Objective—Tumor necrosis factor–like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily of cytokines. TWEAK binds and activates the Fn14 receptor, and may regulate apoptosis, inflammation, and angiogenesis, in different pathological conditions. We have evaluated the effect of exogenous TWEAK administration as well as the role of endogenous TWEAK on proinflammatory cytokine expression and vascular and renal injury severity in hyperlipidemic ApoE-knockout mice.

Methods and Results—ApoE^-/- mice were fed with hyperlipidemic diet for 4 to 10 weeks, then randomized and treated with saline (controls), TWEAK (10 µg/kg/d), anti-TWEAK neutralizing mAb (1000 µg/kg/d), TWEAK plus anti-TWEAK antibody (10 µg TWEAK +1000 µg anti-TWEAK/kg/d), or nonspecific IgG (1000 µg/kg/d) daily for 9 days. In ApoE^-/- mice, exogenous TWEAK administration in ApoE^-/- mice induced activation of NF-B, a key transcription factor implicated in the regulation of the inflammatory response, in vascular and renal lesions. Furthermore, TWEAK treatment increased chemokine expression (RANTES and MCP-1), as well as macrophage infiltration in atherosclerotic plaques and renal lesions. These effects were associated with exacerbation of vascular and renal damage. Conversely, treatment of ApoE^-/- mice with a TWEAK blocking mAb decreased NF-B activation, proinflammatory cytokine expression, macrophage infiltration, and vascular and renal injury severity, indicating a pathological role for endogenous TWEAK. Finally, in murine vascular smooth muscle cells or tubular cells, either ox-LDL or TWEAK treatment increased expression and secretion of both RANTES and MCP-1. Furthermore, ox-LDL and TWEAK synergized for induction of MCP-1 and RANTES expression and secretion.

Conclusion—Our results suggest that TWEAK exacerbates the inflammatory response associated with a high lipid–rich diet. TWEAK may be a novel therapeutic target to prevent vascular and renal damage associated with hyperlipidemia.