Repositori URV

Identifier: TDX:657

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TDX657

Authors:
Salazar Blanco, Juliana

Abstract:
Metabolic syndrome, familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL), type 2 diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia secondary to HIV treatment are syndromes linked to high cardiovascular risk, and alterations in lipoprotein and carbohydrate metabolism, as well as with endothelial function. The genes involved in these processes are regulated at the transcriptional level through the vitamin A signaling pathway. Also, several linkage studies have identified a common locus in 1q21-23. This evidence led us to the following hypothesis: vitamin A modulates gene regulation involved in these alterations either genetic or drug induced (such as retinoic acid and its derivatives); these alterations cause hyperlipidemia and endothelial dysfunction and therefore increase cardiovascular risk. Cellular retinoic acid binding protein II gene (CRABP2) is located in 1q21-23. We identified in FCHL patients two new polymorphisms (rs2236795 and rs74118740), and studied its association with dyslipidemia in three independent populations. CRABP2 gene is associated with higher levels of LDL cholesterol. Furthermore, we studied the effect of 13-cis retinoic acid on gene expression in human vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC). We identified changes in expression levels at pharmacological concentrations that caused an increase in either cell adhesion and lipoprotein remnants removal, and a modification of HDL metabolism. Finally, studying prostacyclin synthase gene in detail (PGIS), we observed an increase in the release of prostaglandin I2 (platelet aggregation inhibitor and vasodilator) due to the induction of PGIS. The results in this thesis provide evidence that the processes regulated by retinoic acid are involved in these pathologies.