|
Title
|
|
|
|
Attenuated atherogenesis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice lacking amyloid precursor protein
| |
|
Author
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Abstract
|
|
|
|
| Objective Recent evidence suggests that amyloid precursor protein (APP) is overexpressed in atherosclerosis-prone regions of mouse aorta. We therefore investigated in the present study whether APP has a role in the progression and composition of atherosclerotic plaques. Methods and results Apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE−/−) mice were crossbred with animals lacking APP (APP−/−). After 16 weeks on a Western-type diet, apoE−/− and APP−/−/apoE−/− mice showed similar cholesterol levels. However, atherosclerotic plaque size was significantly reduced in the distal thoracic aorta (90% reduction) and abdominal aorta (75% reduction) of APP−/−/apoE−/− mice as compared to apoE−/−. Plaques at the level of the aortic valves were not different in size, but showed a more stable phenotype in APP−/−/apoE−/− mice, as indicated by a reduced macrophage content, an increased amount of collagen and a thicker fibrous cap. Conclusion Our findings provide evidence that lack of APP attenuates atherogenesis and leads to plaque stability. |
| |
|
Language
|
|
|
|
English
| |
|
Source (journal)
|
|
|
|
Atherosclerosis. - Amsterdam
| |
|
Publication
|
|
|
|
Amsterdam
:
2011
| |
|
ISSN
|
|
|
|
0021-9150
| |
|
DOI
|
|
|
|
10.1016/J.ATHEROSCLEROSIS.2011.01.032
| |
|
Volume/pages
|
|
|
|
216
:1
(2011)
, p. 54-58
| |
|
ISI
|
|
|
|
000290205800009
| |
|
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
|
|
|
|
| |
|