Antibodies to oxidised LDL

In prospective studies antibodies to oxidised LDL (low density lipoprotein) have been shown to predict myocardial infarction and progression of carotid atherosclerosis in non-autoimmune subjects. The antibodies to oxidised LDL are crossreactive with antiphospholipid antibodies most likely due to their binding to oxidised phospholipids. The frequent occurrence of these antibodies and their association with arterial thrombosis in patients with SLE and antiphospholipid syndrome suggest their involvement in the development of accelerated atherosclerosis in these patients. Some in vitro studies suggest that antibodies to oxidised LDL may have an atherogenic effect by enhancing the lipid accumulation into macrophages in the atherosclerotic vessels. These antibodies can be considered as markers of the pathogenic determinants of atherosclerosis, such as enhanced lipid oxidation, proinflammatory stage and impaired vasodilatation.