Calcium-antagonists inhibit secretion of very-low-density lipoprotein from cultured rat hepatocytes.

The effects of different calcium-antagonists on secretion of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) from cultured rat hepatocytes were examined. Verapamil (an inhibitor of voltage-dependent calcium channels) and EGTA (a calcium chelator) decreased VLDL-triacylglycerol secretion in a concentration-dependent manner, with maximum inhibition (about 90%) at 0.2 mM-verapamil and 5 mM-EGTA. Inorganic calcium-antagonists such as lanthanum, nickel, cobalt and manganese decreased secretion of VLDL-triacylglycerol by 55-95%, whereas the calcium-agonist barium did not affect secretion. Inhibition of VLDL-triacylglycerol secretion appeared within 30 min, without inhibition of triacylglycerol synthesis. Pulse-chase experiments revealed that verapamil and cobalt inhibited the secretory pathway itself. Cobalt showed a concentration-dependent inhibition of VLDL-triacylglycerol secretion, with maximal effect at 8 mM. Although inhibition by cobalt was not completely reversible, Trypan Blue exclusion and lactate dehydrogenase leakage indicated that the hepatocytes were not injured by cobalt or any of the other calcium-antagonists tested. Inhibition of protein synthesis by cycloheximide did not affect triacylglycerol secretion (up to 2 h), and the observed effects were therefore probably not due to impaired production of apolipoproteins. Taken together, these results suggest that calcium is important for secretion of VLDL particles.     

Lysophosphatidylcholine metabolism and lipoprotein secretion by cultured rat hepatocytes deficient in choline.

A protein kinase activity was identified in pig brain that co-purified with microtubules through repeated cycles of temperature-dependent assembly and disassembly. The microtubule-associated protein kinase (MTAK) phosphorylated histone H1; this activity was not stimulated by cyclic nucleotides. Ca2+ plus calmodulin, phospholipids or polyamines. MTAK did not phosphorylate synthetic peptides which are substrates for cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase, cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase. Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, protein kinase C or casein kinase II. MTAK activity was inhibited by trifluoperazine [IC50 (median inhibitory concn.) = 600 microM] in a Ca2+-independent fashion. Ca2+ alone was inhibitory [IC50 = 4 mM). MTAK was not inhibited by heparin, a potent inhibitor of casein kinase II, nor a synthetic peptide inhibitor of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. MTAK demonstrated a broad pH maximum (7.5-8.5) and an apparent Km for ATP of 45 microM. Mg2+ was required for enzyme activity and could not be replaced by Mn2+. MTAK phosphorylated serine and threonine residues on histone H1. MTAK is a unique cofactor-independent protein kinase that binds to microtubule structures.     

Glycosylation of apolipoproteins by cultured rat hepatocytes. Effect of tunicamycin on lipoprotein secretion.

Cultured rat hepatocytes were used to measure hepatic synthesis of rat plasma glycoproteins. [3H]Glucosamine was progressively incorporated into the protein of hepatocyte culture media very-low-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein and the p greater than 1.21 g/ml fraction after 3.5 and 6.5 h incubation. Apolipoproteins B, E and C, as well as transferrin, were identified as glycoproteins. The association of radioactivity with apolipoprotein C of hepatocyte very-low-density and high-density lipoproteins suggests that apolipoprotein C-III-3, the only C apoglycoprotein in the rat, is synthesized de novo by the hepatocytes. Treatment of hepatocytes with tunicamycin, a specific inhibitor of protein glycosylation, resulted in a substantial decrease in [3H]glucosamine incorporation into hepatocyte very-low-density, low-density and high-density lipoproteins and p greater than 1.21 g/ml protein, but had little or no effect on secretion. In the rat, hepatic secretion of lipoproteins and transferrin does not appear to be dependent on prior protein glycosylation.     

The biosynthesis of phosphatidylcholine by methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine derived from ethanolamine is not required for lipoprotein secretion by cultured rat hepatocytes

The role that phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis plays in the assembly and secretion of lipoproteins has been investigated in rat hepatocytes, since phosphatidylcholine is the major phospholipid in all serum lipoproteins. Phosphatidylcholine in rat hepatocytes can be made via the CDPcholine pathway or by the methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine. A specific inhibitor of cellular transmethylation, 3-deazaadenosine (10 microM), has been incubated with rat hepatocytes, and we have shown that the biosynthesis of phosphatidylcholine via the methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine derived from ethanolamine was inhibited by greater than 95%. However, incubation of 3-deazaadenosine with cultured rat hepatocytes for up to 18 h did not affect the secretion of any of the apoproteins into VLDL, LDL, HDL fractions or a fraction with density greater than 1.18 g/ml (albumin was the major protein). Nor was there any effect by 3-deazaadenosine on the amount of phosphatidylcholine secreted into the culture medium or into VLDL or HDL. After 18 h the amount of phosphatidylethanolamine that accumulated in the cells was doubled by treatment with 3-deazaadenosine, and the amount of phosphatidylethanolamine secreted into the medium was increased by approximately 70%. It is thus apparent that the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine from ethanolamine is not required for lipoprotein secretion by rat hepatocytes.     

Synthesis and secretion of triacylglycerol lipase by cultured rat hepatocytes

Rat hepatocytes isolated by collagenase perfusion were cultured for 48-72 h and examined for synthesis and secretion of hepatic triacylglycerol lipase activity. Low levels of enzyme activity found in the culture medium increased with time of incubation, and a 3-10-fold rise was encountered in the presence of optimal concentrations of heparin (5 U/ml). After interruption of enzyme synthesis by cycloheximide, plateauing of enzyme activity in the medium occurred, indicating that addition of heparin may not only stabilize but also enhance hepatic triacylglycerol lipase secretion. Synthesis and secretion of hepatic triacylglycerol lipase was not related to cell density, and enzyme secretion was encountered in subconfluent cultures. Release of enzyme activity into the medium was not sensitive to chlorpromazine, a lysosomal enzyme inhibitor, but was completely inhibited by treatment with tunicamycin, an inhibitor of glycosylation. As release of enzyme activity could be maintained for 12 h in the absence of serum, possible hormonal regulation was sought. Under the present experimental conditions, no modulation of hepatic triacylglycerol lipase was encountered by either gonadal or thyroid hormones. Addition of cyclic AMP to the culture medium resulted in a 30% decrease in enzyme activity. The dependence of hepatic triacylglycerol lipase secretion on the intactness of the Golgi apparatus and on vesicular transport was demonstrated by the treatment with monensin. The present results show that cultured rat hepatocytes provide a good model system by which the regulation of synthesis and secretion of hepatic triacylglycerol lipase can be studied.     

The effects of monensin on secretion of very-low-density lipoprotein and metabolism of asialofetuin by cultured rat hepatocytes.

Primary cultures of rat hepatocytes were used to study secretion of very-low-density lipoproteins and metabolism of asialofetuin. The ionophore monensin inhibited both secretion of very-low-density lipoproteins and binding and degradation of asialofetuin in a concentration-dependent manner. Secretion as well as receptor binding were markedly decreased after 15 min treatment with monensin. The inhibitory effect of the ionophore was fully reversible, and no effect on protein synthesis was observed at concentrations up to 50 microM. The secretion of apoproteins (B-small, B-large and E) and that of albumin were inhibited to the same extent as was triacylglycerol secretion. Secretion of very-low-density lipoproteins was more sensitive to low concentrations of monensin than was the metabolism of asialofetuin. Maximum inhibition of very-low-density-lipoprotein secretion was obtained at 5-10 microM-monensin, whereas 25 microM was required to obtain maximum inhibition of binding and degradation of asialofetuin. The number of surface receptors for asialofetuin decreased to about half when the cells were exposed to 25 microM-monensin. It is possible that monensin inhibits endo- and exo-cytosis via a similar mechanism, e.g. by disturbing proton gradients. Since secretion of very-low-density lipoproteins was more sensitive to low concentrations of monensin, it is likely that monensin independently inhibits endocytic and secretory functions in cultured hepatocytes.     

Bile acids inhibit secretion of very low density lipoprotein by rat hepatocytes

The influence of taurocholate on very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) triacylglycerol synthesis and secretion was studied by isolated rat liver-parenchymal cells. The incorporation of [3H]glycerol into cell-associated and VLDL triacylglycerols were measured after incubation in medium containing 0.75 mM oleate. Taurocholate caused a maked decrease in VLDL [3H]triacylglycerol secretion from the hepatocytes: 50-150 microM taurocholate inhibited secretion of VLDL [3H]triacylglycerols by 70-90%. Similar results were obtained when the mass of secreted VLDL triacylglycerols was measured. Taurocholate caused a decreased secretion of VLDL [3H]triacylglycerols after 15-30 min incubation. A higher amount of cellular triacylglycerols was found in taurocholate-supplemented cells. Furthermore taurocholate did not change the intracellular lipolysis of triacylglycerols. These results suggest that bile acids interfere more probably with the assembly and/or secretion of VLDL-particles and not with earlier stages of VLDL formation, e.g. triacylglycerol synthesis.     

Assembly and secretion of chylomicrons by differentiated Caco-2 cells. Nascent triglycerides and preformed phospholipids are preferentially used for lipoprotein assembly.

To develop a cell culture model for chyclomicron (CM) assembly, the apical media of differentiated Caco-2 cells were supplemented with oleic acid (OA) together with either albumin or taurocholate (TC). The basolateral media were subjected to sequential density gradient ultracentrifugations to obtain large CM, small CM, and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), and the distribution of apoB in these fractions was quantified. In the absence of OA, apoB was secreted as VLDL/LDL size particles. Addition of OA (>/=0.8 mM) with TC, but not with albumin, resulted in the secretion of one-third of apoB as CM. Lipid analysis revealed that half of the secreted phospholipids (PL) and triglycerides (TG) were associated with CM. In CM, TG were 7-11-fold higher than PL indicating that CM were TG-rich particles. Secreted CM contained apoB100, apoB48, and other apolipoproteins. Secretion of large CM was specifically inhibited by Pluronic L81, a detergent known to inhibit CM secretion in animals. These studies demonstrate that differentiated Caco-2 cells assemble and secrete CM in a manner similar to enterocytes in vivo. Next, experiments were performed to identify the sources of lipids used for lipoprotein assembly. Cells were labeled with [3H]glycerol for 12 h, washed, and supplemented with OA, TC, and [14C] glycerol for various times to induce CM assembly and to radiolabel nascent lipids. TG and PL were extracted from cells and media and the association of preformed and nascent lipids with lipoproteins was determined. All the lipoproteins contained higher amounts of preformed PL compared with nascent PL. VLDL contained equal amounts of nascent and preformed TG, whereas CM contained higher amounts of nascent TG even when nascent TG constituted a small fraction of the total cellular pool. These studies indicate that nascent TG and preformed PL are preferentially used for CM assembly and provide a molecular explanation for the in vivo observations that the fatty acid composition of TG, but not PL, of secreted CM reflects the composition of dietary fat. It is proposed that in the intestinal cells the preformed PL from the endoplasmic reticulum bud off with apoB as primordial particles and the assembly of larger lipoproteins is dependent on the synthesis and delivery of nascent TG to these particles.     

The effect of dexamethasone on transferrin secretion by cultured fetal rat hepatocytes

Cultured fetal rat hepatocytes derived from 12, 15 and 19-day gestation rats are capable of secreting transferrin. When dexamethasone is added to the medium an increased secretion rate is observed. The changes in secretion rates in control as well as dexamethasone-treated cells during culture have been shown to correlate with the level of mRNA coding for transferrin. Immunocytochemical experiments show that initially all hepatocytes contain transferrin which is localized in the lumina of the perinuclear space, rough endoplasmic reticulum and in the saccules and vesicles of the Golgi apparatus. During culture, particularly in control cells, the intensity of labelling varies from cell to cell. In addition, adjacent cells are observed to label more intensely in different intracellular organelles.     

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.     

Eicosapentaenoic acid inhibits synthesis and secretion of triacylglycerols by cultured rat hepatocytes

Primary cultures of rat hepatocytes were used to study the effects of eicosapentaenoic and oleic acid on synthesis and secretion of triacylglycerols associated with very low density lipoproteins. From the experiments the following was observed. Oleic acid markedly stimulates secretion as well as synthesis of triacylglycerols, whereas eicosapentaenoic acid causes very little or no increase in secretion or synthesis as compared to a fatty-acid-free medium. The effects could already be observed after 15 min incubation. The inhibitory effect of eicosapentaenoic acid is reversible within 1-2 h. Eicosapentaenoic acid inhibits much of the stimulatory effect of oleic acid on synthesis and secretion of triacylglycerols. The cellular uptake of eicosapentaenoic acid is somewhat higher than that of oleic acid and the metabolism of these fatty acids to acid-soluble materials is similar. Eicosapentaenoic acid does not affect the secretory pathway of triacylglycerols per se. From these results it may be concluded that the mechanism for the inhibitory effect of eicosapentaenoic acid on triacylglycerol secretion is probably via reduced triacylglycerol synthesis.     

Receptor-mediated uptake of low density lipoprotein stimulates bile acid synthesis by cultured rat hepatocytes

The cellular mechanisms responsible for the lipoprotein-mediated stimulation of bile acid synthesis in cultured rat hepatocytes were investigated. Adding 280 micrograms/ml of cholesterol in the form of human or rat low density lipoprotein (LDL) to the culture medium increased bile acid synthesis by 1.8- and 1.6-fold, respectively. As a result of the uptake of LDL, the synthesis of [14C]cholesterol from [2-14C]acetate was decreased and cellular cholesteryl ester mass was increased. Further studies demonstrated that rat apoE-free LDL and apoE-rich high density lipoprotein (HDL) both stimulated bile acid synthesis 1.5-fold, as well as inhibited the formation of [14C]cholesterol from [2-14C]acetate. Reductive methylation of LDL blocked the inhibition of cholesterol synthesis, as well as the stimulation of bile acid synthesis, suggesting that these processes require receptor-mediated uptake. To identify the receptors responsible, competitive binding studies using 125I-labeled apoE-free LDL and 125I-labeled apoE-rich HDL were performed. Both apoE-free LDL and apoE-rich HDL displayed an equal ability to compete for binding of the other, suggesting that a receptor or a group of receptors that recognizes both apolipoproteins is involved. Additional studies show that hepatocytes from cholestyramine-treated rats displayed 2.2- and 3.4-fold increases in the binding of apoE-free LDL and apoE-rich HDL, respectively. These data show for the first time that receptor-mediated uptake of LDL by the liver is intimately linked to processes activating bile acid synthesis.     

Inhibition by chloroquine of the secretion of very low density lipoproteins by cultured rat hepatocytes

Cultured rat hepatocytes were incubated in medium containing 1.0 mM oleic acid. The incorporation of [3H]glycerol into cell-associated and medium triacylglycerols was measured after 2 h incubation. More than 95% of the secreted [3H]triacylglycerols were recovered in the very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) fraction (d less than 1.006). Chloroquine and other lysosomotropic amines promoted a marked decrease in [3H]triacylglycerol secretion from the hepatocytes while the synthesis was unaffected. At 50-200 microM final concentration, chloroquine inhibited secretion of triacylglycerols by 70-90% of the control. Similar results were obtained when the mass of secreted triacylglycerols was measured. Chloroquine caused decreased secretion of [3H]triacylglycerols after 15-30 min incubation and the inhibitory effect was completely reversible within 1-2 h after washout of chloroquine. The reduced triacylglycerol secretion was not due to increased reuptake of secreted lipoproteins or decreased protein synthesis caused by chloroquine. Electron microscopy of chloroquine-treated cells showed that the inhibition of VLDL secretion occurs at or prior to the level of the Golgi apparatus. These results suggest that chloroquine interferes with crucial steps in the secretory process and/or that lysosomal function could be essential for secretion of VLDL.     

Long-term cytotoxicities of various pesticides evaluated by albumin secretion of primary cultured rat hepatocytes

Summary Primary cultured rat hepatocytes were used to estimate the cytotoxicities of various pesticides. The index was based on the inhibition of albumin secretion. Cytotoxicities closely correlated to the octanol/water distribution of pesticides. This estimation could be more reliable on the estimation of toxic effects on human health.     

Conversion of the lipoprotein secreted by cultured eel hepatocytes to high density lipoprotein

• 1.1. The lipoprotein, a VLDL-like lipoprotein, secreted by cultured eel hepatocytes was incubated with whole eel serum, serum HDL, or serum VLDL. No change in the VLDL-like lipoprotein was found.
• 2.2. The secreted lipoprotein was incubated with five kinds of liposomes and a HDL-like particle was formed in the presence of BSA only when l-α-dimyristoyl lecithin liposome was used.
• 3.3. In the presence of 3% BSA, apo AI, proapo AI, apo AII and apo C of the secreted lipoprotein were transferred to the l-α-dimyristoyl lecithin liposome and a HDL-like particle was formed.
• 4.4. The secreted lipoprotein was hydrolyzed by lipoprotein lipase and a HDL-like particle formed after hydrolysis contained no triglyceride and had phospholipid as its main lipid.

     

Albumin secretion and protein synthesis by cultured diploid and tetraploid rat hepatocytes separated by elutriation

Diploid and tetraploid rat hepatocyte subpopulations were isolated by elutriation and cultured for 24 h. Albumin secretion and protein synthesis rates were two-fold lower in 2n than in 4n hepatocytes. [35S]methionine-labelled proteins analysed by acrylamide gel electrophoresis showed a strikingly similar pattern in the two cell subpopulations. No differences in cellular proteins or in the intensity of labelling were observed. These results show (1) that viable diploid and tetraploid hepatocyte subpopulations can be separated by elutriation under sterile conditions and then cultured; and (2) strongly suggest that the same genes are transcribed and further translated at the same rate in both hepatocyte subpopulations.     

Biosynthesis, assembly and secretion of fibrinogen in cultured rat hepatocytes.

The biosynthesis, assembly and secretion of fibrinogen were investigated in cultured rat hepatocytes which were incubated with [35S]methionine. When initial rates of the synthesis of three fibrinogen subunits were compared, the A alpha-subunit was found to be synthesized significantly slower than the B beta- and gamma-subunits. Pulse-chase experiments revealed that the secreted fibrinogen contained different proportions of the newly synthesized subunits, depending upon the chase times. Radioactivity in the A alpha subunit, which initially had the highest level of the three, was rapidly decreased in parallel with the chase time. The gamma-subunit had an increasing amount of the radioactivity in the secreted molecule during the chase periods, whereas that in the B beta-subunit was gradually decreased at the later stages of chase. Analysis of intracellular components of fibrinogen confirmed that the nascent A alpha-subunit was most rapidly exhausted, and the gamma-subunit occupied the largest proportion among the non-assembled subunits at later stages of chase. Taken together, these results suggest that the synthesis of A alpha-subunit, which has the lowest rate, could be the rate-limiting step in the production and secretion of fibrinogen in cultured rat hepatocytes, in contrast with what has been proposed for human and rabbit fibrinogen, namely that the synthesis of B beta-subunit is the rate-limiting step. The results also indicate that there is a large intracellular pool of gamma-subunit.