Atherosclerosis in C3H/HeJ mice reconstituted with apolipoprotein E-null bone marrow.
Previous studies showed that reconstitution of atherosclerosis-susceptible C57BL/6 (B6) female mice with apolipoprotein E (apoE)-deficient (apoE(-/-)) bone marrow resulted in markedly increased atherosclerosis, despite the fact that plasma lipid levels were unchanged. To determine whether apoE(-/-) bone marrow would increase atherosclerosis in an atherosclerosis-resistant strain, female C3H/HeJ (C3H) mice were lethally irradiated and reconstituted with bone marrow from either C3H.apoE(-/-) mice or wild-type C3H mice. Four weeks after transplantation, the mice were fed an atherogenic diet for 12 weeks. We found that reconstitution of C3H mice with apoE(-/-) bone marrow resulted in a slight reduction in plasma apoE levels and a dramatic reduction in apoE and apolipoprotein B (apoB) in the aortic wall. Plasma apoB and cholesterol levels were unchanged, as were atherosclerotic lesions at the aortic root. These data indicate that reconstitution of C3H mice with apoE(-/-) bone marrow has no effect on atherosclerosis susceptibility and that apoE promotes accumulation of apoB in the vessel wall.
Shi
Weibin
W
Department of Radiology and Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA.
Wang
Xuping
X
Tangchitpiyanond
Khan
K
Wong
Jack
J
Shi
Yishou
Y
Lusis
Aldons J
AJ
D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000378:metabolism; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000378:metabolism*; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D004036:Diet, Atherogenic; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H
D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D002784:Cholesterol