斑块的表面;与WT组相比,ApoE~(-/-)Irgm 1~(+/+)组小鼠血管AS斑块中Irgm 1蛋白表达显著增多(P0.001),Irgm 1 m RNA表达显著增多(P0.01);与ApoE~(-/-)Irgm1~(+/-)组相比,ApoE~(-/-)Irgm1~(+/+)组小鼠主动脉弓AS斑块面积显著增大(P0.01);结论:Irgm 1能够促进血管AS斑块的形成。     

miR-19靶向PTEN并介导HMGB1影响小鼠动脉粥样硬化进程的机制研究

摘要 目的：探究miR-19靶向PTEN并介导HMGB1影响小鼠动脉粥样硬化进程的机制研究。方法：SPF级C57BL/6J ApoE^-/-雄性小鼠根据研究目的将实验小鼠分为对照组、AS模型组和miR-19抑制剂组。通过RT-PCR分析小鼠主动脉组织中miR-19的mRNA表达。通过蛋白印迹分析小鼠主动脉PTEN、HMGB1和AKT的蛋白表达。通过荧光素酶活性检测miR-19a与PTEN的靶向关系。通过组织学和红油O染色分析小鼠胸腹主动脉和主动脉窦中的AS斑块面积。通过RT-PCR分析小鼠主动脉主动脉弓内膜中促炎细胞因子和趋化因子的mRNA表达。通过蛋白印迹分析主动脉弓内膜中ICAM-1和VCAM-1的蛋白表达。结果：AS模型组miR-19mRNA表达较对照组升高（P<0.05）,miR-19抑制剂组miR-19mRNA表达较AS模型组降低（P<0.05）。AS模型组PTEN蛋白表达较对照组降低,HMGB1和AKT蛋白表达较对照组升高（P<0.05）,miR-19抑制剂组PTEN蛋白表达较AS模型组升高,miR-19抑制剂组HMGB1和AKT蛋白表达较AS模型组降低（P<0.05）。AS模型组主动脉和主动脉窦的斑块面积较对照组增加（P<0.05）,miR-19抑制剂组主动脉和主动脉窦的斑块面积较AS模型组减少（P<0.05）。AS模型组TNF-α、IL-β、IL-6和CXCL2的mRNA表达较对照组升高（P<0.05）,miR-19抑制剂组TNF-α、IL-6、IL-β和CXCL2的mRNA表达较AS模型降低（P<0.05）。AS模型组ICAM-1和VCAM-1的蛋白表达较对照组升高（P<0.05）,miR-19抑制剂组ICAM-1和VCAM-1的蛋白表达较AS模型组降低（P<0.05）。结论：miR-19通过靶向调控PTEN表达激活HMGB1/PI3K/Akt信号通路,这可能会促进VSMCs的异常增殖、迁移和炎症反应,有助于AS的进展。     

蒺藜皂苷对动脉粥样硬化大鼠动脉壁ICAM-1、VCAM-1、PPARα、PPARγ基因表达的影响

观察全草蒺藜皂苷（tribu saponin from Tribulus terrestris,STT）对实验性动脉粥样硬化（atherosclerosis,AS）大鼠动脉壁中ICAM-1、VCAM-1、PPARα和PPARγ基因表达的影响,以探讨STT抗AS的机制。应用高脂饲料饮食配合注射维生素D,建立SD大鼠AS模型,并设立正常组、模型组、辛伐他汀组和蒺藜皂苷低、中、高剂量组。采用半定量RT-PCR的方法检测各组动物动脉壁中ICAM-1、VCAM-1、PPARα和PPARγ基因的表达,分析造模及各给药大鼠ICAM-1、VCAM-1、PPARα和PPARγ基因表达的变化。与正常组相比,模型组ICAM-1和VCAM-1基因的表达量明显增加（P〈0．01）,而PPARα和PPARγ基因的表达量明显降低（P〈0．01）;与模型组相比,辛伐他汀及各STT药均能降低ICAM-1和VCAM-1基因的表达量（P〈0．01～P〈0．05）,并能增加PPARα和PPARγ基因的表达量（P〈0．01）。提示STT能下调实验性AS大鼠动脉壁ICAM-1和VCAM-1基因的表达及上调PPARα和PPARγ基因表达,这可能是STT抗AS的作用机制之一。     

载脂蛋白E基因敲除小鼠血脂及心肌酶学的测定及意义

目的:研究载脂蛋白E基因敲除(ApoE-/-)小鼠血脂及心肌酶学的变化,为利用其探讨动脉粥样硬化的病理生理进程提供实验依据。方法:选取28W龄雄性ApoE-/-小鼠6只和同性别、同周龄的野生型C57BL/6J(WT)小鼠10只,应用日立7600全自动生化分析仪分别测定其血清中甘油三酯(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白(HDL-C)、载脂蛋白B(Apo-B)、超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、游离脂肪酸(NEFA)、肌酸激酶(CK)、肌酸激酶同工酶(CK-MB)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)和缺血修饰白蛋白(ACB)的水平。结果:与WT鼠比,ApoE-/-小鼠血清中血脂指标TG、TC、LDL-C、hs-CRP和NEFA水平显著升高(P<0.01),而HDL-C仅为0.46±0.16mmol/L,远低于WT鼠的水平(1.86±0.26mmol/L)。心肌酶学指标CK、LDH明显高于对照组(P<0.01),缺血修饰白蛋白(IMA()55.61±3.50U/mL)明显低于对照组(72.47±4.26U/mL)(P<0.01)。CK-MB与对照组相比无显著性变化。结论:ApoE-/-小鼠血脂水平...     

AMD3100促进动脉粥样硬化病变与上调炎性因子表达及下调SDF-1α/CXCR4轴有关

探索CXCR4阻断剂AMD3100促进apoE-/-小鼠动脉粥样硬化病变的分子机制．36只8周龄雄性apoE-/-小鼠随机分为三组：普食组、高脂组和AMD3100组．ELISA法测血清基质细胞衍生因子1α(SDF-1α)水平,采用氧化酶法测定apoE-/-小鼠血清中三酰甘油(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)含量．HE染色检测apoE-/-小鼠主动脉根部横切面动脉粥样硬化病变．免疫组织化学检测小鼠胸主动脉CXCR4表达．RT-PCR和Western blot分别检测小鼠动脉组织TNF-α、NF-κB mRNA和蛋白质表达．AMD3100组小鼠主动脉根部横截面的动脉粥样硬化病变较高脂组严重,AMD3100组小鼠胸腹主动脉炎症因子TNF-α、NF-κB的mRNA水平和蛋白质表达增高,但血脂TG、TC、HDL-C和LDL-C含量与高脂组均无显著性差异．AMD3100组小鼠外周血SDF-1α水平和动脉壁CXCR4表达低于高脂组．结果表明：AMD3100通过上调炎性因子表达及下调SDF-1/CXCR4 轴促进apoE-/-小鼠动脉粥样硬化病变．     

载脂蛋白E拟肽EpK对apoE~(-/-)小鼠动脉粥样硬化的影响

前期设计合成了一种模拟人载脂蛋白E(apoE)结构域的小分子多肽EpK,体外实验证实该拟肽具有抑制巨噬细胞炎症及增强高密度脂蛋白(HDL)介导细胞胆固醇外流的作用.本文拟借助慢病毒体系分泌性表达EpK,研究EpK在体对apoE基因敲除(apoE-/-)小鼠动脉粥样硬化斑块的影响.将11月龄雌性apoE-/-小鼠18只,随机分两组,分别经眼球后静脉丛注射p WPI慢病毒(Lv-GFP对照组)和含EpK的重组慢病毒(Lv-EpK组).小鼠普食喂养,间隔采血监测血脂状态,检测血浆对氧磷酯酶(PON1)活性,病毒注射18周后小鼠安乐死,从主动脉根部连续冰冻切片及主动脉胸腹段纵剖面(en face)进行油红O染色分析斑块面积,采用实时荧光定量PCR检测小鼠肝脏相关基因的m RNA表达水平,蛋白质印迹检测血浆中apo A-Ⅰ、PON1及血清淀粉样蛋白A(SAA)水平.结果显示:慢病毒感染小鼠可成功在血循环中检测到EpK,与Lv-GFP对照组比较,Lv-EpK组apoE-/-小鼠的血脂及脂蛋白分布、apo A-Ⅰ水平、PON1活性无明显改变,但EpK组小鼠的主动脉斑块面积较对照组显著减少(主动脉根部斑块面积(0.87±0.07)mm2 vs(1.03±0.08)mm2,P0.05;主动脉胸腹段斑块占管腔比42.0%vs 55.8%,P0.01).EpK可显著降低血中SAA水平,并抑制肝脏炎症因子TNFα和IL-6的表达.结果说明,EpK拟肽具有减退apoE-/-小鼠动脉粥样硬化斑块的作用,其机制可能与其发挥的抗炎作用有关.     

人载脂蛋白A1基因转基因小鼠的建立

目的建立系统性表达人载脂蛋白A1(APOA1)基因的转基因小鼠。方法 将人APOA1基因插入系统性表达启动子下游,构建转基因表达载体,通过显微注射法建立人APOA1转基因C57BL/6J小鼠。并利用特异引物PCR法鉴定转基因小鼠的基因型,Western blot检测基因表达水平,血生化分析检测不同月龄转基因小鼠与同龄野生型小鼠的血脂指标。结果建立了2个不同表达水平的人APOA1基因的转基因小鼠品系;转入的人APOA1基因在血液、肝脏、心脏、肾脏、脾脏、血管组织中均有明显表达;血生化分析结果显示不同月龄转基因小鼠的血浆高密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平高于同龄的野生型小鼠,甘油三酯水平低于同龄野生型小鼠。结论成功建立了系统性表达人APOA1基因的转基因小鼠,为研究高血脂以及高血脂相关的心血管病提供了工具。     

Physiological expression of macrophage apoE in the artery wall reduces atherosclerosis in severely hyperlipidemic mice

We have previously reported that the introduction of macrophage apoE into mice lacking both apoE and the LDL receptor (apoE(-)(/-)/LDLR(-)(/-)) through bone marrow transplantation (apoE(+)(/+)/LDLR(-)(/-)-->apoE(-)(/-)/LDLR(-)(/-)) produces progressive accumulation of apoE in plasma without affecting lipid levels. This model provides a tool to study the effects of physiologically regulated amounts of macrophage apoE on atherogenesis in hyperlipidemic animals. Ten-week-old male apoE(-)(/-)/LDLR(-)(/-) mice were transplanted with either apoE(+)(/+)/LDLR(-)(/-) (n = 11) or apoE(-)(/-)/LDLR(-)(/-) (n = 14) marrow. Although there were no differences between the two groups in lipid levels at baseline or at 5 and 9 weeks after transplantation, apoE levels in the apoE(+)(/+)LDLR(-)(/-)-->apoE(-)(/-)/LDLR(-)(/-) mice increased to 4 times the apoE levels of normal mice. This resulted in a 60% decrease in aortic atherosclerosis in the apoE(+)(/+)/LDLR(-)(/-)-->apoE(-)(/-)/LDLR(-)(/-) compared with the apoE(-)(/-)/LDLR(-)(/-)-->apoE(-)(/-)/LDLR(-)(/-) controls, (15957 +/- 1907 vs. 40115 +/- 8302 micro m(2) +/- SEM, respectively). In a separate experiment, apoE(+)(/+)/LDLR(-)(/-) mice were transplanted with either apoE(+)(/+)/LDLR(-)(/-) or apoE(-)(/-)/LDLR(-)(/-) marrow and placed on a high-fat diet for 8 weeks. In the absence of macrophage apoE, lesion area was increased by 75% in the aortic sinus and by 56% in the distal aorta. These data show that physiologic levels of macrophage apoE in the vessel wall are anti-atherogenic in conditions of severe hyperlipidemia and can affect later stages of plaque development.     

PCSK9 reduces the protein levels of the LDL receptor in mouse brain during development and after ischemic stroke

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) plays a major role in cholesterol homeostasis through enhanced degradation of the LDL receptor (LDLR) in liver. As novel inhibitors/silencers of PCSK9 are now being tested in clinical trials to treat hypercholesterolemia, it is crucial to define the physiological consequences of the lack of PCSK9 in various organs. LDLR regulation by PCSK9 has not been extensively described during mouse brain development and injury. Herein, we show that PCSK9 and LDLR are co-expressed in mouse brain during development and at adulthood. Although the protein levels of LDLR and apolipoprotein E (apoE) in the adult brain of Pcsk9(-/-) mice are similar to those of wild-type (WT) mice, LDLR levels increased and were accompanied by a reduction of apoE levels during development. This suggests that the upregulation of LDLR protein levels in Pcsk9(-/-) mice enhances apoE degradation. Upon ischemic stroke, PCSK9 was expressed in the dentate gyrus between 24 h and 72 h following brain reperfusion. Although mouse behavior and lesion volume were similar, LDLR protein levels dropped ～2-fold less in the Pcsk9(-/-)-lesioned hippocampus, without affecting apoE levels and neurogenesis. Thus, PCSK9 downregulates LDLR levels during brain development and following transient ischemic stroke in adult mice.     

Effect of macrophage-derived apolipoprotein E on hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis of LDLR-deficient mice

LDL receptor-deficient (LDLR(-/-)) mice fed a Western diet exhibit severe hyperlipidemia and develop significant atherosclerosis. Apolipoprotein E (apoE) is a multifunctional protein synthesized by hepatocytes and macrophages. We sought to determine effect of macrophage apoE deficiency on severe hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis. Female LDLR(-/-) mice were lethally irradiated and reconstituted with bone marrow from either apoE(-/-) or apoE(+/+) mice. Four weeks after transplantation, recipient mice were fed a Western diet for 8 weeks. Reconstitution of LDLR(-/-) mice with apoE(-/-) bone marrow resulted in a slight reduction in plasma apoE levels and a dramatic reduction in accumulation of apoE and apoB in the aortic wall. Plasma lipid levels were unaffected when mice had mild hyperlipidemia on a chow diet, whereas IDL/LDL cholesterol levels were significantly reduced when mice developed severe hyperlipidemia on the Western diet. The hepatic VLDL production rate of mice on the Western diet was decreased by 46% as determined by injection of Triton WR1339 to block VLDL clearance. Atherosclerotic lesions in the proximal aorta were significantly reduced, partially due to reduction in plasma total cholesterol levels (r=0.56; P<0.0001). Thus, macrophage apoE-deficiency alleviates severe hyperlipidemia by slowing hepatic VLDL production and consequently reduces atherosclerosis in LDLR(-/-) mice.     

ApoE deficiency compromises the blood brain barrier especially after injury

BACKGROUND: Apolipoprotein E (apoE) mediates lipoprotein uptake by receptors such as the LDL receptor (LDLR). The isoform apoE4 has been linked to Alzheimer's disease and to poor outcomes after brain injury. Astrocytes that induce blood brain barrier (BBB) properties in endothelium also produce apoE. We decided to investigate the role of apoE in BBB function and in the restoration of BBB after brain injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wild-type (WT) mice and mice deficient in apoE or LDLR were fed normal chow or diets rich in fat and cholesterol. The BBB leakage was determined through injection of Evans blue dye and measurement of the amount of dye extravasated in the brains 3 hours later. Brain injury was induced by applying dry ice directly onto the excised parietal region of the brain. The mice were given 7 days to recover. In some experiments, peroxidase was infused to observe the site of leakage by histology. RESULTS: We found 70% more spontaneous leakage of injected Evans blue dye in the brains of apoE-/- mice than in wild type. This increase in permeability appeared selective for the brain. The leaky BBB in apoE-/- mice may provide an explanation for the neurological deficits seen in these animals. In an established model of BBB leakage induced by trauma (cold injury), the apoE-/- mice showed even more compromised BBB function, compared with WT mice, suggesting that apoE is important for BBB recovery. No deficit in BBB was observed in injured LDLR-/- mice, even on Western Diet. In contrast, higher plasma cholesterol levels in apoE-/- mice further increased BBB leakage after injury. We extracted 5x more Evans blue from these brains than from WT. In the injury model, injection of peroxidase resulted in prominent retention of this protein in the cortex of apoE-/- but not in WT. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that the combination of loss of apoE function with high plasma cholesterol and especially brain injury results in dramatic BBB defects in the cortex and may explain in part the importance of apoE in Alzheimer's disease and in successful recovery from brain injury.     

The low density lipoprotein receptor regulates the level of central nervous system human and murine apolipoprotein E but does not modify amyloid plaque pathology in PDAPP mice

Apolipoprotein E (apoE), a chaperone for the amyloid beta (Abeta) peptide, regulates the deposition and structure of Abeta that deposits in the brain in Alzheimer disease (AD). The primary apoE receptor that regulates levels of apoE in the brain is unknown. We report that the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) regulates the cellular uptake and central nervous system levels of astrocyte-derived apoE. Cells lacking LDLR were unable to appreciably endocytose astrocyte-secreted apoE-containing lipoprotein particles. Moreover, cells overexpressing LDLR showed a dramatic increase in apoE endocytosis and degradation. We also found that LDLR knock-out (Ldlr-/-) mice had a significant, approximately 50% increase in the level of apoE in the cerebrospinal fluid and extracellular pools of the brain. However, when the PDAPP mouse model of AD was bred onto an Ldlr-/- background, we did not observe a significant change in brain Abeta levels either before or after the onset of Abeta deposition. Interestingly, human APOE3 or APOE4 (but not APOE2) knock-in mice bred on an Ldlr-/- background had a 210% and 380% increase, respectively, in the level of apoE in cerebrospinal fluid. These results demonstrate that central nervous system levels of both human and murine apoE are directly regulated by LDLR. Although the increase in murine apoE caused by LDLR deficiency was not sufficient to affect Abeta levels or deposition by 10 months of age in PDAPP mice, it remains a possibility that the increase in human apoE3 and apoE4 levels caused by LDLR deficiency will affect this process and could hold promise for therapeutic targets in AD.     

Deficiency of inducible NO synthase reduces advanced but not early atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

The inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is abundantly expressed by smooth muscle cells and macrophages in atherosclerotic lesions. Apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE(-/-)) mice develop early and advanced atherosclerotic lesions. The role of iNOS in both early and advanced atherosclerotic formation was determined in apoE(-/-) mice. Mice were fed chow or a Western diet containing 42% fat, 0.15% cholesterol, and 19.5% casein. At 12 weeks of age on chow diet, iNOS(-/-)/apoE(-/-) mice developed comparable sizes of early atherosclerotic lesions in the aortic root as did iNOS(+/+)/apoE(-/-) mice (30,993+/-4746 vs. 26,648+/-6815 microm(2)/section; P=0.608). After being fed the Western diet for 12 weeks, iNOS(-/-)/apoE(-/-) mice developed significantly smaller advanced lesions than iNOS(+/+)/apoE(-/-) mice (458,734+/-14,942 vs. 519,570+/-22,098 microm(2)/section; P=0.029). This reduction in lesion formation could not be explained by differences in plasma lipid levels. To examine whether iNOS contributed to LDL oxidation, smooth muscle cells were isolated from the aorta, activated with TNF-alpha, and then incubated with native LDL in the absence or presence of N-Omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a specific NOS inhibitor. L-NAME significantly inhibited LDL oxidation by smooth muscle cells from iNOS(+/+)/apoE(-/-) mice (P=0.048), but it had no effect on LDL oxidation by cells from iNOS(-/-)/apoE(-/-) mice. iNOS(-/-)/apoE(-/-) mice had a significantly lower plasma lipoperoxide level on the Western diet (2.74+/-0.23 vs. 3.89+/-0.41 microM MDA; P=0.021) but not on chow diet (1.02+/-0.07 vs. 1.51+/-0.29 microM MDA; P=0.11). Thus, the absence of iNOS-mediated LDL oxidation may contribute to the reduction in advanced lesion formation of iNOS(-/-)/apoE(-/-) mice.     

Chylomicron remnant uptake in the livers of mice expressing human apolipoproteins E3, E2 (Arg158-->Cys), and E3-Leiden

Apolipoprotein E2 (apoE2) and apoE3-Leiden cause chylomicron remnant accumulation (type III hyperlipidemia). However, the degree of dyslipidemia and its penetrance are different in humans and mice. Remnant uptake by isolated liver from apoE-/- mice transgenic for human apoE2, apoE3-Leiden, or apoE3 was measured. In the presence of both LDL receptor (LDLR) and LDL receptor-related protein (LRP), remnant uptake was apoE3>E3-Leiden>E2 mice. Absence of LDLR reduced uptake in apoE3 and apoE3-Leiden-secreting livers but not in apoE2-secreting livers. LRP inhibition with receptor-associated protein reduced uptake in apoE3- and apoE2-secreting livers, but not in apoE3-Leiden-secreting livers, regardless of the presence of LDLR. Fluorescently labeled remnants clustered with LRP in apoE3-secreting livers only in the absence of LDLR, but clustered in livers that expressed apoE2 even in the presence of LDLR, and did not cluster with LRP in livers of apoE3-Leiden even in the absence of LDLR. Remnants were reconstituted with the three human apoE isoforms. Removal by liver of mApoe-/-/mldlr-/- mice expressing the human LDLR was slightly greater than removal in the previous experiments with apoE3>E2> E3-Leiden. Thus, in vivo, human apoE2 is cleared primarily by LRP, apoE3-Leiden is cleared only by the LDLR, and apoE3 is cleared by both.     

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha from bone marrow-derived cells is not essential for the expression of adhesion molecules in lipopolysaccharide-induced nasal inflammation

Both the role and source of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nasal inflammation were investigated using TNF-alpha gene deficient (TNF-alpha -/-) mice and chimeric mice that are TNF-alpha gene deficient only in bone marrow-derived cells. In the present study, intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) mRNA expression levels in the nasal mucosa were significantly decreased following intranasal instillation of LPS in TNF-alpha gene deficient mice compared to those in wild type mice. In contrast, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 mRNA expressions were not significantly decreased although TNF-alpha mRNA expression was dramatically decreased in TNF-alpha gene deficient bone marrow-transplanted-chimeric (TNF-alpha -/--->+/+) mice compared to those in wild type bone marrow-transplanted-control (TNF-alpha +/+-->+/+) mice. These results indicate that the elevation of TNF-alpha mRNA in the nasal mucosa is mainly originated from bone marrow-derived cells. However, even low expression of TNF-alpha at local inflammation sites is sufficient to induce the expression of adhesion molecules in acute LPS-induced experimental rhinitis.