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Quantification of Atherosclerosis in Mice
06:59

Quantification of Atherosclerosis in Mice

Published on: June 12, 2019

Tissue-specific roles of ABCA1 influence susceptibility to atherosclerosis

Liam R Brunham1, Roshni R Singaraja, MyNgan Duong

  • 1Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology
|February 10, 2009
PubMed

Insights

ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) influences atherosclerosis. Hepatic ABCA1 expression protects against atherosclerosis, while macrophage ABCA1 deletion shows no significant effect on disease progression.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Lipid Metabolism
  • Atherosclerosis Research

Background:

  • ATP-binding cassette transporter, subfamily A, member 1 (ABCA1) is crucial for HDL cholesterol metabolism.
  • The precise role of ABCA1 in atherosclerosis susceptibility remains debated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of ABCA1 in atherosclerosis using genetic models.
  • To determine the specific contributions of ABCA1 in different tissues to atherogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized transgenic overexpression of human ABCA1 in Ldlr(-/-) mice.
  • Employed tissue-specific Abca1 inactivation in Apoe(-/-) and Ldlr(-/-) mouse models.
  • Assessed atherosclerosis development and HDL cholesterol levels.

Main Results:

  • ABCA1 overexpression reduced atherosclerosis in Ldlr(-/-) mice.
  • Hepatic Abca1 deficiency in Apoe(-/-) mice led to lower HDL cholesterol and accelerated atherosclerosis.
  • Macrophage-specific Abca1 deletion in Ldlr(-/-) mice did not alter atherosclerotic lesion area.

Conclusions:

  • Physiological ABCA1 expression modulates atherosclerosis susceptibility.
  • Hepatic ABCA1 is a key site for atheroprotection.
  • Selective deletion of macrophage ABCA1 does not significantly impact atherogenesis.
Abstract

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