Monocyte adherence to endothelial cells in vitro is increased by beta-VLDL

The adherence of blood monocytes to the arterial endothelium is an early event in the development of atherosclerotic lesions. The possibility was investigated that alterations in the level and composition of plasma lipoproteins may contribute to this phenomenon. The adherence of human mononuclear cells to primary bovine aortic endothelial cells was measured in an in vitro monolayer collection assay. Preincubation of endothelial cells with beta-very low density lipoprotein (beta-VLDL) from cholesterol-fed rabbits or with very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) from cholesterol/saturated fat-fed cebus monkeys resulted in a significant increase in the subsequent adherence of monocytes to the endothelial cells. The effect of beta-VLDL was maximal at 100 micrograms protein/ml. The response increased with time when endothelial cells were incubated with beta-VLDL for 0-120 minutes, then remained maximal for up to 4 hours. The adherence of a human monocytic cell line (U937) to endothelial cells was also increased by beta-VLDL. These results suggest that diet-induced alterations in lipoprotein composition may contribute to the development of atherosclerotic lesions by affecting the adherence of monocytes to the arterial endothelium.