The oxidative modification of low density lipoprotein by human lymphocytes

Oxidation of low density lipoprotein in atherosclerotic lesions may be involved in converting macrophages into lipid-laden foam cells. Lesions contain endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, macrophages and lymphocytes. The first three types of cells have been shown previously to modify low density lipoprotein so as to increase its uptake by macrophages. We report here that lymphocytes from human blood are also capable of doing this. The modification process was an oxidative one because there was an increase in the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances in media containing lymphocyte-modified low density lipoprotein and the modification could be inhibited by the antioxidants butylated hydroxytoluene and probucol. The lymphocyte-modified low density lipoprotein was taken up and degraded by macrophages by their scavenger receptor(s).