人卵磷脂胆固醇酰基转移酶基因在肌源细胞中的表达

为探索人卵磷脂-胆固醇酰基转移酶在骨骼肌细胞表达的可能性，构建了一个由人巨细胞病毒早期增强子和促进子驱动的卵磷脂-胆固醇酰基转移酶cDNA表达质粒。以阳离子介导其转染小鼠肌源性细胞株C2，获得成功表达，并在细胞培养液内测得有生物活性的卵磷脂胆固醇酰基转移酶。提示有可能通过将卵磷脂胆固醇酰基转移酶基因转移至骨骼肌细胞的方法来提高人体内卵磷脂胆固醇酰基转移酶水平。     

转基因兔在动脉粥样硬化研究中的应用及其进展

家兔脂蛋白组成和脂代谢特点适合研究人的动脉粥样硬化疾病，携带与动脉粥样硬化相关人基因的转基因兔又成为研究人脂蛋白代谢和动脉粥样硬化一个独特工具。到目前为止，携带人载脂蛋白(a)、载脂蛋白AI、载脂蛋白B、载脂蛋白E2、载脂蛋白、肝脂酶、卵磷脂-胆固醇酰基转移酶、脂蛋白脂酶、15-脂质氧化酶、基质金属蛋白酶12，以及家兔的载脂蛋白BmRNA编码蛋白催化多肽1基因等已经在家兔身上表达。另外，人的栽脂蛋白(a)、栽脂蛋白AI、卵磷脂-胆固醇酰基转移酶和脂蛋白脂酶基因也已经被导入到低密度脂蛋白受体缺陷的WHHL家兔体内。本文对利用转基因兔在研究脂质代谢和动脉粥样硬化方面取得的进展进行了回顾总结。     

载脂蛋白AI在骨骼肌系统的表达

载脂蛋白ＡＩ在胆固醇逆转运过程中起关键作用,已成为防治动脉粥样硬化的重要首选基因之一。为探讨借用骨骼肌异源表达进而发展一种简易安全的基因治疗方法,将人载脂蛋白ＡＩ基因构建成腺病毒载体,导入小鼠骨骼肌。体外细胞实验发现,载脂蛋白ＡＩ可以在肌源性细胞中表达并分泌至培养基中,表达量与病毒滴度及转染时间相关。     

酰基辅酶A胆固醇酰基转移酶1基因过表达对泡沫细胞形成的影响

目的研究在三种不同细胞中过表达酰基辅酶A胆固醇酰基转移酶1基因对泡沫细胞形成的影响。方法构建携带酰基辅酶A胆固醇酰基转移酶1全长cDNA的pCDNA3.1质粒载体并稳定转染体外培养的人THP-1单核细胞、小鼠RAW264.7单核巨噬细胞和人胚肾293上皮细胞,以油红O染色法检测在乙酰化低密度脂蛋白作用下转染前后三种细胞形成泡沫细胞的情况。结果在相同的脂质负荷条件下,转染酰基辅酶A胆固醇酰基转移酶1基因的THP-1单核细胞和RAW264.7巨噬细胞同未转染的细胞相比泡沫细胞的形成数量增加,而人胚肾293上皮细胞无论是否转染酰基辅酶A胆固醇酰基转移酶1基因均不易形成泡沫细胞。结论单核巨噬细胞中过表达酰基辅酶A胆固醇酰基转移酶1基因可促进泡沫细胞的形成。     

溶血卵磷脂对载脂蛋白E基因缺陷小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞源泡沫细胞胆固醇外流的影响

以载脂蛋白E基因缺陷小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞源泡沫细胞为研究对象，观察溶血卵磷脂对泡沫细胞胆固醇外流的影响以及初步探讨其机制。分离正常及载脂蛋白E基因缺陷小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞，以乙酰化低密度脂蛋白负载形成巨噬细胞源泡沫细胞，分别以溶血卵磷脂及载脂蛋白AI作为诱导物，观察其胆固醇外流情况。结果发现，溶血卵磷脂能引起正常组小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞源泡沫细胞胆固醇外流，且呈剂量效应关系，但载脂蛋白E基因缺陷小鼠组未明显胆固醇外流；载脂蛋白AI能引起两组胆固醇外流，且外流量显著高于溶血卵磷脂。结果提示，溶血卵磷脂能促进巨噬细胞源泡沫细胞胆固醇外流，可能主要是通过载脂蛋白E途径来进行。     

脂肪分化相关蛋白促进RAW 264.7细胞内酰基辅酶A:胆固醇酰基转移酶1高表达

目的 观察高表达脂肪分化相关蛋白细胞内酰基辅酶A∶胆固醇酰基转移酶1表达的变化,阐明脂肪分化相关蛋白促进细胞内脂质蓄积的机制.方法 构建的pQCXIP-HA-Adi逆转录病毒载体转染PA317包装细胞,获得pQCXIP-HA-Adi逆转录病毒.用病毒感染RAW 264.7细胞, Puromycin筛选后获得稳定高表达脂肪分化相关蛋白的RAW264.7细胞株.应用逆转录聚合酶链反应和免疫印迹法检测经感染后细胞内脂肪分化相关蛋白和酰基辅酶A∶胆固醇酰基转移酶1的表达.并应用阿托伐他汀处理高表达脂肪分化相关蛋白的RAW 264.7细胞,观察酰基辅酶A∶胆固醇酰基转移酶1表达的改变.结果 用pQCXIP-HA-Adi逆转录病毒感染RAW 264.7细胞后,脂肪分化相关蛋白和酰基辅酶A∶胆固醇酰基转移酶1 mRNA和蛋白表达明显升高,而对照组表达无明显变化.加入阿托伐他汀后,即在去除底物对酰基辅酶A∶胆固醇酰基转移酶1表达影响的情况下,高表达脂肪分化相关蛋白细胞内酰基辅酶A∶胆固醇酰基转移酶1表达仍升高.结论 高表达脂肪分化相关蛋白可明显上调RAW 264.7细胞酰基辅酶A∶胆固醇酰基转移酶1的表达.     

载脂蛋白AI水平与高密度脂蛋白亚类分布的关系

目的载脂蛋白AI是高密度脂蛋白（HDL）中主要的蛋白质，它是细胞胆固醇逆向转（RCT）的特殊重要因素。载脂蛋白AI能与磷脂，多种血浆因子及细胞膜受体结合，可以激活卵磷脂胆固醇酰基转移酶（LCAT），起着促进细胞内胆固醇的移出，酯化，转移，以及调节HDL代谢的作用。本研究旨在探讨载脂蛋白水平主要是载脂蛋白AI的水平对HDL亚类分布的影响。     

重组腺相关病毒载体介导的人载脂蛋白AⅠ及载脂蛋白AⅠMilano在肌源性细胞C2C12中的表达

目的以重组2型腺相关病毒为载体介导人载脂蛋白AⅠ及载脂蛋白AⅠ Milano在小鼠肌源性细胞C2C12中的表达,探索一种崭新的预防、治疗动脉粥样硬化性疾病的途径.方法以正常人肝组织中抽提的RNA为模板,用逆转录聚合酶链反应获得人载脂蛋白AⅠ cDNA,点突变制备载脂蛋白AⅠ Mihno cDNA.分别将载脂蛋白AⅠ、载脂蛋白AⅠ Milano的cDNA插入重组2型腺相关病毒载体质粒,并与辅助质粒共转染包装细胞293T获得编码人载脂蛋白AⅠ和载脂蛋白AⅠ Milano的重组腺相关病毒载体,粗提后以冰乙醇法进行浓缩.斑点杂交检测重组2型腺相关病毒载体滴度,十二烷基磺酸钠-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳检测其纯度.分别用含载脂蛋白AⅠ或载脂蛋白AⅠ MihnocDNA的编码人载脂蛋白AⅠ和载脂蛋白AⅠ Milano的重组腺相关病毒对小鼠肌源性细胞C2C12进行感染,酶联免疫吸附法检测蛋白表达情况.结果聚合酶链反应产物序列正确,点突变成功.编码人载脂蛋白AⅠ和载脂蛋白AⅠ Milano的重组腺相关病毒的滴度均在2×1014个/L左右.重组2型腺相关病毒纯度良好.载脂蛋白AⅠ及载脂蛋白AⅠ Milano分别获得0.39±0.04 mg/L和0.31±0.03mg/L的表达水平.结论成功制备表达载脂蛋白AⅠ或载脂蛋白AⅠ Mfiano的重组腺相关病毒载体,并在C2C12细胞中获得有效表达,为进一步探索方便、安全的预防和治疗动脉粥样硬化性疾病的方法打下了基础.     

原发性卵磷脂胆固醇酰基转移酶缺乏症

原发性卵磷脂胆固醇酰基转移酶缺乏症是一类卵磷脂胆固醇酰基转移酶基因缺陷导致脂质代谢紊乱的分子病。根据其生物化学和临床表现分为鱼眼病和家族性卵磷脂胆固醇酰基转移酶缺乏症，导致卵磷脂胆固醇酰基转移酶缺陷的基因突变包括碱基置换、缺失和插入。其突变由常染色体隐性遗传。     

重组人GDNF基因逆转录病毒真核表达载体的构建及表达

目的 构建含有胶质细胞源性神经营养因子(GDNF)和加强型绿色荧光蛋白基因(EGFP)的逆转录病毒载体,将其导入包装细胞PT67,检测基因在细胞中的表达.方法 PCR法扩增GDNF基因及IRES2-EGFP基因,测序验证正确后与逆转录病毒载体pLXSN连接,构建重组逆转录病毒质粒pLXSN-IRES2-EGFP-GDNF.EcoR I酶切鉴定重组质粒.脂质体Lipofectamine 2000介导下转染包装细胞PT67,G418筛选并检测病毒滴度.流式细胞仪和荧光显微镜分别检测转染效率和基因表达.结果 PCR扩增得到大小约558 bp和1 308 bp的特异性条带,测序证实,获得正确的人GDNF序列和EGFP序列.经EcoR I酶切鉴定,成功构建重组质粒pLXSN-IRES2-EGFP-GDNF.荧光显微镜检测显示GDNF基因获得良好表达,流式细胞仪检测转染效率为24.4%.结论 正确克隆了人GDNF基因全序列并构建重组逆转录病毒pLXSN-IRES2-EGFP-GDNF质粒.基因转染包装细胞PT67获良好表达.     

Construction and characterization of polycistronic retrovirus vectors for sustained and high-level co-expression of apolipoprotein A-I and lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase.

Apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I) and lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) are constituents of circulating high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles and play an important role in 'reverse cholesterol transport', the process by which cholesterol in peripheral tissues is transferred to the liver for excretion. Enhancing levels of apo A-I, as well as LCAT, in plasma may promote the removal of excess cholesterol from the arterial wall and thus reduce the formation of atherosclerotic lesions. Indeed, both apo A-I and LCAT genes have been identified as therapeutic targets to prevent or limit atherogenesis. Here, we have constructed two retroviral vectors, one containing LCAT cDNA and the neomycin phosphotransferase (NEO) gene (pLLEN), the other apo A-I cDNA, LCAT cDNA and the NEO gene (pLAPLEN) linked by internal ribosome entry sites (IRES). Both bi- and tricistronic retroviral vectors efficiently co-expressed their two or three genes when transfected into cultured mouse C2C12 muscle cells or human 293 cells. After 30 days, the retroviral vector sequences were retained by the host cells, whereas those of a conventional plasmid vector were lost. Moreover, transduced C2C12 mouse myoblasts maintained the ability for heterologous expression of human LCAT and apo A-I even after differentiation into myotubes. Stably-transduced clones of C2C12 cells were selected by neomycin (G418) resistance and continued to efficiently express human LCAT for 60 days. These findings indicate that the use of polycistronic retrovirus vectors to genetically modify myoblasts, which can be transplanted back into skeletal muscle, might be a safe and feasible strategy to express human apo A-I and LCAT and hence have therapeutic potential to regress atherosclerotic lesions.     

载脂蛋白AI在骨骼肌系统的表达

载脂蛋白 Ａ Ｉ在胆固醇逆转运过程中起关键作用,已成为防治动脉粥样硬化的重要首选基因之一。为探讨借用骨骼肌异源表达进而发展一种简易安全的基因治疗方法,将人载脂蛋白 Ａ Ｉ基因构建成腺病毒载体（ Ａｄ － Ｒ Ｓ Ｖ－ 载脂蛋白 Ａ Ｉ） ,导入小鼠骨骼肌。体外细胞实验发现,载脂蛋白 Ａ Ｉ可以在肌源性细胞中表达并分泌至培养基中,表达量与病毒滴度及转染时间相关。在体动物实验中,将 Ａｄ － Ｒ Ｓ Ｖ－ 载脂蛋白 Ａ Ｉ直接注入小鼠骨骼肌５ 日后,肌肉和血清中载脂蛋白 Ａ Ｉ的表达达到高峰,前者每条为９ ．７５ ±０ ．２５ ｎｇ,后者为７ ．２５ ±０ ．７５ μｇ／ Ｌ。以后随时间延长逐渐减少,第３０ 日血清中载脂蛋白 Ａ Ｉ消失,第４０ 日仍可在肌肉中检测到一定量的载脂蛋白 Ａ Ｉ表达。此结果提示,利用骨骼肌细胞的异位表达可提高体内载脂蛋白 Ａ Ｉ的水平,为动脉粥样硬化的基因治疗提供新的途径。     

Fractional efflux and net change in cellular cholesterol content mediated by sera from mice expressing both human apolipoprotein AI and human lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase genes

Human lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) is a key enzyme in the metabolism of cholesterol and is postulated to participate in the physiological process called reverse cholesterol transport. We have used transgenic mice (Tgm) expressing either both human apolipoprotein AI (apo AI) and human LCAT genes or only the human apo AI gene (HuAILCAT or HuAI Tgm, respectively) to assess the consequences of LCAT overexpression on serum lipid and lipoprotein profiles and on the ability of each serum to promote bidirectional flux of cholesterol between serum and Fu5AH hepatoma cells. Mean serum LCAT activity of HuAILCAT Tgm was 2-fold increased compared to the HuAI group (48+/-9 vs. 24+/-5 nmol/ml per h, P<0.01 for HuAILCAT and HuAI Tgm, respectively) and the cholesterol esterification rates were not significantly different between the two groups of animals (66+/-11 vs. 74+/-18 nmol/ml per h for HuAILCAT and HuAI Tgm, respectively). HuAILCAT Tgm exhibited higher total cholesterol serum values (2.3-fold) due to an increase in both HDL-cholesterol (1. 9-fold) and non-HDL-cholesterol (3-fold). The HDL particles from HuAILCAT Tgm were relatively phospholipid depleted and cholesterol enriched compared to HuAI mice. When cells were incubated for six hours with the mouse serum, the fractional efflux of radiolabeled cholesterol was slightly increased with the HuAILCAT Tgm (1.2-fold) but the increase in intracellular cholesterol content was also 2-fold higher than with the HuAI Tgm. Fu5AH can be viewed as a model for the evaluation of bidirectional flux of cholesterol in SR-BI-rich cells. In this model LCAT overexpression in mice, by increasing both HDL and non-HDL-cholesterol, mostly enhances the uptake of cholesterol by the cells, which would be of benefit for the last step of reverse cholesterol transport in hepatocytes.     

Probucol promotes reverse cholesterol transport in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. Effects on apolipoprotein AI-containing lipoprotein particles

In order to investigate the effect of Probucol therapy on reverse cholesterol transport, apo AI-containing lipoprotein particles were isolated and characterized, and their cholesterol effluxing capacity and LCAT activity were assayed in four familial hypercholesterolemia patients before and after 12 weeks of Probucol therapy. Four major subpopulations of apo A-containing lipoprotein particles are separated before and after drug treatment; LpAI, LpAI:AII, LpAIV, LpAI:AIV:AII. Probucol reduces both total plasma and LDL-cholesterol (-17 and -14%, respectively). Apo B decreases slightly (-7.6%). Plasma HDL-cholesterol and apo AI decrease by 36.6 and 34.7%. LpA-I showed a marked decrease (-46%). Moreover, plasma LCAT and CETP activities were markedly increased under Probucol treatment. Analysis of lipoprotein particles showed that Probucol induces a decrease of protein content and an increase of cholesterol and triglycerides contents. Interestingly, Probucol induces an enhancement of LCAT activity in LpAI (4.5-fold). This drug induces a trend toward greater cholesterol efflux from cholesterol-preloaded adipose cells promoted by Lp AI and Lp AIV but not by Lp AI:AII. This study confirms the hypothesis, in addition to the lowering LDL-cholesterol levels and antioxidant effects of Probucol, that HDL reduction was not an atherogenic change in HDL system but may cause an antiatherogenic action by accelerating cholesterol transport through HDL system, promoting reverse cholesterol transport from peripheral tissues.     

The Arg123-Tyr166 central domain of human ApoAI is critical for lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase-induced hyperalphalipoproteinemia and HDL remodeling in transgenic mice

High density lipoprotein (HDL) metabolism and lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT)-induced HDL remodeling were investigated in transgenic mice expressing human apolipoprotein (apo) AI or an apoAI/apoAII chimera in which the Arg123-Tyr166 domain of apoAI was substituted with the Ser12-Ala75 domain of apoAII. Expression of apoAI and of the apoAI/apoAII chimera resulted in a respective 3. 5-fold and 2.9-fold increase of HDL cholesterol. Human LCAT gene transfer into apoAI-transgenic mice resulted in a 5.1-fold increase of endogenous LCAT activity. This increase was associated with a 2. 4-fold increase of the cholesterol ester-to-free cholesterol ratio of HDL, a shift from HDL(3) to HDL(2), and a 2.4-fold increase of HDL cholesterol levels. Agarose gel electrophoresis revealed that human LCAT gene transfer into human apoAI-transgenic mice resulted in an increase of pre-beta-HDL and of pre-alpha-HDL. In contrast, human LCAT gene transfer did not affect cholesterol levels and HDL distribution profile in mice expressing the apoAI/apoAII chimera. Mouse LCAT did not "see" a difference between wild-type and mutant human apoAI, whereas human LCAT did, thus localizing the species-specific interaction in the central domain of apoAI. In conclusion, the Arg123-Tyr166 central domain of apoAI is not critical for in vivo lipoprotein association. It is, however, critical for LCAT-induced hyperalphalipoproteinemia and HDL remodeling independent of the lipid-binding properties of apoAI.     

Classical LCAT deficiency resulting from a novel homozygous dinucleotide deletion in exon 4 of the human lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase gene causing a frameshift and stop codon at residue 144.

Lecithin: cholesterolacyltransferase (LCAT) transacylates the fatty acid at the sn-2 position of lecithin to the 3beta-OH group of cholesterol forming lysolecithin and the majority of cholesteryl ester found in plasma. LCAT participates in the reverse cholesterol transport pathway in man where it esterifies tissue-derived cholesterol following efflux from peripheral cells into HDL. Only 38 unique mutations in the human LCAT gene have been reported worldwide. Our French female proband presented with corneal opacity and no detectable plasma LCAT activity using either endogenous or exogenous assays. Her total plasma cholesterol and HDL cholesterol were low (2.34 mmol/l and 0.184 mmol/l, respectively) with a very high cholesterol/cholesteryl ester molar ratio (10.9:1). Plasma triglycerides were 0.470 mmol/l with low apo B (40.5 mg/dl), apo A-I (14.7 mg/dl), apo A-II (6.8 mg/dl) and apo E (2.1 mg/dl) levels. Plasma lipoprotein analysis by ultracentrifugation showed very low HDL concentrations and a characteristic shift of the lipoprotein profile towards larger, less dense particles. No proteinuria, renal dysfunction or signs of atherosclerosis were noted at age 45. Sequence analysis of her LCAT gene showed a novel homozygous TG-deletion at residues 138-139 that resulted in a frameshift causing the generation of a stop codon and premature termination of the LCAT protein at amino acid residue 144. Western blotting of the patient's plasma using a polyclonal IgY primary antibody against human LCAT failed to demonstrate the presence of a truncated LCAT protein. A 53 bp mismatched PCR primer was designed to generate an Fsp 1 restriction site in the wild type sequence of exon 4 where the mutation occurred. The 155 bp PCR product from the wild type allele produced a 103 bp and 52 bp fragment with Fsp 1 and no cleavage products with the mutant allele thus permitting rapid screening for this novel mutation.     

Expression of human factor IX in mice after injection of genetically modified myoblasts.

Hemophilia B is an X chromosome-linked recessive bleeding disorder. To develop a somatic gene therapy for this disease, we have examined whether mouse skeletal myoblasts can serve as efficient vehicles for systemic delivery of recombinant factor IX. When mouse myoblasts (C2C12) transduced with a Moloney murine leukemia virus-based vector containing the bacterial beta-galactosidase gene were injected into mouse skeletal muscles, they fused with the existing and regenerating myofibers and continued to express beta-galactosidase. C2C12 myoblasts that were infected with recombinant retroviruses containing a human factor IX cDNA secreted biologically active human factor IX cDNA secreted biologically active human factor IX into the culture medium at a rate of 2.6 micrograms per 10(6) cells per day. Myotubes derived from these cells in culture continued to express human factor IX (0.68 micrograms/day from myotubes derived from 10(6) C2C12 cells). After injection of the transduced C2C12 myoblasts into skeletal muscles of mice, the systemic level of recombinant human factor IX was found to be as high as approximately 1 microgram/ml of serum. These results provide the rationale for using skeletal myoblasts as an efficient gene delivery vehicle in the somatic gene therapy for hemophilia B.     

A cholesteryl ester transfer complex in human plasma.

Immunoadsorption affinity chromatography has been used to define the structure of lipoproteins in human plasma containing lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.43) (LCAT) and transfer protein (apo D). The whole of LCAT was absorbed by antibodies specific for apo D and for apo A-1, indicating that the enzyme is present in plasma exclusively as a complex with its cofactor (apo A-1) and product transfer protein (apo D). About 80% of apo D (but no LCAT) was removed by antibody to apo A-2, indicating the presence of most of apo D in the form of an enzyme-free complex will apo A-1 and apo A-2. After removal of LCAT with antibody to apo D, plasma was unreactive as a substrate with isolated LCAT, but substrate activity was generated by ultracentrifugal flotation with either intact or adsorbed plasma. The apparent stoichiometry of the complex with LCAT (LCAT:apo A-1:apo D) was 1.0:0.9:1.8; that of the complex containing apo A-1, apo A-2, and apo D was 3.9:2.2:1.0.