Activation of human peripheral blood monocytes by lipoproteins

Activation of human peripheral blood monocytes could enhance their attachment and or migration into the arterial intima and their various secretory and other functions, thus influencing the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. In these experiments the authors have explored the role of lipoproteins in the activation of human blood monocytes. Monocytes were purified from citrated blood by Histopaque density gradient centrifugation and countercurrent centrifugal elutriation and cultured in DMEM in the presence of 20% acid-treated autologous serum or 100 micrograms/ml each of VLDL, LDL, Ac-LDL, and HDL. Secretion of beta-glucuronidase activity into the media was measured as a marker of activation. All of the lipoprotein density classes as well as serum stimulated secretion of beta-glucuronidase activity, with LDL and Ac-LDL having a greater influence than serum, VLDL, or HDL. Serum and LDL also stimulated secretion of prostaglandin E into the culture medium. Incubation of monocytes with serum or LDL in the presence of inhibitors of arachidonate metabolism (NDGA and indomethacin) resulted in a significant decrease in secreted and intracellular beta-glucuronidase activity, indicating a role for products of arachidonate metabolism in the activation of monocytes by lipoproteins.