Abstract P217: Reduced Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2 Activity Levels are Linked to Apolipoprotein C3 Loss-of-Function Mutations: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

Introduction: Higher lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (LpPLA2) levels are associated with higher CHD risk. LpPLA2 is primarily transported in LDL particles and was shown to be associated positively with LDL-C but negatively with HDL-C levels. The mechanism for the negative association with HDL-C is unclear. One hypothesis is that LpPLA2 is increased in small dense LDL (sdLDL) generated with delayed clearance of lipoproteins as exhibited in atherogenic dyslipidemia. Apolipoprotein C3 (ApoC3) was shown to inhibit lipoprotein lipase’s lipolytic activity. ApoC3 loss-of-function (LOF) mutations are associated with lower triglycerides and sdLDL levels and higher HDL-C levels, reduced postprandial lipemia and reduced CHD risk. However, the association of ApoC3 LOF mutations with LpPLA2 activity is not known. We hypothesized that LpPLA2 activity levels will be lower with ApoC3 LOF mutation. Methods: In 4453 individuals of European ancestry in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study we examined...