Lipoproteins and ImmunoMetabolism

Overview

Dietary interventions have been consistently proposed as a part of a comprehensive strategy to lower the incidence and severity of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Excessive consumption of fats enriched in saturated fatty acids (SFA) is associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis and other CVD. By contrast, replacement of SFA with monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFA) has been reported to be inversely associated with risk of atherosclerosis. This is partly due to the ability of MUFA (and PUFA) in modulating low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglyceride-rich lipoprotein (TRL) lipid composition and oxidation status, and thereby the functionality of such lipoproteins. While most of the nutritional studies have focused on elucidating the mechanisms by which dietary fats affect LDL and TRL, little or nothing is known about the regulatory effect of MUFA and PUFA on structure and functional remodelling of high-density lipoproteins (HDL). There is clear evidence of an inverse association between plasma levels of HDL and the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. However, recent studies have suggested that HDL may not be as beneficial as thought at least in patients with established cardiometabolic disorders. In those patients, the HDL behaves as pro-inflammatory lipoproteins. Until now, few studies have addressed this "dark side" of HDL and has never been evaluated the role of dietary fatty acids on HDL plasticity (i.e. phenotype and functionality). A better understanding of this duality between anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory HDL would be relevant to prevent HDL-related atherogenic dyslipidemias and to provide personalized dietary advices for a successful management of atherogenic lipid profiles. This step of proof-of-principle will determine the instrumental role of major fatty acids present on a diet (SFA, MUFA and MUFA plus ω-3 PUFA) in promoting or reversing the phenotype of pro-inflammatory HDL. We expect to offer a novel insight on HDL and its relationship with dietary fatty acids through the following objectives: 1) To analyse acute changes in the lipidome, proteome and functional properties of HDL in humans (healthy volunteers and patients with metabolic syndrome) upon a challenge of a meal rich in SFA, MUFA or MUFA plus ω-3 PUFA; and 2) To analyse the influence of diets rich in SFA, MUFA and MUFA plus ω-3 PUFA on HDL plasticity in a preclinical animal model of diet-induced metabolic syndrome and that develops atherosclerosis.