5-Lipoxygenase–Activating Protein

Abstract

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a major antiinflammatory mediator in atherosclerosis. Transgenic ApoE −/− mice with a dominant-negative TGFβ type II receptor (dnTGFβRII) on CD4 + and CD8 + T cells display aggravated atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the mechanisms involved in this enhanced inflammatory response. Gene array analyses identified the 5-lipoxygenase–activating protein (FLAP) among the most upregulated genes in both the aorta and adipose tissue of dnTGFβRII transgenic ApoE −/− mice compared with their ApoE −/− littermates, a finding that was confirmed by real-time quantitative RT-PCR. Aortas from the former mice in addition produced increased amounts of the lipoxygenase product leukotriene B 4 after ex vivo stimulation. FLAP protein expression in both the aorta and adipose tissue was detected in macrophages, but not in T cells. Four weeks of treatment with the FLAP inhibitor MK-886 (10 mg/kg in 1% tylose delivered by osmotic pumps) significantly reduced atherosclerotic lesion size and T-cell content. Finally, FLAP mRNA levels were upregulated approximately 8-fold in adipose tissue derived from obese ob/ob mice. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest a key role for mediators of the 5-lipoxygenase pathway in inflammatory reactions of atherosclerosis and metabolic disease.