ApoB-100 and HSP60 Peptides Exert a Synergetic Role in Inhibiting Early Atherosclerosis in Immunized ApoE-null Mice

Title: ApoB-100 and HSP60 Peptides Exert a Synergetic Role in Inhibiting Early Atherosclerosis in Immunized ApoE-null Mice

Volume: 18 Issue: 7

Author(s): Jingjing Li, Xiuyun Zhao, Shichao Zhang, Shengying Wang, Peng Du and Gaofu Qi

Affiliation:

Keywords: ApoB-100, heat shock protein 60, vaccine, atherosclerosisApoB-100, heat shock protein 60, vaccine, atherosclerosis

Abstract: Human heat shock protein 60 (hHSP60) and apolipoprotein B-100 (ApoB-100) in oxidized low density lipoproteins are considered pro-atherosclerotic factors by inducing autoimmunity response, and immunization with peptides from these two proteins can inhibit atherosclerosis in animal models. In this study, we constructed chimeric proteins containing ApoB-100 and/or hHSP60 peptides by human intestinal trefoil factor (ITF) as a scaffold and then fused with glutathionine- S transferase (GST) for expression in Escherichia coli. These purified chimeric proteins were used for immunizing apolipoprotein E (ApoE)-null mice fed on Western diet, and then the immune response and anti-atherosclerotic effect was assayed. Unexpectedly, neither anti-ApoB-100 nor anti-hHSP60 antibodies could be detected in serum. Histological analysis demonstrated the mice immunized with a chimeric protein containing both ApoB-100 and hHSP60 peptides showed the most significant reduction of atherosclerotic lesions (65.9%), and the mice immunized with the chimeric protein only containing ApoB-100 or hHSP60 peptide also showed a 26.7% (p < 0.01) or 61.5% (p < 0.001) reduction of atherosclerotic lesions when compared to GST control. The chimeric protein containing hHSP60 peptide was more efficient than that containing apoB-100 peptide for inhibiting atherosclerosis. This result was further supported by the in vitro assay that hHSP60 peptide could induce DCs and CD4+ T cells to produce more TGF-beta (p < 0.01) and less IFN-gamma (p < 0.001) than ApoB-100 peptide. This result highlights a way for developing anti-atherosclerotic agents by construction of chimeric proteins containing hHSP60 and/or ApoB-100 peptides in the future.

Cite this article as:

Li Jingjing, Zhao Xiuyun, Zhang Shichao, Wang Shengying, Du Peng and Qi Gaofu, ApoB-100 and HSP60 Peptides Exert a Synergetic Role in Inhibiting Early Atherosclerosis in Immunized ApoE-null Mice, Protein & Peptide Letters 2011; 18 (7) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986611795445987