Deletion of a Distal RANKL Gene Enhancer Delays Progression of Atherosclerotic Plaque Calcification in Hypercholesterolemic Mice.

ABSTRACT: Receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) is a TNF-like cytokine which mediates diverse physiological functions including bone remodeling and immune regulation. RANKL has been identified in atherosclerotic lesions; however, its role in atherosclerotic plaque development remains elusive. An enhancer located 75 kb upstream of the murine Rankl gene's transcription start site designated D5 is important for its calciotropic hormone- and cytokine-mediated expression. Here, we determined the impact of RANKL levels in atherosclerotic plaque development in the D5 enhancer-null (D5^-/- ) mice in an atherogenic Apoe^-/- background fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Rankl mRNA transcripts were increased in aortic arches and thoracic aortae of Apoe^-/- mice; however, this increas

SUBMITTER: Shamsuzzaman S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5645213 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature