Function and significance of very low density lipoprotein receptor subtype II

To explore the functions of very low density lipoprotein receptor (VLDL-R) subtype II in lipoprotein metabolism and foam cells formation, the recombinant plasmid with the two subtypes cDNA was constructed respectively, the 1dl-A7 cell lines were transfected and two cell lines expressing VLDL-R were obtained: one stably expressing the VLDLR with the O-linked sugar region (type I VLDLR) and the other without the O-linked sugar region (type II VLDLR). In the study on binding of VLDLR to their nuclein labeled natural ligands (VLDL and beta-VLDL), it was found that surface binding of 25 I-VLDL or 125 I-beta-VLDL of 1dl-A7 cells transfected with type I VLDL R recombinant (1dl-A7-VRI) was more higher than that of 1dl-A7 cells transfected with type II VLDLR recombinant (1dl-A7-VRII). After being incubated with VLDL for different time, the contents of triglyceride and total cholesterol in cells were mensurated, and the formation of foam cells and accumulation of lipid in cells was observed by oil-red O staining. The results showed that the contents of triglyceride and total cholesterol in 1dl-A7-VR I were much higher than those in 1dl-A7-VR II, and 1dl-A7-VR I could transform into foam cells notably. It was suggested that type I VLDLR binds with relative higher affinity to VLDL and beta-VLDL, and internalizes much more lipoprotein into cells. As a result, we can conclude that type I VLDLR plays a more important role in lipoprotein metabolism and foam cells formation than type II VLDLR.