Abstract:Aim To investigate the effect of adenovirus (ADV)-mediated Profurin (PF) expression on the plaque stability of ApoE－/－ mice. Methods ApoE－/－ mice were fed with high-fat diet for 8 weeks, and then treated with ADV-mediated PF intervention, followed by high-fat diet for 4 weeks. Aortic roots were isolated for atherosclerotic plaque area analysis and immunohistochemical analysis. Plasma phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) activity was detected by fluorescence donor essay, plasma total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) were measured by enzyme assay kits, and fast protein liquid chromatography was used for lipoprotein profile analysis. Results Compared with the control group, the plasma TC and TG levels, PLTP activity and circulating tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in ADV-PF group were significantly decreased (P＜0.01). In the ADV-PF group, there was no significant change in atherosclerotic lesions on the inner surface of the full-length aorta, but the plaque area and lipid area in the aortic root were reduced (P＜0.01), the content of macrophages was significantly decreased (P＜0.01), and the smooth muscle cells and collagen area were not significantly different. The content of matrix metalloproteinase-9 in plaque was significantly decreased (P＜0.05). Conclusion Overexpression of PF can alleviate atherosclerosis and reduce the levels of circulating inflammatory factors to a certain extent, and effectively improve the plaque stability of ApoE－/－ mice.

Abstract:Aim To investigate the relationship between serum phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) activity levels and severity of coronary artery lesions in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods 202 patients with chest pain were recruited in the Xishan People’s Hospital of Wuxi from June 2015 to June 2016, and these patients were divided into two groups based on coronary angiography (CHD group and non-CHD group). PLTP activity was measured with an assay kit, and the severity of coronary artery disease assessed by Gensini score was analyzed. Results PLTP activity levels and Gensini score in CHD group were significantly higher than that in non-CHD group (90.3(67～118)mg/dL vs 77.4 (54.6～103.3)mg/dL, P<0.05; 29(8～48) vs 2(0～6), P<0.001). PLTP activity levels and Gensini score were higher in patients aged 70～79 years old,male and diabetes than patients aged 60～69 years old, female and non-diabetes. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that PLTP activity levels were predictor for Gensini score after adjusting for the other risk factors (Beta=0.356, P<0.001). ROC curve was for PLTP activity levels to detect CHD patients with upper Gensini score quartile, and the area under the curve was 0.749(P<0.001). Conclusion Serum PLTP activity levels were predictive for the severity of coronary artery lesions in patients with CHD.

Abstract:Mechanism of the correlation between phospholipid transfer protein （PLTP） activity and diabetes, obesity, and atherosclerosis is related with the participation of PLTP on lipoprotein metabolism. The complex biological roles of PLTP on high density lipoprotein （HDL） metabolism and reverse cholesterol transport （RCT） are spectacular. Does PLTP display the roles on atherosclerosis via affecting HDL and RCT process based on previous literatures and our works on PLTP, we summarized this article to search for answers and clues.

Abstract:Atherosclerotic cerebral and cardiovascular diseases are the primary chronic inflammatory diseases which are impairing the human health. Abnormal lipid metabolism is considered as the putative major risk factor of atherosclerosis. In 2001, researchers from Columbia University found that phospholipid transfer protein （PLTP） could affect lipoprotein metabolism and then alternate atherosclerotic susceptibility, thus initiate the PLTP research as a hot topic for decades.

Abstract:Aim To identify, clone and sequence Chinese ma ture Phospholipicl Transfer Protein (PLTP) peptide gene. Methods Total RNA was extracted from Chinese fetal liver tissue, cDNA fragment encoding human PLTP was amplified by RT PCR using specific primers, and then was cloned into pGEM T vector. Inserted PLTP gene was sequenced by ABI 377 DNA Sequenc er. Results Chinese PLTP gene was successfully cloned. Conclusion Analytical result indicates it is 1 428 b ase pairs in length and has 100% nucleotide homology with that reported previous ly.

Abstract:Aim To investigate the high level expression of human phospholipid transfer protein in the yeast pichia pastoris. Methods Total RNA was prepared from Chinese fetal liver tissue, cDNA fragment encoding human phospholipid transfer protein was amplified by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction using specific primers, and then was integrated into the chromosomes of pichia pastoris GS115 via homologous recombination. Recombinant human phospholipid transfer protein was expressed under the control of the promoter of the alcohol oxidase gene(AOX1) and was detected by SDS-PAGE. Results Five recombinant colony among 20 colonies grown poorly on MM plates was selected which highly expressed human phospholipid transfer protein. The molecular weight of recombinant phospholipid transfer protein was estimated about 75 kDa analyzed by SDS-PAGE. Conclusions Human phospholipid transfer protein can be high level expressed in the yeast pichia pastoris and the secreted recombinant human phospholipid transfer protein was in the form of the glycosylated monomer.