FXR Deficiency Causes Reduced Atherosclerosis inLdlr−/−Mice

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Abstract
Objective— Based on the observation that Fxr−/− mice exhibit a proatherogenic lipoprotein profile, we investigated the role of FXR in the development of atherosclerosis. Methods and Results— Administration of a western diet to Fxr−/− mice or wild-type mice does not result in the development of significant atherosclerotic lesions. Consequently we generated Fxr−/−Ldlr−/− (DKO) mice and compared lesion development with Ldlr−/− mice. After 16 weeks on a Western diet, en face analysis of the aorta indicated that the male DKO mice had reduced atherosclerotic lesions as compared with Ldlr−/− mice. Plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were reduced by 40% to 50%, whereas triglyceride levels increased 4-fold in the male DKO mice. Finally, peritoneal macrophages freshly isolated from male DKO mice had reduced expression of CD36 mRNA and decreased neutral lipid accumulation, as compared with Ldlr−/− mice. Conclusions— FXR deficiency in male, but not female, Ldlr−/− mice results in a reduction in the size of atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta. The reduction in atherosclerosis may result from a decrease in plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, coupled with reduced expression of CD36 in macrophages of DKO mice. Based on the observation that Fxr−/− mice exhibit a proatherogenic lipoprotein profile, we investigated the role of FXR in the development of atherosclerosis. FXR deficiency in male, but not female, Ldlr−/− mice results in a reduction in the size of atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta. The reduction in atherosclerosis may result from a decrease in plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, coupled with reduced expression of CD36 in macrophages of DKO mice.