LPS AND CYTOKINES REGULATE EXTRA HEPATIC MESSENGER-RNA LEVELS OF APOLIPOPROTEINS DURING THE ACUTE-PHASE RESPONSE IN SYRIAN-HAMSTERS

Altered hepatic expression of apolipoproteins occurs during the acute phase response. Here we examined whether the acute phase response alte rs extra hepatic expression of apolipoproteins. Syrian hamsters were i njected with endotoxin (LPS), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-1, or the combination of TNF + IL-1 and mRNAs for serum amyloid A (apoSAA), apolipoprotein (apo) J, apo E, apo A-I, and apo D, were an alyzed. LPS increased mRNA levels for apoSAA in all tissues examined. LPS and TNF + IL-1 increased mRNA levels for apo J in kidney, heart, s tomach, intestine, and muscle. Individually, TNF and IL-1 were less po tent than the combination of the two cytokines. LPS decreased mRNA lev els for apo E in all tissues, except for mid and distal intestine. TNF and IL-1 were less effective than LPS. LPS, TNF + IL-1 and TNF decrea sed mRNA levels for apo A-I in duodenum. mRNA for apo D decreased in h eart, were unchanged in brain and increased in muscle, following LPS. The widespread extra hepatic regulation of the apolipoproteins during the acute phase response may be important for the alterations in lipid metabolism that occur during infection and inflammation as well as th e immune response.