Determination of the respective density distributions of low- and high-density lipoprotein particles in bovine plasma and lymph by immunoassay of apoproteins A-I and B.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to M J Chapman.
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We have recently evaluated the in vivo role of the liver in lipoprotein homeostasis in the preruminant calf (Bauchart, D., D. Durand, P. M. Laplaud, P. Forgez, S. Goulinet, and M. J. Chapman, 1989. J. Lipid Res. 30: 1499-1514). We now present the partial characterization of lipoprotein particles in postprandial intestinal lymph at peak lipid absorption (i.e., 10 h after a meal) in the preruminant calf fed a curdled milk replacer. Intestinal lymph from four male preruminant calves was analyzed for its content of lipids and fractionated by sequential and density gradient ultracentrifugation into chylomicrons (Sf greater than 400), very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) (Sf less than 400; d less than 1.006 g/ml), and a series of lipoprotein subfractions with d greater than 1.006 g/ml. Postprandial lymph contained predominantly triglycerides (1099 +/- 611 mg/100 ml), with lesser amounts of phospholipids (197 +/- 107 mg/100 ml) and cholesterol (52 +/- 30 mg/100 ml). The most abundant particles were triglyceride-rich chylomicrons and VLDL which accounted for approximately 76% and approximately 19%, respectively, of total d less than 1.21 g/ml lipoproteins. As judged by negative stain electron microscopy, chylomicron particle diameters ranged from 650 to 2400 A, while VLDL were smaller and distributed over a distinct size range (340-860 A). These two lipoprotein classes each presented protein components with Mr comparable to those of human apoB-48, apoA-I, and C apoproteins, together with an Mr 52,000 protein resembling human beta 2-glycoprotein-I. In addition, VLDL exhibited a polypeptide with Mr approximately 61,000. Lymph lipoproteins with d greater than 1.006 g/ml consisted primarily (approximately 81% of total) of particles distributed over the 1.053-1.119 g/ml density range. Electrophoretic analysis of the latter lipoprotein fraction showed it to be heterogeneous, including particles with the migration characteristics of low and of high density lipoproteins, respectively. Subfractions in the d 1.053-1.076 g/ml range were dominated by particles with Stokes diameters typical of high density lipoproteins (HDL), but also contained three different populations of low density lipoprotein-like particles. The high molecular weight apolipoproteins in these same cholesteryl ester-rich (greater than 30% of lipoprotein mass) subfractions comprised components with Mr resembling those of human apoB-100 and apoB-48, respectively, and with the latter protein predominating to a varying degree. A counterpart to human apoA-I was the major protein component over the entire density range from d 1.053 to 1.119 g/ml.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The laying hen represents a physiological model in which the mechanisms of action of estrogens on lipid transport can be evaluated. The plasma lipoproteins in the laying hen were subfractionated into discrete particle species by isopycnic density gradient ultracentrifugation and the physicochemical properties and apolipoprotein contents of individual subfractions evaluated. The qualitative and quantitative aspects of this estrogen-specific profile were then compared to those of the immature chicken. As observed earlier, estrogens induced dramatic elevation in very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) (up to 900 mg/dl). Indeed, triglyceride-rich lipoproteins with densities up to 1.035 g/ml, i.e. VLDL and their remnants, behaved as a continuum which displayed little variation in size (20.5-21 nm), electrophoretic mobility (beta-like) and apolipoprotein content; apo B-100 (540 kDa) predominated while apo A-I (27 kDa), apo VLDL-II (19 kDa) and an apo-C-like protein (13 kDa) were present as minor components. The typical high-density lipoproteins (HDL) in the immature chicken were replaced by a lipoprotein population whose physicochemical properties were quite distinct. Thus these particles were distributed as a single, asymmetric peak over the density range 1.030-1.158 g/ml, a wide interval which overlapped that of apo-B-rich particles at its lower limit. The rho 1.030-1.158 g/ml lipoproteins were present at concentrations (approximately equal to 200 mg/dl) some twofold to threefold lower than those of HDL in immature birds. Furthermore, they displayed physical and chemical properties in common with both low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and HDL and were LDL-like in exhibiting beta mobility but HDL-like in size (9-15 nm diameter). Their protein moiety was also HDL-like in its predominant content of apo A-I; small amounts of apo VLDL-II and the apo-C-like protein were also detected. Substantial amounts of lipid were found at rho greater than 1.195 g/ml: such substances are absent in the immature chicken and may reflect the presence of vitellogenins. The hyperestrogenic state in the laying hen is therefore associated with major modifications in lipoprotein and apolipoprotein profile. Such modifications may be of relevance to clinical disorders involving estrogen-induced hyperlipidemia.
The problem of model indistinguishability is introduced in the context of linear compartmental models in pharmacokinetics. The two most widely used methods of analyzing model indistinguishability are described. It is shown that as the number of compartments increases, one approach, based on the Laplace transforms of the observations, although conceptually simple, can result in very large numbers of candidate models to be examined for indistinguishability, while the other approach, based on similarity transformations, although systematic, often results in very difficult algebraic expressions. These problems can be eased by the use of some simple geometrical rules, used at the outset of an indistinguishability analysis. The approach is illustrated by application of two 2-compartment drug, 2-compartment metabolite models.
We have evaluated the potential relationships between plasma levels of certain coagulation factors, i.e. factor VII antigen (F VIIag) and factor VII coagulant activity (F VIIc), and parameters of lipid transport in a group of 90 normotriglyceridemic patients displaying hypercholesterolemia (Fredrickson's type IIa hyperlipoproteinemia). Levels of factor VIIc were significantly elevated (P less than 0.01) in this patient group as compared to a group of healthy normolipidemic subjects. By contrast, levels of factor VIIag were also increased, but such differences were not significant in relation to those of controls. Furthermore, concentrations of F VIIc and F VIIag in hypercholesterolemic males and females resembled each other. Similar observations were made when patients were divided into those either presenting or lacking symptoms of vascular disease. However, plasma levels of both F VIIc and F VIIag were positively correlated with circulating triglyceride concentrations in the hypercholesterolemic group, but not with other parameters of lipid transport such as serum cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B. When patients were treated with a lipid-lowering agent (cholestyramine), lower levels of both F VIIc and F VIIag were found concomitantly with a decrease of similar order in triglyceride concentrations. We conclude that serum triglyceride levels, even within the normal range, may be associated with elevation in the activity of factor VII in hypercholesterolemic patients, thereby increasing their risk of thrombosis.
The problem of constructing all minimal compartmental models that are indistinguishable through input-output knowledge alone from some given model is examined. The main tool in this analysis is a set of geometric properties that can be deduced from input-output knowledge and hence must be equally true in any two indistinguishable models. These properties, together with preservation of the form of the model's transfer function(s), provide an effective means for producing a set of candidate models for indistinguishability.
We describe the development of five murine monoclonal antibodies (14A12, 39A1, 53A9, 73A7, and 128A6) specific to human apolipoprotein[a] (Mr approximately 570,000), and their characterization by a number of procedures including cotitration, competition and inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), immunoblotting of native lipoproteins and of SDS-solubilized apolipoproteins electrophoresed in polyacrylamide gels, and dot immunobinding assays. The patterns of immunoreactivity of these antibodies were similar. Each reacted in ELISA assays and upon electroimmunoblotting with purified apo[a], with apo[a] liberated by reduction of Lp[a], and with delipidated Lp[a] solubilized in SDS, but by contrast, they reacted with native Lp[a] to a significant degree only upon electroimmunoblotting. No reactivity was seen with LDL-apoB-100 or with other apolipoproteins. The cross-reactivity of these antibodies with the homologous protein, plasminogen, was examined by comparison of the amount of plasminogen or apo[a] required for 50% inhibition of antibody binding to apo[a], and by an ELISA assay. The inhibition assay showed reactivity with plasminogen to be 37- to 50-fold lower than with apo[a], while dot immunobinding showed the lower limit of detection of plasminogen and of apo[a] to be approximately 320 and 31 micrograms, respectively. In an ELISA sandwich assay based on monoclonal antibodies LHLP-1, 14A12, and 53A9, the lower limit of Lp[a] detection (approximately 1 ng/ml protein) was about 100-fold less than that of plasminogen. Chemical modification of apo[a] revealed a significant contribution of arginine residues to the epitopes of 14A12, 39A1, and 53A9. Modification of cysteine residues with iodoacetamide was without effect, thereby distinguishing these antibodies from LHLP-1. Each antibody reacted with the six major size forms of apo[a] (Mr approximately 450,000-750,000) in immunoblots of human sera electrophoresed in SDS-polyacrylamide gels. Marked heterogeneity in apo[a] phenotype was detected and both single and double band phenotypes were observed in a randomized study. Cotitration and competition binding studies showed varying degrees of interaction between all five epitopes, with the exception of 128A6 which appeared to be independent of 39A1 and 53A9 (and vice versa). These data suggest that our five monoclonal antibodies recognize epitopes on apolipoprotein[a] that are exposed and accessible on the native Lp[a] particle. We conclude that our monoclonal antibodies recognize a specific region of apo[a], and that this region undergoes a conformational change upon adsorption of Lp[a] to plastic thereby diminishing epitope recognition.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The in vivo role of the liver in lipoprotein homeostasis in the preruminant calf, a functional monogastric, has been evaluated. To this end, the hydrodynamic and physicochemical properties, density distribution, apolipoprotein content, and flow rates of the various lipoprotein particle species were determined in the hepatic afferent (portal vein and hepatic artery) and efferent (hepatic vein) vessels in fasting, 3-week-old male preruminant calves. Plasma lipoprotein profiles were established by physicochemical analyses of a series of subfractions isolated by isopycnic density gradient ultracentrifugation. Triglyceride-rich very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) (d less than 1.018 g/ml) were minor plasma constituents (approximately 1% or less of total d less than 1.180 g/ml lipoproteins). The major apolipoproteins of VLDL were apoB-like species, while the complement of minor components included bovine apoA-I and apoC-like peptides. Particles with diameters (193-207 A) typical of low density lipoproteins (LDL) were present over the density interval 1.026-1.076 g/ml; however, only LDL of d 1.026-1.046 g/ml were present as a unique and homogeneous size subspecies, containing the two apoB-like species as major protein components in addition to elevated cholesteryl ester contents. LDL represented approximately 10% of total d less than 1.180 g/ml lipoproteins in fasting plasma from all three hepatic vessels. Overlap in the density distribution of particles with the diameters of LDL and of high density lipoproteins (HDL) occurred in the density range from 1.046 to 1.076 g/ml; these HDL particles were 130-150 A in diameter. HDL were the major plasma particles (approximately 90% of total d less than 1.180 g/ml substances) and presented as two distinct populations which we have termed light (HDLL) and heavy (HDLH) HDL. Light HDL (d 1.060-1.091 g/ml) ranged in size from 120 to 140 A, and were distinguished by their high cholesteryl ester (29-33%) and low triglyceride (1-3%) contents; apoA-I was the principal apolipoprotein. Small amounts of apolipoproteins with Mr less than 60,000, including apoC-like peptides, were also present. Heavy HDL (d 1.091-1.180 g/ml) accounted for almost half (47%) of total calf HDL, and like HDLL, were also enriched in cholesteryl ester and apoA-I; they ranged in size from 93 to 120 A. The protein moiety of HDLH was distinct in its possession of an apoA-IV-like protein (Mr 42,000). Blood flow rates were determined by electromagnetic flowmetry, thereby permitting determination of net lipoprotein balance across the liver. VLDL were efficiently removed during passage through the liver (net uptake 1.06 mg/min per kg body weight).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Platelet activating factor (PAF; C16), 1-O-Hexadecyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine) stimulated the production of active oxygen species by human monocyte-derived macrophages in culture. An optimal response was observed at a concentration of 13 microM PAF with half-maximal stimulation at 5 microM. The generation of superoxide ion (O2-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in response to PAF was inhibited specifically by a PAF-antagonist (1-O-Hexadecyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho (N,N,N,-trimethyl) hexanolamine; such generation varied with the degree of maturation of cultured monocytes into macrophages. Production of active oxygen species increased progressively to reach a maximal level between days 4 to 6 of culture and remained maximal to day 12, after which it decreased progressively. Phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) and opsonized zymosan also stimulated generation of O2- and H2O2. PAF was however distinguished by its potent capacity to stimulate O2- and H2O2 production even at late stages of macrophage maturation (18 days), at which time both PMA and zymosan lacked significant effect. These findings suggest that PAF is a factor of potential relevance to the inflammatory role of the macrophage in atherogenesis.
Dietary plant proteins may lower plasma cholesterol and LDL concentrations in hypercholesterolemic patients when substituted for animal proteins, particularly in diets with low cholesterol and saturated fat content. Plant protein diets appear, however, to be without effect on plasma lipoprotein levels in normal subjects. In the present study, we have examined whether the origin of the dietary protein, i.e. plant (soy) or animal (casein), affects the plasma lipoproteins in normolipidemic subjects when these proteins are presented as components of diets low in cholesterol and saturated fat. The study followed a crossover design. Five men and 5 women consumed liquid formula diets containing 20% of calories as casein or soy protein, 28% as fat (mainly monounsaturated), and 52% as carbohydrate; the intake of cholesterol was less than 100 mg per day. The two dietary periods, each of 1 month duration, were separated by an interim period of 1 month on self-chosen food. Following an initial 30% reduction of cholesterol and LDL plasma levels on both diets, the concentrations of each of the major lipoprotein classes (VLDL, IDL, LDL, HDL2 and HDL3) were similar during the two experimental dietary periods. Body weights were essentially constant. Dietary soy protein and casein could not be distinguished in their effects on the plasma concentrations and chemical composition of the major lipoprotein classes in normolipidemic subjects.
The heterogeneity of the plasma low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in subjects with type III hyperlipoproteinemia (3 cases), with hypertriglyceridemia (4 cases) and with the heterozygous form of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH, 4 cases) has been evaluated using a new, high resolution equilibrium density gradient ultracentrifugation procedure. The mass distribution profile, physicochemical properties, particle heterogeneity and apoprotein B content of a series of 13 LDL subfractions was examined in the 3 hyperlipidemic groups and the data were compared with those reported earlier in normolipidemic subjects. In FH, LDL mass was distributed as a narrow peak of d approximately 1.031-1.034 g/ml, whereas the distribution in hypertriglyceridemia was markedly asymmetric with a single peak of elevated density (d approximately 1.037-1.043 g/ml); the distribution in type III subjects was distinguished by its bi- or trimodal nature and broad profile. The chemical composition of LDL gradient subfractions in FH and in hypertriglyceridemia markedly resembled that of the respective parent LDL of d = 1.019-1.063 g/ml, displaying elevated proportions of cholesteryl ester in FH and of protein in hypertriglyceridemia. LDL subfractions in type III disease were enriched in free cholesterol. The Stokes diameters of LDL particles in corresponding subfractions from the 3 hyperlipidemic states were similar; however, whereas a single particle species was characteristic of each LDL subfraction in both FH and in our normolipidemic group, 2 species were frequently present in each subfraction in both type III and type IV diseases; in addition, subfractions from type III subjects occasionally exhibited 3 size species. Apolipoprotein B-100 was the predominant protein component in LDL subfractions from all 3 hyperlipidemic groups. Plasma LDL consist then of multiple particle species which constitute a particularly complex spectrum in type III hyperlipoproteinemia and in hypertriglyceridemia. The origin(s) of such particle subspecies is indeterminate at present; moreover, they may differ in their intravascular metabolism, in their degradation in tissues and in their relative atherogenicities.
The structural and metabolic heterogeneity of low density lipoproteins (LDL, d 1.024-1.100 g/ml) has been investigated in the guinea pig. Two LDL subfractions, of d 1.024-1.050 and 1.050-1.100 g/ml, respectively, were isolated by sequential ultracentrifugation; while both were enriched in cholesteryl ester and apoB-100, the former was heterogeneous displaying three particle size species of diameters 26.9, 25.6, and 24.7 nm, whereas the denser subfraction was relatively homogeneous containing a single, smaller species (diam. 23.6 nm). The fractional catabolic rates (FCR) of the two LDL subfractions were alike (approximately 0.090 pools/hr) in the guinea pig in vivo. After modification of each subfraction by reductive methylation, the FCRs were reduced similarly and indicated that 70-80% of degradation occurred via the cellular LDL receptor pathway. However, the intravascular metabolism of these LDL subfractions, determined from the radioactive content of density gradient fractions as a function of time after injection of radiolabeled native or chemically modified LDL, tended to be distinct. Thus, while radiolabeled apoB-100 in the lighter subfraction maintained the initial density profile up to 48 hr, the radioactive profile of its methylated counterpart changed, the proportion of radioactivity in the lighter gradient fractions (d 1.027-1.032 g/ml) increasing while that in the denser (d 1.037-1.042 g/ml) fractions diminished. A more marked transformation occurred in LDL of d 1.050-1.100 g/ml, in which the radioactive profile shifted towards lighter particles of the d 1.024-1.050 g/ml species; this shift was partially dependent on the LDL receptor, since it was more pronounced in the methylated subfraction. Furthermore, a net increase in the radioactive content of gradient subfractions 7 to 9 (d 1.032-1.042 g/ml) was found 10 hr after injection of methylated LDL of d 1.050-1.100 g/ml, at which time the bulk of LDL radioactivity had been removed from plasma. Several mechanisms, acting alone or in combination, may account for these findings; among them, some degree of transformation of dense to lighter LDL species appears a prerequisite. In conclusion, our data attest to the structural heterogeneity of circulating LDL in the guinea pig, and suggest that the intravascular processing and metabolism of LDL particle subspecies is directly related to their structure and physicochemical properties.
The molecular basis of the heterogeneity of plasma low density lipoproteins (LDL, d 1.024-1.050 g/ml) was evaluated in 40 normolipidemic male subjects following fractionation by isopycnic density gradient ultracentrifugation into eight major subspecies. The mass profile of our subjects' LDL uniformly displayed single symmetric or asymmetric peaks as a function of density; the peak occurred most frequently (20 subjects) in subfraction 7 (d 1.0297-1.0327 g/ml). Several physicochemical properties (hydrodynamic behavior, electrophoretic mobility, chemical composition, size and particle heterogeneity, and apolipoprotein heterogeneity) of the LDL subfractions were examined. Hydrodynamic analyses revealed unimodal distributions and distinct peak Sf degree rates in individual subfractions. Such behavior correlated well with particle size and heterogeneity data, in which LDL subspecies were typically resolved as unique narrow bands by gradient gel electrophoresis. Subspecies with average densities of 1.024 to 1.0409 g/ml ranged from 229 to 214 A in particle diameter. LDL protein content increased in parallel with density while the proportion of triglyceride diminished; cholesteryl esters predominated, accounting for approximately 40% or more by weight. Distinct differences in net electric charge were demonstrated by electrophoresis in agarose gel, the subspecies with average density of 1.0314 g/ml displaying the lowest net negative charge. ApoB-100 was the major apoprotein in all subspecies, and constituted the unique protein component over the density interval 1.0271-1.0393 g/ml. ApoE and apo[a] were detected at densities less than 1.0271 and greater than 1.0393 g/ml. While apoE was evenly distributed within these two regions, representing up to 2% of apoLDL, the distribution of apo[a] was skewed towards the denser region, in which it amounted to 3-7% of apoLDL. ApoC-III was detectable as a trace component at densities greater than 1.0358 g/ml. Calculation of the number of molecules of each chemical component per LDL subspecies showed the presence of one copy of apoB-100 per particle, in association with decreasing amounts of cholesteryl ester, free cholesterol, and phospholipid. These data indicate that a similar overall molecular organization and structure is maintained in a unimodal distribution of LDL particle subspecies over the density range approximately 1.02 to 1.05 g/ml. In sum, our data may be interpreted to suggest that microheterogeneity in the physicochemical properties of human LDL subspecies reflects dissimilarities in their origins, intravascular metabolism, tissular fate, and possibly in their atherogenicity.
The fractionation and physicochemical characterization of the complex molecular components composing the plasma lipoprotein spectrum in the goose, a potential model of liver steatosis, are described. Twenty lipoprotein subfractions (d less than 1.222 g/ml) were separated by isopycnic density gradient ultracentrifugation, and characterized according to their chemical composition, particle size and particle heterogeneity, electrophoretic mobility, and apolipoprotein content. Analytical ultracentrifugal analyses showed high density lipoproteins (HDL) to predominate (approximately 450 mg/dl plasma), the peak of its distribution occurring at d approximately 1.090 g/ml (F1.21 approximately 2.5). The HDL class displayed marked density heterogeneity, HDL1-like particles being detected up to a lower density limit of approximately 1.020 g/ml, particle size decreasing progressively from 17-19 nm at d 1.024-1.028 g/ml to 10.5-12 nm (d 1.055-1.065 g/ml), and then remaining constant (approximately 9 nm) at densities greater than 1.065 g/ml. HDL subfractions displayed multiple size species; five subspecies were present over the range d 1.103-1.183 g/ml with diameters of 10.5, 9.9, 9.0, 8.2, and 7.5 nm, four in the range d 1.090-1.103 g/ml (diameters 10.5, 9.9, 9.0, and 8.2 nm) and three over the range d 1.076-1.090 g/ml (diameters 10.5, 9.9, and 9.0 nm). ApoA-I (Mr 25,000-27,000) was the major apolipoprotein in all goose HDL subfractions, while the minor components (apparent Mr 100,000, 91,000, 64,000, 58,000, approximately 42,000, 18,000 and apoC-like proteins) showed marked quantitative and qualitative variation across this density range (i.e., 1.055-1.165 g/ml). The d 1.063 g/ml boundary for separation of goose low density lipoproteins (LDL) from HDL was inappropriate, since HDL-like particles were present in the density interval 1.024-1.063 g/ml, while particles enriched in apoB (Mr approximately 540,000) and resembling LDL in size (approximately 20.5 nm) were detected up to a density of approximately 1.076 g/ml. Goose LDL itself was a major component of the profile (90-172 mg/dl) with a single peak of high flotation rate (Sf approximately 10.5). The physicochemical properties and apolipoprotein content of intermediate density lipoproteins (IDL) and LDL varied but little over the range d 1.013-1.040 g/ml, presenting as two particle species (diameters 20.5 and 21 nm) of essentially constant chemical composition; LDL (d 1.019-1.040 g/ml) were separated from HDL1 by gel filtration chromatography and appeared to contain primarily apoB with lesser amounts of apoA-I.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
This discussion outlines the major aspects of the human pharmacology of fenofibrate, a hypolipidemic agent. In view of its short half-life, efficient absorption, and elimination, fenofibrate would not appear to accumulate in either plasma or tissues. It is extensively absorbed only in the presence of food and is transported through the bloodstream by albumin. Fenofibrate is taken up by both the liver and kidney. Except for a small percentage (about 5 percent) reduced at the ketone moiety before conjugation, most drug is excreted as a conjugate in the urine. Less than 20 percent is excreted through the bile. In normal persons, at steady state with usual doses of 100 mg three times daily, the plasma half-life approximates 30 hours. Because fenofibrate is not dialyzable, it has a markedly prolonged half life in patients with renal failure and should not be used.
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Interstitial fluid (IF) was obtained in 27 apparently healthy subjects (12 males, 15 females) by applying mild suction (200-250 mm Hg) on the skin either on the midvolar forearm or on the paraumbilical region of the abdomen. The IF concentrations of lipids and apolipoproteins (apo) were studied and compared with those of serum (S). The mean ratio between interstitial fluid and serum (IF/S ratio) varied from 0.14 for forearm apoE to 0.29 for apoA-II on the abdomen. This ratio was consistently lower for apoE, C-II, C-III, and B than for apoA-I and A-II, and significantly lower on the arm than on the abdomen for all apolipoproteins studied. The IF/S ratios showed marked variations among individuals. However, interstitial fluid apolipoprotein concentrations at different blister sites were highly correlated within each individual. Studies with agarose gel electrophoresis and density gradient ultracentrifugation revealed that large triglyceride-rich particles were virtually lacking in interstitial fluid and that the relation between the low density lipoproteins (LDL) and high density lipoproteins (HDL) was shifted towards a greater proportion of HDL. The lipoprotein distribution in the HDL range of interstitial fluid differed from that of serum showing one maximum at a density of about 1.070 g/ml (serum HDL2 about 1.090 g/ml) and one at a density of 1.130-1.140 g/ml (serum HDL3, 1.110-1.120 g/ml). The former subfraction contained most of the lipoprotein-bound apoE while the latter contained the major part of apoA-I and apoA-II. Studies of the lipoproteins of interstitial fluid may add to our understanding of the development of atherosclerosis and xanthomatosis and may also provide valuable information on the permeability of the capillary membrane in normo- and pathophysiological states.