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Published on: October 12, 2017
Effect of inflammation on HDL structure and function
Kenneth R Feingold1, Carl Grunfeld
1Metabolism Section, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA.
Insights
Chronic inflammation alters high-density lipoprotein (HDL) structure and function, potentially increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. These changes impair HDL
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Inflammation Biology
- Lipid Metabolism
Background:
- Chronic inflammatory disorders (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis) are linked to higher atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
- The role of inflammation-induced changes in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) structure and function in CVD pathogenesis is under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the impact of inflammation on HDL structure and function.
- To explore the mechanisms by which inflammation contributes to cardiovascular disease via HDL alterations.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing studies on inflammation, HDL, and cardiovascular disease.
- Analysis of changes in HDL-associated proteins during inflammation.
- Assessment of HDL's functional alterations in reverse cholesterol transport and LDL protection.
Main Results:
- Inflammation decreases HDL levels and alters HDL-associated proteins, notably increasing Serum Amyloid A and decreasing apolipoprotein A-I.
- Changes in HDL reduce its capacity for reverse cholesterol transport and protection of LDL from oxidation.
- Short-term HDL modifications may aid host defense, but long-term changes promote atherosclerosis.
Conclusions:
- Inflammation-induced alterations in HDL structure and function are significant contributors to the increased CVD risk observed in chronic inflammatory conditions.
- Understanding these HDL changes is crucial for developing targeted therapies to mitigate cardiovascular risk in inflammatory diseases.
Purpose Of Review:
Studies have shown that chronic inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and psoriasis are associated with an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The mechanism by which inflammation increases cardiovascular disease is likely multifactorial but changes in HDL structure and function that occur during inflammation could play a role.
Recent Findings:
HDL levels decrease with inflammation and there are marked changes in HDL-associated proteins. Serum amyloid A markedly increases whereas apolipoprotein A-I, lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase, cholesterol ester transfer protein, paraoxonase 1, and apolipoprotein M decrease. The exact mechanism by which inflammation decreases HDL levels is not defined but decreases in apolipoprotein A-I production, increases in serum amyloid A, increases in endothelial lipase and secretory phospholipase A2 activity, and decreases in lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase activity could all contribute. The changes in HDL induced by inflammation reduce the ability of HDL to participate in reverse cholesterol transport and protect LDL from oxidation.
Summary:
During inflammation multiple changes in HDL structure occur leading to alterations in HDL function. In the short term, these changes may be beneficial resulting in an increase in cholesterol in peripheral cells to improve host defense and repair but over the long term these changes may increase the risk of atherosclerosis.
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