Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0004153 (atherosclerosis)
 77,401 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The genomics of atherosclerosis can arise as a result of cross-talk between the genes coding for the LDL-receptor (LDL-R), LXR-alpha, PPARs (alpha, gamma), CD36 and C-myc because these genes control lipid metabolism, cytokine production and cellular activity within the arterial wall. The effect of green tea polyphenols (GTPs) upon such genomics revealed their ability to down-regulate genes coding for PPAR-gamma, CD36, LXR-alpha, C-myc coupled with up-regulation of genes coding for LDL-R and PPAR-alpha at the transcriptional level. Based upon these results, it is proposed that GTPs have the inherent capacity to inhibit the development of atherosclerotic lesions.
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PMID:Effect of green tea polyphenols on the genes with atherosclerotic potential. 1502 74

Dietary fat has a dual role in human physiology: a) it functions as a source of energy and structural components for cells; b) it functions as a regulator of gene expression that impacts lipid, carbohydrate, and protein metabolism, as well as cell growth and differentiation. Fatty acid effects on gene expression are cell-specific and influenced by fatty acid structure and metabolism. Fatty acids interact with the genome through several mechanisms. They regulate the activity or nuclear abundance of several transcription factors, including PPAR, LXR, HNF-4, NFkappaB, and SREBP. Fatty acids or their metabolites bind directly to specific transcription factors to regulate gene transcription. Alternatively, fatty acids indirectly act on gene expression through their effects on a) specific enzyme-mediated pathways, such as cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase, protein kinase C, or sphingomyelinase signal transduction pathways; or b) pathways that involve changes in membrane lipid/lipid raft composition that affect G-protein receptor or tyrosine kinase-linked receptor signaling. Further definition of these fatty acid-regulated pathways will provide insight into the role dietary fat plays in human health and the onset and progression of several chronic diseases, like coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis, dyslipidemia and inflammation, obesity and diabetes, cancer, major depressive disorders, and schizophrenia.
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PMID:Fatty acid regulation of gene transcription. 1507 23

Cholesterol uptake and efflux are key metabolic processes associated with macrophage physiology and atherosclerosis. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) and liver X receptor alpha (LXRalpha) have been linked to the regulation of these processes. It remains to be identified how activation of these receptors is connected and regulated by endogenous lipid molecules. We identified CYP27, a p450 enzyme, as a link between retinoid, PPARgamma, and LXR signaling. We show that the human CYP27 gene is under coupled regulation by retinoids and ligands of PPARs via a PPAR-retinoic acid receptor response element in its promoter. Induction of the enzyme's expression results in an increased level of 27-hydroxycholesterol and upregulation of LXR-mediated processes. Upregulated CYP27 activity also leads to LXR-independent elimination of CYP27 metabolites as an alternative means of cholesterol efflux. Moreover, human macrophage-rich atherosclerotic lesions have an increased level of retinoid-, PPARgamma-, and LXR-regulated gene expression and also enhanced CYP27 levels. Our findings suggest that nuclear receptor-regulated CYP27 expression is likely to be a key integrator of retinoic acid receptor-PPARgamma-LXR signaling, relying on natural ligands and contributing to lipid metabolism in macrophages.
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PMID:Transcriptional regulation of human CYP27 integrates retinoid, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, and liver X receptor signaling in macrophages. 1534 76

CYP27A1 (sterol 27-hydroxylase) catalyses an important sterol elimination pathway in the human macrophage, and consequently may protect against atherosclerosis. We studied the expression and regulation of CYP27A1 in a human macrophage-like cell-line, THP-1, and primary HMDMs (human monocyte-derived macrophages). In both macrophage cell types, we found that CYP27A1 expression is independent of cellular cholesterol levels and of LXR (liver X receptor)-dependent control of transcription. However, the RXR (retinoid X receptor) ligand, 9-cis-retinoic acid, upregulates CYP27A1 expression. Of the RXR heterodimeric partners tested, PPAR (peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor) gamma ligands significantly increased CYP27A1 mRNA levels. Its reversal by a PPARgamma antagonist demonstrated the specificity of this effect. Interestingly, HMDMs express markedly higher levels of CYP27A1 than THP-1 macrophages, and this difference was reflected in both protein levels and enzyme activities between the two cell types. In conclusion, stimulation of CYP27A1 by PPARgamma may represent a key previously unrecognized mechanism by which PPARgamma protects against atherosclerosis.
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PMID:Expression and regulation of sterol 27-hydroxylase (CYP27A1) in human macrophages: a role for RXR and PPARgamma ligands. 1553 57

The liver X receptors alpha and beta (LXRalpha and LXRbeta) are important regulators of cholesterol homeostasis in liver and macrophages. Synthetic LXR ligands prevent the development of atherosclerosis in murine models; however, the potential functional relevance of LXRs in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) has not been investigated. In the present study, we demonstrate that LXRs are expressed and functional in primary human coronary artery VSMCs (CASMCs). LXR ligands inhibited mitogen-induced VSMC proliferation and G1-->S phase progression of the cell cycle. Inhibition of G1 exit by LXR ligands was accompanied by a dose-dependent inhibition of retinoblastoma protein (Rb) phosphorylation, which functions as the key switch for G1-->S cell cycle progression. LXR ligands suppressed mitogen-induced degradation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27Kip1, attenuated cyclin D1 and cyclin A expression, and inhibited the expression of S phase-regulatory minichromosome maintenance protein 6. Stabilization of p27kip1 by LXR ligands was mediated by supressing the transcriptional activation of the S phase kinase-associated protein 2 (Skp2), an F-box protein that targets p27Kip1 for degradation. Inhibition of Rb phosphorylation and G1-->S cell cycle progression by LXR ligands was reversed in VSMCs overexpressing Skp2, indicating that Skp2 as an upstream regulator of p27Kip1 degradation plays a central role in LXR ligand-mediated inhibition of VSMC proliferation. Furthermore, adenovirus-mediated overexpression of the S phase transcription factor E2F, which is released after Rb phosphorylation, reversed the inhibitory effect of LXR ligands on VSMC proliferation and S phase gene expression, suggesting that the primary mechanisms by which LXR ligands inhibit VSMC proliferation occur upstream of Rb phosphorylation. Finally, neointima formation in a model of rat carotid artery balloon injury was significantly attenuated after treatment with the LXR ligand T1317 compared with vehicle-treated animals. These data demonstrate that LXR ligands inhibit VSMC proliferation and neointima formation after balloon injury and suggest that LXR ligands may constitute a novel therapy for proliferative vascular diseases. The full text of this article is available online at http://circres.ahajournals.org.
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PMID:Liver X receptor agonists suppress vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and inhibit neointima formation in balloon-injured rat carotid arteries. 1553 33

Members of the nuclear receptor gene family act as biological rheostats to maintain metabolic homeostasis in response to endocrine and nutritional changes. The liver X (LXR) and thyroid hormone (TR) receptors have been shown to regulate overlapping but distinct metabolic pathways important for overall lipid homeostasis. Dyslipidemia is one out of four key determinants for cardiovascular risk and both LXRs and TRs may provide attractive targets for intervention of cardiovascular disease. In this review we will compare the two receptor systems to highlight similarities and differences in structure and function with implications for development of novel treatments for dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis.
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PMID:Convergence of lipid homeostasis through liver X and thyroid hormone receptors. 1554 66

PPARalpha, beta/delta, and gamma regulate genes involved in the control of lipid metabolism and inflammation and are expressed in all major cell types of atherosclerotic lesions. In vitro studies have suggested that PPARs exert antiatherogenic effects by inhibiting the expression of proinflammatory genes and enhancing cholesterol efflux via activation of the liver X receptor-ABCA1 (LXR-ABCA1) pathway. To investigate the potential importance of these activities in vivo, we performed a systematic analysis of the effects of PPARalpha, beta, and gamma agonists on foam-cell formation and atherosclerosis in male LDL receptor-deficient (LDLR(-/-)) mice. Like the PPARgamma agonist, a PPARalpha-specific agonist strongly inhibited atherosclerosis, whereas a PPARbeta-specific agonist failed to inhibit lesion formation. In concert with their effects on atherosclerosis, PPARalpha and PPARgamma agonists, but not the PPARbeta agonist, inhibited the formation of macrophage foam cells in the peritoneal cavity. Unexpectedly, PPARalpha and PPARgamma agonists inhibited foam-cell formation in vivo through distinct ABCA1-independent pathways. While inhibition of foam-cell formation by PPARalpha required LXRs, activation of PPARgamma reduced cholesterol esterification, induced expression of ABCG1, and stimulated HDL-dependent cholesterol efflux in an LXR-independent manner. In concert, these findings reveal receptor-specific mechanisms by which PPARs influence macrophage cholesterol homeostasis. In the future, these mechanisms may be exploited pharmacologically to inhibit the development of atherosclerosis.
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PMID:Differential inhibition of macrophage foam-cell formation and atherosclerosis in mice by PPARalpha, beta/delta, and gamma. 1557 84

Lipoprotein abnormalities are present in a high proportion of renal transplant patients. It is accepted that dyslipidemia is associated with atherosclerosis and in the progression of renal disease. Lipid abnormalities may also play a significant role in the development of chronic allograft nephropathy. Sirolimus was found to have an antiatherosclerotic effect in the apolipoprotein E-knockout mice model of hyperlipidemia through its antiproliferative effects. As lipid-mediated renal injury is important in the pathogenesis of glomerulosclerosis which shares common pathogenic mechanisms with atherosclerosis, in this study we have tested the hypothesis that sirolimus prevents lipid-mediated renal injury through the modulation of cholesterol homeostasis of mesangial cells and its anti-inflammatory effects on macrophages. We demonstrated that sirolimus reduced lipid accumulation, as measured by oil red O staining in human mesangial cells (HMCs). Using real-time PCR, we screened the mRNA expression of lipoprotein receptors. Sirolimus significantly suppressed LDL and VLDL receptors and CD36 gene expression. It also increased cholesterol efflux from HMCs by increasing peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARalpha), PPARgamma, liver X receptor-alpha, and ATP binding cassette A1 (ABCA1) gene expression. Sirolimus overrode the suppression of cholesterol efflux and ABCA1 gene expression induced by the inflammatory cytokine IL-1beta. Furthermore, sirolimus significantly inhibited inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-alpha production in macrophages. These data suggest that sirolimus may prevent cellular cholesterol accumulation even in the presence of hyperlipidemia and inflammation, by regulating both cholesterol homeostasis and inflammatory responses.
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PMID:Effects of sirolimus on mesangial cell cholesterol homeostasis: a novel mechanism for its action against lipid-mediated injury in renal allografts. 1576 38

Cholesterol efflux from human monocyte-derived macrophages in the absence of exogenous acceptors has been described, but is unclear in mechanism. We investigated this process in relation to the expression of relevant genes, intracellular cholesterol storage and apoE secretion using drugs affecting different aspects of cholesterol metabolism. Both natural (22R-hydroxycholesterol/9-cis-retinoic acid) and synthetic (T0901317 and RO264456) LXR/RXR ligands increased ABCA1 and ABCG1 mRNAs in native macrophages and in cells loaded with acetylated LDL (acLDL). The ACAT inhibitor avasimibe increased only ABCG1 mRNA, whereas no treatment affected apoE mRNA. Avasimibe, progesterone, and natural but not synthetic LXR/RXR ligands prevented cholesterol esterification after acLDL-loading. Cholesterol efflux into acceptor-free medium was increased only by synthetic LXR/RXR ligands and avasimibe in acLDL-loaded cells. ApoE secretion was reduced by drugs affecting cholesterol trafficking but enhanced by LXR/RXR ligands. Incubation with an anti-apoE antibody virtually removed immunodetectable apoE from the medium, significantly increasing cholesterol storage and decreasing efflux. These findings indicate that in human macrophages spontaneous cholesterol efflux: (i) is not necessarily promoted by increasing intracellular free cholesterol, (ii) is increased by compounds that activate ABCA1 and, to a greater extent, ABCG1 and (iii) is only partially correlated with secretion of endogenous apoE, which acted as a cholesterol acceptor.
Atherosclerosis 2005 Apr
PMID:Pharmacological regulation of cholesterol efflux in human monocyte-derived macrophages in the absence of exogenous cholesterol acceptors. 1577 36

This review describes the role of nuclear receptors in the regulation of genes involved in cholesterol transport and synthetic modulators of these receptors. Increasing the efflux of cholesterol from peripheral cells, such as lipid-laden macrophages, through a process called reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) requires HDL. Increasing the circulating levels of HDL, as well as the efficiency of the RCT process, could result in a reduction in the development of coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis. Nuclear receptors of the RXR heterodimer family have recently been shown to regulate key genes involved in HDL metabolism and reverse cholesterol transport. These include the PPARs (peroxisome proliferator activated receptors), the LXR (liver X receptor) and the farnesoid X receptor (FXR). The synthesis of specific and potent ligands for these receptors has aided in ascertaining the physiological role of these receptors as lipid sensors and the potential therapeutic utility of modulators of these receptors in dyslipidemias and cardiovascular disease.
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PMID:Nuclear receptors as potential targets for modulating reverse cholesterol transport. 1585 10


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