title: Anti-atherogenic effect of berberine on LXRalpha-ABCA1-dependent cholesterol efflux in macrophages.
abstract: Berberine, a botanical alkaloid purified from Cortidis rhizoma, has effects in cardiovascular diseases, yet the mechanism is not fully understood. Foam cells play a critical role in the progression of atherosclerosis. This study aimed to investigate the effect of berberine on the formation of foam cells by macrophages and the underlying mechanism. Treatment with berberine markedly suppressed oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL)-mediated lipid accumulation, which was due to an increase in cholesterol efflux. Berberine enhanced the mRNA and protein expression of ATP-binding membrane cassette transport protein A1 (ABCA1) but did not alter the protein level of ABCG1 or other scavenger receptors. Additionally, functional inhibition of ABCA1 with a pharmacological inhibitor or neutralizing antibody abrogated the effects of berberine on cholesterol efflux and lipid accumulation. Moreover, berberine induced the nuclear translocation and activation of liver X receptor alpha (LXRalpha) but not its protein expression. Knockdown of LXRalpha mRNA expression by small interfering RNA abolished the berberine-mediated protective effects on ABCA1 protein expression and oxLDL-induced lipid accumulation in macrophages. These data suggest that berberine abrogates the formation of foam cells by macrophages by enhancing LXRalpha-ABCA1-dependent cholesterol efflux.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physiology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan, ROC. tslee@ym.edu.tw
authors.forename: Tzong-Shyuan
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ching-Chian
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Chien-Chung
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Yu Ru
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Kou
authors.forename: Chien-Yu
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Li-Chieh
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Ching
authors.forename: Tsung-Huang
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Shu-Fen
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ping-Chiang
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Lyu
authors.forename: Song-Kun
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Shyue
mesh_terms: D064286:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1; D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001599:Berberine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000378:metabolism; D000071518:Liver X Receptors; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D057093:Orphan Nuclear Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C577836:ABCA1 protein, human; D064286:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1; D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D000071518:Liver X Receptors; C000605213:NR1H3 protein, human; C000605214:Nr1h3 protein, mouse; D057093:Orphan Nuclear Receptors; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein; D001599:Berberine; D002784:Cholesterol