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Biomedical subjects

J Kuiper

Publications and source records attributed to J Kuiper.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein as a delivery system for photosensitizers: implications for photodynamic therapy of atherosclerosis.

Photodynamic therapy is a promising new strategy in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Photodynamic therapy for vascular diseases may be improved by the specific delivery of photosensitizers to the atherosclerotic lesion. In this study, we studied whether oxidatively modified low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL) could be used as a specific carrier for photosensitizers, thereby using the scavenger receptor expressed on macrophages as a target. The photosensitizer aluminum phthalocyanine chloride (AlPc) was incorporated into OxLDL, and its photodynamic effects were studied. Macrophages (RAW 264.7) were incubated with various concentrations of OxLDL-AlPc for different periods. After illumination of the cells with red light, cytotoxicity was observed that was dependent on the time of illumination and incubation. Macrophages incubated with OxLDL-AlPc that were not illuminated revealed no cytotoxicity. The uptake of the OxLDL-AlPc complexes was mediated by scavenger receptors expressed on macrophages. In the presence of the polyanion polyinosinic acid, a specific ligand for scavenger receptors, no cytotoxicity could be observed. Serum incubations of the OxLDL-AlPc complexes revealed that these complexes stay intact after incubation. No redistribution of AlPc to other plasma (lipo-) proteins could be detected, and 80-90% of the AlPc remained associated with the OxLDL particle. These results indicate that OxLDL may function as a specific delivery system for photosensitizers to the scavenger receptors expressed on the macrophages in the atherosclerotic lesion, increasing the beneficial effects of photodynamic therapy for cardiovascular diseases.

Animals↗

Acute effects of oxidized low density lipoprotein on metabolic responses in macrophages.

The immediate effects of oxidized low density lipoprotein (OxLDL) on the metabolic activity of cultured macrophages (RAW 264.7) were studied using a microphysiometer. Administration of OxLDL acutely induced a concentration-dependent increase in metabolic activity, with an EC50 of 16 +/- 3 microg/ml OxLDL and a maximal effect of 35% +/- 4% (mean +/- SEM; n=5). A biphasic response was measured after administration of 75 or 100 microg/ml OxLDL consisting of an initial sharp increase, followed by the induction of a long-lasting hypoactivity of 80% of the control value. Incubation of cells with polyinosinic acid (polyI; 100 microg/ml) for 30 min prior to OxLDL administration could completely block the effect of 25 microg/ml OxLDL. In addition, polyI acted as a full antagonist on the decrease of the biphasic response of cells generated by 75 and 100 microg/ml OxLDL. Macrophages used in this study possessed a specific binding site for OxLDL, with a dissociation constant (KD) of 9 +/- 2 microg/ml and a maximal binding of 610 +/- 32 ng 125I-OxLDL/mg cell protein. Binding of 125I-OxLDL to macrophages could be completely competed for by unlabeled OxLDL, by polyI for 58%, and by AcLDL for 46%. In conclusion, OxLDL can acutely activate the metabolic state of macrophages by a receptor-mediated process in a concentration-dependent fashion, which could be antagonized by polyI. Metabolic responses to OxLDL may underlie the changes observed in macrophages in the early atherosclerotic plaque.

Animals↗

Liver uptake of phosphodiester oligodeoxynucleotides is mediated by scavenger receptors.

The therapeutic activity of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) often is impaired due to premature degradation and poor ability to reach the (intra)cellular target. In this study, we addressed the in vivo fate of ODNs and characterized the major sites responsible for the clearance of intravenously injected phosphodiester ODN. On injection into rats, 32P-ODNs (miscellaneous sequences and GT-containing ODNs with variable G content) are rapidly cleared from the bloodstream (t1/2 = 0.6-0.7 min), with the liver being the main site of elimination. The contribution of the liver to ODN clearance depended on its sequence and varied considerably. Hepatic uptake tended to be lower for G-rich ODNs as a result of increased bone marrow uptake. Within the liver, both Kupffer cells (KC) and endothelial cells (EC) were responsible for 32P-ODN uptake. To elucidate the mechanism of liver uptake, 32P-ODN binding studies using isolated EC and KC were performed. Binding to both cell types seemed to be saturable, of moderate affinity, and mediated by a membrane-bound protein. The inhibition profiles of 32P-ODN binding to EC and KC by various (poly)anions were essentially equal and corresponded closely to those of 125I-acetylated low-density lipoprotein. In summary, the results indicate that scavenger receptors on nonparenchymal liver and bone marrow cells contribute to the elimination of ODNs from the bloodstream. Minor changes in ODN sequence markedly affect receptor recognition, resulting in considerable shifts in the biodistribution of antisense ODNs.

Animals↗

New scavenger receptor-like receptors for the binding of lipopolysaccharide to liver endothelial and Kupffer cells.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is cleared from the blood mainly by the liver. The Kupffer cells are primarily responsible for this clearance; liver endothelial and parenchymal cells contribute to a lesser extent. Although several binding sites have been described, only CD14 is known to be involved in LPS signalling. Among the other LPS binding sites that have been identified are scavenger receptors. Scavenger receptor class A (SR-A) types I and II are expressed in the liver on endothelial cells and Kupffer cells, and a 95-kDa receptor, identified as macrosialin, is expressed on Kupffer cells. In this study, we examined the role of scavenger receptors in the binding of LPS by the liver in vivo and in vitro. Fucoidin, a scavenger receptor ligand, significantly reduced the clearance of 125I-LPS from the serum and decreased the liver uptake of 125I-LPS about 40%. Within the liver, the in vivo binding of 125I-LPS to Kupffer and liver endothelial cells was decreased 72 and 71%, respectively, while the binding of 125I-LPS to liver parenchymal cells increased 34% upon fucoidin preinjection. Poly(I) inhibited the binding of 125I-LPS to Kupffer and endothelial cells in vitro 73 and 78%, respectively, while poly(A) had no effect. LPS inhibited the binding of acetylated low-density lipoprotein (acLDL) to Kupffer and liver endothelial cells 40 and 55%, respectively, and the binding of oxidized LDL (oxLDL) to Kupffer and liver endothelial cells 65 and 61%, respectively. oxLDL and acLDL did not significantly inhibit the binding of LPS to these cells. We conclude that on both endothelial cells and Kupffer cells, LPS binds mainly to scavenger receptors, but SR-A and macrosialin contribute to a limited extent to the binding of LPS.

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Human recombinant apolipoprotein E redirects lipopolysaccharide from Kupffer cells to liver parenchymal cells in rats In vivo.

Chylomicrons have been shown to protect mice and rats against a lethal dose of lipopolysaccharide and may serve as a therapeutic means to protect against endotoxemia. However, the requisite of isolation from human lymph hampers pharmaceutical application. Recently, we developed recombinant chylomicrons from commercially available lipids and human recombinant apolipoprotein E. The current study explored the effectiveness of these apoE-enriched emulsions in redirecting LPS from Kupffer cells to liver parenchymal cells. Upon injection into rats, 125I-LPS rapidly and specifically associated with the liver (64.3+/-3.1% of the injected dose) and spleen (4.1+/-0.7%). The uptake of LPS by the spleen was four- to fivefold reduced upon incubation with the apoE-enriched emulsion or free apoE (P < 0.0001), but not with emulsion alone or Lipofundin. Within the liver, 125I-LPS mainly associated with Kupffer cells. The uptake by Kupffer cells was eight- to ninefold reduced by the apoE-enriched emulsion or apoE alone (P < 0.01), and a 19.6-fold increased uptake ratio by liver parenchymal cells over Kupffer cells was observed. The emulsion without apoE had no effect on the in vivo kinetics of LPS. LPS interacted selectively with the apoE moiety of the recombinant chylomicron. Emulsion-associated and free apoE bound approximately two molecules of LPS, possibly by its exposed hydrophilic domain involving arginine residues. We anticipate that the protecting effect of endogenous chylomicrons against LPS-induced endotoxemia may result from the apoE moiety and that human recombinant apoE may serve as a therapeuticum to protect against endotoxemia.

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Antagonists of the mannose receptor and the LDL receptor-related protein dramatically delay the clearance of tissue plasminogen activator.

BACKGROUND: Clinical application of tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) as a fibrinolytic agent is complicated by its rapid clearance from the bloodstream, which is caused by TPA liver uptake. The mannose receptor on endothelial liver cells and the LDL receptor-related protein (LRP) on parenchymal liver cells were reported to contribute to liver uptake. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, we addressed whether TPA clearance can be delayed by inhibiting receptor-mediated endocytosis of TPA. A series of cluster mannosides was synthesized, and their affinity for the mannose receptor was determined. A cluster mannoside carrying six mannose groups (M6L5) displayed a subnanomolar affinity for the mannose receptor (Ki = 0.41 +/- 0.09 nmol/L). Preinjection of M6L5 (1.2 mg/kg) reduced the clearance of 125I-TPA in rats by 60% because of specific inhibition of the endothelial cell uptake. The low toxicity of M6L5, combined with its accessible synthesis and high specificity for the mannose receptor, makes it a promising agent to improve the pharmacokinetics of TPA. Blockade of LRP by 39-kD receptor-associated protein (GST-RAP) also inhibited TPA clearance by 60%. Finally, combined preinjection of M6L5 and GST-RAP almost completely abolished reduced liver uptake of TPA and delayed its clearance by a factor of 10. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that (1) the mannose receptor and LRP appear to be the sole major receptors responsible for TPA clearance and (2) therapeutic levels of TPA can be maintained for a prolonged time span by coadministration of the aforementioned receptor antagonists.

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The role of the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) in the plasma clearance and liver uptake of recombinant single-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator in rats.

Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) is used as a thrombolytic agent in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction. In vitro, recombinant single-chain u-PA (rscu-PA) expressed in E.coli is recognized by the Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor-related Protein (LRP) on rat parenchymal liver cells. In this study we investigated the role of LRP in the liver uptake and plasma clearance of rscu-PA in rats. A preinjection of the LRP inhibitor GST-RAP reduced the maximal liver uptake of 125I-rscu-PA at 5 min after injection from 50 to 30% of the injected dose and decreased the clearance of rscu-PA from 2.37 ml/min to 1.58 ml/min. Parenchymal, Kupffer and endothelial cells were responsible for 40, 50 and 10% of the liver uptake, respectively. The reduction in liver uptake of rscu-PA by the preinjection of GST-RAP was caused by a 91% and 62% reduction in the uptake by parenchymal and Kupffer cells, respectively. In order to investigate the part of rscu-PA that accounted for the interaction with LRP, experiments were performed with a mutant of rscu-PA lacking residues 11-135 (= delta 125-rscu-PA). Deletion of residues 11-135 resulted in a 80% reduction in liver uptake and a 2.4 times slower clearance (0.97 ml/min). The parenchymal, Kupffer and endothelial cells were responsible for respectively 60, 33 and 7% of the liver uptake of 125I-delta 125-rscu-PA. Preinjection of GST-RAP completely reduced the liver uptake of delta 125-rscu-PA and reduced its clearance to 0.79 ml/min. Treatment of isolated Kupffer cells with PI-PLC reduced the binding of rscu-PA by 40%, suggesting the involvement of the urokinase-type Plasminogen Activator Receptor (u-PAR) in the recognition of rscu-PA. Our results demonstrate that in vivo LRP is responsible for more than 90% of the parenchymal liver cell mediated uptake of rscu-PA and for 60% of the Kupffer cell interaction. It is also suggested that u-PAR is involved in the Kupffer cell recognition of rscu-PA.

Animals↗

Blockade of the alpha 2-macroglobulin receptor/low-density-lipoprotein-receptor-related protein on rat liver parenchymal cells by the 39-kDa receptor-associated protein leaves the interaction of beta-migrating very-low-density lipoprotein with the lipoprotein remnant receptor unaffected.

The nature of the liver binding site which is responsible for the initial recognition and clearance of chylomicron-remnants and beta-migrating very-low-density lipoprotein (beta-VLDL) is under active dispute. We have investigated the effect of the 39-kDa receptor-associated protein (RAP) on the recognition site for activated alpha 2-macroglobulin and beta-VLDL on rat liver parenchymal cells in vivo and in vitro in order to analyze whether both substrates are recognized and internalized by the same receptor system. Radiolabelled trypsin-activated alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M-T) was cleared rapidly by the liver (maximal uptake of 80.8 +/- 1.0% of the injected dose). Prior injection of 5, 15, or 50 mg gluthathione-S-transferase-linked RAP (GST-RAP)/kg rat reduced the liver uptake to 62.2 +/- 2.3%, 59.3 +/- 1.1%, or 2.9 +/- 0.1% of the injected dose, respectively. Concurrently the serum decay was strongly delayed after injection of 50 mg GST-RAP/kg rat but this did not affect the serum decay and liver uptake of 125I-beta-VLDL. Binding studies with isolated liver parenchymal cells in vitro demonstrated that the binding of 125I-alpha 2M-T was 98% inhibited by GST-RAP with an IC50 of 0.3 microgram/ml (4.2 nM), whereas the binding of 125I-beta-VLDL and 125I-beta-VLDL + recombinant apolipoprotein E (rec-apoE) was unaffected by GST-RAP up to 50 micrograms/ml (700 nM). Also, the cell association and degradation of alpha 2M-T was blocked by RAP, while the association and degradation of beta-VLDL and beta-VLDL + rec-apoE were not influenced. The inhibitory effect of RAP on the cell association and degradation of alpha 2M-T lasted for 1-2 h of incubation at 37 degrees C. The binding of the radioiodinated RAP to isolated liver parenchymal cells was highly efficiently coupled to lysosomal degradation. Upon in vivo injection into rats, 125I-labeled RAP is rapidly cleared from the serum and taken up by the liver, which is also coupled to efficient degradation. Since RAP blocks binding of all known ligands to the alpha 2-macroglobulin receptor/low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (the alpha 2Mr/LRP) and at high concentrations the binding to the LDL receptor, we conclude that the initial binding and internalization of beta-VLDL by rat liver parenchymal cells is not mediated by the alpha 2Mr/LRP. The properties of binding of beta-VLDL to rat liver parenchymal cells points to an apoE-specific recognition site for lipoprotein remnants which differs from the alpha 2Mr/LRP, proteoglycans and the LDL receptor and is tentatively called the lipoprotein remnant receptor.

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Lysine-based cluster mannosides that inhibit ligand binding to the human mannose receptor at nanomolar concentration.

In search of synthetic high affinity ligands for the mannose receptor, we synthesized a series of lysine-based oligomannosides containing two (M2L) to six (M6L5) terminal alpha-D-mannose groups that are connected with the backbone by flexible elongated spacers (16 A). The synthesized cluster mannosides were all able to displace binding of biotinylated ribonuclease B and tissue-type plasminogen activator to isolated human mannose receptor. The affinity of these cluster mannosides for the mannose receptor was continuously enhanced from 18-23 microM to 0.5-2.6 nM, with mannose valencies increasing from two to six. On average, expansion of the cluster mannoside with an additional alpha-D-mannose group resulted in a 10-fold increase in its affinity for the mannose receptor. M3L2 to M6L5 displayed negative cooperative inhibition of ligand binding to the mannose receptor, suggesting that binding of these mannosides involves multiple binding sites. The nanomolar affinity of the most potent ligand, the hexamannoside M6L5 makes it the most potent synthetic cluster mannoside for the mannose receptor yet developed. As a result of its high affinity and accessible synthesis, M6L5 not only is a powerful tool to study the mechanism of ligand binding by the mannose receptor, but it is also a promising targeting device to accomplish cell-specific delivery of genes and drugs to liver endothelial cells or macrophages in bone marrow, lungs, spleen, and atherosclerotic plaques.

Binding, Competitive↗

Interaction of mutants of tissue-type plasminogen activator with liver cells: effect of domain deletions.

The fibrin-specific thrombolyticum tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) has proven to be a potent drug in several clinical trials, but its clinical application is complicated by the rapid clearance of t-PA from the circulation. The rapid plasma clearance of t-PA results from the uptake of t-PA in the liver. t-PA consists of several domains which may be involved in the interaction with the liver. Three domain-deletion mutants, which were produced by the use of a cassette gene system, were studied in vivo and in vitro for their capacity to bind to the various types of rat liver cells. The three mutants lacked, in comparison to control t-PA, the epidermal growth factor (G) domain, the finger (F) domain or the G domain plus the first kringle (K1). The plasma clearance of the three mutants was slower than that of control t-PA. The slower plasma clearance resulted from a decreased liver uptake: 50 and 80% for t-PA mutants and control t-PA respectively. It was found that the K1 domain was of major importance for the uptake of t-PA by liver endothelial cells in vivo and in vitro. The high-affinity binding of t-PA (and t-PA mutants) to parenchymal liver cells depended largely on the presence of the G domain. Other domain(s), like the F, K2 or protease domain, may be responsible for low-affinity, t-PA-specific binding to rat parenchymal liver cells.

Animals↗

The influence of cytokines on the integrity of the blood-brain barrier in vitro.

The effects of the cytokines tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-1 beta and IL-6 on the permeability of monolayers of rat cerebral endothelial cells (RCEC) were investigated to assess potential changes in the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). RCEC were cultured to tight monolayers with a trans endothelial electrical resistance (TEER) of 100-150 ohm . cm2 on polycarbonate filters. Exposure of the RCEC to TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-6 induced a decline in the TEER, which could be completely abolished by 1 muM of indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor. In addition, the effect of IL-1 beta on TEER across monolayers of RCEC could be completely inhibited by IL-1 receptor antagonist. In conclusion, cytokines induce a disruption of the BBB in vitro. In this process, cyclooxygenase activation within the endothelial cells seems to play a key role.

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Interleukin-1 receptors on rat brain endothelial cells: a role in neuroimmune interaction?

Inflammation following an infection induces a range of nonspecific symptoms of sickness in animals and humans. The cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1) mediates many of the brain-mediated symptoms of sickness. Binding sites for IL-1 have been found in mouse brain, but not in the brains of rats. This raises questions as to the involvement of these neuronally localized IL-1 binding sites in the induction of sickness symptoms. Based on observations of IL-1 receptor mRNA in close vicinity to the vasculature in the mouse and rat brain, we studied the possibility that endothelial cells in the rat brain exhibit IL-1 receptors to transduce information to the brain. Ligand binding studies reveal that cultured endothelial cells of adult rat brain exhibit specific binding sites for rat IL-1beta. Polymerase chain reaction experiments demonstrated that mRNA of the type I but not that of the type II IL-1 receptor is present in rat brain endothelial cells. Incubation of these endothelial cells with recombinant rat IL-1beta showed a dose-dependent increase in interleukin-6, prostaglandin E(2), and prostacyclin secretion. Intravenous administration of rat IL-1beta to adult rats enhanced prostaglandin E(2) immunoreactivity in endothelial cells of the brain microvasculature. These results indicate that functional type I IL-1 receptors are present on endothelial cells of adult rat brain. We postulate that circulating IL-1 can be translated by brain endothelial cells into other signals such as interleukin-6 or prostaglandins that have access to the brain and induce sickness symptoms.

Animals↗

Fracture after cardiac transplantation: a prospective longitudinal study.

Cardiac transplantation is associated with increased prevalence of vertebral fractures, but the natural history of and risk factors for fracture after this life-saving procedure are unclear. We evaluated 47 patients (34 men and 13 postmenopausal women) before transplantation with spinal radiographs, determination of bone density by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, and measurement of biochemical indexes of mineral metabolism. During the first year after transplantation, incident fractures were documented radiographically. Associations among demographic characteristics, bone density, biochemistries, and fracture risk were evaluated with logistic regression analysis. Despite supplementation with elemental calcium (1000 mg/day) and vitamin D (400 IU/day), 17 patients (7 women and 10 men) sustained a total of 34 fractures. Most fractures involved the spine, and 85% of the patients who experienced fracture did so within 6 months of transplantation. Fifty-four percent of the women and 29% of the men experienced fracture. Femoral neck bone mineral density was significantly lower in women who experienced fracture than in those who did not (0.604 +/- 0.11 vs. 0.760 +/- 0.12 g/cm2; P < 0.04), but did not differ in men according to fracture outcome. The amount of bone loss at the femoral neck by 6 months after transplantation was significantly greater in men with fracture than in men without fracture (12.0 +/- 6.4% vs. 6.8 +/- 5.3%; P < 0.04), but did not differ in women according to fracture outcome. Pretransplant 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels were significantly lower (25 +/- 9 vs. 39 +/- 17 pg/mL; P < 0.007) and intact PTH levels tended to be higher in men who did not experience fracture (37 +/- 15 vs. 69 +/- 46 pg/mL; P < 0.06). Individual pretransplant bone density measurements demonstrated substantial overlap between patients who did and did not experience fracture, and normal bone density did not necessarily protect against fracture after transplantation. We conclude that fractures are a common and early complication of cardiac transplantation. No pretransplant measurement has yet been identified that reliably predicts fracture after transplantation in the individual patient.

Bone Density↗

Effect of endotoxin on permeability of bovine cerebral endothelial cell layers in vitro.

The effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on cultured cerebral endothelial cells was investigated to assess the changes in the trans endothelial electrical resistance (TEER) across the blood-brain barrier that may occur during inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system. Primary cultures of bovine cerebral endothelial cells were cultured to tight monolayers with a TEER of 250 to 300 omega.cm2 on polycarbonate Transwell filters. LPS induced a time- and dose-dependent decline in TEER. Transport of the hydrophilic model compounds sodium fluorescein and fluorescein dextran (MR, 4 kDa) across monolayers of bovine cerebral endothelial cells increased more than 3-fold after treatment of the cells with LPS (50 ng/ml). Treatment of the monolayers with various concentrations of LPS caused a 3-to 4-fold increase in the permeability of bovine cerebral endothelial cells for [125I]bovine serum albumin, which was also preceded by a decrease in TEER. The reduction of TEER by LPS could be inhibited completely by indomethacin (10(-6)M for 30 min), a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, but not by dexamethasone, a glucocorticoid (10(-7) M for 16 hr). In conclusion, LPS administration to blood-brain barrier endothelial cells causes a decrease in TEER which leads to enhanced transport of low and high molecular weight molecules. During this process the production of eicosanoids by the endothelial cells seem to play a key role.

Animals↗

Zonal distribution of receptor binding of trypsin-activated alpha 2-macroglobulin, alpha 2-macroglobulin receptor-associated protein, lactoferrin and transferrin on rat liver parenchymal cells.

Periportal and perivenous rat liver parenchymal cells were isolated according to the digitonin-collagenase perfusion method. Affinities and maximal specific binding of a conjugate of glutathione S-transferase and the alpha 2-macroglobulin receptor-associated protein (GST-39kDaP), of lactoferrin and of transferrin to freshly isolated periportal parenchymal cells in vitro were not significantly different from values obtained with perivenous cells. It is concluded that the receptors for these three ligands show a zonally homogeneous expression in rat liver. The zonal homogeneity in binding observed for GST-39kDaP is at variance with the 1.5-fold higher periportal over perivenous binding of trypsin-activated alpha 2-macroglobulin. Since GST-39kDaP as well as trypsin-activated alpha 2-macroglobulin are ligands for the alpha 2-macroglobulin receptor/low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein, it is suggested that GST-39kDaP can bind to (an) additional receptor(s) with a higher perivenous expression. The zonal homogeneity observed with lactoferrin, an inhibitor of ligand binding to the lipoprotein remnant receptor, may indicate zonal homogeneity of the lipoprotein remnant receptor. The observed zonal homogeneity of the transferrin receptor suggests an equal and essential need for iron by parenchymal cells across the rat liver acinus in vivo.

Animals↗