Intralysosomal Accumulation of Colloidal Gold-Low Density Lipoprotein Conjugates in Chloroquine-Treated Fibroblasts

Author(s):  
Dean A. Handley ◽  
Cynthia M. Arbeeny ◽  
Larry D. Witte

Low density lipoproteins (LDL) are the major cholesterol carrying particles in the blood. Using cultured cells, it has been shown that LDL particles interact with specific surface receptors and are internalized via a coated pit-coated vesicle pathway for lysosomal catabolism. This (Pathway has been visualized using LDL labeled to ferritin or colloidal gold. It is now recognized that certain lysomotropic agents, such as chloroquine, inhibit lysosomal enzymes that degrade protein and cholesterol esters. By interrupting cholesterol ester hydrolysis, chloroquine treatment results in lysosomal accumulation of cholesterol esters from internalized LDL. Using LDL conjugated to colloidal gold, we have examined the ultrastructural effects of chloroquine on lipoprotein uptake by normal cultured fibroblasts.

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1769
Author(s):  
Katariina Öörni ◽  
Petri T. Kovanen

Circulating low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles enter the arterial intima where they bind to the extracellular matrix and become modified by lipases, proteases, and oxidizing enzymes and agents. The modified LDL particles aggregate and fuse into larger matrix-bound lipid droplets and, upon generation of unesterified cholesterol, cholesterol crystals are also formed. Uptake of the aggregated/fused particles and cholesterol crystals by macrophages and smooth muscle cells induces their inflammatory activation and conversion into foam cells. In this review, we summarize the causes and consequences of LDL aggregation and describe the development and applications of an assay capable of determining the susceptibility of isolated LDL particles to aggregate when exposed to human recombinant sphingomyelinase enzyme ex vivo. Significant person-to-person differences in the aggregation susceptibility of LDL particles were observed, and such individual differences largely depended on particle lipid composition. The presence of aggregation-prone LDL in the circulation predicted future cardiovascular events in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. We also discuss means capable of reducing LDL particles’ aggregation susceptibility that could potentially inhibit LDL aggregation in the arterial wall. Whether reductions in LDL aggregation susceptibility are associated with attenuated atherogenesis and a reduced risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases remains to be studied.


Author(s):  
Franziska Grundler ◽  
Dietmar Plonné ◽  
Robin Mesnage ◽  
Diethard Müller ◽  
Cesare R. Sirtori ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Dyslipidemia is a major health concern associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality. Long-term fasting (LF) has been shown to improve plasma lipid profile. We performed an in-depth investigation of lipoprotein composition. Methods This observational study included 40 volunteers (50% men, aged 32–65 years), who underwent a medically supervised fast of 14 days (250 kcal/day). Changes in lipid and lipoprotein levels, as well as in lipoprotein subclasses and particles, were measured by ultracentrifugation and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) at baseline, and after 7 and 14 fasting days. Results The largest changes were found after 14 fasting days. There were significant reductions in triglycerides (TG, − 0.35 ± 0.1 mmol/L), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-TG (− 0.46 ± 0.08 mmol/L), VLDL-cholesterol (VLDL-C, − 0.16 ± 0.03 mmol/L) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-C (− 0.72 ± 0.14 mmol/L). Analysis of LDL subclasses showed a significant decrease in LDL1-C (− 0.16 ± 0.05 mmol/L), LDL2-C (− 0.30 ± 0.06 mmol/L) and LDL3-C (− 0.27 ± 0.05 mmol/L). NMR spectroscopy showed a significant reduction in large VLDL particles (− 5.18 ± 1.26 nmol/L), as well as large (− 244.13 ± 39.45 nmol/L) and small LDL particles (− 38.45 ± 44.04 nmol/L). A significant decrease in high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-C (− 0.16 ± 0.04 mmol/L) was observed. By contrast, the concentration in large HDL particles was significantly raised. Apolipoprotein A1 decreased significantly whereas apolipoprotein B, lipoprotein(a), fibrinogen and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were unchanged. Conclusion Our results suggest that LF improves lipoprotein levels and lipoprotein subclasses and ameliorates the lipoprotein-associated atherogenic risk profile, suggesting a reduction in the cardiovascular risk linked to dyslipidemia. Trial Registration Study registration number: DRKS-ID: DRKS00010111 Date of registration: 03/06/2016 “retrospectively registered”.


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