Mechanisms of oxysterol-induced apoptosis

The rationale for the present review is that oxysterols found in oxidized L DL (oxLDL) play a role in atherogenesis. This perspective is based on studi es that show that induction of apoptosis in vascular cells is an important process in atherogenesis, that apoptosis can be induced by oxLDL, and that the oxysterol component of oxLDL is responsible for its proapoptotic activi ty. The evidence for these concepts is reviewed, as are studies on the mech anisms by which oxysterols can induce apoptosis. An elevation in intracellu lar calcium appears to be an early signal transduction event that leads to apoptosis through both the extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways. Curr Coin Lipidol 12:529-533., (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.