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A potential basis for the thrombotic risks associated with lipoprotein(a)

Nature volume 339, pages 301–303 (1989)Cite this article

Abstract

LIPOPROTEIN(a) (Lp(a)) has been strongly linked with atherosclerosis and is an independent risk factor for myocardial infarction1–6. Distinguishing Lp(a) from other low-density lipoprotein particles is its content of a unique apoprotein, apo(a)7–9. The recently described sequence of apo(a) indicates a remarkable homology with plasminogen10,11, the zymogen of the primary thrombolytic enzyme, plasmin. Lp(a) may contain 37 or more disulphide-looped kringle structures, which are 75–85% identical to the fourth kringle of plasminogen. Plasminogen receptors are widely distributed on blood cells12 and are present at extremely high density on endothelial cells13,14. These receptors promote thrombolysis by accelerating plasminogen activation13,15 and protecting plasmin from inhibition12,16. If, by molecular mimicry, Lp(a) competes with plasminogen for receptors, then thrombolysis would be inhibited and thrombosis promoted. Here we provide support for such a mechanism being responsible for the thrombotic risks associated with elevated Lp(a) by demonstrating that Lp(a) inhibits plasminogen binding to cells.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Immunology, Research Institute of Scripps Clinic, 10666 North Torrey Pine Road, La Jolla, California, 92037, USA

    Lindsey A. Miles, Eugene G. Levin & Edward F. Plow

  2. Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, Box 231, Chicago, Illinois, 60637, USA

    Gunther M. Fless & Angelo M. Scanu

Authors
  1. Lindsey A. Miles
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  2. Gunther M. Fless
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  3. Eugene G. Levin
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  4. Angelo M. Scanu
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  5. Edward F. Plow
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Miles, L., Fless, G., Levin, E. et al. A potential basis for the thrombotic risks associated with lipoprotein(a). Nature 339, 301–303 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1038/339301a0

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