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Journal of Lipid Research, Vol. 48, 86-95, January 2007
Copyright © 2007 by American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

High density lipoprotein subfractions: isolation, composition, and their duplicitous role in oxidation

Peter A. C. McPherson, Ian S. Young, Bronac McKibben and Jane McEneny¹

Centre for Clinical and Population Sciences, Nutrition and Metabolism Group, Queen's University, Belfast, United Kingdom

Published, JLR Papers in Press, October 25, 2006.

¹ To whom correspondence should be addressed. e-mail: j.mceneny{at}qub.ac.uk

	ABSTRACT

TOP ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION MATERIALS AND METHODS RESULTS DISCUSSION REFERENCES

 
The plasma HDLs represent a major class of cholesterol-transporting lipoprotein that can be divided into two distinct subfractions, HDL₂ and HDL₃, by ultracentrifugation. Existing methods for the subfractionation of HDL requires lengthy ultracentrifugations, making them unappealing for large-scale studies. We describe a method that subfractionates HDL from plasma in only 6 h, representing a substantial decrease in total isolation time. The subfractions so isolated were assessed for a variety of lipid and protein components, in addition to their susceptibility to oxidation, both alone and in combination with VLDL and LDL. We report for the first time a prooxidant role for HDL during VLDL oxidation, in which HDL donates preformed hydroperoxides to VLDL in a cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP)-dependent process. Examination of the participation of HDL in LDL oxidation has reinforced its classic role as a potent antioxidant. Furthermore, we have also implicated the second major HDL-associated enzyme, LCAT, in these processes, whereby it acts as a potent prooxidant during VLDL oxidation but as an antioxidant during LDL oxidation. Thus, we have identified a potentially duplicitous role for HDL in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, attributable to both CETP and LCAT.

Supplementary key words apolipoproteins • cholesteryl ester transfer protein • lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase • lipid hydroperoxides • single radial immunodiffusion • transferrin • ultracentrifugation

Abbreviations: apo[a], apolipoprotein [a]; apoA-I, apolipoprotein A-I; CETP, cholesteryl ester transfer protein; cHDL, crude high density lipoprotein; t_1/2max, time at half maximum (an equivalent of lag time)

	INTRODUCTION

TOP ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION MATERIALS AND METHODS RESULTS DISCUSSION REFERENCES

 
High density lipoproteins are a heterogeneous group of particles whose principal physiological role is that of reverse cholesterol transport, but they also exert important antiinflammatory and antithrombotic effects (1). They can be classified according to their chemical and physical characteristics, including hydrated density (1.063–1.210 kg/l), flotation rate (0–9 Svedbergs), diameter (7–12 nm), and electrophoretic mobility [mainly -migrating, although some nascent HDLs also display preß mobility, with the latter particles containing only apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I)]. Analysis of material found in the 1.063–1.210 kg/l density interval by moving-boundary ultracentrifugation reveals a bimodal distribution of particles exhibiting a Schlieren pattern: an effect attributable to a change in the index of refraction of a light beam, caused by differences in particle concentration. This provides evidence for the subdivision of HDL into at least two distinct subfractions: HDL₂ and HDL₃. Further studies of these subfractions reveal that the larger and less dense particle (HDL₂) is formed by the action of the enzyme LCAT upon the smaller, denser particle (HDL₃). LCAT is also involved in the formation of the HDL₃ subfraction, by rendering it largely cholesteryl ester-replete. These and additional observations relating to HDL's physiological roles have encouraged investigation into HDL and its subfractions, especially in relation to their antiatherogenic properties. A variety of established techniques have been adapted to subfractionate HDL, including precipitation (2, 3), electrophoresis (4, 5), affinity chromatography (6), and ultracentrifugation (7–14). The last of these methods, ultracentrifugation, is by far the most routinely used means for subfractionating HDL, with numerous protocols being published. However, many of these methods depend upon long periods of ultracentrifugation to maximize the recovery of HDL and its components, a factor that paradoxically reduces the recovery of apolipoprotein (15). Recently, a rapid method for the subfractionation of HDL was proposed that yields good HDL recovery; however, it is disadvantaged by the relatively small volumes of HDL₂ and HDL₃ isolated (16).

A number of additional antiatherogenic properties associated with HDL's chemical composition have been described, mainly with regard to the prevention of oxidative modification of LDL, a key stage in atherogenesis (17). One such component of HDL displaying antioxidant properties is apoA-I, an amphipathic polypeptide tightly associated with HDL. In environments with a high oxidation potential, the methionine residues of apoA-I are preferentially oxidized, reducing the availability of superoxide (O^·₂^–) for LDL oxidation (18). These native antioxidant properties of HDL are supplemented by at least two HDL-associated proteins: paraoxonase and transferrin. Paraoxonase (aryldialkylphosphatase; EC 3.1.8.1) is a calcium-dependent arylesterase that has been found to associate with the apoA-I component of HDL; it mediates the enzymic hydrolysis of potentially oxidized fatty acids in LDL (19, 20). Transferrin, an iron binding protein, operates in a slightly different manner by reducing the availability of redox reactive iron, thereby reducing the oxidative modification of LDL in the intima (21).

In addition to reverse cholesterol transport and the prevention of LDL oxidative modification, HDL and its subfractions exert a number of pleiotropic effects on the vessel wall, including prevention of monocyte chemotaxis, downregulation of cell adhesion molecules, and inhibition of platelet aggregation. The downregulation of cell adhesion molecules, such as intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, by HDL has received particular attention (22–24), and it appears that HDL may in some way prevent the transcription of cell adhesion molecule DNA, possibly by inhibiting the activation of sphingosine kinase by tumor necrosis factor- (25).

We describe a method that can subfractionate HDL into HDL₂ and HDL₃ from plasma in only 6 h, a significantly shorter isolation time than with other reported methods (26). This procedure provided sufficient volumes of each subfraction to enable their characterization in terms of lipid and protein content, in addition to an examination of the in vitro antioxidant potential of HDL₂ and HDL₃ themselves, and also in combination with VLDL or LDL. We describe a prooxidant role for HDL (and its subfractions) when VLDL is oxidized in their presence, a process that may be attributable in part to the action of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP). When LDL is oxidized in the presence of HDL and its subfractions, the classic antioxidant effect of HDL is observed. We have also demonstrated that the second major HDL-associated enzyme, LCAT, exhibits a prooxidant effect during VLDL oxidation but, conversely, an antioxidant effect during LDL oxidation.

	MATERIALS AND METHODS

TOP ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION MATERIALS AND METHODS RESULTS DISCUSSION REFERENCES

 
Materials
All chemicals were of analytical grade and obtained from Sigma Chemical Co. (Poole, Dorset, UK) unless stated otherwise.

Plasma separation
Fasting peripheral venous blood samples were collected from healthy normolipidemic laboratory personnel by standard venipuncture of a prominent vein in the antecubital fossa. Collected blood was transferred into K₃-EDTA tubes (Vacuette) and subjected to centrifugation at 1,100 g_max for 10 min in a Beckman J-6B centrifuge. The plasma was recovered, pooled, and stored as 2 ml aliquots at –75°C until required.

Preparation of density solutions
Solutions with the following densities were prepared for the isolation and subfractionation of HDL: 1.006, 1.063, 1.125, and 1.210 kg/l. Initially, a solution of normal saline (d = 1.006 kg/l) was prepared by the addition of 11.42 g of NaCl to exactly 1 liter of water. From this, solutions of the desired density were prepared by the addition of solid KBr, according to masses calculated by the formula of Radding and Steinberg (27).

(1)

where M_KBr = mass of KBr, V = volume to be adjusted, d₁ = density of the first solution at 5°C, d₂ = density of the second solution at 5°C, and ₅ = partial specific volume of KBr at 5°C. The densities of each solution were verified by measurement on a Digital Density Meter (DMA 35; Paar Scientific). In addition, all solutions used for ultracentrifugation were spiked with EDTA (0.1%, w/v, final concentration) to minimize the autooxidation of lipoproteins during ultracentrifugation.

HDL isolation
To facilitate the subfractionation of HDL, crude high density lipoprotein (cHDL) was isolated by a rapid sedimentation ultracentrifugation method, an adaptation of the method of Chung et al. (26). The background density of 1.2 ml of plasma in a 3 ml ultracentrifuge tube (Polyallomer Bell-top; Beckman) was adjusted to d = 1.063 kg/l by the addition of solid KBr. The density-adjusted plasma was then gently overlaid with an aqueous solution of KBr (d = 1.063 kg/l), and the ultracentrifuge tube was sealed using a Beckman Tube Topper Sealer. Ultracentrifugation was performed in a Beckman Optima MAX-E Table Top Ultracentrifuge using a Beckman fixed-angle rotor (TL100.3) for 120 min at 541,000 g_max and 4°C. Upon completion of ultracentrifugation, the supernatant (VLDL and LDL) was removed by tube slicing (Beckman Tube Slicer) at 1.2 cm and aspirated in a volume of 1.8 ml. The remaining infranatant corresponds to cHDL (HDL and plasma proteins), and this was recovered in a volume of 1.2 ml.

Before subfractionation, the purity of the isolated cHDL was confirmed by lipoprotein agarose gel electrophoresis using a commercially available kit (Midigel; Biomidi, Toulouse, France). Electrophoresis was performed according to the manufacturer's instructions.

HDL subfractionation
The subfractionation of cHDL into HDL₂ and HDL₃ was achieved by two sequential rapid flotation ultracentrifugation steps. cHDL was density-adjusted by the addition of solid KBr to the previous infranatant, giving a final density of 1.125 kg/l. This was then overlaid by a solution of identical density and ultracentrifuged for 120 min at 541,000 g_max and 4°C. HDL₂ was recovered by tube slicing at 1.8 cm and aspirated as supernatant (volume, 0.8 ml), with the infranatant containing crude HDL₃ (HDL₃ and plasma proteins; volume, 2.2 ml). The density of the cHDL₃ isolate was adjusted to 1.210 kg/l, and the isolate was overlaid by a KBr solution of identical density and subjected to ultracentrifugation for 120 min at 541,000 g_max and 4°C. Upon completion of ultracentrifugation, HDL₃ was removed as supernatant by tube slicing at 1.8 cm, giving a volume of 0.8 ml. During the initial isolation experiments, the infranatant from this final ultracentrifugation step was collected to ensure complete harvesting of HDL₃.

For comparison, HDL subfractions were isolated according to the method of Havel, Eder, and Bragdon (14), which was adapted for use with a Beckman TL100.3 rotor and a Beckman Optima MAX-E Table Top Ultracentrifuge. In brief, the ultracentrifugation conditions for the adapted method were as follows: 8 h at 541,000 g_max and 12°C for crude HDL isolation; 4 h at 541,000 g_max and 12°C for particles in the range 1.1063–1.125 kg/l; and 4 h at 541,000 g_max and 12°C for particles in the 1.125–1.210 kg/l range.

VLDL and LDL isolation
VLDL and LDL were isolated from the same plasma pool as the HDL subfractions, according to the methods of McEneny et al. (28) and McDowell, McEneny, and Trimble (29). For VLDL isolation, 1.8 ml of EDTA-plasma was overlaid by a solution of normal saline (d = 1.006 kg/l) and ultracentrifuged for 60 min at 541,000 g_max and 4°C. Upon completion of ultracentrifugation, VLDL had floated to the top of the ultracentrifuge tube and was removed by tube slicing at 1.8 cm. LDL was isolated by discontinuous density gradient ultracentrifugation. First, the density of the plasma was adjusted to d = 1.300 kg/l by the addition of 0.4451g of solid KBr to 0.9 ml of plasma. After gentle mixing, this solution was then overlaid with normal saline and ultracentrifuged for 60 min at 541,000 g_max and 4°C. LDL was removed by aspiration of the orange band 10 mm from the top of the tube.

HDL₂ and HDL₃ composition
The composition of the HDL subfractions isolated by this rapid method was assessed by examining the following properties.

Total protein determination The concentration of total protein for each of the subfractions was determined by a commercially available reagent (Bio-Rad) based upon the Coomassie Blue reaction with protein. This facilitated standardization of the concentration of each lipoprotein before oxidation (as described below).

Cholesterol, phospholipid, and triglyceride The recovery of total cholesterol, unesterified (free) cholesterol, and phospholipid in the HDL subfractions was determined using commercially available enzymatic assays on a Cobas Fara Autoanalyser. The quantity of cholesteryl ester associated with the HDLs was calculated as the difference of total cholesterol and unesterified cholesterol.

Apolipoprotein determination The concentration of apoA-I, apoA-II, apoB, and apoC-II in each subfraction was determined by the single radial immunodiffusion method as described by McEneny et al. (28), a modification of the original methods of Mancini, Carbonara, and Heremans (30) and Becker (31). Briefly, a 1% agarose gel was prepared in 50 mM barbital buffer (pH 8.6), followed by the addition of monoclonal antibody [23.8 µl/ml apoA-I (Immunoturb 4700010); 47.6 µl/ml apoA-II (Immunoturb 4700115); 2.5 µl/ml apoB (Immunoturb 4700210); and 7.9 µl/ml apoC-II (Chemicon AB823)]. A 6.3 ml portion of the gel was cast onto glass slides (53 x 70 mm; DiaSys Europe) and allowed to set. Circular wells (diameter, 2 mm) were cut from the gel, and a volume of 4 µl of sample/standard (apoA-I, 0.25–2.50 mg/dl; apoA-II, 0.05–0.75 mg/dl; apoB, 0.25–2.20 mg/dl; and apoC-II, 0.50–7.00 mg/dl) was added. Gels were incubated in a humidified atmosphere at 37°C for 48 h. Once this time had elapsed, gels were then pressed and dried under a stream of air and stained using Coomassie Blue.

During the initial experiments, a small quantity of apoB was detected in the HDL₃ isolate, a density interval in which no apoB-containing lipoproteins should be present. Apolipoprotein [a] (apo[a]), however, slightly overlaps the HDL density interval, so we postulated that the apoB contamination could be attributable to the anti-apoB antibody cross-reacting with apo[a]. To determine whether this was the case, Western blotting was performed on the HDL₂ and HDL₃ isolates, using an antibody specific for apo[a]. Initially, HDL₂ and HDL₃ were delipidated (32) and the protein components separated by SDS-PAGE, according to the method of Laemmli (33). Separated proteins were then electroblotted onto polyvinylidene difluoride membrane, followed by probing with an antibody specific for apo[a] (Autogen Bioclear UK). Detection was achieved by the addition of HRP-conjugated goat anti-mouse IgG₁ (Autogen Bioclear UK) and visualized by the addition of 3,3'-diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride reagent (Pierce).

Albumin determination Albumin is a known antioxidant whose presence could potentially mask the native antioxidant properties of HDL and as such could hinder oxidation studies. The detection of albumin was achieved by the single radial immunodiffusion method, as described by McEneny et al. (28), using 3.0 µl/ml anti-human albumin antibody (Dako A0001). Standards were prepared from human serum albumin in the range 20–200 mg/dl.

Transferrin determination Transferrin has been found to associate with HDL's apoA-I component and as such could potentially increase its antioxidant capacity. The concentration and recovery of transferrin were determined by a single radial immunodiffusion method, based on the technique of McEneny et al. (28). Anti-human transferrin (Sigma T6265) was added to a 1% agarose gel (as described above) at a concentration of 0.79 µl/ml. Standards were prepared in the range 0.50–50.0 µg/ml for calibration of the assay.

Oxidation potential of HDL and its subfractions
Size-exclusion chromatography of lipoproteins Trace contaminants such as ascorbate, urate, potassium bromide, and EDTA were removed from ultracentrifugally isolated lipoproteins by size-exclusion chromatography using PD10 columns (Amersham Pharmacia; Sephadex G-25M) and 0.01 M PBS (pH 7.4) to effect elution. In brief, 0.5 ml of lipoprotein was added to the column and allowed to enter, followed by 2 ml of PBS, and the resulting eluents were discarded. An additional 2 ml of PBS was added, with this fraction being collected on ice. The now purified lipoproteins were subjected to total protein determination to facilitate subsequent standardizations, which are required before oxidation.

Optimum copper concentration As established previously for VLDL and LDL, a relationship exists between lag time and the concentration of Cu²⁺ (28, 29). This is characterized by a decrease in lag time with increasing Cu²⁺ concentration; however, a concentration of Cu²⁺ is reached at which further addition has no effect on lag time. For HDL (total HDL, HDL₂, and HDL₃), we examined Cu²⁺ concentrations between 0.05 and 10.0 µM. We found that HDL and its subfractions demonstrated a similar trend to that found for VLDL and LDL (28, 29): a concentration of copper was reached at which no further enhancement of oxidation occurred. We demonstrated that at Cu²⁺ concentrations >5.0 µM, no further decrease in lag time was observed. Therefore, we used 5.0 µM Cu²⁺ to mediate oxidation for all subsequent oxidation experiments, with total HDL and HDL₃ being standardized to 200 µg/ml total protein and HDL₂ standardized to 40 µg/ml total protein. The production of conjugated dienes at 37°C was followed by recording the change in absorbance at = 234 nm in an automated plate reader. The kinetic parameter time at half maximum (t_1/2max), an equivalent of lag time, was evaluated using SoftMax Pro version 4.8 computer software (Molecular Devices Corp.).

Antioxidant properties of HDL and its subfractions
Combination of HDL subfractions with VLDL and LDL To determine the antioxidant effect of HDL and its subfractions on the oxidation of VLDL and LDL, increasing concentrations of total HDL, HDL₂, and HDL₃ were coincubated with either VLDL or LDL. The routine procedures were as follows: 1) coincubations of VLDL (25 µg/ml) with total HDL (5–200 µg/ml), HDL₂ (10–40 µg/ml), or HDL₃ (5–200 µg/ml) were oxidized in the presence of 17.5 µM Cu²⁺ (the Cu²⁺ concentration routinely used to mediate VLDL oxidation); 2) coincubations of LDL (50 µg/ml) with total HDL (5–200 µg/ml), HDL₂ (10–40 µg/ml), or HDL₃ (5–200 µg/ml) were oxidized in the presence of 2 µM Cu²⁺ (the Cu²⁺ concentration routinely used to mediate LDL oxidation). The production of conjugated dienes at 37°C was followed in an automated plate reader as described above.

Distribution of oxidized products within the lipoprotein classes VLDL and LDL were coincubated with total HDL, HDL₂, or HDL₃, as described above, but in sufficient volumes to allow for their reisolation by ultracentrifugation. On completion of oxidation, lipoprotein mixtures were overlaid by a solution of normal saline for VLDL reisolation (d = 1.006 kg/l) or an aqueous solution of KBr for LDL reisolation (d = 1.063 kg/l) and separated by single spin ultracentrifugation at 541,000 g_max and 4°C for 120 min. VLDL or LDL was recovered by tube slicing at a distance of 1.8 cm, and total HDL, HDL₂, or HDL₃ was removed by aspirating the infranatant in a volume of 0.9 ml. Upon removal, an aliquot of each lipoprotein was subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis to ensure adequate separation, with the remaining samples being retained for lipid phase hydroperoxide assessment by the ferric oxidation of xylenol orange version II assay.

Lipid phase hydroperoxides The concentration of hydroperoxides was determined by the ferric oxidation of xylenol orange version II method of Wolff (34) and Naurooz-Zadeh, Tajaddini-Sarmadi, and Wolff (35) and as described by McEneny et al. (28).

Roles of CETP and LCAT during VLDL and LDL oxidation The role of HDL-associated CETP in VLDL oxidation was examined by pretreating HDLs with a specific inhibitor of CETP, 4,4'-dithiodipyridine, at a maximal concentration of 1.0 µM (36). VLDL was then oxidized in the presence of 4,4'-dithiodipyridine-treated HDLs, as described previously. The participation of LCAT in HDL's dual role in lipoprotein oxidation was assessed by generating LCAT-depleted lipoproteins (LDL and HDL) by a modification of the method originally described by Holmquist (37); in our adaptation, we used prepacked columns of Q-Sepharose to generate LCAT-depleted plasma. LCAT-depleted LDL and LCAT-depleted HDL were then isolated from the recovered plasma as described above. In these preliminary experiments, in which we only examined the role of LCAT-depleted total HDL (and not the HDL subfractions), VLDL and LDL were oxidized as described above in the presence of either native HDL or LCAT-depleted HDL.

Statistical analysis
Nonparametrically distributed paired samples were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U-test available in the Statistics Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows. Results are given as means ± SD unless stated otherwise. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

	RESULTS

TOP ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION MATERIALS AND METHODS RESULTS DISCUSSION REFERENCES

 
HDL₂ and HDL₃ isolation: purity of isolated crude HDL and its subfractions
Figure 1 displays typical electrophoresis results for HDL subfractions isolated by rapid ultracentrifugation; it clearly demonstrates that crude HDL was devoid of any contamination by VLDL or LDL and exhibits typical -mobility. The absence of any -migrating lipoproteins in the VLDL/LDL lane demonstrates the complete recovery of HDL particles during the initial sedimentation ultracentrifugation step.

View larger version (15K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 1. Purity of crude HDL, HDL2, and HDL3 as demonstrated by agarose gel electrophoresis and staining with Sudan Black lipid stain. The absence of any -migrating lipoproteins in lane 2 indicates the complete recovery of HDL during the initial sedimentation ultracentrifugation. cHDL, crude high density lipoprotein.

View larger version (9K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 2. Western blot for apolipoprotein [a] (apo[a]) in delipidated HDL2 and HDL3 isolates. Results show a positive binding reaction between anti-apo[a] and HDL3, demonstrating a small degree of contamination of HDL3 by apo[a].

View larger version (7K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 3. Optimum copper(II) chloride concentration required for the oxidation of total HDL (triangles), HDL2 (squares), and HDL3 (diamonds). A final concentration of 5 µM was chosen because this value corresponds to the last point on the graph before the plateau region. Results are means ± SD (n = 6). t1/2max, time at half maximum.

View larger version (9K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 4. Comparison of VLDL oxidized in the presence of native HDL (black circles) and VLDL oxidized in the presence of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP)-inactivated HDL (gray circles). This graph shows a significant increase in VLDL t1/2max when oxidized with CETP-inactivated HDL. Abs, absorbance.

When LCAT-depleted HDL was treated with the CETP inhibitor and oxidized in the presence of VLDL, a t_1/2max was obtained that was significantly longer than that of VLDL cooxidized with native HDL (165 ± 5.1 min vs. 36.2 ± 1.5 min; P < 0.05, n = 6). These findings suggest that both CETP and LCAT are major causative agents for the prooxidant effect of HDL in VLDL's oxidation.

Distribution of oxidized products with the lipoprotein classes During incubation of VLDL with total HDL, HDL₂, or HDL₃, the concentration of hydroperoxides in VLDL increased (Fig. 5A ), whereas total HDL displayed a subtler increase in lipid hydroperoxides (Fig. 5B). For the HDL subfractions (Fig. 5B), the levels of hydroperoxides appeared to increase concurrently in VLDL and the HDL subfractions, suggesting that an equilibrium-like state was established between the lipoproteins (i.e., the rate of formation of hydroperoxide in the HDLs was equal to the rate of transfer). In contrast, a control sample of total HDL, HDL₂, or HDL₃ undergoing oxidation in the absence of VLDL (but under otherwise identical conditions) showed markedly higher concentrations of hydroperoxides. Expressed as percentage change (control HDLs vs. HDLs reisolated from coincubations with VLDL), the results were as follows: total HDL, 50.0% versus 71.7%; HDL₂, 21.5% versus 61.6%; HDL₃, 18.3% versus 59.2%. This supports our hypothesis that HDL may act as a source of hydroperoxides that are donated to VLDL during the oxidation process. Coincubation of LDL with total HDL, HDL₂, or HDL₃ demonstrated a less well-marked increase of hydroperoxides within LDL, but with a rapid production of hydroperoxides in HDL (Fig. 6A , B). Interestingly, an examination of HDL oxidation in the presence of LDL versus HDL oxidized alone identified a small difference between the two treatments. In the combination of HDL + LDL, the rate of oxidation was marginally faster than in HDL alone (5.1 vs. 4.8 nM/min; P < 0.05, n = 3). This supports the current understanding that HDL is preferentially oxidized in the presence of LDL.

View larger version (31K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 5. A: Variation in lipid phase hydroperoxides (HPO) in VLDL reisolated from coincubations with total HDL (dark gray), HDL2 (medium gray), and HDL3 (light gray) collected over several time ranges. Results are means ± SD (n = 6). B: Variation in lipid phase hydroperoxides in total HDL (dark gray), HDL2 (medium gray), and HDL3 (light gray) reisolated from coincubations with VLDL collected over several time ranges. Results are means ± SD (n = 6).

View larger version (30K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 6. A: Variation in lipid phase hydroperoxides (HPO) in LDL reisolated from coincubations with total HDL (dark gray), HDL2 (medium gray), and HDL3 (light gray) collected over several time ranges. Results are means ± SD (n = 6). B: Variation in lipid phase hydroperoxides in total HDL (dark gray), HDL2 (medium gray), and HDL3 (light gray) reisolated from coincubations with LDL collected over several time ranges. Results are means ± SD (n = 6).

	DISCUSSION

TOP ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION MATERIALS AND METHODS RESULTS DISCUSSION REFERENCES

The use of copper(II) ions to initiate free radical reactions within lipoprotein particles has been widely cited (44, 45). Application of copper-mediated oxidation to HDL₂ and HDL₃ produced consistently reproducible results, with freshly isolated subfractions displaying almost identical oxidation parameters as frozen subfractions (data not shown). The oxidation rates of the two subfractions followed a predictable pattern, with HDL₂ requiring a slightly longer incubation time to achieve full oxidation and progress into the decomposition phase of oxidation. This is in agreement with previous studies showing that larger lipoprotein particles require longer periods of time to reach full oxidation. The largely linear oxidation profiles of HDL₂ and HDL₃ fit the current understanding that HDL particles are largely devoid of at least those antioxidant molecules capable of inhibiting copper-induced oxidation and thus have a very short lag period.

When the interrelationship between LDL and HDL subfractions was examined, the customary protective (antioxidant) role of HDL was observed, as characterized by an increase in LDL lag time with increasing concentrations of HDL₂ or HDL₃. In this respect, the more proteinaceous HDL₃ subfraction appears to be more effective at preventing the oxidative modification of LDL, possibly by a form of sacrificial protection via selective oxidation of methionine residues on apoA-I, as suggested by Garner et al. (18). We also found that LCAT protected LDL against oxidation, a finding in complete agreement with that previously reported by Vohl et al. (40), who demonstrated that the antioxidant properties of LCAT were attributable to a catalytically active serine residue (serine 181), which serves as a proton donor, neutralizing carbon-centered radicals and halting the peroxidation chain reaction.

This investigation has identified, for the first time, a prooxidant role for HDL in the oxidative modification of VLDL. Ostensibly, copper(II) ions have the capacity to decompose peroxides to peroxyl and alkoxyl radicals via a seeding mechanism. The peroxyl radicals thus formed can participate in hydrogen abstraction from methyl groups on PUFA side chains, thus perpetuating the free radical chain reaction (46). Our results suggest that HDL acts as a reservoir of preformed hydroperoxides, which are then donated to VLDL in carrier protein-mediated events. Two such proteins have been identified as CETP and LCAT. In our preliminary experiments, we have demonstrated that both CETP and LCAT have prooxidant activity during VLDL oxidation, with VLDL acting as a sink for HDL's preformed lipid hydroperoxides, which are transferred by CETP. The donated hydroperoxides then appear to seed additional oxidations within VLDL, under the influence of copper(II) ions. Bowry, Stanley, and Stocker (47) demonstrated that HDLs are a major carrier of lipid hydroperoxides, and they suggested that HDLs exert their beneficial effects by attenuating the buildup of oxidized lipids in LDL. These findings may go some way to explain why some individuals with hyperalphalipoproteinemia still develop premature atherosclerosis, despite such an antiatherogenic phenotype (48–50).

HDL, particularly the HDL₃ subfraction, has been linked to the downregulation of cell adhesion molecules on vascular endothelial cells, and as such it may represent a significant impediment to the progression of atherosclerosis. The effect of oxidized HDL on this process has not been fully elucidated; however, it seems likely that oxidation would reduce HDL's ability to downregulate cell adhesion molecule expression. The significance of this effect would be greater in individuals with significant hypertriglyceridemia, because this population is known to have a particularly atherogenic lipoprotein profile (high VLDL and low HDL). The excess of triglyceride would serve as an ideal substrate for oxidation reactions, and in light of our recent findings, even low levels of HDL could potentially accelerate the propagation of VLDL oxidation and as such promote LDL oxidation by donation of preformed hydroperoxides. Such a chain of hydroperoxide donations may play an integral step in atherosclerosis, which identifies all lipoprotein particles as being potentially atherogenic.

Conclusion
We have proposed a method that isolates HDL₂ and HDL₃ in only 6 h, a significantly shorter time than previous methodologies. Upon coincubation with VLDL, we have shown for the first time a prooxidant effect of HDL in vitro, which may go some way to explain the complex pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Application of this method to various patient groups may also help uncover the biochemical abnormalities associated with a variety of clinical presentations and lead to explanations for their more atherogenic profiles.

	ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

 
Funding for this research was provided by the Department for Employment and Learning for Northern Ireland.

Manuscript received February 23, 2006 and in revised form May 9, 2006 and in re-revised form September 13, 2006 and in re-re-revised form October 20, 2006. and in re-re-re-revised form October 25, 2006.

	REFERENCES

TOP ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION MATERIALS AND METHODS RESULTS DISCUSSION REFERENCES

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