High-density lipoprotein and innate immunity

Abstract

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) constitutes a group of plasma lipoprotein particles with a well-established function in reverse cholesterol transport. Besides this crucial function, the diversity of HDL indicates that it plays other biological roles than those related to plasma lipid homeostasis and protection against atherosclerosis. The present review describes the recent breakthrough in the elucidation of the molecular mechanism underlying the protective effect of a subspecies of HDL against infection by certain trypanosome parasites.

Keywords:

• apolipoprotein L-I
• apolipoprotein L-I-derived drug therapy
• haptoglobin
• haptoglobin-related protein
• innate immunity
• serum
• resistance-associated protein
• trypanolysis
• trypanosome
• trypanosome lytic factor