Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin 9 (PCSK9) Promotes Macrophage Activation via LDL Receptor-Independent Mechanisms

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Shunsuke Katsuki - , Harvard University (Author)
  • Prabhash K. Jha - , Harvard University (Author)
  • Adrien Lupieri - , Harvard University (Author)
  • Toshiaki Nakano - , Harvard University (Author)
  • Livia S.A. Passos - , Harvard University (Author)
  • Maximillian A. Rogers - , Harvard University (Author)
  • Dakota Becker-Greene - , Harvard University (Author)
  • Thanh Dat Le - , Harvard University (Author)
  • Julius L. Decano - , Harvard University (Author)
  • Lang Ho Lee - , Harvard University (Author)
  • Gabriel C. Guimaraes - , Harvard University (Author)
  • Ilyes Abdelhamid - , Harvard University (Author)
  • Arda Halu - , Harvard University (Author)
  • Alessandro Muscoloni - , TUD Dresden University of Technology, Tsinghua University (Author)
  • Carlo V. Cannistraci - , Clusters of Excellence PoL: Physics of Life, Biomedical Cybernetics (Research Group), TUD Dresden University of Technology, Tsinghua University (Author)
  • Hideyuki Higashi - , Harvard University (Author)
  • Hengmin Zhang - , Harvard University (Author)
  • Amélie Vromman - , Harvard University (Author)
  • Peter Libby - , Harvard University (Author)
  • C. Keith Ozaki - , Harvard University (Author)
  • Amitabh Sharma - , Harvard University (Author)
  • Sasha A. Singh - , Harvard University (Author)
  • Elena Aikawa - , Harvard University (Author)
  • Masanori Aikawa - , Harvard University (Author)

Abstract

Background: Activated macrophages contribute to the pathogenesis of vascular disease. Vein graft failure is a major clinical problem with limited therapeutic options. PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9) increases low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol levels via LDL receptor (LDLR) degradation. The role of PCSK9 in macrophage activation and vein graft failure is largely unknown, especially through LDLR-independent mechanisms. This study aimed to explore a novel mechanism of macrophage activation and vein graft disease induced by circulating PCSK9 in an LDLR-independent fashion. Methods: We used Ldlr-/-mice to examine the LDLR-independent roles of circulating PCSK9 in experimental vein grafts. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector encoding a gain-of-function mutant of PCSK9 (rAAV8/D377Y-mPCSK9) induced hepatic PCSK9 overproduction. To explore novel inflammatory targets of PCSK9, we used systems biology in Ldlr-/-mouse macrophages. Results: In Ldlr-/-mice, AAV-PCSK9 increased circulating PCSK9, but did not change serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels. AAV-PCSK9 promoted vein graft lesion development when compared with control AAV. In vivo molecular imaging revealed that AAV-PCSK9 increased macrophage accumulation and matrix metalloproteinase activity associated with decreased fibrillar collagen, a molecular determinant of atherosclerotic plaque stability. AAV-PCSK9 induced mRNA expression of the pro-inflammatory mediators IL-1β (interleukin-1 beta), TNFα (tumor necrosis factor alpha), and MCP-1 (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) in peritoneal macrophages underpinned by an in vitro analysis of Ldlr-/-mouse macrophages stimulated with endotoxin-free recombinant PCSK9. A combination of unbiased global transcriptomics and new network-based hyperedge entanglement prediction analysis identified the NF-κB (nuclear factor-kappa B) signaling molecules, lectin-like oxidized LOX-1 (LDL receptor-1), and SDC4 (syndecan-4) as potential PCSK9 targets mediating pro-inflammatory responses in macrophages. Conclusions: Circulating PCSK9 induces macrophage activation and vein graft lesion development via LDLR-independent mechanisms. PCSK9 may be a potential target for pharmacologic treatment for this unmet medical need.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)873-889
Number of pages17
JournalCirculation research
Volume131
Issue number11
Publication statusPublished - 11 Nov 2022
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 36263780

Keywords

Keywords

  • graft occlusion, vascular, inflammation, macrophage activation, receptors, LDL, systems biology

Library keywords