Development progress and application of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors / 中国生物制品学杂志

@#Dyslipidemia is a causal risk factor of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease(ASCVD),and lipid-lowering therapies play a major role in preventing and managing ASCVD. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9(PCSK9)promotes atherosclerosis by increasing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)and inflammatory response,while PCSK9 inhibitors can target to reduce PCSK9 levels and have high lipid lowering efficiency. Especially on the basis of statin or ezetimibe treatment,it can also bring more clinical benefits. With the in-depth study,PCSK9 inhibitor has become the research focus in recent years. This paper reviewed the development progress of PCSK9 inhibitors,in order to provide references for the clinical application of this class of drugs.

Effect of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 on platelet activation associated with sepsis / 中华危重病急救医学

Objective:To investigate the effect of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) on platelet activation in sepsis.Methods:① Clinical trial: a prospective study was conducted. Patients with sepsis and septic shock aged ≥ 18 years old who met the diagnostic criteria of Sepsis-3 admitted to the department of intensive care medicine of the Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical College from January to October in 2021 were selected as subjects. Healthy subjects in the same period were taken as healthy control group. Platelet count (PLT) in the first routine blood test after admission was recorded. Venous blood was taken 1 day after diagnosis, and serum PCSK9 level was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The differences of PCSK9 level and PLT between the two groups were compared, and subgroup analysis was conducted based on PLT for patients with sepsis. The correlation between PCSK9 level and PLT in septic patients was analyzed by Pearson correlation method. ② Animal experiment: 80 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group, sepsis model group [lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group], PCSK9 inhibitor pretreatment group (PCSK9 inhibitor+LPS group) and PCSK9 inhibitor control group (PCSK9 inhibitor group), with 20 mice in each group. The mouse model of sepsis was reproduced by intraperitoneal injection of LPS 12 mg/kg, and the control group and PCSK9 inhibitor group were intraperitoneally injected with the same amount of sterile normal saline. PCSK9 inhibitor+LPS group and PCSK9 inhibitor group were pretreated with PCSK9 inhibitor 5 mg/kg intraperitoneal injection for 7 days before injection of LPS or normal saline, respectively, and the control group and LPS group were injected with an equal amount of sterile normal saline. The lung tissues were taken for pathological and immunohistochemical observation 24 hours after modeling. Blood was taken from the heart for determining PLT. Platelet activation was detected by flow cytometry. The expression level of platelet-activation marker CD40L was detected by Western blotting.Results:① Clinical trial: there were 57 cases in the sepsis group and 27 cases in the healthy control group. Serum PCSK9 level in the sepsis group was significantly higher than that in the healthy control group (μg/L: 232.25±72.21 vs. 191.72±54.92, P < 0.05), and PLT was significantly lower than that in the healthy control group [×10 9/L: 146.00 (75.50, 204.50) vs. 224.00 (194.00, 247.00), P < 0.01]. Subgroup analysis showed that the serum PCSK9 level in the thrombocytopenia patients ( n = 20) was significantly higher than that in the non-thrombocytopenia patients ( n = 37; μg/L: 264.04±60.40 vs. 215.06±72.95, P < 0.01). Correlation analysis showed a significant negative correlation between serum PCSK9 levels and PLT in septic patients ( r = -0.340, P = 0.010). ② Animal experiment: there were no significant pathological changes in lung tissue in the control group and PCSK9 inhibitor group under light microscope, and no significant differences in PLT, platelet activation and plasma CD40L protein expression was found between the two groups. In the LPS group, a large number of inflammatory cells were infiltrated in the pulmonary interstitium, the alveolar structure was damaged obviously, the alveolar septum was widened, the alveolar cavity was extensively bleeding, the capillary dilatation with bleeding and platelet aggregation were found, the PLT was significantly decreased, the platelet activation and the expression level of CD40L protein in plasma were significantly increased. The infiltration of inflammatory cells in lung tissue of mice in the PCSK9 inhibitor+LPS group was reduced to a certain extent, the thickening of alveolar septa was reduced, the platelet aggregation in lung tissue was decreased as compared with the LPS group, the PLT was significantly increased (×10 9/L: 515.83±46.60 vs. 324.83±46.31, P < 0.05), the platelet activation and the expression level of CD40L protein in plasma were significantly decreased [positive expression rate of platelet activation dependent granule surface facial mask protein CD62P: (12.15±1.39)% vs. (18.33±2.74)%, CD40L protein (CD40L/β-actin): 0.77±0.08 vs. 1.18±0.10, both P < 0.05]. Conclusion:PCSK9 level has a certain effect on promoting platelet activation in sepsis, and inhibition of PCSK9 level may have potential research value in improving adverse outcomes caused by sepsis thrombocytopenia.

Familial Hypercholesterolemia / 罕见病研究

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a group of autosomal co-dominant genetic diseases mainly characterized by abnormal low-density lipoprotein related metabolism. It is one of the most common inherited diseases in children and one of the most serious lipid metabolism diseases which results in various life-threatening cardiovascular diseases and the complications. In recent years, the treatment protocols for FH have diversified thanks to the deeper understanding of the disease in China and abroad and the development of new lipid-lowering drugs. However, the current awareness and diagnosis rate of FH are very low. The treatment of the disease is much inadequate. This paper summarizes the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, screening strategy, and treatment of FH hoping to enhance the understanding and awareness of the disease in the society.

Prognostic value of PCSK9 and blood lipid in patients with sepsis / 中华危重病急救医学

Objective:To investigate the prognostic value of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and blood lipid indexes in patients with sepsis.Methods:Patients with sepsis or septic shock who were ≥ 18 years old and met the Sepsis-3.0 diagnostic criteria admitted to the department of critical care medicine of Binzhou Medical University Hospital from January to October 2021 were enrolled. Healthy adults at the same period were selected as healthy control group. Baseline characteristics, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score were recorded. Venous blood samples were collected within 24 hours after diagnosis, and serum PCSK9 was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at 1, 3 days and 5 days. Meanwhile, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and lipoprotein A were detected. The differences of each index between sepsis group (28-day death group and survival group) and healthy control group were compared. Meanwhile, the indexes of patients with different severity and 28-day prognosis in sepsis group were compared. Receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was drawn to evaluate the predictive value of PCSK9 and blood lipid for the prognosis of sepsis. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors for the prognosis of sepsis, and the Kaplan-Meier survival curve at 28th day was drawn.Results:There were 50 patients in sepsis group (including 19 patients with sepsis, 31 patients with septic shock) and 27 patients in healthy control group. In the sepsis group, 19 patients died and 31 patients survived within 28 days. The serum PCSK9 in the sepsis group was significantly higher than that in the healthy control group [μg/L: 223.09 (198.47, 250.82) vs. 188.00 (165.27, 214.90), P < 0.01], and HDL-C, LDL-C, TC and lipoprotein A were significantly lower than those in the healthy control group [HDL-C (mmol/L): 0.82±0.35 vs. 1.45±0.24, LDL-C (mmol/L): 1.53 (1.14, 2.47) vs. 2.89 (2.55, 3.19), TC (mmol/L): 2.03 (1.39, 2.84) vs. 4.24 (3.90, 4.71), lipoprotein A (g/L): 8.80 (5.66, 17.56) vs. 27.03 (14.79, 27.03), all P < 0.01]. PCSK9 in the sepsis death group was higher than that in the survival group [μg/L: 249.58 (214.90, 315.77) vs. 207.01 (181.50, 244.95), P < 0.01], and the HDL-C, LDL-C and TC were lower than those in the survival group [HDL-C (mmol/L): 0.64±0.35 vs. 0.93±0.30, LDL-C (mmol/L): 1.32±0.64 vs. 2.08±0.94, TC (mmol/L): 1.39 (1.01, 2.23) vs. 2.69 (1.72, 3.81), all P < 0.01]. With the progression of the disease, the PCSK9 in the sepsis death group and the survival group was significantly lower than that within 1 day of diagnosis (all P < 0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that PCSK9 had higher predictive value of 28-day death than HDL-C, LDL-C, TC [area under ROC curve (AUC) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.748 (0.611-0.885) vs. 0.710 (0.552-0.868), 0.721 (0.575-0.867), 0.702 (0.550-0.854)]. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that PCSK9 was an independent risk factor affecting the 28-day prognosis of sepsis (β value was 1.014, P = 0.020). Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that when PCSK9 ≥ 208.97 μg/L, with the increase of PCSK9, the 28-day survival rate of sepsis patients decreased significantly. Conclusions:PCSK9, HDL-C, LDL-C and TC can all predict the 28-day prognosis of patients with sepsis. The prognostic value of PCSK9 is the highest. PCSK9 is an independent risk factor affecting the prognosis of sepsis. In the early stage of the disease, PCSK9 may have a good predictive value for the prognosis of sepsis. When PCSK9 ≥ 208.97 μg/L, the 28-day survival rate decreased significantly.

Effect and mechanism of PCSK9 on lipid homeostasis and cell damage of podocytes / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective:To evaluate the effect of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) on lipid homeostasis and cellular injury of podocytes, and to clarify its mechanism.Methods:Twelve-week old C57BL/6 wild-type mice ( n=10) and PCSK9 knockout ( PCSK9 KO) mice ( n=10) were selected as the animal models. The renal tissues were taken after perfusion through heart. Mouse podocytes were transfected with PCSK9 siRNA to downregulate PCSK9 expression. BODIPY 493/503 staining was performed for evaluating lipid accumulation, and standard transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe the foot process of podocytes, the shape of mitochondria and lipid droplet in podocytes. TUNEL staining was carried out to evaluate cell apoptosis in glomerulus. The parameters about mitochondria function (key enzymes such as PGC-1α, CPT-1 and Acox-1) and apoptosis were quantified through qPCR and western blotting. Results:The lipid accumulation in glomerulus of PCSK9 KO mice were more serious than controls. The expression of PGC-1α protein and PGC-1α, CPT-1 and Acox-1 mRNA in PCSK9 KO mouse kidney tissues were decreased than controls (all P<0.05), and mitochondria swelling and cristae disappearance in podocytes of PCSK9 KO mice were observed. In PCSK9 KO group, the foot process of podocytes partially fused and disappeared, and the apoptosis index increased compared with the control group ( P<0.05). In vitro, compared with the control group, the lipid accumulation was more significant, transcription level of key enzymes related to mitochondrial function was decreased, mitochondrial structure was damaged and the apoptosis index was increased in cultured podocyte PCSK9 siRNA group (all P<0.05). Conclusions:PCSK9 is involved in the lipid homeostasis of podocytes. The decrease of PCSK9 results in the increase of intracellular lipid accumulation, accompanied by the mitochondrial structure damage and disfunction of podocytes, and leads to cell apoptosis.

Effect of Shuangyu Tiaozhi Decoction on HNF1α/PCSK9/LDLR Signaling Pathway in Liver of Hypercholesterolemic Rats / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the expression of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1<italic>α</italic> （HNF1<italic>α</italic>）， proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 （PCSK9） and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDLR） in hypercholesterolemia rat liver， and investigate the mechanism of Shuangyu Tiaozhi Decoction regulating cholesterol metabolism and attenuating hypercholesterolemia. Method:After providing a high-fat diet for 4 weeks， 40 SD rats were selected， 8 of which were randomly selected as normal group and fed a normal diet， and the remaining 32 rats were fed a high-fat diet. The rats successfully established as hypercholesterolemic model， were randomized into 4 groups： model group， low dose of Shuangyu Tiaozhi decoction group （7.8 g·kg^-1）， high dose of Shuangyu Tiaozhi decoction group （15.6 g·kg^-1）， and simvastatin group （4 mg·kg^-1）， with 8 rats in each group. The drugs were continuously given for 8 weeks. Serum total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C） were measured. The pathomorphological changes in liver were observed by hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining. The immunohistochemistry was used to detect PCSK9 and LDLR expression in liver. The mRNA and protein expression levels of HNF1<italic>α</italic>， PCSK9 and LDLR were determined by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot. Result:Compared with normal group， the TC， TG， LDL-C levels in model group were significantly increased （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， the morphology showed obvious liver steatosis. The mRNA and protein expression of HNF1<italic>α</italic> and PCSK9 were increased （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， the mRNA and protein expression of LDLR was decreased （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. Compared with model group， the serum TC， TG， LDL-C levels were significantly lowered in the Shuangyu Tiaozhi decoction high-dose group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， the serum TC， LDL-C levels were significantly lowered in the Shuangyu Tiaozhi decoction low-dose group and simvastatin group （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）， while no significant effect was observed on the serum HDL-C levels in each treatment group. The liver steatosis decreased in each treatment group. The mRNA and protein expression of HNF1<italic>α</italic> was obviously decreased in each treatment group （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）， the mRNA and protein expression of PCSK9 was obviously decreased in Shuangyu Tiaozhi decoction low and high-dose groups （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）， the mRNA expression of PCSK9 was significantly increased in the simvastatin group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， while the protein expression showed a downward trend. The LDLR mRNA levels were significantly increased in each treatment group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， the LDLR protein expression was significantly increased in Shuangyu Tiaozhi high-dose group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， and showed an upward trend in Shuangyu Tiaozhi low-dose group and simvastatin group. Results of immunohistochemistry showed PCSK9 expression was weakly positive， the expression of LDLR was strongly positive in each treatment group. The therapeutic effect of Shuangyu Tiaozhi decoction high-dose group was more remarkable than simvastatin group， while there was no obvious difference between the Shuangyu Tiaozhi decoction low-dose group and simvastatin group. Conclusion:Shuangyu Tiaozhi decoction may reduce the blood lipid levels through HNF1<italic>α</italic>/PCSK9/LDLR signaling pathway， play an active role on regulating cholesterol metabolism and alleviating high-fat diet-induced hypercholesterolemia.

Construction of point mutation rabbits using CRISPR/Cas9 / 浙江大学学报·医学版

To establish a rabbit model of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type9 () point mutation with CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technique. According to the PubMed gene protein data, the PCSK9 protein functional regions of human and rabbit were analyzed by Blast. The 386S (Ser) amino acid functional region of human gene was homologous to the 485S of rabbit gene. Three small guide RNAs and one single-stranded donor oligonucleotide were designed according to the 485S base substitution position and sequence analysis of rabbit gene. The synthetic small guide RNAs, Cas9 mRNA and single-stranded donor oligonucleotide were co-injected into the cytoplasm of rabbit fertilized eggs and the embryos were transferred into the pregnant rabbits. PCR, TA cloning and off-target analysis were performed on the F0 rabbits to identify whether the PCSK9 mutation was successful. Fifteen F0 rabbits were obtained. The sequencing results showed that one of them was PCSK9 point mutation homozygote and two of them were PCSK9 point mutation heterozygotes, and the mutation could be stably inherited. The rabbit model of PCSK9 point mutation was successfully constructed by CRISPR/Cas9 technique, which provides an animal model for exploring the molecular mechanism of impaired PCSK9 function and developing reliable and effective diagnosis and treatment measures.

Expression of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 in the plasma of patients with psoriasis and its effect on the activation of peripheral CD4+ T cells / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To investigate the role of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) in the pathogenesis of psoriasis by detecting the level of PCSK9 in the plasma of patients with psoriasis and evaluating its effect on the secretion of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin-17A (IL-17A) by peripheral CD4+ T cells.Methods Totally,30 outpatients with psoriasis vulgaris and 30 healthy volunteers (controls) were enrolled from Hospital for Skin Diseases,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between February 2016 and December 2017.Of the 30 patients,16 were males,and 14 were females.Their age varied from 18 to 66 years,and the course of disease ranged from 1 month to 15 years.Peripheral venous blood samples were obtained from the patients and controls,and the plasma and was performed to measure mRNA expression of PCSK9 in the PBMC,and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to determine the concentration of PCSK9 in the plasma.Peripheral CD4+ T cells were isolated from the PBMC by magnetic bead method,and divided into 2 groups to be co-cultured with (experiment group) or without PCSK9 protein (control group).After 24-hour treatment,ELISA was conducted to detect the levels of IFN-γ and IL-17A in the culture supernatant.Statistical analysis was carried out by using two-sample t test for the comparison between the two groups,and Pearson correlation analysis for analyzing correlations between the plasma level of PCSK9 and psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score in the patients with psoriasis.Results PCSK9 mRNA expression was undetected in the PBMC of the patients with psoriasis and controls.The plasma level of PCSK9 was significantly higher in the patients with psoriasis ([243.58 ± 11.91] μg/L) than in the healthy controls ([199.74 ± 31.09] μg/L,t =5.761,P ＜ 0.001).After co-culture of the peripheral CD4+ T cells from patients with PCSK9 protein,the levels of IFN-γ and IL-17A both significantly increased ([6 150.00 ± 212.13] ng/L,[1 532.00 ± 11.31] ng/L,respectively) compared with the control group co-cultured without PCSK9 protein ([4 650.00 ± 212.13] ng/L,[698.5 ± 266.58] ng/L,respectively;t =7.071,4.418 respectively,both P ＜ 0.05).IFN-γand IL-17A were undetected in the culture supernatant of CD4+ T cells from the healthy controls in the experiment group or control group.Conclusion The plasma level of PCSK9 increases in patients with psoriasis,which may be involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis by activating peripheral CD4+ T cells.

Effect of aerobic exercise on blood lipid of hyperlipidemia rats and its mechanism / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To explore the effect of aerobic exercise on blood lipid of hyperlipidemia rats and its mechanism. Methods A total of 120 healthy male SD rats aged 8 weeks were randomized into normal control group, high-fat diet (HF) group, SBC-115076 group and aerobic exercise group, with 30 rats in each group. The rats in the normal control group were fed with standard diet, and the rats in the other 3 groups were fed with HF to establish hyperlipidemia rat model. The rats in the SBC-115076 group were injected with proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor SBC-115076 (8 mg/kg) once a week for 8 weeks, and the rats in the aerobic exercise group underwent swimming without load 6 days a week for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, the rats were sacrificed and the blood samples were collected to determine the levels of serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Pathological changes of thoracic aorta were observed using H-E staining. The mRNA and protein expression levels of PCSK9, low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP) in the hepatic tissues were detected by quantitative real-time PCR, Western blotting and immunofluorescence. Results Compared with the normal control group, the levels of serum TG, TC and LDL of the rats were significantly higher in the HF group, and the level of HDL was significantly lower (P<0.01). Compared with the HF group, the levels of serum TG, TC and LDL of the rats were significantly lower in the SBC-115076 and aerobic exercise groups, and the level of HDL was significantly higher (P<0.01). In the HF rats, the aortic tunica intima was thickened and endothelial cells were damaged and exfoliated. Compared with the HF group, the aortic intima thickening was reduced and endothelial damage was less in the aerobic exercise group. Compared with the normal control group, the mRNA and protein expression levels of PCSK9, SREBP1 and SREBP2 were significantly higher in the HF group, and the mRNA and protein expression levels of LDLR were significantly lower (P<0.01). Compared with the HF group, the mRNA and protein expression levels of PCSK9, SREBP1 and SREBP2 were significantly lower, and the mRNA and protein expression levels of LDLR were significantly higher (P<0.01). Conclusion Aerobic exercise can down-regulate the expression of TG, TC and LDL, up-regulate the expression of HDL, and alleviate the intimal thickening of aorta. The mechanism may be related to down-regulating the expression of PCSK9 and SREBPs, thus eliminating the inhibition of LDLR.

Advances in natural products with function of PCSK9 regulation and their action mechanism / 中草药

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is the highligh of lipid-lowering therapy due to its effect on LDL-C in the cardiovascular field. PCSK9 inhibitor has become the hot spot in biological preparations in these years, but the properties of adverse reaction, high price and injection-methods of biologicals limit its development. Currently, it was reported that many traditional Chinese medicine and natural products had the functions of regulating PCSK9. This paper summarized the regulation and mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine monomers, active ingredients, compounds and natural products on PCSK9 so as to provide references for the development of small-molecule inhibitors of PCSK9.

Clinical research progress of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors / 天津医药

@#Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors can reduce the low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level in circulatory system by blocking PCSK9-low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) pathway to mediate the degradation of LDLR. At present, PCSK9 inhibitors have become the focus of cardiovascular lipid-lowering therapy. A variety of PCSK9 inhibitors have entered the clinical trial stage. This paper mainly reviews the molecular structure and mechanism of PCSK9, the classification of PCSK9 inhibitors, and recent clinical study of the monoclonal antibodies of PCSK9 inhibitors in order to evaluate the effectiveness and long-term safety of cardiovascular risk reduction.

The role of PCSK9 on lipid accumulation and injury in the kidney of C57BL/6 mice / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objectives To evaluate the role of PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9) on the lipid accumulation and kidney injury of C57BL/6 mice. Methods The 24 h urine of 12 weeks old wide type C57BL/6 mice and PCSK9 knockout (KO) mice were collected through a metabolic cage, followed by perfusion and sacrifice. Urinary microalbumin?to?creatinine ratio (UACr), total cholesterol and triglyceride in kidney tissues were measured by ELISA. BODIPY 493/503 staining and standard transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of kidney tissues was performed for evaluating lipid accumulation and podocyte foot effacement in the kidney. Kidney tissues were also evaluated by PAS stain and TUNNEL stain. PCSK9, podocin and nephrin were quantified through real?time PCR, and the Bcl?2, Bax and cleaved caspase 3 were evaluated by Western blotting. Results Total cholesterol and triglyceride contents were higher in the kidneys of PCSK9 KO mice than controls (P<0.05). The level of lipid accumulation in glomeruli and tubules through BODIPY 493/503 stain, and the amount of lipid drop in TEM were more serious in PCSK9 KO mice. UACr and podocyte foot process effacement were increased, and the transcription of podocin and nephrin were decreased in the kidneys of PCSK9 KO mice (all P<0.05). The expression of Bcl?2 was decreased, and Bax and cleavedcaspase 3 were increased in the kidney samples of PCSK9 KO mice. Conclusion PCSK9 might be reversely involved in lipid homeostasis and accumulation, resulting in injury and apoptosis in the kidneys of C57BL/6 mice.

Clinical research of PCSK9 inhibitors in reducing low density lipoprotein cholesterol / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Elevated low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Studies show that proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a circulation enzyme and serves a pivotal function in the degradation of low density lipoprotein receptor, which contributes to the decrease in hepatic cholesterol uptake and increase in circulating LDL-C. PCSK9 inhibitor can significantly elevate the surface of low density lipoprotein receptor of liver cells and bond more LDL-C to decrease the level of LDL-C. Thus PCSK9 has emerged as a popular target for the development of new cholesterol lowering drugs and therapeutic intervention of cardiovascular disease. In this article, the history, mechanism of action, metabolic effects of PCSK9 and the clinical outcomes of PCSK9 inhibitors will be briefly reviewed.

Clinical advances in monoclonal antibody against PCSK9 for coronary atherosclerotic heart disease / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (CHD) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the world, with elevated low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels as a major risk factor. Lower levels of LDL-C can effectively reduce the risk of CHD. To date, lipid-lowering medicines such as statins are effective in lowering LDL-C, but a proportion of patients do not achieve lipid reduction target with statins or are intolerant to statins. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors are a new class of agents reducing LDL-C which gain more and more concerns. Through inhibitory effect on PCSK9 and increasing low-density lipoprotein receptors recycling, they can significantly reduce serum LDL-C levels. PCSK9 inhibitors are currently in phase III of clinical trials, and the results showed that they had good lipid-lowering effects and tolerability. This review provided an overview of the latest advances and challenges about PCSK9 inhibitors.

Polymorphism of D320N locus in PCSK9 gene of patients with coronary heart disease and its clinical significance / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To explore the relationship between D320N locus polymorphism in proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) gene and coronary heart disease. Methods A total of 3 450 patients with coronary heart diseases (angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, asymptomatic myocardial ischemia, ischemic cardiomyopathy, and sudden death), who were treated in Hebei General Hospital from Jan. 2014 to Jan. 2016, were enrolled as the case group, with 1 100 healthy people in the same period served as controls. Serum lipid levels and PCSK9 concentrations of subjects in the two groups were detected. PCR assay combined with DNA direct sequencing method was applied in genotyping of D320N (A/G) polymorphic locus in PCSK9 gene. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between D320N locus polymorphism in PCSK9 gene and different types of coronary heart diseases. Results Serum concentrations of PCSK9, levels of total cholesterol, triacylglycerol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, ratio of coronary heart disease family, and ratio of smoking of subjects in the case group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P0.001), while the level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly lower than that in the control group (P0.001). The frequencies of genotype AA and GA in the case group were 3.6% and 13.9%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the control group, respectively (1.1%, 7.0%; χ2＝20.502, 39.646; P0.001); the frequency of allele A in the case group was significantly higher than that in the control group (10.5% vs 4.6%, χ2＝70.481, P0.001). The frequencies of genotype AA, genotype GA and allele A were the highest in the sudden death group, and were the lowest in the asymptomatic myocardial ischemia group. Logistic regression analysis showed that genotypes AA and GA of D320N (A/G) polymorphic in PCSK9 gene were risk factors of coronary heart disease (both P0.001). Conclusion The D320N (A/G) locus polymorphism in PCSK9 gene was associated with coronary heart disease, and genotype AA may be an independent risk factor of coronary heart disease.

New perspectives on cardiovascular benefits of conventional statins and their combination therapy for lipid regulation / 天津医药

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases(ASCVD)are the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Previous randomized controlled trials confirm that statin therapy can effectively reduce the level of low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality in patients with and without ASCVD.However,there is no widespread use of lipid-lowering therapy to achieve the benefit in high risk patients with ASCVD and patients without ASCVD. Therefore, it is necessary to further elaborate the clinical benefits of statins and their combined use for lipid regulating therapy and increasing the beneficiaries.

Clinical advances in monoclonal antibody against PCSK9 for coronary atherosclerotic heart disease / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (CHD) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the world, with elevated low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels as a major risk factor. Lower levels of LDL-C can effectively reduce the risk of CHD. To date, lipid-lowering medicines such as statins are effective in lowering LDL-C, but a proportion of patients do not achieve lipid reduction target with statins or are intolerant to statins. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors are a new class of agents reducing LDL-C which gain more and more concerns. Through inhibitory effect on PCSK9 and increasing low-density lipoprotein receptors recycling, they can significantly reduce serum LDL-C levels. PCSK9 inhibitors are currently in phase Ⅲ of clinical trials, and the results showed that they had good lipid-lowering effects and tolerability. This review provided an overview of the latest advances and challenges about PCSK9 inhibitors.

Clinical research of PCSK9 inhibitors in reducing low density lipoprotein cholesterol / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Elevated low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.Studies show that proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a circulation enzyme and serves a pivotal function in the degradation of low density lipoprotein receptor,which contributes to the decrease in hepatic cholesterol uptake and increase in circulating LDL-C.PCSK9 inhibitor can significantly elevate the surface of low density lipoprotein receptor of liver cells and bond more LDL-C to decrease the level of LDL-C.Thus PCSK9 has emerged as a popular target for the development of new cholesterol lowering drugs and therapeutic intervention of cardiovascular disease.In this article,the history,mechanism of action,metabolic effects of PCSK9 and the clinical outcomes of PCSK9 inhibitors will be briefly reviewed.

PCSK9 inhibitors in the current management of atherosclerosis / Los inhibidores de la PCSK9 en el manejo clínico actualizado de la aterosclerosis

Abstract: The history of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) in medical science is fascinating and the evolution of knowledge of its function has resulted in new medications of major importance for the cardiovascular (CV) patient. PCSK9 functions as a negative control or feedback for the cell surface receptors for low-density lipoprotein including its component of cholesterol (LDL-C). The initial and key findings were that different abnormalities of PCSK9 can result in an increase or a decrease of LDL-C because of more or less suppression of cell surface receptors. These observations gave hints and awoke interest that it might be possible to prepare monoclonal antibodies to PCSK9 and decrease its activity, after which there should be more active LDL-C cell receptors. The rest is a fascinating story that currently has resulted in two PCSK9 inhibitors, alirocumab and evolocumab, which, on average, decrease LDL-C approximately 50%. Nevertheless, if there are no contraindications, statins remain the standard of prevention for the high-risk CV patient and this includes both secondary and primary prevention. The new inhibitors are for the patient that does not attain the desired target for LDL-C reduction while taking a maximum statin dose or who does not tolerate any statin dose whatsoever. Atherosclerosis can be considered a metabolic disease and the clinician needs to realize this and think more and more of CV prevention. These inhibitors can contribute to both the stabilization and regression of atherosclerotic plaques and thereby avoid or delay major adverse cardiac events. (United States)

Resumen: La historia de la proproteína convertasa subtilisin/kexin tipo 9 (PCSK9) es fascinante y la evolución del conocimiento de su función ha resultado en nuevos fármacos de gran importancia para el paciente cardiovascular. La PCSK9 funciona como un control negativo de receptores en la superficie de células para la lipoproteína de baja densidad con su componente de colesterol (LDL-C). El hallazgo inicial y clave fue que anormalidades diferentes de la PCSK9 resultan en un aumento o una disminución de la LDL-C, relacionados en una mayor o menor supresión de los receptores. Fueron estas observaciones las que proporcionaron evidencias indirectas a la idea de preparar anticuerpos monoclonales de la PCSK9 que pudieran disminuir su actividad y que esto se reflejara en receptores más activos para disminuir la LDL-C. El resto es una historia fascinante que ahora ofrece 2 inhibidores de la PCSK9, alirocumab y evolocumab, los cuales disminuyen la LDL-C en un 50%. Sin embargo, si no hay una contraindicación, las estatinas son el estándar de prevención para el paciente cardiovascular de alto riesgo e incluyen la prevención secundaria y primaria. Estos nuevos inhibidores están indicados en aquel paciente en el que no se obtiene el objetivo de tratamiento con la dosis máxima de una estatina o que no tolera ninguna de ellas. Debemos pensar en la aterosclerosis como una enfermedad metabólica y el clínico necesita darse cuenta de esta realidad y considerar las posibilidades disponibles para la prevención cardiovascular. Estos inhibidores pueden contribuir a la estabilización y regresión de placas ateroscleróticas y evitar episodios cardiovasculares mayores. (Estados Unidos)

Polymorphism of V312F locus in PCSK9 gene of patients with coronary heart disease and its clinical significance / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

Objective To explore the correlation and significance of V312F locus polymorphism of PCSK9 gene in patients with coronary heart disease.Methods We selected 3560 patients with coronary heart disease who came to our hospital from January 2014 to January 2016 as the case group.They were divided into 5 subgroups:angina group,myocardial infarction group,silent myocardial ischemia group,ischemic cardiomyopathy group,and sudden death group,according to their anatomic and pathophysiological features.Data of 1 000 people for physical examination served as the control group.PCR assay combined with direct sequencing method was applied to test V312F locus polymorphism of PCSK9 gene.Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze relationship between V312F locus polymorphism of PCSK9 gene and types of coronary heart disease.The concentration of serum PCSK9 and lipids of the two groups were also measured.Results The serum levels of PCSK9,TC,TG and LDLC and ratio of positive family history in the case group were significantly higher than those in the control group,while the level of HDLC was lower than that of the controls (all P＜0.05).Indexes of sudden death subgroup in the case group showed the most significant changes,while asymptomatic myocardial ischemia subgroup showed the weakest changes.The frequency of genotype TT,GT and allele T in the case group was 3.4％,16.6％ and 11.7％,respectively,which was significantly higher than that in the control group (1.1％,10.2％ and 6.2％) (all P＜0.01).The highest frequency of genotype TT,GT and allele T was found in sudden death subgroup,and the lowest frequency of these indexes was found in asymptomatic myocardial ischemia subgroup (P＜0.05).Results of Logistic regression analysis showed that genotype TT in V312F locus of PCSK9 gene was related to the severity of coronary heart disease (OR =8.463,95％ CI from 3.505 to 17.854,P＜0.001).Conclusion The mutation of V312F (T/G)locus of PCSK9 gene might be related to the severity of coronary heart disease.