Transfer of lipoproteins from plasma to the cell populations of the normal and atherosclerotic arterial tissue

Abstract

It appears that retention of lipoproteins rather than increased influx is the basis for lipoprotein deposition in arterial tissue during atherogenesis. Binding of lipoproteins to arterial proteoglycans is mediated by a peptide sequence considered to be involved in the interaction between the lipoproteins and the lipoprotein receptor. Consequently, in the presence of an excess of arterial proteoglycan, receptor-mediated cellular uptake of LDL is inhibited. However, LDL which has been precipitated by proteoglycan and subsequently resolubilized is taken up more avidly than native LDL, both in macrophages and in smooth muscle cells. This appears to be due to selection by the proteoglycans of a more reactive fraction of LDL. This fraction has a smaller molecular size and less surface phospholipids. As smaller LDL particles also have a higher transfer rate into the arterial tissue they may be particularly atherogenic. Low density lipoproteins appear to be taken up with higher affinity by arterial macrophages than by smooth muscle cells. The selective transfer of the LDL to macrophages can be inhibited by alpha-tocopherol, suggesting that oxidative modification may be involved in this process. The role of foam cells in atherogenesis is discussed in the context of the energy requirements of the arterial wall.