Serum amyloid A in atherosclerosis.

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW:

Serum amyloid A (SAA) is a family of acute-phase proteins which are shown to correlate with cardiovascular disease, but whether this SAA contributes causally to atherosclerosis development or reflects underlying disease or risk factors remains unclear.

RECENT FINDINGS:

SAA has been detected within atherosclerotic lesions and within adipose tissue where it is hypothesized that it may play a contributory role in disease development. In the acute-phase response SAA is synthesized by the liver and transported primarily in association with HDL. However, there is a growing literature suggesting that localized synthesis of SAA within the vasculature, or adipose tissue, may play a distinct role in disease development. Furthermore, SAA can be found in association with apoB-containing lipoproteins, in which its biological activity may be different.

SUMMARY:

This review will discuss recent experimental evidence supporting a causal role of SAA with atherosclerosis.

• Authors: Victoria L King, Joel Thompson, Lisa R Tannock
• Journal: Current opinion in lipidology (Curr Opin Lipidol) Vol. 22 Issue 4 Pg. 302-7 (Aug 2011) ISSN: 1473-6535 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 21734573 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Review)

Chemical References

• Lipoproteins, LDL
• Proteoglycans
• Serum Amyloid A Protein

Topics

• Animals
• Atherosclerosis (metabolism, physiopathology)
• Humans
• Lipoproteins, LDL (metabolism)
• Liver (metabolism)
• Obesity (metabolism)
• Proteoglycans (metabolism)
• Serum Amyloid A Protein (metabolism)