Skip to main content
Log in

Lipids in vascular function

  • Plenary Lectures
  • Published:
Lipids

Abstract

Physiological and pathological vascular responses depend on the action of numerous intercellular mediators, ranging from hormones to gases like nitric oxide, proteins, and lipids. The last group consists not only of the different types of lipoproteins, but also includes a broad array of other lipophilic signaling molecules such as fatty acids, eicosanoids, phospholipids and their derivatives, sphingolipids and isoprenoids. Due to space limitations, it is impossible to discuss all the vascular effects of lipophilic mediators or compounds. Therefore, we will focus on one of the most important lipid-mediated diseases, atherosclerosis. Lipoproteins and especially their native or oxidized lipid compounds affect vascular function in many different ways, and these effects do not only modulate atherogenesis but are of paramount physiological and pathophysiological importance in other diseases, such as inflammation, tumor metastasis, or normal wound healing.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

AP-1:

activator protein 1

EET:

epoxy-eicosatrienoic acid

HDL:

high density lipoprotein

HETE:

hydroxy-eciosatetraenoic acids

HMG-CoA:

3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl CoA

ICAM-1:

intercellular adhesion molecule 1

LDL:

low density lipoproteins

Lp(a):

lipoprotein (a)

LT:

leukotriene

LX:

lipoxin

MAP kinase:

mitogen activated protein kinase

mmLDL:

mildly modified low density lipoprotein

NFκB:

nuclear factor kappa B

NO:

nitric oxide

oxLDL:

oxidized low density lipoprotein

PAF:

platelet-activating factor

PDGF:

platelet-derived growth factor

PG:

prostaglandin

PKA:

protein kinase A

PKC:

protein kinase C

PUFA:

polyunsaturated fatty acids

References

  1. Navab, M., Berliner, J.A., Watson, A.D., Hama, S.Y., Territo, M.C., Lusis, A.J., Shih, D.M., Van Lenten, B.J., Frank, J.S., Demer, L.L., Edwards, P.A., and Fogelman, A.M. (1996) The Yin and Yang of Oxidation in the Development of the Fatty Streak,Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol. 16, 831–842.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Creager, M.A., and Selwyn, A. (1996) When “Normal” Cholesterol Levels Injure the Endothelium,Circulation 96, 3255–3257.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Hajjar, D.P., and Haberland, M.E. (1997) Lipoprotein Trafficking In Vascular Cells,J. Biol. Chem. 272, 22975–22978.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Selwyn, A.P., Kinlay, S., Libby, P., and Ganz, P. (1997) Atherogenic Lipids, Vascular Dysfunction, And Clinical Signs Of Ischemic Heart Disease,Circulation 95, 5–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Sellmayer, A., Obermeier, H., Danesch, U., Aepfelbacher, M., and Weber, P.C. (1996) Arachidonic Acid Increases Activation of NADPH Oxidase in Monocytic U937 Cells by Accelerated Translocation of p47-Phox and Co-Stimulation of Protein Kinase C,Cell. Signal. 8, 397–402.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Peppelenbosch, M.P., Qiu, R.-G., DeVries-Smits, A.M.M., Tertoolen, L.G.J., DeLaat, S.W., McCormick, F., Hall, A., Symons, M.H., and Bos, J.L. (1995) Rac Mediates Growth Factor-Induced Arachidonic Acid Release,Cell 81, 849–856.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Sellmayer, A., Danesch, U., and Weber, P.C. (1996) Modulation of the Expression of Early Genes by Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids,Prostagland. Leukot. Essent. Fatty. 57, 353–357.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Khan, W.A., Blobe, G.C., and Hannun, Y.A. (1995) Arachidonic Acid and Free Fatty Acids as Second Messengers and the Role of Protein Kinase C,Cell. Signal. 3, 171–184.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Krey, G., Braissant, O., L’Horset, F., Falkhoven, E., Perroud, M., Parker, M.G., and Wahli, W. (1997) Fatty Acids, Eicosanoids, and Hypolipidemic Agents Identified as Ligands of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors by Coactivator-Dependent Receptor Ligand Assay,Mol. Endocrinol. 11, 779–791.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Danesch, U., Weber, P.C., and Sellmayer, A. (1994) Arachidonic Acid Increases c-fos and Egr-1 mRNA in 3T3 Fibroblasts by Formation of Prostaglandin E2 and Activation of Protein Kinase C,J. Biol. Chem. 269, 27258–27263.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Geritsen, M.E. (1996) Physiological and Pathophysiological Roles of Eicosanoids in the Microcirculation,Cardiovasc. Res. 32, 720–732.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Jeremy, J.Y., Jackson, C.L., Bryan, A.J., and Angelini, G.D. (1996) Eicosanoids, Fatty Acids and Restenosis Following Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery and Balloon Angioplasty,Prostagland. Leukot. Essent. Fatty 54, 385–402.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Bates, E.J. (1995) Eicosanoids, Fatty Acids and Neutrophils: Their Relevance to the Pathophysiology of Disease,Prostagland. Leukot. Essent. Fatty 53, 75–86.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Serhan, C.N., Haeggström, J.Z., and Leslie, C.C. (1996) Lipid Mediator Networks in Cell Signaling: Update and Impact of Cytokines,FASEB J. 10, 1147–1158.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Palmblad, J., Lerner, R., and Larsson, S.H. (1994) Signal Transduction Mechanisms for Leukotriene B4 Induced Hyperadhesiveness of Endothelial Cells for Neutrophils,J. Immunol. 152, 262–269.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Serhan, C.N. (1997) Lipoxins and Novel Aspirin-Triggered 15-Epi-Lipoxins (ATL): A Jungle of Cell-Cell Interactions or a Therapeutic Opportunity?Prostaglandins 53, 107–137.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Pritchard, K.A., Wong, P.Y.-K., and Stemerman, M.B. (1990) Atherogenic Concentrations of Low-Density Lipoprotein Enhance Endothelial Cell Generation of Epoxyeicosatrienoic Acid Products,Am. J. Pathol. 136, 1383–1391.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Karara, A., Wei, S., Spady, D., Swift, L., Capdevila, J.H., and Falck, J.R. (1992) Arachidonic Acid Epoxygenase: Structural Characterization and Quantification of Epoxyeicosatrienoates in Plasma,Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 182, 1320–1325.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Ellis, E.F., Police, R.J., Yancey, L., McKinney, J.S., and Amruthesh, S.C. (1990) Dilation of Cerebral Arterioles by Cytochrome P-450 Metabolites of Arachidonic Acid,Am. J. Physiol. 259, H1171-H1177.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Fitzpatrick, F.A., Ennis, M.D., Baze, M.E., Wynalda, M.A., McGee, J.E., and Liggett, W.F. (1986) Inhibition of Cyclooxygenase Activity and Platelet Aggregation by Epoxyeicosatrienoic Acids,J. Biol. Chem. 261, 15334–15338.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Pritchard, K., Tota, R.R., Stemerman, M.V., and Wong, P.Y.-K. (1990) 14,15-Epoxyeicosatrienoic Acid Promotes Endothelial Cell-Dependent Adhesion of Human Monocytic Tumor U-937 Cells,Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 167, 977–981.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Sellmayer, A., Uedelhoven, W.M., Weber, P.C., and Bonventre, J.V. (1991) Endogenous Noncyclooxygenase Metabolites of Arachidonic Acid Modulate Growth and mRNA Levels of Immediate-Early Response Genes in Rat Mesangial Cells,J. Biol. Chem. 266, 3800–3807.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Harder, D.R., Lange, A.R., Gebremedhin, D., Birks, E.K., and Roman, R.J. (1997) Cytochrome P450 Metabolites of Arachidonic Acid as Intracellular Signaling Molecules in Vascular Tissue,J. Vasc. Res. 34, 237–243.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Sassen, L.M.A., Lamers, J.M.J., and Verdouw, P.D. (1994) Fish Oil and the Prevention and Regression of Atherosclerosis,Cardiovasc. Drugs Ther. 8, 179–191.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Sellmayer, A., and Hrboticky, N. (1995) Cardiovascular Effects of n-3 Fatty Acids in the Elderly,Cardiol. in the Elderly J. 3, 11–15.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Semplicini, A., and Valle, R. (1994) Fish Oils and their Possible Role in the Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases,Pharmac. Ther. 61, 385–397.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Weber, C., Erl, W., Pietsch, A., Danesch, U., and Weber, P.C. (1995) Docosahexaenoic Acid Selectively Attenuates Induction of Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 and Subsequent Monocytic Cell Adhesion to Human Endothelial Cells Stimulated by Tumor Necrosis Factor-α,Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol. 15, 622–628.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Sellmayer, A., Obermeier, H., Weber, C., and Weber, P.C. (1993) Modulation of Cell Activation by n-3 Fatty Acids, inn-3 Fatty Acids and Vascular Disease, (DeCaterina, R., Endres, S., Kristensen, S.D., and Schmidt, E.B., eds.) Bi & Gi Publishers, Verona.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Danesch, U., Weber, P.C., and Sellmayer, A. (1996) Differential Effects of n-6 and n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Cell Growth and Early Gene Expression in Swiss 3T3 Fibroblasts,J. Cell. Physiol. 168, 618–624.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Budowski, P. (1996) The Omega-3 Fatty Acid Peroxidation Paradox,Redox Report 2, 75–77.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Esterbauer, H., Dieber-Rotheneder, M., Waeg, G., Striegl, G., and Jürgens, G. (1990) Biochemical, Structural, and Functional Properties of Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein,Chem. Res. Toxicol. 3, 77–92.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Patrono, C., and FitzGerald, G.A. (1997) Isoprostanes: Potential Markers of Oxidant Stress in Atherothrombotic Disease,Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol. 17, 2309–2315.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Wang, T., Yu, W-G., and Powell, W.S. (1992) Formation of Monohydroxy Derivatives of Arachidonic Acid, Linoleic Acid, and Oleic Acid During Oxidation of Low Density Lipoprotein by Copper Ions and Endothelial Cells,J. Lipid Res. 33, 525–537.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Heery, J.M., Kozak, M., Stafforini, D.M., Jones, D.A., Zimmerman, G.A., McIntyre, T., and Prescott, S.M. (1995) Oxidatively Modified LDL Contains Phospholipids with Platelet-Activating Factor-Like Activity and Stimulates the Growth of Smooth Muscle Cells,J. Clin. Invest. 96, 2322–2330.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Watson, A.D., Leitinger, N., Navab, M., Faull, K.F., Hörkkö, S., Witztum, J.L., Palinski, W., Schwneke, D., Salomon, R.G., Sha, W., Subbanagounder, G., Fogelman, A.M., and Berliner, J.A. (1997) Structural Identification by Mass Spectrometry of Oxidized Phospholipids in Minimally Oxidized Low Density Lipoprotein that Induce Monocyte/Endothelial Interactions and Evidence for their PresenceIn Vivo, J. Biol. Chem. 272, 13597–13607.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Vaughan, C.J., Murphy, M.B., and Buckley, B.M. (1996) Statins Do More than Just Lower Cholesterol,Lancet 348, 1079–1082.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Massy, Z.A., Keane, W.F., and Kasiske, B.L. (1996) Inhibition of the Mevalonate Pathway: Benefits Beyond Cholesterol Reduction?Lancet 347, 102–103.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Hrboticky, N., Sellmayer, A., Young, Y., Pietsch, A. and Weber, P.C. (1996) Linoleic Acid Esterified in Low Density Lipoprotein Serves as Substrate for Increased Arachidonic Acid Synthesis in Differentiating Monocytic Cells,Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1302, 199–206.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Glomset, J.A., and Farnsworth, C.C. (1994) Role of Protein Modification Reactions in Programming Interactions Betweenras-Related GTPases and Cell Membranes,Annu. Rev. Cell. Biol. 10, 181–205.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Ghosh, P.M., Mott, G.E., GhoshChoudhury, N., Radnik, R.A., Stapleton, M.L., and Kreisberg, J.I. (1997) Lovastatin Induces Apoptosis by Inhibiting Mitotic and Post-Mitotic Events in Cultured Mesangial Cells,Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 1359, 13–24.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Sugatani, J., Miwa, M., Komiyama, Y., and Ito, S. (1996) High-Density Lipoprotein Inhibits the Synthesis of Platelet-Activating Factor in Human Vascular Endothelial Cells,J. Lipid. Mediat. Cell. Signal. 13, 73–88.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Calabresi, L., Franceschini, G., Sirtori, C.R., DePalma, A., Saresella, M., Ferrante, P., and Taramelli, D. (1997) Inhibition of VCAM-1 Expression in Endothelial Cells by Reconstituted High Density Lipoproteins,Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 238, 61–65.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Fleisher, L.N., Tall, A.R., Witte, L.D., Miller, R.W., and Cannon P.J. (1982) Stimulation of Arterial Endothelial Cell Prostacyclin Synthesis by High Density Lipoproteins,J. Biol. Chem. 257, 6653–6655.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Karmansky, I., and Nachman, G. (1994) Structure and Possible Biological Roles of Lp(a),Clin. Biochem. 27, 151–162.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Takami, S., Yamashita, S., Kihara, S., Ishigami, M., Takemura, K., Kume, N., Kita, T., and Matsuzawa, Y. (1998) Lipoprotein(a) Enhances the Expression of Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 in Cultured Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells,Circulation 97, 721–728.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Beaudeux, J.L., Cesarini, M.L., Gardes-Albert, M., Maclouf, J., Esposito, B., Peynet, J., and Tedgui, A. (1997) Native and Gamma Radiolysis-Oxidized Lipoprotein(a) Increase the Adhesiveness of Rabbit Aortic Endothelium,Atherosclerosis 132, 29–35.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Moers, A., Fenselau, S., and Schrezenmeir, J. (1997) Chylomicrons Induce E-Selectin and VCAM-1 Expression in Endothelial Cells,Exp. Clin. Endocrinol. Diabetes 105 Suppl. 2, 35–37.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Zimmerman, G.A., Elstad, M.R., Lorant, D.E., McIntyre, T.M., Prescott, S.M., Topham, M.K., Weyrich, A.S., and Whatley, R.E. (1996) Platelet-Activating Factor (PAF): Signalling and Adhesion in Cell-Cell Interactions,Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. 416, 297–304.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alois Sellmayer.

About this article

Cite this article

Sellmayer, A., Hrboticky, N. & Weber, P.C. Lipids in vascular function. Lipids 34 (Suppl 1), S13–S18 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02562222

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02562222

Keywords

Navigation