Adipocyte enhancer-binding protein 1 is a potential novel atherogenic factor involved in macrophage cholesterol homeostasis and inflammation

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ1 (PPARγ1) and liver X receptor α (LXRα) play pivotal roles in macrophage cholesterol homeostasis and inflammation, key biological processes in atherogenesis. Herein we identify adipocyte enhancer-binding protein 1 (AEBP1) as a transcriptional repressor that impedes macrophage cholesterol efflux, promoting foam cell formation, via PPARγ1 and LXRα down-regulation. Contrary to AEBP1 deficiency, AEBP1 overexpression in macrophages is accompanied by decreased expression of PPARγ1, LXRα, and their target genes ATP-binding cassette A1, ATP-binding cassette G1, apolipoprotein E, and CD36, with concomitant elevation in IL-6, TNF-α, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, and inducible NO synthase levels. AEBP1, but not the C-terminally truncated DNA-binding domain mutant (AEBP1Δ^Sty), represses PPARγ1 and LXRα in vitro. Expectedly, AEBP1-overexpressing transgenic (AEBP1^TG) macrophages accumulate considerable amounts of lipids compared with AEBP1 nontransgenic macrophages, making them precursors for foam cells. Indeed, AEBP1-overexpressing transgenic macrophages exhibit diminished cholesterol efflux compared with AEBP1 non-transgenic macrophages, whereas AEBP1-knockout (AEBP1^-/-) macrophages exhibit enhanced cholesterol efflux compared with wild-type (AEBP1^+/+) macrophages. Our in vitro and ex vivo experimental data strongly suggest that AEBP1 plays critical regulatory roles in macrophage cholesterol homeostasis, foam cell formation, and proinflammation. Thereby, we speculate that AEBP1 may be critically implicated in the development of atherosclerosis, and it may serve as a molecular target toward developing antiinflammatory, antiacherogenic therapeutic approaches.