Oxidized phospholipids and lipoprotein‐associated phospholipase A2 (Lp‐PLA2) in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: An update

Abstract Inflammation and oxidative stress conditions lead to a variety of oxidative modifications of lipoprotein phospholipids implicated in the occurrence and development of atherosclerotic lesions. Lipoprotein‐associated phospholipase A2 (Lp‐PLA 2 ) is established as an independent risk biomarker of atherosclerosis‐related cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and mediates vascular inflammation through the regulation of lipid metabolism in the blood and in atherosclerotic lesions. Lp‐PLA 2 is associated with low‐ and high‐density lipoproteins and Lipoprotein (a) in human plasma and specifically hydrolyzes oxidized phospholipids involved in oxidative stress modification. Several oxidized phospholipids (OxPLs) subspecies can be detoxified through enzymatic degradation by Lp‐PLA 2 activation, forming lysophospholipids and oxidized non‐esterified fatty acids (OxNEFAs). Lysophospholipids promote the expression of adhesion molecules, stimulate cytokines production (TNF‐α, IL‐6), and attract macrophages to the arterial intima. The present review article discusses new data on the functional roles of OxPLs and Lp‐PLA 2 associated with lipoproteins.