title: Impaired secretion of apolipoprotein E2 from macrophages.
abstract: Human apoE is a multifunctional and polymorphic protein synthesized and secreted by liver, brain, and tissue macrophages. Here we show that apoE isoforms and mutants expressed through lentiviral transduction display cell-specific differences in secretion efficiency. Whereas apoE3, apoE4, and a natural mutant of apoE4 (apoE-Cys(142)) were efficiently secreted from macrophages, apoE2 and a non-natural apoE mutant (apoE-Cys(112)/Cys(142)) were retained in the perinuclear region and only minimally secreted. The secretory block for apoE2 in macrophages was not affected by the ablation of LDLR (low density lipoprotein receptor), ABCA-1, or SR-BI (scavenger receptor class B type I) but was released in the absence of low density lipoprotein receptor related protein (LRP). In co-immunoprecipitation experiments, an anti-apoE antibody pulled down two times more LRP in apoE2-transduced macrophages than in apoE3-expressing macrophages. Non-reducing SDS-PAGE/Western blot analyses showed that macrophage apoE2 is mostly dimeric and multimeric, whereas apoE3 is predominantly monomeric. ApoE2 retention and multimer formation also occurred in human macrophages derived from the monocyte cell line THP-1. These results were specific for macrophages, as in transduced mouse primary hepatocytes: 1) ApoE2 was secreted as efficiently as apoE3 and apoE4; 2) all isoforms were exclusively in monomeric form; 3) there was no co-immunoprecipitation of apoE and LRP. A microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) inhibitor nearly deleted apoB100 secretion from hepatocytes without affecting apoE secretion. These data show that macrophages retain apoE2, a highly expressed protein carried by about 8% of the human population. Given the role of locally produced apoE in regulating cholesterol efflux, modulating inflammation, and controlling oxidative stress, this unique property of apoE2 may have important impacts on atherogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Atherosclerosis Research Unit, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-6300, USA.
authors.forename: Daping
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Shenfeng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.forename: Cheryl D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Overton
authors.forename: Patricia G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Yancey
authors.forename: Larry L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Swift
authors.forename: W Gray
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Jerome
authors.forename: Macrae F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Linton
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fazio
mesh_terms: D064286:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1; D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D053299:Apolipoprotein B-100 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D053329:Apolipoprotein E2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D053318:Apolipoprotein E3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D016086:Lentivirus; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D020125:Mutation, Missense; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011973:Receptors, LDL / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051122:Scavenger Receptors, Class B / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014161:Transduction, Genetic
chemical_list: D064286:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1; D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; D053299:Apolipoprotein B-100; D053329:Apolipoprotein E2; D053318:Apolipoprotein E3; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D011973:Receptors, LDL; C454739:Scarb1 protein, mouse; D051122:Scavenger Receptors, Class B; C106092:microsomal triglyceride transfer protein