Our goal is to find better ways to remove cholesterol directly from the cells where it builds up.
Alexis Stamatikos, lead researcher and associate professor in Clemson’s Department of Food, Nutrition and Packaging Sciences
In a promising development for cardiovascular health, scientists at Clemson University and the Medical University of South Carolina have made significant strides in understanding how the human body clears excess cholesterol—a key factor in combating heart disease.
Their work could lead to more effective treatments for conditions such as coronary artery disease and stroke, which remain leading causes of death worldwide.
At the heart of this research is a deeper examination of how the body’s immune system can be harnessed to remove cholesterol from tissues, particularly within artery walls, where buildup can lead to life-threatening blockages. The team’s findings center on two proteins—ABCA1 and ABCG1—that play a crucial role in enhancing the ability of immune cells to eliminate cholesterol.
“Many people take medications like statins to lower cholesterol, but those medications don’t always stop heart disease from progressing,” said Alexis “Stocko” Stamatikos, lead researcher and associate professor in Clemson’s Department of Food, Nutrition and Packaging Sciences. “Our goal is to find better ways to remove cholesterol directly from the cells where it builds up.”
A new approach to an old problem
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance produced by the liver and found in the blood. It is essential for making hormones and digesting fatty foods. However, when levels become too high, cholesterol can accumulate in the arteries, leading to the development of atherosclerosis. This condition narrows and hardens the arteries, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Traditional treatments, such as statins, work by lowering the amount of cholesterol circulating in the bloodstream. While effective for many, these medications don’t always address the root of the problem: cholesterol that has already built up in the arterial walls. That’s where Stamatikos and his team’s research comes in.
Their study focuses on boosting ABCA1 and ABCG1 activity within specific immune cells, known as macrophages, which can act as the body’s cleanup crew.
“It’s a step forward in understanding how the body may defend itself against atherosclerosis and what may be done for future atherosclerosis therapies to become more effective,” Stamatikos said.
The science behind the discovery
The ABCA1 and ABCG1 proteins are part of a family of transporters that help move cholesterol out of cells. When these proteins are activated, they assist in the transfer of cholesterol to apoAI, as well as high-density lipoproteins (HDL), commonly referred to as “good cholesterol.”
The protein apoAI is a primary protein in HDL. It is a multifunctional protein that plays key roles in cholesterol transport, helping to remove excess cholesterol from the body’s tissues and transport it to the liver for excretion or recycling. Additionally, apoAI can be involved in regulating immune and inflammatory responses and may have therapeutic potential in treating atherosclerosis and several other types of diet-related diseases.
By studying how the ABCA1 and ABCG1 proteins function in immune cells—particularly macrophages, which are known for “eating” cellular debris—the researchers gained insight into how the body may be trained to manage cholesterol levels better.
This approach represents a potential paradigm shift from traditional cholesterol management to targeted cellular therapy. Instead of simply reducing cholesterol production, the goal is to enhance the body’s ability to clean up existing cholesterol deposits found in the arteries of the heart and neck.
Why this study matters
The implications of this research are far-reaching. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 86 million adults in the United States have cholesterol levels of 200 mg/dL or higher, which is well above the optimal level of 150 mg/dL. High cholesterol often has no symptoms, making regular testing essential.
Lifestyle factors such as poor diet, lack of exercise and smoking contribute to elevated cholesterol levels. Still, genetics and underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes, also play a role. The ability to target cholesterol buildup at the cellular level could offer new hope for individuals who struggle to manage their levels through conventional means.
“This research could pave the way for therapies that work inside artery walls, addressing the problem at its source,” said Stamatikos.
Looking ahead
While the research is still in its early stages, the potential for clinical applications is promising. Future studies will focus on how these proteins can be activated safely and effectively in vivo.
The goal is to develop therapies that lower cholesterol levels and prevent the damage high cholesterol levels cause to blood vessels.
“It’s about giving the body the tools it needs to protect itself against atherosclerosis,” Stamatikos said.
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
