[Electron-autoradiographic and biochemical study of the role of foam cells in low density lipoprotein metabolism].

Participation of foam cells in metabolism of lipoproteins of low density (LPLD) was studied by biochemical methods and by electronic autoradiography. The foam cells were isolated from atherosclerotic rabbit aorta after perfusion with 12I-LPLD within 6 hrs. Metabolic activity of foam cells was evaluated by the ratio of radioactivity in lipid and protein components of cells as well as by distribution of reduced argentum granules among the subcellular structures on autoradiogram. The biochemical studies showed that the lipid components of LPLD were preferably accumulated in foam cells. Electronic-autoradiography demonstrated that protein from the lipoprotein particles was also distributed intracellularly in various cytoplasmic structures. Foam cells appear to capture intact lipoprotein particles by pinocytosis with subsequent splitting of protein component by cellular lysosome apparatus.