Loss of TIMP4 (Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase 4) Promotes Atherosclerotic Plaque Deposition in the Abdominal Aorta Despite Suppressed Plasma Cholesterol Levels

Objective: Atherosclerosis is accumulation of lipids and extracellular matrix in the arterial wall. TIMPs (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases) can impact plaque deposition by regulating ECM (extracellular matrix) turnover. TIMP4 also influences lipid metabolism and smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation. We investigated the role of TIMP4 in atherosclerosis. Approach and Results: Mice lacking low-density lipoprotein receptor ( Ldlr −/− ) and Timp4 ( Timp4 −/− / Ldlr −/− ) were fed high-fat diet (HFD) or regular laboratory diet. After 3 or 6 months, HFD-fed male and female Timp4 −/− / Ldlr −/− mice exhibited higher plaque density in the abdominal aorta (but not in aortic valves, arch, thoracic aorta) compared with Ldlr −/− mice. Although plasma lipid and cholesterol levels were lower in Timp4 −/− / Ldlr −/− -HFD, cholesterol content in the abdominal aorta was higher along with elevated inflammatory cytokines, MMP (matrix metalloproteinase) activities, CD68 + /calponin + macrophage-like SMCs in Timp4 −/− / Ldlr −/− -HFD compared with Ldlr −/− -HFD mice. In vitro, oxidized LDL (low-density lipoprotein) markedly increased CD68 expression, reduced SMC markers, increased lipid uptake, and reduced cholesterol efflux protein ABCA1 (ATP-binding cassette transporter A1) in Timp4 −/− / Ldlr −/− compared with Ldlr −/− primary SMCs from abdominal, but not thoracic aorta. TIMP4 expression in the abdominal aorta (in vivo) and its corresponding SMCs (in vitro) was ≈2-fold higher than in the thoracic aorta and SMCs; TIMP4 levels decreased following HFD. Timp4 -deficiency in bone marrow–derived macrophages did not alter their foam cell formation capacity. Conclusions: TIMP4 protects against plaque deposition in the abdominal aorta independent of plasma cholesterol levels. TIMP4 prevents proteolytic degradation of ABCA1 in SMCs, hindering cholesterol accumulation and transdifferentiation to macrophage-like foam cells, representing a novel negative regulator of atherosclerosis.