| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1931396 | Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications | 2010 | 6 Pages |
Objective: Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a 28-amino acid peptide widely expressed in the body and binding three types of receptors: VPAC1-R, VPAC2-R and PAC1-R. Based on beneficial effects of VIP and VPAC1-R agonists in mouse models of several chronic inflammatory disorders, we hypothesized that activation of VIP receptors would prevent atherosclerosis development in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.Methods and results: Contrary to our hypothesis, administration of a VPAC1-R agonist, (Ala11,22,28)-VIP aggravated atherosclerotic lesion development in the aortic root of these mice compared to control mice. This was accompanied by a significant increase in the expression of MHC class II protein I-Ab, and suggests enhanced inflammatory activity in the vessel wall. The amount of macrophage-specific CD68 staining as well as serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels did not change as a result of the (Ala11,22,28)-VIP treatment, i.e. the treatment resulted in significant changes in lipid accumulation in the lesions without changing the number of macrophages or systemic lipid levels. Interestingly, administration of VIP did not alter the course of the disease.Conclusion: Despite beneficial effects in murine models of several inflammatory disorders, VPAC1-R activation aggravates atherosclerotic lesion formation in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice through enhanced inflammatory activity in the vessel wall.
Research highlights► VIP and specific VPAC1-R agonists are beneficial in several chronic inflammatory disorders. ► In atherosclerosis VPAC1-R activation aggravates lesion formation. ► This effect is attributed to enhanced inflammatory activity in the vessel wall. ► Further dissection of the underlying biology of VPAC receptors in atherosclerosis is needed.
