Lipoprotein-mediated transfer of 2,4,5,2',4',5'-hexachlorobiphenyl into cultured human cells

Cellular uptake of lipoproteins and persistent organic compounds--an update and new data

There are a number of interactions related to the transport of lipophilic xenobiotic compounds in the blood stream of mammals. This paper will focus on the interactions between lipoproteins and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and how these particles are taken up by cells. A number of POPs including the pesticide p,p'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), and especially its metabolite p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethene (DDE), interacts with nuclear hormone receptors causing these to malfunction, which in turn results in a range of deleterious health effects in humans. The aim of the present study was to determine the role of lipoprotein receptors in mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells in conjunction with uptake of DDT-lipoprotein complexes from supplemented media in vitro. Uptake of DDT by MEF cells was investigated using MEF1 cells carrying the receptors low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) present and MEF4 cells with no LRP and LDLR expression. Cells were incubated together with the complex of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and [(14)C]DDT. The receptor function was further evaluated by adding the 40kDa receptor-associated protein (RAP) which blocks receptor activity. The results showed that [(14)C]DDT uptake was decreasing when the LDL concentration was increasing. There was no strong evidence for a receptor-mediated uptake of the [(14)C]DDT-lipoprotein complex. To conclude, DDT travels in the blood stream and can cross cell membranes while being transported as a DDT-lipoprotein complex. The lipoproteins do not need receptors to cross cell membranes since passive diffusion constitutes a major passageway.

The use of 2,4,5,2',4',5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (6-CB) as an unmetabolizable lipophilic model compound

2,4,5,2',4'5'-Hexachlorobiphenyl (6-CB)--a polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congener resistant to metabolism in most species--has become a major residue in the biosphere including human adipose tissue. Its use as a model of unmetabolizable lipophilic compounds and as a tool in toxicokinetics in the last two decades is reviewed. This extremely water-insoluble compound is transported in plasma by albumin and lipoproteins. Binding to these plasma proteins appears to be important for uptake and release processes in different tissues. The redistribution kinetics of 6-CB as well as its pronounced adipose tissue storage and a very slow excretion with the faeces has been established in long-term animal studies. Excretion is strongly influenced by an increasing or diminishing adipose storage compartment size. Other minor pathways of elimination, e.g., via hair, become also important in the absence of metabolism and renal excretion. 6-CB has revealed the possibility of an almost quantitative transfer of the maternal body burden to the offspring via milk. The use of 6-CB in studies with tissue preparations in vitro is providing insight into transport mechanisms of uptake and release.

Transport of organochlorine residues in the rat and human blood

Organochlorine residues (OCR)2 are poorly soluble in water and are transported in the organism bound by the blood components. The distribution among blood fractions (cells/plasma, lipoproteins/rest of plasma proteins) were variable depending on the residue (HCB, p p'-DDE, HCH, Aroclor 1260, PCP) and on the species (rat, man). Differences were not found between in vivo (after oral single dosing) and in vitro (blood incubation) experiments. Results indicated a high affinity of organochlorine residues for lipoproteins; however, binding to blood carriers was very weak as demonstrated by the rapid release of residues by elution through a reverse phase column. The effects of residue binding to blood components on the distribution kinetics to tissues are discussed.

Photo-induced formation of DNA adducts of 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl in cultured human cells

Association of the PCB congener 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (6-CB) with cell nuclei has been studied in cultured monolayer human Chang liver cells. Photo-induced formation of covalent bonds determined 6-CB binding to protein of cell nuclei and to DNA. Nuclear binding of 6-CB approached equilibrium after approximately 30 min of incubation. Photo-induced binding in vitro to purified Chang liver cell DNA substantiated direct interaction of the PCB congener with DNA. In monolayer cells, low levels of photo-induced 6-CB DNA adducts could be detected using the very sensitive 32P-postlabeling method. Adduct formation was dependent on 6-CB concentration as well as on incubation time. Highest adduct levels were in the range of 2 X 10(-8). Model reactions in vitro showed photo-induced binding of 6-CB to individual purine deoxyribonucleotide-3'-phosphates. The results demonstrate rapid intracellular movement of the PCB congener into the cell nucleus. The vast majority is associated with nuclear protein, minute amounts of 6-CB are found proximate to the DNA helix as evidenced by photo-induced adducts of purine nucleotides.