HDL biology
Review dissects how CETP and PLTP jointly drive low HDL in type 2 diabetes via specific apolipoprotein modulators (Curr Opin Lipidol 2007)
Original title: Concerted actions of cholesteryl ester transfer protein and phospholipid transfer protein in type 2 diabetes: effects of apolipoproteins
This review addresses how plasma lipid transfer proteins contribute to the elevated triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, and small dense LDL characteristic of type 2 diabetic dyslipidemia. It reports that CETP-mediated cholesteryl ester transfer is increased in diabetic patients and contributes to low plasma HDL cholesterol, with apolipoproteins A-I, A-II, and E acting as donor-particle components in this transfer, and discusses emerging evidence for apolipoproteins C-I, F, and A-IV as additional modulators of CETP activity. Phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) activity is also increased in diabetic patients, contributing to hepatic VLDL synthesis and vitamin E transfer, with apoE potentially stimulating PLTP-mediated remodeling of HDL. The review concludes that CETP and PLTP act in concert to shape VLDL and HDL metabolism in type 2 diabetes.
Original abstract
Purpose Of Review: Type 2 diabetes frequently coincides with dyslipidemia, characterized by elevated plasma triglycerides, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and the presence of small dense low-density lipoprotein particles. Plasma lipid transfer proteins play an essential role in lipoprotein metabolism. It is thus vital to understand their pathophysiology and determine which factors influence their functioning in type 2 diabetes.
Recent Findings: Cholesteryl ester transfer protein-mediated transfer is increased in diabetic patients and contributes to low plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Apolipoproteins A-I, A-II and E are components of the donor lipoprotein particles that participate in the transfer of cholesteryl esters from high-density lipoprotein to apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins. Current evidence for functional roles of apolipoproteins C-I, F and A-IV as modulators of cholesteryl ester transfer is discussed. Phospholipid transfer protein activity is increased in diabetic patients and may contribute to hepatic very low-density lipoprotein synthesis and secretion and vitamin E transfer. Apolipoprotein E could stimulate the phospholipid transfer protein-mediated transfer of surface fragments of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins to high-density lipoprotein, and promote high-density lipoprotein remodelling.
Summary: Both phospholipid and cholesteryl ester transfer proteins are important in very low and high-density lipoprotein metabolism and display concerted actions in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Summary written by cetpinhibition.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 19 August 2026. Methods.