BENZOPORPHYRIN DERIVATIVE DECREASES THE BINDING OF LOW-DENSITY-LIPOPROTEIN TO THE GLYCOSAMINOGLYCAN CHONDROITIN-6-SULFATE IN-VITRO

We have investigated the effect of the hydrophobic photosensitizer (PS ), benzoporphyrin derivative (BPD), on low density lipoprotein (LDL) b inding to the glycosaminoglycan (GAG), chondroitin-6-sulfate (C-6-S) i n vitro. Agarose electrophoresis of the BPD-LDL complexes indicated th at ratios of 50 ng BPD per mu g LDL protein and above displayed increa sed net negative charge. Ratios less than 10 ng BPD per mu g LDL prote in slightly increased the association of the LDL with the C-6-S. Ratio s of 10 ng BPD per mu g LDL protein and greater decreased the associat ion between LDL and GAG in a BPD concentration dependent manner. Since the retention of LDL by the extracellular matrix (ECM) GAG in the art ery wall is a key event in atherogenesis, the reported effects of BPD on LDL binding to C-6-S may be of interest.