Dyslipidaemia: PCSK9 inhibitors and foamy monocytes in familial hypercholesterolaemia

Nat Rev Cardiol. 2017 Jul;14(7):385-386. doi: 10.1038/nrcardio.2017.75. Epub 2017 May 11.

Abstract

Accumulation of foam cells — macrophages with intracellular lipid droplets — in arterial walls is a hallmark of atherosclerosis. Bernelot Moens and colleagues report increases in circulating monocytes with intracellular lipid accumulation, associated CCR2 expression, and enhanced monocyte migration in patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia. These changes could be reversed by PCSK9-inhibitor treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anticholesteremic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Atherosclerosis* / etiology
  • Atherosclerosis* / metabolism
  • Atherosclerosis* / pathology
  • Atherosclerosis* / prevention & control
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cholesterol, LDL / metabolism
  • Foam Cells / pathology
  • Foam Cells / physiology
  • Humans
  • Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II* / blood
  • Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II* / complications
  • Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II* / drug therapy
  • Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II* / physiopathology
  • Lipid Droplets
  • Monocytes* / drug effects
  • Monocytes* / pathology
  • Monocytes* / physiology
  • PCSK9 Inhibitors
  • Proprotein Convertase 9* / metabolism
  • Receptors, CCR2 / metabolism

Substances

  • Anticholesteremic Agents
  • CCR2 protein, human
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • PCSK9 Inhibitors
  • Receptors, CCR2
  • PCSK9 protein, human
  • Proprotein Convertase 9