Mechanisms of metal ion-dependent oxidation of human low density lipoprotein

Although either copper or iron is essential for oxidation of human low density lipoprotein (LDL) by vascular cells, the mechanism is unknown. In our experiments copper- and iron-mediated LDL oxidation was found to proceed by different mechanisms. Oxidation of LDL by iron requires superoxide and proceeds by a hydroxyl radical-independent mechanism involving reduction of iron from the ferric to the ferrous form. In contrast, copper-mediated LDL oxidation involves direct reduction of copper from the cupric to the cuprous form by LDL.