Retention of oxidized LDL by extracellular matrix proteoglycans leads to its uptake by macrophages - An alternative approach to study lipoproteins cellular uptake

Interaction between arterial macrophages and oxidized LDL (Ox-LDL) leads to foam cell formation, a critical step during early atherogenesis. Until now , cellular uptake of lipoproteins was studied through incubation of the med ia-soluble lipoprotein with cultured macrophages. However, as lipoproteins in the arterial wall are bound to subendothelial matrix, we questioned whet her the retention (binding) of Ox-LDL to a macrophage-derived extracellular matrix (ECM) could lead to enhanced uptake by macrophages, The uptake of E CM-bound Ox-LDL by activated macrophages (by phorbol myristate acetate) was lipoprotein dose dependent, time dependent and higher (by 1.5-fold) than t he uptake of ECM-bound native LDL. Preincubation of the ECM with lipoprotei n lipase before the addition of Ox-LDL was essential for the uptake of ECM- bound Ox-LDL by the macrophages. After radiolabeling of the ECM glycosamino glycans (GAGs), we found that ECM-bound Ox-LDL is taken up by the macrophag es together with the ECM-GAG. Finally, these results were further confirmed through the use of ECM obtained from mouse peritoneal macrophages (MPMs), derived from atherosclerotic, apoE-deficient mice. in 24-week-old mice with developed atherosclerosis, the GAG content of their MPM-derived ECM increa sed by 52%, the ability of their MPM-derived ECM to bind Ox-LDL increased b y 57%, and macrophage uptake of Ox-LDL that was retained by the MPM-derived ECM increased by 86%. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that E CM-bound Ox-LDL is taken up by activated macrophages. This may represent a physiopathological phenomenon that leads to cholesterol and oxysterol accum ulation in arterial macrophages, the hallmark of early atherosclerosis.