The macrophage sterol transport protein ORP2 promotes cholesterol efflux and prevents foam cell formation and atherosclerosis.

ABSTRACT: Cholesterol-loaded macrophage foam cells are a key feature of atherosclerotic plaques. Oxysterol-binding protein-related protein 2 (ORP2) facilitates the transport of cholesterol from lysosomes to the plasma membrane in cultured cell lines. However, the role of ORP2 in macrophages and its involvement in atherosclerosis remain unclear. In this study, we found ORP2 expression was reduced in atherosclerotic vessels and in macrophages exposed to oxidized LDL (ox-LDL). Myeloid-specific human ORP2 overexpression (hORP2^MOE) mice were generated and crossed with atherosclerotic-prone ApoE^-/- mice and then fed a high-fat diet (HFD) to induce atherosclerosis. Our results showed that myeloid-specific hORP2 overexpression significantly reduced the atherosclerotic plaque area, alon

SUBMITTER: Wang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12167482 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature