Cholesterol-and cholesteryl ester-rich macrophage foam cells, characteristic of
atherosclerotic lesions, are often generated in vitro using oxidized low density lipoprotein
(OxLDL). However, relatively little is known of the nature and extent of sterol deposition in
these cells or of its relationship to the foam cells formed in atherosclerotic lesions. The
purpose of this study was to examine the content and cellular processing of sterols in OxLDL-
loaded macrophages, and to compare this with macrophages loaded with acetylated LDL …