- In vivo reverse cholesterol transport assay can employ the use
of wild-type or AMPK-deficient cells. In addition, AMPK acti-
vators can be used to “prime” cells prior to injection into the
mice. In this case, it will be critical not only to assess initial
radioactivity but also to determine cholesterol content in these
cells. - Cells can also be delivered via subcutaneous injection.
- This experiment can test the inherent capacity of cells from
normal and AMPK-deficient mice, as well as normal and
AMPK-activator-treated cells. However, there is also the
potential to use identically treated wild-type cells injected
into both wild-type and AMPK-deficient mice as recipients.
This would test whether AMPK could regulate endogenous
cholesterol acceptors (such as HDL and apoA-I).
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