Anti-lipoprotein lipase antibodies: A review

Background: Dyslipidemia is described in several autoimmune conditions. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is responsible for triglyceride breakdown. Anti-LPL antibodies have been described.

Objective: To review articles on anti-LPL antibodies in autoimmune and non-autoimmune diseases.

Results: Twenty-two articles were found: 9 case reports and 13 observational studies. In 5 of 9 case reports, hypertriglyceridemia normalized after immunosuppressive treatment. The observational studies showed the prevalence and associations of anti-LPL antibodies: systemic lupus erythematosus, found in 37.8 % to 71 % of patients and associated with nephritis, disease activity, and the presence of anti-dsDNA antibodies. In myositis, the prevalence ranged from 4 % to 43 % without any reported association. In scleroderma, they were found in 35 % to 42 % and associated with skin and lung fibrosis, heart involvement, and the presence of anti-topoisomerase-1 antibodies. In Sjögren's syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis, they were found in a minority of individuals. They were absent in Behçet's disease, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, juvenile dermatomyositis, and Takayasu arteritis. Three studies were conducted on dyslipidemic patients without autoimmune conditions, and in one of them, anti-LPL antibodies were associated with necrosis in atherosclerotic plaques.

Conclusion: Anti-LPL antibodies were detected in several autoimmune and non-autoimmune diseases, mainly connective tissue diseases, and were associated with increased triglyceride levels. These antibodies may contribute to the accelerated atherogenesis seen in these patients.