Abstract
Accumulation of cholesterol by macrophages, leading to their transformation into foam cells is a key event in the initiation of atherosclerosis. As maintenance of cholesterol homeostasis in macrophages is essential to prevent foam cell formation, mechanisms by which macrophages export cellular cholesterol have been intensively investigated in recent years. Several epidemiological studies have shown that plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol are inversely correlated with the risk of atherosclerosis. The protective effect of HDL against macrophage foam cell formation and atherosclerosis is primarily attributed to its role in reverse cholesterol transport (RCT), a process by which excess cholesterol in peripheral tissues is transported to the liver for excretion. The present review discusses current knowledge on the biological activities of the major apolipoproteins, enzymes, lipid transfer proteins, receptors, and lipid transporters associated with HDL function and levels. In addition, current views on the molecular mechanisms underlying the atheroprotective functions of HDL beyond promotion of RCT, including the anti-oxidant, anti-thrombotic, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties of HDL are summarized.
Keywords: HDL, reverse cholesterol transport, cholesterol efflux, macrophage, atherosclerosis
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: High-Density Lipoprotein: Key Molecule in Cholesterol Efflux and the Prevention of Atherosclerosis
Volume: 16 Issue: 13
Author(s): Illiana Meurs, Miranda Van Eck and Theo J.C. Van Berkel
Affiliation:
Keywords: HDL, reverse cholesterol transport, cholesterol efflux, macrophage, atherosclerosis
Abstract: Accumulation of cholesterol by macrophages, leading to their transformation into foam cells is a key event in the initiation of atherosclerosis. As maintenance of cholesterol homeostasis in macrophages is essential to prevent foam cell formation, mechanisms by which macrophages export cellular cholesterol have been intensively investigated in recent years. Several epidemiological studies have shown that plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol are inversely correlated with the risk of atherosclerosis. The protective effect of HDL against macrophage foam cell formation and atherosclerosis is primarily attributed to its role in reverse cholesterol transport (RCT), a process by which excess cholesterol in peripheral tissues is transported to the liver for excretion. The present review discusses current knowledge on the biological activities of the major apolipoproteins, enzymes, lipid transfer proteins, receptors, and lipid transporters associated with HDL function and levels. In addition, current views on the molecular mechanisms underlying the atheroprotective functions of HDL beyond promotion of RCT, including the anti-oxidant, anti-thrombotic, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties of HDL are summarized.
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Cite this article as:
Meurs Illiana, Van Eck Miranda and J.C. Van Berkel Theo, High-Density Lipoprotein: Key Molecule in Cholesterol Efflux and the Prevention of Atherosclerosis, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2010; 16 (13) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161210791051022
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161210791051022 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
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