Abstract
Several studies have shown a high correlation between concentration and
development of low-density
lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)and the evolution of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular
disease. Therefore, the reduction of LDL-C levels through lifestyle
modification and/or pharmacological interventions has universally shown
a decrease in cardiovascular events and mortality. In most cases,
elevated blood lipid levels may be caused by alterations in certain
genes encoding proteins involved in LDL metabolism, such as those
associated with loss of function of the LDLr receptor gene , loss of function of the apoB gene or increased function of a PCSK9 protein .Family hypercholesterolemia is a hereditary disease in which a genetic alteration causes an increase
in blood cholesterol. Therapy is based on dietary control and drugs such
as statins, ezetimibe or PCSK9 inhibitory monoclonal antibodies. An important scientific breakthrough in recent years is the ability to identify
the genetic basis of diseases and possibly correct the defective gene by
interfering with small interfering RNA (siRNA) or antisense
oligonucleotides (ASO). The technologies of antisense oligonucleotides
(ASOs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) have also been developed for
the treatment of hypercholesterolemia with the aim of controlling the
expression of specific genes that play key roles in lipid metabolism.
Anti-sense oligonucleotides have been developed to target apolipoprotein
B, the main
structural protein of VLDL,LDL and chylomicrons,apolipoproteinCIII or
angiopoietin 3, both of which play a role in the
regulation of triglyceridesorapo(a). The siRNA approach works on the
expression of PCSK9, a key modulator in LDL receptor catabolism. The
purpose of this review is to present and discuss current clinical and
scientific data on therapeutic evidence for new gene therapies in the
treatment of hypercholesterolemia.