Figure 8

Binding of ApoE to synthetic micelles and uptake by hepatocyte cells. ApoE was secreted into serum free media by MSCs. Fluorescent cholesterol-ester and cholesterol was then added to the media (panel a). Upon recovery of the micelles by centrifugation, ApoE could be detected when analyzed by western blotting (panel b). When ApoE conditioned media was mixed with lipids and incubated with huh-7 hepatocarcinoma cells, it accelerated uptake when compared with control media. Phase contrast/fluorescent merge indicating hepatocytes taking up fluorescent cholesterol (green) from the medium (panel c).