Cigarette smoke extract stimulates PCSK9 production in HepG2 cells via ROS/NF‑κB signaling

Cigarette smoke (CS) exposure is a risk factor for dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis. Reduced expression of low‑density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) in hepatocytes may be one of the underlying mechanisms for these disorders. The aim of the present study was to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the regulatory effect of CS extract (CSE) on proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and low LDLR expression in HepG2 cells....