Journal of Lipid Research, Vol. 7, 132-140, January 1966
Copyright © 1966 by Lipid Research, Inc.

Effect of cholesterol in suspension on the incorporation of phosphate into phospholipid by macrophages in vitro

A. J. Day , N. H. Fidge , and G. N. Wilkinson

Department of Human Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Adelaide, and Division of Mathematical Statistics, C.S.I.R.O., Adelaide, South Australia

Macrophages obtained from the peritoneal cavity of rabbits were incubated with phosphate-³²P in order to investigate the synthesis of phospholipid by these cells. After 6 hr of incubation 0.25% of the phosphate added to the medium had been incorporated into phospholipid by the macrophages, mainly into lecithin and sphingomyelin, but partly also into phosphatidyl ethanolamine and inositol phosphatide.

The addition of cholesterol to the macrophage suspensions increased the rate of incorporation by 20% with 1 mg of cholesterol added, and 44% with 2.5 mg added. The increase was similar for all the phospholipid fractions, and was not accompanied by any increase in oxygen uptake by the cells. The addition of carbon particles (as a specific check for phagocytic effects) had only a small effect on the rate of incorporation.

The data provide support for the concept that cholesterol stimulates phospholipid synthesis by similar cells in the arterial wall during atherogenesis.

Supplementary key words phosphate-³²P • incorporation • phospholipid • biosynthesis • macrophages • rabbit • cholesterol • carbon • suspension • oxygen uptake • phagocytosis • randomized block • atheroma

Submitted on August 23, 1965
Accepted on September 30, 1965

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