Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type-9 (PCSK9) binds to and degrades low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor, leading to an increase of LDL cholesterol in blood. Here the authors show that PCSK9 itself directly induces inflammation and aggravates atherosclerosis independently of the LDL receptor.
- Dasom Shin
- Soungchan Kim
- Hyo-Soo Kim