In vivo and in vitro studies support that a new splicing isoform of OLR1 gene is protective against acute myocardial infarction.
Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1), encoded by the OLR1 gene, is a scavenger receptor that plays a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. LOX-1 activation is associated with apoptosis of endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and macrophages. This process is an important underlying mechanism that contributes to plaque instability and subsequent development of acute coronary syndromes. Independent association genetic studies have implicated OLR1 gene variants in myocardial infarction (MI) susceptibility. Because single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) linked to MI are located in intronic sequences of the gene, it remains unclear as to how they determine their biological effects. Using quantitative real-time PCR and minigene approach, we show that intronic SNPs, linked to MI, regulate the expression of a new functional splicing isoform of the OLR1 gene, LOXIN, which lacks exon 5. Macrophages from subjects carrying the "non-risk" disease haplotype at OLR1 gene have an increased expression of LOXIN at mRNA and protein level, which results in a significant reduction of apoptosis in response to oxLDL. Expression of LOXIN in different cell types results in loss of surface staining, indicating that truncation of the C-terminal portion of the protein has a profound effect on its cellular trafficking. Furthermore, the proapoptotic effect of LOX-1 receptor in cell culture is specifically rescued by the coexpression of LOXIN in a dose-dependent manner. The demonstration that increasing levels of LOXIN protect cells from LOX-1 induced apoptosis sets a groundwork for developing therapeutic approaches for prevention of plaque instability.
Department of Biopathology and Diagnostic Imaging, University of Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, Rome, Italy.
Ruggiero
R
Mango
Silvia
S
Biocca
Francesca
F
del Vecchio
Fabrizio
F
Clementi
Federica
F
Sangiuolo
Francesca
F
Amati
Antonio
A
Filareto
Sandro
S
Grelli
Paola
P
Spitalieri
Ilaria
I
Filesi
Cartesio
C
Favalli
Renato
R
Lauro
Jawahar L
JL
Mehta
Francesco
F
Romeo
Giuseppe
G
Novelli
D017398:Alternative Splicing; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D019556:COS Cells; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000633:toxicity; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000517:prevention & control*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D011973:Receptors, LDL / Q000235:genetics*; D051131:Receptors, Oxidized LDL; D051127:Scavenger Receptors, Class E
D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; C495137:OLR1 protein, human; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011973:Receptors, LDL; D051131:Receptors, Oxidized LDL; D051127:Scavenger Receptors, Class E; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein