Subcellular Alterations Induced by UV-Oxidized Low-Density Lipoproteins in Epithelial Cells Can Be Counteracted by α-Tocopherol

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Abstract
Oxidized LDL (ox‐LDL) have been involved in the pathogenesis of several human diseases including dermatological pathologies. Oxidative modification of low‐density lipoproteins (LDL) is accompanied by both extensive degradation of its polyunsaturated fatty acids and production of lipoperoxides. These highly reactive products induce an intracellular oxidative stress with a variety of cytotoxic effects. In order to evaluate cellular damage induced by oxidative stress in epidermal cells, a human epidermoid carcinoma cell line in culture (A 431) was used as experimental model. Cell treatment with UV‐oxidized LDL resulted in cytostatic and cytotoxic effects characterized by morphological and functional alterations: inhibition of cell proliferation, modifications of cytoskeleton network, microtubular derangement, loss of cell–cell and cell–substrate contacts, cell detachment and cell death by apoptosis. The ox‐LDL‐induced alterations were almost completely prevented by pre‐incubating cells with α‐tocopherol. The results presented here could be of relevance for a better comprehension of the pathogenic mechanisms of several human diseases, including dermatological pathologies, and could indicate that antioxidants such as α‐tocopherol could represent an important therapeutic challenge in the maintenance of cell and tissue homeostasis in the long run.

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