Leukocyte-derived interleukin 10 is required for protection against atherosclerosis in low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout mice

S Potteaux, B Esposito, O van Oostrom… - … , and vascular biology, 2004 - Am Heart Assoc
S Potteaux, B Esposito, O van Oostrom, V Brun, P Ardouin, H Groux, A Tedgui, Z Mallat
Arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology, 2004Am Heart Assoc
Background—Atherosclerosis is an immunoinflammatory disease. Here we examined the
role of leukocyte-derived interleukin 10 (IL-10) on advanced atherosclerosis development in
low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout (LDLr−/−) mice. Methods and Results—Bone
marrow cells harvested from C57BL/6 IL-10−/− and IL-10+/+ mice were transplanted into
irradiated male LDLr−/− mice. Four weeks after transplantation, mice were fed a high-fat
cholate-free diet for 14 weeks. Despite no differences in weights, serum total, and HDL …
Background— Atherosclerosis is an immunoinflammatory disease. Here we examined the role of leukocyte-derived interleukin 10 (IL-10) on advanced atherosclerosis development in low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout (LDLr−/−) mice.
Methods and Results— Bone marrow cells harvested from C57BL/6 IL-10−/− and IL-10+/+ mice were transplanted into irradiated male LDLr−/− mice. Four weeks after transplantation, mice were fed a high-fat cholate-free diet for 14 weeks. Despite no differences in weights, serum total, and HDL-cholesterol levels between the 2 groups, IL-10 deficiency in leukocytes induced a >2-fold increase in lesion development in the thoracic aorta compared with controls. We also found a significant 35% increase in aortic root lesion area of IL-10−/− mice compared with IL-10+/+ mice. Furthermore, IL-10 deficiency led to a marked increase in lymphocyte and macrophage accumulation associated with a significant reduction in collagen accumulation. Finally, transfer of IL-10−/− splenocytes to LDLr−/− mice resulted in a 3-fold increase in lesion size in the aortic sinus compared with mice transplanted with IL-10+/+ splenocytes.
Conclusion— IL-10 expressed by leukocytes prevents exaggerated advanced atherosclerosis development and plays a critical role in modulation of cellular and collagen plaque composition, at least in part, through a modulation of the systemic immune response.
Am Heart Assoc