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High plasma HDL concentrations associated with enhanced atherosclerosis in transgenic mice overexpressing lecithinchoesteryl acyltransferase

Abstract

A subset of patients with high plasma HDL concentration have enhanced rather than reduced atherosclerosis. We have developed a new transgenic mouse model overexpressing human lecithin-cholesteryl acyltransferase (LCAT) that has elevated HDL and increased diet-induced atherosclerosis. LCAT transgenic mouse HDLs are abnormal in both composition and function. Liver uptake of [3H]cholesteryl ether incorporated in transgenic mouse HDL was reduced by 41% compared with control HDL, indicating ineffective transport of HDL-cholesterol to the liver and impaired reverse cholesterol transport. Analysis of this LCAT-transgenic mouse model provides in vivo evidence for dysfunctional HDL as a potential mehanism leading to increased atherosclerosis in the presence of high plasma HDL levels.

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Bérard, A., Föger, B., Remaley, A. et al. High plasma HDL concentrations associated with enhanced atherosclerosis in transgenic mice overexpressing lecithinchoesteryl acyltransferase. Nat Med 3, 744–749 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1038/nm0797-744

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