Antibodies to oxidised LDL

In prospective studies antibodies to oxidised LDL (low density lipoprotein) have been shown to predict myocardial infarction and progression of caroti d athesclerosis in non-autoimmune subjects. The antibodies to oxidised LDL are crossreactive with antiphospholipid antibodies most likely due to their binding to oxidised phospholipids. The Frequent occurrence of these antibo dies and their association with arterial thrombosis in patients with SLE an d antiphospholipid syndrome suggest their involvement in the development of accelerated atherosclerosis in these patients. Some in vitro studies sugge st that antibodies to oxidised LDL may have an atherogenic effect by enhanc ing the lipid accumulation into macrophages in the atherosclerotic vessels. These antibodies can be considered as markers of the pathogenic determinan ts of atherosclerosis, such as enhanced lipid oxidation, proinflammatory st age and impaired vasodilatation.