Reconstituted HDL particles as an alternative acceptor to remove cholesterol in vitro and in vivo.

SANCHEZ, S. A.; TRICERRI, M. A.; GOMES, A.; LEVI, V.; DE OLIVEIRA, A. C.; GRATTON, E.

Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

Congreso; 50th Annual Meeting of the US Biophysical Society; 2006

US Biophysical Society

The possible role of lipid rafts in the regulation of the activity of membrane proteins and the induction of signal of physiological significance are the focus of many studies. One common way to asses the involvement of rafts in cellular process is to manipulate the cholesterol content of the membrane. One way of removing cholesterol both in vivo and in vitro is using beta-methyl cyclodextrin. These compounds have a high capacity to accept cholesterol and they are easy to use, however in some cases they can be toxic for the cells.Here we report the use of an alternative cholesterol acceptor, reconstituted HDL particles (rHDL). rHDL particles have been used for a long time to study the reverse cholesterol transport mechanism and the role of apo A-I and HDL particles in cardiovascular diseases. Here we report their use as a cholesterol acceptor that can be use in experiments that require a controlled, careful, not toxic treatment to remove the sterol from cells or from artificial membranes. Our data indicate that rHDL particles are 100 times more efficient than the beta-methyl cyclodextrin in removing cholesterol from POPC GUVs containing 31% cholesterol and they are more efficient and no toxic in removing cholesterol from different cell types. Financial support NIH RR03155.