Although lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) has structural similarities to low-density lipoprotein (LDL) that include the presence of apolipoprotein Bioo, there is some disagreement over the strength of its interaction with the LDL receptor and its cellular catabolism by the LDL receptor-mediated pathway. To clarify this subject we evaluated LDL receptormediated binding and degradation of Lp(a) and LDL in three human cell lines. The binding of 50 nmol/L Lp(a) at 37°C to the LDL receptor of primary hepatocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts was only 10%, 29%, and 29% of the respective value obtained with 50 nmol/L LDL. Analysis of 4°C binding curves indicated that Lp(a) and LDL had equal affinities for the LDL receptor of fibroblasts, whereas maximal binding of Lp(a) was remarkably lower than that of LDL. LDL receptormediated degradation of 50 nmol/L Lp(a) in hepatocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts was only 17%, 22%, and 26%, respectively, of the value obtained with 50 nmol/L LDL and varied greatly among the cells in that it was lowest in hepatocytes, an order of magnitude greater in macrophages, and two S tudies on the cellular catabolism of lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) have focused on the role of the lowdensity lipoprotein (LDL) receptor because of its importance in the clearance of LDL from circulation and the fact that apolipoprotein (apo) B is an integral component of this LDL-like lipoprotein particle. Fibroblasts have been the cell line of choice in many of these investigations, 112 while other cell lines have received less attention.12 " 16 Because of the importance of the hepatic LDL receptor in the clearance of LDL, we examined Lp(a) catabolism in primary cultures of human hepatocytes. Recent advances in medium formulation, culture technique, and in understanding hepatotropic growth factors have made it possible to maintain human hepatocytes in culture with continued capacity for proliferation and survival for 2 months or longer. orders of magnitude greater in fibroblasts. In contrast, the nonspecific degradation rate of Lp(a) was similar to that of LDL in each of the three tested cell lines. However, the proportion of the degradation of Lp(a) that was nonspecific varied greatly, being 76%, 58%, and 33% in hepatocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts, respectively. These studies indicate that not only is Lp(a) recognized by the LDL receptor but also that, in fibroblasts, Lp(a) and LDL have equal affinities for the LDL receptor, although Lp(a) has a much lower receptor occupancy than LDL. Additionally, they show that there are great cellular differences in the LDL receptormediated degradation of Lp(a). If these results can be extrapolated in vivo, where normal LDL levels are 40-to 50-fold higher than those of Lp(a), it would be unlikely that the hepatic LDL receptor is significantly involved in the degradation of Lp(a). (Arterioscler Thromb. 1994;14:770-779.) Key Words • dissociation constant • competitive inhibition • catabolism • steric hindrance tein with Hep G2 cells and with normal human hepatocytes.Drawing ...