Tributyltin chloride induces ABCA1 expression and apolipoprotein A-I-mediated cellular cholesterol efflux by activating LXRα/RXR

Organotins, including tri-butyltin chloride (TBTC), are widely used in agricultural and chemical industries and cause persistent and widespread pollution. TBTC has been shown to activate nuclear receptor retinoid X receptor (RXR)/PPARγ signaling by interacting with RXR to modulate adipogenesis. However, whether TBTC affects liver X receptor (LXR)/RXR activity and subsequently the expression of cholesterol mobilizing genes is not known. In this study, we evaluated the ability of TBTC to activate LXR/RXR and ABC transporter A1 (ABCA1) expression. ABCA1 plays a critical role in HDL generation, maintaining cholesterol homeostasis, and cholesterol accumulation-induced diseases, such as atherosclerosis and pancreatic islet dysfunction. In a reporter gene assay, TBTC activated LXRα/RXR but not LXRβ/RXR. In mouse macrophage RAW264 cells, TBTC activated the ABCA1 promoter in an LXR-responsive element dependent manner and increased ABCA1 mRNA expression. TBTC augmented ABCA1 protein levels and apolipoprotein A-I-dependent cellular cholesterol efflux (HDL generation). The LXR-target fatty acid synthase and Spα mRNA levels were also increased by TBTC exposure. We conclude that TBTC has the ability to activate permissive LXRα/RXR signaling and thereby modulate cellular cholesterol efflux.     

Oxidized LDL upregulated ATP binding cassette transporter-1 in THP-1 macrophages

INTRODUCTIONOxidized lipid signaling in macrophages is centralto the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis[1]. Exposure ofmacrophages and other vascular cells to oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) leads to complex changesin gene expression that are collectively thought to influ-ence the development of the atherosclerotic lesion[2].Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, the overallprotein map in U937 control cells and U937 foam cellswas obtained. Compared with U937 cells, 37 spots…     

尼古丁对巨噬细胞肝X受体α表达及胆固醇外流的影响

目的通过研究尼古丁对巨噬细胞的肝X受体α(LXRα)及其下游的一些目的基因表达和胆固醇外流的影响,探讨尼古丁对LXR信号系统的作用。方法分离人外周血单核细胞,并转化为巨噬细胞。在尼古丁的作用下,观察巨噬细胞的aopA-Ⅰ介导的胆固醇外流的变化和LXR以及其下游一些目的基因mRNA表达。结果尼古丁明显影响巨噬细胞中一些涉及胆固醇代谢及炎症反应的基因表达,同时降低aopA-Ⅰ介导的胆固醇外流。结论巨噬细胞在尼古丁的作用下,由aopA-Ⅰ介导的胆固醇外流降低,这种效应与尼古丁下调LXRα及其下游的影响胆固醇代谢的目的基因有关,同时,也促进一些炎症因子基因的表达。提示尼古丁在动脉粥样硬化中的作用与其影响巨噬细胞LXR信号途径有关,从而影响泡沫细胞的形成。     

Signal transduction pathways provide opportunities to enhance HDL and apoAI-dependent reverse cholesterol transport

Binding of High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) and its major apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) to cell surface receptors is believed to initiate a plethora of signaling cascades that promote atheroprotective cell behavior, including the removal of excess cholesterol from lipid-loaded macrophages. More specifically, HDL and apoA-I binding to scavenger receptor BI (SR-BI) and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter A1 has been shown to activate protein kinase A and C (PKA, PKC), Rac/Rho GTPases, Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2), calmodulin as well as mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). Some of these signaling events upregulate mobilization of cholesterol from cellular pools, while others promote efflux pathways through increased expression, stability, and cell surface localization of SR-BI and ABCA1. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge of HDL- and apoA-I -induced signal transduction pathways that are linked to cholesterol efflux and discusses the underlying mechanisms that could couple ligand binding to SR-BI and ABCA1 with signaling and cholesterol export. Additional focus is given on the potential of pharmacological intervention to modulate the activity of signaling cascades for the inhibition or regression of cholesterol accumulation in atherosclerotic lesions.     

载脂蛋白嵌合模拟肽对巨噬细胞胆固醇流出的影响

目的观察载脂蛋白嵌合模拟肽Ac-hE-18A-NH2对RAW264.7巨噬细胞胆固醇流出的影响,并探讨其机制。方法 RAW264.7巨噬细胞种植于24孔板,用0.5μCi/孔3H-胆固醇和含50mg·mL-1氧化低密度脂蛋白共同孵育24h之后,给予不同浓度的Ac-hE-18A-NH2(0～100mg·mL-1)干预24h,收集细胞用液体闪烁计数法检测胆固醇流出。采用ELISA测定细胞内cAMP含量,采用实时荧光定量PCR及Westernblot检测ABCA1、LXRα和PPARγ的mRNA及蛋白表达。结果 Ac-hE-18A-NH2以浓度依赖方式介导胆固醇流出;50mg·mL-1Ac-hE-18A-NH2干预不同时间,其介导的胆固醇流出率分别为(10.86±1.46)%(6h),(13.43±1.55)%(12h),(20.58±1.34)%(18h),和(26.93±4.37)%(24h)。同时,Ac-hE-18A-NH2还以浓度依赖方式增加细胞内cAMP水平,上调ABCA1、LXRα和PPARγmR-NA和蛋白表达。加用cAMP刺激剂8-Br-cAMP,Ac-hE-18A-NH2介导的胆固醇流出率由26.93±4.37增加至35.81±2.73,ABCA1mRNA表达增加了66.67%。而加用PPARγ特异性抑制剂预处理细胞后,PPARγ的表达几乎完全抑制,ABCA1和LXRα的表达也受到一定程度抑制,Ac-hE-18A-NH2介导的胆固醇流出率明显减少。结论模拟肽Ac-hE-18A-NH2可以明显促进巨噬细胞胆固醇流出,其机制可能与cAMP-ABCA1和PPARγ-LXRα-ABCA1两种途径有关。     

Angiotensin‐(1–7) upregulates expression of adenosine triphosphate‐binding cassette transporter A1 and adenosine triphosphate‐binding cassette transporter G1 through the Mas receptor through the liver X receptor alpha signalling pathway in THP‐1 macrophages treated with angiotensin‐II

Adenosine triphosphate‐binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) and ABCG1 play crucial roles in reverse cholesterol transport, and have anti‐atherosclerosis effects, and liver X receptor alpha (LXRα) can stimulate cholesterol efflux through these transporters. Angiotensin (Ang)‐(1–7) can protect endothelial cells, inhibit smooth muscle cell growth, ameliorate inflammation and exert anti‐atherosclerotic effects. In the present study, we attempted to clarify the effect of Ang‐(1–7) on expression of ABCA1 and ABCG1, and explored the role of LXRα in the regulation of ABCA1 and ABCG1 in THP‐1 macrophages that had been incubated with angiotensin‐II (AngII). Ang‐(1–7) increased ABCA1 and ABCG1 expression in a concentration‐dependent manner at both the mRNA and protein levels, promoted cholesterol efflux, and decreased cholesterol content in THP‐1 macrophages treated with AngII. Furthermore, Ang‐(1–7) upregulated the expression of LXRα in a concentration‐dependent manner in these cells. LXRα small interfering RNA, as well as the Mas receptor antagonist A‐779, completely abolished these effects of Ang‐(1–7). In summary, Ang‐(1–7) upregulates ABCA1 and ABCG1 expression in THP‐1 macrophages treated with AngII through the Mas receptor, via the LXRα pathway. This novel insight into the molecular mechanism underlying Ang‐(1–7) and AngII interaction could prove useful for developing new strategies for treatment of cardiovascular diseases.     

ATP-binding cassette transporters in macrophages: promising drug targets for treatment of cardiovascular disease

Numerous ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are expressed in monocyte-derived macrophages and are subject to sterol-dependent regulation. ABCA1 has been identified as a key regulator of macrophage cholesterol efflux and HDL-mediated reverse cholesterol transport. Although the precise mechanisms of ABCA1 function are not completely understood, recent data suggest that the ABCA1 pathway regulates vesicular traffic, filipodia formation and lipid microdomains, thereby controlling susceptibility to atherosclerosis. Nuclear hormone receptors including LXR/RXR and PPAR/RXR heterodimers are recognized as direct or indirect regulators of ABCA1 expression and are discussed as potential targets for pharmacological intervention in cardiovascular disease. Future studies clarifying the processes involved in the ABCA1 pathway at the cellular level are expected to identify new and possibly more specific pharmaceutical targets.     

Remembering your A,B, C's: Alzheimer's disease and ABCA1

The function of ATP binding cassette protein A1 (ABCA1) is central to cholesterol mobilization. Reduced ABCA1 expression or activity is implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other disorders. Therapeutic approaches to boost ABCA1 activity have yet to be translated successfully to the clinic. The risk factors for AD development and progression, including comorbid disorders such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, highlight the intersection of cholesterol transport and inflammation. Upregulation of ABCA1 can positively impact APOE lipidation, insulin sensitivity, peripheral vascular and blood–brain barrier integrity, and anti-inflammatory signaling. Various strategies towards ABCA1-boosting compounds have been described, with a bias toward nuclear hormone receptor (NHR) agonists. These agonists display beneficial preclinical effects; however, important side effects have limited development. In particular, ligands that bind liver X receptor (LXR), the primary NHR that controls ABCA1 expression, have shown positive effects in AD mouse models; however, lipogenesis and unwanted increases in triglyceride production are often observed. The longstanding approach, focusing on LXRβ vs. LXRα selectivity, is over-simplistic and has failed. Novel approaches such as phenotypic screening may lead to small molecule NHR modulators that elevate ABCA1 function without inducing lipogenesis and are clinically translatable.     

Oleanolic acid derivative NPLC441 potently stimulates glucose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes via a multi-target mechanism

The natural product oleanolic acid (OA) has been discovered to exhibit varied pharmacological functions including anti-inflammation, anti-tumor and anti-diabetes, while appropriate synthetic oleanolic acid derivatives seem to possess more potent activities. Here we identified a new oleanolic acid derivative, 3-β-(2-carboxybenzoyloxy)-oleanolic acid (NPLC441), which functioned as a competitive PTP1B inhibitor and enhanced insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of IR and AKT in HepG2 cells. As an RXRα antagonist, it could selectively activate LXRα:RXRα heterodimer and increase the promoter activities of ABCA1 and ABCG1 genes in transient transfection assays. Quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot analyses suggested that NPLC441 could up-regulate GLUT4 expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and such effect was further proved to be dependent on LXRα:RXRα activation. Moreover, 2-deoxyglucose uptake technology-based characterization demonstrated that this compound could stimulate glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Finally, NPLC441 was observed to be able to suppress 11β-HSD₁ expression in HepG2 cells, following the discovery that activation of LXRα:RXRα could repress the expression of 11β-HSD₁. Compared with NPLC441, OA showed no effects on the transactivation of either LXRα:RXRα heterodimer or RXRα-LBD. Our work is thus expected to provide a new insight into the anti-diabetic application for oleanolic acid derivatives via multi-target mechanism, and NPLC441 could be used as a potential lead compound for further research.     

二甲双胍介导胆固醇逆转运抑制动脉粥样硬化

目的探讨二甲双胍通过对胆固醇逆转运抑制ApoE^-/-小鼠动脉粥样硬化的分子机制。方法18只ApoE^-/-小鼠随机分为三组,对照组、模型组和二甲双胍组,每周监测体质量变化。取血检测血清血脂水平;小动物超声检测腹主动脉管壁厚度;HE和油红O染色评价肝脏脂肪病变程度;Western blot检测肝脏胆固醇逆转运相关蛋白LXRɑ、ABCA1的表达。结果与对照组比,模型组体质量、血清TC、TG、LDL升高,HDL降低(P<0.05),腹主动脉管壁增厚(P<0.05),肝脏脂肪沉积加重及LXRɑ、ABCA1的表达降低。二甲双胍组体质量、血清TC、TG、LDL降低,HDL升高(P<0.05),肝脏脂肪沉积及腹主动脉管壁厚度显著减轻(P<0.05),LXRɑ、ABCA1表达显著增高(P<0.05)。结论二甲双胍通过上调肝脏胆固醇逆向转运相关蛋白LXRɑ和ABCA1的表达,增强肝脏胆固醇逆转运能力,调节血脂代谢、减轻肝脏脂质沉积,从而延缓动脉粥样硬化的进展。     

Nuclear receptors as potential targets for modulating reverse cholesterol transport

This review describes the role of nuclear receptors in the regulation of genes involved in cholesterol transport and synthetic modulators of these receptors. Increasing the efflux of cholesterol from peripheral cells, such as lipid-laden macrophages, through a process called reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) requires HDL. Increasing the circulating levels of HDL, as well as the efficiency of the RCT process, could result in a reduction in the development of coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis. Nuclear receptors of the RXR heterodimer family have recently been shown to regulate key genes involved in HDL metabolism and reverse cholesterol transport. These include the PPARs (peroxisome proliferator activated receptors), the LXR (liver X receptor) and the farnesoid X receptor (FXR). The synthesis of specific and potent ligands for these receptors has aided in ascertaining the physiological role of these receptors as lipid sensors and the potential therapeutic utility of modulators of these receptors in dyslipidemias and cardiovascular disease.     

糖肾方抑制TGF-β1/Smad3通路促进小鼠肾小管上皮细胞胆固醇流出

目的:利用高糖诱导的小鼠肾小管上皮细胞(mouse tubular epithelial cells,mTECs)观察中药糖肾方颗粒及Smad3抑制剂SIS3对于TGF-β1/Smad3通路及细胞胆固醇流出通路的影响。方法:25 mmol/L高糖诱导mTECs细胞后,分别给予糖肾方及Smad3抑制剂SIS3干预,利用ELISA试剂盒检测细胞中脂质含量,利用Western blot和Real-time PCR检测细胞中TGF-β1/Smad3通路及过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ共激活因子1α(peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorγcoactivator 1α,PGC-1α)、肝脏X受体(liver X receptor,LXR)、ATP-结合盒转运蛋白A1(ABCA1)、ATP-结合盒转运蛋白G1(ABCG1)的表达。结果:糖肾方可以降低高糖诱导mTECs细胞中总胆固醇(total cholesterol,TC)、甘油三酸酯(triglyceride,TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,LDL-C)含量,上调高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,HDL-C)含量(P<0.05);糖肾方及Smad3抑制剂SIS3可下调高糖诱导mTECs细胞中TGF-β1、Smad3、CollagenⅠ和Fibronectin的表达,上调PGC-1α、LXR、ABCA1、ABCG1的表达(P<0.05)。结论:糖肾方可通过抑制TGF-β1/Smad3信号通路促进细胞胆固醇流出,减轻肾损害。