Retinoic acid prevents Chlamydia pneumoniae-induced foam cell development in a mouse model of atherosclerosis

Chlamydia pneumoniae, a common respiratory pathogen, has been associated with cardiovascular disease. C. pneumoniae infection accelerates atherosclerotic lesion development in hyperlipidemic animals. Retinoic acid, an anti-oxidant, inhibits infection of endothelial cells by C. pneumoniae. The present study demonstrated that retinoic acid suppresses the acceleration of foam cell lesion development induced by C. pneumoniae in hyperlipidemic C57BL/6J mice. Retinoic acid treatment had no effect on foam cell lesion development in uninfected animals. Lung infection and duration was decreased in treated mice, suggesting one mechanism by which retinoic acid reduces C. pneumoniae-accelerated foam cell lesion formation in hyperlipidemic mice.