Modulation of low-density lipoprotein-induced inhibition of intercellular communication by antioxidants and high-density lipoproteins.
In order to study the capacity of antioxidants and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) to modulate the effects of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) on intercellular communication, arterial smooth muscle cells and a dye transfer method were used. LDL, in contrast to HDL, inhibited the communication between arterial smooth muscle cells from human umbilical cord and thoracic aorta in a dose-dependent manner. LDL, which can be oxidized, as detected by the lipid-peroxidation assay and gel electrophoresis, did not influence cell-cell communication in the presence of the antioxidants butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), alpha-tocopherol and glutathione. The results suggest that LDL must undergo oxidative modification before it can influence intercellular communication. Like antioxidants, HDL diminished the LDL-induced inhibition of cell-cell communication. This study suggests that the modulation of gap-junctional communication by the balance of HDL and LDL in plasma may influence atherogenesis.
Department of Toxicology, Agricultural University, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
R M
RM
Zwijsen
L H
LH
de Haan
J A
JA
Kuivenhoven
I C
IC
Nusselder
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000209:etiology; D002084:Butylated Hydroxytoluene / Q000494:pharmacology; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000494:pharmacology
D000975:Antioxidants; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D014810:Vitamin E; D002084:Butylated Hydroxytoluene