The Impact of Serum Amyloid P-Component on Gene Expression in RAW264.7 Mouse Macrophages

Abstract EN

Serum amyloid P-component (SAP) contributes to host defense and prevents fibrosis.

Macrophages are the most abundant inflammatory cell type in atherosclerotic plaques.

In the present study, using 3H-cholesterol-labeled counting radioactivity assay, we demonstrated that the apoAI-mediated cholesterol efflux in RAW264.7 macrophages was increased by SAP treatment in a time- and dose-dependent manner.

We analyzed global gene expression changes upon SAP treatment using RNA sequencing.

As a result, a total of 175 differentially expressed genes were identified, of which 134 genes were downregulated and 41 genes were upregulated in SAP treated cells compared to control cells.

Quantitative RT-PCR analysis confirmed decreased expression of 5 genes and an increase in expression of 1 gene upon SAP treatment.

Gene ontology analysis showed that genes involved in response to stimulus were significantly enriched in differentially expressed genes.

Beyond protein-coding genes, we also identified 8 differentially expressed long noncoding RNAs.

Our study may provide new insights into mechanisms underlying the functional role of SAP in macrophages.