Effect of hyperlipidemia on Foxp3 expression in apolipoprotein E-knockout mice.
BACKGROUND
The transcription factor forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) plays an essential role in the development and function of regulatory T cells.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of hyperlipidemia on the expression of Foxp3 in mice.


METHODS
Twenty-four 8-week-old male apolipoprotein E (ApoE) mice on a C57BL/6 background were randomly divided into control group and high fat diet group, 12 mice per group. The blood-lipid levels, the number of Foxp3CD4 CD25 T cells, and the size of the atherosclerotic lesions in every group were measured. The expression levels of Foxp3 in different tissues were detected.


RESULTS
Compared with the control group, the level of plasma lipids was significantly higher in the high fat-fed group, but the number and function of Foxp3CD4 CD25 T cells, the levels of Foxp3 protein expression, and Foxp3 gene transcript in selected tissues were lower in the high fat-fed group.


CONCLUSIONS
Hyperlipidemia inhibits the expression and function of Foxp3 in various immune organs, which may be one of the mechanisms by which hyperlipidemia aggravates the formation of atherosclerosis.
Department of Cardiology, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China.
Zhixiao
Z
Wang
Shan
S
Mao
Zhongqun
Z
Zhan
Kefei
K
Yu
Chaorong
C
He
Chongquan
C
Wang
D000818:Animals; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000172:deficiency*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D059305:Diet, High-Fat; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D016207:Cytokines; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; C498833:Foxp3 protein, mouse; D008055:Lipids; D012333:RNA, Messenger