Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 14, 2026

Isolation and Analysis of Plasma Lipoproteins by Ultracentrifugation
06:47

Isolation and Analysis of Plasma Lipoproteins by Ultracentrifugation

Published on: January 28, 2021

Lipoprotein apheresis of hypercholesterolemic patients mediates vasoprotective gene expression in human endothelial

Henning Morawietz1, Winfried Goettsch, Melanie Brux

  • 1Division of Vascular Endothelium and Microcirculation, Department of Medicine III, University Clinical Center, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden University of Technology, Fetscherstr 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany. Henning.Morawietz@tu-dresden.de

Atherosclerosis. Supplements
|January 30, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Lipoprotein apheresis reduces harmful LOX-1 and VCAM-1 expression while increasing beneficial eNOS in endothelial cells. These molecular changes in hypercholesterolemia patients may explain its antiatherosclerotic effects.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Molecular Medicine
  • Endothelial Cell Biology

Background:

  • Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
  • Lipoprotein apheresis effectively lowers low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and lipoprotein(a), reducing cardiovascular complications in severe hypercholesterolemia.
  • The precise molecular mechanisms of lipoprotein apheresis remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of lipoprotein apheresis on gene expression in human endothelial cells.
  • To elucidate the molecular pathways underlying the vasoprotective effects of lipoprotein apheresis.

Main Methods:

  • Human endothelial cells were treated with serum from hypercholesterolemic patients before and after lipoprotein apheresis.
  • Quantitative analysis of endothelial lipoprotein receptors, nitric oxide (NO) synthase, and adhesion molecules was performed using real-time PCR and Western blot.

Main Results:

  • Lipoprotein apheresis significantly decreased the expression of the lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) in endothelial cells.
  • Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) mRNA expression increased following apheresis.
  • Expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) was reduced post-apheresis.

Conclusions:

  • Lipoprotein apheresis downregulates proatherosclerotic factors LOX-1 and VCAM-1 while upregulating the vasoprotective, NO-producing eNOS in endothelial cells.
  • These molecular alterations provide novel insights into the antiatherosclerotic and vasoprotective benefits of lipoprotein apheresis in hypercholesterolemia management.
Abstract

More Related Videos

High-Density Lipoprotein-Specific Phospholipid Efflux Assay07:08

High-Density Lipoprotein-Specific Phospholipid Efflux Assay

Published on: September 30, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents01:20

Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents

Hyperlipidemia, a medical condition often referred to as high cholesterol, is characterized by abnormally elevated levels of lipids in the bloodstream. When present in excess, these lipids, specifically cholesterol and triglycerides, can lead to serious health complications, often involving cardiovascular diseases. Illnesses like atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and pancreatitis have all been linked to untreated hyperlipidemia. This means controlling and regulating cholesterol and triglyceride...
Atherosclerosis III: Management01:26

Atherosclerosis III: Management

Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...
Lipid-derived Compounds in the Human Body01:31

Lipid-derived Compounds in the Human Body

Fats and lipids are crucial components in the human body. Some lipid-derived compounds, such as fat-soluble vitamins, eicosanoids, lipoproteins, and glycolipids, also play unique roles to support various  biological processes .
Fat-soluble Vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, are required in minimal quantities, but their deficiencies can lead to severely abnormal physiological conditions. For example, vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness, dry skin, delayed...
Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation01:29

Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation

Although not a source of energy, cholesterol plays a significant role as a foundational structure for bile salts, steroid hormones, and vitamin D, as well as being a crucial component of plasma membranes. Approximately 15% of blood cholesterol is derived from our diet, with the remainder synthesized from acetyl CoA by the liver and intestines. Cholesterol is eliminated from the body through its conversion into bile salts, which are eventually discarded in the feces.
Considering cholesterol and...
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile01:25

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile

Understanding serum lipids is crucial for maintaining cardiovascular health and preventing heart disease and stroke.
Serum lipids are fats and fatty substances in the blood and are crucial for various bodily functions, including energy storage, cellular structure, and hormone production. Serum lipids consist of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is crucial for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid...
Atherosclerosis I: Introduction01:30

Atherosclerosis I: Introduction

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder characterized by the buildup of plaques on the arterial inner wall, causing them to narrow and harden over time. These plaques comprise lipids, calcium, blood components, carbohydrates, and fibrous tissue. The process primarily affects the intima of large and medium-sized arteries, reducing blood flow in any artery.Etiology and risk factorsThe cause of atherosclerosis is multifactorial, involving a complex interplay among endothelial injury, lipid...