Genetics of Lipoproteins in Afro-Caribbean Families

描述（由申请人提供）：以低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL-C）和血浆甘油三酯（TG）水平升高以及低水平高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL- C）为特征的致动脉粥样硬化脂蛋白表型与冠心病风险增加相关。此外，有助于动脉粥样硬化发展的脂蛋白特征包括脂蛋白亚类。非洲血统的人群比白种人具有更有利的脂蛋白谱，其特点是TG水平较低，HDL-C水平较高。研究表明，遗传因素在决定脂蛋白水平和冠心病风险方面可能非常重要，但关于非洲血统人群和家庭中脂蛋白遗传学的数据很少。更好地了解非洲遗传人群中脂蛋白表型的家族聚集对于揭示影响脂蛋白水平及其亚类和大小的基因，从而影响动脉粥样硬化和冠心病的发展非常重要。我们的长期目标是剖析传统的遗传结构和核磁共振（NMR）测量的脂蛋白表型扩展，非洲遗产的多代家庭。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The atherogenic lipoprotein phenotype, characterized by elevated levels of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and plasma triglyceride (TG), and low levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL- C), is associated with an increased risk for CHD. Furthermore, lipoprotein characteristics that contribute to the development of atherosclerosis include lipoprotein subclasses. Populations of African heritage have a more favorable lipoprotein profile than Caucasians, characterized by lower levels of TG and higher levels of HDL-C. It has been shown that genetic factors may be very important in determining lipoprotein levels, and consequently CHD risk, but very little data exist regarding the genetics of lipoproteins in populations and families of African heritage. A better understanding of the familial aggregation of lipoprotein phenotypes in populations of African heritage is very important for unraveling the genes influencing lipoprotein levels and their subclasses and sizes, and consequently the development of atherosclerosis and CHD. Our long-term goal is to dissect the genetic architecture of traditional and nuclear magnetic spectroscopy (NMR) measured lipoprotein phenotypes in extended, multi-generational families of African heritage.