Preferential Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Enrichment and Sphingomyelin Depletion Are Key Features of Small Dense HDL3 Particles

Abstract

An elevated sphingosine-1-phosphate/sphingomyelin ratio is an integral feature of small dense HDL3, reflecting enrichment in sphingosine-1-phosphate, a key antiapoptotic molecule, and depletion of sphingomyelin, a structural lipid with negative impact on surface fluidity and LCAT activity. These findings further distinguish the structure and antiatherogenic activities of small, dense HDL.