Accelerated lipid-induced atherogenesis in galectin-3-deficient mice: role of lipoxidation via receptor-mediated mechanisms.
OBJECTIVE
Modified lipoproteins, particularly oxidized LDLs, are believed to evoke an inflammatory response which participates in all stages of atherosclerosis. Disposal of these particles is mediated through receptors which may trigger proinflammatory signaling pathways leading to vascular injury. This study was aimed at assessing the role in atherogenesis of one of these receptors, galectin-3.


RESULTS
Galectin-3-deficient and wild-type mice were fed an atherogenic diet or standard chow for 8 months. Lesion area and length were higher in galectin-3-deficient versus wild-type mice. At the level of the aortic sinus, wild-type animals showed only fatty streaks, whereas galectin-3-deficient mice developed complex lesions, associated with extensive inflammatory changes. This was indicated by the presence of T lymphocytes with activated Th1-phenotype and by more marked monocyte-macrophage infiltration, inflammatory mediator expression, vascular cell apoptosis, and proinflammatory transcription factor activation. Increased accumulation of oxidixed LDLs and lipoxidation products and upregulation of other receptors for these compounds, including the proinflammatory RAGE, were detected in galectin-3-deficient versus wild-type mice.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest a unique protective role for galectin-3 in the uptake and effective removal of modified lipoproteins, with concurrent downregulation of proinflammatory pathways responsible for atherosclerosis initiation and progression.
Iacobini
Carla
C
Department of Clinical Sciences, La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
Menini
Stefano
S
Ricci
Carlo
C
Scipioni
Angela
A
Sansoni
Viola
V
Cordone
Samantha
S
Taurino
Maurizio
M
Serino
Matteo
M
Marano
Giuseppe
G
Federici
Massimo
M
Pricci
Flavia
F
Pugliese
Giuseppe
G
D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D001025:Aortitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D017209:Apoptosis; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002634:Chemotaxis, Leukocyte; D004036:Diet, Atherogenic; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D000067759:Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000378:metabolism; D051116:Receptors, Scavenger / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism
D037502:Galectin 3; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; C485095:Lgals3 protein, mouse; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D000067759:Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D051116:Receptors, Scavenger; D014157:Transcription Factors; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein