Novel pro- and anti-atherogenic effects of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins: To feast or to fast?

Artherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease, in which the activation of leukocytes play a major role. In this thesis we investigated novel pro-atherogenic effects of apoliprotein (apo) B-containing lipoproteins. For instance, we demonstrate that both hepatically derived apo B100 and inestinal apo B48 elicits leukocyte activation.
However, apo B-containing lipoproteins may have anti-atherogenic properties as well, when they are bound to circulating erythrocytes and leukocytes. In the second part of this thesis we demonstrate for the first time that apo B bound to erythrocytes may protect against the development of artherosclerosis and is associated with reduced mortality.
In addition, contrary to current concepts, apo B bound to circulating leukocytes may also be associated with a lower prevalence of cardiovascular disease.