• The role of endocrine IGF-I for atherosclerosis is unclear. We determined the importance of circulating, liver-derived IGF-I for fatty streak formation in mice. Mice with adult, liver-specific IGF-I inactivation (LI-IGF-I(-/-) mice, serum IGF-I reduced by approximately 80%) and control mice received an atherogenic (modified Paigen) diet between 6 and 12months of age. At study end, Oil Red O staining of aortic root cryosections showed increased fatty streak area and lipid deposition in female but not in male LI-IGF-I(-/-) mice compared to controls. Mac-2 staining of aortic root and measurements of CD68 mRNA level in femoral artery revealed increased macrophage accumulation in proportion to the increased fatty streak area in female LI-IGF-I(-/-) mice. Moreover, female LI-IGF-I(-/-) mice displayed increased serum cholesterol and interleukin-6 as well as increased vascular cell-adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1) mRNA levels in the femoral artery and elevated VCAM1 protein expression in the aortic root. Thus, increased diet-induced fatty streak formation in female LI-IGF-I(-/-) mice was associated with increased serum cholesterol and signs of systemic inflammation, endothelial activation, lipid deposition, and macrophage infiltration in the vascular wall.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Endokrinologi och diabetes (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Endocrinology and Diabetes (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)