In vivo evidence supports the effectiveness of the longevity-associated protein LAV-BPIFB4 in reducing adipose tissue-derived mediators of systemic inflammation to prevent vascular insult and atheromatous change.

Obesity triggers chronic low-grade inflammation contributing to cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Over-release of adipokines and pro-inflammatory mediators by white adipose tissue (WAT) enhances inflammation through a feedforward loop involving endothelial and immune cells, promoting atherosclerosis. Our previous studies showed that in vivo gene transfer of the longevity-associated variant (LAV) of BPIFB4 restores endothelial and cardiac function and reduces systemic inflammation in mouse models. Here we investigated the anti-inflammatory potential of orally administered recombinant rhLAV-BPIFB4 in ApoE-/- mice fed a high-fat diet to elucidate its role in modulating endothelial dysfunction primed by adipose tissue inflammation. We studied n = 5 ApoE-/- mice on standard diet (SD), n = 5 (VEH-HFD) and n = 6 (LAV-HFD) ApoE-/- mice fed high-fat diet without or with rhLAV-BPIFB4 protein. Primary pre-adipocyte cultures were established from epididymal WAT to evaluate CD45+CD38+ leukocyte infiltration, inflammatory profile of pre-adipocytes, and ex vivo effects of conditioned media on vessels. Oral administration of rhLAV-BPIFB4 in ApoE-/- mice fed high-fat diet dampens atherosclerosis by preserving endothelial integrity and reducing ICAM+ and CD68+ cell infiltration. Despite unchanged adiposity, systemically rhLAV-BPIFB4 reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1α/β, TNF-α, IL-6) while mildly increasing IL-10 levels. Supernatants from pre-adipocytes treated with rhLAV-BPIFB4 demonstrate similar anti-inflammatory cytokine profiles. Conditioned media from rhLAV-treated eWAT ex vivo restores endothelial function in dysfunctional arteries (VEH-HFD vs LAV-HFD, ***p < 0.001). Collectively our data show that targeting adipocyte-associated inflammation, LAV-BPIFB4 emerges as a promising therapeutic strategy to counteract endothelial dysfunction in obesity.
Cardiovascular diseases
Access

Authors

Ciaglia Ciaglia, Lopardo Lopardo, Montella Montella, Esposito Esposito, Damato Damato, Abate Abate, Maciag Maciag, Vecchione Vecchione, Carrizzo Carrizzo, Puca Puca
View on Pubmed
Share
Facebook
X (Twitter)
Bluesky
Linkedin
Copy to clipboard