# Effects of PC remodeling on macrophages and adipocytes: its relevance to atherosclerosis

> **NIH NIH R01** · SUNY DOWNSTATE MEDICAL CENTER · 2021 · $403,750

## Abstract

Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is the major component of cell membranes and is synthesized de novo in the
Kennedy pathway and then undergoes extensive deacylation-reacylation remodeling via Lands' cycle (non-
Kennedy pathway). The reacylation is catalyzed by lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase (LPCAT), which
adds a polyunsaturated fatty acid at the sn-2 position. Polyunsaturated PC content influences plasma
membrane structure and function. Four LPCAT isoforms have been described to date, and we determined
that LPCAT3 is the major isoform in macrophages and adipocytes. Here, we hypothesize that an increase in
saturated PCs in the plasma membrane of macrophages, as a consequence of Lpcat3 deficiency, promotes
inflammation by activating NFκB and MAP kinase signaling and promotes inflammation-induced
systemic insulin resistance and atherosclerosis (Aims 1 and 2). Lpcat3 deficiency in adipocytes might blunt
insulin signaling, thereby accelerating inflammation, systemic insulin resistance and atherosclerosis (Aim 3).
Lpcat3 overexpression should have the opposite effects. The outcomes of this study could lead to a novel anti-
atherogenic strategy for clinical use.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10168595
- **Project number:** 5R01HL139582-04
- **Recipient organization:** SUNY DOWNSTATE MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** XIAN-CHENG JIANG
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $403,750
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-07-01 → 2023-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10168595

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10168595, Effects of PC remodeling on macrophages and adipocytes: its relevance to atherosclerosis (5R01HL139582-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10168595. Licensed CC0.

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