Emi Kawachi

FAMP, a Novel ApoA‐I Mimetic Peptide, Suppresses Aortic Plaque Formation Through Promotion of Biological HDL Function in ApoE‐Deficient Mice

Background Apolipoprotein (apo) A‐I is a major high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) protein that causes cholesterol efflux from peripheral cells through the ATP‐binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), thus generating HDL and reversing the macrophage foam cell phenotype. Pre‐β1 HDL is the smallest subfraction of HDL, which is believed to represent newly formed HDL, and it is the most active acceptor of free cholesterol. Furthermore it has a possible protective function against cardiovascular disease (CVD). We developed a novel apoA‐I mimetic peptide without phospholipids (Fukuoka University ApoA‐I Mimetic Peptide, FAMP). Methods and Results FAMP type 5 (FAMP5) had a high capacity for cholesterol efflux from A172 cells and mouse and human macrophages in vitro, and the efflux was mainly dependent on ABCA1 transporter. Incubation of FAMP5 with human HDL or whole plasma generated small HDL particles, and charged apoA‐I‐rich particles migrated as pre‐β HDL on agarose gel electrophoresis. Sixteen weeks of treatment with FAMP5 significantly suppressed aortic plaque formation (scrambled FAMP, 31.3±8.9% versus high‐dose FAMP5, 16.2±5.0%; P<0.01) and plasma C‐reactive protein and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 in apoE‐deficient mice fed a high‐fat diet. In addition, it significantly enhanced HDL‐mediated cholesterol efflux capacity from the mice. Conclusions A newly developed apoA‐I mimetic peptide, FAMP, has an antiatherosclerotic effect through the enhancement of the biological function of HDL. FAMP may have significant atheroprotective potential and prove to be a new therapeutic tool for CVD.

Improved survival rate after myocardial infarction using an inducible cholesterol efflux (iCE) peptide: FAMP

Background There have been no previous reports that apolipoprotein (apo) A-I mimetic peptide improves survival rate after myocardial infarction (MI). Method and results Male C57Bl/6J mice were subjected to left coronary artery permanent ligation as a model of MI. We synthesized a novel 24-amino acid apoA-I mimetic peptide-type5 (FAMP5), which potently removes cholesterol via specific ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1). FAMP5 was associated with a significantly improved survival rate by protecting against cardiac rupture compared to the control. mRNA levels for eNOS, Gata-4, CTGF and ANP were significantly increased in the hearts of the FAMP5-treated group, while that for MCP-1 decreased. Conclusion This is the first report that high-density lipoprotein (HDL) therapy with FAMP5 improved the survival rate after MI.

The ApoA-I mimetic peptide FAMP promotes recovery from hindlimb ischemia through a nitric oxide (NO)-related pathway

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE HDL has various atheroprotective functions and improves endothelial function. Apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) is a major protein of HDL and plays a crucial role in HDL functions. We developed a novel apoA-I mimetic peptide, FAMP (Fukuoka University ApoA-I Mimetic Peptide). It is unclear whether an apoA-I mimetic peptide can promote neovascularization in vivo. Here, we investigated the effect of FAMP on endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activation and angiogenesis in a murine hindlimb ischemia model. METHODS AND RESULTS Intramuscular administration of FAMP significantly enhanced blood flow recovery and increased capillary density in the ischemic limb of mice fed a high-cholesterol diet (HCD). In a gait analysis, FAMP ameliorated functional recovery compared with that in the control group. FAMP significantly activated Akt, ERK, and eNOS phosphorylation in endothelial cells, and improved the migratory functions of human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). LY294002, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), significantly inhibited the activation of eNOS by FAMP. FAMP had no beneficial effects on blood flow recovery in eNOS(-/-) mice. CONCLUSIONS FAMP promoted recovery from hindlimb ischemia through a nitric oxide (NO)-related pathway by activation of a PI3K/Akt pathway. FAMP may become a new therapeutic agent for the future clinical treatment of critical limb ischemia (CLI).

Comparison of 64Cu and 68Ga for Molecular Imaging of Atherosclerosisusing the Apolipoprotein A-I Mimetic Peptide FAMP

Background: Molecular imaging for detection of the atherosclerotic plaque burden has been highlighted as a modality for the diagnosis of atherosclerosis. We recently developed a novel and noninvasive positron emission tomography (PET) that was functionalized with an apolipoprotein (Apo) A-I mimetic peptide [known as Fukuoka University Apo A-I mimetic peptide (FAMP)] radiolabeled with gallium-68 (68Ga) - 1, 4, 7, 10-tetraazacyclododecane-1, 4, 7, 10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) to specifically image the status of atherosclerotic plaque in myocardial infarctionprone Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic rabbits (WHHL-MI). Methods and Results: To achieve more sensitive molecular imaging, FAMP was modified with 4, 11 - bis (carboxymethyl) - 1, 4, 8, 11 - tetraazabicyclo (6.6.2) hexadecane (CB-TE2A) and radiolabeled with copper-64 (64Cu) for PET, and the ability of 64Cu-TE2A-FAMP to image plaque was compared with that of 68Ga-DOTA-FAMP. Japanese white normal (JW) and WHHL-MI rabbits were intravenously injected with 64Cu-CB-TE2A-FAMP or 68Ga- DOTA-FAMP, and subjected to continuous PET (25-30 MBq). Interestingly, 64Cu-CB-TE2A-FAMP was not taken up by atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta of WHHL-MI, whereas 68Ga-DOTA-FAMP was dramatically illuminated in the aorta of WHHL-MI. Moreover, 64Cu-CB-TE2A-FAMP was rapidly decomposed and 64Cu was excreted to the intestine, liver or urinary bladder in both JW and WHHL-MI rabbits. Conclusions: These results demonstrated that FAMP may be a target molecule for atherosclerotic molecular imaging with 68Ga-DOTA, but not with 64Cu-CB-TE2A. The selection of a suitable radio-nuclide and chelator might be important for HDL functioning imaging.