This work was supported by grants from National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC) (526615 and 545906) and in part by the Victorian Government's OIS Program. DS is a fellow of NHMRC.

1. Preparation of [3H]-cholesterol
<ol>
	<li>In the fume hood, dispense the required amount of [3H]cholesterol into a 1.5 ml microfuge tube (0.5 &mu;Ci (19 kBq) per well is required for a typical assay).</li>
	<li>If [3H]-Cholesterol is suspended in toluene, dry it down completely with N2 gas and resuspend with 100% ethanol to a final concentration of 1 &mu;Ci (37 kBq/&mu;l. Vortex and mix well.</li>
</ol>
2. Plating Cells and Labelling Cellular Cholesterol
<p ...

<ol>
	<li>Tabas, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cholesterol+in+health+and+disease.">Cholesterol in health and disease.</a> J. Clin. Invest. 110, 583-590 (2002).</li><li>Brown, M. S., Goldstein, J. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cholesterol+feedback:+from+Schoenheimer's+bottle+to+Scap's+MELADL.">Cholesterol feedback: from Schoenheimer's bottle to Scap's MELADL.</a> J. Lipid Res. 50, 15-27 (2009).</li><li>Tabas, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Consequences+of+cellular+cholesterol+accumulation:+basic+concepts+and+physiological+implications.">Consequences of cellular cholesterol accumulation: basic concepts and physiological implications.</a> J. Clin. Invest. 110, 905-911 (2002).</li><li>Murphy, A. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=High-Density+Lipoprotein+Reduces+the+Human+Monocyte+Inflammatory+Response.">High-Density Lipoprotein Reduces the Human Monocyte Inflammatory Response.</a> Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol. 28, 2071-2077 (2008).</li><li>Mujawar, Z. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Human+Immunodeficiency+Virus+Impairs+Reverse+Cholesterol+Transport+from+Macrophages.">Human Immunodeficiency Virus Impairs Reverse Cholesterol Transport from Macrophages.</a> PLoS Biology. 4, 365-36 (2006).</li><li>Patel, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Reconstituted+High-Density+Lipoprotein+Increases+Plasma+High-Density+Lipoprotein+Anti-Inflammatory+Properties+and+Cholesterol+Efflux+Capacity+in+Patients+With+Type+2+Diabetes.">Reconstituted High-Density Lipoprotein Increases Plasma High-Density Lipoprotein Anti-Inflammatory Properties and Cholesterol Efflux Capacity in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes.</a> J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. 53, 962-971 (2009).</li><li>Shaw, J. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Infusion+of+reconstituted+high-density+lipoprotein+leads+to+acute+changes+in+human+atherosclerotic+plaque.">Infusion of reconstituted high-density lipoprotein leads to acute changes in human atherosclerotic plaque.</a> Circ. Res. 103, 1084-1091 (2008).</li><li>Kekulawala, R. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Impact+of+freezing+on+high-density+lipoprotein+functionality.">Impact of freezing on high-density lipoprotein functionality.</a> Anal. Biochem. 379, 75-77 (2008).</li><li>D'Souza, W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Structure/Function+Relationships+of+Apolipoprotein+A-I+Mimetic+Peptides:+Implications+for+Antiatherogenic+Activities+of+High-Density+Lipoprotein.">Structure/Function Relationships of Apolipoprotein A-I Mimetic Peptides: Implications for Antiatherogenic Activities of High-Density Lipoprotein.</a> Circ. Res. 107, 217-227 (2010).</li><li>Tchoua, U. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+effect+of+cholesteryl+ester+transfer+protein+overexpression+and+inhibition+on+reverse+cholesterol+transport.">The effect of cholesteryl ester transfer protein overexpression and inhibition on reverse cholesterol transport.</a> Cardiovasc Res. 77, 732-739 (2008).</li><li>Mukhamedova, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Enhancing+apolipoprotein+A-I-dependent+cholesterol+efflux+elevates+cholesterol+export+from+macrophages+in+vivo.">Enhancing apolipoprotein A-I-dependent cholesterol efflux elevates cholesterol export from macrophages in vivo.</a> J. Lipid Res. 49, 2312-2322 (2008).</li><li>Mukhamedova, N., Fu, Y., Bukrinsky, M., Remaley, A. T., Sviridov, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+Role+of+Different+Regions+of+ATP-Binding+Cassette+Transporter+A1+in+Cholesterol+Efflux.">The Role of Different Regions of ATP-Binding Cassette Transporter A1 in Cholesterol Efflux.</a> Biochemistry. 46, 9388-9398 (2007).</li><li>Sviridov, D., Fidge, N., Beaumier-Gallon, G., Fielding, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Apolipoprotein+A-I+stimulates+the+transport+of+intracellular+cholesterol+to+cell-surface+cholesterol-rich+domains+(caveolae.">Apolipoprotein A-I stimulates the transport of intracellular cholesterol to cell-surface cholesterol-rich domains (caveolae.</a> Biochem. J. 358, 79-86 (2001).</li><li>Smyth, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+mouse+model+of+harlequin+ichthyosis+delineates+a+key+role+for+abca12+in+lipid+homeostasis.">A mouse model of harlequin ichthyosis delineates a key role for abca12 in lipid homeostasis.</a> PLoS Genet. 4, e1000192-e1000192 (2008).</li><li>Fu, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Expression+of+Caveolin-1+Enhances+Cholesterol+Efflux+in+Hepatic+Cells.">Expression of Caveolin-1 Enhances Cholesterol Efflux in Hepatic Cells.</a> J. Biol. Chem. 279, 14140-14146 (2004).</li><li>Calkin, A. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Reconstituted+High-Density+Lipoprotein+Attenuates+Platelet+Function+in+Individuals+With+Type+2+Diabetes+Mellitus+by+Promoting+Cholesterol+Efflux.">Reconstituted High-Density Lipoprotein Attenuates Platelet Function in Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus by Promoting Cholesterol Efflux.</a> Circulation. 120, 2095-2104 (2009).</li></ol>

The authors declare no conflicting interests related to this study.

The described method to measure cholesterol efflux is designed to measure movement of cholesterol from cells to an extracellular cholesterol acceptor. There are several critical considerations in understanding this methodology.
Labelling and equilibration
In the described methodology labelled cholesterol is added to serum-containing serum. Although never investigated in detail, it is assumed that cholesterol is incorporated into serum lipoproteins and they are taken up...

<table border="1">
 <tbody>
 <tr>
 <td>Reagents\Cells</td>
 <td>HeLa</td>
 <td>THP-1</td>
 <td>RAW</td>
 <td>HUVEC</td>
 <td>BHK-21</td>
 <td>HFF</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Complete Media</td>
 <td colspan="3">RPMI 
 - 10% FCS 
 - 1% L-glutamine 
 - 0.2% Pen strep </td>
 <td>M199 
 - 5% FCS 
 - 1% L-glutamine 
 - 1% Pen strep 
 - 2% HEPES (1M) 
 - 7% Endothelial cell growth supplement (ECGS) </td>
 <td colspan="2">DMEM 
 - 10% FCS 
 - 1% L-glutamine 
 - 0.2% Pen strep </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Serum Free Media</td>
 <td colspan="3">RPMI 
 - 1% L-glutamine 
 - 0.2% Pen strep </td>
 <td>M199 
 - 1% L-glutamine 
 - 1% Pen strep 
 - 2% HEPES (1M) 
 - 7% Endothelial cell growth supplement (ECGS) </td>
 <td colspan="2">DMEM 
 - 1% L-glutamine 
 - 0.2% Pen strep </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Passage Method </td>
 <td>1 x Trypsin</td>
 <td>Suspension</td>
 <td>Scrape</td>
 <td colspan="3">1 x Trypsin</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Passage Ratio</td>
 <td>3:10 </td>
 <td>1:3</td>
 <td></td>
 <td>1:20 </td>
 <td>1:3</td>
 <td>1:3</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Cell Activation (optional)</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 <td colspan="5">TO-901317 
 - LXR-agonist 
 - Final conc. 4 &mu;M </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Other Reagents</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 <td>phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) 
 - Cell differentiation 
 - Final conc. 0.1&mu;g/ml </td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 </tbody>
</table>

cholesterol efflux assay

Cholesterol content of cells must be maintained within the very tight limits, too much or too little cholesterol in a cell results in disruption of cellular membranes, apoptosis and necrosis 1. Cells can source cholesterol from intracellular synthesis and from plasma lipoproteins, both sources are sufficient to fully satisfy cells' requirements for cholesterol. The processes of cholesterol synthesis and uptake are tightly regulated and deficiencies of cholesterol are rare 2. Excessive cholesterol is more common problem 3. With the exception of hepatocytes and to some degree adrenocortical cells, cells are unable to degrade cholesterol. Cells have two options to reduce their cholesterol content: to convert cholesterol into cholesteryl esters, an option with limited capacity as overloading cells with cholesteryl esters is also toxic, and cholesterol efflux, an option with potentially unlimited capacity. Cholesterol efflux is a specific process that is regulated by a number of intracellular transporters, such as ATP binding cassette transporter proteins A1 (ABCA1) and G1 (ABCG1) and scavenger receptor type B1. The natural acceptor of cholesterol in plasma is high density lipoprotein (HDL) and apolipoprotein A-I. 
The cholesterol efflux assay is designed to quantitate the rate of cholesterol efflux from cultured cells. It measures the capacity of cells to maintain cholesterol efflux and/or the capacity of plasma acceptors to accept cholesterol released from cells. The assay consists of the following steps. Step 1: labelling cellular cholesterol by adding labelled cholesterol to serum-containing medium and incubating with cells for 24-48 h. This step may be combined with loading of cells with cholesterol. Step 2: incubation of cells in serum-free medium to equilibrate labelled cholesterol among all intracellular cholesterol pools. This stage may be combined with activation of cellular cholesterol transporters. Step 3: incubation of cells with extracellular acceptor and quantitation of movement of labelled cholesterol from cells to the acceptor. If cholesterol precursors were used to label newly synthesized cholesterol, a fourth step, purification of cholesterol, may be required.
The assay delivers the following information: (i) how a particular treatment (a mutation, a knock-down, an overexpression or a treatment) affects the capacity of cell to efflux cholesterol and (ii) how the capacity of plasma acceptors to accept cholesterol is affected by a disease or a treatment. This method is often used in context of cardiovascular research, metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders, infectious and reproductive diseases.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Cholesterol Efflux Assay at JoVE.com

Cholesterol Efflux Assay

The cholesterol assay is designed to quantitate the rate of cholesterol efflux from cultured cells and the capacity of plasma acceptors to accept cholesterol released from cells. The assay consists of labelling cells with cholesterol, equilibration of cholesterol among intracellular pools and release of cholesterol to an extracellular acceptor.

Cholesterol content of cells must be maintained within the very tight limits, too much or too little cholesterol in a cell results in disruption of ...

Research

Education

JoVE Journal

JoVE Core

Biology

Medicine

Fundamentals

Chemistry of Life

SCIENTISTS IN ACTION

29.4K vues.  Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute. Le dosage du cholestérol est conçu pour quantifier le taux de cholestérol efflux partir de cellules cultivées et la capacité de plasma accepteurs d'accepter le cholestérol libéré par les cellules. Le test se compose de marquage des cellules avec le cholestérol, l'équilibration du cholestérol entre les pools intracellulaires et la libération de cholestérol à un accepteur extracellulaire.