Adeno-associated virus-mediated expression of acid sphingomyelinase decreases atherosclerotic lesion formation in apolipoprotein E.

Background The secretory form of acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) is postulated to play a key role in the retention and aggregation of lipoproteins in the subendothelial space of the arterial wall by converting sphingomyelin in lipoproteins into ceramide. The present study aimed to determine whether the level of circulating ASM activity affects lesion development in mouse model of atherosclerosis. Methods Apolipoprotein E deficient (ApoE [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]