Lipoprotein lipase-dependent binding and uptake of low density lipoproteins by THP-1 monocytes and macrophages: possible involvement of lipid rafts

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is produced by cells in the artery wall and can mediate binding of lipoproteins to cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG), resulting in endocytosis (the bridging function). Active, dimeric LPL may dissociate to inactive monomers, the main form found in plasma. We have studied binding/internalization of human low density lipoprotein (LDL), mediated by bovine LPL, using THP-1 monocytes and macrophages. Uptake of (125)I-LDL was similar in monocytes and macrophages and was not affected by the LDL-receptor family antagonist receptor-associated protein (RAP) or by the phagocytosis inhibitor cytochalasin D. In contrast, uptake depended on HSPG and on membrane cholesterol. Incubation in the presence of dexamethasone increased the endogenous production of LPL by the cells and also increased LPL-mediated binding of LDL to the cell surfaces. Monomeric LPL was bound to the cells mostly in a heparin-resistant fashion. We conclude that the uptake of LDL mediated by LPL dimers is receptor-independent and involves cholesterol-enriched membrane areas (lipid rafts). Dimeric and monomeric LPL differ in their ability to mediate binding/uptake of LDL, probably due to different mechanisms for binding/internalization.     

Glycosaminoglycan-lipoprotein interaction

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) bound to various proteoglycans (PGs) present in the cardiovascular system have been proposed to perform a wide range of functions. These include conferring viscoelastic properties; interacting with and modulating growth factors and enzymes; and as receptors and co-receptors in lipoprotein metabolism. Binding of apoB-100 lipoproteins, particularly low density lipoproteins (LDL), to GAGs of extracellular matrix PGs in arteries has been proposed to be an initiating event in development of atherosclerosis. This study was initiated with the aim of getting an overview of the binding patterns of different lipoprotein subclasses with individual GAG categories. We thus evaluated the interaction of lipoproteins with GAGs commonly found in the cardiovascular system using a gel mobility-shift assay developed for this purpose. The same procedure was used to measure lipoproteins binding to metabolically [(35)S]-labeled whole PGs prepared from three cell types, arterial smooth muscle cells, THP-1 macrophages and from HepG2 cells. The effect of GAG composition on PGs on lipoprotein binding was evaluated by enzymatic degradation of the carbohydrate chains. Heparan sulfate was found to bind beta very low density lipoproteins (beta-VLDL) and a chylomicron remnant model (beta-VLDL+apoE), but not LDL. Dermatan sulfate was found to bind LDL, but not beta-VLDL or the chylomicron remnant model. Chondroitin sulfate and heparin were found to bind all lipoproteins tested (LDL, beta-VLDL and beta-VLDL+apoE) although with different affinities. We can conclude that each lipoprotein subclass tested binds a specific assortment of the GAGs tested. The observations made contribute to the understanding of new and complex mechanisms by which carbohydrate and lipid metabolism may be linked.     

THP-1 cells form foam cells in response to coculture with lipoproteins but not platelets

The human monocytic leukemia cell line, THP-1, shares many properties with human monocyte-derived macrophages and might be a useful model for studying foam cell formation in vitro. Therefore, we examined the ability of THP-1 cells to accumulate cholesteryl esters, the hallmark feature of foam cells, in response to culture with native low density lipoprotein (LDL), modified LDL, and platelets. THP-1 cells stored more cholesteryl esters than macrophages in response to 200 micrograms/ml of LDL. Down-regulation of LDL receptors occurred in macrophages at lower LDL concentrations than in THP-1 cells. Phorbol ester-treated THP-1 cells stored more cholesteryl esters than human macrophages in response to 25-200 micrograms/ml of acetylated LDL. Because we have previously demonstrated that activated platelets enhanced macrophage cholesteryl ester storage, we examined the ability of THP-1 cells to store cholesteryl esters in response to coculture with platelets. Compared with macrophages, dividing THP-1 cells and phorbol ester-treated THP-1 cells accumulated only 50% and 33% as much cholesteryl esters, respectively. Furthermore, although platelets induced a 90% reduction in cholesterol synthesis in macrophages by day 5, cholesterol synthesis in THP-1 cells and phorbol ester-treated THP-1 cells was inhibited less than 50% by platelets. Nevertheless, both THP-1 cells and macrophages responded to platelets by increasing their secretion of apolipoprotein E. Therefore, we conclude that dividing THP-1 cells and phorbol ester-treated THP-1 cells are capable of forming foam cells in response to physiologic doses of both LDL and acetylated LDL, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Binding of low density lipoproteins to lipoprotein lipase is dependent on lipids but not on apolipoprotein B

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) efficiently mediates the binding of lipoprotein particles to lipoprotein receptors and to proteoglycans at cell surfaces and in the extracellular matrix. It has been proposed that LPL increases the retention of atherogenic lipoproteins in the vessel wall and mediates the uptake of lipoproteins in cells, thereby promoting lipid accumulation and plaque formation. We investigated the interaction between LPL and low density lipoproteins (LDLs) with special reference to the protein-protein interaction between LPL and apolipoprotein B (apoB). Chemical modification of lysines and arginines in apoB or mutation of its main proteoglycan binding site did not abolish the interaction of LDL with LPL as shown by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and by experiments with THP-I macrophages. Recombinant LDL with either apoB100 or apoB48 bound with similar affinity. In contrast, partial delipidation of LDL markedly decreased binding to LPL. In cell culture experiments, phosphatidylcholine-containing liposomes competed efficiently with LDL for binding to LPL. Each LDL particle bound several (up to 15) LPL dimers as determined by SPR and by experiments with THP-I macrophages. A recombinant NH(2)-terminal fragment of apoB (apoB17) bound with low affinity to LPL as shown by SPR, but this interaction was completely abolished by partial delipidation of apoB17. We conclude that the LPL-apoB interaction is not significant in bridging LDL to cell surfaces and matrix components; the main interaction is between LPL and the LDL lipids.     

Inactivation of lipoprotein lipase occurs on the surface of THP-1 macrophages where oligomers of angiopoietin-like protein 4 are formed

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) hydrolyzes triglycerides in plasma lipoproteins causing release of fatty acids for metabolic purposes in muscles and adipose tissue. LPL in macrophages in the artery wall may, however, promote foam cell formation and atherosclerosis. Angiopoietin-like protein (ANGPTL) 4 inactivates LPL and ANGPTL4 expression is controlled by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR). The mechanisms for inactivation of LPL by ANGPTL4 was studied in THP-1 macrophages where active LPL is associated with cell surfaces in a heparin-releasable form, while LPL in the culture medium is mostly inactive. The PPARδ agonist GW501516 had no effect on LPL mRNA, but increased ANGPTL4 mRNA and caused a marked reduction of the heparin-releasable LPL activity concomitantly with accumulation of inactive, monomeric LPL in the medium. Intracellular ANGPTL4 was monomeric, while dimers and tetramers of ANGPTL4 were present in the heparin-releasable fraction and medium. GW501516 caused an increase in the amount of ANGPTL4 oligomers on the cell surface that paralleled the decrease in LPL activity. Actinomycin D blocked the effects of GW501516 on ANGPTL4 oligomer formation and prevented the inactivation of LPL. Antibodies against ANGPTL4 interfered with the inactivation of LPL. We conclude that inactivation of LPL in THP-1 macrophages primarily occurs on the cell surface where oligomers of ANGPTL4 are formed.     

Transforming growth factor-beta 1 inhibits scavenger receptor activity in THP-1 human macrophages.

The macrophage scavenger receptor, a 220-kDa trimeric membrane glycoprotein, mediates the internalization of modified forms of low density lipoprotein (LDL) such as acetyl-LDL and oxidized-LDL and thus is likely to play a key role in atheroma macrophage foam cell formation. In addition, recent evidence suggests that the scavenger receptor may be an important macrophage binding site for lipopolysaccharide involved in lipopolysaccharide scavenging by macrophages. However, little is known about the regulation of this important receptor. We now report that the induction of scavenger receptor activity (as measured by acetyl-LDL stimulation of intracellular cholesterol esterification) seen in phorbol ester-differentiated THP-1 human macrophages was completely suppressed to the level seen in undifferentiated THP-1 monocytes by picomolar concentrations of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1). 125I-Acetyl-LDL degradation was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by TGF-beta 1, with maximal inhibition (approximately 70%) occurring at 24 pM TGF-beta 1. Scatchard analysis revealed that TGF-beta 1 treatment resulted in a approximately 2-fold decrease in receptor number, and Northern blot analysis of RNA isolated from differentiated THP-1 macrophages demonstrated approximately 2-fold less scavenger receptor mRNA in TGF-beta 1-treated cells compared with that in macrophages not treated with TGF-beta 1. Since TGF-beta 1 is thought to be present in both atherosclerotic and inflammatory lesions, the above findings may have physiological relevance regarding the regulation of atheroma foam cell formation and/or the regulation of lipopolysaccharide clearance by macrophages.     

Time-resolved fluorometric assay for measuring cell binding and association of native and oxidized low-density lipoproteins to macrophages

Europium-labeled native and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were used to measure their binding and cell association to mouse peritoneal macrophages, to suspended human monocyte cell line THP-1 cells, and to differentiated THP-1 macrophages. Cell binding and association were concentration dependent and saturable and showed the characteristics of ligand-receptor interaction. The validity of this assay was also supported by comparison with the method using 125iodine-labeled LDL. This nonradioactive assay proved to be specific, sensitive and simple and avoided any potential lipid peroxidation of LDL brought about by labeling lipoproteins with the widely used radioactive iodine. The latter fact is very important in studying lipoprotein-receptor interactions.     

Rapid turnover of low density lipoprotein receptor in human monocytic THP-1 cells.

We examined whether human monocyte-derived macrophages had low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors with a short life span. The human monocytic leukemia cell line, THP-1, was highly differentiated when treated with phorbol ester. LDL receptors degraded rapidly with half-lives of 3-4 h in THP-1 cells before phorbol ester treatment. During the transition into monocytic cells, expression of the LDL receptor gene was not affected. However, relative degradation rates of LDL receptors normalized by those of cellular total proteins were about twice as fast in phorbol ester-treated THP-1 cells compared to untreated cells.     

Uptake of type IV hypertriglyceridemic VLDL by cultured macrophages is enhanced by interferon-gamma.

Hypertriglyceridemic (HTG) very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) from subjects with type IV hyperlipoproteinemia induce both cholesteryl ester (CE) and triglyceride (TG) accumulation in cultured J774 macrophages. We examined whether the cytokine interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), which is expressed by lymphocytes in atherosclerotic lesions, would modulate macrophage uptake of HTG -VLDL. Incubation of cells with HTG -VLDL alone significantly increased cellular CE and TG mass 17- and 4.3-fold, respectively, while cellular free cholesterol (FC) was unaffected. Pre-incubation of cells with IFN-gamma (50 U/ml) prior to incubation with HTG -VLDL caused a marked enhancement in cellular CE and TG 27- and 6-fold over no additions (controls), respectively, and a 1.5-fold increase in FC. IFN-gamma increased low density lipoprotein (LDL)-induced cellular CE 2-fold compared to LDL alone. IFN-gamma did not enhance the uptake of type III (apoE2/E2) HTG -VLDL or VLDL from apoE knock-out mice. Incubations in the presence of a lipoprotein lipase (LPL) inhibitor or an acylCoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitor demonstrated that the IFN-gamma-enhanced HTG -VLDL uptake was dependent on LPL and ACAT activities. IFN-gamma significantly increased the binding and degradation of 125I-labeled LDL. Binding studies with 125I-labeled alpha2-macroglobulin, a known LDL receptor-related protein (LRP) ligand, and experiments with copper-oxidized LDL indicated that the IFN-gamma-enhanced uptake was not due to increased expression of the LRP or scavenger receptors. Thus, IFN-gamma may promote foam cell formation by accelerating macrophage uptake of native lipoproteins. IFN-gamma-stimulated CE accumulation in the presence of HTG -VLDL occurs via a process that requires receptor binding-competent apoE and active LPL. IFN-gamma-enhanced uptake of both HTG -VLDL and LDL is mediated by the LDL-receptor and requires ACAT-mediated cholesterol esterification.     

Expression of the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 receptor CCR2 is increased in hypercholesterolemia. Differential effects of plasma lipoproteins on monocyte function.

Monocytes are recruited from the circulation into the subendothelial space where they differentiate into mature macrophages and internalize modified lipoproteins to become lipid-laden foam cells. The accumulation of monocytes is mediated by the interaction of locally produced chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) with its receptor CCR2. The objective of the present study is to demonstrate the differential effects of plasma lipoproteins on monocyte CCR2 expression. The CCR2 expression was increased about 2.4-fold in monocytes isolated from hypercholesterolemic patients, compared to monocytes from normal controls. There was a significant correlation between CCR2 expression and plasma low density lipoprotein (LDL). Elevated levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) blunted and even reverted the effects of LDL on CCR2 expression, both in vivo and in vitro. The causal relationship between plasma lipoproteins and CCR2 expression was further confirmed by modulating the lipoprotein profile. Estrogen supplement therapy decreased plasma LDL cholesterol, increased plasma HDL cholesterol, and reduced CCR2 expression in hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women, but had no effect on the plasma lipid profile or CCR2 expression in normocholesterolemic subjects. The physiological significance of altered CCR2 expression was tested by chemotaxis assay, and our results demonstrated that treatment of THP-1 monocytes with LDL induced CCR2 expression and substantially enhanced the chemotaxis elicited by MCP-1. Our findings suggest that plasma lipoproteins differentially control monocyte function and that monocytes from hypercholesterolemic subjects are hyperresponsive to chemotactic stimuli. This may increase their accumulation in the vessel wall and accelerate the pathogenic events of atherogenesis.     

Three probe flow cytometry of a human foam-cell forming macrophage.

A human cell line THP-1 was differentiated into macrophages expressing the scavenger receptor for uptake of modified lipoproteins. The cells were exposed to native low-density lipoprotein (n-LDL), acetylated-low-density lipoprotein (Ac-LDL), oxidised-LDL, or 25-OH cholesterol, leading to the accumulation of cholesteryl esters within the cells. Harvested macrophages were studied using three separate probes: 1) 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (diI)-labelled LDL to study lipoprotein uptake; 2) the lipophilic fluorescent dye Nile Red to study cholesteryl ester accumulation within the cells; and 3) the polyene antibiotic Filipin III to study free cholesterol homeostasis. Cells were analysed using fluorescence flow cytometry and the three signals analysed separately. THP-1 macrophages incubated with diI-labelled modified lipoproteins produced a concentration dependent increase in the fluorescence emissions, consistent with accumulation of the labelled particles. Macrophages exposed to unlabelled modified LDLs were demonstrated, by staining with Nile Red, to accumulate cholesteryl esters within their cytoplasm and to alter their cholesterol content as judged by staining with Filipin. The foam-cell forming macrophage and its response to modified lipoproteins is considered a key step in the development of atherosclerosis. The use of these three probes during the formation of foam-cells in vitro offers a way of studying their behaviour at the single cell level.     

A synthetic peptide mimic of plasma apolipoprotein E that binds the LDL receptor.

Human plasma apolipoprotein E (apoE) is a low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor ligand. It targets cholesterol-rich lipoproteins to LDL receptors on both hepatic and peripheral cells. The region of apoE responsible for its binding to the LDL receptor has been localized to amino acids 140-160. An apoE 141-155 monomeric peptide and a dimeric 141-155 tandem peptide were synthesized and tested for their inhibition of 125I-LDL degradation by human fibroblasts and human monocytic-like cells, THP-1. The monomer had no activity at 250 microM, but the dimer inhibited 125I-LDL degradation by 50% at 5 microM. The inhibition was specific for the LDL receptor because the dimer did not inhibit the degradation of 125I-acetylated LDL by scavenger receptors expressed by phorbol ester-stimulated THP-1 cells. As reported for native apoE, amino acid substitutions of Lys-143----Ala, Leu-144----Pro, and Arg-150----Ala decreased the inhibitory effectiveness of the dimer. Furthermore, a trimer of the 141-155 sequence had a 20-fold greater inhibitory activity than the dimer. Studies with a radioiodinated dimer indicated that some of the inhibitory activity could be a result of the interaction of the dimer with LDL. However, direct binding of the 125I-dimeric peptide to THP-1 cells was observed as well. This binding was time-dependent, linear with increasing cell number, Ca(2+)- but not Mg(2+)-dependent, saturable, inhibited by lipoproteins, and increased by preculture of the cells in lipoprotein-depleted medium. Therefore, a synthetically prepared dimeric repeat of amino acid residues 141-155 of apoE binds the LDL receptor.     

Intracellular trafficking of pigeon beta-very low density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein at low and high concentrations in pigeon macrophages

Foam cell formation occurs in vitro at lipoprotein concentrations above 50 microgram/ml in pigeon macrophages. Hypothetically, intracellular trafficking of lipoproteins at higher concentrations may differ from uptake of lipoproteins associated with low concentrations, revealing a separate atherogenic endocytic pathway. Macrophage intracellular trafficking of pigeon beta-very low density lipoprotein (beta-VLDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) at low concentrations (12 microgram/ml) near the saturation of high affinity binding sites and high lipoprotein concentrations (50-150 microgram/ml) used to induce foam cell formation were examined. Pigeon beta-VLDL and LDL, differentially labeled with colloidal gold, were added simultaneously to contrast trafficking of beta-VLDL, which causes in vitro foam cell formation, with LDL, which does not. The binding of lipoproteins to cell surface structures, distribution of lipoproteins in endocytic organelles, and the extent of colabeling in the endocytic organelles were determined by thin-section transmission electron microscopy.At low concentrations, the intracellular trafficking of pigeon LDL and beta-VLDL was identical. At high concentrations, LDL was removed more rapidly from the plasma membrane and reached lysosomes more quickly than beta-VLDL. No separate endocytic route was present at high concentrations of beta-VLDL; rather, an increased residence on the plasma membrane, association with nonmicrovillar portions of the plasma membrane, and slower trafficking in organelles of coated-pit endocytosis reflected a more atherogenic trafficking pattern.     

Binding and uptake of differently oxidized low density lipoprotein in mouse peritoneal macrophages and THP-1 macrophages: involvement of negative charges as well as oxidation-specific epitopes

Oxidatively modified low-density lipoprotein (LDL) has been found in vivo, and oxidized LDL (oxLDL) could bind to scavenger receptors, leading to foam cell formation. Macrophages bear a number of different scavenger receptors for oxLDL, and macrophages of different origins may have a different scavenger receptor repertoire. In addition, LDL oxidized to different degrees may differ in the ability to bind macrophage scavenger receptors. In this study, we characterized the patterns of the binding and uptake of differently oxidized LDL in mouse peritoneal macrophages (MPM) and human THP-1 macrophages, and the influence of negative charge and oxidation-specific epitopes in oxLDL on these processes. Thresholds of increased binding and uptake in MPM were found when LDL was oxidized to the degrees with a relative electrophoretic mobility (REM) of 2.6 (minor threshold) and 3.0 (major threshold), corresponding to 49 and 57%, respectively, of the loss of free amino groups in these oxLDL. There was no threshold for the binding of oxLDL to THP-1 macrophages, while for uptake, a major threshold with REM of 3.0 (57% free amino groups lost) was found. The presence of the F(ab')(2) fragments of the monoclonal antibody OB/04, which was raised against copper-oxidized LDL, led to the reduction of the binding and uptake, respectively, of Eu(3+)-oxLDL (REM:3.6) in MPM by 31 and 29%, and by 19 and 22% in THP-1 macrophages. It is concluded that LDL oxidized to different degrees binds differently to macrophages, and the patterns of binding and uptake are different for MPM and human THP-1 macrophages. Both, the negative charge and the oxidation-specific epitopes of oxLDL are involved in these processes.     

Membrane-bound lipoprotein lipase on human monocyte-derived macrophages: localization by immunocolloidal gold technique

Macrophages from both rodent and human sources have been shown to produce lipoprotein lipase (LPL), the enzyme activity of which can be measured in culture media and in cellular homogenates. The studies reported here show the presence of LPL on the surface of human monocyte-derived macrophages. An inhibitory monoclonal antibody to human LPL was used for cellular and immunoelectron microscopy studies. This antibody is a competitive inhibitor of LPL hydrolysis of triacylglycerol but does not inhibit LPL hydrolysis of a water-soluble substrate, p-nitrophenyl acetate. Furthermore, when postheparin plasma was mixed with monoclonal antibody prior to gel filtration on 6% agarose, the LPL activity eluted with the lipoproteins and was not inhibited by the antibody. These studies suggest that the antibody recognized the lipid/lipoprotein binding site of the LPL molecule. Membrane-bound LPL was demonstrated on human monocyte-derived macrophages using colloidal gold-protein A to detect the monoclonal antibody to LPL. The surface colloidal gold was randomly distributed with a surface density of 56,700 gold particles per cell. Control cells cultured in heparin-containing media (10 units/ml) or cells reacted with anti-hepatic triacylglycerol lipase monoclonal IgG or nonimmune mouse IgG did not exhibit membrane binding of protein A-gold. Macrophages were incubated with control and monoclonal anti-LPL IgGs and 125I-labeled anti-mouse IgG F(ab')2. Heparin-releasable membrane-bound anti-LPL antibody was demonstrated. These studies demonstrate the presence of LPL on the surface of human monocyte-derived macrophages, such that the LPL is oriented with its lipid-binding portion (recognized by this antibody) exposed. Membrane-associated LPL may be important in the interaction and subsequent uptake of lipid and lipoproteins by macrophages and in the generation of atherosclerotic foam cells.     

Phytosterols differentially influence ABC transporter expression, cholesterol efflux and inflammatory cytokine secretion in macrophage foam cells

Phytosterol supplements lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, but accumulate in vascular lesions of patients and limit the anti-atherosclerotic effects of LDL lowering in apolipoprotein E (Apo E)-deficient mice, suggesting that the cholesterol-lowering benefit of phytosterol supplementation may not be fully realized. Individual phytosterols have cell-type specific effects that may be either beneficial or deleterious with respect to atherosclerosis, but little is known concerning their effects on macrophage function. The effects of phytosterols on ABCA1 and ABCG1 abundance, cholesterol efflux and inflammatory cytokine secretion were determined in cultured macrophage foam cells. Among the commonly consumed phytosterols, stigmasterol increased expression of ABCA1 and ABCG1 and increased efflux of cholesterol to apolipoprotein (Apo) AI and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Campesterol and sitosterol had no effect on ABCA1 or ABCG1 levels. Sitosterol had no effect on cholesterol efflux to Apo AI or HDL, whereas campesterol had a modest but significant reduction in cholesterol efflux to HDL in THP-1 macrophages. Whereas stigmasterol blunted aggregated LDL (agLDL) induced increases in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β secretion, sitosterol exacerbated these effects. The presence of campesterol had no effect on agLDL-induced inflammatory cytokine secretion from THP-1 macrophages. In conclusion, the presence of stigmasterol in modified lipoproteins promoted cholesterol efflux and suppressed inflammatory cytokine secretion in response to lipid loading in macrophage foam cells. While campesterol was largely inert, the presence of sitosterol increased the proinflammatory cytokine secretion.     

Suppression of endothelial or lipoprotein lipase in THP-1 macrophages attenuates proinflammatory cytokine secretion

LPL and endothelial lipase (EL) are associated with macrophages in human atherosclerotic lesions, and overexpression of LPL in mouse macrophages is associated with a greater extent of atherosclerosis. To investigate potential mechanisms by which macrophage-derived lipase expression may mediate proatherogenic effects, we used lentivirus-mediated RNA interference to suppress the expression of either LPL or EL within THP-1 macrophages. After suppression of either LPL or EL, significant decreases in the concentration of interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were observed. Incubation of THP-1 macrophages with either mildly or extensively oxidized LDL consistently decreased cytokine expression, which was additive to that contributed by lipase suppression. Decreased lipase expression was also associated with an altered lipid composition, with reduced percentages of cholesterol (unesterified and esterified), triglycerides, and lysophosphatidylcholine. Microarray data indicated a decreased expression of proinflammatory genes, growth factors, and antiapoptotic genes. By contrast, there was an increased expression of lipoprotein receptors (scavenger receptor 1, low density lipoprotein receptor, scavenger receptor class B type I, and CD36). Thus, we conclude that the suppression of either LPL or EL decreases proinflammatory cytokine expression and influences the lipid composition of THP-1 macrophages. These results provide further insight into the specific metabolic and potential pathological roles of LPL and EL in human macrophages.