Reduced VLDL clearance in Apoe(-/-)Npc1(-/-) mice is associated with increased Pcsk9 and Idol expression and decreased hepatic LDL-receptor levels

Niemann-Pick type C1 (NPC1) promotes the transport of LDL receptor (LDL-R)-derived cholesterol from late endosomes/lysosomes to other cellular compartments. NPC1-deficient cells showed impaired regulation of liver_X receptor (LXR) and sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP) target genes. We observed that Apoe−/−Npc1−/− mice displayed a marked increase in total plasma cholesterol mainly due to increased VLDL, reflecting decreased clearance. Although nuclear SREBP-2 and Ldlr mRNA levels were increased in Apoe−/−Npc1−/− liver, LDL-R protein levels were decreased in association with marked induction of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (Pcsk9) and inducible degrader of the LDL-R (Idol), both known to promote proteolytic degradation of LDL-R. While Pcsk9 is known to be an SREBP-2 target, marked upregulation of IDOL in Apoe−/−Npc1−/− liver was unexpected. However, several other LXR target genes also increased in Apoe−/−Npc1−/− liver, suggesting increased synthesis of endogenous LXR ligands secondary to activation of sterol biosynthesis. In conclusion, we demonstrate that NPC1 deficiency has a major impact on VLDL metabolism in Apoe−/− mice through modulation of hepatic LDL-R protein levels. In contrast to modest induction of hepatic IDOL with synthetic LXR ligands, a striking upregulation of IDOL in Apoe−/−Npc1−/− mice could indicate a role of endogenous LXR ligands in regulation of hepatic IDOL.