Аtherosclerosis-like changes in the rabbit aortic wall induced by immunization with native high-density lipoproteins.

Introduction: A high level of total cholesterol or low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is considered the main cause of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. For this reason, experimental atherosclerosis is induced by creating high blood cholesterol in animals. However, the hypothesis that atherosclerotic processes are mostly caused by immune (autoimmune) mechanisms has recently been gaining traction.