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Accelerated Lipid-Induced Atherogenesis in Galectin-3-Deficient Mice

2009; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Volume: 29; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1161/atvbaha.109.186791

1524-4636

Carla Iacobini, Stefano Menini, Pier Carlo Ricci, Angela Scipioni, Viola Sansoni, Samantha Cordone, Maurizio Taurino, Matteo Sérino, Giuseppe Marano, Massimo Federici, Flavia Pricci, Giuseppe Pugliese,

Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases

Modified lipoproteins, particularly oxidized LDLs, are believed to evoke an inflammatory response which participates in all stages of atherosclerosis. Disposal of these particles is mediated through receptors which may trigger proinflammatory signaling pathways leading to vascular injury. This study was aimed at assessing the role in atherogenesis of one of these receptors, galectin-3.Galectin-3-deficient and wild-type mice were fed an atherogenic diet or standard chow for 8 months. Lesion area and length were higher in galectin-3-deficient versus wild-type mice. At the level of the aortic sinus, wild-type animals showed only fatty streaks, whereas galectin-3-deficient mice developed complex lesions, associated with extensive inflammatory changes. This was indicated by the presence of T lymphocytes with activated Th1-phenotype and by more marked monocyte-macrophage infiltration, inflammatory mediator expression, vascular cell apoptosis, and proinflammatory transcription factor activation. Increased accumulation of oxidixed LDLs and lipoxidation products and upregulation of other receptors for these compounds, including the proinflammatory RAGE, were detected in galectin-3-deficient versus wild-type mice.These data suggest a unique protective role for galectin-3 in the uptake and effective removal of modified lipoproteins, with concurrent downregulation of proinflammatory pathways responsible for atherosclerosis initiation and progression.