Chemically modified low density lipoproteins as inducers of enzyme release from macrophages

β-Glucuronidase activity and mitochondrial dysfunction: the sites where flavonoid glucuronides act as anti-inflammatory agents

Epidemiological and experimental studies suggest that the consumption of flavonoid-rich diets decreases the risk of various chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases. Although studies on the bioavailability of flavonoids have been well-characterized, the tissue and cellular localizations underlying their biological mechanisms are largely unknown. The development and application of novel monoclonal antibodies revealed that macrophages could be the major target of dietary flavonoids in vivo. Using macrophage-like cell lines in vitro, we examined the molecular basis of the interaction between the macrophages and flavonoids, especially the glucuronide metabolites. We have found that extracellular β-glucuronidase secreted from macrophages is essential for the bioactivation of the glucuronide conjugates into the aglycone, and that the enzymatic activity, which requires an acidic pH, is promoted by the increased secretion of lactate in response to the mitochondrial dysfunction. This review describes our recent findings indicating the molecular mechanisms responsible for the anti-inflammatory activity of dietary flavonoids within the inflammation sites. We propose that the extracellular activity of β-glucuronidase associated with the status of the mitochondrial function in the target cells might be important biomarkers for the specific sites where the glucuronides of dietary flavonoids can act as anti-atherosclerotic and anti-inflammatory agents in vivo.

Effects of adrenergic agents on rat peritoneal macrophages activated in vitro by acetylated low-density lipoprotein

Macrophages interact with modified lipoproteins and alter their functional status. In this study, the effects of the adrenergic agents adrenaline, isoproterenol, and dobutamine on macrophages activated with acetylated low-density lipoprotein were tested. The aim of this investigation was to determine whether adrenergic agents influence biologically significant functions of these cells in an in vitro model of macrophage-lipoprotein acute interaction. Rat peritoneal macrophages were incubated with acetylated low-density lipoprotein for 16 h, with or without adrenergic agents. Hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide production and acid phosphatase activities in the supernatant and cell lysate were assayed. Adrenaline and isoproterenol inhibited the production of hydrogen peroxide, stimulated the production of nitric oxide, and increased the extracellular activity of acid phosphatase in the lipoprotein-activated cells. Dobutamine increased the extracellular, but decreased the intracellular acid phosphatase activity. Adrenaline and dobutamine also produced changes in the cell size and nuclear morphology of the macrophages. Macrophages are activated in vitro by acetylated low-density lipoprotein, and their functions and morphology are modified under the influence of adrenergic agents. Certain effects could be attributed to changes in cyclic AMP levels.

Expression and localization of matrix metalloproteinase-12 in the aorta of cholesterol-fed rabbits: relationship to lesion development

Degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in the aorta is a critical step for the development of atherosclerosis. Expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-12 (macrophage elastase), an elastin-degrading proteinase in the MMP family, was investigated in the thoracic aorta of rabbits fed a 1% cholesterol-containing diet for 16 weeks. In the atherosclerotic lesions, MMP-12 was produced abundantly at both the mRNA and protein levels, whereas no expression was observed in the normal rabbit aortas. The principal source of MMP-12 was macrophage foam cells (MFCs) that had infiltrated the atherosclerotic intima; this was demonstrated in both in vitro culture studies of MFCs purified from atherosclerotic lesions and immunohistochemical studies of aortic lesions. Additional biochemical studies using recombinant rabbit MMP-12 revealed that MMP-12 digested elastin, type IV collagen, and fibronectin and also activated MMP-2 and MMP-3. Expression of MMP-12 by human macrophage cell lines was increased by stimulation with acetylated low-density lipoprotein, implying augmentation of MMP-12 production during foam cell formation. Increased expression of MMP-12 in atherosclerotic lesions, concomitant with foam cell generation, which triggers the acceleration of ECM breakdown, is likely to be a critical step in the initiation and progression of the atherosclerotic cascade.

Molecular mechanisms of microglial activation

Microglial cells are brain macrophages which serve specific functions in the defense of the central nervous system (CNS) against microorganisms, the removal of tissue debris in neurodegenerative diseases or during normal development, and in autoimmune inflammatory disorders of the brain. In cultured microglial cells, several soluble inflammatory mediators such as cytokines and bacterial products like lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were demonstrated to induce a wide range of microglial activities, e.g. increased phagocytosis, chemotaxis, secretion of cytokines, activation of the respiratory burst and induction of nitric oxide synthase. Since heightened microglial activation was shown to play a role in the pathogenesis of experimental inflammatory CNS disorders, understanding the molecular mechanisms of microglial activation may lead to new treatment strategies for neurodegenerative disorders, multiple sclerosis and bacterial or viral infections of the nervous system.

Induction of murine macrophage growth by modified LDLs

We previously reported that cell membrane components and lipoproteins were able to induce the growth of murine peritoneal macrophages. The aim of the present study was to examine whether macrophage growth could also be induced by chemically modified lipoproteins, such as acetylated low density lipoprotein (acetyl-LDL) or oxidized LDL, ligands known to be endocytosed by the macrophage scavenger receptors. When murine peritoneal exudate macrophages were cultured in vitro with 25-100 micrograms/mL acetyl-LDL or oxidized LDL, significant growth was induced. On comparing the dose-response curves of these LDLs, a more potent effect was seen with oxidized LDL than acetyl-LDL, especially on resident macrophages. On the other hand, growth of these cells was not stimulated by native (unmodified) LDL or high density lipoprotein. These in vitro data revealed a new function of chemically modified LDLs as effective inducers of macrophage cell growth. This aspect may be physiologically relevant to the growth of macrophage foam cells in situ in the development of atherosclerosis.

Alterations in the functional characteristics of macrophages induced by hypercholesterolemia

Intimal accumulation of monocyte-derived lipid-filled macrophages is an important early event in diet-induced hypercholesterolemia. To better understand the functional alterations in macrophages in hypercholesterolemia, we determined several variables in rat peritoneal macrophages putatively associated with atherogenesis including adhesion to, spreading and locomotion on an endothelial monolayer, migration and phagocytic capacities, and superoxide anion (O2-) production. Compared with macrophages from normal rats (NM0s), macrophages from hypercholesterolemic rats (HM0s) revealed a higher rate of adherence to endothelial cells (ECs) and plastic with more extensive cytoplasmic spreading. Towards a chemoattractant of zymosan-activated serum, HM0s exhibited greater chemotactic migration and more prominent aggregation than NM0s. A computerized film analysis using time-lapse cinemicrophotography disclosed that HM0s moved faster on ECs; the average speed of HM0s was almost twice that of NM0s. HM0 phagocytic activity of fluorescent latex beads was significantly heightened (P less than 0.01). By contrast, there was no significant difference in O2- production between the two groups. These results indicate that hypercholesterolemia may initiate and accelerate the atherosclerotic process, at least in part, by modifying a number of functional properties of macrophages.

Activation of leukocytes with complement C5a is associated with prostanoid-dependent constriction of large arteries in atherosclerotic monkeys in vivo

Activated leukocytes release a variety of substances which have been shown in vitro to modulate vascular tone. The chemotactic peptide complement C5a is a physiological activator of leukocytes. We injected human recombinant complement C5a (10 and 100 micrograms) into the blood-perfused hind limb of normal and atherosclerotic cynomolgus monkeys and examined vascular responses. In both normal and atherosclerotic monkeys, the high dose of C5a produced about 65% decrease in leukocyte cell count in venous blood drainage from the hind limb. Injection of C5a produced a pronounced increase in resistance of large arteries (segment from iliac artery to dorsal pedal artery) in atherosclerotic, but not in normal monkeys. The constrictor effect of C5a in atherosclerotic monkeys was abolished by the thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist SQ 29,548 (2 mg/kg i.v.). The platelet-activating factor antagonist WEB 2086 (5 mg/kg, i.v.) did not alter vascular responses to C5a. We conclude that activation of leukocytes produces constriction of large arteries in atherosclerotic, but not normal, monkeys in vivo. This response may be mediated in part by release of thromboxane A2.

Pathogenesis of acquired aneurysms of the abdominal aorta

The incidence of abdominal aortic aneurysm has recently increased. There is still no accurate definition of abdominal aortic aneurysm. The diameter of abdominal aortic aneurysms is the only factor permitting evaluation of the risk of rupture of aneurysms whose growth remains unpredictable. Abdominal aortic aneurysm is a multi-factorial disease associated with aortic aging and atheroma. It differs from stenotic disease by the intensity of degenerative or destructive phenomena in the media. Particular hemodynamic conditions in the infrarenal abdominal aorta seem to enhance the development of aneurysm at this level. While certain constitutional anomalies of the extracellular matrix of proteins seem to enhance the development of abdominal aortic aneurysm, protease activity of as yet undetermined origin also seems to play a prominent role. Family cases of abdominal aortic aneurysms have been reported but the mechanisms responsible remain to be determined. Several genetic markers have been suggested. The most reliable marker of aortic aneurysm is arteriomegaly.

Aortic endothelial cell damage induced by beta-VLDL and macrophages in vitro

We performed an in vitro study to assess damage to swine aortic endothelial cells by rabbit beta-VLDL and/or rabbit peritoneal macrophages. Incubation of cultured aortic endothelial cells with beta-VLDL, macrophages, or macrophage lysate induced endothelial cell damage time- and dose-dependently as estimated by [3H]adenine release. Incubation of endothelial cells with both beta-VLDL and macrophages produced a synergistic effect on the increase of [3H]adenine release. Pretreatment of the endothelial cells with some kinds of antioxidants (probucol 50 micrograms/ml, vitamin E 50 microM, superoxide dismutase-polyethylene glycol 0.5 mg/ml, or catalase-polyethylene glycol 0.5-1.0 mg/ml) significantly prevented the endothelial damage by beta-VLDL or macrophage lysate. We conclude that beta-VLDL and/or macrophages could induce endothelial cell damage and that some kinds of antioxidants could prevent it.

Vascular injuries induced by materials released from white mural thrombus and hypercholesterolemia in vivo

Materials released from platelet-rich white mural thrombi into the arterial circulation and dietary hypercholesterolemia could cause endothelial injury and regeneration, and also smooth muscle cell migration and proliferation in vivo in the intima. In addition, a combination of these two factors showed an additive effect on the endothelial injury in vivo. Further experiments are in progress to clarify how high a level of serum cholesterol and/or oxidized LDL may be sufficient for endothelial injury using this in vivo model for the better understanding of detailed pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

Expression of elastase activity by human monocyte-macrophages is modulated by cellular cholesterol content, inflammatory mediators, and phorbol myristate acetate

We investigated the effects of a number of stimulatory agents on the production of both cell-associated and extracellular elastase-type enzymes on human monocyte-macrophages in vitro and of the modulation of such effects by modification of cellular cholesterol content. The stimulatory agents included phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and the inflammatory mediators, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), opsonized zymosan (OZ), and platelet activating factor (PAF). Using the synthetic substrate, N-succinyl-trialanyl-paranitroanilide (SANA), we detected cell-associated elastase-like activity in monocyte-derived macrophages. Such activity increased markedly with cell maturation over the period from 5 to 15 days of adherence culture. While PAF (10 micrograms/ml) and LPS (10 micrograms/ml) were without effect on cell-associated elastase-like activity in macrophages, PMA (100 ng/ml) and OZ (1 mg/ml) markedly stimulated such activity in cells cultured for 15 days. Furthermore, a fivefold increase in the cell-associated elastase-like activity of macrophages occurred upon cholesterol loading of the cells with acetylated low density lipoprotein (AcLDL). By contrast, this activity was markedly diminished upon depletion of cellular cholesterol content after incubation with high density lipoprotein (HDL3). Latent elastinolytic activity in the culture medium was detected by use of a radioactive substrate, insoluble 3H-elastin, after initial tryptic treatment of the medium. Such latent elastase activity was secreted only by activated macrophages; the relative potency of stimulation was: PMA greater than LPS = PAF greater than OZ. Increase in cellular cholesterol content alone markedly enhanced the secretion of elastase (from undetectable levels to 28 ng of 3H-elastin degraded/hr/micrograms DNA). In all cases, both the cell-associated and secreted latent elastinolytic activities were due to metalloproteases, in view of their 90% inhibition by 2 mM EDTA. Cholesterol-loaded macrophages, which displayed an approximately 40-fold increase in total cholesterol content as compared to control cells, remained sensitive to the action of activators of OZ and PMA, while LPS and PAF exerted only weak effects. Our data indicate that cellular cholesterol content and inflammatory mediators are effective stimulants of the production and secretion of elastase-type enzymes by human monocyte-macrophages. Among these factors, cellular cholesterol content, OZ, PAF, and LPS may represent factors of relevance to the inflammatory role of the macrophage in atherogenesis and more specifically to the alteration of elastin structure in the extracellular matrix of the vessel wall.

The effect of macrophage stimulation on the uptake of acetylated low-density lipoproteins

The rapid uptake of modified low-density lipoproteins (LDL) by macrophages in the arterial wall may lead to their conversion into lipid-laded foam cells in atherosclerotic lesions. We have therefore investigated the effects of macrophage stimulation on their rate of uptake of modified LDL. The uptake of 125I-labelled acetyl-LDL by mouse resident peritoneal macrophages was reduced by about 60-85% by zymosan (250 micrograms/ml), by 25-45% by lipopolysaccharide (0.1-1 mg/ml) and 50-60% by phorbol myristate acetate (100 nM). The inhibition was dose-dependent and was observed at the earliest times studied (about 1 h). Binding studies at 0 degrees C showed that all three stimulating agents decreased the number of cell-surface receptors for acetyl-LDL. If macrophages are stimulated in atherosclerotic lesions, this may therefore be beneficial in that it may decrease their numbers of receptors for modified LDL, although it may be harmful in other ways in that stimulated macrophages may release factors that damage the arterial wall.

Atherosclerosis and macrophages

Atherosclerosis is undoubtedly a disease of many facets and in this review we have merely touched one angle of this issue. The best-established cause of the disease is hypercholesterolemia. Since the important role of macrophages in lipoprotein metabolism has been confirmed, current interest is focused on the role of macrophages in atherosclerosis. The origin and tissue distribution of foam cells have been discussed in detail, because they are the principal cells in the earliest lesions, the so-called fatty streaks. Once thought to be derived exclusively from smooth muscle cells, foam cells are now known to originate largely from monocytes that enter the intima and become transformed into macrophages. Exactly how monocytes are recruited and retained in the artery wall is not fully understood, but it is certain that the initial event involves adhesion to the endothelial surface followed by penetration under the influence of a chemotactic factor(s). Hypercholesterolemia contributes much to this phenomenon by affecting both monocyte-macrophages and endothelial cells. Intensive current research is increasing our understanding of the dynamic interaction between macrophages and both lipoproteins and vascular cells, and its immediate relevance to lesion formation. Closer scrutiny of the biology and molecular mechanism of the process of atherosclerosis may ultimately permit intervention in and slowing of the progress of this catastrophic human disease using new modalities.

Intracellular accumulation of cholesteryl esters suppresses production of lipopolysaccharide-induced interleukin 1 by rat peritoneal macrophages

Interleukin 1 (IL-1) is a major cytokine of macrophages secreted by several stimulants such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Macrophages are known to possess the scavenger receptor for acetylated low density lipoprotein (acetyl-LDL) and maleylated albumin. In the present study we determined effects of these ligands on LPS-induced IL-1 production by rat peritoneal macrophages. These ligands themselves did not induce IL-1 production. However, upon short incubation with acetyl-LDL, LPS-induced IL-1 production was significantly suppressed. The extent of the suppression was proportional to cellular cholesteryl esters. Thus, intracellular accumulation of cholesteryl esters might be responsible for suppression of LPS-induced IL-1 production.

Regulation of 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid synthesis by acetyl-LDL in mouse peritoneal macrophages

The mechanism for the regulation of 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) production by cholesterol-rich macrophages was investigated. beta-VLDL and acetyl-LDL, lipoproteins which result in cholesterol accumulation in macrophages, stimulated 12-HETE secretion. Lipoproteins which do not induce cholesterol accumulation, such as low- and high-density lipoproteins, did not. Cell-free homogenates from cholesterol-rich macrophages had significantly more 12-lipoxygenase activity than homogenates from unmodified cells. Preincubating homogenates prepared from unmodified macrophages with acetyl-LDL, LDL or multilamellar liposomes containing total lipids from acetyl-LDL but not apoproteins significantly increased 12-lipoxygenase activity. This stimulatory effect was caused by the phospholipid moiety of the lipoprotein. 12-HETE synthesis was not increased in macrophages enriched 6-fold in unesterified cholesterol. Acetyl-LDL stimulated 12-HETE synthesis in macrophages in which cholesteryl ester accumulation was prevented by inhibiting acylcoenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase activity. When binding of acetyl-LDL to its receptor was decreased by increasing concentrations of dextran sulfate, or when lysosomal metabolism of the lipoprotein was prevented by chloroquine, 12-HETE production significantly decreased. Moreover, the combination of inhibiting acetyl-LDL binding and degradation completely blocked the stimulation of 12-HETE synthesis by acetyl-LDL. The data indicate that acetyl-LDL must enter the macrophage and be partially degraded to regulate 12-HETE synthesis. The regulation is independent of cholesterol accumulation but is related to the entering lipoprotein phospholipid.

Regulation of macrophage lipoprotein lipase secretion by the scavenger receptor

The effects of ligand binding to the scavenger receptor on the secretion of lipoprotein lipase by murine macrophages were examined. Inflammatory macrophages exposed to acetylated low-density lipoprotein (AcLDL) exhibited a dose-dependent, 40-80% increase in lipoprotein lipase secretion. This stimulation appeared to be unrelated to intracellular cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels and to phagocytosis in general. Resident and inflammatory macrophages treated with maleylated bovine serum albumin (Mal-BSA) showed a 3-fold increase in lipoprotein lipase secretion in a dose-dependent and time-dependent fashion. In contrast, dextran sulfate, which is another ligand recognized by the scavenger receptor, caused a dose-dependent decrease in lipoprotein lipase secretion. Casein, a ligand recognized by the Mal-BSA receptor, did not affect lipoprotein lipase secretion nor the ability of Mal-BSA to stimulate the enzyme, while dextran sulfate abolished the stimulatory effects of Mal-BSA. Since ethylamine, an inhibitor of receptor-mediated endocytosis, attenuated the increase in lipoprotein lipase secretion induced by AcLDL and Mal-BSA, but did not affect the inhibition induced by dextran sulfate, it is suggested that receptor-mediated endocytosis of ligands via the scavenger receptor might play a key role in the stimulation of lipoprotein lipase secretion in macrophages. This study reveals another mechanism for regulation of macrophage lipoprotein lipase secretion.

Acetyl-LDL stimulates macrophage-dependent plasminogen activation and degradation of extracellular matrix

The ability of acetyl-LDL to stimulate macrophage-dependent plasminogen activation and degradation of extracellular matrix was examined. We have found that expression of plasminogen activator activity in response to the scavenger receptor ligand varied among cell populations. Exposure to acetyl-LDL stimulated plasminogen activator expression by cells which constitutively released low levels of activator. These include a virally transformed macrophage-like cell line (RAW246.7), concanavalin A and C. parvum-activated macrophages. The stimulation of plasminogen activator activity was independent of cellular lipid accumulation since nonlipoprotein inhibitors of acetyl-LDL binding to the scavenger receptor stimulated activator expression in great excess to that observed with acetyl-LDL. In contrast, acetyl-LDL was unable to induce soluble plasminogen activator activity in cells which normally do not express it. These include a macrophage-like cell line (J774A.1) and resident peritoneal macrophages. Furthermore, acetyl-LDL was unable to modulate the copious secretion of activator by inflammatory macrophages elicited with thioglycolate. When macrophages were tested for their ability to degrade smooth muscle cell derived matrix, solubilization by resident, elicited, and activated cells was variously increased in the presence of plasminogen. Furthermore, exposure to acetyl-LDL enhanced plasmin-dependent degradation by resident cells and activated cells, whereas matrix degradation by elicited cells was unaffected.