title: Lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase: an anti- or pro-atherogenic factor?
abstract: Lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase (LCAT) is a plasma enzyme that esterifies cholesterol and raises high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, but its role in atherosclerosis is not clearly established. Studies of various animal models have yielded conflicting results, but studies done in rabbits and non-human primates, which more closely simulate human lipoprotein metabolism, indicate that LCAT is likely atheroprotective. Although suggestive, there are also no biomarker studies that mechanistically link LCAT with cardiovascular disease. Imaging studies of patients with LCAT deficiency have also not yielded a clear answer to the role of LCAT in atherosclerosis. Recombinant LCAT, however, is currently being developed as a therapeutic product for enzyme replacement therapy of patients with genetic disorders of LCAT for the prevention and/or treatment of renal disease, but it may also have value for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Cardio-Pulmonary Branch, Lipoprotein Metabolism Section, 10 Center Dr Bldg. 10/8N224, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA. roussetx@nhlbi.nih.gov
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Rousset
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shamburek
authors.forename: Boris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vaisman
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Amar
authors.forename: Alan T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Remaley
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000235:genetics; D002788:Cholesterol Esters / Q000378:metabolism; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007863:Lecithin Cholesterol Acyltransferase Deficiency / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D007862:Phosphatidylcholine-Sterol O-Acyltransferase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011817:Rabbits; D012453:Saimiri
chemical_list: D002788:Cholesterol Esters; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D005227:Fatty Acids; D007862:Phosphatidylcholine-Sterol O-Acyltransferase