Inhibitory effect of high-density lipoproteins from plasma of schistosomiasis mansoni patients on the binding of normal low-density lipoproteins to cultured skin fibroblasts.

Total high-density lipoproteins (HDL) isolated from the plasma of patients suffering from hepatosplenic schistosomiasis mansoni have an abnormal apoprotein composition. The apoprotein E content is increased and one or two abnormal apoproteins with pI 6.0 and 6.5 are present in patient HDL. Whilst normal HDL have a negligible effect on the binding of 125I-labelled normal low density lipoproteins (LDL) by cultured human skin fibroblasts, patient HDL is inhibitory. It is concluded that the abnormal apoprotein composition of schistosomiasis HDL allows it to bind to the LDL receptor on the fibroblast membrane.