Abstract
Background: We recently demonstrated that apolipoprotein L6 (ApoL6) regulates apoptosis and autophagy in atherosclerotic lesions, implying that ApoL6 is an important factor that causes plaque instability and a potential therapeutic target for treating atherosclerosis. To further investigate the role of ApoL6 in atherogenesis in vivo , the expression of ApoL6 was knocked down by the liposome-siRNA strategy in the aorta tissue of ApoE -/- mouse. Methods: Liposomal siRNAs were prepared by using the thin-film hydration method and were labeled with quantum dots (QD). ApoE -/- mice were intravenously injected twice in 1 week with either liposomal control siRNA-QD or liposomal ApoL6 siRNA-QD. We harvested aortic tissue from mice and used immunofluorescence staining to analyze the expression of ApoL6 in atherosclerotic plaque. Results: Immunofluorescence analysis showed that expression of ApoL6 was elevated in the atherosclerotic plaque and partially co-localized with a macrophage marker CD68 in ApoE -/- mouse. The results suggest a link between ApoL6 and macrophages in the pathobiology of atherosclerotic lesions ( Fig. A and B ). Confocal microscopy images showed that liposomal ApoL6 siRNA significantly reduced ApoL6 expression (green punctures) in atherosclerotic plaques as compared with liposomal control siRNA (Fig. C) . Conclusion: We established a silencing model of ApoL6 in cardiovascular system of ApoE -/- mouse using liposome-mediated siRNA delivery system. The intravenous injection of liposomal ApoL6 siRNA silences ApoL6 expression in the aortas of ApoE -/- mice and may protect against the development of atherosclerosis.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
