# Extracellular vesicles related to familial hypercholesterolemia

## TL;DR

This study found that people with genetic variants linked to familial hypercholesterolemia have higher levels of certain extracellular vesicles, which may contribute to cardiovascular complications.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific extracellular vesicles associated with familial hypercholesterolemia and their correlation with LDL cholesterol levels.

## Key findings

- Individuals with FH-related genetic variants had higher counts of PS+-EVs, CardioEVs, EEVs, and TFEVs.
- FH patients not on statins had higher EV counts than non-FH patients not on statins.
- EV levels were significantly correlated with LDL cholesterol levels.

## Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate extracellular vesicles (EVs) in a group of
carriers of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH)-related genetic variants
compared to those in family members without FH.

Annexin V-positive EVs (PS+-EVs), cardiomyocyte-derived EVs
(CardioEVs), endothelial cell-derived EVs (EEVs), platelet-derived EVs
(PEVs) and tissue factor-expressing EVs (TFEVs) were evaluated to compare
individuals with FH and genetic variants (n = 16) and non-FH patients
without genetic variants (n = 16).

Increased numbers of PS+-EVs, CardioEVs, EEVs and TFEVs were
observed in the group c arrying genetic variants. Furthermore, patients with
FH who did not use statins had higher counts of these same EVs than non-FH
patients who did not use statins. These EVs were significantly correlated
with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) levels.

The data suggest that EVs are related to FH and that their cellular origins
could be related to cardiovascular complications commonly observed in this
disease.