Enhanced atherothrombotic formation after oxidative injury by FeCl3 to the common carotid artery in severe combined hyperlipidemic mice

Enhanced susceptibility to atherosclerosis from severe hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) resulting from lipoprotein lipase (LPL) deficiency has been demonstrated in our recent findings which employed a unique mouse model. In the present study we provide further evidence that severe HTG due to LPL deficiency also promotes an atherothrombotic response to arterial injury induced by ferric chloride in a severe combined hyperlipidemic mouse model. Methods and results: A mouse model (LPL^−/−XApoE^−/− double knockout, DKO) with severe combined hyperlipidemia was established by crossing ApoE and LPL-deficient mice. The common carotid arteries of ApoE knockout (EKO) and DKO mice were subjected to injury by ferric chloride, and the formation of arterial thrombosis together with various markers were compared in these lesions. DKO mice demonstrated significantly enhanced thrombus formation overlying atherosclerotic plaque after injury, which contained smooth muscle cells, macrophages, and neutral lipid. The area of neointima, mean intima/media ratios, and the percentage of luminal stenosis were significantly greater (P < 0.01) in DKO mice. Compared with EKO mice, the expression of von Willebrand factor (vWF) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) were increased in DKO mice. Conclusions: Severe combined hyperlipidemia promotes thrombosis after ferric chloride injury to atherosclerotic vessels and HTG plays a major role in the process.     

Molecular characterization of lipoprotein lipase, hepatic lipase and pancreatic lipase genes: effects of fasting and refeeding on their gene expression in red sea bream Pagrus major

To investigate the nutritional regulation of lipid metabolism in fish, molecular characterization of lipases was conducted in red sea bream Pagrus major, and the effects of fasting and refeeding on their gene expression was examined. Together with data from a previous study, a total of four lipase genes were identified and characterized as lipoprotein lipase (LPL), hepatic lipase (HL) and pancreatic lipase (PL). These four lipase genes, termed LPL1, LPL2, HL and PL, share a high degree of similarity. LPL1 and LPL2 genes were expressed in various tissues including adipose tissue, gill, heart and hepatopancreas. HL gene was exclusively expressed in hepatopancreas. PL gene expression was detected in hepatopancreas and adipose tissue. Red sea bream LPL1 and LPL2 gene expression levels in hepatopancreas were increased during 48 h of fasting and decreased after refeeding, whereas no significant change in the expression levels of LPL1 and LPL2 was observed in adipose tissue, indicating that LPL1 and LPL2 gene expression is regulated in a tissue-specific manner in response to the nutritional state of fish. HL and PL gene expression was not affected by fasting and refeeding. The results of this study suggested that LPL, HL and PL gene expression is under different regulatory mechanisms in red sea bream with respect to the tissue-specificities and their nutritional regulation.     

Composition of DNA-bound lipids in the regenerating rat liver

Using thin-layer chromatography, the qualitative and quantitative composition of specific DNA-bound neutral lipids (NL) and phospholipids (PL) of regenerating rat liver 22 hours (S-phase) and 28 hours (G2-phase) after hepatectomy was studied. These lipids are represented by light and tightly bound components. The intact liver DNA contains minor amounts of NL and PL (15.02 micrograms and 5.82 micrograms per mg of DNA, respectively). The composition of DNA-bound lipids in rat liver differs markedly from that of nuclear membrane and chromatin total lipids. The former are strongly deficient in free cholesterol (FC), but are rich in cholesterol esters (CE), very rich in cardiolipin (CL) and deficient in phosphatidylcholine. The basic parameters of DNA-bound lipids of rat liver (NL/PL, CE/FC and cholesterol/PL) are more than unity and depend on the cell cycle. It was shown that in the S-phase the content of DNA-bound NL and PL increases 1.5-fold, in the G2-phase the NL content shows a still greater increase--2.3-fold, while that of DNA-bound PL decreases to normal values. The basic changes of the DNA-bound lipids in regenerating rat liver are due to FC, CE and CL, which determine the tissue specificity of these lipids.     

Analysis of the lipid composition of bull spermatozoa by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry--a cautionary note

In this study we demonstrated the combination of MALDI-TOF MS and TLC as a fast and powerful tool to investigate the phospholipid (PL) composition of organic extracts of bull spermatozoa. Since phosphatidylcholine (PC) is the dominant PL species, an adequate resolution of MALDI-TOF spectra for sphingomyelin (SM) or phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) was achieved only after previous PL separation by TLC. We found a poor diversity especially for PE and PC, mainly containing ether-linked fatty acids which were 1-palmityl-2-docosahexaenoyl-PL and the corresponding alkenyl-acyl compound (plasmalogen) 1-palmitenyl-2-docosahexaenoyl-PL. For PC, both lipids were quantified after phospholipase A2 digestion to represent 44.2 and 37.2%, respectively, of the total PC. In contrast, the diacyl-PC content of bull spermatozoa was comparatively low (18.6% of total PC). In the presence of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), which is routinely added to the MALDI-TOF matrix to improve the signal to noise ratio, a high lysophospholipid (LPL) content was detected in the PL extracts of bull spermatozoa, whereas TLC did not reveal significant amounts of LPL. The TFA mediated hydrolysis of the acid-labile alkenyl-acyl PL to the corresponding LPL was shown to cause this discrepancy. This assumption was verified by analysing the PL composition by MALDI-TOF MS before and after (i) digestion of sperm cell lipids with phospholipase A2 and (ii) exposition of spermatozoa to HCl fumes. We conclude that the analysis of samples containing alkenyl-acyl-PL by MALDI-TOF has to be performed with great caution.     

Uptake of type IV hypertriglyceridemic VLDL by cultured macrophages is enhanced by interferon-gamma.

Hypertriglyceridemic (HTG) very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) from subjects with type IV hyperlipoproteinemia induce both cholesteryl ester (CE) and triglyceride (TG) accumulation in cultured J774 macrophages. We examined whether the cytokine interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), which is expressed by lymphocytes in atherosclerotic lesions, would modulate macrophage uptake of HTG -VLDL. Incubation of cells with HTG -VLDL alone significantly increased cellular CE and TG mass 17- and 4.3-fold, respectively, while cellular free cholesterol (FC) was unaffected. Pre-incubation of cells with IFN-gamma (50 U/ml) prior to incubation with HTG -VLDL caused a marked enhancement in cellular CE and TG 27- and 6-fold over no additions (controls), respectively, and a 1.5-fold increase in FC. IFN-gamma increased low density lipoprotein (LDL)-induced cellular CE 2-fold compared to LDL alone. IFN-gamma did not enhance the uptake of type III (apoE2/E2) HTG -VLDL or VLDL from apoE knock-out mice. Incubations in the presence of a lipoprotein lipase (LPL) inhibitor or an acylCoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitor demonstrated that the IFN-gamma-enhanced HTG -VLDL uptake was dependent on LPL and ACAT activities. IFN-gamma significantly increased the binding and degradation of 125I-labeled LDL. Binding studies with 125I-labeled alpha2-macroglobulin, a known LDL receptor-related protein (LRP) ligand, and experiments with copper-oxidized LDL indicated that the IFN-gamma-enhanced uptake was not due to increased expression of the LRP or scavenger receptors. Thus, IFN-gamma may promote foam cell formation by accelerating macrophage uptake of native lipoproteins. IFN-gamma-stimulated CE accumulation in the presence of HTG -VLDL occurs via a process that requires receptor binding-competent apoE and active LPL. IFN-gamma-enhanced uptake of both HTG -VLDL and LDL is mediated by the LDL-receptor and requires ACAT-mediated cholesterol esterification.     

中国人群脂蛋白脂肪酶基因突变与高脂血症的相关性研究

为进行脂蛋白脂肪酶基因突变与中国人群高脂血症的相关性研究,采用单链构象多态性分析结合DNA序列测定的方法,对386例(其中108例高脂血症患者,278例正常对照)中国人群进行突变筛查。结果发现1个新的沉默突变L103L,1个错义突变P207L,3个剪接突变Int3/3′-ass/C(-6)→T和普遍存在的S447X多态性,其中发生在高脂血症组的P207L杂合子为亚洲首报,并对先证者的家系进行了研究,认为P207L是家族性高脂血症的病因之一,而在正常对照组中也有发现的Int3/3′-ass/C(-6)→T,对以往研究认为其是高脂血症易患因素的观点提出了相反的报告,对于普遍认为有益的多态性位点S447X,进一步研究认为其对于正常人群,特别是健康男性的保护作用更强。结论:脂蛋白脂肪酶基因变异与高脂血症的相关性十分复杂多样,大规模的人群筛查具有重要意义。     

Hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia: effects of drug treatment on fatty acid composition of plasma lipids and membranes

The effect of atorvastatin, simvastatin and gemfibrozil on fatty acid composition of plasma phospholipids (PL), cholesterol esters (CE), triglycerides (TG) and red cell membrane ghosts (G) has been determined in appropriate sample populations of individuals with hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) or hypercholesterolemia (HCHL). Treatments were appropriate for the condition, gemfibrozil for HTG and a statin for HCHL. Modifications depend on the drug and lipid fraction examined. Both classes of drugs modify fatty acid composition but gemfibrozil modifications are more numerous and dramatic than are the modifications by statins. Gemfibrozil produces major modifications in fatty acid composition, which are both fatty acid and lipid class specific but generally decreases SFA and increases PUFA (mainly n6) and increases the proportion of fatty acids with chain length of 18C or more. Statins tend to increase chain length but have less effect on saturation. Notably, all three drugs increased arachidonic acid (AA) in PL and CE. Statins decreased gamma-linoleic acid (GLA) in PL and CE but gemfibrozil only increased GLA in TG.     

The lipoprotein lipase system: new understandings.

Hypertriglyceridemia, a risk factor for premature atherosclerosis, may result from decreased use of plasma triglycerides by tissues. The removal of triglycerides is mediated by the enzyme lipoprotein lipase (LPL). Heparin releases LPL from tissues and post-heparin plasma lipolytic activity (PHLA) has been extensively used to elucidate the mechanism of hypertriglyceridemia in various diseases. There is evidence to show that postheparin plasma contains enzymes other than LPL. Hence data on total PHLA are difficult to interpret. Availability of assays for the LPL component of PHLA has clarified equivocal findings in certain hypertriglyceridemic states. However, the LPL component is also heterogeneous. The LPL "isoenzymes" from various extrahepatic tissues behave differently under various metabolic conditions. Therefore, to understand properly the LPL system it is necessary to study the specific tissue LPL. Furthermore, the serum activator for LPL is now characterized. Its importance is evidenced by the recent discovery of a hypertriglyceridemic patient deficient in this apoprotein.     

脂蛋白酯酶与动脉粥样硬化

脂蛋白酯酶(1ipopmtein lipase,LPL)是调节脂蛋白代谢的一种关键酶,如具有水解血浆脂蛋白中三酰甘油的作用等．体内LPL减少会导致血三酰甘油升高和高密度脂蛋白胆固醇降低,增加患动脉粥样硬化的危险．通过提高LPL的活性可以抑制动脉粥样硬化的发生发展．已有的研究说明NO-1886促进心肌和脂肪组织LPL mRNA表达,提高心肌、脂肪组织、骨骼肌和血液中LPL活性,因而改善脂蛋白代谢,抑制动脉粥样硬化．     

Pancreatic beta-cell lipoprotein lipase independently regulates islet glucose metabolism and normal insulin secretion

Lipid and glucose metabolism are adversely affected by diabetes, a disease characterized by pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction. To clarify the role of lipids in insulin secretion, we generated mice with beta-cell-specific overexpression (betaLPL-TG) or inactivation (betaLPL-KO) of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), a physiologic provider of fatty acids. LPL enzyme activity and triglyceride content were increased in betaLPL-TG islets; decreased LPL enzyme activity in betaLPL-KO islets did not affect islet triglyceride content. Surprisingly, both betaLPL-TG and betaLPL-KO mice were strikingly hyperglycemic during glucose tolerance testing. Impaired glucose tolerance in betaLPL-KO mice was present at one month of age, whereas betaLPL-TG mice did not develop defective glucose homeostasis until approximately five months of age. Glucose-simulated insulin secretion was impaired in islets isolated from both mouse models. Glucose oxidation, critical for ATP production and triggering of insulin secretion mediated by the ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel, was decreased in betaLPL-TG islets but increased in betaLPL-KO islets. Islet ATP content was not decreased in either model. Insulin secretion was defective in both betaLPL-TG and betaLPL-KO islets under conditions causing calcium-dependent insulin secretion independent of the KATP channel. These results show that beta-cell-derived LPL has two physiologically relevant effects in islets, the inverse regulation of glucose metabolism and the independent mediation of insulin secretion through effects distal to membrane depolarization.     

Structural and functional changes in erythrocyte membranes in experimental atherosclerosis

Structural and functional characteristics of erythrocyte membranes were studied in rabbits with experimental atherosclerosis. In animals with single lipid spots in the aorta, a significant rise of the plasma cholesterol level was associated with the increased cholesterol/phospholipid (CS/PL) ratio and diminished activity of erythrocyte membrane Na+, K+-ATPase. EPMR spin probe data point to changes in structural membrane characteristics--an increase in order parameter for fatty acid chains of lipids and expansion of the temperature interval of the transition phase in the membranes. In rabbits with total aorta injury, a further increase both in the plasma cholesterol concentration and in the CS/PL ratio as well as in structural changes in erythrocyte membranes does not lead to another decrease in the enzymatic activity. In aorta homogenates of the experimental animals, the activity of Na+, K+-ATPase correlated with that in the erythrocyte membrane. This suggests the existence of similar chemical and structural changes in aorta cell membranes. The data may provide an indirect evidence in favour of the hypothesis of the involvement of smooth muscle cells and membrane enzymatic activity alterations in atherosclerosis.     

Chronic changes in plasma triglyceride levels do modify platelet membrane microviscosity in rats

Lipid metabolism disorders were proposed to mediate numerous cell membrane alterations in various forms of hypertension. Elevated plasma triglycerides were found to be associated with changes in membrane structure and function related to altered microviscosity in particular domains of the cell membrane. The aim of our study was to determine if an abnormal triglyceride metabolism might play a causal role in these alterations of membrane dynamics. Using genetically hypertensive rats of the Prague hereditary hypertriglyceridemic (HTG) strain we investigated whether the elevation of circulating triglycerides induced by high fructose intake and/or their lowering by chronic gemfibrozil treatment (for 10 weeks starting at the age of 6 weeks) are followed by reciprocal changes in membrane microviscosity. Two different fluorescent probes exploring either the outer membrane leaflet (TMA-DPH anisotropy) or the membrane lipid core (DPH anisotropy) were used in platelets of HTG rats. DPH (diphenylhexatriene) fluorescence anisotropy was decreased in platelets of fructose-treated HTG animals with highly elevated plasma triglyceride levels, whereas it was increased in gemfibrozil-treated HTG rats in which triglyceride levels were almost normalized. On the contrary, TMA-DPH (trimethylamino-diphenylhexatriene) anisotropy was not substantially altered in platelets from HTG rats by the above modifications of circulating triglycerides. No changes of plasma cholesterol or blood pressure were associated with the triglyceride-dependent modifications of membrane core microviscosity. Our interventional study demonstrates a major causal role of circulating triglycerides in the control of the microviscosity of membrane lipid core.     

Overexpressed lipoprotein lipase protects against atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E knockout mice.

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is known to play a crucial role in lipoprotein metabolism by hydrolyzing triglycerides; however its role in atherogenesis has yet to be determined. We have previously shown that low density lipoprotein receptor knockout mice overexpressing LPL are resistant to diet-induced atherosclerosis due to the suppression of remnant lipoproteins. Plasma lipoproteins and atherosclerosis of apolipoprotein (apo) E knockout mice which overexpress the human LPL transgene (LPL/APOEKO) were compared with those of control apoE knockout mice (APOEKO). On a normal chow diet, LPL/APOEKO mice showed marked suppression of the plasma triglyceride levels compared with APOEKO mice (54 vs. 182 mg/dl), but no significant changes in plasma cholesterol and apoB levels. Non-high density lipoproteins (HDL) from LPL/APOEKO mice had lower triglyceride content, a smaller size, and a more positive charge compared with those from APOEKO mice. Cholesterol, apoA-I, and apoA-IV were increased in HDL. Although both groups developed hypercholesterolemia to a comparable degree in response to an atherogenic diet, the LPL/APOEKO mice developed 2-fold smaller fatty streak lesions in the aortic sinus compared to the APOEKO mice. In conclusion, overproduction of LPL is protective against atherosclerosis even in the absence of apoE.     

Effects of cytokines on the production of lipoprotein lipase in cultured human macrophages

Macrophages are important cells in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis because of their tendency to accumulate lipid and become transformed into foam cells. Cultured human monocyte-derived macrophages spontaneously secrete lipoprotein lipase (LPL), and LPL has been linked to increased lipid uptake by these cells. Because secretion of various macrophage products depends on activation by lymphokines, we studied the effects of immunoregulatory lymphokines on LPL secretion by cultured human macrophages. After culturing cells in RPMI 1640 medium with 20% fetal calf serum, recombinant human gamma-interferon (gamma-INF), interleukin-1 (IL-1), and interleukin-2 (IL-2) were added to the medium and LPL secretion was assessed by measuring LPL activity and/or LPL mass in the medium. Gamma-INF suppressed LPL production both when added to freshly plated cultures of human blood monocytes, as well as when added to monocyte/macrophages from mature cultures (day 6) that were producing large amounts of LPL. IL-1 inhibited medium LPL when added to freshly plated cultures, but not when added to mature cultures. On the other hand, IL-2 did not inhibit LPL in freshly plated cultures, but produced a dose-dependent suppression of LPL from mature cultures. None of the cytokines were cytotoxic to macrophages, and cells that were cultured in gamma-INF demonstrated partial recovery from LPL-suppressive doses of the cytokine. After exposure of cells to 50 U/ml of gamma-INF and 50 U/ml of IL-2 for 3 days, LPL mRNA levels, when expressed as LPL/gamma-actin ratios, were 42% and 53% of controls, respectively. Thus, activation of human macrophages in vitro by gamma-INF resulted in a suppression of LPL production.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

拟南芥角果衰老过程中膜脂的变化

角果发育对某些物种的生殖发育具有重要的作用。拟南芥种子附着在角果里,角果在早期发育时进行光合作用,角果成熟后开裂散落种子之前,其细胞会经历一个衰老的过程。一般植物细胞在衰老过程中要经历膜脂降解的过程,但是角果细胞衰老过程仍未知。通过比较角果衰老过程中拟南芥野生型(WS)及与膜脂代谢密切相关的磷脂酶Dδ缺失突变体(PLDδ KO)中膜脂分子的组成情况、膜脂含量、相对含量及双键指数值,结果发现,在拟南芥角果衰老过程中：(i)质体膜脂和质体外膜脂显著下降;(ii)不同膜脂降解速率不一样,质体膜脂的降解比质体外膜脂的降解快;(iii)总的双键指数DBI下降;(iv)磷脂酶Dδ缺失突变体(PLDδ KO)的角果膜脂组成的基本水平和变化样式与野生型(WS)非常相似。结果说明,角果在衰老过程中发生了膜脂的激烈降解。据此推测：(i) 膜脂水解产物可能转移到种子中用于储藏脂三酰甘油的合成;(ii) 质体膜脂相对含量下降和质体外膜脂相对含量上升导致了总的DBI下降;(iii) PLDδ参与了角果衰老中的膜脂代谢。     

Aluminum mediates compositional alterations of polar lipid classes in maize seedlings

Changes in lipid composition were investigated on maize roots and shoots under aluminum stress. After 4d exposure to 100 microM Al, root growth was inhibited while shoot growth was not affected. In roots, the decrease of the DBI (double bond index) of total fatty acids may signal a decrease in membrane fluidity. The total lipids (TL) decreased by 49%, but phospholipids (PL), phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylinositol (PI) increased to approximately 3-fold. The MGDG increased to 2-fold but no significant change was found in the DGDG. The steryl lipids (SL) increased by 69%. The SL/PL ratio decreased from 2.64 to 1.52 and the MGDG/DGDG ratio increased from 0.45 to 1.06 in roots of Al-stressed plants. Al leads to oxidative stress in roots of treated plants as indicated by the increase of malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations. In shoots, changes in fatty acid composition were associated with an increase of the DBI in all lipid classes except that of the DGDG decreased. The PG was the lipid class which shows the large variation of fatty acid composition. No significant changes were found either for TL, PL, SL or MDA concentrations in shoots of Al-treated plants. While PE levels did not show significant change, PI and PG increased and PC decreased. However, the Al caused 87% decrease in the GL levels. The MGDG and DGDG decreased to 19- and 8-fold, respectively. The deleterious effects of Al on polar lipids could be caused by a direct intervention of Al on plasma membrane and/or alteration of cell metabolism.     

Effect of endotoxin on lipid order and motion in erythrocyte membranes

Electron paramagnetic resonance employing a lipid-specific spin label has been used to investigate the molecular effects of endotoxin on the physical state of bilayer lipids in rat erythrocyte membranes. When added at a concentration as low as 40 μg/ml to whole blood (plasma plus leukocytes present), decreased membrane lipid motion was found in subsequently washed and spin-labeled intact erythrocytes (P < 0.02). However, if endotoxin were added to washed, plasma plus leukocyte-free intact erythrocytes, no change in the motion of the spin label was found, suggesting that plasma-soluble substances and/or leukocytes are required to produce the change in the physical state of lipids. The decreased lipid motion found in these studies is discussed with reference to the known decreased deformability of endotoxin-treated red cells and to the pathogenesis of sepsis.     

Lipid biosynthesis and metabolism of native and acetylated low density lipoproteins in macrophages stimulated by zymosan in vivo and in vitro]

The effects of zymosan on lipid metabolism in mouse peritoneal macrophages (MPM) in vitro and in vivo were studied with special reference to the following parameters: i) 14C-oleate incorporation into cholesteryl esters (CE), triglycerides (TG), and phospholipids (PL) in MPM incubated with low density lipoproteins (LDL) and acetylated LDL; ii) cholesteryl-14C-oleate-acetyl LDL uptake and 125I-acetyl LDL degradation; iii) oxidative modification of LDL. Zymosan administered to mice caused significant stimulation of 14C-oleate incorporation into CE, TG, and PL with no effect on 3H-cholesterol (Ch) incorporation into CE or 3H-glycerol incorporation into TG and PL in MPM. The 14C-oleate incorporation into cellular lipids was unaffected by 18-hour incubation of MPM with zymosan (100-500 micrograms/ml) but increased after incubation of unstimulated MPM with blood serum and peritoneal fluid harvested harvested from zymosan-treated mice. One possible explanation of this phenomenon is oleyl-CoA formation induction in cytokine-stimulated MPM in vivo. Zymosan decreased the Ch-14C-oleate-acetyl LDL uptake, 125I-acetyl LDL degradation, and Ch esterification in the presence of acetyl LDL in MPM both in vitro and in vivo. An increase in Ch esterification after incubation of MPM with zymosan for 6-18 hours in the presence of LDL was accompanied by an increase in lipid peroxidation of LDL and its electrophoretic mobility. The data obtained suggest that the macrophage acetyl LDL receptor pathway may be inhibited by zymosan and that cytokines released from zymosan-stimulated cells may influence the generation of foam cells.