Chemical composition of circulating native and desialylated low density lipoprotein: what is the difference?

Abstract

Atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular disorders remain the leading global cause of morbidity and mortality. Modified low density lipoprotein (LDL) is considered to play a crucial role in atherosclerosis development. During the past decades, several types of atherogenic LDL modification have been discovered. Desialylation was one of the atherogenic modifications observed in circulating atherogenic LDL in vivo. Sialic acid level negatively correlates with triglyceride and cholesterol contents. Desialylated LDL is small, dense and highly susceptible to oxidation, as reported for hyperlipidemic conditions. This atherogenic modification leads to increased cholesterol intake by macrophages and smooth-muscle cells, and is also associated with other pathologies, such as diabetes mellitus. Moreover, these conditions provoke damage and desialylated LDL particles may trigger autoimmune reactions in macrophages and B-cells. Key words:Desialylation, desialylated low density lipoprotein, modified low density lipoprotein, sialic acid, atherosclerosis ABSTRACTArticle history:

Lipid‐based gene delivery to macrophage mitochondria for atherosclerosis therapy

“…Current approaches for treatment of atherosclerosis are mainly focused on lipid lowering with statins, reduction in risk of thrombosis with anticoagulants, and alleviation of inflammation by means of immunomodulation 12,13 . During the recent years, substantial progress was made in the improvement of atherosclerosis treatment.…”

Introduction of the special issue “Atherosclerosis and Related Diseases”

“…Several types of atherogenic LDL modifications have been discovered. Alipov et al [1] from Russia and France investigated modified LDL with reduced sialic acid content (desialylated LDL). Desialylation is one of the atherogenic modifications observed in circulating atherogenic LDL in vivo.…”

“…Desialylation is one of the atherogenic modifications observed in circulating atherogenic LDL in vivo. The authors reviewed the available data on differences between native and desialylated LDL circulating in the blood of patients [1] . Desialylated LDL is small, dense and highly susceptible to oxidation.…”

Low density lipoprotein-induced lipid accumulation is a key phenomenon of atherogenesis at the arterial cell level

“…Lipid accumulation in cells of subendothelial intima and the formation of foam cells is the earliest and the most noticeable manifestation of atherosclerosis at the cellular level. At any stage, from the earliest microscopic changes to the advanced plaque, atherosclerotic lesion is characterized by the deposition of intracellular lipids (mainly cholesteryl esters) in arterial sub-endothelial cells [1,2] .…”