Deficiency of Adipose Differentiation-Related Protein Impairs Foam Cell Formation and Protects Against Atherosclerosis

• DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.107.168070
• Publication Date: 2008-05-16T01:44:46Z
• Authors: Antoni Paul; Benny Hung-Junn C...; Lan Li; Vijay K. Yechoor; Lawrence Chan
• Keywords: Foam cell

Foam cells are a hallmark of atherosclerosis. However, it is unclear whether foam cell formation per se protects against atherosclerosis or fuels it. In this study, we investigated the role adipose differentiation-related protein (ADFP), major lipid droplet (LDP), in regulation and We show that ADFP expression facilitates induced by modified lipoproteins mouse macrophages vitro. further Adfp gene inactivation apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE(-/-)) mice reduces number droplets atherosclerotic lesions Moreover, transplantation ADFP-null bone marrow-derived effectively attenuated ApoE(-/-) mice. Deficiency did not cause detectable compensatory increase other PAT domain proteins vitro vivo. Mechanistically, enables macrophage to maintain its content hindering efflux. detected no significant difference lesion composition multiple parameters inflammation their phagocytic activity between with without ADFP. conclusion, background appears be relatively pure model impaired formation.