Deletion of Ppard in CD11c+ cells attenuates atherosclerosis in ApoE knockout mice
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Updated: Dec 31, 2025

Quantification of Atherosclerosis in Mice
Published on: June 12, 2019
Danyang Tian1,2, Huiling Hong1, Wenbin Shang1
1School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Vascular Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.
Abstract:
Ppardδ, one of the lipid-activated nuclear receptor expressed in many cell types to activate gene transcription, also regulates cellular functions other than lipid metabolism. The mechanism regulating the function of antigen-presenting cells during the development of atherosclerosis is not fully understood. Here we aimed to study the involvement of PPARδ in CD11c+ cells in atherosclerosis. We used the Cre-loxP approach to make conditional deletion of Ppard in CD11c+ cells in mice on Apoe-/- background, which were fed with high cholesterol diet to develop atherosclerosis. Ppard deficiency in CD11c+ cells attenuated atherosclerotic plaque formation and infiltration of myeloid-derived dendritic cells (DCs) and T lymphocytes. Reduced lesion was accompanied by reduced activation of dendritic cells, and also a reduction of activation and differentiation of T cells to Th1 cells. In addition, DC migration to lymph node was also attenuated with Ppard deletion. In bone marrow-derived DCs, Ppard deficiency reduced palmitic acid-induced upregulation of co-stimulatory molecules and pro-inflammatory cytokine IL12 and TNFα. Our results indicated PPARδ activation by fatty acid resulted in the activation of myeloid DCs and subsequent polarization of T lymphocytes, which contributed to atherosclerosis in Apoe-/- mice. These findings also reveal the potential regulatory role of PPARδ in antigen presentation to orchestrate the immune responses during atherosclerosis.
Insights
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPARδ) in antigen-presenting cells promotes atherosclerosis by activating myeloid dendritic cells and polarizing T cells. Deleting PPARδ in these cells reduces plaque formation and immune cell infiltration.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPARδ) is a nuclear receptor involved in lipid metabolism and other cellular functions.
- The role of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in atherosclerosis development is complex and not fully understood.
- PPARδ's function in APCs, particularly dendritic cells (DCs), during atherosclerosis needs further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of PPARδ in CD11c+ cells in the development of atherosclerosis.
- To determine how PPARδ deletion in APCs affects immune cell activation, differentiation, and migration in the context of atherosclerosis.
Main Methods:
- Conditional deletion of the Ppard gene in CD11c+ cells using the Cre-loxP system in Apoe-/- mice.
- Induction of atherosclerosis via a high-cholesterol diet.
- Analysis of atherosclerotic plaque formation, immune cell infiltration, DC activation, and T cell polarization.
- Assessment of DC migration to lymph nodes and co-stimulatory molecule/cytokine expression in bone marrow-derived DCs.
Main Results:
- PPARδ deficiency in CD11c+ cells significantly attenuated atherosclerotic plaque formation.
- Reduced infiltration of myeloid-derived dendritic cells and T lymphocytes was observed.
- Dendritic cell activation and T cell differentiation into Th1 cells were decreased.
- DC migration to lymph nodes was diminished, and palmitic acid-induced pro-inflammatory responses in DCs were reduced.
Conclusions:
- PPARδ activation by fatty acids promotes myeloid DC activation and subsequent T lymphocyte polarization, contributing to atherosclerosis in Apoe-/- mice.
- PPARδ plays a regulatory role in antigen presentation, orchestrating immune responses during atherosclerosis.
- Targeting PPARδ in APCs may offer a therapeutic strategy for atherosclerosis.
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