PROSPECTS FOR AN ANTICHOLESTEROL VACCINE

It has been discovered that under certain circumstances cholesterol is a highly immunogenic molecule. Surprisingly, naturally occurring anti bodies to cholesterol are ubiquitously present, to varying degrees, in all normal human sera. Experimental studies on cholesterol-fed rabbit s have demonstrated that diet-induced hypercholesterolaemia and athero sclerosis can be decreased by immunisation with cholesterol-laden lipo somes. Antibodies induced by the immunisation procedure appear to bind to lipoproteins of the very low, low and intermediate density classes . Based on this, a vaccine has been proposed for prevention or amelior ation of diet-induced hypercholesterolaemia in humans. Phase I trials of the vaccine, which is expected to be safe, are anticipated in the n ear future in humans. The feasibility of immunological modulation of h ypercholesterolaemia and atherosclerosis in humans may be demonstrated with a unique vaccine that targets cholesterol in low density lipopro tein.