Isolation and characterization of simple and complex lipoproteins containing apolipoprotein F from human plasma

Apolipoprotein F (ApoF), one of the minor apolipoproteins in human plasma, has been recently isolated and partially characterized [Olofsson, S.O., McConathy, W.J., & Alaupovic, P. (1978) Biochemistry 17, 1032-1036]. In the present work, the interaction of ApoF with other apolipoproteins and lipids in human plasma was studied. By the successive use of immunosorbers specific for ApoF, apolipoprotein A-II (ApoA-II) and apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I), three different ApoF-containing lipoproteins were isolated from normolipidemic fasting human plasma. Their apolipoprotein content was determined by double immunodiffusion against monospecific antisera to all known serum apolipoproteins, electroimmunoassay, crossed immunoelectrophoresis, and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Their lipid composition was determined by thin-layer chromatography. The three ApoF-containing lipoproteins were identified as LpF:A-I:A-II (lipoprotein containing ApoF, ApoA-I, and ApoA:II), LpF:A-I (lipoprotein containing ApoF and ApoA-I), and LpF (lipoprotein containing only ApoF). LpF:A-I:A-II was found to contain ApoF, ApoA-I, and ApoA-II in an apparent 2:1:1 molar ratio. Its lipid moiety was characterized by cholesterol ester (45%) and free cholesterol (28%) as the predominant lipids. LpF contained only ApoF, and in its major lipid components were also cholesterol esters (63%) and free cholesterol (21%). It is suggested that ApoF-containing lipoproteins may be involved in transport and/or esterification of cholesterol.     

Characterization of apoA- and apoB-containing lipoprotein particles in a variant of familial apoA-I deficiency with planar xanthoma: the metabolic significance of LP-A-II particles.

This study describes a variant of familial apoA-I deficiency associated with a moderate risk for premature coronary artery disease. The proband, a 25-year-old man of Philippine origin, and his 62-year-old maternal aunt had peripheral corneal opacification, xanthelasma, and planar xanthoma; the aunt had coronary artery bypass surgery at 61 years of age. Proband's parents and three brothers were asymptomatic and apparently healthy. The characteristic apolipoprotein features of affected patients were the immunochemically and chemically undetectable apoA-I, reduced levels of apoA-II, apoC-II, apoC-III, and apoD, and normal levels of apoB and apoE; except for negligible levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol (2-3 mg/dl), their plasma lipid profile was normal. The apoA-I levels in all five unaffected relatives were more than one SD below the normal mean values for their age and sex; the HDL-cholesterol levels of proband's unaffected brothers were below the 10th percentile of normal control values. Patient's very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), and HDL contained 1.4, 80.4, and 18.1%, whereas those of control subjects contained 2.7, 28.8, and 68.1% of the total apolipoprotein mass, respectively. In unaffected relatives, the levels of LP-A-I, but not LP-A-I:A-II, were significantly lower than in controls. Neither of the two patients had detectable concentrations of LP-A-I or LP-A-I:A-II. Their HDL only consisted of LP-A-II particles, the levels of which (7-13 mg/dl) were similar to those of unaffected relatives or controls. There was no difference in the lipid composition of LP-A-II between patients and their relatives. However, LP-A-II from patients contained substantial amounts of apoC-peptides and apoE (0.40-0.98 mg/mg apoA-II), whereas those from unaffected relatives were free of these minor apolipoproteins. In patients, among all four major apoB-containing lipoproteins, only the levels of LP-B and LP-B:C were slightly higher than those in controls. Results of this study suggest a genetic cause for this variant of apoA-I deficiency characterized most probably by autosomal recessive inheritance. It appears that patients are likely to be homozygous for a gene present in single dose in the parents and brothers of the affected proband.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Formation of high density lipoproteins containing both apolipoprotein A-I and A-II in the rabbit

Human plasma HDLs are classified on the basis of apolipoprotein composition into those that contain apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) without apoA-II [(A-I)HDL] and those containing apoA-I and apoA-II [(A-I/A-II)HDL]. ApoA-I enters the plasma as a component of discoidal particles, which are remodeled into spherical (A-I)HDL by LCAT. ApoA-II is secreted into the plasma either in the lipid-free form or as a component of discoidal high density lipoproteins containing apoA-II without apoA-I [(A-II)HDL]. As discoidal (A-II)HDL are poor substrates for LCAT, they are not converted into spherical (A-II)HDL. This study investigates the fate of apoA-II when it enters the plasma. Lipid-free apoA-II and apoA-II-containing discoidal reconstituted HDL [(A-II)rHDL] were injected intravenously into New Zealand White rabbits, a species that is deficient in apoA-II. In both cases, the apoA-II was rapidly and quantitatively incorporated into spherical (A-I)HDL to form spherical (A-I/A-II)HDL. These particles were comparable in size and composition to the (A-I/A-II)HDL in human plasma. Injection of lipid-free apoA-II and discoidal (A-II)rHDL was also accompanied by triglyceride enrichment of the endogenous (A-I)HDL and VLDL as well as the newly formed (A-I/A-II)HDL. We conclude that, irrespective of the form in which apoA-II enters the plasma, it is rapidly incorporated into spherical HDLs that also contain apoA-I to form (A-I/A-II)HDL.     

Identification and partial characterization of discrete apolipoprotein B containing lipoprotein particles produced by human hepatoma cell line HepG2

The purpose of this study was to test the use of human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells as a model for studying the formation and secretion of human hepatic lipoproteins. To this end, we determined the rate of accumulation and percent composition of neutral lipids and apolipoproteins in the culture medium of HepG2 cells and isolated and partially characterized the apolipoprotein B (ApoB) containing lipoprotein particles. The rates of accumulation in the medium of HepG2 cells, grown in minimum essential medium during a 24-h incubation, of triglycerides, cholesterol, and cholesterol esters expressed as microgram/(g of cell protein X h) were 373 +/- 55, 167 +/- 14, and 79 +/- 10, respectively; the secretion rates for apolipoproteins B, A-I, E, A-II, and C-III were 372 +/- 36, 149 +/- 14, 104 +/- 13, 48 +/- 4, and 13 +/- 1 microgram/(g of cell protein X h), respectively. The major portion of ApoB was present in very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) (84%), with the remainder occurring in high-density lipoproteins (HDL) (16%). Approximately 10-13% of ApoA-I and ApoA-II were present in VLDL and LDL, while 60% of ApoE occurred in HDL and 40% in VLDL and LDL. To separate ApoB-containing lipoproteins, secreted lipoproteins were fractionated by either sequential immunoprecipitation or immunoaffinity chromatography with antibodies to ApoB and ApoE. Results showed that 60-70% of ApoB occurred in the culture medium as lipoprotein B (LP-B) and 30-40% as lipoprotein B:E (LP-B:E). Both ApoB-containing lipoproteins represent polydisperse systems of spherical particles ranging in size from 100 to 350 A for LP-B and from 200 to 500 A for LP-B:E. LP-B particles were identified in VLDL, LDL, and HDL, while LP-B:E particles were only present in VLDL and LDL. The major neutral lipid of both ApoB-containing lipoproteins was triglyceride (50-70% of the total neutral lipid content); cholesterol and cholesterol esters were present in equal amounts. The LP-B:E particles contained 70-90% ApoB and 10-30% ApoE. The ApoB was identified in both types of particles as B-100. A time study on the accumulation of ApoB-containing lipoproteins showed that LP-B particles were secreted independently of LP-B:E particles.     

Characterization of lipoprotein particles isolated by immunoaffinity chromatography. Particles containing A-I and A-II and particles containing A-I but no A-II

Two populations of A-I-containing lipoprotein particles: A-I-containing lipoprotein with A-II (Lp (A-I with A-II], and A-I-containing lipoprotein without A-II (Lp (A-I without A-II] have been isolated from plasma of 10 normolipidemic subjects by immunoaffinity chromatography and characterized. Both types of particles possess alpha-electrophoretic mobility and hydrated density in the range of plasma high-density lipoproteins (HDL). Lp (A-I without A-II) and Lp (A-I with A-II) are heterogeneous in size. Lp (A-I without A-II) comprised two distinct particle sizes with mean apparent molecular weight and Stokes diameter of 3.01 X 10(5), and 10.8 nm for Lp (A-I without A-II)1, and 1.64 X 10(5), and 8.5 nm for Lp (A-I without A-II)2. Lp (A-I with A-II) usually contained particles of at least three distinct molecular sizes with mean apparent molecular weight and Stokes diameter of 2.28 X 10(5) and 9.6 nm for Lp (A-I with A-II)1, 1.80 X 10(5) and 8.9 nm for Lp (A-I with A-II)2, and 1.25 X 10(5) and 8.0 nm for Lp (A-I with A-II)3. Apoproteins C, D, and E, and lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) were detected in both Lp (A-I without A-II) and Lp (A-I with A-II) with most of the apoprotein D, and E, and LCAT (EC 2.3.1.43) in Lp (A-I with A-II) particles. Lp (A-I without A-II) had a slightly higher lipid/protein ratio than Lp (A-I with A-II). Lp (A-I with A-II) had an A-I/A-II molar ratio of approximately 2:1. The percentage of plasma A-I associated with Lp (A-I without A-II) was highly correlated with the A-I/A-II ratio of plasma (r = 0.96, n = 10). The variation in A-I/A-II ratio of HDL density subfractions therefore reflects different proportions of two discrete types of particles: particles containing A-I and A-II in a nearly constant ratio and particles containing A-II but no A-II. Each type of particle is heterogeneous in size and in apoprotein composition.     

On the structural similarity of ApoA-I and ApoA-II of human high density lipoproteins.

The possible evolutionary origin of apolipoproteins was studied by comparing the primary structures of different plasma apolipoproteins and other phospholipid-binding proteins. Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I) and apolipoprotein A-II (ApoA-II) of human high density lipoprotein (HDL) are related. The resemblance of these two HDL apolipoproteins are apparently restricted to the carboxyl terminal regions suggesting that these portions of the molecules are derived from the same ancestor. The homologous carboxyl terminal segments may be involved in the regulation of HDL metabolism or in the interaction with phospholipids.     

Identification and partial characterization of discrete apolipoprotein A-containing lipoprotein particles secreted by human hepatoma cell line HepG2

The purpose of this study was to identify the apolipoprotein A-containing lipoprotein particles produced by HepG2 cells. The apolipoprotein A-containing lipoproteins separated from apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins by affinity chromatography of culture medium on concanavalin A were fractionated on an immunosorber with monoclonal antibodies to apolipoprotein A-II. The retained fraction contained apolipoproteins A-I, A-II and E, while the unretained fraction contained apolipoproteins A-I and E. Both fractions were characterized by free cholesterol as the major and triglycerides and cholesterol esters as the minor neutral lipids. Further chromatography of both fractions on an immunosorber with monoclonal antibodies to apolipoprotein A-I showed that 1) apolipoprotein A-II only occurs in association with apolipoprotein A-I, 2) apolipoprotein A-IV is only present as part of a separate lipoprotein family (lipoprotein A-IV), and 3) apolipoprotein E-enriched lipoprotein A-I:A-II and lipoprotein A-I are the main apolipoprotein A-containing lipoproteins secreted by HepG2 cells.     

Lipolytic degradation of human very low density lipoproteins by human milk lipoprotein lipase: the identification of lipoprotein B as the main lipoprotein degradation product

Although the direct conversion of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) into low density (LDL) and high density (HDL) lipoproteins only requires lipoprotein lipase (LPL) as a catalyst and albumin as the fatty acid acceptor, the in vitro-formed LDL and HDL differ chemically from their native counterparts. To investigate the reason(s) for these differences, VLDL were treated with human milk LPL in the presence of albumin, and the LPL-generated LDL1-, LDL2-, and HDL-like particles were characterized by lipid and apolipoprotein composition. Results showed that the removal of apolipoproteins B, C, and E from VLDL was proportional to the degree of triglyceride hydrolysis with LDL2 particles as the major and LDL1 and HDL + VHDL particles as the minor products of a complete in vitro lipolysis of VLDL. In comparison with native counterparts, the in vitro-formed LDL2 and HDL + VHDL were characterized by lower levels of triglyceride and cholesterol ester and higher levels of free cholesterol and lipid phosphorus. The characterization of lipoprotein particles present in the in vitro-produced LDL2 showed that, as in plasma LDL2, lipoprotein B (LP-B) was the major apolipoprotein B-containing lipoprotein accounting for over 90% of the total apolipoprotein B. Other, minor species of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins included LP-B:C-I:E and LP-B:C-I:C-II:C-III. The lipid composition of in vitro-formed LP-B closely resembled that of plasma LP-B. The major parts of apolipoproteins C and E present in VLDL were released to HDL + VHDL as simple, cholesterol/phospholipid-rich lipoproteins including LP-C-I, LP-C-II, LP-C-III, and LP-E. However, some of these same simple lipoprotein particles were present after ultracentrifugation in the LDL2 density segment because of their hydrated density and/or because they formed, in the absence of naturally occurring acceptors (LP-A-I:A-II), weak associations with LP-B. Thus, the presence of varying amounts of these cholesterol/phospholipid-rich lipoproteins in the in vitro-formed LDL2 appears to be the main reason for their compositional difference from native LDL2. These results demonstrate that the formation of LP-B as the major apolipoprotein B-containing product of VLDL lipolysis only requires LPL as a catalyst and albumin as the fatty acid acceptor. However, under physiological circumstances, other modulating agents are necessary to prevent the accumulation and interaction of phospholipid/cholesterol-rich apolipoprotein C- and E-containing particles.     

Isolation and characterization of an apoA-II-containing lipoprotein (LP-A-II:B complex) from plasma very low density lipoproteins of patients with Tangier disease and type V hyperlipoproteinemia

Previous studies have shown that very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) from patients with Tangier disease are less effective as a substrate for human milk lipoprotein lipase (LPL) than VLDL from normal controls as assessed by measuring the first order rate constant (k1) of triglyceride hydrolysis. Tangier VLDL also has a higher content of apolipoprotein (apo) A-II than normal VLDL. To explore the possible relationship between the relatively high concentration of apoA-II in VLDL and low k1 values, Tangier VLDL were fractionated on an anti-apoA-II immunosorber. The retained fraction contained a newly identified triglyceride-rich lipoprotein characterized by the presence of apolipoproteins A-II, B, C-I, C-II, C-III, D, and E (LP-A-II:B:C:D:E or LP-A-II:B complex), whereas the unretained fraction consisted of previously identified triglyceride-rich apoB-containing lipoproteins free of apoA-II. In VLDL from patients with Tangier disease or type V hyperlipoproteinemia, the LP-A-II:B complex accounted for 70-90% and 25-70% of the total apoB content, respectively. The LP-A-II:B complexes had similar lipid and apolipoprotein composition; they were poor substrates for LPL as indicated by their low k1 values (0.014-0.016 min-1). In contrast, the apoA-II-free lipoproteins present in unretained fractions were effective substrates for LPL with k1 values equal to or greater than 0.0313 min-1. These results indicate that triglyceride-rich lipoproteins consist of several apoB-containing lipoproteins, including the LP-A-II:B complex, and that lipoprotein particles of similar size and density but distinct apolipoprotein composition also possess distinct metabolic properties.     

Isolation and identification of HDL particles of low molecular weight

Small particles of high density lipoproteins (HDL) were isolated from fresh, fasting human plasma and from the ultracentrifugally isolated high density lipoprotein fraction by means of ultrafiltration through membranes of molecular weight cutoff of 70,000. These particles were found to contain cholesterol, phospholipids, and apolipoproteins A-I and A-II; moreover, they floated at a density of 1.21 kg/l. They contained 67.5% of their mass as protein and the rest as lipid. Two populations of small HDL particles were identified: one containing apolipoprotein A-I alone [(A-I)HDL] and the other containing both apolipoproteins A-I and A-II [A-I + A-II)HDL]. The molar ratio of apoA-I to apoA-II in the latter subclass isolated from plasma or HDL was 1:1. The molecular weights of these subpopulations were determined by nondenaturing gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and found to be 70,000; 1.5% of the plasma apoA-I was recovered in the plasma ultrafiltrate.     

Differential effect of ultracentrifugation on apolipoprotein A-I-containing lipoprotein subpopulations

Two populations of apolipoprotein (apo) A-I-containing lipoprotein particles are found in high density lipoproteins (HDL): those that also contain apo A-II[Lp(A-I w A-II)] and those that do not [Lp(A-I w/o A-II)]. Lp(A-I w/o A-II) comprised two distinct particle sizes with mean hydrates Stokes diameter of 10.5 nm for Lp(A-I w/o A-II)1 and 8.5 nm for Lp(A-I w/o A-II)2. To study the effect of ultracentrifugation on these particles, Lp(A-I w/o A-II) and Lp(A-I w A-II) were isolated from the plasma and the ultracentrifugal HDL (d 1.063-1.21 g/ml fractions) of five normolipidemic and three hyperlipidemic subjects. The size subpopulations of these particles were studied by gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Several consistent differences were detected between plasma Lp(A-I w/o A-II) and HDL Lp(A-I w/o A-II). First, in all subjects, the relative proportion of Lp(A-I w/o A-II)1 to Lp(A-I w/o A-II)2 isolated from HDL was reduced. Second, particles larger than Lp(A-I w/o A-II)1 and smaller than Lp(A-I w/o A-II)2 were considerably reduced in HDL. Third, a distinct population of particles with approximate Stokes diameter of 7.1 nm usually absent in plasma was detected in HDL Lp(A-I w/o A-II). Little difference in subpopulation distribution was detected between Lp(A-I w A-II) isolated from the plasma and HDL of the same subject. When plasma Lp(A-I w/o A-II) and Lp(A-I w A-II) were centrifuged, 14% and 4% of A-I were, respectively, recovered in the D greater than 1.21 g/ml fraction. Only 2% A-II was found in this density fraction. These studies show that the Lp(A-I w/o A-II) particles are less stable than Lp(A-I w A-II) particles upon ultracentrifugation. Among the various Lp(A-I w/o A-II) subpopulations, particles larger than Lp(A-I w/o A-II)1 and smaller than Lp(A-I w/o A-II)2 are most labile.     

Isolation and partial characterization of the lipoprotein families A and A-I from high-density lipoproteins of human serum

Procedures for the isolation of two lipoprotein fractions from plasma high-density lipoproteins (HDL), characterized by apolipoprotein A-I and apolipoprotein A-I together with apolipoprotein A-II, have been elaborated. Apolipoprotein A-I was identified as the protein moiety of one of these fractions (lipoprotein A-I) with polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (at basic and acidic pH, as well as in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate), immuno-double-diffusion, and amino acid analysis. Apolipoproteins A-I and A-II were identified as the protein moiety of the other fraction (lipoprotein A) with polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (basic and acidic pH) and immuno-double-diffusion. Lipoprotein A-I consisted of spherical particles with a diameter similar to that of HDL as judged from negative strains in the transmission electron microscope. The diameter was estimated to be 8.7 nm from gel chromatography. Lipoprotein A-I migrated in the HDL position on crossed immunoelectrophoresis. On iso-electric focusing lipoprotein A-I appeared as multiple bands in the pH range 5.05-5.55. Lipoprotein A-I had the density of an HDL-2 fraction (rho: 1.063-1.105). Lipoprotein A consisted of spherical particles with a diameter similar to that of HDL, as judged from negative strains in the transmission electron microscope. The diameter was estimated to be 7.9 nm from gel chromatography. The molar ratio between the A-I and A-II polypeptides was estimated to 1.3:1 with electroimmunoassay and calculations from the amino acid compositions. Lipoprotein A migrated in the position of HDL on crossed immuno-electrophoresis. On iso-electric focusing lipoprotein A appeared as one major and two minor bands in the pH range 5.10-5.30. Lipoprotein A had the hydrated density of an HDL-2 fraction.     

Difference in lipid packing sensitivity of exchangeable apolipoproteins apoA-I and apoA-II: an important determinant for their distinctive role in lipid metabolism

Exchangeable apolipoproteins A-I and A-II play distinct roles in reverse cholesterol transport. ApoA-I interacts with phospholipids and cholesterol of the cell membrane to make high density lipoprotein particles whereas apolipoprotein A-II interacts with high density lipoprotein particles to release apolipoprotein A-I. The two proteins show a high activity at the aqueous solution/lipid interface and are characterized by a high content of amphipathic α-helices built upon repetition of the same structural motif. We set out to investigate to what extent the number of α-helix repeats of this structural motif modulates the affinity of the protein for lipids and the sensitivity to lipid packing. To this aim we have compared the insertion of apolipoproteins A-I and A-II in phospholipid monolayers formed on a Langmuir trough in conditions where lipid packing, surface pressure and charge were controlled. We also used atomic force microscopy to obtain high resolution topographic images of the surface at a resolution of several nanometers and performed statistical image analysis to calculate the spatial distribution and geometrical shape of apolipoproteins A-I and A-II clusters. Our data indicate that apolipoprotein A-I is sensitive to packing of zwitterionic lipids but insensitive to the packing of negatively charged lipids. Interestingly, apolipoprotein A-II proved to be insensitive to the packing of zwitterionic lipids. The different sensitivity to lipid packing provides clues as to why apolipoprotein A-II barely forms nascent high density lipoprotein particles while apolipoprotein A-I promotes their formation. We conclude that the different interfacial behaviors of apolipoprotein A-I and apolipoprotein A-II in lipidic monolayers are important determinants of their distinctive roles in lipid metabolism.     

Subpopulations of apolipoprotein A-I in human high-density lipoproteins. Their metabolic properties and response to drug therapy

In this study immunological procedures were used to detect and quantify high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles of differing apolipoprotein A composition. In the plasma of eight healthy female subjects, 45% of the total apolipoprotein A-I existed in particles (called '(AI)HDL') devoid of apolipoprotein A-II. The remainder circulated in association with apolipoprotein A-II at a molar ratio of approximately 1:1. Nicotinic acid selectively raised the plasma apolipoprotein A-I/A-II ratio by increasing the proportion of (AI)HDL particles. Probucol produced the opposite effect, lowering the plasma concentration of these particles. The kinetic properties of apolipoprotein A-I in total HDL and in the (AI)HDL particle were the same despite the fact that apolipoprotein A-I equilibration between these two species was incomplete. Therefore, there appear to be at least two apolipoprotein A-containing particle populations in HDL which are immunochemically and metabolically distinct.     

Differential Stability of High-density Lipoprotein Subclasses: Effects of Particle Size and Protein Composition

High-density lipoproteins (HDLs) are complexes of proteins (mainly apoA-I and apoA-II) and lipids that remove cholesterol and prevent atherosclerosis. Understanding the distinct properties of the heterogeneous HDL population may aid the development of new diagnostic tools and therapies for atherosclerosis. Mature human HDLs form two major subclasses differing in particle diameter and metabolic properties, HDL₂ (large) and HDL₃ (small). These subclasses are comprised of HDL(A-I) containing only apoA-I, and HDL(A-I/A-II) containing apoA-I and apoA-II. ApoA-I is strongly cardioprotective, but the function of the smaller, more hydrophobic apoA-II is unclear. ApoA-II is thought to counteract the cardioprotective action of apoA-I by stabilizing HDL particles and inhibiting their remodeling. To test this notion, we performed the first kinetic stability study of human HDL subclasses. The results revealed that the stability of plasma spherical HDL decreases with increasing particle diameter; which may facilitate preferential cholesterol ester uptake from large lipid-loaded HDL₂. Surprisingly, size-matched plasma HDL(A-I/A-II) showed comparable or slightly lower stability than HDL(A-I); this is consistent with the destabilization of model discoidal HDL observed upon increasing the A-II to A-I ratio. These results clarify the roles of the particle size and protein composition in HDL remodeling, and help reconcile conflicting reports regarding the role of apoA-II in this remodeling.     

Characterization of human high-density lipoprotein subclasses LP A-I and LP A-I/A-II and binding to HepG2 cells

Plasma HDL can be classified according to their apolipoprotein content into at least two types of lipoprotein particles: lipoproteins containing both apo A-I and apo A-II (LP A-I/A-II) and lipoproteins with apo A-I but without apo A-II (LP A-I). LP A-I and LP A-I/A-II were isolated by immuno-affinity chromatography. LP A-I has a higher cholesterol content and less protein compared to LP A-I/A-II. The average particle mass of LP A-I is higher (379 kDa) than the average particle weight of LP A-I/A-II (269 kDa). The binding of 125I-LP A-I to HepG2 cells at 4 degrees C, as well as the uptake of [3H]cholesteryl ether-labelled LP A-I by HepG2 cells at 37 degrees C, was significantly higher than the binding and uptake of LP A-I/A-II. It is likely that both binding and uptake are mediated by apo A-I. Our results do not provide evidence in favor of a specific role for apo A-II in the binding and uptake of HDL by HepG2 cells.     

The interaction of lipolysis products of very low density lipoprotein with plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL): perfusate HDL with plasma HDL subfractions

The nature of the interaction of high density lipoproteins (HDL), formed during lipolysis of human very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) by perfused rat heart, with subfractions of human plasma HDL was investigated. Perfusate HDL, containing apoliproproteins (apo) E, C-II, and C-III but no apo A-I or A-II, was incubated with a subfraction of HDL (HDL-A) containing apo A-I and A-II, but devoid of apo C-II, C-III, and E. The products of the incubation were resolved by heparin-Sepharose or hydroxylapatite chromatography under conditions which allowed the resolution of the initial HDL-A and perfusate HDL. The fractions were analyzed for apolipoprotein content and lipid composition and assessed for particle size by electron microscopy. Following the incubation, the apo-E-containing lipoproteins were distinct from perfusate HDL since they contained apo A-I as a major component and apo C-II and C-III in reduced proportions. However, the HDL-A fraction contained apo C-II and C-III as major constituents. Associated with these changes in apolipoprotein composition, the apo-E-rich lipoproteins acquired cholesteryl ester from the HDL-A fraction and lost phospholipid to the HDL-A fraction. The HDL-A fraction maintained a low unesterified cholesterol/phospholipid molar ratio (0.23), while the apo-E-containing lipoproteins possessed a high ratio (0.75) characteristic of the perfusate HDL.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Apolipoprotein A-II inhibits high density lipoprotein remodeling and lipid-poor apolipoprotein A-I formation

The high density lipoproteins (HDL) in human plasma are classified on the basis of apolipoprotein composition into those containing apolipoprotein (apo) A-I but not apoA-II, (A-I)HDL, and those containing both apoA-I and apoA-II, (A-I/A-II)HDL. Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) transfers core lipids between HDL and other lipoproteins. It also remodels (A-I)HDL into large and small particles in a process that generates lipid-poor, pre-beta-migrating apoA-I. Lipid-poor apoA-I is the initial acceptor of cellular cholesterol and phospholipids in reverse cholesterol transport. The aim of this study is to determine whether lipid-poor apoA-I is also formed when (A-I/A-II)rHDL are remodeled by CETP. Spherical reconstituted HDL that were identical in size had comparable lipid/apolipoprotein ratios and either contained apoA-I only, (A-I)rHDL, or (A-I/A-II)rHDL were incubated for 0-24 h with CETP and Intralipid(R). At 6 h, the apoA-I content of the (A-I)rHDL had decreased by 25% and there was a concomitant formation of lipid-poor apoA-I. By 24 h, all of the (A-I)rHDL were remodeled into large and small particles. CETP remodeled approximately 32% (A-I/A-II)rHDL into small but not large particles. Lipid-poor apoA-I did not dissociate from the (A-I/A-II)rHDL. The reasons for these differences were investigated. The binding of monoclonal antibodies to three epitopes in the C-terminal domain of apoA-I was decreased in (A-I/A-II)rHDL compared with (A-I)rHDL. When the (A-I/A-II)rHDL were incubated with Gdn-HCl at pH 8.0, the apoA-I unfolded by 15% compared with 100% for the apoA-I in (A-I)rHDL. When these incubations were repeated at pH 4.0 and 2.0, the apoA-I in the (A-I)rHDL and the (A-I/A-II)rHDL unfolded completely. These results are consistent with salt bridges between apoA-II and the C-terminal domain of apoA-I, enhancing the stability of apoA-I in (A-I/A-II)rHDL and possibly contributing to the reduced remodeling and absence of lipid poor apoA-I in the (A-I/A-II)rHDL incubations.     

Formation of spherical, reconstituted high density lipoproteins containing both apolipoproteins A-I and A-II is mediated by lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase

Previous studies have provided detailed information on the formation of spherical high density lipoproteins (HDL) containing apolipoprotein (apo) A-I but no apoA-II (A-I HDL) by an lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT)-mediated process. In this study we have investigated the formation of spherical HDL containing both apoA-I and apoA-II (A-I/A-II HDL). Incubations were carried out containing discoidal A-I reconstituted HDL (rHDL), discoidal A-II rHDL, and low density lipoproteins in the absence or presence of LCAT. After the incubation, the rHDL were reisolated and subjected to immunoaffinity chromatography to determine whether A-I/A-II rHDL were formed. In the absence of LCAT, the majority of the rHDL remained as either A-I rHDL or A-II rHDL, with only a small amount of A-I/A-II rHDL present. By contrast, when LCAT was present, a substantial proportion of the reisolated rHDL were A-I/A-II rHDL. The identity of the particles was confirmed using apoA-I rocket electrophoresis. The formation of the A-I/A-II rHDL was influenced by the relative concentrations of the precursor discoidal A-I and A-II rHDL. The A-I/A-II rHDL included several populations of HDL-sized particles; the predominant population having a Stokes' diameter of 9.9 nm. The particles were spherical in shape and had an electrophoretic mobility slightly slower than that of the alpha-migrating HDL in human plasma. The apoA-I:apoA-II molar ratio of the A-I/A-II rHDL was 0.7:1. Their major lipid constituents were phospholipids, unesterified cholesterol, and cholesteryl esters. The results presented are consistent with LCAT promoting fusion of the A-I rHDL and A-II rHDL to form spherical A-I/A-II rHDL. We suggest that this process may be an important source of A-I/A-II HDL in human plasma.     

Interaction between high-density lipoprotein subpopulations in apo B-free and abetalipoproteinemic plasma.

Two populations of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles exist in human plasma. Both contain apolipoprotein (apo) A-I, but only one contains apo A-II: Lp(AI w AII) and Lp(AI w/o AII). To study the extent of interaction between these particles, apo B-free plasma prepared by the selective removal of apo B-containing lipoproteins (LpB) from the plasma of three normolipidemic (NL) subjects and whole plasma from two patients with abetalipoproteinemia (ABL) were incubated at 37 degrees C for 24 h. Apo B-free plasma samples were used to avoid lipid-exchange between HDL and LpB. Lp(AI w AII) and Lp(AI w/o AII) were isolated from each apo B-free plasma sample before and after incubation and their protein and lipid contents quantified. Before incubation, ABL plasma had reduced levels of Lp(AI w AII) and Lp(AI w/o AII), (40% and 70% of normals, respectively). Compared to the HDL of apo B-free NL plasma, ABL HDL had higher relative contents of free cholesterol, phospholipid and total lipid, and contained more particles with apparent hydrated Stokes diameter in the 9.2-17.0 nm region. These differences were particularly pronounced in particles without apo A-II. Despite their differences, the total cholesterol contents of Lp(AI w AII) increased, while that of Lp(AI w/o AII) decreased in all five plasma samples and the amount of apo A-I in Lp(AI w AII) increased by 6-8 mg/dl in four during the incubation. These compositional changes were accompanied by a relative reduction of particles in the 7.0-8.2 nm Stokes diameter size region and an increase of particles in the 9.2-11.2 nm region. These data are consistent with intravascular modulation between HDL particles with and without apo A-II. The observed increase in apo A-II-associated cholesterol and apo A-I, could involve either the transfer of cholesterol and apo A-I from particles without apo A-II to those with A-II, or the transfer of apo A-II from Lp(AI w AII) to Lp(AI w/o AII). The exact mechanism and direction of the transfer remain to be determined.