Tyramine Cellobiose Research Articles

Affinity and kinetics of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 binding to low‐density lipoprotein receptors on HepG2 cells

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a secreted protein that regulates the number of cell surface low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDLRs) and the levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in plasma. Intact cells have not previously been used to determine the characteristics of binding of PCSK9 to LDLR. Using PCSK9 iodinated by the tyramine cellobiose (TC) method ([(125)I]TC-PCSK9), we measured the affinity and kinetics of binding of PCSK9 to LDLR on HepG2 cells at 4 °C. The extent of [(125)I]TC-PCSK9 binding increased as cell surface LDLR density increased. Unlabeled wild-type and two gain-of-function mutants of PCSK9 reduced binding of [(125)I]TC-PCSK9. The Scatchard plot of the binding-inhibition curve was curvilinear, indicative of high-affinity and low-affinity sites for PCSK9 binding on HepG2 cells. Nonlinear regression analysis of the binding data also indicated that a two-site model better fitted the data. The time course of [(125)I]TC-PCSK9 binding showed two phases in the association kinetics. Dissociation of [(125)I]TC-PCSK9 also occurred in two phases. Unlabeled PCSK9 accelerated the dissociation of [(125)I]TC-PCSK9. At low pH, only one phase of dissociation was apparent. Furthermore, the dissociation of [(125)I]TC-PCSK9 under pre-equilibrium conditions was faster than under equilibrium conditions. Overall, the data suggest that PCSK9 binding to cell surface LDLR cannot be described by a simple bimolecular reaction. Possible interpretations that can account for these observations are discussed.

Receptor-mediated and bulk-phase endocytosis cause macrophage and cholesterol accumulation in Niemann-Pick C disease

These studies explored the roles of receptor-mediated and bulk-phase endocytosis as well as macrophage infiltration in the accumulation of cholesterol in the mouse with Niemann-Pick type C (NPC) disease. Uptake of LDL-cholesterol varied from 514 microg/day in the liver to zero in the central nervous system. In animals lacking LDL receptors, liver uptake remained about the same (411 microg/day), but more cholesterol was taken up in extrahepatic organs. This uptake was unaffected by the reductive methylation of LDL and consistent with bulk-phase endocytosis. All tissues accumulated cholesterol in mice lacking NPC1 function, but this accumulation was decreased in adrenal, unchanged in liver, and increased in organs like spleen and lung when LDL receptor function was also deleted. Over 56 days, the spleen and lung accumulated amounts of cholesterol greater than predicted, and these organs were heavily infiltrated with macrophages. This accumulation of both cholesterol and macrophages was increased by deleting LDL receptor function. These observations indicate that both receptor-mediated and bulk-phase endocytosis of lipoproteins, as well as macrophage infiltration, contribute to the cholesterol accumulation seen in NPC disease. These macrophages may also play a role in parenchymal cell death in this syndrome.

Lipoprotein [a] is cleared from the plasma primarily by the liver in a process mediated by apolipoprotein [a

The cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for lipoprotein [a] (Lp[a]) catabolism are unknown. We examined the plasma clearance of Lp[a] and LDL in mice using lipoproteins isolated from human plasma coupled to radiolabeled tyramine cellobiose. Lipoproteins were injected into wild-type, LDL receptor-deficient (Ldlr-/-), and apolipoprotein E-deficient (Apoe-/-) mice. The fractional catabolic rate of LDL was greatly slowed in Ldlr-/- mice and greatly accelerated in Apoe-/- mice compared with wild-type mice. In contrast, the plasma clearance of Lp[a] in Ldlr-/- mice was similar to that in wild-type mice and was only slightly accelerated in Apoe-/- mice. Hepatic uptake of Lp[a] in wild-type mice was 34.6% of the injected dose over a 24 h period. The kidney accounted for only a small fraction of tissue uptake (1.3%). To test whether apolipoprotein [a] (apo[a]) mediates the clearance of Lp[a] from plasma, we coinjected excess apo[a] with labeled Lp[a]. Apo[a] acted as a potent inhibitor of Lp[a] plasma clearance. Asialofetuin, a ligand of the asialoglycoprotein receptor, did not inhibit Lp[a] clearance. In summary, the liver is the major organ accounting for the clearance of Lp[a] in mice, with the LDL receptor and apolipoprotein E having no major roles. Our studies indicate that apo[a] is the primary ligand that mediates Lp[a] uptake and plasma clearance.

HDLs in apoA-I transgenic Abca1 knockout mice are remodeled normally in plasma but are hypercatabolized by the kidney

Patients homozygous for Tangier disease have a near absence of plasma HDL as a result of mutations in ABCA1 and hypercatabolize normal HDL particles. To determine the relationship between ABCA1 expression and HDL catabolism, we investigated intravascular remodeling, plasma clearance, and organ-specific uptake of HDL in mice expressing the human apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) transgene in the Abca1 knockout background. Small HDL particles (7.5 nm), radiolabeled with (125)I-tyramine cellobiose, were injected into recipient mice to quantify plasma turnover and the organ uptake of tracer. Small HDL tracer was remodeled to 8.2 nm diameter particles within 5 min in human apolipoprotein A-I transgenic (hA-I(Tg)) mice (control) and knockout mice. Decay of tracer from plasma was 1.6-fold more rapid in knockout mice (P < 0.05) and kidney uptake was twice that of controls, with no difference in liver uptake. We also observed 2-fold greater hepatic expression of ABCA1 protein in hA-I(Tg) mice compared with nontransgenic mice, suggesting that overexpression of human apoA-I stabilized hepatic ABCA1 protein in vivo. We conclude that ABCA1 is not required for in vivo remodeling of small HDLs to larger HDL subfractions and that the hypercatabolism of normal HDL particles in knockout mice is attributable to a selective catabolism of HDL apoA-I by the kidney.

Soy protein with isoflavones, but not an isoflavone-rich supplement, improves arterial low-density lipoprotein metabolism and atherogenesis.

We sought to determine if arterial LDL metabolism contributes to the decreased atherosclerosis seen with soy and if isolated isoflavones would have similar effects. Ovariectomized monkeys were fed an atherogenic diet for 20 weeks with a protein source of (1) casein/lactalbumin (CAS, n=20), (2) soy protein isolate (SOY, n=20), or (3) casein/lactalbumin with isolated soy isoflavones (ISO, n=17). Plasma lipoprotein concentrations were improved with SOY but not ISO. Arterial LDL metabolism was characterized with one subset (n=12/group) injected with dual-labeled tyramine-cellobiose (TC)-LDL (125I-TC-131I-LDL) 24 hours before necropsy to determine LDL degradation and accumulation, while another subset (n=8/group) was injected with 125I-TC-LDL 1 hour before necropsy to determine LDL permeability and delivery. Coronary artery LDL degradation was reduced by 50% (P=0.02) with SOY but not with ISO compared with CAS. Neither treatment altered arterial permeability. Reduced LDL degradation with SOY was due to decreased arterial LDL delivery (P=0.02). Carotid artery cholesterol ester was also decreased with SOY, but not with ISO. Plasma isoprostanes or plasma markers of inflammation did not differ among treatment groups. Thus, the decreased arterial LDL delivery and subsequent LDL degradation may explain, in part, the atheroprotective effects of soy.

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase regulates maturation of lysosomes in rat hepatocytes

To obtain information about the role of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) in the endocytic pathway in hepatocytes, the uptake and intracellular transport of asialo-orosomucoid (ASOR) was followed in cells treated with wortmannin or LY294002. The two inhibitors, at concentrations known to inhibit the enzyme, did not affect internalization or the number of surface asialoglycoprotein receptors, but they caused a paradoxical increase (approx. 50% above control values) in the degradation of ASOR labelled with [(125)I]tyramine cellobiose ([(125)I]TC). Wortmannin or LY204002 inhibited the autophagic sequestration of lactate dehydrogenase very effectively, and the enhanced degradation of [(125)I]TC-ASOR could be an indirect effect of reduced autophagy, as an amino acid mixture known to inhibit autophagy also caused increased degradation of [(125)I]TC-ASOR, and its effect was not additive to that of wortmannin or LY294002. Wortmannin or LY294002 had pronounced effects on the late parts of the endocytic pathway in the hepatocytes: first, dense lysosomes disappeared and were replaced by swollen vesicles; secondly, degradation of [(125)I]TC-ASOR took place in an organelle of lower buoyant density (in a sucrose gradient) than the bulk of lysosomes (identified in the gradient by lysosomal marker enzymes). With increasing length of incubation with wortmannin or LY294002, the density distributions of the lysosomal markers also shifted to lower density and gradually approached that of the labelled degradation products. The labelled degradation products formed from [(125)I]TC-labelled proteins were trapped at the site of formation, because they did not penetrate the vesicle membranes. The results obtained indicate that internalization and intracellular transport of ASOR to lysomes may take place in the absence of PI3K activity in rat hepatocytes. On the other hand, fusion of late endosomes with lysosomes seems to produce 'hybrid organelles' (active lysosomes) that are unable to mature into dense lysosomes.

Acute inflammation increases selective uptake of HDL cholesteryl esters into adrenals of mice overexpressing human sPLA2.

The acute-phase protein secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) influences the metabolism of high-density lipoproteins (HDL). The adrenals are known to utilize HDL cholesterol as a source of sterols. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that sPLA2 enhances the selective uptake of HDL into the adrenals in response to acute inflammation as a possible physiological role for the sPLA2-HDL interaction. Human sPLA2-transgenic mice, in which sPLA2 expression is upregulated by inflammatory stimuli, were used. Ten hours after induction of the acute-phase response (APR) by injection of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), plasma levels of HDL cholesterol decreased significantly in sPLA2-transgenic mice (-18%, P < 0.05) but remained unchanged in wild-type mice. The fractional catabolic rates of both 125I-labeled tyraminecellobiose (TC)-HDL and [3H]cholesteryl ether increased significantly in the sPLA2-transgenic mice after induction of the APR (0.18 +/- 0.01 vs. 0.21 +/- 0.01 pool/h, P < 0.05, and 0.31 +/- 0.02 vs. 0.42 +/- 0.05 pool/h, P < 0.05, respectively) but remained unchanged in the wild-type mice (0.10 +/- 0.01 vs. 0.22 +/- 0.02 pool/h, respectively). After induction of the APR, in both groups HDL holoparticle uptake by the liver was increased (P < 0.001). sPLA2-transgenic mice had 2.4-fold higher selective uptake into the adrenals after induction of the APR than wild-type mice (156 +/- 6 vs. 65 +/- 5%/ micro g tissue protein, P < 0.001). In summary, upregulation of sPLA2 expression during the APR specifically increases the selective uptake of HDL cholesteryl ester into the adrenals. These data suggest a novel metabolic role for sPLA2: modification of HDL during the APR to promote increased adrenal uptake of HDL cholesteryl ester to serve as source for steroid hormone synthesis.

Increased low density lipoprotein degradation in aorta of irradiated mice is inhibited by preenrichment of low density lipoprotein with α-tocopherol

We previously reported that upper thoracic exposure to ionizing radiation (IR) accelerates fatty streak formation in C57BL/6 mice and that such effects are inhibited by overexpression of the antioxidant enzyme CuZn-superoxide dismutase (SOD). Notably, IR-accelerated lesion formation is strictly dependent on a high fat diet (i.e., atherogenic lipoproteins) but does not involve alterations in circulating lipid or lipoprotein levels. We thus proposed that IR promotes changes in the artery wall that enhance the deposition of lipoprotein lipids. To address this hypothesis, we examined the effects of IR on aortic accumulation and degradation of low density lipoproteins (LDL). Ten-week-old C57BL/6 mice were exposed to a single (8-Gy) dose of 60Co radiation to the upper thoracic area or were sham irradiated (controls) and were then placed on the high fat diet. Five days postexposure, the mice received either 125I-labeled LDL (125I-LDL) (which was used to measure intact LDL) or 125I-labeled tyramine cellobiose (125I-TC)-LDL (which was used to measure both intact and cell-degraded LDL) via tail vein injection. On the basis of trichloroacetic acid (TCA)-precipitable counts in retroorbital blood samples, ≥95% of donor LDL was cleared within 24 h and there were no differences in time-averaged plasma concentrations of the two forms of LDL among irradiated and control mice. Aortic values increased markedly within the first hour and thereafter exhibited a slow increase up to 24 h. There were no differences between irradiated and control mice at 1 h, when values primarily reflected LDL entry, but a divergence was observed thereafter. At 24 h, 125I-TC-associated counts were 1.8-fold higher in irradiated mice (P = 0.10). In contrast, 125I-LDL-associated counts were 30% lower in irradiated mice (P < 0.05), suggesting that most of the retained 125I-TC was associated with LDL degradation products. Consistent with the proposed involvement of oxidative or redox-regulated events, IR-induced LDL degradation was lower in SOD-transgenic than wild-type mice (P < 0.05). The importance of LDL oxidation was suggested by observations that IR-induced LDL degradation was significantly reduced by preenriching LDL with α-tocopherol. On the basis of these results, we propose that IR elicits SOD-inhibitable changes in the artery wall that enhance LDL oxidation and degradation leading to the deposition of LDL-borne lipids. These studies provide additional support for the role of oxidation in lipoprotein lipid deposition and atherogenesis and suggest that IR promotes an arterial environment that stimulates this process in vivo.—Tribble, D. L., R. M. Krauss, B. M. Chu, E. L. Gong, B. R. Kullgren, J. O. Nagy, and M. La Belle. Increased low density lipoprotein degradation in aorta of irradiated mice is inhibited by preenrichment of low density lipoprotein with α-tocopherol. J. Lipid Res. 2000. 41: 1666–1672.

Fc receptor mediated endocytosis of small soluble immunoglobulin G immune complexes in Kupffer and endothelial cells from rat liver.

Soluble circulating immunoglobulin G immune complexes are mainly eliminated by the liver, predominantly by uptake in the Kupffer cells, but also the liver endothelial cells seem to be of importance. In the present study we have followed the intracellular turnover of immune complexes after Fc(gamma) receptor mediated endocytosis in cultured rat liver endothelial cells and Kupffer cells by means of isopycnic centrifugation, DAB cross-linking and morphological techniques. For the biochemical experiments the antigen, dinitrophenylated bovine serum albumin (BSA), was labeled with radioiodinated tyramine cellobiose that cannot cross biological membranes and therefore traps labeled degradation products at the site of formation. The endocytic pathway followed by immune complexes was compared with that followed by scavenger receptor ligands, such as formaldehyde treated BSA and dinitrophenylated BSA, and the mannose receptor ligand ovalbumin. Both Kupffer cells and liver endothelial cells took up and degraded the immune complexes, but there was a clear delay in the degradation of immune complexes as compared to degradation of ligands taken up via scavenger receptors. The kinetics of the endocytosis of scavenger receptor ligand was unaffected by simultaneous uptake of immune complexes. Experiments using both biochemical and morphological techniques indicated that the delayed degradation was due to a late arrival of the immune complexes at the lysosomes, which partly was explained by retroendocytosis of immune complexes. Electron microscopy studies revealed that the immune complexes were retained in the early endosomes that remained accessible to other endocytic markers such as ovalbumin. In addition, the immune complexes were seen in multivesicular compartments apparently devoid of other endocytic markers. Finally, the immune complexes were degraded in the same lysosomes as the ligands of scavenger receptors. Thus, immune complexes seem to follow an endocytic pathway that is kinetically or maybe morphologically different from that followed by scavenger and mannose receptor ligands.

Determination of the tissue sites responsible for the catabolism of large high density lipoprotein in the African green monkey

AbstractIn vivo multicompartmental modeling of the turnover of HDL subfractions has suggested that HDL containing four molecules of apoA-I per particle and no other apolipoproteins (large LpA-I) are terminal particles in plasma. We hypothesized that these terminal particles were the end product of HDL metabolism and, as such, would be cleared preferentially by the liver. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine: 1) the tissue sites of catabolism of large LpA-I in African green monkeys, and 2) whether saturated versus n–6 polyunsaturated dietary fat affected tissue accumulation. Large LpA-I were isolated, without ultracentrifugation, by size exclusion and immunoaffinity chromatography and radiolabeled with either the residualizing compound, 125I-labeled tyramine cellobiose (TC), or with 131I. After injection into recipient animals, the plasma die-away of the radiolabels was followed for 12 or 24 h, after which the animals were killed and tissues were collected for determining radiolabel sites of catabolism. The plasma die-away of the 125I-labeled TC-LpA-I and 131I-labeled LpA-I doses was similar suggesting that the TC radiolabeling did not modify the metabolism of the large LpA-I dose. The liver, adrenal, kidney, and spleen had the greatest accumulation of large LpA-I degradation products on a per gram tissue basis. On a whole organ basis, the liver was the major site of large LpA-I degradation in both the 12-h (15.4 ± 0.3% of injected dose) and 24-h (9.1 ± 0.6% of injected dose) catabolic studies. The kidney, compared to the liver, had less uptake of large LpA-I radioactivity in either study (1.3 ± 0.4% and 1.2 ± 0.3% of injected dose). There was no apparent influence of dietary fat type on the tissue accumulation of large LpA-I. We conclude that the liver is the primary site of catabolism of large LpA-I in the African green monkey. —Huggins, K. W., E. R. Burleson, J. K. Sawyer, K. Kelly, L. L. Rudel, and J. S. Parks. Determination of the tissue sites responsible for the catabolism of large high density lipoprotein in the African green monkey. J. Lipid Res. 2000. 41: 384–394.

Radioiodinated antibody targeting of the HER-2/ neu oncoprotein: effects of labeling method on cellular processing and tissue distribution

Monoclonal antibody (MAb) internalization can have a major effect on tumor retention of radiolabel. Two anti-HER-2/ neu MAbs (TA1 and 520C9) were radioiodinated using the iodogen, N-succinimidyl 5-iodo-3-pyridinecarboxylate (SIPC), and tyramine-cellobiose (TCB) methods. Paired-label studies compared internalization and cellular processing of the labeled MAbs by SKOv3 9002-18 ovarian cancer cells in vitro. Intracellular radioiodine activity for 520C9 was up to 2.6 and 3.0 times higher for SIPC and TCB labeling, respectively, compared with iodogen. Likewise, intracellular activity for TA1 was up to 2.3 and 2.9 times higher with the SIPC and TCB methods compared with iodogen labeling. Unfortunately, similar advantages in tumor accumulation were not achieved in athymic mice bearing SKOv3 9008-18 ovarian cancer xenografts.

Fluid phase endocytosis and galactosyl receptor-mediated endocytosis employ different early endosomes

Endocytosis may originate both in coated pits and in uncoated regions of the plasma membrane. In hepatocytes it has been shown that fluid phase endocytosis (here defined as ‘pinocytosis’) is unaffected by treatments that arrest coated pit-mediated endocytosis, indicating that pinocytosis is primarily a clathrin-independent process. In this study we have tried to determine possible connections between pinocytosis and clathrin-dependent endocytosis in rat hepatocytes by means of subcellular fractionation, electron microscopy, and by assessing the influence of inhibitors of clathrin-dependent endocytosis on pinocytosis. As marker for clathrin-dependent endocytosis was used asialoorosomucoid (AOM) labelled with [ 125I]tyramine cellobiose ([ 125I]TC). [ 125I]TC-labelled bovine serum albumin ([ 125I]TC-BSA) was found to be a useful marker for pinocytosis. Its uptake in the cells is not saturable, and any remnants of [ 125I]TC-BSA associated with the cell surface could be removed by incubating the cells with 0.3% pronase at 0°C for 60 min. The data obtained by electron microscopy and by subcellular fractionation suggested that early after initiation of uptake (<15 min) [ 125I]TC-BSA and [ 125I]TC-AOM were present in different endocytic vesicles. The two probes probably join prior to their entrance in the lysosomal compartment. The relation between endocytosis via coated pits and pinocytosis was also studied with techniques that induced a selective density shift either in the clathrin-dependent pathway (by AOM-HRP) or in the pinocytic pathway (by allowing uptake of AuBSA). Both treatments indicated that the two probes ([ 125I]TC-AOM and [ 125I]TC-BSA) were early after uptake, at least partly, in separate endocytic compartments. The different distribution of the fluid phase marker and the ligand (internalised via coated pits) was not due to a difference in the rate at which they enter a later compartment, since a lowering of the incubation temperature to 18°C, which should keep the probes in the early endosomes, did not affect their early density distribution. Incubation of cells in a hypertonic medium reduced uptake both of [ 125I]TC-AOM and [ 125I]TC-BSA; the uptake of [ 125I]TC-AOM was, however, reduced much more than that of the fluid phase marker. This finding supports the notion that the two probes enter the cells via different routes.

Localization of purified surface molecules (lipopolysaccharide and A‐protein) from Aeromonas salmonicida in the kidney and spleen from Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and A‐layer protein purified from Aeromonas salmonicida were administered intravenously in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., either alone or in combination. Tissues from each organ were examined by immunohistochemical techniques, using a polyclonal antiserum against A‐protein and a monoclonal antibody against LPS. When given simultaneously, the antigens seemed to be taken up by different cells in both the head and trunk kidney. The most striking finding was that A‐protein was located in epithelial cells in renal proximal tubules, in contrast to LPS, which was not detected in this location. The amount of A‐protein in the tissue increased with time until 2 h after injection. Autoradiography of SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of head kidney homogenates showed that in vivo processing of A‐protein coupled to iodinated tyramine cellobiose (125I‐TC‐A‐protein) was completed within 24 h, in contrast to LPS, which was maintained in tissues. The findings of the present study suggest that cells of the head kidney of Atlantic salmon are capable of taking up and processing the A‐protein.

Effect of deoxycorticosterone acetate on blood pressure in relation to accumulation of low-density lipoprotein and fibrinogen by aorta and other tissues of normotensive Wistar rats.

To evaluate the effect of different 4-week doses of deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA), together with 0.9% sodium chloride in the drinking water (DOCA-salt) on the blood pressure and on the accumulation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and fibrinogen in artery walls ad other tissues in conscious, unrestrained, normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats. The accumulation of LDL labelled with 125I via the adduct tyramine cellobiose ([125I]-TC-LDL) and of fibrinogen similarly labelled with 131I ([131I]-TC-fibrinogen) was compared in aortic walls, heart, liver, kidney, lung. skeletal muscle, and adrenal gland tissues during the final 24 h of a 4-week administration of DOCA-salt, with vehicle-salt and saline as controls. In control and vehicle rats the blood pressure did not change significantly during the last 5 days of treatment. Administration of DOCA-salt produced a dose-dependent increase in blood pressure during the same period. DOCA-salt administration increased LDL accumulation in the aorta and the heart and decreased LDL accumulation in the adrenal gland compared with those in rats of the control and vehicle groups. DOCA-salt administration did not affect fibrinogen accumulation significantly. DOCA-salt treatment produces an increase in arterial blood pressure accompanied by an increase in LDL accumulation by the aortic wall and heart and a decrease in LDL accumulation by the adrenal gland. These observations raise the possibility that one mechanism by which hypertension affects atherosclerosis is through increased LDL accumulation in arterial walls.

Effect of Captopril and Losartan on Blood Pressure and Accumulation of LDL and Fibrinogen by Aortic Wall and Other Tissues in Normotensive and Hypertensive Rats

Hypertension, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and fibrinogen are risk factors for atherosclerosis. We investigated the effect of reducing blood pressure, by blocking the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), on the accumulation of these atherogenic proteins in arterial walls and other tissues in conscious, unrestrained, normotensive and hypertensive rats. The accumulation of LDL and fibrinogen, labeled respectively with 125I and 131I via the adduct tyramine cellobiose ([125I]-TC-LDL and [131I]-TC-fibrinogen) was compared in aortic walls, heart, lung, skeletal muscle, liver, kidney, and adrenal gland during the final 24 h of treatment with either the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor captopril or the angiotensin II-receptor I (AT1) antagonist losartan. In normotensive rats, the blood pressure was decreased only by losartan. In spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), the blood pressure was decreased by both losartan and captopril. Captopril had no significant effect on the accumulation of LDL or fibrinogen by the aortic wall. Losartan significantly increased the accumulation of LDL by the aortic wall of SHRs. Neither agent produced any change in LDL or fibrinogen accumulation in any of the other tissues. These results indicate that although blocking the RAS at either the enzymic or receptor level produces significant decrease of blood pressure in hypertensive animals, only losartan has any affect on LDL accumulation by the aortic wall.

Receptor-mediated uptake of low-density lipoprotein by B16 melanoma cells in vitro and in vivo in mice.

Selective delivery of cytotoxic anti-neoplastic drugs can diminish the severe side-effects associated with these drugs. Many malignant tumours express high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors on their membranes. Therefore, LDL may be used as a carrier to obtain selective delivery of anti-neoplastic drugs to tumours. The present study was performed to investigate the feasibility of the murine B16 tumour/mouse model for the evaluation of LDL-mediated tumour therapy. LDL binds with high affinity to LDL receptors on cultured B16 cells (Kd, 5.9 +/- 2.3 micrograms ml-1; Bmax 206 +/- 23 ng LDL mg-1 cell protein). After binding and internalisation, LDL was very efficiently degraded: 724 +/- 19 ng LDL mg-1 cell protein h-1. Chloroquine and ammonium chloride completely inhibited the degradation of LDL by the B16 cells, indicating involvement of lysosomes. LDL receptors were down-regulated by 70% after preincubation of B16 cells with 300 micrograms ml-1 LDL, indicating that their expression is regulated by intracellular cholesterol. To evaluate the uptake of LDL by the B16 tumour in vivo, tissue distribution studies were performed in C57/B1 mice inoculated with B16 tumours. For these experiments, LDL was radiolabelled with tyramine cellobiose, a non-degradable label, which is retained in cells after uptake. At 24 h after injection of LDL, the liver, adrenals and the spleen were found to be the major organs involved in LDL uptake, with tissue-serum (T/S) ratios of 0.82 +/- 0.08, 1.17 +/- 0.20 and 0.69 +/- 0.08 respectively. Of all the other tissues, the tumour showed the highest uptake of LDL (T/S ratio of 0.40 +/- 0.07). A large part of the LDL uptake was receptor mediated, as the uptake of methylated LDL was much lower. Although the LDL uptake by the liver, spleen and adrenals is higher than that by the tumour, the LDL receptor-mediated uptake by these organs may be selectively down-regulated by methods that do not affect the expression of LDL receptors on tumour cells. It is concluded that the B16 tumour-bearing mouse constitutes a good model to evaluate the effectiveness of LDL-mediated delivery of cytotoxic (pro)drugs to tumours in vivo.

Phagocytosis by Rat Liver: Relationships between Phagosomes and Lysosomes

To study the transfer of phagocytosed components from phagosomes to lysosomes, we have investigated phagocytosis by rat liver of killed Staphylococcus aureus labelled with 125I tyramine cellobiose. Lysosomes were identified by injecting the animals with Triton WR1339, a non ionic detergent that is endocytosed by the liver and accumulates in lysosomes, causing a marked decrease of their density; that allows these organelles to be well separated from other particles in a density gradient. Bacteria were quickly taken up by the liver; their uptake is followed by a slow degradation as ascertained by the increase of acid-soluble radioactivity in the homogenates with time. Triton WR1339 injection does not affect the uptake and the degradation of the particles. Differential centrifugation of homogenates shows that at any time after injection, most of the radioactivity is recovered in the mitochondrial fractions. Distributions of acid precipitable and acid soluble radioactivities amongst subcellular structures present in mitochondrial fractions were studied by isopycnic centrifugation in sucrose gradients, at increasing times after bacteria injection. Results show that: 1) acid-precipitable radioactivity is quasi-exclusively present in gradient fractions of high density, well separated from the fractions where there are recovered lysosomes; 2) with time, acid-soluble radioactivity is more and more associated with lysosomes, however, a significant proportion can be detected for many hours after injection, in gradient fractions where acid-precipitable radioactivity is located. The most plausible explanation of our observations is that phagocytosed particles are degraded in phagosomes and that the degradation products are delivered to lysosomes, probably by a vesicular process.

Effect of inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis on the uptake of LDL and fibrinogen by arterial walls and other organs of the rat

1. The effects of administering 3 mg ml-1 NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), an inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO), on the uptake of low density lipoprotein (LDL), fibrinogen and blood pressure were determined in conscious, unrestrained, cannulated normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) Wistar rats. 2. The uptake of LDL and fibrinogen, labelled respectively with 125I or 131I via the adduct tyramine cellobiose ([125I]TC-LDL and [131I]TC-fibrinogen), were compared in aortic walls, heart, skeletal muscle, lung, liver, kidney and adrenal during the final 24 h of 6 days' administration of L-NAME in the drinking water. 3. In control normotensive rats, the systolic blood pressure did not change significantly over 6 days, while administration of L-NAME in normotensive rats increased the blood pressure progressively and significantly to about 170 mmHg over the same period. 4. In normotensive rats L-NAME increased significantly the uptake of both LDL and fibrinogen by aortic walls and heart, but not by muscle, lung, liver, kidney and adrenal. 5. The blood pressure in SHR was about 170 mmHg before administration of L-NAME and did not increase significantly after 6 days of treatment. In these rats the uptake of LDL or of fibrinogen was increased only in the heart but not in aortic walls nor in any of the other organs. 6. In normotensive rats the increase in blood pressure caused by inhibition of NO generation was associated with increases in the uptake of the atherogenic plasma proteins LDL and fibrinogen by the wall of the aorta and by the heart but not by the skeletal muscle, lung, liver, kidney and adrenal. The slightly higher blood pressure of SHR treated with L-NAME was not associated with increased uptake of LDL or fibrinogen by aorta nor by any organ except heart. Thus, while in normotensive rats the increase in blood pressure caused by inhibition of NO generation was associated with increase in the uptake of atherogenic plasma proteins LDL and fibrinogen by the wall of the aorta and by the heart, in SHR which showed uptakes similar to the normotensive animals, the non-significant increase in blood pressure induced by inhibition of NO generation was not associated with increased uptake of LDL or fibrinogen in any organ except the heart.7. These results are consistent with effects, demonstrated earlier, of infusing the pressor agents noradrenaline, adrenaline and angiotensin II, which produce increases in uptake of LDL and fibrinogen by aortic wall, whereas this is not so in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Apolipoprotein AI levels are increased in part as a consequence of reduced catabolism in nephrotic rats.

Apolipoprotein AI (apo AI) synthesis, measured as the turnover of 125I-labeled apo AI-labeled high-density lipoprotein (HDL), was increased significantly in rats with Heymann nephritis (HN) vs. control Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. However, fractional apo AI catabolic rate was also significantly less in HN vs. SD. We used 125I-apo AI tyramine cellobiose HDL, a marker retained at the catabolic site, to establish where apo AI catabolism decreased in six HN rats, seven rats with adriamycin (Adria)-induced nephrosis, and six control SD. Total renal apo AI catabolism, plus urinary losses, were the same in all three groups, despite significant urinary apo AI in HN and Adria rats. Apo AI catabolism was reduced in skin in both nephrotic groups, accounting for approximately 44% of reduced in apo AI catabolism. Thus a significant fraction of apo AI is catabolized in skin of normal male rats. Reduced apo AI catabolism in skin contributes to increased plasma levels in nephrotic rats.

Involvement of Early and Late Lysosomes in the Degradation of Mannosylated Ligands by Rat Liver Endothelial Cells

The intracellular transport and degradation of endocytosed mannosylated albumin (Man-BSA) was studied in cell cultures of rat liver endothelial cells by subcellular fractionation, fluorescence microscopy, and electron microscopy. The ligand used for subcellular fractionation experiments was labeled with 125 I-labeled tyramine cellobiose or 131I-labeled tyramine cellobiose. The labeled degradation products are trapped in the degradative compartments and may therefore serve as markers for these compartments. Cell fractionation was performed using Nycodenz gradients. The cell fractionation experiments demonstrated that the ligand sequentially occupied three compartments of increasing density. After 15 min it was mainly found in large cisternal organelles that banded in the gradient at about 1.09 g/ml. These organelles were rab5 positive and showed a peripher distribution in the fluorescence microscope. Degradation of ligand started after 30-60 min and this coincided with its transfer to a electron lucent vesicle with a density of 1.12 g/ml. After >1 h, degradation products started to accumulate in perinuclear, electron-dense lysosomes that banded in the gradient at 1.15 g/ml. The density distribution of lysosomal β-acetylglucosaminidase coincided with the densest organelle. The results obtained show that the degradation of ligand takes place sequentially in two types of lysosomes. The early lysosome is an electron-lucent vesicle of low density, whereas the terminal lysosome is an electron-dense organelle with higher density and a more perinuclear distribution. The main degradation of the ligand takes place in the early lysosome. The transfer of ligand and degradation products from the early to the late lysosome is slow. Texas red-labeled ovalbumin (OVA) coincided with lysosomes labeled with OVA-Bodipy 24 h in advance only after 4-6 h.