Abstract
Macrophage-derived foam cells express apolipoprotein E (apoE) abundantly in atheroscleratic lesions. To examine the physiologic role of apoe secretion by the macrophage in atherogenesis, bone marrow transplantation was used to reconstitute C57bl/6 mice with macrophages that were either null or wild type for the apoE gene. After 13 weeks on an atherogenic diet, C57bl/6 mice reconstituted with apoE null marrow developed 10-fold more atherosclerosis than controls in the absence of significant differences in serum cholesterol levels or lipoprotein profiles. ApoE expression was absent in the macrophage- derived foam cells of C57bl/6 mice reconstituted with apoE null marrow. Thus, lack of apoE expression by the macrophage promotes foam cell formation. These data support a protective role for apoE expression by the macrophage in early atherogenesis.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 4647-4652 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America |
Volume | 94 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 29 1997 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General