Free fatty acids stabilize integrin β(1)via S-nitrosylation to promote monocyte–endothelial adhesion

Hyperlipidemia characterized by high blood levels of free fatty acids (FFAs) is important for the progression of inflammatory cardiovascular diseases. Integrin β(1) is a transmembrane receptor that drives various cellular functions, including differentiation, migration, and phagocytosis. However, the underlying mechanisms modifying integrin β(1) protein and activity in mediating monocyte/macrophage adhesion to endothelium remain poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrated that integrin β(1) protein underwent S-nitrosylation in response to nitrosative stress in macrophages. To examine the effect of elevated levels of FFA on the modulation of integrin β(1) expression, we treated the macrophages with a combination of oleic acid and palmitic acid (2:1) and found that FFA activated inducible nitric oxide synthase/nitric oxide and increased the integrin β(1) protein level without altering the mRNA level. FFA promoted integrin β(1) S-nitrosylation via inducible nitric oxide synthase/nitric oxide and prevented its degradation by decreasing binding to E3 ubiquitin ligase c-Cbl. Furthermore, we found that increased integrin α(4)β(1) heterodimerization resulted in monocyte/macrophage adhesion to endothelium. In conclusion, these results provided novel evidence that FFA-stimulated N--O stabilizes integrin β(1)via S-nitrosylation, favoring integrin α(4)β(1) ligation to promote vascular inflammation.