β-carotene accelerates the resolution of atherosclerosis in mice

Abstract

β-carotene oxygenase 1 (BCO1) catalyzes the cleavage of β-carotene to form vitamin A. Besides its role in vision, vitamin A regulates the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism and immune cell differentiation. BCO1 activity is associated with the reduction of plasma cholesterol in humans and mice, while dietary β-carotene reduces hepatic lipid secretion and delays atherosclerosis progression in various experimental models. Here we show that β-carotene also accelerates atherosclerosis resolution in two independent murine models, independently of changes in body weight gain or plasma lipid profile. Experiments inBco1-/-mice implicate vitamin A production in the effects of β-carotene on atherosclerosis resolution. To explore the direct implication of dietary β-carotene on regulatory T cells (Tregs) differentiation, we utilized anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody infusions. Our data show that β-carotene favors Treg expansion in the plaque, and that the partial inhibition of Tregs mitigates the effect of β-carotene on atherosclerosis resolution. Our data highlight the potential of β-carotene and BCO1 activity in the resolution of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Metabolic Engineering of Yarrowia lipolytica for Efficient Production of Terpenoids

“…The studies have shown that β-carotene can even help alleviate atherosclerosis in mice. 45 Initially absent in Y. lipolytica, researchers successfully introduced key genes involved in the β-carotene synthesis pathway, including multiple copies of CARRP and CARB, as well as essential genes such as GGS1, HMGR, and ERG13 from the MVA pathway. This led to the production of 408 mg/L of β-carotene in shake flasks and a remarkable 4.5 g/L in a 5 L bioreactor.…”