Ox-LDL induces apoptosis in human coronary artery endothelial cells: role of PKC, PTK, bcl-2, and Fas.

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) plays a critical role in the development of atherosclerosis. Recent studies show that ox-LDL may induce apoptosis of cultured rabbit smooth muscle cells and human macrophages. This study was designed to determine the modulation by ox-LDL of apoptosis in cultured human coronary arterial endothelial cells (HCAEC) during hypoxia-reoxygenation and to determine underlying mechanisms. When HCAEC were approximately 85% confluent, the cells were exposed to hypoxia (24 h)-reoxygenation (3 h), native LDL, or ox-LDL. Fragmented DNA end-labeling, DNA laddering, and light and electron microscopy were used to determine changes characteristic of apoptosis. Ox-LDL (20 microg/ml) increased apoptosis during hypoxia-reoxygenation compared with hypoxia-reoxygenation alone (P < 0.05). Low concentrations of ox-LDL (5 microg/ml) and native LDL (20 microg/ml) under identical conditions had no effect on the degree of apoptosis. Ox-LDL markedly decreased endogenous superoxide dismutase activity and increased lipid peroxidation in HCAEC. The presence of ox-LDL, but not native LDL, in cultured HCAEC resulted in the activation of protein kinase C (PKC) and protein tyrosine kinase (PTK). The specific PKC and PTK inhibitors significantly reduced ox-LDL-mediated apoptosis of HCAEC (P < 0.05). Hypoxia-reoxygenation significantly increased Fas expression and decreased bcl-2 expression in HCAEC lysate as determined by Western analysis. Ox-LDL further increased Fas expression and decreased bcl-2 expression. These data indicate that ox-LDL enhances hypoxia-reoxygenation-mediated apoptosis in HCAEC. Ox-LDL-mediated apoptosis of HCAEC appears to involve activation of PKC and PTK. In addition, ox-LDL modulates Fas and bcl-2 protein expression in HCAEC. This study also suggests that ox-LDL is more important than native LDL in hypoxia-reoxygenation-induced apoptosis.