Regulation of reverse cholesterol transport and clinical implications

Am J Cardiol. 2003 Aug 18;92(4A):42J-49J. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9149(03)00615-5.

Abstract

Plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and its major protein, apolipoprotein A-I, are inversely correlated with the incidence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Low HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I levels often are found in association with other cardiovascular risk factors, including the metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, overexpression of apolipoprotein A-I in animals has been shown to reduce progression and even induce regression of atherosclerosis, indicating that apolipoprotein A-I is directly protective against atherosclerosis. A major mechanism by which apolipoprotein A-I inhibits atherosclerosis may be by promoting cholesterol efflux from macrophages and returning it to the liver for excretion, a process termed reverse cholesterol transport. This article focuses on new developments in the regulation of reverse cholesterol transport and the clinical implications of those developments.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / genetics
  • Animals
  • Apolipoprotein A-I / genetics
  • Biological Transport / genetics*
  • Biological Transport / physiology
  • CD36 Antigens / genetics
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins
  • Cholesterol, HDL / genetics
  • Cholesterol, HDL / metabolism*
  • Glycoproteins*
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Hypolipidemic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Hypolipoproteinemias / drug therapy
  • Hypolipoproteinemias / genetics
  • Hypolipoproteinemias / metabolism*
  • Lipase / genetics
  • Lipoprotein Lipase / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Mice
  • Niacin / therapeutic use
  • Phospholipid Transfer Proteins*
  • Receptors, Immunologic*
  • Receptors, Lipoprotein*
  • Receptors, Scavenger
  • Risk Factors
  • Scavenger Receptors, Class B

Substances

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters
  • Apolipoprotein A-I
  • CD36 Antigens
  • CETP protein, human
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins
  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Glycoproteins
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • Hypolipidemic Agents
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Phospholipid Transfer Proteins
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Receptors, Lipoprotein
  • Receptors, Scavenger
  • Scarb1 protein, mouse
  • Scavenger Receptors, Class B
  • Niacin
  • LIPG protein, human
  • Lipase
  • Lipg protein, mouse
  • Lipoprotein Lipase