LIPOPROTEINS AND ATHEROGENESIS

Like many complex disease processes, atherogenesis represents the inte raction of an array of genetic and environmental factors. From nonhuma n animal models to the investigation of epidemiologic factors in man, no single, overriding cause for the development of this indolent vascu lar disease has been identified. However, the cholesterol-enriched lip oprotein particles are closely tied to the development of the disease. The genetic and environmental influences on the concentrations of spe cific Lipoprotein subspecies provide a context for identifying patient s at risk as well as for developing effective therapeutic strategies t o influence and prevent the sequelae of atherogenesis.