Extracellular vesicles related to familial hypercholesterolemia

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.