Macrophage AMPK, Inflammation, and Atherosclerosis

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The metabolic syndrome is a collection of metabolic abnormalities, including obesity, insulin resistance and atherosclerosis, with chronic inflammation as a causative underlying mechanism. Inflammatory responses in obesity can be activated by altered nutrient metabolism (e.g. excess lipids and modified lipoprotein particles). The studies proposed here aim to determine cellular mechanisms linking nutrient metabolism to inflammation, atherosclerosis and insulin resistance. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an evolutionally conserved cellular energy sensor that regulates metabolic pathways in lipid, cholesterol and glucose metabolism. AMPK signaling and expression are down-regulated in macrophages and adipose tissue by inflammatory stimuli and in nutrient-rich conditions, such as exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), free fatty acids (FFAs), oxidized low- density lipoprotein (oxLDL) particles, and in diet-induced obesity. In addition, activation of macrophage AMPK signaling significantly suppresses LPS-, FFAs- and oxLDL-induced inflammation, as well as macrophage chemotaxis and adhesion, important processes in the development of atherosclerosis. This effect is exerted primarily through the 11AMPK isoform in macrophages. Therefore, the overall hypothesis is that macrophage AMPK is a key signaling molecule linking cellular nutrient metabolism to inflammatory responses, and activating macrophage AMPK protects against both atherosclerosis and insulin resistance through suppression of macrophage inflammation. Mice with macrophage-specific over-expression of dominant negative (loss-of- function) or constitutively active (gain-of-function) 11AMPK (DN-11 and CA-11, respectively) have been newly generated and will be used to determine specifically the role of macrophage AMPK in antagonizing obesity- induced inflammation, atherosclerosis and insulin resistance. Specific aim 1 will determine the protective effects of macrophage AMPK against atherosclerosis using macrophage-specific CA-11 or DN-11 mice crossed with LDL receptor (LDLR) knockout mice. The development of atherosclerosis and the infiltration of macrophages into atherosclerotic lesions at both early and more advanced disease stages will be determined in these mice on an atherogenic diet. Specific aim 2 will determine the protective effects of macrophage AMPK against obesity-induced inflammation and insulin resistance using macrophage-specific CA-11 or DN-11 mice. The insulin sensitivity and adipose tissue inflammation will be determined in these mice on either chow or high fat diet. Completing these studies will provide novel perspectives in the studying of obesity and associated metabolic syndrome. That is, AMPK serves as a signaling link between cellular nutrient metabolism and inflammation; activating macrophage AMPK significantly suppresses macrophage inflammation in obesity, which have protective effects on both atherosclerosis and insulin resistance; and the therapeutic effects of AMPK to reduce atherosclerosis and insulin resistance may be through reduction of obesity-induced inflammation.