Comparative analysis of foetal calf and human low density lipoprotein: relevance for pharmacodynamics of photosensitizers

The effects of differences in lipoprotein content on the distribution of the novel hydrophobic photosensitizer n-butyl-3-[18-(2-butylcarbamoyl-ethyl)-3,7,12,17-tetramethyl-18,13-divinyl-22,24-dihydro-porphin-2-yl]propionamide (PP-N-3) and haematoporphyrin ester (HpE), a relatively hydrophilic photosensitizer, in human (HS) and foetal calf sera (FCS), were investigated. The binding characteristics of human and foetal calf low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were characterised using a human fibroblast line (Vag 12). The uptake into cells of HpE and PP-N-3 was also examined. A comparison of the lipoprotein content, composition and receptor-binding characteristics of foetal calf and human serum was also carried out. LDL content was measured directly using sequential ultracentrifugation to isolate LDL. In our study, we found haematoporphyrin ester to bind to human very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), LDL and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in the ratio 2:31:65. In the case of PP-N-3 this ratio was 56:10:33. As VLDL was not detected in foetal calf serum, only binding to LDL and HDL was observed. Using the sequential ultracentrifugation technique, foetal calf serum was found to contain LDL which in turn did bind to human LDL receptors. The uptake of PP-N-3 and HpE in the presence of low density lipoprotein from foetal calf serum (FC-LDL) was not significantly different to values observed in the presence of human serum low density lipoprotein (HS-LDL).     

CELLULAR DELIVERY AND RETENTION OF PHOTOFRIN: III. ROLE OF PLASMA PROTEINS IN PHOTOSENSITIZER CLEARANCE FROM CELLS

Abstract— Human plasma proteins, albumin, globulins and low density (LDL), high density (HDL) and very low density (VLDL) lipoproteins were tested for their effects on retention of Photofrin and three other photosensitizers in cultured cells. This was assessed by incubating the cells, subsequent to the exposure to Photofrin, in the photo-sensitizer-free medium containing various concentrations of different plasma proteins. Photofrin clearance levels differed with individual plasma proteins and also were dependent on concentration of these proteins in the incubation medium. All of the proteins except VLDL promoted clearance of Photofrin taken up by the cells in the presence of 5% human serum. Subsequent to some Photofrin exposure conditions (in the presence of 5% fetal bovine serum, or in protein-free medium), albumin, in contrast to LDL, HDL and globulins, exhibited decreased capacity for promoting the photosensitizer clearance from the cells. The VLDL showed very little or no effect in promoting cellular clearance of Photofrin, tetraphenyl porphine tetrasulfonate (TPPS₄), and di- and tetrasulfonated chloroaluminum phthalocy-anine (AlPcS₂ and AlPcS₄, respectively). The LDL seem to be particularly effective in promoting clearance of Photofrin and AlPcS₂ from the cells, whereas albumin and globulins were shown to be more effective than LDL and HDL in promoting the cellular clearance of TPPS₄.     

Isolation of plasma lipoproteins by a combination of differential and density gradient ultracentrifugation

Summary A method for preparative isolation of serum lipoproteins by a combination of differential and density gradient ultracentrifugation is presented. Total plasma lipoproteins are first isolated in a concentrated form by ultracentrifugation in a fixed angle rotor at a plasma background density of 1.21 kg/l. Subsequently, the various lipoprotein classes are separated by density gradient ultracentrifugation in a swinging bucket rotor. The procedure requires only two ultracentrifugation steps and combines advantages of both ultracentrifugation techniques.

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Isolierung von Plasmalipoproteinen durch eine Kombination von Differential- und Dichtegradient-Ultrazentrifugation

Abbreviations VLDL very low density lipoproteins - LDL low density lipoproteins - HDL high density lipoproteins - VHDL very high density lipoproteins     

Secretion of lipid-poor nascent human apolipoprotein apoAI, apoCIII, and apoE by cell clones expressing the corresponding genes

The human apolipoprotein apoAI, apoCIII, and apoE genes were placed under the control of the mouse metallothionein 1 promoter in a bovine papilloma virus vector that also contained the human metallothionein 1A gene. Following transfection of mouse C127 cells with the expression vector, cell clones resistant to Cd2+ were selected and found to express in high abundance specific apolipoprotein genes. Individual cell clones expressing apoAI, apoCIII, or apoE genes were used further to study the isoprotein composition and the flotation properties of the corresponding nascent apolipoproteins. It was found that the lipoproteins secreted by cell clones expressing the apoAI, apoCIII, and apoE genes consisted of the proapoAI disialylated form of apoCIII (apoCIIIS2) and mainly sialylated forms of apoE. Separation of the secreted apolipoproteins by density gradient ultracentrifugation resulted in limited flotation of nascent apoAI, apoE and apoCIII in the high density lipoprotein (HDL) fraction. Similar analysis in the presence of human serum increased the flotation of apoAI, apoE, and apoCIII to 6.5-, 4.5-, and 5.5-fold, respectively, and resulted in their redistribution to various lipoprotein fractions. HDL increased the flotation of apoAI to 12-fold and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) increased the flotation of apoCIII and apoE to 6.5- and 5.5-fold, respectively. These findings suggest that in the cell system used, the majority of nascent apoAI, apoCIII and apoE is secreted in the lipid-poor form, which then associates extracellularly with preexisting lipoproteins.     

液相色谱-串联质谱法检测人血浆及脂蛋白唾液酸的含量

建立了液相色谱-串联质谱(LC-MS/MS)检测人血浆脂蛋白唾液酸的方法,并比较了糖尿病患者与健康人血浆脂蛋白唾液酸的差异。采用pH=2的醋酸水解唾液酸,高速离心后采用优化的条件进行LC-MS/MS分析。结果表明:在负离子模式下,唾液酸的检出限和定量限分别为7.4和24.5 pg。唾液酸在2.5~80 ng/mL范围内呈良好的线性关系,相关系数R²大于0.998。糖尿病患者(平均年龄51.6岁)和健康人(平均年龄50.7岁)血浆中唾液酸的含量分别为(548.3±88.9)和(415.3±55.5)mg/L;两组实验人群中极低密度脂蛋白、低密度脂蛋白和高密度脂蛋白唾液酸的含量分别为(4.91±0.19)、(6.95±0.28)、(3.61±0.22)μg/mg和(2.90±0.27)、(7.03±0.04)、(2.40±0.09)μg/mg。糖尿病患者极低密度脂蛋白和高密度脂蛋白唾液酸含量显著高于同龄健康人水平(P<0.01)。该法可快速检测血浆中脂蛋白唾液酸含量,省时省力。     

人血清脂蛋白与胆固醇修饰的葡聚糖的相互作用

采用浊度法和高效液相色谱法研究了人血清低密度脂蛋白（LDL）和极低密度脂蛋白（VLDL）与胆固醇修饰的葡聚糖（CHD）的相互作用。浊度法研究结果表明，CHD与VLDL混合溶液的浊度大于CHD与LDL混俣溶液的浊度。CHD浓度和CHD链上胆固醇含量都对溶液的浊度产生影响。当CHD浓度为0．3mg/mL，CHD链上胆固醇含量为4个／100个糖环时，混合溶液的浊度可达到最大值，表明LDL或VLDL要的程度最大。Ca^2 对CHD与LDL或VLDL的相互作用没有影响。高效液相色谱的研究结果表明，CHD与LDL的结合使得复合物分子量增加；CHD分子量增大，复合物分子量也增加；当葡聚糖上胆固醇含量为4．0时，复合物分子量最大。实验结果表明，CHD能引起LDL或VLDL的自聚集。     

Analytical capillary isotachophoresis: a routine technique for the analysis of lipoproteins and lipoprotein subfractions in whole serum

A capillary isotachophoretic separation technique was developed for lipoproteins in native serum which, compared with previous electrophoretic techniques, has negligible molecular sieve effects, does not need gel casting, is suitable for whole serum and has a high discriminative power for lipoprotein subfractions. The technique is based on pre-staining whole serum lipoproteins for 30 min at 4 degrees C before separation of 0.5 microliter of the sample in a free-flow capillary system (0.5 mm I.D.) with discontinuous buffer system. In normolipidaemic sera, high-density (HDL) and low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) are separated into two major subpopulations according to their net electric mobility. The identification of these fractions was confirmed by substitution with ultracentrifugally isolated lipoproteins and by their complete absence from Tangier and abetalipoproteinaemic serum. Triglyceride-rich very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) revealed a defined zone between the HDL and LDL subpopulations. Our preliminary results indicate that the separation of human whole serum lipoproteins by capillary isotachophoresis is a promising method for the determination of lipoprotein subfractions.     

Analysis of lipoproteins with analytical capillary isotachophoresis

An analytical free flow capillary isotachophoresis procedure, with a discontinuous electrolyte system, for the detailed analysis of lipoproteins in human body fluids has been developed. The technique is based on prestaining whole serum lipoproteins with a lipophilic dye before separation. Human serum lipoproteins are separated into 14 well-characterized subfractions according to their electrophoretic mobility. High density lipoproteins (fraction 1 to 6) are separated into three major subpopulations, the fast migrating high density lipoprotein (HDL) subpopulation, containing mainly apo AI and phosphatidylcholine, the subpopulation with intermediate mobility, consisting of particles rich in apo AII, apo E, and C apolipoproteins, and the slowly migrating HDL subfraction, containing mainly particles rich in apo AI, apo AIV, and lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity. The apo B containing lipoproteins (fraction 7 to 14) can be subdivided into four major functional groups. The first represents chylomicron derived particles and large triglyceride-rich very low density lipoproteins (VLDL). The second group consists of small VLDL and intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL) particles, anf the third and fourth group represent the low density lipoproteins. The isotachophoretic analysis of human serum samples obtained from patients with hyperlipoproteinemias is compatible with the classification according to the Frederickson phenotypes and reflects the respective biochemical abnormalities. Furthermore, several genetic disorders of lipid and lipoprotein metabolism like HDL deficiency syndromes, familial LCAT deficiency, Fish eye disease, hypobetalipoproteinemia and abetalipoproteinemia can be well characterized by analytical capillary iso tachophoresis. In addition to patient analysis we investigated the influence of lipid lowering drugs on the lipoprotein subfraction distribution during therapy with analytical capillary isotachophoresis.     

Serum amyloid A protein in very low density--and high density lipoproteins during the course of acute myocardial infarction

In a preceding paper we reported on the detection and characterization of human serum amyloid A protein (SAA) in very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and high density lipoproteins (HDL) of patients after acute myocardial infarction. Here we describe the time course of the occurrence of SAA in VLDL and HDL in the postinfarction period. SAA reached its maximum in VLDL and HDL approximately 53 h after the acute event. At the peak of the acute-phase response, SAA comprised as much as 38% of the total apoproteins of VLDL and HDL. SAA appeared at the same points in time and with nearly the same concentrations in VLDL and HDL. We conclude that SAA is not exchanged in plasma between lipoproteins of different densities and that this protein is secreted on its own by hepatocytes and not as a part of an already constituted lipoprotein particle.     

Softness of atherogenic lipoproteins: a comparison of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) using elastic incoherent neutron scattering (EINS)

Apolipoprotein B100 (apoB100)-containing plasma lipoproteins (LDL and VLDL) supply tissues and cells with cholesterol and fat. During lipolytic conversion from VLDL to LDL the size and chemical composition of the particles change, but the apoB100 molecule remains bound to the lipids and regulates the receptor mediated uptake. The molecular physical parameters which control lipoprotein remodeling and enable particle stabilization by apoB100 are largely unknown. Here, we have compared the molecular dynamics and elasticities of VLDL and LDL derived by elastic neutron scattering temperature scans. We have determined thermal motions, dynamical transitions, and molecular fluctuations, which reflect the temperature-dependent motional coupling between lipid and protein. Our results revealed that lipoprotein particles are extremely soft and flexible. We found substantial differences in the molecular resiliences of lipoproteins, especially at higher temperatures. These discrepancies not only can be explained in terms of lipid composition and mobility but also suggest that apoB100 displays different dynamics dependent on the lipoprotein it is bound to. Hence, we suppose that the inherent conformational flexibility of apoB100 permits particle stabilization upon lipid exchange, whereas the dynamic coupling between protein and lipids might be a key determinant for lipoprotein conversion and atherogenicity.     

Electrophoretic behavior and partial characterization of disease-associated serum forms of gamma-glutamyltransferase

We have recently devised an improved procedure for the rapid electrophoretic separation of multiple forms of serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT). This procedure is based on the separation on cellulose acetate strips, usually employed for lipoprotein electrophoresis, followed by visualization with a fluorescent reagent. The method is highly sensitive and the fractions are more clearly resolved than with other procedures. Reference intervals have been evaluated in the sera from 142 healthy subjects and the patterns (two GGT forms comigrating with alpha 1 and alpha 2-globulin) are reproducible. In 150 sera from patients with various hepatobiliary diseases (including neoplasias), acute pancreatitis and non liver-involving neoplasias, we observed some disease-specific GGT forms: an albumin comigrating enzyme (Alb-GGT) specific of liver neoplasia; a gamma-globulin comigrating GGT (gamma-GGT) and a nonmigrating isoform (dep-GGT) both specifically associated to extrahepatic jaundice. Multiple lipoprotein fraction precipitation showed that beta-, gamma- and dep-GGT are complexes between GGT and low density lipoprotein and very low density lipoproteins (LDL + VLDL), and that some of the alpha 1-GGT from cirrhotic patients is a complex between GGT and high density lipoprotein (HDL). GGT fractions from normal subjects and Alb-GGT from patients with liver neoplasia do not appear to be complexed with lipoproteins.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Discontinuous polyacrylamide gel-agarose gel immunoelectrophoresis for analysis of plasma lipoproteins

A modification of crossed immunoelectrophoresis for the analysis of plasma lipoproteins is described and is called polyacrylamide gel-crossed immunoelectrophoresis. The incorporation of albumin in the first-dimensional gel facilitates the transfer of the larger lipoproteins containing apolipoprotein B from the first-dimensional gel to the second dimension. Furthermore, under this condition the quantitation of total apolipoprotein B by polyacrylamide gel-crossed immunoelectrophoresis is in good agreement with the results obtained by rocket immunoelectrophoresis or nephelometry. The correlation between polyacrylamide gel-crossed immunoelectrophoresis and rocket immunoelectrophoresis is good for total apolipoprotein B (p greater than 0.001) and apolipoprotein A-I (p greater than 0.001). Polyacrylamide gel-crossed immunoelectrophoresis also offers interesting aspects to study the plasma lipoprotein classes and subclasses in different cases: normal plasma, current and complex dyslipoproteinemias in the presence or absence of lipoprotein small a. In a case of dyslipoproteinemia of Fredrickson's Type V polyacrylamide gel-crossed immunoelectrophoresis demonstrates the presence of a small-sized Lp (a) major peak in the low density lipoprotein (LDL) zone and of a large-sized Lp (a) minor peak in the very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) zone.     

Anomalous change of viscosity and conductivity in blood plasma lipoproteins in the physiological temperature range

Study on temperature dependencies of viscosity (η) and conductivity (σ) of blood lipoproteins [high‐density lipoprotein (HDL), low‐density lipoprotein (LDL), and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL)] and A‐I apolipoprotein (human and rats) has revealed the presence of the anomalous region at temperature 35–38±0.5°C (T_c). Transition width is 2°C. Viscous flow enthalpy, activation energy (ΔH), and transition enthalpy (ΔH_trans.) as well as thermal coefficients Δη/ΔT and Δσ/ΔT on either side of T_c have been calculated. Transition heat is very low in human HDL, VLDL and apoA‐I, and in LDL it is higher by a factor of 4–5. Some mechanisms of the cortisol interaction with HDL and apoA‐I have been studied by infrared (IR) spectroscopy and conductometry. The hormone has been found to strengthen the tangle → α‐helixes and tangle → β‐structures transitions and increase the ordering of lipids. Therewith, ΔH_trans. rises markedly (13 and more times), and at the same time the anomalous region is shifted by 1–2°C in apoA‐I. The anomalous change of viscosity and conductivity in the physiological temperature range for all lipoprotein fractions and apoA‐I seems to be due to the structural phase transition in both proteins and lipids. In view of the heat capacity jump and a low value of ΔH_trans. in human HDL, one may assume the phospholipids of these particles to exhibit the orientation transition of smectic A↔C type, which is assigned to the second type of phase transition. The structural transition into apoA‐I is likely to contain the elements of phase transition of the first and second types. In human and rat VLDL, the smectic → cholesteric phase transition seems to occur. Enthalpy of viscous flow and structural transition in VLDL is higher for rats than for human. The pH shift of the medium to the neutral region (pH 6.1) results in shifting the anomalous region by 1–2°C. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 81: 348–369, 2001     

THE EFFECTS OF PLASMA LIPOPROTEINS ON in vitro TUMOR CELL KILLING and in vivo TUMOR PHOTOSENSITIZATION WITH BENZOPORPHYRIN DERIVATIVE

The influence of lipoprotein association on in vitro tumor cell killing and in vivo tumor photosensitization with benzoporphyrin derivative (BPD) has been investigated in M-1 tumor bearing mice. The association of benzoporphyrin mono acid ring A with either low or high density lipoprotein increased tumor cell killing in an in vivo/in vitro cytotoxicity assay performed 3 h post intravenous drug administration. Eight hours following photosensitizer injection only low density lipoprotein (LDL) mixtures produced significant (P less than or equal to 0.005) increases in tumor cell killing compared to BPD in unfractionated plasma. The efficacy of in vivo photosensitization in the presence of lipoproteins correlated with the in vivo/in vitro cytotoxicity. Association of BPD with low or high density lipoproteins resulted in delayed tumor regrowth and higher cure rates when light exposure (125J/cm2) was performed 3 h post drug administration. When light exposure was performed 8 h post-injection only LDL-BPD mixtures led to enhanced tumor eradication compared to BPD administered in aqueous solution or unfractionated plasma.     

Comparison of gel permeation chromatography, density gradient ultracentrifugation and precipitation methods for quantitation of very-low-, low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Human VLDL, LDL and HDL (very-low-, low-, and high-density lipoproteins) were isolated from plasma by gel permeation chromatography with one pre-ultracentrifugation step. The column effluent was monitored at 280 nm. The cholesterol content of the fractions correlated well with fractions from sequential ultracentrifugation (VLDL, r = 0.839; LDL, r = 0.924; HDL, r = 0.766) or precipitation (LDL, r = 0.975; HDL, r = 0.972) methods. The average triglyceride, phospholipid and protein compositions of the separated lipoprotein fractions were close to those of the ultracentrifugally isolated fractions reported previously. Apolipoproteins A1 and B were determined from fractions to confirm the right distribution between different lipoproteins.     

Analysis of Fatty Acid, and Lipoprotein, Metabolism by GC and HPLC: Effect of Low-Density Lipoprotein Apheresis

 Blood samples from 5 hyperlipidemic patients on chronic treatment with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) – apheresis were analysed for lipids and fatty acids in serum, lipoprotein fractions and erythrocyte membrane by capillary gas chromatography (GC), reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (LC), spectrofluorometry and spectrophotometry. LDL-apheresis has been associated with significant changes of fatty acids metabolism in relation to triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. Oleic acid may exert its hypotriglyceridemic effect via VLDL, IDL, LDL and HDL fractions. Polyunsaturated fatty acids, associated with triglyceride metabolism via IDL or VLDL, are linoleic, gamma-linolenic and docosahexaenoic fatty acids. Received November 25, 1999. Revision September 5, 2000.     

Reconstituted low density lipoprotein: a vehicle for the delivery of hydrophobic fluorescent probes to cells.

Previous studies have shown that the cholesteryl ester core of plasma low density lipoprotein (LDL) can be extracted with heptane and replaced with a variety of hydrophobic molecules. In the present report we use this reconstitution technique to incorporate two fluorescent probes, 3-pyrenemethyl-23, 24-dinor-5-cholen-22-oate-3 beta-yl oleate (PMCA oleate) and dioleyl fluorescein, into heptane-extracted LDL. Both fluorescent lipoprotein preparations were shown to be useful probes for visualizing the receptor-mediated endocytosis of LDL in cultured human fibroblasts. When normal fibroblasts were incubated at 37 degrees C with either of the fluorescent LDL preparations, fluorescent granules accumulated in the perinuclear region of the cell. In contrast, fibroblasts from patients with the homozygous form of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) that lack functional LDL receptors did not accumulate visible fluorescent granules when incubated with the fluorescent reconstituted LDL. A fluorescence-activated cell sorter was used to quantify the fluorescence intensity of individual cells that had been incubated with LDL reconstituted with dioleyl fluorescein. With this technique a population of normal fibroblasts could be distinguished from a population of FH fibroblasts. The current studies demonstrate the feasibility of using fluorescent reconstituted LDL in conjunction with the cell sorter to isolate mutant cells lacking functional LDL receptors.     

Mutations affecting the binding, internalization, and lysosomal hydrolysis of low density lipoprotein in cultured human fibroblasts, lymphocytes, and aortic smooth muscle cells.

Studies comparing the metabolism of low density lipoprotein (LDL) in normal cells and in cells cultured from patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia have disclosed the existence of a receptor for plasma LDL. This receptor has been identified on the surface of human fibroblasts, lymphocytes, and aortic smooth muscle cells. An extension of these studies to cell strains derived from patients with other single gene defects in cholesterol metabolism has provided additional insight into the normal mechanisms by which cells regulate their cholesterol content and how alterations in these genetic control mechanisms may predispose to atherosclerosis in man.     

THE EFFECTS OF LOW DENSITY LIPOPROTEINS ON UPTAKE OF PHOTOFRIN II

The cellular uptake of Photofrin II (PII) was studied using fluorescence imaging and chemical extraction. The influence of serum and low density lipoproteins (LDL) was examined under a variety of experimental conditions employing cultured human cells of different origins as well as a subcutaneously SMT-F tumor implanted in mice. Results showed that serum inhibited PII uptake. In general, LDL also inhibits PII uptake with the exception of an initial increase in the first 10-30 min when the cellular concentration of PII was measured by fluorescence imaging instead of chemical extraction. Our results suggest a possible de-aggregation process occurring upon internalization or binding of PII to LDL.     

Synthesis, cellular uptake of, and cell photosensitization by a porphyrin bearing a quinoline group

A tetraphenyl porphine linked to a 7-chloroquinoline (5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-1-3-[4-(4-aminobutyl)7-chloroquinoline] propioamidoporphine, TPPQ) was synthesized and examined as a potential photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy (PDT) of proliferative diseases. With respect to haematoporphyrin, TPPQ is a good in vitro photodynamic sensitizer producing singlet oxygen in 1% Triton X100 solutions. As with other hydrophobic porphyrins used in PDT, blood lipoproteins strongly bind TPPQ. Thus one low density lipoprotein (LDL) can incorporate 25 TPPQ molecules and 17 TPPQ molecules are taken up by one high density lipoprotein (HDL). Cell delivery of TPPQ using HDL or human serum albumin (HSA) as carrier is rather weak. However, an efficient TPPQ delivery to human skin fibroblasts is observed, partly aided by receptor-mediated endocytosis of LDL. Fluorescence spectroscopy shows that the cellular localization of TPPQ is both carrier and time dependent. During its delivery with LDL, TPPQ does not significantly impair the endocytosis of LDL-receptor complexes. After delivery with LDL, TPPQ is as efficient as other haematoporphyrin derivatives used in the PDT of cancers in photosensitizing human skin fibroblasts.