Regression and stabilization of advanced murine atherosclerotic lesions: a comparison of LDL lowering and HDL raising gene transfer strategies.
Both reductions in atherogenic lipoproteins and increases in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels may affect atherosclerosis regression. Here, the relative potential of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) lowering and HDL raising gene transfer strategies to induce regression of complex murine atherosclerotic lesions was directly compared. Male C57BL/6 LDL receptor (LDLr)(-/-) mice were fed an atherogenic diet (1.25% cholesterol and 10% coconut oil) to induce advanced atherosclerotic lesions. A baseline group was killed after 6 months and remaining mice were randomized into a control progression (Adnull or saline), an apolipoprotein (apo) A-I (AdA-I), an LDLr (AdLDLr), or a combined apo A-I/LDLr (AdA-I/AdLDLr) adenoviral gene transfer group and followed-up for another 12 weeks with continuation of the atherogenic diet. Gene transfer with AdLDLr decreased non-HDL cholesterol levels persistently by 95% (p < 0.001) compared with baseline. This drastic reduction of non-HDL cholesterol levels induced lesion regression by 28% (p < 0.001) in the aortic root and by 25% (p < 0.05) in the brachiocephalic artery at 12 weeks after transfer. Change in lesion size was accompanied by enhanced plaque stability, as evidenced by increased collagen content, reduced lesional macrophage content, a drastic reduction of necrotic core area, and decreased expression of inflammatory genes. Elevated HDL cholesterol following AdA-I transfer increased collagen content in lesions, but did not induce regression. Apo A-I gene transfer on top of AdLDLr transfer resulted in additive effects, particularly on inflammatory gene expression. In conclusion, drastic lipid lowering induced by a powerful gene transfer strategy leads to pronounced regression and stabilization of advanced murine atherosclerosis.
Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, Belgium.
Eline
E
Van Craeyveld
Stephanie C
SC
Gordts
Elena
E
Nefyodova
Frank
F
Jacobs
Bart
B
De Geest
D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000473:pathology; D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I / Q000235:genetics*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology; D016121:Brachiocephalic Veins / Q000473:pathology; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D004036:Diet, Atherogenic; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009154:Mutation; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000473:pathology; D011973:Receptors, LDL / Q000235:genetics*
D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D011973:Receptors, LDL
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