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Oxidized phospholipids trigger atherogenic inflammation in murine arteries
Alexander Furnkranz1, Andreas Schober, Valery N Bochkov
1Department of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, University of Vienna, Austria.
Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology
|December 14, 2004
Summary
Oxidized phospholipids trigger vascular inflammation and monocyte adhesion in mouse arteries, initiating the inflammatory process in atherosclerosis. This study provides in vivo evidence for their role in this cardiovascular disease.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Immunology
- Atherosclerosis Research
Background:
- Lipoprotein-derived oxidized phospholipids are suspected triggers of atherosclerosis.
- In vivo evidence linking oxidized phospholipids to artery wall inflammation has been limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if defined oxidized phospholipids induce atherogenic chemokine expression and monocyte adhesion in mouse arteries.
- To provide in vivo evidence for the role of oxidized phospholipids in vascular inflammation.
Main Methods:
- Oxidized 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-3-glycero-phosphorylcholine (OxPAPC) was applied to mouse carotid arteries.
- Quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze gene expression.
- Monocyte adhesion was assessed in isolated perfused carotid arteries.
Main Results:
- OxPAPC induced expression of atherosclerosis-related genes, including MCP-1, KC, TF, IL-6, HO-1, and EGR-1.
- These chemokines were also found in atherosclerotic lesions of ApoE-/- mice.
- OxPAPC triggered monocyte rolling and adhesion in a P-selectin and KC-dependent manner.
Conclusions:
- Oxidized phospholipids contribute to vascular inflammation in vivo.
- They initiate atherogenic chemokine expression, leading to monocyte adhesion.
- Oxidized phospholipids are confirmed as triggers of the inflammatory process in atherosclerosis.