title: The pleiotropic role of HDL in autoimmune diseases.
abstract: As is widely known, the classic function of HDL is reverse cholesterol transport (RCT), thus removing cholesterol from peripheral tissues. Early epidemiological studies, such as Framingham's, stated that increased HDL levels were associated with a significant decrease in relative risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. However, those with heightened expectations in recent years for the development of therapeutic targets to increase HDL levels have been disappointed, because efforts have demonstrated the opposite effect on cardiovascular and global mortality. However, in contrast, studies have highlighted the complexity and the intriguing role of HDL in different pathological conditions, such as infections, neoplasms, and autoimmune diseases. In this review an attempt is made to summarize some biological pathways that link HDL function with the immune system, and its possible clinical repercussions in autoimmune diseases.
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine, Sant Joan University Hospital, Reus, Spain. Electronic address: sandra.parra@grupsagessa.com.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Parra
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine, Sant Joan University Hospital, Reus, Spain.
authors.forename: Antoni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Castro
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine, Sant Joan University Hospital, Reus, Spain.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Masana
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001692:Biological Transport; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D002784:Cholesterol
keywords: Acute phase response; Autoimmune diseases; Enfermedades autoinmunes; HDL; Lupus eritematoso sistémico; Respuesta de fase aguda; SLE