Karolinska: mouse genes found to reduce LDL cholesterol

Scientists at the Karolinska Institutet have now identified genes that reduce levels of LDL cholesterol in mice. The research group has shown that the accumulation of plaque that causes myocardial infarction and stroke can be prevented if levels of LDL, so-called “bad” cholesterol are reduced before atherosclerotic plaque has progressed beyond a particular point. The group also identified a network of 37 genes that lowers levels of blood cholesterol and brings about the beneficial effect.

“Previously, much atherosclerosis research was focused on identifying ways to stabilise the most dangerous plaques in order to prevent them rupturing and causing myocardial infarction or stroke,” says Associate Professor Johan Björkegren, who has led the study. “Our discovery means that we can now target the actual development of dangerous plaques.”

The discovery encompasses a network of genes and explains their mutual interaction. The finding builds on several years of network algorithm development under Jesper Tegnér, professor of computational biology.

“The time when individual genes or gene pathways were thought to explain the development of complex common diseases, such as atherosclerosis, is past,” says Björkegren. “We now have enough tools and knowledge of system biology to take on the total complexity of these diseases.”