Marcelo Amar, M.D., FASHG, FAHA

Marcelo J. A. Amar, M.D., FASHG, FAHA, is a Senior Medical Officer in the Lipoprotein Metabolism Laboratory, Translational Vascular Medicine Branch, NHLBI, NIH. His research focuses on the role of lipoproteins, apolipoproteins, and lipid-modifying enzymes in atherosclerosis, dyslipidemia, and cardiometabolic disease. He has led or co-led translational studies of apolipoprotein mimetic peptides, lecithin–cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) replacement therapy, and innovative biologics and vaccines targeting pathways such as apoC-II, apoC-III, PCSK9, and lipoprotein lipase. Dr. Amar has extensive experience using genetic mouse models and early-phase clinical trials to dissect HDL function, triglyceride metabolism, and novel lipid-lowering strategies. His current projects include dietary lipid interventions and mechanistic trials of lipoprotein-targeted therapies in humans. His work bridges basic lipoprotein biology and early phase human studies, with extensive experience designing and conducting more than five interventional clinical trials in dyslipidemia and cardiometabolic disease. He has served as a principal investigator on randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trials of oral alpha cyclodextrin for lipid and glucose modulation, NIacin intervention study, omega 3 and omega 11–rich fish oil preparations, and apolipoprotein targeted biologics and vaccines that modulate apoC II, apoC III, PCSK9, and LCAT pathways. These studies integrate detailed lipoprotein phenotyping (NMR, HDL function, cholesterol efflux) with clinical outcomes to inform novel therapies for atherosclerosis, triglyceride rich lipoprotein disorders, and related cardiometabolic conditions.

Core scientific interests

• Lipoprotein metabolism and atherosclerosis – hepatic lipase, LCAT, ABCA1/ABCG1/ABCG5/8, SR BI/SR BII, and their roles in HDL biology, remnant clearance, and plaque development.
• Apolipoprotein mimetic peptides – design and testing of apoA I, apoC II, apoC III, and apoE mimetic peptides for atheroprotection, triglyceride lowering, and modulation of inflammation.
• Triglyceride rich lipoprotein disorders – mechanisms and treatment of hypertriglyceridemia, including apoC II deficiency, apoC III antagonism, and recombinant lipoprotein lipase approaches.
• LCAT biology and therapy – basic and translational work on LCAT in HDL remodeling, LpX formation, renal disease, and first in human LCAT enzyme replacement in familial deficiency.

Clinical and translational trial interests

• Early phase and first in human trials of lipid modifying agents (LCAT replacement, apo mimetic peptides, PCSK9 VLP vaccine, novel biologics and small molecules).
• Dietary lipid interventions – omega 3 and omega 11 fatty acids, palmitoleic acid, cyclodextrins, and other nutraceutical strategies to modify lipoproteins, HDL function, and cardiometabolic risk.
• Clinical dyslipidemia phenotyping and risk algorithms – development of new dyslipidemia classifications, LDL C estimation equations, and ASCVD risk tools to guide therapy.

Methodologic and mechanistic interests

• Advanced lipoprotein profiling – HDL subclass analysis, proteomics, cholesterol efflux assays, fluorescent lipid tracking, and detailed NMR and functional readouts.
• Gene therapy and genetic models – use of viral vectors, transgenic/knockout mice, and in vivo reverse cholesterol transport models to interrogate lipoprotein pathways.
• Inflammation and vascular biology – links between lipid metabolism, NLRP3 inflammasome activity, sepsis, pulmonary hypertension, and tissue inflammation.

Publications

Editing Cytoprotective Autophagy in Glioma: An Unfulfilled Potential for Therapy

Isatis tinctoria L. (Woad): A Review of its Botany, Ethnobotanical Uses, Phytochemistry, Biological Activities, and Biotechnological Studies

Randomized double blind clinical trial on the effect of oral α-cyclodextrin on serum lipids

Resistance of Cynomolgus Monkeys to Nipah and Hendra Virus Disease Is Associated With Cell-Mediated and Humoral Immunity

Take back the meaning of term illness