Systemic MCP1/CCR2 blockade and leukocyte specific MCP1/CCR2 inhibition affect aortic aneurysm formation differently

de Waard, Vivian; Bot, Ilze; de Jager, Saskia C.A.; Talib, Sara; Egashira, Kensuke; de Vries, Margreet R.; Quax, Paul H.A.; Biessen, Erik A.L.; van Berkel, Theo J.C.

doi:10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2010.01.042

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Volume 211, Issue 1 , Pages 84-89, July 2010

Systemic MCP1/CCR2 blockade and leukocyte specific MCP1/CCR2 inhibition affect aortic aneurysm formation differently

Vivian de Waard
- Division of Biopharmaceutics, Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- These authors contributed equally to the study.
- Corresponding author at: Academic Medical Center, Medical Biochemistry, K1-144, Meibergdreef 15, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Tel.: +31 20 5665129; fax: +31 20 6915519.
Ilze Bot
- Division of Biopharmaceutics, Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, The Netherlands
- These authors contributed equally to the study.
Saskia C.A. de Jager
- Division of Biopharmaceutics, Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, The Netherlands
Sara Talib
- Division of Biopharmaceutics, Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, The Netherlands
Kensuke Egashira
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
Margreet R. de Vries
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Einthoven Laboratories, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
Paul H.A. Quax
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Einthoven Laboratories, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
Erik A.L. Biessen
- Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Maastricht, The Netherlands
Theo J.C. van Berkel
- Division of Biopharmaceutics, Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research, Leiden University, The Netherlands

Received 9 July 2009; received in revised form 20 November 2009; accepted 28 January 2010. published online 02 March 2010.

Abstract

Objective

CCR2, the receptor for monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1), is involved in atherosclerosis and abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Here, we explored the potential beneficial blockade of the MCP1/CCR2 pathway.

Methods

We applied an AAA model in aging apolipoprotein E deficient mice with pre-existing atherosclerotic lesions. These mice were subjected to two therapeutic strategies. First, a dominant negative form of MCP1 was overexpressed in femoral muscles, resulting in circulating levels of MCP1-7ND (7ND), competing with native MCP1. In the second approach, bone marrow transplantation was performed using bone marrow cells that were infected with a lentiviral construct containing siRNA for CCR2, to specifically inhibit only leukocyte CCR2 expression.

Results

Both strategies did not influence lesion size of the advanced atherosclerotic plaques. However, 7ND induced a more fibrous plaque phenotype. Yet, surprisingly a trend in increased number and severity of AAA was observed in the 7ND group. Smooth muscle cells in the aneurysm showed decreased phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription five (STAT5, P<0.01) in the 7ND group, which is indicative for a decreased proliferative and migratory (wound healing) response. This presumably resulted in the increased AAA development. In contrast, siRNA-induced inhibition of CCR2 in leukocytes led to a significant inhibition in aneurysm formation. In conclusion, systemic inhibition of the MCP1/CCR2 pathway leads to a fibrous plaque phenotype in the advanced atherosclerotic lesions, but to potential adverse effects on AAA formation, implying that for a beneficial overall therapeutic approach, specific inhibitory targeting of leukocyte CCR2 will be essential.