Silencing carboxylesterase 1 in human THP-1 macrophages perturbs genes regulated by PPAR?/RXR and RAR/RXR: down-regulation of CYP27A1-LXR? signaling.
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ABSTRACT: Macrophage foam cells store excess cholesterol as cholesteryl esters, which need to be hydrolyzed for cholesterol efflux. We recently reported that silencing expression of carboxylesterase 1 (CES1) in human THP-1 macrophages [CES1KD (THP-1 cells with CES1 expression knocked down) macrophages] reduced cholesterol uptake and decreased expression of CD36 and scavenger receptor-A in cells loaded with acetylated low-density lipoprotein (acLDL). Here, we report that CES1KD macrophages exhibit reduced transcription of cytochrome P45027A1 (CYP27A1) in nonloaded and acLDL-loaded cells. Moreover, levels of CYP27A1 protein and its enzymatic product, 27-hydroxycholesterol, were markedly reduced in CES1KD macrophages. Transcription of LXR? (liver X receptor ?) and ABCA1 (ATP-binding cassette transporter A1) was also decreased in acLDL-loaded CES1KD macrophages, suggesting reduced signaling through PPAR?-CYP27A1-LXR?. Consistent with this, treatment of CES1KD macrophages with agonists for PPAR?, RAR, and/or RAR/RXR partially restored transcription of CYP27A1 and LXR?, and repaired cholesterol influx. Conversely, treatment of control macrophages with antagonists for PPAR? and/or RXR decreased transcription of CYP27A1 and LXR? Pharmacologic inhibition of CES1 in both wild-type THP-1 cells and primary human macrophages also decreased CYP27A1 transcription. CES1 silencing did not affect transcript levels of PPAR? and RXR in acLDL-loaded macrophages, whereas it did reduce the catabolism of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol. Finally, the gene expression profile of CES1KD macrophages was similar to that of PPAR? knockdown cells following acLDL exposures, further suggesting a mechanistic link between CES1 and PPAR?. These results are consistent with a model in which abrogation of CES1 function attenuates the CYP27A1-LXR?-ABCA1 signaling axis by depleting endogenous ligands for the nuclear receptors PPAR?, RAR, and/or RXR that regulate cholesterol homeostasis.
SUBMITTER: Mangum LC
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6159944 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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