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Physiopathological aspects of the atherothrombogenicity of lipoprotein(a) |
Sang Thrombose Vaisseaux. Volume 10, Number 1, 29-38, Janvier 1998, Mini-revues
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 Résumé
Article gratuit
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Author(s) : Christophe Pitré, Alain Cardon, Jean-Louis Beaudeux, Jacqueline Peynet |
Summary : Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is an atherogenic lipoprotein of unknown function, consisting of a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) core and the apo(a) glycoprotein. Apo(a) shares an homology with the fibrinolytic proenzyme plasminogen; the characteristic feature of apo(a) is the presence of multiple so-called “kringles” repeats which are partially identical and partially exhibit slight sequence differences. Both clinical and biochemical studies on Lp(a) have been complicated by the high degree of this structural heterogeneity of apo(a), which is considered the most polymorphic proteinin human plasma. Because of the observed correlation between high Lp(a) levels and the development of atherosclerotic disorders, Lp(a) has become the focus of an intense resarch effort. It has been hypothesised that the pathophysiological effect of Lp( a) is related either to its similarity to LDL (i.e., a proatherogenic effect) or to the apo(a) similarity to plasminogen (i.e., a prothrombotic/antifibrinolytic effect). It is probable that both components contribute to the pathogenicity of Lp(a). Oxidative modification could also partly explain the role of Lp(a) in the development of atheromatous lesions. |
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