Calcium antagonists and low density lipoproteins metabolism by human fibroblasts and by human hepatoma cell line HEP G2

The effect of Ca2+ antagonists (CA) on the receptor-mediated low density lipoprotein pathway has been investigated "in vitro" in human skin fibroblasts (HSF) and in human hepatoma cell line Hep G2. The specific binding and internalization of human 125I-labeled LDL are dose-dependently increased in HSF by CA of the verapamil series (verapamil, anipamil, gallopamil, ronipamil, and diltiazem), but neither by CA of the dihydropyridine series (nifedipine, nitrendipine) nor by flunarizine. BAY K 8644, a Ca2+ agonist, elicited an opposite effect. In the presence of the tested CA, LDL degradation is either unaffected (lower concentrations) or inhibited (higher concentrations). 125I-LDL uptake is stimulated also in fibroblasts from type IIa hypercholesterolemic patients, heterozygous for defective expression of LDL receptor. The enhanced cellular uptake of 125I-LDL was prevented by cycloheximide and by alpha-amanitin. CA of the verapamil series including diltiazem retained their effect in human hepatoma cell line Hep G2, a model proposed for hepatic metabolism of LDL. Our studies show that a) CA stimulate the high affinity binding and internalization of LDL in HSF and in human hepatoma cell line Hep G2; b) this stimulation involves DNA transcription and new protein synthesis; c) this effect is specific to one subgroup of Ca2+ antagonists (the verapamil class only).