Interaction of low density lipoproteins with human aortic elastin.

Interaction between lipoproteins and elastin in the arterial wall may play an important role in atherosclerotic lipid deposition, but binding affinities and other characteristics of the interaction have not been determined previously. Elastin was isolated by hot alkali treatment of human aortic tissue. At 4 degrees C, radioiodinated human low density lipoprotein (LDL) bound to more than one class of binding sites on elastin. Sites of highest affinity had an apparent dissociation constant of 3.6 x 10(-8) M. Total binding at an LDL concentration of 50 micrograms/ml ranged from 4 to 50 ng LDL protein/mg elastin. The binding was relatively specific, since binding was competitively inhibited by LDL and apo E-containing high density lipoprotein (HDL) but only modestly by HDL3. Atherosclerotic elastin exhibited a twofold to fourfold higher capacity for binding LDL, but a reduced affinity. At 37 degrees C, normal elastin exhibited an initial rapid binding of LDL, with a slower linear phase of binding over a 15-hour period, indicating an additional complex process at this temperature. Consideration of the expected LDL concentrations in the arterial intima, in comparison with binding affinities, suggests that LDL binding to elastin probably occurs in the intima and may foster atherosclerotic lipid deposition.