Regional gene expression of LOX-1, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1 in aorta of HIV-1 transgenic rats.
BACKGROUND
Increased prevalence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in HIV-infected patients has been observed. The cause of this accelerated atherosclerosis is a matter of controversy. As clinical studies are complicated by a multiplicity of risk-factors and a low incidence of hard endpoints, studies in animal models could be attractive alternatives.


RESULTS
We evaluated gene expression of lectin-like oxidized-low-density-lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in HIV-1 transgenic (HIV-1Tg) rats; these genes are all thought to play important roles in early atherogenesis. Furthermore, the plasma level of sICAM-1 was measured. We found that gene expressions of LOX-1 and VCAM-1 were higher in the aortic arch of HIV-1Tg rats compared to controls. Also, the level of sICAM-1 was elevated in the HIV-1Tg rats compared to controls, but the ICAM-1 gene expression profile did not show any differences between the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
HIV-1Tg rats have gene expression patterns indicating endothelial dysfunction and accelerated atherosclerosis in aorta, suggesting that HIV-infection per se may cause atherosclerosis. This transgenic rat model may be a very promising model for further studies of the pathophysiology behind HIV-associated cardiovascular disease.
Hag
Anne Mette Fisker
AM
Cluster for Molecular Imaging, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. annemette@mfi.ku.dk
Kristoffersen
Ulrik Sloth
US
Pedersen
Sune Folke
SF
Gutte
Henrik
H
Lebech
Anne-Mette
AM
Kjaer
Andreas
A
D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology; D002138:Calibration; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000502:physiology*; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009928:Organ Specificity / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D055647:Rats, Transgenic; D051127:Scavenger Receptors, Class E / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012995:Solubility; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
C495136:OLR1 protein, rat; D051127:Scavenger Receptors, Class E; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1