Effects of oxidized LDL on in vitro proliferation and spontaneous motility of human coronary artery endothelial cells

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of low concentrations of oxidized LDL (oxLDL) on the proliferation and spontaneous motility of human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC) in culture. METHODS: Cultures of HCAEC were treated with low concentrations of native LDL (nLDL) isolated from human plasma and with LDL minimally oxidized through different chemical methods; the effects were compared. RESULTS: Native LDL had no deleterious effects on in vitro proliferation and motility of HCAEC; however, at its highest concentration and for a longer exposure, nLDL inhibited cell proliferation. The LDL chemically oxidized by spermine nonoate (SNO) and 3-morpholinylsydnonimine (SYN-1) had significant inhibiting effects on in vitro proliferation and motility of HCAEC, which were proportional to the greatest concentrations and degrees of oxidation of LDL. CONCLUSION: OxLDL has a cytotoxic effect, inhibiting the proliferation and spontaneous motility of HCAEC in culture. This effect is proportional to the concentration and degree of oxidation of LDL; native LDL is relatively innocuous.