Uptake of modified lipoproteins by resident arterial monocytes/macrophages is believed to be a key event in the formation of foam cells and thus in the early phases of atherosclerosis. Low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) that undergo oxidative changes become suitable for uptake by macrophages through a specific scavenger receptor that leads to cholesteryl ester accumulation. Because the interaction of other oxidized lipoproteins with macrophages has been poorly investigated, we studied the effect of oxidatively modified high-density lipoproteins (HDLs) on the sterol metabolism of J774-A1 macrophages. Unlike native HDLs, oxidized HDLs caused a concentration-dependent accumulation of unesterified cholesterol and decreased [14C]oleate incorporation into steryl esters. Oxidized HDLs also decreased [I4C]acetate incorporation into newly synthesized sterols. Cell surface binding ofl25I-oxidlzed HDLs to the macrophages was saturable, with an apparent dissociation constant (A$) of 0.96 nmol/mL. Both oxidized and acetylated LDLs but not native lipoproteins could compete for binding of '"I-oxidized HDL. The data support the conclusion that the effects elicited by oxidized HDLs on the sterol metabolism of macrophages are significantly different from those of native HDLs. The binding of oxidized HDLs to macrophages occurs at sites that are likely the same as those for modified LDLs. We speculate that, if occurring in vivo, HDL oxidation would generate modified lipoproteins capable of modulating the cholesterol homeostasis of macrophages.