Role of the low density lipoprotein receptor in the flux of cholesterol through the plasma and across the tissues of the mouse.

The individual roles of hepatic versus intestinal ABCG5 and ABCG8 in sterol transport have not yet been investigated. To determine the specific contribution of liver ABCG5/G8 to sterol transport and atherosclerosis, we generated transgenic mice that overexpress human ABCG5 and ABCG8 in the liver but not intestine (liver G5/G8-Tg) in three different genetic backgrounds: C57Bl/6, apoE-KO, and low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr)-KO. Hepatic overexpression of ABCG5/G8 enhanced hepatobiliary secretion of cholesterol and plant sterols by 1.5-2-fold, increased the amount of intestinal cholesterol available for absorption and fecal excretion by up to 27%, and decreased the accumulation of plant sterols in plasma by ϳ25%. However, it did not alter fractional intestinal cholesterol absorption, fecal neutral sterol excretion, hepatic cholesterol concentrations, or hepatic cholesterol synthesis. Consequently, overexpression of ABCG5/G8 in only the liver had no effect on the plasma lipid profile, including cholesterol, HDL-C, and non-HDL-C, or on the development of proximal aortic atherosclerosis in C57Bl/6, apoE-KO, or LDLr-KO mice. Thus, liver ABCG5/G8 facilitate the secretion of liver sterols into bile and serve as an alternative mechanism, independent of intestinal ABCG5/G8, to protect against the accumulation of dietary plant sterols in plasma. However, in the absence of changes in fractional intestinal cholesterol absorption, increased secretion of sterols into bile induced by hepatic overexpression of ABCG5/G8 was not sufficient to alter hepatic cholesterol balance, enhance cholesterol removal from the body or to alter atherogenic risk in liver G5/G8-Tg mice. These findings demonstrate that overexpression of ABCG5/G8 in the liver profoundly alters hepatic but not intestinal sterol transport, identifying distinct roles for liver and intestinal ABCG5/G8 in modulating sterol metabolism.Sitosterolemia, also known as phytosterolemia (1-9) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by elevated plasma and tissue levels of plant, shellfish, and animal sterols and the development of tendon and tuberous xanthomas, hemolytic episodes, arthritis, and premature coronary artery disease. The ATPbinding cassette (ABC) 1 half-transporters ABCG5 and ABCG8 (ABCG5/G8) have been recently identified as the genes defective in sitosterolemia (10 -12). The increased plasma and tissue levels of animal and plant sterols found in sitosterolemic patients have been attributed to enhanced absorption and decreased biliary excretion (1-4, 6, 8, 13-16). Unlike cholesterol, sitosterol accumulation does not inhibit HMGCoA reductase activity in human monocyte-derived macrophages (17). The inadequate down-regulation of HMGCoA reductase activity by plant sterols may promote foam cell formation and explain, in part, the increased risk of atherosclerosis in sitosterolemia (17).Several lines of evidence implicate ABCG5/G8 in intestinal and biliary sterol transport. First, ABCG5/G8 are expressed in the liver and small intestine and, to a lesser degree, in th...

show abstract

“…Previous studies have shown that in mice, ϳ80% of LDL is degraded in liver, mostly via the LDL receptor pathway (50).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hepatic ABCG5 and ABCG8 Overexpression Increases Hepatobiliary Sterol Transport but Does Not Alter Aortic Atherosclerosis in Transgenic Mice

Basso

Shamburek

et al. 2004

Journal of Biological Chemistry

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The lack of a gross phenotype in TPC2 À / À mice on SD is not surprising, since SD contains relatively little cholesterol (r0.02% w/w). On this diet, the cholesterol requirement of the animals is achieved primarily through de novo biosynthesis 38 .…”

Section: Articlementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The intake of cholesterol per day on this diet is approximately 20-30 times above the amount an average animal synthesizes to maintain homoeostasis when its dietary needs are not being met 38 . The average liver weight/body weight ratio of TPC2 À / À on CD was significantly increased compared with WT on CD (Fig.…”

Section: Articlementioning

confidence: 99%

High susceptibility to fatty liver disease in two-pore channel 2-deficient mice

et al. 2014

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Endolysosomal organelles play a key role in trafficking, breakdown and receptor-mediated recycling of different macromolecules such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, epithelial growth factor (EGF) or transferrin. Here we examine the role of two-pore channel (TPC) 2, an endolysosomal cation channel, in these processes. Embryonic mouse fibroblasts and hepatocytes lacking TPC2 display a profound impairment of LDL-cholesterol and EGF/EGF-receptor trafficking. Mechanistically, both defects can be attributed to a dysfunction of the endolysosomal degradation pathway most likely on the level of late endosome to lysosome fusion. Importantly, endolysosomal acidification or lysosomal enzyme function are normal in TPC2-deficient cells. TPC2-deficient mice are highly susceptible to hepatic cholesterol overload and liver damage consistent with non-alcoholic fatty liver hepatitis. These findings indicate reduced metabolic reserve of hepatic cholesterol handling. Our results suggest that TPC2 plays a crucial role in trafficking in the endolysosomal degradation pathway and, thus, is potentially involved in the homoeostatic control of many macromolecules and cell metabolites.

show abstract

“…Knocking out the genes coding for the LDL receptor or apoE does not appear to be associated with any major functional abnormalities in the brain of the mouse. 39,40 However, in aged apoE knockout mice, there is a lipid deposition in astrocytes in specific brain areas. 41 Deletion of the genes coding for the very low-density lipoprotein receptor and the apoE receptor 2 results in a highly significant phenotype, with a defect in the neuronal layering, 42 whereas deletion of either of the 2 genes alone has much less effect.…”

Section: Transport Of Cholesterol Within the Brainmentioning

confidence: 99%

Brain Cholesterol: Long Secret Life Behind a Barrier

Björkhem

Meaney

2004

ATVB

895

732

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract-Although an immense knowledge has accumulated concerning regulation of cholesterol homeostasis in the body, this does not include the brain, where details are just emerging. Approximately 25% of the total amount of the cholesterol present in humans is localized to this organ, most of it present in myelin. Almost all brain cholesterol is a product of local synthesis, with the blood-brain barrier efficiently protecting it from exchange with lipoprotein cholesterol in the circulation. Thus, there is a highly efficient apolipoprotein-dependent recycling of cholesterol in the brain, with minimal losses to the circulation. Under steady-state conditions, most of the de novo synthesis of cholesterol in the brain appears to be balanced by excretion of the cytochrome P-450 -generated oxysterol 24S-hydroxycholesterol. This oxysterol is capable of escaping the recycling mechanism and traversing the blood-brain barrier. Cholesterol levels and cholesterol turnover are affected in neurodegenerating disorders, and the capacity for cholesterol transport and recycling in the brain seems to be of importance for the development of such diseases. The possibility has been discussed that administration of inhibitors of cholesterol synthesis may reduce the prevalence of Alzheimer disease. No firm conclusions can, however, be drawn from the studies presented thus far.In the present review, the most recent advances in our understanding of cholesterol turnover in the brain is discussed. Key Words: brain cholesterol Ⅲ blood-brain barrier Ⅲ cholesterol 24S-hydroxylase Ⅲ Alzheimer disease Ⅲ statins H ighly sophisticated regulatory systems have evolved for the maintenance of cholesterol homeostasis in the body. There is a distinct difference between the situation in the central nervous system and that in most other extrahepatic tissues. Outside the brain, the cellular needs for cholesterol is covered by de novo synthesis and by cellular uptake of lipoprotein cholesterol from the circulation. In the brain, the blood-brain barrier effectively prevents uptake from the circulation, and de novo synthesis is responsible for practically all cholesterol present in this organ. The independence of the isolated pool of cholesterol in the brain is likely to reflect a high need for constancy in the cholesterol content of membrane and myelin, a constancy that would be difficult to keep if brain cholesterol had been exchangeable with lipoprotein cholesterol.The importance of cholesterol in the nervous system was recognized as early as 1834, when Couerbe's observations lead him to regard cholesterol as un element principal of the nervous system. 1 Despite concerted efforts in the interim, it is only during the past few decades that the brain has begun to surrender the secrets of the behavior of one of its most abundant lipids.In the present brief review, we summarize the basal characteristics of brain cholesterol and some recent findings with respect to homeostasis of this compound in the brain. Emphasis is put on the newly described relation betwee...

show abstract

Role of the low density lipoprotein receptor in the flux of cholesterol through the plasma and across the tissues of the mouse.

Cited by 175 publications

References 57 publications

Hepatic ABCG5 and ABCG8 Overexpression Increases Hepatobiliary Sterol Transport but Does Not Alter Aortic Atherosclerosis in Transgenic Mice

Hepatic ABCG5 and ABCG8 Overexpression Increases Hepatobiliary Sterol Transport but Does Not Alter Aortic Atherosclerosis in Transgenic Mice

High susceptibility to fatty liver disease in two-pore channel 2-deficient mice

Brain Cholesterol: Long Secret Life Behind a Barrier

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About