Abstract
Background: In recent years, many aspects of the physiological role of PCSK9
have been elucidated, in particular regarding its role in lipid metabolism, cardiovascular
risk but also its role in innate immunity. Increasing evidence is available on the involvement
of PCSK9 in the pathogenesis of viral infections, mainly HCV, as well as in the regulation
of host response to bacterial infections, mainly sepsis and septic shock. Moreover,
the action of PCSK9 has been investigated as a crucial step in the pathogenesis of malaria
infection and disease severity.
Objective: Aim of this paper is to review available published literature on the role of
PCSK9 in a wide array of infectious diseases.
Conclusion: Besides the ongoing investigation on PCSK9 inhibition among HIV-infected
patients for the treatment of HIV- and ART-related hyperlipidemia, preclinical studies indicate
how PCSK9 is involved in reducing the replication of HCV. Moreover, a protective
role of PCSK9 inhibition has also been proposed against dengue and SARS-CoV-2 viral
infections. Interestingly, high plasmatic PCSK9 levels have been described in patients
with sepsis. Finally, a loss of function in the PCSK9-encoding gene has been reported to
possibly reduce mortality in malaria infection.
Keywords:
HCV, HIV, sepsis, protozoal infection, viral infection, bacterial infection, immunity.
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