BACKGROUND: Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a proinflammatory cytokine expressed widely by vascular cells. However, scant in vivo evidence supports direct participation of MIF in atherogenesis. Therefore, we investigated whether deficiency of MIF modulates atherosclerotic lesion formation and composition in low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient (LDLr-/-) mice. METHODS AND RESULTS: MIF-/-LDLr-/- and LDLr-/- mice were generated and consumed an atherogenic diet for 12 or 26 weeks. MIF-/-LDLr-/- mice had significantly reduced abdominal aorta lipid deposition and intimal thickening from aortic arch throughout the abdominal aorta compared with LDLr-/- mice. Marked retardation of atherosclerosis over time in MIF-deficient mice accompanied decreased lesion cell proliferation. At 26 weeks, 20% of MIF-deficient mice developed only early, fatty streak-like lesions, whereas >80% of LDLr-/- mice developed advanced lesions containing calcification and lipid cores. Analysis of smooth muscle cells from mouse aortae demonstrated that MIF deficiency reduced smooth muscle cell proliferation, cysteine protease expression, and elastinolytic and collagenolytic activities. CONCLUSIONS: Deficiency of MIF reduces atherogenesis in LDLr-/- mice. These results provide novel insight into inflammatory pathways operating in atheromata and identify a new potential target for modulating atherogenesis.
BACKGROUND:Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a proinflammatory cytokine expressed widely by vascular cells. However, scant in vivo evidence supports direct participation of MIF in atherogenesis. Therefore, we investigated whether deficiency of MIF modulates atherosclerotic lesion formation and composition in low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient (LDLr-/-)mice. METHODS AND RESULTS:MIF-/-LDLr-/- and LDLr-/- mice were generated and consumed an atherogenic diet for 12 or 26 weeks. MIF-/-LDLr-/- mice had significantly reduced abdominal aorta lipid deposition and intimal thickening from aortic arch throughout the abdominal aorta compared with LDLr-/- mice. Marked retardation of atherosclerosis over time in MIF-deficientmice accompanied decreased lesion cell proliferation. At 26 weeks, 20% of MIF-deficientmice developed only early, fatty streak-like lesions, whereas >80% of LDLr-/- mice developed advanced lesions containing calcification and lipid cores. Analysis of smooth muscle cells from mouse aortae demonstrated that MIF deficiency reduced smooth muscle cell proliferation, cysteine protease expression, and elastinolytic and collagenolytic activities. CONCLUSIONS:Deficiency of MIF reduces atherogenesis in LDLr-/- mice. These results provide novel insight into inflammatory pathways operating in atheromata and identify a new potential target for modulating atherogenesis.
Authors: Corinna Schmitz; Heidi Noels; Omar El Bounkari; Eva Straussfeld; Remco T A Megens; Marieke Sternkopf; Setareh Alampour-Rajabi; Christine Krammer; Pathricia V Tilstam; Norbert Gerdes; Christina Bürger; Aphrodite Kapurniotu; Richard Bucala; Joachim Jankowski; Christian Weber; Jürgen Bernhagen Journal: FASEB J Date: 2018-03-15 Impact factor: 5.191
Authors: Christian Weber; Sandra Kraemer; Maik Drechsler; Hongqi Lue; Rory R Koenen; Aphrodite Kapurniotu; Alma Zernecke; Jürgen Bernhagen Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2008-10-13 Impact factor: 11.205