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The role of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 as a marker for atherosclerosis

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Abstract

Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is an enzyme that belongs to the superfamily of phospholipase A2 enzymes. Although initial studies showed that Lp-PLA2 might be protective against atherosclerosis, emerging data seem to suggest that Lp-PLA2 may be proatherogenic, which is an effect thought to be mediated by lysophosphatidylcholine and oxidized nonesterified fatty acids, two mediators generated by Lp-PLA2. This article reviews the potential mechanisms by which Lp-PLA2 may participate in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and its clinical manifestations, namely, coronary artery disease and stroke.

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  1. Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, 6565 Fannin, M.S. A-601, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Vijay Nambi MD

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  1. Salim S. Virani MD
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Correspondence to Vijay Nambi MD.

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Virani, S.S., Nambi, V. The role of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 as a marker for atherosclerosis. Curr Atheroscler Rep 9, 97–103 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11883-007-0004-9

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