A lipoprotein particle designated A-LDL, which contains apolipoprotein B (apoB) and which is the size of plasma low density lipoproteins (LDL), was isolated from homogenates of human aortic athersclerotic plaques by a combination of affinity chromatography and gel-filtration. Compared to plasma LDL, A-LDL was more electronegative, its hydrated density was lower and more heterogeneous, and its protein-to-lipid ratio was lower. In addition, apoB in A-LDL was highly degraded, and A-LDL was recognized by mouse peritoneal macrophages (MPM) as indicated by its ability to stimulate cholesterol esterification. Cholesterol esterification was saturable with an apparent Km of 100 micrograms of A-LDL cholesterol/ml. Stimulation of cholesterol esterification was linear with time, leading to extensive accumulation of cholesteryl ester in MPM over a 48-hr time interval. The uptake or degradation of acetyl-LDL (radiolabeled either in the protein with 125I or hydrophobic core with [3H]cholesteryl ether) was markedly decreased by excess unlabeled acetyl-LDL but not by A-LDL, and excess acetyl-LDL did not inhibit the uptake or degradation of labeled A-LDL. However, a 10-fold excess of A-LDL also failed to inhibit the uptake of labeled A-LDL. This finding was consistent with the observation that, unlike the saturable stimulation of cholesterol esterification in MPM induced by A-LDL, the uptake of cholesteryl ether-labeled A-LDL was almost linear over a 0-400 micrograms cholesterol/ml range. This discrepancy between dose response curves for A-LDL, which did not occur for acetyl-LDL, could be eliminated by a 24-hr postincubation period in the absence of lipoprotein, suggesting that A-LDL is catabolized less efficiently than acetyl-LDL following internalization. In summary, we conclude that A-LDL uptake by MPM occurs via a low affinity-high capacity process. Although the uptake of A-LDL is not readily saturated, it is of sufficient affinity to lead to lipid loading of macrophages even when A-LDL is present at relatively low concentrations. If these mechanisms are operative in vivo, they could explain how foam cells in human fatty streak lesions develop.