title: The acute-phase protein serum amyloid A induces endothelial dysfunction that is inhibited by high-density lipoprotein.
abstract: The acute-phase protein serum amyloid A (SAA) is elevated during inflammation and may be deposited in atheroma where it promotes atherosclerosis. We investigated the proatherogenic effects of SAA on the vascular endothelium and their regulation by high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Exposure of human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) to SAA (0.25-25μg/ml) decreased nitric oxide ((•)NO) synthesis/bioavailability, although the endothelial NO synthase monomer-to-dimer ratio was unaffected. SAA (10μg/ml) stimulated a Ca(2+) influx linked to apocynin-sensitive superoxide radical anion (O(2)(•-)) production. Gene expression for arginase-1, nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), interleukin-8, and tissue factor (TF) increased within 4h of SAA stimulation. Enzymatically active Arg-1/2 was detected in HAEC cultured with SAA for 24h. Therefore, in addition to modulating (•)NO bioavailability by stimulating O(2)(•-) production in the endothelium, SAA modulated vascular l-Arg bioavailability. SAA also diminished relaxation of preconstricted aortic rings induced by acetylcholine, and added superoxide dismutase restored the vascular response. Preincubation of HAEC with HDL (100 or 200, but not 50, μg/ml) before (not after) SAA treatment ameliorated the Ca(2+) influx and O(2)(•-) production; decreased TF, NF-κB, and Arg-1 gene expression; and preserved overall vascular function. Thus, SAA may promote endothelial dysfunction by modulating (•)NO and l-Arg bioavailability, and HDL pretreatment may be protective. The relative HDL to SAA concentrations may regulate the proatherogenic properties of SAA on the vascular endothelium.
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Pathology, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
authors.forename: Paul K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Witting
authors.forename: Changjie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hua
authors.forename: Sarah N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Parry
authors.forename: Roshanak
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Aran
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Geczy
authors.forename: Saul Benedict
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Freedman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D001119:Arginase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002118:Calcium / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D000685:Serum Amyloid A Protein / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013481:Superoxides / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D013925:Thromboplastin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D016328:NF-kappa B; D000685:Serum Amyloid A Protein; D013481:Superoxides; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D013925:Thromboplastin; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D001119:Arginase; D002118:Calcium