Coenzyme q10 deficiency in familial hypercholesterolemia

  1. Suárez Rivero, Juan Miguel
Dirigida por:
  1. José A. Sánchez-Alcázar Director

Universidad de defensa: Universidad Pablo de Olavide

Fecha de defensa: 05 de julio de 2019

Tribunal:
  1. Jesús Manuel de Miguel Rodríguez Presidente/a
  2. Gloria Teresa Brea Calvo Secretaria
  3. Ovidio Muñiz Grijalbo Vocal
Departamento:
  1. Fisiología, Anatomía y Biología Celular

Tipo: Tesis

Teseo: 584575 DIALNET

Resumen

Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal co-dominant genetic disorder characterized by elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and increased risk for premature cardiovascular disease. Here, we examined FH pathophysiology in skin fibroblasts derived from FH patients harboring heterozygous mutations in the LDL-receptor. Fibroblasts from FH patients showed a reduced LDL-uptake associated with increased intracellular cholesterol levels and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) deficiency, suggesting dysregulation of the mevalonate pathway. Secondary CoQ10 deficiency was associated with mitochondrial depolarization and mitophagy activation in FH fibroblasts. Persistent mitophagy altered autophagy flux and induced inflammasome activation accompanied by increased production of cytokines by mutant cells. All the pathological alterations in FH fibroblasts were also reproduced in a human endothelial cell line by LDL-receptor gene silencing. Both increased intracellular cholesterol and mitochondrial dysfunction in FH fibroblasts were partially restored by CoQ10 supplementation. Dysregulated mevalonate pathway in FH, including increased expression of cholesterogenic enzymes and decreased expression of CoQ10 biosynthetic enzymes, was also corrected by CoQ10 treatment. Reduced CoQ10 content and mitochondrial dysfunction may play an important role in the pathophysiology of early atherosclerosis in FH. The diagnosis of CoQ10 deficiency and mitochondrial impairment in FH patients may also be important to establish early treatment with CoQ10.