Expression of mRNA of Apolipoprotein E, Apolipoprotein A-IV, and Matricellular Proteins in the Myocardium and Intensity of Fibroplastic Processes during Experimental Hypercholesterolemia

The expression of mRNA of matricellular proteins (osteopontin, and lumican), apolipoproteins E and A-IV, and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, and the intensity of fibroplastic processes were studied in the myocardium of rats during experimental chronic hypercholesterolemia. We have found that the development of chronic hypercholesterolemia was followed by an increase in volume density of interstitial connective tissue in the myocardium reflecting the activation of fibroplastic processes. A slight positive correlation was observed between the connective tissue density in the myocardium and expression of osteopontin mRNA ( r = 0.408) and lumican mRNA ( r = 0.470). Myocardium remodeling during hypercholesterolemia is realized against the background of increased expression of apolipoproteins E and A-IV mRNA and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein mRNA involved in transport and metabolism of lipoproteins in several tissues and probably play a pivotal role in the regulation of lipoprotein transport and metabolism in the myocardium. We concluded that the increase in the expression of apolipoproteins (E and A-IV) and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein play adaptive and compensatory role and is related to the increase in lipoprotein utilization by macrophages.