OXIDIZED LOW-DENSITY LIPOPROTEINS IMPAIR PERIPHERAL-BLOOD MONONUCLEARCELL-PROLIFERATION AND CYTOKINE PRODUCTION

Oxidized low density lipoproteins (ox-LDL) are known to behave as phys iological pro-oxidants leading to the formation of intracellular react ive oxygen species. The presence of these altered lipoproteins in the human plasma has been associated with a number of morbid states, inclu ding atherosclerosis and immunodeficiency. Common features of such pat hological conditions seem to be represented by several alterations occ urring in the immune system. In this work we analyze the in vitro effe cts of ox-LDL on both proliferative response and cytokine production o f normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Our results indicate that ox-LDL significantly inhibit proliferative response and modulate cytokine network interfering both at protein secretion and mR NA synthesis level. (C) 1997 Academic Press.