This looks good!
October 14, 1999 16:40
CV Therapeutics Scientists Demonstrate a Novel Approach to
Remove Cholesterol From Cells
Study Finding May Lead to New Treatments for Cholesterol Management to Reduce Heart Disease Risk
PALO ALTO, Calif., Oct. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- A study published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation (October 15, 1999) reports that scientists at CV Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CVTX) have demonstrated
that increasing levels of a gene known as ABC1 enhances the removal of cholesterol from cultured cells. This research provides the first biological evidence suggesting that therapies which increase the level of ABC1 might aid in removing cholesterol from the body, which could reduce the risk of heart disease, the leading killer in the United States.
Using gene expression microarray analysis along with other techniques, CV Therapeutics, working with Incyte Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: INCY) and University of Washington, determined that ABC1 is a key gene involved in the formation of high density lipoprotein (HDL or the "good" cholesterol). Scientists have known for some time that HDL removes excess cholesterol from the body. CVT researchers have now established that ABC1 shuttles cholesterol outside the cell, where it can be converted to HDL. Moreover, CVT scientists have utilized recombinant gene expression techniques to successfully modulate the level of ABC1 within cultured cells.
"Low HDL cholesterol is as much a risk factor as high LDL, or "bad," cholesterol for heart disease," explained study lead investigator, Richard Lawn, Ph.D., Vice President, Discovery Research at CV Therapeutics. "By increasing ABC1 in cultured cells, we were able to boost the efficiency of cholesterol removal from the cell. This could lead to increased production of HDL cholesterol in the body, and hence, the eventual removal of cholesterol from the body."
"We believe this new finding holds the promise of discovering new treatment solutions for cholesterol management that could substantially impact treatment for heart disease, similar to how statins, such as Lipitor(R) and Zocor(R), changed the way we manage high LDL," added Dr. Lawn.
Study Findings
The authors reported their findings that mutations in the gene encoding the transporter protein known as ABC1 cause Tangier disease, a rare genetic disorder that results in very low levels of HDL and is
associated with increased risk of heart disease. This work, followed by additional studies, enabled the authors to demonstrate that by controlling the amount of the ABC1 gene in cells, the level of cholesterol removal from the cells can be modulated.
CV Therapeutics' scientists believe that these discoveries may lead to the development of compounds that could increase the amount of ABC1 protein in humans and remove excess cholesterol from artery walls. Efforts may also be directed to developing gene therapy approaches to raise HDL levels in patients with pathologically low HDL, thus reducing the incidence of heart disease.
"Studying a disease that affects a small population, such as Tangier disease," noted Dr. Lawn, "has led us to the discovery of a possible pathway that may eventually lead to therapies for those suffering from or at risk for heart disease."
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