Lipid droplets in atherosclerotic fatty streaks of human aorta

Abstract

A B S T R A C T Preparations of lipid droplets and droplet-free tissue residue (cytoplasm + membranes + nuclei) were obtained by homogenization and centrifugal separation from intimal fatty streak lesions of aortic atherosclerosis of 21 adults who had died suddenly. Neutral lipids and phospholipids were analyzed by quantitative thin-layer chromatography and cholesteryl ester fatty acids by gas-liquid chromatography. Optical properties of droplets were evaluated by differential counting and sizing procedures with the polarizing microscope. The droplets occurred in mixtures of two forms distinguished by their optical properties, anisotropic (i.e. liquid crystals) and isotrop c (true liquids). Both forms had average diameters of about 1.8 1A, with a range of 0.55 ,.. The proportions of the two forms varied with temperature as individual droplets changed their form; anisotropic forms averaged 83.7% at 220C and 37.8% at 370C, with isotropic forms being 16.3 and 62.2% respectively. The proportions of anisotropic forms at 220C decreased with age. These forms were not separated for chemical analysis. The droplets contained about half the lipid in the lesions. The composition of the lipids of the droplet mixture was remarkably uniform and strikingly different from that of the droplet-free residue. respectively: cholesteryl esters 94.9% vs. 38.7%, free cholesterol 1.7% vs. 18.6%. total phospholipids 1.0% vs. 38.6%, and triglycerides 2.4% vs. 4.0%. The proportions of individual phospholipids, with the exception of lysolecithin, were also different between the preparations. In the droplets only the proportions of lecithin correlated positively with the proportion of anisotropic

Liquid-Crystal in Embryogenesis and Pathogenesis of Human Diseases

“…In 95 patient samples of atherosclerotic lesions, liquid crystals composed of cholesterol, cholesterol ester, and phospholipid were observed [Lang PD et al 1970]. This data has been confirmed by another group [Goldstein JL et al 1977] and mimicked within in vitro systems [Goldstein JL et al 1979].…”

“…Published online 20 The book "Embryogenesis" is a compilation of cutting edge views of current trends in modern developmental biology, focusing on gametogenesis, fertilization, early and/or late embryogenesis in animals, plants, and some other small organisms. Each of 27 chapters contributed from the authorships of world-wide 20 countries provides an introduction as well as an in-depth review to classical as well as contemporary problems that challenge to understand how living organisms are born, grow, and reproduce at the levels from molecule and cell to individual.…”

Macrophage Fatty-acid Synthase Deficiency Decreases Diet-induced Atherosclerosis

“…Cholesteryl esters, phospholipids, and triglycerides all contain fatty acids. Oleate, palmitate, and linoleate are the most abundant fatty acids in fatty streaks (7) and atheromatous plaques (8) from humans. Fatty acid distribution varies within different regions of plaques as well as between intact and ruptured lesions.…”

Cinemicrophotographic observation of aortic foam cells containing anisotropic lipid inclusions.

“…These lipids accumulated as anisotropic inclusions in foam cells according to the observation of Hata et al (3). These inclusions were isolated and their characteristics were examined (3,4). One may suspect that these anisotropic inclusions are artifacts according to the fixation of the tissues, or denaturation of the cells.…”