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Possible mechanisms for the cholesterol-lowering effects of plant stanol esters were addressed by feeding hamsters diets containing stanol esters, cholesterol, or cholestyramine/lovastatin. ABCA1, ATP binding cassette G1 (ABCG1), ABCG5, ABCG8, and Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 (NPC1L1) mRNA levels were then estimated in duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Plasma cholesterol was decreased by 36% and 94% in animals fed stanol esters and cholestyramine/lovastatin, respectively. Cholesterol feeding increased plasma cholesterol by 2.5-fold. Plasma plant sterols were unchanged by stanol ester feeding but became undetectable by feeding cholestyramine/lovastatin. Cholesterol and stanols accumulated in enterocytes of animals fed cholesterol and stanol esters, respectively. ABCG5 and ABCG8 mRNA levels were decreased by stanol esters and cholestyramine/lovastatin. Cholesterol feeding markedly increased ABCA1 and ABCG1 expression and modestly increased ABCG5/ABCG8. NPC1L1 mRNA was not significantly altered by any of the diets. ABCG1, ABCG5, ABCG8, and NPC1L1 mRNAs were highest in cells of the upper villus, whereas ABCA1 mRNA was highest in cells of the lower villus.The results suggest that cholesterol lowering effect of stanol esters is unrelated to changes in mRNA levels of intestinal ABC sterol transporters or NPC1L1. Cholesterol flux regulates ABC expression but not NPC1L1. The different localization of ABCA1 suggests a different function for this protein than for ABCG1, ABCG5, ABCG8, and NPC1L1.

To examine whether intestinal ABCA1 was responsible for the differences observed between cholesterol and β-sitosterol absorption, ABCA1-facilitated β-sitosterol efflux was investigated in CaCo-2 cells following liver X receptor/retinoid X receptor (LXR/RXR) activation. Both the LXR agonist T0901317 and the natural RXR/LXR agonists 22-hydroxycholesterol and 9-cis retinoic acid enhanced the basolateral efflux of β-sitosterol without altering apical efflux. LXR-mediated enhanced β-sitosterol efflux occurred between 6 h and 12 h after activation, suggesting that transcription, protein synthesis, and trafficking was likely necessary prior to facilitating efflux. The transcription inhibitor actinomycin D prevented the increase in β-sitosterol efflux by T0901317. Glybenclamide, an inhibitor of ABCA1 activity, and arachidonic acid, a fatty acid that interferes with LXR activation, also prevented β-sitosterol efflux in response to the LXR ligand activation. Influx of β-sitosterol mass did not alter the basolateral or apical efflux of the plant sterol, nor did it alter ABCA1, ABCG1, ABCG5, or ABCG8 gene expression or ABCA1 mass. Similar to results observed with intestinal ABCA1-facilitated cholesterol efflux, LXR/RXR ligand activation enhanced the basolateral efflux of β-sitosterol without affecting apical efflux.The results suggest that ABCA1 does not differentiate between cholesterol and β-sitosterol and thus is not responsible for the selectivity of sterol absorption by the intestine. ABCA1, however, may play a role in β-sitosterol absorption.

Hamsters were fed a control diet or diets containing palm, olive, safflower, or fish oil for 2 weeks. In villus cell populations from duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, rates of intestinal fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis were estimated, as were sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-1a, SREBP-1c, SREBP-2, HMG-CoA synthase, fatty acid synthase, ATP citrate lyase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase mRNA levels, and SREBP-1 and SREBP-2 mass. Plasma cholesterol and triacylglcerol levels were increased in animals ingesting palm oil and decreased in animals ingesting fish oil. Fatty acid synthesis and fatty acid synthase activity were decreased in the proximal intestine of animals ingesting all the fat-containing diets. Intestinal cholesterol synthesis was unaltered. In animals fed fat, SREBP-1c gene expression was modestly increased in the duodenum of hamsters fed palm oil or olive oil, and decreased in animals ingesting safflower oil or fish oil. Fatty acid synthase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, ATP citrate lyase, SREBP-2, and HMG-CoA synthase mRNA levels were not altered, nor were SREBP-1 or SREBP-2 mass. In the intestine, dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids suppress SREBP-1c mRNA without altering expression of its target genes, fatty acid synthase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, or ATP citrate lyase.Fatty acid influx decreases intestinal fatty acid synthesis by a posttranscriptional mechanism independent of the SREBP pathway.

Regulation of gene expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter (ABC)A1 and ABCG1 by liver X receptor/retinoid X receptor (LXR/RXR) ligands was investigated in the human intestinal cell line CaCo-2. Neither the RXR ligand, 9-cis retinoic acid, nor the natural LXR ligand 22-hydroxycholesterol alone altered ABCA1 mRNA levels. When added together, ABCA1 and ABCG1 mRNA levels were increased 3- and 7-fold, respectively. T0901317, a synthetic non-sterol LXR agonist, increased ABCA1 and ABCG1 gene expression 11- and 6-fold, respectively. ABCA1 mass was increased by LXR/RXR activation. T0901317 or 9-cis retinoic acid and 22-hydroxycholesterol increased cholesterol efflux from basolateral but not apical membranes. Cholesterol efflux was increased by the LXR/RXR ligands to apolipoprotein (apo)A-I or HDL but not to taurocholate/phosphatidylcholine micelles. Actinomycin D prevented the increase in ABCA1 and ABCG1 mRNA levels and the increase in cholesterol efflux induced by the ligands. Glyburide, an inhibitor of ABCA1 activity, attenuated the increase in basolateral cholesterol efflux induced by T0901317. LXR/RXR activation decreased the esterification and secretion of cholesterol esters derived from plasma membranes.Thus, in CaCo-2 cells, LXR/RXR activation increases gene expression of ABCA1 and ABCG1 and the basolateral efflux of cholesterol, suggesting that ABCA1 plays an important role in intestinal HDL production and cholesterol absorption.

The regulation of sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBP) by cholesterol flux was studied in the intestinal cell line CaCo-2. CaCo-2 cells were incubated for 18 h with micelles containing 5 mM taurocholate and 500 μM oleic acid or micelles containing either 200 μM cholesterol or 150 μM lysophosphatidylcholine. In some incubations, an ACAT inhibitor was added or 25-hydroxycholesterol was substituted for cholesterol. The SREBP-1a transcript was 2-fold more abundant than the SREBP-1c transcript. In cells incubated with micelles containing cholesterol, rates of cholesterol synthesis were decreased and rates of esterification were increased. Cholesterol synthesis was decreased further by ACAT inhibition. Cholesterol influx decreased mRNA levels of SREBP-2, HMG-CoA synthase, HMG-CoA reductase, and fatty acid synthase. ACAT inhibition modestly suppressed gene expression further. Neither SREBP-1a nor SREBP-1c mRNA levels were altered by cholesterol. Despite decreases in gene expression of the sterol-responsive genes by cholesterol, the amounts of precursor and mature forms of SREBP-1 and SREBP-2 were not altered. In contrast, if 25-hydroxycholesterol was substituted for cholesterol, both the precursor and mature forms of SREBP-2 were decreased. The polar sterol decreased the mature form of SREBP-1 but the amount of the precursor form was unchanged. In cells incubated with micelles containing lysophosphatidylcholine, which causes cholesterol to efflux from cells, sterol-responsive gene expression was increased. The amounts of precursor and mature forms of SREBP-1 and SREBP-2, however, were not altered. In contrast, if the cells were depleted of cholesterol by incubating them with lovastatin and cyclodextrin, the mature forms of SREBP-1 and SREBP-2 were increased, as were mRNA levels for the sterol-responsive genes.The data would suggest that cholesterol influx/efflux regulates mRNA levels of sterol-responsive genes independently of changes in the amount of mature SREBP. In contrast, 25-hydroxycholesterol influx or cholesterol depletion alters the amount of mature SREBP, leading to the regulation of sterol-responsive gene expression.

Gene expression of sterol regulatory element-binding proteins 1a, 1c, and 2 (SREBP-1a, -1c, and -2) and of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) synthase, HMG-CoA reductase, and the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor was examined in hamster small intestine. SREBP-1c transcript predominated over SREBP-1a. mRNA levels for SREBP-1a, -1c, and -2, LDL receptor, and HMG-CoA synthase were highest in jejunum and ileum. Expression of SREBP-1a and SREBP-1c was highest in cells of the upper villus and decreased in cells of the lower villus. Gene expression of SREBP-2 was lowest in cells of the upper villus and increased in cells of the lower villus. Ileal SREBP-2 gene expression was highest in cells of the midvillus. mRNA levels for HMG-CoA synthase and the LDL receptor followed a pattern similar to that of SREBP-2. A positive correlation existed between SREBP-2 gene expression and rates of cholesterol synthesis. Fatty acid synthesis was highest in jejunum and ileum, correlating positively with the expression of SREBP-1c. Sterol influx into intestinal cells decreased mRNA levels of SREBP-2, HMG-CoA reductase, HMG-CoA synthase, and LDL receptor. In ileum, sterol influx decreased gene expression of SREBP-1a and increased expression of SREBP-1c. The results suggest that SREBP-2 regulates cholesterol synthesis in the small intestine. SREBP-1a is a minor transcript and its expression does not correlate with cholesterol-synthesizing activity. SREBP-1c is a major transcript in small intestine and its expression along the length of the gut correlates with fatty acid synthesis. Sterols regulate gene expression of sterol-responsive genes, including SREBP-2, in small intestine.—Field, F. J., E. Born, S. Murthy, and S. N. Mathur. Gene expression of sterol regulatory element-binding proteins in hamster small intestine. J. Lipid Res. 2001. 42: 1–8.

It was postulated that specialized microdomains of the plasma membrane, consistent with caveolae, might play a role in cholesterol trafficking in intestinal cells. The existence, therefore, of caveolin and the role of detergent-resistant microdomains of the plasma membrane in cholesterol trafficking were investigated in human small intestine and CaCo-2 cells. Caveolin mRNA was detected by RT-PCR in small intestinal brushings and biopsies and in CaCo-2 cells. Northern hybridization of caveolin mRNA detected 3 kb and 0.8 kb transcripts in CaCo-2 cells. From brushings of distal duodenum and in CaCo-2 cells, Western analysis for detection of caveolin protein demonstrated a 21 kDa-sized protein and a 600 kDa homooligomer. In CaCo-2 cells, caveolin was demonstrated by immunoflourescence in apical membranes as well as within cells. Using sucrose-density gradients, caveolin was localized to detergent-resistant microdomains of the plasma membrane. As determined by cholesterol oxidase-accessible cholesterol, 3–5% of plasma membrane cholesterol in CaCo-2 cells was estimated to be in these detergent-resistant microdomains. After the absorption of cholesterol from bile-salt micelles, more plasma membrane cholesterol moved to these specialized microdomains within the plasma membrane and was esterified. In CaCo-2 cells, filipin, N-ethyl maleimide, and cholesterol depletion, treatments that disrupt caveolar function, interfered with the transport of plasma membrane cholesterol to the endoplasmic reticulum, whereas okadaic acid, sphingomyelinase, and cholesterol oxidase did not. Changes in cholesterol flux at the apical membrane of the cell did not alter mRNA levels or mass of caveolin. The results suggest that caveolin is present in intestinal and CaCo-2 cells and is associated with detergent-resistant microdomains of cellular membranes. With the influx of micellar cholesterol from the lumen, plasma membrane cholesterol moves or “clusters” to these microdomains and is transported to the endoplasmic reticulum for esterification and eventual transport. Caveolin/caveolae may play a role in cholesterol trafficking in intestinal cells.—Field, F. J., E. Born, S. Murthy, and S. N. Mathur. Caveolin is present in intestinal cells: role in cholesterol trafficking? J. Lipid Res. 1998. 39: 1938–1950.

Oxidized lipids present in atherogenic lipoproteins are derived, in part, from the diet. To address the effects of an oxidized lipid on intestinal lipoprotein assembly and secretion, CaCo-2 cells were incubated with 13-HODE or its native fatty acid, linoleic acid, and triacylglycerol-rich lipoprotein synthesis and secretion were investigated. 13-HODE was readily taken up by cells and esterified to lipids. Although both fatty acids were largely esterified to neutral lipids, in comparison to neutral lipids containing linoleic acid, a greater proportion of cellular neutral lipids containing 13-HODE and/or its metabolites was secreted. Compared to linoleic acid, however, 13-HODE caused less triacylglycerol, derived from de novo synthesis, and less triacylglycerol mass to be secreted. Cells incubated with both linoleic acid and 13-HODE together secreted less triacylglycerol mass than did cells incubated with linoleic acid alone. Less newly synthesized apoB and apoB mass were secreted by cells incubated with 13-HODE without altering the abundance of apoB mRNA. The fraction of newly synthesized apoB translocated into the secretory pathway of cells exposed to 13-HODE was significantly less than that observed in cells incubated with linolenic acid, suggesting that 13-HODE interfered with the assembly and secretion of triacylglycerol-rich lipoprotein particles.—Murthy, S., E. Born, S. Mathur, and F. J. Field. 13-Hydroxy octadecadienoic acid (13-HODE) inhibits triacylglycerol-rich lipoprotein secretion by CaCo-2 cells. J. Lipid Res. 1998. 39: 1254–1262.

The transport of newly synthesized cholesterol from its site of synthesis, the endoplasmic reticulum, to the plasma membrane was studied in CaCo-2 cells. The appearance of newly synthesized cholesterol on the cell surface was rapid. By 30 min, 50% of the total labeled cholesterol was observed in the plasma membrane. The arrival of cholesterol at the plasma membrane was independent of new protein synthesis, a functional Golgi apparatus, or microtubular function. Progesterone, verapamil, and trifluoperazine, inhibitors of p-glycoprotein which are known to inhibit cholesterol transport from the plasma membrane to the endoplasmic reticulum, reduced the amount of newly synthesized cholesterol reaching the plasma membrane. The p-glycoprotein inhibitors, however, caused the accumulation of sterol intermediates in the plasma membrane, suggesting that sterol trafficking to the plasma membrane remained intact, but that trafficking from the plasma membrane to the endoplasmic reticulum was disrupted. In contrast, nigericin, another potent inhibitor of cholesterol movement from the plasma membrane to the endoplasmic reticulum, did not alter the transport of newly synthesized cholesterol to the plasma membrane. Moreover, promoting cholesterol transport from the plasma membrane to the endoplasmic reticulum by sphingomyelin hydrolysis or by micellar cholesterol influx did not alter the percent of newly synthesized cholesterol transported to the plasma membrane. Likewise, preventing plasma membrane cholesterol from reaching the endoplasmic reticulum by incubating cells with lysophosphatidylcholine, filipin, or digitonin did not alter the arrival of newly synthesized cholesterol to the plasma membrane. The results suggest that the amount of cholesterol moving to the plasma membrane from the endoplasmic reticulum is constitutive and regulated at the level of cholesterol synthesis and not at the level of the transport process. The pathways of cholesterol transport to and from the plasma membrane are distinct.—Field, F. J., E. Born, S. Murthy, and S. N. Mathur. Transport of cholesterol from the endoplasmic reticulum to the plasma membrane is constitutive in CaCo-2 cells and differs from the transport of plasma membrane cholesterol to the endoplasmic reticulum.

There is a presumed association between cellular cholesterol and sphingomyelin metabolism. To study this relationship in the intestine, the activity of the rate controlling enzyme of sphingolipid synthesis, serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT), and the biosynthesis of long-chain bases were characterized in cultured human intestinal cells, CaCo-2. Cells were then incubated with substances known to alter cholesterol biosynthesis, and the effect of these mediators on SPT activity and long-chain base synthesis was determined and compared with their effects on HMG-CoA reductase activity and cholesterol synthesis. The polar sterol, 25-hydroxycholesterol, the squalene epoxide inhibitor, U18666A, and the inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, lovastatin, all significantly inhibited the synthesis of cholesterol without altering either SPT activity or long-chain base synthesis. Mevalonate, which increased cholesterol production 3-fold, also had no affect on SPT activity or sphingoid base synthesis. Serine, which significantly increased the synthesis of long-chain bases, did not alter cholesterol biosynthesis. Moreover, the suicide inhibitors of SPT, beta-chloroalanine and cycloserine, did not alter cholesterol synthesis while markedly decreasing long chain base synthesis. Cells were incubated with palmitic, oleic, linoleic, and eicosapentaenoic acids. Only palmitic acid, the preferred substrate for SPT, increased the production of long-chain bases. Both palmitic and oleic acids, however, increased the synthesis of cholesterol. Cells enriched in sphingomyelin had higher rates of synthesis of both cholesterol and long-chain bases compared to their controls. In contrast, cholesterol and long-chain base syntheses were significantly decreased in cells enriched in cholesterol. Control cells incubated with phospholipid liposomes alone had higher rates of synthesis of both lipids. The results suggest that SPT and HMG-CoA reductase activities and cholesterol and long-chain base syntheses are regulated independently when the synthesis of either cholesterol or sphingomyelin is altered acutely. However, when membrane cholesterol or sphingomyelin mass are altered, parallel changes occur in the rates of synthesis of these two lipids. SPT activity in human small intestinal mucosa is also documented.