Endogenous ApoA-I expression in macrophages: A potential target for protection against atherosclerosis.

Abstract

ApoA-I is a major protein component of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) that is widely known for regulating cholesterol trafficking and inflammatory and immune responses and for protecting against atherosclerosis. ApoA-I is generally considered to be synthesized in the liver (hepatocytes) and small intestine (enterocytes). However, computer analysis of ApoA-I has shown that the ApoA-I gene may be expressed in not only hepatocytes and enterocytes but also monocyte-macrophage cells, dendritic cells (DCs) and T cells. ApoA-I expression has been detected in THP-1 monocytes and macrophages, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from postmenopausal women, human PBMC-derived monocytes and macrophages, mouse peritoneal macrophages, etc. Endogenous ApoA-I in macrophages has anti-inflammatory and cholesterol efflux effects. However, our understanding of the detailed roles of macrophage-synthesized ApoA-I is still at an early stage and very limited. More experiments are needed to elucidate the exact roles of endogenous ApoA-I in macrophages. Several lines of evidence indicate that recombinant exogenous human ApoA-I in mouse macrophages increases cholesterol efflux and thus reduces atherosclerosis development. Considering the antiatherogenic effect of exogenous ApoA-I overexpression in mouse macrophages, better understanding the role and mechanisms underlying macrophage-synthesized ApoA-I in atherosclerosis will enable macrophage-synthesized ApoA-I therapy to open new avenues for reducing the risk of atherosclerosis.

• Authors: Wujun Chen, Yudong Wu, Qi Lu, Shuai Wang, Dongming Xing
• Journal: Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry (Clin Chim Acta) Vol. 505 Pg. 55-59 (Jun 2020) ISSN: 1873-3492 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 32092318 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• APOA1 protein, human
• Apolipoprotein A-I
• Cholesterol

Topics

• Animals
• Apolipoprotein A-I (biosynthesis, genetics)
• Atherosclerosis (prevention & control)
• Cholesterol (metabolism)
• Humans
• Macrophages (metabolism)