2nd International Symposium on Reverse Cholesterol Transport: report on a meeting

The purpose of this symposium was to provide a forum for presenting recent findings and for exchange of ideas concerning reverse cholesterol transport. Because the mechanism involving HDL in the prevention and/or reversal of atherosclerosis is still unknown, this area is of intense interest. Although reverse cholesterol transport as an essential physiological mechanism has been validated, the clinical significance of this pathway remains unclear. Key elements of knowledge are lacking that would allow the linking of cholesterol efflux from cells and tissues with specific events in HDL metabolism, particularly those that are relevant to the prevention and/or reversal of atherosclerosis. Because of the intricate nature of the interaction between the components of reverse cholesterol transport, this second conference involving the leading investigators proved particularly valuable for presentation and extensive discussion of unpublished and occasionally controversial findings. Following this conference, an agreement was reached between the organizers and Dr. Norman E. Miller to combine this symposium with the previously held International Symposia on High Density Lipoproteins in Atherosclerosis (organized by Dr. Miller).