Unstable LDL – Novel mechanism of atherogenesis and link to cardiovascular deaths

Objectives: Aggregation of LDL particles is involved in atherogenesis, but studies providing mechanistic or clinical insights into the role of LDL aggregation are missing. We have previously demonstrated that aggregation-prone unstable LDL has an increased sphingomyelin/phosphatidylcholine (SM/PC)-ratio. By lowering the SM/PC-ratio, we were able to stabilize the particles in vitro, and this type of LDL stabilization in mice resulted in reduced atherosclerosis.