Abstract

The uptake of modified low density lipoprotein via the macrophage scavenger receptor (MSR) results in the formation of lipid-laden foam cells during atherosclerosis. Because increased oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, the role of reactive oxygen species on the activity and expression of MSR was investigated. The uptake of acetylated low density lipoprotein and the levels of MSR-I mRNA were inhibited by treatment with the oxygen radical scavengers 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl, dimethylthiourea or sodium benzoate, or the iron chelator deferoxamine. Dimethylthiourea or benzoate also decreased the levels of MSR-I mRNA in the presence of the transcription inhibitor actinomycin D. These results indicate that hydroxyl radicals produced from superoxide anions and hydrogen peroxide in the presence of free iron, contribute to an increased MSR activity by stabilizing MSR-I mRNA. Several sources of reactive oxygen species are involved as inhibition of MSR activity and levels of MSR-I mRNA occurred in the presence of rotenone, a mitochondrial complex I inhibitor, or acetovanillone, a NADPH oxidase inhibitor. The (oxidative) stress responsive nuclear factor κB is not involved as inhibitors of its activation remained without significant inhibition. In contrast to MSR-I, the levels of MSR-II mRNA, which is formed by alternative splicing of the same gene transcript, were largely unaffected by the inhibitors of reactive oxygen species formation and activity. The present results suggest that oxidant stress contributes to an increased activity of MSR by stabilizing MSR-I mRNA.