Associations of genetic variants in ATP-binding cassette A1 and cholesteryl ester transfer protein and differences in lipoprotein subclasses in the multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis.
BACKGROUND
ATP-binding cassette A1 (ABCA1) and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) play important roles in the reverse cholesterol transport pathway. The associations of ABCA1 and CETP polymorphisms with lipoprotein subclasses have not been extensively studied.


METHODS
We genotyped 2 ABCA1 and 5 CETP polymorphisms in 999 participants of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) and studied their associations with HDL and LDL subclass particle concentrations, measured by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.


RESULTS
ABCA1 and CETP polymorphisms were associated with different and distinct changes in lipoprotein subclass concentrations. The ABCA1 1051G/A AA genotype, previously found to be associated with cardioprotective effects in this cohort, was associated with a 5.5% higher concentration of small HDL particles (P = 0.024). The CETP TaqIB B2B2, -2505C/A AA, and -629C/A AA genotypes, previously demonstrated to lack cardioprotective effects, were associated with 15.2%, 15.4%, and 11.7% higher HDL cholesterol concentrations, respectively, and 36.5%, 40.7%, and 25.4% higher large HDL particle concentrations (P < 0.0001). The minor alleles of the A373P and R451Q polymorphisms were associated with lower large HDL particle concentrations.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study of the influence of ABCA1 and CETP genetic variants on lipoprotein subclasses demonstrates the importance of interpreting lipoprotein subclasses within the context of the biochemical processes involved in the alterations. In the case of HDL, the study of subclass particle numbers and sizes may not be sufficiently informative. Assays for HDL function may be needed to supplement quantification of HDL cholesterol and HDL particle numbers and sizes.
Tsai
Michael Y
MY
Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455-0392, USA. tsaix001@umn.edu
Li
Na
N
Sharrett
A Richey
AR
Shea
Steven
S
Jacobs
David R
DR
Tracy
Russell
R
Arnett
Donna
D
Arends
Valerie
V
Post
Wendy
W
D064286:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1; D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D053480:Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*
C577836:ABCA1 protein, human; D064286:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1; D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; D053480:Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins