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Gisterå A, Hermansson A, Strodthoff D, Klement ML, Hedin U, Fredrikson GN, Nilsson J, Hansson GK, Ketelhuth DFJ. Vaccination against T-cell epitopes of native ApoB100 reduces vascular inflammation and disease in a humanized mouse model of atherosclerosis. J Intern Med 2017; 281:383-397. [PMID: 28194913 DOI: 10.1111/joim.12589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The T-cell response to low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the vessel wall plays a critical role in atherosclerotic plaque formation and stability. In this study, we used a new translational approach to investigate epitopes from human apolipoprotein B100 (ApoB100), the protein component of LDL, which triggers T-cell activation. We also evaluated the potential of two selected native ApoB100 epitopes to modulate atherosclerosis in human ApoB100-transgenic Ldlr-/- (HuBL) mice. METHODS AND RESULTS HuBL mice were immunized with human atherosclerotic plaque homogenate to boost cellular autoimmune response to tissue-derived ApoB100 epitopes. In vitro challenge of splenocytes from immunized mice with a library of overlapping native peptides covering human ApoB100 revealed several sequences eliciting T-cell proliferation. Of these sequences, peptide (P) 265 and P295 were predicted to bind several human leucocyte antigen (HLA) haplotypes and induced high levels of interferon (IFN)-γ. Vaccination of HuBL mice with these peptides mounted a strong adaptive immune response to native ApoB100, including high levels of epitope-specific plasma IgGs. Interestingly, P265 and P295 vaccines significantly decreased plaque size, reduced macrophage infiltration and increased IgG1 deposition in the plaques. Purified IgGs from vaccinated mice displayed anti-inflammatory properties against macrophages in vitro, reducing their response to LPS in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION We identified two specific epitopes from human native ApoB100 that trigger T-cell activation and protect HuBL mice against atherosclerosis when used in a vaccine. Our data suggest that vaccination-induced protective mechanisms may be mediated at least in part through specific antibody responses to LDL that inhibit macrophage activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Gisterå
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Medicine Unit, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - A Hermansson
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Medicine Unit, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - D Strodthoff
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Medicine Unit, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - M L Klement
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Medicine Unit, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - U Hedin
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Vascular Surgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - G N Fredrikson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - J Nilsson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - G K Hansson
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Medicine Unit, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - D F J Ketelhuth
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Medicine Unit, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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