Abstract-We studied the expression of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A 2 (Lp-PLA 2 ), an enzyme capable of hydrolyzing platelet-activating factor (PAF), PAF-like phospholipids, and polar-modified phosphatidylcholines, in human and rabbit atherosclerotic lesions. Oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein, which plays an important role in atherogenesis, generates biologically active PAF-like modified phospholipid derivatives with polar fatty acid chains. PAF is known to have a potent proinflammatory activity and is inactivated by its hydrolysis. On the other hand, lysophosphatidylcholine and oxidized fatty acids released from oxidized low-density lipoprotein as a result of Lp-PLA 2 activity are thought to be involved in the progression of atherosclerosis. Using combined in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry, we detected Lp-PLA 2 mRNA and protein in macrophages in both human and rabbit atherosclerotic lesions. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis indicated an increased expression of Lp-PLA 2 mRNA in human atherosclerotic lesions. In addition, Ϸ6-fold higher Lp-PLA 2 activity was detected in atherosclerotic aortas of Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic rabbits compared with normal aortas from control rabbits. It is concluded that (1) macrophages in both human and rabbit atherosclerotic lesions express Lp-PLA 2 , which could cleave any oxidatively modified phosphatidylcholine present in the lesion area, and (2) modulation of Lp-PLA 2 activity could lead to antiatherogenic effects in the vessel wall.

A novel and potent azetidinone inhibitor of the lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), i.e. platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase, is described for the first time. This inhibitor, SB-222657 (Ki=40+/-3 nM, kobs/[I]=6. 6x10(5) M-1.s-1), is inactive against paraoxonase, is a poor inhibitor of lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase and has been used to investigate the role of Lp-PLA2 in the oxidative modification of lipoproteins. Although pretreatment with SB-222657 did not affect the kinetics of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation by Cu2+ or an azo free-radical generator as determined by assay of lipid hydroperoxides (LOOHs), conjugated dienes and thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances, in both cases it inhibited the elevation in lysophosphatidylcholine content. Moreover, the significantly increased monocyte chemoattractant activity found in a non-esterified fatty acid fraction from LDL oxidized by Cu2+ was also prevented by pretreatment with SB-222657, with an IC50 value of 5.0+/-0.4 nM. The less potent diastereoisomer of SB-222657, SB-223777 (Ki=6.3+/-0.5 microM, kobs/[I]=1.6x10(4) M-1.s-1), was found to be significantly less active in both assays. Thus, in addition to generating lysophosphatidylcholine, a known biologically active lipid, these results demonstrate that Lp-PLA2 is capable of generating oxidized non-esterified fatty acid moieties that are also bioactive. These findings are consistent with our proposal that Lp-PLA2 has a predominantly pro-inflammatory role in atherogenesis. Finally, similar studies have demonstrated that a different situation exists during the oxidation of high-density lipoprotein, with enzyme(s) other than Lp-PLA2 apparently being responsible for generating lysophosphatidylcholine.

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A novel and potent azetidinone inhibitor of the lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), i.e. platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase, is described for the first time. This inhibitor, SB-222657 (Ki = 40±3 nM, kobs/[I] = 6.6×105 M-1·s-1), is inactive against paraoxonase, is a poor inhibitor of lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase and has been used to investigate the role of Lp-PLA2 in the oxidative modification of lipoproteins. Although pretreatment with SB-222657 did not affect the kinetics of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation by Cu2+ or an azo free-radical generator as determined by assay of lipid hydroperoxides (LOOHs), conjugated dienes and thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances, in both cases it inhibited the elevation in lysophosphatidylcholine content. Moreover, the significantly increased monocyte chemoattractant activity found in a non-esterified fatty acid fraction from LDL oxidized by Cu2+ was also prevented by pretreatment with SB-222657, with an IC50 value of 5.0±0.4 nM. The less potent diastereoisomer of SB-222657, SB-223777 (Ki = 6.3±0.5 µM, kobs/[I] = 1.6×104 M-1·s-1), was found to be significantly less active in both assays. Thus, in addition to generating lysophosphatidylcholine, a known biologically active lipid, these results demonstrate that Lp-PLA2 is capable of generating oxidized non-esterified fatty acid moieties that are also bioactive. These findings are consistent with our proposal that Lp-PLA2 has a predominantly pro-inflammatory role in atherogenesis. Finally, similar studies have demonstrated that a different situation exists during the oxidation of high-density lipoprotein, with enzyme(s) other than Lp-PLA2 apparently being responsible for generating lysophosphatidylcholine.

No abstract