A human apolipoprotein E mimetic peptide reduces atherosclerosis in aged apolipoprotein E null mice.

ABSTRACT: Apolipoprotein E (apoE) is well known as an antiatherogenic protein via regulating lipid metabolism and inflammation. We previously reported that a human apoE mimetic peptide, EpK, reduced atherosclerosis in apoE null (apoE(-/-)) mice through reducing inflammation without affecting plasma lipid levels. Here, we construct another human apoE mimetic peptide, named hEp, and investigate whether expression of hEp can reduce atherosclerotic lesion development in aged female apoE(-/-) mice with pre-existing lesions. We found that chemically synthesized hEp significantly decreased cholesterol accumulation induced by oxidized low density lipoprotein and the expression of inflammatory cytokines TNFα and IL-6 induced by lipopolysaccharide in macrophages. In an in vivo study, Lv-hEp-GFP lentiviruses w

SUBMITTER: Xu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5009400 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature