Cholesterol esterification as a limiting factor in accumulation of cell cholesterol: a comparison of two J774 macrophage cell lines

It was previously reported by Tabas et al. that J774 macrophages, unlike mouse peritoneal macrophages, accumulate large amounts of cholesteryl esters when incubated with native low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Comparison of the cell line (designated J774A.2) used in those experiments with its parent line (J774A.1) indicates that it is a variant with a greater rate of cholesterol esterification. This large difference in cholesterol esterification was accompanied by only a small difference in rates of LDL uptake and degradation by the J774A.2 line. The J774A.2 cells have become a variant line through either mutation or selection which has enhanced its susceptibility to foam cell formation by its markedly increased ability to esterify cholesterol.