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Journal of Lipid Research, Vol. 44, 1020-1032, May 2003 Hepatic lipase mediates an increase in selective uptake of HDL-associated cholesteryl esters by cells in culture independent from SR-BI
* Universitaetsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department for Internal Medicine, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany Published, JLR Papers in Press, March 1, 2003. DOI 10.1194/jlr.M300058-JLR200
1 To whom correspondence should be addressed. e-mail: rinninger{at}uke.uni-hamburg.de
Scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) mediates the selective uptake of HDL cholesteryl esters (CEs) by the liver. Hepatic lipase (HL) promotes this lipid uptake independent from lipolysis. The role of SR-BI in this HL-mediated increase in selective CE uptake was explored. Baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells were transfected with the SR-BI cDNA yielding cells with SR-BI expression, whereas no SR-BI was detected in control cells. These cells were incubated in medium containing 125I [3H]cholesteryl oleyl ether-labeled HDL3 (d = 1.1251.21 g/ml) and HL was absent or present. Tetrahydrolipstatin (THL) blocked lipolysis. In control BHK cells and in BHK cells with SR-BI, HDL3 selective CE uptake (3H-125I) was detectable and SR-BI promoted this uptake. In both cell types, HL mediated an increase in selective CE uptake from HDL3. Quantitatively, this HL effect was similar in control BHK cells and in BHK cells with SR-BI. These results suggest that HL promotes selective uptake independent from SR-BI. To investigate the role of cell surface proteoglycans on the HL-mediated HDL3 uptake, proteoglycan deficiency was induced by heparinase digestion. Proteoglycan deficiency decreased the HL-mediated promotion of selective CE uptake. In summary, the stimulating HL effect on HDL selective CE uptake is independent from SR-BI and lipolysis. Proteoglycans are a requisite for the HL action on selective uptake. Results suggest that (a) pathway(s) distinct from SR-BI mediate(s) selective CE uptake from HDL.
Abbreviations: 125I-TC, radioiodinated tyramine cellobiose ligand; [3H]CEt, [3H]cholesteryl oleyl ether; BHK, baby hamster kidney; CE, cholesteryl ester; HDL, high density lipoprotein (d = 1.0631.21 g/ml); HDL3, high density lipoprotein3 (d = 1.1251.21 g/ml); HEK 293, human embryonal kidney 293; HL, hepatic lipase; LPDS, lipoprotein-deficient serum; LPL, lipoprotein lipase; SR-BI, scavenger receptor class B type I; THL, tetrahydrolipstatin Supplementary key words scavenger receptor class B type I tetrahydrolipstatin radioiodinated tyramine cellobiose ligand
HDL-associated cholesteryl esters (CEs) are taken up by hepatocytes and steroidogenic cells selectively, i.e., independent from HDL holoparticle internalization (1). Scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI), an HDL receptor protein, plays a central role in this pathway in vivo (2). The physiologic function of SR-BI in HDL metabolism is illustrated in genetically modified mice that have no SR-BI expression or a reduced SR-BI expression in the liver (3, 4). SR-BI deficiency in these rodents increases plasma HDL cholesterol and decreases HDL selective CE uptake by the liver (3, 4). Besides cell membrane receptors, lipoprotein metabolism in plasma is modified by lipolytic enzymes. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is abundant in muscle and adipose tissue and hydrolyzes chylomicron- and VLDL-associated triglycerides to provide fatty acids to tissues as an energy source (5). Hepatic lipase (HL) is related to LPL with respect to structure and function. This enzyme is synthesized by hepatocytes (6) and is attached to the vascular endothelium of adrenals, ovaries, and the sinusoids of the liver (7, 8). One metabolic function of HL is the hydrolysis of HDL-associated phospholipids and triglycerides (9). Distinct from lipolysis, both LPL and HL have been implicated in lipoprotein holo-particle metabolism. LPL promotes the uptake of apolipoprotein B (apoB)-containing lipoproteins independent from lipolysis in cultured cells (10, 11). With respect to the mechanism of this effect, LPL binds to cell surface proteoglycans and associates with lipoproteins as well (5, 12). Presumably, this "bridging" concentrates the lipoprotein particles on the cell surface and thereby facilitates their uptake. This internalization may be mediated by cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans (13) and/or by lipoprotein receptors (14, 15). Analogously, HL stimulates the cellular uptake of holo-lipoprotein particles. Experiments with cultured cells showed that this enzyme mediates the uptake of apoB-containing triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (13, 15, 16). In this mechanism, cell surface proteoglycans and cellular receptors may be involved as well; similarly, this was proposed for LPL (5). Again, this bridging function of HL is independent from lipolysis (13, 15, 16). Besides holo-particle internalization, both LPL and HL promote the selective lipid uptake from lipoproteins. Initial evidence established that these enzymes facilitate the selective CE uptake from HDL by perfused rat liver (17, 18), as well as by hepatic and extrahepatic cells in culture (13, 19, 20, 21, 22). This lipase-mediated increase in selective CE uptake is independent from lipolysis but dependent on cell surface proteoglycans (20, 21, 22). Besides HDL, recent investigations provided evidence that LPL mediates an increase in selective CE uptake from LDL as well (23). In summary, these observations show that LPL and HL can modulate the selective lipid uptake pathway. The LPL- and HL-mediated promotion of selective CE uptake raises the question of whether SR-BI is involved in the mechanism of these lipase actions. Recently the role of SR-BI in the lipase-promoted increase in selective CE uptake was explored (23, 24, 25). In transfected cells with stable SR-BI expression and in SR-BI-deficient cells, the LPL-mediated increase in selective CE uptake from LDL and HDL was independent from SR-BI (23, 24). In contrast, transient expression of HL and SR-BI in human embryonal kidney 293 (HEK 293) cells synergistically facilitated the selective CE uptake from HDL (25). Taken together, the role of SR-BI in the lipase-mediated increase in selective CE uptake from lipoproteins is controversial at present. In this study, the question was addressed whether SR-BI plays a role in the mechanism of the HL-mediated increase in HDL selective CE uptake. Baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells with no detectable, or with substantial, SR-BI expression were the dominant experimental model (24). In addition, SR-BI-deficient HEK 293 cells were used (23, 25). HDL3 (d = 1.1251.21 g/ml) was radiolabeled in the protein and lipid moieties (26, 27), and human HL was prepared from plasma or from cell culture media (21, 28). Experiments show that HL stimulates HDL3-selective CE uptake quantitatively to the same extent independent from the cellular SR-BI status, and this effect is independent from lipolysis. In agreement with these results, immunofluorescence studies revealed that HL binding to the cell surface was not affected by the presence or absence of SR-BI (29, 30). Similarly, there was only a minor colocalization of SR-BI and HL in both types of BHK cells. In summary, it is suggested that HL mediates an increase in HDL-selective CE uptake by a mechanism(s) distinct from SR-BI.
Preparation of unlabeled HDL3, apoA-I, and lipoprotein-deficient serum Human HDL3 (d = 1.1251.21 g/ml) was isolated by ultracentrifugation from plasma of healthy donors (27). Heparin-Sepharose (Amersham Pharmacia) affinity chromatography was used to remove any HDL3 particles containing apoE (27). Human apoA-I was prepared as described previously (27). Lipoprotein-deficient serum (LPDS) was isolated by ultracentrifugation as the d > 1.25 g/ml fraction of human plasma (22).
Preparation of doubly radiolabeled HDL3
Preparation of HL from human HuH7 hepatoma cell culture media To prepare HL, the HuH7 cell-derived medium was loaded on heparin-sepharose columns (Amersham Pharmacia) after addition of sodium chloride (0.4 M, final concentration). HL was eluted from this column with buffer (pH 7.4) containing NaCl (1 M), Tris (10 mM), and glycerol (10% v/v). These lipase preparations are referred to as "partially purified HL."
Preparation of HL from human postheparin plasma
HL activity and mass determinations HL mass was analyzed by ELISA (32).
Inhibition of the lipolytic activity of HL
Cloning of SR-BI and transfection of BHK cells
Culture of BHK cells
Culture of HEK 293 cells
Preincubation of the cells
Uptake of doubly radiolabeled HDL3 by cells in culture
Immunoblot analysis and antibodies For immunoblot analysis, postnuclear supernatants were prepared from BHK cells or from HEK 293 cells (24, 37). Samples containing the indicated amount of protein were reduced with 2-mercaptoethanol in gel loading buffer. HL preparations were dissolved in gel loading buffer. All samples were fractionated by SDS-PAGE and the proteins transferred to nitrocellulose membranes. Finally, the membranes were incubated in buffer containing the respective antiserum. The primary antibody was detected using a peroxidase-conjugated goat anti-rabbit IgG (1:5,000; Amersham Pharmacia). Antibody binding was visualized by enhanced chemiluminescence detection (Amersham Pharmacia) and autoradiography. Ponceau S staining of membranes detected molecular mass standards (Amersham Pharmacia).
Indirect immunofluorescence
Miscellaneous
Statistics and calculations For cellular uptake of doubly radiolabeled HDL3, uptake of each tracer is shown in terms of apparent lipoprotein particle uptake, expressed as lipoprotein protein (1, 27). This is done to compare the uptake of both tracers on a common basis. Outlined in this way, uptake of HDL3 holo-particles is represented by equal uptakes of both tracers. In the figures, 125I represents apparent lipoprotein particle uptake according to the protein tracer (125I-TC-apoA-I) [3H]CEt that, due to the CE tracer and [3H]CEt-125I, shows the difference in apparent HDL3 particle uptake that is apparent selective CE uptake.
Stable cell clones were derived from BHK cells by transfection either with an expression plasmid containing the human SR-BI cDNA (pBK-CMV-hSR-BI) or with the control vector (pBK-CMV) (24). In addition, as an established SR-BI-deficient cell model, HEK 293 cells were used in this study (23, 24, 25). SR-BI expression was explored in postnuclear supernatants that were prepared from BHK or HEK 293 cells. Finally, immunoblots were performed using a human SR-BI-specific antiserum (36) (Fig. 1) . In control BHK cells (vector), no signal corresponding to SR-BI could be visualized, whereas a strong band was apparent in SR-BI-transfected cells (Fig. 1). In HEK 293 cells, no SR-BI signal was visible in this analysis (Fig. 1). To verify that the human SR-BI-specific antiserum recognizes this protein in baby hamster tissue as well, a control immunoblot was performed. In this case, purified membranes were isolated from adult baby hamster adrenal glands. This immunoblot showed that the human SR-BI-specific antiserum recognized this HDL receptor protein from baby hamster tissue as well (data not shown). With respect to HDL3 metabolism, the expression of SR-BI in BHK cells induces a substantial increase in HDL3-selective CE uptake as presented below (24).
To investigate the effect of HL on HDL3 metabolism, HL was prepared. In one case, these HL preparations originated from tissue culture media of human HuH7 hepatoma cells, and these partially purified HL preparations were devoid of LPL (21, 31). Alternately, in many cases, highly purified HL preparations were used that were isolated from human plasma (28). To explore the purity of these HL proteins, immunoblots were performed. In this analysis of both HL preparations, the anti-HL antibody recognized only one band at the appropriate molecular weight (Fig. 2) . This immunoreactivity suggests that both HL preparations indeed contain the native enzyme. To block HL-mediated lipolysis during the uptake assays for HDL3, THL, an active site inhibitor of lipases (33, 34), was added to the medium of the cells. Previous experiments showed that lipolysis is completely inhibited under these experimental conditions (16, 21, 22). However, to investigate under the conditions of this study whether the lipolytic action of HL was indeed blocked by THL, HDL3 was incubated (37°C, 4.0 h) in medium containing this enzyme or not; THL was absent or present (Table 1). After this incubation, HDL3 was reisolated and the chemical composition was analyzed. Under these conditions, HL and THL had no significant effect on protein, phospholipid, triglyceride, or cholesterol content of the respective HDL3 (Table 1). This experiment yields no evidence for HL-mediated lipolysis under the experimental conditions of this study. Besides the chemical composition of HDL3, the lipase-mediated release of nonesterified fatty acids was investigated. HDL3 was incubated (37°C, 4.0 h) under the same conditions as shown in Table 1. Afterwards, fatty acids in the medium were determined with a colorimetric assay. HL did not increase the fatty acid concentration in the medium (data not shown). These results also argue against lipolysis under these conditions.
To investigate the role of HL and SR-BI in cellular lipoprotein metabolism, apoE-deficient HDL3 was labeled with 125I-TC-apoA-I and [3H]CEt in the protein and lipid moieties (27). The apoE deficiency of this preparation precludes recognition by cellular apoB and apoE (LDL) receptors. Cells were incubated in medium containing this radiolabeled HDL3. After a chase incubation that removes reversibly cell-associated HDL3 tracers (35), cellular tracer content and apparent HDL3 particle uptake, according to 125I-TC-apoA-I or [3H]CEt, were analyzed (27). The uptake of radiolabeled HDL3 by BHK cells is shown in Fig. 3 . Control BHK cells (vector, Fig. 3, left) or BHK cells with SR-BI expression (Fig. 3, right) were incubated (37°C, 4.0 h) in parallel in medium containing doubly radiolabeled HDL3; highly purified human HL was absent or present during these incubations, as indicated in the abscissae. In the absence of HL in both types of BHK cells, apparent HDL3 particle uptake according to [3H]CEt was in excess of that due to 125I-TC-apoA-I (Fig. 3, lower panels). The difference in uptake ([3H]CEt-125I-TC-apoA-I) yields apparent selective CE uptake from HDL3 (1), and this rate is greater for BHK cells with SR-BI expression compared with control BHK cells (vector). In the experiment shown in Fig. 3, in control BHK cells (vector), apparent HDL3-selective CE uptake was 216.9 ± 4.0 ng protein/mg cell protein (mean ± SEM, n = 4 incubations); in BHK cells with SR-BI expression, the respective value was 5,330.1 ± 54.7. SR-BI expression thus yields an increase in apparent HDL3-selective CE uptake of 2,457% (control corresponds to 100%). Highly purified HL in the assay medium of both types of BHK cells containing labeled HDL3 had virtually no effect on uptake of 125I-TC-apoA-I (Fig. 3, lower panels). However, HL increased the uptake of HDL3-associated [3H]CEt dose dependently. As a result, apparent HDL3 selective CE uptake ([3H]CEt-125I-TC-apoA-I) increased due to HL in a concentration-dependent manner in both types of BHK cells (Fig. 3, lower panels).
The difference in HDL3-selective CE uptake in the absence and the presence of HL was calculated (Fig. 3, top panels). In control BHK cells (vector), HL (400 ng protein/ml) induced an absolute increase in apparent HDL3 selective CE uptake of 1,293.7 ng protein/mg cell protein (mean, n = 2 incubations) (Fig. 3, left, top panel). In BHK cells with SR-BI expression, the same HL concentration promoted an absolute increase in apparent HDL3-selective CE uptake of 1,356.3 ng protein/mg cell protein (mean, n = 2 incubations) (Fig. 3, right, top panel). Thus, quantitatively, HL stimulated the selective uptake of HDL3-associated CE to a very similar extent in control BHK cells (vector) and in BHK cells with SR-BI expression. Partially purified HL preparations instead of highly purified HL (see Materials and Methods) were used in two independent and very similar experiments (shown in Fig. 3) to stimulate HDL3 selective CE uptake by both types of BHK cells. In this case, HL concentrations up to 600 ng HL protein/ml were applied (data not shown). These HL preparations also dose-dependently stimulated the selective CE uptake from HDL3, and quantitatively this effect was similar in control BHK cells (vector) and in BHK cells with SR-BI expression. Taken together, partially and highly purified HL (Fig. 3) yielded qualitatively identical results with respect to cellular HDL3 metabolism. A dose-response curve for the uptake of radiolabeled HDL3 by control BHK cells (vector) or by BHK cells with SR-BI expression is shown in Fig. 4 (bottom panels). Both cell types were incubated in parallel in medium that contained increasing concentrations of doubly radiolabeled HDL3, and partially purified HL was absent or present. Finally, cellular tracer content and apparent selective CE uptake ([3H]CEt-125I-TC-apoA-I) were analyzed. Increasing concentrations of radiolabeled HDL3 yielded a dose-dependent increase in apparent selective CE uptake from HDL3, and this was true for both types of BHK cells (Fig. 4, lower panels). HL stimulated apparent selective CE uptake by control BHK cells (vector) and by BHK cells with SR-BI expression (Fig. 4, lower panels). The absolute increase in apparent HDL3-selective CE uptake induced by HL is shown in Fig. 4 (top panels) as well. Quantitatively, this HL-mediated increase in selective CE uptake was similar in control BHK cells (vector, Fig. 4, top, left panel) and in BHK cells with SR-BI expression (Fig. 4, top, right panel), and this HL effect was observed in each HDL3 concentration examined. In three independent, very similar experiments (shown in Fig. 4), very low concentrations of radiolabeled HDL3 (i.e., 5, 10, or 20 µg protein/ml) were used. At these low HDL3 concentrations, the stimulatory effect of HL on selective CE uptake from HDL3 quantitatively was very similar in both types of BHK cells (data not shown).
To investigate the effect of HL on the kinetics of selective CE uptake from HDL3, control BHK cells (vector) or BHK cells with SR-BI expression incubated (37°C) for 30, 120, or 240 min in medium containing doubly radiolabeled HDL3 and partially purified HL were absent or present (Fig. 5 , lower panels). Finally, apparent HDL3 selective CE uptake ([3H]CEt)-125I-TC-apoA-I) was analyzed. In the absence of HL, apparent selective CE uptake by both types of BHK cells was evident after 30 min of incubation, and this uptake increased in a time-dependent manner at fairly linear rates up to 240 min (Fig. 5, lower graphs). Throughout the entire time course, apparent HDL3-selective CE uptake was higher in BHK cells with SR-BI expression compared with control cells (vector, Fig. 5, lower graphs). In parallel, both types of BHK cells were incubated in the additional presence of partially purified HL in the medium. HL significantly increased apparent selective CE uptake ([3H]CEt-125I-TC-apoA-I) from HDL3 by both types of BHK cells, and again this effect was evident throughout the entire time course. The absolute increase in apparent selective CE uptake, which was mediated by HL, was calculated (Fig. 5, top panels). Quantitatively, this HL-induced increase in apparent HDL3-selective CE uptake was very similar in control BHK cells (vector, Fig. 5, top, left panel) and in BHK cells with SR-BI expression (Fig. 5, top, right panel).
The experiments presented above suggest that the stimulatory effect of HL on HDL3-selective CE uptake is independent from SR-BI. A well-established SR-BI-deficient cell model is HEK 293 cells (23, 24, 25). These cells do not express SR-BI (Fig. 1). To explore the effect of HL on HDL3 metabolism in HEK 293 cells, these cells were incubated (37°C, 4.0 h) in a medium containing several distinct concentrations of doubly radiolabeled HDL3, and partially purified HL was absent (Fig. 6 , left panel) or present (Fig. 6, right panel). After this incubation, cellular tracer content was determined. In the absence of HL, apparent HDL3 particle uptake according to 125I-TC-apoA-I or [3H]CEt increased dose dependently. This yielded an HDL3 dose-dependent increase in apparent selective CE uptake ([3H]CEt-125I-TC-apoA-I) by HEK 293 cells. Addition of HL to the incubation medium containing radiolabeled HDL3 had virtually no effect on uptake of 125I-TC-apoA-I by HEK 293 cells (Fig. 6, right panel). However, HL induced an increase in [3H]CEt uptake. As a result, HL addition yielded a dose-dependent increase in apparent cellular HDL3-selective CE uptake ([3H]CEt-125I-TC-apoA-I) (Fig. 6, right panel). These experiments with HEK 293 cells also suggest that the HL-mediated increase in HDL3 selective CE uptake is independent from SR-BI.
All experiments presented above suggest that the HL-mediated stimulation of HDL3-selective CE uptake is independent from SR-BI. To evaluate this proposal with an alternative methodological approach, this issue was addressed by an immunofluorescence analysis (29, 30) using specific antibodies directed against SR-BI or HL (32, 36). Control BHK cells (vector, Fig. 7A) or BHK cells with SR-BI expression (Fig. 7B) were incubated (4°C, 60 min) in medium that contained apoE-deficient HDL3, and highly purified HL was absent or present. Immunofluorescence analysis followed (see Materials and Methods) (29, 30). In control BHK cells (vector), SR-BI immunofluorescence (green) was very low in cells incubated without or with HL (Fig. 7A). In contrast to control BHK cells (vector), substantial amounts of SR-BI protein were visualized in BHK cells with SR-BI expression (Fig. 7B, green fluorescence). Incubation of both types of BHK cells in medium containing no HL yielded no signal for this enzyme in the immunofluorescence analysis (red fluorescence, Figs. 7A, B). However, if the cells were incubated in the presence of highly purified HL, a signal for this enzyme (red fluorescence) was present in control BHK cells (vector, Fig. 7A) and in BHK cells with SR-BI expression (Fig. 7B). These figures show that HL binds to the surface of control BHK cells (vector) and to the surface of BHK cells with SR-BI expression without any difference in localization and binding capacity.
Merged images revealed only a rare appearance of yellow spots in control BHK cells (vector, Fig. 7A) and in BHK cells with SR-BI expression (Fig. 7B). This suggests only a minor colocalization of SR-BI and HL ( 20%). This immunofluorescence analysis proposes that SR-BI and HL mediate selective CE uptake from HDL3 at distinct sites of the plasma membrane. Cell surface proteoglycan deficiency diminishes the lipase-mediated increase in selective CE uptake from HDL and LDL (13, 21, 22). Therefore, the question was addressed of whether the effect of HL on HDL3-selective CE uptake is dependent on cell surface proteoglycans in control BHK cells (vector) and in BHK cells with SR-BI expression. Both types of BHK cells were incubated in parallel in the absence or presence of heparinase I and heparinase III in the medium to deplete the cells from surface proteoglycans (Fig. 8) . Previous experiments established that the cells are depleted from proteoglycans under these conditions (22). Afterwards followed an incubation of both types of BHK cells in a medium that contained doubly radiolabeled HDL3, and partially purified HL was absent or present. Apparent HDL3 selective CE uptake ([3H]CEt-125I-TC-apoA-I) was analyzed. In control BHK cells (vector) or in BHK cells with SR-BI expression, digestion with heparinases per se had no effect on apparent HDL3-selective CE uptake (Fig. 8). As expected, HL stimulated apparent selective CE uptake from HDL3 in control BHK cells (vector) or in BHK cells with SR-BI expression. However, preincubation of the cells with heparinases decreased the stimulatory HL action on apparent HDL3-selective CE uptake ([3H]CEt-125I-TC-apoA-I) significantly, and this was observed in control BHK cells (vector) and in BHK cells with SR-BI expression (Fig. 8). Thus, independent of the cellular SR-BI status, the HL-mediated stimulation of HDL3-selective CE uptake is dependent from cell surface proteoglycans.
Biochemical experiments of this study provide evidence that both partially purified and highly purified HL preparations promote the selective CE uptake from HDL3 in cultured cells. This HL-stimulated uptake of HDL3 was explored in the presence of THL, a compound that blocks HL-mediated lipolysis (33, 34). Under the conditions of this investigation, there was no HL-induced lipolysis of HDL3 detectable, and this is in agreement with previous studies (21, 22). Due to these observations, the stimulatory effect of HL on selective CE uptake is independent from lipolysis. Quantitatively, the HL-mediated increase in selective CE uptake from HDL3 is very similar in control BHK cells (vector) and in BHK cells with SR-BI expression. This HL effect is time-, HDL3-, and HL concentration-dependent in both types of BHK cells. In agreement with these cells, this lipase-stimulated selective CE uptake from HDL3 is observed in SR-BI-deficient HEK 293 cells (23, 24, 25). Taken together, these results suggest that the HL-mediated increase in HDL3-selective CE uptake is independent from SR-BI and independent from lipolysis. This conclusion is reinforced by an immunofluorescence analysis. Images showed similar binding capacities for HL in both types of BHK cells, and only a minor colocalization of HL and SR-BI. This suggests that SR-BI expression does not alter cellular binding of HL, and subsequently that the HL effect on selective CE uptake is mainly independent from SR-BI. It should be kept in mind that a complete separation of both proteins at the plasma membrane cannot be expected in this analysis due to the limited resolution of fluorescence microscopy. Heparinase-induced proteoglycan deficiency of the cell surface reduced the HL-mediated increase in HDL3-selective CE uptake, and this suggests that these molecules play a role in the HL-promoted increase in selective lipid uptake (13, 21). This lipase-induced and proteoglycan-mediated HDL3 tethering to the cell membrane most likely plays a role in the mechanism of the HL-induced increase in selective CE uptake (13). The HL-mediated and SR-BI-independent increase in HDL3 selective CE uptake shown here is in disagreement with earlier experiments (25). Transient expression of SR-BI and catalytically active or inactive HL in HEK 293 cells suggested a synergistic role for these molecules in the mechanism of the lipase-induced increase in HDL selective CE uptake (25). A possible explanation for this discrepancy in results may be methodological differences between these studies (25). Here, cells stably expressed SR-BI, and exogenous HL was added to the assay medium containing labeled HDL3. In contrast, the earlier investigators (25) used a transient transfection approach for HL and SR-BI to investigate the role of these molecules in HDL metabolism. Besides HL, another member of the lipase gene family, LPL, mediates a lipolysis-independent increase in HDL3-selective CE uptake in vitro (20, 22). Recently, evidence was presented that the mechanism of this LPL-mediated increase in HDL selective CE uptake is independent from SR-BI (24). Besides HDL, LPL induces an enhancement in LDL selective CE uptake as well, and this effect was again independent from SR-BI (23). In summary, both HL and LPL increase selective CE uptake from HDL and LDL, and the receptor protein SR-BI does not play a role in the mechanism. This conclusion is true for the majority of studies presented so far. Which is (are) the specific molecular mechanism(s) for the SR-BI-independent increase in HDL-selective CE uptake mediated by lipases? LPL and HL bind to cell surface proteoglycans and lipoproteins, and these interactions closely associate these particles with cell membranes (5, 11, 12, 13, 16). For holo-lipoprotein uptake, presumably this "bridging" facilitates particle internalization by cells (5, 10, 16, 38). Analogously, the results of this and of previous studies (22, 23, 24) are in line with the hypothesis that HL and LPL "anchor" lipoproteins in close association with the plasma membrane. This bridging may facilitate the selective lipid transfer from lipoproteins into cells. This model is in agreement with recent results on the molecular mechanism of the selective CE uptake pathway (39, 40). In transfected cells expressing SR-BI or CD36, a class B scavenger receptor that is closely related to SR-BI, both SR-BI and CD36 bind HDL with high affinity (40). This HDL binding to SR-BI or CD36 mediates the lipid transfer from this lipoprotein to cells, and this presumably constitutes one component in the molecular mechanism of the selective CE pathway. Analogously, in Y1-BS1 adrenocortical cells, a tight correlation between HDL binding and HDL selective CE uptake has been established (39). These observations are in line with the above-presented hypothesis, i.e., the HL- or LPL-induced close association between HDL and the plasma membrane facilitates the selective CE transfer from lipoproteins into cells. By which mechanism(s) are the hydrophobic CE molecules finally transferred from the neutral lipid core of the HDL particle and into the cell following the lipase-mediated HDL tethering to the plasma membrane? The molecular mechanism(s) of this lipid transfer is not defined at present. Pittman and coworkers (41) explored the CE transfer from HDL particles to membranes. Experiments using model membranes, purified plasma membranes, native radiolabeled HDL, and recombinant HDL suggested that CE molecules are transferred to membranes in a collision-mediated process. The latter mechanism involves lipid-lipid interactions independent of membrane proteins (41). According to an alternative model, SR-BI forms a nonaqueous "channel" that mediates the CE movement from a lipoprotein into the plasma membrane (39). However in view of the results of this study, it seems unlikely that this "channel" contributes to the lipase-mediated HDL CE transfer. Taken together, future experiments have to define the molecular mechanism(s) that mediate(s) the lipase-induced increase in selective CE transfer from lipoproteins to cells. Besides lipid-lipid interactions, a plasma membrane protein distinct from SR-BI may play a role in this lipid transfer pathway. The interaction between HDL, SR-BI, and HL in lipid delivery to cells was investigated in this study in vitro. What are the physiological implications of these results for the HDL-mediated reverse cholesterol transport to the liver in vivo? Relevant in this context are studies with genetically modified animals. SR-BI and HL play physiologic roles in reverse cholesterol transport to the liver in rodents (24, 42). Mice with a genetically induced deficiency of HL (43) or SR-BI (3, 4) have an increase in HDL cholesterol and a decrease in selective CE uptake by the liver. In contrast, hepatic overexpression of HL (42, 44, 45) or SR-BI (46) in mice or rabbits decreases this protective HDL lipoprotein fraction in plasma. In murine adrenal glands, an induced HL deficiency yields an increase in SR-BI expression (47). These studies show that, in vivo, both HL and SR-BI have a substantial impact on HDL metabolism. On the other hand, it is generally accepted that this lipoprotein fraction plays a central role in reverse cholesterol transport. This pathway presumably transports excess cholesterol from peripheral cells to the liver and protects from atherosclerosis. The in vitro investigations presented here explain one potential mechanism by which HL modifies HDL metabolism in vivo (48).
This study was supported by research grants Gr 258/10-2 and Ri 436/8-1 from Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), Bonn, Germany. The expert assistance of N. Donarski and B. Schulz is gratefully acknowledged. U. Beisiegel, G. Olivecrona, R. Budzinski, D. Greene, J. Greeve, R. Morton, D. van der Westhuyzen, and H. Will donated materials that were used in these experiments. Contributions of these scientists are acknowledged. H. Jansen measured HL concentrations by ELISA. Manuscript received February 3, 2003 and in revised form February 20, 2003.
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