Electron microscope study of pinocytosis of low density lipoproteins by pericardial macrophages in patients with atherosclerosis
Ramzaev, V.P.
Biulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny 93(3): 113-115
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0365-9615 PMID: 7093469 Document Number: 185627
EM was used to examine the uptake of homologous low-density lipoproteins (LDL) by pericardial macrophages from 7 patients with atherosclerosis. LDL particles were stained with tannin after aldehyde-osmium fixation. The macrophages were shown to pinocytose LDL with the aid of coated vesicles and vacuoles. LDL binding to the macrophage surface was mainly detected in the coated regions of the plasma membrane. The possible role of LDL pinocytosis in the transformation of human macrophages into foam cells is discussed.