Characterization of mechanisms for transfer of cholesterol between human erythrocytes and plasma.

The removal from human erythrocytes of cholesterol (mass) and of [3H]cholesterol which had been introduced into the erythrocyte by exchange was studied. Removal was accomplished by incubating erythrocytes in plasma, the free cholesterol content of which had been lowered by the action of lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase. It was shown that the exchange of cholesterol between erythrocytes and plasma and the net movement of cholesterol out of the membrane into plasma are characterized by the same rate constant and are driven by cholesterol to phospholipid ratios in cells and plasma. The apparent limitation on cholesterol depletion of erythrocytes observed in experiments of this type is explicable as the result of equilibrium between cholesterol in the membrane and in the plasma, an equilibrium reached when there is still cholesterol left in the cells. It is concluded from this study that all the exchangeable cholesterol in human erythrocytes is available for removal from the membrane.