Apolipoprotein C-III: From Pathophysiology to Pharmacology. (October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Norata, Giuseppe Danilo; Tsimikas, Sotirios; Pirillo, Angela; Catapano, Alberico L.
• Is Part Of: Trends in pharmacological sciences. Volume 36:Number 10(2015)
• Page Start: 675
• Page End: 687
• Publication Date: 2015-10
• Subjects: Pharmacology -- Periodicals; Pharmacology -- trends -- Periodicals; Pharmacologie -- Périodiques; Pharmacology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 615.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2015.07.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-6147

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="author" id="abs0005"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <p id="spar0005">Apolipoprotein C-III (apoC-III) has a critical role in the metabolism of triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoproteins (TRLs). Animal models lacking the <italic>APOC3</italic> gene exhibit reduced plasma TG levels, whereas the overexpression of <italic>APOC3</italic> leads to increased TG levels. In humans, loss-of-function mutations in <italic>APOC3</italic> are associated with reduced plasma TG levels and reduced risk for ischemic vascular disease and coronary heart disease. Several hypolipidemic agents have been shown to reduce apoC-III, including fibrates and statins, and antisense technology aimed at inhibiting <italic>APOC3</italic> mRNA to decrease the production of apoC-III is currently in Phase III of clinical development. Here, we review the pathophysiological role of apoC-III in TG metabolism and the evidence supporting this apolipoprotein as an emerging target for hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) and associated cardiovascular disorders.</p> </sec> </abstract>