title: Expression and regulation of sterol 27-hydroxylase (CYP27A1) in human macrophages: a role for RXR and PPARgamma ligands.
abstract: CYP27A1 (sterol 27-hydroxylase) catalyses an important sterol elimination pathway in the human macrophage, and consequently may protect against atherosclerosis. We studied the expression and regulation of CYP27A1 in a human macrophage-like cell-line, THP-1, and primary HMDMs (human monocyte-derived macrophages). In both macrophage cell types, we found that CYP27A1 expression is independent of cellular cholesterol levels and of LXR (liver X receptor)-dependent control of transcription. However, the RXR (retinoid X receptor) ligand, 9-cis-retinoic acid, upregulates CYP27A1 expression. Of the RXR heterodimeric partners tested, PPAR (peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor) gamma ligands significantly increased CYP27A1 mRNA levels. Its reversal by a PPARgamma antagonist demonstrated the specificity of this effect. Interestingly, HMDMs express markedly higher levels of CYP27A1 than THP-1 macrophages, and this difference was reflected in both protein levels and enzyme activities between the two cell types. In conclusion, stimulation of CYP27A1 by PPARgamma may represent a key previously unrecognized mechanism by which PPARgamma protects against atherosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Vascular Research, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
authors.forename: Carmel M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Quinn
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jessup
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Leonard
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kritharides
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D053493:Cholestanetriol 26-Monooxygenase; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D008264:Macrophages / Q000201:enzymology*; D047495:PPAR gamma / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D047488:Retinoid X Receptors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D013250:Steroid Hydroxylases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D008024:Ligands; D047495:PPAR gamma; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D047488:Retinoid X Receptors; D002784:Cholesterol; D013250:Steroid Hydroxylases; C506831:CYP27A1 protein, human; D053493:Cholestanetriol 26-Monooxygenase