Purpose of review: 5-Lipoxygenase (5LO) was recently identified as a gene that makes an important contribution to atherosclerosis in mice and humans, but the underlying mechanism(s) remains unknown.
Recent findings: Studies of the 5LO pathway in other disease areas suggest that 5LO could contribute to atherosclerosis at different levels, such as lesion initiation, growth and cellular proliferation within the lesion, and/or destabilization of plaques that can lead to their rupture.
Summary: Recent advances in our understanding of how 5LO is involved in the atherosclerotic process will have important implications for diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in the future.