Identification and characterization of the endothelial cell surface lipoprotein lipase receptor

Release of lipoprotein lipase from cardiac myocytes by low-molecular weight heparin

Incubation of cardiac myocytes from rat heart with low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH; Mr approx. 3 kDa) for 30 min resulted in a concentration-dependent release of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity into the incubation medium. The release of lipoprotein lipase from cardiac myocytes isolated from both control and diabetic rat hearts induced by LMWH (10 micrograms/mL) following incubation times of 10 or 30 min was significantly greater than that produced by unfractionated heparin (10 and 30 micrograms/mL) or decavanadate (1 mM). Since LMWH released more LPL activity into the incubation medium than unfractionated heparin following a short (10 min) incubation time. LMWH is probably more effective in displacing LPL bound to heparan sulfate proteoglycan binding sites on the cell surface of cardiac myocytes.

Lipoprotein lipase-mediated lipolysis of very low density lipoproteins increases monocyte adhesion to aortic endothelial cells

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) bound to vascular endothelial cells hydrolyses triglycerides in plasma lipoproteins. To explore the role of LPL in atherogenesis, the effect of LPL-mediated lipolysis of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) on monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells was examined. Adhesion of U937 monocytes to porcine aortic endothelial cells that were incubated with VLDL and purified bovine milk LPL was markedly higher than endothelial cells that were incubated with VLDL alone. The increase in monocyte adhesion obtained with VLDL was dependent on the concentration of the lipoprotein, monocyte dose and time of incubation. The increase in adhesion correlated with generation of free fatty acids from the hydrolysis of triglycerides in VLDL by LPL. Furthermore, direct addition of oleic acid to endothelial cells also increased adhesion of monocytes. We postulate that LPL-derived lipolytic products increase monocyte adhesion to vascular endothelium and thereby promote atherogenesis.

Polarized binding of lipoprotein lipase to endothelial cells. Implications for its physiological actions

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) that is associated with the luminal surface of capillary endothelial cells hydrolyzes circulating lipoprotein triglyceride molecules. Because LPL is synthesized by cells on the abluminal side of endothelial cells, LPL must contact both the abluminal as well as the luminal sides of the endothelium. To determine whether LPL interacts identically with apical (luminal) and basolateral (abluminal) sides of endothelial cells, we investigated binding, transport, and cellular uptake of LPL presented to each side of bovine aortic endothelial cell monolayers grown on semipermeable filters. When LPL was included in the medium on either the apical or basolateral side of the cells, a similar amount of LPL was found in the medium on the opposite side of the cells. Heat-inactivated LPL crossed the monolayers more rapidly in both directions. When cell surface LPL was assessed, more LPL bound to the apical than the basolateral endothelial cell surface. Release of cell surface-associated LPL was assessed with the use of heparin. Less heparin was required to dissociate apical-surface LPL. When LPL (4 micrograms/ml) was in contact with the apical surface for 1 hour, 32.8 +/- 4.9 ng LPL per 24-mm filter were internalized by the cells. If the LPL was in the basolateral medium, only 6 +/- 1.8 ng LPL were found inside the cells. Heat inactivation decreased LPL binding to cell surfaces and internalization by the cells. LPL interactions with the cells were also studied morphologically by using Texas Red (TR)-labeled LPL and confocal microscopy. More TR-LPL was associated with and internalized by the apical endothelial surface. Incubation of cells with TR-LPL in the basolateral medium led to accumulation of LPL on the apical surface, suggesting that the LPL was transported across the cells. Inclusion of TR-LPL on the apical surface did not lead to appreciable accumulation of LPL on the basolateral cell surface. Therefore, endothelial cells are polarized to accumulate LPL on the apical surface. In addition, more LPL is internalized from this side of the cells. We postulate that the polarity of endothelial cells allows LPL to collect at its physiological site of action, i.e., on the luminal surface.

Lipoprotein lipase: recent contributions from molecular biology

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is a glycoprotein enzyme that is produced in several cells and tissues. LPL belongs to a large lipase gene family that includes, among others, hepatic lipase and pancreatic lipase. After secretion, LPL becomes anchored on the luminal surface of the capillary endothelial cells. There it hydrolyzes triglycerides in triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, generating free fatty acids that can serve either as a direct energy source or can be stored. Through this action LPL plays a pivotal role both in energy and in lipoprotein metabolism. LPL production is regulated in a tissue-specific fashion by developmental, hormonal, and nutritional factors. The recent availability of the regulatory sequences of the LPL gene will greatly facilitate these regulatory studies in the future. In man, several mutations resulting in familial LPL deficiency have been delineated at a molecular level. The study of these mutations is not only very beneficial from a clinical point of view but also contributes in a major way to our understanding of the structure-function relationship of LPL and other lipases. In this review major attention is given to molecular studies relating to the regulation of LPL production, to the defects underlying LPL deficiency, and to structure-function relationship of the lipases.