Human apolipoprotein A-I prevents atherosclerosis associated with apolipoprotein[a] in transgenic mice

Elevated levels of apolipoprotein[a] (apo[a]) and apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) are associated, respectively, with increased and decreased atherosclerosis risk, in both humans and transgenic mice. To investigate the interactions of these two important lipid-associated proteins, we assessed the effect of expression of human apoA-I and apo[a] transgenes, both singularly and together, on murine atherogenesis. Mice expressing the apo[a] transgene have a lipoprotein profile similar to nontransgenic controls, yet have significantly increased susceptibility to diet-induced atherosclerosis. Compared to mice expressing only the apo[a] transgene, mice expressing both apo[a] and apoA-I transgenes have twofold greater high density lipoprotein (HDL) concentrations and approximately a 20-fold decrease in development of early atherosclerotic lesions. The finding of decreased atherosclerosis in the setting of elevated apo[a] and apoA-I suggests that elevations of apoA-I and HDL have a dominant effect in reducing atherosclerosis susceptibility in various settings, including those not associated with alterations of plasma lipids.