The transcription factor CREB enhances interleukin-17A production and inflammation in a mouse model of atherosclerosis

Sci Signal. 2013 Sep 17;6(293):ra83. doi: 10.1126/scisignal.2004214.

Abstract

The enzyme 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO) plays a role in atherogenesis (also known as atherosclerosis), but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. We found that 15(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid [15(S)-HETE], the major 15-LO-dependent metabolite of arachidonic acid, stimulated the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by monocytes through the xanthine oxidase-mediated activation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase. ROS production led to the Syk-, Pyk2-, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-dependent production of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-17A (IL-17A) in a manner that required the transcription factor CREB (cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding protein). In addition, this pathway was required for the 15(S)-HETE-dependent migration and adhesion of monocytes to endothelial cells. Consistent with these observations, we found that peritoneal macrophages from apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE-/-) mice fed a high-fat diet (a mouse model of atherosclerosis) exhibited increased xanthine oxidase and NADPH oxidase activities; ROS production; phosphorylation of Syk, Pyk2, MAPK, and CREB; and IL-17A production compared to those from similarly fed ApoE-/-:12/15-LO-/- mice. These events correlated with increased lipid deposits and numbers of monocytes and macrophages in the aortic arches of ApoE-/- mice, which resulted in atherosclerotic plaque formation. Together, these observations suggest that 15(S)-HETE exacerbates atherogenesis by enhancing CREB-dependent IL-17A production and inflammation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aorta, Thoracic / cytology
  • Aorta, Thoracic / pathology
  • Apolipoproteins E / genetics
  • Arachidonate 15-Lipoxygenase / metabolism*
  • Atherosclerosis / immunology*
  • Azo Compounds
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Adhesion / physiology
  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Movement / physiology
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / immunology*
  • Diet, High-Fat
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Fluorescence
  • Humans
  • Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids / metabolism*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Interleukin-17 / immunology*
  • Interleukin-17 / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Monocytes / physiology
  • NADPH Oxidases / metabolism
  • Oligonucleotides, Antisense / genetics
  • Phosphorylation
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Xanthine Oxidase / metabolism

Substances

  • Apolipoproteins E
  • Azo Compounds
  • Creb1 protein, mouse
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein
  • Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids
  • Interleukin-17
  • Oligonucleotides, Antisense
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Arachidonate 15-Lipoxygenase
  • Xanthine Oxidase
  • NADPH Oxidases
  • oil red O