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  • The regulation of Ero1-alpha in homocysteine-induced macrophage apoptosis and vulnerable plaque formation in atherosclerosis.

The regulation of Ero1-alpha in homocysteine-induced macrophage apoptosis and vulnerable plaque formation in atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis (2021-09-04)
Na Zhang, Lili Zhu, Xianxian Wu, Ru Yan, Shaobing Yang, Xiaoliang Jiang, Xing Liu, Xue Liu, Ning Yan, Guangzhi Cong, Zhiwei Yang, Shaobin Jia
ABSTRACT

Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis and plaque vulnerability. Macrophage apoptosis mediated by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of HHcy-aggravated atherosclerosis. Endoplasmic reticulum oxidoreductase 1α (Ero1α) is critical for ER stress-induced apoptosis. We hypothesized that Ero1α may contribute to ER-stress induced macrophage apoptosis and plaque stability in advanced atherosclerotic lesions by HHcy. Apoe-/- mice were maintained on drinking water containing homocysteine (Hcy, 1.8 g/L) to establish HHcy atherosclerotic models. The role of Ero1α in atherosclerotic plaque stability, macrophage apoptosis and ER stress were monitored in the plaque of aortic roots in HHcy Apoe-/- mice with or without silence or overexpression of Ero1α through lentivirus. Mouse peritoneal macrophages were used to confirm the regulation of Ero1α on ER stress dependent apoptosis in the presence of HHcy. Atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability and macrophage apoptosis were promoted in Apoe-/- mice by high Hcy diet, accompanied by the upregulation of Ero1α expression and ER stress. Inhibition of Ero1α prevented macrophage apoptosis and atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability, and vice versa. Consistently, in mouse peritoneal macrophages, ER stress and apoptosis were attenuated by Ero1α deficiency, but enhanced by Ero1α overexpression. Hcy, via upregulation of Ero1α expression, activates ER stress-dependent macrophage apoptosis to promote vulnerable plaque formation in atherosclerosis. Ero1α may be a potential therapeutic target for atherosclerosis induced by Hcy.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
Anti-Ero1 Antibody, clone 2G4/12, clone 2G4/12, from mouse
Sigma-Aldrich
Monoclonal Anti-GAPDH−Peroxidase antibody produced in mouse, clone GAPDH-71.1, purified immunoglobulin, buffered aqueous solution
Sigma-Aldrich
Anti-β-Actin−Peroxidase antibody, Mouse monoclonal, clone AC-15, purified from hybridoma cell culture