High-Density Lipoproteins Suppress Chemokines and Chemokine Receptors In Vitro and In Vivo

Abstract

Objective— To investigate whether high-density lipoproteins (HDLs) suppress chemokine (CCL2, CCL5, and CX 3 CL1) and chemokine receptor (CCR2 and CX 3 CR1) expression, a mechanism for the atheroprotective properties of HDLs. Methods and Results— Apolipoprotein (apo) E −/− mice were fed a high-fat diet for 12 weeks. Before being euthanized, the mice received 5 consecutive daily injections of lipid-free apoA-I, 40 mg/kg, or saline (control). The injection of apoA-I reduced CCR2 and CX 3 CR1 expression in plaques compared with controls ( P <0.05). ApoA-I–injected mice had lower plasma CCL2 and CCL5 levels. Hepatic CCL2, CCL5, and CX 3 CL1 levels were also reduced ( P <0.05). In vitro studies found that reconstituted HDL (rHDL) reduced monocyte CCR2 and CX 3 CR1 expression and inhibited their migration toward CCL2 and CX 3 CL1 ( P <0.05). Preincubation with rHDL reduced CCL2, CCL5, and CX 3 CL1 expression in monocytes and human coronary artery endothelial cells. The stimulation of CX 3 CR1 with peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor γ agonist CAY10410 was suppressed by preincubation with rHDL but did not affect the peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor γ antagonist (GW9664)–mediated increase in CCR2. In monocytes and human coronary artery endothelial cells, rHDL reduced the expression of the nuclear p65 subunit, IκB kinase activity, and the phosphorylation of IκBα ( P <0.05). Conclusion— Lipid-free apoA-I and rHDL reduce the expression of chemokines and chemokine receptors in vivo and in vitro via modulation of nuclear factor κB and peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor γ.