High-density lipoprotein mimetics: focus on synthetic high-density lipoprotein

Epidemiologic studies show an inverse relation between high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels and coronary artery disease, and proof-of-concept experimental studies suggest that HDL and its apolipoproteins, specifically apolipoprotein (apo) A-I , have atheroprotective effects. Atheroprotective effects of HDL are attributed to its ability to remove macrophage cholesterol by stimulating reverse cholesterol transport as well as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Several different strategies are currently being pursued to exploit the vascular-protective effects of HDL. One such approach involves direct administration of synthetic reconstituted HDL made from linking phospholipid carriers with recombinant mutant apoA-I or plasma-derived wild-type apoA-I.