Deletion of P2Y2 receptor reveals a role for lymphotoxin-α in fatty streak formation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Lymphotoxin alpha (LTα) is expressed in human atherosclerotic lesions and genetic variations in the LTα pathway have been linked to myocardial infarction. Activation of the P2Y2 nucleotide receptor (P2Y2R) regulates the production of LTα. in vitro. We aimed to uncover a potential pathway linking purinergic receptor to LTα-mediated inflammatory processes pivotal to the early stages of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E (ApoE(-)(/)(-)) deficient mice.

Methods and results

En face immunostaining revealed that P2Y2R and VCAM-1 are preferentially expressed in the atherosclerosis prone site of the mouse aortic sinus. Deletion of the P2Y2R gene suppresses VCAM-1 expression. Compared with ApoE(-)(/)(-) mice, ApoE(-)(/)(-) mice lacking the P2Y2R gene (ApoE(-)(/)(-)/P2Y2R(-

SUBMITTER: Qian S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5453728 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature