Role of VLDL Receptor in the Process of Foam Cell Formation

• Published in: Journal of Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Medical sciences 2004, Vol.24 (1), p.1-4
• Main Author: 屈伸 吴凡 田俊 李映红 王燕 王宇哲 宗义强
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Arteriosclerosis - metabolism; Arteriosclerosis - pathology; Cells, Cultured; Cholesterol, LDL - metabolism; Cholesterol, LDL - pharmacology; Female; Foam Cells - cytology; Foam Cells - metabolism; Lipoproteins, VLDL - pharmacology; Macrophages, Peritoneal - cytology; Macrophages, Peritoneal - metabolism; Mice; Receptors, LDL - metabolism; Triglycerides - metabolism; 低密度脂蛋白受体; 动脉粥样硬化; 巨噬细胞; 总胆固醇; 泡沫细胞; 甘油三脂; 细胞培养
• ISSN: 1672-0733; 1993-1352

The role of very low density lipoprotein receptor (LVLDR) in the process of foam cellformation was investigated. After the primary cultured mouse peritoneal macrophages were incubated with VLDL.β-VLDL or low density lipoprotein (LDL), respectively for 24 h and 48 h, foamcells formation was identified by oil red O staining and cellular contents of triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) were determined. The mRNA levels of LDLR, LDLR related protein (LRP)and VLDLR were detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The results demonstrated that VLDL, β-VLDL and LDL could increase the contents of TG and TC in macrophages. Cells treated with VLDL or β-VLDL showed markedly increased expression of VLDLR and decreased expression of LDLR, whereas LRP was up-regulated slightly. For identifying the effect of VLDL receptor on cellular lipid accumulation, ldl-A7-VR cells, which expresses VLDLR and trace amount of LRP with out functional LDLR, was used to incubate with lipoproteins for further examination. The results elucidated that the uptake of triglyceride-rich lipoprotein mediated by VLDLR plays an important role in accumulation of lipid and the formation of foam cells.