The synergistic mechanisms of oxidized phospholipids and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 associated with Lp(a) in promoting atherosclerosis

Abstract

Lipoprotein (a)[Lp (a)]is considered a causal risk factor for the formation and development of atherosclerosis (AS). High plasma levels of Lp (a) is recognized as a predictor of coronary heart disease. However, the pathogenic mechanisms of Lp (a) are still unknown. Recent studies demonstrated that a key role in the proatherogenic effects of Lp(a) may be linked to its oxidized phospholipids (OxPL) content. Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is another important factor in Lp(a) functionality. OxPL are hydrolyzed by Lp-PLA2 into lysophosphatidylcholine (lyso-PC) and oxidized free fatty acid(OxFFA), which are important inflammatory factors on promoting the occurrence and development of AS. The present review article describes Lp-PLA2 hydrolyzing OxPL associated with Lp(a). The process induces inflammatory factors, which promote development of AS. OxPL and Lp-PLA2 can be used as new targets of cardiovascular diseases, which have clinical application value to predict potential cardiovascular diseases .(Chin J Lab Med, 2018, 41: 897-900) Key words: Atherosclerosis; Cardiovascular diseases; 1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine esterase; Lipoprotein(a); Oxidation-reduction; Phospholipids; Inflammation