The key initiating event in atherosclerosis is the retention of plasma Lipo
proteins in the subendothelial matrix. Subsequently, a series of biological
responses to this retained material leads to specific molecular and cellul
ar processes that promote lesion formation. There is considerable evidence
that many of these biological responses, notably macrophage cholesteryl est
er loading (foam cell formation), require subendothelial modification of th
e retained lipoproteins. Oxidation of lipoproteins is one such modification
that likely occurs in vivo and promotes certain atherogenic events, but ox
idation cannot explain all aspects of atherogenesis, including certain elem
ents of macrophage foam cell formation. For this reason, there has been ren
ewed interest in other modifications of lipoproteins that may be important
in atherogenesis. This review addresses five such lipoprotein modifications
, namely aggregation, glycation, immune complex formation, proteoglycan com
plex formation, and conversion to cholesterol-rich liposomes. The focus is
on the evidence that these modifications occur in atherosclerotic lesions a
nd on the potential role of these modified lipoproteins in atherogenesis, w
ith an emphasis on macrophage foam cell formation.