siRNA-induced liver ApoB knockdown lowers serum LDL-cholesterol in a mouse model with human-like serum lipids

J Lipid Res. 2011 Jun;52(6):1084-1097. doi: 10.1194/jlr.M012872. Epub 2011 Mar 11.

Abstract

Increased serum apolipoprotein (apo)B and associated LDL levels are well-correlated with an increased risk of coronary disease. ApoE⁻/⁻ and low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr)⁻/⁻ mice have been extensively used for studies of coronary atherosclerosis. These animals show atherosclerotic lesions similar to those in humans, but their serum lipids are low in apoB-containing LDL particles. We describe the development of a new mouse model with a human-like lipid profile. Ldlr CETP⁺/⁻ hemizygous mice carry a single copy of the human CETP transgene and a single copy of a LDL receptor mutation. To evaluate the apoB pathways in this mouse model, we used novel short-interfering RNAs (siRNA) formulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNP). ApoB siRNAs induced up to 95% reduction of liver ApoB mRNA and serum apoB protein, and a significant lowering of serum LDL in Ldlr CETP⁺/⁻ mice. ApoB targeting is specific and dose-dependent, and it shows lipid-lowering effects for over three weeks. Although specific triglycerides (TG) were affected by ApoB mRNA knockdown (KD) and the total plasma lipid levels were decreased by 70%, the overall lipid distribution did not change. Results presented here demonstrate a new mouse model for investigating additional targets within the ApoB pathways using the siRNA modality.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apolipoproteins B / blood
  • Apolipoproteins B / genetics*
  • Apolipoproteins E / blood
  • Apolipoproteins E / genetics
  • Atherosclerosis / genetics*
  • Atherosclerosis / metabolism*
  • Atherosclerosis / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins / genetics*
  • Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins / metabolism
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood*
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Founder Effect
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Hemizygote
  • Humans
  • Lipid Metabolism / genetics
  • Liposomes / metabolism
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Nanoparticles / administration & dosage
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / pharmacology
  • Receptors, LDL / genetics*
  • Receptors, LDL / metabolism
  • Triglycerides / blood

Substances

  • Apolipoproteins B
  • Apolipoproteins E
  • CETP protein, human
  • Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Liposomes
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Receptors, LDL
  • Triglycerides