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Published on: October 25, 2018
The IgM response to modified LDL in experimental atherosclerosis: hypochlorite-modified LDL IgM antibodies versus
Marcella van Leeuwen1, Jan Damoiseaux, Adriaan Duijvestijn
1Internal Medicine, Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Introduction:
It is hypothesized that IgM antibodies to oxidized LDL are anti-atherogenic. Myeloperoxidase from plaque-infiltrating neutrophils catalyzes the production of hypochlorite (HOCl), which oxidizes LDL. Here we study the IgM response to HOCl-modified LDL in comparison to titers of T15 clonotypic natural antibodies.
Methods:
Plasma of LDLR(-/-) mice fed a normal chow or high-fat diet was obtained after 6 and 16 weeks. The IgM responses to HOCl-modified LDL and T15 clonotypic natural IgM antibodies were measured by ELISA.
Results:
The IgM levels in response to HOCl-modified LDL increased dramatically in the atherosclerotic group after introduction of the high-fat diet, but not in mice on normal chow. The natural IgM T15 clonotypic antibody titers revealed a more moderate increase during atherogenesis.
Conclusion:
Our results show that during atherogenesis there is a strong induction of IgM antibodies to HOCl-modified LDL particles. Whether these induced IgM antibodies are pro- or anti-atherogenic remains to be established.
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