Altered lipoprotein metabolism in P2Y13 knockout mice

The purinergic receptor P2Y13 has been shown to play a role in the uptake of holo-HDL particles in in vitro hepatocyte experiments. In order to determine the role of P2Y13 in lipoprotein metabolism in vivo, we ablated the expression of this gene in mice. Here we show that P2Y13 knockout mice have lower fecal concentrations of neutral sterols (− 27% ± 2.1% in males) as well as small decreases in plasma HDL (− 13.1% ± 3.2% in males; − 17.5% ± 4.0% in females) levels. In addition, significant decreases were detected in serum levels of fatty acids and glycerol in female P2Y13 knockout mice. Hepatic mRNA profiling analyses showed increased expression of SREBP-regulated cholesterol and fatty acid biosynthesis genes, while fatty acid β-oxidation genes were significantly decreased. Liver gene signatures also identified changes in PPARα-regulated transcript levels. With the exception of a small increase in bone area, P2Y13 knockout mice do not show any additional major abnormalities, and display normal body weight, fat mass and lean body mass. No changes in insulin sensitivity and oral glucose tolerance could be detected. Taken together, our experiments assess a role for the purinergic receptor P2Y13 in the regulation of lipoprotein metabolism and demonstrate that modulating its activity could be of benefit to the treatment of dyslipidemia in people.

Research Highlights
► P2Y13 knockout mice have lower fecal concentrations of neutral sterols.
► P2Y13 knockout mice have small decreases in plasma HDL levels.
► Female P2Y13 KO mice have lower plasma fatty acid and glycerol levels.
► P2Y13 KO have normal body weight, fat mass, insulin sensitivity and OGTT.