The atherosclerosis prone LDL receptor knockout mice (Ldlr−/−, C57BL/6J background) carry a deletion of the NADP(H)-transhydrogenase gene (Nnt) encoding the mitochondrial enzyme that catalyzes NADPH synthesis. Here we hypothesize that both increased NADPH consumption (due to increased steroidogenesis) and decreased NADPH generation (due to Nnt deficiency) in Ldlr−/− mice contribute to establish a macrophage oxidative stress and increase atherosclerosis development. Thus, we compared peritoneal macrophages and liver mitochondria from three C57BL/6J mice lines: Ldlr and Nnt double mutant, single Nnt mutant and wild-type. We found increased oxidants production in both mitochondria and macrophages according to a gradient: double mutant > single mutant > wild-type. We also observed a parallel up-regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis (PGC1a, TFAM and respiratory complexes levels) and inflammatory (iNOS, IL6 and IL1b) markers in single and double mutant macrophages. When exposed to modified LDL, the single and double mutant cells exhibited significant increases in lipid accumulation leading to foam cell formation, the hallmark of atherosclerosis. Nnt deficiency cells showed up-regulation of CD36 and down-regulation of ABCA1 transporters what may explain lipid accumulation in macrophages. Finally, Nnt wild-type bone marrow transplantation into LDLr−/− mice resulted in reduced diet-induced atherosclerosis. Therefore, Nnt plays a critical role in the maintenance of macrophage redox, inflammatory and cholesterol homeostasis, which is relevant for delaying the atherogenesis process.
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Cover Image
Cover Image
In this issue Dindo and colleagues (pp. 3751–3768) have investigated the interaction of wild-type peroxisomal alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase (AGT) and the pathogenic G41R variant with d-cycloserine (DCS), a natural product used as a second-line treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, and its synthetic enantiomer l-cycloserine (LCS). The cover figure shows crystallographic analysis of AGT interaction with LCS and DCS. Image courtesy of Barbara Cellini.
Lack of mitochondrial NADP(H)-transhydrogenase expression in macrophages exacerbates atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic mice
Alessandro G. Salerno, Thiago Rentz, Gabriel G. Dorighello, Ana Carolina Marques, Estela Lorza-Gil, Amarylis C. B. A. Wanschel, Audrey de Moraes, Anibal E. Vercesi, Helena C. F. Oliveira; Lack of mitochondrial NADP(H)-transhydrogenase expression in macrophages exacerbates atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic mice. Biochem J 19 December 2019; 476 (24): 3769–3789. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BCJ20190543
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