High-density lipoprotein endocytosis in endothelial cells

Abstract

AIM: To describe the way stations of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) uptake and its lipid exchange in endothelial cells in vitro and in vivo.

METHODS: A combination of fluorescence microscopy using novel fluorescent cholesterol surrogates and electron microscopy was used to analyze HDL endocytosis in great detail in primary human endothelial cells. Further, HDL uptake was quantified using radio-labeled HDL particles. To validate the in vitro findings mice were injected with fluorescently labeled HDL and particle uptake in the liver was analyzed using fluorescence microscopy.

RESULTS: HDL uptake occurred via clathrin-coated pits, tubular endosomes and multivesicular bodies in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. During uptake and resecretion, HDL-derived cholesterol was exchanged at a faster rate than cholesteryl oleate, resembling the HDL particle pathway seen in hepatic cells. In addition, lysosomes were not involved in this process and thus HDL degradation was not detectable. In vivo, we found HDL mainly localized in mouse hepatic endothelial cells. HDL was not detected in parenchymal liver cells, indicating that lipid transfer from HDL to hepatocytes occurs primarily via scavenger receptor, class B, type I mediated selective uptake without concomitant HDL endocytosis.

CONCLUSION: HDL endocytosis occurs via clathrin-coated pits, tubular endosomes and multivesicular bodies in human endothelial cells. Mouse endothelial cells showed a similar HDL uptake pattern in vivo indicating that the endothelium is one major site of HDL endocytosis and transcytosis.

Keywords: High-density lipoprotein; Endocytosis; Endothelium; Human umbilical vein endothelial cells; Human coronary artery endothelial cells; Cholesterol

Core tip: The cardio-protective effect of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is related to its ability to transfer lipids from the periphery, such as atherosclerotic plaques, back to the liver for excretion. Therefore, HDL has to cross the endothelial barrier. In the present work we analyzed the steps and way stations of HDL uptake and resecretion using novel fluorescent cholesterol surrogates in human endothelial cells as a model for the endothelial barrier. HDL uptake occurred via clathrin-coated pits, tubular endosomes and multivesicular bodies in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Finally we compared key findings to the in vivo situation.