Effect of acyl coenzyme A: cholesteryl acyltransferase 1 antisense oligonucleotides on the formation of foam cells

AIM: To study the effect of acyl coenzyme A: cholesteryl acyltransferase 1 (ACAT1) antisense oligonucleotides on the formation of foam cells (FC). METHODS: THP-1 cells were cultured and differentiated into macrophages (MP) by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Over-expressing ACAT1 gene THP-1 cells were constructed. The ACAT1 antisense and missense oligonucleotides conducted by LipofectamineTM 2000 were incubated with above cells. Ac-LDL was added 6 h later and incubated for 24 h. The expression of ACAT1 protein was detected by Western blotting. The ACAT activity was measured by quantifying the incorporation of ［1-14C］ oleoyl CoA into cholesteryl esters. The formation of foam cells was detected by oil red O staining. RESULTS: The ACAT1 antisense oligonucleotides inhibited the activity of ACAT in macrophages and over-expressing ACAT1 gene THP-1 cells. It also inhibited the formation of foam cell in macrophages and over-expressing ACAT1 gene THP-1 cells with lipid loading. The missense oligonucleotides did not show the inhibitory effects. CONCLUSION: The ACAT1 antisense oligonucleotides inhibit the activity of ACAT and the formation of foam cells.