Conclusions
Pg-LPS appears to be an important link in the development of atherosclerosis by mechanisms targeting cholesterol homeostasis, namely, excess cholesterol ester formation via ACAT1 and reduced cellular cholesterol efflux via ABCG1.
Material and methods
THP-1-derived macrophages were exposed to different concentrations (0.1, 1, 10 µg/ml) of LPS in the presence of 50 µg/ml native LDL. Macrophages were also incubated with 1 µg/ml LPS for varying times (0, 24, 48, or 72 h) in the presence of native LDL. Foam cell formation was determined by oil red O staining and cholesterol content quantification. CD36, lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1), ATP-binding cassette G1 (ABCG1), and acetyl CoA acyltransferase 1 (ACAT1) expression levels were measured by western blot and qRT-PCR.
Methods
THP-1-derived macrophages were exposed to different concentrations (0.1, 1, 10 µg/ml) of LPS in the presence of 50 µg/ml native LDL. Macrophages were also incubated with 1 µg/ml LPS for varying times (0, 24, 48, or 72 h) in the presence of native LDL. Foam cell formation was determined by oil red O staining and cholesterol content quantification. CD36, lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1), ATP-binding cassette G1 (ABCG1), and acetyl CoA acyltransferase 1 (ACAT1) expression levels were measured by western blot and qRT-PCR.
Results
Foam cell formation was induced in a time- and concentration-dependent manner as assessed by both morphological and biochemical criteria. Pg-LPS caused downregulation of CD36 and ABCG1 but upregulation of ACAT1, while LOX-1 expression was not affected (p = 0.137). Conclusions: Pg-LPS appears to be an important link in the development of atherosclerosis by mechanisms targeting cholesterol homeostasis, namely, excess cholesterol ester formation via ACAT1 and reduced cellular cholesterol efflux via ABCG1.