Extracellular vesicles related to familial hypercholesterolemia

Scritto il 10/03/2026
da JĂșnea P de P Silvino

Arch Endocrinol Metab. 2026 Apr 1;70(2). doi: 10.20945/2359-4292-2026-0022.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate extracellular vesicles (EVs) in a group of carriers of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH)-related genetic variants compared to those in family members without FH.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Annexin V-positive EVs (PS+-EVs), cardiomyocyte-derived EVs (CardioEVs), endothelial cell-derived EVs (EEVs), platelet-derived EVs (PEVs) and tissue factor-expressing EVs (TFEVs) were evaluated to compare individuals with FH and genetic variants (n = 16) and non-FH patients without genetic variants (n = 16).

RESULTS: Increased numbers of PS+-EVs, CardioEVs, EEVs and TFEVs were observed in the group c arrying genetic variants. Furthermore, patients with FH who did not use statins had higher counts of these same EVs than non-FH patients who did not use statins. These EVs were significantly correlated with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) levels.

CONCLUSION: The data suggest that EVs are related to FH and that their cellular origins could be related to cardiovascular complications commonly observed in this disease.

PMID:41805290 | DOI:10.20945/2359-4292-2026-0022