CD44 regulates vascular gene expression in a proatherogenic environment.

Area of Science:

• Vascular Biology
• Atherosclerosis Research
• Molecular Medicine

Background:

• Atherosclerosis is a complex vascular disease.
• Early molecular events driving atherosclerosis are not fully understood.
• CD44's role in atherogenesis requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify early vascular gene expression changes mediated by CD44.
• To understand how CD44 promotes atherosclerotic disease.
• To investigate CD44's function in apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE-/-) mice.

Main Methods:

• Utilized apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE-/-) and wild-type (C57BL/6) mouse models.
• Analyzed CD44 expression in the aortic arch and thoracic aorta.
• Performed gene expression profiling using cDNA microarrays and quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Main Results:

• CD44 was upregulated and activated in the aortic arch of apoE-/- mice, specifically in lesion-prone areas.
• Gene expression profiling revealed approximately 155 differentially regulated genes in apoE-/- CD44-/- mice compared to apoE-/- CD44+/+ mice.
• CD44's impact on gene expression was selective to the proatherogenic environment, implicating it in focal adhesion, extracellular matrix deposition, and angiogenesis.

Conclusions:

• CD44 acts as an early mediator of atherogenesis.
• CD44 regulates vascular gene expression in response to a proatherogenic environment.
• CD44 plays a critical role in processes fundamental to atherosclerosis development.