Secretion of apolipoprotein A-I by calf liver parenchymal cells.

OBJECTIVE

To determine: whether apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) is secreted by calf liver parenchymal cells; the isoprotein pattern and association with lipids of secreted apoA-I; and effects of steroid hormones on apoA-I secretion.

SAMPLE POPULATION

6 male Holstein calves (1 to 2 weeks old) as a cell culture source.

PROCEDURE

apoA-I in culture medium was detected by immunoblot analysis, and its concentration was measured by use of an ELISA. The isoprotein pattern was analyzed by use of two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Associations of apoA-I with cholesterol and phospholipids were examined by ultracentrifugal analysis of the culture medium.

RESULTS

Concentration of apoA-I in culture medium increased linearly up to 24 hours. The protein synthesis inhibitors, actinomycin D and cycloheximide, suppressed apoA-I accumulation in the medium in dose-dependent manner. Molecular mass of this protein in culture medium was 28 kd, and was indistinguishable from apoA-I of plasma. Four isoproteins with different isoelectric points (1 = 5.75; 2 = 5.67; 3 = 5.58; and 4 = 5.46) were detected. Of these, isoprotein 2 was the major species. By comparison, isoprotein 4 was the predominant species in plasma, and isoprotein 5 (isoelectric point = 5.38) was newly detected instead of isoprotein 1. Approximately 33% of apoA-I in culture medium was found in lipid-rich fractions, whereas the rest was found in nonlipoprotein fractions. Dexamethasone (10(-8) to 10(-6) M) significantly (P < 0.001) increased apoA-I concentration in the medium, and the stimulatory effect was significantly (P < 0.001) suppressed by the simultaneous addition of 10(-6) M progesterone. Progesterone itself (10(-8) to 10(-5) M) had little effect on apoA-I secretion; estradiol (10(-14) to 10(-8) M) also had no significant effect.

CONCLUSIONS

apoA-I is synthesized by calf liver parenchymal cells, and the secreted protein is modified during circulation. Moreover, apoA-I synthesis and secretion by the cells appear not to be largely influenced by hormones, except for dexamethasone.