Changes in free cholesterol content, measured by filipin fluorescence and flow cytometry, correlate with changes in cholesterol biosynthesis in THP‐1 macrophages

David G. Hassall*, Annette Graham

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The free cholesterol content of cells can be monitored by the intensity of fluorescence emissions from the polyene antibiotic filipin. In a previous study (Hassall: Cytometry 13:381–388, 1992) using THP‐1 macrophages, a decrease in filipin fluorescence in response to increasing concentrations of modified lipoprotein was observed, suggesting a reduction in the free cholesterol content of the cells. In this study, THP‐1 macrophages were treated with a number of agents known to modulate cholesterol biosynthesis and cholesterol esterification. Changes in filipin fluorescence emissions were measured by flow cytometry, and correlated with changes in cholesterol biosynthesis measured by incorporation of [14C]acetate into cholesterol. A correlation between decreases in filipin fluorescence and reductions in cholesterol biosynthesis was apparent, even when cholesterol esterification was inhibited. These results suggest that the decreases in filipin fluorescence observed may be due, at least in part, to reductions in cholesterol biosynthesis. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)352-362
Number of pages11
JournalCytometry
Volume21
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 1995
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • cholesterol biosynthesis
  • filipin
  • flow cytometry
  • THP‐1 macrophages

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine
  • Biophysics
  • Hematology
  • Endocrinology
  • Cell Biology

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