High density lipoproteins: Measurement techniques and potential biomarkers of cardiovascular risk

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Science
• Lipid Metabolism
• Biomarker Discovery

Background:

• Plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is a heterogeneous family of lipoproteins.
• While HDL-C mass is a biomarker of cardiovascular risk, it may not reflect HDL functionality or be causal in preventing atherosclerosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the limitations of current laboratory technologies for measuring HDL functionality.
• To discuss emergent approaches for assessing HDL function as a potential therapeutic target and biomarker for cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Main Methods:

• Review of current laboratory technologies for separating and quantifying HDL species.
• Discussion of emergent analytical approaches for assessing HDL function.

Main Results:

• Current HDL-C mass measurement may not adequately reflect HDL's cardioprotective functions.
• Development of robust, high-throughput assays for HDL function is challenging due to HDL's pleiotropic effects.

Conclusions:

• Simple HDL-C mass measurement may be a biomarker of cardiovascular health, not necessarily causality.
• Validated, high-throughput assays for HDL function are required for clinical application in predicting CVD.