PCSK9促进动脉粥样硬化的机制进展

动脉粥样硬化（atherosclerosis，AS）是心脑血管疾病的重要病理基础。前蛋白转化酶枯草杆菌素/kexin9型（proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type9，PCSK9）是前蛋白转化酶家族中的一种，通过将肝细胞表面的低密度脂蛋白受体（low density lipoprotein receptor，LDL-R）介导到溶酶体中被降解，来参与体内低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(low density lipoprotein cholesterol, LDL-C)的代谢，使循环中LDL-C的水平升高，进而导致AS的发生发展。近年来研究显示，PCSK9可以在不影响血脂的情况下加速AS的发展。也就是说，PCSK9除了调节血脂代谢，还有独立的促进AS进展的机制。本文对PCSK9促AS的作用机制进行综述。

Mechanisms of PCSK9 on development of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis (AS) is the important pathological basis of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/Kexin type9 (PCSK9) is a member of proprotein convertases family that transport the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R) from the surface of liver cells to lysosomes for degradation. It participates in the metabolism of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), which increases the level of LDL-C in the circulation and promotes the development of AS. Recent studies have showed that PCSK9 could promote AS without affecting blood lipid level. That is to say, in addition to its influence on lipid metabolism, PCSK9 could play an independent role in promoting AS. This paper summarized the research progress in the mechanisms of PCSK9 in promoting AS.