A novel in vivo lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT)-deficient mouse expressing predominantly LpX is associated with spontaneous glomerulopathy

Complete lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) deficiency is a rare genetic cause of extreme reduction in high density lipoproteins and there is a high prevalence of chronic renal dysfunction that may progress to renal failure. Previous in vitro studies suggest the vesicular lipoprotein X (LpX) particles commonly seen in LCAT-deficient plasmas may be causative. To test this hypothesis, we have generated a novel murine model that selectively accumulate LpX in the circulation by cross breeding the sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP) la transgenic mice (S+) with the LCAT knockout (lcat-/-) mice. Fast protein liquid chromatography fractionation of pooled plasma lipids revealed that virtually all cholesterol is concentrated in the very low density lipoprotein (VLDL)-sized fractions. These fractions are enriched in free cholesterol and phospholipid but extremely poor in triglyceride. Electron microscopy of the d <1.063 g/ml fraction of the S+lcat-/- mice revealed abnormal large vesicular particles, suggestive of LpX. The S+lcat-/- mice developed glomerular lesions spontaneously evident at 6 months with glomerular and tubulointerstitial lipid-deposits. Immunohistochemical staining with RhoA showed marked positive focal staining in glomeruli in the S+lcat-/- mice and undetectable in the S+/lcat+/+ control. By 10 months of age, the kidneys showed progressive glomerular injury including segmental foam cell infiltrates, mesangial expansion, and hyalinosis. Renal abnormalities are very similar to those seen in human LCAT deficiency. We conclude that the selective high-level accumulation of plasma LpX in the S+lcat-/- mice is strongly associated with a spontaneous glomerulopathy, providing in vivo evidence that LpX contributes to the LCAT deficiency-related nephropathy.