Lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) is a cholesterol-carrying, apolipoprotein B (apo B)–containing lipoprotein that has an apolipoprotein(a) (apo[a]) moiety covalently attached to its apo B100 molecule. The attached apo(a) moiety interferes with the interaction between Lp(a) and the apo B100–dependent low-density lipoprotein receptor, resulting in a long circulating half-life and accumulation of oxidized phospholipids within Lp(a).
Source: JAMA Online First