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.