Impact of fatty acids on endothelial cell Cx43 expression (LB653)

Abstract

Increases in the prevalence of obesity worldwide have prompted concerns of an upswing in atherosclerotic diseases. The dyslipidemia that characterizes obesity includes elevated circulating free fatty acids that contribute to atherosclerosis by compromising endothelial cell function. While there are many aspects of endothelial cell function, we focused on connexin 43 (Cx43) as hypertension and diabetes increase endothelial Cx43 expression. Since the epidemiological evidence argues for structure‐based differences in the atherosclerotic potential of fatty acids (cis protect vs trans promote), we evaluated the impact of fatty acid structure on endothelial cell Cx43 expression. First, we quantified endothelial cell (mouse bEnd.3: ATCC) responses to 4 fatty acids [saturated (steric) or unsaturated (oleic {cis}, linoleic {omega‐6}, and eladic acid {trans})]. After 24 hours at 0.3 to 300 μM, there was little change in endothelial cell Cx43 expression. However, treatment with 30 μM linoleic or oleic acid generated a biphasic response: Cx43 expression increased early (~3 hrs) and decreased later (~12 hrs). This time‐dependent response may reflect differences in the underlying mechanisms (prostaglandin synthesis vs receptor activation). Thus, preliminary data argue that endothelial Cx43 expression is altered by fatty acids although evidence for structure dependent difference is lacking.Grant Funding Source: Supported by Student Summer Scholars at GVSU