Abstract 624: Interactions Between Adenylate Cyclase Type 9 (ADCY9) and Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein (CETP) in Atherosclerosis

Pharmacogenomic studies have shown that ADCY9 genotype determines the effects of the cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitor dalcetrapib on cardiovascular events, atherosclerosis imaging and body weight variation. The underlying mechanisms responsible for the interactions between ADCY9 and CETP have not yet been determined. Adcy9 -inactivated ( Adcy9 Gt/Gt ) and wild-type (WT) mice, that were or not transgenic for the CETP gene (CETP Gt and CETP WT ), were submitted to an atherogenic protocol (injection of an AAV8 expressing a PCSK9 gain-of-function variant and 0.75% cholesterol diet for 16 weeks). Atherosclerosis, cell adhesion, vasorelaxation, telemetry and adipose tissue MRI were evaluated. Adcy9 Gt/Gt mice had a 65% reduction in aortic atherosclerosis compared to WT ( P <0.01). CD68-positive macrophage accumulation and proliferation in plaques were reduced in Adcy9 Gt/Gt mice compared to WT animals ( P <0.05 for both). Adcy9 inactivation did not change counts of blood monocytes and their subsets. Splenocytes showed reduced adhesion to native aortic endothelium from Adcy9 Gt/Gt mice ( P <0.05 vs WT). Femoral artery endothelial-dependent vasorelaxation was improved in Adcy9 Gt/Gt mice (versus WT, P <0.01). Selective pharmacological blockade showed that the nitric oxide, cyclooxygenase and endothelial-dependent hyperpolarization pathways all contributed to the improvement of vasodilatation in Adcy9 Gt/Gt versus WT ( P <0.01 for all). Adcy9 Gt/Gt mice gained more weight than WT with the atherogenic diet, and this was associated with an increase in whole body adipose tissue volume ( P <0.05 for both). Feed efficiency was increased in Adcy9 Gt/Gt compared to WT mice ( P <0.05), which was accompanied by improved nocturnal heart rate variability ( P =0.0572) and prolonged cardiac RR interval ( P <0.05). Adcy9 inactivation-induced effects on atherosclerosis, endothelium-dependent vasodilation, weight gain and feed efficiency were lost in CETP Gt mice ( P >0.05 vs CETP WT ). Adcy9 inactivation protects against atherosclerosis, but only in the absence of CETP activity. This atheroprotection may be explained by decreased macrophage accumulation and proliferation in the arterial wall, improved endothelial function and autonomic tone.