Inflammatory genes and antioxidant response of aortic endothelial cells to minimally modified LDL in atherosclerosis‐susceptible and ‐resistant Japanese quail

Abstract

In this study, we examined whether variations of aortic endothelial cells (AEC) of atherosclerosis‐susceptible (SUS) and –resistant (RES) Japanese quail in response to minimally modified low‐density lipoprotein (mmLDL) constitute a genetic component in atherosclerosis. AEC were isolated from the aorta of SUS and RES birds, which differ markedly in susceptibility to dietary cholesterol‐induced atherosclerosis. Responses to mmLDL were examined by measuring the expression of inflammatory genes, monocyte chemotactic protein‐1 (MCP‐1) and macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (MCS‐F), heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) and its reaction products (bilirubin, catalytic iron), and endogenous antioxidants glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. AEC from SUS strain are more susceptible than those from the RES strain to mmLDL‐induced oxidative stress, as judged by lower HO activity, HO‐1 expression, endogenous antioxidants, ferritin and bilirubin levels. AEC from SUS birds also showed higher levels of catalytic iron and dramatic induction of MCP‐1 and MCS‐F. These results indicate that genetic factors and endogenous antioxidants may be important in determining the susceptibility of SUS and RES cells to oxidative stress.