Different cellular traffic of LDL-cholesterol and acetylated LDL-cholesterol leads to distinct reverse cholesterol transport pathways

Endocytosis of LDL and modified LDL represents regulated and unregulated cholesterol delivery to macrophages. To elucidate the mechanisms of cellular cholesterol transport and egress under both conditions, various primary macrophages were labeled and loaded with cholesterol or cholesteryl ester from LDL or acetylated low density lipoprotein (AcLDL), and the cellular cholesterol traffic pathways were examined. Confocal microscopy using fluorescently labeled 3,3'-dioctyldecyloxacarbocyanine perchlorate-labeled LDL and 1,1'-dioctyldecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindodicarbocyanine perchlorate-labeled AcLDL demonstrated their discrete traffic pathways and accumulation in distinct endosomes. ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux to apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) was much greater for AcLDL-loaded macrophages compared with LDL. Treatment with the liver X receptor ligand 22-OH increased efflux to apoA-I in AcLDL-loaded but not LDL-loaded cells. In contrast, at a level equivalent to AcLDL, LDL-derived cholesterol was preferentially effluxed to HDL, in keeping with increased ABCG1. In vivo studies of reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) from cholesterol-labeled macrophages injected intraperitoneally demonstrated that LDL-derived cholesterol was more efficiently transported to the liver and secreted into bile than AcLDL-derived cholesterol. This indicates a greater efficiency of HDL than lipid-poor apoA-I in interstitial fluid in controlling in vivo RCT. These assays, taken together, emphasize the importance of mediators of diffusional cholesterol efflux in RCT.     

The effect of apo E secretion on lipoprotein uptake in transfected cells.

To investigate the role of apolipoprotein E (apo E) secreted by peripheral tissues in local lipoprotein metabolism, we developed a cell strain that constitutively produced and secreted apo E. A fusion plasmid containing rat apo E genomic DNA under control of mouse metallothionein promotor was constructed and transfected into Chinese hamster ovary cells. A stable transformant designated CHO-MAEII constitutively secreted rat apo E mainly in the form of sialylated free protein. The secretion was further enhanced by metal induction up to 1 micrograms apo E/ml per 12 h. When incubated with 125I-labeled very low density lipoprotein (125I-VLDL) at 37 degrees C, CHO-MAEII took up and degraded 125I-VLDL with higher affinity than control cells. Furthermore, considerable amount of methylated 125I-VLDL was degraded by CHO-MAEII, while no methylated 125I-VLDL was degraded by control cells. No significant differences were found in the uptake of 125I-LDL. The data indicated that apo E molecules secreted by CHO-MAEII were transferred to 125-VLDL particles, which caused a higher affinity of these particles for LDL receptors on the cells. It is suggested that apo E secreted from peripheral tissues enhances the uptake of lipoproteins by themselves or by surrounding cells in the local environment which demand cholesterol and express LDL receptors. CHO-MAEII was a good model for these 'auto- or paracrine-like functions' of apo E.     

Conjugates of colloidal gold with native and acetylated low density lipoproteins for ultrastructural investigations on receptor-mediated endocytosis by cultured human monocyte-derived macrophages

The morphological aspects of the binding and internalization of low density lipoproteins (LDL) and acetylated low density lipoproteins (AcLDL) by cultured human monocyte-derived macrophages were investigated. For this purpose, LDL and AcLDL were conjugated to 20 nm colloidal gold particles. After incubation of the cells with the conjugated lipoproteins at 4 degrees C some LDL- or AcLDL-gold complexes were found to be attached to the cell surface, but without characteristic localization. However, after incubation of the cells at 8 degrees C with either LDL-gold or AcLDL-gold, lipoprotein-gold complexes were present in clusters on the plasma membrane, often in coated pits. Cells incubated at 37 degrees C for various time periods showed internalization of both LDL- and AcLDL-gold complexes via small coated and non-coated vesicles and processing of the complexes in smooth-walled endosomes. When the cells were pulse-chased with LDL- or AcLDL-gold for 30 min at 37 degrees C, the gold conjugates occurred in dense bodies, probably lysosomes. The results suggest that although native and modified LDL are reported to be metabolized differently by macrophages, the morphological aspects of the endocytosis of LDL and AcLDL by cultured human monocyte-derived macrophages are similar.     

Polarized secretion of newly synthesized lipoproteins by the Caco-2 human intestinal cell line

Lipoprotein secretion by Caco-2 cells, a human intestinal cell line, was studied in cells grown on inserts containing a Millipore filter (0.45 micron), separating secretory products from the apical and basolateral membranes into separate chambers. Under these conditions, as observed by electron microscopy, the cells formed a monolayer of columnar epithelial cells with microvilli on the apical surface and tight junctions between cells. The electrical resistances of the cell monolayers were 250-500 ohms/cm2. Both 14C-labeled lipids and 35S-labeled proteins were used to assess lipoprotein secretion. After a 24-hr incubation with [14C]oleic acid, 60-80% of the secreted triglyceride (TG) was in the basolateral chamber; 40% of the TG was present in the d less than 1.006 g/ml (chylomicron + VLDL) fraction and 50% in the 1.006 less than d less than 1.063 g/ml (LDL) fraction. After a 4-hr incubation with [35S]methionine, apolipoproteins were found to be major secretory products with 75-100% secreted to the basolateral chamber. Apolipoproteins B-100, B-48, E, A-I, A-IV, and C-III were identified by immunoprecipitation. The d less than 1.006 g/ml fraction was found to contain all of the major apolipoproteins, while the LDL fraction contained primarily apoB-100 and apoE; the HDL (1.063 less than d less than 1.21 g/ml) fraction principally contained apoA-I and apoA-IV. Mn-heparin precipitated all of the [35S]methionine-labeled apoB-100 and B-48 and a majority of the other apolipoproteins, and 80% of the [14C]oleic acid-labeled triglyceride, but only 15% of the phospholipid, demonstrating that Caco-2 cells secrete triglyceride-rich lipoproteins containing apoB. Secretion of lipoproteins was dependent on the lipid content of the medium; prior incubation with lipoprotein-depleted serum specifically reduced the secretion of lipoproteins, while addition of both LDL and oleic acid to the medium maintained the level of apoB-100, B-48, and A-IV secretion to that observed in the control cultures.     

Conjugates of colloidal gold with native and acetylated low density lipoproteins for ultrastructural investigations on receptor-mediated endocytosis by cultured human monocyte-derived macrophages

Summary The morphological aspects of the binding and internalization of low density lipoproteins (LDL) and acetylated low density lipoproteins (AcLDL) by cultured human monocyte-derived macrophages were investigated. For this purpose, LDL and AcLDL were conjugated to 20 nm colloidal gold particles. After incubation of the cells with the conjugated lipoproteins at 4° C some LDL-or AcLDL-gold complexes were found to be attached to the cell surface, but without characteristic localization. However, after incubation of the cells at 8° C with either LDL-gold or AcLDL-gold, lipoprotein-gold complexes were present in clusters on the plasma membrane, often in coated pits. Cells incubated at 37° C for various time periods showed internalization of both LDL- and AcLDL-gold complexes via small coated and non-coated vesicles and processing of the complexes in smooth-walled endosomes. When the cells were pulse-chased with LDL- or AcLDL-gold for 30 min at 37° C, the gold conjugates occurred in dense bodies, probably lysosomes. The results suggest that although native and modified LDL are reported to be metabolized differently by macrophages, the morphological aspects of the endocytosis of LDL and AcLDL by cultured human monocyte-derived macrophages are similar.     

High-density lipoprotein particle uptake and selective uptake of high-density lipoprotein-associated cholesteryl esters by J774 macrophages

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesteryl esters are taken up by fibroblasts via HDL particle uptake and via selective uptake, i.e., cholesteryl ester uptake independent of HDL particle uptake. In the present study we investigated HDL selective uptake and HDL particle uptake by J774 macrophages. HDL3 (d = 1.125-1.21 g/ml) was labeled with intracellularly trapped tracers: 125I-labeled N-methyltyramine-cellobiose-apo A-I (125I-NMTC-apo A-I) to trace apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I) and [3H]cholesteryl oleyl ether to trace cholesteryl esters. J774 macrophages, incubated at 37 degrees C in medium containing doubly labeled HDL3, took up 125I-NMTC-apo A-I, indicating HDL3 particle uptake (102.7 ng HDL3 protein/mg cell protein per 4 h at 20 micrograms/ml HDL3 protein). Apparent HDL3 uptake according to the uptake of [3H]cholesteryl oleyl ether (470.4 ng HDL3 protein/mg cell protein per 4 h at 20 micrograms/ml HDL3 protein) was in significant excess on 125I-NMTC-apo A-I uptake, i.e., J774 macrophages demonstrated selective uptake of HDL3 cholesteryl esters. To investigate regulation of HDL3 uptake, cell cholesterol was modified by preincubation with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or acetylated LDL (acetyl-LDL). Afterwards, uptake of doubly labeled HDL3, LDL (apo B,E) receptor activity or cholesterol mass were determined. Preincubation with LDL or acetyl-LDL increased cell cholesterol up to approx. 3.5-fold over basal levels. Increased cell cholesterol had no effect on HDL3 particle uptake. In contrast, LDL- and acetyl-LDL-loading decreased selective uptake (apparent uptake 606 vs. 366 ng HDL3 protein/mg cell protein per 4 h in unloaded versus acetyl-LDL-loaded cells at 20 micrograms HDL3 protein/ml). In parallel with decreased selective uptake, specific 125I-LDL degradation was down-regulated. Using heparin as well as excess unlabeled LDL, it was shown that HDL3 uptake is independent of LDL (apo B,E) receptors. In summary, J774 macrophages take up HDL3 particles. In addition, J774 cells also selectively take up HDL3-associated cholesteryl esters. HDL3 selective uptake, but not HDL3 particle uptake, can be regulated.     

Characterization of nascent lipoproteins produced by perfused rat liver: evidence of hepatic secretion and post-secretory modification of nascent lipoproteins

We characterized the lipoproteins produced by perfused rat liver in recirculating and non-recirculating systems. The apolipoprotein (apo) B of the perfusate very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were labeled with a radioactive precursor amino acid in both systems, suggesting that newly synthesized apo B was secreted in association with VLDL and LDL. When the lipoproteins obtained from the non-recirculating perfusate were injected into rats in vivo, the half life of the VLDL was 13 min and most of it was converted to LDL, while that of the LDL was 5.2 h, indicating that the perfusate LDL was different from the VLDL with respect to its metabolic fate. These observations suggest that both VLDL and LDL are produced as independent primary products in the liver, although the majority of LDL is derived from VLDL in vivo. The nascent lipoproteins in the non-recirculating perfusate were richer in apo E than those in the recirculating perfusate, and a part of the apo E disappeared when the VLDL was added to the recirculating perfusate. The particle sizes of the VLDL and LDL were examined by electron microscopy, which revealed that those in the non-recirculating perfusate were more homogeneous and smaller than the plasma counterparts, while those in the recirculating perfusate were more heterogeneous and their mean diameter was closer to that of the plasma lipoproteins, than in the case of non-recirculating perfusate. These observations suggest that apo E secreted with the nascent lipoproteins may be picked up by the liver just after secretion, causing the heterogeneity in size, as observed in the case of plasma lipoproteins.     

Synthesis and secretion of lipoproteins by human hepatocytes in culture

Summary Confluent monolayers of normal human hepatocytes obtained by collagenase perfusion of liver pragments were incubated in a serum-free medium. Intracellular apolipoproteins apo AI, apo C, apo B, and apo E were detected between Day 1 and Day 6 of the culture by immunoenzymatic staining using polyclonal antibodies directed against these apoproteins and monoclonal antibodies directed against both forms of apo B (B100 and B48). Translation of mRNA isolated from these hepatocytes in an acellular system revealed that apo AI and apo E were synthesized as the precusor forms of mature plasma apo AI and apo E. Three lipoprotein fractions corresponding to the density of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), and high density lipoprotein (HDL) were isolated from the medium at Day 5 of culture and examined by electron microscopy after negative staining. VLDL and LDL particles are similar in size and shape to plasma lipoproteins; spherical HDL are larger than normal plasma particles isolated at the same density. Their protein represented 44, 19.5, and 36.5% respectively, of the total lipoprotein protein. The secretion rate of VLDL protein corresponded to that measured in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. After incorporation of [³H]glycerol, more than 92% of the [³H]triglyceride secreted into the medium was recovered in the VLDL fraction. These results demonstrate that primary cultures of normal human hepatocytes are able to synthesize and secrete lipoproteins and thus could be a useful model to study lipoprotein metabolism in human liver.     

Rapid regulation of apolipoprotein A-I secretion in HepG2 cells by a factor associated with bovine high-density lipoproteins

The effect of fetal bovine serum (FBS) on the secretion of apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I) by HepG2 cells was studied. The cells incubated with FBS always secreted more apo A-I than the cells incubated with serum-free medium. The changes in the rate of apo A-I secretion were observed within 1 h after addition or depletion of serum. The high-density lipoproteins (HDL) or the lipoprotein-deficient serum (LPDS) obtained from FBS also stimulated apo A-I secretion rapidly to the same level as obtained with FBS. Addition of low-density lipoproteins did not have any effect. The rate of general protein synthesis was not affected by short-term incubations with or without serum or HDL. The rate of apolipoprotein E secretion by these cells did not change significantly, parallel to the changes in apo A-I secretion in the presence or absence of FBS. It is concluded that serum may have a factor that plays a specific role in the regulation of apo A-I secretion by the liver cells and this factor is associated with the HDL fraction.     

Visualization of the interaction of native and modified low density lipoproteins with isolated rat liver cells

Morphological characteristics of the interaction of low density lipoproteins (LDL) and acetylated low density lipoproteins (AcLDL) with rat liver cells are described. These liver cell types are mainly responsible for the catabolism of these lipoproteins in vivo. Isolated rat liver Kupffer, endothelial, and parenchymal cells were incubated with LDL or AcLDL conjugated to 20 nm colloidal gold. LDL was mainly internalized by Kupffer cells, whereas AcLDL was predominantly found in endothelial cells. Kupffer and endothelial cells displayed different morphological characteristics in the processing of these lipoproteins. Kupffer cells bound LDL at uncoated regions of the plasma membrane often at the base of pseudopodia, and internalized the particles via small smooth vesicles. These uptake characteristics differ from the classical LDL uptake pathway, as described for other cell types, and may be related to the unique recognition properties of the receptor of Kupffer cells as observed in biochemical studies. Liver endothelial cells bound AcLDL in coated pits, followed by rapid uptake. Uptake proceeded through small coated vesicles, and after 5 min of incubation large (600-1200 nm) electron-lucent vacuoles (endosomes) with AcLDL-gold particles arranged along the membrane region were present. The endosomes were often associated closely with the cell membrane which might enable direct recycling of AcLDL receptors. These observations might explain the high efficiency of these cells in the processing of modified LDL in vivo.     

The apo E/apo CIII molar ratio affects removal of cholesterol ester from modified human lipoproteins injected into cebus monkeys

The removal of postprandial (PP) and postabsorptive (PA) human LDL and HDL cholesterol was examined in cebus monkeys (Cebus albifrons) following in vitro labelling of these lipoproteins by 3H-cholesterol in the presence or absence of DTNB. The removal of LDL cholesteryl ester was 3.5 and 2 times greater than that of HDL in male and female monkeys, respectively. Incubation with DTNB reduced cholesteryl ester removal by 45 and 52% for LDL and HDL, respectively. Cholesteryl ester from PA lipoproteins was removed 80% faster than that PP particles only when plasma was incubated without DTNB. Cholesterol removal from these lipoproteins was positively (r = 0.941) and significantly (P less than 0.001) correlated with the molar apo E/apo CIII ratio. The data suggest that density of lipoproteins was less important than their apoprotein composition in dictating their removal from circulation.     

Uptake and degradation of low density lipoproteins in atherosclerotic rabbit aorta: role of local LDL modification

The uptake of native and modified low density lipoprotein (LDL) in foam cells in atherosclerotic tissue was studied in an in vitro perfusion system for rabbit aorta. Experimental atherosclerosis was induced in rabbits by a combination of cholesterol feeding and mechanical injury. The aorta was perfused in an incubation chamber. A trace-label, radioiodinated tyramine-cellobiose, was used to study cellular uptake of lipoproteins. After perfusion, the tissue was digested and cells were isolated by centrifugation in a density gradient. About 40 times more LDL per cell was accumulated in the foam cell fraction than in the smooth muscle cell fraction. When the cellular uptake of LDL and acetylated LDL (AcLDL) was compared, about 4 times more AcLDL than LDL was taken up by the foam cells, suggesting that the scavenger receptor is expressed in these cells. In a competition experiment, the uptake of LDL into foam cells was reduced by 70% when a tenfold excess of AcLDL was added. This experiment suggests that native LDL is taken up by the same mechanism as AcLDL. The accumulation of radiolabeled LDL in plaques and in foam cells was reduced by 30-55% by adding vitamin E (0.1 mg/ml) to the system. These studies show an uptake of LDL by foam cells in the atherosclerotic tissue. Furthermore, these cells seem to express the scavenger receptor. The competition experiment would suggest that native LDL is taken up by the scavenger receptor. The observation that an antioxidant, vitamin E, may decrease this uptake suggests that oxidative modification of LDL is of importance for this process.     

Mechanism of the cholesteryl ester transfer protein-mediated uptake of high density lipoprotein cholesteryl esters by Hep G2 cells

Plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) mediates the transfer of cholesteryl esters (CE) between lipoproteins and was reported to also directly mediate the uptake of high density lipoprotein (HDL) CE by human Hep G2 cells and fibroblasts. The present study investigates that uptake and its relationship to a pathway for "selective uptake" of HDL CE that does not require CETP. HDL3 labeled in both the CE and apoprotein moieties was incubated with Hep G2 cells. During 4-h incubations, CE tracer was selectively taken up from doubly labeled HDL3 in excess of apoA-I tracer, and added CETP did not modify that uptake. However, during 18-20-h incubations, CETP stimulated the uptake of CE tracer more than 4-fold without modifying the uptake of apoA-I tracer. This suggested that secreted products, perhaps lipoproteins, might be required for the CETP effect. Four inhibitors of lipoprotein uptake via low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors (heparin, monensin, an antibody against the LDL receptor, and antibodies against the receptor binding domains of apoB and apoE) effectively blocked the CETP stimulation of CE tracer uptake. Heparin caused an increase in CE tracer in a d less than 1.063 g/ml fraction of the medium that more than accounted for the heparin blockade of CETP-stimulated CE uptake. CETP did not affect the uptake of doubly labeled HDL3 by human fibroblasts, even at twice plasma levels of activity, and heparin did not modify uptake of HDL3 tracers. Thus the CETP effect on Hep G2 cells can be accounted for by transfer of HDL CE to secreted lipoproteins which are then retaken up, and there is no evidence for a direct effect of CETP on cellular uptake of HDL CE.     

The visceral yolk sac--an important site of synthesis and secretion of apolipoprotein B containing lipoproteins in the feto-placental unit of the rat.

Rat fetuses exhibit a high serum LDL concentration at term. Delivery caused a marked decrease of the LDL apolipoprotein (apo) B concentration independent of whether this occurred on days 21, 22 or 23 of gestation. The interruption of the yolk sac circulation by a ligature in situ for 6 h led to the same alterations of the LDL-apo B concentration as Caesarean section. Immunoelectronmicroscopic studies provided evidence that the epithelial cells of the visceral yolk sac exhibited electron dense LDL-sized and apo B containing particles which were localized over the compartments of the Golgi complexes, endoplasmatic reticulum, secretory vesicles and intercellular spaces, but not over the cell nuclei, mitochondria or lysosomes. ApoB containing LDL-sized particles could be obtained by ultracentrifugation from the disrupted material of the microsomal fraction of yolk sac homogenates. Isolated segments of the yolk sac membranes were capable to secrete apoB containing lipoproteins floating in the d less than 1.020 g/ml as well as in the d = 1.020-1.064 g/ml fraction with a 10-fold higher amount of apoB in the higher density class. Incorporation experiments with [35S] methionine gave evidence that these lipoproteins were at least partially provided with newly synthesized apoB predominantly found in the LDL fraction. The size of the negatively stained particles in the d = 1.020-1.064 g/ml fraction secreted from yolk sac segments corresponded to that of LDL from fetal rat serum. In contrast their acylglycerol content was significantly higher, whereas the percentage contribution of total cholesterol and protein was markedly reduced in comparison with serum LDL of the fetus. In summary, biochemical and ultrastructural studies provide clear cut evidence that the rat yolk sac is able to synthesize and to deliver apo B containing lipoproteins in the density ranges of VLDL, IDL and particular of LDL thus contributing to the supply of serum lipoproteins in the rat fetus. By recalculation of recent tracer kinetic data (Plonné et al. (1990) J. Lipid Res. 31, 747) using a mathematical step function model it was possible to assess the contribution of the rat yolk sac to the LDL influx into the fetal serum.     

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)     

Localization of the binding sites of native and acetylated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in human monocyte-derived macrophages

Human monocyte-derived macrophages were demonstrated to have separate and morphologically distinct binding sites for low density lipoprotein (LDL) and acetylated LDL (AcLDL). Using an indirect immunoperoxidase technique and electron microscopy, only LDL was shown to bind to its receptor in coated pits on the macrophage membrane, whereas the distribution of AcLDL-receptor complexes was dependent upon whether or not the cells were fixed prior to incubation with AcLDL. In cells incubated with AcLDL, then fixed, electron-dense precipitate was found in aggregates, sometimes near pseudopodia; fixed cells incubated with AcLDL had electron-dense precipitate more uniformly spread along the membrane. These data suggest that the 'scavenger' receptor is diffusely distributed in the membrane and that following AcLDL binding the receptors cluster in regions of the membrane which do not contain coated pits.     

Endocytosed beta-VLDL and LDL are delivered to different intracellular vesicles in mouse peritoneal macrophages

Hypercholesterolemic rabbit beta-VLDL and human LDL are both internalized by mouse peritoneal macrophages by receptor-mediated endocytosis. However, only beta-VLDL (which binds to the cells with a much higher affinity than LDL) markedly stimulates acyl-CoA/cholesterol acyl transferase (ACAT) and induces foam cell formation in these cells. As an initial step to test whether the two lipoproteins might be targeted to different organelles (which might differ in their ability to deliver cholesterol to microsomal ACAT), we studied the endocytic pathways of beta-VLDL and LDL. Lipoproteins were labeled with the non-transferable fluorescent label, DiI. When the macrophages were incubated with DiI-LDL for 10 min at 37 degrees C, the fluorescence was concentrated near the center of the cell both in heavily labeled vesicles and in a diffuse pattern. The pattern with DiI-beta-VLDL was quite different: an array of bright vesicles throughout the cytoplasm was the predominant feature. Differences in distribution were seen as early as 2 min of incubation and persisted throughout a 10-min chase period. By using a procedure in which photobleaching of DiI fluorescence converts diaminobenzidine into an electron-dense marker, we were able to identify at the ultrastructural level vesicles containing electron-dense material in cells incubated with DiI-beta-VLDL. Human E2/E2 beta-VLDL (from a patient with familial dysbetalipoproteinemia), which has a binding affinity and ACAT-stimulatory potential similar to LDL, gave a pattern of fluorescence virtually identical to LDL. Pulse-chase studies with 125I-labeled and [3H]cholesteryl ester-labeled lipoproteins disclosed that both protein degradation and cholesteryl ester hydrolysis were markedly retarded in beta-VLDL compared with LDL. Thus, in mouse peritoneal macrophages, endocytosed beta-VLDL appears in a distinct set of widely-distributed vesicles not seen with LDL (or with E2-beta-VLDL) and, compared with LDL, has a markedly diminished rate of protein degradation and cholesteryl ester hydrolysis. The differential routing of LDL and beta-VLDL may provide a mechanism for differences in ACAT-stimulatory potential between the two lipoproteins.     

Effect of portacaval anastomosis on rat lipoproteins

The distribution of cholesterol (C), triglycerides (TG), phospholipids (PL) and protein in the different lipoproteins was studied in male Wistar rats under 2 conditions: control and 2 months after portacaval anastomosis (PCA). PCA decreased the levels of cholesterol and the other components in chylomicrons (-90%), very low density lipoproteins (-65 to -78%), LDL2 (1.040 less than d less than 1.063 g/ml; -51 to -61%) and HDL (1.063 less than d less than 1.21 g/ml), whereas no change was observed in LDL1 (1.006 less than d less than 1.040 g/ml). Apoprotein C contents were decreased in all lipoproteins. The relative proportions of C, TG, PL and proteins in lipoproteins were essentially unchanged by the shunt, suggesting a reduced number of lipoprotein particles in plasma after PCA. It was concluded that PCA reduced the levels of all lipoproteins secreted by liver and/or the intestine without modifying those of intraplasmatic origin (LDL1).     

Apolipoprotein E and lipoprotein lipase secreted from human monocyte-derived macrophages modulate very low density lipoprotein uptake

We investigated the roles of lipoprotein lipase and apolipoprotein E (apoE) secreted from human monocyte-derived macrophages in the uptake of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL). ApoCII-deficient VLDL were isolated from a patient with apoCII deficiency. The lipolytic conversion to higher density and the degradation of the apoCII-deficient VLDL by macrophages were very slight, whereas the addition of apoCII enhanced both their conversion and degradation. This suggests that the lipolysis and subsequent conversion of VLDL to lipoproteins of higher density are essential for the VLDL uptake by macrophages. VLDL incubated with macrophages obtained from subjects with E3/3 phenotype (E3/3-macrophages) showed a 17-fold greater affinity in inhibiting the binding of 2 micrograms/ml 125I-low density lipoprotein (LDL) to fibroblasts than native VLDL, whereas the incubation of VLDL with macrophages obtained from a subject with E2/2 phenotype (E2/2-macrophages) did not cause any increase in their affinity. Furthermore, 3 micrograms/ml 125I-VLDL obtained from a subject with E3/3 phenotype were degraded by E3/3-macrophages to a greater extent than by E2/2-macrophages (2-fold), indicating that VLDL uptake is influenced by the phenotype of apoE secreted by macrophages. From these results, we conclude that both lipolysis by lipoprotein lipase and incorporation of apoE secreted from macrophages alter the affinity of VLDL for the LDL receptors on the cells, resulting in facilitation of their receptor-mediated endocytosis.