Regular Research Articles
Antisense oligonucleotide–mediated inhibition of angiopoietin-like protein 3 increases reverse cholesterol transport in mice
Supported by an abundance of experimental and genetic evidence, angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3) has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for cardiovascular disease. ANGPTL3 is primarily produced by the liver and is a potent modulator of plasma lipids and lipoproteins. Experimental models and subjects with loss-of-function Angptl3 mutations typically present with lower levels of HDL-C than noncarriers. The effect of ANGPTL3 on HDL-C is typically attributed to its function as an inhibitor of the enzyme endothelial lipase.Angiopoietin-like 3 inhibition of endothelial lipase is not modulated by angiopoietin-like 8
High plasma triglyceride (TG) levels and low HDL-C levels are risk factors for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Both plasma TG and HDL-C levels are regulated in part by the circulating inhibitor, angiopoietin-like 3 (ANGPTL3). ANGPTL3 inhibits the phospholipase, endothelial lipase (EL), which hydrolyzes the phospholipids of HDL, thus decreasing plasma HDL levels. ANGPTL3 also inhibits LPL, the lipase primarily responsible for the clearance of TGs from the circulation. Previous studies have shown that ANGPTL3 requires complex formation with the related ANGPTL protein, angiopoietin-like 8 (ANGPTL8), to efficiently inhibit LPL, but the role of ANGPTL8 in EL inhibition is not known.
