ABCA1 mRNA and protein levels in M-CSF-activated macrophages from patients with arterial stenosis

ABCA1 transporter is one of the key factors defining the level of antiatherogenic HDL in plasma. It is actively involved in the removal of cholesterol from peripheral tissues by reverse cholesterol transport. However, the influence of the level of ABCA1 mRNA and the level of ABCA1 protein 1 in macrophages in atherosclerosis remains unexplored. Using real time PCR we determined ABCA1 mRNA level in macrophages cultured for 5 days with macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). ABCA1 mRNA levels in macrophages from patients with arterial stenosis were increased when compared with the control group, P = 0.04. According to a Western blot analysis ABCA1 protein level in macrophages from patients was significantly lower than in the control group, P = 0.01. Our results suggest that the level of ABCA1 mRNA and level of ABCA1 protein in macrophages may be important factors in the development of atherosclerosis.