Effect of chylomicron remnants on cholesterol metabolism in cultured rabbit hepatocytes: production of very low density lipoproteins and bile acids

Primary cultures of rabbit hepatocytes were used to investigate the effect of purified (B-100 free) chylomicron remnants (CR) on lipid and bile acid metabolism. ApoB-100-containing lipoproteins were removed from the CR-enriched plasma fraction by affinity column chromatography on Sepharose 4B conjugated with anti-apoB-100 monoclonal antibodies. CR were shown to stimulate the accumulation of neutral lipids in hepatocytes in a dose-response manner. After 24-hour preincubation of rabbit hepatocytes with 50 micrograms protein/ml CR the cellular neutral lipid content increased: 1.9-4-fold for triglycerides, 1.5-3.7-fold for free cholesterol and 1.5-2.5-fold for esterified cholesterol. This accumulation was accompanied by a decreasing incorporation of [14C] acetate into cholesterol (80-90%) and triglycerides (70-80%). At the same time the incorporation of [14]oleate into triglycerides increased by 50-65%. The inhibited biosynthesis of fatty acids might account for this effect. No effect of CR on cholesterol esterification by [14C]oleate was observed. CR increased the amount of triglycerides and free cholesterol secreted in very low density lipoproteins (VLDL). The secretion of taurocholic acid was decreased. These data confirm our hypothesis that dietary cholesterol is preferentially secreted by hepatocytes within VLDL but is not accumulated as cholesterol esters or oxidized to bile acids.     

The effect of pure and long-stored commercial cholesterol on the binding of very low density and low density lipoproteins by rabbit hepatocytes (in vitro research)

Effects of pure and long-stored commercial cholesterol feeding on rabbit plasma cholesterol level, on rabbit hepatocyte cholesterol esters levels, and on receptor activity of rabbit hepatocytes were investigated in three experimental groups. In comparison with control, the cholesterol levels in plasma of rabbits, fed with pure and long-stored cholesterol, were 3 and 15 times higher accordingly. Free cholesterol and cholesterol esters concentrations were enhanced in hepatocytes of rabbits fed with pure cholesterol (1.4 and 2.3 times, accordingly, p 0.05) and much more enhanced in hepatocytes of rabbits fed with long-stored cholesterol (4.5 and 24 times, accordingly, p less than 0.05). Specific binding of 125-1-labeled VLDL and LDL to rabbit hepatocytes was decreased in experimental groups by 20% and 32%, accordingly in the first group and by 40% and 77%, accordingly in the second group.     

Secretion of apolipoproteins in very low density and high density lipoproteins by perfused rat liver

The incorporation of labeled amino acids into the peptides of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and high density lipoproteins (HDL) secreted by perfused rat liver was studied using a Ringer-albumin solution in the perfusate in place of serum to diminish exchange of peptides between VLDL and HDL. Among the lipoproteins, the greatest release of protein, greatest incorporation of amino acid, and highest specific activity were found in VLDL. After separation of the delipidated peptides by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel, the incorporation into VLDL peptides was found to be 5-10 times as great as into HDL peptides. There was virtually no incorporation into the peptides of low density lipoproteins (LDL). Approximately 25% of the radioactivity incorporated into perfusate VLDL failed to enter the 13% polyacrylamide gel. The remaining radioactivity was distributed primarily among three peptide bands; one, found in the upper portion of the gel, contained 45% of the total, most of the remainder being found in two rapidly migrating bands. These three peptides appear to approximate those of human apo-C in relative electrophoretic mobility. Most of the HDL peptide radioactivity entering the running gel was found in a band that migrates slightly faster than the main VLDL band. A portion of the radioactivity of this major HDL band did not enter the running gel unless beta-mercaptoethanol was present. Greater separation of these two bands by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for 24 hr confirmed that the major bands in VLDL and in HDL were different. The rapidly moving peptides of HDL were found to contain very little radioactivity. Determination of the intensity of staining of carrier-free perfusate VLDL and HDL peptides produced a pattern similar to the incorporation of labeled amino acids. It is concluded that the rapidly moving peptides, which may contain activators of lipoprotein lipase, are only secreted as part of the VLDL.     

Interactions of high density lipoproteins with very low and low density lipoproteins during lipolysis

Interactions of high density lipoproteins (HDL) with very low (VLDL) and low (LDL) density lipoproteins were investigated during in vitro lipolysis in the presence of limited free fatty acid acceptor. Previous studies had shown that lipid products accumulating on lipoproteins under these conditions promote the formation of physical complexes between apolipoprotein B-containing particles (Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 1987. 919: 97-110). The presence of increasing concentrations of HDL or delipidated HDL progressively diminished VLDL-LDL complex formation. At the same time, association of HDL-derived apolipoprotein (apo) A-I with both VLDL and LDL could be demonstrated by autoradiography of gradient gel electrophoretic blots, immunoblotting, and apolipoprotein analyses of reisolated lipoproteins. The LDL increased in buoyancy and particle diameter, and became enriched in glycerides relative to cholesterol. Both HDL2 and HDL3 increased in particle diameter, buoyancy, and relative glyceride content, and small amounts of apoA-I appeared in newly formed particles of less than 75 A diameter. Association of apoA-I with VLDL or LDL could be reproduced by addition of lipid extracts of lipolyzed VLDL or purified free fatty acids in the absence of lipolysis, and was progressively inhibited by the presence of increasing amounts of albumin. We conclude that lipolysis products promote multiple interactions at the surface of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins undergoing lipolysis, including physical complex formation with other lipoprotein particles and transfers of lipids and apolipoproteins. These processes may facilitate remodeling of lipoproteins in the course of their intravascular metabolism.     

Release of hepatic lipase and very low density lipoprotein by cultured rat hepatocytes

Primary cultures of rat hepatocytes were used to study the release of hepatic lipase and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL). The presence of hepatic lipase activity was proved by salt-resistance, affinity chromatography and inactivation by a hepatic lipase antibody. Cellular rate of hepatic lipase release increased by prolonged time in culture, whereas VLDL secretion decreased. Oleic acid and dextran-70 had no effect on release of hepatic lipase, whereas VLDL secretion was increased and decreased, respectively. Calcium antagonists (cobalt and verapamil), monensin and cycloheximide inhibited both the release of hepatic lipase and VLDL. Colchicine and chloroquine, which decreased VLDL secretion, had no effect on release of hepatic lipase. The present results suggest that release of hepatic lipase and secretion of VLDL are not coordinated and exhibit different sensitivity towards certain compounds altering secretory functions.     

Interaction of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) with rabbit C-reactive protein

Rabbit CRP is similar to human CRP in structure, kinetics of appearance, and binding reactivities to phosphate esters and cationic polymers. CRP in rabbit acute-phase serum migrates either with gamma or with beta, pre-beta electrophoretic mobility, and distinct gamma- and beta-migrating species can be observed simultaneously in some sera. The present study shows that beta-CRP in serum is converted to gamma mobility during isolation and purification. Normal, acute-phase, or CRP-depleted acute-phase rabbit serum restores the beta mobility of purified gamma-CRP, a conversion that does not occur in the presence of EDTA. Serum CRP fails to adsorb to DEAE-cellulose but does adsorb to CM-cellulose, from which it elutes as gamma-mobility antigen. Chelation by EDTA or flotation and removal of lipoproteins from acute phase rabbit serum produces a gamma-mobility CRP that adsorbs to the anion-exchange resin. Lipid-containing fractions from ion-exchange columns as well as VLDL (but not LDL or HDL) isolated by ultracentrifugation change the mobility of purified CRP from gamma to beta, pre-beta. These changes in mobility are not observed in the presence of EDTA or phosphocholine. In acute-phase rabbit serum with CRP of both beta and gamma mobility, the beta form has a higher m.w. and is lipid-associated, whereas the gamma form is a lower m.w., lipid-poor molecule. These results suggest that in serum the association of CRP with lipoproteins, particularly VLDL, is responsible for its beta, pre-beta electrophoretic mobility. Further studies of the association of CRP with lipoprotein in relation to lipoprotein metabolism may provide insight into the biological role of CRP.     

Oxidation of cholesterol in low density and high density lipoproteins by cholesterol oxidase

The cholesterol oxidase-catalyzed oxidation of cholesterol in native low density (LDL) and high density lipoproteins (HDL3) as well as in monolayers prepared from surface lipids of these particles, has been examined. The objective of the study was to compare the oxidizability of cholesterol, and to examine the effects of lipid packing on oxidation rates. When [3H]cholesterol-labeled lipoproteins were exposed to cholesterol oxidase (Streptomyces sp.), it was observed that LDL [3H]cholesterol was oxidized much faster than HDL3 [3H]cholesterol. This was true both at equal cholesterol concentration per enzyme unit, and at equal amounts of lipoprotein particles per enzyme unit. About 95% of lipoprotein [3H]cholesterol was available for oxidation. The complete degradation of lipoprotein sphingomyelin by sphingomyelinase (Staphylococcus aureus) resulted in a 10-fold increase in the rate of LDL [3H]cholesterol oxidation, whereas the effects on rates of HDL3 [3H]cholesterol oxidation were less dramatic. A monolayer study with LDL surface lipids indicated that degradation of sphingomyelin loosened the lipid packing, because the ceramide formed occupied a smaller surface area than the parent sphingomyelin, and since the condensing effect of cholesterol on sphingomyelin packing was lost. The effects of sphingomyelin degradation on lipid packing in monolayers of HDL3-derived surface lipids were difficult to determine from monolayer experiments. Based on the finding that cholesterol oxidases are surface pressure-sensitive with regard to their catalytic activity, these were used to estimate the surface pressure of intact LDL and HDL3. The cut-off surface pressure of a Brevibacterium enzyme was 25 mN/m and 20 mN/m in monolayers of LDL and HDL3-derived surface lipids, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The effect of oxidized cholesterol derivatives on the absorption and degradation of very low density beta-lipoproteins by human and rabbit hepatocytes

In our study the influence of oxidated cholesterol derivatives (7 alpha, 7 beta-oxicholesterol, 7-ketocholesterol, cholestene-3-one) on binding and degradation of beta-VLDL by human and rabbit hepatocytes was investigated. Cholesterol oxy derivatives inhibit the degradation of beta-VLDL in rabbit hepatocyte culture. There is no such effect with human hepatocytes. However beta-VLDL binding with human hepatocytes is significantly decreased under oxidated cholesterol derivatives influence.     

Effect of apolipoprotein E-free high density lipoproteins on cholesterol metabolism in cultured pig hepatocytes

We studied cholesterol synthesis from [14C]acetate, cholesterol esterification from [14C]oleate, and cellular cholesterol and cholesteryl ester levels after incubating cells with apoE-free high density lipoproteins (HDL) or low density lipoproteins (LDL). LDL suppressed synthesis by up to 60%, stimulated esterification by up to 280%, and increased cell cholesteryl ester content about 4-fold. Esterification increased within 2 h, but synthesis was not suppressed until after 6 h. ApoE-free HDL suppressed esterification by about 50% within 2 h. Cholesterol synthesis was changed very little within 6 h, unless esterification was maximally suppressed; synthesis was then stimulated about 4-fold. HDL lowered cellular unesterified cholesterol by 13-20% within 2 h and promoted the removal of newly synthesized cholesterol and cholesteryl esters. These changes were transient; by 24 h, both esterification and cellular unesterified cholesterol returned to control levels, and cholesteryl esters increased 2-3-fold. HDL core lipid was taken up selectively from 125I-labeled [3H]cholesteryl ester- and ether-labeled HDL. LDL core lipid uptake was proportional to LDL apoprotein uptake. The findings suggest that 1) the cells respond initially to HDL or LDL with changes in esterification, and 2) HDL mediates both the removal of free cholesterol from the cell and the delivery of HDL cholesteryl esters to the cell.     

Transfer of newly made triglyceride from hepatocytes to preexisting extracellular very low density lipoproteins

Previous in vivo studies suggested a new model to describe the metabolism of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL). It was hypothesized that some of the lipoprotein triglyceride was transferred directly from hepatocytes and intestinal mucosal cells into preexisting extracellular VLDL particles. These studies employ an in vitro system to test this hypothesis. Isolated rat liver cells containing newly made radioactive triglyceride were prepared. These cells were incubated in medium to which exogenous VLDL had or had not been added. The presence of extracellular VLDL (rat or human) stimulated the transfer of labeled triglyceride out of the liver cells. This triglyceride was recovered in the medium's VLDL (as determined by its density and its precipitability by MnCl2-heparin or by anti-apoprotein B). Although these studies focussed on VLDL, preliminary data showed that similar triglyceride transfer occurred in the presence of the other apoprotein B containing lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein (LDL). However, in the presence of equivalent amounts of LDL, this triglyceride transfer was less than that seen in the presence of exogenous VLDL. Furthermore, the increased triglyceride released in the presence of LDL occurred entirely in the d less than 1.006 fraction of the medium. That released in the presence of VLDL was recovered in the d greater than 1.006 fraction. Hence, we conclude that the transfer of the newly made triglyceride was from the cell to the extracellular lipoprotein that had been added to the medium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Origin of esterified cholesterol transported in the very low density lipoproteins of human plasma

In two subjects the specific activity of esterified cholesterol in plasma lipoprotein subfractions was measured for up to 9 hr after an intravenous injection of [(3)H]mevalonic acid. It was found to be consistently higher in larger (S(f) > 100) than in smaller (S(f) 20-100) very low density lipoproteins (VLDL). Four subjects were given an intravenous injection of heparin so that the VLDL could be studied as its concentration fell and subsequently rose again. During the first hour the relative reduction was greatest for triglyceride, intermediate for free cholesterol, and least for esterified cholesterol. Between 1 and 7 hr postheparin, the VLDL pool was restored, but the pattern of increase of individual lipids was not parallel. The triglyceride increment was much greater during the 1-4-hr period than during the 4-7-hr period; in three of the subjects the free cholesterol increment was also greater during the earlier period. The increase in esterified cholesterol, however, was consistently greater during the 4-7-hr period. In six other subjects the specific activity of VLDL esterified cholesterol was related to that of its possible plasma precursors in samples collected at 1-hr intervals for 8 hr after the injection of [(3)H]mevalonic acid. Free cholesterol emerged as the most likely immediate precursor with the possibility of a hepatic as well as an intraplasma origin. The results did not support a major in vivo transfer of esterified cholesterol from high density lipoproteins to VLDL.     

Synthesis and secretion of very low density lipoproteins by isolated rat hepatocytes in suspension: Role of diacylglycerol acyltransferase

Isolated rat hepatocytes in suspension secrete very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) at a rate comparable with that of the perfused liver. The apoproteins of these lipoproteins are mainly of the B and E type. The amount of apoprotein C in VLDL secreted by hepatocytes is much less than that present in VLDL obtained from rat serum. Incubation of hepatocytes in the presence of fatty acids stimulates the intracellular synthesis of triacylglycerols and their secretion in VLDL. This stimulation is a linear function of the palmitic acid concentration up to 1.6 mm, the highest concentration tested. Colchicine (50 μm) reduced VLDL secretion by 90%. The stimulation of triacylglycerol synthesis and VLDL secretion upon incubation of hepatocytes with fatty acids is paralleled by an enhanced activity of microsomal diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT, EC 2.3.1.20), the only enzyme exclusively involved in the synthesis of triacylglycerols. A mixture of oleic (0.2 mm) and palmitic (0.2 mm) acid added to the cell medium stimulates the activity of DGAT by 354%. This increase in enzyme activity persisted during cell homogenization and subsequent preparation of microsomes to assay the enzyme. It is concluded that freshly isolated hepatocytes in suspension represent a good system to study triacylglycerol synthesis and VLDL secretion, and that the stimulatory effects of fatty acids on these processes are, at least partially, mediated by enhanced activities of DGAT.     

Heterogeneity of human very low density lipoproteins by gel filtration chromatography

Very low density lipoproteins were separated by gel filtration on Sepharose 4B. A decrease in mean particle diameter and flotation rate was seen with increasing elution volumes. The smaller lipoproteins had relatively more protein and phospholipid and less triglyceride than the larger ones. No differences were noted in the relative contents of the various phospholipids or partial glycerides between small and large lipoproteins. Fatty acid patterns of triglycerides and cholesteryl esters were also similar for the various lipoproteins. Relatively more lecithin containing linoleoyl acyl groups was found in smaller lipoproteins of some subjects. More of the protein of smaller lipoproteins was apo-LDL protein. Apo-HDL peptide was lost from the very low density lipoprotein as a consequence of the gel filtration.     

Provision of cholesterol to lymphocytes by high density and low density lipoproteins. Requirement for low density lipoprotein receptors

The capacity of lipoprotein fractions to provide cholesterol necessary for human lymphocyte proliferation was examined. When endogenous synthesis of cholesterol was blocked, proliferation of mitogen-stimulated normal human lymphocytes was markedly inhibited unless an exogenous source of sterol was supplied. All lipoprotein fractions with the exception of high density lipoprotein subclass 3 were able to provide cholesterol for lymphocyte proliferation. Each of the lipoprotein subfractions capable of providing cholesterol was also able to regulate endogenous sterol synthesis in cultured human lymphocytes. Provision of cholesterol by lipoproteins required the interaction of apolipoprotein B or apolipoprotein E with specific receptors on normal lymphocytes. Apolipoprotein modification by acetylation or methylation, which markedly reduced the ability to regulate sterol biosynthesis, also diminished the capacity of lipoproteins to provide cholesterol. In addition, depletion of apolipoprotein B- and apolipoprotein E-containing particles from high density lipoprotein decreased its ability to suppress cholesterol synthesis and prevented it from providing cholesterol to proliferating lymphocytes. Monoclonal antibodies directed against the receptor-recognition sites on apolipoprotein B and apolipoprotein E were used to define the specific apolipoproteins required for the provision of cholesterol to lymphocytes by the various lipoprotein fractions. The antibody to apolipoprotein B inhibited cholesterol provision by both low density lipoprotein (LDL) and other lipoprotein fractions. The antibody to apolipoprotein E did not decrease provision of cholesterol by LDL but did inhibit the capacity of other fractions to provide cholesterol. In addition, a monoclonal antibody against the ligand binding site on the LDL receptor inhibited provision of cholesterol to normal lymphocytes by all lipoproteins. Finally, lymphocytes lacking LDL receptors were unable to obtain cholesterol from any lipoprotein fraction. These studies demonstrate that LDL receptor-mediated interaction with apolipoprotein B or apolipoprotein E is essential for the provision of cholesterol to normal human lymphocytes from all lipoprotein sources.     

Isolation of hen's egg yolk very low density lipoproteins by DEAE-cellulose chromatography

A procedure has been developed for the isolation of very low density lipoproteins from hen's egg yolk plasma using DEAE-cellulose chromatography. This procedure is rapid and does not require ultracentrifugation and should, therefore, serve as a useful procedure for use in laboratories where this facility does not exist.