Lp (a) Lipoprotein Biochemistry and Potential Role in Atherogenesis

Abstract

Atherosclerosis and thrombosis, major causes of heart attacks and strokes, are diseases of multiple and interactive aetiologies. Despite this frequently fatal association, there has been no evidence linking thrombosis to the earlier process of plaque formation. Lipoprotein(a) described by Berg in 19631), may be the first one. Indeed there is a considerable resurgence of interest in Lp(a), since there is strong evidence that the level of circulating Lp(a) represents an independent risk factor for ischemic disease with probably greater predictive potential than other lipoprotein traits2-4). Moreover, there is a remarkable structural homology between apo(a) and a portion of plasminogen molecule5). This unexpected discovery puts Lp(a) forward as a potential bridge between the fields of atherosclerosis and thrombosis6,4). Our purposal is to up-date knowledge on Lp(a) biochemistry and potential atherogenicity according to recent discoveries.