Studies on the Lipoprotein Lipase Secretion by Human Monocytes in Culture

Abstract

It has been reported that peripheral monocytes in culture synthesize and secrete lipoprotein lipase (LPL). In the present study, we have cultured peripheral monocytes from two healthy subjects and obtained the findings confirming that peripheral monocytes in culture produce and secrete a lipolytic enzyme. The enzyme secreted by them had the properties very similar to or identical with LPL. Cultured monocytes appear to be unique in that they not only synthesize but spontaneously secrete LPL, even in the absence of heparin. We have also observed that monocytes from two subjects with primary LPL deficiency and a subject with acute monocytic leukemia did not secrete a significant amount of LPL.