Inducible inactivation of hepatic LRP gene by cre-mediated recombination confirms role of LRP in clearance of chylomicron remnants.

A Rohlmann, M Gotthardt… - The Journal of clinical …, 1998 - Am Soc Clin Investig
The Journal of clinical investigation, 1998Am Soc Clin Investig
The multifunctional low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-related protein (LRP) has been
postulated to participate in a number of diverse physiological and pathological processes
ranging from the homeostasis of plasma lipoproteins, atherosclerosis, and fibrinolysis to
neuronal regeneration and survival. It has not been possible to demonstrate in vivo the
physiological significance of LRP for each of these complex processes by a conventional
gene knockout approach because LRP is essential for embryonic development. Here we …
The multifunctional low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-related protein (LRP) has been postulated to participate in a number of diverse physiological and pathological processes ranging from the homeostasis of plasma lipoproteins, atherosclerosis, and fibrinolysis to neuronal regeneration and survival. It has not been possible to demonstrate in vivo the physiological significance of LRP for each of these complex processes by a conventional gene knockout approach because LRP is essential for embryonic development. Here we have used the Cre/loxP recombination system to achieve inducible, tissue-specific and quantitative disruption of the LRP gene in adult mice. Inactivation of LRP in the livers of LDL receptor-deficient mice resulted in the accumulation of cholesterol-rich remnant lipoproteins in the circulation. In normal animals, this caused a compensatory upregulation of the LDL receptor in the liver. Conditional gene targeting has thus allowed us to isolate a specific physiological function of LRP for in vivo analysis and has provided unequivocal evidence for another LDL receptor-independent cholesterol clearance pathway in liver.
The Journal of Clinical Investigation