Mechanisms of dysregulation of low-density lipoprotein receptor expression in vascular smooth muscle cells by inflammatory cytokines.
OBJECTIVE
Although inflammation is a recognized feature of atherosclerosis, the impact of inflammation on cellular cholesterol homeostasis is unclear. This study focuses on the molecular mechanisms by which inflammatory cytokines disrupt low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor regulation.


RESULTS
IL-1beta enhanced transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells into foam cells by increasing uptake of unmodified LDL via LDL receptors and by enhancing cholesterol esterification as demonstrated by Oil Red O staining and direct assay of intracellular cholesterol concentrations. In the absence of IL-1beta, a high concentration of LDL decreased LDL receptor promoter activity, mRNA synthesis and protein expression. However, IL-1beta enhanced LDL receptor expression, overriding the suppression usually induced by a high concentration of LDL and inappropriately increasing LDL uptake. Exposure to IL-1beta also caused overexpression of the sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP) cleavage-activating protein (SCAP), and enhanced its translocation from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi, where it is known to cleave SREBP, thereby enhancing LDL receptor gene expression.


CONCLUSIONS
These observations demonstrate that IL-1beta disrupts cholesterol-mediated LDL receptor feedback regulation, permitting intracellular accumulation of unmodified LDL and causing foam cell formation. The implication of these findings is that inflammatory cytokines may contribute to intracellular LDL accumulation without previous modification of the lipoprotein.
Centre for Nephrology, Royal Free and University College Medical School, Royal Free Campus, London NW3 2PF, UK. x.ruan@medsch.ucl.ac.uk
Xiong Z
XZ
Ruan
John F
JF
Moorhead
Jian L
JL
Tao
Kun L
KL
Ma
David C
DC
Wheeler
Stephen H
SH
Powis
Zac
Z
Varghese
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000378:metabolism; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism*; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000378:metabolism*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D011973:Receptors, LDL / Q000235:genetics*; D002785:Sterol O-Acyltransferase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051779:Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
D007375:Interleukin-1; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011973:Receptors, LDL; C102196:SREBP cleavage-activating protein; D051779:Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Proteins; D002785:Sterol O-Acyltransferase; C493492:sterol O-acyltransferase 1