title: [Monoclonal antibodies against PCSK9: from bench to clinic].
abstract: Antibodies are glycoproteins with high specificity binding to multiple antigens due to the large number of structural conformations of the variable chains. Hybridoma technology (fusion of myeloma cells with immunoglobulin-producing lymphocytes) has allowed the synthesis of large quantities of unique antibodies (monoclonal [mAb]). mAbs were initially murine. Subsequently, chimeric mAbs were developed, followed by humanized mAbs and finally human mAbs. The high selectivity and good tolerance of human mAbs allows their therapeutic administration to block specific exogenous or endogenous molecules. Selective human mAbs to the catalytic domain of PCSK9 have recently been developed. These antibodies block PCSK9, favour low-density lipoprotein receptor recycling and markedly reduce circulating cholesterol. Preliminary studies indicate that lowering cholesterol through anti-PCSK9 antibodies may significantly reduce the cardiovascular complications of arteriosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Madrid, España. Electronic address: cguijarro@fhalcorcon.es.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guijarro Herraiz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D000091362:PCSK9 Inhibitors; D000071449:Proprotein Convertase 9 / Q000276:immunology; D011973:Receptors, LDL / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000091362:PCSK9 Inhibitors; D011973:Receptors, LDL; D002784:Cholesterol; C472125:PCSK9 protein, human; D000071449:Proprotein Convertase 9
keywords: Anticuerpos monoclonales; Arteriosclerosis; Cholesterol; Colesterol; Monoclonal antibodies; PCSK9 protein; Proteína PCSK9; Terapéutica; Therapeutics