title: Regulation of endogenous apolipoprotein E secretion by macrophages.
abstract: Apolipoprotein E has critical roles in the protection against atherosclerosis and is understood to follow the classical constitutive secretion pathway. Recent studies have indicated that the secretion of apoE from macrophages is a regulated process of unexpected complexity. Cholesterol acceptors such as apolipoprotein A-I, high density lipoprotein, and phospholipid vesicles can stimulate apoE secretion. The ATP binding cassette transporter ABCA1 is involved in basal apoE secretion and in lipidating apoE-containing particles secreted by macrophages. However, the stimulation of apoE secretion by apoA-I is ABCA1-independent, indicating the existence of both ABCA1-dependent and -independent pathways of apoE secretion. The release of apoE under basal conditions is also regulated, requiring intact protein kinase A activity, intracellular calcium, and an intact microtubular network. Mathematical modeling of apoE turnover indicates that whereas some pools of apoE are committed to either secretion or degradation, other pools can be diverted from degradation toward secretion. Targeted inhibition or stimulation of specific apoE trafficking pathways will provide unique opportunities to regulate the biology of this important molecule.
authors.affiliation: Macrophage Biology Group, Centre for Vascular Research, Room 405C Wallace Wurth Building, University of New South Wales, High Street, Kensington, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia.
authors.forename: Maaike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kockx
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jessup
authors.forename: Leonard
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kritharides
mesh_terms: D064286:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1; D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I / Q000502:physiology; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000378:metabolism*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: C577836:ABCA1 protein, human; D064286:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1; D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I; D001057:Apolipoproteins E