Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α Expression in Macrophages Promotes Development of Atherosclerosis

Annemarie Aarup Pedersen, Tanja X Pedersen, Nanna Junker, Christina Christoffersen, Emil D Bartels, Marie Madsen, Carsten H Nielsen, Lars Bo Nielsen

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningpeer review

117 Citationer (Scopus)

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Atherosclerotic lesions contain hypoxic areas, but the pathophysiological importance of hypoxia is unknown. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is a key transcription factor in cellular responses to hypoxia. We investigated the hypothesis that HIF-1α has effects on macrophage biology that promotes atherogenesis in mice.

APPROACH AND RESULTS: Studies with molecular probes, immunostaining, and laser microdissection of aortas revealed abundant hypoxic, HIF-1α-expressing macrophages in murine atherosclerotic lesions. To investigate the significance of macrophage HIF-1α, Ldlr(-/-) mice were transplanted with bone marrow from mice with HIF-1α deficiency in the myeloid cells or control bone marrow. The HIF-1α deficiency in myeloid cells reduced atherosclerosis in aorta of the Ldlr(-/-) recipient mice by ≈72% (P=0.006).In vitro, HIF-1α-deficient macrophages displayed decreased differentiation to proinflammatory M1 macrophages and reduced expression of inflammatory genes. HIF-1α deficiency also affected glucose uptake, apoptosis, and migratory abilities of the macrophages.

CONCLUSIONS: HIF-1α expression in macrophages affects their intrinsic inflammatory profile and promotes development of atherosclerosis.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftArteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology
Vol/bind36
Udgave nummer9
Sider (fra-til)1782-1790
Antal sider9
ISSN1079-5642
DOI
StatusUdgivet - sep. 2016

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