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Gu L, Pillay RP, Aronson R, Kaur M. Cholesteryl ester transfer protein knock-down in conjunction with a cholesterol-depleting agent decreases tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer cells. IUBMB Life 2024; 76:712-730. [PMID: 38733508 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
The cholesterogenic phenotype, encompassing de novo biosynthesis and accumulation of cholesterol, aids cancer cell proliferation and survival. Previously, the role of cholesteryl ester (CE) transfer protein (CETP) has been implicated in breast cancer aggressiveness, but the molecular basis of this observation is not clearly understood, which this study aims to elucidate. CETP knock-down resulted in a >50% decrease in cell proliferation in both 'estrogen receptor-positive' (ER+; Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF7) breast cancer cells) and 'triple-negative' breast cancer (TNBC; MDA-MB-231) cell lines. Intriguingly, the abrogation of CETP together with the combination treatment of tamoxifen (5 μM) and acetyl plumbagin (a cholesterol-depleting agent) (5 μM) resulted in twofold to threefold increase in apoptosis in both cell lines. CETP knockdown also showed decreased intracellular CE levels, lipid raft and lipid droplets in both cell lines. In addition, RT2 Profiler PCR array (Qiagen, Germany)-based gene expression analysis revealed an overall downregulation of genes associated in cholesterol biosynthesis, lipid signalling and drug resistance in MCF7 cells post-CETP knock-down. On the contrary, resistance in MDA-MB-231 cells was reduced through increased expression in cholesterol efflux genes and the expression of targetable surface receptors by endocrine therapy. The pilot xenograft mice study substantiated CETP's role as a cancer survival gene as knock-down of CETP stunted the growth of TNBC tumour by 86%. The principal findings of this study potentiate CETP as a driver in breast cancer growth and aggressiveness and thus targeting CETP could limit drug resistance via the reduction in cholesterol accumulation in breast cancer cells, thereby reducing cancer aggressiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Gu
- Department of School of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Ruvesh Pascal Pillay
- Department of School of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Ruth Aronson
- Department of School of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Mandeep Kaur
- Department of School of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Zhang Z, Zhang D. Circulating lipids, lipid-lowering drug targets, and breast cancer risk: Comprehensive evidence from Mendelian randomization and summary data-based Mendelian randomization. Cancer Causes Control 2024; 35:983-994. [PMID: 38430374 DOI: 10.1007/s10552-024-01857-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer (BC) is the most common and fatal cancer among women, yet the causal relationship between circulating lipids, lipid-lowering drugs, and BC remains unclear. METHODS Mendelian randomization (MR) and summary data-based MR (SMR) analysis are used to explore the causal relationship between plasma lipids, lipid-lowering drug targets, and BC. RESULTS The result of MR suggested that per mg/dL higher levels of LDL-C (OR = 1.045, FDR = 0.023), HDL-C (OR = 1.079, FDR = 0.003), TC (OR = 1.043, FDR = 0.026), and APOA-I (OR = 1.085, FDR = 2.64E-04) were associated with increased BC risk, while TG was associated with reduced BC risk (OR = 0.926, FDR = 0.003). Per mg/dL higher levels of HDL-C (OR = 1.080, FDR = 0.011) and APOA-I (OR = 1.083, FDR = 0.002) were associated with increased ER+BC risk, while TG was associated with reduced ER+BC risk (OR = 0.909, FDR = 0.002). For every per 1 mg/dL decrease in LDL, HMGCR (OR: 0.839; FDR = 0.016), NPC1L1 (OR: 0.702; FDR = 0.004), and PCSK9 (OR: 0.916; FDR = 0.026) inhibition were associated with reduced BC risk, whereas CETP inhibition (OR: 1.194; FDR = 0.026) was associated with increased BC risk. For every per 1 mg/dL decrease in LDL, HMGCR (OR: 0.822; FDR = 0.023), NPC1L1 (OR: 0.633; FDR = 2.37E-03), and APOB inhibition (OR: 0.816; FDR = 1.98E-03) were associated with decreased ER-BC risk, while CETP inhibition (OR: 1.465; FDR = 0.011) was associated with increased ER-BC risk. SMR analysis indicated that HMGCR was associated with increased BC risk (OR: 1.112; p = 0.044). CONCLUSION Lipids are associated with the BC risk, and lipid-lowering drugs targets HMGCR, NPC1L1, PCSK9, and APOB may be effective strategies for preventing BC. However, lipid-lowering drugs target CETP may potentially increase BC risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongxu Zhang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Daxin Zhang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
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Leite JMRS, Pereira JL, Damasceno NRT, Soler JMP, Fisberg RM, Rogero MM, Sarti FM. Association of dyslipidemia with single nucleotide polymorphisms of the cholesteryl ester transfer protein gene and cardiovascular disease risk factors in a highly admixed population. Clin Nutr ESPEN 2023; 58:242-252. [PMID: 38057013 DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2023.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are major causes of mortality worldwide, leading to premature deaths, loss of quality of life, and extensive socioeconomic impacts. Alterations in normal plasma lipid concentrations comprise important risk factors associated with CVD due to mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. Genetic markers such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are known to be associated with lipid metabolism, including variants in the cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) gene. Thus, the study's objective was to assess the relationship among lipid profile, socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, health status, inflammatory biomarkers, and CETP genetic variants in individuals living in a highly admixed population. METHODS The study comprises an analysis of observational cross-sectional data representative at the population level from a highly admixed population, encompassing 901 individuals from three age groups (adolescents, adults, and older adults). Socioeconomic, demographic, health, and lifestyle characteristics were collected using semi-structured questionnaires. In addition, biochemical markers and lipid profiles were obtained from individuals' blood samples. After DNA extraction, genotyping, and quality control according to Affymetrix's guidelines, information on 15 SNPs in the CETP gene was available for 707 individuals. Lipid profile and CVD risk factors were evaluated by principal component analysis (PCA), and associations between lipid traits and those factors were assessed through multiple linear regression and logistic regression. RESULTS There were low linear correlations between lipid profile and other individuals' characteristics. Two principal components were responsible for 80.8 % of the total variance, and there were minor differences in lipid profiles among individuals in different age groups. Non-HDL-c, total cholesterol, and LDL-c had the highest loadings in the first PC, and triacylglycerols, VLDL-c and HDL-c were responsible for a major part of the loading in the second PC;, whilst HDL-c and LDL-c/HDL-c ratio were significant in the third PC. In addition, there were minor differences between groups of individuals with or without dyslipidemia regarding inflammatory biomarkers (IL-1β, IL- 6, IL-10, TNF-α, CRP, and MCP-1). Being overweight, insulin resistance, and lifestyle characteristics (calories from solid fat, added sugar, alcohol and sodium, leisure physical activity, and smoking) were strong predictors of lipid traits, especially HDL-c and dyslipidemia (p < 0.05). The CETP SNPs rs7499892 and rs12691052, rs291044, and rs80180245 were significantly associated with HDL-c (p < 0.05), and their inclusion in the multiple linear regression model increased its accuracy (adjusted R2 rose from 0.12 to 0.18). CONCLUSION This study identified correlations between lipid traits and other CVD risk factors. In addition, similar lipid and inflammatory profiles across age groups in the population suggested that adolescents might already present a significant risk for developing cardiovascular diseases in the population. The risk can be primarily attributed to decreased HDL-c concentrations, which appear to be influenced by genetic factors, as evidenced by associations between SNPs in the CETP gene and HDL-c concentrations, as well as potential gene-diet interactions. Our findings underscore the significant impact of genetic and lifestyle factors on lipid profile within admixed populations in developing countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Michel R S Leite
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Jaqueline L Pereira
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Nágila R T Damasceno
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Júlia M Pavan Soler
- Institute of Mathematics and Statistics, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Regina M Fisberg
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcelo M Rogero
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Flavia M Sarti
- School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of São Paulo, Brazil
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Ølnes ÅS, Teigen M, Laerdahl JK, Leren TP, Strøm TB, Bjune K. Variants in the CETP gene affect levels of HDL cholesterol by reducing the amount, and not the specific lipid transfer activity, of secreted CETP. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0294764. [PMID: 38039300 PMCID: PMC10691695 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) transfers cholesteryl esters in plasma from high density lipoprotein (HDL) to very low density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein. Loss-of-function variants in the CETP gene cause elevated levels of HDL cholesterol. In this study, we have determined the functional consequences of 24 missense variants in the CETP gene. The 24 missense variants studied were the ones reported in the Human Gene Mutation Database and in the literature to affect HDL cholesterol levels, as well as two novel variants identified at the Unit for Cardiac and Cardiovascular Genetics, Oslo University Hospital in subjects with hyperalphalipoproteinemia. METHODS HEK293 cells were transiently transfected with mutant CETP plasmids. The amounts of CETP protein in lysates and media were determined by Western blot analysis, and the lipid transfer activities of the CETP variants were determined by a fluorescence-based assay. RESULTS Four of the CETP variants were not secreted. Five of the variants were secreted less than 15% compared to the WT-CETP, while the other 15 variants were secreted in varying amounts. There was a linear relationship between the levels of secreted protein and the lipid transfer activities (r = 0.96, p<0.001). Thus, the secreted variants had similar specific lipid transfer activities. CONCLUSION The effect of the 24 missense variants in the CETP gene on the lipid transfer activity was mediated predominantly by their impact on the secretion of the CETP protein. The four variants that prevented CETP secretion cause autosomal dominant hyperalphalipoproteinemia. The five variants that markedly reduced secretion of the respective variants cause mild hyperalphalipoproteinemia. The majority of the remaining 15 variants had minor effects on the secretion of CETP, and are considered neutral genetic variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Åsa Schawlann Ølnes
- Unit for Cardiac and Cardiovascular Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Marianne Teigen
- Unit for Cardiac and Cardiovascular Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jon K. Laerdahl
- Department of Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Informatics, ELIXIR Norway, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Trond P. Leren
- Unit for Cardiac and Cardiovascular Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Thea Bismo Strøm
- Unit for Cardiac and Cardiovascular Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Katrine Bjune
- Unit for Cardiac and Cardiovascular Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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Lee M, Park J, Kim OK, Kim D, Han MJ, Kim SH, Kim TH, Lee J. Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 (LRC) Inhibits Cholesterol Synthesis and Stimulates Cholesterol Excretion in Animal and Cell Models. J Med Food 2023; 26:529-539. [PMID: 37594559 DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2022.k.0137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we evaluated the effects of Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB (LRC™) supplementation on hypercholesterolemia by researching its effects on cellular cholesterol metabolism in hypercholesterolemic rats (KHGASP-22-170) and HepG2 cell line. Rats were separated into six groups after adaptation and were then fed a normal control (NC), a high-cholesterol diet (HC), or a HC supplemented with simvastatin 15 mg/kg body weight (positive control [PC]), LRC 1 × 109 colony-forming units (CFU)/rat/day, LRC 4 × 109 CFU/rat/day, or LRC 1 × 1010 CFU/rat/day (1 × 109, 4 × 109, or 1 × 1010). The rats were dissected to study the effects of LRC on cholesterol metabolism and intestinal excretion at the end of experimental period. We discovered that LRC mainly participated in the restraint of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, the uptake of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol into tissues, partially in the transport of cholesteryl esters into high density lipoprotein for maturation, and intestinal excretion of cholesterol. These results are supported by the expression of transcription factors and enzymes such as HMG-CoA reductase, SREBP2, CYP7A1, CETP, and LCAT in both messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels in serum and hepatic tissue. Furthermore, the LRC treatment in HepG2 significantly reduced the mRNA expression of HMG-CoA reductase, SREBP2, and CEPT and significantly increased the mRNA expression of LDL-receptor, LCAT, and CYP7A1 at all doses. Hence, we suggest that LRC supplementation could alleviate the serum cholesterol level by inhibiting the intracellular cholesterol synthesis, and augmenting excretion of intestinal cholesterol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minhee Lee
- Department of Medical Nutrition, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Korea
| | - Jeongjin Park
- Division of Food and Nutrition and Human Ecology Research Institute, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Ok-Kyung Kim
- Division of Food and Nutrition and Human Ecology Research Institute, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Dakyung Kim
- Department of Medical Nutrition, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Korea
| | | | | | | | - Jeongmin Lee
- Department of Medical Nutrition, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Korea
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Xue H, Zhang M, Liu J, Wang J, Ren G. Structure-based mechanism and inhibition of cholesteryl ester transfer protein. Curr Atheroscler Rep 2023; 25:155-166. [PMID: 36881278 PMCID: PMC10027838 DOI: 10.1007/s11883-023-01087-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Cholesteryl ester transfer proteins (CETP) regulate plasma cholesterol levels by transferring cholesteryl esters (CEs) among lipoproteins. Lipoprotein cholesterol levels correlate with the risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). This article reviews recent research on CETP structure, lipid transfer mechanism, and its inhibition. RECENT FINDINGS Genetic deficiency in CETP is associated with a low plasma level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and a profoundly elevated plasma level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), which correlates with a lower risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). However, a very high concentration of HDL-C also correlates with increased ASCVD mortality. Considering that the elevated CETP activity is a major determinant of the atherogenic dyslipidemia, i.e., pro-atherogenic reductions in HDL and LDL particle size, inhibition of CETP emerged as a promising pharmacological target during the past two decades. CETP inhibitors, including torcetrapib, dalcetrapib, evacetrapib, anacetrapib and obicetrapib, were designed and evaluated in phase III clinical trials for the treatment of ASCVD or dyslipidemia. Although these inhibitors increase in plasma HDL-C levels and/or reduce LDL-C levels, the poor efficacy against ASCVD ended interest in CETP as an anti-ASCVD target. Nevertheless, interest in CETP and the molecular mechanism by which it inhibits CE transfer among lipoproteins persisted. Insights into the structural-based CETP-lipoprotein interactions can unravel CETP inhibition machinery, which can hopefully guide the design of more effective CETP inhibitors that combat ASCVD. Individual-molecule 3D structures of CETP bound to lipoproteins provide a model for understanding the mechanism by which CETP mediates lipid transfer and which in turn, guide the rational design of new anti-ASCVD therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Xue
- The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Science, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Jianfang Liu
- The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Jianjun Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Science, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Gang Ren
- The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA.
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Chen J, Qi H, Liu L, Niu Y, Yu S, Qin S, He L. Elevated cholesteryl ester transfer and phospholipid transfer proteins aggravated psoriasis in imiquimod-induced mouse models. Lipids Health Dis 2022; 21:75. [PMID: 35982498 PMCID: PMC9389805 DOI: 10.1186/s12944-022-01684-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder related to dyslipidemia, with decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Various cell types express phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) as well as cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP). Their elevated levels among transgenic (Tg) mice led to reduced HDL and a higher risk of atherosclerosis (AS). This study examined whether elevated CETP and PLTP could aggravate psoriasis in a psoriasis vulgaris mouse model. Methods The back skins of CETP-Tg, PLTP-Tg, and C57BL/6 male mice, aged six to 8 weeks, were shaved for imiquimod cream (IMQ) (5%) treatment for five consecutive days. The clinical pathological parameters were rated independently using the modified target lesion psoriasis severity score. The skin sections stained with hematoxylin-eosin were scored by the Baker score. Epidermal thickening and differentiation and inflammatory factor infiltration were determined by immunohistochemistry. Inflammatory cytokine levels were measured using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. This work employed SPSS Statistics Version to conduct statistical analyses. Results In this study, CETP-Tg and PLTP-Tg mice had higher clinical and histological scores than wild-type (WT) mice. Immunohistochemistry of the epidermis and dermis revealed a high proportion of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) positivity within psoriatic skin lesions of CETP-Tg and PLTP-Tg mice compared with WT mice. Interferon-α (IFN-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-22, and IL-23p19 mRNA levels increased within CETP-Tg and PLTP-Tg mice compared with WT counterparts. In comparison with WT mice, plasma tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels, rather than IL-6 levels, were increased in CETP-Tg and PLTP-Tg mice. Conclusions Elevated CETP and PLTP aggravate psoriasis in a imiquimod-induced mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Chen
- Department of Geriatrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University Chengde, 067000, Hebei, China
| | - Haihua Qi
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, The Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde, 067000, Hebei, China
| | - Lijun Liu
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, The Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde, 067000, Hebei, China
| | - Yandong Niu
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, The Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde, 067000, Hebei, China
| | - Shuping Yu
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, The Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde, 067000, Hebei, China
| | - Shucun Qin
- Institute of Atherosclerosis, Shandong First Medical University, Tai'an, 271000, Shandong, China
| | - Lei He
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, The Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde, 067000, Hebei, China.
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