Proteolipid and human aorta calcification, in vitro.

The objective of this study was to determine whether in vitro calcification of human aorta is proteolipid dependent. Homogenates were prepared from tissue with no gross pathologic manifestations. Samples were examined for calcifiability in a metastable calcium phosphate solution before and after lipid extraction. Fractions of the extracted lipid were similarly examined. The tissue calcified before but not after lipid extraction. Calcifiability was restricted to the proteolipid portion of the lipid extract. Under the conditions employed, therefore, proteolipid is required for calcification of human aorta, in vitro.