Activation of fibroblast recognition site in very low density lipoprotein by partial delipidation.

Partial delipidation of very low density lipoproteins with heptane produced neutral lipid deficient particles. The ability of the resulting particles to interact with fibroblasts was drastically enhanced by this treatment. This new derivative was more active than low density lipoprotein containing only apoprotein B, suggesting that the recognition site of apoprotein E was also activated by heptane treatment. The partial delipidation procedure may be useful in determining total fibroblast recognition sites in a very low density lipoprotein or its derivatives.