Endothelial expression of endoglin in normocholesterolemic and hypercholesterolemic C57BL/6J mice before and after atorvastatin treatment.
Endoglin (CD105) is a homodimeric transmembrane glycoprotein strongly related to transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta signaling and many pathological states. In this study, we wanted to evaluate whether endoglin is expressed in normocholesterolemic and hypercholesterolemic C57BL/6J mice as well as whether it is affected by atorvastatin treatment in these mice. C57BL/6J mice were fed with chow diet or an atherogenic diet for 12 weeks after weaning. In 2 atorvastatin-treated groups, mice were fed the same diets (chow or atherogenic) as described above except atorvastatin was added at the dosage of 10 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1) for the last 8 weeks before euthanasia. Biochemical analysis of blood samples revealed that administration of atherogenic diet significantly increased levels of total cholesterol, VLDL, LDL, and decreased levels of HDL. Atorvastatin treatment resulted in a significant decrease in total cholesterol and VLDL only in mice fed by atherogenic diet. Quantitative stereological analysis revealed that atorvastatin significantly decreased endothelial expression of endoglin in C57BL/6J mice fed the atherogenic diet. In conclusion, we demonstrated that endothelial expression of endoglin is upregulated by hypercholesterolemia and decreased by the hypolipidemic effect of atorvastatin in C57BL/6J mice, suggesting that endoglin expression could be involved in atherogenesis.
Nachtigal
Petr
P
Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Heyrovskeho 1203, Hradec Kralove 50005, Czech Republic. nachti@faf.cuni.cz
Pospisilova
Nada
N
Jamborova
Gabriela
G
Pospechova
Katerina
K
Solichova
Dagmar
D
Andrys
Ctirad
C
Zdansky
Petr
P
Semecky
Vladimir
V
D000818:Animals; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D000071063:Endoglin; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000737:chemistry*; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000502:physiology
D000071063:Endoglin; C502004:Eng protein, mouse; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D011758:Pyrroles; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D000069059:Atorvastatin