transforming-growth-factor-alpha and Atherosclerosis

Foam cell formation and macrophage polarization are involved in the pathologic development of atherosclerosis, one of the most important human diseases affecting large and medium artery walls. This study was designed to assess the effects of rapamycin and FTY720 (fingolimod) on macrophages and foam cells. Mouse peritoneal macrophages were collected and treated with rapamycin and FTY720 to study autophagy, polarization, and lipid accumulation. Next, foam cells were formed by oxidizing low-density lipoprotein to observe changes in lipid accumulation, autophagy, and polarization in rapamycin-treated or FTY720-treated foam cells. Lastly, foam cells that had been treated with rapamycin and FTY720 were evaluated for sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor (S1prs) expression. Autophagy microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3- (LC3-) II was increased, and classically activated macrophage phenotype markers interleukin- (IL-) 6, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were increased, whereas alternatively activated macrophage phenotype markers transforming growth factor- (TGF-)

Topics: Animals; Arginase; Atherosclerosis; Autophagy; Biomarkers; Cyclooxygenase 2; Fingolimod Hydrochloride; Foam Cells; Interleukin-6; Lipoproteins, LDL; Macrophages, Peritoneal; Membrane Glycoproteins; Mice; Microtubule-Associated Proteins; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; Receptors, Lysosphingolipid; Sirolimus; Transforming Growth Factor alpha