Anti-atherogenic effect of hydrogen sulfide by over-expression of cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE) gene

PLoS One. 2014 Nov 14;9(11):e113038. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113038. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an important gaseous signaling molecule that functions in physiological and pathological conditions, such as atherosclerosis. H2S dilates vessels and therefore has been suggested as an anti-atherogenic molecule. Since cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE) enzyme is responsible for producing H2S in the cardiovascular system, we hypothesized that up-regulation of CSE expression in vivo with preservation of H2S bioactivity can slow down plaque formation and, can serve as a therapeutic strategy against atherosclerosis. In this study, C57BL/6 wild type mice (WT), ApoE knockout mice (KO) and transgenic ApoE knockout mice overexpressing CSE (Tg/KO) at four weeks of age were weaned. They were then fed with either normal or atherogenic diet for 12 weeks. At week 16, serial plasma lipid levels, body weight, and blood pressure were measured prior to euthanization of the mice and the size of atherosclerotic plaques at their aortic roots was measured. Tg/KO mice showed an increase in endogenous H2S production in aortic tissue, reduced atherosclerotic plaque sizes and attenuation in plasma lipid profiles. We also showed an up-regulation in plasma glutathionine peroxidase that could indicate reduced oxidative stress. Furthermore, there was an increase in expression of p-p53 and down regulation of inflammatory nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in aorta. To conclude, alteration of endogenous H2S by CSE gene activation was associated with reduced atherosclerosis in ApoE-deficient mice. Up-regulation of CSE/H2S pathway attenuates atherosclerosis and this would be a potential target for therapeutic intervention against its formation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adiponectin / blood
  • Animals
  • Aorta / metabolism
  • Aorta / pathology
  • Apolipoproteins E / deficiency
  • Apolipoproteins E / genetics
  • Apolipoproteins E / metabolism
  • Atherosclerosis / etiology
  • Atherosclerosis / pathology
  • Blood Pressure
  • Body Weight
  • Cystathionine gamma-Lyase / genetics
  • Cystathionine gamma-Lyase / metabolism*
  • Down-Regulation
  • Glutathione Peroxidase / metabolism
  • Hydrogen Sulfide / metabolism*
  • Leptin / blood
  • Lipids / blood
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Myocardium / metabolism
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Plaque, Atherosclerotic / physiopathology
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Adiponectin
  • Apolipoproteins E
  • Leptin
  • Lipids
  • NF-kappa B
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • Glutathione Peroxidase
  • Cystathionine gamma-Lyase
  • Hydrogen Sulfide

Grants and funding

This work was funded by the Focused Investment Scheme, the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Project number 1903018) and it was received by JYWL. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.