High-density lipoprotein subclasses and apolipoprotein A-I》.pdf

Clinica Chimica Acta 286 (1999) 97–114 High-density lipoprotein subclasses and apolipoprotein A-I P. Durieza,b, J.C. Frucharta,b , * a ´ ´ ´ Departement d ’Atherosclerose et INSERM U. 325, Institut Pasteur, 1 rue du Professeur Calmette, B .P. 245, 59019 Lille Cedex, France b ´ ´ Faculte de Pharmacie, Universite de Lille II, Lille, France Received 30 October 1998; accepted 2 March 1999 Abstract Epidemiological and clinical studies showing an association between decreased concentrations of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and increased risk of premature coronary artery disease have generated interest in the mechanism through which HDL prevents atherosclerosis. Recognition of the importance of apolipoproteins (apo(s)) has led to the separation of HDL into subpopulations according to their apolipoprotein composition. It is now recognised that HDL comprises at least two types of apo A-I-containing lipoproteins: LpA-I:A-II containing both apo A-I and apo A-II and LpA-I containing apo A-I but not apo A-II. A majority of studies support the fact that LpA-I is more effective than LpA-I:A-II in promoting cellular cholesterol efflux, the first step in reverse cholesterol transport. Studies in transgenic animals have revealed that the gene transfer of human apo A-I in mice and rabbits increases plasma apo A-I and HDL cholesterol levels and particularly apo A-I-rich HDL particle concentrations, leading to inhibition of the development of dietary or genetically induced athe