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Abstract
The inverse correlation between HDL-C and atherosclerotic vascular disease is well established and lately research has focused on HDL as a potential target in the treatment of vascular disease. Traditionally, reverse cholesterol transport is considered to be the most important mechanism by which HDL protects against atherosclerosis. However, recent findings indicate that the role of HDL as an antiatherogenic particle is much more complex and research has focused on additional protective mechanisms, such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidative characteristics. However, these additional properties are still a matter of debate and currently no standardized, reproducible, high-throughput assays that can quantify those characteristics of HDL are available. Here we discuss the current knowledge on reverse cholesterol transport and the enzymes involved in HDL synthesis and remodeling. The interactions of the HDL particle with other cells that might play a crucial role in the additional protective mechanisms of HDL are also highlighted.