Gene expression changes in foam cells and the role of chemokine receptor CCR7 during atherosclerosis regression in ApoE-deficient mice.

ABSTRACT: Atherosclerosis regression is an important clinical goal. In previous studies of regression in mice, the rapid loss of plaque foam cells was explained by emigration to lymph nodes, a process reminiscent of dendritic cells. In the present study, plaque-containing arterial segments from apoE-/- mice were transplanted into WT recipient normolipidemic mice or apoE-/- mice. Three days after transplant, in the WT regression environment, plaque size decreased by approximately 40%, and foam cell content by approximately 75%. In contrast, both parameters increased in apoE-/- recipients. Foam cells were isolated by laser capture microdissection. In WT recipients, there were 3- to 6-fold increases in foam cells of mRNA for liver X receptor alpha and cholesterol efflux factors ABCA1 and SR-BI. Althoug

SUBMITTER: Trogan E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1450154 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature