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Lack of Ability to Present Antigens on Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II Molecules Aggravates Atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- Mice

Wigren, Maria LU ; Rattik, Sara LU ; Yao Mattisson, Ingrid LU ; Tomas, Lukas LU ; Grönberg, Caitriona LU ; Söderberg, Ingrid LU ; Alm, Ragnar LU ; Sundius, Lena LU ; Ljungcrantz, Irena LU and Björkbacka, Harry LU orcid , et al. (2019) In Circulation 139(22). p.2554-2566
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hypercholesterolemic mice lacking factors required for activation of CD4+ T cells are characterized by reduced development of atherosclerosis. Consequently, it has been assumed that atherosclerosis involves loss of tolerance against modified self-antigens generated in response to hypercholesterolemia and that presentation of such antigens on major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII) leads to activation of proatherogenic Th1 cells. In this study, we wanted to determine the role of antigen presentation on MHCII in atherosclerosis development.

METHODS: Apolipoprotein E (ApoE-/-) mice deficient for MHCII (ApoE-/-MHCII-/-) were used to study the role of MHCII in atherosclerosis development.

RESULTS: Compared... (More)

BACKGROUND: Hypercholesterolemic mice lacking factors required for activation of CD4+ T cells are characterized by reduced development of atherosclerosis. Consequently, it has been assumed that atherosclerosis involves loss of tolerance against modified self-antigens generated in response to hypercholesterolemia and that presentation of such antigens on major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII) leads to activation of proatherogenic Th1 cells. In this study, we wanted to determine the role of antigen presentation on MHCII in atherosclerosis development.

METHODS: Apolipoprotein E (ApoE-/-) mice deficient for MHCII (ApoE-/-MHCII-/-) were used to study the role of MHCII in atherosclerosis development.

RESULTS: Compared with ApoE-/- mice, ApoE-/-MHCII-/- mice had reduced levels of CD4+ T cells, immunoglobulin G and M levels, and Th1 and Th2 cytokines in plasma. CD8+ T cells were increased and regulatory T cells were reduced both in spleen and in lesions of ApoE-/-MHCII-/- mice. Decreased plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines in ApoE-/-MHCII-/- mice indicated reduced systemic inflammation. Despite this, ApoE-/-MHCII-/- mice had significantly more atherosclerosis as assessed by en face Oil Red O staining of the aorta (4.7±2.9% versus 1.9±1.3%; P<0.01) and cross-sectional area of subvalvular lesions (7.7±2.2×105 µm2 versus 4.6±2.8×105 µm2; P<0.05). Cell transfer and blocking antibody studies suggested that loss of regulatory T cells is the most important cause of aggravated atherosclerosis in ApoE-/-MHCII-/- mice.

CONCLUSIONS: Our observations demonstrate that antigen presentation on MHCII has important protective functions in atherosclerosis and that this is primarily the result of activation of regulatory T cells. These findings have implications for understanding the possible risks and benefits of immunosuppressive therapy in patients with cardiovascular disease.

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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Circulation
volume
139
issue
22
pages
13 pages
publisher
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
external identifiers
  • scopus:85067273266
  • pmid:31136220
ISSN
1524-4539
DOI
10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.118.039288
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
ce8aa0ee-ce7b-4849-9bc0-5f6252bc2255
date added to LUP
2019-06-27 15:23:53
date last changed
2025-02-05 19:38:30
@article{ce8aa0ee-ce7b-4849-9bc0-5f6252bc2255,
  abstract     = {{<p>BACKGROUND: Hypercholesterolemic mice lacking factors required for activation of CD4+ T cells are characterized by reduced development of atherosclerosis. Consequently, it has been assumed that atherosclerosis involves loss of tolerance against modified self-antigens generated in response to hypercholesterolemia and that presentation of such antigens on major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII) leads to activation of proatherogenic Th1 cells. In this study, we wanted to determine the role of antigen presentation on MHCII in atherosclerosis development.</p><p>METHODS: Apolipoprotein E (ApoE-/-) mice deficient for MHCII (ApoE-/-MHCII-/-) were used to study the role of MHCII in atherosclerosis development.</p><p>RESULTS: Compared with ApoE-/- mice, ApoE-/-MHCII-/- mice had reduced levels of CD4+ T cells, immunoglobulin G and M levels, and Th1 and Th2 cytokines in plasma. CD8+ T cells were increased and regulatory T cells were reduced both in spleen and in lesions of ApoE-/-MHCII-/- mice. Decreased plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines in ApoE-/-MHCII-/- mice indicated reduced systemic inflammation. Despite this, ApoE-/-MHCII-/- mice had significantly more atherosclerosis as assessed by en face Oil Red O staining of the aorta (4.7±2.9% versus 1.9±1.3%; P&lt;0.01) and cross-sectional area of subvalvular lesions (7.7±2.2×105 µm2 versus 4.6±2.8×105 µm2; P&lt;0.05). Cell transfer and blocking antibody studies suggested that loss of regulatory T cells is the most important cause of aggravated atherosclerosis in ApoE-/-MHCII-/- mice.</p><p>CONCLUSIONS: Our observations demonstrate that antigen presentation on MHCII has important protective functions in atherosclerosis and that this is primarily the result of activation of regulatory T cells. These findings have implications for understanding the possible risks and benefits of immunosuppressive therapy in patients with cardiovascular disease.</p>}},
  author       = {{Wigren, Maria and Rattik, Sara and Yao Mattisson, Ingrid and Tomas, Lukas and Grönberg, Caitriona and Söderberg, Ingrid and Alm, Ragnar and Sundius, Lena and Ljungcrantz, Irena and Björkbacka, Harry and Fredrikson, Gunilla Nordin and Nilsson, Jan}},
  issn         = {{1524-4539}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{05}},
  number       = {{22}},
  pages        = {{2554--2566}},
  publisher    = {{Lippincott Williams & Wilkins}},
  series       = {{Circulation}},
  title        = {{Lack of Ability to Present Antigens on Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II Molecules Aggravates Atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- Mice}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.118.039288}},
  doi          = {{10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.118.039288}},
  volume       = {{139}},
  year         = {{2019}},
}