Original Article
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World J Biol Chem. Nov 26, 2013; 4(4): 131-140
Published online Nov 26, 2013. doi: 10.4331/wjbc.v4.i4.131
High-density lipoprotein endocytosis in endothelial cells
Stefanie Fruhwürth, Margit Pavelka, Robert Bittman, Werner J Kovacs, Katharina M Walter, Clemens Röhrl, Herbert Stangl
Stefanie Fruhwürth, Clemens Röhrl, Herbert Stangl, Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Institute of Medical Chemistry, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Margit Pavelka, Department of Cell Biology and Ultrastructure Research, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Robert Bittman, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Queens College of The City University of New York, Flushing, NY 11367-1597, United States
Werner J Kovacs, Katharina M Walter, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zürich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
Author contributions: Fruhwürth S performed the in vitro experiments; Kovacs WJ, Walter KM and Röhrl C performed the in vivo experiments; Bittman R provided the fluorescent cholesterol surrogates; all authors were involved in writing and editing the manuscript.
Supported by the Austrian Science Fund, No. P20116-B13 and No. P22838-B13
Correspondence to: Dr. Herbert Stangl, Center for Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Institute of Medical Chemistry, Medical University of Vienna, Währingerstrasse 10, 1090 Vienna, Austria. herbert.stangl@meduniwien.ac.at
Telephone: +43-1-4016038023 Fax: +43-1-40160938081
Received: August 30, 2013
Revised: November 11, 2013
Accepted: November 18, 2013
Published online: November 26, 2013
Processing time: 97 Days and 23.9 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip: The cardio-protective effect of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is related to its ability to transfer lipids from the periphery, such as atherosclerotic plaques, back to the liver for excretion. Therefore, HDL has to cross the endothelial barrier. In the present work we analyzed the steps and way stations of HDL uptake and resecretion using novel fluorescent cholesterol surrogates in human endothelial cells as a model for the endothelial barrier. HDL uptake occurred via clathrin-coated pits, tubular endosomes and multivesicular bodies in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Finally we compared key findings to the in vivo situation.