Macrophage Liver Kinase B1 Inhibits Foam Cell Formation and Atherosclerosis.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

LKB1 (liver kinase B1) is a serine/threonine kinase and tumor suppressor, which regulates the homeostasis of hematopoietic cells and immune responses. Macrophages transform into foam cells upon taking-in lipids. No role for LKB1 in foam cell formation has previously been reported.

Objective

We sought to establish the role of LKB1 in atherosclerotic foam cell formation.

Methods and results

LKB1 expression was examined in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques and in western diet-fed atherosclerosis-prone Ldlr^-/- and ApoE^-/- mice. LKB1 expression was markedly reduced in human plaques when compared with nonatherosclerotic vessels. Consistently, time-dependent reduction of LKB1 levels occurred in atherosclerotic lesions in western diet-fed L

SUBMITTER: Liu Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5640502 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature