Designer high-density lipoprotein particles enhance endothelial barrier function and suppress inflammation

Sci Signal. 2024 Feb 20;17(824):eadg9256. doi: 10.1126/scisignal.adg9256. Epub 2024 Feb 20.

Abstract

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) nanoparticles promote endothelial cell (EC) function and suppress inflammation, but their utility in treating EC dysfunction has not been fully explored. Here, we describe a fusion protein named ApoA1-ApoM (A1M) consisting of apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), the principal structural protein of HDL that forms lipid nanoparticles, and ApoM, a chaperone for the bioactive lipid sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P). A1M forms HDL-like particles, binds to S1P, and is signaling competent. Molecular dynamics simulations showed that the S1P-bound ApoM moiety in A1M efficiently activated EC surface receptors. Treatment of human umbilical vein ECs with A1M-S1P stimulated barrier function either alone or cooperatively with other barrier-enhancing molecules, including the stable prostacyclin analog iloprost, and suppressed cytokine-induced inflammation. A1M-S1P injection into mice during sterile inflammation suppressed neutrophil influx and inflammatory mediator secretion. Moreover, systemic A1M administration led to a sustained increase in circulating HDL-bound S1P and suppressed inflammation in a murine model of LPS-induced endotoxemia. We propose that A1M administration may enhance vascular endothelial barrier function, suppress cytokine storm, and promote resilience of the vascular endothelium.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apolipoproteins M
  • Apolipoproteins* / metabolism
  • Apolipoproteins* / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Inflammation
  • Lipocalins* / metabolism
  • Lipocalins* / pharmacology
  • Lipoproteins, HDL / metabolism
  • Lipoproteins, HDL / pharmacology
  • Lysophospholipids / metabolism
  • Lysophospholipids / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Receptors, Lysosphingolipid / metabolism
  • Sphingosine

Substances

  • Apolipoproteins
  • Lipocalins
  • Receptors, Lysosphingolipid
  • Apolipoproteins M
  • Lipoproteins, HDL
  • Lysophospholipids
  • Sphingosine