Oxidized LDL reduces monocyte CCR2 expression through pathways involving peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma

The CCR2-mediated recruitment of monocytes into the vessel wall plays an im portant role in all stages of atherosclerosis. In recent studies, we have s hown that lipoproteins can modulate CCR2 expression and have identified nat ive LDL as a positive regulator. In contrast, oxidized LDL (OxLDL), which i s mainly formed in the aortic intima, reduces CCR2 expression, promotes mon ocyte retention, and may cause pathological accumulation of monocytes in th e vessel wall. We now provide evidence that OxLDL reduces monocyte CCR2 exp ression by activating intracellular signaling pathways that may involve per oxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma). Receptor-mediat ed uptake of the lipoprotein particle was required and allows for delivery of the exogenous ligand to the nuclear receptor. The suppression of CCR2 ex pression by OxLDL was mediated by lipid components of OxLDL, such as the ox idized linoleic acid metabolites 9-HODE and 13-HODE, known activators of PP AR gamma. Modified apoB had no such effect. Consistent with a participation of the PPAR gamma signaling pathway, BRL49653 reduced CCR2 expression in f reshly isolated human monocytes ex vivo and in circulating mouse monocytes in vivo. These results implicate PPAR gamma in the inhibition of CCR2 gene expression by oxidized lipids, which may help retain monocytes at sites of inflammation, such as the atherosclerotic lesion.