Hypercholesterolemia promotes bone marrow cell mobilization by perturbing the SDF-1:CXCR4 axis

Blood. 2010 May 13;115(19):3886-94. doi: 10.1182/blood-2009-08-240580. Epub 2009 Dec 15.

Abstract

Hypercholesterolemia is associated with elevated peripheral blood leukocytes and increased platelet levels, generally attributed to cholesterol-induced proinflammatory cytokines. Bone marrow (BM) cell mobilization and platelet production is achieved by disrupting the SDF-1:CXCR4 axis, namely with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and/or CXCR4 antagonists. Here we show that high cholesterol disrupts the BM SDF-1:CXCR4 axis; promotes the mobilization of B cells, neutrophils, and progenitor cells (HPCs); and creates thrombocytosis. Hypercholesterolemia was achieved after a 30-day high-cholesterol feeding trial, resulting in elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and inversion of the LDL to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio. Hypercholesterolemic mice displayed lymphocytosis, increased neutrophils, HPCs, and thrombocytosis with a lineage-specific decrease in the BM. Histologic analysis revealed that megakaryocyte numbers remained unaltered but, in high-cholesterol mice, they formed large clusters in contact with BM vessels. In vitro, LDL induced stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) production, suggesting that megakaryocyte delocalization resulted from an altered SDF-1 gradient. LDL also stimulated B cells and HPC migration toward SDF-1, which was blocked by scavenger receptor class B type I (cholesterol receptor) inhibition. Accordingly, hypercholesterolemic mice had increased peripheral blood SDF-1 levels, increased platelets, CXCR4-positive B lymphocytes, neutrophils, and HPCs. High cholesterol interferes with the BM SDF-1:CXCR4 axis, resulting in lymphocytosis, thrombocytosis, and HPC mobilization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • Bone Marrow Cells / metabolism*
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Movement*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chemokine CXCL12 / genetics
  • Chemokine CXCL12 / metabolism*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / cytology
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization*
  • Humans
  • Hypercholesterolemia / metabolism
  • Hypercholesterolemia / pathology*
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Luciferases / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Neutrophils / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Receptors, CXCR4 / genetics
  • Receptors, CXCR4 / metabolism*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Stromal Cells / metabolism
  • Umbilical Veins / cytology
  • Umbilical Veins / metabolism

Substances

  • Chemokine CXCL12
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, CXCR4
  • Luciferases