Human paraoxonase gene cluster transgenic overexpression represses atherogenesis and promotes atherosclerotic plaque stability in ApoE-null mice.
The paraoxonase (PON) gene cluster consists of the PON1, PON2, and PON3 genes, each of which can individually inhibit atherogenesis. To analyze the functions of the PON gene cluster (PC) in atherogenesis and plaque stability, human PC transgenic (Tg) mice were generated using bacterial artificial chromosome. The high-density lipoprotein from Tg mice exhibited increased paraoxonase activity. When crossed to the ApoE-null background and challenged by high-fat diet, PC Tg/ApoE-null mice formed significantly fewer atherosclerotic lesions. However overexpression of the PC transgene had no additive effect on atherosclerosis compared to the overexpression of the single PON1 or PON3 transgene. Plaques from PC Tg/ApoE-null mice exhibited increased levels of collagen and smooth muscle cells, and reduced levels of macrophages and lipid, compared with those from ApoE-null mice, indicating lesions of PC Tg/ApoE-null mice had characteristics of more stable plaques than those of ApoE-null mice. PC transgene enhanced high-density lipoprotein ability to protect low-density lipoprotein against oxidation in vitro. Serum intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 were also repressed by PC transgene. Proatherogenic reactions of Tg mouse peritoneal macrophages induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein were inhibited by PC transgene, as indicated by reduced reactive oxygen species generation, inflammation, matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression, and foam cell formation. Our results demonstrate that the PC transgene not only represses atherogenesis but also promotes atherosclerotic plaque stability in vivo. PC may therefore be a useful target for atherosclerosis treatment.
National Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, People's Republic of China.
Zhi-Gang
ZG
She
Wei
W
Zheng
Yu-Sheng
YS
Wei
Hou-Zao
HZ
Chen
Ai-Bing
AB
Wang
Hong-Liang
HL
Li
Guang
G
Liu
Ran
R
Zhang
Jin-Jing
JJ
Liu
William B
WB
Stallcup
Zhongjun
Z
Zhou
De-Pei
DP
Liu
Chih-Chuan
CC
Liang
D000818:Animals; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D043303:Aryldialkylphosphatase / Q000235:genetics*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000097:blood; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000009:adverse effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000378:metabolism; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D005810:Multigene Family / Q000235:genetics*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; C491768:Ccl2 protein, mouse; D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D004041:Dietary Fats; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D043303:Aryldialkylphosphatase