Role of apolipoprotein E genotype in coronary artery disease.
Recent gene-targeting technology has provided good animal models that provide insight into the pathology of complex diseases such as atherosclerosis. The apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism is one of the most extensively studied in cardiovascular medicine. The scope of the present review is to briefly outline the biochemical characteristics and the genetic variation of apolipoprotein E. Apolipoprotein E is best known for its role in modulating lipoprotein metabolism as a ligand for cellular receptors. Other functions unrelated to lipid transport are becoming known, including reverse cholesterol transport, immunoregulation and modulation of cell growth. This review will examine recent work that addresses how apolipoprotein E participates in atherosclerosis. Genotypic variation of apolipoprotein E has been associated with certain phenotypes regarding vascular disease, such as the presence of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease outcomes. This article will also review evidence regarding the association between apolipoprotein E gene polymorphisms and coronary artery disease based upon experimental and clinical studies.
University Cardiology Department, Democritus University of Thrace, Voulgaroktonou 23, Alexandroupolis 68100, Greece. dtziakas@med.duth.gr
Dimitrios N
DN
Tziakas
Georgios K
GK
Chalikias