Apolipoprotein E uptake and degradation via chloroquine-sensitive pathway in cultivated monkey cells overexpressing low density lipoprotein receptor.

Alzheimer's disease with late onset is associated with inheritance of isoform 4 of the polymorphic apolipoprotein E (ApoE). We describe an experimental model where intracellular interaction between ApoE isoforms and cellular proteins may be studied. Internalization and intracellular fate of ApoE from fresh normal cerebrospinal fluid is followed in COS cells (an SV40 transformed Simian kidney cell line) overexpressing the low density lipoprotein receptor. Chase and chloroquine experiments strongly suggest that internalized ApoE travels through the endosomal-lysosomal pathway after dissociation from the receptor in early endosome.