The role of LDLR in intestinal inflammation

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is a risk factor for atherosclerosis, obesity, and other metabolic diseases, but its role in colitis is unknown. Here, we investigated the role of LDL in colitis by using LDL receptor deficient mice (Ldlr-/-). Wild-type and Ldlr-/- mice were fed with 3% DSS for 5 days and colons tissues were collected at day 8 post DSS treatment. We observed that Ldlr-/- mice are less susceptible to colitis. To understand the role of LDLR in colitis pathogenesis, we isolated RNA from colons of WT and Ldlr-/- mice and perfoemed RNA-seq. Our data show that the expression of inflamamtory genes are reduced in Ldlr-/- colons compared to wild-type. These data suggest that LDL is a potent endogenous trigger for intestinal inflammation. Wild-type and Ldlr-Ko mice (male, 8-10 weels old) were administered with 3% DSS for 5 days. Colon tissues were collected at day 8 post DSS and RNA was isolated form the colons for RNA-seq analysis.