Myeloperoxidase inhibition in mice alters atherosclerotic lesion composition

PLoS One. 2019 Mar 19;14(3):e0214150. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214150. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is a highly abundant protein within the neutrophil that is associated with lipoprotein oxidation, and increased plasma MPO levels are correlated with poor prognosis after myocardial infarct. Thus, MPO inhibitors have been developed for the treatment of heart failure and acute coronary syndrome in humans. 2-(6-(5-Chloro-2-methoxyphenyl)-4-oxo-2-thioxo-3,4-dihydropyrimidin-1(2H)-yl)acetamide PF-06282999 is a recently described selective small molecule mechanism-based inactivator of MPO. Here, utilizing PF-06282999, we investigated the role of MPO to regulate atherosclerotic lesion formation and composition in the Ldlr-/- mouse model of atherosclerosis. Though MPO inhibition did not affect lesion area in Ldlr-/- mice fed a Western diet, reduced necrotic core area was observed in aortic root sections after MPO inhibitor treatment. MPO inhibition did not alter macrophage content in and leukocyte homing to atherosclerotic plaques. To assess non-invasive monitoring of plaque inflammation, [18F]-Fluoro-deoxy-glucose (FDG) was administered to Ldlr-/- mice with established atherosclerosis that had been treated with clinically relevant doses of PF-06282999, and reduced FDG signal was observed in animals treated with a dose of PF-06282999 that corresponded with reduced necrotic core area. These data suggest that MPO inhibition does not alter atherosclerotic plaque area or leukocyte homing, but rather alters the inflammatory tone of atherosclerotic lesions; thus, MPO inhibition could have utility to promote atherosclerotic lesion stabilization and prevent atherosclerotic plaque rupture.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetamides / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Atherosclerosis / drug therapy*
  • Atherosclerosis / enzymology
  • Atherosclerosis / genetics
  • Atherosclerosis / pathology
  • Macrophages / enzymology*
  • Macrophages / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Peroxidase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Peroxidase / genetics
  • Peroxidase / metabolism
  • Plaque, Atherosclerotic / drug therapy*
  • Plaque, Atherosclerotic / enzymology
  • Plaque, Atherosclerotic / genetics
  • Plaque, Atherosclerotic / pathology
  • Pyrimidinones / pharmacology*
  • Receptors, LDL / deficiency
  • Receptors, LDL / metabolism

Substances

  • Acetamides
  • Pyrimidinones
  • Receptors, LDL
  • Peroxidase
  • 2-(6-(5-chloro-2-methoxyphenyl)-4-oxo-2-thioxo-3,4-dihydropyrimidin-1(2H)-yl)acetamide

Grants and funding

The authors are employees of and the studies were funded by Pfizer, Inc. Pfizer, Inc. provided support in the form of salaries for all authors, but did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The specific roles of these authors are articulated in the ‘author contributions’ section.