Chapman - Figure 15 - Concept: biological activities Text

The Functions of the Proteome and the Lipidome Define the Function of HDL Cholesterol

When we put together all of the information that has been reviewed in the preceding Figures, we can see that this suggests a very important concept: that the various functions of HDL particles reflect the integrated biologic activities of not only the lipid components, the lipidome, but also of the protein components, the proteome – and that moreover, the cholesterol that is metabolized and transported by these particles – ie, the “HDL cholesterol” – is actually but one product, and not a cause, of the biologic activity of the “high-density lipoproteins.”

This is really a new concept that we and many investigators around the world are progressively building, but already it has major implications for our ultimate understanding of HDL biology, and subsequently perhaps for the development of new therapeutic approaches to increase HDL functionality in individuals with cardiometabolic disease, low levels of HDL, and accelerated atherosclerosis.

Chapman J. J Clin Lipidol. 2011; 5(6).