Modification of lipid composition of neuroblastoma C1300 N18 cells with liposomes alters the cholesterol content

Cell incubation with lecithin-cholesterol liposomes (1:1 mol/mol) caused enhancement of the cholesterol content. The level of cholesterol esters of total and phospholipid unsaturated fatty acids increased in cholesterol enriched cells. Simultaneously the amount of saturated fatty acids decreased and lysophosphatidylcholine appeared in the cells. On the contrary, cell incubation with lecithin liposomes resulted in cholesterol depletion. This effect was accompanied by a decrease of cholesterol esters, of total and phospholipid unsaturated fatty acids. The content of saturated fatty acids was raised in cells with reduced amount of cholesterol. The quantity of n-acylphosphatidylethanolamine and n-acylethanolamine, lipids newly found in neuroblastoma cells, also changed in cells with modified content of cholesterol. The physiological role of cell response to the changes of cholesterol level is discussed.