Fig. 3

Cholesterol efflux to control HDL is reduced in calcified human aortic vascular interstitial cells (HAVICs) in a dose dependent manner. (A) After incubation, with ³[H]-cholesterol 2 μCi/mL for 24 h in DMEM 1% FBS HAVICs (calcified and non-calcified) were washed twice with PBS. Cells were incubated with increased doses of pooled control, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) from healthy individuals for 24 h. (Inset) Cellular cholesterol efflux at 5% plasma HDL. Characterization of cholesterol efflux from calcified HAVICs. Radiolabelled HAVICs, Calcified (B) vs. non-calcified (C), were incubated with 5% plasma control HDL for 8 h. Media from cells samples were collected, concentrated and separated by 2D-PAGGE, and apoA-I was detected by Western blotting. Molecular size markers are shown. HDL, high-density lipoprotein; HAVIC, human aortic interstitial cells