Reduction of AMP-activated protein kinase alpha2 increases endoplasmic reticulum stress and atherosclerosis in vivo.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Aberrant endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is associated with several cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis. The mechanism by which aberrant ER stress develops is poorly understood. This study investigated whether dysfunction of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) causes aberrant ER stress and atherosclerosis in vivo.

Methods and results

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells and mouse aortic endothelial cells from AMPK-deficient mice were used to assess the level of ER stress with Western blotting. Reduction of AMPKalpha2 expression significantly increased the level of ER stress in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. In addition, mouse aortic endothelial cells from AMPKalpha2 knockout (AMPKalpha2(-/-)) mice had higher expression of markers of ER

SUBMITTER: Dong Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2825900 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature