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Biomedical subjects

A R Tall

Publications and source records attributed to A R Tall.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Metabolic fate of chylomicron phospholipids and apoproteins in the rat.

To study the metabolic fate of chylomicron phospholipid and apoproteins, 15 mg of doubly labeled ([(3)H]leu, [(32)P]phospholipid) rat mesenteric lymph chylomicrons were injected as an intravenous bolus into conscious rats. The specific radioactivity, composition, pool size, and morphology of the plasma lipoproteins were determined after 2-60 min. After injection of chylomicrons, there was a rapid transfer of radioactivity into high density lipoproteins (HDL). At peak specific activity in HDL (2-5 min), 35% of injected apoprotein and 25% of phospholipid radioactivity were recovered in HDL (d 1.063-1.21 g/ml), with smaller recoveries in other lipoproteins and liver. There was an initial rapid rise of (32)P specific activity in HDL and d 1.02-1.063 lipoproteins (low density lipoproteins [LDL]), but whereas LDL specific activity subsequently converged with that of d < 1.02 lipoproteins, HDL specific activity decayed more rapidly than LDL or d < 1.02 lipoproteins. Lipolysis of chylomicrons was associated with a transfer of phospholipid mass into LDL and HDL. At 5 min, 80% of injected triglyceride had been lipolyzed and there was a significant increase in phospholipid mass in LDL and a smaller increase in HDL. At 10 min, the mass of phospholipid in LDL had returned towards control values, and there was a further increase in phospholipid mass in HDL, which suggested phospholipid transfer from LDL to HDL. In donor lymph chylomicrons (3)H-radioactivity was present in apoprotein (apo)B, apoA-I, and apoA-IV, but only radioactivity of apoA-I and apoA-IV were transferred to HDL. Transfer of radioactivity was associated with loss of mass of apoA-I and apoA-IV from the fraction that contained the chylomicron remnants (d < 1.02). With injection of 15 mg chylomicron, there was a small but insignificant increase in the relatively large pool of HDL apoA-I. However, 60 min after injection of 250 mg of human or rat intestinal chylomicrons into the rat, there was a significant increase in HDL apoA-I that resulted from acquisition of a major fraction of the chylomicron apoA-I. After injection of chylomicrons, phospholipid vesicles were observed by negative stain electron microscopy in the LDL and HDL ultracentrifugal fractions, especially in the LDL. Upon addition of an osmotically active compound, cellobiose, vesicles were observed as flattened particles with a double lipid bilayer thickness ( congruent with 100 A). To validate further the identity of these particles, chylomicrons were injected into rats with [(3)H]glucose, and the recipient rats' plasma was fractionated by chromatography on 6% agarose. Trapping of [(3)H]glucose occurred in the void and LDL regions of the column, and vesicular particles were identified in these column fractions by negative stain electron microscopy. Catabolism of chylomicrons is associated with a rapid transfer of phospholipid, apoA-I, and possibly apoA-IV into HDL. Chylomicron phospholipid appears to give rise to vesicles which are probably incorporated into preexisting HDL. Chylomicron surface components may be an important source of plasma HDL.

Animals↗

Interaction of cholesterol, phospholipid and apoprotein in high density lipoprotein recombinants.

To examine the effect of incorporation of cholesterol into high density lipoprotein (HDL) recombinants, multilamellar liposomes of 3H cholesterol/14C dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine were incubated with the total apoprotein (apoHDL) and principal apoproteins (apoA-1 and apoA-2) of human plasma high density lipoprotein. Soluble recombinants were separated from unreacted liposomes by centrifugation and examined by differential scanning calorimetry and negative stain electron microscopy. At 27 degrees C, liposomes containing up to approx. 0.1 mol cholesterol/mol dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (DMPC) were readily solubilized by apoHDL, apoA-1 or apoA-2. However, the incorporation of DMPC and apoprotein into lipoprotein complexes was markedly reduced when liposomes containing a higher proportion of cholesterol were used. For recombinants prepared from apoHDL, apoA-1, or apoA-2, the equilibrium cholesterol content of complexes was approx. 45% that of the unreacted liposomes. Electron microscopy showed that for all cholesterol concentrations, HDL recombinants were predominantly lipid bilayer discs, approx. 160 X 55 A. Differential scanning calorimetry of cholesterol containing recombinants of DMPC/cholesterol/apoHDL or DMPC/cholesterol/apoA-1 showed, with increasing cholesterol content, a linear decrease in the enthalpy of the DMPC gel to liquid crystalline transition, extrapolating to zero enthalpy at 0.15 cholesterol/DMPC. The enthalpy values were markedly reduced compared to control liposomes, where the phospholipid transition extrapolated to zero enthalpy at approx. 0.45 cholesterol/DMPC. The calorimetric and solubility studies suggest that in high density lipoprotein recombinants cholesterol is excluded from 55% of DMPC molecules bound in a non-melting state by apoprotein.

Apolipoproteins↗

Oxacillin-induced granulocytopenia.

The development of granulocytopenia during oxacillin therapy is reported in 2 patients. In both cases the onset of granulocytopenia occurred 24 days after therapy was instituted with similar clinical presentations. The bone marrow aspirates revealed myeloid hyperplasia, left shift and maturation arrest. 24 h after oxacillin was discontinued the granulocyte counts rapidly rose towards normal, with subsequent complete recovery. Although sought for, leukoagglutinins could not be demonstrated in either patient. The occurrence of granulocytopenia in patients receiving natural and semisynthetic penicillins is reviewed and the mechanisms are outlined.

Adolescent↗

Rat intestine secretes discoid high density lipoprotein.

High density lipoprotein was isolated from pooled rat serum and mesenteric lymph of lymph fistula rats. In most experiments, 5,5'-dithionitrobenzoic acid, an inhibitor of the enzyme lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase, was added during the collection of lymph to prevent modification of the lipid composition of newly secreted lipoproteins. Negative staining electron microscopy of lymph high density lipoprotein revealed discoidal particles (190+/-3 x 55+/-1 A) which tended to form rouleaux, smaller spherical particles were also present. Serum high density lipoprotein contained only spherical particles (diameter 93+/-4 A). Lipid analysis showed that lymph high density lipoprotein was enriched in phospholipid and deficient in cholesterol esters when compared to serum high density lipoprotein. The phospholipid to cholesterol esters ratio was greatest in basal lymph high density lipoprotein when compared to fatty lymph and serum high density lipoprotein. From analysis of the lipid compositional data and direct particle measurement by electron microscopy, it could be determined that congruent with50% of basal lymph high density lipoprotein and 30% of fatty lymph high density lipoprotein was discoid. Basal lymph high density lipoprotein was enriched in apoA-I and deficient in the arginine-rich peptide, and the apoprotein composition of fatty lymph high density lipoprotein more closely resembled serum. These observations demonstrate that intestinal lymph contains two types of high density lipoprotein particles, a discoid nascent particle deficient in cholesterol ester and rich in apoA-I, and spherical high density lipoprotein derived from plasma. A significant amount of lymph high density lipoprotein appears to be secreted by the intestine.

Animals↗

Interaction of collagen with the lipids of tendon xanthomata.

To determine the physical state of lipids in tendon xanthomata, six specimens surgically removed from three patients with familial hypercholesterolemia were studied by microscopy, calorimetry, and x-ray diffraction. The major constituents of the xanthomata were lipid (33% of dry weight) and collagen (24% of dry weight). The principal lipids were cholesterol ester and cholesterol. Light microscopy and thin-section electron microscopy showed occasional clusters of foam cells separated by masses of extracellular collagen. Polarized light microscopy of fresh, minced tissue showed rare droplets of free cholesterol ester. When heated, the tissue shrank abruptly at approximately equal to 70 degrees C and, consequently, a large amount of cholesterol ester was released. Scanning calorimetry of fresh pieces of xanthoma showed a single, broad, reversible liquid crystalline transition of cholesterol ester with peak temperature from 32 to 38 degrees C. The enthalpy (0971 +/- 0.07 cal/g) was reduced compared with the isolated cholesterol ester from each xanthoma (1.1+/-0.01 cal/g). There was a large irreversible collagen denaturation endotherm (peak temperature = 67 degrees C; enthalpy 9.9 cal/g collagen) that corresponded to the tissue shrinkage noted by microscopy. After the collagen denaturation, the sample displayed double-peaked reversible liquid crystalline transitions of cholesterol ester, of enthalpy 1.18 +/- 0.1 cal/g, that were identical to transitions of isolated cholesterol ester. Fibers dissected fron xanthomata were examined by X-ray diffraction at temperatures below and above the cholesterol ester transition. At 20 degrees C there was a weakly oriented equatorial reflection of Bragg spacing 36A, which corresponded to the smectic phase of cholesterol ester, and a series of oriented collagen reflections. At 42 degrees C the cholesterol ester reflection disappeared. Stretched fibers examined at 10 degrees C showed good orientation of collagen and cholesterol ester reflections, and in addition, meridional spacings which indicated oriented crystallization of cholesterol ester. These studies suggest that a major component of tendon xanthomata is extracellular cholesterol ester which displays altered melting and molecular orientation as a result of an interaction with collagen. At xanthoma temperatures, the cholesterol ester is in a smectic liquid crystalline state, probably layered between collagen fibrils, with the long axis of the cholesterolester molecules perpendicular to the axis of the collagen fiber. Such collagen-cholesterol ester interactions may favor the extracellular deposition of cholesterol ester derived either from intracellular sources or directly from plasma lipoproteins.

Adult↗

Studies on the structure of low density lipoproteins isolated from Macaca fascicularis fed an atherogenic diet.

Cynomolgus monkeys, Macaca fascicularis, fed cholesterol-containing saturated-fat diets develop increased levels of high molecular weight plasma low density lipoproteins (LDL), associated with accelerated atherosclerosis. To study the composition and structure of these abnormal particles, LDL from monkeys, fed atherogenic and control diets, were characterized chemically and examined by differential scanning calorimetry and low-angle X-ray scattering. LDL from animals on the experimental diet showed an increase in molecular weight (4.0 to 7.0 x 10(6), experimental diet compared with 3.0 to 3.7 x 10(6), control diet) associated with a large increase in cholesterol ester content and concomitant smaller increases in protein, phospholipid, and free cholesterol. There was a strong positive correlation between molecular weight and the number of saturated and monounsaturated cholesterol esters in the particle. In contrast, particle content of polyunsaturated cholesterol esters remained constant despite large changes in total particle cholesterol esters.When examined by calorimetry and X-ray scattering, LDL from monkeys on both diets diplayed a reversible transition of cholesterol esters from an ordered smeticlike (layered) structure to a more disordered state. For all animals on the experimental diet, the peak temperature of the cholesterol-ester transition (42-48 degrees C) was above body temperature (39 degrees C), but below body temperature on the control diet (34-38.5 degrees C). In the experimental group, the transition temperature was correlated with the LDL molecular weight. However, after thermal disruption of LDL, liquid-crystalline transitions of LDL cholesterol esters were observed in the same temperature range as in the intact lipoprotein, which shows that changes in particle size had little effect on the cholesterol-ester transition temperature. Rather, the transition temperature was determined by the degree of saturation of the LDL cholesterol ester fatty acids and the LDL cholesterol ester: triglyceride ratio, both of which correlated with increased LDL molecular weight.The existence of smectic-like cholesterol ester in LDL at body temperature was clearly a discriminating feature between monkeys on control and experimental diets. Diet-induced changes in the lipid composition of precursor lipoproteins of LDL appeared to lead to the existence of smectic-like cholesterol ester in LDL above body temperature. The altered composition and structure of the core lipids of high molecular weight LDL probably account, in part, for the previously documented correlation between increased LDL molecular weight and atherosclerosis in this species.

Animals↗

Thermal behavior of human plasma high density lipoprotein.

Human plasma low density lipoprotein displays a reversible thermal transition between 20 and 40 degrees C, due to a phase transition of its core cholesterol ester from a smectic to a more liquid-like state. To determine if the cholesterol of high density lipoprotein (HDL) displays similar thermal behavior, the human lipoprotein and its extracted lipid have been examined by differential scanning calorimetry, low angle X-ray scattering and polarizing microscopy. Neither HDL2**(d 1.063--1.125--1.21 g/ml) nor HDL3(d1.125--1.21g/ml) show thermal transitions between O and 60 degrees C. By contrast cholesterol ester isolated from HDL and mixtures of cholesterol oleate and linoleate show reversible liquid crystalline transitions between 20 and 40 degreesC. X-ray scattering studies of HDL2 and HDL3 performed at 10 degreesC show no scattering fringes attributable to a smectic phase of cholesterol ester. When HDL is heated to temperatures above 60 degreesC a broad, double-peaked endotherm is observed. The first component (peak temperature=71 degreesC) corresponds to a selective release of apoprotein A-1 from the lipoprotein, and the second component (peak temperature=90 degreesC) to a more generalized disruption of lipoprotein structure with release of cholesterol ester and apoprotein A-2. Following the thermal disruption of HDL, reversible liquid crystalline transitions of cholesterol ester can be seen by differential scanning calorimetry and polarizing microscopy, showing the presence of large domains of cholesterol ester. The absence of cholesterol ester transitions in intact HDL may indicate an interaction of cholesterol ester molecules with the protein-phospholipid surface of HDL that prevents the formation of an organized lipid phase. The high temperature behavior of HDL indicates that apoprotein A-1 is less important than apoprotein A-2 in maintaining the HDL apolar lipids in the form of a stable miroemulsion.

Calorimetry↗

Cholesterol and phospholipid: influence of body weight on the output of lipids in mesenteric lymph.

In ageing humans there is accumulation of cholesterol in adipose tissue, muscle and other organs. In human obesity increased synthesis of cholesterol has been demonstrated. In order to ascertain possible endogenous sources of lipids, the output of cholesterol, phospholipid and triglyceride from the bile and small intestine was studied in rats in relationship to body weight. The output of lipid in mesenteric lymph showed an almost two-fold increase in the heaviest rats. Small intestinal concentrations of phospholipid and unesterified cholesterol rose significantly with increase of body weight. Output of cholesterol and phospholipid in bile was found to be related to body weight and total bile salt output. The increased lipid content of mesenteric lymph may reflect lipid synthesis in the small intestine, as well as increased absorption from biliary sources, and contribute to cholesterol accumulation in obese rats. Although these are major differences between human and rat cholesterol metabolism, the intestine is a major source of endogenous cholesterol in both species, and could be part of the source of the additional cholesterol load in obese humans.

Age Factors↗

Interaction of cholesterol ester and triglyceride in human plasma very low density lipoprotein.

The properties of human plasma very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), low density lipoproteins (LDL), and their extracted lipids were compared using calorimetric, X-ray scattering, and polarizing microscopy techniques. Intact LDL, and cholesterol esters isolated from LDL and VLDL each undergo reversible changes in their physical state around body temperature. These transitions are associated with ordered liquid crystalline to liquid phase changes of the cholesterol esters. In contrast to LDL, VLDL has no reversible transitions and shows no evidence of ordered liquid crystalline structures between 10 and 45 degrees C. Therefore, unlike LDL, VLDL does not contain a separate cholesterol ester region capable of undergoing cooperative melting. Solubility studies at 37 degrees C of cholesterol esters and triglyceride isolated from VLDL show that even at a weight ratio of 1:1, which greatly exceeds the relative amount of cholesterol esters in VLDL, cholesterol ester is completely soluble in triglyceride. Thus, the cholesterol ester in VLDL is not sequestered in a separate domain within VLDL, but is dissolved in the liquid core of the particle.

Binding Sites↗

Conformational and thermodynamic properties of apo A-1 of human plasma high density lipoproteins.

Conformational changes of apo A-1, the principal apoprotein of human plasma high density lipoprotein, have been studied by differential scanning calorimetry and ultraviolet difference spectroscopy as a function of temperature, pH, concentration of apoprotein, and urea concentration. Calorimetry shows that apo A-1 (5 to 40 mg/ml, pH 9.2) undergoes a two-state, reversible denaturation (enthalpy = 64 +/- 8.9 kcal/mole), between 43--71 degrees (midpoint temperature, Tm = 54 degrees), associated with a rise in heat capacity (deltaCvd) of 2.4 +/- 0.5 kcal/mole/degrees C. Apo A-1 (0.2 to 0.4 mg/ml, pH 9.2) develops a negative difference spectrum between 42--70 degrees, with Tm = 53 degrees. The enthalpy (deltaH = 59 +/- 5.7 kcal/mole at Tm) and heat capacity change (2.7 +/- 0.9 kcal/mole/degrees C) in the spectroscopic experiments were not significantly different from the calorimetric values. Below pH 9 and above pH 11, the calorimetric Tm and deltaH of denaturation are decreased. In the pH range of reversible denaturation (6.5 to 11.8), delatH and Tm are linearly related, showing that the heat capacity change (ddeltaH/dT) associated with denaturation is independent of Tm. In urea solutions, the calorimetric Tm and deltaH of denaturation are decreased. At 25 degrees, apo A-1 develops a negative difference spectrum between 1.4 and 3 M urea. Fifty per cent of the spectral change occurs in 2.4 M urea, which corresponds to the urea concentration obtained by extrapolation of the calorimetric Tm to 25 degrees. In urea solution of less than 0.75 M there is hyperchromicity at 285 nm (delta epsilon = 264 in 0.75 M urea), indicating strong interaction of aromatic amino acid residues in the native molecule with the solvent. Spectrophotometric titration of apo A-1 shows that 6.6 of the 7 tyrosine groups of apo A-1 titrate at pH less than 11.9, with similar titration curves obtained in aqueous solutions and in 6 M urea. The free energy of stabilization (deltaG) of the native conformation of apo A-1 was estimated, (a) at 37 degrees, using the calorimetric deltaA and deltaCvd, and (b) at 25 degrees, by extrapolation of spectroscopic data to zero urea concentration. The values (deltaG (37 degrees) = 2.4 and deltaG (25 degrees) = 2.7 kcal/mole) are small compared to typical globular proteins, indicating that native apo A-1 has a loosely folded tertiary structure. The low values of deltaG reflect the high degree of exposure of hydrophobic areas in the native protein molecule. The loosely folded conformation of apo A-1 allows extensive binding of lipid, since this can involve both surface hydrophobic sites and hydrophobic areas exposed by a cooperative, low energy unfolding process.

Apoproteins↗

Apoprotein stability and lipid-protein interactions in human plasma high density lipoproteins.

Temperature-dependent conformational changes of the principal apoprotein of human plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL), apoA-I, have been studied in the isolated apoprotein, in complexes of apoprotein with phospholipid, and in intact HDL. Differential scanning calorimetry shows that in solution apoA-I undergoes a reversible, two-state thermal denaturation (midpoint temperature 54 degrees). The enthalpy (2.4 cal/g)(10.0 J/g) and specific heat change (0.08 cal/degrees C per g)(0.33 J/degrees C per g) associated with the denaturation were used to calculate the free energy difference (deltaG) between native and unfolded apoA-I at 37 degrees. DeltaG (2.4 kcal/mol)(10.0 kJ/mol) is less than that of other globular proteins (typically 8-14 kcal/mol)(33-59 kJ/mol), indicating that at 37 degrees native apoA-I has a loosely folded conformation. Turbidity studies show that apoA-I is able to solubilize phospholipid in its native but not in its denatured form. Mixtures of apo-HDL (the total apoprotein of HDL) or apoA-I with dimyristoyl lecithin show a thermal transition at about 85 degrees not present in the lecithin or the apoprotein alone, which indicates that the native conformation of the apoprotein is stabilized by phospholipid. Scanning calorimetry of intact HDL shows a high-temperature endotherm associated with disruption of the HDL particle, suggesting that in HDL the conformation of apoA-I is also stabilized by interaction with lipid. The loosely folded conformation of native, uncomplexed apoA-I may be especially adapted to the binding of lipid, since this process may involve both hydrophobic sites on the surface of the protein and concealed apolar amino acid residues that are exposed by a cooperative, low energy unfolding process.

Apoproteins↗