Glucose-modified low density lipoprotein enhances human monocyte chemotaxis.

In diabetes mellitus the progression of atherosclerosis is accelerated. The interaction of glucose with atherogenic lipoproteins may be relevant to the mechanisms responsible for this vascular damage. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of glucose-modified low density lipoprotein (LDL) on human monocyte chemotaxis and to investigate the roles of oxidation and glycation in the generation of chemotactic LDL. Cu(II)-mediated LDL oxidation was potentiated by glucose in a dose-dependent manner and increased its chemotactic activity. Incubation with glucose alone, under conditions where very little oxidation was observed, also increased the chemotactic property of LDL. Neither diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DETAPAC) nor aminoguanidine, which both inhibited LDL oxidation, completely inhibited the chemotactic activity of glycated oxidised LDL. The results suggest that both oxidation and glycation contribute to increased chemotactic activity.

Effect of glucose-mediated LDL oxidation on the P388D1 macrophage-like cell line.

Oxidised human low density lipoprotein (LDL) is thought to play a role in the development of atherosclerosis. Recent reports suggest that glucose-derived oxidants are capable of oxidising LDL. In this report, the effect of glucose-mediated oxidation of LDL upon the macrophage like cell line, P388D(1), was examined. Glucose-mediated oxidation of LDL was assessed by changes in the electrophoretic mobility of LDL and by analysis of lipid content using gas chromatography. The presence of Cu(II) (0.5 microM) was essential for the oxidation of LDL. The oxidation was potentiated by glucose in a dose- and time-dependent manner. At the concentration of LDL used (1 mg/ml), high concentrations of glucose (up to 500 mM) were required to oxidise LDL. The electrophoretic mobility of LDL correlated with the degree of lipid oxidation; both correlated with an inhibitory effect of oxidised LDL upon P388D(1) DNA synthesis. Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DETAPAC), a transition metal chelator, and aminoguanidine (AMG), an anti-glycation agent, inhibited the oxidation of LDL and attenuated the effects on DNA synthesis. Thus, glucose can mediate transition metal-dependent oxidation of LDL to a level that can affect P388D(1) cells, a mechanism which might have relevance to accelerated atherosclerosis in diabetic patients.

Vascular endothelial growth factor is produced by peritoneal fluid macrophages in endometriosis and is regulated by ovarian steroids.

Angiogenesis is important in the pathophysiology of endometriosis, a condition characterized by implantation of ectopic endometrium in the peritoneal cavity. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent angiogenic factor involved in physiological and pathological angiogenesis, and elevated levels of VEGF are found in peritoneal fluid of patients with endometriosis. Our aim was to investigate the site of expression and regulation of VEGF in endometriosis. VEGF immunoreactivity was found in tissue macrophages present in ectopic endometrium and in activated peritoneal fluid macrophages. Macrophage activation was highest in women with endometriosis, and media conditioned by peritoneal fluid macrophages from these women caused a VEGF-dependent increase in endothelial cell proliferation above that seen from normal women. Peritoneal fluid macrophages secreted VEGF in response to ovarian steroids, and this secretion was enhanced after activation with lipopolysaccharide. Peritoneal fluid macrophages expressed receptors for steroid hormones. VEGF receptors flt and KDR (kinase domain receptor) were also detected, suggesting autocrine regulation. During the menstrual cycle, expression of flt was constant but that of KDR was increased in the luteal phase, at which time the cells migrated in response to VEGF. KDR expression and the migratory response were significantly higher in patients with endometriosis. This study demonstrates that activated macrophages are a major source of VEGF in endometriosis and that this expression is regulated directly by ovarian steroids.