title: NFAT5 expression in bone marrow-derived cells enhances atherosclerosis and drives macrophage migration.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We have previously shown that the transcription factor, nuclear factor of activated T-cells 5 (NFAT5), regulates vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic modulation, but the role of NFAT5 in atherosclerosis is unknown. Our main objective was to determine if NFAT5 expression in bone marrow (BM)-derived cells altered atherosclerotic development and macrophage function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NFAT5(+/-)ApoE(-/-) mice were generated for in vivo atherosclerosis studies. Following high fat diet feeding, en face analysis of the thoracic aorta established that genome-wide NFAT5 haploinsufficiency reduced atherosclerotic lesion formation by 73%. BM transplant studies revealed that transplantation of NFAT5(+/-)ApoE(-/-) marrow into NFAT5(+/+)ApoE(-/-) mice resulted in a similar 86% reduction in lesion formation. In vitro functional analysis of BM-derived macrophages demonstrated that NFAT5 is required for macrophage migration, which is a key event in the propagation of atherosclerosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We have identified NFAT5 in BM-derived cells as a positive regulator of atherosclerotic lesion formation and macrophage function in the vasculature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville VA, USA.
authors.forename: Julia A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Halterman
authors.forename: H Moo
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Leitinger
authors.forename: Brian R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Wamhoff