Maternal-fetal cholesterol transport in the second half ofmouse pregnancy does not involve LDL receptor-related protein 2

Mathijs V Zwier, Maria E Baardman, Theo H van Dijk, Angelika Jurdzinski, Lambertus J Wisse, Vincent W Bloks, Rolf M F Berger, Marco C DeRuiter, Albert K Groen, Torsten Plösch

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

AimLDL receptor-related protein type 2 (LRP2) is highly expressed on both yolk sac and placenta. Mutations in the corresponding gene are associated with severe birth defects in humans, known as Donnai-Barrow syndrome. We here characterized the contribution of LRP2 and maternal plasma cholesterol availability to maternal-fetal cholesterol transport and fetal cholesterol levels in utero in mice.

MethodsLrp2(+/-) mice were mated heterozygously to yield fetuses of all three genotypes. Half of the dams received a 0.5% probucol-enriched diet during gestation to decrease maternal HDL cholesterol. At E13.5, the dams received an injection of D7-labelled cholesterol and were provided with 1-C-13 acetate-supplemented drinking water. At E16.5, fetal tissues were collected and maternal cholesterol transport and fetal synthesis quantified by isotope enrichments in fetal tissues by GC-MS.

ResultsThe Lrp2 genotype did not influence maternal-fetal cholesterol transport and fetal cholesterol. However, lowering of maternal plasma cholesterol levels by probucol significantly reduced maternal-fetal cholesterol transport. In the fetal liver, this was associated with increased cholesterol synthesis rates. No indications were found for an interaction between the Lrp2 genotype and maternal probucol treatment.

ConclusionMaternal-fetal cholesterol transport and endogenous fetal cholesterol synthesis depend on maternal cholesterol concentrations but do not involve LRP2 in the second half of murine pregnancy. Our results suggest that the mouse fetus can compensate for decreased maternal cholesterol levels. It remains a relevant question how the delicate system of cholesterol transport and synthesis is regulated in the human fetus and placenta.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)471-485
Number of pages15
JournalActa physiologica
Volume220
Issue number4
Early online date22-Feb-2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug-2017

Keywords

  • cholesterol
  • fetus
  • lipoprotein
  • placenta
  • transport
  • LOW-DENSITY-LIPOPROTEIN
  • LEMLI-OPITZ SYNDROME
  • PHOSPHOLIPID TRANSFER PROTEIN
  • GOLDEN SYRIAN-HAMSTER
  • PLASMA-CHOLESTEROL
  • ENDOTHELIAL-CELLS
  • STEROL SYNTHESIS
  • SONIC-HEDGEHOG
  • KNOCKOUT MICE
  • SR-BI

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