Integrated omics approach for the identification of HDL structure-function relationships in PCSK9-related familial

Maryam Darabi1, Marie Lhomme2, Maharajah Ponnaiah3

  • 1Sorbonne Université, INSERM (Drs Darabi, Guillas, Frisdal, Poupel, Carrie,Bittar, Guerin, Le Goff, and Kontush), Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), UMR_S1166, F-75013 Paris, France; LPS-BioSciences (Current affiliation of Dr Darabi), Université de Paris-Saclay, Orsay, France.

PubMed

Insights

Gain-of-function PCSK9 variants impair high-density lipoprotein (HDL) functionality and alter its composition, contributing to cardiovascular risk. This study reveals novel insights into HDL

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Lipid Metabolism
  • Proteomics and Glycomics

Background:

  • Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) plays a role in dyslipidemia beyond LDL receptor activity.
  • PCSK9's impact on high-density lipoprotein (HDL) physiology may influence cardiovascular risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess PCSK9-driven alterations in HDL physiology.
  • To investigate the contribution of these alterations to the cardiovascular risk profile.

Main Methods:

  • HDL was isolated from patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) with PCSK9 gain-of-function (FH-PCSK9), FH with LDL-R variants (treated and untreated), and normolipidemic controls.
  • Functional, proteomic, lipidomic, and glycomic analyses were performed on HDL.
  • A novel mosaic structure-function model of HDL biology was developed using network analysis.

Main Results:

  • FH-PCSK9 patients exhibited multiple HDL functional deficiencies, including reduced antioxidative, antiapoptotic, anti-thrombotic, and anti-inflammatory activities.
  • HDL cellular cholesterol efflux capacity remained unchanged in FH-PCSK9 patients.
  • Distinct alterations in HDL proteomic, lipidomic, and glycomic composition were observed, with enrichment in lysophospholipids, A2G2S2 glycan, and apolipoprotein A-IV.

Conclusions:

  • Anti-atherogenic HDL functionalities are altered in FH-PCSK9 patients, accompanied by specific compositional changes.
  • This study provides the first comprehensive overview of how gain-of-function PCSK9 genetic variants affect HDL structure-function relationships.
Abstract