METABOLISM OF CHYLOMICRON REMNANTS IN TRANSGENIC MICE EXPRESSING APOLIPOPROTEIN-E IN THE INTESTINE

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) has high affinity for the cell surface low den sity lipoprotein (LDL) receptor. To determine the role of apoE in plas ma chylomicron clearance, a transgenic mouse line which overexpresses apoE in the intestine was established. Immunohistochemistry demonstrat ed that considerable amounts of apoE were localized to mucosal cells o f the intestine. In an oral retinyl palmitate challenge test, both the peak height and area under the curve in transgenic mice were less tha n 25% of those in controls. We speculate that the apoE molecules produ ced in the intestine of transgenic mice were incorporated onto newly s ynthesized chylomicron particles before their secretion into the plasm a and thereby contributed to rapid plasma clearance of chylomicron rem nants. Gene expression of apoE in the intestine would be a promising w ay to control postprandial hyperlipemia. (C) 1994 Academic Press, Inc.