| 摘要 |
The present invention provides methods for preventing the accumulation of cholesterol/triglycerides within mammalian cells. The present methods are based upon the surprising discovery that ER stress in a cell leads to cholesterol/triglyceride accumulation within the cell, which cholesterol/triglyceride accumulation is often a causative factor in the development of any of a number of conditions or diseases, such as atherosclerosis. The ER stress can be the result of any of a variety of causes, including homocysteine, viral infection, and hypoxia. Accordingly, counteracting the progression or the severity of ER stress can be used to inhibit the accumulation of cholesterol/triglycerides in said cell, thereby preventing or lessening the severity of any of a number of cholesterol-related diseases or conditions, e.g., atherosclerosis. In addition, the presence of ER stress in a cell can be used to diagnose a cholesterol associated disease, or to predict the propensity of a mammal to develop a disease.
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