High density lipoprotein3 binding and biological action: high affinity binding is not necessary for stimulation of placental lactogen release from trophoblast cells.

High density lipoprotein (HDL3) binds with high affinity to many types of cells, but controversy exists concerning the nature and biological significance of the binding. We have recently demonstrated that HDL and apoproteins (apo)-AI, -AII, and -CI stimulate a specific and dose-dependent increase in placental lactogen (hPL) release from human trophoblast cells. To examine the possible relationship between HDL3 binding and stimulation of hPL release, we have characterized the binding of [125I]HDL3 to an enriched fraction of hPL-producing trophoblast cells. Binding studies were performed on trophoblast cells isolated by isopycnic centrifugation of collagenase/hyaluronidase-dispersed placental tissue and apo-E free-HDL3 (density, 1.125-1.215 g/ml). Scatchard analysis of binding studies performed at 37 C for 2 h revealed two classes of binding sites: 1) high affinity binding sites with a Kd of 9.7 +/- 2.2 micrograms/ml (1.3 x 10(-7) M) and 9.8 +/- 3.2 x 10(5) binding sites/trophoblast cell, and 2) low affinity binding sites with a Kd of 172.8 +/- 64.8 micrograms/ml (2.3 x 10(-6) M) and an estimated 3.2 x 10(6) sites/cell. As has been found in hepatocytes and other cells, the number of HDL3-binding sites per trophoblast cell (but not the binding affinity) decreased at lower incubation temperatures. In addition, HDL3 binding to trophoblasts cells did not require calcium and was not affected by prior treatment of the cells with pronase or trypsin. HDL3-binding sites on trophoblast cells, however, were not specific for HDL3. Low density lipoprotein (density, 1.063-1.055 g/ml), which does not stimulate hPL release, was nearly as potent on a molar basis as HDL3 in binding to the high and low affinity binding sites on trophoblast cells. Furthermore, nitrated HDL3, which does not compete for high affinity binding to trophoblast cells, stimulated hPL release. Although the characteristics of HDL3 binding to trophoblast cells are similar to those of other cells, these results strongly suggest that the binding of HDL3 to high affinity binding sites is not essential for HDL-mediated hPL release.