A new murine model for atherosclerosis with inflammation in the periodontal tissue induced by immunization with heat shock protein 60.

It has recently become apparent that the anti-heat shock protein (HSP) antibody plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. We studied whether immunization with human HSP60 could lead to atherosclerosis in mice. We attempted to induce atherosclerosis in C57BL/6NJcl mice by immunization with human HSP60 under a high-cholesterol diet. The size of fatty streak lesions was significantly enhanced in mice immunized with human HSP60 under a high-cholesterol diet relative to the number in control mice receiving a high-cholesterol diet alone. In addition, these new atherosclerotic model mice showed lesions of inflammation in the periodontal tissue. This new model may thus provide theoretical support for the clinical observation that patients suffering from periodontitis are frequently found to have atherosclerosis. The cytokine ratio of interferon-gamma/interleukin-4 in the high-cholesterol diet group was significantly higher than that in the standard chow group (p<0.05). This suggests the presence of a predominantly Th1-type immune response in atherosclerosis.     

Cellular repressor of E1A-stimulated genes inhibits inflammation to decrease atherosclerosis in ApoE−/− mice

AimsMacrophage inflammation response is important in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. We investigated the role and mechanism of cellular repressor of E1A-stimulated genes (CREG) in regulating TNF-α induced inflammation response in macrophages and explore whether CREG might be a therapeutic target for atherosclerosis.Method and resultsImmunostaining and western blotting showed that expression of CREG was reduced in human atherosclerotic coronary artery. In vivo experiments demonstrated that supplementation of recombinant CREG protein to ApoE^−/− mice fed with high fat diet alleviated aortic atherosclerosis development and inflammation. In vitro, macrophage from ApoE^−/− mice fed with high fat diet had lower level of CREG compared to control mice fed with normal diet. Immunohistochemical staining and western blotting further confirmed that CREG inhibited inflammatory response of macrophages induced by TNF-α. Supplementation of exogenous recombinant CREG protein or CREG gene silencing showed that CREG promoted autophagy in TNF-α treated macrophages. The use of autophagy inhibitors, 3-methyladenine and bafilomycin A, identified that CREG attenuated TNF-α induced inflammation by activate autophagy. In addition, supplementation of exogenous CREG protein stimulated expression and maturity of cathepsin B and cathepsin L and induced lysosome formation, whereas CREG deficiency reduced lysosomal formation.ConclusionCREG inhibits inflammation and promotes autophagy mediated by lysosome formation; it might be a potential therapeutic target in atherosclerosis.     

Progression and regression of atherosclerosis in APOE3-Leiden transgenic mice: an immunohistochemical study

Apolipoprotein E3-Leiden (APOE3-Leiden) transgenic mice develop hyperlipidemia and are highly susceptible to diet-induced atherosclerosis. We have studied the progression and regression of atherosclerosis using immunohistochemistry. Female transgenic mice were fed a moderate fat diet to study atherosclerosis over a longer time period. Fatty streaks arose in the intima and consisted of lipid filled macrophages which differed in origin. All macrophages expressed the macrophage scavenger receptor while two thirds expressed sialoadhesin and were positive for an antibody recognizing marginal zone macrophages (MOMA-1). All macrophages were negative for the scavenger receptor MARCO and 50% were positive for CD4. Small fatty streaks contained CD-3 positive T-lymphocytes which were for more than 70% CD4-positive. ICAM-1 was positive both in atherosclerotic and control mice. In early plaques, fibrosis was observed on the luminal and medial site of the foam cells while smooth muscle cells were only observed in the fibrous cap. To study regression, we used a high fat, high cholesterol diet to rapidly induce atherosclerosis (14 weeks). The animals were then fed normal chow. Subsequently, atherosclerosis was assayed over time (4, 8, 16 weeks). Cholesterol levels dropped in 4 weeks to control levels.The animals did not show a significantly decrease in plaque size over time. but the percentage macrophages was significantly smaller in the animals after 4 weeks. In conclusion, the APOE3-Leiden mouse is a useful model to study the progression and regression of atherosclerosis.     

Chlamydia pneumoniae infection accelerates hyperlipidemia induced atherosclerotic lesion development in C57BL/6J mice

Considerable evidence of an association between Chlamydia pneumoniae infections and cardiovascular disease has emerged. Animal models using genetically altered mice and hypercholesterolemic rabbits have shown a pathogenic role of C. pneumoniae in accelerating atherosclerotic plaque development. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of chronic C. pneumoniae infection on atherosclerosis in C57BL/6J mice, fed either a regular chow diet or a high fat, high cholesterol diet. Infected animals on an atherogenic diet developed significantly larger lesion areas compared with control mice at 18 weeks (2.5-fold increase; 4177+/-777 vs. 1650+/-808 microm(2); P<0.05) and 24 weeks of age (3.3-fold increase; 14139+/-4147 vs. 4298+/-869 microm(2); P<0.02). This study shows that chronic C. pneumoniae infection accelerates atherosclerotic lesion development in diet induced hypercholesterolemic mice, indicating that C. pneumoniae is a co-risk factor of hyperlipidemia in atherogenesis.     

Immunoglobulin stabilizes plaque formation in experimental atherosclerosis

OBJECTIVES: Immunoglobulin treatment is known to suppress atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. In addition, immunoglobulin inhibits atherosclerosis via the Fc receptors. However, the effect of immunoglobulin treatment at the advanced stage of atherosclerosis is still unclear. This study examined the effects of immunoglobulin on apolipoprotein E-deficient mice at the advanced stage of the disease. METHODS: Atherosclerosis was induced in mice fed a high-fat diet containing 0.3% cholesterol. After confirming the presence of atherosclerotic lesions at 11 weeks, mice were intraperitoneally treated with injections of either intact type of immunoglobulin (1 g/kg/day) or F (ab') 2 fragments of immunoglobulin (1 g/kg/day) on alternate days over 4 weeks. Oil red-O staining and immunohistochemical staining with CD4+ cells were performed of the aorta, and atherosclerotic lesions was evaluated and compared between the groups. RESULTS: Fatty streak lesion was significantly suppressed by intact immunoglobulin compared with saline, and inflammatory cell infiltration and expression of CD4+ cells were less in mice treated with intact immunoglobulin compared with the control. CONCLUSIONS: Immunoglobulin treatment even at the advanced stage of atherosclerosis suppressed the development of fatty lesions and may stabilize atherosclerotic plaques by inhibiting inflammatory cell expression. Immunoglobulin suppression of atherosclerosis was confirmed to act via the Fc receptors.     

Effects of late administration of immunoglobulin on experimental atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.

BACKGROUND: Although immunoglobulin treatment, beginning simultaneously with the initiation of atherosclerosis, suppresses experimental atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice, it remains unclear whether the treatment at a subsequent stage of atherosclerosis would be effective. METHODS AND RESULTS: Experimental atherosclerosis was induced in mice fed a high-fat diet containing 0.3% cholesterol. After confirming the presence of atherosclerotic lesions at 11 weeks, the mice were treated with an intraperitoneal injection of either intact type of immunoglobulin or F(ab')2 fragments of immunoglobulin (both, 1 g.kg-1.day-1) on alternate days over 4 weeks. Fatty streak lesion was suppressed by intact immunoglobulin administration, but not by F(ab')2 fragments of immunoglobulin. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that macrophage and CD4+ T-cell accumulation in the fatty streak lesion was suppressed in mice that received intact immunoglobulin but not in those that received F(ab')2 fragments. CONCLUSIONS: Immunoglobulin treatment, even at a later stage of atherosclerosis, suppresses the development of lesions associated with the reduced expression of immune-activated cells in fatty streak plaques, demonstrating the benefits of immunoglobulin therapy for prevention of atherosclerosis.     

Chlamydia pneumoniae does not increase atherosclerosis in the aortic root of apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

In epidemiological studies, an association between cardiovascular disease and Chlamydia pneumoniae (C pneumoniae) infection has been observed. Although C pneumoniae has been shown to be present in atherosclerotic lesions, a causal relationship between C pneumoniae infection and atherosclerosis has not been demonstrated. To study this question, we used 2 strains of apolipoprotein (apo) E-deficient mice. Eight-week-old mice on an FVB background that were maintained on either a low- or a high-fat diet were infected 3 times at 1-week intervals with C pneumoniae, and atherosclerotic lesions were measured in the aortic root at 10 weeks after the primary infection. In each of the diet groups, no difference in the extent of atherosclerosis could be observed between the C pneumoniae-infected and control animals. In further studies, 2 strains of apoE-deficient mice (FVB or C57BL/6J background) were infected 4 times at 3- to 4-week intervals, and the extent of atherosclerosis was analyzed 18 weeks later. The mice were kept on either a low- or a high-fat diet. The high-fat diet increased atherosclerosis, and a difference in atherosclerosis susceptibility between the mouse strains was observed. However, C pneumoniae infection did not influence lesion size in either mouse strain. On the other hand, C pneumoniae could not be demonstrated by polymerase chain reaction in any of the atherosclerotic lesions of the infected animals studied. A small decrease in serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels 3 days after the primary infection occurred, but after that no differences in serum lipid levels compared with those in noninfected animals were evident. In the myocardium of C pneumoniae-infected mice, no inflammatory signs could be observed. We conclude that under the experimental conditions used, C pneumoniae infection does not accelerate atherogenic changes in the aortic root of apoE-deficient mice.     

Profound resolution of early atherosclerosis with conjugated linoleic acid

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) refers to a group of positional and geometric isomers of linoleic acid and has been shown to suppress the development of atherosclerosis in experimental models. However, the mechanism involved is unclear although it is believed it may act as a cyclooxygenase inhibitor or as an agonist of the nuclear receptors, peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs). In this study, we examined the effect of cis-9,trans-11:trans-10,cis-12-CLA (80:20 blend) on the regression of pre-established atherosclerosis. ApoE(-/-) mice fed a 1% cholesterol diet were randomized at 8 weeks to continue receiving the diet supplemented with 1% control saturated fat or 1% CLA blend for a further 8 weeks. CLA supplementation did not simply prevent progression but induced almost complete resolution of atherosclerosis. Although CLA inhibited platelet deposition, as detected by staining of platelet glycoprotein alpha11b beta111a, it did not inhibit COX-mediated generation of prostaglandins in this model. However, PPARalpha and PPARgamma expression was increased in the aorta of the CLA-treated animals. This was coincident with decreased macrophage accumulation and decreased expression of the macrophage scavenger receptor CD36 and increased apoptosis in the aorta in vivo. CLA induces the resolution of atherosclerosis by negatively regulating the expression of pro-inflammatory genes and inducing apoptosis in the atherosclerotic lesion.     

瑞舒伐他汀对载脂蛋白E基因敲除小鼠动脉粥样硬化的影响

目的 探讨瑞舒伐他汀对载脂蛋白E基因敲除(apoE-/-)小鼠主动脉粥样硬化的影响.方法 取apoE-/-小鼠18只建立动脉粥样硬化模型,C57BL/6小鼠12只为对照组.apoE-/-小鼠予高脂饲料,C57BL/6小鼠予普通饲料.12周后,随机抽取C57BL/6小鼠和apoE-/-小鼠各6只,判断是否成模.将成模后余下的12只apoE-/-小鼠随机分为模型组和瑞舒伐他汀治疗组(瑞舒伐他汀10 mg·kg-1·d-1灌胃),每组6只.余下的6只C57BL/6小鼠作为对照组.再过12周后处死小鼠,行血脂及主动脉HE、Masson、油红O染色观察动脉斑块,免疫组织化学方法检测主动脉组织平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)、转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)、巨噬细胞表面分子-3(Mac-3)表达.结果 模型组小鼠胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白水平均高于对照组(P均＜0.01),甘油三酯水平与对照组比较差异无统计学意义.模型组小鼠主动脉组织内可见明显动脉粥样硬化斑块形成,α-SMA、TGF-β1和Mac-3表达均较高于对照组(P均＜0.01).瑞舒伐他汀治疗组小鼠胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白、甘油三酯水平与模型组比较差异无统计学意义,但斑块内脂肪含量少于模型组,胶原含量多于模型组.治疗组α-SMA表达与模型组比较差异无统计学意义,治疗组TGF-β1、Mac-3表达均低于较模型组(P均＜0.01).结论 瑞舒伐他汀可以减轻apoE-/-小鼠动脉粥样硬化模型中的脂质沉积和炎症反应,可以增加其胶原含量,利于斑块的稳定,具有抗动脉粥样硬化的作用,对血脂无影响.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the effect of rosuvastatin on atherosclerosis in apoE-knockout ( apoE - / - ) mice. Methods Eighteen 6-week-old apoE - / - mice fed with high fat diet were used as atherosclerosis models, twelve 6-week-old C57BL/6 mice fed with normal diet were used as control. After twelve weeks, six apoE -/ - mice were used to observe the formation of atherosclerosis. Another 12 apoE -/- mice were divided into placebo treated group (n =6) and rosuvastatin group (n =6,10 mg· kg-1 ·d -1 per gavage) and treated for 12 weeks. Then, blood was collected for measuring lipid, aorta was prepared for morphologic study (HE, Oil red O, Masson) and immunohistochemical analysis (α-smooth activor protein, transforming growth factor β1, macrophage surface molecule-3 ). Results Serum cholesterol and low density lipoprotein levels were significantly higher in apoE -/- mice fed with high fat diet than in C57/ BL6 mice( all P ＜0. 01 )while triglyceride level was similar between the two groups, these were not affected by rosuvastatin. Similarly, atherosclerotic lesion area in apoE -/ - mice fed with high fat diet was also not significantly reduced by rosuvastatin, while lipid deposition could be significantly reduced and collagen deposition could be significantly increased in the aortic atherosclerotic lesions by treatment with rosuvastatin.Upregulated TGF-β1 and Mac-3 expression in the aortic atherosclerotic lesions in apoE -/- mice fed with high fat diet could also be significantly reduced by rosuvastatin (all P ＜ 0. 01 ), suggesting reduce inflammatory responses in the atherosclerotic lesion and stable atherosclerotic plaque post rosuvastatin treatment. Conclusion Reducing inflammatory responses and stabilizing plaque properties might contribute to the anti-atherosclerosis effects of rosuvastatin in mice high fat diet fed apoE -/- mice.     

Melatonin ameliorates vascular endothelial dysfunction,inflammation, and atherosclerosis by suppressing the TLR4/NF‐κB system in high‐fat‐fed rabbits

Vascular endothelial dysfunction (VED) and inflammation contribute to the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. Melatonin (MLT) normalizes lipid profile, improves endothelial function, and possesses anti‐inflammatory properties. However, the precise mechanisms are still unclear. This study investigated whether MLT could ameliorate VED, inflammation, and atherosclerosis by suppressing the Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) system in high‐fat‐fed rabbits. Rabbits were randomly divided into three groups that received a standard diet (control group), high‐cholesterol diet (atherosclerosis group), or high‐cholesterol diet plus 10 mg/kg/day MLT (MLT group) for 12 wk. After treatment, high‐fat diet significantly increased serum lipid and inflammatory markers in rabbits in atherosclerosis group compared with that in control group. In addition, high‐fat diet also induced VED and typical atherosclerotic plaque formation and increased intima/media thickness ratio, which were significantly improved by MLT therapy as demonstrated in MLT group. Histological and immunoblot analysis further showed that high‐fat diet enhanced the expressions of TLR4, myeloid differentiation primary response protein (MyD88), and NF‐κB p65, but decreased inhibitor of NF‐κB (IκB) expression. By contrast, MLT therapy decreased the expressions of TLR4, MyD88, and NF‐κB p65 and increased IκB expression. This study has demonstrated that MLT ameliorates lipid metabolism, VED, and inflammation and inhibits the progression of atherosclerosis in high‐fat‐fed rabbits. Moreover, our study indicates for the first time that suppression of the TLR4/NF‐κB system in local vasculature with atherosclerotic damage is important for the protective effects of MLT.     

E1A激活基因阻遏子在动脉粥样硬化血管中的表达及其与炎症因子的关系

目的 探讨E1A激活基因阻遏子(CREG)在动脉粥样硬化(AS)血管中的表达及其与炎症因子的关系。方法 Apo E(-/-)小鼠6周龄断奶后给予高脂喂养。8周后取主动脉血管,采用HE染色观察血管的形态学变化;采用免疫荧光染色观察CREG、SMα-actin和巨噬细胞标志物Mac-3的表达变化。取高脂喂养的1~8周小鼠血管,采用Western blot方法检测AS血管中CREG及核转录因子(NF)-κB的表达的变化。结果 在Apo E(-/-)小鼠高脂喂养8周,主动脉血管AS斑块明显形成,斑块内有胆固醇结晶,斑块凸凹不平,管腔明显狭窄。免疫荧光显示AS血管中,CREG表达明显下降,同时SMα-actin表达也下降,而Mac-3表达增高。Apo E(-/-)小鼠高脂喂养2~8周,取动脉血管行蛋白定量分析,结果显示高脂喂养2周时,CREG在动脉血管中的表达不是降低,而是明显升高,高脂喂养第4周,CREG表达急剧下降,而后又逐渐上升,但不能升至正常水平。同时NF-κB随着时间的推移,表达逐渐升高。结论 在AS进程中,血管中膜的VSMCs由收缩表型向合成表型转化,细胞增生活跃、分化减弱,CREG作为维持VSMCs分化的蛋白,在血管中的表达与AS进展密切相关,同时伴随着炎症因子表达逐渐升高。     

Swimming reduces the severity of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E deficient mice by antioxidant effects

OBJECTIVE: It was shown that aerobic exercise training may protect against the development of atherosclerosis. However, the precise mechanisms are still unknown. We assessed the hypothesis that exercise training reduced the severity of experimental atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein (apo) E-deficient mice by antioxidant effects. METHODS: Exercise training (45 min swimming, 3 times/week) was conducted on apo E-deficient mice fed a high fat diet. Over 8 and 16 weeks on alternate days, mice were treated with and without exercise, and additional exercise-treated mice were orally given 25 mg/kg/day of NG-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). In addition, the effect of L-arginine against L-NAME was also tested. RESULTS: Fatty streak formation at 8 weeks and fibrofatty plaques at 16 weeks developed in apo E-deficient mice fed a high fat diet, and were suppressed in mice treated with swimming for 8 and 16 weeks. In contrast, atherosclerotic lesions were not ameliorated in mice treated with exercise training associated with oral L-NAME. However, in mice treated with swimming associated with L-NAME and L-arginine, the atherosclerotic lesions were reduced. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that macrophage and CD4+ cell accumulation in the fatty streak lesions was suppressed in mice treated with exercise, but not in those treated with exercise associated with L-NAME administration. The severity of atherosclerotic lesions was inversely correlated with the endothelial NOS expression and the expression of an endogenous antioxidant protein, thioredoxin. Namely, the expression of thioredoxin in mice treated with exercise was suppressed compared with mice without exercise. Plasma thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance levels were significantly lower in groups with exercise than in those without exercise or with exercise associated with L-NAME administration, suggesting exercise-induced less lipid peroxidation. Differences in lesion area did not correlate with any significant alterations in serum lipid levels. The exercise load used in the current study did not affect energy metabolism efficacies in the hearts. CONCLUSION: Exercise training, in which the load did not affect energy metabolism efficacy of the heart, suppressed atherosclerosis by antioxidant effects via the vascular NO system.     

A limiting dilution assay for quantifying Leishmania major in tissues of infected mice

A limiting dilution assay for the quantification of Leishmania major in infected mouse tissue was developed. The assay was found to be both sensitive and reliable, and, due to its design, could be scored either visually or following the incorporation of 3H-thymidine by the growing parasites. Results are presented in which the assay was employed to enumerate L. major in the tissues of susceptible (BALB/c) and resistant (CBA) mice at intervals after infection with L. major. It was found that parasites could be detected at the site of injection with L. major as early as 3 days after infection. By day 8, a substantial increase in the number of parasites at the lesion site had occurred in both strains of mice. Subsequently, whereas the number of parasites decreased in the lesions of CBA mice, their number steadily increased in the lesions of BALB/c mice. Parasites were detected in lymph nodes draining the lesion site in both BALB/c and CBA mice by 28 days after infection. Interestingly, a low number of L. major was found in the lymph nodes of CBA mice at 100 days after infection, a time when no parasites could be detected at the lesion site. Previous results from this laboratory have demonstrated that the adoptive transfer of L. major-specific L3T4-positive T-cell populations exacerbated cutaneous lesions induced by L. major in BALB/c mice. Experiments presented here indicate that the adoptive transfer of L. major-specific T-cells also exacerbated cutaneous leishmaniasis in CBA mice. Using the sensitive limiting dilution assay presently described, it was found that this unexpected exacerbative effect of L. major-specific T-cells on lesion development was accompanied by a substantial increase in the number of parasites in the lesions of the adoptively transferred mice.     

丹酚酸B对高脂高糖联合介导的载脂蛋白E基因敲除小鼠动脉粥样硬化斑块稳定性的影响

目的观察丹酚酸B对高脂高糖联合介导的载脂蛋白E基因敲除小鼠动脉粥样硬化斑块稳定性的影响及可能的发生机制。方法选取50只8周龄雌性载脂蛋白E基因敲除小鼠,腹腔注射链脲佐菌素200 mg/kg联合高脂饲料喂养12周,将血糖水平>11.1 mol/L的40只载脂蛋白E基因敲除小鼠随机分为模型组、丹酚酸B高剂量组、丹酚酸B中剂量组和洛伐他汀组,每组10只。其中丹酚酸B高剂量组灌服丹酚酸B 160 mg/(kg.d),丹酚酸B中剂量组灌服丹酚酸B 80 mg/(kg.d),洛伐他汀组灌服洛伐他汀2.3 mg/(kg.d),模型组灌服等量蒸馏水,连续灌胃8周。实验期满后,取小鼠血样测空腹血糖和血脂水平;取小鼠主动脉,分别制备主动脉冰冻切片和石蜡包埋切片,进行苏丹Ⅲ染色、MASSON染色和免疫荧光化学染色,观察斑块内脂质中心面积和纤维帽厚度及斑块糜烂发生率和斑块内新生血管数目。结果丹酚酸B高剂量组、洛伐他汀组与模型组比较空腹血糖和总胆固醇水平明显降低(P<0.05);丹酚酸B中剂量组、高剂量组及洛伐他汀组与模型组比较甘油三酯和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平明显降低(P<0.05),而高密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平明显升高(P<0.05)。...     

Development of atherosclerosis in osteopontin transgenic mice

Osteopontin (OPN), a noncollagenous adhesive protein, may possibly be implicated in atherosclerosis, in which macrophages and activated T lymphocytes could have higher OPN levels within the atherosclerotic plaques. However, it is not known whether a higher OPN level is a cause or a result of atherosclerosis or whether it has a promoting or inhibitory effect on atherosclerosis. To clarify the role of OPN in atherosclerosis, we developed a transgenic mouse (OPN-TG) in which the exogenous OPN gene was designed to be expressed by hematopoietic cells, expressing OPN, which carried the immunoglobulin enhancer (Eμ)/SV40 promoter. In OPN-TG, the expression of exogenously transfected OPN RNA was found in lymphoid organs, such as the thymus and spleen, and the kidney. In the present study, OPN-TG mice were assigned into two groups, an atherogenic diet group (15% fat, 1.25% cholesterol) for 3 months or a standard diet group (4% fat), and both groups were compared with wild-type C57BL/6 mice to investigate the relationship between osteopontin and the atherosclerotic lesion. In wild-type mice, OPN mRNA was detected in kidney, but not in lymphoid tissues. In both OPN-TG and wild-type mice fed with control diets, atherosclerotic lesions were not found in the aortic sinus or the thoracic and abdominal aorta. In both OPN-TG and wild-type mice fed with atherogenic diets, a high incidence of atherosclerotic lesions was noted in the aortic sinus. The atherosclerotic lesions were significantly larger in OPN-TG as compared with those in control littermate mice (size: 33.8% ± 23.4% vs 10.9% ± 20.4%, respectively, P < 0.05). Activated foamy macrophages within atherosclerotic plaque in OPN-TG expressed a considerably larger amount of OPN compared with such macrophages in control mice. The OPN protein detected in the atherosclerotic lesions was not due to the deposition of serum OPN, but mainly due to in situ production by the infiltrating macrophages. Thus, these results suggest that OPN is atherogenic and that macrophages expressing OPN can be easily activated and thus promote atheromatous lesions if a high fat diet is consumed. Received: May 15, 2001 / Accepted: September 22, 2001     

Marked acceleration of atherosclerosis after Lactobacillus casei-induced coronary arteritis in a mouse model of Kawasaki disease

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether Lactobacillus casei cell wall extract-induced Kawasaki disease (KD) accelerates atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic mice. Method and Results- Apolipoprotein E knockout or low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout mice were injected with Lactobacillus casei cell wall extract (KD mice) or PBS, fed high-fat diet for 8 weeks, and atherosclerotic lesions in aortic sinuses, arch (AC), and whole aorta were assessed. KD mice had larger, more complex aortic lesions with abundant collagen, and both extracellular and intracellular lipid and foam cells, compared with lesions in control mice despite similar cholesterol levels. Both apolipoprotein E knockout KD and low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout KD mice showed dramatic acceleration in atherosclerosis versus controls, with increases in en face aortic atherosclerosis and plaque size in both the aortic sinuses and AC plaques. Accelerated atherosclerosis was associated with increased circulating interleukin-12p40, interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, and increased macrophage, dendritic cell, and T-cell recruitment in lesions. Furthermore, daily injections of the interleukin-1Ra, which inhibits Lactobacillus casei cell wall extract-induced KD vasculitis, prevented the acceleration of atherosclerosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest an important pathophysiologic link between coronary arteritis/vasculitis in the KD mouse model and subsequent atherosclerotic acceleration, supporting the concept that a similar relation may also be present in KD patients. These results also suggest that KD in childhood may predispose to accelerated and early atherosclerosis as adults.     

Influence of diet on vascular lesions in autoimmune-prone B/W mice.

Autoimmune-prone B/W mice, which are known to develop severe glomerulonephritis and vasculitis, also are found to develop arteritis and proliferative and fatty-proliferative lesions of the aorta and its branches as well as renal inflammatory lesions. High intake of saturated fat in the diet enhances the development of these atherosclerotic and autoimmune lesions significantly in female mice, whereas restriction of dietary calories and fat inhibits their development. Ad lib feeding of laboratory chow, high in fiber and low in fat, does not foster development of vascular lesions but does permit the development of autoimmune renal disease.     

Compared with saturated fatty acids, dietary monounsaturated fatty acids and carbohydrates increase atherosclerosis and VLDL cholesterol levels in LDL receptor-deficient, but not apolipoprotein E-deficient, mice

Heart-healthy dietary recommendations include decreasing the intake of saturated fatty acids (SFA). However, the relative benefit of replacing SFA with monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), or carbohydrates (CARB) is still being debated. We have used two mouse models of atherosclerosis, low density lipoprotein receptor-deficient (LDLRKO) and apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoEKO) mice to measure the effects of four isocaloric diets enriched with either SFA, MUFA, PUFA, or CARB on atherosclerotic lesion area and lipoprotein levels. In LDLRKO mice, compared with the SFA diet, the MUFA and CARB diets significantly increased atherosclerosis in both sexes, but the PUFA diet had no effect. The MUFA and CARB diets also increased very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-C) and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) in males and VLDL-C levels in females. Analysis of data from LDLRKO mice on all diets showed that atherosclerotic lesion area correlated positively with VLDL-C levels (males: r = 0.47, P < 0.005; females: r = 0.52, P < 0.001). In contrast, in apoEKO mice there were no significant dietary effects on atherosclerosis in either sex. Compared with the SFA diet, the CARB diet significantly decreased VLDL-C in males and the MUFA, PUFA, and CARB diets decreased VLDL-C and the CARB diet decreased LDL-C in females. In summary, in LDLRKO mice the replacement of dietary SFA by either MUFA or CARB causes a proportionate increase in both atherosclerotic lesion area and VLDL-C. There were no significant dietary effects on atherosclerotic lesion area in apoEKO mice. These results are surprising and suggest that, depending on the underlying genotype, dietary MUFA and CARB can actually increase atherosclerosis susceptibility, probably by raising VLDL-C levels through a non-LDL receptor, apoE-dependent pathway.     

Beta3 integrin deficiency promotes atherosclerosis and pulmonary inflammation in high-fat-fed,hyperlipidemic mice

Hyperlipidemia promotes the chronic inflammatory disease atherosclerosis through poorly understood mechanisms. Atherogenic lipoproteins activate platelets, but it is unknown whether platelets contribute to early inflammatory atherosclerotic lesions. To address the role of platelet aggregation in diet-induced vascular disease, we studied beta3 integrin-deficient mice (lacking platelet integrin alphaIIbbeta3 and the widely expressed nonplatelet integrin alphavbeta3) in two models of atherosclerosis, apolipoprotein E (apoE)-null and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR)-null mice. Unexpectedly, a high-fat, Western-type (but not a low-fat) diet caused death in two-thirds of the beta3-/-apoE-/- and half of the beta3-/-LDLR-/- mice due to noninfectious pneumonitis. In animals from both models surviving high-fat feeding, pneumonitis was absent, but aortic atherosclerosis was 2- to 6-fold greater in beta3-/- compared with beta+/+ littermates. Expression of CD36, CD40L, and CD40 was increased in lungs of beta3-/-LDLR-/- mice. Each was also increased in smooth muscle cells cultured from beta3-deficient mice and suppressed by retroviral reconstitution of beta3. These data show that the platelet defect caused by alphaIIbbeta3 deficiency does not impair atherosclerotic lesion initiation. They also suggest that alphavbeta3 has a suppressive effect on inflammation, the loss of which induces atherogenic mediators that are amplified by diet-induced hyperlipidemia.     

Rapid regression of atherosclerosis induced by liver-directed gene transfer of ApoE in ApoE-deficient mice.

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) is a multifunctional protein synthesized by the liver and tissue macrophages. ApoE-deficient mice have severe hyperlipidemia and develop accelerated atherosclerosis on a chow diet. Both liver-derived and macrophage-derived apoEs have been shown to reduce plasma lipoprotein levels and slow the progression of atherosclerosis in apoE-deficient mice, but regression of atherosclerosis has not been demonstrated in this model. We utilized second-generation adenoviruses to achieve hepatic expression of human apoE in chow-fed, apoE-deficient mice with established atherosclerotic lesions of different stages. As expected, hepatic expression of human apoE3 significantly reduced plasma cholesterol levels. Liver-derived apoE also accumulated substantially within preexisting atherosclerotic lesions, indicating that plasma apoE gained access to the arterial intima. Hepatic expression of human apoE3 for 6 weeks resulted in significant quantitative regression of both early fatty streak lesions as well as advanced, complex lesions in both the aortic root and the aortic arch. In addition, hepatic expression of apoE induced substantial morphological changes in lesions, including decreased foam cells and increased smooth muscle cells and extracellular matrix content. In parallel, human apoE4 and apoE2 were also expressed in the liver by using recombinant adenoviruses. ApoE4 reduced cholesterol levels to the same extent as did apoE3 and also prevented progression but did not induce significant regression of preexisting lesions. ApoE2 reduced cholesterol levels to a lesser degree than did apoE3 and apoE4 and lesion progression was reduced, but regression was not induced. In summary, (1) regression of preexisting atherosclerotic lesions in apoE-deficient mice can be rapidly induced by hepatic expression of apoE, despite the absence of macrophage-derived apoE; (2) the morphological changes seen in this model of regression resemble those in other animal models, induced over longer periods of time; (3) liver-derived apoE gained access to and was retained by intimal atherosclerotic lesions; and (4) apoE4 was less effective in inducing regression, despite its effects on plasma lipoproteins that were similar to those of apoE3. The rapid regression of preexisiting atherosclerotic lesions induced by apoE gene transfer in apoE-deficient mice could provide a convenient murine model for investigation of the molecular events associated with atherosclerosis regression.