25-Hydroxycholesterol promotes myelin basic protein-induced leakage of phospholipid vesicles

Among several cholesterol oxidation products, 25-hydroxycholesterol is particularly potent in enhancing basic protein-induced carboxyfluorescence leakage from liposomes. Both myelin basic protein and poly(L-arginine) are effective at submicromolar concentrations in stimulating this vesicle rupture. Leakage is greatly augmented by the presence of only 1% of the 25-hydroxycholesterol. The possible relevance of these findings to myelin pathology is discussed.