Apolipoprotein E and atherosclerosis.
Apolipoprotein E plays a key protective role in atherosclerosis. Its capacity to safeguard against this disease can be attributed to at least three distinct functions. First, plasma apolipoprotein E maintains overall plasma cholesterol homeostasis by facilitating efficient hepatic uptake of lipoprotein remnants. Second, lesion apolipoprotein E in concert with apolipoprotein A-I facilitates cellular cholesterol efflux from macrophage foam cells within the intima of the lesion. Third, lesion apolipoprotein E directly modifies both macrophage- and T lymphocyte-mediated immune responses that contribute to this chronic inflammatory disease.
Curtiss
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LK
The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Immunology, La Jolla, California 92037, USA. lcurtiss@scripps.edu
Boisvert
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WA
D000818:Animals; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000502:physiology*; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D002784:Cholesterol