A Snake Venom-Secreted Phospholipase A₂ Induces Foam Cell Formation Depending on the Activation of Factors Involved in Lipid Homeostasis

Figure 5

DGAT and ACAT enzymes are essential for LD formation induced by MT-III in macrophages. (a) Peritoneal macrophages were incubated with A922500 (100 nM), a DGAT inhibitor or TMP-153 (100 nM), an ACAT inhibitor or vehicle (<1% DMSO/RPMI) for 1 h and then with MT-III (0.4 μM) for 12 h. LDs were quantified using light microscopy after osmium staining. Each bar represents the mean ± SEM LDs/cell in 50 counted cells. compared with control group; compared with vehicle-treated MT-III-stimulated cells. Levels of (b) TAG and (c) CE in 1.10⁷ macrophages extracts incubated with MT-III (0.4 μM) or RPMI (control) for 1 and 6 h quantified by specific detection kits. Values represent means ± SEM from 3–5 animals. compared with the control group.

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