[Effect of components of the extracellular matrix on the accumulation of lipids in human cells]

Abstract

The effect of extracellular matrix components on cholesterol accumulation in different human cells was studied. Insoluble LDL-Heparin-Fibronectin-Gelatin complexes were incubated with human cells: fibroblasts, monocytes, peritoneal macrophages, cells of the aortic wall--endothelial, subendothelial intimal, medial; and total cholesterol content in these cells was determined. It has been demonstrated that components of extracellular matrix being complexed with LDL enhance total cholesterol accumulation in all cell types studied: the highest amount of cholesterol was accumulated by subendothelial intimal cells and peritoneal macrophages. It is suggested that components of extracellular matrix can play an important role in the development of lipid-laden foam cells that are accumulated in the arterial wall in atherosclerotic lesions.