Lipoprotein Lipase Genetic Variants Linked to Coronary Artery Disease

A genetic analysis may have uncovered a possible connection between high triglyceride levels and CAD.

The activity of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is the rate-determining step in clearance of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins from blood circulation. Mutations that interfere with the action of the LPL gene lead to lifelong deficiency in LPL and therefore hypertriglyceridemia. These researchers sought to determine whether LPL variants are associated with early-onset coronary artery disease (CAD).

The gene was sequenced in cross-sectional analyses of 10 CAD case-control cohorts (N=22,533; CAD was early onset in 98%) from a multinational genetics consortium and in a replication sample (N=24,358), an early-onset CAD case-control cohort. Study-specific estimates were pooled via meta-analysis.

Overall, of 46,891 individuals (51% female) with LPL sequencing…

Reviewing Author

Karol E. Watson, MD, PhD, FACC

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBoehringer Ingelheim; Amgen; Novartis; Lilly; Amarin

Speaker’s BureauBoehringer Ingelheim

Grant/Research SupportNIH

Editorial BoardsCirculation (Associate Editor)