• BMB Reports
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.216-220
• /
• 1995

cDNA for human cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), a potent atherogenic plasma protein that redistributes the neutral lipids among lipoproteins, was expressed in recombinant vaccinia virus-infected cells (CV-1). Two insertion vectors regulated by different promoters were constructed. The vectors were introduced into human thymidine kinase-negative ($TK^-$) 1438 cells infected with wild-type vaccinia virus (WR strain). Recombinant viruses were selected with 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BUdR) and X-gal and identified with DNA dot blot analysis (vSC11-CETP and vTM1-CETP). The CETP cDNA insert in the recombinant vaccinia virus genome was identified by Southern blot analysis. Transcription of CETP cDNA in CV-1 cells infected with recombinant vaccinia virus was monitored by Northern blot analysis using the CETP cDNA as a probe. Positive signals were detected at 1.8 kb in cells infected with vSC11-CETP and at 2.3 kb in cells infected with vTM1-CETP. The recombinant vaccinia virus-infected CV-1 cells were shown to produce functional CETP when the culture medium was subjected to the CETP assay.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.37 no.11
• /
• pp.777-784
• /
• 2014

Epidemiologic studies have shown that low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a strong risk factor, whilst high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) reduces the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Therefore, strategies to manage dyslipidemia in an effort to prevent or treat CHD have primarily attempted at decreasing LDL-C and raising HDL-C levels. Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) mediates the exchange of cholesteryl ester for triglycerides between HDL and VLDL and LDL. We have published the first report indicating that a group of Japanese patients who were lacking CETP had extremely high HDL-C levels, low LDL-C levels and a low incidence of CHD. Animal studies, as well as clinical and epidemiologic evidences, have suggested that inhibition of CETP provides an effective strategy to raise HDL-C and reduce LDL-C levels. Four CETP inhibitors have substantially increased HDL-C levels in dyslipidemic patients. This review will discuss the current status and future prospects of CETP inhibitors in the treatment of CHD. At present anacetrapib by Merck and evacetrapib by Eli Lilly are under development. By 100mg of anacetrapib HDL-C increased by 138%, and LDL-C decreased by 40%. Evacetrapib 500 mg also showed dramatic 132% increase of HDL-C, while LDL-C decreased by 40%. If larger, long-term, randomized, clinical end point trials could corroborate other findings in reducing atherosclerosis, CETP inhibitors could have a significant impact in the management of dyslipidemic CHD patients. Inhibition of CETP synthesis by antisense oligonucleotide or small molecules will produce more similar conditions to human CETP deficiency and may be effective in reducing atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events. We are expecting the final data of prospective clinical trials by CETP inhibitors in 2015.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.243-248
• /
• 1995

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), a hydrophobic glycoprotein promoting transfer of cholesteryl esters (CE) from high-density lipoproteins (HDL) to lower-density lipoproteins in the plasma, has been recognized a potent atherogenic factor during the development of coronary artery diseases. This study demonstrated a possible utilization of antisense RNA to inhibit expression of the CETP gene using vaccinia virus as an expression system. The CETP cDNA was inserted into a transfer vector (pSC11) in sense and antisense orientations and used to generate recombinant viruses. Recombinants containing sense or antisense orientations of the CETP cDNA were isolated by $TK^-$ selection and X-gal test. The inserted CETP cDNAs in the recombinants were identified by Southern blot analysis and allowed to transcribe in host cells (CV-1). Expressions of the exogenous CETP mRNA, extracted from the CV-1 cells coinfected with viruses containing sense and antisense DNAs, were monitored by Northern blot analysis using the CETP cDNA probe, by Western blot analysis using monoclonal antibody against the C-terminal active region of the CETP and by the CETP assay. Decreased expressions of the exogenous CETP cDNA were clearly evident in the Northern and Western blot analyses as the dose of antisense expression increased. In the CETP assay, the CETP activities decreased compared to the activity obtained from the cell extracts infected with sense construct only.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.409-414
• /
• 2008

The cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), a key player in cholesterol metabolism, has been shown to promote the transfer of triglycerides from very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) to high density lipoprotein (HDL) in exchange for cholesterol ester. Here we demonstrate that farnesoid X receptor ${\alpha}$ ($FXR{\alpha}$; NR1H4) down-regulates CETP expression in HepG2 cells. A $FXR{\alpha}$ ligand, chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), suppressed basal mRNA levels of the CETP gene in HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Using gel shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays, we found that $FXR{\alpha}$ could bind to the liver X receptor ${\alpha}$ ( $LXR{\alpha}$; NR1H3) binding site (LXRE; DR4RE) located within the CETP 5' promoter region. $FXR{\alpha}$ suppressed $LXR{\alpha}$-induced DR4RE-luciferase activity and this effect was mediated by a binding competition between $FXR{\alpha}$ and $LXR{\alpha}$ for DR4RE. Furthermore, the addition of CDCA together with a $LXR{\alpha}$ ligand, GW3965, to HepG2 cells was shown to substantially decrease mRNA levels of hepatic CETP gene, which is typically induced by GW3965. Together, our data demonstrate that $FXR{\alpha}$ down-regulates CETP gene expression via binding to the DR4RE sequence within the CETP 5' promoter and this $FXR{\alpha}$ binding is essential for $FXR{\alpha}$ inhibition of $LXR{\alpha}$-induced CETP expression.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.172-177
• /
• 2002

We previously reported that cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitory peptides (designated $P_{28}$ and $P_{10})$ have anti-atherogenic effects in hypercholesterolemic rabbits (Biochim. Biophys. Acta (1998) 1391, 133-144). To further investigate those effects, we studied rabbit plasma that was collected after 30 h of a $P_{28}$ or $P_{10}$ injection. We found that there is a strong correlation between the in vivo CETP inhibition effects and alterations of lipoprotein particle size distribution in rabbit plasma, as determined on an agarose gel electrophoresis and gel filtration column chromatography. In vivo effects of the peptide were observed again in C57BL/6 mice that expressed simian CETP. The $P_{28}$ or $P_{10}$ peptide ($7\;{\mu}g/g$ of body weight) that was dissolved in saline was injected subcutaneously into the mice. The $P_{28}$ injection caused the partial inhibition of plasma CETP activity up to 50%, decreasing the total plasma cholesterol concentration by 30%, and increasing the ratio of HD/total-cholesterol concentration by 150% in the CETP-transgenic (tg) mice. The CETP inhibition by the $P_{28}$ or $P_{10}$ made alterations that modulated the size re-distribution of the lipoproteins in the blood stream. Particle size of the very low (VLDL) and low density lipoproteins (LDL) from the peptide-injected group was highly decreased compared to the saline-injected group (determined on the gel filtration column chromatography). In contrast, The HDL particle size of the $P_{28}$-injected group increased compared to the control group (saline-injected). The expression level of the CETP mRNA of the $P_{28}$-injected CETP-tg mouse appeared lower than the saline-injected CETP-tg mouse. These results suggest that the injection of the CETP inhibitory peptide could affect the CETP expression level in the liver by influencing lipoprotein metabolism.

• Nutritional Sciences
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.100-105
• /
• 2003

Small dense LDL(LDL III) is emerging as a major risk factor for coronary artery disease. LDL III generation is associated with high triglyceride concentration, high hepatic lipase activity, and high cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) levels. CETP polymorphisms have been reported to be associated with coronary artery disease. In this study, we investigated the relationship between CETP polymorphism and LDL III generation. VLDL1, VLDL2, IDL and LDL subfractions were measured in 87 normal healthy Korean subjects who had been SNP genotyped for Taq1B, I405v and A629C. We found no differences in LDL subfractions and lipoprotein composition between homozygotes for Taq1B2B2, and those for Taq1B1B1 and Taq1B1B2. There were no differences in LDL subfractions and lipoprotein composition between homozygotes for 629AA, and those for 629AC and -629CC. However, homozygotes for 405VV had a significantly lower LDL III concentration and proportion than those for 405II and 405IV. We concluded that, among the Taq1B, I405V and A629C polymorphisms, only the 1405V polymorphism was associated with the concentration and proportion of LDL III.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
• /
• 1995.04a
• /
• pp.64-64
• /
• 1995

Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein (CETP) mediates the transfer of cholesterol ester and triglyceride between high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and other low-density lipoproteins, therefore, it might influence HDL levels. The levels of HDL is closely related to the atherogenic diseases in human and there were several reports that the trasgenic mice expressing CETP had much worse atherosclerosis than non-expressing control one. Therefore, selective inhibitors of CETP have the potential to be used as antiatherosclerotic agents. Continued screening for potent inhibitors of CETP led to the isolation of Suberitenone B from marine sponge. Suberitenone B, sesterterpenoids of a new skeletal class have been isolated from the sponge Suberites sp. collected from King George Island the Antartic. The structure of the metabolite has been determined by NMR experiments and chemical methods.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.47-53
• /
• 2002

Essential hypertension is complex disorder influenced by multiple genetic and environmental factors. Alterations of lipid metabolism in plasma have been reported to be related to an increased risk of essential hypertension. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between two SNPs of the human LDL receptor and CETP gene and hypertension in Korean population. There were no significant differences in allele and genotype frequencies of two SNPs in normotensives and hypertensives. With respect to Hinc II RFLP in the LDL receptor gene, pooled odds ratio value indicated the significant heterogeneity among populations studied by meta-analysis (Breslow-Day test df = 2, P<0.05). In the case of Bam HI RFLP in the CETP gene,. our study is the first report of an association between the SNP of the CETP gene and hypertension, although our result failed to demonstrate the significant association between the Bam HI RFLP of the CETP gene and hypertension in Korean population. Further work, using larger sample sizes and various ethnic groups, is required to establish the precise role of these two candidate gene polymorphisms on hypertension.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.32 no.6
• /
• pp.732-738
• /
• 1999

This study was performed to investigate the risk factors for coronary heart disease in elderly women. Seventy five elderly women over 65 years of age participated with 35 elderly men over 65 years of age, 40 middle-aged men and 31 middle-aged women as control subjects. The percentage of body fat(34.1 5.6%) in elderly women found to be significantly higher than in other groups and their waist/hip circumference ratio(WHR) was higher than in middle-aged women. The concentrations of plasma total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in elderly women were higher than in other groups, TG concentration higher than in middle aged women and HDL-cholesterol % lower than in other groups. Plasma cholesterol ester transfer protein(CETP) activities of elderly women were significantly higher than in middle-aged subjects, but were not different from those of elderly men. Plasma Apolipoprotein(Apo) A-I level in elderly women was higher than in middle-aged men but not different from the other groups. Differences among groups were not great in Lipoprotein (Lp)(a)levels. CETP activities were significantly correlated with age, body fat % total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and Lp(a). Therefore, it appears that the increased risk of coronary heart disease in elderly women is due to the increase of body fat, central adipose distribution, serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and CETP activities.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
• /
• 1995.04a
• /
• pp.65-65
• /
• 1995

Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein(CETP), a hydrophobic glycoprotein with molecular mass 74KDa, is a lipid transfer protein found in plasma which mediates the transfer of cholesterol ester and triglyceride between high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and other lipoproteins, therefore, it might influence HDL levels. The lipoprotein profile associated with human CETP deficiency (that are two Japanese families, high HDL and low LDL) has low atherogenic potential, raising the possibility that CETP inhibitors can be used as antiatherosclerotic drugs.