Role of lipoprotein structure and dynamics in disease development : from atherosclerosis to Covid-19

Sammanfattning: Lipoproteins play a crucial role in lipid metabolism, serving as carriers for lipids such as cholesterol and triglycerides in the bloodstream. Atherosclerosis is a complex cardiovascular disease characterized by the accumulation of cholesterol-rich plaques in arterial walls, leading to narrowed and hardened arteries. Recently, the spike protein from the SARS-CoV-2 virus, responsible for COVID-19, has been the subject of research concerning its potential impact on lipid metabolism and its association with cardiovascular disease. Understanding the interaction between lipoproteins and the spike protein influence on lipid metabolism could have implications for our knowledge of cardiovascular health.In this research, we investigated the ultrastructure of HDL from individuals with different lipid profiles as well as the interaction of mature HDL and model of nascent HDL with model membranes. Understanding these differences will help create novel rHDL particles with superior lipid-removing and CVD-treating properties. Finally, the interaction between the spike protein and HDL in model cell membranes to study potential imbalances in lipid metabolism. To achieve the different objectives, lipid deposition, exchange and removal were followed by techniques such as Neutron reflection and attenuated total reflection Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy while, the ultrastructure was unravelled by small-angle X-ray scattering.