VEGF secretion by macrophages is stimulated by lipid and protein components of OxLDL via PI3-kinase and PKCζ activation and is independent of OxLDL uptake

Oxidized LDL (OxLDL) is thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of early as well as advanced stages of atherosclerosis. One possible mechanism involves local upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). This study was done to define the mechanism by which OxLDL increases secretion of VEGF in macrophages.The murine leukemia-derived RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line as well as mouse peritoneal macrophages and human monocyte-derived macrophages were used in these studies. Cells were exposed to native low-density lipoprotein (LDL), acetylated LDL, and LDL that had been modified by oxidation with copper or ferrous ions or by exposure to auto-oxidation products of arachidonic acid for 16 h, and VEGF was then assayed in medium. Pharmacological inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) or PKCζ blocked VEGF secretion by OxLDL. Inhibitors of other protein kinase C (PKC) subtypes had no effect, and neither did inhibitors of mitogen activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK). We found that LDL with oxidative modification of either its lipid or protein component can induce VEGF expression. Higher degrees of oxidation of LDL conferred higher potency to induce VEGF. Macrophages from mice lacking both scavenger receptors A (SR-A) and CD36 were fully responsive to OxLDL with regard to VEGF secretion. These macrophages show an 85% reduction in OxLDL uptake compared to macrophages from wild-type mice. Macrophages from mice lacking LOX-1 were also fully responsive to oxLDL with regard to VEGF secretion. We conclude that VEGF upregulation is mediated through PI3K and PKCζ, and does not involve the above three scavenger receptors or require uptake of oxidized LDL.