Lp(a) and 17K recombinant apo(a) treatment of THP-1 macrophages

Lp(a) and its distinguishing apolipoprotein constituent apo(a) have been shown to elicit proinflammatory responses from monocytes and macrophages. To obtain a global picture of the effect of Lp(a) and apo(a) on the transcriptome of these cells, we treated THP-1 macrophages with 250 nM Lp(a) or apo(a) for 6 hours, harvested RNA from the cells, and then performed RNA-seq using an Illumina NextSeq instrument. Analysis of the data using GO and KEGG strategies revealed a series of proinflammatory genes upregulated by apo(a) and even more dramatically by Lp(a). Overall design: Duplicate wells of THP-1 macrophages were treated for 6 hours with 250 nM Lp(a) or recombinant 17-kringle apo(a), or vehicle alone (phosphate-buffered saline).