[PDF][PDF] Dysregulated oxalate metabolism is a driver and therapeutic target in atherosclerosis

Y Liu, Y Zhao, Y Shukha, H Lu, L Wang, Z Liu, C Liu… - Cell reports, 2021 - cell.com
Y Liu, Y Zhao, Y Shukha, H Lu, L Wang, Z Liu, C Liu, Y Zhao, H Wang, G Zhao, W Liang
Cell reports, 2021cell.com
Dysregulated glycine metabolism is emerging as a common denominator in cardiometabolic
diseases, but its contribution to atherosclerosis remains unclear. In this study, we
demonstrate impaired glycine-oxalate metabolism through alanine-glyoxylate
aminotransferase (AGXT) in atherosclerosis. As found in patients with atherosclerosis, the
glycine/oxalate ratio is decreased in atherosclerotic mice concomitant with suppression of
AGXT. Agxt deletion in apolipoprotein E-deficient (Apoe−/−) mice decreases the …
Summary
Dysregulated glycine metabolism is emerging as a common denominator in cardiometabolic diseases, but its contribution to atherosclerosis remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrate impaired glycine-oxalate metabolism through alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase (AGXT) in atherosclerosis. As found in patients with atherosclerosis, the glycine/oxalate ratio is decreased in atherosclerotic mice concomitant with suppression of AGXT. Agxt deletion in apolipoprotein E-deficient (Apoe−/−) mice decreases the glycine/oxalate ratio and increases atherosclerosis with induction of hepatic pro-atherogenic pathways, predominantly cytokine/chemokine signaling and dysregulated redox homeostasis. Consistently, circulating and aortic C-C motif chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5) and superoxide in lesional macrophages are increased. Similar findings are observed following dietary oxalate overload in Apoe−/− mice. In macrophages, oxalate induces mitochondrial dysfunction and superoxide accumulation, leading to increased CCL5. Conversely, AGXT overexpression in Apoe−/− mice increases the glycine/oxalate ratio and decreases aortic superoxide, CCL5, and atherosclerosis. Our findings uncover dysregulated oxalate metabolism via suppressed AGXT as a driver and therapeutic target in atherosclerosis.
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