The concept of apolipoprotein-defined lipoprotein families and its clinical significance.
Classification of plasma lipoproteins on the basis of apolipoprotein (apo) composition recognizes two lipoprotein (Lp) classes, one of which is characterized by apoA-I and the other by apoB as major protein constituents. The former lipoprotein class consists of three major subclasses referred to (according to their apolipoprotein constituents) as Lp-A-I, Lp-A-I:A-II, and Lp-A-II, and the latter one of five subclasses called Lp-B, Lp-B:E, Lp-B:C, Lp-B:C:E, and Lp-A-II:B:C:D:E. As polydisperse systems of particles, the apoA-I-containing lipoproteins overlap in high-density segments and apoB- containing lipoproteins in low-density segments of the density gradient. Each subclass is characterized by a specific chemical composition and metabolic property. Normolipidemia and dyslipoproteinemias are characterized by quantitative rather than qualitative differences in the levels of apoA- and apoB-containing subclasses. Furthermore, apoA-containing subclasses seem to differ with respect to their relative antiatherogenic capacities, and apoB-containing subclasses regarding their relative atherogenic potentials. Whereas Lp-A-I may have a greater antiatherogenic capacity than other apoA-containing subclasses, the cholesterol-enriched Lp-B:C appears to be the most atherogenic subclass among apoB-containing lipoprotein families. The use of pharmacologic and/or dietary interventions to treat dyslipoproteinemias has already shown that these therapeutic modalities may affect selectively individual apolipoprotein-defined lipoproteins, and thus allow the selection of individualized treatments targeted at decreasing harmful and/or increasing beneficial lipoprotein subclasses.
Alaupovic
Petar
P
Lipid and Lipoprotein Laboratory, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 800 Research Parkway, Suite 340, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D001053:Apolipoproteins / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification* / Q000378:metabolism*; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006951:Hyperlipoproteinemias / Q000097:blood* / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000188:drug therapy; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects
D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I; D001053:Apolipoproteins; D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D008074:Lipoproteins