Endothelial lipase modulates HDL but has no effect on atherosclerosis development in apoE-/- and LDLR-/- mice

Endothelial lipase (EL) is a determinant of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) level, which is negatively correlated with atherosclerosis susceptibility. We found no difference in aortic atherosclerotic lesion areas between 26-week-old EL+/+ apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE-/-) and EL-/- apoE-/- mice. To more firmly establish the role of EL in atherosclerosis, we extended our study to EL-/- and EL+/+ low density lipoprotein receptor-deficient (LDLR-/-) mice that were fed a Western diet. Morphometric analysis again revealed no difference in atherosclerosis lesion area between the two groups. Compared with EL+/+ mice, we found increased HDL-C in EL-/- mice with apoE-/- or LDLR-/- background but no difference in macrophage content between lesions of EL-/- and EL+/+ mice in apoE-/- or LDLR-/- background. EL inactivation had no effect on hepatic mRNAs of proteins involved in reverse cholesterol transport. A survey of lipid homeostasis in EL+/+ and EL-/- macrophages revealed that oxidized LDL-induced ABCA1 was attenuated in EL-/- macrophages. This potentially proatherogenic change may have nullified any minor protective increase of HDL in EL-/- mice. Thus, although EL modulated lipoprotein profile in mice, there was no effect of EL inactivation on atherosclerosis development in two hyperlipidemic atherosclerosis-prone mouse models.     

脂蛋白酯酶在动脉粥样硬化发生发展中的作用

脂蛋白酯酶(lipoprotein lipase, LPL)是调节甘油三酯代谢的关键酶,在动脉粥样硬化(atherosclerosis,As)的发生发展中起重要作用。LPL产生部位的差异决定了其具有促As作用还是抗As作用。其次,不同因素对LPL的调控也会使LPL对As产生相反的作用效果。本文综述了LPL在As发生发展中的作用机制以及不同因素对LPL的调控机制,对于As的防治具有重要意义。     

Oxytocin and the oxytocin receptor underlie intrastrain, but not interstrain, social recognition

We studied three lines of oxytocin (Oxt) and oxytocin receptor (Oxtr) knockout (KO) male mice [Oxt^−/−, total Oxtr^−/− and partial forebrain Oxtr (Oxtr^FB/FB)] with established deficits in social recognition to further refine our understanding of their deficits with regard to stimulus female's strain. We used a modified social discrimination paradigm in which subjects are singly housed only for the duration of the test. Additionally, stimulus females are singly housed throughout testing and are presented within corrals for rapid comparison of investigation by subject males. Wild-type (WT) males from all three lines discriminated between familiar and novel females of three different strains (C57BL/6, BALB/c and Swiss-Webster). No KO males discriminated between familiar and novel BALB/c or C57BL/6 females. Male Oxt^−/− and Oxtr^−/− mice, but not Oxtr^FB/FB mice, discriminated between familiar and novel Swiss-Webster females. As this might indicate a global deficit in individual recognition for Oxtr^FB/FB males, we examined their ability to discriminate between females from different strains and compared performance with Oxtr^−/− males. WT and KO males from both lines were able to distinguish between familiar and novel females from different strains, indicating the social recognition deficit is not universal. Instead, we hypothesize that the Oxtr is involved in 'fine' intrastrain recognition, but is less important in 'broad' interstrain recognition. We also present the novel finding of decreased investigation across tests, which is likely an artifact of repeated testing and not because of stimulus female's strain or age of subject males.     

CD36 mediates binding of soluble thrombospondin-1 but not cell adhesion and haptotaxis on immobilized thrombospondin-1

In this study, we examined the binding of soluble TSP1 (and ox-LDL) to CD36-transfected cells and the mechanisms by which immobilized TSP1 mediated attachment and haptotaxis (cell migration towards a substratum-bound ligand) of these transfected cells. CD36 cDNA transfection of NIH 3T3 cells clearly induced a dramatic increase in binding of both soluble [¹²⁵I]-TSP1 and [¹²⁵I]-ox-LDL to the surface of CD36-transfected cells, indicating that there was a gain of function with CD36 transfection in NIH 3T3 cells. Despite this gain of function, mock- and CD36-transfected NIH 3T3 cells attached and migrated to a similar extent on immobilized TSP1. An anti-TSP1 oligoclonal antibody inhibited CD36-transfected cell attachment to TSP1 while function blocking anti-CD36 antibodies, alone or in combination with heparin, did not. A series of fusion proteins encompassing cell-recognition domains of TSP1 was then used to delineate mechanisms by which NIH 3T3 cells adhere to TSP1. Although CD36 binds soluble TSP1 through a CSVTCG sequence located within type 1 repeats,^18,19 CD36-transfected NIH 3T3 cells did not attach to immobilized type 1 repeats while they did adhere to the N-terminal, type 3 repeats (in an RGD-dependent manner) and the C-terminal domain of TSP1. Conversely, Bowes melanoma cells attached to type 1 repeats and the N- and C-terminal domains of TSP1. However, CD36 cDNA transfection of Bowes cells did not increase cell attachment to type 1 repeats compared to that observed with mock-transfected Bowes cells. Moreover, a function blocking anti-CSVTCG peptide antibody did not inhibit the attachment of mock- and CD36-transfected Bowes cells to type 1 repeats. It is suggested that CD36/TSP1 interaction does not occur upon cell–matrix adhesion and haptotaxis because TSP1 undergoes conformational changes that do not allow the exposure of the CD36 binding site. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Macrophage deficiency of Akt2 reduces atherosclerosis in Ldlr null mice

Macrophages play crucial roles in the formation of atherosclerotic lesions. Akt, a serine/threonine protein kinase B, is vital for cell proliferation, migration, and survival. Macrophages express three Akt isoforms, Akt1, Akt2, and Akt3, but the roles of Akt1 and Akt2 in atherosclerosis in vivo remain unclear. To dissect the impact of macrophage Akt1 and Akt2 on early atherosclerosis, we generated mice with hematopoietic deficiency of Akt1 or Akt2. After 8 weeks on Western diet, Ldlr^−/− mice reconstituted with Akt1^−/− fetal liver cells (Akt1^−/−→Ldlr^−/−) had similar atherosclerotic lesion areas compared with control mice transplanted with WT cells (WT→Ldlr^−/−). In contrast, Akt2^−/−→Ldlr^−/− mice had dramatically reduced atherosclerotic lesions compared with WT→Ldlr^−/− mice of both genders. Similarly, in the setting of advanced atherosclerotic lesions, Akt2^−/−→Ldlr^−/− mice had smaller aortic lesions compared with WT→Ldlr^−/− and Akt1^−/−→Ldlr^−/− mice. Importantly, Akt2^−/−→Ldlr^−/− mice had reduced numbers of proinflammatory blood monocytes expressing Ly-6C^hi and chemokine C-C motif receptor 2. Peritoneal macrophages isolated from Akt2^−/− mice were skewed toward an M2 phenotype and showed decreased expression of proinflammatory genes and reduced cell migration. Our data demonstrate that loss of Akt2 suppresses the ability of macrophages to undergo M1 polarization reducing both early and advanced atherosclerosis.     

Effect of apolipoprotein A-V on plasma triglyceride, lipoprotein size, and composition in genetically engineered mice

Transgenic (Tg) mice that overexpress the human apolipoprotein A-V gene (APOA5) yet lack an endogenous mouse apoa5 gene (APOA5 Tg mice) were generated. Subsequently, the effect of human apoA-V expression on plasma triglyceride (TG) concentration and lipoprotein and apolipoprotein distribution was determined and compared with that in mice deficient in apoA-V (apoa5(-/-) mice). NMR analysis of plasma lipoproteins revealed that APOA5 Tg mice had a very low VLDL concentration (26.4 +/- 7.7 nmol/dl), whereas VLDL in apoa5(-/-) mice was 18- fold higher (467 +/- 152 nmol/dl). SDS-PAGE analysis of the d < 1.063 g/ml plasma fraction revealed that the apoB-100/apoB-48 ratio was 14-fold higher in APOA5 Tg versus apoa5(-/-) mice and that the apoE/total apoB ratio was 7-fold greater in APOA5 Tg versus apoa5(-/-) mice. It is anticipated that a reduction in apoB-100/apoB-48 ratio as well as that for apoE/apoB would impair the uptake of VLDL and remnants in apoa5(-/-) mice, thereby contributing to increased plasma TG levels. The concentration of apoA-V in APOA5 Tg mice was 12.5 +/- 2.9 microg/ml, which is approximately 50- to 100-fold higher than that reported for normolipidemic humans. ApoA-V was predominantly associated with HDL but was rapidly and efficiently redistributed to apoA- V-deficient VLDL upon incubation. Consistent with findings reported for human subjects, apoA-V concentration was positively correlated with TG levels in normolipidemic APOA5 Tg mice. It is conceivable that, in a situation in which apoA-V is chronically overexpressed, complex interactions among factors regulating TG homeostasis may result in a positive correlation of apoA-V with TG concentrations.     

The ligand-binding function of hepatic lipase modulates the development of atherosclerosis in transgenic mice

To investigate the separate contributions of the lipolytic versus ligand-binding function of hepatic lipase (HL) to plasma lipoprotein metabolism and atherosclerosis, we compared mice expressing catalytically active wild-type HL (HL-WT) and inactive HL (HL-S145G) with no endogenous expression of mouse apoE or HL (E-KO x HL-KO, where KO is knockout). HL-WT and HL-S145G reduced plasma cholesterol (by 40 and 57%, respectively), non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (by 48 and 61%, respectively), and apoB (by 36 and 44%, respectively) (p < 0.01), but only HL-WT decreased high density lipoprotein cholesterol (by 67%) and apoA-I (by 54%). Compared with E-KO x HL-KO mice, both active and inactive HL lowered the pro-atherogenic lipoproteins by enhancing the catabolism of autologous (125)I-apoB very low density/intermediate density lipoprotein (VLDL/IDL) (fractional catabolic rates of 2.87 +/- 0.04/day for E-KO x HL-KO, 3.77 +/- 0.03/day for E-KO x HL-WT, and 3.63 +/- 0.09/day for E-KO x HL-S145G mice) and (125)I-apoB-48 low density lipoprotein (LDL) (fractional catabolic rates of 5.67 +/- 0.34/day for E-KO x HL-KO, 18.88 +/- 1.72/day for E-KO x HL-WT, and 9.01 +/- 0.14/day for E-KO x HL-S145G mice). In contrast, the catabolism of apoE-free, (131)I-apoB-100 LDL was not increased by either HL-WT or HL-S145G. Infusion of the receptor-associated protein (RAP), which blocks LDL receptor-related protein function, decreased plasma clearance and hepatic uptake of (131)I-apoB-48 LDL induced by HL-S145G. Despite their similar effects on lowering pro-atherogenic apoB-containing lipoproteins, HL-WT enhanced atherosclerosis by up to 50%, whereas HL-S145G markedly reduced aortic atherosclerosis by up to 96% (p < 0.02) in both male and female E-KO x HL-KO mice. These data identify a major receptor pathway (LDL receptor-related protein) by which the ligand-binding function of HL alters remnant lipoprotein uptake in vivo and delineate the separate contributions of the lipolytic versus ligand-binding function of HL to plasma lipoprotein size and metabolism, identifying an anti-atherogenic role of the ligand-binding function of HL in vivo.     

Glycosylation of Asn-76 in mouse GPIHBP1 is critical for its appearance on the cell surface and the binding of chylomicrons and lipoprotein lipase

GPIHBP1 is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein in the lymphocyte antigen 6 (Ly-6) family that recently was identified as a platform for the lipolytic processing of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. GPIHBP1 binds both LPL and chylomicrons and is expressed on the luminal face of microvascular endothelial cells. Here, we show that mouse GPIHBP1 is N-glycosylated at Asn-76 within the Ly-6 domain. Human GPIHBP1 is also glycosylated. The N-linked glycan could be released from mouse GPIHBP1 with N-glycosidase F, endoglycosidase H, or endoglycosidase F1. The glycan was marginally sensitive to endoglycosidase F2 digestion but resistant to endoglycosidase F3 digestion, suggesting that the glycan on GPIHBP1 is of the oligomannose type. Mutating the N-glycosylation site in mouse GPIHBP1 results in an accumulation of GPIHBP1 in the endoplasmic reticulum and a markedly reduced amount of the protein on the cell surface. Consistent with this finding, cells expressing a nonglycosylated GPIHBP1 lack the ability to bind LPL or chylomicrons. Eliminating the N-glycosylation site in a truncated soluble version of GPIHBP1 causes a modest reduction in the secretion of the protein. These studies demonstrate that N-glycosylation of GPIHBP1 is important for the trafficking of GPIHBP1 to the cell surface.     

Inhibition of USP14 suppresses the formation of foam cell by promoting CD36 degradation

Atherosclerosis is regarded as a chronic progressive inflammatory disease and is a basic pathophysiological process in coronary artery disease which is life threatening in clinic. The formation of foam cell plays a key role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. OxLDL is a significant factor in progression of coronary artery disease. Our studies have demonstrated that USP14 promotes cancer development and mediates progression of cardiac hypertrophy and LPS-induced inflammation. However, the underlying mechanism of USP14 is unknown. In this study, we found that the inhibition of USP14 significantly suppressed the oxLDL uptake, subsequently decreased the foam cell formation. Surprisingly, USP14 has an effect on the expression of CD36 but not SR-A, ABCA1, Lox-1, ABCG1 and SR-Bl. Furthermore, USP14 stabilizes CD36 protein via cleaving the ubiquitin chain on CD36. Blocking CD36 activation using antibody-dependent blocking assay remarkably attenuated the function of USP14 on the formation of foam cell. In summary, our results suggested that the inhibition of USP14 decreases foam cell formation by down-regulating CD36-mediated lipid uptake and provides a potential therapeutic target for atherosclerosis.     

Lack of the antioxidant glutathione peroxidase-1 does not increase atherosclerosis in C57BL/J6 mice fed a high-fat diet

Oxidative stress is thought to contribute to the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. As glutathione peroxidase-1 (Gpx1) is an antioxidant enzyme that detoxifies lipid hydroperoxides, we tested the impact of Gpx1 deficiency on atherosclerotic processes and antioxidant enzyme expression in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). After 12 weeks of HFD, atherosclerotic lesions at the aortic sinus were of similar size in control and Gpx1-deficient mice. However, after 20 weeks of HFD, lesion size increased further in control but not in Gpx1-deficient mice, even though plasma and aortic wall markers of oxidative damage did not differ between groups. In control mice, the expression of Gpx1 increased and that of Gpx3 decreased at the aortic sinus after 20 weeks of HFD, with no change in the expression of Gpx2, Gpx4, catalase, peroxiredoxin-6, glutaredoxin-1 and -2, or thioredoxin-1 and -2. By comparison, in Gpx1-deficient mice, the expression of antioxidant genes was unaltered except for a decrease in glutaredoxin-1 and an increase in glutaredoxin-2. These changes were associated with increased expression of the proinflammatory marker monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in control mice but not in Gpx1-deficient mice. In summary, a specific deficiency in Gpx1 was not accompanied by an increase in markers of oxidative damage or increased atherosclerosis in a murine model of HFD-induced atherogenesis.     

Loss of housekeeping selenoprotein expression in mouse liver modulates lipoprotein metabolism

Selenium is incorporated into proteins as selenocysteine (Sec), which is dependent on its specific tRNA, designated tRNA^[Ser]Sec. Targeted removal of the tRNA^[Ser]Sec gene (Trsp) in mouse hepatocytes previously demonstrated the importance of selenoproteins in liver function. Herein, analysis of plasma proteins in this Trsp knockout mouse revealed increases in apolipoprotein E (ApoE) that was accompanied by elevated plasma cholesterol levels. The expression of genes involved in cholesterol biosynthesis, metabolism and transport were also altered in knockout mice. Additionally, in two transgenic Trsp mutant mouse lines (wherein only housekeeping selenoprotein synthesis was restored), the expression of ApoE, as well as genes involved in cholesterol biosynthesis, metabolism and transport were similar to those observed in wild type mice. These data correlate with reports that selenium deficiency results in increased levels of ApoE, indicating for the first time that housekeeping selenoproteins have a role in regulating lipoprotein biosynthesis and metabolism.     

Inhibition of Glutathione Production Induces Macrophage CD36 Expression and Enhances Cellular-oxidized Low Density Lipoprotein (oxLDL) Uptake

The glutathione (GSH)-dependent antioxidant system has been demonstrated to inhibit atherosclerosis. Macrophage CD36 uptakes oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) thereby facilitating foam cell formation and development of atherosclerosis. It remains unknown if GSH can influence macrophage CD36 expression and cellular oxLDL uptake directly. Herein we report that treatment of macrophages with l-buthionine-S,R-sulfoximine (BSO) decreased cellular GSH production and ratios of GSH to glutathione disulfide (GSH/GSSG) while increasing production of reactive oxygen species. Associated with decreased GSH levels, macrophage CD36 expression was increased, which resulted in enhanced cellular oxLDL uptake. In contrast, N-acetyl cysteine and antioxidant enzyme (catalase or superoxide dismutase) blocked BSO-induced CD36 expression as well as oxLDL uptake. In vivo, administration of mice with BSO increased CD36 expression in peritoneal macrophages and kidneys. BSO had no effect on CD36 mRNA expression and promoter activity but still induced CD36 protein expression in macrophages lacking peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ expression, suggesting it induced CD36 expression at the translational level. Indeed, we determined that BSO enhanced CD36 translational efficiency. Taken together, our study demonstrates that cellular GSH levels and GSH/GSSG status can regulate macrophage CD36 expression and cellular oxLDL uptake and demonstrate an important anti-atherogenic function of the GSH-dependent antioxidant system by providing a novel molecular mechanism.     

6周有氧运动对高脂膳食的ApoE敲除小鼠骨骼肌钙调控的影响*

目的: 探讨6周有氧运动对高脂膳食的载脂蛋白E(ApoE)基因敲除小鼠骨骼肌肌浆网钙调控蛋白的影响。方法: 25只9周龄ApoE敲除小鼠(ApoE KO)随机选取5只ApoE KO小鼠进行最大跑速测试(以初始速度为4.8 m/min,坡度为0°,持续5 min后,每3 min速度增加1.2 m/min,直至力竭,最后速度为最大跑速,最大跑速的测试结果为(27.0±2.4)m/min,剩余20只ApoE KO小鼠随机分为ApoE KO小鼠高脂膳食组(KO)和ApoE KO小鼠高脂膳食+有氧运动组(KE),每组10只,同时以10只9周龄野生型C57BL/6J小鼠作为空白对照组(WT)。高脂饲料成分:脂肪含量为21%(w/w),胆固醇含量为1.5%(w/w)。KE组适应性训练1周后开始运动干预,运动方案为:40%最大跑速(10.8 m/min),运动时间40 min/d,频率每周3 d,共计6周。待末次运动后48 h,所有小鼠麻醉后经心脏穿刺处死后迅速分离双侧腓肠肌;可见光比色法检测骨骼肌Ca²⁺浓度;Western blot法检测小鼠骨骼肌肌浆网钙调控蛋白RyR、CaM、CaMKⅡ、SERCA1、SERCA2蛋白表达。结果: 与WT组相比,KO组小鼠骨骼肌Ca²⁺浓度显著降低(P＜0.01),骨骼肌肌浆网钙释放蛋白RyR、CaMKⅡ和钙回收蛋白SERCA1、SERCA2均显著降低(P＜ 0.05),但CaM蛋白无显著变化;与KO组相比,KE组小鼠骨骼肌Ca²⁺浓度和骨骼肌肌浆网钙回收蛋白SERCA1、SERCA2均显著升高(P＜0.05),但骨骼肌肌浆网钙释放蛋白RyR、CaM、CaMKⅡ蛋白表达均无显著性差异。结论: 高脂膳食可使ApoE敲除小鼠骨骼肌Ca²⁺浓度降低、肌浆网钙释放作用和钙回收作用减弱,6周有氧运动训练能够显著提高其Ca²⁺浓度、促进肌浆网钙回收作用。     

耐力训练对ApoE-/-致AS小鼠IL-18和IL-10表达的影响

目的：深入观察耐力训练对载脂蛋白E基因敲除（ApoE^-/-）致动脉粥样硬化（AS）小鼠白介素18（IL-18）和白介素10（IL-10）的影响,探讨运动防治AS的可能机制。方法：选取8周龄雄性ApoE^-/-小鼠20只：随机分为2组（n=10）：AS模型组（AC组）和运动干预组（AE组）,AE组进行跑台耐力训练;选取8周龄C57BL/6J雄性小鼠10只作为正常对照组（CC组）。实验持续12周,取主动脉制作冰冻切片,分别用于观察主动脉AS斑块和病理变化以及主动脉IL-18、IL-10蛋白表达;采用ELISA法检测血清IL-18、IL-10水平。结果：①12周高脂膳食致ApoE^-/-小鼠发生典型的AS病变,耐力训练使AS斑块面积显著减少（P<0.01）,病变程度显著减轻。②与CC组比较,AC组、AE组小鼠血清IL-18和IL-10水平均显著升高（P<0.01）,且AC组IL-18/IL-10比值显著升高（P<0.01）。AE组血清IL-18水平及IL-18/IL-10比值均显著低于AC组（P<0.01）。③与CC组比较,AC组、AE组小鼠主动脉IL-10和IL-18蛋白表达均显著升高（P<0.01）,AE组IL-10表达显著高于AC组（P<0.05）,IL-18表达显著低于AC组（P<0.05）。结论：耐力训练通过降低血液和主动脉IL-18及提高IL-10水平,增强了主动脉血管抗炎能力,从而发挥抗AS的作用。     

GalR1, but not GalR2 or GalR3, levels are regulated by galanin signaling in the locus coeruleus through a cyclic AMP-dependent mechanism

The galanin receptors GalR1, GalR2 and GalR3 are widely expressed throughout the mouse brain and are enriched in catecholaminergic nuclei. Here, we show that GalR1 protein levels are regulated by neuronal activity and changes in cAMP levels. GalR1, but not GalR2 or GalR3, is specifically up-regulated in the LC-like Cath.a cell line in a cAMP-dependent manner. GalR1 protein and mRNA levels are also up-regulated in the LC of galanin knockout mice, whereas GalR2 and GalR3 are not. Lack of galanin-maintained cAMP tone in the galanin knockout mouse appears to result in a loss of negative feedback resulting in increased levels of CREB phosphorylation and increased GalR1 expression. These findings suggest that changes in levels of GalR1 may play an important role in modulating signaling events and neuroplasticity underlying physiological functions of the LC.     

N-3 but not N-6 fatty acids reduce the expression of the combined adhesion and scavenger receptor CD36 in human monocytic cells

CD36, a multifunctional adhesion receptor e.g. for thrombospondin and collagen, as well as a scavenger receptor for oxidized low density lipoprotein, is expressed e.g. on platelets and monocytes. By this dual role it might be involved in early steps of atherosclerosis like the recruitment of monocytes and formation of foam cells. We therefore studied the effects of n-3 fatty acids on CD36 expression in human monocytic cells. Incorporation of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n-3) into cellular phospholipids resulted in a significant reduction of CD36 expression at the mRNA and protein level, whereas arachidonic acid (AA, C20: 4n-6) and linoleic acid (LA, C18:2n-6) tended to increase CD36 expression compared to the control. This specific down-regulation of CD36 by n-3 fatty acids in cells involved in the initiation and progression of atherogenesis and inflammation, represents a further mechanism that may contribute to the beneficial effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in these disorders.