Level of macrophage uPA expression is an important determinant of atherosclerotic lesion growth in Apoe-/- mice.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Enhanced plasminogen activation, mediated by overexpression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), accelerates atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-null mice. However, the mechanisms through which uPA acts remain unclear. In addition, although elevated uPA expression can accelerate murine atherosclerosis, there is not yet any evidence that decreased uPA expression would retard atherosclerosis.

Methods and results

We used a bone marrow transplant (BMT) approach and apolipoprotein E-deficient (Apoe(-/-)) mice to investigate cellular mechanisms of uPA-accelerated atherosclerosis, aortic dilation, and sudden death. We also used BMT to determine whether postnatal loss of uPA expression in macrophages retards atherosclerosis. BMT from uPA-overexpressing mice yield

SUBMITTER: Krishnan R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2766014 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature