Abstract 382: Lipin-1 Links Pro-inflammatory Responses and Foam Cell Formation by Oxidized-Low Density Lipoprotein-Elicited Macrophages
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of large and medium-sized arteries and one of the underlying causes of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Macrophages participate decisively in the development and promotion of atherosclerosis. Macrophages infiltrate the arterial intima to ingest modified low density lipoproteins (e.g. oxLDLs) via scavenger receptors. The scavenging of oxLDLs results in foam cell formation due to enhanced lipid droplet biogenesis. These foam cells eventually release pro-inflammatory cytokines that promote atherosclerosis. However, it is currently unknown whether there is a link between lipid droplet biogenesis and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in macrophages that scavenge oxLDL. Lipin-1, a phosphatidate phosphohydrolase enzyme, partially contributes to macrophage pro-inflammatory cytokine production following stimulation with bacteria. Lipin-1 is also required for lipid droplet biogenesis in macrophages. Finally, we observed lipin-1 protein within macrophages from human atherosclerotic plaques. Thus, we hypothesized that lipid droplet biogenesis, via lipin-1 activity, directly contributes to foam cell pro-inflammatory cytokine production. To test this hypothesis we compared lipid droplet biogenesis and pro-inflammatory cytokine responses of oxLDL-stimulated wild type and lipin-1-depleted macrophages. Depletion of lipin-1 inhibited oxLDL-induced foam cell generation by reducing lipid droplet number, area, and staining intensity. There were no differences in scavenger receptor expression or uptake of oxLDL between wild type and lipin-1-depleted cells. In addition, depletion of lipin-1 also ablated oxLDL-elicited production of the pro-atherogenic cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6. These findings demonstrate a critical role for lipin-1 in the regulation of macrophage inflammatory responses to oxLDL. Furthermore, these data begin to link foam cell formation, via lipid droplet biogenesis, and pro-inflammatory cytokine production within oxLDL stimulated macrophages. Thus, our studies suggest that lipid droplet biogenesis may be an ideal therapeutic target to inhibit inflammation associated with atherosclerosis to treat CVD.