Both apolipoproteins B-48 and B-100 are synthesized and secreted by the human intestine

Apolipoprotein B (apoB), an apolipoprotein associated with very low density lipoproteins and the atherogenic low density lipoproteins (LDL), directs the metabolism of lipoprotein particles in plasma by interacting with the LDL receptor. Utilizing human intestinal biopsy organ cultures, we have studied the synthesis of intestinal apoB in man. Intestinal organ cultures from normal adults (n = 6) were incubated in the presence of protease inhibitors in media supplemented with [35S]methionine. Media from these cultures were evaluated by sequential NaDodSO4 polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, radioautography, and Western blot analyses, and intestinal biopsies were studied using immunohistochemistry. The relative abundance of apoB-100 and apoB-48 mRNA was assessed using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction followed by primer extension. Although apoB-48 was the principal isoprotein that was newly synthesized by intestinal organ cultures, apoB-100 was also synthesized and secreted by human intestinal organ cultures with 16 +/- 3% of the intestinal apoB mRNA coding for apoB-100. These results establish that apoB-100 is produced by the human intestine. The synthesis of the atherogenic apoB-100 by the intestine has pathophysiologic implications for the development of diet-induced atherosclerosis.