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Pleiotropy of PCSK9: Functions in Extrahepatic Tissues

  • Lipid Abnormalities and Cardiovascular Prevention (ED Michos, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) plays a central role in the metabolism of LDL receptors and mainly acts in the liver. However, there are accumulating data that PCSK9 involves in several functions in different organs beyond the liver. Herein we aimed to summarize the effects of PCSK9 in tissues other than the liver.

Recent Findings

PCSK9 has crucial roles in heart, brain and kidney in addition to the cholesterol metabolism. Targeting PCSK9 for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia is effective in the prevention from cardiovascular diseases and PCSK9 inhibitors are getting to be administered in more cases. Therefore understanding the effects of PCSK9 in other tissues gained importance in the use of PCSK9 inhibitors era.

Summary

PCSK9 participates in cardiac, renal, and neurologic functions however, current literature reveals that use of PSCSK9 inhibitors have beneficial or neutral effects on these organs. Inhibition of PCSK9 is assigned to be associated with new onset diabetes in experimental studies whereas real world data with PCSK9 inhibitors established no relationship between PCSK9 inhibitors and new onset diabetes. PCSK9 might be used as a target for the treatment of nephrotic syndrome and heart failure in the future.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiology Department, Beypazarı State Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

    Yusuf Ziya Şener

  2. Cardiology Department, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey

    Lale Tokgözoğlu

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  1. Yusuf Ziya Şener
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Correspondence to Yusuf Ziya Şener.

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Conflict of Interest

Lale TOKGÖZOĞLU has received honoraria for lectures and consultancy from Abbott, Pfizer, Recordati, Astra Zeneca, Novartis, Sanofi, Novo Nordisk, MSD, Amgen, Bayer, Daiichi Sankyo, and Janssen. She also participated in clinical trials sponsored by Novo Nordisk, Novartis, MSD, and Amgen. Yusuf Ziya ŞENER has no conflict of interest do declare.

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Şener, Y.Z., Tokgözoğlu, L. Pleiotropy of PCSK9: Functions in Extrahepatic Tissues. Curr Cardiol Rep 25, 979–985 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-023-01918-2

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