This Article Abstract Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 108/18/2258    most recent 01.CIR.0000093189.97429.9Dv1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Zhang, W. Articles by Linton, M. F. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Zhang, W. Articles by Linton, M. F. Related Collections Lipid and lipoprotein metabolism Mechanism of atherosclerosis/growth factors Pathophysiology Gene expression Genetically altered mice

(Circulation. 2003;108:2258.)
© 2003 American Heart Association, Inc.

Basic Science Reports

Inactivation of Macrophage Scavenger Receptor Class B Type I Promotes Atherosclerotic Lesion Development in Apolipoprotein E–Deficient Mice

Wenwu Zhang, MD, PhD; Patricia G. Yancey, PhD; Yan Ru Su, PhD; Vladimir R. Babaev, PhD; Yuomin Zhang, BS; Sergio Fazio, MD, PhD; MacRae F. Linton, MD

From the Atherosclerosis Research Unit, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Departments of Medicine (W.Z., P.G.Y., Y.R.S., V.B., Y.Z., S.F., M.F.L.), Pharmacology (M.F.L.), and Pathology (S.F.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tenn.

Correspondence to MacRae F. Linton or Sergio Fazio, 383 PRB, 2220 Pierce Ave, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232-6300. E-mail macrae.linton{at}vanderbilt.edu or sergio.fazio@vanderbilt.edu

Received April 4, 2003; revision received July 9, 2003; accepted July 11, 2003.

	Abstract

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion Note Added in Proof References

 
Background— Scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) is expressed in macrophages, where it has been proposed to facilitate cholesterol efflux. However, direct evidence that the expression of macrophage SR-BI is protective against atherosclerosis is lacking. In this study, we examined the in vivo role of macrophage SR-BI in atherosclerotic lesion development in the apolipoprotein (apo) E–deficient mouse model.

Methods and Results— ApoE-deficient mice with (n=16) or without (n=15) expression of macrophage SR-BI were created by transplanting lethally irradiated apoE-deficient mice with bone marrow cells collected from SR-BI^-/- apoE^-/- mice or SR-BI^+/+ apoE^-/- mice. The recipient mice were fed a chow diet for 12 weeks after transplantation for analysis of atherosclerosis. Quantification of macrophage SR-BI mRNA by real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction indicated successful engraftment of donor bone marrow and inactivation of macrophage SR-BI in recipient mice reconstituted with SR-BI^-/- apoE^-/- bone marrow. There were no significant differences in plasma lipid levels, lipoprotein distributions, and HDL subpopulations between the 2 groups. Analysis of the proximal aorta demonstrated an 86% increase in mean atherosclerotic lesion area in SR-BI^-/- apoE^-/- apoE^-/- mice compared with SR-BI^+/+ apoE^-/- apoE^-/- mice (109.50±18.08 versus 58.75±9.58x10³ µm²; mean±SEM, P=0.017). No difference in cholesterol efflux from SR-BI^+/+ apoE^-/- or SR-BI^-/- apoE^-/- macrophages to HDL or apoA-I discs was detected.

Conclusions— Expression of macrophage SR-BI protects mice against atherosclerotic lesion development in apoE-deficient mice in vivo without influencing plasma lipids, HDL subpopulations, or cholesterol efflux. Thus, macrophage SR-BI plays an antiatherogenic role in vivo, providing a new therapeutic target for the design of strategies to prevent and treat atherosclerosis.

Key Words: macrophages • receptors • cholesterol • atherosclerosis

	Introduction

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion Note Added in Proof References

 
Epidemiologic studies have firmly established that plasma concentrations of HDL cholesterol are inversely correlated to the risk of developing atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease.¹ Although the protective mechanism(s) is not fully understood, HDL is thought to remove unesterified cholesterol from the arterial wall and deliver it to the liver as cholesteryl ester for elimination, a process referred to as reverse cholesterol transport.²

Scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI), a member of the CD36 superfamily, is predominantly expressed in the liver and steroidogenic tissues, where it mediates selective uptake of cholesteryl ester from HDL.^3,4 Hepatic overexpression of SR-BI in mice by means of transgenes^5–7 or adenoviral vectors^8–10 results in a reduction of HDL cholesterol, enhanced secretion of cholesterol into the bile, and decreased atherosclerosis. On the other hand, gene-targeted interruption of SR-BI in mice leads to the accumulation of abnormally large HDL particles,^11,12 impaired secretion of biliary cholesterol,¹³ and accelerated atherosclerosis.¹⁴ Mice deficient in both SR-BI and apolipoprotein (apo) E develop early, occlusive, atherosclerotic coronary artery diseases and die prematurely at 6 to 8 weeks of age.^15,16 These data indicate that hepatic SR-BI plays an important role in the late stages of reverse cholesterol transport and protects mice against the development of atherosclerosis.

SR-BI is also expressed in macrophages, including tissue macrophages, monocyte-derived macrophages, and macrophages in atherosclerotic lesions.^17,18 The expression of SR-BI in macrophages appears to be regulated by cholesterol loading,¹⁸ as well as by activators of peroxisome proliferator–activated receptors¹⁷. SR-BI has been implicated in cholesterol efflux,¹⁹ the initial step in reverse cholesterol transport. Cell culture studies have shown that SR-BI promotes net cholesterol efflux from cells when there is a favorable cholesterol gradient^20,21 and that the rate of cholesterol efflux mediated by HDL or serum is correlated with levels of cellular SR-BI expression.^19–21 Taken together, these data suggest that macrophage SR-BI is also involved in the initial steps of reverse cholesterol transport and therefore might be protective against atherogenesis. However, direct evidence that macrophage SR-BI expression is antiatherogenic is lacking.

To determine whether macrophage SR-BI expression protects against atherosclerotic lesion development, we used a murine bone marrow transplantation (BMT) model in which bone marrow from SR-BI^-/- apoE^-/- mice was transplanted into recipient apoE-deficient mice to examine the impact of macrophage SR-BI expression in the development of atherosclerosis. We demonstrated that inactivation of macrophage SR-BI promotes the development of atherosclerosis in apoE-deficient mice in the absence of changes in plasma lipids, HDL subpopulations, and cholesterol efflux.

	Methods

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion Note Added in Proof References

 
Mice and Genotyping
SR-BI^+/- mice (1:1 mixed C57BL/6xS129 genetic background) and apoE^-/- mice (C57BL/6 genetic background) were obtained from The Jackson Laboratory (Bar Harbor, Me). To generate SR-BI^-/- apoE^-/- or SR-BI^+/+ apoE^-/- mice on C57BL6 background, SR-BI^+/- mice were mated with apoE^-/-mice, and the doubly heterozygous offspring were backcrossed with apoE^-/- mice for 7 generations or higher to produce SR-BI^+/- apoE^-/- offspring on the C57BL/6 background. SR-BI^+/- apoE^-/- mice were then mated to generate female SR-BI^-/- apoE^-/- or SR-BI^+/+ apoE^-/- mice as donors BMT. All donor mice used for BMT were 4 to 6 weeks old. Recipient, female, apoE-deficient mice (C57BL/6 genetic background and 6 weeks old) for BMT were purchased from The Jackson Laboratory.

SR-BI genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of DNA extracted from tail biopsies, as described.¹¹ ApoE genotyping was performed by a PCR protocol provided by The Jackson Laboratory.

Animal Procedures
All mice were maintained in microisolator cages on a rodent chow diet (No. 5010, Purina Mills, Inc) and acidified water (pH 2.8). Animal care and experimental procedures were performed according to the regulations of the Institutional Animal Care and Usage Committee of Vanderbilt University.

Lethal Irradiation and BMT
Lethal irradiation and BMT were performed as previously described.²² Six-week-old recipient mice were lethally irradiated with a single dose of 9 Gy by using a cobalt-60 gamma source on the day of transplantation. Bone marrow cells from the donor mice were collected as described,²² and 5.0x10⁶ donor bone marrow cells were injected into each recipient mouse through the retro-orbital venous plexus 4 hours after irradiation.

Quantification of Atherosclerotic Lesions
Atherosclerotic lesions in the proximal aorta were quantified according to Paigen et al.²³ As described in detail by our group,²² 15 consecutive cryosections of 10-mm thickness per mouse were obtained from the aortic sinus downward, starting at the position of leaflet appearance. After being stained with oil red O and counterstained in Mayer’s hematoxylin, lesion area was measured as described.²² Analysis of lesion area in en face preparations of aorta was performed as previously described.³²

2-D Gel Electrophoresis
Separation of plasma HDL subpopulations by agarose gel electrophoresis in the first dimension and nondenaturing polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis in the second dimension was performed as described (2-D electrophoresis).^24,25 After transfer of lipoproteins to nitrocellulose membranes, apoAI-containing lipoproteins were immunolocalized with rabbit anti-mouse apoAI (Biodesign). Rabbit antibody was detected with ¹²⁵I-labeled anti-rabbit immunoglobulin (Zymed) prepared by the method of McFarlane.²⁶ The radioactivity was then quantified on a phosphoimaging device (Molecular Imager FX System, Bio-Rad).

Plasma Lipid and Lipoprotein Analyses
All mouse plasma samples were collected after a 12-hour fast. Plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels were measured enzymatically.²² Plasma lipoproteins were separated by fast protein liquid chromatography with Superose 6 columns (Pharmacia) in a fast protein liquid chromatography system (600E, Waters) as described.²² The lipoprotein fractions were then analyzed for cholesterol contents.

Cell Culture and Preparation of Total RNA
Mouse peritoneal macrophages were collected 3 days after intraperitoneal injection with 3% thioglycollate. Cells were plated in 6-well plates in Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium (DMEM) containing 10% fetal bovine serum and incubated at 37°C with 5% CO₂. After 4 hours, the medium was removed and replaced with DMEM containing 4% fetal bovine serum. Macrophages were cultured overnight, and total RNA was extracted from macrophages with Trizol reagent (Invitrogen) according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Quantification of SR-BI mRNA by Real-Time RT-PCR
The relative quantities of SR-BI message were measured by a real-time reverse transcriptase (RT)–PCR. The primer sequences for SR-BI were as follows: 5'-TCCCTCATCAAGCAGCAGGT-3' (forward) and 5'-TTCCACATCCCGAAGGACA-3' (reverse). The TaqMan probe sequence for SR-BI was 5'6FAM-CTCAAGAATG-TCCGCTT AGACCCGAGC TAMAR. A commercially available kit (TaqMan 1-step RT-PCR master mix reagent kit, P/N 4309169, ABI) was used for RT-PCR. Relative quantification of SR-BI mRNA was normalized with 18S rRNA as an endogenous control. Thermal cycling conditions for SR-BI consisted of an initial RT step at 48°C for 30 minutes, followed by 40 cycles of 15 seconds at 95°C and 1 minute at 58°C. Cycle threshold (C_T) was determined according to the instructions from ABI. The data were analyzed by the comparative C_T method and were confirmed by the standard curve method, as described.²⁷

Isolation and Modification of Lipoproteins
Human plasma LDL (d=1.02 to 1.063 g/mL) and HDL (d=1.063 to 1.21 g/mL) were isolated by sequential ultracentrifugation.²⁸ Acetylated LDL (AcLDL) was prepared according to Basu et al.²⁹ Human apoA-I was purified from human plasma HDL as described.^24,25 ApoA-I discs were prepared with apoA-I and 1-palmitoyl 2-oleoyl phosphatidylcholine at a ratio of 1:100 (wt/wt), according to Sparks et al,³⁰ and isolated by ultracentrifugation at a density of 1.063 to 1.21 g/mL.

Cholesterol Efflux
Cholesterol efflux from mouse peritoneal macrophages was measured as previously described.³¹ In brief, the cells were incubated for 48 hour with DMEM containing 100 µg/mL Ac LDL, 1% fetal bovine serum, and 6 µCi [³H]cholesterol/mL. After an overnight equilibration in DMEM containing 0.1% bovine serum albumin, the cells were washed once with 0.5 mL of 1% bovine serum albumin in minimal essential medium (MEM) and once with MEM. For efflux, the cells were incubated for the indicated times with DMEM alone or with 50 µg protein/mL human HDL or apoA-I discs. For each time point, 150-µL aliquots of the medium were removed and filtered through 0.45-µm multiscreen filtration plates to remove any floating cells. The [³H]cholesterol in 100 µL of the filtrate was then measured by liquid scintillation counting. The percent efflux is based on the total [³H]cholesterol present in the cells before efflux. To measure the [³H]cholesterol present in the cells, cell lipids were extracted by incubating the cell monolayers overnight in isopropanol, and the total [³H]cholesterol present in the lipid extract was measured by liquid scintillation counting.

Western Blots of Murine SR-BI and ATP-Binding Cassette A1
Cellular extracts from cultured macrophages were separated by 4% to 20% Tris-glycine gels (NaPAGE, for SR-BI) or 3% to 8% Tris-acetate gels (NaPAGE, for ATP-binding cassette A1 [ABCA1]) and transferred to nitrocellulose membranes. Murine SR-BI or ABCA1 was detected with a primary antibody (Novus Biological) and visualized by chemiluminescence (ECL Plus, Amersham).

Statistical Analysis
Data were expressed as mean±SEM and were compared by Student’s t test. Statistical significance was defined as P<0.05.

	Results

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion Note Added in Proof References

 
To examine the in vivo role of macrophage SR-BI in the development of atherosclerosis, BMT was used to create apoE-deficient mice null for macrophage SR-BI expression. Six-week-old, female, apoE-deficient mice were lethally irradiated and rescued with bone marrow cells collected from female SR-BI^-/- apoE^-/- or SR-BI^+/+ apoE^-/- mice. To evaluate the extent of reconstitution of recipient mice with donor marrow, mouse peritoneal macrophages from the recipient apoE-deficient mice were harvested at the time of sacrifice, and SR-BI expression was studied by a quantitative, real-time RT-PCR. As shown in Figure 1, SR-BI^-/- apoE^-/- apoE^-/- mice had almost no SR-BI expression compared with SR-BI^+/+ apoE^-/- apoE^-/- mice, confirming the successful reconstitution of recipient mice with donor marrow cells. When the total RNA samples isolated from SR-BI^+/+ apoE^-/- marrow recipient mice (n=4) were mixed with those isolated from SR-BI^-/- apoE^-/- recipients (n=4) at a ratio of 1:10 for quantitative analysis of SR-BI mRNA, an average 70% reduction of SR-BI message was detected compared with the SR-BI^+/+ apoE^-/- samples, indicating at least 90% engraftment of donor bone marrow in recipient mice (Figure 1). Furthermore, parallel BMT with ROSA-26 mice as bone marrow donors under the same conditions revealed >93% reconstitution of recipient mice with monocyte/macrophage (CD11b+) of donor origin (data not shown).

View larger version (14K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 1. Quantitative analysis of SR-BI expression in mouse peritoneal macrophages by real-time RT-PCR. Mouse peritoneal macrophages were collected from recipient mice 12 weeks after BMT for isolation of total RNA, as described in the Methods section. SR-BI mRNA levels were expressed as relative expression, compared with expression in macrophages collected from SR-BI+/+ apoE-/- apoE-/- mice. Results presented are mean±SEM from 4 individual macrophage samples in each recipient group.

Plasma lipid and lipoproteins were characterized in apoE-deficient mice before and after BMT. After transplantation, all recipient mice were maintained on a chow diet for 12 weeks. Serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels were determined after BMT at 4-week intervals. No statistically significant differences were observed in plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels at any time point (Table). Fast protein liquid chromatography was used to examine changes in the distribution of plasma lipoproteins after BMT. Lipoprotein profiles remained unchanged between the 2 recipient groups over the course the study, and data from 12 weeks after BMT are shown in Figure 2.

View this table: [in this window] [in a new window]   Serum Total Cholesterol and Triglyceride Levels in ApoE-Deficient Mice Before and After Bone Marrow Transplantation

View larger version (18K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 2. Lipoprotein distributions in apoE-deficient mice transplanted with SR-BI-/- apoE-/- or SR-BI+/+ apoE-/- bone marrow 12 weeks after transplantation. Lipoproteins in pooled plasma samples of each group were separated by fast protein liquid chromatography, and cholesterol content of each fraction was determined enzymatically. Solid circles indicate lipoprotein profile of SR-BI-/- apoE-/- apoE-/- mice, and open circles represent SR-BI+/+ apoE-/- apoE-/- mice.

The principal goal of the current study was to evaluate the effect of inactivation of macrophage SR-BI expression on atherogenesis. Twelve weeks after transplantation, quantitative analyses of cross sections of the proximal aorta revealed an 86% increase in mean atherosclerotic lesion area in SR-BI^-/-/apoE^-/- apoE^-/- mice compared with SR-BI^+/+/apoE^-/- apoE^-/- mice (109.50±18.08 versus 58.75±9.58 x10³ µm², mean±SEM; P=0.017; Figure 3). En face analysis of pinned-out aortas demonstrated an 18% increase in atherosclerosis in SR-BI^-/-/apoE^-/- apoE^-/- mice compared with SR-BI^+/+/apoE^-/- apoE^-/- mice, but it did not reach statistical significance (P=0.08; Figure 3).

View larger version (17K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 3. Quantitative analysis of atherosclerotic lesion area in proximal aorta (A) and en face preparation of pinned-out aorta (B) in apoE-deficient mice transplanted with SR-BI-/- apoE-/- or SR-BI+/+ apoE-/- bone marrow.

The impact of hepatic expression of SR-BI on HDL metabolism has been examined by several groups.^6–10 However, the role of macrophage SR-BI in HDL metabolism is unclear. By 2-D electrophoresis, we investigated the effect of macrophage SR-BI expression on plasma HDL subpopulations. No significant differences in HDL subpopulations were detected 12 weeks after BMT (Figure 4).

View larger version (68K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 4. 2-D separation of plasma HDL subfractions in pooled plasma samples of apoE-deficient mice transplanted with SR-BI-/- apoE-/- (A) or SR-BI+/+ apoE-/- (B) bone marrow. ApoA-I–containing lipoproteins were recognized by immunolocalization of mouse apoA-I.

To examine the hypothesis that SR-BI deficiency in macrophages leads to diminished efflux of cholesterol to HDL, cholesterol efflux studies were performed on peritoneal macrophages from apoE^-/-, SR-BI^-/- apoE^-/-, SR-BI^-/-, and C57BL/6 mice, with human plasma HDL and apoA-I discs as acceptors. Surprisingly, no significant differences in cholesterol efflux to HDL or apoA-I discs were found among the 4 types of macrophages (Figure 5).

View larger version (24K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 5. Cholesterol efflux from SR-BI+/+apoE-/-, SR-BI-/- ApoE-/-, SR-BI-/-, and wild-type (WT) macrophages with human plasma HDL or apoA-I discs as acceptors.

To verify that apoE-deficient macrophages do express SR-BI protein, peritoneal macrophages from apoE-deficient mice were isolated, and cell lysates were prepared after 2-hour culture and after incubation with AcLDL for 48 hours (right before cholesterol efflux), respectively. Western blots with anti–SR-BI antibody demonstrated that SR-BI^+/+ apoE^-/- macrophages expressed abundant SR-BI protein, whereas SR-BI^-/- apoE^-/- macrophages had no detectable SR-BI protein (Figure 6A). The expression of ABCA1, another cell-surface protein that mediates cholesterol efflux, in SR-BI^+/+ apoE^-/- and SR-BI^-/- apoE^-/- macrophages was also examined by Western blots. Interestingly, no significant difference in the expression of ABCA1 protein was detected in these macrophages (Figure 6B).

View larger version (22K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 6. Expression of SR-BI and ABCA1 protein in mouse peritoneal macrophages. A, Western blot of murine SR-BI. Lane 1, SR-BI+/+apoE-/-macrophages after 2-hour culture in DMEM containing 10% fetal bovine serum; lane 2, SR-BI+/+apoE-/- macrophages after incubation with AcLDL for 48 hours and before cholesterol efflux; lane 3, SR-BI-/-apoE-/- macrophages after incubation with AcLDL for 48 hours. B, Western blot of murine ABCA1 protein with or without 24-hour cAMP [8-(4-chlorophenylthiol) cAMP] stimulation in SR-BI-/- apoE-/- and SR-BI+/+ apoE-/- macrophages, respectively.

	Discussion

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion Note Added in Proof References

 
The current studies address the in vivo role of macrophage SR-BI in the development of atherosclerosis in the apoE-deficient mouse model and provide compelling evidence for the importance of macrophage SR-BI expression in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. Twelve weeks after BMT, SR-BI^-/-/apoE^-/- apoE^-/- mice fed a chow diet had an almost 2-fold increase in mean lesion area in the proximal aorta compared with SR-BI^+/+/apoE^-/- apoE^-/- mice, with a similar trend in en face analysis of aortas (Figure 3). These results strongly support an antiatherogenic role for macrophage SR-BI expression in vivo.

The increase in atherosclerosis in apoE-deficient mice due to loss of macrophage SR-BI expression occurred in the absence of changes in plasma lipid and lipoprotein profiles. After BMT, the plasma lipid levels over the course of 12 weeks were similar between the 2 groups of recipient mice (Table). Plasma lipoprotein profiles analyzed by fast protein liquid chromatography (Figure 2) in the 2 groups of recipient mice were also similar, indicating that macrophage SR-BI expression has no significant effect on plasma lipids or lipoprotein distributions.

The extent of lesion area in the en face analysis of aortas of SR-BI^-/-/apoE^-/- apoE^-/- mice was greater than that of SR-BI^+/+/apoE^-/- apoE^-/- mice (Figure 3), but it was not statistically significant. It should be noted that the total lesion areas in en face preparation were small, <1%, indicative of early atherosclerotic lesions. In mice, atherosclerotic lesions develop first in the proximal aorta and then progress distally.³² Although there was a strong trend for an increase in lesion area in the en face analysis of the experimental group, the very low lesion burden in the en face analysis might have limited our ability to detect a significant difference by this approach.

The apoE-deficient mice with inactivation of macrophage SR-BI did not appear to have increased mortality. This is in sharp contrast to apoE/SR-BI double-knockout mice, which develop severe hypercholesterolemia, accelerated occlusive coronary atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and early death,^15,16 suggesting that hepatic expression of SR-BI is essential for survival of apoE-deficient mice. Furthermore, our results indicate that a combined deficiency of SR-BI and apoE in bone marrow–derived cells is insufficient to reproduce the lethal phenotype seen in SR-BI^-/-/apoE^-/- mice.

Cell culture studies^19–21 established that cellular cholesterol efflux to HDL is correlated with the level of SR-BI expression, which leads to the hypothesis that SR-BI–facilitated cholesterol efflux might be an important mechanism under pathophysiologic conditions to maintain cellular cholesterol homeostasis. This hypothesis is supported by the observations that atherosclerotic lesion macrophages express SR-BI¹⁷ and that SR-BI expression in tissue macrophages is upregulated by cholesterol loading.¹⁸ However, our efflux study with HDL or apoA-I discs as acceptors did not show differences in cholesterol efflux in AcLDL-loaded macrophages with and without SR-BI expression. We also did not find any difference in ABCA1 expression in macrophages with or without SR-BI expression. It is intriguing that SR-BI deficiency does not cause an upregulation in ABCA1 expression in macrophages, leading to enhanced efflux via this pathway. Our data appear to suggest that the antiatherogenic mechanism of macrophage SR-BI might not relate to its ability to efflux cholesterol from macrophages. It is possible that lesional macrophages might express more SR-BI than do peritoneal macrophages, as Ji et al¹⁹ have shown an increased SR-BI expression in lesional macrophages in apoE-deficient mice. Alternatively, SR-BI deficiency in macrophages might result in the accumulation of cholesterol in an intracellular pool that is inaccessible to cholesterol efflux.

Macrophage SR-BI might influence atherogenesis by mechanisms other than cholesterol efflux. It is possible that inactivation of SR-BI in macrophages might alter the expression of genes in these cells that are involved in atherogenesis. Frank et al³³ reported that expression of SR-BI dramatically increases the stabilization of caveolin-1, a characteristic protein found in plasma membrane invaginations called caveolae. Because caveolae regulate cellular cholesterol homeostasis and participate in cell signaling and transcytosis, loss of SR-BI expression in macrophages could affect certain signal transduction pathways, cellular cholesterol homeostasis, and ultimately, the development of atherosclerosis. Recently, Van Eck et al³⁴ demonstrated that SR-BI deficiency results in significant induction of genes implicated in adhesion and transendothelial migration of monocytes in arterial walls, indicative of an enhanced inflammatory response in the arterial wall in SR-BI–deficient mice.

SR-BI plays a pivotal role in HDL metabolism. Early work by Krieger’s group and others has established that hepatic expression of SR-BI determines plasma HDL levels^6–12 and influences HDL subpopulations.⁷ However, little is known about the impact of macrophage SR-BI expression on plasma HDL subfractions. In this study, we used 2-D gel electrophoresis to determine whether the expression of macrophage SR-BI alters HDL subfractions. As presented in Figure 4, no significant changes in HDL subpopulations after BMT over a course of 12 weeks were observed, suggesting that macrophage SR-BI does not exert a detectable effect on HDL subpopulations. This observation is in line with the finding of Haghpassand et al,³⁵ that macrophage ABCA1 has minimal contribution to plasma HDL levels. This might be explained by the fact that the number of macrophages in the body is relatively small compared with the total number of cells and therefore, insufficient to influence HDL subpopulations.

In summary, apoE-deficient mice with selective inactivation of macrophage SR-BI were created by transplanting lethally irradiated, female, apoE-deficient mice with bone marrow cells collected from SR-BI^-/- apoE^-/- mice. Twelve weeks after BMT, SR-BI^-/- apoE^-/- apoE^-/- mice fed a chow diet developed significantly more atherosclerosis in the proximal aorta than did SR-BI^+/+ apoE^-/- apoE^-/- mice, in the absence of significant differences in plasma lipids, lipoprotein profiles, HDL subpopulations, and cholesterol efflux. We conclude that the expression of macrophage SR-BI is protective against the development of atherosclerosis in vivo and that the antiatherogenic mechanism(s) of macrophage SR-BI might not derive from its ability to efflux cholesterol. Further investigations of the role of macrophage SR-BI in inflammation and cellular cholesterol homeostasis will increase our understanding of the antiatherogenic mechanism(s) of macrophage SR-BI expression. Macrophage SR-BI provides a new therapeutic target for the design of strategies to prevent and treat atherosclerosis.

	Note Added in Proof

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion Note Added in Proof References

 
Covey et al³⁶ have recently reported that SR-BI expression in bone marrow-derived cells contributes to protection from atherosclerosis in LDLR-deficient mice.

	Acknowledgments

 
This work was supported by grants HL53986 and 65405-02 (Dr Linton) and HL57986 (Dr Fazio) from the National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, and a postdoctoral fellowship from American Heart Association, Southeast Affiliate (Dr Zhang).

	References

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion Note Added in Proof References

 

1. Castelli WP, Garrison RJ, Wilson PW, et al. Incidence of coronary heart disease and lipoprotein cholesterol levels: the Framingham Study. JAMA. 1986; 256: 2835–2838.[Abstract]
   
2. Glomset JA. The plasma lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase reaction. J Lipid Res. 1968; 9: 155–167.[Abstract]
   
3. Krieger M. Charting the fate of the ‘good cholesterol’: identification and characterization of the high-density lipoprotein receptor SR-BI. Annu Rev Biochem. 1999; 68: 523–558.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
   
4. Krieger M. Scavenger receptor class B type I is a multiligand HDL receptor that influences diverse physiologic systems. J Clin Invest. 2001; 108: 793–797.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
   
5. Arai T, Wang N, Bezouevski A, et al. Decreased atherosclerosis in heterozygous low density lipoprotein receptor-deficient mice expressing the scavenger receptor BI transgene. J Biol Chem. 1999; 274: 2366–2371.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
   
6. Ueda Y, Royer L, Gong E, et al. Lower plasma levels and accelerated clearance of high density lipoprotein (HDL) and non-HDL cholesterol in scavenger receptor class B type I transgenic mice. J Biol Chem. 1999; 274: 7165–7171.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
   
7. Ueda Y, Gong E, Royer L, et al. Relationship between expression levels and atherogenesis in scavenger receptor class B, type I transgenics. J Biol Chem. 2000; 275: 20368–20373.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
   
8. Kozarsky KF, Donahee MH, Rigotti A, et al. Overexpression of the HDL receptor SR-BI alters plasma HDL and bile cholesterol levels. Nature. 1997; 387: 414–417.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
   
9. Kozarsky KF, Donahee MH, Glick JM, et al. Gene transfer and hepatic overexpression of the HDL receptor SR-BI reduces atherosclerosis in the cholesterol-fed LDL receptor-deficient mouse. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2000; 20: 721–727.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
   
10. Webb NR, de Beer MC, Yu J, et al. Overexpression of SR-BI by adenoviral vector promotes clearance of apoA-I, but not apoB, in human apoB transgenic mice. J Lipid Res. 2002; 43: 1421–1428.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
11. Rigotti A, Trigatti BL, Penman M, et al. A targeted mutation in the murine gene encoding the high density lipoprotein (HDL) receptor scavenger receptor class B type I reveals its key role in HDL metabolism. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1997; 94: 12610–12615.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
12. Varban ML, Rinninger F, Wang N, et al. Targeted mutation reveals a central role for SR-BI in hepatic selective uptake of high density lipoprotein cholesterol. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1998; 95: 4619–4624.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
13. Mardones P, Quinones V, Amigo L, et al. Hepatic cholesterol and bile acid metabolism and intestinal cholesterol absorption in scavenger receptor class B type I-deficient mice. J Lipid Res. 2001; 42: 170–180.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
14. Huszar D, Varban ML, Rinninger F, et al. Increased LDL cholesterol and atherosclerosis in LDL receptor-deficient mice with attenuated expression of scavenger receptor B1. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2000; 20: 1068–1073.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
15. Trigatti B, Rayburn H, Vinals M, et al. Influence of the high density lipoprotein receptor SR-BI on reproductive and cardiovascular pathophysiology. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1999; 96: 9322–9327.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
16. Braun A, Trigatti BL, Post MJ, et al. Loss of SR-BI expression leads to the early onset of occlusive atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, spontaneous myocardial infarctions, severe cardiac dysfunction, and premature death in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. Circ Res. 2002; 90: 270–276.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
17. Chinetti G, Gbaguidi FG, Griglio S, et al. CLA-1/SR-BI is expressed in atherosclerotic lesion macrophages and regulated by activators of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors. Circulation. 2000; 101: 2411–2417.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
18. Fluiter K, van der Westhuijzen DR, van Berkel TJC. In vivo regulation of scavenger receptor BI and the selective uptake of high density lipoprotein cholesteryl esters in rat liver parenchymal and Kupffer cells. J Biol Chem. 1998; 273: 8434–8438.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
19. Ji Y, Jian B, Wang N, et al. Scavenger receptor BI promotes high density lipoprotein-mediated cellular cholesterol efflux. J Biol Chem. 1997; 272: 20982–20985.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
20. Kellner-Weibel G, de la Llera-Moya M, Connelly MA, et al. Expression of scavenger receptor BI in COS-7 cells alters cholesterol content and distribution. Biochemistry. 2000; 39: 221–229.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
    
21. de la Llera-Moya M, Connelly MA, Drazul D, et al. Scavenger receptor class B type I affects cholesterol homeostasis by magnifying cholesterol flux between cells and HDL. J Lipid Res. 2001; 42: 1969–1978.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
22. Linton MF, Atkinson JB, Fazio S. Prevention of atherosclerosis in apoE deficient mice by bone marrow transplantation. Science. 1995; 267: 1034–1037.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
23. Paigen B, Morrow A, Holmes PA, et al. Quantitative assessment of atherosclerotic lesions in mice. Atherosclerosis. 1987; 68: 231–240.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
    
24. Asztalos BW, Zhang W, Roheim PS, et al. Role of free apolipoprotein A-I in cholesterol efflux: formation of pre–-migrating high-density lipoprotein particles. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 1997; 17: 1630–1636.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
25. Zhang W, Asztalos B, Roheim PS, et al. Characterization of phospholipids in pre- HDL: selective phospholipid efflux with apolipoprotein A-I. J Lipid Res. 1998; 39: 1601–1607.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
26. McFarlane AS. Efficient trace-labelling of proteins with iodine. Nature. 1958; 132: 53.
    
27. Su YR, Linton MF, Fazio S. Rapid quantification of murine ABC mRNAs by real time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. J Lipid Res. 2002; 43: 2180–2187.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
28. Havel RJ, Eder HA, Bragdon JH. The distribution and chemical composition of ultracentrifugally separated lipoproteins in human serum. J Clin Invest. 1955; 34: 1345–1353.[Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
    
29. Basu SK, Goldstein JL, Anderson RGW, et al. Degradation of cationized low density lipoprotein and regulation of cholesterol metabolism in homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia fibroblasts. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1976; 73: 3178–3182.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
30. Sparks D, Phillips MC, Lund-Katz S. The conformation of apolipoprotein A-I in discoidal and spherical recombinant high density lipoprotein particles. J Biol Chem. 1992; 267: 25830–25838.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
31. Yancey P, Bielicki JK, Johnson WJ, et al. Efflux of cellular cholesterol and phospholipid to lipid-free apolipoproteins and class A amphipathic peptides. Biochemistry. 1995; 34: 7955–7965.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
    
32. Babaev VR, Patel MB, Semenkovich CF, et al. Macrophage lipoprotein lipase promotes foam cell formation and atherosclerosis in low density lipoprotein receptor-deficient mice. J Biol Chem. 2000; 275: 26293–26299.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
33. Frank PG, Marcel YL, Connelly MA, et al. Stabilization of caveolin-1 by cellular cholesterol and scavenger receptor class B type I. Biochemistry. 2002; 41: 11931–11940.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
    
34. Van Eck M, Twisk J, Hoekstra M, et al. Differential effects of scavenger receptor BI deficiency on lipid metabolism in cells of the arterial wall and in the liver. J Biol Chem. 2003; 278: 23699–23705.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    
35. Haghpassand M, Bourassa PAK, Francone OL, et al. Monocyte/macrophage expression of ABCA1 has minimal contribution to plasma HDL levels. J Clin Invest. 2001; 108: 1315–1320.[CrossRef][Medline] [Order article via Infotrieve]
    
36. Covey SD, Krieger M, Wang W, et al. Scavenger receptor class B type I-mediated protection against atherosclerosis in LDL receptor-negative mice involves its expression in bone marrow-derived cells. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2003; 23: 1589–1594.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
    

This article has been cited by other articles:

				Y. R. Su, J. L. Blakemore, Y. Zhang, M. F. Linton, and S. Fazio Lentiviral Transduction of ApoAI Into Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells and Macrophages: Applications to Cell Therapy of Atherosclerosis Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., August 1, 2008; 28(8): 1439 - 1446. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Valiyaveettil, N. Kar, M. Z. Ashraf, T. V. Byzova, M. Febbraio, and E. A. Podrez Oxidized high-density lipoprotein inhibits platelet activation and aggregation via scavenger receptor BI Blood, February 15, 2008; 111(4): 1962 - 1971. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Yvan-Charvet, T. A. Pagler, N. Wang, T. Senokuchi, M. Brundert, H. Li, F. Rinninger, and A. R. Tall SR-BI inhibits ABCG1-stimulated net cholesterol efflux from cells to plasma HDL J. Lipid Res., January 1, 2008; 49(1): 107 - 114. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. R. Babaev, H. Ishiguro, L. Ding, P. G. Yancey, D. E. Dove, W. J. Kovacs, C. F. Semenkovich, S. Fazio, and M. F. Linton Macrophage Expression of Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor-{alpha} Reduces Atherosclerosis in Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor Deficient Mice Circulation, September 18, 2007; 116(12): 1404 - 1412. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. J. F. Nieland, J. T. Shaw, F. A. Jaipuri, Z. Maliga, J. L. Duffner, A. N. Koehler, and M. Krieger Influence of HDL-cholesterol-elevating drugs on the in vitro activity of the HDL receptor SR-BI J. Lipid Res., August 1, 2007; 48(8): 1832 - 1845. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. G. Yancey, W. G. Jerome, H. Yu, E. E. Griffin, B. E. Cox, V. R. Babaev, S. Fazio, and M. F. Linton Severely altered cholesterol homeostasis in macrophages lacking apoE and SR-BI J. Lipid Res., May 1, 2007; 48(5): 1140 - 1149. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y. Zhang, A. M. Ahmed, N. McFarlane, C. Capone, D. R. Boreham, R. Truant, S. A. Igdoura, and B. L. Trigatti Regulation of SR-BI-mediated selective lipid uptake in Chinese hamster ovary-derived cells by protein kinase signaling pathways J. Lipid Res., February 1, 2007; 48(2): 405 - 416. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. Berrougui, M. Isabelle, M. Cloutier, G. Grenier, and A. Khalil Age-related impairment of HDL-mediated cholesterol efflux J. Lipid Res., February 1, 2007; 48(2): 328 - 336. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Brundert, J. Heeren, M. Bahar-Bayansar, A. Ewert, K. J. Moore, and F. Rinninger Selective uptake of HDL cholesteryl esters and cholesterol efflux from mouse peritoneal macrophages independent of SR-BI J. Lipid Res., November 1, 2006; 47(11): 2408 - 2421. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. J. Moore and M. W. Freeman Scavenger Receptors in Atherosclerosis: Beyond Lipid Uptake Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., August 1, 2006; 26(8): 1702 - 1711. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Cuchel and D. J. Rader Macrophage Reverse Cholesterol Transport: Key to the Regression of Atherosclerosis? Circulation, May 30, 2006; 113(21): 2548 - 2555. [Full Text] [PDF]

				X.-A. Li, L. Guo, R. Asmis, M. Nikolova-Karakashian, and E. J. Smart Scavenger Receptor BI Prevents Nitric Oxide-Induced Cytotoxicity and Endotoxin-Induced Death Circ. Res., April 14, 2006; 98(7): e60 - e65. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. Yu, W. Zhang, P. G. Yancey, M. J. Koury, Y. Zhang, S. Fazio, and M. F. Linton Macrophage Apolipoprotein E Reduces Atherosclerosis and Prevents Premature Death in Apolipoprotein E and Scavenger Receptor-Class BI Double-Knockout Mice Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., January 1, 2006; 26(1): 150 - 156. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. E. Moore, M. Navab, J. S. Millar, F. Zimetti, S. Hama, G. H. Rothblat, and D. J. Rader Increased Atherosclerosis in Mice Lacking Apolipoprotein A-I Attributable to Both Impaired Reverse Cholesterol Transport and Increased Inflammation Circ. Res., October 14, 2005; 97(8): 763 - 771. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Daugherty, N. R. Webb, D. L. Rateri, and V. L. King Thematic review series: The Immune System and Atherogenesis. Cytokine regulation of macrophage functions in atherogenesis J. Lipid Res., September 1, 2005; 46(9): 1812 - 1822. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Fazio and M. F. Linton Interplay Between Apolipoprotein E and Scavenger Receptor Class B Type I Controls Coronary Atherosclerosis and Lifespan in the Mouse Circulation, June 28, 2005; 111(25): 3349 - 3351. [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Lan and D. L. Silver Fenofibrate Induces a Novel Degradation Pathway for Scavenger Receptor B-I Independent of PDZK1 J. Biol. Chem., June 17, 2005; 280(24): 23390 - 23396. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]