Effects of low-density lipoproteins on polymorphonuclear leukocyte functions in vitro

In the circulation, human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) are exposed to various factors, such as lipoproteins, which could alter their metabolic and functional characteristics. In this work, the effects of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) on PMN oxidative metabolism and migration were studied in vitro. LDL stimulated PMN superoxide generation. This effect lasted for 15-20 min and was concentration-dependent. Staurosporine, a potent inhibitor of protein kinase C, did not suppress this stimulating effect. The chemotactic response of PMN to formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine and C5a was inhibited by LDL and this effect was conserved after trypsination of LDL. LDL from normolipidemic subjects were more potent than LDL from hypertriglyceridemic subjects for both effects. LDL had no effect on superoxide generation by opsonized zymosan-stimulated PMN. These data showed that PMN responses may be modified by environmental conditions such as the presence of lipoproteins.