Apolipoprotein E participates in the regulation of very low density lipoprotein-triglyceride secretion by the liver

ApoE-deficient mice on low fat diet show hepatic triglyceride accumulation and a reduced very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) triglyceride production rate. To establish the role of apoE in the regulation of hepatic VLDL production, the human APOE3 gene was introduced into apoE-deficient mice by cross-breeding with APOE3 transgenics (APOE3/apoe-/- mice) or by adenoviral transduction. APOE3 was expressed in the liver and, to a lesser extent, in brain, spleen, and lung of transgenic APOE3/apoe-/- mice similar to endogenous apoe. Plasma cholesterol levels in APOE/apoe-/- mice (3.4 +/- 0.5 mM) were reduced when compared with apoe-/- mice (12.6 +/- 1.4 mM) but still elevated when compared with wild type control values (1.9 +/- 0.1 mM). Hepatic triglyceride accumulation in apoE-deficient mice was completely reversed by introduction of the APOE3 transgene. The in vivo hepatic VLDL-triglyceride production rate was reduced to 36% of control values in apoE-deficient mice but normalized in APOE3/apoe-/- mice. Hepatic secretion of apoB was not affected in either of the strains. Secretion of (3)H-labeled triglycerides synthesized from [(3)H]glycerol by cultured hepatocytes from apoE-deficient mice was four times lower than by APOE3/apoe-/- or control hepatocytes. The average size of secreted VLDL particles produced by cultured apoE-deficient hepatocytes was significantly reduced when compared with those of APOE3/apoe-/- and wild type mice. Hepatic expression of human APOE3 cDNA via adenovirus-mediated gene transfer in apoE-deficient mice resulted in a reduction of plasma cholesterol depending on plasma apoE3 levels. The in vivo VLDL-triglyceride production rate in these mice was increased up to 500% compared with LacZ-injected controls and correlated with the amount of apoE3 per particle. These findings indicate a regulatory role of apoE in hepatic VLDL-triglyceride secretion, independent from its role in lipoprotein clearance.

Hyperlipidemia of ApoE2(Arg(158)-Cys) and ApoE3-Leiden transgenic mice is modulated predominantly by LDL receptor expression

To investigate the relative roles of the LDL receptor- and non-LDL receptor-mediated pathways in the clearance of apolipoprotein E (apoE) variants in vivo, we have generated apoE2(Arg(158)-Cys) (apoE2) and apoE3-Leiden transgenic mice deficient for the endogenous mouse Apoe and Ldl receptor genes (Apoe-/-.Ldlr-/- mice). Unexpectedly, on the Apoe-/-.Ldlr-/- background, expression of neither apoE2 nor apoE3-Leiden results in a decrease of the hyperlipidemia. In contrast, serum cholesterol levels are increased by the introduction of apoE2 and apoE3-Leiden in Apoe-/-.Ldlr-/- mice (to 39.1+/-7.1 and 37.6+/-7.6 mmol/L, respectively, from 25. 9+/-6.5 mmol/L). In addition, in these transgenic mice, the serum triglyceride levels are substantially increased (to 9.6+/-7.0 and 5. 8+/-2.8 mmol/L, respectively, from 0.7+/-0.5 mmol/L), which is associated with a decreased efficiency of in vitro LPL-mediated lipolysis of circulating VLDL. The VLDL-triglyceride secretion rate is not affected by the expression of apoE2 or apoE3-Leiden on the Apoe-/-.Ldlr-/- background. These results indicate that in the absence of the LDL receptor, clearance of triglyceride-rich apoE2 and apoE3-Leiden-containing lipoproteins via alternative hepatic receptors, such as the LDL receptor-related protein (LRP) is inefficient. Although apoE2 and apoE3-Leiden are disturbed in binding to the LDL receptor in vitro, expression of 1 or 2 mouse Ldlr alleles in an apoE2.Apoe-/- or apoE3-Leiden.Apoe-/- background results in a gene dose-dependent decrease of the hyperlipidemia. Furthermore, overexpression of the LDL receptor via adenovirus-mediated gene transfer rescues the hyperlipidemia associated with apoE2 and apoE3-Leiden expression. These data indicate that in apoE2 and apoE3-Leiden transgenic mice, the LDL receptor constitutes the predominant route for clearance of VLDL remnants, carrying even poorly binding apoE variants, and that this pathway is functional despite an apoE-mediated disturbance in VLDL triglyceride lipolysis.

Macrophage specific overexpression of the human macrophage scavenger receptor in transgenic mice, using a 180-kb yeast artificial chromosome, leads to enhanced foam cell formation of isolated peritoneal macrophages

Macrophage scavenger receptors class A (MSR) are thought to play an important role in atherogenesis by mediating the unrestricted uptake of modified lipoproteins by macrophages in the vessel wall leading to foam cell formation. To investigate the in vivo role of the MSR in this process, a transgenic mouse model expressing both isoforms of the human MSR was generated. A 180-kb yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) containing the human MSR gene (MSR1) with 60- and 40-kb flanking sequence at the 5' and 3' end, respectively, was obtained by reducing the size of a 1050-kb YAC by homologous recombination. This 180-kb YAC was microinjected into mouse oocytes. In the resulting transgenic mice, high levels of mRNA for both type I and type II human MSR1 were detected in peritoneal macrophages and trace levels in other organs, known to contain macrophage-derived cells. Using an antibody against the human MSR, the Kupffer cells in the liver were shown to contain the MSR protein. In vivo clearance of acetyl-LDL was not changed in the MSR1-transgenic mice. However, in vitro studies using peritoneal macrophages from the transgenic mice showed a two-fold increased degradation of acetyl-LDL and cholesterolester accumulation concomitant with a four-fold increase in foam cell formation, as compared to wild-type macrophages. Thus, macrophage specific overexpression of the MSR may lead to increased foam cell formation, which is one of the initial and crucial steps in atherogenesis.

Dissection of the complex role of apolipoprotein E in lipoprotein metabolism and atherosclerosis using mouse models

Transgenic and knockout mice have been instrumental in delineating the role of apolipoprotein (apo) E in lipoprotein metabolism and atherosclerosis. The severe hypercholesterolemia and premature atherosclerosis of the apoE knockout mouse have been the starting point from which various physiologic processes have been identified in which apoE plays a critical role. These processes include 1) very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) triglyceride production; 2) lipoprotein lipase mediated triglyceride lipolysis; 3) VLDL remnant clearance and intracellular processing; and 4) the efflux of cellular cholesterol. In this review we will discuss the recent insight in the role of apoE in these processes, which has been obtained using a variety of in vivo and in vitro approaches to modify apoE expression and function.

Scavenger receptor deficiency leads to more complex atherosclerotic lesions in APOE3Leiden transgenic mice

Apolipoprotein (apo) E3Leiden is a dysfunctional apo E variant associated with familial dysbetalipoproteinemia in humans. Transgenic mice carrying the APOE3Leiden gene develop hyperlipidemia and are highly susceptible to diet-induced atherosclerosis. An early step in atherosclerosis is foam cell formation, which is thought to result from the unrestricted uptake of modified lipoproteins by macrophages. To investigate the role of the macrophage scavenger receptor type I and II (MSR-A) in this process, APOE3Leiden transgenic mice were crossed onto a MSR-A deficient background and the development of atherosclerosis was examined. In view of recent results with apo E deficient mice (Suzuki H et al., A role for the macrophage scavenger receptors in atherosclerosis. Nature 1997; 386(6622):292-296), absence of the MSR-A in APOE3Leiden mice was expected to lead to a reduction of atherosclerosis. In our study we compared APOE3Leiden/MSR-A deficient mice (E3L MSR-A -/-) to APOE3Leiden/MSR-A wild-type mice (E3L MSR-A +/+). These animals were fed an atherogenic diet for 10 weeks. Quantification of the lesion area showed no significant difference between E3L MSR-A -/- and E3L MSR-A +/+ mice although there was a trend towards the development of larger lesions in the E3L MSR-A -/- mice. All lesions were typed according to their cellular composition. In both male and female E3L MSR-A -/- mice, significantly more severe lesions developed as compared to E3L MSR-A +/+ mice. These results indicate that the effect of MSR-A deficiency on atherogenesis may depend on the presence or absence of apo E.

Reversal of hyperlipidaemia in apolipoprotein C1 transgenic mice by adenovirus-mediated gene delivery of the low-density-lipoprotein receptor, but not by the very-low-density-lipoprotein receptor

We have shown previously that human apolipoprotein (apo)C1 transgenic mice exhibit hyperlipidaemia, due primarily to an impaired clearance of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) particles from the circulation. In the absence of at least the low-density-lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), it was shown that APOC1 overexpression in transgenic mice inhibited the hepatic uptake of VLDL via the LDLR-related protein. In the present study, we have now examined the effect of apoC1 on the binding of lipoproteins to both the VLDL receptor (VLDLR) and the LDLR. The binding specificity of the VLDLR and LDLR for apoC1-enriched lipoprotein particles was examined in vivo through adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of the VLDLR and the LDLR [giving rise to adenovirus-containing (Ad)-VLDLR and Ad-LDLR respectively] in APOC1 transgenic mice, LDLR-deficient (LDLR-/-) mice and wild-type mice. Remarkably, Ad-VLDLR treatment did not reduce hyperlipidaemia in transgenic mice overexpressing human APOC1, irrespective of both the level of transgenic expression and the presence of the LDLR, whereas Ad-VLDLR treatment did reverse hyperlipidaemia in LDLR-/- and wild-type mice. On the other hand, Ad-LDLR treatment strongly decreased plasma lipid levels in these APOC1 transgenic mice. These results suggest that apoC1 inhibits the clearance of lipoprotein particles via the VLDLR, but not via the LDLR. This hypothesis is corroborated by in vitro binding studies. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing the VLDLR (CHO-VLDLR) or LDLR (CHO-LDLR) bound less APOC1 transgenic VLDL than wild-type VLDL. Intriguingly, however, enrichment with apoE enhanced dose-dependently the binding of wild-type VLDL to CHO-VLDLR cells (up to 5-fold), whereas apoE did not enhance the binding of APOC1 transgenic VLDL to these cells. In contrast, for binding to CHO-LDLR cells, both wild-type and APOC1 transgenic VLDL were stimulated upon enrichment with apoE. From these studies, we conclude that apoC1 specifically inhibits the apoE-mediated binding of triacylglycerol-rich lipoprotein particles to the VLDLR, whereas apoC1-enriched lipoproteins can still bind to the LDLR. The variability in specificity of these lipoprotein receptors for apoC1-containing lipoprotein particles provides further evidence for a regulatory role of apoC1 in the delivery of lipoprotein constituents to different tissues on which these receptors are located.

Progression and regression of atherosclerosis in APOE3-Leiden transgenic mice: an immunohistochemical study

Apolipoprotein E3-Leiden (APOE3-Leiden) transgenic mice develop hyperlipidemia and are highly susceptible to diet-induced atherosclerosis. We have studied the progression and regression of atherosclerosis using immunohistochemistry. Female transgenic mice were fed a moderate fat diet to study atherosclerosis over a longer time period. Fatty streaks arose in the intima and consisted of lipid filled macrophages which differed in origin. All macrophages expressed the macrophage scavenger receptor while two thirds expressed sialoadhesin and were positive for an antibody recognizing marginal zone macrophages (MOMA-1). All macrophages were negative for the scavenger receptor MARCO and 50% were positive for CD4. Small fatty streaks contained CD-3 positive T-lymphocytes which were for more than 70% CD4-positive. ICAM-1 was positive both in atherosclerotic and control mice. In early plaques, fibrosis was observed on the luminal and medial site of the foam cells while smooth muscle cells were only observed in the fibrous cap. To study regression, we used a high fat, high cholesterol diet to rapidly induce atherosclerosis (14 weeks). The animals were then fed normal chow. Subsequently, atherosclerosis was assayed over time (4, 8, 16 weeks). Cholesterol levels dropped in 4 weeks to control levels. The animals did not show a significantly decrease in plaque size over time. but the percentage macrophages was significantly smaller in the animals after 4 weeks. In conclusion, the APOE3-Leiden mouse is a useful model to study the progression and regression of atherosclerosis.

Binding of beta-VLDL to heparan sulfate proteoglycans requires lipoprotein lipase, whereas ApoE only modulates binding affinity

The binding of beta-VLDL to heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG) has been reported to be stimulated by both apoE and lipoprotein lipase (LPL). In the present study we investigated the effect of the isoform and the amount of apoE per particle, as well as the role of LPL on the binding of beta-VLDL to HSPG. Therefore, we isolated beta-VLDL from transgenic mice, expressing either APOE*2(Arg158-->Cys) or APOE*3-Leiden (E2-VLDL and E3Leiden-VLDL, respectively), as well as from apoE-deficient mice containing no apoE at all (Enull-VLDL). In the absence of LPL, the binding affinity and maximal binding capacity of all beta-VLDL samples for HSPG-coated microtiter plates was very low. Addition of LPL to this cell-free system resulted in a 12- to 55-fold increase in the binding affinity and a 7- to 15-fold increase in the maximal binding capacity (Bmax). In the presence of LPL, the association constant (Ka) tended to increase in the order Enull-VLDL<E2-VLDL<E3Leiden-VLDL, whereas Bmax increased in the reverse order: E3Leiden-VLDL approximately E2-VLDL<Enull-VLDL. Addition of LPL resulted in a marked stimulation of both Ka and Bmax for binding of beta-VLDL samples to J774 cells similar to that found for the binding to HSPG-LPL complexes. Our results indicate that both Ka and Bmax for binding of beta-VLDL to HSPG are increased more than 1 order of magnitude on addition of LPL. In addition, for the binding of beta-VLDL to HSPG-LPL complexes, the presence of apoE is not a prerequisite, but results in an increased binding affinity, depending on the apoE isoform used.

In LDL receptor-deficient mice, catabolism of remnant lipoproteins requires a high level of apoE but is inhibited by excess apoE

To investigate the quantitative requirement for apolipoprotein (apo) E in the clearance of lipoproteins via the non-low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor mediated pathway, human APOE was overexpressed at various levels in the livers of mice deficient for both the endogenous Apoe and Ldlr genes (Apoe -/-. Ldlr -/-) using adenovirus-mediated gene transfer. We found that a low level of APOE expression, that was capable of reducing the hyperlipidemia in Apoe -/- mice, did not result in a reduction of the hyperlipidemia in Apoe -/-. Ldlr -/- mice. Surpisingly, a very high level of APOE expression also did not result in a reduction of hypercholesterolemia in Apoe -/-. Ldlr -/- mice, despite very high levels of circulating apoE (>160 mg/dl). Only a moderately high level of APOE expression resulted in a reduction of serum cholesterol level (from 35.2 +/- 6.7 to 14.6 +/- 2.3 mmol/l) and the disappearance of VLDL from the serum. Moreover, the very high level of APOE expression resulted in a severe hypertriglyceridemia in Apoe -/-. Ldlr -/- mice and not Apoe -/- mice (25.7 +/- 8.9 and 2.2 +/- 1.8 mmol/l, respectively). This hypertriglyceridemia was associated with an APOE-induced increase in the VLDL triglyceride production rate and an inhibition of VLDL-triglyceride lipolysis. We conclude from these data that, for efficient clearance, the non-LDL receptor-mediated pathway requires a higher level of APOE expression as compared to the LDL receptor, but is more sensitive to an APOE-induced increase in VLDL production and inhibition of VLDL-triglyceride lipolysis.-van Dijk, K. W., B. J. M. Van Vlijmen, H. B. van't Hof, A. van der Zee, S. Santamarina-Fojo, T. J. C. van Berkel, L. M. Havekes, and M. H. Hofker. In LDL receptor-deficient mice, catabolism of remnant lipoproteins requires a high level of apoE but is inhibited by excess APOE.

Effects of fenofibrate on hyperlipidemia and postprandial triglyceride metabolism in human apolipoprotein C1 transgenic mice

To study the in vivo role of apolipoprotein (apo) C1 in lipoprotein metabolism, we have generated transgenic mice expressing the human apo C1 gene. Apo C1 is a small 6.6 kDa protein that is primarily synthesized by the liver and is present on chylomicrons, very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and high density lipoproteins (HDL). In recent years, studies by our group have shown that apo C1 transgenic mice develop hyperlipidemia due to an accumulation of VLDL-sized lipoprotein particles. The underlying metabolic defect in apo C1 transgenic mice is an impaired uptake of VLDL particles by the liver. Although a role for apo C1 in human disease remains to be established, data presented in the current paper show that apo C1 transgenic mice are an instructive model of hyperlipidemia to (i) elucidate possible mechanisms underlying this disorder and (ii) test the activity and mode of action of hypolipidemic drugs.

Effects of dietary fish oil on serum lipids and VLDL kinetics in hyperlipidemic apolipoprotein E*3-Leiden transgenic mice

Studying the effects of dietary fish oil on VLDL metabolism in humans is subject to both large intra- and interindividual variability. In the present study we therefore used hyperlipidemic apolipoprotein (APO) E*3-Leiden mice, which have impaired chylomicron and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) remnant metabolism, to study the effects of dietary fish oil on serum lipids and VLDL kinetics under highly standardized conditions. For this, female APOE*3-Leiden mice were fed a fat- and cholesterol-containing diet supplemented with either 0, 3 or 6% w/w (i.e. 0, 6, or 12% of total energy) of fish oil. Fish oil-fed mice showed a significant dose-dependent decrease in serum cholesterol (up to -43%) and triglyceride levels (up to -60%), mainly due to a reduction of VLDL (-80%). LDL and HDL cholesterol levels were not affected by fish oil feeding. VLDL-apoB kinetic studies showed that fish oil feeding resulted in a significant 2-fold increase in VLDL-apoB fractional catabolic rate (FCR). Hepatic VLDL-apoB production was, however, not affected by fish oil feeding. VLDL-triglyceride turnover studies revealed that fish oil significantly decreased hepatic VLDL-triglyceride production rate (-60%). A significant increase in VLDL-triglyceride FCR was observed (+70%), which was not related to increased lipolytic activity. We conclude that APOE*3-Leiden mice are highly responsive to dietary fish oil. The observed strong reduction in serum very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) is primarily due to an effect of fish oil to decrease hepatic VLDL triglyceride production rate and to increase VLDL-apoB fractional catabolic rate.

Apolipoprotein E*3-Leiden transgenic mice as a test model for hypolipidaemic drugs

Apolipoprotein (APO) E*3-Leiden mice with impaired chylomicron and VLDL (very low density lipoprotein) remnant metabolism display hyperlipidaemia and atherosclerosis. In the present study, these mice were used for testing the hypolipidaemic effect of two marketed agents, lovastatin (CAS 75330-75-5) and gemfibrozil (CAS 25812-30-0) as well as a novel compound, SB 204990 (the 5-ring lactone of +/-(3R*,5S*) 3-carboxy-11-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-3,5-dihydroxyundecanoic acid, CAS 154566-12-8), a potent inhibitor of cholesterol and fatty acid synthesis at the level of ATP-citrate lyase. APOE*3-Leiden mice were fed a saturated fat and cholesterol-rich diet supplemented with either 0.05 or 0.1% w/w of lovastatin, 0.1 or 0.2% w/w of gemfibrozil or 0.1 or 0.2% w/w of SB 204990. Lovastatin showed a dose-related decrease in plasma cholesterol levels (up to -20%) due to a lowering of LDL and HDL (low density resp. high density lipoprotein)-cholesterol (-20 and -18%, respectively), while plasma triglyceride levels were unaffected. Gemfibrozil had no effect on plasma total cholesterol levels but gave significant dose-dependent decreases in plasma (VLDL) triglyceride levels (up to -53%). SB 204990 resulted in a dose-dependent reduction of plasma cholesterol (up to -29%) by lowering VLDL, LDL and HDL-cholesterol (-50, -20 and -20%, respectively). In addition, a strong dose dependent reduction of plasma (VLDL) triglycerides up to -43% was observed with this compound. Although the effects of gemfibrozil and SB 204990 were not simply explained by changes in a single determinant of VLDL metabolism--no effects of these drugs were seen on post-heparin plasma lipoprotein lipase activity, in vivo rate of VLDL synthesis or hepatic apoC-III mRNA levels--APOE*3-Leiden mice were found to give robust hypolipidaemic responses to these test compounds. The responsiveness to hypolipidaemic therapy combined with a clear relationship between aortic lesion size and plasma cholesterol exposure, as demonstrated previously, makes this mouse an attractive model for the testing of anti-atherosclerotic properties of hypolipidaemic drugs.

Transgenic mouse models to study the role of APOE in hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis

Transgenic technologies have provided a series of very useful mouse models to study hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis. Normally, mice carry cholesterol mainly in the high density lipoprotein (HDL) sized lipoproteins, and have low density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol levels. These low LDL and VLDL levels are due to the very rapid metabolism of remnant clearance in mice, which hamper metabolic studies. In addition, due to the lack of atherogenic lipoproteins, mice will not readily develop atherosclerosis. This situation has changed completely, because to date, most known genes in lipoprotein metabolism have been used in transgenesis to obtain mice in which genes have been silenced or overexpressed. These experiments have yielded many mouse strains with high plasma lipid levels and a greater susceptibility for developing atherosclerosis. One of the most widely used strains are knock-out mice deficient for apoE, which is one of the central players in VLDL metabolism. Subsequently, a wide variety of other transgenic studies involving APOE have been performed elucidating the role of apoE and apoE mutants in lipolysis, remnant clearance, cellular cholesterol efflux and atherogenesis. In addition, the APOE mouse models are excellent tools for the development of gene therapy for hyperlipidemias.

Reversal of hypercholesterolemia in apolipoprotein E2 and apolipoprotein E3-Leiden transgenic mice by adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of the VLDL receptor

We have investigated the interaction of apolipoprotein E2(Arg158-Cys) (apoE2) and apolipoprotein E3-Leiden (apoE3-Leiden) with the very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) receptor in vivo and in vitro to define the possible role of this receptor in lipoprotein metabolism and atherosclerosis. The in vivo binding specificity of the VLDL receptor for apoE2 and apoE3-Leiden was investigated by adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of the VLDL receptor in apoE2 and apoE3-Leiden transgenic mice lacking endogenous mouse apoE (Apoe-/-). Ectopic overexpression of the VLDL receptor gene in the liver resulted in a >50% decrease of plasma cholesterol levels in both apoE2 and apoE3-Leiden transgenic mice compared with liver expression of the beta-galactosidase gene. This reduction in plasma cholesterol was mainly due to a reduction in the VLDL level. Overexpression of the VLDL receptor did not affect the hepatic VLDL triglyceride production, indicating that the hypocholesterolemic effect is due to an increased level of plasma clearance mediated by the VLDL receptor. In vitro binding analysis showed that both apoE2 and apoE3-Leiden VLDL compete efficiently with rabbit beta-VLDL for binding to the VLDL receptor expressed on LDL receptor-deficient Chinese hamster ovary cells. We conclude from these data that both apoE2 and apoE3-Leiden function as proper ligands for the VLDL receptor in vitro and in vivo. This finding substantiates a possible role for the VLDL receptor in atherosclerosis in hyperlipidemic subjects homozygous for apoE2 or carrying apoE3-Leiden and indicates that the VLDL receptor expressed on the liver has therapeutic potential as an alternative route for clearance of binding-defective lipoproteins.

Characterization of atherosclerotic lesions in apo E3-leiden transgenic mice

Apo E3-leiden transgenic mice express human dysfunctional apo E variant and develop hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis on a high fat/high cholesterol diet. We characterized diet-induced atherosclerotic lesions in apo E3-leiden transgenic mice using immunocytochemical methods in order to examine foam cell formation and determine whether advanced atherosclerotic lesions develop in these animals. Special attention was given to the presence of oxidized lipoproteins and expression of lipoprotein receptors. Plasma cholesterol levels in apo E3-leiden mice on an atherogenic diet increased from 2 to 36 mmol/l in 4 months. At this time apo E3-leiden mice had developed lesions, which ranged from early fatty streaks in thoracic and abdominal aorta to advanced lesions in aortic arch. Early fatty streaks were entirely composed of macrophages which also expressed scavenger receptors. Epitopes characteristic of oxidized LDL were present in macrophage-rich foam cells. Advanced atherosclerotic lesions also developed in apo E3-leiden mice including smooth muscle cell cap formation and erosion of the media. Macrophages and epitopes characteristic of oxidized LDL were present in core and shoulder regions. Scavenger receptors were expressed in macrophages in advanced lesions, whereas LDL-receptor-related protein (LRP) was mainly expressed in smooth muscle cells. It is concluded that: (1) macrophages are the major cell type in both early and advanced atherosclerotic lesions; (2) scavenger receptors and oxidized lipoproteins are present in lesion macrophages; and (3) LRP is mostly expressed in smooth muscle cells. Thus, lesions in apo E3-leiden transgenic mice have features in common with human atherosclerosis. Since lesion macrophages also retain their ability to synthesize endogenous apo E, apo E3-leiden transgenic mouse may be a useful model for studies on the development and genetics of atherosclerosis.

Hyperlipidemia and cutaneous abnormalities in transgenic mice overexpressing human apolipoprotein C1

Transgenic mice were generated with different levels of human apolipoprotein C1 (APOC1) expression in liver and skin. At 2 mo of age, serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), and FFA were strongly elevated in APOC1 transgenic mice compared with wild-type mice. These elevated levels of serum cholesterol and TG were due mainly to an accumulation of VLDL particles in the circulation. In addition to hyperlipidemia, APOC1 transgenic mice developed dry and scaly skin with loss of hair, dependent on the amount of APOC1 expression in the skin. Since these skin abnormalities appeared in two independent founder lines, a mutation related to the specific insertion site of the human APOC1 gene as the cause for the phenotype can be excluded. Histopathological analysis of high expressor APOC1 transgenic mice revealed a disorder of the skin consisting of epidermal hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis, and atrophic sebaceous glands lacking sebum. In line with these results, epidermal lipid analysis showed that the relative amounts of the sebum components TG and wax diesters in the epidermis of high expressor APOC1 transgenic mice were reduced by 60 and 45%, respectively. In addition to atrophic sebaceous glands, the meibomian glands were also found to be severely atrophic in APOC1 transgenic mice. High expressor APOC1 transgenic mice also exhibited diminished abdominal adipose tissue stores (a 60% decrease compared with wild-type mice) and a complete deficiency of subcutaneous fat. These results indicate that, in addition to the previously reported inhibitory role of apoC1 on hepatic remnant uptake, overexpression of apoC1 affects lipid synthesis in the sebaceous gland and/or epidermis as well as adipose tissue formation. These APOC1 transgenic mice may serve as an interesting in vivo model for the investigation of lipid homeostasis in the skin.

Nascent very-low-density lipoprotein triacylglycerol hydrolysis by lipoprotein lipase is inhibited by apolipoprotein E in a dose-dependent manner

In the present study it was investigated whether apolipoprotein (apoE) can inhibit the lipoprotein lipase (LPL)-mediated hydrolysis of very-low-density-lipoprotein (VLDL) triacylglycerols (TAGs). Previous studies have suggested such an inhibitory role for apoE by using as a substrate for LPL either plasma VLDL or artificial TAG emulsions. To mimic the in vivo situation more fully, we decided to investigate the effect of apoE on the LPL-mediated TAG hydrolysis by using VLDL from apoE-deficient mice that had been enriched with increasing amounts of apoE. Furthermore, since plasma VLDL isolated from apoE-deficient mice was relatively poor in TAGs and strongly enriched in cholesterol as compared with VLDL from wild-type mice, we used nascent VLDL obtained by liver perfusions. Nascent VLDL (d<1. 006) isolated from the perfusate of the apoE-deficient mouse liver was rich in TAGs. Addition of increasing amounts of apoE to apoE-deficient nascent VLDL effectively decreased TAG lipolysis as compared with that of apoE-deficient nascent VLDL without the addition of apoE (63.1+/-6.3 and 20.8+/-1.8% of the control value at 2.7 microg and 29.6 microg of apoE/mg of TAG added respectively). Since, in vivo, LPL is attached to heparan sulphate proteoglycans (HSPG) at the endothelial matrix, we also performed lipolysis assays with LPL bound to HSPG in order to preserve the interaction of the lipoprotein particle with the HSPG-LPL complex. In this lipolysis system a concentration-dependent decrease in the TAG lipolysis was also observed with increasing amounts of apoE on nascent VLDL, although to a lesser extent than with LPL in solution (72.3+/-3.6% and 56.6+/-1.7% of control value at 2.7 microg and 29.6 microg of apoE/mg TAGs added respectively). In conclusion, the enrichment of the VLDL particle with apoE decreases its suitability as a substrate for LPL in a dose-dependent manner.

Impaired secretion of very low density lipoprotein-triglycerides by apolipoprotein E- deficient mouse hepatocytes

To explore mechanisms underlying triglyceride (TG) accumulation in livers of chow-fed apo E-deficient mice (Kuipers, F., J.M. van Ree, M.H. Hofker, H. Wolters, G. In't Veld, R.J. Vonk, H.M.G. Princen, and L.M. Havekes. 1996. Hepatology. 24:241-247), we investigated the effects of apo E deficiency on secretion of VLDL-associated TG (a) in vivo in mice, (b) in isolated perfused mouse livers, and (c) in cultured mouse hepatocytes. (a) Hepatic VLDL-TG production rate in vivo, determined after Triton WR1339 injection, was reduced by 46% in apo E-deficient mice compared with controls. To eliminate the possibility that impaired VLDL secretion is caused by aspecific changes in hepatic function due to hypercholesterolemia, VLDL-TG production rates were also measured in apo E-deficient mice after transplantation of wild-type mouse bone marrow. Bone marrow- transplanted apo E-deficient mice, which do not express apo E in hepatocytes, showed normalized plasma cholesterol levels, but VLDL-TG production was reduced by 59%. (b) VLDL-TG production by isolated perfused livers from apo E-deficient mice was 50% lower than production by livers from control mice. Lipid composition of nascent VLDL particles isolated from the perfusate was similar for both groups. (c) Mass VLDL-TG secretion by cultured apo E-deficient hepatocytes was reduced by 23% compared with control values in serum-free medium, and by 61% in the presence of oleate in medium (0. 75 mM) to stimulate lipogenesis. Electron microscopic evaluation revealed a smaller average size for VLDL particles produced by apo E-deficient cells compared with control cells in the presence of oleate (38 and 49 nm, respectively). In short-term labeling studies, apo E-deficient and control cells showed a similar time-dependent accumulation of [3H]TG formed from [3H]glycerol, yet secretion of newly synthesized VLDL-associated [3H]TG by apo E-deficient cells was reduced by 60 and 73% in the absence and presence of oleate, respectively. We conclude that apo E, in addition to its role in lipoprotein clearance, has a physiological function in the VLDL assembly-secretion cascade.

Use of transgenic mice in lipoprotein metabolism and atherosclerosis research

In APOE*3-Leiden transgenic mice the atherosclerotic lesion size is correlated with plasma cholesterol. In these mice the plasma lipid levels are positively correlated with the relative amount of APOE 3-Leiden protein on the VLDL particle. The plasma cholesterol levels are influenced by diet, age and gender, mainly due to an effect of these factors on VLDL production rate. Excess of APOC1 protein does inhibit the hepatic clearance of VLDL remnant particles, whereas excess of apoE leads to a hampered extra-hepatic lipolysis of VLDL triglyceride.

Uptake by J774 macrophages of very-low-density lipoproteins isolated from apoE-deficient mice is mediated by a distinct receptor and stimulated by lipoprotein lipase

Apolipoprotein (apo) E-deficient mice display marked accumulation in the plasma of VLDL deficient in both apoE and apoB100 but containing apoB48, apoA-I, apoCs, and apoA-IV. Since apoE-deficient mice develop severe atherosclerotic lesions with lipid-laden macrophages, we reasoned that the uptake of lipoproteins by intimal macrophages can take place in the absence of both apoE and apoB100. To get more insight into the mechanism of foam cell formation in apoE-deficient mice, we measured the interaction of VLDL from apoE-deficient mice (apoEnull VLDL) with the murine macrophage cell line J774. Scatchard analysis revealed that apoEnull VLDL is bound to J774 cells with a Kd value comparable to that of control VLDL (8.1 versus 4.7 micrograms/mL) and with a Bmax value about half that of control VLDL (40 versus 70 ng/mg cell protein, respectively). ApoEnull VLDL is also taken up and degraded by J774 macrophages via a high-affinity process less efficiently than control mouse VLDL (6-fold and 50-fold less efficiently, respectively). In line with this observation, incubation of J774 cells with 50 micrograms/mL apoEnull VLDL for 24 hours resulted in an increase in intracellular cholesteryl ester (CE) content, although 5-fold less pronounced than after incubation with 50 micrograms/mL control mouse VLDL. Under the conditions applied, simultaneous addition of 5 micrograms/mL lipoprotein lipase (LPL) stimulated the cellular uptake and degradation of apoEnull VLDL about 10-fold and resulted in a 5-fold stimulation of the intracellular CE accumulation, from 9 +/- 2 to 46 +/- 5 micrograms CE per milligram cell protein. In contrast to control mouse VLDL, apoEnull VLDL could not compete with 125I-labeled LDL for binding to the LDL receptor of J774 cells. Furthermore, neither LDL nor acetylated LDL could compete with 125I-labeled apoEnull VLDL for binding to these cells, whereas control mouse VLDL, VLDL from a hypertriglyceridemic patient, and apoEnull VLDL itself were efficient competitors. Thus, VLDL from apoE-deficient mice is taken up by J774 macrophages through recognition by a distinct receptor, which could be the triglyceride-rich lipoprotein receptor. We conclude that in apoE-deficient mice, foam cell formation occurs via a receptor-mediated uptake of apoEnull VLDL, which can be stimulated by the presence of LPL.

Reduced very-low-density lipoprotein fractional catabolic rate in apolipoprotein C1-deficient mice

The function of apolipoprotein (apo) C1 in vivo is not clearly defined. Because transgenic mice overexpressing human apoC1 show elevated triacylglycerol (TG) levels [Simonet, Bucay, Pitas, Lauer and Taylor (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 8651-8654], an as yet unknown role for apoC1 in TG metabolism has been suggested. Here we investigated directly the effect of the complete absence of apoC1 on very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-TG lipolysis, clearance and production, by performing studies with the previously generated apoC1-deficient mice. On a sucrose-rich, low fat/low cholesterol (LFC) diet, apoC1-deficient mice accumulate in their circulation VLDL particles, which contain relatively lower amounts of lipids when compared with VLDL isolated from control mice. Lipolysis assays in vitro on VLDL from apoC1-deficient and control mice showed no differences in apparent K(m) and Vmax values (0.27 +/- 0.06 versus 0.24 +/- 0.03 mmol of TG/litre and 0.40 +/- 0.03 versus 0.36 +/- 0.03 mmol of non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA)/min per litre respectively). To correct for potential differences in the size of the VLDL particles, the resulting K(m) values were also expressed relative to apoB concentration. Under these conditions apoC1-deficient VLDL displayed a lower, but not significant, K(m) value when compared with control VLDL (3.44 +/- 0.71 versus 4.44 +/- 0.52 mmol of TG2/g apoB per litre). VLDL turnover studies with autologous injections of [3H]TG-VLDL in vivo showed that the VLDL fractional catabolic rate (FCR) was decreased by up to 50% in the apoC1-deficient mice when compared with control mice (10.5 +/- 3.4 versus 21.0 +/- 1.2/h of pool TG). No significant differences between apoC1-deficient and control mice were observed in the hepatic VLDL production estimated by Triton WR139 injections (0.19 +/- 0.02 versus 0.21 +/- 0.05 mmol/h of TG per kg) and in the extra-hepatic lipolysis of VLDL-TG (4.99 +/- 1.62 versus 3.46 +/- 1.52/h of pool TG) in vivo. Furthermore, [125I]VLDL-apoB turnover experiments in vivo also showed a 50% decrease in the FCR of VLDL in apoC1-deficient mice when compared with control mice on the LFC diet (1.1 +/- 0.3 versus 2.1 +/- 0.1/h of pool apoB). When mice were fed a very high fat/high cholesterol (HFC) diet, the VLDL-apoB FCR was further decreased in apoC1-deficient mice (0.4 +/- 0.1 versus 1.4 +/- 0.4/h of pool apoB). We conclude that, in apoC1-deficient mice, the FCR of VLDL is reduced because of impaired uptake of VLDL remnants by hepatic receptors, whereas the production and lipolysis of VLDL-TG is not affected.

Exon mapping by fiber-FISH or LR-PCR

In this study we systematically assessed the sensitivity limits of fiber-FISH in model experiments. Exonic fragments and cDNAs with exon sizes of >/=200 bp could be mapped on their cognate cosmid. This positional fiber-FISH mapping was validated by long-range PCR. It is expected that these two independent mapping approaches will help to refine current available gene maps and show their applicability in fine mapping of sequence-tagged sites or expressed sequence tags. Also, they will be useful in resolving gene structures by mapping exon and intron locations.

Evidence for subtelomeric exchange of 3.3 kb tandemly repeated units between chromosomes 4q35 and 10q26: implications for genetic counselling and etiology of FSHD1

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is an autosomal dominant myopathy, clinically characterized by asymmetric weakness of muscles in the face, shoulder girdle and upper arm. Deletion of an integral number of 3.3 kb repeated units within a highly polymorphic EcoRI fragment at chromosome 4q35, generating a relatively short EcoRI fragment (< 35 kb), has been shown to cause FSHD1. Probe p13E-11 detects these short fragments in FSHD1 patients, and has therefore been used for diagnostic DNA analysis. However, the reliability of this analysis has been hampered by cross-hybridization of p13E-11 to chromosome 10q26-linked EcoRI fragments of comparable size, which also contain a variable number of 3.3 kb repeated units. Recently, a BinI restriction site was identified within each of the repeated units derived from chromosome 10q26, which enables differentiation of the two polymorphic p13E-11 loci in most cases without haplotype analysis. Remarkably, applying the differential analysis to screen DNA of 160 Dutch cases referred to us for FSHD1 diagnosis, we obtained evidence for subtelomeric exchange of 3.3 kb repeated units between chromosomes 4q35 and 10q26 in affected and unaffected individuals. Subsequently, analysis of 50 unrelated control samples indicated such exchange between chromosomes 4q35 and 10q26 in at least 20% of the population. These subtelomeric rearrangements have generated a novel interchromosomal polymorphism, which has implications for the specificity and sensitivity of the differential restriction analysis for diagnostic purposes. Moreover, the high frequency of the interchromosomal exchanges of 3.3 kb repeated units suggests that they probably do not contain (part of) the FSHD1 gene, and supports position effect variegation as the most likely mechanism for FSHD1.