Aggregation of human plasma high density lipoproteins induced by poly(ethylene glycol)

The influence of different surface charge densities (induced by varying pH, addition of positively charged amphiphilic molecules and chemical modification) of high density lipoproteins (isolated by ultracentrifugation) on poly(ethylene glycol) induced aggregation was studied. The effects of different molecular masses of PEG, HDL concentration and the presence of other serum proteins on the PEG mediated aggregation were investigated. The PEG concentration necessary for HDL aggregation is inversely proportional to the used HDL concentration and its molecular weight, and is directly proportional to the presence of other proteins and the magnitude of the negative surface charge density of HDL. The results are in accordance with the predictions of the volume exclusion theory taking into account the influence of repulsive electrostatic forces on the interaction of HDL particles.