HDL particle subpopulations: Focus on biological function

Low levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) constitute an independent biomarker of cardiovascular morbi-mortality. However, recent advances have drastically modified the classical and limited view of HDL as a carrier of 'good cholesterol', and have revealed unexpected levels of complexity in the circulating HDL particle pool. HDL particles are indeed highly heterogeneous in structure, intravascular metabolism and biological activity. This review describes recent progress in our understanding of HDL subpopulations and their biological activities, and focuses on relationships between the structural, compositional and functional heterogeneity of HDL particles.