Objective:To study the effect of transient expression of human cholesteryl ester hydrolase(hCEH) on the cholesterol metabolism in RAW 264.7 macrophages.Methods:RAW 264.7 macrophages were transfected transiently with pEGFP-N1-CEH under the stimulation of FuGENE HD.After 24 h

macrophages were loaded with oxidized low density lipoprotein(100 mg/L) for 48 h.The expression of pEGFP-N1-CEH was detected with GFP fluorescence and Western blot.The cellular lipid accumulation was examined by oil red O staining.High performance liquid chromatography was used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of intracellular cholesterol and cholesterol esters.Results:There were the most number of fluorescent cells after 72 h.The transfection rate was about 40%.The protein expression level of human CEH significantly increased and partly inhibited expression of mouse CEH protein in mouse macrophage.Compared with ox-LDL group

oil red O-positive cells of hCEH transfection group were greatly reduced.The cellular contents of total cholesterol

free cholesterol and cholesterol ester of hCEH transfection group were also obviously decreased.Conclusion:The gene of hCEH expresses in mouse macrophages cell line RAW 264.7

and inhibits atherosclerotic foam cell formation through reducing intracellular cholesterol level.