Modulation of ceroid accumulation in macrophages in vitro

Mouse resident peritoneal macrophages (MPM) cultured with artificial lipoprotein consisting of cholesteryl linoleate complexed with bovine serum albumin (CL/BSA) rapidly accumulate ceroid in the form of rings. Experiments with various phenolic radical scavenger antioxidants and derivatives showed that the radical scavengers which are strongly lipophilic, and possess a free (i.e. non-esterified) phenolic hydroxyl group are inhibitors of ceroid ring formation. Time-course experiments with MPM and CL/BSA in which either or both of the components of the artificial lipoprotein have been oxidised before feeding showed that such oxidation accelerated ceroid accumulation, and suggested that oxidation of the lipoprotein is rate-determining in ceroid accumulation. Copper appeared to be a good catalyst for this. Agents able to activate the respiratory burst production of reactive oxygen species appeared to have no accelerating effect on ceroid accumulation from CL/BSA by MPM in a time-course. A novel method has been attempted for quantitating ceroid in MPM by means of its autofluorescence, using a Fluorescence-activated Cell Sorter (FACS). The results from FACS agree qualitatively with those from alcohol-xylene treatment followed by oil-red-o staining (AX/ORO). MPM cultured with CL/BSA for up to 4 days showed a 2.7-4.6-fold increase in mean fluorescence (at wavelengths greater than 490 nm) over MPM cultured with cholesteryl oleate/BSA (CO/BSA), with CL/BSA/butylated hydroxytoluene (CL/BSA/BHT), with CL/BSA/probucol, and with no artificial lipoprotein. The implications of the findings with respect to human atherosclerosis are discussed.