Phospholipase D-modified low density lipoprotein is taken up by macrophages at increased rate. A possible role for phosphatidic acid.

Macrophage uptake of modified forms of LDL leads to cellular cholesterol accumulation. Upon incubation of LDL with phospholipase D (PLase D), a time- and enzyme dose-dependent production of phosphatidic acid (PA), paralleled by a rapid reduction in LDL phosphatidyl choline content (up to 65% within 15 min of incubation) was noted. No lipid peroxidation could be found in PLase D-modified LDL. Upon in vitro incubation of PLase D-LDL with copper ions, however, this modified LDL was substantially oxidized. The addition of 100 micrograms PA/ml to native LDL for the period of its in vitro oxidation resulted in a 63% elevation in the lipoprotein peroxides content. Incubation of PLase D-LDL with J-774A.1 macrophage-like cell line resulted in an increase in its cellular binding and degradation (up to 91 and 110%, respectively) in comparison with native LDL (via the LDL receptor). When PA was added to LDL before its incubation with the macrophages, a PA dose-dependent elevation in the cellular uptake of LDL (by up to twofold) was noted in comparison with LDL that was incubated without PA, suggesting that PA production in PLase D-LDL may be involved in the increased cellular uptake of PLase D-LDL. PLase D activity towards LDL was demonstrated in J-774A.1 macrophages. Human plasma was also shown to possess PLase D activity. Thus, PLase D modification of LDL may take place under certain pathological conditions and PLase D-LDL interaction with arterial wall macrophages can potentially lead to foam cell formation.