Regulation of ApoE gene expression in mouse peritoneal macrophages by VLDL.

Mouse peritoneal macrophages (MPM) were incubated with ApoE-poor VLDL or ApoE-rich VLDL at same concentrations for 24 h. The ApoE mRNA content increased in both groups than that in control and the highest ApoE mRNA content was seen in MPM incubated with ApoE-poor VLDL. The results suggest that VLDL could stimulate ApoE gene expression in MPM and the ApoE-poor VLDL has more pronounced effect. We think that the ApoE secreted by MPM may be incorporated into VLDL, especially the ApoE-poor VLDL, and thereby enhance the uptake of those lipoproteins by MPM or other local cells via ApoE-mediated receptor pathways.