Dissecting the Impact of Dietary Protein on Macrophage mTOR Signaling and Atherosclerosis

Project Summary / Abstract Atherosclerosis is the underlying cause of the majority of cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial infarction and strokes, and results in tremendous morbidity and mortality. A Western-type diet is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis because of the high saturated fat, cholesterol, and refined carbohydrate contents. Dietary strategies to reduce cardiovascular disease burden therefore focus on restriction of saturated fat, cholesterol, and refined carbohydrates whereas “lean” protein intake is recommended and has become popular. However, results from studies conducted in animal models suggest high dietary protein intake is also atherogenic. Our extensive preliminary data in animal models show that dietary protein increases atherosclerotic plaque formation and size and promotes necrotic core formation, a characteristic of rupture-prone plaques. The goal of the current proposal is to provide deeper insights into the relationship between protein intake and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis by studying the mechanisms involved in protein-mediated atherogenesis and formation of necrotic plaques. Our overarching hypothesis is that high protein intake drives atherosclerosis via leucine-mediated mTORC1 signaling in macrophages, which inhibits macrophage mitophagy and aggrephagy and stimulates macrophage proliferation. Furthermore, we hypothesize that proteins from animal sources are more atherogenic than proteins from plant sources, because animal proteins contain more leucine than plant proteins. We will test these hypotheses by using a sophisticated array of experimental strategies, including assays in primary macrophages and human monocyte-derived macrophages and genetically engineered mouse models. In addition, we will begin to translate the results obtained in vitro and in animals to people, and explore approaches to pharmacologically target the pro-atherogenic pathways as novel cardiovascular therapeutics. Our proposal represents a paradigm shift in how a Western-type diet affects vascular health which has important implications since many adults in Western societies consume excess protein and dietary protein is heavily marketed for its presumed beneficial health effects.