Premium
Increased mRNA expressions of atheroprotective proteins in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of humans taking low‐dose methotrexate
Author(s) -
Chiang En-Pei Isabel,
Chih Hui-Min,
Chen Der-Yuan,
Lan Joung-Liang,
Chang Hsin-Yueh,
Chen Wei-Wen,
Tang Feng-Yao
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.126.5
Subject(s) - abca1 , peripheral blood mononuclear cell , dyslipidemia , rheumatoid arthritis , methotrexate , pharmacology , medicine , transporter , cholesterol , endocrinology , in vitro , immunology , chemistry , disease , biochemistry , gene
Methotrexate (MTX) is a commonly prescribed disease‐modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). ATP‐binding cassette transporter‐A1 (ABCA1) and 27‐Hydroxylase (HY27) are known antiatherogenic proteins that promote cellular cholesterol efflux. MTX promotes the reversal of cholesterol transport in vitro. We examined whether clinical MTX use is associated with altered blood lipids and/or ABCA1/HY27 expressions. Plasma lipid profiles and PBMC HY27 and ABCA1 expressions were compared between subjects taking MTX and other DMARDs (MTX‐)(n=100). ABCA1 and HY27 expressions significantly elevated in MTX+ compared to MTX‐subjects. ABCA correlated with MTX doses (r=0.205, p=0.042). MTX+ subjects are more likely to have increased HY27 (OR=2.5, p=0.038). Although no differences were observed in the blood lipids, the potential impacts of MTX on cholesterol metabolism should not be overlooked and the atheroprotective effects from MTX induced HY27 and ABCA1 expressions may still be present in those persons with pre‐existing dyslipidemia. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated novel findings on the increased gene expressions of atheroprotective protein HY27 and ABCA1 in human PBMCs with clinical use of low‐dose MTX.