Elevated expression of phospholipid transfer protein in bone marrow derived cells causes atherosclerosis.
BACKGROUND
Phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) is expressed by various cell types. In plasma, it is associated with high density lipoproteins (HDL). Elevated levels of PLTP in transgenic mice result in decreased HDL and increased atherosclerosis. PLTP is present in human atherosclerotic lesions, where it seems to be macrophage derived. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the atherogenic potential of macrophage derived PLTP.


RESULTS
Here we show that macrophages from human PLTP transgenic mice secrete active PLTP. Subsequently, we performed bone marrow transplantations using either wild type mice (PLTPwt/wt), hemizygous PLTP transgenic mice (huPLTPtg/wt) or homozygous PLTP transgenic mice (huPLTPtg/tg) as donors and low density lipoprotein receptor deficient mice (LDLR-/-) as acceptors, in order to establish the role of PLTP expressed by bone marrow derived cells in diet-induced atherogenesis. Atherosclerosis was increased in the huPLTPtg/wt-->LDLR-/- mice (2.3-fold) and even further in the huPLTPtg/tg-->LDLR-/- mice (4.5-fold) compared with the control PLTPwt/wt-->LDLR-/- mice (both P<0.001). Plasma PLTP activity levels and non-HDL cholesterol were increased and HDL cholesterol decreased compared with controls (all P<0.01). PLTP was present in atherosclerotic plaques in the mice as demonstrated by immunohistochemistry and appears to co-localize with macrophages. Isolated macrophages from PLTP transgenic mice do not show differences in cholesterol efflux or in cytokine production. Lipopolysaccharide activation of macrophages results in increased production of PLTP. This effect was strongly amplified in PLTP transgenic macrophages.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that PLTP expression by bone marrow derived cells results in atherogenic effects on plasma lipids, increased PLTP activity, high local PLTP protein levels in the atherosclerotic lesions and increased atherosclerotic lesion size.
van Haperen
Rien
R
Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Samyn
Hannelore
H
Moerland
Matthijs
M
van Gent
Teus
T
Peeters
Marian
M
Grosveld
Frank
F
van Tol
Arie
A
de Crom
Rini
R
D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D049294:Phospholipid Transfer Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D011973:Receptors, LDL / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
D049294:Phospholipid Transfer Proteins; D011973:Receptors, LDL