The endothelial cholesterol efflux is promoted by the high-density lipoprotein anionic peptide factor

The prevention of atherosclerosis depends on the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) capacity to stimulate the efflux of unesterified cholesterol (UC). We tested here the effects of 2 HDL apolipoproteins, apo A-I and the 7-kd anionic peptide factor (APF), on the UC efflux by human endothelial ECV 304 cells in culture. Apolipoprotein A-I (10 μmol/L) or APF (3.5 μmol/L) in lipid-free forms or small particles (13 nm with apo A-I or 19 nm with APF) were incubated in the presence of [4-14C]UC. The phosphatidylcholines (PCs) were present either at a low level (0.35 mmol/L with apo A-I or 0.20 mmol/L with APF) or at a high level (1 mmol/L with apo A-I). We also tested either large 53-nm bile lipoprotein complex-like particles (3.5 μmol/L APF [13 μg/500 μL]) with a high PC level (0.65 mmol/L) or a 9-residue synthetic peptide (13 μg/500 μL), derived from the NH2-terminal domain of HDL3-APF, in a lipid-free or low-lipidated (0.20 mmol/L PCs) form. A control was developed in absence of the added compounds. A rapid [4-14C]UC efflux mediated by APF added in free form or in 19-nm complexes was 2.2- to 2.3-fold higher than that mediated by apo A-I in free form or in 13-nm particles (P < .05). The level of this high APF-related efflux was comparable with that obtained with the 12-nm native HDLs (10 μmol/L apo A-I) or free PCs (1 mmol/L). The increase in the UC efflux was much more limited (1.4-fold) in the presence of the 53-nm APF/high-PC particles, but it was higher than that mediated by apo A-I. In addition, the efflux mediated by the synthetic peptide, in lipid-free or low-lipidated form, constituted the major part of that related to the full-length APF. Thus, all these particles are very active HDL components, able to act as cholesterol acceptors. Interestingly, we further showed a new anti-atherogenic property of APF as well as its metabolic importance and clinical relevance. By its involvement in the first step of the reverse cholesterol transport, APF could reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.