HDL biology
A review names LCAT and CETP as the joint enzymatic drivers of reverse cholesterol transport from tissues to the liver (J Am Osteopath Assoc 1992)
Original title: Physiologic role and clinical significance of reverse cholesterol transport
Low HDL levels are a well-established major coronary heart disease risk factor, though the precise role of HDL in preventing or reversing atherosclerosis remains unknown. HDL has been proposed to function jointly with lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase and cholesteryl ester transfer protein to move cholesterol from peripheral tissues to the liver, a mechanism termed reverse cholesterol transport that has been shown to be an important physiologic process, though its clinical significance remains unclear despite being intriguing. This review examines recent advances in the components of reverse cholesterol transport and evaluates their potential significance for the early diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis.
Original abstract
Low levels of high-density lipoproteins have been consistently shown to be a major risk factor for coronary heart disease. However, the precise role of HDL in the prevention or reversal of atherosclerosis (or both) is unknown. It has been proposed that HDL functions jointly with the enzyme lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase and the cholesteryl ester transfer protein to facilitate the movement of cholesterol from tissues to the liver. This mechanism--referred to as reverse cholesterol transport--has been shown to be an important physiologic mechanism. However, its clinical significance, though intriguing, is unclear. This article reviews recent advances concerning the components of reverse cholesterol transport and evaluates their potential significance in the early diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis.
Summary written by cetpinhibition.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 19 August 2026. Methods.