Antiphospholipid antibodies and atherosclerosis

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Autoimmunity

Background:

• Antiphospholipid antibodies (APA) are associated with autoimmune disorders like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS).
• Emerging evidence indicates APA presence in patients with atherosclerosis, prompting investigation into their role.
• The specificities of APA in both APS and atherosclerosis are under scrutiny, particularly concerning lipid oxidation epitopes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the specificities of APA found in both antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and atherosclerosis.
• To explore the unresolved question of whether these APA target epitopes resulting from lipid oxidation.
• To examine the paradoxical evidence suggesting a beneficial role for certain APA in atherosclerosis pathogenesis.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies investigating antiphospholipid antibodies (APA) in autoimmune diseases and atherosclerosis.
• Analysis of research on the specificities of APA and their potential targets, including oxidized lipid epitopes.
• Synthesis of evidence regarding the role of APA in the pathogenesis and potential prevention of atherosclerosis.

Main Results:

• APA are present in various autoimmune conditions and increasingly detected in atherosclerosis patients.
• A critical question remains whether APA target epitopes generated by lipid oxidation.
• Recent studies suggest some APA may have a protective effect against atherosclerosis plaque formation, contrary to their role in APS.

Conclusions:

• APA are found in both systemic autoimmunity and atherosclerosis, with debated specificities.
• The potential beneficial role of certain APA in preventing atherosclerosis warrants further investigation.
• Understanding APA mechanisms in atherosclerosis could lead to novel therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular disease prevention.