Disruption of p21-activated kinase 1 gene diminishes atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 26104863.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1038/ncomms8450 and PMC identifier 4480433.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
Pak1 plays an important role in various cellular processes, including cell motility, polarity, survival and proliferation. To date, its role in atherogenesis has not been explored. Here we report the effect of Pak1 on atherogenesis using atherosclerosis-prone apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE(-/-)) mice as a model. Disruption of Pak1 in ApoE(-/-) mice results in reduced plaque burden, significantly attenuates circulating IL-6 and MCP-1 levels, limits the expression of adhesion molecules and diminishes the macrophage content in the aortic root of ApoE(-/-) mice. We also observed reduced oxidized LDL uptake and increased cholesterol efflux by macrophages and smooth muscle cells of ApoE(-/-):Pak1(-/-) mice as compared with ApoE(-/-) mice. In addition, we detect increased Pak1 phosphorylation in human atherosclerotic arteries, suggesting its role in human atherogenesis. Altogether, these results identify Pak1 as an important factor in the initiation and progression of atherogenesis.
Medical subject headings
- Apolipoproteins E
- Atherosclerosis
- Macrophages, Peritoneal
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle
- Plaque, Atherosclerotic
- p21-Activated Kinases