Published online before print May 25, 2006, doi: 10.1161/01.ATV.0000229219.13757.a2
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© 2006 American Heart Association, Inc.
Atherosclerosis and Lipoproteins |
Hepatic ATP-Binding Cassette Transporter A1 Is a Key Molecule in High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesteryl Ester Metabolism in Mice
From the University of British Columbia (R.R.S., N.B., M.K., M.R.H.), Vancouver, Canada; University Hospital Eppendorf (B.S., M.B., M.M., J.H., F.R.), Hamburg, Germany; Wake Forest University (J.M.T., J.S.P.), Winston-Salem, NC; and Columbia University (R.R.), New York, NY.
Correspondence to Franz Rinninger, University Hospital Eppendorf, Department of Medicine, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany. E-mail Rinninger{at}uke.uni-hamburg.de
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Abstract |
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Objective— Mutations in ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), the cellular lipid transport molecule mutated in Tangier disease, result in the rapid turnover of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)–associated apolipoproteins that presumably are cleared by the kidneys. However, the role of ABCA1 in the liver for HDL apolipoprotein and cholesteryl ester (CE) catabolism in vivo is unknown.
Methods and Results— Murine HDL was radiolabeled with 125I in its apolipoprotein and with [3H]cholesteryl oleyl ether in its CE moiety. HDL protein and lipid metabolism in plasma and HDL uptake by tissues were investigated in ABCA1-overexpressing bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)–transgenic (BAC+) mice and in mice harboring deletions of total (ABCA1–/–) and liver-specific ABCA1 (ABCA1–L/–L). In BAC+ mice with elevated ABCA1 expression, fractional catabolic rates (FCRs) of both the protein and the lipid tracer were significantly decreased in plasma and in the liver, yielding a diminished hepatic selective CE uptake from HDL. In contrast, ABCA1–/– or ABCA1–L/–L mice had significantly increased plasma and liver FCRs for both HDL tracers. An ABCA1 deficiency was associated with increased selective HDL CE uptake by the liver under all experimental conditions.
Conclusions— Hepatic ABCA1 has a critical role for HDL catabolism in plasma and for HDL selective CE uptake by the liver.
The role of ABCA1 in HDL metabolism was investigated with doubly radiolabeled HDL. In mice with transgenic expression of ABCA1 or in mice with deletions of this transport protein, it is shown that ABCA1 has a substantial effect on HDL turnover in plasma and on HDL catabolism by the liver.
Key Words: ABCA1 • HDL • selective uptake • cholesteryl ester
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Introduction |
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ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), a cellular lipid transport molecule mutated in Tangier disease (TD) patients, is essential for the maintenance of plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels.1 Studies on the role of ABCA1 in the generation of HDL particles indicate that the ABCA1 pathway is a major source for HDL biogenesis.2
ABCA1 is widely expressed in mammalian tissues and is most abundant in the liver, adrenal, and testis of mice.2,3 The contribution of ABCA1 in specific tissues to HDL formation has recently been a focus of investigation. Overexpression of adenovirally delivered ABCA1 in the liver of wild-type (WT) mice yields a significant increase in plasma HDL cholesterol (HDL-C).4 In contrast, mice with ABCA1 selectively deleted in the liver show an 80% decrease in plasma HDL-C.5 These investigations suggest that the liver is the major site of ABCA1-mediated lipidation of lipid-free apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), the dominant protein component of HDL. Presumably, this process yields mature HDL particles.
Whether ABCA1 plays a role in HDL catabolism has not been comprehensively investigated. ABCA1 may facilitate the lipidation and conversion of small HDL particles into large spherical HDL, thus slowing down the catabolism of plasma HDL, prolonging its residence time in the circulation, and contributing to the maintenance or raising of plasma HDL.5 In patients with mutations in the ABCA1 gene, intravenously injected apoA-I is rapidly cleared, suggesting a role for ABCA1 in the catabolism of HDL-associated apolipoproteins.6,7 Such a rapid clearance of HDL apoA-I has also been observed in the Wisconsin hypoalpha mutant chicken, a naturally occurring model with mutations in the ABCA1 gene.8 Besides, a recent study showed that the catabolism of HDL apoA-I was higher in liver-specific ABCA1 knockout (ABCA1–L/–L) mice compared with controls.5 This apoA-I hypercatabolism presumably is mediated by the kidneys, whereas no major change in liver catabolism of apoA-I was observed. However, in these studies, only the apolipoprotein component of HDL was radiolabeled.5–8 Therefore no information is available about the fate of cholesterol associated with HDL. It is established that HDL protein and cholesteryl ester (CE) moieties are metabolized at different rates in vivo.9 In addition, although catabolism by liver and kidneys were addressed in some studies,5 the role of ABCA1 in HDL metabolism of other organs has not been investigated.
In this study, the function of ABCA1 in plasma metabolism of 2 major components of the HDL particle (ie, apolipoproteins and CE) was addressed. Besides, the role of ABCA1 in HDL uptake by tissues and in particular by the liver was investigated. It is shown that ABCA1 is essential for the catabolism of HDL-associated apolipoproteins and lipids and for the selective uptake of HDL-associated CE, in particular by the liver.
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Methods |
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For Methods, please see the online supplement, available at http://atvb.ahajournals.org.
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Results |
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Supplemental Figures I, II, III, and IV are available online at http://atvb.ahajournals.org
Plasma Cholesterol in Mice With Overexpression of ABCA1
To investigate the role of ABCA1 in HDL metabolism, ABCA1–bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)-transgenic (BAC+) mice were used that express ABCA1 in the liver and in other tissues.10,11 BAC+ animals showed an increase in plasma total cholesterol (T-C; P=0.002; n=6) and HDL-C compared with WT littermate controls (Table).
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Because untreated BAC+ mice had quantitatively only a mild increase in ABCA1 protein expression (supplemental Figure I) and in plasma HDL-C (Table), these animals were fed the liver X receptor (LXR) agonist T0901317 to increase ABCA1 and HDL-C.11 Feeding this compound to BAC+ mice further increased ABCA1 protein expression (supplemental Figure I). The LXR agonist yielded an additional and significant increase in plasma T-C of 69% (P<0.0001; n=7) and in HDL-C of 81% (P<0.0001; n=7) compared with WT controls (Table).
Because LXR agonists regulate many genes in lipid metabolism,12 ABCA1–/– mice were fed T0901317 to determine whether the increase in HDL-C observed in the presence of the compound was mediated through ABCA1. Indeed, no change in plasma HDL-C was observed in treated ABCA1–/– mice (Table). This result indicates that ABCA1 is responsible for HDL-C elevation in response to LXR agonist treatment.
HDL Catabolism in Plasma in Mice With Overexpression of ABCA1
After injection of 125I-TC-/[3H]CEt-HDL, the catabolism of this preparation was investigated in WT, BAC+, and BAC+ mice fed the LXR agonist.13 The plasma fractional catabolic rates (FCRs) for both HDL tracers were decreased in BAC+ mice compared with WT (Figure 1A). This decrease was not statistically significant, presumably because of the low levels of ABCA1 transgene expression in BAC+ mice. However, a significant decrease in plasma FCRs was observed in the LXR agonist-treated BAC+ mice (125I: WT, 68.9±5.7 versus LXR agonist–fed BAC+, 51.2±5.2 poolsx103 x h–1, n=7, P=0.0001; [3H]CEt: WT, 157.1±13.5 versus LXR agonist–fed BAC+, 118.2±11.9 poolsx103 x h–1, n=7, P=0.0001; Figure 1A). If the difference in plasma FCRs is calculated ([3H]CEt-125I-TC), then selective CE uptake from plasma HDL by all tissues of a mouse is obtained.9 This selective CE removal decreased in BAC+ mice and was further reduced in the LXR agonist–fed BAC+ animals compared with WT (WT, 88.3±14.7 and LXR agonist–fed BAC+, 67.0±13.0; n=7; P=0.007). Thus, increasing ABCA1 expression decreased the selective CE removal from HDL and delayed plasma HDL turnover.
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HDL Uptake by Tissues in Mice With Overexpression of ABCA1
Tissue uptake of 125I-TC-/[3H]CEt-HDL was explored 24 hours after injection in mice.9,13 Liver, adrenals, and kidneys showed the major changes in HDL tracer internalization in these experiments (Figure 1). Remarkably, these tissues have high levels of ABCA1 expression.2
The liver is the principal site of HDL catabolism in rodents, and this is confirmed here (Figure 1B).9 In this organ, the uptake of both HDL-associated tracers decreased in BAC+ mice (125I: WT, 28.8±4.0 versus BAC+, 25.9±1.5 poolsx103 x h–1, n=5, P=NS; [3H]CEt: WT, 114.9±21.2 versus BAC+, 100.5±11.4 poolsx103 x h–1, n=6, P=NS). This decrease in hepatic HDL tracer uptake was significantly different in LXR agonist–treated BAC+ mice (125I: WT, 28.8±4.0 versus LXR agonist–fed BAC+, 20.9±1.9 poolsx103 x h–1, n=6, P=0.00005; [3H]CEt: WT, 114.9±21.2 versus LXR agonist–fed BAC+, 78.3±14.0 poolsx103 x h–1, n=6, P=0.0009). Hepatic HDL selective CE uptake (ie, the difference between [3H]CEt and 125I-TC) decreased in BAC+ mice (WT, 86.1±21.5; BAC+, 74.5±11.5; P=NS) and was significantly lower in LXR agonist–treated BAC+ animals (WT, 86.1±21.5; LXR agonist–fed BAC+, 57.4±14.2; P=0.01; Figure 1B). As expected, quantitatively, the highest rates of HDL tracer uptake from all tissues investigated were observed in the liver.
In adrenals, a trend toward a decrease in FCR for [3H]CEt in BAC+ mice (Figure 1C) was observed. However, neither the adrenal FCRs for [3H]CEt or 125I-TC nor HDL CE selective uptake were significantly different in BAC+ mice compared with WT, even when BAC+ mice were fed the LXR agonist.
In the kidneys, ABCA1 overexpression decreased the uptake of both tracers (Figure 1D). The most dramatic fall in renal 125I-TC organ-FCR was detected in the LXR agonist–treated BAC+ mice. The renal uptake rates for 125I-TC were substantially higher than those for [3H]CEt, and this observation is consistent with a role of the kidneys in HDL apolipoprotein catabolism.14
HDL uptake by brain, heart, lungs, spleen, stomach, intestine, and carcass was also explored (data not shown). Organ FCRs for both HDL tracers of these tissues were not significantly changed in BAC+ and in BAC+ mice fed the LXR agonist compared with WT littermates.
HDL Catabolism in Plasma in Mice With Total Deficiency of ABCA1
Because ABCA1 overexpression decreased HDL catabolism, it was hypothesized in analogy to TD patients6 that in mice, the HDL decay is increased in the absence of ABCA1. To address this question, mice with an induced deficiency of ABCA1 (ABCA1–/–) were used.15 ABCA1–/– mice harboring the human ABCA1 BAC (BAC+ABCA1–/–) were included in this study because any ABCA1-mediated differences in HDL catabolism between ABCA1–/– and WT mice should be reversed when ABCA1 is re-expressed.11 Plasma T-C and HDL-C of these animals are presented in the Table.
The complete absence of ABCA1 resulted in a large increase in plasma FCRs of both HDL tracers when compared with WT (125I: WT, 81.5±11.6 versus ABCA1–/–, 355.0±71.0 poolsx103 x h–1, n=6, P=0.0002; [3H]CEt: WT, 177.8±74.9 versus ABCA1–/–, 1273.9±203.5 poolsx 103 x h–1, n=6, P=0.00001; Figure 2A). Selective CE removal from HDL was increased in ABCA1–/– mice (WT, 96.3±36.7 versus ABCA1–/–; 918.9±215.6; n=6; P<0.0001; Figure 2A). When rescued by BAC+ABCA1–/–, the plasma FCRs for both HDL tracers were significantly decreased to near those of WT mice (125I: ABCA1–/–, 355.0±71.0 versus BAC+ABCA1–/–, 140.3±93.1 poolsx103 x h–1, n=6, P<0.0001; [3H]CEt: ABCA1–/–, 1273.9±203.5 versus BAC+ABCA1–/–, 411.5±293.8 poolsx103 x h–1, n=6, P<0.0001), as were the rates of selective CE uptake from HDL (ABCA1–/–, 918.9±215.6 versus BAC+ABCA1–/–, 278.2±308.2; n=6; P=0.0009). Thus, plasma HDL catabolism and HDL-selective CE uptake by all tissues of the mice are increased in the absence of ABCA1, and this effect is reversed on ABCA1 expression.
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HDL Uptake by Tissues in Mice With Total Deficiency of ABCA1
HDL uptake by the liver of ABCA1–/– mice revealed that the hepatic FCRs for both HDL tracers increased significantly in these animals compared with WT (125I: WT, 28.8±4.0 versus ABCA1–/–, 178.7±42.7 poolsx103 x h–1, n=6, P<0.0001; [3H]CEt: WT, 114.9±21.2 versus ABCA1–/–, 957.5±167.1 poolsx103 x h–1, n=6, P<0.0001; Figure 2B). This stimulation yielded a substantial rise in selective CE uptake in ABCA1–/– mice (WT, 86.1±21.5, n=6, versus ABCA1–/–, 778.8±172.5, n=6; P<0.0001). This increase in HDL-selective CE uptake by the liver of ABCA1–/– mice was reduced in the BAC+ABCA1–/– animals (ABCA1–/–, 778.8±172.5 versus BAC+ABCA1–/–, 260.5±198.2; n=6; P=0.0003).
In adrenals from ABCA1–/– mice, the FCRs for both HDL tracers increased significantly (P<0.0001), and this was in particular true for [3H]CEt (Figure 2C). In ABCA1–/– adrenals, selective HDL CE uptake increased significantly (P<0.0001) but was decreased to the WT range in this steroidogenic gland from BAC+ABCA1–/– mice.
In kidneys, an ABCA1 deficiency was associated with a significant (P<0.0001) increase in the FCR for 125I-TC (Figure 2D). However, this uptake was normalized close to WT in BAC+ABCA1–/– mice. The renal organ FCRs for [3H]CEt were quantitatively similar in all experimental groups. Thus, in the kidneys, the increase in HDL apolipoprotein uptake was a prominent change in ABCA1–/– mice. However, comparing quantitatively HDL tracer uptake between liver and kidneys, the liver was the dominant organ site for HDL catabolism under any experimental conditions (Figure 2).
In ABCA1–/– mice, the ABCA1 deficiency had no impact on HDL catabolism by brain, heart, lungs, spleen, stomach, intestine, and carcass (data not shown).
HDL Catabolism in Plasma in Mice With Liver-Specific Deficiency of ABCA1
To address the role of hepatic ABCA1 in HDL metabolism in more detail, liver-specific ABCA1 knockout (ABCA1–L/–L) mice were used.5 These animals show a substantial (P=0.0002) decrease in plasma HDL-C compared with WT (Table).
ABCA1–L/–L mice had significantly increased plasma FCRs for both HDL tracers (125I: WT, 73.9±14.0 versus ABCA1–L/–L, 125.7±55.9 poolsx103 x h–1, n=6, P=0.03; [3H]CEt: WT, 125.6±33.2 versus ABCA1–L/–L, 339.7±145.4 poolsx103 x h–1, n=6, P=0.003; Figure 3A). Besides, selective CE removal from HDL by tissues increased in ABCA1–L/–L rodents (WT, 51.7±36.0 versus ABCA1–L/–L, 214.0±155.9; n=6; P=0.02).
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HDL Uptake by Tissues in Mice With Liver-Specific Deficiency of ABCA1
The hepatic organ FCRs for both HDL tracers increased significantly in ABCA1–L/–L mice compared with WT controls (125I: WT, 21.0±4.7 versus ABCA1–L/–L, 46.4±24.2 poolsx103 x h–1, n=6, P=0.02; [3H]CEt: WT, 77.6±19.7 versus ABCA1–L/–L, 232.9±119.1 poolsx103 x h–1, n=6, P=0.006; Figure 3B). Selective CE uptake was also higher in the liver of ABCA1–L/–L mice (WT, 56.6±20.2 versus ABCA1–L/–L, 186.5±121.6; n=6; P=0.02).
In ABCA1–L/–L mice, the adrenal FCRs for 125I-TC-/[3H]CEt-HDL were substantially higher compared with WT (125I: WT, 0.11±0.04 versus ABCA1–L/–L, 0.42±0.22 poolsx103 x h–1, n=6, P=0.003; [3H]CEt: WT, 0.74±0.26 versus ABCA1–L/–L, 7.2±3.7 poolsx103 x h–1, n=6, P=0.0003; Figure 3C). In addition, selective HDL CE uptake increased in adrenals from ABCA1–L/–L mice (WT, 0.63±0.26 versus ABCA1–L/–L, 6.76±3.28; n=6; P=0.0005).
In kidneys from ABCA1–L/–L animals, the FCRs for HDL-associated 125I-TC increased substantially, whereas the rate for [3H]CEt was quantitatively elevated to a smaller extent (125I: WT, 5.27±1.21 versus ABCA1–L/–L, 15.74±7.87 poolsx103 x h–1, n=6, P=0.005; [3H]CEt: WT, 0.64±0.16 versus ABCA1–L/–L, 1.39±0.31 poolsx103 x h–1, n=6, P=0.0002; Figure 3D).
The liver-specific ABCA1 deficiency had no substantial effect on HDL tracer uptake by brain, heart, lungs, spleen, stomach, intestine, or carcass (data not shown).
HDL Catabolism in Mice With Adenovirus-Mediated ABCA1 Expression in the Liver
To address the role of hepatic ABCA1 for HDL metabolism, ABCA1 was delivered by adenovirus (Ad-ABCA1) to ABCA1–/– (supplemental Figure II) and to ABCA1–L/–L (supplemental Figure III) mice.4 After Ad-ABCA1 injection, plasma T-C and HDL-C of ABCA1–/– and ABCA1–L/–L mice significantly increased (ABCA1–/–: T-C=9.3±4.8, HDL-C=3.9±1.3 and Ad-ABCA1–treated ABCA1–/–: T-C=39.8±11.6, HDL-C=19.2±4.3, mg/dL, n=6; (ABCA1–L/–L: T-C=10.3±4.8, HDL-C=6.5±2.4 and Ad-ABCA1–treated ABCA1–L/–L: T-C=51.7±5.3, HDL-C=38.3±1.3 mg/dL, n=6). In contrast, no change in plasma cholesterol was observed in mice injected with the control adenovirus.
125I-TC-/[3H]CEt-HDL metabolism was investigated in ABCA1–/– and ABCA1–L/–L mice injected with the control virus or with Ad-ABCA1 (supplemental Figures II and III). For comparison, WT mice were included in these studies. In both groups of ABCA1-deficient mice, ABCA1 expression decreased the plasma FCRs for 125I-TC and [3H]CEt significantly (P<0.001). Similarly, selective CE removal from HDL ([3H]CEt-125I-TC) by all tissues decreased significantly (P<0.05) because of Ad-ABCA1 injection.
125I-TC-/[3H]CEt-HDL uptake by the liver was investigated in ABCA1–/– and ABCA1–L/–L mice injected with Ad-ABCA1 or with the control virus (supplemental Figures IIB and IIIB). In both groups, ABCA1 expression decreased the organ FCRs for 125I-TC and [3H]CEt significantly (P<0.05). Similarly, selective CE removal from plasma HDL ([3H]CEt-125I-TC) by the liver decreased significantly (P<0.05) because of Ad-ABCA1 injection.
In adrenals and kidneys of ABCA1–/– and ABCA1–L/–L mice, Ad-ABCA1 injection decreased the organ FCRs for 125I-TC and for [3H]CEt close to those of WT (supplemental Figures II and III).
Hepatic Scavenger Receptor Class B Type I in Mice With Modified ABCA1 Expression
Hepatic HDL selective CE uptake is decreased in BAC+ and increased in ABCA1–/– and in ABCA1–L/–L mice. Scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) is an HDL receptor that mediates selective lipid uptake.13,16 Therefore, SR-BI expression in liver lysates isolated from WT, BAC+, ABCA1–/–, and ABCA1–L/–L mice was assessed by immunoblotting. In BAC+ mice treated with the LXR agonist, hepatic SR-BI expression decreased compared with WT (supplemental Figure I). In contrast, in ABCA1–/– (supplemental Figure IVA) and in ABCA1–L/–L mice (supplemental Figure IVB), no increase in SR-BI expression was observed compared with WT liver. Analogously in BAC+ABCA1–/– mice, there was no change in hepatic SR-BI (supplemental Figure IVA).
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Discussion |
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This study reinforces that ABCA1 has a dominant effect on plasma HDL-C levels. A deficiency of ABCA1 is associated with low and a high expression of this protein with increased HDL-C. The low HDL-C in liver-specific ABCA1-deficient mice and the normalized HDL-C after the adenovirus-mediated transfer of ABCA1 to the liver point to a major role of hepatic ABCA1 as primary molecule that determines HDL-C in vivo.
ABCA1-overexpressing BAC (BAC+) mice, ABCA1 knockout (ABCA1–/–), and liver-specific ABCA1 knockout (ABCA1–L/–L) rodents were the models of this study.5,10,15 Besides, in ABCA1-deficient mice, this protein was expressed via transgene or adenovirus.4,11 BAC+ mice have an increase in HDL-C, and this is attributable to a rise in lipoprotein particle number.10 The composition of HDL in BAC+ and WT mice is virtually the same.10 ABCA1–/– mice have essentially no HDL in plasma.15 ABCA1–L/–L mice have 
20% of normal HDL-C levels, and this decrease is attributable to a reduction in HDL particle number.5 The size and composition of HDL from ABCA1–L/–L is very similar to the one from WT animals.5 Based on these characteristics of the endogenous HDL in the experimental animals, radiolabeled murine WT-HDL was used as tracer. This preparation is an appropriate tracer for the endogenous HDL pool, and this is true at least in BAC+ and ABCA1–L/–L mice. This HDL fraction was labeled in its protein and lipid moieties, and thus, the metabolic fate of both HDL components could be independently explored.9
A key result of this study is that ABCA1 expression in mice delayed the catabolism of both HDL tracers in plasma, and this yielded a reduced selective CE uptake from plasma HDL by tissues. Strikingly, ABCA1 expression decreased the HDL tracer uptake by the liver, and this yielded a reduced selective CE uptake. The decrease in HDL apolipoprotein catabolism that was observed here is in line with another study using ABCA1-transgenic mice.17 With respect to whole-body HDL catabolism, quantitatively, the highest HDL tracer uptake rates were detected in the liver, and this was true for BAC+ and for WT mice. These results show that the liver is the dominant site for HDL catabolism in mice with physiological and induced ABCA1 overexpression.
These BAC+ mice with transgenic ABCA1 expression display an increase in plasma HDL-C. This rise and the decreased HDL catabolism by issues suggests that the ABCA1-mediated delay in HDL catabolism is a mechanism that contributes to the increased plasma HDL-C. However, ABCA1 is a key molecule in the formation of HDL particles as well.15 Therefore, it seems possible that ABCA1 has a dual effect on both HDL catabolism and synthesis. Both mechanisms presumably contribute to the ABCA1-dependent increase in plasma HDL-C.
HDL catabolism in mice with total or liver-specific ABCA1 deficiency was accelerated. The stimulated decay of both HDL tracers yielded an increase in selective CE uptake from plasma HDL by tissues. With respect to the increased decay of 125I-labeled apolipoproteins, these experiments agree with previous studies in ABCA1–L/–L mice5 and in TD patients.6 The selective CE clearance from plasma HDL was increased in ABCA1–/– and ABCA1–L/–L mice. Similarly, HDL holo-particle catabolism, as represented by 125I-TC, is stimulated in both models. With respect to specific tissues, liver, adrenal, and kidney uptake of HDL tracers were significantly increased in both ABCA1-deficient animal models, and this resulted in upregulated rates of hepatic and adrenal-selective CE uptake. With respect to whole-body HDL catabolism, again, the HDL uptake rates were highest in the liver. These results provide evidence that ABCA1 in the liver plays an essential role in whole-body HDL metabolism by delaying HDL turnover and by diminishing selective CE uptake from HDL. For ABCA1–L/–L mice, it has been suggested that the increased catabolism of HDL particles and of HDL apolipoproteins occurs in the kidneys and in the liver.5 This conclusion is confirmed in this study. Besides the previously described increase in HDL protein uptake in the liver of ABCA1–L/–L mice, it is demonstrated here that the ABCA1-deficient murine liver displays a substantial increase in selective HDL CE uptake as well.5
ABCA1-deficient mice have very low HDL-C in plasma.5,15 Previously, it was suggested that this finding is attributable to a decreased HDL synthesis.15 However, in this study, HDL catabolism is accelerated in ABCA1-deficient mice. Therefore, the mechanism(s) underlying the low plasma HDL presumably is both attributable to a decrease in HDL synthesis and an increase in HDL catabolism.
Mice with a total ABCA1 deficiency yielded qualitatively identical results as animals with a liver-specific lack of this protein. This is true for both HDL plasma FCRs and organ FCRs. Besides, adenovirus-mediated hepatic ABCA1 expression in ABCA1–/– and in ABCA1–L/–L mice or transgene-induced ABCA1 expression reversed the changes in HDL metabolism induced by a deficiency of this protein. Also, these results provide evidence that ABCA1 in the liver plays a dominant role in HDL homeostasis in vivo.
The question has to be addressed whether the increase in HDL catabolism in the absence of ABCA1 is caused by the decreased HDL plasma pool in ABCA1–/– and ABCA1–L/–L mice. Patients with TD have an almost complete lack of HDL in plasma, and radiolabeled HDL is rapidly cleared from the circulation.6,7 However, this rapid HDL catabolism was independent of HDL pool size because it did not change despite the acute infusion of HDL to bring plasma HDL concentrations back to near normal.7 In TD patients, only the apolipoprotein moiety of HDL was labeled.7 Therefore, the fate of HDL CE in the face of a diminished HDL pool was unknown. However, another study injected HDL radiolabeled in its unesterified and esterified cholesterol moieties into apoA-I–deficient (apoA-I–/–) mice with low plasma HDL-C levels and found that compared with WT, there was no difference in the turnover of HDL lipids in apoA-I–/– mice.18 These observations suggest that the HDL pool size does not affect HDL turnover rates. In summary, it is unlikely that an altered HDL pool size of ABCA1-deficient mice affected the result of this study.
A mechanism by which ABCA1 presumably can alter HDL catabolism in the liver is through the HDL receptor SR-BI.16 Overexpression of SR-BI decreases plasma HDL-C, accelerates HDL catabolism, and increases selective CE uptake by the liver.19 In contrast, an induced deficiency of SR-BI increases plasma HDL-C, delays HDL catabolism, and decreases hepatic selective CE uptake.13 In BAC+ mice, hepatic SR-BI expression was reduced, and this observation is consistent with the diminished selective HDL CE uptake by the liver in metabolic studies. However, in ABCA1–/– and in ABCA1–L/–L mice, the hepatic expression of SR-BI was similar as in WT controls, although selective HDL CE uptake by the liver was substantially upregulated in vivo. This lack of regulation of SR-BI is consistent with a previous report.20 One possibility that might explain these discrepancies is an SR-BI–independent mechanism for HDL lipid uptake; such a pathway could mediate hepatic HDL CE uptake at least in part.13 Besides, a novel HDL receptor has been defined that may play a role in HDL degradation as well.21
In summary, ABCA1 has a substantial impact on HDL metabolism in plasma and by tissues in mice. ABCA1 overexpression retards the catabolism of HDL in plasma and decreases selective HDL CE uptake by the liver. In contrast, an ABCA1 deficiency accelerates HDL catabolism in plasma and increases HDL-selective CE uptake by the liver. All experiments are in line with a key function of ABCA1 in the liver for HDL metabolism in vivo. Besides, the liver also quantitatively has a dominant function in HDL catabolism in mice with a deficiency or a high level of ABCA1 expression.
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Acknowledgments |
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For Acknowledgments, please see the online supplement.
Disclosures
None.
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Footnotes |
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Original received December 8, 2005; final version accepted April 27, 2006.
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References |
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