Perturbation of Cultured Human Endothelial Cells by Atherogenic Levels of Low Density Lipoprotein

Cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (EC) exposed to atherogenic levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) for protracted periods demonstrated no measurable evidence of overt cytotoxicity, but were perturbed as indicated by an increase in prostacyclin (PGI2) production. Confluent EC were incubated with high LDL concentrations (240 or 330 mg/dl cholesterol) for 1 to 12 days. LDL was added to culture media containing 25% human lipoprotein-deficient serum to determine the effects of LDL independent of other lipoproteins. LDL did not injure EC as assessed by cell count, vital dye exclusion, 51chromium release, and lactate dehydrogenase release. Although high concentrations of LDL did not cause EC cytotoxicity, such LDL concentrations did results in increased PGI2 generation. PGI2 accumulation in postincubation media was increased two-to-fivefold in otherwise unstimulated cells as measured by radioimmunoassay of the stable PGI2 breakdown product, 6-keto-PGF1-alpha. This elevation persisted for the entire 12-day exposure to high LDL concentrations. These results indicate that prolonged exposure to atherogenic concentrations of LDL does not effect EC viability, but does cause an endothelial perturbation as demonstrated by an increased PGI2 production.