OBJECTIVE: Accumulation of cholesterol in foam cells of atheroma plaques depends on the balance between uptake and efflux of cholesterol. It may also depend on proteins surrounding lipid droplets, adipophilin, and perilipins. They favor triglyceride storage in adipocytes and could play a similar role for cholesterol in atheroma. METHODS AND RESULTS: We measured in human atheroma and nearby macroscopically intact tissue (MIT) the expression of perilipin, adipophilin, and regulatory factors of cholesterol metabolism. We identified perilipin A in human arterial wall. Its expression was largely increased in atheroma compared with MIT, and perilipin was present in macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells. Adipophilin, ACAT1, and CD36 were also overexpressed in atheroma. mRNA levels of low-density lipoprotein receptor, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, and SREBP-2 were unchanged. With respect to efflux of cholesterol, the mRNA levels of NCEH and ABCA-1 were unchanged, whereas CLA-1 mRNA was slightly higher in atheroma. Importantly, immunoblotting of ABCA-1 showed a dramatic decrease of ABCA1 protein, the key molecule of cholesterol efflux, in atheroma compared with MIT. CONCLUSIONS: We show the presence and induction of perilipin in atheroma. This overexpression and the coordinated modifications of expression of key regulatory factors for cholesterol metabolism could favor cholesterol accumulation.
OBJECTIVE: Accumulation of cholesterol in foam cells of atheroma plaques depends on the balance between uptake and efflux of cholesterol. It may also depend on proteins surrounding lipid droplets, adipophilin, and perilipins. They favor triglyceride storage in adipocytes and could play a similar role for cholesterol in atheroma. METHODS AND RESULTS: We measured in humanatheroma and nearby macroscopically intact tissue (MIT) the expression of perilipin, adipophilin, and regulatory factors of cholesterol metabolism. We identified perilipin A in human arterial wall. Its expression was largely increased in atheroma compared with MIT, and perilipin was present in macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells. Adipophilin, ACAT1, and CD36 were also overexpressed in atheroma. mRNA levels of low-density lipoprotein receptor, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, and SREBP-2 were unchanged. With respect to efflux of cholesterol, the mRNA levels of NCEH and ABCA-1 were unchanged, whereas CLA-1 mRNA was slightly higher in atheroma. Importantly, immunoblotting of ABCA-1 showed a dramatic decrease of ABCA1 protein, the key molecule of cholesterol efflux, in atheroma compared with MIT. CONCLUSIONS: We show the presence and induction of perilipin in atheroma. This overexpression and the coordinated modifications of expression of key regulatory factors for cholesterol metabolism could favor cholesterol accumulation.
Authors: Katariina Öörni; Kristiina Rajamäki; Su Duy Nguyen; Katariina Lähdesmäki; Riia Plihtari; Miriam Lee-Rueckert; Petri T Kovanen Journal: J Lipid Res Date: 2014-11-25 Impact factor: 5.922
Authors: David J Orlicky; James R Roede; Elise Bales; Carrie Greenwood; Andrew Greenberg; Dennis Petersen; James L McManaman Journal: Alcohol Clin Exp Res Date: 2011-04-27 Impact factor: 3.455
Authors: Taiese Crystal Bingham; Edward A Fisher; Saj Parathath; Allison B Reiss; Edwin S Chan; Bruce N Cronstein Journal: J Leukoc Biol Date: 2010-01-20 Impact factor: 4.962