Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 4, 2026

Using En Face Immunofluorescence Staining to Observe Vascular Endothelial Cells Directly
06:09

Using En Face Immunofluorescence Staining to Observe Vascular Endothelial Cells Directly

Published on: August 20, 2019

16.6K

Angiopoietin-1 aggravates atherosclerosis by inhibiting cholesterol efflux and promoting inflammatory response

Xiang Ou1, Jia-Hui Gao2, Lin-Hao He3

  • 1Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, Medical Research Experiment Center, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China; Department of Endocrinology, The First Hospital of Changsha, Changsha, Hunan 410005, China.

Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta. Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids
|November 4, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) worsens atherosclerosis by inhibiting cholesterol efflux through the Tie2/TFE3/LXRα pathway, increasing inflammation and plaque formation in ApoE-/- mice.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Lipid Metabolism
  • Atherosclerosis Research

Background:

  • Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) is a secreted protein primarily regulating angiogenesis.
  • While Ang-1 promotes atherosclerosis, its specific impact on lipid metabolism and inflammation in this context is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of Angiopoietin-1 on lipid metabolism, inflammation, and atherosclerosis progression.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying Ang-1's influence on cholesterol efflux and plaque development.

Main Methods:

  • ApoE-/- mice were treated with Ang-1 via lentiviral vectors; THP-1 derived macrophages were also used.
  • Assessed atherosclerotic plaque size, cholesterol efflux, reverse cholesterol transport (RCT), and inflammatory cytokine levels.
  • Utilized Oil red O, HE staining, immunofluorescence, [3H]-cholesterol assays, Western blot, qPCR, and ELISA.

Main Results:

  • Ang-1 significantly augmented atherosclerotic plaque formation and inhibited cholesterol efflux.
  • Ang-1 downregulated LXRα, ABCA1, and ABCG1 expression via the Tie2/TFE3 pathway, reducing HDL-C and RCT.
  • Ang-1 promoted lipid accumulation, increased pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, MCP-1), and induced M1 macrophage markers.

Conclusions:

  • Angiopoietin-1 adversely affects cholesterol efflux by decreasing ABCA1 and ABCG1 expression through the Tie2/TFE3/LXRα pathway.
  • This mechanism promotes inflammation and accelerates atherosclerosis progression.
  • Ang-1 plays a detrimental role in cardiovascular health by exacerbating lipid dysregulation and inflammatory responses in atherosclerosis.
Abstract

Keywords:
ABCA1ABCG1Angiopoietin-1AtherosclerosisCholesterol effluxInflammation

More Related Videos

Induction of Atherosclerotic Plaques Through Activation of Mineralocorticoid Receptors in Apolipoprotein E-deficient Mice07:36

Induction of Atherosclerotic Plaques Through Activation of Mineralocorticoid Receptors in Apolipoprotein E-deficient Mice

Published on: September 26, 2018

10.5K
A Human Ex Vivo Atherosclerotic Plaque Model to Study Lesion Biology05:51

A Human Ex Vivo Atherosclerotic Plaque Model to Study Lesion Biology

Published on: May 6, 2014

13.7K

Related Concept Videos

Atherosclerosis I: Introduction01:30

Atherosclerosis I: Introduction

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder characterized by the buildup of plaques on the arterial inner wall, causing them to narrow and harden over time. These plaques comprise lipids, calcium, blood components, carbohydrates, and fibrous tissue. The process primarily affects the intima of large and medium-sized arteries, reducing blood flow in any artery.Etiology and risk factorsThe cause of atherosclerosis is multifactorial, involving a complex interplay among endothelial injury, lipid...
723
Inflammation01:38

Inflammation

Overview
61.3K
Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology01:26

Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) originates from a series of events that impair the function of coronary arteries, the blood vessels responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. The pathophysiology of CAD is closely linked to atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory and lipid-driven condition affecting the vascular endothelium.1. Endothelial DamageThe process begins with damage to the vascular endothelium, which serves as a protective barrier between the blood and the vessel...
325
Atherosclerosis III: Management01:26

Atherosclerosis III: Management

Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...
286
Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply01:24

Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply

Rapidly dividing tumors, embryos, and wounded tissues require more oxygen than usual, lowering the oxygen concentration in the blood. At low oxygen or hypoxic conditions, an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor called the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 or HIF1 is activated. HIF1 is a dimeric protein of alpha (ɑ) and beta (β) subunits.  Under optimal oxygen conditions, HIF1β is present in the nucleus while HIF1ɑ remains in the cytosol. HIF1ɑ is hydroxylated by prolyl...
3.3K
Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) predominantly results from atherosclerosis, which involves the accumulation of fatty deposits, or plaques, within the walls of arteries. This causes them to narrow and harden, significantly reducing blood flow. PAD predominantly affects the legs, particularly the arteries supplying the thighs and calves. In rare cases, it may involve other arteries, including those in the arms.Etiology of PAD:The principal cause of PAD is atherosclerosis, which results from fatty...
269