The role of lipid transfer proteins in plasma lipoprotein metabolism

Human plasma contains a number of proteins that promote movement of lipids between lipoprotein fractions. One of these proteins, designated lipid transfer protein, is known to promote bidirectional transfers of cholesteryl esters, triglyceride, and phospholipids between all plasma lipoprotein fractions. This report briefly reviews the role of lipid transfer protein in plasma cholesterol transport and in the regulation of the particle size distribution of high-density lipoproteins. Studies are described that show that the small particle size of high-density lipoproteins in human subjects with hypertriglyceridemia is a result of the combined actions of lipid transfer protein and hepatic lipase.