Inhibition of endothelial cell adhesion molecule expression by high density lipoproteins

1. A low level of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is highly predictive of premature coronary heart disease (CHD). It is unclear from human studies whether this relationship reflects an ability of HDL to protect against coronary disease or whether a low HDL in coronary patients is simply an epiphenomenon. 2. Recent studies of transgenic mice provide strong evidence that HDL are directly anti-atherogenic, although the mechanism of the protection is unknown. It is uncertain whether it relates to the involvement of HDL in plasma cholesterol transport or to a range of non-lipid transport functions of HDL. 3. We have recently reported HDL have the ability to inhibit the cytokine-induced expression of adhesion molecules by endothelial cells, a process well recognized as an early event in the development of atherosclerosis.