Very long-chain fatty acid accumulation causes lipotoxic response via 5-lipoxygenase in cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy

J Lipid Res. 2010 Jul;51(7):1685-95. doi: 10.1194/jlr.M002329. Epub 2010 Feb 20.

Abstract

Childhood adrenoleukodystrophy (cALD) is a metabolic disorder in which very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA) accumulate due to ALD protein gene defects, ultimately leading to lipotoxicity-induced neuroinflammatory demyelinating disease. Therefore, we examined VLCFA-mediated alterations in the metabolism of lipoxidative enzymes and inflammatory mediators in the cALD brain. 5-Lipoxygenase (5-LOX)-derived leukotrienes were significantly elevated in all the areas of white matter in the cALD brain. Unlike cyclooxygenase-2 expression, which was moderately high only in the plaque area, expression of 5-LOX and cytosolic phospholipase A2 was prominent in all the areas. This lipoxidative burden in the cALD brain was further shown by reduced levels of glutathione and enhanced expression of heat shock protein-70/manganese superoxide dismutase. These pathological observations were confirmed through in vitro mechanistic investigation. After increasing VLCFA through silencing Abcd1+Abcd2 in mouse primary astrocytes, enhanced expression of 5-LOX was observed, and this increased expression was blocked by treatment with monoenoic fatty acids. These results link the previously observed accumulation of VLCFA in cALD to the 5-LOX enzyme pathway. A similar increase in 5-LOX expression in astrocytes was also detected following treatment with exogenous VLCFA (C26:0). In sum, through 5-LOX activation, VLCFA accumulation causes a lipotoxic response consistent with cALD brain pathology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily D
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily D, Member 1
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / genetics
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / metabolism
  • Adrenoleukodystrophy / enzymology*
  • Adrenoleukodystrophy / pathology
  • Animals
  • Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase / metabolism*
  • Astrocytes / cytology
  • Astrocytes / metabolism
  • Brain / anatomy & histology
  • Brain / enzymology
  • Brain / pathology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Child
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / genetics
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / metabolism
  • Fatty Acids / chemistry
  • Fatty Acids / metabolism*
  • Group IV Phospholipases A2 / genetics
  • Group IV Phospholipases A2 / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Leukotrienes / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Rats

Substances

  • ABCD2 protein, mouse
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily D
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily D, Member 1
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters
  • Abcd1 protein, mouse
  • Fatty Acids
  • Leukotrienes
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase
  • Cyclooxygenase 2
  • Group IV Phospholipases A2