scholarly journals Physicochemical transfer of [3H]cholesterol from plasma lipoproteins to cultured human fibroblasts

1985 ◽  
Vol 228 (1) ◽  
pp. 219-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
B B Lundberg ◽  
L A Suominen

The transfer of free cholesterol from [3H]cholesterol-labelled plasma lipoproteins to cultured human lung fibroblasts was studied in a serum-free medium. The uptake of [3H]cholesterol depended upon time of incubation, concentration of lipoprotein in the medium, and temperature. Modified (reduced and methylated) low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which did not enter the cells by the receptor pathway, gave a somewhat lower transfer rate than unmodified LDL, but if the transfer values for native LDL were corrected for the receptor-mediated uptake of cholesterol the difference was eliminated. The initial rates of transfer of [3H]cholesterol from LDL and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were of the same order of magnitude (0.67 +/- 0.05 and 0.75 +/- 0.06 nmol of cholesterol/h per mg of cell protein, respectively) while that from very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) was much lower (0.23 +/- 0.02 nmol of cholesterol/h per mg) (means +/- S.D., n = 5). The activation energy for transfer of cholesterol from reduced, methylated LDL to fibroblasts was determined to be 57.5 kJ/mol. If albumin was added to the incubation medium the transfer of [3H]cholesterol was enhanced, while that of [14C]dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine was decreased compared with the protein-free system. The results demonstrate that, in spite of its low water solubility, free cholesterol can move from lipoproteins to cellular membranes, probably by aqueous diffusion. We propose that physicochemical transfer of free cholesterol may be a significant mechanism for net uptake of the sterol into the artery during atherogenesis.

1976 ◽  
Vol 35 (01) ◽  
pp. 178-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helena Sandberg ◽  
Lars-Olov Andersson

SummaryHuman plasma lipoprotein fractions were prepared by flotation in the ultracentrifuge. Addition of these fractions to platelet-rich, platelet-poor and platelet-free plasma affected the partial thromboplastin and Stypven clotting times to various degrees. Addition of high density lipoprotein (HDL) to platelet-poor and platelet-free plasma shortened both the partial thromboplastin and the Stypven time, whereas addition of low density lipoprotein and very low density lipoprotein (LDL + VLDL) fractions only shortened the Stypven time. The additions had little or no effect in platelet-rich plasma.Experiments involving the addition of anti-HDL antibodies to plasmas with different platelet contents and measuring of clotting times produced results that were in good agreement with those noted when lipoprotein was added. The relation between structure and the clot-promoting activity of various phospholipid components is discussed.


1984 ◽  
Vol 159 (2) ◽  
pp. 604-616 ◽  
Author(s):  
I F Rowe ◽  
A K Soutar ◽  
I M Trayner ◽  
M L Baltz ◽  
F C de Beer ◽  
...  

Immobilized rabbit and rat C-reactive protein (CRP) were found to selectively bind apolipoprotein B (apoB)-containing lipoproteins (low density lipoprotein, LDL and very low density lipoprotein, VLDL) from whole serum in a manner similar to that previously reported with human CRP. In acute phase human serum the CRP is in a free form, not complexed with lipoprotein or any other macromolecular ligand, and in acute phase serum from most rabbits fed on a normal diet the rabbit CRP was also free. However, in acute phase serum or heparinized plasma from hypercholesterolemic rabbits part or all of the CRP was found by gel filtration and immunoelectrophoretic techniques to be complexed with beta-VLDL, an abnormal apoB-containing plasma lipoprotein present in these animals. The presence of extent in different serum samples of CRP complexed with lipoprotein correlated closely with the serum apoB concentration. The formation of complexes between native, unaggregated rabbit CRP in solution and apoB-containing lipoproteins was readily demonstrable experimentally both with the isolated proteins and in whole serum. In all cases these interactions were calcium-dependent and inhibitable by free phosphoryl choline. The present findings extend earlier work in man and the rabbit and indicate that among the C-reactive proteins from different species, which are structurally highly conserved, the capacity for selective binding to apoB-containing plasma lipoproteins is also a constant feature. These interactions may therefore be related to the in vivo function of CRP in all species and this function may in turn be relevant to pathological conditions, such as atherosclerosis, in which lipoproteins are important.


1979 ◽  
Vol 83 (3) ◽  
pp. 588-594 ◽  
Author(s):  
H S Kruth ◽  
J Avigan ◽  
W Gamble ◽  
M Vaughan

The effect of cell density on low density lipoprotein (LDL) binding by cultured human skin fibroblasts was investigated. Bound LDL was visualized by indirect immunofluorescence. Cellular lipid and cholesterol were monitored by fluorescence in cells stained with phosphine 3R and filipin, respectively. LDL binding and lipid accumulation were compared in cells in stationary and exponentially growing cultures, in sparsely and densely plated cultures, in wounded and non-wounded areas of stationary cultures, and in stationary cultures with and without the addition of lipoprotein-deficient serum. We conclude that LDL binding and cholesterol accumulation induced by LDL are influenced by cell density. It appears that, compared to rapidly growing cells, quiescent (noncycling) human fibroblasts exhibit fewer functional LDL receptors.


1983 ◽  
Vol 97 (4) ◽  
pp. 1156-1168 ◽  
Author(s):  
D J McGookey ◽  
R G Anderson

Mouse peritoneal macrophages can be induced to accumulate cholesteryl esters by incubating them in the presence of acetylated low density lipoprotein. The cholesteryl esters are sequestered in neutral lipid droplets that remain in the cell even when the acetylated low density lipoprotein is removed from the culture media. Previous biochemical studies have determined that the cholesterol component of cholesteryl ester droplets constantly turns over with a half time of 24 h by a cyclic process of de-esterification and re-esterification. We have used morphologic techniques to determine the spatial relationship of cholesteryl ester, free cholesterol, and lipase activity during normal turnover and when turnover is disrupted. Lipid droplets were surrounded by numerous 7.5-10.0-nm filaments; moreover, at focal sites on the margin of each droplet there were whorles of concentrically arranged membrane that penetrated the matrix. Histochemically detectable lipase activity was associated with these stacks of membrane. Using filipin as a light and electron microscopic probe for free cholesterol, we determined that a pool of free cholesterol was associated with each lipid droplet. Following incubation in the presence of the exogenous cholesterol acceptor, high density lipoprotein, the cholesteryl ester droplets disappeared and were replaced with lipid droplets of a different lipid composition. Inhibition of cholesterol esterification caused cholesteryl ester droplets to disappear and free cholesterol to accumulate in numerous myelin-like structures in the body of the cell.


2009 ◽  
Vol 20 (23) ◽  
pp. 4932-4940 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abigail S. Haka ◽  
Inna Grosheva ◽  
Ethan Chiang ◽  
Adina R. Buxbaum ◽  
Barbara A. Baird ◽  
...  

A critical event in atherogenesis is the interaction of macrophages with subendothelial lipoproteins. Although most studies model this interaction by incubating macrophages with monomeric lipoproteins, macrophages in vivo encounter lipoproteins that are aggregated. The physical features of the lipoproteins require distinctive mechanisms for their uptake. We show that macrophages create an extracellular, acidic, hydrolytic compartment to carry out digestion of aggregated low-density lipoproteins. We demonstrate delivery of lysosomal contents to these specialized compartments and their acidification by vacuolar ATPase, enabling aggregate catabolism by lysosomal acid hydrolases. We observe transient sealing of portions of the compartments, allowing formation of an “extracellular” proton gradient. An increase in free cholesterol is observed in aggregates contained in these compartments. Thus, cholesteryl ester hydrolysis can occur extracellularly in a specialized compartment, a lysosomal synapse, during the interaction of macrophages with aggregated low-density lipoprotein. A detailed understanding of these processes is essential for developing strategies to prevent atherosclerosis.


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