First Author | Abd Alla J | Year | 2010 |
Journal | J Biol Chem | Volume | 285 |
Issue | 30 | Pages | 23496-505 |
PubMed ID | 20504763 | Mgi Jnum | J:165997 |
Mgi Id | MGI:4839426 | Doi | 10.1074/jbc.M110.117481 |
Citation | Abd Alla J, et al. (2010) Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition down-regulates the pro-atherogenic chemokine receptor 9 (CCR9)-chemokine ligand 25 (CCL25) axis. J Biol Chem 285(30):23496-505 |
abstractText | Many experimental and clinical studies suggest a relationship between enhanced angiotensin II release by the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. The atherosclerosis-enhancing effects of angiotensin II are complex and incompletely understood. To identify anti-atherogenic target genes, we performed microarray gene expression profiling of the aorta during atherosclerosis prevention with the ACE inhibitor, captopril. Atherosclerosis-prone apolipoprotein E (apoE)-deficient mice were used as a model to decipher susceptible genes regulated during atherosclerosis prevention with captopril. Microarray gene expression profiling and immunohistology revealed that captopril treatment for 7 months strongly decreased the recruitment of pro-atherogenic immune cells into the aorta. Captopril-mediated inhibition of plaque-infiltrating immune cells involved down-regulation of the C-C chemokine receptor 9 (CCR9). Reduced cell migration correlated with decreased numbers of aorta-resident cells expressing the CCR9-specific chemoattractant factor, chemokine ligand 25 (CCL25). The CCL25-CCR9 axis was pro-atherogenic, because inhibition of CCR9 by RNA interference in hematopoietic progenitors of apoE-deficient mice significantly retarded the development of atherosclerosis. Analysis of coronary artery biopsy specimens of patients with coronary artery atherosclerosis undergoing bypass surgery also showed strong infiltrates of CCR9-positive cells in atherosclerotic lesions. Thus, the C-C chemokine receptor, CCR9, exerts a significant role in atherosclerosis. |